Private - Summoned [18+]

Summoned.

She had been summoned to the Dark Lady’s tent.

A tendril of nerves curled through her, but she nodded and slowly got up from her sitting position. She had been in this corner of the camp mostly by herself, dressed in plainclothes, stretching. She wasn’t satisfied with her reaction time in the middle of combat and thought she could do better, much better, than she had been. Why not loosen up the joints and then go into a full combat routine? It had been her original idea, but she had gotten stuck on stretching, on feeling the sweet release of joints popping, her spine realigning, muscles uncurling. It was euphoric.

Now, she was nervous. She could feel the tenseness returning to her muscles in the same manner that a rubber band snapped back to its original shape after being pulled. She tried to stay loose, tried to keep her thoughts positive, but she felt like a kid being called into the principal’s office. What had she done to be summoned by Lucia? Sure, the whole Bandit fiasco was…a thing, but she and Luna had made it out mostly unscathed. And Luna was much more combat prepared than Savannah had originally been led to believe, so the Death Knight thought it a win-win really.

Swallowing the stone in her throat, she gave a nod to the undead sentry outside of Lucia’s tent before she sighed, straightened her shoulders, and pushed the flap open. She had never been inside this tent before, so her silver eyes were quick to scrape over everything before she dipped into a formal bow at the waist, her head hanging, black tresses swinging with her movements.

My lady. You called for me?
​

@Lucia Mierz

 

When Savannah entered the tent, an intense warmth would blast against her face, like a sauna or a bubbling pool. In reality one might be familiar with the warmth if they'd seen a Jacuzzi but such a thing wasn't able to cross into TS sadly. There were a few wisps of steam here and there, but it game from a normal tub of warm water, filled, still rippling, but Lucia hadn't been inside it. Instead, she stood not far away from it, leaning over a table looking at some scribbled notes left here and there. Her hair still sopping wet, crystalline beads of liquid still slipping down her delicate and lithe frame. Her curvaceous hips and figure on full display, with only a small towel hanging down her front for the barest minimums of coverage. The curvature of her chest could be made out barely, and farther below was covered but wisps of movement would make one feel it was 'so close' to appearing.

Hearing Savannah, Lucia glanced up, a few stands of slick hair sliding across her face, prompting her to lift a hand to brush them aside once more as she answered. "Ah, Savannah. It's good to see you." She spoke with a kind and gentle smile, as always, without shame for her current position, without irritation or vexation, not even worry or embarrassment. It was a calm and warmth that might make one feel they were the dirty one for getting excited or being surprised or flustered instead.

"I'd thought I'd be done by now, but got distracted. Why don't you join me? We can talk just a bit about your progress." She spoke with a soft gesture to the tub, turning back towards it, clearly intending to climb back in. Lifting a leg, slowly her skin like a pale jade, like a pristine porcelain was revealed as that long slender leg slipped into the water. Without a single splash, with the faintest of ripples she began to slide in with her back to savannah, not particularly worried about her appearance as she tried to slide in. If the woman didn't react in time, Lucia would chuckle sweetly gesturing to the opposite end of the tub. "Please, It would be nice to catch up, ever since you'd come back, you'd just been spending time with my subordinates. I've missed you too you know." She urged with a reassuring and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Whoa.

She hadn’t expected the heat, though it felt good on her chilled cheeks and fingertips. The biting cold of winter hadn’t let up yet and while usually, Savannah could ignore it, being inside of Lucia’s tent only made the cold more apparent. She exhaled as she rose from her bow, the steam getting in her nose and making her mouth water.

She also hadn’t expected for Lucia to be in such a state of undress.

Her eyes were quick; two flashes of lightening that danced over the Dark Lady’s face, her chest, the curving line from breast to hip, the plump meat of her thigh and then her dainty feet. They traveled off to a corner behind Lucia, keeping her in the peripherals of Savannah’s vision, but not daring to look at her head on. Her mouth was dry, what little moisture that had wandered in a moment before immediately evaporating.

A bruised blueberry coloration tainted her cheeks, streaking across her cheekbones and traveling the length of her throat. Her chest felt warm, hotter than the temperature that swirled within the tent and her fingers flexed, curling into fists at her side. Ah, this was improper…this was so improper. She didn’t know Lucia wasn’t dressed. She should have waited outside, perhaps announced herself before barging in as she had. Silly, silly, silly—

It seemed as if Lucia didn’t mind. No, her words mirrored that to the T. She was not disturbed, not even embarrassed, and while Savannah couldn’t find use of her tongue to form words, Lucia was encouraging the Knight to join her in the water. Her eyebrows shot up, her attention zeroing in on her Lady as she slowly re-entered the water, another wave of heat buffeting against her chest and making her rock back and forth on her heels. Ah…

She had seen porn…not a lot, but enough. So she knew, in essence, what another woman’s body looked like. She knew what a male’s body looked like too. But these images had never been in front of her, within walking—touching—distance before. This was…uncharted territory.

I…uh…

Savannah glanced around. There was nowhere to hide and merely darting out the tent—and what? Running?—was no way for her to treat her Lady. She raked a hand through the waist length black hair, scored her nails against her scalp and wet her lips.

