Dungeons and Discussions

The winter quest was simple enough to break down. I explained the plan to use the recently established Magosdromes to travel from the merchant capital of Ter’aquit. From there, the triop and I would march east towards the ruins known in this age as the Fallen City of Talir’sahn. Then, thanks to my specialized knowledge of the region, I'd lead the group around the edge of the forbidden zone towards a recently exposed secondary escape hatch. This would allow us to enter the ancient military operating base situated at the easternmost end of the city. Then, once in, we’d use our new and improved close combat training to clear all three levels and loot as we went. Finally, we would prepare a trap and challenge the aggressive chimera that had taken up residence there for the last decade.

“All in all, we should each walk away with close to two thousand gold pieces each after roughly a week of work.” I concluded, “And if we’re lucky, we could use some of the more niche items to build relations with a future political player.”

They didn't need to know that the power player was the vilified rebels known as Shatter. I thought to myself as I sipped my drink. That's more of a need-to-know thing.

Placing my mug down, I looked at the triop expecting to see excitement. The three stared back at me, slack-jawed. Immediately, my inner monologue began to race as anxiety filled me.

Oh gods, what did I say? Was this too much for them? Crap. Crap. Crap. Helping terrorists was supposed to be the concerning bit. Maybe it was too much too fast? Should I have asked for consent? I should have had us help an old lady or find some puppies first.

“What?” I worked up the courage to ask.

“Two thousand gold—” Rionriv started.

“Each?” Sharzin finished.

Ah shit, it wasn't enough money. I should have known that they'd want more. I mean, that's not even enough to buy a rare item from Phyllis with the discount.

Clearing my throat, I scratched at the back of my head, trying to find the words to smooth over the misunderstanding.

“H-Hey, now," I began with a stammer. "I-I know it’s not a lot for bona fide adventurers, but it’s a good starting point for our adventuring rank—”

“That’s amazing!” Aesandoral pulled me into a hug.

My heart began to race wildly as the elven archer tugged me into her body. I could feel her warmth against me as I listened to the racing of her heart in my ear. And then I felt something else as my face was rubbed against the sheer fabric of her blouse. It was the faintest hardening bumps at the apex of her breasts.

Ooop—boobies. I thought as I suddenly realized I had been buried in Aesandoral’s diminutive bosom. She squeezed me tightly, becoming more excited by the second, as she continued to gush overhead.

The alcoholic vapours hanging from her every word were so strong that I felt myself becoming even more lightheaded. Or at least that was the reason I was telling myself, and that it had nothing to do with the sudden, directed affection at all. But I wouldn't move because, whether I was healing or the alcohol was preventing it, the mental dam seemed solid for the time being.

Heee—this is nice. I thought to myself. I'll just enjoy this as long as—

“Okay, perv, enough. Six seconds is all you get.” Rionriv injected, stepping over and pulling me away from the chest of her drunken sister. 

Tossing me back into my seat, the sorceress leaned against the table. She stared down at me suspiciously, arms crossed over her chest, as she continued to speak.

“Now, how sure are you about this? So far, the entire campus oracle stuff has worked out, but you’re asking us to do a harsh, real-world dungeon dive with you. That’s a lot of money, but you also said there would be a chimera. Do you even know what that means? Danger. And lots of it...”

Placing a hand on my shoulder, Rionriv leaned in close to my face. I watched as her look slowly softened and the world around her began to bloom with light. My already racing heart skipped a beat before returning with a vengeance, thudding against my chest faster than before. 

The following words she spoke to me were passionate and provocative. Having always been so stern every time we talked, this sudden shift made me feel as though she was flirting with me before going in for a kiss.

“What assurances do we have from you, Ruby Oracle?”

She placed a single finger on my bottom lip, pulling it down teasingly. My eyes shifted from hers to her more pronounced bosom, wishing she'd follow her sister's lead and smother me with affection. Glancing back up, I locked my vision with her lustful gaze, causing the cogs of my mind to spin so fast they threatened to break.

Holy shit! She is flirting with me! I had flirted my way into her heart. I-I actually did it! Oh man, she asked me a question. Right. What do I say?

“I—uhm,” I swallowed my words.

What’s happening to me? I thought as chills surged through my body. 

It was as though I remembered I was a teen boy again. Suddenly caught in an intimate moment with my crush, my mind blanked and my body locked up. I had no idea what to do or say. The entire experience had short-circuited my nubile existence.

