Her Mantle Is Love

[Evenstar]

You find Ishaza in the temple library, legs crossed demurely as she reads from the book in her lap. She's wearing a gown of fine black silk, which rides up her pale blue legs just far enough to expose her cloven hooves. She turns another page, then looks up as if surprised: you just smile at her.

"A little overdressed, Ishaza?"

She smirks. "You know as well as I do that there's one clasp between this and bare skin. How was your date?"

You roll your eyes. "Lovely, of course."

"And who was responsible?"

"Yes, yes, you always extract your arranger's fee in the end." You sigh. "I came here to genuinely thank you, you know."

Her eyebrows jump. "Oh, really? That's rare. You care about her that much?"

You hesitate, then shrug noncomittally. "She's a lot better than my average client."

She grins. "Translation: I've fallen for her. Careful with that Thistle, Eli. It might prick you."

You shake your head. "She would never."

Ishaza's eyebrows rise even higher. "You really have got it bad. Maybe I did my job too well." Her gaze falls to your neck. "I see you're still wearing her necklace."

"- how did you-"

"The girl calls herself Thistle, of course she'd use another flower as a pet name. You're tall, about the right color, and abruptly bought that late in the afternoon yesterday. Next question."

"- why do you care?"

She sighs. "Because I'd miss you, silly woman. Not just for the sparkling conversation and the occasional favour, either. We're sisters, remember?"

You rub your face with one hand. "Is it that obvious."

"To me? Yes. Liath'll spot it on you too. Of the rest... Tasha, maybe. They don't look after you as their job description."

"... Since you've already spotted it, any advice?"

Ishaza closes her book, and meets your gaze. "The heart wants what the heart wants. In the meantime - keep up with the temple. You still have responsiblities, and if Thistle objects to you doing them then she was never the right girl for you. And don't get any funny ideas about monogamy just because you're in love: you know our doctrine."

"'Love is emptiness, and emptiness can never be lost, only dwelt in for a time.' Yes, I know it."

"Not the passage I wanted. 'All things are born of emptiness, dwell in emptiness, and return to emptiness. All emptiness is love: all things are born of love, dwell in love, and return to love. Give all things the love they are due, and forsake not one love for another.' It's in Devotion."

"I, um, always read Desire more closely."

She grins. "I'll bet you did. All the really hot stuff is in Desire. But if you want to know about love..."

"...read Devotion. Yeah." You run a hand through your hair. "Thanks, Ishaza."

"Anytime. Speaking of which..."

"... I owe you. Spit it out, then."

"I've got a client for you this evening. Spoilt brat of a noble heiress. - Don't give me that look. I know you don't keep track of the mundane calendar, but in the world outside it's a Monday. Thistle has a job to go to: she works swing because of the whole light issue."

"- Why'd she have to run so quickly then?"

"Because she had work she needed to do on the weekend!" Ishaza shakes her head. "Honestly. You'd think you would learn by now."

You sigh as your brain clunks through the implications. "Hence the spoilt rich heiress. She's the kind of person who pays to have eye candy on her arm at a monday evening party."

"Got it in one. So: This, or shall I keep my marker? - she's probably going to want to have sex, fair warning."

[ ] "Ugh. Keep your marker, I'm not going to deal with her."
[ ] "I'll take it so long as I don't have to fuck her."
[ ] "Tell me Thistle's phone number and we'll call it even."
[X] "Yeah, fine, I'll do her. But we're square now."
[ ] "That's all? Sure, I'll take it."

 

[Evenstar]

Only once you've been gently shooed out of the library do you realize you forgot to ask Ishaza about that commotion yesterday. You could interrupt her again, but - she has a way of getting even for things like that.

You decide to go look for another of your Sisters. Cheri, maybe. She could teach Thistle a few interesting things. Or really anyone - you're sure they all know about what was going on by now, gossip travels quickly.

-----

None of your other Sisters are in, and Ishaza's vanished as if into thin air. Is there some event you're not invited to? Something weird's going on, for sure.

At this rate, you're not going to get the rest of your errands done before you have to get ready for the evening. Well - you'll just have to ask later, then. They can't all avoid you forever.

-----

Before you leave for town, you stop in at the shrines.

Desire with its ragged simplicity, like rock. Intimacy: twining, living wood. Devotion, the altar with no form. The three parts of love, the only names the Goddess ever has.

You light a candle and set it on the rough, jagged altar, a slight smile coming to your lips. Desire? You understand that. More than any of your Sisters, you can admit to what you feel. Who else among the priestesses would willingly lay down with dragons?

Honestly, you think the others still have trouble letting loose.

On to the altar of living wood: flowers are the proper offering, here. You found a weed patch in a distant corner of the gardens, and uprooted a thistle just for this altar: you leave it in its proper place, your hands unstung. A worthy offering, and a true one.

- now, to the last altar. The one that isn't.

There are no markings in the ground, no raised platform, no offerings. The altar of devotion only exists in the mind. It is the rite and the ritual...

Your hands make the motions on their own, your lips speak the words. You know it by heart. Everything is done properly.

...You hesitate, just in the last genuflection. It's...

You can't shake the feeling that even though everything is perfect, you're somehow doing this wrong. You replay the ritual in your mind - no, every curtsey and step is just as it should be. It's correct.

You sigh, and run a hand through the dirt: it slips away through your fingers.

Well, you've done the best you can. There's nothing more left for you here.

-------

The shopkeeper shakes her head at you. "I'm sorry, we don't get much call for necklaces of thistles. Maybe try the shop on the corner?"

"I just came from there."

"Oh, um… You could maybe try fifth street?"

"Been there."

"Well then, I'm not sure what to tell you except good luck."

You nod, grateful for anything you can get at this point. "Thank you."

-------

You consider what to wear for your - "date." It's hard not to think of Thistle right now. Honestly, Ishaza is doing you a favour by setting you up with a bad client tonight: you'll be able to earth all your comparisons to Thistle in someone deserving of the scorn.

...she totally did that deliberately.

