Archive of Our Own

"I'm beat." Gigi shouted as she threw open our door and flopped onto the bed.

I made a sound of disapproval at her invasion and only looking up briefly before continuing instead to focus on the novel I held in my hands. "How did the appointment go?" I asked, finally closing the book and putting it off to the side.

"It went well. The baby is healthy." Gigi leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"And you?" I questioned, taking her hands in mine, kissing the tops of each of them and then squeezing them both.

"Fit as a fiddle, the doctor says." She smiled broadly and proudly, "I have far more energy and a lot less cravings for odd foods than her regular patients. Oh and I have a tail. That one sure threw her for a loop." At that, Gigi laughed. Her tail was a defining trait of hers, along with her boundless energy. But, she wouldn't really be the same without either one.

Our silences were rarely awkward, even when we argued. We both found our silences comfortable, because we both recognized that we were very different people. I placed my hand on Gigi's stomach, she looked up at me with love shining in her eyes.

"You ever get the feeling we were destined for each other?" Gigi asked, breaking the silence.

I leaned in and kissed Gigi's forehead. Her mind flashback wards, to a similar scene.

"Yes, I believe that." A look of great sadness crossed my face, "Many times, over and over again, we've met. And then we've parted."

I didn't know how I knew it. Something in the question triggered some latent memory, buried underneath the surface. Something that had been buried deeply but had slowly been worming it's way up to the surface. But I knew it to be true.

We were destined for each other, there was something that, no matter the time period, always drew us together.

And as I realized it, I opened my mouth, words gushing out of me. I was telling her of once such time that we had met. I didn't quite yet yet know how it would end, but considering we were here together now and that I had forgotten, I had the niggling feeling that it would end in tragedy.

***

Needing a change of pace, from my stifling job cleaning, I boarded a ship to take me away from Immerheim. I did particularly care where it went, just that it would take me away from the duties that I had long been fulfilling. And the boat didn't care where it took me either, as long as I had had money to pay the fare for the trip. And had had the money to spare, having nothing much to spend it on. I didn't take much with me either, outside of the clothes that I was wearing and my violin, that I could change into a lance if I needed it to.

The port that I landed in, some months later was a bland and gray thing, I wanted no part of it but stayed for a handful of days listening to people talk. Many of them spoke of a club, known as Good Dog, which they said had a few talented singers and a single pianist which drew large crowds every night. And with nothing to do, except watch people and listen to people talk, while I decided what I should do next, I decided to see the club for myself.

Plus, maybe, I could find work there, if they possibly needed an additional pianist, every now and then or a violinist to accompany the pianist. But as I stood in front of the club itself, I found it rather disappointing looking. It seemed like a shabby wooden building, nothing compared to the halls that I might have found in Immerheim. It was probably two stories, but from the outside, it was a tad hard to tell. And no sign indicated that I was even looking at the correct location. But once I stepped inside, I found the whole hall to be grand, with seats and tables all around with candles placed upon each table. An area for leaving your coat was on one side of the door, a staircase on the other, spiraled upwards to a gallery. It was hard to tell what else might lay up there, for my eyes were drawn first towards the bar, with glasses and bottles glittering in the dim light and then towards the stage, with a glittering chandelier high above it.

A piano stood in the middle of the rounded stage, a singular microphone placed next to it. The stage itself was slightly raised from the floor around it and was made of a slightly lighter wood than the wood around it, which had a darker hue. But all of the wood shone, shining in the dim lighting of the club. I took a step forward, then another, feeling myself drawn towards the piano. It was quite unlike the one I had left behind in Immerheim as I had fled the boredom and monotony of my previous life, which had been much simpler.

My footsteps must have alerted someone that was in the building, because I heard the creak of a door that I hadn't seen and saw a head poke out, "We ain't open yet. You might want to come back later if you're wanting to hear some music."

"Ah, no, sorry." I tried to reign in my thoughts and took a deep breath, "I was actually curious if you maybe needed a pianist. Or a violin player." And under my breath muttered that maybe a maid was needed, although given the shine of everything, I figured that position was well taken care of already.

The face looked at me curiously. And then a second face peered out from slightly lower. In tandem, sets of ears wriggled atop the heads of both faces. The one that had spoken previously spoke again, "Piano player? Hmmm. We have one but a second one wouldn't be bad. You could trade off with each other." I watched them, as curious about them as they likely were about me. The door creaked more and the door opened, spilling light from inside, "Come in and take a seat. You can leave the door open, it should still be a few hours before anyone else comes in."

The two figures retreated into the room and I followed, watching them as they took separate seats at a large desk. I found myself in a brightly lit office. It was a little shabby, like the outside appearance of the building but comfortable and inviting enough, for holding meetings.

The two faces I had seen from the door, belonged to two young women. The who had spoken for the pair thus far, was clad in a light blue one-piece dress. The other was clad in a pink suit jacket and trousers, she was far more petite than the other, who had a more womanly figure. What the traits the two did share, were the dog ears on the heads, along with dog tails.

"I'm Fuwawa Abyssgard and this is my sister..." The other, one cue piped up to say her part of the introduction, "Mococo Abyssgard." And then, together, as if they had repeated this many times before, "and together we're Fuwamoco! Bau Bau!" They smiled at me as I took my seat.

I returned their smile, "I'm Cecilia Immergreen."'

"Cecilia, are you new to Freesia?" I nodded at the question from Fuwawa, "No wonder you're looking for work then. And you play piano and violin? We could pair you with..." She trailed off and glanced at Mococo.

