Tale of the Outcast Warrior: House shopping and decking the halls.

Yoko was sitting in her seat rubbing a brush through her raccoon tail when they walked up. She smiled as she saw them.

"That took longer then usual. Who got bagged this time?"

"Sera here beat the piss outta him bare handed."

The raccoon girl looked and smiled at the small girl.

"I see YOU'VE been learning well."

Sera giggled as Tyler set the idiot in the shackles. The vertical slab rotated and Yoko got the confirmation.

"Your total today is 150 gold, Sera."

She took the money and Tyler added it to the pouch. They said bye to Yoko before heading back to the guild. There they walked up to Verilica's booth. The imp smiling as she saw them.

"Miss me that much?"

"Yes, but we got some jobs to claim here."

Sera passed the bills in and Verilica nodded as she looked at them.

"Okay. I've seen the prove of them. I am curious why you subjected yourselves to the trolls though."

Tyler ruefully rubbed his lengthening hair.

"We needed practice killing different creatures."

The sexy imp laughed.

"Fair I guess. Plus the white license was too tempting right?"

"Like your lips?"

HE leaned in through a space in the bars to steal a quick kiss from the surprised imp. Sera sighed as she tapped her foot.

"Ya done?"

Tyler patted her head affectionately.

"Just for you."

Verilica smiled as she stamped the bills as complete.

"Okay, your total is 1 gold coin, 55 silver. Plus the White Spell Holy fragrance. Cost 3 mana, and makes the target smell like the scent the caster loves most on them. It's a most romantic spell usually reserved for dates."

Tyler and Sera looked at each other.

"Kaori?"

"Kaori."

He took the reward and they left the hall to rejoin their crew. They walked in to see the whole party at the table with Melly pouring drinks. Tyler and Sera hugged her as they sat down. Kaori smiled as Tyler kissed her.

"Hey. Close your eyes and hold out your hands."

She blinked, and the party became very attentive as she complied. Tyler placed the Scent license and the second front door key to the house in her hands. She looked and smiled sweetly.

"A beauty spell and the house key?"

He took her hand.

"When the time comes for the OTHER thing, well."

She was shaking as he said this as Malico nudged Lily.

"He's gonna get multiple."

Tyler and Kaori kissed again before he looked at Malico.

"Well I already got ONE, so kinda have to."

She jumped in surprise, before smiling widely as Kaori kissed the busty cat. Tyler smiled then.

"Wanna go check it out?"

The party ate their meal and paid before heading to their new mansion. It was a red brick construct that soared three full storied above them with a tower that was another two. The front door was a massive double door ensemble with a magically sealed door lock. The front of the building had small windows that had an enchantment to prevent others from being able to see inside, and was in the same cottage style of the other buildings in Raylik. Tyler and Kaori took the key in their hands to open it together. They put the key in the lock, turned it and pushed it open. There was a small tunnel-like walkway as they went through the gate like door. Thing shut without a sound and they got a good look at the interior. Directly in front of them was a large open area with a living area to the left facing the street, a parlor to the right, and a wide area leading towards a massive spiral staircase that went right to the tower. Tyler and kaori held hands as the party scattered to look around, leaving the couple to explore on their own. They walked along the hall, loving the enclosed outdoor area that was like a mini courtyard with a roof. They passed the kitchens, more living areas, one of the bath houses, and moved to another spiral stair case. They walked up kissing every few minutes as they went. The second floor was bedrooms and sitting areas with a library with the balcony. Tyler and Kaori were more lost in their own world as they entered the third floor. This one having more bedrooms and sitting areas. Tyler smiled as they found a large study with wall space for the map.

"I'll claim this one for my office."

Kaori kissed him as they looked around. The room had plenty of space for all Tyler would need when planning a journey. They moved on with the exploration. The next room they found was the master bedroom and they smiled as they saw it. It had a window looking out at the city with balcony access, room for an absolutely massive bed, a fifteen foot walk in closet for Kaori, a spot for a vanity for her, a weapons and armor stand for him, plus room for two smaller beds for the spirits if they wanted them.

