The wooden chest rose like a floating object, settled in the air then opened up dramatically.
From inside, a single pill in tablet casing jumped out.
Tristan blinked as he wondered what that was. However, he didn’t need to disturb his intelligent mind trying to figure that out before Lysander’s voice crawled into his head;
"Darling Host, That’s a body Refinement Pill, Basic Grade One. After you take it, the effects will appear gradually over three days. You will need to exercise to support the process, by the way."
"It will slim the face by reducing about five pounds of facial fat, cut ten pounds from the stomach, five from the thighs, and increase manhood length by half an inch." She paused and when she spoke again which was immediately, her words rolled out like a sweet song;
"A full package, wouldn’t you say, Host?"
Tristan picked up the pill and turned it between his fingers. The disappointment of not seeing cash twinkled in his eyes, but the description still landed well. He had hated this soft, average body from the first moment he looked in the mirror. Anything that moved him closer to the trained physique he once had was welcome.
"So daily tasks do not bring cash?" He finally asked what had been plaguing his mind.
"Daily tasks do not always include cash, it depends." Lysander replied.
He closed his fist around the pill and groaned lowly; "How am I supposed to repay the loan before the deadline?" he asked.
"Don’t worry so much. Side missions can appear within a day. Simply stay alert."
Tristan gave a short nod at that, then without wasting time, he swallowed the pill. The chest disappeared and the system panel closed.
~~~~~~~~~~
By the afternoon the apartment felt quieter than usual, Tristan was taking a nap, not wanting to miss the opportunity of that golden quietude. He had spent the remnant of the morning, doing pushups and sit-ups in his room. He couldn’t wait for the effect of the pill to start showing.
Meanwhile, the women were having a quick meeting...
When Talia returned from her part-time shift, Cora had pulled both women into the small storage room at the back of the apartment and shut the door. The space was cramped with old boxes and cleaning supplies, but it offered privacy.
"We are keeping him for the time being." Cora dropped the purpose of the meeting and it didn’t land well.
Nadia’s red eyes narrowed instantly. "You and who are keeping him?" she asked sharply with her arms folded under her breasts.
Talia let out a short, disbelieving scoff. "Is that an order from the little witch now?"
Cora’s expression remained fixed on the two women, although a trace of exasperation was showing now.
"Am I the only one here still thinking? " She didn’t wait for anyone to reply her before she continued in the same breath;
"This new soul has money to spend. Our previous husband’s soul did not. Are you seeing what I’m seeing?"
Nadia’s voice turned sharper. "And so?"
"And so?" Cora repeated the words with clear disbelief. "You are the oldest among us and you still cannot see what is in front of you?" She did not give Nadia time to retort. "This man can repay us for everything we poured into the previous one. Have you forgotten how we ended up broke?" Cora continued sharply in a half whispered voice, not bothering to wait to catch her breath.
"We spent everything we had making that man comfortable, wanted, and cared for. None of us has anything left to boast about now. If nothing else, I intend to keep this one here and recover what I lost. And who knows? Perhaps the original soul will return to the body after some time." she finished then breathed out heavily, now looking at the other women, waiting for a response.
Nadia’s eyes were widened in disgust but she couldn’t form words yet as she was still processing the words or probably thinking of what to say.
Talia shifted her weight, and flipped back one part of her hair sliding. After a moment she adjusted her posture and spoke simply;
"I will support keeping him if there is even a chance the original soul returns, we can finish the ritual and restore our abilities, that’s what I’m after."
Nadia turned to look at Talia in disbelief, that wasn’t what she had expected from the woman too. After a second, she shook her head and a short, cold laugh escaped her throat;
"I should have known the two of you would think alike." She straightened then waved a finger sharply;
"Listen, I will not be part of this."
"It does not look like our husband is coming back. Finding another compatible soul will take another hundred years. I will hate this man who stole the body for the rest of my existence, and I refuse to live under the same roof as him." she spat out.
Cora exhaled slowly, the sound edged with frustration.
"Nadia, try to see the practical side. Instead of deciding everything is hopeless, give it some time. The original soul might still return and while waiting, you actually gain instead of losing."
"Gain what? The pennies that he can drop to get food, you mean?" Nadia cocked her head arrogantly and for a moment, she looked at Cora actually expecting a response but just as Cora opened her mouth, she cut her short.
"I see you are just swayed because he paid the rent and got some groceries. I won’t blame you though, you’re still young. I have seen better, little girl. And I won’t be impressed by that poor show." She snapped.
Talia rolled her eyes but stayed silent. Nadia continued nevertheless;
"Once I have enough money to rent my own place, I am leaving. There is no reason for us to stay together any longer. If I have not found another werewolf and witch to complete the ritual within the next hundred years, I will contact you."
She turned without waiting for an answer and walked out of the storage room.
Cora shook her head once. "Always stubborn. Always unreasonable."
Talia watched the empty doorway. "You should be used to the vampire’s attitude by now. And that is only if she actually manages to gather enough money for a separate apartment." she shrugged and huffed.
Cora’s eyes glinted with agreement mischievously.
"I know, right."
Talia’s lips curved into a smirk at that. This was one of the rarest moments when the duo were in agreement over something.
~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, In her room, Nadia was moving around with sharp, angry energy.
She pulled the wardrobe opened and snatched the first short gown her hands could find. She pulled it on then snatched her handbag from the chair, checked that her keys were inside, and headed for the front door. Her expression remained tight with fury.
She was going to find another part-time job. Hell, she would even take on three different jobs or four or five.
She would rather work herself to exhaustion and earn her own money than spend another unnecessary day under the same roof as the man who had taken her husband’s body.
That was her decision.