"So how long have you two been waiting? Do people actually get to go home?" I sipped my drink gingerly. The feeling was calming but a million questions still raged in my head.
"Oh well I've been here for about 5 years and Liz has been here for at least 7. They gave us an estimate of about 20 years till we could go home. They tend to waive any concerns you have by promising a better life. It's always, oh we are setting up paperwork, oh don't worry you'll have a much better life. We all know they are just trying to extend the time they have with us."
Helena had chugged her mug of beer. She was going on her third. Liz was even deeper with 5 martinis down. Both of them were starting to look buzzed. As they were beacons, a large number of Lilim stole glances. I feared for them and their butts but I'm sure it was all safe.
"Yea and I totally don't care how I get home. This place is gwate. Cheap booze, pretty girls, just miss my dick." She slurred her words at this point. Her hair went wild and free and I noticed she had a tattoo on her chest. Leaning in to look closer she saw me. "Well if ya wanna see my titts you shoulda just asked."
She pulled down her shirt and both her nipples popped out. I blushed with embarrassment but managed to see the tattoo fully. It was a bluebird in flight. Pretty normal for a girl but what really shocked me is that she had one. All this time I'd only seen Lilim with any form of body art. Something about the change to a girl removes all marks. Maybe it also removed tattoos.
I thought that maybe it was the one who turned her that gave her the tattoo. Maybe she just got bored and bought one from an artist. Oh, I should totally get one one day. They look super cool and I never had the courage to try before. As I was lost in strange body art talk, I heard a loud thud. I looked down and saw Liz passed out on the table tits still showing. It must have triggered Helena as she went into a laughing fit.
"Oh my lord Liz you look ridiculous. Just any old girl could come up on your ass." She got up and stood behind Liz's presented ass. She grabbed both hips and started thrusting into her. "See just like this. Then you'd wake up all..." Before she could finish she fell to the floor with a bang. I checked to make sure she was ok and found both of them breathing. At least they are ok.
"Great, now I'm standing over two passed out people. Man if the cops saw me now I'd be in jail for sure." The staff came and helped check the two girls. Several guards Lilim rushed up the stairs and met me.
"Don't worry dear we will take these two to their rooms and guard them till they wake up. Intoxication happens here often so don't feel bad." She checked each of the glasses they were drinking and then inspected mine. "They all seem clear of poison. I guess you're more of a mother type with that drink. Are you expecting?"
"Oh no, I'm just not into alcohol. Never really enjoyed the stuff so I stick to soda and milk." She simply smiled coyly at me then collected the girls. Once the mess was all cleaned up the lounge returned to normal. Without any backup, I felt alone and scared. I tried to pay for my drink but was told that it was only counted as food so no charge. Guess that's the benefit of being basic.
I was left alone and still full of questions to this strange land. I knew that being alone was dangerous so I would have to find some help. I started my hunt for answers by seeing if any of the books in the lounge held anything.
At the bottom I found a small collection of books sitting on a shelf. They were all bound in normal leather and kept very clean. I started with a purple one that turned out to be a simple Lilium cookbook. They seemed very bland and limited on seasoning.
The next one I tried was a red one with a gold leaf. It was a guide to local fauna which seemed interesting. I made a note of it to come back later but moved on.
Several more books filled with mundane info left me defeated. Why wouldn't they include some history books? Is it so bad for Stolen to have an understanding? I tried to get my mind off of it by switching things up.
I decided that I wanted to check the board again to see if anyone else showed up. The stairs were filled up with humans and Lilim headed to the lounge. Most were dressed to party and the Lilim was all too keen on peeking. The two I'd passed on the way up were gone now. I hope she made a good choice.
Each floor was more of the same. It thinned out by the third floor. What really shocked me is the average height of humans. Most were really short, like 5 foot and only a handful were any taller than that. I felt like a giant, by comparison, only locking eyes with Lilim.
When I reached the bottom it was empty as far as I could see. Even the receptionist wasn't to be found. I cautiously walked to the name board. It was set on the top names and only then did I realize I needed magic to change it. What could I do though, I have magic just not the skill to do it. I angrily stared at the board trying to intimidate it into giving me the info.
"Um, you have to show it your bracelet." A sound no louder than a whisper in my ear came from the corner. Turning towards the source I saw her. She was hiding behind a book trying not to see me. She had spiraled purple horns and thick black hair bunched in a ponytail. She wore black-rimmed glasses and didn't seem to be wearing makeup. Strangely she had a thick wool sweater on, making it difficult to see her chest. The book she hid behind was thick and leather-backed. She was Lilim alright but she was hiding, not something I knew them for.
"Um just wave your wrist near the board to see your name." She softly said to me before hiding again. I did as she suggested waving my hand as close to the board as I could. The names cycled through till it got to mine. I noticed my spot still hadn't changed but a new name was below mine. I guess I can't assume more stolen won't be made. Whoever this Tony person is I hope they are ok.
"Hey, thanks for the help I never..." I cut off when I noticed she was gone. I hope I didn't scare her. I checked everywhere in the lobby but I couldn't find any trace. Oh well, I guess if I see her again I'll have to thank her. Looking out the door I saw a guard standing watch. She noticed me and smiled.
"Oh hello there. Do you have anywhere you would like to go?" She offered a hand to me.