Timeless Crossroads

A Wildfarer Tale

---

The Ors Estate

Rotterdam, Post-Netherlands, Earth

---

“Oh, this is perfect.” Carbon stepped through the drawing room, his webbed paw wafting over a couch in passing. “Sydney, this one’s all yours.”

“What now, love?” The ottkat walked over for a better look, finding a massive, dozing otter sprawled out on the sofa. “Yoyo? Damn, I’m not properly prepared. What’s a good prank, Carbon?”

“Don’t look at me; It’s your gift.” Carbon adjusted his breathing system and went back to hauling a very large and heavy electronics case with his alien strength. “Just don’t hurt the poor guy too badly. He is family, after all.”

“It’s not like I hate the bloke. I just rarely get to prank him back for all the times he gets me.” Sydney stared a bit as Iolvin edged on snoring, fighting back the urge to laugh and ruin her opportunity. “Okay, big guy. I’ll take it easy on you.”

Grabbing her own smaller case and heaving it in her lap, Sydney hopped onto Iolvin’s lap--producing an unexpected pair of girly screams of protest as she hovered a few inches over the otter. “Hey! Watch it!”

“Aunt Cid!?”

The case of goodies immediately hit the floor and Sydney hopped off the unseen occupants. “BB!? Sorry! You girls nearly scared the pants right off me!” The ottkat leaned over with a paw held out, feeling around until bare, supple flesh met her touch. “You’re sleeping with your dad in the nude?”

“We were just being comfortable. Well, that held true until the fireplace died down.” The conjoined twins hobbled off the couch, wrapping their invisible body with a blanket before fading back into visible range. “You okay, Bloom? It feels like she sat right on your head.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” The otter rubbed her furless neck and cracked her shared spine. “Just don’t make a habit out of it, Auntie. Wait, were you holding that crate?”

“Y-Yes, I was. Sorry, girls.”

Iolvin wafted his arms upon being exposed to the cool air of all things, reaching for his missing heat source. “Zoë, come back… I’ll give you a big, hard reason to stay…”

“Your granddad is a horndog, girls. Pay him no mind.” Again Sydney hopped onto the larger otter, this time shocking him fully awake. “Rise and shine, big guy.” She felt something solid prod into the base of her tail and swatted a paw at her sibling. “I’m not your wife, you oaf. Shoulder that weapon.”

“What? Oh, hey Cid. Surprise to see you here.” Yoyo rubbed his eyes with his good paw while his prosthetic arm produced a hardbound book from his crotch area. “BB? Sorry for taking your reading spot. Where’d your grandma go?”

“Granny went with grandpa and mom to town. I think they were going to shop or something.” Blossom grabbed the book and tucked it beneath her arm. “You needed to sleep so they left you here.”

“Been staying up late, Yoyo?” Sydney tousled her brother-in-law’s hair, somewhat succeeding in correcting his bed head. “Don’t tell me there’s trouble with the mates. They’re not sending you to the couch, are they?”

“Nah, I’m just wound down is all. I’ve been helping my daughter update her new mansion--lucky girl.” Yoyo sat himself up straight, effortlessly lifting Sydney and settling her into his lap. “You might have seen the solar panels driving in. Most of those are set up, but the battery banks need installation, uh… somewhere I haven’t determined yet and there’s also this wind turbine Rose got the other day from a junk dealer.”

“Huh. I never took you for the paws-on type.”

“Well Dad would want me to do everything I could for his grandchildren, and I’m not about to let him down. Knowing his resolve he’d find a way to haunt this place from the grave until I did good on that.” Yoyo wrapped an arm around Sydney’s waist and pulled her familiarly close. “So what brings you here? Is it just you, or did the mates tag along?”

“Rose hired me to install some modern security systems, actually.” Cid clasped the case on the floor between her boots and kicked it into her lap. “I brought a lot of goodies, actually. You know how rich you girls are? No expense was spared.”

Bloom looked back as the girls turned about and left the room. “Well we just want to finish our book. We’ll worry about money when we need to. Later, Auntie.”

“Bye, girls.” Sydney placed the case to her side and stood out of Iolvin’s lap. “I think my mates wanted to go on holiday while I worked. Maybe we can focus on things together to make it a bit more fun--especially if you’re working on the power grid, anyway.”

“Yeah, I think that would be nice. It’s been a while since we could just goof off. We’ll just let the mates have their fun.” Yoyo stood as well, stretching a bit before he took the electronics case on behalf of his smaller sister. “So what’s first? We’ve got power from the old propane generator for as long as it holds out.”

“Damn. We should probably hop to it then.” Cid checked the case Yoyo toted and rubbed her chin. “These are wireless cameras if you’d like to begin there.”

