Hussarde

The small library nook was across the way from the bar in the lobby and Caleb was granted a short reprieve from Stella’s attention. Currently, she was mixing some drink, never mind the fact that it was eleven in the morning, this did not seem to deter the young woman one bit as she sauntered back over with a whiskey sour in a coupe.

She took a sip and crossed over a scarlet ottoman, “So what’s it look like they got here Master?”

Caleb sighed, “No need to call me that, please in fact do not call me that.”

Raising an eyebrow, Stella leaned in and tilted her glass in Caleb’s direction, “Is that not one of your kinks? I thought I heard you say in the auditorium you were actually kind of into the whole thing.”

Caleb sighed and walked towards the bookshelf and started running his hands over the volumes, “They don’t appear to be organized in any particular way but I’m seeing all sorts of books here…various ages too…”

Stella downed her drink and then set down her glass on the ottoman, “You know it’s not nice to ignore a lady, come on be honest with me. Are you into this whole thing or not?”

Caleb’s expression tensed, “In theory yes. As a fantasy sure. But like here? In actuality? With a demon running the show? Consider it out of my comfort zone.”

Stella leaned in towards a lower section of the shelf and hummed in response and then let out a happy squeal, “Oh gosh, they have the full Dark is Rising Sequence, love those books!” She nabbed one off the shelf.

Caleb observed her and then decided to broach the topic, “So you do actually like to read then, your behavior up to this point made me kind of doubt the person I saw in the bookshop.”

Snickering, Stella stook her tongue out and playfully slapped Caleb’s leg, “What did you imagine me as some shy wallflower? With a rich inner monologue? A brooding type just looking for someone to understand her?”

Caleb’s face turned bright red. He hated to admit how accurately she summed it up but back in the real world she always looked so composed and serene when reading. Combined with her normal boyish attire, he had pictured her as being…wildly different than the bombastic gremlin that he had born witness to.

“Yeah well you’re not the first to make that mistake, sorry to disappoint,” Her tone was playful as she put the book back on the shelf but with an edge of bitterness, “I like to read because it gets me out of my head a bit, listen maybe you can’t tell but it’s very loud up there, I never really have one thought going on at once. Books give a direction and a focus. Something I normally don’t have.”

Curious, Caleb sat on the chair and watched her look through the bookcase, “What do you like to read then?”

Without a beat, Stella answered without looking over, “Anything, I mean obviously some shit is boring if the voice is dry but I read anything, nonfiction, scifi, educational, fantasy, as long as it gives my brain something to chew on for a bit, I’ll consume it. I’m not a particularly fast reader either so a book can take me a minute but still, I’m down for pretty much anything. How about you, If I had to guess you’re a big fantasy nerd I take it?”

Caleb laughed, “Now who is being reductive, but well played. I actually like histories of medieval Europe, so yes sometimes fantasy leans into that but it’s not always my thing. Also, I read a lot of philosophy as that’s what I studied back in college,” he paused, “Though I’ve been reading less in general recently.”

“That makes sense considering the milf in your harem, though I guess she’s not really a milf now. Guess you met her in college sounds like fun. If that’s your thing. Wasn’t mine.” Stella was still busying herself looking at the books not making eye contact with Caleb.

“Oh? Are you a dropout?” Caleb asked trying to sound casual.

“Careful now mister,” Stella looked over at Caleb with an unamused expression, “You’re starting to sound like my father, and not in a hot “Daddy” way.”

“No no, like I’m not judging it’s just…listen I know probably it seems like I was dismissing you earlier but it’s clear you’re intelligent despite the way you act, so it’s just surprising is all,” Caleb ended lamely.

Stella closed the book she was currently looking at and slammed it on the ground, getting up she moved over to Caleb, looking down at him, “‘Despite the way’ I ‘act’, how nice, how lovely.”

“Yeah that was…bad I’ll admit it.” Caleb leaned back in his seat and shifted to look away from her heated gaze.

“I know how I act, I’m not ashamed of how I act. I like to have fun, life is too short to spend sweating stupid shit. I’ve been **** by magic but I’m the happiest one here, you know why?” Caleb shook his head, “Because unlike everyone moaning about their situation, or the one trying to outplay everyone I’m just going with it.” She crossed a leg onto the chair so she was now partially straddling Caleb.

Caleb found his throat growing tight as she pushed her body towards him, his voice coming out strained, “But you saw what happened during the opening, how they changed people. I think people have a right to be freaked out.”

Stella brought her other leg up, she officially had Caleb pinned against the back of the chair and rose her hand to his chin, “But we can’t do shit about it. So why worry? Better to go with the flow…” She lowered herself carefully grazing his tightened crotch with her backside, “And enjoy the ride. Something to consider Master, as we move forward. We’re all depending on you so we don’t lose ourselves so…” She grazed his cheek with her fingertips, “You can spend your time fretting about everything or have some fun” She lowered her face to his and claimed his lips, her hands gripping his shoulders tight.

