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Deal of a Lifetime

Chapter 5

The air felt usually heavy and thick to Aston as he stumbled his way forward. A suffocating heaviness hanging in the air that only grew worse and strangely hotter the further he went down the long, twisting passageway he now found himself in.

How did he get there?

It didn't matter.

Why was he even there in the first place?

He didn't know.

None of that mattered. All Aston cared about was reaching the mysterious closed door that sat at the very end of the tunnel. He needed to make his way through that door. For behind that barrier laid something that he wanted to see. No… something he had to see! Something important. The most important thing in the entire world to him.

So with single-minded stubbornness, he kept moving forward. What little distance that remained between him and his newfound goal slowly dwindling down until at long last he had reached it. The door slowly opening before him so he could clumsily stumble over its threshold as an overwhelming light filled his vision.

This flash of brilliance was short-lived though. It receding just as fast as it came to reveal that Aston had somehow managed to make his way back into the Jade House's hidden den. Although this time the room was far different than it was the last time he had seen it.

Gone was the rustic, welcoming charm that had oozed from every corner of the chamber. The interior missing its many pictures hanging from the walls and the handmade furniture. All that was left behind was the large comfortable chair that dwelt within the room. A lone sentinel that sat in the very middle, a bright spotlight shining down upon it from overhead.

But it was who Aston found seated upon this chair that truly drew his attention. For there, like a noble king upon his throne, was the one and only master of the Jade House himself, Tulion Jadescale.

Only he wasn't dressed as a typical ruler should be.

He wasn't dressed at all actually.

From horned head to clawed toes there Tulion was, completely nude. The entirety of his hefty, scaly body on full display before Aston's surprised eyes which, against his better judgment, instantly began to rake over every exposed inch of the naked being before him.

By the Sun God, Tulion was quite the sight without any clothes on. His broad chest and rounded belly were oddly attractive. As was his thick powerful legs which were brazenly spread open. The drake's long, girthy cock and sizable balls proudly barred without a hint of modesty as it hung over the edge of his seat. Almost as if he were offering it up to anyone brave enough to approach and worship its greatness.

Faced with such a sight Aston felt his mouth go dry and his freckled cheeks grow hot. An overwhelming urge to heed the silent command hanging in the air almost overtook him as he unabashedly stared at the feast before him.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen another man naked, of course. Aston had grown up with several other male family members on a farm where the only way to take a bath was in a tub in the barn. But what he saw now… it simply took his breath away! Who knew someone could be that well-endowed.

That was when Tulion finally seemed to notice his presence. The drake looking over to him with his emerald green eyes and a playful smirk. “Hello there Little Guy." He rumbled, voice deeper than usual. “You settling in alright? Enjoying that new room?"

Aston swallowed hard, sight reluctantly leaving Tulion's massive organ to meet the dragon's gentle gaze. “Uh… I s-suppose I am." He stammered. “I'm just not really used to being away from home. Being here is all so new to me."

“Awe, don't worry there Little Guy. You'll get used to it. I promise." Flashing another grin Tulion brought his hand down on his leg, the sound of his bare palm making contact with his bare thigh loud and echoey. Louder than it should have been, Aston absently realized.

“Why don't ya come'mer and take a seat?" The Drake implored softly. “I promise ya, ya won't regret it!"

Staring at the spot that had been offered as he took a few steps towards Tulion, Aston let out an unexpected whimper. The very idea of sitting on Tulion's lap made his entire body grow hot now as he contemplated obeying. It was odd, but for some reason, he really wanted to do it now.

“A-Are you sure It's alright if I sit there?" He asked, stopping just short of his destination.

“Oh, I'm sure boy." Tulion rumbled with a wicked look upon his blue-tinted face. "Now stop yer fussing and get that cute butt ya got over here!"

Moving fast Tulion reached out and grabbed Aston. The younger man unable and very much unwilling to resist as he was forcefully pulled down onto the larger male's lap. A large, clawed hand quickly finding purchase on his hips as Aston instinctively settled against the Dragkin's soft, inviting form.

