The Chronicles of Valen Ch. 36
*Disclaimer:* “Valen, Nathyrra, The Seer, and several of the other characters are the property of Bioware. If you’ve played the game, you’ll recognize them. The rest is the invention of my twisted little imagination, including Morrighu Badb and the goddess she serves.”
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*Out of the Mouth of Hell*
Morrighu smiles grimly at the Knower, “Speak Mephistopheles’ True Name, Phyreshi the Knower!”
The Knower shudders, “Very well, though the gods must still have their price and for one such as him, it was always high… Are you willing to sacrifice 500,000 gold to learn Mephistopheles’ True Name?”
Morrighu sighs and begins counting coins out of her pack again.
When she finally finishes, the Knower looks at her, “The one you know as the devil Mephistopheles, Lord of the Eighth Hell, is called Thra’axfyl the Ambitious in the gods’ tongue… Damn you, Hellwalker! Is there another you wish to learn?”
Morrighu nods, “I am honor bound to ask you for a few others. Know this, since you are a knower of things, we will stop him from killing an entire world. I know that was hard for you and I am sorry. I need to know the name of the Sleeping Man’s One True Love.”
The Knower sighs, ‘”The gods demand a sacrifice of 300,000 gold if you are to learn the True Name of the Sleeping Man’s one true love… Are you willing to make that sacrifice?”
Morrighu begins counting coins in silent answers before she looks at the Knower, “How come your name is worth less than this one?”
The Knower shrugs, “I do as the gods direct. Ahhh…that’s the last of them.”
Once again she does something that looks like it should dump the coins on the ground, but they disappear in a flash of light.
The Knower looks at Morrighu, “The Sleeping Man’s one true love is called Va’ardalia the Twinsouled in the gods’ tongue. You know her as the Lady Aribeth…”
Morrighu grins, “Good, that point of honor is satisfied. Now I have something I’d like to ask you in private.”
The Knower frowns at Morrighu takes her elbow and steers her out of earshot of everyone.
When she is certain that they have privacy even from the devil, Morrighu whispers to the Knower, “I have sworn to do what I can to help Valen rid himself of his infernal taint. Do you know if a True Name can do that?”
The Knower chuckles, “A gift for a companion?”
Morrighu nods, blushing.
The Knower puts an arm around her shoulders, “More than just a companion, too I think? Yes, it can do what you ask. What else is there?”
Morrighu sighs, “I would reward all of them with a bit of knowledge. There is a kobold we left back at the Gatehouse. He is unable to travel here without a constant drain on his magic. His kind are kin to dragons and are somewhat cold blooded. His name is Deekin. Then there is the drow that travels with us and that devil over there, plus there are a couple from back in Lost Souls. The dragon tavern keeper at the Hellsbreath Tavern, Arden Swift the bard and card cheat, and Gru’ul the Quarry Boss.”
The Knower looks at her oddly, “That’s quite a list. Are you sure you can afford it?”
Morrighu shrugs, “I don’t know until you tell me the price.”
The Knower tilts her head, listening again before she speaks, “It will cost you 900,000 in gold for all of them.”
Morrighu nods and grins at the Knower, “That’s going to take a while to count. You may as well sit down here and help me.”
They both sit on the ice counting coins from Morrighu’s pack.
When they are done, the Knower gestures at them and they disappear, “The one you know as Valen is called Oeskathine the Demonwrestler. The one you know as Nathyrra is called Qeyifalia the Skyseeker. The one you know as Deekin is called Ixthyria the Scalesinger. The one you know as Gru’ul the Quarry Boss is called Gargelflaw the Vile. The one you know as Arden Swift is called Caddisthwaite the Doomed. The one you know only as the Tavernkeeper is Salgatarix the Harsh. The devil you indicated is known as Bin’mesed the Defiler. Is there anything else you wish of me, Hellwalker?”
Morrighu nods, “I need to know the True Name of the Reaper.”
The Knower looks puzzled for a moment, “Ah, I can sense that this is the name you truly seek. The gods demand a strange price for it, though… There are two items that have aided you in your quest: a ring and an amulet. You must surrender them.”
Morrighu hands the items over promptly and the Knower speaks again, “The one you know as the Reaper of Cania is called Hecugoth the Abandoned in the gods’ tongue… Is there another you wish to learn?”
Morrighu thinks and looks at Valen, who shifts nervously, “Can you tell me if Valen is my One True Love?”
The Knower of Names looks sad, “I can tell you the name of your One True Love. No more and no less. Knowledge is often a heavy burden. Are you sure you wish to take this up?”
Morrighu hesitates for moment but nods, so the Knower smiles at her, “Since you have paid my fees with question, I will tell you the answer to the question you seek. Your one true love is called Oeskathine the Demonwrestler in the gods’ tongue. That would be your Valen.”
Morrighu hesitates again and the Knower frowns at her, “What troubles you?”
Morrighu chews her lower lip, “Who is Valen’s one true love?”
The Knower sighs, “The gods demand a sacrifice of 100,000 gold for that name.”
Morrighu nods and reaching into her pack, pulls out a huge blood red ruby. She shows it the Knower, “Will this be acceptable as your price?”
The Knower nods and takes it, “Valen’s one true love is you, Donita’ar the Blessed.”
Morrighu looks startled and there’s a faint rattle coming from inside her armor. She fishes quickly in the neck of her armor and comes up holding her rather problematic necklace. She tucks it carefully into one of her pouches in her pack and grins at the Knower, “That is a burden I would willingly take up.”
The Knower smiles at her, “Not all react so warmly.”
Morrighu leads the way back to where the rest of the group is gathered.
She approaches the demon, “Bin’mesed the Defiler, you will guard and protect the Knower of Names until she dismisses you. I am sorry to use your True Name on you, but this is not a task I can stay to complete and she must have a guardian here.”
Morrighu turns to the Knower, “You now have an able if somewhat untrustworthy protector. I would suggest that you and your sister leave this place. Now, can you do anything to help us get back to Lost Souls?”
The Knower nods, “I can… you have found the name that you have sought. Go now to the City of Lost Souls that you might there pursue your destiny.”
A blinding white light surrounds the trio and when it clears they are standing in front of the Hellsbreath Tavern. Morrighu nods to herself and starts inside but Valen catches her arm, “What are we doing?” Morrighu grins at him, “We have business here,” and ducks quickly in the door.
Valen and Nathyrra follow in her wake, a bit confused.
First she confronts the card cheat, Arden Swift, “Caddisthwaite the Doomed, give me all your winnings.”
Nathyrra snickers, “That’s a fitting punishment, if I’ve ever seen one.”
Arden growls at her, “My… My True Name! How could you know such a thing? Ack, I can feel its tug upon my soul… My winnings? Damn you, then, take it all! Easy come, easy go, they say… Is there anything else you demand?”
