Volume 12 - Grand Opening, Chapter 86 - Business or Pleasure?

Yuisu smiled awkwardly at the mysterious woman that stood like an inscrutable obelisk in the cold morning air. Yuisu had memorized all the reservations, but recalling this woman's told her nothing: it had only said 'Miss Smith, human'.

Miss Smith's straight black hair, short skirt, and long black jacket gave the impression of no-nonsense business, and her dark sunglasses added a bit of enigmatic allure. Yuisu had seen this style before, and it screamed 'government official'.

Yuisu decided to be very careful around this woman. Agent Will had bent several rules in Yuisu's favor, but the Inn was a real business now and the last thing it needed was trouble with the law.

Yuisu swallowed nervously and said, "Come on in, please. I believe I have you booked in the far cabin, but I can change that if you'd like."

Miss Smith followed Yuisu inside and said, "The far cabin is fine. I'll be so busy that I might not even return some nights anyway."

Yuisu's eyes widened. "Oh, really? What is it you do?" she asked, her curiosity finally overcoming her nervousness.

"Oh, Agent Will never told you about me? How like him," Miss Smith scoffed. She grinned and said, "I'm an Interspecies Exchange coordinator, among other things. I'll be working with Korbin on liminal relations and regulatory issues."

Yuisu nodded. Her first impression of Miss Smith seemed correct: the woman was extremely serious and intense. "Before we go to your room, can I get you anything? Coffee perhaps?" ventured Yuisu.

Miss Smith suddenly lit up with a genuine smile that betrayed her entire formal persona. "Ooh, I'd love some coffee." Almost immediately, the serious attitude returned and she added, "But I'll need to take it to go. I've got a meeting in town very soon."

"Of course, of course. I have a thermos you can take with you." Yuisu ran ahead to the kitchen and found that Miti and Tsuen had already wandered off somewhere. She saw that a fresh pot of coffee had already been brewed, by Tsuen most likely, and Yuisu did a little victory fist-pump. She dug around for a thermos, filled it up with coffee, then called back toward the entryway, "Would you like any sugar or cream?"

"Black is fine."

Of course. Dark and serious like the rest of her, Yuisu thought. She screwed the cap on the container, double-checked that it was secure, and hurried back to the foyer.

Miss Smith had been casting a critical eye around the room while she waited. Tools and planks of wood were stacked against one wall, making her raise an eyebrow suspiciously. "What's going on there?" she asked, gesturing slightly with her chin.

Yuisu tensed up. "Oh, that's for remodeling this room into a proper reception area. Of course, we'll cordon off the area once the work starts, for the guests' safety." She handed over the thermos, then said, "Let me show you to your room, then I'll let you get to your important meeting."

Miss Smith took the thermos, nodded, and said, "Lead the way, Yuisu."

Even the furthest cabin was only a minute's walk from the house, so Miss Smith didn't even have time to taste her coffee before Yuisu handed over a key and said "Pick either of the bedrooms. The other is for another woman that will arrive later today. She's also consulting for Korbin."

Miss Smith nodded. "You've been a great host, Yuisu. Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to change before my meeting."

"Absolutely. Please call if you need anything," Yuisu said before jogging back toward the house.

A few minutes later, a woman stepped out of the end cabin looking quite different than the formal government official that had entered. She wore a yellow and black jacket zipped down to show some cleavage and her legs were accentuated by tight-fitting black leggings. Her pure black hair was pulled back into a long ponytail. The look was warm, sporty, and sexy. As she walked down the path, she took a sip from her thermos and whispered, "Hmm. Not as good as Darling's, but not bad."

Then she climbed into the same taxi that she'd arrived in just minutes prior. She handed the driver some cash and said, "Thanks for waiting. Do you know where the 'Wild Life' is?"

In a gruff voice, he replied, "Well, yeah, but the club ain't even open this early."

"It's fine. That's just where he's meeting me," she said with an eager smile.

