Learning Phase 2

by Nuit du Loup

Karin awoke slowly the next morning and for just a moment she felt surprised that she wasn't in the room she shared with three other girls at the orphanage. Instead she lay curled under blissfully warm sheets in what to her was a massive sized bed. The room itself was also far larger than her old one and it seemed sadly empty and bare with just the bed and the dresser. Then she remembered where she was and how she had gotten here and a fire of happiness flooded through her body.

"My own room!" she giggled to no one in particular, grinning like an idiot.

She turned the rest of the way onto her stomach and stretched her body to loosen up a little. Most people would have done that on their back, but her wings made anything in that position uncomfortable or awkward. Her wings were also the reason she slept topless. The unrestricted feel was a lot more comfortable.

For a brief moment, she hugged one of the half-dozen pillows that had come with the bed and remembered the night before; the night she, Ayaka and Sora had become sisters in Isana's home. Isana's hug had been so warm and welcoming that she couldn't help feeling a little gooey inside. She could almost feel a remembrance of it even now. Then Karin rolled more onto her side as a loud cacophony of birdsong arose from outside her window and diverted her attention.

Curious, she pushed up and then slipped out of the bed. It was summer and the warmth from the rising sun made standing on the bedside rug in just a pair of pink and white striped panties perfectly comfortable. So she strode to the window as she also stretched out her wings and gave them a few quick flaps to loosen those muscles up too.

The window was a large one. Had she stood on the sill, it was taller than she was tall with an arched top. Brackets on either side near the top showed where curtains must have hung at one time, but now the window was bare. The deep sill was just above waist height, so she found it easy enough to lift up and sit on it sideways to look out from her new forest-bound home.

 The forest was why she was unconcerned about anyone outside seeing her undressed. No one was out there to see her skinny, tan-skinned body and her tiny breasts. The only people that might see her would be the other girls and Isana, and she felt unconcerned about them walking in and seeing her mostly naked; instead her eyes widened in joy at the sight before her.

Outside the window was a panorama of green growing things.  Massively thick trees, exploding with vibrant green foliage covered the land in all directions for as far as she could see. Under them was dense undergrowth with a wild variety of different plants. In the distance she could see a small group of deer walking calmly through the brush, stopping occasionally to nibble at something.  They were led by a proud looking stag with an impressive rack.

Closest to her window was a particularly massive oak tree. In its branches was a flock of small, noisy birds, sparrows maybe. She saw nests in some of the branches and wondered how many of them lived in the tree. In all, it was the biggest profusion of nature and life that she'd ever seen. Ayaka would love it.

"Oh?"

Thinking of Ayaka and then Sora, Karin slipped back down to her feet with the intent to find them. They, along with Isana, were her family now and she wanted to see them. She detoured on the way to the bag with her clothes to pee first and that took a bit.  She'd been more than a little impressed by the bathroom the night before and now that she saw it in daylight it was even more so.  The floor and the bottom half of the walls were tiled in a black and white pattern. The bathing area with its big tub and separate shower unit were in an almost separate alcove from the toilet and double sink. She was determined to try out that shower soon since all they'd had before were bathtubs. Then she went back and unzipped the lumpy luggage bag and tried to decide what to wear, which made her giggle again.

Normally she didn't really care what she wore and just threw things on. Now she was suddenly worried about making the right impression on the others, even though Ayaka and Sora had seen everything she owned a thousand times. The only person for whom something would be new would be Isana, and Isana had told her the night before during the dinner that she thought her outfit had been cute.

Going with that, she pulled out the only other skirt she had. It was a white one that hung to just above her knees. Then she took out a loose,black strapped top that had a back low enough that it hadn't needed to be modified to allow for her wings. She left her feet bare because she was already starting to like the contrasting feel of the smooth wood floors and the thick rugs Isana had laid over them in places. Once finished, she decided to head to Ayaka's room first since she knew Ayaka always woke up early.

"Come in!" Ayaka called pleasantly when Karin knocked on her closed door. Knocking was one of the primary rules back at the orphanage where privacy had been a scarce thing.

"Morning Ayaka!" Karin called back, popping eagerly into the room. She was unsurprised to see that the bed was made and Ayaka's luggage bag lay empty next to the dresser. Ayaka herself was sitting just as Karin had been in her own window. She was dressed casually in a pair of loose jeans and a white tank top. "Enjoying the view?"

"You have no idea how wonderful this place feels," Ayaka sighed, closing her eyes and then breathing deeply. "It screams 'you are home' to every bone in my body."

"It feels like home to me too," Karin giggled, and approached her new sister and hugged her left, outward arm. Karin breathed deep too, smelling the herbal shampoo of Isana's that Ayaka had used.  Ayaka's eyes blinked open in surprise at the hug and Karin grinned playfully at her. "This is our home now, Isana said so. That means we're sisters."

"So she did," Ayaka smiled back, "and I suppose we are sisters now Karin. It makes me sorry we didn't hang out much before we came here, even though we lived in the orphanage together for years."

"Hey, there were over a hundred girls there," Karin said easily. "Plus, you were there longer than I was and already had friends.  I would just have been a new weird girl with dragon wings and a big horn."

"I've always liked your wings," Ayaka said, turning her head to look at Karin directly. Karin saw she was entirely sincere and greatly appreciated the comment. "We're only half a year apart in age, so I should have talked to you more. I suppose that's a moot point though. Now we'll live together from here on out, and with Sora too, so we'll have plenty of time for getting to know each other."

"And it's a lot better than the city," Karin added, nodding to the scenery outside the window.

"It's certainly my kind of place," Ayaka agreed. "It just feels so good!"

"Good people, great place," Karin smiled and hugged Ayaka a little closer. "The only thing missing is a great breakfast!"

Ayaka snorted a surprised laugh, "I was actually thinking something like that myself. Do you think Isana would mind if we made something for everyone?"

"Dunno," Karin shrugged. "But she said multiple times that we should make ourselves at home. Plus, she amazingly nice and she gives out great hugs."

"Is that what prompted this one?" Ayaka asked in amusement. "And what does that have anything to do with her letting us make breakfast?"

"I was just emphasizing how nice she is," Karin smiled. "As for this, I just like hugging people. It feels good."

"Well, thank you for it," Ayaka replied. "It does feel nice. But can you let me down? I'd like to have some food done by the time Isana wakes up."

"What about Sora?" Karin asked as she obliged.

"Let her sleep too," Ayaka said, smiling warmly and tucking some of her brown curls behind an ear. Karin had never thought about it much before now, but Ayaka was really pretty and she found that she enjoyed looking at the slightly older girl. "This may sound a little insulting, but there's just something about Sora that makes me want to dote on her."

"Same here," Karin grinned. "Now let's head downstairs."

Ayaka slid down off of the windowsill and Karin felt her eyes involuntarily watch her new sister's lithe movements. Ayaka had always been a lot more graceful than any of the other girls and Karin liked watching her move. Lately that interest had been increasing and it never occurred to her to question why that was. It was just something nice she liked about Ayaka.

They descended back down to the kitchen and both of them stood silent in a moment of pure awe when they entered the room. The morning sun was streaming in through the many windows, including the large bay one and the forest scene outside was just as stunning as it had been when viewed from the second floor. The room, with the polished counters, gleamed in the sunlight. As Karin took it all in once again, she could see an appreciative smile on Ayaka's lips. No doubt she was also enjoying the orderly cleanliness of the place as well.

"What should we make?" Karin eventually asked, breaking the moment.

Ayaka blinked and cocked her head thoughtfully. "I'm not really sure. We'll have to see what she has. Can you look in that door over there, that's probably the pantry Isana mentioned. I'll look through the refrigerator."

They parted briefly to inspect the food stores. After comparing their finds and dithering over complexity and time, they decided to keep things simple and make a pot of oatmeal along with some bacon. The bacon in particular was something they were both eager to try as it was a luxury the orphanage had been unwilling to purchase. Ayaka was known as one of the better cooks back in their old home, so Karin felt safe in letting her attempt to cook the new delicacy.

As they had hoped, it was a meal that was quickly prepared and soon the delicious smell of the cooking bacon was filling the house.  Karin could feel her mouth watering and even though she was trying to maintain her normal mature attitude, she could see that Ayaka was just as eager as she was to finally eat the stuff.

"Should I go and wake the others?" Karin asked excitedly when the bacon was spitting and popping and a nice crispy brown. The pot of oatmeal next to the meat was bubbling thickly.

"May as well," Ayaka agreed. "It'll only be a few minutes more."

Leaving Ayaka to watch over the food, Karin made her way back to the stairs and bounded happily up them. Once upstairs Karin decided to wake Sora first since she knew that her youngest sister would enjoy helping her wake Isana up. Sora had taken immediately to Isana and it had been readily apparent how much Isana returned that feeling. It was a surprise then when Karin knocked on Sora's door and got no reply at all.

Curious, she slowly opened the door and peeked inside. What she found was a completely dark room. There were no windows to provide some light, so Karin touched her hand to the wall and turned the magic dial so that the light crystal things lit up. What she found then was a completelyemptyroom and a mussed bed that looked like no one had slept in it. Feeling confused, Karin wondered if maybe she had somehow passed Sora by going up the back stairway and Sora was already downstairs. Shrugging, she turned the lights back off and crossed over to Isana's door.

