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Virtually Real Part 1: What Was I thinking?

*Again a warning that this section does have scenes with two cubs, in a completely simulated world, involved in sexual acts involving an adult. Several times I've tried to edit these scenes out, however they are integral to the growth of the main character and cannot be removed.*

** Editing note I've had to redact the scenes mentioned above*

Even though it was still early the sun was shining down on the auction grounds. The bidding bleachers were shaded but it didn't make them comfortable by any means.

When I'd arrived I was forced to wait for a couple of hours before being escorted through the stockyard, along with nine other first time slave buyers. We were given a rundown on how things worked. Each cage held a single slave. Firmly attached to the outside, were ten registration cards giving the slave's species, age, seller, and reason for sale. Bidding on a slave required having one of those ten registration cards.

I was disappointed to see that nearly all the cards had already been taken. I'd planned on getting an exotic as a sex slave, but it quickly became obvious that wasn't going to happen this time. Not only were no exotics available, but cubs were the only slaves left. None of them looked to be in good condition and I had no inclination toward raising a cub.

No, what I wanted was a fully functional male. To be precise I was looking for a dragon with their internal testicles and a nice tight genital slit ripe for docking. However, since it was rare to find dragons I figured a kangaroo would be nearly as enjoyable. I'd have even been happy with a wolf or dog with a nice sheath but as we moved deeper into the yard it became painfully obvious that all the adult slaves' cards were already claimed.

As we were shown the leftovers I noticed a rather small rabbit with a single card left. I really don't know what came over me, but something about his look of a complete lack of hope left me feeling sorry for the kit. I quickly grabbed the remaining card earning a nasty growl from a pit bull that had also been eyeing up the bunny. Seeing the glazed look in his eye and the copious amount of drool streaming from his jowls I suddenly realized what the other nine bidders likely had in mind for the bunny, and the reason for his hopelessness. No sapient being deserved to be sold as food.

Taking more interest in the cubs the next to catch my eye was a malnourished and beaten fox kit. A single bidding card had been torn off but it had been dropped on the ground in front of the cage. I picked it up, and discovered the City Guard was selling him as a thief. I asked our guide what happened to unsold stock and was informed they were returned to their former owners. I pointed out the fox's information and was told if no one bid on criminals they would be executed the next day in the town square.

I took the card that had been ripped off and noticed that the Pit Bull ripped one off as well. It was a good thing I had budgeted for a trained exotic because it seemed I might be in for a bidding war. Though I noticed he had multiple cards in his clenched fist. I didn't have a clue what I'd do with a pair of cubs, but I wasn't going to let anyone else have them.

I was surprised to see that the fox was the first slave brought out on stage. That was a bad omen since it meant the Pitt had all of his coin to fight me, not that I was overly concerned.

I opened the bidding with two silvers and fifty coppers and the pit bull countered with five silvers. I upped my bid to ten silvers and he curled his lip and glared at me before raising his bid to twelve silvers. I smiled at him and hit back with twenty silvers. The crowd gasped I guess no criminal was worth that price. The pit bull was foaming at the mouth but he didn't raise his bid.

As I looked back at the stage I noticed that the fox had fallen to his knees and was whimpering. He was carried from the stage presumably back to his cage to wait until I'd finished.

As cub after cub passed by, I noticed that most were sold in the ten to fifteen silver range. A couple that looked to be strong and healthy went for as much as forty. The highest priced cub was a female white wolf that went for fifty silver seventy-five coppers. The buyer was also a young wolf so I had a good idea he was using his life savings to start a pack.

At last the bunny was dragged onstage. I had no doubt he knew what fate likely awaited him. This time I held off bidding until there were only two other bidders one was a lynx and the other a female wolf.

The bunny was already up to sixty silvers and I could tell they both had the same reason for bidding. I stunned them both by suddenly bidding one gold. What I hadn't expected was for them to nod to each other before the lynx upped the bid to one gold twenty silvers.

I smiled, nodded to both of them, and upped my bid to two gold. I was just daring them to raise their bid since the record price for any slave stood at ten gold and I not only had twenty gold, but I was willing to part with it to keep that cub off their dinner table.

Instead of raising their bid they started yelling at the auctioneer and fighting with each other. I made a hasty retreat to the payment and retrieval area. The Guild Master, a heavyset and overly well-dressed rat, who checked to be sure that the auction cards were legitimate, met me. He was also there to accept my gold. I placed three gold coins on the counter. The Master immediately apologized telling me I'd have to wait since they couldn't make change so early in the day.

I asked him if it would be possible for him to write me a receipt stating that the guild was holding eighty silvers in trust to be placed against my next purchase.

Needless to say he was very accommodating; even elevating my buyer status several levels. From this point on I'd receive a letter the day before every auction listing all the slaves as well as an earlier viewing in the selection process. I thanked him and shook his paw palming a fourth gold to him so that he truly understood how appreciative I really was.

After he had scurried away the attendant made out my credit receipt, turned over the keys to the slave's collars, and left me with a guard as he retrieved my purchase. The two cubs were then brought out. Their chains and shackles were removed and the leads to their collars were placed in my hand.

Just before we stepped out I told the cubs that we needed to move quickly seeing as I'd upset the other bidders. Even though they looked the worse for wear they kept up with my brisk pace until we exited the city. Once on the road I slowed to a walk but I noticed both cubs were struggling. I'd planned on using the walk to learn a bit about my new slave but that was already a thing of the past and what my new cubs needed most was food and rest. I started watching the side of the road for a couple of fist sized stones and told the cubs to do the same. They had an easier time of it having smaller fists.

Once we all had our stones I made sure there was no one else around. I smashed my stones together and then slowly pulled them apart. Blue lightning stretched between the stones as I placed them on the ground at the side of the road and a portal formed before us. Next I had the rabbit hit his stones together and place them on the ground next to mine. Once finished I pushed him through. The fox needed no prompting and was through the portal an instant after placing his stones. I stepped through behind him and the portal instantly collapsed.

I welcomed the pair to their new home, fed them, removed their collars, and told them to get a few hours of sleep while I prepared a better reception for them.

***

I watched as the kits slept. I still wasn't sure why I felt the need to rescue them, nor did I know what I was going to do now that I had them. However I did know that my designated responsibility as a slave holder required only three things: first the slave had to be collared at all times, second I couldn't let a slave escape, and third I couldn't free a slave until I had owned him for a minimum of ten years.

