Asher's Futa Chronicles

Chapter 15

ASHER

"You haven't seen Tara since the quake?" I asked.

"Nope," Larisa said, taking a drink from her glass and not looking too happy about it. Tara, that is, not the drink.

It was the evening meal a few days later. Remmi, Larisa, and I were sitting at a table while her apprentices were tending to the forge.

I knew Tara and the other members of the Gestalt had gone inside the temple after the quake. But I'd never asked for how long. Had they been in there the entire time until Shae came to get us?

I knew they'd been on patrol during the two months that Remmi and I were at the temple. But they hadn't come to The Roadhouse in all that time? I knew it was possible; they tended to stay away as much as possible, much to my dislike. If it were up to me, or Remmi for that matter, we'd all be together.

"Well," Remmi started. "They've been busy in the mountains. If you thought things got nuts down here, think about what all the monsters up there did after that quake."

"I hadn't thought of that," Larisa said, her frown lessening somewhat.

"Oh Christ," Remmi muttered and attempted to hide her eyes. A quiet roar went up as Waylen entered the room.

"Oh good," Larisa said. "I usually miss it when he performs. I've heard he's rather good."

I glanced at Remmi, who was attempting to make herself as small as possible and go unnoticed by the bard.

Waylen made an exaggerated bow to the room at large and strummed what I guess was supposed to be a guitar. The instrument only had the neck of a guitar, not the large body at the base. The strings rang out a sound similar to a guitar, though. I guess even the musical instruments here used magic.

The song Waylen began was lively and full of wit. He had a great voice and could even dance as he played and sang.

"The guy's multi-talented," I said. "Triple threat?"

"Don't start," Remmi cautioned.

"I don't see why you don't give him a try," I said.

"I'm warning you, Asher," Remmi growled.

"I mean, if he can sing, play an instrument, and dance, all at the same time?" I said as I watched the man schmooze through the crowd. "Who knows what else he could multitask?"

Remmi made a disgusted sound and studied her plate intently, not daring to look around the room.

"Am I missing something?" Larisa asked, looking between the two of us.

"Waylen has a particular interest in Remmi here," I explained.

"What interest?" Larisa said, cluelessly.

I forgot how innocent the girl was sometimes. One minute she's a lioness in the sheets, the next she's a lamb staring helplessly at the sky.

"A horizontal interest..." I said, letting the sentence hang there. I watched and waited.

It took a while, but eventually the lightbulb clicked on in her eyes.

"Oh..." Larisa said. "Oh!" she repeated, her eyes going wide. "You like Waylen?"

Remmi made a disgusted sound.

"No," Remmi said with finality.

"Why not?" Larisa said. "I mean, he's handsome, clever, and famous!"

"He's famous?" I asked.

"Oh yeah," Larisa nodded. "Back in the capital, the taverns fawn all over him, trying to get him to perform there. Word is, he's played for all the high houses, even the royalty!"

"Great..." Remmi muttered.

"Well, Remmi, if he's that popular, he must be loaded," I teased her. "I mean, haven't you told me how you wanted to adopt an elephant from the zoo or something? Now's your chance."

Remmi's rude hand gesture towards me was cut short when a passing hand took her hand in his.

"Why, Lady Remmi," Waylen said, bowing over her hand. Apparently, he just happened to be between songs when he passed our table. "I was delighted when I heard you'd returned."

Remmi took her hand back and wiped it on her pants.

"What do you want, Waylen?" Remmi asked sourly.

"Oh, you do me the honor of speaking my name aloud? How my heart is all a flutter!" Waylen said, patting his chest repeatedly.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh and glanced at Remmi. She was starting to seethe. Larisa, on the other hand, was starry-eyed at the man.

"My heart is racing from the thrill of your mere presence. To think, you let me hold your hand and speak my name with such eloquence!" Waylen went on.

"I didn't let you hold my hand!" Remmi started, but Waylen was working himself up.

"My heart is racing, flying away like--" And Waylen burst out in a love song as he danced away, just out of Remmi's reach. When she started to stand, he scuttled away, but it was a graceful scuttle as he continued his song.

I couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

"I hate that man," Remmi said.

"Why?" Larisa asked, her voice incredulous.

"Yeah, Remmi," I chuckled. "Why?"

The look Remmi gave me was enough to make me rein it in...a little.

"He gets under my skin," Remmi said, eyeing the man as he pranced around the room, playing up the crowd who loved every minute of it.