This time she simply opened the door a little and stuck her head inside. Karin's eyes widened when she took in the room.  Thick shaggy rugs lay over the floor everywhere and the middle of the room was taken over by the most massive bed she had ever seen.  The big dresser against one wall and a few other tables seemed to be crowded aside by the bed. Since it was on the east side of the house, the sun was bright and warm here, filling the space. Karin slid slowly into the room and marveled at the random collection of blankets and pillows covering the bed.

Once she was closer she found Isana's face by her snow-white hair and she also found where Sora had gotten to. The two of them were snuggled close together and Karin had to smile at the peaceful scene. It looked so inviting that she was extremely tempted to join them. But breakfast was waiting and a fresh whiff of bacon in the air made her tummy rumble.

She made her way to the right side of the bed and to her great amusement the bed was so huge that she couldn't get near Isana from the side. Since she was more than willing to see how this weird bed felt, she climbed up onto it and crawled toward its occupants. They were both lying on their sides with Sora's back to Isana's front, so Karin reached for the bump where Isana's shoulder had to be.

"Isana," she whispered gently. "Sora. Do you guys want some breakfast?"

"Hmmmmwa?" Isana mumbled something and suddenly a slim, naked arm snaked up and Karin yelped in surprise asshewas pulled downward.

******

Isana jerked awake as a soft, girlish sound of shock burst out near her ears and a large, warm something landed on top of her. Sora was also jolted into wakefulness and both their eyes locked onto the person that Isana realized she had pulled onto them unconsciously.

"Oh holy damn!" Isana swore, seeing Karin's face near her own. "Are you both alright?"

"Hehe, yeah," Karin laughed, pulling herself upright again. From the positioning, this had her straddling both her and Sora's legs. "Sorry, I was just trying to see if you guys wanted some breakfast, me and Ayaka made some."

"I'd love some," Isana smiled up at her. Then she looked into Sora's face which was only inches from her own. "Are you okay too Sora?"

"I'm fine," Sora replied with her own smile. "I was just surprised. Thanks for making food Karin."

Karin shrugged and colored a little. "Ayaka's doing most of the hard work. I just stirred the oatmeal. Did you sleep here the whole night?"

Sora's face turned a bit pinker and Isana had to smile. "I was fine with it Karin," Isana answered for her. "As you can see, I have a huge bed."

It was then Isana realized where her other hand was. Since they had turned a little and were now facing each other, her lower hand was wrapped around and holding onto a pleasantly warm and soft place. Namely Sora's round little butt, and from the skin contact and how far inside her fingers were, Sora wasn't wearing any panties. Once she realized this, her hand unconsciously gave that butt a soft squeeze. Sora made a sighing sound, but otherwise said nothing about it except to smile a little more. Isana felt an aroused heat wash over her and it was all she could do not to give Sora's happy lips a morning kiss. When Karin leaned in curiously, Isana wanted to kiss her too. That reaction meant they need to have their little talk very soon.

"Can you let us get up?" Isana asked Karin jokingly. "I need to make a quick stop before I eat."

"Sure," Karin replied, sliding herself off to one side. Isana saw she was wearing another skirt and a shirt that was cut low and showed off a lot of nice skin as well as Karin's wings. Isana then loosened her grip on Sora's more than pleasant anatomy and nudged the girl with a hip. Sora got the hint and squirreled her way up and out of the covers. The two girls descended to the floor as Isana squirmed her own way clear. Then she heard a pair of gasps. She'd forgotten she was naked.

"Sorry," she said, giving both of the staring girls an apologetic smile and sat on the edge of the bed. "I can't stand wearing clothes in bed. I hope this doesn't bother you."

"Ah...not at all," Karin mumbled, not taking her eyes off of Isana's slim form. Isana smiled wider in understanding. Karin too was a witch and had to be feeling the urges; even though her magic had yet to awaken on its own. "You're very pretty."

"Thank you Karin," Isana replied happily.

"I don't mind either," Sora quickly added, not moving her gaze. Then her eyes flicked up to Isana's, reddened and her ears drooped down with embarrassment.

"Sora, it's not that big a deal if you look at me naked," Isana laughed gently. "Why would I mind this after you slept against me the whole night?"

Sora perked back up at this and Isana saw an amused glint to Karin's eyes. Chuckling silently to herself, Isana rose to her feet and arched her back to stretch it. She knew she was flaunting herself, but it was very much a part of her nature to do so in front of girls she was attracted to and had they looked, both girls would have seen her tail tip twitching in a happy motion.

"Sora," she said, glancing at the girl. "Why don't you go get dressed while I take care of my business? Karin, go on down and tell Ayaka we'll be right there. That bacon smells too good to miss."

"Yeah it does," Karin sighed wistfully. Then she playfully nudged Sora who was sniffing the air thoughtfully. "Come on Sora, Ayaka's got to be nearly dieing down there, smelling that and being forced to wait for us."

The two girl left with Karin getting more a few giggles out of the younger girl as they went. Once they were gone, Isana made her way into her spacious bathroom and did her business quickly. She was extremely tempted to make use of her fingers to scratch a certain itch, but she normally got really noisy and she didn't want the girls to walk in on that just yet, at least not until she explained everything to them. After washing her face, she dressed quickly into a pair of loose shorts and a sleeveless shirt.

As she exited the room, the smell of the cooking food grew stronger and she let her stomach guide her downstairs. When she entered the kitchen Sora was seated at one of the island stools, happily watching a conversation between Karin and Ayaka who stood very close by the stove. The two older girls spotted her first and they separated with Ayaka's cheeks reddening. Isana couldn't help the amused smirk that bloomed on her lips and as she sat down next to a visibly pleased Sora, then she greeted the young teen.

"Morning Ayaka, Karin tells me you've been busy cooking breakfast for us all."

"We just wanted to do something nice to thank you for taking us in," Ayaka answered as she picked up a spatula and smoothly removed finished slices of bacon from a pan and onto a plate. She had made an impressive pile of it.

"You're welcome then," Isana replied appreciably. "I take it that Karin told you about upstairs since you won't look at me?"

"What?!" Ayaka jerked and finally looked straight at her. Karin looked worried.

"It's alright," Isana laughed gently. "I don't mind.  Relax. I told you last night that I don't want any of you to be embarrassed around me. That includes seeing me naked."

"Why were you naked?" Ayaka asked, now sounding much more curious then worried.

"I hate wearing clothes in bed," Isana said with a casual shrug. "It's no big deal."

"She's right," Karin said, cocking her head as she thought of something. "I don't wear a shirt at night because of my wings, so I'm almost naked too."

"See," Isana said. "Now come on, I want to eat the food you two made."

"Sure," Ayaka replied, perking up considerably.

Since there was only three stools at the island, Isana had them move everything to the breakfast nook where she slid all the way inside the booth. Sora quickly claimed the seat on one side of her and Ayaka slid in on the other side since Karin volunteered to bring over the food and stuff. Both the oatmeal and the bacon tasted wonderful and all three girls exclaimed over the meat. She found out then that they'd never had it before.

Throughout the meal Isana kept the conversation light and asked how they'd liked their first night in their new home. On this subject Ayaka was particularly joyful. She spent at least forty minutes just describing what she saw outside her window earlier with a few comments from Karin thrown in. She did see all three of them giving her glancing looks, but whenever she caught them at it she made sure to smile reassuringly and eventually even Ayaka started to smile back. When the meal was finished, Sora and Karin volunteered to wash up. That left just Isana and Ayaka still sitting together.

"Do you guys want to continue the house tour?" Isana asked them as she watched the two girls cleaning the dishes. Ayaka had wondered what her tail felt like so she was feeling pretty good as the girl stroked her furry appendage. Ayaka seemed to like doing it so neither of them had stopped it yet. "Or did you guys already look around everything down here

"Just the pantry," Karin answered. "You've got enough dry and canned food in there to feed a small army!"

"A small army or three growing girls?" Isana replied with a laugh. "Claire's been telling me that nothing eats more food than a group of teenagers. How old are you girls anyway? I never did ask."

"I'm the oldest," Ayaka volunteered. "I just turned fourteen last month on the tenth."

"Thirteen," Karin said with a smile. "I'm only six months younger than Ayaka, but she's definitely the older, more mature sister of the three of us."

"I'm twelve now," Sora answered proudly. Karin had put her in charge of drying and her small hands were deft with a towel. "My birthday isn't until December though."

"Nice," Isana nodded. "If someone didn't tell you already, I'm twenty-five and my birthday is in March. "

Once the dishes were done, they separated once again at Isana's urging to take showers and freshen up for the day. Since she had already taken one, Ayaka went into the living room to wait for everyone else. When Isana was finished with her very quick shower and returned, she found the girl staring out into the peaceful forest outside while sitting with legs curled up on her big comfy couch. It was older than she was and had been reupholstered several times, but it was always anyone's favorite seat. Not really knowing why, Isana sat right behind Ayaka and pulled the girl back into her arms and against her chest. Ayaka let her do so without complaint and didn't even object when Isana leaned forward to rub their cheeks together and fold them into a hug.

"You really do have a lot of cat-like behaviors," Ayaka commented after a few minutes passed. She sounded amused. "What does the cheek rubbing mean? You've done it with all of us I think."

"You know how cats mark things as theirs?" Ayaka nodded. "Well I, like most cats, have small scent glands near there. It secretes into the oils of my skin and when I rub something it leaves a scent marker I can pick up on. It marks something or someone as mine to any other creature that can smell it."

"Well, I can smell it too," Ayaka laughed amusedly. "I have a sensitive nose."

"I can try not to do it to you if you don't like it," Isana said, frowning.