By the end of that day, the inn was filled to capacity with consultants and specialists of all genders and species. For the most part, they would all be too busy with meetings in town to socialize around the inn, but Yuisu tried to visit in the evening and see if there was anything she could do to make their stay better.

She'd made her rounds to the five new cabins and had started toward the old cabin to check on Lethe when a voice called out to her from the driveway-side path.

"Looking for me, Yuisu?" It was Lethe, but she didn't have her normal upbeat tone.

Yuisu turned around and saw why: Leth's wings were pulled close around her upper body, adding a little coverage to her light jacket, and her high-top sneakers were soaked through with slushy snow. She was visibly shivering and there was an unnerving scowl on her face.

Yuisu replied, "Yeah, I was. Are you alright, Lethe? You don't look so good."

Lethe shook her head and grumbled, "Korbin decided to have a meeting outdoors, saying something about 'getting an intimate understanding of the job at hand'…" She mimicked his rough voice pretty well, which made Yuisu smile. "All it really meant was the entire legal team wandering around the construction site in the snow like a bunch of idiots." Lethe waved a hand over her thin shirt and short skirt. "Obviously, I wasn't dressed for that…"

Yuisu wanted to say, 'I told you so', but she held herself back. Instead, she said, "In case Korbin does that again, Chione might have a heavy coat that would fit your wings, and you can borrow a pair of my snow boots."

Lethe smiled wearily. "Yeah, that'd be great, actually. Thanks, Yuisu." Then an earnest look appeared in her eyes. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a hot date with a hot spring."

"Of course. Enjoy!" Yuisu said as she stepped out of the way to let Lethe squeeze past on the thin strip of shoveled walkway. Yuisu ran to the house to find the clothes she'd mentioned while Lethe continued to the cabin.

After grabbing some dry clothes and a towel, Lethe beelined for the hot spring. She was glad to find that it was scheduled for all-gender bathing. She hoped there were some men there, since a soak in the spring paired with a deep drink of arousal sounded absolutely divine.

She opened the gate and stepped into the little covered changing area, then stripped down. Even with the hot spring nearby, the air was bitterly cold, so she quickly stuck her clothes in a basket and hurried out to the water.

Lethe was a little bummed to find only one person bathing: a woman. It wasn't anyone she recognized either. The woman was tall and busty with long, pale blue hair cascading down into the pool. She had been wearing a towel around her chest, but it was falling off in the water. She didn't seem to mind.

"Hey there! Come on in, the water's fine!" the woman called out, her voice friendly and warm. "I'm Miti, but I'm afraid I don't know yer name yet."

Lethe stepped forward and cautiously dipped a toe in the hot spring. She wanted to ease herself into the heat, but she was also a little caught off guard by Miti's friendliness. Being friendly wasn't a common first reaction upon meeting a devil, even a naked one. As her long, slender leg slipped into the soothing heat, Lethe said, "I'm Lethe. I'm doing legal consulting for Korbin. How about you?"

Miti laughed. It was a hearty, genuine laugh and it sent ripples through the water. "Oh, I'm helpin' with the winter sports and equipment, but this ain't the time for talkin' about that, darlin'!" She playfully slapped the surface of the water with one massive hand. "My rule is 'No work in the hot spring'!"

Lethe giggled a little and her scowl melted away. "That's a good policy, Miti."

The yeti cast an appraising eye over Lethe's tense face and added, "Unless you got somethin' to get off yer chest, in which case I'd be happy to listen."

Wow, she read me like a book, Lethe thought. She sighed and said, "Well, it isn't totally work related, but…" After that little preface, Lethe let loose, "I just hate this weather! It's awful. All cold and wet and miserable. Why can't it be warm and dry and comfortable?! I can't even show skin without it freezing."

After a brief pause, Lethe added, "No offense, since you look like the winter type. I guess I'm just a summer girl, through and through. "

Once Miti was sure Lethe had finished her little rant, she said, "No offense taken, darlin'. I know the winter's not for everyone. Heck, even I need some heat from time to time." As she spoke, she gestured with one arm over the hot spring, causing steam to rise from her wet fur into the freezing air.