The sound of the door opening and footsteps from inside the club rang out on the wooden flooring, followed by a voice saying "Hallo!"

"In the office!" Mococo shouted in return, "And we have someone we'd like you to meet!"

The footsteps came heavy and a woman in an orange gown peered in. Her vibrant orange hair, instantly drew my attention. Small feathers shimmered from behind her ears. "Someone new for the club?" She asked, inquisitively, peering at me when I turned towards her.

I stood and held out my hand, "I'm Cecilia Immergreen. A pleasure to meet you, Miss..." I faltered, not know how else to address her.

"Takanashi Kiara." She took my hand and smiled, lifting my hand to her lips, "You have both a peculiar appearance and name. It's almost... Well, no matter." And she tittered ever so slightly.

A reddened slightly, from having her kiss my hand and the realization that, I hadn't made to cover up my arms, legs or the wind-up key atop my head.

"Oi, feather head." A gruff voice called out from behind her. There had been no footsteps at all, to betray her presence. The only one who had had the sound of footsteps now gave a sheepish grin and gave me a wink, before letting go of my hand. The owner of the voice leaned on the door frame and eyed me, "Calliope Mori. You can call me Calli." She left as quickly as she came and just as soundlessly. Her pink hair looked like candy floss and her dark clothing made it look as if she would be very good at blending into the shadows of a dark alley. I shivered, hoping that I might never happen upon her in such a fashion.

"Miss Immergreen here," I felt a chill run up my spine at being addressed as 'miss', but said nothing, "was looking to play the piano here. And we were thinking, she could play the piano for you!" Fuwawa said excitedly.

"Oh? Well then I shall lead her to the piano then! She should have already seen it, when she came in." And with that, she took my hand and led me out onto the floor. "I do hope that you know some of the more popular songs. If not, Shiori does have sheet music at the piano. Of course, you and I, we can always play some of the old world songs together too." She gave me a knowing wink.

I counted myself lucky, that I could read the sheet music, because songs that might have been popular in Freesia might be completely unknown in Immerheim. And I'd spent so long, sailing across the sea, that I was likely to be completely unaware or what was and wasn't popular in either location.

We reached the piano and Kiara sat on the bench in front of it, while I circled around it, running my hand along the burnished surface. The wood was just as dark as it had appeared from afar and it was even more majestic appearing up close. And obviously well cared for, by Shiori or maybe by someone else entirely.

"Did the twins... Say you would be doing anything other than playing the piano?" I shook my head and she glanced around us, warily, "Well, it's your first day. They'll probably approach you later."

I was curious what she meant, but chose not to press it. I figured that, eventually, things would become clearer in the future. Whether it would be a good clarity or not was another thing entirely. But I joined Kiara on the bench and I started to learn the songs on the sheet music, while listening to her sing.

As we finished up my getting to know the songs, she walked over to the bar, where Calli was finishing up what she was doing to prepare for the day. While they chatted, an imposing figure walked through the doors of the club. The sound of her heavy boots drew my eyes towards the door and then my eyes gravitated towards the horns atop her head, while she walked towards the bar and, before taking a seat, draped an arm over Kiara's shoulder and kissed her cheek. As the two of them chatted, Calli made herself scarce after harshly glaring, having finished what she was doing. And, instead of continuing to watch the two, I went back to practicing the songs that I would be playing throughout the evening.

Over the sound of my playing, I heard her footsteps again and heard them grow farther away. I breathed a quite sigh of relief, finding her a more imposing figure than I had Calli. I found, to my surprise, that I didn't particularly want to have to come across her again. But something deep down said that I would end up seeing her again.

The door opened and closed. Not long after, a steady stream of patrons filled the club and Kiara came back to sing to my playing the piano. Not once, that first night, did I meet the mysterious Shiori that would have normally played in my place. Perhaps someone told her that she didn't need to come by. Either way, I knew that eventually, I'd come face to face with her.

***

The next evening, I found that chance, however briefly. We exchanged greetings but didn't get much of a chance to speak because I was drawn away by Kiara to briefly meet the other singer of the club, Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame. She was dressed elegantly and her hair truly looked like it was aflame. And fitting of her name and her hair color, there was a blue flame in the middle of her chest. It was in stark contrast to Shiori's appearance, whom was clad entirely in black and looked as if she hadn't slept at all for several days. Her hair, in comparison to Elizabeth's longer red hair, was mostly black with some white on the right side and was worn far shorter. The entrance of Shiori and Elizabeth, were only precursors to what would end up transpiring, because not long after I had met with Elizabeth, I found two new faces entering into the club, one of which went straight for Elizabeth. The other, dawdled at the entrance, not sure exactly what to do with herself.

My eyes were, almost magnetically, drawn to her. I stood some distance away, against a wall and, unsure if she noticed, I observed her. It felt almost like she was familiar and couldn't take my eyes off her. I finally did, looking at the woman that had come with her, who chatted comfortably with Elizabeth. Elizabeth, occasionally would place a hand on the arm of the other and cover her mouth with her other hand. Her face looked almost as if it was flushed.

I continued watching, before taking my eyes off of the pair and went back to watching the other woman. She was short, her hair was worn short, tied up on either side of her head and a combination of blonde and a nutty brown. She appeared young, almost childlike and her nervousness left me almost wanting to go up to her and pat her head. And finally, she had an oddly shaped tail that looked almost like it had an eye in the middle of it. She finally took a seat at the bar, apparently tired from standing around and realizing that she would be there for quite longer than expected. When Calli came up to her, she shook her head and appeared to stared off at nothing in particular.

