City of Cresthall

"Hmm, too bright..." Karra responds to the assistant, following alongside the group attempting to keep pace with the taller races. "The heat is like this all year, yes?"

Gasp just watches as Ominak leaves, scowling as much as a bird can muster. His expression softens, though, when one of the attendants approaches them. They don't seem abused or spoiled in any way. Good...good...at least there's that. Still, they're definitely under some sort of compulsion. They're bound to be here in some way. It's unforgivable. But they aren't in a position to do anything about it. He doesn't know how to remove his own binding, let alone a whole palace worth of servants! Violence would probably just get himself and the others killed. Ominak is quite powerful. It took a whole pirate crew, a crazed pirate captain wielding a large ax, and a turtle the size of an island to take him down. Plus there's Ominak's brother. He's been nothing but kind and jovial. If they DID have to take out Ominak...well...he's not in the business of depriving kind people of their family. Gasp just sighs.

Hatt nudges Bennett one last time, just for fun, relaxing as Ominak has now left.  Let's get this, he says to the others as they follow Bennett to the vault, and then let's just go.  Please.  I really want to get away from this place and out into the city.  We can find a nice, humble little tavern with a quiet, private back room where we can talk this thing through.  He says nothing else, conscious of the employee who is leading them towards their destination.  

Bennett smiles at Hatt, "Why don't you want to stay in this beautiful palace? We are living here for free, for now! Enjoy it, Hatt! Who knows when we will be in such a lavish lifestyle?"

The helper nods, "Yes, it's a bit of a burden but you grow accustomed to it. For the most part, we set up a lot of canopies in the town and pools to deal with the heat. Though probably the most annoying will be the bugs, the small ones though. Commander Sargt does his best to suppress the Thri-Keen assaults so all we have to worry about is the mosquitoes." As he leads you all, you see he's taking you to a heavily guarded fortress of a building. The guards don't stop any of you and bow their head to you all.

Unfortunately, you cannot. You look back to where the group was talking with him and he's not there or among the patrons there. The attendant nods and takes a step back, "I...I see...Let me just...call the guards. You don't seem to the be sort to have the gold for the services here." She raises a brow as she starts to look for a guard.

Hatt trudges along in silence, eyes to the front, praying silently to his Goddess that she protect his friends and himself as they enter this dangerous place.

Ashley produces the room key she and Crispy were given when Ominak's brother first brought them to the Spa a couple days ago. No need to call the guard. We will just return to our room.

Crispy's face wrinkles a bit in confusion. She didn't push the issue further, following Ashley's lead.

"Well, that was weird." She said as they walked away. "What do you wanna do now?"

((Does Bennett know the Thri-Keen? He has been here before, but here is a History just in case: 9))

Bennett will nod, "How is it going with the Thri-Keen situation? Are their assaults getting harder and harder to fight off?"

((Also, I couldn't help but notice that Crispy isn't level 5 yet. Might wanna level up, C-dawg. I have a funny feeling that shit is about to hit the fan.))

Oh, what, more sexy time? In case i'd be level 20.

Looks like we should just order more room service. Maybe we should find Ominak or his brother just to make sure everything is OK with us being here? 

"Sounds good. Maybe we can do that after room service?" Crispy asked, her stomach growling in protest with the answer it wanted to hear.

Of course silly. We eat, then we find Ominak or his brother. We should probably get our pay from the boys after they collect it too.

Crispy gave Ashley a big smirk, then grabbed her hand and walked back to their room. They settled in again and Crispy got comfortable on the bed. When the food arrived, they ate as politely as possible. Ashley ate in a dignified manner, it was Crispy who ate fast, and at times Ashley thought the rogue was going to choke. 

After eating, Crispy laid on the bed and pulled Ashley in close, her hand slowly moving up and down her back. She would occationally play with her hair and her finger would trace her pointed ears. 

Ashley was warm, and smelled like flowers. Her skin was tan, perfectly kissed by the sun. Crispy let Ashleys hands wander wherever she wanted, and her touch felt good and full of emotion. Ashley knew Crispy was ticklish and occationally reminded her. 

