An Investigation into private family affairs

Fuu could see Emmaline frowning slightly, a pout which had entered her expression the moment Narissa had mentioned business. It was a stark contrast to the absolute amazement and wonder with which Robin had lit up with the moment she saw a handful of women with fish tails.

“We did come here as guests, not as problem solvers,” Fuu said. “...that being said, I promise we can at least hear you out.”

“‘Problem Solvers’,” Narissa said, as though tasting the words in her mouth. “I quite like that. It suits you, doesn’t it? After all, you’re not Adventurers. Not really--not registered with the guild, anyways?”

Fuu cast her gaze at Kellissendra, who offered the minutest nod.

“You did do your research, then,” Fuu said. “No. We… have never really gotten along with the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s just a personal disagreement. Different priorities. Will that be an issue?”

“Oh, quite the contrary!” Narissa said. She had begun to idly drift back and forth in her pool. It was like pacing, only elegant and captivating in a way that could only be achieved with long lazy strokes of a powerful tail. As she moved, the deep onyx scales of her tail caught more of the light and Fuu realised it wasn’t black at all, but an impossibly deep midnight purple. “You see, I have need of a certain level of discretion which the Guild just can’t guarantee.”

“If it’s any sort of…” Fuu started, but she trailed off as Narissa held up a finger.

“Nothing harmful or dangerous. Nothing that would go against your moral code, Ms. Teoming. In fact, it should be easier and less… daring than your usual adventures,” Narissa assured her in that sultry alto melody. “I am a proud mermaid, is all. When the Guild gets involved, there tend to be rumors, and when rumors spread in a town like Aranilla… Well, they can quickly become rather damaging.”

“I see,” Fuu said.

“We’re a good family, Fuu,” Talia piped up. The green haired daughter had tucked her long braid over her shoulder so that it ran down her chest, like an underline highlighting the pale, inviting skin of her small breasts. “As good as you’ll find in Aranilla, at least.”

“Better than most,” Narissa agreed.

It was worth looking into, Fuu figured. Emmaline may have heard rumors, or Kellissendra’s associates could dig into their background if need be. Worse come to worst, there was always Skye’s divination.

“And we’re not asking you to do anything sketchy,” Narissa continued. “Just some investigation into strange events that have been going on around the resort. The sort of strange events your group specialises in, if the rumors are to be believed.”

Fuu nodded. “Corruption, curses--that sort of thing?”

“Sex, Fuu.” Narissa answered. For a moment, the room was only shocked silence. Iona and Maera were blushing openly, while Talia did her best to maintain the guise of a stoic warrior, despite the rosy redness that took over her cheeks. “Sex and lust and breeding.”

“I see,” Fuu said. Some specialty. Not that the reputation wasn’t earned, only… Well, Fuu had never had any interest in becoming famous, but if she had wanted to become famous, it certainly wouldn’t have been for investigating weird sexual phenomena.

“To spell it out for you,” Narissa began, “There has been a mild uptick in the amount of open, public sexual activity taking place within our resort--on both the part of guests and staff. The same holds true for more private, personal… intimacy.”

“With all due respect, Lady Narissa,” Kellissendra spoke up. She had taken a seat toward the edge of the group, but when she spoke, all attention was hers to command. Something about the way she held herself, subtleties of posture, the angle of her chin and the authoritative way she spoke just made it feel natural for others to listen to what she had to say.

It was something which Fuu herself lacked. Not that she had ever needed or really desired it before, but here, seated at the table across from Kellissendra and Narissa, a regal dragoness and a powerful mermaid oligarch, she just felt so unimportant. Emmaline, too, would have been better suited to speak here than herself.

“That’s not exactly an uncommon problem,” Kellissendra continued. “I’m certain your sources have reported on the outbreak of lust-based incidents all throughout the Amnistlants. It is, to an extent, a bit surprising that Aranilla hasn’t been more heavily affected, given how far south it is.”

“While that may be true, the increased sexual activity itself isn’t what I am most concerned about,” Narissa said. “But rather, it’s fruitfulness.”

“Mother, is this--” Talia started, but a harsh stare from Narissa silenced her instantly.

It was only now that Fuu took in the expressions of the three daughters. They had been growing more and more uneasy as time passed. Iona had practically shrunk away to nothing, while Talia pushed herself further forward, raising her modest bust out of the water as if she was about to step between the Bravos and her family. The white haired Maera, for her part, was scowling into her pool with an expression so furious it looked like she was trying to boil the water with anger alone.

“Iona, my youngest, is pregnant,” Narissa said.

The stunned silence that followed was interrupted by Emmaline’s tone of mild confusion.

“I mean, that’s not exactly the craziest thing ever, is it?” Emmaline said. “Like, people fuck and if your daughter wasn’t using protection…”

“Emmaline,” Skye said, her voice only just above a whisper. “It’s… erm, mermaids don’t really get pregnant easily. It takes a lot of… you know. They’re bodies aren’t built like people, they’re more like dragons--one clutch every decade instead of one child every year.”

“And,” Narissa took over. “They usually require a particularly viable mate. Almost always another mermaid who is in the virile, futa part of her cycle.”

Fuu noticed half the other Bravo’s eyes widening at the word ‘futa,’ though they all had the presence of mind not to actually voice their surprise.

“And there aren’t a ton of those around,” Talia said, blunt and firm.

“Iona won’t tell us who the father is,” Narissa explained, “And the potential options…” she cast her gase between Talia and the empty pool to her left “...would be troubling at best.”

“So you want us to investigate the strange happenings at your resort and, if possible, identify the father of your youngest daughter’s child,” Fuu said.

“Both would be ideal. But if it comes down to it, Iona’s circumstances are the more urgent priority. My family comes first.”

When Fuu looked over at Iona, she found the dark haired teen watching her with wide eyes. She twitched as Fuu’s gaze fell on her, and seemed to only just barely stop herself from fleeing to the back of the pool once more.

“Well, Fuu Teoming and the Bravos Feminine--will you help my family?”