<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Day 52</strong></span></div><br/>Kleris was rather relived that Lillin just wanted to collapse into bed.  Even breakfast seemed like a huge chore that he'd rather postpone for a day.  Watching her unceremoniously drop onto the bed relfected his own mood, and figured she might be dismissing him to sleep in peace.  With the invitation, though, he gracefully accepted, simply dropping his school robe to clamber onto the bed next to her and half-hug her in return.  "I wouldn't dream of it..." he murmured, though with a demon psychically tethered to his subconscious, it wasn't entirely his choice.<br/><br/>[Will 11+7 = 18 vs DC 20, FAIL]<br/>It wasn't unpleasant or disturbing, however; it was rather domestic and tame, really.  His father, not dead or in exile, finally home with mom, and he's graduated and back where he always expected to end up, running his own business.  Only now with Lillin<em>and</em>Rensha with him, together!  It didn't stretch the imagination too far, given their tastes, just a pleasant surprise to be in domestic bliss with two beautiful girls.  Somehow Elgazia's presence was felt in the background of the otherwise pleasant fantasy, showing him how good it could be to allow her in.  Something in his defenses must have cracked in that exhasted sleep, because the next week was not very restful.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The newest visitor to Redhurst was certainly more industrial than any Kleris had seen so far.  Magical ships were not unheard of, but talking golems ("warforged" he'd heard rumors of), and a prosthetic arm were more curiosities stacked on top.  He was curious about how intelligent the creature was, but wasn't about to get in the face of a heavily weaponized bodyguard.<br/><br/>As usual, Headmaster Andarlin's presence and experience were enough to head off further argument.  Apparently the bearded man was quite professionally invested in the city, as well as his relation with the school.  "Who?  Hmm..." the man's clothes and even bodyguards had a bull emblem, or rather a gorgon, which he definitely recognized from only the finest magic items in magic shops.  Even the most simple devices were high-quality and expertly made.  Ever since he'd heard that they'd be travelling to Eberron, he'd been planning on learning what he could about artifice and magic items, despite his usual focus on enchantments.  "Well, a leader of House Cannith, I'd have to say, though I'm not very good with names."<br/><br/>The excited tittering and immediate gossip of the baron quickly became incredible, as if anyone would want to live in a gold house, even given the resources.  And given his appearance, Kleris guessed the baron was no stranger to labs, steel, and adamantine.  Being dismissed by the dean, life was beginning to resume its normal hectic schedule.<br/><br/>[Arcana 15+13 = 28 vs DC 25, SUCCESS<br/>Nobility 15+4 = 19 (untrained) vs DC 20, FAIL<br/>Spellcraft 12+13 = 25 vs DC 20, SUCCESS]<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Change Starts At Home</strong></span></div><br/>Apparently Dean Doil had the same idea, to get everyone back on track and focused on school work.  It was good to know that the faculty was offering counseling services.  Learning how to stanch wounds was surprisingly universal, being a simple feat of transmutation rather than divine channeling of any positive energy.  Pricking their fingers was unpleasant, but he eventually learned to make his blood coagulate, even if the small wound was still open.  He carefully bandaged it up so it wouldn't start bleeding again later on.  That was one spell he'd have to remember in an emergency, though hopefully there wouldn't be anything so dangerous for a while.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Day 53</strong></span></div><br/>[Will 6+7 = 13 vs DC 20, FAIL]<br/>Kleris had a strange, out-of-body experience that night, at once seeing and also being the holy elven warrior, watching her, and also feeling those touches and emotions.  That damn succubus wouldn't just kill her and be done with it, but had to throw her to the monsters to be used and abused.  And while it was violent and awful, at the same time her outside male gaze was uncontrollably aroused watching her, creating a disorienting feedback loop of disgust and desire.  She was used over and over, even stretched and filled by giants, with no respite, time travelling at the speed of dreams, yet unending to the point that Kleris finally woke up, tired and confused.<br/><br/>Looking around, it was early morning, yet Zull still wasn't in bed.  He hadn't seen her for a while, and it was a bit sad to see her missing.  He felt like climbing back into bed with Rensha, but instead let her sleep, and got an early start washing and dressing for the day.  