Of course I'd already broken the first rule when I removed the heavy iron collars before putting them down for a nap. I quietly slipped up to the bed and slipped their new collars into place. The black with random white stripe smart fabric tightened around their necks and then loosened to the perfect size to look more like a fashion statement than a slave collar. While it looked easily removable if they tried it would shrink up again until they stopped.

I frowned at the tags. The small metal disks were blank on one side and on the other was my registered owner number and address. I'd wanted to have more information to customize the tags, but I could easily replace them later.

However, their clothes had to go. Everything was filthy, the fox's couldn't really be classified as rags and the bunny's were only marginally better. I pulled out the scissors I'd brought for just this task and started with the rabbit's tunic. As I removed it I had to clip away a bit of fur where they were stuck together. Next I removed his trousers and was happy to find that it was a much cleaner job than the top had been.

*Scene redacted, for full copy of chapter personal message me*

"If we're the only ones here then who made the food when we arrived?"

"Silly fox, Daddy made it with his magic."

"I want you to know that I don't have any magical powers. The portal that we used as well as everything around us comes from House, or more appropriately this world. You're going to see, learn about, and use things from the different worlds, times, and realities that this place can access. Now, before we officially start the tour how about we introduce ourselves.

My name is Prowl-Ar and I'm now your master but if you prefer I don't mind if you call me Daddy. While I will be giving you rules to follow they will primarily be for your safety. I won't be giving you any unreasonable orders, so I expect you to obey the orders I do give you. I will provide punishments, but again they will not be unreasonable.

Now I'm not sure if you are aware of the rules placed on me so I'm going to tell them to you. You must be collared at all times. Any known slave found without a collar is considered an escapee and is executed. Furthermore his owner is stripped of all his possessions and is sold into slavery. No slave is allowed to escape. If you are caught alone with your collar on you will be questioned and then returned to me. If my account of your actions doesn't match you'll be considered an escapee and executed. I'll have to pay a fine and give up all my other slaves, but I won't be turned into a slave. Finally a slave can only be freed by his master after serving the same master for a minimum of ten years."

"But if we can't leave the castle how could we ever escape?"

"I don't plan to isolate you here. Eventually you'll have enough training to act as my personal guards. Then I'll take you into town with me for protection."

"You would trust us with weapons!"

"Why not? I trusted you not to bite a very sensitive part of myself earlier. Now tell me a little about yourselves. Things like your name and your actual age, rather than what was written on your sales card, and maybe what you would have liked to do or be if you hadn't been sold as a slave."

"My name is Conner and I'm twelve years old. I- I didn't really think about the future much. It was hard enough just getting through every day. I don't remember my real father but Mom always said that he was good at using his paws. We had a small table and a few other things that he made. It- it's gone now, anyway there was an accident and he died."

As Conner talked we walked along the lane finally sitting on the ledge of the fountain just in front of the main doors.

"A couple of months ago a Wolf from the City Guard started seeing Mom nearly every day. Mom was really happy even telling me that I was going to have a new Stepfather. Then one day he came home without Mom. He- he told me that he sold her as a slave and that now I was twelve he was going to sell me since the only good fox was a slave fox. I only got away because I had a secret trail across the rooftops. I- I didn't want to steal anything but after a couple of days trying to live on what others had thrown away I was so hungry I didn't have a choice. I- I kept a hidden list of everything I took and how much it cost. I promised that somehow one day I'd pay it back."

I pulled him into a hug as he started crying

"It's alright. Tomorrow we'll go back into town and you can pay for what you took."

"But my list will be gone by now."

I picked up a box that had appeared on the ledge beside me. It was a light brown wood with an inlay of dark brown vines and green leaves with two red feral foxes on the lid.

"That's . . . How . . ."

"I told you, House has magical powers. I'm betting the table is hidden somewhere inside as well. Now, is your list still in there?"

He opened the box and pulled out a scrap of paper with charcoal scribbles on it. I couldn't understand it but he seemed to know what he had "written".

"What are these? I didn't put them in here; just my list."

I took out the two papers and turned them over and Conner gasped.

"That's Mom and me last year how is this magic possible?"

"They're pictures and this second one with the two adults and tiny kit is your Mom and Dad with you as a baby. As for how it is possible, I don't know. This isn't the first time House has made changes and brought things here, but this is the first time it has created an object that couldn't exist- unless . . . Let me see these pictures."

As I looked closely I was able to find slight anomalies. That proved my supposition was correct.

"The pictures are from another reality. One more advanced than the one you come from. If you look really closely you'll see little differences. In that reality you and your Mom might still be together, even your Dad might still be alive. House wanted to give you something so that you could always remember your parents and since pictures don't exist in your world it searched until it found a version of you where they do exist."

"So somewhere there are other versions of all of us that have a better life?"

"Yes, but there are just as many versions that have a worse life or no life and many, many more worlds where we never existed at all. Before you get the idea about visiting yourselves House will not allow any of us to enter a world where we already exist. It also won't allow us to go back to an earlier time period of a world we've already visited."

"Your turn." I said turning to the bunny.

"My name is Bitterleaf, but everybody called me Little Bit or just Bit. I'm-"

He looked around as if he was afraid someone or something was going to attack him.

"It's alright you're safe here."

*Redacted*

As you can see, lining the lane from the gate to the house are topiaries. That means trees and plants that have been trained into special shapes. From what I've observed House changes a few of the shapes daily so that by the end of the week the display is completely new.

Behind the topiaries on the left is a large hedge labyrinth. Fortunately it remains unchanged until it has been solved and I ask House for a new challenge."

"What if we get lost?"

"In that case, Conner, you close your eyes, say 'I'm lost, please let me free', then count to three and open your eyes. The house will have temporarily changed the maze so that the only direction you can go is back to the entrance. Naturally there are surprises at the center for the first time you solve it but another secret is that there is a special exit to the side yard in case some attacker accidentally gets past the house's outer defenses."

"What sort of surprises?"

"It is different every time, and I'm just guessing, but it will also be different for each individual. Now, on the right is the orchard. Given the magical nature of this place all of the trees and bushes have a selection of flowers, green, and ripe fruit. Also be careful not to hurt or get stung by the bees. The hives are in the corner of the front wall and the right wall so stay away from that area until you've been taught how to properly harvest the honey and have the proper clothing for such a job."

"Um, Daddy, why did these cups just appear?"

"It seems House wants me to get on with the tour. Dip your glass in the fountain, don't worry it is completely safe to drink. Now I need to drop a tablet into each one and you need to drink it all down."

"What is it?"