"No, I like it actually," Ayaka replied and settled even deeper into the hug. "It made it more peaceful somehow being able to smell you on me when I went to sleep last night. It's like having you with me even when you're not there. I was just curious. Thanks for explaining it."

"No problem," Isana said affectionately. "I'm perfectly comfortable with explaining anything about me you want.  Everything here is probably new and weird, so if you want to know something, just ask."

"You're surprisingly nice," Ayaka replied. "I really didn't know what to expect when they said they had found us a place to live and I half expected it to be like the orphanage all over again, except smaller. But it's not like that at all. This place is wonderful and I could never have sat and relaxed like this with anyone there. It just makes me wonder if there's a catch to it all or something that I haven't seen yet."

"There's no catch," Isana assured her quickly. "You girls are an unexpected blessing to me as well. Before now, I actually liked living alone. Now I have you three to cuddle with and I think I'm gonna love it."

"I'm sensing a 'but' in there somewhere," Ayaka laughed. "What is it? It can't be that bad right?"

"No, it's not bad at all really," Isana admitted. She was going to have to have this talk with all the girls, but Ayaka wanted to know and it made sense for the older and more mature girl to know what was going on. "It just has to do with the nature of witches and any girls that live with and around them."

"Arbor has quite a few witches," Ayaka commented. "I've never heard anything bad about them."

"Like I said, it's not bad, just different," Isana replied and made sure she still heard both Sora's and Karin's showers were still running. "Did you notice how fascinated both Sora and Karin were about seeing me naked?"

"I did," Ayaka replied, her cheeks reddening. Her voice however remained steady. "I also noticed that they have both started touching people a lot more than they used to. Sora used to be too shy, but now she always wants to be near you. Is that all part of it?"

"Yes," Isana admitted and smiled. "That's very observant. They are doing that because they, like me, are witches. All sorts of people can use magic and manipulate it in different ways, but witches and the exceedingly rare male sorcerers are born with it in their blood. We will use magic whether we like it or not. But it comes with a few side effects."

"The touching stuff?" Ayaka guessed.

"Yep," Isana agreed. "That comes from an extremely powerful inclination in witches to be around and become close to other women and girls; especially if they too are witches. Witches also have an overly active sex drive and a libido you wouldn't believe.  What Sora and Karin are feeling is the beginning seeds of that and the instincts that come with it. They are probably too young and sheltered to realize that what they are feeling is strong sexual attraction."

"You don't think I'm too young to understand?" Ayaka said quietly as she digested what she'd been told.

"You have a very clear head for a girl your age," Isana chuckled and tightened the hug again. "You had the observation skills to notice things were different, so I told you why."

"So what you're saying is that witches want to be with other girls?" Ayaka asked thoughtfully. "And that this is only the start for those two? What about you?"

"Me too," Isana admitted freely. "My body is screaming at me about it all the time. I have an extremely strong desire for all three of you, but unlike them I know what it is and can ignore it, despite how uncomfortable and disappointing that feels. It helps though when I hold you like this. The other two are going to be showing stronger signs of this and I suspect that Karin at least will figure out soon what it is she suddenly wants from us. I was planning on having a small talk about it with all of you to explain it. But you just happened to hit on the subject early."

"Lucky me," Ayaka chuckled. "So what usually happens in a situation like this?"

"Usually," Isana said carefully, "the people involved just allow things to happen naturally. It's the reason why if you ask or check, most witches prefer to live in group homes with others like them or with women. It's also the origin of covens."

Ayaka sat silent for a long moment and in the silence they heard one of the showers shut off. Isana knew from her familiarity with the house that it was Sora's bathroom. "You mean the witches and women that live with them just have sex with each other?" Ayaka eventually asked.

"Yes," Isana answered honestly. "I'm not saying that such houses are constantly running orgies or something. Witch households almost always develop extremely tight bonds with their members, regardless of age. Rebecca and Maya both knew that when they asked me to take you guys in. You just got lucky that I'm still a sexy young lady and not some old biddy."

"Sexy lady huh?" Ayaka barked a laugh. "That's some opinion you have of yourself, but I get what you're saying. It could have been worse, right?"

"Right, for instance, the three of you could have been separated completely where none of you would have someone you knew. This way you and the other girls know each other and have at least that connection. Plus, I can guarantee you that I will never, ever, force my attentions on you or the others. If you don't want to have sex with anyone, you don't have to."

"But I can tell from your tone that it will be very hard to resist doing so and that you think I'd be missing out," Ayaka's wry amusement burst out into clear laughter. Ayaka squirmed around in the seat until they sat facing each other and Ayaka looked very pleased. "Thanks for explaining all of this to me like an adult. I know you probably could have just let thing happen as they would, but I'm glad I know what will be going on around here soon. I think we're actually pretty lucky to have ended up here."

Isana blinked. "So, you're not upset by it at all?"

"From what you just told me, getting upset about it would be about as useful as screaming at a tornado," Ayaka smirked. "I admit that I think it's really weird and knowing that Karin and Sora are going to start coming onto me is even more so, but now at least I'll have a clue and I won't accidentally hurt their feelings. Plus it explains why Karin was hugging me so much and why Sora has attached to you. When will you tell them?"

"I'm not sure," Isana frowned. "It has to be soon though. Karin is old enough and smart enough to work out that she's sexually attracted to everyone in the house and I have no idea where that will lead her. Sora on the other hand probably has no idea why she is so fascinated by me and why she enjoyed sleeping with me so much.  What do you think? You've known them longer than I have."

"Isana, none of us were very close when we lived at the orphanage," Ayaka laughed. "I only saw Karin at meal times because we had different friends and Sora mostly kept to herself. Sora is much too quiet a person to have survived there much longer I think. But you're probably right about Karin; she'll have it worked out pretty soon. It's embarrassing, but I was actually surprised when I found out how smart she is a couple years ago. So I would say to tell them as soon as possible for Sora's sake more than Karin's."

Isana sighed heavily. "Then I suppose I may as well do it today. Thanks for being so understanding about all this."

"Heh, from what you described, I thought it all sounded kind of nice," Ayaka smiled pleasantly. "And I was quite enjoying you holding me just now, just so you know."

"Whoa! Cool room!" they both turned and sat normally on the couch as Karin and Sora walked in together. Sora's expressive ears were flicking about with her interest and it didn't pass Ayaka's notice that Karin hadher arm wrapped casually around the younger girl.

Isana was however, very proud of her living room. Like her bedroom, she had put it together for the purpose of comfort first and visual appeal second. That meant that nothing in the room really matched well, but by coincidence it did have a sort of eclectic charm.

Aside from the big sofa on which she sat, Isana had kept her adoptive mother's antique coffee table as a center piece. It was a massive thing that she could never have moved except with magic or a team of four burly men. There was a second sofa across from the one she sat on that was made of a red material and then two lounge chairs on either ends of the sofas. The sofa Isana and Ayaka sat on ran along one outside wall that was lined with windows. The end wall of the rectangular space was taken up by a large, obviously well used fireplace made of river stones. The only entrances to the room led to the dining room and the smaller door that led to the study/library.

As they entered, Karin wriggled her toes into the now ubiquitous heavy shag rug and it was plainly obvious that she liked it.  Isana liked to do the same thing, but what she liked about this room was that on really warm days she could lie out and take naps on that rug.

"Thank you Karin," Isana said by way of greeting. "I'm not much of a decorator, but it is comfy here."

"The shower was even better though," Karin said. She and Sora went around the second couch and sat in it across from them. "Even Sora took a long one."

"I've never been in a shower before," Sora said, defending herself. "And you took longer than I did."

"Very true," Karin chuckled in admission. "But it was nice right?"

"It was," Sora agreed. "The water stayed nice and hot."

"So, when does the tour start back up?" Karin asked.

"Right now if you like," Isana answered.

Since there was only the first floor and the basement left to show the girls, the tour was a fairly quick one. Ayaka and Sora were both a little impressed by the collection of books she had in her library and both of them wore smiles when they left because Isana happily told them they could read whatever they wanted out of it. The really dangerous magic books were kept in a lockable case in the basement, so nothing in them would cause undueharm.  The girls were rather disappointed though when she teasingly decided to save her special room until later and they walked right past its door.

They were also excited and disappointed when she took them down into the basement. The first half of the large underground space was storage and utilities. Here she kept a large sundry of things and trying to explain them all would have taken days. Instead she told them they were free to explore it all as long as they didn't break anything too expensive. The back half of the basement was the space she reserved for her lab.

Every witch and competent magic user had a lab or a space like it. It was where she performed major workings of magic and created magical concoctions. On one side of the lab she had carved and then inlaid with a special alloy, a ten-foot magical circle with extremely intricate glyphs. If she was doing anything really dangerous, she did it inside there. The girls were especially fascinated by the shelves she kept of ingredients and components she used in magical workings or mixtures. The pride of this collection was the ever-burning phoenix feather she kept in a protective glass enclosure.

Since it was only early afternoon still when she was finished showing off the house, Isana decided to show her girls the other interesting location on her property.

"Why do we need to go there in the truck if it's on your property?" Karin asked as they all climbed into the vehicle.

"Because, by the time my mother and grandmother before her were done, the property grew to over fifteen square miles," Isana answered with an amused smile. "You can walk if you want to, but we're headed to the far northern part. That's a five mile trek, not including the hills and valleys."

"Oh, then the truck is just fine," Karin smiled, buckling in for emphasis.

"How do you own so much land?" Ayaka asked. She was sitting in the back with Sora this time.

