Date With A Dragoness: Part Five - The Ride

A bell tinkled outside, to which Ari stopped in the middle of her story.

“The amusing failings of maid Anna shall have to wait for next time. We…” Ari said, looking directly at me, “…have a carriage to catch.”

“You did say that. Don’t tell me, it’s going to be something fancy, isn’t it?” I say, Ari shrugging guiltily in response. Noting that we’re almost ready to leave, I start shuffling forward on the couch. Eekaa stops me before I can get to the edge though, instead taking me into her arms in an actual princess carry. Trying in vain to get out of it, I was **** to accept defeat.

All she had to say to my struggles was that word again, “Princess.”

“By Fos, you two are paying for this later!” I say, making a point of staring at the both of them.

“You would make a lady pay for something she’s never done?” Ari mockingly asked, starting the walk out the door.

I rolled my eyes at her, “you are not innocent you- you-! Urgh, I don’t have anything to even call you back!” I sighed, pouting in Eekaa’s arms.

Making our way down, the three of us eventually reach the first floor, a well worn but very clean wooden carriage in front of us. The driver was an older human, his eyes hidden under wiry eyebrows, and next to him sat a strong looking dwarf, holding a gleaming crossbow. The carriage door opened, and out stepped a young woman, wearing a skimpy corset with tight sleeves and fitted pants. She had a busty figure to approach Ari’s proportions, with thighs that visibly squished together and cleavage that threatened to leap out of her outfit.

“Ari! It’s been a small time since I’ve seen you! I suppose you’re bringing along a couple others this evening?” The woman asked, apparently familiar with the stunning dragoness next to us.

“Well Abigail, as much as I have enjoyed your company in the past, I actually have a different plan than the usual this evening. You’ll be keeping my orc friend Eekaa here company while she watches over my shop tonight. Myself and my dear have plans for dinner at the Rose Palace.” Ari said, smiling softly.

Abigail grinned back, “well well well, that doesn’t sound like a bad deal coming from yourself, please, hop on in, lovely to meet you two, Eekaa, Ituku.” She said, bowing her head.

Eekaa carried me to the carriage and let me down inside, winking at Abigail on the way. I tucked away my thoughts about Abigail for a moment to observe the carriage interior, its soft floors were accompanied by a wide bench wrapping around the entire interior except the door’s side. It had heavy curtains drawn over the windows too, delicate patterns sewn into them with red to match the cushioned seats. It was much fancier than I had anticipated.

I spun around to Eekaa, now taller than her with both my shoes and the carriage to thank. She leaned in, aiming for a kiss that I reciprocated, though the staring of a smiling Abigail and Ari had me turn inside and make way for Ari.

Naturally, she had no issue climbing in, having to stoop to avoid the low ceiling. As her head made it through the doorway, she looked back, nodding to Eekaa and Abigail, “Show her some **** darling, I’m sure you’ll figure out the rest later.”

Eekaa hums, looking toward a wide-eyed Abigail, inspecting her from plump bottom to rose touched bosom. They would get along just fine. Shutting the door on the both of them, Ari politely giggles, reaching to knock on the head of the carriage and take her seat.

The moment she does, the vehicle starts moving. Thankfully, Ari didn’t waste any time sitting down, her arm immediately around me, lingering on a gap in my dress. Now that I think about it, she probably could have fit her arm in the gap, and her fingers would end up over my chest with a small lean…

“I’m surprised, you haven’t asked to where we might be off yet.” Ari said, interrupting the thoughts she had to have known she was causing.

“I… was…” I start, having no response come to mind, distracted by her fingers dancing over my exposed scales.

She didn’t hesitate to give me a snarky tone, gesturing grandly with her free hand “Oh but of course, as you requested madame! The Rose Palace is tonight’s destination! Full of sin and depravity, heretical abandon, and of course, the finest meals, it is absolutely delightful, a place to fulfil every vice of your soul’s desire…” She finished, craning toward me with a lustre in her eyes comparable to the mad or manic.

“Thank you?” I said, completely taken off guard by Ari’s sudden change in mannerisms.

She resumed her normal stature, only confusing me further, “You are most welcome my dear, but you look as if you-” Ari paused, apparently having a shattering realisation. “… Oh my, you have never seen a play.” She said, as if it were some explanation.

“No?” I said, assuming she wasn’t talking about children playing with sticks or snow.

The lustre in her eyes returned, her interest very clear. “Dear, you must cling to me for dear life, because I am about to tell you of something fantastic, something bedazzling, something worthy only of a great artist’s time, and consumed by the ravenous masses. Plays are magical things, unforgettable even.” She said, taking a breath while no doubt sorting her thoughts. I could have interrupted her, but something about her said she would barely have stopped if I asked.

That was unimportant however, as I was already settling in for a story.

“I will start with what a play is. At its core, it is a type of story…” She explained the concept in understandable detail, the key ideas of it reminding me of a book and song combined. Her voice was thrumming against the sounds of the carriage as she explored the topic, the relative gloom letting me almost build an idea of what it might’ve looked like to see a play.

“… And that my dear, is a great reason for us to be booked for The Rose Palace tonight…” She said smirking.