Chapter 166: The Ropes (1)

“Keep up.” The husky, bald man’s voice echoed through the hallways as he led the blue-haired wolf girl to their destination.

She gritted her teeth upon hearing this, for she simply didn’t like to be rushed, commanded or condescended to. Unfortunately it was quickly becoming the norm of her new life here in Memento Mori. Her last day in this new place had been eye opening to say the least. As far as she could tell there were two sides to the chapel. One resembled a lounge, but that was simply a cover. All the people in that area were considered part of a particular caste system, one created by all of the “members” of Memento Mori.

Uppers, as they were called, fronted the business and made unsuspecting people feel at ease. Lowers, that is — people in her particular caste, were to be unseen and unheard. That is, unless they had a job or task to be performed. She had gleaned all of this from the last day or so being guided around after her unfortunate slip up.

The man, known as Fargo, had been given the task of her unofficial guide. She found him to be much of an unmovable object. He rarely smiled or showed any emotion aside from a stony, stoic expression. When asked questions there were times that he would ignore her completely, or simply stare–refusing to speak. She had to resist the urge to claw him in the face, truthfully.

“We’re here. Choose wisely.” Fargo grunted as he flourished his hand towards the nearby doorway. The room was dim, setting a certain sensual mood and inside were many women busily chatting with one another.

For a brief moment the wolf girl cast a suspicious glance at Fargo, but it was apparent that the women within the room posed no threat, even with the limitations currently imposed upon her. Thus, she walked inside. Almost immediately the women within directed their attention towards the blue-haired wolf girl. She could feel their gaze moving up and down along her fit body. The sensation was…strange, almost like dozens of hands were somehow groping her. She felt the sudden urge to cover up even though she was clothed to begin with.

“Hmph. I doubt you’ll make the cut, but come in.” An older woman said, her voice carried a certain strength — or perhaps pride — to it. It took a moment for the wolf-girl to realize that the woman was speaking to her.

She lingered for a moment longer, before she stepped inside. Almost instantly the door closed behind the wolf-girl, she glanced back to find several women responsible. Upon closing the door they cast a curious glance towards her, though she couldn’t really determine the intent behind their gaze.

It was enough to send a cold sweat down her back.

“Come. Don’t be shy. We’re all family here now.” The older woman said. Now that the wolf-girl was closer she could see the lady more clearly. Her hair was two toned, brown with strands of orange — truthfully it reminded the lycanthrope of a tabby cat. The woman was dressed in loose fitting robes, rather revealing ones at that. The strands of the robes wrapped around her shoulders, crossed her chest and fell down around her waist. Her almond colored skin and even darker nipples were clearly visible through the fabric.

The other women within the room were dressed in much the same way. Head to toe, all nude save for the thin fabric concealing portions of their skin.

The woman sighed upon the realization that the wolf-girl had yet to move an inch. The older woman nodded to the women lingering to the rear of the wolf girl, a signal to do their work. Suddenly the lycanthrope felt the silky caress of a woman. Though it felt good, it was unexpected and therefore worthy of spite. The lycanthrope shrugged her shoulders and spun around, forcing the woman’s hand from her body.

“Ooo. A feisty one.” A woman said aloud, which prompted chuckles and coos from the group of women. She was now surrounded by at least a dozen women, all of which dressed like they belonged at a toga party.

The wolf-girl began to panic as hands reached out for her, but soon the panic turned into confusion. She was being groped, from innumerable angles and directions.

“Eep!” She practically shouted, pressing her lips shut in the next instant. She’d never made a sound like that in two lifetimes, but the sensation of a woman’s finger slipping into her body was enough to cause it!

*I’m wearing shorts and panties! How the hell did you even do that?* She thought inwardly as her cheeks reddened.

“S-stop it!” The wolf-girl said as she tried to push her way out of the throng of handsy women.

“Girls– that’s enough for now.” The older woman said. Apparently she’d been watching the scene from her place at the center of the room where she’d made herself comfortable on a mound of pillows.

The woman expressed their disapproval with exasperated sighs or outright disappointment. The wolf-girl watched as one of the women eagerly sucked the juices from her fingertips. Upon seeing the wolf-girl’s shocked expression the woman offered a wink and a smile. She then licked her lips and sat next to two other women who began hungrily licking and sucking on the woman’s face.

“Come. Sit with me for a moment.. We don’t bite. Unless you like that.” The older lady said. Having been motivated properly, the blue-haired lycanthrope made her way to the mound of pillows and plopped down. She made sure to cross her thighs tightly as she did so.

“Your name darling?” The older woman asked. In the dim light of the room the wolf-girl was finally able to see her features better. The lady had full, thick lips which were extremely red. She wasn’t sure if that was their natural look or make-up. Her eyes were a dark color, perhaps brown — it was difficult to see as the dim lighting shifted in color.

“Rena.” She offered, her thinking was simple. Between getting finger blasted by strangers or answering a few questions , it was obvious as to which was preferable.