"It started with my great-something grandfather," Isana replied, starting up the truck and opening the garage door with a hand wave of magic. "After the Fall, he saw a bunch of empty land laying around with no ownership claims on them anymore and he began snatching them up. At first they were very small bites and when the local governments settled down, they hadn't realized he'd amassed so much. Then it just continued that way for a couple generations until it reached its present size. Now it's like owning my own private forest preserve."

"The forest covers over half the state now," Karin pointed out.

"And I own this small chunk of it," Isana grinned. She turned the truck to a continuation of the long driveway they'd come up the night before. It kept on going, deeper into the dense woods. Since it was much less frequently traveled, it was also far bumpier and a little overgrown in places.

"Is the forest safe to walk around in?" Ayaka asked. She had her window rolled down and was looking out it as the fresh, clean air blew into the vehicle.

"If you're careful and you don't head into it alone, or at night," Isana answered. "There are a few of the newer magical creatures about, but my wards keep them clear of the immediate area around the house. There are bears around this area and I've heard and seen the tracks of a pack of wolves. The wolves would be a lot more dangerous at night than they day. Bears though won't bother you much as long as you don't bother them or their young and the wolves usually steer clear of noisy humans. But I'll give you each a few protective charms anyways. That way I'll feel calmer about you roaming around."

Since it was a relatively short drive through the rough landscape of the forest, they arrived at their destination quickly. The first sign they had arrived was that they popped out of the forest into a clearing that was almost blindingly bright from the now direct sunlight. The clearing was a very large oblong area that was just over a hundred yards long as ran right up to the shoreline of a substantial lake.

"Whoa, there's a lake here?" Karin asked unnecessarily as all three girls had seen it now.

"Actually, there are quite a few lakes hidden inside the forest now," Isana informed them. "This one was man-made originally, but even though the damn that cause it to form is long gone, it still remains."

"What are all these plants growing all over the place?" Sora asked as they drove past a large plot of tomato plants.

"It's a huge produce garden," Ayaka answered with understanding in her voice. "I wondered why you had so much canned food and jars.  You grow it here."

"Yep," Isana affirmed with a proud smile. "I cheat a lot by using magic to keep pests and critters away from it all, but it gives me a nice side income. Usually I hire a few teenagers from town that want some spending money and they help me harvest it all periodically and then I sell what Iwon't eat to a grocer. A lot of people that live out in the boonies like me grow food to help out the town, and to make a little extra money and to have great tasting fresh produce. On the other side of the lake there is a really nice guy with apple and cherry orchards. You wouldn't believe how much money he makes."

"It looks like a lot of work," Karin commented warily as the truck rolled to a stop in front of a large utility shed.

"It's not that bad," Isana laughed. "Remember, I cheat."

Isana climbed out of the truck and once she was on the ground she placed two fingers into her mouth and blew out a deafening whistle that echoed oddly over the waters of the lake. Once it died down, Isana cupped her hand around her mouth and yelled "Shasta!"

When the girls joined her they were looking at her very oddly and she didn't really blame them. She knew how she appeared. But before any of them could ask a question, thousands of small balls of light lifted up all around them in the fields and began to fly around in agitation. Isana smiled at the confusion this caused the girls and waited for the brighter yellow ball that zipped in their direction.

It halted directly in front of Isana's face and the light dimmed slightly to reveal a tiny, but proportionally plump, naked woman with vividly painted body art and a pair of nearly invisible dragonfly wings.

"Oiyo, Isana, what are you doin, callin me with strange whelplings about you?" the tiny person asked in an angry huff.

"Shasta, these girls are now family to me. They will be living in my home and will have free roam of my property. I called to you so that you would know them and so your clan would not cause them harm."

"A family now Isana?" Shasta said in a long string of chuckles. "Two are wee witchlings and the third, oh, a daughter of the earth, what a strange lot you show me."

Isana smiled at the expressions on the girl's faces, but it was Sora who spoke first.

"Are you a real fairy?" Sora asked, clearly amazed and impressed.

"Ach! She doesn't believe I'm real!" Shasta crowed dramatically. Then she clutched a hand to her chest and fell backwards down to the grass as her light dimmed. Sora and the others gasped in surprise and the beginnings of horror.

"Shasta," Isana growled warningly. The fairy's light gleamed bright again and then the little person zipped up into the air with a cackled of laughter. Little squeaks of laughter chorused around them from the multitude of other fairies.

"Ahahaha, no one teaches the young ones the classics anymore," Shasta laughed and then bowed expressively towards Sora. "Aye, tis a fairy I am and a leader of this fine clan, little elf blood witchling. By way of a bargain, the Lady Isana gives us safe and home and a portion of vittles. We tend the green things and make them grow. Honor and privilege and well met."

"Oh, thank—" Ayaka cut of sharply when Isana gestured quickly to her.

"Sorry," Isana apologized to the girl. "But it's never a good idea to thank a fey creature. Some will take it to mean you owe them a debt. Shasta is a well behaved fairy, but if you meet others like her, it would be very bad to say that."

"Okay," Ayaka said thoughtfully. "Then I am honored as well, and we are well met."

"O-ho," Shasta cackled. "A smart and quick minded one is the Mother born girl. It really is a wonderfully strange day to meet a silver one, a dragon brood and one like this one. I will watch over them Isana, never fear. The clan is always in your service. Good day to ye!"

With that Shasta zipped away and all of the floating balls of light flew back down to the various plants they were charged with tending. When Isana turned, it seemed none of the girls knew quite what to make of what just happened.

"Well, now you've met Shasta and the real secret behind my lovely garden," Isana laughed. "She didn't mean any insult by the names she called you, she just has that odd manner of speech."

"She said they serve you though," Karin said wonderingly.

"We made a bargain many years ago," Isana answered. "After I saved some of them during a particularly bad storm, I agreed to let them live within my protective warding for as long as they maintained the gardens. They also have permission to eat a small portion of what is grown. It's a win for both sides."

"I liked her," Sora decided. "How many of them live here?"

"No idea," Isana answered. "Every year a small group of them leave to found their own clans; yet whenever I come down here, there are always at least several hundred of them."

Karin wandered away a little towards the lake. Since it wasn't a naturally made lake, there wasn't much sand on the shoreline that comes with the inevitable erosion on an older body of water.  Instead it was mostly mud except for a small cleared area where Isana had added her own sand. Isana knew what question was coming next.

"Can we swim in the water?" Karin asked, just as Isana knew she would. In answer, Isana approached the shore and grabbed a rope that was staked to the ground near the small beach and trailed into the water after a meter or so, a small object came out of the water with the rope tied around it. What it was a glass ring with a bulge on one side. The glass bulge currently had a green middle.

"See this," the girls nodded. "Whenever you want to swim you have to check this. I have some very strong wards protecting this little beach, but they wear down fast. If you pull this out and it's red, that means the ward has failed and whatever new little creatures live in this lake can get to you. You'll know if it fails while you're in the water because this thing will send out a really bright pulse of light and a small shock to stun anything that might be nearby so you can get out. The wards only extend out about twenty feet so don't go any further than that."

"Okay, so maybe swimming doesn't seem like such a great idea," Karin laughed a little darkly. Both Sora and Ayaka were looking at the placid water warily.

"What lives in the lake?" Sora asked after a moment.

"I have no idea actually," Isana admitted. "But after the Fall, some really nasty things have taken up residence in lakes, rivers and oceans. I tried quite a few searching spells on this lake and all I can tell you is that something large does live in it now and my wards have been shattered three times. I swim occasionally when the mood strikes, but I'm always very careful about it."

"I think I can skip on the lake then," Ayaka said wryly. I'm fine with just the forest, the wonderful house, and the gardens."

"Same here," Sora agreed. She gave the water a pointed look and took a deliberate step away from it.

From there they spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon wandering around the gardens and in the woods around them. The girls were eager to explore everything and when they drove back up to the house, they explored around that too. Isana subtly kept them away from the north side of the house so they wouldn't see her secret room and spoil the surprise. She suspected that Ayaka caught onto the ruse about mid-afternoon, but she just smiled and took the lead on their wandering trek.

By the time they got back to the house the girls had discovered a number of very interesting things. Notable among them was that there was a den of foxes nearby that came and stole Karin's strawberries that she'd picked at the garden when she set them down for a moment, and that Isana's wondrous marvels did not include a portable toilet. The latter was discovered by all three girls at one point or another when they refused to go back early for a break.  Having done it many times before, Isana had no qualms about peeing in the woods, but the girls were city folk and they found it quite embarrassing when they had to duck behind a tree for a moment. They also returned very hungry.

Dinner was a raucous meal of laughing girls and good food.  Isana wasn't all that bad a cook herself and she was more than a little proud when the girls deemed dinner more than passable.  They spent an entire hour just reminiscing about things and even quiet Sora had plenty to say. While the girls may not have been very close when they arrived, it was visible even now that they enjoyed each other's company. It made Isana quite glad that she'd accepted them into her home.

When Isana left them to their happy conversations in order wash up the dinner dishes, she was a little surprised when Ayaka came up to her side shortly after and started to dry things for her. When she raised an interrogative eyebrow, Ayaka smiled warmly.

"Sora and Karin washed and dried at breakfast, so it's not right for me to skip out," Ayaka explained smoothly. "Besides, Sora got Karin to tell her about the foxes again. That girl thinks they're the cutest things on earth now."

While Ayaka was waiting for another dish to dry, Isana noticed she kept rubbing at her thighs. "A little sore?" she asked in concern.

