Chapter 13: Training (1)

"She's, uhh...with me?"

Celestia and Heshal gave Lance arch looks, favoring the worn out succubus in his arms with ones of a more dubious nature, arms crossed as he sat in the elf's office while hugging the woman close, back hunched slightly like a naught schoolchild caught sneaking out of class.

"Shir, back me up here."

The grimoire shamelessly pointed in his direction from where she lazily floated high overhead.

"It was all his fault, I told him that she was just after his juices but you know how teenagers are...boys especially."

Feeling his eye twitch dangerously Lance growled, "Alright listen here you little shitstain-"

Celestia explosively sighed as Shir'Atath cackled evilly, the buxom elf stating, "It's alright, Lance. I'm well aware that this scheme was of Shir'Atath's making...this wouldn't be the first time she's hired outside or unaffiliated help to test her hosts. What I should be asking is whether it was successful or not...and what did it cost?"

Lance simmered down, replying, "Well, as much as it twists my nuts to admit…"

He closed his eyes, concentrating on the power he could feel lightly coiling beneath his flesh-

-and both of the Limbo higher ups had their eyes widen at the shifting, chaotic sphere of light that appeared in the center of Lance's chest, Heshal quietly murmuring, "Isn't that Gomory?" as Celestia carefully nodded.

"It seems your unconventional stratagems have paid off yet again, Shir'Atath."

"Well duh, I've had plenty of time to practice and see what works and what doesn't. Was kinda awkward when it didn't but hey! No one is perfect, right?"

Lance rolled his eyes, grumbling, "My likely prematurely dead predecessors aside...by the way is this going to be a problem?"

Holding up Senia slightly like she was some kind of diseased cat the succubus gave him a narrowed glare, archly commenting, "Can you perhaps treat my royal personage with a bit more grace and delicacy than a loaf of bread?"

"After the absolute torment you put my cock and balls through? Mmm...no. A bit too much pain and not enough pleasure for me to give a shit, your highness."

The princess snorted, responding, "You're lucky I think you're cute and just interesting enough, otherwise I'd bust out my private collection of 'marital aids' and show you a real dick demolishing, boy."

Celestia pointedly cleared her throat, trying not to act on the slight surge of worry and petty jealousy at how easily the two interacted, of how it might turn into a threat to her position further down the road.

"While it's certainly a conflict of interest to so openly support an individual's claim to the throne when Limbo prides itself on being an impartial and neutral party-"

Senia scoffed, remarking, "Only when the grimoire's hosts feel that way, you mean."

"-in this case it should not be too much of an issue. It will be a simple matter to spin the story so that you were courting Lance's favor before he became a part of Limbo, it's not even that removed from the truth. Most will not raise a stink about it, since we would have lost more than we gained by alienating a previously held contract."

The elf sent Lance and Senia a pointed look.

"But do refrain from forming any more alliances of this nature. Cut and dry matters of trade and monetary compensation are acceptable, directly supporting and influencing a political party in a circumstance that will affect foreign policy aren't."

Lance blinked, slowly responding, "So basically...we can take people's money but can't tell them how to spend it?"

Heshal grunted, replying, "Close enough. Don't worry, we'll cover this topic in greater detail later. For now just don't get seduced or hoodwinked by any more princes or princesses."

"That's not what happened!"

Shir'Atath cackled with glee at her contractor's protests, playfully remarking, "Ahh, this is just what Limbo is all about. Bringing all sorts of personalities and creeds together as one~!"

"Christ, what a day...or however long it's been."

Lance gave Senia a sullen glare from where he still carried her within his arms, grunting, "Thanks to a certain someone."

"Oh stop complaining, boy. Hurry up and take me to the shower, even I don't particularly enjoy spending all of my time caked in cum and sweat."

"Oh of course your majesty, let me do just that~!"

Not a soul present was fooled by the fake cheeriness in Lance's voice, emerald eyes burning with annoyance as he kicked off his shirt and shoes, Shir'Atath actually making herself useful as she got the large tub filled with soapy and scented water in record time with a wave of her hand-

-and Lance promptly dumped the succubus into its liquid embrace as Senia gave a short yelp of surprise, the splash a flat one as the teen grimaced, peeling off his stiff and gunked up shirt, ignoring the sputters from the princess as he gratefully dunked his nude body into the relaxing waters with a sigh.

