Volunteer (Selected Book 3)

by Robin Roseau

  "This is true," Jasmine said. "You wore these during Testing, but you were not in command of them. But this pair you command."

  "What do you mean?"

  "It's easiest if you just try it," she said. "There's a tutorial for you later, but when you put it on, it will enter demonstration mode."

  So I pulled it from the box, leaned back on the sofa, and slipped it over my eyes.

  It did everything it did during my Testing, including the little ear buds sliding into my ears. Then the screen came live, and the computer voice said, "Welcome to your visor."

  It then spent ten minutes showing me everything it could do. When it was done, it gave me the choice to deactivate or enter the tutorial."

  I stared for a while then said, "Deactivate."

  "Very good," it said. The screen went blank, the ear buds withdrew, and I felt it loosen I took it off.

  They were all watching me. "Well?" asked Violet. "What did you think?"

  "Magic," I whispered.

  "Technology."

  "Any sufficiently advanced technology will be indistinguishable from magic," I said. "To me, this is magic. Is this as princely a gift as I think it is?"

  "It is politically sensitive," Jasmine said. "They actually aren't that expensive for us, about the equivalent of some of the more popular electronic devices people buy these days."

  "It would be priceless on the human market."

  "As long as it remained scarce, yes, it would," Jasmine said. "That pair will respond to you and only to you."

  "It's amazing, but I think there's still something you're not telling me."

  "It can help you study," Jasmine said.

  "Violet and I still want to help you with the sciences," Posey said. "But when you go through the tutorial, you will see there are about ten different training modes."

  "This is what you meant when you said you have technology to help you learn languages."

  "Not the visors exactly, but yes," she said.

  "Do you understand why it can't leave the apartment?"

  "I bet you'd get into trouble," I said.

  "Yes," Jasmine said. "I would. No one is going to care if you use it here, but it would cause problems if you are seen in public with it."

  "Of course," I said. "Why don't you let us have these?"

  "Humanity?" Jasmine said. "We want you to develop this type of technology yourselves. Humans are very good at this, but if we take the advancement from you, or just hand it to you, you might forget how to do it for yourselves. That would be such a loss. Once you largely catch up in technology, then we become more willing to trade. Do you see?"

  "I think so. Thank you." I whispered the word.

  "We're not going to spoon feed you knowledge," Bluebell said. "But we're willing to give you tools to help you. We discussed a more advanced version, but that would make it too easy, and a big part of going to college is learning how to learn more efficiently. We don't want to skip too much of that."

  "I understand," I said. I gestured. "Is this too much help?"

  "No, but I will say this," she replied. "You have no excuse for any grade below an A."

  I laughed. "I might just not be able to understand a topic."

  "That is unlikely, but if so, you will discuss it with your academic advisor."

  "Of course."

  "I will offer one more caution," said Jasmine. "It comes with games. They can be addictive."

  "Please remove them," I said.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. I don't want to be tempted."

  "I'll handle it," Bluebell said.

  "I will warn you," Jasmine said. "Bluebell and I both have master authority over this. We can do a great deal to it while you are wearing it. I do not necessarily intend to do so, but we have that ability."

  "Such as?"

  "Lock it so you can't take it off. Display anything on the screen we want. Cause you to sleep. Engage in reprogramming, although we would normally use a far more advanced version if that was our intention."

  "Oh."

  "A paranoid human wouldn't wear it."

  "I'm not paranoid, and I trust both of you."

  "You understand, Skye, that we both have interests that aren't necessarily yours, and we're willing to use them to fulfill needs, if necessary."

  I thought about it. "Why did you tell me that?"

  "Because one or the other of us could very well end up manipulating you, and if we warn you, you might not feel as betrayed. You know it could happen, and if you are dead set against it, you could withdraw yourself from us."

  I thought about it. "I trust you."

  And they both nodded.