Well. Anyway. Classy, dressy, casual…? You think you'll go with dressy. - And leave behind your sunflower in your dresser drawer. It feels… disrespectful, wearing it out to work. What if someone asked about it…?

You'll just leave it here.

You take a deep breath, examine yourself in the mirror: Yes, good, a nice sundress, not too upscale for a bar but not too casual for a more formal event. You're… expecting the bar, honestly. Still, hope springs eternaaaalllll...

----

The girl waiting for you by the car has neon-green hair. That's… not a usual color for humans, right? Yeah, it looks artificial. And she's tattooed - really, really tattooed, a tribal design of black thorns that snakes all the way from her neck to her calf. You can tell because of the, um. - You're just going to call it like it is, that's a microskirt and a bikini top. She's only barely not flashing you right now.

- Sensible boots, though. There is some hope.

She grins when she sees you. "Elisandra? I asked for the buxom one, and you definitely have the body. Come join me in the limo?" She waves at it as if she's expecting you to be impressed.

You do your best fake smile, and get in. "Mmmmhm. Nice limo."

She plops down in the seat across from you, and rolls her eyes. "Yeah, you sure believe that. It's not like you see limos like this every damn day at this gig. Cut the crap, you're not impressed."

You halfsmile. "Alright, fine, you caught me. Why the show, then?"

"Wanted to get this out of the way upfront. I want you to be your fucking self."

"As opposed to my nonfucking self?"

"Yeah yeah very clever. I want you, not your courtesan act."

... You're too damn tired for this same old song and dance. Best to cut to the chase, then. "You do realize that now no matter how many layers I peel back, you're just going to keep insisting there's some deeper self I haven't fully revealed, right? You pay for my time, not my heart. In case you didn't read the fine print."

She shrugs. "Sure, fine, I get it. But I do plan on fucking you, so I'd prefer if you could at least enjoy it a bit."

You frown. "And you think you need to know me in order for having sex with you to be fun?"

She tilts her head. "Uhhhhhh. I guess not, no. Want to skip all the bullshit and just eat me out, then? If you don't wanna hang, I don't wanna waste your time. I'll pay full price and everything."

"… Could we maybe start with you telling me your name?"

"Do you really want my alias du jour? It's not like it'll actually tell you anything about me."

"Nonetheless…"

"Fine, have it your way. Call me Spike."

"Spike."

"You're the one who asked for the shitty pseudonym. Can we get to the fucking now?"

[ ] Just fucking eat her out and get the job done.
[ ] Try to seduce her. She's rich and irresponsible: she'll make a great cash source.
[X] Try to seduce her. You've handled far more challenging clients than her: you're going to wrap this brat around your pinky finger.
[ ] Stay for the full two hours she paid for. You provide a service: she deserves to get her money's worth.
[ ] This girl isn't worth dealing with. Give up and focus on making a graceful exit.

 

[Evenstar]

Rough D/S, questionable consent practices, light painplay, Spike being a bad role model, mildly degrading dirty talk, use of stress positions. Don't try this at home, kids: Eli has 40+ years of experience at this, and even for her this kind of thing is reckless.

Spoiler: More details of recklessness.

Looking at that first position change here, particularly the knee pin. It seems basic, but it's surprisingly dangerous: if Elisandra slipped, her whole body weight could have fallen onto Spike's calf. With all that force concentrated through Eli's knee, she could well have broken Spike's leg. Seriously: don't try this at home.

 

[Evenstar]

((Scroll up for content warnings.))

You raise an eyebrow. "You paid for two hours: if you want two hours of fucking, you'll get two hours of fucking."

Spike grins. "Hardly your average date: I wouldn't want to pressure you..."

You look at her levelly. "Who's holding things up now?"

She laughs, and summarily strips off her microskirt and thong. Spreading her legs, she gestures down at her pierced clit. "Alright then. Go on, get to it."

You shrug, and slide forward off your seat. Kneeling between Spike's knees, you run your hands slowly up her legs, then settle in with a firm grip on each of her thighs. You lap at her, a broad, slow lick that drags a line of cold metal along your tongue.

She sighs. "And we get to the fucking... when?"

You roll your eyes internally, and keep licking at the same slow pace, waiting until Spike's sex starts to wetten on its own. It doesn't take long: you can feel the tension building in her thighs, despite her affected casualness. Her booted foot rolls on the limo floor: you know her toes are curling beneath the thick leather.

...she's challenging you. She wants you to prove just how good you are. Oh, how lovely...

Your fingers tighten on her thighs, and you grin into her sex between slow licks. Any minute now...

"I'm waiiiting." Spike grins, shifting her hips slightly backwards -

And that's when you do it, as she balances momentarily on her shoulders and toes. With your firm grip on her hips, you twist and pull, ducking her leg as she kicks out with a yelp. Another shove, and she ends up on her belly on the seat: quickly, you press a knee atop her calf and grab a tight handful of her neon-green hair, your elbow sharp in the small of her back. Pinning her down against the seat with all your weight, you lean in and kiss her shoulder.

"Lesson one, girl: Don't pick fights with women who are taller, heavier and more experienced than you are. I could do some real damage with my nails before your screams reached your driver, you know that? If you'd hired Liath, she might burn you with her lips or tear up your back with her claws right about now."

Spike squirms, and takes a breath to answer: you shove her down again, driving the words from her mouth, and roll your elbow across her spine. "I'm not done talking. Lesson two: If you want to be a bratty sub for someone, you make it clear that that's what you want when you place the damn booking. You don't just put on your brat act and hope they get pissed off enough to sexually assault you. If I were less charitable, I would have called my Sisters the moment I realized you were trying to get me to snap. Instead you get to squirm under my heel a bit. Are you grateful?"

Spike groans, and rolls her hips back against your thigh: her cheeks are flushed, the brat act almost entirely broken. You sigh. "Lesson three: You answer yes or no questions with 'yes, ma'am' or 'no, ma'am.' No other answers are acceptable. Groans are not words. Is this very clear?"

