NOTE - Just a quick reminder that '5' refers to Natasha Romanov in this chapter.
4. 5
13 appeared in 5's door before the dance. It was rumored the owner of the castle himself would make an appearance that very evening; as a result the entire floor of workers was ordered to attend. 13 wore a yellow dress; it made her skin look like polished mahogany. She handed 5 a blue wraparound gown and sighed as the redhead put it on. "Doesn't look too bad, I suppose."
5 hitched an uncaring shoulder. "Thanks." She followed 13 into the old lift; together they worked the ropes to bring them to the lower floors. "Natasha," 5 said suddenly. "Have you ever heard that name before?"
"Why do you ask? We're too busy to worry about names. Besides, you're 5. You always have been." 13 yanked a rope and added, "Damn, there's a hold up below."
"Someone mentioned it to me." 5 didn't want to talk about the young man in the water, the one with the look of desperation and the cruel gold stitches piercing his lips. She didn't know why his reflection made the tears fall down her cheeks when she saw it – maybe it was the melancholy expression in his eyes, green as an moss-laden tree trunk, or the feeling he was completely alone.
"Who? One of the other workers? The Spider Keeper? Don't tell me it was Kronsteig. I told you to stay away from him." 13 stabbed a long, skinny finger in 5's direction. "Didn't I tell you? Damn, you're such a pain in the ass."
"It wasn't any of them. Simmer down." 5 depended on 13 for survival tips, but she wasn't about to put up with orders from a girl years younger than her.
"The lift's moving again." 13 pulled the rope impatiently. "We have to stand on one side of the room during the evening. Don't make eye-contact with anyone, but if someone requests your hand don't hesitate."
"Got it." The lift stopped, and 5 followed 13 out into the huge ballroom. A host of glittering guests in bright gowns and tailored suits laughed and mingled under candlelight. Lucia von Bardos caught 5's eye and murmured something to the man she was talking to; without dropping her gaze the cyborg moved forward, snatched two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter, and brought them to where 5 and 13 stood with the rest of the workers.
"What is your name?" she asked.
For one moment 5 considered replying Natasha, wondering what the consequences would be if she tried it. To do so would risk the wrath of 13 and a possible night with Kronsteig; instead she curtsied as she had been taught. "5, Mistress von Bardas."
Lucia handed her and 13 the glasses of wine. "Drink," she said. "A little stimulant always makes humans so much more interesting."
5 shrugged and tossed the champagne down her throat. Lucia nodded and held out her arms. "Dance with me," the cyborg commanded.
Her Nu-skin was surprisingly soft, her fingers warm on 5's waist. Cautiously 5 put her arms around the cyborg and followed her onto the dance floor, picking up the steps with ease. It seemed dance was an important part of her former life, although she remembered nothing of it.
"You move well," Lucia commented. "Your style is smooth, expert. Not too showy - somewhat reserved, in fact."
5 closed her eyes to acknowledge the complement. "Thanks. It's easy with a good partner."
"Mm." Lucia tipped up her chin with one finger. "Would you mind coming to the bed of a cyborg? Believe it or not, even my kind requires satisfaction. Cyborg body parts tighten if I'm not pleasured every month, and it has been five weeks already since the last. I can promise you a thoroughly sensual experience – my fingers, tongue, and sex are fitted with vibrating plates and adjustable strokers."
Whatever she had expected, a proposition from the elegant Lucia was the last thing on her mind. In fact, it was a proposition in name only – 5, 13, and all the workers had to obey any order or whim from the guests. Luckily Lucia was beautiful and intelligent; it would be far more pleasant that being towed off by the machinated Kronsteig. Furthermore, 5 was curious to see what went into pleasuring a cyborg. "I'd like that," she replied. "Do you want 13 there as well?"
"Your call." Lucia pressed her closer with one hand on her waist, the other moved slowly under her hair so she could touch the tip of her tongue to 5's neck. A buzz coursed down her skin – 5 swore she felt it in her spine. The thought of it on her nipples, her clit, inside… it was intoxicating. She wanted to pull Lucia behind a pillar and have her there and then, but the woman sighed with regret.
"Von Doom has arrived – it just appeared on my commscreen. Damn. I'll have to meet you later, pretty." She thrust 5 to one side and walked off the dance floor, her hips twitching under the couture gown she wore.
With a mind full of such a delicious ass and Lucia's vibrating tongue, 5 moved back to the line of workers. 13 was on the floor twirling with a blue-chinned foreign diplomat; the man wore a diamond star and several medals on the sash across his chest. 13 smiled and cosied up to him, tipping her tiny nose against his unshaven chin. Probably she wouldn't be available to join 5 and Lucia later. That was fine with 5; she could have the cyborg's tongue all to herself. Just the thought made her squeeze her thighs closer and shiver with anticipation.
"Someone got the wind-up doll in a lather." The speaker was one of the boys; 5 had forgotten his name.
"You're going to have to remind me what you're called."
"Hundred," he retorted, "for the number of clients I've satisfied, although I haven't had Lucia in bed yet."
