Vayal Academy

The Diligence compound, as it turns out, produces endless chores. When we’re not shucking rotten hay out of the barn, or scratching our fingers processing grains by hand, or rounding the sheep back to their pen, or patching up gaps in the wall, or carrying back-breaking sacks of produce to the market portal, or pulling weeds, Vila has us turn the mill in the centre, a labour that literally has no end — there’s always more wheat for the mill.

“It could be worse,” Svegli says, beside me, panting and leaning her weight on the spoke. “We could have to fight.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to fight again. It’s just the Temple Ceremony.” It’s hard to offer her comfort — Vila only lets us leave for class, I’ve barely seen Alyx and Mae, and without release it’s impossible to ignore the accumulated smell of exertion that clings to the beautiful bunny. My eyes want to go to her mouth and chest, and so, awkwardly, they look everywhere else, like frightened birds with no place to land.

“I hear they make you duel. In Drive. If you’re bad, I mean.”

“Surely not,” I say, but make a note to ask Mae if I can catch her awake. “That would be… well.” Is it so different from making us kill each other to find our strengths? It actually might be kinder than these endless chores, certainly quicker.

I shoulder more of my strength into the mill, hoping to take some of the weight from Svelgi, and then I finally give in to the urge to check in on Alyx and Mae. It took practise, to be able to retain control of my body while in a vision (the meditation of farm work was actually a huge help in developing the skill, I hate to admit).

I’m no Mae, so spying on them like this is masochism, pure and simple — but it’s impossible not to. I miss them so much, like a fucking arrow in my chest. And the boredom. It’s only out of respect for Svelgi that I’m not constantly spaced out.

I stare at the streaks of grass moving below us until they become Mae’s bedroom. Gods, how I wish they were in Alyx’s — there’s something about the warm pink and purple of Mae’s that makes me want to spend forever there, which makes having to watch all the harder.

A haze of smoke fogs my perceptions, so I shift down, my ghostly vision hovering just above the bed, staring at Alyx’s soft face from below as the cigarette dangles from her lips, Mae’s head on her chest. They’re both gorgeously naked, and panting — seems I’ve missed the main event. Probably for the best.

“Mae?” Alyx says, and just her voice is enough to burn through my chest with longing.

“Yeah?”

“How’d you get so good at that?”

“It’s intuitive.”

Alyx knocks the lingering, crumpled ash of the cigarette’s tip into an empty cup beside the bed. The flakes dissolve back into mana, a shallow pool of dimly glowing green light. “You’re too modest,” she says. “Nym was never half as good at it.”

“I hope you’re not breaking your promise,” Mae replies, hand sliding down Alyx’s chest, over her stomach, cupping her soft cock. “That’d make me really upset.”

“Of course not,” Alyx says, too quickly. Mae doesn’t seem to notice it — need to check up on this, when I get a chance. “I’ve been avoiding her since the Gauntlet. You’ve seen, I’m sure.”

“Mmhmm.”

Alyx adjusts her position beneath Mae, strokes the side of a perfect breast. “Never took you for the jealous type,” says Alyx, her voice edged with fondness now. Gods, I wish I was there, lying between them.

“Oh yeah. I’m downright controlling. You don’t even wanna know what I’m like when I’m angry.”

Alyx rolls her eyes. We both know that Mae couldn’t care less who Alyx fucks; just so long as Syrene is happy. Alyx likes this fact even less than I do, and for an instant the two of us are united in burning hatred for the golden-furred mouse. Mae interrupts by tickling Alyx’s jaw with her perfect nose. Her hand dances up along Alyx’s chest, the back of her neck, traces the shape of a furry antler.

With a grunt Alyx shifts the plump Restorationist’s weight. Mae whoops, grabbing both antlers like handlebars and giggling as she’s lifted on top of the deer girl, straddling her. From the look in her eyes, I can tell Alyx is as enchanted as I am.

“I don’t really let people touch the antlers.”

