Kaleido Star and all of its characters belong to Gonzo and Jun'ichi Sato.
In a restaurant on the famous Linq promenade, Layla and Sora were enjoying a copious meal. Despite her earlier disinterest, the Japanese girl was actually quite hungry. And it was quite understandable after all those activities. Mostly in bed, to Layla pleasure. They chose a mexican restaurant known for its high quality food. Yet when the server propose some drinks, Layla refused. She thought she had enough and it was not fun with Sora not at age for alcohol. They could still share a drink in their room at least.
It was past ten when they decided to try the well-known Linq High Roller. Sora felt a little nostalgic when they entered in their nacelle. She remembered their first date in Cape Mery Marine Park while sat next to each other.
"You're supposed to have some drink during the tour. We could have had some. No one has to know I'm not twenty-one." Sora complained while she appreciated the view of Vegas with its neon lights at night.
"We won't do anything unlawful in public and frankly, you're not good with alcohol, Sora. I prefer having you sober before we enter in a strip bar." Layla stated staring at her girlfriend with a loving look, her right elbow on the armrest near the glass window. She stroked her chin with her left hand and they smiled at each other playfully.
Sora put her head on Layla's shoulder with a delighted look on her face while a narrator voice started to explain Vegas history. They could see most of the copied monuments from here like the Eiffel Tower and some pyramids. They had a good time with the view for thirty minutes, mostly in silent just savoring each other presence in a romantic setting. Nonetheless, Sora was still excited, jumping from their seat from time to time to take some pictures with her phone. She wanted to make a lot of memories with Layla. The American women wasn't fond of photos but played with it everytime Sora wanted to do some selfie of both of them.
The evening ended with a walk towards all shops on the Linq. Sora couldn't help but buy some souvenir despite Layla's attempts to stop her. "The pictures are enough. No need for objects destined to dust!"
"But, it's for my family. Yume will have a lot of fun with this mini high roller." She said making a sad face she knew Layla couldn't oppose.
At the end, the blond woman was the one to buy it. "It's for your sister." She has to add while giving some cash to the vendor.
"Thanks! She'll love it." Sora replied in high spirit, holding Layla's right arm and getting closer to the woman she loves.
Yet their night was just starting. There was no way Sora made a stop to the Sin City without a little tour to a strip bar. Layla wasn't sure to understand the need to visit one but still asked Archibald for a good address. Of course, the man couldn't just give it and had to make some pervert insinuations, Layla decided to keep to herself.
The bar they entered seemed quite calm and clean with its decoration. Red and black for most of the furniture. Otherwise it was still a classic strip bar with a main scene at the end and a dozens of tables just in front. Then Layla noticed the customers were all women.
"Is it a lesbian strip bar?" Asked a perplexed Sora to the waitress who lead them to a table in the middle of the place.
The waitress had a little chuckle. "You didn't know? Only women couples can enter actually. No single women." She precised while giving them the drink menu card. "May I explain the rules since you're new to it?"
"Sure." Sora answered with a welcoming smile while Layla's eyes were already wandering to the main scene, oblivious of the conversation.
Then the redhead waitress, who was dressed quite decently with black pants and white shirt under a little black vest, explained the different rules of the bar. "It's quite simple. We assume people here are couples who just want to enjoy a sexy night together. So we expect a respectful behavior towards the dancers. It means no touching, even when the dancers come close to you." She stopped her explanation and took a more stern look. "And no unlawful proposal like prostitution!"
Layla side-eyed the waitress, unimpressed by her warning. If she wanted call-girls she knew where to look, she thought but kept it for herself.
Sora, on the other hand, had a outraged look. "You're totally right. Sex shouldn't be used that way!"
"Wha- Ok." Sally never got this kind of reaction from customers. She was surprised in a good way. Clearly there won't any problem with them. Sometimes, couples used their visit at the bar trying to repair their relationship and it never ended well. But these two women didn't seem to be there for that. The waitress got back her composure and present them the aperitif and appetizer menu card.
"I'd like white wine with your best aperitives, thanks." Sora asked, a little hungry from their long walk.
"Sure. What about you, miss?" Sally inquired on Layla who was still more interested by the main scene. The dancer was now in underwear dancing sexily with the pole dance bar.
"What?" Layla said, her mind still wandering on the pole dance. Then her brain seemed to function again while glancing at the aperitif card. "Yes, the same as her." But she hardly looked at Sally who left with their orders, and got back at the main scene.
Sora felt hurt and conflicted by Layla's behavior. However, after their last fight she chose to keep her feelings for herself and start to pay attention to the pole dance herself. She told herself she had no reason to feel jealous of a dancer who was just doing her job.
The black woman had some astonishing body, Sora had to admit. Her ebony skin was glowing under the chromatic and vibrant lights. Same with her natural crinkly hair under some oil treatment. But her brown eyes were the most breathtaking thing with her marvelous dance. This woman was owning the place with her charisma and confident movements. Sora was entranced too.
