Chapter 6: Tuesday Afternoon

As they stepped through the double doors, Kara noticed something strange. My loves, were there this many cultists yesterday?

No. It appears our cult has grown again. And with a crowd that big, one of them is going to notice our rings and make a really stupid comment.

I hope you’re wrong Manny.

Kara grimaced slightly as one of them turned and stared at her hand, then at Pia. He glance at Emanuel and Allison, then turned to the other cultists and waved excitedly. “Brothers and Sisters in sex! Look upon those not standing with us and pity them. For we have seen the truth, and they are still blind. They will not notice the halos our gods now wear! They will not acknowledge the holy symbol!” The others started cheering loudly.

Halos? Please, someone tell me he’s seeing something that isn’t there.

Unfortunately partner, he isn’t. He’s talking about our rings. We may need to act fast to keep them from making or getting cheap copies, and dishonoring our symbols of commitment.

Allison began to open her mouth as he calmed the rest of the crowd. “And lo! See that the gods have seen fit to take an acolyte from among those close to us! Cheer that one of us may one day be deemed worthy to join Acolyte Lonant!”

Pia blushed a deep scarlet. Crap. It looks like she’s about to completely lose it. Kara pulled close to Pia, laid a hand on her shoulder, and gently squeezed it. “It’s okay Pia. They can say what they want, but we can always be one step ahead of them” she whispered soothingly.

Pia calmed noticeably and turned to her. “What can we do about this?”

“Turn this on them. Embrace the ‘role’, and act as our mouthpiece. Let that idiot petition us or something, and put them in their place.”

“Tell me what to say, and I’ll say it.”

The speaker turned to them. “Oh mighty sex gods! Tell us what we must do to be worthy of the blessings you have bestowed upon Ms. Lonant. Tell us that we are worthy of your holy symbol!”

“Okay, here’s what you say” Kara began. “Tell them they are not worthy of the symbol, that they are close to incurring our wrath; that we would never consider one of them as acolytes as they are.” Don’t worry my loves, I have this under control.

Okay.

Pia nodded, stood up tall and stepped forward. “You fools!” she began to shout “How can you think yourselves worthy of the tri-metal halo? You will never be worthy of the holiest of symbols! Not even in a thousand years! The freshmen of next year are more worthy than you.”

“Pull one of the empty tubes from your backpack; use it like a staff or scepter” Kara whispered.

“Take one from my pack and hand it to me. That will mean way more.” Kara smiled, pulled one of the empty tubes out with extra flair, and exaggeratedly bestowed it upon Pia. Pia turned back to the crowd. “You claim to see the truth. But you are as blind as the others! See how the goddess has bestowed authority upon me!” She waved the tube as if it were a scepter. “You are not even worthy to lick the bottoms of their shoes!”

“What must we do to be worthy to see those holy bottoms?” the cult chanted.

“Keep up your wicked ways, and you will. You will face their mighty wrath, and find yourselves flattened into the ground by the very shoes you claim you wish to see. Continue upon this path, and you will feel how fierce and terrifying they can be!”

“What must we do differently? How can we walk the righteous path?” the leader pleaded.

Pia turned back to them and began to whisper again. “Here’s your chance to take some of them out of the cult. Lay down the path they seek, and some will follow it.”

Allison grinned. “I’ve got it. Tell them the path they must walk is one of humility and gentleness. One of respect for all others; one that places relationships above the pursuit of sexual pleasure. Do you know anyone in that crowd?”

“Yeah. The leader’s name is Oswin, and there’s someone who would probably follow what you just said named Robert.”

“Good. Make it clear that Oswin has lost all favor with us, and that he is not to speak on our behalf. Robert will now be the one in their group that does; for only he is worthy of hearing the wisdom we will impart through you.”

Pia gulped nervously and nodded. “Okay. I’ll try.” She turned back to them. “You truly wish to know the path of righteousness?” They all nodded. “This is what the gods decree. The path is one of humility and gentleness; one that respects all others, not just those who believe as you do; and one which places relationships above sexual pleasure.” She paused as a wave of shocked faces ran through the crowd. “There is one other decree. Oswin has lost the right to speak for the gods! There is only one of you who is worthy to lead you.”

“Who is it?” they began to murmur.