"Yeah, I haven't ever walked that much before at one time," Ayaka smiled ruefully. "If anything else, living here is going to have me in much better shape. I just wish the process of getting there wasn't so uncomfortable. My leg is so stiff that I know it's going to hurt more tomorrow."

"Which is why we'll take care of it tonight, with my secret room," Isana replied teasingly, handing over another dish.

"You keep hinting about this great place of yours," Ayaka smirked, willingly rising to the bait. "Is this also where you're going to explain things to the other girls?"

"Yes, it's an appropriate place for many things," Isana replied cryptically.

"A place that lies beyond that mysterious door on the north side of the house?" Ayaka countered, enjoying the game.

"I see my subtly was wasted on you," Isana grinned, washing the last plate. "In the future I'll have to remember that quick mind of yours."

"At least now you know about it," Ayaka agreed loftily. She dried the dish and placed it neatly in the stack with the rest and put the lot of them back into their cupboards. "So when are you going to reveal this wonderful secret to us?"

Isana glanced toward the windows and saw that it was nicely dark outside. This deep into the forest, the sun set fairly early from the thick foliage. "We can go any time now," she replied. "Assuming you can convince the other two to suspend their conversation."

Ayaka gave a snort of amusement and shook her head. "Honestly, I really wish they had given us some warning that you had an odd sense of humor. Karin thinks I've already wormed it all out of you and she's tried several times to get me to talk and Sora somehow seemed to be conveniently close by to overhear each time. I don't think it will take much convincing."

Ayaka returned to the table and as promised, Sora and Karin were both more than eager to postpone Sora's deep interrogation about the foxes for another time. She earned a darkly humorous smile from Ayaka when she dithered a bit and took her time walking back through the house to the door into her special room. She really liked Ayaka's sense of humor and it seemed the girl was willing to put up with hers.

A tap on the wood and tiny jolt of magic undid the lock she set just in case one of the girls had gotten curious enough to try and sneak a peek. This earned her another amused snort from Ayaka, but she blithely ignored it. When she opened the door she led them into a very small chamber with another door at the end and blue tiled walls. One wall held several fluffy bathrobes on hooks with one of them the smaller girl-sized one Emi wore on the occasions she visited. The other side had a wicker rack with several white towels on top that were even fluffier than the robes and several empty shelves below them. They all stood elevated slightly from the tile floor on wooden slats. Isana gently closed the door behind them.

"What are these for?" Sora asked, feeling she softness of a towel.

"You'll see in just a second," Isana smiled and led them through the second door.

The large, spacious room they entered glowed hauntingly with the silver of moonlight and Isana felt a moment of pride at the silence from the girls. The octahedral walls were made entirely of slightly opaque glass and rose up to the crystal clear glass roof and the stars above. The moonlight seemed to flow down and accentuate the joining points of the structure until it seemed as if they stood inside a gleaming glass cage. The effect grew even greater when Isana made a gesture and the walls became clear as well, showing a night showed forest.

The room was just over thirty feet across with the center taken up by a large octahedral pool of water. Vapor rose from the water and warm humidity clung to their skin in the heated air. Around the pool were several comfortable benches, chairs and couches that she treated regularly to prevent mildew or fungus from growing. Small crystals like she had made to light the girls' rooms hung suspended over several of the pieces, but were currently quiescent.

"What is this place?" Sora asked quietly, eyes wide.

"I found the original plans for the house a few years back, but when they built the house they must have come up a little short on funds, so they left this room unfinished. All that was here were the glass walls and ceiling. The floor was left as bare dirt of all things," Isana smiled at the memory of how bad this place had looked originally. "I liked the original idea a lot better and decided to make a project out of it. What you see is the product of two years of my own planning, enchanting, and the hard work of a contractor friend I know from town. The blueprints call this room a solarium, but I have always found it to be even more enjoyable by moonlight."

"You did all of this on your own?" Ayaka said in amazement, looking up into the night sky. "It's beautiful, but it must have been a lot of work."

"Oh, it was," Isana assured her. "But stuff like this is what I like to do when I'm not on a job for the town. I fiddle around and make things. This was just one of my larger and more personally enjoyable projects. Others, like my truck or the garage door, were more practical."

"What's that pool?" Karin asked, moving further in to touch the water's surface. "It's hot!"

"That's why they used to call something like that a hot tub," Isana laughed. "Watch this." She knelt down and tapped her finger on a small silver circle on one side of the tub and then the water erupted into a bubbling, seething, froth.

"Are you saying we can get into this 'hot tub' of yours?" Ayaka asked with a growing, excited smile. She had moved forward and was standing close by again.

"Of course I am," Isana answered immediately. "I made it to be enjoyed."

"What do we wear?" Karin asked, looking eager to try it out. "They never bought us bathing suits."

"You're not supposed to wear anything," Isana answered casually, as if that was obvious. "It would detract from the experience."

"We have to be naked?" Sora asked shyly, but then she glanced at Isana in a considering way.

"I suppose you could wear your underwear if you really have to, but it feels a lot better the natural way," Isana shrugged. "I've had Emi and Claire over a few time and they seem to like it."

"I don't mind," Ayaka said calmly, drawing everyone's attention. Even Isana was a little surprised. She had expected all three of them to insist on wearing something their first time. But Ayaka seemed fairly relaxed about the idea and when their eyes met, Isana realized Ayaka had been thinking about their discussion earlier. "I don't see what is so bad about it."

"But you'd be naked," Karin argued. "Na-ked."

"So, you've already seen Isana nude and I know you had the same lack of privacy back at the orphanage that I had," Ayaka argued back. "I'm getting in. Do we just put our clothes on the rack in the small room?"

"Yeah, as you probably already noticed, the humidity will have them fairly damp soon if they are in here," Isana answered with a smile. "Karin, if you're uncomfortable being naked, just wear your panties in."

Ayaka was already headed towards the small buffer room, and it was plain that Sora and Karin were conflicted as to what they wanted to do. Both were eager to get in the water, but neither was sure they wanted the other part. Isana followed Ayaka and when they were alone in the smaller chamber, Ayaka let her own shyness show.

"I can't believe I agreed to this so easily," Ayaka admitted once she realized Sora and Karin hadn't followed them in yet.

"It'll be fine," Isana assured her with a smile. "You'll love it, and it'll help with your sore legs too. Will it make you feel any better if I go first?"

"Yeah, that would help...maybe," Ayaka laughed. "But I already said I'm doing this, so I will. I'm just nervous."

"Good," Isana said and grabbed the hem of her shirt. She drew the garment off in one smooth pull and calmly placed it, folded, onto the rack. Isana smiled amusedly when she saw Ayaka's gaze settle onto her pink nipples. They were visibly hard already, but there was nothing she could do about that. Instead she slipped both her shorts and panties off in one go, displaying her hairless womanhood to the girl. They joined her shirt on the rack.

"Does that attraction and desire you were talking about affect other people?" Ayaka asked, not moving her eyes away from Isana's body. She looked a little flushed.

"I'm not sure," Isana said gently, not hiding her nudity at all. Her tail was twitching from her amusement. "At least now I know you don't think I'm ugly."

"Heh, hardly," Ayaka smiled widely again. "Karin was telling me earlier how nice you looked; now I understand why. It's actually hard to look at you and not feel excited. It's a weird feeling, but really nice too. Now it's my turn."

Ayaka took a deep breath and after locking her eyes onto Isana's, she pulled off her tank top and laid it down next to Isana's clothing. Not pausing to let nervousness stop her half way, Ayaka quickly popped the snap on her jeans and drew them down her smooth, pale legs. Last to go was a pair of low-cut, green panties. Once she had her clothes stacked, she stood nervously in front of Isana as if waiting for judgment.

Isana let her eyes roam finally and they drank the gorgeous girl in. She was naturally on the thin side with a lithe musculature and somewhat narrow hips. Her skin was silkily smooth except for the very fine hair on her arms and a small brown tuft of hair over the closed lips of her womanhood. Only a tiny peek of the inner lips could be seen. Ayaka's growing breasts had proud, slightly upward pointing nipples that were cutely small with lightly tan areola. They too were hard and looked tasty. Isana also loved how Ayaka's long hair hung down to the rounded bubble shape of her butt.

"Ayaka," she said softly and a little lustily after the moment passed. "If you're worried about how I think of your appearance, don't. You are one of the most stunning girls I have ever seen, and that was before you even took your clothes off. Now you're even more so. I know this will be hard to believe, but I do think you're even more beautiful somehow than me!"

"Thanks for that last part," Ayaka said, grinning after barking out a surprised laugh. "I really look alright?"

Isana rolled her eyes. "Gods, Ayaka, I don't think I can even look away from you right now. When I said stunning, I was entirely serious. I want to touch you so bad that it almost hurts."

"So what do we do now?" Ayaka asked, her face turning a little red as she instinctively tried to hide her hardening nipples with an arm. She seemed very pleased and excited by the compliments.

"We go out there," Isana said, pointing at the closed door to the room. "Then we walk to the tub and climb in. Once we're enjoying ourselves we'll wait for the other two and then we'll all enjoy the water together."

"Sounds like a genius plan," Ayaka smiled, looking Isana over again. "Hard to believe you're only a decade older than me."

"It's an important decade," Isana agreed with a grin. "Are you still nervous?"

"Not really," Ayaka said after a thoughtful moment. "I think I'm more excited now than anything else."

"Even about the sex stuff?" Isana asked.