“Sure. Might as well do those while I’ve got the ladders out. Let’s see how much daylight we still have...” Iolvin pulled out his Slate to check the time, then logged into the device to check an urgent update. “Crap. Looks like that radiation storm is headed our way after all.”

“It’s not a problem if we stay indoors, right? Let’s get the cameras up before it comes then.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. We’re more resilient than unmodified humans. Zoë’s out in town without a hardened space…”

A human girl in a frilly maid’s outfit adjusted the cushions on the sofa that Yoyo had just used. “Your wife left quite a while ago, sir. I’m sure she’s already on her way back to the estate by now.”

“Thanks for the optimism, Soph. I’m not so sure myself.” Yoyo sighed and brought a paw to his temple. “Cid, this is Sophie. Why don’t you two get to know each other while I make a call?”

“Do what needs doing, love.”

“Thanks.” Yoyo pulled up his Slate and dialed his husband. “...Adri?”

Zoë’s voice brought a soothing wave to Yoyo’s soul. “Oh, he ran off to the toilet. What’s up, honey?”

“How come you don’t want one of these things, but you pick up on Adri’s Slate every other time I call?” Yoyo rounded a doorway and lowered his voice a bit, trying to keep Sydney from hearing his concern. “Zee, there’s a radiation storm coming our way. You guys need to start heading back while it’s safe.”

“We were just about to leave after getting a late lunch. I’ll call for the check. Oh, here’s Adrian.”

The call clicked and popped a few times as it changed paws. “Yoyo? You need us to buy something for you? What’s up?”

“Adri… That storm is going to pass over us after all. Please, drop what you’re doing and head back. Rotterdam doesn’t have many places to hide Zoë from this, but Carbon just arrived in a ship which should do the trick.”

“Got it. We’ll take off in the next few minutes.” Dee took a moment to mumble something to his group. “Yeah, we’re all set to leave. Anything else I should know? What’s Carbon up to?”

“Actually Cid’s the one that needed to drop by. I think… Oh, shit.” Yoyo dropped the Slate down and peeked around the corner for a question. “Cid, didn’t you say Carbon was going to town? Could you stop him from dragging my grandkids into nuclear waste?”

“Good point. I’ll call him up.”

“Thanks.” The Slate came back up, but the signal didn’t. “Adri? Hey… Adrian? Ugh, perfect.”

“Hm. I can’t reach him.” Sydney walked over and checked Yoyo’s Slate for the same issue. “You as well? Bollocks.”

“The radiation’s frying EM signals already. You don’t happen to have a microwave or laser radio, do you? It sounded like they were at that café Zoë liked and we could try dialing a hard line.”

“Sadly I don’t have anything else. We packed the orbiter with all my gear and one of Carbon’s cars so we didn’t have room for extras.” Sydney slapped her brother-in-law on his false shoulder. “They’ll be fine. You got the message across, right? There’s only one road to town, so Dee and the others should turn Carbon around.”

“Yeah, you’re right. They’re smart where it counts, and Rose is a born survivor.” Yoyo put his Slate away and groaned, lifting the camera case again. “I can try a call with my nano-things when Dee gets closer. Just keep my mind occupied until then.”

“Sir?” Sophie walked over and bowed before Yoyo with a couch blanket folded over her arms. “If you’re passing over the grounds, could you check on my brother? I’m afraid with the coming danger. He tends to the stables to the south, if that’s not too much to ask.”

Sydney took the case from Yoyo and pointed to a much larger one on rollers. “I don’t find issue there. The stables need cameras too, right?”

“Sounds like a plan. Don’t worry, Soph. We’ll get him to safety for you.”

“Thank you, sir!”

Sydney giggled as the human curtseyed in thanks, holding off on a comment until she resumed her duties. “She’s adorable. You don’t see too many old-fashioned maids these days.”

“Especially not ones that fit the dress so damn well. Hot.” Yoyo caught up to his sister-in-law and snatched the large case on the way. “Let’s secure this maid sanctuary, sis.”

“Oy… That’s the first time you called me that.” Sydney jabbed an elbow into Yoyo’s side and bolstered her smile. “Let’s get to work, bro.

The Stables

Dusk of The Storm

---

“Okay, I’m calling it. I can see the snow falling in the distance.” Sydney tossed down some tools and eased down a ladder Iolvin held upright against a light post. “You see that stable hand? We need to grab him and head for--”

“Cid, what… What do we do about…?”

“Yoyo, they’ll be fine. It’s only been an hour. I need you to focus.” Sydney shut two electronics cases and jogged away, pausing to shout at Yoyo. “Leave it. They’re shielded.”

“Y-Yeah… I’m right behind you.” The otter slowly built into a jog of his own, only to skid to a stop and flag down a human male near the stables. “Hey! You’re Dram, right? Over here.”

