Merchant & Monster Girls

Inside the massage parlor, a hearth stood sentry between two expansive picture windows that faced southeast and overlooked the grotto entrance. The wind had picked up, making the snow rage against the glass, but it was powerless to affect the unclothed people inside.

Rosalind's daughters lounged amongst four padded tables. They were easily distinguishable by their shared lineage: a small screw tail, plump bodies, and dark hair -- except for one who was blonde. They wore loose-fitting, pink tunics made of silk that only came down to mid-thigh on the taller girls.

Upon entry of the guests, Vanora turned to look and heralded, "They're here!"

She hopped off the table where she'd been sitting and trotted over to the guests. "Are you ready for your massage?"

"We are," Azalea answered for the group.

"Where are Mrs. Whitehorn and Mrs. Harpy?" Vanora checked, not seeing them come in.

"They'll be here momentarily."

"Okeeey! Please come this way, and I'll introduce you to my sisters. The one with too much make-up and not enough face is Persicina, the second oldest."

Persicina harrumpfed.

"Next to her, with the cute dimples, is Galerina."

Galerina waved shyly.

"On her right, with the birthing hips, is Porta."

Porta winked and stuck out her butt.

"And where was the other one?" Vanora rested her elbow on the last girl's head. "Oh, there you are! This here is Chantrelle, our sister whose height all went to her boobs."

Chantrelle smacked her sister's arm away. "Don't pay any attention to Vanora the bore! She's just jealous I have more brains in one boob than she does in her whole head. If you don't have a preference, I'd love to work on these little cuties right here!" She pointed to the fairies and held out her hands.

Azalea responded, "We don't mind! We're all yours!" The two fae climbed out of Devin's pocket and stepped onto her upturned palms.

"Persicina is used to working on harpies, so she can take Mrs. Owl. Galerina and Porta, can you handle Mrs. Whitehorn when she arrives?"

"Yes."

"Yes, Vanora."

"That just leaves Mr. Ebonplume and I. We'll be over here," she directed him with gestures to a table.

Devin removed his robe and climbed onto the padded surface. Initially seated on the edge, he moved to a prone position on his stomach.

"Let's see what I'm working with today." Vanora ran her hands along Devin's back and shoulders and up and down his legs, making a mental inventory of which muscles needed the most work.

Pouring oil on her hands, she asked, "How'd you enjoy the mudsprings?"

"It was... an unforgettable experience," he responded with a grin.

"I'm happy you enjoyed it. Doesn't your skin feel so smooth and clean?"

"I can't really tell."

"Hmm. Well, I'm sure you'll notice when I begin. I'm going to apply the oil now."

Devin heard the rustle of fabric. He tilted his head to see Vanora untying her robe and letting her breasts flop out. He was more impressed than surprised.

She picked up a vial of oil and poured it down her chest, rubbing it all around with her hands. Leaning over him, she let her breasts settle onto Devin's back and slid them all over.

"That's, uh, a strong-smelling oil."

"Isn't it relaxing? It's made from orchid petals," she offered with evident pride. "Makes some people's heads feel a little floaty."

As she leaned back, she worriedly asked, "You doing alright? I'm not too heavy?"

"I'm, uh, fine."

"Momma says it's silly to put the oil on this way, but I think it covers more surface area faster."

Devin wasn't going to argue. Before he laid his head back down, he glanced over at the pair of giggling fairies being thoroughly lathered from the neck down within Chantrelle's deep cleavage.

Vanora hummed while she worked. Soon enough, his backside was glistening from shoulder to foot.

"I'm going to begin now."

And begin she did. Whether attributed to her skill or this being his first time, the effect was immediate. He sighed as her hands glided up and down his back. Her short and stubby fingers, with alternating pressure, seemed to know just where and how to work out every stubborn knot.

The warmth of the room, the aroma of orchids, the tactile sensation, and the humming made him drowsy -- at least until a cool breeze suddenly blew through the room.

Reina held the door open for Jeni, the frigid hallway air momentarily battling with the heat from the roaring fire on the other side of the room.

The three remaining daughters glided over and gave their names. Persicina took Jeni by the wing and helped her onto an X-shaped table diagonal from Devin. She laid down on her stomach, spread-eagle.

"You have lovely plumage, Mrs. Harpy."

"This one thanks you."

