Tactical Heart

by S. K. Rose

  “I hope you bitches have the absolute worst hangovers tomorrow.” I step over my sister, flip off the light, and crawl into my inviting bed. It’s been a long ass day, and I’m exhausted.

  To my surprise, Jules gets in the bed and under the blankets with me like she used to do when we were little. Nessa is already snoring from where she fell on the floor.

  I fall asleep with hope that when I wake, I’ll be back in control of my thoughts and foolish feelings.

  16

  Scarlett

  I roll over, grunting in pain when something sharp jabs into my side. Sitting up on the mattress, I find that my sister, as tiny as she may be, has taken over eighty percent of the bed by laying spread eagle. I shake my head as I push her leg off of me and stand up with a yawn.

  Stepping over Nessa, I cross the room to my dresser. Scooping up my outfit and accessories for the day, I escape to the bathroom to get ready. It’s early as hell, and I’m still groggy from a night of tossing and turning, but my costume for the EkoTek convention is intricate and takes a lot of work to pull together.

  After two hours of perfecting my wig, applying makeup, and squeezing into my tiny costume, I proudly observe myself in the bathroom mirror. On the top of my now blonde hair sits a dark crown. My dress is an earthy green adorned with intricate floral designs on the bodice, the bottom of the flowy skirt kisses the floor at my feet. Around my neck is a lightweight cape that loops around my shoulders and flows down my arms. My smoky makeup gives me an exotic and sultry look, and with a little contour, my cheekbones look much higher and sharper than they actually are. And of course, there’s shaped latex around my ears to give them an extended length.

  I look fucking awesome, and sexy as hell if I do say so myself. I mean I’m no pro, but my cosplay skills are pretty impressive. It looks like I walked right out of Tactical Heart and into reality. I chose to cosplay the elven queen, Naemona, my favorite npc1 from the game, not just because she’s totally hot—but ‘cause she’s a total badass. Plus, it doesn’t hurt she’s fairly evil and that’s the kinda mood I’m digging today.

  I do a little twirl and the satin material of my dress swishes with me. I look good, I feel good. It’s going to be an epic day. I snap a picture and send it to Wren; he’s definitely going to appreciate all the work I put into this costume.

  Instead of texting back, he calls. I answer the phone with a happy chirp, “Mornin’!”

  “Dude, sweet ass costume. You look exactly like the queen—I mean it is almost creepy.”

  I laugh and lean against the wall, careful not to crinkle any of the material. “Um, thank you, I think?”

  “It’s a compliment, trust me.” He clears his throat, and his tone softens, “Hey, so I saw you on the game last night, but you didn’t get on voice chat or respond to any of my messages. You okay?”

  I sigh. Exactly what I was trying not to think about. He already knew about the shit that went down on my date with Kane, so I give him a quick rundown of last night, and he lets out a low whistle. “Damn, I think I got blue balls just thinking about y’all getting nasty on that tree.”

  “Seriously?” I snort. “That’s what you took away from what happened, you horny bastard?”

  “Yeah, but all that chemistry after everything that’s happened? You’re both still hot for each other, that says a lot.”

  “No.” I huff. “The point is...okay, I don’t know what the point is. Just, every time I think about him, I get so furious, but all that anger morphs into this weird sexual energy when he’s near, and it keeps taking over. I’m weak, Wren.”

  “You’re not weak; you’re a person with feelings for another person.”

  “Ew, take it back.”

  “Nope. You caught the feelings, and you’ve been burned every time before, so you’re clinging on to any reason not to be with him.”

  “Um, no. You are one hundred percent wrong.”

  But, could he also be one hundred percent, right? Shit.

  “Red, what do you do when you can’t beat a level in a game?”

  I roll my eyes but answer him, “Restart and try again.”

  “That’s right. So maybe it’s time you restart and give this a real try.”

  “Did you just use video games to try and make me understand something?”

  He makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like him holding back laughter. “Just a little gamer explanation. Gamesplaining, if you will.”

  “Why do I even answer when you call?” I grumble.

