"Sorry, I'm totally confused," John replied as he stared at Taurus in surprise before saying. "I was always under the impression that Taurus was male because, you know, a bull with horns."
Taurus and Lord Ursa chuckled before Taurus explained, "Constellations, much like gods, have no specific gender and can appear how they wish, though we are naturally influenced by the beliefs of mortals. So while I prefer the form of a bull when I'm in what you would call my true form, I prefer this form when I take on my humanoid form."
"I see," John replied before offering a low bow and saying apologetically. "I apologise for my ignorance; I meant no disrespect."
"No apology necessary, young Vincarna," Taurus replied. "I have watched you long enough to understand your character."
"Why are you here, Taurus?" Lord Ursa suddenly asked, causing Taurus to pout and ask. "Rude! Are you and Virgo the only ones allowed to descend and speak with the boy?"
"That's not what I meant," Lord Ursa said with a sigh before adding. "But Virgo and I had a reason for appearing before the boy."
"And so do I," Taurus replied stubbornly. "I admired the boy's loyalty to his friend in how he gave up the chance to bond with the young cub, and since you couldn't think of a way to help the boy with his Primal abilities that you forced on him, I decided to descend and assist you."
"I never forced anything on him," Lord Ursa replied defensively, to which Taurus scoffed and asked. "Oh really? Whose blessing was it that altered his Warden class and gave him Primal abilities?"
Everyone watched in stunned silence as the two constellations bickered, and Taurus' question caused Lord Ursa to look away while mumbling, "How was I supposed to know that Tijuana would choose him as the Warden?"
"Well, now that she has, every god will have to think twice about blessing the boy since his class will merge with the blessing and adapt it in unexpected ways," Taurus scolded, causing Lord Ursa to say. "Tell that to Elinira; she plans to give him her blessing."
"A Warden receiving the blessing of a succubus goddess?" Taurus asked in shock. "Such a thing has never happened before, and probably even the gods don't know how that will turn out."
"Tell that to Virgo; she was trying to talk the boy into taking it," Lord Ursa replied while John thought. {Why am I getting married couple vibes from these two? It's almost like she's scolding her husband.}
"Seriously? Virgo?" Taurus asked as her disbelief increased. "That virgin was actually trying to help a succubus?"
"Hey, what's going on?" Mel asked quietly as she came over next to John with Ursel.
John shook his head while quietly replying, "I'm honestly not sure; it's almost as if she's lecturing her husband."
"Husband?" Taurus exclaimed while turning to John. "He wishes he could marry me."
"I certainly do not," Lord Ursa retorted, while Mel nodded and said. "I see what you mean, but Tauruses are known to be stubborn and inflexible."
"We're also known to be Patient, dependable, loyal, hardworking, and deeply sensual," Taurus replied while looking at Mel before adding with a meaningful look. "Along with valuing deep loyalty and stability as we look for partners who offer a safe, lasting, and honest connection, something I have so far been unable to find, and you would take to heart, young druid."
"What does that mean?" John asked in confusion as he glanced at Mel, who didn't respond to him and only nodded at Taurus while saying, "I'll keep that in mind, thank you."
"So why did you descend?" Lord Ursa took the opportunity to ask while Taurus's attention was elsewhere. "What did you mean by you came to assist me'?"
"Not you, young Vincarna," Taurus replied before stating. "I think, rather than bonding with a normal beast of the wild, he would be better suited to bonding with the ancient guardian beasts."
***
Genesis, Himgulir Continent Gar Lodir.
"Have you two had any luck finding a healer or tank?" Emberslag Stormforder asked in the group chat she was apart off.
Since she wasn't anywhere near her other two party members, Genesis allowed the party to communicate through a voice chat in order to arrange group activities more quickly and easily, though this function would naturally be disabled once they met up.
"I've found a tank, but no luck on a healer, I'm afraid," Eliphas replied.
"Nothing on my end," Black Dragoon said with a sigh before apologetically saying. "I don't really have many I can ask because of my situation, sorry."