“You gonna stop me?”

Alyx’s expression as Mae starts moving her hips is half amusement, half wonder. No way! She’s not actually gonna let her do it.

She’s never let you do it, after all.

It looks like she’s letting her do it.

“Guess not,” she mumbles, “but you gotta do something for me.”

“I’ll consider it,” Mae replies, palms flexing around the antlers. “Just don’t think you’re in charge.”

It’s so strange to see Alyx, who’s so effortlessly taken control of every encounter I’ve ever witnessed her in (except the one…), accept this lying down (literally lying down), but all she does is reach into the air and offer Mae a wineskin. “Try my new recipe?”

“Well. Since you’re being so good.” She opens her mouth, never releasing her grip. Alyx pours the mouthful down Mae’s throat, and her eyes go wide. “Holy shit, baby, that’s delightful.”

“Glad you think so.” She lets the skin dissolve into mana, pooled in the cup once more, and then turns her full attention on Mae, hands on her hips. “Come on. You gonna put your back into it like a good girl?”

Mae smiles and obediently shifts so that Alyx can slide inside her, speeding up her grinding. I’d take either of their places in a heartbeat, as it really settles in what a mistake it was to watch. From down the bed I have the perfect view of her perfect ass as it goes up and down. And of course every cute little moan (from both of them) hits me at crisp, flawless quality, with a volume like they’re right in my ear. I’m more turned on than I’ve ever been and also I want to fucking die.

This isn’t fair. Vila’s dragged this out well longer than she has any right to. You should be there with them.

Mae, so percussive and steady with her rhythm that I almost feel myself getting close, suddenly falters, swooning toward Alyx and then overcorrecting, so the deer has to grab her waist to keep her from tipping over.

“Feeling woozy?” asks Alyx.

Mae blinks and then giggles. “You scamp,” she slurs. “What did you give me? Doesn’t matter.” She pulls back, ready to restoration away whatever drugs are currently coursing through her system, but before she can, tiny vines sprout from the deer’s antlers and wrap around Mae’s fingers.

“Better hold on tight, baby. Don’t wanna fall,” Alyx whispers as the Restorationist’s fingers are locked in place. Her hands find Mae’s hips and gently, more a suggestion than anything, guide them. Mae doesn’t need any more encouragement, moaning and resuming her rhythm. “Good girl. Do you wanna do me another favour?”

“Mayyyyyybe.”

“Come on, daffodil.”

“Can’t-” Mae moans, effects of the drug swimming over her face, and then she tilts her head and smiles, as if amused by her own struggle. “Can’t agree ‘till I know what the deal is. Tha’s just bad business.”

Alyx holds another reniform skin to Mae’s lips. “Try another vintage?”

“I- haha- I know there’s somethin in that, baby.” Her smile’s warm like buzzy orange streetlamps, and her voice is like their mechanical hum. I need her so fucking bad.

“Something that’s gonna make you feel so good, baby; trust me.” She traces down Mae’s chin, puts a thumb to her plump lips and draws the lower down slowly, like she’s rolling out a carpet. I need her so fucking bad.

“Hmmm. Are you messing… with my judgement?”

Alyx’s fingers dig into Mae’s sides. “What else could I need from you? I just wanna make my girlfriends feel good.”

Mae doesn’t stop riding her, but she does slow down, slumping her head on the pillow next to Alyx. “I miiiisssss Hattie.”

“Me too, baby. But this’ll help us not feel so bad about it.”

It’s like I could reach out and touch both of you. I’ve got to get out of this fucking punishment!

Alyx pours wine into Mae’s mouth. Mae surges forward to kiss her, locking their lips and trickling unswallowed wine out the side. Forced to take the mouthful, Alyx swallows and smiles. “Hey, baby; that works too.”

“I swallowed half. I’s fair.”

Fucking hell, how hasn’t she cum yet? I’m about ready to burst just watching.

