The darkness does not unnerve me, music rolling through it unhindered, and I hum along. Just as I open my mouth to sing along it stops, causing my eyes to flit open. Pressing back into the bed I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming. Amy hovers only a few inches above my face, my hand almost hitting her as I lift it to rub the sleep from my eyes,
"Morning Beca! Your soul sword told me to wake you up, you were supposed to go to class." I groan and roll away from her,
"She can talk to you?" I'm sure Amy nods, but I'm not actually looking,
"As annoying as it can be, it's pretty convenient if you're unable to summon us or if you are harmed in some way." I turn to look at her and find a slight unease, my heart strings being pulled, but just a little,
*Wow... annoying she called me? How rude, I just didn't know how else to wake you up!* Chimes into my head, I let a small smile place itself on my lips, but I grump a little longer before speaking,
"Coffee?" She nods a little too hard, the sides of my lips lift at this,
"I know better than to wake you without it." This actually pulls a laugh from me, and I sit up to find she even brought it up here, "Black as your soul with just a little sugar, that's the way you used to like it." I lift the steamy mug to my nose and breathe deeply, smiling as I let the liquid touch my lips and roll down my throat. The noise I make should be embarrassing, but I feel no shame as my eyes slip closed. When I lower it to my lap, both hands curl around it as I speak,
"I have a feeling this is the way you guys would wake me up when you wanted something, huh?" When my eyes open she's got a shit eating grin on her face.
"And maybe to... deliver some bad news..." my smile is long forgotten and I tilt my head with a heavy sigh,
"What did you do?" My eyes stay with hers, and I watch her confident demeanor crumble,
"Well... it was an accident I can tell you that much..." I feel a growl pull from my chest, and she hops up from the bed with a yelp, though her words come almost... robotically, "I accidentally broke the sink in the downstairs bathroom and now the water is turned off..." I roll my eyes, taking another deep sip of my coffee,
*Don't worry, I'm sure it can't be that bad if all you got was coffee to make up for it, but it does seem like this is well rehearsed on her end... that's odd...* I can't help but agree with her, but I don't do much more than asking,
"Is this something that happens a lot too? Meh, I'll take a look at it when I get home, I'm gonna shower at the school so I can show up to the rest of my classes." Getting up without an answer to my question I pack a few things in my duffel, slinging it over my shoulder before I snag my coffee, "I'm taking this with me." I murmur through another sip, Amy, who hasn't moved since I got up merely nods,
"Let me walk you..." it sounds protective, her eyes hoping I won't say no like she fears something will happen to me if I go on my own. My brows furrow and I find my heart warming up to this stranger, slowly but surely,
"Alright, hurry up, once I'm out the door I'm not waiting." I smirk as she takes off down the stairs to get her shoes, I assume. My chest releases a sigh, but it's coupled with a smile as I head down the steps, of course, Amy is already at the bottom waiting.
The walk to the school is uneventful, other than getting to know my blonde supposed best friend better, and my ring offering her opinions on the matter. Turns out, she wrestles crocodiles and dingos simultaneously... it's funny to think she's afraid to upset me. Anyway, we get to the showers and I shoo her off to find something to eat for both of us. Setting my stuff down I pull off my clothes without much thought, I didn't hear anyone else when I walked in anyway,
"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose, fire away fire away..." I smile as the song rolls off my tongue, stepping to the side as I let the water warm before pressing into its heat. I keep singing, rolling my neck as I relax until...
Someone is here... my ring points out nervously, and just after that I hear,
"You CAN sing!" With a yelp, I flip around and snatch the shower curtain, yanking it in front of me,
"Dude!" This doesn't stop the woman as she pulls it away so quickly I have to use the shampoo bottles to cover myself. My eyes focusing to find it's my little crush from the activities fair,
"How high does your belt go?" I blink a few times, backing up against the cold wall,
"My wha..." I don't even get to ask as she interrupts,
"The tone of your voice is beautiful, you have to audition for the Bellas!" I balk, really there is nothing else I can do,
"I... can't concentrate on anything you say until you cover your junk!" The heat in my cheeks definitely isn't from the water, my words coming faster as my heart beat speeds to what I'm absolutely sure is an unhealthy rate,
"Just consider it. One time we sang back up for Prince. His butt is so tiny, I can hold it with one hand." I turn my body away and close my eyes,
"Seriously I am nude!" The nerve of this girl coming in here and trying to-
"You were singing titanium right?" So much for getting mad, she won't even let me think a full thought, just keep your eyes up...
