Tik Tik clasps her hands together, her tail thumping against the ground. The little kobold’s bouncing causes the floorboards to creak and squeak. “A bath? Is one here? Mistress Jun join us?”
The kitsune, who had been keeping her focus upon Camillia, double-takes toward the kobold, but then covers her mouth, wrapping one arm around herself. “No. I won’t be joining you tonight, and I have much work to do with clients.”
“Camillia say Jun have lots business!” Tik Tik continues, scurrying past the human and placing her hands on the desk. She hops up and down, her face appearing and disappearing from the line of sight of the mistress standing on the other end. “Tell Tik Tik all about, yes?”
“Tik Tik!” Camillia snaps. “You can’t just ask Mistress Jun to bare herself before you and join you in a bath! To see her body outside of the context of a business relationship is the highest of honors that she can bestow upon a person. Only her most devoted would ever dream of requesting a moment to gaze upon that beauteous work of art that is her serene white fur, those artistic red streaks. Her beautiful bounty, her--”
Jun’s glare hits Camillia. Those burning eyes making the human squirm. The submissive response, “I, uh, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but speak of the benefits of working under you. After all, I was successful in delivering the requested, uh, guest. I wanted to ensure she knew what it was like to live here under your careful protection.” Camillia motions behind her and towards the Wolpertinger.
Ayda squeaks and hides behind the hopping kobold when the kitsune’s glare turns over toward her.
The kitsune nods. “Yes, the wolpertinger. You’ve delivered her here as promised, and you’ll be duly rewarded.” Jun’s tails twitch, her mask that of a annoyed snarl. “Bet that as it may, you all look ragged and smell terrible. These two are guests here, and you lead them to believe I allow them and my most devoted to stand around in their filth.”
Camillia jumps to attention, her eyes staring just above Jun’s eyes. “Y-yes, miss! I’m sorry, miss!”
“Take them to the baths on Peach Street,” Jun says, slipping into her seat. She turns her chair to face away from the two. “And make sure that you’re prompt in your bathing. After all, I have an opening in my schedule today, and I expect to see you personally, Camellia, to give you the reprimands and the commendations that you’re owed.”
Camillia gulps, spinning away and clapping her cheeks. “Yes, mistress. Right away, mistress. Come along now, you two, there’s much to do!”
She scampers off to the door, opening it. Ayda pulls herself away from Tik Tik, looking between the three others before exiting.
Tik Tik still holds onto the desk, narrowing her eyes, sneering slightly. “Tik Tik wonder why Jun no want join. Get clean feel nice. Feel real nice when get clean with sexy people.”
Jun scoots ever-so-slightly in her chair. “You’re a businesswoman, Tik Tik,” the kitsune says. “Do you let your pleasure get in the way of making a living?”
Sighing, the kobold pulls herself away. “Tik Tik find ways make business and pleasure work together. It more fun that way, and money come either way. Maybe Mistress Jun may find time to have fun with what she does.”
Tik Tik slinks away, finding herself walking up toward the wolpertinger, draping an arm over Ayda’s shoulder. “Come on, Ayda, we have fun at bath. TIk Tik been to really fun ones at Anteronia. They big, warm, and clean. No mud or moss or leeches, and there so many soaps!”
Ayda’s ears perk up, her pace increasing as the two exit.
Camillia lingers for a moment before she nods, closing the door. “I’ll be back soon, my mistress. I apologize for ruining this moment.”
Camillia sighs, resting her head on the back of the door. Before her, the two gals watch her with wide eyes. She shakes her head and marches past them. “That could have gone better,” she laments.
“It could have gone worse, right?” Ayda asks. “But, what is she going to do with me?”
“Tik Tik will find out, of course,” the kobold says. “No worry about that. You in safe hands. If she plan do anything nasty, Tik Tik can take her.”
Camillia coughs, stumbling a moment. She whips around and bends over, nose pressing against kobold snout as she snarls. “You dare presume your power when matched against the wonders Mistress Jun can be capable of?”
Tik Tik’s response is to giggle and pat Camillia on the cheek. “You cute when defend mistress. Tik Tik jealous of Mistress Jun for have you. But Tik Tik not scared. Tik Tik excited. Tik Tik want get bath! Let’s go Peach Street!”
She rushes past Camillia, bringing Ayda along for her journey.
“W-wait! Peach Street is this way!” Camillia says, rushing off past the building and down the block.”
Jun watches the exchange from her window, her eyes trailing along and lingering upon Camillia. She sighs and spins around, reaching for a drawer in her desk. She pulls out a book from the drawer, and in that book, she flips through the pages, penned in the dragon tongue in bright green ink.
“Been to Anteronian baths, you say?” she mutters, letting her finger run through the notes. She fumbles through her drawer and produces from it a smaller book. She flicks her finger in the air, turning the pages to a blank page, and on that page, she begins to write:
“This evening has been nothing short of a dream come true, and I, in my lamentable foolishness, have squandered an opportunity of a lifetime.”