Chapter 15:
"I don't understand why you'd ask for such a wicked thing to be done to you," rumbled the slim candy-cane. Orzsebet the Agent Princess chuckled. She scarcely understood it herself. It was much as her beloved master had said himself. 'This thing had caught feelings.'
With a sigh, she said, "because I am a creature of habit." Eyes closed, she murmured, "I was habituated to treachery, back-stabbing those who trusted me at the precise moment where it would damage them the most. I was indoctrinated to believe that simple business was a far safer state of affairs for the world than emotions."
Those brown eyes opened, and she studied the skinny candy-person. The hand holding the good doctor's pen bore an engagement ring. "Women fall in love and marry without thought, and often we divorce just as thoughtlessly," Orzsebet rumbled. The doctor sat up straighter, her face gone red.
"And what would I do," the Lady of Spies rumbled? "Eh?" Blowing out a breath, she said, "it would be complicated and messy because he's not fool enough to trust me unconditionally the way most men would." Staring up at the ceiling, Orzsebet murmured, "it's not for his protection, doctor. It's for mine... If I know that betraying my master means my death, then the matter's taken off the table. I won't be tempted."
The chiming of the spy's watch announced that the appointment was over. "I wish you'd allow longer sessions," the doctor murmured. Orzsebet chuckled. She was playing the game. This was what was required of her to retain her position in the palace. In many ways, she understood this better than those who'd levied the requirement.
Rising, the slinky spy strode out of the good doctor's office. She had plenty of time to reach the palace conference room. On the walk down to the car, she went over the things she would say in her mind.
Her subordinates had been watching the treacherous Lord Enzo for a while now. His men had taken the computing machine and begun the laborious task of copying it, little realizing that pieces of it were missing.
With the help of an oblivious cyborg out of Grid-Face Kingdom, Enzo and his flunkies had been building the infrastructure to copy the innards of the box, right down to the circuit-cards inside. Orzsebet planned to present the whole to her master on a silver-platter as a gesture to prove her love and loyalty.
The moment the slim woman appeared in the door of the clinic, her bodyguards rushed to open the door of the car and hustle her inside. In spite of her earlier thoughts, she was having trouble getting used to that.
As the car pulled away from the curb, she slowly relaxed and began to think once more. Her master had been away in the east, supervising the final closure of the ugly business with the town of the mad, giving her no chance to broach the subject she wished to talk about. He and the Ice Queen were due in the palace within the hour.
Tonight, Orzsebet told herself. She'd press the issue tonight. Hopefully, he'd be a little more amenable. The world was growing quieter, in spite of her former allies creeping in the darkness around them.
As the limousine bearing the Lady of Spies rolled through the streets of the town, an airship came rolling up to the VIP terminal on a newly-laid mat of reinforced cement. Bonnibel Bubblegum glanced out the window at the expanse of artificial stone with distaste. "You don't like the change, huh," Jake Junior burbled?
In the Candy Kingdom that she had run, her people would have mixed up a batch of candy-cement. Of course, said cement would have needed constant care and maintenance. It would have needed to be sealed from above to protect it from decay and sealed from below to keep critters from the earth from eating it. None of that would have mattered because she would simply have ordered her subjects to go out and get the work done.
"We have to accept change," JJ murmured. She sounded like Finn. Bonnie grimaced. In spite of all the years, she was still struggling with that.
You don't own them, Bonnibel Bubblegum, the tall princess thought. Not anymore. It was time for her to move on too. Her son was ably managing the kingdom, taking care of things in ways that would sustain her people for centuries to come, when Bonnie had begun to be bored of the whole business.
She'd caught herself fantasizing before Bon and Shoko were born. She'd seriously considering packing it in, closing down the kingdom, and either letting her creations fend for themselves or putting them up on a shelf where she didn't have to look after them.
It's the evil of self-interest, Bonnie thought. She'd been much more interested in putzing around in the lab or scissoring with Marceline than in dealing with the needs of other people. Thank Glob Finn came along when he did, or you might well have done it, thought Bonnie.