Are…are you sure? This is…ah…I mean…

Tongue tied, embarrassed, and panicky, Savannah had too much adrenaline coursing through her and not enough…whatever it was that allowed her to have coherent thoughts. She took a step forward, felt the rush of air leave her lungs and slowly tried inhaling again. She was…going to take a bath with another woman. Okay, yes, she was—she could—do this. It was…not a big deal.

Right, so, she just needed to remove her clothes. She glanced down to her plain clothes which consisted of a cotton tunic and breech with soft sole shoes. There was no use stretching in her armor.

Buttons. Right. She had to undo the buttons of her tunic.

M-M-My progress, L-L-Lady Lucia? I, ah, I-I-I…well, uhm, Luna a-a-and I…she re-recently started with, uhm, a w-w-w-weapon.

Savannah winced and shook her head, puffed out her cheeks and exhaled in frustration. Clearing her throat, she finished undoing the buttons and allowed the shirt to fall upon the floor. Her chest was modest and wrapped by a standard medieval breast band.

Okay, pants next, not difficult just…pull them down and get in the tub.

So…ah, we plan…well, I-I-I thought, uh, it a go-go-good idea to, ah, pr-practice with h-h-h-her.

Another sharp exhale and Savannah shoved her thumbs into the waistband of her pants and allowed them to crumble to the floor. There was nothing beautiful about her undergarments. They were white cotton as well and very similar in style to modern-day boy shorts. However, they were snug upon the well-defined and muscled portions of her thighs, buttocks and lower abdomen.

Blushing, she cleared her throat again and hung her head, her raven black locks falling over the curve of her bosom. She glanced from Lucia to the vacant side of the tub. I, uh, can I…is there…enough room? ​

 

Lucia only chuckled softly, hearing the girl's concerns and reservations. It was clear to Lucia, the reason she was stammering, the reason she had a hard time. She wasn't so oblivious as to not notice, but wasn't uncouth enough to call the woman on her feelings. Instead, she decided to be supportive, slipping towards the end of the tub where Savannah was struggling. Sliding her body up as the water spilled down her chest and smooth stomach. Her pearl white skin glistening before Savannah's eyes, SO close she didn't even have to reach to touch as she spoke in a tender and reassuring tone. "Savannah, relax. I mean it. There's no reason to lose your composure. You're safe here. You're home now. This should be a very safe, very happy place where you can be yourself-- be natural." She asserted her words gentle but there was resolution and firmness in her tone, as if demanding Savannah not lose herself to embarrassment or shyness and instead just embrace whatever felt right.

To try and drive this point home, Lucia reached a hand up to Savannah's head, suddenly stroking her hair, her cheek, slowly petting her hair, playing with it. Her moist hand and skin making it a bit wet, but it was so warm to the touch thanks to the water. "There's always room for you. Come on in, it's nice-- I promise." She spoke such tempting and alluring words, her tone sweet and honeyed rather then sultry or sexy. The soft touch was a little demeaning, a little humiliating, but Lucia's gaze was so innocent, so affectionate, how could she possibly mean any harm in doing so? Instead, it seemed so natural, the dazzling woman stroked Savannah's hair as if it were meant to be, as if it were a normal thing to do to look down on her and pet or stroke her face and hair as if it were nothing.

Lowering her body, just enough to conceal her perky chest once more with the water, her head leaning against a hand while her elbow rested against the edge of the tub. She leaned against the edge while Savannah worked up her courage to strip. Still petting her sweetly, patiently waiting for Savannah to work up the nerve as she encouraged her with a warm voice that was interested in Savannah's efforts. "I'm glad you're looking after her. You're such a special person, she could learn a lot from you. I just hope you aren't pushing yourself too hard. Training with my subordinates, training with Luna-- It seems like this bath really is a good idea, the stress you've built up must be immense." She spoke, her tone sympathetic and caring. "There's plenty of room, take your time, after all, there's nothing pressing for us to do." She offered, worried Savannah might need time to build up the courage. Patiently and delicately she continued stroking the girl's hair until she was ready. Making room by sliding back once more to the opposite edge, giving Savannah just enough room to join her comfortably.

 

Be natural. Right.

Lucia made sense. This was a place where she felt comfortable and this tent, this land, was more home to her than the studio apartment she was currently existing in. The apartment wasn’t anywhere close to a studio, if she took the time to be honest with herself. If she stood in the center of the room with her arms outstretched to either side, she’d only have to walk four steps in either direction before she hit a wall. The New York address was tiny, but it was all she could afford. And if she didn’t find a second job to supplement her income, well, she wouldn’t be able to afford it for much longer.

She cleared her throat and shook her head, sinking back into the game and floating away from the troubles that existed outside her VR headset. Lucia said she could be natural so that meant…get naked. Right. She swallowed the stone in her throat and glanced down at her meager undergarments. Couldn’t she just get in the water with them on? Isn’t that what they did in the noble houses? She could’ve sworn that when she watched that Marie Antoinette movie, she had bathed with a dress on or something…

Granted, Savannah wasn’t a noble by a long stretch but that was neither here nor there! Did she have to get naked?

This body was muscular, strong, and much more capable than the one sitting in her apartment in New York, but it was a body...a female body…a nude female body. And it wasn’t just her eyes looking at this body but Lucia’s eyes as well.

