The velvet, purple canopy of the Blackthorn Apothecary's booth shimmers in the late-afternoon sun. Though admirers still flock to the tent for a view of Pip, the line for bookings has slowly dwindled. The swooning barmaids and gasping nobles now replaced by quiet, post-satisfaction murmurings of those lucky enough to get a taste of Market Town's busiest secret.
In a dark, partitioned-off section of the booth, Pip sits upright on a small, cushioned chair, shifting cheerfully from side to side as steam puffs from his hips. Penelo, humming happily as her tail wiggles behind her, tenderly rubs Pip's thighs with a well-practiced touch, her chest and furry arms slick with sweet-smelling oils.
"The morning sessions went great, Pip!" Penelo beams as her hands move up to his pelvis. "Even that grumpy half-giant was swooning over when she was done. Vuvi says she asked if we provided a cuddling service!"
Pip replies with a proud little beep as he gleefully hums.
"You're too cute!" Penelo giggles. She slowly straddles his lap while biting her lip, resting her body on his chest while she rubs his hips.
"You're doing great, Pip. Everyone is singing your praises out there." she whispers seductively. He answers with a sly beep. "I just can't wait to—"
[Thrust Power Increasing: 5%... 8%...]
"Ooooh," she gasps, as his body's hum turns into a slowly growing vibration. "That's… hnnnngh… oh, Pip!... Oh, my… whoooooa…. crush my carrots… faster, Pip!"
[Thrust Power Increasing: 16%... 20%...]
Penelo's hands slip around Pip's shoulders and her chest falls onto his faceplate as his thrust motors gently vibrate her to the edge of satisfaction. He proudly gazes at her flushed face as it twists with devilish delight.
"Oh… I… I'm… Ooooooh—-"
"Fluffhead!" Vuvi barks from outside as Penelo's moans reach a fever pitch. "You better not be humping Pip again! Oil rubs only!"
"Aaaah!" Penelo yelps in surprise, slipping off Pip and hitting the floor with a thud. "It wasn't me! Pip started it! I swear, it's him this time!"
Pip beeps innocently as he shrugs.
"Pip!" Penelo pouts, crossing her arms. "That… that was… ohhhh… that was so yummy! Please do it again, later!" she giggles as she kneels before him like a pleading puppy.
He beeps excitedly and gives her a playful nod.
Meanwhile, outside, Vuvi packs up the last of her booking scrolls while mumbling about greedy customers and cramping fingers. She barely notices the tall, dark figure approaching until the scent hits her.
Lavender, Winter Rose and something else. Older, more familiar, like moonlight wrapped in smoke.
"Excuse me, darling." the voice came, as smooth and rich as melted butter.
Vuvi groans as she looks up, expecting another haughty noble with little understanding of the word 'No'.
But as her gaze met the figure's eyes, she instantly froze.
Before her stood a tall, slender woman. Her presence feels ethereal. Her pearlescent skin shimmers in the sunlight and long, pointed ears poke out from silvery hair that cascades down her head like falling silk. And her eyes, small, smokey and almond-shaped, but… not right. Too reflective. Too perfect. And for less than a moment, Vuvi could swear she saw the woman's irises flash red, like a flame caught in a crystal.
"Noble, I assume." Vuvi mutters with a raised brow.
"Lady Sylareth," The woman smiles softly with a tilt of her head. "I've been hearing… whispers. You have a creation. A tool for pleasure."
"Whispers? Lady… the baker's wife is already selling bread in the shape of his… look, half the continent probably knows about him and half of them already made a booking, if you looking—"
"Is it true…" the woman cuts in. "He wields a staff of light? Divine magic?"
"That's proprietary information. I'm afraid that details regarding his—"
Vuvi pauses as Lady Sylareth leans closer and raises a hand toward her. Long, slender fingers slide gently under Vuvi's chin, gripping her cheeks with unnatural softness. And then she speaks with a voice like a lullaby wrapped in the sweetest dreams.
"Are you sure, little one?"
