Sunset ^beta

My name is Estelle Bright. I have a pair of AMAZING goggles. They are mine. This is an important detail. Write that down if you need to! I know I am. These goggles that I’m wearing are of fantastic make. Let me tell you about them!

They work like a dream! I can stand out on the front of an ex-sky bandit’s Orbal ship without a single shield and can stare right out into the big blue sky without so much as blinking! The fiberglass-whatever-who-cares is of the highest quality! Oh, and the red color really suits ME! Estelle Bright! The owner of these goggles. I look great in them. It’s like they were made for me!

They weren’t made for me, but they’re mine now! Hahaha!

“All right, all right, I get it,” a voice hissed behind my back. That shrill yet surly tone could only come from one tomboy, from one ‘girl’ I guess you could say. “You wear my goggles like some freak who wears a necklace of ears as trophies.”

I turned to Josette, smiling wide. Honestly, I couldn’t feel happier.  The wind in my hair, the sky rushing through my clothes, and all the while I could see perfectly! Her lips were turned into a grimace, a great look for her!

“Weird of you to say ‘my’ goggles when they’re definitely mine now,” I said, making sure to stare her down with said goggles over my eyes.

Josette tried to block the wind from her eyes uselessly. Oh, if only she had some goggles… Ha! For once, I found myself unable to take my eyes off her! Something about her defeated and angry form was just… pleasant to look at. Finally, right? The only dress that suited her was defeat!

“You’re obsessed, you know that?” Josette growled, her flimsy cap threatening to fly off in the wind. Unlike Orbal Airliners, the Mountain Lion was a tiny airship, not equipped with a forcefield to protect against the harsh winds of flight. “Can you get inside now? It’s dangerous to be standing on a moving aircraft like this!”

I bent down, my two ponytails blowing like spear tips in Josette’s face. “Oh? Are you worried about me?”

Again, I got that amazing reaction that I craved for. Josette grit her teeth, hands curling into fists. “You’re an even bigger idiot than I thought! No, I don’t give a damn about you! But if an A rank bracer were to die on our ship, we’d go back to looking like criminals! Not to mention I’d lose my goggles.”

I pulled at the goggles on my face and snapped them back over my eyes. That hurt a little, but it probably looked really cool. “Mmmy goggles,” I repeated, grinning. A cute little vein popped up on Josette’s tomboy face. Aidios, she was mad! It only made me happier. But before I could continue to gloat, the Mountain Lion hit a bit of turbulence.

It all went faster than I could have ever expected. I was sure I had my footing! I was sure! I stumbled forward, but my body had completely left the ground, the wind surging at my back, blowing me out into the cold depths of the blue sky.

Harsh hands wrapped around me, fingers tight, and voice strained. “Are you actually stupid!? I told you to get inside!” Josette pulled me by the arm, pulled me close.

Adrenaline shot through my veins and in that moment, I obeyed, allowing her to lead me back inside the Mountain Lion. The howling winds at my back were replaced by a much more annoying howling.

“You would have died if I wasn’t there!”

My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking. Josette still had a tight grip on me. Regardless, I wasn’t going to let her call me stupid and get away with it.

“I would have been fine! I’d just use my staff and latch it into a propeller or something!”

Josette’s eyes widened, and I only noticed this because her dumb face was way too close to mine. In an instant, she furrowed her brows, grit her teeth, and tossed me against the steel walls of the airship.

“You’re joking with me, right? You’re not really this dumb, are you?! If you did that, you’d probably bring everyone down to die with you!”

I noted the way her hands pinned my shoulders, the way she stole my breath like the brute that she was. I wasn’t going to let her talk or touch me like that! I grabbed her by the arms as well, surprised at the strength of her grip.

“Quit calling me stupid! You think you’re so much better than me!” I pushed against her, heaving with all my might.

Her voice came out in a hot gasp, barely able to hold me back. (How was she able to do it at all??) “That’s because I am better than you and because you are stupid!”

My hands were full of her sweaty skin, her sandpaper palms way too rough on me. I decided it’d be prudent to shove my head against her forehead, to really show her those goggles she lost. “Oh yeah? If I’m so stupid, how come I have your goggles?”

She didn’t even flinch! Josette pressed her forehead into mine. Her head was as thick as steel and probably just as dense. “You won them in an eating contest! Don’t feel so proud!”

“Sore loser!” I growled back; her breath hot against mine. “Don’t act like I didn’t whoop your butt in plenty of battles too!”

“What a surprise, the stupid tomboy is good at fighting!” Josette hissed. Her chest pressed into mine, and I could feel her heart pounding like crazy. What a loser! She was trying so hard.

“So, you wanna go again then, huh?” I said, my voice strangely low. Why was it getting hard to talk?...

“I’d be happy to, you wouldn’t stand a chance this time,” she whispered, ugly teeth splayed in a cocky grin. Her lips were so close like the pervert she was.

“Would you two cut the crap?!” another voice shouted, practically sending both Josette and I off the ship with shock. Kyle crossed his arms over his chest, a vein at his forehead. “I knew having the two of you aboard at the same time would be trouble.”

Josette quickly flung herself off me like the whiny girl she was, afraid to lose no doubt! “How are you gonna even pretend any of this is my fault, Kyle?! She’s starting it and you know it!”

“That’s because you’re always looking for trouble with her!” Kyle shouted back, his goggles dangling at his neck. Josette’s neck must have felt so cold, so naked.

“She stole my goggles!” Josette pouted.

“Won them fair and square,” I noted.

Kyle wasn’t exactly on my side either. “Shut up,” was all he said to me. Rude, but whatever. “You could have just as easily not accepted the challenge! You’re the one who keeps putting yourself in these situations with her!”

“Ugh, you act like I like it!” Josette said, practically spitting the words out. She probably did like it! The freak!

“We’re not having this conversation again,” Kyle said angrily. He turned back to me, pointing (again very rudely) and saying, “And you! Stay off the bow while the ship’s in motion! Stop trying to rile up my sister! We’re doing you a favor bringing you to Zeiss!”

I huffed. “Fine.” Staying off a ship that’s in motion was a reasonable request to accept. It’s not like the Capuas were bad people! Only Josette was. I didn’t agree to stop riling his sister though, that was something no one could command me to do.

“Yeah!” Josette added, a smug smirk on her face. “We’re only taking you to Zeiss since its on the way to one of our deliveries anyway! It’ll look good to the public to show we’re helping a bracer, even if that bracer is a talentless nobody.”

Kyle looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. “Don’t,” was all he said before stomping back to the pilot’s room, whatever it’s called. I’m not a pilot, give me a break!

“Aw, let them have their fun!” a gravelly voice came in from the room over, followed by a hearty laugh. Don Capua no doubt. When he wasn’t being mind controlled, he wasn’t too bad, but boy was he wrong. Nothing about being stuck in a tiny ship with Josette was ‘fun.’

Once the brothers were out of view, I went back to glaring daggers at Josette, and of course, she did as well. “You know I’m an A rank bracer, right? That certainly isn’t a ‘talentless nobody.’”

She waved me off, infuriating me to no end. “You only got where you are because of Joshua.”

I was ready to throttle her again. I must have been making a face, because she started grinning, and I swear I saw fangs and a pair of ugly horns materialize in her dumb blue hair.

“I’ve done plenty on my own without Joshua,” I said. I was and still am so tired of people acting like I’m nothing without him!

She put a hand on her hip, still smirking. I hated her. “Guess that must be partially true seeing as he’s not here. One of the reasons I agreed to take you to Zeiss was because I was sure Joshua was with you. Why is he not here I wonder?”

“Your implications are annoying.” Something hot and ugly burned in my throat.