Savannah could feel her heart speeding up, feel the rush of blood pulsing through her veins, strumming hard through her muscles and propelling oxygen through her system at an alarming rate. She could feel the panic start to ride up, the tightness in her chest, the way the muscles in her thighs began to cramp and her knees started to shake. She had never had a panic attack in game before, not a real one, but she knew the signs like she knew her name…

And then...it stopped.

As quickly as the feeling was threatening to overwhelm her, it was pushed back. Lucia’s hand was in her head, the long fingers gently petting the mess of black hair back away from Savannah’s face. She exhaled slowly, the air leaving her lungs like a slowly deflating balloon. The edge had dissipated, the sound of her blood rushing through her system had calmed, and the threatening headache was gone. She felt…normal–no, better than normal. Nervous yes, but…not overwhelmed.

Lucia was right. This was a safe space. She had never judged her, never criticized her, never thought her questions or comments were dumb or stupid. She had never rolled her eyes or ignored her, never once told her she wasn’t needed or wanted, and had been comforting and supportive since the day they had met. Since the day Savannah had made her vow, Lucia had been a Lady worth protecting and a friend worth confiding in.

She gave a small determined nod of her head and, before she lost her nerve, removed her breast band. It drifted to the floor atop her other clothes, her fingers immediately moving to her underwear and tugged them down as well before shimmying out of them all together. Naked as she was, her skin was not as flawless as Lucia’s. There were marks of battle, scars from training or mishandling her weapon and, what’s more, a large scar that sat above her bellybutton, the single white line being the only reminder that she had once perished.

Her bust was mediocre, nowhere near in comparison to Lucia’s; a thought which had Savannah blushing as she hoisted one leg over the side of the tub and into the warm water. She groaned when her foot was submerged and gave a content hiss when both feet met under the heated currents. Lucia was right: she could feel the stress melting away from her muscles.

You were right, My Lady, Savannah murmured, settling opposite of her in the tub, moving her legs around so that they weren’t an inconvenience. Once comfortable, at least partially, she sighed and lifted an arm to rest on the lip of the tub while the other crossed awkwardly in front of her chest, her dark blue areola peeking through between splayed fingers. This bath was a good idea. It feels amazing.​

 

Lucia nodded back, reassuringly. Despite Savannah undressing there wasn't a flicker of anything in her expression; her sweetness and warmth constant and consistent without so much as a hiccup. It was a benefit of her facade, her expression wouldn't flicker unless she wanted it to, unless her facade began to crack. "Good girl." She spoke reassuringly, still petting her head affectionately, particularly when Savannah joined her, playfully offering her praise for the girl managing to come out of her comfort zone.

Curled up in the tub though, without much room, Lucia's legs come together neatly, long slender legs making room for Savannah, but the girl would be able to feel her foot slip up between her legs suddenly pressing tightly to her body. Her foot had a very soft and supple feeling to it, a warmth different from the water, particularly where it happened to land. She maintained a curled up frame, outside of that one leg, but noticing the soft feeling against her foot, she smiled sweetly. "Ah-- I'm sorry~ You must be so uncomfortable and bothered. I'm not making it worse am I?" She asked, her words a little concerned, worried that Savannah might be discomforted by the repeated humiliating gestures, first being petted, this time being stepped on in an unsavory place. Her actions so gentle, soft, welcoming, but her tone was so coy, it was an alluring and sweet concern as she gingerly brushed her foot against the girl as if trying to find a place more comfortable to settle.

Feigning a touch of shyness, she teased Savannah with more delightful things. She tried to continue on, worried that if she focused too much on her actions, Savannah might be uncomfortable as she'd teased earlier. With a soft sigh, she shook her head, a playful expression on her face as she expressed a joking sadness. "I'd hoped to invite you here to help you relax. Lately you've seemed different from before Savannah, it's had me a little worried about you but I must confess, I'm not very adept at these sorts of things. Perhaps I'm only making matters worse with my naive efforts~" She spoke, her tone still coy, feigning a playful and joking sadness or worry. In the end though her soft smile remained, her eyes watching Savannah closely to see how the girl felt in truth.

"Still Savannah, if you have some kind of trouble or some kind of worry, you can share it with me. We're all in this together, if you're struggling, then I'll be struggling too-- Instead, let's try to figure this out together, mm?" She offered with a gentle gesture hoping to support Savannah, but that didn't stop her from continuing to rub the girl with that dainty and coquettish foot.

 

Had she a tail, it would be wagging.

Hearing Lucia sing her praise gave the Death Knight a reason to smile. There were few things in her life that made her shed a grin and because her real life was in such shambles, she escaped here, and lived a life that she enjoyed. Still, she found few reasons outside of Lucia and her service to the Dark Lady to smile about. This would soon be on that short list of things: a bath with her Dark Mistress.

Savannah hadn’t meant to take up all the space within the tub. She had only ever bathed by herself, and only took quick showers at that. There was no time to enjoy hot water rushing down over her back or soaking her hair nor innocent little pokes and prods at different parts of her body. The perfunctory method of clearing herself had been drilled into her head by her grandfather and hadn’t left even now after she was a fully-fledged adult. So, imagine her shock when she felt Lucia’s dainty foot pressing against the v between her legs.

Wide silver eyes blinked as if confused before dropping down and eyeing the water. Maybe…maybe there was something beneath the bubbles. There were plenty of the soapy mountains between she and Lucia and perhaps Savannah had mistakenly sat on…a…washcloth or a bar of soap. Maybe Lucia liked taking her baths with ducks in the water…or other, more interesting toys. She swallowed that thought, pinched her eyes closed, and allowed them to flutter open.