"Even if we both know they'll just crawl into ours, right Kaori?"

She kissed him as Sallie and Sylvia smiled knowingly. They walked around before heading up to the tower. The thing rose another two stories above the mansion with a parlor with a small wraparound balcony with a five foot railing.

"We'll need to be careful with this thing."

Tyler smiled.

"Yup. Wanna get to work?"

Kaori smiled as she pulled the catalog crystal out.

"Let's go to the bedroom first."

They headed down to the large room and found Lily poking around inside. The elven girl laughed as she saw them.

"I see you've got your room."

He hugged her.

"You find a good spot for your smithy?"

"Yup. It'll be near the left hand side in the corner of the wall. Out of the way and the smoke will be blocked from the rest of the mansion. I got to say, my to-be husband has great taste."

Tyler smiled as Kaori looked at beds in the crystal.

"Happy to please you Lily."

She shivered.

"Damn you."

Tyler walked over as Lily went to go find Malico for a quick lay. HE hugged Kaori from behind and kissed her neck.

"We have our own house, Kaori."

She was glowing from pride.

"Now we just need to make it a home."

He looked as she flipped though the magical imagery.

"Hey. What's that?"

She flipped back to a four poster bed with full canopy and curtains for privacy. She hit the feature to project the item into the room. It effectively split the room down the middle, and had enough space for 7 people. In style it had a large head board that could be emblazoned with a image, same with the foot board. The posts were made of a blue steel and the mattress of thick enchanted filling. Kaori smiled.

"I like this one. Good eye. It costs 10 gold."

"Okay. Set the order."

She hit the feature that would add the item to a cart for Seline's city. They'd have to deliver payment in person before they could get the items, but since it was Tyler they didn't really care. The image of the bed was then fixed in placed for where they wanted it as a reference for the movers. Kaori picked out a vanity boutique for her corner, a rack for her katana and bow, a dresser for her lighter clothes, and a small nightstand for ease of reach for those days when the didn't want to get out of bed. The cost was 1 gold 25 silver. Tyler took the crystal and got racks for Gliepnir, Fafnir, Oblivion, Oathkeeper, and his bow Senkestu. He got himself a open up closet like Lymir had, with pins for his mail and drawers for his clothes. He then got a nightstand as well. He and Kaori then looked to the spirits who picked out their own beds, vanities, and dressers before Tyler looked for a small desk for him to count coin, look at bills, and other household things before bed. HE set it next the Sallie's bed looking out the large window so he could see the town as he worked. Total for the room? 15 gold, 75 silver. The pair then went back to the office he'd picked out, and he took the thing. He put a large desk with drawers for references and information for a journey, bookcases for the same purpose, a board for their map, and a comfortable high backed chair. This room costing 2 gold 59 sliver. They headed out to the kitchen now. There they found Sera looking at the open space as if picturing how it would look when done. Tyler hugged her as she looked at a spot for the stove.

"Find your room, Sera?"

She smiled.

"Yup! I'm near Lily's room!"

"We'll set you up once the kitchens and baths are set."

Kaori flipped her pony tail.

"Stables too."

"Of course."

Tyler let Sera help as they picked out a large oven that connected directly into the chimney, of which there were five, a enchanted box that kept meat cold, a center island for food prep, cabinets for spices and preserved foods, and hanging racks for birds. The other kitchen got the same treatment and in total it cost 15 gold. They moved to the baths and were amazed to find a large open pool like the ones they'd used previously. Kaori handled this one and got a sign for the two rooms. One for the men and the other the ladies. She got soaps, shampoos, lockers for bath gear, and a few stools. All told? 2 gold. Kaori led the way to the stables now. She got the best quality hay, feed, brushes, and other such gear associated with caring for horses. She smiled once she was finished.

"And THAT'S what a stable should have."

