A shake of the hand doesn't appear to be an acceptable form of greeting as she pulls the girl into a face-burying hug.
*Mai Zhi, it's so good to see you,* she gushes in Varisian when she releases the rogue. *And who is this lovely lady?*
"Hello tanti Marusa," Zhi replies with a hint of embarrassment. She turns to her wife. "Melodie, this is Carmelia Marusa, she's the owner of Marusa's" Zhi turns back to Carmelia and takes a firm grip on Melodie's hand. "Tanti Marusa, this is the Lady Melodie d'Valois." She pauses for a beat. "My wife."
Carmelia's eyes widen for a moment before her grin grows even wider and she pulls Melodie in for a face-burying hug of her own. "Oh it is so wonderful that Zhi has found someone to make her happy," the woman says in Common when she releases Melodie to catch her breath. She gives Zhi an appraising eye. "So? No longer just Mai Zhi now?" she says with a prompting tone.
"No, Tanti. Now my name is d'Valois Mai Zhi," Zhi says shyly.
"Such a beautiful name. And a beautiful wife." her eyes move back and forth between the two. "A beautiful couple." She takes a deep sigh. "Tito!!" she yells out loudly and one of the young men comes rushing over.
"Hello Zhi," he says with a broad smile.
"Hello Tito," Zhi responds.
*Isn't it so nice to see Zhi again?* Carmelia gushes. The young man nods. *And her wife?* The man's smile fades somewhat as he looks back and forth between the two women.
His smile completely vanishes when one of Carmelia's, apparently strong, hands smacks the back of his head. *Stupid! Horse's ass! Idiotic pile of ... !*
The rest of the Varisian insults become gibberish when Mel feels Zhi's hand deftly and quickly slide her ring from her finger.
"You don't need to hear this," Zhi whispers to her. At Melodie's questioning glance, Zhi shrugs. "I think tanti Marusa had always hoped that Tito and I ... " She shrugs again.
Carmelia has finally finished berating her son and is nothing but smiles for the young lovers. She leads them over to a small table with a wide view of the market square. Zhi says something to her in Varisian and the woman leaves. The rogue reaches across the table for her wife's hand and slides her wedding ring back on. She doesn't release the hand. "Sorry about that. You really didn't want to hear what she was saying to him." She looks out at the bustling marketplace. "I'm not sure where she got the idea that he and I ... I mean he only gave me flowers once and I'm pretty sure she made him do it."
The woman seems lost in memories for a moment.
"She used to sneak me bowls of stew when I was working the square. She wouldn't let Father see because he'd get upset. Father would say, 'If we want to eat, we need to work. Depending on someone else's generosity will only leave us hungry.' Tanti Marusa would pretend I wasn't picking pockets. She'd say I was begging because little girls didn't do that sort of thing."
"Because little girls shouldn't subject themselves to that sort of risk," the woman in question says as she sets two large bowls of stew on the table along with a tray of bread. "That's for little boys to do. Little girls should be nothing but a distraction. Otherwise, bad things happen to them." She leans over and gives Zhi a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank the gods nothing like that happened to you."
The woman lowers herself to Zhi's side and whispers in Varisian, *Lunch is on me. Keep your lady happy. You chose well.* She plants another kiss on Zhi's head before walking away. A moment later, Tito appears with an open bottle of red wine and two glasses. He glances furtively at Zhi before walking away.
Zhi reaches out and fills both their glasses before gesturing for Melodie to try the stew. "It might be a little spicy, but I think you'll like it." She doesn't hesitate before digging in to her own bowl with a grin.
"I've got one more place for us to visit before we get ready for tonight," Zhi says after a few moments of silent eating.
Safina applauds as Maria rides Akeem around in lazy circles. "Very good! You are a natural, darling! You just had to find a horse that likes you."
Akeem whickers, as if to say that he's merely tolerating the tiefling.
"Or at least puts up with me, by the sound of it." Maria joked. "Is there anything else I should do while I'm up here or should we wait for Akeem to be in a more accommodating mood?"
"You're doing great!" Safina says, and indeed, Maria is excelling at her first solo ride. "Try to get him to go a little faster now!"
"Uh, okay." Recalling what she knew of getting a horse to go faster, she tried tapping her heels into his flanks.
Akeem breaks out into a fast trot, bouncing Maria up and down in the saddle. She maintains a firm grip on his reins, keeping the horse under control.
"Excellent! Alright, now the final challenge--lead him over to the small fence and have him jump over it!" Safina says.
"Uhhh... you do still have those healing extracts I brought, right?" she asked. After confirming that she did, Maria did as instructed and trusted to Akeem and what training Safina had given him before aiming the horse at the indicated fence and getting him to run.
Akeem runs full speed at the fence and leaps into the air! Unfortunately, at that moment, the reins slip out of Maria's hands and she fumbles for purchase, falling painfully off of the horse.
Safina winces. "Oof! Maybe we should save the jumping for the second lesson." She moves to help Maria up.
As they walk together and Zhi explains her plans for the day Melodie can't help but smile. "I have the most thoughtful wife in the world." She murmurs into Zhi's lips, laughing lightly as she catches sight of the indignant mother. "I assume you aren't planning to cause a scandal though."
Moving into the Narrows Melodie's mood changes, curiosity warring with nerves as she ventures into territory she's always been told is dangerous. Zhi's halting them to change their appearance is much appreciated and the new Melodie is slightly older and there is something sharper about her, hints of Kurana appearing for Zhi's trained eye to see.
