"Off. Take off. You stink, I wash. And iron for next shift. If you do you just mess." Nina barked as the dishes and pans scrubbed themselves in the background. Alex agreed and let out a long exhale as he pulled off the red polo shirt with Nino's hand stitched into the sleeve. His shift was almost over, with just one more late night delivery to Mistress Snu, and his heart pounded with the excitement of a boy who believed he was going to his first booty call. The table holding the trays of lasagna had been placed somewhere by the couple, with just one left on the counter.

"He smell like working man," Nino sniffed the air dramatically. "Ripe. Like horse and wet shirt. Very good, Alex. Means you worked hard. Survive first Saturday shift! Did not die. I will call Loopy to yell also." Alex was still thinking about the Dungeon Boss. Lord Loopy had tried to imprison him and murder him, but he couldn't help but feel empathetic to Boss and his circumstance.

"Bastardo solitario." Lonely bastard. Nina shook her head and sucked her teeth. Nino tossed Alex his black t-shirt and began to slip it on as he realized something different about tonight's delivery.

"Wait…" Alex said while pulling the shirt down. "How do you get the glass trays back? I'm not going to have to go get them…am I?" After Lord Loopy, Alex had run a couple more local deliveries of lasagna and pizza to non Dungeon Bosses. He felt positively rich compared to a few days ago.

[CREDITS: 1084 -> 1334]

A pop sounded as Nino zapped his bulging loot back into his arms. It nearly knocked Alex over from the amount of Relics that were inside. The bracelet was still in there, but so was the DingleBerry, Monster Core from Don Badger, the Banshee horn, and a whole mess of other junk but hopefully expensive Relics he needed Jemin to check out to sell. After he and Mary sobered up.

"Tray return when they finish eat," Nina said sweetly as she floated a few inches into the air. She rubbed her little grandma hands together. "If they try and keep? Oh, they find out. They find out." Alex didn't want to find out. He could practically feel the potent energy leaking out of her.

Nino threw his wife a very careful look and decided he wanted no part of it. Instead, he pulled out a battered labelless wine bottle from thin air into his hand. It was sealed with a cork and looked positively ancient. "This!" he announced proudly. "Homemade! I make eighty year ago when we first come to Canada. First batch! Good for…" he waggled his bushy eyebrows violently, "romance. Even work on Nina."

Nina floated quickly up and smacked NIno upside the head. "Vecchio scemo!" Old fool! She barked but her mouth was grinning. Nino laughed as Nina floated over to Alex and pressed the still steaming, but not overly hot, lasagna tray into his hands. She then yanked a plastic bag from her apron and plopped it right on top of the tray. He glanced at what she had given him and his mouth started watering. All that [Running] and [Phantom Stepping] had him starving, but he wanted to look svelte for when he got to Snu's. Golden, buttery cookies, covered in a ridiculous amount of powdered sugar and jam were stuffed into the bag.

"More? Nina…you're going to make me fat. But they look amazing. Is that–"

"Shh. Special. My recipe, adapted from my mother. No one makes better cookies than me. That is promise." Alex couldn't help but laugh. His arms were full of homemade wine, magic lasagna, homemade cookies, and a loot bag so heavy it dug into his shoulder. He was a mess, and tired, and he was pretty sure he had been booty called by a Giantess Succubus Dungeon Boss after making bank. Life was pretty good right now.

Nino clapped Alex hard on the shoulder. "Tomorrow Sunday," Nino said while steering him to the espresso machine Portal. "We no work Sunday or Monday. It is rest days. Good for soul. Good for Shop. Give you time to deal with…thing." Things? Alex didn't know if Nino meant the cursed bracelet or god-knew-what plans Mistress Snu had. Probably both. Truth be told, Alex would appreciate a day off to try and cultivate the Cardinal Core from Don Badger, use the Stink Scrub, and to deal with the bracelet. He had what he thought was an excellent plan for that one.

"Thanks, Nino. Nina," Alex said while balancing his insane haul. They waved him off like proud grandparents and if Alex wasn't mistaken, Nino had slipped out another bottle of wine and winking at NIna. Instead of leaping through the Portal, Alex realized something. He didn't want to leave his car behind in Kensington. Getting his clunker impounded by the Parking Authority would be a nightmare unparalleled with anything that Lord Loopy had thrown at him. He'd drive to Snu's, and besides…he needed a minute. Just to breathe and get his damn bearings.

