M Past and Present Interest

[Jack Pine]

Medusa Expanse - 011030:6 (Sirris II, Sanctuary System) [3490-GC]
Bahum Family Estate - Orgar City (Outskirts)

Uledor Bahum thanked the Tumnisian who finished serving the pot of tea for himself and the trio of other Bahum family members in the room. They were actually family in fact, the youngest being his granddaughter. Another was his son, and the other was Uleldor's younger sister, who had recently crested her third half Millenia.

"So, the urban developments continue apace as before? How have they been handling the new digging systems provided by the NDC?" Uledor asked his son, who was the Vaigarin minister of the city, and thus directly involved with the people.

"Well, they're definitely surprised at how well the systems have made tunneling out new caverns. Some however, are balking at their use, worried about us growing too dependent on the NDC's systems."

"I cannot fault them. The NDC are still, well, surprising us entirely in many facets. The Fucon Family has been going crazy with all the new things brought forward." Uledor replied, nodding slowly.

"Maybe suggesting to the Pines that we have more than just instructors present? Maybe some of their engineering corps?" Galestrix, Uledor's granddaughter suggested. "It might help show that the NDC feel that the Tumnisian are capable in their efforts." She continued as her grandfather gestured for her to continue. "If they feel safe standing beside them while the caverns are being dug, not by NDC hands, but by our own, it should give them a new confidence and willingness to open their minds to the introductions of the new machines and systems."

Uledor sat there a few moments and considered the idea. It had some merit, but it might be a hard sell, with all the other projects the NDC were involved in, especially with their building of their own cities. "We'll see. I can't promise they'll accept the idea, but it's worth suggesting." He said, as one of the aides stepped in, and informed the quartet of there being guests from the NDC at the door.

Uledor furrowed his brow as he considered it. "Let them in, and escort them here. We'll see what it is they wish to speak about." He said, getting a nod from the Tumnisian as he turned around to do so.

Who walked through the doors a minute later, may have been some surprise, as it was not as often of an appearance as the person would have liked. Archduke Mark Oaklen, one of the two rulers themselves, with a young man in tow. “Uledor, long time no see, I hope matters are progressing well for your people. I was in this neck of the cave, so I figured I’d come by and chat a while, maybe see if there was anything to be discussed. I hope having my son here along with me, will not prove an annoyance of crowding.”

Uledor stood up as the Archduke was shown in, eyebrows jumping up in surprise, but otherwise he seemed unfazed. Looking like a man well into his advanced age, with a beard reaching down to his knees, Uledor Bahum usually gave a disarming appearance, since most merely saw the old man. "Ah, Archduke. I was aware you were in the area, but I didn't not expect you to visit. I would have prepared a better reception than I imagine you did receive." He said, bowing, wings stretching out to either side with his tail drooping low. It was a Bahum greeting, used to show they intended no dishonor or treachery. In more ancient times, it was a sign of submission to another, but they had evolved it into a greeting.

The NDC version of it was, not quite the same, but it was as close as many could get lacking the appendages that a Bahum bore, namely wings and tail. For the NDC, they replied by bowing while bending one's arms downard with their left leg behind them. The other Vaigarin in the room gave the greeting as well, knowing exactly with whom had stepped in.

While the phrase 'neck of the cave' was aptly chosen, owing the Tumnisian's predisposition to live underground, with only those bravest living above, the Vaigain usually lived above, though the parlance was an old one they still used.

"My sister, Valstia Bahum, is here to visit. Next is my son, Curtide Bahum, who is the Vaigarin representative of the city, and my granddaughter, Galestrix Bahum." He said, standing up and gesturing to each of those present on his part.

“I’m sure you all know who I am, so let me introduce my son . His name is Heinrich, and is tagging along with me to learn for his future duties as a noble. Say hello Hein, it’s polite to always formally greet those of important station, which you need to grow accustomed to.” Mark replied after doing a very practiced human to Vaigarin greeting, then having looked to his son as he placed a hand gently on the lad’s shoulder.

Heinrich took a step forward, the young man seemed rather new to the spotlight of being royalty, as his humble shyness of being fresh to it was showing. The young man did the greeting with the best effort he could, which was not terrible, but a bit rough. “Prince Heinrich Pine, it is an exciting occasion to meet someone my father speaks so highly of. As well as your family as well, and apologies if my manners seem rough.”, the young prince offered in introduction. He looked across the group, hoping to remember them all for the future, his gaze lingering on the granddaughter only a slight second longer.

Uledor nodded. "A pleasure to meet you young Prince Pine." He says, smiling. "I hope you have been enjoying the hospitality of our city and our peoples." He continued. "Shall we sit?" He asked, gesturing to the chairs, while a new pair were brought in for the Archduke and his son.

Galestrix settled into her chair, and crossed her legs as she did so. The young Heinrich wasn't bad looking, though he could probably do with a few years growing up before he really could be a handsome young man.

Curtide gave the Archduke a nod once seated. "I do hope you haven't had too much trouble with the people in the city while you were touring it."

The pair humbly accepted the offered seats, taking their place at the table before answering. “Full of life and activity as always, and we’ve had no troubles while out and around. It is still quite impressive to see these expansive settlements built underground like this. Such a structure is very hard to keep stable, and resistant to subterranean vibrations. We’ve only managed to do so through expensive, and advanced means, but never to the same scale.”, the Archduke answered, very genuinely in awe of their architectural prowess.

Heinrich even added to what his father had said, briefly saying, “There is clearly a lot that our peoples can learn from each other. I’m looking forward to what such friendships bring in the future personally.”

Curtide smiled. "It is amazing what some of your technologies have allowed us to do. We'd only begun using coal and heated water to power the beginnings of a mechanized industry. And here you have brought us better means with materials we long thought useless. As for the caverns, well, that's something more to be credited to the Tumnisian developing than ourselves. There are benefits for us, of course, but it's just how the Tumnisian do it that makes it truly amazing."

Gale nodded and looked at the Archduke. "For all that though, as I've noticed my uncle skirt around, the Tumnisian however, are worried about the new digging tools introduced." She said, getting a disapproving look from Curtide, but only a small chuckle out of her grandfather.

"It mainly stems in that if your people are so confident in these machines working, especially in our hands, why are there so few of your own people, or at least, those involved in the building of your own cities, present while we use them? Do your people fear the results, or do they think the Excavators are not really capable of actually succeeding. I am not saying you and yours have not been a great help, just look at the new skyscrapers rising above the city. Free standing structures over 5 stories tall that won't collapse has been quite impressive after all. But, the fear is that you gift us these things to make us, well, dependent upon you."

Uledor raised a hand as Curtide opened his mouth to admonish Galestrix. "Calm son. She's not yet a century old. She hasn't gained the wisdom of your three and a quarter half millenia. But she is speaking honestly to the man who most likely would listen. And, after all, this is, I believe, just a visit of friends with one another, not a formal gathering or meeting where tradition and ritual must be followed."

“As I understand it, my father can correct me if I’m wrong. But as I understand it, the majority if not all of our equipment, is networked to our net. Anything heavy in nature like industrial machinery, tends to be even more so, even having slots for AI, or simple VI.” Was Heinrich’s answer, hoping he was not speaking out of turn, but finding it odd indeed that their people had not left more personnel to help with the equipment.

“My son speaks the truth, indeed everything we use is networked, and safeties are always in place. If anything is to go wrong, then it should rectify itself, or be remotely switched off. I am not sure why my people have left it that minimal in representation, and will endeavor to speak with them on the matter.” Mark rubbed his short trimmed bearded chin, thoughtful on that as well, before adding into the conversation. “I do believe we trust the Tumnisian to make apt use of them, and with minimal issue. If training is an issue, or just purely representation, it may have been to make it not feel as if we are encroaching on their domain.”

"To be fair Archduke, you have to understand. Your equipment, according to those who have been providing instruction can be run by one Tumnisian, or one of your own. But the Tumnisian are used to needing something like a hundred men to dig out the same amount of cavern that your machine does with one. They are worried that it's these, AI or VI of yours that are really handling the work, and not themselves." Curtide pointed out.

"That's why the workers feel like your own do not trust them. The disposition of workers needed is, extreme. A normal excavation team is often a thousand workers strong to dig out a space over the course of a month that with your machines, we've done in a week with only twenty. It's a great feat of work, but the sudden change is, well, it worries them."

Uledor shrugged. "Change is coming, we all know this. The NDC's arrival has upset much. And not always for the worse. The Fucon have welcomed the NDC's developments with open wings. We've learned that they are as fallible as we are, but even so, much of what they can do is, well, hard to wrap a tail around without worrying about jabbing oneself with a talon."

"But I imagine outside the Fucon, those who've yet to reach their first five hundred years of life will be the ones to truly adapt to this. And amongst the Tumnisian, I see it being sooner." He said, and smiled. "I think, Archduke, that in this respect, it might be a good idea to suggest to your engineers that, maybe they should think about how they would do a similar task, but with our old level of development, and understand that, that's the mindset from which we are coming from. Our work is, was, a massive drain of people to do the work."

The Archduke pondered that further, “That is very true, and a mindset that doesn’t cross most of our minds over in the NDC. We came from a dying world, and have been far from that level of effort for thousands of years. Used to doing everything with minimal manpower, and the most efficient use of what little we have. Having a world not scarce of resources, is already a huge change for us.”

