The ground squished soggily beneath Celestria's boots.  Altogether the swamp was getting on her nerves- not only was it dank, and wholly uniform as far as foliage went, but it was also entirely too large.  Why in the world should there be a vast expanse of squishy wet land to the south of Cremeth?  It made no sense.  She continued her trudge through the wet greenery, stepping over dead logs, carefully planting her feet when the ground seemed weak.
	More than three days had passed since Celestria left the Bard's College and visited her home town of Tieweth once again.  Like always her parents had adored her and celebrated while she had stopped by.  The young female's studies had been more or less finished for this season- and as such she had two weeks to do with as she saw fit.  Stopping to see her parents was the first of her priorities.  But still, there was something she was even more excited about.
	Celestria would be able to see her brother again.  It had nearly been six years since he had been sent from home and entrusted underneath the care of the sorcerer Cerawin.  Her older brother, Thurstan, had become too much of a burden for their parents once his magic had began to blossom, so he was apprenticed.  This was likely part to blame for his falling out- the boy had loved his home, and spoiled Celestria whenever he could.  Stuck up for her.  That he was kicked out from their well-off family had upset him fiercely.
	In fact, upon telling them of her plans, her parents had all but forbidden Celestria from visiting Thurstan.  Her teachers and friends had suggested much the same- that she should not seek him out.  But still.  He was her brother.  And six years was a long time- she had barely been thirteen years old when she last saw him.
	The only thing stopping the young bard was the damnable swamp.  Idly she hummed a short, low tune to herself and focused her mind upon an incantation.  She then turned slightly to her right and resumed trekking on.
	For some time the vast expanse of greenish yellow foliage passed by her.  Moss-covered logs adorned the ground liberally, their dead branches haphazardly reaching in all directions.  Thick fluffy plant matter blanketed the forest floor.  A moments lapse of concentration could easily lead to a shoe submerged in stagnant water.  Flies.  Again, the place was generally unpleasant.
	It may have been twenty minutes and it may have been an hour.  The hanging moss and deathly branches soon parted and revealed a clearing.  A patch of dirt nearly a hundred feet wide rose up out of the ground and formed a large hill.  Around this lay wrecked remains of stone- bricks and crumbled mortar heavily overgrown with moss or vines.  Up on top of the formation, at the apex, sat a large looking crude structure.  One side of the building was made up of the natural local stone, but the others were thatched together with wood or bricks and looked entirely newer.
	First impressions were somewhat lacking, she thought, if her brother did indeed live there.  It almost seemed unreal that Thurstan would force himself to live in such a location.  Given his new profession it was entirely too tacky.
	Dirt crunched lightly beneath Celestria's feet and almost at once she felt a small twinge of magic.  The footfall had brought her over some kind of barrier or threshold.  Some sort of ward, it would seem.
	The crude building's door rattled and then creaked on open.  A tall man stepped into the doorway, wearing a somewhat muted brown robe, holding a sheathed sword ready to be drawn.  Celestria stopped and blinked at this man for a moment.  For perhaps two seconds she was startled and shocked- this could not be her brother.  And then the confusion passed.  The similarities began to come apparent.
	Though it had been most of a decade, and he had been a young budding man when he departed, Celestria now could see vestiges of her brother within this person.  The straight black hair, crisp and prominent cheek-bones.  He seemed taller and more heavily built than what she remembered, naturally, and quite a bit more pale.  But it was his eyes that confirmed it to be Thurstan- like her own, they were a deep royal blue.  More importantly they glittered with a profound intelligence.  This spark of cleverness, or brilliance, was all that she needed to know it to be him.
	For another few seconds they both stood and gawked at one another.  Celestria's own expression must have shifted into something more expressive, such as a scowl or raised brow, since the man suddenly had a huge grin.  The expression was entirely Thurstan.
	“Brother!” she finally squealed, running up the hill.
	“Sis!”
	Thurstan, her beloved older brother, lurched forward at a somewhat modest pace, a slight irk in his walk.  They both met somewhere in the middle and embraced one another.  The tall man was pushed back slightly as his sister all but slammed into him.
	“Celestria,” he spoke after some light rocking,” it's great to see you!  Though you shouldn't be traveling by yourself.  Gods, you've grown.”
	“I'm older now.  And you're telling me- you're taller than me now.  And look so much older.  You're starting to look like father.”
	The girl's right hand ran across his cheek, lightly, and let out a small gasp.  She placed her other hand flat against his head.
	“You're freezing!”
	He sighed,” don't worry about it.  And wow, I didn't imagine I'd be seeing you any time soon.  Come on sis, I'll show you inside.  You can tell me how you finally traveled here.”
	“And you can tell me why you're living out here, of all places.  Really Thurstan?”
	He rolled his eyes, the expression very familiar to Celestria, and gently nabbed her hand with one of his, his other still holding onto the sheathed sword.  Together they walked back up the dirt hill, off toward the entrance of his hovel.  From up close it was all but impossible to not notice his pale skin, the slight limp in his right leg.  It saddened Celestria.  She made no mention of either.
	After the creaky door shut behind them the female began glancing about the inside of the cottage.  The interior was much more roomy and spruced up than the outside- the majority of it was carpeted (at least with rugs), furniture was abound all over the room, and most of the stone wall was covered by a large bookshelf.  A large desk dominated the rest of the structure- more of a two or three desk study, forming a large 'U' shape adjacent to the fire-pit.  Clutter blanketed these things- papers, scrolls, a gem here and there, and some bones of various sizes and shapes.  A single cot sat off to one side.
	Idly Thurstan deposited the arming sword onto his bed.  He then turned around and made a wide demonstrative motion with one hand.
	“Make yourself at home.  How long are you visiting for?”
	“Three or four days.  But really, Thurstan?  Again- a swamp?” she asked.
	“Whaaat?”
	“That and the necromancy- you're living a cliche.”
	He rolled his eyes again.
	“I'm aware of this.  You didn't come all the way out here just to pester me, did you?”
	“No.  I know you're too stubborn,” Celestria observed, then spoke more softly.  “How are you doing, brother?”
	His mouth softened into a frown.
	“I'm getting by.  Doing fine.  Even on the verge of a new discovery, and I'm decently isolated out here.  Nothing can really go wrong,” he explained.
	“Last I heard of you was from Cerawin, three years back.  He said you two had fought, then you ran off,” Celestria said,” ceased to be his apprentice.”
	“That's a sufficient description of what happen.”
	“And after that?”
	“Bit of adventuring, up until recent.  I've earned enough to settle down and study for some time.  Finally I can have some peace and quiet,” Thurstan explained, his voice tired.
	“Reallllly?” Celestria asked, drawing out the word.  “We've been learning much of famous adventurers and bards within the school, so that's marvelous.  What sort of adventuring?”
	“Bandits.  Orcs.  Kobolds,” he responded, his voice especially distasteful of the last,” annoying little bastards.  What about you?”
	Celestria plopped down into one of the spare chairs and sighed.
	“Same old, same old.  Studying, teenage politics.  More studying.  Social games.  It gets tiring.  I'm starting to get so sick of the other students.”
	“Sounds unpleasant.”
	“You have no idea,” Celestria confirmed,” you meet any elves on your travel?”
	“Just one,” Thurstan said.
	“And what were they like?”
	“Quite useful but somewhat condescending.”
	“Picture gangs of them, but female and teenaged, and vindictive.”
	“Sounds very unpleasant,” Thurstan corrected.
	Both of them were silent for a moment.  Celestria turned her head and looked across the interior of the place once more.  It seemed to be a rather decent sized building, but it felt more and more like she was imposing on her brother by staying.  Both their parents were rather well off financially- seeing him living in such a place told her that Thurstan perhaps wasn't doing as well as he suggested.
	“I'm not imposing on you by dropping by, am I?” Celestria asked, softly.  “Really, brother.  I love to see you again, and you, but don't want to be any trouble.”
	“You can stay as long as you like,” Thurstan reaffirmed, his voice the slightest bit irritated.
	“Are you eating alright?”
	Thurstan let out a more pronounced sigh,” I did a food run recently am well stocked on chicken and vegetables.  Yes, I'm eating fine.”
	Celestria frowned more and looked deadpan into Thurstan's eyes.
	“And your leg?”
	He slightly winced at this and looked away.  “Getting better.”
	A few more seconds passed before he realized she was still giving him a look.
	“That was a one-time foolish mistake.  I'd gotten impatient and accidentally flipped a trap.  Shattered my knee.  And please, please could you stop pestering me?  I get enough of that as it is.”
	“I'm just concerned for you, Thurstan.  You've had it harder than you should have.  I worry every day about you.  Folks-”
	The bard stopped mid-sentence and let out a disapproving noise.
	“Yes?” Thurstan urged.
	“Folks are saying bad things about you.  It makes me worry.”
	“When you say folks,” Thurstan said, frowning,” you mean mom and dad, don't you?”
	“They're still upset.”
	“And they kicked me out of the house, also effectively turning me into a servant.  Let's end this conversation.  Hungry at all?”