Sydney slowed her own pace, then headed to the stables as the boy pointed inside. “That bugger found us in the knick of time.”

“Wait, don’t go in--” Yoyo rolled his eyes as she barrelled through the doors to the stables. “Bram, you can’t stay inside here. This storm’s laced with radiation. You need to head for the ship around the other side of the manor.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize this was a dangerous one; The sirens aren’t sounding. Then again, the Mistress usually warns us of danger herself, bless her.” Bram roped a stable gate shut and nodded to the guests. “I’ll only be a moment. The horses should be safe if I batten down their pens. I’ll head for the manor immediately afterward, sir.”

Sydney pulled up behind Yoyo and leaned against his sturdy frame. “You’re sure you’ve got this? We only have maybe twenty minutes until the snow starts falling, maximum.”

“Don’t worry about me, ma’am. I could do this in my sleep.”

“Good. In that case, I’m searching for my wife.” Iolvin broke for the ladder he’d left in the dirt, leaving Sydney to find her balance before she could protest and follow. “Cid, those two are the only humans I’ve seen working here. Get them to the orbiter.”

“I can’t do that, Yoyo.” Sydney finally caught her brother when he slowed to set up the ladder on the side of the manor. “I cannot in good conscience leave you alone right now. I owe your father at least that much, bless his soul.”

“And I can’t run and hide without trying to reach Adri. Now help those kids.” Yoyo started climbing the ladder as hints of snow started landing on his fur. “Crap. Cid, get your ass moving!”

Sydney grabbed the ladder, her small body not lending well to anchoring the tool. “Are you bloody daft? Get down, you madman.”

“In a minute. I can’t pick up Adri’s signal from the ground but maybe the roof is better.” Yoyo pulled himself onto the roof and grabbed the vertical wind turbine he installed earlier in the day, finding himself as high as he could reach within reason. He shut his eyes and focused on his bloodborne nanites, his magenta glow brightening. «Adrian? Please tell me you can hear this.»

«Iolvin? Gods, it’s goo… ...your voice.»

«Adri, you’re breaking up. Where are you? Are you safe? Is Zoë safe?»

«...met Carbon and we… ...shelter in a...» The emotional element of the wireless Link jumped between nonsense extremes, ratcheting tension in both otters. «Zoë… ...trouble with...»

«Adri! What happened!? What went wron--!?» In his panic Yoyo lost his footing, his prosthetic hindpaw flinging out from beneath him and forcing him to grab the wind turbine. “Cid! Help!”

“Oy, what did I say!? Hold on tight!” Sydney looked around for solutions, very quickly determining she was the only one present. She planted the ladder feet into the ground and started climbing. “Don’t move. If you shift your weight you might--!”

“Shit!” Exactly as stated, the turbine unbolted itself from the roof when Yoyo tried to pull himself upward. He slid ratcheting down the slatted roof, heading right for the ladder. “Cid, jump!

“How!?” The ladder kicked off the roof and brought both siblings to a garden bed… and then through said garden to a chamber beneath. “Ah, fuck!”

Before they hit the bottom of the odd shaft, Yoyo used his nanites to create a shield of dense air to break Sydney’s fall beneath him. “Augh! Fuck!!”

“Ah… Ouch…” Sydney winced and rubbed her sore head, finding a hint of near-violet blood on her paw. “Damn, I’m bleeding. Are you--?” She noticed Iolvin’s false arm to her side and realized it was actually his similarly colored blood once her eyes adjusted to the dark. “You’re not fine. Yoyo? You still with me?”

“Yeah, I’m… Ah… I’m here.” Yoyo rolled off of Cid and revealed the damage was limited to his prostheses being ripped from his body by the entry hole above. “I focused on keeping you safe. I’d never forgive myself if you lost something yourself, Cid.”

“That still has to hurt, right?” Sydney picked up the leaking arm and found the attachment collar was damaged and bent likely beyond repair. “I don’t think you’re going anywhere like this. Please tell me you have spares.”

“That arm is the spare. I brought a second set because I was doing construction and those robot parts don’t heal like the rest of me. There’s another leg in my room.” Yoyo looked around for a point of reference but could barely make out dirt and wood beams in the dim light. “Where the hell are we? This looks like a mine or something.”

“Not sure. Maybe there’s access tunnels for utilities? Or something from one of the few wars this place has seen?” Sydney stood upright and gazed down the two pitch dark directions of the tunnel. “What I am sure of is that we need to get out of here. It looks like this might connect to the manor. Hm…”

Yoyo gazed upward into the radiation-laced snow drifting into the hole. “You think you could climb up that? You’re a damned spider like Lulu.”