“If I may father, I might have a suggestion that will help ease the gap in difference as things do develop.” Heinrich was quick to interject to his father, hoping to not interrupt, but give his simpler insight into things after listening to both sides talk. Clearing his throat slightly, he pulled out a datapad, and began to form a rough outline as he began to speak. “What if we instead ship them industrial power armor, high powered jacks, mining cutters, and hardsuits? Other supplies with additional instructors as well, to help establish a more personal presence. I would be willing to meet with the mining guild even, to relay the plan if you agree with it.”, the prince said finishing, before setting the pad down and having it project a projected document with the outline for all to see.

Galestrix leaned forward, and examined what was being suggested. "It could work. I think, even if you didn't bring in those tools and equipment, just the presence of more of the NDC's workers would help. Even if it's just to act as observers. But this idea would work well I imagine. It'd be still similar to the picks and shovels we used before, instead of these machines that you stand behind and press a button on." She commented.

Valstia shook her head. "I think something else to advise if we're going to go this route, youngling, is also helping to establish a factory or facility or whatever it is you build to support these systems. Currently, any time a part is damaged or in need of replacement, we have to send for you to deliver it. That further ties us whole cloth to the NDC, without a means to show we can be equals." She pointed out as well. "One usually doesn't just hand a friend tools and then be the only way that friend can keep it working." She said,

Galestrix shrugged. "I have a feeling that so long as the NDC is here, Valstia, we will be tied to them. Much like how the other Star Visitors would grace us and stay a time. We adjusted and learned. But unlike them, these Star Visitors are here to stay, not leave when the urge takes them. At least, I hope that's the case." She said, smiling to the Archduke and son.

Heinrich cleared his throat again, trying to focus on the document, and not on the view of her cleavage he was getting through it. “That can certainly be arranged, as well as a garage for the mining rigs we’ve already provided. It will take time to instruct on the manufacturing process, and much will be involved with not only the machinery, but how they produce said components.”

Mark had been sitting quietly, happy to let his son take the lead on the discussion, and proud of his progress so far. The slight reddening of his son’s cheeks, and line of gaze, did not escape him though. Seeking to distract from it, and add to the discussion, “We have no plans to leave, this is home now, and we will gladly work to improve the life of all in it. We’ve learned the value of those who live beside us, as invaluable parts of our home, because it is just as much for them as well.”

Galestrix nodded, and leaned back, not even thinking, or realizing the 'show' she'd just given the pair of Pines. The Vaigarins even being clothed was more a formality after all. The Tumnisian weren't prudes, but they were more prone to needing clothing to protect themselves, and the Bahum's at least, not wanting to be offensive to the other half of the civilization that'd grown on the world, had adopted the wearing of clothes as well, but they tended towards more, some would say, risque attires, though they also tended towards fairly mundane wear as well.

Galestrix, was dressed in an outfit that had its cues from the NDC, but tailored for Vaigarin, well, Bahum really, tastes.

Uledor smiled. "I think that's enough talk about such things. I imagine a lot of discussion with various important people involved in these things will need to happen before we can say they will. Archduke, how has your new city been coming? My granddaughter tells me it's a place of towers of glass and light, especially at night. And only small parts of it reside underground." He asked, changing the subject.

Heinrich was quick to relax, untensing as he realized now that he had been a little bit, the pressure of such talks feeling all too real now. He was learning, but eager to prove himself, and worried about overstepping his bounds at times. After all, not being blood related, meant he wasn’t born as a proven royal.

His father took the changes in topic in stride though, grinning at the new question before answering. “Oh quite well, it should be done for the most part in just a couple weeks. Not being built over the water off an isle, has also offered far more basement room to work with. I’m hoping we can experiment with that a bit, and perhaps put some of what we’re learning from the Tumnisian to use in that.”

Uledor blinked at the mentioned of building a city over water. "How... More of your technology I take it? That'd be how you could build a city over ocean without extending the land, right?" He asked smiling. "Much for us to learn it seems indeed."

Curtide shrugged. "I'm more interested in hearing about these means of entertainment I've heard Galestrix talk about. Is it true you have a means of projecting sound and pictures alike at the same time from a thin pane of glass? I would include the air itself, but your son showed that capacity already, which is hard to believe despite seeing it."

Valstia snorted. "I've seen Rweja do something similar, but only the more centered of their number seem able."

“Simply the knowledge of making stronger materials, and design of structure to support such a construction. Part of the knowledge we have to share is the processes to make such metals, alloys, and plastics. I’ll let Heinrich explain the entertainment side of things, since people of his age are more knowledgeable about such things.” Mark said this with a small chuckle, as he glanced at his son, who was quick to sit up straight again.

“What, oh yes, I can do that.”, Came Heinrich’s quick reply as he thought of how to do so. “The pad I have placed here is making a light projection, through the advanced refraction of light, and casting of photons. We do so with a number of systems, and it’s capable of playing audio as well, from the pad’s speakers. It can record sound and picture as well, as well as data. It removed the need for such occupations like scribes for the most part.”

Thinking of what to add, Heinrich spoke on, “Most people of similar jobs simply have to manage, and archive the recorded data. Most of which is done by artificial intelligences, who can do it thousands of times faster then most flesh and blood like us. We even have devices that realistically simulate environments, for the purpose of examination, or games.”

As Heinrich finished his explanation, the looks on three of the four Vaigarin was practically blank. And they opened their mouths to ask their questions at almost the same time.

"Photons?" Asked Uledor.

"Refraction?" Questioned Valstia.

"Speakers?" Queried Curtide.

Galestrix couldn't help but laugh. "I think you would have been better off explaining what they offer, not how they work." She said, grinning.

Shaking themselves out of their stupor, Curtide was the first to recover. "You mean to say the NDC has very small people able to fit into that device, to vocalize what is said?" He asked, gesturing to the pad.

Heinrich raised his hands in signal to let him explain, “No no no no, it’s nothing as crazy as that. It’s called electronics, a form of technology. We can recreate sound, and light, into moving pictures. Entertainment, replacing the use of books, pen and paper, you can even take stills of memorable moments as a picture. Instead of being drawn, it’s a perfect copy of what the eye would see.” He popped the casing open after turning the device off, showing them what the various circuits and wires looked like inside of it, “You can even see this inside the equipment given to you, and how we run and operate those machines from distances, or have them run by themselves.”

Looking over, Curtide slowly nodded. "I see... But, electricity... You mean you've harnessed the power of lightning to enable you to do things like this?" He asked.

Valstia shook her head. "What is a refraction? I'm aware of what fractions are, they help with our work in managing things. But how do you fraction a fraction again?"

“We harness the scientific particles that make up lighting actually. Think of our current understanding, as beyond the fundamentals, and more on the smallest things that make everything up.” He was quick to answer each in turn, having started with Curtide, before turning to Valstia next. “However, refraction is not dividing something into fractions. But instead, knowing how to bend and manipulate light, redirect it’s beams and particles for advanced uses.”

Galestrix giggled. "It would seem this simple meeting has turned into quite the question and answer session." She says, getting a barking old laugh from Uledor.

"It is good they show some interest. The more they resist the changes coming, the harder it will be for all of us, Tumnisian and Vaigarin alike." He says, giving a smile to the Archduke.

The Archduke had been quiet, simply watching and listening to how his son did in this interaction, but met Uledor’s comment with a chuckle. “He’d make a fine instructor, or teacher someday, perhaps he could find a career in the education system. They will be one of the most sought after careers with the coming generations. Whereas we are still learning about each other even now, it will be taught in each other's schools someday hopefully.” Mark gave a heartfelt smile to the group at the idea of his son being an upstanding man of intellect someday, and doing his part for the coming change.

Heinrich however, was not quite as amused by that idea, but it wasn’t ever not a possibility still. “Father, do you really think with my personality, that I'd fit in as a teacher? I feel like I'd be too easy going, even if I have performed well academically.”, he said to the Archduke in a softly doubtful look, which only caused the man to further chuckle.

Galestrix shrugged. "It'll be something we'll have to wait and see. The future is as wild a landscape to all now than was back in Grandfather's youth." She pointed out.

Uledor nodded, though with a somber look to his face. "Indeed. And let us hope these are more joyous times than those of then."

“I was alive then, but.. When your world is gone, and leave for a new one, well.. I don’t think things can go any lower from there. So I see this being home, as a hopeful omen to the future. Who knows, I may just turn out to be the next Professor Ironheart of our time if I work hard enough.” His words were also slightly somber, but still very hopeful, and even encouraging. It was clear that Heinrich had very optimistic views on life, and a tendency to see the ways forwards as well as up, not down and backwards.

The Archduke, Mark Oaklen, gave Heinrich a firm pat on the back. Despite the difference in blood, it was like father like son moment in his eyes. “That’s the way, look up to what you can do, not down to what you can’t. Hope is a door to those who act on it, and I see only a room of proactive friends here.”, came the Archduke’s cheerful reply.

Uledor smiles. "Well, we will have to watch for that. At least you, young man, are nothing like a Rweja Meditator. You're willing to enjoy life too I hope."

“Not going to lie sir, I like to party too much.”, Heinrich added with a good humored chuckle, “Lot of youth left to explore, and life to live, so I'm going to do so as much as I can.”

Uledor nodded with a chuckle. "Good lad. Take it from this old drake, experiencing all you can that makes life worth living is too valuable a thing when you're young enough to do it."

Galestrix sighed and rolled her eyes. "Grandfather, you're preaching again."