"The tablet is a medication that destroys all internal parasites. It also boosts your immune system making it harder for you to get sick."

Bit and Conner looked at each other and then downed the medication. I'd actually prepared myself for a struggle to convince them that they would be better off, but it seemed they both really liked the idea of not getting sick anymore.

We left the empty glasses on the fountain, and then walked up the three stairs to the main landing and its four Corinthian columns. Each one thick enough to fit six men inside if it was hollow. Here I motioned for the two kits to turn around and look back at the fountain. The central life size statue of myself had elevated slightly and the pool had expanded for a new ring. On that ring stood life size statues of Bit and Connor.

"It looks like House has now officially accepted all of us."

Just inside the main doors, curved staircases rose to the second floor landing. We continued to the back where the main hall led to the left and right wings. In front of us was a wall of glass and a pair of sliding glass doors leading out onto the sun deck and swimming pool.

"Before House will allow you out near the pool you'll be given swimming lessons." I turned right and headed down the hall. "The hall on this side of the house is an emergency room towards the front and an infirmary at the back. If you get hurt or sick this is where you'll come to get better."

"I thought you said that medicine would keep us from getting sick."

"Well, Bit, it helps but it doesn't cure everything. It also doesn't help if you fall out of a fruit tree and break an arm or leg. I'm not going to force you to do it now, but at some point during the week House is going to make sure you get a full medical check-up."

At the end of the hall we came to two angled doors. I opened the one on the right and we walked into a training dojo. "This is where you'll be trained in self-defense and hand-to-hand combat."

"Will you be training us?" bit asked.

"No, House will choose an instructor for your skill level and species. Please sit here at the side and I'll demonstrate."

I walked to the center of the dojo and took my standard combat stance.

"Pathetic. You haven't been practicing. Such a weak stance."

I groaned inwardly. The trainer House had chosen was one that I found particularly difficult to keep up with. Four and a half foot tall and looking older than God, the squirrel was as fast as a hummingbird and as tough as stone. Not to mention he never pulled his punches and I hadn't yet left a training session without major bruises. Worse yet, that was when wearing protective armor, and here I was completely naked. I knew I was about to get my ass handed to me, possibly literally, in front of two slaves.

"Thank you, Master Fu, you are of course right. I haven't been practicing as much as I should."

"Don't tell me what I can see for myself!"

I was face down on the floor, my face was wet and sticky, and Master Fu was standing on my shoulders. I couldn't remember his attack but I could feel where he had struck me with his staff, but only because that was where the worst pain was located.

"Mahan!"

The session came to an abrupt stop as Master Fu disappeared.

"What happened?"

"House paired me up with my regular trainer. However, without body armor, I was way over matched. In order to end the training session I was forced to use my safe word. When you begin your training you'll be given better instructions. Right now I think we'll move on to the next part of the tour."

As I stood up I noticed there was a lot more blood than I'd expected.

"First I need to go back to the medical treatment room to see just how badly I'm injured."

The two cubs watched silently as another House generated phantom put five stitches in my forehead. Afterward we proceeded back down the hall taking the door on the left rather than re-entering the Dojo.

"This is the locker room. I want both of you to choose a locker, open it, and then close it again."

As they closed the door the neutral gray paint changed to dark gray with a gold nameplate at the top and stylized white tribal rabbit in the center for Bit. Connor's door turned orange with a red tribal fox.

"Good, now if you open them again you'll find the clothes you are to wear while training, along with an assortment of soaps, oils, brushes for taking care of your fur and a wooden tray holding them. Pull out the tray and follow me."

"Can the next stop be the outhouse?"

"Yeah, Conner's right, I've gotta go too."

"Set your fur care trays on the bench and follow me. The rest room stalls are just around this wall."

"You keep your outhouse inside?"

"Yes, Bit. How about you, Conner? Did you have indoor plumbing? Never mind I can tell by the confused look that the answer is no. This works like an outhouse but instead of everything going into a pit under the seat you push the lever down and everything is washed away. When finished you come out and immediately wash your hands. I'll be waiting out in the locker area."

I sat on the locker room bench knowing that the cubs would be in the restroom for some time. I'd honestly forgotten about the drug's laxative effect.

The bench wasn't exactly made for comfort and my butt was starting to get sore from sitting on the hard wood. It only got worse when I decided to lean back only to be painfully reminded of the bruises left by Master Fu's staff. I stood up and opened my own locker, solid black with a tribal tiger with its stripes and outline in white, grabbing my own soaps.

There was a large bottle of industrial fur sanitizer. A nasty concoction, but it was effective for killing off just about all surface parasites.

Connor came out looking the worse for wear. I'd figured that Bit would finish first, but then considering Conner's malnourishment and living on scraps he likely had less in his system to evacuate.

"Ugh, I must have eaten something bad again. I've tried to be extra careful after last time."

"It wasn't something you ate, it was caused by the drug I had you take. I told you it would clean out your system."

"Daddy, I- I feel so empty."

"I know Bit, but you can't have anything to eat for at least an hour while your system settles."

"I'm not hungry, I'm empty."

"Ah, you'll have to wait for that as well. *Redacted* Now, grab your fur care trays and follow me. Back here we have the showers. This is likely where you'll go to get cleaned up. The water falls from above like rain. You adjust the amount of water and the temperature using the knobs on the wall. Now choose a spot and start rinsing your fur. We won't worry about soap just yet."

They were hesitant but followed orders well enough when the water was the temperature they wanted they stated rinsing off. I had to suppress a gag as the water flowing around Conner's feet turned a nasty black color. Bit's was only a little better, muddy brown. I immediately resolved to use the sanitizer on myself as well considering how close I'd been to them.

"Make sure your fur is thoroughly wet all the way down to your skin. Just as a warning I'm going to be applying a sanitizer that will kill all parasites. It isn't very nice and it will leave you feeling itchy and uncomfortable. Before you complain I'm going to be using it on myself as well so you won't be suffering alone. Connor, since you've been living on the street, you're probably the worst off so we'll be starting with you. Bit, come over here and help. You're in charge of his legs and feet. Conner, you work it into your front and arms, while I work on your head and back. Then we'll all work on you tail. Don't get it in you sheath, tail hole, eyes, nose, mouth or ears."

It took some time but eventually Connor was completely covered right down to his skin in the sanitizer. I didn't take as long rinsing him off but I had other plans for removing the last of the chemicals. We switched up doing Bit next and finishing with me. I turned the water off working extra hard not to grin at how hard the cubs were trying not to scratch.

