Chapter VII
Year 4357, Month of Sigilind (8), Day 15.
21:27
The Red Sunrising Festival officially started in thirty minutes, and Emile was perpetually late to showing and mingling, this time because Nora apparently got into a fight with her boss, leading to her getting fired, sparking fights with her roommates in succession. Emile's foot now tapped impatiently as they stood outside of Nora's bedroom, she was getting ready for the festival thirty minutes before it began. Emile's arms were crossed and they internally were beating themself up. Tonight had to be perfect, it was the biggest night of the year, and it was the night Emile was officially going to ask Nora to be their girlfriend. It had to be perfect, and Emile had to be patient and respectful.
Emile's head swiveled to the right as they saw Nora come out in the sexy— yet classy —sage sleeveless dress with an lightly asymmetrical neckline that accentuated her breasts in the tight bodice, the neckline having a slight cover of the silky material that kept it from being too raunchy, ruching spread down from where the bodice met the waist line, the dress went down to her ankles, without having a train— such regal extremities were not allowed for even the Apostles —her shoes were a matching sage with rose gold accents, her dark chocolate skin was accentuated by rose gold necklaces and bangles, her hair was done up in a classy bun, rose gold pins with sage colored accessories added very precisely in her bun. Her hazel eyes were framed by two of her braids that fell from her head, coming back up to mix in the delicate high bun she had on her head. Her makeup was surprisingly soft, not the over exaggerated club makeup she had worn when first meeting Emile, fake freckles dotted her cheeks if you looked hard enough, her eyeshadow was done to match her outfit— sage with rose gold glitter —and on her lips was a shimmery lipgloss. She held a small roses colored purse in her hands, which were adorned with nails that matched her get up.
Emile drew in a shaky breath, she looked stunning. Emile smiled and scratched the back of their head, "Wow." They said, glad they hadn't rushed her. They adjusted their vest; a black pull over vest that had shimmery dark purple swirls of flowers that were meticulously drawn on by the country's best designers, after all, it was real amethyst, and made sure they're zip-up under it was fabulously clean and smooth— the zip-up was a type of dress shirt that had come in fashion as of late, which had a double spiked collar, the outward facing one baring a zipper. The zipper was never zipped up to full capacity. Nora smiled and held her hand out, Emile wrapped their arm under hers and led her out of her house and into the sleek black car outside, the chauffeur immediately taking them to the party.
Emile walked in just as they were about to start calling Emile, literally.
"Emile!" Ciel said, walking over to Emile, Ciel was wearing a buttoned up dark green blazer, nothing underneath, and a pair of nearly balck dark green dress pants, and sleek black dress shoes, "We were just about to start calling you!" Ciel said, smiling at Nora, "And hello to you Ms. Nora, we've heard a lot about you from Emile, it's nice to meet you in person." They said, holding their hand out for a handshake.
Nora eagerly shook Ciel's hand, "Aww, you have?" She said, looking at Emile teasingly, "It's nice to meet you, your grace."
Ciel nodded, "Thank you, but you can just call me Ciel, I don't really like honorifics."
Nora let go of Ciel's hand as Ciel released theirs from hers, nodding. Emile smiled at her lightly and gestured to the others, "Come meet the others."
Nora nodded and followed Emile over to the other apostles, introducing herself with a star struck look in her eyes. Emile noticed that Lorika was not present, however.
Amor smiled, noticing Emile was looking for Lorika, "She's getting ready, you know she has to look her best, she's never here before the speech, plus, she said Kumatan officials will be attending the festival on behalf of the prince." He said, adjusting the thick straps on his sleek baby pink dress with a deep V neck line, showing half of the twelve inch scar that ran diagonally across the right side of his body. His golden brown skin was showing through the high slit in his dress and the lace of his deeper pink heels, which were impeccably high. He had a matching baby pink thick choker on his neck, and a tan and silver belt around his waist to match the silvery tan real fur he hand wrapped around his arms, a show of his rank to be able to wear something so extravagant to the party for the queen.
Emile also noticed Ezekiel's absence, "Where's Ezekiel?" Emile asked, looking around for her.