She's glad of it when the disgusting man with bad dental hygiene starts making suggestions. He receives a full, cold glare from Melodie as Zhi steps in to menace him and he shoots a glance at her over his shoulder as he retreats.
Inside the room Melodie looks around, curiosity, pity and revulsion warring within her. She listens quietly as Zhi explains her life and her face softens as Zhi begins to talk about their daughter. She pulls her wife into an embrace, not caring about small eyes that may be watching them. "Thank you sweetie. I never knew it was like this and you're right this is something we have to fix. More people should be doing more! No-one should have to live like this."
It's easy to see as they leave that this visit has struck a chord with Melodie, a new light is visible in her eye and she has her 'concentrating' face on, which sits oddly on her illusionary features.
Meeting tanti Marusa is a completely different change of pace and Melodie can't help but almost immediately like the woman. She's smiling openly as Carmelia embraces them both and the expression doesn't change when Tito comes over. She's verging on outright laughter when he gets a clip on the ear from his mother, and oddly the expression doesn't fade when Zhi removes her ring.
She leads them over to a small table with a wide view of the market square. Zhi says something to her in Varisian and the woman leaves. The rogue reaches across the table for her wife's hand and slides her wedding ring back on. She doesn't release the hand. "Sorry about that. You really didn't want to hear what she was saying to him." She looks out at the bustling marketplace. "I'm not sure where she got the idea that he and I ... I mean he only gave me flowers once and I'm pretty sure she made him do it."
"It's all right." Melodie says soothingly, placing her other hand over her wife's. "I'm not threatened. You had a life before we met and you know people, besides I'm not surprised everyone loved you." Her smile is warm and gentle before turning slightly mischievous, "I am curious about one thing though. How would he get a donkey up his arse? Was he really that loose?"
At her wife's shocked expression her grin widens. "Yes I understood the rest. And no I'm not telling you how."
"Because little girls shouldn't subject themselves to that sort of risk," the woman in question says as she sets two large bowls of stew on the table along with a tray of bread. "That's for little boys to do. Little girls should be nothing but a distraction. Otherwise, bad things happen to them." She leans over and gives Zhi a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank the gods nothing like that happened to you."
"I thank you for that Carmelia." Melodie says. "Everyone needs people to look out for them and I thank the gods that Zhi had you. Thank you!" Her words ring with sincerity in the strange way that only a vox like Melodie's can.
She tucks into the meal with interest and enjoyment and manages the heat with, mostly, good grace although both Carmelia and Tito seem to be getting enjoyment from the redness of her face and the fact that she called for water three times.
"This has been my best ever birthday." She says once she's finally recovered. "I'm truly looking forward to what you have planned next!"
"I thank you for that Carmelia." Melodie says. "Everyone needs people to look out for them and I thank the gods that Zhi had you. Thank you!" Her words ring with sincerity in the strange way that only a vox like Melodie's can.
Carmelia moves to Melodie's side and pulls her head to her chest for another suffocating hug. "And now she has you to look after her. I'm so happy for both of you." She kisses Melodies head and then returns to her work, wiping her eyes with the towel on her shoulder.
~~~
The place Zhi leads Melodie to as the afternoon stretches is in a nice neighborhood in the Lionsgate district. It's a low-slung building with nothing outside indicating what kind of business it holds. The only sign outside contains Tien lettering announcing 'The Delicate Flower'.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Zhi says sensing Melodie's suspicions. "It's actually a school. This will be the first of our new memories this evening." She doesn't say anything else as she leads her wife inside.
The couple are greeted by a demure Tian woman in a elegant red dress. "You must be the ladies d'Valois?"
At Zhi's slight bow, the woman continues, "And which one of you ... ?" Before the woman can finish, Zhi speaks up. "I am the student. My wife is the subject." The woman nods and smiles.
Another, younger, Tian woman, summoned by an unknown means, enters the room. She is dressed in an off-white cotton tunic and matching breeches. "Please come with me and we will prepare."
Zhi turns back to her love and says, "Just follow their instructions. You'll enjoy this, I promise." The younger woman leads Zhi off through a curtained archway.
"Come with me, please," the older woman says to Melodie, indicating for her to follow. She leads her through a different archway, down a short hallway and past several closed doors. She opens one and gestures for Mel to enter.
The room seems designed to sooth the senses. There are high windows along one wall. They're not low enough to see out or in, but the afternoon light spills across the ceiling to compliment the many candles burning. The scent of vanilla and lavender rise from the candles to settle the mind. There's a soft sound of falling water coming from somewhere but Melodie can't see its source. There are small tables spaced around the edge of the room, but the main piece of furniture is the long padded table in the center of the room. Soft towels are folded on one end of the table.
"If you would please remove your garments and jewelry and lie face-down on the table. You may use a towel to cover yourself if you wish. The masseuse will be along in a moment." The woman bows with a soft smile and makes to leave but stops at the door. "I must beg your pardon, but it has been requested of me to emphasize that you remove all of your jeweler." She then turns and closes the door behind her as she leaves.
The door opens again and two women dressed in the off-white tunics step into the room. One of them is carrying a tray with numerous jars on it. It's Zhi.
"Please place the oils on that table there," the other woman requests and Zhi complies. Zhi says something to her in a musical tongue and the woman raises an eyebrow but then nods.
After she sets the tray down, Zhi moves next to the table and leans down to whisper to Mel, "I hope you enjoy this as much as I'm going to." She gives the girl's ear a nibble before stepping back from the table.
