Saki

"Saki!"

Saki looked up. It was a young catgirl her age. She was rushing her direction waving her hand excitedly. A classmate? Someone from her neighborhood? She started to raise her hand just a bit as the girl ran right past her smiling and waving. "Saki!"

Saki adjusted her spectacles then kept walking. *I should have known,* she thought. *It had to be someone else. It's not like I have any friends.*

Saki walked through the busy marketplace towards home. Some dwarves were talking some business with gnomes. The orc butcher was setting out a sign about what was on sale. The croquettes smelled good. She bought one and made her way to a bench.

"Did you hear?" Said some gossiping girls sitting near by, a kobold and harpy.

*No, I didn't,* Saki thought. She didn't have any friends to gossip too or share with after all.

"No, what's up?" Harpy asked.

The kobold girl grinned. "Word is a human moved into monster town! An odd one!"

*It would have to be an odd one,* Saki thought nibbling her food. *Humans generally stayed in their own areas. Like me,* she thought. *I do well academically but I never made friends. I don't know any of my classmates or anyone at all outside of my family... and no wonder.*

She looked at her reflection in a window. She wore her dark hair in twin braids. She had a plain face and wore spectacles. Her cloths and dress were quite plain as well. Even among other goblin girls she didn't stand out in anyway at all... actually that wasn't true. Her boringness was her biggest feature.

"Yeah that's kinda odd," the harpy girl shrugged preening herself. "Do you think he's one of those guys?"

*What guys?* Saki thought.

"Possibly," said the Kobold. "But most humans that have a thing for monster girls usually only visit town they don't setup shop."

*Oh, is that how it is?* Saki thought nibbling. *Some human guys do like monster girls. Our town does have a redlight district.* she looked at the two pretty girls. *A district not too far from here infact. Is that where they're going or from? They're certainly cute and pretty enough but aren't they about my age?*

"That's true I guess," the Harpy girl said then paused in her preening. "I wonder if they'll make use of the brothels or the "dating service"? Could be a good way to make some money off a rich human. My beauty treatments aren't cheap!"

*Huh? I didn't know that,* Saki thought. *Guess being pretty and popular takes money? If I had money could I become pretty and popular? I've always silently looked down on the "popular" group before but look at me but... look at me. I'm the one alone and friendless. Who's the one who deserves laughing at and looking down on? Me that's who. So you can get paid money for dating? I didn't know that either. Isn't that just prostitution though?*

The kobold girl chuckled. "Mine aren't either. It takes more than money to look good. You gotta commit. But yeah going on a few simple dates is an easy way to make some money... if you're smart. Guys pay for everything, dinner, drinks dancing, laugh at their jokes, pretend to like them and get paid go home. If you find a rich one you like you either keep stringing them along for more money or if some girls really like them they get them to pay big before sexytime or to commit for real and get them to marry them. It generally means the end of the fun times but some girls get lucky and catch a rich stud! Not all guys want to hit the brothels."

*I guess I learned something new,* Saki thought. *It's not exactly prostitution. It sounds more like a courtesan.*

"I guess so," the harpy said. "Ya gotta know which ones to look for on the job boards though. They gotta mark on 'em with a-

"Hey isn't that that the girl who stole your last boyfriend?" The Kobold interrupted.

The harpy hissed. "Goblin hussy! They're the worst! Out of all the oversexed, trashy species they're nothing but a bunch of sluts!"

Saki hunkered down trying to be even more unnoticeable.

"Hey," said the kobold. "I'm not saying you're wrong, especially about her, but they kinda can't help it. If I had a body that begged for use like that I'd be out having the sexiest fun times I could as well. Every single goblin girl is always a smoke show that screams "breed me" even the savage ones... 'r scary sexy... uhh... we should go." She'd accidentally noticed Saki sitting near them.

"Huh?" Said the Harpy then looked and blinked. "Yeah ok..." she got up and as they walked away she said, "guess you're wrong... that one's plain as fuck!"

"Hey that's not nice... but yeah first time for everything..."

Saki stared down at her half eaten croquette. She suddenly wasn't as hungry as a teardrop struck it.

She made her way home passing by beauty salons and ateliers. *They weren't wrong... expensive.*

"I'm home," she said. "Oh, dad what are you doing home?"

Her mother smiled sadly. "Bit of bad news. I'm afraid your father's been laid off. Things will be tight for awhile but we'll manage. We do have some savings."

Her father sat there like a lump not saying anything. Saki understood. She didn't know what to say either. Her mom was good like that though! Beautiful, gregarious... her mother... "Mom... I-"

"What is it dear?" She asked smiling.

