2.22
"My god!" Tony gasped, standing finally at foot of the path gazing up, taking in the awesome glory that was Funaho. He'd been walking, taking picture and muttering since arriving at valley rim. So much so both Mihoshi and Michele trailing behind were beginning to think the camera was geared to his legs and larynx. Step, Click! Step, Click! "Good lord!" Step, Click! Step, Click! "Incredible!" On and on with only minor variations. Until finally standing at start of the modest path leading up to Funaho's monolithic trunk. "I've heard stories about this tree!" Tony whispered enraptured. "I can't believe how far off the mark they were! It's freaking huge!"
"And, it's giving off heat." Michele murmured, breaking her interval of silence, standing a few feet abreast peering through an extended hand. "How is that possible?" She added quietly, sparing the photographer a sidelong glance. Tony's response was to kneel at paths end, brushing fingertips through the pools calm surface as Mihoshi looked on curiously.
"Huh." He grunted, withdrawing. "This water is warm!" Turning, regarding his companions. "Probably sitting atop a hot spring!"
"Just enough to turn this valley into a natural green house." Michele nodded wonderingly.
"I thought as much when I first stood here." Across from them listening, Mihoshi smiled thinking to her self. "Of course that was before I knew this was a tree from planet Juri!"
"I gotta get closer!" Tony told them, suddenly animate. Leaping to his feet contemplating the three some odd foot gap for a second before surging across. "Banzai!" He elated his manner reminding Mihoshi of a child on Christmas morning.
"Be careful!" she warned. "The stones toward the base are slick!" With her warning still dancing in the air Tony's descending foot managed to dislodge one of the smaller fragments towards the tree side edge. It, landing in the pool with a respectable baritone, ker-plop! "And the water is deeper than it looks!" She concluded, as Tony stared at ever widening ripples where the stone had vanished, enough to temper his approach with additional caution.
"Just like a big kid!" Michele called after him restraining a giggle, taking then another moment regarding the cathedral like beauty surrounding them.
"Wild!" Tony gasped, now touching, gazing up at the base. "You'd think a big ol' tree like this would be covered with graffiti! Local boys, carving their girl friends name and such?" He then glanced their way with what seemed to approach reverent awe. "But there's no sign of anything like that!"
"The people here respect this place and regard it as sacred!" Mihoshi told him urgently, now standing at the nearest of the stepping stones helping Michele across. She realized she was probably babbling but the thought, of anyone doing such a thing to Funaho offended her deeply! "The local people respect the sanctity of the tree and the shire it honors!" She continued. All the while making doubly sure Michele was safely across.
"You're wasting your breath Miho!" Michele said smiling, nodding Tony's direction. "Look at him! Off in ga, ga, land!"
"Oh hush!" Tony grumbled, really only mildly annoyed. "Looking at this beauty just makes me wish I had brought more film!"
"But I thought you were using Digital cameras?" Mihoshi asked puzzled.
"Only for the close in shots honey pie!" He glanced her way. "Digital's may be the wave of the future but there are still some things better done on good old film backs!"
"More like someone's too old fashion to up grade" Michele smiled.
"Also I don't have any high powered lens that will adapt over to my digital rigs!" He added sourly.
"Plus honey." Michele continued. "Digital cameras are lighter. But if we tried to bring all the equipment plus the film we'd need a wagon!"
"Oh." Mihoshi answered. Clearly some aspects of all this were a little weird, at least to her. Especially in the realm of 'quaint' archaic earth technologies such as photography. A steady beeping right then drew attention to the camera in Tony's hands. Mihoshi knew from today's experiences at least, that meant it needed a new disk.
"Speak of the devil!" the old photographer sighed, reaching semi-automatically into his side pocket when a look of panic suddenly crossed his face. "Did you bring any more Cdr.'s?" He asked.
"What do I look like here?" Michele applying blush to Mihoshi drawled disapprovingly over her right shoulder. "Your damn servant?"