The other woman steps over to the tray and picks up a small jar with a cloth and walks over to stand next to Melodie's left side.
"We'll start with the ... " she begins but trails off as Zhi shakes her head and glances at Melodie. The woman nods and begins speaking again, but this time it's in the same musical language. Zhi steps to Mel's opposite side and begins mimicking her actions.
They begin by trickling warm, scented oil down Melodie's arms. They follow this by massaging the oil into her hands and working their way up her arms. At various points, the teacher (as Melodie surmises) comes around to Zhi's side of the table and gently adjusts Zhi's position and how much pressure she is using. Her verbal instructions continue throughout. Once they reach her shoulders they pause and reposition themselves down by her legs. Warm oil is trailed up the back of her legs to where the soft towel covers Mel's bottom. The two ladies begin working the oil in, starting at her feet.
When they reach the middle of Mel's thighs, Mel can hear questions being asked and answered as they pause in their work. The issue finally resolved, Mel feels the towel being moved up her back, exposing her bottom. The massage continues up the backs of her thighs. The outside ... and inside. The instructor brushes all the way up inside her thigh, just barely avoiding her folds. Zhi, on the other hand, is not quite as careful. It must be clear to the teacher what Zhi is doing because the woman comes around to Zhi's side of the table again and, placing her hands on Zhi's, gently corrects her position. Mel catches one phrase in Common, "Spoil-sport". This is followed by quiet laughter as the woman returns to her side of the table to continue the massage up Melodie's bottom.
There is a similar adjustment of technique as the women work on Mel's arse-cheeks. The instructor brushes close but just avoids the sensitive spot therein. Zhi, again, requires her form adjusted with gentle hands and subtle laughter.
The towel is removed entirely and oil is poured up Melodie's back and the two ladies begin to work in earnest on the woman's back. The instructor's technique is perfect relaxation. Zhi's technique ... slightly less so. She seems more determined to tease then to create a relaxed wife.
By the time the two pairs of hands reach her shoulders, Melodie is balancing on the narrow line of relaxation and frustration. The woman gives Zhi another instruction and Zhi leans down to whisper to Mel, "You're supposed to turn over now."
Once she turns over, Mel can see that Zhi is looking at her with hunger. Her teacher catches her attention, though, and they begin again, starting with Melodie's arms. As she works on Mel's forearm, though, Zhi can't help but place soft kisses on the backs of Melodie's fingers. The instructor simply rolls her eyes and smiles. They reach her shoulders and then begin again at her feet. The journey up Mel's legs seems longer this time, or does it just feel that way because Zhi continues to watch her expression as her hands travel slowly up her thighs?
Zhi's teacher is nothing if not professional as, again, she has to correct Zhi's positioning at her sensitive juncture. She takes it in stride though and seems to be asking Zhi something. Zhi responds in the affirmative with a wide smile. She then turns that smile on Mel and Mel knows something different is coming.
The instructor takes Mel's leg and slides her foot up the table, bending her knee in the process and opening up her legs slightly. Then in one smooth movement, she slides her hands up both sides of Mel's leg - over her calf, past her knee, up her thigh and then one hand continues up her hip and the other down to slide down the crevice between her cheeks. She still just manages not to touch anything that would be inappropriate. She follows through the same motions twice more before lowering Mel's leg to lie flat on the table. She indicates for Zhi to duplicate her behavior and Mel can sense that there's a subtle admonition there as well as Zhi visibly pouts at the woman. The instructor actually giggles.
Zhi eyes her wife as she raises Mel's leg to replicate the other woman's ministrations. Her method is almost perfect. Almost. On the third pass, Zhi can't help but tickle Mel's rear opening just a little as she pulls away. If the instructor noticed it, she didn't say anything. She did roll her eyes again, though.
Their hands then continue their journey along Melodie's sides and abdomen. When they reach the woman's chest, the instructor begins demonstrating large circular motions around Mel's breasts. The movements occasionally stray to brushing across her now erect nipple. Zhi mimics the woman's efforts with much more frequent contact with the nipple on her side. She asks the woman a question with a smirk. The teacher raises an eyebrow and responds in the obvious negative. Zhi counters and the woman rolls her eyes in what seems to be a regular response to Zhi's actions. She gives a curt response with a smile and looks towards the ceiling.
Zhi looks down at her wife with a devilish smile. While keeping her gaze, she lowers herself to take the erect nipple between her lips, sucking gently. She releases it with a gentle pop and returns to the circular movements of her hands. Her instructor finishes her inspection of the ceiling and returns her attention to Melodie's massage.
The women's hands continue their journey up Melodie's body with her shoulders and neck. The last portion of the lesson pertains to her temples and scalp, but the instructor demonstrates this rather then have Zhi perform it.
Her instructions seemingly finished, the woman covers Mel's exposed body with a towel before giving Zhi some final information with a smile.
Zhi actually blushes as she responds.
The woman gives Zhi a raised eyebrow and glances at Melodie. Without another word, the woman bows to Mel's prone form and exits the room.
Zhi smiles and leans in to give her wife a soft kiss. "I hope you enjoyed that. I did. In fact I'd like to do that again some time with just the two of us."
She turns to gather Melodie's clothes. "She told me that we didn't need to rush out if there was anything else we wanted to do. She said we had the room for another twenty minutes." She giggles. "She mentioned that it was a service they offered, but she thought it would mean more coming from me."
