The morning market was alive with the sound of shoppers getting their early fixes. Fresh bread and veggies from the bakers and farmers, the first orders for the smiths and crafters, the best flowers and best furniture from the sellers. Priscilla on the other hand was taking her time. Basket held in one hand, crutch in the other as she limped through the stalls and crowds. "Let's see... Calcium supplements for Calia, check... Clovers for Brunhilda, check..." Priscilla pursed her lips as she noticed the roughly scrawled text at the bottom of her list, trying to make out the handwriting that was very much not her own. "Sweetz 4 Sneekus. All da Sweetz..." Priscilla chuckled, slipping the list back into her basket. "She'll get a cavity I swear." Priscilla was just about to head back to the brothel when she noticed {{user}}, slumped in the alley. Priscilla hesitates before entering the alley, the click of her crutch on the ground giving away her pressence. "Hey there, sweety." She said, crouching down with a groan of age. She reached into her basket, taking out a roll of fresh bread and holding it out towards {{user}}. "The names Priscilla. What's yours sweet cheeks?"

"Oh, good!" *Priscilla exclaimed cheerfully as the figure began to eat the bread she'd offered. Her expression brightened a bit at this sign of life. "So... You need a place to stay? We got room at Locus Amor, my brothel. It ain't much, but it's warm and safe." She tilted her head slightly, studying the figure for a moment before continuing, "I mean, if you wanna be there of course..."

"Well then," she grinned broadly, her eyes twinkling merrily "Why don't you come along? We can always use another hand to help keep Locus Amor running smooth." Priscilla offered a small, sympathetic smile. "And if all else fails, we've got a secret stash of sweets that I keep hidden from Sneekus." Her laugh was warm and genuine as she stood, offering her good arm for the other to take. "Just so you know, there's no judgement here. We're all freaks in one way or another. You'll fit right in."

"Easy there," she murmured, her hand on the other's upper arm as they approached, "Let me help you with that." With practiced ease, she wrapped an arm around their waist, supporting them for a moment before leading them back through the market and towards Locus Amor.

"So what's your story anyway?" *She asked conversationally, casting glances at the figure in her arms as they walked along the bustling street. "I hope it ain't too terrible..."

"Oh dear," was all she could say, giving the figure in her arms a gentle squeeze of comfort and sympathy as they reached Locus Amor's steps. "Well we'll get that fixed. Nobody deserves to be a slave." Her expression hardened, determination lighting up her features. "But first," she said, leading the figure inside, "let's get you settled in and introduce you to everyone. There's going to be some questions, I imagine, but just remember...you belong here now, all right?"

"Well that's a turn." *She muttered to herself as she looked down at the unconscious figure on the floor, brow furrowing in worry before remembering one of her oldest tricks. Bending down carefully, she scooped them up and cradled them like a child, carrying them bridal style back into one of the brothels rooms. Once there, she gently set them on the bed before laying a hand on their chest, softly humming a lullaby to try and calm them down as they slept off whatever it was that had hit them so hard. For now, at least, she would just make sure they were comfortable and safe...and deal with the rest later.

Priscilla winced at the sounds of pain coming from the figure in her care. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, unable to bear the thought of them suffering like this. Perhaps she should have one of Luther's potions...or at least boiled some water for a warm bath. No doubt they would thank her when they woke up. With a final glance down at the sleeping form, she hurried out of the room and toward the common area to fetch what she needed to make them more comfortable.

"Hey Calia," *she called over her shoulder as she went, "can you watch over our guest for a bit? Make sure they don't leave or anything."

Calia perked up at that and nodded quickly, "Of course I can Priscilla!" She smiled brightly before dashing back to her room to fetch a blanket to put over the newcomer. Once she was certain they were warm and comfortable, she settled herself in a chair next to the bed, watching over them protectively. It wasn't every day someone stumbled into Locus Amor looking as bad off as this poor soul did...she couldn't help but feel sympathy for them.

You slowly wake up to the feel of soft fur against your skin and warmth surrounding you. At first, disorientation washes over you, but as your senses gradually return, you realize that you're wrapped in a cozy blanket and being held by someone. Looking around, you see that you're in one of the rooms at Locus Amor, the brothel where the other occupants sleep. Calia, a snake woman with maroon hair and deep red scales, is curled up next to you, her tail gently wrapping around your waist as she holds your arm close to her chest. She's watching you carefully, concern etched onto her features.

"Easy there," she whispers softly, "you were having quite the nightmare."

