Sara and Lisa were seated at the coffee table, across from them was the demon.

Ashley walked in from the kitchen, tray in hand, wearing a forced smile. She placed the tray on the dusty table and started to pass out mugs of hot water before shifting back and forth on her feet.

“Sorry, but it seems that whatever you did,” Ashley waved towards the burnt walls, and then the ransacked kitchen, “made our groceries disappear.”

“It must have been the spell you used to summon me!” The succubus exclaimed. “Your spell was faulty and you didn’t supply a body.” Raising her chin, the demon continued. “Don’t worry, as you can see, I managed to construct my own after accepting the contract.”

Sara crossed her arms and glared at the demon. “What contract? And why are you still naked?”

“I haven’t been given any clothes; besides, I won’t be wearing those rags!”

“Don’t be rude Sara,” Ashley placated, “I don’t think succubi wear clothes.” Gaze shifting downwards, Ashley continued in a pout. “And these robes are adorable!”

Lisa raised her hand, “The contract you mentioned, it’s the ritual to summon you right? What exactly were the terms?”

“You don’t know the terms of your own summoning spell?” Raising a brow, the demon explained, “The contract was very simple. The three of you offered up your lives as well as your souls in exchange… for nothing.”

A wave of disbelief went around the table. Sara choked on her drink and Lisa facepalmed while Ashley rapidly blinked her eyes.

“You’re quite lucky too,” the succubus continued, “There were quite a number of unsavory types fighting to rip you all to pieces before I scared them off.”

“So now that we are yours, what exactly do you plan to do with us?” Lisa asked.

“I have but one need of you–to amuse me.”

“How do we—”

“You know what would be really amusing?” Ashley interrupted, “Planning our vacation!”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit early for a vacation? Shouldn’t you at least acquaint me with your world before we leave? We haven’t even made proper introductions!” The demon exclaimed. “My name doesn’t exactly translate, so you may call me Avery”

“Sure Avy!” Ashley smiled, “I’m Ashley, but everyone calls me Ash. I’m an art major and anime fanatic. This is Lisa,” she said, pointing a finger, “programming major and xianxia addict. And this is—“

“Is it a good idea to tell our names to a demon?” Sara interrupted, “Don’t they have a thing about true names?”

“Sara,” Ashley continued with a roll of her eyes, “religious studies major and paranoid zealot.”

“Stop butting heads.” Lisa interjected, “I’m going to get groceries for tomorrow. Sara, why don’t you come with me? A walk might help you clear your mind.”

Sara shook her head. “A walk sounds nice, but I think I’ll go to the temple. Are you sure it’s a good idea to leave Ash alone though?”

“I’m sure it’ll be—not too bad.”

“I’ll be fine,” Ashley grinned, “You two go ahead. Lisa, don’t forget to buy coffee.”

“Got it,” Lisa called back as she shut the door.

As the door locked with a click, Ashley spun around in an instant to face Avery with a bright smile. “So Avy, we’ve only got two bedrooms. Lisa takes the couch and I’m sure Sara wouldn’t appreciate sharing,” Ashley cooed with batted eyes, “how about we get you settled in with me?”

“Sure Ash,” Avery chuckled. “you can show me some of your artwork too.”

Ashley opened her bedroom door before slamming it shut once again. With a bright red face, she stammered, “I wasn’t expecting company, and um, there’s a bit of a mess,” before closing her eyes and walking into the room.

Clothes were scattered all across the floor but a narrow path worked its way to the nightstand; the lamp on top was turned sideways, knocked aside to make room for plastic cups, coffee mugs, and ink pens. The walls were plastered with overlapped drawings of fantastical lands, ferocious beasts, and armed beauties. In the corner was a trash can that overflowed with crumpled half-finished drawings. The only tidy aspect of the room was the perfectly made full-sized bed, with a drawing tablet set off to the side.

Ashley scrambled in to pick up the clothes littering the floor and threw them into a closet as if it would prevent the mess from being seen.

“Did you draw all of these?” Avery asked as she walked towards one wall.

“Yea, but those are really old,” Ashley said as she pulled a folder out from under her bed. “Take a look at these, I've gotten a lot better.” She said, before hurrying back to tidy up.

Filling the pages were illustrations of gothic cathedrals, floating castles, and quaint villages besieged by monsters. Each image was labeled with its source of inspiration and the date it was created.

“So Avy, what do you think?” Ashley asked and bit down on her lip.

“Good—remarkable, considering your age.”

“Yea I’m pretty incredible aren’t I” Ashley smiled with her chest puffed out.

“Yes, yes. Amazing and talented.” Avery pointed to one of the beauties on the wall. “Are you hoping I’ll ask you to draw me like this?”

Ashley lowered her eyes. “No!”

“Oh? So why try to summon a succubus?” Avery took a step forward.

“Well," Ashley took a step back, "they are supposed to be the safest to deal with, and um, I thought—”

“You do realize,” Avery teased with a flick of her tail, “that I know everything you want to do with me.”

Licking her lips, Ashley asked, “What do you mean? Is that some succubus power?”

“Oh no, I’m no succubus,” Avery punctuated the point with her tail slapping across Ashley’s thigh, “I took this form because I borrowed some of your memories. Including last night.”

Hours later.

Ashley sat in bed, robes long since torn off, applying ointment to her new collection of welts, scratches, and nicks while humming a tune. A content smile on her lips.

Avery rolled onto her side. “What are you humming to?”

“Oh it’s just the intro song from an anime,” Ashley replied, glancing over with a grin.

“And what’s this anime about?”

“It’s about this teenager that gets hit by a bus and dies.”

“How is that supposed to be entertaining? Shouldn’t it have a happy ending?”

“Well, that’s just the start. Somehow after dying they get reincarnated into another world with all their memories and go on to have lots of adventures, fighting monsters and meeting friends.”

“And this is what you want for your vacation? Running around fighting monsters? What about your friends? Do they want to get hit by a bus as well?”

Ashley giggled. “Lisa probably would as long as she can grow to be a powerful cultivator. I’m not sure about Sara though, I’m pretty sure she hopes for something else after death.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter much now.” Avery whispered as she wrapped her arms around Ashley’s waist, “Now that you’re mine, you will be with me no matter how many buses you get hit by.”

“Oh? Does that mean you’re going to take responsibility?” Ashley teased and wiggled her brow.

“Ha! I hope you don’t have some culture of revered virginity. I may enjoy your company but I’m not one to be so easily satisfied.”

“Do you think I’m some dainty prune?” Ashley raised a brow, “Sorry to tell you but I lost my virginity years before I met you. As for your slutty tendencies, you can rest assured that I didn’t summon a succubus expecting her to be monogamous. Just keep room for me by your side to explore new worlds and I’m satisfied.”

“There you go again, calling me a succubus; the closest thing I’ve seen to my original self, in your memories, is a type of spirit slime-fungus hybrid.”

“Are you telling me you’re a slime girl?” Ashley’s eyes widened.

“As I said, this body came from your mind. I’m technically not even female.”

“But there is a fungus among— ouch, that’s sensitive you know!”