A not so nice night out

Leaf walked with the girls to the gate. “Looking good, ladies,” said one of the two demon kin guards who were manning the gate. Both of them were looking admiringly at the four women dressed in their party clothes and Leaf blushed at the attention.

“What a pity you are on duty boys,” teased Cilla, running a finger down the chest of the guard who had spoken. “Looks like you will have to look after yourselves tonight.”

“Hi, Flare, looking hot,” said the other guard, clearly besotted with the sexy salamander girl.

Flare squeezed his cheeks between her fingers and the guard sucked air in between his teeth in pain. “Too hot for you I’m afraid.”

“I think it might be worth it,” said the guard cockily.

“You wouldn’t be the first to try but I’m not in the mood for grilled sausage tonight.” The other guard laughed and the girls started the walk down towards the town, waving flirtatiously to the guards.

Leaf was amazed at how far it felt even though the town almost butted up to the castle walls. The nightlife district was further into the body of the town and she found herself feeling the strain of walking especially as she was wearing some very insubstantial but very high heels.

Much of the town was quiet at this time but as they rounded a corner, light and noise was coming from a street a little further on. Leaf had been there before but not a lot. She had preferred the quieter and more civilised entertainment of the palace. That said, previously she had been disguised as a big burly demon kin and had had to put up with people picking fights on a regular basis knowing full well he could obliterate them with a thought. Now she was a slender human girl with no magic and no strength. There was a thrill of danger but at least people shouldn't try to pick fights with her, she hoped.

Demon realm towns operated on strength and reputation. A little rambunctiousness was expected and tolerated but it was understood that true demons owned but not ran pretty much all the establishments. If there was too much trouble or property damage it could call the attention of a true demon and even though they were nowhere near as powerful as the Maou, even the weakest was stronger than any other race. The repercussions of having a true demon step in were so significant that it was most common that the establishment or even sometimes the compatriots of the wrongdoer would make an example of them, usually brutally and publicly. It was not unheard of for victims to die from the punishments and thus a level of decorum was maintained among the often brutal and aggressive creatures of the demon lands.

The result of this was that fights got taken outside before they escalated. Walking down the nightlife district Leaf could see several fights taking place but once they stepped inside the bar that was their destination, the atmosphere was jovial. Music was being played and several patrons were singing along. Games were taking place at tables and the chatter was lively. As they stepped in, a large demon kin and a minotaur walked past with contained rage, clearly on their way to fight it out. Erryn watched them go past and bit her lip. “I’m just going to go and see who wins, I’ll join you in a bit,” she said and turned back.

Cilla laughed, “She wasted no time.”

“Did you see how tall they were?” said Flare. “You couldn’t have gotten more her type if you tried. “Now if I can just find someone with heat resistance. Why aren’t there more salamander men around?” she mock cried.

That statement got Leaf thinking as the girls ordered drinks and found a table. As they sat down she said, “What about a fire resistance potion?” The conversation, having moved on, the girls looked confused. “Sorry Flare, I meant for your lovers? A good alchemist should be able to make something that could resist your heat.”

“What?” said Flare, bluntly.

“Sorry,” said Leaf, thinking she must have offended her. “I was just thinking that if you got your lover to take a draft of heat resistance then you could sleep with just about anyone but I guess there must be a reason you can’t do it. Sorry.”

Flare buried her head in her hands. “Why did I never think of that? Why did nobody ever think of that? I could have had so much dick.”

“I was also thinking that if you put a heat protection rune in your clothes you could wear wherever you like. It would drain some of your mana so it probably wouldn’t work for your uniform but for a night out you could wear something other than metal.” Leaf was in magic nerd inventing mode and was throwing ideas out without really thinking. “In theory, if you got the correct tattoo you could trigger a spell to quell your heat that would last as long as you wanted it to, providing you didn’t run out of mana but then you could always just get a mana restoration potion and they are everywhere and really cheap. I guess getting the tattoo designed would be expensive but there’s this gnome girl up at the palace called April and I bet she could design it.”

“Dude,” said Cilla, nudging Leaf. “I think you broke her.” She gestured at Flare.

Flare was muttering to herself. “All this time. I could have been wearing whatever I wanted. So many cute guys I had to turn down. I fucking love sex and guys love me I could have been up to my tits in cock wearing a sexy silk dress and not this uncomfortable mail and plate.” She stood up. “I’m going to find an alchemist,” she announced and walked out.

“And then there were two,” said Cilla. “I’m sorry about this, it looks like everyone is getting distracted.”

Leaf laughed. “That’s okay. I think I brought that last one on myself.”

“How do you know all that about magic? I thought most humans were really weak with it.”