"I think he's dreamy..." Larisa said and sighed.

"Dreamy?" I said, frowning at Larisa. "Remmi, when did this place turn into a malt shop?"

"I don't know, but if that man tries touching me again," Remmi started.

"I wouldn't mind him touching me," Larisa said to herself. She glanced between us quickly, "Did I say that out loud?" Her blush returned full force.

"Just tell him you're not interested. Or say 'no touchy' or something on a level he'll understand," I suggested to Remmi.

"Oh, I'll give him something on his level, alright," Remmi said. "Asher, I've told him I'm not interested several times already."

"OK," I said, racking my brain. "Maybe...try a different angle?"

"A different angle?" Remmi asked.

"Yeah," I said. "This guy obviously doesn't take no for an answer. He just sees it as another challenge. So, give him a challenge he can't win. Like one of those Herculean tasks."

"Hercules completed all his tasks, Asher," Remmi said, tapping her chin as I could see the cogs of her brain slowly churning. "But still..."

"That way, when he fails, he's failing himself," I said.

"That almost makes sense," Remmi said, glancing at me in surprise.

"I do have a good idea on occasion," I frowned at her. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

"I'll say," Larisa chimed in.

I started to say something to Larisa, but caught myself and turned back to Remmi.

"But it has to be something in his wheelhouse," I said. "Something he thinks he can pull off so he'll accept the challenge."

"His wheelhouse, huh?" Remmi said, chewing on her lip in thought.

"Well, before this gets any weirder, I need to get back to my apprentices," Larisa said. "Hopefully, they haven't burned the place down yet. Night, you two, good seeing you." She kissed me on the cheek before making her escape.

By the time Waylen made his way back to our table, either by bravery, foolishness, or both, Remmi and I were done with dinner and enjoying a crisp, adult beverage.

With his usual flourish, Waylen wound down the song he was singing until he finished, down on one knee, in front of Remmi.

Thunderous applause filled the room as the man eyed Remmi, his breathing labored from the performance. Waylen soaked in the attention before standing and waving to the crowd around us.

"Sit down, Waylen," Remmi said.

I immediately recognized that voice. That was Remmi's plotting voice. She'd used it several times, usually when she was taking control of fun times and playing director. It seemed she'd come up with a plan.

Waylen froze, staring down at Remmi in disbelief. She'd never invited him to sit, ever.

"I mean, if you'd like. You don't have to," Remmi said noncommittally. "Although you do look thirsty," she said, offering him her glass.

Finally shaking himself free of his surprise, Waylen's patented roguish grin returned. He took the cup from Remmi's hand, making sure to brush her fingers with his as he did.

"I was feeling rather...parched," Waylen tried for smooth, but it was obvious Remmi's sudden reversal had thrown him off his regular lounge lizard routine. He sat and took a drink, staring at Remmi over the lip of the cup.

"You know," Waylen started. "Me drinking out of this cup after you is an--"

"Indirect kiss, yes. Did you think I didn't know that when I made the offer?" Remmi asked, her charm cranked up high enough that I felt it.

"Well, yes, it is a rather well-known--" Waylen started.

"Waylen, do you mind if I call you that?" Remmi asked, now adding seduction to her voice.

It was amazing to watch the woman work. Someone once told me Rachel was a master manipulator. While true, I always felt Remmi could give her a run for her money any day.

Remmi didn't let him answer as she continued.

"You've made it very clear that you are interested...in me," Remmi said, reaching out and taking the cup back from Waylen, before bringing it to her lips.

"Well, but of course," Waylen started, his attempt to regain his cool was failing as he watched Remmi's lips brushing the lip of the cup and lingering. "I mean," Waylen cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. "But, you haven't--"

"You've said it yourself, Waylen," Remmi started. "I'm not an average woman. I have certain...needs."

In Waylen's many attempts to woo Remmi, he'd called her everything from the most beautiful of flowers all the way up to calling her a goddess.

"Needs?" Waylen whispered, not prepared for that word to come from Remmi's mouth.

"Yes," Remmi nodded and put her glass down. She made a show of wetting her finger in the wine and slowly running it around the rim of her glass. "You see, I have several...close...friends,"

Remmi turned to me and ran her still-moist finger across my lips.

I knew it was just an act for Waylen, but anytime Remmi turned on the charm, she sucked me in. I was helpless in the face of this woman.

My lips parted, and my tongue swiped across her finger before she brought it back to her own lips and licked it briefly.

This had Waylen's eyes popping out of his head.