"I can't decide whether I like or despise that irreverence of yours, boy."

Lazily allowing his eyes to roll into Senia's direction Lance found that she had elected to peacefully float on her back, silvery hair splayed out in a curtain and ebon tail acting like a rudder, guiding her across the bath masquerading as a pool.

Heaving out a sigh he wordlessly began scrubbing down his arms of the crap that covered them, replying, "Well you're stuck with me so hopefully you end up deciding that you like it. I'm still a bit too salty to pretend to care about what you think or feel right now."

Both jumped slightly as Shir'Atath popped up from beneath the waters like a damned alligator, soap suds adorning her head as the grimoire purred, "Aww, you two are going to be such good friends~!"

"Yeah, sort of like how bleach and vinegar are best buddies."

Senia snorted at the teen's comment, a more serious lilt entering her voice as she inquired, "All barbs and doublespeak aside...you've taken this all fairly well, even my actions that - were I in your position - would freely admit to being highly suspicious and wary of."

Shir lazily curled around Lance's waist like some kind of sexy boa constrictor as the male gavea strand of his hair a wary look, the soapy water not doing a good enough job of cleaning out a particularly crusty bit that he was trying not to think too hard about, the grimoire responding, "Well he's kind of a big softy, you know. It's actually kinda nice to have a host like that, most aren't as clueless or puppy-like in their actions like Lance is."

"Um, thanks?"

"Considering your position and what you're going to be expected to do as the leader of Limbo I don't envision that as a compliment."

The youth gave the succubus a nasty glare, retorting, "That 'compliment' is the only thing that kept me from snapping your neck like a slim jim a few hours back. You're welcome, by the way."

Shir offered up a toothy grin, adding, "Yeah, Lance may not be a prodigy like my last contractor but at least he's mostly mentally stable, keeping a bit of wariness and caution in hand."

The grimoire nodded decisively.

"So in the long run probably better off~!"

Senia tilted her neck slightly, just enough so that she could more accurately stare at the duo.

"Oh? I was under the assumption that the Recluse Nightmare was held in rather high regard among those that call Limbo home, is that not necessarily the truth?"

Lance paused in trying to properly clean up his hair, listening intently as the pale-haired demon girl nostalgically responded, "I really liked Analin, she had a wild and crazy personality...but she wasn't really the type to last long as a host, getting used to my power a little too fast."

Lance opened his mouth to ask about the previous host, highly curious about what they were like-

"This still begs the question of whether Jacobson here will be of any actual use to me in gaining the throne in the necessary amount of time. While he may eventually prove worthy of the mantle of leadership that isn't a workable time frame for myself."

The staredown between the two took on an even more heated air, Senia using her tail like a propeller to drift towards the glaring teen, stating, "A meek and well-meaning boy won't have a prayer of getting anywhere, not in the few short years I have before the royal selection."

"Oooh, she's calling you out, Lance~! What's your response gonna-GLUB?!"

Shoving the grimoire's head beneath the waters Lance affixed the succubus with narrowed eyes, neutrally asking, "You know for someone that went to great lengths to get my help you sure seem intent on killing what little goodwill there is between us."

"Oh? Does the little succubus's big and mean words have the little boy upset and hurt?"

Feeling his temper snap the youth reached out, grabbing the lithe woman's skull and dragging it before him, the water splashing against the side of the pool as he snarled, "Actually, yes. And I've got half a mind to finish what I started, bitch."

A tender silence grew between the two-

-and Lance blinked as the horned female wrapped her arms around his neck, maroon eyes glittering with some unidentifiable hunger.

"Oh you definitely have steel in there somewhere...excellent, I was worried that this 'puppy' nature of yours would prove to be too much of a handicap during the later years of our joint venture."

The teen took a moment to process what she just said...and released a long suffering sigh.

"Don't tell me, let me guess. Another test of some kind?"

"Yup! Not one that I had any hand in though, just wanted to make that clear."

Shir'Atath's head popped up from underneath the sudsy surface, Lance giving her a tired look...and paused, slowly asking, "Shir, isn't your head underwater right now?"

"Yeah, my other one is. Why?"

