Chapter 4 - 004: a plate of routines

The guards began to lead us as soon as we left. Forcing us to give the gravid looking goddess a bit of peace. I was somewhat thankful for the opportunity, since it gave me a chance to check in with the other mesmerizingly attractive woman bearing a middle like a volley ball. “I don’t suppose you’d care to explain why you deprived me literally divine cooking” I whispered wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She tensed up immediately at physical contact with me, but also seemed to understand I was mostly doing it so the exchange would look casual. "If you eat food sourced with ingredients from any of the divine territories you’ll be stuck there” she explained, her voice slightly higher than usual, in spite of her attempts to whisper. “Thus, I couldn’t fulfill this penance of mine” I spoke the logical conclusion out loud. As we walked, I could feel her overfull stomach rubbing against my side. I couldn’t help but give it a glance. It was looking awfully grabble, as full and round as it was. “I’ll put you back where I found you, I swear” she practically squeaked at me, figuring out my intentions at her usual fast pace.

Unfortunately, my fun wasn’t to last. The guards split off down two different paths and informed us we’d be sleeping in two different quarters. It was a little disconcerting to be separated from my guide. But it wasn’t like I was going to throw a hissy fit like a child. Especially when I discovered the quality of my sleeping arrangements. They were a little old fashioned to my modern sensibilities. The bed was simply a roll on the floor, and a large pile of what looked to be burlap pillows. But I could tell in the little details of the rooms decorations that it was probably what constituted Babylonian luxury. I probably should’ve been investigating the temples layout and formulating plans. But almost soon as I laid eyes on the bed, I felt a wave of exhaustion crash down on me. I hadn’t expected being dead to be quite so tiring. But I also hadn’t expected it to be so interesting either. I crashed onto the bed, in an inelegant flop. And passed out shortly after. Though for the few minutes before slept took over I mentally prepared myself for the job ahead. The task of servicing the goddess Ishtar to satisfaction.

The next morning, I sought the goddess out first thing. On most days It was important to be up before my clients to prepare. But as I had no idea when or even if she slept, I figured the most important thing to do first was get a feel for her routine. I found her exactly where I had left her the previous day, languishing sexily half naked on her throne. I was beginning to suspect it was her default position. If I squinted, I could almost swear I could see the damage of the previous days feast. Perhaps a tiny extra bit of a curve to her middle, her finger sinking a fraction of an inch deeper into her thigh fat. I reassured myself I was just playing tricks on myself, and was also shamelessly checking out my client. Though looking at her I was beginning to suspect I could afford to waste my time. She looked to be presiding over disputes from her followers. Many of the scantily clad Babylonians were gathered on the last steps before her pavilion. Two had stepped forward and were arguing loudly. All the while the goddess herself sat nodding and listening to their dispute, occasionally flashing a communicative smile. Two servants flanked her throne, using fans to cool her soft body in the tropical heat.

It occurred to me that the scene was just missing one thing and I chuckled to myself. I managed to sneak past her and the gathering crowd and into the area where the food had been brought from the day before. Finding the pantry and kitchen, a little more rummaging and I found what I was looking for. “Good morning my.... goddess, I was wondering if I might be of assistance” I interjected, cutting off some follower mid complaint. She laughed that pure experienced laugh of hers as I held up my offering. “How delightfully thespian....I suppose it would be entertaining at least” she explained as I held up my handful of grapes. I quickly took a position beside her throne uncontested and held them out next to her for her to graze from at her leisure. Between me and the followers fanning her she looked to be experiencing the picture of old-world luxury. Due to the size of her throne, she had to lean forward a little to get at the fruit. The motion sending her generous bust wobbling and giving me a view that would’ve chastised any a less confident woman.

