"Let me have her." Aurelia spoke confidently, walking forward, hands in her pockets. The queen looked up, smiling, and raised an eyebrow.
"Let you… have her? Aurelia, I know you prefer your partners with a little less… masculinity, but my, I've never seen you be so forward."
"Aurum, please. She's about to split ways and go against the military entirely, so let me offer her the position- we lost two during our mission into Starria anyway, so even if Fox insists on following her, we'll be okay. She's got this idea of being an adventurer and seeing the world- and I get that, if it was one of those dumb children's shows- but this is a modern world with laws, and rules, and regulations. We can't stop her, and I worry she'll become some sort of twisted vigilante if we can't find her a place. Don't want her stalking sewer drains and wrestling with drug dealers, in the name of adventure, do we?"
"No, there is more to this," Aurum smirked, standing up slowly. "The Aurelia I know? She doesn't care if some random girl with no notable abilities lives or dies," Aurum continued, smiling, walking slowly around the desk, and then leaning against it. "So, tell me, Succupixie- what is it that makes this one, in particular, so interesting to you?"
"N-No, I'm being serious," Aurelia spoke, clearing her throat. "I just feel bad for her. She looks so damn lost all the time, there's something going on in her head- or a disturbing amount of nothing. I can't be sure, just yet. I want to keep an eye on her, make sure she isn't some deranged lunatic."
"Right…" Aurum nodded, stepping forward now, and Aurelia swallowed, blushing, eyes darting around the small office. "Do you know what I think, Aurelia? I think that you're not telling me something."
"I'm not hiding anything," Aurelia whispered, but the queen stepped forward, her dog's tail wagging lightly, and hugged Aurelia's neck, pushing her back against the wall, leaning forward, smirking, chest to chest now.
"You're a bad liar, Aurelia,"
"I'm not- ng-" The fairy gasped, as Aurum's lips brushed against her own.
"Last chance, little Aurie~"
"Listen, Aurum, I'm not lying to you," Aurelia whispered pleadingly, and gasped, the queen kissing her again, harder, deepening it and hugging the ginger's neck.
"W-Wait," Aurelia pleaded, but she didn't mean it- already, her hips twitched. "H-Hold on, Aurum,"
"If you want me to stop, then wrap your tail around my wrist," Aurum smirked, and Aurelia nodded, wrapping her tail… around Aurum's neck, gently, like a choker. "That's what I thought."
-
"Damnit, Aurum, wait, I'm not lying to you," Aurelia shuddered as she was pushed into bed on her back, the queen following, shrugging her bra to the floor now, reaching for her waistband. "I'm totally telling you the truth- okay? I'm worried about her, I'm oh gods I'm- I'm worried, about her…"
"Oh, I bet you are," Aurum, smirking as always with her, rolled Aurelia onto her stomach, setting herself onto the girl's back. "Bet you're so worried about her… not at all, about what's about to happen to you, right…?"
"Hold on Queenie," Aurelia pleaded, moaning as Aurum's hips connected with her ass, none-too-gentle. "I'm gonna t-tell Aerendyl to beat you up, or something-"
"Bitch? You don't say any names but mine tonight," Aurum corrected, biting Aurelia's shoulders, and the half succubus, half fairy hybrid's moans rang out louder along with the wet slap of their hips, but she grit her teeth and shook her head, panting raggedly.
"I swear, I'm just worried about the stupid summoned chick…!!"
"You don't think she's prettier than me, do you?" Aurum smirked and went harder, groaning, burying her face in Aurelia's neck. "Do you get tired of casting this spell on me like a bitch on a leash?"
"That's not it, I swear it's not it wait wait I'm gonna I'M-!!" Aurelia grit her teeth, bit the sheets, voice breaking. Aurum slowed, but did not stop, smiling lazily.
"Such pathetic stamina, pixie…" Harder. Harder.
"Aurum please-"
"Please what?"
"I don't know, d-damnit, this- ng, you- bitch," Aurelia moaned out, shaking her head, face redder than her hair.
"Bitch? Because I'm a dog? How cruel, I'll have to punish you for that," Aurum laughed lightly, sinking her teeth into Aurelia's shoulder again.
"Aurum wait- I didn't mean it- ng- wait, gods, gods damnit, yes-!!" A floor below, a maid jumped, almost dropping her steaming kettle, and hurried away to find her best friend and gossip.
