***This is the first of a twelve part series, inspired by some idle musings***
When Rebecca Ahlberg walked through the doors of Gunnar's Aim, every being in the place stopped. Not from fear, oh, no, not fear.
They stopped due to awe. And lust. Those beings which exuded pheromones began doing so.
She was tall for a human female, 6' feet, not counting the height added by the heels of her pale green shoes. Her measurements were 34C-24-36, and her eyes bright blue. Her long hair, reaching well below her shapely ass, was the red of a fire, with golden highlights throughout.
When she paused, everyone held their breath. She scanned the room quickly, looking for and finding the only human behind the bar. Making her way to that bar, beings eased away, giving her easy access to a stool at the corner of the bar.
The bartender, Gunnar himself, nodded and the volume of conversation began to pick back up. He leaned closer as she perched on the stool.
"Miss." He nodded again. "Are you sure you're in the right place?"
She smiled at him and took his breath away. "I'm fairly certain of it." She looked around, seeing faces turn quickly away, but aware that she was being furtively watched. "You are Gunnar?"
"That I am, Miss...?"
"I'm Becky."
"Becky, then." He looked at her again. "Is there something I can do for you, then?"
She nodded, took a breath, then, "I'm here to take the Zodiac Challenge."
He stood still. "The Zodiac Challenge?"
She nodded. "Yes. I understand that you're the gentleman in charge of it. Was I misinformed?"
"No, I'm the man alright." He chuckled. "Don't know that the word 'gentleman' applies, though." He looked at her again. "Care for a drink?"
"Yes, please. Vodka martini, shaken, not stirred."
"Very well." He began building her drink, thinking as he did. Once he set the drink in front of her, he put both hands on the bar. "I do have a few questions, though."
"Go ahead," she took a sip, then smiled. "Excellent!"
He nodded, then started. "How did you hear of the Challenge?"
"A former associate tried it last year. She quit, though, about halfway through it." He looked at her. "Her name's Cybele."
His eyes brightened at the name. "Short, beautiful black hair?" Becky nodded. "She made it to Canid, then gave up at Susidid."
"Yes. She was embarrassed when she told me about it." Becky leaned closer to Gunnar. "Is it true that each Challenge is worth one thousand credits?"
Gunnar nodded. "And, if you complete the entire Challenge, you receive one million credits on top of the twelve grand."
She licked her lips at hearing that, then smiled again. "I'm in." He looked at her, his eyebrows raising up. "Now. Tonight."
"Very well, then. If you'll follow me, then, Becky," he waved at another counterman before stepping around the end of the bar. He offered her an elbow, which she took.
He led her through a door off to one side of the bar, then down a short hall to a plain door. He stopped outside and pointed to a light placed discreetly above the door. "Inside, you'll find a bed, a sofa, several chairs, a kitchenette and a bath. At the end of your first encounter, either you or the Zodiac will flip the switch inside. If the switch is moved up, the encounter was successful for *both* parties. If the switch is moved down, the encounter was unsuccessful. Either of you may turn the switch down. Do you understand?" He looked directly into her eyes.
She nodded.
"Very well. Go inside, get comfortable, and within thirty minutes, your first Zodiac will enter. There are several robes hanging in the closet, if you wish to wear one."
Becky opened the door and went through it. The room was very nice, done in lavender and cream. She smiled, then began to examine the room. The bed was comfortable, as were the chairs. She peeked into the bathroom, noting that there was a bidet in addition to the toilet, with a standard tub/shower on the opposite side.
Walking to the closet, she examined the robes before choosing a silk one in light green. Laying it on the bed, she pulled off her jacket and blouse, hanging them in the closet. After sliding her skirt down her hips, she kicked off her heels, then set them in the closet. She hung the skirt and placed the shoes below it.
She sat on the couch, feet tucked under her while she sipped a cup of tea.
There was a tentative knock on the door, then a small shape entered. It was wearing a cape, and she saw a pair of glittering eyes under the hood.
"Good evening, misstressss..." the voice was soft, despite the lisp.
"My name is Becky. Please, come in and get comfortable."
There was a bob, and the shape turned, hanging the cape over the back of a straight chair near the door. "My name is Silenusss, Misstresss Becky."
She stretched out her hand. "Come closer, please. Let me see you."
He moved to just outside her easy reach. She looked at him more closely, recognizing him as a Rattican, similar in appearance to Earth rats. He wore no clothes but had a leather harness over his body. His snout was prominent, and she could see his nostrils opening and closing as he breathed in, testing the air. His whiskers quivered, and he smiled.
"You are eager, Misstresss Becky?"
"Yes, I am, Silenus. How do you know?"
"I can smell your eagernesss, a sscent working through your perfume, Misstresss."
He smiled again and moved even closer. "May I ssee you?"
She nodded, opening the robe, allowing him to see the scanty bra that contained her breasts. He inhaled quickly, and his fingers began to move, forming fists, then extending.
"My nipples are erect. Would you like to see them?"