"You two be nice!" Mihoshi grumped. Wagging a finger as Tony proceeded, digging in one after another of Michele's many satchels. The make up artist manage to ignore the sounds of 'rummaging' less than a minute before she turned.
"Alright! I'll help you look!" She swore, kneeling and diving in. "Just stop pawing my stuff!" Leaning against Funaho's massive trunk, Mihoshi sighed, closing her eyes, letting the eternal calm of the surroundings wash over her.
"What am I going to do?" she thought sadly. She hadn't given much thought to the chain of events recently, the ones leading to this curious circus of strangers living together. At least not lately. Much less what she was going to do now that it seemed it was all about to end. "Well," She found herself musing. "That's not precisely true." She had giving the matter a great deal of thought back when everything had almost flown apart before. Perhaps the oddest thing occurring out of Tenchi disappearance, for almost a year was that, everyone had pulled together. Bonding as never before, his very absence uniting them in ways none could have ever imagined. Finding ties created during crisis, binding them together. Mihoshi blinked at the thought. However it was true! They were a family! One needs look no further than how each and everyone in the household took turns caring for Mayuka. "What if I'm right?" Her thoughts spun in turmoil. "And if it's finally happened?" Only one thing seemed clear, they were all, so precious to her and she didn't want to lose any of them! While there had been a time, early on she'd believed Tenchi just might be her destiny, Mihoshi had long since abandoned the idea in light of the circumstances. Oh, there'd been the occasional 'relapse' but current events had put what seemed a definite nail in the coffin. "What if he at last has chosen?" She thought sadly staring at the ground feeling simply horrible the way she'd spoken to Ayeka, it just seemed so obvious!
"Ryoko." Mihoshi mummered tears springing to her eyes."Good for you!" She sniffed proudly. Whether or not she was happy about the prospect she couldn't really say. It was all so confusing. Putting that aside for the moment, the question hanging in the air at least for her was simple. What now?
"Miho?" Tony asked gently. He been watching since inserting a new disk. Catching her leaning against the tree base looking downcast. He'd starred in silence until seeing Mihoshi starting to quietly cry. Shocked his finger had strayed, snapping a single picture purely by accident, then feeling like an absolute 'rat' even so. Later Tony would discover, the shot had framed almost perfectly, an image still later to hang in his office for many years under the title a 'Goddess weeps.'
"Uh huh?" she sniffed, trying to put on a brave face. "It's ok!" Mihoshi then smiled tearfully after noting his look of concern. "I just caught some dust!"
"Liar." Tony whispered, watching her try to hide her emotions was supremely sad yet somehow poignantly beautiful. "Miho?" He asked softly a moment later. "Anything I can do?" Nodding then over his shoulder the general direction of the makeup artist. "Would you like to talk to Michele?" Mihoshi caught her breath, holding her smile, about to tell him everything was fine! No problems! Life was just peachy! Except... Gazing in to the old photographers eyes, she could see the concern written for her there. Mihoshi was certain that if she asked right this minute, Tony would most likely destroy all the photos he had taken, hadn't he already offered? There was more to it than that, there was just a sort of 'decency' about him. A quietly noble quality that for some reason, Tony seem desperate to conceal. His attempts at 'hardened' professionalism hadn't fooled her one iota. He cared.
"Oh Tony!" She suddenly blurted, then stopped unable to go on. The old photographer stood rock still. Uncertain what he should do, if anything! Perhaps he didn't know Mihoshi all that well, it really wasn't his concern he half supposed. But looking into those huge soft blue eyes just melted his soul. Letting raw emotion guild him, Tony stepped forward and pulled Miho to him letting her cry her eyes out on his shoulder. "It's just my life looks like it's about to come apart on me!" She bawled, uncaring. "Everything's going to c-change!" Tony of course didn't have so much as a clue, but at times like these had the good sense to just hold on tight and let the fury pass.
"That's it honey." He whispered feeling perverse. "You just let it all out!" Wanting to help certainly but a part of him enjoyed feeling her in his arms, needing him. It was more than just a bit intoxicating.
