Ninia, Mistress of Shadows

The Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn, Vorland, 1438 ATC

Just another winter night in the tavern, and all was calm. Venser stood by the windows of the tavern in the lantern light, staring out into the night forest with his hood over his head. The moonlight shone in and he gazed up at the twinkling stars. The full moon gleamed white as it gave harmony to the dark blue sky of night. He loved this world simply because he found it beautiful. The stars showed more brightly than they did back where he had originally come from. After his adventure on the high sea and the Greentusk cave with Megumi, the handsome bearded man had returned home and spent a lot of time with his family. After about a week he had returned to the Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn, which was pretty much like a home to him. He had slept for two days straight, and had awoken earlier to consume a lot of food and drink, and was now just reveling in the quiet cold peace.

''So much beauty in the world...'' Venser said aloud while holding a mug of mulled wine in one hand and a cannabis cigar in the other. The tavern was rather quiet tonight, the shadow tendrils were serving while Brea slept and Kira had been away traveling as well so it was mostly Brea and Roselie running the tavern. And Angel had taken up the role of stable girl and preferred to sleep there during the nights now.

Out of the shadows down the hall, they manifested themselves a short demoness with big horns who walked upon two cloven hooves, swaying of her hips would hyponotize any man as she made her way over towards the bar. She noticed Venser within seconds and gracefully wandered over to him, the smell of the sweet scent of cigar hitting her nostrils. Taking in a deep breath, she was quickly beside him and plopped the cigar within her mouth, leaning into him casually. Ninia didn't have to say anything, and neither did he. They knew each other, and had so for years and years.

For Ninia was the one who created the serving shadow tendrils of the Dragon's Head in the beginning.

Ninia was a demon girl with dark grey skin, long hair one side white and the other black, two enormous black horns, sharp teeth, cloven hooves and glowing, white eyes with silver irised. And wore short flowing robes the color of night as she watched the snow fall with the handsome bearded man.

''And speaking of beauty...'' He said aloud wrapping an arm around her waist as she stared off into the beautious night with him. ''Ninia... Welcome back- Hic! Mistress of the Shadows... Where have you been?"

The demoness allowed him to embrace her and she smiled, looking up at him, her silver eyes beaming childishly as she tried not to stab him with her massive black horns. "Resting. As I often do for months on end. The shadow tendrils... Whenever they serve, work, it feels like a dream to me. To see everything they do, everything they hear and then I suddenly wake up and remember flashes of all of it." Her voice was smooth and melodic, like music to one's ears.

''Resting in the shadows? Behind the bar? I've been resting a lot too... Been so busy. So many adventures and things to do..."

"I sleep in all of the shadows, yes. I... Dream of every part of the tavern where they are." Ninia replied. "I'm glad you've been keeping so busy outside of the tavern."

"Oh yeah. It's been wild. A little over a week ago I dueled this renegade commander and got a lot of coin for his bounty... Long story for later. Ahem. You've probably seen a lot of the things that go in on my room then. But, I don't believe you've actually been in there physically." Venser said almost lazily moving his hand up and down her back before moving away a bit, offering his hand to her. ''Shall we, Nin? Or do you wanna take in this wonderful view for another moment?''

The demon girl with large horns couldn't help but arch her back at his touch, a smile sliding across her lips, she'd look over at him before laying her head on his shoulder. "Lets enjoy the view a little longer. It's been some time."

''Don't get a night like this in Pantia... Fucking pollution." He mumbled as his hand slid down further, resting on Ninia's rear as he held her close and they stared out at the endless starry night. "Day by day Pantia seems more like a distant memory..."

Normally her reaction would be to cut the mans hand off, but with Venny, she felt a sort of calming and settled down, allowing him to grip her butt as she looked up into the night. "Laguna really is a beautiful world. Much better than the one below..."

"Well, Laguna is my home now. Ahem." Even when he spoke of hazy memories and other words, he kept going into less and less detail about them. Prefering to focus on recent events and the here and now.

"Coldwrought. Right. The land of demons and other dark things." Venser said sipping his mulled wine that warmed him from within. "Cierra and Galaxteah... Well, yeah they know about it first hand... Kira." He mumbled rambling now.

"Ahem." After rambling, he kissed her head softly. ''Why don't we go back to my room? There are many nights like this to come...''

"Bu-but you said one doesn't get a night like this?" Tilting her head in confusion, she stared at him but decided it was best to hush and nodded instead.

''Not where I come from. Which is why I... Prefer to reside here. In this land.'' Venser replied. ''The air is cleaner, everywhere you go is just... Filled with remarkable spirits and free of the complications of... Why do I still think about it?"

"One can never help but think of home, good or bad. It is only natural." Ninia took his hand inside her own and smiled. "But in the end, home is where we make it. I made this tavern my home, as you did."

"And I bought myself a new one... A grand villa in Pryldahn with a lot of land and errr... The point is... My villa is home, my family is home, and the Dragon's Head is also home. Ahhh.... We have so much catching up to do, Ninia."

