A Virtual Temptress Ch. 16, Part 1/2

Thank you all so much for your patience with my absence. Thankfully I'm back into writing again, trying to focus on Dan and Lexi while I make notes for another story idea I've been thinking about. Here's part one of the next chapter, and I hope to have the rest out shortly!




Staff, check. Professor's robes, check. The back of Dan’s hand still stung a little from yesterday’s tattoo, but the mark itself was invisible. He’d only been allowed the simplest runemark, Ms. Brightwind had explained. It would last 90 days (89 now) and transport him from the circle at City Commons to the school’s outer grounds.

“Professor Firewilde, huh?”

Dan looked up in irritation at Jimmy, who was currently perched on the corner of a table. “Dude, if you’re not going to help, just shut up. I have to make sure I have everything.”

“Sorry man. Are you missing a wand? One of those magic sticks you use?” Jimmy produced a large green apple, took a large wet bite, and began to chew with his large loud mouth.

“It’s not…” Dan sighed heavily, resting his hand on his forehead. “I have the staff, yeah. Why… are you even here? Remind me?”

“Oh yeah!” Jimmy’s eyes lit up as he talked around a mouthful of apple, flecks of juice spewing from his mouth. “Dude, I wanted to thank you for being so cool about things with me and Lexi.”

Dan turned back to the trunk he was rummaging through.

“Like, I know you guys had a thing or something, don’t wanna break bro code or whatever, but dude, she just started hitting on me and I went with it, you know?”

“Weren’t you stalking her for a week?”

“Nah, it’s in-game so it’s legally different.”

“...”

“Right, anyway. It’s just like, I haven’t had a girlfriend since like 6th grade, you know? So I just wanted to say sorry if it’s kind of weird, but bro she’s so cool. Last night I came over and she wanted me to - ”

Notes, Dan thought to himself. That’s what it was. He rummaged through his inventory, checked the contents, and looked over to interrupt Jimmy. “Look, I’m super happy for you but I do not need to hear about that shit.”

“Oh, uh. Right.” Jimmy blushed, still smiling. “Sorry dude.”

“I’m happy for you, but it is kind of weird for me. It’ll just… take some time to adjust. That’s all.” Dan stood, holding up a hand as Jimmy started talking again. “Sorry man, I’ve gotta go. Can’t be late for the first day. But uh… you can’t really stay here without me or Lexi.”

“Right, cool. Catch you later, dude.” Jimmy pushed himself to his feet and adjusted a black wool mask over his face. “I’m gonna go lurk around the docks. A few of the guards there have a super high perception and I figure that might help with... you know.”

“The ninja thing.”

“Right.” Jimmy coughed into his sleeve and vanished.

Dan stared at the spot his friend had been. Class supplies in hand, he walked out of the townhouse and locked the door. “Gotta admit,” Dan muttered to himself, “He’s gotten really good at that batman exit.”

Dan started to review his materials again, then turned at the clicking of heels on hardwood. Lexi flowed gracefully down the staircase, dressed in a pencil skirt and black stockings. Her blouse would have been conservative, but it was a size too small and the top three buttons opened to reveal a tantalizing spill of cleavage.

“Daniel,” she said, frowning behind her rimless glasses, “Surely you aren’t lecturing in such a state?”

The pyromancer glanced down at himself. “I was going for a rough-and-tumble adventurer look. Intimidating.” His formal robes were slightly wrinkled, face unshaven, hair tousled.

The succubus raised an eyebrow.

“Look, I’m only a few years older than the students. If that. I didn’t want to look like - Lexi, don’t look at me like that.”

“Slovenly, Daniel.” She shook her head. “May I?”

“Um…”

Lexi stepped forward, silvery light gathering around her hands. “I understand what you were attempting, but you’ve gone about it all wrong. A tough, masculine, professional appearance would serve you well.” A mild glow settled over Dan’s face as she worked. “But you misunderstand the aesthetic. Ruggedness in an academic setting is cultivated, not let to wither. Clothes must be worn but clean, crisp, neatly pressed. Facial hair should be rough but well-shaped. You care little for the opinion of others, but much for the honor of your rank.”

“Where do you learn this stuff? Online?” Dan closed his eyes as the spell rippled across his face. Skin grew taught, shifting and changing. It was the same magic any NPC form sculptor could accomplish, but subtler and more precise.

“Appearance is vital to a succubus, Daniel. A matter of survival.” Her hands moved in a final flourish, the light fading as she stepped back. “Visit the mirror. See if it’s to your liking.”

Dan withdrew a hand mirror from his inventory and examined himself. “Shit. This is… perfect, actually. You don’t think the salt-and-pepper beard is too much?”

“It agrees with you. A graceful aging.”

“I don’t hate it.” Dan looked up, scanning Lexi’s expression. “Thank you. That was, well. Unexpected.”

“My pleasure.” She inclined her head forward.

“Are you heading out?” Dan asked, waving a hand at the succubus’ outfit and trying not to linger on her cleavage. “Or more outfit testing?”

“Both. Emma requested my assistance with an especially reluctant inductee at the compound. Her message was not specific, but the girls were in need of assistance.” Lexi gestured to herself, taking a half-step back to pose. “I thought I might blend in with their attire.”

“Right. Good. Let me know if they bit off more than they can… seduce.” Dan cleared his throat. He started to turn back to check his school materials, then thought better of it. “Look, Lexi, I was thinking about what you said the other day.”

Lexi raised her eyebrows. “

“Not about that.” He flushed and scanned the room, trying to collect himself. “I mean, you know. About not being at odds with each other.”

“Go on.”

“I don’t… really have time to gather my thoughts. So this is little awkward, but I just want to start the conversation. You’re right - we’ve worked well together. And your attempts at seduction have been… well, less aggressive than they could have been.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I wouldn’t want you to think me disinterested, Daniel.”

“... right. Anyway. I realized we’ve never sat down and had an actual conversation. Hashed things out, cut a little of the tension.” The pyromancer frowned. This was getting away from him. “Look, I have to get to class, but do you want to meet afterward? Just… hang out? Talk? Anywhere you like, my treat.”

Lexi’s cheeks flushed with genuine delight, almost dispelling the predatory hunger behind her smile. “The beach?”

“Yes, we can go to the beach. Yes, you can wear the swimsuit you keep asking about.” Dan checked the time. “Shit, I have to go. I’ll meet you at the zone entrance after class, okay?”

He’d meant to wait for her response, but the half-opened door triggered the character’s auto-pathing and he was running through the maze of city streets. Dan wasn’t sure if he was excited or terrified of what the conversation would entail and did his best to push the thought out of his mind.

Now he just needed to get through class. It was only the first day, though, so he was hoping it would go smoothly.