The pair were the only people on the airship, which let them get down the aisle to the door quickly. In short order, Bonnie was ensconced in a car. Looking out at Jake Junior, she asked, "you're not coming?" "Got some family stuff to take care of," Jake responded. Bonnie nodded. In some ways, the violent, angry shapechanger was a better mom than staid, quiet Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum.
As the car rolled down the road to the airport's exit, Bonnie went over in her mind the things they had to talk about. She had the agreements with the Glass Peeps to get ratified. That would need Finn's signature. There was the matter of the Ark to get settled, and there was still the issue of her idiot uncle and his games to shut down.
South and east of the town, at the small airfield the wax-hustlers owned, a heavy-weight zeppelin came wafting down out of the sky, fighting the wind. It was an almost insane way to travel, and Melosia wasn't excited about having to do this again. She wouldn't have had to, if Tallulah was in any way doing her job.
The nymph had spent several sleepless nights on this shaking, juddering mass of steel, fabric, and wood, worrying at the things that she needed to get done here. First on the list: Catalina had to go. She would reason with Catalina to start, but if things got to bloodshed, Catalina would just get added to the pile.
After that, she had to get into the ugly business of the cleanup. The wizard, Astartes, would need to disappear and her baby with her.
As the airship settled into the socket of its cradle, the laborious job of winching it inside its shed began. The passengers waited patiently, lined up in the halls, as the massive machine was pulled into the security of the shed. Only then would the loading-stage be put in place for them to get down once more.
Minutes passed into eternity with Melosia checking and rechecking her watch. Turning to the attendant who was passing by, she asked, "what time is it here?" The little wax-woman responded, "you're seven hours into the future from when we left your homeland. Advance your watch seven hours."
Melosia had been about to cuss her for that incomprehensible diatribe, but the finale helped her understand. It had been very late in the night when she boarded this contraption. Now, it was the middle of the morning of the following day somehow.
As she twisted the stem of her watch—and wound the damned thing for good measure—jostling and loud banging noises announced the machine had finally come to a stop. Moments later, the passengers were moving, Melosia among them.
The sun was bright, hanging high in the sky, and there was just a slight chill to the air—just enough to tell her that the summer had not yet returned to this land. Melosia clambered down the stairs and out onto the meadow beyond the double-doors of the airship shed. Beyond, she found a row of contraptions waiting, with the strange mutant creatures she remembered from her previous visit waiting alongside them.
As she looked around, an industrious fellow strode up to her, announcing, "half a gold Princess for the ride into the capitol." Melosia grimaced. This was the tricky part. Tallulah had met them here last time, ready to exchange their money for the local scrip. Fishing in her purse, Melosia brought out a silver doubloon from the Confederation, praying it was enough.
The cabby gleefully accepted the cash, snatched up her bag, and lay it in the open back of his conveyance before opening the door for her. "Got a destination," he asked, as he settled behind the wheel? Melosia, who'd been pondering whether or not she'd overpayed, responded, "I... the... the Gumbald Arms." "Gumbald arms," he agreed, as he put the truck in gear.
As the sun was climbing the sky towards noon, a cavalcade of limousines rolled up to the Candy Palace, announcing the return of the King of Ooo and his Royal Entourage. Inside, the collected guards and servants waited in neat ranks before the palace's grand entry in a bit of pomp and ceremony arranged by the new lady of the house.
Inside the entry, French Toast watched in delight as the cars came rolling up. First was her mother, the King's secretary. As the car drew to a stop, a Banana-Guard in an immaculate uniform drew the door open and stood aside.
Breakfast Mertens stepped out and stared a moment in surprise. It had been many years since she was treated to a welcome like this. For a moment, it looked as though she would cry, and Frenchie felt a moment's chill fear.
Thankfully, the moment passed. Gathering her dignity about her, the slim breakfast-person came up the stairs. In the entry, she embraced her daughter, whispering, "thank-you, baby." Kissing Frenchie on the cheek, Breakfast stood aside as the next car rolled up.
The First Minister, Princess Bubblegum, emerged from the second car, her expression troubled. For a moment, she stared around her and then up at the young woman in the entry, her face a mask of irritation. Shaking her head, the tall princess came marching up the stairs, her long skirts swishing. She brushed past French Toast without so much as a word, telling Frenchie there were hard feelings there for some reason.
