Reflections
“You two have grown quite close,” Velena observes, suddenly changing the direction of the conversation. It takes Callie a long minute to understand who she might be referring to - she supposes most people would think her relationships with Calvin and Junivere both were quite close. Callie tosses another wave and smile at a cheering onlooker to their procession, noticing Velena facing towards Junivere walking ahead of them.
“She’s been a really helpful guide,” Callie responds, hoping her face doesn’t flush too much as she recalls Junivere’s many “helpful” moments. “I honestly don’t know what I would do without her here.”
“That’s good to hear,” Velena nods slowly. She looks around at the barricade of knights shielding them from the crowd as their march continues.
“I’m even starting to learn how to administer blessings the way she does,” Callie adds. She notices Velena’s eyebrows raise perceptively, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. “Not like that,” Callie whispers, laughing a little. “I meant the more effortless ones.”
“Call them what you may,” Velena smirks. “I was simply remarking that your friendship now would have been unthinkable in her first week here.”
“Yeah,” Callie blows a kiss at a woman in a window above them, enjoying the way her eyes widen excitedly when she notices it's directed at her. She’s grown more used to the adoration from Solva’s public. While a small part of her still resents the loss of her anonymity and the safety it could provide, Callie’s budding sense of self-confidence was beginning to thrive on the attention, soaking it in and learning how to use the charms of celebrity to play the game more effectively. Supposedly, Junivere had also been shy when she began and grew more confident over time, but Callie never fully believes her.
“How close are the two of you?” Velena asks after a moment. There’s something behind her voice, but Callie can’t quite read what it is.
“Close,” she replies. “She’s probably my closest friend here.”
Callie notices a small expression flash through Velena’s face, clearly attempting to keep her feelings hidden, though Callie isn’t sure why. Velena was often like this, gaining information sublty and trying to understand the dynamics at play around her. After most appearances, Velena was likely to ask her a series of probing questions about her interactions, always listening with a thoughtful but restrained expression. Callie had learned not to think much of it. As a Magister, and effectively Callie’s political coach, she figures Velena is simply doing her job. When Velena asks about Junivere however, Callie generally tries to only share what is necessary, assuming her fellow Devotia would appreciate the discretion.
“Any updates about Lord Ciron?” Callie asks, shifting the conversation to avoid further questions.
“He’s interested,” Velena confirms, her energy changing as well. “I know he’s been traveling for the past week or two, so it’s no guarantee he will make an appearance today. Hopefully a meeting with a Devotia is enough to coax him out.”
“Thank you. I hope he shows.”
While Velena had initially resisted Callie’s attempts to find Mykah a benefactor for the Mage’s college, her persistence eventually wore the Magister down. They’d assembled a shortlist of nobles who were known to provide donations to the college, hoping one could be convinced to direct their donation to a patronage instead. Lord Ciron was one of the lowest on the list, not particularly known for much other than being soft-spoken, but Callie remains optimistic at least for Mykah’s benefit.
“I would provide you more guidance for negotiating with him,” Velena sighs, gazing at the entrance to the Hill District and appreciating the crowds being left behind at its gate, “but few know much about Ciron at all. He keeps to himself more than most.”
“Understood,” Callie nods. She stops walking for a moment, taking Velena’s hand in her own and saying, “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course, hal Devotia,” she smiles politely, halting her own walk and standing next to her. She allows Junivere to keep walking a bit further ahead, and Callie can feel a strange aura around Velena return. “Please give hal Devotia space to work during the banquet. It is important you’re both able to accomplish your goals.”
Callie inclines her head in affirmation, hiding the confusion bubbling inside of her. Does Junivere have some objective I didn’t know about? Why would she keep it from me?
“Shall we?” Callie extends her hand a moment later, gesturing for them to stroll into the gates of the Ramquet Villa, where they would be expected.
“Upon your lead, hal Devotia,” Velena accepts, strolling between the large marble columns at the threshold of the property.
Callie rolls her shoulders and takes a breath, preparing herself to once again be thrown into the delicate maneuvers of the dreaded game of nobility.
– – –
Ramquet Villa, so named after Lady Ramquet who lived there, isn’t nearly the most spectacular home Callie has entered as Devotia. As far as properties in the Hill District, it feels significantly smaller, less dedicated to extravagance. However, its primary claim to fame is its massive observatory, a domed building that brings in light from the sun and fractured it through massive prisms, sending colorful refracting beams all across the dome to magnificent effect. Mages move the prisms around, changing sizes and shifting them to create spectacular light displays, and it is easily one of the most awe-inspiring things Callie has ever witnessed.
Much of the banquet was typical before the main event. Callie spends her time in the gardens surrounded by eager nobles who all hope to bend her ear, earn her favor, and acquire blessings that would make them the envy of their peers for a few weeks. Callie plays hard to get, having learned her lesson from her first banquet and developing in the arts of deflection, flattery, and teasing. She keeps the nobles around her enraptured but very rarely gives them anything in return. Meanwhile, her head remains on a carefully disguised swivel, searching to see if Lord Ciron has actually managed to arrive.
Junivere is also far more tame than her first banquet in Solva, no longer reclining and allowing nobles to serve her needs. Like Callie, she floats from group to group, engaging in small talk and careful politic, earning the effortless admiration of her onlookers. They balance each other well as twin Devotia, Callie often thinks to herself. While she is more quiet and approachable, Junivere is more commanding and inspiring, and the two styles pair well together.
What is she trying to accomplish? Callie wonders again, seeing her fellow Devotia earn a peel of laughter from her group. And why wouldn’t she tell me about it?
When time arrives for the grand light show, Lady Ramquet gathers them into the observatory. The dome shields the crowd from the midday sun as she pontificates about the majesty the group was about to witness. She’s surprisingly theological, Callie notices, apparently drawing some symbolism from the prisms refracting the light to the way Devotia direct Suul’s blessings towards Solva. Lady Ramquet speaks for the entirety of the performance, her voice echoing angelically from the center platform that Callie and Junivere have been invited to join her upon.
“-to fathom even our meager and oft quarrelsome devotion as holy…” Ramquet continues as the room lights up with flashes of blue and purple light. “Suul’s rays touch the largest and the smallest, illuminating even through the dark of night!”
Callie largely ignores Ramquet in the same way that she tunes out of most services she’s invited to at the Cathedral. So much of it feels flowery and overdone, and Callie heard enough preaching like that in Rookwell. Instead, she lets herself marvel at the spectacular colors, watching as they fill the atmosphere of the room. With each shift, it's as though the temperature changes in the room to match it, creating a magical sensory experience. The room warms as the observatory shines a soft amber color, providing a comfortable relief in contrast to the chill blue.
The entire spectacle continues for nearly half of an hour, and after a few minutes Callie elects to lay down on the ground and stare up at the dome, following the example of many nobles in the room who were doing the same. Laying down on the cool marble, Callie rests her head to stare at a place away from the prisms itself, instead focusing on the patterns projected onto the walls. She easily falls into a trance-like state of meditation, her attention captivated by the soothing array of colors, enjoying the ways they danced and fought against one another. A bright yellow might suddenly display against blue, clashing initially before it faded into a gentle green and providing a surprising amount of catharsis.
She hardly even notices falling asleep until Junivere lightly shakes her awake. Callie rouses calmly, feeling her body hold tight to the comfortable clutches of rest and wishing to return. She sits up, stretching slowly and embracing the satisfied feeling inside of herself, while in the backgrounds of her mind some dream she must’ve been having timidly fades away past her working memory.
“Enjoyed the show?” Junivere asks quietly, a pleasant smile on her face.
Callie exhales contentedly. “Yeah. I think I did.”
Junivere giggles as Callie returns to the waking world. She’s fairly used to waking up next to her fellow Devotia, who so often arose before her. In Junivere’s bed, Callie sleeps better than she has in most places she’s been, enjoying the warmth of another body beside her and a companion against the loneliness of the night. Even here, so far away from her own bed, the gentle scent of Junivere’s perfume and her natural odor make Callie want to lay back into her arms and return to sleep.
Ramquet leads most of the party out of the observatory, quiet and reflective, eager to partake in the next round of festivities. A few others rouse slower, similarly held in a state of meditation, and when they arise Callie can see a gentle sense of wonder spread across their faces.
“I told them not to wake you,” Junivere says, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. “I even implied you might be communing with Suul in your dreams. Lady Ramquet nearly combusted with excitement.”
Callie laughs. “I’ll be sure to make up some message from Suul to pass along to her. Maybe something about speaking less in the observatory.”
Junivere’s giggle echoes through the dome as the final few nobles leave. “We should probably return to the party. Do you need a second?”
Callie nods, stretching her arms wide once again and reveling in the warm feeling in her muscles. Junivere places a small kiss on the top of her head, strolling out of the room and leaving her to wake up more.
It isn’t until Junivere exits that Callie realizes she isn’t alone in the room. One noble remains, sitting quietly against the far wall and resting comfortably. Callie stands, rolling her shoulders and wishing the observatory had a softer place to lay than a marble platform. Nodding politely to him she makes for the exit of the room.
“Please, stay,” the noble calls out, his voice soft and low. After a moment he respectfully adds, “Hal Devotia.”
“Is there something I can help you with, my Lord?” she replies using the cheery tone she often employs around nobility.
He stands, approaching her timidly and inclining his head. “I was hoping to speak to you.”
Callie lays open her hands out to him, inviting him to continue. She’s fairly accustomed to being approached like this by now. Some nobles felt their matters were too private, or their requests too publicly embarrassing, and it wasn’t uncommon to be asked to speak away from a crowd, though typically they like to remain near enough to others to avoid scandal.
He takes a moment to prepare his words, starting and stopping a few sentences. Callie notices that he’s rather young to be a Lord, perhaps a year younger than she is. The young man looks around twenty-two, with long, golden hair pulled back into a tight, braided bun. He has high cheekbones with nervous blue eyes and seems fairly quiet and reserved.
“I just returned from a visit to Fairmill,” he says a few moments later, awkwardly deflecting from the thing he seems to want to say. “The weather was quite lovely in the vineyards.”
“I’ve heard it's delightful,” Callie agrees.
“Have you ever been?”
“I have not.”
“It’s very nice,” he confirms once again. He pauses for a moment, clearing his throat and staring down at the floor. After a long breath, he says, “I have something I want to ask you but I can’t seem to.”
“That’s okay,” Callie says gently. “Perhaps we can discuss something else until you’re ready?”
He nods, appreciative. “Did you enjoy the display?” He gestures towards the room around them.
“I did,” she smiles warmly. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“My aunt spent years having it designed. I think she sees it as her crowning gift to Suul, a cathedral of light.”
“Your aunt?” Callie thinks for a moment, realizing he means Lady Ramquet. “You’re Lord Ciron,” she says suddenly. Ciron nods, a light smile on his soft face. “Apologies for not recognizing you.”
“It’s fine,” he waves away her concern. “Most people don’t. They’re expecting me to look more like my father, but I don’t really bear his resemblance much.”
“I actually had something I wanted to ask of you,” Callie feels her excitement return. It’s been a week since she’s seen Mykah and she’s hoping to summon him soon with good news. “An associate of mine is seeking a patron to attend the college.”
“A mage?” Ciron asks and Callie smiles in confirmation. He steps back and leans against the wall. “I don’t really know much about the college.”
“That is more than alright, my associate is a highly gifted mage. He simply lacks the resources to pay to enter it.” She can feel his skeptical mind and adds, “I’ve known him for years. Even my fellow Devotia has remarked at how talented he is.”
Ciron is quiet for a long moment, unsure of the request. According to Velena, Ciron’s parents were killed when a storm collapsed a bridge in Dralm on their way home from a vacation. He’d inherited their wealth and elected to move in with his aunt, Lady Ramquet, rather than run a household solo. From what Callie knew, he had more than enough money to be a benefactor for Mykah, though he was known not to spend much of it.
“Perhaps we can help each other,” Callie says, stepping slightly closer and placing a delightful grin on her face. “You wanted to ask me something…”
Ciron’s face flushes and he looks away again nervously. Callie’s enthusiasm bubbles happily inside knowing that her charm could be easily irresistible, especially to people like Ciron who might be too timid to otherwise state their desires. He struggles to meet her gaze, holding his hands together and shifting awkwardly in place.
“I’d heard a rumor…” he begins, his words failing him a second later.
Callie steps forward, entering into his space and placing a hand against the wall to let herself hover over him slightly. She’s taller than him, but only by an inch or two. “Allow me to answer it,” she whispers, smirking at his bright red face, “I am just as good at that as people say.”
Ciron clears his throat, desperately trying not to meet her eyes. “Not that,” he squeaks, pressing back into the wall a little more.
Callie giggles mischievously. “Very well. Is there something else you might desire?”
“I… I’m sorry if this is wrong,” he begins cautiously, “but I heard, um, that…”
“Yes?”
“I heard that you’re threaded…”
Callie stops in her tracks slightly. Two months ago, this might’ve been one of her biggest nightmares, to be suddenly confronted with someone knowing her secret. But now, having gained safety and the confidence that comes with no longer being an outcast, she finds it mildly amusing. Few people knew about this fact and she immediately wonders where his hopes and desires were leading him. A small part of Callie delights in the notion that she might get to try something new.
“I am,” she nods.
A small wave of relief crosses over his cute face, and Callie soaks up the timid look in his eyes. Part of her is already beginning to hunger at what she might get to do with him, imagining what his shy face might look like when he calls out to her in desperation.
“I want t-to…” Ciron’s voice trails off again momentarily.
She places a hand against his cheek, running her thumb over his cheekbone slowly and seductively. “If you’d like, I can tell you what I would want to do to you.”
To her surprise, Ciron shakes his head quickly. A little disappointed, Callie accepts his reservation, pulling back slightly and lowering her hand patiently. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and forcing the words out of himself.
“I want to be like you,” he blurts out.
“Oh,” Callie replies, taking a moment to understand what he means. She steps back, taking in his request and slowly realizing the situation.
He shakes his head again, looking back down to the floor. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Callie’s face lights up quickly, adjusting course. She takes Ciron’s hands, holding her skin softly. “No, no it’s okay! I just was expecting you to say something completely different.” She takes a deep breath, looking at the noble before her and smiling. “You’ll make a very pretty girl,” she says happily.
Ciron’s face beams, and she finally makes eye contact with Callie. “I need your help, though.”
“Of course,” Callie nods excitedly. “I’ll help however I can.”
Ciron’s chest expands and falls, pushing away the nervous tension with finally admitting something important about oneself. Callie knows the feeling well, especially with how much she’d have to overcome to realize it in Rookwell.
“Lady Ramquet… she’s…” Ciron sighs, abandoning politeness. “She’s one of the few people pushing to make it illegal. She sees it as a rejection of Suul’s creation.”
“That isn’t what Suul is about,” Callie says firmly, her brow lowering to indicate her seriousness. She meets Ciron’s gaze, trying to communicate her support. “I’m proof of that. Suul chose me.”
Ciron nods gratefully. “Thanks. I’ll be fine after I do it, I have plenty of money to start my own home.”
“Then what’s the problem?” She asks sincerely. “I’d assume with your connections it should be easy.”
“My aunt has been blocking my efforts to meet with mages at the college,” she explains, “There’s a professor that specializes in this but she’s trapped her somehow and made her unable to work with me.”
Callie’s eyes widen, a delighted warmth washing over her face. “I can help you.” She shakes her head in mild disbelief. “The mage who I’m trying to get into the college, I know him from my hometown. He had to flee because he’s the one who performed my threading!”
Ciron’s face shines with disbelief as well. “So if I get him into the college…”
“Forget that for now,” she waves away her negotiation. “Mykah will help you either way. If you can help him in return, that’s great, but let’s get your threaded first.”
“Wow,” Ciron grins, ecstatic and amazed. “This is happening.”
“This is happening,” Callie takes the girl by her shoulders. “We’re going to make this work.”
“Thank you,” Ciron says, tears of relief forming in her eyes.
Callie pulls her into a hug, embracing her the way she wished someone had held her in Rookwell. “I’ll get in touch with him. You focus on staying safe and preparing your own home. If anyone, and I mean anyone gets in your way, reach out to me and I will make sure they never receive a blessing ever again.”
