Early Bird: Prickled and Pampered

In which a temperamental Toxin Ranger antagonizes some fairies on the way to dealing with a lovesick goblin maid, and finds some prickly reasons to regret it: Love potions, goblin baking, and a nearly-irresistible proposal.

Whew! Nearly 10,000 words. That's not a record, but it's pretty darn close.

This story was tricky, and I do want to give a few clarifications once you've read it. Consider what lies below the Director's Commentary!

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First, I kinda regret Salia slipping into the "fiery Latina" stereotype. That was pretty incidental—I decided to set this story in the Northern Isles from the start (a region about as closely based on South-Central America as the Lacratian Continent is based on Europe). The idea for Salia's angry attitude came about because I thought it would make a more interesting contrast to Masva's personality. Still, it's something I know may come across other than how I intended!

Second, and a bit spoilery below:

I know these stories can sometimes get a little "cute" with the nonconsent stuff, so a brief clarification of goblin maid cooking: It is not a brainwashing drug. This isn't Thriae mead or holstaur milk. Goblin cooking makes you slower, sleepier and hornier, and therefore much more receptive to (and able to appreciate) a goblin maid's charms, but it doesn't actually make you foggy or otherwise intoxicated. But the Placebo Effect is a hell of a drug on its own. Overall, goblin maid cooking is Questionably Consensual, but it's not roofie-levels. It's more a seduction tool than true mind control.

The Rose Well (which Masva is totally unaware of here) is a whole other story. The Rose Well massively amplifies feelings of affection and positivity, creating a "Cupid's Arrow" effect. So is it a drug? Yeah, kinda, though it doesn't create love where it's not there. It just puts you into a really, really good mood about someone. The fairies are definitely the bad guys in this story.

Anyways, we're playing a bit fast-and-loose with the romance, so just don't take it all too seriously. ;P