“There we go! Right where a pretty little thing like ya belongs." Tulion cooed softly. “Now ain't this better than sitting all alone on some silly old couch?"

Again, Aston whimpered pitifully, squirming slightly as he did. Tulion was right. This was much better. He was just so warm. So very, very big and warm. The way Tulion's palm rested on his lower back. The scent of his scaly hide. The way he held onto him so securely and possessively. It made Aston feel so damn safe and… and… aroused!

There was another chuckle from Tulion as he tightened their embrace. “Now, now Little Guy. I asked ya a question." He scolded gently. “Do you like sitting on Mr. Jadescale's lap or not?"

“I… I… I… d-do." Aston admitted, head coming to rest against Tulion's wide, doughy chest. “It feels really good sir."

“Well, it's about to get a helluva lot better Little Guy." Tulion purred, his short muzzle nuzzling the top of Aston's auburn-haired head as he spoke. "Just you keep on sitting there and let me work my magic."

With his freed hand Tulion cupped the human's bestubbled cheek. Big palm gentle as always as he made Aston face him properly so that their lips could meet. The sudden kiss that ensued causing the farmer to gasp in stunned surprise. The action allowed Tulion's tongue to slip past his lips to plunder Aston's mouth deeply and aggressively.

But this passionate lip lock wasn't all that Tulion had planned apparently. Aston left shivering as the larger man moved his hand downwards. Sharp claws carefully trailing down the human's neck, then over his clothed chest, ever lower and lower until it reached its goal.

Without a hint of warning, Tulion's palm settled on the growing mound between Aston's leg. Groping and massaging the hardening meat found there with such firmness that Aston was left with no other choice but to break their kiss. Several excited, breath moans escaping from him as the hardness in his breeches was kneaded by the Dragkin, persistent touch.

“AH! AHHHH! M-Mr. Jadescale!" Aston keened softly. His lower half moving on its own accord so he could weakly thrust upwards into the palm groping him. “S-Stop! If you… if you keep doing that I'm going to… going to… to…"

“Cum?" Tulion offered, never once removing his hand or slowing down.

Aston shuddered, body squirming and heavy pants coming out. “Y-Yes sir!" He gasped. “That!"

“That don't bother me one bit, Little Guy. I wanna make ya cum so do it." Tulion encouraged. A sultry, heated command that only sent the man in his embrace further into lust. “Cum for your Dragkin master boy!"

Filled to the brim with want and desire Aston rushed to obey the perverse order demanded of him. Hips moving back and forth faster and faster as he pleasured himself against Tulion's hand. Completely unashamed now of how he might look as he drew ever closer to the edge.

“Yes sir! Yes sir! Yes sir!" Aston panted out like a mantra. His cheeks flushed and his vision growing blurry as he was overcome with pleasure. “I'm… I'm… g-getting closer! Just a bit more! Just a bit more! Just… just… ah… ahh… AHHH!"

“GOOD MORNING FARM BOY!" A foreign, intrusive voice boomed. The entire room shaking from its volume. “Hey! Wakey-wakey! You're going to miss waffles!"

In an instant, Aston's excitement vanished. The room around him shattered like glass as Tulion faded away into smoke. All that was left around him was an endless black void that he plummeted straight down into like a sack of rocks. Wild winds whipping up around him as he fell through the nothingness towards a pinpoint of light far below that grew brighter and brighter and brighter until….

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Without warning Aston found himself waking up in the very same small, but undeniably comfortable, bed he'd climbed into the night before. His mind dazed and befuddled as the world around him slowly came back into focus. A groan came out as he unsteadily sat up. The urge he felt to lay back down as he did almost too much to bear.

“What the…" Aston said with a yawn. "Was that a dream?"

“Seeing as you were asleep I'm guessing it was Country Man." An amused Hector said, leading over into view. “Must have been one helluva dream too if that curious little fellow down there is any hint."

Sill only half awake Aston glared up at his annoying roommate for a moment then down. When he did he was met with a rather prominent protrusion located directly between his legs. Its mighty, blanketed peak moist and glistening in the low light of their room as both he and Hector stared at it for several long, awkward seconds.