As it turned out, Rensha stayed close to Kleris anyway, either out of a similar absence of their roommate, or just in a protective reaction to the weekend's misadventure.<br/><br/>"I don't mind at all, I feel the same thing, needing to keep someone I care about close and safe.  I hope Zull's finding that wherever she is," as he took Rensha's strong arm in his own.  "Making something sounds good.  I haven't visited the workshop for a while, and this whole experience has me feeling the need to overprepare.  I could use your help in something, using my will to overcome my, well, noodly body," he chuckled.  In the shop, Kleris spread out the collection of materials he'd collected over the semester, some magical, others just valuable or strong.  Fitting a gold ring to himself, he formed a little setting.  With a small cut diamond, he fit it point down, with a large flat facet up, in which he, or anyone else for that matter, could see Keris' face looking back.  "There, in a pinch, this should help be keep my focus, even over something effecting my body!  Would you do the honors?" he smiled at Rensha, offering his left hand for her to slip the ring onto.<br/><br/>[Spellcraft 18+13 = 31 vs DC 10 Ring of the Diamond Mind]<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><strong>Day 54</strong></strong></span></div><br/>[Will 3+7 = 10 vs DC 20, FAIL]<br/>Kleris didn't hang out with Elmira or Asma often by themselves, but tonight was some intense girl-time and bonding.  With her magically altered (and enhanced) body, Kleris was feeling pretty confident and sexy, being able to compete with the others in curves as they primped and posed, capturing images of each other or themselves in the mirror.  Being in the middle of the two nude girls was pretty fun and exciting, but the lewd, manipulative things they whispered and encouraged was even more thrilling.  That night was only the beginning as she began to dress and act more flirtatiously, brushing up against boys and showing off her thighs and panties with every opportunity.  It didn't take them long at all to get an invitation to the dorms for a makeout session that quickly spiraled out of control.  Trousers started opening, and Elmira and Asma were right there encouraging Kleris to start sucking off the boys while they stripped each other.  When all the boys were surrounding Kleris with their throbbing members, the two girls then slowly pulled off all of Kleris' clothes and everyone partnered off and mounted someone.  Half the time Kleris didn't even know who was thrusting inside from behind as they all kept switching off, she only knew it felt amazing as she made a boy cum, and couldn't wait to hook another to wrap around her finger.<br/><br/>So it was confusing when he awoke with a start again, erect and achingly empty, as if something were missing.  As he dressed, he found himself automatically pulling his skirt high, and had to deliberately pull it back down to a more standard and appropriate length.  Between classes, Lillin found him and didn't even pull him aside to give him a kiss.  He blushed along with her and nodded, needing someone to embrace as well after several nights of intense dreams.<br/><br/>After classes, he hurried to Lillin's secluded room to find her ready and waiting.  Quickly striping, they were on the bed, kissing and grasping with more intense need.  Kleris was so pent up and sexually agitated, that the sweet whispers of love both surprised him and set him off prematurely, spending himself in the tiefling.  "I love you too," he whispered, looking down at her.  He really did, not only was she a good friend and lover, but loyal and kind.  When he thought they were all going to die, he was most hurt that he'd taken all of them with him.  Being "reunited" with her now felt like returning from a long absence, and he didn't want to let go.<br/><br/>He kissed her more, panting, and eagerly went about making his quick performance up to her.  Stroking and licking, he went down on her and didn't stop until she begged off or he went numb.  Taking a moment to relax and cuddle, Kleris turned to her.  "Thank you for everything.  It means a lot to me that you came with me in Bemmea, and even argued for me.  I was probably wrong doing all of that, but you stood by me and for me even then..."<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Day 55</strong></span></div><br/>[Will 10+7 = 17 vs DC 20, FAIL]<br/>Kleris was nervous for his first day at the magic academy, though also distracted by a sence of deja vu.  "Femboy?  What kind of benefits?" he asked Andrei.  Arturon was quick to show Kleris just what they were talking about, when he met them and saw the swimsuit they had for him to wear.  It was rather humiliating to change his clothes in front of them, but he couldn't deny his excitement at wearing the girl's clothes, and their own appreciation of his look was oddly flattering.  