"Things change Miho." Michele's voice told her, obviously just behind. "Now, I don't pretend to know what's going on." The older woman added. "But I will tell you this. The harder you resist what ever is changing, the more likely it is for you to get torn apart!" Mihoshi nodded, the gentle words seeming to reach her. Enough at least, she was able to regain a measure of control, to straighten, giving Tony a squeeze.
"I'm sorry!" She told them, still unable to keep the passions from her voice. "I shouldn't toss my baggage onto your shoulders!"
"What other use is there for and old Jackass like him?" Michele snorted with a nod Tony's direction.
"Look who's talking!" He snapped. "Id rather be a jackass than some ancient mule!"
"Both of you, stop it!!" Mihoshi commanded, unzipping and pulling her jacket open. Allowing it to slide down her arms as the two watched. "So, you two want to pack it in?" She asked after standing that way for a moment, her weight balanced on one foot. "Or did you want to snap a few more pictures of little ol' Me?"
"Only if you feel like it." Tony told her gently. Mihoshi had asked coyly, wanting to sound sexy. However Tony could see her lips were still trembling. Again perversely it made her more beautiful.
"Yeah." Mihoshi shrugged, a little desperately. "I guess, I just need something to distract me right now."
"I'm not sure." Tony told her eager yet reluctant, chewing his lip. "Doesn't sit with me doing any of this if you're upset." Part of his motivation was at least semi professional. If for no other reason it would show in the photos. But under all of it, closer to the truth, he simply liked Mihoshi. Some part of him feeling it would be taking advantage when she was vulnerable. Just to get a great shot? It was simply out of the question.
"Please?" She added quietly smiling, leaning back against the trunk. Providing a frame to the taunt swelling of her breasts beneath the bight pink one piece. Presenting a picture erotic as it was bittersweet. "I think somehow I really need this!"
"Y-you need it?" Tony stammered.
"You guys just make me feel so special!" She suddenly admitted with a laugh. "I guess I've lived a big portion of my life in the shadows." Mihoshi shrugged perhaps slightly embarrassed. "Of someone or something else."
"Miho..." Tony murmured, tying his best to understand.
"Now I find that hard to believe!" Michele smiled, attempting to cover her own growing concerns.
"I guess it just feels so wonderful to be the center of attention for a change!" Mihoshi laughed.
"Ok, Miho. " Tony finally said, after a long glance towards Michele. "I would just love to get some shots of you and this magnificent tree!" He added. "Just make sure you tell me when you want to stop."
Mihoshi did her own glance, behind her at a sudden thought. Wondering if this would be somehow disrespectful. Certainly tourists had snapped enough photos of Funaho, but none of them featured a girl in a swimsuit! Obeying whim she placed a hand against the black gnarled trunk.
"Would it be ok?" She wondered softly aloud, feeling only slightly foolish. Imagine her utter surprise when she promptly got an answer! Light, soft and iridescent yet undeniable glowed between her fingers. It was impossible for her not to jump with surprise.
"Miho?" Michele asked concerned, obviously she'd been observing. Looking up from where he had been adjusting his camera's filters Tony seemed a little miffed.
"Who what where?" He asked.
"Nothing!" Mihoshi gasped. Facing them fully, placing her back against the softly glowing outline of her left hand now materialized behind her on the tree. Enlisting both Photographer and Make up artist to stare. "I thought I saw a spider!" She lied, forcing a giggle, smiling a little too elaborately.
"You sure?" Tony asked perplexed. Both he and Michele took several turns glancing at each other.
"Absotively, posilutely!" She grinned, hoping it didn't appear forced as it was.
"Well ok then." Tony said slowly, obviously perplex at her behavior. "Let start by losing the outfit down to just the swimsuit." He gestured at his companion. "And Mich?" He added, "Let's ditch those decals." Smiling as Michele hurried to comply. "I want Miho the whole Miho and nothing but the Miho for this one."
"Dirty old dog!" Michele said smiling stopping long enough to remove a small pump-spray and towel from her bag.