Uledor snorts. "I'm 30 centuries old girl, I get the right to preach when it comes to youth!"

“I’ll take all the wisdom I can get, it ups one’s chances of survival in life. As an old proverb of our world said, “He who learns to be smarter, will never be the martyr” as they said,” Came Heinrich’s encouragement, truly interested in the words the man had to share from his many years. “I for one, would like to live while making the smartest choices I can.”

Uledor nodded. "I won't say to the sense of the man who said that, but he couldn't have been far off the mark." He commented.

Galestrix smirked. "Well, I suppose I should get going grandfather. Uncle, Great Aunt. I can't stay too long away from Skyaldor."

The elder Bahum laughed. "Tell Tellas I give my greetings. And will someday again visit for her beer." He told his granddaughter. Galestrix nodded in reply and stood up, giving the two NDC nobles a Bahum greeting before walking out of the room.

Uledor of course, was keeping his eye on young Heinrich, to see his reaction.

The young man took in her figure subtly with the bow of her greeting, watching her only as far as was natural. When she passed, he kept his eyes respectfully off certain aspects of her figure, already having a lot of it to process. He did however, give an affectionate smile after she did, one he was not aware of giving reflexively. She was definitely one to possibly keep contact with in the future.

Uledor smirked, looking now at the Archduke. "I should warn young Henrich, but I think it'd be good for him to learn on his own." He said aloud. "After all, while he might offer to listen, the real question is if he takes anything I say to heart."

“I can’t blame him if he becomes lost in certain urges. After all, we are the last of our people, so the need to… repopulate. Is rather strong among us. I will not lie and say I haven’t heard those desire filled calls myself. I one day will have to find someone to help me sire an heir, as leaving it all on him will be far from fair.” Came the Archduke’s earnest reply, the exchange far from unnoticed by the younger man next to him.

“I listen quite well I think, and I was hopefully not caught staring too hard. Apologies, she is very attractive, but I was trying to keep it respectful as possible.” Heinrich gave a nod with his apology, “And on the note of listening, I will take to heart as much as these young vascular pumps can retain.”

Uledor chuckled. "Young man, if you had managed to avoid staring, I think she would have been quite insulted." He said, smiling. "To the Vaigarin, being seen is a normal thing. For someone to ogle them, is saying they've done well in having an appealing appearance. No what I think is more the warning, is she is not quite like most Bahum you'll met. She's more, free with her urges than most. But she also keeps it controlled when she must."

The young prince simply slowly looked to his father, the Archduke, and gave him this look for a bit. “What?! I have a wild life, don’t you give me that look over it.”, the Archduke protested lightheartedly in surprise. Heinrich looked back to Uledor, gesturing to his father. “My point exactly, but to say the least. That kind of thing runs a bit normally in this family.”, he replied with that brought up.

Uledor chuckled. "Alike an Abree are you? Well, maybe young Heinrich here will be able to keep up with dear Galestrix." He says. Which gets a scoff from Valstia.

"Just because she has an Abree's sexual drive doesn't mean he will get with her easily. I'm sure that young drale wouldn't easily be tied down by someone like him. But, she also has most readily adapted to the NDC life of us all. Mayhap she will." Valstia said, shaking her head.

Curtide laughed. "And that dear Aunt, is why she stays away from you. You have to be the most prudish of your drane's mate-bonds." He said, referring in a fashion to the Bahum marriage practice that had earned the derogatory name of 'Bahum Harems'. "Besides, if she does connect with Henrich, she'll likely still have to find a drane to mate-bond with if she wished for a clutch of her own."

“I wouldn’t count me out of the race yet, we have technologies that could even help with that. Genetics is a field we know well, it would just require me changing parts of me to make it work.” Heinrich was mostly confident in that, already even now thinking of ideas, two of which came to mind pretty easily. However, the latter was far more enticing and fun, even if he had to get custom ordered underwear as a result.

Archduke Mark rolled his eyes in dramatic fashion, “I swear son, you’re going above and beyond for a woman you haven’t even asked out yet. Hell, even old enough yet to ask out. Aren’t you trying to start a bit early here?”

Heinrich only chuckled with a pat on his father’s shoulder, “Did you say, “Always prepare for a bright future, as well as dark horizons”? Even if it doesn’t work for her, someone else might like it if all else fails.”

Uledor laughed as Curtide grunted into his hand. Valstia just looked aghast at the humans. "How could you turn a human into a Vaigarin? Your own... Xenobiologists wasn't it? Claimed that the differences were quite extensive, such that they weren't sure capability was even possible."
“DNA is just a blueprint, sometimes it just takes some revisions… even if extensive. We can resleeve bodies in extreme cases, so I guess if I commit. I become a Vaigarin, can probably mask most of the features to stay mostly if not completely human looking.” Heinrich said honestly, casually in his delivery of his reply. It was a topic that definitely made him think, wondering just how much he was about to sign up to go through. He paused before adding, “If anything, it will also help us understand one another, as I learn to live as your people do.”

Mark cleared his throat at that moment, “Son, not to say you're trying to bite the wrong jawbreaker…. But you realize they have 5 more chromosomes than we do right? This isn’t going to be a simple plug and graft. You’re asking for a huge gene graft, one that will make you more Vaigarin than human. I hope you’re prepared for what that might bring, so. Think. Carefully.”

Uledor nodded. "Indeed. And while I respect your people's efforts, there are, aspects that even you xenobiologists haven't been privy to. Not because we do not trust you, but because those aspects are, very difficult to reasonably explain." He pointed out.

No point explaining right now that them looking humanoid was one such thing. Sure, the NDC had seen the draconic form of Vaigarin's. But they assumed that it was the 'alternate' form a Vaigarin took. Not their natural form. Bahum's were just functional in both due to long experience in interactions with their tumnisan peoples.

"So if you do seek this path, be warned, you will find yourself coming to terms with things that, do not have ready, easy, or usable translations into your common tongue."

“For the chance to learn and experience more, possibly earn a chance at a future with a beautiful woman. And be more then this human life could have given, I am up for the challenge.” He had a fire in his eyes, youthful eagerness and excitement in full with the possibilities. Heinrich could only think of what that possibly meant, and it made him all the more excited. He looked to Uledor with a smile, “With your kind of life span, there is so much more I could do and learn, so much more to give.”

“Son..”, was all Mark could immediately muster, “Please don’t go giving me, or your uncle a panic attack. I know you’re excited, but… You’re signing up for a lot here boy, and I want you to look me in the eye, and tell me you are ready to face all that.”

Valstia shook her head. "I don't think we're going to convince him otherwise. He seems firmly set on his goal. Stars guide us all." She said. Turning to Uledor. "I should probably get back to my own duties. I'll see you another day brother." She said, turning to face the Archduke and son. Bowing, she walked past and out. Curtide followed not long after, citing having spent enough time away from his work, and needing to help get things started on their side of the upcoming exchange with the NDC crews.

Uledor smiled and looked at the Archduke and son. "It would seem the Stars have been moving in an interesting fashion. I can't say I'd ever heard of one of your people even willing to go this far to know our people. Study us, yes. But to be one of us? Not so much. For all our powers, it seems the, 'genetic differences' brought up have been a styming point in people's interest." He said.

"If you can find a way to make it work young Heinrich, I can only imagine the wonders that will open up. For both sides of the result."

Mark placed a hand on the young prince’s shoulder as a sign it was time to go, “Yes, and hopefully he doesn’t go overboard. I swear I wasn’t prepared for the stress of having such an active son, but… He’s a bright one, and he’ll find a way if his heart is set on it. At this rate though, he’ll want to date metal women too, and anyone else exotic in species.”

“You make me sound like such a weirdo when you put it that way. Granted that’s a cool thought too,” Heinrich only replies nonchalantly, before giving a vaigarin greeting to Uledor and adding before they leave. “I’ll find a way, and so much will be learned from it. It’s a gamble that I hope will pay off, and I look forward to sharing all the details after.”

--- 3 Years Later ---

Medusa Expanse - 011030:6 (Sirris II, Sanctuary System) [3493-GC]
Heaven's Doorbell Gentleman's Club - Skyaldor City (Red Light District)

A graceful elf was manning the reception desk of the gentleman's club. The Oni outside had started when Heinrich approached, owing that while he had seen the young man approach before, this was the first time he'd come with a security escort. Especially when the vehicle he stepped out of bore the Oaken family crest.

The men around Heinrich seemed utterly uninterested in the whole thing. They stayed with the car as he walked up. The woman, having not seen the escorts, looked up bored, though she did straighten slightly and smile. "Good evening sir. Here for your normal service?" She asked, already pulling up the system to begin inputting his request.

“Actually I’d like to go further today, and pay for the premium services.”, Prince Heinrich said as he set down the stack of script for her, already counting out to the exact expense of his desires this evening. He had a polite and kind smile on his face, despite the very thing he was paying for, but his attire even aired the very nature of his royal ties.

The woman blinked and looked down, quickly changing a few lines she'd already typed in. "I see. Are you looking for whomever is available, or do you have a person in mind?" She asked, wondering just what was going on. Especially as she was being pinged by the bouncer outside that something very strange was going on.

Of course, Heinrich had avoided using his royal credentials, so as far as she was aware, he was just someone who had a similar surname to the Oaken noble family. Still, she intended to do her job as she was obligated to do, even if things were taking a very strange turn.

