Princess Bubblegum

PART 3: THE IMAGINARIUM

Tina Lafay was struggling to recall the events of the past week. Everything had happened so fast she hadn't been able to think about her arrest, let alone her imprisonment, her career, the narrowly escaped lesbian gangbang in the jail...or the truth of her family. Mistress Em said she had not been born in the human world and that she may have been tied to an ancient race of Fae.

None of this made any sense. It was like a dream and she felt like everything was moving so fast. Her long bath had helped slow her down somewhat. And After her bath, Tina felt like her skin was made of silk and she smelled as divinely enticing as the very sunset.

"The Faewilde suits you, my dear." Mistress Em's soft and full voice lifted Tina from her trance and the young human smiled her master. Mistress? She wasn't sure who Em was to her yet, but Tina was glad Em had invited her to walk in the garden this afternoon.

"Thank you, Mistress. I have to say it's incredible being here."

"Yes, it has been my home many centuries. And it has never lost its charm on me. It's a sacred place. Which must be protected and filled with as much life as it can hold."

Tina nodded then realized she didn't know what the Fae woman was saying. "Filled with life?"

Along a yellow brick pathway that Tina was pretty sure violated a copyright, the two women walked hand in hand and Mistress Em pointed out some of the more exotic plants growing there to her mortal companion. "Did you know that none of the flowers you see here today existed as they do now a thousand years ago?"

"I don't know much about earth plants let alone these." Tina smiled. "These are gorgeous though."

"Yes, and each one has spent centuries growing into what it is now. Possible only because of the context it finds itself in. Each plant adapts, borrows from, or grows with the others around it. The Hermenlies with the yellow sprouting suns and rising orange puffs, they started sprouting pollen only when they were planted near the Avenda's which in turn grew small berries, the juice of which fed the Hermenlies. No thing that lives lives without context. We are as we are because of our nature, our choices, and because of what we allow to grow around us."

Tina suddenly realized the conversation wasn't just about flowers.

"What does that have to do with me?" The human asked.

"Tell me, have you figured it out yet?" Mistress Em asked with a smile as she took a handful of Avenda berries in her hand and touches their juice tenderly to her lips. "The Core of Desire. I asked you the night we met and have been hoping you would reflect on it."

Tine felt a little embarrassed that she had thought more about Marwolfe's amazing dick and Mae's tiny little body more than she had about her mistress' riddle. "No...um no, Ma'am. I haven't figured that out yet."

Mistress Em nodded, showing her disappointment in her eyes. "I see. Well do give it some thought when you have time to spare. The point I was making about the flowers will help you solve it, I am sure. In the meantime, I shall speak more directly. The flowers have evolved, adapted because of the other flowers. They are made stronger by the variety of the garden. The Faewilde is like a garden. We need diversity if we are to keep growing stronger. And we need to keep growing stronger if we are to survive."

Tina smiled, Em was starting to sound like a liberal snowflake rambling about diversity. But then she remembered...the only ones not welcome in the Faewilde was her kind, Humans. Originally a part of this world called the Low Fae. They had been banished after losing a war to the Ravensfolk. She had been brought here, somewhat against the rules...for her safety. "Oh goddammit, am I some kind of refugee?" She thought to herself.

"The Faewilde has six kingdoms, including ours. Each one has its own culture, characteristic, strength, and purpose. Each one effects the others. We are who we are because of the neighboring kingdoms. We are made stronger by one another. Do you understand?"

"Not really." Tina admitted.

Em led Tine further away from her home, passed the gardens where they approached what actually looked like a road, or like Main Street back home. Gravel that looked soft. Streetlights with odd curving posts and warm pink light at the top, even in midday. There were buildings like small shops, homes, and one large structure at the end of the road.

"We are six kingdoms, when 7 there should be. When the Ravensfolk defeated your ancestors it was within their rights to banish the survivors and create the human race. However, they failed to realize the detriment that would cause to the Faewilde. The Lowfae were not called low because they didn't matter. They were the kingdom of the lower rings of our realm. Your kingdom existed in a relationship with the other six. That network of relationships empowered each of us. As the human race has grown, the Faewilde has lost some of itself. Without the Lowfae, the seventh kingdom...your people, we lack the context to be what we are meant to be."

