The Witch of hopelessness

~~~~

Finally, these classes might actually get started. Supposedly- after only a day of the sign-up sheet being out- countless others had put their name on that sheet. Apparently, there was enough interest that this little test-run of the class was already full. In total, at least fourteen different beasts had signed up for the classes and Crowley was eager to get them started.

According to the Crow, winter break was coming up soon, so he wanted you to give a few of these classes their trial run before officially making it a full class. The few who were allowed to join the trial run were getting credit for the class as a special elective. Apparently, the sheet had caused quite the stir as several of your guards put it upon themselves to keep the sheet away from others. Where you frowned upon the clique behavior, you weren't sad that not everyone could sign up. You were no fool to the way others- guards and strangers alike- looked at you.

As early in the morning as it was, your dorm was stirring with life and activity. You, Sam, and Azul had settled on the equipment needed for the classes and those you would be teaching, so it was all being delivered that morning. The hope was that you would have enough time to set up for the classes and run a quick one in the afternoon. There wasn't much of a lesson plan so much as a crash course in cooking.

For a full class curriculum, you intended to go over the mother sauces and how to make them before implementing them in larger meals. For this trial class, you were more interested in seeing if they could make a proper roux and from there teach them a meal based off of the roux like a nice gumbo or soup. Soup was universally liked any time you made it, so you were happy to teach these beasts a simple one for these trial classes.

As you ate your breakfast and occasionally fed Grim from your plate, you were not anticipating the chaos that came tumbling into the room.

"This is madness, I say, MADNESS!"

Crowley landed in a feathered heap as he tumbled through the doorway. His wings were ruffled and he was clearly displeased as he cawed and hopped into the room. The soft sound of his talons clicking on the floor accompanied his displeased vocalizations.

"What is madness?"

"Those ridiculous representatives are demanding yet another audience with you! They just had their first one and now they are acting like they are entitled to another! Apparently they aren't pleased that your diplomatic visits have- primarily- been to witness executions. The nerve of them! To demand you visit these countries yet get angry you have been attacked while in these countries! Don't they know it is dangerous for you to go anywhere due to the poaching activities?"

You felt an unsettled feeling wash over you at the idea that you would have to go to even more countries and likely be attacked more frequently. Even at the last representative meeting you had been attacked by one of their own. Part of you wondered if this was actually a meeting about your safety or if the representatives just wanted to see you again.

"Can you believe that, Baby Bird? These- These absolute PARASITES! Not only have they demanded a second meeting with you, but they are insisting this time that their individual doctors give you an examination! The nerve of them!"

The idea that you would have to face countless doctors and medical professionals back to back brought a frown to your face. You knew many of them likely just wanted a Human to study, all far too keen to poke and prod you for their own curiosity. They had only backed off last time due to your discomfort after that Rat attacked you. It didn't take a genius to realize that they likely wanted to take samples and perform what little research on you they could.

"I vote that Papa Hades is present the entire examination so he can kick out anyone who is too interested or if someone makes me uncomfortable."

"That seems amenable to me," the elder hummed out, gently clearing the table of empty plates, "it would likely give your guards peace of mind as well."

"Exactly my thoughts," you paused for a moment, lowering your voice, "and if they try anything, you can just kill them."

Hades barked out a short laugh, his nose crinkled from his toothy grin. Clearly, he found the idea of being your attack dog an amusing one. Perhaps he thought you were joking around.

You were not joking.

~•§•~

"... Should we do something?"

"... No."

Your Pomefiore guards and the trio of Mer stared in stunned quiet as you worked your way through the Mostro lounge kitchens. There was likely an hour before these intended classes and you had not stopped cleaning every surface, cupboard, knife, and newly acquired utensils. Even the extremely new stoves got a deep clean.

At first, you had been rather uninterested in the space itself and just focused on what you needed for classes. It wasn't until you saw one of the Mostro lounge students place raw chicken on the counter and then to a plate only to place veggies on that same counter without cleaning it. That simple transgression set your blood burning and started this cleaning frenzy.

At first, Jade had tried to help you clean, but it became more than obvious that you were going to scrub everything, even if he already cleaned it. Even Floyd had tried his hand and helping before backing off when you nearly growled at him for not cleaning well enough. Now the trio stood with your Pomefiore guards and watched you clean.

Rook had been more quiet than usual, hovering obsessively over Vil despite the way his eyes hungrily watched you. Your every step and move was tracked by the Drider who very uncharacteristically observed you in silence. Though Vil knew why the Drider was behaving this way, he wasn't going to say anything about it to the others or to you.

"Raw chicken on the fucking counter... Raised in a damn barn..!"

You muttered as you continued cleaning, scrubbing at a rather persistent stain on the counter. As far as your guards knew, the kitchen had been cleaned three times over by you and you were now just going after any imperfection you found. Even the floor had a noticeable lack of grime as you had scrubbed that too. It was so clean Vil would have been willing to eat off of the floor if he didn't value his image so much.

"Scrub until it fucking shines..!"