“Robert McNair is the only one worthy of this mighty privilege. Walk the path well, and more may one day join him. Thus the gods decree!”

They stepped forward, rested a hand on her shoulders, and nodded. Hopefully, that should dissuade some of them from listening to the idiots in the group.

Indeed darling. And I think it’s working. Some of them are starting to break away from the group. Let’s take this as our chance to get to the others and relax a little.

Kara nodded, and confidently walked straight through the crowd, grinning savagely as it parted to let them through. Straight through them? That was very ballsy of you partner.

Either of you couldn’t have done it. Allison has established herself as the gentle goddess, and you’re the quiet elder type; slow to anger. I’m the dangerous one; after all, I’m the one who delivered the words of wrath to Pia.

So you’re the goddess of punishment?

More like the goddess of fury and emotion, my muse. Kara dropped the grin as they approached their table. “Hi guys!”

“What was that all about?” Vanessa asked, a shocked look on her face.

“That was our cult. Hopefully, that should have reduced the numbers of the crazy ones somewhat” Allison replied softly and nonchalantly.

“I thought the rumors about you two having a cult were false. And let me guess; now I’m a target too.”

Emanuel nodded his head sadly. “Unfortunately.”

Kara smiled. “I have an idea. Pia, are you willing to declare everyone at the table to be an acolyte in full standing?”

“Are you sure that’s a wise idea?”

“Acolyte status is a protective blessing. The rabid ones aren’t going to risk our displeasure by messing with the few we recognize as acolytes. They might even help deal with the ones who would give you trouble; you know, hoping that will gain them some small amount of favor.”

“Okay. Loud enough for the ones standing a few feet away to hear, right?”

“Yes. Use your scepter to make it look more official.”

Pia nodded at Robert, and turned back to the group. “Some at this table have found favor with the gods. By their power, my scepter will declare them as full Acolytes.” She went around the table, touching Tony, Cosette, Laura, Shelley, and Vanessa with the tube. “Thus speak the gods.” She sat down next to Vanessa and slipped the ‘scepter’ away. “Was that good enough Kara?”

“Yes. That should have done the trick.”

Vanessa turned to Pia. “Were you able to get that sketch done that you wanted to?”

“Yes. It took longer than we anticipated, but that was necessary to ensure the tone of the piece is what it should be.”

Emanuel stood up with Allison, and started toward the food line. We’ll bring something back for you darling.

Thank you my muse. Can I show Pia’s drawings if the others ask to see them?

Sure Emanuel replied.

Cosette glanced over at Pia. “What do you mean?”

“Probably that they needed to make sure Emanuel didn’t suddenly get a hard-on.”

“Okay, that makes sense. Thank you Vanessa.”

“How’d you do it? We all saw the show yesterday; a trio that deeply attracted to each other isn’t going to stay pg for long” Vanessa asked.

“Simple. I asked them to make love before we started. I forgot how long that could take. At least I got some really nice drawings out of it.”

“Can we see them?”

“That’s up to Kara, Cosette. I gave them the originals.”

“Big sis Kara? Can we see them?”

“Of course Cosette. Give me a moment to pull them out of Allison’s backpack.” Kara found the tube, pulled out the drawings, and unrolled the first one. “This is the first of three.”

Vanessa’s jaw dropped. “What is that fearsome looking storm behind Allison?”

“You could call it a representation of their orgasm. Powerful looking, isn’t it?” Pia replied.

“The colors of it are the same as their rings!”

“Yes Cosette, those are our colors. I’m sure that Pia might be able to tell you what color your energy is if you ask her to.”

“Please?”

“That’s easy. Cosette is a vibrant, light blue. Tony is a rich, dark green, while Laura and Shelley are surprisingly similar shades of purple. And Vanessa is ... I can’t quite tell. It’s shifting too much.”

“I’m sort of a ... mess of emotions right now. I want something, but I need to wait on others for it to possibly happen. Part of me is saying ‘push for it’, while another part is willing to wait. And there’s a small voice asking difficult questions.”

“I think I know what you’re talking about. Do you want to move onto the second one Kara?”

Kara nodded and unrolled the second one. “Wow! I can see why you guys want to take that trip after school so bad. They did that just with the tools on hand?”

She felt herself blush. “Yeah ... and it felt amazing. I really want to feel what the next step up is like.”

