Startup 38: Wrap-up Meeting

My strength came back quickly as I regained consciousness, grounding myself in the sensations of Nendra’s bedroom. I took in the soft sheets, the sound of Dovnu’s elite guards chatting outside, the sight of the newly barred window, and the earthy smell of the cute maroon haired woman holding my hand.

I took a moment to eye Mih’Tzi up and down, though I continued to look around the whole room in my best approximation of a daze. She wasn’t in her weird sexy coveralls; no, instead she was wearing a laced blue corset and sheer orange skirt. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and I realized this was what she wore to a guard patrol. The thought of a bunch of drow girls dressed for the club showing up to a battlefield almost made me smile, at least until my sluggish brain caught up with where I was and why.

“What happened?” I asked, “Why would someone want to kill me?”

“It seems you caused quite a stir, Lord M’Dair.” Mih’Tzi told me conspiratorially, “Did you not realize what would happen when you started flying across the city? Not many saw you, but apparently it got back to a few gossips. The whole city knows that the Frost Maiden’s son is coming into his own.”

I felt Autopilot tense at the nickname, which I assumed was for Carys. It sounded like a perfectly good nickname to me, so I let the thoughts flow before I answered.

You would not speak of her in such terms if she were present. She is not a maiden, as I prove. She is a full matron and deserves your respect.

Autopilot’s other feelings put a cap on that surge of filial anger, but I was not quite as enamored with Mih’Tzi as he was.

“Oh, hello Mother.” I said, looking over Mih’Tzi’s shoulder, “I’m honored you came to visit so quickly.”

Mih’Tzi stiffened in something approximating terror, struggling to compose herself before looking over her shoulder. Of course, the only person she found was the perpetually bored necromancer I’d seen earlier in the training grounds, escorting a few arrow riddled zombies to a side room with her apprentice. (Bluff 17+13+5=35)

“That was unkind, and quite unlike you.” Mih’Tzi said, looking back at me, “What if she’d actually been there?”

“Then I’d have tried to provide a distraction.” I told her, “She plausibly could have been there and you’d have dug your own grave.”

Her pink eyes went very wide at that, and I realized that probably wasn’t a saying here.

“Surface expression.” I said. “I doubt she kills everyone who uses a nickname she doesn’t like.”

“Only the ones she can get away with.” Mih’Tzi said, shaking her head.

She was frowning, looking down at me. Eventually she started fussing with me, adjusting my bedding and pressing a glass of fruit juice into my hand. I shifted my legs to conceal my manhood.

You’re popping a boner because she’s giving us a glass of juice? Seriously? Weren’t you pissed at her like five seconds ago?

I was surprised at how little pain I was in. While I was out, they’d healed me completely; usually that woke me up.

That’s not a good sign. If I get conked out while I’m in a fight that could kill me, or someone on my crew.

“Do we know what happened?” I asked, recentering myself. “Who were those people?”

“The thugs that attacked you?” Mih’Tzi asked, “Pawns of N’Quinn or H’Zal, probably. Maybe M’Dair.”

Oh yeah. Auntie dearest sees me as a threat, and possibly so does grandma. What the hell, Autopilot? How is the psycho family you married into the one that is less likely to kill you?

“Don’t worry, you made quite a statement. I don’t think they’ll try again.” Mih’Tzi said, “Not many Shadows, left alone during their Mistress’s playtime, could fight off three assassins.”

“No. Not many could.” I said dryly.

Mih’Tzi’s eyes sparkled. She obviously knew I had not been chained up for fun reasons, and she’d presumably seen the state I was in. The official story was about as accurate as the ones Sandara told to get people to buy her drinks.

“You did well regardless.” Mih’Tzi said. “Nendra’s magic isn’t perfectly reliable when she uses it on groups. If you hadn’t killed the woman, those two would have certainly finished you off together before she arrived. By all reports, you fought like a man possessed.”

That shouldn't bother me. She was trying to kill me first. Damn her. Damn her for making me do that. And god damn it, stop popping a boner when a girl praises you for killing someone!

Mih’Tzi took a quick step away from the bed and glanced towards the door. Seconds later, Nendra prowled into the room. She paused, making eye contact with Mih’Tzi, and frowned.

“What are you doing here?” Nendra asked acidly. “Don’t you have fields to till?”