Amor looked over at Ciel, who had manifested a comically large bouquet of red roses and a large heart shaped box of chocolate (which was a matching red color), "She's running a bit late for some reason." He said clearly looking as though he was still on the fence about the romantic implications of the gifts Ciel had gotten her, but knowing him; he'd support her no matter what choices she made, even if that choice was getting romantic with Ciel.
Emile scoffed, "Oh, poor Ciel, me and Ezekiel had a conversation about that possibility the other day." Emile said, looking down.
Emile looked over at Nora who was listening intently with the same starstruck expression, "You okay? Come on, let's go find a seat, do you want to sit one on one or in a group?" They asked.
"In a group please!" Nora said, clearly wanting to mingle with the high rankers, a good sign in Emile's book that Nora might be trying to make a good impression because she was taking Emile seriously.
Emile gathered the group and they all sat down at a round table, Emile laughing and talking with the other apostles over the waters they were starting out with, including Nora in the conversation this time around.
Right when the festival was about to start Ezekiel showed up in full glam, a mint green dress spaghetti strap dress with a flare skirt and a "V" insignia going up to the where the "V" shaped neckline met the thin straps, a lighter shade of green being within the "V", matching chose adorned her feet, as well as gloves that reached the middle of her upper arm all topped off with a similar scarf with swirling flowers on it in her hair, which was delicately styled into a silky straight haired low bun.
Amor smiled and hugged her, "¡Mi pequeña ya es mayor!" He said, Ciel standing by as Amor released her, presenting the gifts as Ezekiel turned her attention to Ciel after Amor had sat down.
"Hey, Ezey." Ciel said, their glossy doll eyes looking over Ezekiel's gorgeous outfit.
"Hey Ciel, got a date I see." She said, pointing her gloved finger at the gifts.
Ciel opened their mouth to speak but was cut off by Ezekiel looking at Nora, "Heyyy, finally get to meet the one who wears the pants, Emile does not stop talking about you," Ezekiel leaned forward speaking quieter, "You're real lucky, Emile's a high roller."
Nora smiled, "Thank you, you flatter me, I love your outfit," She said, grinning beautifully.
Ezekiel chest-mouth smiled, "And I love yours," Ezekiel said, turning back to Ciel, "Soooo, now that I met Emile's lucky lady, who's your luckily lady, or gent, of course."
Ciel smiled, "Well, about that—"
Before Ciel could finish Asha was seen on the balcony that faced towards the arrays of tables that were now filled with high rankers and rich New Kah-O'ans who paid for a place on the guest list, as well as some unfamiliar faces, who sat at a table near the front.
"Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between, thank you all for being here with us. Welcome to the fifteenth annual Red Sunrising Festival," Cheers could be heard from the crowd, Asha raised a hand to silence the cheering from the eager people who paid for their place on the list, "You will now see waiters coming around to take your orders, I hope you will listen as I, and my colleagues, speak after this."
Just as he said that waiters came flying out of every side door that led to the kitchens, quickly taking orders and dispersing afterwards in record time and efficiency, a waiter came by and handed Amor a microphone, which was held tightly, thumb over the button that allowed him to speak into the microphone.
"This passing year since the annual festival(s) have been successful as always, in fact, even more successful than years past," Asha said, his calm robotic voice speaking over anyone who dared to speak during such an important moment, "And we all can attribute it to NIKE, our lord and savior; the One True Victory," He said, cheers buzzing from the crowd, which were silenced by his ever demanding hand, "But I merely go over the logistics, allow our Victorious Warlord of NIKE to give our thanks to our savior." He said, Amor eagerly turning his microphone on and standing on the table.
"Good evening everyone!" He said smiling wider than ever, "It has been fifteen years since our glorious country's inception, since NIKE commanded our great leader to creating the beautiful nation we have today! Fifteen years since NIKE struck her fist upon the land the heretics walked on, and began to claim back what has always been hers, for NIKE is the last crowned heir of the Averre dynasty! And she has crowned her last walking descendant to claim back what is rightfully theirs and to crush the heretics!" He said, drawing cheers from the religious leaders under the Apostles, "Me and my comrades," He gestured to the people at the table, "All have followed the hand of NIKE as she guided us to Victory with her wings, flying us to the goal we so long to achieve; World Domination!" He roared, cheers drawing out form all over the room, Emile even found themself cheering.
