Meeting with a Filthy Fox

We continue our journey to the shrine with Naoki leading the way, and after a rather short walk, we finally arrive at our destination. Somebody is waiting at the suspicious gate-like structure that I avoided yesterday, waiting for our arrival. I recognize her as Iris from my time controlling Akemi. She slightly bows her back, greeting us.

"Greetings, emissaries from the capital city," she says with a polite smile, "I believe this is the first time we have met. My name is Iris. I tend the shrine as Priestess Akemi's assistant. Forgive me for not giving you two my proper welcome yesterday, as I was occupied with my work."

Iris's appearance is striking, her jet black hair framing her pale face, a thin layer of sweat visible on her forehead. She's still dressed in the ridiculous outfit I saw as Akemi, a black bodysuit with a tiny white top that barely covers anything. Her slim legs peek out from the slits of her short skirt that flows as the wind blows. Despite her elegant demeanor, I can feel her hidden animosity towards us clear as day.

Her sharp golden eyes stare directly at me particularly, unyielding even as she is bowing at us. Since I know how she behaves respectfully in front of Akemi, never raising her head to look at Akemi directly until she is addressed, this staring contest is basically her showing the opposite of that.

I can tell from her body language that she is annoyed about meeting Lillias and I, or maybe at us in general. Her face looks a bit stiff, like she's trying hard to keep her emotions under control. Her movement is a little rigid, unlike what I saw as Akemi. She looked much more graceful and fluid in her motion before, but not here. She must be wary of us, I suppose.

"Thank you for the warm welcome and it is our pleasure to meet you, miss Iris," I say as I return her gaze, my tone equally formal, "My name is Victor Desmon, and this is my assistant Lillias. We would like to meet Priestess Akemi as planned, if you would please be so kind as to escort us to her."

"Of course, Mr. Victor," Iris replied with a slight nod, "However, I must warn you that she is currently indisposed at the moment due to an injury this morning. Therefore, it may not be possible for you to have a private audience with her. My deepest apologies if we have to turn you away if she refuses to meet or I deem it harmful for her health"

"I understand, but have you informed her about our arrival and asked for her opinion?" I reply, completely disregarding her words.

Iris's eyebrow visibly twitches, she doesn't like that one bit. But she maintains her professionalism and just grits her teeth, saying, "Of course. I will go and speak with her after I escort you to the waiting room, please follow me."

The priestess gestures us to follow her into the premise. Like yesterday, I avoid the red gate structure and go around it. Lillias follows my example today, and Naoki looks at us weirdly. It's a small price to pay for being cautious. The shrine yard is empty and clean, Iris must have been working nonstop to tidy up the place. We then reach the main building, Iris leads us to a room, the one we mistakenly thought of as Akemi's bedroom last night. Iris slides the door open and motions for me and Lillias to get inside. She stops Naoki as he is about to enter.

"Your escort is no longer necessary, Naoki. We have some unfinished chores in the shrine for you to help us with. Go back to your normal duties. I will call you again later," the priestess said curtly.

"Uh, okay. Mister Victor, miss Lillias, I have to excuse myself," he tells us politely before scampering off to do as he is told.

"Please make yourselves at home. I shall bring you some refreshments shortly. Please wait for me here while I fetch Priestess Akemi," Iris tells us after Naoki leaves.

I nod at her, and we enter the room, sitting on the thin cushions on the floor. Once the sliding door has been closed and Akemi's soft footsteps have faded from earshot, I let out a long sigh.

"Well, that was quite stifling," I mumble softly.

"Why did you antagonize her like that?" Lillias asks, referring to my exchange with Iris, "You weren't exactly subtle about it, either."

"It's fine, she already dislikes us from the beginning, I can tell. It's not going to change anytime soon, so why bother?" I reply, "Besides, it's a good cover for me. She knows I'm acting suspicious, but she won't suspect we are doing things behind her back if she thinks I'm just a rude and arrogant ambassador."

Lillias sighs, shaking her head slightly, "If you say so. But please refrain from being too hostile with her, Victor."

"Don't worry, she's a human, so I won't be too rude to her. I don't want to cause any incident either."

After that, there's an awkward pause, before Lillias breaks it.

"...How long do you think this charade can hold?"

"Hopefully long enough until we get good enough information. But I can't do this alone, you know that's why I bring you along," I reply, "Do you think you can use the mind-link spell?"