Zhi turns and sets the clothes on the table. She looks at Melodie with her devilish grin again. "I told her we had other things to do and didn't have the time. And we don't. We need to get ready for dinner. Your parents are waiting."
~~
When the couple step out into the early evening air, Zhi brings her wife's hand up to kiss her knuckles. "I hope you enjoyed that. I wanted to ... After our last massage I want you to see that I'm not a ... that I don't want to be a jealous and controlling b&#*@."
Bartelby considers the offer. "It is tempting, to be sure. Are you certain your constituents would accept me in that role, considering the hardships they suffered during my rule?"
"I think it will be my companions that I have to convince." Melodie says lightly, shooting a sidelong glance at Zhi. "Leave it with me and I will return soon." She smiles, offers a curtsey, and leaves.
"You don't approve." She says to her wife outside, its not really a question.
"You don't approve." She says to her wife outside, its not really a question.
"You're not going to tell me that you thought I would," she says with a frown. "Which is why, I'm sure, you didn't tell me in advance. People don't change that quickly, Mel. And I'm not comfortable putting him in charge of our home. Because it is our home now. And it will be our daughter's home."
She stops and turns Melodie to face her.
"But you're my wife and I trust you. So if this is what you want to do, you have my backing."
She takes her wife's hand and continues walking.
"Convincing Sara is going to be up to you, though."
With an almost comical cry, Maria found her feet slipping out of the stirrups and sailing through the air for a second before hitting the ground.
"Maybe the third or fourth, just to be safe," she joked as Safina helped her up. "Akeem didn't run off, did he?"
Akeem dutifully trots over to Safina's side. "He's too well-trained for that. At any rate, I think that's enough practice for one day. Shall we head back?"
"Yeah, let's go. Just as well it ended then, I was starting to get pins and needles in my tail." Surprisingly, her tail hadn't uncoiled when she fell and, as Safina watched, it was clear why. She'd tucked the spade-shaped tail in through a prior loop of the appendage and then used the back-end of the head as a kind-of hook to better hold it in place. As the tail was freed, she moved and twisted it to loosen up the muscles, making almost a whip-crack motion with it to get the blood properly flowing again.
"Think I coiled it a bit too tightly this time." she muttered as it started feeling normal again.
"Perhaps you'd like me to help loosen it up?" Safina asks, massaging Maria's tail as they walk back to Stachys.
"Sounds good," she said, relaxing as Safina's fingers went to work on her tail.
"I'll let you know if you need to stop, though," she told her with a knowing wink, "at least if we haven't reached the manor by then."
"Convincing Sara is going to be up to you, though."
"What would you suggest then?" Melodie asks. "I've been in contact with Martella and she agrees, he has changed. Do you think we would have had a reception that polite from him before, with him knowing about us being together? I know you've told me off for this before but I do see something in him Zhi, I believe he can be a good man and maybe he just needs the opportunity. That said, letting him run Stachys might be too much. Can you think of something in between we can do? A chance for him to prove himself? If I'm wrong I won't say any more about it."
After she sets the tray down, Zhi moves next to the table and leans down to whisper to Mel, "I hope you enjoy this as much as I'm going to." She gives the girl's ear a nibble before stepping back from the table.
"I think I'm about to." Melodie smirks in response, wriggling into the table and making sure to emphasis the movements under the towel.
Zhi not being careful is clearly exactly what Melodie wants, she seems to be more frustrated by the masseuse who manages to avoid everything she wants.
By the time they're done Melodie is smiling, having decided to make a point of showing as unruffled a facade as possible.
Zhi smiles and leans in to give her wife a soft kiss. "I hope you enjoyed that. I did. In fact I'd like to do that again some time with just the two of us."
She turns to gather Melodie's clothes. "She told me that we didn't need to rush out if there was anything else we wanted to do. She said we had the room for another twenty minutes." She giggles. "She mentioned that it was a service they offered, but she thought it would mean more coming from me."
Zhi turns and sets the clothes on the table. She looks at Melodie with her devilish grin again. "I told her we had other things to do and didn't have the time. And we don't. We need to get ready for dinner. Your parents are waiting."
"I don't know whether to kiss you or put you over my knee and give you a good spanking." She says, mild threat warring with lust in her tone. "We'd better not keep mother and father waiting though." As she rises from the massage table she makes a point of aching her back and strutting as she turns her back to leave the room.
"I'm looking forward to the repeat performance." She says over her shoulder. "As long as there's a happy ending."
"... A chance for him to prove himself? If I'm wrong I won't say any more about it."
Zhi looks uncomfortable.
"Why do we have to be the ones to do anything about him? I'm sorry, Mel. Maybe it says something not so nice about me, but I don't trust him. He's too arrogant and intelligent to just change his ways like that." She reaches up and wipes at her eyes. "Maybe ... maybe if we spent more time with him I would feel differently, but until then ... "
She squeezes her eyes shut and takes a deep breath. "I don't want to argue about ... him. Your birthday is coming up and I want that to be enjoyable for both of us."
Her eyes open and the green within them sparkles. "You're my wife," she repeats. "Whatever you'd like to do, I will support you completely."
The ladies return to Melodie's parents' manor and they make their preparations for dinner.
"Something elegant because we're going to the theater after dinner," is Zhi's only instruction to her wife before secluding herself in a different room to dress.
When she finally joins the others in the entrance hall, she's wearing a flowing black dress with shimmering patterns that seem to move with the light. Her jewelry is all silver with green stones.