His Majesty emerged from the third car, with his Queen on his arm, his expression harried. Much like with her mother, the big man paused a moment, as he took in the sight of those gathered before him. Then, like the wind blowing away the clouds, his expression changed.
Smiling, the big man came striding up the walk, exchanging salutes with the soldiers and greeting the longest-serving of the palace staff like old friends. He and the Queen shook hands with Peppermint Butler and spoke amiably with all they passed, before they too climbed the stairs.
When the last of the distinguished guests had gone inside and the cars were put away, the servants returned to their endless rounds of maintaining the Candy Palace, painting the candy-walls with their coat of preservative, sweeping the floors and courtyards, and cleaning the endless rooms. Frenchie, meanwhile, went upstairs to the grand conference room, where the family was meeting.
The Agent Princess was already seated within. Frenchie greeted her with, "you didn't attend the formal welcome of the cabinet..."
Resting her chin on the heel of her hand, Orzsebet responded, "you're kinda' like your mom, kid. You don't understand." Frenchie didn't rise to the bait, instead responding, "enlighten me..."
Resting her elbows on the table, the slim spy leaned forward, as if sharing a salacious story and murmured, "I'm a spy, French Toast. Spies stay in the shadows. We don't put ourselves out there like that."
"We should talk about that," remarked Princess Bubblegum, as she strode into the chamber. To her daughter-in-law, Bonnie queried, "where's Bon?" "In the lab," Frenchie responded with a smirk. Bonnibel grimaced, suggesting the younger woman had scored a hit there. Indeed, the Lady of Spies began to laugh.
"Cease that," growled Minerva, as she strode in. Orzsebet's mouth shut with a click. Turning to Bonnibel, the AI explained, "I asked His Highness to assist me in developing the means to mass-produce Maja's cure for your uncle's neurotoxin. He'll be with us in a few minutes. We both decided that wearing the results of our work to council was a poor idea."
Bonnie relaxed visibly, though Minerva had her own zinger for the pink princess. As she passed up the length of the table, Minerva remarked, "maybe you should speak with your counselor about your insecurities, Bonnibel. Others would find fewer avenues to attack you if you did."
Turning to Orzsebet, the Finn-Mom remarked, "the days of you rushing about doing business directly should be brought to an end. You have responsibilities. You should've attended the ceremonial welcome that French Toast arranged. It would go a long way towards rehabilitating the public image of your organization."
"Mom," Finn greeted the AI. "Finn," Minerva responded, as she turned to face him. Her face wore a flush. She'd had words with him about her habit of 'taking charge' of things. Striding up the table, Finn said not a word about that. Instead, he turned to Orzsebet and said, "from now on, you're required to attend formal functions. I expect that you will hand over your work in the field to someone more expendable."
Simone was far less concerned with that business. Instead, she threw her arms around Minerva and hugged her for all she was worth. "Mmm," Minerva sighed. "I'm glad you're home, dear. Rosie and I have missed you."
"Yes," agreed Roselinen, "we've talked about putting together a homecoming party." Simone flushed to her pale hair. Smiling indulgently, Finn asked, "where and when?"
"Tonight," Frenchie announced. "I'm afraid it's semi-formal, though. There's an early piece where the other Royals will be present. Then, we can all skip out to a private shindig." "Good enough," Finn replied. "Let's get to work."
The King moved to the head of the table, with the most senior of his wives gathering around him. The rest of the family filled in down the length of the table, as they arrived in their turns.
With the Inner Council gathered, Breakfast rose and called the meeting to order, asking, "Do we have anyone with immediate business?"
Rising, Star announced, "I've finished the investigation of Astartes the water-nymph." That news had Finn's immediate attention. As if that wasn't enough, the Royal Wives focused on the wood-nymph wonder with laser precision.
Blowing out a breath, Star announced, "it's just like we suspected, daddy. You were right. Astartes was just an employee. She... was trying to make a play because her master was threatening her."
Puzzled, Roselinen burbled, "I don't understand. Are you saying she's not the slave-taker's daughter?" With a sigh, Star said, "Tallulah was fucking up. She was supposed to either get herself pregnant by daddy or by Bill." "Whichever came first," giggled Strudel. Several of the moms glared at her.
