[NOVA] Karaoke? (K/M 5.2)

WPTunes

The "Gray Dinner" has been a little subdued, but as delicious as ever. Zoo and Dinah served a salad of lightly pickled, thinly slivered vegetables, followed by a hearty and well-spiced Hungarian goulash. Church has been very quiet, but absolutely polite as usual.

Dinah, whose mood has improved significantly over the last day or two, seems excited about more than just dessert when she leaves for the galley. She returns with a delicious looking coconut creme pie and a very mischievous look.

While Zoo cuts the pie, Dinah announces, "Before we eat dessert, I have arranged for a bit of entertainment. I know not everyone loves the classics like I do, but I know that Ksenia is really looking forward to singing this number for all of us."

She gestures to you, Ksenia, and waits for you to stand. Then, the opening a-capella strains of Bohemian Rhapsody fill the air.

What do you do?

Rich

A bet is a bet.

I leave my delicious-looking pie as a reward for job completion, stand up, and move to the foot of the table. I don't have time to think, so I just open my mouth, close my eyes, and pretend I'm back home on Mars, all by myself in the shower, singing this song with all my eight year old heart.

In my head, I'm belting out tunes like this.

I do some minor dance moves, arms out stretched, point to the sky, gesture like a queen to her subjects, heh. When the song starts to hit and I have back-up singers, I actually open my eyes, but I don't make eye contact with anyone. I move around the table, singing as I do.

Might as well make it a memorable show, right?

In my head, I'm really rocking this. In reality? It's probably much more like this.

When the song finally ends and I sing my last note, I head to my seat. It was the longest six minutes of my life.

Mischa

I can't not half giggle behind my hand as Ksenia moves to the music, playing up the performance like a... I don't even know what. But the music is very nice, even though I have no idea what the words are about. It seems violent.

Once Ksenia concludes, I raise my wineglass to salute her bow/curtsey act and beam at her. Then I turn and ask expectantly, "Who's next, Dinah?"

WPTunes

Dinah and Zoo both raise an eyebrow happily, clearly not unwilling to turn Ksenia's forfeit into a thing.

Church takes a few bites of his pie, then sets down his fork. "Ladies, this has been delicious as always. Thank you for the food and the company, but I have some paperwork to catch up on before we get back to civilization." He stands to leave.

Rich

That's unexpected. I would've thought we could get a song or two from Church. I bet he has a lovely singing voice. "You need any help, Mr. Church?" I ask with a genuine tone. If he is behind, I can push papers. I'd rather see if Mei will sing for us, or even Zoo. But work is work.

Mischa

I tip back my wineglass. How did it get empty so fast? Church is leaving already? I'm leaning my cheek against my hand like a tripod, looking up with my eyes. "Without even one song, Zeke?" I blurt out.

WPTunes

Church glances at you, Mei, and responds. "I'm afraid not, Ensign Mei. As I said, duty calls." He shifts his focus to Ksenia. "Thank you for the offer, Ensign Cribbage. I'm fine for now, but I'll certainly let you know if there's anything you can do." With a nod to all, he retires to his cabin.

Zoo makes a slight pout after he leaves the room. "Poo. No madeira tonight, I guess."

Rich

I watch Church leave. Worried about him. I notice Mei watching him, too. She knows something's up. I'll chat with her later.

Zoo makes me snicker with her pout. She's almost as sexy as Mei Mei when she pouts. Mei's still the pout queen. "Who's next?" I ask the table. My eyes fall on Zoo, then Mei. "I doubt anyone has the guts to try and top my performance." I offer a smart-ass grin.

I am so goading you girls.

Mischa

I frown a little a Church's back, barely resisting the urge to stick out my tongue. When Zoo speaks, I drag my gaze to her. "The madeira was good. But this wine is fine." I blink.

I get an idea. "Di! You can be next!" I sit back in my chair, the effort of the best idea ever perking me up.

I wink at Ksenia. Maybe I'll put my head on her shoulder if Zoo and Di will serenade us.

WPTunes

Two things quickly become clear. One, this is not Zoo or Dinah's first rodeo. Far from it. Two, Dinah really is into the classics. With a gesture, Dinah causes soulful string and piano music to issue from the speakers, then the two of them stand and begin to sing a duet. When the beat gets going [at about 1:45], you discover that they apparently even have choreography. Rather complex choreography. And quite energetic.

After they finish "Enough is enough is enough is enough is ENOUGH!" with a grand flourish, the two old friends collapse into their chairs, giggling. Zoo grabs a bottle and fills both of their glasses. After they toast each other, they both give you a pointed look, Mei. Seems like it's your turn. Do you sing? If so, what do you sing?

Rich

I whoop and yell encouragement, call out to them and clap. When they collapse giggling, it's like all the tension left the room. This was amazing.

And yes, I look over at my lil Mei. What's she got cooking?

Mischa

I catch myself swaying along to the strange music and tapping my half-full glass along with the beat, delighting in their practiced motions.

I can sing!

I pull myself up and clear my throat, holding my glass up to gather some attention. Balancing takes some focus, but that's okay. I can go on one leg just fine... not all the way to my ear right now, but that's because I don't want to drop my glass. See? Oh, that got their attention. Oops. I stand back on two legs and try to call up a song on the audio. But I can't find it, so I improvise. I'm very good at improvision. Improvisation.

It's a song from the Academy, a drinking song, good for the end of a tough mission or the start of an easy one. The tune is old, simple and catchy. I can't help but work a few little be-bop sort of a dance when I work my way through the second verse. The third verse means I need to refill! So I pick up the wine bottle and did you know it makes a very good pretend microphone? Now I move about the table, and each time I get to the line about "And your cup too!" I'm by one of my friends to give them a splash.

