A Dinner

Work is all well and good but that's not what one should focus on. Lady Delula went over her information along with a subtle drop that she hopes to see me in her beginner class on magical theory. Even if I already have a higher level grasp on it. She'll let me test out if I can. But a lot of the basic classes would be mostly reviewed for the early portion of the semester before going into heavier topics. She suggested I stick with those to make sure I have a feel for how school operations are different.

But enough about school! She wanted to know what I had been up to since she left. I had to think carefully about this one. There is a lot that I should skirt around. There is a lot more that I should just avoid entirely. The more that I can connect to her teachings that she left me with, the better impression I feel I can have on her. I don't really need to gain favor. I already have a good standing with her but anything that I can promote on her behalf will help.

I let her know about my Ping spell which allows me to see what's around me within a certain range. She seemed really interested in that. I couldn't show her though. There are too many rooms around here and that would turn into an invasion of privacy. Plus I don't really want to know what others are up to in these rooms. It's a nice hotel and all but I really don't need to know what's happening behind closed doors.

That led to the story of how I used it to spot a fire on the grounds and into the storm that I summoned up which apparently rained for multiple days but knocked me on my ass for longer. A few small things here and there. The many, many books I chewed through in my quest for knowledge. Then the week-long adventure with Madam Odette in the wilderness to truly test my abilities and see what I can do. Throughout the entire story, she was eyes wide and intensely focused. "When I left you, you had a basic understanding of the absolute minimum but had the ability to learn for yourself. And look at you now." She kind of reminds me of my mother in that she's excited to hear about how I'm doing. But she also took a personal investment in me because of the one-on-one teaching that Madam Odette arranged.

A few things I managed to avoid were the many times I got in trouble, the incident with "Duke" Marcus, the incident with my uncle Thomas and his son Reed, and the more personal aspects of Madam Odette's life when it intertwined with mine. She is hanging on every word. Her ability to focus was unparalleled. But at the moment, that is all I have. I shared a bit about my trip back home. That seemed to be a more heartwarming moment for myself. Also made me a bit homesick. I know I'll be able to go back. I'm sure when school breaks for a few weeks I'll be able to take some time and head home.

Lady Delula took it all in with a smile before she laid back on the foot of the bed. She stretched out before letting out a deep exhale. "You've been living an exciting life, haven't you?"

"I'm not sure exciting is the word I would use but it hasn't been dull."

She relaxed with her arms above her head and hanging off the edge of the bed. Her stomach is exposed to the air but she doesn't seem to notice. I fall backward on the bed letting my head hit the pillow. All the excitement for the day has worn me out. I was already nervous enough about the exams. The aftermath of that was disheartening as I was yelled at for being a fraud and promised that I would not be admitted only to be told much later that I don't need to worry and that I have been admitted.

Something begins to rub up my leg. I look down and there's a smiling gecko with her full hand on my calf. I lean myself back but the feeling doesn't pass. I can feel her soft skin feeling around my calf in circles but every circle seems to go higher and higher with every pass. I look down and she's slowly moved further up the bed with her palm on my knee now. She just looks at me and giggles as if she knows she's been caught.

She doesn't hide it now. She moves to shove my legs out of her way. She lays her head on my stomach and puts her weight on my hips and legs as she stares up at me. I can see it in her eyes. Her drink has fully kicked in. "Madam Delula…"

"No! Call me 'professor' from here on."

I give a small groan, "Professor Delula, are you OK?"

She hums as she smiles up at me, "Never better."

She's gone. Her mind has given in to the drink. She wraps her arms around my waist as she seems to settle into that spot. "You're so warm and soft." She continues to nuzzle and make herself comfortable with me. "I wish I had fur sometimes."

She is such an oddball. And she's only getting odder the more she goes. She shifts and flops herself around as she seems to kind of crawl up to my chest. With her cheek on my chest, she sits in place. As she breathes, I can get a whiff of the chocolate on her breath with an undertone of the drink. It's very sweet but still has that slight sour tinge to it.

