62 A tempting though

When the ashes seemed to stop pouring so heavily, Riyku would notice just how much time had passed. "I think it is time to grab tonight's dinner." Riyku would remark which caused both Astraia and Astrid to look up before chuckling lightly. "It is. I had no clue how much time had passed." Astraia would remark. "The time slipped past me as well." Astrid would comment before taking note of a market a few skipping stones away. "Quite lucky though considering the market is just over there. What will you be making, if you do not mind me asking?" Astrid would inquire after pointing out the market's location. It looked like a store, although the building was more so made of obsidian than anything else. Riyku's lips would curve into a smile when she asked what he would be making. "A special dish." Although his reply was short and mysterious, both Astrid and Astraia could tell simply from the tone of his voice that it was something special indeed. The three of them made their way into the market and Riyku would pick out various ingredients he learned that were similar to ingredients back on Gaia. After all, he had worked in the kitchen area at Safe Haven a little after he settled in. Astrid and Astraia seemed to try and guess just what it was he was going to make, but could not place it into mind. When they arrived at the checkout area, Astraia was about to call to her source, but Riyku stopped her and called out to his own. Using his left hand he would bring forth a violet-colored sphere which the person at the checkout station would press some kind of device that looked like a pricing gun against the sphere. He would press the button on the gun and there would be a nice little 'Chung-ching' sound in which the cashier would nod. "All good." Before proceeding to bag up the ingredients. Riyku would dismiss his source which caused it to fade out and let his armrest at his side with a nod to the man. "Thank you." He would proceed to collect the bags.

Now since there was no 'material currency' like bills and coins. Those of the Underworld decided to use their Source which naturally stored Essences. Essences were pretty much one's life-force and the more one had the longer they generally lived. That meant that the rich lived longer than the poor, but in the Underworld, it was slightly different. Being rich was not always the best. Those who were rich were generally targeted because it meant they could live longer if they killed the rich and devoured their source. Of course, the rich were usually strong for that reason; however, just because one has a lot of essences does not mean they are strong. Their control over Diabolical Energy, their ability to use magic circles, and their fighting prowess all played factors in this as well. Just because someone has a bunch of Essences does not mean they are strong. Rich yes, but not strong. This is why the rich will usually hire bodyguards or trainers, some even keep it a secret that they are rich. This can also be applied to the poor as well. Just because someone is poor does not mean they are weak. It varies between individuals after all. Needless to say, Astrid and Astraia are not poor or rich. They are in the middle, but they are also strong. However, there is no need for them to go out killing others or even the alternative which is to hunt down the surrounding beasts and devour their essences. That is because they have Safe Haven which generates a good amount of essences or Essences Credit (EC).

Riyku would hold onto the bags meanwhile Astrid and Astraia walked along each side of him. Astrid on his right and Astraia on his left. They had been silent about the whole ordeal on Riyku paying. There was no reason for him to pay. After all, he could be considered 'poor'. Since he had only been around the Underworld for a little over a year. It wasn't that Astrid never paid him for his work though. She did pay him on a monthly basis; it was just that she knew that most people typically made a lot more EC within a year. Of course, they were doing other things. Killing, hunting, and prostitution. Riyku wasn't doing any of those, and of course, neither was she or Astraia. Still, she generally kept most of the EC that came in as a means to maintain the place through lighting, energy, and lava(water). This also applied to keep the food and drink coming in as well. Along with other expenses. So when all was said and done, what she had was probably a little bit more than what she gave Riyku. Even then, she could have footed the bill as expenses for food. So she was curious as to why Riyku decided to pay. "Why did you pay, when I could have paid for it?" Astrid asked.

Riyku glanced at her when she seemed to speak up. "Pay?" He took a moment to realize what she meant. After all, he paid for a lot of things today. "Because I wanted to." Riyku would respond with a smile. "Are you sure? I can give you some EC. I do not want you to end up with nothing after all." Astrid would add with concern and worry, but Riyku shook his head softly. "There is no need to worry. I am keeping track of my EC levels. I still have quite a bit to spare. I rarely use it for anything anyway so I have just been saving up since I started getting paid. I wanted to thank you both for everything you have done for me. So please do not worry. I am perfectly fine." When Riyku spoke those words, Astrid seemed to relax a bit. She trusted him enough with his word and nodded silently. Astraia had smiled softly in silence as she listened in. Glad to hear that Riyku was fine. The rest of the venture back to Safe Haven was just as peaceful.

While the rest of the way was peaceful. Trying to keep Astrid and Astraia out of the kitchen was a bit difficult. They wanted to help him prepare the food, and even also went as far as to wear aprons in the nude. Riyku had a few nosebleeds and because of this no work was getting done so Riyku politely asked them to go wash up and dinner would be ready around the time they got out. Which is what they did. Both of them were in the open bath out back behind Safe Haven. While it was open, it was also 'closed off'. Simply because there had been walls put up to keep eyes out. However, the skyward view was beautiful. The molten lava was nice to the skin as well and the ladies were capable of relaxing. Both of them sat nude next to each other with a soft sigh before Astrid finally spoke up. "He has grown a lot since you first brought him in."

Astraia nodded softly, "Yes he has. He was so lost at first. I thought he was just trying to be deceptive, but he generally knew nothing."

"It is a good thing you brought him in. Sure, I was skeptical that you brought a guy home and one nude at that, but I am happy you did. He is a nice person. It is quite clear that he does not belong here, as you said." Astrid would speak up.

