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Sadiki's journey had always been one of pursuing her true self. From the first fateful wish that the genie granted, through her years in the Magaambya and her adventures across the galaxy (!), everything has been building to this moment. She had been unsure what choice her sister would make, but as Wandering Phoenix declares herself, Sadiki steps forward and takes her sister's hand. "And I would be known as Laughing Marid," she proclaims proudly.
"We let an evil dragon take the hits!" Sadiki says cheerfully. With a wicked gleam in her eye, she casts a powerful version of her summon dragon spell. A large black dragon appears in the center of the room. The dragon's presence triggers the haunt. A choir of ghostly shadows fill the benches in the room, chanting a haunting and unearthly melody. Issi and Sadiki stay a safe distance away as the dragon is battered by their sonic attacks! The dragon roars and rampages through the shadows, blasting them with its acidic breath! It becomes badly wounded in the process, but it succeeds at disrupting the haunt and causing the spirits to dissipate. The dragon gives Sadiki a dirty look before it disappears. Sadiki giggles. "Shall we?"
"Hmm. That is a good question," Sadiki says. "We've been infused with the elemental power of the genies. But I believe similar beings exist, and their lifespan is akin to those of their original ancestries. So most likely, we will still live a normal human lifetime. Although, powerful magic can extend that lifespan. Just look at Old Mage Jatembe!"
Sadiki had been working on her lesson plans before Issi burst into the house. Now, though, she hops up from her desk and grins. "Hooray! Issi, I'm so happy for you!" She rushes over to give her sister a hug. "I think you and Lesedi make a very cute couple!"
Sadiki sits beside Issi, wrapping her arm around her sister's waist. "Hey. It's okay. You haven't discovered your purpose yet. Not many people our age have! There's still plenty of time to learn what will make you happy, and even more to decide what sort of legacy to leave behind. "I know this past year or so hasn't exactly been the most fulfilling. We've been doing important work, teaching our students, exploring Bloodsalt, liberating Jula, and now making life a bit easier for the people of Mzali. But that's all been at the behest of others. I think what you need is an old-fashioned sister adventure! Issi and Sadiki, just the two of us, stirring up trouble like we used to. And I think I know the perfect place for that." She holds up the golden plate. "What do you say, sis? Should we ditch these stuffy lore-speakers and go find a long-lost city of gold together?"
"I have missed him, yes," Sadiki says, though she doesn't smile at the notion of returning to Okoro. Instead, she gives her sister a long, appraising look. "Issi, are you okay? You have not been yourself these past few weeks. What happened to the excitement and wonder you felt when we first came to the Magaambya? Are you unhappy? Is it... is it because of me?"
"Issi, no! You cannot think that to be true!" Sadiki exclaims. She takes her sister by the shoulder and turns her back around. "You will not be alone. This is a big world we live in, and I am sure you will find that person who is your perfect match. Somebody to spend your life with, if that is what you choose. And if you do not, you will always have me. Even if Okoro and I end up...end up as a family, you will always be a part of that family."
As the sisters prepare for the journey out of the city, Sadiki chooses this moment to address her sister. "Issi, can we talk? I've noticed that you've been acting strangely since before we even came to Mzali. It seems like you're distant... Like you're pulling away from me. What is going on?"
Both Sadiki and Takulu agree to visit the market with Issi. Just south of Mzali’s city center is the Mixed Marketplace. Spanning several city blocks, it’s the largest market in the city, and the only place that allows traders from outside Mzali to do business. Vendors set up shops by repurposing the abandoned temples and short tenements that have survived from the ruins of the previous age. Food establishments and various watering holes are scattered along the streets and alleyways of the market. Just south of Mzali’s city center is the Mixed Marketplace. Spanning several city blocks, it’s the largest market in the city, and the only place that allows traders from outside Mzali to do business. Vendors set up shops by repurposing the abandoned temples and short tenements that have survived from the ruins of the previous age. Food establishments and various watering holes are scattered along the streets and alleyways of the market. As they stroll through the market, Sadiki sidles up to her sister. "You've been kind of quiet these past few days, Issi. You okay?"
Issi delivers a critical strike to take the enemy down! Sadiki sighs with relief as the battle ends. "Let's take some time to get you fully healed," Sadiki says. "I get the feeling it's just going to be harder from here."
"That's right, thanks for your help, gotta go," Sadiki says, trying to help Issi pull a fast one.
Unfortunately, the cyclops finishes his thought before the sisters can get away. "Wait a minute. You are not little Knights! You tricked me!" he howls angrily. "I hate being tricked!" He roars and raises his club!
He charges at Issi, narrowly missing with the horn on his head! But he brings his club around for a backswing that knocks her good!
Luck is on Issi's side, as she cuts down the evil priestess with a powerful spellstrike!
Sadiki grimaces in pain. "I'm out of my big spells. Maybe we should fall back and rest for now."