"You're doing really good, now on to the next room. This is the bathing room. This is where you'll be taught how to swim."

I pointed to a shallow pool twenty foot long and eight foot wide.

"This is the swimming stream. As you can see here by the steps there are three knobs like the shower. Only the first one controls the temperature from cold to warm. The stream never gets hot. The second knob controls the depth from one to four feet. The final knob controls the speed the water is flowing. The round pool is the hot tub and as the name suggests the water in it is always hot. Judging by the temperature you found comfortable in the showers I'd suggest you avoid it for now. That leaves the bathing pool. I'm sure that House has the temperature set for your comfort."

"But we just got cleaned in the shower."

"True, but now we're going to relax in this pool and work all of the nasty chemical out of your fur so that the itching stops."

It wasn't hard to tell that they weren't happy about more bathing but they crawled in anyway.

"Now you can move around or sit on the ledges, just make sure to keep working your fingers and claws through your fur to get the sanitizer out, especially in the areas that itch the most. If it's in a spot you can't reach let me know and I'll help."

Being human most of the chemical was washed away in the shower. I took a deep breath, submerged, and vigorously worked the last of it out of my hair. As I surfaced both of the cubs had rather stunned looks. They shook their heads and went back to working their own fur.

Eventually they finished scratching and fidgeting and I decided to move to the next step.

"Bit, I want you to crawl up on this wooden section and lay on your belly."

As the bunny followed my directions I retrieved the fur shampoo and conditioner from his bathing tray.

"This is the soap you'll be using from now on. It is specially created to keep your fur clean and soft. It also doesn't have to be worked in as deeply. Just relax and I'll do all the work this first time."

*Redacted*

"Alright, you're done washing. Now, I want you to grab a couple of towels, they're over by the door, and go out on the sun deck. Once outside use the towels to dry your fur as much as you can. When you finish hang the towels in the sun to dry and stretch out on one of the chairs to let your fur finish drying. Oh, don't forget to take your tray with you. Once Connor and I finish we'll join you."

"Alright Conner, your turn."

I lifted him up onto the wooden area. He'd already finished soaping up his head, arms, and chest.

"Are you going to do the same thing to me as you did to Bit?"

"Not exactly the same, but similar. Why, is there a problem?"

"No- it's just- well- I've never had that done to me before and I'm a little scared even though Bit really seemed to like it."

*Redacted*

"Alright, that's a really good start now let's finish getting you soaped up and rinsed off."

Once Conner was finished I sent him out to join Bit, reminding him that they were to get dried off and not to explore each other's bodies. If they weren't careful and waited for their systems to fully stabilize after the drug, they'd get really sick for several days and then they'd have to start the whole process over again. I figured that warning would be enough to keep them out of trouble until I'd finished bathing. Still I didn't waste any time. As I headed out I grabbed two towels and a robe.

I smiled seeing Conner working the excess water out of his tail fur and Bit stretched out on a recliner in the sun. I took it as a very good sign that they had obeyed my orders unsupervised. I tossed Conner my extra towel before slipping my robe on.

"Daddy, why are you putting clothes on?"

"Because I don't have fur to protect me, Bit. If I spend too much time in the sun my skin will burn."

"Oh."

He lazily rolled onto his belly in order to sun his back. He moaned as I sat down next to him and ran my hand down his back.

“I think you're dry enough to start the next step."

"There's more?"

Both cubs groaned.

"Oh hush, this is the last step and I'm sure you're going to like it. Conner, I want you to come over here and watch closely because after today it'll be your responsibility to groom Bit and he'll be responsible for your fur."

I took out the last bottle of oil, a tray, and a comb. I poured a small amount of oil in the tray, dipped the tines of the comb in the oil, and started combing Bit's back fur. Starting at his neck and slowly working down, I would re-dip the comb every few strokes.

"After such a thorough cleansing or spending a prolonged amount of time in the water the natural oils in your fur are washed away. By combing this special oil back in it will keep your fur soft and your skin from itching."

As I finished his backside I rolled him over only to discover that he was completely relaxed and asleep. I glanced at Conner and was happy to see that at least he was still awake and paying attention. I started at Bit's head and worked my way downward

*Redacted*

After looking him over to make sure I hadn't missed any spots I stood up and moved my chair over beside Conner.

"I guess he'll just have to learn how to help you groom later."

"I think I've almost finished everywhere I could reach."

I carefully looked him over. I combed the couple of spots that needed a bit more oil. The inside of his ears turned red as I checked between his legs.

"I- ah, hadn't gotten there yet."

"I'll get to it, just turn over so I can get your back. Feel free to relax and take a nap if you want."

He mumbled something that sounded like "not sleepy", but after a few strokes I could tell he was already asleep. I finished his back rather quickly so I spent extra time making sure his tail fur was perfect.

*Redacted*

I got up, picked up all three grooming trays and returned them to the lockers. I figured I'd let the kits sleep for a couple of hours, but that meant I needed to find something to fill my time. I definitely didn't feel like more combat training. I wanted to be on hand the moment they woke up, but after Conner told me about what had happened to him and his mother, I had a wolf to deal with. I quickly donned black body armor, full-face mask and a mottled gray cloak.

"House, open the portal to the palace."

The portal opened and I stepped through it into a small closet. I unbolted the lock and stepped out. The guard on duty snapped to attention when I slid the back of a knife across his throat.

"Sir! We weren't expecting you."

"That is no reason to become lazy and distracted. I will let it go this once, but next time I won't be merciful. A dead body will remind everyone to keep alert. Now go inform his Majesty that I am in the war room. Also let him know that I can only be here for about an hour. If he is busy and cannot meet me return and let me know I will need to meet with him another day."

"Yes, Sir!"

I crossed the hall and entered the war room. As usual it was stuffy and as far as I could tell nothing had been disturbed since my last visit. Not surprising considering the kingdom maintained good relations with its neighbors. The only time the room saw use anymore was when the King's Shadow, his chief diplomat, met with him. The door flung open and a Bear dressed in white and gold marched into the room.

"Shadow, it has been some time since your last visit. How goes things in your world? Ever get around to taking my advice and buying a few young, tender, sex slaves? No of course not, you're still as dark and brooding as always. So what emergency has brought you here?"

"I should have preferred that I was able to stay away longer. My world is the same as ever. My business is in regards to Lord Lightstripe. He has, at last, taken your advice and purchased two young slaves. He claims he had intended to purchase something a bit older and much more exotic, but that is not what fate seems to have intended. I am here today due to one of his new slaves."

