To give credit where credit was due, Cocoa Lattess was one Hell of a hostess. She took to Karazelle almost immediately, treating her like one of her own daughters by the time night fell, and helping her feel right at home in her household. Thankfully, Clove left early to stay at a friend’s – though Cobalt imagined she wasn’t going to stick around him regardless – freeing up a seat at the table for dinner. The meal was a raucous affair; a lot of traditional dishes that he had completely forgotten about coupled with drinks that he couldn’t even remember the name of, though unfortunately he had to feign a stomach ache. By the time everyone had finished up, Cocoa insisted on pulling out photo albums of Cobalt and Cherry as children, which he protested, but Karazelle was immediately interested in. Once the matronly barista began to recount one of the many times she had to babysit him and he accidentally wound up wetting the bed, the Incubus loudly excused himself and announced that he was planning on turning in early.
He did have an early start the following day, after all.
Upstairs, Cherry Lattess’ old bedroom brought back some hazy memories, but honestly, not enough to piece together anything concrete. Mostly that he had been dragged up here multiple times to play with dolls and the like, something he could take or leave. It felt strange, sleeping in her bed. But the woman herself wasn’t around, so he just stashed their luggage in the hand-carved closet and turned in before he had time for regrets.
The night passed without much incident, though he couldn’t rightly call his sleep restful.
The first thing Cobalt registered come morning was the smell of coffee tickling his nostrils. The second was the sound of birds singing outside. The third was a polite voice clearing their throat.
“Morning. You awake?” called a quiet, feminine voice.
His eyes fluttering open, Cobalt mumbled incoherently and looked over at the open doorway to see a Succubus standing there holding a tray with two mugs of steaming coffee. She was in her pajamas, and looked identical to Cinnamon, though her lack of tattoo and slightly different hair length identified her as Caramel, the former’s twin sister.
“Oh… Good morning…” the Incubus yawned, pushing back the duvet in order to sit up straight.
In retrospect, he probably should have assumed that he and Karazelle would be sharing a bed; such was only common in Phrodival. What he couldn’t have expected, however, was the sheer black negligee she wore as she clung tightly to him. Startled by the translucent lingerie, he tried to wriggle free from her grasp, but she had wrapped both her arms and her legs around him, and her tail was wound tightly around his.
Caramel stifled a giggle at the sight.
“Someone had fun last night~” she teased, stepping into the room.
“It’s not what it looks like, I swear!” he replied in a blind panic.
Setting the tray down on the bedside table, she tapped the side of her nose.
“Don’t worry, Cobalt; I’ll keep your secret. Mom got back a few minutes ago from the Matriarch’s. She says you two are good to go.”
Heading back out the door, she looked over her shoulder and winked at him.
“But feel free to take your time, lover boy~” Caramel concluded with a wink, her tail swishing as she shut the door behind her.
“I told you we’re not…! Dammit…” the Incubus breathed, slumping down into the bed as he listened to her footsteps trail away.
“You’re not beating the player allegations anytime soon, kid. You want my advice; start leaning into them,” Lilith piped, still sounding half-asleep.
“I don’t need this right now…” he murmured to himself.
“Mm, well, what can you do. Life and lemons and all that. Besides, your hanger-on isn’t even asleep.”
Eyes widening, he glanced down to see Karazelle’s big blue eyes peering back up at him, a devilish smile upon her face. One adventurous hand had already gotten undoing the first button on his nightshirt and was currently tracing circles around his chest.
“If you ask me, I’d say Caramel’s totally into you, sugar~” she purred, slowly splaying her fingers beneath his shirt.
He could feel his body growing hot again at the mere touch of her skin. Yearning for… something.
“Wh- What are you wearing?” Cobalt stammered, looking away.
“Just something I picked up at the market. Why, do you like it?”
“It’s… flattering on you. But please, when cohabiting a room, try to wear something a little more appropriate.”
She laughed at his frail attempt to claw back his dignity.
“‘Cohabiting a room.’ Is that what you call it? Sugar, you held me so close it took every fibre of willpower I had not to gobble you up like the tasty little snack you are,” Karazelle smoothly retorted, reaching up to playfully tap his nose.
But her culinary analogy sparked something uncomfortable in Cobalt’s stomach, reminding him of why he was there. Clearing his throat, the Incubus successfully squirmed out of the Succubus’ grasp and headed over to the closet to retrieve his clothes.
“R- Right, well… We have a packed schedule today, so get dressed,” he said quickly.
