After another few questions for Sarnai that just resulted in me understanding that she was already rather smitten with Rhefia and that she was definitely very accustomed to a lifestyle befitting a mercenary, I left my wife to chat some more with her new woman so that I could seek my other wife.
Sari stayed behind because she wanted to ask Sarnai some things herself, likely regarding their 'mutual' race and potentially what it would mean for the future relationship between their children, though it was also clear she was just like me and found Sarnai to be quite attractive.
Leaving them where they were and debating for a moment on whether or not I should go and take a listen in on what Aethisia and Camara were doing, I eventually just decided to forgo being an eavesdropper and instead just went to find Renna, who was lounging outside with Kalia sitting beside her, the two talking about herbs.
When they saw me approach they both fell quiet and waited for me to speak, clearly intrigued by what was going on inside but also interested in what I had to say; quickly filling them in on Sarnai and letting Renna know that we might need to do something official about the Leopardkin, I got to my own questions quickly enough, which got Kalia's attention instantly.
"Rhefia and Sari brought up really good points about us not having anywhere near enough space in this compound, and while we could expand downwards into the earth, no one besides me, Yiksa and Prixisia seem content with that idea, so they came up with something else.
Since you are our neighbor, the idea was to ask if you would be willing to somehow merge our properties together and start constructing something larger for everyone, though obviously this idea hinges entirely upon you..."
The Nymph pursed her lips and glanced towards the wall that separated us from her property, and for a brief moment there was clear reluctance glimmering in her eyes, though after that moment passed she nodded and turned back towards me with a smile.
"I don't... love the idea of losing my own land, but I will admit I don't think I have a need for it anymore. It was a vacation home that saw rare use, and the land only holds some memories for me now... The main reason you want to expand is because of 'this', right?"
She poked my belly when she said 'this', making me chuckle wryly as I nodded before I poked her back, reminding her that I wasn't the only one expecting; I also gestured at Kalia, who smiled too, before adding "Everyone inside too, just so you know...", which drew a laugh from the Nymph.
"It really is Spring now~! Then yes, we undoubtedly require far more space. Thankfully the official paperwork required to do something like this is easy. We just need to take a day to head to the Birchan Land Office and request a merger of our properties, turning this from 'two' plots into a single plot in the records.
After that getting the permits for anything considered 'large scale' is going to be a little trickier, though we could just work around that by only building up two stories for each structure... and if we limit ourselves to three the permits are easy enough to get.
The main issue is going to be getting a paper trail for the materials and the like, especially since all kinds of eyes are going to be on me when that merger goes through. We don't want people discovering your abilities, now do we?"
I immediately sighed at that and looked towards the walls, trying to come up with a good enough 'counter' to that only to wonder if it was going to be 'impossible' thanks to the towering trees all around us.
"A magical barrier is possible but we need a lot of permits for that. I would argue it's worth it, and before you even ask, no we cannot just construct one ourselves. Something that large is going to be considered a threat against Birchan if you do it yourself... Even the Queen cannot freely construct barriers wherever she pleases."
"The more we discuss these sorts of things the more appealing the idea of heading back to Geard sounds..."
"Oh I don't doubt you could easily create some sort of city within the forest, but I must ask what you would do without the ability to just conveniently find new 'toys' every single day~?"
I acted like her bemused 'accusation' hurt me even though we both knew it to be true, since every single foray into the city always came with a few 'strings' attached for me; that was currently my 'spice' of choice for life, and it was one I had come to be addicted to.
"I did it before, I can do it again! Besides, I ended up finding Rhefia and Yiksa while I was in Geard by myself, so I don't doubt I would find someone else eventually!"
"That's true..."
"Mama, about the expansion..."
Kalia immediately brought us back to the here and now, causing both Renna and I to turn towards her as we waited for her to continue speaking; when she felt she had our attention she gestured loosely at the river and began to ask something that made me frown just a little.
"You should include the plot next to the city walls into your plans. I was thinking of spending more time there already - just Inik and I - but now that you mention the need for space, we should really start using that land too."
Begrudgingly I agreed, though the idea of my pink haired baby going anywhere just made me feel anxious and lonely, even if I knew she was just going to be a few minutes away; she did make a really good point though, and the idea of having that 'home away from home' was becoming all the more appealing as the realization of a population boom set in.