Ayaka gave her a very amused smirk. "Isana, I'm fourteen years old. I can assure you that I've seriously thought about sex long before your revelation and have become well acquainted with my right hand.  Before today I had just assumed I'd end up fooling around with a boy someday, but after having thought about it since this morning, I think I like the idea of this better. I mean, I'm looking at you right now and wondering what it would be like for you to touch me. All I want now is for Karin and Sora to be okay with it too. I am totally okay with this."

"Wow," Isana was impressed. She'd been a lot younger than Ayaka her first time, but she'd also had a lot more time to think about it when her adoptive mother explained things. Yet here Ayaka was, admitting freely that she wanted to have sex with her too. "I'm convinced. Now let's head back out there before they wonder what's going on in here."

"Okay," Ayaka agreed, taking a deep breath again. After a moment of indecision, she held out an asking hand. Isana smiled wider and took it before she opened the door and they re-entered the solarium.  Twin intakes of breath greeted them from one of the couches where Karin and Sora sat. It appeared they had been waiting to see what Ayaka did first.

"See, it's not bad at all," Ayaka told them confidently, even though her grip on Isana's hand was tight from nerves. She stood next to Isana and neither of them made a move to hide the choicer bits. "There's nothing to get freaked out about."

"Wow Ayaka," Karin said slowly after a moment of silence. "Did you know that you look really pretty with no clothes on?" Sora nodded her silent agreement with the statement. "I knew Isana was already, but you're nice too."

"Thanks Karin," Ayaka said happily, and shared a knowing smile with Isana. "Now you two go in there and change too. No more excuses."

Karin and Sora exchanged a long glance, but it was Sora who answered. "Okay." They then stood, entered the other room, and closed the door.

"I thought you said you were fine," Isana teased, leading Ayaka over to the hot tub. "Step down close to the wall, there's a shelf there for sitting on."

"I thought I was," Ayaka shrugged, smiling ruefully. She gingerly stepped into the water. Isana hadn't let go of her hand yet and Ayaka didn't seem to want to either. Ayaka let out a pleased sigh as she stepped down to the bottom which made the water level just over her shoulders. After a moment, she rose up a little again as she found the seat and moved onto it. "God, this is nice! You weren't kidding at all."

"Indeed it is very nice," Isana agreed. She got in too and sat very close to Ayaka on the next seat to her left. After a moment of silence, Ayaka skooched a little until their arms were touching. Then they both hared another smile and laid back to wait.

A few minutes later they heard the door to the undressing room open. Ayaka started to turn around to look, but Isana put a hand on her very enticing thigh and shook her head with a small smile. Ayaka got the hint and stopped. She also made no move to object about the placement of Isana's hand. A second later the smacks of bare feet sounded and the two younger girls came into view together.

Isana's eyes widened and her hand gave Ayaka's leg a soft squeeze. Karin had a beautiful, darkly tanned skin tone and her body was at just the beginning of adolescence. She is very skinny with the small speckles of scale spots were everywhere.  Her tiny breasts were like halves of mandarin oranges with big, darker colored nipples. Karin stopped in front of them, on the other side of the tub, with her legs slightly spread and with her arms crossed, so she and Ayaka had a good view of her smooth, tightly closed pussy. Ayaka also seemed to like the view as much as she did because she was breathing faster again and Isana could feel her muscles tensing and releasing.

Sora followed Karin and was no less appealing. Her skin was a lighter tan than Karin's, but it went very well with her silky, dark hair. She had no breasts to speak of yet, but Isana liked Sora's very tiny nipples. Her butt had a very nice round shape that Isana had already sampled this morning and when she turned a little, they saw her pretty, almost hidden slit.

"You're not so bad either, Karin," Ayaka said, speaking first. She smirked and then addressed Sora. "And you're very cute looking, Sora."

"Really?" Karin asked, looking over herself and then Sora. "I thought she was cute too but she didn't believe me."

"I don't know if I want to be cute though," Sora complained. "Isana?"

"There's nothing wrong with being cute," Isana assured her, knowing her arousal would be noticed soon if this kept up. "I think you both have no reason at all to be ashamed of how you look. Now join Ayaka and me over here and get in."

"Careful Sora," Ayaka said in warning. Her hand had settled onto Isana's and was rubbing on it slowly. "It's pretty deep in the middle, but there are seats around the sides."

They made their way over and with just a little assistance from Karin and Isana; Sora climbed in on Isana's other side and was seated.  Her eyes were wide from the sensation of hot, churning water all around her, but she seemed to like it. Karin just grinned and got in next to Sora.

"Nice, huh?" Isana asked proudly.

"Yeah!" Karin answered emphatically. They had to sit up straight in the seats to keep their heads above the water, but neither seemed bothered by that. Karin wiggled to get comfortable and then closed her eyes. "I feel good."

"I like it too," Sora agreed quickly, a smile on her face. "Can we use it a lot?"

"I use it at least four or five times a week," Isana answered. "Sometimes I just don't have time to laze about in here, but I do so when I can, especially at night. If I work a really long and hard day, I like to come here first when I get home to relax and unwind. It also helps calm me down whenever I'm upset about something."

"Well, my legs certainly feel a lot better," Ayaka said, smiling and giving Isana's hand a pointed rub. Isana returned the expression and started to slowly run that hand up and down Ayaka's leg. Ayaka's smile widened and she leaned closer into Isana and closed her eyes.

For a while they all just sat in the nighttime silence and heat of the hot tub and just enjoyed it. All three girls had their eyes closed and Isana made a mental note to warn them about the dangers of actually falling asleep in the water if they were alone. Isana though had her eyes open and instead of feeling calm, she was terribly exited and almost painfully aroused. Ayaka had lain fully against her and their skin contact was enticing her greatly. She removed her hand from Isana's thigh and smiled when the girl made a soft whine of disapproval. Ignoring that, she instead put the arm around the girl's back and held her. Ayaka apparently liked this much better and put her head onto Isana's shoulder with another pleased sigh.

"I think I like this very much," Ayaka whispered softly a little later. Isana felt a small hand touch hesitantly onto her own leg. Then it began to rub like Isana had done to her. "We are so lucky to end up here with you."

"I'm glad you think so," Isana replied, just as softly. Sora and Karin didn't appear to have overheard. Karin was softly humming and Sora seemed to know the tune because her head was bobbing slightly in time to the song. "I'm very glad you girls are here too. Do you mind if I start things soon?"

"Sure," Ayaka shrugged slowly. "Just let me know when it's time. Till then, I just want to lie against you like this for a while because it feels just as good as the water, maybe even better."

Isana was more than pleased to let Ayaka enjoy herself.  Until now, she hadn't realized just how alone she had truly been these last few years. The arrival of these girls however slammed home the fact that she had been fighting her nature and that had left a hole in her life. Now she had three wonderful people in her home.  The girl in her arms amazed her especially because not only had she accepted Isana's nature, but had embraced it fully and returned her feelings.

"Thank you, Ayaka," Isana whispered, briefly rubbing their cheeks. Ayaka sighed and returned the gesture.

"Isana, you're the nicest person I've known in a long time," Ayaka said. "I liked you as soon as I met you, and so did the other girls. You're giving me the opportunity to become important in your and their lives. I should be the one thanking you."

"What are you guys whispering about?" Karin asked sleepily. She still had her eyes closed. At the question though, Sora opened hers in curiosity.

Isana met Ayaka's gaze and they both decided at the same time that they may as well get things over with. "Sorry, we didn't want to disturb you guys. We were just talking about something I need to discuss with the both of you. Ayaka knows already because we talked about it while you guys were in the shower this morning."

"Is it something bad?" Sora asked worriedly.

"No, not at all," Isana answered reassuringly. "It just has to do with the three of us being witches. Ayaka will be directly involved too because she lives here with the three of us."

"I knew you were hiding something," Karin smirked at Ayaka. "So, why did you wait until now?"

"Because our current location and situation might help you understand a little better," Isana said. "Now let me explain. You can feel free to ask questions. Understand?"

Heads nodded.

"Okay," Isana said, unconsciously shifting her body as she began. "When a girl is a witch and especially when thier power is awakening or is about to, there are changes that occur in that person. They are usually fairly subtle at first, as they are right now in you Karin." Karin blinked at being mentioned, but stayed quiet. "Specifically, I'm talking your sex drives and related desires."

"Our what?!" Karin said, surprised. Sora's eyes were very wide.

"Sex drives, Karin," Isana said, unable to suppress an amused smiled. "Witches' bodies and minds are slightly different from a base human. One major difference is that we tend to want sex quite a bit more. We are very easily aroused too. In addition to this, witches are almost always attracted only to other women and especially other witches. Many centuries ago, it was why women in villages would sneak off into the woods to meet with their covens. They desired each other's company so they met secretly for sex and companionship. It's also why you two have been feeling different lately.

"Different?" Karin asked.

"Yes, different," Ayaka interjected. "Karin, think about it. Why have you been hugging us so much lately? Why were you so entranced when you saw Isana naked this morning? Why did you stare so much when we came out naked just a bit a go?"

"Sora," Isana said gently as Karin frowned and thought over Ayaka's question. "Do you understand what it is I'm talking about?"

"I do," Sora nodded. "I kind of know what sex is. I've heard other girls talk about it. But I've always thought girls were pretty."

"What about when you're around me or the girls now? What is it you want to do?"

"I really want to be around you guys all the time," Sora answered. "It feels really nice when I touch you and I get hot inside."

"That just means you're feeling aroused," Isana informed her with a smile. "When a girl is very attracted to someone and wants to do sex related things, she feels hot. I bet you also get wet between your legs."