“Someone specific to my tastes tonight, a Galestrix Bahum if she is available.”, He said casually, eager for tonight's activities. Heinrich had turned 18 today, and he wanted to lose his V-card to the main woman on his mind, the one he’d thought of for the last three years. It was strange how time flew, and all your plans seemed that much closer then they were then. But he was a patient man, having bided his time, just for this special day.

The young woman blinked and checked the schedules. "She has currently registered herself as being reserved for a specific ID code." She said. "I'm afraid I need you to scan your ID into the receiver." She said, gesturing to the small device built into the desk. He only needed to wave his wrist over it to be scanned. Until today, he'd worn a thing that gave him a ID that was legal, but not his actual identity. Not that the elven woman was aware of that.

He gave a nod, and pulled his fine sleeve back, before giving his wrist a wave over the scanner. A small smile crept onto his lips, as he waited for her reaction to who he was. It was, after all, part of the show she had wanted, even though he wasn’t hugely one for the theatrics. However, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t entertained by it all, finding it very amusing.

The woman didn't expect anything. But when the ID processed, she blinked, and quickly looked at Heinrich. Then at her display. Back to Heinrich. "I'm, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize! Your ID is the one she was reserved for. Please sire, right this way." She said, quickly standing up and gesturing to the elevator near the back. "Please, enjoy your stay sire." She said, trying very hard to make up for the fact she had not once treated him properly like the noble he really was.

The prince waved off the concern, “I will, and please don’t worry, as that was the intention after all. I prefer to only make a show of things for special occasions.” He gave a small chuckle before letting the receptionist lead him along, up to his awaiting partner for the night. Once there, Heinrich passed a generous donation to the woman, before entering the room. “I hope this is what you were expecting, when you asked for such theatrics my dear.”, he offered once it was just him and Gale.

Gale looked up as the door to room 403 was opened. And smiled. "Hey, you wanted to celebrate your 18th with me, I wanted you to make it something special. We both win." She said smiling as she uncrossed her legs. She had dressed up as well. Well, in this case 'dressed down' would be more apt. She'd gone for some of her more fanciful courtesan wear that was designed for her work as a brothel woman, to help make the session tonight feel special.

"Besides, Catherine has too often said I'm telling tall tales with whom I have rubbed elbows with. Now she can't." The Vaigarin woman said, a mischievous smirk on her face. "So, anything special you'd like for your visit today?" She asked, enjoying the sight of him in his suit, with how it cut his figure in such a way to help sell his importance.

“I don’t know, you’re pretty special already. I want to go all out tonight though, me, you, and every position that the bed can handle.”, Heinrich answered with a smirk, feeling good with how he was able to go full flirt now. He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t been thinking of this moment, every day he spent in her presence. Before, he had to hold back, only as a friend. But now as a man, he could express himself and how he felt a lot more then before. “Too bad I can’t carry you out of here, or at the least on my arm. Royal beds are far more reinforced, and lavished, a far greater show for you to enjoy I bet.”

Galestix smiled. "Well, we don't have to do a full weekend for that. It's good we only settled for a few hours tonight here. I figured you had ideas for where to go after to flaunt that whole 'I'm an adult on my own now' thing you get to do." She said. Still, she was standing up and walking over, movements measured to entice and tease. "But I think we'll start simple. A lovely dance for a lovely man." She said, stopping a few feet in front of Heinrich and beginning to sway her body in a belly dance that really made her outfit shift and bounce.

Of course, the small bits of metal on it jingled as well, with heavier and fancier pieces set on spots to really highlight certain movements.

“Then let me pull up a chair and enjoy the show. I don’t want to miss a movement of your body.”, he said with a smile as pulled a nearby chair out and took a seat. He sat back, but curtly and in the way of his noble teachings, his eyes showing a hunger for what she would show him. They followed her curves, and the features present before them. His smile only growing more peaked in how it showed his pleasure at the mere sight. If she became more extreme in her moves, he may just find his royal tailored zippers getting a stress test.

'Extreme' would have been apt for some of the movements which Gale began to perform, only truly possible because of her tail to serve as a balancing tool, a stand if needed, and her wings helping to flash moments and movements in and out of view when called upon. But her dance soon had her drawing closer and closer to Heinrich, before she did a big flourishing spin that had her settled upon his lap.

"Did you enjoy it?" She asked, smirking as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs spread to rest on either side of his waist.

“How could I not, you know how to move, and it shows in your fluid movements. Very exotic in comparison to what other races could pull off, which makes it all the more unique to witness. But not as much as I enjoy just having you this close.” His hands were placed on her waist, feeling the great warmth in her sides, and the feel of her tantalized skin. It made Heinrich very curious about what other features he’d get to explore, and what the Vaigarin body would feel like under his touch.

"I'm glad. So, would you like to get to the main course, or should we do the appetizers first?" She asked, smirking at Heinrich with a knowing grin.

“Simple pleasures my dear, I must savor all the flavors you have to offer. So let us start with the appetizers”. This felt a small bit odd to Heinrich, the lewd banter, the innuendos that were new yet understandable. It was to be expected, but having the feelings was much different then finally getting to act on them. The youthful prince was just hopeful he could keep it smooth, and not play it like a complete noob, as he had a lady to impress tonight after all.

Spoiler: sexy time

With a smile, she leaned forward and pulled Heinrich into a deep kiss, holding it for a few moments before breaking it, and sliding down off his lap, hands moving to open his pants. "Then I'll need to give this little guy plenty of care." She said, as she got his cock out. Upon which she took him into her mouth.

He wasn’t sure which he was more surprised by, the kiss, or those same lips now around his cock. The Prince gave a stimulated gasp as she did, feeling her experienced mouth do mind boggling work, as she started to get him stiff immediately. Despite that, the feeling that lingered on his lips now, was something he oddly found a greater craving for. As much as he loved the sexual pleasure she now set upon him, he quite enjoyed the more intimate and sensual activities. Heinrich said nothing, not really able to think of much anyways, as he gripped the seat in pleasure as she orally got down on him.

After several minutes of expertly working him, she pulled away, and settled herself between his legs, arms framing her bust as she soon lowered it so that he vanished between them. At which point she began to work her breasts up and down on his cock, leaning forward and licking at it on occasion while her gaze remained focused upward at his face.

There wasn’t much for him to do, feeling his meat pumped between two heavenly mounds, soft yet firm at their center. It was so warm, her oral lubrication letting him slide between with ease as she did. With a grin, Heinrich settled for playing with her horns, rubbing their surface as he let his hands travel down. Reaching the base, he felt around them before letting his fingers stroke through her hair, cradling her head gently with a passionate care.

Smiling as his hands rubbed at her hair, she couldn't resist commenting. "I'm sure you remember, but I don't mind it a little rougher..." She teased, a large grin on her face. "Why, I even remember referring to my horns as handlebars... And they were quite right." She continued, though pausing a moment to give his cock a quick suck of her mouth when it peaked above her breasts.

“Just thought I’d enjoy the feeling first, I haven’t ever been able to feel you like this before.”, he said with a deeper grin as his cheeks became slightly flushed, taking hold of her horns more firmly. Using them, he leveraged her head down on his length, but not too hard, only to help her along on her pleasurable service. “And there’s plenty more of you I want to feel, to explore all those nooks and spaces, I wasn’t able to appropriately touch before.”, he said through a groan as her tongue elicited a growing twitch, a load working its way to launch.

With a happy moan, she focused her efforts on the task he directed her towards with her horns. Meaning she was giving his cock plenty of attention with her mouth once more, despite her breasts being in the way of most of it. Not that it was a problem. Her goal was to keep the head of it in her maw for now. Of course, her tail and wings were hardly idle, but they mostly twitched in that manner that spoke of them moving to maintain circulation.

Heinrich worked those horns, helping more her head in time with her ministries, at least in an effort to be an active participant. He was starting to shift his hips too, helping to meet her in the middle, as he breathed deeply. He felt it coming closer and closer to the end for this round, his balls twitching at their first ever load to give. The prince had never even thought to masturbate before, his virgin sacks still laden with unexpended seed.

“I’m not gonna be able to keep it in much longer.~”, he groaned as he felt it welling at the head of his cock. Heinrich held back for as long as he could, before giving one final push as he thrusted up, before moaning on release. He shook as he shot his load, feeling the fresh euphoria of orgasm rush from his dick to his head.

As he groaned his warning, Gale made sure to have her head down and mouth covering the tip of his cock, moaning in pleasure as she worked on gulping down each and every spurt, the whole thing thick and sticky. Now, normally she'd just swallow, getting the stuff down her throat was soon as possible so she could get back to 'walking' her client through the acts paid for, btu today, was his special day, which meant that what he got, was whatever he wanted from her.

And so, she pulled away once she felt the twitchs having more and more time between, keeping her mouth closed as she pulled away, letting a few spurts coat her chin and top of her breasts, as she looked up at Heinrich, and opened her mouth to let him see all she had collected. And for him to tell her what he wanted her to do with it.

As he brought his focus back, he looked down and just blinked for a minute, confused on whether this was a question or one of those sea/see food jokes. It finally clicked though after a moment, “Oh uh, swallowing would be kinda hot, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’m still kissing you either way.”, Heinrich said unsurely as he was not expecting to be presented with such a choice. He did however, lean down to take the opportunity to feel her bare breasts, partly because he wanted to and as an excuse to lean closer. Once she had decided, he would lean in further and kiss her as mentioned, not caring that he’d taste his own seed on her tongue.