Karazelle sat up in the bed as she retrieved a mug from the tray.
“Mmhm. Do go on…” she said, staring at him as she took a deep sip.
“First we have to meet with the Matriarch and gain permission to visit the Undercroft. Then we’ll have to secure you a proper tour of the facilities, to ensure that-”
The Incubus froze up upon realising that he had gotten so caught up in his itinerary that he failed to notice that he was actively stripping down in front of his student. Not that she seemed to mind; Karazelle was watching on with active interest as he pulled his nightshirt off.
“Yeah…?” he asked, egging him to continue despite the fact that she wasn’t listening at all.
Going red in the face, he gathered up his clothes and covered himself.
“I- I’ll explain on the way. I’m going to get changed in the bathroom,” the Incubus said quickly, darting out into the hall.
“Aw, spoilsport!”
“Just be ready by the time I’m back, Karazelle!”
“C’mon sugar; I think I deserve a peek at this point!”
“KARAZELLE!”
-----
After delivering a lengthy farewell to Cocoa – a woman who rivalled Jezebel Trayer for the deadly lethality of her hugs – Karazelle and Cobalt set off on their journey to visit the Matriarch. Unburdened by luggage cases, they were free to meander through the town of Phrodival as it woke up for another day; an experience that delighted the Incubus’ student to no end. It was nice to see her so excited, brimming with girlish glee that stood in complete opposition to the sultry minx that he knew her to be.
However, he was on a schedule. And as much as he wanted to let her smell every flower and peer down every well she came across, Cobalt was forced to hurry the Succubus along as they made their way to the north side of town, close to the crater walls. In contrast to the tightly packed buildings of Phrodival proper, this area appeared to be a more upper-class district; lots of villas with private gardens and shrines for the elders of the town. Guided by memory, Cobalt brought Karazelle along a path leading to the largest villa. It was a sprawling dwelling boasting carved stone pillars and statues of Lady Fesser’s likeness, and as they drew close, they could see a fair few servants bustling about. All Succubus girls in maid attire, they diligently swept the leaves in the garden and cleaned the laundry outside as they prepared the Matriarch’s home for another day. Once that was done, it was off to the secondary school further within the town, then to their homes for a break before returning for an evening shift.
Getting employed as a part-timer at the Matriarch’s villa was an esteemed job. Cobalt vaguely remembered his peers getting into fights over the position when he was younger.
“Woah… The home of Lady Fesser herself…” Karazelle breathed as they approached the door.
“I think her original home fell apart in a storm, actually. But this place is built more or less on the same spot,” her teacher informed her as he knocked loudly.
He heard the pattering of feet as a bespectacled maid opened the front door and squinted at them.
“Yes? Office hours aren’t until-”
Her eyes widened and her face paled upon noticing Cobalt’s azure complexion.
“A- Ah. You’re him. Uh… Yeah, come inside,” she stuttered, opening up.
The inside of the villa was just as grand as the outside; a lot of fancy stonework and rather lascivious artwork on display. Karazelle tried to stop and stare at a fresco of an explicit Fesserite ritual, but Cobalt grabbed her arm and dragged her after the young maid as she led them into a small drawing room off to the side.
“Yeah, um… Just wait here, I guess. Mistress Fesser will be along shortly. I think,” she explained, not making eye-contact with Cobalt as she ushered them inside.
She scuttled away before Cobalt could say anything, prompting Karazelle to stifle a giggle.
“Ooh, Caramel’s got competition~” she teased, playfully bumping his hip as she entered the drawing room.
Cobalt wasn’t so sure. He didn’t register the look on that girl’s face as admiration so much as fear.
Seating themselves upon a pair of comfortable loveseats, Karazelle waited in comfortable silence as Cobalt stewed in doubt. He still wasn’t sure about this. The Matriarch was a good woman to the bone, of course. She had done much for the town. But he just didn’t think he could face her again, not after what she did.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
He could still feel the sting of that paralytic needle as she pushed it into his neck…
“Stay strong, kid,” Lilith said, feeling his doubt.
“Yeah…” he murmured in reply.
Karazelle cocked her head.
“Are you okay, sugar? You’ve been talking to yourself a lot recently.”
“Oh, I… um… I’ve just got a lot on my mind, is all.”
Her gaze softened, but before she could say a word, the pair were alerted to footsteps in the foyer outside. Cobalt sat up straight. Felicity Fesser was an affable lady, but she was still the Matriarch; it would do for him to show some respect.
