Nearly bestial grunts and exclamations of pleasure herald my way downstairs. Disgusting sounds, truth be told, even if I've had over a century to acclimate myself to them. Why these lesser creatures want to lose themselves to base desires baffles me everyday I'm forced to listen to their rutting.

Ciyo, the elf who manages this brothel, barely looks up from the singular book she owns and reads like some tome of divine knowledge. Not that she's ever shown it to anyone, so it might very well be. "You're late, again. I told you to be at the desk by dawn," she rasps out, voice weak from her long, long time of whoring.

I shrug, the thin silk of my translucent dress fluttering from the movement. Hands on slender hips, I lazily look up at the aged elf. "Who cares? No one asks for me until lunch anyways. They've learned not to bother me before breakfast," I add, picking at some skin still stuck beneath a small claw.

"I didn't ask for excuses, I'm telling you what to do. You're under my roof, so you'll follow my rules."

I can't help but laugh at her attempt to be strict, since her monotone makes it clear she couldn't give a damn. The same scene plays out at least once a week, and only because the owner nags her about it. Flexing the ruby-sheen wings sprouting from my back, I say "Yeah, yeah, you got it boss-lady. I'll be sure to be up bright and early tomorrow. Provided some demented man doesn't pop in to try and try to fuck me all night. I really hate when I have to clean up the mess."

Ciyo finally looks up from her book, eyes blurry from both age and our vocation. She manages a small, tired grin as she replies "At least you've stopped killing them. But have you ever thought to just stop at breaking limbs? Blood takes forever to get out the bedsheets."

"I could, but getting mad is such thirsty work. I'm sure the mortals don't mind a little blood loss."

With a rueful shake of her head, Ciyo waves her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Alright, go get your breakfast. Your shift starts in an hour, so make it fast. We got a merchant caravan in town, so you know how those guards can be."

The both of us shudder at the thought of the guards, or Merchant-Knights as they like to call themselves nowadays. Mindless thugs would be a better title, though they never seem to care when I call them such.

In our little employee breakroom, I find the brothel's bouncer, Kurvek, finishing up his own meal. At the sight of me striding in, his muzzled face jumps up, beady eyes averted as he stammers out "G-Good morning, uh, Vyx. Did you s-sleep well?"

"Stop with the pleasantries, you big brute. You know as well as I do that I'm lucky to get three hours of sleep anymore with all these adventurers grouping up in town. Bastards just want to brag about dominating a dragon. Oh, when this collar comes off, we'll see what they have to say then," I growl, tiny claws scratching at the thick metal collar placed around my neck.

Kurvek hesitantly places a meaty hand onto my shoulder - or, really, his hand basically covers my entire left side as he makes the usual attempt at consoling me. "Only five years left, yeah? Don't worry, Vyx, time will just fly by and you'll be soaring through the air soon enough. Just, uh, try to keep the village burning to a minimum, alright?"

A playful grin stretches across my face at that. "Hm, that's a hard promise to make. Maybe if you tenderly stroke my horns like a real gentleman, I'll consider it."

The minotaur bolts up out of his seat. "I-I-I think I'd better go to my post now. See you at lunch, Vyx!" His heavy stomps make the floor tremble as he rushes out the room, face flushed redder than the dawn.

I sigh as he leaves, heading to the overworked chef to get my own morning meal. How did that overgrown softie ever get this job? Someone needs to give him a spine if they want anyone to feel safe around here.

Time does fly by, but only for my breakfast. Soon enough, the raspy voice of Ciyo echoes down the hall, informing me of a client. Ugh, if this is another fucking brat wanting to roleplay "laying the dragon," I'm really going to rip off their head this time.