Amber sat on her couch and scrolled through the Fugitive Recovery Network's website looking at the men and women on the 'Most Wanted' page. Part of her knew she was being crazy for even entertaining the thought of becoming a bounty hunter. She didn't know anything about this kind of thing. It was definitely a different world than what she was used to. She was brought back from her reverie by the roar of a motorcycle engine outside. Amber was only expecting Amami so she wondered who would be outside with a motorcycle.
Amber opened her cabin door to see someone dressed in black leather step off the bike. The person was obviously a woman because the leather jacket was only zipped up halfway to reveal ample cleavage. The woman took off her helmet and shook out her short blue hair.
"Amami? You drive a motorcycle?" Amber asked in surprise.
"Yes, I like to go fast," said Amami in her Japanese accent. Her dark almond eyes were lined with eyeliner, giving her a sultry look.
Amber looked the smaller girl up and down. "And you look amazing in your outfit. Very sexy." Amami blushed and looked away from Amber. "Come inside, I picked up an uncooked pizza on my way home today, so I just have to throw it in the oven. I have some hard ciders in the fridge so help yourself if you want one."
Amami followed her through the door and took in the small cabin. "It's cozy," she said.
"I know. It's the perfect size for me," said Amber. "As you can see the kitchen is to your right, just by the door. My bedroom is the door across the living room over there," said Amber gesturing past the couch. "Let me get the pizza in the oven and I'll show you my altar room".
Amami removed her black boots at the door and followed Amber into the kitchen. A small fire crackled in the living room fireplace that made the cabin toasty. Amami unzipped her leather jacket and placed it on a hook by the door. Amber glanced over and saw that she was wearing a black Metallica v-neck shirt cut short to bare her stomach. Amber herself was dressed comfortably in a camisole and her soft Victoria's Secret Pink lounge shorts. She felt a little under dressed for her guest.
Once the pizza was in the oven, Amber showed Amami to her extra bedroom. Amber heard Amami take in a breath when she walked in.
"This is beautiful," said Amami. A circular black rug lay in the middle of the room with the shape of a large white pentagram in the middle. Candles were placed all over the room, and against one wall stood a table with a midnight blue tablecloth draped over it. The table was Amber's altar to Artemis and it held her athame, some crystals, and a small statue of the goddess. Amber had recently painted the ceiling a midnight blue and added dots of glittery silver to depict a starry night sky.
"Can we light the candles?" asked Amami.
"Sure, let me get the lighter." The candlelight gave the room a more mysterious air and Amber lit her favorite incense. The two girls sat across from each other on the pentagram rug.
Amber and Amami drank marionberry flavored hard ciders while sharing stories about their spiritual paths until the oven's timer went off. They decided to eat their pizza in the quiet calm of the altar room. Amber was actually enjoying Amami's company and having an evening picnic on the floor of her room under the 'stars'. It was strangely romantic, and her thoughts went to her earlier conversation with Charity. Amber blushed and pushed the thought away.
"I'm sorry for how our conversation went earlier today," said Amber putting her empty plate aside on the rug. "I was actually a little jealous of you."
"Why would you be jealous of me?" asked Amami. She looked genuinely confused.
"Hunter and I had a fight a few days ago, and when I saw you with him today, I was worried that he might fall for you." Amber was embarrassed to admit these feelings, but it was nice to talk to someone about them. Amber heard a light laugh and looked at Amami. "What's so funny?"
"Hunter is very handsome. And muscular, and kind, and generous" began Amami counting the attributes on her slim fingers. Amber was getting worried again. "But he's not the one that made my heart skip a beat today."
Amber felt relief wash over her. If Amami wasn't interested in Hunter, Amber could let loose around her. Really be friends with her without worrying.
"Wait," said Amber realizing something. "You met someone who interested you today?"
Amami leaned in towards Amber as if she was about to share a secret. Amber was aware of Amami's cleavage, even more accentuated by her forward movement. Amber leaned in to hear the secret, unsure why Amami felt the need to come closer when no one else was in the cabin. Amber glanced at Amami's lips noticing for the first time that they glistened, tinged with a soft pink lip gloss.
Before she knew it, Amami's soft lips made contact with Amber's mouth. Amber didn't immediately pull away. The moment was happening so fast, but it felt like slow motion at the same time. It was an innocent kiss. Amber didn't know how else to describe it. No tongue, but the soft pressure on her lips was full of heat. It felt real and tasted sweet. Amber didn't know how long this one kiss lasted, but she felt the spark of electricity between their lips as they slowly pulled apart.