– – –
It takes a little under a week to find a way to see Mykah again. While Callie technically has full control over who she does and does not summon, it often feels like Velena sees her as a Devotia under probation, still training to earn the full responsibilities of the position. Most of her summons were selected by Velena, with a few scattered ones that Callie deliberately requests, but if the Magister suspects they are too personal to her then she often furrows her brow and drags her feet.
Another visit to the Fleeting Fox is quickly rejected, as is any other meeting place outside of the villa. But, after a significant amount of protest and her own lecture about the need to be trusted with the responsibility she already wields, Callie finally gets her way. She sends along a very brief note to both Ciron and Mykah, summoning them both to see her at the same time.
The initial meeting is awkward as the three of them meet near a comfortable pond outside of the villa. Callie watches the little tiny fish dance in the waters, glittering softly in the bright sunlight. Ciron arrives first, anxiously strolling into the courtyard and taking a seat on the soft, mossy ground near her, trembling slightly. Callie places a hand on her shoulder, smiling to encourage her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Ciron shakes her head quickly, her blonde hair bouncing in its tight bun. “This is a mistake,” her eyes are full of something slightly deeper than fear, “I shouldn’t have come here.”
“Yes, yes you should have,” Callie grabs her hand and holds the nervous girl in place. “I promise you’ll feel better after it’s done, but it’s okay to be scared.”
“I’m not scared,” she huffs. After a soft look of disagreement on Callie’s face Ciron looks down and quietly admits, “Fine, I’m scared.”
“It’s going to be okay. Do you have everything in place to move out quickly and be set up on your own? Is there anything you need from me?”
“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to have my aunt assassinated?” Ciron smiles at her timid joke. Callie laughs with her, shaking her head. “Everything should be ready.”
“Good. When Mykah gets here he can…” Callie stops, hearing another set of footsteps enter the courtyard, and turns to see Mykah strolling over to them. “There he is!”
Callie leaps up from her seat, walking over to Mykah and greeting him with a warm hug that he returns happily. Just as she pulls back from the hug, he laughs excitedly and hugs her again. “It’s fucking good to see you,” he grins.
“Right back at you,” her eyes beam.
Mykah looks behind her, noticing Ciron hovering a few feet away and raising a suspicious eyebrow. “Who’s this?” He whispers. “I thought it’d just be you and me.”
“It will be, later,” she nods, taking his hand. “I need a favor first…”
“Callie…” He pauses, letting the silence ask the rest of his question for him. They had been through so much back home and Mykah could immediately recognize her tone, usually accompanied by a risky request and a terrified attempt to break the rules somehow. Mykah sighs, unable to say no to her. “What do you need?”
“Mykah, this is Ciron,” Callie leads him over to the shy girl hiding behind her. “Ciron, this is my good friend Mykah.”
“Hello,” Ciron waves quietly.
“It’s good to meet you,” Mykah responds kindly.
“Ciron wants to be threaded, but is being blocked by a shitty family member,” Callie explains. “I told her you could help.”
Mykah takes a deep breath, staring at Callie for a long and serious moment. He looks up at the sky, dropping his eyes back to meet her after a few tense seconds. “... It’s a lot of work, Callie.”
“I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”
“I know,” he nods. “It’s not a fast process, it’ll take an hour or two.”
“We have time,” Callie confirms. “You’re my only summons this afternoon and Junivere graciously offered to take a tour of the new theater to give us space. You’re lucky she likes me now, she hates theater.”
Mykah smiles politely, turning to face Ciron for the first time. “It’s good to meet you. Are you sure you’re ready for this? It can be kinda intense magic.”
“I’m ready,” Ciron confirms, putting as much confidence into her voice as she can. Callie grins, seeing her step into her own a little more.
“And are you sure you trust me?” Mykah rubs a hand on his shoulders, massaging a knot just below his neck. “The way this magic works, most people won’t be able to undo it, but I will. That’s a lot of power to give a stranger over your fate.”
Ciron takes Callie’s hand and gives it an assured squeeze. “If she trusts you, so do I.”
“Okay,” Mykah nods, cracking his knuckles and taking a preparatory breath. “Callie, do you have a good place for it? We’ll need some access to sunlight and a comfortable place for her to lay down.”
“I had a lounge room set up for us,” Callie says. She waves them to follow her, making her way into the villa. “It’s got some wide sofas and a private balcony.”
“Perfect,” Mykah smiles. “Ciron…” He turns to the noble beside him who’s walking as though to avoid making any sound. “...uh, I guess you’ll want a new name?”
“I’ll pick after,” she replies quietly. “I want it to feel like it fits.”
“Okay, Ciron for now,” his head inclines. “How much do you know about threading? How much do I need to explain in advance?”
“I know some, but not much,” she concedes. Callie remembers the feeling well. Honestly, much of her threading with Mykah had felt like they were both winging it and she’s amazed it went so well.
“Alright, short version then.” Mykah walks beside her, using his hands to explain his points as he speaks, the way he always does. They rarely seem to stand still and Callie finds this trait endearing in her friend. “I won’t be able to change many basic traits of yours: hair color and texture, eye color, birthmarks, scars, stuff like that. I’m sure there’s more experienced mages who could, and they could probably help you later. I can change most other things, though they are somewhat limited by your physique already. Your height and general build are going to be pretty similar, but I shift the rest of your body to look more feminine.”
“That’s incredible,” Ciron grins, her nerves fading slightly.
“It’s pretty wicked magic,” Mykah replies happily. His voice always rises when he talks about magic and it's clear he’s both knowledgeable and passionate. “The main thing you’ll need to decide is how feminine you want your body to be, cause I can still preserve some muscle density and stuff if you want to still have some masculine aspects.”
“None of it,” Ciron replies quickly. “Full feminine please.”
Mykah’s face turns slightly red as he continues, breaking away from looking at Ciron. “Lastly… ahem… you’ll have to decide if you want to keep… um, it.” He clears his throat, adding, “I can make the change, but it’ll add a lot more time to the procedure and it’ll hurt a lot more. It’s really sensitive skin.”
Callie’s face warms as well, walking ahead of them and opening the door to the lounge room. She invites them inside, seeing a comfortable sofa placed out onto the balcony ahead of them and following them as they sit down. Ciron seems equally embarrassed, her own face bright pink, and she looks down at the floor nervously for a few breaths.
“I’m sorry that it’s such a private question,” Mykah acknowledges. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary.”
“It’s okay,” Ciron squeaks. She takes a deep breath, turning to Callie and asking, “What… what did you choose?”
Normally, Callie didn’t love answering the question. Both Junivere and Mira had asked her why she’d made that choice in spare moments and she’d deflected with an answer about it being easier. But, inside Callie knows that isn’t the full answer. In reality, it had just felt right. She’d spent tons of time wondering about what it’d be like if things were different down there, but especially as Callie has stepped into her own sexuality, she loved what it could do.
“I kept it,” she confirms, smiling and trying to hide the little wisps of embarrassment that bubble in her stomach.
“How… how did you decide?”
Callie takes a breath, looking out over the balcony and trying to find the right words. She wants to say something about it feeling in tune for her body, it being a heavy decision that took ages to wrestle with. But, inside she knows the answer is a bit more simple and she pushes away her shame to reply:
“I just think it’s hot.”
“Oh,” Ciron’s face flushes fully. She fidgets in her seat and Callie can see a variety of thoughts flash through her head that are easily recognizable.
She places a hand on the girl’s knee, leaning in and muttering in her ears. “It can be very exciting…” Callie soaks up the nervous excitement on Ciron’s face, enjoying the way she could tell the noblewoman’s pants must be a bit tighter than before.
“I didn’t know other people felt that way,” Ciron says quietly.
“You should see the looks on people’s faces when they find out,” Callie mewls, her own lust on full display. “I can confirm that plenty of people feel that way.”
“Okay,” Ciron bubbles happily. She turns to Mykah and responds, “I’ll keep it.”
Mykah nods, standing a few feet away from him and stretching. He pulls his legs back, teasing out the tightness in his quads before bending at the hip to touch his toes. He massages his wrists and forearms, grabbing a pillow and placing it at the base of the sofa.
“Go ahead and lie on your back,” he tells Ciron. “Get as comfortable as you can, you’ll need to stay pretty still for the next while.” Ciron nods, laying down and shifting until she feels settled. Mykah turns to Callie, “Feel free to watch if you want. Unless we need someone to cover us? How illegal is what we’re doing right now?”
“Not at all,” Callie smiles. “It’ll maybe cause some people to talk and gossip about me for aiding this, but I don’t care about that. We’re way safer than in Rookwell and I can handle people talking.”
“Good shit,” Mykah confirms, kneeling down beside the couch.
Taking one last final deep breath, Mykah holds out his left hand over Ciron’s chest and lets it hover about half of a foot above her skin. His fingers move slowly and independently, dangling like a spider dropping down from a web. With his right hand, he makes a pinching gesture, raising it to the beams of light around them and plucking a strand out of the air. The light condenses, turning into a long, golden thread that glows and sparkles with energy. With a motion that is remarkably similar to guiding a needle through a stitch, Mykah scoops his pinched hand down towards Ciron’s body, pulling the magical strand through her skin. The motion is quickly followed by another, weaving the next strand into a place less than an inch below where the previous thread landed.
The process continues like that for a while, left hand dangling and glowing to solidify the strands that the right hand directs in. Mykah moves fluidly and skillfully, working his way across her different limbs and ensuring that each thread falls just below the previous one. Ciron twitches occasionally and Callie knows that it isn’t the most pleasant experience. Each thread burns initially before fading into an itchy tingle as successive ones are weaved in.
“Deep breath on this one,” Mykah coaches, pulling a strand through Ciron’s lower neck. She obeys, exhaling a tight hiss as the burning magic slowly cools. “Well done. There’s going to be a few more just like that, and they’ll hurt slightly more now that your body is in a little bit of shock. Just keep breathing when I tell you; you’re doing great.”
Ciron nods as more threads follow, and Callie is impressed by her ability to maintain her composure as the pain builds. Mykah continues up the neck, slowly weaving thinner bands into her chin and jawline that Callie knows will remove the little bits of beard the girl can grow. She smiles, shifting in her own cushion on the floor and imagining the look on Ciron’s face when she realizes how much smoother her skin is now.
The changes are slow and nearly impossible to detect in the moment. No individual thread seems to change very much, but over time the differences are noticeable. Ciron’s hips lower slightly and fill out more, her legs tone and become a little more lanky than before. Her waist narrows by an inch or two, followed soon after by her arms losing some of their width. Ciron’s chest won’t be particularly large either, Callie notices, but by this point she’d grown fairly content with her own meager breasts and suspects Ciron will enjoy it as well. It was certainly better than none.
Ciron’s face changes the most. Her cheeks round out and highlight her high cheekbones, which used to be a rigid and rough feature but now looks elegant and distinguished. Her eyebrows sharpen slightly as well and her brow softens. Mykah leaves her nose as it is, already fitting in well with the rest of her features, and Callie is surprised by how abundantly cute Ciron’s already lovely face becomes.
Ciron’s threading takes more time than Callie remembers her own taking, though she isn’t sure if that means her features were easier to work with or if being the person undergoing threading made time seem fuzzier. It takes nearly two hours to complete the task, and by the end of it the shadows in the room have grown longer and Mykah’s face more tired. He drops his shoulders as it ends, smiling brightly and wiping the sweat off of his forehead.
“Now, sit up very slowly,” he says to Ciron, letting her use his arm as a support. “It’s going to feel a little tight for a few minutes, but the burning feeling should subside quickly now that it’s over.” His eyes flick across her new form, glowing faintly as the immediate magic fades, searching for any potential mistakes or things that need fixing. Satisfied, he grins and says, “Welcome to your new self.”
Callie throws Ciron into a warm hug, pulling her towards a wall in the room where she had brought a mirror in for them. She steers the girl over, holding her hands over her eyes and only releasing them when she’s in full view of the glass.
“Wow…” Ciron mutters, awestruck and baffled. She touches the mirror, and then the same spot in her face to confirm that the changes were real. “I’d had dreams where this happened… but…”
“It’s so much better once it’s real,” Callie smirks. She looks over the girl’s reflection, hovering at her shoulders and taking in her new form. “Not fair,” she calls back to Mykah, giggling happily, “you made her prettier than me.”
Mykah snorts and lets out a bark of laughter. “I think you’d just have to accept she was always going to be prettier than you.”
Ciron sighs contentedly, stepping closer to the mirror and tugging at her clothes, loving the way they fit her so differently than before. She scours over every new curve and line on her body, touching and grabbing every piece with a bright glimmer in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she turns to Callie quickly, repeating it in Mykah’s direction again. “I… I don’t know what to say other than that… It’s incredible. I feel incredible.”
“We’re happy to help.” Callie hugs her again. “Do you have any idea what you want your new name to be?”
Ciron faces the mirror again, gazing at it a while before shrugging. Her eyes meet Callie’s through the reflection and she asks, “Would you name me?”
“Cirene,” Callie says quickly. She’s surprised the name falls out of her tongue so quickly but once she sees the girl’s wide grin she knows it fits.
“Cirene,” she repeats, hearing the words exit her newly feminine voice. “Cirene…. I love it.”
“Welcome back to the world, Cirene,” Mykah calls over to them, tired and satisfied. He plops down onto the sofa, having his feet fall over one of the armrests and letting out a proud exhale.
Cirene can hardly erase the smile from her lips and she strolls back over to Mykah, loving the slightly different way her body moves, hips swaying a little with each step. She’s a little clumsy, but it’s clear her grace will develop quickly.
“I want to be your patron,” she says quickly.
“What?” Mykah sits up suddenly, eyes darting between Cirene and Callie rapidly. “You’re serious?”
“Did I forget to mention?” Callie smirks, delighted she kept the secret from him to see his surprise.
“I have the money,” Cirene repeats, still giddy with delight. “Callie told me to wait to tell you, but she said you were gifted and, well…” She gestures down to her own form. “Clearly you are. You could do incredible things at the college.”
“No way,” Mykah shakes his head, hardly able to believe his luck. He waves a finger at Callie, smirking, “You said you’d find a way, and I don’t think I believed you. You’re serious?” He asks one last time.
“Completely,” Cirene smiles.
Mykah jumps up and hugs her tightly, his exhaustion quickly replaced by excitement. He throws an arm around Callie as well, laughing in disbelief.
After a few moments, Callie steps back and leans against one of the marble columns, facing the two with a confident and assured smile. “There’s another important aspect of business we’ll need to attend to,” she explains. “Both of you will still need to leave with blessings.”
Cirene’s face flushes brightly and Mykah lets out an incredulous breath. He shakes his head, and she wonders if he had also not believed her when she’d told him this would have to happen.
“If I may,” she says to Mykah, eyes flicking to the flustered girl beside him, “I would love to show Cirene a thing or two about her new self.”
Callie had doubted Cirene’s face could turn redder, but at her suggestion it quickly does. She shuffles in place, shifting from foot to foot and holding her elbow shyly.
“Of course,” Mykah nods, affectionately tapping his knuckles against Cirene’s shoulder.
“If you head outside,” Callie tells him, “you’ll find two priestesses, Salome and Willow, who’ll get you comfortable. Feel free to take a bath or get something to eat, I’ll be with you in a little while.”
“Have fun you two,” he grins, waving at Callie and stepping out of the room.
Now alone with Cirene, Callie feels a warmth in her chest blossom with excitement. Despite having significantly more experience than she used to, Callie hadn’t encountered another threaded girl in Solva yet, and with the cute blush across Cirene’s cheeks she’s quite excited to.
“Sit with me,” she extends a hand to Cirene, guiding her to sit on the couch next to her. The girl’s palm is slightly damp and her breaths are shallow, hardly able to maintain her composure as she takes Callie’s elbow and lowers herself onto the soft cushions.
“I can’t lie,” Callie’s voice drips with suggestion, “I’ve been looking forward to this for the whole past week.”
“Y-you have?”
Callie nods, leaning in a little closer. Callie had been with a number of shy supplicants before, but none of them excited her nearly as much as Cirene’s submissive gaze. She takes a subtle glance down at Cirene’s lap, happily seeing her bulge twitch.