Continuing on, Star explained, "using the surveillance system in Castle Lemongrab, I listened in on their conversations. Catalina admitted to threatening Astartes and her parents. She got told that she couldn't go home if Tallulah didn't get pregnant, but Tallulah was hangin' out down at the hug-wolf's old club instead."
"Loser," muttered Emeraude. Indeed, Tallulah's antics seemed to draw universal derision and condemnation from the Royal Spouses.
"So, Astartes was to produce a Royal Baby, eh," Betty rumbled? Star nodded. Twirling her finger in her hair, Rosie said, "Mireya is still Finn's child. Whatever else we do, we must rescue her from the hands of these people." "We can figure out what to do with the conspirators later," Simone agreed. Nodding, Star said, "I'll start putting together an action plan."
Minerva was next to be recognized. Said she, "the work on the man-rated rocket is proceeding apace. We've completed design of the orbital module, providing a crew capacity of twenty persons. We're now working on a complete test-program."
Finn sat up and took notice. Smiling at her son, Minerva said, "we'll work our way up, honey. I have a design for a remote control unit. Blargetha and I believe that we can fit the first unit with remote control and bring it back." Glancing at Bonnie the Elder, the AI remarked, "Sarah is looking at the possibility of remote-control for the saucer. That would let us bring it back in the event of another unfortunate event."
Bonnie grimaced. "Safety, Peebles," Finn reminded her. "We're at risk of losing it and never being able to get it back." Blowing out a breath, Bonnie responded, "yeah." Shaking her head, she said, "change. I'm not good with it."
Moving on, Finn said, "ok. How long? What's our risk?" Strudel responded, "I've had my court astronomer watching the Ark, Finn. Right now, it's in a stable position. It's out past the moon. He estimates that it'll be on its way back in three months, reaching the point of danger in another six."
Nodding, Minerva remarked, "the Ark's behaving as I intended, following the last course I set. That means the secondary navigation systems are still functioning and following the orders I gave before the incident. That means maybe less work for us when we get back there, honey."
"More time than I'd feared, but still close," Finn muttered. His eyes flicked to Blargetha. On cue, the plump slime-person declared, "we've had two successful launches of the cargo rocket. One to orbit a new reflector satellite for the big gun and one for the InterFone satellite. We have lots of good data from those launches. We have three more launches coming up. That cuts down the risk drastically, Finn."
"Ok," the big man said, "that's all good, but the question the princesses are going to ask is 'when'." Blargetha responded, "the first manned capsule's already under construction, Finn. I expect to have it flying next month. As you say, things are going to be close. The Ark's going to pass through a fair amount of debris on its next orbit, but I think we can save this."
The big man relaxed visibly. Blargetha couldn't help hitting him with a zinger, declaring, "I got your back, baby. It's gonna' be ok."
Breakfast grimaced in distaste a moment, before declaring, "next item on the agenda." If she was at all perturbed to have Breakfast try to cut her off, Blargetha didn't show it. In any event before the slim breakfast person could react, the Lady of Spies rose, announcing, "I request a few moments..."
Finn sat up straight. Indeed, Princess Bubblegum tensed. If there was something the Agent Princess had to tell them, it was likely very important, very unpleasant, and very urgent. "We'll hear Princess Orzsebet," Bonnie declared.
Orzsebet didn't disappoint. Bowing slightly to the First-Minister, she announced, "my subordinates have been tracing a package from the warehouse we interdicted." Finn frowned at her. Said he, "I thought the agreement was to destroy all of the dangerous materials..." Indeed, given that they had no idea what was taken, the order had been to essentially burn all the warehouses to the ground or smash all the contents.
"I found a somewhat more productive alternate path," the Agent Princess declared. "Why simply smash the device, when I could... damage it in an unseen manner and track it through the enemy's smuggling routes to its destination."
Finn had been ready to blow up at her. Now, he found himself wanting to hug her. "Ok," he said, "who did you find doing dirt?"
The slim spy-girl began far off the mark, talking of the long, circuitous route the rogue box had taken. The thing had been passed from airship to overland caravan, back to airship again before finally landing in the Bandit Kingdoms.
