RFC-Mini Arc 4: Night Life-01 (Patreon)

Welcome to the final miniarc before Arc 5! Like the other miniarcs, this one expands on the characters but more on their interactions than their backgrounds. I admit, I had fun with it and it's longer than I expected. Enjoy!

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I hum as I observe my reflection in the tall mirror, working a comb through my hair. I’ve been looking forward to today.

Not too long ago, Geneva suggested I go out and enjoy the nightlife of the city, enjoy the fact I no longer need to sneak about and hide my preferences. Well, today’s that day. Schedules have been aligned for all my hopeful attendees, preparations have been made, and I am all set for a night to remember.

There’s a knock on the door and I think at the person on the other side to come in, betting it’s one of the succubi. A correct guess as the door swings open with Bell attached to the knob.

She drops down and scampers over, sliding to a halt at my feet. “Coo~” [Master Lou, everything has been prepared.]

“Great!” I throw out my hands and face her. “How do I look?” For my night of casual fun, I went with a nostalgic plain shirt and pants, reminiscent of my nights sneaking into the local tavern. Someone with a keen eye will notice that the quality is a step higher than any true commoner could afford, but otherwise, I look like an average woman looking for fun. The impression won’t last given my companions for the night, but it fills me with a warm feeling. This is the kind of moment I longed for.

[Wonderful.]

“You’re only saying that cause it’s true, you little charmer.” I reach down and scoop her up, leaving the bedroom. The rest of the house is gathered in the dining room, including the servants who are setting up small platters of food and bottles of wine.

The plan for the night is loose but structured enough I feel comfortable with the plan. We’ll start with an early gathering for introductions, let everyone get to know another against a backdrop of a late lunch. Then it’s down to the city for a place recommended by Maxine. Not a lot of high hopes for that but it should be a good way to ease into the night as after, we’re headed for a courtesan hall Bell scoped out for me. Hehe, looking forward to that. Depending on how the night goes, we end for a round of drinking at Howie’s or back here.

Should be a night to remember.

I smile as I spot Kierra seated at the table, sampling from the platters. She seems to be taking a “casual” approach too, straddling the line between modest and indecent. On the surface, her white blouse and dark skirt are subdued. One could even say prim. Then of course she had to go and make her usual modifications.

The simple skirt has a slit along its side, exposing a scandalous amount of thigh every time she moves. The front of shirt is held together by loosely tied strings that show off the top of her chest, drawing the eyes to the valley between her prodigious bust. Topping it off, she’s wearing a black corset. Not strange in itself but it is to be wearing it on the outside. There is something perverse about seeing what’s considered a lady’s undergarments in the open like this and it draws more attention to her breasts, in a way that makes me feel guilty for looking.

She’s braided her hair, exposing her long nape and showing off those distinctive ears. Glossy lips and silver paint around her eyes tell me she’s gone as far as to use make-ups. I grin as I spot the silver chain she’s wearing, a large medallion at the end showing my personal crest.

It’s a rare treat and I take my time drinking her in. She turns to me after a moment wearing an amused grin, swallowing the last bite of a snack and licking her fingers. “You look excited.”

“You look amazing,” I reply, a touch dreamily. I’m sure I have a star-struck expression right now. It can’t be helped. I can’t be expected to remain composed when her smile makes me melt. She beckons me with a finger, and I happily comply, taking the seat beside her. This close, I can smell the perfume I bought her, and my smile widens. “Trying to impress someone?”

“Hm. It seems in a moment, all your little girls will be coming for a playdate. Not to mention the little birds you hope to have flocking around you all night. Best they remember who the wife is, hm?”

“…you are okay with this right?” My fingers drum on table as a sudden bout of insecurity makes my stomach cramp. I’m pretty sure about the boundaries of our relationship but she purposely leaves it vague. I think it’s to see how far I’ll go on my own but who really knows with her. She could just be waiting for me to make the wrong move and use it as an excuse to go on a rampage.

My nerves are eased by her chuckle. “With what, Lou? We’re simply having a night out with friends.” She bats her eyes innocently. “Unless you had something else planned?”

“Eh-hem. Of course not.”

“Then there’s nothing to be worried about.”

“Ah, but, well, who knows what can happen when the drink takes hold...”

“You can’t be drunk if you don’t want to be.”

“I wasn’t referring to myself.” Was I hoping to get my friends drunk and end up in a scandalous situation? No, that’d be despicable. But if it did happen, well, someone would simply call that fate. Or my good fortune.

“Shall I say it like this?” She grabs my chin in a delicate grip. “If you do something I disapprove of, you will know. I’ve already explained that it is my right to dispose of any I don’t approve of.”

“Ah. Out of curiosity, what are your general feelings about Miss Talia, Alana, and Cloud?”

“Oh? Not Maxine?”

“Eh. She’s got a lot of drama she needs to sort out.” I like Maxine as a friend. There are two major things holding me back from considering her as anything more. The first is her family. With Marquis Guiness interested in my wife to form connections on the elven continent, I would never be sure if her advances were from attraction or intent to use me. Not that I have a problem being used, something quite obvious from my choice of elemental, but it would have to be for her personal agenda. Being roped in to be presented to her father is distasteful.

The second thing is a little hypocritical of me given my past but Maxine is…weak. Kierra and Geneva are both beyond master casters, Miss Talia is a high adept, and Alana, though she would hurt me if she knew I was thinking of her as a possible suitor, may be weak but she has a light affinity and a determination to learn to use it. Not to mention Kierra’s training.

Maxine’s a good merchant. She’s dedicated to the arts of trade and customer service. Wonderful, truly, but among us she’d be fragile.

Hell, I could crush her fingers if she tries to hold my hand. Sleeping with her would be like sleeping with a glass sculpture. As things stand, I just can’t see anything happening between us…long-term. Casual encounters are always on the table. If nothing else, it’d be a great way to train controlling my strength, hehe.