He told the old couple as much, and Nino walked him to the front door. "Remember," Nino said sagely. "Court like genteman. Bring food. Comb hair. Very important, you no want woman think you bum." Alex snorted a laugh and agreed while noticing something slightly different in the shop. The little potted plant that hung in the window looked greener and even stronger than he remembered. Even Nino seemed a little brighter somehow. Like he had shaved five years off his face.

Weird. Probably just imagining things.

Alex made his way out into the night. The storm had stopped. He dodged a pair of drunken Adventurers arm wrestling on the sidewalk and bobbed out of the way of a thrown beer can. The Cookie Monster cleaner was spinning in circles mopping up technicolor party puke while bar speakers blared something only barely qualified as music. On the other side of the street, someone covered in head to toe beads was being rolled downhill by a trio of identical women modified to appear as vampires.

Welcome to Toronto.

He reached his battered car, tossed the lasagna, cookies, wine, and loot bag into the passenger seat, and sank behind the wheel. The old clunker gave a pitiful cough before turning over. He'd already decided he'd let Mary do whatever she damn well pleased with the vehicle. Anything would be better than its current state. Maybe Beepy and Zippy would help. He popped in an ancient Fallout Boy CD and drove off, pulling into the chaos and headed for the Leather Spires, and more importantly, Mistress Snu.

As he passed through Spadina Ave into Chinatown, the wall of noise and smell hit him. The street was jammed with late-night hawkers slinging bao buns, moon cakes, and rows of roasted duck that were perfectly cooked. Alex's stomach grumbled. Every third building seemed to be a bakery or karaoke bar, and every single one of them was stuffed to the gills while pumping out mind altering music. Alex breathed in the sweet smells. Someone chased a cape-wearing duck down the street. The gambling dens were wide open too, drinking shouting coming out in three or four different dialects while players tried their luck on rigged games. No one even pretended to hide them anymore, not since the System came. It was like Toronto's underground gambling had shrugged and decided to party aboveground permanently. Long as they paid their taxes, he guessed. He cut over to King Street.

That was the real madhouse. The high-end club strip was a disaster of glitter, illusion magic, and clouds of scented color that drifted and influenced club crawlers minds. Every club line snaked down the blocks and there were women in ten inch heels and runic dresses, guys with body mods flexing constantly under too many undone buttons. Some people brought their suit wearing Familiars, and drinks of every kind were sipped at. Flying taxi bikes zipped overhead, dropping VIPs directly at velvet roles. Bouncers enhanced with stone-skin Skills and pure detachment pocketed Credits to fast track the beautiful and the richt. The glowing billboards advertising bottle packages and drug stations ignored his visible poverty. He ignored the snickering looks at his car and blasted his Fall Out Boy. Alex actually didn't mind partying at clubs after a couple drinks, but he had a Dungeon Boss to deliver to.

The neighbourhood shifted as he drove to Snu's. The glitter and glamour of King street faded to be replaced with sagging rooftops, dingy bars, and sidewalks that reeked of ammonia and spit. He found a parking spot wedged between a vape shop and an Essence tattoo parlour. He didn't think his car would be stolen, but he couldn't be sure. Maybe the hubcaps? Did people still steal those?

He grabbed his armful of stuff, including his loot bag, and hustled down the alley. He waved his hand over the Parking machine and it took his Credits. Passed sketchy bars and the tweed wearing upright mice trade path that had evolved into a full blown night market. Tiny stalls and glowing lanterns lit the space as smart mice bartered over seeds and scraps and little doodads. Alex hopped around the glowing puddle and wished them well. "Goodluck with the Garden Gnomes!" They waved as he jogged past. The guard at the sketchy bar recognized him and gave him a wink. "You're back," the hulking body guard said. "Means she liked the pizza. Whatcha got there?"

"Lasagna and cookies and wine," Alex puffed.

"Smells incredible. Goodluck, kid. Don't fall in love now."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

He once again dodged a loose tangle of chains and stopped outside the stone archway which was guarded by two sneering stone gargoyles that picked their noses. They righted and pretended to be stone again while Alex raked his fingers through his hair, trying to make himself look presentable. As cute as a guy drenched in delivery sweat and rollercoaster trauma could be. Before he knocked, he [Investigated] the Dungeon.