“And here I thought that first orgasmic storm was fierce looking. This one’s insane.”

“Wait until you see the last one Vanessa.”

Kara unrolled the last drawing. Everyone’s jaws dropped a little. “I ... I see what you mean. How did you survive that monster?”

“Very happily Vanessa” Allison responded as they returned with food.

“It wasn’t a matter of surviving it Vanessa. It’s learning to bask in it. I’m sure if Pia were to draw you in the middle of an orgasm, the representation of yours wouldn’t look very friendly either.”

Vanessa nodded her head, and laughed nervously, blushing furiously. “At least, if ... certain people are behind it.”

“There’s no need to to be so bashful about it. Emanuel is a fantastic lover.”

“Do ... do you two feel the same way?”

“Yes Vanessa. If we all return a yes to you, it’s because we’re proud to offer it. We’re certainly not ashamed of our trio; why should we be about one of us having possibly having another lover?”

Vanessa turned to Emanuel expectantly. “If I make a decision like this, it’s not going to be something I decide lightly. Why would I be ashamed of such a decision?”

She smiled softly. “I understand.”

Kara leaned in to whisper into her ear. “Besides, we value honesty with each other. That’s something we’ll look for in lovers too. It’s worth trying, right?”

“Yes ... but it’s embarrassing to admit aloud to who knows is listening. I don’t want to be judged.”

Kara laughed softly. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. The cogs of the school judge everyone from their first day to their last. The only thing we can really control is how we respond to it. Why be embarrassed about something you should be proud about?”

“Proud about? How?”

“My pillar doesn’t choose just anyone to consider for a status like this. He only chooses those he feels are really worthy of it.”

“But he hasn’t given a firm answer yet.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. Both Allison and I have gotten ‘feelings’ about this decision, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he agrees to say yes to both requests.”

“Wait, ‘those’ kinds of feelings?”

“Yeah, and Allison’s haven’t been proven wrong yet. I can’t claim the same track record for mine, but if mine agrees with hers? I’m pretty confident about that. You ought to be too.”

You two have a limited amount of time to eat before the crowds can start to make requests.

Kara started on her food. True, but I don’t think we’ll see many requests today. Not with how our cult seems to be staring away the ones who seem to even consider it.

“You’re probably right” Vanessa replied at a normal volume. “Emanuel would be one hell of a lover to have.”

“Thar’s more like it!” Kara whispered excitedly before returning to her ‘meal’. She glanced at in Pia’s direction and noticed a spry smile cross her face as she looked at Vanessa again. Her nervousness and uncertainty seems to be largely gone.

I think Pia is mouthing a color to you darling.

Kara focused on Pia’s mouth for a few moments. You’re right my muse. Let’s see if I can make sense of it. The individual syllables began to make sense. Orange? But not any orange; Fire orange.

She’s got a spunk to her I didn’t notice before Emanuel chimed in. The kind of inner fire that will burn you if you’re foolish about how you handle it. That makes me a little nervous actually.

About what? Manny, that inner fire is the kind that’s going to bring her back even if things fall apart spectacularly. Look at us for a moment.

Okay, I am, and ... Oh. I see what you mean.

Yes, the same kind of fire that burns brightly in me, and almost blindingly strong in Kara. You’d need to do something exceptionally stupid or awful to diminish that flame.

Kara giggled and looked back at Emanuel. Listen, if you want to hold off on the ‘possible girlfriend’ discussion for a few days, that’s fine. But, I don’t see why you should make the poor girl wait too long for the sex. The longer you do wait, the more shes ‘going to drain you’ when she does get her chance. Besides, what do you really have to lose by saying yes? And don’t say us; we’re not going anywhere.

Exactly Manny. I’m not worried about you deciding to run off or anything, and we’re not going that either even if you do fuck her into next week. We were serious when we made our promises last night, and we know that you were too.

You’re both right. Any potential health issues are non-issues now; the school administration and national laws make sure of that. And we’ve all agreed that this sort of thing was allowed if we all agreed. You two seem to be in agreement on this.

We are, my pillar. It’s just you. Just listen to her chatter with Cosette and Laura and tell me she’s not a good fit for a friend with benefits at least.

He listened quietly for a few minutes. Wow; she does fit right in. There’s something you’re not telling me though.