"Oh no..." Mihoshi breathed. Shooting a single glance down and behind, still catching a faint glow. Unable to keep something like a panicked grimace from her face as Michele made her way forwards.
"You ok hun?" Michele eyed her curiously.
"I got this little cramp!" Mihoshi attempted to cover. "Can I just lean here?"
"I could try 'n massage it out for you?" The older woman offered sincerely.
"No!" Miho smiled, visibly sliding down a little. "It'll be fine in a minute." More puzzled than ever Michele began. Despite warmth generated by Funaho the kiss of isopropyl hitting bare skin made holding her back against the trunk difficult.
"Sweetness, I'll scratch your back if it itches that bad!" Michele offered, becoming a touch exasperated after a moment or two watching her antics.
"Oh, I'm fine!" Mihoshi gasped, "Thanks for the offer!"
"Please!" She prayed. "Let it be gone!", The rough bark was digging into her back, She knew there was no way she could keep blocking the view for much longer. However, it seemed the tingling sensation had disappeared? Where her shoulder rested. Hopefully the visible display had also vanished.
"Ok honey." Michele told her. "Now I need you to turn around!"
"Why?!" Mihoshi exclaimed, so quickly Michele jumped.
"I still got'ta scrub that little decal off'a your bum!" The older woman told her gruffly, clearly confused by the strange behavior.
"Oh! Well, tee, hee, hee!" Mihoshi supplied, "I just plain forgot!" Apparently unconvincingly because Michele suddenly sat back on her heels and looked up at her sternly.
"Miho! If you've got to run along to the little girls room!" She suddenly rasped. "You need to just take the time! No sense in being a silly goose about it!"
"No!" Mihoshi waved in response. "No. That's ok! I'm fine really thanks!" She smiled.
"Are you sure?" Michele asked, unconvinced. "Cause your sure doing a good rendition of a pee, pee dance!"
"No, I swear! I'm ok!" Mihoshi repeated emphatically, thinking.
"Pretty please Funaho?!" Finally out of time and excuses, taking a deep breath, she slowly turned, giving a sigh of deep relief seeing the mark was gone. A feeling terminating the second alcohol hit her right cheek causing her lungs to drag back to full capacity. "Yeeeeeeep!" Mihoshi inhaled.
"Land sakes bagosha!" Michele griped now plainly annoyed. "It's not like you didn't know what I was going to do!" Quivering and goose pimply Mihoshi turned back her direction.
"I'm so sorry Michele!" She gasped apologetically. "I really don't mean to be a pain!" That last seemed to soften Michele somewhat, enough that she finally smiled.
"Probably just nerves honey." The woman sighed after a moment. "From the look and the sound of it you got a lot on your tray."
"Ok!" Tony chimed in. "If ya got that done we can get, started..." His voice trailed off. Glancing that direction Mihoshi realized Tony was gaping. A puzzled second of glancing around at nothing she could fathom was amiss, prompted she almost unconsciously traced the path of his eyes. Looking down she realized certain portions of her upper anatomy were indicating temperature changes far more visibly than she would have wished. Both their gazes slid upward, when their eyes met, each turning red as a beet. Mihoshi's immediate response was to cross arms over her twin barometers while Tony glanced embarrassed at the ground.
"Beautiful." He said quietly smiling. More than mildly embarrassed by his own reaction. "No doubt about it Mihoshi," He then added, again looking up. "You are one very 'put together lady!" She continued to stand with arms crossed, eyes downcast blushing with a smile. Tony chewed his lip for another second then made a decision. "Look up here Miho!" He asked readying his camera. Shyly Mihoshi attempted to comply.
"But," She began quietly. At that moment from within she suddenly felt an odd sort of self-directed anger. "This is it Mihoshi!" She thought firmly. "Time to put up or shut up!" Steeling her self, looking full into the camera. "This isn't really that hard." She added catching the miniature of herself in its lens and after all she did trust him. Uncrossing arms she offered Tony her best smile. More than aware of how certain portions of her were straining against the suit.
