Home Sweet Home. Returning to the Church with crates full of goods, some of which would be used for the evening mass. This was a Wednesday, a Fast day in times of old. Though now the restrictions for most religions, including the Church of Genatrix, are far more lax. Some call it a half Fast, as while there is no real pressure to do so, many still abstain from certain foods out of habit. Meat, Cheese and anything deemed too sweet are off most menus. Spirits and strong wines were not prohibited but strongly recommended in small amounts. And niceties like white bread, which had started to become more common, were not to be seen.
For most, supper would be little more than a bland pottage or soup. Perhaps with some salted fish if they could afford it. Not in the Eros church, however. Life is meant to be enjoyed, with good food being one of the most important aspects for fruitful living. Nash loved to use Wednesdays as a day to experiment with new recipes. Our patrons were often more than happy to be his tasters.
As Moo unloads the goods, Rosen and Blush make their way inside to check the progress on tonight's preparations. First thing she sees is two young adventurers sleeping on a pew, clutching a mob and broom. Rosen wipes a finger across one of the window seals. Spotless. Joizz must have worked these two to the bone.
"Blush," Rosen sighed. "Please get these two cleaned up then prepare the Holy Broth."
Blush bowed and turned to the young Adventurers, attempting to shake them awake. Rosen had her own mission, finding that lazy goblin for a stern talking to.
Kitchen was the first place to look. Nash was there of course, busy preparing a feast as always. The real surprise was Sugar helping out. Darting from table to table, handing Nash anything he needs as he needs it. He tasted from a pot full of a brown, hash-like concoction.
"Needs some Anise. Min gettin me a bunch fr- Oh, Thank yeh kindly."
Sugar had rushed out to the garden a moment after the word Anise was said and returned with a healthy crop before Nash had even finished his thought. Nash chopped the herb up to small pieces and mixed it in thoroughly. Then gave another taste.
"Perfect. Time tah chek the dough."
Sugar hopped over to the higher shelves where several bowls full of rising dough were left. She jumped up high, reaching 4 times her height, snatched a bowl, and landed gracefully as if it was the easiest thing in the world. After giving the dough a quick check she brought it to a well floured table and poured the tacky mass dead center. She then took the now empty bowl to the wash and cleaned it thoroughly, leaving it to dry before going to get the next bowl. All this in a few brief seconds. Nash began cutting the dough up into smaller balls when Rosen walked up.
"She's rather perky today. Sugar giving you any trouble?"
"You kiddin? Best little sue chef I evah had. Fast as lightnin with a torch up her bum. You gotah hav her worken in here more ofen."
"I'm sure we can arrange that. Where's Joizz? She was the one who was supposed to be helping you."
"Las I sawh her she'd took a bag a currants to her room."
Rosen just shook her head. Joizz was difficult to motivate to do almost anything she didn't want to. TIme to give her a little tough love, again.
On her way out, Rosen stopped Sugar as she was returning with more herbs.
"Is something wrong Miss Mary?"
Sugar's black eyes were gleaming. Her coat seemed shinier, her ears upright but relaxed and pointing outward. She had a small smile behind her curiosity. Rosen simply patted her soft little head and went on her way.
The Eastwing was mostly quiet, as it should be. Only on days of rest should there be anyone here. Today the silence was being ruined by loud snoring coming from Joizz's room. She lied upon her bed wearing nothing but her torn pantiehose, half chewed dried fruits and the white stains left by the Adventurer boys. As another grinding snort reached its peak, Rosen pulled the sheets.
"Waz That For?" Joizz said while rubbing her painful nose. "I was dreemen I waz Viking!"
Rosen said nothing, instead staring down with a look that screamed she wasn't mad, just disappointed.
"Waz? I do chore."
"No, you made those two boys do them for you."
"Differences are same."
Rosen held her breath, attempting not to scream.
"Just, just go take your scraps. We got all that junk you wanted."
Joizz stopped picking at her ears and became starry eyed.
"You getz for me!" she squeed.
