I had a hard time processing what I'd heard. Somehow a Crest had appeared on my mother's crotch, and somehow I was responsible for it. "Can I Inspect it?" It wasn't that I didn't trust Elaine's word, it was just that my Skill would give me more information and hopefully an explanation.

Marian was hesitant at first but nodded her head, allowing me to bring my hand to touch the Crest, causing it to glow a deep pinkish-purple. I focused and used Seshat's Library, manifesting the mental image of a thin booklet.

'Crest: A basic unenhanced Lust Crest. No functions have been added to this Crest. Crest Master: Vellithra Eldur(Approval pending).'

Unfortunately I wasn't told where the Crest had come from, but it was true that I was at least the Crest Master listed, though the fact that approval pending was appended was strange, whose or what was approving it? In addition Seshat's Library called it a Lust Crest so I could only imagine what effects it might have if approval was given. The more I thought about it the more I felt it was related to either Essence Sharing or one of the new Aspect Skills I'd gotten as those were the only changes that lined up with the timeframe.

I moved my hand away from the Crest and shook my head unable to glean any new information from it. I sat down next to Marian on the bed and explained what I'd read causing Marian to release a sigh that I couldn't tell if it was relief or disappointment as she fell backwards onto the bed and looked at the ceiling.

After a while of silence I also fell back and laid down, a small gap separating our bodies.

"What am I to you?" Marian suddenly asked.

Unable to respond I simply uttered a delayed "What?" which caused Marian to sit up and roll over the top of me, pinning me in place as she looked at me seriously.

"What am I to you? To me, you are my precious daughter, but I also want us to be something more. I think about that morning nearly ten years ago, and what would be different if I hadn't been ashamed of the feelings I had at that time. I used to dream that Alcrem would touch me the way you did, but his image was quickly replaced with you.

I've tried to push these feelings down because I knew you hadn't quite gotten over it, but as I've felt the distance between us increase, the stronger the feelings became, and I can't deny them anymore. I love you, both as a daughter and as a partner for the future. I know you have Arya and our positions in mind, but I'd give it all up if it meant I could be with you. I just want an answer, what am I to you?" Her voice was quivering and her body trembled as she unleashed the torrent of emotions she'd been holding in all this time.

Her question reverberated in my head, what was she to me? I felt Marian was just as much my mother as Ashara was, yet it was true she was also something else. She knew that I had the memories of Velen, and yet she still considered me family and had kept my secret all this time. She'd been right that I had been holding back because of the accident and our positions, but it was clear that the incident was something I needn't be concerned with. However, I now had Arya, and while we were currently on bad terms I wanted to mend our relationship.

There was a brief moment where I felt lost, but I suddenly thought that being so lost was uncharacteristic of me. Where had the arrogant and self absorbed fool I'd been for the past couple of months go? I didn't really give a fuck what others thought of me, so why had I been so hung up on it? If Velen were in my shoes he would have taken what he wanted and gunned down those that opposed him. Why wasn't I doing the same? Though, preferably with less bloodshed. All it would take is for me to be stronger than those who disliked what I was doing. 

As for the feelings of Marian or Arya, had I not been able to get three women who barely knew each other into bed with me at the same time not even a day ago? While I still wasn't sure of my stance about Arya's package, I didn't want her to leave me, let alone find someone else. I felt silly and stupid for worrying about doing things 'properly' in this life.

With my mind made up I reached my hands up and cupped Marian's face, bringing her down into a passionate kiss as I rolled her onto her back putting myself above her, separating our lips once I stopped, a large smile on my face. "That's my answer. But before we go further, coming with me will put you in great danger, I have enemies in this world that should be at least as powerful as the Mortal Gods, are you sure about this?"

Without hesitation Marian wrapped her arms around my neck and nodded. "Anywhere you go I will follow."