"Ata girl!" Tony encouraged. "Just relax! Have fun with it!" Snapping images all the while stepping closer to exclude Michele from the frame.
"Throw back your shoulders!" He called, watching as she took his directions beautifully without a hint of hesitation. Smiling wickedly moving her arms behind her back feel the tension in her suit increase almost to the breaking point. Tony continued to snap images of her noting each change in expression.
"Beautiful! No! Keep smiling! That's it! Breathe! Remember to breathe!"
Mihoshi felt silly but wonderful! Like the whole world was focused on her. An illusion? But one which seemed to help. Drowning out all the day's feelings of sadness and regret. She only wanted now! This moment, to exist just for it! It reminded her in a strange way of flying through space! Tumbling out of control.
"Wait a second!" She suddenly thought. "That's how I usually land!" Just as suddenly she was laughing out loud.
"Really beautiful!" Tony told her, thinking inside this might be the moment.
"Mihoshi?" He asked, now very close. The sudden serious turn to his voice drawing her immediate attention. "Will you trust me?" she studied his eyes, liking their gleam and the passion she saw reflected there.
"Yes." She whispered excitedly, feeling the moment.
"Stand with your feet apart." He instructed carefully. "Raise your arms, crossed above your head," He paused while she complied. Now while your like that," He said slowly keeping an even tone to his voice. "I want you to arch your back." Now it was her turn to pause looking at him evenly. Fully understanding the implications of his instructions.
"They'll pop out." She told him quietly, glancing briefly down at the taunt pink surface staining over her breast.
"I know." Tony told her, nodding with a slight smile. Looking at each other both knew that this was the moment. But the ball was defiantly in her court. Looking at him with his look of kindly concern was all the confirmation she required. Smiling she threw her arms as far up and behind her as they would go sighing as she bent her self back. The feeling of liberation was almost a relief as the hot pink Lycra zipped downward. A brief moment of apprehension followed before seeing the looks of approval and wonder on both Michele and Tony faces.
"All right Miho!" Michele cheered grinning. Rising from within her being was a joyous sensation making her feel giddy. Unafraid she welcomed it. "Raise your arms Honey!" Tony coaxed, keeping the momentum. "Bend back! That's it!" So the dance continued, different only in she wore even less than before. Tony was in heaven, this was a prayer come true. He had hoped, dreamed it could happen, but didn't want to have them dashed. Oh, to be sure he'd photographed many nudes in his time. Yet to him each was different and precious. Each girl unique and special with no two alike. Having the honor to see and record such a creature in her natural splendor to him was a sacred thing and an unparalleled joy.
"I want some more of you against the trunk it makes you stand out!" All the while never resting the camera, until it's steady beeping finally signaled its needs. "Damn it!" Tony swore. Beginning the proceeding of fishing for another disk.
"Don't cuss!" Mihoshi told him, prettily wagging a finger again smiling at the two of them.
"I told you to get all those discs out!" Michele sighed. Walking up to Mihoshi with a towel.
"I can't believe I'm sweating!" Mihoshi told her, gratefully receiving the plush terry cloth.
"It's at least seventy degrees in this micro-valley Miho." Michele shook her head "And humid as all get out!"
"Mich?" Tony called. "I thought it was this one?" Holding up one of the seven canvas bags the woman had slung on her shoulder coming up here.
"No it's the one with the flowers on it do-do head!" She rasped. Looking at Mihoshi rolling her eyes. Men!" she muttered, eliciting a giggle from her half-dressed cohort. "I gotta tell you Miho, you take to this like a fish to water honey!" Michele told her.
"Well," Mihoshi shrugged. "I got used to following orders and this is just more of the same, except.." She trailed off gesturing at herself or rather her current state of attire or rather, 'the lack there of'.
"Well, I hope you're not embarrassed!" Michele swore. "Hell Miho! If I ever had a body like yours they would have had to glue my top on me!"
"As it was." Tony drawl from somewhere behind them. "They chased her around with a spatula and kept asking when she was going to serve those pancakes!"