"Please don't tell me she's a kidnapped daughter of one of our allies and we're going to have to go to war so he can keep her."

"Nothing like that. More along the lines of the slave's mother was sold to a brothel by one of your town guardsmen. I'm here to see if you knew about this or not. After all, if it was a sanctioned action, then there is no need for my intervention. However, if it wasn't sanctioned then it is unlikely that the guild was informed."

"If the guild wasn't informed then they didn't collect the transaction taxes and the brothel is also likely withholding on their taxes. How long ago did this take place?"

"Between two and three months."

"No, the last formally sanctioned placement into slavery was six months ago. A bull was castrated and sentenced to hard farm labor after he castrated his son and left him to bleed to death in the street for having sexual relations with another male. Fortunately one of the palace guards brought him here where he was healed."

I was silent and my mask hid my look of surprise but the King read me like a book.

"Yes, I know that I've made it very clear that I'm not interested in males. However, he has the sweetest disposition and the softest mouth I've had the pleasure of enjoying. As you said when advising me about revising the mating laws 'males know best how to pleasure other males just as females know how to pleasure other females' how true that is. Do you know, my wife is five months pregnant with our second child all because of that boy?"

"I'm not sure I see the connection there."

"She gets sexually excited watching him play with the Royal Jewels. Not to mention the direct stimulation he provided-"

"Not to interrupt, you're Majesty, but I have limited time today. I just needed to be sure that the guardsman's actions weren't sanctioned. Tomorrow I will check with the guild and if they have no records of the slave's mother I will find the guard and bring him before you."

"Yes, if one of my guards is using his position to persecute my subjects for his own gain we will need to make an example of him."

"I have some ideas about that, but I'll keep them to myself until I've investigated further. Now, with your permission, I have otherworldly duties to attend to."

"I think this will be the first time you've been in a hurry to leave. Usually you spend way too long brooding over tactics and reports before heading out on a mission. Go, go and be sure to have a little fun. No, I take that back. Go and have a lot of pleasure for once."

"I am the King's Shadow, fun and pleasure are things that I am not allowed." I bowed and headed for the closet concealing my portal. I didn't even glance at the guard as I entered the closet and slammed the bolt into place. I was relieved that the full-face mask had hidden my embarrassment. Unfortunately, now when I closed my eyes I could see myself buying a bear and a bull to enjoy as well.

Once back in the locker room I started removing my armor when I heard one of the toilets flush. Seconds later Bit came around the corner.

"Daddy, where did you go?"

"Did you wash your hands?"

"Um. . ."

"That would be a no. Go wash your hands and be sure to use the soap next to the sink."

He turned around and trudged back into the restroom area looking as though I had just punished him. Another toilet flushed and I heard whispering. Likely Bit was reminding Conner to wash his hands as well. I had finished putting away my armor by the time the two cubs slowly made their way back out of the rest room.

"Alright, what's wrong?"

"When I woke up you weren't there but I really had to go and I wasn't sure what to do."

"What do you mean?"

"He means that we didn't have permission to leave the deck area. When he woke me to ask what to do I had to go as well. I figured if we were going to get into trouble it would be better to be in trouble for coming back here rather than having an accident on the deck."

"Come over here."

They moved closer but kept out of reach. I frowned and pointed directly at the floor in front of me. They immediately move to that spot. I knelt down and pulled them both into a hug.

"You did exactly what you needed to do. There will be times when you have to ask for permission like when we are having a meal or when you are supposed to be studying, but most of the time when you have to go then you don't need permission. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up but I had some business to attend to and I honestly thought I'd be back before then."

"What sort of bisness?"

"Just getting a few things in order for Conner's, and my trip back into town tomorrow. Now that we've gotten cleaned, are you comfortable?"

*Redacted*

We returned to the foyer and continued down the hall to the left wing. "This hall has three guest rooms. You've already been inside one of the two smaller ones at the back. The door between them leads to another restroom. The single large room along the front is for special guests only. Now since it has already come up the emergency room and infirmary are off limits unless you get hurt or sick. The guest rooms are always off limits. This is especially true on the rare occasions when I am forced to entertain guests. There will be special rules that I'll go over with you when the need arises."

"You actually have guests come to the house? Isn't that a bad idea considering the hatred for all things magical?"

"You'd be surprised how quickly that feeling disappears when faced with the choice of several weeks of arduous travel or a couple days' vacation here in a comfortable bed."

I stopped at the end of the hall and pushed the double doors open.

"This is the dining room. For now we probably won't be using it very often but as our family grows it will become more important."

"It's so big. I think my old house could fit in here and have plenty of room for building it bigger."

"That's because the table can be taken apart so that the dining room can double as a ballroom. If you'll follow me to the back we enter into the kitchen. Now what would you like for lunch?"

"I want a salad with extra-"

"Just a moment, Bit. I guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Follow me out here into the garden. Toward the front are the fruits and berries, next are the melons, then the vegetables in front of us, followed by the squash and pumpkins, with the herb beds at the very back. Bit, you can go and collect your own salad ingredients, but be careful and only take as much as you know you'll eat."

"Oh wow, I've never been allowed to make my own salad before."

"Alright Conner, what would you like?"

"I- I don't really know. Even when it was Mom and me we couldn't really afford very much. Normally we didn't even have lunch. Breakfast was usually some milk, a crust of bread, and on a really good day scrambled eggs and for dinner the last of the milk another crust of bread and maybe a bit of cheese."

"Tell you what, I'll fix you something and if you don't like it we'll try something else."

"I've got everything!"

"You must have every ripe strawberry there."

"Nuh uh."

"Oh of course not, I was forgetting to take into account the ones already in your belly. Wash your hands and go sit at the table with Conner."

"Again?"

"Yes again."

Once Bit finished washing I placed the fruit and veggies in a colander and placed them under the tap to rinse. When that was finished I set it aside to finish draining and pulled out a large mixing bowl. I cracked three eggs and whipped them together with a bit of milk. I shredded in bits of bread until most of the egg mixture was absorbed then I dumped in a tin of canned salmon. By this point I was regretting my lack of culinary skills, but even if it wasn't perfect it should be close enough. I put a skillet on high heat with a teaspoon of butter. Next I rinsed my hands and then began mixing everything together. I made a small medallion and placed it in the pan.

"Conner can you come help me?"

"Sure, what do I need to do?"

"Take the spatula, it's the tool with the flat area and turn over the stuff in the pan."

He followed my instructions and I was happy to see that it was a perfect golden color. I waited a few more seconds.

