Classroom Changes: Chapter 11

The crowing of the cockatrice at her bedroom window startled Masuyo from a troubled sleep.

She groaned and held her head. It is said the glare of a cockatrice will kill a human; fortunately, its effect on demi-humans is less severe. Masuyo wasn’t sure she would classify the crushing migraine and nausea she was feeling as being fortunate, though. Her wings buzzed rapidly, an instinctive reaction to her aggravation.

Masuyo had not had a good night’s sleep since arriving in the Dark Realm. Every night was filled with disturbing dreams, in which she would start out feeling she was in control of the situation, but quickly realize things were not as they seemed. In the most recent one, she began as Cinderella, dancing with her Prince Charming, but then she looked down to find she was naked and her dance partner was a grinning hog that covered her with mud as it rubbed against her, its engorged penis pressing on her abdomen. All the attendees at the ball were laughing at her.

These dreams were no coincidence; Belladonna called them her lessons. Masuyo’s task was to learn to accept the indignities with grace and aplomb. She was improving. At first, she would scream at her oppressors and flee with tear-filled eyes. Now she was learning to roll with the punches. When the music stopped, she thanked her porcine dance partner and strode from the room with her head held high.

Masuyo was tired; she was never allowed enough sleep. Although she was tempted to go back to bed, she dared not. The one time she tried that, she experienced a terrifying nightmare that made her shudder whenever she recalled it. That was Belladonna's unique way of telling her not to dawdle.

Belladonna was Serass's sister and regent of the Dark Realm when Serass was absent. Her particular magical talent was the power of illusion, one aspect of which was the ability to observe and control the dreams of others. She was elfin in stature, just under a meter tall, and resembled Serass, although her eyes were crimson. She had iridescent butterfly wings. Her fairy-like appearance led those who didn't know her well to underestimate her, a mistake that only the fortunate survived. 

The dreams Belladonna visited on Masuyo were indistinguishable from reality. There was no way Masuyo could will herself to wake from them; she had to let them play out. All the realm knew that you would never awaken if you died in a dream sent by Belladonna. Your body would live on until it perished from natural causes, but your soul would be eternally trapped in an endless void; no reincarnation possible, just an infinity of nothingness. Fortunately for Masuyo, the dreams were always embarrassing and sometimes terrifying, but not yet deadly.

As Masuyo washed up and brushed her hair, she reflected on how she had arrived at this situation. Before the Event, she had been the queen bee of the mean girls' clique at her school. In an ironic twist, the Event had transformed her into a literal bee girl. 

Overconfident with her new power, she had challenged and assaulted Serass. Her punishment was becoming a drone bee, technically a male, with a giant phallus, but with her feminine human aspect unchanged. Her clique rejected her as a freak, leaving her a social outcast. 

Seeing how devastated Masuyo was, Umako had offered her an empathetic, if not quite friendly, ear. As she got to know Masuyo better, Umako realized that, like most bullies, Masuyo was just a frightened child who hurt others preemptively out of a fear that they would hurt her. 

Umako counselled Masuyo to apologize to Serass and ask her to remove the curse. Initially, this thought terrified Masuyo, who feared that a second encounter with the demon would leave her in even worse condition. Slowly, Umako was able to convince her that, although she could be harsh, Serass was not a monster. Umako offered to go with Masuyo to see Serass. Still, in a surprising display of maturity, Masuyo declared that she had gotten into this situation by herself and it was up to her to get herself out.

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So it was that two months ago, Masuyo had found herself at the door of the Monster Girl Cafe. After taking a few minutes to summon her courage, she opened the door and entered.

“Who let that bug in?” Serass shouted to no one in particular. A massive, fiery fly swatter materialized above Masuyo. 

“Stand still so I can smash you,” Serass commanded. Masuyo tried to flee, but her legs would not obey her. Her wings vibrated feebly but would not lift her. She closed her eyes and waited for the fatal blow. It never arrived. 