	The man cooked Celestria some left-overs of chicken- grilling it over the fire with some vegetables and herbs.  For the rest of the night they engaged in more light-hearted banter.  Two hours of this passed before the girl announced she wished to call it a night and sleep.
	“I'm afraid there's only the one cot,” Thurstan said,” you've been traveling, so go ahead and take it.”
	“This is your home.  And your bed.  Perhaps we could both share it?”
	Her brother waggled his eyebrows- “How did I know you would suggest that?”
	At this the slightest bit of red touched her cheeks.  Memories of his departure six years past.
	“Shut up.  We were young then.  We didn't know how to say goodbye.”
	Three, four seconds of tense silence passed.
	“Sis, go ahead, I'll arrange something for myself.  This is my home- I get to designate who gets the bed.”
	Celestria gave him a disapproving look.
	“Feels wrong for me to take it.  But if you insist.”
	“I do.”

	That out of the way, Celestria crawled into the cot and began modestly stripping out of the outer layer of armor, just as Thurstan began making a bed for himself.  It was hard for him to not notice.
	Even six years past he had notions of what a woman his sister might become, beautiful as she was then.  She'd always had killer blue eyes like his own, hers more playful and inquisitive than plain brilliant.  Her hair was always immaculately long and straight- blonde locks that fell down to her shoulders, framing her delicate chin and heart shaped face.  Since six years past she had filled out rather nicely.  Though her bust was not much to look at, her other curves, such as her arms and legs, had become entirely straight and toned.  Celestria's hips and rear had become more full and shapely.  Celestria's legs and rear drew a small, appreciative, and perhaps guilty look from Thurstan.
	Soon the necromancer finished making his own bed- a pile of cushions and spare robes haphazardly strewn together.  He plopped down inside of it, leaving his own robe on.  The fire-pit began to die down slowly, crackling as it burned out.
	“Night sis.”
	“Good night, brother.”

	The two slowly curled and made themselves comfortable in their beds, embarrassing past memories impossible to forget.  Even as they managed to sleep the thoughts of his departure flickered through their minds.

	***

	Two more days Celestria stayed with her brother, the two telling nearly everything that had happen to themselves.  The man had made it a point to place away a jumble of bones from his work-tables, tidying up the place almost without thinking.  Celestria had it reinforced into her head by now that he was a necromancer- but beside the occasional bone lying about, and his skin, there was nothing too obvious about it.  She stretched and popped her back within the new robe- the garment he had lent to her was surprisingly more comfortable than her own clothes.  The bard figured it would be time to ask him about his work.
	“Hey,” she called over, the man fiddling with something at his desk.
	“Yes?”
	“Why necromancy?  What's so special about it?”
	He turned his chair slightly around and sat backwards in.  Thurstan then crossed his arms against the back of it, under his chin.
	“Really?”
	“Indulge me.  I'm curious,” she urged.
	“Interesting.  Well.  It has a number of spells that resemble those from all the different schools.  Besides; evocation you just unmake things, destroy that around you, possibly yourself if you botch it.  Illusion has no more power beyond misleading beings.  All the other schools are similarly useless, save for perhaps conjuration and divination.”
	“I know the basics of the schools,” Celestria agreed.
	“Well, then you get to necromancy.  It has spells that destroy, spells that conjure minions to fight on your behalf.  Spells to divine with.  And the potential to make yourself immortal, to live until the end of all days,” Thurstan spoke, this time with reverence,” it is potentially the strongest school of all.  From what I've seen I cannot doubt this- and as such have chosen to specialize in it.”
	Celestria mulled over his reponse for a moment.
	“If I were to die, what would you do?”
	He hardly thought before answering-” end those responsible.”
	“And of old age?  If I wither away while you become immortal?”
	“If I have any say in the matter,” Thurstan explained,” neither of us will ever die, sis.  You know some arcane magic.  In three, four decades, if I am smart and rich enough, I can make you immortal too.  Both of us.”
	That he spoke of it so disbelievingly, so unerringly, told her that his mind was slightly off.  Or perhaps he was telling the truth?  As crazy as it might have sounded it was in fact possible.  Others had done it before.
	“You make it sound so believable.  Immortality,” Celestria said, pensively.
	“It is.  I... my work now is beginning to slowly, slowly lead into that.  With enough study, training, and luck, there is nothing to say I can't.  It will take some time though.”
	“Naturally,” she agreed, giving him a sidelong glance,” you haven't raided any graveyards, have you?”
	“We're sitting on top of one,” he confirmed with a smile.
	“I thought s- wait, what?”
	“One of the reasons I chose this swamp.  Beneath this cottage rests an ancient burial ground,” Thurstan murmured,” I have all the materials I could ever need.  And gods, the things the dead here have been telling me.  It's awing.”
	“No protectors?  Shades?  How in the world do you manage to sleep here?”
	“I do not fear them.  They fear me,” he affirmed.
	“Even so.  Wouldn't they howl and moan all night?  Do the usual spooky ghost show?”
	“Afraid not.  It's a very large energy expenditure to affect the material world, besides the fact that most of them lack the will in the first place.  Unless I cast the proper spell there isn't much in the way of communication.”
	“You almost sounded like a professional there, for a moment,” Celestria noted, dryly.
	“Mrmm.  That's what I like think.”
	“Alright, besides desecrating the dead, you have to have been up to something else.”
	Thurstan began to open his mouth.
	“And don't you dare tell me you've been doing nothing but that.  I'd have to call some paladins down on you.”
	Her tone suggested that was a joke.  Mostly.  Thurstan feigned indignation, and offense, holding a hand up to his chest and making a sour expression.  A moment later his arms and chin rest on the chair once more.
	“Nah.  Between the evil stuff, and adventuring, I've also been doing some divining and tests on our ancestry.  It's pretty amusing and gives me a break from the usual.”
	“Our heredity?” Celestria asked, clear interest in her voice,” how so?”
	“Heredity,” Thurstan echoed,” fun word.  Um.  I'm sure you know this already, but you can perform some magical and alchemical tests on blood to separate out the different species that make it up.  Determine how much of what you may be.”
	“I actually wasn't but it doesn't surprise me.”
	“So I've been doing some tests and such on my own blood.  I'm fairly certain we're distantly related to a dragon.”
	“What?”
	“You heard me.  There's like... trace, trace amounts of some inherently magic blood in me.  You too.  I'm pretty sure one of our great-great-great-grand parents was a dragon.”
	Celestria blinked at that for a moment.
	“Any idea what color?”
	“Ah, no.  I'm not even entirely certain it's draconian.  Might be something or another, and even if it were, telling what breed would be all but impossible.”
	“One of the school's staff might be able to help out with that.  Tradak is a renowned alchemist and knows some draconic lore...”
	“That's alright,” Thurstan murmured,” I'd rather find out myself, eventually.  On my own time.”
	“If that's what you want.”
	The two were silent for a moment.
	“What about you?” he asked.  “I already saw the shortbow and lute.”
	Celestria rolled her eyes.
	“That thing?  The bow?  Nope.  That's mostly for show.  You know how hard it is to draw a full-sized bow?”
	“Not my sort of thing.”
	“Exactly,” she agreed, her eyes flashing,” I'm not any good with the bow, but cut-and-draw swords are a different story.  Espada ropera.  There's a lot of neat stuff you can do in a fight with one.”
	
