Saarlan

As mean and ruthless as she was sure people perceived Major to be, Tess felt that there was something ultimately and inexplicably endearing about her- how incredibly misunderstood and under appreciated this woman was. At the conclusion of the meeting, pieces of how she perceived Major to be suddenly came together. In fact, the bigger picture was beginning to be revealed, almost like the puzzle that was her life only needed a few pieces more.  Their relationship, as short and sweet as it was, became something to be cherished. It was something to defend at all costs, while simultaneously destroying those who dared stand in their way. Tess was determined to be the person Major basically expressed her to be- she would be the inspiration to make Major feel that life isn't so bad if there is someone at your side who understands and adores you. They were both so lonely and disappointed with how their lives, but that would change sooner than they knew.

She could muse on all that later. Right now, it was time to take up on Major's offer of adventure and excitement.

"Alright, then," Tess said with a nefarious grin. "I can find something for us to do for two days. I didn't think you'd be so generous. Let's move out and see where the wind will take us."

Major's trepidations and hesitations were duly noted by her gray eyed companion. Though she said she knew what she'd like to do, she was technically ad libbing. She didn't want to mention that because she didn't want to disappoint Major. In fact, she didn't expect her end of the bargain to come into fruition initially. As such, she hadn't exactly formulated a set plan, but that wouldn't be an issue. So long as they were together, nothing could hinder their promise.

The evening was beautiful- crisp cool air, stars above them looking down, and people jumping into the street to avoid the pair. Word started to spread in Saarlan of Major and her dewy eyed companion. They both were said to be causing mischief everywhere, yet ironically, they weren't spotted in public for days; not since their jazz club/clothes shopping incident did they leave their hotel room. The gossipmongers spread throughout the town imaginary exploits to satisfy their provincial lives with shock and intrigue. The women picked up on this rather quickly and decided to make a go for it. They spoke rather loudly of improvised exploits and bragging, hoping to provide the kind of attention these people craved. They went too far at one point, speaking of hypothetical graphic battle wounds which resulted in one elderly man nearly vomiting on Major's boots.

After some walking, the women arrived at a candle lit bistro at Tess's request. She said they should have a celebratory dinner over which she could relay to her friend exactly what she would like them to do. A viola was being played somewhere in this establishment; the instrument's morose notes penetrated Tess's awareness, much to her displeasure. It made her nostalgic, but for exactly the wrong reasons. As they were being led to their table, Tess sighed while wiping away the single tear that welled in the corner of her left eye. Tonight was not the night for wallowing and self deprecation.

Wine was ordered. Melodies floated. Anecdotes were told. Tess revealed to Major what her desires entailed. She desired to travel with her companion in order to learn more about her while simultaneously revealing more of herself. She wanted to see the splendor of this planet, and the beauty in it. She hoped Major would agree and not discredit her wish.

As they picked at the appetizers, Tess realized how happy she finally was. As Major sipped from her stemless glass, Tess looked into her eyes and smiled. She could see herself being with this fiesty lady for a long time.

Overwhelmed by all of the off-shooted questions Major began to throw her way, Tess wasn't sure where to begin. Many things had happened in this limited amount of time that it seemed almost unreal to her. It was almost as if she had been in a catatonic state for several years and had woke up only recently. As blissful as her life was at the present moment, it was a bit painful to draw upon the past at such a short request. Things had moved so fast between the Major and herself; it was becoming more of a shock to her senses the things she was revealing to someone she just met fairly recently. Her mind/mouth filter seemed to be non-existent. In the days they spent spent together, Tess exposed more truths to this woman than to anyone else that had blew through her life, family members included. All in all, that didn't matter. Major actually listened and cared in her own way. Tess felt safe. Secure. Appreciated.

She put down her fork and thought about which question to answer first. "Well," she began with a light air. "My favorite color is a trifecta of black-gray-blue. There are no bounties on my head that I know of, given my boring disposition. My fatherland is a mystery to myself, since my family moved around quite often. Phobias? I'm not sure, exaclty. Well... I don't want to get old. Maybe that classifies as my phobia? I'm not afraid to die, if that is what you're thinking. I expect to die any day, probably doing something stupid. I don't want to get to the point of my life where I outlive all those I care for. I don't want to lose my hearing, never again to listen to the melodic strings I hold so dear. I don't want to lose my sight, unable to see my children or the unruly hairs upon my once smooth face. I don't want to lose the feeling in my joints, unable to grip the hand of the one I love most in the world."