“The look on your face, hilarious!” Serass gasped amidst bouts of laughter.  The demonic swatter vanished, but Masuyo’s legs remained unresponsive. 

Serass's visage turned serious. “Why are you here?” she asked, “I'm sure I told you to stay out of my way.”

“I came to apologize,” Masuyo said in a tiny voice, her eyes fixed on the floor.

“I didn’t hear you. Look at me when you speak.” Serass ordered. Masuyo's head involuntarily snapped up, and her eyes fixed on Serass, unable to look away. “Well,” she told herself, “If I’m going to do this, I better just get on with it.”

“I want to apologize to you for how I acted on the day of the Event,” Masuyo repeated, more assertive this time. “I was completely out of line. Not only was I rude, but the sting I gave you could have been fatal.”

“We lilim are a lot tougher than that,” Serass replied dismissively, “But then you didn’t know that at the time, did you?”

“No, I didn’t,” Masuyo admitted, “Please believe the guilt I feel about my lack of control haunts me. I know I was a bully, but I never meant to be a killer.”

“In a way, I should thank you for cursing me,” Masuyo reflected, “It taught me how fake my ‘friends’ were. How fake I was, too.”

“I'm happy it worked out so well for you,” Serass replied sardonically.

“Yeah, about that,” Masuyo hesitated, “I was hoping that maybe now that I’ve learned my lesson, you might change me back?”

Serass carefully studied Masuyo. 

“You are on the right path,” Serass decided, “but you have a long way to go.”

Masuyo was crestfallen. Her first reaction was to argue that she had earned the right to be restored. But she realized that sense of entitlement might be precisely what Serass was referring to. “Be humble,” she told herself. 

“What can I do to prove myself to you?”

“You have had servants to order around all your life. You need to experience life from the other side,” Serass declared.

“I'll do whatever you ask,” Masuyo offered, “Do you want me to be your servant? Do you want me to work at the café? Just tell me what I need to do.”

“Oh no,” Serass laughed, “I don't have the patience for that. Frankly, little bug, the first time you disappointed me, I'd get frustrated and destroy you.”

Masuyo blanched at how casually Serass spoke of destroying her, but she kept silent. 

“My sister, on the other hand, is a more strategic thinker. She's the type who can stay focused on a long-term goal and accept that there will be failures along the way. I'm sure she could use another helper.”

“Whatever you want,” Masuyo offered. “Is she here in Tokyo?”

“No,” Serass smirked, “A little farther away.”

“Another part of Japan, then?” Masuyo queried.

“Another universe, actually,” Serass replied. 

“Another… Universe?” Masuyo slowly repeated, stunned.  She thought Serass must be joking, but Masuyo didn't get the punch line.

“Yep,” Serass said, “She looks after things for me in my home reality when I roam the multiverse.” The matter-of-fact way she said it convinced Masuyo that, however implausible it may sound, she was serious. That would explain her extraordinary powers and how she seemed to be the only one of her kind in the world. Masuyo recalled that the Event had occurred not long after Serass had enrolled in her school. She didn’t know if Serass triggered the Event or was just a harbinger of it, but Masuyo realized they must somehow be connected.

“I've never been more than a half-day train ride from home,” Masuyo protested. 

“That’s the offer,” Serass said. “But if you prefer, you can stay that way for the rest of your life.”

_______________________

“And here I am,” Masuyo sighed as she finished dressing and headed off for another day of drudgery.

Her room was about halfway up Black Pike, the massive tower that served as the administrative centre of the realm. A spiral staircase with no guardrails wound around the central atrium, serving as the only way to travel between levels. The only way, unless you could fly, that is. Fortunately, that was not an issue for Masuyo. She launched herself from the landing outside her door and drifted down to the main floor, where Belladonna maintained an office next to the throne room.

Following custom, Masuyo knocked three times on the office door and entered. Belladonna was at her desk, reading an ancient-looking document written on some kind of leather. Masuyo had heard stories of the dark days before Serass ascended to the throne; she cringed at the thought that the material was likely human skin.