*I want to be pretty! Show me how you're so pretty! Show me how to make friends! So I can have fun! While you worry about our expenses and work...* "It's nothing..." she shook her head. "A-actualy... I heard about a part-time job. If I check it out and it's nothing dangerous can I work? It'll mean we might have some more money coming in..."

Her mother beamed. Her daughter was finally coming out of her shell! But- "I don't know Saki... that's an awful responsibility. Do you think you could manage something like that? You'd have to commit... and nothing sketchy!"

Saki nodded her head. "I want to make a change... and if maybe if I look nicer, I'll feel nicer, get a good job and things will work out... will you... help me?"

Her mother smiled. "Of course dear! You know I'll always be on your side!"

Saki smiled as her mother took her to her room. "You're a very pretty girl in your own way. You just haven't blossomed yet. And you dress more conservatively than a nun. You need to smile..."

Saki had spent all day trying not to freak out! Everyone of her classmates had stared at her... most like they'd only just noticed her existence. Most probably had! She had to introduce herself so many times.

The changes had been subtle. Natural. Her mother had trimmed her hair and showed her a cuter braid style. She had helped Saki go through her clothes and put together a slightly more noticeable outfits. But most of all she'd encouraged her to smile more and not be so wooden in her expressions.

Saki still felt very plain... but not invisible anymore. A few girls in her class had even talked with her! Turns out some of them were doing the compesated dating thing too! The really pretty ones with the nice things. *I guess it's not something weird after all,* she thought. *I wanted to ask more... but it was hard!*

She was passing nearby a job board now. *The red light district is right there... maybe there's one on here? It couldn't hurt to look... right?*

She was excited! The truth was she liked boys but had never had any confidence before... *Not that I have much now. But talking to a guy and getting a little money might bring me out of my shell more?*

She saw several pretty girls nearby and they seemed to be meeting guys. She approached the board and started looking. "I don't even know what I'm looking for," she muttered. She spotted one though. In the corner someone had doodled something that looked like a strange symbol of a-

"How curious..." she started to reach for it when a shadow loomed over her. She jumped startled and started to lose her balance falling backwards her spectacles slipping from her face.

A large hand caught hers. "Easy there, lass! I've got you," said a voice coming from a large man who'd dropped a bunch of papers. "Steady now. I won't let you go," he said.

Saki swallowed nervously amidst the swirling papers drifting on the breeze. "T-Thank you," she squeaked. "Oh no! Your papers!"

Dave smiled and shook his head. "Not important. They're just job notices." He pushed back his hood kneeling down seeing that she was steady on her feet now. He started picking up the papers and her glasses handing them to her. "Here you are. Are you alright, young lady?"

Saki put her glasses on and blinked. "Human... ah! I mean, you're f-fine just... I m-meant I'm j-just fine thank boo, er you!" She quickly started trying to grab his papers as well. She felt so embaressed! She was making a fool of herself infront of a big handsome man... *handsome!?!?* She nearly dropped the papers she'd picked up. *Oh gawds what is wrong with you Saki?! You're making a spectacle of yourself after meeting a handsome human in front of the redlight district! Of course people are laughing at you... they think you're about to... with him! Ohmigawds!!!*

But it was Dave who was chuckling and smiling. "Calm down, miss. Everything is just fine... I'm sorry. I don't know know your name young lady. It's a pleasure to meet you! I'm David Stark. I'm the magus that just moved into town recently, miss...?"

She swallowed. This was the human who had moved into town? A magi no less! "Oh! Yes! A meet to pleasure you, Sir Stark! My name is Saki. Saki BlackOrchid."

Dave smiled biting back chuckles and extended his hand. "Charmed Saki. And please just call me David. I haven't made any friends yet in town. Our meeting maybe fortuitous. I hope I can call you my first?"

She blinked. *He has no friends here either? No way! Why would he move where he doesn't have any friends? That doesn't happen... does it? I mean... I've lived here my whole life and never made a friend... until... now!* She hesitantly took his hand but when she did she gripped it like she was afraid it would disappear. "Y-Yes please! I-I'd like mery vuch- er, very much! Sorry the truth is I don't have any friends here either... o-or at all..."

Dave frowned. "You're kidding me? That can't be right... is the town cursed and I didn't know it?" He started looking around. "There's no way such a cute young lady doesn't have friends! Well now I'm definitely sure. I'd like to be friends with you, Saki. Come. May I take you out someplace and buy you a cup of tea or a snack perhaps to celebrate? I can look for a maid later."

Saki felt like the world had suddenly flipped. "C-Cute?! Friends... out? Like a date?"

