"Juniper!"

Hearing her name again prompted a little smile to appear before Juniper eased Flora's length from inside her. A task made easier once the thickness of her cock was reduced. And they say chivalry is dead! Once she was up, Juniper reached down and offered her hand to the Glumos before pulling her up too. Right in time for Aurora and Vesta to burst into the little clearing at a near sprint. 

"There you are!" Vesta said before her focus shot to Flora. 

"We were so worried!" Aurora added before bending and bringing her hands to her knees in an attempt to catch her breath. The poor Pal probably didn't do a lot of running but her missing human was apparently enough of a reason. A fact that warmed Juniper's heart somewhat. Even though she did feel a little bad about worrying the two. If only she could leave a note.

"Who are you?" Vesta asked while fixing the new Pal with a glare.

"I’m Flora." She responded as she moved a few feet away and scooped her hat from the ground. After sitting it on her head, she bent over and grabbed Juniper’s discarded clothes before returning the camisole and the panties to their owner. “And you are?” 

Juniper caught Vesta narrowing her eyes and decided to interject before things got too hostile. So, she stepped closer to the Foxparks and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “This is Vesta.” The Pal turned and looked up at her, only to receive a smile and a subtle nod. Juniper could feel the tension in her shoulder relax somewhat before she turned to do the same to the Lamball on her other side. “And this is Aurora.” Thankfully, now that she’d found Juniper, Aurora appeared much less concerned with anything else. Especially the sight of a new Pal. 

“Oh! Did Miss Juniper bind you too?” Yup, Aurora certainly wasn’t the jealous type.

The question probably didn’t require an answer, considering the state the two were found in, Flora did so anyway. “She did. So, I guess I’m joining the team then?” 

"You certainly are!” Juniper answered while bending over and slipping on her panties. “You are going to help us with our food problem. How does that sound?” 

“Food? Well, that’s my specialty. I can grow almost anything you want. Within reason, of course.” 

Once Juniper replaced her shirt, and straightened it out, she nodded a few times and cast her gaze towards the berries. “So, you could grow us a bush or two then? What do you need? For that and other varieties?”

Before she answered, Flora walked towards the closest bush and plucked a few fresh berries off the branches. Subsequently, she turned and presented the handful to the group. “A single seed will do. I can nurture it until it’s grown. Though, it requires my own energy and water.” 

“Water?” 

“Yes, a lot of water. It’s usually why we wait until after storms to plant new sources of food.”

“I see…” Juniper brought up a hand to stroke her chin for a few moments while she thought. Getting berries wouldn’t be as much of a challenge, then. And all she needed was a single seed from other plants to grow them as well. It sounded like the work didn’t come without a cost though. How much could Flora work before she became tired? If Juniper had more Glumos it would be less of a concern. Then they would really be producing food that Vesta could then cook. Which would also be less burdensome for her by having her sisters join. Yes, having a whole damn team would prove invaluable. Of course, getting that team would also be…fun.

Finally, Juniper stirred from her thoughts and clapped her hands loudly, causing all eyes to come back to her. “Alright, I want to get at least one bush grown today. Aurora,” Juniper turned and pointed to the Lamball. Who perked up at hearing her name. “Can you help Flora gather some food for breakfast and then with whatever she needs to get something grown by the shack?” 

“Yes ma’am!” Aurora practically jumped off from where she stood and went over to wrap her arms around one of Floras. However, her face soured a little only a moment later. “Oh, but we don’t have anything to carry them in. We left everything back home.” 

Flora looked over to Aurora with a raised eyebrow but ultimately didn’t move to separate. Instead, she smirked and reached up to remove her “hat” with her free hand before holding it out for the Lamball to take. “Here, use this.” 

“Your hat?” 

“Sure. Well, kind of? It’s actually an acorn cap from one that I overgrew.”

“So, that’s what that is. I was thinking it was a beret or something.” Juniper couldn’t help but follow the words with a snort of amusement. She would’ve loved to see the acorn a cap that size came off of but didn’t press it for now. Maybe she could ask Flora to do it again sometime soon since it seemed like another good way to get something akin to a bowl. You could eat acorn meat too, right?

“Nope, just a fun way to get some practice and to get something to cover the ole noggin.” 

Either way, now that they had a solution, Flora stepped off and began to lead Aurora to do what was asked. “We’ll see you soon…Ma’am,” she said with a wink before turning her attention to her new partner.  