  “Because you know I’ll beat you over the head with the truth when you need to hear it the most. Also, because I’m awesome as fuck.”

  “Uh huh. I gotta head to the con before I get shit parking. Talk to you later, crazy.”

  “Take tons of pictures, oh and relax and try to have fun.”

  I mumble an agreement and hang up. His words threaten to pick apart my anger, and it’s not a conversation with myself I’m ready to have. I return to my room and find both girls wrapped up in my blanket on the bed, talking and laughing as they clutch water bottles. I clear my throat and do a little curtsy, their eyes widen as they turn to look.

  Nessa nods appreciatively. “I’m so not into that nerdy shit—but I would totally hit that.”

  Jules groans with a laugh. “Gross, but seriously, you look amazing. I can hardly tell it’s you...is that a wig? It looks so real.”

  I grin and run my fingers through the fake hair. “Yep. Expensive as hell, too. Looks pretty good though, huh?” They both nod and simultaneously grumble at the pain the sudden movement causes them.

  “You guys were trashed last night.”

  “I’m never drinking again,” Jules whines.

  “Will sexy gamer boy be at your little nerd fest?” Nessa asks with a sly grin.

  I crinkle my nose. “He better not be.”

  “I wonder if he’s gonna be dressed up too…” she trails off as she pretends to look at her nails.

  The thought of him decked out in a costume, dressed up as a knight or a warrior in armor, has me salivating. Oh my, what if he dressed up as a barbarian?

  All oiled up in a fur loincloth….

  Nessa’s snickering snaps me out of my heated daydream.

  “You’re an asshole. I’m heading out,” I snap as she continues to giggle behind her hand.

  Flipping her off over my shoulder, I grab the leather pouch that I made specially for this event and drop my keys and wallet into it.

  It only takes me fifteen minutes to get to the convention center, but parking is a nightmare. When I finally find a spot, I have to walk thirty minutes to get to the entrance. The strange stares from people passing by chip away at some of my confidence.

  Slightly grumpy and feeling more than a little insecure, I finally step into the main hall. My negativity dissipates immediately as I take in my surroundings.

  Almost everyone is in a costume to a certain extent, not all are characters from Tactical Heart, but many are from other beloved EkoTek games. A smile spreads across my face so big that my cheeks start to hurt.

  This is it, these are my people. The nerds, bookworms, gamers, and loners.

  The misunderstood.

  All of us together in one place to celebrate the games that help us escape into worlds where anything is possible. Here, I feel at home. More than my childhood home, my dorm room, or even the arcade. Among those who don’t just understand the way I feel about games, but feel it themselves. A kinship with strangers that is more powerful than I’ve had with some people I’ve known my whole life.

  I walk around for the next few hours in bliss. Stopping only to eat or check out an open panel on gaming strategies. Several people ask to take pictures with me, and each time, I get just as excited as I did the first. Even a journalist from the local paper asks to snap a picture of me for their upcoming feature about the con.

  As I float along in my own little bubble of happiness, I spot a pair of familiar blue eyes in the crowd. Just like that, my bubble
bursts, and I’m dropped back down to reality.

  My body tenses, not from anger like it should, but from excitement. I am physically excited just from the mere glimpse of him and that is what frustrates me the most.

  “You caught the Feelings.”

  Wren’s words echo through my thoughts, and I release a frustrated sigh. I need to stay away from him. Out of sight out of mind, right?

  But the reality is, no matter what I do, I just can’t seem to escape him.

  17

  Kane

  I jerk to a stop as I pass by a dark window where I see my reflection. A thick cloak sweeps across one of my shoulders and down to the floor. Beneath is a black tunic with the golden Ulicia crest displayed proudly on my chest. Clunky leather boots rise to my knees and atop my head sits an impressive crown.

  Damn.

  I look sexy.

  Sure—as a kid pointed out with laughter—I do have tights on. Less than ideal, but I needed every detail to be perfect, and for whatever reason, the human king, Azlin, wore freaking tights.

