Days passed before she got another assignment.
The letter sat next to her computer, unopened. Heather lazily typed to Lucia instead of thinking about it.
Blue: Do you wanna go see a movie tonight? Or do something? I finally have a night free, as someone just canceled a meeting I was supposed to attend.
Yellow: sure thing babe
Blue: You're not still mad, are you? About me being noble?
Yellow: not really mad. just surprised
Blue: I want to make it up to you. I like you, Heather.
Yellow: i like you too Lucia. i want to make this work
A voice in the back of her mind mocked her. Make this work? She still lied to Lucia. She didn't know Heather lived in the slums. Lucia didn't know her art form.
She didn't know that Heather was destroying the Queen's reputation.
It was all the news talked about. How some patriot was creating art to represent the public's desires. People rallied around the idea of who she was.
It made her feel sick. But amidst that sickness resolution bloomed.
Yellow: i need to be honest too then. i live in the slums
Blue: The slums?
Yellow: im not an artist. i create graffiti so clients know where to pick up their drugs from dealers
Blue:
Yellow: i was worried what you would think. especially when i found out youre royalty
Blue: I suppose that would be pretty intimidating.
Yellow: im sorry
Blue: We both lied about who we are. We're even, as I see it. I don't care what you do for a living. I don't care if we're from different sides of the tracks. I want to see you again.
Yellow: tonight. pick out a good movie. i hate making decisions
Heather breathed. Relieved and disappointed.
"If I have to leave town…fuck," Heather muttered.
She would not screw this up.
Heather's eyes drifted to the letter. She flicked it open and pulled out the paper.
Heather's eyes bulged.
'The Queen's backroom negotiation tactics'.
And below it, a picture taken of the queen having sex with a man. The man's identity was obscured, but the Queen's certainly was not. A legitimate picture. She looked to be enjoying it.
And below was a hand written note: 'Hope your artistic qualities are up to par for this.'
The time was for tonight.
"Hey stranger," Heather said as she slipped into the car. She didn't miss Lucia's eyes gazing at the apartment building Heather had come from, even if her recovery was quick.
"You're looking nice," Lucia complimented, offering a smile.
She better be. Heather refused to let Lucia think less of her, so she took time on her appearance. An outfit that wasn't splattered with paint and actual makeup.
Her mother would actually have been proud.
"You're looking…regal." Heather winked as Lucia swatted her. The blue haired woman began to pull away in the car.
"I would have thought you'd have a chauffeur. Or a guard. Or something." Heather looked in the backseat as if she'd discover someone hiding there.
"My brother wanted me to, but I like having my way," Lucia smirked with triumph.
Heather thought of something very dirty to say, but had the tact to keep it to herself.
They passed the drive in idle conversation, talking about the time since they last saw each other. Now that they each had more freedom to talk about themselves, the conversation felt real.
Heather enjoyed it and she hazarded a guess that Lucia did too.
They parked the car, conversation unbroken, and went into the theater. The person who sold them tickets barely got through their conversation. But against all odds, he managed to sell them tickets.
It was as they were in line for popcorn that it happened.
"Heather!"
She turned around to see who had called her name and froze.
The Fireman walked up, dressed casually and sporting a smile that had several women staring. "Heather, it's been too long." He threw his arms out for a hug that she returned late. Lucia noticed.
"Heather, do you know this man?" she asked, taking a step closer to her date. Whether it was a streak of protectiveness or fear, Heather wasn't paying attention to tell.
"We go…way back," she said, biting each word and chewing it before saying it.
The Fireman laughed. "You must be her date. Heather always did have excellent taste in women." He held out a hand. "Call me Greil, and you are…?"
"Lucia." She returned the shake, albeit warily.
"Heather, I don't want to steal you away from a beauty like this, but do you have a moment to talk?" he asked. His smile and relaxed attitude asked like it was a choice, but his eyes didn't.
"Not really," Heather replied through a frown.
The Fireman's eyes flashed. "Surely I won't take more than a few moments of your time. I insist."
Fear crawled up her spine, torturing her back. "S-sure." Heather turned to Lucia. "Give us a few moments. Wait for me by the ticket taker."
The Fireman led her away to a quieter portion of the lobby. He turned around, losing all of the friendly exterior.