Tess smiled morosely. "I have only loved once, but it was a false love. He didn't feel my suffering. Never understood my dilemmas. I loved the shadow I wanted him to be. Once I realized the decay of my life, I left. He resented me, refusing to see the extent of our stasis. He refused to acknowledge the darkness that loomed over me, thinking it a phase. We were young. He thought me to be his world. His goddess. How deluded! So naive! I was nothing but a harbinger of foreboding! But what does that matter now? I never thought upon him since all those years ago!"

After sipping her wine, Tess poured more of the burgandy liquid into Major's partially filled glass. "Let me be honest," she said. "You're going to think me crazy. But. This past week has been the best week of my life. You don't need to respond with half hearted agreements. I just want to throw it out there. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you here. Thank you for bumping into me in this beautiful town and not shooting me on sight."

"No offense, Major," Tess began whilst finishing the last bite on her plate. Imitating the motion her friend just did, fingers in air to signify quotes, "I think you kind of do give off a 'homicidal vibe.'" End quotes. She continues. "Especially to strangers and those in your employ. I mean, hello, you walk around with a giant gun in your hands at all times. What kind of vibe do you perceive yourself to give off, anyway? If you say 'sweet and understandng' I will laugh so hard, it will be embarrassing. For you, anyway. Not that I don't think you are understanding amd kind, because you certainly are with me, but your interactions with others are stoic and cold, at best. Sometimes even glacial and condensecending. They mostly deserve it, of course, because I know how nasty and assumptious people can get. They try to lull you into thinking they don't want anything from you, but then spring on all these expectations and try to enact false rules that only benefit tnemselves."

Tess paused, wondering where this conversation was going. "Sorry for the sharp turn," she apologized. The waiter arrived with their main course, looking a little lost at the rearranged seating. He placed the plates in front of the women, removing the appetizer plates. He promised to return with more wine. Tess offered Major some of her dish, knowing her fondness for green vegetables. Cutting into her Brahmin Wellington, Tess asked which part of this planet Major enjoyed the most. She desired to visit anywhere with significance to her companion, regardless of it being small or large. She also added that the longer it would take to get there, the better. Traveling was something the auburn haired woman detested, but with the right company, it would be all the more worth it. As they ate their rather expensive and frivolous dinners, they spoke softly of personal matters and desires in regards to the days to come. For instance, they spoke about what they needed to pack, which vehicle they would travel in, how many pairs of clothes, etc. Tess had also slipped in an inquiry about Major bringing along her violin.

Tess hoped that the keen officer didn't notice the roses blossoming on her cheeks.

She was grateful for the dim lighting.

If anything, she could blame the wine.

Hours had flown by unnoticed.

The dark and cool ambiance of the bistro was all too comfortable, making time a conversely unimportant evil. It was well after midnight before Tess realized how inebriated she and her friend were. She had lost track of how many bottles of wine they had shared, but it was of little consequence at this point. At Major's slurred insistence, she paid for the evening's meal, tipping handsomely. At the bottom of the bill, she instructed that the tip go fully to the musician who "brought out the sparkling star." The waiter was more perplexed (and minorly amused) than offended.

Tess and Major walked back to the hotel with their elbows linked as a way to keep each other balanced. Their plan almost ended horribly however, when Major kept swinging, and nearly tripping on, her over sized musket. It took much longer to arrive at said hotel than it normally would have for the intoxicated pair due mostly to Major's request of taking the "scenic route." It was just them looking at ducks floating on the lake for about twenty minutes.

After Tess dragged Major from the lake, who was disgruntled because of being allegedly ignored by her avian acquaintances, they finished their trek briskly. They arrived at their temporary home with grateful sighs. Tess ripped off her boots and threw them to the side near the kitchen area. She then peeled off her vest and socks, and threw those on the couch. She excused herself to use the facilities. After the flush of the toilet, she opened the door to speak to Major whilst she washed her hands. "Are you feeling alright? Do you feel sick at all?" she asked loudly over the sound of frothing water.    

What the fuc---

Tess's mind became a network of fractals moments after Major holed herself in the bathroom. Her thoughts turned into other thoughts that grew and led back to the first, continuing on in a loop that always ended on the same question- Major... liked her? Or was it the alcohol and her recent victory that drove her into such rambunctious affections? Whatever it was, that breezy little kiss wasn't the important factor of this scenario. Major's injuries superseded all other inquiries at the time being. She picked up the now nearly empty bottle, placing it on the table as she reached for her bathrobe that was sprawled on her bed. She lay the terrycloth article upon the spill in a vain attempt to maintain it. That effort was evidently a lost cause when she saw the smudges of blood that led to the bathroom. Her stomach dropped as she realized the possible extent of the damage her friend had inflicted upon herself.