"We are the followers of God, the ones who seemed foolish before NIKE led us to our inevitable Victory, for she is the way to follow!" Amor preached, his golden brown skin practically glowing in the light cast by the fancy chandeliers in the mess hall, his smile never faltering, infact becoming more of a heretical and manical expression.
Amor continued his speech, speaking from scriptures in the Doctrine Of NIKE, which he had memorized ten times over, his long dark brown hair falling around him elegantly, his side part showing his magnificent pink eyes, if Emile didn't know any better they'd have thought Amor was an angel, with how his face was structured, him looking like a model, whilst speaking on religion. But it was no matter, soon Amor was passing the microphone around the table, everyone saying what they were glad they had accomplished in the last year, and praising NIKE in their own ways.
When the microphone reached Emile they didn't know what to say, everyone else had touched on everything, except one thing, Emile took a deep breath in, "I would like to commemorate this section of our celebration to our wonderful military, led and operated by Amor and King, herself. In the past year since the last festivals we have expanded our territory by one-hundred-fifty percent, recruited more followers, and truly become an economically stable country, no longer just an "occupied territory", but a nation, bound by one Goddess, and six loyal apostles who carry out her will. Thank you, and enjoy the festivities."
When all five had finished with their speech a loud applause erupted from the mess hall, Asha stepped down from the balcony, and the waiters were quickly serving orders, Emile looked at their juicy chicken parmesan and began to eat after Amor said a blessing to NIKE. They ate in silence as laughter and speech erupted around them, Ciel and Ezekiel quickly began talking.
"So as I was saying before, about the gifts—" Ciel spoke, quickly getting cut off.
"Yeah, your totally real date is running late, huh?" Ezekiel leaned towards Amor and smirked, "They definitely heard Emile was bringing a date and decided they had to bring a fake one." Ezekiel said, laughing.
Ciel pouted, clearly not liking that Ezekiel was acting this way, Emile knew this side of her all too well, she had been smoking some joints— probably along with other substances —before this party.
Amor smiled, "Speaking of dates, do you all know if there's any single men here?" He asked, pausing before continuing, "Well he doesn't have to be single, just into men, I won't tell if he won't." He said, looking around the party.
Ezekiel rolled her bulging bug eyes, "Amor, tonight is not the night for another one of your hookups." Ezekiel said, still smiling with a buzzed enjoyment.
Emile watched the ordeal go down, not sure how to respond, if they even wanted to get involved in whatever was going on, watching as Ezekiel's hair slowly started to unravel, since she had notoriously difficult hair with two completely different textures— and colors to boot —leading her to straightening it to be a long silky curtain. Emile knew this meant she forgot to spray her hair in her tweaked out state, but they weren't going to mess with Ezekiel's mood until she noticed.
Nora looked around at the party, "When will the social hour start? I want to talk to people." She said, her ribs already stripped of every strain of meat, along with her sides scraped clean of every morsel, while Emile sat with a half eaten chicken parmesan.
Emile blinked at her plate, absolutely flabbergasted that she could eat a whole rack of ribs and sides in such a short amount of time, but they knew better than to comment on a woman's eating habits. They checked the time, "About thirty minutes," Emile stated, "You do realize there is four people here that you could talk to?"
Nora thought for a moment, "Yeah but y'all are divine, I mean just like normal people, maybe rich ones.
Emile stared at her for a moment before laughing, "Really? You can't talk to me? You've never had this problem before."
"Yeah, because that was in private, this is in public in front of the most powerful people in the country."
Emile turned their body to her, raising an eyebrow, "Come on, you can talk to me, anytime, anywhere." Emile said, taking a bite of their mashed potatoes.
Nora hummed in thought. "I suppose you have a fair point."
