In Service of the Queen
by Davina Lee
An alternative future of women and their adventures
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Author's Note
The last chapter was a bit of a romp, with everyone lusting over someone else's ass. And of course, Friend Adelaide got to fulfill her desire of squeezing Tiara's lovely butt cheeks while Tiara filled Adelaide with fingers and made a mess of girl juice on her thigh.
This chapter takes a darker turn and picks up the next morning.
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Chapter 11: Things Take a Turn
Vivienne and Adelaide's apartment
"Vivienne? Viv? What's wrong, honey?" Adelaide closed the front door and walked over the sofa where Vivienne lay balled up and sobbing.
"Cosette," mumbled Vivienne, alternating between sucking gasps and shuddering exhales. "It's Cosette."
"Oh, honey," said Adelaide, kneeling by the couch and wrapping her arms around Vivienne as best she could. Vivienne lay with her face buried in the crook of her elbow.
Adelaide whispered. "Did she...? Are you...?"
Vivienne popped her head up, her eyes rimmed in red and tears streaking her cheeks. "No, Addie."
"Um..." Adelaide looked over the length of Vivienne as she shivered. "I've got you, honey," Adelaide said. "Whatever it is. I've got you."
Adelaide reached up to the back of the sofa and pulled down the throw blanket to wrap over Vivienne's shoulders.
"Mabon Priestess," sobbed Vivienne.
"Oh, dear friend. Cosette's run off with Eniola?"
"No, Addie. Pay attention."
"I'm trying, Viv. I'm trying."
Vivienne popped her head up again and wiped under her nose with the back of her hand.
"Let me get you a tissue," said Adelaide.
"Thanks, sweetie."
"Would you like some tea?" asked Adelaide when she came back. She held her hand out with the tissue dangling from her fingers.
Vivienne nodded a few times before snatching the tissue and holding it to her nose. Adelaide stepped back as Vivienne blew.
"I'll get another one," said Adelaide. "Maybe the whole box."
"Thanks, Addie. You're a good friend."
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At the kitchen table, five minutes later
"Careful, it's hot," said Adelaide sliding a mug in front of where Vivienne sat hunched over the table with her head in her hands, and fingers woven into her hair, just barely keeping it from falling into her face.
Adelaide returned to the kitchen counter for a second mug and brought it to the table with her. She sat down beside Vivienne and reached out to rub her back.
"Cosette was selected for next year's Mabon Priestess." Vivienne let her elbows slide outward and buried her head in the nest of her folded arms after she said it.
"Cosette?" said Adelaide. "But why? She's... Isn't she already staying? She's on the football team? Why would they...?"
Still not looking up, Vivienne shook her head. "I asked myself the same thing Addie," she mumbled into her arms.
"Have you talked to her about this?"
"I can't." Vivienne shook as she began sobbing again.
Adelaide rubbed her hands over Vivienne's shoulders.
"She's been at the clinic all day for tests," said Vivienne. "Someone came to get her this morning." Vivienne broke down sobbing again.
Adelaide reached for a tissue.
"They came here, Addie." Vivienne popped her head up. "They came here looking for her."
"Did you ask them what in friend's name is going on? You can't just barge into someone's place and tell them they're getting knocked up for the next harvest equinox. That's not how it works."
"They were just safety officers. And a nurse. They didn't know anything. Only what was written on the official summons they brought with them."
"Vivienne. Oh, Vivienne." Adelaide rubbed her hand over Vivienne's back again. And after wiping under her own eye with the back of her hand, Adelaide reached for the box of tissues. She came back with two.
"How's Tiara?" asked Vivienne.
"Viv..."
"Seriously, Addie. How's Tiara? Tell me how wonderful things are between you two. I need some good news."
"She's fine, Viv. Tiara's fine."
"That's good." Vivienne sniffled, and Adelaide held the tissue out to her.
"You two are good together," said Vivienne. "You hang onto that g--"
Vivienne's words were cut off by a deep rumbling that ripped through the apartment. Adelaide watched the tissue in her hand rippling, all on its own. The tea mugs on the table rattled and shifted their position. And then everything stopped.
"What was that?" asked Vivienne.
"I have no idea," replied Adelaide.
"Earthquake?"
"I don't think we get those here," said Adelaide.
"Should we check it out?"
"Let's think about this for a minute."
Vivienne chewed her lip for a second. "Cosette," she said, hopping to her feet and turning toward the door. "I have to find Cosette."
"Viv," said Adelaide, laying a hand on Vivienne's arm, "we need to make a plan."
"Addie, what if she's hurt?
"You won't be doing her any good by rushing headlong into friend knows what."
"If it were Tiara, you'd be singing a different tune."
"Viv..."
Vivienne hung her head. "I'm sorry, Addie. That was uncalled for."
"Tiara could be in danger too," said Adelaide. "You're right. But so could we if we go rushing out there without thinking. What's the first thing you do if you get lost in the woods, Viv?"
"I don't know. I grew up in the city. Don't eat the mushrooms, I guess. I know that much."
"The first thing you do is take a deep breath. Panic is your worst enemy. So before anything else, you need to calm down so you can make clearheaded decisions."
Vivienne reached out for Adelaide's hand. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. For the next few breaths, Adelaide joined her.
"Okay," said Adelaide.
"Addie, how do you know this stuff?"
"I grew up out in the commonwealth. Kids got lost in the woods, I guess."
Vivienne nodded. She took one more deep breath and let it out. "Okay, now that we're calm, what do we do?"
"Let's think," said Adelaide. "Where would Cosette go if she were in danger?"
"Here?" Vivienne shrugged. "She'd come here."
"Okay."
"Or the youth hostel," added Vivienne. "You wait here and I'll go look for her at the hostel. I can look for Tiara, too."
"Viv, we need to stick together."
Vivienne nodded. She shook loose from Adelaide's hand and trotted off to the kitchen.
"What are you up to?"
In the kitchen, Vivienne yanked open a drawer.
"Viv?"
"I'm writing a note for Cosette and Tiara, so they'll know where to find us if they come here," said Vivienne.
"Good idea."
Vivienne slapped the note on the table and grabbed Adelaide by the hand. "We've got clear heads and we've got a plan," said Vivienne. "Now we're going to go find them."
Adelaide nodded.
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