As she spoke, Finn began to get a sinking feeling. "Which domain did the package land in," he asked? "Princess Cerelia's kingdom," Orzsebet responded.
Simone and Roselinen grasped both his hands, pinning his arms on the arms of his chair. "There is a Lord Enzo," the Lady of Spies airily remarked. "I believe he may be known to you." "Well," muttered Finn, "I guess I can add treason to wanting to rape Jake and steal electricity."
Several pretty faces flushed at those words. Indeed, Roselinen's grip tightened on Finn's wrist at the thought of somebody assaulting Finn's niece. "Do go on," Bonnie murmured.
Orzsebet explained, "Enzo has joined with my former colleagues, Your Majesty. He's agreed to use his access to the Royal Reactor in Clusone to manufacture copies of the device. He's assembled a team of persons who have the knowledge to potentially reverse-develop the box..."
Raising her hand, Fionna burbled, "well, I guess I'm up..." Shooting to her feet, Bonnie the Younger rode over her, announcing, "I guess I'll be getting on the train up to Clusone. The mountains should be pretty clear this time of year, father."
Fionna frowned up at her, saying, "the Bandit Kingdoms are my responsibil..." "They were your responsibility," Bonnie retorted. "I'm currently Princess-General. I'll be on the train tomorrow morning, daddy."
Chuckling at the melodrama, Orzsebet declared, "Enzo has been assembling stolen equipment and devices acquired from ruined cities to build a factory in the hinterlands. I thought it might be of value as you attempt to make the Bandit Lands... useful."
The big man relaxed. Coolly, Bonnie the Elder declared, "the Lady of Spies should apprise the Cabinet of important actions at the earliest possible time. It is not acceptable to have a rogue actor amongst us. With that said, it is also important not to have all our resources concentrated in one place. While the Candy Kingdom has ably supported the technological growth of the Civilized Kingdoms, a separate center of gravity for research and manufacturing is indeed useful."
The slim spy gave the First-Minister a mocking little bow, eliciting an irritated grimace from Minerva. Shaking herself, the AI said, "I will accompany my granddaughter and investigate this place." Rising, Breakfast glared at Orzsebet and announced, "next item of business."
The discussion ran through lunch, with Peppermint Butler organizing a savory meal for the gathering with fresh salad, sausage stew, and a massive cake for dessert. Finally, towards the end of the day, the business got wrapped up, with the family separating to get cleaned up and dressed for Simone's homecoming party.
Orzsebet was in a delightful mood, as she came out of the shower, wearing a towel. Her mind, as always, was split nearly evenly down the middle, with half of her staring in bemusement at the Candy Monarch's strange home, while the other half was deep in thoughts of mischief.
More on point, her beloved master had agreed to discuss her proposal tonight. They were going to take their strange relationship to the next level.
Glancing up into the mirror, as she dried her hair, she found the plump alien standing behind her. "Orzsebet," the pillow-person greeted her. "Roselinen," the Lady of Spies responded.
Coming alongside her at the mirror, the plump woman announced, "Finn and I talked about... things..." Orzsebet frowned in puzzlement, as she thought, what things?
"I guess I don't understand why you would want this," Rosie remarked. Shaking her head, she added, "I'm a little disgusted with the male sex..." Glancing over at the skinny girl, she asked, "not even once? I... Didn't it ever feel good just a little?" Face gone red hot, Orzsebet grated, "I don't want your pity." "Well that's too bad," Rosie retorted, "because you have it anyway."
The spy cussed her, but Roselinen ignored her, remarking, "there's better ways to love and be loved, Orzsebet. Maybe you should try it." "I don't recall asking your opinion," the spy-girl muttered, as she turned away from the mirror.
Returning to her little room, the slim woman drew out yet another little black dress from her bag. To that got added a set of transparent thong-panties, a sexy push-up bra that let her nips peek out, and a pair of stockings. Her pretty boy liked stockings.
When she'd finished dressing, the slim woman went straight to the mirror and her makeup case. Red for the nails, she decided, a little shadow for the eyes.
