Na’amah steps out of the back door of the Black Rose, glancing out over the waters of the harbor before turning and locking the heavy wooden door. She steps across the small crossing that led to the tunnel that would take her to the Ten Bells. She steps into the welcoming shadows, feeling their light touch along her skin as she always does. The shadows in this city were so very friendly to her. It almost felt like home.
She hears voices up ahead and pauses, staying in those friendly shadows as she peeks out into the street. She see’s Father Monoceros, the city’s one preacher, standing near the exit of the tunnel, speaking with a young asian girl, dressed in a ruffled black and white frock. The Father’s cassock was pressed and crisp. The cross that hung from his neck glinting brightly in the moonlight. Na’amah pressed herself against the stone, willing the shadows to gather round her as she watches.
“Oh, right!” the girl nods, putting her coins into her purse and tucking it away. “I’ll have to hide it better.”
The Father nods in approval and his eyes dart around the street. Na’amah noticed this behavior on many of the residents here. It is best to keep an eye out when one is surrounded by darkness.
The girl bows her head and murmurs, “Sorry for being so rude. I’m Lumana.” She curtsies quickly, “Nice to meet you Father.”
Monoceros smiles, “Nice to meet you Miss Lumina. Welcome to our town.” His words provoke a small smile from the girl. Her long black hair hiding her face shyly. “What brings you to our town, Miss Lumana?”
The man glances towards the tunnel and he pauses, looking curiously, the shadows to dark for him to make out more than the pale form of the woman in the tunnel. She does not move from her position, she simply watches the street, and the two who stand upon it.
The girl scratches her head as she ponders the question, “Well…I fell on this boat, ‘cause I dropped something, and then it sailed off and then I ended up here!” she smiles up at Monoceros, her face a pleasurable mask of girlish innocence.
He squints, trying to make out the figure in the tunnel more clearly. He glances from the tunnel back down to Lumana, though can’t seem to return her smile, “I see…So you arrived here by accident?”
She nods softly, “The world usually takes me places for a reason.”
Na’amah chuckles, the sound is caught by the tunnel and propelled out into the street. Monoceros looks worried at the girl, “You should be careful Miss. Many dangers lurk in the streets here.” He shivers as the chuckle floats to him, “Stay clear of the dark alleys in town.” He shifts from foot to foot as Na’amah flashes her fangs at him, a pale Cheshire smile that floats within the darkness of the tunnel, “I do hope you have a decent place to stay?” he returns nervous eyes to the girl.
Na’amah slips back into the shadows, a small hiss leaving her lips as she steps deeper into the tunnel. She slips back towards the Black Rose, sliding into the thin alley between the Black Rose and the warehouse next door. She steps quickly through the cobblestone streets, heading towards Miss Fate’s newly opened organic herbals shop to make a few purchases. The fae’s herbs were of the utmost quality, and she expected nothing less from her kind. Fae always took care with their plants. Na’amah had an order of Rosary pea seeds on order and needed to check on the shipment as well as pick up a few basic supplies for her potion making this evening.
She steps out of the store, tucking the small bag of herbs into her purse she makes her way back to the Black Rose by way of the Concert Hall. She meant to take a stroll through the park, with it’s red and white striped carousel, but stopped short when she heard the faintest stirrings of music coming from the Hall.
Na’amah pauses at the door of the Concert Hall, gazing into it’s darkened interior. It’s lush red curtains framing the harpsichord and harp that were currently set up. Left over from one of the many soirees that occurred in the recent past she was sure.
Pressing her hand against the archway she leans into it, her eyes flicking once at the man who passes, used to the wide eyed look she steps inside.
The Concert Hall was a round building with four archways that lead to the outer hallway. The hallway filed the patrons toward the one door to the inner sanctuary and Na’amah had just happened to enter the main door, with the straight shot into the inner sanctum. She steps quietly, nearly silent as her eyes took in the raven haired form bent over the harpsichord. The girl’s eyes were closed to intent was she on the music. Na’amah smiles, recognizing the girl from earlier. The demoness takes one last glance behind her and steps into the nearly empty hall.
Lumana’s small pale hands moved across the keys, the song lilting sadly over the heavy wooden benches. Na’amah steps around the first row of the semicircular benches, the music sliding over her skin, drawing her forward. Her two pronged tail flicking in time with the girl’s music. She hums along with it, her fingers dancing on the marble of a nearby pillar.
The girl starts, her fingers stilling over the keys. She looks up nearly falling out of the seat. Fear evident in her beautiful lilac eyes.
“Oh, please. Do continue. It’s quite lovely.” Na’amah purrs as she rests her head on the pillar, her dark eyes watching the girl with amusement.
The girl hesitantly returns to the music, a light blush of embarrassment staining her pale cheeks.
Na’amah smiles and steps slowly around the chairs, the music pulling her right up to the front row. “how long have you been playing?” she murmurs.