"Misses, your order. Miss ?" Said the waitress a second time before sighing. Clara always had this effect on new customers. She could just put their order but she wanted and deserved her tip. "Excuse-me again but I have your order." Her sight crossed Layla's one when Clara was moving from the pool dance to some customers on the left. The spectacle was mostly over.
"Huh? When did you arrive ?" Asked a confused Sora.
"Just now." Sally prefered to say. "Here, your order."
"Thanks." Sora replied with a smile while Layla payed and gave a generous tip.
"What is it?" Layla demanded seeing two glasses of drinks with their aperitives.
"White wine, madam. It what you asked for." Answered the perplexed waitress.
Layla stared at Sora with an incredible look. Then she got angry at the waitress. "She's not at age. Look at her hand ! Get those drinks back!"
Sally got really scared despite Layla not even raising her voice that much. She checked on Sora's hand like she should have done before accepting orders. How did she make such stupid mistake?! "I'm sorry, madam. I will asked a reimbursement for the drinks." She started to put the two glasses while trembling.
"There's no need. It was my fault for trying. Let's just forget, okay?" Sora's smile was enough to reassure Sally. Her cardiac rhythm got back to normal slowly.
She apologized again when she was ready to leave before Layla interrupted her. "We would like water, thanks."
"Yes. It's coming." And she left hastily.
Layla crossed her arms, clearly in a bad mood. She was thinking, closing her eyes for seconds that seemed really long to Sora. Did she make such a mistake? Layla said they could drink when not in public. She thought the bar was quite intimate.
"Sora?" Layla said in low tone while opening her eyes and glaring at her girlfriend.
"Yes." Sora responded simply. Still in an expectative state.
"In our situation breaking the law is not a possibility in the slightest. There are eyes everywhere." She took Sora's hand in her and put a brief kiss on it. Not quick enough for Sora to not feel all the love she sent through this gesture. "I will fight with all I have for us but let's not make things complicated with unlawful behaviour. Do you understand?" She inquired making little steps on Sora's left harm with her finger.
"Yes." Sora only said. The way Layla's played on her arm with her fingers gave her some goosebumps. The light were mostly strong in the scene but the tables still had some. People probably saw Layla's gesture. They knew and agreed someone might out them after this trip. It wasn't ideal but it was a risk they accepted. They should have talked to Kalos before. But the last weeks were eventful and sometimes plan fail.
"Good." Layla stopped playing with her arm and started to eat some olives.
"Huh!" Sora whispered more for herself. She started to get horny despite their situation. And now she was frustrated. "Layla, let's go back to our room. Now!" She added in a demanded voice.
Yet Layla just shrugged. "I want to see the other dancers. And I need to put some money on Clara's bra, at least once. What's the point on being here otherwise?" She explained now eating some cherries tomatoes. "Want some?" Layla asked putting a tomato on Sora's mouth.
The japanese girl accepted it but then she crossed her arms and started to sulk looking the other way. "That's not fair!"
"It's my birthday gift, isn't it?" Replied Layla.
With that, Sora stayed silent but still frustrated.
Sally come back with their bottle of water right after. She noticed the change of mood on Sora's face. Seeing Layla's still enjoyed herself, she could guess they had the same troubles other couples had when coming here. Unfortunately, they weren't better than other items, thought Sally while coming back to the bar.
Yet, she witnessed something strange when Clara arrived at their table.
Instead of putting the money on the dancer's bra herself, the blond woman indicated her thighs with her index finger to her girlfriend who obeyed immediately and sat on her laps. Then she gave her some dollar bills with a contend smirk. But when her girlfriend took the bills the blond woman kept her hold and they put the money on Clara's bra together, laughing at each other, hardly looking at the exotic dancer.
Sally observed the strange couple who stayed for another hour before leaving for good. They actually seemed happy of their time here. Then she saw the blond woman giving her card to Clara before joining her girlfriend at the exit of the strip bar. Sally sighed one last time. "How stupid of me to root for them."
Still, she was curious and went to Clara to ask for more informations. The black woman seemed quite incredulous. "Why are you making this face?"
"It's- It's really her!" Clara could only say. Unable to speak she just show the card to Sally.
"Layla Hamilton, President of the Hamilton Foundation." The waitress read slowly. "What is that?" Sally asked still in the dark.
Clara stared at her with big opened eyes. "How can you not know her?!" She watched around them quickly and took her friend arm with a strong hold to lead them in her private lodge.
"Why the need for secrecy?" Sally asked when inside.
"I don't think anyone but me recognized her. It's so unbelievable to see someone like her here. And, I don't even remember her coming out. I thought she would marry some rich man from her father's connexion." Clara told, more to herself.
"Sorry, but I'm still lost." Sally said in an annoyed voice.