“I don’t need to imply anything. He’s not here with you. You two were inseparable I thought.” She was so smug, she thought she was so damn smart, so damn witty.

“You listen to me, you dumb tomboy,” I said, really starting to feel truly angry. She wasn’t letting up, and she needed to be taught a lesson. I used my Stregas to their advantage, giving myself just the extra bit of height I needed over her. “Joshua and I are our own people. That’s something we understand about each other. That’s why we work so well together. That’s why he’ll never care about you, since you could never understand that.”

She flinched under my gaze, the tiniest of yelps, maybe even a gasp leaving her throat. That felt good. I wanted more of that. Josette, however, stubborn as always, stood up to me. “You’re lying. He left you to go on his own.” Her words were desperate, hungry.

“Oh yeah? You think so?” I smirked, my face growing closer to hers. Another quiet yelp at the motion. This power was amazing. “Joshua and I agreed to be on our own for a little while, but we both have access to each other at any time.”

Josette’s breath came out in low gasps, my red hair dangling over her blue. “Liar. That’s impossible anyway.”

I moved in even closer, each of Josette’s stunned breaths like delicious honey. “You sure you want me to prove you wrong?”

“Bluffing,” was all she could say, her words weak against my lips. “… all you ever do.” Oh, how wrong she was. How wrong she always was. I wondered if she liked being wrong.

It was an easy motion. Something I was used to. I pulled out a tiny Orbal device. It was compact, easy to use, and convenient. Without this, I don’t know if I’d have let Joshua go on his own.

“Joshua and I have a lot of friends in high up places,” I said easily, totally lording it over her.

“So have I!” Josette argued, but it came out more as a whimper. So good…

“Not as much as Joshua and I.” That shut her up. “Point is, we both have handy little device that lets us talk whenever we want. A super smart professor built it for us after studying an ancient one! No matter where he is, no matter where I am, we’re able to communicate if we need to. If Joshua is ever in trouble, he lets me know, and I’m on the first airship to help.”

Her eyes widened for a split second, and my heart skipped a beat. “You’re lying. That doesn’t do anything.”

“Want me to call him? He doesn’t mind.”

Her glare was sharp. “Go ahead.”

I shrugged, standing normally again. With the press of a button, I held the device up between us, making sure the speaker was pointed at her. Josette stared, half glaring, half in awe. This was just too good.

“Hey Estelle. What’s up?” a voice came out over the device. Sharp, clear. Joshua. Josette couldn’t believe it.

“Oh, nothing much! Just wanted to see how you’re doing.” My voice was normal, but I made sure to make the smuggest face as possible.

“I’m doing good right now. Finally taking a break at an inn. Using the time to catch up on some reading. It’s been nice. What are you doing, anyway? It sounds like you’re on airliner, but the engines are too loud.”

“Sharp as ever, aren’t you?” I said, all too happy that he’d let me get the chance to say this. Josette’s expression was amazing. Horrified, jealous, embarrassed, angry… Everything you could ever want. “I’m on the Mountain Lion with the Capuas right now. They’re giving me a lift to Zeiss.”

A brief pause. “Are you causing trouble?”

Ow! Too sharp! He’s too sharp! I nearly fumbled the communicator, as if the device and turned into a knife.

“No! No, come on. Why would I do that? I just wanted to call you.”                

“I know you, Estelle,” Joshua said through a sigh. “Be good, okay? Give the Capuas my regards.”

Josette’s eyes went from angry to little puppy dogs. Ha! She was so pathetic it was almost cute! Almost. I wondered if there was a way I could capitalize on this…

“Why don’t you tell ‘em yourself?” I asked, hoping he didn’t hear the hitch in my voice.

He probably did. “Let me guess. Josette’s there.”

Josette cleared her through, her furrowed eyes and ugly frown suddenly turning into one of the fakest smiles I’ve ever seen. “Hi Joshua!”

“He can’t see you, you know,” I growled at her, annoyed she was trying so hard.

“Hello, Josette. It’s nice to hear from you again.” He was so pleasant and polite towards her. It made my blood boil! But Joshua was like that with everyone he didn’t know well. Josette, of course, didn’t know that.

“Y-yeah! I’ll let Kyle and Don know you’re wishing us well. They’ll really appreciate it.” She paused, looking pensive. “We miss you!”

Oh, that little hussy…

“It would be nice to get together in person again sometime, yes,” Joshua started. Josette’s stupid eyes lit up like stolen Orbal gems. “However, I’m afraid I’ll be quite busy for some time.” Ha! He let her down. Knew he would! Can always count on Joshua to politely decline social interactions.

Josette’s face deflated. So good! This was so good! “O-oh! That’s okay. We’re pretty busy, too. D-deliveries and all that.”

“Well, if you two don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my book.” Deflected like a champ! Go Joshua! “I hope to see you all in person sooner rather than later.”

“Mmhmm!” I said happily. “Call me tomorrow, like always, Joshua!” I made sure to glare at Josette when I said that part. She rolled her eyes.

“I will,” Joshua said with a sigh, suspecting too much. “Seriously though, Estelle. Don’t cause trouble.”

“I won’t!” I lied. Joshua sighed again, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.

“Bye Joshua!” Josette and I said in unison. I was extremely unhappy to hear she tried to get the last word in with him. So unhappy, I might have accidently hung up before Joshua could respond, but he’s used to me being kind of a ditz with it. I’m really lucky he’s so understanding.

Her smile faded the instant his voice cut off. Mine must have too. “Well?” I asked. “I told you so.”

“Whatever,” Josette grumbled, eyeing an apparently interesting wrench to the side. “So, you’re taken then?”

“Huh?” I blurted out. Seriously gotta stop doing that! “Don’t you mean is Joshua taken?”

“Obviously!” she said, her face red, eyes still stuck on that wrench. What was so cool about it? Did she want to hit me over the head with it or something? “Just answer the question.”

My chest felt like a steam valve had fallen off, and the pipes were going all screwy. Maybe that was what the wrench was for? Was there a gas leak making me feel dizzy? It must have been affecting Josette too.

“I mean, we’re still very close don’t get me wrong,” I said, answering more honestly than I meant to. “I guess we’re not really, uh, together, together if that makes sense? Like, there’s an understanding and if we wanted to…”

“So, you’re not taken then?” Josette asked again, more firmly this time. “Why are you so stupid? Just answer.”

Her questions were like a slap to the face, knocking me out of whatever fluttery feeling I was in before. I could think of more than a few people I cared for, but nothing was serious at the moment. I didn’t want to be tied down yet.

“I’m not taken, geez,” I huffed. “What’s your problem? Why, are you with someone and just want to rub it in my face?” That was the only logical reason I could think of.

Her eyes finally met mine, the wrench no longer very interesting. Something about the way she looked at me was so strange, so wrong. It wasn’t filled with hatred. There was some, sure, but there was something else.

“I’m not in a relationship either,” Josette said finally. Phew. I breathed a sigh of relief, because that meant she wouldn’t have any ammunition on me. Right? “I’m not really interested in that kind of thing.”

What a liar! Her eyes betrayed everything! Still, I wasn’t about to pass up a chance to get her with a sick Estelle burn.

“Good, because no one would love you anyway!” I smirked.

Josette fumed and grabbed one of my precious ponytails. “You’re wrong about that!” she yelled, pulling me closer. I let out a little pained noise, scrambling for something of hers to grab. Her stupid blue hair was too short! Not fair at all! I grabbed the fur at her jacket, but she just grinned wider.

“Cut it out!” I demanded, wincing. Ugh, who pulls hair?! That’s so childish.