She was not thinking about Her Lady pleasuring herself with those lewd toys she had once seen in an advertisement on the internet.

Lucia’s dulcet tones immediately grabbed her attention and the slight pressure against her was pushed to the back of her mind. I…I…I appreciate being invited, My Lady, she finally managed to murmur, her features sincere as she leaned forward a bit, accidentally brushing against Lucia’s foot in the process. Oh…oh that felt…

This is just…all very…very new to me. I…I don’t mean to sound or, ah, appear ungrateful, never that. This was all…just…a surprise. I thought I was being summoned be-be-because I was in trouble for something. She hated how small she sounded, how child-like her words were tumbling from her lips. But she couldn’t hide the truth from the Lady Necromancer nor did she wish to. Relationships that were built on dishonesty were quick to fall and crumble into nothingness. Savannah would be lost without Lucia and she knew that down to her very core…the very one that she kept accidentally rubbing against Lucia’s foot.

N-N-N-No trouble, she stuttered out before clearing her throat and forcing her hips backwards. There was no where else in the tub to go, no room to escape the pressure of Lucia’s foot between her legs. There was a part of her that didn’t want to escape it, but there was another part of her which felt this was all very wrong somehow. She didn’t understand that part; they were two adults, sharing a bath, talking and…and…the bath was very small to begin with, so there was only so much room for legs and the like. She licked her lips, her attention travelling over the bubbles that covered their escapades to the woman across from her, her glistening ivory skin and her soft smile.

I…I…I did hear something though and, uhm, I haven’t had a chance to…to…talk to you about it. Nerves rose in her chest and another blush suffused her features just as the thought wormed its way into her skull.

Had Vivian been in her position with Lucia? Had they made love in this tub before? In this tent? Savannah glanced around, her features suddenly turning stormy instead of shy and reserved, the familiar anger churning in her stomach just at the thought of the Dark Witch.

Vivian mentioned that you…that she was your lover. Is…was she lying?

Though her voice wavered a fraction of a bit, her gaze was steady. It was probably the first time she looked Lucia full on in the face since she came into the tent and her gaze was hard, cold even to a certain point. It was…very unlike her normal demeanor.

Luna likes you, she said, pushing on with her words even as her voice dropped an octave. Her eyes calmed a bit, less storm grey and more swimming silver. I think she likes you more than she probably might let on. She had nothing but good things to say about you when we talked. She paused, debating if she was going to say the next words when, suddenly, they tumbled out of her mouth as if they had been pushed.

I’d much prefer if you chose someone like Luna over someone like Vivian.

Of course, as soon as she said the words, she wanted to grab them by their coattails and shove them back in her mouth.

I-I-I-I me-mean…ah…My Lady, that, uhm, that is none o-o-o-of my bus-business. I-I-I apologize, that…I dunno…where…why…I’m sorry. P-Please forgive me…​

 

For a moment, Lucia's eyes closed to a half lid, as if trying to cut through what Savannah was saying to something deeper within. A criticizing gaze in truth, a judgmental one. It was clear Lucia was trying to discern the 'issue' through Savannah's discomfort. In the end though, she saw something familiar, something she saw in Luna, something she saw in the mirror. Something perhaps only Vivian didn't share among them all. It was sadness? Hate? Loss? If there was anyone who understood this feeling, it was Lucia. Lucia who made her power, who's source of power came from desolation, emptiness and Nihilism. Whether or not she was correct in her understanding was another story, but she assumed she was right to some extent, Savannah was running like they were running, escaping, struggling.

"It's hard isn't it? Being alone? I know Savannah, being that lost, experiencing that sort of feeling, I understand." Lucia spoke with a gentle smile as always, but as she sympathized it was clear she was holding back a little of her feeling as she continued. The thing holding it back again was her facade, not letting the melancholy, the sadness seep through, instead, she maintained that gentle smile, that sympathetic and caring demeanor as shes poke. "I understand. But I have faith in you. You'll grow, adapt, and change to shine brighter then ever. You have talent, you have ability-- There's something special in you, I know it." She explained reassuringly. Her tone was strangely passionate though, so much so that it made it hard to discredit her faith or feel like she was simply saying things to make her feel better. She spoke as if no matter how dark things got, there would always be at least one lit candle left to shine brightly for her.

Though, hearing Savannah ask about Luna, ask about Vivian made Lucia's smile brighten a little, nodding slowly she leaned a bit closer to Savannah, inching closer despite already being close in the tub as she spoke in a softer tone. "Ah, Yes. She wasn't lying... And I do adore Luna too. They're both very special as well, there's also something about them that shines so brightly." She admitted to her relationship without much hesitation. Her gaze falling on Savannah once more, her expression coy, a faux shyness about her as she continued. "Just like there's something special about you Savannah. In truth, I do worry a little from time to time. Just how long would you all continue to need me? How long will it take for you to realize just how bland I am and move onto something better? Haa... As hard as I try, and for all of my power, No one ever really remembers the king or queen in Fairy tales; it's always the villainous devil who tries to tempt others, the martyr who sacrifices themselves for a greater good, or the champion who steps forward as the hero." Lucia commented shaking her head. Naturally the roles aligned well, The Devil was Vivian, The Martyr was Luna, and if Savannah had any doubts, Lucia would smile sweetly at Savannah until it dawned on her that she was the champion.