Okay, there really isn’t a reason to say no the first proposal. I’ll let her know now, and we can take however long we need to find a nice private space. Emanuel turned to Vanessa. “I’ll ask one more time; are you sure?”

“For which request? I’m not sure about the second, but both Allison and Kara seem really happy. I’m pretty sure that you’d be able to take care of any of their needs that I can’t, and knowing that they seem willing to share helps. I wouldn’t want to be hated as ‘the one who takes you away’ from them at times. I don’t get the sense that would ever happen.”

Not intentionally, and we’re big girls. We can handle those sorts of feelings if they do come up. Right darling?

Right.

“I’m sure you meant the first one. Yes, I’m sure about that one. I’d only really heard stories of your prowess before that day in gym, but getting that little taste of it was intoxicating. And getting to see your ‘little’ show yesterday confirmed that what I imagined would very likely be true.” She pulled the three of them in closer. “And, unless my sense of things is really off” she whispered “they agreed before you did.”

“Oh? And what makes you assume that I agree with them?”

Manny!

He’s being sarcastic, and Vanessa knows it too.

“If you didn’t, and wasn’t sure you’d have said something like that. If your decision was to disagree with them, then you’d have come straight out and said that. You wouldn’t have given me a ‘last chance to change my mind’ question.”

They all laughed loudly, and turned to a confused looking Vanessa. “What private joke are you three sharing now?”

“Just a modified movie quote. Go ahead Manny; finish what you started.”

“Before you two ‘gang up’ on me again? Yes” he joked, then turned to Vanessa. “You have a couple of good allies in these two ‘rascals’. The answer is yes. We’ll need to figure out where and when, but yes.”

Vanessa jumped up, and hugged him from across the table. Kara gasped and quickly pulled several drinks out of her way, and breathed a sigh of relief as the others did as well. “Whoa there! I know you’re happy, but...” she paused, adding a note of humor to her voice “watch where you’re swinging those weapons of mass destruction.”

“Oh, sure...” Vanessa replied, with just as much snark “pick on the busty girl. You small breasted girls never have this problem.”

The tension at the table grew for a few moments. Kara and Vanessa cracked a smile and laughed loudly, causing the rest of the table to join them. “Weapons of mass destruction. That’s one I haven’t heard before” Laura quipped.

“Neither have I” Vanessa began. “I think I’ll use that the next time someone gives me actual grief.”

Kara glanced around them. “Do things like that often happen to you?”

“Accidentally knocking over things? Only when I get distracted by something. Usually I have a decent sense of where they are in relation to everything else.”

Cosette grinned. “That’s another good one! Weapons of mass distraction!”

The table erupted in laughter. “Clearly. Just glance around us for a moment” Laura sighed. Kara glanced around them.

“The drooling boys? They’re harmless.”

“I know. I’m still not used to it though. Not even with all of last week.”

“Give the Program some time to start really working on a large scale, and that’ll eventually become much less common” Emanuel replied. “It’s only because it’s too young, and it has a lot of old programming to overcome.”

“Are you sure it’s going to be enough? I mean, all it’s accomplished so far has been to allow businesses to directly advertise with nudity” Laura responded.

“That’s one way to look at it I suppose” Allison started “but I don’t think that’s the whole picture. Are those businesses using their naked employees the same way large scale ads would? I’d argue they aren’t. The big ads try to link their stuff to sexiness. The local businesses? They expose people to how our bodies move while doing normal things. Eventually, those employees being naked won’t matter to most people.”

“That makes sense. I just wish it could do that a little bit faster.”

“Me too Laura. I think all of us would be happy if it could work more quickly.” Kara turned to Vanessa. “What sort of solution are you hoping to find, by the way?”

“To the gym problem, right? I’m hoping there’s a material clear enough or a sports bra that shows enough that it won’t be considered ‘covering’ anything. Because if there isn’t, then I’m sitting out gym for the rest of the week.”

Kara watched a grin appear suddenly on Emanuel’s face. Wait, what’s so funny?

You’ll see in just a few moments partner.

She began to open her mouth when a familiar voice came from behind her. “Actually, both of those solutions already exist.”

Oh, of course Mrs. Frauhold overheard that specific portion of our conversation.

I think she heard more than that darling, but I doubt she’s going to say something about anything else. Not in public anyway.