“Are you trying to tell her that you want to fight her, by staring so hard?” Kiara whispered in my ear. I jumped and turned towards her. I hadn't heard her come up to me.

“Not really.” I said when I'd gotten over my surprise, “She just seems so nervous and find it... I don't know, a little cute?”

“Hm, I see.” She nodded and her eyes went over towards Elizabeth and the woman with her. I followed her gaze when she spoke again, “That, is Raora. She's a regular here and the chief of police. The girl, since she followed Raora here must be her underling of some kind. Anyways, Raora is special to this place, she's an important client to Elizabeth and to the club. She turns a blind eye to the things happening here and steps in if there's some kind of trouble.”

I made a noise of acknowledgment and asked, “Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

“Aside from the occasional rowdy guest? What happens here is quite illegal.” She gave a laugh, “You've obviously see the bar. We aren't supposed to be serving alcohol here. No club is supposed to be. But we're able to because of her. And...” With a gesture towards the balcony area, that I'd spotted the previous day and forgotten about, I saw a group of young women lingering about there now.

The realization dawned on me that they were prostitutes. “I hadn't even thought about it.” I crossed my arms over my chest and then looked back and Raora and Elizabeth.

I felt Kiara's hand, gently touch my arm, “You might just find yourself lucky, with the little lady that you're pining over, if Raora talks to Fuwawa and Mococo.” As I looked at her and she gave me a wink. She gave a laugh, before walking over to the bar and sitting next to the girl.

Before long, Calli leaned on the bar and chatted with Kiara. Shiori and Elizabeth took to the stage, once more patrons had entered the club and Raora disappeared somewhere into the club, I couldn't tell where. I had suspicions that she might have gone to Fuwawa and Mococo, likely to greet them in their office. The girl stayed where she was, at the bar, slightly turned towards the stage so that she could more actively watch Shiori and Elizabeth's performance.

I continued to stand against the wall and watched as people danced, drank and clapped. The atmosphere was lively enough and I slowly found my smiling in response to the atmosphere. I let my eyes roam the club again, seeing Raora walking across the floor towards the bar. She paused briefly and, looking my direction, gave me a smile. She started walking again and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, their eyes moving towards me. I felt a nervousness in the pit of my stomach, remembering what Kiara had said to me earlier.

And then, as they watched me, I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard Fuwawa's voice in my ear, “The girl there, her name is Gigi Murin and you, will be responsible for making sure she's happy and comfortable.” I felt her grip tighten on my arm, “It doesn't have to be here. It doesn't have to even be in your own home. But make sure it happens. I hope you understand, that on this matter, you're the same as the girls up there.” At that, she pointed towards the balcony.

I looked at her and nodded, knowing that I had no say in the matter. But also not sure exactly how I would make it happen. I turned my head back towards the bar, Raora had moved somewhere closer to Elizabeth and I found Gigi's eyes still on me. I took a deep breath and started towards her. When I reached her, I wasn't exactly sure what to do.

Kiara looked at me and winked, mouthing the words “Good luck” before she turned back to talking to Calli.

I took a deep breath and held out my hand for Gigi to take, “Shall we go somewhere else?” She stared at my hand and then up at me, looking confused. I wondered suddenly if I had been too forward and felt a fresh fit of nervous embarrassment. I was glad that I covered myself up better than I had the previous day; wearing a long sleeved dress shirt, a suit jacket, trousers, gloves and a hat that covered my wind-up key.

I made to draw my hand back, but felt her hand reach for my own. Despite the gloves, I could feel the warmth of her hand in my own. She stood up and I led her towards the door, taking a look back and seeing Kiara give me a thumbs-up. I nodded at her and led Gigi out into the darkening evening.

“I don't live too far away.” I said after we had walked awhile, in silence, still hand in hand. “But if you like, we can go to your place instead.”

She silently shook her head and with a slight shrug, I continued to lead the rest of the way to the apartment I was staying at. I had been lucky, getting a room in a place that didn't have too many floors. I didn't want to have to go up too many flights of stairs to leave or bring anything into it, on the odd day that the elevator might decide not to work, so it had worked out perfectly. And it had a nice view of a park that we passed by, as we made out way to the lobby door. The lobby itself was brightly lit and stairs to the left of the entrance and an office to the right, with doors for other apartments on either side. The elevator was straight ahead and, today it seemed to be working. I counted myself lucky for that, as I led Gigi to it.

When we got in, facing the closing doors, I glanced at her profile. I didn't know if she was just nervous or was generally not talkative but in the short time we had been together, she hadn't said a single word. I was beginning to become unsure of whether she could speak or not, although I did feel as if I had seen her speaking to Raora.

Or maybe she was discomforted by the fact that she was with a stranger, in a strange building, about to do... Whatever it was that we were going to do. I still wasn't sure exactly what it was I was supposed to be doing to make her happy and comfortable.

Stepping out of the elevator, I led her to the door of my apartment, taking out the key and fitting it into the lock. I pushed the door open and beckoned for her to go in before me, making sure to lock the door behind me. I didn't think that anyone would walk in on what we were going to do, but I didn't really know what we were going to do to begin with.

“Take a seat.” I gestured towards the small living room, that had a small coffee table under the window, with two chairs on either side of it. “Would you like some tea?” I asked as she took a seat and stared out the window.

