by Viola Grace
She felt her eyes widen as she whined softly as Tycho forged forward. Torun smiled. “That is what I have been missing. Seeing the enjoyment, confusion, and lack of control is intoxicating.”
Zera tried to shift her hips between them, and she was pinned. She sighed. “One of you is going to have to move. I am pinned.”
Tycho cupped her breasts and shifted. “I think that is my cue.”
She groaned and panted as he moved inside her, and Torun watched with his eyes glowing hot. He was getting secondary effect, but the effect was that she was rhythmically contracting and releasing him as Tycho’s cock rubbed his through her.
She shivered, Tycho shouted, and Torun arched back. They withdrew to clean up, and Ryma took over. She held Zera and used warm water and a soft cloth to take care of her. This was the part that Ryma didn’t get in her daily life. She wanted to care for helpless things, but she was relegated to the part of the beast. Zera let a few tears fall as Ryma cleaned her with detailed care. Susa used to help with aftercare on nights like this, but now, Zera would be left to the bots. This was the only care she would get.
Zera would have normally protested the help with the solvent to remove the gold, but Ryma was careful, and she worked with the prep bot to get it all off. When she was clean, rubbed down with lotion, and the worst aches had been massaged, Zera hugged the team member in thanks.
“You are off the clock, Zera.”
Zera nodded against her shoulder. “I know.” She straightened her shoulders and put her cloak and the mask back on.
Torun was putting on his team uniform. “Why are you bothering with that?”
“Because I know you have doxed me with the teams, but I want to avoid it getting out any further than necessary, or you guys won’t get any more energy weapons.” She smiled. “I am heading into commuter traffic. My transport is pulling up.” She bowed. “Thank you, Patrons, for selecting me.”
They each gave her a whisper of a kiss. Ryma smiled. “Thank you for taking care of us.”
Tycho smiled. “Thank you for taking care of us.” He pressed another kiss to her lips.
Torun pulled her close and growled. “Thank you for taking care of us.”
His kiss was not quick, was not delicate, and left her knees shaking and her monitor chiming that her transport was waiting.
Her lips were swollen, and he stroked her cheek. “See you soon, Zera.”
She blinked, and then, his words sank in. “Wait. How soon?”
A laughing Tycho steered her toward the lift, pulled her cloak up, and kissed her cheek. “Goodbye, Zera. Have a nice day at work. We will.”
That was all the warning she got as the doors closed and she was transported to the lobby. She walked out with her bots and headed to her transport. It opened for her when she was four feet away, much to the irritation of a businessman who was trying to pry it open. He hurled epithets at her while her guard bot kept him at bay and the maintenance bot came inside with her. When her guard joined her, she settled back into an exhausted doze until she was at home base. Now, she had to get dressed for work. She was not wearing pants today. The pressure would drive her crazy.
She took a final shower to get rid of the last residual DNA and got two protein bars and some hot tea while she flicked through the wardrobe that was available. She opted for a long navy-blue wrap dress with short sleeves. The low-heeled shoes that matched had straps that walked them up the calves, which meant no need for stockings. She had to use a breast band, but that was her only concession to undergarments.
It was as loose as she could go without going naked. She shivered at that thought and checked her schedule. She summoned her transport and grabbed her tablet. It was time to leave the safety of the base and head to work. Susa would love to hear about what had gone on the previous night. She had rarely taken on a team, and it seemed to be Zera’s niche market.
She checked to make sure that her appearance was unremarkable and headed out to the program compound with her multi-com on her wrist. She looked just like every other woman walking to catch her ride. When her transport showed up, she was a little worried. She was attracting a bit more attention on the street than she normally did. The wind blew, and her skirt ruffled. The breeze cooled her hot thighs, and she had the odd thought that she should have worn a slip.
Zera walked into the program building, where her friend Alya smiled. “You are looking rather pretty today. Not wearing your hair up?”
“Oh, shit. That’s it. Thanks, Alya.”
“That is what?”
“Why I have been feeling off today.” She sighed. “I was getting a lot of looks on the street.”
“Are you going to be in the briefing in ten?”
“Yup. I just have to say hello to Susa, and then, I will be right up. Main boardroom?”
“Amphitheatre.”
“Shit. I will be there in thirteen minutes. Save me a seat?”
“Will you leave your hair down?”
She snorted. “Yes.”
“Then, yes. But I am sitting up at the front.”
“Shit. Well, I hope that others are late.”
“That is doubtful.”
“Why?”
“Check your itinerary. See you in thirteen minutes.”
Zera looked at the itinerary and bolted down to Susa, kissed her forehead, and said, “Love you; yesterday was fun and weird. I think I am heading toward another shift, and I don’t have you to talk me through it. This one is strange, though; there seems to be an attraction component like the one you used but different. Okay, I am late for a meeting, but I want to discuss this with you later.”
