A matter or residence, tradition, and bargains to be paid

"Tell me, you soft-skin," the Naga's voice rang out in Fuu's mind. "Why have you come to our temple?"

"We came to these woods on a mission," Fuu explained. "And that mission was met with a severe setback. Now we have come to your temple seeking shelter."

She paused, considering a moment, then continued, "I am Fuu Teoming, disciple and chosen of the Sacred Goddess, Chimata Lha. Her will lives within my breast and I am her embodiment here upon the earth."

If the declaration impressed the serpent, he didn't show it. He gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, but that was all.

"Many divinities rule the worlds beyond these walls," he said. "But they hold no sway within the jungle."

Fuu nodded in simple, conciliatory acceptance, but did not back down.

"Yet, surely, as a place of divine respite, you would be able to offer succor to weary travelers."

The naga made a snorting noise.

"You've snuck your way deep into the bowels of a place you do not belong, humans," he said. "It is only on the word of one of our own that you still stand."

"I assure you, that is not the only reason," Fuu said. She adjusted her naginata, bringing it forward. It wasn't enough to pose a real threat, but the small movement did still catch the sight of her allies, who both adjusted their stances slightly. Before situation could re-escalate, however, she spoke again. "If you considered us to be mere intruders and sought nothing that we might offer, then you would have attacked and been done with it. So there must be more to it than that. I have said in plain words what we wish from you. Perhaps you might tell us what you would ask in return."

"You're a shred one, yes. I had suspected some wisdom lived behind your eyes. It's a rare thing in the fleeting lives of lesser beings such as ourselves, especially one so young and... supple."

A small involuntary shudder traveled the length of Fuu's body at his words. His eyes had slid off of her own casually, drifting lower to take in the sight of her. Fuu could all but feel his slimy touch wandering up her exposed thighs, squeezing them greedily before parting them to dig into what he was truly after.

The distasteful crudeness offended something within her. Over the past few months, however, that innocent, prudish pride had been wounded so often as to develop something of a thicker skin. Now, the mere suggestion of his words and unabashed perversity of his gaze was hardly enough to rouse more than a blush in her cheeks and a rush of her heartbeat.

"We did not come her to bargain bodies," Fuu said, sternly.

"Maybe you didn't," Emmaline said, stepping forward into the one sided conversation she had been following intently.

"Emmaline..."

"Listen, if that's what it takes, then that's what it takes," Emmaline said simply. "You can just wait in your corner if you'd like, being all chaste and prissy, but some of us are professionals."

"It seems your companion sings a different tune," the older naga said. Fuu could have sworn she saw something gloating in his narrowed eyes. "She will do."

Fuu frowned. It felt wrong. Like some sort of betrayal of Emmaline's decency... yet the woman herself had made the offer. Did Fuu have any right to interject herself and override Emmaline's decision?

"...very well," Fuu said. "Do as you must."