It also did a wonderful job of distracting me. Her beauty and the task of feeding her quickly absorbed my minds full attention. Watching her curvaceous body and the little motions of her body language as she lazily snacked her way through the morning's procedure. I didn't hear any of the disputes, nor her rulings, the sound being absorbed by how my attention was locked on her full lips. The grapes were juicy and succulent, and she seemed to savor each mouthful she took. In fact, at times during the proceedings when one her followers was getting long winded, I caught her staring up at them. I felt I was aptly demonstrating my abilities as a service industry professional. But Ishtar’s body was still playing havock with my work flow. She had me so distracted that at one point she lent up to take another bite, only to find my hands empty. She quickly turned back hoping to make nothing of it. “Ah, I’ll go get more” I reassured her quickly. “No, no need” she said the tiniest hint of her blush on her soft cheeks. Externally I nodded a polite agreement and flashed a service industry smile. Internally I thought up some curse words that likely would’ve damned me to a whole different plane of hell.

The status of my soul aside, the deliberations continued for another hour or so. With me dying internally out of frustration at how little I was actually getting to help. At one point I was even debating just taking a fan off the servant behind me, but the curvy girl was saved by the bell. To be more specific, the drum, which rang out and signaled the end of deliberations. Slowly the crowd before us dissipated. I attempted to make my way to the kitchen but was stopped by a hand on my arm. One with a firm yet gentle grip. I couldn’t help but gulp a little as I turned to confirm it was Ishtar. “Goodness, you don’t have to look so scared, as cute as it is, I just think you’d be best served entertaining me with some conversation” she explained with a sunshine smile that almost put my anxieties to rest. My heart rate didn't go fully back to normal till she released her grip. I couldn’t help but feel like as contrasting as it was to her image, I was supposed to be a least little unnerved. I supposed it would’ve been something of a slight if I wasn’t at least a little scared of the divine being I was trying to please.

It wasn’t long before gentle music started up around us. Drummers, and soft singers performing in Ishtars chamber. Seemingly to set the mood and to assist in amusing the goddess. “Well what do you think of my domain” she asked me with a playful grin. Stretching her arms, a little above her head, in a motion which almost freed her oversized goods from their minimal clothing. “Abundant” I muttered as the divine bust was almost flashed. I hadn’t even realized what I had said till she started laughing her laugh. “They are” she confirmed with a wink. “But it’s also accurate about this place, your people all seem well fed, your...produce all seem huge, and quite succulent....” I continued trailing off, feeling a beginning of a blush creeping up my own cheeks. “Your actual, produce that is” I confirmed beginning to rub the bridge of my nose. She hadn’t stopped laughing since I started talking, but at my confirmation her chuckle petered off and she leaned in quickly. Clapping my hands in hers. They were warm and soft and I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. “I knew what you meant the first time little one, it’s actually one of the finest compliments a harvest goddess can receive” she explained flashing me a sincere smile. “Though I doubt you could fully appreciate it without having eaten any” she explained with a smile.

I really did try to cut her off, but my brain was utterly frazzled by her presence. Before I knew It, the table was set up in the room again. Plates piled on sufficiently high enough for the two of us to have a full meal. “You have no idea how much I would like to....sample your produce” I elaborated unable to keep a groan from the end of my sentence. “But I’m still feeling quite motion sick.... I suspect I’m still reacclimatizing to being dead” I elaborated. Ishtar pouted leaning forward and cupping her soft cheek in her hands. Her arms perfectly framing her impressive cleavage as she leered up at me. “You disappoint me, but I suppose I’ll have to eat your portion again” she sighed. As she stood up from her throne and shook herself a little to stretch a bit, I almost changed my mind on the spot. An eternity serving a curvaceous goddess didn't sound so bad at all. The only thing holding me back was that something felt off. As she leaned down and started dismantling the oversized meal something was bothering me. It had nothing to do with her feasting, though the quantity of that was certainly on my mind. Something about her routine though I couldn’t tell exactly what. After Ishtar was stuffed past her point of composure again, I was ushered away. Leaving the ancient goddess as I had on the first, bloated, round and digesting an oversized meal.