Leaf panicked a little. “Just a fan,” she said by way of an excuse. “You know how it is. When you can’t do something it gets fascinating. I just read a lot about it.”

“Pity, with that sort of enthusiasm and a bit of mana you could have made a great witch.”

“A witch? Is that what they call human magic users?” Leaf asked.

“Yeah but only the women. You get a few in the demon lands nearer the borders. Some of them come looking for knowledge of demon magic.

The pair of them chatted over drinks and then some more. Erryn returned with a stupid smile on her face after their third round. “You’ve been gone a while,” Cilla said with a smile.

“The minotaur won. I had to congratulate him. He was very appreciative and so was I.”

“Did you have sex with him?” asked Leaf.

“Oh yeah,”

“In the street?”

“No, I wasn’t that horny, well I was. That fight was really stimulating but he had more sense to him. We went into an alleyway. We weren’t the only ones. Everyone fucks in the back alleys. That’s us demon races for you. High sex drives and low morals. Plus an alleyway is cheaper than a room and it wasn’t like I was interested in getting to know him. Where’s Flare?”

The girls continued to gossip and drink until Leaf said, “I really have to pee, I’ll be back in a bit.”

Cilla and Eryn acknowledged her but went straight back to their conversation. Leaf got up and wobbled a little. I never knew **** could make you feel like this. It’s wild, she thought as she headed to where she thought the toilets might be. “Hey, cutie, you on your own?” a piggish demon kin asked her.

“Sorry, have to pee,” she slurred and patted him on his thick shoulder as she continued her quest.

“Do you know where you are going?” the demon asked.

Leaf squinted at his ugly boarish face, a good head above her own. She pointed her finger at him and said, “What makes you say that?”

“Because you are going the wrong way,” he laughed. “Come on, I’ll show you, this way.” He walked off and in her clouded mind Leaf decided to follow him.

If she had been weary it would have seemed to have been misplaced as he led her around a back corridor and a door that obviously led to the ladies' toilet. She thanked him and went to do her business. When she came out, he was still there. “Feeling better?” he asked.

“Yep, thanks very much,” she said and went to walk past him but he put his arm out to stop her.

“You never answered my question earlier. You here on your own?”

He had his hand pressed against the wall of the narrow corridor, unless someone came to the toilet she was alone and trapped. “No, I’m here with my friends.”

“Female friends?”

“Yes.”

“So no boyfriend?”

“I’m sorry I’m not interested in seeing anyone right now.” She said as he pressed himself closer to her. A feeling was welling up inside her; fear. She had felt fear before. She feared for the state of the empire, she had feared for Gob’s safety but she had never truly feared for herself, until now.

“You a human?”

“Yes,”

“I always wanted to try fucking a human. What do you say?” he said as he ran a finger over her barer arm

“I’m sorry. I’m not interested.”

“I’ve heard that humans are pretty weak, not much magic.”

“That’s just a rumour, we are really strong so you better watch out.”

“Is that true,” sneered the demon as he reached up and grabbed her breast. “Go on then, stop me.” She pulled on his arm, and she tried to shove his thick, heavy body but even with all her strength. He just laughed. “That’s what I thought,” he said and pressed his mouth to hers. He **** his tongue inside her mouth as his hand roughly mauled her chest. His hand moved up to her throat and began to squeeze. “You are going to come with me quietly or I am going to pop your pretty little head clean off your shoulders.”

She backed away from her and gripped her hard by the waist. She meekly allowed herself to be pulled along by him, too scared to do anything as he led her through a back door, through the alleyway at the back where there was another couple going at it. He took her out across a neighbouring street on the other side of the entertainment district and into a quiet alley beyond. “Good girl,” he said as he pushed her against the rough stone wall, grabbed her throat again and kissed her. She tried resisting but he squeezed herder. To her weak human body, the grip was fierce and she could feel the pressure building in her head. “Cooperate a bit girly or I will finish you off and fuck your corpse.” He kissed her again, this time she allowed it to happen and she felt the blood and air flow more freely.

With effortless ease, he pulled the dress from her quickly followed by her panties leaving her naked. He held her pressed against the wall with one hand as he eagerly pulled at his belt and hitched his trousers down with his free hand. His fat, bulbous cock came free and Leaf began to panic. She began to squirm and thrash in a **** attempt to get free.

He brutally struck her across the face with his free hand. Leaf saw stars and became disoriented barely even registering the pain. She still instinctively tried to escape and his grip tightened. Things seemed easier all of a sudden. I think I’m going to die, she thought. Ah well, I wasn’t a very good Maou anyway. I hope not too many people die in the turmoil. I hope Rose and Gob will be okay.

