Chapter 11: Cool Kids, Cold Case – Part 7: The Best Day Ever
"And done," Machaira said, helping Adaine lower the bar. "One more set, and you're finished for the day." Adaine glared up at her friend. It was the last day of their first semester. Even though she had gotten better with her reading and writing, Machaira had been worried about passing her mid-term exams. In trying to encourage her, Adaine had bet that if Machaira got a ninety percent or above on every exam then the elf would go to the gym with her, something Machaira asserted she should do regardless of her wizard class because it would help her feel more confident. Adaine did have faith in her friend, but if she was honest, she never would have expected the tabaxi to get a ninety-one on her only written test. Despite a semester of practice, Machaira's reading and writing was still several years behind the rest of the student population.
"No, I'm done," Adaine grunted. "I quit. I can't lift this thing again." To her credit, Machaira had taken it pretty easy on her. The exercises they went through were much lighter than anything the paladins and barbarians were doing, and the tabaxi took the time to judge whether Adaine really was moving too much weight or if she was just complaining. But they'd been here for almost an hour, and the wizard was tired and sweaty. Her arms were sore, and she wanted to go home.
"Last set," Machaira repeated. "After this, you're really done."
"I can't," Adaine whined, praying her friend would have mercy on her. Machaira stared straight down at her and smiled. Currently Adaine was lying on a workout bench underneath a metal bar with a miniscule weight on either end. Machaira stood at her head holding the bar. The tabaxi had been doing every exercise alongside Adaine the entire time and had barely sweated at all, which was totally unfair.
"If you do this last set, I'll buy you Basrar's," Machaira tempted. "I've been saving up for the holidays." Adaine whined. She didn't want Machaira to know that she was so easily bought.
"I can make ice cream any time I want with my jacket," she protested. The rouge smirked.
"Can your jacket make Basrar's shakes?"
"I hate you," The elf groaned. Machaira chuckled, looking warmly down her muzzle at the whiny elf. Adaine already felt herself forgiving her friend for this transgression.
"You got this," she promised. "Ten reps." She lowered the bar, and Adaine reluctantly took it, straining to raise her arms. "One." Machaira counted, cupped hands hovering under the bar to catch it should Adaine's arms give out. Though the wizard's limbs shook and burned, Machaira's expression was soft with confidence in her. The high elf fixed on those yellow eyes, sweat rolling down her face until the tabaxi's smile widened and she took the bar from Adaine. "Ten."
"Uhhhggg," she groaned, arms flopping off to the side dramatically. Machaira huffed and held up an hand to pull her up. Adaine stared at her with dramatic helplessness, and the scout rolled her eyes. Machaira wrapped an arm around her shoulders and heaved Adaine to her feet, replacing the bar the wizard had struggled and sweated to lift back on the rack with one hand.
"Trust me, you never want to exercise, but you always feel better after a workout," Machaira told her.
"I'll feel better after Basrar's," Adaine corrected her. Machaira chuckled, and the girls continued to banter as made their way out of the school gym until they reached the front door, at which point Adaine pulled up short. Winter was in full swing, and they'd had snow for most of the past two weeks, a fact that had Machaira spitting nails. But today had been a rare warm snap with temperatures rising just above freezing, which meant everything was soaking wet from snow melt. A strong wind and a faint drizzle topped off a perfect mix of cold and miserable, and Adaine's sweaty clothes offered almost no resistance from the elements.
"Nope, nope, not going," the elf declared. "There is no way I'm walking out there, not even for Basrar's." Machaira tilted her head to study her, expression pensive. The tabaxi's relaxed confidence slowly faded. She bit her lip, and Adaine found her gaze momentarily latched onto the action. Her whiskers flicked forward, back, and forward again, tail twitching behind her. After a long moment of indecision that the elf didn't fully understand, Machaira's golden eyes hardened with resolve.
"Here." Machaira unbuttoned the top button of her jacket, and Adaine stopped thinking entirely. Machaira had only ever taken her boots off in front of the group, like, six times total. She never even removed her bracelet around other people. So to Adaine, her friend might as well have been giving a strip tease. She stared, unblinking, as each intricately carved button was undone, and the tabaxi shrugged off the garment. "Put this on. It'll block the wind and water." Machaira told her, holding out the jacket. Adaine gulped a tiny bit and mutely allowed her friend to bundle her up in the extra layer, too busy drinking in the new image before her.
Machaira's body was of course covered in fur, mottled tawny and brown across her arms and shoulders. The almost popping white fur of her throat faded to more of a silvery color down her collarbone toward her chest. Her coat was sleek and smooth, shining in the fluorescent gym lights so that her mottled black rosettes faded in and out of view as she moved. Adaine hadn't thought of fur as attractive before, but Machaira's coat covered and accentuated her shape nicely. The high elf already wanted to pet the newly revealed pelt. The fur on her arms and shoulders was a little longer than the fur on her head and neck, hairs rising and falling as she fluffed herself slightly against the sudden chill.
The elf couldn't help but think her friend would be less cold if she wore a real shirt. While Machaira was technically covered, the sleeveless vest under her jacket was far more risqué than anything Adaine would have expected her to wear. It was clearly a well-worn article and had been stitched up multiple times. Perhaps that was why it seemed so tight, adhering to the other girl like a second skin. When Machaira stretched up to secure the jacket around her shoulders, the vest rode up her stomach. Adaine's own stomach clenched as bit of skin and fur peeked through. Something about the motion was strangely enticing.
Why something so small short-circuited her brain so thoroughly, the wizard couldn't say, especially since Machaira's abdominals were visible through her vest and fur. Adaine could finally confirm that Machaira was absolutely ripped. Her arms rippled with definition that Adaine had felt but never actually seen. With every slight twist and turn, lean muscle pumped and turned under her coat. Machaira was well-built but lithe, as if every scrap of unnecessary fat and skin had been trimmed from her form, leaving only the essentials behind. Well, with one exception.