You ease off the pressure a little so Spike doesn't need to mumble into the seatleather.

She visibly bites back her first thought, then - "Yes, ma'am."

"Does being controlled and thrown about like this make you aroused?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Were you deliberately trying to aggravate me?"

She swallows. "Y-yes, ma'am."

"You do realize I've dominated dragons, right?"

She flushes even harder. "Nnnnnno, Ma'am."

"Thought not. Do you want me to dominate you?"

Spike nods. You wait - then pull her hair, arching her back painfully. You murmur in her ear: "Yes or no, bitch."

"Yes! Yes! Ow! Yes!"

"Yes what?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

You let her hair go: she falls forwards, panting, and you shove her down again. Running your free hand through your hair, you let a slow smile spread across your lips. "Good girl. You're not bad: you just need to be trained, don't you?"

She looks up at you with lust in her eyes. "Yes, ma'am..."

"And that means you need to be properly taught that what you just did was wrong, doesn't it?"

"...Yes, ma'am."

"You're going to take your punishment without whimpering or pleading, right?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

You swat her ass lightly with your free hand. "Wrong! You are going to beg long and loud, explaining exactly how you should be punished and why I should bother to train you at all. If you try to give yourself too light a sentence, or don't grovel enough, then I'll edge you until you beg to come and then ask again. Your safeword is 'safeword,' and if you fail to use it you'll never see me or any of my Sisters again. Do you understand?"

Spike nods quickly - then realizes her mistake. "Y-yesm!"

Your hand comes down in another light swat. "Start begging, bitch."

She blushes, but rallies: "I - I want you to - I deserve to - be - "

Your fingers slip in between her thighs, playing with her pierced clitoris. "You don't ask for things, bitch. You follow orders. Are we clear on this?"

She trembles, thighs squeezing around your wrist. "Yes, ma'am, f-fuck yes!"

You tilt your head. "Mmm, good enough. Now get on with the list."

"I - I shhould be - pinned down, and hurt, and my nasty pussy should be hurt because I can't control my lust, and I should be fucked roughly and used to get off, and I shouldn't get to come, because, because I've been a bad girl."

You make little circles around her clit with one finger. "Go on..."

"And - and all of it should be recorded and kept as insurance in case you ever need me to, to come to heel..." She gasps, her hips rolling back against your teasing fingertips. "P-please, pleasepleaseplease punish me, ma'am..."

"Mmmmm." You tilt your head back and forth, making a show of consideration.

[X] Hurt her a little. Test how masochistic she really is.

[ ] Lightly scratch up her back with your nails.
[X] Spank her ass.
[X] Go harder if she can take it.
[ ] Bite her. Don't break skin.
[ ] Yank on her hair.
[ ] Tease and torment her nipples.
[ ] Write-in.​

[X] Hurt her sex, since she asked so nicely for it to get special attention.

[ ] Spank her pussy.
[ ] Put painful pressure on her clit.
[X] Stretch her with your fingers.
[ ] Write-in.​

[X] Force her to get you off...

[X] ...with her mouth.
[ ] ...with her fingers.
[ ] ...with the strapless in your purse.
[ ] ...with the bullet vibe in your purse.
[ ] Write-in.​

[X] Fuck her hard...

[ ] ...with your fingers.
[ ] ...with your tongue.
[X] ...with the strapless in your purse.
[ ] Write-in.​

[X] Control her orgasm...

[ ] ...by making her hump your fingers, then pulling away when she gets close.
[ ] ...by carefully teasing her...
[ ] ...with the bullet vibe in your purse.
[ ] ...with your tongue.
[ ] ...with your fingers.
[X] ...by punishing her if she comes.
[X] Force her to masturbate for you.
[X] Force her to come anyway.
[ ] ...by switching back to hurting her whenever she gets close.
[ ] If she comes from being hurt, ruin her orgasm.
[ ] If she comes anyway, ruin her orgasm.
[ ] Write-in.​

[X] Keep her from squirming...

[X] ... by pinning her down.
[ ] ... using the handcuffs in your purse.
[ ] ... by punishing her if she moves.
[ ] Force her to move anyway.
[ ] Write-in.​

[X] Film the whole thing on your phone camera.

[X] Make Spike introduce herself and say she gets off on this.
[X] Using her real name.​

[X] Force her to tell you more about her blackmail kink.

[X] Is she into exhibitionism?
[X] Is she into humiliation?
[X] If she is, tease her.
[X] Is she into being owned?​

[ ] Reject all her suggestions...

[ ] And edge her until she comes up with better ones.
[ ] And get the driver to pull over: you're done here.​

 

[Evenstar]

Letting go of Spike, you reach behind you on the limo floor and pick up your discarded purse. Nudging aside your bagged toys for the moment, you pull out your phone.

Spike makes a quiet "eeep" noise as the phone comes into view, her eyes widening - and her blush deepening as well. You grin, and make a little circle in the air with one finger: Roll over.

Spike gets the hint, and rolls over onto her back on the limo seat, putting her face and breasts on camera for you. You smile, and slide back onto the seat opposite her, positioning her naked body in the camera's viewfinder.

Now, what was the name of Cheri's porn venture again...? Consorting around? Client tales? Goddesswives? Sisters of lust? - no, all of those were too niche, she wanted something broader - Fuckingart! That was it!

Putting on your best high-society demeanour, you flip the camera around to face you, and hit record.

"Hey all! I have a special treat for you all today at fuckingart.com: a real temple client! I'm Elisandra Whyte - you might know me from some of Cheri's videos - and this is my client for the evening."

You turn the camera, capturing every last pixel of Spike's blush.

"She calls herself..."

"Spike."

"...but her real name is..."

She hesitates, then plows ahead. "Victoria Armille, but everyone calls me Tori."

You raise an eyebrow behind the camera. "Armille, as in the handgun brand?"

Spike - no, Tori - nods quickly. "Ethan Armille is my father."

You whistle. This is more than a kink scene, this is real blackmail material.

Tori swallows. "Yeah."

