Morning found Jax awake before the city - helped along with some early morning escapades from Bunny and Llandra.
That alone made it a good day.
The bed was… crowded. Despite being a King sized bed, most of his partners tended to migrate to the middle with him.
Echo looked just as exhausted as Nyxian.
That made no sense at all.
Shadow companions weren't supposed to tire.
But Jax chose not to think too hard about that.
Once the morning ritual was completed, carefully—very carefully—he extracted himself from the tangle of warmth and slipped from the bed. He stretched, feeling loose, energized, and more than a little satisfied with life.
He was followed by Bunny and Llandra who were looking for something to cover up with.
Outside the door, a breakfast cart waited.
Perfect.
He wheeled it inside and set to work like it was second nature.
Coffee first.
Llandra's, poured exactly how she liked it—strong, hot, a splash of cream. Bunny's favorite fruit juice followed, bright and sweet, perfect for hydration after… exertion. Jax made himself a plate and sat at the table shirtless, relaxed, humming faintly as the smell of fresh bread filled the room.
Movement stirred behind him.
Bunny shuffled out first, wrapped in a nightgown she'd pulled on half-asleep, rubbing at one eye. Llandra followed moments later, composed as always despite the circumstances, her own gown hanging loosely from one shoulder.
They joined him at the table without ceremony.
"What's the plan today?" Bunny asked between sips.
Jax shrugged easily. "First, Brannic and Merriweather. Nyxian and I picked up a decent haul yesterday—B-rank beasts included. I want to see what they can use. Then Grathok's. And I need to check on a few projects around town."
Bunny's ears perked. "Can we come?"
"Of course."
That answer earned him smiles from both of them.
The bedroom door creaked open again.
Zee emerged slowly, nightgown slightly rumpled, rubbing her eyes. She blinked at the table, then smiled when she spotted Jax.
Without a word, he poured her coffee and juice exactly how she liked them.
Zee accepted both with a soft, grateful hum. "What did I miss?"
"We're running errands," Bunny said cheerfully. "With Jax."
Zee brightened. "That sounds much better than training all day."
Llandra took a sip of coffee, eyes glinting. "Depends on what kind of training."
The girls exchanged a look.
Then raised their glasses in agreement.
The bedroom door opened again—this time decisively.
Nyxian stepped out without bothering with a nightgown, wearing only panties. Echo was draped around her shoulders like an exotic stole, his head resting against one breast, tail curled protectively around the other.
She yawned luxuriously.
"Did I miss anything after you all came back last night?"
Zee didn't look up from her cup. "Only round two."
Jax focused very intently on his plate.
Llandra was focused on Echo.
"Do you intend on him to be with us from now on?"
Nyxian perked up her chest that Echo barely covered, while Jax pretended not be looking out the corner of his eye for any slippage. "What? You don't like him."
Bunny had turned a complete 180 degrees on her thought about Echo after seeing him sleep with Nyxian all night. She began to rub under his chin. "Oh, I love him. He's so cute."
Echo purred with content.
Zee and Llandra still had their doubts about him, but figure they will get used to it.
Breakfast ended soon after.
Clothes were donned. Echo was gently dismissed back into shadow space. The five of them stepped into Solmere together, sunlight glinting off the stone streets as the town resumed its rhythm.
Their first stop was Brannic and Merriweather's shop.
"Jax, my boy!" Brannic boomed the moment they entered. "Perfect timing! We'll be ready for you this afternoon."
Merriweather fluttered over immediately, eyes sparkling. "Oh my! My lovely Vixens! You're all positively glowing today."
Nyxian smirked.
Jax raised a hand. "Before that—beasts. We wanted to see what parts you'd want. Nyxian and I were able to secure some yesterday."
Brannic's interest sharpened immediately. "Oh?"
He led them toward the back where space opened wide.
Jax opened his system.
The air shimmered.
A Gryphon appeared first, followed by a massive serpent, five Dire Wolves, an Iron-Jaw Boar, three Magic Deer, and several other creatures.
Brannic stopped short.
"…Yesterday?" he asked slowly.
"Yesterday," Jax confirmed. "Nyxian and I."
Merriweather's wings fluttered. "The fangs on this snake—those are incredible. And the Gryphon's heart and liver? Exceptionally potent."
"The talons'll make fine blades," Brannic added, already thinking through designs.
"Give us a moment," Merriweather said brightly. "We'll make a list."
They waited up front while the two worked.
Jax's appraisal skill flickered quietly as he wandered the shop. New weapons gleamed on display—short swords, knives, all high-level, each with stat bonuses and enchantments. Several spots were empty.
Sold.
Good.
When Brannic and Merriweather returned with a list, Jax nodded approvingly.
"I'll have Grathok handle delivery."
As Jax retrieved the bodies, Merriweather drifted toward the Vixens.
"I don't know what it is," she said softly, "but you girls feel different. Stronger."
Nyxian didn't miss a beat. "Jax trains us. Morning and night."
Merriweather smiled, completely missing the implication. "Well, it's working."
Zee smiled sweetly. "Oh, we plan to keep it that way."
Jax returned moments later. "Ready?"
They headed back into the street together.
Next stop—Grathok's.
And Solmere, quietly, continued to change around them.