CHAPTER 96: THE SPARK OF INVENTION

Three days had passed since the grand opening of the Blackthorn House of Pleasure, and business was booming.

From morning to moonrise, the elegant house pulsed with life. Giggling clients, aromatic oils, fluttering silk, and the occasional symphonic moan that echoed out into the street. The house had quickly earned a reputation across Nettlehusk as a sanctuary of divine indulgence.

Inside, Pip was hard at work.

Literally.

He stood in a softly lit chamber at the back of the house, hands alight with gentle runes. Soft vines curled up the walls and the bed was a mossy masterpiece of botanical enchantment, all courtesy of Pip’s recent upgrades.

His body glows faintly with a warm, rosy hue, his mechanical limbs whirring with expert precision as he finishes pleasing his first client of the day.

Lost in a haze of pleasure, the woman, a tough-looking mercenary with twin battle axes and half a dozen scars, raked her nails down the Pip’s back, panting and moaning as he held her aloft. His hands cupped her butt, and her thighs wrapped his hips.

He increased his pace, pounding into her harder, faster and she gripped him like a vice as he drove her closer to the edge of satisfaction.

She throws her head back, crying out as an orgasm crashes over her. Her body convulses around Pip’s shaft and her mind bucks under the depth of his touch. With a few more deep thrusts, he buries himself to the hilt, tearing her past the edge of pleasure and deep into mind-blowing bliss.

She melts into the mattress like butter under a summer sun, moaning out thanks to every god she knows.

"Beep," Pip chimes proudly, gently patting her shoulder.

The client gives a dazed thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, Penelo and Ka’Lula stand just outside the room with towels, oils, and a stack of enchanted cleaning cloths.

"Oil prep in T-minus thirty seconds," Penelo says with a giggle.

Lula blows a kiss toward the door. "He’s hitting new notes today."

As soon as Pip steps out, the two swoop in like a pit crew at a racing event.

"Shoulders first," Lula says, rubbing Pip’s upper back.

"No, inner thighs first!" Penelo squeaks, spritzing a citrusy cleansing mist at his crotch.

Pip lets out a patient beep as the two bicker mid-rubdown.

Downstairs, Sera leaned against the front door with her arms folded and a smug smirk on her face. She was dressed in a tight black tunic embroidered with gold thread, her sword at her hip and a fan in hand to ward off the morning heat.

She glanced at the long line of hopeful patrons stretching out past the gate, then yelled over her shoulder, "Next five, wait quietly! If I see one more creeper trying to sniff the curtains, I’m turning this into a training session!"

A few eager souls straightened up immediately.

In the foyer, Veena sat behind a polished oak desk, elegantly dressed in an off-shoulder velvet dress and a monocle she absolutely didn’t need. Quill in hand, her long legs kicked up on the counter as she casually flips through the bookings for the day. The parchment scroll rolls down the side of the desk, inked with names, special requests, magical affinities, and notes like "needs extra attention to lower back" and "frequent cry-er, have tissues ready."

"Yes, Mistress Felwynd," she spoke as she answered the next hopeful client. "Our Pleasure Prince can accommodate two partners simultaneously. Yes, he’s fully attuned to both psychic and magical feedback. No, he doesn’t need a break unless he asks for one... which he never does."

Behind her, Zora floats past on a stepladder made of smoke and sparkles, lighting scented candles with a snap of his fingers and muttering enchantments to keep the curtains fluttering at precisely sensual intervals.

"There," he says with pride, dusting off his hands. "Mood lighting restored. Scent charms refreshed. My work here is art."

"I’ll say," Sera mutters, eyeing the glittering chandeliers. "This place feels like a noble’s boudoir."

"I wanted it to feel like a five-star love spa," Zora says proudly.

Vuvi strode into the main hall, sipping coffee, arms folded behind her back as she inspected the operations.

She watched the enchanted reception desk shift subtly to accommodate a taller elf, then nodded with satisfaction.

"Well done, everyone," she said. "This place is running like a dream."

Veena saluted with her quill.

Zora bows. "We live to serve."

"Try telling that to Lula." Sera chuckles. "I caught her charging extra for bathhouse cuddles."

"They’re therapeutic!" Lula calls from upstairs.

Vuvi chuckles, then waves her hand. "I’ll be gone a few hours. Off to the Alchemy Guild to order some upgrade parts for Pip."

Veena sits up straighter. "Need company?"

Vuvi shakes her head. "Nah, stay here. Keep the pleasure palace running smooth."

Veena gives her a mock salute. "Yes, Madame Manager."

Vuvi turns to leave, pausing only to admire the massive line of hopeful clients snaking around the block outside their home.

She grins proudly. "We’re gonna need a second Pip."

-------------------

The alchemy guild of Nettlehusk was a masterpiece of brass, stone, and magical steam.

Towers twisted into the clouds, their gears clanking rhythmically. Pipes spewed glowing mist along etched archways. Runic glyphs shimmered like constellations across the floors. The smell of burning herbs, alchemical oils, and metallic dust filled the air.

Vuvi steps through the brass-trimmed doors with the confidence of a woman who knows exactly what she’s doing.

Inside, the air is thick with incense, arcane steam, and the quiet tapping of tools against crystal. Alchemists in robes and goggles scurry between counters. Glowing tubes of bubbling mixtures snake along the ceiling like vines.

Vuvi approaches the front desk and clears her throat.

A bored-looking receptionist, a young woman with two monocles stacked over her eyes, doesn’t look up. "Name and intent?"

"Vuvela Blackthorn," Vuvi says.

The woman stiffens.

Both monocles clatter to the desk.

"Y-You’re the Vuvela Blackthorn?" she squeaks, eyes wide. "Creator of the..." she lowered her voice, "Pleasure Prince?""

Vuvi gave a smug smile and crossed her arms. "Guilty."

The receptionist squealed, practically vibrating behind the desk. "Oh my stars, I am obsessed with your work! The precision, the elegance, the stamina enchantments. Goddess above, I heard he made the mayor’s wife see her past lives!"

"And that was just yesterday," Vuvi says with a wink. "He’s pretty popular."

"Popular?! Half the guild is talking about visiting your house of pleasure! And now you’re here?"

Vuvi leaned in conspiratorially. "Come by the house sometime. I’ll get you a discount."

The elf nearly passed out. "You are my hero!"

"Glad to hear it," Vuvi said, pulling out a scroll. "Now, I’m looking for some very specific parts."

The receptionist grabs a crystal tablet and practically slams it on the counter. "Please let me assist with your order! Anything!"

Vuvi leans on the desk. "I need modular spell-thread, a new multi-latticed cooling grid, a reinforced omni-directional pelvic mount, and... hm... maybe something exotic. Throw in a multi-channel aura converter if you can source one."

The receptionist nods, her fingers flying across her glowing screen. "Done, done, and done! Oh! Also... if you ever need another assistant tester, I’d be honored to—"

"I’ll consider it," Vuvi says with a grin.

The woman squeals again.