Then with sudden, dreadful realization Aston fully absorbed what they were looking at and promptly reacted. “BY THE SUN GOD!" He yelped, face glowing bright pink as he brought both his hands down to hide his erection. “I-It's not what you think! I can explain!"

To Aston's continued mortification, Hector seemed to find his frantic attempt to cover himself tremendously hilarious. The half-elf erupting into an uncontrollable fit of giggles as he stumbled over to the other side of the room where a set of drawers sat.

“Explain what? That you had a wet dream?" He chortled while taking out a glittering bangle and putting it on. “I hate to break it to you friend, but I already know about those."

However, Hector did give Aston a coy look after saying that. "Though… I wouldn't mind hearing the details." He smirked. "Before you woke up you were really moving those hips."

What embarrassment Aston had felt increased tenfold upon hearing that. Both hands rising to cover his face with a long, dismayed groan. “It's not cute!" He insisted firmly. “It's… disgusting! Gross! Sinful!"

Taking pity on him Hector returned to Aston's side, pulling his hands away so that he was forced to look him in the face. “Man, the Raisteria holy temple sure did a number on you." He commented with a small smile. “Look, “Asty"…, you don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

Aston pouted. "Well actually yes. It almost sounds like you're calling me "Assy" so I'd rather you—"

“Anyways Asty!" Hector soldiered on. Aston glared at him with a huff. “Despite what some nut in a robe might have told you, having dreams like that is perfectly normal."

“In fact…" Suddenly Hector grinned. An expression that promised trouble and chaos all at once. “I remember dreaming about my boss once and he has to have the biggest and I mean “biggest" cock in the whole damn—"

“—I-I think I get the point." Aston quickly cut in, a surprising pulse from down below causing him to panic all over again. The last thing he needed was another incident.

Though giving a pout of his own at being interrupted Hector thankfully dropped the subject of his employer's manhood. “Anyway, all I'm saying is that it's not a big deal." He assured. “So let's go get breakfast, already. Tulion promised me an extra sweet roll if I came and got you."

As soon as food was mentioned Aston's stomach rumbled fiercely. The fact that all he'd eaten the previous day were sweets catching up with him. “Okay, let's go." He shakily agreed. “But… could you give me a few minutes to… you know…"

“Clean up?" Hector supplied with another eyebrow waggle.

When he received a blush he rolled his eyes and stood. “Fine, but I'm going to be waiting right outside in the hallway." Hector ruefully sighed. “Have to make sure you actually “come" to breakfast instead of doing so in your bed again."

Finishing Hector stared at Aston smirkingly, as if expecting a reaction. And for a few blissful moments, the farmer couldn't understand why. Then with with an almost audible snap, he got the thinly veiled double-entendre and groaned.

“It's not nice to make fun of people you know," Aston told the other man. “Especially when you've only just met them."

Heading for the door Hector fired off a quick wink over his shoulder. “Maybe so, but then I wouldn't be having any fun." He countered smugly. “Don't keep me waiting Asty. I want that sweet roll."

Scowling only slightly at the younger man as he left their shared room Aston wondered briefly what he had done to deserve such an interesting roommate. In many ways, Hector reminded him of his obnoxious older brothers. Which, despite having always been annoyed with them Aston now missed very dearly.

'Just remember that you're doing this all for them.' The farmer reminded himself.

Ignoring his reluctance to get out of bed Aston sluggishly did so. Standing with a yawning stretch as he rose. An action he instantly regretted with the telltale sticky coolness of his nocturnal emissions pressed against his nethers.

Regardless of what Hector had told him Aston still felt shame for what had happened while he was asleep. More so even than he had that time his mother had walked in on him pleasuring himself behind the haystacks they kept behind their barn.

That unfortunate event had led to him being taken to their local temple for an hour-long lecture from their holy man. A wizened, hunched-over old grump who spat insults and promises of damnation if he didn't promise he'd never do such a thing again! Not that Aston hadn't broken that promise. First by spending that afternoon with that woman that one time and now by having that dream.