“Oh! Mrs. Frauhold, I didn’t realize you were there” Vanessa replied, quickly turning around. “Why haven’t I heard about either one? My mom’s been looking for a few weeks for something like that for me, but she’s found nothing that could even remotely fit me like that.”

“The garments, ‘nipple windowed’ sports bras and ‘clear’ ones were really only available for girls like Shelley. Manufacturers simply weren’t making them for women like yourself. At least, until a few weeks ago. I understand that clothing stores only got them late last week.”

“Then, why did mom say she couldn’t find ones that were approved for Program use?”

“Because the national committee only just voted to approve them yesterday. Just like it will likely take a few months for them to approve certain types of jewelry; despite the fact that soon enough that law will go into full effect.”

“The one that let big bro get big sis’s nipple shields?”

“Yes. And there’s going to be a lot of shakeup once the multi-marriage equality law takes effect.”

“I think you’re wrong about that Mrs. Frauhold. It could take effect tomorrow if they wanted it to. But having it take effect some months from now is them taking the law seriously and taking enough time to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.”

“How about backlash once it does take effect? Like that clerk from Kentucky who refused to process marriage licenses for same sex couples when that bill first took effect.”

“She was different. First, that was a federal law, not a state one. Voters seemed to mostly support the new law here; that should make its adoption much smoother. And second, they put language in the new law specifically stating that if someone refuses to process the new licenses, they are considered to be giving their two weeks notice.”

“Are they allowed to do that Kara?” Laura asked.

“Yes. They’re not saying people can’t believe such unions are wrong or sinful, and that they can’t protest it. They’re simply defining what the state’s official interpretation of that kind of protest is. People can still protest in that way, but they know the cost of doing so.”

“I still think that’s going to be fought when the first person gets fired.”

“Except no fight is going to go very far. It’s an official change to the state’s terms of employment, and they’re not going to be firing people. They’re simply acknowledging such behaviors as the person choosing to quit.”

“That’s a very smart way to phrase the new standard. An employee who quits is not entitled to a severance package.”

“But won’t some see that as making obstacles for people simply looking to protest peacefully?” Shelley asked.

“By some, probably. But it really isn’t. The new language only calls out the refusal to do one’s job; not to join a lawful protest. And they’re not saying people need to be happy about doing their job; just that they’re expected to keep doing it.”

“So, if they wanted to take time off to join a peaceful protest, they could? And there would be no negative repercussions for doing so?”

“No official ones Tony. But certainly if you’re one of only a few people in an office that believe something most of the office finds hateful, don’t expect to keep your co workers respect for long. And I’m sure employers won’t be going out of their way to force people to associate with others that they don’t like. So long as the work gets done, what else really matters? At least, that’s how it’s always seemed in government offices.”

Mrs. Frauhold laughed loudly. “You are 100% right Ms. Foster. There are some anti-Program folks in the state office; let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. Anyway, I believe the period is nearly over.” She flashed a quick wink at the four of them.

The bell rang as they put their trays in the used tray area and headed toward the double doors. Do either of you have Vanessa’s phone number?

I don’t think so Manny. Let me give her the house number. I’ll see you in art in a little bit. Pia stepped near to Allison. I’ll give it to Pia too.

Kara nodded at Emanuel and turned the opposite direction of him. I don’t think either of us will be getting away with that for too much longer. Either when we get the apartment remodeled, or for Christmas, I’m sure mom and dad will be adding us to the family plan.

That’s assuming your parents can beat mine to it. Our family plan is really good, and adding two more lines won’t be difficult. She paused and ‘laughed’ for a moment. Actually, correction; our moms are going to scheme together and figure something out. Kara paused again. Wait, why don’t you have a cell phone my muse?

By the time I was really old enough for them to worry about getting one for me, the dissociation had gotten bad enough that I wasn’t doing the usual teenage girl things that would lead a parent to worry a little. By comparison, Sarah’s had one for two years now. Mom’s had to call her on it at least five or six times this year alone.

Kara felt a wave of sadness wash over both of them. If only it didn’t need to have happened that way.

“Not all that is forged by pressure is diamond. Some is simply coal.”

Exactly partner. That’s a lesson I need to take to heart myself. Not all of the lessons I learned the hard way are good to hold onto.

Anyway, I’ll see you both in a bit. Can you try not to make it impossible for me to focus on class today?