  Break

  I drove myself home. Well, the four of them escorted me to the underground garage, and then we went for a ride in my new car. Oh, it wasn't mine, mine, but it was allocated to me for the foreseeable future. It was actually Posey that taught me to drive the car. They could do it without touching the car, but I had to use the touch panels. It took her perhaps twenty minutes to teach me everything I needed to know.

  We exchanged long, long hugs afterwards. Violet was last, and she said, "I want to see you again, as soon as possible, but it is the end of the term. I do not know what our choices are."

  "I bet I can study here better than at the dorm."

  She laughed. "You're probably right."

  "I don't know how much you want me here."

  She pulled away. "Mom."

  "Which one?"

  "Either of you," Violet said. "How often may Skye come to visit?"

  "She's family," Bluebell said. "If she were attending school closer to Boston, we would want her every night by dinner."

  "So if she comes up every Friday after her last class?"

  "That's what we're expecting. The visor has to stay here, after all."

  Violet grinned at me.

  "There's a dance next Saturday," I said. "Would you and Posey like to come?"

  "Yes," Posey said.

  "That means you can have me for a date on Friday," I said. "But I'll have to study a lot the rest of the weekend."

  Violet grinned. "I'll come up with something good."

  * * * *

  That conversation set my schedule not just for the rest of the week, but until further notice. I didn't spend every weekend in Boston, because sometimes there were events at school I wanted to attend. But I spent most weekends there.

  And so, after one more round of hugs, I got in the car, told it where to take me, and it drove me home.

  I was completely overwhelmed.

  * * * *

  The end of the term arrived. I turned in my last paper, took my last test, packed my things, climbed into my car, and let it take me to Boston.

  I felt free. Oh, I loved school, but for the next three weeks, I had no responsibilities. Oh, I wasn't going to ignore my winter classes. I'd already checked, and the visor could help me get a start, and I was going to take advantage of that.

  But it was on my schedule, with no deadlines, and I was going to enjoy that.

  Bluebell had programmed the security systems to let me walk from the parking garage to their apartment. I couldn't go anywhere else in the facility unescorted, but I could make that walk, and so while I'd warned them I was coming, they were all at their respective jobs. I brought my things in, brought them to the room that was now officially called mine, and settled in.

  I found the visor and pulled it on. I sent a message to Violet. "Honey, I'm home."

  A moment later, there was a request for a video chat, which I accepted. We stared at each other for a while, neither of us saying anything. Finally Violet said, "Mom wants us to stay home tonight. Will you let me take you out tomorrow?"

  "Yes."

  "Skye, I need to tell you something.

  "Violet, I'm in love with you."

  She stared then finally said, "I wanted to say it first."

  "Then forget I said it."

  She laughed.

  "We ha
ve to be subtle in public."

  "I know. I want some private time with you before my mom and sister arrive."

  "Private time. Is that a euphemism?"

  "Yes."

  "Good." she said. Then she disconnected the call, but I was still staring into her face.

  She'd been coming home while we'd been talking. I threw my arms around her. "I love you," I whispered into her ear.

  "Come on," she said. She pulled away, wrapped tentacles around my arm, and pulled me from the chair. Then she led me to my bedroom.

  I hadn't changed into proper clothing, and she frowned. "From now on, the minute you come home, you will change."

  "Yes, Violet," I said.

  She stepped closer. "Did I misunderstand what you said?"

  "If you interpret it to mean I want to get naked right now, then no, you didn't misunderstand. But I don't want to rush you."

  "Take off the visor, close your eyes, and then relax your arms," she ordered.

  I disabled the visor and returned it to its case. I always stored it in its case. Then I moved to the center of the room, closed my eyes, and let my arms hang loosely.

  I let her undress me. She did it slowly. She loosened my blouse, but then she removed my jeans. When she found the socks, those came off as well.

  Then the blouse. I had to explain how to do the bra, and finally she slipped my undies from me.

