Loud, obnoxious voices invade the limited space in my head. They are so loud that I can hardly hear my own thoughts…am I even thinking right now?
Wait…why am I just regaining consciousness? Did I fall asleep? My brain is too slow at the moment–the voices aren't helping.
"...good grief, it's too noisy–?"
As I open my eyes, I become aware of something. To be more accurate, multiple things. For starters, I am sitting at…no, sitting on a glass dining table. The second and most notable thing: five giant women surround the table, each with some kind of drink in hand. As for the final thing…for some reason, the first one who made eye contact with me is Perlina, who breathes a sigh of relief. Unfortunately for me, that sigh immediately pointed all eyes on me.
Welp, now I remember my situation.
"Finally, he's awake!"
"Whew, we were worried that Perlina accidentally took more than one. She acts so reserved, but even she can't suppress her urges all the time!"
"S-sister A-Ashirena!"
"Yeah, I remember when Nerissia completely neutered her first male? The poor guy never recovered from that."
"Hey Milo, I wouldn't be so smug if I were you. At least my daughter turned out to be the toughest and most beautiful, so he thought it was worth it. I couldn't imagine having a male who only gets his pleasure by jumping down my throat."
"Was that supposed to be a shot at me? Oh, don't get me started–"
"Nerissia, Milokari…need I say more?"
"...sorry, mother."
I can't tell if this is how these sisters normally are, or if they are under the influence. Given that Nerissa's glass is half-empty, at least one of them isn't quite sober.
"Let's focus on the celebration, girls. Shall we?"
Finishing her soft scolding, Gladdis greets Vex with a bright smile dazzles.
"I apologize for the immature behavior you were subjected to, Vex. How are you feeling? Perlina wasn't too rough with you, was she?"
"Rough? In what way–"
Instead of answering my question normally, Gladdis just winks. This wink is making Perlina blush and cover her face…she knows something I don't and I'm not sure if I want to ask.
"Mother, why would you ask him that?! You're embarrassing me!"
"Shh, l want to hear him explain. Go on, Vex. I'm sure you've noticed something different. I'll give you a moment to process if necessary."
This attention is way too much for me to handle. If this doesn't end soon, I'm putting my hood on…I better just answer Gladdis' strange question I suppose. That seems like the only way to get things moving…
"I don't know how you expect me to feel, but I feel pretty much the same as before. I mean, how long was I asleep? It only felt like my eyes were closed for a few seconds…"
Though now that I think about it, my southern region feels lighter. It's like something is missing down there…but perhaps it is the placebo effect. I'll have to check down there later in the shower, but there's no way I'm telling these predatory women that.
"I-it was only for a few minutes Vex, I promise!"
"Relax, please relax. It's not like I'm upset at you or anything, although I'm not exactly sure how I helped, but I hope you got what you wanted from me. What did you do anyway?"
I know that I probably shouldn't ask, but my morbid curiosity is getting the best of me.
"It's…it's a nymph's secret!"
Perlina places her finger over her lips, winks one eye with her other hand behind her back. Unintentionally, she ended up posing cutely.
"Okay you two, you have had your sweet moment together. Ladies, it's time to celebrate your beloved younger sister and your new brother. Toast!"
"W-wait mother. Aren't you forgetting something…"
"Hmm?...Oh, how careless of me, Perlina. I'll leave that up to you."
Perlina nods, then picks up a coned-shaped shell from the center of the table and pours a dark liquid into an empty glass. Feeling pleased with the perfect amount she poured, Perlina lifts the glass and places it near Vex–being careful not to accidentally crush him underneath.
"Here you go, Vex. There, now everything is ready!"
"Perfect. Alright girls, let the celebration of your sister begin. Glasses up! Cheers!"
"Cheers!!!"
As they cheer, some liquid spills from their glasses, nearly splashing onto Vex. While Perlina's mother and sisters immediately begin drinking, Vex blankly stares at the giant glass that was placed before him. Nerissa, her face completely buzzed, notices him.