“Sorry to keep you waiting; I had something that needed attending to,” spoke a commanding-yet-gentle voice as a well-dressed Succubus stepped into the drawing room, snatching the breath from Karazelle’s throat in the process.
Even from a glance, there was no denying that Felicity Fesser was the woman in charge of the day-to-day of Phrodival. Everything about her exuded an authoritative charm; from the silver hair she had styled to coil all the way down her back to the magnificent gown she wore that trailed along the stone floor behind her. She was an older Succubus with oddly piercing eyes, though they were often offset by her warm smile.
She wasn’t smiling when she entered the room. Instead, she just stared at Cobalt, her expression clouded with uncertainty. Taking a deep breath, the Matriarch composed herself and stepped into the drawing room, seating herself opposite the newcomers. Turning to Karazelle, she nodded at her amulet.
“Hail, friend of Phrodival,” she said in a gentle tone.
“Th- Thanks for having me…” Karazelle mumbled in reply, completely awestruck.
Cobalt didn’t know what to say. He just sat and gawked at the woman who once had him poisoned for his own sake.
“Ask her about the cure, kid,” Lilith urged, though he didn’t heed her words.
Felicity slowly turned to Cobalt.
“… Cocoa said you were visiting. I thought… well, I figured you probably wouldn’t have wanted to see me,” she said, looking away.
There was real regret in her voice, but still, Cobalt couldn’t shake that anxious feeling.
“I’m sorry for how things turned out the last time you were here,” the Matriarch continued, clutching her dress.
Cobalt took a deep breath.
“It’s alright; it’s behind me now. Just looking to move past it.”
“I… I understand, dear.”
In an attempt to lighten the mood, Cobalt reached over and placed a hand on Karazelle’s shoulder.
“I’m making it as a teacher now. This is Karazelle Terna; one of my best students. She’s here to learn more about the history of our people,” he explained.
Felicity turned her gaze back onto his student, her smile gradually returning.
“I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure whether it would work out when Cobalt said he suddenly wanted to be a teacher, but I’m glad his efforts managed to turn out such an upstanding young lady, Miss Terna.”
“Th- Thank you, ma’am…”
She suddenly screwed up her face.
“I thought you said you always wanted to be a teacher,” Karazelle whispered, glancing over at Cobalt.
He frowned. That line of questioning always brought up conflicting thoughts that he really didn’t have the headspace to deal with.
Looking back at Felicity, Cobalt caught her staring at his horns, though he tried not to pass any remark. He knew for a fact any effort he went through to hide his current condition would be wasted on her; Felicity could likely tell he was breaking down from the moment she stepped through that door.
“Well, in any case, it’s good to see you again, dear, especially in such fine company. Are you two…?”
“No,” Cobalt immediately answered before Karazelle could say anything.
Felicity sighed and leaned back into her seat.
“Oh well, that’s okay. Violet has kids on the way anyway; I suppose one lot of great grandchildren is enough for the time being.”
“Karazelle and I are just-”
“Sorry, could you run that by me again?” Karazelle suddenly interrupted, raising her hand.
Felicity cocked her head.
“Run what by you, dear?” she asked.
“What you just said.”
“Didn’t Cobalt tell you? He’s going to be an uncle soon.”
“No, not that. The other thing. About great grandkids.”
A look of realisation swept across the Matriarch’s face as she turned to face Cobalt. Pursing her lips, she raised an eyebrow as he turned away.
“Really? Cobalt, I understand we parted on less than agreeable terms, but you didn’t even tell her? Are you ashamed of your own family?”
Swallowing the lump in his throat, the Incubus sighed and shook his head.
“It’s not like that, Matriarch.”
“Oh, don’t you start with that pish. Come on. Like you used to.”
“Please don’t-”
“Come on, dear,” Felicity pressed, folding her arms.
Cobalt screwed his eyes shut, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“… Gramma,” he finally relented, holding his head in his hands.
The noise that Karazelle made when he said that was nothing short of an aural marvel; something between a cry of revelation and a choked splutter. Eyes bulging and jaw hanging open, she jabbed an accusing finger at her teacher.
“Y- You! You’re a Fesser!” she cried, overwhelmed with shock.
“Technically…” the Incubus murmured in a much less enthused tone.
With a hearty laugh, Felicity stood up and pulled her grandson out of his seat, wrapping him in a hug before he could escape in time.