“Maybe I’ll just pull it out instead,” she threatened. Her voice oozed into my ear. My heart pounded. I wasn’t afraid of her! “I’ll prove you wrong about no one loving me.”

“Okay, okay!” I admitted, her grip about as strong as those creepy karate sheep monsters. “I was mean! Sorry, whatever! Just let go!”

“I kind of like you like this.” The tip of Josette’s finger pulled my chin up to face hers, those fangs and horns back at full force. “Maybe I won’t let you go.”

What in Gehenna was she doing to me?! Some kind of weird spell? My legs got all wobbly and I couldn’t stop looking into her eyes and I just wanted to scream but I wasn’t?! Like my voice was trapped in my chest. The only thing that would come out were little gasps.

“Hey, Josette, are you in here? Kyle was asking about one of the shipments to Zeiss and…”

Josette let go of my hair faster than any airship I’ve ever seen. “I-I’m he-OW!” She bonked her head against one of the ship’s pipes. We had somehow ended up in one of the corners again. “I’m here!” she called out, rubbing her head and wincing. Ha! Got what she deserved. “W-what do you want Aaron? Hurry up!”

I stepped away from Josette as one of the ex-bandits approached apprehensively. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea! Like I was going to hurt Josette or something. My face was all red, but that was only because she was pulling on my hair! Huh, you know, that wrench was pretty interesting after all… what kind of uh… make… was it? That’s how you refer to wrenches right? Like… they have a make… um…

“You okay, Josette? You’re out of breath and-”

“I’m fine!”

“You hit your head too, do you want me to call Don to have a look or-”

“I said I’m FINE. What is it, Aaron!?”

“O-okay! Sorry! See it was just about the stock for Zeiss and it looks like some of the Orbal parts might be missing and…”

Boy that wrench was really shiny too! But also well worn. They kept it in good condition and used it well! Crazy… Still having a bit of a hard time breathing! Just the altitude…

“Ugh, do I have to do everything myself when it comes to this?”

“Sorry, Josette…”

“C’mon, Estelle,” Josette said suddenly, breaking me out of my trance with the wrench. I swear I had almost figured out what make it was! Probably… Liberl?... make?...

“Wait, why me?” I finally asked, her arm already pulling me down to the ship’s cargo area.

“You’re not paying for a ticket, so you gotta work for it! Help me out with the stock!”

“What?! No, that sounds boring! I didn’t agree to this!”

“Shut up and just sit over there then!” Josette looked at a few of the other ex-bandits lounging around the cargo area. She stomped a boot into the floor and screamed, “What are you airheads all sitting around for?! If I have to check the stock myself, then you guys need to clear out!”

The ex-bandits quickly jumped to their feet, shivering under her forceful gaze. I couldn’t blame them. Josette could be scary when she wanted to. Not that I couldn’t be scarier, but she was okay.

“Go on! Get the Gehenna out of here!” Josette screamed, pointing up the stairs. “And lock the doors on your way out, got it?! I don’t want any of you idiots coming in here and bothering me while I work! That includes Kyle and Don! They’re hopeless when it comes to this! Hurry up! GO! NOW.”

The subordinates apologized profusely, scrambling up the steps and slamming the door behind them. Heavy metal scratched against the doors, followed by a loud and satisfying thunk! That must have been the lock. It sounded serious. But why did she keep me down here?! I didn’t want to do any stupid stock checking!

“Don’t even start your whining,” Josette growled, pulling up a clipboard and a pencil. “You can either help me get this over with quickly, or you can wait till I’m done. Afterwards we can have another contest to see who’s really better.”

“Oh, so that was your plan, huh?” I said knowingly, smirking. “You don’t want your crew to see me beat you again!”

She nearly smashed her clipboard in half she gripped it so hard. “You’re such an idiot! I’m getting back my goggles, you’ll see!” With a huff, she began looking over each and every shelf down here, and each and every box and label. She scribbled something down furiously after each check. Ugh! This was gonna take forever…

“Hey! Wake up!” a banshee’s voice screamed.

“Wh-huh???” I shot up ready to attack the spectral blue beast, its cold touch sending a chill down my spine.

“How did you manage to fall asleep in just ten minutes?” Josette asked with a sigh. Ah, the banshee turned out to be her. Same thing.

“It was boring!” I said back wiping away some of the drool from my arm.

Sheesh. It was more relaxing down in the cargo hold than I thought. Down here the engines hummed even louder, and the steady constant buzz sent waves of relaxation through me. Vibrations constantly rocked me and sent tingles through my feet. And it’s like I always say, tingling is generally good.

A crappy wooden table was slapped in the center of the room with some lame stools that looked like they must have been covered in splinters had it not been for some cheap cushions. Somehow I managed to fall asleep on it?? I don’t know. Josette started checking things off, and I remember just watching her work and the low hum of the engines and the buzz on my legs and just…

“Are you-are you seriously falling asleep again?” the banshee snapped her fingers in front of my face.

“So what!?” I snapped back, ready to bite after my yawn. “Why should I stay awake the whole ride? We’ve still got hours to go.”

Josette frowned. Even in my blurry sleep vision, I could tell it wasn’t angry. That’s not like her…

“I thought we were gonna have another contest to pass the time?” she asked, her voice low.

Was she… sad?! No way, that’s impossible. Josette is a manly screaming banshee incapable of any emotions other than shrill anger! But this act she was pulling was pretty convincing.

“Huh? I didn’t think you’d be done so quickly or really care that much.”

She shook her head. “The missing Orbal part wasn’t missing at all. It fell behind one of the shelves during some turbulence most likely. It’s still in perfect condition. The guys they’re good but… ugh, sometimes they can be so useless. It wasn’t hard to find.”

“Oh,” was all I could say, confused as to why we weren’t at each other’s throats. “I guess that must be a little frustrating.”

Josette snickered, and a fang glimmered into existence again. “Can’t relate huh? Everyone probably does all your work for you.”

I breathed in sharply, my hands curling into fists. I was already ready to pound her. This is what I get for trying to be nice! “You’re so annoying.”

She sat down at the shoddy little table across from me, completely unphased by my insult. “So you wanna play or what?”

“What could we even play here?” I motioned to the rusty pipes and the dirty crates.

Josette grinned. “Blackjack. You and me. We bet whatever’s in our pockets and…” she eyed the goggles on my forehead. “After I clean you out of your Mira, whatever’s on your person. My goggles for example.”

“A dumb card game?” Those weren’t my strong suites. I knew only about as much about card games to make that pun that I just wrote down. “How do I know you won’t cheat?”

“You don’t.” She slapped a deck of cards on the table. “I can’t convince you that I wouldn’t cheat. That it’s not my thing anymore, that I wouldn’t feel satisfied with myself if I beat you with cheating, blah blah blah…” She shuffled the deck, cards fluttering between her quick fingers. “But maybe I can convince you by saying you’d catch me if I tried cheating, wouldn’t you?”

I narrowed my eyes, her grin only growing wider. “I would absolutely catch you.” Okay, sure, I don’t know Blackjack that well, but she was right. I was confident in my ability to catch her cheating. I think deep down, she knew I’d catch her too.

“It’s a simple game, even a simple girl like you could do it.” She shrugged. “I won’t pretend I’m a card master, but I’m at least better than you.” Aidios, she was so annoying! I already wanted to jump across the table and smack her with my stick.

“So, what, how do we do this then?” I asked.

“How much Mira you got on you?”

“20,000.”

“That’s it?” Josette scoffed.

I rolled my eyes. “How much you got then?”

She shifted in her seat. “8,000.”

“Why are you acting like I’m poor then?!” Seriously, what was her problem?!