“Rena. Cute name for a cute woman.” The older lady said. Rena noticed that the woman didn’t offer her name and for a brief second she considered asking — but then she realized she didn’t care that much.

“So.. did he tell you about your situation?” The woman asked as she cast an inquisitive gaze towards Rena.

“No. He just said to choose wisely.” Rena replied.

“Sounds about right. Although, it really is a no brainer for most ladies..” The woman added.

“You see, now you belong to Master Gaines. There’s no way to escape his Slave Contract– as I’m sure you’re keenly aware.” The woman pulled aside some of the fabric across her chest, revealing the mark of Gaines, the magical seal that enslaved any who had the displeasure of being branded with it.

“However, the choices you make now will determine just how well you can live from now on.”

“You can be an upper. Though looking at you, I’m not sure you quite have the look or demeanor for it. Uppers stay in one place, they are forced to look amicable. To smile… to recruit. Being a lower…well it exposes you to certain dangers that would make any sane woman want to slit her throat. Or….” The woman paused momentarily and drew closer towards Rena. Once her arms were wrapped around the lycanthrope’s shoulders she continued speaking.

“And make no mistake. You are a lower, if you’ve been assigned to the man outside the door.”

“Unfortunately, you’ve been dealt the worst hand you could get. But… you’re a woman.” The older lady said as she traced her pointer finger along Rena’s cheek.

“Women have an option that men simply don’t get. You could avoid all the pain and suffering that is bound to come with being a lower.”

“That sounds too good to be true.” Rena said flatly.

“You’re right my dear. I won’t lie to you, there are certain costs associated with it but– it’s infinitely better than risking your life otherwise. And make no mistake– you could very well die.”

Rena seemed to be carefully considering the woman’s words, and so she continued.

“You could be a kept woman. You won’t be mistreated like the other ones.” The older lady was clearly presenting this as the most favorable option.

“What’s so wrong with being a lower?” Rena asked. Something about the woman’s description of her quote unquote “role” piqued the lycanthrope’s curiosity.

“Your life would basically become worthless honey. The lowest of the low. Less than dirt. An insect to be squashed under someone’s heel. What’s worse..that….man — he would never let you rest until you’re broken. I’m sure of it– you’re just too attractive, my love.” The older lady said reassuringly as she gently stroked Rena’s outer arm.

“The important thing is, you still have a choice. You can choose to become a kept woman and avoid all that cruelty — or you can take your chances. From the sound of things you will be a lesser and..well… how do you think you got the ‘job’ in the first place? Someone had to be replaced…” The older lady’s words were smooth and persuasive, but it was her final point that made Rena wonder.

She had an idea of how things worked for the most part. Everyone within the walls of Memento Mori had a slave mark– that was a certainty. There was also something else Rena realized, everyone else — save for the ladies in this room looked dead inside. As if they would rather throw their lives away a thousand times over than live through another second of–this.

Rena felt her heart beating loudly in her chest, so much so that everything else was drowned out. It was decision time. Rena considered herself more of a tom-girl than anything,even in her past life. When she found herself in a world of adventurers she thought it was like a dream come true. Still, despite this she had what was known as a woman’s pride. Her purity, the idea of it was something that many women absolutely carried with them like a badge of honor. Rena was no exception, yet she was also no fool. If she were to accept this woman’s offer of protection she was certain — there would be no way to maintain that ideal–that pride.

“Oh, honey.” The older woman said as she lifted Rena’s chin, forcing their eyes to meet. She then began to speak, as if she had read Rena’s mind. ” I understand how you feel. Every woman here was like you once. We all…. We all wanted better. To be better people. To grab this new chance at life by the horns and make the most of it. There isn’t a woman here who doesn’t have hopes or dreams.. I feel for you, I truly do.”

“But you and I have both lived more than one life. We both realize that nothing in this world comes free or without sacrifice. At least this way you won’t be alone. You’ll be protected and you will have all your sisters here with you.”

“Say, Rena. Somewhere deep down– doesn’t the thought excite you? You know…in this world we don’t have to worry about pregnancy, or disease. We can do whatever we want…with whoever we want…”

Rena’s eyes widened as the older lady’s hand moved downward, resting in her lap.

“But..I’m not bisexual.” Rena said as she glanced up at the older lady.

“Oh, my dear. We can fix that.” She said with a smile as she motioned towards the other women in the room. As if they’d been waiting for this moment they got to their feet, all of their eyes locked on Rena. Rena could feel her heart thumping furiously in her chest as she clenched her hands and affirmed her resolve.

Outside the door Fargo waited patiently. It wasn’t like he had anything else to do if he was honest with himself. Nothing, save for plot and scheme. As his thoughts began to wander, fixating on the most excruciating ways one could kill a fat man, a sharp knock resounded from the door nearby.

For a moment Fargo was surprised, not taken aback by the sound, but more so the outcome.

“I can’t really blame you.” Fargo said as he acknowledged the signal and decided to grab some lunch.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“When faced with a situation like this, I suppose we all trade one form of pride for another.”