[Leather Spires - Bronze Rank Dungeon]

[Current Occupants: 31]

[Time Since Last Defeat: 6 Years, 4 months, 30 days]

The number surprised Alex. Thirty one? His stomach flipped and he started viciously knocking. The heavy door immediately swung open to the smell of perfume, terrifying screams, and crying. Alex bolted forward instinctively, [Blazing Hot] sparking and his running faster than as he sprinted into the Leather Spires like he was trying to save Christmas and not get laid. He was going to save Mistress Snu from being killed. He... ran straight into the lobby and skidded to a stop.

Vrshkeuc, the little Gremlin receptionist with hair extensions, heels, and painted on makeup, twirled a knife between her clawed fingers while swinging lazily behind her desk. Another knife sailed through the air and thunked into the wall, right beside another Gremlin. The Gremlin that she almost impaled was bound and gagged against to said wall.

"Sorry," Vrshkeuc said casually, flicking another blade without even looking. "He's into…humiliation. And fear? New client. It's a whole thing." She grinned wide enough to show all her dirty molars. "Mistress Snu is expecting you though! Got the goods?"

Alex staggered forward. "Is she okay? I saw–there were like–thirty people inside. Is she being attacked? Have they reached her bedroom?!"

"Woah, woah, woah, slow down Romeo," Vrshkeuc snorted. "Fat fucking change they're getting to her room. No one's cleared her in six years. She's stronger now, almost Silver. Especially with a cute boy feeding her Skills because a certain someone, I'm not sure who, is oh so eager to see her. Those shitty Krusher's don't stand a chance." Thunk. Another knife. The gagged gremlin squealed.

Vrshkeuc's eyes slid to the wine bottle. "Oooh. Trying to get lucky, huh? I can smell you, which smells terrible, and how good that wine is from here." She licked her fangs. "Lasagna too? Smells delicious. And are those cookies? Come on, errand boy. Share the love."

Alex unpackaged and handed her a jam topped cookie. It looked crispy, and warm, and buttery, and covered in sinful jam. She bit into it with a purr, enjoyed a bite, and then spit crumbs directly at the gagged gremlin. "These are delicious. Shit."

"SAY THANK YOU!" she screeched at him in a horrifying way. The gremlin let out a miserable muffled 'thank you,". Vrshkeuc wiped her hands and kicked a hidden latch behind her. A low grinding noise filled the room, and after a moment, a secret panel slid open in the stone wall behind the desk. "Shortcut for the errand boy," she said smugly. "Must be a little bit special."

Alex hurried eagerly to the passage, but not before glancing down the hallway. Mistress Snu, as far as he knew, was at the end of the left one. But what was in the right one? The one that blasted techno music? "Uhh…what's down there?" he asked the Gremlin.

Vrshkeuc followed his eyes. "Oh, that's her twin sister's side. Mistress Giat. No, they don't share. Keep your mouth closed, please. I don't like human tongues." Alex almost dropped the lasagna.

TWINS?! Breathe, Alex. Breathe. Oh god. Twins.

He straightened himself up and adjusted his veritable goods. It felt kind of strange arriving with so many things. He wasn't one to make assumptions, but she did request the last delivery. Alex left the Gremlin to her knife throwing and started jogging down the secret shortcut. The hallway appeared to be higher up by some Magic Dungeon double sided mirror fuckery and he could see into the various Dungeon rooms from above. He was happy to see the Dungeon was absolutely wrecking the invading Krushers.

Three poor bastards with shimmering capes were pinned beneath the Ass Monster and suffocating to death. Others were getting suplexed and tombstoned by the greased up mass of Glimps while they were stabbed with needles and nipple clamps. A whole squad was literally being boiled alive in lube vats. And near the end, Britanii was getting paddled while she cried by a half-dozen latex wearing nuns. He didn't even want to see what the tentacle room was doing, so he just kept moving ahead. The Krushers probably thought they could just overwhelm Snu's Dungeon, but it looked like they were sorely mistaken. Alex was happy to see Britanii getting some come upings.

Serves you fucking right. Just you wait and see what I have planned for you. He hoped Britanii wouldn't die just so his brewing plan could take hold.

He soon stood in front of her heavy door. With a thudding chest as he balanced his bag, the lasagna, wine, and cookies, he fixed his hair one last time before knocking and announcing his arrival. He decided to be at least a little cheeky. "I've got one lasagna and one Delivery boy here for a Mistress Snu. One–." Before he could finish his second sentence, the door swung open.