"How could I ever have the right to chose? Instead, I've always tried to be reserved, to be modest and content. If others will like me, then I will adore them. If they can love me, then I will never let them go... Because I can't be certain that anyone else would come after." Lucia admitted with a faint smile, it was delicate, stimulating protective instincts as Lucia revealed some of her vulnerabilities. Lucia didn't have battle scars like Savannah, but what she had struck a deeper cord to some extent. If Savannah read closely into her words, searched her gaze deeply enough to see her Facade well, she'd understand that Lucia carried numerous scars deeper within. Scars of the mind, of the heart, weathered and worn from a life time of struggling and failure. "I want it to be your business though-- In a life time or darkness and desolation, you're one of the last lights I can hold onto Savannah, one I can count on. Do you understand?" She asked, though after slinking closer, her actions under the bubbles got a bit more intense, a bit more personal and intimate.

 

Special.

Savannah had never thought herself special, not in the least. She was average, painfully average in every way. Average looks, average grades, average intelligence. Her grandfather had reminded her of her mediocrity whenever he saw her report card or whenever there was one of those parent-teacher meeting things. “Nothing to report, Mr. Monroe. Addison does her work well, does okay on her tests.”

She gave a watery smile back towards the Dark Lady and tried not to allow the tears to gather in her eyes. There wasn’t anything special about her on the outside, but in here, hell, everyone was special. There was magic, there was sword-fights, there were bad guys and political intrigue. Even a middling swordsman was still a swordsman, a middling spellcaster could still cast a fucking spell. Even when you were average or mediocre, in TerraSphere, you were still amazing. It was a siren song for a girl – a woman – like her.

Reaching a wet hand up to dab at the corners of her eyes, she was prepared to tell Lucia that she had it all wrong. In real life, she wasn’t anything special; she struggled every day, she had no remaining family left, and she didn’t know where her next meal was coming from or if she'd even have enough money for the rent at the end of the month. But her Mistress was still speaking, and Savannah was more inclined to listen than interrupt.

She managed, for a moment, to hide her feelings at hearing Lucia confirm her involvement with Vivian. The visceral reaction she felt was like a shockwave through her system, but her face stayed neutral. She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth and held her words, her breath slowly hissing out of her nostrils as her composure gently fell apart and her mound pressed back against Lucia’s foot. It was, of course, an accident, something done and not thought about as she was so wrapped up inside Lucia’s description of the women in her life.

The Death Knight couldn’t help but frown and scoot a touch closer, the water and bubbles sloshing with her movements.

Of course I need you, she immediately told her, her gazed focused on Lucia’s face. Her eyebrows slanted downwards, the cut of her jaw serious once more, her lips moist from the condensation in the air and the amount of times she nervously licked at the bottom twin.

You aren’t bland at all. Lucia, you are an amazing practitioner of the Dark Arts. You, alone, have decided to give a community back to the Undead whom most others look down upon and disregard. You are an amazing woman…how could anyone, anyone of us, get tired of you or see you as bland? You’re…our glue. I…I mean, I can’t speak for Luna or Vivian, but I…I need you and there’s nothing better out there, not even close.

Still, Lucia called her a champion and Savannah glanced away from her, ready to, again, correct her. But her words fell short. There was a part of Savannah that resonated with everything Lucia was telling her and it was that part she was trying to keep guarded and protected. Nevertheless, she could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes even as she tried to regulate her breathing and force herself not to cry. There was nothing to be sad about; she could hear the words over and over in her head, her grandfather’s stern frown leering at her with disapproval.

It was Lucia’s words and her featherlight touch that silenced him. Savannah looked up and gave a small nod of her head before wiping away her tears and giving a tiny sniffle. So-Sorry, I don’t mean to cry, she said with a wet laugh, her head hanging and her hair hiding her for the moment. I just c-can’t remember anyone r-r-r-really caring about me like you do.​

 

Lucia only stared back at Savannah, her gaze unflinching, her gentle smile fixed as always. Hearing her words, there was a brief chink in her facade, a faint crack from the girl's efforts, it was only a brief flash, but there was a deep and overwhelming melancholy from Lucia's gaze. Hopelessness that came from the feeling of being trapped with no means of escape. Despair from understanding the uselessness of struggling, knowing just how ineffectual her efforts truly were. Nihilism that came from the depths of the spirit, from the self-awareness of her own meaninglessness, her own lack of worth and value. There was silence, her gentle smile with such a wounded gaze was just too profound as she watched Savannah's eyes with a touch of bittersweet envy.

In Lucia's life there was nothing special, her family had no unique circumstances, she had no real story to share. Her friends were normal, her parents common, her school life reasonable, her grades average, her job natural. There were no ups, no downs, her reality was one stagnating and monotonous note that simply would not change no matter how much she tried to fight fate. She envied Savannah, who could still look at her and think she was someone special, but Lucia understood the source of her power came from that very same emptiness she'd loathed and fought against. She hated it, hated that it was her strongest trait, hated that something so unsightly was the source of her abilities in the game.