Crispy told Ashley stories of when she was in the Academy training and working, and would stop talking to pause to look into Ashleys eyes, which were beautiful and full of life. Crispy told her of the people she knew, like Astrid and Chubby, and of people she lost, like Aerik and his wife and kids - all murdered by Xanathar. She never had before but Crispy would move her arms around or lift up her shirt and tell Ashley about certain scars and imperfections. She even told her about the night her father broke her ribs, and she took Ashleys hand as she told the story so she could feel the ones that broke and never healed correctly.

She loved her. She wanted to keep her. Most of all she wanted to let her in completely, but was scared that once Ashley found out more about her, she would leave.

Ashley deeply enjoyed learning everything about Crispy. Once she stopped ticking her ears that is. She loved how Crispy had the faint smell of steel on her and how, despite her scars, she had glistening skin.  The story of her fathers abuse made Ashley want to hold Crispy close and tell her all would be OK with her there. 

She would tell Crispy of her simple home life before the Military. How her father was a baker in a small town and her mother took care of the small house. She would tell of her older sisters who all married village men before and after she left. She shared her dream of wanting more from life than a simple town could offer.  She had found something in Crispy that she had never found in anyone before. She found someone she could rely upon and be relied upon in return.  Someone ,although somewhat broken perhaps, was worth being with and made life worth more with each passing day. She loved Cora Perkins deeply, and wished to never be away from her..

@Bennett

"Don't know the exact details but they've been getting less frequent. They must be preparing for the upcoming march. Ah, here we are." The helper has lead you all to an entrance to a large hall. Before you is a yuan-ti sitting in a desk, he shuffles paper to and fro as he signs or stamps them. Behind him you see various of attendants in a simple blue attire go hurriedly between rooms. Some moving gold, some carrying staves or axes, or just simple documents. The yuan-ti at the desk glances up and raises a brow. "Yes?" The helper bows before him and states, "Master Opsola sends his regards, he'd like to withdraw a sum of gold from the his vault as per payment for these adventurers."

"Sum?"

"Twenty eight thousand and five hundred."

"Very well."

He takes a hold of a jewel on top of the desk and it glows for a moment. After it dulls he looks back, "It shall be ready momentarily, would you like it in platinums or gold?"

@Gasp

"I'm okay with platinums or gold. What ever is easier for you to count!" Bennett smiles with a slight bow.

Gasp is startled and stumbles back at the sudden whispers! 

 He feels the heat on his wrist. It's the shackle! He looks back to the snake man and the jewel he wields. Gasp, his feathers ruffled, begins to back away. He's doing everything he can to fight the urge to bolt, but he can hardly resist. 

Hatt is startled out of his prayer by Gasp's sudden movement, and looks at the kenku, wanting to ask him if he's okay, but then he notices the yuan-ti at the desk.  No, no conversations, no questions, nothing until we are away from this place, he thinks to himself.  He tries to run through the words just spoken, as he had been concentrating on his prayer at the time, and then speaks up, trying to avoid eye contact.  Platinum, not gold, if you please.  He turns to Bennett.  I think it will be hard to carry so much coin through the streets, even in platinum, without attracting attention from thieves and the like.

Meanwhile upstairs, as Ashley and Crispy giggled sharing stories and secrets, Crispy pulled Ashley in close. Their noses touching, she pulled her in for a kiss. Ashley had satisfied her every sexual desire completely, and deep down Crispy hoped she had as much fun as she did pleasuring her as much as she returned the favor releasing her energy with her. Crispy was more dominant, and Ashley didn't mind. They kissed for what seemed like hours upon hours, the heat or the act, causing their lips to chap over. When they would come up for air occasionally, they would smile or giggle and stare deeply into each others eyes. Ashley's eyes were like radiant emeralds, and Crispy's hands caressed her as they kissed again. Ashley had taken good care of herself, and as their bodies pressed against one other Crispy adored her form and did her best to show her romantically through slow hand movements and kissing how much she loved her. They writhed together in the embrace slowly, taking their time.

The beast inside her that was so hungry for sex was sleeping satisfied for now, and Crispy could take her time and be loving and sensual with Ashley as they kissing and touched. Her lips were soft and perfect, and Crispy held her in, wishing to herself this moment would last forever. Between more gulps for air, Crispy would stare at her face and memorize her striking features, and her fingers would slowly walk and trace each and every curve on her body and every muscle and bump.

Her mind wandered for a while in the bliss of romance, a feeling she rarely felt, and took it all in. Nothing felt more perfect, and she wished more than ever deep down that she could be more normal and cure the demons inside.