Dinner is a tasteful affair at a restaurant near the theater that serves Taldan food with influences from many different cultures. The conversation is light and entertaining but not long, the evening's entertainment awaits.
Upon arriving at the theater, Zhi leads the group into the lobby and towards an attendant to retrieve their reserved tickets. After a short discussion, the elegantly dressed man passes them off to an usher.
"If you'll follow me, ladies and gentlemen," he says as he leads them upstairs. Once he reaches an ornate door and opens it, Melodie can see that it leads to a private viewing balcony. There are two pairs of seats, partially separated, in a row looking right down onto the stage. Zhi enters first and indicates for Melodie's parents to take the left pair of seats with Isabella towards the center and takes the far right seat herself, leaving the seat between herself and Melodie's mother for her wife.
"I've heard good things about this troupe," Zhi says quietly. "I think you're really going to enjoy this ... performance." She smiles.
It's fairly obvious to Mel that Zhi has something planned. However, despite being in a so-called 'private' booth, their seats are quite visible to anyone that would care to take time to look. Add to that the fact that Mel's mother is setting a mere two feet away, it doesn't seem like there's too much trouble the ladies could get into.
The story on stage begins and this troupe's take on 'The Three Loves of Ana' is readily apparent. Where the original story is that of Ana and the three men she loves at various periods in her life, this rendition has replaced all the major characters with women, including the primary love interests. The tone has been changed as well. Much of the humor of the original has been toned down and the romance elevated.
Partway during the first act, Zhi quietly rises from her seat. "I'll be right back," she whispers to her wife. She's gone for less then five minutes before returning to her seat.
Except the woman sitting down next to Melodie is not her wife. She's Tian-Shu and about the same height and build, and her hair is styled the same. She's also wearing the same dress. A casual observer would probably not make the distinction, but to Mel she couldn't be more of a stranger.
Before Melodie can decide how to react, she hears a voice whisper in her ear. "Shh. Everything's ok, Printesa Mea. Trust me. Relax and enjoy the show." Zhi's voice is right in her left ear, but when Melodie glances to her left she doesn't see anyone other then her mother sitting in her seat a short distance away watching the performance. "Or at least try to," Zhi adds with humor and Mel can feel her body heat and breath. The feeling of invisible warm lips kissing her neck follows.
The warmth moves around behind her to her right side and the lips begin their work there. "I can tease as well as you can, my sweet," they whisper before nibbling on her ear. Invisible hands slide down Melodie's shoulders and then to her breasts, kneading them through the material. One hand pulls away and then slips in through the top of her dress to fondle her more directly.
A quiet "Shhh." from her mother indicates that Mel isn't being entirely silent in response to Zhi's attentions. "Quiet now, Printesa. Remember, people are watching," Zhi whispers in her ear, her lips brushing against it.
The fondling and kissing continue for another few minutes with another quiet "Shhh." from her mother before Zhi whispers, "I'll be right back my love, the magic only lasts so long," and her warmth moves away.
Just about the time Melodie's breathing returns to normal and she starts to focus on the performance again, she feels her wife's breath in her ear. "I'm back. Remember, people are watching." The warmth moves away, but she feels it move around between the seats.
"What is it, dear?" her mother says, turning towards her. When she sees her daughter still focused on the stage she turns her attention to the performance with a frown.
Mel feels hands on the top of her thighs as the warmth of her lover's body makes itself known in front of her now. The heat moves in close to her face and she feels soft lips gently touch hers. They pull away and move to her ear. "Are you wet for me, Printesa?" Zhi asks as Mel can feel one hand pressing down at the juncture of her thighs. "I think you are, but let's check."
The heat moves away and Mel feels a hand sliding up her leg and under her dress. It slowly strokes the inside of her thigh before moving higher. The hand reaches her smallclothes and fingers begin deftly stroking her. The fingers then slip behind the cloth barrier and engage in a more intimate touch.
Isabella glances at her daughter before leaning forward slightly to see her daughter-in-law sitting calmly in her seat. She leans across the gap between them. "Are you alright, dear? You keep making noises?"
Zhi's invisible fingers continue their assault on Mel's flesh, bringing her to the edge and then slowing. She does this more than once before finally letting her wife tip over the edge. She continues stroking her as the spasms crest and then slowly recede. Once they finish she pulls back and strokes Mel's thigh for a bit before pulling her hand out from under the dress. Mel feels her wife's body move in close to her front. Wet fingers brush her lips with the strong scent of her wife. "You're not the only one who's wet." Soft lips touch hers again and pull away. Zhi's presence fades.
After a moment, the woman sitting next to Melodie rises and exits the booth. A minute later her wife returns to her seat. She picks up Melodie's hand and brings it up to her lips to kiss her fingers. She leans in close. "I love this story." she whispers with a grin.
~~~
"I have one more present for you," Zhi says to her wife as they walk down the hallway towards Melodie's suite in her parents house.
"I've always felt that Papa Sweets took part of me. After all the time talking to Zil, I've come to realize that he didn't take anything - he just claimed it." She frowns and looks down. "It's not ... I don't want to ... I think I've taken it back."
The ladies reach the doorway to Mel's rooms. Zhi steps to put her back to the door and face her wife. "It wasn't easy and took some ... effort. But I think you'll enjoy the results. At least I hope you do." She smiles shyly and turns and opens the door. Her dress vanishes as she walks through the doorway, leaving her naked with the exception of her high-heeled shoes and her leather collar.
And ... a tail?
