“Hmm,” Alburet interrupted to help Fluff out, “think we should put in two cents for the duo?”
“Marysue and Gerald?” Fluff asked, getting a nod in return. “I already did. It seems Marysue was on the list already but they didn't have Gerald on it. Once I pointed out how tied together they were, the person I talked to said they would see about adding him in, but it means one of the people they already asked needs to decline.”
“See, that’s what I am talking about, right?” Karen pointed out. “Just who do you know to have that much input?”
Fluff looked around nervously, “Umm, well... I know the head of the art team there. She’s a very nice person. Please don't tell anyone else.”
Karen's smile became sharp, “Oh? Does this mean you’ve done some work for them?”
Fluff gulped, her eyes darting about rapidly as she fidgeted in place, and began to groom her ears. “Well... the thing is...”
“Fluff,” Alburet said softly, catching her eye with a soft smile, “it's okay. You don't have to tell us anything. If you do, we will keep it to ourselves.”
Karen's lips compressed slightly but she nodded, “I agree. I’m just interested in what you’ve done before. I know you have a hard time with people, but I want to know a bit more about you. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Fluff looked up, meeting Karen's eyes before she gave a very small nod, “Okay.” Taking a deep breath while she closed her eyes, Fluff spoke in a very soft tone, “I did the work for the cafe we went to, when we celebrated forming the guild.”
Alburet smiled, “That place is awesome, Fluff. You did great work there.”
“Wait, you did that cafe? Wow, it really is well done, Fluff,” Karen added with sincerity.
Fluff opened her eyes, looking at them to see if they were telling the truth. Seeing only open and honest smiles she went red as she stammered and turned her face away. “Oh... it... was nothing.”
Stacia piped up, “It is a very nice place. But how did ya have a hand in it? Tha' place has been there since I was a kid.”
The trio all blinked as they all looked at Stacia, before Alburet spoke up. “That is a very good question actually, and I don't know if we can answer that.”
“Err, yeah,” Karen said as she tried to think of how to explain the concept of the entire world being a game to Stacia.
“My soul is old,” Fluff said softly. “Before I was in this form my soul drifted around this world helping those who needed inspiration for things. I helped a few people with the ideas behind the things they built. My soul then went to the other world and I live there now. I visit here in this form, now.”
“Ah. Well, it be a very nice place. I be glad ya helped with it,” Stacia said, taking Fluff’s explanation with all seriousness.
“Thank you, Stacia,” Fluff said as she stood up and brushed off her pants. “Shall we get back to slaughtering gnolls?”
The group all got to their feet and set off for the closest encampment. As they went, Alburet winked at Fluff, mouthing the words to thank her. He would never have considered what she said as a possible explanation.
The next four hours were a continuation of the previous hunt. The only difference was Tiny dying once due to bleeds stacking high enough to negate the Vitality buff. Alburet's old +2 intelligence ring also broke during the fighting, which he shrugged off as it didn't make much difference to him. When they called a halt because Alburet and Stacia had to get back to the city, Alburet had leveled to eighteen.
“Tomorrow Stacia is going to be with her mom all day. As such, I think gnolls are not going to be a thing. The day after that we’ll be a little busy with something else as well. Maybe you two can hook up and hunt together, which might help you catch up a bit.”
Karen glanced at Fluff, “You want to hunt with me the next two days, Fluff?”
Fluff nodded, “It should be fun. It will be different without Tiny there to hold things for us.”
Tiny rumbled, “Be safe. I want to see you both alive again.”
“Yeah, it would be a waste if you two hotties died,” Bob added with a wink.
Shaking his head, Alburet dismissed his demons, “We’re done for the next two days guys, go home and enjoy yourselves.”
“Yes, master,” Tiny rumbled before he vanished.
“Such a waste. I won't be able to see the women if you don't summon me. Oh well, guess I can see about hunting up a succubus for a spot of fun,” Bob vanished as well.
“Ladies, have a good couple of days. If anything changes I'll use the Guildstone and let you know.” Alburet said, giving them both quick hugs.
“Okay, see you later,” Karen replied before using her Homestone and vanishing.
“Have a good couple of days,” Fluff said as she held her Homestone. “Err, and thanks for being my friend.” She vanished as well.
“We headin' back to clean up and get ready, master?”
“Yeah, but no fun times in the bath as we don't know when the carriage will show,” Alburet said as they both used their Homestones.
As they appeared in the graveyard Stacia pouted, “Tha' will nay be as much fun, but as the master wishes.”
Chuckling, he slapped her ass, “Go get the bath ready, Kitten.” He watched her hurry off into the inn as he followed behind, admiring the view.
Alburet
Human Summoner
Level 18
Strength: 23 (18)
Agility: 23 (18)
Constitution: 30
Intelligence: 52 (7)
Wisdom: 63 (18)
Charisma: 35
Health: 1200
Mana: 1530
Spells:
Demon Skin-Rank 2
Demonic Retribution- Rank 2
Summon Least Imp
Fire Blast- Rank 2
Sap Strength- Rank 2
Demonic Haze- Rank 2
Summon Lesser Destroyer
Demonic Vitality
Fire Burst
Summon Lesser Succubus
Abilities:
Personal Spells
Flame Weapon
Copy
Chapter Nine
Alburet tugged at the jacket, straightening it while Stacia put her red dress on. He admired her determination to put on the overly complicated dress, helping her with the ties in the back when asked.
“It looks good on you, Kitten. It really complements your hair,” he complimented her as she finally finished with the dress. “Now for hair?”
Stacia smirked at him and closed her eyes. Her brow furrowed slightly as if in concentration. Alburet blinked as her hair shifted and became an elaborate coiffure piled on top of her head. She placed a hand gently on it while using her other to slide two thin metal spikes into it at opposite angles.
“Aye, now I be ready, master,” Stacia beamed at his raised eyebrows. “That just be part of me innate succubus magic.”
“Anything else I should know about it?” Alburet asked, curious now as to what else she could do.
Smirking, she closed her eyes and concentrated again. Her hair shimmered, going from red to blonde. “I can make sure ya never get bored of the same woman. I can even shift me form a touch, too. Nay in this dress though or it will take forever to get it to lay righ' again.”
Alburet shook his head, “Dear gods, that is going to take some getting used to.”
Stacia concentrated again, shifting her hair back to its normal vibrant red. “I tested it a little before getting breakfast this morn. It is somethin' Ma' told me about while ya was back on the other world.”