Has Rionriv ever been this close before? My god, was that alluring smell her? How have I never noticed just how beautiful her eyes were before? And her other—perky features. Smother me with your love, Ri.

“I, uh, y-yeah, assurances.” I finally managed to stammer. “I’ll get us whatever items we need and distribute my personal healing potions. I-I’ve been working in Phyllis’ shoppe on the side, so I have money. Whatever you need to feel safe.”

“Whatever. I. Need?” Rionriv leaned in closer, her lips inches away from mine.

My heart threatened to give out. I could barely contain myself as she gently touched my face, her fingers delicately rubbing against my cheek. She was dangerously close, and I wanted nothing more than to kiss her. In fact, I longed for much more than that as I felt the swelling of something not-so-magical in my trousers that also threatened to give out at any moment.

“An-anything...” I whispered back, closing my eyes and leaning in, drunk with arousal.

“Good boy,” Rionriv spoke smugly. "Just wanted to be sure."

Placing a finger to my forehead, she pushed me back into my chair before pulling away quickly. With a chuckle to herself, she set a hand on her hips while raising the other. With a snap of her fingers, the chill that had washed over my body and the intoxicating feeling that followed quickly faded. Like being dunked in a pool of cold water after hours of drinking, I was snapped back to a harsh reality.

“Heh, wha—?” I stammered, awkwardly rubbing at the places Rionriv had been touching. “What just happened?”

“Oh, I ensorcelled you to make sure you wouldn’t get us killed the second we left campus grounds. It worked like a charm—thanks for the assist, Aes.”

“Bwuh?!" I exclaimed, embarrassment washing over me as my sun-kissed cheeks reddened. "That’s so not cool! You can’t just play with someone’s emotions like that. It-It’s…well—it’s not nice to do to friends.”

Rionriv giggled as she sat back down in her chair and leaned over to Aesandoral. Resting her head on her sister’s shoulder, she nuzzled into it and looked up at me with her bright, sapphire eyes.

“Aww, did I get you all riled up, little boy?” She asked, her voice becoming seductive once more. Reaching a finger up to Aesandoral’s chin, she turned her sister’s face towards her. “Do you wish that I did something like this—”

Rionriv slowly lifted her head to Aesandoral, her lips puckering for a passionate kiss. My heart pounded against my chest as I felt my pants growing tighter and my mouth watering with excitement. I gasped softly, the breath catching in my throat as I watched with a slack-jawed expression.

Oh no! A thinly veiled fetish! No. No. No. Behave. Stop. No, wait, don't stop. Wait, yes! Do stop!

“Okay, stop!” I shouted, turning away quickly, gripping at the sides of my hips and concentrating.

No, no. Down boy! Down! Not now. Later.

“I mean, don't let me tell you what to do." I huffed, waving my hand at them. "But, you're drunk! You three can stay and do whatever, I’m-I'm going to head out.”

I need a cold shower—well, after a few minutes of thoughtful examination of my body.

Rionriv looked at me, pausing inches from the lips of a tomato-red Aesandoral who appeared frozen like a deer in headlights.

“Awwww!" Rionriv pouted, turning to face me. "Come on. We’re just playing. Stay.”

The other patron of the café chose this moment to stand up and leave with an awkward grunt. This caught my eye even though he attempted to slip out unnoticed.

“Oooh! No one else will be here. Let’s get another round.”

“Goodbye, Ri,” I said, beginning to waddle myself uncomfortably out of the café. "Have fun making content for your LonelyFans."

“Boo! I don't know what that means, but okay, fine, we’re coming.”

Their boots scraped across the floor as all three stood and stumbled after me.

“You don’t have to follow me,” I called back to them as I ascended the stairs. “Please. Go back. Have fun.”

“Aww, don’t be shy, I know you want the three of us to come with you.”

Nnngh—phrasing! No, shush, she knows what she’s doing.

Pushing out into the light, I was once again assaulted by my nemesis—the sun.

“Hey," I shouted back to them, covering my eyes from the sinister overhead glare. "If you keep that up, you’re going to get me in trouble.”

“Trouble—well, I think you’ve got plenty of that already.” A pissed-off voice announced to us.

My eyes finally adjusted, revealing a dozen monstrous students in a wide semicircle around the cafe exit. Glancing down, I noticed the red and blue wristbands affixed to them, which brought me to a terrible conclusion. These were the bullies that we had been farming for the last few weeks and they had found us for their revenge.

Sighing drunkenly, I turned back to the triop.

“I should have just called your sexy bluff, Ri.”