"Of course." She relented. It took only a few moments for her to fill in that brief chink in her facade. The warmth in her gaze returning as her gentle smile softened in understanding. It was clear from Lucia's passive reaction though that she felt Savannah's words were empty reassurances. Somewhere, behind the warmth in Lucia's gaze, past the gentleness in her smile there was a belief that everyone would eventually tire of her. Eventually surpass her and move on to bigger and better things. She accepted Savannah's graciousness sweetly, but in truth was deflecting it believing she knew better. Without these girls to spice her life up, how could she ever be interesting? How could she be worthwhile in comparison?

"But you shouldn't apologize." She urged, using a single hand to wipe the girl's face, sliding a bit closer until Savannah could feel the softness of her legs against her thighs from just how close she'd come. "Cry, let it all out. Whatever hardships you have, I will be here for you, if you ever find yourself struggling, you'll always have a home with me to turn to. Deep in the darkness, where no eyes can see to judge you-- Where the harshness of the light can't reach. Deep down where it is warm, where it can just be us... Alright?" She offered with a gentle tone. Certainly, she thought, these girls would one day find something better... but when that day came, Lucia's dream should have been achieved as well. By that time... that difficult choice she'd been considering since her youth would become a little easier to make. With nothing left to hold her down it wouldn't be hard to fade away right?

Those harrowing and sickening thoughts flickered across her gaze as her expression softened further, feeling happiness and hope from a thought that would make others' blood run cold. "If you need me, I'll always be here Savannah. For no other reason... then you're you, and that that, makes you special." She urged, using a hand to tenderly stroke her cheek as she did beneath the bubbles. Leaning in slowly, very slowly, she pursed her lips to try and press her lips to Savannah's. A kiss, that was very faint, very delicate-- it threatened to break from the faintest of movements, but Lucia offered it with affection and warmth. If Savannah didn't struggle or retreat, Lucia would slowly add more strength, going from something faint and gentle, to something with a bit more force and firmness.

 

Though the Dark Lady’s words calmed her, Lucia’s tone of voice left much to be desired. Savannah couldn’t help wiping away her tears and gazing at the Necromancer. There was something in Lucia’s stare that worried her, but she couldn’t place her finger on it. Perhaps she had had a long day at work and now, coming here and dealing with Savannah’s emotional state was a tad too much for her. The Death Knight sniffled, willing herself to stop crying and stop being so overemotional about having a family…even if that family only existed online in this game.

There were no words for the gratitude that Savannah thought, no way for her to expressing how much Lucia meant to her in that very moment. She could only nod her head, the ends of her hair slapping against the warm water that floated around them. The heat of the water watched the heat still burning in her cheeks, her blush having never fully subsided, but also the heat that swirled in her stomach and made the muscles of her thighs clench. This was wrong, somehow, but, at the moment, she didn’t care.

She was enjoying Lucia’s touch, her attention, and coupled with the Dark Lady’s words, Savannah felt like the luckiest girl in the planet. She had never felt more wanted, more cherished, that she did here in the bathtub with her Lady. It only seemed right when Lucia leaned in and pressed her luscious lips against Savannah’s that she reciprocated the kiss. It was gentle, featherlight, and cautious. Savannah had had one kiss before in game – on a drunken night in a tavern when the old year gave up to the new – and a few chaste kisses out in the real world, but this kiss was nothing like those.

This was…comfort and warmness wrapped up in the press of lips to lips and Lucia was gentle, hesitant, letting Savannah take the lead if she wished. It was only inexperience that stalled her, her own lips pressing back against Lucia, her body leaning forward, a tender quiet sound coming from the girl as her eyes fluttered close. One hand rest upon Lucia’s arm, the other rest awkwardly against her thigh.

She felt giddy and excitement, her heart beating stronger in her chest, her nerves snapping and popping at the meet of flesh against flesh. And then, a single thought crept into her mind which made her gasp and suddenly pull back, her eyes wide, her fingers lifting to the water to press against her mouth.

Oh my god I’m so sorry you’re…you and Vivian…I didn’t mean—I wouldn’t want to…I’m sorry my Lady. And Luna. Oh fuck, I’m so stupid. She shook her head quickly back and forth, her shoulder creeping up to hunch near her ears, the anxiety she felt piling onto her face with long drawn lines and a furrowed brow. I…I…got carried away. You’re…already seeing someone. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.​

 

Lucia enjoyed the lip contact, it was validation, it was proof that her existence had at least a flake of meaning. Yes, through others her life could have purpose, with others needing, wanting her, then there was no reason to give up. There was a reason to struggle and continue on moving forward. It was a satisfying feeling, meting someone else's lips, having that kind of support. It made her heart warm, made her normally enchanting and gentle smile a bit more mellow, but much more genuine and lovely.

Her efforts to give the girl attention got a bit rougher, sliding closer into Savannah's lap, the soft feeling of petting Savannah between her soft thighs, Lucia slid closer and closer until she pressed her warmth against the girl's stomach. She seemed to remain oblivious to just how far she was pushing though as she slid closer and closer. Instead, she was embracing that feeling of being supported, needed, having purpose. It was from things like this that Lucia felt the reasons to persist and advance after all.

Trying to give Savannah more attention, trying to make the girl shine brighter-- yes it had worked so many times before, Lucia had all of the faith in the world for this girl she was slipping closer and closer to...