“You sure will.” It was good to see those two getting along but she had a feeling Aurora was the Pal she had to be concerned with. An assumption that proved true since, once she turned back to Vesta, she found a look of uncertainty and maybe even a little displeasure. Oh no, time to soothe some ruffled feathers. 

Once she noticed the attention on her, the Foxparks did her best to mask whatever emotions might be showing. “What should I do?” 

“You,” Juniper followed the word by stepping forward and reaching down for her hand. Reveling in the warmth of her skin for a moment before tugging in the direction of the shack. “Are going to come with me to get the bucket and tin so we can carry some water back.” This would be how it’d have to be for now. Until Juniper could devise a better way to get water regularly. Perhaps a rain catcher of some sort? Though, that would require a lot more than what they had on hand currently. 

“Oh, ok.” 

Juniper allowed the silence to grow between them as they began to walk through the forest, curious if she would say any more. However, after a few minutes, it didn’t appear Vesta would. So, Juniper lightly squeezed her hand before looking over. Causing the Foxparks to finally look up at her. 

“Yes?” 

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” 

At this, Vesta dropped her gaze back to the ground, her ears flattening to the sides. “Nothing. It’s fine.”

“Vesta…” 

Juniper might’ve given the Pal the space to come around on her own if things had been different. However, it was hard to acquiesce when her survival relied heavily on everyone getting along. At least that’s what she told herself. In reality, more than one of Juniper’s past partners may have told her she couldn’t leave well enough alone. She would work on that…someday.

“Is it because I bound Flora? Are you afraid you won’t get attention if I get other Pals?” That wasn’t unreasonable and Juniper could understand if that was the case. 

“No. Well, maybe a little but that’s not really it. It’s just–” As she continued, Vesta lifted her eyes again and found Junipers. “We woke up and you were gone! I got so worried. What if something happened to you? And I wasn’t there to protect you like you were for me.”

Oh, dear. She should’ve woken the pair up after all. Aurora seemed to recover quickly enough but it appeared Vesta was still bothered. After hearing this, Juniper stopped them both and then turned to Vesta. Dropping her hand in the process. Only so she could bring both hers up to gently cup the Pal’s cheeks. “I’m sorry, Vesta. I wanted to let you both sleep after working so hard yesterday. I promise I won’t sneak off again, okay?” 

She could see Vesta’s mouth subtly shift as if she were chewing her lip. After a few moments of silence, she nodded and took a deep breath. “That’s okay. It was nice of you but I couldn’t forgive myself if you got hurt. I’m sorry.”

Juniper shook her head before leaning down and planting a small kiss on Vesta’s forehead. The sentiment was heartwarming and she smiled despite herself. “You have nothing to be sorry about. It’s very sweet how concerned you are for me, I’m very lucky.” 

Mercifully, the Foxparks smiled in response and then stepped forward to wrap her up in a tight hug. “That’s right! Don’t you forget it, Miss Juniper.” 

Of course, Juniper hugged her back and then let out a soft giggle. “I won’t.” With one final squeeze, she stepped back and took up Vesta’s hand once more. “Now, let’s get back and get what we need.”

“Yes ma’am!” 

“You sound like Aurora. I think her energy is infecting us all.” 

“Yeah, must be.” Following her words, Vesta turned her head to look back in the direction of the two they left behind. Or perhaps one in particular. 

Soon, the two were back to the shack and gathered the bucket, tin, and her canteen. Not even 20 minutes later, Juniper and Vesta were back at the berry bushes but continued past where Aurora and Flora knelt picking the last of the fruit to fill up the acorn cap. 

They continued on to the pool where they worked to fill up the bucket as much as they could. Followed by the tin. However, seeing the little metal vessel full of water gave Juniper an idea.

“Vesta, come here for a second. I want to try something.” 

“Try what?”

“Seeing you cook the fish; I was wondering if you could boil water in this? It’s metal so it should conduct heat easily.” She could tell she had piqued Vesta’s curiosity since she hurried over and bent down. 

“I don’t see why not. It’s all the same, right?”

“Right,” Juniper agreed with a nod of her head. “I guess it’s a matter of keeping a steady flame for long enough?”

“Yeah, that’s one way to do it but if this will heat up easily…” Vesta sat and then brought the tin down until it nestled right between her thighs. After getting it situated, she looked up to Juniper and then smirked. “You might want to back up for this, Miss Juniper. I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.” 