“That’s right, dear. Your lovely teacher here is a bona fide Fesser, descended from Lady herself,” she declared happily, swinging the Incubus about.
“Why didn’t you tell me this, sugar?!”
“Because it’s not that important! Besides, my name is Trayer! People outside of Phrodival don’t care that much about Lady Fesser!”
“I do!”
With a grin, Felicity roughly tousled his hair.
“Oh look at him. Blessed with the blood of heroes and still playing coy!”
“Gramma, stop!”
Breaking free of her grip, he took a sharp breath and returned to his seat, biting his lip as he readjusted himself. He could feel Karazelle's gaze burn into him as she began to see the Incubus in a new light. Damn it.
“We just came to ask you for access to the Undercroft!”
“The… Undercroft?”
He swallowed hard.
“Yes. Karazelle wants to see it for herself, to truly get immersed in Fesserite history,” he explained, hoping that neither of them would suspect anything he was saying.
Felicity’s eyes darkened despite her smile remaining as it was.
“You… want… to go to the Undercroft?”
“Just the upper levels,” Cobalt answered.
The pair stared at each other for a few moments before the Matriarch cleared her throat and crooked her finger.
“Cobalt, dear, could I speak with you in private for a moment?” she asked with a cock of her head.
He glanced over at Karazelle, who just nodded and gestured for him to go. The two stepped out into the foyer, whereupon Felicity placed her hand upon his shoulder and pulled him in close.
“I’m not blind, dear. I can see that there’s something going on,” she whispered urgently.
“That’s not what this is about, Gramma.”
“I can see it in your eyes, Cobalt. That’s Incupsychosis, as fierce as any of the boys downstairs. Between that and your horns…”
Shaking his head, he pulled away.
“I’ve got it covered, Gramma. Everlast has-“
“Everlast doesn’t turn bone into iron and turn a sweet little boy into a quivering wreck.”
“I said I’ve got it cov-!”
“You’re hungry, aren’t you?”
Her words caught him right off-guard. He stood and stared with wide eyes as she pressed closer, eyes filled with worry.
“You’ve gotten so skinny since I last saw you. Your skin is just… When was the last time you ate, Cobalt?” she asked in a softer tone.
“I… I- I tried to…”
Cobalt began to choke up.
“I- I start throwing it up. First some things, then the rest. I thought meat was safe, but… one of my students made me these little steak things, but…”
Nodding slowly, she pulled him into a hug, gentler than the first.
“… Your body is still changing on the inside, dear. Everlast only delayed it for a little while,” she whispered, her voice full of sorrow.
“What do I do, Gramma? I’m afraid I’ll… I feel these… these urges to just-”
Felicity covered his mouth and shook his head.
“You can resist them. You still have your mind; that’s good. So listen to me carefully. Meat of any kind; red, poultry, fish. Eat it raw, bones and all,” the Succubus explained in a matter-of-fact tone.
He heard her sigh.
“I know it seems barbaric, but it’s all your body can handle now. It’ll demand warm, living flesh, but you must keep those desires suppressed. Because if you can’t…”
She gripped him tighter.
“… then we’ll have to take you back downstairs, dear. And there’ll be no walking out this time.”
Breaking the hug, Felicity Fesser held his face in both hands and stared deep into his eyes, her own full of love and sadness.
“The cure, kid! Ask about the fucking cure already!”
“Isn’t there anything that can be done? I- I’m not too far gone, right?” he asked in a small voice.
She slowly shook her head.
“All I can do is give you a safe place to stay and a steady supply of feed. The rest is all down to you. You just have to say the word, dear; I can arrange for Jezzy to move your things back here. Lydia will help take care of you and-”
Shaking his head, Cobalt pushed away from her.
“No. No, I can’t. I have people who need me in Brimstone. I’m not going to abandon them.”
“You wouldn’t be abandoning anybody, dear. It would be for your own sake, as well as theirs.”
He bristled at her words.
“I would never hurt them,” the Incubus spat, his veins flashing dangerously.
His grandmother raised her hands, perturbed by his sudden aggression.
“I didn’t mean to-”
“Are you going to take us to the Undercroft or not?” Cobalt interjected, his brow furrowed.
The Matriarch stood there for a second, staring at her grandson. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and gave him a slight nod, prompting the Incubus to swiftly march into the drawing room and give Karazelle a nod.
“Let’s go,” Cobalt told her curtly, offering the Succubus a hand.
“Sugar, are you alright?” she asked, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet.