I sing brilliantly. And I've never danced better. Legs like mine were made for dancing, see?

There's no fourth verse, so I make one up until I get back around. I don't even drop my wineglass when I put it back on the table.

Dinah looks lonely, so with a flourish I accidentally on purpose fall into and across her lap, where I drape one arm around her neck and raise the bottle as I finish the song.

I'm a really good singer right now.

Rich

Mei is, as usual, fascinating. I watch her work the tiny crowd, enjoy her life, her light. I giggle, yes, I giggle. Just the once. At the end, with her fall on Red, I full on guffaw.

She's a pretty good singer, too.

WPTunes

Mei, as you do your big finish across Dinah's lap, she grabs the bottle from you, takes a swig, then slams it down on the table.

She stands up, dumping you on the floor, then laughing as you hop up in a gymnast's "stick the landing" position. She picks up her glass. "Never have I ever... watched 3-D tentacle porn." Dinah looks around the room and takes a swig. Zoo makes a face and puts her glass down.

Mischa

My eyes are wide. "Dinah! You didn't!" I lean forward and whisper loudly, "They make that sort of thing?"

WPTunes

Dinah leans toward you unsteadily, Mei, and puts her fingers to your lips. "Hush, Mei-Mei. Drink or not drink. There is no try." For some reason, that breaks her up. She's almost helpless when she hiccups out, "Who's next?"

Mischa

I kiss her fingertip, giggling. "I've never watched that, no." I blink rapidly, watching Ksenia watch Dinah.

"Never have I ever... um." My face lights up with an idea. "Had a cybernetic implant." I put my glass delicately on the table and look around, pleased with myself. I cross one leg over the other, looking from face to face.

Rich

Yeah, that's two drinks down.

Not wanting to take the party down too much, I follow the Never Have I Ever rules by admitting to the first one briefly, "When you think your lady bits might not work anymore, you try lots of things." I shrug and take a swig.

On the second one, I give Mei a look like "are you going there?" I wonder if her next one might be "Never have I ever... been ambulatory." She just wants to get trashed. I hope this is a warm-up for some really enthusiastic sex. I prefer that over the "holding her hair back while she pukes out major organs" drunken alternative.

I'd totally hold her hair back, though. She has such nice hair.

After I take my cybernetic-powered drink, and Dai does, too. I look to Mei with a playful smirk and say, "You know, technically, Taban, you've had a cybernetic implant in you." I give her a wolfish grin.

On my turn, I offer up, "Never have I ever... gone down on someone in zero-G." And yes, I drink. I'm curious who else will.

Mischa

I make a face at her, dissolving into giggles at the grin on her face, remembering... And yes, I drink. I can feel my ears burning, too. Is Zoo watching me? My giggles stop bubbling up.

I don't think it's my turn, is it?

WPTunes

Zoo and Dinah both drink as well, then look at each other. At the same time, they both say, in a shocked tone, "Warren?" Then the laughter starts again.

Zoo finally fans her face with her hand and calms down enough to take her turn. "Never have I ever... woken up in bed with a complete stranger... wait, with two complete strangers." She peers around, then takes a drink. Dinah shakes her head in wonderment and leaves her glass on the table.

Rich

I'd like to meet this Warren guy. Someone who turns on both Red and Zoo? Wow, that's impressive.

Zoo's drink makes me chuckle. I don't drink. Since she added a second stranger. My few times with multiple partners were all guys I knew. Unfortunately.

Mischa

I've never taken a lover whose name I didn't know, much less two!

But my drunken mind moves along, and I stare off at the wall, remembering the Arcology. When I was very small. In the creche, I must've... I lightly shake my head. Life as an infant doesn't count. They don't want to hear it. Like they don't want to hear, "Never have I ever known my parents."

I set my glass down twice as hard as I need to and fake a smile. "Never have I ever, um." My eyes and mind wander, looking for something to connect. It's almost taking awkwardly long. "Seen Zoo's butt!" I cover my mouth with one hand and look surprised at myself. A beat later, I discover that I'm pointing at all three of them and giggling.

Rich

I can't tell if Mei's spaced out or troubled. She seems happy enough, so I'll chalk it up to the alcohol. I drink on the next one, because obviously I've seen Zoo in her birthday suit. Not as much as I'd like, but there's always tomorrow, right?

Or tonight.

I am very interested in Red's reaction. And the next question, of course.

WPTunes

Zoo obviously drinks, although she does qualify that it was in the mirror (of course), and she didn't have the angle to fully appreciate the true beauty of some Zoo ass.

Dinah also raises her glass, looking around. "What? One ship, one refresher. It was inevitable." She puts her glass down. "It is a fine dusky piece of butt-meat, I have to admit." Dinah snorts, then covers her mouth and nose with a hand.

She recovers, then continues. (It seems to be her turn.) "Never have I ever... gotten so drunk that I couldn't remember where I left my shoes." She makes a face, like she knows that's kind of lame, but she picks up her glass and drinks.

Rich

I agree with Zoo and Red about Zoo's posterior. It's mighty fine. I try not to nod too enthusiastically, poor Mei gets jealous.

I drink to Red's question. "It only took me a minute to find them in the planter, but they weren't where I remembered putting them the night before. Ah... mostly because I didn't remember taking them off."

Mischa

I look suspiciously at my left foot. My shoe is still there. I cock an eyebrow dubiously at Dinah. Then I check the other foot to make sure. "Noooo....?"

Rich

I quietly mumble, "Note to self.... hide Mei Mei's shoes tonight."

Mischa

"I heard that." Somehow one of my little sweet Hawaiian rolls flies through the air and bips off her head.

WPTunes

Ksenia, I assume that, with your reflexes, you manage to snag the roll as it bounces off your forehead. After you take a bite, Zoo continues.