	Already covered other topics, the two of them engaged in a lengthy shop talk.  Weapons, spells, the two left no avenue of discussion left untouched.  Thurstan ended up speaking more of an adventure, in return for some more longwinded descriptions of the Bard College.
	One more day passed, just like that.

	***

	Almost abruptly the fourth night came, the last day before Celestria would have to begin her travel back home and to the college.  It had been great for both of them to see one another again- laughs were had, irritations and problems discussed at length.  Life troubles had been lifted off their shoulders.  For the most part is was simply relaxing.
	Celestria currently sat on the cot, watching amused as her older brother bustled around a desk and cleared it up, dancing back and forth between that and the cooking chicken over the fire-pit.  He'd insisted that he cook an actual meal before she left- said that it would be a good excuse to do so.
	After another five, ten minutes he deemed it to be done and motioned Celestria on over to the set table.  The bard hopped on up, mozied on over to one of the seats, only to have it pulled out for her.  She beamed at her brother and sat down.
	The table was decently set- a cooked and stuffed chicken, bread, cheese, most of it spiced up with seasoning or herbs.  A decent-sized bottle of wine corked between the two of them.  Her eyes soon fell down to the small sack on her plate.  Celestria lifted the heavy little thing and felt the coins through the fabric.
	“It's not much,” Thurstan spoke, low,” but I'd like it if you took it back to mom and dad.  Reimburse them, if only partly.  Find a good use with it, for the family.”
	Celestria's eyes watered the slightest bit.
	“If they know it's from you they might not accept it.”
	“Then don't say it was from me,” Thurstan spoke.  “Say you earned it from a quest.”
	“I can't refuse?”
	“No.  And don't you dare forget it and leave it laying around here.”
	“You are impossible Thurstan,” Celestria groaned.
	“Well, yes.  Dig in.”
	She did just that.  The Bard had never been that huge of a meat enthusiast, and had eaten enough chicken here already.  How her brother managed she did not know.  What she did like was the cheese, bread, and wine- the former two were both their favorite kinds, and the wine was sufficiently spiced and flavorful.  He must have been saving it.
	“Good wine,” she voiced.
	“It is.”
	She took another bite out of the hunk of bread.
	“Okay, I have to ask.  How do you eat chicken day in and day out?”
	“It's cheap,” he answered,” flavor isn't one of my priorities either.  If I had it my way I'd just drink slop or something several times a day.”
	“Why does that not surprise me?”
	“Because you know me,” he responded, his voice precise.
	Celestria snorted and downed more wine.  Nagging, in the back of her mind, she knew that the morning trek would have to happen the following morning.  This would be the last time she saw her brother for quite some time.  Without thinking she took another swig of wine, a pensive look on her face.