“I’m fine. You were going to show us the way, right?”
He peered over his shoulder at the Matriarch.
“… Of course, dear. I’ll have to speak with the head of security to get you some visitor passes, though. It’s unusual for outsiders to turn up without prior approval,” she explained as she fiddled with the bracelets around her wrists.
The Incubus rubbed his hands impatiently.
“Let’s not waste any time then.”
Guided by the Matriarch herself, they set off from her villa back towards the centre of the Phrodival crater. As they walked, Karazelle kept murmured to herself about Cobalt’s heritage, while his grandmother would keep giving him worried looks. Passers-by would stop and call out to Felicity, but Cobalt urged her to keep going, growing antsier and antsier by the moment. Every step he took towards the Undercroft entrance made his body cry out in terror; if he didn’t do this now, he wouldn’t do it ever.
Banking west, they stepped onto a dock that looked out upon the lake dominating the centre of the crater, its crystal waters sparkling like ruby in the sunlight. Small fishing vessels and houseboats bobbed along the shoreline as Felicity led her two guests over to a sailing boat tied up by the end of a jetty, flying the flag of the Fesserite order. After helping Cobalt and Karazelle inside, they set sail deeper into the water, cutting a swathe straight towards a small island in the very middle of the lake.
“Hey,” Karazelle whispered, nudging Cobalt’s ribs as his grandmother manned the rigging.
“Yes?” he replied, glancing over at her.
“Why do you want to go to the Undercroft so bad?”
He took a moment to answer.
“You have an interest in Fesserite history, I just-”
“Don’t lie to me, sugar. We’ve been over this; you’re no good at it.”
He just stared into the water, watching as the fish darted out of the way of their vessel.
“… You’re here to face your fears, aren’t you?”
Cobalt didn’t answer. He just heard Karazelle sigh as she slipped her hand into his.
“… It’s okay, I understand. I’ll play along if it helps you get better. Besides, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see what it was like.”
Again, he said nothing, but squeezed her hand in response, letting her know that he was thankful for her being there.
After a few minutes of peaceful sailing, the boat pulled up to a small dock on the eastern side of the central island. Once it was tied and secured, Felicity instructed the pair to climb out and follow her down a small path towards the Undercroft entrance.
It was little more than a small, unassuming building made from flat stones, but Cobalt knew that it concealed a grand elevator shaft that descended deep into the earth, down into the meteoric iron hidden beneath. The birthplace of his worst traumas.
“Would you two mind waiting here for a spell? I need to just get those passes sorted,” Felicity asked them, stopping outside the doors.
“Sure thing,” Karazelle said, still holding Cobalt’s hand.
With a grateful little bow, she opened the front doors a crack and disappeared inside, leaving the two alone on the island. Karazelle took a deep breath and turned on her heel to look out over the lake, and the bustling town crouched upon its shore.
“It’s a beautiful place, sugar,” she sighed, eyes all agleam.
He kept staring at the dirt beneath his feet, his tail cutting tracts through it as it nervously swished.
“It’s far from perfect,” he answered glumly.
“Nowhere’s perfect.”
“Especially not here.”
She sighed.
“… Still. I think I’d like to live somewhere like this when I’m older. Funny, isn’t it? I never gave much thought to what I wanted to do after school, but I guess a view like this just… puts it all into perspective,” the Succubus continued, clasping her hands behind her back.
Cobalt looked up. Seeing Karazelle standing before the sun-dappled waters, backlit by the light with the wind lightly playing with her hair… She looked…
“Beautiful…” he murmured, almost subconsciously.
“Hm?” she called back, craning her neck.
He shook his head.
“What do you want to do? After school, I mean.”
“Hm… I don’t really know.”
She gave him a wink and a smile.
“… but I’ve got a few ideas.”
The Incubus smiled at this. A small, tentative smile. But a smile nonetheless.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, my dears! We just need to run you by the security chief and then we’ll send you on your way!”
He looked back to find the doors wide open.
Felicity Fesser waved at the pair of them as she stepped out into the sunlight, joined by another Succubus. She was tall and dressed in an official-looking uniform branded with Fesserite symbols. Her red hair hung in tangled tresses loosely tied by a ribbon as she squinted at a clipboard in her hands, but when she looked up, she revealed a mean-looking face marred with a sizable burn that spanned all across her right cheek.
Cobalt’s stomach dropped right into his shoes when his gaze met hers.
The Incubus’ breath caught in his throat.
“… Cherry…?”