Morrighu shakes her head and wanders off. As she moves past him, Valen catches something about “…that damned tavern keeper…”
She finds the malevolent blue dragon in his customary place behind the bar and waits until they are alone before she speaks, “Salgatarix the Harsh, you will be polite to your patrons.”
The dragon leans over the bar at her, threatening, “What’s to keep me from snapping you up like a tasty little morsel?”
Morrighu reaches out and lays a hand on his nose.
The dragon withdraws, “I suppose you have a point at that. Any other commands for me?”
Morrighu shakes her head and wanders back toward the door. Once they are outside the tavern, she begins making for the temple. She enters the temple and brushes past an obviously unhappy Sensei. They dash into the room where the Sleeping Man lounges on his dais.
He spins to face her as she enters his chamber, “Have you found the name of my One True Love?”
Morrighu nods, “I have good news for you. We have completed your quest.” The Sleeping Man snaps to attention.
He leaps off the dais, “Tell me what you know of her.”
Morrighu grins, “Her name is Aribeth De Tylmarande. She is here, in Lost Souls, in a cave near the Gatehouse. I can take you to her, if you like.”
The Sleeping Man sweeps her up into a ferocious embrace and spins her around. Finally, Valen clears his throat and taps the Sleeping Man on the shoulder, who releases Morrighu with a chagrined look.
The Sleeping Man bows to Morrighu and Valen, “Pardon me. I have waited so very long for this. I know the cave you speak of. I would make some preparations before I meet her. Tell me, do you know anything of her?”
Morrighu nods, “She is my friend. Anything other than that should come from her.”
The Sleeping Man nods and flies off.
The Sensei comes storming in, “Now he’s left, because of you! What did you say chase him away?”
Morrighu sighs, “I answered the question he came her to find an answer for. You know, he thinks it’s an abomination that you worship him. I suggest you return home once I open the gates.”
Morrighu turns on her heel and heads out of the temple. She stands in the cold, gasping after having been in the warmth of the temple. Valen drapes an arm around her shoulders and pulls his cloak around her, shielding her.
He looks down at her, “Where are we going to now?”
Morrighu chuckles, “We need to go pay Gru’ul a visit. I don’t think he’ll be calling anyone else a berk.”
Valen chuckles as they walk toward the quarry office, “So, what exactly do you have planned for Gru’ul?”
Morrighu grins at him, “Watch, and see.”
They enter the Quarry Office and Gru’ul glances angrily in their direction as he tries to go about his business.
A sudden look of recognition crosses his face, however, and he turns back to them with a greedy look in his eye, “Hell-devils! I suppose you’re not such a clueless berk after all. I’ve been hearing some tall tales about where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing. Can I interest you in a business proposition?”
Morrighu looks at him levelly, “What tall tales have you been hearing?”
Gru’ul tries his best to smile at her, “Don’t play coy, you twenty-feathered mutton-head! A little birdie tells me you found the Knower of Names. True Names, they’re worth a devil’s ransom, they are!”
Morrighu decides to play along for a moment, “What are you proposing, Gru’ul?”
Gru’ul rubs his hands together, “What do you think I’m proposing, cheese-knees? Just a little trade… You give me the True Name of one of your precious henchmen and I give you a little artifact I scrounged up in Mephistar while you were away.”
Morrighu thinks for a moment, with her eyes narrowed, “What use do you have for someone’s True Name?”
Gru’ul chuckles, “I’ve got a quarry to run, squid-for-brains! Imagine a worker who never complains, who never takes a break unless I tell them to, who never unionizes… Indentured servitude: it’s a boss’ dream, berk!”
Morrighu shakes her head, “My companions are not for sale, Gru’ul. That said, I’ll take that artifact now Gargelflaw the Vile.”
Gru’ul grinds his teeth in frustration, “You’re more cunning than I suspected, you mangy little… mangy little… Ahem. Sorry about that. You were wanting the artifact were you? Grrrrr… Will there be anything else?”
Morrighu laughs, “Oh, yes, there’s more. I want you to be good until the end of your days.”
Gru’ul slams his fist down on his desk, “Good? But it’s not in my nature! Why you flea-riddled, pus-eating, flower-growing, bunny-hugging, sun-shining… GAH! If I could hate you right now, I would. Any other commands?”
Morrighu nods, “One last one, I want you to have a holiday for your workers.”
Gru’ul grimaces, “A holiday? Yes, of course! Morrighu Day! We’ll shut the quarry down, ship all the workers off to the tavern, and I’ll cover the tab myself. We’ll make it a monthly morale-boosting social event!” Gru’ul stomps off to announce this to the quarry workers.
Morrighu grins up at Valen, “I think our work here is done. Let’s go to the Gatehouse and see the Reaper.
Morrighu steps through the entrance into the Gatehouse followed quickly by Valen and Nathyrra.
Deekin dances about her legs gleefully, “Boss! You’s back! You not forgets Deekin!”
Morrighu kneels next to the kobold, “Have I ever forgotten you, Deekin?”
Deekin hugs her impulsively and Morrighu hugs him back.
She looks around at the Gatehouse and grins at Deekin, “It seems you’ve been busy.”
Deekin nods and points to the Reaper, “After we cleans, he brings paints.”
Morrighu looks around the Gatehouse is painted in bright, garish colors. Plants, magical beasts, and various deities in stylized rainbow-bright hues cover the walls and floor as high up as Deekin has been able to reach.
Morrighu looks around the room, taking stock of the images that Deekin has applied to the Gatehouse. In the center of the floor is a large white dragon and Morrighu walks over to inspect it.
She looks down at it and then at Deekin curiously and says, “Tymofarrar?”
Deekin nods so she continues walking around the room until she comes to end, near the door where they came in. Morrighu howls with laughter and even the Reaper seems to be chuckling. Painted with an almost childlike simplicity are Nathyrra and Valen.
Valen’s pointed ears, horns and tail seem to dominate his image though, making him appear to be more of a caricature of a tiefling than a portrait. Valen blushes hotly, much to Nathyrra’s continued amusement.
The Reaper, more restrained in his greeting, bows to her, “Greetings, Sojourner. How may I serve you?”
Morrighu grins at him and says simply, “Hecugoth the Abandoned.”
Startled the Reaper steps back and bows deeply, “My True Name. I do not know how you have come by it, but I am your to command. How will you command me, Sojourner?”
Morrighu sighs, “First off, I want you list out every command you’ve been given by those that hold your True Name. I may decide to ask you questions or I may simply rescind those commands, but I want to hear them first.”
The Reaper bows before her again and begins listing of a fairly innocuous series of commands.
She holds up a hand to the Reaper, “Who gave you those commands?”
The Reaper says, “Those that created me.”
Morrighu considers for a moment, “While I do sense a faint taint in you Reaper, you have never been anything but helpful to me. Tell me, do you consider any of the commands given to you by your creators to be evil or to serve the purposes of evil?”