  Looking around to make sure nobody is paying attention, I pull out my foam sword and swish it through the air. I wink at myself in the reflection as I pose with the weapon.

  I’m magnificent.

  Sheathing the fake sword, I continue down the hallway. My eyes dart from costume to costume as I take in all the amazing characters come to life around me. Some were clearly thrown together last minute, but for others, it’s obvious they put tons of effort and detail into them.

  I stop to stare at a girl dressed like a fairy. I’m fairly certain she’s not actually wearing clothes and just has green body paint covering her lady bits. I squint my eyes and lean forward. Yep, those are definitely her nipples. Hot damn I love EkoCon.

  “What the fuck are you looking at?” Someone asks from my right.

  A man dressed as a thief has his chest puffed out. By his angry glare, I imagine he’s scowling, but it’s difficult to tell as a hood hides most of his face, and his mouth is covered by a black scarf.

  “Uh. Me?” I point to my chest and look around to see if there’s maybe someone behind me he’s talking to.

  “Yeah, you, your Highness. You’re looking at my woman.” He nods to the fairy girl who’s looking nervously back and forth between us.

  A guy dressed as a wizard moves to stand beside the thief. He’s got on a fake beard, long blue robes, and a staff in one hand. In different circumstances, I would be complimenting him on his rad cosplay, but I’m sensing this isn’t a good time.

  The wizard turns to look at the thief as he points his staff at me. “Doth this traitor king make eyes at thou lady?”

  Terrible Old English? Check.

  Taking this roleplaying a bit too far? Check. Check.

  I hold out my hands. “Look guys, I don’t want any problems. I was just admiring her awesome cosplay, that’s all.”

  “You were gawking at her tits,” the thief snarls.

  “C’mon,” I snort. “I mean, she’s naked, where the fuck else was I supposed to look?”

  “That’s it.” The thief whips out two plastic daggers. “You’ve asked for it now, pal.”

  The wizard shakes his head. “Thou shall not go unpunished.”

  I can’t hold back my laugh. “You guys aren’t serious...are you?”

  The thief raises his arm and points the dull tip of his fake blade at me. “Unsheathe, bastard—I will fight for my lady’s honor.”

  My eyes glance at the fairy who’s bouncing her painted tits in her hands as she giggles. Catching me watching her, she winks and blows me a kiss. What a little freak.

  I return my gaze to the thief and nod toward the fairy. “Hate to break it to you man—but that ain’t no lady.”

  The thief’s face turns a strange shade of purple. He takes a step forward, fury blazing in his eyes. Just then, double doors beside us swing open, and people pour out of the room.

  People may be a strong word to describe them.

  Furries come pouring out of the room.

  There are lots of different types of creatures in EkoTek games, so it’s really no surprise that they would have their own furry fandom here. People in fursuits are everywhere: there’s a fox, a dragon, a unicorn, and tons of wolves.

  Two feline furries stop beside us, apparently taking an interest in our little altercation. One is a black cat wearing a hot pink bikini, and the other is a tiger that has long black hair, a big red bow and—no clothes, so I guess it’s...naked? I don’t really know how furries work, and I’m not entirely sure I want to find out.

  “What’s happening here, boys?” the black cat purrs.

  The thief’s lip curls in disgust. “Mind your business, you freak.”

  Now that pisses me off. I may not understand why people get their kicks being dressed in full fursuits—but that doesn’t mean you have to treat them like shit. Conventions are supposed to be a place where we misfits can feel safe to be ourselves, to not be judged.

  Fuck it. I’m gonna duel this punk bitch.

  I yank out my foam sword and hold it out like it has any chance of actually protecting me.

  “Don’t talk to her like that you prick.” I pause and turn to the person in a black catsuit. “Her?” I ask out of the side of my mouth. The black cat nods, and I give her a thumbs up and turn back to the thief. “Let’s fight.”

  The wizard waves his staff. “Thee shall fall by my magic this day.”

  “Bring it, wizbitch,” I goad.