A tail of long black hair dangles from between Zhi's muscular arse cheeks. It swishs back and forth as she walks, her hips swaying. The small woman looks back over her shoulder enjoying the show she's putting on.
She reaches the end of the bed and kneels down on the floor, the dark hair of her tail spilling across the floor underneath her.
"My present is all of me with no reservations. No one can claim any of me but you, my love. Everything I have and am is yours. Everything," she says before tipping her head to look down at the floor. "What do you wish of me, Printesa Mea?"
She makes it through the rest of the performance, mostly by imagining the various creative ways she can take revenge on her wife and largely misses the climactic scene until the rest of the theatre rises to applaud.
-------------------
"I'm sure I..." Melodie manages to say before Zhi commences with the disappearing dress trick. Her eyes widen for a moment before she pursues her wife and draws her into a passionate embrace.
"I love you, so much!" She whispers before kissing Zhi fiercely. Then she steps back and raises Zhi's outstretched arm, a clear invitation for Zhi to twirl. As she does so Melodie grins widely before closing to embrace her wife again, her hands sliding down Zhi's lean back.
"First you're getting me out of these clothes!"
After meeting Bartelby Melodie returns to Stachys with Zhi and calls a meeting. Once everyone arrives she takes a deep breath and begins.
"I've been visiting Bartelby Lotheed. From my correspondance with Martella and my own observations I feel that he has changed for the better and I'd like to play a role in helping him become a useful member of society again. Zhi has pointed out that this should be a group decision so here it is. What do you all think?"
”Well, if he has changed then a small-scale trial run - with safeguards and handled in a way that won’t get the people of Meratt worried that he’s getting a free pass... might be worth an attempt. He certainly can’t be given free reign to oversee somewhere; not with how the people feel about him.”
Sara's jaw drops. Immediately, she begins pacing about, muttering, trying to contain herself. Arms crossed, she takes a breath and begins. "You want us to work with him? To help him improve? If he is improving, good, but let him do it far from here and out of my sight. He is a poison, a microcosm of everything that wrong with this country, and I for one will not lock arms with him."
She scoffs and undoes her ponytail, shaking her hair our and massaging her scalp.
With a long breath she straightens her back and shakes her hands anxiously. "What would propose we do with him, exactly?"
"Anyone can be redeemed," Zhi says looking down at the table. "Even someone ... someone like Bartleby." She steadies herself before continuing. "Melodie thinks that he can do some good - maybe make up for some of the ... less then reputable behavior he's engaged in."
She looks up at Melodie.
"How about ... " Zhi begins and it's clear that she's not enthusiastic about the idea. "How about you have him work with some of your agents, Mel?"
"How about ... " Zhi begins and it's clear that she's not enthusiastic about the idea. "How about you have him work with some of your agents, Mel?"
"That's what I was thinking." Melodie agrees, giving her wife a grateful smile and offering one down the table to Maria as well. "I've got a lot of people now and between them and managing Stachys its becoming a headache. Bartelby is experienced and has good contacts, I think he could prove a valuable manager. He's a skilled magician too, I'm hoping that he might help us with creating magic items as well..."
Sara's jaw drops. Immediately, she begins pacing about, muttering, trying to contain herself. Arms crossed, she takes a breath and begins. "You want us to work with him? To help him improve? If he is improving, good, but let him do it far from here and out of my sight. He is a poison, a microcosm of everything that wrong with this country, and I for one will not lock arms with him."
She looks at Sara's pacing and her face falls. "Sara, it wasn't that long ago we sat in here and discussed another person who many see as a poison and a microcosm of the things that are wrong with this country. You said you believed in her and that we should work with her, show her the right way - even after she tried to assassinate people and broke into our home, more personal attacks than Bartelby has ever made to us. I trusted you, and I supported you. I just hope you can do the same for me. You were right, and I truly believe that I am too."
She takes a deep breath and turns to look at the rest of the group, her face sliding back to the calm 'business look' she usually wears for such meetings. "Are there any objections then, to me giving him a trial run, working with some of my agents? I will discuss it with Martella of course before taking any further steps."
She takes a deep breath and turns to look at the rest of the group, her face sliding back to the calm 'business look' she usually wears for such meetings. "Are there any objections then, to me giving him a trial run, working with some of my agents? I will discuss it with Martella of course before taking any further steps."
Zhi seems to want to look anywhere but at her wife. Her eyes move around to the window, the floor, the table, and her hands. As the silence stretches she looks up to see Melodie looking at her questioningly. She realizes that Mel wants a response from her.
Zhi gives a quick shake of her head before looking away again as she slides one hand down over her belly.
"How about ... " Zhi begins and it's clear that she's not enthusiastic about the idea. "How about you have him work with some of your agents, Mel?""That's what I was thinking." Melodie agrees, giving her wife a grateful smile and offering one down the table to Maria as well. "I've got a lot of people now and between them and managing Stachys its becoming a headache. Bartelby is experienced and has good contacts, I think he could prove a valuable manager. He's a skilled magician too, I'm hoping that he might help us with creating magic items as well..."
Sara takes a step back, as if struck. "Wait, sorry, do you want him manage your people, or to manage Stachys? Because one of those sounds like a great way to rally the county into accusing the Princess of corruption."
She looks at Sara's pacing and her face falls. "Sara, it wasn't that long ago we sat in here and discussed another person who many see as a poison and a microcosm of the things that are wrong with this country. You said you believed in her and that we should work with her, show her the right way - even after she tried to assassinate people and broke into our home, more personal attacks than Bartelby has ever made to us. I trusted you, and I supported you. I just hope you can do the same for me. You were right, and I truly believe that I am too."
