The day was finally winding down. Jugs of milk covered the floor of their room, temporarily, which Sasha wasn't exactly happy about. She warned Maple not to cause a smell, but she did end up buying a few gallons for the inn. Their first sale, easy as that.

Now, Maple was shirtless and on Sasha's bed, face buried into Emma. Her eyes were clenched shut, teeth gritted. She hummed to herself and rocked back and forth while Sasha straddled her rear.

"Stop moving."

She held Maple by her shoulder, trying to keep her still. Emma laughed silently as Maple spoke through her body. That was ticklish for the slime.

"Ifstgoitohrt..."

"It's not going to hurt. The whole area is numbed. Just hold still and it'll be over quick."

Maple stopped shaking her body and instead shook her head. Emma morphed herself with Maple's movements, leaving her a gap for air. She was making it into an ordeal, but she couldn't help it.

Every time she thought of Sasha slowly dragging her blade against her skin, peeling the wound apart, and then pulling wings out from inside of her, all while blood got everywhere—who wouldn't squirm at that?

A pressure felt only around the bumps on her back made Maple suddenly freeze. She stopped breathing. Sasha was doing the first one, and she really didn't want her to mess up. It didn't hurt, but she imagined it. A trickling sensation made her squeal, and then gasp.

"Is it done, did you do it?"

"Not yet, let me just pull it out..."

A squish sounded as Sasha fingered the wound. Emma ran her fingers through Maple's hair. Another part of her body wiped off the blood dripping down her side. She would have cried if not for Emma's soothing presence. As things were, she toughed it out until Sasha poured healing potion over the wound.

"That's one done. Do you need a break, or can I get right to the other one?"

She sounded exasperated.

"No, just do it. Get it over with."

The process was repeated, and Maple could appreciate that it was at least painless. With Emma keeping things sterile, the risk of infection was also mitigated. Sasha climbed off of Maple and slapped her butt.

"There, all done. Not so bad, was it?"

"Really? And the potion closed everything back up?"

"Yep. Take a look. You're—well I guess maybe not 'one of us' given the history there, but you've got wings now."

Maple took a few seconds to collect herself, then got up and looked into the mirror standing along the wall. She instantly made a face.

"Ew. They're...ew. Ew. Why are they so small? They look stupid."

Two baby wings hardly the size of her hands protruded from her upper back. They were soggy with blood. The sight brought to mind chicken wings, combined with the thought of a newborn still covered in amniotic fluid and gunk.

"They'll grow soon enough. Go be a good worker bee and collect lots of prana for mama."

Maple had already turned much of her prana into coins before the impromptu surgery session. She rolled her eyes.

"Am I growing a stinger next? Bzzz bzz—ah, they're sensitive. Thanks cutie."

Emma tenderly scrubbed her wings clean. Maple ignored the fact that she was basically eating her blood. She didn't seem to mind in the least, but that would not have been any kind of comfort to acknowledge. Sasha watched Emma work, tail swishing behind her.

"Are you excited? It's a brand new erogenous zone."

Maple blushed and didn't dignify that with a response. She was sure the both of them would happily explore that with her—another time. She spoke up before anyone could get any ideas.

"A little. I need to rest now though. That was so stressful."

"Mh, fair. Hey they don't look too bad once they're clean."

"Hmmmmm."

Maple stared at the mirror, rotating and getting a look from every angle. She had wings now. Her body has wings from this point on.

"Em seems to like them, at least."

Sasha pointed to Emma's back, where her own amusingly small wings protruded in solidarity. A smile spread across Maple's face.

"They're adorable on you, cutie."

A squishy finger jabbed Maple in the chest to say 'yours too'. Maple laughed and reluctantly agreed. Hers were fine too. Mixed feelings or not, they would grow on her.

---

Later, in their own bed, rested and feeling a bit better, Maple had a promise to fulfill. One made earlier that day to a certain frisky slime—not that she actually had to if she didn't want to. She did. Emma's ideas for that night may have been a bit...ambitious, however.

She pulled out the kit of body paints Marielle had gifted her and was holding up her chalkboard and pointing to each line, much like a teacher instructing a student.

1. I paint you so that it looks like you're wearing clothes

2. I get distracted and make you feel good

3. We go outside with your fake clothes

4. Thrilling!

5. We don't get caught

"It's just that easy, is it, cutie?"