All told? 20 gold. Tyler just patted her back, well aware Kaori did NOT compromise on horse care. And to be honest? He didn't either. Sera led them to her room next, and they smiled as they saw she's claimed a corner room with two windows looking out at the town with a balcony entrance. One window looked out over the town towards to spear, the other towards the gate leading out of the city. Sera took the crystal and got herself a cute canopy bed with curtain she placed in the corner, a vanity she placed near a window so that all she had to do was turn her head, a rack for her weapons and armor, a wardrobe like Tyler had, cushions galore, and a desk with papers and writing materials. Tyler rubbed her hair affectionately as she passed it back. Total? 13 gold. They went o Lily's next, her room sharing a door with Sera's. She had a window looking out at the wall gate and some of the forest in the city wall, and the room itself was of a decent size. Lily picked out a truckle bed with racks for her tools, sword and shield, bow, plus a few extra for any weapons she made or liked. She got herself a desk as well, for her designs. All told? 10 gold even. Tyler and Kaori moved on and found Wulf had picked a room near the part of the mansion the sun would hit first each morning with a sky light, balcony access, and a window looking at the woodland. The ranger picked out a simple bed and racks for his gear plus a mat for his morning rites, and that was it. 5 gold for him. They moved on to next find Thistle. The blood elf having taken a rather out of the way room near the back of the mansion with balcony access, plenty of floor space, and a window looking towards the river that ran through the garden. The sexy blood dancer choosing a wide truckle for herself, with a plaque for Limbsplitter, a rack for her current axe, weights for workouts, and a long lounge chair near the window. Her total was 12 gold. She was happy as they moved on. The next one they found was Lucy the barbarian. She had claimed a room with ten foot ceilings and the largest space besides the master to accommodate her frame. She was smiling as she picked out a massive bed with mounts for her sword and axe. Her room looking out at garden without balcony access for once. She got racks for trophy weapons and armor and a chair for her. The styles all barbarian in nature, as the bed and chair were bone with then racks as well. Her total 12 gold. Kaori was smiling as they left.

"This is fun too."

Tyler kissed his love.

"It is. And we're not even halfway yet."

They came across Malico's room now. The sexy cat having claimed the room near their master. She smiled as she got her turn with the crystal. Her room had two windows looking out at the streets with access to the wraparound balcony. The catgirl picked out a three person bed and set it against the wall with a vanity in a corner, small mounts for her daggers, a wardrobe for her clothes, and a long couch she could stretch out on. Tyler kissed her before moving on. Malico spending 13 gold on her room. Serafina was the next to be found, and Tyler smiled as he saw her room. Hers was by the stairwell to the tower, had a skylight, two windows facing the street, and was rather bright.

"I'd have thought a Wraith would prefer the basement."

The beautiful cloaked lady sighed.

"Idiot."

She picked out a canopied bed with a thick curtain, small desk facing the wall between the two windows, a vanity in the corner OUT of sight of the windows, a thick padded recliner facing the window, and a bookcase. Her total was 15 gold. They found Vixen next, and smiled as they saw her room was near the garden. Her selections were a large poster bed with a mannequin for her robe, a wardrobe for her other clothes, a desk near the window, a vanity in the corner looking out the window, mounts for her axes, and a small vault for her licenses. Her total 19 gold. Ashy was encountered next, and the dirty blonde was smiling hard as she showed her room near the street. It had three windows. Two looking at the town, one down the street. She picked out a small bed for two, a desk with writing materials near the window, a wide couch for two she'd use when watching her crystal, a vanity surprisingly, mounts for her bow and mail, and a wardrobe. Her total was 15 gold. Last they found Lillica near Serafina's room. The princess smiled as she picked out a large bed with canopy and curtain, a vanity near her single window, a front open wardrobe, mounts for her weapons and armor, a desk for writing, and a large chair. Her total being 12 gold. The total thus far? 179 gold, 34 silver. Tyler then collected Lily and she led him to her smithy spot. It was a tucked into a corner of the grounds out of smoking distance and spark distance. She got herself a forge for herself, with better tools, racks for gear, and benches for finished products. Her total? 25 gold. Tyler patted her as she passed the crystal back.

"Well, Lily. You got your own smithy now."

She hugged him tightly.

"Thanks."

"Love you too."

Tyler and lily then walked to the main dining hall and found Kaori looking at the space. She smiled as he passed her the crystal.