"Poor fox. Can't have a drink." Now she's moved on to mocking me. She moves from under me to poke my nose. "Maybe one day I'll get to share a drink with you." She continues to move and sits herself up across my hips. "How about as much of a taste as I can give you?"

I didn't get an answer but I knew the implication. Her face came to mine until I could feel her breath on my face. She may be intoxicated but she has enough sense to wait for an OK. Her eyes darted between mine waiting for it. I can see the anticipation building up. Her breathing is steadying but it's still bated.

She is… so beautiful. Her colors always seemed to attract my eye to her but up close I can see the details on her skin. Her eyes are deep with that rich green that reflects on her body. I can only fight temptation for so long. I inhale, inching myself closer to her. She took that as her go ahead meeting her lips with mine. Before I knew it, her sticky tongue was playing with mine. I could taste the drink still in her. The strong cocoa flavor was prominent with a slight tinge of alcohol behind it. She pulled back with a deep inhale as she caught her breath. "I guess I needed a little liquid courage to help me."

What did she mean? Was this her intention when she first showed up? That would explain the nervous behavior from before. "You didn't seem so nervous the last time we met like this." I have to tease her a bit. I just can not let this opportunity go by without having a little fun with it.

"Last time, you were just someone I was supposed to tutor. Not an official student, not someone out of the ordinary, just someone."

"Ow, my ego."

"Shut up. You showed your colors and how talented you were and that struck me. I know Lady Odette is attracted to power. I prefer knowledge."

"Then why were you nervous this time?"

She had to think about it for a second. She dropped her head back to my chest. "You're not just somebody any more. You're a legend in the living flesh."

"I was supposedly this legend last time you came to visit."

"I wasn't told that. I didn't know until well after I had left."

Madam Odette never told her. She just told her that she needed to teach someone and paid for her time and expertise. I can't fault her for that. Telling someone that they are teaching the nine-tailed fox would either chase them away or cause them so much anxiety that they may not be able to fully complete their duties. "Well, what now then?" I propose the question to the lady laying on my chest. She hums, sending a vibration to my stomach, "I'm kind of tired. I'm also kind of hungry again." I see her eyes move back and forth as though she's thinking until a smile comes to her face. "Red~? Can you order some sandwiches~?"

I get it. I'm good with food. She has to roll off of me but she does so with a slurred "thank you" before laying on her back. I tell her to not move while I grab the phone and see if the kitchen is still open. They are closed for the night so I have to order delivery from a local place. She gives me her order, I get something for myself, and they are on their way.

She rolls around on the bed every now and again. It looks like she's starting to get comfortable while I wait. We still talk, as much as we can. The more time passes, the more it seems her drink is taking hold of her. She's rambling on about something which isn't a bad thing. Whatever it is, she's passionate about it but I can't tell what it is. She's not clear enough for me to understand.

The food arrives shortly after. The guy delivering it gives me the slip, I tip, and he's on his way. I turn around to let her know that food is here and she's stopped rolling around and babbling. In fact, she stopped doing almost everything. She's resting peacefully on the bed. Her eyes are closed, and her breathing is relaxed. And she is out like a light.

I keep an eye on her as she sleeps. I enjoy my sandwich in the meantime. I got a supremely meat 6" sub and it's not bad. Seems like they skimped on the amount of meat but for a snack, this isn't too bad. She got a veggie salad 6" but I don't think she'll be going after that any time soon. I store it away in the fridge. It'll be a good choice come morning.

The lights go out when I think it's time for me to get some sleep. I have an early morning that I have to be up for. Madam Odette will be quite upset if we are not back on time. I lay down in the bed next to the passed-out gecko trying to get some of the blanket to keep some of me covered. She finds my mass under the blanket and moves closer before laying still once again. She just wants something to cuddle against. And I can't bring myself to wake her up. I'm not sure if I would be able to wake her up. She seems rather… out of it.

My eyes close as there's one last jostle to my side. I look over to see she's rolled over. I'll have to give her crap about this tomorrow. For tonight though, sleep. It's an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar place but it's a night of restful sleep.