“I don’t think you realize how cute you are,” Callie whispers, raising her hand to Cirene’s hair and pulling it out of its tight bun. The soft strands fall to the sides of her face and Callie brushes them out of her eyes, letting her fingers run through it affectionately. “I’m eager to show you.”
“Oh,” Cirene croaks, hands folded tightly into her lap. Her eyes dart up to Callie towering over her and she gulps quietly, mouth suddenly dry.
Callie sighs, though it’s a little bit of an act. She sits back into the couch, looking at Cirene and saying, “But I suppose this isn’t just about what I want. I’d like to know what you want.”
She hides her smirk, seeing the quiet girl retreat shyly into her own head. Callie used to be just like her, terrified of stating her desires out loud to anyone, much less ever acting upon them. As she sees the same sheepish glow on Cirene’s face, Callie builds a deeper sympathy for why Junivere enjoyed messing with her so much their first few days… It was adorable. Cirene melts immediately under the pressure, eager but unwilling to let herself admit it, desperate but unable to act upon it confidently.
“I…” Cirene tries to speak, but her words continue to fail her. Her fingers jitter nervously in her lap and she looks down, hiding the fierce blush across her cheeks.
“Perhaps I can help you,” Callie nudges, crossing one of her legs over the other and throwing an arm on the backrest of the couch, just above Cirene. “Can you answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to my questions if I ask them?”
Cirene perks up, a little confused initially but steadying. She nods, “I think so. Yes.”
“Good girl,” Callie coos, seeing the immediate burst of warmth through Cirene’s face. Her hand on the back of the sofa lowers and begins to play with the girl’s hair, twirling it between her fingers and brushing it softly. “Do you want to have sex with me?”
“Yes,” Cirene squeaks breathlessly, hardly making a sound at all.
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes.”
“Are you excited?”
“Yes.”
“You’re doing great,” Callie smiles, letting her palm rest against the back of Cirene’s head and patting it lightly. “Do you have ideas of what you want me to do to you?”
“No,” she croaks.
“Are there things you don’t want me to do to you?”
Cirene thinks for a moment, replying, “I don’t like being tickled.”
Callie giggles softly, brushing her hair once more. “That’s easy enough to avoid.” She sits a little closer, once again feeling more and more like Junivere than she cares to admit. While Callie still believes she has her own style, she does have to concede that most of it comes in imitation to her fellow Devotia. “Do you want to follow my directions?”
Cirene hardly waits to reply, quickly exhaling a breathy, “Yes.”
“Come sit on my lap,” Callie orders calmly. Cirene hesitates but she obeys, timidly lifting her hips up and setting herself down on Callie’s spreading legs. Keeping both feet on the ground Callie pulls the girl closer, ensuring her back is pressing against Callie’s chest.
“Do you want me to show you what your new body can do?”
Cirene nods, unable to speak through her quickening breaths. Callie can feel her heart pounding through her chest and she runs her hands across the top side of the girl’s thighs, rubbing them with a gentle amount of pressure. She pushes Cirene’s hips down into her lap, letting her feel Callie’s excited clit brush against her ass.
“Can you feel what you’ve done to me?” Callie exhales, her own mind racing at the thought of what she wants to do to Cirene. Her erection fights to be closer to her, aching to feel the warm and soft flesh inside of her gorgeous and round bottom.
Cirene doesn’t reply. Her ass rocks back into Callie’s lap and she shuts her eyes tightly, savoring the new sensations. Callie remembers from her own threading how different everything feels afterwards - she was so much more sensitive than before and found tons of sensations she’d used to be ambivalent about were suddenly exhilarating, especially when it came to pleasure. She can’t wait to see what cute look will decorate Cirene’s face when she realizes just how different an orgasm will feel.
“I asked you a question…” her voice drips seductively into Cirene’s ear, placing a kiss just below it. Cirene nods quickly, still struggling to piece together words. Callie’s hands drift all around her body, now rising up towards the girl’s chest. “I’m curious,” she muses, “is this your first time?”
Cirene waits for a quiet moment, seemingly fighting against herself to answer the question. A little embarrassed, she whispers, “Yes.”
Callie grins excitedly, placing a trio of kisses along her neck and ensuring that the girl feels the full impacts of each. She drops her voice slightly lower, letting it fill with mischief and suggestion. “But surely you’ve touched yourself, haven’t you?”
Cirene whimpers, nodding quietly as Callie’s hands find their way onto her breasts. She cups them softly over Cirene’s shirt, massaging them at an agonizingly slow pace and bubbling with excitement at each quiet twitch Cirene makes when Callie’s fingers flick against her hard nipples.
“Where do you like to touch yourself?”
Cirene’s breath catches in her throat, and after a tense moment she shakes her head slowly, embarrassed. Mischievously, Callie lowers her hands from Cirene’s breasts, resting them back onto her upper abdomen.
“I would love to know,” Callie adds in a sultry tone. “How else will I know what will make you squeal with delight?”
Cirene pants, aching for Callie to continue her touch that she’s now withholding. It’s exactly what Junivere loves to do to her, forcing her desperation and hunger to overcome her shame. As much as she resents it in the moment, Callie could hardly deny it was effective at making her melt into Junivere’s capable hands.
“I…” Cirene takes a deep breath, pushing through her discomfort. “I like to rub underneath my… ahem, it,” she says slowly.
“I’m quite fond of that as well,” Callie encourages, returning her hands onto Cirene’s chest and caressing the small and bouncy flesh. “Is there anything else you like to do?” Cirene holds her breath again and Callie notices it immediately. “I can tell that there is…'' she whispers lavisciously. “There’s no need to be ashamed, especially if you enjoy it.”
Cirene forces her body to relax as much as she can, occasionally moaning quietly as Callie's hands continue to feel her. “I’ll… sometimes put… I sometimes use a finger inside.”
Callie smirks happily, “And does it feel good?”
“Yes…” her chest pushes forward, following Callie’s touch.
“Is it your favorite?”
Cirene’s voice drops to a tiny whisper, cautiously replying, “...Yes.”
“It’s going to feel very different this time,” Callie hints. Her fingers pull Cirene’s nipples, eliciting an excited gasp from the girl. “There’s so much more of you to play with.” To prove her point, Callie lowers a hand and strokes the inner side of Cirene’s thigh. “You’ve at least been kissed by someone else, I’m sure.”
“I-it… it’s been a while,” she replies, fighting her aching breaths.
Encouraged, Callie raises her hand to turn Cirene’s chin around, pressing her lips against the shy girl and silencing her timid exhale. Callie slips her tongue into her mouth, slowly working it around inside and feeling her clit throb below. She’d been hoping that all of this play would make Cirene desperate for her, but if she’s honest it’s having the same effect on her. Taking the lead, Callie lets out a soft moan into her mouth, gently inviting Cirene to do the same, which she does moments later.
Without exiting the kiss, Callie continues rubbing her fingers across Cirene’s chest. With her free hand, she takes one of Cirene’s and guides it towards her lap, laying it to rest on the girl’s aching clit. Cirene sighs as Callie directs her hand to stroke the tender flesh carefully, placing enough pressure to make sure that she would soon be shaking with delight.
“Is this the spot you like?” She asks gently, leading the girl’s fingers down to her perineum.
Cirene struggles to reply, letting out a restrained gasp. Callie feels her body shiver, slowly rocking against her own hand and Callie’s clit behind her.
“Gods,” Callie mutters, locking eyes with Cirene so she could see the lust in them, “you’re so sexy.” Cirene’s eyes brighten, cheekbones shining with joy. “I can hardly control myself with you on my lap.”
Cirene whimpers again, and as Callie pulls away she smirks and says, “But maybe you don’t want me to control myself.”
Callie’s clit twitches as Cirene stares at her helplessly. Her mind is already running through a half dozen fantasies before Callie remembers she’s in control and can easily make them a reality. She grins, placing another round of kisses across Cirene’s neck and collarbone as Cirene’s clit tightens as well, aching to be free of her clothes.
“On your knees,” Callie orders happily. Cirene slowly lifts off her lap, lowering herself down to the floor. Callie clears her throat, embarrassed her directions weren’t clear enough, and nods towards the sofa, “Ahem, on your hands and knees.”
“Oh,” Cirene giggles nervously. She returns to the soft cushions, stomach facing down towards the ground as she props herself up onto her hands and knees. Callie places a warm hand on the small of Cirene’s back, pushing her chest down into the sofa and leaving her hips high in the air, knowing Cirene’s clit must be dripping wet. The girl’s cheek presses into the soft, red fabric, face tilted to look back up at Callie with an expression of pure submission.
Callie runs her hands across Cirene’s ass, loving the way that she was now at Callie’s mercy. She tucks her arms around her hips, loosening Cirene’s belt and pulling her pants down to pool at her knees, exposing her delicious pink skin. Callie kisses it happily, already smelling the musky scent of Cirene’s excitement.
“It’ll hurt for a brief moment,” Callie explains, remembering her first time with Calvin. She lifts her own skirt to pull down her panties, letting her hard clit stand at attention and brushing it between Cirene’s cheeks. “But, like your threading, that pain will quickly fade into…” She leans forward, placing a wet kiss just behind Cirene’s ear, “... heaven.”
Cirene shivers with excitement, letting out a quick and high moan. Callie turns her focus inward briefly, searching for the feeling of magic that she was slowly getting used to and pulling it forth. She knew a paltry few spells by this point, but among others she’d made Junivere teach her the spell to lubricate herself. She casts it, resting her eager clit at the opening to Cirene’s pink hole.
“Deep breath in,” Callie coaches, and as Cirene’s chest rises she pushes herself inside. Cirene groans softly at the feeling of Callie entering her but lets out a long exhale as Callie guides her. Callie slowly presses her full length inside, careful to not go too quickly, and she waits for the small trembles of pain across Cirene’s face to subside.
“Wow…” Cirene gasps. Her hips move cautiously from side to side, getting used to the feeling of being penetrated.
“If you think that’s good…” Callie mutters, sighing as she savors the warm feeling in her hips. She easily recalls the feeling she has when someone’s inside her, almost a little jealous of what Cirene was now experiencing. Callie pulls her hips away, sending shivers across Cirene’s skin as she pushes back in, developing a gentle push and pull rhythm with her.
Callie moans happily at the feeling. She’d penetrated before, but it was only with non-threaded women. Being inside Cirene’s ass was a different feeling altogether, warmer and tighter, and Callie’s clit washes with pleasure as she moves. With each push in she’s careful to angle in a way that ensures it presses against Cirene’s prostate, knowing it’d drive her wild. Cirene attempts to keep her own moans quiet, trapping them within her chest and behind tightly closed lips, but with each push against her button Callie sees its a losing battle. Callie’s mind erupts with satisfaction, delighted as Cirene finally abandons her efforts and counts it as a personal victory that the girl was quivering at her touch.
Feeling bolder, and drunk on the adorable pained expression on Cirene’s face, Callie brings a hand around the girl’s hips and wraps it onto her clit. It’s smaller than Callie’s, but it immediately stiffens at her touch and pulls a loud cry of delight from Cirene. She strokes it in a careful dance with her own thrusts so that each movement inwards pushes at the same time, forcing Cirene to squirm happily into the sofa.
“Much better than your fingers,” Callie says between heavy breaths, “isn’t it?”
“Yes!” Cirene squeals happily.
Callie quickens her motions, following the consuming pleasure in her own body with each thrust. It’s all too easy to want to drop her focus and pound the girl until she feels relief, but Callie pushes the desperation inside of herself away. It was Cirene’s first time, she reminds herself. She wanted to make it special for her.
She pauses her thrusts quickly, carefully avoiding her own need going over the edge. Callie’s hand continues its firm touch on Cirene’s clit as her own pulls out of the girl’s cute bottom, and she leans down to place a row of kisses along her back.
“Turn around,” Callie orders, trying to buy some extra time for herself. She was normally able to last longer than this, but the look on Cirene’s face was too much to resist.
Cirene obeys, eagerly twisting her body to face Callie. Her cheeks puff lightly with each rapid breath, her nose an even brighter shade of red than the rest of her face.
Callie fully removes her pants so she can grab Cirene’s ankles and lift them up over her shoulders, pulling her hips upwards and resting them back against her clit. Once the girl’s feet are secure, her hands drop to her chest, pulling her shirt up over her breasts and leaving them open for Callie’s view.
“Do you want to see mine, too?” Callie asks, grinning happily as her hand returns to stroking Cirene’s hard clit, thumb sensually flicking against the tip and swirling around her precum.
Cirene’s eyes shut tightly for a moment, feeling the sensitive member shiver with pleasure, nodding quickly. With her free hand, Callie lowers the straps on either side of her dress and lets it fall down towards her hip. She laughs, noticing the fabric pooling at her clit and only staying in place because of the erect organ. She shakes her head excitedly, electing to pull the entire dress over her head and throw it down onto the marble below.
“Eyes open,” Callie beams, leaning in to let her breasts hang over Cirene’s face.
Cirene opens her eyes, an expression of rapture quickly shining through them. “Wow…”
Callie leans in to kiss her again, grabbing Cirene’s hands and placing them on her chest. The eager girl fondles them nervously and excitedly, delighted at the novelty of the experience and heat in her own body.
Carefully, Callie lifts Cirene’s hips up once more, recasting the spell to lubricate her clit and sliding it back into her. She moans into Cirene’s mouth once again, lowering her body into hers even more and trembling at the sensation of their skin mixing together.
She returns to her thrusting, satisfied to have bought herself more time. With each push inwards Cirene’s wet and excited clit slides against her abdomen. Callie grabs each of her hands, pinning them beside her ears and smirking as the girl gasps happily.
Gods she’s submissive, Callie thinks to herself, loving the ways that Cirene becomes putty in her hands. Internally, Callie feels her mind bubble between the different sides of herself; one part loving taking control of the adorable girl while the other wishes to be her. She speeds up her thrusts, driven by the excitement of both feelings and knowing she’d have to go see Junivere later.
Callie buries her face into Cirene’s neck, sucking the pliable skin between her teeth as she struggles helplessly at the Devotia’s touch. As each kiss moves slightly lower, Callie feels a bubbling satisfaction to see each leaving a soft purple mark behind. After a few minutes of it, Cirene’s neck sports a half dozen, scattered across the tender flesh.
I’m going to make sure she thinks about this for days, Callie’s lust whispers.
“I…I…!” Cirene’ gasps, trying to form words through the waves of bliss coursing through her. She’s close, her own hips rapidly pressing into Callie’s with a terrifying need.
“Did I say you could cum?” Callie mutters mischievously, placing a soft bite behind her ear.
“Wha-,” Cirene twitches again, now trying to fight the overwhelming feeling.
“Do you want to?”
“Yes!” Cirene squeaks. Her face contorts tightly, eyelids tightly pressed down as she tries to hold back the need for release.
“I’ll think about it,” Callie smirks.
Cirene shakes her head, gasping quickly and loudly. “P-please…”
Callie kisses her again, feeling her own clit aching for release. Her body feels hot and slick, their sweat mixing together as each girl’s breasts bounce into one another. She tries to manage her panting, hoping to keep control as Cirene squirms adorably underneath her delighted body.
Before Callie can even give the order, Cirene squeals and clutches Callie tightly. Her body clenches as the orgasm consumes her, her clit erupting and shooting warm liquid onto Callie’s stomach. Callie giggles, lowering her own inhibitions and allowing her clit to overpower her as well. She makes one final effort to speed up, giving into the waves of bliss as her hips push into Cirene’s ass hungrily, filling her with her own warm fluid.
Callie continues grinding, pulling every last drop from her hips as Cirene collapses into her arms, groaning happily with each thrust. With a few final rocking movements, Callie relents, falling down onto Cirene’s chest and riding the tingling surges of pleasure that roll through her body.
Their stomachs press together, rising and falling against each other as the two of them try to catch their breaths. It takes a while for Callie, her mind fading into a distant space of rapture as she savors the hot feeling inside of her skin. She releases Cirene’s hands from being pressed down into the couch, dropping her arms behind her back and pulling Cirene into a comfortable embrace.