Gale was glad he said swallow. She didn't mind giving blowjobs. Or even blowjobs mixed with a titjob. But Stars, the texture of cum in her mouth was never fun. So, closing her mouth she swallowed the thick load, before leaning in to his kiss and returning it in full. Once they'd been like that a few moments, his hands feeling her breasts and the rings that went through the nipples, she pulled away. "So, dear Prince, would you like to have me jerk you off, before getting to fucking my pussy like a Abree desperate for a clutch, or would you like to get right to that?" She asked, already reaching around to start undoing the straps and knots that helped hold her attire together and on her person.
“That does sound quite nice, and I’d like to do that before pinning you to the bed over there.~ Plus it will give me more play time with these, so soft yet firm peaks, with those rings that just keep your peaks so stiff.~” He answered with a grin, finding more confidence in just enjoying her as much as possible. Heinrich loved everything about her, but those breasts were the stuff of wet dreams. That chain always pressed under the fabric had teased him long enough.

Gale smiled, and pulled away from him, not to step out of reach, but so that she could settle on his legs, one hand in his lap stroking his cock as she got comfortable, while her breasts were in easy reach and view for him to play with. The trio of rings that held a singular chain between them giving a lovely rasping sound as the chain shifted in them as she finished moving.

"IS that so? Are you gonna pin me against it, or on it though Dear Prince?" She asked, voice oozing with temptation and desire.

“Why not both, as I’d like to take you in every position possible tonight.~ Amazon press, matting press, missionary, doggy, reverse cowgirl, and any others you might have to show me tonight.~” He was building confidence as this was progressing, feeling like a win even though they had just started. But to have the woman he’d had an eye on for 3 years, finally in his hands, and with him in bed. Heinrich felt like a conqueror in a sense, though not like the negative, or evil connotation of the term. But like he could handle anything, pull off any plan, and not be stopped as he did.

Funnily enough, he saw all that as a reality with her by his side, so he wanted to make this night last for the both of them. And secure a future for them together as partners, knowing full well she would be invaluable to any future plans, as well as the non-sexual skills she offered. The fact he loved her, was a primary point, but it's its own bonus in a way. If Heinrich was going to be Archduke someday, or even perhaps a noble for a time first, he would build a kingdom alongside her.

Galestrix couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Only if you assure me you'll mount me more than I mount you." She said, continuing to stroke and squeeze with her fingers, the motions and techniques honed from years of practice. Besides, she couldn't deny the idea of just getting fucked hard and long didn't appeal to her. So long as he didn't get boring about it anyways.

“Oh definitely, I gotta give you breaks to enjoy where you can relax don’t I. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do as I make love to my princess.~”, Heinrich said with a slight smirk and a wink, hands pinching those chains between his fingers as went back to groping. Massaging her breasts in circles, before going down and up, while letting the chains drag between his fingers as he did in light tugs. He would kiss the top of each one as he handled them, taking a nipple ring between his teeth as he teased the pinned nip with his tongue tip.

Gale couldn't help but moan happily as her nipples and breasts were toyed with. Especially her piercings. Those sensitive little nubs were delightful, and feeling the chain tug on them with each movement just heightened it all. Sure, it meant her pace and pattern hiccuped on his cock a moment, but she'd expertly gotten back into the flow of it, feeling some of the leftover cum helping to slicken the rod for her hand, with a trail of pre adding yet more lubricant to accelerate things.

Heinrich would give a pleased hum on each nip in his mouth that he teased, switching between them, and which of the opposite breasts he would be firm in fondling. His hips twitched as she handled his manhood, loving how she worked it like fine clay, wanting to finger her in return the next time they did this.

Gale gave a pleased 'hmmm' as she worked, partially from the pleasure of his teasing her nipples, and partially in approval of his going. "Enjoy them do you?" She asked, twitching her back just enough to make her breasts jiggle for him, as though to emphasize what she was referring to.

“Absolutely amazing, I wish I could just lay with you all day, face between them while cuddling in bed. Soft, yet firm, and perfect in size. The chain is a wonderful bonus to play with too.”, He answered cheerfully, more passionately then outright sexual. He even gave a tug of the chain lightly, pulling on both peaks, causing them to rustle yet again. “Perfect to hold at night when sleeping to keep your hands warm too, when not holding those luscious thighs of yours.”

Gale chuckled. "Do you now? Well, we'll have to see how things turn out. After all, dear Prince, you have a lot of work ahead of you. Weren't you preparing to go to the Academy soon?" Gale asked, smiling as she continued to work, though she did get a happy sigh at his teasing her chain.

“I am, it’s all part of the plan, and I want to hopefully make you a part of them. After knowing you for this long, and spending all this time by your side, that I would give up after my birthday?”, Heinrich said with a chuckle as he pulled just slightly harder to test her pleasure boundaries. He was going to be honest with her, and he more felt she just might be teasing him in the moment. After all, he’d known her for over 3 years now, and knew how he felt pretty well by this point even if not having outright said it.

“I know you have skills beyond this, and that you could have so much more. I want to give you the opportunity to help bridge the gaps between our people, but also prove just what you can do. I’ve even been mulling over talking about it with the madam, and working something out.” He pulled the chain higher this time, raising her tits some even, where he leaned forward and kissed them on their now raised underside. It was getting harder to carry on the conversation as she worked him, his cock hard and pulsing with another coming load.

“You know I’ve told you, I wanted you to be my champion, as a member of the royal corps navy someday?”, he said with a stifled grunt, which lasted only an extra moment before sighing as he spurted another load of cum. “It’s something I’ve been planning since that first day at the meeting where I grew quite smitten with you. Maybe you’ll still think me childish even, but I wanted to give you everything I could, even now I do.”

Gale couldn't help herself. "Are you seriously talking about those tests you had me take a year ago right now? You still haven't told me what the results of that battery of tests were by the way." She said, feeling him release onto her hand.

"And that was three years ago. You hold onto some rather odd things Heinrich." She said, smiling. Hey, this was the one time she didn't have to talk herself in her own mind into acting like the person was the Stars gift to sex. She could just enjoy it, even if he was still a yet unpopped cherry on the subject. "Besides, shouldn't you be saving all of this for after the sex?" She asked, giving his cock a few last strokes to help get anything else left in the penis out.

“I’m social by nature, I can’t help it, and I feel most comfortable talking to you. And you aced by the way, just to answer that question, so you’re basically a shoe in anyways.” Heinrich said somewhere between a low moan, and a simple sigh of relieved release. They were having sex, and he was talking with her like it was just another of their days hanging out. The humor in that never crossed the prince’s mind, as for him it kinda was but way better.

Leaning forward, he kissed her again, hand going around the back before sliding down the middle, and rubbing over the base of her tail. He hummed as he felt her, his other hand running up her side, feeling the hard yet smooth scales of her species, naturally armoring such a fine figure. “I wish I could princess carry you to the bed, but would you accept walking hand in hand instead with me love?”

Galestrix couldn't help but shudder in delight as his hand began to rub at the base of her tail. "Damn, I should have held off telling you about that spot until tonight." Gale said grinning. "And I suppose I can do that for you. I don't think you'd have the strength to lift me anyways." She teases, standing up and getting off his lap so he could get up himself.

"As it is, since you want to mix pleasure with mundanity, I remember those talks, and I still stand by what I said then. If you can manage to make it so I can, while not preventing me from doing the things I enjoy, like this job, I'll consider it."

“You say mundane, but it’s always a highlight of my day to be able to talk with you.”, Heinrich replied before laying a hand on the base of her tail, the other hand taking her own as he pulled the arm around the waist. “Besides, wouldn’t you prefer that to just another horny client, and having a very close friend instead? Because I want and love you, so I am going to take every chance to get close, and grow a bit more attached to you everyday.” He said the last part with a small chuckle as they walked to the bed, his cock still hanging out casually, stiff still from excitement.

Once they got there, he laid her down, but never leaving the base of her tail untouched. He rubbed and squeezed, feeling the girth of such a tail, and enjoying the feel of such an exotic appendage. Resting his cock between her legs, he thought he’d need another warm up, and those thighs seemed untouched so far tonight. “How about a little warm up before I put it into the home stretch? Your thighs look so firm yet soft, and I’ve secretly always wondered what it would feel like between them.”

Galestrix chuckled, and smiled at Heinrich. "Wanting to give me some oral love as well are you? Well, I suppose with a face like that, I can't say I won't say no... I mean, having you between my legs is gonna happen anyways. Just a question of how exactly." She teased, settling onto the bed with the grace of long experience.

"Though, do remember, no clit on the outside." She reminded him, thinking to some of the talks they'd had about Vaigarin sexual practice.

“Oh uh, I actually meant my dick first, but I was definitely planning to do that after. I meant between in every way, dick, hand, my head while face first in your vagina.” He answered, explaining what he had meant by that before. He gave a small nervous chuckle at that awkwardness, blushing a little as he admitted to those fantasy acts. “I really want to do everything tonight,... well almost everything. As much as I want to just body hug your tail as I rail your ass, I know you’re not fond of anal. So that one I actually just plan to skip over tonight.”

Even as Heinrich said this, he let go of said tail, and spread her legs with exploring hands. Rubbing the meat of her inner thighs after gliding over the skin of her outer thighs. His fingers kneaded and rubbed, squeezing a bit here and there, even as her sex was now exposed between them. It was a lovely view, but he wanted to focus on one body section at a time, and he seemed lost to just how much he was enjoying the feeling alone.