	The two of them ate in silence.  Several more minutes passed, the young girl attacking the wine in increasing intervals.  Though she would never admit it, or was even aware herself, she had been building up her courage.  Celestria took one last sip of wine and before looking to her brother.
	“Thurstan...” the bard hushed, her cheeks pronouncedly red,” do you remember six years ago?  The night before you left?”
	The man knew precisely what she was referring to.  It had been on his mind the last few days.
	“How could I forget?” was his answer.
	“Was it fun?”
	“Of course.”
	A few beats passed as the bard fiddled with her fork, before looking into her brother's eyes.  Her own seemed to be so very large and blue at the moment.
	“Want to do it again?”
	A not entirely unpleasant pressure was building up in Thurstan's stomach.  His heart may have skipped once or twice.  He returned the gaze.
	“Yes.”
	Silence.  The two regarded one another silently, both slightly awkward, for five or six seconds.  	Celestria was the first to move.
	Gracefully she rose out of her seat and began circling around the table.  Her cheeks burned something fierce.  Thurstan's eyes followed the bard, and the delicate steps she took- one foot in front of the other.  Once within arms reach she stepped on over him and sat down on her brother's lap, straddling him.  From up close she was surprised how much larger he was.  Last she had seen him they were nearly the same height.  Now sitting on his lap she was only just level with his head.  Resting both hands on his shoulders, Celestria leaned in, her face and lips now mere inches from his own.  Her eyes were entirely smoldering with desire.  For just a moment they lingered there, staring into each others eyes, up until Thurstan closed the distance.  Gently his lips touched hers, both of them melding into the kiss.  A soft sigh escaped Celestria's throat.  Almost at once Celestria went limp, relaxing, nothing on her mind but the kiss itself.
	Several long moments passed before they wound down and pulled back.  Celestria and Thurstan's hearts pounded.  The two gazed into one another more, startled and perhaps the slightest bit aghast.  Still, the desire was strong.  Another second or two passed before they leaned back in and embraced once more.
	At some point one of Thurstan's hands found itself winding around her back, locking the bard into place on his lap.  The kissing became less gentle and more heated, the two pressing their bodies into each-other as it went on.  Even through both pairs of robes Thurstan could feel a tremendous amount of warmth from her body.  It almost felt as though her flesh might burn him.
	Only once they were both out of breath did they halt.
	Breathing heavily, Celestria quickly worked at the sash on her side.  After shrugging her shoulders the garment slid on free, dropping to the floor behind her.  Beneath the robe she had only been wearing leather shorts and a loose shirt.  It strained against her breasts as she let the robe slide  down her arms.  Placing a quick smooch on Thurstan's lips, the bard reached on over and began working at his own robe.  Soon it crumbled backward over the chair, Celestria gently biting her lower lip.
	Thurstan's now exposed chest, for the most part, looked quite pale and leathery.  But between his pectorals was a solid patch of hair, curly and black against his white skin.  His unclothed figure was not boyish in the slight- hairy, slightly muscled, well proportioned.  Along his right breast ran a vertical scar more than a hand's length long, the surrounding skin puckered and slightly off color.  Without thinking Celestria found her hands tracing themselves across his body, soon resting at the top of his chest.  She felt fascinated at the cold, thick skin, and the hairs that gently scratched at her hands.
	One of Thurstan's own reached gently behind her head and pulled the girl back into a kiss.  Again she melted into it, pressing her body against his.  She tasted the texture of his lips, thrived in the closeness.  Beneath her a lump had began pressing against her body, straining the fabric of Thurstan's shorts.  That his more matured body was getting excited only pleased her further.
	Satisfied, Celestria leaned on back and gripped the hem of her shirt.  She pulled it up off her body in a smooth movement.  Immediately her nipples perked up in the cool, fresh air.  Thurstan quickly looked over her chest, her athletic and toned upper body.  Though not especially large Celestria's breasts were firm with youthful fertility.  Two seconds passed before Thurstan pressed his lips hard to her own.  Another small moan escaped from Celestria's mouth, her lips open, and the necromancer took the opportunity to gently press his tongue inside.  The two began entwining their tongues, tasting one another with fervor, reveling in the more intimate kiss.  Idly Thurstan reached up and wrapped a hand around one of the girls breasts, giving it a slight squeeze.  After reveling in the firmness he began gently fondling and moving it around.  It was only a few moments before he advanced- grabbing the small nipple with two fingers and lightly tweaking it.  The bard twitched and shook beneath his touch.
	Not satisfied to leave him unexplored, her right fingertips began to run lightly back and forth across his scar.  At first Thurstan shook the slightest bit, then pulled free of her embrace to give Celestria a scowl.
	“Stop that.”
	“Make me,” she beamed at him.
	He blinked once.  Twice.  He then stood up and wrapped a hand beneath her legs and back.  With a deft motion Celestia was suddenly laying in his arms, the man easily managing to flip and carry her off.  Thurstan began stalking with her off toward the cot.  As he went Celestria managed to plant a number of kisses along his shoulder and neck, the hot breath and tiny smooches tickling his otherwise numb skin.
	It only took a few large steps before Thurstan was able to deposit his sister, gently laying her down across the cot.  At once the bard turned to face her legs toward her brother, lifting her rear up and off the bed.  He got the signal- reaching over and helping the girl draw the shorts down and off her legs, his fingers lightly trailing across the skin as they went.
	Now that she was naked Thurstan couldn't help but think how beautiful his sister was.  Another faint blush began to wash over her cheeks as she saw her brother drinking her in, liking what he saw.  	The necromancer began to lower himself to the bed.
	“Wait,” Celestia hushed,” wait.  Stand up.”
	He did so at once.  At the same time the bard slid off the edge of the bed and gently pushed Thorsten further back.
	“Let me take care of you.”
	He did not argue- instead watching as the bard shuffled a bit more, settling her head at the perfect height.  Her delicate fingers began to work at his own briefs, opening them up.  Soon she found what she was looking for and pulled his shaft free.
	“What- good g- what have you been eating?” she asked.
	“You know,” Thurstan murmured, watching as she wrapped one hand around his rod, her face inches from it,” chicken.  Carrots, assorted- uh...”
	His train of thought was lost as Celestia's hot breath began to tickle his head, her breath literally touching him.  He could see her chest rising and falling with rapid little breaths.
	Celestia took her time- first pressing her cheek against the side of his shaft, feeling his hard, heavy heartbeat pulsing through it.  Gently, the girl began to just breathe in his scent.  Thurstan's fingers began to lightly clench and open as he forced himself to wait.
	He was rewarded soon after.  Celestia began to place kisses on his manhood, starting on his balls and working her way up.  Half-way back she simply began to lick, trailing her tongue up his entire length, all the way to the head.  Thurstan's finger clenching turned into two balled fists, a light groan escaping his mouth.
	She took a few more seconds pause, her tiny, hot mouth scant inches away from him.
	Finally she was ready.
	Wrapping a hand around the base of his cock to hold it steady, the bard finally leaned forward, pressing her lips against the swollen head of Thurstan's shaft.  Tilting her head back, the bard gave one last look up at Thorsten.  Their eyes meeting, Celestia began to take him in, the position allowing the necromancer to see every inch as it vanished.
	Working steadily forward, little by little she began to ease onto him.  And she seemed to enjoy this nearly as much of Thurstan- letting out a sensual moan as his own voice groaned in pleasure.
	Now swirling her tongue around his shaft, Celestia began to ease on down the rest of the way.  Taking it slowly, she soon felt her lips pressed against her hand, still wrapped around the base of his cock.  Here she stopped- letting Thurstan feel the tight hotness of her embrace as she sucked him.
