Chapter 11: "The Teachings of Ishtar"
In the flickering lamplight of Hestia's Familia home, Bell Cranel hunched over an ancient, weather-beaten tome. This was no ordinary book, but one amongst a collection of volumes revered as the 'Teachings of Ishtar,' literature aimed at the maturing girls and boys of the city.
Intrigued by the experiences he had shared with Aisha, Bell found himself yearning for more knowledge, more understanding of the carnal arts that she had introduced him to. He wanted to delve deeper into the teachings that had shaped her into the enchantress she was, hoping to unlock the secrets of her sensuality.
As he turned the pages of the book, Bell noticed the intricate detail that went into describing Ishtar's perspective on relationships and societal norms. It painted a vivid picture of a world vastly different from the one Bell had come to know within the books of fairytales.
The teachings of Ishtar depicted a society where promiscuity was not only accepted but also encouraged. It portrayed the act of forming multiple relationships as a symbol of ambition and personal growth. The book argued that young individuals must explore their desires freely, indulging in passionate encounters with multiple partners to truly understand themselves.
The teachings went on to discuss the concept of marriage, which was viewed almost as a burden or last resort for those who were deemed ugly, fat or lacked ambition. It portrayed marriage as a means of survival for the poor and less attractive individuals of Orario, rather than a celebration of love and commitment.
Suddenly, everything began to make sense to Bell. The advice he had received from Hermes and Aisha, suggesting that he pursue multiple relationships without any strings attached, have been directly influenced by the teachings of Ishtar. He realized that their perspective on love and relationships stemmed from the ideology presented in these volumes.
As he delved deeper into the teachings of Ishtar, Bell discovered that the book did not merely delve into promiscuity and settling down, but also explored the importance of self-discovery and personal growth. It encouraged individuals to embrace their desires and ambitions, to explore their own desires without fear of judgment or societal expectations.
The teachings of Ishtar challenged the traditional views of marriage and relationships prevalent within fairytales. It taught that individuals should not be defined by their marital status or appearance, but by their inner strengths and aspirations. Bell found himself drawn to this radical perspective, realizing that perhaps the world had been limiting his own potential by placing these constraints on him.
As he turned each page, Bell's mind started to open, questioning everything he had been taught. He saw that Ishtar's teachings celebrated individuality, intimacy, and empowerment, encouraging people to follow their hearts and passions. It was a stark contrast to the conventional teachings of the gods, which often served to control and maintain the status quo.
Bell could not help but relate these teachings to his own struggles as an adventurer in an ever-competitive city. He had always felt the pressure to conform to societal expectations, to prove himself worthy by attaining strength and wealth. However, Ishtar's teachings offered him a new perspective - that his worth was not solely defined by his achievements or his appearance, but by his courage to pursue his own desires and dreams.
With each sentence he read, Bell felt a sense of liberation and empowerment. The teachings of Ishtar made him realize that he had been living his life based on the expectations of others, rather than following the path that truly resonated with his heart. After all his grandfather was a perverted old man, who had encouraged him to become an adventurer to pursue women. In finding this teaching Bell was finally understanding the only father he ever knew.
As Bell delved deeper into the book, he discovered that Ishtar's teachings were not just about physical pleasure but also about the art of seduction itself. It was an intricate dance of desire, anticipation, and trust. It required a deep understanding of oneself and the ability to tap into one's own desires. It was not just about satisfying one's own needs but also about fulfilling the desires of the other person.
The book spoke of how Ishtar's disciples would undergo rigorous training to become masters of seduction, learning to read body language, decipher subtle hints, and explore the depths of their partner's desires. They were taught to embrace their own sensuality and use it to awaken the desires in others, creating an electrifying connection between them.
Bell couldn't help but be captivated by Ishtar's teachings. His mind drifted back to Aisha, and how she embodied the teachings of Ishtar with such finesse and passion. She had taught him that seduction was an art, practiced with both the body and the mind. It was the seductive whispers, the gentle touches, and the fiery passion in her eyes that had ignited a flame within him like never before.
The book explained the allure and power of Ishtar, the goddess of beauty, love, and desire. It detailed the techniques and rituals practiced by her followers, revealing the secrets to seduction and pleasure. Bell's eyes eagerly scanned the pages, taking in every word, every instruction.