And when they got him on his knees to really see how much they liked it, he didn't object too much when they had him fellate and stroke them each to completion.  He was a little confused when they gave him some magical essences, residuum, and the like, but like they said, it was a "fair" trade?  He hadn't really agreed to such a deal, but it seemed like he had stumbled into it by default at the school.  When he thought about it, it was a little embarrassing to be a school whore; on the other hand, they might have made him do this for free, so he might as well get a reward.  He got used to being woken with a thick orc dick rubbing at his face, and going to bed only to be mounted by the slim drow; even on the Spellflag team, his "uniform" seemed more modified into a cheerleading outfit for him to encourage the players and give them release after getting pumped up from practice.<br/><br/>As he was getting his own "shower" from the team, Kleris opened his eyes again, covered in sweat and jerking up to look around.  Rensha was there, still asleep in bed, her familiar form comforting after the confusing mishmash of dream time.  He wished Zull would come back, he'd have to go find her and apologize.  He also wondered if he should see someone about his dreams.  They were coming every night now, and getting pretty intense, though he didn't know if he could admit to their contents, or even what anyone could do about them.  He tried to shake it off, and planned on avoiding much contact over the weekend; he wasn't sure if he could look Andrei or Arturon in the face right now, let alone talk to them without blushing furiously.  The ring entity, however, had its own thoughts on the matter.<br/><br/><em>Horishkhad?  Who are you?  And why are you in this ring, and how do you know my father?  Can you just explain all of this to me?</em>It wasn't interested in explaining history, however, instead guiding him to the workshop to carve a wand and focus the arcane energies of a red-veined crystal inserted into its base.  After attuning it to the wand and focusing the conjuration matricies not unlike summoning a monster, Kleris was able to create a sort of ectoplasmic shell of a multi-eyed, clawed, serpentine monster.  While focusing with the wand, it was able to be filled with a semblance of life, skittering around, up walls, its glowing scythes seeming to drip with acid.  While it didn't solve any immediate problems or questions, forcing himself to focus on creating a body for the creature to inhabit helped him keep his mind on the present, at least.<br/><br/>[Spellcraft 20+13 = 33 vs DC 10 Eternal Wand]<br/><br/>Horishkhad seemed to withdraw after instructing Kleris in creating his wand.  Curious about upgrading his school robes, Kleris goes to ask Utari if she knows anything about the martial practice of the Silver Crane, a martial art he'd read about that focused on protection, perception, and defeating supernatural evil.  Even if she didn't, she might know a magus or other martial-minded student who could give him some insight.<br/><br/>With the weekend stretching out before him as well, Kleris decided Zull had had enough space for the week, and it was time to at least see her again, if only to offer his apologies and see if she would ever move back to the dorm.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Day 56</strong></span></div><br/>[Will 10+7 = 17 vs DC 20, FAIL]<br/>It was nice to be outside, galloping across the wide open grass, without the walls and campus of Redhurst obscuring her view.  Running parallel to a forest, she suddenly heard not birdcall and insects, but cries for help!  It was Artxes, in a very precarious situation indeed.  The man-eating bugs were disturbingly large and smart enough to be boiling a cauldron, but they would be no match for a literal magic-girl.  With her new wand, she brandished it and windmilled, crying, "In the name of the sun and stars, I will defeat you!"  Obviously she melded down to two human legs, because her magical miniskirt needed to show off her tighs and boots.  With the bugmen's attention squarely on her now, she thrust her wand, breasts, and exposed thigh dramatically, expelling a blinding cacophony of color that carried them off on an arching rainbow.  Somehow Artaxes was already freed from his snare and massaging her shoulders.  He gently pushed her against the cauldron, lifting her tiny skirt as he mounted from behind, already free from his sheath and turgid.  Though in human form, Kleris still welcomed his mighty reward, taking his huge horsecock easily inside, relishing the feeling as he came and overflowed with semen, feeling like she was bulging as it dripped down her legs.<br/><br/>Again, Kleris woke up violently, reaching below his tangled blanket to feel for any pools of centaur semen.  