“Good morning, mistress,” Masuyo said, curtseying. “I await your command.”

“Huh… Oh, I didn’t hear you come in,” Belladonna replied, looking up from her reading.

“How may I serve you today?” Masuyo asked. Belladonna was usually less formal with her staff, but making Masuyo go through this routine was part of her lesson in humility.

“I have a very special task for you,” Belladonna replied with a wicked grin as she inserted the document she had been reading into a large satchel. “The scholars at Inasmont want to study these old records. You will deliver them.”

“Special task,” Masuyo wondered. It seemed pretty simple and routine. “Certainly, my lady. I’ll run them down to the portal room and be right back,” she said. Ages ago, Serass had created portals that allowed people to travel from one capital city to another by simply stepping through them.

“No dear,” Belladonna corrected her, still grinning, “I forbid you to use the portal to Inasmont.”

“You forbid me to use the portal!” Masuyo gasped, “But it’s thousands of kilometres, much of it over the ocean! If I tried to fly from here, I would fall into the sea and die.”

“Is there a problem with that?” Belladonna asked, her expression turning cold and sinister. “Are you questioning my orders?”

Masuyo’s heart skipped several beats. She wanted to protest that Belladonna might as well just kill her now, since she would never survive the journey. But she realized that if Belladonna wanted her to die, she would already be dead. It was some kind of test. There must be something she was missing.

“No, your grace,” she timidly responded, “I was merely surprised and spoke out of turn. My apologies.”

“Good girl,” Belladonna smiled. “Now off you go.”

_______________________

Masuyo paced the halls nervously. There must be a way to complete this task. What was she missing?

She ended up in the portal room, staring helplessly at the portal she was forbidden to use. On one of the walls, there was a map of the realms. The Dark Realm was a continent separate from the land mass of the other domains, and a forbidding expanse of ocean stood between them. If she were a harpy, she might have been able to catch wind currents to carry her across the sea effortlessly. But as a bee, she needed to flap her wings continuously to stay aloft, and she could only maintain an hour or so of sustained flight. She might cover fifty kilometres or more in that hour, but she could never cross the ocean with no dry land to rest upon.

She knew from experience that Belladonna liked to play word games, appearing to say one thing but meaning something else. What, exactly, had she said: “I forbid you to use the portal to Inasmont.” She had explicitly mentioned Inasmont, not all the portals. That must be the clue.

After studying the map again, Masuyo realized that the city closest to Inasmont was Coardor. There was no portal to there; instead, there was a tunnel that had existed since time immemorial. But that was no help. It was the capital of the merfolk and was 3000 cubits under the ocean. Even if she could find someone to transport her from there to the surface, she would be too far out at sea to fly to dry land.

The next closest was Deepforest, which did have a portal. Deepforest looked to be about 1000 kilometres from Inasmont. That would be a considerable journey, but one she could cover in a couple of long days of flying.

She hoped she had guessed correctly. If she was wrong, some terrible punishment no doubt awaited her. Gathering her courage, she stepped through the portal.

She felt a little disoriented as she exited the gateway. The room had changed from one with seamless obsidian walls to what appeared to be a hollow space in a living tree. The weather in the Dark Realm always seemed like it was about to rain, but she could now see blue sky and hear birds singing through an open window. It appeared to be early evening in Deepforest; the sun would soon be setting.

A guard was sleeping in a chair by the entrance to the portal chamber.

“Umm, hello,” Masuyo called, startling him awake. He jumped up and waved his spear in her general direction.

“Who goes there?” he challenged her between yawns.

Masuyo had to stifle a giggle. The guard was an elf. That was no surprise, Deepforest was the capital city of the elven realm. However, in her imagination, the elves were all noble beings like those in the Lord of the Rings franchise. She could imagine this specimen may have fit that mould at one time, but now he was middle-aged, pot-bellied and balding. She imagined guarding the portal room was an easy chore, likely given to those who could no longer handle more challenging assignments. 