Lumana blushes a shade deeper, “I..I. don’t really know how to play, really. I just listen to others and copy the strokes.” Her fingers fumble and she clasps them quickly into her lap.
Na’amah steps forward, gesturing to the harp, “May I join you?”
“P..P..please do Miss.”
Stepping over to the harp she smoothes her volumous skirt and settles on the stool, her fingers flicking over the strings to warm up before nodding to Lumana, “You just go ahead and play what you know. I will follow your lead.” Her smile is soft, her fangs hidden away so as not to frighten the girl.
Lumana takes a deep breath and nods. She begins to play, the music sliding from the keys as if teased by a lover. Na’maha begins to pluck, simple counterpoints at first, growing more and more complex as the song progresses, she adds harmonies and flourishes, encouraging the girl to greater passion.
They play like this for a time, moving from song to song, Lumana beginning and Na’amah following. Her tails flicking a beat against the floor, tracing the tempo of the music as they flowed. Her mind flashes to the last time she played the harp and her eyes flash open. Her fingers slowed, and then stilled on the strings. She could still hear the laughter and joy from the other angels, the bright light from the presense of the creator. His deep laugh ringing out over the marble and gold halls of heaven. She pulls her hands back slowly, drowning in the memory of all that she has lost.
“What’s wrong Miss?”
Na’amah blinks back to reality, seeing her ash pale hands in her lap she swallows and looks up to Lumana with a forced smile, “I fear it has been much too long since I have played the harp. It brings back…memories.” She inclines her head, “But don’t let my melancholy stop you from playing.”
The girls eyes were soft and gentle with understanding, she continues to play as Na’amah stands, running her fingers lightly over the wood of the harp, her sharp nails leaving a thin score along the wood. “I am Na’amah.” She smiles, “I fear my manners are lacking this eve.”
She bows her head toward the keys to hide her blush, “I’m Lumana. It’s nice to meet you Miss Na’amah.”
“Lumana?” she asks as if she hadn’t heard the girl talking to Father Monoceros from the darkness of the tunnel. “What an unusual name! And you seem so very young. Do tell, where do you come from?”
“I don’t know where I come from. I just go from city to city. Wherever the world takes me so to speak.”
“A Traveler?” dark eyes take on a predatory hue, “And you have just arrived here.” It was more a statement than a question.
“I’ve been here for a small while, but yes, still rather new.”
Na’amah nods, glancing back to the door before stepping closer, her tails sliding up to touch the girl’s delicate wrists, stilling her hands on the keys. She looks down at her, her finger running lightly under the girl’s chin as she gazes into those purple orbs. “Do you like it here?” she murmurs.
“Y..yes Miss Na’amah.” The color once again creeps up her cheeks.
Na’amah’s tail slips across the girls lap to brush her thigh, sliding up through the ruffles on the girl’s skirt to twine around her hips. “Good girl.” She purrs, leaning down to brush her lips against Lumana’s. She holds the girl’s chin lightly as she does so, chuckling as the girl presses her legs together, blushing to the root of her hair.
Na’amah lets a rush of air slip from her lips as the girl’s embarrassment licks across her skin stirring her hunger. She cups her cheek and smiles. Feeling her hunger prowl back behind her eyes.
There is a sound behind her, a snuffling. She turns and frowns at the large dragon that has stuck his head into the room. Her tails tighten on Lumana’s waist, and she squeeks quietly.
“Can I help you?” she calls out to the creature.
“Hmm? No..no….Sorry if I was disturbing.” The dragon’s head turns so that he could gaze at them though a glassy eye. He takes in the situation and flushes a bit, his scales flashing with color.
Na’amah cocks an eyebrow at the dragon, “Do you even fit in here?” she growls, hand on her hip.
“I do fit.” The dragon huffs, slightly offended. Na’amah flicks her fingers in a sarcastic wave as he backs his way out and slinks off.
Na’amah pinches the bridge of her nose, a soft sigh escaping her lips. (a curse about nosy dragons perhaps.) She opens her eyes and turns back around looks down at the blushing girl, “Perhaps we can take this conversation to someplace less…public.”
Lumana nods, eyes wide and trusting, “Oh…um…alright.”
Na’amah steps back, holding out her hand to help the girl up from the bench. Her fingers close around the smaller ones as the girl shyly takes her hands and scoots off the bench.
“I know the perfect place.” She murmurs, stepping back, pulling the girl with her gently. The girl obediently follows, unaware of the hunger that burns into the demon’s mind.
They keep to the alleys, smoke pouring from the blacksmith’s shop, the salty smell of the ocean chasing them as they hurried back to the Black Rose. Na’amah opens the heavy wooden door and gestures for her to enter. Lumana looks around as her eyes adjust to the smokey interior. The smell of opium drifting down to them from above.
Na’amah closes the door and as she does so her tails flick out and wrap about the girls’ wrist. As she turns to face the wide eyed beauty the tails pull her closer. Lumana stumbles forward.
