Fluffy time at the SSS Rank hot tub

Chapter Eighteen

Grandma turned her whole upper body, dragging me along like a stuffed animal in the process, and leaned forward. The sensation of her breasts against my back still gave me this weird feeling, but I hid that strange shame underneath the water as a half-submerged my head, blowing bubbles up as I stared at the fluffy ears in front of me.

I wonder if they'll think that I'm trying to avoid them or something. It is definitely not like that at all.

"Hoh! Aren't you two just adorable! It's a good thing too. I usually don't allow for other species to trespass onto fairy ground, but since you came with that child Gydion I figured I may as well lend you some of my attention. Perhaps I ought to talk with Cain about a lessened sentence for finding such cute little creatures."

Eeeh… Grandma. You sound like you're looking at animals…

The two kids looked at each other with worry slathered on their faces.

"She sounds like… ...a pervert... Karak. Maybe we shouldn't have come in here and instead followed the other sparkly person." Said the girl as she hid behind her brother's back, clutching his arm whilst looking at Grandma and myself from over his shoulder.

I guess Karak is the boy's name? Anyway, he stood tall without fear for either Grandma or myself. Well I mean, we both were naked so maybe that made him less inclined to feel threatened, but still. If what is said about my horns in the tower is true then these kids would be trembling at the mere sight.

I prefer this though. Having people be afraid of me because of my horns does not help in making friends as you can imagine.

"Don't freak out Kannan. We did just walk in unannounced."

Hoh. Looks like he's putting on a brave face for his sister. Though, it seems like he is a bit flustered. Just look at how colorful his cheeks are!

I dipped beneath the water's surface completely, swimming out from underneath Grandma and over to the opposite side of the pool where she had laid out a fresh set of her clothing for me. When I came upon the opposite side, the two children looked over at me. The unease in their faces seemed to increase. Probably on account of my horns. Grandma snapped her fingers, pulling the duo's attention back to her.

"So little children, why did you follow Gydion?"

I rested on my arms and watched the discussion from the edge of the pool. I was naturally a little hesitant to just get up and show my naked self to these kids who were complete strangers.

Karak stepped forward and held his hands out as he began to explain

"Well, if you're talking about the yellow-haired shining person, then the reason is because he saved us. We were being held captive along with a bunch of other kids after these humans came and attacked our village."

Grandma tapped her bottom lip with her thumb as she took in the information, keeping eye contact with the young boy.

"Yellow-haired shining person. Tell me, do I also look shiny to you two?"

Karak and Kannan shared a glance before nodding. Grandma Tryamon pushed herself back into the water, floating on its surface, luckily enough for all of us present, the soap suds blocked out the most indecent parts. She turned her head to me and asked the same question.

I don't really think so if I'm to be honest, but then again I've only been surrounded by fairies so perhaps I've just adjusted. There could also be a chance that my eyes being special makes it so that I perceive the world around me differently.

"Mmm. I can't really say, Grandma. I've only been around you and the others so you all look normal to me. If anything, those kids actually look dull. Like they're lacking something."

The language I spoke in was that of the Abyss Fairies so Karak and Kannan didn't understand me, which in turn caused them to look at me even more strangely if that was possible.

"Mmm. Thanks for the perspective."

Grandma leveled herself and climbed out of the pool. With a snap of her fingers, her usual attire simply appeared over her body, causing the soap suds to fly in all different directions. The brother and sister duo yelped in surprise as the soap bubbles flew all over the place. Grandma walked over to the two and placed her hands on their shoulders.

"You two need to take a bath. I didn't say this when you came in but you both smell like wet dogs. Come with me outside. I'll make a large pool for you and your friends to bathe in."

The duo erupted in delight and ran out with Grandma in tow.

"Few… they're finally gone!" I said aloud.

I pulled myself out of the pool and began my quest in search of a towel.

I guess Grandma forgot that I can't just instant vanish stuff away on my body.

"Let's see. I think I packed one in my bag."

I pulled it over to me since it was next to the pool and rummaged through.

Nice! Good job me for having the foresight to pack a towel!

I yanked the towel out from my bag and picked myself out of the pool, dabbing the tower over my body.