It takes even longer for Cirene to regain her composure, her body trembling happily as the rush of new experiences flood her senses. Callie smiles knowing that the girl must be feeling an overwhelming crash of euphoria; the rush of feeling right with her own body mixing with the delights of its new sensations mixing with the soothing and burning embers of a powerful orgasm. Once the golden tendrils of light bathe over her, gently bestowing the blessing, Callie knows Cirene must be pleasantly overcome.
“I… I’m sorry,” Cirene says quietly after a few minutes. “I didn’t mean to-,”
Callie kisses her sweetly, interrupting her nerves. “Don’t be. That was hot.”
“But you said that I wasn’t supposed to yet.”
“I wanted you to,” Callie’s hand touches her cheek. “I was just having fun playing with you. You’re unbearably adorable, Cirene,” she giggles.
“Oh,” the girl smirks, her face that had just let go of its red color flashes pink once again.
“Gods,” Callie exhales happily, smelling the intoxicating scent of sex from the two of them, “I really want to do that again with you.” She kisses Cirene again, looking at her with glittering eyes. “Do you want that?”
“Yes!” Cirene gasps quickly. Mildly embarrassed, she pulls her hands to cover her mouth.
“I’ll find time to summon you when I can,” Callie nods. She thinks for a moment, then smiles and adds, “And I’ll have to figure out how to keep Junivere from you. She’d go crazy for you.”
Cirene blushes again, looking away. Underneath her hands Callie can tell she’s unable to wipe the ecstatic and giddy smile from her mouth. After a few breaths, she says, “I don’t know how to thank you enough…”
“This was plenty,” Callie giggles.
“But I thought this was your duty that you had to do.”
“Trust me,” Callie leans in to whisper in her ear, “this was far more pleasure than duty.”
Cirene shivers excitedly. “I… I never knew it could feel like that.”
“It’s so much better, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Cirene agrees.
“My first time, I… it felt like everything finally made sense.” Callie fondly recalls Calvin’s introductory visit. She lifts off of Cirene, wiping away the cum on her chest and laying down next to her. She pulls Cirene into her arms, cuddling up next to her and running her hands through her golden hair.
“Who was your first time with?” Cirene asks timidly.
“Have you ever met Knight-Commander Calvin?”
Cirene’s face flushes as she looks away suddenly. Callie smirks, lowering a hand to the girl’s chin and turning it to meet her grin. “Mmm, you’re going to have to explain that response, miss,” she muses slyly. “Tell me.”
Cirene fights her response to hide, looking down at Callie’s neck to avoid meeting her eyes. “I’ve met him before…” she says. “We’ve spoken a few times at events.” She takes a quick breath, holding her words in her mouth carefully before quietly squeaking, “He’s very handsome.”
“I can get you a proper introduction, if you want,” Callie says without thinking. “He’d think you’re cute.”
“You… you’d do that?”
Callie pauses, suddenly realizing what she’d just implied. “Yeah…” she answers slowly, feeling a small bubbling of jealousy inside. Quickly, she searches for a reason to reject the idea but it doesn’t come. It’s not like she could say he was taken… Devotia’s weren’t supposed to have relationships and she’d basically rejected him last time they spoke. And she couldn’t just ask him not to see other people when she was actively with someone else.
Her breath freezes in her mouth and it takes effort to force it out. Callie had wondered if he was seeing other people, she’d even asked him before in a moment of anxiousness. Calvin had always replied that he wasn’t, that he didn’t find anyone as interesting as her, and she took the compliment happily. But after last time… what if he wanted to see someone else?
Callie looks away from Cirene, tilting her gaze up towards the high ceiling above. He isn’t with you, a voice says inside. Who are you to ask him not to sleep with anyone else?
Rookwell quickly bumps into her awareness. She’d pushed away the initial shame of not being loyal to Calvin and Calvin alone, finally embracing the fluidity of relationships she now embodied, but part of her never was able to drop the assumption that he would be loyal to her. She’d never asked him to, and she knew it was just a remnant of her upbringing… but a small part of her was always holding out hope that they could end up together some day, that maybe Devotia could retire and he would wait for her.
“Gods, I’ve never told anyone that,” Cirene exhales, bringing Callie back to focus. “I feel like I’ve thought about him for so long.”
Callie’s stomach churns slightly. “He’s great.”
Cirene scoots back into Callie, looking free and light and relaxed. She seems so much more comfortable in the afterglow, and Callie envies her for it. “And you’re sure he’s into threaded girls?”
“He is with me,” Callie replies absently. She’d never asked if he’d been with any others. Callie could never bring herself to ask about his other endeavors.
Cirene sighs contentedly. “I think this might be the best day of my life.”
Callie forces herself to shake away the aching feeling inside, returning to focus on the lovely girl beside her, basking in the glow of her new self. “You deserve it,” Callie smiles, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“You probably have to leave now, don’t you?”
Callie exhales a long and slow breath, sitting up from the sofa. “I suppose so.” She stretches her arms wide, trying to recompose herself.
“That makes sense,” Cirene nods, sitting up and wrapping her arms around Callie’s torso sweetly. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
“And you’ll never need to,” Callie smiles, hugging her back and kissing the top of her head.
“Can you thank Mykah again for me?” She asks, sincere and grateful. “And tell him that I’ll try and figure out how to set up the patronage as soon as I can.”
“Of course,” Callie replies, pulling Cirene’s shirt back over her breasts and reaching over to pick up her trousers from the floor.
“And if you’re serious about introducing me to the Knight-Commander…” Her voice trails off, nervous and suggestive.
“I’ll figure something out,” Callie answers. She stands and retrieves her own dress, stepping into it and pulling it up over her. She takes another deep breath, feeling the subtle burn in her muscles from the exertion and savoring the warm sensation.
“If you head down the hall,” Callie points, “you should be able to run into Civa, a priestess. She can help you get cleaned up, and I even had her pull a lovely dress from my wardrobe that should look gorgeous on you.”
“Thank you,” Cirene squeaks happily, hugging Callie a final time. Eager, she kisses the Devotia quickly before scurrying off down the hallway.
Feeling more tired already than she cared to admit, Callie exits the room as well, heading the opposite direction as Cirene, strolling towards the lounging area she was certain Mykah would be in. A small part of her still dreads the deal she’s made with Cirene, hoping that Calvin wouldn’t be interested for her sake.
Callie takes her time making her way towards Mykah, giving herself some space to reset her mind from the experience. The day feels so long already despite only being mid-afternoon, and she hopes the rest of her time with her friend will feel significantly less draining.
– – –
Callie does find Mykah in the room she was expecting, strolling in to spot him lounging happily on a balcony, feet dangling over the edge as Salome’s voice cackles across the room.
“Hal Devotia said that?” Salome giggles loudly.
“Before she was threaded she’d say shit like that all the time,” Mykah laughs easily and happily. Despite sometimes being over passionate and academic with his study, most of the time he was so cool and casual and easy to talk to. Callie is hardly surprised he and Salome hit it off so quickly. “‘Mykah, do you think anyone else feels this way?’” He imitates, hardly able to contain his glee.
Callie folds her arms and watches for a few moments, immediately recognizing the story he’s telling. She smiles a little as well, far less embarrassed than she probably would’ve been in her first days at Solva. According to Mykah, it was pretty obvious to everyone but Callie that she wanted to be threaded; and now that she wasn’t in Rookwell anymore it’s easier to accept.
“I can barely remember her being that shy,” Salome smiles with him, “After her first week or two she’s been insatiable as Devotia.”
“And I still can’t believe it,” Mykah’s warm voice bounces.
Salome gasps, delightedly recalling a piece of gossip. “Have you heard about what happened at Lady Pendele’s banquet!?”
“No,” Mykah’s eyes bulge, “but I can’t wait to.”
“I had a threesome in a hallway,” Callie calls out from behind them, startling both and nearly sending Mykah tumbling off the railing. He and Salome turn back, laughing loudly and waving her to join them. Callie struts over, leaning into a column beside them and grinning proudly. “Junivere made me jealous and so I fucked the person throwing the banquet and her husband to get back at her.”
Mykah snickers. “How is that supposed to show her up?”
“I don’t know,” Callie shakes her head, “I was all worked up.”
“I’m sure hal Devotia has been helping relieve that,” Salome giggles, eyes pointing towards Junivere’s room.
Callie smiles and feels her face flush. “Salome, would you be a dear and go assist my previous guest in cleaning up?”
“You’re just embarrassed I know how horny you are,” Salome cackles. “Of course, hal Devotia.”
“Thanks, dear,” Callie smirks. “See you at dinner later?’
Salome nods, friendly and enthusiastic. “I’ll want details,” she whispers, gesturing towards Mykah who blushes as well. Callie nods, waving her away to go pester Cirene for the juicy details of their time together. She grins, thinking about the cute blush that’ll consume Cirene’s face at how forward the priestesses are.
“Hey,” Mykah greets her at last, watching Salome exit.
“Hey,” Callie smiles back, climbing up to join him on the railing, feet hooking back into the banister to keep from falling.
“Should I even ask?” He nods back towards the priestess.
“Surprisingly not with Salome,” Callie concedes. She sighs, shaking her head in mild disbelief. “Who would’ve ever thought this would be my life?”
“Not me,” Mykah snorts. His short, dark, coily hair shines softly in the sunlight. A little bead of sweat from the heat drips across his forehead, sliding down his warm and dark brown skin. “I still remember how terrified you were to tell me that Vermelle gave you a blowjob. I swear you thought you’d be flogged on the spot.”
“It wasn’t even a good one,” Callie mutters, feeling a bit nostalgic.
Mykah grins. “How you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” Callie sighs. “Actually, I think I’m doing pretty well. I hated all of this at first, but lately it’s felt more… I’m not sure. It feels good.” She looks over, seeing the knowing gleam in his eyes. “And yes, I do enjoy the sex.”
“I’ll bet.” He rocks back and forth slightly, enjoying the cool breeze that rustles their clothes. “Other than the job, what’s big in your life these days?”
“A lot, I guess. This is weird,” she sighs, “I’m so used to you always being the first person I tell things to.”
“I miss that,” he places a hand on hers, squeezing it lightly. “Tell me about your partner, the other Devotia. What’s her deal?”
“Junivere,” Callie confirms. “She’s intense. First few days she was here, we hated each other so much. But, when she accidently found out I was threaded…” she sees his face and quickly says, “long story… Anyway, she softened a bit after that. She’s been Devotia for seven years or so, so she’s been guiding me on how to survive and do well.”
“Seems cool.”
“Yeah,” Callie smiles politely. “It’s… it’s pretty lonely sometimes. Everyone has to keep their distance and we can’t let them in very often. Junivere is pretty much the only person I can really spend as much time as I want with and not have it cause a scandal.”
“Gods that sucks,” Mykah shakes his head.
“It’d be terrible without her. But, I’m so grateful she’s here.” She lets a mischievous smile decorate her face, turning to him and adding, “She’s a big part of why I’m so comfortable being physical now.”
Mykah laughs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Now that’s got to be a scandal.”
“You’d think,” Callie grins. “Obviously don’t tell people that.”
“Secret is safe with me,” he places a hand on his heart. “Speaking of secrets, I hear you’ve got a boyfriend.”
“Don’t even get me started,” she sighs, lowering her head into her hands. “That one is so complicated now.” Thankfully, Mykah elects not to pry, giving her a moment to collect herself. “What about you? What’ve you been up to?”
“After we left Rookwell,” he begins, his hand waving to follow his story, “I hid out in the woods for a while. You remember that my dad used to teach me that shit, so I was pretty comfortable for a few days. Found a nice cave, hunted some rabbits, made a stew, it was good.”
“What then?”
“You know me,” he grins, “I gotta be around people. I figured I couldn’t go back home, so I made my way slowly down towards Daymare, doing some odd jobs for a little while.”
There weren’t many mages in that part of the country, so Callie figures it wouldn’t have been too difficult for Mykah to find work. Most people could find the capacity with training to bust out a few weak spells, but Mykah had learned about his gifts early. His mother loved it, shielding him from all the scorn of people who didn’t trust magic and getting him access to any and every spellbook she could. He was a quick study, picking up spells like it was breathing, and occasionally he’d bum little bits of knowledge from visiting merchants or people he could pester in a tavern.
“Eventually, I ran into Quimere by accident,” he continues, fondly recalling the beloved merchant. “She said my folks were going good, missing me a bit but generally supportive. And she said she sent you to Solva and that I should head there, too.”
“Gods I love that woman.”
“Me too,” Mykah nods. “So I came here. I’ve been working at the threadforge when I can, saving up to see if I can get mom and dad to move here with me.”
“Ask Cirene when you see her next time,” Callie smiles, “She’s really eager to help and I’d bet she’d send for your parents.”
“Perfect,” he agrees. “But that’s been my time.”
Callie nods as well, grateful to be near him again. A few long, quiet moments pass between them as she stares out onto the busy city below, savoring the brick rooftops and bustling streets.
“My first days here,” she tells him, “the only thing that really kept me going was what you said to me when we left. ‘It’s worth it to me,’ you said over and over again.” She sighs, feeling a bit more somber than before. “Everytime I hid behind a streetcart or deflected awkward questions I thought about that.”
“It is worth it to me,” he says, brow furrowing seriously and hand resting on top of hers.
“Thanks,” she says. Behind her eyes, Callie can feel the capacity to cry hover in her head; not rushing forward, but simply reminding herself how much she cared. “... I still don’t know how to say thank you.”
“You don’t need to.”
Callie lets out a sad and sweet laugh. “I just told that to Cirene and I don’t even believe it. I feel like I’ll always owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I’d do it again in an instant.”
“Why did you do it?”
He thinks for a second. “Because I care about you.”
“You risked everything for me,” Callie lowers her head, feeling the water behind her eyes build up a little more.
Suddenly, Mykah’s hand rests against her cheek, pulling her into a quick and soft kiss. Surprised and confused, Callie feels herself revent into habit, remaining in the kiss for as long as Mykah holds it; feeling her skin warm and heartbeat echo in her ears. After a few seconds he pulls away, lowering his hand from her cheek.
“I…” Callie’s words fail her.
“Fuck…” Mykah mutters, turning back to face the view before them. His head hangs low, a disappointed expression crossing his face.
“What… what’s wrong?” Callie lifts a hand to her lips, feeling them still tingle softly. She isn’t sure what to think. Kissing was so common to her these days but Mykah’s touch felt so different from the rest. “We don’t have to stop,” she says, leaning in again only for him to turn away and reject it.
Mykah sighs, his shoulders rising and falling heavily. After a few long breaths he mutters, “I helped you out… cause I was in love with you. Had been for years.”
Callie feels her chest tighten. Mykah had always listened to Callie gush on about her crushes but he’d never had any to share back with her. A tremor of guilt shivers through her gut as she wonders how much that must’ve hurt. After a moment, she asks, “‘Was?’”
Mykah nods slowly. He searches for words, eventually scratching his neck and saying, “I don’t think there are good words for this, and I’m sorry. I… I’m only into men. I threaded you because I loved you, and I still feel like I do… but kissing you just now… it doesn’t feel right.”
“Oh…” Callie’s heart stills, feeling cool and solemn.
“I don’t know what to do about all of that,” he admits. “It all feels fucked up.”
“Yeah,” Callie agrees.
“Like I love you, I think,” Mykah muses, hands waving with confusion. “But now ‘you’ looks differently than ‘you’ before, so like I love the inside of you, but I’m no longer attracted to the outside of you… God’s, that feels horrible.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” she takes his hand carefully.
“I was hoping that maybe by coming here I’d prove myself wrong,” he sighs, “but it looks like I was just kidding myself.”
“I don’t think you’re kidding yourself,” Callie says gently. “You came because you care.”
“Yeah,” he lets out a disappointed breath. “I… I’m going to head out. I’ll see you later, Callie.”
Without waiting for a reply, Mykah swings his legs back over the railing, strolling back out into the room and ducking into the hallway. A small pit of shame trickles inside Callie as she briefly worries about what people might say if someone leaves without a blessing, but she pushes it away, instead trying to reconcile how she never knew how he felt.