"Actually, I don't need any more of this wiiiine. Let's just tell stories, no drinking game. I'll go first. This one time, at band camp? Wait, that's not real... Dinah, you tell the story. About hauling that band and all their crap."

Dinah perks up. "Oh! The NU-GWAR incident!" She breaks down, laughing. "Okay, I want you to imagine... we've got this contract, and they show up with a forty-foot tall DEMON statue. So, we make them dis-assemble it, but something goes wrong, and the big reservoir of demon-puke or whatever just floods the Jane. Like, by the time we were done, it was in our hair and shit. Awful..."

Zoo looks between the two of you, looking for a response or a topper.

Rich

No topper. I lose my shit laughing, that's my response. I'm feeling so very great and that story!

"What color is demon puke?" I manage to get out on the second try.

Mischa

"...demon puke?" I tilt my head. "But, Dinah... I thought you said that stain in the hold was some exotic coolant?"

WPTunes

Dinah holds up a finger. "Demon puke is bright green, of course. And... that stain is coolant, not puke. Had to have the entire ship steam cleaned after Puke-a-Palooza, but there might still be some of that crap in a crack somewhere."

Zoo looks around and squints at you, Ksenia, then points. "Your turn, Boo!"

Mischa

"Puke-a. Puke. Puke-a-Paloooooza?" My head is on the table as I giggle. The table is very sturdy.

Rich

Mei's laughter cracks me up, too.

Story time. Nothing depressing, don't want to bring down the party. Probably not good to talk about military operations, since Red's eyes would glaze over and Zoo might nod off. Mei would probably like it, though. Tempting...

"When I was a little runt," I start off. "I spent most of my time outside." I actually spent all my time outside for a few years. Not important. "And for maybe two months. I was convinced. I mean convinced that Phobos, our smallest moon, was following me." I look at each of them for a moment, letting the oddness of that statement sink in. "What makes it even outrageous is that Phobos orbits Mars three times a day. So... I'm not sure what my brain thought about that. It was just," I look up at the ceiling suddenly, "Always there. Watching me."

Then I look back at all of them. And wait for someone to make the "phobia" joke.

WPTunes

Zoo manages to take on an aspect of extreme mystery for a moment, sitting up straight and staring you right in the eyes for a moment. "Ant, tell me, mizz Kribbahge, izz ze moon ztill followink you?" She follows your glance to the ceiling.

Rich

That was not what I expected, and it's just dramatic enough to tickle me. I try to keep it in when I answer, "Yes." Then I look back up. "It's why I hate going back to Mars..."

Mischa

"Moon." I say. "Moons." I'm sort of talking to my water glass. The pattern of condensation eludes me. But there's something there, like constellations. "Moons are not planets. This is something important that all pilots should know. But it is also important for starcharters to know. There is a system, something-ty-704 Cerberi. A dwarf and giant binary. The star chart had every planet labeled as tz'va, the local word for planet. And every moon was hos'tch. Twenty planets, it had. Twenty. Twenty Tz'va. And moons! Dozens!" I'm very dramatic. "At least thirty. And guess what rookie had a delivery for an incomplete coordinate for hos'tch in Cerbrei?" It's rhetorical. But still dramatic.

I sit back down. I suppose I'm swaying, or my head is just going back and forth. No, I'm doing it on purpose, flying my hand about looking for a moon. "It took weeks to deliver their radio. The food recycler nearly broke. It would have been a mutiny." I almost laugh.

"Never buy discount maps." Now I am laughing.

Rich

Imagining Mei hopping moon to moon for weeks is frakking hilarious. I grin and raise a glass to her. Oh, hers is empty, so I don't toast, I finish mine. "What about you, Zoo? It's your turn. Tell us a story."

WPTunes

Zoo looks at the three of you with great dignity, folds her hands in her lap, and starts off like a schoolteacher reading to her class.

"Once upon a time, a young enrollee to the Merchant Space Academy decided to go on an adventure, but she had no ship to adventure on, yet, so she managed to score a ticket to visit the moon, I'm sorry, hos'tch, of the planet the Academy orbited, which featured any number of low-rent gambling and, err... vice establishments. Our hero, let's call her... Zoo... wound up drinking a little bit, and didn't realize she was drinking at the downstairs bar in a brothel. So, when a very attractive gentleman 'picked her up' and invited her upstairs, she said yes. Of course. It was only an hour later when he zipped up and left a credstick on the dresser on his way out that she got confused. Apparently, she was worth 10K!" She shakes her head. "So, apparently, I am an unintentional prostitute. One of the 'other' girls tried to stab me on the way out."

Rich

"That story is amazing!" I say suddenly. I slap the table, chuckling. I frakked a girl worth ten grand? Well, hot dayum.

Mischa

"What happened when she tried to stab you?" I am agog.

WPTunes

In answer to your question, Mei, Zoo raises her shirt to reveal an old scar just below her ribcage. "Okay, she did stab me. I ran out bleeding and Dinah saw me fall down. 'Sthe beginning of a beautiful frenship, right, Di?"

Dinah nods.

Mischa

I look at Zoo. I look at her scar. I look at Dinah. I look at Zoo. I look at Dinah. "Why were you in a brothel?" I blink at her. I lean forward and prop up on one hand. Why is my glass empty?

WPTunes

Your glass is empty because all the bottles are empty, Mei.

Dinah gives you an indignant look. "I was not in the brothel. I was outside the brothel. 'Dalrighty... already gotten poked in the place next door. His name was Vasilios, and he was..." There's a slight belch, and then she continues. "...beautiful." She ponders for a second. "I was in a dry spell, okay?"

Rich

I remark idly, "Nothing wrong with beautiful boys and scratching itches, Red." Speaking of itches. Someone is sleeping with me tonight. I'm eyeing Mei first, but stealing glances at Zoo. I wonder who seems interested.