Sara rests both of her palms on the back of a chair and breathes out slowly. "Mels, the difference between the Swan and Bartleby is that all of us have met Bartleby. And, what's more, an anarchist was a valuable ally when we were plotting to forcibly remove him from power.
"From this we would gain for an ally, what, a man who once growled at me and told me that the common folk belong under the heel of his boot where they are happy? No, he's a disgusting man and I want nothing to do with him."
She takes a deep breath and turns to look at the rest of the group, her face sliding back to the calm 'business look' she usually wears for such meetings. "Are there any objections then, to me giving him a trial run, working with some of my agents? I will discuss it with Martella of course before taking any further steps."
Seeing that she's not getting anywhere, Sara pulls out the chair and slumps into it.
"Are you going to leave him in jail while he manages your people, or free him outright? Because one of those is a lot easier to resign myself to, and I will not support a bid for his freedom."
Much of her earlier zeal and zest is gone.
Melodie nods to Sara in recognition of her point(s). "I was thinking of Stachys but I understand that that's too much. I'm sorry, I was getting ahead of myself when I thought of that. Assuming that Martella agrees I'll put him in touch with some of my senior agents and see how he handles them. If that works out I can give him more work gradually."
She looks up and down the table to check that everyone accepts the compromise.
"Unless anyone else wants to say anything I have letters to write!"
*********
Melodie promptly writes to Martella, outlining her plans and hopes that doing good works will have a positive effect. She also includes a letter for Bartelby, posing him a question similar to the situation she dealt with with the murderous donkey and the unpopular farmer. She wants to see how he'd respond and hopefully open a dialogue.
”I’m inclined to agree that Bartley has no place anywhere near the decision making process. All that the people will see is that the new boss has quietly brought back the old, exploitative boss. If he’s going to turn over a new leaf, he should do so quietly, in small steps at a time, not in a way where the fates and lives of a barony or county depend on him actually being a good leader. The fact that he isn’t dead is a testament to our caution, not a result of any act on his part. I think there are... problems.”
Martella agrees with Melodie's decision, and Bartelby's reply indicates he would seek a similar solution to the situation as the one Melodie chose. It would seem there may be hope for him yet...
***
A relatively quiet month passes in Meratt. You take the time to relax and prepare for your future challenges. Eventually, you are summoned to the Palace of Birdsong.
Princess Eutropia's mutt, Taldogis, bounds forward in greeting, wielding a deafening bark and nearly lethal wagging tail. The princess gently shoos him away before inviting you into her office.
"I want to thank you again," she begins, "both for your loyal service and more personally for returning Carrius to me. I don't understand who would have the resources to raise him from the dead after so many years, but it seems obvious the plan is to disrupt both Pythareus's and my own claims to the throne. For now he's safe and recovering. He seems to be the same boy, but... haunted by this unfortunate transition. Hopefully Carrius can provide us with additional details once the cultists' drugs wear off and he feels more comfortable returned to his skin. In the meantime, it is an infinite kindness to see my brother again.
"I know normally Martella Lotheed would be offering you assignments, but she is presently in Qadira trying to prevent a war. After your encounter in Yanmass, you returned with evidence that Maxillar is conducting false attacks on Taldan border communities, disguising his soldiers as Qadirans. My follow‐up investigations have revealed he has also conducted 'retaliatory' attacks against Qadiran targets in response. He seems to believe that a nation at war will select a general as its emperor, and he's probably right. But I don't need to remind you that the last time we went to war with Qadira, it lasted 500 years and cost millions of lives, not to mention half our empire.
"There is some good news: we're not alone in wanting to prevent this. Up until now, the Lion Blades have been reluctant to take a side in the succession debate, but with Maxillar risking the nation's safety, they have reached out to me for assistance. It seems all their resources in Zimar have suddenly gone dark, and they need new eyes in the city. You've proven yourselves my most loyal and reliable agents; I'd like you to proceed to the Kitharodian Academy in Oppara to meet a woman named Kathann Zalar. She'll provide you additional information, training, and resources for this joint venture. She also asked that you return an ocarina constructed by a master artisan of the Kitharodian Academy that has been housed here at the palace for the last few centuries, as a sign of good faith.
"Do you have any questions before you depart?"
"If we are moving against Pythareus then this could be the last major act of the civil war." Melodie says slowly. "What is your preferred outcome, Your Highness? How would you wish to see this end? It is good that the Lion Blades have reached out, but if their goals are not the same as yours, then how should we act?"
Eutropia frowns pensively. "I make no secret of my displeasure with Maxillar, and he's certainly overextended his internal defenses as he maneuvers forces to the border, but it's not in my nature to settle disputes with assassination. Taldor is a nation of laws, and to stop Pythareus we need iron‐clad evidence of his crimes against the nation, not brutal violence. You showed mercy to Bartelby Lotheed. If possible, I'd ask you do the same for the High Starategos."
"So we are looking for proof that Pythareus has acted against Taldor, which can then be revealed in order to bring him to a legal trial." Melodie nods. "Thank you for clarifying that Your Highness."
She looks at the rest of the group to see if any of them have any more questions.
"We already have evidence that the General was arranging 'false flag' attacks on Taldorian merchants. What other evidence are we looking for?"
"Is the Kathann Zalar someone that we can trust? Do you trust her?"
