"Good morning, Lynx…" came a voice to her right as she sat up, rubbing sleep out of her eyes and groaning. When she was able, she looked to her right- snoring, there, was the girl with dark hair, tanned skin, and a fox's ears, tail. She was named Nara, and had been inseparable from Lynx the last few weeks.
To her left; the girl who'd spoken. With clear blue eyes and long, snow-white hair, the succubus called Alice looked about as harmless as your average fruit fly. Combine that with her soft, curvy figure, and those quick to assume would probably label her as some silly bimbo, even if Lynx herself knew better.
"Morning… I'ma go, and make coffee," She huffed quietly, pushing ragged blonde knots out of her hair and wandering across her studio apartment to the coffee machine, beginning to prep it. Behind her, a mug rattled as Lynx's cat tail flicked against it, and she grimaced over her shoulder, focusing, stilling her tail.
"Still don't have perfect control over it yet?" Alice called lightly, playfully, curling her own tail into a heart above her shoulder as if to taunt the blonde cat girl.
"Okay so first off- I control it perfectly, shut up. Second, show off. Third… shut up." The two shared a dull, quiet laugh- the sort that you can only share early in the morning, before any coffee has been had. The kind full of misery and darkness… Lynx thought to herself, snorting inwardly- a life without coffee would be no life worth living, to be sure…
"Yeah? Control it like you control your snoring?" Alice retorted with a smirk slowly tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Or maybe, like you control your mouth when I'm holding you down-"
"Hey hey hey hey, good morning, be good. I'm not in the mood for those kinds of games," Lynx added lightly, face burning red.
"Fine, fine, I'll be good… so, after class, do you want to go and see a movie? There's a new one at the cinema that I want to see about a council of archangels having to contend with a god, it looks a little cliché but the reviews say it feels fresh and original."
"Hm… sure, after class," Lynx consented, shrugging quietly and feeding grounds into the filter of her coffee machine, filling it from a water bottle and tapping a button on the side. "Sounds good. Dunno if I'm much of a movie girl, but…"
"You know so little about yourself anyway, let's find out," Alice smiled, somehow even more coy than before. "Plus, who knows what we might get up to, in the back of the-"
"Alice I swear, I'm going to punt you like a rubber ball," Lynx snapped, but there was a laugh bubbling out of her throat. The young kitsune woman, Nara, was yawning, now, beginning to stir.
"Yeah? Gonna kick me so hard I go flying into the sun? Maybe spinning in circles and screaming all the way?" Alice laughed, rolling off the end of the bed now and landing nimbly on her feet. "Need the bathroom, be back."
"How'd you sleep, Nara?" Lynx asked quietly, raising an eyebrow as the dark-haired kitsune slowly sat up on her ankles, swaying in place a bit, eyes still closed.
"Mm… I slept pleasantly, thank you. How did you sleep, Lynx?" In spite of her half-asleep and borderline-drooling demeanor, there was something stiff, formal, about the way she spoke. "I hope that you're feeling rested…"
"Yeah, I am. Sleeping a little easier now that I'm not stressing about who's going to try and kill me next, y'know?"
"Yes, well, the fact that nobody is trying to kill you would logically contribute to better sleep, yes," Nara agreed, yawning and climbing out of bed, shivering in place. "Cold,"
"Yeah, it's pretty chilly. Guess I'm getting a little used to it though," Lynx added lightly, glancing down at her legs and then walking over to Nara. Taking her jacket off the chair, as she walked, she flung it round the fox's shoulders, glaring. "Don't keep my jacket once you're warmed up, I like this one, okay?"
"I appreciate your gift," Nara answered sweetly, angling her head… and then she backed up, a step, glancing away. "Sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Lynx scowled, looking away.
"I… feel, it is improper. Nor do I wish for you to feel objectified, or used. Though I dread the nights where I must sleep alone, I… I don't want you to feel…"
"To feel?"
"Used? Objectified? I wish to respect you, Lynx, and let you find your footing in this world before we become so very close. I also hesitate…" She lowered her voice to almost a whisper, swallowing. "I don't wish to offend Alice…? Everything confuses me. For now, I just know that I enjoy your company. I do not wish to take things farther than we must, just yet- this modern age is overwhelming."
"I get it. Don't want to get in over your head." Lynx nodded, resting a hand between Nara's fox ears and tousling the girl's hair. "Just know that neither I nor Alice is bothered by you, and we're here, no matter what you decide you want. Though, you already sleep in our bed, forehead…"
"Forehead?"
"Yes. You're the smartest- brain so big your forehead has been stretched. Genius, even-"
"Listen," Nara huffed, looking away and scowling, but there was a laugh in her eyes. "I just…"
"I get it," Lynx whispered, gently cupping the kitsune's cheek and turning her head, making eye contact. "I do, I promise. You're overwhelmed. Not ready for more. You're dealing with cars and cell phones and neon signs and more. Relax, take your time, grandma."