Emile and Nora quickly began to banter back and forth amongst themselves. Quickly the thirty minutes became an hour, Emile only leaving to get drinks from the open bar, coming back to find that she had disappeared, Emile didn't think much of it, though, there could be a multitude of reasons that she had left.
Nearly thirty minutes had gone by with Nora being nowhere to be found, Emile had already finished their drink. Emile sighed and got up, Nora had left her bag at the table, so messaging her wasn't an option. Emile got up and stretched, grabbing Nora's bag and walking through the crowds, greeting high rankers Emile actually knew or cared about. Another twenty five minutes had gone by, where did Nora run off to? Emile was actually starting to get worried.
"Greetings, festival-goers." Asha said, now back on the balcony, Emile checked the time once more, 23:56, the Sunrising Ceremony was about to begin.
"Let us pause the social hour for our ceremony," When the crowd was completely silent Asha spoke up again, "I present to you all," The lights dimmed except for on the balcony as Asha gestured to the curtain separating the balcony from whatever room it was connected to, "Queen Lorika Averre, or as she's better addressed; King."
Applause erupted and immediately stopped when she stepped out from beyond the red curtains, Asha slinking behind the curtains once more, "Greetings, my loyal subjects," Lorika said, Emile could tell she was wearing a black dress, bad for Emile since they were banking on her wearing something more extravagant, like red or gold. The main thing visible was the bright ruby red crown that sprouted from the back of her head, surrounding it with five points all decorated like leaves despite being precious jewels, "This has been a year to remember. Since the long night of the last Red Sun Setting Festival, to the now long morning of this year's Sun Rising, we have been graced by NIKE's power, for with every follower, and every will of hers carried out she grows ever stronger until we can see the day she returns to us.
"The Averre dynasty was wrongfully stripped of its title and power, because my ancestress, NIKE, was born a God. People fear the almighty Victory, her grace, whose blood runs directly from one child to another, never another branch off, a direct bloodline, leading to me. I have reclaimed my position and power, so NIKE can have her justice, and now, I will perform the miracle of the decade, for my bloodline goes farther than NIKE, but to the very lands of Nugimi itself, the Sun, who's first native children came to Kah-O', to give their divine expertise. This year, I will see to it, that the miracle performed by so many of my predecessors is brought back, for NIKE has bestowed upon me the fiery wisdom of our Nugimin ancestors."
Emile had no idea what any of that meant, clearly she was leading up for something big, that is until she continued, "For this year; 4357, is the year NIKE will return to us."
With that— and gasps from around the crowd —the ceiling of the hall opened, revealing a skylight, completely open to the cold air of midnight. Shivers were brought down on everyone in the room, Lorika however took one step forward, and raised her arms. The sound of rumbling, and the sky coating a blood red at it's horizon was enough to shake the entire hall of people. The sun raised in the sky until it was directly overhead, glowing a bright red, the rumors and myths about the Averre dynasty were true, they could move the Heavens. The sky was a mixture of oranges, lavenders, and blues, in an almost endless stream of swirls.
"Holy shit." Emile mumbled, nearly dropping to their knees in awe, this was what Emile had been told would happen when they first came to New Kah-O', but they never expected it to come true past the two month mark of them being there. This was a sight to behold. Just as the clock struck midnight Lorika's eyes glowed red, her irises now being white, eye whites glowing red, and pupils black— as opposed to the normal white her pupils were.
Lorika concluded the ceremony and stepped back into the room behind the curtains, cheers erupting from around the room. Emile took this as their chance to find Nora, eventually spotting her sage dress and rose gold accessories and making their way over to her, "Nora!" Emile said in a concerned, almost scolding tone, "Where have you been, you left your bag at the table so I got scared that something had happened to you," Emile said, now with a softer tone of voice, looking over at the group of men that Nora was with, all of them unfamiliar men, "Who's these guys?"
"Modeling agents from Kumata." Nora said, giving Emile a surprisingly cold shoulder after snatching her bag from Emile.
Emile paused and nodded at the men, who nodded back and took their leave, "Nora are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Emile said, placing a concerned hand on Nora's shoulder, which she yanked away before Emile could even graze it.
