Chapter 117: Homework Salesman (1)

Agni felt restless upon waking. She wasn't entirely sure why but perhaps her dreams held the key? She had the wildest dream which left her body feverish to the touch -- something about Gigi fucking her relentlessly with a strap on.

She quickly dismissed the strangeness of the thought and stretched as she gave a complimentary yawn.

"Mmm? Shula?" Agni mouthed, she could only manage words in short effect -- she was definitely not a morning person. Her choker glowed faintly, a sign that Shula heard her call. Agni found it weird that the familiar willingly receded into her confined space, but dismissed it as whimsy.

*Maybe she's just tired.* Agni dragged herself out of bed and followed a morning ritual that she'd quickly gotten used to since joining the Mystic Tower. Wash up, get dressed, eat with friends and then decide what to do for the day.

In this case her daily activities were already decided.

Soon Agni found herself walking alone through the city of Grenvale towards the district of town she found herself frequenting the most.

Sprim Row.

Although she was essentially walking into a slum-like area, Agni found that the people there didn't really bother her. Perhaps it was due to her mid-day battle to the death nearly two weeks past.

Rather than focus on this, Agni was beginning to grow discontent for another reason.

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"I'm sorry. I can't Agni. I've got to meet with Vivian to help prepare for the mission. I've also got to do some training of my own." This was Katrin's response to Agni's invitation to accompany the succubus on her daily adventures. Agni's response is what shocked her the most.

"H-huh? You're way too busy nowadays. I never see you!" The words escaped Agni

s lips even as her hands went to her hips.

"Do you miss me?" Katrin smiled affectionately, chuckling as she did so.

"....Yes!" Agni proudly declared, which made Katrin laugh even harder.

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And it was true! The two spent literally everyday together for more than a month. Before Agni realized it, Katrin was her security blanket. She was so used to having Katrin by her side that just two or three days of absence was enough to drive the Succubus to feeling lonely -- even if she was never truly alone.

In fact, loneliness seemed to be the theme of the day as she walked the streets of Sprim Row. Shula wouldn't come out, the only answer Agni got was.

*I'm tired. Leave me alone, I need to rest.*

"Ungrateful little imp. I let you use my body rent free and this is the thanks I get?" If Agni could see herself right now she'd probably exclaim something along the lines of "cute!". One could see her current act of pouting as something along these lines.

Soon Agni found herself standing in front of the third story structure of the Silken Petal. It remained the same as ever but something entirely different was out of place this morning.

"Zula? What are you doing outside?" Agni was surprised to find the owner of the Silken Petal standing at the front of the establishment.

"I had a feeling you'd probably show up this morning." Zula remarked even as she stared affectionately at Agni. Zula's fuschia colored eyes were beautiful in their own right and only served to amplify the Courtesan's natural beauty.

"It's a nice day. Let's walk." Zula then said as she pushed a strand of her long, black hair to the side.

And so the two took a stroll.

"Agni, have you ever thought about how much you've changed since you came to this world?" Zula began as the two walked side by side. Their destination was uncertain, but it was the least of Agni's concerns.

"No. Not really. You mean...besides the obvious?" Agni motioned towards her womanly figure.

"Well, that's a given. But...I'm surprised you are still hung up on that. You're a woman now after all. You've even begun to act the part."

"Really? How so?" Agni inquired.

Zula chuckled, a lasting smile taking over her expression in the process.

"Well. for one. Your style of dress." Zula was referring to Agni's love for the casual whenever she could get away with it. Agni was currently wearing a tied t-shirt and a pair of blue jean shorts.

"I-it's comfortable.." Agni felt as if she'd been called out on something.

"There's nothing wrong with it. It's just an example of how you've become accustomed to a woman's body. For women, comfort is paramount. But...even though you may have gotten used to a woman's body, you have yet to master a woman's mind or heart. You may not know this but -- as women we are at the mercy of our moods many times." Zula explained.

"Our emotions are our greatest power. We could be completely lazy one day and the next move with grace like a queen. Determined or unhinged. Our feelings often hold that much sway over us."

"Isn't that the same for men though?" Agni asked. She didn't necessarily buy Zula's explanation. In fact, it sounded somewhat sexist!

"Of course. I've been a woman all of my life. Both of them. Also, I have special insight and tons of practical experience." Zula remarked.

"Have you ever given thought to why you're so resistant to being a succubus?" Zula next asked.

"Resistant? That's not really the word I would use…." Agni said. She didn't necessarily have a problem with being a demon-kin. It was more of the activities associated with it…

"Do you know that adventurer bodies are resistant to normal diseases and sickness?" Zula next asked.

"No. I had no idea. But now that you mention it.. I haven't ever felt sick or under the weather…"

"Mhm. That means two of the biggest reasons for abstaining to sex are no longer necessary. You can enjoy yourself -- and the body of others as freely as you want. If sex and intimacy are natural--and you're a demon that represents these ideals… Why do you feel engaging in sexual acts is 'bad' ? "

"What? I never said that…" Agni responded.