What made matters even worse though was whom he had been dreaming about. A Dragkin! A male one at that! Shouldn't it have been a female one, or better yet some pretty human girl? You know, like what most normal Raisteria men were supposed to dream about.

'You still think you're a normal man?' That mean-spirited cynical voice in the back of Aston's mind cruelly pointed out. 'Confess! You actually want to do all those naughty things with a real male Dragkin! Come on, admit it you little slut.'

Aston flinched as if he'd been struck when the Voice used that harsh word to describe him. The pain he felt never once diminishing the entire time he cleaned himself up. His one and only spare pair of breeches and undergarments were taken out from his traveling sack and quickly changed into before he stuffed the soiled ones away and sheepishly exited into the hallway.

“You good?" Hector asked, watching as he stepped out into the hall. “I was just teasing before. I can wait if you need more time."

“N-No I'm fine," Aston said, the effort to meet the other's gaze almost too much for him. "Thank you anyway."

Motioning with a wave Hector started to lead the two of them towards the stairs. “No problem friend." He said as they walked. "Now hurry! Let's get to get upstairs before Lorry eats everything!"

“Lorry?" Aston repeated, doing his best to keep up. “That's the “snobby" fellow you talked about last night, right?"

Climbing the stairs Hector offered a small nod. “Yes, but like I said, he'd not as bad as he seems. Just spoiled." He assured. “Worlds better than the last guy who stayed here anyway. Never met a greedier bastard than that man."

Thinking back to his interview with Harriet the previous night Aston recalled both her and Tulion mentioning a similar-sounding person. A client that had demanded the "moon and the stars", as it had been put. Seems like he wasn't at all popular with anyone at the Jade House.

'I'll have to be careful when I make my own demands then.' Aston reminded himself silently. It wouldn't do to go to all the trouble he had and then not have anyone want to sign a deal with him because he wanted too much.

Reaching the final step behind Hector, Aston was once again in the dining room he'd passed through the previous evening. This time though, instead of being empty, it was very much occupied. Seated at the long table in the room were both Harriet and Caspian along with two other individuals. The group happily chatting with one another as they sat there, most likely waiting to be fed.

The first of these new people was a young woman. A northern Aston deduced. A stunning beauty of a girl. Skin pale as alabaster with fiery red hair that ran all the way down the back of her simple, baby blue dress. Her bright blue eyes and graceful smile only adding to her overall good looks.

Sitting across from her was a young man just barely coming of age. Clothing matching the outlandish style most nobles wore and was chubby in a way that put Aston's size to shame. As for his face… well, it was unique. A glowering mug barring a hairless double chin and puggish nose. It was all topped off by a badly cut, blond bowl crop haircut that was not doing him any favors.

Presented with what was essentially a room full of strangers Aston suddenly found himself unable to move. Concerns about how he'd approach the group leaving him frozen. Thankfully for Aston, this dilemma was quickly resolved when the door leading to the kitchen suddenly burst open.

With a deafening bang, the door hit the wall it was attached to. The loud sound quieting all conversation in the dining room as a chuckling Tulion emerged, tailed backside first. Twin serving trays overladen with piles of foods precariously perched upon his arms as he stumbled into view.

“BREAKFAST'S READY!" Tulion announced, spinning around to face the assembled residents of his home. “I made sure to make extra today so be sure to eat as much as ya can!"

Rushing to his feet in a panic Caspian hurried to help stabilize his clumsy lover before disaster struck. “Be careful you great oaf!" He scolded gently. “You're going to end up spilling everything all over my clean floors!"

Contrary to her fellow accord-mate Harriet remained calm. Glass of juice calmly sipped from as she observed the two men in her life. “There's no use trying to talk sense into him dear." She said to Caspian. “You know how our drake is when he's overcome with joy."

Tulion grinned at his two lovers. “Can ya blame me my Lovely One? My Strong One!?"