"I have several tools here I'm going to use to preen your feathers. We'll get them zipped back up, all nicely aligned. Would you like me to oil them as well? I have a lovely assortment of special ones to choose from." Persicina held out a tray with the oils for Jeni.

When Jeni pointed to one, the piglin commended her, "Good choice -- a whiff of pine scent mixed with this one."

Reina, meanwhile, was being led across the room by Galerina and Porta, each holding a hand, to a table across from Devin. It was customized for her kind's unique anatomy. An extended platform, barely a hand's length above the floor, was covered with a reed mat. A raised portion sat at the head with a sizable hole.

She stepped up and knelt on the mat. The professionalism Galerina and Porta exhibited made her a little less hesitant to remove her robe.

"Comfortable? I can move this higher or lower, whatever feels best."

"A tiny bit higher, please."

Porta adjusted the height and took the Whitehorn's robe.

Reina placed her head in the hole for her face. In addition to the heady aroma of the oil, the air was scented with some kind of incense.

Porta solicited her, "Let us know if there is any specific spot you want us to focus on, miss."

"I will, thank you."

Both sisters began where her human half met her animal half. Galerina was on her right, working loose the muscles around the shoulder of her foreleg. Porta was on her left, lightly kneading the skin across her lower back.

Due either to the build-up of fatigue from pulling the sleigh or to her body being relaxed enough to feel it, she was sore all over now.

The Whitehorn watched their little two-toed feet shuffle back and forth until her thoughts wandered. So far, today's experiences had been fun and mostly positive. This one, though, was definitely the highlight, unlike her time in the mudpools. She felt bad about her visceral reaction toward Clayrissa and was glad the mud girl didn't seem to understand or take any offense.

Reina breathed a sigh of contentment. Being the primary hauler of her family, she could appreciate this treatment all the more. That appreciation lasted until she saw Chantrelle bring over a bucket of schlicums.

"Would you like the schlicum skin treatment?"

Reina's reaction was instant. "No! I mean, sorry, no thank you."

"As you wish." Chantrelle moved on to Devin's and the faes' table.

Seemingly unable to escape those things, Reina watched in horrific fascination as Vanora scooped a few out and placed them on Devin's calves, back, and thighs. She then returned and plopped two down for Zinni and Azalea, who were all too eager to jump inside the gooey creatures, getting enveloped up to their necks.

"This could become addictive," Zinni groaned.

"My skin feels all tingly! No, that's not the right word. Prickly!" injected Azalea.

"That's the sensation of salts and other impurities coming out," Chantrelle explained.

"Those're not the only things that will come out at this rate," chuckled Azalea.

Zinni submitted, "Azalea, you don't have to keep holding yourself back. I appreciate your encouraging me to hold out till whatever it is you have planned, but I'll be ok if you want to go ahead and cum."

Azalea reached through the membranes separating them and grasped Zinni's hand. "Are you sure?"

"I know how much you need it, and besides, I love watching you enjoying yourself."

Azalea squeezed her friend's hand and settled back into the schlicum and against Chantrelle's hand. "Maybe just a little orgasm."

Chantrelle, used to the occasional horny customer, was ready to assist. She cupped Azalea in her hand so the fae could rest against her palm while all her weight straddled the piglin's middle finger. Pressing down, Azalea ground her pussy against the pad of Chantrelle's index.

The schlicum sat passively until it tasted fairie's juices.

"It seems to like how you taste, Azalea." Noted Zinni watching the passive creature suddenly become lively as it sought the deeper source.

Blocked off by Chantrelle's finger, it resigned itself with whatever leaked out as it encircled the piglin's digit. Whether instinctively or just because it was the most prominent part sticking out, it paid particular attention to Azalea's perked-up clit. Superior to any finger, it swirled its liquid body underneath the protective hood, trapping the throbbing nub in a vortex of rotating liquid, driving the horny fairy wild.

Azalea thrashed and gasped as the same treatment began on her erect nipples. Tugging recklessly, she tried to grab at the porous body, but her hands found no purchase, leaving her at its whims.

Cold at first, the schlicum's body gradually warmed to match Azalea's. Eventually, they were so closely matched it bordered on sensory deprivation. Trapped in a bubble of pressure swishing and teasing every nerve, it read her body's reactions with frightening accuracy, knowing exactly where to apply its attention to help its moaning captive produce more tasty honey.

Zinni offered her fingers for Azalea to suck on, muffling her moans. "That looks like it feels amazing."