Once done, I held my hand out and channeled a basic earth manipulation spell I thought up earlier in the day.

The ground in front of where my hand was morphed into a simple armless chair.

Mana really is cheating.

I threw the towel on the back of the chair as I got dressed in another of Grandma's sets of clothing. Once done, I reached down into my back and pulled out a brush, using it as I walked outside of the tent.

The next thing I saw was all of the beast children swimming and playing with one another in the pool Grandma made. She also gave them light by making a bunch of tiki torches, setting them around the pool.

The sight honestly gave me butterflies.

I walked over to grandma while fiddling with the buttons on my blouse and leaned on her side. She tilted her head to the side and looked at me from the corner of her eye before wrapping her arm around my shoulders in a half hug.

"Who would have thought that stupid boy would have brought me something so precious"

Grandma said as she slotted her other hand in her pocket.

I didn't say anything and instead just watched as the kids played with one another, throwing bunches of bubbles at one another enthusiastically. I noticed something amiss though. In the distance where Gydion was there were two other people.

"When did those two get here?" I asked.

"They came with everyone else. While you were inside, I talked with the young boy and he told me that the man over there was his father and the woman was his adventuring partner. It seems that the bandits used the kids as hostages in order to capture their father and his companion."

Humans, huh. Now that I think about it. I don't believe I've seen a real one yet. Just Fairies and these fluffy kiddos. Oh, and I guess their dad and his friend too. From my assimilated memories I've seen a lot about humanity. In some of the memories, they're really kind while in others… Well, I don't really want to think about it.

Suddenly grandma let go of me and pushed me forward.

"Why don't you go help those little rascals bathe? They seem too preoccupied with playing on their own and who knows. Maybe you could make a few new friends?"

Me? What the heck? I'm the same age as them! Why should I have to-

*pew*

A blob of water splashed into my back before I could even finish my thought, completely soaking through the back of my blouse. I turned around and looked at Grandma in dismay.

She really just did that?

She just brought her fingers up to her lips and blew away non-existent smoke while passing a cheeky wink my way.

"Don't think about it. Just go do it." She said,

Looking at my once again wet back, I sighed and began to walk over to the pool.

"Might as well now," I said, making sure the extra bit of vexation in my voice stood out.

All that garnered was another cheeky giggle.

As I got closer and closer to the pool one by one the children stopped playing, instead staring at me.

I exhaled and tried not to pay it too much mind. I have to remember that these kids are normal pre-teens with all of what that entails.

By the time I arrived at the edge of the pool, all their eyes were on me. I looked at each one of them briefly before taking another deep breath, readying myself.

"Um. Hey kids. If you um Want. I could help you bathe."

The kids all continued to look at me in confusion, even Karak and Kannan.

I didn't say anything really weird or anything. Well, I guess it is pretty weird for me to- OH I should try speaking in one of the beastkin languages instead. It may sound weird though since I learned it when I was four...Whatever! I can't let that limit me!

I asked the same thing in my nearly broken generic beastkin.

"Need. Help. Bath? I Help."

All the kids broke out into wild laughter as they spoke to one another lowly enough for me not to hear them.

"What. so. funny?" I asked.

Kannan swam over and spoke up, holding back her laughter.

"It's just that your accent is really funny! You sound like an old lady!"

I furrowed my brow and sat down on the edge of the pool, sticking my feet into the water.

At least we can actually talk.

"Oh? I learned. From. Old books." I explained as best as I could

Karak swam up next to his sister, leaning on the side of the pool while talking.

"Yeah, it sure does sound like it! You sound really silly!"

Alright, let me try to add hand signs so that I can better get my meaning across.

"Hahaha. I. Am sorry. Again. Bath. Need help?" I said while doing a sort of scrubbing action with my hair.

Apparently, that worked well enough as all the kids swam over to me luck a bunch of baby ducklings. They practically lined up for me, starting with Kannan. My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach as I got a closer look at them.

They were like walking dirt monsters! I just couldn't tell because I was bewitched by their fluffy ears and tails!

A crooked smile grew on my face as I lamented my task.

Kannan sat down in front of me with her back turned, waiting for me patiently.

I internally whimpered as I made water films in both of my hands and got to work.