Adaine had never understood boys' fascination with breasts. She still didn't. But she found herself mesmerized but Machaira's cleavage anyway. The other girl wasn't exactly stacked, but her chest was larger than Adaine had thought. Not that she had thought about it before, of course, but the vest made it hard not to notice. The vest was clearly as relic from the rogue's more promiscuous days because the deep V trailed far enough down her sternum that Adaine blushed just to see it. Machaira very clearly was not wearing a bra, and the vest was tight enough that she probably didn't need one with her jacket on. Except now Adaine had her jacket, and Machaira's thinly clad form hid almost nothing. Adaine had never thought of muscles as feminine, but her lean, powerful build nicely complemented the effeminate curves of her hips and chest.
The tabaxi took a step back from Adaine, biting her lip again as she met the elf's wide stare. Her tail skittered about the floor, ears going back and whiskers pulling flat along her cheeks. With a jolt, Adaine stopped staring at the shape of her body long enough to notice the scars. How she had missed them in the first place was a mystery. The delicate flair of Machaira's collarbone had been visibly chipped in two places. Her arms were striped with the white marks of old weapon slashes. Her left forearm had so many scars that Adaine couldn't tell where one ended and another began. Jagged claw marks tore across the cleavage Adaine had been openly admiring for far too long. Machaira didn't try to cover herself, even as her tail lashed madly about behind her. She met Adaine's eyes evenly, clearly terrified, but resolute. However, as seconds dragged on, the light in Machaira's eyes dimmed. The rogue hunched her shoulders and crossed her arms under her chest, tail wrapping around her leg.
"I, uh, thought that might help keep you warm," she mumbled. "But, if you don't like it – "
"No!" Adaine practically yelled, turning heads across the lobby. "No," she repeated more quietly, rubbing the jacket sleeves. "I like it." She hadn't been paying attention to anything except Machaira's body up until now, but her jacket was very comfortable. Adaine wouldn't have thought it, but the wyvern scales formed a single, smooth plane on the inside. The jacket was a bit of a loose fit for Machaira, so it was fairly roomy for Adaine. But the sleeves were exactly the right length for her arms, and the hem of the jacket fell just to her waist. But as the elf rubbed the scaly material, smiling at her downcast friend, she realized Machaira might have been talking about something else entirely.
I have a lot of scars… taboo… Machaira, it means that thing is brutish, stupid, ugly, unskilled… deformed…cursed… primitive… ugly… whore. The tabaxi's words rolled about her head. Machaira wasn't just trying to keep her warm; she was opening herself to Adaine. She wanted to show that she trusted the elf. But the scout wasn't free of the stigmas that had dogged her life, and Adaine had been staring for much too long. Machaira was rapidly losing her nerve, wilting by the second as her scarred body was left on display.
"I love it." Adaine said firmly. With but a moment of hesitation, she placed a hand on Machaira's shoulder. The fur wasn't quite as soft there was it was on her face nor as long as her mane, but it was still silky and smooth. The desire to pet her more fully resurfaced. "Thank you, Machaira. That was very kind of you. I really, really appreciate this." A smile briefly flickered on the tabaxi's lips before vanishing. The nervous, awkward part of Adaine's brain told her to change the subject and keep moving, but she chose to ignore it, letting her gaze openly roam across Machaira's figure. Defined muscles, a narrow waist over wider hips, copious scars, and (Adaine would NEVER say this out loud) a very respectable rack combined with the face, with the person she knew so intimately to form a wonderful image.
Machaira was humanoid but wild, feminine without being weak. She was damaged but powerful, and her body reflected that. It was a dumb way to articulate it, but Adaine thought Machaira's body looked natural: it reflected the tabaxi's life, who and what she was at her core. Machaira just looked… right. Adaine couldn't imagine her any other way. The rogue shuffled her feet a bit, tail lashing a little bit above the floor.
"You know, if this is all from going to the gym, I might have to come here with you more often," Adaine teased, hoping to reclaim some of her friend's confidence. Machaira twitched another grin, huffed, and smiled.
"No, but coming here once in a while helps," she admitted, finally relaxing. Her ears and tail flicked up, whiskers rotating forward and fur lying flat to better cover her scars and add a glossy sheen to her body. Her golden eyes relaxed a little as the wizard accepted her flawed appearance. Adaine's smile started to grow until movement behind Machaira caught her eye. Two bulky guys in gym clothes, a human and a tiefling, had stopped talking and begun appraising Machaira without the scout's notice. Oh, no. Nope. A powerful feeling of possessiveness seized her, and Adaine grabbed Machaira's hand and dragged her outside with only a passing glare for the teenage fighters. Machaira allowed herself to be led away with only a confused mewl. Her easy acquiescence, and increased distance from those boys, filled Adaine with no small sense of satisfaction. However, the high elf's protective territoriality dissipated as suddenly as it came when her toe dipped into a frigid puddle. Adaine yelped and hopped back, almost slipping on the wet stairs. Machaira caught her easily, hands gripping her biceps firmly but not painfully as the wizard skidded trying to maintain her balance.
"Here," Machaira chuckled, kneeling down and looking up at Adaine over her shoulder. "Hop on, I'll give you a lift." Adaine stared down at the tabaxi with big eyes.
"You're going to piggyback me all the way to Basrar's?" She asked skeptically. Machaira shrugged.
"Sure," she replied easily. "Can't have you get wet and cold." Her teasing was like a faint draft of warm air, harmless and soothing.
"You're not going to drop me, though, right?" Adaine asked nervously. Machaira smirked and cocked her head.
"If I thought I might, would I offer?" She countered. And like that Adaine was sold. Grinning, the high elf bent down and wrapped her arms around Machaira's neck, giving her an awkward bent-over hug. The tabaxi stood with a faint grunt and popped the wizard further up her back. Machaira wrapped Adaine's legs around her waist, and the diviner got the idea, hooking her legs over Machaira's hips and tightening her hold.
"Would you mind closing the top button on my jacket over my chest?" Machaira asked quietly. From her new position, Adaine had a lovely view of the red blooming under the white fur of her throat. Adaine wiggled about on Machaira's back until she extracted the jacket lapels from the space between them and wrapped it around Machaira's front. She carefully latched the top button, providing Machaira at least some modesty and keeping the two girls pressed flush against one another, something Adaine was perfectly content with. Machaira wrapped her arms under Adaine's legs and set off at an easy stroll.