The Lady of Spies took her time, planning on a grand entrance. Indeed, when she'd put herself together, she sat down and spent some time going over reports from her subordinates. Finally, as the clock on the wall chimed for seven o'clock, the slim woman put down the papers and reports. Cruising by the mirror one last time, she looked herself over before heading downstairs for the party.
The space was jumping, and she could hear the music even as she approached the doors. Minor nobles swirled around the room, partaking of the refreshments or dancing in the center. She was unsurprised to see that Princess Bubblegum was closeted with a klatch of her fellow thinkers, chatting about whatever heady, scientific business mattered to them.
Princess Nadia was there, sans mask and wearing a shockingly demur dress, with her newest child perched on one hip. Blargetha stood before them in a daring backless number that revealed the strange tattoo she'd received in the Coca Kingdom. She would have looked shockingly sexy if you discounted the small baby-bump she sported.
Scanning the scene, Orzsebet was unsurprised to find that her darling master had a rather full dance card. He was out on the floor, sweeping the lady of the hour around, while several others hung around near the edge of the floor, waiting their turn. Orzsebet slipped through the crowd, coming to the edge of the floor near where the King of Ooo danced with his Queen.
On the floor, Simone Mertens sighed breathily. It had been quite a while since they had a moment like this. With everything that was pulling at them, she'd come to realize just how foolish her mother's thinking really was. Men worked not because of the pleasure of it. They worked out of the very real need to support families. Men of ambition worked so their families could have more than the family next door.
She saw very little pleasure in the life they were living just now, and she said so. "She sees it now, babe," Finn sighed. "I... don't think anybody's under any illusions about what we're dealing with. I... She wants your forgiveness, but she doesn't know how to ask."
"I thought I was broken," Simone sighed. "There were moments those first few weeks, I could see the giant holes I had in my memories—things I needed to actually make a go out of living. I thought I couldn't be fixed, but now I'm starting to think I had it easy."
Finn frowned at her. Nodding, Simone chuckled, "never thought of that, did you?" With a sigh, Finn said, "didn't have idea the first, babe, s'truth."
Blowing out a breath, the Ice Queen muttered, "are you planning to give Orzsebet what she wants?" "That's kind of a strange segue," Finn retorted.
"I don't like this, Finn," Simone murmured. "I... it's too much like rape." Finn flushed, not least because of the fact that he'd done this to Blargetha. He'd been enraged at what she'd done to Hurletta, but it still felt wrong.
"It's like a rape story, babe," Finn sighed. Because of things that Betty let slip, he was conscious that was a thing with girls—that some got off on the idea of it. He didn't understand it, but he knew Orzsebet was very much in that camp.
Finn sighed, "she's asking me to do this to her, remember? I... I don't understand it myself." "She never got off," Simone burbled? Finn's blush deepened. "I don't think the FIRM really cared if female spies got their rocks off," he sighed. "Wow," Simone burbled. Pinching his ass, she said, "well, it just goes to show the risk of giving strange girls the '10' dick, Finn. Now, you have your own private stalker."
Finn's face was crimson now. What he had was a very troubled woman who, like Penny, had been a troublemaker existing on the edge of his world. Unlike with Penny, there was a chance to change course and make something better of their relationship. Spying Orzsebet's pretty face watching them from the crowd, Finn tensed. Stalker indeed!
Breaking contact, Finn kissed Simone, whispering, "my stalker's here. I'm... I'mma go take care of this." Nodding, Simone kissed him back before turning and striding across the room to where her mother stood. Before she'd made it ten feet, Orzsebet was making her move.
Finn turned from watching Simone's bountiful bottom wig-wagging across the dance-floor to find his Evil Mistress (tm) approaching. Before he could say a word, the slim spy-girl had her hot little body pressed against him and her lips glued to his. The way Orzsebet kissed him told something about where her mind was.
Finn really couldn't help grabbing a handful of that round little bottom of hers. "Mmm, beloved," breathed the slutty spy-girl. Finn grabbed a handful of her dark hair and pulled her lips back to his.