Lethe settled deeper into the steaming water. Her long blonde hair drifted in the slight current and the tension she held in her shoulders and back melted away. She spared another glance at Miti. She's super pretty, in a country sort of way, and she's got a great attitude… As Lethe eyed Miti's bountiful curves through the clear spring water, she found herself getting a little aroused. Unfortunately, succubi can't draw sustenance from their own sexual excitement. Lethe then noticed that Miti wasn't emitting any arousal at all, despite Lethe's pornstar-perfect body being on display. Hmm, I guess she's straight. Damn. At least she's fun to talk to.

For nearly an hour, Lethe and Miti chatted about nothing much, just relaxing and enjoying the calm atmosphere. Finally, Lethe was feeling a little overheated and pruny and decided to get out. She stood up and quickly wrapped herself in a towel to shield her wet skin from the cold. "Seeya around, Miti. I may have to make a routine of this," she said, then darted off to get her clothes.

Miti smiled and waved a large hand. "Thanks for the company, darlin'. Have a good one!"

In the little 'changing room', which was really just a fenced-in area with some cubby-holes and a roof, Lethe dropped her towel and bent over to grab her underwear. They were lacy red booty-hugging panties that were both sexy and comfy, great for relaxing after a hard day.

Just then, the gate creaked open behind her. Lethe knew who had entered almost instantly, thanks to the wafting arousal pouring toward her. I know that taste, she thought, remembering her previous visit to the house. Though it's not as strong as before… Did Chione finally find a girl?

As Lethe had guessed, it was Chione who had opened the gate. The bubbly gargoyle let out a cute little EEP! upon seeing Lethe's heart-shaped ass on display. An arrow-tipped tail flicked devilishly through the air above it.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Chione blurted, already averting her eyes from Lethe's nude body. She grabbed the hem of her plaid skirt and fidgeted furiously.

"Don't be," two voices said in unison, one on each side of Chione.

Puzzled by that, Lethe turned and peered behind Chione. Standing there, barely visible against the white snow, was a tiny woman with multifaceted red eyes, fuzzy white antennae, and four soft grey wings. She was wearing a simple t-shirt and loose sweatpants, but the look was cute on her.

The small woman quietly said, "It's a changing room. Of course people might be naked in it, Chione."

Lethe finished pulling on her lacy red panties and stepped forward, still topless. The cold was still pervasive, but she ignored it for now. She had people to meet, after all. "Hi again, Chione. It's great to see you!" She turned to look at the other girl. "And who's your friend?"

The little mothgirl stepped forward and looked up at the taller succubus. She said, "I'm A-Actia. And I'm Chione's g-girlfriend!" Actia was fired up and feisty, but judging by her stutter she was still quite nervous in the sexy devil's presence.

Lethe smiled, equal parts friendly and fiendish. "It's nice to meet you, Actia. My name's Lethe, and don't worry, I won't seduce Chione." She licked her lips, tasting a new flavor of arousal rising from Actia, who couldn't help but catch an eyeful of the devil's D-cups. "At least not without you too."

Actia and Chione were both speechless and turning increasingly red, so Lethe just turned back to her basket of clothes. She hummed a little song to herself as she got dressed. It was fun to tease the girls, but she didn't mean anything by it. Their relationship's too new for anything that exciting.

In awkward silence, Chione and Actia stripped out of their clothes and wrapped themselves in towels to hide their nakedness and embarrassment. As they stepped toward the hot spring and Lethe opened the gate to leave, she called back, "By the way, you girls are, like, super cute together. Seeya later!"

The next morning, Lethe woke up feeling refreshed and limber, ready to face another day of legal meetings. She rolled out of bed and placed her feet on the floor. She was pleasantly surprised with how warm the carpet was, thanks to the cabin's in-floor heating.