Mischa

Ksenia's got the look. I waggle my eyebrows at her and wink. I'm all smiles and I feel butterflies. Then I catch her looking at Zoo, and some of the butterflies stop. I feel my face falling a bit. I look back at Dinah, saying, "People need their itches scratches. Scratched." I do not want another drink. No, Mei, you do not.

I run my fingers through my hair. My water glass is cool, and tastes delicious. I pick at a roll, a few delicate bites.

"Was her name Jane?" I ask Zoo. "The stabber. No, Mei, then we'd be on the Stabber Jane. Who's Jane, anyway?"

Rich

I giggle-snort, "Stabber Jane."

WPTunes

Zoo blinks before responding. "Jane was... an actual stalker. Dinah's stalker. UnCOMfortable, to say the least. She's the reason we wound up in the position to win the ship from that Reformed Buddhist monk. Hiding out on a pleasure satellite, pretending to be high-rollers, while Jane was prowling around looking for Red on-planet at the low-rent clubs. Thank Avandra, we won..."

Dinah has started snoring. She's obviously gone.

Rich

The snore gets my attention. Red looks comfy for now, so I leave her be. "I'm so glad we could let our hair down, chat like this. Shame Church had work." My real hand flexes like it needs a glass in it. I look at Zoo, then Mei, "Anything wrong with Church? He seemed maybe a little... off?"

Mischa

I yawn hugely and stretch without shame. The table and chair is very comfy. My fingers make circles on the tablecloth, pushing the small wrinkles about. I have the napkin folded over into a tiny pillow.

"He's been moody lately. Maybe he needs to get laid!"

My fork won't quite balance on the cork, but I'm getting there.

Rich

"Maybe so. Ship full of hotties and he's hard up? Must be rough." I stand up then walk over to Red, gently rub her back, leaning down to say, "Red, baby. I'm gonna put you in bed, alright?" I'll scoot her chair back and pick her up, then carry her to her quarters. "I'm not ready to sleep yet, don't both of you go to sleep on me, alright?"

I'll head out with Dinah then. I'm taking my time, sort of curious how Zoo alone with Mei will work out. Especially tipsy Mei and tipsy Zoo.

WPTunes

Zoo leans back in her seat and props her feet up on the chair Ksenia just lifted Dinah out of. She seems content. This is her element, just as much as the cockpit is.

"I wonder, Taban. Where would you go if you could have a real vacation, where no one winds up shooting at you? If it weren't for the spooky alien stuff, I bet Blue would actually be pretty nice. One of those little islands, a fishing pole..."

Mischa

"Do you know... 70 Ophiuchi? I don't remember if it's A or B. Its third planet is almost all trees and low mountains. It's almost a backwards ocean! A single megalake with some outliers. I think it's B, because the nights are long and the stars are bright." I'm talking with my chin on the table, eyes up at the ceiling.

"You can climb easy in the gravity. The trees are big, and old. Bigger than we could put our arms around! Big. Some of the trees have to be be tens of thousands of years old." I sigh. "There's enough population so you can shuttle back in a pinch. Or for proper dinner, or music, or a medico, or a spaceport. And mountains!" I look up, flaring up with excitement.

I look down, not at her. I think to show her one of my sketches. But a little voice in my head tells me not to bring her into our room. Bad idea, Mei. "It looks pretty." I finish lamely.

"What about you?"

WPTunes

Zoo looks thoughtful. "Used to be I would go for someplace busy or fancy. With dancing and people and trouble to get into. Now, though... someplace like Blue, like I mentioned, or like the planet you described. Quiet, pretty, nobody except the folks you brought with you. A chance for honest exercise and fresh air. I could use a pretty man along for the ride, too, if you want me to be truthful."

She changes directions. "What kind of mission are you hoping for next?"

Mischa

It pops out. "Something simple. Just flying and exploring. No Psi Corps... plots."

I'm balancing utensils rather well, I think. I seek zen-like inebriation. "I'm not looking forward to the debrief. I hope it's not... invasive. And they'll want their box back."

WPTunes

Zoo looks over at you, working to focus. "What is it like, having your... passenger... gone? I mean..." She waves her hand randomly in the air. "I never really got it, of course, what it was like for you before, but it's got to be an adjustment."

Mischa

I get up and wander over. "Before before, I wasn't... it wasn't really notable. I sometimes got headaches near those scanners. Or a faint buzz, like hearing out the corner of your ear." I pull up a chair. I can't spin it round and sit as comfortable as I'd like in this dress. The other chair can be arranged nicely so I can prop my feet up, too.

"I guess it was like your cyberware. Like being linked with someone. Or suddenly able to see ultraviolet or feel radio waves or taste magnetism." I work my fingers back and forth, counting and tallying and playing a cat's cradle finger game variant.

"Except she was a mind. An it before a her. Thousands of years, alone, before chancing upon the right kind of monkey with a life raft in her head." Don't get blubbery, Mei. I snuffle.

"It's quiet." My hand motion stops and I look at my fingernails. Is there water? There must be. I take a sip. It is cool and tastes like the Jane, comforting in its own way. "I... I'm not sure what I can still do. What I'm capable of." I swallow and pretend I'm not wiping my eyes. "I've lost a friend... but it's like she's graduated and moved away. Gone but not annihilated." I spare a glance at Zoo, then look away fast.