...well, you're not interrupting the flow. You can always delete it all later. "Does your family know about this?"

"No, ma'am."

"But you want to be recorded anyway?"

"Y-yes ma'am."

"Because you have a blackmail kink?"

"Yes, ma'am." She squirms in her seat, crossing her legs.

"That seems kind of reckless. How old are you, Tori?"

"Twenty - Twenty-one."

"Which?"

"Twenty-one, I just - hesitated."

You grin. "Seems like old enough that you ought to know better. Tell me more about this blackmail kink of yours that you need sated so badly, hm? Do you get off on being watched? Imagining an audience following your every move, eyes lingering on your breasts and sex? Do you want to put on a show for the world?"

"Um - a bit, but it's not really about that - "

"Then what is it about? Do you like the thought of having this hanging over your head, being forced to obey because I know your secret and can prove it?"

"- not really, I - want to be tossed around more than bossed around -"

"Then you're into humiliation?"

She flushes bright pink, and looks away. "Y-yes. I want the world to know what a dirty slut I am."

You giggle, and adjust the camera to get a better view of her blushing face. "Well, I can certainly arrange that. Firstly, I want everyone at home to know that if you safeworded at any point during this scene, I would have immediately destroyed this tape and you wouldn't be watching it right now. Everything you're seeing is something that Tori wants you to see. Which is a good baseline for just how dirty a slut she really is. Tori, care to confirm for the viewers that you can safeword out at any time?"

She hesitates, then nods. "Yes - I mean, um, yes ma'am."

"And your safeword is...?"

"Safeword."

"Good girl. Now, go on and tell the viewers just how much of a slut you are."

She makes a little whining noise, then - "I tried to get Elisandra to sexually assault me because I wanted her to dominate me with everything she had, and I'm sorry and this is my punishment for that and I'm kind of really looking forward to it." She trembles, curling forwards a little in her seat to let her neon-green hair hide her blush.

You smile, panning the camera slowly down from her embarrassed face to her crossed thighs. "A good start. Now, could you spread your legs for me?"

"Ye-" She bites her cheek. "Yes, ma'am." She uncrosses them: then, ever so slowly, they part. With her clitoris piercing on full display, Tori hides her face instead, burying it in her palm. "Fuck, this is so embarrassing..."

You lean back, settling yourself more comfortably. "But you get off on that, don't you? Don't lie to me: I can see you're getting wet."

She trembles. "Yes ma'am."

"I want you to show the world how you jill off. Stroke your clitty, hump something, I don't care: just get yourself off and describe your fantasies in vivid detail for everyone at home."

Hesitantly, she reaches down and touches herself. "Um, I - usually I fantasize about - an older woman - "

"Like me?"

"Lllllike you, ma'am, yes - hoooolding me down, and, um, hurting me..."

Her fingers slide in to either side of her clitoris, slowly rolling her piercing back and forth. She gasps, her head falling back against the seat. "Fuck, being watched like this is getting me off so hard..."

"No coming, or you'll be punished."

"Mmmmmmmm yesma'am." She shivers and sighs, slowing her touches. "I - I want to be called filthy names and slapped around and pinned down and used like a bitch." She rolls her hips slowly, a glance at the camera followed by a shudder of her thighs. "I...... want to be used, and hurt, and treated like the whore I am, and made to swallow -" she breaks off: you're not sure if she could blush any harder.

You prompt her: "Should you get to come?"

"N-no."

"What names should you be called?"

"B-bitch, and whore, and slut, and hole, and I want to be filth beneath your boot and a toy for your pleasure..."

"You want to be a fucktoy?"

Her hips jerk, her teasing hand pulling back in a tense fist. "Fuckyes. Ma'am." She manages to meet your gaze, lust winning out over fear.

You lean forwards and stroke her thigh. "Good girl. Verrrrry good girl. Since you've been so honest with me, I'll give you the punishment you crave so deeply. Here, take the camera and film yourself while I get out some supplies."

You pass your phone to her: she takes it with a shaky hand, and directs the lens down onto her clit. Her gaze flicks back and forth between your face and the flashing recording light on the screen.

Patting Tori's thigh, you shake your head. "No, not a trick, really recording. You're sure you want to keep going?"

She nods. "Fuckyes."

"Give me just a moment to get ready, then."

Discarding your dress with a clasp-click and a few careful wriggles, you reach into your purse again and break open one of your toy bags. The strapless ought to be right: you're glad you decided on the extra-girthy one for tonight, you want her to feel it. Your fingers linger on the collapsible riding crop, but - the limo's far too cramped for that to work. Lube? No, she wants it to hurt, and she looks slick enough you ought not to damage anything...

Slipping the toy's bulb into your sex with a slick pop and a sigh, you shift back onto your knees on the limo floor, feeling the motor's vibration. "Roll over," you order.

Tori obediently flips again, and you shift in behind her. Reaching past her, you guide the camera in her hand to catch your kisses against her neck: she gasps, pushing back against you. "Please use me, mistress..."

You wrench the phone from her hand, and shove her down flat, one arm twisted behind her back. "Fucktoys like you don't get to beg. They get used like the worthless bitches they are, and they don't complain. Understand?"

She trembles. "I - I understand."

"Wrong again, bitch. You say yes or no, nothing else. Film yourself so I have a free hand to punish you with." You shove the camera back into her grip, and she barely keeps it upright: you don't care, you're already winding up your swing.

Around comes your hand, whap into her ass. A light spank, but enough to sting: she gasps, then whines pitifully. "Yes, yes, more, hurt me..."

You slap her ass at the same strength a few more times, letting the pain build as she writhes, your strapless pressed against her clit, between her thighs. She moans and wriggles, but her cries are more pleasured than pained: after another half-dozen smacks, her back arches against your hand, her nails digging into the seat leather. "Coming, coming, I'm coming, fuuuuck mistress please no -"

You shove her legs apart with one knee, and your next slap lands directly on her pussy lips. "You're coming?"

"Y-Yes! I'm coming!"