Dave stopped and thought about it and shrugged. "Ok, sure why not... a friend date!" He said like it was her idea. "Let's go! Do you know any good places around here? How about that one? Saki?"

She'd just started following him along in stunned silence until he called her name. "Huh?... uh oh. I don't know. Uhm sure I guess that looks fine."

They walked into a halfling cafe and quickly were seated at a table by a waitress. Saki blushed as she realized they were still holding hands but felt a tiny bit disappointed when he let go to pull out a chair for her. She also realized they should have gone somewhere else as he stooped down to sit in the tiny seat. But he smiled and seemed perfectly happy. "I love halfling establishments," he said. "The food is usually so good so I have high hopes! What would you like Saki? It's my treat." He said putting his stack of flyers down on the table.

Saki nodded. "Oh uh, thank you very much David! The tea looks good and uhm the torte?"

Dave nodded. "We'll take two of those, please!"

Saki blinked. She realized she didn't know what to say! How does one make conversation with- she looked at the flyers. "Ah, I see you're looking for a maid?"

Dave nodded. "Quite so. I need someone to come in regularly and do some light cleaning of the place on a regular basis. Someone who'll help me to look after the place when I'm away from time to time. Just the usual mundane things I'm afraid."

*This is my chance!* "I could do that... but I don't know that I'm qualified too," she admitted.

Dave smiled. "Oh ho! Seems like this really is my lucky day! Would you like to give it a try?" He hummed thinking. "How does... a gold piece a day sound? Paid weekly. Two weeks in advance providing you agree to give me two weeks notice before quitting? All expenses paid by myself of course"

"What?!" Saki sputtered.

"Too low?" Dave asked.

She quickly shook her head. "Too high! Most unskilled laborers here only make two to 5 Silver a day! That's far too generous and I'm still in school! I haven't graduated yet so I'd only be able to work part-time at most! That's almost twice what my mother makes! Even my dad didn't make a gold a day when he was working!"

Dave hummed and thought as their waitress brought their order. "I see." He blew on the tea and took a sip. He preffered coffee but this wasn't bad. "I take it from you comment your father isn't working?"

Saki winced. " Yes. He recently became unemployed."

Dave nodded. "Alright since you were a good friend and informed me of how things work here then how does this sound. 5 silvers a day, part-time but on the days you come work a full day you'll earn a gold piece a day. And paid in advance when I'm away. Terms to be renegotiated after the first six months and after you finish your schooling. I think that sounds fair and like it will be of some benefit your family."

Saki smiled but shook her head. "That's still a bit too generous..."

Dave smiled. "But it's worth it to me to help an honest friend. Thats worth more to me than silver and gold." He took a bite of the torte. "Oh that's delightful!"

Saki smiled thinking about the offer. Finally she nodded. "Thank you! I have to talk it over with my mother but I don't think that'll be too big an issue."

Dave smiled. "It works for me, helps your family and you can save for your future. Give yourself options for choices. That's a good thing I think. If you like I'd be delighted to talk with your mother and make my case."

Saki nodded and took a bite of the torte. It was good. A bit bitter and dark but also sweet and flavorful. Satisfying.

Saki awoke. She was lying in her bed. "Oh," she wipped at her eyes. "I had that dream again... time to get up."

She dressed. Sometimes she had strange dreams about another life. Another "Saki". But they were hard for her to remember upon waking. Just as well. She had a feeling they weren't nice dreams at all.

She looked at her uniform, a maids uniform that David had bought for her, and nodded. Today she had no school. She could earn money for her and her family! "Time to start!"

"Oh Saki!" Her mother said smiling seeing her. "You look so good like that!"

"Thanks mom," she said. "It's my first day of being a maid. I hope I'll do well."

Her father sat at the table. He'd said nothing about her job, about becoming a maid or her making a friend. But now he looked at her. "You look good, Saki. Like your mother when she was your age..."

Saki was surprised. Her mother was beautiful. Her mother agreed. "Yes your right. You're beginning to blossom, Saki!"

Saki smiled. "Thanks! I feel good so maybe that's why?"

Her mother nodded. "Now you be a good maid. Work hard for Mr Stark. Remember that he's like you are. He's depending on your help!"

Saki smiled. Her mother had bunchs of thing say unlike her father. But while she'd worried at first she'd quickly come around hearing the particulars. David had even come with her to explain. Her mother had seemed to like him right away. Her father... had said almost nothing to the man. But they'd eventually given their blessings to the idea. Especially her mother. Saki got the feeling she approved of him while she felt her father... might not.

"Remember that he's a human," her father said. "Human men only want one thing."

Saki blinked. "What's that?"

"Oh hush," her mother said. "That's not true so never you mind that speciest talk... they say a lot of nasty things about all races, including goblins and none of it's true!"

