After Sapphire had kindly made sure I wasn't blue balled I had a quick meal and went to bed. After the lesson, getting ambushed and experiencing Mana leaf I was well and truly ready to crash.
That was only if I could get to sleep.
With the girls all sharing Quimarus mutation for sleeplessness they had left the main room lights on low so that it wouldn't disturb me while they kept the door to my room open because as good as it was they all got it, I still needed sleep. In theory it was a great idea but in practice? I couldn't sleep.
Memories of the fighting and watching people die in front of me kept chasing my mind whenever I was almost asleep to the point I gave up trying to sleep alone and dragged Sapphire under my covers to cuddle. Of course my lamia hadn't resisted and I felt her relax slightly at my silent admittance of everything affecting me. Part of my pride refused to say it out loud even though I doubt they'd have judged me but still.
I was also feeling slightly bad now that we were all sitting around a table in the cafeteria as she'd had to stay awake the whole night wrapping me up just so I could sleep. There was a small part of me that was whispering that she enjoyed it but I couldn't trust it. It would have been torture if I was in her scales.
Pushing a few of the items that resembled potatoes but tasted like an odd mix of carrots and rice around my plate I thought back on what Aria had asked last night. What would I do when I was done here? Would my time as a mage fill the adventuring itch I'd always had or would I want more?
Regardless of the answer to that I kept going back to her response. You would stay with Sapphire?
It sounded so simple but it had so many other complications as even though we were bonded it didn't guarantee she would stay after our term. None of the girls really had too but the thought of going anywhere without my blue lamia just didn't feel right. Just like sleeping with her wrapping her tail around me just felt... Like it completed something I was missing.
Less than three days together and I didn't want her to leave. Maybe I was being too hasty but I didn't care. Aria had made me doubt my future even if she didn't know it and I was going to make sure I wasn't going to be alone ever again.
"Sapphire. I've told you about human courting but could you tell me about lamia marriage and what I would have to do to make sure you stay with me. Even after we leave the Constellation?" I voiced into the silence that had taken over our group.
We were positioned in a circle in the corner of the room with my back against the wall and Aria directly opposite with her wings partially extended to cover us while Quimaru was to my right leaning back enough to watch behind my angel. This left Sapphire to my left eating but throwing me glances every now and then.
Sapphire had just taken a bite out of her meal when I voiced my question and the lamia had spat the entire mouthful at Quimaru in surprise. The Zodathak wasn't any better as she looked at me like I'd grown a second head. Aria seemed to be the only one not surprised but she did still raise an eyebrow.
"John!" Sapphire tried to say but it was broken up by a coffing fit that had Aria giving her a whack on her back.
Once she had unblocked her throat she finally continued. "John where is this coming from? I'm your guard I'll always be by your side."
I gave a small smile at that and decided to be straight with her. Beating around the bush wasn't my style. "Aria asked about my future last night and it brought to my attention that this is still just a job for you. One there's the possibility you could leave once the duration ends. I want to make sure you don't, or at least make sure you have every incentive to not want to leave."
Sapphire still had a confused expression and tried to find help with the other two. Quimaru had brought one of her tentacles out and had it glowing against Arias cheek. Aria just let the Zodathak touch her with an irritated expression.
"Oh she was asking if he had space in his future for her." Quimaru happily explained. "Well she didn't say that exactly but she did point out that he explicitly said you were part of that Sapphire. I believe he wishes to make sure you are there."
Sapphire turned back to me. "So you are asking if I can officially become a member of your family?"
"Yes." I said simply.
Sapphire opened her mouth then closed it, repeating this a few times until Aria finally said something.
"Lamia typically get a tattoo that is designed by the first female. This tattoo is shared by each member of the family."
Sapphire seemed to find her voice again. "Yes. I mean if that's what your asking I need to design one but yes. Across the stars yes John."
"Great." I replied. It was actually a lot better now that we were filling in the silence. Part of that was my fault but this is my attempt to pull my head out of my ass. "So we have the day off today is that something we can do now?"
Sapphire had instantly pulled her own tablet out and was rapidly drawing designs of different things then scrapping them only to start on another.
"Not to be the odd one out but there might be a slight problem." Quimaru spoke up wincing when Sapphire glared at her. "I'm just saying John would have to deactivate his shield around someone to get the tattoo. It is considered harming the body."
Sapphires fangs came out and she hissed. Quimaru quickly dove behind Aria to avoid her glare. Peaking out like a cat that had stolen something.
"She's not wrong Sapphire. This is going to be an oversight in protecting him and if any of his teachers catch it I doubt they'd let it slide. That's not even considering we would have to pay extra for a stronger needle due to your mutation." Aria said back.
"I know." Sapphire grumbled retracting her fangs.