Taking Orzsebet in his arms, the big man began to sweep her around the dance-floor, conscious of the disappointed looks on several faces around the room. While he danced with the Lady of Spies, his mind shuffled the deck on his dance-card. He'd honestly never danced with Strudel. She'd been sort of in the background, behind Breakfast and Toast. He'd have to start remembering that she needed attention too.
Laying her head against his shoulder, Orzsebet murmured, "will you give me your favor?" She'd been dancing around this for a while, hinting at what she wanted. Now, the time had come to simply ask.
"No," Finn responded. He'd been thinking about this too. He'd been in a terrible rage at Blargetha. He'd been perilously close to murdering her, in spite of his words to Hurletta. If he had the moment back, he wouldn't have chosen to torture an acquaintance he'd known since he was a kid. He certainly wasn't going to embed a demon-seed in the chest of a woman who'd professed to love him.
Stepping back, she glared at him. Taking her by the shoulder, Finn jerked the nasty bitch back into his arms. "You don't understand what a relationship is, pretty baby," he whispered. The tone of his voice made the Lady of Spies shiver. "Complacency kills affairs like these. Sometimes we need the doubt to carry on."
Straightening, the skinny girl stared at him in abject puzzlement. "You'll doubt me, sometimes, Orzsebet," Finn murmured. "Sometimes, I'll have cause to distrust you. We'll work through those moments to preserve what we value. You want to short-circuit those painful moments—to cheat things with threats and coercion—but that never works. It just leads to resentment."
Kissing her soft lips, the big man murmured, "I need to doubt you. It'll make me work to earn your loyalty. You need to earn my trust. You need temptation to remind you of the value of what you already have."
Orzsebet's jaw came unhinged, and she stared at him a moment. Then, as if a cloud had been blown away, her expression brightened, and she kissed him back, grinding her hips against his.
A part of him wanted to take her off somewhere and fuck her. Young again, with that hot little ass and her face done up just-so, she excited him. The kernel of wisdom that recognized tonight was supposed to be about his wives shouted down the thirst. He had a full dance-card to get through.
As they began to dance again, Orzsebet murmured, "there's things you're not considering, beloved." "Oh," he queried? "A mark of your favor...," she sighed. "It... secures me against the games of others." The Committee. She meant the fucking Committee. Ever since he'd learned of the discussion where they'd considered having Orzsebet raped to spite him, he'd been considering hiring some of Cherry's dudes to go take care of the Committee.
Pulling her close, the big man put that big, big right hand on her ass, slipping it up under her skirt for good measure. Nibbling at her ear, Finn whispered, "have you considered that this moment is already a sign of the King's favor? Everyone in this room sees that Orzsebet is the King's woman, whatever else she is."
On the far side of the room, Bonnie the Younger slipped up beside her sister, finding Fionna tap-tapping her foot in time with the music, looking like they hadn't had a confrontation. Fionna looked as though life couldn't be better, in fact.
Bonnie's eyes followed Fionna's to the middle of the dance-floor, where she found their father dancing cheek to cheek with his Informer, his left hand on the small of her back. If that wasn't enough, he clearly had his right hand under the back of her skirt, resting on her ass possessively.
"Weird," Bonnie murmured. Fionna chuckled. Shaking her head, she responded, "you lived in a nice place where people took stuff slow and girls didn't give it up until they were married."
Bonnie's face whipped around to her sister. "She gave it up pretty early," Fionna murmured. "That stuff kinda' messes up your head. She never had a guy who cared enough to get her off too." Smiling at her big sister's shock, Fionna murmured, "daddy was just another dude, but..." "...she fell in love," Bonnie burbled.
Changing the subject, Bonnie murmured, "are you mad at me?" "You did what I would have done if I was being rational," New Fionna retorted. "I don't have the chops right now. I need to get down to the Nuke Fuel tunnel and put the stone back to sleep, so I'm no longer sharing energy with it."
"I promise I'll do a good job," Bonnie murmured. "Sis," Fionna interrupted. "You've been carrying your weight. I'm proud of you." Fionna's hand clutched hers. Bonnie felt her face go warm. While she loved Jay, she'd always wanted a sister like this. Now she had three.
And the Finn Crew is back in the saddle. Avoid stalkers. Never give a random girl the 10 dick unless you want to marry her!