Galestrix smirked. "I suppose that's fair, but you weren't clear about what you meant between my thighs." She pointed out as he began to explore her thighs, settling herself onto her elbows and tail while she laid there. Her wings had been pulled in as close as could be, but sadly, there was only so much she herself could do with them.

Heinrich got lower at first, kissing all along the inner thighs, even giving a kiss to her exposed sex, before getting on his knees properly again. He closed her legs as he laid his cock between them, already feeling the heat of those gloriously sculpted legs. With his arms tightened around them, he began to shift his hips, as he slid his erect manhood back and forth between them.

Gale snorted, amused that he was wanting to use her thighs of all things for his next orgasm. Still, this was his special day, she was gonna give him some leeway. Even if she didn't fully agree with them.

"Not quite what I expected, but hey, your day, your choices." She teased him, deciding to add some rubbing of her thighs to the action as well.

“Just enjoying what I couldn’t before, and likely won’t be an often thing.~”, Heinrich chuckled with a small and low grunt as they got to work. He just wanted to explore all he had dreamed about, and know every part of her. It was an understatement to say that the prince was a body kind of guy, just enjoying all they had to offer. He began moving in time with her, enjoying the duet of pleasure that felt like a real treat.

She smiled and rubbed her thighs more, making sure to apply some pressure to ensure he had the absolute more divine thighjob she could offer, even if it was gonna be an infrequent offering.

"I suppose that's fine. I won't deny you your quirks. So long as you don't mind mine." She stated, grinning. Thinking off hand of her polyamarous tendencies and high sex drive making her flit around needing a good dicking when she can get it.

“You think knowing about them for three years, that yeah I would. Besides, it means potentially more playmates to meet for me too. Life is all about the connections we make, even if not… of the professional sense.” The prince answered with a chuckle, his expression starting to glaze just a bit as he was lost between her thighs. It would not take long at this rate for her to work yet another out of him. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his breath to continue, “You obviously know I love you by now, and that’s what matters. Even if it's an open relationship, then that’s what it is, and I’m fine with that. If you want me too, then I can be happy, I just might need to buy a bigger bed in the future.”

"Oh, you'll want a bigger bed. After all, if you want all of me, you're gonna need space for a very big bed fellow." She teased, feeling him release, she smirked. "Feeling better?" She asked, opening her thighs to let him see the result of his work.

Besides, she figured she'd join with him. Admittedly, she could have joined any part of the Oaken or Pine families, due to her connections with them, but Heinrich was at least interesting, and more importantly, he didn't give her the impression of being all stuck up about his position of society. And the fact that he was completely fine with her being a slut, well, that was a bonus for her. Sure, she'd heard some of the Pines had large mating groups, but the Oakens had seemed more conservative about such things.

With a sigh of orgasmic release yet again, he half commented to himself, “So the whole floor covered in bed, got it.~” Then wasted no time in putting his face down in there, lips on her pussy again, as he kissed it once again. Before rubbing her entrance as he pushed two fingers into her, spreading her entrance to look into her deepest part of alien biology. He was already there not being a clit in the normal sense, finding it in much deeper instead, and getting her as open as possible to stick his tongue in all the way.

Once they were in, and he felt the ring on strange flesh, his fingers laid towards the bottom, leaving the top open for his tongue. Slipping it in as far as his hand would let him, he pulled those fingers back, before holding her rear firmly as he pressed his face in deeper. Looking at her over the edge of her crotch from between her legs, and past her chained peaks with a wink.

Gale moaned slightly as he began to work, feeling him probing and exploring, clearly trying to understand it all correctly. And possibly find those hotspots, like her clit. Gale still didn't understand how any woman could have it just be a tiny nub just above the vagina, because having it be a ring inside of it just made more sense. Then there was the horror stories she'd heard of how other races had painful births.

But all that didn't matter right now. The only thing that did was enjoying the sex right now, and she planned to, since she didn't have to fake a damned thing right now. So if she liked it, she could like it properly. Meaning she was happily sliding her hips up and down in front of Heinrich, letting him get that tongue into all sorts of spaces inside of her.

Maybe he should add deep cave exploration to his resume at this point, with how deep he was having to press and work it in. He tasted every nook and cranny she shifted him into, while sucking on her entrance as his tongue lapped at the ring as best he could. With the texture of said ring, he almost figured it’s feel like just having the bottom lip of a condom around his cock, which would be interesting.

He hummed deep into her, the oral stimulation carrying a vibration down his tongue as he did. His idle hands were not so idle as they stroked and rubbed those thighs, using them as much for leverage as just to feel them up. Heinrich chuckled at the thought in his mind that she must love seeing a prince face down on her, buried deep between her legs.

Oh she most certainly did enjoy it, even the occasional taps of his tongue against her clit ring. "Stars, just wait till your cock's in there Dear Prince. Then we'll both get to enjoy that." She said, grinning as she settled a leg on each shoulder to partially squeeze his head between her thighs. Her tail curled around and came up, rubbing at his chin in an almost encouraging manner.

"Let's see you make me cry to the stars for you." She said, grinning as she continued to rock her hips in front of Heinrich, eager to see how long he'd stay down there.

Heinrich had no plans to leave any time soon, he loved her taste. Void, he could eat her pie all day and be more than happy. To be fair, it was a bonus that she, as a Vaigarin, was every fantasy nerd’s wet dream. Boy was she indeed wet, as he practically slurped up her fluids, trying to let his tongue trace the ring now. He wanted to make her moan and gush, to give him more for his awaiting mouth that she now had shoved so deeply in.

One of his free hands, reached down and rubbed the tip of her tail, stroking it after it had egged him on to drink even deeper. Which he more than gladly accepted, humming more and more on purpose to send those vibrations into his work, and doing his best to be her princely vibrator.

She couldn't help but be amused by his trying to lick her clitorus ring, but he was doing well enough to not need to try too hard. Besides, she wasn't having to fake anything right now, so she was enjoying it greatly. Even as she continued to moan and writhe on the bed, tail curling around his waist and helping to pull him in a little closer. Even as she squeezed her legs around his head at one particularly good lick inside of her.

"Very good." She said, gasping at the moment as she tried to catch her breath. "Oh Stars are you doing good."

Heinrich was in too deep to be able to say anything, face pressed into her wet open sex, tongue only being pushed further in by her added force. He couldn’t argue with how this was going, enjoying the taste of her deepest parts, and for the fact he couldn’t physically protest anyways. So if he was to suffocate in Gale’s pussy tonight, then by the gods, he would die happy tonight.

Pressed in this deep, his tongue was lapping at every centimeter of her arousal ring, pressing and rubbing it with his oral muscle. Not too hard, but just firm enough to stimulate it, doing his damndest to bring her to the edge of gushing into his face at least once. His still free hanging cock, was rock hard, balls swollen with hormonal build up from the whole arousing scandal of a night so far.

Having been stroked, sucked, and rubbed in ways he had only fantasized about with her. Heinrich was already dripping pre again, slightly even brushing against her tail that was under him. He wanted to date this woman, no matter what, wanted to be able to do this all the time without restraint, opinions of anyone else be damned.

Oh it didn't take much longer, as he was managing to glance the tip of his tongue against her ring enough, with just enough pressure to really pleasure her, to in very short order moan, legs clamping tight around his head more than they already had been, as she arches backwards with a delighted cry, tail thrashing around in pleasure.

His face was indeed soaked by her juices, but it seemed she was not much of a squirter, so it was more like there was just that much more of what was already present, as opposed to an outright splash of fluids.

His cock twitched in expression of pleasure, as his face was too buried to express, thighs clamped down on his head. They were really strong, feeling as if threatening to crush his skull like some cliche internet meme of old, but oddly seeing the enjoyment in such things now. Heinrich could still feel the increase in fluids, hearing her muffled cry, as he lapped up all that he could. She could definitely feel him slurping her up, drinking of all she had given, hands massaging her ass as if that would somehow coaxe out even more.

Once her grip finally loosened, and he was able to gasp for air, face flush equally from lack of air as well as just how turned on he was. Heinrich was panting as he climbed up between her legs, rod brought just to the valley of her ass at first. The prince settled himself deeply pressed in between her now spread thighs, stradling himself before bringing it to rest against her still wet sex. “Let me just catch my breath, and then I’ll be ready to lose the last of my virginity.”, he managed between takes of air.

Letting her legs release, she sighed heavily, breath still somewhat panting, all while she was leaning back to hold herself up. "I can see that." She said, smiling with a glance down at his displayed cock now nestled against her sex.

"I hope you enjoyed your little session down there as well? I would hope that it wasn't unpleasant for you. Especially when I climaxed and tried to squeeze your head like an oversized ripe fruit." Galestrix admitted, smiling gently in apology as well.

“Shit, I would have slept down there if you had let me. I would have been happy to pass out between such soft thighs.”, Heinrich said with a playful smirk now that he had collected himself. She was already wet, and ready for him to slide in, he just had to do it. It was a task that while he had been fantasizing of, seemed daunting despite his bravado on the matter of their first time sex. “Anything to note before I stick this in?”

Gale couldn't stop the giggle that arose in her throat. "Sure, careful of the teeth." She said, with an almost serious tone of voice while she settled more comfortably onto the bed so that Heinrich could settle in and proceed to fuck her as he was clearly preparing to.