"Thank you, Lynx-"
"COFFEE READY YET?!" Alice asked loudly, and Lynx chuckled, amused, as Nara jumped back, landing nimbly on the bed, tail rigid behind her and bristling. "Oh my, Lynx, it seems the fox got distracted by how pretty you are." Even as she spoke, Alice was snorting in way decidedly unladylike, covering her mouth. "Aren't foxes supposed to have really good hearing?"
"My hearing is fine, thank you- I-I was just, distracted, I apologize-" Nara fumed, looking away. "I was distracted by- by a bird outside, yes, the birds are quite pesky,"
"Wah, wah, wahhhhh, pretty cat lady touched my face and I'm not readyyyyy, now my blush is gonna melt my face off!!!" Alice mocked her friend, snorting. "Come on, idiots, lets get some food in us and get to classes."
-
"So who can tell me what, specifically, was at the heart of the Starrian decline?" The professor raised an eyebrow, and Lynx raised a hand lazily, sliding her butt back in her chair, yawning. Bringing her paper cup to her lips before she spoke, she sipped, loving the earthy coffee flavor.
"You want the factual answer or the theoretical?"
"Oh my, somebody wants to impress me- give me both, to the best of your understanding."
"I did some reading is all, found it interesting," Lynx spoke clearly, sitting up, sipping her coffee again. "Factually, the decline of Starria happened when it went against its own principals. Previously having been anti-magic and strongly against all demons, they summoned demons to serve them, and thus destabilized the belief of their own people."
"Right. That's the story, the great fall of a nation was caused as such- faith was broken from within. The theoretical, miss Lynx?"
"The theory is that it was an inside job much later. That there were demons hiding in the nation's infrastructure," Lynx shrugged, yawning and sipping again. "Dismantling things here, assassinations there, until the nation couldn't sustain itself and authority crumbled. This theory is formed by the civil war that came a year or so after their attempt at magic."
"Good. You did your reading- it's almost as if you're interested, and not only here for an easy credit," He, the professor, spoke pointedly, glaring at a few students in particular before continuing. "With that being said, Lynx- as a new student… is there a reason you're able to answer these questions when you, Mr. Murdock, can't? It's easy reading…!!" He snapped, turning to another student, a young man.
"Yo, chill out dog-"
"No I will not chill out, because you can't even scrape a C on an open book test with phones allowed you lazy ingrate!!" He sounded exasperated, and Lynx, realizing now that this wasn't about her, leaned back in her chair, finishing her coffee. Once it had gone, she looked down into the empty cup, pouting slowly for a moment until she was snapped out of her stupor by a soft giggle to her left.
"You're so obsessed with coffee… even if it was just you repeating an article you read online, you're my smart girl," Alice purred quietly, leaning on Lynx's shoulder, rolling her chair a bit closer. "Lecture hall isn't as boring when I get to listen to you yap," She added, whispering tiredly.
"Are you two sure that it's proper to be so close in a public setting?" Nara, to Lynx's other side, asked quietly, leaning forward and blinking with wide, curious eyes. "I feel it rather improper, do you not? Or have times truly changed so much?"
"When did you die again?" Lynx queried, raising an eyebrow.
"About a hundred eighty years, give or take, as best I can figure. The first automotive vehicles had just been released a year or so prior. How does that pertain to my prior question, though…?"
"Nothing. You just… you talk so differently now," Lynx muttered, chuckling under her breath.
"I assure you that I am feeling quite myself- this is a byproduct of my soul being whole, again. Before, I was being influenced by the flashes of your mind and emotions- I was scattered, absent and mentally weak. Rest assured my abnormal manner of speech is quite normal, by my standards, and I…" Lynx felt a twinge of guilt as her eyes glassed over, nodding emphatically and listening, letting Nara finish her healthy dose of rambling.
"Yeah, I get what you mean," Lynx spoke, hoping these words fit, nodding. "To answer your question, I'd say times have changed, yes. It's not too weird to see people making out in public, even."
"Making out?"
"Er, like, kissing."
"In public?"
"Didn't you get drunk and sleep with us the first time we officially met?"
"Ahem, that was different," Nara whispered, scowling. "I'd already been deeper inside you than any could hope to achieve without extensive magic."
"Uhuh," Lynx snickered softly, shaking her head.
"I…" Nara paused, thinking. "I want to ask what we are, but… well, during my time it was unheard of, for one to flirt with two, like this. Yet, I don't personally mind it…"
"If you feel the need to talk about labels, let's. Otherwise, let's just enjoy what we have," Lynx sighed, closing her eyes for a long moment. "We've got enough on our minds."
"If there's no need for change, let's just go with the flow," Alice agreed lazily, returning her cheek to Lynx's shoulder. When she, Lynx, tried to refocus on the lecture, she snickered, finding that the teach was still shouting at his worst student in frustration.