"Now take it out of the pan and hold it up so I can taste it."

It needed salt and pepper and even then it wouldn't be the best, but it would be passable and hopefully Conner would like it.

"Good but it needs seasoning. I want you to take the grinder and give it three good twists over the bowl."

"Better give it a fourth twist just to be sure. Now two shakes of salt."

Conner stood staring at the saltshaker in his hand.

"What's wrong?"

"This- this is salt and that was pepper. They're worth a fortune. They shouldn't be wasted on someone like me."

I sighed understanding his shock.

"Yes, they are expensive in this region but remember House's portals allow me to travel to distant lands and even other worlds. So I can get pepper for the equivalent of a couple of silvers. Besides, you're worth much more than some spice. Now two shakes of salt so I can finish mixing this, please."

He seemed fascinated as I mixed the ingredients with my bare hands, an impossibly messy task for a fur.

"Bit, I want you to separate out the strawberries into four equal portions. Then I'll decide which one you can have in your salad."

"That's not-"

I glared at him and he looked down.

"Yes, sir."

I made four patties and placed them in the skillet. I divided the last of the mixture into four more patties.

"Conner, flip those four over. Bit, can you get me a plate please?"

"Thank you, Bit. Conner, move the fish cakes onto the plate. Good, now you can go sit at the table as I finish up."

I put the last four cakes in the skillet and then washed my hands. I started chopping the salad ingredients, stopping only to flip the fish. I finished up and put most of the salad into a large bowl then I moved the fish out of the skillet onto the plate.

"Bit, would you like any dressing on your salad?"

"Dressing?"

"I have several different options. Nothing fancy."

I pulled out three spoons and put a dab of ranch on the first, French on the second, and olive oil on the third.

"Taste each of these and see what you think."

He tasted each one and thought about it carefully.

"No, I think I'd prefer it without dressing."

"I know this is likely a stupid thing to ask but do you want any of the fish cakes?"

He visibly shuddered at the thought and I couldn't help laughing.

"That would be a no then. So, Conner would you like any salad?"

"Maybe a couple of the strawberries but no salad."

I retrieved the bowl of salad, added one of the piles of strawberries and a few extra since Bit had been frugal with the rest of his collection and placed it on the table along with a fork. Next I got another plate, put three fish cakes on it with a hand full of strawberries, and served Conner. I took three of the cakes for myself along with the small amount of salad I'd set aside and placed the rest of the strawberries in the blender. I placed my plate and the one with the two remaining fishcakes on the table.

"Now, what would you like to drink? We have water, milk, apple juice, and orange juice."

"Milk."

I grinned as they both said the same thing at the same time. I quickly filled two glasses with milk and placed them on the table. I got myself a glass of water and added a bit of apple juice to give it a little flavor and then joined them.

"Now, I don't know what customs you might follow so please let me know if you have any. For me, it has always been normal to simply begin eating as soon as everyone is seated."

"Mom used to thank the Gods for our food and health but doing that while living out of the trash meant someone else might steal it from me, so I'm good with your way."

"We sort of ate in shifts since there wasn't enough room for everyone at once. It was always a matter of eat as much as you could as quickly as possible. It will be different slowing down and waiting but I'll try my best."

"Then let's eat."

The meal went quickly but I was able to convince Connor that it was all right to have a fourth fish cake. Once finished I placed all the dishes in the dishwasher.

"Now it's time for dessert."

"What's that?"

"It's an after meal treat that you only get on really special occasions. Mom, would always find a way for me to have dessert on my birthday."

"That's another thing you both need to let House know your birth date."

"But why is today such a special occasion to get a treat?"

"Because it's the day you both started a new life here with me."

I pulsed the blender then retrieved a box from the freezer. I scooped three servings of vanilla ice cream into bowls and then poured the strawberries over the top. I put the ice cream box back in the freezer and then placed all three bowls on the table.

"It's a good thing you collected so many berries, Bit. They make dessert that much more special. Now before you start eating be sure to go slow or you'll be sorry."

"What is it?"

"Ice cream, and yes it is basically frozen cream."

"Try it Conner, it's really good!"

""Bit-"

"Ooowww!"

"I tried to warn you. What you're experiencing is known as an ice cream headache. It happens when you eat or drink something really cold really fast. Fortunately it goes away rather quickly."

Once we finished, I loaded the dishwasher and started the cycle.

"Now we'll move this tour to the basement area. The stairs here next to the garden doorway is one of five access points. In case you didn't notice there is another set of stairs in the locker room and a set in the back as you go out to the pool. This first room is the pantry. While House usually creates whatever we want to eat, if there is something you want to make for yourself and you can't find the ingredients in the kitchen or garden then it'll probably be down here. Now on to the door on the left."

"What about the door at the back that goes under the dining room?"

"That Conner, is the wine cellar and it is locked and off limits. Now, this hall matches the one above; however instead of a master guest room these are holding cells and on the other side are two interrogation rooms. Now give me a minute while I get this door open."

"Why is it so big and heavy?"

"Simple Bit, It's a safety door. It's to keep the rest of the basement dry just in case the impossible happens. If the pool wall breaks flooding the basement I wouldn't want anyone locked in the cells to die."

"Wow! It's like we're underwater."

"I often come down here to relax and just enjoy the way the light filters down through the water."

"But if the glass breaks anyone in this room would drowned."

"It's not glass, Conner. It's a transparent metal reinforced by the same type of shield wall surrounding House. Plus if it ever did break most of the water would flow into a holding tank below the room and then flow out into the river surrounding the island. In addition there are the stairs on either side of the room that lead up to the back deck. Now why don't you two make yourselves comfortable while I get this door secured and then open the one on the other side."

"Even if it is supposed to be safe I don't like it. It feels like I can't breathe in here." Conner complained.

"You've never been in a fox den house or a warren home then. It's really big and roomy in here." Bit countered.

"Come on you two, time for the next areas. This section is the armory. Through the door on the right are hand-to-hand weapons and on the left are projectile weapons. Both rooms are locked and off limits until I've decided your training has advanced enough for the use of weapons."

"Isn't it against the law for a slave to use, or even hold a weapon?"

"No, but only a foolish owner would allow an untrained and untrusted slave near a weapon. After all a slave trained as a body guard wouldn't be much good if he couldn't use a weapon to defend his master."

"I guess that make's sense."

