While I wanted to slam the door open to Marla’s tree house, screaming “Ho, Ho, Ho, bitches!” I abstained. Not sure that Christmas is even a thing in this universe and I greatly doubt the time is even appropriate to even guess.

Not cold, no snow, no lights, nor cheer.

Holiday shenanigans aside, I made sure to drop off the enchanted dildos for the Undines to use with an added enchanted container that will ‘contain and absorb’ the liquid castoffs from their pleasure.

After a brief explanation, I very quickly made myself scarce.

I ended up camping out in the living compartment of the VoDaD for the rest of the night, which wasn’t too terribly bad. I definitely made sure the doors and any other entry were locked, as I did not particularly want to invite a raping.

With the morning dawn also came a happily exhausted Marla, carrying the enchanted container with her.

Looking her over, I smile slightly at the smiling and relieved look on her face. “I take it my tools worked to satisfaction?” I can’t help but want confirmation, even if it is a dildo. I still made it.

Large smile still in place, Marla happily replies, “Quite so, the others are eagerly awaiting their turn with those marvels you made.” She hands over the container, which hold several hundred samples worth of purified water and asks if another is needed. “The.. finishing touch was greatly appreciated. It greatly helped tame our... needs.”

Nodding at the appreciation of my dirty creation, I think it over and cannot honestly think of a reason not to make another container. I tell her to wait a minute while I head to the back to fashion a portable one. No sense having to constantly return if I don’t need to.

An hour, several dozen hand-washings, and seventeen recalibrations later, I bust out of their territory like it was on fire with the plague. I did mention I would attempt to determine why the men stopped coming.

Pun intended.

After arriving back at the mansion I purchased, I am again reminded of the fact I will need help taking care of such a large place if I plan on getting anything constructive accomplished.

Nodding to myself, I fly off to a nearby spot by the gate into Sarnico. This village is slowly becoming familiar to me, with all the time I’m spending here.

Making a brief mental list, I know I need to drop by Tepindo’s and offload any excess materials I picked up. I’ll have to talk to him about possible buy-back at the same price in the event I need them later…

Anywho, I then need to hire a family or two for the mansion and what I hope is a hot spring resort or hotel. That means talking to Maria at the Mayor's office. Hopefully the money I passed on to her will cover the first and that there will be a second family readily available for hire. If not, I’ll have to make contingencies, but I’m not so horribly pressed for bodies that I absolutely need a second family right this instant. I still need to build the damn hotel or resort, not to mention the hot spring itself.

Deciding to take care of Tepindo first, lest my contract somehow come into play, I mosey on towards his shop.

With a ding from the bell on the door, I make my entrance known. Teena is present at the counter and smiles at my entrance. I raise a hand and wave as I walk towards her.

“Teena, do I deal with you in regards to the excess items I have or your father?” I don’t bother to beat around the bush or butter her up. Time is money and all that, we also have an agreement and I’d rather get back to my projects now that I’m free from the Undines.

“Gram, it’s good to see you again so soon. I’ll go get my father, as he is the one you struck a deal with.” So saying, she gives a slight curtsy and makes her way upstairs.

It was all of a minute before Tepindo comes bustling down, obviously eager to see what I’ve brought. For him, the list is not small nor is the volume of each item. Thanks whomever for broken unlimited gaming inventory.

Tepindo’s eyes are shining when we return from the back, a few minutes after entering and myself depositing the bulk of what I don’t need. He’s beyond happy at the surplus he’s acquired and at such a discounted price as well. Thankfully he is willing to let me buy back at the same price if I ever need to and it won’t void the contract we’ve agreed to.

Quite relieving, given I’ve wiped out a lot of the surrounding wildlife. Safer for the people and adventurers, but no materials available or greatly limited due to my massive slaughtering of the countryside.

Slightly more credits than what I came in with, still over 400k. I’m sitting on a nice nest egg and I’m about to enchant like … well, like an expert enchanter. That was so lame…

Derogatory self comments aside, I mosey off to see Maria.

Stepping quietly inside the Mayor’s office, I notice a few people waiting to talk to Maria. She’s calmly explaining something to the couple in front of her, but I’m not paying much attention and I can’t say I much care. I will need to mention the lack of Undine attention to… Well, shit. I should have mentioned that when I was offloading my goods to Tepindo. Need to make my way back there when I’m done here.

Being lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice that the three couples and Maria were all looking at me until the silence got almost oppressive.

I do a quick glance at them all and sure enough they all are looking at me.

“Uh.. what?” I’m so eloquent at times.

Maria apparently asked me a question which I obviously ignored, thinking she was talking to the other couples. Slightly exasperated, she attempts again, “Gram, these are the families I found interested in working for you. They have some questions, to which I have no answers. Since you’re here, would you mind filling them in?”

I flinch the slightest bit, not expecting to be reprimanded. If I wasn’t used to it from my commanding officer, I’d likely be more of mewling mess.

“Er, right. Ask away?” So. Eloquent. Damn Undines have me wound up in a bad way and I was stupidly abiding by my personal moral code to not clean my pipes.

With some hesitance, the couples start asking their questions. Simple things like living arrangements and food, length of employment, guarantee of paying work. Normal questions asked by people desperate for work but jaded on their outlook of life and how good the deal I’m offering is.

Thirty minutes of playing twenty questions later, there is a pause as each couple communicate silently to their significant other. Then they each look at Maria and give a nod, almost exactly at the same time.

Maria frowns slightly, then looks to me. “Instead of one family, you now have three interested. You’ll have to pick the one you want Gram.”

I didn’t hesitate even a slight bit, “Hire all three families. I take it they’ll each need the same amount we discussed yesterday?”

Everyone else’s eyes became comically wide when I said that. I chuckle slightly while tossing two more bags at Maria and turn to address the families.

“Ask Maria for the details and directions to the mansion, I’m heading there to get started on my projects. I’ll leave the decision of which family does what to you all and Maria. One family to tend to and upkeep the mansion and grounds and the other two will be attending a hot spring inn. I hope to see you before the day is over.”

“What hot spring inn? Gram, what madness are you spouting?” Maria has a confused and slightly hysterical edge to her voice.

Smiling at her, I state rather enthusiastically, “Why, my dear Maria, the hot spring inn I’m about to go build.”