The Reaper considers, “No, I think that on the whole they are very wise. For example, I am not to allow any of the Tanar’ri or Baatezu to pass. Short of obtaining my True Name, even Mephistopheles had to bow to my power in my own domain.”
Morrighu nods, “Those commands may stand then. Are there others who have commanded you?”
The Reaper inclines his head, “There have been a few, Sojourner.”
She sighs, “Anything interesting?”
The Reapers nods, “Only the ones issues by Mephistopheles would be of interest to you, Sojourner. The others apply to beings that no longer exist.”
Morrighu nods, “Let us deal with those then.”
The Reaper nods again folding his arms, “What is it that you ask of me, Sojourner?”
Morrighu sighs, “I want you to allow the Githzerai Pilgrims to return home. They have been trapped here as surely as we are. I know what it is to want to go home.”
The Reaper bows to her, “Consider it done, Sojourner. What else would you have of me?”
She reaches for Valen’s hand, “I am told that the spirits of the dead used to be able to pass here.”
The Reaper nods to her, “Once, this was true but Mephistopheles commanded me to stop them.”
Morrighu waves a hand at him, “Reverse it. What else has he commanded you?”
The Reaper seems to chuckle, “The remainder of his commands pertains to you, Sojourner.”
Morrighu chews on her lip considering, “Then I would add one final thing, Reaper.”
The Reaper looks at her puzzled, “What would that be, Sojourner?”
She grins at the Reaper, “If anyone other than the four of us comes here and uses your True Name to command you, I command you to change your True Name, unless of course, you wish to obey them. In which case, you can feel free to change your name later.”
The Reaper seems amused as he bows to the group, “As you wish, Sojourner. Is there anything else you would ask of me?”
Morrighu nods, “I want to go back to Toril, Reaper.”
The Reaper genuflects before the group, “It has been…a pleasure to serve you Sojourner. I have summoned a gate that will return you to Durnan in Waterdeep. Before you pass through it, I would give you a word of warning. Once you step through that door, you will forfeit the bond that you have had with this place. You will not see me again nor lay your eyes upon the ice of Cania.”
Morrighu looks grim but nods at the Reaper, “My goddess’ will be done.”
Morrighu strides toward the gate, meaning to step through it and be gone.
Right before she reaches it, she hears the Reaper speak one last time, “I wish you well, Sojourner.”
No sooner than they step through the gate, the foursomes find themselves standing in a courtyard next to Durnan. Durnan spins to face the group in the middle of shouting orders during what appears to be a vicious battle. Sweat beads on him and his shoulders sag under what has likely been constant strain since Mephistopheles reached the surface. He seems to have aged at least a decade in the last few weeks.
Durnan’s eyes widen as he takes in the paladin and her companions, “Where in the name of the Nine Hells have you been?”
Morrighu laughs harshly, “That is exactly where I’ve been. Where is Mephistopheles now?”
Durnan sighs and his shoulders seem to sag some more, “He’s headed this way. We fight his minions even now. Some districts have held against their onslaught but only where Mephistopheles himself hasn’t joined the battle. It’s a war of movement now; we fight just to survive.”
Morrighu nods grimly, “I have a bone to pick with him. You just leave Mephistopheles to me.”
To Durnan’s surprise, a large fearsome tiefling that arrived with her lays a hand gently on Morrighu’s shoulder and leans foreword to whisper to her, “You do not have to face him alone. I still hear the call of the Blood Wars and I too have bone to pick with him.”
To Durnan’s even greater surprise, Morrighu reaches a hand up to cover his, where it rests on her shoulder.
Nathyrra steps foreword, “I will be with you as well.” Deekin pipes up, “Smelly old devil mean to Boss. That makes Deekin soooooo mad!”
Durnan shrugs, “Then may the gods grant you strength. With every battle, he grows in power. We’ve had reports that he’s on his way here. I’ll order my men to pull back when he arrives… You’re our only hope.”
A few minutes later the ground starts to rumble and before long, the group can smell smoke and brimstone. Morrighu sighs heavily and uses the demon’s hand to pull them up to a balcony to try to get a better view.
Durnan has already begun ordering his troops back and before long, Mephistopheles himself arrives. True to form, he bursts through a wall, creating havoc and destruction amongst the stragglers.
Mephistopheles immediately casts a spell summoning several lava beasts and fire elementals. With the stragglers and most of his own forces reduced to smoking hulks, Mephistopheles dismisses them.
“Okay.” Kirsten was still in the hospital bed. “Do they have to go?” Natalie and Kirsten”s family were in the room.
“As long as they don”t interrupt, they can stay,” said Detective Jaren. He flipped his little notebook open. “Tell us what happened on Saturday afternoon.”
“I was talking with my co-star and we sorta ended up walking into an alley. We didn”t even see the guy approach us. He yelled at us to empty our pockets. Then Mike said something to his dog and he started growling.”
“You”re referring to Michael Torbin correct?” asked Detective Altice. Kirsten nodded. “What happened next?”
“The mugger got scared. He looked like he was going to back off but a car came to a sudden stop behind him. Things seemed to go a lot faster from that point. He turned around suddenly which I guess spooked X because he attacked him. I only heard the shot.”
“What did Mike do?”
“He um, I guess he tackled me.” She motioned towards Natalie. “She told me the bullet went through his shoulder before it hit me. It gets kind of hazy after that. I remember lots of people came around, then the police then an ambulance.”
“Did you know the man who was killed?”
“No,” said Kirsten. “Who was he?”
Jaren flipped his notebook closed. “We don”t know. There was no ID, fingerprints weren”t in the system and nobody has come to claim the body.”
“What”s going to happen to him?” asked Kirsten.
“The morgue will give it another week and a half before they give him a serial number and a burial,” said Altice.
“How awful,” said Inez.
“Well, we probably won”t need to talk to you again. In all likelihood this is over for you,” said Altice. “I hope you feel better.” They turned to leave but Detective Jaren hung back.
“I”m sorry to bother you like this Miss Dunst, but could I trouble you for an autograph? My daughter loves you.” He took out a folded magazine cover with Kirsten”s picture on it.
Kirsten smiled. “Sure, no problem.” She wrote a little note on the cover and handed it back to the detective.
“Thanks.” He left the room.
“How terrible to die alone like that,” said Inez.
Natalie checked her watch. “I really wish I didn”t have to go Kiki but George is threatening to digitally replace me. I think he might do it too.”
“Go, go, I”m okay now. Thank you so much for staying for so long,” said Kirsten as she sat up gingerly.
Natalie hugged her. “I”ll see you Kiki.” Natalie opened the door and left the room.
*1:56 pm. Michael and Thomas”s house.*
Thomas was sitting at the kitchen table rubbing his temple. He had been on the phone for hours trying to find out what happened to X. The celerity of the legal system never ceased to amaze him. “Okay, sir, I”ve found the animal you”re referring to.”