“Maybe, if I could get a boost. You’re not really in a position to help with that.” Sydney checked the roof beams and nodded at the proposition. “I could get out if I could reach that. Might fare better to double back with that leg and a proper torch instead of our own glow.”

“Well never fear, my damsel.” Iolvin created another panel of condensed air, pressing it tight enough to turn solid. “Your chariot awaits.”

“For as dumb as you act sometimes, you’re quite resourceful.” Cid hopped onto the makeshift platform and reached for the supports. “Got it. I’ll be back in a snap, love.”

“Yeah, take your time. It’s not like I literally dug my own grave or anything.”

Sydney stopped reaching and hopped off the platform. “You’re not fine at all. What’s really bothering you, Yoyo?” She eased the larger otter to sit against the dirt wall, then nestled against his side. “I’m not leaving you if you’re a mess, silly.”

“Don’t… I need to find Zoë and I can’t do that down here. Just… find my leg for me.”

“Not a chance, mate. You’re sick over that wife of yours.” Sydney tossed an arm around her brother’s shoulder and cuddled him close, frowning at his subtle shivers. “You can share anything with me. I just need to know you’re alright.”

“I just… I’m scared, sis. Even if she makes it through this…” Iolvin leaned into his sibling-in-law, hiding the start of tears in her lap. “I don’t want to lose Zoë. Adri and I don’t hardly age, but she’s grown into a whole new person. Even if the radiation doesn’t kill her, it’ll affect her already shorter lifespan… and I love her too much to…”

“Iolvin… You’ll never have to go through this alone.” Sydney stroked her brother’s hair, letting him vent in a safe space. “Your family and tribe will be here to make the best out of the worst. We’ve moved mountains together, and perhaps we could even fix this.”

“Sis, this… We’re all going to die. That’s not something we’re able to control.” Sniffling with further lack of control, Yoyo fell limp in his sister’s lap. “We’re all helpless to fate.”

Stroking along his whole head and neck now, Sydney grumbled and ever so softly brought out her singing voice. “...Knowing clouds will raise up ¦ storms will race in ¦ but you will be safe ¦ in my arms. Rains will pour down ¦ waves will crash all around ¦ but you will be safe ¦ in my arms…”

“...Sydney?” Iolvin strained his head to spy his sibling’s expression, finding her momentarily resembling his mother. “Thank you, sis.”

“It’s… nothing, really. I’m just doing what my own mum did for me when I felt lost.” The ottkat leaned down and kissed her younger brother on the forehead. “I hope you found something in that. Also I hope nobody else ever finds out about it.”

“Don’t worry, sis. Your secret’s safe with me,” noted the otter as he fought to raise himself upright, adding a bit of mockery to his tone to note, “in my arms.”

“Oy. Don’t you dare. I don’t sing for just anyone, you lummox.” Sydney slowly stood, booping her brother on the nose with a sole finger. “That’s just for you, Iolvin.”

“You can trust me, Cid. Now… scoot.” Yoyo bolstered his platform after he broke most of his concentration. “Get me out of here so we can help those kids.”

“That’s the Yoyo I remember.” Cid hopped onto the stepping platform and jumped up for a grip on the roof support. “Take it easy, stay safe, and wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck, sis. Besides, I already broke a leg so no need to wish it.”

“You’re an idiot, and I’d have it no other way.” The ottkat put her parkour skills to use and climbed out of the now-icy hole with relative ease. “It might take a bit to find the entrance. I’m fine with idiocy, but don’t do something stupid while I’m gone.”

“I’ll be fine, Cid. Get that tiny ass of yours moving before I freeze down here.”

“You’re an otter. When do otters ever freeze?”

“Go, Cid. Time is of the essence.” Yoyo waited until she was clear before muttering a personal note. “No wonder I think your mom’s hot. Shit, woman.”

“Hello?”

“Holy--!” A shiver worked its way out of Yoyo’s spine before he could even attempt to spot the human maid feeling her way through the tunnel. “Soph? What are you doing down here?”

“This is where we hide when things get bad for us.” Sophie noticed the blood and flopped over the perceived injured otter. “What happened? Are you hurt, sir?”

“It hurts when I take those things off normally. I’m fine though. It looks like my body is still sealed up.” Yoyo noticed a dim lantern in the girl’s hand, then the snow melting on contact with the glass. “We can’t stay here; This snow is deadly to you. Where did you come from?”

“I passed by this area earlier, I believe. I turned around after hearing a commotion and… singing, strangely.” The human stopped cradling her guest and offered to help him onto his hindpaws. “I’m relatively sure I’ve passed this area a few times. These tunnels loop over themselves a few places.”

“Thanks.” Yoyo hopped onto his remaining leg, then hobbled until he found his balance in the low tunnel, considering his abnormal height. “Well Cid’s trying to find us via the manor, so let’s head whichever way you think that is before you get sick.”