Tina looked back over her shoulder toward the gardens they had left behind. She didn't know what to say, but she wanted Em to go on so she said, "Do you think we...could the Lowfae ever return?"

Mistress Em raised her brow and gestured to a small table with two chairs in front of a black brick building with lively green mortar lining the walls. Tina took her seat and realized this was not very different from a coffee shop she had been to in Italy once.

"It is possible. Some of us have made it our business to see that it is so. Making connections with those who still carry some of their Fae nature. Artists, singers, some builders. We had hoped to build a community of humans with fae affinity to negotiate a return with the Ravensfolk. But the sixth kingdom...they learned of our efforts and declared us traitors to all Faekind and increased their border patrol of earth. The program had to be shut down of course but the seeds were planted. Some humans had felt our call to them and came looking. People like your mother. Who had been told by her worlds healers that there was nothing they could do for her baby. So she called upon one of us and made a deal. A Fae healer brought your mother here and delivered you, not three days walk from this very property. Your mother loved you, Tina. You must know that. But, she was not allowed to stay under the wording of the deal. You would have been but she insisted you stay with her. Shortly after the two of you returned home, the Ravensfolk discovered what happened and they sought vengeance. It's a miracle you survived. Though they made your mothers death look like an accident, they must have assumed you were dead. Until recently, when they sought to ensure you never came looking for us. So they tried to lock you in a prison. We had kept our eye on you, child. And we felt compelled to intervene, or at least offer. It was still your decision of course. And you chose. You called on me, and thrice you declared yourself mine."

Something happened in Tina then. The way Em said the word "mine" sent a pulse through her that felt warm, quick, and soft. She found herself staring at Mistress Em's neckline. She saw the perfect pale skin, the strong shoulders, and the tops of what she knew were striking breasts. Larger than hers by quite a bit and she wondered if they were firm...or soft to the touch. Were her nipples big or small? She bet they tasted like candy.

"Tina?" Mistress Em said, shaking the human from her thoughts.

"Yes, and...I can't thank you enough. Um...so now that I am here...do I have to leave at some point?"

Em snapped her fingers and soon Mae, wearing a small white apron over fishnets made of black and pink fabric making a delicious showing of her thighs. A tight pink bra that seemed to just barely cover her nipples and her eye make up covered in bright blue. She came with a server's tray and set down two lattes. Tina had not ordered anything and neither had Mistress Em, but clearly they had known to make this.

Mistress sipped her and nodded, "You are a welcome guest on my estate as one who is mine. No one in the six kingdoms could come here and harm any who call me Mistress. However, if you leave the property, you are in the Wilde on your own. Any citizen of every kingdom, could have rights to harm or capture you. As a human, you have no standing place here, even as a Fae's servant."

Tina nodded, "Stay on the property. Got it."

"See that you do. After the other night I would assume the Ravensfolk are looking for a chance to take you. And I wouldn't want to know what they'd do if they could get you. Now then, you are welcome here but you did agree to serve, so we must find a way for you to improve my life."

Tina swallowed. Her throat felt dry and the coffee in her mouth tasted sweet when she licked her lips. She studied mistress Em closer. Tina could smell something sweet when the breeze blew past her mistress. Tina was not gay. She liked men. She was a good Christian woman with traditional family values. But when Em called her "mine" and said she needed to maker her mistress' life better...she found herself hoping it might involve Em naked and Tina's hands and tongue on her body.

Mae reached down and with a sweet and loving finger, lifted Tina's jaw, closing her gaping mouth. With a wink, the pixie girl vanished back inside. Em smiled in amusement and Tina collected herself. "um, what did you have in mind?"

Mistress Em nodded to the building they were sitting outside of. "You will work here, at the café Imaginarium."

Em finished her coffee and led Tina inside. The building was a large industrial sized space with a wide open area in the center. Several walled off rooms, sections hidden by colorful curtains. The floor was black marble. All the furniture was finely crafted and Tina felt like she was in one of those movies where vampires have weird mansions for no reason. There was a large red cushioned area in the middle with various chains and hooks reaching down from the ceiling rafters. The "bed" was at least fifty feet across and had benches along the edges made of black leather where guests could sit and...watch the bed? Tina wasn't sure. To the left of the door was a fairly normal looking bar with one end looking like an espresso bar and the other some nightclub set up with glass bottles filled with glowing colors.

