Chapter 7
Rose
What the actual shit?
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? Sounded to like you were saying ‘kill ourselves in a pointless endeavor!’” I shout at Felicia. She’s still tied up and I’m not sure I want to release her anymore. “Taking on LOG is a stupid, suicidal and absolutely batshit insane thing to do!” I say as I continue my tirade. “Sure, ssing with them can be fun, but how do you think the two of us -”
“Three,” interrupts Sumr. I look at Sumr then nod and look back at Felicia.
“Right three! Even with Willow, I don’t think you, and her ca-”
“Oh, right, Willow. In that case four,” Sumr once again interrupts . I look at her and nod without thinking before continuing.
“Four then.” Wait, sothing about that’s not right. “No, not four. Sumr, you’re going ho and forgetting I ever showed up,” I tell her. I leave no room for argunt, and yet argue she does.
“Yeah, no. Sorry, Rose, you need or you’re not going to make another day. I can already tell you’re about to pass out,” Sumr retorts. “You need soone to look after you since you clearly won’t do it yourself!” I glare at her and shake my head.
“That’s not true, I ate a burger earlier,” I state a little too proudly. I can already tell by her expression that she’s not impressed.
“Uh huh, and when’s the last ti you ate before that? When’s the last ti you got a good night’s rest?” she demands with her hands on her hips. I have to think about that one before I can answer. I take a little too long as she’s already gearing up to continue. “That’s what I thought. You can’t even rember!”
“Actually, Vi - er - Rose, has been sleeping in Lanadel. I saw her set up in her workshop,” Felicia not so helpfully informs. She has this look like she knows she’s throwing gas on the fire.
“You what?!” Sumr yells. “Of all the irresponsible, dumbass things you can do! I -” She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I know what dysphoria is like Rose. I’m sure it was rough, especially when you didn’t even know you were feeling it.” I open my mouth to argue, but she shakes her head. “Just listen please,” she asks. I reluctantly nod, so she continues. “I may not be a fancy webweaver, or witch of the web like you said you are now; but I know how dangerous sleeping in Lanadel is. Please don’t do it anymore. I know it’s an easy escape. But please, you need to be more careful. For ?”
I slump against a wall and let out a heavy sigh. “Fiiiiiiiiiiiine,” I drawl. “But you’re still not coming with us. This is a suicide mission I’m getting roped into here. You should just go ho.”
“About that,” Felicia butts in. “I used a LOG access device to enter your building, Sumr. LOG agents will be all over your residential block by now. It’s part of why I grabbed you so you didn’t get brought in for interrogation.” I give her this incredulous look and she winces. “I never intended to actually hurt her. I was just cleaning up after YOUR ss,” she snaps at . “In any case, Sumr’s actually safer with us until this whole thing blows over.”
This isn’t happening.
This just isn’t fucking happening.
Willow’s wiped my mind and I’m living a fucking nightmare while she baps around my body.
Said feline, quickly assures that isn’t the case, but I’m still filing it under a definite maybe.
I steeple my fingers together and let out another sigh, a weary one this ti. “Right. Ok. So a Witch, her familiar, a Jack and a Chef are going to take down one of the world’s largest and most powerful organizations.” I look between my three companions. “With nothing but a broken gun, our clothes, and a cat.” I give them all a tired look. “Is that what’s happening?”
“My gun’s not broken,” Felicia tries to say but I give her a guilty look. She glares at then shakes her head. “Whatever, just let down. I’m losing feeling in my feet and we should probably find sowhere more secure to discuss our plans.”
She has a point.
Fine.
With a snap of my fingers, Felicia is released from her bondage and drops to the ground. She lets out a quiet groan as she gets back to her feet. “Next ti you want to tie up,” she says with so renewed confidence. “Buy dinner first.”
My cheeks flush with embarrassnt and I look away. “Whatever.” My witty repartee is only matched by my - Ah fuck it. It was weak and I know it. Felicia knows it. Sumr knows. Hell, Willow probably knows it. A soft ow confirms I’m right. “Let’s just go,” I groan and make my way out of the building.
****
A couple hours later, we find ourselves in what had seed like an abandoned Burger Tavern on the outside, but on the inside -
Damn.
Just Damn.
I may hate that bitch’s guts, but Felicia has good taste at least.
Ignoring the gaze of my new companions, I move around, checking the systems set up in strategic places around the back rooms of the building. I stop when I lay eyes on her primary delving system.
Oh baby, I think I’m in love.
“Get your own,” Felicia quips, making realize I’d spoken aloud.
I let out a cough and turn slowly towards the logger. Forr logger I guess. I don’t really get her. She’s a logger with a conscience. How does soone beco a jack if they have anything resembling higher morals? Like, I’m no saint, and I do have so biases, but even before I got shot, I would never have joined those pricks. I should probably figure that out if I’m going to be working with her.