"We?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
Sapphire abandoned her plate and curled her tail around my legs squeezing tightly. This also put her in my lap. "Aria has definitely shown her dedication to protecting you John. That alone would make her desirable as a lamias nestmate, add on her size and skill I would be welcoming her with open arms for the protection of our family. She is also showing interest in her own personal way."
Aria managed to blush.
"What about Quimaru?" I asked trying to not focus on where she was leaning. You'd think with how much Sapphire had been tending to me over the past few days I'd be harder to arouse but no. She gets me every time.
"That is a difficult question John. It largely depends on how you want to form this family. For instance if you want to treat it like a lamias family she would be welcome. If you want to treat it like a humans that's your choice. Or we could do something similar to an angels. I have no doubt that your family will be mixed no matter what one you pick so it's better if you decide at the start." Sapphire answered.
"Not a lamia nest." Quimaru piped in having come back around Aria to sit down. We all looked at her with confusion especially after Sapphire had just said she would be welcome if we did treat it like that. "Lamia have rules in their families that allowed a male to be taken or challenged if a rival family without a male feels they could be at them."
Aria shifted uncomfortably. "She's right there Sapphire. It would be simpler paperwork wise if we did it lamia style but it also opens us up to complications. John being an adept will force us to deal with a lot more than a traditional family would."
Sapphire hissed at no one in particular. "I hate that you're right."
"Would an angel family be easier?" I asked.
Aria shook her head. "In some ways yes but...."
"What Arias trying to say." Quimaru voiced when it was obvious Aria wouldn't continue. "Is that if you started a family under angel rules you would be subjected to their courts."
"And Zodathaks?"
Again Quimaru shook her head. "Apart from the very obvious fact I would have to be one of the lead females in your harem. A place I will not be challenging Sapphire for. We would have to go through the mind melding process and all none Zodathaks would be considered... We call them zellisaks. Not a nice name but."
Quimaru trailed off trying to shrink under our gazes.
"Similar to a concubine then." I said bringing the conversation back to me.
"Yes!" Quimaru jumped up happy that there was some correlation between our species.
"So not a lamias, angels or a Zodathaks. What about human?" Aria asked.
The girls all looked at me hopefully.
"That's not going to work." I said with a shake of my head. "Humans are monogamous. I'd only be able to have one of you and even then if I suddenly showed up on earth to see a priest with you three, Sapphire and Quimaru would be shot on site and Aria would probably be kidnapped by the Christian church as a Messiah."
"I like that idea." Aria said sarcastically.
"Of course you would." Sapphire answered. "We should probably figure out what we want to do today though."
I felt a little guilty. We'd not done anything but get breakfast since I'd been in a sour mood for most of the morning. The girls had been supportive at least but that might have just been their training for having an Acolyte that hadn't done anything violent before.
"What about a date, or dates. Each one of you can pick an activity that both them and I will do while the other two guard." I offered.
There was a resounding yes from each of the girls followed by a bit of bickering about the order in which we would do them. It was eventually agreed that the order they become guards would be to order we would do their dates.
Quimaru mumbled grumpily but when Sapphire called her out by saying she knew me for all of one night and was getting a date the Zodathak shut up pretty quickly. Least the opportunity be taken away.
"Okay then Sapphire, where is your date going to be?" I asked as we rose from our table.
"I don't know yet." She replied taking the spot to my right but a little bit behind. "We need to pick up a load out for Quimaru first so she can actually be do her job, I'll decide before then."
Aria took my left as usual her right wing covering my back as Quimaru took the lead. None of the girls ever talked about their positions to each other, they just seemed to know where to go. This wouldn't be surprising if they were all a team beforehand but they'd never meet before I picked them out.
Deciding to find out more I asked to fill in the time. "How do you guys decide positions around an Acolyte?"
Aria was to one to respond. "It's a little complicated."
"I'm not going anywhere." I indicated to our direction.
"Well first you need to know the four positions. Front, back and both sides." She started.
I nodded.
"Each position has an importance rating. Whatever one is the highest must be filled if possible. An example of this is your left side." Aria indicated to herself and the fact she was holding it currently. "It's the Acolytes no-dominant side so for you your left. This position is always the highest priority when just accompanying an Acolyte and holds an importance rating of ten."
Sapphire picked it up from there. "You rear has the second highest rating of five when just walking. Usually that would mean I would be there but because of my mutation and Arias wings we are covering it without anyone being there."
That was quite a jump from ten to five but that explains why Sapphire was on my left before Aria and why they both switched almost seemlessly when they were both there.
"What they didn't mention is that your left is normally filled with your biggest guard." Quimaru threw over her shoulder. "This is to keep others away in public spaces. Arias job is to look menacing to any would be people trying to get your autograph."