Slowly releasing his grip on the head of soft hair being held beneath the bath's surface the youth elected not to think about that latest exchange too closely, instead turning back to Senia before stating, "That wasn't steel or anything remotely like it, that was me losing my cool to your bullshit."

"Ahh, but you weren't just being tested by my words. Apparently you failed to notice it but the entire time I was attempting to influence your mind with the very same magic that had you helpless and immobile, a slave to my whims not more than a few hours ago."

The succubus drew herself even closer, Lance intimately aware of how both her and Shir were now all but completely occupying his upper half, the warmth of their soft and lithe forms mixing wonderfully with the heat of the bath.

"And now? Now you completely ignored it as if it wasn't even there, your mind your own and not a slave to anyone else's. The allure of a princess of the succubi is no small hurdle to overcome, Lance Jacobson...I can rest easy, knowing you won't fall prey to some other seductress's tricks and sleight of hands."

Letting his head rest against the back of the tub the youth decided that today was about as action-packed of a day as it could get, sighing in resignation-

-and sat upright in a flash of motion, lips curling into a grin as he could feel a prodding in the back of his skull that meant Emily wanted to chat.

"Conversation was riveting but sorry, something more interesting came up. See you later tonight."

"Huh, wha-"

The succubus found herself abruptly dumped once again into the waters without preamble, Lance scrambling out of the bath and wiping himself down with a hastily retrieved towel as Senia stared at his retreating from in disbelief, Shir floating next to her with an amused giggle.

"Aww, he really is like a puppy when his favorite girl comes calling."

The princess blinked, slowly turning to face the grinning grimoire.

"His what girl?"

"Hey, Em. Sorry about the delay, was in the bath."

"Oh, I didn't force you to come out early, did I?"

"Nah, it's all good. How you been, anything crazy come up?"

"I feel like I should be the one asking you that, Lance."

The pair shared a grin at each other, the shared space they used to communicate thanks to Shir'Atath's spell an interesting bit of magic since it seemed to emulate the surroundings they were in, Emily's 'half' of the space showcasing her modest bedroom while Lance's was the ornate and overly expensive penthouse.

"You know I have a surplus of stuff over here that I'll probably never end up using, want me to send a little bit of it your way? God only knows you could use a bit of decoration, Em."

The interior of the nun's room was the definition of sparse, only a few pieces of furniture adorning it while the only expressions of individuality were a couple of photos placed atop the bedside dresser. A sharp contrast even to Lance's old room, before he'd got moved to the insane accommodations he had now.

"I think I prefer my simpler setup, Lance. How have you been, anything exciting or interesting to report? Anything you wish to confide in me with?"

About to wave off the work talk in favor of the vastly more interesting social aspects of their respective positions Lance brought himself up short, realizing that maybe he should ask his trusted confidant about the latest pain in the ass to come his way.

"Definitely gonna leave out the part where I almost got marathon fucked to death by her though...not sure how Em would react to that and I don't need that kind of awkward conversation on my hands right now."

"Actually...there kinda is. You wouldn't happen to remember a succubus hanging around our school campus or anything like that, would you?"

The nun frowned, falling deep into thought for a moment as Lance took the opportunity to examine his oldest crush without reservation...and despite the fact that she was sitting cross-legged on her bed fully clothed he felt a twitch of base longing. Yeah, most wouldn't consider loose sweatpants and long-sleeve shirt particularly alluring but the teen was of the opinion that Emily could make rags look like silk robes.

"And holy crap this new body of mine is really straight up wild. Hours upon hours of near constant orgasm and I'm still rarin' to go? I better not end up addicted or anything."

Snapped out of his musings by the nun suddenly smacking a fist into her palm the youth gave her his undivided non-horny attention.

"Oh, I would, actually! Silver-gray hair, maroon eyes? I kept a close eye on her for awhile but she never made any threatening or dangerous movements towards us or humanity so I was content to let her be."

Nodding his assent Lance wryly remarked, "Well, get this. That was actually Senia Marscha, third-"

"The third princess of the succubi matriarchy?! I thought she looked familiar…"

Curiosity piqued the male asked, "You know of her?"

"In passing. Part of my duties as an Exorcist is to know the faces of the many leaders or figures of influence in the supernatural world...although the succubi and incubi typically are low on that list, they tend to avoid drawing attention to themselves when going about their business and are thusly not known for treading on the toes of others."

