RFC-Mini Arc 4: Night Life-24 (Finale) (Patreon)

Several hours later, I find myself in the bathroom, making use of it this time. There was quite a bit I needed to clean off. I could have simply done my usual trick of a quick shift but several hours of debauchery has me in the mood for a good soak.

Bell is at the head of the tub, washing my hair with a shampoo that smells faintly of flowers. I can feel the weight of her gaze, the succubus the definition on an insatiable appetite for pleasure, but unfortunately, we don’t have forever. If the night was getting out before, it’s well into its elderly years now.

“I’m ready to rinse, Master Lou.”

“Mm.” I sigh as she pours warm water over my head, massaging my scalp. Ah~, I almost don’t want to move. It’d be too much to have her carry me out of here, wouldn’t it?

“Unless you want the world to know you are associated with a virtue. Obfuscating the minds of everyone in the building would be quite taxing for me alone. Mildy trying with the aid of my mistress.”

“No need for that.” I don’t exactly feel good about messing around with minds. Bell might have fiddled with Wren’s recollection to make her forget her horns but seeing as she signed herself away from the night, I consider it a safe exception. “There’s plenty of time to be spoiled later. Quit lulling me to sleep so I can get out.”

Her talented hands leave my head. I shake off the drowsiness inspired by her massage and climb out of the tub. Bell is waiting with a towel. I stop her with a raised finger. “You’re just looking for a reason to feel me up. I’m on to you.”

“You have to get dry.”

“Use your magic, not your hands.”

She smirks. Dropping the towel, crimson fire appears above her hand. It snakes toward me, curling around me but never touching, the heat from the fire drying me. The fire shifts to a dark blue before touching my hair, winking out after a few seconds. I run a hand through my dry locks and grin. Much faster and far less ‘dangerous’. “Alright. Time to get out of here. My clothes.”

I quickly dress and leave the bathroom. Wren is where we left her, passed out on rumpled streets, limbs akimbo, wearing a content smile, body covered in the evidence of our fun. The bed is worse. The servants are going to have a hell of a time cleaning up. Might be easier to torch the whole mess.

Alana is in her chair, head lolling to the side and fast asleep. I don’t know when she fell asleep for real as opposed to faking unconsciousness, got a bit distracted heh, but she’s seen and heard enough to make the night memorable. I think. Still wondering how much she could process through her drunken haze and it takes a great strength of will to keep Bell from snooping.

“What are you doing falling asleep like this, little saint?” I raise a hand and run it through her bangs. It’s softer than I expected. And she makes these adorable mumbles in her sleep, leaning her head towards me. “Leaving yourself vulnerable like this. Cheh, you’re really testing me.” I put an arm under her legs and lift her up, cradling her. Her head naturally comes to rest on my shoulder. “Saints above, I hope you remember all of this. Bell.”

I shut my eyes as she starts to transform, opening them at the sound of her adorable “Coo!” My familiar imp stares up at me with her big eyes and an impish smile. Ahh~, it makes my heart flutter every time. I don’t know which form I prefer.

Well…that’s not exactly true. Big Bell has a lot to offer.

I don’t have to ask her to get the door, she knows my thoughts and quickly scampers across the floor, jumping up to turn the knob. “Remember to turn the card,” I call over my shoulder as I make my way back to the main room.

To give credit to the room, I don’t make any waves, the late hour meaning nothing to the attendees. A sweep of the room reveals most of my companions. Kierra is still curled up on her couch with Maxine resting against her. The quality of their hangers-on has changed; the throng has been thinned and it looks like the main one engaging my wife is a dapperly dressed man who looks entirely out of place in a room of half-naked people.

Cloud is laid out on the couch beside them, eyes lidded with contentment. Her clothes are messy and I can practically smell the heavy musk of sex clinging to her from across the room. Got to be quite the story there.

I make my way over to the card table. The dealer immediately recognizes me, bowing his head. “Lady Tome. May I gather your winnings?”

“Yes.”

He lifts a golden chain from around his neck, a small dangling at the end. I can hear him unlock a small box attached to the underside of the table. He counts the money without looking, sliding it into a small bag. Before he can question my lack of available hands, Bell jumps onto the table and holds out a little hand. At my confirming nod, he hands her the gold. “I hope to see you at our tables again, my lady.”

“Haha, maybe.” I incline my head before wandering over to the rest of my group. Kierra looks up at my approach, which causes her companion to look my way. “Kii, ready to go?”

“Mm.” She holds out her empty glass and one of the men standing behind her conversation partner smoothly steps forward to take it. “Mister Lorren, this is my wife, Lourianne Tome.”

“A pleasure.” The man stands up, putting a hand to his chest as he bows at the waist. “I am one of the managers of the Court. Your lovely wife has told me much about you. I look forward to your continued patronage.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” I muse while studying him. “That is a great suit. Who’s your tailor?”

