Breaking the Rules Pt. 04

"Wait! You've left your treasure!" Furaha said, pointing at the little box.

Click click.

Ekene pointed at Furaha.

"For... me?"

Click.

"Why thank you! I can put this to good use. Take care, Ekene!"

And then she was gone.

"None for me?" Nuru said, ribbing her as she poked through the gold and small gems.

"You didn't offer to take her place," she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Shit... you really did, didn't you?"

She snapped the box shut, leaning into him. "I... I couldn't help myself. I've already been through so much. But if she didn't have to... I'd rather it was me."

Nuru swallowed nervously. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

She took a deep shuddering breath. "No, it's OK. I'm OK. We helped her Nuru, and nobody had to go through what I did."

They stood silently for a little bit, watching the waves crash in.

"I've got to get to the library. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss in private?"

"Ah... yes." Nuru explained about what Fumnaya had said about her incubus before he left.

"I'm not starting a stable with you," Furaha said haughtily, then winked.

"Of course, I don't want to be tied down yet either. But my succubus wants me to find more people like that, just to meet them. For the EXP, and..."

"And that secret succubus business. Hmm. Those folks won't be leaving signs around advertising themselves."

"Not directly. But- what is the sound of one hand clapping?"

"Silence? Or- hmm, I don't know. Where's that from?"

"It's a riddle. My succubus says that it might help identify the others."

"I do love a good mystery. So this is why you came to see me?"

"I certainly thought of you. But after you were gone, I wanted more to see what happened, why you'd left. You still able to reach Ace?"

"Yes. It's a little bit less convenient than before. This doofus page that hangs around here, he's no good at all. Takes forever, loses things. Makes poor choices and gets beat up. I'm going to pay way too much for Ace as a page, but I need him."

"I don't know about that, the guy probably just needs the right motivation. I was warned that he likes to steal things out of packages, and pretend he got attacked."

"That little- ooh, I won't stand for this. But I know just what I'm going to do. I'll sort this out, don't you worry."

"Never had a doubt, that's why I'm coming to you with this first. What do you think, you want to stir up some more trouble with me?"

"Hah! They thought they were punishing me by sending me here. Little do they know they've given me even less to lose. I'm in."

"I'm so happy to hear that. Shall we go?"

"Yes. I'm afraid you'll have to leave town, though; I've just remembered my boss is coming later today, and he knows who you are. If he catches you here you're going to have PvP on you in a hot second. He knows the Lawyers are going to bend every rule in your disfavor, and so he can get away with murder, basically."

"How often does he come around?"

"This is probably the only time he'll ever set foot in this sandy hell. He's just sending me a message: behave, or else. Showing up in person is a symbolic act, to emphasize it and intimidate me."

"Little does he know what he's up against. Take care, Furaha. It's great to see you again."

"You too, Nuru. Git good. Stay good." She kissed him again, then got a sly look. "But not *too* good."

Nuru grinned. "Not too good to demand a rematch on our little try-not-to-cum contest."

"I'm looking forward to it. Oh, I've just had a thought. Why don't you go talk to a friend of mine, out in Onyx Township? Go to the Boar and Rose, ask for Tatenda. Tell him you're looking for a party; he knows all the best places to find interesting people. He's my best recruiter, and if he can't find the dirtiest sex parties where the people you're looking for might be, I don't know who can. If you find any clues, let me know; meanwhile, I'll have some time to do statistical analysis and see if we can figure out what kind of riddle this is, and see if Ace can swipe a few hard-to-find books for me. We'll settle our contest once you get back."

He watched her turn and walk away, his pubes tingling. She held her head up high, face turned to the sun, as if noticing it for the first time, and as if it was a pleasant surprise.