  With a yell, the thief rushes forward and slashes his dagger at me. Holding up my sword, his blade hits mine, and it makes a light thump as plastic bounces off the foam. His opposite hand comes up, and I move quickly to block his second dagger. Again, he attacks, and every time he makes an attempt to stab or slash, my sword is there to meet his.

  Locked in a duel, our blades clash, but there’s no actual metal, so it sounds more like a pillow fight than a sword fight. Twisting my weapon, I land a soft hit on his wrist, and the thief drops one of his daggers with a moan.

  “Dagnar!” he yells over his shoulder to the wizard. “Cast a spell, you worthless wizard.”

  I raise an eyebrow at the grown man who just asked for magical assistance. “Seriously?” I ask. He stops for a moment to shrug and returns to slashing at me with his remaining dagger. He clutches his “wounded” hand to his chest.

  “Master!” the wizard wails. “He hast cast his own spell, mine staff is like fire.” His staff clatters to the ground.

  “You might want to look into that man,” I say, biting back a laugh. “Your staff might have crabs or something.” The wizard sighs and picks up his staff from the ground.

  He drops the bad Old English when he speaks up. “C’mon, Bob. This guy is a dick, let’s go eat.”

  The thief, or Bob, stops his attack and steps back. “Sounds good. I’m starving.” He swoops down to pick up his dagger. When he straightens, he holds out his hand with a smile. With a raised eyebrow, I shake his hand. “That was an awesome fight,” he says excitedly. “You should join our LARP team, look us up on Facebook; we’re called WizardWatch. Catch ya later.”

  With my eyebrow still raised, I watch as the strange pair walk away, leaving me in a state of befuddlement. What the fuck just happened?

  Before I have time to process, the feline furries rush to my side, cooing at me as they paw my cloak.

  “Thank you for defending my honor, you’ve been a purr-fect gentleman.” The black cat nuzzles the nose of her mask against my shoulder. The tiger doesn’t say anything, but continues to caress my shoulder on the opposite side.

  I’m pretty sure this day couldn’t get any weirder.

  “No problem, ladies. I uhh...better be off.” I dip my shoulder away from the tiger and take a step back.

  “Awwww,” the black cat cries. “Sure you don’t want to come back to our place and play with some yarn?”

  Nope. Don’t want that.

  “I’m actually meeting some friends—but
thanks anyway. Maybe next time.” I let out a nervous chuckle as I take another step back.

  The tiger shrugs and in a deep voice says, “Your loss.”

  My eyes become saucers as I realize one of the cats feeling me up was one hundred percent a dude. Both furries turn, tails swishing behind them, as they take their haughty exit.

  Taking off in the opposite direction, I power walk until I’m out of breath. Dropping my head, I rub my face as if I can scrub away the memory. That’s one secret I’ll be taking to the grave.

  When I look back up, I see a familiar pair of hazel eyes.

  I know those eyes...but no, this girl has stark blonde hair. It couldn’t be who I thought. Or could it?

  Curiosity winning out, I move closer to get a better look.

  Holy mother of dragons—it is Scarlett.

  What are the odds that I decide to cosplay as the traitor human king when she’s dressed as the elven queen, Naemona. Is it a sign or a coincidence that their love story was a complete disaster, and here we are dressed up as that tragic couple?

  I’m gonna go with coincidence.

  Hidden from her view, I allow my eyes to follow her. Her costume is one of the best I’ve ever seen; she looks like she stepped out of the video game and directly into my hottest fantasy.

  I turn toward the nearest wall and bite my fist. “Shit!”

  We’ve got a boner in public alert. Code Red. Code Red!

  RAGING BONER OVER HERE!

  A hand falls on my shoulder, and I cringe at the touch.

  “Hey man, are you okay?” The kind looking man dressed as an orc asks.

  “Fuck off, dude!” My voice breaks as I squeak out the words in distress.

  The stranger holds up his hands in defense. “Sorry. Chill out.” He walks away, shaking his head, but I have more important things to worry about right now.

  Daring to sneak another look at her, our eyes meet and panic flashes across Scarlett’s expression. With a flash of green fabric, she disappears into a nearby room.