“Jesus, took long enough. So is he okay? You guys are taking care of him?” asked Thomas.
“All the animals in our care receive good care Mr. Mannette.”
“Fine, I”m sure they do. So when can I come pick him up?”
“You”re the owner of this dog?”
“No, I”m a friend of the owner.”
“Oh. Well I can”t release this animal into your custody then.”
“Yes you can, the guy who owns the dog told me I could take him.”
“Unless he transferred ownership of the dog to you, I can”t release him.”
Thomas sighed. “Fine. What is it going to take for me to take this dog off your hands?”
“I just told you. Anything else?”
“No. Thanks.” He dialed Michael”s cell phone but no one answered. “Damnit Mike, pick up the phone.” He beeped the phone off and headed for the refrigerator. Thomas was not feeling particularly happy with the way things had played out the last few days, especially with Keira and Elisha.
Once word about the shooting reached London Keira was ordered home by her parents on the first flight out. Elisha, on the other hand, left on her own after visiting with Kirsten. There was real fury in her eyes when she stormed out of Michael”s room in the hospital and Thomas was unable to provide any comfort for her. She and Thomas were still on good terms but losing two lays like that in three days was pretty rough on him.
*8:00 am. Wednesday, July 9. Conference Room “A.” Shooting Stars Talent Agency. Los Angeles, California.*
“Everybody here?” Simon did a quick head count. “Good. I”ve got lots of news.”
“I hope you do,” said Paige as she sipped her second steaming cup of coffee. She was a minor agent of the firm.
“Alright. Number one, we”ve “finally” found out where Kirsten is. Turns out the only way around the new laws that keep hospitals from releasing information about their patients is for the patient to contact you personally. But aside from making me sick with worry, there were some pleasant side effects. Media frenzy has been kept at a, well, non-frenzy level. This is a unique opportunity for Kirsten and for us. It”s key that we harness the power of this horrible event.”
“Whoa whoa, before we turn the spin doctors loose, why don”t you tell us what actually happened?” asked Jerry, after Simon the next highest ranking agent.
“Kirsten told me that she was fighting with Michael and they were jumped by a mugger. Michael”s dog attacked the mugger but he fired off a shot before he was killed. After that, Kirsten was taken to the hospital. The doctors said she was extremely lucky. The bullet was only inches from her spinal cord when it was removed. The prognosis is good and she”s due to be discharged today.”
“Think of the sympathy,” said Paige.
“No studio would turn her down,” said Jake, one of the publicists.
“We”re at a critical juncture here people. Jake, your team has to be on the ball for this one.”
“No problem Simon. We”ll get to work right away.”
“Hey wait a second,” said Jerry. “Who is Michael and what happened to him?”
“Don”t worry, I was getting to him. Michael is a new talent we signed a while ago. He was the lead in this movie,” answered Simon.
“Was Michael hurt during the mugging?” asked Jerry.
“Kirsten said he was shot in the shoulder. Bear in mind that only one shot was fired,” said Simon. The people sitting around the table quickly understood what he meant. “So here”s the angle we take with him; a real life hero playing fictional heroes.” Jake was rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “But before we can do anything about him, we have to find him first. He”s not in the hospital, but that”s all I know.”
“Doesn”t he have a cell phone?” asked Paige.
“I”ve left dozens of voicemails for him. He hasn”t returned any of them. I”ve spoken to his housemate, but he doesn”t know anything either.”
“If he doesn”t pop up soon he”ll be hanging his own neck,” said Willis, the agency”s lawyer. “Paramount is not going to be happy about him taking their money and running.”
“I assume Paramount has already contacted you about the future of the movie?” asked Simon.
“Yes. Official word is the film is postponed indefinitely. Unofficially, they”re not stupid, the publicity will be huge. If they can get Kirsten and Michael back, they want to finish the movie and get it out there.”
“Let”s find him then,” said Simon. “You”ve got promo pics and other stuff right? Use whatever footage you can get your hands on and get his name and face out there. That ought to flush him out but if somehow he never surfaces, people will forget him just as quickly as you can take him off Entertainment Weekly.”
“Okay, we”re on it.”
*3:07 pm. Thursday, July 10.*
Kirsten opened the door to her parent”s house and stepped inside. When she had gone out earlier that afternoon she made sure to leave all the lights on along with a television and the radio in her room. She was never comfortable with silence but the shooting had amplified all of her insecurities and fears tenfold. Kirsten had even gone back to clutching one of her teddy bears when she went to sleep.
While she was officially a homeowner she could not bring herself to live on her own just yet. Nobody was home now and she was uncomfortable even with that temporary emptiness. She entered the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Pushing aside some old pancake batter she found a can of Pepsi Twist and cracked it open.
She went into the living room to watch television. As she settled on some cartoons she took her cell phone out and turned it on. There was a “who”s who” list of Hollywood names scrolling up the voicemail menu. Producers, directors, actors and actresses all calling to offer sympathies. Well, she assumed they were offering sympathies; she had no intention of listening to every single one. The only ones she cared about were the ones from her friends.
Kirsten listened to the messages one by one. They pretty much all sounded the same except for the voice saying them. Mila, Jennifer, Eliza, Tobey and Rachael were among the people who had left messages. She decided to call Eliza first.
“Hello?”
“Hey Eliza,” said Kirsten.
“Kiki hi!” said Eliza. “How are you?”
“I”m okay.”
“Just okay? What are you doing?”
“Um.” She looked at the television screen. “Watching cartoons.”
“Toons? I”m down with toons. Mind if I come over?”
“It”d be a relief if you did.”
“Great, be by in a few.”
***
*Michael and Thomas”s house. Chicago, Illinois.*
“You can”t. He has to stay in our custody until the sentencing.”
“Sentencing? He”s a dog.”
“Animals who have taken a human life are usually put down. We”re just waiting for the official word.”
Thomas stood from the table. “What? You can”t put him to sleep he was only protecting his owner!”
“I don”t know the specifics Mr. Mannette. I suggest you speak to the detective on the case.” The man hung up.
“Shit.” He called the police station and was put in contact with Detective Altice. “Yes, hi my name is Tom Mannette, I”m trying to get my friend”s dog back. He was the one involved with the shooting a few days back.”
“I doubt you”re going to be able get him back. He killed someone.”
“But you know why he did it right? He was ordered to. It”s not like he”s a stray.”
“That might be why he has to be put down. He has to have a license to own a trained attack dog.”
“He”s a house dog! Not an attack dog! He won”t hurt anyone unless Mike tells him to!”
“Exactly. Now I have to get back to work.”
“Wait!”
“What is it?” asked Detective Altice, annoyed.
“When are you going to put him to sleep?”
“I don”t know, that”s not my call. Goodbye.”
“Then whose call is it?!” snapped Thomas.
“Talk to Animal Control.” She hung up.