"Go ahead bro, drink up! I'm sure you can handle a little cocktail, so there's no need to restrain yourself. My first man even swam in it!"
"A little? You expect me to drink from a giant glass? Also, when did I become your bro–"
"Of course you're not supposed to drink that by yourself. It's for you and Perlina to share."
"I'll pass."
I share drinks with no one. Sharing a drink made for giants sounds like an impending disaster.
"It's tradition, you know."
"I'm good. Perlina, please enjoy your celebratory drink to your heart's content. I insist."
Vex makes a gentlemanly gesture towards the drink. Perlina looks down with displeasure, slightly shaking her head.
"Vex, i-it would really make me happy if you shared this drink with me. It's a very special drink for this special occasion. Moreover, you probably won't find this kind of cocktail anywhere else in the mortal realm!"
I'm not confident that that is a good thing…but man, is she earnest. I'd just make things more awkward unnecessarily if I keep refusing. I'm not so heartless as to dampen Perlina's celebration. Here goes…
"Sigh, if you insist. Let's drink this thing, but I can only take a few sips so you'll have to do the heavy lifting."
"Uun. You can go first, then I'll drink the rest!"
"Makes sense. Could you…?"
"...? Oh, y-yes!"
Perlina places her hand down on the table, inviting Vex to climb aboard. Once he settled in her hand securely, she brought him up to the rim of the glass. Vex bends his body over, and laps up some wine similar to an animal drinking water from a wellspring.
"Ahh, okay, I'm finished."
"But you only took one sip…"
Perlina looks at Vex with eyes that communicate her true request. Vex, hearing her eyes loud and clear, takes a deep breath.
Fine, I'll suppress my pride. I feel like a domesticated animal drinking like this, especially with all of their giant eyes on me.
But nevertheless, I'll suppress my pride.
This doesn't bother me at all.
Not one bit.
While closing his eyes, Vex dives in for another round of sips. After making sure to count a few sips so as to satisfy Perlina who is watching him closely, he lifts his head up and looks at her expecting eyes.
"W-what do you think? W-was it…"
"This cocktail was surprisingly sweet. A bit too sweet for my personal preferences since I favor tart, but it was pleasant nevertheless. Now it's your turn to share–"
"I'm o-on it!"
"?!"
Without giving a warning, Perlina excitedly lifts up the glass and chugs the remainder of the cocktail. Vex barely managed to catch himself before he could fall into the drink as it flowed into Perlina's mouth.
Crap, I'm losing my grip! Perlina, please put the glass down!
"Ahhh! It was even more pleasant than what you said! I never got to try this version of the wine, so I'm delighted to have shared it with you…Vex?"
Perlina finally calms down her unrestrained blissfulness and notices Vex barely hanging on to the edge of the glass, coming close to falling inside. Realizing what she had done, she blushes from embarrassment.
"I'm s-so s-sorry! I was so excited when I heard your praise and got carried away and…"
"I got it. Just help me get down, please."
"Aww, look at how understanding our little bro is. He's such a cute sweetheart, isn't he?"
"Right? He and Perlina are so cute together! I wonder if he enjoys playing in her mouth…I certainly wouldn't mind letting him play in mine sometime. Just kidding!"
"Am I so glad that I failed to eat him when I had the chance–it'd kill me to miss this spectacle!"
"Alright my daughters and son, it's time for the next part of the celebration. Let's head out promptly!"
"Okay, mother!"
Gladdis swiftly swims out of the dinning room, Ashirena, Milokari and Nerissa follow her lead. Staying behind, Perlina and Vex lock eyes–Vex is visibly confused.
"There's more to this?"
"Could we call this a celebration without a feast?"
"Yes actually, we could easily–!"
"Let's go together! Come on, we don't want to be too far behind–our food might get away."
Perlina snatches Vex, and places him on her shoulder blade.
"Hold on tightly, okay? You can grab my hair if you feel like you may fall off–I promise that it won't hurt me at all!"
"Wait wait wait! What are you about to do exactly?"
SWOOSH!