“Vorys is assisting her mother, Kelis is at the front gate, and you called Xenobia away yourself.” Mih’Tzi said, affecting a bored tone. “Your parents are too important for guard duty, you were conducting an investigation, and no one else was available. Did you want me to leave him unguarded?”

Nendra glared at her cousin, then flicked her fingers towards the door.

“You have performed adequately.” Nendra said. “Now go.”

Mih’Tzi gave Nendra a long, deep bow; it was obviously mocking, but only in how over the top it was. She bent at the waist for nearly ten seconds before plucking a vest off a hook in the wall and heading towards the exit. I hadn’t seen her walking around too much, but I swear she did something to make her ass sway on the way out. I only stared for a second before snatching my gaze away to focus on Nendra. (Opposed Bluff 15+13=28)

Do not piss off the crazy girlfriend (wife) you’re trying to get a favor out of by perving on her cousin.

“Hello, Nendra.” I said, “How are you doing? Are you alright?”

“Oh, very much so.” She said smugly, “I figured out who was responsible for your ****, and created a new asset for our great house. All told, I believe we came out ahead on this exchange. We only lost a few guards, after all.”

She examined her nails as she spoke, smiling dreamily. She never smiled like that for anything good.

“How many?” I asked, heart sinking, “Who were they?”

“Oh? Just the three you saw.” She said, nonplussed. “They were attempting to earn a position within House N’Quin. The mage will be getting her wish, from a certain point of view, but the other one… well, we will figure something out. Maybe I’ll give him to my dear cousin.”

I felt a flash of anger from Autopilot, but I didn’t really care what kind of catty insult that had been. She hadn’t answered my question.

“No, not the attackers.” I clarified, “The guards. I saw two of them on the floor outside my cell. Are they dead?”

“Oh, yes, obviously.” Nendra said dismissively. “Wanted the pension for their families I imagine. Mother insists that it makes them fight harder and builds loyalty, but I don’t trust it. Why should they be rewarded for so obviously failing? You can’t fail more than ****.”

“How many?” I demanded, “Was it just those two?”

Nendra stared at me blankly. One of the guards posted at the door coughed. She was a woman, which I noticed was common for sentries in areas with a lot of foot traffic.

“Permission to answer, Daughter of the Matron?” She said, tentative.

“Speak.” Nendra said with a shrug.

“Three other guards and one of the servants were killed by the **** team on their way in, in addition to your personal guards. Sergeant Azog is being punished by the Matron for his incompetence.” She said. “They seemed to mostly use subterfuge, but killed anyone that noticed something was amiss. The dead were found in closets or stored within furniture, so there might be more I haven’t heard of yet.”

I laid back, sighing.

At least seven people dead because I just had to go visit Carys. Damn it. I’m glad Azog isn’t dead, but he’s apparently getting the shit kicked out of him instead.

“What happens next?” I asked, “I don’t think Dovnu will be happy if I accidentally dragged her into a war.”

Nendra snorted.

“Oh, don’t worry. They’re just mongrels.” Nendra said. “If Mother chooses today to strike, it will be because she was looking for an opportunity. She might even manage to get Carys involved. You know how she gets when insulted.”

“Yes, I think I might.” Dovnu said, casually entering the room. “I’ll need to figure out how to sell it to her, of course.”

She was dressed in something approximating a sling bikini, accented with jewelry. Her hair was up, as it usually was, in a huge bun. Kiyon trailed behind her as she strode directly up to my bed, grabbed me by the collar, and pulled me out of bed. I was so caught off guard, I was sprawled out onto the floor before I knew what was happening. She planted her heel on my chest and looked down her nose at me.

“Mother!” Nendra cried. “He’s recovering!”

“He got healing; he can have more if he needs it.” She said pitilessly. “So, Stud, it seems you have a better grasp of the situation than my dear daughter. I’m not happy.”

“Neither am I.” I grunted out, catching my breath, “So. What comes next? I assume you’ll be posting additional guards around me while I continue my duties as normal?”

I schooled my face into a mask of serenity, as if she weren’t perfectly positioned to crush my ribcage (Bluff 17+13=30) She looked down at me. For just a second, I caught the shadow of an amused smile pass across her face before she kicked me in the chin. (Sense Motive 12+11=23)

“Maybe,” she said thoughtfully. “Hard to find someone to spare, especially with you scuttling around at all hours.”