The old Masuyo might have mocked him, but her recent experiences had taught her that everyone deserved respect until they demonstrated that they didn't. 

“I am Masuyo, on a mission in the service of the Regent Belladonna.” She replied, curtseying.

“Oh, well, I guess that’s alright then, innit,” the guard replied sleepily. ‘I suppose you’ll be wanting room and board for the night?”

“That would be very much appreciated,” Masuyo agreed.

He pulled on a rope and said someone would arrive soon to attend to her needs. He sat back in his chair and covered his face with his helmet. He was soon snoring. 

A maid appeared in a few minutes, found Masuyo quarters for the night, and arranged for a meal to be sent to her room.

_______________________

Masuyo started her journey at sunrise. In contrast to the sunny weather when she arrived, today's weather was cloudy and cool. The low temperature did not help much with keeping her from overheating; the rapid rate at which she needed to flap her wings to stay airborne burned many calories. 

Masuyo had swung by the kitchen at Deepforest Castle before setting off and picked up a good supply of snacks for the road, which she hungrily devoured each time she stopped for a rest. Before the Event, she had not been a big fan of sugary treats, but now she craved them. Her provisions were heavily weighted toward cookies and chocolate. Of course, consistent with her bee nature, she had also snagged a large jar of honey that she would scoop out with her fingers to snack on at each stop.

Thus, the day progressed. By late afternoon, she had covered about half the distance and decided to look for a place to spend the night. Soon, she came upon a crossroads where there was an inn. Landing by the front door, she studied the sign: “The Gorgeous Goblin” it read, along with a picture of a rather handsome young male goblin. 

“As good a place as any, I guess,” she shrugged as she stepped through the entrance. 

The inn looked basic, with rough-hewn tables and plain wooden chairs. Most of them were occupied by an assortment of humans, demi-humans, and the occasional demon, some eating, but the majority just drinking. A cheery fire blazed in a massive stone fireplace. The floor was covered in sawdust, presumably to sop up spilled drinks and bodily fluids. Masuyo could smell wood smoke, roasting meat, and numerous bodies, some more hygienic than others. 

Behind the bar stood a goblin who bore a close resemblance to the face on the sign. He smiled at her, revealing a mouthful of pointed, serrated teeth. She approached him and asked about the availability of a meal and a room.

“You are in luck, dear lady,” he replied. “I have only one room left, but it is my best. I can let you have it for six silvers, including dinner.”

Belladonna had given her a small purse to cover her expenses. She found that it contained five silver and ten copper coins, and her disappointment was evident.

“I'm afraid that's more than I have,” Masuyo sighed. “Is there nothing cheaper?”

“Alas, no,” the innkeeper replied. “I suppose I could let you have it for five silvers.”

Masuyo was unsure how to proceed. That would take almost all her funds. Where would she stay on the return trip? Should she pay his price and worry about the future when it came? What other choice did she have?

“Perhaps I can be of assistance,” a melodious masculine voice said. Masuyo turned to see a handsome young human standing beside her.

He faced the innkeeper with a stern look.

“Come now, Drongo,” he said. “We both know you never get more than two silvers a night for any room. Do I need to spread the word that the Gorgeous Goblin cheats travellers?”

The innkeeper scowled, his deception exposed. 

“A night?” he protested. “I thought she was asking for a weekly rate. My apologies for the misunderstanding. Two silvers for a night is correct.” His eyes shot daggers at the young man for ruining his con.

“I'm glad we cleared that up,” the young man said, smiling at Masuyo. “The Common Room is quite full, but I have a table by the fire. I'd be happy to share it with you if you wish.”

Masuyo scanned the room and saw he was correct. There were no empty tables. The young man had helped her and seemed less sketchy than most other customers.  Besides, she thought he was handsome. 

“Um, yes, thanks,” Masuyo said, returning his smile. “I'd like that.” She handed the silver coins to the innkeeper. He gave her a key with a number six on it and told her the room was the last one on the left at the top of the stairs. 

