Vivienne learned something that night—something vital, yet perhaps a touve. While Rava was undeniably strong, her endurance remarkable even by lekiandards, Vivienne herself was airely different kind of beast. Sleep was not a y for her, nor hysical exhaustion something she succumbed to easily. Since arriving in this world, the only thing capable of knog her out cold was the embrace of far too much alcohol.

  Now, under entirely different circumstahere was no alcohol to dull her sharp awareness, no escape into unsciousness.

  Rava, oher hand, had clearly been in a particurly anding mood. The pyful dominance she’d hi earlier that evening had carried through with unyieldiermination, and Vivienne hadn’t argued once. She didn’t want to. In truth, she’d been craving the lekiouch ever siheir first enter.

  Her body, her mind—it wasn’t built to shy away from sensation or to tire easily. Rava’s strength had challenged her in ways nothing else had, a thrilling bance of power araint that Vivienne found intoxig. But as the hours wore on, Vivienne found herself in a peculiar predit: for all of Rava’s might, there was only so mudurahe lekine had pared to someone who simply did not stop.

  It was a revetion Vivienne would carry with her—not as a warning, but as a point of pride. She had always sidered herself a creature of resilience, but tonight reaffirmed it in the most ued of ways. Tangled iermath, her body rexed against the chaos of discarded sheets, Vivienne’s grin widened. Her dark eyes glinted with amusement and a flicker of mischief as her thoughts began to race ahead. If this was how Rava wao “spar,” well, perhaps she’d o start keeping score. And by her t, she was already winning.

  Her tail flicked idly against the mattress as she repyed the evening’s events in her mind. Of course, there was no denying Rava’s strength—the lekine had carried her into this battle of domih all the finesse of a seasoned warrior. But Vivienne had more than just enduran her side. She chuckled softly, her teeth catg the moonlight as she mused about the little "advantages" her form offered.

  Take her tongue, for instance—prehensile, dexterous, and capable of spooling out well below her stomach. It had proven surprisingly versatile in ways that left even Rava momentarily speechless. The memory sent a ripple of pride through Vivienne, her grin turning positively smug.

  “Looks like I’m full of surprises,” Vivienne murmured, her voice a soft tease as she cast a lingering g Rava’s sleeping form. The lekine looked unusually serene, her strong, defined features rexed in the haze of slumber. It was a stark trast to the anding presence she usually exuded, and Vivienne couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

  Her cwed firaced delicately down the length of Rava’s stomach, pausing over the faint definition of muscle that was evident even in repose. There was something undeniably captivating about strength like hers, and Vivienne had always appreciated it—regardless of where it was found. Muscles were muscles, after all, and she had adored them in all forms. Man, woman, or anyone iween, it didn’t matter. Strength drew her in like a moth to a fme, and Rava was a veritable inferno.

  As her thoughts wandered, Vivienne sighed softly, her gaze shifting to the darkened ceilih felt impossibly far away now, its problems so small in the grand scope of this new reality. She was in a realm where magic coursed through the air like lifeblood, where impossible things became mundane. Here, she could shapeshift, wield power she’d never dreamed of, and yes, eve people. The thought should have horrified her, but instead, she found herself disturbingly indifferent.

  Only a few people mattered to her, and they were an unfathomable distance away. Her husband and children—her family—were spared the nightmare she had bee, and for that, she rofoundly grateful. While she might have shed her humanity in many ways, they hadn’t. Their morality, their love, their judgment—it was better left light-years away. She could imagine her husband’s look of disappoi, the sorrow in her children’s eyes, and it was enough to remind her of just how far removed she was from the person she had been.

  But this realm didn’t just strip her of old ties; it offered new ones. Her gaze drifted back to Rava, the lekine whose strength and fidence had drawn her in like no one else since her arrival. Vivienne couldn’t deny the e that had formed between them, but she also couldirely defi. Was it panionship? Lust? Respect? A strange and votile mix of all three?

  Her fingers brushed absently against Rava’s side, her thoughts heavy with questions. Where did they stand? Could someone like her—a being who thrived on chaos and survival—truly build something meaningful here? And what did Rava see when she looked at her?

  The flicker of uainty in Vivienne's chest was fn but not unwele. It was a strange, vulnerable thing—a hesitant whisper amidst the storm of her new reality. Perhaps this world, for all its strangeness and uing challenges, had room for more than just survival. It wasn’t just about enduring, about g her way through each day without falling apart. Perhaps, in Rava, she’d found the beginnings of something she hadn’t dared to hope for sih had slipped away—a e, fragile yet powerful, that could ground her in this whirlwind of a ence.

