The Chest sat. Fine oak, and steel bands, it stood alone, in a musty stone room. The drapery had long since rotted away, the fine golden rails long since stolen, but the Chest... The Chest remained, as it had for decades.
Footsteps. The clink of heel on stone. A grunt of effort as someone settled themselves against the wall. And a hand on the chest.
"Look, I know you're in there."
The Chest said nothing.
"I'm not leaving until we at least
talk."
The Chest... opened. Just a crack. And a sulky voice emerged. "You didn't have to
hit
me..."
A sigh, and the hand withdrew. "Yeaaaah, I kinda did, although I
am
sorry. It was a panic reaction, and besides, you don't
do
that. Look, come out of there, and let's talk." The tone changed, a little breathier. "Besides, you're... You look nice. I wouldn't mind seeing that again."
"
Fiiiiine
. Although I'm still angry. I was going to show you a good time."
The Chest... Opened. And from it, emerged a blue skinned, feminine form, purple hair cropped short. She put her hands on her hips, and glared. "Okay, I'm out, and you can
talk
."
The adventurer, now in sight of the Chest, let out a sigh of relief. Her blonde hair was tied back, except for two bangs, and her sword was within reach, but laid down. She was still wearing her armour, but she smiled. "Okay. Let's start with a
sort of
apology. Yes, I hit you. You surprised me, and, judging by that big tongue reaching out for me, I'm guessing that was the point. But there are better ways of doing things, you know? You don't
have
to surprise people, rip all their clothes off, and ravish them." She lifted up part of her armour's adornments, a fine cloth hanging, and continued "I mean... These are expensive. Not to mention..." She shook her head "Look, there's better ways."
The glare softened, if only because it was being replaced by a look of confusion. "It's the only way I know. And
I
enjoy it. And everyone I've
met
seems to enjoy it. What's so wrong about that?"
The adventurer sighed again. "But did they enjoy it at
first
? Because our bodies do make us feel good during, it's true... But what about the before and after?"
The Chest blinked. Then looked down, her hands dropping to her sides "I... I don't tend to see much of before and after."
The adventurer nodded. "Sort of guessed as much. So... Let's make a deal. I show you my way... And if you don't
like
it, you get to do me
your
way. Deal?"
Some of that sulkiness returned, and the hands returned to the Chest's hips. "What if I-" She cocked her head "I get to try it
my
way if I don't like it?" Her stomach...
rumbled
, and she blushed. "Aaargh...