[Hanako] Chapter 10: Work Plans

Asta · January 21, 2019, 07:09:29 PM

Hanako went red instantly. Which was odd considering she had spent the morning in a bathtub with two other women doing what could only loosely be called "bathing", and what more accurately could be called "fondling". Still, she blushed like a schoolgirl.

"K-kissed? N-no I can't say that I have..." she said truthfully. It was, after all, a fact that Hanako was a kiss-less virgin, despite spending a large portion of her pre-hero life drawing characters in "the act". This was largely due to her loner lifestyle, coupled with a reduced dating pool. She hadn't been fortunate enough to attend one of those prestigious all girls schools of legend, where young women spent their days experimenting with love between classes. Holding hands discreetly in the hallway, or... whatever.

"W-why do you ask...?"

Throndir · January 22, 2019, 04:00:24 PM

Minette began playing with the locks of your hair near your ear. Her hands softly brushing through them.

"Oh..." Minette said slowly. You caught a few somber tones in her voice.

Asta · January 22, 2019, 04:05:10 PM

Hanako shuddered slightly when Minette ran her fingers past her ear.

"It's not that I wouldn't want to... I just never got the chance... H-have you?"

Throndir · January 22, 2019, 04:14:33 PM

"Once... A long time ago... She was... my best friend... She's... no longer with us though..." She paused for a few moments, and you could feel her hand slightly shiver.

"I would like to..." She continued, and you felt her wrap her arms around you again, pulling you into a gentle hug from behind.

"But... Only after Trudy." She said finally. "She's... really attached to you."

Asta · January 22, 2019, 04:24:39 PM

Hanako was bright red once again. The combination of Minette's declaration and the press of her body into Hanako's back brought the hero's heartbeat up to a solid 90 BPM.

"O-oh, y-yes it does seem that way." Hanako stammered. "I uh... think it would be nice to as well... With... both of you... if I'm being honest. Do you think she would... want you to do that though?"

If she was, I think I'd be moving in to real harem territory here... Is that even something that happens in real life!?

Throndir · January 22, 2019, 05:47:13 PM

Minette nodded, but realizing you couldn't see, she spoke.

"Mhmm... After the bath, and you went to practice with the firearms... We... talked..." Minette continued to play with your ear and neck, trailing her hand gently across.

"She said... that she wants you... to be the happiest person in the world. She also said... that me, or anyone else, as long as they are... good... for you, she will be happy with..."

She stopped her gentle caressing.

"I... was going to sneak a kiss when I could... But..." Her hands went to yours then, and held them gently. "After hearing from Trudy... I think I can wait..."

You felt her move around a bit then, and she raised herself on her knees, and snuck a kiss on your cheek from behind over your shoulder.

"Cheeks... don't count."

Asta · January 22, 2019, 06:09:20 PM

"Oh." was all Hanako could really say after feeling Minette's lips on her cheek. She flushed, and brought a hand up to where she had been kissed, the feeling would probably linger there for the rest of the evening. She set there for a moment and reflecting on what she'd been told then turned to face the girl. "I don't deserve either of you..." she said, taking Minette's hands in her own, "But I'll do whatever I can to make myself worthy."

Still red faced, she closed her eyes and sighed. Not unhappily, but with the heavy weight of another's feelings. "She probably won't take the initiative will she? She's a little self conscious."

Throndir · January 22, 2019, 10:08:34 PM

You heard Minette laugh softly.

"No... But... that's what makes her cute... too?" Minette squeezed your hand. "Oh? At first... I would... tease you... just so that she would show more drive. I know she would... try to be more brave each time I do something to you... It's really obvious... Trudy's feelings... yes..." She paused.

"She reminds me of my best friend..." Minette said. "Oh...! No, not in a kissing way... But... I wouldn't mind too?"

"No... that's not what I meant." She said more calmly, she took your hand then and guided you to face her properly.

Once you were turned around, she stared into your eyes.

"Hanako... I want you... to be the next person I kiss..." She then placed her index and middle finger on your lips. She smiled gently.

"The ones that count."

Asta · January 22, 2019, 10:20:21 PM

Hanako smiled as she looked into Minette's eyes, there was a certain gentle determination in them that seemed hard to resist. "Well, let's work together to make that happen then." she said. "I think... maybe this sort of thing is good. So let's do our best to make sure we can all be together."

Hanako drew the pale haired girl in and hugged her tightly. It was nice to feel like there was somewhere to belong. First with Trudy, now with Minette too. It stirred a feeling of passion within her, not romantic per se, but a drive to want to succeed. It was a new sensation for her. "I'm going to do everything I can to make this country, no, this world a place where we can spend every day like this morning. I promise."

Throndir · January 22, 2019, 10:56:17 PM

"I know you will." Minette said gently. She nuzzled her face into your neck when you hugged her, and even though you couldn't see, her light movements and tone in her voice told you that Minette too was still smiling wide.

Asta · January 23, 2019, 01:17:27 AM

Hanako let the moment last for a little while longer before she finally sat back. "As much as I'd like stay like this... I do actually have a few less pleasant things that we need to talk about."

She sighed, resentful that business had to resume. "Namely, slaves and the upcoming meetings with slavers."

Throndir · January 23, 2019, 01:53:23 PM

"More... meetings... Yes... there's another one tomorrow too. What... did you want to talk about? Klein had many slave owners and merchants come by... And more will likely still come. We can always ask them not to... Do you have anything you have in mind?"

Asta · January 23, 2019, 02:09:35 PM

"I think it might be too suspicious to stop them all from coming, but it's certainly a nuisance to have to deal with a meeting like that almost every day. Maybe we can start cancelling every other visit from a slaver just to stop having to deal with it. It's a little late for tomorrow though." Hanako said, shifting into business mode.

"Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to purchase a slave, and how many did Klein usually buy from these people. It's... a moral problem for me to not free them once I see them, but I don't know if its financially viable to buy every single slave that gets brought here."

Throndir · January 23, 2019, 02:18:34 PM

"It depends on the purpose and skills of each slave... Soldiers like Trudy and I... are at a minimum of 500 gold pieces usually... Along with any other slave that might have special purposes, or trained skills... Sometimes they can be as much as 1,500 depending on the person..."

"Those that aren't skilled in any way... either for household cleaning, or hard labor, can vary from 50 to 250 gold pieces. Depending on how healthy they are, or how attractive."

Asta · January 23, 2019, 02:24:25 PM

"How troublesome..." Hanako groaned, rubbing her temples. "How many are usually brought when they come visit? We can't really afford to buy them all, and every new person will make the boats that much more cramped."

Hanako shifted in her seat. "I guess... lemme hear your thoughts on it. I'll have to go talk to Aldric about what he needs to do tomorrow so I'm trying to come to a decision."