{ "submission_id": "1505438", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "199", "keyword_name": "bear", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "50639" }, { "keyword_id": "21442", "keyword_name": "character development", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1352" }, { "keyword_id": "7749", "keyword_name": "cyberpunk", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "2099" }, { "keyword_id": "8378", "keyword_name": "dormouse", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "281" }, { "keyword_id": "123", "keyword_name": "female", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1108013" }, { "keyword_id": "33", "keyword_name": "fox", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "252365" }, { "keyword_id": "679", "keyword_name": "herm", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "44544" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1219166" }, { "keyword_id": "186", "keyword_name": "rabbit", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "141651" }, { "keyword_id": "452", "keyword_name": "rat", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "23954" }, { "keyword_id": "157", "keyword_name": "red panda", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "15286" }, { "keyword_id": "714", "keyword_name": "sci-fi", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "4818" }, { "keyword_id": "10144", "keyword_name": "story progression", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "2062" }, { "keyword_id": "164", "keyword_name": "wolf", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "196697" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "2", "create_datetime": "2017-12-22 15:25:28.350951+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "22 Dec 2017 16:25 CET", "last_file_update_datetime": "2017-12-22 15:21:48.319062+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "22 Dec 2017 16:21 CET", "username": "TerraMGP", "user_id": "46355", "user_icon_file_name": "60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/60/60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/60/60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/60/60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "file_name": "2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/2132/2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/2132/2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2132/2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "files": [ { "file_id": "2132279", "file_name": "2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/2132/2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/2132/2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2132/2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "mimetype": "application/msword", "submission_id": "1505438", "user_id": "46355", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "afd0933476269c3d806f75886189b042", "full_file_md5": "afd0933476269c3d806f75886189b042", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2017-12-22 15:21:48.319062+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "22 Dec 2017 16:21 CET" } ], "pools": [ { "pool_id": "41413", "name": "By Design", "description": "The Machinations of Ilka Thanedotter as she makes moves and counter-moves against others. A twisted young wolf with ambitions and plots seeking something only she truly understands.", "count": "19", "submission_left_submission_id": "1503367", "submission_left_file_name": "2129192_TerraMGP_by_design_adoration_part_2.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2129/2129192_TerraMGP_by_design_adoration_part_2.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2129/2129192_TerraMGP_by_design_adoration_part_2.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2129/2129192_TerraMGP_by_design_adoration_part_2.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "1512475", "submission_right_file_name": "2142781_TerraMGP_10._9._8.doc" }, { "pool_id": "47516", "name": "By Necessity", "description": "A love between two people from very different walks of life. Getting past what they are to see if they can be the person the other needs.", "count": "26", "submission_left_submission_id": "1500464", "submission_left_file_name": "2124763_TerraMGP_by_necessity_priorities_part_3.doc", "submission_right_submission_id": "1508997", "submission_right_file_name": "2137662_TerraMGP_by_necessity_auld_lang_syne.doc" }, { "pool_id": "39430", "name": "By Right", "description": "A sci fi story of a Corporate Princess seeking to make her own way as a Slaver.", "count": "28", "submission_left_submission_id": "1498149", "submission_left_file_name": "2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2121/2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2121/2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2121/2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "1511692", "submission_right_file_name": "2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2141/2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2141/2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2141/2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" }, { "pool_id": "64597", "name": "Great Tree Saga", "description": "An attempt at the chronological list for all great tree saga stories. Does not incldue side stories.", "count": "65", "submission_left_submission_id": "1508997", "submission_left_file_name": "2137662_TerraMGP_by_necessity_auld_lang_syne.doc", "submission_right_submission_id": "1498149", "submission_right_file_name": "2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2121/2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2121/2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2121/2121237_TerraMGP_by_right_wounds.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "Happy various holidays, everyone!\n\nYep, I did a Christmas story, and it ties in with plots. It also lacks sex again, sorry.\n\nReally this should just be a way to capture a typical solstice celebration for the three main siblings of my stories. I am hoping itt's relocatable enough, as I think we've all had holidays like this. Or maybe I'm the odd one out here.\n\nRegardless, Enjoy", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Happy various holidays, everyone!

Yep, I did a Christmas story, and it ties in with plots. It also lacks sex again, sorry.

Really this should just be a way to capture a typical solstice celebration for the three main siblings of my stories. I am hoping itt's relocatable enough, as I think we've all had holidays like this. Or maybe I'm the odd one out here.