“You’re the big A-rank bracer!” Josette shouted; face tinged with red. “We’ve been barely making a profit! Almost everything goes to maintaining the ship and paying back our debt!”

“I make just enough for what I need,” I said, and left it at that. “Are we playing or what then? I’m ready to take your chump change off you and then some.”

“Please, this isn’t an eating contest, you can’t just brute force it like you always do!”

‘I’ll eat you,’ I thought to myself angrily. She likes to pull hair, maybe I should give her a good chompin’ for fairness sake. “Hurry up and tell me how we’re doing this. Make up the rules, and I’ll beat you at your own game.”

Josette wasn’t fazed. “Let’s keep it simple. For a simple girl.” She already made that joke! Stupid! “Each round we bet 1,000 Mira. Bet only what we have on our person. Makes it spicy, hm? I’ll leave the deck in the middle and shuffle it between rounds. Whoever gets the closest to 21 wins.”

“This doesn’t seem how Blackjack is usually played,” I grumbled.

Josette grit her teeth, an ugly vein popping up in her forehead. “Yeah, well! It’s just the two of us! It’s our own rules, okay?! We’re not masters at the game, who cares?!” She took a deep breath, trying to relax herself. “How about this, when we’re done putting our hand together, we place our cards face down. If we announce that we went bust, it’d make it too easy for the other person.”

“Weird, but fine!” I said. I’ve always been good at making things up on the spot!

Josette slammed the deck of cards on the center of the table, grinning confidently. She pulled two cards for herself. “Then let’s start! Take your first two cards and then take as many as you need! Remember, idiot, you go over 21 and you lose!”

I swiped the two cards in an angry flash, wondering how good it would feel to swipe her across the face! But I needed to focus on the game. I was going to beat her! It didn’t matter how luck based it was! Let’s see here… my first two cards… Ace of spades and 10 of hearts… hmm… that’s only 11…

“You know, when you’re deep in thought and struggling with simple math, you’re almost kind of cute,” Josette said, reaching for another card. At her third card, her eyes widened, and she grinned again, placing them face down on the table. “Ready whenever you are.”

I glared her way. She was distracting me from my thought process! Looking so smug! I had to think a little more… so 11 is too small right? But if she busts then I’d win! Although she didn’t look unhappy at all. In fact, those horns and fangs were back at full force. She must have had a good hand! If only I did!

As I reached for another card, I remembered something. Ace in the hole! That’s a really good thing isn’t it? Ace cadet, ace in your pocket… there’s no way there’s so many ace related things and its only worth one point!

That’s right!!! It’s worth 11 or 1!! That means!...

I slammed my two cards down on the table. “Blackjack!!” Wait, were you supposed to yell it when you got it or was I thinking of another game??

“Goddess damn it, no way,” Josette groaned, flipping her cards over. 20.

I held the cards up in her face like a victory pose. 21!

“Beginner’s luck,” Josette hissed. She tossed some Mira into a little container on the table. Probably used to keep all the money from falling out in case the airship hit some bad turbulence. She shuffled the cards with a frown, and we started the round again.

Okay let’s see… this time it was a 3 and a 6… That’s uh… 9! Yeah, 9. Way too small! … Maybe. I pulled another card, my fingertips brushing against Josette’s as she did the same. We both recoiled, like we’d touched a burning fire. She quickly snatched up a card and her face deflated. That’s a good sign for me! I pulled one more and…

5. Hmm. That left me at, er… 14? That’s still way too small. I looked over to Josette who had already put her cards face down. She was grinning, but she was trying to grin. It was forced. I saw the way she looked upset by her card pull last time! She messed up! I won’t!

I flipped my cards over. “14,” I said easily. It was a terrible hand, but I knew I’d win.

She ran her fingers through her hair, groaning. “22…” She glared at my cards. “You know that’s an awful play, right!?”

“Better than yours.”

“Agh!”

She tossed another 1,000 Mira onto the table.

Things went on like this for a while. There was a little give and take, but it was mostly me taking. I’m going to be honest, my little Bracer notebook, I loved this so much. I never imagined in all my life I’d be into a card game! I’ve seen people do it, read stories about people doing it, and it always seemed so boring. I never tried it, so I never knew just how much power you had over another person with just your facial expressions alone!

Oh, and Josette’s expressions… Notebook they were so wonderful! She was so upset. Every time I won, her eyes widened just a little bit more, her lips twisted into a tighter sneer, and even her nose would scrunch up in disgust. Disgust with herself. Josette thought she was so tough! ‘How can I be losing to Estelle, the prettiest and strongest girl in the world?’ she was surely thinking.

Making Josette lose her cool, ah! It left me breathless. Something light and airy bubbled through my chest at the sight. I loved it. Who else but me could get reactions like this out of her? Who else but me would she show this side of herself to? Me. Only me. Only I was good enough, only I was strong enough to make her feel that way. She felt that way because of me.

She was supposed to be some stuffy ex-bandit, known throughout the world! A fancy rich girl who has seen it all, done it all, succeeded at it all! Until I came around. Only I could make that pretty little face of hers turn into such a deep scowl. Only me.

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Josette yelled, tossing her cards on the table. “21!? Again!?”

“Mmhmm,” I breathed out with a pleasant sigh. It felt so good.

She reached into her pocket, scrounging desperately for some Mira. I wish I could have taken her picture right then and hung it up on my wall! She pulled out the hems of her pockets, finding nothing more.

“Damn it! I have nothing left! Already? This can’t be happening…”

I didn’t want it to end. This wasn’t good enough. I needed more. I wanted more. I beat her at her own game, sure, but I could win more. I could get more.

“How about you bet your jacket?” I asked easily. I remember placing my chin on my hand and my elbows on the table. It felt so good. I was on top of the world. I was incapable of shame.

Something glimmered in Josette’s eyes. She stared me down, gritting her teeth again, flaring her nostrils. “Fine! I’ll use my jacket as leverage, win my money back, and then my goggles. Easy enough!”

One bust later…

Aidios! She looked like she wanted to cry! Er… hm. I didn’t like that. Not out to make her cry. Luckily for me, Josette is a stubborn and angry girl, full of vim and vigor. She brushed it off, much like her jacket, throwing it at me in a fit of rage.

“You know, you probably should have played it safe instead of drawing another card,” I said easily, taking the jacket off my head and placing it on the table.

Another trophy… The fur lining was so soft and warm. It smelled like Josette, too! Weirdly enough, it didn’t smell bad? It was sweet. Very girly, despite what you’d think. Sweet mixed with spicy, like some traces of oil left over. It was like an angry thundercloud over the ocean. I wanted to press my face into it, but Josette would probably say something stupid about that.

“I was at 12 for Aidios’ sake!” Josette yelled, her frame looking so slender without that bulky jacket and armor anymore. A flimsy white tank top was all she had left. “What are the odds I get a 10 huh?!”

I’d never seen her like that, without her jacket. How else could I change her? What more of her could I see?

“You still wanna play or what?” I asked.

“What else do I have to give?!” Josette whined.

“Skirt,” I said instantly. My breath was heavy. I don’t think she noticed.

Just as I had hoped, I got another great reaction out of her. Surprise, disgust, fear, and… something else? What was it? Something that got my engines burning up.

“What, you want that now, too? Fine! There is no way I am going to lose again! So, no reason to worry! It’s just statistically not likely.”

And she lost again.

“You must be cheating!” Josette slammed her hands on the table, her face completely red.

“I don’t even know how to cheat,” I countered breathlessly. This was so exciting… “Come on, hand it over.”