“Wouldn’t be the worst way to lose my dick, and at least I'd get half off of a gender reassignment surgery.”, the prince joked back as he was not so horny as to miss the joke. Sharing in Gale’s chuckle, it helped him steel his nerves for the next act, and he was very grateful for that and how familiar they were able to be with each other. She was his greatest friend, and after tonight, hopefully his greatest lover as well. So spreading her open, Heinrich lined himself up with her sex, before pushing his still orally moistened cock inside.

It fit in well, and their shared lubrication of fluids, allowed him to do so with ease. He gave a small sigh at the feeling, as her walls engulfed his manhood, warmer then he had ever expected. Stranger must have been the feeling too, for anyone who had slept with her as their first time, but for Heinrich it was natural given the lack of experience.

Gale moaned and felt herself immediately clamp down upon him, her body instinctively acting on the natural methods of her species. Of drawing the ribbed length of a Vaigarin male into her, to drive him, and thus herself, wild in their copulation, so that he would, in the end, knot her firmly and leave her filled to bursting on the inside.

Of course, with a human cock, all she could do was pull him in deeper. At least she didn't have to worry about him missing her sensitive spots, unlike human women and others akin to them. One of the few benefits of her people's biology she supposed.

Of course, she was sure, when she gave birth, it'd feel even better, but she was more focused on giving Heinrich here the best pleasure she could, not as a client, but as a lover and a good friend. One she wanted to make sure felt like he'd won the greatest possible prize anyone could win in the whole world.

Maybe having Victor as an uncle was starting to rub off on him a bit too much, because as cheesy as it sounded, Heinrich already believed he had by just having her in the first place. Then again, the prince was still young, and not quite hit the maturity of his twenties. But that was irrelevant right now as he thrust his length in as far as it would go with her help, feeling the firmer flesh of her circular clit pass down some of his girth. It was good, very good in feeling, and it got him motivated to start moving more eagerly. With a small grunt, he began to hold her thighs firmly for grip, as his hips began to move back and forth.

It felt easy at first, but less so as her walls constricted and tightened, the squeeze making him gasp quietly in surprise. More force was given, as he worked his hips harder to compensate. It felt amazing though as he thrust himself in, happy for the help she gave with her legs, as his pelvis met her crotch over and over again with wet plaps of skin on skin.

She felt him working himself harder and more firmly, which she appreciated, legs wrapped around his hips to help with each and every thrust, while her tail had curled around and teased his sack to help excite him even further for his first virgin release inside of a woman. A release she was most excited to feel exploded into her.

If her gasping and moaning weren't enough, she had pulled his upper body close, nuzzling at his neck as she did, letting him feel how much she was enjoying all of this with her actions, actions that she normally controlled for the sake of work... But now, let instinct take over and let it be as natural and real as possible for him.

Heinrich moaned even as he was pulled down against her, letting the orgasm carry his hips on in their work. He felt her breath on his neck, and it drove him more wild then expecting, giving the motions more vigor. An arm slid under her, pressing against the small of her back as he felt her chained peaks now drag across his chest. He was panting a bit already, missing much of the stamina from experience, but not ready to quit so soon and disappoint her. “Oh gods you feel amazing, I wasn’t the sensation to be this overwhelming.~ But-..Hngh!~ I can definitely get used to that.~”, he groaned with labored breath as he let his head hang, resting against the side of her neck as he kept railing in.

She just did as instinct demanded. Pussy clamping tightly and sucking upon him, seeking the knot that would never come. Hips gyrating to move his cock inside of her more so that her clit ring was rubbing against more... Even as her arms hugged him close. As he breathed on her neck, she promptly tilted it, exposing it for him, showing her submission to his role as the male of the coupling right now.

His free hand found her’s, lacing with her fingers and holding it tight, as he no longer needed it to hold onto her body. Heinrich nuzzled and kissed her neck, even on occasion, nipping gently at her ear in tease. He was feeling the hot and heavy of it, her chain and hardened nips, digging into his chest with the effort. Another climax was already drawing close, his balls starting to not feel so full anymore, and most likely going to be aching on empty within the hour at this rate.

The prince kept it up, even as he felt another load build and release, the feeling growing all over again even as the new orgasmic high washed over him. He loved every minute of this, so close against her, deep inside as he filled her more and more with his built up cum. He loved her, and it made him all the more horny for it, the want to please her, keeping him going strong. Heinrich wanted to hear every moan, every shift and jostle of her body, as he made love to her.

And get them he would, as she clenched to him tightly, feeling the release flow into her. She loved this feeling, this sensation of her body being filled with the seed to sow into her body. Even if she knew, intellectually, nothing would come of it, she still loved the sensation nonetheless. She craved it even. So like an Abree she was in that respect. She had an addiction some would call it, but she didn't care. It was her favorite way to relax and enjoy herself.

So she simply did what she could to keep it in her, to let it pool, even as she began working at drawing yet another blast out of him..

Heinrich was probing with his rod, shifting the angle of his hips in experimentation, trying to learn as much about her spots as he could. It would keep his mind focused, not letting his lust addle him as he pumped in another load. Whichever way made her react more, would be noted as the more dominant angle to thrust in at for later. Either way it felt amazing for him, but he also wanted to make sure that it was the best experience from him as well. Even if it was still just his first time, that wouldn’t stop him from learning for his next time.

And he was finding some of them, but it was clearly more difficult for him to hit them properly, owing to the biology of her body. But still, she was enjoying herself every moment. And her body was eager to draw him in, entice him to better fuck her and excite her.

Unable to really find more, the prince settled into the spots he’d found already, and began to get rougher. Heinrich began to grunt as he thrust into those spots, aiming for the specific areas that he now knew she would get the most sensation out of. As he did, he laid over her, face laid in her chained peaks, kissing on their generous size and shape before teasing the chain with his tongue like before. Heinrich had a routine now, and he was going to milk it of all her moans, like her insides were milking his seed right now.

And milk her he was, getting every delighted moan and pant of breath as she felt it all just start collecting into the simple act of what they were doing. Him pulling on the chain, thusly pulling her breasts forward and out via their nipples, the yank and shoves of his cock to repeatedly scrap the head of his dick against her clit ring, the grip of his hands on her sides to hold her in place.

She was unabashedly a submissive in bed, but she could play the dominant when it was needed. So getting a chance to be completely at Heinrich's mercy? She was practically in heaven right now, even if they never have this kind of play happen beyond the bedroom. Gale's imagination went wild with the idea of her wearing something that signified her specifically as his. Almost like a pet.

She was a complete mess under him, and at first thought she was selling a show for him, but the way she grew wetter and tighter told him otherwise. The only thing about learning she was a sub, was being called daddy, which would feel weird. But for now he kept it going, as he let off another splooge inside her, not sure how many more he had at this point. That being said, he’d keep going until he didn’t, starting to pant already as he switched chains for a bit.

With a delighted moan as she felt him release inside of her yet again, she was a panting mess, even her own endurance having trouble keeping up when she just let herself go, instead of playing things out, making it last or keeping herself under control to remain 'in character' for the client. She wouldn't call him daddy, certainly. But she definitely knew where she lay on the dom scale, even if she could flip it as needed.

For now though, her focus was just enjoying this cherry popping moment with Heinrich, even as her body was sweating heavily from her just letting herself have the most fun she could the entire way.

Her body was hot to the touch, feeling the growing moisture of their efforts starting to collect across their bodies. Heinrich was giving it his all, happy that his past times at least made sure he had decent stamina for this. That being said, he had to be burning through calories with how many loads he’d let go in her, the massive creamy lubrication letting him ram her pussy with rapid thrusts at this point. At least it made the work easier for him, who was stretching his energy as he could.

Tugging her chain a bit, the prince was enjoying the pure sloppy wet sounds of every pass in, knowing he had filled her fairly well on his first time. “Never took you for such a sub, guess I know I’ll be topping more in the future. Maybe I should buy you an accessory, subs like those right?”, he managed to say past the chain clenched between his lips.

Gale whimpered, not really in a state to answer just yet. She was starting to lose control of her limbs, the movements more jerky and random, though her legs simply helped to hold him deep inside of her, and each of their twitches were just pushing him deep on a thrust in. She was just lost in the moment and running entirely on whatever naturally happened.

Heinrich released yet again, grunting as he did, pressed in as deep as he could go and between her legs clamped around him. With a breath that was now realizing it had to catch up, he settled in to her, laying into her embrace. The prince now no longer a virgin, shared in her soft panting while laid across her generous figure. “That was amazing, and all things aside, I think we might need to just start sleeping nude. You;re so warm, who even needs blankets.”, he said, face now between her breasts.

The feeling of being so spent, that his body molded to her body, was heaven sent. They lay tangled, the heat unlike anything he had felt. At least, not in the way he would think to associate at least. It was far different fir reasons, but her warmth just reminded him of his mother, and the hugs she used to give him. In a way, it made him feel safe and comfortable, which he had not felt for years. He found himself holding on to her tightly, as if just the memory threatened to make her disappear too.

Sure it had been the attraction to a close friend, and a desire filled crush, but Gale was basically family now. Other then his father, she had been one of the other constants in his life for a while, and he couldn’t really say when she had become so rooted in it. Heinrich loved her, and the plans discussed with his father felt all the more important now. Something else came to mind faintly at first for a while, but with this warmth it became more clear. The prince had to protect his family and what he cared about this time around, so it never disappeared again.