"Looking to make it home?"

She kissed him as Lily wandered off to do something. They picked out a grand table with room for them all plus others, a mantled fireplace hooked to the chimney, and racks for weapons. Kaori smiled.

"We can always had decorations later."

"Right? We'll go to the gardens next and see what we can do with it."

The dining room cost 12 gold. Then they walked hand in hand to the large garden with the river flowing through it. Tyler smiled as Kaori placed a small bridge over the flowing water, and a gazebo in the center with an enchantment to keep the bugs out. Next she picked out a small patio set for the party to relax outside. Grand total? 30 gold. They walked back inside to see the party gathered in the small central yard. Tyler walked over.

"What's up?"

Wulf just smiled.

"Just wondering what else we need."

Tyler crossed his arms.

"Plan was to set up one of the large sitting rooms for the crystals, maybe get the cellar ready for drinks or something."

Vixen smiled.

"We can add a brew station for Malico. She says she's pretty good at it."

That got the busty cat a warm kiss, making her purr. Serafina perked up next.

"I can do decent poison."

Tyler smiled at her.

"Want one too?"

She blushed a deep purple and threw her hood up in embarrassment.

"Not in front of others please!"

"Sure. Kinda cute to see a bashful Wraith."

"Eep!"

"Cute."

"She is."

"Very."

"Another decent Yoda."

They smiled as Wulf tilted his head.

"Didn't we have a job to kill Kobolds?"

Tyler blinked.

"Oh shit we did."

The party burst out laughing as Tyler looked at the darkening sky.

"How far is it?"

"Maybe an hour's ride?"

Tyler sighed.

"Serafina, Wulf, and I will kill em."

The party smiled. Lily looked at him.

"I'll go as well."

"Lily too. Go ready the horses as I go pay the fox."

The group laughed as Tyler took the crystal to the spear as the raiders headed to the stables. The rest of the party would go keep Mia open until they got back. Tyler walked into the spear and walked to the counter where the lady sat. She smiled as he placed the crystal on the desk.

"Looking to furnish your home?"

"Yup. Is that something I need to do with Seline?"

"She'd prefer it if you did the transaction in person."

"Of course she does."

Tyler rode the lift up and found Seline waiting for him in her blue gown. She smiled as he stepped out.

"Work I take it?"

"We missed a den of kobolds on our way in. So, we're heading out to kill em. Once we get back, well."

HE smiled.

"Keep the door unlocked."

The sexy fox licked her lips.

"I live up here."

"Of course you do. Now. The mansion."

She took the crystal.

"I'll have the furniture in place by morning. Coin?"

HE gave her 180 gold.

"Fractions suck."

She smiled as she placed the coins in her town pouch. Then she squeaked as he kissed her softly.

"I'll be BACK for you."

HE left her quivering as he rode the lift back down. The lady was a little surprised.

"That quick?"

"Got a raid to go on first."

"Ah."

She laughed as he waved to Yoko in her booth as he went. He found Wulf, Serafina and Lily with the horses. Lily astride Thunder as she was still too small for a horse. He climbed up behind her and they headed for the gate, Tyler holding lily around her small waist just to make her smile.

"Spoiling. I like it."

HE smiled.

"I'm imposing upon Seline tonight, Lily. So, go cuddle Kaori for me."

The elven girl licked her lips.

"I think I will."

Wulf took the lead, pointedly ignoring the conversation. They left the gate and thundered along towards the spot as Kaori had given the all clear for a full gallop. Tyler was smiling as he held the giggling Lily against him, loving the girl's joy.

"Up ahead we'll pull off the trail."

They rode to where the ranger pointed and they stashed the horses in some bushes as they went to the den. The party found the burrow easily enough, and Tyler drew his twin short swords and Wulf his own blade. Serafina her daggers, Lily her sword and shield. They walked in and heard the rat squeals nearly immediately. Since they had night sight, the creatures were as easy to see in their cave as in bright daylight in a field. In height they were the same size as Sera, so 4 and a half feet tall, and were merely rats that walked like people. Tyler smiled as they charged the things.