Alyx strokes a gentle hand down Mae’s back, fingers either side of her spine. “Oh fuck. I think it’s-” The vines convolved round Mae’s hands bud, then bloom, a variegated medley of pink and purple that complements the room, with bursts of bright, beautiful yellow.

Moon eye go wide at the veritable bouquet. “Baby! They’re gorgeous!”

For Alyx, the blossoming goes unnoticed — she’s too busy staring at Mae’s wide smile; that, and coming inside her.

“-so I just wasn’t sure…” Svelgi’s voice, apparently noticing for the first time that I’m totally zoned out. “Hattie?” Gods, I hope she hasn’t been talking to herself for too long.

“Um, sorry Svelg, what was that?”

“I was just asking whether… um, y’know… whether you’re still dating?”

“Shit, I mean, two girlfriends is already a handful,” (three, if I ever get out of this fucking compound and get a chance to talk it out with Indel) “I really wouldn’t-”

“Oh! No, I don’t mean- um- in the girlfriend sense. I don’t really do that.” The realisation that Svelgi is asking out of more than an idle interest makes my desperate brain click into overdrive “I was more thinking… y’know… Maybe if you were bored and lonely, stuck sleeping in the Diligence compound.” She shrugs. “Like… with a friend.”

She looks up at me with her pretty brown eyes and my brain tics so fast that it’s hard to form words.

“I- haha- I, uhhh- can I borrow some Mana? I can, um, talk to my girlfriend.”

Svelgi tilts her head, soft cocoa ear falling over her shoulder as she offers me a softly glowing paw. “Alyx or the scary one?”

“The scary one,” I say, taking her hand and forming the thought link almost immediately. I didn’t like the dying part, but the hands-on practise of the Skydome has done wonders for my magic (just have to pray Vila doesn’t catch me using it and slap another black mark on me. The pretty, blue-eyed mountain lion hates me with a bewildering passion).

What the fuck was that-

Mae! It’s me!

Oh my Gods, Hattie! What a nice surprise! We both miss you sooo much. Is Alyx here? Can you link Alyx in?

What? I thought you were with her?

Pervert. She just left, but that’s not the point. She’s been talking my ear off about you Hattie; she’s like a lonely puppy.

Alyx, who was linked in almost the second Mae asked for her, manages to scoff in her strange, silent ghost-voice. No. I’m like a distressed owner who wants her sweet little puppy to come home. I’m just worried, is all.

I miss both of you so much is the only thing I can say at first.

We miss you too, baby. You must be so lonely in there. Mae’s voice.

Uh… yeah, so, about that…

Oh shit; she fucked someone! Alyx, now.

I did not! My cheeks burn, and I’m conscious of Svelgi staring at me as we continue to work the Godsforsaken wheel. But someone did proposition me. Svelgi did.

Oh shit, I love Svelgi! Blessing given. Go get her, little whippersnapper.

Who’s Svelgi? Mae’s voice, at the same time, and then, to Alyx; is she cute?

Adorable. My little chocolate bunny. Doesn’t get attached, but fucks like she’s obsessed with you. The Perfect Woman, in many ways.

I kinda figured I had your permission Alyx. I’m here to ask Mae.

Hmmm, says Mae, enjoying this far too much. You can do anything you like, baby, as long as you let me watch, after. I’m controlling like that.

Gods, gonna be a hell of an awkward conversation with Svelgi, but it might be worth it just to touch something other than the (admittedly soft and fluffy) hay bed that I fall into exhausted every night.

It’s what we get for falling in love with a pervert, huh, Hat?

I ignore Alyx because Mae and I haven’t even had a chance to say that to each other yet, I’ve been so fucking overrun with work, and say just know I’d rather be with you guys. I’m going crazy here, being able to see but not touch.

Svelgi’s got fur — maybe you can pretend it’s me.

I’d rather be with you too, Hattie. It gets boring fucking Alyx all day.

Take that back.

Make me.