  She walked around me, touching me with her tentacles. I stood still, quivering, my eyes still closed. She didn't touch my private areas, but then she wrapped around me tightly, her chest against my back. "Is there anywhere I may not touch you?"

  "No, but we should go slowly."

  "Because you're nervous?"

  "Because there might be differences we didn't anticipate. May I undress you?"

  "No."

  "I want to feel all of you."

  "Move one muscle, and I am throwing you on the bed and looking for more ticklish places."

  "Not fair." But I knew she'd do it, too.

  She stepped away, but she kept tentacles on me. I heard her undress, setting her close aside. Then she pressed against me again. "I do not want us to both fumble through this at the same time. Will you let me learn your body?"

  "What about your body?"

  "Tomorrow."

  "Whatever you say, Violet. Please touch me."

  She wrapped me more fully, and I accepted a tentacle for a while, both of us getting worked up, then she withdrew from my mouth, but continued to caress my face.

  "Tell me where you are sensitive."

  "Everywhere right now," I said, "I'm quivering for you, Violet. Please..."

  "I want to learn you slowly, Skye. May I go slowly?"

  "Take me to the bed, and then you may do whatever you like."

  "What if I want to mark your face?"

  "Delicately," I said. "Yes."

  "Oh, Skye," she said. Then she did, indeed, lead me to the bed, pulling back the covers so I lay amongst the rich, soft sheets. She climbed onto the bed beside me. I turned to watch her.

  "Close your eyes," she said. I obeyed.

  She began stroking my body, touching me in ways she had touched before, and I could feel her oil on my skin, making me and her tentacles slippery. Then she began to tease my breasts, very gently.

  "You can be a little firmer," I said. "But that is nice, too."

  "Like this?" She wrapped more around me, kneading me a little, and I began to pant. "Yes. No firmer though, and vary it. Not always that firm, and when you switch to the nipples, you should be gentle. But you can pinch and suck them if you're careful. I think they're going to surprise you."

  She took her time, but slowly she began teasing my nipples, and I was so sensitive I hissed and armed my back. She immediately withdrew.

  "I hurt you!"

  "Like hell you did. God, that feels amazing. It's a different sort of tickling like that. Use more of your oil."

  She spent forever teasing my nipples, leaving me panting. A human would have used her mouth, but her tentacles were far better than any human mouth or tongue could ever be. I squirmed and squirmed but begged for more.

  But then I clasped my hands to her nipples. "Stop," I said. "Please stop."

  "Did I hurt you?"

  "No. It's like too much tickling." I opened my eyes and turned to look at her. "Hold me," I said. "Cuddle for a while. Let me calm down."

  So we did. After a few minutes, I turned my nose back towards here again. "A few minutes like that gets me squirming, but if you wanted to advance, then I can only take so much."

  "It was too much?"

  "No, it was just perfect, but perfect for my breasts means I'm over-stimulated, and if you moved on, I don't think I could stand it."

  "Will you let me roll you over and give you a massage? Would that feel nice?"

  "Yes, but you don't have to."

  She did the work, and I was nearly helpless to resist. She rolled me onto my stomach, helped me get comfortable, then massaged my back and shoulders for a while. It felt wonderful.

  "Your bottom is also made from muscles," she whispered to me.

  "You may touch me wherever you want," I said, "but there are places that are deeply sensitive. Please be cautious with them."

  "So I don't hurt you?"

  "So I don't get over stimulated again."

  And so her massage moved. She used her hands and all four tentacles, and she soon had me moaning in pleasure and entirely limp.

  What she could do with my ass. Oh. Em. Gee.

  "Skye," she whispered. "I want to look."

  "You may do anything you want."

  "What is most comfortable for you?"

  "I don't know. Doctors who have to examine me put me on my back with my legs spread and held high. But you could also make me kneel."

  "You're already on your stomach," she said. She slipped a tentacle underneath my waist and easily pulled me onto my knees. I didn't resist while she positioned me, and I let her look all she wanted.