The princess sighs. "Just because you have proof of a major figure's wrongs, it doesn't mean they'll suffer the consequences. Defenders will claim the documents you already recovered are faked, or more likely, that I am attempting to smear him. Some people, sadly, are entrenched enough that accusations require a mountain of evidence before decisive action can be taken.
"As for Kathann, she is one of my few remaining contacts within the Lion Blades. Though I enjoyed a number of supporters within the Lion Blades' ranks during my crusade to overturn primogeniture—many in the organization felt advancing Taldor's internal unity would strengthen our security as well—the organization refuses to act beyond being an internal security force. Even my closest allies among them have removed themselves from me since the War for the Crown began. It's been frustrating, but I can appreciate their perspective; to ensure the nation's safety, they must be loyal to that nation and its tenets, not any one politician
"Kathann assisted me in my campaign to overturn primogeniture, and rushed to our defense during the Exaltation Massacre. I've quite literally trusted her with my life, though her sense of humor can be a bit... overbearing. You have been warned." Eutropia gives you a sly wink.
Zhi nods at the answers to her questions. She looks at her wife and then at the others.
"Oooh, so she likes puns," says Zileska dryly.
"Among other things," Eutropia replies.
Before you depart, Princess Eutropia hands you the ocarina to return the Academy. The ocarina itself is remarkable in that it is expertly crafted from porcelain and inlaid with silver details, but it's small and has no magical properties. The remainder of the Blades' letter requests only that you remain discreet in your association, and meet Kathann in the Academy's gardens, on a bench under the administrator's offices at sunset.
The princess also presents you with a package Martella left for you. Inside is a clockwork spy built in the shape of a large beetle with a single, jeweled eye.
"You have your task, my friends. Good luck. I look forward to hearing about your latest success."
***
Once you are ready, you take your carriage south to Oppara. The trip to the capital proves a quiet week's travel, though you pass by the site of a recent battle between Loyalist and Imperialist forces that took place in southern Tandak recently. By this point the bodies have been cleared from the impromptu battlefield, but the freshly turned soil of recent graves remains visible from the road, and the faint stink of death lingers. Nearly two-thirds of Taldor has now thrown their support behind Princess Eutropia, but its evident that Maxillar Pythareus's remaining supporters will not back down quietly.
Soon enough, you find yourselves in Oppara. As sunset approaches, you make your way to the Kitharodian Academy, the largest bard college in the city. The location where you are supposed to meet Kathann is easy to find; the administrators' windows are a stained glass affair, propped slightly open in the warm evening, with a large, stone bench below.
You linger for a bit, but Kathann is late in arriving. However, after a short time, two men wearing blue‑and‑green guard uniforms and armed with halberds approach. The taller of the two guards calls out, "Good evening. Stay where you are. We have a few questions for you. Who are you? Why are you loitering on the Academy grounds?"
"We are here to visit the Academy." Melodie responds, unwilling to give anything away. "We have an appointment with Ms Zalar. I hope that's not a problem."
Her mind flashes to the ocarina, stowed in Zhi's haversack. That could be awkward.
The guard harrumphs. "It might be. You still didn't answer my first question. Who are you? 'Cause I really wanna know."
"Travellers. We met Ms Zalar at a party in Oppara and wanted to look in on her." Melodie continues to evade the questions, the guard's determination to get an answer only reinforcing her own to avoid giving one. "If the Kithrodian Academy has closed its gates then I will be happy to leave and let everyone in the capital know that the Academy is no longer in business!"
The guard glances at his companion before turning back to Melodie. "Well now, someone reported a break‑in at the Academy. I'm sure you don't mind if I have a quick look at your belongings?"
"Absolutely I do!" Melodie says, outrage and anger clear in her tone. "Are you implying that I or one of my companions are a thief? Firstly, we have only just arrived as I'm sure your colleagues can attest. Although frankly I'm more annoyed that you seem to consider us so dimwitted that we'd steal something from your Academy and then wait around to be caught! Are you a fool? Your thieves are long gone - probably teleported the moment they escaped. I am not going to submit to an invasion of our privacy simply because you lack the imagination to come up with the simplest explanation of the situation!"
She folds her arms firmly. "We have nothing to hide! And I'm offended that you would dare to suggest such a thing!" A flicker of thought activates the Subtle Mask to read their intentions.
The guards seem taken aback by Melodie's fury. They take a couple of steps back, then the lead guard narrows his eyes. "I'm going to have to take you in for questioning. We'll sort this out in the morning."
Melodie can sense the lead guard is of average intellect. However, he seems to have a strong will as he resists the mask's attempts to read his thoughts.
She shifts her focus to the other man, who seems to be smarter than the first. This time, the mesmerist is able to sense his thoughts. "They are quite impressive. Kathann's had her fun, though. I wonder how much further she is going to push them?"
"Shall we call an end to this little charade then?" Melodie asks. "As you so rightly believe," she nods to the second guard "Kathann has had her fun. We should get down to business instead."
"No. We'll sort this out right now," Zhi says. She turns to Melodie. "Mel, they're going to find it one way or the other," she says in resignation.
She shifts her bag around on her shoulder to reach inside it.
"We were bringing a gift for Ms. Zalar," she continues, pulling from her bag a leather harness with a leather phallus attached. "This was supposed to be a very private gift, but you've ruined that now, haven't you?"
She shakes her head.
"This is going to be very embarrassing for us, you, and her. I hope you're happy."
Melodie sighs theatrically, covering her face with her hand. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this..." She says, flashing her wife a wink from behind her fingers.