“But sir… I’m looking for my brother. We promised each other we’d meet in the middle of the tunnels and watch over each other.” Sophie drooped her stance slightly in despair, her hand playing frantically with a small locket around her neck. “I’ve been down here for a while now and I’m lost though. I can’t tell which way to go.”

“Hm… Well we can’t go wrong. Either we meet Bram or we meet Cid. Let’s try the way you came.” Yoyo started hopping on his one leg, relying on his human companion to pick up the slack. “You’re taking this quite well. Radiation storms are a bit rare now, but you guys seem like you’re used to this.”

“We’ve had some bad luck compared to other areas. This is the first time the lights haven’t had power though.” Sophie struggled with Iolvin’s weight upon her thin frame, eventually shifting him to the other side so he could coil his arm around her waist. “Your… body seems to be more useful than this lantern. It’s a pretty color, too.”

“I’m not normally one for being called pretty in any way, but I’ll take what I can get like this. Thanks.” Yoyo banged his head against a patch of soil on a longer hop, shaking dirt out of his eyes as he tugged for a pause. “Damn… These tunnels are crazy. Where do they go?”

“They move between the various cottages, the stables, and the manor. The master our mother served put them in place due to the Great War, so he could hide refugees in case of attack.” The girl slumped against a wall, allowing the two to rest at the expense of her dress. “I miss her. Our mom… died in these tunnels on a particularly bad day. That’s why I need to find my brother.”

“You can’t leave him alone. I get it. That’s how family works.” Yoyo rubbed his eyes into Sophie’s shoulder and cleared out the dirt. “We’ll find Bram. You don’t have to worry, kiddo. Everything’s fine as long as he got underground.”

“In know he did. He’d never let me down.” Sophie pulled Yoyo’s arm back into place and started moving again. “Just h-hold me close and we’ll find him together.”

“That’s the spirit.” Yoyo hobbled and hopped along, slowing his pace upon the two hitting a split in the path. “Left or straight?”

“I came from the left, so that can’t be it. Straight, I assume.” Sophie attempted to start moving again, but her knees nearly buckled from Iolvin’s weight. “S-Sorry, sir! I’m t-trying my best!”

“Enough of that ‘sir’ crap. We’re buddies now. Call me Yoyo.” The otter leaned against a beam and let his friend rest. “I wondered if we could make this work or not. Maybe we should just stay put? We’ve got better odds of being found at a junction, right?”

“Maybe… you’re right…” Sophie slumped against the wall and slid to the ground. “I can’t just leave you here, after all.”

“Well I can’t let your pout, either.” Yoyo shoved off his side of the tunnel and slammed a bit hard into a spot next to Sophie. “You’re really concerned, aren’t you?”

“I don’t want to be… left alone…”

“I can sympathize there.” Yoyo nudged closer to Sophie and tried his best to cradle her with his one arm, lending along some of Sydney’s compassion. “You want to talk it through? I’m here for you, Soph.”

“No… It’s simple, and stupid. I’d rather a distraction, but all we have is dark and dirt.” The girl leaned against Yoyo’s weight, trying to keep warm from the cold draft of air from where they came. “And… we h-have each other… I guess…”

“Oh, you’d like to talk about something else?” Yoyo felt more than a slight tremble emanating from the human, her nervousness or fear coming to the surface. The otter eased his paw over Soph’s skirt, nudging her thigh. “Or… are you thinking something else?”

Sophie shifted her gaze away from Iolvin, but placed her hand over his paw. “Is it so obvious?”

“Not really, to be honest. You present yourself quite professionally, Soph.” Iolvin pressed Sophie’s skirt between her legs and slipped his paw underneath, gliding two fingers over her panties. “I wonder what I must look like to you, a married man doing this. Are… Are you sure you’re alright with me?”

“I’ll admit, I fear for my life and… I haven’t ever… done this before…” Sophie closed her legs in response for a moment, then turned around to straddle her new partner. “Not that I don’t like you.. You’re really nice to me, Yoyo. Nobody ever noticed me, but you did. And you’re a really kind man… so I’m happy to give you my virginity.”

“And I have a policy of never leaving people in distress. If you think having sex is best, I certainly won’t deny you. My mates will understand, too.” Yoyo slid his paw beneath that skirt again, lifting it up to reveal the bulge pressing against one of Soph’s garters. “I’m not sure how this will work, though. I’m a bit limited here. Sorry if that makes your first time--”

“No, it’s fine. It’s a… maid’s duty to serve guests, after all.” Sophie raised herself to her knees for a moment, allowing herself to unzip and tug down Iolvin’s torn pants. She sat down on his leg again and massaged the otter’s length, playing with the foreskin of his human-styled choice du jour with a hint of examination in its dull glow. “Is there… any particular manner you’d… like me to…?”