Regardless, Enjoy", "writing": "Solstice:\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\t“I’m not looking forward to this.” Runa sighed. She took one last look at herself in the mirror. Once again confined into uncomfortable clothing, though hat least this time it was something she could live with. A silver lined grey military uniform with silver buttons and insignia hung loosely from her shoulders. Rare natural fibers failing to keep the same rigid shape as printed synthetics. It wasn’t a proper dress uniform. Not really. She did wear a sword with it. The same shiny composite blade so many bridge officers would wear. It was the best she could get away with in the getup. The only way she could avoid feeling too naked.\n\n\t“You don’t think your mother will be pleased, Mistress?” Siv sighed. The bunny was tired. So very tired. She had been since they got to the station. As usual she did her best to be the fastidious tool, the rock that would prop itself up and anchor the ship when needed. But she was only one woman, and the strain was starting to show in her voice.\n\n\tRuna turned to her pet and kissed her tenderly on the forehead, pulling Siv close and letting her eyes slip tight. “I doubt it matters much. Even if Bi had woken by now, I honestly don’t think I’d be ready for any of this. Ever since we got back, I‘ve just felt so wrong.”\n\n\tA small chirp slipped free of the pad Siv held. Runa pulled it down to take a look, but the bunny pulled it close to her chest and shook her head sternly. “No Mistress. We both agreed we’d let Eleanor keep an eye on this. It will be good practice for her. I am sure the second there are signs of activity you’ll be alerted.” The bunny smiled and nodded her approval as she kissed Runa’s cheek. The motion was naturally used to hide it as she manually set herself to get whatever incoming messages Eleanor would be getting. Just a little safety net. Not that they needed to know.\n\n\tRuna took one last look at herself in the mirror. Her normally wild and flowing hair had been twisted into a respectable faux war braid. One that looked all the more strange with the hidden colors resting under her hair normally. She gave one part of it a cursory tug before settling her satisfaction that it was at least passable. Not comfortable, but passable.\n\n\tOnce she was satisfied that she looked the part, the wolf turned her attention back to the large wood covered common area. A rater mundane space transformed for the season into a picturesque old style lodge greatroom complete with fire place and all manner of greenery strung up about the place. Maids in tight bondage and thick ball gags worked eagerly to lay out trays and plates of food while the other slaves and house servants milled about and mingled in the small oasis of luxury they were permitted. Most were property of the family, naturally. However the sharp eyes of the wolf were quickly able to pick out her own. The twins huddled up at the corner of one bench looking on nervously. Eleanor struggling to keep out of everyone’s way. The poor girl looking like she’d be bowled over at any moment.\n\n\tIt made her feel a twinge of guilt that she still had slaves back on the planet. Leaving them there had been logical at the time. But that was back before she knew how long it would take to heal Bi. Before she realized how bad things had been. Poor little Scr1pt would be fine enough. If anything the bat probably had more fun in her little virtual prison than she would here with the real people anyways. Plus she’d left the mole in deep storage for almost a year. Barely paying her any mind as Runa focused on getting her house in order.\n\n\tYet the guilt didn’t go away.\n\n\t“A lot of empty spaces here this year.” She sighed as she looked at Siv and rolled her shoulders a bit.\n\n\t“To be fair I don’ think your siblings have arrived yet, Mistress.” The rabbit noted.\n\n\t“Smarter than me.” She smirked “Hel Bless, if Sean really waned to he could probably get away with not showing up at all. Ilka needs to just to save face with Mother, and I need to because…”\n\n\t“Because of the exact same reason.” Siv noted.\n\n\t“Yeah. That.” Runa sighed. “But if nothing else he’s got an excuse to bail if he really wants.” Even as she said it, a big part of Runa hoped that he wouldn‘t. Her anxiety as already growing and unlike most others at her class bracket she wasn’t one to pop some easy meds to fix the symptoms.\n\n\tSiv fixed the simple white dress she wore and fixed her bangs with a bit of spittle before wrapping an arm around Runa’s elbow and gripping the wolf hand with her own opera-glove clad digits. “It’s just a few hours with Ilka and Sean. A show of face no different than any other. If it makes you feel any better I’ve already slotted you in with a rep from Brokkr about having your blade mended. So you have that to look forwards to if nothing else.”\n\n\tThe wolf offered her pet a rather pathetic half-smile. Less genuine than it probably should have been, but at the same time more than she thought she could manage. The two lingered a bit more before going in though the massive oak doors towards the main dining hall. Watching as the little wheels and cogs that kept the household of the Thane working all eased chugging for one day and instead settled in for some small respite. A well earned if reluctantly given reward for filling heir roles.\n\n\t“Just a few hours.” Runa repeated to herself. The words slowly rolling into her head like a mantra. Just a few hours.\n\n---\n\n\t“I’m not looking forward to this.” Sean sighed as he once again fidgeted with the nice, well pressed suit jacket hanging neatly from his shoulders. He glanced down at Brinna, the dormouse looking far less comfortable in the rather traditional and overly elaborate frilled grey and white gown she sported. Something some designer had insisted on making as a ‘gift’ to the great Jarl. Probably because they knew his sisters had no real interest in designer gowns.\n\n\tBrinna looked up at him and bit her currently ringless lip. She was admittedly beautiful. The dress fitting her so well one would imagine it had been tailored to her instead of a scan. Her piercings were removed save for a single silver cuff embossed with a blue relief of the great tree. Something she’d made in some small attempt to impress the Thane, on the off chance she took the time out to visit.\n\n\t“You sure you’re going to be ok with this?” Sean asked softly. “I mean are you absolutely positive?”\n\n\tThe dormouse nodded meekly and bit her lip as she took another deep breath. Her eyes glancing at the tables set up not too far off in the next room. A flood of people in various outfits gathered around enjoying exquisite looking food and drink. The kind the little Class 3 had never imagined in her life. All manner of roast meats in various different preparations. Bowls of fruit, fresh vegetables, warm breads that filled her senses to the point of near shutdown even before the two of them had stepped in the room proper. She just continued that meek nod as she looked it over. Hands moving to grip her headphones, only to find them absent. Fingers slipping though air leaving her to slump.\n\n\t“I just want you to make sure, my little gem.” Sean sighed as he pulled her in close and looked down into those soft brown eyes. “You know Sita will be here soon and I’d be more than happy to take her again and let you rest in one of the empty rooms somewhere until this is all over. I mean this has got to be at least, ten train cars worth of stress, right?”\n\n\t“Twenty.” Brinna muttered. “B-but no. It’s ok. I mean, you gave me the honor of being your escort for tonight. Even when I’m not fully owned yet. It’d be rude. A-and probably really rude to your sisters too.”\n\n\t“I doubt either of them will care, or even notice to be frank.” Sean sighed. “They have their own ‘concerns’ right about now. Thankfully I’m not quite sure just what. But I doubt they’d do more than say hello to any of my little trinkets.” He smiled at her, and then paused. Just looking her over slowly as he stroked that long black hair bit by bit.\n\n\t“I-is everything ok, Sir?” Brinna asked as she looked up at him and sighed, a small whine in her throat as she tilted her head a bit.\n\n\t“Yeah, it’s fine.” He nodded “More than fine. Just, I’m sorry.”\n\n\t“Sorry for what?” she asked. The question coming even as the dormouse leaned against him a bit harder. Her body sinking in to his. Slowly going limp as his arm slipped around her.\n\n\t“Master!” A small, lisped voice slipped out from behind the mouse. Sean craned his neck a bit to look down at a red panda girl in a seasonal holly-patterned sweater and long pleated brown skirt. The cute little Chinese-looking cub grinning up at him to show off a pair of shining silver braces.\n\n\t“Yes, Wah?” he asked as he pulled Brinna around to his side and looked down at the girl who grinned up at him.\n\n\t“Sita tried to tell me we weren’t opening gifts yet. Can you tell her to stop fibbing, please.” The girl whined cutely as she shuffled the ball of her foot into the floor.\n\n\tBrinna blinked and tilted her head as she looked between Sean and the girl. The dormouse darting her eyes over to the hallway a moment seeing a small crowd of people coming their way, though quite a bit further back.\n\n\t“She’s telling the truth, little one. We’re doing our own thing after this. For now just mingle a bit and enjoy the feast. I promise you’ll get your gifts when we get back.”\n\n\t“And some of Sita’s pfefernusse?” she asked hopefully. The bright eyed little panda girl glancing at Brinna for just a moment. Her expression remaining wide and smiling, but with a bit of a sour look as she examined the older girl.