WPTunes

Zoo looks at you hard, Mei. "Lil' Mei, I don't feel like I know you as well as I could, but I will say this..." She holds up a finger. "You. Have. Guts. You're a great pilot, and a great, whatsit... you're really fit an' can do flips and things. Fuck worrying about what you can do, now. You... were a badass before, what did you call her? Cora entered the pitcher, you're a badass now. If Psi Corps sidelines you, you could be a... a... assassin, or a ninja or something." She picks up a butter knife and balances it on top of the kinetic sculpture you've been building, perfectly. "Q.E. fucking D. Who else could balance all tha' shit like that so drunk me could plunk a slip'ry knife on top of it?"

Mischa

I lean close and boop her with my left finger in the middle of her forehead, right by her interface. "Zoo," my eyes are huge on hers, "You're sweet." I blink slowly. "But I'm different now. Diff-err-ent. Change, as inevitably delicious as the infinite universe, is still scary."

Careful, Mei. Wine and psi don't go together. Don't try to show off with your psi.

The little silverware sculpture is rather impressive, though.

WPTunes

Zoo nods, acknowledging your point about change. She continues finding little bits to add to the now collaborative found-art sculpture you're building on the table. It's getting to be quite impressive, really. Zoo has those wired reflexes on her side, and your ninja-gymnast skills certainly contribute, as well.

Mei, why don't you describe what the sculpture looks like when Ksenia returns from putting lil' Dinah down for her nap?

Mischa

The base of the arrangement is a simple water glass. There's six forks balancing against each other, making a triangle around the circle rim of the glass. One of the dinner rolls is next, sitting atop a cross of knives. Somehow there are olives and toothpicks still left in a little geodesic net. (The green olives are amazing.) There's not much to balance a spoon on, but I'm working to assemble a toothpick-cork-fork-spoon setup. I can balance it on a finger, but it's very wobbly.

When Ksenia walks in, she grabs my attention and the cork contraption slips. I catch it before it crashes into the table.

Rich

When I come back to the contraption Mei and Zoo have created, I make a bit of a WTF face, and tilt my head while looking at it. "That's... interesting." I look at each of them, trying to get a gauge of drunk-levels vs. boredom levels.

"Computer," I say with a sharp tone so the audio response kicks in. "Play us some early two thousands EDM, please. Danceable stuff."

This comes on. I start hop dancing at first, mostly that kind of concert thing where you'd mix in with the crowd, except there's no crowd. I hope they'll join me. I haven't danced in a while.

Mischa

I'm a little too drunk to dance well. But I can still move to the beat as it pulls me out of my chair. As I'm pulled to Ksenia. I close my eyes, swaying and moving my feet in a careful-don't-fall-over step.

I can feel the tiniest smile as the music takes me.

WPTunes

Mei, as you do your languid swaying, Zoo gets energized by the tunes. She stands up and starts dancing. Dancing, dancing. She looks at you as you do your almost sleepytimes thing, and there's a clear challenge in her eyes, and her hips. Ksenia, she gives you the same look. Seems like a dance-off, as far as Zoo is concerned.

How do the two of you react?

Rich

I slow down a little, smirking because I got what I wanted. I watch Zoo bust out some fierce dance moves, look over at Mei to see if she'll snap to. I know she cannot resist the challenge.

While I'm the dark horse in this race, I'm not going down without a fight. I'll bring up my energy and through in some hip action of my own.

Mischa

I feel a mental tug as something shifts in the room. I open my eyes to see Zoo dancing, and my first thought is oh no she didn't. Ksenia has a smirk on her face and I want her looking at me. I chase away the clouds on my face by starting to bring it. My arms are up, my legs are moving, and I try to keep Ksenia's dark eyes on me. My hair is loose around me as I move faster.

Rich

Oh, this is frakking Christmas. I move up behind my lil Mei while she's dancing, putting my hands on her hips and looking at her, then over to Zoo. Dayum, Mei's body is so lithe and trim. I just want to pick her up and carry her away.

I don't. I want to see what Zoo will do.

WPTunes

Zoo's dedication to her balance and flexibility regimen is showing clearly. She's dancing like a teenager that just realized she likes it when people watch her move. The dress she wore for dinner hugs her hips as she sways them from side to side, and her eyes are intense as she watches the two of you. She kicks off her shoes and says in a sultry voice, "I got a fever... and the only prescription is more dancing."

Rich

I bend down to trail a couple kisses along the nape of Mei's neck, then whisper in her ear, "You're so sexy, Taban. So damn sexy." I flick my tongue along her ear, "Look at Zoo. Can't you see why I want her, too? You could have her. If you want. We both could."

Mischa

The wonderful frisson of her lips shimmers down my spine. My body reacts to her words, and I lace my hands up behind her head, pressing into her.

Then she brings up Zoo. I shiver with desire and fear. My mind is flooded with images of me between the two of them, submitting to delicious hedonism deep into the night. But it still is a hurt not fully healed. Will I ever be good enough for Ksenia?

I spin with the music, keeping her hands on my hips, tiptoeing up so I can rest my palms on her cheeks. I'm still rocking my hips to the beat, a promise. I look into her dark eyes, my own echoing desire and uncertainty. "Do you really want that, my love?" Will she see the sadness, the doubt? I don't want to share her with Zoo.

But Ksenia shared me with Cora for ages. Is that fair? Do I owe her? Is it the same? Will one night make a difference?

I think I drank too much.

Rich

"I'm not in the habit of asking for things I don't want." I lean forward, pushing my face through her hands to kiss her, a nip. "We don't need to do anything you don't want to do, Taban. Do you want to dance with us?" I peer at her, eyes dancing between hers, trying to see what she means, straining to hear her heart.

Mischa

I close my eyes when she kisses me, happily drowning in the moment. "Dancing is fine," I breathe, our faces close. Does she miss Cora more than I do, to want to bring in a third so soon? I open my eyes.

Can't we just explore the two of us alone for a while?