"Uh, yeah. It's- HEY!" Rosen screamed as Joizz ran from the room. "At least wipe yourself off!"
The overencumbered goblin rushed like Rosen had never seen before. Whatever her little project was, she was very excited for it. Oh well, not much that can be done. Rosen started to head out of the living quarters, when a thought came to her mind. She peeked into Plips' room. Sure enough, sleeping soundly, was the Adventurer girl. Once again, oh well. Best let her rest.
It won't be long until people start coming in for the Evening Mass. About time to close up the Confessional. Despite being open since morning, there were still a dozen or so people waiting in line.
"Alright everyone," Rosen called out. "The Confessional is closed. You will have to come tomorrow."
A flood of groans filled the room.
"Come on!"
"I've been waiting 2 hours!"
"The Drow never does it!"
The Confessional door opened, releasing a satisfied, but now rather confused, male patron. The one next in line tried to quickly jump in, only to be pulled back by a hard pull to his left ear. Rosen held him hostage all while she spoke.
"The Confessional is for Confessions! You are meant to speak your temptations and desires and hopefully find a healthy outlet. It is not a place just for you to get your dicks wet! Come back when you have something worth confessing to or I will smack your butts raw!"
Disgruntled and growing, the crowded left. Save for one.
"So, when you say raw, do you-"
"OUT!!!"
This last stagger quickly squirmed away. As much as Rosen hated to admit it, sometimes Wellow had a point. Some of these horny scumbags really do see them as little more than common whores. She'd have to work hard to change that some other day. For now it was time to tend to Thera.
Looking into the Confessional, it was about as bad as she expected. Which was to say pretty bad. The Room itself was shockingly clean, all things considered. Thera had been stripped down to just her garter, which was only holding on by a single clip. Her breath was deep and heavy, pushing out her small chest with each gasp. All the mess was localized in one area, Thera's pussy. Cum oozing out like an overstuffed eclair, piling onto the floor in a white puddle.
"No…. more…. cock."
Her voice was horse and feeble, being forced out between desperate breaths. Rosen came in, carefully stepping over the puddle, and hoisted Thera onto her feet. She stood for only a moment, then buckled. Unable to stand on her tired legs.
"Ok, I'll do the heavy lifting. Let me just get a better grip at-"
"Wait Not Ther- UAAAAGHMmmmm!"
Rosen's delicate hands only just brushed across Thera's chest. Her nipples swollen and sensitive with hickies and bite marks all around. This was just enough to push her across the threshold. Thera gripped onto Rosen as she fell to her knees. Hips shaking and squirming, clear liquid to add to the mess on the floor. She bit her lip, trying not to make any more screams now that the door was open and all would hear.
Finally it stopped. Thera fell quiet against Rosen's legs. A few awkward moments passed until she realized Thera was passed out. With no other choice Rosen hoisted her up and carried her away. Good thing she's out. Thera probably wouldn't forgive Rosen if she knew she was being carried like a helpless Princess.
"Ms.Mary." Blush called while carrying a glass bottle full of a clear liquid. "It is time for the Holy Broth."
"I have some other issues at hand. The responsibility will be yours this day."
Blush lived up to her name, the bottle shaking between her claws.
"B-b-but Ms. Mary. I'm not, I-I can't-"
"You've been helping me make the broth for months Blush. And people have noticed how much better it tastes. Whose idea was it to add Dragon's Claw?"
The Kobolt stared at the clear bottle. A batch she had made all herself.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You are ready."
Blush bowed and scurried off to prepare the Holy Broth for tonight's ceremony. In truth she'd already been making the Broth herself for weeks. Just not without supervision. It's about time she did it truly alone. Besides, the drink has become far more popular since she started helping out. Her secret is the Dragon's Claws, or as the merchant calls them Peppers. A new crop from a far off country across the western ocean. Apparently they resemble a very rare fruit that Lizard folk treasure on par with precious gemstones. Merchant was happy to be rid of them, no one wanted to even touch the things. Blush still refuses to tell her what she did to get the merchant to tell her how to grow them, but she didn't walk right for 4 days.