\n\n\tSean sighed and nodded warmly as he tussed the girls hair and poked her glasses up her nose. “How about you enjoy yourself now and worry about other stuff later. Runa brought some new pets with her, and apparently for once she’s actually invested in them. Why don’t you go introduce yourself to them?”\n\n\t“Yes Master.” the cub pouted as she nodded and slumped her shoulders. She pulled out a small battler box from her pocket and started to fidget with some AR on its surface seeming a bit dejected by everything.\n\n\tBrinna waited a long moment before looking back up at her owner and whimpering a bit. The anxiety clear as day on her face.\n\n\t“Don’t worry.” Sean chuckled “I plan to take you home before any of that. I get the feeling you’ll need to calm down by yourself after this. Last thing you need to do is meet your brother and sister slaves.”\n\n\tThe mouse nodded. She didn’t bother to argue, not even a small whine of protest. Her face just sinking into his chest as she fell into his petting fingers.\n\n\t“Don’t worry my little gem. Just a few hours. That’s all. Just a few hours.”\n\n---\n\n\tI’m not looking forward to this.” Ilka muttered under her breath. She was a far sight from how she was normally. Hair combed and cared for. Fur freshly washed and scented. Her typical dress of swaying metal replaced by a more reserved suit with only a few claytronic accents littered here and there where the silvery metal may be appropriate. She held herself with the regality a put upon youngest daughter demanded, right down to the small display pad she held in her hand filled to the brim with reports and research material, set to run off of morphing ink as opposed to a more typical AR display.\n\n\tIt was a mask her mother expected of her. A mask her siblings would expect. But gods did she want to toss it into the trash where it belonged.\n\n\tYou’re doing it again, Mistress.” Hrafna said. Her sardonic monotone adding a hint of concern.\n\n\t“Doing what?” Ilka half-snapped. Her own voice far more restrained and subdued. \n\n\t“Looking for nits in your arm fur. You know you wont’ find any.”\n\n\tIlka looked down to see her fingers tracing though the fur of her arm with a methodical sweep. She quickly gripped a handful of flesh and fur just below the elbow and squeezed it. A long sucking breath slipping in to her lungs. She let it out slowly and let the mask settle back over her.\n\n\t“You always were good about that, pet.” she sighed. The wolf far more sweet and innocent than she would be elsewhere.\n\n\t“For as long as you have known me, Mistress.” Hrafna reminded her.\n\n\tThe two nodded their mutual understanding. More frustration. More hoops to jump though. It didn’t help the wolf girl at all. Then again what would?\n\n\t“It looks like there are some new faces here.” Hrafna noted as she scanned the party slowly. The rat turning her nose up a bit at all of the useless revelry by things so low and worthless. “I take it the foxes there belong to your sister. They certainly look unrefined enough.\n\n\tThe comment drew Ilka’s eyes over to the twin kits who sat at the far edge of the room across from a rather overstuffed looking little badger girl. Another girl, one of her brothers toys, was already over pestering the trio. The discomfort drew a small chuckle from Ilka. One she quickly realized might be the highlight of the night.\n\n\t“If nothing else, I don’t think they are at all happy about it either. So if it helps Mistress you can just focus on that to get yourself though the night. Or.” Hrafna moved in close and nuzzled her neck grinning nice and wide “I could arrange for a couple of ‘untouched’ toys to be waiting so you can make them suffer personally after all this is done.” The rat growled.\n\n\tIlka grinned ear to ear at that before shifting back to the proper pose. Looking down at her pad as she examined the figures on it. Radiating studious stoicism. “Now before we go in there, did you hear anything about the projections for next quarter, slave?” Ilka chirped.\n\n\tHrafna likewise stood in her silver-accented maid uniform. The rat the very picture of calm obedience. “The processors” Hrafna grinned “Have run the figures and projected that market saturation went far beyond what you had initially hoped. It’s difficult to tell with the various differences in time and seasonal traditions, but just based on early estimates they see a full on revival of your new company. Along with a healthy profit thanks to the supply companies they have helped you secure.”\n\n\t“Very good, girl. It seems that their assessment of the designers now under my employ came in quite handy. I will expect a clearer picture by the time our first promotional event rolls around. I trust that is not beyond the capabilities of our current system?”\n\n\t“Easily done, Mistress.” Hrafna nodded. The white-furred rat all but wiggling in perverse pleasure as she sank into her role.\n\n\t“Very good. Be sure to clear some time in my schedule later so that I may reward you properly.” Ilka cast a last glance at the toys her siblings had brought before turning to join Sean and Runa for the family dinner. Her mind barely there as it raced with the possibilities her success would bring. The mere prospect making the thought of wasting so much time all but agonizing.\n\n\t“Let us go, pet.” She nodded “It will be just a few hours.”\n\n---\n\n\tA loud tick dominated the room. Thudding like an unending heartbeat in the small space. Many of the rooms in the Thane’s personal suites were fluid. Shifting and changing to suit need or desire on a whim. This room was one of the most notable exceptions.\n\n\tThe tick came from an old grandfather clock. A massive eight foot relic made of sturdy maple from back on Terra. Careful hand carved embellishments and a simple relief of leaves and vines set on the front below the carefully smoothed and dark stained cherry wood face. The relic had dominated the room for generations. Possibly since the station itself was built. Each of the siblings could feel it thrumming in their minds as the sat quietly around the simple low-cut oak table near the rooms coil fireplace. Shifting to get comfortable in the antique love seats set out for them.\n\n\tCompared to the feasting hall just outside the door, this small room was practically sedate. Like the other it was lined with wood and filled with the smell of food being cooked nearby. A silent pair of maids flanking the door to the serving area waiting patiently for the unseen message to fetch the hors d’euvres. Unlike the feasting hall this room was simply set with relics of the family. Banners, weapons, old papers and even a few small prototype products from the more prominent companies absorbed into Yggdrasil. Trophies of those conquests worth note.\n\n\tNone of the siblings enjoyed it. Each put on their typical show. Runa sitting stoic and unflinching. Her posture textbook perfect as she allowed her eyes to methodically scan the room. Seeking out any real change in the seemingly timeless chamber. After nearly two decades of looking she had yet to find any.\n\n\tSean, meanwhile, seemed a bit more loose and relaxed. Like the others he sat with his chosen escort. Unlike them he had his arm around the girl in a display of open affection. Like Runa his eyes moved now and then. Unlike her, he also fidgeted and twitched now and then. Small gestures or near-spoken words. Sure signs the other two would recognize as messages and perhaps even other childish diversions shared with the dated of the evening. In fact the only real difference seemed to be how nervous the girl was. Displaying far less resolve than any among his more favored and seasoned toys, not to mention a great deal of discomfort.\n\n\tIlka seemed the most at home, as usual. Legs crossed and back only slightly slumped. Unlike Runa and Sean she kept her chair alone. Something that was typical of her, though now with the maid tagging along to finally provide her with company it looked even more out of place. Or rather, it seemed to have shades of their mother to it.\n\n\tIt was, by now, as much of a yearly ritual as one could expect. Each one sitting quietly and patiently. Each one waiting to let the others speak first. None really desiring anything from the forced and unnatural familial contact, yet each submitting to how trapped they all were.\n\n\t“So,” Runa sighed finally. Her voice was hushed, yet seemed to boom though the still room. Piercing the calm and jolting both the maids and Brinna out of their respective places just a bit. “Your new girl looks quiet nice, brother. Another gift from a grateful subsidiary, I presume?” The wolf smiled politely as her eyes moved to scan the jittery dormouse. Blinking in shock as the poor girl all but thrust her face into Sean’s chest.\n\n\t“Not quite.” The bear muttered. “You’ll have to forgive her. It’s a bit of a complicated story. She’s not really used o this sort of situation. To be honest I was a bit nervous about subjecting her to all of this.”\n\n\t“He means that he found her on a site for slaves looking to kneel up on the social ladder.” Ilka said rather flatly. Her eyes never leaving the little smart paper display. “She’s a class 3. They met while you were away.”\n\n\tSean shot his youngest sister a few daggers, but she either failed to notice or failed to care. Eyes only looking up at Runa after another long and still pause. “I trust that your project hasn’t been hindered too much by the recent fear mongering, big sister?”