***
Dream training with two others is chaos incarnate. Really fucking fun though. It took a little while for Lillain, Shiv and myself to just stop fucking around. But eventually we managed to run through the corpse den raid a few times. The last time we were even successful.
We ended the night watching Airplane! Which honestly, didn't land as hard for the two of them as it did Gestalt. They didn't have the context to really understand all the problems of what a 'flying train' could bring. Like no you can't just stop it and fix it.
You ever have your mates around your house and you show them a youtube video that you swear is funny. But they didn't really get it, so then you have to explain it. They just give you that weird look, like 'okay Sis.'
Yeah it was like that.
***
Woke up in the arms of my angel. Which is a plus for sure. We do the usual routine, but it doesn't seem like she's ready to talk about last night. Which is fine by me. I'm pretty sure they say that communication ruins relationships anyway.
Breakfast with the class. We learnt something new today, turns out the Construct can eat. I'm not sure it needs too. Or maybe it's the case that it can eat anything. Rei was feeding the thing. Its head would unseal and she was just lobbing food down its neck hole. Which is quite the sight to see. Pretty sure the food was getting incinerated, there were puffs of blackened smoke rising from its neck orifice.
Enchantment class was fine. We were learning how to turn our barrier enchantment into a type of spell called an aura. Which basically meant we were casting our barriers on each other. Sophia casted hers on me, first go. This really was her wheel house. It took me most of the lesson, but I got there in the end.
We all had lunch, flipped off the food hall staff, and headed to asset handling. In which I had to check that it wasn't really Truday - because I got fucked.
"Some of you did reasonably well last week, some of you less so." Teacher Astrid hovered in front of Ria and the Construct at that. "So this week you are working in pairs, Bronson with Shiv. Lillian with Vincent. Ria and the Construct as you two seem to be stuck together you both can work with Arex and Erex. Daisy with Sophia. Tangerine with Rupert."
'Who?'
[We don't know.]
Everyone shuffled seats. My perfect angel left my side and the prince charming knock off came and sat down next to me.
'Oh, this fucking guy.'
[We still don't care.]
"I have paired you all together this way for a reason. I want you to walk the city. One of you is being graded for one thing, and the other something different."
My partner stuck his hand up. I already know what he's going to ask, I can feel the cringe bubble up from inside of me.
"Yes Rupert?"
"What are we being graded on?" Yep, I got stuck with the class idiot.
"That is for you to work out." Astrid said, pointedly.
This lesson is going to be the worst. I rolled my eyes, grabbed Rupert by the elbow and shoved him through the classroom rift; out into the market.
***
I watched my saviour walk through the rift along with the handsome boy that had perfect blonde hair. I can't quite seem to remember his name? I should try to learn it, I wouldn't want to be rude.
There is a certain amount of relief in my heart that Tangerine was partnered with a boy. My saviour is so easily led astray.
I am not looking forward to the remainder of this class, having been paired up with this wonton harlot. I should not be so rude, even in the depths of my heart. But this woman was infuriating.
"Follow me." Daisy said, like I would just follow.
Of course, I do. But only because we are being graded. Else I would ignore every foul utterance of her mouth.
I follow her through the market. Daisy walks with a purpose. Has she already worked out the requirements of this class?
Why do I always feel like I'm a step behind?
Daisy led me up an ornate flight of stairs to a tea room in the nicer part of the market. "Ah, welcome back Miss Daisy. Would you like your regular table?" Said the host.
"Yes please Arthur." Daisy said to him. "I may have business arriving today. I hope that is not too much trouble?"
"Of course Miss Daisy. We are, as always, happy to help."
The host led us past the main cafe area and into one of the private backrooms. It was rich to the point of gaudy. Like the room itself was trying to make a statement.
Or this Succubus was.
Daisy pulled out a seat for me, and because it was polite I sat down for her. I hated myself for doing it. She took her own seat opposite mine. "Tea?" She asked.
