Saarlan

Tess raised an eyebrow at her companion. "What are you- you weren't- that's not," she stammered. The alcohol was doing its job alright in addition to mucking up Tess's capabilities of forming cohesive syntax. She exhaled, trying to gain control of all the rebuttles formulating at the same time. When her thoughts cleared a bit more, she realized that she should have let some things remain unsaid. "I shouldn't have told you as much as I did," she said calmly. "I shouldn't have assumed that you would understand the precarious state I'm in. I'm not crazy. Yes, I know you didn't exactly say that, but what I'm going through isn't some personal demon or stress related hallucinations or whatever else you might think. I don't know what having an outlet would do, or if I can even trust whoever that outlet could possibly be! Hell, I don't trust myself with another person for any extended amount of time!"

Tess looked at Major with wide eyes, afraid of her thinking that she was in fact mentally deranged or even on hallucinogenic drugs. She rose from the grass and wiped the seat of her pants briskly. "I'm sorry," she said hoarsely. "I don't think I'm the right sort for you to spend time with. I might end up hurting you somehow and won't even know about it until it's too late. I'll just get my things and go. I-I don't know where yet. I'll try to find you when I've figured this out."

Running her fingers through her wavy locks, Tess thought about the options Major presented. She could leave now while she still had a chance, but would probably never see this woman again- the first person who had ever given her a chance to speak openly and was actually interested in her opinions. She could also stay a little longer, at least until her drunken fervor subsided, to get to know this newly acquired comrade. There was something so vulnerable about her Tess couldn't quite figure out, and yet there was such strength in her convictions. Was it even possible that she herself was offering to be Tess's outlet, despite the conflictions she was evidently enduring? Some force urged her to pursue this endeavor; it was as if they really were destined to meet. The purpose was still unclear, but the potential of their endeavors seemed ironically positive.

The wind seemed to pick up, adding a chillness to the somber atmosphere. The stars were reflected in Major's glasses, making it hard to see where exactly her gaze was fixated. Through misty eyes, Tess saw Major nervously and even unintentionally plucking at threads on the bottom of her shirt. Tess felt her distress and immediately felt regretful of making the night turn sour. "I can see you're hurting too," Tess shakily said. "I didn't mean to ruin the evening. This has been the best night I've had for as long as I can remember, and I want to thank you for all you've done. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable even though you've been so gracious. Maybe... I will stay longer and take advantage of your offer for as long as you can tolerate. I have no where else to go or even anyone to go to. Let's see if we can move on from this scarred reality. Let's see if we can find some answers together. We can work out the details later, if you'd like..."

The two companions walked along the lake's edge until they reached the cobblestone road leading to the Saarlan "fashion district." The road was mostly dark, save for the street lamps, as it was evening and the shops were closed. One establishment, however, still had its lights on, and the proprieter could be seen in the process of closing up. They approached the door and tried the handle. Locked. Without looking up from his sweeping, the man inside shouted gruffly, "Door's locked for a reason. We're closed." Tess looked at Major. "Eh, we could come back in the morning. It's not a big deal" she said with a shrug. Major knocked on the door's glass window pane as if their needs were urgent business, depite the time of night it was. The man looked up with a red face, ready to yell at whoever was disturbing him. When he saw who it was at the door, he gave a little shriek and dropped his broom. "Please excuse me Ma'am! Had I known it was you I wouldn't have been so insolent!" He ran to the door and unlocked the antiquated bolt. "Please, step into my humble shop and browse for as long as you desire."

At the tilt of Major's head denoting permission, Tess perused the aisles of  "Herman's Handiworks." She gazed up at the mannequins while feeling the fabrics that adorned them. Though elaborate and illustrious, the clothes of these headless specters were too flashy and attention seeking. Tess searched for more simple articles as she felt Major's gaze from the cushioned chair from the fitting room. She also noticed the sweating red man clutching the broom to his chest as his eyes flitted from Major to the door. After twenty minute's time, Tess found some pieces she could work with. She reached into her pockets and gasped. "I lost my credits! I think they fell out in the hover truck!" The man nervously said to her, "Don't worry, miss. I owe Major a favor or two, so whatever you select is on the house." Tess looked at Major who nodded and pointed at the fitting room with her musket. 