“Soph, it’s all up to you. Explore if you’d like. Have fun.” Yoyo ached in reaching for a kiss. “What turns me on the most is watching my partners get exactly what they want.”

“Then… I’ll be serving the main course.” Sophie raised onto her knees again, pulled her panties aside, and slowly sank down upon Yoyo’s full length with a wince of pain. “It stings a bit.”

“Tell me about it.” Yoyo growled lowly as his hips met Sophie’s own. “Ah, sorry. I just mean that… I’ve got the same bits as you and, uh… I’ve been in your position. Nevermind. Take all the time you need, Soph.”

“I’ll be alright. It a-actually feels good when you m-move inside me.” Once her legs stopped shaking, the human slowly rose for another, more pleasant attempt. “I’ll be… taking my fill now, please…”

“Soph, you’re adorable.” Yoyo relaxed as his partner did all the heavy lifting, slowly building into a respectable pace with the ragged breathing to match. “Don’t overdo it, kiddo. Enjoy yourself. Try this thing my wife does… Um…” The otter extended is sole paw and guided Soph’s hip, showing her what he meant. “See? You can rock forward and it works about the s-same. Ah, nice.”

“I’m… doing good? It feels good for you too?” Sophie gasped as she found a particular part of that forward thrusting that let Yoyo’s cock glide against her most sensitive spot. “Ah… Oh, God…”

“That’s it. Don’t h-hold back.” That paw started begging for more than just guidance, sneaking beneath Soph’s skirt to roll a thumb over her smushed clit. “If you keep going like this I’ll blow my load quick. I can p-probably go ag-gain, but still…”

“Yes. I’d like that.” Sophie leaned forward to steal another kiss, gasping near Yoyo’s ear, “I want you to fill me, Yoyo. M-Make me a woman.”

“Rr, fuck…” Yoyo jerked his hip slightly and pressed down on each of Sophie’s rocking draws over his cock. Within but a few strokes he found himself biting down on the small of her shoulder, his heaving breath falling in time with the thick pulses of magenta seed churning into his partner’s moist depths. “Soph… Ah, fuck… Sophie…”

“Y-Yes!” The human ground herself into her partner’s pulsing, enlarged cock. She gyrated and pressed her button over his groin at the same time, quite promptly converting her into a writhing, trembling mess. “Y-Yoy-yo…”

“Ah… Mn… Yeah, kid…” Iolvin let his bite fall limply into a series of apologetic licks, his whole body loosening beneath his lover. “Gods, that was nice. How’d you like your first? It wasn’t too strange, was it?”

“N-No… It was everything I… Hah... everything I dreamed it to be.” Sophie lifted herself up and off her partner, unsure if it was okay to stay intimately connected or not now that they were done. “I’m happy I was enough for you too. You sound like you’re used to more with your wife and h-husband.”

“I wouldn’t say we have a normal thing going, but I guess you’re not wrong. A little hint for your future husband though--it doesn’t take much to make a man enjoy sex. Just have fun.” Yoyo chuckled with Sophie for a moment, then perked his small yet potent ear in the direction of a noise. “You hear that? It sounded like a grunt.”

“Bram!” Sophie picked herself up and scrambled down the unexplored pathway. She slid to a stop before a pile of rubble blocking her path, a shriek of terror escaping her lips as she tossed a skull toward Iolvin. “Oh, Jesus Christ! What is this!?”

“Damn. This might be old enough to be from one of the World Wars. Maybe the tunnel caved in a long time ago?” Yoyo gently placed the skull on the ground and fought to climb upright onto his hindpaw. “Soph, hold up. I’m a bit handicapped at the moment.”

“I’m… sorry, Yoyo. I just found that and…” Sophie hurried back and helped Yoyo pull his pants up, then gave him a balance point with her shoulder. “I think Bram might be on the other side of that.”

“Ah, I guess I was right. This looks like someone had a bad day with a bomb.” Yoyo looked at the rubble and found a small gap where the skeleton was reaching beneath tented support beams. “Is that another skeleton it’s reaching for? Damn. That’s sad if someone was trapped.”

“...They were. We need to get through though. I need to find my brother!”

“Yoyo? Is that you, big guy?” Sydney’s voice carried through the small hole, followed soon by a human hand. “Bram! You could be pinned if that collapses!”

Iolvin slowly crouched on his one leg and spotted his sister-in-law through the hole. “Oh, you found him? What happened?”

“I couldn’t find the entrance in the manor, so I ran right back with your leg. Then I didn’t hear you in the hole so I went to save Bram.” Sydney tosses a flashlight through the gap. “The little bugger found this tunnel behind the stables, so we decided to follow now that I had a few torches.”