"I'm fine, let's just get a drink." Nora said sternly.
Emile gulped, had they done something wrong? "Alright, come on, I don't want to lose you in the crowd again." Emile said, offering their hand to her, which she stared at with a disgusted expression, Emile withdrew, Nora following them to the bar, complaining the whole way.
"It's so loud in here", "My feet hurt", "Can we sit down?", "Or better yet go to somewhere more quiet?" Nora kept whining and complaining, even about the littlest of things.
Emile got a hard drink for themself, and a fancy drink for Nora, leading her out to a large balcony that was occupied by a few people. Nora had finally ceased her complaining, but still had a cold shoulder.
Emile finally spoke up after a while, "Did I say something wrong? Like, did I offend you in anyway?"
Nora sighed and looked away, "No, you didn't. I'm just too sober for all this noise."
Emile smiled, taking a sip of their drink, "We could always leave, go back to my place or if you want I could drop you off at your place. We don't have to stay here."
Nora seemed...even more offended at the notion, "No, I'm fine staying here, I just need more alcohol in my system is all."
"Ezekiel probably has a cigarette or a joint on her, if you stay here I can go find her and snag one to help calm you down?"
Nora groaned, "No, I'm fine staying out here," Emile sighed, and gave her some space, keeping a respectful distance and not being too talkative, "Sorry, Em."
Emile smiled, "There's no need to apologize, I shouldn't have been so pushy, it's just there's something I want to ask you." Emile said, gearing up since she seemed to be in a better mood now.
"Hm, what is it?"
Emile took a deep breath in, "Well, the time I've been getting to know you have been great, and I feel like I really connect to you. I really like you, Nora, I feel like I can open up to you and goof off, I don't want this to just be a fling," Emile paused, "Nora will you be my girlfriend?"
Nora was silent, that was until she started laughing, it wasn't a normal laugh, though, it was a sadistic and cruel laugh, "Emile, you realize that those modeling agents were offering me an opportunity to be a runway model, right?"
Emile paused, "I assumed so, but—"
"The reason I'm so irritated right now is because you showed up and started being clingy to me while I was trying to talk business."
Emile frowned, confused, "Uh, what?"
"No, Emile! No! The only reason I even approached you in the first place was because I knew you were a high roller, and you looked so depressed! I saw my shot and I took it. The fact that you were naive enough to believe me, and listen to my lies about my past and my job with no follow up questions, is hilarious! You're supposed to be a powerful digniary, but in reality you're just a sad, horny, desperate person. Thanks for giving me the cool shit I begged you to buy me and the opportunity to get what I want from you and the higher ups of this place, I can't wait to leave this stupid country and chase my dreams at your expense." Nora tipped her glass over, its contents pouring over the railing, she walked away before Emile could get another word in. She quickly disappeared into the crowd, leaving Emile dumbfounded.
Emile stared at the glass on the railing, they didn't even register the tears that were now streaming down their face. When they eventually did they just wiped them and stared out over the railing, losing themself in thought. A hand on Emile's shoulder shocked them from their trance, they turned their head, startled.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She said, her lightly tanned skin contrasting her white hair, which was pulled into a bun, the crown sprouting from the clip that held it up. Her dress was charcoal black, having a neckline that resembled two peaks, covering her breasts whilst having a window, a fishnet lining reached up from the corners of the peaks up to a satin black choker; all connected. The bodice was tight and boned against her skin, her skirt looser fitting but still showing her curves, leading into a long train of darkness that pooled around her feet and behind her, matching balck gloves slinked form her hands to halfway up her upper arm, revealing her shoulders, it was incredibly sexy.
"I could've sworn the dress code said no black." She remarked, pointing at Emile's clothes.
"Sorry, I thought you might wear something red and-or gold." They said, looking away, their face still red where their tears fell, they were lucky that the eyes on their body didn't have tear ducts because otherwise the entire outfit might be soaked.
"It's fine, black is the most acceptable to wear of the three," She said, the hand on their shoulder now at their jaw and chin, turning their head to her, "Are you okay?" She asked, an undistinguishable look on her face.