She turned her head towards me and softly said, “Yes.” With just a single word, I felt my heart nearly leap out of my throat. Something about her voice was the cutest thing that I'd heard the entire day. And I wondered if people would actually agree that her nasally voice was cute at all. I put a kettle on the stove and walked back in to sit across from her. We sat in silence, until the kettle whistled and I got up to make the tea. When I returned and put the tea on the table before us, she said “I've never really done this before. I mean... I've never slept with anyone before. Man or woman.” She explained as she turned her head away, embarrassed by her confession, as if she understood that what she had said had left me confused.

“I haven't either.” I replied, thoughtful. “I don't exactly have the same sorts of parts that you do.” I laughed as she widened and then narrowed her eyes.

“Tail notwithstanding, you must!” She shouted, standing up, shock apparent on her face. The shock on her face grew, as I shrugged and dropped my pants to the floor, followed by my knickers.

“I'm an automaton. I have no need for the same...” I paused, searching for the correct words, “Reproductive parts as you.” I pulled off my gloves as well, exposing more of my joints to her. I then, finally, pulled off my hat to expose my wind-up key.

A moment of silence passes between us. I gaze at her and unthinkingly smile. I'm grateful that, finally, it feels like even just a little bit she's opening up to me. I don't understand why, but there's something deep in my gut that says that she's important to me and that this was meant to happen, one way or another.

“I know that Fuwawa spoke to you prior, that she said something to you about me.” She looked sheepish. “Raora let me know I could have any girl in the club but she recommended you, after what Fuwawa had told her. She knows that I like girls with smaller chests, like myself...”

I stared at her, confused. I didn't really understand and I was once again, left confused by human and humanoid behavior. Why exactly would the size of my chest or her chest, for that matter, make any kind of difference?

“I'm not sure I understand.” I admitted to her.

She laughed, “For someone so human looking, there's a lot you don't get about humans.” I shrugged and she stood up, taking me by the hand and helping me up. “I think I've calmed down enough to get started.”

My head whirled. Get started? What did that mean? She led me to my bedroom and closed the door. She roughly pushed me up against the door and, standing up on her tiptoes, she kissed me. I put my hands on her buttocks and pulled her closer, Enjoying the warmth of her body against my own. I gripped gently, a soft gasp leaving her mouth. I squeezed repeatedly, like I was kneading bread, finding the feel of her cheeks pleasant. Wondering if it might do anything for her, I slowly slid my knee up her inner thigh. A rewarding gasp escaped her lips and she kissed me harder. Neither one of us had much experience in that department but together we were going to figure out exactly what needed to be done, in our own clumsy way.

We broke the kiss and she took the lead, sitting me down on the bed. She undressed, her pants and shirt hitting the floor. She left on her brassiere but after standing for awhile with her knickers on, let them also hit the floor. She stepped over the pile of clothes she left on the floor and, walking over to me, placed her hands on my shoulders and gently sat herself with her legs spread onto either side of one of my legs.

“Just stay still.” She said, kissing me again as she began to rock her hips back and forth, rubbing herself against the length of my leg. Her entire body shivers and she grips me harder, her fingers digging into my skin. I feel the length of my leg has become wet, as her breathing becomes more ragged and her movements become faster. Her body shivers once more, harder than before and her body stills, as she breathes hard.

She sighed into my ear and kissed my cheek, standing up. Between her legs was wetter than I thought it might be, as was my leg. Curious, I put my fingers into the wetness on my leg and put it to my tongue. As I looked at her, I could see her face look almost mortified but then she broke into a smile.

“It's a little salty...” I muttered, standing up. I started towards the door, to get a towel to dry off my legs but felt her hands grab mine.

“I'm not quite satisfied...” She said. She took the lead, pressing herself up against the wall. She put my hand between her legs, “Put your fingers in me and move them around, in and out.”

As I did as I was told, putting two fingers into her, she gasped as I felt her burning internal warmth and a stickiness that was unfamiliar to me. I gently spread them out and then wriggled them around, before moving them in and out. As I fingered her, she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close, making it difficult to move my arm around. Not letting it deter me, I listened to the sound of her breathing, felt the way that her walls contracted around my fingers and slowly picked up the pace, inserting a third finger into her. She put her face into my shoulder and I felt a warm exhalation of air against it, almost like a muffled scream, as I felt my hand grow wetter.

“Almost...” She gasped, pulling her face away from my shoulder long enough to get the words out. My fingers still pistoning in and out of her, I felt her grip me harder and then grow limp against me, as if all of her energy was spent.

I pulled my fingers out and observed the wetness on it and, looking down at the floor, the mess there, that I could see around us. She continued to hold me, until her breathing finally became even and quiet. Not knowing what else to do, other than stand quietly and still, I placed a kiss on her forehead, thinking that it might be something that lovers might do after... Whatever they called whatever had just happened between us.

A contented sigh escaped her lips, “That was amazing. I've never felt pleasure quite like I have tonight. Thank you.”

Pleasure. That's what she had felt? I pondered it and felt a pang of jealousy, wishing to be able to feel pleasure like she had. “You're welcome.” I said, smiling. It wasn't a forced smile, something about the situation, despite my jealousy, made me happy too.

***

Gigi started to visit me more from that day forward. We would spend hours talking together but she never made a move for me to touch her again. I didn't think that that was a bad thing. It just meant that for the time being, her needs had been sated. We were happy spending time together and that was good. Good enough that, I talked to the manager of the apartment and got a extra key made for Gigi, so that she could come and go as she pleased. By that point, she had several outfits stored at my apartment, plus a few spare uniforms.

Some days I would wake up in the middle of the night and see her visage next to me, the street lights outside of my window gently falling on her face. Other times, I would wake up alone.