Tess emerged several minutes later feeling like a 'normal' person for the time being. She wore hip hugging black pants with a silver stripe down the sides over knee length leather boots along with a opened black vest with five metal clasps over a white shirt with black diagonal stripes. Though Tess wondered what Major had done for this seemingly random man, she decided it would be best to ask later about it. She was still tying the white satin ribbon upon her wrist as she asked her friend nefariously, "What's our next adventure? What else can we get away with around here?"

Somehow Major's awkwardness was found to be ironically charming to her new comrade. Tess couldn't help laughing at Major during her bizarre invitation to stay with her at her hotel. Tess agreed to follow Major (partially because Major fascinated her immensely and partially because she was miserably broke) saying in jest she was doing so as a favor. They headed in the direction of the luxury hotel but not without hopping back in to their new favorite jazz club for a few bottles of cabernet sauvignon, to the further discomfort of the owner. He exhaled relief when Major took her order to go and left a generous amount of credits on the bar's counter. 

Three days went by almost unnoticed by the women as if they were on an extended company paid vacation. They mostly stayed in the enormous hotel room eating, drinking, reminiscing and scaring the hotel staff. The first day was their recovery day as they had finished most of the wine they had procured the previous night, staying up until dawn exchanging stories of how they obtained various scars and wounds. The second day they treated themselves to liquid brunch served by the newly hired hotel boy (who had unfortunately lost the draw made with the rest of the waiters of the hotel and had to adhere to this particular client's whims) who averted his gaze pushing in the serving cart whilst the women were boldly dressed in only hotel robes. It was during this pseudo-meal that Tess began feeling completly at ease with Major. The easy air led to Tess's confession- she told Major that she could barely understand what she was saying most of the time. Slurring words and thick accents didn't mix. Major made a gutteral noise of disdain mixed with resignation. She dared Tess to stay with her as a personal linguistic coach. Tess in turn dared her to pay her for it. A celebratory bottle of champagne was ordered. The third day they went out to terrorize the town. Figuritively, of course. Tess insisted to Major that they visit the local farm, since she had never seen one being a big-city kid. Major swigged upon her flask and followed suit. The highlight of that excursion was Tess's discovery of Major's love for big dogs. After Tess returned to the spot she had left Major to pick fruit (who said she refused to do any peasant work), she quietly observed Major kneeling and petting a mean-looking shepard (who seemed to be very happy in the presence of this terrifying person) while stating terms of endearment in her native tongue. Tess chuckled aloud as Major shot up, turned red, and finished off the flask.

Though Tess and Major were in each other's company throughout their stay, Major still disappeared for about an hour a day, apologizing profusely for intermixing business with their pleasure. Tess didn't press her for details nor would she allow her curiousity to get in the way. She had reasoned that one day Major would tell her what she did for a living, but why ruin their fun so soon? 

The sun's rays filtered in through the open curtains, gently rousing Tess from her sleep. She languidly sat up, stretched her arms over her head, and squinted at the wall clock to see what the time was. She mumbled an obscenity upon learning it was well after noon, and made her way out of the overly inviting bed. She tossed the comforter off of herself and walked over the slump it laid as on the floor. She looked in the direction of where her friend had slept and wasn't surprised to find it made up, looking as if no one had been there all night. Tess was surprised though to find herself incredibly disappointed and lonely that her friend was gone. "Probably another business call," she thought whilst moping. "Hope it doesn't take up half the day again like yesterday."

Tess shuffled to the mini fridge for a morning pick-me-up and turned on the holo news. As she swigged from the mini bottle of bittersweet depression and pondered about her precarious emotional state. She tossed the empty bottle at the wall and headed to the bathroom. She opened the door and walked down the tiny hallway to the enormous raised bathtub. It wasn't until she was almost to the tub itself did she realize it was presently occupied. The air was cold and soft splashes could be heard. Tess froze, terrified at her realization- there Major was, taking a cold shower, her supple body parts peering through the clear shower curtain. Wait, supple?! Tess stood there dumbstruck and tried desperately to leave the room without being heard. Her eyes remained locked on the flowing raven strands of hair as she stepped backwards, almost tripping on the bathrobe that was strewn upon the floor, and closing the door as quietly as possible with shaking hands. She stared at the closed portal for several moments, wondering if Major would come running out with punishment on the agenda. After two minutes, believing all was safe (for now) she went straight back to the mini fridge and drank the first thing she laid her fingers upon. She then plopped herself on the couch and smiled- at least she wasn't alone after all.