"It does. My sisters and I used them from time to time. They especially love mama's milk."

"Have you ever had one inside you?"

"No, I don't like the idea of it crawling around inside me. Would make chores a lot harder, too. Though maybe that'll change whenever I decide to become a mother."

Azalea hugged herself. "Y...you are gonna feel something strange when I cum," was all she could gasp out between moans.

Unsure what she meant by that, Chantrelle pressed on, helping drive her cute client to the ultimate state of relaxation.

Azalea readied herself for the transfer of her physical energy. Arching her back, she came... but something was wrong! Her glyph flickered briefly, and then nothing. With the normally assumed outlet blocked off, her body compensated. Instead of the assumed release, a backlash of surplus energy suddenly fueled her pleasure far beyond what she expected.

Azalea was no stranger to squirting. She could do it readily enough, or not if she chose, but with this particular orgasm, she found she had no control over it.

Ever since she had drawn the siphon crest on herself, she failed to orgasm hard enough to fully empty the special little glands on either side of her urethra. This time, though, what was usually a splash became a gush of thin, white liquid forcefully driven out of her by the uncontrollable contractions.

Her juices exploded out from under Chantrelle's finger and flooded through the ecstatic schlicum, turning its entire body golden white.

As Azalea came down from her climax, she looked around bewildered. "What happened? Why couldn't... why can't I activate my crest?"

"Oh, I should have mentioned... if you're a affinity user, when a schlicum touches you, it prevents crests and glyphs from activating. How? I don't know. Why? -- maybe they are just greedy for your yummy cummies."

"Can I get out now?"

"Of course." Chantrelle lifted Azalea and set her on the table. The worried fairy hurriedly rubbed her tummy and focused on her crest. As if nothing had happened, it lit up like normal.

"Everything alright now?" the piglin asked sweetly.

"Yes, just surprised."

"Azalea!" Zinni jumped out of her own schlicum and slipped, stumbling into Azalea. "Did it feel good? It must have! You re-dyed the entire schlicum! I don't think I've ever seen you cum that hard before. I'm a little jealous. I wish it was me you squirted on!"

"It was certainly one of the strongest orgasms I've had. Let me up! You're gonna make me do it again if you keep rubbing your naked body against me like that!" Azalea pled while pushing her friend firmly.

Zinni helped the winded fairy to her feet. "Did your stomach growl?"

"Ya. I think we are having dinner after this."

Zinni stretched her wings. "I can't wait to see what we'll have."

"What have you been eating since you've been here?" Azalea queried.

"Whatever the Svens had. Mostly mushrooms, lots and lots of mushrooms. I had no idea you could cook them in so many different ways!"

"It's a cultural food we are taught from a young age to forage for. You might even get to try another dish we like them in," hinted the porcine woman.

Azalea spoke up, "I can't wait to try it! Let's go over and see how close Life-mate and Reina are to being done. Wait, I almost forgot! Thank you for the massage, Chantrelle! I feel like a new fairy!"

"You are most welcome, cutie. I do hope you come back for another visit sometime."

----

After a full day of revitalizing their bodies, human, whitehorn, fae, and harpy concluded what amounted to a very pleasant day.

On the way back to their room, Azalea tugged on Devin's sleeve and pulled him away from the group.

"Life-mate, I probably should have brought this up earlier, but can I ask a favor?"

"Of course."

"Zinni has never had any intimate experiences aside from me, so I was wondering if you could let her live out some of her fantasies."

"I don't mind, though I'm not sure how energetic I'll be after Clayrissa's, um, feeding."

"Thank you! I want to start as soon as we return to our room."

"I think Rosalind said dinner would be waiting in our room."

"I completely forgot! After we eat, then!"

-----

On the way back to their room, Jeni quietly slipped away to find Rosalind.

At some point, a blizzard had started outside. The howl of the wind made the windows shudder and the hallway feel colder. Someone had reduced the amount of lit candles in the darkened hall, not that it mattered to the owl girl's eyes. As she shuffled down the shadowed passage, she thought about what she'd ask the piglin matron. Was there a connection between the legend of Squirme and Azalea's loathing of her heritage? It was the only time she'd seen Azalea truly upset about something, so maybe there was some connection.

Jeni entered the reception room. It was late, and the candles there had also been blown out, except for a few around the fire. Mrs. Sven was seated in a padded chair reading, caressing two schlicums nursing at her breasts.