We didn't really spend much time outside of the club or my apartment together. It wasn't that we didn't see the romance of going on dates together, we just preferred to spend time together in a place where we could be alone instead. Even if the club, when I wasn't playing the piano, I could find somewhere to be alone with her.

It had become a comfortable routine, much like the routine that I had settled into playing piano in the club.

Most of the time, I would play piano for Kiara. But every now and then, I would have the chance to play for Elizabeth.

I hadn't really gotten the chance to talk to her, nor get comfortable with her. So these times were good as good for me as they were for her, since playing for a different person than normal, was much like singing for someone different than normal.

And the differences between Kiara and Elizabeth were like night and day. For Kiara, her voice was much lighter and higher. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was deeper and smokier. Both very nice voices but wildly different.

It was difficult to adjust my playing for her, but it was difficult to get a moment alone to speak with her. Most of the time, if she wasn't singing, she would be with Raora. Other times, she might be talking with the woman that I had seen speaking with Kiara. I had to admit, I was curious what exactly was going on there, but hadn't the bravery to ask about it.

And I felt there was something suspicious about the whole situation, especially since I never saw the woman and Raora there at the same time.

Sitting at the bar, dazed and lost in thought, feeling like I was trying to put together a puzzle that someone had stolen the pieces from m, I felt a hand gently touch my shoulder.

"What's on your mind, darling?" I looked up and saw Elizabeth taking a seat next to me. I'd been so lost in thought, that I hadn't heard her footsteps. I hadn't even noticed that Calli had a concerned look on her face that seemed to melt away, once I caught her eye, when she saw Elizabeth strike up conversation with me.

"Nothing, I'm just..." I wondered how to cover up that I had been puzzling over her relationships and decided lying might not hurt. A smile crossed my lips, "Just thinking about Gigi." It wasn't too far from the truth, I had been thinking of her earlier and more and more, she consumed my thoughts. And I wasn't really too sure how to define our relationship. Was she just a client? Or was there something more there.

It did sometimes feel like my chest would get tight, when I thought of her.

"Well, Auntie Liz has been around the block a few times and if you're having woman problems, you can always come to me." She gave me a smile and squeezed my shoulder.

"Woman problems? Oh no, Elizab-" She put up a hand, to stop me, before I could continue.

"Call me 'Liz', please. Elizabeth feels far too formal. We've been working together now for a couple months and though we haven't gotten much time to speak, there's no need to be so formal." She insisted.

"Alright. Liz then." I paused, trying to find my train of thought again. "I'm just not sure how I should define the relationship between Gigi and I. I don't want to say that we're sweethearts but it doesn't feel merely transactional either." I flushed slightly as the words rushed out of my mouth and I thought about our first night together. It really did feel like it had blossomed into something more.

As we spoke, I heard the door open but didn't look towards it until Liz said "speaking of, your lovely little caller is here."

If I had been human, I'm sure I would turned a deep shade of red from embarrassment and I was deeply glad that I wasn't, as I turned my head and saw GG standing there. Something in my chest seemed to tighten and I felt the need to curse my creator's for giving me the ability to feel emotion, but stopped myself short, because if I didn't feel them, I wouldn't be feeling a deep but conflicted attachment to the girl who had started to make her way towards us.

When she reached Liz and I, she put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a kiss on the cheek, "How are you fine ladies?"

“Another successful night performing." Liz offered, with a wink and a smile. I smiled too, Liz had performed well and I had done my best to match her.

Gigi grinned a little and leaned towards in towards Liz to ask "Do you mind me taking her away from you then?"

I once again was glad that I couldn't blush. I did feel my body grow warmer and felt that infernal tighting in my chest. Just what exactly was this girl doing to me? I felt a raging conflict inside, the urge to push her away from me and storm out, fighting the urge to wrap my arms tightly around her and kiss her were going to war.

"Not at all. You ladies have a good night." Liz returned her wink and gave a knowing smile. I had never seen her leave with Raora, but I imagined, that she felt a similar affection for her that I was feeling with Gigi when she came calling upon her.

Gigi removed her hand from my shoulder and while I still felt the ghost of it upon me, I stood up and felt her take my hand in her own.

As we made to leave, I started to ask a question of Gigi after waving goodbye to Liz, but stopped midway as I seemingly saw the mysterious horned woman appear from the shadows of the club. She still seemed imposing, but less so than before. And I noticed that one of her horns was broken. I wondered how I had missed that the first time around.

Gigi stopped walking and stared at her, her mouth almost falling open in shock. I look between the two of them, watching the woman as she walked by, wondering what exactly could be causing such a reaction from Gigi. I find my curiosity deepen as she sits in the seat I had just vacated, next to Liz.

"What is she doing here?" Gigi whispers as she turns towards me. She looks almost angry, like there is something very wrong with the sight that she is seeing.

"I have no idea." I tell her, truthfully. "The last time I saw her... She came in and talked to Kiara. I have no idea who she is though."

She grips my hand tightly and I follow her as she leads me out, dumbstruck as to what might have caused the change in her demeanor, "We should go somewhere more private to speak."

I take one more glace back and see the mysterious woman watching us as we leave. We head to my apartment and when she takes off her jacket and sinks into the chair by the window she heaves a sigh.

As I take the seat across from her, I smell a faint floral scent from her that I hadn't noticed before. I close my eyes, briefly before asking "So, what's going on?"

"That woman, Nerissa Ravencroft. I don't know what she was doing there but she's the suspected leader of Advent. And they run the largest bootlegging operation here. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that she has ties to the club but I'm still shocked to see her, so brazenly, walking into it like that." She stops and looks as if she's deep in thought, until it seems like puzzle piece has been put into the correct spot. "The chief hadn't gone to the club tonight. And she doesn't know that I'm a police captain."