"No, you didn't. But...it's what you feel. The deepest part of you, perhaps a part you've lived with for so long that you don't even recognize it. It's like a silent passenger in your heart and it pulls you in two directions constantly." Zula stopped walking and grabbed Agni's hands at this point, bringing Agni to a stop as well.

On reflex Agni's first instinct was to feel uncomfortable. The sensation was so strong that she herself began to question it.

*I..touch people all the time. Why is this any different? Is it some kind of skill?" Agni cast an inquisitive gaze at Zula whose expression remained pleasant.

"You feel...antsy right? Nervous?"

"Yes…" Agni replied slowly.

"That's a sign of emotional trauma. It's related to your complex. Subconsciously, you..feel like intimacy is a bad thing. Even the act of touching someone...or more specifically being touched…"

"I know but..that's what's so confusing. I've touched and been touched.." Agni's voice lowered somewhat out of embarrassment, " plenty of times.."

"And yet...you want to pull away...do you not? Do you find me unattractive Agni?" Zula stepped forward so that the two were merely centimeters apart. Zula's eyes held a warmth and comfort that made Agni feel absorbed. Yet, as Zula noted her body was reacting quite differently. Now that things were called into focus Agni could feel a sense of hesitancy which caused her to struggle against the urge to break contact.

"Intimacy isn't a sin. Neither is touching. Or caressing." Zula released her grip on Agni's hands and traced her fingers along Agni's cheek. Agni felt her heart skip a beat as she violently tried to reject the tender emotions swirling about in her chest. The reaction was so strong that Agni took a step back and simply stared.

Suddenly a sense of disappointment quickly set in for the succubus.

*Why can't I do this? This should be nothing! I've … I've had threesomes! I've been groped relentlessly by Bracha! I've slept in the nude with Katrin -- multiple times. This.. this doesn't make sense.* Agni's mind raced as she glanced down at her hand which was now shaking like a leaf.

"Relax. It's okay." Zula's voice was as silky as it was comforting. She took Agni's hands in her own once again before she continued to speak.

"You know, there's one thing I noticed about you Agni. It's not necessarily a bad thing but…you tend to view the world in black and white, yes?"

Agni nodded in affirmation, "Maybe?" She stopped to think for a moment then replied, "Yea. Is that a problem?"

"Yes...and no. You see to the truth of matters and because of this you can quickly understand anything if you have all of the facts. But if you look at it another way, you can also miss all of the subtle nuances that life has to offer." Zula explained.

Then she did something completely unexpected, she leaned in and kissed Agni. Not a superficial kiss, but a deep longing one which parted the Succubus' lips. Agni was caught off guard for the briefest of moments as Zula's tongue explored her mouth intimately.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds but it was enough to completely clear Agni's mind of all chaotic thought.

"What was that for?" This was the first question Agni felt compelled to ask. Zula's smile broadened as if she'd just made a point.

"Absolutely nothing. It was just a kiss. It didn't have to mean anything. But more importantly...did you enjoy it?"

"Y-yes…" Agni felt somewhat bashful yet she answered all the same.

"Do you...want another one?" Zula smiled gently as she caressed Agni's hands with her own.

*Of course I do..but this is…* Agni thought inwardly.

"Weird? Unexpected? " Zula's words finished Agni's thoughts. It wasn't the first time something like this happened around Zula or other adventurers for that matter.

*Am I really so easy to read?*

"Why is it weird? Why can't it just...be what it is? Listen, you're pushing too much logic into the experience. Logic is the opposite of emotion and that's why there's conflict within you. You view them as two opposing forces that can either be on or off at any given time."

"The reality is, they are two parts of you that should exist in harmony and balance. Unfortunately, your balance is off and it must be recovered. The sooner you learn this and put it into practice, the happier you'll be. And those invisible shackles you possess will quickly fall away." Zula further explained.

"You have to learn to be genuine to your desires, all of them. Intimacy is a part of sexuality but not the only part. Without exploring intimacy you will never reach the full height of sexuality -- this is an undeniable truth. And the only way that you can get familiar with the unseen part of yourself is to explore..."

This time Zula grabbed Agni by the cheeks as she began kissing. Her mouth was more hungry with the second kiss and Agni found herself quickly being swept up in the passion. Of course she tried to resist but Zula's technique was not to be underestimated. Soon Agni was washed away in the heat of the moment and her hands began to act on their own. Zula neither shied away nor reacted as Agni's eager hands gripped her hips and began to squeeze.

The kiss lasted for less than a minute but Agni found herself removed from everything else during the exchange.

That is until she heard the sound of a clink. Agni's eyes popped open and immediately gazed downward at her wrist. There was now a slender silver bangle attached to Agni's wrist, courtesy of Zula.

"What's this?" Agni lifted her hand and gazed at it, even as Zula took a step away and straightened her kimono.

"It's homework. It will help you get over your complex."

As Agni lifted the "gift" to eye level a strange alert popped up.

[Daily Task : Grope a stranger.

Weekly Task : Give A Handjob]

"What the heck is this?" Agni asked as her eyes widened. Zula simply smiled and repeated herself.

"Homework."