Rays of sun shot through the open windows blanketing the two women in a gentle yellow hue. Shielded from the Fall weather the warmth upon their bare skin was a welcome sensation as if the world blessed the events of the previous night.
Steady even breaths stirred the hair atop her head rousing the General Queen from her restful slumber like the gentle calling of her given name on a mid-winter eve. For several moment Kazenite laid there in a bit of a daze with her mind lingering along the edge of unconsciousness till the light reflected off the bedside lamp temporary blinding her by it’s sudden brilliance.
It had been far too long since she had slept so soundly which is why she was so reluctant to finally rouse herself fully awake. But if the high sun filtering into her condo was any indication of time then they were likely well into the afternoon. Her movements were languid as she untangled herself from Delilah’s arms; there really was no reason for her to get up quite yet. Even still, that thought did not stop her from leaning forward and placing a kiss on the other womans forehead before getting out of bed.
Their clothes had been discarded in haste and laid in a pile at the foot of the bed yet the teal haired woman felt little inclination to put them back on. Instead she retreated into the bathroom and slipped on a blue cotton polyester robe and tied the belt around her waist for modesty’s sake. When she emerged, Kazenite slipped out of the bedroom and closed the door quietly behind her then retreated into the kitchen to brew some coffee to help her wake up from this odd sort of hangover.
Movement in bed next to her caused a small stir in the body of the raven haired woman. She could feel a shift in pressure around her form as if someone was climbing out of bed. But who would want to do that when it was as warm and soft as ever. Still, the form did leave her side allowing the cooler air from the bedroom to find its way onto her pale skin.
Her body reacted on its own as she pulled blankets closer in around her. Anyone looking down would have seen a ball of color with black hair sticking out of it. Quite a sight to be sure.
Still, as quickly as she had tensed up, Delilah’s form softened and her breathing slowed, returning her to a sound slumber.
That was until the smell of coffee drifted under the door. Coffee was always a sign of needing to wake up and to be honest, it smelled heavenly.
Opening one red eye to take in the room, she quickly closed it again as she rolled to her back, stretched, and sat up. There was a heavy fog in her line of vision but it was clearing slowly as she blinked a few more times. Still not quite sure if she was awake or asleep, Delilah tested this theory as she shifted the warm blanket off her lower body and found the floor with her feet. It took to the count of five to get to standing.
Ignoring the discarded clothes and instead grabbing the throw at the end of the bed, Delilah made her way to the door as she wrapped the warm fabric around her body. Her body felt heavenly as she opened the door, glanced to the kitchen, and smiled. “Good Morning. Enough in the pot for two?”
Kazenite nodded her head in a morning greeting. The smile that spread across her face was in part amused by her guests choice of attire. However, she was neither coy nor shy in her look of appraisal as her gaze drifted downward then up once more taking in the sight brought before her. Last night was most definitely not a dream.
It took some doing but with an amount of willpower she averted her attention back to the task at hand. Reaching up she opened the cupboard and withdrew from it a larger than normal coffee mug and poured Delilah a morning cup of pure caffeine. “If you would like there is a spare robe in the bathroom. It’s hanging on the back of the door,” she added though in truth she didn’t mind one way or another if her guest chose to remain as is.
Leaning in the doorway, Delilah glanced around the living room taking in the sunlight as it hit each piece of furniture. To be honest, she really did not remember much about the layout of this apartment. Last night, she had what? Been teleported in, sat on the couch, shared information and then…
Well her eyes looked back over her shoulder at the ruffled comforter as a smile went over her face.
“I don’t think I got to say this before but…” Delilah turned, giving Kazenite a full view of her backside. Hey, jumping around on buildings had perks for ones butt. “You really do have a nice place.” Extending her arms up in a stretch, the raven haired woman returned back into the bedroom and made her way towards the single door. Opening it, she ducked her head in and reached around to grab the black robe that was hanging there. As she slipped it on, she wondered if Kazenite was shorter than her or this robe was more for slight coverage than full. Still, it would do.
As she walked back into the main room, Delilah made her way towards the kitchen area. Slipping in behind the teal haired woman, she brought her hands up to the woman’s and hugged her from behind in a way that Delilah knew she could feel her chest against her back.. “So, that was one hell of a way to say thank you.”