It made sense. Why else would a supposed criminal walk in, while there were police there? Even if there was something going on between Liz and Nerissa, with Raora unaware, Raora had to be aware of the fact that someone was supplying the twins with the alcohol that we served customers. But given that I was new and not as knowledgeable about what went on behind the scenes, I didn't quite know who or what entity was supplying the alcohol. And I hadn't stopped to think that maybe it was being supplied by someone thought to be highly dangerous.

"I'm conflicted. I'll have to tell the chief what I learned. But it puts the club in danger of being closed permanently with the possibility of Fuwawa and Mococo being jailed." Gigi looked like she was thinking hard about it and seemed like it might, at this point, be too much for her to handle.

I felt an amount of fear bubbling up inside of me. If this Advent was a group of criminals, if Gigi was somehow involved in taking them down, it would put her in grave danger. And I couldn't just sweep aside the belief that, things could turn bad very quickly if Gigi got involved.

I really didn't want to lose her. Not now, not ever. I wanted to keep hold of her, as tightly as possible, for as long as possible.

I stood up and, walked towards her. I knelt down and placed a kiss on the top of her head before sitting on her lap. "Hey. Forget that for now. Please." I wrapped my arms around the back of her neck. "Let's focus on right now. On us." I felt my voice grow deeper, huskier, more seductive.

And she turned to face me and I knew I had reeled her in, getting her to forget, for the time being, that there might be danger on the horizon.

"What are we?" I got straight to the point of what had been bothering me. And decided to push further, wanting not just to distract her more but also get to the bottom of her feelings. "Am I your sweetheart? Or just your whore?" The last word left a bitter taste in my mouth. But I knew that, in the end the goal of the twins had been for me to seduce her in order to keep her happy. I had been whored out to the police captain. But unexpectedly, to me or them or anyone else, I'd developed feelings for this girl.

Gigi stayed silent for awhile, staring into my face, a new look of shock on her own. But then she wrapped her arms around the back of my neck and brought her mouth close to my ear, "Don't demean yourself. Of course, at this point, we're sweethearts."

It felt like she left something unsaid, but I didn't ask her to say what was unspoken. I was grateful for it and kissed her deeply, before she had the chance to say it.

I broke the kiss and stared into her eyes. They wordlessly told me how filled with love and lust she was at that very moment. I stood up and led her into the bedroom, nearly tearing off her clothes before she had the chance to stop me.

I might not have been able to feel pleasure myself, but there was a part of me that wanted her so badly that I couldn't help but be a little forceful. But before I had the chance to push her down on the bed and ravish her, she put her hands on my shoulders, stopping me.

"I want to just lay next to you, for a little while. Don't do anything until I say otherwise." She softly kissed my neck and laid down on the bed, with me following not long after, once I had broken out of my haze. As we lay there, we stared at the ceiling. I felt a slight movement next to me and felt a change in her breathing. "Don't look." She told me.

I continued to stare up, following her command. And her heard wet sounds next to me as she pleasured herself. I felt a slight frustration, I could do that for her, so why wasn't she letting me? Had I seemed too eager in my advances and my attempts to distract her? Or was this normal for sweethearts to do?

Her breathing quickened more, the quickening of the movements next to me. And suddenly she was straddling me, her fingers still deep inside of herself, quickly moving in and out, "I want you to put your hands and my throat. And I want you to squeeze. When I tap your leg with my hand, I want you to let go."

I stared up at her, confused. But I put my hands around her throat and squeezed, slowly cutting off the airflow. I watched her face as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and felt her thighs press against my sides harder, her body shuddering with the combined pleasures of her self stimulation and the lack of oxygen. I felt her free hand tap my leg and when I let go, she collapsed on top of me, breathing deeply.

She raised herself back up into a sitting position and the hand she used to tap my leg, snaked up and touched my face, before gently hooking the corner of my mouth. She brought the hand that she had had inside of herself close to my face and, smelling the musk of if, I opened my mouth. I felt her fingers enter into my mouth and I sucked her fingers clean, tasting her juices. She watched me, slowly dragging her fingers along my tongue before removing them and kissing me.

She broke the kiss and laid herself on top of me again, her mouth close to my ear, “Thank you. I know you were trying to take my mind off of everything that's going on.” She sounded smug and I felt embarrassed that she'd seen through my efforts. “I take it that you're worried that something is going to go wrong?”

“Yes.” I whisper, not finding a need to try and hide it, “I'm scared you're going to get hurt.”

She sucks in her breath and I don't know what she's thinking. I can't even see her face, just as she can't see mine. I imagine that I look worried and she looks apologetic that she's causing me worry.

“It'll be okay. This is part of the job and it's what I've dedicated my life towards.” She kisses my cheek, “I've dedicated my life to serving in the name of justice.”

***

Days pass. Then months. Christmas comes and so does Gigi, my face buried between her legs, lapping greedily at the juices flowing freely from her.

I drew my face back, surveying the wet mess that I had made of Gigi and gently lifted up her bottom. Her entire body was drenched in sweat and body shivered as it recovered from the pleasures already bestowed upon it.

"Relax." I said, softly and with kindness.

I kissed both cheeks and then took a single lick of her anus. And then another, delighted by the surprised gasps coming from her, before fully digging it in. Her walls trembled and she continued to gasp, the new sensations and pleasures opening an all new world of possibilities for her to enjoy.