"It's all good, Vulxis; we both know the awkward situation you have IRL that has transferred over to Genesis." Emberslag Stormforder replied before asking, "Who did you find to tank for us, Shelur? Do we know them?"
"I doubt it; I've never heard of them myself," Eliphas replied before explaining. "I contacted Shizu to ask if she knew anyone who could help, and she recommended a human named Vincarna."
"You're actively allowing a human to join?" Black Dragoon asked in surprise.
"I'm not exactly keen on the idea, okay," Eliphas replied. "But Shizu vouched for him big time; apparently he recently helped Alea with a quest she was on, and we don't exactly have the luxury of time to shop around."
"He helped Alea?" Emberslag Stormforder repeated. "Shouldn't he be well over our level then?"
"Apparently not," Eliphas answered. "According to Shizu, he's around level five or six."
"How on Genesis did he help Alea then? Isn't she closing in on level one hundred?" Black Dragoon.
"If you're that curious, why don't we ask her?" Emberslag Stormforder suggested. "And while you're at it, maybe she can recommend us a healer."
"I'll see if I can add her to the party and call," Black Dragoon replied, only for a notification to appear before Emberslag Stormforder.
[Silver Oracle has joined your party.]
[Silver Oracle has joined your party call.]
"Well now, here's a group I would have expected to party up, considering you're all on separate continents," Silver Oracle said jovially.
"Erindroulydd was lucky enough to discover the bandit dungeon near Gar Lodir, only to then step outside the safe zone and start the timer," Eliphas explained.
"Wow, thanks, Shelur, way to blab about my screw-up," Emberslag Stormforder said with a pout.
"It's Alea we're talking to; it's not like she's gonna judge you," Eliphas replied. "Besides, we don't have the time to beat around the bush; we have less than eleven hours left on the lockout timer."
"Oh my, that is a problem," Silver Oracle replied before asking. "So how can I help you, ladies?"
"Two things," Eliphas began to explain. "First, we want to know about Vincarna and how he helped you complete your quest, and second, we're wondering if you know any healers?"
"You know Vincarna?" Silver Oracle asked in surprise before realising something and saying. "Ahh, which of them told you about what happened?"
"Shizu, though she didn't go into any specific details, she just claimed that this human helped you complete your quest," Eliphas explained.
"And you're doubting her word since he's only level five or six while I'm much higher level?" Silver Oracle asked in amusement. "Well, I can tell you what Shizu told you is correct, though don't ask me how, since I won't reveal a friend's secrets."
"A friend?" Black Dragoon asked in surprise. "Your friend with a man?"
"A human man at that?" Eliphas added.
"Is that so surprising?" Silver Oracle asked.
"Yes," the other three all said simultaneously, while Emberslag Stormforder added. "There's a reason you're number one of the Impossible Princesses. You haven't dated a single man in over one hundred years."
"People are starting to believe you're into women," Black Dragoon stated.
"Really?" Silver Oracle asked in surprise. "Well, regardless, after the help he provided to me and my race, I consider him a friend."
"Your race?" Eliphas asked curiously, to which Silver Oracle explained how Francis had tried to summon Pestilence.
"Seriously?" Emberslag Stormforder asked in shock, while Eliphas added. "This is why you can't trust those human necromancers."
"Well, it's a good thing Vincarna isn't a necromancer, then is it?" Silver Oracle replied, prompting Emberslag Stormforder to ask. "Then can you at least confirm for us what class he is?"
"At the time he helped me, he didn't have a class, so I'm not certain, though I do have a theory," Silver Oracle replied before continuing. "Normally, I wouldn't reveal this since once again it's his secret; however, I believe that him joining you in this dungeon run will help him grow."
"Stop beating around the bush and tell us already," Emberslag Stormforder retorted in annoyance; we're in a hurry.
"Right, right, sorry," Silver Oracle apologised. "Though I don't know what his class is, I believe he was the one who unlocked the unique class and, with it, the new content patch."
There was silence in the call for several seconds before all three women said, "WHHHAAAAATTTTTT!"