That brought so many more implications.
"Yes. That leaves your front and right side." Aria brought it back to her. "Your front has a priority of four. It's important but not needed especially if you have less guards. When it was just Sapphire and myself we were both covering two sides. I had your left and behind with my wings while Sapphire had front and right with her tail. And that just leaves your no-dominant side. This one has a priority of two and if it is being covered must have a decent gap. Once you're cleared for a side arm that's the side it will be on and we don't want to be in the way should you need to draw it."
Aria indicated with her head to Sapphire who was a step behind but still close enough to reach out and touch my shoulder should the need arise.
"That explains why Aria saw the group following us yesterday." I said connecting the dots. She was technically my rear guard in a way.
"Yes." My angel said proudly.
"Does it stay that way at all times?" I asked just as we entered what I hoped was the armory.
"No. The prioritys switch if a situation changes." Sapphire answered pulling us to a wall on the far side.
Quimaru gave a nod and left to go talk to a Griffin looking woman who looked to be in charge.
"Like right now." Sapphire continued. "Now we no longer have three guards but we also have a wall. Aria will put herself between the majority of the people or any entrances so she's the first thing they see. In this situation that is priority of seven but has the same effect as if she was on your left. To make sure no one carelessly approaches you."
Just like Sapphire said Aria was between me and the entrance but her wings were retracted, she did however make it very obvious to all she was carrying a pistol on her hip.
"And using the wall I'm blocking the other two sides while making sure you don't wander." Sapphire snickered. "We don't use sides when we're still because if you turn too much it becomes too hard to figure out, so we try and evaluate the dangers in the room."
"Wouldn't this make the woman Quimaru is talking to the biggest threat though as she has guns within easy reach?" My question got a surprised reaction from my lamia. I'm guessing she didn't expect me to have thought that.
"You would be correct if Quimaru wasn't there." Aria voiced. "True there are unloaded guns back there but no ammunition. Part of Constellation rules. There's also the fact Quimaru has one of my spare lazer rifles in her storage so if something were to happen she's not completely unarmed. Therefore she is covering that side of need be."
Interesting.
"And combat? There were no sides then?" I asked very interested in how their training works, especially if they needed to just fit into a existing team almost on demand if an Acolyte picks them.
"That's more about load outs than anything." Sapphire answered. "Aria has it easy there as her position is between the bullets and you. A task she is great at I might add."
Arias wings fluttered and I could make out the back of her neck going red. That seems to be a trend with her, I might complement her more myself if it makes her blush like that.
"My position would typically be somewhere I could pick off high value targets but my mutation allows me to be your prime guard once bullets start flying." Sapphire gave Arias blush a smile before continuing. "This is mostly because of my species as well as my mutation. I can wrap you up and carry you in my tail if the need arises. Once you become more confident and can fight back yourself we will change this dynamic but for now. With our ambush yesterday we were using Ovara to cover both you and Tayatt while we stopped anything from getting close."
Sapphire let her words trail off seeming to sense what she was saying.
"Don't worry Sapphire I know I'm the weakest link. Perhaps after theory class tomorrow you can show me more guns or we could possibly find a range to practice my spells." I offered but both the girls flinched.
"No spell practice." Aria said with a growl.
"What Aria is trying to say is we won't risk draining your Mana if we don't know who attacked us last time." Sapphire intermediated.
"Fair enough." I said trying to pacify them. That wouldn't really be an option in the long run as I did need to practice somehow. Maybe I could get some of those Mana sticks Liliana had on her, that way after training I could fully restore my supply. Something to find out.
"Okay." Quimaru bounced back over to us. "Here's your rifle Aria and we just need to stop by an ammo vendor. I've already got my vouchers."
Giving Aria back her gun I almost laughed at the size difference. There was no way Quimaru would have been able to use it comfortably.
"Perfect. Thanks."
"So where does Quimaru fit in to our group in a combat scenario?" I asked.
"Runner." The bouncy Zodathak replied.
I gave her a confused look as we all proceeded to leave the armory.
"Runners are mobile gunners that typically flank while the rest apply suppressing fire." Sapphire answered my silent question. "She's also your rear guard if she can't flank but also similarly to La'lilly there could be a techy job she needs to do."
"So she's a bit of a Jack of all trades kind of fighter?" I summarized.
"Not all trades. More of a fill the gaps type of deal. The only thing we're missing really is an explosives expert." Quimaru clarified while skipping ahead of us.
Both Sapphire and Aria nodded.
"Would definitely fit but she'd need a secondary for when we can't explode everything." Aria pointed out.
Sapphires eyes lit up at something and even though she was slightly behind my sight I could feel the energy in her excitement. "I just figured out where I want to take John for our date."