The lithe succubus, wearing just her comfy red panties, stretched her arms and wings, then threw on a t-shirt. She grabbed a change of clothes and shuffled out into the cabin's shared kitchen area.

Iormu was there, sleepily sipping at a cup of coffee. She looked absolutely exhausted and lethargic.

"Good morning, Iormu. Where's Quess?"

With a grunt, Iormu gestured over her shoulder at the bedroom. "She went back to sleep, leaving me watching the munchkin." With that, she lifted the last dozen feet of her tail, which was coiled like a basket and holding a smiling purple slime-kid.

"Hi, Lethe-lady!" Pwess called out, then turned back to the waterproof tablet in her slimy hands. Judging by the sounds coming from it, she was watching a cartoon of some sort.

"Hiya, Pwess," Lethe replied, but it was unnoticed. It seemed cartoons were more interesting than a real-life demon. She turned back to Iormu and said, "I'm gonna take a shower, if that's alright."

After a long yawn, Iormu said, "Go for it."

Less than a minute later, Lethe stood under the blissful hot water of the shower. It couldn't quite compare to the hot spring, but it was wonderful all the same. She took time to shampoo and condition her long blonde hair, slowed only slightly by her horns being in the way. She'd just lathered up a sponge to wash her body when the bathroom door creaked open.

Lethe looked that way, but didn't see anyone. Did I not shut it properly? Hmm, whatever, she thought. Lethe returned to washing herself, taking extra care to scrub and exfoliate all over. Appearances were quite important to a succubus, after all. As she ran the frothy sponge over her toned body, she heard a distinctly non-sponge-like SPLAT sound.

"Hello?" she called out.

"Oh, hey, Lethe-lady," a small voice answered casually.

Lethe stepped to the edge of the shower and peered over the glass divider. She wasn't too surprised to find a familiar purple slimegirl standing on the countertop.

For an instant, Lethe had an unfamiliar instinct to hide her naked body, but she noticed that Pwess wasn't even looking her way. Pwess was focused her own reflection on the bathroom mirror. Lethe watched as the little girl changed color and shape, trying on the forms of various characters, presumably from the cartoon she'd been watching.

From a yellow mouse to an owl with leaf-like wings, Pwess showed off her impressive shapeshifting skills. Her cartoon must have had commercial breaks too, because one of the forms she took on was that of a realistic little girl in a elementary school uniform, holding a can of soda. Pwess spun around, admiring her skirt and backpack, both looking surprisingly real.

"Wow, you're really good at that, Pwess," Lethe said.

Pwess turned back to her normal slime-lamia form and beamed up at Lethe. "Thanks, lady! I wanted to show my moms, but they were too tired and fell back asleep." Pwess tilted her head and frowned in thought, then asked, "What's an or-jee?"

Lethe's eyes went wide in surprise, her pink irises standing out sharply against her unusual black sclera. "Um, Pwess?" she asked carefully, "Where'd you hear that word?"

"Mommy said it today," Pwess answered matter-of-factly. "I asked why Mommy was so tired after just waking up, and she said 'crazy orgy dream'. Momma said it too, when she was making coffee, but then she covered her mouth like she said a bad word."

Lethe swallowed hard and her face went pale. She cleared her throat and tried to keep her voice calm and level. "Oh, don't worry about that word, Pwess. It's boring adult stuff. Now, can I have a bit of privacy to finish my shower?"

Pwess nodded. "Okie-dokie, lady. I wanna watch more cartoons anyway." With that, she hopped off the bathroom counter, landed with a PLOP, and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Lethe slumped back against the tile wall, a million thoughts running through her mind, Oh shit. Did I cast a dream spell in my sleep? I mean, I'd been meaning to offer an orgy dream, but… She sighed aloud, then whispered, "I must have been too relaxed. I should have known better." She stood back up, turned off the water, and stepped out of the shower.

As she toweled off and got dressed, Lethe muttered, "I guess all I can do now is apologize. That, and hope that they enjoyed their seven-woman, all-night dream orgy."