“I already did,” muttered Thomas to himself as he again dialed the number for Animal Control.
*3:37 pm. Dunst residence. Los Angeles, California.*
Eliza knocked on the door. She waited a few seconds then opened it up and walked inside. “Hey Kiki, what”s with all the cars?” She stopped as a trio of women lounging in the living room came into view. “Oh, so you call me last?”
“Hi Eliza,” said Kirsten from the couch. She was flanked by Elisha and Mila. “I called you first actually, they just got here before you.”
“Hey Eliza,” greeted Elisha and Mila.
“I don”t get this show,” said Mila. “What is that little sponge”s problem?”
“He seems to be really angry at something,” said Elisha.
“He”s not angry, he”s just excitable,” retorted Kirsten.
“Well shove over Elisha,” said Eliza. She squeezed herself down into a small space on the couch. “Spongebob sucks. Let”s watch something else.”
“He does not suck,” said Kirsten.
“He blows,” said Mila.
“You are so clever,” said Kirsten. “What do you want to watch?”
“I don”t know, I have no idea what”s on in the afternoon,” said Eliza.
“Spongebob it is then.”
“NO, I”ll find something,” said Eliza as she reached over and snatched the remote from Kirsten.
“Hey!” Kirsten lunged across the couch at Eliza, sprawling herself across the laps of Mila and Elisha.
Eliza held the remote just out of reach of Kirsten”s outstretched hands, taunting her. “Hmm, I wonder what ELSE is on?” She began flipping channels.
“Give it back!” laughed Kirsten as she crawled over Mila and Elisha.
“They”re like this every afternoon,” said Mila with a mockingly exasperated look on her face.
Eliza was now trying to escape but Kirsten had a firm grip on her hips. “I can”t wait until they have to go back to school in the fall,” said Elisha.
“Okay MOM,” said Kirsten. “Maybe if you get the remote back we won”t be acting like this.” She continued clutching at Eliza”s hand.
“No need,” said Elisha. She retrieved the remote control for the DVD player and began playing a disc. “I”ll just put on your favorite movie…” Leatherface decapitated a screaming half naked woman. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” said Elisha bewilderedly.
Kirsten stopped messing around with Eliza. “That”s Chris”s.”
“Aaaaanyway,” said Eliza. She turned the television off. “Enough TV, let”s go do something.”
Kirsten checked her watch. “If you wanna wait a little while we can eat dinner here, my mom would love having you.”
“NO,” said her three friends simultaneously.
“Uh, I mean, Eliza”s right, we should go out, it”s Friday you know,” said Mila.
“Yeah, we don”t wanna impose on your mom anyway,” said Elisha.
“I”m driving,” said Eliza, not even bothering to sugarcoat her disdain for Kirsten”s mother”s cooking.
*5:56 pm. Vocelli”s.*
“Tell me what you guy”s think of this,” said Kirsten. The four them were sitting in one of Los Angeles”s trendiest health food spots. “I had lunch with my publicist today. She tells me that Simon has some big plans for my future.”
“Every agent has “big” plans,” said Eliza.
“Get this though, he wants to treat what happened in Chicago as some big publicity stunt.”
“That”s disgusting,” said Mila.
“That”s despicable,” agreed Elisha.
“That”s shrewd,” said Eliza. They all stared at her. “It was front page news Kiki, everyone in the country knows what happened. I bet your fan clubs have been deluged with sympathy letters.”
“So what?” said Kirsten.
“That”s terrible Eliza, someone is dead and you think it”s a good thing?” said Elisha.
“Not that someone is dead Elisha, but that Kiki is in the public eye more than ever now. She does have a career you know.”
“I know that. But we all know she wasn”t alone in that alley.”
“Screw Mike, what does he have to do with it?” said Eliza. “It”s not like any of us are going to have to deal with him anytime soon, right Kiki?”
“Yeah…that”s right.”
Someone”s cell phone rang and everybody reached for their purses. It turned out to be Eliza”s. “Hello?…Hey Rose, what”s up?…Saturday? Wicked, I”ll be there…Bye.”
“But-” said Elisha before Eliza cut her off.
“Clear your Saturday night ladies, we just got an invite to Deep. That place is hot,” said Eliza. “You better clear your Sunday night too.”
“Wish I could,” said Mila.
“You have to,” insisted Eliza. “It”s a guaranteed great time.”
“I can”t, I”ll be out of town with Peter,” said Mila. “Besides, Rose creeps me out.”
“Alright fine. You two?”
“Sure,” said Kirsten.
“Maybe I”ll pop in for a little while,” said Elisha. “Back to the Mike-bashing.”
“Elisha I don”t want to hear it,” said Kirsten.
“But-”
“You”ve had your share of words. He”s not around. He”s never going to be around. Drop it,” said Kirsten testily. Elisha crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair with a pout.
*1:15 pm. Friday, July 11. Simon”s office. Shooting Stars Talent Agency.*
Simon picked up his ringing telephone. “Yes?”
“Kirsten Dunst just arrived.”
“Thank you Ada, send her in.” He hung up the phone and stood from his desk as Kirsten entered his office. “Hello Kirsten.” He hugged her tightly. “How are you feeling?”
“You have no idea how tired I am of people asking me that,” said Kirsten. “But I”m fine.”
“Good. Let”s get down to business then. Please, have a seat.” Simon settled into his chair as Kirsten sat down.
“I”ve already talked to my publicist. They told me what you want to do with this.”
“And?” said Simon hopefully.
“It disgusts me.”
“Kirsten, this is more publici-”
“Forget publicity! You want to use the death of a human being to further your own career and buy a bigger Cadillac. I want no part of this.”
“That”s not true! I am truly sorry that that man is dead. I never planned to make light of that in the name of your career. I”m just trying to get some kind of good out of the awfulness that happened to you. I can”t ignore the possibilities that have resulted from his actions. Neither can you.”
“I bet I can. My career is fine, I don”t need this kind of hype.”
“Of course your career is fine. But I want it to be great! I want it to be huge! What happened in Chicago is the catalyst that”s going to do it.”
“You don”t care at all do you?”
Simon put his elbows on his desk. “You want me to care about the man who shot you? Who almost killed you?” Kirsten flinched slightly. “I have no sympathy for him. Only for you.”
“This isn”t about me.”
“Of course it”s about you! I admit, this can do great things for Shooting Stars but it”s not just about my career Kirsten. We”re talking Julia Roberts territory here, if we handle it right.”
“Julia Roberts?” said Kirsten.
“A-list, Kirsten, A-list. You will never be the first one on the red carpet again.” Her silence spurred him on. He reached inside a desk drawer and pulled out a package. “What I have here, are the “perfect” projects to take on that will cement your rightful position in Hollywood. You are now number one in line on all of them. But you won”t be forever.” He placed the scripts on the desk and slid them towards Kirsten.