  "This one," she said with a tap. "Is for disposal of waste."

  "Yes," I said. "The area is sensitive, and some people like to play there as part of sex."

  "Do you?"

  "I've never had sex, so I don't know. But it seems kind of gross."

  "Gross?"

  "It's a waste disposal chute," I said. "Figure it out."

  She laughed. "If I want, will you let me touch you there?"

  "Slowly, and if you do, you aren't putting that tentacle into any other orifice until it's thoroughly washed. And don't suck. That's just gross."

  She played, and I immediately began squirming madly. She didn't enter. She just played around the edge, and it was deeply intense. Then she withdrew.

  "Stay right where you are," she said. "If you move, I get to tickle."

  "Oh god," I said.

  She left the room. She left me there with my ass in the air. I didn't move.

  She was only gone a minute or two.

  "You cleaned?" I asked when she joined me on the bed.

  "Yes, and I have towels for us. In case."

  "Good planning."

  "You liked that."

  "It's amazingly intense. I had no idea."

  She said nothing, but she moved around, and I knew she was looking. "You look different."

  "That's not surprising."

  "I've read."

  "I thought maybe you have. You're driving me crazy here, Violet."

  "Move, and I tickle," she repeated. "May I explore?"

  "Yes," I whispered.

  She touched using what felt like the tips of two tentacles. She played. It wasn't expertly done, but it was still deeply intimate. I think she was learning the anatomy. Finally she parted my outer lips, and when she ran a tentacle across me, I knelt up. "Oh my god!"

  "Good?"

  "Oh god, yes!"

  She... explored. She touched. She judged my reactions. She drove me insane with need.

  "Stop," I said. "Stop. Please sto
p."

  She did, then she was holding me. "What's wrong?"

  "I don't want to finish like this. Please let me lie back and hold me."

  I could tell she was worried. She arranged me, on my back, held tightly. "Did I do something wrong?"

  "No. Do you understand about orgasms?"

  "Yes. We have them. So?"

  "Human orgasms aren't entirely voluntary."

  "You eject eggs involuntarily?"

  "Well, that happens on a monthly schedule, but our orgasm is unrelated to eggs."

  "I don't understand."

  I opened my eyes and turned to face her. "If you continue to do what you were doing, you would give me an orgasm, but it was a little, well, a little like being examined by a doctor, not my lover. It was really intense, and you can do that another time if you want, but for our first time, I want you holding me, like this, when we do that."

  "Oh. That I understand, Skye."

  "I'm over stimulated again. Please just hold me."

  "I did it wrong."

  "Listen to my words. You did it perfectly. And now I want to be held before you touch me again. Do we have time?"

  "Some. Not much. I want to give you one of these orgasms. Please, Skye." I could hear the longing in her voice.

  "Hold me," I ordered. I closed my eyes. Then I whispered. "Talk in a low voice. Were you going to use one tentacle, two, or your hand?"

  "Two tentacles," she said, her voice husky.

  "Hold tighter," I said. Then I reached down. "Slide one into my hand." I felt the tip, and I pulled it down to me, showing it where I wanted it. "Like this," I whispered. "This part." She moved, and I gasped. "You can use all the oil you want, but I produce my own there."

  "I know," she whispered. "What do I do with the other one?"

  "Give it to me," I said. She did, and I held it with one finger along it. I used that finger to direct it, first teasing the long slit. I hissed. "Oh god. Oh god."

  "Good?"

  "Yes. Can you find the opening?" I had to help her, but then she partially entered me.

  "I don't know what to tell you for this part. If you are too wide, it will hurt. But the entire inside is sensitive, and there's a place on the upper wall called the G-spot. Pressure there enhances the orgasm."

  "I've seen drawings," she said. "I studied for hours."

  I smiled. "The orgasm is from stimulation of the clitoris," I said. "Anything else you do can enhance it or just drive me insane. Now, tell me you love me, and let's see if you can figure it out."