She nodded, paused, and with her tongue sticking out like an artist putting the final touch on a masterpiece, underlined don't. Maple laughed and hugged her. She seemed to know there was no way Maple would actually agree.

But Maple's laughter cut off as she had a sudden realization. An epiphany. The words were already on her lips, unstoppable now that she'd had the thought. Prophetic revelation.

"You know who I bet would love to do that, actually?"

Maple fended off a bout of furious poking. You, you, you would!

"Besides me, silly."

Emma put a hand to her chin in thought, and guessed innocently.

Rachel?

"Hah, no. Jeez, she'd hate that, I think. Maybe if she took some of her really wacky drugs. No but, you know who, don't you?"

Maple paused for effect. She'd already told Emma about their antics earlier that day. The blue deviant's face lit up when the name left Maple's mouth—all according to plan?

---

In a couple more hours it'd be midnight. Maple walked with Emma hand in hand down main streets aglow with lamplight. She glanced down each unlit alleyway and smaller street they passed. The city was filled with darkened routes. Avoiding the light entirely for the most part would be...doable.

Whether or not Anemone would actually be up for it was yet to be seen, but Maple did have her address. She already felt tingly with nerves.

"I can't believe you roped me into this."

Emma giggled and grinned. It was all her fault. It would be Anemone's fault too, once she agreed to it. Maple was just along for the ride. She wasn't a pervert.

So she told herself.

When they finally arrived, knocked on the door, smirked at each other while they waited for their victim to appear—shockingly it was not Anemone who answered, but a man with light brown hair. Did she have a roommate? Maple's mind was sent awhirl.

"Uh. Is, uh—"

"Oh, I recognize you. Anemone! Your friends are here."

The man, a half-elf, Maple had to guess based on how his face looked as his ears were hidden, looked over his shoulder to a room Maple couldn't see. Anemone's voice came from there, speaking with what sounded like a mouthful of food.

"I don't have any friends. Stupid brother."

Emma's eyes widened. The man tightened his lips, staring into the other room. Maple was still caught on the other thing he'd said.

"You recognize us?"

"Swallow before you speak. It's Maple, and the...her friend."

Emma stood up straight and pulled out her introduction card, ready to greet the man with her best first impression once he turned around. Maple heard running footsteps then saw Anemone's head pop out from behind the door, beneath the man's arm.

"Maple! And Emma! What are you doing here? My butt is still sore from earlier."

She said it loud and proud, and Maple glanced up to the man's eyes. He showed no reaction to the statement, but he was her...brother, wasn't he? Not to mention the door was open, people were sleeping, and she'd exclaimed it to the street. Maple blinked.

"Uh, we were going to see if you wanted to do something together, but—"

"Yeah! Of course! Come in, come in."

Anemone urged them both in and shut the door before they could change their mind. The other half-elf took that as his cue to leave, apparently content to let Anemone take over. She grabbed his sleeve, stopping him.

"Make us snacks!"

"You haven't even finished the dinner I made for you."

"Make them dinner too!"

He sighed, and Maple opened her mouth to say it was fine, that they had already eaten earlier, and besides wasn't it a little late for dinner? But Anemone ran a hand down her face.

"Please. Why do you hate me? I never have friends over."

"I don't hate you. But you really need to learn to do these kinds of things on your own. Do they want to join us for dinner?"

He definitely lectured her as if he were an older brother or parental figure, and it didn't seem undeserved. All of Maple's previous interactions with the woman flashed through her mind. Anemone looked at them.

"Do you?"

"Ah, it's fi—"

Emma slapped her belly and nodded. Anemone took that as the only answer and turned back to the man.

"See?"

He shook his head in exasperation and turned to the duo. Emma deftly handed him her note while he spoke.

"Please, join us for dinner. I made plenty. Oh—right, Emma. I tried remembering your name, but Maple's was easier because of everything else afterward, and she won't shut up about her. Nice to meet you both. I'm Leon."

He led them all to the dining room, taking over as host entirely, and disappeared into the kitchen. On the table was salad and a cooked chicken. The house itself seemed comfortably wealthy, with stairs in the corner of the room leading to a second story. Anemone continued eating her meal, looking quite happy, and Maple exchanged a glance with Emma.

Leon came back with plates, silverware, and cups. He set them down in front of each of them.

"Wine, or juice?"