"I haven't been practicing as much as you, Victor, but I believe I will be fine," Lillias replies.

"That's good. Now, let me concentrate and switch over to Akemi."

Lillias nods in acknowledgment and I close my eyes. I slow down my breathing, focusing my mind on the link that connects Akemi and me. With every breath I take, I can feel my consciousness drift closer to Akemi. After a moment of concentration, I finally succeed.

As my mind takes over Akemi, I wake her body up and find myself lying in a futon, still clad in her priestess outfit that I made her wear this morning. I didn't change back to her sleepwear before I left her body, and now the previously ironed outfit is a bit wrinkled. Meanwhile, Akemi's body feels fit but a little stiff from all the extra rest she has. I slowly sit up, getting accustomed to Akemi's body. As Akemi, I stretch her limbs and neck, taking a deep breath of air to relax myself.

"Ahh, that feels great," I whisper as I stretch out.

It didn't seem like her rest was disturbed by Iris at all. A smile creeps up into my face, Akemi's face. Her body feels wonderfully fit, unlike my own body which lacks exercise since I've always been holed up to experiment with my colleagues. Akemi's skin is smooth and soft, and her muscles are slightly toned, yet still feminine. Her body is a perfect specimen, and I relish in how much better my senses are when I'm inside of her.

I take a look around the room, looking for signs that Akemi was in fact aware of Victor's possession of her body this morning, but there's no traces of her ever waking up and releasing herself out of my control. I was afraid that these beastmen have higher magic resistance or something, but I guess no amount of resistance can reliably hold off magic spells that are literally etched onto your body.

After a few minutes of alone time, checking my fox-like features of my body (I can't get enough of Akemi's soft tail), I hear a voice coming out behind the sliding door. It must be Iris, now informing Akemi about Lillias' and my arrival after she has delivered the promised refreshments to the waiting room.

"Priestess, are you awake?" she calls out.

"Yes, Iris, I'm awake now. Come in."

Iris slides the door open and enters the room. She walks up to me and bows respectfully, keeping her eyes averted to the floor. I snicker inwardly, Akemi's visage follows my will and grins as this clueless servant girl is being completely oblivious; that someone she dislikes is taking over her mistress' body.

"Forgive me, priestess. The capital city's envoys are here to meet you as scheduled. I told them that you might not be feeling well enough to meet them. I then tried to politely ask them to leave, but they did not understand what I said and were very persistent," she says, sounding genuinely apologetic, "I can chase them away, more strongly this time, if you still feel unwell, priestess."

"No, that won't be necessary Iris, but thank you. It's fine, I'll see them now. Have you served them something while they wait?"

"Yes, I brought them tea and snacks."

"Good. Just let me freshen up first and then I will greet them in the waiting room. Please attend to them further if they need anything, Iris."

"Of course, priestess, as you wish."

Iris gives me one last bow before she exits the room. I walk to a small dressing table where I find a hair brush and another type of brush, possibly for her tail. Brushing her tail will take too long (as I'll be lost in the sensation), so I just grab the hair brush and try to fix any bed hair that the fox has. I don't have much luck since her long hair is naturally smooth, but wavy and hard to straighten down. I do the best I can before walking Akemi's body in front of the full-body mirror she has in her room. While looking at her reflection, I try to straighten and tidy up Akemi's outfit. As I do so, I notice something with Akemi's keen senses.

I lift Akemi's arm and take a sniff on her armpit. A slightly sour, musky scent invades my nose. Akemi's room is warm during the day, and sleeping under the thick futon blanket makes her sweat quite a lot. Moreover, I did not wash Akemi's body this morning, so the odor of the furry girl's sweat has permeated throughout the clothes. It smells a little pungent, especially with my new, more sensitive nose, but I can't help but to enjoy it. Her natural scent is pleasant to me, so much better than a human one.

My face cracks into an evil grin as an idea forms in my head. Normally, I am sure Akemi would at least change her outfit into a fresh one before meeting with us. However, I shall also take perverse pleasure in letting a beastkin, that behaves in such a faux elegant behavior, appear before important emissaries without proper washing and stink like some animal. That's the way these savage beasts should appear and behave! I giggled evilly in front of the mirror, Akemi's face looks scary yet stunning.

So, without preparing any further, I exit the room and walk towards the room where myself and Lillias are waiting, with a huge smile on my stolen face.