“So,” I say, my voice dry and quiet. “How’d you end up with those jackasses in LOG anyways? You seem to have a - what’s it called?” I don’t give her long to reply. “Right, a conscious. So why join those jackbooted thugs in the first place?”
“Hey!” Sumr shouts. “That’s uncalled for,” she says as she looks at Felicia. The redheaded woman shakes her head and lets out a heavy sigh.
“No, she’s right. LOG’s not the organization I thought it was. But the story of how I got there isn’t pretty. Are you sure you both want to hear?” Both Sumr and I nod. Felicia is quiet for several long monts as she stares at us. She has a terrible poker face and I can read her like a book. She seems torn about how to answer. After a lengthy number of minutes, she finally speaks. “I joined LOG for similar reasons to why you oppose them. When I was a kid, my entire apartnt block was taken offline by digital terrorists. We were locked in, with no way to get food, water, anything.” She hesitates for a mont before continuing. “It lasted twenty days. My parents prioritized feeding over themselves to ensure I survived. And they -”
“You don’t have to continue,” Sumr says softly.
“No, I want to hear the rest,” I state simply. I’m not going to let Felicia get off the hook so easily. Sumr gives an annoyed look but just steps back to give so more space.
“My parents didn’t make it,” she finally says. “The blockade only ended because LOG was able to find a way into the building and remove the physical webworld bypass that soone had snuck into the block’s central managent system.” She clenches her fists tightly. “I was so enamored with them. They’d saved and I knew I wanted to grow up to be like them. I stayed with my uncle until I got accepted to the LOG academy and then I guess I made a decision to just - look the other way when I saw sothing unconscionable. I rationalized that our enemies were the worst of the worst and we had to cross so lines to protect society as a whole.” She slumps into a nearby chair and pinches the bridge of her nose.
“So you were naive and bought into the propaganda enough that you just ignored all the harm your organization did?” I summarize. “I guess that’s not as bad as I thought it’d be. Though…” I glance down at Willow who’s sitting on a table. I lay my hand on her and without any instruction, she scours the web for the information I know I’ll find. Sure enough, it’s there if you know where to look. “It gets worse Felicia,” I state, for once not taking any joy in her suffering. Well, maybe a little joy.
“What do you an?” she asks, looking up from her wallowing.
“LOG could’ve taken that building at any ti. They only took so long because they were negotiating how much the city would pay them to stop the terrorists.” The look of horror on her face gives pause. I even consider not telling her the worst part.
Eh, fuck it. I’m still pissed at her.
“There’s a decent chance there were never any terrorists to begin with. There’s been a bunch of investigations into LOG creating fake attacks to validate their continued existence.” I’m filled with instant regret as Sumr glares at while Felicia looks like she’s in shock. “I can’t say for sure though. It could’ve been a real attack?” I offer, but she can tell I’m just paying lip service. Willow gives a frustrated look and I can feel her disappointnt in as she hops off the table before jumping into Felicia’s system.
While Felicia grapples with the reality that her organization is even worse than she realized, Sumr pulls off to the side and slaps across the face.
“What the hell was that for?” I demand while holding my stinging cheek.
“For being a huge bitch, Rose!” Sumr snaps. “You didn’t have to do that, you know? She’s already ready to turn on LOG. Now she’s likely to be even more demoralized. When did you beco so callous?” Her question is a valid one. I wasn’t like this when she knew . I was shy, sure, and was a bit prickly, but I never went out of my way to hurt people like I just did. When did I stop caring about other people in general?
“I - I’m not sure,” I admit. My face hardens as I feel my lips turn into a scowl. “Actually, it was probably when my parents were murdered and I lost the use of my legs then nearly died on the streets!” I snapped back. I instantly regret it though as I see Sumr recoil and look away. “I’m sorry. I - “ I shake my head. “I’ll try and be better alright? I’m just - I don’t know.”
I feel warm arms wrap around and pull close. I lean my head on Sumr’s shoulder. Has she always been taller than ? Eh, who cares. I never wanted to be tall anyways. I feel my breath catch in my throat and realize I’m crying.
“Let it all out. It’s ok. I’m here.” Sumr’s reassurances feel almost tangible. Like a literal sumr day, warming up. I realize her na is a good one for her if all her hugs are like this. I could maybe get used to them.
When the tears dry up, she holds at arm’s length and gives a smile before going to check on Felicia. I don’t really pay them any attention while Sumr gives the forr logger a hug. Or I wasn’t until Willow hops into Sumr.
Just what is that cat doing?
After a few seconds, she jumps out of Sumr and into Felicia. Neither seems to notice what she’s doing before she hops down to the floor and lets out a ow. Both won startle and look around before their eyes settle on my familiar.
What the shit?
“You can see her now?” I demand as I cross the distance between us.
“Yeah…” Sumr whispers while Felicia just nods. “How’d that happen?” she asks.
Willow feeds the information and I pass it along. Apparently she was able to create just enough of a connection with each of them that they can see and interact with her. They still don’t understand her like I do, but she -
Really.