"Yeah!" Karin said, perking up at the same time that Sora nodded. "I feel all warm and gooey sometimes, like this morning when I was hugging Ayaka."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about," Isana said, nodding to them. "But this is only the beginning for both of you. Witches tend to form very tight nit relationships with those they live with over time and it is very likely we will now too. I'm warning you about this because I don't want you to freak out."

"Are you the same then?" Karin asked.

"Definitely," Isana laughed. "I have a very high drive, even for a witch."

"Then how come you live alone?" Sora said.

"Well, kind of like you guys, I was adopted when I was very young. I was only two I think. But my magic awoke very early when I was only seven. At that time, the focus on my sexual attention was on my adoptive mother. She recognized the signs and until she died in an accident in town, she was my sole partner. After that," Isana shrugged. "I'm not sure. I just never approached anyone or tried to seek new relationships.  For the last four years I took care of things by masturbating at least twice every day and that took a bit of the edge off. I don't know why I secluded myself, but it was after you guys came that I have realized that I really have been terribly lonely. We witches thrive in the close company of others, and I didn't have that. But now I do."

"Okay," Karin said slowly. "So what you're saying is that pretty soon I'm going to want badly to do things with everyone?"

"Yes, and you too Sora," Isana answered. "So if you see me naked and it excites you, that's perfectly fine and normal. I know it's weird, but I think you'll find that it's actually very nice."

"But what about Ayaka?" Sora asked, worried about her new sister.

"Ayaka and I have already talked it over and she doesn't mind at all that you two and I are going to want to have sex with her," Isana smiled and pulled a happily smiling Ayaka close again. "Even if she doesn't want to me to make her a witch too, she'll be willing.

"Wait a minute!" Ayaka turned a little and gazed with wide eyes at her. "You can make me a witch?"

"Oh yes," Isana grinned. "Most people can learn magic to some degree and women become witches when they do. Natural witches like Karin and Sora have natural talent and strength and they'll use magic whether they want to or not. So if you want, I'd be willing to try and teach you as well. If you do, you'll have the same strong urges we do."

"I'd like that," Ayaka replied eagerly. Then she smiled at her sisters. "Isana's right, I'm not going to shove you away just because you feel like hugging me or more."

"So it's a good thing I feel this way?" Sora asked. Karin nodded as if to second the question.

"Yes," Isana answered. "I want you to enjoy it too. So just take things at a pace you're comfortable with."

"Hehe, cool," Karin said, blushing a little and smiling. "It is weird, but I think I understand what you mean about feeling and acting differently. I just never noticed it before.Thanks for explaining it."

"No problem," Isana responded warmly. "Are you going to be alright too Sora?"

"I think so," Sora said slowly.

"Sora, just think of it to mean that we'll be very close sisters," Ayaka said. "Plus, you don't have to do anything right away. Just think it over tonight and I think you'll see it as a good thing."

"Yes," Isana agreed. "Sleep on it, both of you. It's bed time anyways and we'll be all wrinkly if we stay in here much longer. We'll talk about it again in the morning or whenever."

"Okay," Karin agreed. "But can we use this tub whenever we want now?"

"Yeah," Sora grinned. "I like it a lot."

"Of course you can," Isana laughed. "The only rule is that you can't be in it alone. I don't want one of you falling asleep and drowning."

"I think we can work with that rule," Ayaka said, wriggling a bit. "A bed does sound pretty good right now. Let's head upstairs you guys."

Ayaka moved away from Isana, a move that saddened them both a little, and then pulled up into a sitting position on the clay tiles of the floor as water cascaded down off of her body. She was still stunning in the moonlight and Isana watched amusedly as Karin and Sora stared at her. Isana followed Ayaka out, which spurred the other two on as well.

Dripping wet, they all made their way to the smaller room. As they went, eyes roamed freely. Now that everyone knew what was going on, it was as if everyone was testing out new waters yet again.  Once inside, Isana snagged one of the towels and before Ayaka could grab one as well, Isana stopped her in place and started to dry. Isana made sure to be quick and efficient, but she could tell Ayaka was really enjoying the physical attention.

"Sora, Karin, why don't you guys help each other too?" Isana suggested with a smile. "I think you'll like it."

"You want to?" Karin asked, looking at Sora. In answer Sora went over, picked up a towel, and smiled. Karin raised her arms, and Sora started drying her off. Isana slowed her own work on Ayaka to more fully appreciate the feel of the girl. Once she was dry, Isana handed her the towel and they switched places.

Ayaka was hesitant at first when the towel touched Isana, but as her towel clad hands moved, she grew bolder. Isana even gave her a very wide smile when Ayaka dried off her breasts. Across from them Sora was now getting toweled by Karin and from their faces, they like it immensely. Once they were all dry, Isana gave each girl a fresh towel to go upstairs in since putting on clothes seemed like a hassle at the moment. Then Isana sent them on ahead as she ducked back to shut down the tub.

When she too made her way up to her bedroom, she wasn't all that surprised to find Ayaka waiting for her there. Ayaka was still wrapped in her white towel, but it rode high enough that the round curve of her butt was plain to see because she was bent over and checking out the big bed. When she heard Isana close the bedroom door, Ayaka turned towards her with a small, nervous smile on her face. Isana approached her without speaking and gently cupped Ayaka's face in her hands. Ayaka smiled wider and her fear lessened.

"You don't have to rush this," Isana told her, ignoring the hot wetness she felt running down her leg. Her body knew what it wanted, but she would deny it of Ayaka truly wasn't ready.

"I know that," Ayaka answered. "But I want to. I'm nervous because I've never done this before, but I really want to spend the night with you. I want you to be my first, but I'm not sure what to do."

"What about the others," Isana asked, breathing a little heavier now that she knew that Ayaka was okay with this.

"Karin asked Sora to sleep with her this time," Ayaka answered with an amused smile. "I don't think Karin is going to be doing anything like this though. I think they'll just sleep together naked."

Isana looked into the deep wells within Ayaka's eyes and saw both a growing love and a mirror of the same sexual hunger that burned inside her own body. So very slowly she leaned in, tilted Ayaka's face a little, and kissed her. Isana kept the kiss soft and loving and felt Ayaka's hand come up onto her face as well. They kissed for a long time and Isana gradually increased the intensity.

Ayaka's soft moan of pleasure filled her with an unparalleled joy when it drifted to her ears. Isana moved her free hand down and slowly loosened Ayaka's towel. Ayaka made no move or sound of protest and it dropped to the floor. Then Isana undid hers, and they were again naked. In response, Ayaka pressed herself closer and their skin was hot.

Isana shuffled them towards the bed, but did not break the kiss. She rested one hand onto Ayaka firm behind and began to squeeze and caress it. This brought more moans from the girl and then Isana let out one of her own as she felt Ayaka reciprocate and grab onto her own ass. Once she had Ayaka's legs against the bed she finally removed her lips.

"Climb on," Isana said softly.

Ayaka complied, moving to the middle and lying back onto the cushioning pile of blankets and such. Isana followed, crawling towards the girl. Ayaka watched her come with desire on her face, then a small tear started to fall down a lust flushed cheek.

"What's wrong," Isana said, she was on all fours over the girl and leaned down. She kissed the tear before it could fall all the way, then continued to lay kisses on Ayaka's neck and up near her ear.

"Nothing's wrong," Ayaka said with a happy smile. "This just feels perfect. You took me and the others into your house, and it feels as if I've waited my whole life to come here. You're making us a part of your life and I can see in everything you say and do that you really care. I know it's silly to say this since I've only known you for two days, but I think I love you."

"You're not silly," Isana said, rising up to look Ayaka in the eyes. "I told you and the others in the solarium, you have, all three of you, filled a hole I didn't know I had. From now on we are a family, and you are an important part of it. We will all live and grow together here."

Isana leaned in again, and starting from her mouth, she began kissing down Ayaka. First she spent a little time nuzzling and licking at her neck. Then she went a little lower, kissing very lightly over Ayaka chest, just above her tantalizing breasts. Ayaka breathing increased and a reddish, excited flush suffused her skin. They were both starting to sweat a little, but Isana thought it just made Ayaka even more appealing.

She kept up the teasing kisses for a while, going up and around each of the firm, youthful mounds. As she treated one, her hand would trace slowly and lightly over the other. Ayaka was squirming with need beneath her, but Isana wanted Ayaka's first time with her to be special. So when she finally gave one of Ayaka's rock-hard nipples a teasing flick with her tongue, the girl gasped and arched up to her with a hiss. As soon as she did this, Isana switched back to the teasing kisses.

She let Ayaka relax, and then went for the other nipple and took it into her mouth. Ayaka mewled in pleasure and Isana felt a small shudder pass through her own body. She had always liked sucking on a girl's breasts and Ayaka's were heavenly.

They were both sweating a great deal more by now and Isana could smell Ayaka's arousal on the air. That female musk was exciting and it made her mouth water. Her own pussy was like a leaking faucet and she could feel her juices all down her legs.

Ayaka was in a sexual fog when Isana slowly kissed down her smooth stomach. Muscles twitched as she descended and Isana knew Ayaka was feeling every touch with pleasure. A glance upward showed the girl's face with eyes closed. Ayaka's small hands where clenched tight to the bed sheets.

When she reached Ayaka's sparse patch of juice soaked pubic hair, Isana nuzzled her face into it an inhaled. This excited both of them and Isana knew it was time to finish Ayaka off.