Kazenite’s attempt to stifle an abrupt laughter resulted in an unceremonious coughing fit and ended with her reaching for a paper towel to blow her nose. “What can I say?” she shrugged while leaning over to toss the used makeshift kleenex in the garbage under the sink. “I didn’t exactly expect you to come back after the incident with Damen.” In all honesty she had assumed after that the snafu with Sherwood would have sent her Dove running back to the furthest camps with her tail feathers tucked firmly between her legs. Not saying she is a coward but more to distance herself at the very least. In truth Delilah was never meant to find out that she was a General Queen.
“Just don’t assume I do that with everyone.” Quite the contrary, this was the first time … or technically speaking the second, but she wasn’t counting two summers ago.
The laughter caused Delilah to step back with a smile. “I think that is the first time I have heard a real laugh out of you.” The human form of the white moon senshi was smiling softly as she watched the woman grab for a napkin. However, it was at the same time that she threw it away that Delilah’s face dropped.
Her lips became thin and her eyes heavy. She had watched, no, taken part in the death of a man that had trusted her and cared about her. To say she was completely alright in this would have been misspoken. Delilah was crushed for days after this event both physically and emotionally. In truth, it had been enough to almost cause her to leave the city. However, something inside of her said no. It was that inkling, that scratch you couldn’t reach that kept her there.
“That woman was an idiot.” Delilah finally admitted as she stepped back and leaned against the far side of the counters. “She was asking to get herself killed.” And that was all Delilah said on the matter as her face lifted back up and locked onto Kazenite’s.
“But, it happened, it’s over with and you can’t change the past.” A shrug moved through her shoulders causing the robe to slip slightly. “All we can do is move forward. And let’s be honest here but how forward would it be if someone with my connections up and disappeared?”
The previous humor in Kazenite’s eyes faded at the prospect of Delilah’s disappearance. Sure she had prepared herself for the possibility that something of that nature might happen; and in reality nearly did. But as she said, the past is in the past and in this moment they were living in the here and now; and oh what a wonderful place it was to be.
There was a coy, sly smile slipping over those red lips as Delilah shifted her shoulder to expose a bit more skin, acting as if she didn’t notice. “Such a waste. If others knew that side of you, they would be lining up at the door.”
Being the observant person she was, Kazenite’s gaze drifted down to the exposed skin. My dove is a little temptress, she mused though she didn’t disapprove in the least. It was an asset she possessed and she wielded it well with Damen.
The General Queen shifted her weight onto one leg and leaned against the kitchen countertop. One eyebrow quirked in curiosity as she took a sip of her own coffee then set it back down and asked; “Do you really want to share my attention with anyone else?” Even though she already knew the answer it didn’t hurt anything to ask if only to hear the confession fall from those divine lips of hers.
Raising a finger to her lips, Delilah cast her eye sight up to the ceiling. She was tapping that manicured nail against those red lips as if in deep thought, weighing all the options. “To share you with others. Not only could that become complicated but three somes have never been high on my list. Too much fighting over body parts. And let’s be honest.”
Delilah pushed off the counter and walked towards the woman, red eyes locked on teal with a smile that could have lured anyone in. “I would be insane not to want you all to myself.” Delilah whispered in Kazenite’s ear before running her lips over the woman’s exposed neck leaving a trail of kisses.
As she reached the collar bone, Delilah’s hand slipped out from the robe and grabbed the mug of coffee that Kazenite had just placed down. Taking it into her own hand, the raven haired girl stepped back, gave a warm smile, and walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room.
Oh, she was good. To make the General Queen blush was a feat in and of itself. However managing to leave her a bit dumbfounded was damn near impossible; yet Delilah did just that. Had it of been anyone else Kazenite would have likely summoned her weapon and dropped the person where they stood for being so forward, and yet she oddly liked this change in dominance.
With the cards now laid on the table it seemed to reason that a power exchange had just been played with that well timed move. I will not be manipulated by a member of the Resistance. Even if her alliance to them is only a facade. Kazenite steeled herself then and reclaimed her own mug before following Delilah into the room. Love, lust, infatuation… all of them were emotions the general Queen had turned her back to many years ago; refusing to become entangled in something that would get one or both of them there. But this little bird beside her was something else; an enigma of sorts and it confused the teal haired woman to no end.
Despite their first conversation back on the rooftop over a month ago, things had begun to change and for once it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Even now they were still in the throng of war with the end not necessarily in sight, though it seemed to be leaning heavily in Metallia’s favor. Perhaps if they both survived till the end, maybe then and only then could she open up more fully and actually let the crimson eyed woman in. Till then… “I don’t believe you have anything to worry about. The general I had brought with me is long gone.” She was rather quick to turn tail and run back to the side of Order. No matter, her blood will stain the pavement red for turning traitor soon enough; if not by Kazenite’s own hand than by that of another agent.