“If only you had a semi-elite squad of dedicated bodyguards stuffed in a hole somewhere.” I ventured. “Ones that didn’t have anything better to do.”

Just play it cool. Stoic. She’d probably react to me fighting back even worse than the old Emrys cowering. At least when I can’t actually do much of anything directly to her without breaking the contract.

Dovnu arched an eyebrow skeptically.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She said.

“Well that would be Nendra’s decision, I believe.” Kiyon chimed in.

When Dovnu looked at him, he added a few more choice words with his fingers.

“We decided to let Nendra manage him, for good or ill. She must learn.”

“Within reason.” Dovnu answered with a few twitches of her own gold encrusted fingers.

They continued their silent conversation by simply staring at one another and slightly shifting their expressions. Centuries of marriage probably made it easy for them to guess what one another were thinking. Dovnu relented, rolling her eyes.

“Well, Nendra?” She asked, “What do you make of this proposal?”

“It seems perfectly wise.” Nendra said immediately, “Though I believe he must be restricted to his room at all times. It will pair well with the other proposal I sent you.”

Dovnu let out a long, despairing sigh.

“Yes, which I believe was another of his suggestions?” She said dryly, “I could tell, as it is based around him repeating that stunt he pulled in Port Peril.”

As she spoke, she dug the toe of her shoe into my chest.

“Six women across the course of a few weeks is hardly the same.” Nendra scoffed. “We purchased him for breeding, and any woman in our service would be honored to bear sorcerous children. We knew of Carys’s fertility issues when we purchased him; I believe I’ve figured out the flaw in my management system.”

Dovnu snorted at that. She stepped off of my chest and paced for a few moments. Eventually, she shrugged.

“You know what? Fine.” She said. “We might as well start now. Who was the first one you wanted? Vorys? Let’s get her in here to explain the situation.”

She pointed to the nearby morgue, and Kiyon sent a shadow to open the door. A thin young drow woman stepped out of the side room I’d seen the necromancer enter. She had on a heavy apron, gloves streaked with gore, and an expression of **** relief barely visible under the large goggles.

What the fuck is her job?

She popped into a small changing room, and exited a minute later wearing a dark blue dress and silk beret, having let her hair loose.

https://postimg.cc/ft9tFJrF

“Did you need something, Matron?” She asked casually, adjusting her hair with a small hand mirror.

I scrambled to my feet the moment Dovnu allowed it. I let Autopilot give her a once over with my other sight while the scene played out.

“No.” Dovnu said. “Nendra has a task for you, actually. Please, dear. Do go on.”

Nendra paused to collect herself; she obviously hadn’t been planning on having this conversation with an audience. She straightened and looked down her nose at Vorys.

“I have determined that we have been underutilizing my Shadow as a breeding stud.” She announced. “When I consulted him on the subject, he requested that you be the first for the new program.”

Vorys was far less shocked at the concept than I expected. She brightened and started looking me up and down.

“Alright.” She said, “So you’re loaning out your shadow again? Same rules as the last time?”

“No.” Nendra said quickly. “You misunderstand. This is not for your pleasure. This is, if anything, for his sake.”

Oh for fuck’s sake, can we step in without Dovnu rabbit punching us? Alright, readouts say she likes heavy petting, lotion, and has a strength kink? Not too bad.

“May I explain, Mistress?” I asked, then stepped forward and whispered into Vorys’s ear. “I am ascendant. You, on the other hand, are in peril. I am to breed you, and to remind you that you serve my mistress. Cooperate, submit, and you will be allowed another chance as an administrator. Who knows, perhaps you’ll get a daughter out of it. Displease my mistress, and you will spend the rest of your days assisting your mother in the morgue.” (Intimidate 18+12+5(Total Stud)+5 (unknown)=40)

Vorys didn’t crumble under the pressure, at least not overtly. She looked between Nendra, Dovnu, and I, trying to figure out if she was being pranked. Dovnu had a faint smile, enjoying the show.

“Now, I suggest you ask my mistress for permission to do this in private,” I said quietly, trying to copy the same cool menace Autopilot had managed. “unless you’d prefer I bend you over this bed right here.”