"Like you were ordered not to?" Up comes your hand again, whap.

"Yessssss!"

You pull away sharply: driven beyond the edge by your stinging strikes, Tori climaxes - but the anguished way she presses her thighs together afterwards means you ruined it properly. "Fuuuuuuck...", she groans.

You spank her tattooed ass again before she has a chance to recover, using full force this time: you know she can take it. The crack of your hand against her skin is like a whip, and you can feel the sting in your palm as you grip her ass hard, pressing in the pain. "Bad fucktoy. Fucktoys don't get to come. Now I'm really going to have to punish you..."

She drops the camera as you shove your thick strapless inside her, not bothering to warm her up or go slow. She's tight with her legs together like this: you have to squeeze hard with your own thighs to keep the dildo's bulb from popping out of your pussy.

Rolling your hips slowly, you give her a moment to adjust and fish the camera off the limo seat: then you start to fuck her in earnest, your whole weight pinning her down, every third or fourth thrust punctuated by a spank of her reddening ass. With the fast pace you've set, you don't have enough breath to spare for proper dirty talk: you settle for calling her a bitch over and over and over.

Forcing another orgasm from her, you take the opportunity to lay in another round of punishing spanks: there are tears in her eyes now, and her ass is starting to purple with bruises. She whines softly. "No, please, no more, I'll be good..."

Shifting in, you stroke her back and kiss her shoulder: you could use a break now yourself. "That's right, you're a good girllll," you croon.

Tori shivers, and smiles through her tears. "Thank you," she manages.

Leaning atop her as she pants for breath, you check the time on your phone: only half an hour, really? Well, the limo hasn't arrived at wherever you're going yet, so maybe you shouldn't be surprised. It'd be a good idea to pace yourself...

Pulling out of Tori's cunt, you flop back onto the seat opposite her. "Come here and give me the camera," you order.

She does: the low limo roof forces her to kneel between your legs, just as you knew it would. You take the camera, and get a good shot of her tear-stained smile.

"Clean my cock off, bitch."

Tori obeys, eagerly giving head to the girthy dildo between your thighs. Watching her intently, you make sure to film every lick and kiss.

Your phone vibrates in your hand, and your attention flicks up. Incoming call? You don't recognize this number - could it be Thistle??

[ ] Stop filming and answer your phone.

[ ] Interrupt the scene with Tori.
[ ] Let her keep giving head to the dildo.
[ ] Make her eat you out while you're on the phone.​

[X] Don't answer your phone.
[ ] Ask Tori if she minds.

[X] Start to wind up your scene with Tori, so you're both relatively presentable when the limo arrives.

[X] But you're keeping her thong for the evening.
[X] Don't skimp on aftercare.
[ ] Deliberately push on and get Tori caught in a compromising position.​

[ ] Get the driver to bring you back to the temple instead of continuing on to wherever you're going.

 

[Evenstar]

You tap the silence button, and mute the call. Tori doesn't even notice: she's still entirely focused on your plastic dick.

You pet her gently, then turn the camera towards yourself. "Hope you had fun, all," you tease: then you end the recording and put your phone back into your purse.

Tori still hasn't noticed: she's off in her own little world. You giggle, and nudge her chin up off the dildo. "Tori?"

She nods, looking at you expectantly.

You beckon. "Come kiss me."

She slides up into your lap, and you wrap your arms around her as she kisses you - hesitantly at first, then deeply. She groans into your mouth as your hands massage her bruised ass, pain rolling through her as you ease her down gently.

You part from her after a few moments, and she stares deeply into your eyes, uncertain what to say: you speak instead.

"You're such a lovely toy, Tori." One of your hands slides delicately up her spine, and she shivers. "I think I'm done using you for now, and we're going to arrive soon anyway. Is there anything you'd like as a reward in the time we have left?"

She nods. "...take me gently, one more time. Let me come. And… snuggle me until we get to the club, okay?"

You nod, and shift your hips. "Ready?"

"...yeah."

She relaxes slowly, and your hands guide her down onto your silicone shaft. Rather than thrusting, you let your fingers wander: wide-palm caresses of her skin mix with teasing brushes of your nails, threatening more pain - but you pull back, only tracing fingertip lines along her ribs. Your hips roll against her: she moans and works back against you, her breasts pressing against yours and then retreating. You dig your fingers into her hair, tilt her head back, and kiss her vulnerable neck as she comes. "Mine," you whisper in her ear.

She doesn't stand a chance.

-----

When she comes down from her climax, you wrap her in your dress and lay her down on the back seat of the limo. She smiles at you: you brush her messy neon-green hair back into its proper places, and kiss her gently.

"You're such a lovely girl," you coo. "Thank you for having me…"

She blushes. " …nnno, thank you. Thank you for treating me so well, even though I deserved so much less…"

You shake your head. "No, you're a good girl and you deserved every lovely thing I did to you. Don't ever feel like you're wrong for enjoying things that don't hurt anyone."

Tori wriggles. "I feel like I'm hurting right now…"

"But are you suffering?"

She shakes her head and grins. "Nope!"

"There's your answer then." You check your phone time. "- and it's been 45 minutes. How long till we get to where we're going?"

Tori blinks. "Um. About five minutes? Shit, I need to - "

You press her back down into the seat, and with a little courtesan's trick you steal her bra into the bargain. She's way smaller than you, but with clothes you're supposed to spill out of - yes, everything is acceptably one-size-fits-all.

"Get my dress on: there's no way this tiny thing," you gesture to the obscenely-small microskirt you've stolen, "is going to hide the slapmarks on your ass. You don't actually want the whole world to know what you've been up to on the trip here, right?"

She shakes her head. "Um, yeah." Her fingers fumble the clasp closed: you gather up some of the spare material for her, using the shifting nature of your courtesan's dress to approximate her size.

"And you don't want me to actually keep this video?" You flash your phone screen for her, a picture of her with your strapless deep in her mouth prominently displayed.

She goes beet red. "Nnnnnoooooo. No I don't."

