"Okay. What's your talent?" I asked, my gaze locking onto Kiyel, intrigued by what he might reveal.
Kiyel hesitated, his fingers twitching slightly as his eyes darted to the stack of papers beside Yen. With a quiet determination, he reached for one, his movements slow but purposeful. Turning his back to us, his hands began to move in a flurry of precise, fluid motions. The silence stretched as everyone watched, curiosity piqued.
Finally, he spun around, his face glowing with a shy but triumphant smile as he held up a delicate paper crane.
I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. "Cute."
"Thank you," Kiyel murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he rubbed the back of his neck. A faint blush painted his cheeks, adding to his bashful charm.
"Just give him a toy and let him act cute. Works wonders for me," Nyx drawled, smirking as he leaned back, clearly entertained by Kiyel's timid display.
"That only works because of your baby face," Jian shot back, shaking his head with mock exasperation. "He doesn't have that advantage. It won't work with the ladies."
Ignoring their bickering, I refocused on Kiyel. "What do you love the most?"
Kiyel's smile faltered, his fingers fiddling with the now slightly crumpled crane. His gaze flickered nervously to Yen before he answered, "I… I don't know. I just follow orders and finish them."
I studied him for a moment, intrigued by the layers hidden beneath his quiet demeanor. "Are you always this shy?"
Before he could answer, I smacked Jian's hand as it reached for the candies I'd set aside for Kiyel. Kiyel's face lit up with pure delight every time he received one—a trait both endearing and amusing.
"I guess," Kiyel admitted, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"Good," I said with a teasing smirk, handing him another candy. "You'll charm the customers that way."
He accepted it with a small bow, his expression laced with confusion. "I don't understand, but I'll do my best."
I chuckled softly. "We don't just entertain here; we cater to our guests'… preferences."
Kiyel tilted his head, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Preferences?"
"Exactly," I said, pacing slowly to capture his full attention. "Some women adore adorable, small men like Nyx. Others crave sweet words—Jian's specialty. Then there are those who enjoy having their emotions toyed with—that's where the twins shine. If they're into mysterious, brooding types, Keios is their man. And Leon? He offers a balance of masculine and feminine allure."
I handed Kiyel another candy, watching his puzzled frown dissolve into gratitude. "As for you, we'll play up your innocence."
"My… innocence?" he repeated, blinking in disbelief.
"Think of it this way," I explained, leaning in slightly. "You're like a puppy—loyal, sweet, and eager to please. Some women find that thrilling."
Kiyel stared at me, utterly dumbfounded. "A… puppy?"
I burst out laughing and handed him the entire pouch of candies. His face lit up like a child on their birthday, his earlier confusion forgotten.
"Just keep being yourself," I said, amused by his earnestness.
-----
The morning dawned crisp and cool, dark clouds looming in the distance. The faint smell of rain hung in the air as I
grabbed Yen's pipe because i couldn't find mine in our room.
As I stepped out, I noticed Kiyel lingering in the doorway, his expression hesitant.
"Just to clarify," he began tentatively, "the first floor is for dining, and the second floor is for… receiving guests who want to use our services?"
I nodded, letting the door close softly behind me. "That's right. This place was originally a restaurant, but business wasn't exactly booming. A year ago, we added entertainment services, and everything changed."
"But wouldn't the guests see your faces? You're all hiding your identities, after all," he pointed out, his tone curious.
I smiled knowingly, lighting my pipe with a small flame flicked from my fingertip. "That's what the incense is for. Skilled martial artists might resist its effects, but the technique I use comes from my village. Once fused with a dragon kin's blood, the incense intoxicates and alters memories. Guests only remember the satisfaction they felt, nothing more."
His eyes widened. "You're… dragon kin?"
I winked, pressing a finger to my lips. "You won't hunt me down, will you?"
"No! Never!" Kiyel exclaimed, shaking his head fervently.
"Good," I said with a smirk, exhaling a curl of smoke that swirled in the cool morning air. "The incense is harmless but highly effective. It keeps our identities safe and adds an air of mystery."
He hesitated before speaking, his voice soft. "The more I learn about all of you, the less terrifying you seem. I'm glad."
His sincerity caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but smile.
"We'll head out later," I said, inspecting my pipe.
"Where to?"
"Bai Yu."
His eyes lit up. "The famous Bai Yu?!"
"That's where we take on missions."
His enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "But… I'm not skilled or strong enough."
I gave him a sharp look, and he immediately lowered his gaze.
"Yen will teach you," I said with a shrug.
"Really?!" His face brightened again, his excitement infectious.
"Of course," I replied with a smirk. Let's hope he does
"I'll do my very best!"
I chuckled softly. "Now, what do you know about women?"
"They're… sensitive about their beauty?" he guessed, his tone unsure.
"Correct," I said, nodding approvingly. "So, what would you do to make a woman feel accepted for who she is?"
"Compliment her," he said earnestly.
"Good start," I acknowledged. "But remember—women are perceptive. Be genuine and respectful. They'll notice insincerity in an instant."
To my amusement, Kiyel pulled out a pen and paper, diligently jotting down my advice like a star pupil.
As I finished my explanation, Yen appeared and draped his robe over my shoulders. I tiptoed and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, tasting the faint bitterness of the coffee he had earlier.
Kiyel, turning his back quickly to give us privacy, nodding furiously as if committing every word to memory.
"You'll get used to it, kid," Nyx said as he passed, patting Kiyel on the shoulder.
I laughed softly, watching as Kiyel scurried off to prepare for our journey. He was an odd but earnest addition to our ragtag group, and I had a feeling he'd fit in just fine.