Rich

I slip out of her grasp and whirl her around to face Zoo, keeping my arms around her, sliding them around to her waist, moving up against her back and trying to guide her into a dance. I glance up at Zoo, "We're twice the woman you are now, Zoo Zoo!" I laugh in Mei's ear and try to let the music take us away.

Mischa

I delight in the dance! "Watch me!" I step up my action, rising to the challenge to out-dance the both of them.

Yet a whisper of psi leaps from me to Ksenia.

// just me / just us / please //

WPTunes

There's a downright flurry, or might I say blizzard of dancing... Zoo turns up the sexy, but Mei trumps her on sheer technique, but she's definitely less... controlled, measured. She's in her own world now, ignoring the two of you, mostly. Definitely a mating display, though, as a zoologist might say.

The next step is, as they say, up to you.

Mischa

A zoologist, if you'll pardon the pun, might also observe the dominance display I'm working. My hands don't want to leave Ksenia. I'm doing some flashy leg action and looking fierce. I'm smooth, I'm grinding, I'm poetry in motion, I'm alive.

Sorry, Captain. She's all mine tonight.

Rich

My dancing fades as I become a very interested observer. I love the sloppy energy of Zoo, the wild abandon. But Mei's artful grace, her spirit and genuine talent outshines our pilot. Mei's touch, and her obvious demonstrations don't hurt. Not one tiny bit.

My dirty dreams of a sweaty, tipsy threesome will have to take a backseat to my lil Mei. That's alright. I think a single Mei tonight will do just nicely.

After a few songs, I head over to Zoo, give her a peck on the cheek, "Captain Dai, it has been a wonderful evening, but I'm afraid I must retire to my quarters." My hand lingers on her shoulder, and I know I'm passing up something wonderful for a different wonderful. A part of me will miss what Zoo and I share, but there were never promises between us.

With Mei and I, there is something more. Promises unspoken. Hopes for a future.

Mischa

"Yes! A wonderful evening. But also yes to the retiring to our quarters." I peck the Captain on her other cheek and try not to be a sore winner. I keep a half dance step down the hallway, but I want to leap into Ksenia's arms. The corridor is a little too narrow.

When we're out of earshot, I'll whisper, "Carry me?"

Rich

I bend over to loom my face into hers, quickly wetting my lips before I kiss Mei. Hands slide to her hips again and I want to taste the sweetness on her tongue for just a moment. Once I have enough of her to savor, to linger on my lips, I crouch a bit, wrap my arms around her legs, and stand up, picking her up so her tight belly is across my left shoulder, my flesh one. I pick her up like a cavewoman might take home her prey, and I laugh as she makes an adorable little surprised noise, and stomp my way to our quarters. Ours.

This is our first coupling since Cora left. Our first time together. I was being selfish trying to draw Zoo into this. I open the door and carry her in, closing the door with a foot, then stomping over to the bed, her bunk, and pull her down to stand before me, "Taban. I want you. Are you okay with this?" I need her to be okay, but I won't let her lie to me if she isn't.

Mischa

I am utterly delighted at being carried off like a prize. But I am the winner. I paddle her butt playfully as she clomps off, smiling like I don't care who sees, still moving to the fading beat.

She makes me giggle with her eagerness, stomping shut the door.
I look up at her in our room. Our quarters. Her reader, my terrarium, the star chart, her little mementos on the shelf. All is right in the universe.

"A thousand times yes, Kay Kay." I bite my lip. "Are you?"

Rich

My hands at her clothing are my answer. My eager mouth and my body pressed against her is my answer. My lips are far too busy to bother with words right now.

With no more obstacles, I'll quickly move to undress her, push her back onto her bed, and kiss my way luxuriously down her body. I ache to taste her, to feel her skin against me.

Mischa

I slide out of my dress and kick away my underthings. I stretch like a cat, my hands buried in her hair. I don't bother with her clothes yet, it will be her turn soon for attention.

I say softly, "It's just me here, Kay Kay... nobody else." I squirm as she touches me just so. There's no Cora. "Is that okay? Am I enough?" The wrong words would shatter me. I have to know.

Rich

When Mei asks me if she's enough, there's a guilty stab to my heart. Did Zoo bother her this much? No. There's something else. It's Cora. Does Mei feel lesser without that alien thing brain-riding her?

I gently let her nipple pop as I release my lips from it. My fingers slow their gentle ministrations. "Taban," I say as I look up at her. "I've always wanted you. Not Cora. Not whatever she did to you, did for you, for us. None of that. I wanted you before there was a Cora. Now I've got you." I catch her eyes, my fingers still. "You're wonderful."

Mischa

She makes me shudder, and I bite my lip, wanting to give in to her, to submit. I scoot down to kiss her sweet face. "You've got me." I rub my nose against hers, not blinking, lost in her eyes. "I don't want to let you down, or let you go..." My doubts are nagging at me from back on the Dauntless. She's known me longer with a passenger in my head. "Or lose you or disappoint."

I loop my arms around her and pull her close. My face presses against her cheek, my lips at her ears, my bare skin against her smooth dress. "I feel like a dumb rookie again," I whisper. "Like I'm not sure who I am anymore. Can I still even fly the same?" I squeeze tighter. "Words are hard."

Rich

She pulls me up to her and I feel our bodies pressed together. I love all the sensitive parts of my body as they touch hers. She's so smooth, so perfectly formed from years of dance and training. How can she feel so unsure of herself when she's done so much in her short life?

Her doubt is a tiny bit infectious, and I feel my own worries surface. My body is a wreck, all burns, scars and metal, what bits are still human are all corded muscle. It's no wonder I want her so badly, she's all the things I'll never be.

Is she doing this to me? Pulling at my own self-doubt? I was so frakking horny a moment ago...