Reaching the table Tulion managed to slide both platters onto its surface. Clattering silverware rang out along with his own continued laughter as they settled into place and he wrapped an arm around Caspian's waist, delivering a loud, smacking kiss upon his furry cheek.

“Not only did Allie find her destined Dragkin, but we also got us a new client to boot!" Bending down he gave Harriet a quick peck as well. The stern woman smiling when he did. “Today's a day for celebration!"

It was as he pulled away from his female partner that Tulion finally saw Hector and Aston on the other side of the room. The big, goofy grin that had been plastered on his scaly face now directed towards them as he motioned for them to come over.

“Speaking of our new client! Looks who's here everyone!" He announced.

Hector, the traitorous jerk that he was quickly stepped to the side. Aston was left completely exposed as all eyes in the room suddenly fell upon him. The pressure from before became even greater as he smiled nervously in response.

As daunting as it was however Aston was quick to push through his mild anxiety and greeted the assemblage. He knew he had to try his best and be friendly here. He would be living with these people for the foreseeable future after all.

“G-Good morning." Aston managed to croak out flatly. “N-Nice to m-meet you all."

“Amazing! I never knew someone could sound so nervous!" Hector snickered from his left. “You've truly set the bar Asty my friend!"

Glaring over at Hector, Aston opened his mouth to "thank" him for his oh-so-helpful comment. But before he could said smart mouth instead received an instant rebuke from the matriarch of the Jade House.

“Hector dear?" Harriet said in an eerily soft voice. It reminded Aston of the tone his own mother used on him or his siblings when they'd been bad. “What have I told you about being rude?"

Now it was Hector who was frozen in place. "Not to?" He said though the response was more like a question than an answer.

Harriet held his gaze for several more drawn-out moments before turning back to her juice. “Very good dear." She finally said. “But he is correct about one thing Mr. Bak-son. There's no need to be nervous. We're all friends here."

“Well put my Lovely One!" Tulion agreed, plopping down at the head of the table. Motioning for the two men to join them he smiled warmly. “So why don't ya come'mer and take a seat? I promise ya, ya won't regret it!"

As soon as he heard Tulion speak those words Aston felt his heart start to pound in his chest. Vivid memories of what had occurred right after the dream version of the big blue drake had said that exact thing filling his head.

Did Tulion somehow know about his dirty dream!?

Was he trying to provoke a reaction out of him for some reason!?

'N-No… no. I'm being silly.' Aston told himself with a nervous swallow. 'S_top acting like an idiot Aston and try to act normal! Don't make these people think you're crazy or something_.'

Putting aside those worrisome thoughts Aston wordlessly did as he'd been told and took a seat at the breakfast table. Not even two seconds after his bottom had met the bench he was then presented with a meal far larger than he'd ever seen before. Caspian coming up behind him to place a heavy plate of savory meats, eggs, and toast right down in front of him along with a large glass of juice.

Faced with what he saw as the equivalent of a kingly feast Aston stared down at it stupefied. It was enough to feed his entire family for a whole day. "Am I supposed to eat all of this myself?" He asked looking around in concern.

“If you can't, don't worry." The red-headed woman said, coming to his rescue. “Anything we don't finish Mr. Jadescale takes care of."

As if helping to prove her point Tulion took that very moment to do something truly astonishing and slightly gross. Lifting his own plate high into the air with both hands he tipped it so that the mountain of meat on it slid right down into his open mouth. The Dragkin barely even bothering to chew in the slightest as he consumed almost more than half of it in one big gulp.

Shuddering at that gluttonous display Aston turned back to his new dormmate and was surprised to see her holding out a hand in greeting. “Marcia Delaney." She announced proudly. “It's a pleasure to meet you… Aston was it?"

After taking a pause to wipe his hand off Aston reached across the table and gently clasped Marcia's frail hand. “Yes, that's my name. Aston Bakson" He confirmed with a nervous nod. “Nice to meet you too Miss Delaney."

Aston's polite response seemed to please the thin woman. A quick, shy smile gracing Marcia's lips before it transitioned into a frustrated frown as she peered to his right. “Ah-hem?" She hummed, pointedly clearing her throat. Then again, louder this time “AH-HEM!"