I was trying to ride the wave of that first ridiculous intimidate check. It wasn’t hard to loom over her; I wasn’t tall for a human but I was still several inches taller than Vorys. Further, I had the implied authority of my mother in law at my back, and so far Dovnu seemed to be enjoying the show.

“May I take him to my chambers, Nendra?” Vorys asked, eyes still darting around. “It might be best to get this out of the way.”

Shit, we are doing this now, aren’t we? I don’t know if I’ll get another shot.

“I agree. We might need to do this more than once.” I said, looking at Dovnu, “Matron, would you like to join the three of us in Vorys’s chambers? I would welcome your counsel in this matter.”

Please, please, please come bully this nepo baby you were probably **** to hire.

Dovnu’s smile grew more wicked at the thought. She nodded. (Diplomacy 18+12=30)

••••••••••

Everyone sorta knows that porn sex is different from normal sex. Check one candid sex tape if you want to see the difference visually. Normal sex is about the people doing the deed, so they focus on what feels good or at least what they think will feel good. Whatever gets everyone to climax goes. When people do weird shit in their personal lives, it’s just to make the whole process more enjoyable for at least one of the participants, and 90% of the time it’s relatively boring to watch without some kind of extenuating circumstance like one of them being a particularly hot celebrity.

Porn sex is a performance. It’s not about the participants getting off, it’s about the viewer getting off. It’s about creating a fantasy that they can slot themselves into. I just so happened to know the kinks of everyone involved, and was keenly aware of Nendra’s biggest hangup.

I held Vorys’s naked body against the wall, forcing her to make eye contact with her superiors while I had Autopilot carefully keep her on edge. I didn’t bring my cock to bear yet, playing into her petting kink. She was panting, she was ready.

“Now beg for the right.” I hissed in her ear, “If you think you’re worthy of bearing my seed, beg.”

I pointed her head at Dovnu, because I had more than one viewer, but I was really talking to Nendra. She was watching, bright eyed, as Vorys squirmed against me.

“Nendra.” She whined. “Come on.”

“Doesn’t sound right to me.” Dovnu said, smiling. “Does she sound contrite to you, Nendra?”

“No.” Nendra said, startled from her reverie. “I agree completely.”

“Apologize, first.” Dovnu leaned in and whispered to Vorys. “That's the whole point of this, kid. You fucked up. My daughter decided to give you an opportunity to learn your place; it’s a place even below her Shadow as things stand.”

Dovnu grabbed Vorys by the hair and kissed her deeply. I couldn’t see her face, but I felt Vorys try to follow as Dovnu moved away. She let out an irritated whimper.

“N-Nendra. Please.” She begged. “I’ll do whatever you want. Please just tell him to finish me off.”

Nendra looked at her friend with a critical eye, walking closer to make eye contact. Hairlike, near imperceptible streaks of violet arced between the two, sparking brighter as Nendra stroked Vorys’s jawline. (Perception 17+12=29 Success)

Really? I’ll have to trust you on that. I still can’t make them out even after you told me. That’s enchantment, right? Whatever. I need to push this over the edge. Nendra wants demeaning.

“Mistress,” I said, “I am otherwise occupied. Perhaps she could learn to serve you in my place? I’ll reward her if she does a good job.”

Nendra seemed almost disappointed at the thought, perhaps because it interfered with imagining herself in Vorys’s position. Dovnu, however, jumped at the thought.

“Not a bad idea, stud.” Dovnu crooned. “Nendra, get on the bed unless you’d rather she finish me off instead.”

Vorys struggled against me, squeaking as Autopilot resumed his tender ministrations. Nendra sighed almost imperceptibly, then leaned in and pressed her forehead against Vorys’s. The faint violet light flared in her eyes.

“You remember how you had Emrys serve you when last I loaned him to you? Do precisely that while he does to you as he pleases.” Nendra Suggested. “When we have both finished, perhaps you will remember that your place is to serve.”

The suggestion took hold, anchoring itself around Vorys as she nodded vigorously. Her whole demeanor changed, looking down so as to not meet Nendra’s eyes.

“Please, mistress.” She begged, “Allow me to pleasure you with my mouth.”

I released her from the wall for the moment, and she fell to the floor, crawling along at Nendra’s heels. Her lower lips glistened from nearly thirty minutes at the edge, and I followed closely behind. She sat on her haunches to bury her nose in Nendra’s newly exposed crotch and began lapping away, never looking up.