"You know I won't stop," Aurum chuckled. "Oh, how I've missed you, on your missions."
"I'm gonna break- please-" Aurelia begged, eyes glassy, hips rolling. "S-Slow down, I'll do anything,"
"Remember," Aurum purred, slowing, but slamming her hips forward even more forcefully. "My wrist. That's your way out, pretty girl."
"Yeah, s-screw you," Aurelia panted out, her tail wrapping around Aurum's waist, like a belt.
"That's what I like to hear," Aurum laughed, but it was breathless now, losing control starting to speed up again. "Even if you do think the badger girl is cute, just remember I'm prettier," She pa1200nted out, breathless, and Aurelia shook her head, nearing yet another climax, gritting her teeth.
"Wait-!!!!"
This time, a few maids giggled and covered their blushing faces from below, moans tearing through the floors.
-
"She just reminds me of myself," Aurelia panted, trailing a hand through the sweat and other stuff on her stomach, eyes closed, lying on her back now. "She looks so lost, and it reminds me of myself after my teacher dies. She… she has no conviction, no impulse. Even after her memories came back, her only desire out of what comes next was to be alone- see things herself, have agency."
"Mmm… you did so well, Aurelia," Aurum smiled, sitting beside her, pulling a long breath through a pipe, then breathing it out slowly.
"Ugh… you too, idiot queen… anyway, um. Yeah. If she's with me, she can have the agency to plan and such, but still have our support. I can offer Fox the last spot, to fix their issue…"
"I suppose I understand. You take full responsibility for them? If I give you orders, and those orders fail on their account…"
"I will." Aurelia nodded, panting. "I swear, yeah… she just… I wonder if she's scared of being caged… and that's why she refused our offer, said she wanted to see the world…"
"What did you even answer with?" Aurum asked curiously. "Also, undo the spell now."
"Right, sorry," Aurelia panted out, flicking her wrist. "I just validated her, said that I understood wanting to see the world. As part of my team, though, she can still do that, while somebody is there in case things go south…"
"Right." Aurum nodded. "Aurie?"
"Yeah?"
"What we have. It's nice, and you're beautiful-"
"Ugh, I'm not saying you can't fool around with me! I'm not trying to get in her pants."
"Listen to me, pet." Aurum smirked over her shoulder. "Fooling around is all we do. If anything were to happen, just rest assured I would support you. There would be no guilt. Let's be honest- I'm amazing in bed, but I am so emotionally unavailable," She laughed, rolling her eyes.
"I never made you feel bad for that," Aurelia started, chest still heaving, but Aurum cut her off.
"One day, Aurelia, you'll need love. Something I can't give. It was only a hypothetical, okay? Come on, get some rest. You're taking the morning off, hmhm."
-
"So that's why," Aurelia continued, clearing her throat, "-I want to offer you a place on my team."
"Hm…" Haru leaned back, thinking, chewing her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, but I don't know military jargon- can you please explain it one more time, like I'm an idiot?"
"Sure," Aurelia nodded, tail flicking behind her head. "You want to see the world right? I'm scared of you getting jumped by cultists or something before you can land on your feet properly. As part of my team, we gotta follow orders, but the planning? We do that ourselves. Plus, we travel, and most of our missions are generally in the interest of promoting equality and the freedom of the oppressed. You'd have a noble cause, freedom to travel, and time off as needed. You'd be trained by me instead of in a barracks of five hundred people, as well," She added, raising a hand as if to hand Haru an invisible mug.
"This way," Aurelia added, more softly. "You've got stable income but you're not exactly in a cage, either. Time off, and you're guaranteed travel, to see other countries- we usually handle foreign issues over domestic ones."
"Mm…" Haru thought, biting her lip, thinking. She'd see the world- with structure. Not a leash she couldn't take off, but a vague leash regardless… still… income… stability…
"Can I… take some time to think about it?"
"Absolutely, you can- but the queen will need to have this matter resolved within a few days, there's no positions available in the castle and, guests make her uneasy." Aurelia nodded, sitting forward, leaning over the small chess table between them. "Do you think you can decide within twenty-four hours?"
"Um… yeah." Haru nodded, swallowing. "I think so."
"Good. Now, question; if I offer this to Fox as well, will it scare you off? I'm not sure why she's gotten somewhat fixated on you- but I don't want to cut her off from you completely. Then, I don't want to make you feel backed into a corner with her, either."