Reflections
“You two have grown quite close,” Velena observes, suddenly changing the direction of the conversation. It takes Callie a long minute to understand who she might be referring to - she supposes most people would think her relationships with Calvin and Junivere both were quite close. Callie tosses another wave and smile at a cheering onlooker to their procession, noticing Velena facing towards Junivere walking ahead of them.
“She’s been a really helpful guide,” Callie responds, hoping her face doesn’t flush too much as she recalls Junivere’s many “helpful” moments. “I honestly don’t know what I would do without her here.”
“That’s good to hear,” Velena nods slowly. She looks around at the barricade of knights shielding them from the crowd as their march continues.
“I’m even starting to learn how to administer blessings the way she does,” Callie adds. She notices Velena’s eyebrows raise perceptively, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. “Not like that,” Callie whispers, laughing a little. “I meant the more effortless ones.”
“Call them what you may,” Velena smirks. “I was simply remarking that your friendship now would have been unthinkable in her first week here.”
“Yeah,” Callie blows a kiss at a woman in a window above them, enjoying the way her eyes widen excitedly when she notices it's directed at her. She’s grown more used to the adoration from Solva’s public. While a small part of her still resents the loss of her anonymity and the safety it could provide, Callie’s budding sense of self-confidence was beginning to thrive on the attention, soaking it in and learning how to use the charms of celebrity to play the game more effectively. Supposedly, Junivere had also been shy when she began and grew more confident over time, but Callie never fully believes her.
“How close are the two of you?” Velena asks after a moment. There’s something behind her voice, but Callie can’t quite read what it is.
“Close,” she replies. “She’s probably my closest friend here.”
Callie notices a small expression flash through Velena’s face, clearly attempting to keep her feelings hidden, though Callie isn’t sure why. Velena was often like this, gaining information sublty and trying to understand the dynamics at play around her. After most appearances, Velena was likely to ask her a series of probing questions about her interactions, always listening with a thoughtful but restrained expression. Callie had learned not to think much of it. As a Magister, and effectively Callie’s political coach, she figures Velena is simply doing her job. When Velena asks about Junivere however, Callie generally tries to only share what is necessary, assuming her fellow Devotia would appreciate the discretion.
“Any updates about Lord Ciron?” Callie asks, shifting the conversation to avoid further questions.
“He’s interested,” Velena confirms, her energy changing as well. “I know he’s been traveling for the past week or two, so it’s no guarantee he will make an appearance today. Hopefully a meeting with a Devotia is enough to coax him out.”
“Thank you. I hope he shows.”
While Velena had initially resisted Callie’s attempts to find Mykah a benefactor for the Mage’s college, her persistence eventually wore the Magister down. They’d assembled a shortlist of nobles who were known to provide donations to the college, hoping one could be convinced to direct their donation to a patronage instead. Lord Ciron was one of the lowest on the list, not particularly known for much other than being soft-spoken, but Callie remains optimistic at least for Mykah’s benefit.
“I would provide you more guidance for negotiating with him,” Velena sighs, gazing at the entrance to the Hill District and appreciating the crowds being left behind at its gate, “but few know much about Ciron at all. He keeps to himself more than most.”
“Understood,” Callie nods. She stops walking for a moment, taking Velena’s hand in her own and saying, “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course, hal Devotia,” she smiles politely, halting her own walk and standing next to her. She allows Junivere to keep walking a bit further ahead, and Callie can feel a strange aura around Velena return. “Please give hal Devotia space to work during the banquet. It is important you’re both able to accomplish your goals.”
Callie inclines her head in affirmation, hiding the confusion bubbling inside of her. Does Junivere have some objective I didn’t know about? Why would she keep it from me?
“Shall we?” Callie extends her hand a moment later, gesturing for them to stroll into the gates of the Ramquet Villa, where they would be expected.
“Upon your lead, hal Devotia,” Velena accepts, strolling between the large marble columns at the threshold of the property.
Callie rolls her shoulders and takes a breath, preparing herself to once again be thrown into the delicate maneuvers of the dreaded game of nobility.
– – –
Ramquet Villa, so named after Lady Ramquet who lived there, isn’t nearly the most spectacular home Callie has entered as Devotia. As far as properties in the Hill District, it feels significantly smaller, less dedicated to extravagance. However, its primary claim to fame is its massive observatory, a domed building that brings in light from the sun and fractured it through massive prisms, sending colorful refracting beams all across the dome to magnificent effect. Mages move the prisms around, changing sizes and shifting them to create spectacular light displays, and it is easily one of the most awe-inspiring things Callie has ever witnessed.
Much of the banquet was typical before the main event. Callie spends her time in the gardens surrounded by eager nobles who all hope to bend her ear, earn her favor, and acquire blessings that would make them the envy of their peers for a few weeks. Callie plays hard to get, having learned her lesson from her first banquet and developing in the arts of deflection, flattery, and teasing. She keeps the nobles around her enraptured but very rarely gives them anything in return. Meanwhile, her head remains on a carefully disguised swivel, searching to see if Lord Ciron has actually managed to arrive.
Junivere is also far more tame than her first banquet in Solva, no longer reclining and allowing nobles to serve her needs. Like Callie, she floats from group to group, engaging in small talk and careful politic, earning the effortless admiration of her onlookers. They balance each other well as twin Devotia, Callie often thinks to herself. While she is more quiet and approachable, Junivere is more commanding and inspiring, and the two styles pair well together.
What is she trying to accomplish? Callie wonders again, seeing her fellow Devotia earn a peel of laughter from her group. And why wouldn’t she tell me about it?
When time arrives for the grand light show, Lady Ramquet gathers them into the observatory. The dome shields the crowd from the midday sun as she pontificates about the majesty the group was about to witness. She’s surprisingly theological, Callie notices, apparently drawing some symbolism from the prisms refracting the light to the way Devotia direct Suul’s blessings towards Solva. Lady Ramquet speaks for the entirety of the performance, her voice echoing angelically from the center platform that Callie and Junivere have been invited to join her upon.
“-to fathom even our meager and oft quarrelsome devotion as holy…” Ramquet continues as the room lights up with flashes of blue and purple light. “Suul’s rays touch the largest and the smallest, illuminating even through the dark of night!”
Callie largely ignores Ramquet in the same way that she tunes out of most services she’s invited to at the Cathedral. So much of it feels flowery and overdone, and Callie heard enough preaching like that in Rookwell. Instead, she lets herself marvel at the spectacular colors, watching as they fill the atmosphere of the room. With each shift, it's as though the temperature changes in the room to match it, creating a magical sensory experience. The room warms as the observatory shines a soft amber color, providing a comfortable relief in contrast to the chill blue.
The entire spectacle continues for nearly half of an hour, and after a few minutes Callie elects to lay down on the ground and stare up at the dome, following the example of many nobles in the room who were doing the same. Laying down on the cool marble, Callie rests her head to stare at a place away from the prisms itself, instead focusing on the patterns projected onto the walls. She easily falls into a trance-like state of meditation, her attention captivated by the soothing array of colors, enjoying the ways they danced and fought against one another. A bright yellow might suddenly display against blue, clashing initially before it faded into a gentle green and providing a surprising amount of catharsis.
She hardly even notices falling asleep until Junivere lightly shakes her awake. Callie rouses calmly, feeling her body hold tight to the comfortable clutches of rest and wishing to return. She sits up, stretching slowly and embracing the satisfied feeling inside of herself, while in the backgrounds of her mind some dream she must’ve been having timidly fades away past her working memory.
“Enjoyed the show?” Junivere asks quietly, a pleasant smile on her face.
Callie exhales contentedly. “Yeah. I think I did.”
Junivere giggles as Callie returns to the waking world. She’s fairly used to waking up next to her fellow Devotia, who so often arose before her. In Junivere’s bed, Callie sleeps better than she has in most places she’s been, enjoying the warmth of another body beside her and a companion against the loneliness of the night. Even here, so far away from her own bed, the gentle scent of Junivere’s perfume and her natural odor make Callie want to lay back into her arms and return to sleep.
Ramquet leads most of the party out of the observatory, quiet and reflective, eager to partake in the next round of festivities. A few others rouse slower, similarly held in a state of meditation, and when they arise Callie can see a gentle sense of wonder spread across their faces.
“I told them not to wake you,” Junivere says, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. “I even implied you might be communing with Suul in your dreams. Lady Ramquet nearly combusted with excitement.”
Callie laughs. “I’ll be sure to make up some message from Suul to pass along to her. Maybe something about speaking less in the observatory.”
Junivere’s giggle echoes through the dome as the final few nobles leave. “We should probably return to the party. Do you need a second?”
Callie nods, stretching her arms wide once again and reveling in the warm feeling in her muscles. Junivere places a small kiss on the top of her head, strolling out of the room and leaving her to wake up more.
It isn’t until Junivere exits that Callie realizes she isn’t alone in the room. One noble remains, sitting quietly against the far wall and resting comfortably. Callie stands, rolling her shoulders and wishing the observatory had a softer place to lay than a marble platform. Nodding politely to him she makes for the exit of the room.
“Please, stay,” the noble calls out, his voice soft and low. After a moment he respectfully adds, “Hal Devotia.”
“Is there something I can help you with, my Lord?” she replies using the cheery tone she often employs around nobility.
He stands, approaching her timidly and inclining his head. “I was hoping to speak to you.”
Callie lays open her hands out to him, inviting him to continue. She’s fairly accustomed to being approached like this by now. Some nobles felt their matters were too private, or their requests too publicly embarrassing, and it wasn’t uncommon to be asked to speak away from a crowd, though typically they like to remain near enough to others to avoid scandal.
He takes a moment to prepare his words, starting and stopping a few sentences. Callie notices that he’s rather young to be a Lord, perhaps a year younger than she is. The young man looks around twenty-two, with long, golden hair pulled back into a tight, braided bun. He has high cheekbones with nervous blue eyes and seems fairly quiet and reserved.
“I just returned from a visit to Fairmill,” he says a few moments later, awkwardly deflecting from the thing he seems to want to say. “The weather was quite lovely in the vineyards.”
“I’ve heard it's delightful,” Callie agrees.
“Have you ever been?”
“I have not.”
“It’s very nice,” he confirms once again. He pauses for a moment, clearing his throat and staring down at the floor. After a long breath, he says, “I have something I want to ask you but I can’t seem to.”
“That’s okay,” Callie says gently. “Perhaps we can discuss something else until you’re ready?”
He nods, appreciative. “Did you enjoy the display?” He gestures towards the room around them.
“I did,” she smiles warmly. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“My aunt spent years having it designed. I think she sees it as her crowning gift to Suul, a cathedral of light.”
“Your aunt?” Callie thinks for a moment, realizing he means Lady Ramquet. “You’re Lord Ciron,” she says suddenly. Ciron nods, a light smile on his soft face. “Apologies for not recognizing you.”
“It’s fine,” he waves away her concern. “Most people don’t. They’re expecting me to look more like my father, but I don’t really bear his resemblance much.”
“I actually had something I wanted to ask of you,” Callie feels her excitement return. It’s been a week since she’s seen Mykah and she’s hoping to summon him soon with good news. “An associate of mine is seeking a patron to attend the college.”
“A mage?” Ciron asks and Callie smiles in confirmation. He steps back and leans against the wall. “I don’t really know much about the college.”
“That is more than alright, my associate is a highly gifted mage. He simply lacks the resources to pay to enter it.” She can feel his skeptical mind and adds, “I’ve known him for years. Even my fellow Devotia has remarked at how talented he is.”
Ciron is quiet for a long moment, unsure of the request. According to Velena, Ciron’s parents were killed when a storm collapsed a bridge in Dralm on their way home from a vacation. He’d inherited their wealth and elected to move in with his aunt, Lady Ramquet, rather than run a household solo. From what Callie knew, he had more than enough money to be a benefactor for Mykah, though he was known not to spend much of it.
“Perhaps we can help each other,” Callie says, stepping slightly closer and placing a delightful grin on her face. “You wanted to ask me something…”
Ciron’s face flushes and he looks away again nervously. Callie’s enthusiasm bubbles happily inside knowing that her charm could be easily irresistible, especially to people like Ciron who might be too timid to otherwise state their desires. He struggles to meet her gaze, holding his hands together and shifting awkwardly in place.
“I’d heard a rumor…” he begins, his words failing him a second later.
Callie steps forward, entering into his space and placing a hand against the wall to let herself hover over him slightly. She’s taller than him, but only by an inch or two. “Allow me to answer it,” she whispers, smirking at his bright red face, “I am just as good at that as people say.”
Ciron clears his throat, desperately trying not to meet her eyes. “Not that,” he squeaks, pressing back into the wall a little more.
Callie giggles mischievously. “Very well. Is there something else you might desire?”
“I… I’m sorry if this is wrong,” he begins cautiously, “but I heard, um, that…”
“Yes?”
“I heard that you’re threaded…”
Callie stops in her tracks slightly. Two months ago, this might’ve been one of her biggest nightmares, to be suddenly confronted with someone knowing her secret. But now, having gained safety and the confidence that comes with no longer being an outcast, she finds it mildly amusing. Few people knew about this fact and she immediately wonders where his hopes and desires were leading him. A small part of Callie delights in the notion that she might get to try something new.
“I am,” she nods.
A small wave of relief crosses over his cute face, and Callie soaks up the timid look in his eyes. Part of her is already beginning to hunger at what she might get to do with him, imagining what his shy face might look like when he calls out to her in desperation.
“I want t-to…” Ciron’s voice trails off again momentarily.
She places a hand against his cheek, running her thumb over his cheekbone slowly and seductively. “If you’d like, I can tell you what I would want to do to you.”
To her surprise, Ciron shakes his head quickly. A little disappointed, Callie accepts his reservation, pulling back slightly and lowering her hand patiently. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and forcing the words out of himself.
“I want to be like you,” he blurts out.
“Oh,” Callie replies, taking a moment to understand what he means. She steps back, taking in his request and slowly realizing the situation.
He shakes his head again, looking back down to the floor. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Callie’s face lights up quickly, adjusting course. She takes Ciron’s hands, holding her skin softly. “No, no it’s okay! I just was expecting you to say something completely different.” She takes a deep breath, looking at the noble before her and smiling. “You’ll make a very pretty girl,” she says happily.
Ciron’s face beams, and she finally makes eye contact with Callie. “I need your help, though.”
“Of course,” Callie nods excitedly. “I’ll help however I can.”
Ciron’s chest expands and falls, pushing away the nervous tension with finally admitting something important about oneself. Callie knows the feeling well, especially with how much she’d have to overcome to realize it in Rookwell.
“Lady Ramquet… she’s…” Ciron sighs, abandoning politeness. “She’s one of the few people pushing to make it illegal. She sees it as a rejection of Suul’s creation.”
“That isn’t what Suul is about,” Callie says firmly, her brow lowering to indicate her seriousness. She meets Ciron’s gaze, trying to communicate her support. “I’m proof of that. Suul chose me.”
Ciron nods gratefully. “Thanks. I’ll be fine after I do it, I have plenty of money to start my own home.”
“Then what’s the problem?” She asks sincerely. “I’d assume with your connections it should be easy.”
“My aunt has been blocking my efforts to meet with mages at the college,” she explains, “There’s a professor that specializes in this but she’s trapped her somehow and made her unable to work with me.”
Callie’s eyes widen, a delighted warmth washing over her face. “I can help you.” She shakes her head in mild disbelief. “The mage who I’m trying to get into the college, I know him from my hometown. He had to flee because he’s the one who performed my threading!”
Ciron’s face shines with disbelief as well. “So if I get him into the college…”
“Forget that for now,” she waves away her negotiation. “Mykah will help you either way. If you can help him in return, that’s great, but let’s get your threaded first.”
“Wow,” Ciron grins, ecstatic and amazed. “This is happening.”
“This is happening,” Callie takes the girl by her shoulders. “We’re going to make this work.”
“Thank you,” Ciron says, tears of relief forming in her eyes.
Callie pulls her into a hug, embracing her the way she wished someone had held her in Rookwell. “I’ll get in touch with him. You focus on staying safe and preparing your own home. If anyone, and I mean anyone gets in your way, reach out to me and I will make sure they never receive a blessing ever again.”