"Let's build a better rat trap!"

The fight took less time then it took to walk to the burrow. As the creatures were weak to the point of helplessness, and stupid to the point of idiocy. Fifteen minutes later they were looting.

"Lily, prospect."

She smiled as they looted the creatures. They walked away from the fight 25 silver richer. Then Tyler used his own detection skills to search the cave. HE smiled when he did.

"Got a hollow feeling behind that slab there. Lily?"

"Got a few decent veins of iron, tin, one really big copper, even some coal."

Tyler looked at her.

"Steel?"

She smiled.

"Yup. I can make some really good stuff from steel. I haven't finished looking yet."

"I'll get the ore before we open the hole."

Tyler used his pickaxe to extract the ore as Lily went around the tunnel.

"Wow. Found more copper, tin, a rather thick bit of iron, zinc, some more nickel, and some Watercite."

"Zinc valuable?"

"Not really. More used for alloys. Airships use it for something. If I recall right, they use it for their balloons. Not sure how though."

Tyler shrugged.

"Coin's coin in the end. Can you use the Watercite?"

"Not yet. I'd need some lessons from Tolic on just HOW to smelt it and work it before I can use it. Right now I can do decent steel work, but that's about it."

"Steel's good enough Lily."

She smiled as he dug the metal out. Once they were done with the chamber, Tyler walked to the ore.

"We ready to open the door?"

Wulf had his bow up.

"Throw it wide."

Tyler tore the slab aside to show another tomb. He smiled.

"Nice. Another payday."

They stepped inside and Wulf looked at the runes on the walls.

"Wow. We have a Elven ruler this time."

"Nifty."

They took their positions, Tyler by the lid, Serafina the side with a clean view, Wulf with at the foot, and Lily the side.

"Ready?"

"Wake em up!"

Tyler tore the lid aside and jumped back to avoid the first shot. Serafina got a good look.

"Lesser draugr! Cut the head off!"

"Pff. Weak."

Tyler waited as the thing sat up and nodded to Lily. She smiled as she swung her Mythril blade and severed the head completely. It rattled a little before just flopping back down. They looted the coffin as Lily used prospect on the walls.

"Holy hell."

Tyler looked at her shocked voice.

"Watchya got?"

"We got a three foot thick vein of pure platinum."

Tyler blinked.

"In my world Platinum was more valued then gold. Is that true here?"

Lily smiled.

"It is. Platinum is sold to banks for offerings to the goddesses and gods of the scale. Minus herself is said to be most fond of the metal for some reason. Plus, they use it to make scales for the exchange. A vein this thick is rare."

Tyler went over and dug it out as Lily kept looking around.

"Coffin's clean."

"Anything decent?"

"Well, we're 75 gold richer, we got another sapphire, and found a pink Magicite bow."

"Magicite comes in colors?"

"It does. Like Watercite. Or Embercite. This one is called Pearlcite."

Tyler looked over. The bow was too small for Lillica, and was a pretty pink hue like a rose.

"Sucks it's too small for Lillica."

Wulf smiled.

"Plus that bow she's getting made is stronger and better."

"Wanna just sell it?"

"Might be the best idea."

Lily spoke up now.

"I've got a small vein of silver over here."

Tyler had dug out the platinum and walked over.

"Wow, Lily. I'd say the ore we got is nearly worth more an the creature. Excuse me."

HE dug it out as Wulf nodded.

"The platinum alone will fetch maybe 30 gold at the bank. Plus the copper, and silver? We've made more from the ore then the raid itself."

Tyler smiled.

"Not a bad way to make money really. Least the ore won't try to…..nah I shouldn't say it."

Wulf laughed.

"Indeed. Never a good idea to tempt fate."

"Lily's looking at me. Fate's tempted already."

She smiled as he took the foot long ore out of the wall.

"Love you too. That was it for the ore in here. Not bad really."

They left the tomb and prospected the way out.

"Got more tin, zinc, and wow, coal."

"I got some iron, a noddle of copper, more nickel, annnnd wow. Lead."