"Please... Do show me that comfy bed of yours and tell me more about it." With a smile Ninia reached out with a long, spidery finger and poked his nose. " Also, I'd like tomorrow I'd like breakfast in bed... Like you promised long ago."

''Follow me then...'' He said taking her hand in his, leading her down the hallway to the sixth door on the right.

And Ninia followed, the tapping of her two cloven hooves hitting with each step. She enjoyed the sound of her own steps, they were unique to her and many others she knew.

Venser's room was fairly big. A queen sized bed lay by the windows, and it was covered in turqouise silk sheets and he had about a dozen pillows all with furry gold throwovers. Off to the left was a wardrobe with a few dresses hanging out, some spilt onto the floor. Beside that was a mannequin wearing a comedy theater mask. To the right of the bed was a desk with his wristbow on it, a mirror, and a few pieces of jewelry and some small boxes. Right beside it was various papers and pieces of art. Above Venser's bed was a multicolored painting of a woman's vagina. The silk sheets were really inviting, and seemed to glitter in the moon light. ''What do you think?'' He asked with a yawn tossing his cape and hood away, undoing his top and looking to Ninia as he sat on the bed.

"Seeing it in person, that is." He stretched out his legs and sighed.

Her brow would raise as she scaled the room, her eyes falling upon the many pillows... The wardrobe with dresses spilling out and then the giant painting of the vagina above his bed. She blinked a few times, taking it all in and looked at him. "A bit overrated.. No? You still haven't organized your wardrobe!" Ninia planted her feet and a pair of snakey, shadow hands emerged from the floor, collecting the dresses and hanging them up properly.

''Er, yeah. Those are Angel's dresses and... I just haven't felt like it and I haven't asked anyone to clean those for me. Angel herself didn't seem to mind much. As for overrated... Naw." He patted the spot beside him.

''Feel for yourself... Come, Ninia."

Looking down, her hooves clopping ahaisnt the wooden floorboard, she took in the silky comforters, knowing many other woman had felt for themselves. "It's so smooth."

"The sheets costs me a good amount of coin, but it makes sense when I rest here a lot." He said with a smile sitting up and wrapping a muscular arm around her again, nuzzling Ninia's head, wary of her horns. ''It seems like you've already take a... I don't know. You feel so comfortable around me. And I feel the same way.'' Venser felt good. Just being in this moment, close to her. This was a different experience than working with the robotic nature of the shadow tendrils.

"I could care less what coin could buy Ven." She would just stare at him as she spoke the last words. Perhaps the demoness felt a sort of comfort towards him. But somehow... Knowing Venser from the day he first appeared in the Dragon's Head eight years prior she knew better not to.

"Ven... This doesn't feel right to me."

''What do you mean?'' The handsome bearded man asked sitting beside her now on the edge of his bed, an arm draped around Ninia, and another one resting on her thigh.

With a sigh she glanced over at the window. "I know you've been with many women, I've seen it all from the shadow tendrils. I'm not one for that." She gripped his hand and fiddled with his fingers, Ninia turned to Venser and began tracing a finger along his shoulder blades . "If you want me in those ways... It'll take time."

The handsome bearded man said nothing for a few moments, his slitted emerald hues admiring her, and then leaned forward and kissed Ninia softly on the lips. ''I... Yeah, I understand...' He cleared his throat and scooted up, kicking off his pants and sliding underneath the covers. ''I just ask that you sleep with me tonight. Not sex... Just cuddling, sleep. Being comfortable with each other.''

Ninia's silver eyes crossed as his lips hit hers. Blinking softly she smiled before wiggling into the cover, kicking off her dress, only her white panties covering her. Nuzzling into his neck, she hesistated before planting a kiss along his jaw line. "Fair enough... I see no harm there... I won't have sex with you."

Venser smiled and snuggled into her body, fondling one of her breasts as they laid next to each other. He wrapped them in the sheets and smiled. ''Very comfortable... And in the end that's what we all need.''

Ninia would playfully smack the hand upon her breast before snuggling once more into his side. "Comfortable indeed..."

''You sure you wouldn't rather be naked?'' He asked letting her rest his head on his barreled chest.

The demoness was nuzzled into his side and pressed her lips against his chest she she walked her fingers up his torso and booped his nose with a smile. "No... I'm pretty comfortable as is..."

Venser and Ninia cuddled up with each other and laid there, closing their eyes as soon a peaceful sleep took them both.

The cold winter wind blew through the dead trees and the sun faintly shone in the white sky with light snowfall. "What a beautiful morning...'' Venser muttered holdind the mostly naked demoness close to him as he let out a tired yawn. Hearing Ninia's soft, rhythmic breath next to him as they slept was calming.

Nin yawned deeply, her eyes opening to the sounds of winter's breath, and the giant multicolored vagina above the bed. "Hmm... Good morning Venser."

"It is lovely out, I suppose. I am used to this weather than any other." She grabbed at the covers, sliding them up and around her shoulders before she attempted to move. Having such large horns upon the head was difficult... Especially when sleeping. The demoness herself was surprised she hadn't stabbed Ven in the middle of the night. Not even once.