"No mercy!" Sadiki shouts, her eyes blazing with fury. She calls upon her wish magic as she rips open a rift in reality, and a flame drake emerges to flank the priest with Issi!
"Look, there are stairs," Sadiki says. "We need not fly. But there may be other ways inside, too..."
"You can't get rid of me that easily," Sadiki quips. But despite her brave words, she melts in her sister's embrace and begins to sob quietly as the full terror of nearly being devoured alive starts to sink in...
The frog thing quickly hops away. Sadiki shudders and winces in pain as she gets to her feet. "I do not want to go through that again. No, thank you. My dress is ruined..." the sorceress whines.
Before Sadiki even know what is happening, she is pulled into the frog-thing's slimy gullet. She screams silently as she slips down towards its stomach, getting crushed. She manages to lay hands on herself to try to stave off her injuries as she struggles feebly to escape.
*** The monster croaks as Issi strikes it. It tries to chomp down on her, but she dodges its jaws!
"I don't think electricity is the answer here!" Sadiki shouts, teeth gritted against the pain. She sends a cone of cold at the undead knight!
With her Emerald Boughs training maxed out, Sadiki focuses on bringing up her studies with the Rain-Scribes. After two months, she has reached the limits of what she can learn here.
She spends the third month helping with the rebuilding of Kiutu!
With a blast of water and a slice from Issi, the spiritual mass dissipates with a lingering scream! "Yikes! That was scary!" Sadiki says. She sets about tending to their injuries.
Sadiki nods. "Yes, that would be wise." She gives her sister an intense look and steps a little closer to her. "You know, you're really hot when you're being scary like that... It's too bad we won't have much privacy on this expedition."
"What my sister is saying is that she is boring," Sadiki says with a playful wink. "Come along, boys. Have I got a story for you!" The sorceress spins a ridiculous tale of exploits far beyond the sisters' capabilities, but somehow, it seems somewhat plausible.
"Okay. That sounds like fun, Issi," Sadiki says earnestly. "You know I'm happy to help with any passion projects of yours. And maybe after, we can channel some of that passion in bed..."
"Yes, please," Sadiki replies in a contented whisper. If Okoro could see her now...
Sadiki can't help but rub her thighs together as her sister binds her arms. "Oh..." She pretends to struggle a bit. "It's so tight. I can't break out! You could do anything you wanted to me, and I couldn't stop you..."
Sadiki's heart is beating quickly, her sister stoking the flames of her own desire. She nods wordlessly, eager to see the trick Issi speaks of.
Sadiki is surprised by her younger sister's sudden ferocity. She lets out a little mewl as Issi presses her into the wall and goes on the attack. "Mmm! Issi, what's gotten into you?" she asks when her sister allows her a break for air.
Sadiki finds the research equally boring. Even with Mariama and Ignaci around to help, it takes forever. "Gods, I wish we could be done with this," the sorceress mutters. As if in response, a book falls off a nearby shelf. She thumbs through it and--"Issi! Look, here it is!" Records show that, although the runes line up with certain constellations known in antiquity, there’s nothing sinister behind them. The glyphs were a part of an unfinished thesis project on astrology, begun by a former student who later changed their focus of study. They simply left the out-of-the-way runes in place on the off chance that someone else might someday pick up the project where they left off. Mariama and Ignaci are both relieved and a little disappointed to discover the runes’ benign nature. Ignaci is eager to move on to other endeavors after this, but Mariama still has a few questions and decides to learn out more about the former student’s thesis. They thank you for your help!
Sadiki laughs and cries at the same time as relief floods through her. "The Third Principle can wait!" she declares as she leaps into Okoro's arms and showers him with kisses!
Sadiki lowers her eyes as she tries to gather her thoughts. "Of course I have feelings for you, Okoro. I would not have been your girlfriend for over a year if I did not. I love you, and I love being with you. I've often thought that after we both graduated, that maybe we would... You know, get married, start a family..." She sighs and looks up at Okoro. "I wouldn't say that I am into girls. But, Issi isn't just any girl. And she has always been more than just my sister. We've been inseparable since we were kids. Long before my change, she was the only one who truly knew me. Who understood me. Who stood by me when even our own parents turned their backs on me. The love I have for her transcends all else. And now... That love is manifesting in a strange new way. "I know it doesn't make sense. I know it is... taboo. But my love for her does not diminish my love for you. I still want to be with you, Okoro. I still want to be your wife one day. If you will have me. If you can accept this."
Sadiki sighs. "Okay. Breakfast first." After stuffing her face with pastries, the sorceress heads to the Magaambya campus to find Okoro.
Sadiki scowls. ”There aren’t rules forbidding teacher-student relationships. And Okoro is a conversant now, so there’s that. But I don’t know if he’s my boyfriend anymore. We’ve barely spoken since graduation. I know it was a lot to drop on him, but I still would appreciate an answer. Any kind of answer instead of just being in limbo.”
