Illicit Flower

Maid Cafe

"So you're a baker?" Riya asked.
"Yep." Saotome answered.
"No love or lust magic in your crepés?" Riya teased. "Not even your essence?"
She shook her head, "Nope. Mom was pretty disappointed when she found out."
Riya nodded, "I can imagine."
After meeting Saotome, another succubus, Aya convinced Riya to spend more time with her. Riya only agreed because Saotome was the only friendly succubus she had met. The only other succubus she knows is Mai, and calling her violent would be an understatement. Riya barely survived their first fight. Also as a more experienced succubus, Saotome could give Riya insight into her succubus powers.
Riya and Saotome were at the bakery where Saotome worked. And to thank Riya for helping her deal with her stalker, Saotome gave her a free slice of strawberry cake.
"Seriously, thanks again for helping me," said Saotome. "My shifts are a lot quieter now."
"You're welcome," said Riya as she took a bite of her cake.
"I just wish I could properly thank you," Saotome said with a mischievous smile. "I could give you anything you want."
Under the table, her foot touched Riya's leg.
Riya's eyes widened, "Anything I want?"
Saotome nodded and winked.
"Then I want more cake."
Saotome frowned, "You suck."
Riya's phone vibrated and she looked at the screen, "Ugh."
"What's wrong?" Saotome asked.
"It's Asumi reminding me that she's picking me up for our shift," Riya answered.
Weeks ago, Asumi helped Riya get a job at a maid cafe called L'ecran. Riya initially refused, fearing that her succubus aura would get her into trouble with the already pervy customers. Not to mention the maid costume. But she changed her mind when Asumi mentioned the pay. Besides Riya needed to save up some money, especially for transportation. Nanako already lectured her about possessing people for rides. The maids also use fake names, which was a good thing for Riya. And because the cafe caters to anime and cosplayers, Riya didn't have to hide her blue hair... or her horns and tail.
Saotome took a sip of her tea, "I'm surprised you work at L'ecran. Way to adhere to the succubus stereotype."
"Oh fuck off," Riya snapped. "Kaori keeps nagging me about staying in the house too much anyway."
Plus she needed something to do other than getting into trouble.
Saotome smiled, "I bet you look super hot in that maid uniform."
Riya felt her soul leave her body the day her boss gave her the work uniform. Not that it was ugly or anything; a short black dress with poofy sleeves, white lace and a white apron, and matching hat. Not to mention the thigh high stockings with cute little black bows.
But for a succubus who has a knack for bad luck, even people looking at her could be dangerous. Riya wanted a job but she was trying to avoid unnecessary attention from strangers. And she definitely didn't want to call her customers "Master."
But again, she needed the money. L'ecran is the best maid cafe in Harajuku because they only pick the best. The best chefs and the best maids who've had the proper training. Yet Asumi was able to get Riya a spot. The least Riya could do was try it for a few weeks before finding another job.
"Surprisingly," said Riya. "It's not as bad as it sounds. I actually discovered a new power on my first shift."
"Oh?" Saotome took another sip of her tea.
Riya looked around to make sure that while the cafe wasn't full, the few customers that were there weren't looking at them.
All clear, Aya said. I'll warn you if they try anything.
Riya closed her eyes and held out her hand. Suddenly flames burst from her closed fist. And when she opened it, the flames had formed into a red glowing heart.
Unfazed, Saotome put her teacup back on the table, "Lust."
"Sexual energy," Riya corrected. "This was the real reason I wanted to see you today."
Days ago at L'ecran, Riya took the order of a man in a business suit. Then when Riya brought him the cake he ordered, he requested that Riya cut it and feed it to him. Riya could see that he was enjoying the attention, despite his poker face. So she avoided his gaze as much as she could during his service, and she internally gagged every time she called him "Master."
But she made the mistake of looking at him once, he looked exhausted. No, a better word would be drained. The blank, dead stare in his eyes. The wrinkles. His open mouth moan. He was like a zombie. Riya even noticed that his skin looked a bit paler than when he came in. Aya would later tell Riya that she absorbed a part of him. Aya witnessed black energy leave his body and go to Riya's.
"The weird thing is," Riya continued. "I feel different. Like I feel stronger. I even feel like my tolerance for pain increased."
Saotome raised an eyebrow and smiled, making Riya regret telling her anything. She knew Saotome would find a way to make this dirty.
"Interesting." Saotome said. "And this is the first time its happened?"
Riya nodded.
Saotome leaned back in her chair, "Hm. The only explanation is that this happened because you're mellowing out."
Mellow is the last word Riya would use to describe herself, "You're kidding right?"
"When a younger succubus feels threatened, her immediate defense is a chaotic response," Saotome explained. "Which explains why so many child demons are a challenge. As a succubus ages, her powers become more mellow. That customer was threatening you, and your powers responded by absorbing his negative energy and converting it into something positive for you. A chaotic response in that situation would attract unnecessary attention and get you fired... Provided The Council doesn't erase anyone's memories."
This is new and... useful information, Aya said. Then she exhaled out of relief, Now we don't have to be so violent.
Who says we have to stop? Riya asked.
Aya gasped, reminding Riya that she was slipping again. It's the demon side of her talking. The part of her that craves chaos and despair, that loves hearing tortured screams from her victims.
But the fairy part of her is telling her that this isn't the way. The fairy side still has faith that Riya would do the right thing. It still has hope.
"Oh and don't worry, he'll live," Saotome said, interrupting Riya's thoughts. "He'll be significantly weakened but nothing serious. He just needs sleep."
Riya laughed, "Yeah, I don't really give a shit about him."
"But this needs to be controlled," Saotome warned. "This power isn't as destructive as the others. But if your boss notices a pattern of exhausted customers that you served-"
HONK!
Riya and Saotome looked out the window. Asumi was in her car waiting for Riya. How long was she out there?
Riya stood up, "Don't worry, I'll handle it."