"Thought not." You delete the video: then you put both your phone and your girlcum-stained strapless back into your purse, the latter slipping back into its sealed baggie. "How's my hair?"

"Uh, it's fine."

"Wonderful." You kiss her collarbone, and tap her nose with one finger. "No more silly ideas now, alright? We're trying to get away with enough already."

The driver stops, the smooth deceleration almost unnoticeable: you pick yourself back up off of Tori, take a deep breath, and put on your best "I can get away with anything, just watch me" smile.

Tori giggles, and finds a grin that matches yours.

"- We're going to be so lucky if this works."

The driver opens the door: you sling your purse over your shoulder, and step out into the night. Looks a like a private club.

Tori follows you, careful with the bulk of her unfamiliar dress, and you offer her your arm.

"Let's knock 'em dead," she says.

You nod. "Let's."

-----

One small miracle later, the pair of you escape the club unmolested. For some reason, Tori was uncharacteristically reluctant to dance: the rest of the evening was light work for you, just small talk and looking pretty. Nobody you met was really your intellectual equal.

Tori bought three extensions to her time anyway.

When the limo drops you off back at the temple, you have your dress back on - but you're still wearing Tori's thong.

-----

As you're getting ready for bed, your phone rings again. Same unknown number as last time.

[X] Pick up.
[ ] It's 3 AM, for Goddess' sake. Whoever it is can call back in the morning.

 

[Evenstar]

Text Thistle, find Cheri, get groceries, practice violin, tend the shrines, pray diligently, buy a pendant - you have a lot to do, and only so many hours of daylight to do it in. Best get up and get to work.

Stiffly, you climb out of bed. Ow. Your back hurts. Your knees hurt. Your hand's still a little sore.

Slowly, a smile spreads across your face.

If this is what you're feeling, what's Tori's morning being like?

-----

Stepping into the shower, you carefully back away from the nozzle, lean in, and turn on the water. Steam hisses against the tiles: slowly, you adjust the temperature down to just-barely-standable, and slip in.

Ooooooooooh that feels good. That feels very good. You shift, and let the hot water hit the hickey Tori gave you: it stings a bit, but you can feel your muscles relaxing, the fog of sleep gently lifting. You roll your shoulders, run your hands through your hair, and let your mind drift.

(Thistle's hands in your hair, rubbing in shampoo. Soft whispers, so lovely, so good: her fingers massaging your scalp, trailing down your neck. Her firm embrace, breasts pressed against your back, fingers wandering in between your thighs -)

... Maybe you shouldn't be thinking about Thistle while you're in the shower.

[ ] Masturbate in the shower.
[X] You have work to do!

-----

First things first, the shrines -

Candles for Desire, flowers for Intimacy, and the genuflections for Devotion - wait. One of Intimacy's flowers has fallen off its altar, into the space where Devotion lives. There we go, back in its proper place...

You finish your bows and steps for Devotion, and yet - something still rings hollow. Perhaps it's that you haven't prayed yet? That could certainly be it, that you haven't kept your Goddess in mind -

You seize the first thought that comes to you, and fling it out to her.

Goddess, let me and my Thistle be happy.

As usual, there isn't any answer.

-----

Sitting against Desire's altar, you take out your phone. You punch in Thistle's number, then -

Thinking of you, love.

You hit send before you can second-guess yourself, and move on to browsing Cheri's website. Evening shows Tuesday through Sunday... Morning shows Thursday, Saturday and Sunday... Nothing on Monday at all. You examine the schedule, and cross-reference with the program.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
None None None Simple Directions None The Mermaid The Offering
None Simple Directions Sleep/Wake The Mermaid The Offering LE(W)D Threefold
Program:
Main Shows:
The Offering, with Liath Seventh-Circle
Cheri is bound and cuffed to an altar, presented as a sacrifice to a notorious Demoness. Can she break free and conquer her captor, or will she be defeated? Fire poi, pole, altitude show, sex on stage.

LE(W)D
Be astounded and aroused as Cheri combines Visual Poi, pole dancing, and acrobatic feats to bring you a thrillingly pornographic experience. With every choreographed sweep and twirl of her LED wands, another fantasy flashes onto the stage. Strip, Visual Poi, aerial show, pole, freestyle, live pornography.

Threefold
Cheri is caught in a love triangle between the devoted Tasha and the fearsome Liath. As the three of them dance and intertwine, who will be the one to claim Cheri's heart and body? Sex on stage, seduction, classical dance.

The Mermaid
Join Cheri at the bottom of the ocean, in a slow, sensual pole dance experience. Who knows what a mermaid does in her seabed when she thinks no-one's watching? Pole, masturbation on stage.

Side Shows:
Simple Directions
Cheri is led by her strict instructor, Aya, to push the boundaries of her skill and modesty. When Aya pushes a step too far, who will triumph? The teacher, or the student? Stripping, pole, comedy.

Sleep/Wake
In a new experimental piece, join Cheri as she wanders through her days and nights. The smallest things in the daytime can grow into grand fantasies at night: dreams that threaten to spill into her waking life. Interpretive dance, pole, visual poi, live pornography.

- yeah, you'd want a full day to recover from dancing with Liath too. You have no idea how Cheri manages that every week.

There's enough info here to make a tentative decision with. If nothing else, it'll help guide the conversation when you go talk to Cheri.

You tentatively decide to see...
[ ] The Offering
[ ] LE(W)D
[ ] Threefold
[X] The Mermaid
[ ] Simple Directions
[ ] Sleep/Wake
[ ] You really haven't made your mind up yet.

 

[Evenstar]

You consider your vibrating showerhead.

- No, you have work to do. People to see. Dates to plan! Save it for Thistle, hm?

You escape the shower with only one backwards glance, and a minimum of blushing.

-----

You find Cheri at the auditorium stage, doing a practice pole routine in a sports bra and panties. Catching her eye, you wave: she tosses an answering wave into her next spin. A few turns later, she rights herself, slides down the pole, and bounces over to turn off the punk music blaring from her stereo.