Ayaka's pussy was enflamed with demanding arousal and it glistened slightly in the moonlight coming from the window. The outer lips had parted slightly from the girl's excitement and Isana smiled when she saw a hard, very aroused clit peaking up. A small wet spot was forming just below the crack of Ayaka's butt on the bed.

She kissed down through Ayaka's pubes, wetting her face and moved to the side. First she licked slowly and deliberately around the sides of Ayaka's pussy. Ayaka moaned and wriggled with need, but Isana was patient. She cleaned up all the delicious wetness she found with her tongue and worked her way toward Ayaka's creamy center. She got a particularly pleasant response when her tongue grazed the cute pucker of Ayaka's asshole. Ayaka shivered and Isana thought she might have had a small preliminary orgasm.

With her fingers and her mouth, she cleaned Ayaka's soft, lower lips even as they just got wet again. She let one finger rub in circles around the entrance to Ayaka's questing pussy and then slowly sank it in. After a very short distance she encountered the girl's hymen and withdrew. She continued the shallow thrusts and Ayaka twisted her body and groaned loudly with need.

Isana smiled inwardly, knowing just how badly Ayaka wanted her release. So she moved slightly and sucked Ayaka's little clit into her mouth with a firm suction and clamped with her lips. Ayaka's entire body arched into a bridge as she came hard and Isana's finger was suddenly trapped by a tightly clenching pussy. Then Ayaka dropped hard to the bed and Isana moved up quickly to take the girl into her arms. Ayaka's arms wrapped tightly around her and the girl shuddered several times before she relaxed and lay limp, panting hard.

Knowing she was a bit hypersensitive at the moment, Isana gently trailed her fingers over Ayaka's stomach and breasts. It soothed the girl some and she saw life returning. Isana leaned in again and kissed her lightly on her lips. Ayaka's lips opened and their tongues played together.

"How was it?" Isana said softly when she withdrew again.

"So good that I don't think I can move," Ayaka smiled and giggled softly as they gazed at each other. "My whole body is still tingling. I know I'm going to remember that for the rest of my life."

"Then I'm glad you enjoyed your first time," Isana smiled. Her own pussy was practically quivering and she couldn't help gently rubbing it into the bed sheets. "I'd hoped it would be special for you."

"It was," Ayaka grinned. Then she noticed Isana's movements and Isana saw excitement bloom in those young eyes again. Isana stopped her humping of the bed and turned on her side next to the girl a little so Ayaka could see all of her again. Then Ayaka touched the wetness around her mouth that had come from Isana's face and tasted her fingers. "Is this from me?"

"It is," Isana nodded and whipped her own face with a hand.

Ayaka appeared thoughtful for a moment, and then she wriggled down the bed until her face was even with Isana's crotch. Ayaka reached out, grabbed her by her ass and pulled in. Isana involuntarily wrapped her legs around Ayaka and moaned like an animal. Ayaka was clumsy and inexperienced, but that didn't make her tongue any less pleasant. Isana stayed silent and let Ayaka do what she wanted. When Ayaka found her own clit, Isana cried out harshly and realizing that this was the right spot, Ayaka's tongue was merciless.

The first orgasm took Isana by surprise. It ripped out of her like a force of nature and still Ayaka continued. She wanted to tell her to stop and let her rest, but her mouth wouldn't work right. All that came out her were mumbled half-words and groans. Then her second orgasm slammed home and it was like having an eruption between her legs.

When she came to and found herself panting on her back with Ayaka gently sucking on her right breast, Isana felt like she must have died. Her muscles had a pleasant soreness and she could feel a nice throbbing from her clit. She could feel wet under her ass and the more than pleasant warmth of Ayaka lying against her as she suckled.

"Are you awake again?" Ayaka asked, releasing the nipple with a soft pop. She moved up and they kissed again. Isana could taste a little of herself there, but she didn't mind at all. She just enfolded Ayaka in her arms.

"Thanks for that," she said after a while.

"I liked doing it," Ayaka grinned. "I might have been nervous about having sex earlier, but it feels amazing and it was just as fun touching you as it was being touched by you." She used a hand and gently squeezed Isana's right breast. "I also found out that I like sucking on these and playing with them. Mine felt awesome when you did them too."

"Well, since you live here now, and you've found that sex is fun and exciting, you'll have plenty of opportunities to for more of both," Isana said, caressing an ear with a finger. Ayaka smiled at the touch and they moved closer again.

"It was exciting," Ayaka confirmed. "I'm still excited, but it feels like I've been running for hours."

"There's no hurry Ayaka," Isana chuckled. "Neither of us is going anywhere. I won't disappear if we go to sleep. I'm pretty sleepy myself. So let's get under the sheets before we get cold."

Ayaka agreed and Isana found a place for them to wriggle under.  Once they were in place, Isana pulled Ayaka into her body and they spooned together. Ayaka settled down onto her pillow, enjoying the embrace, and Isana did the same behind her. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep.

******

"Do you want a shirt or something to wear?" Kari asked Sora as they entered her bedroom. After the talk in the hot tub, she was oddly excited to have Sora in her room with no clothes on either of them.

"No, I'm fine," Sora replied with one of her adorable smiles.  Karin had always thought Sora was amazingly cute. When they had undressed earlier, she had found it hard not to stare and had only felt a little better when she saw Sora was having the same problem.

They crossed over to Karin's bed and she politely pulled back the covers. Sora smiled and flicked her ear appreciably. Then she dropped her towel and crawled naked into the bed. Karin did the same and followed. The bed was large so there was plenty of space, yet when she got in, Karin moved in close to Sora and they turned to face each other under the covers.

"Do you think what Isana told us is weird?" Karin asked.

"I don't know," Sora shrugged. "I think she was right though."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh," Sora smiled again. "I like looking at you naked, just like she said and I get all warm and tingly from it. I liked looking at her and Ayaka naked too. You're all nice to look at and it feels good."

"Well, I like looking at you too," Karin admitted. "A lot actually. I meant it when I said you were cute. But I meant the other stuff. Isana sounded like it would be perfectly okay to want and have sex with you, her and Ayaka."

"That is what she said," Sora answered with a confused frown. "Why? I think it all sounded nice."

"How do you know so much about sex anyway," Karin frowned back. "I'm older than you, but you seem to know a lot."

Sora blushed furiously, but she answered. "Marta liked to play with girls. One of the older girls came in sometimes and they would do stuff under the blankets. I never got to see much, but I knew that they were doing stuff. My other roommate, Crystal, touched herself in the open a lot too."

"Wow, I had no idea," Karin said, staring in amazement. "You never did anything?"

"No way!" Sora exclaimed, blushing to the tips of her long ears. "They were mean to me all the time and I would have been too nervous anyways."

"But not here?" Karin asked, curious.

"I'm still nervous," Sora admitted. "But I like you guys a lot.  You are always nice and you don't treat me weird. And I trust Isana."

"I really like her too," Ayaka grinned. "She's like a cool aunt or older sister. Though Ayaka feels a little like that too, at least to me." Karin frowned then. "Where'd she go? To her room?"

"She went to Isana's room," Sora answered, with a smile. "After she said goodnight in the hall she hurried that way. I think she wants to be with Isana tonight. They were touching a lot in the tub."

"They were?"

"Yeah, their hands were moving and I could see them touching under the water."

Karin thought about that for a moment, "Do you think Ayaka is really over there having sex with Isana?"

"It looked like they both wanted to," Sora said, shrugging again. This time the sheet slipped and exposed her naked chest. Karin's eyes dropped at stared at the two hard, tiny nipples. When her eyes came back up, Sora looked pleased.

"You really don't think it's weird that I like looking at you so much?" Karin asked again.

"No," Sora answered simply. She pulled on the sheet and Karin's chest also became exposed. Sora reached out a small, curious hand and gently gave one of Karin's much thicker nipples a pinch. Karin frowned at how good it felt but didn't stop her. After a moment Sora pulled her hand away with a wider smile of pleasure.

Karin rolled her eyes, feeling amused now instead of worried. If there was no point in fighting it, she may as well enjoy it. So she reached out her hands and pulled Sora to her and then pulled the sheets back over both of them. When she saw how happy Sora was by her acceptance, Karin felt very warm and happy herself.

It felt really nice having Sora's hot, naked skin against her own, and she could feel it when either of their nipples rubbed somewhere. One hand found its way to Sora's rounded butt and it felt good there. "Okay," she admitted. "This is actually very nice"

"Hmmm, thank you Karin," Sora smiled at her from just inches away. Then Sora surprised her with a quick peck on the lips. Sora flushed again, and then she nuzzled her face down near Karin's neck to hide it. "Thank you."

"It's alright," Karin said, feeling hot from the brief kiss. "You're my sister now Sora and I like you a lot. The kiss was nice. Can I have another one?"

Sora's face came back into view and this time Karin kissed her. It was very brief and soft, but they found it immeasurably enjoyable. When they separated Sora settled her head on the pillow with a pleased sigh. Karin smiled affectionately.

"Sora, let's just go to sleep like this, okay?" Sora nodded her more than willing acceptance and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Sora."

"Night, Karin," Sora replied in a happy, dreamy tone.

Sora's breathing evened out into a contented sleep and Karin decided to hell with being weird. She liked looking at her new sister and her kisses with Sora had felt awesome. It also felt nice to have Sora in her arms. Isana had told them earlier that this was only a beginning and she was looking forward to whatever else would come. Even the thought of having sex wasn't really scary anymore. Instead she wondered if Sora would be willing to be her first.

But that could wait for now. So she laid her face down next to Sora's, careful not to poke her with the curve of her horn, and went to sleep.