“Oh.”
The one word answer was more of just a sound as Delilah lifted the mug to her lips. Hot liquid ran down her throat and chased away the rest of the edge to the some sort of hangover she had been having. Coming back to the couch, she took her place again next to the arm rest and let her body just relax into the comfort. For a few moments, Delilah sat in silence, sipping her coffee and glancing at nothing more than the floor.
When Delilah finally did sit the mug down on the table, after looking for a coaster, her voice came out a touch more controlled than it had been since spilling some very powerful information last night. “It’s amazing how things do change so quickly. Sometimes I think the day I decided not to live with regret might have made me jaded towards certain things dealing with this mess.” Looking up at the wall, she leaned back against the sofa and bit her bottom lip, a mindless trait. “But I feel nothing anymore at the idea of the death of Damen or even if that general is gone. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing but…” Her eyes finally dared to look at Kazenite. “I owe you a thank you.”
“Oh?” Kazenite lifted Xyla off the recliner cushion and took a seat. There was a distinct look of annoyance directed at her from the guardian to which she merely raised an eyebrow. It was a silent conversation but didn’t take a genius to figure out what was said.
Why the hell did you move me? There are other seats. Yellow eyes flicked over to the other two places to sit on the couch.
Your point? It’s my chair.
After an intense staring contest Xyla rolled her eyes and jumped off Kaze’s lap then trotted over to Delilah and nestled down on her lap in protest. Such a temperamental little cat jeeze. “Anyway…” she set her mug down on the side table and leaned back into the plush seat. “Why do you feel you owe me a thank you?”
The sudden weight on her lap caused an unexpected reaction with the raven haired woman. It wasn’t that she didn’t like cats but when you start adding things together, such as the fact she was a senshi who drew her power from a bird and talkings cats are what got her into the mess to begin with, well, one could understand why she was a bit hesitant to show the feline in her lap any favor.
But, Xyla was different. Xyla was not to blame for her awaking and to be honest, the cat was so uptight that Delilah doubted she ever tasted a bird that did not come from a 5 star restaurant. It took her a moment but Delilah softened and her hand finally came down on the warm body in her lap. Softly, she began to rub the cat’s ears.
“It’s silly really but…” Delilah looked down at the cat in her lap and smiled as her hand reached under Xyla’s chin to scratch it. “But you found gave me a reason to keep going in all this. Silly enough, I was considering packing it all up and just leaving town. I’m tired of this on going game. Tired of the constant suffering on all sides. Tired of meeting one person on Monday and hearing about their death on Friday. This….” She sighed and let her hand rest on Xyla’s back. “is a cycle that just appears to be never ending. And all because over thousands of years ago, a prince fell in love with a forbidden princess.”
“It is unfortunate that choices made so long ago still affect us today and dictate our way of life. However, until this war finally comes to an end there will be no peace which is why I work so hard to prevent the resistance from gaining sympathisers or patrons to support this endeavor of theirs.” This battle already leaned so heavily in the Negaverse’s favor that it was about time the white moon court finally gave in. The rest of the world had already succumbed to Metallia which is why they have finally come together and descended upon Destiny City, the last stronghold for those who have aligned themselves with Order.
They’re too proud to actually give up. “They’re merely prolonging the inevitable.” If they won’t submit willingly it only leaves by force as the only alternative; and so the cycle will continue till one side finally yields or is completely destroyed. “Which is why this crusade Benitoite has been set upon must be stopped sooner rather than later.”
“Then is there anything else I can do on the matter? Or would it be best if I played the morning after routine of ‘thank you so much now leave’?” The last of her words caused Delilah to lean her chin down, giving Kazenite a slight pout of a look. Honestly, she couldn’t hold it long and was soon finding herself breaking into a ridiculous smile and a laugh.
“I do wonder if maybe the Dark Mirror Senshi had a point about returning to space.” Delilah finally admitted but shrugged it off just as quickly. “Though even to this day, I disagree with that thought process. Last place I want to live is back on what is supposed to be my ‘home world’.
“If that is what it takes for this to end, then I’m not opposed to them leaving. However I don’t see that as being an option for the ones who are still running around the streets.” Indeed, because if it was then they would be gone by now. “As for you, the only thing I need you to do is lay low. Your display last night likely caught the attention of some rather unsavory characters out there” It really wouldn’t do to have her caught this early in the game, not when there was planning to do and a General King to break.
