"Why isn't this coming off?" The unexpected voice yanked me from my slumber, instantly snapping me out of the embrace of sleep.
Blinking my eyes in response to the subdued lighting, my focus honed in on a sight that was both baffling and amusing. Perched atop my lower body was Venidith, her hands playfully tugging at the fabric of my leggings. An intriguing mix of confusion and mild annoyance swept over me as I grappled with the absurdity of the moment.
Caught in the act, Venidith found herself frozen in place, her eyes locking onto mine with a hint of sheepishness. Her grin, although attempting to play innocent, couldn't mask the intriguing blend of mischief and uncertainty that danced within her gaze.
"What in the world are you up to?" I inquired, my tone a blend of disbelief and bemusement.
With an awkward chuckle, Venidith offered a somewhat feeble explanation, "It's almost dinnertime, you see?" Her voice wavered slightly, attempting to preserve an illusion of carefree casualness.
"Dinnertime?" I countered, my skepticism evident as I raised an eyebrow. "Since when does dinner involve the removal of leggings?"
Her grin wavered, and she appeared to grapple with finding the right words. "Well, I thought it might be entertaining," she mumbled, her fingers anxiously playing with the fabric.
"Besides, being an outsider to this world, engaging in intimacy with me wouldn't necessarily be considered a sin... though my powers may have a different take on that." With a playful wink, she tugged at her tank top collar, revealing a hint of cleavage.
Opting not to escalate matters, I gently nudged her away. "No, and in the future, just give me a heads-up without, well, resorting to seduction," I suggested, injecting a touch of annoyance into my genuine exasperation.
Venidith theatrically flopped onto the edge of my bed, feigning a melodramatic injury. "Ouch!" she exclaimed in a theatrical manner. "Hey, I'm just attempting to make your time enjoyable, you know?"
Rising from the bed, I stretched my arms in a lazy gesture, dispelling the last traces of my nap. "Actually, I'm already having a good time," I remarked with a yawn. "It's called a satisfying nap."
Venidith rose from the bed, her mischievous grin a constant companion. "Hmmm," she murmured, her voice carrying a playful note. "You're quite the simple man."
I rolled my eyes in response and made my way toward the door, eager to create a bit of distance. "No kidding," I retorted, my tone conveying my lack of interest in engaging in lighthearted banter.
However, Venidith wasn't ready to back down. "Hold on!" she called after me, trailing with an enticing sway in her stride.
As the door swung open, its smooth motion bore testament to the superior craftsmanship of the mothership. The silence that followed its closure underscored the meticulous attention dedicated to the ship's upkeep.
Familiar hallways retained their layout, now boasting a brilliant sheen, and surfaces once showing wear were now impeccable. Gustav's commitment to maintenance was palpable, erasing any trace of corrosion or even the tiniest speck of dust.
"It's so clean, spotless," I remarked, my gaze sweeping over the flawless surroundings as I ventured toward the control room.
Venidith, who had quietly followed, responded with an effortless yawn. "Good ol' Gramps has access to manpower," she remarked with a casual air. "So, he puts those pesky bots to work on cleaning duty."
My thoughts meandered to Sam and her unique capabilities, pondering how she was adapting to the shifting dynamics and the ongoing preparations. Her sharp intellect and versatile skills remained invaluable assets, even in the absence of supernatural powers.
Moving toward the control room, Venidith's voice floated after me, carrying a hint of amusement. "Those little pests even attempted to give me a scrub-down. I took a bath and donned my finest attire."
Glancing over my shoulder, I met her gaze, and she playfully beamed at me. "Oh? Have you finally witnessed my beauty?"
Her attire consisted of well-fitting Nike leggings and a pristine white tank top, which accentuated her silhouette and offered a subtle glimpse of her bust. I sighed inwardly, promptly shifting my focus back to the path ahead.
"Do you approve of my outfit?" Venidith teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I specifically chose them to your liking."
"A tad," I mumbled, even though it appeared that Venidith had managed to catch my response.
As we rounded a corner, nearing the control room, I couldn't help but catch the playfulness etched across Venidith's face. Gustav must have spilled the beans about my preferences for my previous partners when I was involved in relationships.
While it was true that, in private moments, I might have made specific outfit requests, I usually gave them the freedom to choose their attire in public, unless it was overly revealing.
Finally, we arrived at the entrance to the control room, where the door glided open smoothly. Inside, Gustav and Juliette were fully absorbed in their examination of holographic images, likely about the fleshling base.
Both of their gazes swiveled as Venidith and I approached.
"So, how was your nap?" Gustav inquired, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Did this little imp tried to bewitch Big Mara?"
Gustav's hearty laughter filled the air as I playfully brushed off his comment. "No, I caught her red-handed though."
"He didn't give you any consent?" Juliette chimed in from her perch in an office chair, her focus still riveted to the holographic projection.
"He did not" Venidith muttered, a touch of sulkiness coloring her tone.
"True to my words, this man is unswayable," Gustav proclaimed, his face adorned with a playful grin as he pointed my way. "I've slipped him aphrodisiacs all year long."
"He didn't even bat an eye at a passing Succubus," Gustav chimed in, accompanied by a chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah. By the way, where did you send Sam?" I inquired, curiosity piqued about her current location.
"Nearby lake, engaged in training," Gustav responded, gesturing towards the holographic map. "Plus, tomorrow marks the next pick-up point."
A "pick-up point" indicated our reception of offerings from the village we recently aided. On the prior occasion, it had pertained to minor issues with their agricultural practices, resulting in our request for a few sacks of rice and some cuts of meat.
"Got it, I'll handle that," I confirmed, making my way toward the exit of the control room.
"Venidith, you stay here," Juliette directed, her tone carrying unwavering authority. "I have a task for you."
"Huh?" Venidith squeaked, her expression a mix of confusion and reluctance. "But I should accompany this knight, lest some witch tries to ensnare him."
"You can catch up with Alexander later," Juliette reassured Venidith, motioning for her to remain where she was.
"Alright," Venidith grumbled, her steps heavy as she reluctantly approached Juliette.
"That's the spirit, little imp," I playfully teased with a chuckle, setting off toward the dispatch bay.
Upon reaching the dispatch bay, I noticed the conspicuous absence of the truck. Evidently, it had already been put to use for transportation. Nevertheless, given the lake's proximity, a brisk ten-minute walk would suffice for the journey.
With a resounding clang, the dispatch bay door slid open, accompanied by the jingling of shifting chains. The partially ajar doorway afforded me ample room to step outside.
Leaving the mothership in my wake, I embarked on my expedition to the lakeside.