"You know David Guetta?" Her head nods, words falling from such soft lips,
"What, have I been living under a rock? That song is my jam... my lady jam." Defense mechanism up, immediately my eyes roll,
"That's nice..." I try a smile, but given the situation, she can't blame me when it comes out as a grimace,
"Yeah, it is! That song really builds... Sing it for me?" I can feel my eyes widen to saucer size as I shake my head so fast it's going to be sore later,
"Dude no! Get out!" She giggles, and it seems to break the tension, my own smile pulling to my lips awkwardly,
"Not for that reason! Look, I'm not leaving here until you sing so..." Her shoulder shrugs like it's the easiest choice in the world,
"This is ridiculous..." I try, tightening my knuckles as I turn towards the wall now to completely hide away, but she just ignores my obvious discomfort and continues on,
"Maybe, but I can stand here all day." I sigh heavily in acceptance as I take in a shaky breath,
"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose, fire away, fire away..." As I sing she begins to harmonize, the lyrics flowing so smoothly from our mouths I am quite taken with the moment. My eyes don't leave hers but suddenly I hear a third voice join us, "Brick of shame, take your aim, fire away, fire away, you shoot me down, but I won't fall, I am titanium, you shoot me down, but I won't fall, I am titanium..." There's a long pause as the flow of our voices fades out. My eyes happen to look down for a second, taking in the amazing body before me until I quickly find solace in the ceiling,
"Yeah, I'm pretty confident about... all this." She smiles but I find her nervously glancing about like she's afraid I won't like what I see, or that I'm appraising her still,
"You should be." Pops out of my mouth before I can stop it, wanting to chase away her nerves. She reaches back and grabs my towel, offering it up to me,
"I... still have to shower..." I see a tinge of red lift on her chest... No, I wasn't looking I swear!
"You have a lovely singing voice." I scream at the new intruder, the towel going around my body so fast the pair barely have time to blink. It's the blonde from the activities fair, and it's just occurred to me I know neither of these girls names,
"Thanks." I make sure to say loudly, carefully contorting my face into one of annoyance. They both jump at this, I find the reaction odd but don't think to much more of it as they scamper off and one of them yells,
"See you at auditions!" I can't stop the next eyeroll, these girls just bring it out of me. I use it to stave off the heat in my cheeks again, we were all three here, naked... here and naked in my shower. I shake my head vigorously and yank the water faucet back on and over to the cold side.
After having breakfast with Amy I head to my classes, time flies with those girls still in my thoughts. Pushing the door open once I get home, I lift my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head. I get the distinct feeling I had to repair a lot in this home, and it seems it's coming back to me having to do just about this exact same thing before. Heading into the bathroom to check out the damage, I gasp. Even after the time that's gone by the floor still has water and soaked towels everywhere. I search for the reason and find that the faucet to the sink has been bent down all the way, a huge crack in the metal as well as one in the bowl, splitting actual ceramic part in half. Sighing I kneel and open the cabinet to find that, thankfully, the pipes underneath are still intact,
"Amy!" I yell, knowing she had gotten there way before me. I hear a loud thump, some stomping then what sounds like a boulder going down the stairs,
"Ow..." rings out a bit later, though apparently, it didn't stop her as she's at the door only seconds after the cry, "Whatcha need, Beca?" I gesture to the sink,
"Seriously, what did you do? And are you okay?" I gesture now to her body, she is quick to nod at her safety,
"Happens all the time, faster way to get down the stairs. As far as the sink goes, I needed to pluck my eyebrows." I wait for the rest of the explanation, but from the way she is looking at me her plucking of the eyebrows should be all the information I need for the destruction in the bathroom. I just laugh, shaking my head at such nonsense,
"I need to go to the store, I will be back in a while." She just smiles sheepishly, and nods, grabbing my phone to put directions for a specific hardware store. I think nothing of what she's done until I see her wink at me,
"What's that for? Awfully suspicious if you ask me..." She's caught off guard and shakes her head vigorously,
"I didn't wink, I wasn't winking, just go to that store, alrighty?" She winks again, and I stare at her for a moment before sighing softly,
"Whatever you say, Ames." With a small nod of thanks, I head off, not noticing the bright smile I leave behind me.