	Thurstan could feel his legs buckling, his mind and everything below his waist screaming to take her.  It took all of his willpower to let her stay in control, his blood pounding through his veins.
	Next she drew her head back, slowly, sucking as hard as she could.  His length began to slide free from her tiny mouth, the shaft now wet with her saliva.  Just as his head neared her lips the bard halted, her tongue once more going to work.
	She pressed back onto him, fast, taking him nearly to her hand once more.  Thurstan twitched in shock at the sudden sensation, another light sound escaping from his throat.  Lightly her hand released it's grip, only the ends of her fingers wrapped around his shaft.  With her other the bard reached down and began to run them across his sack.  His shaft now free, the girl began to pump her head back and forth.
	“Yes, for the love of god, keep going,” he urged.
	The necromancer's hand reached over and parted all of her hair to one side, before resting upon the back of her head.
	This encouragement was all Celestria needed.  As wide as it was she could not easily pound him down, so she instead began to pick up her speed further- lightly pumping him and rapidly taking in only the first couple of inches.
	Thurstan could still hardly believe what he was seeing- his beloved sister prostrate on her knees, her beautiful face gazing up at him as she sucked him to the best of her ability.
	For a few more moments she continued her assault, pumping and sucking his head at a rapid pace.  This slowed down- the girl's hands slowly running across his slightly cold thighs, reaching around and resting upon both of his cheeks.  Once more she sucked him hard, slowly, pulling her head on free.  Subconsciously his hand began to lightly run across the back of her head, massaging her.
	This time she actually pulled off all of the way, a light pop sound ensuing, saliva still connecting her lips to Thurstan's shaft.  The girl took this moment to let in some much needed breaths.
	“This is amazing,” he groaned.
	Already his orgasm was nearing- he did not know how much longer he could hold on, especially seeing his saliva-slicked shaft being nuzzled by his sister once more, her blue eyes peering up at him.  A smile, irreverent smile appeared on her lips.
	“Just wait.”
	Before he had a chance to ask she took in his cock once more- slowly sliding down the first couple inches.  Unlike before, the bard simply squeezed Thurstan's rear lightly, bobbing her head back and forth, slowly working his shaft deeper.  The man could only watch puzzled as she lowered further.  She managed to get another inch before halting, letting out a challenged sound.
	Fast, the girl pulled back to his head, her pouty lips keeping wrapped around Thurstan's shaft like a noose.  She then pressed back down just a little further than before.
	All he could do was stand there in shock, and ecstasy, as his beloved sister tried her damnedest to throat him entirely.  He had no idea how the hell she even managed to get half, let alone nearly all.  This didn't slow her down- bobbing her head back and forth lightly, very deep, his head beginning to press against the back of her throat.  Squelches and noises began to ensue, up until Celestia pulled off again.  A surprising amount of fluid came free, one large trail running down her chin.  Two small tears began to run down her cheeks.
	“Celestia...” Thurstan began.
	“Don't.”
	A determined expression on her face, the bard opened her mouth and lurched forward one last time.  Something seemed to give way- rather than meet resistance the last of his shaft slid inside, up until her tiny nose pressed up against his stomach.
	Thorsten moaned at the sensation, his cock filling her mouth and throat so tightly that she could draw no breath.  It was indescribable- the almost painful pressure of her throat, the wet hotness of her mouth.  Beneath his fat shaft her tongue even wiggled slightly, futilely unable to move, filled as she was.  The girl's eyes began to water further.  Another long moan escaped her mouth, vibrating his entire length.
	Once some saliva began to dribble out of the corner of her mouth, Thurstan knew she'd had enough.  Slowly he began to draw his own waist back, to the girl's light protest.  Many inches later he pulled free.
	Celestia gasped hard, lightly coughing up saliva, her chin mostly slick now.  What little make-up she had worn had begun to smudge from her tears, running down either side of her nose.  Between the surprise and extreme pleasure Thurstan really did not mind.
	“Thurstan,” she said, before taking him back in.
	Shifting her body, the girl angled herself and her head to make things more comfortable for her brother.  At the same time both of her hands lowered, resting upon her thighs.  Still suckling his head, she gave him a pleading expression.  She had already decided to not think further this night- instead Celestria only knew desire and the wish to be with her brother again.  Wetness had already begun to drop from her womanhood in anticipation.
	The necromancer understood his cue.  Gently both of his hands wrapped around the back of her head.  Slowly at first, he began to lower on into her mouth, his shaft slowly and steadily disappearing down her throat.  More moisture began to run down from her eyes as he filled her entirely.  It only took Thursten a moment to hilt her once more.  The girl did her own part, sucking to the best of her ability.
	Pulling free, the man took out nearly half of his shaft, before lightly pumping his waist and burying it once more.
	Celestia let out a stressed squelch as more saliva dribbled free.  Thurstan took a second to confirm she was fine- her smoldering eyes told him all he needed to know.  Between her begging for his cock, and his own nearing orgasm, he had to act.
	No longer caring for ease or taking it slow, the necromancer began to pump back and forth, nearly pulling free each time.  His sister's body began to lean on back as he fucked her mouth, saliva dribbling free and falling down to her chest and pert breasts.  Every so often he would press himself into her hard, her nose banging against his stomach, and just hold Celestria there for an agonizingly long time.  Several times her eyes began to flutter and close, only for him to give her a few painful breaths.
	All she could do was sit there as he drove in and out of her mouth, hard, fast, giving her the entire length.  Celestria's throat lightly bulged with each thrust, another sick squelch emanating with each pump.  His taste had long since filled her mouth entirely, and truth be told, the bard loved it.  Trembling, she let him do with her as he wished.
	But he could not hold on for much longer- already he could feel the pressure building in his stomach and behind his manhood.  Loud moans escaped his mouth as he literally pounded her.
	“Celestria- I'm-”
	He didn't finish.  The pleasure built up and exploded.  All he could do was press back into her, burying his shaft into her throat as he finally came.
	It was painfully satisfying as he pumped his first few shots directly into her throat, his built-up seed spurting out without relent.  After the first four or five Celestria forced herself free, sliding his swollen head just to the tip of her mouth.  There she sucked on him hard, milking him for every last drop.
	After what had seemed like a short eternity she finally pulled on free.  Celestria immediately began coughing and sputtering hard, though she seemed pleased with herself.
	After blinking a few times Thurstan noticed her beaming up at him, a mirthless smile on her face.  The bard tilted her head and opened her mouth, revealing the massive load that he had deposited, nearly filling her mouth.  For a moment she swirled her tongue, letting him watch the admittedly disgusting fluid shift around.  After another small smile she closed her mouth and let out an audible swallow.
	Thurstan had no words.  After blinking a few times he managed.
	“What the hell are they teaching you these days?”
	Celestria fell back against the bed, letting out a sound half-way between a cough and laugh.  It took her some time to come to her senses.
	“None of that.  It's... it's only been you, Thorsten.  That is a wicked, false bard stereotype.”
	“Not entirely false,” he observed, his knees still lightly shaking.
	“Maybe not.”
	His eyes trailed across her chest, much of the saliva and fluids slicking up her chest.  Still more had slid down her chin, lots of it, and her make-up had completely run from her eyes.  She looked like a mess.
	On some level he loved it.