"Some of it's true," her father said reading. "Otherwise they wouldn't say generalized things... including what they say about us goblins."

Her mom frowned. "Well Saki works for a nice human now so we won't be having any of that kind of talk." Saki ate her breakfast in silence.

Saki thought about that on her way to work. Rumors. Rumors about human men... and goblin girls.

She wasn't experienced obviously but she wasn't dumb! She had good ears and when you have good ears and no one notices your presence you can hear all kinds of interesting things! She'd heard some similar rumors to what her father had refered over the years.

Rumours like... Human men like to fuck. They'll fuck anything... even women of another species. Some even preferred it that way. They were a species that was horney all of the time and one of the lewdest. Many girls "fell" to human cock.

Goblins were "breeders". They repopulated quickly in large numbers. They liked to fuck all the time... especially the women. Goblin women were always horney and highly sexed. They'd sleep with anything. Naturally slutty nymphos. They were one of the lewdest species. Many males of other species fell to goblin pussy.

*But thats not all true... I'm not pretty, attractive or curvy,* she thought. *I've never done anything like that... though I do fantasize and daydream that's not quite the same. My classmates aren't like that... and my family isn't either.*

"Good morning Saki," she looked up and saw David waving to her. Her master waiting for his maid with a warm friedly smile. "Ready to get started?" He asked opening the door for her like a gentleman.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes! Thank you, Master! I'm looking forward to being in your care and service!" She said just like she'd practiced pleased with herself. *And David isn't like that either! He doesn't hang around the brothels or pick up harlots, whores or prostitutes. Rumors may have some basis in facts but they're also quite a bit close half wrong or absolute pure fiction.

Dave smiled. "Youre very welcome, Saki! I'm looking forward to being in your care! You make a very pretty maid!"

Saki blushed. *OK... maybe some rumors have a bit of truth. David thinks I'm pretty. David likes monster girls. David's a big human male who likely has a big...*

She swallowed looking at his smiling face and nodded walking through the door. *And I do think about sex a fair bit. But that's not our situation. Things aren't like that. He's not just some guy, he's a friend of mine. A good one. My first friend. That... makes him my best friend doesn't it? Process of elimination. He's gentle and caring... and he's counting on me while helping me so much! I have to do my best!*

"I'm ready to serve, Master!"

"Well... how was that?"

"Yer kinda off to a slow start," Harley said slipping her glasses back on. "But I get that and that's good. We want Saki to feel comfortable and give her agency to make choices. Better choices. She could have turned you down. Gone back to the job board. Started compensated dating and becoming a "trendy" beauty... but this ways more natural. And she chose the path with one "real" friend instead of the one with bunchs of fake friends who'll pressure her and then use and abandon her. It's a solid start."

Dave nodded. "Good... is it really still all that bad for her?" He frowned. "Also her home life..."

Harleen nodded. "Good you picked up on that. It is. Remember we're trying to encourage good choices and changes. Not slam a rewrite in there. A nudge here, an option there. Just like you did at the job board. The thing with her original story she generally never goes back after making a decision. Just most were bad one after another. So the likelihood of her turning away from "good" decisions is very low... but yeah becareful. All that bad stuff is still out there. Her classmates, prostitution, her folks..."

Dave nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to try to keep a close eye on that. Let her know she can always come to me for help. Nothing to be done?"

Harleen shook her head sadly. "Not with a "light" touch. At this rate her father's still in a negative spiral and starting to notice her as "a woman", the sicko. And her mother taking "his side" is kind of a core trait so it's unnatural to tamper with it too much. Definitely keep your eye on that situation... and her classmates too."

Dave nodded and sighed. "And I take it there's still a "Hayato" out there too?"

Harleen laughed. "Hahaha! Oh yeah there is! He already made an "appearance!""

Dave startled. "What?! Shit! Maybe I need to get back in there and-"

"You goof!" Harleen said. "You ain't figured it out? You took his place. You taking action like you did makes you "Hayato" now! There's a guy running around in there that's him but the system already shunted you into the "Hayato" slot quite firmly. If she meets the real him she's likely to look right past him or see him as at best a negative example in comparison to you."

Dave blinked. "I'm "Hayato" now? Ugh I suddenly feel dirty! Well I suppose that's better all things considered. Still... yuck!"

Harleen giggled. "Remember... do it for her."

Dave smiled and nodded. "Me and Homer Simpson... yeah. I'll do it for her!"

[David Stark Pepper Tinker Bell Harley Quinn Melfina VSD02C Princess Hilda R. Dorothy Wayneright and Saki BlackOrchid/Yoshida

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