"There are that many visitors to the castle?" 5 was surprised.
"We are famous throughout the continent. Stripling princes cannot wait to struggle to our baths with their cocks bursting out of their pantaloons after they hear the stories about our services." Hundred sniggered, and 5 couldn't help joining his laughter. She could just picture it: lines of rich, pampered boys with bulging erections staggering out of the nursery to come to the castle and satisfy their lusty curiosity.
His eyes dripped down her body. "Once they hear about you we'll have more crowds than ever. You actually make that horrible dress look halfway decent."
"Just what I need," 5 snorted, "nights with foolish virgins who will burst with jizz in their knickers as soon as they get a sight of my tits."
Hundred laughed, a hearty Haha! that seemed real, not his practiced giggle from before. "Indeed. I had one boy – the son of a railway billionaire – spurt into his shorts as soon as he realized he could do what he wanted with me."
"I'm certain you got him stiff again." The conversation, randy as it was, amused 5. It was their job, after all: satisfying the customers in the baths or their beds, whatever took the visitors' fancy.
"Darling, I had him singing like a canary all night long." They both were overcome with humor, and Hundred managed to snag two drinks from a waiter's abandoned tray. "Champagne? We shouldn't, you know – we're only supposed to drink if one of the Posh fetch the bubbly for us."
"Lucia already gave me a glass. And besides, doing things that are forbidden is sort of delicious, isn't it?" 5 winked at him.
"Absolutely!" Hundred took a long swig and measured her again. "Maybe later you'll let me drape that fabric so your figure is displayed more prominently to do you justice."
"I'd like that, if we have time. Maybe tomorrow."
Hundred put his arm around her waist, kissed her cheek, and nodded. "Tomorrow it is, then…"
"What is happening tomorrow?" The voice was cold, and dark. It made 5 think of winter inside a place iced over for centuries – if there was such a thing as a cathedral on a frozen planet, the wind whistling through the arches would sound like that.
"Herr Kronsteig." Instantly Hundred dropped to a deep bow, and she took her cue to follow with a full curtsy. "We were just discussing some chores to be done tomorrow."
Kronsteig moved forward, the wheels and tracks under his upper torso making whirring noises. "And what of tonight?"
Oh, Lord, 5 thought. The last thing she wanted was to be pulled away by Kronsteig; his penchant for torture was whispered by the workers in hidden corners – always with a frisson of fear. "Hundred and I are attending Mistress von Bardas," she said.
"Hmm." The hum seemed to come from behind his nose. Kronsteig looked them both over, wheeled back and turned smoothly before trundling off in search of other prey.
"Thank you thank you thank you," Hundred gabbled. "I owe you – you don't know how much…"
"It's my pleasure. That metal caterpillar shouldn't be left alone with anyone from the baths, not if they don't have a power drill and a beaker of powerful acid at their disposal." 5 folded her arms.
Hundred emitted a crack of surprised laughter. "I like you," he said. "I know you have an assignation after this party with Lucia, and I know it's a really big favor to ask, but if Kronsteig sees I'm alone at the end of the night he'll get me in that bath of his. He likes to start with the toenails," he added, "and work his way up."
Lucia's rooms were imposing with all of the stately grandeur of the castle but none of its worn down shabbiness. 5 and Hundred were ushered by a maid into an outer chamber where a fire burned within a large mantel. Small chairs with golden lyres worked into the backs stood around a table, as well as a long sofa on a silk carpet. Paintings hung on the walls, interspersed with mirrors that flung back the light of a myriad of candles and low-wicked lamps. Long velvet curtains the color of ripe plums hung straight down to the floors, inlaid with different woods in strange patterns; they framed the windows…but they weren't windows at all, 5 saw. Huge screens filled with flickering images were set inside the arched stone sills meant to hold glass. As they watched, forests filled those screens, followed by rolling oceans, roaring rivers, and desert wastelands.
"This way." The maid, pert in a beautifully tailored uniform, opened a door on the right side of the room. They followed her into another room, completely different from the first.
5 felt her jaw drop open as her gaze swiveled around the place. Tubes filled with bubbling liquids of all colors ran from ceiling to floor. A bank of machines with dials and levers ran under the rich carpets under their feet.
"You brought a friend after all." Lucia von Bardos reclined in the center of the chamber, but it was no bed – rather a marble slab, pinioned to the floor with thousands of wires interconnected in a complicated braid. She patted the stone beside her and raised one eyebrow.
"Woah." Hundred's tone was filled with reverence as he approached her like a sleepwalker; 5 was nearly dazzled herself by the cyborg.
Lucia wore a soft gown of material so sheer it revealed her nakedness – the dark circles on her generous breasts, a taut belly, the slender muscles of her thighs. But there was more: panels of glass in her chest where, 5 saw as she came closer, clockworks ticked back and forth inside. What did they do? she wondered. Keep Lucia's heart going, or her blood pumping?