Infused with high proof spirits, it makes a desirably spicy drink that mixes very well. It has greatly improved the Holy Broth. We've even had people ask if they can buy some to bring home. Sadly the real main ingredient cannot be produced in large quantities, but it has been a thought.
As Nash and Sugar set up the banquet, Rosen carried Thera to the baths. The water wasn't piping hot yet, but it was at least warm. She lowered Thera slowly into the tub and gently scrubbed away a week's worth of mess made in less than a day. It is fortunate the bath is so deep, otherwise the water would have been ruined. Warm water and fresh scents helped bring Thera back from her daze.
"Why is it always like that?"
Rosen just smiled, fully aware of the answer, but not wanting to say it. Instead she just kept scrubbing until Thera was clean once again. Despite the amount, men's cream isn't hard to clean. The real trick was doing so without stimulating her extremely sensitive parts. She'd had more than enough of that today. Drying wasn't any better, Rosen having to pat dry so as not to irritate the marks and scratches. Clean and soothed, Thera was taken to a nearby table.
Aftercare is still an undeveloped science. One the Church of Eros has been making great strides at improving. With her patient lying face down across the specially designed padded table, Rosen put these methods to the test. Oiling her hands, she began with a massage. Rubbing and kneading the Drow's tired legs. Making sure to work out the knots with delicate pressure. Released signs let her know it was working.
Next she got up on the table herself and started massaging her back. Oil was swapped out for Aloe to help sooth the scratches along her back and bites on her shoulders. There wasn't as much tension around here, save the spine. Rosen placed her hand flat and parallel across opposite sides and, putting force behind her palms, pushed. There was an audible crack and a gasp, then Thera relaxed. Rosen proceeded to do this several more times across every part of her back.
Rosen got off and Thera sat up, finally starting to feel more like herself. More Aloe was applied across her breasts. If this wasn't for the sake of Thera's health, Rosen might have enjoyed this more. Though nothing was stopping Thera from enjoying every second. Of the dozens that had played with them that day, Rosen was easily the best at it. Even when not really trying.
Then Rosen saw the marks around her neck. Looks like a few too many people were pulling at Thera's chain. The temptation was understandable, Rosen herself had tugged it once or twice when she didn't really need to. But when everyone does it…
Rosen looked around, making sure there were no prying eyes. Assured it was only them, she placed a finger across the metal collar and chanted a few words under her breath. The collar opened, revealing the bruised skin below.
"What are you doing?" Thera swung her head around like a scared deer. "If they knew you could do that we'd both be in big trouble."
"This will stay between me, you and Eros." Rosen began rubbing Aloe on Thera's neck. "You have done more than should have been asked. Go to bed early tonight. We can handle the Evening Mass. Just make sure to put this back on before the Morning Rituals."
Rosen handed Thera the chain. It had been a long time since she had a night without it straining her neck. Her hair must have still been wet. How else could it be explained why water was falling across her eyes.
"Thank you."
Green and Hazel stared deep into each other. A tan hand gently caressed a black teary cheek. A black hand placed on top of the tan and held it close. Lips met, soft against soft, both lost in tenderness. At this rate, Rosen would miss Mass as well.
"Suppers on!"
A cheery white rabbit hopped in carrying a plate of food. Rosen and Thera quickly uncoupled, standing just a bit too far apart to be natural.
"Fish pies fresh out the oven and some breaded veg." Sugar said cheerfully. "And Nash made some Bone Broth just for you. Thought you'd need it. Said it be between us, you and Eros."
She handed the generous plate to Thera, then turned to hop away.
"Wait," Rosen said, trying to sound less panicked than she was. "Did… did you see anything?"
"No, just two different nothings."
Sugar gave a knowing wink before skipping away. Alone again, yet with a thoroughly ruined mood, Rosen wordlessly excused herself and left to start the mass.
"Hey!" Thera called with half a fish pie in her mouth. "Remember you still owe me one!"
"Oh don't worry.' Rosen smiled. "I wouldn't miss it."