There was some of his own, but it wasn't enough that his morning erection was at all abated, and he had to lie down and meditate to relax enough that he could then get up and dress.  Since it was a slow week before their official welcome to Sharn, Kleris decided to continue his projects with something that could protect his life in a pinch.  Unfortunately such magic was almost exclusively divine, so he went to the library to see what he might do about it.  Fortunately Utari came to him, along with Arturon.  The memory of dream-Arutron wasn't so fresh, but Kleris still hesitated a moment before smiling and congratulating him.  "That's great, Arturon.  I knew it would happen eventually; you're a great leader, they need you with the prefects.  Have a seat, I was just looking over my plans.  Actually, I could use some help; while the transmutation doesn't seem terribly difficult, getting some essence of bear and the like, the direct conjuration of positive energy is a bit foreign.  I'm not quite planning on becoming a disciple to a religion, but it's too useful to completely ignore."<br/><br/>[Spellcraft 2+13 = 15 vs DC 13 Healing Belt of Constitution +2]<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Day 57</strong></span></div><br/>[Will 12+7 = 19 vs DC 20, FAIL]<br/>During his fitful dreams, there was always something, someone present in the background, nudging, directing, encouraging, manipulating.  Now, here, she revealed herself.  Of course, she still played hard to get, even as she manipulated him, she ran, just so he would have to pursue her.  Instead of a nightmare of running quickly but never escaping a pursuing monster, now Kleris barely had to run and found himself gaining on his prize, each step forward bringing him tantalizingly closer to that ass, that hair, until they were finally together, what he'd been searching for all week, wasn't it?  But even catching her, she eluded his grasp, now possessed by another.  She wanted to be with Kleris, truely, but some creature held her away; he had to come to her and rescue her and take her for himself to become truly one.  Even as she orgasmed from her rape, her sweet burning eyes promised even greater pleasures between them as soon as Kleris obeyed.<br/><br/>The shock of waking up never became routine, and he had to cover his mouth to stop what seemed to be a moan or cry of regret.  The dream had been so fragmented and unclear, but the feelings, desire, and directive remained strong:  Elgazia was his soul-mate, the source of pleasure and love, and he had to find her and bring her home.  The thoughts seemed so natural and ingrained, they had to be his own beliefs, right?  They seemed to have come from nowhere, unlike the relationships he'd nurtured and developed at school, but were just as intense and compelling.  Even if he didn't think pursuing Elgazia was the wisest idea, his curiosity at least would not let go, and had to know where she was, and what imprisoned her.<br/><br/>He also had another project to complete before the term started, a more standard ring of protection.  He had Rensha's help before, but now went to Professor Murrin, who would know all about protecting oneself from the myriad of hazards in a dungeon.  "I could always conjure some armor or a shield, but something to deflect errant rays and things would be another basic precaution I think.  Best to layer up, like winter right?  I figured I'd build the magic into this arcane focus, since it never leaves me anyway."  Using his father's ring, he'd be sure to always have the protection on him.<br/><br/>[Spellcraft 4+13 = 17 vs DC 10 Ring of Protection +1]<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Library Stakeout</strong></span></div><br/>While busy, Kleris was quite predictably in the workshop or library this week, and looked up to see Filomena looking meaningfully at him.  Both her status and cryptic hint let him know that she wouldn't take no for an answer.  Apparently the internal problems of Redhurst continued, which only eliminated Arisad and Bemmea as primary suspects.  Was it good that such powerful antagonists were not behind it?  It still left a huge unknown with what they<em>were</em>dealing with.  "Well if they're looking for evocations of that power, they don't seem like they'll destroy the school.  But it's certainly troubling enough that they shouldn't get away with it."  Following her lead, Kleris alternatively guards the stacks and patrols around,<em>detecting thoughts</em>to widen his senses, and make sure nobody sneaked by him.  Unfortunately, the shelves were thick with books and tended to block his detection, and when he returned to the particular stack, the tome was distinctly missing.<br/><br/>"I don't know!  I was detecting for anything to pass by, and nothing did!  Can we divine the book itself, track it with<em>locate object</em>or something?  Could you commandeer a scroll?"<br/><br/>[Perception 4+7+4<em>detect thoughts</em>= 15 vs DC 20, FAIL]