"Please." I replied. I wanted to scream at this woman. To get up and leave this room, even if it did result in a bad grade. But I can't bring myself to do it. Nineteen years of living in a convent kept me pinned to my seat. "Why are we here?" I asked.
"Too get a good grade, of course." Daisy said.
"How would we get good grades in a tea house? Did the teacher not ask us to walk the city?" I asked, a little bit of incredulity slipping into my voice.
Daisy pauses the pouring of tea for a fraction of a second. "... I honestly can't believe, I lost Tangerine to someone as dense as you."
"Excuse me?" I am a little stunned. I would expect such forthright talk from my savior, but not this woman of many mouths.
"I could have taken her for myself, you know." She said, while she finished pouring my tea. "The second time we met, I should have sunk my claws in deep and never let go. Unfortunately I didn't understand then. I was working by misconceptions and false rules of family obligations."
Daisy looked at me then, with nothing but ice in her eyes. "And you don't even understand what you have."
"I'm not sure I understand what you are talking about."
"Of course you don't, because you are naive and foolish. You don't even know who Tangerine is. You think of her as a sweet and innocent girl. Who looks at you with those big wet eyes - that makes you want to pin her down to the bed, and ruin her."
My eyes go ever so slightly wide. Not because of the vulgarity of what she is saying. But because I understand that. I try to hide from those feelings that fester in my wicked depths. But they are there.
"I could not possibly know what you mean." I lied.
"Stop." Daisy said, "as frustrated as I am. I know when I'm beaten. I don't know what you did to Tangerine after that bath a week ago. But ever since that day she no longer looks at me the way she used to. Whatever hold you have over her, you have sealed it. She loves you. Utterly."
"..." I can't talk. She loves me? I knew she had feelings for me but for them to be that intense. It has only been three weeks. How could she love me already?
And why does this revelation bring me such joy?
"Why would you tell me this?" I asked.
"Because, this is the requirements of the class. I will be graded on teaching you, and you will be graded on learning from me. I pity Tangerine having to try and push a thought into Rupert's brain. But honestly the elf twins are going to have the hardest time."
Could this woman speak without darkening the character of others? "Why would they have you, teach me something?" The incredulity is back.
She ignored my tone. "Because you walk around this world with your eyes closed. Placing blind trust in an entity that you will one day be more powerful than. You are a rift walker, Sophia. God's rule realms, we destroy them."
She takes a sip of her tea. "And Tangerine, she is the scariest of us all. With her raw mana output and how deviously clever she is, she will grow to be one of the most terrifying forces in all the known realms."
She points a finger and stabs the air at me. "You Sophia, have managed to put a leash around her neck. Hell, you didn't even put it there, you just offered it and she fastened it herself. She is obsessed with you. If you returned to your nunnery tomorrow - she would follow. Without question."
Daisy sat back and sighed. "I could have had a god on a leash, had I only acted faster. She would have burned worlds for me. Like she will do for you. She is so unbelievably gorgeous as well. She, without a doubt, is the whole package. Do you know, the second time we met; she told me that in her realm that they married for love. At the time I thought the idea silly. But with her, I could have loved her."
The doors to our private room opened, and in walked a mercenary looking man. Scars across his face. Wicked weapons adorned his body. "Miss Daisy." He said with a voice so low and gruff it barely came out as more than a whisper.
Daisy took an envelope from her hand bag and passed it to the man without a word.
"Thank you Miss Daisy." He said, and left.
"But." She continued, "I do not waste time on what could have been. So I will help you. Both because of this class's grade, and because I could not bear to see you waste what you have. You need to join Tangerine, Lillian and Shiv on their little raiding party."
"Why? Wait, how do you know about that?"
"Tangerine has been subtle, but Shiv was not. You need to join because they are going to kill a necromancer. As someone used to dealing with the undead, do you see a problem with this?"
I think for a moment. "He's a necromancer, He has undead contingency plans."