Clara inspired and expired slowly before talking back. "Ok, this woman here." She showed the card again. "The blond woman you saw in this bar is Layla Hamilton! A known artist from new circus like Cirque du Soleil."
"Oh! The company you wanted to join coming here?" Sally asked, less confused.
"Yes!" Answered an excited Clara. "But Miss Hamilton is working for a concurrent: the Kaleido Stage. They're well-known too but only perform in their own building at Cape Mery. Some of their shows are just stupendous and unique in their own. Like the great maneuver Miss Hamilton performed in an unique spectacle with her co-star Sora Naegino. It's like they were flying. Their synchronicity at that moment was perfect. I don't I ever saw some-"
"Okay. I understood. You're a big fan. So what? Aren't you disappointed she comes in strip bar?" Sally asked sitting in a chair, putting an elbow on the near table to sustain her head.
"You work here. So am I." Clara replied sarcastically. "But that is a digression. And the most important information is that she's a lesbian."
"But you're not!" Sally was more and more confused.
"You still don't understand. So stop interrupting me!" Clara warned with a stern look. She also sat in a chair to face her co-worker. "Unlike the Cirque du Soleil, the Kaleido is exclusively family-friendly. And she was a main face of the Kaleido until she retired a year ago. Now her ex-co-star, Sora Naegino, the girl who was with her tonight is the new Kaleido Star. So-"
"They so are in trouble if it becomes public!" Sally finally realized.
Clara sighed for being interrupted again but didn't get mad this time. "I don't care about gossip. That's still not my point. The great news is they're starting a new business with the Kaleido! A cabaret! Can you imagine?" Clara exclaimed all excited. "And I'm one of the first to know! And she proposed me to work for them! Aaahhhh! I knew luck would be on my side again!"
The truth hit Sally like a thunder. "So she wasn't proposing for sex?"
"What?! Are you out your mind? In front of her girlfriend? How can anyone be so stupid? Even my stupid ex knew when to keep it in his pants." Clara shout in a disbelief. She never understood why a woman like Sally who had such self-confidence and distrust issues could work in a strip bar. "Okay, it's time for us to get back in our room. Let's change and tomorrow morning I'll show you some videos of the Kaleido Stage. It help me getting in better mood, like a chocolate bar."
Clara started to undress shamelessly and put some sportswear quickly. Sally used to keep her uniform and changed at home, so she just waited until they head to their room together. Saying goodbye to their other co-workers on the way.
The next day was quite busy for Layla and Sora, despite a small night that could have been smaller if Layla cave in for Sora's demand but they went to sleep right after their time at the bar.
Today, they would visit most of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Things started nicely with a horse tour for one hour. Before that they enjoyed a typical american breakfast in an inn. Fat and heavy to gain enough energy for the morning.
They followed the Ice Box Canyon path that was famous for it moderately hardness. It was a 5km round-trip. It went down to cross a a little river and then went up to the other direction of the canyon. The path was easy to follow. After going down, when they were deep in the canyon, the path was larger. They reached Ponderosa big pine and kept on to see the upper bay and its seasonal waterfall. They took time to enjoy the falls and shared a light meal with sandwiches.
Sora put her head on Layla's shoulder while they were sitting with a serene expression on her face. "I think I'm in heaven."
"I can assure you we're still alive." Layla replied ironically.
Sora first smiled at her words. "Wherever you are it's heaven for me, Layla. Always."
The blonde woman stayed silent after this declaration. But she hid her face with two hands.
"Come on! Say it. Don't hide!" Sora cried while trying to remove Layla's hands from her face.
"Say what?" Layla asked, her face finally revealed. You could notice some tears from the corner of her eyes.
Sora gazed at her fondly but decided to stop the teasing. She didn't have to hear it when she could feel it. So she just kissed her and put back her head on her shoulder. "I love you." She couldn't help but put words on her feelings.
She earnt a smile from Layla.
In the afternoon, after admiring some environning mountains, they went for the Bootleg Canyon Zipline Tour. First they got a ride to the top of the Red Mountain and then they went for a fifteen minutes hike to the first zip line platform. And they were at least one thousand mile above sea level looking down at Las Vegas, Lake Mead and the Eldorado Valley. They soared through the air at a vibrant speed, enjoying the landscape and the sky above.
It was a nice adrenaline feeling. They both turned back to their childhood. Shouting of pure joy from their lunges.
"We need to come again with Yume when she's older! I know she'll love it!" Sora could stop talking about the thrills she felt on the zipline on their way back to the hotel.
Layla agreed when she heard a familiar voice.
"I hoped you had a great time together." A grave voice spoke from behind.
The two girls turned around to face the Kaleido Stage chief.
"Kalos." Layla whispered despite her surprise.
Hi,
How can I apologize for my laziness?
There are no words and no false excuses.
But I want to thanks people who are still reading.
I will try to post at least once a month and finish this story this year.
Stay safe at home!