The doorbell dings when I walk into the hardware store, my hand lifting to rub my neck in annoyance. Looking around at the signs I meander my way down a few aisles until I finally spy 'Bathroom fixtures.' Attempting to head off that way, a tall leggy brunette whips around the corner nearly barreling into me. She stops abruptly, even so, it's quite far into my comfort zone, and a mischievous smile pulls to her lips,
"Hi! Welcome to Jim's Hardware, what can I do to you today?" I quirk my brow, trying to will the blush from my cheeks,
"Uh... just... need a new sink..." She strides forward, her tight jeans showing off every curve as well as her gently flowing beige tank top. When she approaches, she slides so ridiculously close I can feel her breath on my ear,
"Please come with me." The words are simple, but the way they are delivered make my knees weak. The breathy way she nearly moans makes her chest swell and I feel a stirring deep in the pit of my stomach,
"Yeah, okay..." I follow behind her making sure to observe the ceiling really well, wouldn't want it collapsing on me or something. We reach the sinks, and just when I think I will have a reprieve she wraps her fingers around my shoulder, squeezing gently before slipping her hand down to squeeze my bicep. I look up in confusion taking a small step back, but she only offers a wink on top of her smirk,
"I love a woman that works out, watching the way muscles flex definitely gets me going. I'm Stacie, and I miss watching y-...watching people fix things... don't get much of that side of the job working here." I gulp audibly, turning towards the sinks I scan through them rapidly,
*My she's a touchy one, isn't she? Almost feels familiar though, doesn't it?* Chewing my lower lip I trail my eyes continuously over the box that seems like the best fit, pointing before I ask,
"P-probably the strongest one... right?" She nods, fingers trailing down to my elbow,
"It can hold me up well enough." I yelp and turn swiftly to snatch one of the boxes, nearly running to the register. She rings me up and I offer my debit card, eyes trained on the countertop,
"Hope this works, I have no idea if I have the money, sorry." She laughs, it's full and exotic in my ears and they warm significantly,
"I'm sure there is, I hope you have a fantastic day!" Taking my card back and shoving it in my pocket, I silently curse Amy for sending me here, this woman was indeed not to be trusted so swiftly next time! I duck my head as I make my way out, uncaring that it's probably abnormal for a girl my size to be carrying around a large marble sink. Before the door shuts I hear her say, "See you tonight..." loud and clear, but I choose to ignore it, just ignore it and keep walking...
I shouldn't have ignored it... after getting everything gutted and carefully replacing the bowl I hear someone knock on the door. Setting the new faucet down I move out of the bathroom and see a flash of brunette in front of Amy, who is holding a large box full of random items,
"Friend of yours?" I quip, but her shit eating grin is all she returns as an answer. Rolling my eyes I move back into the bathroom to finish the job. I should have known how many time I heard the door open and close was too suspicious, but alas I ignored it until the final touches of the sink were in place, "Amy! Will you turn the water back on please?" I holler out the door. She is swift to thump down the steps and move into the garage, only a moment later I hear her yell back that it's ready. With a deep breath I reach for the handle and turn it towards me slowly. It takes a second, but eventually, the water comes through, everything seemingly working just as the instructions claimed it would. A triumphant smile pulls to my lips and I wiggle just a bit, stopping immediately when I hear a giggle at the door,
"You used to punch your fist in the air to look more macho, instead of that adorable wiggle." Stacie, the girl from the hardware store, stood in the doorway to the bathroom. With a deep sigh, I wave her out of the way,
"You are Amy's friend?" I ask over my shoulder, carrying the scraps and trash out and through the wide-open front door,
"Awfully convenient that she would send you to where I work, huh? And as odd as it seems now, we are just trying to get you... a head start..." She breathes and I hear just a hint of worry etched around her words as she follows me outside into the open air,
"A head start on what? You two keep saying cryptic things like that... what is it I need to be ready for?" The brunette balks as I make my way to the end of the driveway, seems she doesn't have an answer for me. Looking about I watch a few people trip up at the sight of Stacie, my neighbor, a tall and rather good looking man named Derrick, nearly sprinting over to grab the box from me,
"I got that Beca, wouldn't want Stacie thinking less of me just watching you carry all this stuff." Before his hands can so much as touch the box I growl, pulling it back,
"How about you stand here and talk to Stacie then instead of trying to take my stuff when I'm literally four more steps from the trash?" I know it's rude, and I almost want to take it back, but instead of looking like a kicked puppy he looks completely enthralled with that idea, turning to start a conversation. Stacie is quick to rebuke that, shaking her head while she takes a deep breath,