Remmi was doing great! I couldn't wait to see where she took this. At that point, I was so worked up that I'd have done whatever she asked.

"Each of these...special friends," Remmi smiled at me before turning her hungry eyes on Waylen. "They've all done something to prove to me their commitment."

"Commitment?" Waylen said, the word pumping the brakes on his enthusiasm. "I...uh--"

Remmi's finger lashed out, landing on his lips and silencing his protests.

"I'm not talking about that kind of commitment, Waylen," Remmi said as Waylen visibly relaxed. "What I'm talking about is that they proved to me they were...special."

"You said that," Waylen mumbled, still not all the way back under Remmi's spell.

I considered turning on my sex kitten ability, but I didn't know how it would work in this case. I REALLY needed to screw around with it and see how it worked.

"Yes," Remmi continued. "Each of them has been able to show me they could do whatever I asked of them." Remmi shifted in her chair, leaning forward as if sharing a secret with him, as her voice dropped to a whisper.

Waylen leaned in as well, mesmerized.

"I like control, Waylen...do you know what I mean when I say control?" Remmi asked.

Waylen nodded, his mouth open.

I swore I could see some drool in the corner of his mouth. This was the most attention Remmi had ever given him, and he was eating it up with a spoon!

"If you can prove to me that you can do what I ask, then that might open my door to you, if you know what I mean," Remmi said, resting her chin on the back of her hand as she took another drink and offered Waylen the glass once more.

He didn't move to take it, too caught up in Remmi's eyes.

At this point, I felt sorry for the guy. I'd been where he was before and knew I was powerless against her charms. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

"What would you have of me?" Waylen whispered.

Remmi set the cup down in front of him and slowly looked up into his eyes.

"Nothing that a master bard such as yourself couldn't do," Remmi started. "From what I've heard, you're a legend in the capital."

Waylen nodded, too speechless to even brag about himself for once.

"If that's really the case, then I want a song from you," Remmi said.

"Name it and I'll write you the most perfect ballad to match your--" Waylen started, but Remmi cut him off.

"Oh no," Remmi shook her head slowly. "I want my song, Waylen. My favorite song of all, and I want you to perform it. I want to hear you hit every note with your perfect voice. I need to hear those words come from your throat," Remmi shivered. "Just thinking about it...the song fills me with a dark desire every time I hear it. And if it were to come from you...if you could bring forth that desire with your mouth...then that would make you special...to me."

"Oh gods, name it!" Waylen practically trembled with anticipation.

Hell, at this point, I was trembling with...something. I just wasn't sure what it was yet.

"The song," Remmi started.

"Yes?" Waylen asked.

"That...stokes the desires in me..." Remmi licked her lips slowly.

"Yes, yes?" Waylen asked, his patience beginning to crack.

"Is..." Remmi almost held the sentence too long.

Just as I thought Waylen was going to pop, Remmi leaned forward and whispered the song into his ear.

Waylen shuddered at the feel of her hot breath on his ear, a moment before his face twisted in confusion.

"What?" Waylen asked as Remmi leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling dangerously.

"I don't repeat myself, Waylen," Remmi said. "Can you perform that song for me, master...bard?" She emphasized the master in a way that made me shift my breeches.

"What? Oh! Naturally!" Waylen said immediately, his face giving away the fact that he had no clue what the song was.

I couldn't wait to find out what she'd given him. It had to be something from our Bio Hab. And knowing Remmi, it would be something like YMCA or something just as ludicrous.

"Of course," Waylen started. "For something of this importance," he licked his lips nervously. "I'll have to make some... preparations."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from a man of your...prominence," Remmi reassured him, touching his arm briefly.

I saw Waylen's face as he mentally shifted gears. He was going to try to pull a fast one.

"You know--" Waylen started, but Remmi wasn't having any of it.

"Waylen," she said, her voice dripping sultry with his name.

"Yes?" he said, some of the color draining from his face.

"You wouldn't be trying to deny me, would you?" Remmi asked.

"What? No," he said instantly.

"Good," Remmi nodded. "I've told you how important this song is to me." She turned and touched my face gently. "Not even my closest friend has been able to grant me my heart's desire with this."

"That's true," I said sullenly. "But if you can grant Mistress Remmi's desire, WE would be most grateful." I couldn't help it, I oozed a bit of sex kitten.

The blood that had been draining from his face reversed course.