“Excellent,” the young man said. Handing two coppers to the innkeeper, he continued, “Another ale for me and a tankard of mead for the young lady.”

“Mead?” Masuyo asked.

“Oh, pardon my presumption,” the young man said, “ I assumed that as one of the bee folk, it would be your drink of choice.”

“I don’t know what mead is,” Masuyo confessed. 

“Really? How odd,” he said, sounding genuinely surprised. “It’s a honey-based drink. I think you'll like it.”

“That sounds yummy,” Masuyo agreed. “By the way, I'm Masuyo.” She gave him a slight bow.

“Where are my manners?” the young man blushed. “My name is Gareth, an itinerant bard. I am at your service, Lady Masuyo.” He executed an elaborate bow.

“Not a lady,” Masuyo giggled, “Just a humble servant on an errand for the Regent Belladonna of the Dark Realm.”

The innkeeper froze at the mention of Belladonna's name. It was unwise to cross a lilim or anyone in their service. He threw out the overcooked piece of gristly meat he had planned to serve Masuyo and replaced it with a generous helping of prime multicorn cutlet.

Gareth escorted Masuyo to his table, followed closely by Drongo with her meal and their drinks. Gareth raised an eyebrow at the generous helping of food. 

“I don't think you'll have any more trouble with Drongo now that he knows who you work for,” Gareth quipped to Masuyo. 

Masuyo hungrily tucked into the meal. Although she had snacked along the way, the long flight had left her famished.

There was a large slab of juicy and tender meat with just the right amount of fat for flavour, that tasted like pork, a colourful assortment of roasted root vegetables, and something similar to pickled cabbage with a taste somewhere between sauerkraut and kimchee. While the flavours differed moderately from what Masuyo expected, they were all delicious. It was a welcome change from the bland and monotonous food she had subsisted on since her arrival in the Dark Realm. 

She took a small sip of the mead, declared it delightful and drained the mug. Pulling two coppers from her purse, she signalled the innkeeper for another round. Gareth had barely started on his drink.

“You may wish to pace yourself, Masuyo,” Gareth counselled, “ If you are unfamiliar with mead, you may find it more intoxicating than it seems.”

“Huh? Mead has alcohol in it?” Masuyo said with a silly grin. “Let me tell you a little secret: I've never drunk alcohol before. I like it. I feel all warm and relaxed. Will I feel even better after the next one?”

“It’s a fine line,” Gareth warned, “You keep feeling better until you reach a point where suddenly you feel terrible. Trust me, you want to drink the next one more slowly.”

Masuyo took his advice and slowly sipped the next draught. It was pleasant to chat with Gareth, who treated her as an equal rather than like a slave as Belladonna did. 

Masuyo explained that she was not native to his world and was sent to Belladonna to atone for a wrong she had done in hopes of having a curse removed.  She didn't elaborate on the nature of the curse, and Gareth was too polite to ask.

Gareth was surprised that Belladonna would agree to such a chore until Masuyo explained that it was the Dark Lord Serass who had cursed her. He was shocked to hear Masuyo describe Serass, who was worshipped as a goddess by many on his world, as a schoolmate who worked at a café. 

Gareth seemed pleased to have an audience who would not be familiar with his tales and joyfully regaled her with the histories of the realms. Masuyo’s eyes went wide with disbelief when he told the story of how, fifty thousand years ago, Serass had defeated her father and brought peace to the world. She insisted it must have been some distant ancestor of the Serass she knew, but Gareth assured her it was the same individual. 

By the end of the second drink, she couldn't stop thinking about how sexy Gareth was. She could feel her penis stiffening underneath her skirt. She put her hands in her lap to disguise the impressive bulge forming there. 

_______________________

After several hours of tales and another round of drinks (or was it two more rounds? Masuyo lost count) the innkeeper declared the bar closed. 

“Time for bed,” Masuyo slurred, stumbling as she stood.