"No thanks, sorry Derrick, you claim it's just a conversation then ask me out every single time. I've told you each and every time, I'm not interested." She juts her thumb over at me and I'm quick to glare as I work to lift the lid and drop the awkward stuff into the trash. He nods slowly, reaching swiftly to grasp her hand in an odd gesture of hindrance. He now officially gets the pouting thing going on too, that's annoying,
"But Stace, come on, what's shorty over there got that I don't?" He attempts to say it quietly, and for what it's worth I try to walk by without a word,
*Shorty? Who you calling shorty?!* My ring decides we have the right to be mad, so as I walk by I'm quick to snatch Stacie's hand and twine our fingers together for effect,
"Tons of money, and a bigger dick for sure." Shoots from my mouth faster than I can even stop it, he blanches as I pull her away, keeping her hand in mine. I see more than feel a flashback of just this very thing, except he wanted to fight me for her... the next thing I see is him pinned to the ground and I can't help but smile at my previous victory. We are halfway back to the house before she speaks,
"Thanks for that, he's always tried to come at me, and you've always been there to rebuff." I scoff, but before I can do anything she leans down and kisses my cheek. This stops me dead in my tracks, I can't even explain the feeling that coursed through my body, the energy I suddenly had, the happiness that filled me to my chest. I can do nothing but look at her with a completely confused expression, and she laughs, it's full and beautiful, "I'm Stacie, the succubus." I blink once, twice, and then she decides to continue, "Perhaps we should take this inside?" I merely nod, moving in while letting her keep her arm in mine, guiding her to the living room to sit. I stand and move to the kitchen where Amy is sitting, eating some delicious smelling food,
"Want some? Stace made it, it's in the pot." I look over and sure enough, there's pasta and sauce waiting patiently to be devoured. I make myself a bowl, and before I can think straight I say loud enough for her to hear,
"Stacie, want some food?" She is by my side in seconds, her hand resting on my arm,
"Of course, thank you for thinking of me." Her hand squeezes gently and I feel a warmth unmatched by any I can seem to recall. Pressing the bowl I already made into her hands, I wave her off to the living room, making another for myself and giving me a bit to clear my head. Heading in a moment or two later, I sit in my chair, and she sits on the sofa, leaning as close as she can to me without looking overly distressed,
"So uh... first of all, what's with the kiss thing?" I gesture to my cheek, "From what I read, I thought succubi were supposed to steal away your energy..." I try to recall what I can remember, but it seems the only thing I can recall is that Stacie was -my- succubus. Thankfully she has the decency to just laugh at me,
"It goes both ways, the books only tell you about stealing energy because no one bothers to ask about the other side of things, about how we treat our master or mistress." She purrs the last word, and I can feel a shiver flowing through my spine,
"Alright alright, and it affects me all the time, huh?" I attempt rolling my shoulders, but quit about halfway through to instead put some pasta in my mouth,
"No not really, once you accepted being my mistress the effects will lessen significantly, but I will still be able to help you in many ways, and it won't take the effect you have on me away." I balk and she merely winks at me, "Just know I really get into your space, and if you allow me in, I will not disappoint. It drove Aubrey and Chloe crazy, but you were always a mediator, you or Cynth-..." That ringing... the sharp whistle that sounded when Amy almost told me about Stacie, bombards my ears, my hands lifting to crush against them,
"Stop! Not again stop!" I yelp, my eyes slipping shut as I bend forward, knocking my pasta to the floor. When it subsides I take a deep breath, sitting up slowly, "O-ouch..." I try sarcastically, but it actually feels like this time my body has been affected. When I open my eyes they are blurry, but I feel more than see two sets of hands on me,
"For fuck's sake Stace her ear is bleeding, what did you say?!" Amy shrieks and I wince against the pain, shaking my head,
"I'm okay..." I try again, but clearly, they aren't having it as a moment later I am picked up, "Put me down! Put me-...!" Another much softer hand covers my mouth, and though I would childishly like to run my tongue all the way up Stacie's palm I realize I must have fallen from the chair because my knees hurt, and my head hurts, and I can't see straight...
"Let's get her upstairs, you can tell her about you tomorrow, and we can talk about the no no's that I've found." She nods and I can barely keep my eyes open, feeling her gently lay me in my bed. Nodding slowly I thank them both and apologize for being such a nuisance. They share a worried look and I merely roll into my covers. When Stacie presses her lips to my forehead, and Amy gently squeezes my shoulder, I realize something... I made a few friends today.