No, Ksenia, you can't let this swallow you up. She needs you strong. She's lost Cora and she's worried she'll lose you. "Mei," I say it as soft as I can manage as I lie on top her her, feeling the softness of her inner thighs against mine. "I have never been disappointed in you. You are smart, considerate, energetic and creative. I admire your vitality, I enjoy working alongside you. We're an effective team, even without..." I lean in to touch my lips to hers, move back, "Without this."

I swallow, feel words tumble out of my mouth, "Not that I mind this." I gently slide my body against hers, reveling in the sensations. My voice grows husky again, "I want this. I need this. I need connection. I need someone to touch me, Mei. I want it to be you. I want you, every inch." I lean back down, take her mouth with mine. My cyberarm reaches for her wrists, gently taking hold of them, moving to hold them above her head, displaying beautiful Mei under me.

Breaking the kiss, I lean back, look in her eyes. "I know you can fly, Mei. You were born to fly. If you're a bit rusty... then I'll have to instruct you. I won't let you fail, Taban." I hover over her, holding her wrists gently, playfully holding her at my mercy. Trust me, Mei. You're everything you need to be. I will it into her heart.

Mischa

My eyes flutter, grow wet. How am I so lucky? I'm torn between wanting to submit and cry. I wriggle under her grip, delighted and scared and aroused. My hips move on their own, my legs wrapping around her, pulling her in with my need. "Ksenia, it's so... vast. Life. The universe. The future. Everything." I glance at the terrarium, a little bubble of life in a delicate glass. It's us. She and me. Balanced, precarious.

"I want you so much. I want us. There's so much uncertainty right now. Can't you see?" Psi Corps, Cora, Zoo, Church... My face is so close to hers, we are sharing breath.

I'm scared to try this next move. I whisper. "Do you want to feel together?" If there is anything I know I can do with my psi, its link with my Ksenia when we're about to fuck each other senseless.

Rich

The sensation of her smooth skin, her warmth against the parts of me that still feel, it's so wonderful. My Mei, my Taban Mei, here with me in my arms and I'm in hers. Her legs close around me and there's nothing between us. After months, there is nothing at all between us.

"Taban, everything out there is vast," I say, my lips brushing hers with each word. "But it's only me and you in here. There's no uncertainty in that. Not for me." I close my lips on hers for a brief kiss, "Or for you, either." I don't need her assurances, I trust in the feeling we share.

Her whispered question at the end. It sends shivers down my spine. Did she know? Did she know that I've wanted this, to feel her pleasure and mingle it with the dim mirror of my own? Did she know this is what Zoo gave me? A guilty ember in my heart worries at the secret I hid. I hope she stole it away from me.

My eyes are glassy and I worry that my voice will break when I answer what I want so fervently. I don't chance words, instead I nod, an eager smile playing at my lips. Lips I quickly place on hers, my greedy tongue pushing itself to hers, and deeper. I gently rotate my hips to place my left thigh between her legs, and gently rub her, a promise of where I'm headed.

I begin slowly undulating my hips, rubbing my thigh against her sex as the kiss draws out into a delicious infinity. Finally, too soon, I come up for air, "Yes. Yes, Taban. Pour it into my head, I want it. Please." My mouth starts quickly traveling down her body. I release her hands so I can push myself down further until my mouth tastes the flesh of her tummy, to her public bone, then I'm shifting my square shoulders so they fit under her, my face at her center.

No hesitation, like a hungry wolf, I lap at her sex, pulling out all the stops. I want to flood her mind and body with all the pleasure I can give her. I want to feel it slam back into me. Please, Mei, share it with me. And pull it back.

I am the shore, you are the ocean, crash into me, wave after wave.

Mischa

Her words of reassurance strike my core, and my heart melts a little. I hug her tight, not sure why I'm crying- lust, fear, relief, happiness... does it matter? It's just the two of us in our little orbit.

Ksenia is warm and cool, soft and firm. And she knows how to play me like an instrument. I relent under her attentions, arching into her and keeping my fingers in her hair.

Don't hesitate, Mei. Do it.

"Oh, Kesnia... !" I reach for my psi (it's different now), opening it up, riding the waves of sensation, building, building, and then I reach for her mind, like a jewel under firelight, and I link our feelings together, a delicious feedback loop. I want her to feel what I feel, I want to taste what she tastes, I want us to move together, to join, to interlink, to connect, to merge, to...

I'm going to make some noise, I can tell. I don't give a shit. Let 'em listen!

WPTunes

Okay, here's how it will go.

I will roll:

d6 for the basic difficulty of establishing ANY link this deep
d8 for Mei adjusting to the myriad changes she's just gone through.
d6 to account for the fact this is simply a new thing for Mei to attempt

WPTunes

Rolling

Base: (Rolled: 1d6. Rolls: 6. Total: 6)
New: (Rolled: 1d6. Rolls: 5. Total: 5)
Adjusting: (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 6. Total: 6)

Mischa

Bravery - d6 - I'm feeling vulnerable and scared, but I'm going to face my fear.
Comms - d6 - If this isn't communication, I don't know what is.
Alien-Enhanced Psionic - d8 - I'm very happy to use my psi for something beautiful.
Ksenia - d10 - I know how badly she wants this, wants me. I aim to make sure she doesn't forget.

Mischa

Bravery - (Rolled: 1d6. Rolls: 2. Total: 2)
Comms - (Rolled: 1d6. Rolls: 6. Total: 6)
Alien-Enhanced Psionic - (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 8. Total: 8)
Ksenia - (Rolled: 1d10. Rolls: 9. Total: 9)

Mischa

[OOC: 8+9 =17, with no juicy ones for you at all.]