“You! You!!” Josette closed her eyes as she pulled her skirt off before me, another cute vein popping up at her forehead. I let out a tiny gasp at the sight of her frilly underwear. Under that boyish look and her manly hands, she wore such a lacy little thing! A pink ribbon even tied it all together. It looked expensive. It must have been back from her times as a noble.

“You’re enjoying this way too much, you know that?” Josette growled, her whiny face red with embarrassment. And rage. Can’t forget the rage.

“Guess so,” I said. Sheesh. It was getting harder to form full sentences. Must have been the altitude.

“Whatever. I’ll win it back. I’m not giving up!” Josette sat her cute frilly tush on the seat, still fuming. That was just what I wanted to hear. She would never give up. That’s something I love about-er… uh… That’s one of Josette’s only good features. She doesn’t give up.

And for a brief moment, it seemed like the tables were turning in her favor.

“21! Ha! In your face!” She stood up, revealing those cute panties again. “Gimme back my skirt!”

I shook my head. “Nope. I choose what you get to have back. Equal or lesser value.” I tossed 1,000 of her Mira back to her side.

She crushed the cards in her fists, giving me another delicious burst of rage. “You’re such an ass! Fine! Let’s go! Again!”

It wasn’t long before her losing streak returned. 1,000 Mira back on my side, and a cute ex-bandit with nothing else to give. My eyes roamed over her body. What else could I claim as mine? What else of Josette’s would I take? So many options, and so much I wanted.

“Shirt,” I said at last.

“This is so stupid. Can’t you at least take my hat?” Josette’s face burned brighter than an Orbal engine at full power. “Why are you going for my shirt already? You a perv or something?!”

“I’ll take what I want.” My voice came out a bit lower than I meant it too, but Josette flinched at it. She froze like a deer in headlights, then quickly threw off her top and at me right after. She didn’t seem upset.

And just as I suspected, she hid another frilly bra to match the underwear. Light blue, like the sky, like her hair, with a cute pink ribbon between her breasts. They were bigger than I expected! I thought she’d be as flat as the deck of the ship! How is it under all these manly clothes, she was so… feminine beneath?

“What, are you jealous?” Josette kept her arms crossed, but also refused to hide herself to me. Did she want me to see? “I told you I’m more of a woman than you.”

Hmph! How like her! Even when she’s losing, she still finds something to be smug about! I wouldn’t let myself get too riled up. She’d pay for teasing me!

And she did. Another loss. Another expression of disbelief that made my heart soar. I took her hat, pretending to leave her some dignity at least in that moment. She seemed pleased. That is until, she lost again.

“There’s no way…” Her breathe came out almost like a gasp. “How am I losing so much?...”

I grinned. My legs shivered at the thought. I almost couldn’t believe I’d get to say it. “Underwear.”

“W-whoa, hey, what?!” Josette blushed so much! I almost couldn’t take it. “Can’t you go for my gloves or my boots or at least my bra? Why are you going there!?”

“Underwear,” I repeated, breath hot. And just like the other times, she shivered, but obeyed soon after. She pulled the cute panties over her big bulky boots and threw them at me with a slap, giving me barely a chance to even look at my prize!

But I did see it. Even if she did try her best to hide it with a hand, I still saw it. A little patch of blue, matching her hair. It really was natural! And why did she keep it so prim and proper, huh? Who did she think she was going to impress with such a perverted display?

I can barely even remember winning the next game. My head was getting foggy, my chest so hot. Josette lost her temper like usual but refused to stand up.

“Bra.”

“No!” Josette pounded a fist on the table, shaking all my Mira and her (MY) old clothes. “No way! I’m going to just give you a spare set of clothes I have down here.” I let her stand up, enjoying the view as she desperately tried to cover herself with nothing but her hands. Somehow it made her body seem even more … attractive? That can’t be…

I had to shake my head, take a deep breath. I was losing myself. “Nope! Remember the rules? You made them!”

Josette looked back at me, afraid to show off her front. Her backside was just as good, if not better. Firm after years of working a hard life, but still so round and soft after even more years of easy living. Er… why am I describing that??? Erase this part later, Estelle.

“‘Bet only what we have on our person,’” I repeated, my voice dripping with desire. Desire to win! And humiliate her!

“Ugh! Why would you even remember that?” She furrowed her eyebrows, but I sensed the way her voice trembled. Almost with pride. She turned around with a newfound energy, her big clunky boots stomping on the metal floor. “Fine! You want to see me so bad, pervert? Go ahead.”

I blinked. My hands roamed at my sides, needing to touch something. My breathing was shallow. Her change in mood! The sudden confidence! Somehow it felt like she had the upper hand, like she had power over me! She flicked the bra off over her head without so much as a whimper, shaking her head, her wild blue hair flipping like wind through the clouds.

In nothing but boots and gloves, she put her hands at her hips and smirked. What was this transformation? Her boobs seemed even bigger! And the nipples were so cute and pretty and… Estelle, stop.

“Ha! You’re drooling over me! I knew it!” Josette pointed, her breasts moving freely now with such a sharp motion.

“S-shut up!” I said, turning away. “I am not!” Just in case I wiped my mouth. Okay, so, it was a little wet, but it was definitely not drool! “Who would drool over a tomboy like you?”

“Certainly not a girl.” Josette flung the bra onto my head, snickering. “Only a dumb boy would get flustered over a naked girl.”

I quickly pulled her bra off my head, shoving it into the pile of clothes that were mine. “Don’t be stupid! Gay people exist, Josette!”

She leaned forward and smirked. “So you are gay?”

I fumbled the cards in my hand, electricity shooting through my spine and up my ponytails. “I-I didn’t say that! I just…” How was she doing this to me?...

“Whatever works for you, Estelle. There’s nothing wrong with it either way.” She said my name. My heart nearly stopped. I couldn’t remember the last time she said my name. If she ever did. Why did it feel so strange to hear her say it, feel so good?

“I know there’s nothing wrong with it!” I said back, trying to quell my stutters. Ugh! She was getting in my head! All I could think about was her naked body, stomping around in those boots, her gloved hands at the tip of her mouth as she laughed. “Let’s just get back to playing, okay?!”

“Fine.” Josette plopped down, her boobs bursting out onto the table as she leaned forward. I tried to breathe through my nose. It was getting so hard, and I was tingling too much?? “Let’s go.”

O-okay! Two cards… um… so hard to think… A queen and a 6. Okay… um… how much was that?

“Hey!” Josette slammed her fists on the table, her breasts bouncing with the motion. I was feeling dizzy. Was the airship doing loops and I wasn’t aware? “Hurry up! Quit staring at me and play!”

“I um…” My breathing was coming out in gasps. My face was so hot. A queen and a 6… that was good right? I should stay? Um…

Josette slammed a palm onto the table, the shockwave hitting her chest.

“Hit me!” I shouted for some reason. We weren’t saying that?? Why did I…

Josette grinned and tossed me a card. A Jack. Bust… Oh no…

I tossed her back some Mira. Who cares? Just one game. It didn’t matter. Even if she was still smirking, even if she looked so, uh… hmm…

I couldn’t think! Maybe I should have held off on taking her bra…

The games weren’t going my way. I couldn’t believe it! I was winning everything before! Everything! But now, now suddenly my hands were shaking, and my vision was blurring? Was I dying?! But I could see Josette clearly! Just not my cards…

“15!” I huffed, desperate.

“16.” Josette slapped her cards on the table, shaking everything again. It felt like steam was hissing out of my ears, out of my nose, out of my mouth! Where was that wrench when you needed it? “Crappy hand, but still able to beat yours, huh?”

“S-shut it!” I reached for my Mira. Huh? My fingers scraped against nothing. No, that couldn’t be.