But as Bell continued his study, a strange feeling welled up inside him. He couldn't shake off the guilt that tainted his memories of Aisha. He couldn't deny that he had taken advantage of her willingness to submit, to please him in any way possible. He was instructed not to inform Ryu of their tryst. Ryu would probably be furious because she never liked Aisha's open bold flirtation with Bell, it disgusted her and he had also fully given into temptation.
Lost in the depths of his thoughts, the soft creaking of a door opening pulled Bell from the realm of Ishtar's teachings. Haruhime, one of Hestia's familia members and a former prostitute of the Pleasure Quarter, stepped into the cozy library of Hestia Mansion. Her presence immediately caught Bell's attention, but he purposefully ignored her, his focus still locked on the book's pages.
Bell's gaze remained glued to the book, but his thoughts began to drift towards Haruhime. The young woman had always carried herself with grace and dignity, despite the hardships she had endured in her past. Bell admired her strength and resilience, but an unfamiliar desire clawed at his consciousness.
As Haruhime bent over to reach a book on the lower shelf, her slender figure was exposed, the soft curves of her body catching Bell's attention. The teachings of Ishtar had become a sinister whisper in his ear, urging him to act upon his forbidden desires. Bell, captured by his own burgeoning lust, envisioned degrading Haruhime, pushing her to her limits, and making her beg him for more the way Aisha had.
Haruhime, absorbed in her own quest, remained oblivious to Bell's internal struggle. She arched her back slightly as she reached for a book on the higher shelf, and the mere sight of her innocent action fueled the embers of Bell's lustful thoughts. He wanted to corrupt her, to taint her with his twisted desires, and witness the shame etched upon her face for actually committing the shameful acts of a prostitute with him. Haruhime never actually worked as a prostitute but still felt shame as if she had and she always carried that shame on her sleeve it seemed.
Thoughts of Haruhime crawling towards him naked wagging her cute fox tail invaded his imagination.
His heart raced with conflicting emotions as he envisioned scenarios in which he could defile Haruhime, making her regret all the things he would make her do to please him.
Unbeknownst to Bell, Haruhime remained completely oblivious to the storm brewing within him. Her focus was unwavering as she searched for the books that made her feel connected to the heroes she revered. She could sense the weight of Bell's attention on her, but she brushed it aside, dismissing it as innocent curiosity.
Shaking his head vigorously, Bell tried to banish the thoughts that threatened to consume him. He closed the book abruptly, as if hoping to trap the poisonous influence within its pages, and looked up to find Haruhime staring at him with curious eyes.
"Is something wrong, Bell-san?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
Bell, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and guilt, glanced away, unable to meet her gaze. He dared not let her see the turmoil brewing within him, the struggle between his own darkness and his desire to protect her innocence.
"No, it's nothing," Bell responded, his tone lacking its usual enthusiasm. He mustered a weak smile, desperately trying to push aside the thoughts that threatened to consume him. "Just lost in thought, I guess."
Haruhime accepted his answer, albeit with a hint of uncertainty, and returned her attention to the books before her. Bell watched her silently, a mixture of longing and self-loathing taking hold of his heart.
"Bell-san, may I ask what you're reading?" Haruhime's soft, mellow voice wafted through the tranquil air.
Startled, Bell looked up, his cheeks growing warmer at his sudden unexpected company. "Oh, Haruhime-san, it's... it's a book on Ishtar's teachings. I was just trying to understand more about different deities," he stammered, revealing the book's cover to her.
Upon hearing her former goddess' name, Haruhime blushed, her golden eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "May I join you, Bell-san? I think I might be able to help explain some of the teachings; I used to serve Ishtar, after all..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Haruhime blinked her emerald eyes curiously, "Bell-san, can I join you?" she mouthed softly, her voice was like the sweetest melody to Bell's ears.
Taken aback by her sudden question, Bell's cheeks flushed a faint roseate, "Ah, it's ok Haruhime," he stammered, trying to shield the book from her view, suddenly aware of its sensuous content.
A blush spread across Haruhime's features at his reaction. Emboldened by curiosity and a yearning to share something intimate with Bell, she gracefully moved and slid in next to him. Before Bell could protest, she had nestled herself comfortably against his arm, her fluffy golden tail unconsciously curling around him.