Machaira basically supported her entire body and didn't so much as break a sweat, a fact that thoroughly impressed Adaine. The wizard actually went limp and lay against her back, letting the tabaxi carry her wherever she desired, hopefully to Basrar's. With her head snuggled into the crook of Machaira's neck, Adaine's nose was filled with the smell of clean water, plants, and Machaira's mild animal musk. The rogue had recently finished her heat cycle, and the elf had noticed that her scent became much more intense around that time. While far from a bad smell, Adaine was happy that Machaira was feeling better and her scent was softer. She nuzzled the scout, eliciting a purr and a nuzzle in return, feline head curving up and over Adaine's. The elf giggled, pleasantly buffeted by the broad skull and powerful neck.
Machaira didn't even seem inconvenienced as she carried Adaine, thick tail waving behind them to maintain her balance. The ride was smoother than it would have been if Adaine walked by herself. Machaira's jacket was totally waterproof, so all she had to do was wiggle the collar of the jacket over her head, and the elf stayed perfectly dry. The wind sliced though her jeans, but the rest of her was immune to its chill. Machaira radiated so much heat that Adaine didn't think she'd ever be cold again. Her body ached from the workout, but even that began to fade to a dull throb as underused muscles eased down from the stress of the gym. She felt… looser, more relaxed and comfortable from the exercise and subsequent intimacy. All concerns drained from the diviner's body as Adaine snuggled against her friend, and the tabaxi chuffed happily. Adaine took that as permission and half-buried her face in the crook of Machaira's neck and mane, only peeking out to admire the rogue's physique.
Adaine's hands roamed over Machaira's arms and shoulders as they walked. While she was still divided on the attractiveness of fur, she very much liked the texture of it on her palm. There was also something about the feel of hard muscles sliding beneath her that Adaine enjoyed, letting her fingers wander across the rogue's body as she contemplated the sensation and scratching at Machaira's fur whenever she found a patch that needed it. The wizard had gotten good at finding the little patches of fur that needed to be ruffled and then smoothed back over for her friend to feel satisfied. Machaira shivered, vibrating Adaine with her.
"Are you cold?" The diviner asked, poking her head over Machaira's right shoulder to try and see her face. The rogue shook her head and took a sharp breath.
"A little, but this is… it's been years since I took off my jacket around anyone else," she confessed. "Longer since I let anyone else touch me like this. It's a little sensitive but not nearly as bad as my head was." Adaine nodded in understanding, purposefully tracing a scar around her bicep with one finger. Machaira sucked in a short breath.
"Should I stop?" she asked. Machaira shook her head.
"It's good, just… intense," she clarified. "Takes some getting used to. But I'm glad it's you here." She rush/mumbled, red creeping back onto her cheeks. Adaine nodded and deliberately retraced the same scar before hugging Machaira tightly, face hidden in her shoulder.
"Me too," she murmured. "Thank you for showing me."
"Anytime," Machaira murmured awkwardly. Adaine pressed the side of her head against Machaira's, and the tabaxi returned the gesture, a purr flaring at Adaine's mimicry. The action was a little rough, but plenty sweet and playful, just like Machaira herself. It made her feel special, appreciated. The wizard would have been happy to do this all day, but the ride was over all too soon. Adaine reluctantly slid to the ground, almost as loathe to return Machaira's jacket as she was to get off. Fortunately, the rogue didn't ask for it back as she took Adaine's hand and led the way towards the door. Adaine stuffed her other hand in the pocket of Machaira's jacket and cheerfully followed her inside.
"Hello, Basrar," Adaine greeted the djinn.
"Ah, my friends," he welcomed them, wide smile and bright eyes fixed over an expression of deep grief. "Ah, I am not sure that is appropriate attire for a family ice cream store." Adaine looked over just as Machaira crossed her arms over her chest. If it was cold outside, it was positively freezing inside Basrar's, and Machaira's vest was rather thin. The other girl blushed harder than Adaine had seen yet and stared at the floor, trying to tuck her fangs under a jacket she was no longer wearing.
"We'll take a corner booth, Basrar," Adaine announced firmly, leading Machaira toward the booth where they had spoked to Gorthalax. While she liked Basrar and understood where the djinn was coming from, she also wasn't about to let anything spoil this time with her best friend. Fortunately, the inclement weather kept most people away from the shop, and they claimed the giant booth unchallenged. Machaira was hunched over and shivering, ears flat and poofy tail flicking. "Do you want your jacket back?" Adaine reluctantly offered, hand twisting about in the pocket. Machaira shuddered, shook her head, and pulled Adaine onto her lap. The elf yelped slightly at the sudden motion.
"No, I don't want you to be cold," she mumbled, teeth chattering. "You can keep me warm." She wrapped her arms around Adaine's waist, and the wizard wriggled further back onto her lap, hands rubbing Machaira's forearms to try and warm her. Machaira buried her face in Adaine's back with a quiver. The elf knew that her friend wanted to use her as cover from judgmental djinns as much as a heat source, but Adaine was happy to oblige. She took the opportunity to continue inspecting Machaira's arms. While she loved ruffling her fur and petting it smooth again, as much for the resulting purrs as for the action itself, Adaine wanted a better look at some of her scars. She traced a long slash mark with her fingertips, quietly marveling at the fading fissure in the skin and tiny brush of fur stands against her fingers.
"What was this one from?" She asked. "This one that kind of – "
"Short sword," Machaira grunted. "Dwarf ducked around my knife and stabbed at me, missed my heart but cut my arm." Adaine couldn't see Machaira's face, but something in her tone made her pause.
"Do you not want me to touch you like this?" She asked. "Or not ask questions?" Adaine felt the rogue shake her head, face smushed into the wizard's back.
"I trust you," she mumbled. Adaine's hand stilled on Machaira's arm.