  She sighed softly, running a hand through her tangled hair as she stared at the sleeping lekihe idea of starting something—something meaningful—had felt daunting. No, impossible. She’d died. She’d left behind a husband and children, people she loved more than she’d ever been able to express. That love hadn’t vanished, even as the distaween them had bee unfathomable. It was still there, like an old scar—ag sometimes but part of who she was.

  A... Rava.

  Vivienne's gaze softened as she traced the tours of the woman’s features, her sharp jawline, her strong brow, the faint lihat hi the battles she'd fought and the burdens she carried. Rava was a force of nature—stoid pragmatic, a pilr of strength in a world that seemed determio tear everyone down. But beh that steel exterior was something else, something raw and deeply human. It was in the way Rava listehe way she never flinched from Vivienne’s quirks or monstrous tendencies. It was in the way her lips twitched into a rare, wry smile when Vivieeased her, the way she didn’t try to tame Vivie met her wildness head-on.

  It was... intoxig.

  Vivienne smirked to herself, her sharp teeth glinting faintly in the dim light. Rava was blissfully easy to tease, and oh, how Vivienne delighted in it. Watg that faint blush creep across her cheeks, hearing the slight hit her voice when Vivienne pushed just far enough—it was a game she couldn’t resist pying. And then there was her presence, her quiet strength. She was steady, unwavering, and so painfully easy on the eyes that Vivienne sometimes caught herself staring without realizing it.

  It was silly, she thought, chug softly under her breath. Here she was, a nightmare in the flesh, finding herself drawn to someone in a way that felt so utterly… well, lekine. She reached out, her hand brushing lightly against Rava’s arm, a her thoughts drift.

  Maybe it was foolish to hope for something more, but in this strange, brutal world, foolishness felt like a luxury she was willing to indulge. And Rava? Rava felt like a risk worth taking—a risk that promised a sense of warmth and e Vivienne hadn’t realized she craved so deeply.

  She shifted quietly uhe covers, her movements deliberate but unhurried. Straddling Rava's waist, Vivienne leaned forward, pressing her plush, soft body against the sleeping lekine. Her lips found their way to Rava's neck, pnting a trail of soft, tender kisses that carried a surprisileness for someone so wild and untamed. Each kiss was an unspokeion, a whispered promise.

  Rava stirred, a low groan esg her as her sharp ears twitched. Vivienne chuckled softly, pleased with the rea, until—without warning—Rava’s thick, furred arms moved with surprising speed and strength. In a single fluid motion, she ed them around Vivienne, her grip firm yet strangely f. Before Vivienne could react, Rava shifted, rolling them both onto their sides with an effortless grace that left Vivienne pinned in pce.

  Vivienne blinked, caught pletely off guard, as Rava's arms tightened just enough to make her predit clear. Escape was not an option. The lekine’s embrace was like a protective cage—unyielding but warm, a paradox of strength and tenderness. Rava’s breathing deepened again, her hold instinctively settling into a secure, almost possessive grasp even as she drifted back to sleep.

  “Well, this is ued,” Vivietered under her breath, though her lips quirked into a wry smile. There was no irritation ione, only amused resignation. She wriggled experimentally, but Rava’s grip didn’t budge an inch.

  “Alright, alright,” Vivienne whispered with a sigh, her voice ced with mock exasperation. “You win this one, Rava.”

  She rested her head against Rava’s chest, her mind surprisingly at ease despite being held captive. The rhythmic rise and fall of Rava’s breathing was soothing, and for a moment, Vivienne allowed herself to bask irange fort of it all. She closed her eyes, her smile softening as her thoughts quieted.

  Maybe foolishness wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

  An hour ter, as the first rays of dawn began to filter through the wooden shutters, Vivienne finally mao free herself from what she had e to think of as her "wonderful prison." Rava's arms had loosened just enough io let Vivienne slip out without wakihough it had taken some creative maneuvering. She stood beside the bed, stretg luxuriously, her muscles protesting slightly from their earlier escapades but otherwise feeling invigorated.

  Her gaze drifted down to her current form, the one she’d e to cherish the most. It was undeniably hers—a shape she’d chosen, molded, and made her own. Uhe formless mass she’d arrived in, with its deep, uling voice that still made her shudder to think about, this body felt… right. She ran her hands down her sides, appreciating the curves and tours she had worked so meticulously to craft.

  But there was one gring problem—clothing. Or rather, the ck thereof. She had made do with the borrowed dress before, but now it felt woefully ie. She couldn’t rely on scraps and improvisation forever, especially not with the way her shapeshifting worked. Transf back to her prime form only to avoid tearing fabric was getting tedious. The thought of reverting to her formless state to solve such mundane problems was dht appalling.