“Oh, alright!” Juniper’s eyes opened wide for a moment but she complied with the request. Taking a step or two back to wait patiently. “Ok, I think that should be good.”

“I think so,” Vesta confirmed before refocusing her efforts on the coffee tin. For the first minute or so it only looked like she was concentrating very hard but soon it was clear the metal was starting to glow from where the Foxparks’ fingers held it . She was pumping heat into it straight from her body! 

Juniper could even feel some of the heat emanating from the effort and she soon heard a faint sizzle as the water on the outside of the tin burnt away. “Fascinating…” She remarked before taking one step closer. If there was one thing that tended to override her sense of self-preservation it was her curiosity. Even Aurora and Flora stopped what they were doing after hearing Juniper’s remark and walked over to investigate. 

Another minute and bubbles began to form on the inside of the tin where contact was made. A little longer and Vesta managed to work the water in a rolling boil. Which elicited cheers from the observers. 

“Well done, Vesta!” Juniper gave her a look filled with pride and Aurora clapped a few times beside her. 

“Very impressive, Vesta!” 

“Hot,” Flora added with a wink.

Considering how hot she must’ve been, it was funny to see the Foxpark’s cheeks flush red from the compliments thrown her way. “T-thanks.” 

The little experiment complete, Juniper nodded in Vesta’s direction. “Alright, you can set it down. Don’t need to overdo it.”

“Okay!” Vesta did as she was asked, putting the tin down before standing tall and stretching her limbs.  

“Well, well, well. Look at this group!”

The mysterious voice caused Juniper and her Pals to suddenly turn and look up to the next plateau. Standing above them was Lily, crouching with a big smile on her face, and Mist, crossing her arms and looking as uninterested as the last time Juniper saw her. 

“Oh, it’s you!” Juniper turned towards her and placed her hands on her hips shaking her head. “My…rescuer? No, I’m not sure you warrant such a title.” 

Lily stood tall and shrugged before eyeing Aurora, Vesta, and Flora intently. “Bah, you seem to be doing fine on your own. Like I knew you would.”

Juniper didn’t know about that but only shook her head in response. “Maybe. Either way, quit skulking about and come down here.” 

“Right, be there in a minute!” Lily soon disappeared and Juniper turned back to her Pals while she waited. Seeing the other human, and the Katress, had them all huddling up behind her back and slightly off to the side. Which provoked a raised eyebrow of curiosity. “Lily doesn’t hurt Pals, right?”

Aurora shook her head and relaxed a little but her eyes quickly found Mist once the Katress reappeared with her human. “Oh no, Mist is just scary. That’s all.” 

Scary? Well, she did have that demeanor about her. As long as she didn’t try and hurt anyone then she could project that aura all she liked. Once Lily rejoined the group, with Mist positioned similarly behind her, the woman's eyes ran over the group. Especially Juniper. Her gaze definitely lingered on the more…sensitive bits that were barely covered. Which caused a smile to kick up on her lips. 

“Like what you see?” Juniper couldn’t help but remark.

At this, Lily’s eyes shot to hers before matching her expression. “Oh, I do.”

"Shame you missed the show, then. If only you’d gotten here 30 minutes earlier, you would’ve seen me add Flora to the team. Properly.” 

"Really!?” Lily was clearly disappointed in missing out but Mist chuckled from the side. 

“She may have missed this show, but Lily’s already seen you do your thing. It was good to know that you acquired help not long after we left you.”

“Is that sooo…” Juniper drew out that last word and eyed Lily with a look of disbelief. More so to tease the woman than out of genuine admonishment. 

“Well, I wasn’t actually going to let you get yourself hurt. Even if you were thoughtless enough to fall asleep in the open.”

Yeah, she had done that, hadn’t she? “Ah, yes. Well, thank you for doing that.” 

“Don’t mention it. If anything other than a Lamball showed up, we would’ve sprung into action.” Lily looked past Juniper to where Aurora stood, locking eyes with the smaller Pal. “No offense.” 

“None taken!” Aurora piped up. 

“Don’t thank her too much,” Mist said before walking forward and placing a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “She got a lot of enjoyment out of the display. If anything, she should be thanking you.”

“Anyway!” Lily turned her head and affixed her Pal with a stare positively loaded with daggers. Of course, Mist didn’t appear the least bit phased and only regarded her partner with a placid stare. Realizing she wasn’t going to win the contest; Lily turned back and cleared her throat before indicating the buckets of water with a nod of her head. “I’m guessing you’re taking those back to your camp? Or wherever you’re set up? I’d like to see it if that’s alright.” 

