by Robin Roseau
"I suppose lovemaking is different."
"I imagine. A lot less ewww."
"Oh please, I'm not completely ignorant. I have a pretty good idea what lesbians do. There's some serious ewww involved."
"If you think it's ewww, then I'm not sure I'd find any gay bones at all."
"Oh, I'd totally let you experience the ewww. I just don't know if I could ewww you right back."
At that, I laughed. "I read a study recently."
"Oh?"
"It seems we experience ewww with a much greater range of tolerance when sufficiently aroused."
"Ah. That explains it."
"Or sufficiently drunk."
"Oh, I know that one. Junior year in college. Oh, I can't believe I let him even touch me."
"Total ewww?"
"Yeah. Stupid, stupid, stupid."
"Alcohol and, well, alcohol doesn't mix with anything."
"Or mixes too well," she agreed. "Blythe, tell me I haven't screwed up our friendship."
"No way. Does this mean definitely no tongue when you drop me off?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Damn it." We grinned at each other. But then we collected our coats. She started to pull hers on, but I snaked a hand over and caressed her bottom.
She jumped and shrieked, then finished pulling her coat on. "Do that again, and it means I get to do it to you. And I bet I can get you a lot more worked up than you can get me."
I laughed. "Oh honey, I'm a lesbian. I know how to touch a woman. Are you sure you want to challenge me like that?"
"I don't know. It might be awfully fun."
"I agree. But we'll both go home frustrated and horny. The thing is, I have vibrators, and I know how to use them. Furthermore, I'd be thinking of you. Who would you be forced to think about? I bet the guy from college."
"Oh god! Now that's just mean."
We stepped out to her car, but we were halfway down my drive when I said, "So. They're voting on me tonight. Will I be in the room?"
"Yep, just like last time."
"And you have to give me a blue marble."
"Yep. All the juniors except Sylvia, and she'd give you a red one even if you'd worked off your time to her. She wants your ass."
I laughed. "It seems everyone wants my ass."
"Mrs. Grafton did something special-"
"Silence!" I yelled. "We are not mentioning Mrs. Grafton, my ass, bathrooms, or brownies together. Are we clear?"
Kiki snickered. "That was kind of immature."
"She said my grandmother did it to her."
"Oh. Turnabout, sort of."
"Yeah."
She glanced over at me. "Which one was worst?"
"The lawyers. Hands down. But Mrs. Grafton actually cost me more time I couldn't afford."
"You could have set up your office in-"
"Silence!"
She chuckled.
* * * *
We pulled up to Judge Wren's house. There wasn't a valet this time, just a line of cars along one side of her drive. Kiki parked then turned to me.
"It's okay if you flirt with some of the other women, too. I'll try to contain my jealousy."
"You, too," I said. "But I'm the only one who gets to touch your ass."
"Then I'm the only one who gets to touch yours."
"I'm not sure I am allowed to object if someone else tries to touch it. Mrs. Everest eyed it last time I saw her."
"She was probably looking for stains."
"Stains?"
"You've seen her since Mrs. Grafton's gift, right?"
"Kiki!"
She snorted her laughter.
"Get it out of your system. Really, I want to move past that one."
"Did you throw the shampoo away?"
"I'm saving it for your next sleepover. It's in a different bottle."
"Sure. Did you save it?"
"I did, yes."
"I'll tell you what. Promise to use it during your next shower, and I'll stop teasing you."
"No. First, I don't mind being teased. And second. No."
She smiled. "For me?"
"Not happening."
"I'm totally looking for stains."
"Kiki."
She huffed. "All right. I'll find something else to tease you about. That was just a little too easy, anyway."
"Exactly."
"But there will be 15 or 20 other women here tonight, and I'm not promising a thing about any of them."
I sighed.
* * * *
I did receive teasing about all of my hazing so far. I avoided the legal team for a while, but finally I whispered to Kiki, "Let me grope your ass."
She turned sideways, offering me better access, without a pause in her conversation with Hope. I stepped a little closer and set my hand on her ass, partially shielding view of what I was doing with my body. I rubbed appreciatively for a good five or ten seconds. Then Kiki turned to me, excused herself with Hope, and took my arm, pulling me through the house. We came to a stop in an otherwise deserted hallway.
"What's up?" she asked.
"I'm going to go talk to the legal team for a few minutes. They're all clustered together, and they've avoided me as much as I've avoided them."
"Want me to go with you?"
"No."
"Do you want me to fondle your ass a few times before you go?"
"Yes."
She laughed and wrapped me in a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, and then she lowered her hands until they rested on my ass. She rubbed, and it felt nice. We held each other that way for a half-minute or so before I kissed her cheek and thanked her.
"You'd do it for me," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Better?"
"A little."
"If I see you tugging your ear, I'll come over and fondle some more."
"Okay."
We cheek-kissed, and then Kiki went one way. I went the other.
The judge, our host for the night, was still talking to Donna Smith, the woman who had played the part of the assistant district attorney, and Raquel Boone. Sabrina Hunt and Liah were both missing from the group. But I approached slowly, letting the judge see me. We caught eyes, and I gestured for permission to approach. She smiled and nodded. There was an open place in their little circle by the time I arrived.