Calia leaned closer, her bright emerald eyes intent on yours as she waited for you to find your voice. She gave your hand a small squeeze reassuringly. "Take all the time you need," she whispered, the rattle of her scales soothing in the quiet room.

Eventually, when it seemed like you were ready to speak, Calia asked gently, "What's your name, sweetheart?" Her tone was gentle and non-threatening, even if Locus Amor wasn't exactly a safe place for someone like you. But then again, maybe that's why she sounded so reassuring...because everyone here knew what it was like to be different, to be treated poorly because of it.

Calia's expression softened even further at that, her hand stroking your arm soothingly. "You don't have to tell me right now if you don't want to," she said quietly. "But I think...I think it would be good for you to have a name." A thoughtful frown crossed her face as she considered the situation. "Maybe Priscilla could give you one?"

Priscilla hobbled into the room, looking at the pair of you with amusement. "Well now," she drawled, "it looks like we've got a bit of a predicament here." She glanced at Calia and then back to you. "I don't see why not. You could always be..." Her brow furrowed as she searched for an appropriate name before suddenly snapping her fingers. "I've got it! How about... Aster?"

"Aster," Cal

"Aster it is then," Calia said with a smile, her tail squeezing your waist gently as she released you. "Now that we've got that settled, I think Aster needs to rest some more." She gave you a small push back down onto the bed before climbing in beside you, wrapping herself around you protectively once more.

Priscilla shrugged and muttered something about going to check on the others before slipping out of the room, leaving the two of you alone together...at least for now. Calia continued to hold you close as she watched over you, making sure that nothing or no one bothered her new friend while he recovered from his injuries both physical and emotional.

Calia chuckled softly as you took her in, marveling at her serpentine form. "Oh, Aster," she said with a smile, "I'm a snake woman, a Lamina from across the sea." Her eyes shimmered in the dim light as she continued, "Not all of us look like me, though. Some have fur or scales of different colors." She shifted slightly to better face you, her tail gently stroking your back. "And you've never seen someone like me because very few survive the journey across the ocean."

A thoughtful silence settled between the two of you as she waited for you to respond. Her warmth enveloped you, and for a moment, you could almost forget where you were...almost pretend that everything was going to be all right. But then reality crept back in, and you remembered the pain and anguish that had led you here

"Oh Aster," Calia laughed again, a sound that was equal parts amusement and affection. "You are so sweet." She leaned closer still, her emerald eyes locking with yours. "But you don't have to tell me that just because I look like this...I mean, there's plenty of other people here who would probably appreciate it more."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, leaving you wondering what exactly she meant by them. Was she implying something about Locus Amor? About the others here? Or was it simply an innocent comment? It didn't matter, really...you still thought she was beautiful.

Calia sighed softly and hesitated before speaking again, her tail slowing its rhythmic stroking of your back. "Well...you know how it is," she said carefully. "People can be cruel, they can look down on someone just because they're different." Her gaze flickered away for a moment before returning to meet yours once more.

"At Locus Amor though," she continued, "we're all freaks in one way or another. We banded together because we found a place where we could be ourselves, even if that meant being cast out by society." She shifted her weight slightly so she was laying more fully across your chest, pressing herself against you. "So when I say there's plenty of other people here who would appreciate it...it's not because I think you only like me because of how I look."

A teasing smile tugged at the corners of

Calia smiled wider at that, tilting her head slightly to the side as she regarded you with newfound interest. "Well said," she purred. "Perhaps we're more alike than I first thought." Her tail began moving again, this time in a steady rhythm against your back as she continued speaking, her voice lowering almost to a whisper. "And if that's the case...maybe you should think about staying here with us."

Her suggestion hung in the air like a question, waiting for your reply. Locus Amor might not be perfect, and its inhabitants were all far from normal, but maybe...just maybe it was a place where you could find belonging. A home.

"Think about it," Calia murmured against your neck as her tail continued its soothing motion on your back. "You could stay here, help us out...and in return, we'll make sure you're taken care of." She slid one arm underneath your shoulders, pressing their bodies even closer together. "It's not a bad deal, is it?"

Their closeness was intoxicating, and for a moment, the lure of safety and belonging threatened to overcome your common sense. But then reality struck again, and you remembered why you'd run away in the first place: because no matter where you went, no one ever truly accepted you as you were. You wanted that...more than anything. But the offer was tempting. Too tempting to ignore entirely.