Seeing her up close again, you're once again reminded of just how physically fit Cheri is: yeah, you're totally jealous of those abs, thighs and delts. She has a great ass, too. Your gaze lingers a moment on the treble-clef tattoo above her right hip, the same black as her pixie-cut hair.

Even in her gym outfit, you have to admit your Sister's got style.

- whup, here she comes, best not to get caught staring. You adjust your gaze upward, and flash a thumbs-up. "Hey, Cheri! Still as workaholic as ever, I see."

She rubs the back of her head, and smiles. "You know this shit's my life, Eli: gotta stay in shape to wow the crowds."

You tilt your head. "Where were you yesterday, then? I was looking for you all over the place."

She shrugs. "Town, looking into some specialized hardware: somebody claimed they could do a transparent stripper pole that wouldn't be a total fucking health hazard, some kind of ultrahard plastic. It was bullshit, by the way: I bent the damn thing just by leaning on it."

You tsk. "I mean, it could've been legit if they'd gotten something from the Realms, but..."

"Who'd waste an artifact like that on a stripper pole, yeah. I get you." Cheri sighs. "Yet another thing I've gotta fix."

"- people should want to use artifacts on making stripper poles?"

"Damn right they should!" Cheri grins. "Or at least on making my stripper poles, they should. But this is beside the point: What brings you to my studio today?"

"A little favour, as always. I was thinking about my second date with Thistle - sorry, Thiassa - and you came to mind. Which shows do you think would be safe for her light allergy? My lifetime pass's been collecting dust, so I'm not up on your current routines. And - she is kind of shy. Could you maybe do a private show for us sometime?"

Cheri whistles. "Okay, taking it from the top: Offering's got a magnesium flash in it, it's right out. L-E-W-D's got an epilepsy warning and some crowd lights, so probably not that one either. Sleep/Wake uses spotlights for the day/night transitions, so it could be a little questionable..." She drums her fingers against her other palm. "Ummmm, okay, so that leaves Mermaid, Threefold, Instructions sorry I mean Directions, and - what am I forgetting, I ought to know my own damn shows - oh right, Kumi had to bow out just last month, that's why I'm feeling like Vertigo ought to be on the list still. Sorry about that. - and no, it's not suitable for Thiassa even if you could get Kumi back, lots of flashing lights."

"And as for that private show...?"

Cheri sucks air through her teeth. "I'm already doing nine shows a week with three double days, Eli. I'd love to, but..."

You raise an eyebrow. "Not even if I owed you a huge favor?"

She rubs a knuckle against her lips. "Well, I do do practice routines most every day, so it's theoretically possible... but you'd definitely owe me hard. Especially if you wanted me to do a routine outside my regular set, which limits things to Mermaid unless you manage to convince Aya or fucking Liath. Tasha'd probably be on board, but..."

"Fucking Liath, yeah. I have no idea how you manage to do three shows a week with her. Do you just spend all day Monday hiding in bed, or...?"

Cheri bites the inside of her lip. "You - learn to adapt. It helps that she gets to conquer me in front of a whole crowd two shows out of three."

You raise an eyebrow. "Spoilers, Cheri."

She blushes. "Sorry, I forget not everybody lives and breathes my shows like I do."

"It's fine. So - any thoughts? You're the performer, you know best which of your shows would work for a second date. I was thinking of Mermaid, it has the right - aesthetic."

"Welllllll, you said she's kind of shy, yet you're taking her to a sex show on your second date. I can't really give you good advice on that kind of conflicting info."

You frown. "Well, it's - true, you know? I think she - likes to have adventures, but she's awkward around people?"

Cheri taps her lips with a finger. "Hmmm. Well, the lightest for sexual content would be Directions: sure, there's stripping, but the only other thing that happens is a french kiss. Mermaid is - slow, to be frank. It could bore her until it starts embarrassing her. There's a reason why I don't run it in a prime slot." Turning the finger on her lips around, she points it at you. "If I were you, I'd take her to Threefold. It's classic in form, utterly romantic, and you get to watch Tasha and Liath take turns fucking me. What's not to like?"

"The fact Liath's in it having sex?"

"She loses, darling. It's - damn it, I don't want to give the theme away, go see it in person. Just trust me on this: If you think Thiassa can handle that it's got hardcore sex in it, take her to Threefold. I honestly think it's my best show, and it's definitely something to take your girlfriend to. If she doesn't jump you in the lobby afterwards, I didn't do my job right."

She points up at the ring of silk-curtained boudoirs surrounding the stage. "As for her shyness: get a damn box, you have a VIP pass! You're hardly the first to want a bit of privacy while watching a sex show."

"That... does make sense," you manage, mentally kicking yourself for forgetting that private boxes existed.

Cheri grins. "It sure does. Anything else you'd like to bother me with, or shall I get back to my routine?"

You raise a finger. "There is one thing - what about that commotion on Choosing Day? I meant to ask Ishaza, but she did that thing where she anticipates your question and distracts you before you can ask it, you know the one?"

"Yeah, I do. - Wait, you mean you haven't heard about Rose yet?"

"Who's Rose?"

"The new Marked, love! On a Choosing day, too! If she has even the slightest shred of talent, we're going to have a new Sister come next new moon! Aya's been making noises about retiring, Liath's been considering taking up a non-sister position, it's just been bedlam! How on earth did you manage not to hear about this till now?"

"I couldn't find anyone else yesterday, and before that I was with Thiassa! Honestly, do you expect me to be psychic like Ishaza?"

She sighs. "No, darling. That was unfair of me. Still, you understand the implications, right?"

"On a Choosing Day, too... She's going to bear an angel."

"Yes. We're truly blessed. And - if she's not a strong Priestess I'll eat my pole. The Goddess is sharper than that."

"...and there's supposed to always be exactly seven..."

"So we're going to lose a Sister. Goddess preserve us, I hope it's Liath."