Josette grinned, and I imagined those fangs and horns again. But this time she was naked and… I shook my head, putting a hand against my chest. Deep breaths, Estelle.

“Jacket,” was all she said, nostrils flaring with a smug aura. How is it I lost so many times? So quickly?

I reached for Josette’s jacket, ready to throw it to her.

Josette shook her head, tongue flicking against her lips. “No. Yours.”

“Huh?? But what about your jacket!?”

Josette leaned her head on her arm, breasts between them. “Equal or lesser value, remember? I can pick whatever I want. Give me your jacket. Maybe its not much of a jacket. Whatever. I don’t care. Give it to me. It’s mine now.”

I shivered. “How about your goggles?”

She shook her head again. “Jacket thingie. Now.”

“Fine, fine.” I slipped out of it easy enough, tossing with a clunky thud. It was too hot anyway! Not like I was showing anything like… like she was! What a bimbo!

“That’s good,” she cooed. My spine tingled. Just… try to focus on the game! Focus, Estelle!

But it was really starting to hit me. I held my cards in front of my face, but I could still see Josette’s body. I don’t think I wanted to look away. I also realized… she wanted to get my clothes, didn’t she? If I lost, we’d be naked together.

“Hey, bimbo, hurry up!”

“Who are you…. Who are you calling a bimbo you!!...” My head was swooning. If I didn’t pay attention, she’d take my clothes off. She’d take my clothes off… it was all I could think about. Josette taking my clothes off.

“Beep beep, time limit is up! Put your cards down!”

“I… um…” Was it always so steamy in here?!

“5 huh? Not a great hand, Estelle.” She said my name again… “Hand over the skirt.”

“Okay,” I said shakily. It was almost like… almost like I wanted to? I was losing my mind. I pulled it off easily enough and tossed it her way.

Josette’s eyes glimmered deviously as she stared me down. “Boxers huh? Why am I not surprised?”

“It’s… it’s not like that!” I tried to fight back, but it felt weak. “They’re not boxers! They’re comfortable and they let me move around without showing too much.”

Josette raised an eyebrow, fangs gleaming. “They’re pretty tight on you. I’d say they show plenty.”

I quickly sat back into my chair, dazed and embarrassed. Why did I care what she saw? She was the one who was naked! But… what would she say if she saw more of me? Would she even want to?

Would Josette really want to see me like that?...

Another loss. Another gasp.

“Underwear, Estelle. Let’s go.”

I gulped. I started to pull at the hem under the table.

Josette slammed her fist down, releasing another hungry huff from my chest. “Stand up and do it! I did it for you! It’s only fair.”

That’s true. I didn’t want to be unfair to Josette. I stood up, making sure she could see me, those demon eyes of hers eating me alive. But I wasn’t afraid? I don’t think I was afraid. When I slipped my underwear off over my shoes, I felt the heat of the steam between my legs, the freedom it opened up. It felt good. I didn’t want to lie anymore.

Josette whistled. “Wow, I did not expect you of all people to keep it totally shaved down there. Who are you trying to impress, huh?”

She liked it. She liked me. “Plenty of people.”

Josette actually flinched at that. Wonderful. “E-eh? I didn’t expect you to actually be honest about that.”

I shrugged. I seemed to get into these kinds of situations a lot. I figured might as well be prepared?

“Okay, you can sit down, geez, you’re not that great,” Josette said with a reddened face. “Besides, I’m not done with you yet.”

I sat down with a sigh. I knew where this was going. I wanted it to happen. She tossed two cards my way and I threw them down right away. “I lose.”

Josette reeled, a beautiful sight. “You didn’t even look at your cards!”

“I know.”

“You’re way more into this than I thought.” She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “Well, give me your top.”

Before Josette had even finished talking, I was already pulling it off and tossing it her way. “There you go!” I said it almost cheerfully. I admit, I was still in a bit of a daze, but it was a rush of adrenaline, a rush of wants and understandings.

Josette pulled the top down over her face, mouth agape. “Cute…” She shook her head. “I mean, they’re okay. Not as big as mine at all, but they’re okay.”

“Shut up.” Her eyes were on me. She couldn’t stop looking at me. I couldn’t stop looking at her. Josette of all people! Yet I wanted more. I needed more. What else was it? What did I want? It wasn’t that obvious. I mean, it was obvious, but there was something else…

It couldn’t be this easy.

She grinned my way. I grinned back. There was still something boiling between us, something unspoken.

“We need to raise the stakes, don’t we?” Josette said breathlessly. “Clothes and Mira don’t matter anymore to either of us.”

I nodded. “Got that right.”

“I’ve got just the thing.” Josette walked over to a shelf across the way, her legs, her butt, moving so gracefully even during a bumpy airship ride. How had I never seen her beauty before? Or… maybe I had, I just could never admit it. Josette stood close to me, her body shimmering with a light sheen of sweat from the steam. Close enough to take…

Another loud slam took me out of my daydreams. Josette put a fancy pink flask on the table. It looked exotic, sloshing with a mysterious liquid. It was huge, too. Absolutely full of the stuff. Alcohol?

“This is from Calvard,” Josette explained. “Got it from some shady merchants in our trade deals. You know what this is?”

I shook my head, but I was curious to find out.

She was happy to tell. “An aphrodisiac.”

I gasped. Then paused. “What’s that? Some kind of strong liquor?”

Her grin fell. “You’re kidding.” I looked her in the eye. I most certainly was not kidding. Josette sighed. “It’s not booze. It’s a drink that makes you horny. Made from some plant that excretes ‘sex pollen’ or whatever.”

I shifted in my seat. “What are you planning?”

Her grin returned. “Isn’t it obvious?” We’ll drink it and… we’ll… “Play a round! Whoever loses has to drink the stuff!”

I felt a spark in my chest. Something hot, something perfect, something I didn’t want to let go. “That sounds great. I won’t lose on purpose this time.”

Josette sat down across from me. “I won’t either.”

I reached for my own cards this time. “You weren’t losing on purpose.”

“I was!”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re an awful liar.”

“You’re one to talk! Again!”

“We’re nothing alike!” I argued. Josette was a tomboy, an idiot, quick to anger, spoke without thinking, etc… Meanwhile, I smashed gender norms, had street smarts, a calm temperament, and spoke my mind honestly and openly! Almost complete opposites!

“For once, I agree!” Josette nodded.

All right, time to focus, Estelle! You’re in the zone, you’re the master Blackjack player apparently! You’re gonna make Josette drink that weird drink, you’re gonna make Josette horny! Er… hm… weird way to word that…

I shook my head. I had a good start. Ace of hearts and a 9 of hearts. That’s a lot of hearts! 20 hearts even.

The win was as good as mine. I put my cards down. Josette followed.

“20,” I said, sure to make my tone as smug as possible.

Josette didn’t flinch. She flicked the three cards between her fingers. 7 of hearts, Queen of hearts, and 4 of hearts. Wait… no way. “21. Or as you would say, Blackjack!” She laughed.

“You cheated didn’t you!?” I shouted, ready to jump over the table and throttle her. “It’s all hearts! That’s suspicious!”

“I didn’t cheat!” Josette growled. “I think it’s a sign from Aidios that you’re meant to drink that.” She paused. “Unless you’re too scared. Think you won’t be able to control yourself around me, huh?” She flicked her hair and laughed.

“You’re so annoying! Like I’d ever get horny looking at your stupid body!” I swiped the flask angrily and popped the cork. The scent of strawberries wafted into my nostrils. “I bet it doesn’t even work!”

“Take a swig if you’re so sure, Estelle.”

