The hivemind is conquering for me?

”Wow... That sounds so unbelievably intimate. I wish my soul got burnt...” Lena said, staring at my chest as I did the buttons back up on my shirt.

”Heh. It really is intimate. My connection to Pyrokinesis Skyrocketed to my most powerful because of it and I only awakened it earlier this year.” I said casually, prompting Lena to gasp in surprise.

”Really! Less than a year and you have those beautiful flames? Man, I wanna get my soul burnt so badly right now. Though that being said, I do like my current burns, just a shame I have to cover them up all the time because of the whingers.”

”Whingers?” I followed up. Lena nodded then put on a mocking voice. ”Oh dear! Are you ok? I’m so sorry for you! Do they hurt? How did it happen? Blah blah blah. Annoying as fuck. So I just keep them covered. What do you think though? Do you like them?”

All the way up both arms, Lena’s skin twisted and turned in strange patterns, whatever fire had caused these injuries, not a single piece of skin on her arm was spared of it. Her arms looked tender, like anything that made contact with it would cause sensory issues and would be painful, but honestly, besides all that.

”There is a serene allure about them. I honestly think they are very beautiful and they actually suit you.”

My remark caused a big wide grin to erupt on Lena’s face and she hugged my arm for a moment. ”Yes! I knew we were best friends for a reason! I think they are super sexy and they add a lot of character to an already gorgeous babe, right?”

I nodded my head in agreement and the two of us walked for a little bit before a bug landed on my arm. ”Hey, Orchid. How did your day go? Not too bad I hope?” I said and kissed her on the cheek.

Orchid said nothing and looked at the woman next to Apollo with narrowed eyes. Lena smiled seeing a new person close to her best friend and greeted jovially. ”Hi Nice to meet you, Orchid? Pretty name. I’m Lena, I’m Apollo’s best friend.”

’Best friend?’ Orchid thought curiously. Did that mean the female didn’t see Apollo as a sexual partner? Or was this another repeat of Janine? Either way, Orchid greeted the woman as her act dictated. ”Orchid. Apollo’s, not blood related, sister.”

*GAAAAASSSSP*

”You have a sister! Oh my goodness! Orchid! You are so pretty! I love your hair! Oooh! Your eyes are so fierce! I bet you scare off all those skanky bitches that want a piece of your brother don’t you? I can tell? I got a knack for this kind of thing?” Lena declared, tapping her temple.

Orchid stared at the woman for a moment, before asking. ”Are you gay?” ”Orchid!” I said in a scolding voice, prompting her to visibly flinch.

Lena seemed to misunderstand what Orchid meant and shook her head. ”No, I’m on the straight and narrow. Thanks for your interest though, you are real pretty, just obviously not my type. Anyway, come on, let’s double time it, looks like people are already gathering around Miss Valerica!”

Lena then began sprinting ahead, prompting Orchid to look up at me, confused and upset. ”Apollo? Did I do something wrong?” It had been a while since she was scolded, it seemed to sting worse than before.

”You don’t just go up to someone you just met and ask if they are gay. That’s very rude. I understand you were probably feeling possessive seeing me with a pretty girl, but she is just a friend. Ok?”

Orchid nodded her head. While she didn’t exactly understand, she thought asking that helped clarify things, but Apollo was the human here, she trusted her mates judgement above all else in existence.

I stopped and stroked Orchids face. I hated seeing her upset like that, even if it was for only a moment. Other than stick bonking, I never want to make my loved ones feel upset.

Orchid nestled up against my hand, enjoying the sensation against her cheek. I then looked around quickly, making sure no one was looking before leaning in and kissing her gently.

Orchid had not expected this! She had been told no kissing in public multiple times. So this was a most welcome delight! The kiss finished before she finished registering it, prompting her to look up at her mate, eyes fully dilated and her breathing heavy.

”I love you.” I said softly, prompting Orchid to visibly shiver in delight. ”Orchid loves you too, my love.” With the mood returning to love and tranquillity, I had Orchid wrap her arms around mine and ignored the ’look’ she was giving me.

”So, did you speak with anyone while we were separated? Make any new friends?” I asked, thinking I knew the answer to that question. However, Orchid took me by surprise when she nodded her head.

”Yes. I spoke with a male.”

”A male?” I echoed in surprise, not expecting that in the slightest. ”What did you talk about? You didn’t hurt him just for talking to you did you?” I asked, causing Orchid to shake her head no. Thankfully.

”No, we spoke about you. The man was interested in you for some reason, causing me to determine he was gay. I let him down gently like you would have and explained you would never be with the same gender. I even helped him find another mate, but then he got defensive, saying he wasn’t attracted to you and well, that meant he was obviously lying. Who would not be attracted to the most perfect entity in existence?”

I took a large inhale and exhale through my nose and decided not to comment on that. I had the sneakiest suspicion that the man in question might not have been gay and spoke about me to her, to get closer to her...

...

Around Valerica were fifteen individuals, Orchid, Lena and I included. Valerica looked around at the young ones and nodded her head, satisfied. This was a good haul. ”Alright. Everyone. You fifteen have been asked to stay behind today because you don’t need basic training for expeditions and mercenary contracts. You all clearly have powerful gifts. Because of this, we are going to be providing you with a more... ’Intense’ set of training. This will be to set up for higher paying jobs with even greater benefits. These jobs are naturally going to be more dangerous because of the pay naturally, so anyone who does not like this, you are free to leave to join the others for normal expeditions and regular training.

Five people left after hearing this. One said that after seeing some of the others here, he didn’t feel like he fit the bill, another said he signed up for danger, but not too much danger and another simply said it sounded like too much hassle.

Looking over at who was left, aside us three. That Sigfried’s entire harem was here making up half of the ten left as well as two other guys. It was impressive that the whole group was strong enough individually for this, it left me curious about them. Not enough to ask though.

”Perfect.” Valerica stated and began looking around. ”Ten is perfect. I will be splitting you into pairs. This pairing is who you will be doing the training with. Each training session will be separate and unique to bolster your respective strengths and overcome your weaknesses. So if you don’t like who you are paired with... Tough titties.”

Valerica then looked at the data pad in her hand and nodded at what she was seeing. ”Ok First up. Lena Lenoor and Francesca Maleer. Hands up, move to your partner. ”Ooh the air and water chick? This should be interesting! See you in a bit Apollo.” Lena said before walking over to her partner.

Valerica then looked back down on her data pad, fiddling with something for a good twenty seconds. ”Orchid Lambdason.” Valerica stated and looked towards Orchid. ’Oh she is going to hate me for this...’ She thought as Orchid raised her hand and looked at Apollo with that loving smile that the two ’siblings’ so often shared. ”Sigfried Pallasus.”

Orchids smile disappeared from her face as her hostility and malice were turned towards Valerica. ”What?”

Sigfried on the other hand was all smiles. Orchid was the same woman who lifted the twenty tonnes. That meant she was strong. He just hoped she had decent Psionic strength or if the training involved sparring, it would be a cakewalk. Or so he thought, not taking in the lesson Valerica punted into his brain earlier.

The women he left behind as he walked over though, were less than thrilled that he would be mingling with that pretty woman.

Meanwhile I leaned over and whispered in Orchids ear. ”Please don’t kill him because you are upset, love-bug. I will even feed from you again later if he stays alive.”

Orchid’s mood then lifted quite a bit, but at the same time, she didn’t want any interaction with the ugly human, but for Apollo’s sake, and the reward of feeding him, she would persevere through.