There’s a sensation in my mind like footsteps scampering up a staircase, and the connection recedes as Alyx bursts back into Mae’s room and gives her something else to focus on.

“Um,” I say, suddenly back to full awareness with Svelgi staring at me politely. “My girlfriend wants to watch.”

“Oh! The sc-”

“The scary one, yeah. Her name is Mae.”

Svelgi considers for a few moments. “Well, I mean, I’m down for anything- but I just don’t know how we’ll get her in the compound.”

“No, no, sorry, shit. She wouldn’t be there. I’d just show her, y’know, afterwards.” I tap my head awkwardly and Svelgi smiles.

“Okay! That’s good because,” she sidesteps closer to me, wrapping her tiny hand over my large one and nudging me with her arm, “I didn’t want to wait. Because I really like you.”

I exhale sharply, a sudden rush through my centre making me stumble as we continue to turn the mill. The sun is just beginning to set, sky painted with beautiful and impossible colours. It’s early to wrap up, but…

“Do you like massages?” Svelgi asks, and before I can question whether it’s a good idea my arm is wrapped around her lower back and I’m sweeping her away from the mill-

And directly into… Gelstra? The quiet Reason devotee looks completely out of place in the huge field, standing with her clunky shoes sunk two inches into the grass and with her glasses flashing bright orange from the sunset. Her quills twitch as we almost barrel into her.

“Gelstra? What are you doing here?”

“Hattie. Your girlfriend is a Conjurationist, right? I, uh- I need a little help. Not a word of this to anyone but I kinda fucked up.” She turns to Svelgi. “This her?”

This is the most words Gelstra has ever spoken to me in her life, and I’m still blinking when Svelgi says; “No, I- Uhm. We’re a bit busy.”

“How’d you get in here?” I ask, wondering if I can’t smuggle Mae and Alyx in too.

“You wanna know? Then help me.”

“With what?”

“Magical accident. Needs a Conjurationist to fix it. You’ll come with me, yes?” Her attention’s fully on Svelgi, who frankly I need right now.

“Oh, well, I guess,” she replies, voice quiet and shaky. “Maybe Hattie can come, too?”

“Another Mystic couldn’t hurt, I guess, as long as you can keep your mouth shut. No goodie two shoes stuff.”

Despite my - uh - little problem — I’m as willing to take this chance as Svelgi is. The main entrance must be enchanted or something, because every time we’ve tried to sneak out Vila has appeared like magic, ready to scold us and tack more abstract time onto our sentence.

Then again, maybe she’s just really lucky, because here she is again, a splotch against the sunset. “Where do you two think you’re going? And what are you doing here?” She peers down her nose at Gelstra, who grins and tilts her head.

“Professor Yola sent me; she needs to talk to her,” she says, gesturing to Svelgi. A decent lie, but one that totally throws me under the bus.

“And why does Professor Yola want to speak with her?”

“Something about leylines and spirits running on leylines? I don’t know — just sounded like Conjuration nonsense to me.”

Vila cocks an eyebrow, considering. She looks from Svelgi to me, and then sets her jaw. “Hattie had better do enough for the both of you, then.” She places a beige hand on a cocked hip, looks me up and down coldly, tail-flicking. “There are dishes to be done in the kitchens. If I were you, I’d bathe first.”

Damn! No!

But Gelstra is already scurrying away, Svelgi in-hand, and Vila turns her back on me, so I’m left all alone in the saturated orange light, which is thick as syrup and far too warm, contemplating why the fuck Vila hates me so much and what I can possibly do to bridge this gap, or to blackmail her, or something. If things go on like this, the first chance I’ll have to spend time with my girlfriends will be after graduation.

I watch Vila’s back, hips swaying as she leaves the Diligence compound (she has the privilege of sleeping in her own bed), and consider that, y’know, I have a small arsenal at my disposal now; and I’m willing to fight dirty, to do whatever I need to do to be with the people I love again, and so I detach from my body, following her as she marches from the Temple.