– – –
It takes a little under a week to find a way to see Mykah again. While Callie technically has full control over who she does and does not summon, it often feels like Velena sees her as a Devotia under probation, still training to earn the full responsibilities of the position. Most of her summons were selected by Velena, with a few scattered ones that Callie deliberately requests, but if the Magister suspects they are too personal to her then she often furrows her brow and drags her feet.
Another visit to the Fleeting Fox is quickly rejected, as is any other meeting place outside of the villa. But, after a significant amount of protest and her own lecture about the need to be trusted with the responsibility she already wields, Callie finally gets her way. She sends along a very brief note to both Ciron and Mykah, summoning them both to see her at the same time.
The initial meeting is awkward as the three of them meet near a comfortable pond outside of the villa. Callie watches the little tiny fish dance in the waters, glittering softly in the bright sunlight. Ciron arrives first, anxiously strolling into the courtyard and taking a seat on the soft, mossy ground near her, trembling slightly. Callie places a hand on her shoulder, smiling to encourage her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Ciron shakes her head quickly, her blonde hair bouncing in its tight bun. “This is a mistake,” her eyes are full of something slightly deeper than fear, “I shouldn’t have come here.”
“Yes, yes you should have,” Callie grabs her hand and holds the nervous girl in place. “I promise you’ll feel better after it’s done, but it’s okay to be scared.”
“I’m not scared,” she huffs. After a soft look of disagreement on Callie’s face Ciron looks down and quietly admits, “Fine, I’m scared.”
“It’s going to be okay. Do you have everything in place to move out quickly and be set up on your own? Is there anything you need from me?”
“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to have my aunt assassinated?” Ciron smiles at her timid joke. Callie laughs with her, shaking her head. “Everything should be ready.”
“Good. When Mykah gets here he can…” Callie stops, hearing another set of footsteps enter the courtyard, and turns to see Mykah strolling over to them. “There he is!”
Callie leaps up from her seat, walking over to Mykah and greeting him with a warm hug that he returns happily. Just as she pulls back from the hug, he laughs excitedly and hugs her again. “It’s fucking good to see you,” he grins.
“Right back at you,” her eyes beam.
Mykah looks behind her, noticing Ciron hovering a few feet away and raising a suspicious eyebrow. “Who’s this?” He whispers. “I thought it’d just be you and me.”
“It will be, later,” she nods, taking his hand. “I need a favor first…”
“Callie…” He pauses, letting the silence ask the rest of his question for him. They had been through so much back home and Mykah could immediately recognize her tone, usually accompanied by a risky request and a terrified attempt to break the rules somehow. Mykah sighs, unable to say no to her. “What do you need?”
“Mykah, this is Ciron,” Callie leads him over to the shy girl hiding behind her. “Ciron, this is my good friend Mykah.”
“Hello,” Ciron waves quietly.
“It’s good to meet you,” Mykah responds kindly.
“Ciron wants to be threaded, but is being blocked by a shitty family member,” Callie explains. “I told her you could help.”
Mykah takes a deep breath, staring at Callie for a long and serious moment. He looks up at the sky, dropping his eyes back to meet her after a few tense seconds. “... It’s a lot of work, Callie.”
“I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”
“I know,” he nods. “It’s not a fast process, it’ll take an hour or two.”
“We have time,” Callie confirms. “You’re my only summons this afternoon and Junivere graciously offered to take a tour of the new theater to give us space. You’re lucky she likes me now, she hates theater.”
Mykah smiles politely, turning to face Ciron for the first time. “It’s good to meet you. Are you sure you’re ready for this? It can be kinda intense magic.”
“I’m ready,” Ciron confirms, putting as much confidence into her voice as she can. Callie grins, seeing her step into her own a little more.
“And are you sure you trust me?” Mykah rubs a hand on his shoulders, massaging a knot just below his neck. “The way this magic works, most people won’t be able to undo it, but I will. That’s a lot of power to give a stranger over your fate.”
Ciron takes Callie’s hand and gives it an assured squeeze. “If she trusts you, so do I.”
“Okay,” Mykah nods, cracking his knuckles and taking a preparatory breath. “Callie, do you have a good place for it? We’ll need some access to sunlight and a comfortable place for her to lay down.”
“I had a lounge room set up for us,” Callie says. She waves them to follow her, making her way into the villa. “It’s got some wide sofas and a private balcony.”
“Perfect,” Mykah smiles. “Ciron…” He turns to the noble beside him who’s walking as though to avoid making any sound. “...uh, I guess you’ll want a new name?”
“I’ll pick after,” she replies quietly. “I want it to feel like it fits.”
“Okay, Ciron for now,” his head inclines. “How much do you know about threading? How much do I need to explain in advance?”
“I know some, but not much,” she concedes. Callie remembers the feeling well. Honestly, much of her threading with Mykah had felt like they were both winging it and she’s amazed it went so well.
“Alright, short version then.” Mykah walks beside her, using his hands to explain his points as he speaks, the way he always does. They rarely seem to stand still and Callie finds this trait endearing in her friend. “I won’t be able to change many basic traits of yours: hair color and texture, eye color, birthmarks, scars, stuff like that. I’m sure there’s more experienced mages who could, and they could probably help you later. I can change most other things, though they are somewhat limited by your physique already. Your height and general build are going to be pretty similar, but I shift the rest of your body to look more feminine.”
“That’s incredible,” Ciron grins, her nerves fading slightly.
“It’s pretty wicked magic,” Mykah replies happily. His voice always rises when he talks about magic and it's clear he’s both knowledgeable and passionate. “The main thing you’ll need to decide is how feminine you want your body to be, cause I can still preserve some muscle density and stuff if you want to still have some masculine aspects.”
“None of it,” Ciron replies quickly. “Full feminine please.”
Mykah’s face turns slightly red as he continues, breaking away from looking at Ciron. “Lastly… ahem… you’ll have to decide if you want to keep… um, it.” He clears his throat, adding, “I can make the change, but it’ll add a lot more time to the procedure and it’ll hurt a lot more. It’s really sensitive skin.”
Callie’s face warms as well, walking ahead of them and opening the door to the lounge room. She invites them inside, seeing a comfortable sofa placed out onto the balcony ahead of them and following them as they sit down. Ciron seems equally embarrassed, her own face bright pink, and she looks down at the floor nervously for a few breaths.
“I’m sorry that it’s such a private question,” Mykah acknowledges. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary.”
“It’s okay,” Ciron squeaks. She takes a deep breath, turning to Callie and asking, “What… what did you choose?”
Normally, Callie didn’t love answering the question. Both Junivere and Mira had asked her why she’d made that choice in spare moments and she’d deflected with an answer about it being easier. But, inside Callie knows that isn’t the full answer. In reality, it had just felt right. She’d spent tons of time wondering about what it’d be like if things were different down there, but especially as Callie has stepped into her own sexuality, she loved what it could do.
“I kept it,” she confirms, smiling and trying to hide the little wisps of embarrassment that bubble in her stomach.
“How… how did you decide?”
Callie takes a breath, looking out over the balcony and trying to find the right words. She wants to say something about it feeling in tune for her body, it being a heavy decision that took ages to wrestle with. But, inside she knows the answer is a bit more simple and she pushes away her shame to reply:
“I just think it’s hot.”
“Oh,” Ciron’s face flushes fully. She fidgets in her seat and Callie can see a variety of thoughts flash through her head that are easily recognizable.
She places a hand on the girl’s knee, leaning in and muttering in her ears. “It can be very exciting…” Callie soaks up the nervous excitement on Ciron’s face, enjoying the way she could tell the noblewoman’s pants must be a bit tighter than before.
“I didn’t know other people felt that way,” Ciron says quietly.
“You should see the looks on people’s faces when they find out,” Callie mewls, her own lust on full display. “I can confirm that plenty of people feel that way.”
“Okay,” Ciron bubbles happily. She turns to Mykah and responds, “I’ll keep it.”
Mykah nods, standing a few feet away from him and stretching. He pulls his legs back, teasing out the tightness in his quads before bending at the hip to touch his toes. He massages his wrists and forearms, grabbing a pillow and placing it at the base of the sofa.
“Go ahead and lie on your back,” he tells Ciron. “Get as comfortable as you can, you’ll need to stay pretty still for the next while.” Ciron nods, laying down and shifting until she feels settled. Mykah turns to Callie, “Feel free to watch if you want. Unless we need someone to cover us? How illegal is what we’re doing right now?”
“Not at all,” Callie smiles. “It’ll maybe cause some people to talk and gossip about me for aiding this, but I don’t care about that. We’re way safer than in Rookwell and I can handle people talking.”
“Good shit,” Mykah confirms, kneeling down beside the couch.
Taking one last final deep breath, Mykah holds out his left hand over Ciron’s chest and lets it hover about half of a foot above her skin. His fingers move slowly and independently, dangling like a spider dropping down from a web. With his right hand, he makes a pinching gesture, raising it to the beams of light around them and plucking a strand out of the air. The light condenses, turning into a long, golden thread that glows and sparkles with energy. With a motion that is remarkably similar to guiding a needle through a stitch, Mykah scoops his pinched hand down towards Ciron’s body, pulling the magical strand through her skin. The motion is quickly followed by another, weaving the next strand into a place less than an inch below where the previous thread landed.
The process continues like that for a while, left hand dangling and glowing to solidify the strands that the right hand directs in. Mykah moves fluidly and skillfully, working his way across her different limbs and ensuring that each thread falls just below the previous one. Ciron twitches occasionally and Callie knows that it isn’t the most pleasant experience. Each thread burns initially before fading into an itchy tingle as successive ones are weaved in.
“Deep breath on this one,” Mykah coaches, pulling a strand through Ciron’s lower neck. She obeys, exhaling a tight hiss as the burning magic slowly cools. “Well done. There’s going to be a few more just like that, and they’ll hurt slightly more now that your body is in a little bit of shock. Just keep breathing when I tell you; you’re doing great.”
Ciron nods as more threads follow, and Callie is impressed by her ability to maintain her composure as the pain builds. Mykah continues up the neck, slowly weaving thinner bands into her chin and jawline that Callie knows will remove the little bits of beard the girl can grow. She smiles, shifting in her own cushion on the floor and imagining the look on Ciron’s face when she realizes how much smoother her skin is now.
The changes are slow and nearly impossible to detect in the moment. No individual thread seems to change very much, but over time the differences are noticeable. Ciron’s hips lower slightly and fill out more, her legs tone and become a little more lanky than before. Her waist narrows by an inch or two, followed soon after by her arms losing some of their width. Ciron’s chest won’t be particularly large either, Callie notices, but by this point she’d grown fairly content with her own meager breasts and suspects Ciron will enjoy it as well. It was certainly better than none.
Ciron’s face changes the most. Her cheeks round out and highlight her high cheekbones, which used to be a rigid and rough feature but now looks elegant and distinguished. Her eyebrows sharpen slightly as well and her brow softens. Mykah leaves her nose as it is, already fitting in well with the rest of her features, and Callie is surprised by how abundantly cute Ciron’s already lovely face becomes.
Ciron’s threading takes more time than Callie remembers her own taking, though she isn’t sure if that means her features were easier to work with or if being the person undergoing threading made time seem fuzzier. It takes nearly two hours to complete the task, and by the end of it the shadows in the room have grown longer and Mykah’s face more tired. He drops his shoulders as it ends, smiling brightly and wiping the sweat off of his forehead.
“Now, sit up very slowly,” he says to Ciron, letting her use his arm as a support. “It’s going to feel a little tight for a few minutes, but the burning feeling should subside quickly now that it’s over.” His eyes flick across her new form, glowing faintly as the immediate magic fades, searching for any potential mistakes or things that need fixing. Satisfied, he grins and says, “Welcome to your new self.”
Callie throws Ciron into a warm hug, pulling her towards a wall in the room where she had brought a mirror in for them. She steers the girl over, holding her hands over her eyes and only releasing them when she’s in full view of the glass.
“Wow…” Ciron mutters, awestruck and baffled. She touches the mirror, and then the same spot in her face to confirm that the changes were real. “I’d had dreams where this happened… but…”
“It’s so much better once it’s real,” Callie smirks. She looks over the girl’s reflection, hovering at her shoulders and taking in her new form. “Not fair,” she calls back to Mykah, giggling happily, “you made her prettier than me.”
Mykah snorts and lets out a bark of laughter. “I think you’d just have to accept she was always going to be prettier than you.”
Ciron sighs contentedly, stepping closer to the mirror and tugging at her clothes, loving the way they fit her so differently than before. She scours over every new curve and line on her body, touching and grabbing every piece with a bright glimmer in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she turns to Callie quickly, repeating it in Mykah’s direction again. “I… I don’t know what to say other than that… It’s incredible. I feel incredible.”
“We’re happy to help.” Callie hugs her again. “Do you have any idea what you want your new name to be?”
Ciron faces the mirror again, gazing at it a while before shrugging. Her eyes meet Callie’s through the reflection and she asks, “Would you name me?”
“Cirene,” Callie says quickly. She’s surprised the name falls out of her tongue so quickly but once she sees the girl’s wide grin she knows it fits.
“Cirene,” she repeats, hearing the words exit her newly feminine voice. “Cirene…. I love it.”
“Welcome back to the world, Cirene,” Mykah calls over to them, tired and satisfied. He plops down onto the sofa, having his feet fall over one of the armrests and letting out a proud exhale.
Cirene can hardly erase the smile from her lips and she strolls back over to Mykah, loving the slightly different way her body moves, hips swaying a little with each step. She’s a little clumsy, but it’s clear her grace will develop quickly.
“I want to be your patron,” she says quickly.
“What?” Mykah sits up suddenly, eyes darting between Cirene and Callie rapidly. “You’re serious?”
“Did I forget to mention?” Callie smirks, delighted she kept the secret from him to see his surprise.
“I have the money,” Cirene repeats, still giddy with delight. “Callie told me to wait to tell you, but she said you were gifted and, well…” She gestures down to her own form. “Clearly you are. You could do incredible things at the college.”
“No way,” Mykah shakes his head, hardly able to believe his luck. He waves a finger at Callie, smirking, “You said you’d find a way, and I don’t think I believed you. You’re serious?” He asks one last time.
“Completely,” Cirene smiles.
Mykah jumps up and hugs her tightly, his exhaustion quickly replaced by excitement. He throws an arm around Callie as well, laughing in disbelief.
After a few moments, Callie steps back and leans against one of the marble columns, facing the two with a confident and assured smile. “There’s another important aspect of business we’ll need to attend to,” she explains. “Both of you will still need to leave with blessings.”
Cirene’s face flushes brightly and Mykah lets out an incredulous breath. He shakes his head, and she wonders if he had also not believed her when she’d told him this would have to happen.
“If I may,” she says to Mykah, eyes flicking to the flustered girl beside him, “I would love to show Cirene a thing or two about her new self.”
Callie had doubted Cirene’s face could turn redder, but at her suggestion it quickly does. She shuffles in place, shifting from foot to foot and holding her elbow shyly.
“Of course,” Mykah nods, affectionately tapping his knuckles against Cirene’s shoulder.
“If you head outside,” Callie tells him, “you’ll find two priestesses, Salome and Willow, who’ll get you comfortable. Feel free to take a bath or get something to eat, I’ll be with you in a little while.”
“Have fun you two,” he grins, waving at Callie and stepping out of the room.
Now alone with Cirene, Callie feels a warmth in her chest blossom with excitement. Despite having significantly more experience than she used to, Callie hadn’t encountered another threaded girl in Solva yet, and with the cute blush across Cirene’s cheeks she’s quite excited to.
“Sit with me,” she extends a hand to Cirene, guiding her to sit on the couch next to her. The girl’s palm is slightly damp and her breaths are shallow, hardly able to maintain her composure as she takes Callie’s elbow and lowers herself onto the soft cushions.
“I can’t lie,” Callie’s voice drips with suggestion, “I’ve been looking forward to this for the whole past week.”
“Y-you have?”
Callie nods, leaning in a little closer. Callie had been with a number of shy supplicants before, but none of them excited her nearly as much as Cirene’s submissive gaze. She takes a subtle glance down at Cirene’s lap, happily seeing her bulge twitch.