\n\n\tThe elder wolf shook her head and smiled back as politely as she could. Both Sean and Ilka would almost certainly notice as Runa dug her fingers into Siv’s shoulder, but then neither said anything about it. “There have been some minor issues, but to tell the truth I hadn’t heard anything about the saber rattling from New Avalon until the trip back. For a moment I suspected there would be some kind of relation between the pests and the growing aggression. But it turned out to simply be a bit of a coincidence.” Runa said with as much forced cheer as she could muster. “What about you? It would seem that Sean is not the only one with a new girl in his stable.”\n\n\t“Oh come now sister, you know Hrafna.” Ilka muttered as she tapped away at her facts and figures, her movements slow and painfully bored.\n\n\t“Well I remember you were with a rat girl last I saw you.” Runa nodded “But I don’t think you ever gave me her name. Or if you did it slipped my mind.”\n\n\tIlka paused for a long moment, unable to hide the confusion on her face. Her ears twitching and mind racing before finally melting back into her seat and laughing. “oh yes, I didn’t, did I? No, her consideration was over with quickly. I find her very pleasing.” Ilka nodded “And she has gotten me to open up just a little bit more.”\n\n\t“Open up?” Runa chuckled “She must be a little miracle worker then. Not that I think any of us would mind, naturally. Anyone who can drag you out and away from those silly little side projects of yours for a while can’t be all bad.”\n\n\t“and which of my projects would be ’silly’, sister dear?” Ilka asked coldly as she looked over the rim of her glasses.\n\n\tRuna twisted a bit of venom into her smile as she eyed the younger wolf slowly and carefully. “Well let’s be honest here, I heard about you seeking to get your feet wet with some minor investments. Ore processing and the like. You will forgive me little sister but I know you well enough to be sure that you have some grandiose little side project going. Something along the lines of that project you tried to show off for your tenth birthday, perhaps?”\n\n\t“What was so silly about that?” Ilka muttered. “Using existing architecture in data jacks in order to link commands between slaves and better co-ordinate a household is very practical.”\n\n\t“So is buying a cleaning drone.” Runa chuckled “And it won’t be too long before that is the far cheaper alternative in every regard. Doesn’t seem to fit in with your fixation on efficiency very well, does it dear sister?”\n\n\t“It is extremely efficient.” Ilka protested “Simple modification of readily available material makes far more sense than building some robot from the ground up. Besides, by your logic we should just give up on slaves all together. I mean what can they do that can’t be replaced by a decent node to dive into and perhaps a few physical accessories on hand?”\n\n\t“Plenty, just nothing you’d be able to grasp.” Runa growled “There is far more to this than simply looking at cost to benefit ratios and a list of on the box features.”\n\n\t“Like what?” Ilka scoffed “Sitting around in a shack on some backwater, trying to carve whatever driftwood you come across into quaint little statues to sell at the roadside?”\n\n\t“If you had ever put any real work into anything of substance, you might understand.” the elder wolf snapped “Life is about more than rote data and simple statistics. If people could just understand-”\n\n\t“Understand that you need your romantic little fantasies, sister dear?” Ilka murred. “that you need to pretend your little Siv is special? That the bond you formed with her can’t be reproduced, or better yet improved upon, with the right tools? That she is somehow superior to any off the rack toy because her lessons came over years instead of from a nice clean data feed and machine fucking?”\n\n\t“Watch it, runt.” Any pretense of civility quickly stripped away from Runa now as she leaned forwards. That silver prosthetic eye flashing ever so slightly, the flare of emotions seeming to ripple even though her artificial extremity. “It’s bad enough to sit here listening to you mewl and bark at me, but I wont’ have you badmouthing Siv. We both know she is far more than any simple series of images and mnemonic assaults could hope to replicate. Even if you don’t happen to find that reality very comfortable.”\n\n\tIlka leaned in closer and met the cold glare of her sister. Her weak muscles coiling and tensing as the waves of rage hit her. “Perhaps you’d be better served explaining that to all the investors you’ve fleeced, sister dear. Even if they were really just trying to get in the good graces of the future Thane, It seems a bit sad that your little vacation spot only ever managed to produce one slave that wasn’t for your personal use… and that she got away.” Ilka laughed bitterly and licked her lips with glee. “Who knows, fix the problems and maybe you can get that number up to two. I mean how could such a model fail? All the last runaway cost you was a year of time, and one guard.”\n\n\tThe words had barely left Ilka’s lips as Runa’s hand wrapped around the hilt of her ceremonial sword. Her free hand pushing her out of the love seat, The blade pulling free of its scabbard with a loud tink.\n\n\t The silver notes in Ilka’s outfit shimmered and shifted around her. Crawling from all parts of her body and down along her arm slowly cascading over her forearm and wrist as they writhed along with her arm thrust out into a long piercing spike.\n\n\t“Enough!”\n\n\tBoth girls stopped, stunned. Sean stood hulked between the two. His left hand gripping the blade of Runa’s sword tightly. Blood rushing from the deep gash in his palm as he held it firmly in place. His other hand impaled by the thin shard of claytronic metal. His outstretched arm and the angle of his hand deflecting it up and away from both his own body and Runa’s.\n\n\tHe simply stood there. Gasping, snarling. His shoulders arched. His muscles flared. Face contracted into a visage of primal rage. One smooth tug quickly yanked the blade out of Runa’s hands. The shocked wolf barely able to process what she was seeing. It flew across the room and clattered to the ground with a thud, dripping down on to he ancient hard wood. Sean then clenched his other fist tight and shattered the weak bond of the nanomachiens, watching as they all retreated back to where they were on Ilka’s outfit or clattered to the floor without the power to help keep them in shape.\n\n\tWordlessly he reached out, gripping Ilka by the ear and yanking her in close. He then did the same with Runa, snatching her wrist and tugging the stunned elder sister in beside the younger.\n\n\t“I am sick and gods damned tired of this!” Sean snapped. His icy blue eyes looking between them slowly. “Look at yourselves. What were you going to do, kill each other? Over a few bitchy little insults? The fuck is wrong with you?” He turned to Runa and leaned in almost nose tip to nose tip, his nostrils flaring. “You’re supposed to be the mature one. This is your company. Do you realize what that means? How safe do you think those people out there would feel if they knew their future Thane, their future CEO was sitting in her mothers house right now ready to brain her sister with a bunt sword over a few petty insults. It’s bad enough you have this warrior fetish. But the least you could do is act like a damn adult by not trying to murder people over nothing.”\n\n\tHe then glanced to Ilka. The younger pup looking away ashamedly. Sean gripped her ear and tugged it hard to look her in the eye. “And you. We all know you want to hurt her, little sis. We’re not as stupid as you seem to think. You want to be a little sadist. Go play with those dollies you’re always talking about. It’s clear you already know the situation, and it’s clear you just want to see how far you can push her. Well, tough. It’s been over half a decade since you could claim to be young enough to get away with that shit. If she’d given you a scar to match hers it would have served you right for mouthing off like a fucking bitch.”\n\n\tHe shoved both of the stunned girls back into their respective seats. Ilka almost knocking the chair over with how little resistance she offered. Sean then slumped down into his own seat and growled loudly. His breathing only starting to slow when his little pet wrapped her arms around him.\n\n\t“One of you is going to be running the tree some day. All of it. Every world, every company, every man woman and child. They deserve fucking better than you two right now.”\n\n\tAll three fell silent again. The tick of the clock once again consuming the room. Even the maid who brought out a roll of bandages and antiseptic paste was ghostly quiet, as was Brinna as she began her clumsy but earnest attempts at first aid.\n\n\tThankfully the wounds were bandaged quickly, the maids had cleaned up as much of the mess as could be expected and even set out a cheese plate with some punch, seemingly to appease the siblings after the exchange. The three looked at each other wordlessly. None wishing, or daring, to reignite the situation.\n\n\tRuna finally opened her mouth to speak just as another maid entered the room. She was a bit more mature, somewhere in her thirties from the looks of it. A slightly matronly white-furred fox with bright blue eyes. She had the Thanes personal mark on her cheek, a sign that her mind-breaking had produced such intense love and infatuation with her Mistress, such utter and total devotion and such eradication of the old self that she was worthy of serving in her Mistress’ bedchambers. The vixen bowed reverently before the here and then cleared her throat.\n\n\t“Lord and Ladies, may I present Thane Ase of Yggdrasil.”\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Solstice:
By TerraMGP