"Don't keep me waiting, Waylen," Remmi said, giving him one final look just as the crowd started chanting his name, demanding another song. "Your public demands your attention; see to them," Remmi said in dismissal.

I thought Waylen was just going to sit there, dumbfounded. But the sound of his adoring fans was enough to pull him from Remmi's clutches.

"Let's get out of here," Remmi said as soon as Waylen turned his back. "I need a shower after all that."

I couldn't help but grin as we rose from the table and made our escape. Before we made it two steps, Remmi stopped me.

"Thanks, Ash," Remmi said. "You were very helpful."

"Well, if you ask me, you were getting just a bit too into it," I said. "Are you sure you don't want to--"

"Don't ruin it, Ash," Remmi said, glancing over my shoulder. "Not when I'm about to repay you for your help."

"Huh?" I said intelligently.

"Come on," Remmi said and pulled me towards the bar.

The entire inn was now singing along with Waylen in some song I'd never heard. As a result, Remmi had to lean over and yell into the bartender's ear to be heard.

I couldn't hear the exchange between Kurden and Remmi, but they went back and forth several times.

I watched the face of the bartender I'd been crushing on for so long. His expression seemed to change every time Remmi said something. Finally, he seemed to give Remmi a resigned nod, and Remmi pulled me away from the bar and upstairs to our room, along with a bottle of wine that Kurden had given her.

Blessed silence fell as we closed the door to our room, blocking out the sing-along downstairs.

"What was all that about?" I asked.

"I wanted a bottle," Remmi said as she put it down on the table beside the bed and began pulling off her shoes.

"Seems like a lot of back and forth just for a bottle of wine," I said suspiciously.

"You worry too much," Remmi said as she tossed a shoe at me.

I yelped and dodged out of the way before sitting down and starting to pull off my own shoes.

"So, what song did you decide on?" I asked. "The Star-Spangled Banner?"

"No, nothing so...no," Remmi said with a grin.

"Any chance he'll be able to do it, or did you cheat?" I asked.

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying," Remmi grinned at me, and I threw a shoe at her. "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure they don't even have K-pop here."

"K--" I started, but was interrupted by a rap on the door.

I glanced at Remmi, who refused to meet my eyes. I stood up and walked to the door, staring at Remmi, who was adamantly focused on something on the floor and refused to look up.

Kurden was standing outside, holding a bottle.

"Hi..." he said awkwardly.

The sound of the bathroom door shutting behind me marked Remmi's escape. When I got my hands on her...wait, how'd she manage to let him in through our security? I'd have to find out later, after I wrung her neck.

"I found the bottle Remmi said y'all were looking for," Kurden said.

I glanced at the bottle on the nightstand.

"Oh, it's alright. You can keep that one as well," he said as he held the new bottle out to me.

"Thanks," I said, taking the bottle from him. There was something about this guy that just destroyed my confidence and made me awkward. That didn't happen too often.

We both stood in the doorway, avoiding each other's eyes in the silence.

"ARGH!" Came Remmi's frustrated groan from the bathroom as she ripped the door open and stormed into the room. "I swear!" Remmi said as she grabbed Kurden and pulled him inside, then closed the door.

Remmi looked at the two of us in disgust.

"Really?" Remmi said. "You're not teenagers, talk to one another." When neither of us said anything, Remmi threw her hands up. "Hopeless! Both of you!"

Remmi turned to me.

"Tell Kurden you like him," Remmi said.

"I've already told him," I said.

"You have?" Kurden said. "You do?"

"Duh, like the day you arrived!" I said in frustration. "I was helping you put away bottles downstairs."

"You never said--" Kurden started defensively. "Even if you did, I thought you were just teasing me."

Remmi stood beside the pair of us, her head in her hand as she shook her head slowly.

"So, now you know!" Remmi said to Kurden. "Now, tell her what you told me."

Kurden, the half-elf, half-ice elemental, blushed but continued, only because Remmi stomped her foot.

"I really enjoy your company, Asher, you're fun to hang out with. And yeah, you're a beautiful woman, but I...like guys," Kurden said.

"Oh," I said, taken aback for a change. "I...didn't know that," I said slowly.

Remmi made yet another disgusted sound. "For the love of all that's holy," Remmi started. "Asher, show him!"

"What?" I looked at her as if she were crazy.

Remmi held up her finger, drawing Kurden and my attention. As she was doing this, she was also unbuttoning my trousers while I was distracted. The next thing I knew, my pants were falling around my ankles, and my cock was swinging in the breeze.