Caleb for his part was overwhelmed by the sensation as the small girl weighed nothing but her presence alone felt like it held him down as she explored his mouth. His hands reached out into the air, unsure of what to do before finding Stella’s hips, uncertain whether to pull her close or try to tear her away. Her smell, sweet almost saccharine filled his senses as she gently ran her hand down his chest.

Stella - Kissed the Master! +1 VP FIRST x2 BONUS

Caleb’s breath came in a short gasp as the bartender separated from him, a smug look on her face as she dismounted, “Something to wrap your head around,” She crossed over and grabbed the book off the ground and then tossed it at Caleb. He flipped it to see the title “On the Nature of Things” by Lucretius.

She then wiggled her fingers and skipped off, leaving Caleb with the book in his hands staring after her.

In the Pierrot Suite, the door hurriedly opened and shut, with Noemi pressing her back to the door. Her face was a red beacon as she slowly slid down the wooden surface to the ground. She was reeling, her heart was pumping, and adrenaline was still spiking through her veins. Everyone had seen her now fully naked, all to bare, which meant the audience had seen it too. But surprisingly, that wasn’t the part that was getting to her. It was the hug.

Back in middle school, he had been such a dweeby little thing, but with the muscles and the height he now had on her…he could use a shave but he had become quite cute. In that moment of relief, when he had given her a chance, it was like that part of her that hadn’t been on a date in years and was **** for some form of affection had broken loose and in that moment she had found herself wrapping her body around his. His hard, firm body.

She began to run a hand downward when a cheery voice interrupted her, “Hey there! Don’t stop on my account.”

Eyes shooting wide open Noemi jumped and hit her head on the doorknob as she saw the leering grin of Reyna leaning over her. She scrambled with her hands before settling on having them behind her, “Ah! Jeeze don’t do that! What do you want?”

Reyna shot back and just smiled down at Noemi and then extended her arm down to her to help her up, “I’m just here to congratulate you on being simultaneously the first person to use their Sabotage and to have a Sabotage used on them, That’s quite a feat.”

Noemi looked from side to side, bringing her hands clutched in front of her, “I mean…Eliza is the one who actually used the card, it was her plan.”

Reyna tutted, “A technicality, but yes she did help you out didn’t she? How kind. Which is precisely why I’m here.”

Eyes narrowing Noemi watched Reyna as the assistant began to look around the room, “Wait, what do you mean?” Noemi felt her nerves on edge, maybe it was Lucian who had **** them but Reyna clearly wasn’t guiltless in their abduction no matter how friendly she may appear to be.

“I wanted to tell you that given your unprecedented achievement and a stunning display of teamwork, not to mention getting the round kickstarted in a delightful way, I am refunding the BP you spent on your Sabotage~ I hope you use it wisely.” The redhead beamed at Noemi as her hands sparkled and Noemi watched as her BP count jumped back up to 10.

Noemi looked at her BP count on her hand and then back up to the assistant, concern on her face, “Is it ok for you to do that? Won’t Lucian be upset?”

Reyna chuckled and waved her hand, “Don’t worry about Lucy! He’s a little preoccupied at the moment, just keep this a secret between you and me ok? I’m rooting for you girls!” She gave Noemi a conspiratorial wink and Noemi couldn’t help but find herself chuckling.

“Well…thanks I guess. Wow, yesterday I felt like I was so far behind but it feels like today it all turned around.” Noemi clutched her hands to her heart, if she could keep this up, then maybe returning to her family wouldn’t be so out of reach and if things worked out with Caleb…maybe this could actually be a good thing.

Reyna nodded sagely, “That’s right through hard work and brave thinking, all things truly are possible on Harem Hotel. I mean yes, look at you. Yesterday you were his former bully and now you’re at the top of the leaderboard. I really hope Eliza takes that to heart tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Noemi’s eyes widened, that’s right tomorrow was the Professor’s date, she had been so absorbed in what she had been going through, that she hadn’t even considered the fact that Eliza had that coming up.

“Yeah…” Reyna sighed, “The first girl is always at such a disadvantage, particularly this season. Caleb isn’t going to want to leave the hotel, so her options for a date are fairly limited. Not to mention having the least chance to really adapt to the new setting. That and she’s unlikely to score any points as the Master is usually too in his head to do anything, and she’s likely to be the same so she won’t try anything.”

Noemi had started to pace. She didn’t want that for the Professor. At the time she hadn’t appreciated it, but now she could recognize how much the older woman had stuck herself out to help someone she didn’t know. It wasn’t right that she be stuck in this situation.

Reyna sighed, “Oh well you win some you lose some. Congratulations again Noemi, I hope you make the most of this new start!”

The assistant vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Noemi alone with her thoughts. She looked down at her nude body. The professor had helped her out, now it was time for her to return the favor. She gathered up her courage and opened the door to the Suite again and began to rush to the docks. There was at least one thing she could do to help her roommate.