"I'm fine," Emile said, avoiding her gaze, "I no longer have a date, so there's that."
Lorika frowned, "That woman, she's Norella Outerre, right?†Lorika said, somehow knowing her full name, her eyes, still the unique pattern from before, bearing into Emile's as they glowed with an otherworldly light.
"Yeah, how did you...?"
"She's a slut. Excuse my language but, that's what her job is, she makes her living by preying on richer men and women, she tried to make me one of her prey, only for me to shoo her off. The only reason the other apostles don't know about her is because she's never tried to go for them. She tries to get in a sugar baby position with high rollers, explicitly taking that title, even though she's just an expensive prostitute at that point, otherwise she'll manipulate her way to the top by playing with rich, and depressed, people's feelings."
Emile frowned, "Great, so I fell for a manipulative whore, great to know. I fell for basic manipulation tactics, lies, and a pretty face," Emile frowned and looked away, "And now it just proves that if I let my guard down for one moment it'll end in tragedy. I can never get it right." Emile said, holding their face, trying to stop themself from blinking, since tears had now welled in their eyes. They were crying over a woman they knew for a week, infront of the leader of their country and religion on a day that was meant to be celebratory no less; absolutely pathetic.
Lorika suddenly pulled Emile against her, pressing their face against her bare shoulder, which was surprisingly warm considering it was not summer yet, and actually rather chilly that night— Emile didn't even know if it counted as night since the sun was in the sky, though the sky was still rather dark, and the sun was blood red, almost doing the opposite of lighting up the area. It didn't take long for Emile to wrap their arms around Lorika's waist, closing their eyes as tears silently streamed down their cheeks, there was something about her embrace that was, warm, comforting, understanding. Emile felt like they were getting something they had really needed for a while; a soft, warm hug.
"When I was, ooh...I think about twenty-one, there was this woman I met, total Sheraingaian beauty, she willingly came to the country, practically tore my heart out, I was thinking about marrying her...and one day, walked in on her with two men, fornicating, mid act, actually. I had all three of them executed on the spot," She admits, "Of course it was a private and secretive execution, but I still had her— and her lovers —killed, I watched it happen. It's what began my confident dictator streak from then until about twenty-five I killed to kill, executed for minuscule reasons; it's why people respect me out of fear today, actually. Yeah, but I haven't been in a relationship since then. Now the Kumatan prince is trying to marry me." She says her arm still around Emile comfortingly.
"Sounds fucked," Emile's words were slurred, they were nearly wasted, "I woulda done the same...she had it coming, cheating on a hot bitch like you."
Lorika snorted and gently extracted Emile's glass of liquor from their hand, Emile being too drunk to notice it was gone, they looked over at the dance floor, and saw a strange sight; Ciel had their face to Ezekiel's chest, eyes closed...? Oh! Emile realized, they were kissing. Wait, they were kissing?
"Looks like the flowers and chocolates worked out well for Ciel." Emile said, laughing drunkenly, suddenly feeling more single.
"I would've thought they were already together," Lorika said, "Ciel has submitted many studies about Ezekiel's anatomy, including pleasure points and other areas that would otherwise seem intrusive." Lorika remarked.
"Gross," Emile said, "Why'd you ask for those studies anyways?" Emile said, now sobered up after seeing a sight like that.
"I didn't, Ciel just did them to do them, submitted the information to me with no context, I mean it was good to know since we now know there's a theoretical way to kill Ezekiel, and what measures can be taken to prevent them, but still it's just...disturbing."
Emile frowned, knowing how weird Ciel was about gore, and knowing those studies and author notes were most likely borderline sexual, they shivered, "They're both freaks of nature, I guess, nothing we can do to stop them from...ew."
Emile watched as the situation between Ciel and Ezekiel escalated, the two had their tongues down each others throats in the middle of the room, that was most definitely going to either be covered up or talked about in the news tomorrow.
Lorika grimaced, "Not the worst I've seen; I once walked in on Amor with one of his hookups while we were at an outpost, sleeping in tents."
