Bab 619: Auction House - Interviews (3)

"H-Hello..?"

The newcomer was a cute little thing, her head coming up just to my shoulders, her two fluffy ears twitching as she nervously shuffled from side to side, her shy demeanor making me want to stand up and give her a big hug to calm her down...

While another part of me wanted to hug her because of the two giant melons attached to her torso, her race extremely obvious as she simply stood there in front of us; she was a Cowkin woman, and she had the breasts to match such a sought after race when it came to mating.

Thick juicy thighs matched her giant udders, and I wanted so very badly to ask her to turn around and let me see her butt too, since her thickness was just begging for me to bask in it, but alas I knew that she was technically 'off limits' to such ordering thanks to her contract being similar to Arani's with the no sexual acts clause.

Even then... eye candy was eye candy, and I leaned back into the couch and nodded as I said "Hello there Ceva~! Please, come on in; we have tea ready for you!", the sudden appearance of the buxom Cowkin causing both Arani and Renna to fall silent as they stopped their interview for the time being.

Hesitantly approaching us, Ceva looked at me, then Arani, then to Renna, the red head stealing away her attention for a moment as she blushed when Renna smiled softly at her, her shyness making us all smile even more as we basked in her innocent demeanor; even Arani, who seemed rather serious moments before was now staring gently at the Cowkin, but I also noted that the futanari couldn't help but take a look at Ceva's covered breasts, which jiggled as she took a seat beside the Dawn Elf.

Honestly... there wasn't even a need for lust in seeing those giant tits; they were larger than mine by a lot, and I already was rather well endowed, so seeing something bigger was just... shocking, especially on a shorter woman.

So I wasn't that surprised that Arani was staring at Ceva's chest, just surprised that she was able to look away so easily as she returned her golden gaze to Renna, who gave her a slight nod that made the butler pour a cup for Ceva.

"Now, before you can even ask, Arani, I am aware that Ceva is a shy woman; it was in her documentation, and I decided on her because of something I saw inside that intrigued me. Apparently Ceva here is really, really good with numbers, and she is also really, really damn organized, which..."

The Dawn Elf's smile widened somewhat as she turned to look at her fellow slave, the Cowkin blushing some more and trying to hide her face using her teacup as all attention landed on her once more, only for her ears to twitch continuously as Arani said "That's very helpful indeed then! I will admit, Duchess, I was a tad hopeful we could get someone to deal with the numbers full time without my aid; I'm capable of handling logistics and maintaining a book, but it's not my favorite thing in the world."

"I know all too well about not wanting to do everything on your own; that's why I hired Astra here to be my secretary. But also, please, if you have any doubts or concerns that you wish to raise, do so; I need to know what you, my manager, is thinking so that we can be on the same page. Now, Ceva, I know you don't wish to be social, so asking if you want to work for me in my winery is..."

Tapping her fingers against her cup, Renna pursed her lips and shrugged as she studied the Cowkin some more, her large brown eyes flittering around the room but always returning to Renna, her nerves showing so obviously despite Renna not putting any pressure on her at all... which only made my urge to hug her grow even more as she trembled a little.

"Not entirely ideal for you, but I can promise you that you will not need to interact with customers at all, and the only people you will be required to speak to are Arani, Astra, and of course, myself. I simply wish to employ you for your skill in accounting, which would have you in your own little office away from everyone else."

We all stared at Ceva for a few moments longer as we waited for her to give her answer, the Cowkin putting the teacup down so she didn't spill it as she gulped, staring down at her hands and likely trying to calm herself down some more.

"I... I-I don't... w-would I be... paid for my services..?"

Renna furrowed her brow at that, causing Ceva to flinch as the Cowkin tried to say "N-Never mind, I am just a slave-!", only to be interrupted by Renna as she said "Of course you'd be paid! Five days of work paid with two days off to rest and relax, which I think is more than fair. Wages will be negotiable, and that specifically means only going upwards depending on the profits of the store, but the starting wage would be 75 Silvers a week, more than enough to cover basic expenses and then some - if you weren't being provided housing and some clothing already, anyways."

"Oh? That's a rather fair wage for a bunch of clerks and simple laborers, Duchess. Interesting; here I thought you were going to be giving us Coppers at best, since we're slave labor."

Arani was nodding as she studied the Duchess, who chuckled softly as she shook her head and replied "Like you said before, Arani, slaves are people too, and debt slaves aren't to be looked down upon; what you all chose to do is admirable, even if people say otherwise. Selling yourself to the government takes courage, and I know almost all debt slaves are usually only doing this for their families, their lovers, their friends... there is no way I would treat you like you were lesser than me."

The Dawn Elf's golden eyes widened slightly before she smiled, appraising the Duchess with a new light as she kept nodding, before turning to Ceva and saying "It won't get any better than this, Ceva; you should take the opportunity and come with me. I can keep you safe still."

That made me curious as I studied the two, wondering if there was something that might blossom between them romantically or if Arani was just that nice of a person to take someone under her 'wing' for no particular reason other than just wanting to help... but either way, it was excellent to watch, especially since two more slaves walked on in, ready to be interviewed as well.