	“Come here,” Thurstan urged.
	Celestria did as she was told- standing up to her feet and moving to her brother.  At once his hands slid around her side, turning the bard around to be facing the small cot.  His arms wrapped around her, pulling the girl into a tight embrace.  Feeling the springy rondure of her body, and the extreme heat in her skin, he began to lead her on over to the bed.  It was impossible not to note the wetness already staining her thighs and rear.  Neither was it possible to ignore his now softening manhood against her cheeks, the soft flesh there completely tantalizing.  Thurstan began to do his best to will his member erect once more.  More or less wrapping himself around his sister helped.
	“Down,” he stressed, quickly placing a few kisses along her shoulder blades.
	Celestria went down fast, crawling onto the bed on all fours, heart beginning to pound once more.  Butterflies began to beat around in her stomach- this was finally happening.  Her need was almost unbearable, and this only increased further when the cot creaked, her brother's weight dropping down onto it.  An almost eager, begging sound escaped her mouth.
	Sitting behind her, Thurstan reached on out and grabbed one of her ankles in either hand- pressing them in, forcing her rear slightly further up.  Gently he pushed her rear further forward- bringing her head down to the pillow, hands to both sides of her head.  It only took him a few more shoves and pulls before she was aligned perfectly.
	Lightly he gave her bottom a light smack, soliciting a cute little sound, and a wide grin on her face.  This quickly turned into a gasp, and moan, as he buried his face into her drenched womanhood.
	This simple touch was all it took to give Celestria her first orgasm of the night.
	A long moan escaped her mouth as the sensation took her, the waves of pleasure spreading and beginning to run up through her body.  An explosion shook through her, the girl shuddering, toes curling over.
	This was all the confirmation Thurstan needed.  Wrapping his left hand around one cheek, he continued to press his tongue inside of her, assaulting her with all the speed and vigor he could muster.  His jaw falling up and down, the necromancer began to play at her clit, his tongue vibrating either which way.  Though her shudders began to die down, to a merely contented noise, he did not let up.  As an afterthought he lowered his right hand down to his shaft, trying to pump it back into readiness.
	His sisters soft little moans, and sudden intake of breath, is nearly all it took.  He did not care one bit that his lips and chin were getting fairly drenched, or that he would be tasting his sister for quite some time- only that she was writhing and trembling beneath his touch.  It was all almost too much.
	He only needed a moment to push her rear back up and resume.  His stomach began to ache and throb, his member hard as steel once more.
	