“Once your eyes adjust your glow works pretty well, it turns out. I’ll definitely opt for a few LED lights though.” Yoyo checked the structure of the hole and then respectfully cleared the skeleton from his side. “Cid, could you move those remains? I think I can open a path with my nanites and yours.”

“Really? I’d rather not… Ick.” The other body slid away slowly, allowing Yoyo to create a makeshift jack out of thin air. “Can you even lift that much like that, love?”

“I can shift it a bit if I’m careful. Then I can let that block implode on itself.” Yoyo rose back to his hindpaw and hinted that Sophie should move the two of them back. “The hole will just collapse if you don’t help. Think you could make that slab of air a bit more energetic for me?”

“You’re thinking of making a block of semtex literally out of thin air. Underground. You’re mad, Yoyo.”

“No, you’re not getting the plan. After the explosion pushes it all upward, I’ll be able to support it and keep it from falling again…”

“Ah, I’m tracking now. It might work, and if not, we can get back and be no worse for wear.” Sydney used her own nanites to multiply the kinetic energy of the air slab by a hundred fold, a violet hue radiating from the explosive. “You’re all set. Give me a few seconds to get Bram away.”

“Take your time, sis.”

“Okay… Ready. She’s primed for you, Yoyo.”

“Um, fire in the hole?” The block of solidified air collapsed, then much like an old television screen it imploded upon itself and the shards ricocheted outward with explosive force. The rubble flew upward like a landmine had detonated, yet before it could settle an archway of air and trapped dirt formed. The makeshift support beam wasn’t very high, but it was enough that Sydney could crawl under and reach for the others. “It worked! You go ahead, Soph.”

“Gladly.” The human crawled past Sydney with her aid, then gave her brother a hearty hug. “Bram! I’m so sorry! I should have come sooner!”

“Well that’s my good deed for the day.” Yoyo flopped forward and kicked himself through the rubble. “I’ll need a bit more than a tug, Cid.”

“That can be worked out.” The ottkat smiled as Yoyo’s belt lit up violet, then she slapped his ass to provide her kinetic enhancement a force to act upon. “Woah!”

“Hey!” Iolvin flew through the small opening and slammed head-first into a dirt wall. “Ouch.”

“Well you said you needed more, brother dearest.” Cid crawled back through the gap and slouched beside Yoyo, watching and coughing a little as he collapsed the girder of air. “That just might be the first explosion I’ve made that hasn’t ended with people dead or maimed.”

Yoyo chuckled as he flicked a sticky streak on Sydney’s shirt that was caked with dirt. “That’s not the only explosion you’ve caused tonight, is it?”

“You’re one to talk. You smell like a brothel, Yoyo.” Cid darted her eyes side to side for a moment, using the privacy of the tunnel to her advantage. “Okay, so Bram may have needed to calm down a bit. I only... pawed him off though. He was convincing, I say. You… You didn’t see the poor lad’s face.”

“Well I wish I still could. Where’d they go?” Iolvin grabbed his light and scanned the tunnel, only faintly hearing the crunches of dirt and joyful laughter of the two Dutch siblings. “Those two get along well enough, don’t they? They won’t get lost that way, will they?”

“It was a straight path, so sure I hope not.” Sydney curled her tail around her brother’s and smiled. “They remind me of you and Ilaria. They aren’t twins like you two, are they?”

“They’re cute, and they care for each other. That’s all that matters.” Yoyo pointed his light to the skeleton on this side of the collapse. “Just take a look at that though. Can you believe two people were stuck down here all this time?”

“Yeah, that’s quite the rough paw of cards to get dealt.” Sydney eased the light downward, giving the lost soul some privacy. “I think we should give them a proper burial when this is over. You?”

“That sounds nice.” A glimmer caught the otter’s eye and he rested his head in his sister’s lap. “In fact, I think I’ll take care of it myself.”

The Manor Gardens

First Light

---

Iolvin fought against a shovel, his one arm forcing him to dig the post into his shoulder and press with his body weight. He carefully tamped down the second in a pair of graves, desperate to finish before the sun fully rose. “I may need your help after all, sis. It’s bad luck for the deceased to be buried under daylight.”

“You’re the one that insisted you handle this on your lonesome. I do however say you’ve done an admirable job, given the circumstances.” Sydney walked over to the graves and donned her head for the recently buried bodies. “What might I do to help?”

“Thanks, sis.” Yoyo finished his work and leaned against his shovel, huffing from exertion. “Could you stake those crosses I made? I don’t think I can do it myself.”

“That’s simple enough. Sure.” Sydney reached for the shovel, using it as a makeshift hammer for the small wooden crosses. “Are you sure this is right? How do you know they were Christians?”