\t“I’m not looking forward to this.” Runa sighed. She took one last look at herself in the mirror. Once again confined into uncomfortable clothing, though hat least this time it was something she could live with. A silver lined grey military uniform with silver buttons and insignia hung loosely from her shoulders. Rare natural fibers failing to keep the same rigid shape as printed synthetics. It wasn’t a proper dress uniform. Not really. She did wear a sword with it. The same shiny composite blade so many bridge officers would wear. It was the best she could get away with in the getup. The only way she could avoid feeling too naked.

\t“You don’t think your mother will be pleased, Mistress?” Siv sighed. The bunny was tired. So very tired. She had been since they got to the station. As usual she did her best to be the fastidious tool, the rock that would prop itself up and anchor the ship when needed. But she was only one woman, and the strain was starting to show in her voice.

\tRuna turned to her pet and kissed her tenderly on the forehead, pulling Siv close and letting her eyes slip tight. “I doubt it matters much. Even if Bi had woken by now, I honestly don’t think I’d be ready for any of this. Ever since we got back, I‘ve just felt so wrong.”

\tA small chirp slipped free of the pad Siv held. Runa pulled it down to take a look, but the bunny pulled it close to her chest and shook her head sternly. “No Mistress. We both agreed we’d let Eleanor keep an eye on this. It will be good practice for her. I am sure the second there are signs of activity you’ll be alerted.” The bunny smiled and nodded her approval as she kissed Runa’s cheek. The motion was naturally used to hide it as she manually set herself to get whatever incoming messages Eleanor would be getting. Just a little safety net. Not that they needed to know.

\tRuna took one last look at herself in the mirror. Her normally wild and flowing hair had been twisted into a respectable faux war braid. One that looked all the more strange with the hidden colors resting under her hair normally. She gave one part of it a cursory tug before settling her satisfaction that it was at least passable. Not comfortable, but passable.

\tOnce she was satisfied that she looked the part, the wolf turned her attention back to the large wood covered common area. A rater mundane space transformed for the season into a picturesque old style lodge greatroom complete with fire place and all manner of greenery strung up about the place. Maids in tight bondage and thick ball gags worked eagerly to lay out trays and plates of food while the other slaves and house servants milled about and mingled in the small oasis of luxury they were permitted. Most were property of the family, naturally. However the sharp eyes of the wolf were quickly able to pick out her own. The twins huddled up at the corner of one bench looking on nervously. Eleanor struggling to keep out of everyone’s way. The poor girl looking like she’d be bowled over at any moment.

\tIt made her feel a twinge of guilt that she still had slaves back on the planet. Leaving them there had been logical at the time. But that was back before she knew how long it would take to heal Bi. Before she realized how bad things had been. Poor little Scr1pt would be fine enough. If anything the bat probably had more fun in her little virtual prison than she would here with the real people anyways. Plus she’d left the mole in deep storage for almost a year. Barely paying her any mind as Runa focused on getting her house in order.

\tYet the guilt didn’t go away.

\t“A lot of empty spaces here this year.” She sighed as she looked at Siv and rolled her shoulders a bit.

\t“To be fair I don’ think your siblings have arrived yet, Mistress.” The rabbit noted.

\t“Smarter than me.” She smirked “Hel Bless, if Sean really waned to he could probably get away with not showing up at all. Ilka needs to just to save face with Mother, and I need to because…”

\t“Because of the exact same reason.” Siv noted.

\t“Yeah. That.” Runa sighed. “But if nothing else he’s got an excuse to bail if he really wants.” Even as she said it, a big part of Runa hoped that he wouldn‘t. Her anxiety as already growing and unlike most others at her class bracket she wasn’t one to pop some easy meds to fix the symptoms.

\tSiv fixed the simple white dress she wore and fixed her bangs with a bit of spittle before wrapping an arm around Runa’s elbow and gripping the wolf hand with her own opera-glove clad digits. “It’s just a few hours with Ilka and Sean. A show of face no different than any other. If it makes you feel any better I’ve already slotted you in with a rep from Brokkr about having your blade mended. So you have that to look forwards to if nothing else.”

\tThe wolf offered her pet a rather pathetic half-smile. Less genuine than it probably should have been, but at the same time more than she thought she could manage. The two lingered a bit more before going in though the massive oak doors towards the main dining hall. Watching as the little wheels and cogs that kept the household of the Thane working all eased chugging for one day and instead settled in for some small respite. A well earned if reluctantly given reward for filling heir roles.