Vuvi's eyes lock onto hers.
Her pupils dilate and her body goes slack as her face melts into a dopey grin.
"Divine…" she whispers. Slowly. "... yes… his core… I fused… a divine crystal."
"Oh!" Slyareth smirks as the red glint in her eye flickers brighter. "I wish to see him. Immediately."
Moments later, Pip tilts his head inquisitively as Vuvi marches into the tent with Sylareth in tow. She greets him with glazed eyes and a crooked smile.
"Pip… darling…" she grins, her tone slow and dreamy. "The Lady… wishes to see you… Go with her."
"W-what? Who?" Penelo squeaks in confusion.
"A very… important… Lady." Vuvi smiles with a tilt of her head.
Penelo furrows her brow and frowns. "Since when do we let Pip go off alone with strangers?"
"It's fiiiiine…" Vuvi drawls, her smile stretching wider.
Penelo glares at a grinning Sylareth as she grabs Vuvi's sleeve. "You never let him go anywhere without you! Why now?"
"She's… special." Vuvi whispers, far too slowly.
Pip steps forward and places a hand on Penelo's arm. He beeps, reassuringly, and soothes her with a calm, confident nod.
"Are you sure about this?"
He turns to Vuvi, eyes still glowing with trust, and nods firmly.
Penelo stares at him silently as he diligently follows Lady Sylareth through the market crowds, her sparkling, white dress trailing behind her like smoke on water.
-------------
Pip is awestruck by the size of the Sylareth Estate as they approach it on the edge of Market Town. The enormous, gothic mansion stands like an open secret that no one dared utter.
The creaking gates seem to scream at them as they enter. Staff move about in complete silence as Pip and Sylareth move through the mansion, their path lit by the dim, violet light of flickering black candles that line the walls.
She leads Pip to a private chamber, large, round and with ceilings stretched far too high. Midnight blue curtains line a wall of windows on one side, the other filled with the typical accouterments and facilities expected of a noble woman. And in the center of the room, gleaming like a throne, stands a giant, four-post bed covered in silks and satins.
"Please," she purrs as she glides behind a screen. "Make yourself comfortable."
Pip beeps and slowly sets himself down on the edge of the bed, neatly folding his hands into his lap.
Behind the screen, Sylareth hums as clothes rustle.
"You intrigue me." she says. "I've studied many magics in my life. Tasted many souls. I've worshipped deities that have come and gone. But what you hold within you… puredivinity… Oh, how many lifetimes I've searched for it."
Pip beeps nervously, her voice sounds like music, but her words seem to thicken the air with a sense of dread.
"I've always wondered…" she coos as she slowly emerges from behind the screen. "What does a god taste like?"
Gone was her flowing white dress, her supple pearlescent skin and soft, silver eyes.
She stood before him, pale fleshed, taller, curvier and completely naked. Small, black horns curled out from the sides of her head, devilish and elegant, while a slender, arrow-tipped tail traced the air around her like a serpent of shadows.
She struts toward him, fangs poking out from her crimson lips as her mouth curls into a wicked grin.
Pip clanks and whirs as the glow from his chest flickers rapidly.
[WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!]
[Threat detected. Power-Level: S (Very High)]
Sylareth looms over him, smiling like a lover, but her eyes look at him like a predator ready to pounce.
"You're magnificent!" She giggles as she ogles him, and then points a finger.
[WARNING! SYSTEM OVERRIDE DETECTED! USER ACCESS DENIED!]
With a crackle of violet lighting from her palm, Pip's body pulls stiff as she lifts him into the air. A twirl of her finger turns him then flips him and then gently lays him down on the bed, his head resting on a soft pillow.
Sylareth slowly crawls toward him, licking her lips as her eyes burn with hunger and anticipation.
"Your heart will be a lovely addition to my collection." she whispers as she sets a knee down on either side of his hips. "But first… let's have a taste of the divine, shall we?"
Pip trembles
His systems scream at him.
And deep inside his core, his divine crystal sparks.