Chapter IV
Year 4357, Month of Sigilind (8), Day 11.
14:26
"Do you like this dress or the other?" Nora said, twirling in the skin tight dress. Emile had decided to bring Nora as their plus one to the Red Sunrising Ball; a party that was held on the eve of the Month of Nike, the fifteenth day of the Month of Sigilind. Followed by a ball on day fourteen of the Month of Nike; The Red Sunsetting Ball, celebrating the last evening in the best month of the year.
Emile yawned, "You look good in whatever." Emile said, checking their PortComm to see the time, they were mildly irritated that this was how they were spending their weekly day off, but they digressed, this had to happen eventually.
"But Em, I have to look my best for this party!" Nora said, pouting her lower lip, Emile snorted, they had to admit she looked cute.
"Well, if you want to get technical, you're trying to be second best looking." Emile said, a devious smile of amusement on their face.
"Yeah, yeah, tradition or whatever, rightful heir to the throne looks best because they're the essence of the Red Sun, which is all mythology by the way, and isn't true. I don't care what anyone says, I still want to be a hottie." Nora said, grabbing the fourth dress she picked out and walking to the door of the dressing room.
"I think as long as you're not wearing black, red, or gold you're in the clear, even if the general population thinks you look better than her royal highness. Lorika isn't as vain as her ancestors. Plus you're allowed to have some pizzazz to it, you are going with an important religious and political figure." Emile said, standing up and leaning on the wall next to the door where Nora had emerged herself behind to change.
The squeal that Emile heard from the other side of the door was all Emile needed to hear to know this was the one. Nora practically flew out of the door, and presented herself to the spot Emile was sitting at before, just to turn around and pose sexily.
Emile grinned, "Oh that's cute," Emile said, eyeing her up and down, her braided hair, chocolate skin, curvy physic that was accentuated by the sexy but classy sage dress, "I like that."
Nora smiled, "You do?" She said, following it up with, "I don't have many sage accessories though..." Nora said, her smile dipping into a frown.
"Hey, what's a few accessories? I'll pay, I've got the money for it." Emile said, placing a hand on her bare shoulder.
Nora smiled, "Okay, I'll change out of this and then we can head to the purse shop?"
Emile nodded, "I've got all day, literally, so take as much time as you need."
Nora smiled and slipped into the dressing room again, coming back out in her layered outfit.
Emile took the dress from her and folding it over their arm, a light blush crossing their cheeks as Nora slipped her hand in Emile's free one, any ounce of irritation they had dissipating into a drunken sort of joy.
The rest of Emile's afternoon was filled with removing a few thousand from their bank account, and enjoying the romantic affection that was bestowed to them from Nora; something that was new to their friends-with-benefits sort of relationship. Emile walked Nora back to the cheap apartment she stayed in with three other people, ending their excursion with a kiss that made small butterflies flutter in Emile's stomach. Emile felt happier than they had been in a while, they were beginning to feel their feelings for Nora expand past sexual attraction to a genuine romantic interest. They intended on taking these next few days to get to know her better and officially ask her out at the Ball.
Emile was surprised when a young preteen boy with a deadpan emotionless face, short lavender-grey locks, dead medium grey eyes wearing a dress shirt that had ruffles extending from its collar around their shoulders and chest, and dress pants and shoes was standing at the entrance to the capitol building, as though waiting for them.
"Hey Asha, whatcha need?" Emile said, slightly unsettled by the robot's calculating gaze.
"Good afternoon, Emile," The robot started with, "I noticed a concerning drop in your bank balance, and you do not appear to be carrying any merchandise or products with you. Do you mind me asking where all this money went?" Asha asked bluntly.
"Well first off, you don't have to monitor my bank statements, and second, I was just at the mall with my date to the Red Sunrise Ball, ended up splurging a couple thousand on her, but its not like I buy anything for myself that often, I have to do something with my money."
The robot paused and seemed to be calculating a response, "I understand, I merely wished to understand the reasoning for the irregular purchases, and ensure nothing was wrong, and if you were aware of the purchases. I will leave you to carry on with your day." Asha said.
"Yeah...thanks." Emile said, quickly walking to an elevator and pressing on the button to send the elevator down to the ground floor.
A dinging from Asha was all they needed to know they would not be going to their quarters that easily this afternoon. Asha rolled their sleeve up, a curved screen extending from their arm, displaying the holographic image of Lorika.