"It has to do with that Contracted Entity. I am sure of it. Then there is Skeith..." Astraia would sigh lightly.

"Yeah. Other than Krowth I never met anyone ever so willing to do something so selfless." Astrid would add in a soft manner. Astraia would shift her eyes towards Astrid. "Mother..." She would speak in a hushed manner, her voice carrying concern. "Do not worry, Astra. I know Riyku is not Krowth and I know he can not replace him either. Riyku is Riyku." Astrid would comment to which Astraia would smile lightly. "Of course... that also means Riyku is a cherry boy. Right?" Astrid had this lustful glow in her eyes when she spoke that. Astraia who had settled back down moved hastily to look at her mother. "MOTHER!" She exclaimed which caused Astrid to chuckle lightly. "What? Being a virgin in the underworld at his age is extremely rare. Especially considering he's a man with a deep... alluring... tone and soooo much..." Astrid could not finish her sentence since she was squirming around like a fangirl with a heavy blush on her face. Astraia would sigh heavily and turn from her mother to relax against the bath. "Yes. I understand. But, remember mother; the way Riyku sees those things is different from a demon. He will only willingly do it with someone he loves." Astraia would comment.

Since Astraia wasn't looking at the time she did not notice her mother's twinkling eyes. It was only after the silence dug in did she turn to look at her mother and see that sparkle. "What?" Astraia would inquire in a confused manner. "He does love us though. Both of you and me, and we love him. So... He should be fine with it, yes? Oh... maybe we can--" Before Astrid could finish her sentence Astraia had interrupted her. "You will not seduce him." Astraia would state firmly. "But..." Astrid would whine. "No. No seduction." Astraia would stand firm. The two of them stared at each other for a bit before Astrid finally gave up with a soft sigh. "Fine, but if he comes onto me I will accept it." Astrid would add. Astraia would sigh heavily, "Yes. If he ever does. Riyku is not that type of person. So I doubt he will. Anyways, the food is just about done. I can smell it. Shall we?" Astraia would reply before speaking of the dinner that she could smell coming from inside of the house. Astrid would chuckle lightly and rise up. Her body truly was beautiful from bottom to top. Astraia followed up, and while her body was not as plump as Astrid's it was curvaceous with a sexy tone.

The two of them would dry off and put on something homey. Astrid wore a robe with a bit of cleavage to show off and a good portion of her thigh when she walked could be seen. As for Astraia, she was wearing a black crop top and black short shorts. Both of the ladies came in through the kitchen only to greet Riyku who was coming back into the kitchen to wash his hands and clean up. Seeing how hot and steamy their skin looked along with how fresh and beautiful they were made Riyku blush. "F-Food is ready. I put it on the table." Riyku would stutter for a moment which caused both of them to giggle lightly since they found it cute. Both of them moved past him and placed a kiss on each cheek.

"Thanks, Riy." Astraia would whisper softly.

"Thank you, dear." Astrid would speak in a hushed tone.

Riyku would wash up his hands and blink lightly before sigh softly. A voice echoed in the back of his mind. "I'll be damned. You seduced two women... Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Tell you what, let me give you some instructions on how to please a woman. Wouldn't want you to disappoint them after all." It was Skeith's voice. The demon always seemed to come in at just the 'perfect' moment with the 'perfect' thing to say. Riyku's cheeks flared even more. "I am good. Thank you. I do not plan on having sex with them. I do not want them to mistake my feelings for them are out of lust." Riyku would remark in a wholesome manner. Skeith nearly laughed at this remark, but just tsked at him a few times.

"Listen here, kid. There is nothing wrong with lusting after a beautiful woman. Just like there is nothing wrong with lusting after a handsome man. Besides, do you think that they will want to stay with someone who isn't willing to have sex with them? You won't do it now, when will you do it? Eventually, they will leave you, kid. I mean if a woman didn't want to have sex with me, I would leave her. That aspect of demons is the same no matter who it is." Skeith would add to which Riyku would retort, "But I am not like that." In the end, Skeith would sigh, "You are abnormal." A moment of silence was there before Riyku spoke up. He had been in thought about the whole matter since Skeith brought it up.

"If I don't do this with them, they will leave me? I mean... I suppose that is possible. Is sex really all that great?" Riyku would inquire curiously. While he had seen it happen before he never experienced it himself. If one could see it, Skeith was grinning; "Well... that depends on the person. Sex can be terrible if the person is terrible and it can be wonderful if the person is wonderful. I have had my share of bad partners so I can tell you that being a bad partner will cause them to leave you. I won't take over your body, but I'll give you a rundown play by play. All you have to do is follow through with it." Skeith would suggest as if he were kind of wingman. Riyku would just stare at the empty sink for a moment in thought.

"That sounds... weird. To have you there while I am doing it." Riyku would comment, his face was already flushed completely from the thoughts and the conversation itself. Skeith would snicker before replying, "Then before you plan on it. Tonight, after dinner. When you are washing up, I will give you a play by play on how to do these things. After which you can decide when you want to approach one of them or even both of them; however, I suggest you do a one on one. I doubt you have the stamina to handle two women after all you are a cherry boy." Skeith would tease, "Till then. Go enjoy your little meal time with them." With those final words, he seemed to leave Riyku before Riyku could even reply. Riyku was at a loss for words. His face flustered and his heart beating abnormally fast. "I... suppose I could try it..." Riyku would murmur softly, before taking some much-needed time to calm down then going to the dinner table to have a wonderful meal with the two women he loved.