40 Chapter 40: It's a trap!

My fun with my new pets was great. Both my new puppy and kitten really seemed to enjoy getting spoiled. So I made sure to spoil them plenty, and I even got to accomplish a personal dream of mine.

Twin furry girls, double the fun!

Since my new pets were so sad to see me go I even decided to give them a little gift. Crafted from my own forest I handed each a small trimming of one of my vines. While they may not be the most beautiful plants in the world, they are still magic! With this I can even get the occasional peep show from them!

Or alternatively, if I ever come back and they kept them. I could always choose to reward my cute little pets for being dutiful. I smile slightly and make a small secret promise in my heart, 'Somehow, someway, I will find another cute little furry girl and marry her. This I swear as the one true King of the Druids!'

Shaking my head to try and ignore the shame from what I just said I focus on on my surroundings. The cobblestone road I'm walking on is fairly barren. While there are a few small shops that are open, there doesn't seem to be the foot traffic to keep them afloat. I'm heading somewhere specific according to Gavin and Gazin there are still a few shops that sell magical creatures. Given my dire need for two more contracts it seems like a waste not to even check them out.

Magical beasts are still traded, though very infrequently, as novelty toys for the sons and daughters of Nobles. That being the case I was shocked to find that one of my platinum coins is apparently enough money to buy one.

A small dirty looking shack with a crumbling archway are the first things I see. The sign on the building clearly reads "Magical Pets", but given the money and reputation associated with them, I can hardly believe that this run down shop would sell them.

Taking a deep breath I square my shoulders and stride into the door way. Standing in a corner, almost in a daze there is a hooded figure. Though the figure does not move much from the way it suddenly twitches now and again, I would think they are probably asleep. The figure seems quite diminutive, and as I move closer my loud echoing footfalls eventually manage to rouse the hooded figure. Standing a few feet away from the hooded figure I cough harshly into my hand.

The figure jumps up as if startled awake suddenly. The hooded figure quickly finds me and seems to look at me curiously. "I thought I told ye' bastards that I ain't payin ya!"

My ears twitch a bit. From the voice this little person is probably a girl. What really catches my attention, however, is her Scottish sounding accent.

"I'm sorry young lady, but I think you may have me confused with someone....I'm here to buy...You do have magical pets here yes?"

Silence. The hooded figure neither moves nor speaks. Somewhat confused I lift my arm to shake her a bit, but like shot her small figure collides into me, my balance broken we fall to the ground in a tangle of overly long cloaks and and limbs.

Her eyes are the only things I can see, they look like perfect voids into the dark unknown. Unlike most eyes even the sclera has completely gone black. "Did ye really mean it! Yer a customer! Oh, by the gods! I may be saved yet. Whatcha' wantin'?"

I look at her and begin to ponder the question. I already have my sun cat, so fire is well squared away. So then the most logical choice would be water? Yeah, that makes sense. Water and air, those are the last two things a real tree would really need to spread their seed. Casually stroking the soft thing in my hand. "Hmmm." But, perhaps shadow would really balance out the sun cat better. I tighten my hand getting irritated, 'Damn this indecision! Make a fucking choice Masamune!'

"Do you have any creatures of the Water, and Wind domains mam?" I look into her eyes, but they are closed. Somewhat curious I look at her further, and she seems to be blushing and fidgeting a lot. Then slowly the horror of what I had done begins to register. She had remained sitting on my lap, not of her own volition, but more due to the fact I had wrapped my arms around her when we fell. The soft thing I was stroking was her backside, and what I squeezed....the same.

"No, no, no, I I don't sell this thing...." She whines softly at me tears threatening the corners of her eyes.

My hands fly off like she was made of thorns. "S..Sorry I kinda got...distracted." I help her off of me and stand up, both of us slightly flushed and awkward. The girl in front of me with her void like eyes seems to be calming down slowly. From what I can tell she has quite the nice rear end, though it seems her chest is severely lacking. Aside from her soft limbs and pillowy rear end, from her chest you would think she's a boy.

She has two small horns at the top of her head, almost like bull horns, and her skin is a very interesting mocha color. "So you got any water or wind animals cutie?" I ask with a wink. I was hoping it would cut the tension, but it kinda seems like she just froze up again. I wait again for a few moments, and she jolts back again.

"Y..Yeah, we have em but...." She trails off looking at me. While I definitely look much better after my baths, my clothing is still far from what a noble would wear.

I sigh softly, "Yes, I can afford it." I say grimacing slightly.

'Why don't we play for a bit?' I think as a mischievous plan starts to form. Secretly conjuring my wrapping vines I begin the slow process of entanglement.

Through repeated trial and error I had learned that most creatures can't sense plants. No matter what is going on, if its a plant who cares? I mean what has a plant ever done to someone?

She cocks her head to the side scrutinizing me, just then my vines bind her legs and lift her upside down, now dangling in front of me her deep dark eyes go wide. "WAHH, P...p...p..please let me down!" She shrieks.

I have to drop the spell immediately as I burst out into a raucous laughter. Holding my sides I laugh heartily while she pouts on the floor.

Wiping a tear from my eye I help the girl up, "Sorry cutie, I just couldn't help it. As you saw I'm a druid, and I have money....animals please?"

She looks down at her feet demurely seemingly put off by the change of events.

"Yeah...in the back....you wait here..."

I smile at her brightly and slowly lift her hand and press it to my lips. "Thank you so very much. I know what I did was scary, but my hope is that a strong, brave person like you would be able to handle it. I'm sorry if I was to rough on you, I'd hate to damage your beautiful skin."

Her face, once mocha is now much closer to strawberry. My smile seems to captivate her slightly and she simply nods her head at me. "Be..Be..Be right back." She says somewhat breathlessly and walks slowly towards her store room. She does make sure to take several glances back as she does.