"Thank you," she murmured, leaning back against the tabaxi. Machaira was a decent bit shorter than Adaine, and with the elf sitting on her lap, the rogue's face was somewhere about the base of her shoulder blades. But Machaira managed to wiggle her head up onto Adaine's shoulder, yellow eyes blinking shyly up at the wizard with a mix of timidity and gratitude. Her tail flopped into Adaine's lap and wrapped around them, still fluffed to keep out the cold. Adaine smiled and languidly rubbed her hands up and down Machaira's arms, content with the quiet between them. Basrar came over, and they made their usual orders. Machaira pulled two gold pieces out of her jacket pocket, which Adaine was still wearing, and the two chatted idly while they waited.
"Do you want me to get off?" Adaine asked when their deserts arrived. Machaira shook her head no.
"Not unless you want me to let go," she answered. Adaine shook her head and tried to wiggle her butt between Machaira's thighs. The rogue scooched her legs apart, and Adaine plopped down between them, making it easier for Machaira to see over Adaine's shoulder. The wizard scooted back and reclined against her tabaxi pillow, who huffed and settled her chin on Adaine's shoulder more comfortably. The girls took their time with their ice cream, drawing out the moment and trying to stave off any unnecessary chills. Adaine asked to hear about more of Machaira's scars, and the scout explained that normally a scar across the arm was from a defensive wound while a cut running from the hand toward the elbow was an offensive scar, which was a handy way to identify a person's fighting style. Adaine played with Machaira's fur and scars the entire time, even once she had satisfied her curiosity. The elf realized to her slight embarrassment that she just liked to touch Machaira, but, fortunately, the tabaxi enjoyed the attention. At one point Machaira took a polished wooden comb out of the left pocket of her jacket; Adaine giggled as her friend accidently tickled her in the process.
"Hold still," Machaira ordered. She began to gently comb Adaine's hair, carefully untangling the knots that had built up at the gym and in the drizzly walk over. The wizard sighed appreciatively and closed her eyes. It felt nice to have Machaira take care of her, and the little tugs on her hair felt weirdly good, almost soothing. No one else had done this for her in… gods, she couldn't remember the last time someone took the time to brush her hair. The tabaxi was cautious not to pull too hard, and Adaine almost drifted into the light doze that passed for elven sleep, fingers absently tracing patterns in the fur on Machaira's arms and tail. She found a nick in the tip of Machaira's tail hidden beneath the fur and ran her fingertip through it a few times, quietly lamenting that her friend had been hurt so often.
When Machaira pronounced her task finished and replaced the comb in her jacket, Adaine cracked her eyes open and murmured a sleepy thank you. She reached around to scratch behind Machaira's ears, and the rogue bent her head forward over Adaine's shoulder, purring low and soft in her ear. With Machaira's chest pressed flush with her back, Adaine's body vibrated in sync with the deep rumbles. Adaine hummed contently and took a sip of her shake, kept cold by the terrible weather seeping through the windows, completely at odds with the warm bubble she found herself embraced within. She picked up Machaira's malt and held the straw up to her lips. Adaine took a moment to appreciate the smooth ivory of Machaira's fangs as the scout took a slow pull of her desert. She noticed that Machaira's sabers had tiny serrations on the back edge, so small that she never would have seen them if she wasn't so close.
Adaine realized that basically defined Machaira: you had to be close to her to see her properly, and over the past few months Adaine had grown close enough to see something beautiful. And here, with no rambunctious party or dangerous enemies or judgmental classmates or racist family, she could enjoy the tabaxi's company properly without fear of criticism.
Eventually they finished their ice cream, but Adaine abhorred the idea of getting up. Machaira didn't seem to be in a hurry either, so the girls lingered and talked about nothing for a while longer. Adaine stayed in Machaira's lap but turned to the side to face her better. Machaira kept her tail over Adaine's legs, and while the elf didn't pet Machaira she did rest her hands in the warm fluff when she wasn't gesturing. It was a different type of peace from their cuddling, but just as nice. They had been at Basrar's for just over an hour when Fig texted the group chat to invite, well, demand the party over to Gilear's place for takeout and a movie, their staple hangout option.
"Guess we should start heading over," Machaira said. "Strongtower is a good distance from here."
"We don't have to be there for more than an hour," Adaine objected. "I can call a Lyft, and we can stay here for a while longer."
"Oh, okay," Machaira replied, biting her lip a bit. "I, uh, was thinking I'd give you another piggyback ride, if you wanted. But it's fine, Lyft makes more sense anyway, I guess." Adaine frowned.
"Can you even carry me that far?" She asked. Machaira stared her directly in the eye and smirked.
"Yep." Adaine stood up, grabbed Machaira's hand, and started making her way out of the booth.
"Then let's go," she declared. Machaira laughed as Adaine tugged to make her go faster. She had almost no ability to physically pull Machaira anywhere, but the rogue followed her without complaint anyway. Adaine attached herself to Machaira's back the moment the tabaxi knelt down. Machaira needed to take a second for her laughter to subside before she stood up, popping Adaine a little higher up her back once more. Once the wizard was secure, Machaira set off into the drizzly city, cold wind whipping about. People stared and muttered as they walked past, and once a group of much larger men hollered at them. For once in her life, Adaine didn't give a single, solitary fuck what the people around her thought or did.
Machaira needed her tail to balance, and Adaine quickly learned that trying to scratch Machaira's head either stalled the rogue or unbalanced her, threatening to dump the elf on the street as her friend wobbled about. As much as Adaine enjoyed feeling Machaira's arms, she'd been touching her friend for a while and it didn't seem to have the same effect on either of them as petting Machaira's ears, so the elf refrained from stroking her for the moment. She did, however, discover that their height difference allowed Adaine to tuck her chin over Machaira's head, letting her rest her head directly atop the tabaxi's. Adaine kept switching positions from on top of Machaira's head to next to her as the girls talked and joked.
Adaine wondered how long Machaira would be able to carry her for, but when five minutes became thirty and the scout neither slowed nor started breathing heavier, she decided that this was how she wanted to go everywhere from now on. Machaira was getting wet, but the tabaxi didn't seem terribly bothered. Machaira assured Adaine that she was keeping the rogue warm. With Machaira's jacket blocking the wind and rain and Machaira herself keeping Adaine warm and out of the puddles, Adaine conceded her friend had more than made up for the gym. She'd make time for scratches later. Warm, dry, and safe in a cold, wet, and unfriendly world, Adaine filed away this moment as one of the best in her life thus far.