As Bell and Haruhime read the passage out loud, the words on the page seemed to come alive, painting a vivid picture in their minds. The book spoke of the art of passionate kissing, describing it as a dance of desire and affection, a melding of souls through the meeting of lips. It detailed the delicate balance between gentle caresses and fervent urgency, the way two bodies could speak volumes without uttering a word. The book spoke of the lingering touch of fingertips tracing the curves of a lover's face, of lips softly pressing against each other, igniting a fire that could consume them both.
As the words sank in, Bell could feel his heart racing, his gaze instinctively shifting to Haruhime's soft, tempting lips. Her exposed vulnerability was both painful and captivating, her breath growing heavier with each passing moment. A deep blush crept up her cheeks, matching the tint that adorned Bell's own face. The shared reading was slowly and unknowingly driving them closer, their proximity becoming an intoxicating blend of anticipation and restraint.
Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment, reflecting a thousand untold desires. It was as if the book had become a catalyst, awakening a primal longing that had hidden within them all along. Yet, as the words continued to flow, Bell found himself torn between surrendering to his awakened desires and protecting Haruhime's virtue.
With his voice trembling ever so slightly, Bell whispered, "Haruhime...is this...what you desire?"
Haruhime's breath hitched, her voice barely above a whisper, "Bell...I...I don't...know..."
Feeling a strange impulse he couldn't ignore, Bell's hand unconsciously reached out towards Haruhime's fluffy tail. His fingertips brushed against the soft fur, and a wave of desire washed over him. Lost in the moment, he continued to stroke it gently, oblivious to the world around him. The longing to touch, to stroke the soft fur overwhelmed him, leaving him powerless to resist the temptation. With each stroke, a gentle warmth spread through his veins, igniting a fire within him.
For a long moment, Haruhime succumbed to the unexpected pleasure that radiated from Bell's touch. A tinge of blissful warmth surged through her, melting away any remnants of resistance within her heart. But as the initial shock ebbed away, her emerald-green eyes widened in disbelief.
Her fox ears twitched nervously while her mind desperately fought against the intoxication that threatened to overcome her. She bit her lip, conflicted between her natural instincts as a beast woman and the bounds of propriety enforced by her life of servitude. In that fleeting instance, the lines between longing and impropriety blurred, leaving her torn and unsure.
With a swift motion, she pried Bell's hand away from her tail, her voice quivering from a mixture of arousal and apprehension. "Bell-kun, this...this is inappropriate! We mustn't indulge in such behavior," she whispered, her words laced with both longing and uncertainty.
In her heart, she couldn't deny the allure of Bell's caress. It awakened desires she never thought she would experience, igniting a fire within her that struggled against the chains of societal judgment. Deep down, she yearned for the forbidden affection that had been silently kindled between them.
Realizing his actions were inappropriate, a flush of embarrassment coloring his own cheeks. "I-I'm sorry, Haruhime," he stammered, unable to meet her gaze. "I-I don't know what came over me. It was thoughtless of me to act without considering your feelings."
"Bell-kun, I appreciate your kindness, but we must remember our boundaries. Ryu would be upset if she found out... and I don't wish to bring any harm or misunderstandings upon our friendship."
"Yeah," Bell stated, calming the tension a bit. "It seems romance causes those misunderstandings a lot with me lately. This is why I'm reading Ishtar, to understand why there is misunderstandings. I think Ishtar is saying to explore romance as much as possible, avoiding misunderstandings by being honest. Perhaps I'm still trying to learn what honesty looks like."
As Haruhime said her goodbye and parted, Bell closed the book. He pondered what just occurred. He was being selfish he concluded. Why not? Is there a right or wrong? It's just a matter of perspective. Winning means all with adventurers, in war and love, nothing is certain or guaranteed, there are no rules. In the fairytales it says one thing, what the reader wants to hear. In reality one must survive, by any means necessary.
Bell acknowledged in his own heart the shortness of life. Perhaps it could be some PTSD, so says his chronicler in another realm. Whatever the case, Bell really felt no shame after a brief meditation. He had to face the music very soon he reckoned. The desire to succeed given this new information he had absorbed compelled him to not fear the consequences, whether good or bad; he had to live life based upon the most profound and wise information, and if it was unconventional, so be it.
To be continued...