\t“Just a few hours.” Runa repeated to herself. The words slowly rolling into her head like a mantra. Just a few hours.

---

\t“I’m not looking forward to this.” Sean sighed as he once again fidgeted with the nice, well pressed suit jacket hanging neatly from his shoulders. He glanced down at Brinna, the dormouse looking far less comfortable in the rather traditional and overly elaborate frilled grey and white gown she sported. Something some designer had insisted on making as a ‘gift’ to the great Jarl. Probably because they knew his sisters had no real interest in designer gowns.

\tBrinna looked up at him and bit her currently ringless lip. She was admittedly beautiful. The dress fitting her so well one would imagine it had been tailored to her instead of a scan. Her piercings were removed save for a single silver cuff embossed with a blue relief of the great tree. Something she’d made in some small attempt to impress the Thane, on the off chance she took the time out to visit.

\t“You sure you’re going to be ok with this?” Sean asked softly. “I mean are you absolutely positive?”

\tThe dormouse nodded meekly and bit her lip as she took another deep breath. Her eyes glancing at the tables set up not too far off in the next room. A flood of people in various outfits gathered around enjoying exquisite looking food and drink. The kind the little Class 3 had never imagined in her life. All manner of roast meats in various different preparations. Bowls of fruit, fresh vegetables, warm breads that filled her senses to the point of near shutdown even before the two of them had stepped in the room proper. She just continued that meek nod as she looked it over. Hands moving to grip her headphones, only to find them absent. Fingers slipping though air leaving her to slump.

\t“I just want you to make sure, my little gem.” Sean sighed as he pulled her in close and looked down into those soft brown eyes. “You know Sita will be here soon and I’d be more than happy to take her again and let you rest in one of the empty rooms somewhere until this is all over. I mean this has got to be at least, ten train cars worth of stress, right?”

\t“Twenty.” Brinna muttered. “B-but no. It’s ok. I mean, you gave me the honor of being your escort for tonight. Even when I’m not fully owned yet. It’d be rude. A-and probably really rude to your sisters too.”

\t“I doubt either of them will care, or even notice to be frank.” Sean sighed. “They have their own ‘concerns’ right about now. Thankfully I’m not quite sure just what. But I doubt they’d do more than say hello to any of my little trinkets.” He smiled at her, and then paused.  Just looking her over slowly as he stroked that long black hair bit by bit.

\t“I-is everything ok, Sir?” Brinna asked as she looked up at him and sighed, a small whine in her throat as she tilted her head a bit.

\t“Yeah, it’s fine.” He nodded “More than fine. Just, I’m sorry.”

\t“Sorry for what?” she asked. The question coming even as the dormouse leaned against him a bit harder. Her body sinking in to his. Slowly going limp as his arm slipped around her.

\t“Master!” A small, lisped voice slipped out from behind the mouse. Sean craned his neck a bit to look down at a red panda girl in a seasonal holly-patterned sweater and long pleated brown skirt. The cute little Chinese-looking cub grinning up at him to show off a pair of shining silver braces.

\t“Yes, Wah?” he asked as he pulled Brinna around to his side and looked down at the girl who grinned up at him.

\t“Sita tried to tell me we weren’t opening gifts yet. Can you tell her to stop fibbing, please.” The girl whined cutely as she shuffled the ball of her foot into the floor.

\tBrinna blinked and tilted her head as she looked between Sean and the girl. The dormouse darting her eyes over to the hallway a moment seeing a small crowd of people coming their way, though quite a bit further back.

\t“She’s telling the truth, little one. We’re doing our own thing after this. For now just mingle a bit and enjoy the feast. I promise you’ll get your gifts when we get back.”

\t“And some of Sita’s pfefernusse?” she asked hopefully. The bright eyed little panda girl glancing at Brinna for just a moment. Her expression remaining wide and smiling, but with a bit of a sour look as she examined the older girl.

\tSean sighed and nodded warmly as he tussed the girls hair and poked her glasses up her nose. “How about you enjoy yourself now and worry about other stuff later. Runa brought some new pets with her, and apparently for once she’s actually invested in them. Why don’t you go introduce yourself to them?”

\t“Yes Master.” the cub pouted as she nodded and slumped her shoulders. She pulled out a small battler box from her pocket and started to fidget with some AR on its surface seeming a bit dejected by everything.

\tBrinna waited a long moment before looking back up at her owner and whimpering a bit. The anxiety clear as day on her face.

\t“Don’t worry.” Sean chuckled “I plan to take you home before any of that. I get the feeling you’ll need to calm down by yourself after this. Last thing you need to do is meet your brother and sister slaves.”

\tThe mouse nodded. She didn’t bother to argue, not even a small whine of protest. Her face just sinking into his chest as she fell into his petting fingers.

\t“Don’t worry my little gem. Just a few hours. That’s all. Just a few hours.”

---

\tI’m not looking forward to this.” Ilka muttered under her breath. She was a far sight from how she was normally. Hair combed and cared for. Fur freshly washed and scented. Her typical dress of swaying metal replaced by a more reserved suit with only a few claytronic accents littered here and there where the silvery metal may be appropriate. She held herself with the regality a put upon youngest daughter demanded, right down to the small display pad she held in her hand filled to the brim with reports and research material, set to run off of morphing ink as opposed to a more typical AR display.

\tIt was a mask her mother expected of her. A mask her siblings would expect. But gods did she want to toss it into the trash where it belonged.

\tYou’re doing it again, Mistress.” Hrafna said. Her sardonic monotone adding a hint of concern.

\t“Doing what?” Ilka half-snapped. Her own voice far more restrained and subdued.

\t“Looking for nits in your arm fur. You know you wont’ find any.”

\tIlka looked down to see her fingers tracing though the fur of her arm with a methodical sweep. She quickly gripped a handful of flesh and fur just below the elbow and squeezed it. A long sucking breath slipping in to her lungs. She let it out slowly and let the mask settle back over her.

\t“You always were good about that, pet.” she sighed. The wolf far more sweet and innocent than she would be elsewhere.

\t“For as long as you have known me, Mistress.” Hrafna reminded her.

\tThe two nodded their mutual understanding. More frustration. More hoops to jump though. It didn’t help the wolf girl at all. Then again what would?

\t“It looks like there are some new faces here.” Hrafna noted as she scanned the party slowly. The rat turning her nose up a bit at all of the useless revelry by things so low and worthless. “I take it the foxes there belong to your sister. They certainly look unrefined enough.

\tThe comment drew Ilka’s eyes over to the twin kits who sat at the far edge of the room across from a rather overstuffed looking little badger girl. Another girl, one of her brothers toys, was already over pestering the trio. The discomfort drew a small chuckle from Ilka. One she quickly realized might be the highlight of the night.