Never. EVER. Tempt fate. She was a diviner. Why hadn't she learned her lesson yet?
"Oh, so this is how you spend your day." Adaine's little bubble of peace popped as the perfect, hated voice that dogged her nightmares snapped her back to reality. Machaira had stopped at a crosswalk, probably the first time the tabaxi was actually using one instead of dashing across the middle of the street, and who should pull up in front of them but Aelwyn. Adaine's breathing cut into short, shallow pants. Her sister's perfect smile oozed malice, shorting out any logical defense. Eyes like chips of ice locked onto Adaine's gaze, filling her with cold dread.
Aelwyn was dressed in pencil lined skirt and a white button up with the first two buttons undone, providing just a peek of cleavage that probably had boys breaking their necks trying to get a look. Her hair was styled, her makeup was perfect, and she was driving the new luxury sports car she had gotten for her grades in Hudol, the school Adaine hadn't been able to make it at. A heavy tome on advanced spell crafting sat in the shotgun seat, somehow remaining propped up against the door so that anyone who looked in could see how smart Aelwyn was, if they managed to drag their eyes off her face and tits. Adaine was in her sweat-stained t-shirt and jeans, wearing two jackets as she rode a short tabaxi who only technically had a shirt on. Until this point Adaine had managed to keep her party life and her family life separate, but now they crashed together in the worst way imaginable.
"You know, mummy and daddy have been talking about what you're really getting up to when you're off adventuring with your, ahem, 'friends,'" Aelwyn drawled, managing to sneer, smirk, and sound politely worried all at once without breaking the character of diplomat's daughter. "I bet they'll be just aghast when they learn what sort of company you've been keeping. Though, I can see why you would be interested in someone like this." Her sister glanced pointedly at Machaira's chest before looking eyes with Adaine again. Aelwyn's stare pierced Adaine to the soul as the sisters simultaneously recalled their conversation after her first day of school. Adaine knew her sister's next sentence would contain the words 'furry dyke' somehow. But the wizard was already teetering on the brink of a panic attack, vision blurring until only Aelwyn's terrifying face remained. She didn't know how to make this stop.
"Do you want to deal with this right now?" Machaira asked, pulling her head out from under Adaine to properly look at her. Adaine's petrified gaze flitted to Machaira, and a dichotomy ensued that took Adaine a few seconds to process. Because Machaira's eyes still blazed, and even Aelwyn couldn't steal away all of the warmth Machaira's stare instilled in her. The rain could fall and the winter wind howl, but Machaira would burn just as fiercely. Right then, she wasn't mad or even worried; she just wanted to know what Adaine wanted. Her clear gaze made no demands, patiently waiting for Adaine to respond in her own time. The wizard couldn't seem to find her voice but managed to shake her head a little. Contempt crept in as Adaine realized just how little Aelwyn had to do to make her fall apart.
"Okay then." Machaira checked up and down the street for cars before calmly walking forward. BA-BUMP-BUMP-BA-BUMP. Adaine's panic poofed away as Machaira stepped up and walked over the hood of Aelwyn's car to cross the street. The wizard clung to the rogue's back like a wide-eyed koala, unable to fully process the level of disrespect that had just been dropped on her sister. Machaira didn't even look at Aelwyn as she strode atop the four hundred platinum piece paintjob. When Machaira reached the other side of the street, it finally clicked in Adaine's brain that her sister had been owned.
"Wait," she gasped, tapping Machaira's shoulder. The rogue frowned up at her. "Turn around." She urged. Machaira complied. Aelwyn stared back at Adaine, stunned at the sheer lack of fucks that were being given here. Adaine smiled wickedly and cast Web on the front half of Aelwyn's car.
"Oh, you little bitch!" Aelwyn yelled as magical webbing encased her car and the road immediately in front of her. She tried flooring the accelerator and stalled the car until she rode up and into a parking meter. "You fucking bitch. I swear to god I'll kill you for this!"
"Yeeaaaahhhh," Adaine cheered, pumping two middle fingers. "Go fuck yourself, sis." Machaira laughed, staggering a bit as she tried to maintain balance. "We can go now." Adaine told her. Machaira kept laughing as they left Aelwyn screaming curses in the street. Seeing her sister finally lose her cool was a rare and special treat indeed. "Okay, tabaxi taxi is officially the best way to get around."
"Is that what I am now, tabaxi taxi?" Machaira laughed.
"Yep." Adaine confirmed. Machaira began to tilt dangerously to the right. "And also my best friend." She added hurriedly, clutching the rogue for dear life. Machaira chuckled and straightened. Adaine loosened her hold and rested her chin on top of Machaira's head again. "Seriously, though, that was awesome. That was, like, the coolest thing I've ever seen."
"Not the coolest thing I've ever seen," Machaira countered. "You casting Web on your bitch of a sister, that was awesome." Machaira pulled her head out from under Adaine to give her a warm, proud look. "It's really hard to stand up to family."
"She's not my family," Adaine shot back, pressing her head against Machaira's. The tabaxi stalled as she nuzzled the wizard, muzzle rubbing along and over Adaine's head. Adaine hummed and nuzzled her back. The euphoric high that was Machaira stomping out her sister's presence, quite literally, lasted the rest of the way to Strongtower. The rogue gently set Adaine down at the entrance and stretched, arching her back as she rubbed the base of her spine. This pushed her chest out, and Adaine glanced away with a blush that she couldn't fully explain. The blush deepened further when she realized that Machaira had carried her across the entire city of Elmville and barely had to catch her breath. The discovery made her… warm, in a different way from how Machaira normally made her feel: impressed and almost giggly.
"Nhh," the rogue grunted as they walked inside. "Must be losing my edge. I've carried a lot heavier for longer over rougher terrain without back pain."
"Are you okay?" Adaine asked immediately, putting one hand on her shoulder and lightly running her other over Machaira's spine. The scout smiled.