At any other point in her life, not only would Tess feel violated by Major's statement, but would have gone for the taller woman's jugular. Growing up, Tess didn't have many friends, nor could she make a list of people she actually liked, trusted or tolerated. But lately things were much different. She was actually comfortable being who she was and even comfortable in the company she was presently in. This was the first week she could recall where she smiled and considered herself content.

Major's confession meant a lot to her. It meant that her feelings about her were mutual, and that they were not only friends, but actually partners. Partners in what was yet to be determined, but at the moment, life was beautiful. 

Tess rose from the couch, adjusting her shirt. She went back to the mini bar and took out two more little bottles, this time something sweeter to match the mood. She cracked open the bottles of Disaronno and handed one to Major. "It's fine," she said toasting. "I just saw you naked and didn't exactly hate what I saw. Do you work out?" She added a wolfish grin and drank thirstily.

Tess grabbed a throw pillow from the couch and sat down cross legged facing Major, back against the arm rest. She put the pillow on her lap as support for the bottle in her hand. "I find it interesting that even though you thought I was teasing you about seeing you naked, you still told me about your work out practices." Tess spoke to Major with a cool familiarity without the slightest inclination of mockery. "Don't get me wrong. I would love to hear anything more about you, minute or otherwise. It's also interesting that despite you telling me about how dark and depressing your life is, you're still willing to share experiences with me. I'm not trying to psychoanalyze you or anything. It's just, and don't think I'm just being funny, but for once, everything feels alright. The darkness that is our past is only that: in the past. This vivid present is worth enduring all of that. Please, tell me more so I can combat it and help drink it away with you."

Tess's eyes wandered from her roommate's long raven hued tendrils to the wet stripes left behind on the couch cushion. "Speaking of hair- well, actually, I wasn't, but you were- I don't use any product in particular. Usually, just whatever's closest posing as soap-like."

There came a knocking on the door which was left unheeded. Tess wrote it off as being yet another person involved with Major's "business" side of life. A civil servant of sorts reminding her that the councilors awaited her. While Major was away during one of the previous days, Tess created a multi-verse version of Major. She was a princess of a far away planet, adopted and raised to one day reign as their queen, well loved by the people. An accident occured and she became the disinherited monarch, sent away to Shili. She hid there away from the saboteurs who meant her harm, revenge manifesting in her heart. She ruled Shili with an iron fist where the citizens both feared her and offered their lives in battle for her. She left to meet with her advisors, readying the battle tactics against the false shepards of her planet. Vegeance was in the works. Tess only hoped that when Major reclaimed what was once lost, she would get a wing in the palace as thanks for being her linguist.

"By the way, Major. Your accent is much better."

Tess was a little taken aback by Major's excitement. Firstly, by grabbing her hands, Tess's sweet almond nectar was almost wasted upon the floor. And secondly, there she was, jumping around, exclaiming that people were coming. People? What people? Who could rile her up in such as way that she needs backup from her...?

"Wait!" Tess nearly shouted with widened eyes. "You mean the advisors are coming? It's time to claim your birthright!?"

"You're just a leader?" Tess asked slowly, slightly disappointed, slightly understanding and slightly confused. "I mean, you DO have the air of bossiness and leadership, and your posture is rather good. So if you're not a princess, then what are you? Duchess? President? Mayor?"

Tess motioned for her friend to get off the floor and back beside her on the couch. "Well, whatever you are, I'm your gal for any task you need of me." She handed Major the bottle she had set down before she got up to answer their door and clinked it with her own."As long as I don't get shot or have to get naked, there is no debt. Save for your companionship."