Ugh, there she went saying my name again. It felt so weird! It felt so… good. Whatever! Down the hatch! It wouldn’t be the first time I drank something weird. Oooh, yummy. Strawberry flavored. A hint of something spicy burned my throat, but it was mostly sweet. I almost wanted to drink more! But then I remembered the whole aphrodisiac/sex pollen thing…

“I feel fine!” I said instantly. I put a cork on this stupid drink and leaned back in my chair. “In fact, I feel more than fine! I feel great. That was a delicious free drink. Thanks, stupid!”

Josette curled her hand into a fist, another vein popping up. “You say that now! Give it a minute, idiot!”

“Please!” I waved her off. “Like I said, there’s no way I’m getting horny off you, Josette.”

Her anger vanished. She raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

I nodded. Yeah, we were naked together, yeah it was hot and steamy, so what? I’m not some hussy who’ll lose my mind just because of some strawberries.

“Sounds like a challenge.” Josette stood up. I gulped. I wasn’t afraid! I really wasn’t! In fact, I was feeling energized. Tingling even! Tingling everywhere! Tingling so much!

“You don’t know how to be sexy.” My voice was low. I glared at her. I kept my hands on the table, away from myself. Although, I’ll admit, I did kind of want to just, you know, rub myself? Not like, masturbating!!! Just like, you know, sometimes you wanna rub your arms or legs! That’s all.

“You’re probably right.” Josette yawned, stretching her arms, stretching her back, pushing her breasts out in my face. “But to you, I think you think I’m sexy.”

Phew. Ahem. “Yeah, right!”

She moved closer to me. Her boots clanked against the floor. Each step caused my heart to beat harder. Josette stood before me, her tight belly unabashedly right at my face, begging for kisses. Er, um… She leaned down, and I felt the way one of her breasts just barely hit my arm, sending a wave of electricity through my legs.

I wasn’t looking! I wasn’t looking.

Josette laughed lightly. She reached her hand down to my chin again, the tips of her fingers sticking out of her gloves and pointed my face towards hers. She was grinning so much. I gulped. I should have smacked her, I should have hit her, something! She shouldn’t have power over me.

“Look at me, Estelle,” she whispered, holding my chin gently in her hands.

“Okay,” I replied, barely able to breathe. When she said my name, I…

She pulled my face down to her chest, to her legs. “Look at all of me.”

Josette stood, legs splayed over my knees, her thighs so close. I tried to keep my cool, but it was so hot. “Okay,” I said once more, shakily.

She pulled my face up to her breasts, her free hand pushing against one, playing with it slowly. “Do you want to touch it?”

I nodded. I wanted to. I wanted to so bad. I wanted to feel her. I reached out.

Josette grinned, smacking my hand, grabbing it, and holding it behind my head. “Well you don’t get to. What’s the matter with you?”

“Shut up,” I gasped, reaching again for her with my other hand.

She grabbed my other hand, pulling it behind me as well. It hurt, but it sent thrills through me. It forced her body closer to mine. So close, but not close enough.

“Why are you trying to touch me, huh?” she asked.

“So I can hit you,” I lied.

She laughed that low laugh of hers, sparks exploding inside my chest. “Quit lying, Estelle.”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Her face was so close. I struggled against her, but her grip was so strong. If I really wanted, I could have gotten free. I pressed my legs together, something between them feeling so nice, so warm.

“It’s working, isn’t it? The drink.” Her breath hit my face, hot and wet, her tongue licking her lips.

“Not at all,” I lied again, rubbing my legs together lightly under the table. It felt good…

“Then why are you squirming?” Her lips were at mine, each of her hungry breaths fed into me.

I breathed in, wanting her voice, her mouth. “You’re holding me down. That’s all.”

“So if I let you go, you’ll stay still?”

“Yeah.”

“Suit yourself, idiot.” Her hands released me; the warm rough touch of her skin gone. I rubbed my wrists and crossed my arms over my chest to show her. I still squeezed my legs together, feeling a bit of pressure between my thighs, feeling that warmth wash over me.

Josette raised an eyebrow, eyeing my legs. “You’re such a bimbo. Open those legs.”

I growled. “What? Why? You’re the pervert here.” I pressed my legs together a little harder, feeling something just a little wet.

“You’re getting off right now! I’m not stupid!”

“Aidios, you’re so,” I huffed, shifting my legs. “Dumb.”

“Prove it then! Open your legs!”

“You’re just trying to look at my… girl parts.”

“So immature,” Josette rolled her eyes. “Just say pussy.”

I squeezed my legs tighter at that. “So you admit it. Pervert.”

“Just do it already!” Josette yelled, using her hands to pull out my legs. They slapped into her thighs as she was still standing over me. I let out a light moan of surprise, not ready for her fingers to be so close to my thighs. “There. Now just stay like that.”

“F-fine.” It felt so cold. I felt so open. Something between my legs was tingling. The way she eyed me just made it hotter, made me want to touch it more. What was I supposed to do with my hands now? I was cold! I just… I needed to rub my sides a little bit.

“Aidios, you’re so horny, aren’t you?” Josette’s voice blew into my mouth.

“I’m not,” I lied, voice quivering. My hands roamed over my legs, needing to do something. It was too hard to keep still.

She leaned over to my ear, her breasts just barely touching my shoulder. “You want to masturbate, don’t you?”

I closed my eyes, my fingers trailing over my thighs. It was so hot, I wanted to touch it so much…

“Nothing wrong with wanting to masturbate to me.” Josette leaned back, her fingertips roving over her pussy, her breasts. “Why don’t you?”

“I don’t want to.” I could barely even say it. I wanted to close my legs, I wanted to do something.

“Masturbate to me, Estelle. You can’t help it. The drink made you.”

I sucked in air through my teeth. I couldn’t wait anymore. I plunged my fingers between myself, the warmth surging through me, tiny drops of ecstasy splashing against my hot skin. She was right. It’s not my fault. It was that drink.

“That’s right. That’s good.” Josette’s fingers fell between her thighs too. “You like that, don’t you?”

I nodded, breathless.

The tip of her finger pressed between my inner thighs so lightly. I held back a loud gasp, my fingers working faster.

“You’re already so wet too. You should go faster, don’t you think?”

“Y-yeah,” I moaned back to her, obeying.

“That’s good. Keep going. You can’t help it. You might as well feel good.” She motioned a light circle inside herself as well, but she wasn’t going nearly as fast as me. “You like masturbating to me, don’t you Estelle?”

Another surge of pleasure. My hips bucked barely, begging to touch Josette’s. “I do. I really do.”

“You want to come to me, don’t you?” She grinned.

I grit my teeth, my heart pounding, my fingers moving. The warmth held me so tight, so close, and there was so much pressure. “You’re so stupid,” I said with what little breath I had.

“Estelle,” Josette growled, grabbing one of my ponytails again. I yelped. But she didn’t pull hard, she didn’t hurt. “Say it. Say you want to come to me.”

“Shut up.”

She tugged at my hair lightly, forcing my face closer to hers. I gasped, splaying my legs wider, pressing against Josette’s. “Come to me. Come to me and say it.”

I felt a moan escape my throat, felt something quivering inside me, lose control of my fingers. “No.”

Josette grit her teeth, another beautiful reaction, even now. She pulled my hair harder.

“Ow! Not that hard, idiot.”

Josette blinked, expression going blank for a moment. “Er. Sorry.” She tugged much more lightly. “Is this okay?”

I attempted a nod. I liked the feeling of her controlling my movements, but not inflicting pain on me. And something about the way her eyes sparkled, actually worried about me… “Yeah, that’s fine.”

She took in a deep breath and shook her head. “Okay. Uh… as I was saying…”

“You wanted me to come for you?” I said hungrily, grinning. I loved her angry face so much.