"Yeah, just a little bit sore. I'll be fine in a few minutes." She promised. "Um, you run ahead. I want to, uh, dry off a bit before I get there." Machaira blushed and looked down. While Adaine was only damp where she had nuzzled Machaira's mane, her friend was basically soaked. She had once again fluffed her fur against the blaring Strongtower AC. Machaira crossed her arms over her chest, and Adaine realized that she was wearing a wet, white vest. The elf could feel the heat of her blush. Why was she noticing this so much? She shouldn't be thinking about this as much as she was, and she certainly shouldn't be so awkward about it. Machaira walked into the stairwell, and Adaine produced some towels from her jacket.
"Here," she offered one to Machaira.
"Thanks," the scout mumbled, beginning to dry her face. Adaine got behind her and started toweling her back while Machaira did her front. Although she tried not to move the vest too much, little flashes of furless skin peeked out now and again, marred red and white. The tabaxi's tail flicked about, and her ears were laid down. The muscles on her shoulders stood out more than before, tense and uncomfortable.
"Do you want to put your jacket back on before we go up?" Adaine asked. Machaira turned to face her, fur sticking up all over. The elf snickered despite herself, and Machaira smirked.
"I want it back before we leave, but… it looks better on you," the rogue said quietly, grasping the lapels of the scaly garment. She offered Adaine a shy, determined smile, and the wizard knew she was scared to face the others like this. But Machaira buttoned the jacket over Adaine anyway. The look she gave the diviner right then was soft with affection. Machaira asked for nothing from Adaine except her company, and she offered Adaine everything her life had lacked before the tabaxi entered it. With her fur still damp and mussed, wrinkled vest that barely covered her, and visage scarred from years of fighting, Machaira was the best thing Adaine had seen in a long, long time.
Adaine smiled at Machaira and tugged the hem of the jacket down a bit. Her Jacket of Useful Things was the better coat, but she absolutely loved the wyvern scales because it was Machaira's. Wearing her jacket felt like a hug and a promise. Machaira didn't need to hide herself from others because she had Adaine around, and Adaine wouldn't be alone because she had Machaira. The wizard took Machaira's hand and squeezed, trying to impart an impossible slew of emotion in the tiny action. She helped Machaira smooth her fur down a bit, and the girls ascended the stairs in silence, Machaira's tail writhing over the stairs as they approached Fig's apartment. Adaine gave her hand one last squeeze before releasing her. Machaira took a deep breath and knocked.
"Oh, hey, come one in," Fig said as she opened the door. "We were just about to – wow." Fig stared at Machaira for a bit before glancing at Adaine in her jacket. The tiefling grinned mischievously. "Uh, so, how are you guys doing? Have a good day?"
"It was raining after we finished at the gym," Machaira grumbled. "I gave Adaine my jacket so she wouldn't get wet." Fig gave the tabaxi a skeptical look and glanced between them again. Adaine could almost see the shitty wet puns in the bard's eyes, but Fig knew when to keep a joke to herself.
"So, Adaine, why didn't you pull an umbrella out of your magic jacket?" Adaine blinked.
"Ummm… guess I just didn't think of that." Because I was having way too much fun with Machaira her brain added silently. Fig was the absolute queen of the shit-eating grin; the tiefling didn't even need to say anything because that stupid smirk made a thousand jokes all at once. She reminded Adaine of a nicer, more respectful version of Aelwyn sometimes.
"Mmmm, okay," Fig drawled, stepping back to let them in. Gilear's apartment was almost identical to Sklonda's except Gilear had a second bedroom for Fig and hadn't erected a plaster partition in the main room. The others were all lounging about the kitchen/living room. Gilear and Sklonda were talking in the kitchen while most of the party was hanging on the couch. Machaira crossed her arms as she walked in, tail skittering behind her. The others looked over and called out greetings that stuttered out toward as they took in the sight of a jacket-less Machaira for the first time. Machaira's ears swiveled back, and Adaine stepped up next to her to try and provide support. When the party saw Adaine wearing Machaira's jacket, they all looked at each other, then back at the two girls, then at each other again, then back at the girls.
"It was raining," Adaine said by way of explanation.
"Okay, so who stole Machaira's shirt?" Fabian asked, cheeks red as he (attempted) not to stare. Kristen made no such effort.
"You've got great ti – OW!" Fabian thumped the cleric over the back of the head before she could finish. Riz looked stricken, like no one should think about the rogue that way. Fig snickered again. Machaira crumpled inward, groaned, and hung her head. Adaine glared at the human. Just once, she wished Kristen could be more tactful.
"I always wear this," she muttered. "I've been wearing it all school year. Just, you know, underneath, the…" She trailed off into incomprehensible muttering, shoulders hunched over.
"You're buff," Gorgug said after a moment. Machaira's tail tip twitched up.
"Thanks," she muttered.
"Yeah, I mean, yes, I uh, like, this, erm, look, ah, for you," Fabian stammered. "It's, uh, good, very good for – on you."
"You're hot," Fig said bluntly, taking a swig from her flask. Machaira's cheeks were flaming. "Seriously, you should wear your jacket open more often."
"Sweetheart, do you think maybe it's time to go shopping?" Sklonda said from the kitchen. Gilear opened his mouth, froze, closed his mouth, and stared awkwardly at the floor. While Adaine didn't think poorly of the wood elf, they all knew that he lacked the parenting skills necessary to deal with the situation.
"I've been wearing this for a long time," Machaira mumbled, tucking her fangs down instinctively. "It's comfortable, and I've always been, well, covered…"
"All the same, maybe you should get a few T-shirts," Sklonda suggested.
"It's been on my to-do list," Machaira muttered. "I just prioritized other things."
"Like what?"
"Toothpaste, shampoo, Solstice presents, vaccines – "
"I'm sorry, what was that last one?" Sklonda inquired, tilting her head forward. Machaira repeated the list in a mumble, shoulders rolling inward. Adaine put a hand on her shoulder, and Fig smirked.
"Were your parents anti-vaxxers?" Riz asked.
"No, they just hated me." The party broke out into giggles despite how horrible that was.