“Sure. There is something there I want to show you, anyway.” Maybe Lily had run into something like the mysterious door in the rock face before? Or could at least point her in the direction of someone who knew more about it. 

Lily nodded and then turned to Mist once more. “Mind helping?” 

“Sure,” the Katress agreed and stepped forward after giving the shoulder a tight squeeze. “Alright little ones, with me.” The taller Pal came to a stop in front of Aurora, Vesta, and Flora, practically looming over the three. “Let’s get the water for Juniper.” 

“Miss Juniper,” Aurora bravely corrected. Much to Juniper’s, and apparently Mist’s, surprise.

“To you, maybe.” The Katress rolled her eyes and turned to the bucket. With a snap of her fingers, a faint glow encapsulated it before it lifted from the ground. It subsequently made its way back into the water, where it filled all the way to the brim before rising again. Another snap sent the coffee tin on a similar journey before both came to float a foot behind Mist.

Juniper eyes followed them both the whole way, mouth agape. She would’ve never been able to haul the bucket back that full and here Mist was doing it with her mind? Or that’s what it seemed like. She definitely needed to get a Pal with that kind of power! Ready, Mist brought up a hand and made a motion that indicated the trio should follow. Of course, their eyes quickly found Juniper who nodded her agreement. That prompted them all to step off and crowd around the taller Pal as she started walking in the direction Aurora indicated.

“Well, that’s handy.” Juniper watched them go but remained standing by Lily. 

“Oh, you have no idea,” she replied with a giggle before moving to slowly follow. “Before I forget, I have something for you.” 

Juniper had stepped off as well but her head quickly turned and tilted. “You do?” 

“Yeah, let me just…” Lily’s words trailed off as she slung her pack around so she could open the top. After a moment of rummaging around, she removed something wrapped in what appeared to be a linen cloth. “Here we are. I baked it fresh this morning.”

Did she say baked? Holy shit was this bread!? Manners be damned, Juniper almost tackled the woman once her arm extended in her direction. Sure enough, after she peeled back the cloth, she found a sort of flat bread hidden away. “Oh, fuck yes. Come to Mama.” Juniper tore off a section and started eating right away. That first heavenly bite had her eyes fluttering closed and a deep groan of satisfaction welling up from her throat. It was definitely nothing more than a basic recipe but it may as well be the most amazing thing she’d ever eaten. “You are my hero right now, Lily. I could seriously kiss you.” 

“Please do! I might just make it payment for future gifts.” 

“Mm, you don’t have to bribe me for something you can have freely.” Juniper followed the words with a wink before tearing off another piece. “Of course, I want to know where you got the flour to make this but first, did you bring anything else?”

“Sadly, no. I didn’t actually know I’d run into you today. Only hoped to confirm whispers that you were out here kicking ass.” As she spoke, Lily brought up a hand and pointed to the Pals walking ahead of them. Chatting, or rather listening, to Mist. “It seems those rumors were true.”

“Mhm, can confirm.”  

“Yes, you really are something else. Miss Juniper.” 

Was everyone going to make fun of her today? “Careful, I’ll have you saying that in a breathy tone.”

“Now that I’d like to see…” 

Juniper couldn’t help but smirk at the banter before taking the bite of bread she’d broken off. 

“But now that I know you are properly set up, I can make a supply run for you. Get some things you need for your camp.”

After swallowing, Juniper nodded and immediately began tearing another piece. “Why not do that when you first met me?”

“Lost of reasons,” Lily said with a shrug. “Shit is hard to come by. I can’t give it out to every poor bastard that washes up on the shore but I don’t mind helping those with a good head on their shoulders. Besides, now that you’ve become a little more established, you can tell me what you need and I can prioritize that.”

That did make sense, in a way. Still, it seemed a little harsh to let people fend for themselves as some kind of test. Maybe that’s just what this place did to you?

“I guess. There is definitely a lot that I need.” Lily was no doubt aware of that but it didn’t hurt to voice it. 

“I'm sure. However, before you list your demands, I want to hear what you’ve been up to. Straight from the source”

Juniper wanted to ask the same but figured she at least owed Lily an update first. A “thank you” for the bread if nothing else. So, she explained the past few days all in the remaining walk to the shack. In between bites of bread, naturally.