She touched the package but did not pick it up. “What about the one I was working on in Chicago?”
Simon shrugged. “They want to finish it but they obviously need the other lead actor to do that. A third of the film was completed before the attack happened so re-shooting all of it is out the question.”
“So you haven”t heard from Mike either?”
“Not a peep. He”s going to be in serious legal trouble if he doesn”t come back soon though.”
“What do you mean?”
“The studio is paying him for services rendered. If they”re not rendered, they”re not paying.”
“Is there a deadline?”
“End of the month is what their lawyers told ours.” Kirsten stood up and turned around. “Wait Kirsten. You forgot these.” He held out the package with the scripts inside. She hesitated for a moment before she took the package and left his office. Simon smiled. He picked up his phone and dialed Jake. “She”s in. Turn”em loose.”
*9:16 pm. Dunst household. *
Friday nights were Friday nights, but Kirsten had holed herself up in her room. She was reclining on her bed and had just finished reading through the scripts Simon had given her. They could be great films and one of them was a near guaranteed Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Maybe Simon was right about getting some kind of good out of the whole mess. The phone rang and Kirsten picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Hi, this is Katie Holmes, may I speak to Kirsten?”
Kirsten swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up. “Speaking.”
“Oh. Hi.”
“Hello.” The memory of seeing her name on Michael”s cell phone rushed out from the back of her mind. Katie was the sole woman she knew Michael had been with that she had not spoken to since the breakup.
“First off, I heard about what happened and-”
“Everybody has.”
“Right, well, I”m not sure what to say, I”m glad you”re okay.”
“Okay.” Kirsten hoped Katie was getting more and more uncomfortable by the second.
“Um, I feel kind of weird asking you this, but uh, well let me explain. I”ve been trying to get in contact with Mike for the last few days. I was getting a little worried, we usually talk at least once a week.”
“Oh really,” said Kirsten sarcastically.
Katie scratched her head. “Yeah, really. Um, then I see his face on the news with everybody saying that he saved your life and-”
Kirsten stood quickly from the bed. “What?”
“Just turn on your TV, you”ll see it.”
“Jesus, Simon.” Kirsten exited her room and entered her brother”s room. She turned on his television.
“Do you know where he is? Or how I can get in touch with him?” asked Katie. Kirsten was silent as she watched the talking heads expound on the extraordinary heroism and bravery of one Michael Torbin. “Kirsten?”
“Huh?” said Kirsten distractedly.
“Do you know how I can get in contact with Mike?” asked Katie again.
Kirsten watched the television for a few more moments before switching it off. “Let me ask you something first Katie.”
“Okay.”
“You and Mike had a relationship right?”
“I thought we still did,” said Katie.
Kirsten went back to her room and shut the door. “Could you tell me about him?”
“Um, okay. I figured you would”ve talked to him a bit on the film in Chicago.” Kirsten smirked. Figures that Michael never told Katie about them. “Anyway, he was a really nice guy, smart, caring. Understanding to a fault even,” said Katie. “Why do you ask?”
“Just wanted to see if I knew him as well as I thought I did.”
“I thought you were asking because you didn”t.”
“No, Katie,” said Kirsten. She paused for a moment. “I knew him.”
Katie slowly gathered the implications of Kirsten”s words. “Then what is this about?”
“Don”t get angry Katie. You don”t have to worry about that,” said Kirsten. “But I guess I should tell you what happened to Mike.”
***
*Torbin Estate. Bethesda, Maryland.*
“Michael Torbin, shown here in a promotional photo released by the movie studio, has been declared a hero by many of the Hollywood elite,” said the newscaster. “This comes after police released additional information about the shooting that occurred in downtown Chicago last Saturday afternoon.”
Sharon sipped her wine slowly as the box next to the newscaster”s head became enlarged, showing a clear picture of Sherry Lansing, head of Paramount Studios, standing in front of a group of reporters.
“We can”t thank Mike enough for saving the life of one Hollywood”s biggest stars,” said Lansing.
Freddie Prinze, Jr. appeared after Lansing. “I”d give this guy a kiss if I could.”
The clip cut to Tom Cruise. “The guy saved Kirsten Dunst”s life, I mean come on, is hero even enough of a word to describe him?”
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt appeared next. “What can you say about a guy who takes a bullet for someone?” said Brad. “It”s kind of romantic,” said Jennifer. “It”s nice to know that there”s still some princes out there. Kirsten is so lucky.”
Sharon reclined in her bed with a satisfied smile, as if the accolades were all her own.
In his den, Joseph clicked through a bunch of Internet news sites. He never expected to see his son”s face on the web or for his son to do what he did. If, of course, any of that information was true. He pointed to another link when his computer dinged, signaling that his DVD was finished. Joseph took the freshly burned disk out of the tray and placed it in a case. Then he placed it in his private safe, a place that not even his wife knew about.
*9:12 pm. Saturday, July 12. Michael and Thomas”s house.*
*ding-dong*
Thomas got off the couch where a couple of his friends were sitting and went to the door. He took the pizzas from the delivery man and counted the cash in his right hand. “Hey! Which one of you didn”t put in? Willie, gimme the money!”
“Dude, why do you always assume it”s me?” said Wilson indignantly.
The man sitting next to him shoved him. “It”s always you, you cheap mother fucker.”
“Screw you Jimmy.”
“Willie, money!” said Thomas.
“Goddamnit.” He paused the game he was playing and fished some money out of his pocket. “Here.” Wilson held the bill over his head.
“You DO know where the front door is relative to the couch, right?” said Thomas.
“You guys will NEVER grow up.” The woman sitting in the recliner stood and took the money from Wilson”s outstretched hand to give to Thomas.
“Thanks Sam.” He finally paid the pizza man and brought the pizzas into the living room. After plopping them down on the floor in front of the television, Thomas retrieved a can of soda from the kitchen. “Alright, food, then business.”
“Mmmmmmmmmm,” said James as he wolfed a slice in three bites. He was a football player. Sam was a political science major and Wilson was a business major. They were all Chicago locals who also attended the University of Chicago with Michael and Thomas. Ten or fifteen minutes later they finished eating.
“So what”s this business about?” asked James.
“I need to call in a few favors,” said Thomas.
“Don”t you have to DO a favor before you can call one in?” asked Wilson.
“Man shut up,” said Thomas. “Anyway, Sam? You know what”s going on, tell them.”
Sam took a bite out of the crust of her slice of pizza. “You three are going to break into a police kennel and rescue Mike”s dog X.”
Wilson and James stared at her in silence for a few moments. “WHAT?!” exclaimed Wilson.
“Wait, you”re not coming because…” said James.
“I”m the one who is going to get you access to the building. Don”t worry, it”ll be a cakewalk,” assured Sam. “I can get you the key to the back door from my father. From there, you just make your way to the cages. The only hard part is finding the key to the door of X”s cell.”