"Mind your mouth ya big Meanie!" Michele told him sticking out her tongue for good measure.
"Mich?" Tony asked, turning serious. "Would you mind doing a roll down on her suit? While I'm getting loaded?" Both women glancing his direction found the spectacle of him trying to open the new disks plastic wrapper with his teeth whilst balancing Michele's bag on one foot quite amusing. "I don't want anything blocking that heavenly tummy of hers!" He finished his voice remarkable clear for one having shrink-wrap in their mouth.
"Listen to him ordering us around!" Michele gruffed as she complied. "Think the old bastard's power mad!" Rolling Mihoshi's suit down to the point it now would almost pass for a bikini bottom.
"I think Tony is really sweet!" Mihoshi giggled, playfully lifting the make up artist's chin. "And so do you!" She added firmly.
"Well..." Michele found herself blushing, much to her own personal shock. "He does have his good points."
"Uh huh," Mihoshi said leaning back. "I feel so completely at ease, Its' like I've known him for years!" She paused and looked down. "So, what's the story on you two?" Mihoshi asked suddenly.
"There isn't one Miho." Michele said quickly but only after a visible, if minor start. "Were just in different aspects of the same profession and I respect his eye."
"His eye?" Mihoshi asked, looking perplex enough to make Michele chuckle.
"Tony's got a gift for finding 'the perfect moment' she supplied smiling. "I started out behind the camera myself. Found out real quick my calling was more on the other side!"
"Oh." Mihoshi nodded. "It, it's just that you two have such a good rapport, I just kind'a assumed…"
"That we had something going on?" The older woman finished for her. "No honey." Michele told her. "Me and Tony came to an understanding a long time ago."
"Sorry!" Mihoshi gasped again going red. "I-I didn't mean..."
"You didn't sweet pea." Michele assured her calmly, pausing to study Mihoshi's face. "And," She nodded. "Truth be told we did have 'a brush'."
"So, you tried it?" Mihoshi asked. "You know, I mean, together?"
"No," Michele smiled wistfully. "We both got put on an assignment, spent six months in Bali together." She held up a hand, halting the next question. "The whole thing taught us, two valuable lessons." Michele continued. "A, 'Nobody likes staring into a mirror all day'."
"Too much alike?" Mihoshi ventured, scratching at one of side of her suit.
"Yep!" Michele laughed. "Both of us's stubborn as hell!"
"And 'B?" Mihoshi asked.
"Enough tequila will make anyone do something stupid!" Michele added with a wink. Adjusting the 'roll down of the suit' eyeing it critically. Wishing for the hundredth time they had at least one other for today. "This hot pink looks good against your skin." She added suddenly. "But I'd give my eye teeth to see you in light blue though!" She semi absently traced across Mihoshi's abdomen with a knuckle.
"Something like 'a pretty sky' would look so sweet!" Mihoshi Smiled, having grown used to Michele's touch, and it just felt good to be appreciated. "Though you know?" Michele whispered leaning close. Just loud enough for Mihoshi to hear. "Already seen the color looks best on you!"
"Oh?" Mihoshi mused, looking down. Freezing as Michele pinched and gently pulled the suit outwards, just enough to bring neatly trimmed hair into view.
"Honey spun gold." She added quietly, smiling appreciatively at the sight glancing then up into Mihoshi's eyes. "I'm not scaring you am I?" she asked earnestly. Mihoshi stood rock still, more uncertain than anything.
"No," She whispered blushing. "I'm just not certain how to react."
"Well," Michele added. "You're just so damn beautiful, can't help wanting to see more."
"Tony?" Michele called glancing behind her, returning to carefully studying Mihoshi's face. "Put your camera down and please come here." Actually, Tony had been respectfully waiting, one thing gained from their long association was the ability to read each other. So there was no real surprise what greeted his eyes as he drew closer.
"Mmmm." He sighed appreciatively, the pleasure only intensified watching Mihoshi fidget uncertainly as her drew near.
"Amazing. Isn't she?" Michele sighed. "It's almost metallic against her skin."
