"I love gossip," says Kieran. The cool glass plays against her lips painted a deep forest green. There is no smudge. I feel that there should be a smudge. My knowledge of makeup is somewhat lacking, but lipstick smudges on glass. Collars and skin too. It's more of an excuse to mark things as owned by the color, now that I think about. I like lipstick. I think I should experiment with it. Maybe. No, second thoughts meandering through my mind dissuade me. Lips would distract from the hair and that is the real star of the show. Always has been, always will.
"And I have heard some very interesting gossip concerning the two of you," Kieran continues.
The Roulette Club's relatively empty. It's 7 o'clock on a Tuesday. I would be surprised if it was busier. There are responsible people out in the world, doing responsible things. Family table dinners, light readings, time spent improving and honing the self into something more than the day before. Even the noble act of rest and sloth has a purpose in gaining back the resources spent in the day. Hannah hugs into my arm and I can feel the soft swell in her chest, just barely. Never a bra on her. Never even a thought in her mind.
"We have been doing fun things," she says, "Robbed a jewelry store. Did a thing at the mayor's mansion."
"I vandalized some League property," I say, "Hannah didn't help with that."
"I know about that. I'm talking about some of the other things."
We are not being responsible. We are all several drinks deep, collectively. Most of them come from Kieran and Hannah. I'm not even one in. Probably. I don't think I've had more than one. There is a foot to my crotch, pushing and kneading and fondling with pressure and hunger. That makes it kind of hard to count. One, definitely one. I can recall the number, so that means I have most of my sense. And if I have most of my sense, then I am only one in. It all checks out. I feel a pair of lips kiss my neck and I think it's Hannah. Kieran's on the other side of the table, and so yeah. All checks out.
"We're planning on stealing more stuff," says Hannah, "But we can't tell you. It's a secret."
"Yeah, it's a secret," I say, "And secrets are supposed to be secret. And if you know it, then you'll tell and then it won't be a secret. So, we can't tell you. Cause it's a secret."
Kieran nods sagely at the logic. I am truly a dizzying intellect when it comes down to it. One of the greatest minds of this generation.
"Oh, I understand. You need to steal things," Kieran sighs. Her lips savor every syllable, glimpses of writhing snaky tongue between them and I know that they all can do. I think I will be reminded of them by the time the night is over. I hope so. The text from earlier implied as much.
"We need to steal things," Hannah agrees, "It's the only life we know. Really, everyone should pity us. We're just beggars on the corner, but with a few extra steps. Our home is a drafty warehouse with a leaky roof and a cracked floor. The landlord is an old man who pinches every penny. All the neighbors are thieves and cutthroats. We need a warm home to take us in and keep us safe."
I make my eyes wide. Hannah does too. Kieran just rolls hers and finishes the drink. Still no smudges. It should smudge. It would look good if it was a little more smudgy and runny.
"Oh boohoo," she sighs, "I know for a fact that your little love nest is better than anything the League provides. Probably eat off gold plates and have diamonds in the windows."
"No, but there are diamonds in the drawers," Hannah says, "We ran out of room in the safe, so we just keep 'em in a drawer. They're next to the scissors and the tape."
"And the thumbtacks. I don't even know why I have thumbtacks," I say, "I don't own a corkboard. I think they were there when I moved in."
Kieran sighs and runs a finger along the rim. I think she wants me to get up and get her a new one. But then the foot would leave its pressure and I don't think she wants to do that either. No, she is being responsible, too. Found the limit and toed the line, sure, but she isn't going overboard.
Hannah is not as responsible. She is hanging on me, playing on my chest, tracing shapes and patterns and lines with no care in the world as to who might see.
"So, about that little bit of gossip I actually want to talk about," Kieran says, "About your little friend with the demon hand."
"Ooooooooh," says Hannah, "Yeah, that's not a secret. We played together."
"That is much too innocent of a word. You all fucked. That's a few steps up from a friendly game of cards."
"No, play's the right word. Evan and I fuck. If it's another person, then it's play. I don't know what four people would be called."
"Still the same," I say, "I don't think it would change all that much. It's still play."
"Whatever it is," Kieran says, "Good for you. Nice job. Always struck me as kind of prickly."
"Can be. But there's some soft spots."
"Her ass," Hannah interjects, "Her ass is amazing."
Kieran chuckles and keeps playing with her glass, tilting and rolling it around and around and around.
"You're making me jealous," she purrs, "Are you saying I don't have a nice ass?"
"You are fishing for compliments," I say, "We all know you're incredible. Your ass is incredible. Your boobs are phenomenal. Your hips are dreamlike."