"Now around this corner, all the way down the hall to the back, through the door, and into the shooting range. This is the viewing room. Again the range itself is off limits until you are ready to start using projectile weapons. The door on the other side of this room leads to another hall to the stairs up to the locker room. Bit, I want you to pull on the middle drawer of the cabinet behind you."

"It's stuck and won't open."

"There's a latch on the inside of the handle."

"Got it."

"Whoa Bit, you pulled the wall open."

"That is the secret escape tunnel. If we are attacked, and they figure out a way inside the outer walls, get here as quickly as you can. Now follow me. This tunnel runs all the way out to the wall and . . ."

I stopped and stared. I was looking at the stairs up to the safe room as I had expected. What brought me up short was the fact that the tunnel now continued past the stone stairs.

"Is something wrong, Daddy?"

"Uh yeah, as I was saying the stairs lead up to a safe room in the wall. From there House will open an escape portal to a safe location."

"What's down here?"

"I- I don't know. The tunnel ended right here yesterday. This is something new that House has just added."

"Let's go exploring it then!"

I was a bit apprehensive, but I let the kits drag me forward. After perhaps a hundred yards of tunnel it opened out into a large chamber with giant tree roots acting as supports. On the far side a staircase spiraled upwards to what would be the first floor. The whole room was illuminated by multicolored glowing mosses.

"This cave looks like it has been here forever. It almost feels like a warren."

"Let's see what's upstairs!"

"Hold it! I know you're excited, but we don't know where we are or what might be lurking up there. House has never done anything like this before." I started up the stairs with the kits behind me.

The first floor was unremarkable. It was nothing more than an empty room with another staircase continuing upward. The next two floors were the same; however, the third floor had three openings two serving as windows and one large enough to be a doorway. Outside a deck wrapped around the giant tree with a second stairway spiraling around the outside mirroring the one inside. Wood and rope bridges stretched from the entry tree out to two others and up to a central structure suspended from giant branches high above. The kits were silent as we made our way to the central area. From there it was obvious there were a total of six trees with rooms inside, but the entry tree was the only one with a way to get back down to ground level. I'm really not sure which event caught my attention first the blinding flash of something big hitting the shield wall, the earth-shaking roar, or Conner and Bit screaming in terror and running toward the exit.

As for myself I was too stunned to move. The first thing that came to mind was that I was looking at an unknown dinosaur. However, as it turned away from the shield, the eight legs ruled that out. From the side it looked more like an eight legged Giraffe three times the size of an elephant. It appeared to be covered in gray feathers. It ruffled them and then completely vanished as they mimicked the surrounding foliage. I calmly walked back to the exit tree where the cubs were huddled in the doorway.

"That is why I wanted you to be careful. Now, what have we learned? Bit, you first."

"There are giant monsters out there."

"Most likely, but that wasn't one of them, anything else?"

"There is a shield surrounding the area."

"Is that it?"

"I think so."

"Conner, what about you?"

"It is a plant eater. I saw it pull down some leaves before it disappeared. Also, the shield wall is really strong to have kept it from getting through."

"That it?"

"Um, I'm not sure but it likely has predators, possibly as large as it is."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because it wouldn't need to blend in with its surroundings unless something hunts it."

"Good. In addition I'll point out that this is a completely different planet so whenever you come here be very careful. While I trust House, there is no way of knowing what plants inside the shield are poisonous. Not to mention smaller animals that may have slipped in while House was setting up the barrier. For now, unless there are any objections, I think exploring the area can wait."

"Yeah, as far as I'm concerned, it can wait until after we're allowed to have weapons."

"I agree with Conner, let's get back to the house."

As we returned we found the portal half way down the tunnel. While it wasn't noticeable going out it was harder pushing through the barrier on the way back.

"No need to worry about anything getting in. If anything found its way into the tunnel it wouldn't get through the portal."

"We got through it."

"Only because House let us in. Even then it wasn't easy."

Both cubs were quite after that as we continued back through the shooting range and armory. When we reached the observation room I went to the back and pressed the light fixture up causing a hidden door to open.

"This is the lift, it goes from the basement directly to the second floor."

"What about the first floor?"

"Good question Conner, it skips the first floor because it is hidden in the columns outside. Now if you'll both step inside we'll continue the tour on the second floor. Just a few seconds and here we are. As you can see this lift opens out onto a sitting area over the main entrance. The first door on this side leads into the library. Have either of you been taught to read?"

"Mom taught me a little, plus some math. She had just started to show me how to write when . . . The wolf guard sold her."

"How about you, Bit?"

"I know my numbers, but my first Daddy said that I didn't need to know any more than that."

"Well, you're both going to learn to read so that I'm not the only one that has a use for- all- these- books."

House had surprised me again. What had been a modest little library was now two stories tall with a walkway around the second level and rolling ladders to reach the highest shelves.

"This is a library? Where are the scrolls?"

"Scrolls take up a lot of room and only hold a limited amount of information. Instead this library uses books. Like the combat training room, House will create a teacher to help you learn. The other room on this side of the house should be the entertainment room."

I opened the door and found a dark hallway running along the wall. As we reached the end I discovered that what had once been a combination game room and TV center was now a home theater.

"What's this room for?"

Conveniently there was a remote in the first seat. I hit the power button and was immediately assaulted by a roaring T-Rex.

"It's going to eat us!" Bit screamed.

I hit pause, but both kits had dived behind the row of seats.

"It's alright. Come out here and see for yourself. It's like the pictures House made for Conner, only in this room the pictures can move and have sound. It's called a movie."

Both cubs peeked over the seat back. I muted the sound and hit play.

"See, I turned the sound off and now it is stomping around without making a sound."

Their heads lifted just a bit further.

"Now watch, I'll hit rewind and he'll move backwards really fast."

Bit giggled and sat in one of the seats.

"He isn't even looking where he's going."

"That's because he isn't real. Let me see if I can find something a little less frightening to watch."

I brought up the menu and found an animated super hero movie.

"Why is everything so strange looking?"

Like all the shows in the video library it comes from my home world, where my species is the only one that developed intelligence, so everything is going to look a bit different."

"Not that. I mean the creature looked real but this, this looks strange."

"Like a living painting." Connor pointed out.

"Oh, that's because this is an animation. It is made of many art images put together with small changes to each one. When the images are put together they make the characters seems to move. In fact that T-Rex, the monster, was created the same way but the images that were used looked more realistic. It is up to the artists to make things look real or more artistic. I should also point out that there isn't much that you'll see in here that is real in any way."

"So why does it exist?" Bit asked.