- we're going to lose a Sister -

Your stomach does a flip. Is this a sign? Does the Goddess - know? Approve? In any case, it's - a chance. A real chance, and soon. Goddess, only twenty-six days - is it long enough? Could it possibly be long enough? You didn't want to have to choose this soon!

Cheri sees your stricken expression, and pats you on your shoulder. "It's okay, love. I'm sure we won't lose Aya, she does this every time. Want to join me for a routine, blow off some stress? You look like you could use it, and I know you're behind on your violin practice."

"Uh," you say.

[ ] You're going to try and be the Sister who leaves at the next New Moon Rite.
[ ] You're going to let this opportunity pass.
[X] - you still have time, right? Twentysix days, almost a month, you have at least a week before you have to do anything, you don't have to think about this right now.

[ ] Doing a routine with Cheri would help you clear your head. Accept.

[ ] You wouldn't mind if it got a bit "recreational", either.​

[ ] Just watch for a little while.
[X] There's a new Marked you haven't met! She could well be your Sister in a month: stop by the Supplicant's Hall and try to get to know her a little.
[ ] You have other priorities for today: duties to be done, pendants to buy. You can't let yourself be derailed.

[ ] Decide to go to The Mermaid: you think Thistle would appreciate its slow sensuality. And it'd be less risky due to being less risque.

[ ] Go to the Saturday matinee.
[ ] Get Thistle to take time off work for the Thursday evening show.​

[ ] Decide to go to Simple Directions: Thistle might appreciate the comedy, and you don't want to scare her off with something blatantly sexual.

[ ] Go to the Thursday matinee after Thistle gets off work.
[ ] Get Thistle to take time off work for today's evening show.
[ ] Get Thistle to take time off work for next week's evening show.​

[X] Decide to go to Threefold on Sunday night: Cheri knows her shows better than you, and you think Thistle can handle a bit of sex.
[ ] Ask Cheri to strip down LE(W)D for a private performance.
[ ] Ask Cheri to strip down Sleep/Wake for a private performance.
[ ] Ask Cheri to perform The Mermaid just for you and Thistle.
[ ] Ask Cheri to do one of her in-development routines as a private performance.
[ ] Ask Cheri if you could stand in for one of her co-stars in a private performance.
[ ] Try to get one of Cheri's co-stars on board for a private performance of something else.
[ ] Trash the whole idea and come up with something else to do for your date.
[ ] Write-in.

 

[Evenstar]

"No thanks, Cheri. I want to go talk to our newest supplicant. I'd invite you to tag along, but..."

"Nope, gotta practice. See you around?"

You smile. "Of course, Cheri."

-----

The training hall is as you remembered it, more dormitory than dojo. Communal bunks, a few private rooms, white-robed supplicants that curtsey clumsily as you pass. It's been less than a week: they're still settling in, for the most part. Tasha likes to give them time to adjust to their new surroundings.

One of the private rooms has already been set aside for Rose: favoritism, perhaps, but a Mark from the Goddess is deserving of a measure of respect. You knock.

"Come in," calls a light, melodious voice.

Rose sits at a small table by the room's only window, wearing the same plain white robe that the other initiates do. On her, though, it feels like a toga, a badge of office. She's having coffee, apparently casually - but her back is straight, her grasp of the cup artful. It's the kind of casual grace that took you years of careful development.

- now that you look closer, goddess she's young. Eighteen? Twenty? No, her collected manner makes her seem older: she could be fifteen, sixteen. You bite the inside of your cheek - that kind of control, that young, speaks to an unkind life.

Your gaze flicks down to her belly - but of course her robes cover the mark, not to mention the table in the way.

She smiles, a little sadly. "Yes, I'm the Marked. Not that I had any clue what that meant four days ago. Rosalia, you can call me Rose." She offers her hand to shake.

Remembering your manners, you shake her delicate hand. She's pale - not fair, not alabaster, though her manner suggests it, but rather - sickly, pallid. If her grip wasn't warm, you'd suspect her for a vampire.

"Elisandra," you reply. "Though you can call me Eli. I take it the other Sisters have already told you the basics?"

She shrugs. "Apparently I got knocked up by your Goddess in a dream, and that's why I have a lovely new belly tattoo. That's life since the Realms, I guess."

You smile wryly. "I guess. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, not really," she says. "Tasha's been very attentive and understanding, so I don't really have any convenient excuses for you to hang around sounding me out."

You hide a smile behind your hand. "Mind if I do anyway?"

"No, not at all. Care to take a seat?"

"Certainly."

[ ] What do her family think about all this?
[ ] How does she like the temple?
[ ] What does she think of your Sisters?
[ ] What was her dream like?
[X] - what exactly did the other Sisters tell her?
[ ] How does she feel about maybe becoming a priestess?
[X] She does know she's free to leave anytime, right?
[ ] Is she sure there's nothing you can help her with?
[ ] Write-in.

 

[Evenstar]

"You do know you're free to leave anytime if you don't want to become a priestess, right?"

Rose looks at you. "And go where, exactly? Back to my family to explain that I'm only pregnant because magic?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't think -"

"No, you didn't. Your Goddess, merciful and great or whatever she is, has put me between a rock and a hard place. One gets the impression she's rather attached to me."

You wince. "- I suppose assurances that the Goddess knows what she's doing and it'll all turn out okay in the end would be misplaced."

"They're rather suspect coming from the mouth of her sworn priestess, yes." Rose taps her fingers against her coffee cup.

"You're sure there's nothing I can do for you -"

"Tasha is looking after me quite well, thank you. Is there anything else?"

"Um -"

[X] "No, no there's not."
[ ] You need to know more if you're going to help her at all. Keep pushing.

[ ] "I could get you moved to one of the clients' guest rooms if you'd like more privacy..."
[ ] "Do your family know you're here? They must be worried sick."
[ ] "What do you think about the other priestesses?"
[ ] "- You're not on good terms with your family, then?"
[ ] "The temple isn't poor. We could give you a stipend to live on your own somewhere."
[ ] "Do you actually like Tasha, or are you just being polite?"
[ ] Write-in.​