Volume 7 - Clutching Coils, Chapter 42 - A Much Needed Break

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

Sigh…

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Iormu, please open up! I'll use my copy of the key if I have to," Yuisu yelled at the closed cabin door.

As Yuisu was reaching into her jean skirt pocket for the key, the door was unlocked and opened from the inside. The tip of Iormu's tail unwrapped from the door handle and lowered itself to the floor. Yuisu stepped inside and followed the scaly trail all the way into Iormu's room.

Splayed out on her back on the bed was the depressed form of Iormu. She mumbled, "What do you want, Yuisu? I don't want company."

Yuisu sighed, then drew herself up tall. "I understand that, but it's been almost a week and you need to stop sulking. Part of my job as an exchange program host is making sure my homestays spend time with others and get acquainted with human culture. You can't do that if you just mope in here forever."

"You really think people want me spending time with them? Like this?" She sat up on the bed and looked Yuisu in the eyes. Her makeup was smeared terribly, and her eyes were bloodshot and weary. Iormu's face was gaunt and her long hair was a tangled mess. There was no doubt that she'd been crying, and not taking very good care of herself either.

Yuisu stepped forward with purpose. "We'll get you cleaned up and you'll spend time with the other girls, whether you like it or not."

Iormu just flopped back onto the bed, her huge breasts quaking with the impact. "Whatever. I don't even care anymore. None of it will bring Antonio or Erin back, so I might as well."

With a huff, Yuisu grabbed Iormu's wrist and pulled. "Come on, we're going to the bathroom. I can't move you there myself, so you need to work with me Iormu. Please."

Iormu lurched from the bed and slithered along behind Yuisu. When they reached the bathroom, she saw herself in the mirror and looked away in disgust. "I look like shit."

Yuisu chuckled and said, "I wouldn't have said it quite like that, but yeah." Yuisu stepped behind Iormu and pushed her shoulders. "Get in the shower. I'm sure the hot water will make you feel better, and, uh, you kind of smell awful right now." As the jormungar obediently slid into the large shower area, Yuisu thought, Tough love actually seems to work with Iormu. Thank god, because there's no way I could actually force her to do anything, with her size and strength.

Iormu tossed her skirt and top out on the bathroom floor and pulled her tail in behind her, its massive length zig-zagging across the entire shower basin. She turned on the water before even bothering to close the sliding door.

Yuisu blushed, then averted her eyes and slid the fogged-glass shower door closed. It would take Iormu a while to wash her long hair and her much longer body, so Yuisu took the opportunity to catch Iormu up everything she'd been missing out on, from Mara's antics to the repairs to the hot spring. "Oh, and don't worry about that boulder in the hot spring. A work crew of minotaurs got a replacement put in easily."

"That's good," Iormu called over the low roar of the extra-large shower head. "I am really sorry about breaking that. I was just so upset…"

"Apology accepted, I just ask that you don't do it again," Yuisu said with a chuckle. "Oh, I've got fun news. The other girls have been wanting to go on a trip to the sea, and I got Agent Will to sign off on renting a bus. Are you interested in coming, Iormu?"

"You act like I have a choice. I'm pretty sure that me staying behind alone isn't really an option."

"It's true that I couldn't just leave you alone, but we'd really like you to come of your own volition. It should be a lot of fun, and a good change of pace." Yuisu grinned and added, "You might even have a vacation fling with some sexy guy."

In a shy voice, Iormu added, "Or girl."

"Huh?" Yuisu turned toward the voice out of habit, then turned away again when she saw Iormu's nude form through the frosted glass.

"I'm bisexual. I guess I should let you know that, since you're my host."

Yuisu stammered, "Oh, uh, sorry, uh, for assuming." First that you were gay, and then that you were straight. I have no idea how to handle this now, Yuisu thought, then changed the subject back. "In any case, it'll be nice to get out in the summer sun."

The glass door opened and Iormu slid out. Droplets of water ran down her chest and scales and dripped from her long, wavy hair. "Can you hand me a towel?"

Yuisu peeled her eyes away from Iormu's beautiful bare breasts and looked up at her face. Even without makeup, she looked much better after washing up, much prettier than before. "Oh, yeah, of course," she said, then passed a giant-sized towel to Iormu.

After nearly a minute of watching Iormu dry herself off a few inches at a time, Yuisu ventured, "Uh, do you want help with that?"

In a sultry voice, Iormu asked, "Would Haru approve?"

Yuisu flushed red. "I just meant, like, help you dry your tail, and not in a sexual way, since you're cold blooded and it'd be bad if you got too cold."

Iormu smiled for the first time in days. "I know what you meant. And yes, I'd like some help."

Yuisu grabbed a towel and started at the end of Iormu's tail.

"Just don't touch the-"

Iormu cut off as Yuisu wrapped the tip of Iormu's scaly tail in the soft towel and rubbed vigorously. For Lamias, the tip of their tail was a very sensitive erogenous zone, and Jormungands were the same. Waves of pleasure ran through Iormu's body, paralyzing her until Yuisu finally moved further along down Iormu's tail and left the tip alone.

Yuisu turned and looked at Iormu, unaware of what she'd just done. "What were you saying? Don't touch what?"

Iormu struggled to catch her breath from the near orgasm Yuisu had just given her. "Uh, nevermind," she said, blushing while Yuisu continued to dry her body.