“No! You want to come to me.” She huffed. “It’s different.”

I looked up at her, my breath mixing lightly with hers. “Sure. Say it again.”

I loved the way her breath hitched against my request. I loved the way she grinned right after. I loved her voice, the way she sounded so confident, so in love with me.

“Come to me, Estelle. Say you want to.”

My hips rocked once more, and I felt the way Josette’s fingers were moving so rapidly inside herself too. It was too much. I pulled an arm around her and pulled her down, and she held onto my hair tightly, but made sure not too roughly. I breathed against her lips, my thighs trembling.

“I want to come to you. I’m going to come to you, Josette. I’m-”

I held her tightly. My body shook with orgasm, waves of pleasure crashing against me. Josette held me close, little gasps of surprise bleeding from her lips. It was so good…

When my body cooled down, the cool air returning to my hot body, I was able to relax against the table. Josette still held me close, still worked herself. Her breaths were light, but that evil grin of hers was wider than ever.

“Estelle. I have something to tell you,” she whispered, barely able to contain herself. Her fingers hit against my thighs as she masturbated, wanting to be felt.

“What?...” I asked, still dazed in the pleasure of it all, still feeling the effects of that drink.

She moved in close to my ear again, even went so far as to bite at it lightly. Another shockwave hit me. “That drink wasn’t an aphrodisiac.”

I felt something leave my body. “W-what?”

Josette shook against me, trembling as she moved her fingers in circles even faster. “I lied. It was just a strawberry flavored drink. There’s no sex pollen. There’s no such thing.”

“No, but…” I huffed. Josette pressed her pussy against my leg, masturbating feverishly, snickering into my ear the whole time. “That can’t…”

“You masturbated to me. You came to me. Just because you liked it. Because you liked me.” She sighed into me. “Brainless bimbo.”

Something snapped. I stood up and took Josette by the shoulders, grabbing her roughly. She yelped, masturbating even more. I threw her down against the table, and she gasped again. I climbed on top of her in a rage, looking down at her as she squirmed in pleasure.

“You… You…” I hissed. I smacked my hair out of her hand. I pinned her arm on the table. With another hand, I grabbed the drink, pulling it open with my teeth. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t care. I was angry. I wanted to make her pay. I still wanted more.

“A-ah!” she cried. I poured the cold liquid over her body, watching how she flinched at the touch, watching how her nipples hardened.

“You’re going to drink it too, then,” I said lowly, fuming. Still, that pleasure, that pressure, boiled inside me. I filled my mouth with the cool strawberry liquid and leaned down and kissed Josette.

She moaned something, gasped something. It didn’t matter. She was mine now. I let the drink fall between our lips, felt the way she hungrily drank it between us, little moans as she did so. I pressed my body down against hers, slick from the drink.

“You’re going to come to me, too,” I demanded, lifting her leg. She obeyed without hesitation. Just as she should. I put my thigh against hers, pressed my hips against hers, felt the way she masturbated even faster as we grinded together.

“What-what are you doing…?” Josette asked weakly.

“Fucking you.” I rocked into her, squeezing her breast, the pink liquid dripping and pooling at the center of her chest. Her tits bounded with the motion of each of my thrusts, urging me to go even harder.

“Ah!” she squealed. Aidios, that was one of the most beautiful noises I had ever heard. I needed more. I needed to make her beg.

As I pressed against her, I leaned down and licked up the strawberry drink at her nipples, sucking hard. Sweetness tingled against my tongue, and her body rocked against mine as she moaned again. I moved my tongue over her nipple, tasting the strawberry, tasting Josette’s pleasure. Her hand ran through my hair, fingers barely in control.

“T-that’s so good,” Josette moaned out, tilting her head back against the table.

I moved back to her face. She barely even noticed in her pleasure-filled state. “You like being fucked by me?”

She bit her lip. “No.”

I grinned, slowing my pace against her. “Oh. So, I should stop then?”

Josette winced, looking up at me with her puppy dog eyes. “No! I didn’t say that.”

“Then say what you want.” I rocked my hips against her lightly, let one finger roam over her breast again.

“Fuck me,” Josette begged.

I moved just a little harder, just barely pressed my breasts against hers. “Say please.”

“Fuck you!” Josette hissed, still moaning.

I slowed again, shrugging. “Fine. Guess you don’t want it that bad.”

Josette shuddered, reaching for my hair. I slapped her hand away. Not now. She gritted her teeth and leaned back. “Okay! Fuck me! Please!”

I moved against her harder, pressed my nipples against hers, my lips at her neck. “Say my name. Say it all again and say my name.”

“Aidios, you…”

“Wrong name.” I bit her neck.

“So… stupid…”

“Still wrong.” I bit harder, licked up the strawberry liquid at her neck, sucked at her skin, taking in her gasp.

“Es…” she moaned out, her lips humming with pleasure.

“Close, but wrong.” I bit her again, sucking her neck.

“Please, fuck me, Estelle,” she finally said, all of her pretend rage gone. “Please.”

“That’s better.” I took her lips in mine, kissing her deeply, our tongues desperately finding one another. I rocked against her harder, I even delved my fingers inside her warmth. So wet, so sweet, so hot. She responded with a moan into me, urging me for more, begging for me.

“I… I…” Josette gasped out, her body rocking against mine, the wetness at my fingertips so warm.

“Come for me, Josette,” I breathed out, feeling something tingling inside my thighs again. “Say my name as you do it.”

“Es….” She breathed through her teeth, her moans sweet nectar to me. “Estelle…” She could barely speak, could barely even think about anything but me. I moved harder against her, moved my finger with hers, felt the way we bumped into each other so recklessly, but we didn’t care. “I’m going to come, Estelle, I…”

“Say it’s for me, Josette,” I breathed.

“I’m going to come for you, Estelle. Estelle, Estelle…” She repeated, unable to control herself. I felt her tremble, felt the orgasm inside her, felt the way she clung to me desperately. I needed it, I wanted it too, I came with her again, shaking and kissing her. I needed her, I wanted her, I loved her. She loved me too. We had loved each other so much for so long hadn’t we?

And once our bodies finally stop roiling with desire and pleasure and heat, we laid together on the table, kissing again and again. The engines hummed lightly, and our hearts soared through the skies together as we drifted into sleep, holding one another.

The docking port of Zeiss buzzed with its usual activity. Gears turned, ships came and went, and people moved on with their busy lives. The Capuas’ were no different. Liberl accepted them with open arms, allowed them to stay in the country and mesh together just like anyone else.

“Byeeee!” Estelle cheered, running past the docks and waving her arm ecstatically, goggles flailing. Her smile was so bright, her laughter so infectious. “Hope to see you guys again soon! Thank you for the trip! Ah!” She stumbled over a dock worker’s shoe. She had been running backwards. She apologized, laughed, and dashed off again, still waving.

Josette waved back, chuckling to herself.

“Hey, she still has your goggles?” Kyle asked, eyebrows furrowed. “I thought you were gonna get them back or at least be really mad about losing.”

Josette grinned. There was something different about Estelle. It wasn’t just her cheery attitude; it wasn’t just the goggles. Kyle must have noticed, but he didn’t know what.

“I didn’t lose anything to her,” Josette said evenly, ready again to take off to the clouds.

Kyle frowned. “What do you mean?”

Josette’s fingers ran over her waist, over the tight leather belt at her hips. It sent the same bright feelings through her, the same memories of their time together. “We traded. I have her belt.”

Kyle smirked, but didn’t say anything. He knew better.

Josette looked up to the sky. She’d be back up there soon enough. The sun shone bright. She would never forget it.