The cloud of unconsciousness was upon her but there was a noise. It was her name. Someone shouted it. She couldn't quite care. She would be dead soon anyway. Then the pressure was gone and the cloud that had been covering her mind began to lift. “You better run or I’ll burn that ugly cock to ashes.” It was Flare's voice. “Leaf? Oh, Leaf, are you okay? I can’t touch you. I’m too angry, I’ll hurt you. Please be okay.”

Leaf came too and saw the pretty, scale-patched face of Flare hovering over her. “Flare? I’m… I don’t know.”

“Just, stay still or something,” said Flare in a panic, clearly wanting to reach out to her but being aware that it would cause more trouble. “I’ll, I’ll, I don’t want to leave you but I need help.” She stood up and looked around but there was nothing in the vicinity that could help. She picked up the rags of the dress and put it over her as best she could, the fabric smelled like the char she left behind where she touched it. “I think I’m going to have to leave you but I…”

“Leaf?”

“Leaf?”

Two voices could be heard calling out. “By the Maou, thank you.” Flare dashed towards the noise. “Girls, girls, over here quickly.

Erryn and Cilla soon came rushing over to Leaf. “She’s had a nasty blow to the head,” said Erryn. “Cilla, can you fly her back?”

“I can’t fly with the extra weight.”

“I’ll carry her then,” The large woman effortlessly, tenderly scooped up Leaf and cradled her in her arms before setting out at a pace. Cilla flew ahead and Flare tried her best to keep up but dropped well behind.

As Erryn reached the gates, she had already explained to the guards what had happened and flown off to wake Ma’am. The guards ushered Erryn through and Erryn stormed through the palace halls to Ma’am’s rooms. Erryn laid the naked and confused Leaf on a couch as the door burst open and a truly terrifying-looking woman entered. She was lifted up on the ghost body of a spider and seemed to fill the entire room. “What happened?” said ma’am, her voice filling all that heard it with dread.

“I don’t completely know,” cowered Erryn. “She was attacked. I think someone tried to **** her but Flare stopped them. “He hit her quite hard.”

Rose’s eyes flared with a blue fire before she diminished her fearsome aura and leaned over Leaf. She stroked her face, “Are you alright?” she asked.

“I think so, my head hurts” crooked Leaf

“Were you attacked?” Leaf nodded and Ma’am began to sniff Leaf’s body. Suddenly a grim smile crossed her lips. “I’m going to get you to your room. Pip will be able to help you. I know she will be angry when she hears what happened but reassure her that I am dealing with it.”

Ma’am turned to Erryn and Cilla. “Erryn, take Leaf to her room and make sure Pip is awake to help. Cilla, find Gob, explain what happened and send him to her room.”

“Gob? Why do you want him?” questioned Cilla.

The room darkened as Ma’am’s spider aura grew again. “You do not question me girl, not now, not ever, now do as you are told. Both of you,” she added as her spider aura carried her out of the room at a frightening speed. The two maids shared a brief look and then hurried to do their tasks.

Eryn kicked open Leaf’s room door and put her on the bed. Pip began rising out of her bathtub. “Pip, Leaf is hurt. Ma'am said you could help.” At those words, the once sleepy movement of Pip's gelatinous form suddenly lurched over to Leaf and formed into its human shape. She began touching Leaf all over.

“Her brain is hurt. Who did this?” Pip demanded. Spikes were forming out of her body.

Erryn took a step back but Leaf reached up and touched Pip. “Ma’am said not to worry. She is sorting it.”

Pip looked at Leaf and nodded. She seemed to be happy with that answer. “I will heal you. Relax,” smiled Pip and she began to melt and absorb Leaf into her. She began to glow with soft blue light and only a little gap leading to Leaf’s mouth was the only dimple in her gelatinous form.

Erryn was a little weirded out and began backing away but was distracted by the clatter of feet as Gob and Cilla came running down the corridor which was filling up with curious maids, wondering what the commotion was. Gob's arrival sent waves of whispers through the gathered crowds.

“Is she okay? Can she talk?” Gob asked Erryn as he came in.

“I’m not sure she can hear you in there but she was talking a little,” Erryn said. “Why are you here though?” Eryn asked with a little hostility.

Gob looked up at the stern face of the big woman. “I can’t tell you. On top of that, I need you all to get out.”

“What?” Said Cilla. “No way are we leaving her with you.”

Gob sighed. His reputation was still hampering him even if they did speak a little more favourably these days. He supposed he couldn’t blame them. His reputation and a **** naked woman were not a good combination. “Pip, is it okay if we speak to Leaf?”

A face appeared out of the blob that engulfed Leaf. “Oh, hello Gob,” came Pip’s cheery voice. “I have her asleep right now. Her brain is hurt and she needs to rest it to heal.”

“Are you a healer Pip?” Gob asked.