  As she ed her makeshift toga around her, an idea sparked in her mind, bright and tantalizing. Magic. It was everywhere in this world—woven into the air, the earth, and even the people. She’d seen the wonders it could aplish, and surely, someone iy could craft ented clothing. Something desigo adapt to her shifting forms, that would ge size and shape as seamlessly as she did. The thought excited her more than she expected. No more worries about tearing seams or awkward adjustments—just clothing that moved with her, as natural and effortless as her transformations.

  She paced the room, her mind rag with possibilities. If she was going to i in something so personal, she wa to reflect her. It wouldn’t just be about fun; it had to feel hers. Practical, yes, but also something that celebrated her fidend individuality. Maybe something sleek and dark, with hints of elegand strength.

  Her fingers tio travisible patterns in the air, weaving imaginary threads as her excitement bubbled. The idea of ade, ented clothi like a step toward truly establishing herself in this world—practical, yes, but also a decration of identity. She imagined flowing fabrics that hugged her prime form but adapted effortlessly to her monstrous shapes. Maybe something with an edge of fir, like subtle embroidery that shimmered faintly with are energy.

  The thought of such freedom filled her with anticipation. No more sging for scraps or w about what would fit or survive her transformations. But the momentary thrill gave way to practicality: she needed funds. Vivienne sighed, her lips pursing as she sidered her options.

  “Wait a minute…” Her eyes lit up as a memory surfaced. “I still have that Narek gave me! It’s in my room!” Her grin widehe small spark of hope fanning into something more tangible. She cpped her hands together, already picturing the satchel of s tucked away in the safety of her belongings. That would be a good start.

  Her thoughts turned o Lyssandro and his promised payment as she crept out of Rava’s room. A mischievous smile crept across her lips as she pictured the pompous businessman trying to worm his way out of their arra. “Oh, he’ll pay me,” she murmured with a dark chuckle. “And if he doesn’t…” She let the thought hang in the air, her mind juring an image of his pale face when fronted with her more intimidating forms.

  Maybe I should hope he refuses, she mused. The idea of sg him into pliance felt oddly satisfying, though she doubted he’d have the ce to push her that far. Still, the anticipation of resolving that little matter added ara bouo her step as she crossed the room.

  With her pns taking root, Vivienne’s sense of purpose grew with every passing moment. The world, which had once seemed overwhelming and full of dangers, was noce where she could carve out a future for herself. She wasn’t just surviving; she was thriving, building something solid amidst the chaos. The from he payment she could extract from Lyssandro, and the web of retionships she was weaving—all of it art of the foundation she was ying for her independence.

  Her thoughts drifted to the ented clothing she’d imagined earlier. A piece of clothing that could ge with her, a magical garment to match the versatility of her forms. The idea was tantalizing. She could shape-shift freely, without the hassle of stantly finding new outfits or w about the practical limitations of her body. It was the perfect solution for someone like her—someone who was always evolving, always in flux.

  She was about to head out to gather more information on ented tail when she paused, her hand lingering on the doorframe of her room. Her eyes flicked over the small colle of items she had accumuted, nothing too extravagant, but it was hers. There was a sense of satisfa in knowing she didn’t rely on anyone, not even Rava, for anything. Any time she spent with others or jobs she did for employers was entirely because of her own power. She smirked at the thought of Lyssandro’s iable payment, the kind of deal that felt just satisfying enough to be fun but not too risky.

  Then there was Rava. Vivienne chuckled quietly, the memory of their time together fresh in her mind. As much as she was determio make this city hers, and build her life as an indepe force, she couldn’t shake the thought of Rava. The woman had that kind of effe her, even iing moments. But Vivienne was no fool—this wasn’t about running into the arms of someone else. This was about keeping her focus, ensuring that everything she built was done oerms. And, for now, that meant putting Rava in the back of her mind.

  Vivienne slipped into her room, careful not to wake the sleeping goblin. She gestured for Renzia to follow as she grabbed the pouch of s and strode fidently out the door. The city bustled around her, filled with the noises of merts peddling their goods and the footsteps of people trying to make their way in the world. For a moment, she felt like she was just another fa the crowd—but she khat couldn’t be arue. This city knew whispers of her, what tales had already engraihemselves in the rumour mill but in time all would know her. People would know her name.

  Power, she thought, pg the pouside her makeshift toga. Power, aether, and . That's the trifecta. And I'll have it all.

  Her pace quied, determinatioing her shoulders straight. With a few well-pced moves, Vivienne knew she could have everything she wanted. A new life, a new identity. Maybe, just maybe, even a new future.

  SupernovaSymphony