Tess was relieved to find the door unlocked, but was dismayed that Major was using herself as a makeshift barricade. "Major, open the door," she asked softly. Her only response was Major's strained and painful gasps for breath. "Listen. I'm not mad at you. You're hurt, and I want to help you. Please let me in." Still no respone. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you won't let me in." Without another delay, Tess pushed in on the door with the right side of her body with moderate force. Major sat on the floor with her head on the cool tile wall as her hand continued to trickle precious life force. Major's breathing was becoming less labored as she watched Tess with glassy eyes shove herself in the narrow opening. She stepped over the sprawled leg of her companion and crouched over her as she lay slumped. "What's wrong?" she asked sternly, more upset at the childish way Major was handling this than anything else. "Why did you do this to yourself? What are you upset about? Let me see your hand." Major still just sat there, infuriating Tess more. She snatched Major's hand with much difficulty, her grip slipping because of the blood, and urged her to stand up to put her hands in the sink.

As Tess propped up Major against the counter with one arm and turning on the faucet with her other hand, she noticed the finger shaped smears on her face when she caught her reflection. "Please tell me this wasn't intentional," she said breathlessly. She kept her left hand on Major's back to steady her as she listlessly stood at the sink as if she couldn't remember the next step. Tess grabbed a nearby bar of soap, gracefully sliding it along the open wounds. "You really did a number on yourself," she commented mostly to herself. She laced her soapy digits around Major's delicate hand, noticing the tremors passing through it. Thankfully Major was breathing normally again. "Can you say somethong? Anything? Please?" Expectedly, the only repsonse Tess received was the sound of the splashing water. Feeling too morose to say anything else, Tess reached for the antiseptic in the cabinet above the sink. She liberally applied the anti-infection cream and found a cloth bandage to firmly wrap around the injury. All in all, the cuts weren't too serious. They were just in awkward and sensitive places. Fortunately, Major didn't need to seek further medical attention.

Tess stared at her friend, whose head hung as if she was expecting a lecture. Major averted Tess's gaze, her dark sad eyes welling up. Tess sighed. She moved a piece of hair out of Major's face and looked upon the wine soaked lips that had hung in dismay. It was but a few minutes prior that they sought refuge upon her own, sharing the delicious taste of the full bodied vintage they had drank. What a sight they were- covered in blood, standing still in the aftermath of an explosion of misunderstanding, afraid of who would do what next. Tess bit on her lower lip, feeling an overwhelming sense of longing and compassion. "What a miserable creature," she thought as she turned Major's face to to look into her own. Without a word, Tess slipped her hand in through the long locks of the one she had previously feared, making sure their eyes met before she did what she had wanted to do for days. She hoped the adoration she felt could be sensed by this woman as she slowly and firmly began to reciprocate the kiss that Major had begun.

A sigh here. A gasp there. The taste of salty sweetness. This moment that was passing all too quickly between Tess and her Major was of the most sublime the steel eyed frau ever had. This week, as previously iterated, just escalated with these fresh experiences and senations. Tess couldn't have been more grateful to have collided with this woman, earning her affections the noble way. Every hardship, every torture, was worth it because it led to this moment. After so many years in her own dark tormented hell, she finally found the relief she was yearning for. The world be damned, she would be happy. She would make Major happy. They would both be happy.

She sensed her strength in these deep kisses, and she fed off of it as she delved deeper into this exquisite drama. As they exchanged their passion and adoration in this chaste fashion, Tess's fingers traced the buttons on Major's suit. Her lips brushed the side of Major's cheek as she leaned into her ear. "Tell me your real  name," she whispered softly, almost nefariously. Major complied, mock reluctantly, in the same manner she had been asked. Tess grinned, one side of her lips raised higher than the other. "It suits you," she said. She grabbed Major's injured hand in both of her own, holding it to her chest. "I won't let this happen to you ever again, accident or not. I don't want you hurting yourself, or getting hurt by anything or anyone. I'll be here, always, one step behind you, ready to lunge. You've changed my world, heh, Major. I wish to do the same to yours."

Tess led Major to her bed, their bodies exhausted from the myriad of anxieties and hedonistic occurences of the day. They climbed in with their street clothes still on, albeit their jackets and socks. They lay facing each other, Tess's arms cradling Major's head. There they dozed in the other's warmth, blissfully unaware of the strenuous times to come.

The dreams she had were recursive flashes- there was some continuity up until a critical point, but it would lead to a dead end then begin anew. It was as if a book was being read with different endings. As a whole, Tess' dream was a meshing of sights, smells and colours. Faces were hard to tell apart, but what she felt internally terrified her. In the dreams, Tess walked down a corridor by herself while unable to discern what part of the day it was. The floorboards beneath her feet creaked and moaned as doors silently looked upon her. She didn't reach for the handles on these menacing wooden portals because she instinctively knew they would be locked. She didn't seem to mind not knowing what these rooms contained, either.