"Wine!"

Anemone answered first, holding her cup out for Leon to fill. Emma chose juice, and Maple decided a dose of liquid courage would help with not only their activities later, but also to get through this dinner.

Leon seemed to agree as he filled his own glass of wine to the brim. He indicated the salad bowl and set to cutting up more of the chicken for them.

"Help yourselves to as much as you'd like."

Maple took a modest amount. She tried a bite of both, then washed it down with the wine. It was a fine dinner.

"It's really good, thank you. So you're Anemone's...brother?"

She wanted to be wrong. Maybe half-elves just called everyone brother and sister. But then, she also really hoped he wasn't her father or something. Leon nodded, crushing her hope, before saving it with two words.

"In-law."

Anemone perked up and swallowed a mouthful of food.

"In law."

She said it like it was a gotcha, and glared at him before looking at Maple.

"He's a [Lawyer]."

They had [Lawyers] here? She guessed that made sense, given the crazy lady constantly threatening to sue her.

"But he is actually your brother-in-law? In law...?"

"Yeah!"

The small joke left a smirk on Anemone's face, and Maple nodded in understanding. Everyone in this world was so weird. Leon wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Her sister is married to my brother. They live in the village we're both from. Anemone decided she wanted to live in the city too, so I've been allowing her to stay here until she finds her own place."

"He'd be lonely without me here. Wouldn't you?"

"I'd be many things."

Maple chuckled and caught half a glare from Anemone.

"What did you mean you recognized us though, Leon?"

He stiffened, a moment of regret before answering.

"From that 'race' at the dairy. I lost a decent chunk of change because of you two."

Maple nearly choked on her drink. This dinner could not get any more awkward. Emma seemed a mix of pleased by the notoriety, and guilty for his losses. Anemone, haughty.

"That's your fault for not believing in your dear sister, isn't it?"

"You were there?"

Maple tried to regain her composure, but her face was turning as red as the tomatoes in the salad.

"I watched the broadcast. Glanced at it, for betting purposes. I wasn't watching her. I'd already paid for it, and I hadn't expected Anemone of all people to be there."

How...reasonable? Maple sipped at her wine and kept the cup against her lips. She gazed over the top of it at Anemone, her pointed look indicating she was about to calmly make an inflaming comment.

"You're the one who told me I had to earn money if I wanted to stay here."

"I meant by getting a job. Even an apprenticeship would have been fine. What am I supposed to tell your family you're doing when they write me? You never take the time to write back to them yourself and—anyway. You have friends over. Please act respectable."

Anemone shrugged and went back to her food. Maple kept the glass to her mouth, moving her eyes between her and Leon a few times. She sensed more was coming, and, without fail, Anemone leaned over toward her and Emma.

"He's a huge pervert. I bet he was watching us the entire time."

Maple slowly nodded, unwilling to choose a side in this. She was beginning to feel bad for Leon. He refilled his drink and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I assure you, I was not. Sorry. She used to have a thing for me, so she ends up saying all these weird things."

It was the exasperated explanation of a long tormented man. Maple met his eyes, trying to show she understood and empathized. Anemone's voice took on a vulnerable tone.

"You looked at least a little, right? I mean, o-of course you did. Pervert."

"Can I have some more wine, please?"

Maple slid her glass into the center of the table before Leon was forced to engage with that question. This dinner was so weird.

"Of course. Have as much as you need."

He shared a smile with Maple. They were allies, in a way. He'd surely relate if she ever told him about the things Anemone had roped her into. If Anemone hadn't told him herself already...

Had she?

Maple couldn't put it past her. Her stomach dropped. It dropped again when she saw Emma's devious smile as she wrote on her chalkboard.

What happened with the 'thing' she had for you?

Leon blinked a couple of times, perhaps registering that Emma was on his sister's side in this war. He glanced at Anemone, and she made no move to stop him. Instead, she was already mentally preparing her counterattack. He sighed.

"I was open to giving it a chance. It's not like we were blood relatives or raised together or anything like that, but she insisted upon acting like we were. She made it all feel so...incestuous that I really just couldn't deal with it."

"Because that would have been the best part!"

Anemone threw her hands in the air and gave them a can you believe this guy look. Emma loudly laughed by slapping her thigh.

Maple rubbed her face, embarrassed for everyone present and in utter disbelief.