You had gone on such a cleaning rampage that Azul decided to close the lounge for the lunch hour- something he would have never done for anyone else- just to give you space to clean. Though you were less than pleased over all, Azul was certainly enjoying the view of your rear as you scrubbed. His light blue eyes watching you as you continued your bluster. If anything, you were calmer than you had been when you started cleaning, so you must have been burning off your anger while cleaning.

"Fine. Good enough... Maybe one more once over?"

"I'm sure it is extremely clean, Angelfish. You've made it almost sterile-"

"As it should be! Food preparation is no joke! Even the smallest cross contamination can ruin a dish with bacteria or even a different taste. Safe food practices lead to safe and delicious food!"

You sighed, wiping at the sweat that had been collecting on your forehead. The feel of it made you grimace as you glared at nothing in particular. It had not been your plan to spend time scrubbing, and now the feel of the sweat cooling on your body made you feel grimy. Not really what you had been planning on for your first cooking class as the teacher.

"... Azul?"

"Yes, Angelfish?"

"Is the room I used a few weeks ago still free?"

"Of course it is. That is your room in Octavinelle, free for you to use as you wish."

"Wonderful. I'm going to take a shower and I expect the kitchen to stay clean until I get back, understood?"

"Absolutely."

"Good."

Without much warning, you turned on your heel to make your way to the room Azul kept reserved for you. Vil and Rook were quick to follow you, the Harpy stopping Epel from doing the same with a stern glance.

"Epel, make sure it stays clean, understood?"

"Y-yes, Housewarden Vil."

The plant Nymph visibly pouted as he watched the pair follow you into the dorm. For as excited as he had been to be your guard and spend more time with you, he was learning how much he actually had to keep up with you. It was his hope that he could snuggle you and cuddle with you more consistently, but you rarely stayed still. Even the few moments you spent sitting and relaxing were often the busiest time for the Nymph.

From keeping an eye on everyone around you- just in the off chance that they could hurt you- all the way to making sure you were comfortable and actually relaxing. Epel had been on high alert and felt more than a little wound up the entire time. He had first thought that this whole guarding thing would be easy, but he was learning that it was certainly no easy walk in the orchard.

"... So, how's guarding Lil' Shrimpy going?"

~•§•~

Rook stood outside of the bathroom, his forehead pressed against the door as he tried to keep himself calm. Your voice floated gently out of the room and through his mind, lifting his heart and tugging at his very soul. What he wouldn't give to be in there with you, to watch as you scrubbed your body and sang such a lovely song for his ears alone.

"Rook, leave the door alone."

The voice of Vil cut through his thoughts, bringing his undulating movements to the forefront of his mind. He had been moving his pedipalps across the door and very clearly had excited himself. That firm length from between his fangs demanded his attention and twitched every time you began another warbling note. There was no way he would survive just listening to you.

Vil watched as Rook turned to stare pleadingly. His eyes were pitch black, reflecting the excitement building in his body. He was holding up better than Vil expected given the fact that he was so close to you and in the middle of his rut. The Drider had been doing a remarkable job keeping to himself and not getting overly excited, but Vil knew better.

Vil was no stranger to helping Rook during his mating season, but this season was different. Where Rook had once only needed help every other day and could take care of it himself, he was now needing Vil to help relieve him several times a day. Rook couldn't even get himself to finish anymore and it was beginning to concern Vil.

The Harpy had found Rook sobbing that morning, trying desperately to get himself off and finding himself wholly incapable. Apparently the Drider had spent four hours trying and failing that morning to take care of himself. It had never been an issue before, but it was clearly an issue now. All it took was a single touch from Vil to get Rook the rest of the way.

Now Vil watched Rook closely, seeing the Drider hover by your door and pant into the wood. Something about your presence has made Rook incapable of reaching his orgasm without help. Vil wasn't certain, but he was mostly convinced that it was a result of your presence. To have you so close by, but unable to truly access you, rendered Rook incapable of orgasming from his own touch.

"Roi du Poison... I can't... I can't pull myself away..."

Rook whimpered, tears falling down his lovely face as he tried to keep his voice quiet. He was genuinely trying to remove his hands from the door, but his body refused to respond to his desperate attempts. Even as he tried to turn to face his closest friend, he couldn't pull himself away from you.

It didn't matter a door was in the way. It didn't matter that Rook was desperate to leave you unaware of his current condition. It didn't matter that Rook was to the point of tears from how pent up he felt. It didn't matter that Vil was trying to coax him away.

What mattered was that you were on the other side of that door, wet and bare in the shower, and he could just barely pick up your scent among the various soaps you used.

Vil stood then, approaching the shaking Drider who continued to cry into the door. His touch was gentle and Rook couldn't help but lean into it. Rook's mind immediately went to you as his eyes closed, letting the Harpy work him over for the third time that day. Even in his most intense rut prior, Rook had barely needed assistance during the day and could handle himself. This was no normal rut and the pair couldn't help but wonder if you were to blame.

Ariande: Greetings, dear sister. The weather is quite splendid today, isn't it?

Isabella: *munching on the leg of a puppy* Ari, I genuinely hate you, I have no love for you in any shape or form.