“Sandy and Arty happen to be, so I’ve had enough exposure to recognize the symbols on their clothes and trinkets.” Yoyo lowered his own head in respect, but shot it up again at the sound of a vehicle driving through the main entrance. “Cid, could you--?”

“Don’t wait on me. Go get her, Yoyo.”

“Thanks!” Equipped with the proper count of legs now, the otter sprinted around the corner of the manor and waved for a pair of cars moving up the driveway. “Zoë!?”

“Iolvin? What happened?” Adrian hopped out the rear vehicle and held the door for the rest. “Did you bust the other arm too? I knew we should have brought a third.”

“Where’s Zoë? Why didn’t you call when--?” Iolvin spotted his wife in good health and practically yanked her from the car for a tight hug. “You’re fine? Oh, gods. I was so scared you were caught in the storm.”

“They were at first.” Carbon jumped out of his heavy offroader in the front of the chain and waved with a smile. “We found them with a busted engine and towed them back to town for the night. Hey… no hugs for me…?”

“Of course there’s hugs, and more once we’re cozy inside.” Sydney jogged over and embraced her mate. “Sorry, Carbon. I was busy out back.”

“I see that. You need a luxurious bath, my love.” Carbon broke the loving hold, kissed his wife, and headed for the door. “I’ll go get one started for us.”

“Hello, honey.” Evelyn gave Sydney a kiss as well and followed behind Carbon. “That sounds like fun.”

The ottkat grinned and shouted back, “I require bubbles!”

“And perfumes, naturally! Heeee!”

“Why are you missing an arm and covered in mud?” Zoë forsook her clothes and gave her husband every ounce of love he required. “Iolvin, I’m fine. Let’s… worry about you now.”

“She’s really okay, hon.” Dee shut the door after the occupants headed for the front door of the manor. “She wasn’t directly exposed, and thankfully there are a few stone castles in the area. The creepy factor is a bit much, but they’re safe.”

“Speaking of creepy, where’d those two siblings run off to?” Sydney shook her head at the thought. “You didn’t spot either the stable keep or his adorable maid of a sister on the drive in, did you?”

“Did you say ‘maid’?” Rose stopped short of the main doors and curiously turned about. “We don’t have any maids hired at my manor. What does she look like?”

“A younger human, brown hair and eyes. Typical Dutch maid material. Her brother was in some old overalls. Actually, now that I think of it they might be twins.”

“A human dressed as a maid… and a stable boy?” Rose coiled her hand under her chin and shook her head. “No, we don’t have any humans here either. All of the cottages are taken by my family from Yangurrar, and Yoyo here’s the only help on the grounds. See, this is why I wanted security help.”

“Unpaid, might I add--not that we aren’t happy to help.” Yoyo towed his wife over and gave Rose a kiss atop her head. “The place is looking great, Rose.”

“You know, just because I’m a plant doesn’t mean I like being covered in soil.” Rose smirked and reached for the doors. “Get yourself cleaned up like my brother. I’ll have breakfast ready when you’re done, dad.”

“That sounds great, thanks. I just have a little something to close out first.” Yoyo tugged his wife, then his husband once he chained his arm around the human as well. “Sorry, I just need to finish this before the sun comes up.”

“Uh-oh. Don’t tell me you buried something.” Adrian reached behind his wife and rubbed his other mate’s back. “Did you have an incident with one of those wolves in the woods? I feared they weren’t domesticated and might attack.”

“No, no. It’s nothing bad like that. Cid and I found some bodies from a previous war, maybe World War Two. The good state their clothes were in though, I’d actually guess it was before World War Three.” Yoyo pointed to the garden spot where the two crosses protruded from the dirt and snow. “I couldn’t leave them. You know how I am with tradition.”

“Wow.” Zoë left her husbands behind and checked the graves. “Do we know anything about them? Maybe who they were?”

“I have a few guesses, but not much proof.” Yoyo joined Zoë by the graves, straightening the crosses as the light gained with time. “All I know for sure is they loved each other very much. They were holding hands until the end.”

“That’s… quite romantic. I think I’d like to go out that way myself.” Zoë stood and wrapped her arms around Yoyo’s waist. “I know it can’t work that way since I’m normal, but it would be nice.”

“We’ll find a way, Zoë. You won’t be left alone.” As the sun started cresting, the three huddled for loving warmth before the beautiful sight. Iolvin reached for each grave to in succession to place something, then rested his head over his mates’ own. “Sleep well, you two.”

The day came as always, announcing itself with new warmth and clarity. As the sunlight crossed over the two graves, a pair of glimmers brought them a peculiar life. Adorning each cross were two small trinkets--one a silver locket of a young dutch girl, the other a matching image of a twin boy.