Chapter 6 #2
Clem’s mouth hung open. She felt the tell-tale tingle start in her groin and begin to shimmer throughout her abdomen and legs. She was ready to drop the cookie and jump at Hazel once more, but then Hazel continued.
“And I would hope I have more substance than a cookie.”
Her statement brought Clem back to the moment. She took another bite. “Which reminds me of my concern. How is it not weird that you’re eating these cookies — since you are a cookie, yourself?”
Hazel held Clem’s eye contact as she took a bite of the sugar cookie in her hand, then shrugged. “Because I’m not actually a cookie. I mean, I took my form from the cookie, and pulled the magic from it, but in this moment I am as human as you.”
“No way are you human.”
Hazel’s eyes twinkled. “Well, I’ve got some magic thrown in there.” She chewed on the cookie some more as she considered. “I think it ties back into your angel statement. I’m not an angel —”
“Which I think I’m grateful for.” Clem thought about the ramifications of fucking an angel and wrinkled her nose. There was something about it that just didn’t sit right.
“But I’m not far off from them. You could say that they’re not-too-distant cousins? I don’t want to go too far into the history, but just like there are humans and animals and all kinds of things in this realm, there are angels and devils and fae and sprites in my realm.”
“And your realm is …?”
“Everywhere.” It was so casual, said as she took another bite of cookie.
Clem stared. Hazel went on. “Our realm is atop yours. Or maybe it’s more like it’s mixed in, but only one way?
It’s hard to describe, because of course two things can’t be in the same place at once.
Think of it like an overlay. Your realm exists, and mine wraps around it and is in all the in between spaces. ”
“Hmm.” Clem wasn’t sure what she thought of that. She ate some more and waited for Hazel to explain some more.
“There is a lot of crossover between our realms, though. People visit between, or discover places where the veil is thin, and then they return with fairy tales, or hallucinations, depending on how sane they sound when they share their story.” She gestured at Clem with her cookie.
“Think about it: your dungeons and dragons game is a perfect example of that. Where did they come up with those characters?”
“Mythology?”
“But mythology is what I’m talking about. Someone encounters my realm, then turns around and tells the story, and then myths are born.”
Clem had to admit she had a point there. “Okay, so your realm has all kinds of beings, and you’re a not-too-distant cousin of angels.”
“Exactly.” Hazel took another bite of cookie and nodded in approval. “You get it,” she said through a mouthful.
Clem wasn’t sure she did. They ate in silence as she turned all this over in her mind. “And you only come to this realm for … sex?” The last word was whispered, as though she was worried someone would overhear them. Hazel grinned.
“Pleasure,” she corrected. “It’s a subtle difference, but an important one.
Not everyone holds sex to the same measure of pleasure that you do.
” She reached out and ran a hand over Clem’s chest, giggling at the gasp she elicited.
Then she pulled her hand away and smirked at Clem’s pout.
“Believe me, Clementine Baker. I am very glad you do.”
“Thanks.” Clem blushed and ducked her head. “So what do you do with those people?”
“Any number of things. Eat an incredibly delicious meal, join them at a play or concert of some sort. I mean, sometimes it’s as simple as playing board games or just sitting with them as they read a good book.”
Clem had to admit all of those sounded incredible. “And this is your purpose for existing?” She wrinkled her nose. It was distasteful to hear it out loud, and she wished she had phrased it better.
But Hazel merely laughed. “God, no! It’s my job. Is your job your reason for existing? I can answer that for you —” she held out a hand to keep Clem from responding. “Obviously no. Same with me,” she answered on a shrug. “But I really, really like my job.”
“Your job is to just give people pleasure? How is that possible?”
Hazel considered for a moment before answering.
“So, you know about Santa and the North Pole elves, right?” When Clem nodded, she continued.
“It all stemmed from that, centuries ago. Some folks felt that adults should have the opportunity to experience some magic.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“Between you and me, I think someone in my realm fell in love — or at least into infatuation — with someone in yours. Which, from where I stand, could very easily be done.”
Clem flushed, but had no response. She was sure Hazel noticed the smile she’d bitten back, but there was no comment on it.
Instead, Hazel continued with her theory.
“So I think they wanted to indulge that human. Santa doesn’t doesn’t bring magic to adults, so they had to take matters into their own hands. ”
“That’s the story?”
“Well, that’s the whispers. I do know that the original Secret Ingredient was from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, which is where the magic comes from. From what I’ve heard, they snuck in and stole some of her sugar so they could infuse some magic into this realm.”