But Savannah seemed to pull away. To turn away just when Lucia was beginning to feel another warm candle lighting in her bleak and empty world. For a moment she froze, as if seizing up, she couldn't understand-- couldn't process where things had gone wrong. Had she missed a step somewhere? Did she misinterpret the girl's feelings as something else? She felt her eye jerk, a fissure in her facade that was more glaring then a crack had occurred as those thoughts festered.

Her thoughts raced harder, rewinding through every conversation, every meeting she'd had with Savannah. Every action and every word they exchanged. If Savannah looked up at Lucia, she'd be able to see her complicated expression after she'd froze as the woman dissected every little thing they'd experienced together. Over analyzing every encounter, every word said in passing. Yes, there had to be something wrong-- it had to have gone astray somewhere. Lucia couldn't think of any other possibility for Savannah turning away at this moment.

Slowly, she slipped away from Savannah, little by little as she thought, her gaze still far reaching, as if looking into the past as she slid back. "I... Why?" She asked, her eyes finally falling on Savannah, bitterness in her expression. "If it were Vivian, I could understand... She has a... Thorny side to some extent but Luna-- Luna's always been very sweet." Lucia spoke, misunderstanding the woman's words as refusal because she didn't approve rather then thinking that it was because Savannah didn't want to hurt them. "It's... Not okay for you to join us then?" Lucia asked, as that fissure in her demeanor spread further until it became a genuine chip in her facade.

Like a broken piece of glass, like a chip from a crystal bowl, what was once a gentle smile became damaged, pained as she turned her gaze away from Savannah for a moment. "Though, I suppose I was always prepared for this sort of thing, I hadn't thought-- That so soon--" Lucia seemed to struggle for a moment as that bitterness grew. She thought she'd had more time, time to be wanted, needed for just a while longer, but it made sense. Savannah was stronger then Luna, her desires weren't as strong as Vivian's.

That pain grew sharper as Lucia thought it through, it seemed as if it were a prophecy for the end, as if it was inevitable. Yes-- She knew this would happen. She'd long ago understood and come to terms with it. That bitterness turned into a very frail smile, a very meek and delicate one as she turned her gaze back up to Savannah. "You really are special. I... I knew it, see? You've already come so far all on your own you--" Lucia struggled for a moment, the urge to be sick welled up within her but she managed to choke back the words 'you never really needed me'.

As if a tiny light being snuffed out, Lucia's faint smile slowly swallowed that pain, internalizing it as she continued. "I'm proud of you Savannah." She spoke, nodding to herself internally. It was destined to happen she felt, yes, this was the way things were meant to be, this was her fate. Soon it would be Luna and Vivian as well who turned away from her as well, just like the others had. Resolving herself, steeling her heart, she wore her usual gentle smile, firming her facade as she spoke softly. "But, I'll be here if you need me." She added, they were words she'd alway spoken when people turned away, set out on their own grand adventures, became even more dazzling and sparkling people... but no one ever turned back. No one ever came back to her. She buried that pain, as she felt she was seeing Savannah off now as she'd seen them off in the past. Even if it had made it to that point where there was no one left for her to see off, where that choice was easy to make, she wanted to see them off with a smile, just in case they spared a few thoughts for that 'average' girl who helped them that one time they can't remember. She didn't want to be remembered in tears.

 

That face. Savannah was the cause of that face.

Lucia had never looked at her like that before, with so much pain and torment plastered onto her face. She had always been so self-assured, so confident, and Savannah had always held her in the highest regard. She wanted to become Lucia, if it were possible; move through the world with grace, poise, and confidence. She wanted to inspire the same in others and find herself surrounded by people who cared and whom she could call family.

She wanted to shrink away. She hadn’t meant to cause that much pain and suffering, and she couldn’t, for the life of her, understand what she had done. An arm wrapped around her chest and her eyes glanced toward the flap of the tent where she had entered. She had told Lucia that she did need her, and she had meant every word that had passed her lips. But it seemed…perhaps her need was one-sided. She needed Lucia, yes, but, maybe she wasn’t needed in return?

Lucia was powerful after all.

Anger welled in her chest. Where had it all gone wrong? They had been conversing, speaking their hearts, and now…now there was an ocean of tepid water between them and Lucia was gazing at her with such wounded eyes that Savannah wanted to flay the skin from her flesh in apology. She wanted to scream at the heavens and claw out her eyes, offer her tongue on any sacrificial altar that would stop Lucia from looking at her like that.

She sniffled, the anger forcing itself into her tear ducts. She wasn’t an angry crier, she had never been, but in this moment, her chest hurt and her stomach burned and the giddy feeling that was there a moment before had gone cold and flat. There was no more heat in the room, just an otherworldly chill that left goosebumps along her arms and a frigid taste in her mouth.

I don’t want anyone to get hurt, she said, her throat trying to close in around the tears that she struggled to speak past. She cleared her throat, allowed her fingers to curl into fists and her the nails to leave half-moon indents in her palms. Luna loves you so much…how-h-how can I go to her tomorrow and say to her that I…I…kissed you? When she feels so strongly for you? And…and Vivian!

Her eyes, wide and prey like at the mention of the Dark Witch, flicked from her knee peeking out of the water to Lucia’s wounded face. Vivian loves you enough to cremate me where I stand. How…how can I sit here and kiss you and…and…when you…are in a relationship with her. I wouldn’t…I would never besmirch your honor like that.