"This doesn't look like a café." She mused.

"But it is. The café is a place of fantasy, escape, wonderment, and...desire. Here, if you watch our guests, you will come to understand the riddle better. And, you will likely enjoy the show. But make sure you do not get distracted. You are here to work and Mae cannot handle all the tasks herself. Though she is a wonderful little slave."

"Thank you, Mistress." Mae said as she appeared from around a corner holding a red silk cloth she used to shine tables nearby.

"Will I be tending bar then?" Tina smiled.

"You would need a great deal of schooling before you could mix and serve the potions sold here. But, many of them are premade and you can help Lorna take and serve the orders. She will be here in an hour or so. She can fill you in on your duties. I expect you to give her your best effort and full obedience as if anything she asks of you were a command straight from my lips."

Tina's eyes went to the Fae's lips as soon as she said the word and she had to clear her throat to stop staring. "Yes...um, yes maa'm."

"Mistress, young lady. You say yes mistress. Mae has done a wonderful job being an example. You should try to be more like her. In fact, she can help you pick out a uniform for tonight."

THE CAFE:

A couple hours after sunset, Café Imaginarium was positively packed with guests. Fae and...fae adjacent creatures Tina had never heard of were there. Dancing, drinking, talking. It seemed a fairly human experience with a few slight differences. Besides the usual things like some creatures having horns, neon colored skin, stuff like that. There were some potions Tina had sold that made people float and they flew right up to the ceiling where extra tables hung down from the rafters. Tina hardly even felt confused at this point.

The human had been given a basic orientation by Lorna, a purple skinned girl who called herself a faun, who had cloven feet, delicate hands, and what Tina knew was called a dump truck ass back home. She had a small nose that reminded Tina of the reindeer in that in Rudolph claymation movie. She was cute and kind but Tina was afraid of disappointing her. Em had been very clear Lorna was to be obeyed.

Tina mostly wiped tables, carried trays out, and refilled cups. The booth areas and curtained off sections of the club were unsurprisingly used for sex. Tina saw a light blue faun mounting a fae woman. Next door two male sadyrs were locked in deep passionate kisses and stroking one another. There were men in swings, women in harnesses, and all of that sex was just as casual and unsure to the guests of the café as if they had been discussing books. Tina was shocked at first. But the more scenes she happened upon, the more interested she was. She found herself staring. Wondering what it would be like to swap places with someone there getting fucked. Or fucking. She saw a young fae woman kneeling underneath a table while two older...much older it seemed, women sipped their waters. The younger one kneeling eagerly lapped between their legs while her own crotch was barred in what looked like steal underwear to keep her from touching herself. Tina saw that and pictured herself kneeling under the table while Mistress Em and Mae sat. She imagined what they tasted like. What sounds they could make for her. Would she have been able to make them cum, or would they have even noticed?

"Tina," Mae said, "Take this over to table 7 for me, will ya?"

Tina looked around, unsure which table was 7, until she spotted Marwolfe. He was sitting with a few of his friends, clearly off duty and relaxing. Tina looked down at her deep purple dress that looked more like lingerie than a dress. It was mostly see through and lacy and extenuated her curves more than anything she had ever worn. The only bra she was allowed to wear was little more than a few strings and two strategic caps hiding her nipples. Her panties on the the other hand were such a bright white they could be seen from across the room through her dress. She felt embarrassed to let Marwolfe see her dressed like that.

But, it was her job. She brought them the tray with variously colored drinks, not knowing what any of them were called, what they did, or who had ordered what. "All right folks, drinks are here. But, I am new, so you're gunna have to tell me which one is yours."

"Oh, I am sure you will pick it up in no time." A tipsy and smiling women with her breasts hanging out on full display cooed.