	It was time.

	Both of his hands wrapped around her tight rear, and pulled her back, lining up her folds.  One of Celestria's tiny hands reached back and helped him get ready, getting their position just right.
	One hand on his shaft, Thurstan began to run it up and down across her lips, both of them running to either side.  For a moment longer he kept this up- reveling in her moans and tight, little pink snatch.
	His willpower could only hold for so long.  Unable to tease her any longer, Thurstan lightly began to ease into her silken pussy.  At once Celestria groaned.
	Her folds refused to admit him.
	“Unn, wait,” she groaned.
	Thurstan halted for a moment and let his sister right herself, the girl shifting to and fro.  For a few seconds she did this, before lightly pushing backward against him.  As before the necromancer felt a tremendous resistance.
	“Uh~.  Thorsten, get on your back.”
	He blinked for a moment.
	“What?”
	The bard slightly flipped her hair and looked over her shoulder, back at him.
	“I'm... I'm not big enough.  On your back.”
	Slightly nonplussed, the necromancer did as he was told.  For a moment there was a confusing tangle of limbs.  After sorting it all out Thurstan lay on back, hands behind his head, and let his sister do her thing.  As a thanks she gave him a quick peck on the lips.
	Sitting up onto her knees, leaning back slightly, she began to position herself once more, this time over his manhood.
	The two of them began to get ready- with one hand Celestria began to guide the head in, her other spreading open her drenched folds.  Satisfied, she began to lower on down- the bulbous tip of his rod once more entering her.
	A moment later an inch eased it's way in- one of her hands quickly fluttering on down to hold the shaft steady.  Still giving her some trouble, the bard began to lightly gyrate her hips, barely moving them  in a circular fashion.  It actually entered her this time, all but stretching her.  Technically progress.  Having started the act, she couldn't help but realize their difference in size- sucking in air through her teeth.
	Hands on her waist, Thurstan began to speed up the act- raising her up the few inches and back down- this first initial pump causing Celestria to moan painfully.
	“Ahnnnn~”.
	Thurstan couldn't help himself either.  His tiny sister was beginning to get crammed full with his meat, her tiny snatch gripping him like a velvet glove.  Already he knew she was tight and fit as all hell- this would certainly be enjoyable, once they got past this hitch.  Each slow, steady rise and fall, each pump, they got a little more too.
	Instinctively Celestria leaned on back and placed both her hands on his thighs, the man's own hands wrapping tightly around her waist.
	What had once been a steady, gentle raising and lowering quickly turned into a light pounding.
	“Oh god-” Celestria moaned, an undercurrent of pain in her voice.
	The sounds of slapping flesh quickly begin to fill the room- now that she had been readied, the necromancer could nearly shaft her, each fall bringing her lips just only an inch away from his flesh.  Her pert little breasts also begin to bounce up and down, along with her hair, giving the man a rather pleasant sight.
	“Fuck- yes- yes!”
	Between words of encouragement the bard could only really moan, hard, as the massive shaft began to pound in and out of her.  One of Celestria's hands reached on down and begin to run at her clit, absent-mindedly trying to hit new levels of pleasure.  Still, she could only keep this up for a few more seconds.  It took all of her effort to simply move up and down with her legs, riding out the embrace as best she could.
	“You're so good Thurstan!  Yes- oh my god~”
	Thurstan did his own part- in the throngs of pleasure, he couldn't grunt or speak words of encouragement- only digging into her muscular waist with both hands, raising her up and down.  Some small part of him felt that the position was underwhelming.  As was, he could not pound her with all of his might.  That was no doubt the idea of the position.  He would have to change this momentarily.
	Her body shook and quivered as they continued, lost on the surging tide of sensation.  Each thrust brought her almost all the way off, only for her brother's shaft to slam fully back inside.  The slaps of flesh began to pick up in both sound and intensity, Celestria's pleased words turning into a nearly constant stream of slightly pained moans.
	Thurstan had to take a mental step back and lighten his grip, his fingers having left small marks along her body.  But even then he did not slow her down one bit.
	The two became lost amongst the loud slapping of flesh and cries of pleasure.
	Several orgasms sliced through the young bard, Celestria losing count and giving up.  Her own legs began to tremble and almost go numb, most of her weight now being pressed up and down by Thorsten alone.  Neither of them wanted it to end- but he could only go on for so long.  The pace began to slacken and turn more gentle, the man merely working Celestria up and down on his shaft.  Finally he could go no more.
	They shared a tender moment, not moving, breathing heavily.
	The burning in Thurstan's arms began to lessen and disappear.  Around the same time he took note that Celestria was slouching quite towards him, almost ready to fall forward, hair fallen to cover her face.  Her chest slightly shook, once more, but for an entirely different reason.  Beneath his more moderate breathing the man could swear he heard a sniffle.
	“Celestria?” he hazarded, softly.
	When she didn't respond he shifted back, an inch or less, and gently reached on up.  With a calloused and scarred hand he parted her hair.
	Her eyes were watery with yet unfallen tears.   For an instant a terrible pain took Thurstan's chest- a million worries and doubts blasted through his mind.  Regret among them.  This had likely gone on way too far.
	He had his answer a moment later.  His younger sister fell on forward, one breast against his own, and began to shake.  A single large tear slid down her cheek and fell to his chest.  Just as he began to reach for her, and he felt something like a heart-attack coming, the girl let out a sob.
	“I miss you,” she finally cried,” I miss you so much.”
	Untold relief washed over him.  Still not quiet sure what to say, the man wrapped both arms around her in a hug.  More tears fell to his chest, uncomfortably hot.
	“It's too much,” she repeated,” I feel alone without you.”
	Celestia meant it all.  There wasn't much in the way of fulfilling relationships at the Bard's College.  Her one true, undeniable friend, Maggie, did her damnedest to be the older sibling that Celestria had lost.  But a huge void had filled her heart in the absence of her bigger brother.
	And he felt more or less the same, or even worse.  While she had Margaret, the necromancer really had no one left.  Loneliness was a thing he was all-too familiar with.  He just did a better job at shutting it away and putting it out of mind.  Seeing it wracking his sister was almost too much to bear.
	“I missed you too,” he breathed, his voice smaller than normal,” I'm here.  Everything will be okay.”
	She continued her few sniffles.  For a moment Thurstan blinked, at a lack of words, but forced his mind along regardless.  Nearly a reflex by now, he squeezed slightly harder with both arms, lightly stroking at her back.
	“I will always be there for you, sis.  Always.  End of story.  Everything is okay.”
	For a long while they were silent, embracing one another.
	Celestria was the first to speak next, despite the circumstances.  She gave him a lopsided look.
	“Ugh.  I feel stupid,” she sighed,” turning into a sob-wreck now, of all times.”
	“Nonsense.  I've really missed you too, sis.  I... kind of put it out of mind, when possible.  It hurts to be /gone/ like this.”
	“Yes,” Celestria agreed,” here I am, ruining it.”
	“I don't think you've ever ruined anything.”
	That almost got a snort out of her.  Here Thurstan was, holding her up and being the near-blind cornerstone that he had always been.  A small, guilty expression went through her for an instant, briefly thinking back on all the times he had been there for her.  And, given who he was, the man would try and cheer her up with single-minded intensity.  Hell, he'd cooked for her when she was sick.  He still cooked for her even now.
	She could save the heartache for later.  Thurstan was here for her, even if temporary.  She'd rather get a grip of herself now than have to put up with his attention for the rest of the stay.  Besides, if she moped or bawled much more the trip would be a depressing one.  That didn't feel right.
	Leaning back, she wiped away her tears with the back of one hand, and gaze Thurstan a small smile.
	“I love you,” she told him.
	“I love you, too.”
	After letting out a soft noise Celestria leaned on back, another inch or two, feeling his softened member.  Giving him a quick, sisterly kiss to the lips, she then began stroking him with one hand.  As the blood rushed to fill his member she lowered back down, taking it back inside.
	“Wait, are you sure that you're-”
	She gave him a hard look and moved her waist side-to-side in response.
	Once his arms raised to grip her waist, and help her along, she brushed them off with the same irritation.  For a brief moment Thurstan didn't know what to do with them, before reaching around and resting them upon her toned rear.  Gently he began to kneed and squeeze.  She did her own part, beginning to move back and forth, riding her brother.
	After finding the right angle she began to pump her hips faster and faster.  An almost blind desire to treat her brother well built up inside her, urging the girl on.
	The bed began to tremble and lightly shake as his throbbing member thrust in and out of her.  A few groans escaped Thurstans mouth.  There, straddling him, was Celestria, her tits lightly bouncing a fraction of an inch, hair splayed wildly, the muscles of her hips and bottoms flexing as she bucked to and fro.
	It was indescribably erotic for Thurstan, having his sister take care of him in such a way.  Again, more or less.
	For a long while he lay on back, still, letting her do her own thing.  Watching her made him quite happy, in more than one way, especially when she hit her next orgasm- her body locking up and shuddering, toes and fingers curling over and grabbing at the bed or his flesh.  With single-minded intensity of her own the girl sputtered and trembled, collected herself, and went straight back at it.
	The man was slowly pulled out of his reverie.  It had begun to feel more and more lackluster simply laying there and making use of his arms.  Celestria wrapping around him like a vice was heaven, sure, but his legs were almost trembling from lack of use.  For a few more poundings he lay back, unsatisfied, but the nagging need for something more was beginning to grow overpowering.
	Rather than letting his sister fall back down, both of Thurstan's hands wrapped around her waist, and he fully pulled out of the girl.  She made a protesting sound, barely, as he manhandled her and turned her around.  Thurstan placed a hand upon her back and pressed downward, flattening her to the bed.  Hands locked upon her, he pulled back, hitching her hips up.  At the same time she lightly flipped her hair off to one side.
	The sight was beautiful- Celestria's tight, round ass put on display for him, her pink snatch already slightly gaping.  He kept on watching, enthralled, up until Celestria balanced on one elbow and reached back over herself, spreading one of her cheeks.
	“Come on,” she breathed.
	She didn't have to tell him twice.  Lowering and getting the angle right, Thurstan began to lightly press his meat back in.  Even the first two inches were bliss, the girl's soft fleshing pressing inward along with him.  By now she was wet enough that his size was not a problem- further and further he sank, up until that last inch.  With a light thrust the man bottomed out entirely, Celestria letting out a soft, tired moan.
	He began slowly, letting the girl adjust to his entire length.  This was something meant to be enjoyed as well; his sister's pussy was already tightening and lightly spasming around him.  For a few more tentative strokes he tested her further, lightly easing in and out, feeling the iron-tightness of his sister.  Shifting slightly, he leaned over her bare back with his chest, pressing down on her lower back more.  Her hand disappeared from her ass, the elbow quickly moving on down to help her balance.  Now on both elbows and knees, a rather appreciable arc had formed in her back.
	Thorsten took advantage of it.  Jerking forward, he sunk his meat into her again, bottoming out with enough force to jostle her and cause another squelching sound.  The girl began to moan, loudly, but he simply jackhammered back in a second time, interrupting it part-way through.  What might have been a moan turned into a choked squeal.
	He felt amused, and a bit proud, at all the different sounds his sister was making.  They all tugged as his hearts strings ever so little- and he wanted to hear all of them by the end of the night.
	A particularly hard shove upset Celestria's balance- for a moment her arms trembled and shook.  Thurstan watched her sweating back as she collapsed downward, lowering her chest down to the bed.  Her back arched further, impressively, lifting her core higher.  Her brother now had even better access to her crotch.
	His member began to prod against her flesh, at this new angle.  Seizing the moment Thurstan began to rock forward with even more force, pounding his sister hard enough to leave a hint of red on her skin.  Celestria shrieked in pleasure, gasping, practically melting to the bed.  Thurstan's arms wrapped around her core, tightening in a death grip, and his body began to settle on top of her.  Using his body weight in addition to his thrusts, the man began to pound into her like an animal, almost straight down.  An almost constant stream of moans escaped from Celestria, and he found himself joining in, groaning out in pure bliss.
	Thurstan felt close.  Very close.  He didn't know how long it had been, only that Celestria had begun to grow silent beneath his ministrations, breathing heavily.
	He pulled out again, for the last time, and rolled the girl over onto her back.  Eyes-part lidded, her breath heavy and steady, the girl merely gave him a quizzical look.  Once his hands wrapped around her smooth, long legs, and began lifting up, she actually took in enough of a breath to speak.
	“...what.... what are you doing?”
	Thurstan smiled down at her.
	Pushing her legs up and back, the man began to rotate her legs high into the air.  Settling her calves upon his shoulders, and pressing forward, her legs ended up half vertical and half over her own head.  He couldn't help but appreciate what the position did to her lithe form.
	The necromancer gave her a few moments to adjust, letting her settle, and entered her.
	Much like before, the stacked position allowed him to pump on in from straight above.  This time he took a leisurely speed, setting his pace and simply enjoying her.  Again she was given every last bit- but now his head literally scraped against her velvety walls, soliciting more weak groans.
	It was too much for Celestria.  She had long since felt his motions going weaker, and more tired.  Already haven gone a proverbial marathon, the girl began to zone out and slacken, letting her brother finish off.  She had lost almost all sense of the world as the sensation of her brother completely overwhelmed her for the last time.
	Thurstan knew he couldn't hold on any longer.  A mad need had gripped him, to keep up the act and enjoy this longer, but his body all but wailed at him.  Nails raked at his sides, almost imperceptible, in addition to the wet and hot breaths of his sister.  Her breathe tickled at his face.  For a moment they gazed into one another's eyes, his sister's droopy and half-closed.  She let out a surprised sound as his pace quickened.  Futilely she tried to bring her rear up further, to contort into more of a ball, but it was a wasted effort.  Another orgasm spiked through her, almost painful in intensity.
	Her spasming around him was the last straw.  A terrible need took Thurstan; the forbidden temptation of unloading directly into her womb.  Groaning, nearly growling out loud, he forced himself to pull free at the last possible instant.
	He exploded, his own orgasm nearly overwhelming, knocking the breath out of him.  For several long seconds he gasped and moaned as he finally shot his seed.  His body shook as another and another line arced out, across her belly, somehow depositing an even larger load than the first.
	The necromancer was too tired.  He dropped down beside his sister, the bed groaning at the sudden drop of weight.  He didn't make any mention as Celestria reached down, ran a hand across the mess, and idly licked at it once.
	“I... I love you.  More than the world,” Thorsten breathed.
	With their last fraction of energy the two fell together, sleep taking them in a more normal tangle of limbs.