I stopped, waiting briefly to recover, listening to the sounds of her sobs. Her eyes shut tightly, I gently slid fingers from both hands into both of her holes, causing her to gasp and her eyes to spring open, wide in shock. Her eyes were quickly shut again and she threw her hands up to her mouth, muffling the sounds of the screams of pleasure, as I started to move my fingers in and out of her. I made sure to occasionally rub my thumb gently against her clitoris, something we had learned brought her a new kind of pleasure different from just putting my fingers inside of her.

I felt her clamping down on my fingers and, as I withdrew them from her, her back arched and she bit down on her fingers. Her eyes opened wide and she soundlessly screamed, as she sprayed my face with fluids.

Satisfied that I had down my job, I let her bottom back down onto the now soaked mattress and repositioned myself so that I could wrap my arms around her and pet her. Curling into me, she too wrapped her arms around me and breathed deeply into me, starting to catch her breath, after the pleasures that she had endured.

Her eyes opened and she looked at me, seemingly rested enough to speak again. “This is going to ruin the moment but... We've gained information, from an informant, that there are five members of Advent. They each lead their own faction. We don't yet know where their base of operations is, but that might not matter if we get our hands on Nerissa Ravencroft. Or someone close to her who happens to have information.”

The morning sunlight fell on her. I ran my hands through her hair and kissed her cheek, “So you're going to go after them soon.” Anxiety welled up inside of me, my worry nearly overflowing. I truly didn't want her to be in harms way but knew that I had no say in the matter. “Promise me that you'll be safe.”

“I promise.” She kissed my cheek in return.

We lay there until the morning sun turned to afternoon sun. We finally got up then and I prepared us dinner. We ate, chatting infrequently, enjoying the silence and the comfort of the company that we were in. Once we were done eating, we got back into bed, arms wrapped tightly around each other.

She left the next day, parting with a kiss. Going our separate ways, I tried to stay busy in order to occupy my mind from being too worried. But worry continued to rattle around in my head, before I finally left to go to the club.

The evening luckily passed uneventfully. Neither Nerissa or Raora showed up and Liz came in towards the end of the night, going straight towards the office. I was curious what they might have to speak about, suspicion roiling in my mind that maybe they were involved with Advent. But I had no proof and it wasn't my place to start getting involved in police business. I had to trust that Gigi and Raora would have things covered.

As I thought, Gigi walked into the club, looking like she was searching for someone. Someone that wasn't me. She sat down at the bar, watching the room, until Liz walked out of the office. I saw Gigi tense up as she noticed Liz.

Liz walked out of the club and, after waiting several moments Gigi followed her. It felt like the dread that I felt was crawling over my skin. I looked around, quickly grabbed my coat, my violin case and said goodbye to Calli before hurrying out the door, hoping to catch up with the two girls.

I looked around, catching a glimpse of Gigi. I hurried in that direction and saw her turn into an alley. I heard the sudden sounds of raised voices and hurried, turning into the alley after.

“You're getting too close.” Liz pointed a gun directly at Gigi, her finger on the trigger. “I really don't want to do this, but I'm going to have to if you don't back off. I can't let you take her away.” I overheard her say as I came to a halt.

“Put the gun down, Elizabeth.” Gigi said, her voice calm and even. “I just want to talk.”

“What is there to talk about?” Liz asked, voice shaking. “I'm only helping them so that I can get back what was mine. You don't understand. How could you understand?”

Gigi offered a smile, meaning to be disarming. She walked a little bit closer, “Try to explain it then. Maybe we can help you, Elizabeth.”

“You can't help! So just stay back, I don't really want to hurt you.” Elizabeth responded, her voice quivering. “You couldn't possibly help me get back the throne that was stolen from me.”

Gigi stood still. Neither one, despite me stepping into the alley, had apparently noticed me, because they both jumped slightly when I finally spoke. “Try us.”

“Could you possibly get someone back a throne that was stolen from them?” Liz asked. A throne? Gigi and I both looked at her, showing a clear lack on understanding. “I was meant to be the queen of Great Exardia. But the throne, it was stolen from me. And Advent... Advent promised to get it back for me, as long as I kept Raora distracted. But, I never accounted for her getting you involved.”

And then she pulled the trigger. Gigi staggered back and fell to her knees, her hand reaching for where she had been shot. She touched the wound and held it up to her face, blood on her hand. She looked at Liz and pulled out her own gun. But before she could pull the trigger, she was shot again. She fell onto her back and looked up at me.

“Guess I... Broke my promise... Huh?” She looked sad but she laughed, as if she had told a joke.

“Just stay there and try to stay alive.” I felt a sudden burst of anger. I never should have let her come into this alley. I should have gone to her before she could follow Liz. I knew that there would be danger and I could have stopped her. “You're not going to get that 'throne' back, if you're in prison.”

Liz shook her head, “They're not going to let it happen. And if they do, they'll get me out.”

“Not if I kill you.” I looked at her. I knelt down and picked up Gigi's gun. How did this thing work? Firearms seemed so more barbaric than other types of weaponry. I tossed it to the side instead and, taking hold of my violin, watched it change into a lance.

My grief, overflowed and I rushed at her. In her panic, she pulled the trigger of the gun but missed. I was on her before she knew it and I drove my lance up into her body, piercing through it and into her heart. With a gasp, she dropped the gun.

I pulled the lance free and she fell to her knees. A quick kick to her face knocked her back away from the gun.

I looked back at Gigi and walked to her, dropping down next to her. I placed my hands on her, after putting down my lance and felt my anger anew. There was so much that I regretted, so much that I wished that I had done. I wished I had stopped her or attacked Liz before there was a chance for a single shot to have been fired.