\t“If nothing else, I don’t think they are at all happy about it either. So if it helps Mistress you can just focus on that to get yourself though the night. Or.” Hrafna moved in close and nuzzled her neck grinning nice and wide “I could arrange for a couple of ‘untouched’ toys to be waiting so you can make them suffer personally after all this is done.” The rat growled.

\tIlka grinned ear to ear at that before shifting back to the proper pose. Looking down at her pad as she examined the figures on it. Radiating studious stoicism. “Now before we go in there, did you hear anything about the projections for next quarter, slave?” Ilka chirped.

\tHrafna likewise stood in her silver-accented maid uniform. The rat the very picture of calm obedience. “The processors” Hrafna grinned “Have run the figures and projected that market saturation went far beyond what you had initially hoped. It’s difficult to tell with the various differences in time and seasonal traditions, but just based on early estimates they see a full on revival of your new company. Along with a healthy profit thanks to the supply companies they have helped you secure.”

\t“Very good, girl. It seems that their assessment of the designers now under my employ came in quite handy. I will expect a clearer picture by the time our first promotional event rolls around. I trust that is not beyond the capabilities of our current system?”

\t“Easily done, Mistress.” Hrafna nodded. The white-furred rat all but wiggling in perverse pleasure as she sank into her role.

\t“Very good. Be sure to clear some time in my schedule later so that I may reward you properly.” Ilka cast a last glance at the toys her siblings had brought before turning to join Sean and Runa for the family dinner. Her mind barely there as it raced with the possibilities her success would bring. The mere prospect making the thought of wasting so much time all but agonizing.

\t“Let us go, pet.” She nodded “It will be just a few hours.”

---

\tA loud tick dominated the room. Thudding like an unending heartbeat in the small space. Many of the rooms in the Thane’s personal suites were fluid. Shifting and changing to suit need or desire on a whim. This room was one of the most notable exceptions.

\tThe tick came from an old grandfather clock. A massive eight foot relic made of sturdy maple from back on Terra. Careful hand carved embellishments and a simple relief of leaves and vines set on the front below the carefully smoothed and dark stained cherry wood face. The relic had dominated the room for generations. Possibly since the station itself was built. Each of the siblings could feel it thrumming in their minds as the sat quietly around the simple low-cut oak table near the rooms coil fireplace. Shifting to get comfortable in the antique love seats set out for them.

\tCompared to the feasting hall just outside the door, this small room was practically sedate. Like the other it was lined with wood and filled with the smell of food being cooked nearby. A silent pair of maids flanking the door to the serving area waiting patiently for the unseen message to fetch the hors d’euvres. Unlike the feasting hall this room was simply set with relics of the family. Banners, weapons, old papers and even a few small prototype products from the more prominent companies absorbed into Yggdrasil. Trophies of those conquests worth note.

\tNone of the siblings enjoyed it. Each put on their typical show. Runa sitting stoic and unflinching. Her posture textbook perfect as she allowed her eyes to methodically scan the room. Seeking out any real change in the seemingly timeless chamber. After nearly two decades of looking she had yet to find any.

\tSean, meanwhile, seemed a bit more loose and relaxed. Like the others he sat with his chosen escort. Unlike them he had his arm around the girl in a display of open affection. Like Runa his eyes moved now and then. Unlike her, he also fidgeted and twitched now and then. Small gestures or near-spoken words. Sure signs the other two would recognize as messages and perhaps even other childish diversions shared with the dated of the evening. In fact the only real difference seemed to be how nervous the girl was. Displaying far less resolve than any among his more favored and seasoned toys, not to mention a great deal of discomfort.

\tIlka seemed the most at home, as usual. Legs crossed and back only slightly slumped. Unlike Runa and Sean she kept her chair alone. Something that was typical of her, though now with the maid tagging along to finally provide her with company it looked even more out of place. Or rather, it seemed to have shades of their mother to it.

\tIt was, by now, as much of a yearly ritual as one could expect. Each one sitting quietly and patiently. Each one waiting to let the others speak first. None really desiring anything from the forced and unnatural familial contact, yet each submitting to how trapped they all were.

\t“So,” Runa sighed finally. Her voice was hushed, yet seemed to boom though the still room. Piercing the calm and jolting both the maids and Brinna out of their respective places just a bit. “Your new girl looks quiet nice, brother. Another gift from a grateful subsidiary, I presume?” The wolf smiled politely as her eyes moved to scan the jittery dormouse. Blinking in shock as the poor girl all but thrust her face into Sean’s chest.

\t“Not quite.” The bear muttered. “You’ll have to forgive her. It’s a bit of a complicated story. She’s not really used o this sort of situation. To be honest I was a bit nervous about subjecting her to all of this.”

\t“He means that he found her on a site for slaves looking to kneel up on the social ladder.” Ilka said rather flatly. Her eyes never leaving the little smart paper display. “She’s a class 3. They met while you were away.”

\tSean shot his youngest sister a few daggers, but she either failed to notice or failed to care. Eyes only looking up at Runa after another long and still pause. “I trust that your project hasn’t been hindered too much by the recent fear mongering, big sister?”

\tThe elder wolf shook her head and smiled back as politely as she could. Both Sean and Ilka would almost certainly notice as Runa dug her fingers into Siv’s shoulder, but then neither said anything about it. “There have been some minor issues, but to tell the truth I hadn’t heard anything about the saber rattling from New Avalon until the trip back. For a moment I suspected there would be some kind of relation between the pests and the growing aggression. But it turned out to simply be a bit of a coincidence.” Runa said with as much forced cheer as she could muster. “What about you? It would seem that Sean is not the only one with a new girl in his stable.”

\t“Oh come now sister, you know Hrafna.” Ilka muttered as she tapped away at her facts and figures, her movements slow and painfully bored.

\t“Well I remember you were with a rat girl last I saw you.” Runa nodded “But I don’t think you ever gave me her name. Or if you did it slipped my mind.”

\tIlka paused for a long moment, unable to hide the confusion on her face. Her ears twitching and mind racing before finally melting back into her seat and laughing. “oh yes, I didn’t, did I? No, her consideration was over with quickly. I find her very pleasing.” Ilka nodded “And she has gotten me to open up just a little bit more.”

\t“Open up?” Runa chuckled “She must be a little miracle worker then. Not that I think any of us would mind, naturally. Anyone who can drag you out and away from those silly little side projects of yours for a while can’t be all bad.”

\t“and which of my projects would be ’silly’, sister dear?” Ilka asked coldly as she looked over the rim of her glasses.

