’N... no.’ Ingrid shook her head multiple times, ’Have you taken a look at me? I’m fat! Obese! There’s no way I can have sex in this situation! Has the original Ingrid ever get fucked before? There’s absolutely no way I’m doing this!’ Ingrid argued, fire in her eyes.
True enough, with her weight, she didn’t actually think it would be suitable enough for her to have sex.
{You’re self aware to know that you might crush your first mate and that’s good! However, I know another way.}
’Another way?! What is it? Tell me quickly!’ Ingrid stared at the interface with glowing eyes, her chest practically beating with excitement.
{ Rather than being on top and crushing the poor guy, why not let him be on top! That way, he can fold all the flappiness away and truly dive into the sweetness! } Lorna explained like she was just talking about how nice and dark the weather was.
"Are you crazy?!" Ingrid yelled out loud, making Lysander turn to her with his brows raised.
"What did I..."
"I didn’t ask you to turn around yet!" Ingrid snapped, making Lysander shrug and look away again. Ingrid glanced at Lysander from the corner of her eyes, watching the muscles across his back ripple when he moved. She had to admit, Lysander was hot; looking past the black rotting stuff on his body, if it was in a normal scenario where she wasn’t this heavy, she would have definitely jumped at the opportunity. But now, it wasn’t just going to work.
Ingrid’s face burned hotter than the rotting black patches on Lysander’s skin. She glared at the floating interface like it had personally insulted her ancestors.
’Fold all the flappiness away? Are you trying to get me killed by embarrassment before the timer even finishes me off?!’ she hissed under her breath, trying not to move her lips too much. ’I am not a fucking dumpling that needs folding, Lorna!’
{Technically you are soft, round, and full of surprising sweetness,} the system replied cheerfully. { Tick-tock, my voluptuous heroine. The time is ticking.}
Ingrid risked another glance at Lysander’s broad back. The muscles still flexed under the mottled skin, and the faint green-black veins of the rot pulsed like they had a personal grudge against her continued existence. She swallowed hard.
"Fine," she muttered. ’But if I die of shame, I’m haunting your code.’
She cleared her throat loudly. "Lysander. I’m... going to start grinding the herbs." I don’t have much time.
The snake beastman turned his head just enough for one purple eye to catch her. His forked tongue flicked out once. "Do whatever you want."
Lorna’s voice flickered helpfully. {First herb: the bitter root. Clockwise, three full rotations, then crush against the stone until it turns into a wet paste. Next the silver leaf, counter-clockwise, light pressure only or it loses potency. Then the midnight coloured leaf last. Mix with a drop of your own saliva for binding. Romantic, isn’t it?}
’Shut up,’ Ingrid whispered, already kneeling by the flat grinding stone she found. Her hands moved fast, following the system’s snarky instructions with the desperation of a woman who could literally see her remaining lifespan ticking down in glowing red numbers.
Grind. Crush. Mix. Spit. The paste smelled like wet earth and something sharp that made her eyes water. When it was finally done she sat back on her heels, heart hammering.
"Lysander. Come closer. Keep your eyes on my face. Don’t look down."
He turned fully this time, towering over her even while seated. "What are you trying to do?"
She lifted the bowl of paste. "I have to put this on every part of you that has the rot. Then you ingest what’s left. That’s the deal."
Lysander’s eyes narrowed. "And why do you think I’ll let you give whatever that is to me? You’re a stranger."
Ingrid’s panic spiked so hard she almost dropped the bowl. The timer in the corner of her vision was down to single digits in minutes. She forced her voice into something resembling calm disdain.
"Would I risk my life coming into this kind of place just to kill you slower? I’m doing this out of gratitude. You helped when you didn’t have to and I’m trying to show gratitude by doing this in return. If you don’t trust me, fine. Suit yourself. Die pretty. I don’t care."
She turned her face away like she was already done with the conversation, even though her pulse was slamming against her ribs hard enough to bruise. Inside she was screaming.
’Please take it. Please take it. Please take it. I don’t want to die as a fat ghost in a cave...’
Lysander was silent for three agonizing heartbeats. Then he exhaled through his nose. "Okay."
Relief hit her so hard her knees went watery. She shoved the bowl at him first. "Drink some. Just a mouthful."
He took it without flinching, swallowed, and handed it back. The paste left a dark smear on his lower lip. Ingrid didn’t give herself time to overthink. She scooped more onto her fingers and started rubbing it into the blackened patches on his chest, his shoulders, the side of his neck. The skin under her palms was hot and slightly scaled. Every time her fingers brushed healthy flesh it felt almost silky.
When she reached the lower edge of his innerwear she hesitated. "You... should do the rest yourself. Around the thighs."
Lorna’s laughter exploded inside her skull like fireworks. {Oh come on. You’re going to see it eventually. Better to familiarise yourself with the merchandise now. }
"Shut up," Ingrid snapped out loud.
Lysander’s brow ridge lifted. "I didn’t say anything."
"Not you." She shoved the remaining paste into his hand. "Just... finish applying it."
He did. When he was done he set the empty bowl aside and looked at her expectantly.
"What next?"
"You wait a few hours. The herbs need time to work."
Ingrid glanced at the interface. Now, the timer hadn’t stopped, but the numbers were crawling instead of racing. She exhaled shakily and curled up against the cave wall as far from him as the space allowed, pulling the oversized coat tighter around her body. Exhaustion crashed over her like a wave.
{Surprise for later,} Lorna whispered just as her eyes drifted shut. {You’re going to love it. Or hate it. Possibly both.}