Following her eyes Aston was reminded of the short blond man also at the table with them. The boy jerking to a stop, a strip of bacon hanging from his mouth mid-chew, when he finally noticed the pair of eyes now focused solely on him.

Slurping down the ribbon of meat when he did, the hefty man bowed his head, slightly embarrassed. "Oh yes… heh-heh of course!" He tittered. "Where are my manners!?"

“Probably in your gut along with a butcher shop's worth of meat?" Hector remarked while reaching for his promised sweet roll. A comment that earned him a hard elbow in the side from an exasperated Marcia.

“WHAT!?" He griped back, feigning ignorance. “The way he's eating he's giving our big blue negotiator a run for his money!"

“Aaaaaaaaanyway!" The blond drawled, drawing attention back to himself. “I have been bestowed with the name of Laurel Laroche Lockhart the Third. Former heir to the Lockhart estate and business holdings. Charmed, I'm sure."

Unsure how he was supposed to remember a title as grand as all that Aston glanced over to Marcia and Hector. "Or… you can just call him Lorry like we all do." The latter said, thankfully providing an alternative. “Less of a mouthful that way."

“Fine. If you must, Lorry will do." Laurel sighed, sounding only slightly put upon. "But I'm surprised Hector. I never imagined I'd hear you complain about having too big a mouthful. At least that's the word on the streets."

Proud of his insult “Lorry" slowly turned to Hector, smugness radiating off of him as he awaited a reaction. However, his words ended up bouncing right off of the older man. Hector defiantly meeting his gaze as he took a slow, exaggerated chomp of his sweet roll.

Deciding to be polite himself Aston held out a friendly hand to the chubby younger man. “Either way Mr. Lockhart, it's nice to meet you." He said kindly.

But then, upon saying the name himself Aston recalled something. “Wait… Lockhart." He slowly started. “You mean, as in the Lockharts from the capital?"

A hint of distress crossed Laurel's pudgy face at the mention of his family. “W-Well… yes." He confirmed worriedly. “How d-do you know of us?"

“I think…" Aston had to delve deep into his memories to think of where he had heard that family name before. “I heard some talk about your father in my village's tavern. That he… he… oh!?"

Halfway through his explanation Aston fully remembered what he's heard about Lorry's family. According to rumors spreading across Raisteria, the Lockhart family's patriarch had been caught in a rather salacious scandal. One involving the wives, daughters, and grandmothers of six different noble families, a secret chamber filled with leather and whips, and oddly enough a goat wearing a pink flower bonnet and bloomers.

Quickly realizing his faux pas Aston stumbled to apologize for what he had accidently said. However, Laurel beat him to the punch with a rueful sigh. "Don't. I should have realized that father's exploits would be the talk of the kingdom by now." He said solemnly. "But I assure you Bakson, I took no part in his “nightly activities"."

“You mean because you were busy canoodling around with your family's assorted male servants in the horse stable?" Hector interjected. This second smart remark earning him glares from all three of his dormitory mates. “Sorry! Sorry! I'll be good."

“That would be a first." Laurel sniffed. “But like Harriet earlier, I'm afraid he's correct."

That took Aston aback. “You mean you've… slept with other men?"

“Oh my yes!" One side of Laurel's lips quirked upwards as if he were recalling something pleasant. “See, I much more prefer the company of burly men than that of fair maidens. My apologies Marcia if that disappoints you."

Reacting to the apology Marcia half held back a loud snort. “Oh, it's alright Lorry." She said, biting her lower lip to keep from laughing. “I'll just have to think about what almost was."

Still reeling from what he had learned about Laurel, Aston continued to gawk at him in shock. Never in his life had he ever seen anyone be so open about their depraved sexual proclivities like that. Sure, some men did such things, but they kept it to themselves and did the deed in the shadows where no one could see.