With Okoro still needing space to figure things out, Sadiki catches up on her studies, quickly getting to where she needs to be as a lore-speaker and teacher. She celebrates the achievement with her sister that night, and as one thing leads to another, they finally explore the full range of possibilities that have been opened up to them... Sadiki awakens to Issi's kiss. She lets out a tired moan as she rolls over, her body sliding against the other woman's. "Food? Hmm... No... When we have students, we can send them into the city to fetch breakfast for us!"
"Simply put, I seek to be Sadiki," the sorceress says as she steps forward. "Long have I sought to become the fully realized version of myself. I feel I am closer now than I have ever been before, but there is still much more for me to learn about who I am. Magic is a part of it. Love is another. Love of self, and love of others. In teaching others, I will learn about myself. And perhaps one day, I will finally attain everything that I have hoped for and dreamed of."
Sadiki sighs. No time like the present, right? She finds Okoro and says, "Hey. We need to talk." Once the two have some privacy, the sorceress looks into her boyfriend's eyes. "So... We've been together for more than a year now. And I've been very happy being with you all of this time. But... something's happened recently that I need to tell you about. "You know Issi and I are extremely close. We love each other more than anything. Well, that love seems to be developing in a more, hmm, romantic direction. It was not something either of us expected. It just kind of happened. But we both like it, and we both want it to continue. "I still love you. I still want to be with you too, Okoro. But I also want to be with Issi. She does not mind if I continue to be your girlfriend. But the question is... how do you feel about this whole... situation?"
”He knows we are graduating. The whole school knows! Esi is planning a surprise party—but it’s supposed to be a surprise, so don’t say anything!” Sadiki sighs and puts her head on Issi’s shoulder. ”I’ll ease into it with him, but I have to tell him the truth. It’s not fair to keep him in the dark. And it will be up to him to decide what to do with that knowledge...”
Sadiki cherishes the quiet times she shares with Issi as their relationship slowly begins to develop. In private, with just the two of them, she is happy. But she knows she can't keep this secret from Okoro forever. She just doesn't know how exactly to go about trying to explain it...
"I promise you, Issi," Sadiki says. "I will never leave you. We will be together forever, no matter what. The genie granted our wishes and gave us what we most desired. But we didn't need magic to be able to have each other..."
"Then let madness reign," Sadiki replies. She presses her body against Issi's as she kisses her once more. She lifts a leg and hooks it behind her sister, drawing her even closer.
Sadiki bites her lip. "Yes. I am. But... That doesn't mean I can't also be with you. I have a lot of love to give, Issi. And you are the only one who really knows me. All of me." She shakes her head. "This is crazy. But that doesn't make it wrong."
"I don't know," Sadiki replies in a whisper. "But... I like it. Do you?"
Sadiki's heart leaps up into her throat as Issi's lips meet her own. Her eyes widen slightly as she looks up at her taller sister. "It's okay. You... you don't have to apologize..." She stares at Issi for a few moments. Then, with a slight feeling of delirium, she closes her eyes and pulls her sister in for another kiss...
Sadiki wraps her arms around her sister. "Hey, hey. It's okay." She strokes Issi's fiery hair as she tries to calm her down. "We've only been at the Magaambya for a short time, yes... Almost two years now? But we've done a lot in that short time. A lot more than most! And we're not going anywhere. We'll still be here on campus, still learning. We'll just be helping other students learn, too. We can do this. We got this."
Sadiki's blush deepens. "Hee hee, yeah, maybe... Maybe I'll look into it later..."
Sadiki blushes. "Hee hee, maybe a little bit," she admits. "No kink shaming, right?"
Sadiki perhaps spends a little too much time describing how the elf squirms in the tentacles' grasp, but fortunately Okoro's dwarf barbarian manages to cut Issi's character free in short order. The rest of the session goes well, wrapping up after the heroes survive the horrors of the wastes and make it to the relative safety of a waystation. Once everybody else has gone back to their dorm rooms, Sadiki eagerly awaits her sister's review of her GMing skills!
"I won't mess with you, but the NPCs might!" Sadiki says with a smile. Once everybody has made their characters, Sadiki sets the scene. "Okay, you are all guards on a caravan through the Mana Wastes. Suddenly, something bursts out of the desert sands in front of you! It's... an octopus! A mutant desert octopus!" "Heh, tentacles already," Chizire remarks.
Sadiki's studies are lagging behind, but she doesn't care too much because it's time for the new campaign! Sadiki sits at the head of the table, arranging her notes and dice in front of her as Chizire and Mariama take their seats beside Issi and Okoro. "Okay, so this campaign is inspired by what I've read about Alkenstar. Expect lots of guns and clockworks and fun stuff like that! So make your characters and let's get going!"
As Issi slices into the granitescale serpentfolk, Sadiki calls on some guidance and shouts at Salathiss. "So, who are you? Asanda or Salathiss? Mayor or infiltrator, hero or villain? Can you even tell the difference anymore?"
"That sounds like a good idea," Sadiki says. "I can make us invisible again. Maybe this time you won't make as much noise!"
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