But above all, I wish I had told Gigi that I loved her.

“Well, well, well. What a tragedy has played out here.” A voice said, coming out of the shadows, revealing Shiori. “A dead police captain, a dead singing whore and an inhuman piano playing whore.”

“Just a little late to meet with Liz and this is what happens.” Nerissa's voice says, as she also comes out of the shadows. “What did she think Liz might of known anyways?”

“Probably something about where you were operating out of.” Shiori responded. “How much did you tell her anyways?”

“Not that.” Nerissa shook her head.

“Huh. I thought maybe you did. Maybe you don't reveal too much during pillow talk after all.” Shiori muttered, deep in thought.

Nerissa looked over at her, “What do you mean.”

“I just mean. I got bored.” Shiori smiled and gave a small laugh. “I might have called in, saying that I had information about the whole operation.”

Nerissa merely gave an exasperated sigh and glanced at me before looking back at Shiori. “You're the reason that they're both dead, then, is what you're saying.”

Still smiling, Shiori gave a shrug and stayed silent.

“You're both at fault.” I said, grabbing my lance. “They're both dead, because you two got Liz wrapped up in all of this and Gigi decided to impulsively follow after her!” I gripped my lance so hard, my hand started to hurt. I took a step towards them. And then another.

“Stay there.” A new voice drawled and came into the light. Looking back, I saw Calli and Kiara. “You two, haven't you caused enough trouble already?”

“I liked them...” Kiara said, looking sadly at the bodies. She lifted her head and glared at Nerissa, “It's going to take some time for me to forgive you for this one, Nerissa.”

Tires squealed behind us and Nerissa, looking past us said, “That's fine. But it's time for us to go. Catch you on the flip side.”

The two of them leaped into the air, high above us and ran towards a car that had pulled up, with the twins and an unfamiliar figure in it. The drove off, just as quickly as they had come, with the three us of standing there. Calli and Kiara both turned towards me.

“If Kiara can revive one of them, which one would you choose?” Calli asked.

I knew what the obvious choice was. The choice that they probably expected of me. But is that the choice that Gigi would want? Would she want me to bring her back, when I was given the chance to have her murderer brought to justice?

“Bring back Liz. Gigi... She'd want her punished for her crimes.” I sighed and covered my eyes with a hand.

“Okay.” Kiara said, putting a hand on my shoulder, before plucking a feather free and laying it down on Liz's body. We suddenly heard sirens not far off in the distance. “You should go. We'll take care of things here.”

“Thank you...” I nodded at her and then Calli. I picked up my lance and, taking one last look at Gigi's body, leaped onto the roof of a nearby building and sprinted away.

***

“Liz paid for her crimes and Advent never freed her, as far as I know. Obviously, with Fuwawa and Mococo gone, the club closed. I learned that later, via a letter from Kiara. Kiara herself went back to Austria, with Calli going somewhere south. I never learned exactly where. Advent resurfaced a couple of times, until they all got put in prison, only to break out again.” I said, looking at Gigi. “Of course they buried you. I never got to visit your grave, I left before the funeral happened. I couldn't stand, in my sadness of losing you, to stay any longer.

“Obviously,” I continued, “You, Liz and Raora of now are different from then. The rest of us either can't die or have lived for very long periods of time. With the exception of Kiara who has died since then but revived on her own. But unlike the rest, she has no memories of what happened then.

“I even forgot, originally.” I paused, “I'm not really sure why I remembered all of this, so suddenly.”

It had become early morning by the time I finished telling my story to Gigi. The morning sunlight gently peeked it's way through the curtains. She looked at me and then stared of into space, in thought.

“Definitely a lot to unpack there.” She counted to look thoughtful. "Wait. Is that why you spent months, cooped up in your workshop, coming out only so we could have se-"

"Yes, shut up!" My face heated up and I playfully shoved her. "I was collecting data, trying to mimic how I should react, to similar stimuli. It's not perfect, but I managed to create something similar to your own organ, including the secretion of lubricant that is safe for human consumption.”

"Anyways, I couldn't do it until more recently, because the materials now are much better and far more similar to the materials I'm made from it's not perfect, by any means, but I've done the best I can with what I have."

"Just say you wanted to cum when we fuck, nerd." Gigi taunted.

"Ugh, shut up. You're going to have to get yourself off." I retorted and pouted.

Suddenly turning serious, she looked at me again. “So, you're saying, that this has happened, multiple times. Over the course of many years. Or centuries. Whatever.” I nodded, “I keep dying? Over and over? And you forget every time.” I nodded again and she sighed. “I hate you.” But she laughed and wrapped her arms around me.

“And I love you too.” I replied, kissing her cheek. I was glad to finally say it, even so long after so many times of not saying it and parting from her so suddenly.

“Am I going to die soon?” She asked, suddenly serious again.

“Let's hope not.” I hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek again. And then I reached over and turned off the light.

I didn't really know what tomorrow would hold. I'd lived so long and been through so much that I was never really sure what would happen. I could only hope that this time, things would be different. I could only hope that this time, Gigi would love a long life with me and that we would get to watch our child grow up together. And then, eventually, when she finally passed, I could repeat the process again, hoping that things went well that time too.

My eyes adjusted to the dark, as Gigi's breathing became quiet. I gently stroked her hair and watched her, a smile on my face. She would live a long life, I decided. I'd do everything that I possibly could, to make sure of it. This time, things really would be different. I'd make sure of it.