The hivemind is conquering for me?

Deciding I had teased the Praetorians enough, I turned my focus back onto Janine. ”So, aside from the Psionics. How was the rest of your time at the College? I know you said this morning that you were struggling with the lack of intimacy in my absence. But I hope, outside of that, you had a good time?”

”Mhm.” Janine nodded her head, a cute little smile appearing on her lips as she looked ahead. ”I did. All your friends wanted to be friends with me without my needing to even ask, which was nice, and all our social circles overlapped. Like I knew Evanthe already. Althea, Mithra and Mindy are all in the enhancement course with Orchid. Then there was Circe too. She just started coming round every now and then after your birthday party. Valerica would also check in quite frequently. Quite a good amount of friends and that is just the human lot.

The Sepiidans there are just so nice. Myu was extra helpful all the time and Sue-Anne threw parties a lot so I was happy during the day. It was just the night. Orchid being in the house was nice, I guess. We get along, I guess, but let’s face it. When it comes to her communication skills. She doesn’t have any apart from when talking to you. But it was when I was alone in my room, the only company being memories of you... I got sad. I got lonely.”

I tutted.

”I see... Is that why you got yourself a dildo?”

”WHAT! NO! WHAT! How!!! How did you-”

”-Orchid spotted you one night. She tells me everything.” I said, referencing our Link earlier this morning, before Janine started freaking out more.

She just looked at me before looking away in shame. ”You aren’t mad at me, are you?”

Grabbing her chin softly I pulled it up so her large eyes stared back at me. ”Now why would I be mad at you? Using an aid is perfectly fine. Normal. Don’t ever think I will be mad at you for wanting some self love. Ok?”

Janine nodded her head. ”Ok. Honestly, I knew you would be cool about it, it’s why you are my best friend after all. I just get all in my head now being your girlfriend. I don’t want to do anything that upsets you... I’ve seen you upset enough and I don’t like it...” Janine paused for a moment, discarding a frown that began to form before continuing.

Though to be honest, I gave it back to Myu pretty much right away...” She began to draw a circle on my chest before purring at me in an alluring tone ”Lets just say that the ’ childs toy’ I borrowed off Myu was too small for what my body is prepared for. I couldn’t get any satisfaction out of it.”

”Wow...” I spoke, shocked.

”What?” Janine pulled back confused by my obvious lack of playfulness to her compliment.

”Nothing. Nothing. I just didn’t expect you, who up until this year was team carpet munching, to care about size... I’ve created a size queen... I’ve created a monster.”

”Yeah, well blame the ’monster’ in your pants before coming after me. No one can beat that nor the way you use it.”

”Oh come on, it’s not that much bigger than ’big’”

”Apollo.” Valerica suddenly proclaimed from across the room.

”Yeah?” I asked, not sure what they were talking about as I was lost in the conversation with Janine.

”Don’t try to be modest. Everyone that has seen it will agree. It’s a monster.” She said casually.

”Oh~ Valerica you have seen Apollo’s fabled monster too? My My~”

”We Pankration in the nude, slut. Of course I have seen it. I’m his mother, I’m not blind.

”That’s what you are going with? Ok then. I was thinking perhaps-”

”-Ladies. Can we please move the subject away from my grandson’s appendage? I don’t need that image in my brain please and thank you.” Millie requested

”I concur with Millie. Apollo is my student. I don’t want such notions in my mind... And Apollo, if you are going to discuss your weapon of ass destruction, please do so at a quieter tone so the entire room can’t hear you.” Hecate followed up, leaving me a bit embarrassed.

”Sorry ladies. I’ve been in my own little world of indulgence over here. I am just trying to decompress after the war. Can I join in on your game and help get the conversation off my... Yeah.”

”Well of course you can baby. Come, sit next to me!” Valerica exclaimed excitedly as she made room on the couch next to her. Janine and I made our way over, she returned to her spot on the floor where she was earlier while I sat next to Valerica, who immediately wrapped her arms around mine and rested her head on my shoulder.

”So what’s the card game?”

I asked and wished I didn’t as after ten minutes of explaining, I still had no idea what the rules were...

Partially because it was complicated, mostly because everyone was explaining the rules over each other and saying different things. All I managed to learn was that an Ace was good.

That’s it.

”Perhaps we could play another game? Perhaps one that doesn’t involve cards?” I suggested. Prompting everyone to turn towards me.

”I don’t have any other games in Apollo, though if you have an idea, please share with us.” Valerica stated and I started to think.

I hadn’t played that many games with a group of people in this life, but as I started thinking about party games something came to mind.

Standing up abruptly, I turned to Nerissa. ”Ness, I need a favour.”

Nerissa looked right at me, before turning her head to the side. It seemed my teasing had bore consequences.

”Rhapso, perhaps you can-”

”-What do you need help with, Apollo?” Nerissa quickly interrupted. I refused to smirk.

”Can you make me a piece of wood? Six inches by two by one point two please?”

”Sure?” Nerissa asked.

’What is he up to now asking for something so trivial? Not that I care... I am still mad at him for teasing me too much after all. I’m only doing this as making basic wood is like breathing to me...’ She thought to herself before the piece of wood manifested in her hand.

Apollo rushed over and began inspecting her wood with a delighted look on his face.

’He is so adorable when he is excited.’

”Yes. Yes this will do nicely. Ness, can you do me another favour?”

”Of course, Apollo. Anything you need.”

”Can you make fifty three more of them?”

...

As I began to stack up the square wooden logs in rows of threes in an alternating pattern, Valerica commented.

”Apollo, while I don’t mind what you are doing, can you explain why you are stacking firewood where my table is supposed to be?”

”I’m setting up the game, give me a minute.” I said excitedly. I don’t know why this popped in my mind, but it was going to be a blast!

Once I had finished the final layer, I backed away and marvelled at the erected monument of wood that stood between us all.

Clapping my hands together I looked around excited and declared. ”Alright! The name of the game is J-”

”Tower collapse!” Rhapso suddenly declared rushing over from the side of the room. ”I haven’t seen this game in ages! Ness, look!”

Nerissa walked over before looking at the tower. ”Oh yeah... Goodness, I haven’t thought about this game in-” She paused. Millie wasn’t in the know. ”-Since I was very young.”

”Praetorians play games? I thought you lot were all business and no fun. No offence.” Millie spoke up.

”None taken. We do have fun, just not usually when wearing our armour and most of the time, we are busy even during our breaks... It really has been a long time.” Nerissa spoke before glancing at Apollo.

’So he also knows about this game too? With the more I learn about what he knows, I should be able to pinpoint who he is... Eventually. Ugh! But it is still taking too long for my intrigue! Just tell me everything already! I’m dying to know!’

Picking up Nerissa’s and Rhapso’s excitement, alongside the others now who were excited to play a game even the Praetorians knew about, I explained the rules.

”Ok, this is a pretty easy game to play. We each take a turn. We will go clockwise from me. So Me, Ness, Rhapso, Janine, Hecate, Millie, Sithrik, Serena then Valerica.”

”Why do you get to go first?” Valerica asked, frowning, most likely for having to go last.

”I built the tower; I get to go first.” I declared before turning back to the rest.

”The aim of the game is to remove a block and place it on top of the tower to create a new stack in the same rotating pattern as the ones below. You can only use one hand to move the block. The game is pretty straight forward, there are a couple of other minor rules, such as no taking off the top stack, but we can talk about them as they come up.”