-
"So this is a cinema…? We had these when I was young, it is not foreign," Nara spoke in awe, looking around with wide eyes that may as well have had sparkles in them. "Finally, familiarity. I will please have one bucket of popcorn, and three… diet… colas! How much will that be, kind worker??" Grinning, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Thirty-nine dollars," The worker replied, boredly.
"I'm sorry, I must have misheard you-"
"Nope. Thirty-nine. Plus, tax. So, forty-eight."
"No?" Nara shook her head, confused. "No, you must have misheard me, I said-"
"I've got this one, okay?" Alice smiled and stepped forward, handing over a card. Moments later, she was taking it back, along with a drink. Lynx took the popcorn and a drink, then turned with a laugh, leading the way toward the hall of theaters.
"No, nooooo, Alice this man has robbed you," Nara huffed, hurrying to catch up, her fox tail thrashing around angrily.
"No, Nara, inflation is a thing." Alice shook her head.
"Inflation? I saw that when I was researching but it didn't have anything to do with money. What do you refer to?" Nara raised her eyebrows, blinking rapidly.
"What?" Alice, blinking, confused.
"What?"
"What?"
"Let's go, I don't want to miss the first five minutes," Lynx snorted, tail flicking about, leading the two girls on just a touch faster. "Alice, though, I'm paying next time, as soon as I have the money. I owe you one."
"No, you don't," She smiled, closing her eyes and continuing. Lynx smiled, but… there was a small pit forming in her chest. I don't deserve this, I… I don't pay, I don't contribute, I'm rude, I'm crass, I'm a mess, I still wake up screaming, I-
"Lynx? Are you okay?" Nara asked, gently taking her hand, and Lynx swallowed, nodding.
"I'm… great. Excited to see the movie." You don't deserve them, and all of this will go up in flames, Lynx. You'll be alone, you'll,
"Hey, hey," Alice whispered, taking Lynx's other arm and pulling her aside for a moment. Nara followed, close but quiet. "Lynx, come on, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine."
"Come on, don't lie to me," Alice spoke softly, a twinge of sadness in her voice, reaching up to cup the blonde's cheek. "What's wrong? Or is it something we can't discuss in public?"
"I just," Lynx whispered, closing her eyes for a moment. "Chest tight. Don't deserve this- or you. Either of you, I'm a mess,"
"You," Alice cut her off, whispering, and leaned in, gently kissing Lynx's forehead. Nara, still quiet, edged closer, slowly wrapping an arm around Lynx's waist, pushing her face against the taller girl's side as they leaned on the red wall. "-are my mess, Lynx, okay?"
"No, I don't contribute anything, I do not deserve."
"Hey. Doesn't matter if you deserve. Do you want?"
"I…"
"Mhm. Now, let's go and enjoy our movie, okay? I've got a date I don't want to be late for," She added with a smirk, and Lynx felt the tension in her chest dissolve, walking with Nara under her arm still.
"Sorry about that-"
"No need to be sorry. Lynx you need to meet my date- she's great. She threw herself into a hitman's car to keep a city safe, did you know that? Twenty or thirty cultists got wiped out as a result. She's so fearless."
"Yeah? I bet she's a wreck after that," Lynx laughed, honestly, quietly as they were entering the theater, where a trailer about mobile rewards was playing.
"No, actually. She's compassionate, non-judgmental and can see the good in anything, no matter how war torn or damaged. I think I might love her," She added, winking, and Lynx laughed harder, a smile tugging at her lips.
"I um, I think she's pretty cool too, even when she calls me a grandma," Nara stammered, face red, looking away, and Lynx had to fight every fiber of her being for a split second to stop herself from exploding into laughter.
"I love you. You're my favorite grandma ever. I love, both of you," Lynx snorted, covering her mouth. "Gods, sorry, I'm so unladylike."
"It's okay, I like a girl who can pick me up by the throat, and kill me," Alice stated casually, and Nara's jaw dropped. Thankfully, the theater was mostly empty, with a few people settling in right under the screen, and a few more at the very back, leaving the middle sections all to the girls.
"I- oh, let me wait," Lynx hummed, quieting down as the last trailer ended, and the lights began to dim, theater falling into a brief silence before the movie itself began.
"Mhm, can't have you disturbing the theater," Alice whispered, gently nuzzling into Lynx's side- then, raising her head to the blonde woman's chest, huffing. "Why do you still have that book in your pocket?"
"I don't know, I've just been keeping it in my jacket pocket ever since I got it. I've washed the jacket twice, but I keep putting it back- it's like, a good luck charm, I guess?" Lynx shrugged, curling her tail around to her lap.
"What was it even about?" Alice whispered, again, eyes half closed now.
"Just a fairy tale book," Lynx answered truthfully as far as she could remember, shrugging. "I'll tell you more later, cutie, now let's watch the movie and relax. Don't worry," She added, taking note of how Nara stared determinedly ahead, smirking. "You're very cute too."
"I am not. I am a refined and elegant lady." Nara spoke sternly, quietly, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and Lynx laughed softly, shaking her head.