“I don’t think you realize how cute you are,” Callie whispers, raising her hand to Cirene’s hair and pulling it out of its tight bun. The soft strands fall to the sides of her face and Callie brushes them out of her eyes, letting her fingers run through it affectionately. “I’m eager to show you.”
“Oh,” Cirene croaks, hands folded tightly into her lap. Her eyes dart up to Callie towering over her and she gulps quietly, mouth suddenly dry.
Callie sighs, though it’s a little bit of an act. She sits back into the couch, looking at Cirene and saying, “But I suppose this isn’t just about what I want. I’d like to know what you want.”
She hides her smirk, seeing the quiet girl retreat shyly into her own head. Callie used to be just like her, terrified of stating her desires out loud to anyone, much less ever acting upon them. As she sees the same sheepish glow on Cirene’s face, Callie builds a deeper sympathy for why Junivere enjoyed messing with her so much their first few days… It was adorable. Cirene melts immediately under the pressure, eager but unwilling to let herself admit it, desperate but unable to act upon it confidently.
“I…” Cirene tries to speak, but her words continue to fail her. Her fingers jitter nervously in her lap and she looks down, hiding the fierce blush across her cheeks.
“Perhaps I can help you,” Callie nudges, crossing one of her legs over the other and throwing an arm on the backrest of the couch, just above Cirene. “Can you answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to my questions if I ask them?”
Cirene perks up, a little confused initially but steadying. She nods, “I think so. Yes.”
“Good girl,” Callie coos, seeing the immediate burst of warmth through Cirene’s face. Her hand on the back of the sofa lowers and begins to play with the girl’s hair, twirling it between her fingers and brushing it softly. “Do you want to have sex with me?”
“Yes,” Cirene squeaks breathlessly, hardly making a sound at all.
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes.”
“Are you excited?”
“Yes.”
“You’re doing great,” Callie smiles, letting her palm rest against the back of Cirene’s head and patting it lightly. “Do you have ideas of what you want me to do to you?”
“No,” she croaks.
“Are there things you don’t want me to do to you?”
Cirene thinks for a moment, replying, “I don’t like being tickled.”
Callie giggles softly, brushing her hair once more. “That’s easy enough to avoid.” She sits a little closer, once again feeling more and more like Junivere than she cares to admit. While Callie still believes she has her own style, she does have to concede that most of it comes in imitation to her fellow Devotia. “Do you want to follow my directions?”
Cirene hardly waits to reply, quickly exhaling a breathy, “Yes.”
“Come sit on my lap,” Callie orders calmly. Cirene hesitates but she obeys, timidly lifting her hips up and setting herself down on Callie’s spreading legs. Keeping both feet on the ground Callie pulls the girl closer, ensuring her back is pressing against Callie’s chest.
“Do you want me to show you what your new body can do?”
Cirene nods, unable to speak through her quickening breaths. Callie can feel her heart pounding through her chest and she runs her hands across the top side of the girl’s thighs, rubbing them with a gentle amount of pressure. She pushes Cirene’s hips down into her lap, letting her feel Callie’s excited clit brush against her ass.
“Can you feel what you’ve done to me?” Callie exhales, her own mind racing at the thought of what she wants to do to Cirene. Her erection fights to be closer to her, aching to feel the warm and soft flesh inside of her gorgeous and round bottom.
Cirene doesn’t reply. Her ass rocks back into Callie’s lap and she shuts her eyes tightly, savoring the new sensations. Callie remembers from her own threading how different everything feels afterwards - she was so much more sensitive than before and found tons of sensations she’d used to be ambivalent about were suddenly exhilarating, especially when it came to pleasure. She can’t wait to see what cute look will decorate Cirene’s face when she realizes just how different an orgasm will feel.
“I asked you a question…” her voice drips seductively into Cirene’s ear, placing a kiss just below it. Cirene nods quickly, still struggling to piece together words. Callie’s hands drift all around her body, now rising up towards the girl’s chest. “I’m curious,” she muses, “is this your first time?”
Cirene waits for a quiet moment, seemingly fighting against herself to answer the question. A little embarrassed, she whispers, “Yes.”
Callie grins excitedly, placing a trio of kisses along her neck and ensuring that the girl feels the full impacts of each. She drops her voice slightly lower, letting it fill with mischief and suggestion. “But surely you’ve touched yourself, haven’t you?”
Cirene whimpers, nodding quietly as Callie’s hands find their way onto her breasts. She cups them softly over Cirene’s shirt, massaging them at an agonizingly slow pace and bubbling with excitement at each quiet twitch Cirene makes when Callie’s fingers flick against her hard nipples.
“Where do you like to touch yourself?”
Cirene’s breath catches in her throat, and after a tense moment she shakes her head slowly, embarrassed. Mischievously, Callie lowers her hands from Cirene’s breasts, resting them back onto her upper abdomen.
“I would love to know,” Callie adds in a sultry tone. “How else will I know what will make you squeal with delight?”
Cirene pants, aching for Callie to continue her touch that she’s now withholding. It’s exactly what Junivere loves to do to her, forcing her desperation and hunger to overcome her shame. As much as she resents it in the moment, Callie could hardly deny it was effective at making her melt into Junivere’s capable hands.
“I…” Cirene takes a deep breath, pushing through her discomfort. “I like to rub underneath my… ahem, it,” she says slowly.
“I’m quite fond of that as well,” Callie encourages, returning her hands onto Cirene’s chest and caressing the small and bouncy flesh. “Is there anything else you like to do?” Cirene holds her breath again and Callie notices it immediately. “I can tell that there is…'' she whispers lavisciously. “There’s no need to be ashamed, especially if you enjoy it.”
Cirene forces her body to relax as much as she can, occasionally moaning quietly as Callie's hands continue to feel her. “I’ll… sometimes put… I sometimes use a finger inside.”
Callie smirks happily, “And does it feel good?”
“Yes…” her chest pushes forward, following Callie’s touch.
“Is it your favorite?”
Cirene’s voice drops to a tiny whisper, cautiously replying, “...Yes.”
“It’s going to feel very different this time,” Callie hints. Her fingers pull Cirene’s nipples, eliciting an excited gasp from the girl. “There’s so much more of you to play with.” To prove her point, Callie lowers a hand and strokes the inner side of Cirene’s thigh. “You’ve at least been kissed by someone else, I’m sure.”
“I-it… it’s been a while,” she replies, fighting her aching breaths.
Encouraged, Callie raises her hand to turn Cirene’s chin around, pressing her lips against the shy girl and silencing her timid exhale. Callie slips her tongue into her mouth, slowly working it around inside and feeling her clit throb below. She’d been hoping that all of this play would make Cirene desperate for her, but if she’s honest it’s having the same effect on her. Taking the lead, Callie lets out a soft moan into her mouth, gently inviting Cirene to do the same, which she does moments later.
Without exiting the kiss, Callie continues rubbing her fingers across Cirene’s chest. With her free hand, she takes one of Cirene’s and guides it towards her lap, laying it to rest on the girl’s aching clit. Cirene sighs as Callie directs her hand to stroke the tender flesh carefully, placing enough pressure to make sure that she would soon be shaking with delight.
“Is this the spot you like?” She asks gently, leading the girl’s fingers down to her perineum.
Cirene struggles to reply, letting out a restrained gasp. Callie feels her body shiver, slowly rocking against her own hand and Callie’s clit behind her.
“Gods,” Callie mutters, locking eyes with Cirene so she could see the lust in them, “you’re so sexy.” Cirene’s eyes brighten, cheekbones shining with joy. “I can hardly control myself with you on my lap.”
Cirene whimpers again, and as Callie pulls away she smirks and says, “But maybe you don’t want me to control myself.”
Callie’s clit twitches as Cirene stares at her helplessly. Her mind is already running through a half dozen fantasies before Callie remembers she’s in control and can easily make them a reality. She grins, placing another round of kisses across Cirene’s neck and collarbone as Cirene’s clit tightens as well, aching to be free of her clothes.
“On your knees,” Callie orders happily. Cirene slowly lifts off her lap, lowering herself down to the floor. Callie clears her throat, embarrassed her directions weren’t clear enough, and nods towards the sofa, “Ahem, on your hands and knees.”
“Oh,” Cirene giggles nervously. She returns to the soft cushions, stomach facing down towards the ground as she props herself up onto her hands and knees. Callie places a warm hand on the small of Cirene’s back, pushing her chest down into the sofa and leaving her hips high in the air, knowing Cirene’s clit must be dripping wet. The girl’s cheek presses into the soft, red fabric, face tilted to look back up at Callie with an expression of pure submission.
Callie runs her hands across Cirene’s ass, loving the way that she was now at Callie’s mercy. She tucks her arms around her hips, loosening Cirene’s belt and pulling her pants down to pool at her knees, exposing her delicious pink skin. Callie kisses it happily, already smelling the musky scent of Cirene’s excitement.
“It’ll hurt for a brief moment,” Callie explains, remembering her first time with Calvin. She lifts her own skirt to pull down her panties, letting her hard clit stand at attention and brushing it between Cirene’s cheeks. “But, like your threading, that pain will quickly fade into…” She leans forward, placing a wet kiss just behind Cirene’s ear, “... heaven.”
Cirene shivers with excitement, letting out a quick and high moan. Callie turns her focus inward briefly, searching for the feeling of magic that she was slowly getting used to and pulling it forth. She knew a paltry few spells by this point, but among others she’d made Junivere teach her the spell to lubricate herself. She casts it, resting her eager clit at the opening to Cirene’s pink hole.
“Deep breath in,” Callie coaches, and as Cirene’s chest rises she pushes herself inside. Cirene groans softly at the feeling of Callie entering her but lets out a long exhale as Callie guides her. Callie slowly presses her full length inside, careful to not go too quickly, and she waits for the small trembles of pain across Cirene’s face to subside.
“Wow…” Cirene gasps. Her hips move cautiously from side to side, getting used to the feeling of being penetrated.
“If you think that’s good…” Callie mutters, sighing as she savors the warm feeling in her hips. She easily recalls the feeling she has when someone’s inside her, almost a little jealous of what Cirene was now experiencing. Callie pulls her hips away, sending shivers across Cirene’s skin as she pushes back in, developing a gentle push and pull rhythm with her.
Callie moans happily at the feeling. She’d penetrated before, but it was only with non-threaded women. Being inside Cirene’s ass was a different feeling altogether, warmer and tighter, and Callie’s clit washes with pleasure as she moves. With each push in she’s careful to angle in a way that ensures it presses against Cirene’s prostate, knowing it’d drive her wild. Cirene attempts to keep her own moans quiet, trapping them within her chest and behind tightly closed lips, but with each push against her button Callie sees its a losing battle. Callie’s mind erupts with satisfaction, delighted as Cirene finally abandons her efforts and counts it as a personal victory that the girl was quivering at her touch.
Feeling bolder, and drunk on the adorable pained expression on Cirene’s face, Callie brings a hand around the girl’s hips and wraps it onto her clit. It’s smaller than Callie’s, but it immediately stiffens at her touch and pulls a loud cry of delight from Cirene. She strokes it in a careful dance with her own thrusts so that each movement inwards pushes at the same time, forcing Cirene to squirm happily into the sofa.
“Much better than your fingers,” Callie says between heavy breaths, “isn’t it?”
“Yes!” Cirene squeals happily.
Callie quickens her motions, following the consuming pleasure in her own body with each thrust. It’s all too easy to want to drop her focus and pound the girl until she feels relief, but Callie pushes the desperation inside of herself away. It was Cirene’s first time, she reminds herself. She wanted to make it special for her.
She pauses her thrusts quickly, carefully avoiding her own need going over the edge. Callie’s hand continues its firm touch on Cirene’s clit as her own pulls out of the girl’s cute bottom, and she leans down to place a row of kisses along her back.
“Turn around,” Callie orders, trying to buy some extra time for herself. She was normally able to last longer than this, but the look on Cirene’s face was too much to resist.
Cirene obeys, eagerly twisting her body to face Callie. Her cheeks puff lightly with each rapid breath, her nose an even brighter shade of red than the rest of her face.
Callie fully removes her pants so she can grab Cirene’s ankles and lift them up over her shoulders, pulling her hips upwards and resting them back against her clit. Once the girl’s feet are secure, her hands drop to her chest, pulling her shirt up over her breasts and leaving them open for Callie’s view.
“Do you want to see mine, too?” Callie asks, grinning happily as her hand returns to stroking Cirene’s hard clit, thumb sensually flicking against the tip and swirling around her precum.
Cirene’s eyes shut tightly for a moment, feeling the sensitive member shiver with pleasure, nodding quickly. With her free hand, Callie lowers the straps on either side of her dress and lets it fall down towards her hip. She laughs, noticing the fabric pooling at her clit and only staying in place because of the erect organ. She shakes her head excitedly, electing to pull the entire dress over her head and throw it down onto the marble below.
“Eyes open,” Callie beams, leaning in to let her breasts hang over Cirene’s face.
Cirene opens her eyes, an expression of rapture quickly shining through them. “Wow…”
Callie leans in to kiss her again, grabbing Cirene’s hands and placing them on her chest. The eager girl fondles them nervously and excitedly, delighted at the novelty of the experience and heat in her own body.
Carefully, Callie lifts Cirene’s hips up once more, recasting the spell to lubricate her clit and sliding it back into her. She moans into Cirene’s mouth once again, lowering her body into hers even more and trembling at the sensation of their skin mixing together.
She returns to her thrusting, satisfied to have bought herself more time. With each push inwards Cirene’s wet and excited clit slides against her abdomen. Callie grabs each of her hands, pinning them beside her ears and smirking as the girl gasps happily.
Gods she’s submissive, Callie thinks to herself, loving the ways that Cirene becomes putty in her hands. Internally, Callie feels her mind bubble between the different sides of herself; one part loving taking control of the adorable girl while the other wishes to be her. She speeds up her thrusts, driven by the excitement of both feelings and knowing she’d have to go see Junivere later.
Callie buries her face into Cirene’s neck, sucking the pliable skin between her teeth as she struggles helplessly at the Devotia’s touch. As each kiss moves slightly lower, Callie feels a bubbling satisfaction to see each leaving a soft purple mark behind. After a few minutes of it, Cirene’s neck sports a half dozen, scattered across the tender flesh.
I’m going to make sure she thinks about this for days, Callie’s lust whispers.
“I…I…!” Cirene’ gasps, trying to form words through the waves of bliss coursing through her. She’s close, her own hips rapidly pressing into Callie’s with a terrifying need.
“Did I say you could cum?” Callie mutters mischievously, placing a soft bite behind her ear.
“Wha-,” Cirene twitches again, now trying to fight the overwhelming feeling.
“Do you want to?”
“Yes!” Cirene squeaks. Her face contorts tightly, eyelids tightly pressed down as she tries to hold back the need for release.
“I’ll think about it,” Callie smirks.
Cirene shakes her head, gasping quickly and loudly. “P-please…”
Callie kisses her again, feeling her own clit aching for release. Her body feels hot and slick, their sweat mixing together as each girl’s breasts bounce into one another. She tries to manage her panting, hoping to keep control as Cirene squirms adorably underneath her delighted body.
Before Callie can even give the order, Cirene squeals and clutches Callie tightly. Her body clenches as the orgasm consumes her, her clit erupting and shooting warm liquid onto Callie’s stomach. Callie giggles, lowering her own inhibitions and allowing her clit to overpower her as well. She makes one final effort to speed up, giving into the waves of bliss as her hips push into Cirene’s ass hungrily, filling her with her own warm fluid.
Callie continues grinding, pulling every last drop from her hips as Cirene collapses into her arms, groaning happily with each thrust. With a few final rocking movements, Callie relents, falling down onto Cirene’s chest and riding the tingling surges of pleasure that roll through her body.
Their stomachs press together, rising and falling against each other as the two of them try to catch their breaths. It takes a while for Callie, her mind fading into a distant space of rapture as she savors the hot feeling inside of her skin. She releases Cirene’s hands from being pressed down into the couch, dropping her arms behind her back and pulling Cirene into a comfortable embrace.