"You got the letter, did you not?" he said, eyes serious.
"Yes." One word was all Heather was capable of.
"Then forgive me, but I am here wondering why you are out here on a date with Lucia Delbray instead of preparing?" the Fireman continued, tone scathing.
"I haven't told her anything," Heather said, growing defensive.
The Fireman stared at her. "Cute. I'll be the judge of that."
Heather grabbed his arm and pulled the Fireman closer to her. "If you hurt her…"
"You'll make empty threats at me?" The Fireman shook her hand off his. His tone was chiding, but an undertone lingered. "Don't forget what Sothe told you. Don't fuck with me. Just do your job and do it on time. My client isn't forgiving and neither am I."
He stepped away. "Enjoy the movie. Don't stay out too late…" He let the sentence trail off, the threat unsaid.
Heather watched him vanish into the crowd, disappearing as he had appeared. Numbly she walked back to where she'd agreed to meet Lucia.
And there she waited, looking worried. When she set eyes on Heather, she immediately was at her side whispering, "Who was that? Are you okay? Did he do something to you?"
"I'm fine," Heather said, fighting the weakness in her voice. "He's…an old client." Her mind furiously searched for more for the lie. "One who wasn't happy when I told him I wasn't into men."
Lucia looked behind them, as if expecting to see him creeping behind them. "Do you still want to see the movie? We can leave if you think he's still around."
"No, we can stay." Heather wrapped an arm around Lucia's waist. "He's gone. Don't worry about him."
"Okay, if you're sure."
They found their seats just before the movie started. Lucia immediately lifted the armrest between them and leaned into Heather. She didn't know if her date was seeking comfort or providing it.
She certainly didn't complain. Heather's arm wrapped around Lucia.
The movie turned out to be one of those action/romance movies, though this one had more of the latter. Heather filed that away as something to remember for future dates.
About halfway through, the woman made a move on the man. Soon enough, they were fucking, their faces glued to each other's.
Heather watched, definitely interested. That is, until she started seeing the hair as green. She blinked and the hair was back to black.
The photo of Elincia resurfaced in her mind. As did the time limit. Her mind screamed panic, to run. To flee the wretched city.
"Are you okay?" Lucia asked, tilting her head up to Heather.
In a brilliant moment of confusion, Heather did the first thing she could think of.
She kissed Lucia.
When Heather came to her senses, she broke away, looking as surprised as she felt. Lucia giggled and tugged Heather closer.
For a few blissful moments, Heather forgot about the picture.
Keys missed the lock repeatedly as Heather tried to open her door amidst Lucia's adventurous hands on her. Not that Heather was much better, her hand up the back of Lucia's shirt attacking her bra strap with little success.
The key finally hit home as Heather moaned. Heather broke their lips apart as she opened the door. Making sure to close it, Heather guided Lucia to her room.
As soon as she turned on the light, Heather felt herself thrown on the bed as Lucia threw her shirt off and set to work on getting Heather's off.
"Damn, I didn't expect you to be this—"
Lucia shut her up and Heather didn't complain.
Heather didn't know how much time had passed in Lucia's arms. Her head was pressed up against Lucia's breasts as the noblewoman slept.
She exfiltrated herself from Lucia's arms. She wished she could spend the night laying and listening to Lucia's heartbeat. The steady beats were calming, like listening to ocean waves.
Heather tiptoed, careful not to wake Lucia. In the event that she did wake up, Heather left her a quick note on the door telling her not to worry.
She gave herself a lookover in the mirror. Good thing she wasn't seeing anyone, because damn did she have sex hair. Heather checked her watch.
An hour before the deadline.
"Oh fuck," she mouthed, barely audible.
She sprang out from the bathroom, grabbing whatever clothes were closest. Her jacket, a scarf, Lucia's pants.
The last one almost made her pause. When had they gotten outside her bedroom? Good thing they seemed like more or less the same size, not like their bust in comparison.
Heather grabbed the instruction letter, checking to make sure the picture was still there. She glanced at it for a few moments.
Lucia was better looking.
A smile adorned her face as she raced out the door, muttering a quick prayer to Ashera that she'd make it back before Lucia woke up.