Delilah only gave a single nod. “I understand.” She took a moment, and gazed down at the fur ball on her lap that was starting to snore before a thought dawned on her.
Looking up, she blinked twice and chuckled. “But then I have to ask. Could I get a ride home? Or at least a change of clothes. I don’t think walking around in an oversized t-shirt would do well for the ‘laying low’”
“Why waste time on getting a ride?” Let alone why bother with clothes. It wasn’t like Kazenite didn’t know where Ms.White lived and the robe she had on covered far more than the shirt she had on.“I could just teleport you home.” Something she didn’t think Delilah needed reminding, then again perhaps she was too nervous to ask.
Delilah smiled when the idea of ‘wasting time’ was said. Why? So that she could see if the enjoyment could last a little longer. But of course, that wasn’t going to be said aloud. Delilah was not ready to admit yet that she might be enjoying more than being useful in the war.
“Honestly, because if someone did pick up my trail last night, I worry that they might be scoping out my place.” So she would turn it around and give reason. “They would not know who I was as a human but if they happen to be somewhere and sense, well…” Delilah shrugged as she let it drop off. Kazenite didn’t need to be told that if they saw her in Delilah’s apartment, they could cue in on the source of the aura….and that Kazenite might have attachment to a human. No, better to play that off.
“Thus why I figured an old fashion ride home or a taxi would be best.” Delilah reached down and picked up the nearly sleeping cat. Holding her in her hands, Delilah returned her to the now warm seat she had left before walking over the to recliner and leaning over the teal haired woman, hands on the arm rests. “Unless you rather buy me lunch.” Delilah winked.
She had a point, although explaining why she was leaving Kaze’s apartment when clearly the cameras in the hallway didn’t show her ever arriving would be a bit of a mess but there were ways around it. “As you wish, my closet is open to you; wear what you’d like. However lunch will have to wait until next time. The long I sit on this,” her eyes flicked over to the phone on the table “the more damage he will surely cause.” Surely General King Benitoite was already fixated on thwarting Metallia’s plans even more than he already had- an endeavor that must be stopped.
Delilah leaned in and placed a kissed on the teal haired woman’s brow before she pushed away and began walking back to the bedroom, half way removing the robe before slipping behind the door to give Kazenite one more look at her shoulders and back. It took her but a moment before she returned back to the living room wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans, a white, long sleeve button down with the sleeves rolled up and some slip on sandals. “I’ll get these back to you at our next meeting.” Delilah smiled as she ran her fingers through her hair to make it look some what less of a morning after.
She wasn’t trying anything now. Kazenite was right. She needed to get on the information. That was half the reason Delilah had risked being found out was so it wasn’t wasted. Still...Delilah looked back at the woman. “Unless you want to remove them yourself back at my place.” She gave the woman a wink.
“That might defeat the purpose of you returning home by car now wouldn’t it?” Not that she didn’t entertain the prospect of repeating last night. Then again there really wasn’t anything stopping her from dropping in later this evening now was there? “You can return them to me on Wednesday unless… ” Kazenite rose to her feet and closed the distance between them in a few feline-esk strides. “Unless that is an open offer for me to come by unannounced.”
There was no words to describe her smile as Delilah stood still, watching the woman come forward. Still in her robe, Kazenite was proving how much of an animal she could be as well. However, Delilah reached up and placed her hand on the woman’s cheek. “I cook dinner around 7pm. Italian tonight.”
Leaning forward, Delilah placed a kiss on Kazenite’s nose. “But you have to finish work first and I promise that desert will be worth it.”
Kaze tilted her chin back and smiled wickedly, a moan of pleasure escaped her as she reached out and laced her fingers through a fistfull of Delilah’s hair and pulled her nearer. “I’m sure it will be” she whispered hungerly in her ear before giving it a quick n** and letting her go. “Later” the general queen added then took a step back, re-securing the robe belt around her waist.
From across the room Xyla watched the scene half amused but ultimately uncaring. She had been with her queen long enough to know that nothing will dissuade her from pursuing what it is she wants and right now it seemed those teal-blue predatory eyes were fixated on a certain order senshi. There was still another out there who knew the identity of that raven haired woman and the guardian cat was no fool as to believe the ramifications of the battle would rear its ugly head sooner rather than later. Steel your heart my queen or you will surely lose more than you’re willing to let go.
Sirene Naiads