It takes even longer for Cirene to regain her composure, her body trembling happily as the rush of new experiences flood her senses. Callie smiles knowing that the girl must be feeling an overwhelming crash of euphoria; the rush of feeling right with her own body mixing with the delights of its new sensations mixing with the soothing and burning embers of a powerful orgasm. Once the golden tendrils of light bathe over her, gently bestowing the blessing, Callie knows Cirene must be pleasantly overcome.
“I… I’m sorry,” Cirene says quietly after a few minutes. “I didn’t mean to-,”
Callie kisses her sweetly, interrupting her nerves. “Don’t be. That was hot.”
“But you said that I wasn’t supposed to yet.”
“I wanted you to,” Callie’s hand touches her cheek. “I was just having fun playing with you. You’re unbearably adorable, Cirene,” she giggles.
“Oh,” the girl smirks, her face that had just let go of its red color flashes pink once again.
“Gods,” Callie exhales happily, smelling the intoxicating scent of sex from the two of them, “I really want to do that again with you.” She kisses Cirene again, looking at her with glittering eyes. “Do you want that?”
“Yes!” Cirene gasps quickly. Mildly embarrassed, she pulls her hands to cover her mouth.
“I’ll find time to summon you when I can,” Callie nods. She thinks for a moment, then smiles and adds, “And I’ll have to figure out how to keep Junivere from you. She’d go crazy for you.”
Cirene blushes again, looking away. Underneath her hands Callie can tell she’s unable to wipe the ecstatic and giddy smile from her mouth. After a few breaths, she says, “I don’t know how to thank you enough…”
“This was plenty,” Callie giggles.
“But I thought this was your duty that you had to do.”
“Trust me,” Callie leans in to whisper in her ear, “this was far more pleasure than duty.”
Cirene shivers excitedly. “I… I never knew it could feel like that.”
“It’s so much better, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Cirene agrees.
“My first time, I… it felt like everything finally made sense.” Callie fondly recalls Calvin’s introductory visit. She lifts off of Cirene, wiping away the cum on her chest and laying down next to her. She pulls Cirene into her arms, cuddling up next to her and running her hands through her golden hair.
“Who was your first time with?” Cirene asks timidly.
“Have you ever met Knight-Commander Calvin?”
Cirene’s face flushes as she looks away suddenly. Callie smirks, lowering a hand to the girl’s chin and turning it to meet her grin. “Mmm, you’re going to have to explain that response, miss,” she muses slyly. “Tell me.”
Cirene fights her response to hide, looking down at Callie’s neck to avoid meeting her eyes. “I’ve met him before…” she says. “We’ve spoken a few times at events.” She takes a quick breath, holding her words in her mouth carefully before quietly squeaking, “He’s very handsome.”
“I can get you a proper introduction, if you want,” Callie says without thinking. “He’d think you’re cute.”
“You… you’d do that?”
Callie pauses, suddenly realizing what she’d just implied. “Yeah…” she answers slowly, feeling a small bubbling of jealousy inside. Quickly, she searches for a reason to reject the idea but it doesn’t come. It’s not like she could say he was taken… Devotia’s weren’t supposed to have relationships and she’d basically rejected him last time they spoke. And she couldn’t just ask him not to see other people when she was actively with someone else.
Her breath freezes in her mouth and it takes effort to force it out. Callie had wondered if he was seeing other people, she’d even asked him before in a moment of anxiousness. Calvin had always replied that he wasn’t, that he didn’t find anyone as interesting as her, and she took the compliment happily. But after last time… what if he wanted to see someone else?
Callie looks away from Cirene, tilting her gaze up towards the high ceiling above. He isn’t with you, a voice says inside. Who are you to ask him not to sleep with anyone else?
Rookwell quickly bumps into her awareness. She’d pushed away the initial shame of not being loyal to Calvin and Calvin alone, finally embracing the fluidity of relationships she now embodied, but part of her never was able to drop the assumption that he would be loyal to her. She’d never asked him to, and she knew it was just a remnant of her upbringing… but a small part of her was always holding out hope that they could end up together some day, that maybe Devotia could retire and he would wait for her.
“Gods, I’ve never told anyone that,” Cirene exhales, bringing Callie back to focus. “I feel like I’ve thought about him for so long.”
Callie’s stomach churns slightly. “He’s great.”
Cirene scoots back into Callie, looking free and light and relaxed. She seems so much more comfortable in the afterglow, and Callie envies her for it. “And you’re sure he’s into threaded girls?”
“He is with me,” Callie replies absently. She’d never asked if he’d been with any others. Callie could never bring herself to ask about his other endeavors.
Cirene sighs contentedly. “I think this might be the best day of my life.”
Callie forces herself to shake away the aching feeling inside, returning to focus on the lovely girl beside her, basking in the glow of her new self. “You deserve it,” Callie smiles, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“You probably have to leave now, don’t you?”
Callie exhales a long and slow breath, sitting up from the sofa. “I suppose so.” She stretches her arms wide, trying to recompose herself.
“That makes sense,” Cirene nods, sitting up and wrapping her arms around Callie’s torso sweetly. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
“And you’ll never need to,” Callie smiles, hugging her back and kissing the top of her head.
“Can you thank Mykah again for me?” She asks, sincere and grateful. “And tell him that I’ll try and figure out how to set up the patronage as soon as I can.”
“Of course,” Callie replies, pulling Cirene’s shirt back over her breasts and reaching over to pick up her trousers from the floor.
“And if you’re serious about introducing me to the Knight-Commander…” Her voice trails off, nervous and suggestive.
“I’ll figure something out,” Callie answers. She stands and retrieves her own dress, stepping into it and pulling it up over her. She takes another deep breath, feeling the subtle burn in her muscles from the exertion and savoring the warm sensation.
“If you head down the hall,” Callie points, “you should be able to run into Civa, a priestess. She can help you get cleaned up, and I even had her pull a lovely dress from my wardrobe that should look gorgeous on you.”
“Thank you,” Cirene squeaks happily, hugging Callie a final time. Eager, she kisses the Devotia quickly before scurrying off down the hallway.
Feeling more tired already than she cared to admit, Callie exits the room as well, heading the opposite direction as Cirene, strolling towards the lounging area she was certain Mykah would be in. A small part of her still dreads the deal she’s made with Cirene, hoping that Calvin wouldn’t be interested for her sake.
Callie takes her time making her way towards Mykah, giving herself some space to reset her mind from the experience. The day feels so long already despite only being mid-afternoon, and she hopes the rest of her time with her friend will feel significantly less draining.
– – –
Callie does find Mykah in the room she was expecting, strolling in to spot him lounging happily on a balcony, feet dangling over the edge as Salome’s voice cackles across the room.
“Hal Devotia said that?” Salome giggles loudly.
“Before she was threaded she’d say shit like that all the time,” Mykah laughs easily and happily. Despite sometimes being over passionate and academic with his study, most of the time he was so cool and casual and easy to talk to. Callie is hardly surprised he and Salome hit it off so quickly. “‘Mykah, do you think anyone else feels this way?’” He imitates, hardly able to contain his glee.
Callie folds her arms and watches for a few moments, immediately recognizing the story he’s telling. She smiles a little as well, far less embarrassed than she probably would’ve been in her first days at Solva. According to Mykah, it was pretty obvious to everyone but Callie that she wanted to be threaded; and now that she wasn’t in Rookwell anymore it’s easier to accept.
“I can barely remember her being that shy,” Salome smiles with him, “After her first week or two she’s been insatiable as Devotia.”
“And I still can’t believe it,” Mykah’s warm voice bounces.
Salome gasps, delightedly recalling a piece of gossip. “Have you heard about what happened at Lady Pendele’s banquet!?”
“No,” Mykah’s eyes bulge, “but I can’t wait to.”
“I had a threesome in a hallway,” Callie calls out from behind them, startling both and nearly sending Mykah tumbling off the railing. He and Salome turn back, laughing loudly and waving her to join them. Callie struts over, leaning into a column beside them and grinning proudly. “Junivere made me jealous and so I fucked the person throwing the banquet and her husband to get back at her.”
Mykah snickers. “How is that supposed to show her up?”
“I don’t know,” Callie shakes her head, “I was all worked up.”
“I’m sure hal Devotia has been helping relieve that,” Salome giggles, eyes pointing towards Junivere’s room.
Callie smiles and feels her face flush. “Salome, would you be a dear and go assist my previous guest in cleaning up?”
“You’re just embarrassed I know how horny you are,” Salome cackles. “Of course, hal Devotia.”
“Thanks, dear,” Callie smirks. “See you at dinner later?’
Salome nods, friendly and enthusiastic. “I’ll want details,” she whispers, gesturing towards Mykah who blushes as well. Callie nods, waving her away to go pester Cirene for the juicy details of their time together. She grins, thinking about the cute blush that’ll consume Cirene’s face at how forward the priestesses are.
“Hey,” Mykah greets her at last, watching Salome exit.
“Hey,” Callie smiles back, climbing up to join him on the railing, feet hooking back into the banister to keep from falling.
“Should I even ask?” He nods back towards the priestess.
“Surprisingly not with Salome,” Callie concedes. She sighs, shaking her head in mild disbelief. “Who would’ve ever thought this would be my life?”
“Not me,” Mykah snorts. His short, dark, coily hair shines softly in the sunlight. A little bead of sweat from the heat drips across his forehead, sliding down his warm and dark brown skin. “I still remember how terrified you were to tell me that Vermelle gave you a blowjob. I swear you thought you’d be flogged on the spot.”
“It wasn’t even a good one,” Callie mutters, feeling a bit nostalgic.
Mykah grins. “How you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” Callie sighs. “Actually, I think I’m doing pretty well. I hated all of this at first, but lately it’s felt more… I’m not sure. It feels good.” She looks over, seeing the knowing gleam in his eyes. “And yes, I do enjoy the sex.”
“I’ll bet.” He rocks back and forth slightly, enjoying the cool breeze that rustles their clothes. “Other than the job, what’s big in your life these days?”
“A lot, I guess. This is weird,” she sighs, “I’m so used to you always being the first person I tell things to.”
“I miss that,” he places a hand on hers, squeezing it lightly. “Tell me about your partner, the other Devotia. What’s her deal?”
“Junivere,” Callie confirms. “She’s intense. First few days she was here, we hated each other so much. But, when she accidently found out I was threaded…” she sees his face and quickly says, “long story… Anyway, she softened a bit after that. She’s been Devotia for seven years or so, so she’s been guiding me on how to survive and do well.”
“Seems cool.”
“Yeah,” Callie smiles politely. “It’s… it’s pretty lonely sometimes. Everyone has to keep their distance and we can’t let them in very often. Junivere is pretty much the only person I can really spend as much time as I want with and not have it cause a scandal.”
“Gods that sucks,” Mykah shakes his head.
“It’d be terrible without her. But, I’m so grateful she’s here.” She lets a mischievous smile decorate her face, turning to him and adding, “She’s a big part of why I’m so comfortable being physical now.”
Mykah laughs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Now that’s got to be a scandal.”
“You’d think,” Callie grins. “Obviously don’t tell people that.”
“Secret is safe with me,” he places a hand on his heart. “Speaking of secrets, I hear you’ve got a boyfriend.”
“Don’t even get me started,” she sighs, lowering her head into her hands. “That one is so complicated now.” Thankfully, Mykah elects not to pry, giving her a moment to collect herself. “What about you? What’ve you been up to?”
“After we left Rookwell,” he begins, his hand waving to follow his story, “I hid out in the woods for a while. You remember that my dad used to teach me that shit, so I was pretty comfortable for a few days. Found a nice cave, hunted some rabbits, made a stew, it was good.”
“What then?”
“You know me,” he grins, “I gotta be around people. I figured I couldn’t go back home, so I made my way slowly down towards Daymare, doing some odd jobs for a little while.”
There weren’t many mages in that part of the country, so Callie figures it wouldn’t have been too difficult for Mykah to find work. Most people could find the capacity with training to bust out a few weak spells, but Mykah had learned about his gifts early. His mother loved it, shielding him from all the scorn of people who didn’t trust magic and getting him access to any and every spellbook she could. He was a quick study, picking up spells like it was breathing, and occasionally he’d bum little bits of knowledge from visiting merchants or people he could pester in a tavern.
“Eventually, I ran into Quimere by accident,” he continues, fondly recalling the beloved merchant. “She said my folks were going good, missing me a bit but generally supportive. And she said she sent you to Solva and that I should head there, too.”
“Gods I love that woman.”
“Me too,” Mykah nods. “So I came here. I’ve been working at the threadforge when I can, saving up to see if I can get mom and dad to move here with me.”
“Ask Cirene when you see her next time,” Callie smiles, “She’s really eager to help and I’d bet she’d send for your parents.”
“Perfect,” he agrees. “But that’s been my time.”
Callie nods as well, grateful to be near him again. A few long, quiet moments pass between them as she stares out onto the busy city below, savoring the brick rooftops and bustling streets.
“My first days here,” she tells him, “the only thing that really kept me going was what you said to me when we left. ‘It’s worth it to me,’ you said over and over again.” She sighs, feeling a bit more somber than before. “Everytime I hid behind a streetcart or deflected awkward questions I thought about that.”
“It is worth it to me,” he says, brow furrowing seriously and hand resting on top of hers.
“Thanks,” she says. Behind her eyes, Callie can feel the capacity to cry hover in her head; not rushing forward, but simply reminding herself how much she cared. “... I still don’t know how to say thank you.”
“You don’t need to.”
Callie lets out a sad and sweet laugh. “I just told that to Cirene and I don’t even believe it. I feel like I’ll always owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I’d do it again in an instant.”
“Why did you do it?”
He thinks for a second. “Because I care about you.”
“You risked everything for me,” Callie lowers her head, feeling the water behind her eyes build up a little more.
Suddenly, Mykah’s hand rests against her cheek, pulling her into a quick and soft kiss. Surprised and confused, Callie feels herself revent into habit, remaining in the kiss for as long as Mykah holds it; feeling her skin warm and heartbeat echo in her ears. After a few seconds he pulls away, lowering his hand from her cheek.
“I…” Callie’s words fail her.
“Fuck…” Mykah mutters, turning back to face the view before them. His head hangs low, a disappointed expression crossing his face.
“What… what’s wrong?” Callie lifts a hand to her lips, feeling them still tingle softly. She isn’t sure what to think. Kissing was so common to her these days but Mykah’s touch felt so different from the rest. “We don’t have to stop,” she says, leaning in again only for him to turn away and reject it.
Mykah sighs, his shoulders rising and falling heavily. After a few long breaths he mutters, “I helped you out… cause I was in love with you. Had been for years.”
Callie feels her chest tighten. Mykah had always listened to Callie gush on about her crushes but he’d never had any to share back with her. A tremor of guilt shivers through her gut as she wonders how much that must’ve hurt. After a moment, she asks, “‘Was?’”
Mykah nods slowly. He searches for words, eventually scratching his neck and saying, “I don’t think there are good words for this, and I’m sorry. I… I’m only into men. I threaded you because I loved you, and I still feel like I do… but kissing you just now… it doesn’t feel right.”
“Oh…” Callie’s heart stills, feeling cool and solemn.
“I don’t know what to do about all of that,” he admits. “It all feels fucked up.”
“Yeah,” Callie agrees.
“Like I love you, I think,” Mykah muses, hands waving with confusion. “But now ‘you’ looks differently than ‘you’ before, so like I love the inside of you, but I’m no longer attracted to the outside of you… God’s, that feels horrible.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” she takes his hand carefully.
“I was hoping that maybe by coming here I’d prove myself wrong,” he sighs, “but it looks like I was just kidding myself.”
“I don’t think you’re kidding yourself,” Callie says gently. “You came because you care.”
“Yeah,” he lets out a disappointed breath. “I… I’m going to head out. I’ll see you later, Callie.”
Without waiting for a reply, Mykah swings his legs back over the railing, strolling back out into the room and ducking into the hallway. A small pit of shame trickles inside Callie as she briefly worries about what people might say if someone leaves without a blessing, but she pushes it away, instead trying to reconcile how she never knew how he felt.