"Asha, find Emile and tell them to meet me in my office at once." She said, the hologram quickly dissipated and the screen fell back into place on Asha's arm, they looked up at Emile as the elevator door sprung open.
Asha opened its mouth to speak, but Emile silenced it with an "I heard," following up with an, "I'll be there immediately."
Emile entered the elevator and pressed the button to the floor in which her office with on, it was almost muscle memory at this point from how many times Emile had made their way to Lorika's office.
Emile exited the elevator and made their way to her office, letting themself in without knocking, "Good afternoon, King, what would you like to speak to me about." Emile said bored, closing the door behind them. They hadn't spoken to Lorika since a few days ago when Emile attempted to act on what they interpreted as advances from Lorika, they still felt upset, and slightly disappointed about the interaction.
Lorika looked up at Emile, "That was quick," Lorika remarked a matching bored expression on her face, she gestured to chair across from her desk, which Emile sat in, they weren't even sure what she had to reprimand Emile about today, unless she was going to bring up the incident from a few days prior, which was unlikely since Lorika wasn't exactly one to dwell on things and take her time to process or anything. Lorika sifted through a few papers and grabbed a few notecards, writing small few worded bulletins on them, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
It was a few moments before Emile spoke up, "Was there any particular reason you called me into your office?" Emile asked.
"No, I just knew it was your day off and felt like having some company," Lorika said, continuing to write on the notecards, "Were you doing anything important?"
Emile frowned, knowing that was an afterthought of a question, "No, I was just about to go back to my quarters, but I suppose I could indulge in being your company," Emile said with an eye roll. A few more moments of silence went by before Emile asked, "Got any liquor?"
Lorika opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out the all too familiar bottle of expensive alcohol that they had indulged in with Lorika a few days prior, which made them gulp. Lorika handed Emile the bottle, not even bothering to grab a cup or spare Emile a single glance.
Emile took the bottle from her, being sure to keep their hand far away from Lorika's, popping the top off and taking a swig, a sigh of satisfaction leaving them. They unhooked their PortComm and started checking their messages, replying to Nora as she sent Emile messages back and forth.
"I'm assuming I'll see you at the ball?" Lorika asked, checking her notecards before rearranging them in a specific order.
Emile looked at Lorika, "Huh? Yeah I mean, of course you will, it's the biggest event of the year, plus free expensive drinks."
Lorika glanced at Emile from the side of her eyes, "Is that all it takes to get you to comply?"
Emile sighed and looked at Lorika, "What? Is that what this is about? You want to know how to get me to "behave"? I've been doing better lately, cut me some slack." Emile said, taking a long swig from the bottle.
Lorika lifted her head and folded her fingers together, resting her chin on the top of them. "This isn't about anything, Emile, I was merely feeling lonely and you were my most convenient option for company."
Emile looked away and back at their PortComm, taking another sip. They could feel Lorika's eyes softly burn into them, as they typed away with one hand, arranging with Nora about potentially bringing her to Emile's quarters that night.
Emile glanced at Lorika as she continued to stare at them, "Yes?" Lorika sighed and looked away, the tension was too thick for any conversation to flow freely between the two.
"You may leave if you so desire." Lorika said, with a wave of her hand, looking back at her notecards and reading over them.
Emile chugged the rest of the bottle before getting up, clipping their PortComm to their belt once more, "Alright, text or call if you need me again." Emile said before leaving and heading to the elevator, they received no response.
Emile hugged Nora, and led her to their quarters, hand on her lower back as they flirted with one another, Emile was so enthralled in their interaction with Nora that they didn't notice the figure that was walking towards the two of them.
"Good evening, Emile... and company," She said, handing Emile a stack of papers, "Reports that need to be looked over." She elaborated.
Nora looked up at Lorika with a starstruck gaze, "Good evening your majesty," She said with a bow, "It is delightful to meet your acquaintance, may NIKE, the Lord's, blood run strong through your veins." She said, holding her hand out for a handshake.
Lorika looked down at Nora with a judgmental, almost disgusted looking, gaze, her eye twitching in annoyance as she crossed her hands behind her back. Nora smiled in embarrassment and quickly withdrew her hand.
"I expect those reports to be looked over and approved by the Ball, I don't want anything getting in the way of it." She said, not even addressing Nora.
"Yeah, I'll get them back to you stat." Emile said with a nervous gulp, seeing the agitation in Lorika's red eyes.
"Very well, I expect to see you soon, then." Lorika said, walking forward, cutting through Emile and Nora, her steps echoing down the hall.