“Yeah, that’s right, you brat.” Dovnu growled, “now put your ass in the air like a good little sow. No wonder you’re useless at the ranch; you can’t even figure out how to be bred yourself.”

Hot damn. Must have been a shock if that’s what she was expecting from me.

I grasped her skinny hips and hauled her hindquarters into the air. Dovnu continued to fire off jabs at her subordinate’s expense, and I saw an alert form in the corner of my vision. I mentally sent the command to accept it and made eye contact with Nendra as I slowly entered Vorys from behind. For good measure, I slapped the woman roughly on the ass.

“I’m sorry Mistress!” Vorys cried, then redoubled her efforts.

“You should be sorry!” I growled. “Thinking you’re worth the effort? Don’t make me laugh. You’re nothing.”

Get a good look, Nendra. As far as you know, this is what me fucking other women will look like.

I leaned forward awkwardly, relying on Autopilot’s superior balance to avoid falling while I kept Vorys on edge. I overdid it, and we all heard her moan and start spasming around my cock. I took my cue to shove her head more firmly in between Nendra’s legs and started ramming into her from behind. I hadn’t been on edge like her, but I had still been working up to this for a long damn time. I fired off a few sprays of cum deep inside of her long before Vorys managed to recover enough to get Nendra to climax.

“Keep going, girl.” I commanded, “you’re not done yet.”

I slapped her ass again, multiple times, and I honestly think the **** did it for Nendra more than Vorys’s sloppy technique.

In a state of post nut clarity, I let Autopilot pull out and stand back, reporting more small sparks of enchantment from Nendra as he did.

“Now, here’s how this is going to work.” Dovnu said. “Vorys; you’re coming to my office tomorrow. We are going to go over some proposed changes to the business you’re managing for my daughter, and you’re going to implement them. You’re going to do a damn good job of it, too. Understood?”

Vorys nodded, eyes glassy and blissed out.

“Then get the hell out of my Daughter’s chambers.” She ordered, dismissing the younger drow utterly. She waited until the woman dressed and staggered out. “Nendra, that was fun, but are you really going to go through with his plan?”

“I think I might.” Nendra said, smiling. “Something unexpected just happened.”

“Hmm?” Dovnu said, rolling her eyes.

“I could feel her second orgasm, mother.” Nendra said, eyes ablaze. “As if it were my own. I can feel your body keenly as well. My senses have widened. I think his little ritual at Port Peril may be good for even more than we thought.”

Dovnu’s eyes widened, then she laughed, long and hard.

I rapidly checked my notifications, confused. As expected, I’d finished part one of the three part mission to indulge in Emrys’s fantasies.

Fulfill one of Emrys M’Dair’s greatest sexual fantasies. Bonus if you can manage multiple in a 24 hour period, the timer starts when you finish one.

1: 1 exp, courtesan’s secret

2: 2 exp, Body Control Talent: Perfect Parallel

3: 3 exp, drow courtesan conjuration companion

Known fantasies: Nendra submits in bed. Dovnu guides another in bed with Emrys (Complete), procreative sex with Mih’Tzi

However, another mission had cycled into my mission log at random that day. A mission which was also complete.

Have a threesome that integrates specific kinks from both other people involved.

1 exp, one lover will gain a perk related to the kink indulged.

Reward: Nendra has gained the talent Life Sphere: (Empathic Healing)

Shit. That was supposed to be for Sandara or Sosima. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t even in my log this morning.

“Alright, stud, you got me.” Dovnu said at long last. “You want to waste your time fucking? Be my guest. You’ll be spending your time doing little else until I’ve sent every willing girl in the palace to your chambers. Nendra willing, of course.”

“Fine,” I said with more confidence than I felt. “Though I’d like to make one request for some time tomorrow.”

I’m on the clock. All or nothing, now.

“Oh?” Nendra asked, her gaze distant, apparently exploring her new sense. “What is it?”

“I’d like to take Mih’Tzi.” I said, meeting Nendra’s eyes, “Shouldn’t all of your subordinates receive the same treatment?”

Realization dawned in Nendra’s eyes.

“Yes.” She agreed. “Precisely the same treatment.”