"Oh, Mrs. Owl, do you need something?"

"This one doesn't want to intrude and maybe should come back later," Jeni apologized, backing out.

"No, no, it's alright. My condition keeps me lactating, and I need to relieve some of the swelling. I don't mind. Please sit down and tell me what's on your mind."

"This one would like to inquire further about the Squirme legend -- specifically, anything that might be a subject of contention or rile up readers."

The piglin matron looked down at the slimy creatures hungrily drinking her milk. Their generally clear bodies were gradually turning white. "While Squirme is usually the most talked-about aspect of the story, the main focus is actually about research into the origin of demi-humans."

Jeni was taken aback. "An unexpected topic. May this one ask who and when this was written?"

"I know not when it was written, but the author goes by the name of Aster. Certain details mentioned seemed to imply they may have been a fae of some sort, possibly a pixie."

"This one finds such an analysis hard to believe considering pixies aren't known for leaving their villages, especially for such donnish pursuits."

"True. Though maybe he was an exception. Perhaps curiosity and the call of adventure superseded their horny homebody mentality."

Rosalind eyed Jeni, then shifted topics slightly. "I'm going to guess there's more to your questions than idle curiosity. Would you be willing to share?"

"It wouldn't be this one's place to say."

"Sorry I couldn't be of much help. Perhaps, whatever it is you are seeking, you can find yourself?" Rosalind got up with Jeni's help, went to the reading nook, and pulled out a thick hardback book with the crudely drawn outline of what might have been the mythical Squirme on the cover from the shelf. "This is obviously a reprint, but you are welcome to take a look and see if it has the information you seek."

"This one thanks you."

"You're most welcome. I have an early morning, so I need to be getting to bed. I'll leave you a candle. Goodnight."

"This one bids you goodnight, Mrs. Sven."

Jeni found a high-back couch, put her feet up, and opened the front cover.

*'To the readers who may find interest in my work, I leave you my journal. An account of my journey into discovering the origin of demi-humans.'*

This topic was more surprising to Jeni than whether slime entities existed. It wasn't a topic that was talked about often. Few chose it as a valid field of research due to the lack of physical evidence to even point someone in a direction that would reveal information on their ancient past. Most of the current knowledge was passed through oral tradition which fewer and fewer put stock in these days. Those who did, though, considered it paramount due to its philosophical importance.

Perhaps Azalea was troubled by existential concerns? Importance was often placed in knowing where one's kind came from and how that might shape their future. Or maybe it wasn't something so grandiose, even more unlikely if the author was indeed a pixie.

Jeni turned the page. It wasn't possible for her to read the entire account even if she spent all night. At the very least, she would probably miss dinner -- something common for her when she became really involved with something. Due to the importance of this, it was worth it.

Fortunately, she knew how to skim pages for keywords, so she could get through a good portion of it in a short time.

---

It was as Devin and Azalea were catching up with everyone when Devin noticed someone was missing. "Where'd Jeni go?"

"She went to find Rosalind," Reina answered.

"Is everything alright?" worried Devin.

"Yes. She wanted to explore the library."

"Hope she gets back before the food's cold."

In the middle of the room sat a small, square grill next to a narrow table. It was piled high with kebabs skewered with sheep-girl cheese-stuffed mushrooms, wild onions, and carrots.

Zinni regarded the evenly diced pieces of food expertly thrust through with a metal rod. "Oh, what's this? Never seen this kind of dish before."

"These are kebabs. Looks like we cook them ourselves." Devin grabbed tongs from the fire and transferred burning coals to the grill.

"So we roast them?" asked Azalea. Upon Devin's affirmation, she grabbed a large skewer, nearly losing her balance.

Zinni hurried over to help Azalea. Together, the two fae leveraged the heavy metal pole toward the heat.

With her seated at the table, Devin inquired, "How hungry are you, Reina."

"I am quite famished, Herd-mate."

"Two skewers for starters?"

"Thank you."

Devin held each over the lapping flames. "So, what was everyone's favorite part of today?"

"I bet Life-mate's favorite was the mudsprings."

"Actually, it was the sauna. The mudsprings, um, lacked the intimacy the sauna had. Maybe close togetherness is a better way of saying it."

Zinni adjusted her grip on Azalea's skewer. "Uh... I don't know. I just enjoyed spending time with everyone."