"Ah, the murderer is here," Ms. Smith said.
"I was acquitted," I said. "On account of the victim being a big poopy butt."
"I'm not sure I'm the poopy butt," said the supposed victim. "I think that exceedingly immature distinction lands somewhere else."
I'd used the phrase intentionally. I couldn't tell if they appreciated it or not.
"I haven't had a chance to properly greet any of you tonight," I said. "My apologies. I thought I'd remedy that." Then, starting with Raquel, I offered cheek kisses to each of them.
By the time I was done, both Liah and Ms. Hunt were standing to the side, so I greeted them just as warmly, and our circle expanded again. "You have a lovely home, Judge," I said. "Thank you for inviting me."
"Of course," she replied. "I'm pleased you could make it."
"I think she's pleased Mrs. Grafton finished with you as early as she did," Liah said.
"I bet her housekeeper would be especially pleased to know that," I suggested.
"And what did your housekeeper think of the situation?" Ms. Boone asked.
"I didn't think subjecting her to any of the results was in keeping with the spirit of the event. I saw to things myself. And I think she was offended by that, although she didn't know why the bathrooms were all freshly cleaned, just that they had been."
"You are an intriguing woman, Ms. Todd," said the judge.
"Oh?"
"I dare say we could attempt to tease you further, and you would handle our teasing with the same aplomb you're currently giving us. That is remarkable."
"What would you have me do instead?"
"Oh, no, I am quite impressed," she replied. "I wouldn't ask for different behavior."
>
"All right. What would you expect instead?"
"I would perhaps expect to see some signs of bitterness or stress. You avoided us for a while, but you found some courage somewhere, and it wasn't liquid."
"A woman's arms," I said simply.
Her jaw dropped. "I did not believe Kiki Furman moved that way."
"She doesn't. But she gives good hugs, and she enjoys both sides of teasing."
"Good hugs my ass," Liah said. "Wait. Kiki's ass."
I blushed but said nothing. But Ms. Smith observed, "Ms. Furman does have a fine ass."
"That she does," I agreed. I looked at Liah. "I was given certain directions on this night two months ago, one of which had to do with the location and timing of certain conversations. But it seems that rule isn't followed as closely as I expected."
"It is rather a hint to candidates to ensure privacy before discussions. We are private here. You wished to discuss something?"
"Yes. Liah owes me a blue marble for her participation in a rather cold walk I experienced. She owes me at least one more blue marble for more recent conversations I shared with her. I would like to understand what happens in that case."
Every pair of eyes turned to Judge Wren.
"You know, I'd like to know that, too," Liah said.
"This comes up with some regularity," explained the judge. "Any of a number of things may happen. Liah could have transferred her obligation to another."
"I didn't do that," she said. "Or at least not that I know."
"Both of you would have received notice," the judge said. "Second, Liah's second obligation could come on the vote after this one, assuming you remain an initiate after tonight."
"Seriously?" Liah said. "I didn't know that."
"Like you would have played your role any differently," I suggested.
"I suppose," she agreed.
"The third choice is that tonight's host could elect to replace one red marble with a blue marble, in effect transferring Liah's obligation more directly. This is actually the most benefit to you, because some of the people who are obligated to give you blue marbles weren't necessarily obligated to give you red previously, and they may have given you a blue marble, regardless. Of course, it is at my discretion."
"So if you don't replace a red then Liah still owes me one more blue."
"Correct."
"And have you decided what you will do?"
"I will decide when I see the count," she replied. "You understand. It is poor form to coordinate our voting, although from time to time, a woman may campaign for one vote or another. This vote has seen no campaigning, and it would be unusual. The basic conclusion is already known."
"Oh?"
"You will learn the results in another, oh, two hours, or perhaps a little less."
"All right. But you were explaining."
"If I feel you have received an unusually high number of red marbles, I will replace one with a blue, and then Liah is free to give you a red marble at the next vote. If replacing a red marble would reduce the count to four, then I certainly will not perform a replacement. I cannot tell you where the line is from one to another."
"If you do it tonight, then you save me 25 hours, but it is likely I'll invite Liah to haze me, perhaps after a little more time has passed from her last involvement. Or if I don't, then she'll give me a red marble next time, and you shift when my 25 hours lands."
"It is a balance," the judge agreed. "If I thought you had spent sufficient time as an initiate, then I would make the decision that is most likely to help you become a junior member. If I thought you had not, then I would do what I could to extend your time." She smiled. "If you had not joined us tonight, then I know what I would do."
I returned her smile. "I don't believe you feel I've served my time, so to speak. I don't believe anyone in the room does."
"Perhaps this is true. But you have been an honorary member of this organization since you were a very young child, assisting your grandmother quite ably, even when very young. Demanding more service hours of you would be petty." Then she smiled again. "However, I'm not convinced I'm ready to see the hazing come to an end. Whatever would we do all winter?"
I cocked my head, deciding how I felt about being their entertainment. Then I nodded. "Of course."