Pip smiled and nodded. “Yes, my body can do lots of things. Trace parts of me in the bath water help make it extra soothing.”

Cilla and Arryn winced slightly at the idea that they were bathing in a part of the slime girl. “Can you wake her up? I need her to reassure the others that I am not a threat and I may be able to help her quicker than you can,” Gob explained.

“I suppose it is safe enough,” Pip said and her face vanished into her body. Leaf’s body seemed to stir and Pip’s body exposed Leaf’s head.

Leaf opened her eyes and saw Gob. She gave him a big smile. “Hey, Gob. I got in a bit of trouble.”

“I can see that,” said Gob, smiling sweetly. “I want to talk to you in private, is that okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be okay?” she asked, frowning.

Erryn stepped forward. “Are you sure you want us to leave you alone with him? He has a bad reputation.”

“I know,” said Leaf, weakly. “I completely trust him. It’s fine. Do as he says.”

The two maids reluctantly walked out and closed the door. “I’m sorry Pip, you too,” said Gob.

“No, it’s okay,” said Leaf. “I feel safe here and I don’t mind if she knows. I think I can trust her.”

“Know what?” asked Pip, her head emerging in front of Leaf’s.

“I’m the Maou,” said Leaf.

“Oh, I thought you might be,” said Pip, casually.

“How did you suspect?” asked Gob.

The head floated around to look at Gob. “Similar taste. I cleaned Maou’s bath too. Leaf has similar taste to Maou. Two people do not usually taste so similar even if they are related. It was more like twins.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” asked Leaf.

“It didn’t seem important. Leaf is Leaf, Pip’s friend.” Leaf started crying. “Why is Leaf sad?” asked Pip.

“I’m not sad, I’m happy and… And I think what happened to me is catching up to me.” She began to sob and tendrils of slime reached up to wipe her tears and the blob that engulfed Leaf’s body undulated and hummed. “Thank you, Pip. Gob, ask me what you are here to ask.”

“Do you want me to undo the restraints?”

Leaf smiled through her tears and shook her head. “Not yet, I will have to stop this soon and even after that I do not want to stop just yet.”

There was a noise outside. A clattering followed by loud shouts. “This is not a place of gossip and whispers, return to your rooms immediately or I may find room for another meal. You three may stay but wait here.” The door opened and Rose walked in, her spider aura lowering her to the floor and vanishing back inside. Her pale skin was red with blood, especially around her mouth and hands. She walked up to the bedside. “I have dealt with him,” she said, bluntly.

“Oh, Rose, what did you do?” said Leaf, looking sad.

“You are to address me as ma’am while you are in this form,” she corrected. “I am sorry, I know your distaste for needless **** but I assessed this as too important to show leniency. He was easy to track. I dragged him into the street and once we had a big enough crowd I informed all who would listen that my girls are not to be touched without their consent. I then demonstrated the repercussions of doing so by tearing pieces off him and devouring them in front of his eyes. I kept him alive as long as was feasible and wrapped up the remains to finish later. I don’t want to get fat and he was a chunky one. A message has been sent and the locals will think twice before messing with one of my girls.”

“Karrus won’t be happy,” said Leaf.

“Karrus is never happy. Let me worry about Karrus. Did you ask her?” said Rose, turning to Gob.

“She said no but I think you should be aware that Pip now knows Leaf’s true identity.”

“I thought she might work it out. Pip here is a creature more like you and me Gob, evolved from lowly status. She has primitive instincts that the more person-like races don’t understand. Still, she has the kindest heart of anyone in the castle.”

“I don’t have a heart,” smiled Pip.

“Ah yes, how silly of me to forget. I had a feeling you two would become close.”

“Leaf is Pip’s good friend.”

“I am very happy to hear it. Come along Gob, let us leave Pip to do her job. Leaf, we will discuss this further in the morning.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Leaf.

“Good girl. Come along Gob, you can help me get cleaned up.” Gob and Leaf shared a look and then smiled at each other before Gob followed Rose. “Come in girls. Don’t keep her long. Pip needs to heal her and I am sure you all need your rest after the excitement.”

The three maids all stood back as the frightening visage of Rose walked past them then dashed into the room all talking at once. They all poured out apologies and words of concern. Flare retold the story of ma’am hunting down the demon kin responsible and they all apologised some more.

“Really, it’s fine,” reassured Leaf. “At least, it will be when Pip finishes. My head still hurts.” She began to sob again and the girls all tried to comfort her. “You know, I wouldn’t have minded dying before but right now I’m really glad I didn’t,” she sobbed. The girls all threw themselves on top of her in a big cuddle puddle and Pip enveloped them all. They protested at first but Leaf said, “Just go with it. You get used to it,” and they did.