Letting her own breathing catch up, she chuckled. "I do hope you've been enjoying this then?" She asked, letting her arms wrap around him in a hug as well, letting a hand gently rub at his back. It wasn't any significant gesture, just, a motion she felt was fitting for the moment. That sense of hugging a dear friend or family member close and reminding them that they still had places they could feel safe.

As it was, she had no intentions right now of letting go. Just letting them both languish in the bask of post sexual bliss. Tonight was her gift to him, and she had no intentions of dictating the pace or even events of the night, beyond this moment, now in the aftermath of its completion. So, she let herself breath, hugged Heinrich, and well... cuddle.

“I’ve missed this…”, was all the young man said, not really thinking to elaborate. Though in all the time Gale had spent with him, and the details of his life before, if it could be called as such. She might have had a good idea on what he had meant, even as he settled in, content to stay as they were currently. Surely Heinrich could call this place home, the space he filled within her arms, basking in the warmth like that of the tempered Hassan sun. The cuddling was wonderful, to the point of forgetting the fatigue in his loins, or the irony that the prince had just layed the dragon.

"Well, I imagine, now that you're officially of age in your culture, we can do this more often. Even if it's just the cuddling part." Gale replied, grinning, a slight giggle rising in her chest at the quip. "But I was asking you a fair question My Lord." She said, using his position as a nobleman to emphasize her point.

“I’d rather be your hubby then your lord, if that says anything. But yes, I loved it, and you as always. You’re madam is probably going to get sick of me with how much of a repeat customer i’m going to be.” He was still recharging his stamina, but that didn’t stop the prince from giving her a cheeky smirk. “Just hope she’s not going to try and be sly, charging me rent haha.”, he added with a chuckle of his own.

Gale couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh please, she gets what I make from these matters in full. I think she keeps expecting me to demand a cut at some point. But I do this for fun, not money." She replied, smiling. "And while I wouldn't be against having you be a Mate, I do wonder how the NDC would feel about the Crown Prince picking up a 'underdeveloped native' as a wife." She said, using one of the terms that some NDC people had used back when the nation had landed and were feeling their way around Sirris II.

"In all seriousness, I don't know if you and I becoming Mates would be good anyways, since, well, if I recall some of my lessons, wouldn't you be expected to have some children at some point?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Sort of, but not something demanded, as my children would only have the right of ascension. I could always adopt, or pass it to whoever of my cousins has an heir. By default, it would go to my sister, Chlorate, but that isn’t… Ideal, of an outcome. There is also the chance that the ndc could find a solution to allow us to in the future even.” Heinrich was more then okay addressing that concern, not outright saying he was already having the last option looked into.

At the end of the day, it would go to whoever had the most right to his throne next. At that point, who would matter very little to him in his final days, whenever those might be. “All in all, I wouldn’t care if it was expected of me. I was taught and raised by both sets of parents, to marry for love. I will not let my bonding to another be used as someone else’s political tool, or obligation to unjustly force upon me. I may be a royal, and next archduke, but it’s my life to do with as I please.”

Galestrix giggled. "Fair enough. I just figured I'd raise the concern. I just wasn't sure if I was remembering my own lessons on the NDC's systems correctly." She pointed out, settling back into her bed and relaxing with Heinreich resting upon her. "I mean, you've seen how Vaigarin handle things. It's purely the oldest of the Family." She admitted, shrugging slightly. "So, I do apologize for misunderstanding."

“No need, you’ve done nothing wrong. If anything, it just shows we both have more to learn about each other culturally. Maybe you can take me on a tour through the stone cities sometime.” In all honesty, he was very excited at the idea. Not only going on essentially a date with her, but also seeming more of her people’s civilization. He had heard stories from her, as well as artwork imported in from their neighbors, but he wanted to see the mason work, as well as the cities themselves for his own eyes.

"Well, I do hope you are fine with a touch of smoke then. Oh it's not nearly as bad as our surface cities might imply. We just found that the amount of smoke produced from fires of certain types makes things, unsafe underground." She said, smiling. "Though I'm surprised you never explored them yourself. Though, I suppose most of the time you were being given a guided tour, huh?"

“Outside of the rare trip with the archduke, I’ve barely left the capital. I’ve only been thawed three years, and as the crown prince, most of my time is stolen by lessons. I’ve seen more classrooms, and tutors then even our own capital even.” With that, Heinrich gave a distressed groan at being stuck in said rooms. “I’m not even usually allowed to go anywhere without a guard either. I haven’t been this sheltered since my older sister used to look after me for our parents.”, he added.

Three years sounded like a long time sure, but with all he had to learn of the new government, the new world, and all they were constantly learning. With his duties, future role, and ever expanding education system, he was never with enough free time it seemed. Most people his age had first jobs at this point, or a chance to choose their path in life. Yet for Heinrich, his lot was chosen, and a burden greater then a part time job to cover something as mundane as bills.Not that those existed much anymore anyways, but this whole occupation based system of cadres and clans was strange.

It was definitely telling when things change so severely, your own people suffer culture shock on waking up from the cryopods. Then there were entirely new races to get familiar with on top of that. One might almost confuse prosperity for madness at this point, as sometimes it felt like it.

"Fair enough, fair enough. Though you did have your visits with me here in Skylador. I imagine they've been more of a boon for you just to escape all those lessons huh?" Gale asked, brushing Heinrich's hair as she did with one hand.

He chuckled a bit embarrassed as she brought that up. “I might have snuck out on some of those, just to do so. So yeah, though worth the scolding afterwards.” The admittance came with a small grin and a shrug, honest about being a little bit of a renegade. At one point in his youth, authority was something he despised for it’s rules, but here he was. Now he was that authority, and feeling more bound then having been a peasant under it. Maybe he had it wrong all those years, not that he could have ever understood it properly as a kid.

“Some days my dear, I just want to play hookie, instead of always being the good boy.”, he added with a small chuckle.

"Well, you will need to get yourself into a position of such authority they can't hope to question your deciding to play 'hookie'. I'm sure there's something you'd be interested in doing that would allow it." She replied, a knowing smirk on her face as she did. And no, she wasn't suggesting he get into the same line of work as herself. That would be way too drastic a shift for the NDC to tolerate, she imagined.

The prince laughed more at that, “Aw I wish I could be like Professor Belmes from the old programs. Smart guy traveling, exploring, and solving mysteries like a genius. My dad said before the war started, they had it on tv, but.. When I was growing up during the war, tv was dominated by news, and propaganda. But i always got to listen to the broadcast adaptation over the radio. Would you want to be my assistant Wanda for such adventures?”

"Well, I don't know. You'll have to introduce me to this 'program'." Galestrix pointed out, smiling. "Since I'm afraid I won't know any better without it."

Heinrich looked thoughtful for a few, letting his head nestle further into her breasts, “I would have to see if any were archived. Definitely not all of them if any, but I do have an archive of the broadcasts at least.” It was oddly elderly to suggest listening to old radio shows, at least to him. But it was kinda one of the few things they still had, outside new media in swing in the last fifty years.

"I can only imagine what you might have. I doubt they'd be anything as simple or mundane as what we ourselves have produced over the few thousand years of our presence. At least, not in such a situation as to have their original versions anymore!" Galestrix said, giggling at the thought of what could be archived now in a more true to original form with what the NDC had brought.

“Well you definitely have far more surviving forms of artwork then us for sure. Most of what we have are radio recordings, and media. Do your people have radio yet as a technology?” Curious now that he thought about it, wondering just what the vaigarin and tunisians even had for communication. Much less entertainment over long distance, if even capable of such yet. They definitely had the NDC beat on sculpting too.

"Uhhh, no. About the closest things we have to your media that I know of are our newspapers, books, and plays. Oh, and concert halls." Gale said, thinking on it a few moments. "We've not really gotten a grasp on electrical systems like you have. Most of the time it's just figuring out what can and cannot handle it. And what effects it has on those things that can handle the flow of energy. I mean, the iron bits alone from those systems you convinced your father to loan us, and the ones from before... They were practically magic to us."

“Believe it or not, radio is actually primitive in terms of technology. It was something that from what we can tell, was in its infancy during our own industrial revolution. Have your people tried using copper for conductive wires? Lining them with a rubber sheathing would insulate for protection, and minimal loss of current.” Even as Heinrich opened his big mouth, he had to remember, not everyone was a nerd like him, or as acknowledged as people like the ndc. He realized he had to be a special kind of fucking dumb to have said it.

"Uhhh, no... At least, not that I'd heard." Galestrix replied blinking. "I mean, I understand the terms and the names, but why use copper? Sure, it's nice to look at and easy enough to get..." She trailed off, even as she mentally logged into the budding city-wide net to pull up the reference material from the NDC. "Ooooooooh. I see! I guess that makes a certain kind of sense"…

And yet he thanked the Geist and Anima systems for saving the day. “We have so much to share with you, even just simple things. I think some days we’re just being too cautious of handing over too much.”, the prince continued, wondering just what all they could teach the locals. But like with the mining equipment, it might have been perceived as doing too much for them, instead of just walking them through the basics.

"Yes you do. And I imagine, if I recall some of your mining instructor's words correctly, we do to you as well. After all, I hear tell that some of what's happened here in Skylador still astound and amaze NDC engineers and architects when it comes to subterranean structures." Gale said, giggling eagerly like a pack roach that managed to catch a vulnerable prey.

"Our knowledge bases are different, and the worlds that shaped us more so... but I don't doubt we'll find things that both sides can agree upon being exchanged. Even if maybe not in the way some expect." She finished.