“Who”s going to have the key?” asked James.
“You”re actually considering this?!” said Wilson.
“Hey I love a good caper,” said James.
“Distracting Sam while Tom snuck out of her mom”s bedroom was a caper! This is breaking and entering!” exclaimed Wilson.
Sam”s eyes widened in shock. “WHA-”
“They close at eight, so we”ll be going in around nine,” interrupted Thomas. “There are security cameras, so don”t wear that shirt that says “WILLIE” across the front.”
“Wait a second Tom!” snapped Sam.
“Sam I”m trying to save Mike”s dog here alright!” said Thomas, doing his best Steve Zahn impression. He pointed at James and Wilson. “In?”
“Hell yeah,” said James.
“No!” said Wilson.
“Come on man, do it for X,” said James.
“I”m not going to jail for a freaking dog,” said Wilson.
“Look, we need you alright? We can”t do it with only two guys,” said Thomas. He looked up as he thought a moment. “Well, we probably could, but it would be a lot more dangerous. We”ll probably get caught if you”re not there.”
“Yeah, then how are you going to feel?” said James.
“Guilt trips? Yeah, they don”t work anymore,” said Wilson.
“Fine. Sam will sleep with you if you do it,” said Thomas.
“Or maybe I”ll go home right now and forget about giving you the key before X gets a poison needle in his stomach!” said Sam.
“Calm down everybody,” said James. “Sam, Willie doesn”t have all the facts straight okay? Tom was never in your mom”s bedroom. It was your “sister”s” bedroom.” Sam stared at him like he was a moron. James turned to Wilson. “Come on Willie, Mike”s a friend and you know how attached he is to that dog.”
Wilson slumped back into the couch as he contemplated their request. “And Sam will SO sleep with you if we pull this off,” said Thomas.
“Alright! That”s IT! I”m leaving!” Sam stood in a huff and rattled the windows when she slammed the front door shut behind her.
“My parents are going to be so pissed.” Wilson groaned. “I”m in.”
*11:47 pm. Deep. Los Angeles, California.*
Deep was a thumping club in the heart of Los Angeles. It had the usual atmosphere; strobe lights cutting blue and green swaths across the dance floor, a young DJ spinning tracks, lots of gorgeous young women leaving little to the imagination.
Kirsten and Eliza arrived together, dressed to kill. Then again, maybe kill is the wrong word; maybe maul or maim. No matter what word one would use, whichever man was caught in their sights would certainly not complain. For that matter, neither would a woman, especially when that woman is Rose McGowan.
“Wellwellwell look at you two,” said Rose as Kirsten and Eliza found the booth she was lounging in.
“Don”t tell me we”re the early ones,” said Kirsten.
“Nah, Shannon and Anna are out on the dance floor. I”m just taking a break.”
“Aww, all alone?” said Eliza as she slid into the booth next to Rose. “Poor you.”
“Yes, poor little me,” said Rose as she and Eliza snuck a quick peck.
“I”m going to the bathroom, I”ll be right back,” said Kirsten.
Rose watched Kirsten”s ass bounce as she walked away. “Mmm.” She turned to Eliza. “Looking forward to meeting Anna?”
“I”m always looking forward to meeting the new recruits,” replied Eliza. “Have they been properly drilled?”
“In one sense of the word, yes. In the other sense, well, not yet,” said Rose with a wicked little grin.
Eliza looked at her. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means no, I haven”t buttfucked them with a strap on yet, but yes, I had them eat my pussy until I creamed all over their pretty faces and then I returned the favor.” Rose sipped her drink. “Duh.”
“Oh.”
Two women were giggling and nudging each other as Kirsten entered the bathroom. She cast them a sideways glance as she checked herself out in the mirror.
“I can”t believe I”m saying this but they oughta get a room,” said one woman.
“Why can”t you believe that you”re saying that?” said the other woman. “I don”t care how clean the ladies room is, you don”t do that kind of thing here.”
“Do what?” asked Kirsten.
“Perk up your ears honey.”
“We should leave them to their “privacy,”" said the other woman as they left.
Kirsten watched them leave and then followed the woman”s advice and perked up her ears. After a few seconds Kirsten shook her head, only hearing the dull thudding of the music from the club. She turned the faucet and wet her hands. Reaching for the soap dispenser she noticed in the mirror what appeared to be two pairs of feet in one stall. Suddenly the moans she did not hear before began to echo off the walls.
She rolled her eyes. “They SHOULD get a room.” Kirsten finished washing her hands and left the bathroom. She made her way back to Rose and Eliza. “They must be putting something in the water.”
“Huh?” asked Eliza.
“Two girls were going at it in the bathroom,” said Kirsten. “They weren”t too shy about it either.”
“Who?” demanded Rose.
“I didn”t stick my head under the door to find out who they were Rose.”
“Why not?” asked Eliza.
“Those fucking sluts!” snapped Rose. “I told them to wait until you guys got here. Oh there”s going to be some trouble up in this bitch now.” Eliza and Kirsten began cracking up. “You think I”m joking.”
“No, we think you”re funny when you”re mad,” said Kirsten.
Rose got out of the booth and walked briskly through the dance floor towards the bathrooms. “This should be fun,” said Eliza.
“Is she on, like, a crusade to gay every woman on the planet?” asked Kirsten.
“I don”t think “crusade” is a strong enough word,” said Eliza. A few minutes later they saw Rose pulling two women towards the table by their ears.
“We all know each other here,” said Rose as she let the two women go and squeezed into the booth between Kirsten and Eliza.
“I haven”t met them before,” said Anna Faris.
“Hi Kirsten, Eliza,” said Shannon Elizabeth.
“No pleasantries. On your knees and under the table you fucking sluts,” ordered Rose.
“I”m not getting under there!” said Anna.
“You didn”t have a problem getting down and dirty on a bathroom floor,” said Eliza.
“Now move,” said Rose.
“I want the blond one,” said Eliza.
“Heyyyy, we”re not pieces of meat you know,” said Anna. Shannon had already disappeared under the table. “I”m not going to do this with someone I haven”t even met before.”
Eliza reached across the table and shook Anna”s hand. “Hi, I”m Eliza, nice to meet you.”
“Feel better?” said Rose.
She thought a moment. “A little,” said Anna as she snuck under the table.
“Make me proud ladies,” said Rose. She looked at a red faced Kirsten who was slowly rubbing her hand on the table. With a deviant grin she looked down and saw a distinct bulge under Kirsten”s skirt that could only be a pussylicker”s head. Rose flipped the cloth back with a flick of her wrist and coaxed Kirsten”s legs open wider so she could get a better view.
Shannon”s nose was buried in Kirsten”s pussy and her tongue was like an eager puppy dog, jumping and licking excitedly. She was confident in her sexuality and had no issues eating whatever pussy was placed in front of her. Her previous encounter with Rose was more of a reawakening rather than an initiation. For Anna though, things were decidedly new and seductive.