"My god! That is just too beautiful." Tony agreed.
"And no tan line at all! Perfectly smooth even tone all the way down!"
"I just don't see what the fuss is about." Mihoshi blushed, looking down her own body. "My whole family is like this."
"Any of them within range of a phone?" Michele's eye's widened momentarily as a mischievous smile crept slowly across her face.
"My, my aren't we being just a little greedy?" Tony snorted shaking his head.
"Aww common!" Michele begged, gesturing emphatically. "Can you imagine if she has a brother beautiful as her?" Mihoshi bit her knuckle feeling heat rise further in her face.
"I ' imagine' any family Miho has is probably way out of reach." Tony said suddenly, watching her transform, admiration evident in his voice. Everything she did just seemed to make her more beautiful.
"I have one brother." Mihoshi told them, slightly breathless. "I haven't seen him in years though." She added, watching Michele instantly perk up. It made her feel a little guilty for some reason she couldn't quite define.
"Well, I wasn't really serious bout that honey." Michele lied, Petting Mihoshi's stomach affectionately. "Just a wild hair." She added glancing down, a little more disappointed than she wanted to show, though it seemed to pass quickly. Bringing her eyes back to the vicinity of Mihoshi's face. Watching with amused yet genuine affection as yet again her beautiful bronzed face reddened. Trying to visually escape, Mihoshi looked over at Tony, the undisguised wonder worn on his face gave her Goosebumps and butterflies in her tummy. It seemed odd to consider, realizing she'd become accustomed to the way Michele was touching her. It was strange didn't feel bad of wholly unnatural. In fact now that she had time to consider. The times in the Olsten, her job at the club. Realizing with a start that maybe, just maybe she'd become something of an exhibitionist!
Mihoshi also supposed she could 'wimp out' maybe blame it on Ryoko. But Mr. Migi the club owner had coaxed her often. Shorter skirts, lower necklines, not that she minded. 'tools of the trade' as it were, and she did so like the job. Also, well after the academy with its unisex and species dorms she'd never been exactly body shy. But now standing there, topless in front of these relative strangers was quite frankly 'turning her on'. There was however one thing bothering her.
"I feel really silly standing here with this suit rolled down this way." She told them. The way her pubic hair stuck over, struck her as anything but sexy! Tony drew in a very deep breath, hoping he wasn't about to go too far. He held it a moment or two then released it slowly.
"Then Miho." He said, quietly praying that this goddess he had stumbled upon would favor him. "Won't you please take them off?" Hearing him actually say it made her tremble. Should she do it? There were certainly numerous arguments against it. She trusted Tony, liked Michele and enjoyed the feeling of being looked at, touched being treated like someone special. It suddenly occurred as well she was exploring a new side of herself and that was exciting! She glanced around noting how open the area was. Why anyone from Butto could come waltzing up that path and see! Even as it crossed her mind Mihoshi knew anyone coming this way could easily be seen long before arriving from ether direction. More than enough time to slip on a robe Michele had slung over one of her many bags. The danger of anyone seeing her was minimal at best. Yet the thought of it happening was also, exciting!
"What if it were…?" She paused sighing to herself. "Tenchi?"
the thought crossing her mind brought with it again a pang of sadness. There was no longer any doubt in her mind he had finally made his choice. Perhaps it was that knowledge that had weighed so heavily. Just letting her mind drift back across the notion of it all made her feel the weight start pulling her heart downward, and she wanted no part of those feelings!
"This is it!" She thought coming at last to her own decision Sighing Mihoshi slid her fingers under the suit, then bent. Skinning the hot pink one piece down her long bronze legs to her ankles. Then lifting first the left foot then her right, stepping out of the suit. Hesitating a final moment before slowly straitening in front of them. "So?" She asked coyly, nervously enjoying the look of out right approval from Michele and undisguised wonder from Tony. "What do I do now?"
"That's easy pretty lady!" Tony told her bringing his camera to bear; worried his face might just split from the huge grin he currently wore. "Just smile!"
CLICK!