WPTunes

Mei, this is your first time really connecting with another person psychically without Cora "listening in," at the very least. You realize, somehow, that one of the gifts Cora left behind is increased... well, a technician might say "bandwidth" or "throughput." Your instructors at the Academy referred to it as "transfer rate". Simply put, your pipeline to Ksenia turns out to be much larger than you expected it to be. You adjust deftly, though tweaking mental muscles like the acrobat you are, until...

Ksenia, it happens. As you feel the sensations of your own tongue on Mei's labia, tickling her clitoris, you feel her own responses to it in the various pleasure centers of your brain. Your left eye twitches slightly as the centers of reason and control begin to shut down, and...

Mei, you feel Ksenia's desire, her pleasure in the saltsweetmusk taste and scent of you, the silksofttaught feel of your skin, the...

Rich

I feel like a live wire, every sensitive part of me exposed. It's different than the sensory inputs from Dai. Quicker, more familiar. And best of all, my Taban Mei's pleasure trickles through me. And the taste of her, in my mouth, the feeling of what I'm doing to her reverberating in myself, deep inside me. My God, this is ecstatic.

My cybernetic fingers sneak down near my chin and idly play at the folds of her flesh, my pinky gently probing at the rosebud of her ass. All of you is open to me, Taban. I will bring you to such heights.

It has been so long since I had this. I've frakked with Taban, yes. Pleasure, undeniable. Yes, but the pleasure of before was one borne from accomplishment, from closeness and warmth and enjoyment of being near her.

This? This is the carnal and raw wonder of sex. This is the nerve endings that were left untended by military doctors, the part of me that has felt severed, ignored, silenced. Whispers with Dai, murmurs and yearnings she awoke and stoked. Now, they blaze.

Mischa

when i lie with ksenia we are joined together in mind and body and soul and everything that i do i feel her feel and everything she does touches me moves me licks me feels me is looped back and i know she can feel me feeling her and our touch is one just like our motion and i lose myself in the the candy sweet pleasure and electric rows of buzzing are moving along my spine and i arch and i cry and i grab her and my hands are her hands and i know that my hands are flesh but i feel how i feel with a digital touch that is so square and rigid and defined and i take that and ride it and then i flip back on top of her and do the same i touch her i feel myself i love her and feel love i am love she is love and i must have her and i want to take her the way i want her t o take me so i can feel it so she can feel it so i can prove myself to her to myself to prove to myself to take to give so we can love and move together and it is better than just letting go it is like flying and diving and i lick so she can taste and rub her just so and to hell with the dress and the floor and rigid and her muscles are quivering and i want to push her to smell her to leave her like a quivering puddle of sweat and fuck and love and the stars i can see them with her eyes closed

Rich

It's later, maybe an hour? After the mind-blowing sex (literally). I'm lying on my right side, my head in the crook of her arm, as much flesh pressed against her as I can manage. The fingers of my left hand are idly playing with locks of her hair at her collarbone.

Such lovely hair, so lush and soft. So feminine. She's so beautiful, here in our bed. Our bed.

"Thank you, Taban. I've..." I struggle with the words, I don't want her to worry, see me as weak or broken. She needs me to be strong. But I have to be honest. "I'm so glad you shared yourself with me." Frak me, I can't say it aloud.

"Taban Mei, thanks for letting me ride your orgasms because I can't have them on my own." That seems so easy in my head. I dunno, maybe she can pluck it out.

The tips of my fingers come to rest along her breastbone and I look up at her bright eyes. "I'm so happy we're here. Just you. And just me."

Mischa

My eyes are closed, a shameless smile playing on my face as she plays with my hair. This hairstyle is so against regs. I take a deep breath and stretch my toes. Her head is cradled in my arm and I am tracing little letters and circles and spirals, with the occasional scratch or cutely possessive tug.

"Thank you for being someone I can share with." I kiss her on her forehead like she does to me sometimes, and I quietly daydream that I'm tall enough to do so.

I look down at her (so peculiar and fun!), just taking in her whole face and expression and sweetness. "Me too." There's a dollop of seriousness behind my words, even though my wide-eyed and slightly glassy post-orgasms-ic haze and grin.

I toy with her earlobe, there feels like an old scar there. I ask, "Where would you want to go next?"

Rich

My eyes flutter closed when she plays at my earlobe. Without thinking about it, I push my head towards her hand, like some pet wishing for more... well, petting. Soft sounds of pleasure escape me. I am content.

My Taban asks about the future. "What next?" I say in a voice that sounds far away. I try to pull myself together enough to think about that for a cogent response. "Wherever the Corps takes us. As long as we're together, everything else is... adjustable. I'm stuck, Mei. Can't afford maintenance on these parts in a civvie job. Well, corpsec, maybe. But then I'll be working black ops, and there's no way a zaibatsu would let a psyke in." I look up at her face, "Not even one as cute as you."

"But I'm stuck with you." I say gently. "That's good enough."

Mischa

I butt her head with my chin. "You'd have to unstick me with a monofilament prybar." Then my brain catches up to the rest of what she says. I don't like black ops. But I smile when she calls me cute. So what? I like flattery.

I trace the delicate folds of her ear, waiting for gooseflesh. "We should buy you a lottery ticket. Or go to cheat at a casino." I tickle her lightly, playful.

After the moment subsides, I think. Does she want out of the Corps? Or out from under their thumb? I wonder if she would even want to look at the latest biotech advances?

I snuggle and close my eyes, content. I don't want to fret.

Rich

The idea of prying Mei off me with a prybar gets an unladylike snort out of me. I close my eyes as she touches my ear. Why did I let her know what this does to me? Does she know what power I've given her? I sigh in sheer pleasure, my leg twitching a bit as this hits me in the back of my neck, running down to my belly.

Is she reading my mind now?

The idea of real money, getting out of the corps. "Can you cheat at cards, Mei?" I look at her curiously.