That’s why she did it?
Willow had decided she wanted more snuggles. That’s why she did it. Both Sumr and Felicia giggle at the thought and are happy to oblige the fluffy digital cat. Felicia looks a little guilty as Willow happily snuggles against the woman who was trying to kill her not even a full day ago.
After a fresh round of snuggles with my cat. The whole group of us decide that it’s been a busy day and we all need our rest. But Sumr isn’t willing to just let us go to bed on an empty stomach and gets to work with what Felicia has stocked up. She manages to take a bunch of canned and frozen food and turn it into probably so of the best food I’ve ever had. What was once a handful of frozen chicken dinners and a bag of rice beca stuffed chicken breast with rice and peppers.
Fuck . Ok I’m sold. Sumr’s on the team because I don’t think I could ever eat a nutrient bar again after this.
Why wasn’t I eating before? I an, I never really cared to eat since I hated how I felt in my atbody anyways. The pain of an empty stomach was a welco distraction most days. And I could have the sensation of a good al in Lanadel if I wanted to treat myself.
I - I was starving myself. Why? I an it’s obvious I guess. I didn’t care if I lived.
So why do I care now? Why don’t I feel so uneasy anymore?
I look down at Willow and get my answer. It’s because, for the first ti in my whole life, I feel like it’s worth thinking about tomorrow. My body doesn’t feel like the enemy anymore. Maybe, just maybe, Willow has a point. Maybe I will be happier as a girl. Even just wearing these clothes has felt really good. And Willow does need raw materials to work with to sort my fleshy form out. So maybe I will have another chicken breast. Thank you very much Sumr.
After our al, we need to figure out sleeping arrangents. Felicia only has one bed as this place was never ant for anyone but herself. It’s a big bed though. Like, it’s at least ten tis bigger than what I’m used to sleeping on.
Do I suggest sharing?
Would I even want to share a bed with them?
Sumr? Definitely. It wouldn’t even be the first ti. We used to share a bed when we’d have sleepovers as a kid. You know, for soone I used to claim to hate, I did spend an awful lot of ti with her when we were younger. I wonder how things would’ve turned out if I had a normal childhood. Maybe I would’ve figured things out with her. Maybe we’d both work at her restaurant. I’d handle a digital side for AI while she handles the atspace side. We could still do that soday. Would I want that? I shake my head to clear the thoughts and look over at Felicia.
Would I be able to share a bed with her? She’s beyond gorgeous. Tall, athletic, yet undeniably feminine. Yet there’s the matter of her being a forr logger. Forr I guess is the operative word. Now that she knows that Willow is sentient, she’s beco much less bitchy and annoying. So maybe I could. Still think she’s a bitch though.
I’m about to suggest the idea when I notice Sumr and Felicia are already lying in the bed and looking at expectantly. I raise a brow and Felicia gestures for to join them. It’s a bit of a close fit, but I’m able to snuggle up to my blonde friend.
I could get used to this.
The three of us don’t really do anything, for which I’m glad. So many shitty VR pornos start off like this. Three girls sharing a bed out of necessity then wind up having kinky lesbian sex.
When did I start to really think of myself as a girl? I knew I’d just accept it since Willow was going to do the whole thing anyway. And I was just thinking Willow might be right, but when did I make the leap to just thinking of myself as one of the girls?
It’s too much for my tired brain to really consider so I just close my eyes and lean into Sumr a little more. I’m rewarded for my efforts when she wraps an arm around and pulls tight. I feel safer than I’ve ever felt since my parent’s death. For the first ti in years, I manage to fall soundly asleep without help from Willow or Lanadel. I just drift off into the sweet embrace of my dreams.
****
I’m back in my tower’s bedroom, lying on my bed. Willow’s back to work on I guess copying my proxy body over to my atbody. Now that I know what she’s up to, it’s not so worrying. I reach up and give her so pets and scritches which she appreciates. Though soon I doze off in my dreams as well and enter a very deep slumber.
****
The next morning, I’m woken up by the sll of eggs and bacon. I take a quick stock of my body and am admittedly pleasantly surprised by what I find. I’m a little softer, a little curvier, and that stupid fleshy growth between my legs is almost gone. That sparks a sense of relief that I’m not quite ready to process so I get up for breakfast. I know real at is next to impossible to get these days, but I kinda like that. I’ve never been big on the idea of killing animals for food. So all the synthat kinda appeals to . I know I’ve heard about so older people complaining about it, but I think that’s just how old people are. Pining for the days of their youth. I bet when I’m older I’ll do the sa thing.
While we’re eating the amazing breakfast that Sumr prepared, once again making regret ever trying to deny her the chance to help, Felicia looks at both of us. She’d probably be eyeing Willow too if the little cat wasn’t off sowhere.
“Right, so here’s what we need to do first…”
End Chapter 7
Reviews
All reviews (0)