Morning After the Frenzy and the Guild's Overdue Notice
...Asha the shut-in alchemist somehow got fired up and ended up tumbling all over with Veronica, only regaining her senses to find them both collapsed on the bed. Veronica, who had been clutching Asha's thigh to her chest and grinding her hips, now lay sprawled face-down on the mattress, letting out pained groans. How the hell did it come to this...? No, the reason was crystal clear. It was all Veronica's fault.
She kept teasing, just barely nudging at the entrance over and over... It was like tying up a starving person and grilling seasoned meat right in front of their eyes. If you dangle food under a famished nose like that, provoking them endlessly, and then set their body free... the outcome was obvious as day, wasn't it? So... it wasn't her fault.
Asha draped the blanket over the wriggling Veronica, buttoned up her shirt as best she could, and hugged a pillow to her chest. Neither of them was in any shape to rummage for proper clothes. Her lower half felt drafty, but the lingering heat made it bearable.
"Nngh..."
As Veronica shifted, Asha spotted the lime-green thing—the slime condom—still sheathing her rod. Inside... it was packed full of that opaque something.
...Good call making those. Asking an incoming guest to whip up some contraceptive potion on the spot would've been... awkward.
"Veronica."
"...What."
"I'm hungry."
"...Yeah, I bet. You haven't eaten anything for a while."
"You knew that and still jumped me the second I woke up?"
Veronica flinched, still face-down. Her fists trembled before a deflated voice leaked out.
"...Sorry."
"Just know that next time..."
Asha blinked, clutching the pillow, when her stomach let out a loud gurgle. She was in the middle of mentally punishing Veronica—who'd forgotten her own guilt and was now chuckling—when the door creaked open. Light footsteps announced her master's arrival.
"Looks like you're up..."
Ariel met her eyes, started to say something, then froze. Her stiff expression soon dissolved into a sigh.
"...I was wondering why you hadn't come down in so long. What in the world is this mess?"
"Tr-treatment, right...? It, it actually helped a lot, my condition's mu-much better now."
...Ariel tilted her head as if she'd never heard of this "treatment" before. But since it had worked, she let it slide with a soft look. Vowing silent revenge on Veronica, Asha asked her master for a change of clothes.
And...
"Some food too..."
Another gurgle, and Ariel stifled a laugh.
...Her face burned.
Soon enough, Ariel returned with clothes and a towel. With her help, Asha wiped down and dressed. Feeling warmer made her feel almost human again.
Then a strange scent tickled her nose. Maybe because she was starving, her sense of smell felt sharper than usual. She sniffed around, tracing it to her master. Normally, Ariel carried a fresh fruit fragrance... but now it was mixed with something sticky and cloying.
With her eyes closed, sniffing intently, Ariel's puzzled voice broke in.
"What art thou doi— ...ng?"
...Still working on that speech quirk, huh.
Asha shook her head and finished dressing. The underwear wasn't ideal, but... what could she do?
"No, just... must be my imagination."
"Is that so? Best to eat downstairs, methinks. In the meantime, I brought this."
Ariel shook a potion vial. Judging by the color, probably a recovery potion. Unlike Asha, her master didn't fuss over taste, so it was flavorless... but effective.
They split it with Veronica, rested a bit, then headed to the kitchen. The hallway was filled with savory aromas. In the kitchen, Claudia was cooking, with Cecil assisting beside her. Dressed in a cute apron, Cecil vigorously stirred something in a bowl.
Claudia, tasting the food, locked eyes with her and waved cheerfully. Her tail wagged furiously from her hips.
...Hope no fur gets in the food.
"You're awake!"
"Y-yeah..."
Awkwardly greeting Claudia, Asha turned to Cecil next.
"Sha'a-nim!"
Cream smeared on her face, Cecil barreled over and hugged her tight. Tasting the sweet smear that transferred to Asha's cheek... it was delicious.
...Feeling Cecil's warm body heat, Asha recalled the events before passing out. Her face heated up.