She studied me for a moment longer, then gave a good hard look at Liah. "I know what Ms. Cross would prefer. She wants me to perform the transfer."
"Not if it gets her off the hook!" exclaimed Liah.
The women chuckled. "Perhaps not then." The judge turned back to me. "I don't know what you want. You have felt Liah's bite, but only an indirect bite. Perhaps tomorrow you would invite a hazing from her, if she weren't already obligated, and that might be far easier than the service hours."
I thought about it and said little.
"I wish to return the conversation to an earlier topic. Did you imply a hug from Kiki Furman was all the courage you required?"
"And she fondled my ass."
The woman guffawed.
"It was in fun," I added. "But it lightened my mood, because it was in fun. Which is why I asked her rather than another."
And then I felt a hand on my ass. I glanced over, and Ms. Hunt was attempting an innocent expression. She would be good at it if she weren't blushing.
"Ms. Hunt," I said. "I know I am not offered to engage in return hazing."
"You are not."
"However, some actions are clear permission to respond in kind."
The hand clasped my ass cheek firmly and withdrew. I laughed.
"What just happened?" Liah just asked.
"Ms. Hunt attempted to further lighten the mood," explained the judge. "I believe she succeeded."
"I'm trying to decide if she's given permission for all of you, or just herself."
"Just herself," the judge indicated.
* * * *
Somehow, word got around, and by the time dinner was announced, it seemed like half the women in the room were fondling me whenever they passed me, and some were clearly going out of their way to do it. I entirely lost track of who had groped me, but their behavior amused the hell out of me.
I tried to imagine how I'd have felt if it had been men. I knew the answer to that.
The funniest was when Wilba Everest goosed me a good one, causing me to jump. She cackled as she walked away.
But I was most surprised when, shortly before announcing dinner, the judge stepped to my side, her hand landing on my ass. She didn't move. She just held it there. Finally I looked over at her.
"Everyone has been enjoying this. I was curious. And now I am curious how you will respond."
"I couldn't possibly return the favor to everyone in the room," I said. "And I've quite lost track of who has given permission. But I'm curious what your husband does during these events."
"My husband would be dying of laughter if he were standing behind us right now," she replied. "But getting rid of him is easy. I give him two weeks warning I am having a dinner party with my 'circle', and he books an overnight trip out of town."
"Efficient," I replied. "So is that lingering hand permanent permission, or limited to tonight? I have an awful lot of catching up."
She smirked but didn't answer.
"Perhaps I'll do it in front of your husband sometime."
And she snatched her hand away. My features fell. "I'm sorry, that was a joke."
"My husband would be quite amused, and then he would ask to watch."
"There's nothing to watch."
"And yet, he has a fertile imagination. Please don't feed it."
"It was a joke. Of course not." She turned to step away, and in a moment would announce dinner. But I stopped her.
"Judge?"
She turned back towards me, but I had moved, and she moved right into me. I wrapped an arm around, clasping her ass, and I set my other hand dead center of her chest, then looked up into her eyes. I smiled. "I find your strength incredibly intoxicating. Perhaps
later..."
She began to blush immediately, surprising me, and then she laughed. "You little vixen."
"We can make a video," I said. "For your husband."
"You are naughty. Very, very naughty."
I squeezed her ass but couldn't think of anything to add to what I'd said, at least nothing that wasn't an utter cliché. So I withdrew. "Is that a 'no'? Pity."
She shook her head slowly, turned to leave, then turned back to face me. "Ms. Todd?"
"Yes, Judge?"
"I was deeply involved in Ms. Boone's event, but I have not been offered my own opportunity in a number of years."
"Have you thought about what you would do if invited?"
"Of course I have. All of us have, or most of us, anyway."
"Have you thought about it specifically related to me?"
"No, but I am now."
"And would it be as elaborate as Ms. Boone's?"
"That would be difficult."
"I must confess. That left me quite raw for a few days. It affected my work. I consider that a problem. I am at an important point in my career, and I cannot afford these games to cause damage to my professional reputation that might take years to recover. When I accepted this offer, I was assured I wouldn't be so affected."
"You are bitter after all."
"You accuse me of acting and of lying. I have done neither. I am not bitter, as I could end all of this easily at any time, couldn't I?"
"I suppose you could."
"I'm not bitter, Judge. I'm asking for your guidance."
"Oh," she said, her mouth a wide "oh" for it. "I do not believe we can follow the spirit of what we do without some effects on your schedule. But I also believe the advantages far outweigh the negatives."
I nodded. "Perhaps you are right. Are you suggesting my concerns are misguided?"
"No," she said slowly. "Will you let me think about this?"
"Of course. You can think about it at the same time you decide what you intend, any time after mid-morning tomorrow, but please don't let me wait like Mrs. Franklin has kept me waiting."
She laughed. "Thank you, Ms. Todd." She paused, about to step away. "The permission granted earlier is as permanent as the reverse permission."
"Except in front of your husband?"
"Oh no, go ahead. It will give him dreams for months. You won't mind, will you?"