Rika was already tying Leon to a chair. She had brought him into the basement's cellar. No windows and only one door. The other 3 members of Rika's party just watched. Still trying to gather their thoughts while they stood by the door.
"So the favor that you need was for me to be food for some monster girl?"
"Yup"
Rika replied as causal as ever
"And that's why you looked guilty after yelling at me and Valeria."
"Do you really need to say everything out loud?"
"Kinda yeah. Figure I'd give you a hard time for being bratty."
Rika's eye brow raised at his teasing.
"Oh you think you're funny? Not smart though. Making jokes after you already let yourself get tied to a chair."
She tightened the ropes in her hands extra hard. A mischievous smile across her face.
"Oops, my bad."
A quick laugh interrupted the two's teasing.
"I'm surprised to see Rika getting a long with a man so well
The knight had watched the two interacting and was now beginning to make her way over.
"Somtimes I worry she might kill a man should he say the wrong thing, and the here you two are you. Rika must be highly fond of you."
The knight had joined in on teasing Rika. Her tone insinuating possible romantic feelings Rika might have towards him.
"Oh please. This Farm boy isn't anything special. Also I already stabbed for the record, don't go acting like I'm getting soft or anything."
Hints of concern re-appear on the knight face, though for different reasons this time. She then looked at him.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I'm Roselyn, a Paladin and leader of 'Rose thorns'. Over there is our wizard; Cersei, and our druid; Tala."
He looked over at the other two. Cersei and Tala both gave a little gesture as Roselyn introduced them.
"As for why you are here exactly..."
She accented the final word, giving the glare at Rika who was still tying him up.
"Our friend is in need of your help. On top of everything else that we are already asking of you, I also request that you ask no personal details and keep this a secret."
I can see why she's the leader. Holy knight, blonde hair, blue eyes, pretty face and charismatic. Not like I was going to say no but she would definitely make it hard to.
"Yeah no worries. Can I at least know what monster is your friend exactly?"
The room went quiet.
"A succubus."
Overseer of Death, thank you!
"HOWEVER, you will not be doing anything! She was captured by succubi only a few days ago. During that time they somehow turned her into one."
Succubi are all female right? Is that how they make more of them? Just turn humans into monsters?
"She's a very Noble and Holy woman, which is probably why they targeted her. Those demons even gave her the key to her own cage. Waiting hungry to break her."
Roselyn's voice was furious.
"Yet despite all that she has resisted falling into depravity and has been starving herself. Choosing to die rather than defile herself and kill others."
Oh that's really dark. Maybe I was too quick to get excited. Too many anime and games downplay the cruelty of demons. Treating succubi as just horny girls.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear... But is she going to be ok feeding on me then? I won't die but...."
"Which is why we are tying you up. This way you can't touch or do anything that might weaken her resolve. Kissing should be enough for her to feed off you."
Rika stood up. She had finished tying him to the chair
"Too late to back out now. Just need to blindfold him and we're set."
"Alright I'll go try and convince her."
Roselyn gave a look to Rika once more before she turned and left. Cersei and Tala gave a quick node before existing as well. Leaving just Leon and Rika alone.
"So ummm...."
He didn't know what to say. There was an awkwardness in their air. He could say for sure what his and Rika relationship was, but if it could be romantic he definitely wanted to be.
"Don't go getting fooled by Rose. Also I don't know what they tell you about succubus on the farm but they are demons that target the lust of men. To die to a succubus is to die screaming in pain."
Panic struck him
"But I thought they...but...that makes sense...shit."
Rika laughed
"I'm sure it can't hurt that bad. And until we find a way to cure her you'll have to get used to it. Serves you right for getting cocky."
"Note to self. When Rika asked; 'Do you trust me' say 'no'."
"Shut it Farm boy"
She leaned it, bringing her face especially close to his. Her eyes staring into his eyes with a slight blush and genuine smile. The last thing he saw was her face before she covered his eyes with the blindfold.
Silence
Did she leave? I didn't even hear her steps or the door.
"Rika?"
He called out but no response.
Wow, she's good…
Then warmth touched his lips. A soft kiss, light and fleeting. It barely lasted a second, but it sent a spark through him, lingering even after her lips pulled away.
Before he could react, hurried footsteps crossed the room. The door opened and closed.
Silence.