Instead of putting her off such thoughts were exciting, and she nearly jumped when Hundred blurted, "What do you want, then? Can you…"
"You want to know if I can feel anything." Lucia slid one leg up and parted her thighs; between them lay another smaller glass panel with sensors set into it. "My creators gave me the ability to process pleasure, much as you do, 5." She crooked one finger. "Would you like to touch it?"
Buzzing with curiosity and the beginnings of arousal, 5 came forward. Behind her, Hundred stumbled; apparently his eagerness had erased his usual grace. Together they slipped the gown up Lucia's legs; her head tilted back and a long sigh escaped from her throat.
Hundred instantly palmed the little plate at her cleft, but 5 caught his hand. "Not like that," she said. "Softer." Carefully she touched the plate, edging the tiny pleasure panel and flicked it with her fingertips.
"Yes, that's it," Lucia breathed.
"Can I kiss you?" Hundred's eyes were filled with stars, 5 noticed with amusement.
Lucia shrugged. "If you wish. There are no sensors on my lips, but feel free to play."
Hundred made a noise in his throat and crawled over her to press his hand over her breast, his lips to hers. With a giggle, 5 returned to her work of flicking the sensor plate. "Would this be more pleasurable with oil?" she asked suddenly. "A bit of lubrication works wonders."
"Mmm." Lucia pushed Hundred aside and sat up. "In the drawer, just there."
5 nodded and found a tiny vial inside the slot. Carefully she dribbled a trickle over the sensors between Lucia's legs. It seemed to please the cyborg; her hips canted up and her thighs started to tremble. With one imperious gesture she pushed the boy aside and beckoned again to 5. "Come here," Lucia demanded.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Hundred squat down on the floor to watch as 5 crawled up over the slab of marble to kiss Lucia. The cyborg's lips parted and 5 felt her tongue – marveled as it began to vibrate in her mouth, smoothing over her lips, jaw, and throat. "You're both so beautiful," Hundred said. "Please, let me see more kisses…"
"Take off your gown," Lucia added. 5 sat up, pulled her dress off with one sure movement. Underneath she wore nothing more than a simple white bra and pants; Lucia raised one finger and a blade snicked out from under her nail; quickly she sliced the bands of material around her hips and chest. With a forbidden swish the garments fell off and left 5 completely naked.
The blade in Lucia's finger disappeared, and she placed the pad of the tip against 5's collarbone. It began to tremble, as gently and firmly as her tongue, and slid down to curl around a nipple, curl over 5's ribs, down her belly to dip into her navel, between her thighs.
The touch was naughty, gentle, and delicious, all at once. 5 couldn't help wriggling closer and kissing Lucia again. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Hundred sink back on the marble floor, his hand thrusting into the top of his trousers.
As Lucia worked her human flesh, 5 stroked the pleasure chip between the cyborg's thighs. The feeling in 5's sex throbbed, stronger and deeper. Lucia demanded in a voice thick with desire (How did her creators manage that? Some sort of system control made to replicate human response?) that 5 lift her leg, thrust into her, and the girl complied, feeling the cyborg's oiled pleasure spot lift, swell into a bump vibrating against her own.
Hundred withdrew his hand from his pants, shuddering, and stood so hastily he staggered. Quickly the boy moved behind 5, lowered his trousers, and thrust into her slit from behind so they both could move over Lucia. The cyborg arched back, cried out, and 5 felt her release begin with the vibrations of the little bump and Hundred's erect flesh inside.
The three of them stuttered, cried out in orgasm. Lucia swept back her gleaming hair, sat up, and found a linen towel; with hasty movements she wiped herself off. "You may leave now," she said.
5 nodded, climbed off the marble slab, and picked up her dress. She drew it on with one fluid motion and headed to the outer rooms where the changing landscapes inside the 'windows' still moved on the walls. Hundred stopped her and whispered, "Wait here. I'm going to see if I can beg a tip from her."
"Very well." 5 stood in the middle of the room, and when the connecting door closed behind them the landscape screens changed suddenly – all showing the black-haired youth she had last seen in her basin.
"Natasha," he said in a low, intense voice. "You are all I have left. I will be there soon – will you wait for me?"
"My name is not Natasha. I am known as 5."
"No," he insisted. "You are my Natasha. Someone has stolen your memories and replaced them with nonsense. I think it is almost time for me to come and find you – I hope so," he added in a sad voice. "I have nothing left for me here." His sorrow seemed to change to mischief, and his eyes darkened. "You are naked under your dress - I can see the tips of your breasts. Gods! I can barely wait to see you in the flesh."
A word struggled to her lips. "Loki," she said at last.
Loki's lips parted in a blinding smile. "Yes. Natasha. Soon we will…"
"Look at this!" Hundred burst back into the room, and Loki's images disappeared instantly. "A bath for each of us, as well as new clothes. And money! We were a success, 5 – we should always work together."
She shook her head. "I'm not 5. My name is Natasha – Natasha Romanov."
Hundred's jaw dropped before he lunged forward and covered her mouth with his palm. "Shut up, for Chrissakes! Do you want to get sent to Kronsteig's bath?"