"Well, you are smarter than you act at least. Correct, you need to go with them. Once they have killed him, and trust me, that man does need killing. You will make sure he stays dead."
"Secondly," she said, "Tangerine is a girl of certain needs. Needs that now can only be fulfilled by you… Unless you want me to take care of them for you."
"No!" The word left my mouth before my brain could think it.
"I thought not. Such a shame, I would have had so much fun with her. But those needs must be met. The way she looks at you, if you don't help her, those feelings will bubble over. Tell me, and this room is private, what did you do to her that day - to make her yours?"
I can't believe I am going to tell this woman. But a part of me, a big part, is just so thankful to finally have someone to talk to. I started quiet at first. "I got angry. I thought that… that she wanted to go to you. There was a glass of water, I wanted her to drink. She often doesn't take care of herself properly. I…" I can not believe I am admitting to this. "I pulled her hair and tilted her head back. I made her drink. It… it had an effect on her."
Daisy's eyes widened a little. "That would certainly do it. How did she look after this… effect?"
"Messy."
"And how did that make you feel?"
"I felt a heat, and I felt guilt."
Daisy sighed. "Well let me alleviate that guilt. You did not hurt her, you merely gave her something she was craving. Would you like to see her messy again?"
I look down at my tea cup. I can not bear to make eye contact. But I can no longer deny these feelings inside of me. "...yes."
"Good. There is hope for you yet. Tonight, sit on the bed and ask her to take off your boots. When she does, take her face in your hand, tilt her head up to look at you, and thank her."
"That is all, to say thank you?" I asked.
"It is best to start slow. You are both so clueless."
We finished our tea and wandered the streets for the rest of the afternoon. Daisy talked to many people, envelopes were transferred. Hushed words were spoken. I know this woman to be dangerous. Yet she says Tangerine is more terrifying than her. I struggle to see it. She is my silly little saviour.
***
Fuck this day. Holy shit Rupert was so fucking annoying. I tried walking him around the areas, pointing out the different groups and gangs. Forcing him to spot the lookouts. Trying to do anything to make him see the city for what it is. But the fucker was oblivious. Spent the entire afternoon prattiling on about his mother and his estate, and what an amazing life it is to be a noble. Fucking idiot.
[Who are you talking about?]
'Rupert!'
[Who cares about him?]
'Not fucking me, that's for sure.'
I stumble into my room, dropping my bag near my desk, taking off my tight fitting black jacket. I fucking love this jacket, makes me look like gothic mary poppins, pure bad bitch vibes.
Sophia is sitting on the bed, her legs crossed. "Hey Sophia, you would not believe the day I've ha…"
"Tangerine." She said, cutting through my nonsense. "Please could you take off my boots."
She doesn't ask. Her voice is calm and steady. It brooks no disagreements. My trap snaps shut. My legs take me to her without me asking.
"Are… are you sure." I asked, I looked into her eyes. She is not confused, this is not a misunderstanding. She sees me. She understands me. She is doing this for me.
"Now please, Tangerine." The words radiate through my spine. I lower myself in front of her, silently getting to my knees. I took the heel of her boot in one hand and pulled her leg into my lap. Slowly I untie the laces, loosening them. Gently and slowly I pull the boot from her leg. Revealing the white sock underneath.
I place the unsheathed leg on the ground next to me, and pull her other boot on my lap. I take my time, but eventually I have both boots next to me. I cannot take my eyes off her leg that rests in my lap. Perfect and shapely. Sophia reaches forward, cups her hand around my chin and tilts my head up to face her. "Thank you, Tangerine." She said.
"Mhmnfffp." I replied. I cannot help but bite my lower lip. My eyes have gone misty. My last orgasm might have been the greatest I ever had. But I now fear what the next one might bring.
She looks down at me, her face flushed. Want undisguised in her eyes. She leans forward, her face beside mine, her lips inches away from my ears. "It's time for bed." She whispered.
And all I can do is nod.
***
***