Then again, as he thought the idea over Aston began thinking that perhaps people like Laurel weren't all that rare after all. Those rowdy drunks at his old bar job. That eyepatched gentleman on the wagon. Haddish apparently, giving his knowing smirk when a Hallarian accord was brought up. Then there were all of the drakes themselves who apparently sought out lovers regardless of their genders.

'Are there really that many people alright with that sort of thing.' Aston asked himself, mind drifting.

As always the Voice put in its two coppers, making Aston inwardly cringe. 'Why are you asking that Aston?' It wondered. 'You interested in joining them?'

Suddenly the high-pitched sound of glass being tapped filled the dining room. Its intrusive "tink-tink-tink" causing Aston to drop his current line of thought as he, along with everyone else at the table, gave Harriet their undivided attention as she placed the spoon she had made the sound with onto her empty plate.

“Alright, everyone! Time we got down to today's business." The prim and proper woman announced to the room. Standing with a stack of papers in hand, she flipped through them for a moment before continuing. “Caspian dear? Nothing much except for the usual chores and turning over Allie's old room."

Caspian folded his arms over his chest and sighed softly. "Great! Another day of sweeping and washing this lug's underwear." The bald man said sticking a thumb towards Tulion.

For the first time since he met him, Aston saw Tulion pouted. “But you said you love my underwear!" He said, sounding offended.

“Only when they're clean and not stinking of the day handsome," Caspian smirked over at his large, huffy lover.

“I agree." Harriet nodded in agreement. Flipping to the next page she continued on with her briefing. “Next, Marcia? You have a Suitor appointment today! Mr. Swipeclaw."

This news brought about bubbly excitement in Marcia as she rose from her seat, grinning madly. “He's the silver Dragkin with the pink wings right?" When Harriet nodded in response she giggled like a child. “Good! I was hoping he'd accept my offer!"

“I'm wishing you the best of luck, Marcy!" Hector said cheering her on. "He looked like a real catch!"

“Yes, he does!" Harriet agreed with a small smile of her own.

Looking over to the side of the table where Aston and Laurel sat she motioned to them next. “As for you two, you will be coming with me today." She told them. “We have appointments to make you look more presentable!"

“Presentable for what?" Aston wondered.

Tulion was kind enough to give him an answer, the slight he had suffered before seemingly forgotten as he grinned once again. “Presentable fer all the Suitors you boys are gonna meet!" He exclaimed. “Heh-heh! Can't wait ta see ya look all nice!"

“I'm afraid you will have to wait Tully dear," Harriet interjected, throwing a wet blanket on affairs. "You have paperwork to do."

When Tulion looked as if he were about to argue back Harriet silenced him with one hard look. “No, you cannot do it later. Yes, it is important. Also, you have a lunch meeting with Roodsen at his place after you finish."

“Awe, not that smug little toad!" Tulion groaned, a clawed hand clamped down over his eyes. "And at lunch too? He eats like a wild pig!"

Harriet's hand came to rest on Tulion's massive shoulder. The touch getting an instant reaction as the large man leaned into it. "I know how he is Tully, but it's important." Returning her attention to the rest of the table she snapped a finger. "Alright, the whole lot of you! Finish breakfast and get dressed! We leave in a half hour!"

And just like that everyone obeyed. Caspian stood to gather up what empty plates there were on the table as Marcia and Laurel went back to eating their food. However, before Aston joined them as well he noticed one oddity with the daily rundown that had just occurred.

“What about Hector?" He asked no one in particular.

Hector laughed quietly, eyes downcast as he pushed at the eggs on his plate. “Don't worry Asty I'll be heading out with you guys and Harriet later." He said with a smile that didn't seem genuine.

Despite having just met him, Aston felt a little relief upon hearing that Hector would be joining them after all. The idea that his newfound… friend? Yes, he supposed he could call him that. The idea that his newfound friend, Hector, was coming along helping to soothe a bit of the trepidation he felt.

With that in mind, Aston finally dug into the meal that had been provided for him. The first bite he took was actually quite good as he quickly decided to eat as much of it as he could before time ran out and he would have to leave the Jade House for whatever nonsense Harriet had arranged for them that day.

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