“Let me escort you to your chamber,” Gareth offered Masuyo, suspecting she could not navigate alone. With his right arm around her shoulder and both her left arms around his waist, he helped Masuyo up the stairs and down the hall to her room.

“That’s a six,” she declared as she peered at the number on the door with eyes that didn't want to focus. “This is my room. Is yours nearby?” she asked as she fumbled to fit the key into the lock.

“Alas,” Gareth sighed, “My income does not permit such luxury. I will bed down in the barn.”

Masuyo had managed to unlock the door and stumble into the room as Gareth spoke.

“What? Don't be silly,” she exclaimed. “Look at the size of that bed. There's plenty of room for two.” She gave him what her booze addled mind thought was an alluring look.

“My lady!” Gareth exclaimed, scandalized. “That would not be proper!”

His reply disappointed Masuyo, but she recovered quickly and shifted her approach.

“Gareth! I was only offering you a comfortable place to sleep,” she protested. “You've shown me such hospitality, it's the least I can do.”

“It has been a while since I slept in a bed,” Gareth admitted, “The night is cold for sleeping in a barn…”

“It’s decided then,” Masuyo declared with a big smile, “Just two travellers sharing a bed. Don't worry, I promise not to sting you.”

Gareth washed his face and hands at the basin on the nightstand, stripped to his underwear and climbed into bed.  Masuyo followed, washing up and extinguishing the light before removing her outer garment and joining him. She hoped he would assume she disrobed in the dark to protect her modesty, although her motive was not to reveal her anatomical anomaly. 

Drongo had not lied about the quality of the room. The bed had a firm but comfortable mattress,  large fluffy pillows and a warm feather duvet. Although Masuyo had declared the bed spacious, it was only slightly larger than a single bed, which suited her as it gave her an excuse to cuddle with Gareth. 

Masuyo snuggled up to Gareth, wished him pleasant dreams, kissed him on the cheek and fell asleep with her head resting on his shoulder and both of her right arms draped across his chest.. 

_______________________

Masuyo opened her eyes. The room was dark. She didn’t know if she had slept for a few minutes or several hours. She was still draped across Gareth as she had been when she fell asleep. A sliver of moonlight through the window illuminated Gareth's face. He was watching her.

“You make it extremely difficult for a gentleman to be gallant,” he whispered.

Masuyo ran her lower hand down his abdomen and across his groin. Her fingers caressed the bulge they found there. She let them linger. “So, he is interested,” she thought.

“I never asked you to be a gentleman,” she teased.

Gareth turned his head and kissed her. She parted her lips, and he reciprocated, the tips of their tongues dancing together. Masuyo felt a thrill run down her spine and a swelling between her legs. Her antennae oriented on him, drinking in his delicious scent.

Masuyo reached beneath his clothing and closed her lower hand around his member. She held his head close with her upper hand to keep the kiss going.

She felt a thrill as Gareth ran his hand down her thorax, his touch stimulating the sensilla of her exoskeleton. Her heart raced with excitement as his hand worked its way toward her groin. The excitement turned to panic as she realized her penis was fully erect and standing like a flagpole, her panties uselessly pushed aside.

Gareth’s hand stopped moving when it hit this obstruction. Confused, He felt around, ultimately wrapping his hand around her enormous phallus. Slowly, it dawned on him what he was holding. 

“What in the name of Abyssion…,” Gareth shouted as he leapt from the bed. He fumbled around for matches and lit the lamp.

He turned toward Masuyo with a terrified look. She had covered herself with the duvet, but her erection was clearly visible beneath the blanket. 

“What form of monster are you?” he demanded.  “Do you get pleasure from luring honest men into depravity?”

Gareth grabbed his belongings and fled the room, not pausing to dress first.

Masuyo surprised herself with how calmly she reacted. 

“I'm a good person; if he can't get past my physical attributes, it's his loss.” 

She pulled the covers tight and went back to sleep. 