Lance tried hard not to snort, Senia's recent actions kind of spitting in the face of that assumption.

"May I ask why you wished to bring up this topic of conversation, Lance~?"

The teen froze, instantly recognizing the danger of revealing to the nun everything that had gone down recently, as well as his recent 'partnership' with the woman.

"Okay, diversionary tactics it is. Don't lie, just leave out bits of the truth."

"Well earlier today the royalty in question approached Shir'Atath and myself, offering up a partnership of sorts. She helps me in regards to gaining better control over my power as well as a variety of contacts and friends she has the supernatural world over while Shir and I help her take the succubus throne for herself over her sisters."

Emily narrowed her eyes, tone silky soft as she asked, "And just how is she helping you acclimate to the grimoire's powers better than all of Limbo is?"

Recognizing his slipup and the tone of Emily's voice Lance tried his utmost to avoid sleeping on the proverbial couch, hastily stating, "I'm not doing this just to get my dick wet, Em."

"Even though that's basically what happened."

"And I really do need your advice and help on this one. Can she be trusted? I bet Limbo would have their own ulterior motives or spin on things and you're the one I trust to give me good, unbiased information."

Doing an inward fist pump as his plea seemed to mollify the nun she responded, "Succubi and Incubi are notorious speakers of half-truths and misdirections, being quite adept at saying one thing but meaning another...but that is mostly because they are very strict keepers of their word, if it's given. If Senia has offered you repeated or clear indications that these are the conditions she desires then I would say she can be trusted. Hence, why they can be rather slippery in their sentence structure or conversations."

Lance slowly nodded, resolving to ask Shir'Atath for her opinion on things but grudgingly admitting that the succubus had been pretty blatant with what she wanted and was willing to give...she was probably cleared to get on the 'OK' list.

"Alright, got it. Thanks, Em. I hear that she's kind of the dark horse of the competition, any truth to that?"

"From what little I've heard of their politics, yes. Not only are her sisters older and more established - as well as more powerful - but they have bigger boobs as well."

Em crossed her arms over her noticeably slim chest.

"Typical men, always drooling over the biggest pair of tits."

"I take offense to that, Em. As a typical man I can assure you that there's a lot more to a woman than just her boobs. Why, every single facet of a girl is a pure delight that I'm honestly shocked more don't see. And every boob is a good boob."

He smirked as his words had the desired effect, Em perking in delight at his roundabout compliment even as she amusedly stated, "It seems I truly am friends with a heathen, god forgive me for my trespasses."

Both shared a familiar chuckle, Lance asking, "So how are things going at the church? Anything I should know about?"

"Not at the moment, although what little word I've heard through the proverbial grapevine suggests that our organization is leaning more towards having you and I remain friendly, rather than distant."

She smiled in amusement.

"It's good that they've realized what I would have done regardless is actually a smart and logical decision."

"And people said I was a risk taker. Shit, all I did was swindle people out of their lunch money, you're talking about snubbing some kind of super illuminati organization there, Em."

"Alas, I think it must be the bad influence of my heathen friend turning my thoughts from the righteous path."

The pair shared another grin of mirth, the male going to ask about what she'd done during the day-

"Oh? So this is your favorite girl, Lance Jacobson? My my, she's every bit as delectable as I imagined her to be."

-and froze, features frozen in a rictus of stalled out thought as Senia draped her nude and wet body over his back, head resting on his shoulder as her tail possessively curled around his waist.

"Hmm, would she taste as good as you, I wonder? After all, you proved to be quite the generous buffet, beloved~."

Soft lips pressed themselves against his cheek, the teen frozen in terror as Emily's eyebrow twitched with rapid and aggravated motions, tone apocalyptically cheery as she mused, "Well it's nice to see your union with her highness truly was simply a professional transaction and nothing more, Lance Jacobson."

Feeling a sense of impending doom upon him at the usage of his full name the young man desperately tried to think of a solution to this sudden and critical disaster in the making-

"Well you're obviously very busy so I think I'll leave you to it. Good day, Lance."

-and felt utterly defeated as Emily left the conversation with a haughty sniff, slowly turning to meet the grinning succubus's features.

"Oh~? Did I upset your favorite girl?"

"..."

"..."

"...They're never gonna find your fucking body, cunt."

Senia had the audacity to laugh.

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