Rose looked to her right and saw Eliza gently brushing Anna”s blond locks away from her face. “Don”t worry, we”re the only ones that can see you Anna.”
“I know, but I mean, I at least got to know Shannon a little bit before we, uh, went to the bathroom together,” said Anna with a slightly confused look on her face.
“Grew up in Boston, love Italian food and I”m a Capricorn,” said Eliza. “Good?”
Anna looked up at her. “I like Italian food too.”
“Oh enough of this,” said Rose. She pulled up Eliza”s miniskirt around her hips and revealed a panty-less pussy to Anna”s nervous eyes. “Do you like Dutch-Albanian food?”
“What?” said Anna, her eyes locked on Eliza”s freshly discovered pussy. Eliza and Rose could not tell if Anna was confused because she did not realize that Eliza was Dutch-Albanian or because she was distracted by such an appetizing sight. After a few seconds it did not matter because Anna pressed her face to Eliza”s pussy as tightly as Shannon”s was to Kirsten”s. Eliza had a lecherous smile on her face. She ran both of her hands through Anna”s soft blond hair and made sure that Anna would not get a breath of air until her duty was fulfilled.
The scent of Eliza”s sex filled Anna”s nostrils and she dove into Eliza”s cunt with reckless abandon. Anna lapped away as fast as she could, anxious to taste and eager to please. She was already all hot and bothered from her trip to the restroom with Shannon but the act of pleasuring another woman gave her even more of a kick. Anna was softly moaning even though her moist pussy was unattended even by her own fingers.
Kirsten knew what she was in for if she accepted an invitation from Rose McGowan. She knew that it was going to be a good time and probably nothing more. After the trials of the last few weeks of her life, mindless pleasure was welcome relief. While Shannon was likely not an air headed ignoramus, Kirsten was hardly interested in her mind at the moment. This was about as free from the real world as she could get.
But when Shannon stuck a pair of slick fingers up Kirsten”s tight little twat a certain type of reality came back to Kirsten. Shannon”s tongue was quite the playmate for Kirsten”s clit and they were busy playing an odd game of tag where neither one wanted to run away. Somehow she could hear Kirsten”s soft whimpers over the music and they drove her wild. Shannon reached down into her pants and began to finger herself. Her panties were still out of place from when Anna had her face down there.
Knowing that her pleasure was still to come, Rose stretched out and crossed one ankle over the other as the other two seated females writhed in pleasure. “Hey Billy!” called out Rose to a man walking past the table. Billy was an old conquest of Rose”s.
“Hey Rose, what”s up?”
“Would you be a dear and get us some drinks?” asked Rose sweetly.
The last time Billy did something for Rose he got quite a bit in return. “No problem, what do you want?” he said eagerly.
Rose looked at Eliza. “Eliza?” She had difficulty forming coherent words. All that came out of her perspiring red face was a half moan half laugh.
Billy scratched his head. “What did she say?”
“I don”t know,” said Rose with enough inflection that Kirsten knew what was coming next. “Kirsten, did you understand what Eliza said?”
Kirsten”s leg jerked as Shannon gave a little nibble to her clit and the table shook. She was not able to hide her pleasure any better than Eliza and Billy would soon deduce what was going on. Kirsten grabbed Rose”s thigh with the hand that was not holding Shannon”s head to her pussy and pinched as hard as she could.
“OW!” Eliza reached over and did the same thing. “OW! Stop it!”
“Uhh, I”ll just go get you guys some beers alright?” said Billy, confused. He walked towards the bar.
“Jeez what are you doing?” said Eliza.
“Um. Pleasuring you?” said Anna nervously.
“Quiet you.” Eliza grabbed Anna”s hair and pressed her face back into her snatch. “You know what I like to drink,” she said to Rose.
“Well excuuuuuse me,” said Rose. “Maybe I”ll take my dolls and go home.”
“NO,” said Kirsten emphatically. “Oh god.” She looked down into Shannon”s bright and eager eyes. “Five more minutes, please? Five more minutes!”
“I can go for a lot longer than five minutes Kirsten,” said Shannon. “But let”s see if I”m even going to need five minutes.” She doubled her finger fucking speed and spat directly onto Kirsten”s clit.
Kirsten clenched down hard on Rose”s thigh as Shannon slurped on her clit. “Fuck!” said Kirsten under her breath. Shannon kept the tip of her tongue pressed up hard against the little nub before her and refused to let it get free, no matter how much Kirsten”s hips writhed. By now her fingers were so slick that friction had nearly vanished. What it actually meant was that Kirsten was just about to come.
An ultra-pleasant wave of energy washed over her body as she gushed cum all over Shannon”s face. Shannon let up on Kirsten”s clit but continued to lap at her labia, mentally comparing Kirsten”s flavor to Anna”s. As the tide of pleasure subsided Kirsten gradually eased up on Rose”s thigh, leaving a large red spot on her alabaster skin. Rose rubbed her thigh then reached down and dragged her finger across Shannon”s glossy cheek. She stuck her finger in her mouth and shut her eyes, savoring the taste.
Eliza got a charge out of watching Rose treat her finger like a cock and urged Anna to step up her efforts. “You”re not going to let Shannon show you up like that are you?”
“What do you mean?” asked Anna.
“Check out the look on Kiki”s face.” Anna popped her head up past the table and noticed the lazily happy grin Kirsten was now sporting. “Now don”t you want to see that look on my face?”
Anna”s lower lip jutted out. “Ooh, you”re going to have an even bigger smile on your face when I”m done!” Her head disappeared back under the table.
“Good girl,” cooed Eliza as Anna hooked her arms around her legs and pulled her pussy even closer to her face.
Anna was far from ready to challenge Shannon for pussy eating proficiency but she was not one to back down from a challenge. Even if she was sort of fumbling around down there like a teenage boy. After a few moments of licking it became abundantly clear that she should keep her tongue on Eliza”s clit. Eliza was wet enough as it is and needed no more preliminaries.
“Oooooh, yes, like that,” groaned Eliza. “I wanna see those fingers disappear inside my fucking pussy.” Anna immediately shoved three dainty digits straight up into Eliza; she was not messing around. A wide grin gripped Eliza”s face.
“Ah ha, drinks,” said Rose as Billy returned. “Thanks Billy. Run along now.” Billy put the beers on the table and Rose held one out to Eliza.
Eliza snatched the bottle from Rose”s hand and turned it nearly upside down, pouring the bitter liquid down her throat. Anna licked Eliza”s clit one last time and an orgasm gripped Eliza”s body. Somehow she found a way to moan delightedly into the bottle and drink the beer at the same time, all without spilling a drop.
“Maybe I”ll go get a beer for myself too,” said Billy when he saw the satisfied look in Eliza”s eyes. He disappeared into the crowd.
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