"For entertainment. On my world most people can't go flying through space, fight giant monsters, or have super powers. However, by watching movies about characters that can lets them pretend, at least for a little while, that they really can do those things too."

"I- I think I understand. I was just thinking that if I could shoot lightning, like that man just now, I could have saved my Mom."

"Perhaps a super-hero movie wasn't the best choice right now, but yeah movies can allow us to imagine things like that. However, you should also consider what else could have happened."

"Oh no! The guy that shoots lightning just shot one of his friends."

"See, as Bit just pointed out, in life you can never be sure what the outcome would be. If you keep watching you'll often find that these kinds of movies often have the heroes learn that their powers can do as much or even more damage than good. Now sit back and watch the movie with Bit while I go get us some snacks and drinks. We'll finish the tour after the movie, or two.

"Daddy, I've got to go again."

"Come on, Conner, this is as good a time as any for a break. I'll show you the quickest way."

We crossed to the opposite side of the theater and descended the stairs. At the first floor landing I pointed downward.

"Those lead to the shooting range in the basement and this door goes back into the locker room and bathrooms. Now take care of your business and-"

"And don't forget to wash our hands." Connor quickly said.

"That's right, I'll meet you back up in the theater."

Later, as the credits started to roll Bit started bouncing in his seat.

That was great! I want to see another super hero movie, but realistic this time."

"What about you Conner, what do you want to see?"

"I don't know. The story was interesting, but I just didn't understand what was going on most of the time. Maybe something realistic but more understandable."

"I think I understand. All the technology was a bit much considering the level of your world. I think I know a movie that has technology just a little more advanced than what you're used to. It's about Pirates and treasure."

"What are pirates?" Bit asked.

"They're thieves that attack ships on the seas."

"What is a ship?" Connor asked.

"What is a seas?" Bit added.

"One at a time, please. A ship is a really big boat and a sea is a . . . well it's like a giant lake so big that it can take months to cross. Maybe it'll make more sense once I start the movie. If you have any questions I can pause it and try to explain as we go along."

I was surprised as it ended that there were no more questions.

"Is that the end?" Connor asked.

"Yeah, I want to know what happens next." Bit said.

"Actually there are currently five parts in the series but-"

"Can we watch the next part, pleeease?" Connor begged.

I pulled up the TV menu and checked the time.

"Fine, one more, but then that's it. After the next chapter we'll have dinner and then it is time for a couple of cubs to go to bed. And Bit, when I say that I mean it is time to go to sleep. Oh, and I should warn you that the next chapter ends on a cliffhanger so you're really going to want to see part three, but you'll just have to wait. Now, does anybody need to go again?"

Bit headed for the stairs but stopped halfway there. "Um, do I hafta go alone?"

I nudged Conner; he nodded, got up, and followed Bit, still looking deep in thought. When they got back he sat down and turned to me.

"The heroes broke the rules, one was even a pirate already, but they were still the heroes of the story. How can good guys do bad things and still be good?"

"Wow Conner, you really go for the hard questions. The truth is no one is all good or all bad. Most often good and bad actions are determined not by the one being good or bad, but by other people around them. For example, on many of the worlds that I have visited I would be considered not just bad but completely evil."

"You're not evil Daddy." Bit quickly said.

"Are you sure? On my world I would be imprisoned for life just for my actions today."

"But you haven't done anything wrong." Bit continued.

"Really, are you sure? Owning slaves is a crime, having intimate relations with other species is a crime, worse yet having any sort of sexual interaction with children under eighteen is evil. Therefore I must be evil."

"If you hadn't bought us we'd both be dead by now." Connor pointed out.

*Redacted*

"I love you too, Bit." I considered ending the game when I realized that I really was developing feeling for the two characters. The last time that happened . . . I immediately blocked the painful memories and let the game continue reminding myself that it wasn't really real.

Once the movie ended I stood up, "Now, let's go have dinner and then I'll show you the bedrooms." I expected complaints, but both cubs got up and followed me out of the theater.

Dinner consisted of cheese and crackers with a quick fruit salad, since we'd filled up on popcorn. Then we made our way back upstairs using the outdoor stairs leading up to the side deck. I slid open the glass doors and entered the reconfigured master bedroom. We stood looking at a central sitting area with overstuffed couches. To the left and right of the entrance were more stairs leading up to open balcony bedrooms. The doors under the sleeping areas showed that there were two rooms left to explore. I knew one had to be the master bathroom. I entered the room on the left first. A large TV dominated one wall along with several game systems. The sidewalls were devoted to shelves for games, video games on one side and board games on the other. The back wall was devoted to shelving for role-playing books, puzzles, and card games.

"Is this another library?"

"No, Conner, this is the game room. I'll teach you all about it tomorrow after we take care of your business in town. Now follow me, we've still got a couple of areas to cover."

I led them up the stairs to the sleeping area over the game room.

"This is your bedroom, until House decides to change things again."

"We're all supposed to fit in that single bed?"

"No Bit, that bed belongs to you and Conner. My bed is on the other side."

"So we have to sleep over here by ourselves?"

"At times, yes, but as I get more slaves you won't be alone. Besides, you'll always have each other. However, since this is you first night you'll be sleeping with me." Before I could say any more they were both headed down the stairs. "Hold it! You still need to get ready for bed." I caught up with them and then we entered the master bathroom.

"First off good little cubs brush their teeth before bed."

"Brush our teeth?" Bit asked.

"That's right. Each of us have a brush with our name on it. Bit, this one is yours; see these markings on the handle? That is your name. We place just a bit of toothpaste on each brush. Now we move the brush over our teeth, but make sure not to swallow. Instead, when you finish, you spit it out into the sink."

I started brushing and the kits quickly followed my example. When I finished I spit out the paste and pulled out three paper cups so we could all rinse.

"Now that we've brushed our teeth we're just about ready for bed. As you can see this is a full bathroom, so if you need to go during the night don't try to hold it till morning or wake me in order to ask for permission. Just come down here, take care of your business, and then return to bed. The same goes for if you get thirsty. The water from the sink is clean and I'll leave the cups down so you can use one as needed."

*Redacted*

"Where's Bit?"

"I sent him ahead to my room. You should join him as I finish up here. Just remember, cuddling only for tonight." As I got upstairs I found both kits curled around each other. Bit was already asleep and Conner was almost there.

"We tried to wait." He said, before yawning.

I slid in behind Bit and wrapped an arm around both of them. "Go ahead and get some sleep and don't worry I'll keep you safe, so try to have good dreams." I fell asleep watching the smiles on my boy's faces.