On wobbly legs, Savannah stood up, the water falling from her modest bosom and the tips of her hair, flowing down the planes of her figure before meeting once more with the bath water. I…I can leave. I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…to…to hurt you.​

 

This was a familiar crisis for Lucia. Seeing them leave, knowing they'd never turn back around. There was bitterness inside, yes, it was familiar to her, she would struggle in vain to appeal, a meaningless struggle to keep their attention, and in the end, it would still be the same. Smiling for them as they turned away. Certainly, when she heard Savannah talk about how she can leave and didn't mean to hurt her, it was a familiar crisis indeed. How many of those people, friends and lovers had said the same to her in the past?

I don't care if I hurt...

I don't mind if I struggle...

I won't care about what strangers think...

Lucia lurched forward almost instantly as Savannah started to stand up. The softness of her chest suddenly pressing firmly to Savannah's body. Her lithe and graceful form pressing tightly to every inch of Savannah's front. She hugged her softly, even the faintest movement would brush the entire length of her body against Savannah. For a while, Lucia just held on, it was a futile struggle, it always was... Internally, she was laughing, a harsh and desolate self-mocking laugh knowing just how meaningless her effort was.

"Don't go." It was a simple pair of words as she held on tightly. Yes, it was a futile effort, it would be useless in the end... but every time she would try, struggle, claw through the muck and mud for just a scrap of hope, just a flicker of light. Those myriad of emotional scars, the torrent of mental damage she'd received was all from this familiar crisis... but each time, she would always react the same. Clinging, struggling for hope that things would be different just this once.

Struggling to express herself, thinking that this was a critical moment for Lucia to prove herself, she felt her mouth get dry before speaking in a hushed tone. "Savannah. It's okay... Let those other people think whatever they want. If it's Luna, Luna has always been very sweet and welcoming, even trying her best with Vivian... I'm sure you'd both get along splendidly. Vivian, well, it might not be easy, but I have faith in you both, there will be an even ground somewhere. You all are so special, I'm sure you can find it in each other if someone like me can see it... But I care about you-- I need you." She whispered sweetly while brushing against the woman over and over.

For a long while, she tried to hold on, glancing up to look into Savannah's eyes. A faint smile on her face as she tried to brush the girl's hair slowly until her face was clear. "If you leave, who would be left to protect me? I might not have to worry about being attacked... but who would protect my heart and spirit? Who would keep me safe when I feel like this again?" She asked with a gentle tone. There was longing, yearning in her voice that came from searching a lifetime for a flickering candle in a dark and lonely world. "Why not join us... Together? All of us, being happy. Is that really so bad?" She asked biting her lip.

 

As soon as Lucia wrapped her arms around Savannah’s body and pressed against her, the Death Knight ceased moving. One, she didn’t want to fall and injure both of them, and two, the touch of skin against skin, heat against heat, was more shocking than all the words they had traded over this past hour. She felt her thoughts leave her, the comfortable weight of Lucia’s body pressing into her, and she couldn’t help but respond. She leaned into Her Lady, enjoying the warmth, the feeling of touch, the idea that there was someone willing to reach out for her.

She didn’t want to leave but Savannah had promised herself a long time ago that she would never stay if she wasn’t needed. She had had to stay with her grandfather, had to live under his roof and abide by his rules, but that was no longer the case. He was dead and gone and she was on her own…painfully alone, without another soul in the universe that cared for her outside of the woman whom was currently holding her.

The Knight rest her face against Lucia’s shoulder, listening to her words as they tickled her ear. She had asked her to stay. How could Savannah say no? She cared about Her Lady immensely, so to see such a wounded look on her face and to know that Savannah was the reason for it was a knife in the heart for her. She only wanted to care for Lucia, to protect her, to help her achieve her ultimate goals. Never would she ever do anything to hurt her or her plans.

I feel like…I dunno, Savannah said with a sigh, content to merely lay there in Lucia’s embrace, her voice quiet. Having lost the anger that fueled her words before, she felt a little drained and much more reserved in the current space that they occupied. She gave a breathy sigh, her long lashes fluttering closed over her eyes as she breathed in Lucia’s unique scent.

I don’t want Luna to dislike me, she told Lucia quietly, her hand lifting and falling back down as if she were going to emphasize her words with movement. She already had Vivian to deal with when it came to your affection and now…now, what? I love you as well? And I do, I care about you immensely, and I don’t want anything horrible to happen to you and I don’t want you to ever think that I don’t need or cherish you because I do need you and I do cherish you. She took a breath and swallowed while some part of her brain realized that she was rambling but did not care in the least.

I don’t want her to feel like she must compete with me. I don’t want to compete with anyone, especially Luna…nor Vivian. I don’t think there should be competition. She lifted her head a little and allowed Lucia to brush those stray strands of hair from her face. Savannah’s features were calm once more, and warm due to the shared body heat and the temperature of the water, and her eyes were clear pools reflecting love and adoration.

I’ll never leave you Lucia. Not until you say, from your own mouth, that you have no need of me and you release me of my services as your Death Knight. Her voice was serious, her features matching the sincere tone.

I don’t…I don’t know that…that would work. I thought, well…can’t you only be in a relationship with one of us? I mean, because, otherwise, it’s…cheating or something, right? She couldn’t stifle the blush that accompanied her innocent, naïve words. ​