“Oh.” It was almost too much to take in. Then, “How do you get paid?”
Hazel stared, uncomprehending.
“Like, can you pay your bills with pleasure?”
“What makes you think I have any bills?”
It was a good question, and one Clem had no real response to. “Wait.” A new thought slammed into her. “You said before that you would come back every night if possible.” Her voice faltered but she kept her chin high. “Is that not possible?”
Hazel’s expression twisted as she finished her bite of cookie. When she spoke, her voice was quiet. “I don’t actually know. I mean, there are stories of folks figuring it out and having favorites, of course there are. But I’ve never known anyone who has done it.”
“Would you even want to?” Clem tried to keep her posture casual as she asked. She held her breath, waiting for Hazel’s response, bracing herself for the rejection she feared was coming.
“Without a doubt.” Hazel’s words were clear and strong, and they pulled Clem’s eyes back to her face. Her expression was fierce, and went a long way toward melting Clem’s worries. A shadow crossed her face. “I just don’t know if it’s possible.”
“What if I did everything the same?”
“It’s not necessarily that, although it wouldn’t hurt.” Hazel was thoughtful. She unfolded from her spot on the bed and paced the length of Clem’s bedroom. “You see, when we show up for work, there’s this giant map on the wall. It lights up with requests, which are color coded.”
“Color coded?”
“Yeah, by topic — type of pleasure. You know, like we talked about.
“That’s in the summon? How do they know?”
“It’s not always perfect. But the powder in the sugar, the one that sends the summons, picks up on it and transmits it.”
“There’s a transmitter in the sugar.” Clem wasn’t sure what to think about that. “Is that even safe to eat?”
Hazel sent her a look. “There’s magic in the sugar. And it is completely safe to eat.” Her look heated. “But you know that.”
Clem choked on her cookie even as her belly warmed. Hazel chuckled, which made Clem warm even more. She made herself focus. This was too important to get distracted.
“So once the call goes out, it shows up on our map, and then an agent is assigned to it.”
“‘An agent.’ That is not at all how I was imagining things.” Clem shook her head in amazement.
Hazel stopped pacing and turned toward her. “What were you imagining?’
“I don’t really know, but it wasn’t that.” She shook her head again. “Maybe something closer to quaint winter cottages where you all hang out until you’re pulled away by a request?”
Incredulousness mixed with humor in Hazel’s expression. “But then we wouldn’t have any say in it.”
Clem shifted position. Hazel’s gaze was so clear, so direct, that it highlighted how jarring the words sounded when Clem said them out loud. “Yeah, I know. I heard it as soon as the words were out. Sorry. This whole other realm thing is really tripping up my brain.”
Hazel’s humor melted into indulgence. “Of course. It is all very odd if you’ve never experienced it before.” She resumed her path back and forth along the carpet.
“Thanks.” Clem wanted to contribute something to this brainstorm session. “What if I call for you specifically?”
Hazel paused. “I’ve never seen it done, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be.
” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “I could ask around. As I said, there are stories.” She picked up her pace again.
“I mean, the whole thing with pleasure is that you have to be a willing participant. An experience can be the nicest thing in the world to one person, but pure torture to another — especially if that second person had no choice in the matter.” She waved that away before Clem could say anything.
“So if that’s true, and since we have a say, I think it should follow that I can request to be your personal companion for a while.
” She grinned at Clem. “Your paramour, maybe.”
Clem could not stop the smile as it spread across her mouth. “So then it’s settled. I’ll call for you specifically.”
“And I will do what I can to answer your call.” She furrowed her brow.
Something shifted in the air as the women stared at each other.
It was a deepening, as though tentative roots were shifting, extending themselves in search of fertile soil.
Clem cleared her throat. “So, that story about someone stealing the Secret Ingredient sounds pretty exciting.” Her words faded on a jaw cracking yawn and Hazel shook her head.
“I’ll tell you that next time I see you.
” Her voice was gentle, but her actions were all business as she picked up the now empty plate and took it to the kitchen.
Clem waited for her to return. Exhaustion had set in, bringing with it sensitivity to light and a hint of a headache.
Hazel looked at her indulgently as she stepped through the bedroom door.
“For now, though, I think sleep is needed.”
Clem was suddenly too tired to put up any fight.
She slipped under the covers, then folded them back to invite Hazel in with her.
The women curled up together in the soft sheets.
Clem wrapped her arms around Hazel, who traced lazy lines along them.
“Good night, my paramour,” Clem murmured with a smile.
She was asleep before Hazel could answer.