Honest talks

On the way to the mall (yes, they still exist, somehow) you warn the girls to stay in a group. It’s easy to forget that the average person still didn’t like monster girls, and you don’t want to have an incident like you did that first day at the park. It turns out, however, that word had gotten out about the weird loner rich kid and his harem. Walking in, most of the stares were jealous, not angry. And you can’t blame them for being jealous!

Once inside, Maya turns to you. “Ok, Elys and I are taking Lynn. You don’t get to peek!”

You laugh, and Anna takes your hand. “Master and I are going to have a conversation, anyway.”

You look at the girls and chuckle. “Well, that’s ominous! Ok, you three be careful, please. And Lynn, don’t let them bully you if you’re uncomfortable.”

Lynn giggles, “Don’t worry about me, I was warned before you woke up!”

You groan, shaking your head. “That’s not reassuring, ladies. I’m going to have a heart attack, I know it. Ok, Anna, lead on!”

Anna smiles at you and leads you off, and you walk through the relatively quiet mall. Most people avoid these places now, oddly making them more pleasant places to wander. The two of you walk quietly for a while before Anna pulls you over to a bench.

“Lynn really likes you, master. She latched on to you as a savior, and when you treated her as a person instead of a burden or a resource, she was amazed.”

You nod, “I can tell she’s used to being a nobody, or worse. The more I see about how people treat monster girls in the old world, the more I understand why they come here, despite the prejudice they face.”

Anna shakes her head. “Lynn described it for us. It’s worse to goblins. They’re just...objects. Tools. It’s disgusting, master. I serve you because I love you. Goblins serve because they’re taught that they are nothing.”

You sigh, “That’s...awful. Poor girl, treated like that...I’m guessing that you girls are trying to help her?”

“We are, but if I’m honest, it’s how you’ve treated her that’s been the cause of the quick breakthrough, master. I volunteered to talk to you about this because we’ve known each other the longest. Lynn came to me, asking how to approach you. She’s never been with anyone, in any way.”

“You want me to be careful with her, you mean?”

“Exactly, master. Don’t rush things, she’s terrified that she’s not lovable. That’s one reason for the shopping trip today, she needs pretty clothes so she can see how cute she is!”

You laugh, “She is adorable, isnt she? Ok, Anna, I’ll be careful with her. You know as well as I that I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially you girls.”

Anna leans over and hugs you. “I know, master. We all know. And if you get it wrong, we’ll smack you to get you back on track!”

Both of you laugh as you stand and continue to walk. Eventually, you come across a pack of giggling monster girls with a bunch of shopping bags. Anna waves as Maya bounces up to you.

“All set, my Josh! Cute clothes for the cute goblin!”

Lynn blushes and looks away, but you can see her smile. You gather everyone into a group hug, then lead the laughing girls back out to the car.

“Ok, back home to drop off the clothes, then how about we swing over to the diner and grab some food? We can check on Daisy while we’re there.”

A chorus of cheers tells you this was a good call.