He runs a hand over his dark vest. “One of our girls, retired. Used the money she earned to start up a wonderful boutique, does all the work for the managers.”

Oh, that’s rare. Women owning anything is rare, tradition being what it is, but to hear a former sex worker doing so is especially novel. This Lorren character doesn’t seem bitter about it either. How interesting. “Good for her.”

“A rather common story, fortunately and unfortunately. The young ladies come to us and we turn them into, mwah.” He kisses his fingers. “Masterpieces. But you cannot give a bird wings and expect them not to fly, no? Most of our girls are wooed by some dashing man who sweeps them off their feet and takes them away to a big house to bear their heirs. Some of our birdies find their own trees to perch on. I can introduce you to her.”

“Ah, I’ve got my own tailor.”

“Hmm. Yes.” Lorren leans forward, squinting his eyes. “Now that I get a better look…I see you are rather devious, Lady Tome. Yes, a fine tailor indeed. Perhaps it is you that should be making the introductions.”

“You don’t need them.”

He follows my gaze to Kierra who smiles slyly. “My green flower, you wound me! Here I am thinking we are friends and you hold back such a wonderful talent?”

“We had much more interesting topics. Lou, Lorren was telling me all about the Court, as they fondly call this place. The workings are far more intricate than I could have imagined and their women quite the artists. Did you know that the Court sells ‘brides’?”

“Nothing uncouth,” Lorren says quickly. “It is very simple. There exists men who want loving wives and women who want stable households run by dependable husbands, but neither have the time or in some cases, the courage to find their respective ideal partners. We step in as middlemen. We even provide bridal training for young women who want to appeal to men of a higher social strata. And groom training for men who want to keep their young, beautiful wives.” He winked at me. “A shame you’re already married. We often play matchmaker for wealthy women looking for young wives. I know a few girls that would just eat you up.”

“And she’d eat them up,” I say with a chuckle, nodding toward my wife. “Our household is full of monsters and devils, if you catch my meaning.” I doubt he does, as no one expects me to mean that literally.

“Ah, so a woman of some power, then? You know, that is another of our matchmaking criteria. Young, beautiful women who want to advance their own power seeking husbands who can provide them with the resources needed to grow a master caster or powerful knight.”

Kierra chuckles. “Once I told Lorren I am married, he wondered quite vocally what kind of man would leave me to come to the Court unattended. The conversation naturally turned you my wife and her growing appetites.”

So, that’s why he’s being so pushy. He’s a merchant who thinks he can make a big sale. Really, Kii, what kind of degenerate did you make me out to be? The man’s eyes are practically gleaming with greed. At least he’s well-spoken and jovial. “Sounds interesting but for tonight, I’m ready to climb into my bed and sleep.” Bell, wake Cloud for me.

“Coo!” The imp leaps onto the couch and then onto Cloud. She groans as the imp moves over her back, snorting as she comes to full awareness when Bell slaps her head. Haha, don’t bully her too much, pet.

“Oh, is that an elemental? Fascinating.”

“You know about summoning?” I ask, far more interested in the man.

“Of course, of course! You would be surprised how many crave the pleasures of another realm. Or maybe not, being a summoner yourself. We work with many tasteful summoners, none of those unappetizing bastards who make unsavory deals with those of weak wills, you must know the kind. Why, we used to have a succubus employed here at the Court, a thrall under the employ of a Grimoire summoner. The crowds that lovely creature drew, oh. And she twirled them all around her dainty little fingers.”

I chuckle, wondering what the man would think if I called Geneva inside. He’d probably be making me all kinds of offers. Knew it was a good thing to keep her outside. “I’ve heard about succubi. And the Grimoires. Rumor is they’re changing their name to the Masons.”

“I hear the same! Though, it’s a lot harder to do in practice. Names mean quite a lot in our world, don’t they, Lady Tome? I can’t imagine what possessed them to make such a change. The Grimoire name has a lot of power.”

“And infamy.”

“Infamy can be power too.”

“Lou.” I turn to see Kierra standing beside a drowsy Maxine. She gives me a small smile when I look her way. Cloud also stumbles over, her forehead hitting my shoulder. I hear her inhale and let out a little contented purr, relaxing against me.

“Look at me, keeping you here. The night is dying and you lovely ladies need to get out of here. I would love to escort you to the street.”

“Please.”

Mr. Lorren continues chatting as we make our way out of the room, Kierra keeping Maxine on track with an arm around her waist, Cloud with a hand on my arm. Geneva, the others?

[Alyssa Filagree and Cynthia Oriole have already departed. They said their goodbyes to Master earlier on.]

Good, good. Have Gajin pull the carriage around.

Our night of revelry has finally come to an end.