Quick Author's Note:
Hello and thank you for checking out this story of mine!
As everyone has different kinks, I've included a list of tags at the end of this chapter so that those who are selective in which tags they partake in know exactly what to expect going into this chapter.
Regardless, enjoy the read and thank you once again!
Peace!
~ThrullWithASkull
~~~Chapter 1: Discussions and Devils~~~
The heavy crate creaked and groaned as it was loaded into the back of the cart, the sudden jolt causing Hori's head to bang back against the wooden side of it.
Groaning slightly, she rubbed her scalp as best she could, thankful that no bumps or bruising had occurred. After all, it would be a pity to mar the pale complexion she had been working diligently to maintain.
As she soothed her aching head, the heavy iron manacles and collar she wore shifted, the subtle clanking a reminder of the context she now found herself in, the situation she had signed herself up for.
Feeling the momentary pain beginning to subside, Hori took the opportunity to assume a more comfortable resting position for the journey ahead. As she did so, her eyes began to wander around the shadowy confines of the container, inspecting the rest of the "merchandise" that was joining her on the voyage to her new owner's home.
As fate would have it, the large air holes along the upper rim of the crate emitted enough light for Hori to see that there was only one other person in the crate with her--a humanoid form being chained to the far wall in the same manner as Hori--though she looked to be smaller than the human, maybe 3' to 3.5' tall at the most.
Whoever her buyer was, they must have been well off to afford two separate servants, mused Hori as she reclined back against the stiff wooden wall.
As her muscles relaxed, she found her mind beginning to wander, replaying the highlights of the past four months of her life and all the changes that had occurred....
~~~Four Months Prior~~~
As Hori walked down the busy street towards her favorite cafe, she let out a massive sigh, in desperate need of a cup of her favorite tea.
Her only son had just finished his bachelor's degree, and had not only departed from the house he and his mother shared, but from his home country of Normari entirely to work at a foriegn manufacturing company.
In truth, Hori could not be happier for him. Darren was getting started on building his own adult life, landing not only his dream job but a comfortable apartment to boot. In the month between his graduation and his departure, Hori could not think of a single time where he was not beaming, filled with excitement for the path that lay ahead of him.
A path that simultaneously left Hori alone in a house that was far too big, and far too empty...for one person to live in alone.
Thus as Darren was making travel arrangements and packing his things, Hori had spent a large amount of time...percolating. Thinking about her own future, now that the last of her familial obligations was setting out on his own.
The past decade had been an engaging one, meeting her late husband Jacob and his son Darren, building a family with them--it had been one of the most enjoyable experiences of her life to date.
It was just...now that the life she had known was changing forever...
...what did she want to do?
It was perplexing questions such as these that swirled in Hori's mind as she opened the front door to the cafe and strode in, her turbulent thoughts soothed by the familiar sights and smells.
As if in greeting, the cozy interior of the cafe seemed especially vibrant today. Dark wooden furniture accentuated the pleasant amber tone of the walls, creating a warm atmosphere that was enhanced by the smell of tea and freshly baked goods.
"Hori! It's been a hot minute since we last got together! How ya doin' babe?" shouted a familiar voice.
Hori's head perked up and over to a small table in the back of the cafe, one of the two seats already occupied by her friend, an ever mischievous--and unapologetic about it--succubus named Darci.
An immigrant from Exodea--a vast country to the south of Normari that was home to a large number of sentient nonhuman races--Darci demonstrated every day the vast differences in cultural values between the two countries.
Since they had first met by chance some six years ago, the devil had spent many afternoon tea sessions regaling Hori with tales of far-off domains and blush-inducing customs--as human stories about succubi were apparently understatements rather than over exaggerations.
In short, Exodea was a land completely unlike the human province of Normari, and Darci was an individual completely unlike any of Hori's other friends.
The fact that she also worked as a travel agent made her the perfect confidant for a little idea that had been forming in Hori's head since she had left her house that morning.
"Wow! So it's official! Junior has left the nest and mama bird's all by herself." smirked Darci as Hori set down her tray of refreshments and situated herself in the seat opposite the magenta demon.
"Indeed. Darren called me this morning to say that he is all settled in his new apartment and that his first day of work went very well." stated Hori, a proud smile spanning her face.
"Well congrats to Junior for the move, it takes some serious balls to up and leave the life you have known behind like that! He must get it from his mom or something." Darci said with a wide grin, the implication of her last statement not going unnoticed by Hori.
"Oh! You think he gets it from me?" said Hori, her smile transforming into an impish grin.
"Darling, I have met Jacob, he was a great man and a wonderful father figure. But you are the adventurous member of your family without a doubt." stated Darci with a smug smile, "And that's coming from the demon immigrant of all beings."
"Touché. That same wild spirit has been calling to me ever since Darren departed last week." Hori said, a wistful expression on her face as she gazed out one of the cafe's many windows, "I feel a yearning to go out and see more of what the world has to offer, now that my responsibilities here are complete."
"So Junior leaves the coop, and less than a week later, here comes Hori! Losing her mind and begging me to get her a one way ride anywhere but here!" chortled the devil, her chuckles escalating into full on cackles as she kicked back her chair while clutching her stomach.
After a moment, the demon's laughs began to die down and her chair came to rest back on the floor once more.
"Ah, thanks for that once Hori. It has been a busy week at work and I needed the stress relief." Darci said gratefully before continuing, "Truth be told, you lasted longer than I figured. I thought that it wouldn't be more than a day or two before you would be beating down my door due to cabin fever, begging me to book you a flight to anywhere but here."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, old friend." said Hori as she allowed a measure of mock hurt to enter her tone.
"Think nothing of it! Always glad to bring someone off of their pedestal...but knowing you, you'd rather be at the foot of said pedestal am I right...maybe even with a nice little collar on to boot?" said the demon as she smirked smugly.
"Once again I am reminded of the old saying 'don't share your secrets with the devil, lest they share them back with you.'." Hori said with a mock sigh.
"Oh, absolutely not! We demons don't really get the concept of privacy." chortled Darci once more.
"Yes, yes, so you have said before." said Hori a bit quietly, eager to shift the topic off of her private life and back to the original discussion.
Picking up the subtle drop in mood, Darci's mirthful expression faded into unusually serious one--her face rapidly shifting between emotions--almost as if she were mentally arguing with herself.