In each different branch of this dream, she continued walking on, and eventually a random door would thrust itself open. She would hesitate, but would merely peer inside. Sometimes the room would just be empty. Sometimes she'd feel a presence she hadn't felt since she fled her old life. Other times, she saw glimpses of how idyllic her life choices would turn out. But mostly, no matter what she saw inside these rooms, she felt her. In fact, after a few doors had opened, she realized that she remained attatched to Tess as her shadow, fighting for separation. Every new door that opened fueled her rage and bloodlust, making her flail her limbs harder and harder. Tess ignored this being as much as she could but she ultimately knew that one day they'd have no choice but to settle everything once and for all. A dreaded preordained day that would be.

Tess continued playing hide and seek with her subconscious until her discoveries led her to a red room. Upon looking inside, Tess smiled. Her anxiety melted when she saw Major sitting in front of a budoir. Major's dark features were complemented by the vintage looking blue dress she wore that tied in the back with a bow. Her back was to Tess, but through the mirror's reflection she noticed that Major's eyes were closed. Her face looked tranquil as if she had always been in that room, pleasantly waiting. She hummed a sweet medley to herself as she combed her long hair that was tied loosely with... a white ribbon? Tess squinted, unable to tell if that was hers. When she shifted her weight whilst standing at the doorframe, the creaking of the floorboard grabbed Major's attention. She opened her eyes with a little gasp, clearly startled by the mild voyeurism Tess was committing. Major smiled serenely at the mirror when she noticed who it was and put down her comb. Relieved to have finally found the one thing she wanted to see in this convoluted dream, Tess began to step inside. When her foot touched the floor of this room, there was a loud crack; the mirror of the budoir began to shatter resembling the web of a spider. Major screamed, covering her face with her hands. Everything trembled and a horrible bellowing laughter filled the room. Tess rushed to Major, grabbing her by the shoulders, asking her if she was alright. Tess crouched to be face level with Major and moved her hands from her face, which were covered in blood. Where her eyes were, empty voids claimed their spots. Blood was everywhere- on the mirror, the comb, her dress, Tess's shirt, the ribbon... Tess looked up into the mirror and saw her own wretched reflection stare back at her. The reflection grinned dispacably, enjoying the chaos that was just beginning. Before she had a chance to look over her shoulder, a cold slice of steel was shoved into her back, hitting something crucial. If Major had her eyes, she wouldn't have believed them anyway.

Tess awoke right before sunrise. Her forehead was covered in condensation and her mouth was trembling. She was angry. She was so angry she almost couldn't rememeber where she was or who this was in her arms. She exhaled several times, gaining control mentally of her situation. She looked down at the sleeping beauty, whose mouth was slightly agape, breathing loud enough to constitute as snoring. Tess lightly moved Major's head and arms in an effort to slip out from beneath the covers without disturbing her. Tess, whose head pounded, made her way to the bathroom. She filled the sink basin with frigid water and splashed it on her face. She was almost too afraid to look into the mirror. She remarked internally how asenine that was and wiped her face off. When she looked up into her reflection, she glared at it defiantly. She swore to Major she wouldn't let her get hurt, even if by her own doing. Tess nearly snarled before leaving the bathroom, knowing what she would have to do in the end.

As the sun began to rear its golden head, Tess settled herself on the couch that faced the bed her companion rested in. She found solace in the noises Major made in her sleep, as she lay blissfully unaware of the darkness that Tess harboured in her mind. Tess sat there, knees under her chin, almost as if on guard. She decided to patiently wait for her dear friend to wake up so they could share another treasured day together despite the growing tension in her stomach.

Fighting back the dreariness of her dispostiton, Tess unstuck herself from the couch with some difficulty. She stretched out her sore legs that had cramped up for sitting in the same position for hours and sauntered to the bathroom. She stood at the door frame looking upon her long haired beauty and smirked. "You should have given it up at the fourth bottle," Tess said raspily. She went to Major's aide by doing what any decent friend, or potential... lover, would do. She stood behind Major and collected her hair with her hands at the base of her head. She ran her fingers through it with finesse, enjoying the touch of the soft strands. She looked around the sink for something to tie it with, but found nothing. Absentmindedly, she removed her tattered ribbon from her wrist and tied Major's hair back with it. After fastening the bow, Tess touched Major's shoulders as they slightly heaved with her coughing. "You'll be alright, Luv. Just let it all out." Premonition or not, Tess would carry on as normal. Nothing would come in the way of her quality of life. She knew what she wanted, what this woman deserved, and how to make everything work. Theoretically. Regardless, she would make sure this hangover would come to pass.