"Hm…" Haru thought, crossing her arms under her breasts, swallowing slowly. "I… want to clear the air and resolve whatever's going on with Fox and I. I don't like not knowing if she wants to kill me or punch her tongue down my throat. What if I mention your offer, and talk it over with her? Gives me an easy window to talk to her, try and get her to open up."
"Sure." With a shrug, Aurelia stood up. "Just for the record, I hope that talk goes well. I'll leave you to it- need more sleep, my ass hurts. Sat around too much writing reports last night, stupid metal chairs," She spoke lightly, glancing away. "Fox is still asleep, I was told before we talked. Her room is six doors to the right of yours when you're facing it. Good luck," She added, already turning and walking off. Haru watched her shimmery wings disappear around a corner before standing up, swallowing, and taking a deep breath.
Alright Fox- time to find out where your bipolar swings are coming from.
-
Standing in front of what should have been the right door, Haru knocked. "Fox? Are you in there? It's me, Ha-"
"Yeah whatever come in." The short girl's voice snapped back, and Haru sucked in a sharp breath, pushing the door open and stepping inside. Fox herself was half asleep, pushing hair out of her face, chest heaving. She's sweating, too- eyes dilated. Panic.
"Are you oka-"
"I'm fine," Fox cut her off, again, gritting her teeth. "W-What is it?"
"A-Are you sure you don't want to talk-?"
"I'm sure. What is it, Haru??" Fox snapped more angrily, now, narrowing her eyes. "Come in here to what, just see how I'm doing? Poke and prod, maybe take some blood samples?" She snorted, shaking her head. "Spit it out, already, what is it?"
"Well," Haru muttered, flinching and slowly walking to the small desk against one wall, lifting herself up, sitting on it. "I'll cut to the chase. Aurelia wants us to join her team. The both of us."
"Yeah? Why, so she can keep an eye on us? I thought we were unimportant nobodies."
"I think…" Haru sighed, shrugging. "I think this world has a few too many laws and regulations for us to become adventurers in the common sense. I think she's trying to give us what she sees as the nearest compromise to freedom. At least- that's the case for me. As for you…"
"Let me guess, she thinks I rely on you? Can't be without you?" Fox sneered, and Haru winced, shaking her head.
"Not that. She just has two places, and wanted to offer you the other. Can't be without me? Don't you hate me?"
"No. It's. Not that," Fox shook her head, eyes darkening. "I don't know what it is. You just… remind me of somebody."
"Who's that?" Haru angled her head, blinking slowly.
"Don't worry about it. I don't hate you," Fox continued. "I just hate… what I want to do to you. Sink my teeth in- it's- it's not healthy. Once I remembered things; I wished I hadn't. I- I don't want to talk about it, but I don't hate you, okay? I'm sorry that's the vibe I gave off. Tell Aurelia I don't want her stupid offer- better I don't stay near you."
"Fox," Haru began, then paused, thinking. Measuring her words, careful. "Can you please tell me what's going on? I promise to recognize that it's not entirely in your control, and I won't hold it against you. I swear it."
"I." Fox swallowed, shaking her head. "Had a friend. An albino. They got me out of a bad situation. Every time I look at you, I see her. It's not fair to you. Wanna throw my arms around your neck like we've known each other, but we haven't. Even if I were to be so close with you, or to try- it'd be unfair, and bad of me."
"I see." Haru nodded, hopping off the desk, walking forward, holding out a hand.
"Wanna treat me as my own person? Fairly? Join up with Aurelia and work alongside. Get to know me, so you can separate us in your head. What do you say?"
"Ugh… I don't want you to think that I'm only interested in you because of them."
"Prove it." Haru nodded. "Become my friend. Not because I'm hot but because we're in this mess together, reincarnated with only half our memories. I won't hold it against you."
"You're a good negotiator, stripes," Fox huffed, reaching out and taking the proffered hand. "Let me get to know you before I try to pin you to the nearest wall, right."
"Sounds good to me," Haru nodded, tugging Fox out of bed. "C'mon, let's get some breakfast in you, then go find Aurelia and let her know that we accept- and Fox?"
"What?"
"If you ever do want to talk about that stuff you remembered? I'll be here to listen," Haru nodded, conviction creeping into her steps as she stepped outside, sighing. "Come on, short one."
"I'm not even that short-!!"
"Yeah sure, rain check when you reach high school," Haru snorted, walking away from Fox's shouted insults with a quiet chuckle under her breath.