***

	Celestria gently stirred the next morning, woken by the combination of chirping birds and smell of food.
	It took her several, long, long moments to sit on up.  For an instant her leg touched something cool and wet, before she shifted on away from the center of the bed.  A dried, peely film had covered much of her thighs and legs.
	All at once the recollections of the previous night hit her.
	“Morning!” Thurstan beamed, at the same time.
	Celestria leg out a long miserable sigh, the sort that only a teenager could successfully pull off.  She didn't look at him, not at first.  Her face felt like it had turned to steam.  Looking at her brother, at that instant, could only confirm as much.  She could already imagine the rare and stupid grin.
	“Aghhh,” she finally said,” how did you even-”
	“Hmm?” he asked.
	She blinked several times, hard, to let things grow into focus.  Once her eyes were working Celestria took note of a few important things.
	First off, the room smelled like a goddamn pigsty.  Goddamn.
	Second, food was cooking, or cooked, which didn't do a whole lot to help the whole smell problem.  The obvious reeking smell of sex did not combine well with sausage or eggs.  So to speak.
	Third, she needed a bath, really bad.
	That was almost bad enough, but add in the fact they were in a swamp, and that might be a bit of a problem.
	The last detail, number five; they had gone at it like rabbits.
	She put that one out of mind.
	“Come on,” Thurstan finally said,” you're more of a morning person than this.  Coffee?  Orange juice?”
	“Dammit.  Coffee,” she agreed, sitting on up, instinctively pulling the blanket up around the small swell of her chest.
	Thurstan stood off within arm's reach, wearing only a pair of pants.  A number of interesting marks had been left along his side and back, all thin black lines, bruises, and impressions left from her teeth.  She didn't even want to know what she looked like, herself.
	She blinked as Thurstan leaned on down to her, presumably for a kiss, and then surprised herself when she grabbed the back of his head and returned it.
	Several smooches later Celestria pulled back.
	“Good,” her brother said, slowly,” I guess you're not going to kill me or freak the hell out?”
	She thought about it.
	“Too soon to say.  Is that food for show or can I eat it?”
	Thurstan snorted and moved back over to the stove, slopping the eggs and meat onto a plate.

	Several unlady-like bites later she regarded him across the table.
	“Oh, that's right,” she asked,” how in the hells did you get up before me?  Were you up all night?”
	“Nah.  No,” he explained,” I got up a few hours before sunrise.”
	Her 'please, tell me more' look was almost comical in proportion.
	“I haven't slept a full night for more than a year.”
	“You do realize there are herbs that you can-”
	“No, I'm fine,” Thurstan interrupted,” we've talked enough about my problems.  What are your plans?”
	“What?”
	“You know, school.  Doesn't it end in a few months?”
	“Ah, that's right.  Yes.  Those plans.  School's going to be the same as ever, but we have our finals come September,” she explained.
	“Such as?”
	“Oh, you know.  Marksmanship, debates, music we have written.  Maggie, myself, and a handful of other students might end up sitting in and watching the bard's way in person.”
	Thurstan waited as she ate another bite before continuing-
	“We're looking forward to that.  Master Xannan is traveling over to Olauseth Keep, to see a treaty signed between the Lothaem and Northern Barbarians.”
	“I know of the barbarians, but none of those other places.  Or people,” Thorsten admitted, the words foreign to him.
	“It's a good distance away.  Maybe... well, fifty leagues or so from here.  I'd have to check the map.”
	“They're sending you that far from home for a project?”
	“Final project,” Celestria corrected,” adventuring from home is the bard's way, anyways. People to meet, places to see.  You've probably gone further than that.”
	“I guess.”
	

	The necromancer let her eat in peace and later showed Celestria over to the small pool that he'd repaired in the ruins.  There the two indulged in a much needed bath, which only got slightly out of hand.
	One thing led to another, several times, and she was left in no shape to make the trip.  The day Celestria was meant to leave instead was spent recuperating.  The bard figured that a one-day dent in her return wouldn't be too much a delay.


	The morning after she finally packed up her gear and was escorted out of the hovel.
	“I just... don't even know how to feel about all of this,” Celestria admitted,” what does this make you?”
	“What do you mean?”
	“Us... doing all of /that/.”
	Thurstan considered it.
	“Loved ones,” he said, after a handful of seconds,” there's no more to it than that.”
	She watched his face for a moment.
	“Easy for you to say.”
	“Very,” he agreed, before dropping down to a knee and wrapping his arms around her in a hug.  “I love you, Celestria.  Take care of yourself.”
	“I'm an adult, Thurstan,” she said,” more or less.  I can handle a long walk.”
	He released her and stood back up.  “You better.  You know the drill if you need me?”
	“Yes, I have the doodad.  Keep an eye out for yourself, too.  I don't want any religious sorts getting the wrong idea about you.”
	“I've been careful.”
	“Be careful-er.”
	Thurstan smiled.  “Only because you asked.”
	“Okay, brother.  I have to get going.  I'm going to miss you beyond belief.”
	“Yes.  Me too.”
	She gave him another thin smile.
	“Expect a message after I graduate.”
	“Can do,” Thurstan agreed,” I'm not taking you on any adventures though.”
	“Pffft.  As if.  Fare thee well, brother.”
	“Take care.”

	The necromancer watched Celestria leave.  Thoughtfully, sadly, he gazed after her as she vanished into the swamp.
	Thurstan did not know how long he stood there.  Only that his legs began to grow tired and he was not accomplishing anything.
	“Back to work,” he thought out loud.
	He was kidding, though.  Thurstan was in no state of mind to jump right back in to where he left off.  What sounded better, at the moment, was unearthing the jug of spiced wine.
	“Yeah,” he murmured, mind all over the place,” something like that..”


	The necromancer got drunk and fiddled with dead things.