_______________________

Masuyo opened her eyes. The room was dark. She didn’t know if she had slept for a few minutes or several hours. She was still draped across Gareth as she had been when she fell asleep. A sliver of moonlight through the window illuminated Gareth's face. He was sleeping.

“So, even when travelling, I can't escape Belladonna's lessons,” she sighed. Thankful that the incident was only a dream, she closed her eyes and slept.

_______________________

When Masuyo next awakened, sunshine was streaming through the window. Gareth was already up and dressed, sitting in a chair. Masuyo’s head pounded, and her stomach was queasy. The feeling was not unlike the effect the cockatrice’s glare had on her, but Gareth was still alive, so she ruled that out.

“Ooh, I feel terrible,” Masyuo said, “Could the innkeeper have poisoned me?”

Gareth chuckled. “I’m afraid you are now feeling the price one must pay for drinking.”

Masuyo groaned and pulled the duvet over her head.

“I find the best cure is a full stomach and a big mug of strong qahwa,” Gareth said, pulling the duvet down to reveal her face. I’ll give you privacy to get dressed and meet you downstairs.”

Masuyo donned her garments quickly and headed to the Common Room to join Gareth. Drongo delivered two large bowls of a thin oatmeal along with a carafe and two mugs. Gareth filled the mugs and passed one to her.

“Coffee!” Masuyo exclaimed in delight, “I didn’t know you had coffee in this universe.”

“You pronounce it strangely, but yes, it's very popular. Legend says Serass brought the first plants back with her from the world where she had the final battle with her father.”

The oatmeal proved much less exciting,  being flavourless. Masuyo announced her lack of enthusiasm for it. Gareth concurred that it was filling but boring. 

“I know what would fix this!” Masuyo declared. She jumped up from the table and literally flew upstairs to her room, returning quickly to alight beside the table.

“Honey,” she beamed, handing Gareth a jar. “Help yourself.”

Gareth scooped two heaping spoonfuls into his gruel. 

“Much better,” he declared with a smile, “Thank you.”

Masuyo retrieved the jar and added eight spoonfuls to her bowl. Gareth watched with a quizzical look.

“What!” Masuyo challenged him, grinning. “Bees enjoy sweets.”

“I can see that,” Gareth laughed.

“I hope you slept well,” Masuyo said, making small talk.

“I did,” Gareth replied.  “Although something huge poked me a few times during the night. You promised you wouldn't use your stinger on me, but I confess I never thought about an assault by that type of organ.”

Masuyo went pale and dropped her spoon. 

“So you know…” she whispered. 

“About the nature of your curse? Yes.” Gareth confirmed. 

“Now you think I’m a freak? A monster? An abomination?” Masuyo challenged him, her voice quiet but firm.  Had her dream become reality? She was determined to be defiant, but could feel tears welling up.

Gareth reached across the table and gently took her hand. He looked into her eyes and smiled. 

“I have seen and heard of many unusual things in my lifetime,” Gareth assured her. “You are a beautiful and intelligent woman. Nothing beyond that matters. If your condition troubles you, I wish you success resolving the curse. But whether you do or do not, I am very fond of you and hope to have the opportunity to get to know you better.”

Masuyo began to cry, but now they were tears of joy.

_______________________

After breakfast, they collected their belongings, and Masuyo returned the key to the proprietor. He surprised her with a package of multicorn sandwiches and fruit to sustain her on her journey. 

“I pray you will speak well of my establishment to your mistress,” he said sheepishly. Masuyo did not respond. In truth, she would not wish Belladonna's wrath upon her worst enemy, but she would let him sweat a little as payback for his attempt to cheat her.

Masuyo and Gareth said their farewells outside the inn. She gave him the special hug only a being with four arms can deliver. She didn't want to end the embrace. He kissed her on the lips. It was not nearly as erotic as in her dream, but it was still a good sign.

Masuyo stepped back. With a cheerful “See you soon,” she launched into the air and flew off toward Inasmont. Gareth watched until she was out of sight. 

_______________________