Marwolfe added, "I agree, Tina here is a quick study from what I have seen." He winked and moved his eyes up and down her body which made Tina feel flushed. She remembered learning from this giant of a man. Learning how to service his massive cock in a way that pleased him. Seeing him smile and say something that implied she had done well, made Tina grin.

"Well, it helps to have good teachers." Tina said, letting her eyes fall to Marwolfe's crotch where she could see the small arm sized dick imprint under his grey trousers.

Suddenly, the front door opened and a group of loud men...fae men(?) Tina was not sure, came barreling in singing some song that sounded like a sea shandy. They all wore the same light grey and blue uniform and Tina noticed they were certainly no human men. They were all at least seven feet tall and strong. The strongest of them, a man who probably could have taken Marwolfe in a wrestling match, with a thick red beard, bushy hair, and the manliest shoulders Tina could have pictured, was in the middle of this crowd. The other men were pushing and nudging him, saying something that looked like it was meant to tease the man, but Tina couldn't hear what they said to him. They were almost dragging him to the bar in a playful...frattish kind of way. Tina watch, curious and Marwolfe said, "Looks like the Queensguards had a shift change. The dayguards are just getting started. Actually, Tina, do you mind if we move tables away from the Great bed? I don't want to sit in the splash zone."

Tina helped them and then went behind the bar just as the burly men of the queensguard were getting ready to order. Lorna the bar manager leaned in toward the group, "If I didn't know any better I would say Captain Gallops here has a lost a bet today."

The group cheered, laughed and shoved the man who shook his head saying, "It was an unfair bet. I said there'd be three farmers coming to court today with requests and there were three!"

"Ah ah," one of the smaller men with a thick black mustache and slick hair said, "You didn't say there would be at least three. You said there would be three. There was not. There were four!"

The group jeered and shoved the man playfully. "All right, you guys are ridiculous. You remember I'm your superior, I can have you all working night shift next week."

The group laughed and the mustached man said, "Yeah, but tonight we are all your superior."

Tina watched in confusion while Lorna smiled, "I am sorry to say Captain Gallops, your men are right. The wording of the bet was very specific and clear. We are fae after all."

"Yeah yeah," the man conceded with a half grin and a half nervous look.

"So what will it be?"

The captain threw up his hands in surrender. "Boys?"

A man even taller than his captain, with black skin, a bald head, and missing an eye, leaned in and said, "Pretty Princess for the captain." The group laughed and ooooo'd loudly and the captain lowered his head in shame and defeat.

Lorna looked to Tina, noting her confusion, grinned and took out an order pad and started writing things like they were getting nachos. She clicked a pen with a practiced theatricality and said, "All right, one pretty princess for the captain. Three questions. #1 and maybe the most important. What flavor?"

"BubbleGUM!" Someone in the back of the group suggested. The laughter roared and the captain slumped further onto his elbows.

"One bubble gum princess coming up. Nice choice, but I will warn you that flavor will be in your beard for days. Okay, #2 is the princess prepared to dress herself or will we need to borrow an outfit for her?"

The guys exchanged disappointed looks, "Shit, Klaune, you were supposed to get the fit this time...." "Yeah well, I forgot, Captain here had me working doubles this week."

Lorna smiled. "All righty then." She reached out and grabbed a PA mic that sent a mild reverb throughout the club. Then she used a voice that reminded Tina of a sultry radio DJ. "Good evening guests of the Imaginarium. Tonight we have a very special treat for all of you who like to see someone truly surrender to their imagination. Our very own brave Captain Gallops is about to reward his hard working crew be becoming, for one night only, a pretty princess. And as all our fairy god mothers taught us, a princess is only as good as her gown. So, ladies of the café, can we get some donations of things our handsome, brave, courageous, manly captain may don for us tonight?"

The hall erupted in laughter and whistles and Captain Gallops' face turned bright red. He was literally twiddling his thumbs like the embarrassment was tying them up. Soon a handful of women came up, looked over the captain, laughed and then left something behind. Mae offered the biggest contribution and slipped out of her fishnet body suit of black and pink lining leaving herself naked save for her apron. A tall brunette woman took scrunchies from her hair. A woman with dark skin and silver eyes slipped out of a frilly tutu skirt and said, "Bippity boppity boop, you will look so cute."