''You sound like you... You woke up quickly...'' He mumbled with a yawn looking. ''How do you even sleep with those horns?''

"I'm a light sleeper... Have to be considering my race... And hundreds and hundreds of years of practice. You learn to sleep on one side, or roll over face down if alone." Ninia chuckled softly as she rolled to face him, his scruffy face there to greet her.

''And which do you prefer?'' He asked blinking his tired eyes, looking into hers.

''How about a handsome and charming and witty and adventurous and thoughtful and considerate and handsome barkeep?'' He asked sitting forward a bit, nuzzling her head. The sunlight warmed the comfortable silk sheets they laid in.

''Mmm... Breakfast... And then maybe you'd like to share a bath? Then I could tell you all about my recent adventures...''

A bath. Her baths were not like the rest and her face flushed slightly. "I don't think you'd enjoy a bath with me... But I do want you to cook me breakfast. And I'd love a glass of warm milk."

"'Pffffffft. Why wouldn't I?'' Venser asked pushing down the sheets a bit so their torsos were exposed. Venser only wore a leopard print thong, and she only wore a pair of white panties. ''I'm sure you would...'' He said placing a finger on one of her nipples, circling it. ''I happen to run the best baths...''

Ninia smirked playfully swatted his hand. "I don't bathe in water, Venser." She looked over at him and sighed. "It'd have to be a blood bath... Literally"

''Why? Will you melt in water? I know a few demon girls where that's not the case.''' Venser asked with a smirk, before his sly smile turned into a frown as he looked her over. When she moved his leg onto hers he elt her hooves and thought, ''This should be interesting.'' He cleared his throat and asked, ''Will you melt?''

Rolling her eyes she laughed. "No I won't melt... It just doesn't cleanse me the way I need to be cleansed. It's strange, I know."

The handsome bearded man sat up and stretched out his muscular, scarred body, some of his joints cracked as he let out another yawn and scratched his side.

''Not sure I understand...''

"Not all demons are the same but..."

With a sigh Ninia shrugged and just went with it. "Sure... A bath sounds lovely. Since it's just for the sake of relaxing."

Venser hopped out of bed and waggled his handsome ass at the demoness in his bed. ''Just stay there for now, and I will make you breakfast in bed.'' He said with another smikr before sauntering out of the room.

Ninia nodded and leaned up into the bed, the sheet sitting around her waist, keeping her breasts exposed as he sauntered out of the room. She couldn't help but laugh at his walk and adorable back end.

A few minutes later, Venser returned, wearing an apron that read, 'F@$# The Cook'. With a platter with two supports on it, allowing someone to eat in bed. He walked over to the bed, setting the platter at the front of the bed and hopping in bed next to Ninia. On the platter were a few pieces of fried catfish, with some salt, paprika, and pepper added to it for taste. Along with a few hash browns, warmed bread, and a glass of warm milk for her and a glass of water for himself.

''Well, dig in. You'll love it.'' He said picking up a bottle of hot sauce and dumping some of it on the fried catfish. "I make this for breakfast lunch or dinner... It just works any time of the day."

Ninia picked up a bit of cat fish and bit into it. It was rather tastey and she would help herself to more. "Oh... Well this is lovely Venser. It's a wonderful meal to start the day with." She picked up and nugget and placed it infront of his mouth to eat.

He smiled and leaned forward, popping the nugget into his mouth. ''A man who can cook and whose good in bed. Who could ask for more?'' They haven't had sex yet, of course. But he said that anyways. He picked up a hashbrown and relaxed back, munching on it while he fondled one of Ninia's breasts with his free hand, a finger finding a dark nipple.

"Don't you get grease upon the girls... They're delicate flowers and should be treated as such." She winked playfully at him and nibbled at some of the hashbrown and bread. "And I must admit, you're not a bad sleeping partner. Is this why you have so many women?"

"It is." He said biting into the hashbrown. Venser then gestured to the both of them beside each other in bed, eating a delivious breakfast that he cooked.

She leaned into a pillow and sighed deeply, still shaking off the groggy feeling. Picking at the bread she looked over. "So, how is your family? Soarin and Lucinda aren't babies anymore, I'm certain of it."

"Yes, both of them are almost seven... I can't believe it, growing bigget and bigger by the minute. And I have two new children, Rowena and Asher and more on the way I'm sure."

"Its been that long?" Ninia sighed and lowered her head. " I admit I have a lot of trouble keeping track of time..." There was a brief moment of silence before she asked, "Why do you invite a lot of women to your bed, Venny?" The long lived demoness was going to ask more of his family, but chose not to for now.

The handsome bearded man just leaned in and kissed her lips softly again. "The truth? I just have so much love to give. I’m all for people sharing their love with one another. Love is complicated and I’d never condemn anyone for wanting to be happy. It makes sense, the togetherness..."

"The quietness. Just being close to a warm body. The gentle intimacy of it." Ninia said after his lips brushed against hers, understanding where he was coming from. "Like last night..."

"In the end I think it's all about love and affection, Ninia. If everyone loved each other the world would be a better place."