"Yuck," Emile said, laughing a bit, "That'd have to be traumatizing."
"It was, indeed it was," Lorika said, shaking her head, and standing up, holding a hand out to Emile, "Let's not dwell on this anymore, want to dance?"
Emile nodded and took her hand, a little tipsy still but now being somewhat conscious after having to see Ciel and Ezekiel being together.
Lorika and Emile were chatting as they danced, it was the slow dancing section of the evening, "So, are you going to accept the prince's proposal?"
"I don't know, I'm sending Ezekiel out there in two days with the representatives, she's going to negotiate terms of the marriage, she's going to try and get me the best deal I can get from the marriage." Lorika said, continuing to dance with Emile.
"I see, you excited about it?" Emile said, wagging their eyebrows.
"Quite the opposite, rather," Lorika said, scoffing, "In every letter sent back and forth from the council and me he's been grossly clingy and excited at the concept of having a wife."
"Well, you are attractive too, so he's probably going to try and get with you as soon as the wedding is officialized," Emile said, laughing at her expression, "Imagine that, you stoked for it?"
"Don't remind me," Lorika said, rolling her eyes and sighing, "I am less than pleased, I've partnered with men before. They neither are good company nor bedmates."
"So you don't like men at all? You never struck me as a lesbian, but at the same time it makes sense. You have that vibe once you get to know you, but I don't like to assume." Emile said, running a hand through their hair to fluff it.
"You assumed I like men, and I'd say you are very judgmental," Lorika sighed and clicked her tongue, "No matter, though, the point is that I am not pleased at thee concept of having to lay with him. But if it benefits our country, I will do it...begrudgingly."
"Yeesh," Emile said, cringing at the thought of being with a man themself, “I can see why you'd do it, and why you'd hate it," Emile paused, "Why not get a mistress, if you have to, that is."
"As tempting as it sounds to be in a relationship with a woman, I, unfortunately, believe in loyalty and faith to your partner, no matter if you like your partner or not. A romantic relationship with a woman does sound...pleasing, however," Emile felt warm, all of the sudden, listening to her talk about her recent loneliness, and growing desire for a companion, it felt a little too close to home, "It's been a good...ugh...nine years since I've been in a romantic, let alone committed, relationship. The occasional hook up when I needed it, and the said hookups were sent to death row, can't have the public thinking I'm a sleazy slut," Lorika looked at the glass of whiskey she had previously extracted from Emile's grip, grabbed it and chugged it, "I'm turning thirty-one soon, and I'm not happy about it."
"First day of the month of sun, right?" Emile said, looking at their nails, a light orange blush on their cheeks, "Coming up in four months exactly now." Emile said with a laugh.
"You have my birthday memorized?" Lorika said, leaning forward, her breasts very close to spilling over, if it wasn't for the fishnets, which Emile wished wasn't the first thing they noticed.
Emile looked at Lorika's eyes, "Yeah, it's a day off of work, and a party for the officials at that." Emile said with a smile.
Lorika looked...almost happy, "Well then, I expect a gift on my special day, you can't just show up and mooch off my birth."
Emile snorted, "Yeah, like you worked so hard to be born, you got pushed out, I technically don't have a birthday, just the day I showed up to the academy."
"Which we treat like your birthday, trust me Emile—next year on the third of the month of Dahmah you will receive a gift, whether or not you get me one, so it would be customary for you to get me one so I don't feel like I'm being mooched, since I already have yours picked out and ready." Her voice was oddly suggestive, but Emile hadn't picked up on that.
"Really? Oh, now you have to telll me! What is it?" Emile said, leaning forward and grabbing her hand, which was reaching for the glass of whiskey.
Lorika jumped out of surprise, then her face became that of affectionate amusement, "Behave yourself, Emile, all I can tell you is that it is something big, and I'm sure you'll like it a lot."
Emile smiled, "Fine, But I'm just saying, three months ago would have been a better time to give me it, my next "birthday"," Emile used air quotes, "It's later rather than sooner."
"You'll need to wait, dear Emile, good things come to those who wait."