Snow Place to Go #3

The lamia has her red tail coiled around her torso as she poked at the small flames of the fireplace with a prod. Her white uniform suggested she was a cook of some kind, and her black skirt covered a lot of her tail. I could see goosebumps on her arms. The cold must be getting to her quick.

“Hey there.” I politely spoke to her. “I heard you were a bit scared back there.” Why did I say that?

“Thanks...” She replies nonchalantly. “It’s just that I’m fearing for tonight.” It was obvious why, but she continued. “I remember the last time there was a lockdown, I stayed the night, and I still had a hard time, even with heat.” She turned her head to face me, her bright blue eyes clashing against her long black hair.

“Well, it does get cold.” Oh god, now I was sounding pretentious. I sat down next to her.

“You don’t have to tell me twice, dummy.” She took her free arm and softly slugged me in the shoulder. Good to know she had a playful side. “I wish the fire will be enough to get me through the night.”

“Wait, you’re not staying in of the rooms?”

“Of course not.” She answered me, poking the fire. “It’s warmer here... now that you showed up.” I chuckled at her response, trying to hide my blush. “My name is Asyllisus.” Quite a long name.

“I’m Isaac.” She smiled.

“Well, Isaac, why don’t you do me a favor and bring me a few blankets? A little someone here is getting cold.” I wondered why she couldn’t get them herself, but then I remembered the state she was in.

“O-of course. I’ll be back.”

********************

I wandered through the halls only using my vague knowledge of the layout and the light of my phone. It’s battery was running low, and of course I couldn’t charge it, the power was still off. I turned my attention to a bump that came from behind me, only for me to walk straight into a metal cart. I slammed to the ground as I heard a feminine voice call out.

“Watch where yer’ goin’!” I shined my light up, only to reveal a purple arachne in a work uniform. I stood up to be more level with her, but she still towered over me.

“I-I’m sorry. Do you know if I could have some spare blankets or comforters?” She sighed before reaching into the cart and unloading a bunch of stuff into my arms.

“Be thankful it’s our slow season and that couples are sharing rooms. We don’t have a lot left.” I looked down at the bundles I was now carrying, not sure if it would be enough.

“Thanks!” I blurted out, only to realize she was already halfway down the hall at that point.

********************

“Back already?” Asyllisus asked.

“Yep. I hope this is enough.” I dropped the pile onto the floor as I began to cover her up, making sure to leave her as close to the fireplace as I could drag her body. It’s the least I could do, she’d be less safe without it. It was nearly the size of her when she was coiled up. I laid down the final blanket which covered the tip of her tail. Just enough.

“Thanks, Isaac.” She humbly spoke yet again. I was about to say goodbye before she lunges up and dragged my down to the floor with her. “I don’t know what would be happening without you.” I shrugged off the encounter, but she was hugging me.

Hugging me a bit too tight. Whose to say I didn’t like it.

“So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” I asked.

We spent the night making small chat in front of the fire, constantly having to relight it with new logs and matches. I found out a lot about Asyllisus that night. She was attending a college nearby, wanting to get a degree in economics, but had to work part time as a cook at the resort.

“I’d move somewhere warmer if I could, but that will have to wait. That’s why I chose a job that revolves around fire and heat.” Makes perfect sense to me.

As the night dragged on with the remaining sunlight coming in dwindling, she dozed off. She still had me coiled in her tail underneath the blankets... it helped me fall asleep too.