\tRuna twisted a bit of venom into her smile as she eyed the younger wolf slowly and carefully. “Well let’s be honest here, I heard about you seeking to get your feet wet with some minor investments. Ore processing and the like. You will forgive me little sister but I know you well enough to be sure that you have some grandiose little side project going. Something along the lines of that project you tried to show off for your tenth birthday, perhaps?”

\t“What was so silly about that?” Ilka muttered. “Using existing architecture in data jacks in order to link commands between slaves and better co-ordinate a household is very practical.”

\t“So is buying a cleaning drone.” Runa chuckled “And it won’t be too long before that is the far cheaper alternative in every regard. Doesn’t seem to fit in with your fixation on efficiency very well, does it dear sister?”

\t“It is extremely efficient.” Ilka protested “Simple modification of readily available material makes far more sense than building some robot from the ground up. Besides, by your logic we should just give up on slaves all together. I mean what can they do that can’t be replaced by a decent node to dive into and perhaps a few physical accessories on hand?”

\t“Plenty, just nothing you’d be able to grasp.” Runa growled “There is far more to this than simply looking at cost to benefit ratios and a list of on the box features.”

\t“Like what?” Ilka scoffed “Sitting around in a shack on some backwater, trying to carve whatever driftwood you come across into quaint little statues to sell at the roadside?”

\t“If you had ever put any real work into anything of substance, you might understand.” the elder wolf snapped “Life is about more than rote data and simple statistics. If people could just understand-”

\t“Understand that you need your romantic little fantasies, sister dear?” Ilka murred. “that you need to pretend your little Siv is special? That the bond you formed with her can’t be reproduced, or better yet improved upon, with the right tools? That she is somehow superior to any off the rack toy because her lessons came over years instead of from a nice clean data feed and machine fucking?”

\t“Watch it, runt.” Any pretense of civility quickly stripped away from Runa now as she leaned forwards. That silver prosthetic eye flashing ever so slightly, the flare of emotions seeming to ripple even though her artificial extremity. “It’s bad enough to sit here listening to you mewl and bark at me, but I wont’ have you badmouthing Siv. We both know she is far more than any simple series of images and mnemonic assaults could hope to replicate. Even if you don’t happen to find that reality very comfortable.”

\tIlka leaned in closer and met the cold glare of her sister. Her weak muscles coiling and tensing as the waves of rage hit her. “Perhaps you’d be better served explaining that to all the investors you’ve fleeced, sister dear. Even if they were really just trying to get in the good graces of the future Thane, It seems a bit sad that your little vacation spot only ever managed to produce one slave that wasn’t for your personal use… and that she got away.” Ilka laughed bitterly and licked her lips with glee. “Who knows, fix the problems and maybe you can get that number up to two. I mean how could such a model fail? All the last runaway cost you was a year of time, and one guard.”

\tThe words had barely left Ilka’s lips as Runa’s hand wrapped around the hilt of her ceremonial sword. Her free hand pushing her out of the love seat, The blade pulling free of its scabbard with a loud tink.

\t The silver notes in Ilka’s outfit shimmered and shifted around her. Crawling from all parts of her body and down along her arm slowly cascading over her forearm and wrist as they writhed along with her arm thrust out into a long piercing spike.

\t“Enough!”

\tBoth girls stopped, stunned. Sean stood hulked between the two. His left hand gripping the blade of Runa’s sword tightly. Blood rushing from the deep gash in his palm as he held it firmly in place. His other hand impaled by the thin shard of claytronic metal. His outstretched arm and the angle of his hand deflecting it up and away from both his own body and Runa’s.

\tHe simply stood there. Gasping, snarling. His shoulders arched. His muscles flared. Face contracted into a visage of primal rage. One smooth tug quickly yanked the blade out of Runa’s hands. The shocked wolf barely able to process what she was seeing. It flew across the room and clattered to the ground with a thud, dripping down on to he ancient hard wood. Sean then clenched his other fist tight and shattered the weak bond of the nanomachiens, watching as they all retreated back to where they were on Ilka’s outfit or clattered to the floor without the power to help keep them in shape.

\tWordlessly he reached out, gripping Ilka by the ear and yanking her in close. He then did the same with Runa, snatching her wrist and tugging the stunned elder sister in beside the younger.

\t“I am sick and gods damned tired of this!” Sean snapped. His icy blue eyes looking between them slowly. “Look at yourselves. What were you going to do, kill each other? Over a few bitchy little insults? The fuck is wrong with you?” He turned to Runa and leaned in almost nose tip to nose tip, his nostrils flaring. “You’re supposed to be the mature one. This is your company. Do you realize what that means? How safe do you think those people out there would feel if they knew their future Thane, their future CEO was sitting in her mothers house right now ready to brain her sister with a bunt sword over a few petty insults. It’s bad enough you have this warrior fetish. But the least you could do is act like a damn adult by not trying to murder people over nothing.”

\tHe then glanced to Ilka. The younger pup looking away ashamedly. Sean gripped her ear and tugged it hard to look her in the eye. “And you. We all know you want to hurt her, little sis. We’re not as stupid as you seem to think. You want to be a little sadist. Go play with those dollies you’re always talking about. It’s clear you already know the situation, and it’s clear you just want to see how far you can push her. Well, tough. It’s been over half a decade since you could claim to be young enough to get away with that shit. If she’d given you a scar to match hers it would have served you right for mouthing off like a fucking bitch.”

\tHe shoved both of the stunned girls back into their respective seats. Ilka almost knocking the chair over with how little resistance she offered. Sean then slumped down into his own seat and growled loudly. His breathing only starting to slow when his little pet wrapped her arms around him.

\t“One of you is going to be running the tree some day. All of it. Every world, every company, every man woman and child. They deserve fucking better than you two right now.”

\tAll three fell silent again. The tick of the clock once again consuming the room. Even the maid who brought out a roll of bandages and antiseptic paste was ghostly quiet, as was Brinna as she began her clumsy but earnest attempts at first aid.

\tThankfully the wounds were bandaged quickly, the maids had cleaned up as much of the mess as could be expected and even set out a cheese plate with some punch, seemingly to appease the siblings after the exchange. The three looked at each other wordlessly. None wishing, or daring, to reignite the situation.

\tRuna finally opened her mouth to speak just as another maid entered the room. She was a bit more mature, somewhere in her thirties from the looks of it. A slightly matronly white-furred fox with bright blue eyes. She had the Thanes personal mark on her cheek, a sign that her mind-breaking had produced such intense love and infatuation with her Mistress, such utter and total devotion and such eradication of the old self that she was worthy of serving in her Mistress’ bedchambers. The vixen bowed reverently before the here and then cleared her throat.

\t“Lord and Ladies, may I present Thane Ase of Yggdrasil.”
", "pools_count": 4, "title": "Solstice", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "3", "name": "Violence", "description": "Mild violence", "rating_id": "1" }, { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "1", "views": "177" }