Chapter 10 - Feelings
By the time I left the auditorium and my meeting with the heads of Kink University, the sun was still pretty high overhead and had only barely taken a slight orange glow to it. My brain was still buzzing from everything that had happened... and what I had agreed to. But, oddly, I found myself in a hazy and easily distractible mindset. I noticed that the outside campus was relaxingly vacant. With nothing to do yet, I just meandered slowly toward the mess hall I assumed to be still closed, while taking in everything at a far more relaxed pace than before.
I noticed wildflowers growing on the side of the dirt paths--with flowers mostly arrayed in the yellows and oranges. Drawing in a relaxed breath, I stopped at a particularly vibrant clump of plantlife and sat down to see more closely. I wasn't sure if it was just where my mind was because of everything that had happened, but I thought that the shapes of the flowers looked even more like genitalia than the already very sexualized shapes of flowers I was used to seeing.
Most of these were long and featured clitoral buds between velvety lips--much like orchids. Others were compound flowers--like lavender--but shaped with a clearly defined heads on their already phallic shapes. The only traditionally round flowers were tiny pink and brown ones that served as ground cover. These didn't seem overly sexual at first, until I noticed how the centers poked up above the rest... like varying shaped nipples.
Upon these plants, I noticed mostly a sparse array of silver and gold beetles. The perfectly round shapes and shininess of their exoskeletons on this particular plantlife made me think of genital and nipple piercings--something I appreciated aesthetically, even if the prospect of the pain in getting them terrified me.
There were flying creatures as well--yellow and black-striped ones that I initially mistook for hornets. When one landed on a nipple-flower, however, I noticed that it was not an invertebrate at all, but rather a tiny skink-like lizard. It had a long, narrow body and slightly spiked scales that clearly carried little balls of pollen at their centers. There were three sets of very film-like wings--quite transparent and delicate-looking compared to the leathery ones I expected from a reptile. There was nothing inherently sexual about these animals (I should say, beyond the hemipenes and rough sex which characterized all skinks I knew of). Still, I was equally delighted by the presence of tiny dragon-bees.
In taking a break to look at all the lovely--if mildly arousing--plantlife, I realized how emotionally exhausted I was. Though the people in Kinky University were the kindest I had ever met, I hadn't really had time to process leaving my old life entirely behind. I asked myself, almost impatiently, what there was to miss or process. Family who mostly ignored or misgendered me? A few acquaintances I occasionally met for dinner? Work that seemed purposefully designed to be needlessly cruel? Sexual repression? Discrimination? No... none of it were worth going back to. The fact that I was even thinking of any of it made me feel angry with myself.
It... still had been a large change, I suppose. Not to mention the near-constant influx of new people. With my anxiety when it came to people, it had taken its toll on my energy. If anything, the fact that I was beginning to like them all had probably made the drain all the more covert. So, I was glad that I at least had the rest of the night to recharge. And... maybe it was okay for me to be patient with myself as I adjusted.
Out of curiosity, I walked toward the dining hall to see if it was open. This building was about a third of the size of the temple--a wooden and straw hut, with a stone chimney in the back. I entered through the front doors.
The inside of the dining hall was about what one would expect from the medieval equivalent of a university. A few windows provided the light--so it was certainly getting darker. A large hearth burned away in the far end of the room--over which pots were hung by a long metal rod. There seemed to be a private room in the back, which I guessed to be where the kitchen was. As for the rest of the space, wooden benches and tables were scattered about. This aspect seemed almost more like a tavern from a fantasy novel (which I suppose my life had become) than a cafeteria, which I found relaxing.
The room was empty, so I took a seat not far from the hearth. While it was still warm, I enjoyed watching the flames and feeling the dry heat on my face and through my clothes. I sat there for several minutes, just quietly staring at the fire, enjoying the smoky aroma mixed with that of some unknown food, and listening to the quiet crackling.
I was gently awoken from my trance when I heard something being placed on the table that I was sitting at. I turned to see a pair of clawed, scaled hands putting a cup and bowl in front of me. I looked up to see Mr. Spleck-still in his maid dress--giving a warm smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Spleck," I said in a hushed tone, not really sure why I was being so quiet.
"It is my delight!" Mr Spleck replied and gave a cute little curtsey. "I hope you enjoy the rabbit and vegetable stew. I went heavy on the butter and threw a few garlics into the pot, too! It tasted absolutely lovely to me, so I hope you enjoy."
Before he left, I brought the bowl to my lips and sipped. It was, indeed, very good. The meat and veggies were balanced, the flavors were rich without being overbearing, and there was a delightfully creamy texture to it. It was infinitely better than the frozen burritos, PB&J sandwiches, and oatmeal packages I lived off at home. I smiled and said, "It's amazing! I wish I was able to make food like this."
Mr. Spleck bared his little, sharp teeth and replied, "I'm so glad you like it! Maybe one day, I could arrange a cooking course! Wouldn't that be fun."
I smiled and nodded.
"Well, I must continue to prepare for the dinner rush. The far sink is for washing your bowl and cup; feel free to leave them drying on the rack." Mr. Spleck said and waved as he walked back toward the kitchen.
I waved back and then continued to eat my stew. I'm not proud to admit that I slurped quite loudly, and got several splashes of soup on my face. But I was famished, and it felt okay to do since I was alone. Once I was finished, I brought my dishes to the sink.
Right before I reached it, however, someone else entered through. She was a tallish woman with short, black hair. It was combed back elegantly, and seemed held in place by some kind of product. She looked almost human, except for her red-tinted skin and a certain glimmer in her brown eyes, which seemed more piercing and disarming than those of anyone I had ever met. She wore school robes; but hers were of an unmistakably higher quality. They seemed to be a black silk with an elegant sheen--cut to hug her body tightly and make her shoulders seem impressively broad, like a fine tuxedo.
"Ah, a student," the finely-dressed lady said with a tone of approval. "Have you seen my wife around?"
I stared at her blankly, trying desperately to find words.
"Oh! Are you new here?" she asked, smiling boldly but pleasantly.