...Expecting Cecil to clean that up without anyone noticing would be a tall order. Plus, her butt was inexplicably throbbing. Truth be told, even during the deed with Veronica, her other hole had clenched rhythmically, making it feel weird.
Thinking about it... kinda funny. Front hole with Cecil, back one with Veronica.
...Isn't this body a bit too greedy? It's mine now, but... still.
Lost in thought while hugging Cecil, Claudia approached with a pouty look and pried them apart.
"Save the touching reunion for later—finish up first? Sha'a, go sit at the table with the others."
"Got it."
Cecil puffed her cheeks but returned to the kitchen for Asha's sake. Things wrapped up quickly, and they all sat to enjoy the meal Claudia and Cecil prepared: pancakes with cream, salad, bacon. Ordinary fare.
Stuff she'd normally scarf down without a thought. But... for some reason, the rice from the capital kept coming to mind. She poked at it halfheartedly until Ariel spoke up, concerned.
"You said you were hungry, yet you're barely eating."
"Oh... just got lost in thought for a sec."
Claudia sounded miffed.
"Not to your taste?"
"N-no, it's not that... I was just thinking about the food from the capital..."
No excuse came to mind, so she blurted the truth. Claudia might not take it badly, but to her surprise, she just laughed.
"Ah, that stuff was good. Tried recreating it, but no ingredients."
"...It's fine. This is delicious too."
"Glad to hear it."
Watching Claudia grin... Asha's heart grew complicated. She'd brushed off her true identity assuming her body would revert soon. But fooling Claudia felt slimy now. If Sha'a suddenly vanished... they'd be lost, right?
...After deceiving the princess too, who am I to complain now. Still, with Claudia... they'd been through a lot. First impressions as Sha'a were awful, but this connection had to continue. As Asha, as Sha'a.
...Coming clean might be best all around. Timing TBD, but before it got worse.
For now... fill the belly. Cecil was staring, face saying how's the food I helped make?
Stuffing her famished gut and sipping Ariel's tea... her body relaxed. Claudia headed out for post-meal exercise and cleanup, leaving Asha, Cecil, Ariel, and Veronica at the table.
...Basically everyone except Claudia. Felt oddly like they'd ditched her.
Asha drained the dregs, refilled her cup, and Ariel spoke.
"I told Claudia thou wert... ill, so fret not."
"Ah... thanks."
Not on purpose... right?
"How fares thy body?"
"Good as new."
"Fortunate, then."
"Wasn't sick anyway."
Just too damn good.
Ariel, who smoked spirit grass instead of tea leaves, suddenly grimaced and pulled a letter from her bosom to read. Veronica scratched her head with a here it comes face.
Curious, Asha eyed the envelope's seal—familiar wax emblem.
Where've I seen that...? Oh, right... the Alchemy Guild stamp. Probably sent to pester her master again.
Ariel read carefully, frowning, then exhaled spirit smoke and turned to her.
"Disciple."
"Yes?"
"How long since thou last contacted the Guild?"
Guild... not since leaving the academy for her current workshop.
"Not once since academy graduation?"
"What!?"
Veronica's eyes bulged, pointing accusingly. Ariel pressed her temple like she'd expected it.
Confused, Asha got her answer.
"What thinkest thou is the reason I've attended the Guild and exchanged letters all this time?"
"Uh... to schmooze with the old fogeys?"
Bam! Ariel slammed the letter on the table. She glanced at Cecil and tidied it away.
"...Any alchemist affiliated with the Guild must show their face now and then—not yearly, but regularly. To prove they're alive and renew credentials."
"...News to me."
Why the glare? No one told me!
"So... what happens if you don't?"
"What happens?"
Ariel said flatly. Veronica eyed her pitifully.
"Thou becomest an unlicensed alchemist. Simple."
"Huh."
"Note: selling potions without credentials is illegal."
"Uh..."
"And they've contacted me because thou art unreachable—thy license expires soon."
"Oh..."
"'Oh' what!"
Ariel whacked her head with the letter.