Alex immediately dodged as he stepped into Mistress Snu's Dungeon Boss Room. An olive shot through the air and he managed to dodge it. Floating candles still bobbed and the same carpet still sprawled. The bar was still stoked with expensive bottles and the four poster bed hung in the back. The room definitely felt brighter. And barreling toward him was a missile of messy blonde hair, bare thighs, and excitement.

Mistress Snu appeared as herself, and not as the towering goddess of danger and seduction. A small demon girl sprinted toward him with her tiny horns poking through her hair and this time she wore a slouchy hoodie that hung off one shoulder with "BITE ME" printed across. No pants. Just very nice thighs and droopy skull socks. Alex didn't have time to react before she giggled and flicked her fingers. The lasagna, cookies, wine, and even his loot bag were pulled out of arms with her Skill and drifted to sit on the bar. His arms were momentarily empty. Then she threw herself into him.

Alex caught her with a surprised oof, and wrapped his arms around her backside instinctively. She was heavier than expected and vibrating with happy energy. He gripped her ass and felt the shape of her as she pressed into him. She smelled like roasted sugar and a little bite of perfume. It was the best damn thing he smelled as she nuzzled into his shoulder.

Snu tilted her head up to look at him and gave him a mischievous look. "What a good errand boy. A bit late, but I'll forgive you."

His brain was short-circuiting under the heat of her body pressing against his. Thank god for the energy from the Buffs. He squeezed her tighter and responded, "I thought something was wrong. With the text and seeing how many people were in the Dungeon."

"That? Nothing I can't handle. They let me get stronger for years. And I'm just about to hit Silver. I was worried for a minute or two, but then I saw the piss poor quality of this 'Krusher Clan'. Someone or something sucked up a lot of the storm's Magic in some Ritual, probably," she laughed and nuzzled deeper. Alex couldn't help but think of Emilio and the Garden Gnomes. Just how much energy did his cat absorb? That definitely wasn't good. "Plus, with a little food buff, they would have no chance in a one on one."

"Good to know," Alex said. "You know I like to make sure all my customers are happy."

"Is that so?" she said sarcastically. "Make all your customers happy? Even me?" Her arms loosened around him and Alex saw a little crack of vulnerability. "Even if I look like this?" she asked, looking over herself as Alex placed her back down so she stood in front of him. "I mean–I can change into what you saw before. Last time, you know? I can use the Skill, if you–"

Alex reached up and brushed some of her messy hair away from her face. His thumb swept over the side of her ear. "No," he said. "I think you're cute just how you are." That earned him an evil look.

"Cute?" Snu hissed. "Did you just call the Mistress of the Leather Spires cute?"

Before Alex could defend himself, something poked him in the back of the head. He turned and saw a single jam topped cookie floating mid-air behind him. He snatched at it, but it was whipped away.

"Ah, ah, ah," Snu teased, messy bun shaking as she grinned at him. She drifted the cookie in lazy circles above his head. "You just called me cute. In my domain. No one calls me that."

"I think you're cute–I don't–" Alex almost fumbled the ball.

"You have to earn it." She said as she plucked out a bit of jam from the cookie with her red painted fingernail and walked towards him with swaying hips.

"Ear-earn it?"

She brought her fingers to his lips and held his stare. "Taste it." she told him. Alex opened his mouth without thinking and let her press her finger against his tongue. He sucked the jam clean. Snu watched him the whole time smiling. It was definitely delicious jam.

"What–what about the food? The wine?"

"Alex, we can eat the food after. I didn't order just for the food." She was already reaching for the hem of her hoodie.

"Right, right." He said as Snu peeled the hoodie upward, slow and teasing. Inch by inch she revealed smooth pale skin, the curve of her stomach and the black lace of her bra and panties. They were detailed with thorny designs. She tugged the hoodie over her horns and tossed it onto a waiting table. The bra hugged her tight and lifted her heavy chest. Her thighs were soft and made to be gripped, with flaring ups beneath lace panties. To Alex, she looked perfect. A short, thick, pale Demon Girl with Horns and a messy bun.

Snu cocked her head with a lazy, almost predatory smile and sauntered forward. Her fingers hooked under his t-shirt and she dragged her nails against his stomach.

"Take it off," she ordered.

"What?"

"Your shirt, dumbass." She smiled at him sweetly as she dug in her nails just a bit. "Or do I have to do it for you?" Alex yanked off his shirt in one clumsy motion. Snu hummed happily as she took him in.

"Now…" she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Let's see if you're actually as good an errand boy as you claim to be."

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