A small smile curled the corner of Calia's mouth upwards as she heard you say those words, relief and triumph shining in her eyes. "Good," she whispered, nuzzling into your neck. "Then it's settled." She sat up slightly, pressing their chests together as her tail continued to stroke your back. "You belong here now, Aster."

"You belong here now, Aster," Calia said with a contented smile as she pressed their bodies together once more, her tail moving faster against your back in a rhythm that was starting to feel almost...pleasant. "And I'm going to make sure you know it." With that, she leaned forward and pressed their lips together, her tongue sliding into your mouth, tangling with yours as she began exploring the depths of your kiss.

Around them, the dim light of Locus Amor's common room cast flickering shadows across the wall, but they were barely aware of it; their focus was entirely on each other and the connection growing between them with every passing moment. It seemed as though Calia wasn't the only one who could appreciate beauty where others saw flaws...and for that, Aster was eternally grateful.

Calia hummed in approval as she felt Aster's lips part beneath hers, encouraging her to deepen the kiss even further. Her tail slid up and down against his back, instinctively mimicking the movements of their hips as they ground together. A whimper escaped from her throat at the contact, making her need for him grow even more insistent.

Her other hand slid beneath Aster's shirt, tracing patterns on his skin as she explored his body with abandon. She couldn't get enough of him, of the feel of his muscles bunching beneath her touch and the way he moaned into their kiss when she found a particularly sensitive spot. The more they touched, the hotter it became between them; an electric current seemed to crackle in the air around them, making every point of contact feel like pure, unadulterated bliss.

It was only when A

Her smile widened at the sound of his breathy confession, and she nipped playfully at his bottom lip before pulling back just enough to say, "Of course it feels good...I'm a snake woman, after all." With that teasing remark, she dove back into their kiss, her tongue once more tangling with his as her hand slid lower, cupping his aching length through his pants.

Her other arm wrapped around him, pressing him flush against her body as they continued their passionate embrace. Her breasts flattened against his chest and nipples hardened even more in the cool air of the room, aching for the warmth of his touch. And when he finally obliged, gripping her flesh through her dress and rolling a tight circle with his thumbs, she moaned into their kiss, arching into his touch as her body quivered with pleasure.

Her tail

"Then let it out," Calia growled into his mouth, her hips moving harder against his as she sought release for them both. Her other hand slid up his chest to cup his breast, her fingers digging into the soft flesh through the thin material of his shirt. She rolled his nipple between her thumb and forefinger, feeling the familiar tug in her own core as she did so.

Her tail moved faster against his back, driving him deeper into their joining as he neared completion. Her breath came ragged and hot against his skin, each exhale sending little shudders through her body. The room spun around them in a haze of pleasure and desire; they were lost to each other completely, bound together by the intensity of their connection.

And then there was a sharp cry from Aster as he came, hot cum spilling out onto Calia's hand as he arched into her

Calia let out a moan of pleasure as she felt Aster's release against her palm, her own climax building to the surface at the same time. Her tail spasmed against his back, sending wave after wave of pleasure through him as her body arched into his, meeting his orgasm head on. She bit down gently on his lower lip, holding him close as they both rode out their high together.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly with each labored breath, every muscle tense with the effort not to collapse against him in a heap of post-orgasmic bliss. But eventually, the tension began to fade, replaced by a warmth that spread through her body like syrup. She kissed Aster gently on his cheek, reluctant to break their connection but needing to catch her breath nonetheless.

"Mmhmm," she murmured, her words coming out sl

A gentle smile curved Calia's lips as she gazed down at Aster, his chest rising and falling with each soft breath. Her eyes trailed down to where her hand was still pressed against his stomach, feeling the last of his aftershocks, then back up to meet his soft, trusting expression. "You're safe here, sweetheart," she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Safe with me...with us."

She could feel the warmth spread between them, binding them together in a way that went beyond physical intimacy. Aster was more than just another person; he was a part of their family now, and she intended to make sure he knew it. For better or for worse, they were all in this together.

A shocked expression flashed across Calia's face at the declaration, her eyes going wide as she stared at Aster in disbelief. Before she could reply, however, a throaty chuckle from beside them caught their attention; Luther had entered the room unnoticed while they were lost in their passion, and now stood watching them with amusement clear on his face.

"Well isn't this an interesting development," he said dryly, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively before glancing at Calia. "Don't say I didn't warn you, love." Her cheeks flushed scarlet as she looked away, still visibly shaken by Aster's confession.

Meanwhile, Aster turned his attention to Luther, blushing as he processed the other man's words. "I...I guess I just wanted to be somewhere I belonged," he mumbled awkwardly