"Well, that's a good use of gold," Sklonda groaned, rubbing her temples. The goblin seemed torn between approval, exasperation, and concern. "I trust you girls had a good time?" There was a weight to that question that made Adaine hesitate.
"Yeah, I took Adaine to the gym after school and then we hung out at Basrar's for a while." Machaira replied. Sklonda nodded, scrutinizing the tabaxi. She glanced at Adaine, and the wizard realized that the cop mom was drawing all the wrong conclusions.
"Machaira and I walked here," she explained hastily. Sklonda sized her up with the 'mom stare' that could detect thoughts without wasting a spell slot. Fig snickered, and Machaira blushed, but Sklonda seemed to conclude that they were telling the truth. Eventually she settled the party and got them to sit down for dinner. Machaira was absolutely mortified, but the shock of her appearance had worn off. The others made an effort not to comment on her, and Machaira eventually relaxed as the focus of conversation stayed off of her.
Adaine and Machaira hardly said a word to each other throughout dinner and during the conversations that followed. They laughed and joked and talked with the others, but a comfortable peace lay between them that neither felt the need to fill with words. In fact, Adaine barely thought about Machaira until more than two hours after their arrival. The rogue announced that she had to go to the bathroom, and Adaine instinctively turned to face the most recent speaker, bringing her face-to-butt with Machaira's backside.
Machaira has a great ass.
Adaine shook her head, wondering where the thought came from. Not that it was wrong. Machaira's ass was normally disguised by the hem of her bulky jacket, so Adaine hadn't seen it properly before. Not that she'd ever put effort into that, of course. But now Adaine felt obligated to watch Machaira walk away. Gods, the tabaxi might have lived a miserable life, but years of fighting and hunting had done miracles for her legs, a pair of sculpted marble columns crowned by a truly great ass. She shouldn't have noticed, or at least shouldn't have cared. But she did, and the high elf was disappointed when the door closed and hid Machaira from view. She turned back to the table to see Fig appraising her with a smirk. The bard waggled her eyebrows, and Adaine started gulping ice water to try and bring down the surge of heat that crept into her face. What was wrong with her?
A little while later they moved to Fig's room so that Gilear and Sklonda could have some private time before the goblin had to go to work the night shift. Riz and Fig were still hopeful that the two would get together properly. Adaine was quick to claim the right side of the bed while Fig took the left. Riz was small enough to lie across the foot of the bed. Fabian pulled up a chair while Kristen and Gorgug sat against the footboard. Adaine realized that Machaira wouldn't be able to sit next to her, thus making this one of the rare times they didn't cuddle during a movie, but she only had a few minutes to lament the problem. The tabaxi, who had been helping Gilear with the dishes, walked into the room just as Fig was setting up the movie, strode over to the bed, and scooped Adaine into her arms bridal style. The wizard eeepp-ed but didn't fight, more confused than upset as the rogue claimed Adaine's place and deposited the high elf in her lap.
"Um, Machaira, that's Adaine's spot," Gorgug informed her.
"Yes, it was." She agreed calmly, propping herself half-upright with some pillows. Fig burst into hyena cackles, shortly followed by Riz and Kristen. Adaine blinked up at Machaira, who smiled cheekily back. The high elf accepted her fate and snuggled up to Machaira, resting her head on the scout's chest. Adaine never would have dreamed of doing that, but it was such a typical 'Machaira' thing to do that she had to smile. These were movie arrangements she could get behind.
Fig turned on feature presentation, a horror movie that had won the popular vote with two votes (their party could not coordinate anything). Adaine wasn't exactly frightened of horror movies, but they made her uncomfortable and held little entertainment value for her. At first, they chatted and teased each other and the movie, but as the film progressed conversation began to peter out. Some of them became engrossed in or scared of the movie while others fell asleep. Adaine turned over to lie face down on her living pillow and unbuttoned the wyvern scale jacket, spreading the flaps to cover Machaira's side like a really shitty blanket.
Machaira, who was either disinterested or repulsed by the movie depending on how much gratuitous gore got splashed around, began stroking her head. The claws that disemboweled lycanthropes gently teased any new knots out of her hair until Adaine's platinum locks were silky smooth. Adaine simply melted under her touch, each pet dragging her deeper into a contented slumber. The violence of the movie faded under the rogue's ministrations, leaving her warm and satisfied. The wizard sighed, and Machaira started slightly. She removed her hand with a muttered apology, apparently unaware of what she was doing.
Adaine looked up. With the lights off, Machaira's eyes glinted like the sparks off a smoldering log, reflecting the horror movie into something safe and welcoming. She reached out, taking Machaira's hand and dragging it into her hair. Adaine interlocked their fingers, her palm grasping the back of Machaira's hand, and squeezed, barely pushing the tips of her claws out. The tabaxi smiled and squeezed back. Adaine let go and laid her head down, eyes fluttering closed as Machaira resumed petting her. Yes, she still owed Machaira a good scritching, but she wouldn't turn down such attention when offered.
Riz invited them to sleep over at his place after the movie. Sklonda had left for work, so they had until about noon before she got back. Riz bade them goodnight and shut his door. Machaira offered Adaine the couch, and Adaine told her to lie down. She crawled into place next to the rogue and tossed the blanket over them. Machaira chuckled and pulled her further back on the couch, spooning Adaine with an arm over her waist. Her tail strained to escape the confines of the blanket. Adaine lifted the cloth, and Machaira's tail snaked about the couch like a mad viper for a second before curling over Adaine's hip. She giggled and murmured a sleepy goodnight. Machaira breathed sweet dreams and stilled behind her. For elves, sleep was more of a doze that allowed them to reflect on the day, though Adaine was young enough to fall properly asleep if she wanted to. But she wanted to relive the past ten hours or so for the rest of the night, and set about doing so. After about twenty-five minutes, Machaira carefully propped herself onto her elbow and placed her hand on Adaine's bicep.