Lily smiled.

"Lead's sold to the exchange. It's not really worth much though."

"A few coppers is never a bad thing."

They dug the ore out before keeping moving.

"Wow. Found a rather large vein of iron this time."

"Nice Lily. Got some redsteel here."

The left the cave after strip mining the place. They mounted up and rode out to return to town. They made great time back and Lily went to go get under Kaori as Wulf and Serafina went to the tavern. Tyler walked into the spear to see Seline. HE rode the secret lift up and found her sitting on the couch staring at the lift longingly. He steps out and she was smiling.

"I've been waiting for you!"

They hurried to her bedroom where she had indeed replaced the bed. They stripped and she laid back as she welcomed the man into her folds. Sallie and Sylvia were in spirit form as they watched him lay Seline till she couldn't handle anymore. Then they laid in the bed as she panted from the sex.

"Oh my gods. You are my favorite man."

HE kissed her warmly and lovingly.

"Vulpix is my second favorite fox."

Seline flicked him with her tails.

"Behind Vixen?"

"Yup."

That got a smile.

"Love you too. How was you raid?"

"Boring really. We found a tomb with a lesser draugr in it, but all it needed was a mere beheading."

Sallie and Sylvia climbed up to snuggle into Seline's thick fox fur tails. She smiled and wrapped then up nice and warmly.

"How much did you walk away with?"

"Maybe 75 gold?"

He rolled onto his back and she rested her head on his scarred chest with the spirits between them.

"That's not too bad. The actual target?"

"Kobolds. A mere 25 silver."

"How much is the bill worth?"

"25 silver."

She smiled at the sight of the two small spirits cuddling her tails.

"That sounds about right for a kobold den actually. Why'd you take it? Those kinds of creatures are usually for rookies."

"never killed a kobold before. So, wanted to try it. We needed more practice with different creatures."

She smiled.

"Wanna take a bath? I heard you killed a troll and ogre camp."

"Only if YOU join me."

"Oh HELL yeah!"

The spirits grumbled a little as Seline and Tyler dragged them to the tub. Whereas it had been a five person affair, now it was a ten that was five feet deep. They got in and he groaned as he felt the soothing waters soak his travel worn body. Seline was right there with him as she rested her head on his shoulder.

" Was there anything else in the cave?"

"Some ore veins. Lily prospected the tomb and we walked away with a platinum vein and a silver vein as well."

She smiled as Sallie and Sylvia cuddled her wet tail in the bath.

"You girls love my tails a lot."

Tyler smiled.

"Show em girls!"

The two girls stood up on their benches and used their fox mimic power to let their own tails be seen. Seline gasped as Sallie and Sylvia grew tails and ears.

"Awww, they look so cute!"

"Vulpix hooked them up."

Seline petted the girls fur.

"Wow, girls. Your tails are better then mine."

They giggled. Then the sexy fox lady laid back.

"You said platinum right?"

"Yeah. Lily said it's rare stuff."

"Sell it to the bank tomorrow."

"We will. We also got like five more copper veins, some zinc, Watercite, coal, iron, tin, and some lead."

"Wow. The ore alone was what made the trip worth it. How long are you in town for?"

"We'll say two days. So, tonight, tomorrow night, and the next night. Then we head for Term."

Seline sighed.

"Then the wave comes and goes. The staging ground will move, and you'll have to follow it."

HE kissed her hard.

"we have a house in the city, Seline. We'll be back sooner or later."

She kissed him right back.

"Will you visit before you go?"

"Of course. Once the first waves ends, we'll come here to relax before we head out to Valsask."

She looked at him now.

"Why there?"

"The miners found something in the mines they need our help with."

"Ah. Then where are you headed?"

"Cragspire. Sylvia's parents deserve to hug their girl again."

Seline smiled fondly.

"That they do."

They cleaned up before returning to bed. They climbed under the covers with Sylvia and Sallie between them. The two girls happily nestled in Seline's warm fox tails.

"Good night girls. I love you."

They smiled as he kissed Seline.

"Good night Seline. Love you too."

"I love you too, Tyler."