Honeyed Pasture baby, come give me something new.

And again, he told her: You are not dirty. Hesitantly, she slumped forward and met his embrace. You are my great friend, she whispered, I love you. Astaroth didn't need to reciprocate. Her love didn't hold any obligation, and whether he felt the same, she would continue to give it. The feeling was similar to those shared with Fengmian, or with her beloved cousins, Ruo and Lei. It was a love shared between kindred spirits, the sort that would never fade.

She pulled back, wondering if he understood this. Ying's expression was firm, but not uncaring; she wanted him to understand her message in its entirety. She continued: You are in the family I am building. Somewhere, without a title, sat Astaroth amongst the rest. Thank you.