"Adaine Abernant," Machaira whispered softly. "You are without a doubt the best part of my life. You have healed wounds that I thought would fester forever and brightened my life beyond every expectation I had set for myself." Machaira touched her nose to Adaine's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but… I love you. I tried to tell myself it was a crush, but you mean so much more than that to me. I know you deserve better. I know you don't, don't want me. I'm sorry I love you, and I'm sorry I'm too much a coward to admit it." Machaira's voice was impossibly soft and horribly sad, murmurs edged with the echo of swallowed sobs. Slowly, the wizard realized that her friend thought she was fully asleep.
"I know that you don't feel the same, and that's fine. I don't… I don't need you to want me." Her voice broke, and the tabaxi took a moment to find her words. "I'd rather love you in secret from afar and see you happy than lose you. You are a remarkable person, and I'll give you my all until you can see what I see in you. You are a beautiful in so many ways. I've loved watching you discover that, and I'll love you as long as you will let me. But I can't lose this… this bond between us. Nothing is worth losing you." Machaira's muzzle pulled away. Adaine heard the faint sound of a kiss, and two fingers lightly touched her shoulder.
"Sweet dreams, Adaine. I'll help you find your gold, even if you leave me behind. And I'll always be your friend. I promise." Machaira laid back down, leaving their position unchanged from when they first settled in. Adaine stared at the opposite wall, eyes wide. She wasn't having a panic attack exactly, but her brain completely ceased to function in the same manner. It took the high elf almost twenty minutes to fully comprehend that yes, that did in fact happen. Adaine turned over and sat up to face Machaira, but the rogue was actually asleep, face caught somewhere between grief and affection. A thousand thoughts flew through Adaine's brain, too fast for her to process. In the storm of confusion, one thought stood out: did she love Machaira?
Adaine blinked down at the tabaxi. She was so different from anyone else Adaine knew, especially the handful of people she had crushed on. The wizard's fantasies almost exclusively involved young male elves with the occasional human or tiefling. She had never considered a girlfriend aside from the panicked concerns after the corn fight. She had certainly never imagined herself with someone so fearsome. The thought was so strange, Adaine found herself leaning back and examining the sleeping scout.
Her head wasn't humanoid at all, but Machaira's lips had uncurled slightly as she slept into their more humanoid form. She wondered what it would be like to kiss them. The idea of fur still wasn't appealing, but as Adaine petted Machaira's mane, the smooth silk of her fur was soothing. She wanted to touch Machaira. Adaine became almost restless if they didn't hold each other for long periods of time, something she had always attributed it to a complete lack of physical contact elsewhere in her life. But even if the wizard went to a movie night where Machaira was not present and snuggled up to Fig or Kristen or Gorgug she still missed the tabaxi.
Machaira had always had a sort of feral grace about her, but now that Adaine could see more of her, she had to admit that Fig was right: Machaira was hot. Every inch of her body was lean, toned muscle. Every line and curve of her form drew the eye until the viewer simply drank in all of her. The scars Machaira hid from the world had healed well, leaving behind an ivory tally of those who failed to kill her. Her mottled coat was lovely even in the wizard's monochrome dark vision. Adaine once again found her eyes fluttering between Machaira's face and her breasts, color blossoming on the elf's cheeks where no one could see it. Most girls would kill for a body like that, but Adaine would rather touch Machaira than have her figure. She didn't think the desire was sexual, exactly. The high elf wanted the rogue to feel cared for, cherished. But, if that was where it stopped, then she shouldn't feel so embarrassed about appreciating her friend's appearance or be so captivated by the idea of touching her.
She knew this person. They had studied together, broken down together, laughed together, fought together, and killed together. Her shape was lean and wild but familiar and comforting. The arc of her fangs, sharp tips of her claws, and broad curve of her skull represented home better than Adaine's front door did. Even knowing her friend's dark past and secret emotions, Adaine knew at her core that she was safe with the tabaxi, physically and emotionally. Machaira represented strength, the will to be a good person in a complicated world and the resolve to survive against impossible hardships. She admired the tabaxi, might have even been a little jealous of her had Machaira not stood by her side so faithfully. The tabaxi was the one constant in her life, a never-ending font of love and support. She had no doubt that Machaira's emotions ran deeper than a crush because even when the scout was too afraid of Adaine to talk about her past, she had given the wizard more of herself than anyone else in her life.
Part of Adaine wanted to wake Machaira up and demand why the rogue was so afraid to tell her this. What made Machaira think this way? Why did she just assume that she wasn't good enough for Adaine? Her friend was a powerful, amazing person, and Adaine hated these insecurities. Machaira's moments of vulnerability made Adaine forget her own anxiety. Her friend had very good reasons for why she felt the way she did, but the high elf couldn't stand it. Machaira deserved to be happy, to see herself for the strong, amazing person she was. Her scars should be badges of honor, not marks of shame. It wasn't Adaine's responsibility to fix Machaira's self-image – something in her needed the tabaxi to be okay.
But then, if Machaira asked Adaine if she loved her, the wizard wasn't sure what she would say.
Machaira was the only person with whom she shared significant intimacy in any way, and the diviner cared deeply for her. The tabaxi was, without a shadow of a doubt, her best friend to date. She admired the ferocious warrior and the loving girl. She was intrigued by her friend's wildness and soothed by her kindness. Machaira was attentive and affectionate, a warm presence her life had so sorely needed. Adaine treasured her company and longed to be close with her when they were apart. But was that love or friendship? Machaira was striking, but could Adaine ever be truly attracted to someone so animalistic, and could she love someone romantically if she wasn't fully attracted to her? Was their intimacy the sign of a powerful camaraderie or deeper passions? The rogue always put her first, and Adaine knew that Machaira would not act on what she had just said, that she wouldn't have said it at all if she knew Adaine was awake. If Machaira really loved her, wouldn't she say something? Adaine knew that she wasn't being fair, that the situation was more complicated than that, but if Machaira wasn't going to act, why should she?
Adaine asked herself what she wanted in that moment, and her answer came immediately. The high elf laid back down and wriggled against Machaira. The tabaxi mumbled but didn't wake as Adaine took up her original position and settled down to sleep. For now, she would enjoy the moment. She could sort out everything else later and properly talk to Machaira about this once she had a definite answer to give her. Machaira would wait for her. She always did.