The next day when everyone was gathered in the kitchen for dinner, Yuisu stood up to make an announcement. "Haru and I got approval for time off from work, and Agent Will got all the arrangements made, so we're all set for our summer trip!" She swept her gaze across the five liminal girls, then added. "Sorry for the short notice, but we leave at nine tomorrow morning. Make sure to get all your stuff packed tonight."

Suddenly, several voices were talking at the same time.

"How long is the bus ride?"

"Will I even fit in the bus?'

"We'll have internet at the hotel, right?"

"How many nights are we staying?"

"Is the beach one of those prude family-friendly ones, or can I wear my thong?"

All at once, all the voices stopped and all eyes focused on Haru.

"What?" she asked, raising her wings questioningly. "It's not every day I get to wear swim fashion, or work on my tan."

Yuisu's mouth hung open with a bit of drool at the corner. She was already lost in fantasy, imagining Haru baring almost everything in a tiny swimsuit.

Other than Haru, the girls were not amused. Mara yelled, "Earth to Yuri-su! We've got questions that need answers!"

Yuisu blinked and shook her head. "Sorry. Uh, the bus can definitely fit everyone, even Iormu. The drive is about four hours." She pondered for a second, then asked, "Uh, what else was asked?"

Quess listed off, "How many nights, internet, and… thong."

"We'll be there for three nights, since that was all I could get off work." Yuisu glared at Mara and said, "Yes, they have internet, but I won't let you waste the days on your computer." Finally she turned to Haru and blushed. "Yes, you can probably wear that. The beach is liminal-centric, and I don't think it has any dress-code."

Yuisu answered a few more questions, then collapsed into her chair and took a deep breath. "Well, I'm dead tired. Goodnight." She stood up and hobbled towards her and Haru's room, leaving the other girls casting confused glances at each other and at the clock. It was only eight o'clock, and Yuisu was normally a bit of a night owl.

Haru knew what was up, so she followed Yuisu. Once they were inside their bedroom, she wrapped Yuisu in a fluffy hug. She looked into Yuisu's green eyes and whispered, "You know, it defeats the point of a vacation if you get all stressed out about it, miss Yuisu."

Yuisu smiled and gave Haru a light kiss. "Bringing that 'miss Yuisu' thing back?"

"Only because I knew it'd make you smile. You need to relax. Everything's all arranged, so just take it easy."

"I know. It's just been stressful. I've never organized something like this, and I'm trying to solve Iormu's problems too."

Haru guided Yuisu to the bed and pushed her onto it. "And you're doing a great job, Yuisu. You always do. Now get under those covers and let me snuggle you to sleep."

Yuisu grinned and crawled into bed. As she was enveloped in feathery wings, Yuisu closed her eyes and said, "Thanks, Haru, for the support."

Haru nuzzled into Yuisu's black hair and whispered, "I'm just returning the favor for what you already do for all of us. You really are an amazing host."

The bus arrived a bit before nine and Tsuen and Quess started loading their luggage into it. The bus driver had no idea how to interact with the beautiful liminal women, so he just stayed in his driver's seat, fidgeting.

When Yuisu finally came out of the house, carrying some bags of her own, the driver let out a sigh of relief and ran up to her. "Yuisu, right? The name's Hotaro, but you can just call me Taro. Nice ta' meetcha." The scruffy-haired man stuck out a meaty hand.

Yuisu shook it and said, "Yup. Likewise. Did you already meet Tsuen and Quess?" She gestured at the centaur and slime.

Taro blushed. "Uh, kind of?"

Quess stepped up behind him and said, "He mumbled at us, then just peered at us over the back of the seat like a little kid."

The man jumped at her voice and fidgeted with the edge of his blue jacket. "Uh, sorry, ma'am. I ain't ever talked to a lumi, uh, liminal before."

Yuisu wore a warm smile and said, "Just treat them like regular women."

Taro smiled back and said, "Alright, I grew up with five sisters, so I think I can do that." He turned to Quess, stuck out his hand proudly and said, "I'm Taro, and it's nice to meet you."

Quess smiled broadly and took his hand in hers. Her cool, slick surface felt very strange, but not unpleasant. "It's a pleasure, Taro. My name is Quess. And this is Tsuen," she said as Tsuen stepped closer.

Due to her height, Tsuen's firm abs and tight-fitting sports bra were right at Taro's eye-level. He blushed and tilted his head back to look her in the eyes. "Greetin's, Tsuen. That's a real pretty name."

Tsuen flushed red and flicked her short magenta tail. "Thanks…"

Just then, Mara came bounding out of the house with her parasol overhead and a mesh bag full of plushies in her arms. "Hey, hands off my girlfriend, bus-driver-guy!" she called in a joking tone.

Haru followed behind, holding one suitcase, and then Iormu was behind that carrying several suitcases. She had no issues with the weight, but she was having some difficulty with her breasts getting in the way.

After some more introductions and a couple more trips getting luggage, everyone climbed into the grey bus. It was a full sized charter bus and a couple rows of seats had been temporarily removed, so there was more than enough room for everyone.

"Alright, ladies. If ya'll will settle in, we can get this show on the road," Taro called from his seat at the front. The bus engine roared to life and he turned the bus around in the wide gravel lot. Then they started the long downhill drive to the sea, kicking off a much needed vacation.