“Such a pretty girl.” Na’amah murmurs as she brushes back a lock of the girl’s blue-black hair with a long finger. Smiling as the girl blushes deeper.
“Th..th.ank you Mi-miss Na’amah.” She studders.
The second tail wraps around the girl’s waist, drawing her in. The girl stumbles forward hesitantly until their hips touched and they stood face to face. Na’amah looks down into those fascinating purple eyes and leans in, her tongue flicking across Lumana’s lips, seeking entrance. Her hand sliding up the back of her head, gripping her hair tightly between long pale fingers as the girl tries to pull back from the kiss.
“P.p.please…” comes the small whisper from the frightened girl.
The demoness pulls back, her eyes sparkling with wicked humor, “Please? Oh, do beg. I love it when they beg.” The tail that wraps around the girl’s waist slides down to find the bottom ruffle of the knee length black dress, then slides back up her thigh, caressing the bare flesh of her legs.
She puts her hand up to try and push away from the demoness, “Please Miss, don’t.” she wimpers.
Na’amah shivers with the pleading, “Oh.” She purrs, her tail sliding along the girl’s cotton panties, sending another blush across her smooth cheeks. “We are going upstairs and we are going to have SO much fun.” She grins down at her, her fangs flashing in the light. She leans in and whispers along her neck, “I promise, you’ll love it.”
Understanding finally dawns on Lumana’s face and she cries out, struggling to get free, “No! Please! Let me go!”
Na’amah watches the girl struggle, her tails tight against her. She reaches out and turns the girl by the shoulders and pushes her towards the darkened stairs with a chuckle, “Let’s go.”
Lumana shakes her head struggling in her arms, her purple eyes filling with tears, “My Lord will be very upset, please!” the tears break free and start rolling down her cheeks and Na’amah leans in to lick them away. The salty taste sending shiver through to the four rows of thick black tentacles that line her spine. They begin to flick and lengthen. Reaching forward to caress the soft pouty flesh of Lumana’s trembling lips.
“Oh…and who is your Lord?” she murmurs, entranced by the girl’s fear.
“Th-the Mayor!” the girl cries out, struggling against the wave of tentacles that begin to surround her.
Na’amah pauses, her dark eyes narrowing at the girl. She straightens and looks over her shoulder as the front door opens and who but the Baron Blackadder, the Mayor of Legacies should walk in.
“Madame Na’amah? Are you about?” he smiles at the demoness then starts in surprise as he sees Lumana.
Fighting down her hunger, though she is sure it flares in her eyes she steps back, her face falling into a mask of polite amusement, “Greetings Mayor.” She murmurs.
Baron Blackadder gives Lumana a stern look, before turning to Na’amah, “Ah, Madame, I was just coming to invite you to dinner at my estate one day this week.” His gaze flicks between the two women, an eyebrow raised.
Lumana pulls way from the loosening tentacles and quickly wipes at her tears. She drops her eyes to the floor, shaking.
The tentacles withdraw from the girl, shrinking back, “Oh?” Na’amah murmurs.
Baron Blackadder frowns, “Child whatever are you doing in here instead of preparing my meal at home? It is near dinner time!”
Na’amah’s eyebrows flick up in amusement, she turns her dark gaze to the girl, a small smile on her face.
“I’m sorry, my Lord, Please forgive me.” She bows her head, her hands twisting in the folds of her skirt.
The man holds out his hand to the girl, looking between the two in question, “Lumana, come here.” His voice is soft and she steps over quickly, keeping her eyes on the floor. “You didn’t answer me, Lumana.”
The girl sniffles, “I was playing the piano at the circle building thing and..um…Miss Na’amah brought me here.”
“Indeed.” Na’amah interjected, “Lumana has a wonderful ear for music.”
Baron Blackadder smiles “Well then, should you accept my invitation. Perhaps I shall have her play for us.”
She inclines her head, “I would be delighted.” she purrs watching as once again the heat rises in the girl’s face.
Baron Blackadder lays a gentle hand on Lumana’s head while looking at the demoness. “Shall we say Wednesday, around this time Madame Na’amah?”
She smiles, looking at the girl as she sniffles beneath his hand, “It will be a delight to watch you entertain us.”
“She is a darling let me tell you, I haven’t been happier with a maid.” The Baron smiles down at Lumana, as she presses against him, away from the demoness’ predatory gaze.
“She is indeed, such a lovely thing.”
“Well, we had best not take up more of your time, had we my p…Lumana.”
Na’amah’s eyes flick up to the Baron, her eyebrow quirking at his slip, she clasps her hands before her to hide the shaking of suppressed hunger, “I look forward to Wednesday then.”
Lumana hurries quickly to the door and opens it for him, “Thank you for your time Miss Na’amah.” She whispers, eager to be gone.
Na’amah chuckles, “Anytime Lumana.” Watching them step out into the night with amused disappointment.