She kissed Susa’s forehead again and headed up into the lift with a few other researchers heading toward the briefing. When she arrived, Alya was standing in the front row, waving frantically.
Zera walked down to the front of the amphitheatre, where it seemed every professor and student who was involved in a research team was present.
Dr. Miliken started the briefing on time.
“Despite the events of yesterday, the program goes on, and our testing and recruitment phase is beginning. Some of you have already declared your specialities, and some of you have been in your chosen occupation for decades. Today, you are going to be briefed on what your options are regarding your future.”
Zera blinked as the team research group came forward. She sat up and listened to their pitch on research to work with and benefit the teams specifically. There were speeches given by folk in the economics industry, think tanks, public service, private sector applications, and then the teams arrived. The first team was familiar. Hron, Naima, and Astel talked about local service and the benefits of working with your own people; while Torun, Ryma, and Tycho spoke about natural disasters, stellar events, and the occasional dip into their world’s history.
As the other speakers had before, they threw the room open to questions. Zera crossed her legs, and Tycho’s gaze focused on her limbs. He had been in the middle of a sentence and had paused. She blushed and quickly uncrossed her legs, tucking them together, but that caused her wrap dress to slide open, and she grabbed the drape that was trying to get away while she kept her hand on her knee and her expression bland.
Torun was grinning, and Ryma was covering her smile with her hand while Tycho got himself back under control and answered the question about duty shifts and time for personal activities.
Someone raised their hand, and when Tycho nodded, they said, “I have been hearing rumours about the teams using an escort agency for sex partners, and do you have any information on how someone can apply?”
Zera’s eyes went wide, and she pressed her lips together.
Tycho coughed and said, “Yes, we do use an agency. Tech is involved so that we don’t see them and they don’t see us. That way, our preferences are kept discreet. Of course, all of the escorts are under non-disclosure agreements, but they can’t remember who they were with either.”
One of the men raised their
hand and said, “What is the fun in that? If you can’t remember them, how do you know if you enjoyed yourself or not?”
Ryma put her hand on Tycho’s shoulder and spoke. “What if you had a physical activation and you could not find a sexual partner once your training completed? You try things but are worried about injury or worse for your lover. When the corporation started up, Torun was the first client, and when his escort didn’t bend or break, he recommended it to others. His testing process was thorough, I am sure. I have never had a bad date since, and my emotional outlook has dramatically improved.” She smiled. “When your activation takes over, you are afraid of your own body. When you first try to reach out for contact, you seek friendship, but then, you seek a lover, which is when things go wrong. Your fangs pop at the last minute; your claws are too sharp. In the case of the guys, one craves blood at the wrong moment, and the other can screw his lover through a wall if he isn’t careful, which means he has to always be careful, which means sex is stressful.”
“When we join the program, we give up our family names and our families to keep them safe, but we give up a lot more. You have already given it up just by being here. Now, imagine a life not knowing the touch of someone who cares, with no end in sight.”
The gathered people murmured, and a coy woman asked, “Do you always use the same person?”
“The same escort? No. They each specialize, so we can choose by mood. If I wish someone to dote on, I select that person. If I need a bit more of a fight, I choose someone else.”
That made them blink, but she showed her canines, and some of the super-keen women flinched. Her preference for ladies was well known, and she chuckled. “See? Not as easy as one might imagine.”
Torun took the podium. “As I have been involved with the Blind Date Corporation since before its inception, I can field any additional questions. First, I believe you are curious as to how to apply, and the first step is to fill out an application on the app.”
Zera looked at him, and she was scowling. Don’t do it. Don’t you fucking do it.
“As for personal experience, I believe that Zera could fill you in on the details of the service.”
The room got very quiet, and then, it got very loud. Tycho extended his hand to her, and she lifted out of her chair and floated onto the stage. His telekinesis was a side effect of his activation into a blood drinker.
She stalked over to the podium and elbowed Torun out of the way. He was snorting with laughter. “Asshole.”
The gathered folk were concerned and gasping.
She held up her hand. “So, before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, I am going to just say that the program and the teams’ administration accept the Blind Date Corporation as a legitimate branch of activated employment. It is unorthodox and not widely accepted, but matching a team member or activated member of the public is tricky if anyone is hiding something.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Questions?”
A forest of hands shot up. She pointed to one of the women who had already spoken. “Yes?”
“How did you get into it?”
She shrugged. “Torun suggested it. As many of you know, my activation has come with certain emotional distancing issues, so when Torun and I became lovers, he asked me if I would consider offering myself to another team member in need of a lover.” She shrugged. “I said yes and then joined Blind Date Corporation.”
Another hand went up. “How many lovers have you had, and do you get tested?”
She blinked. “Ah. Well, I have lovers from both the teams and simply activated persons in a variety of occupations. Before they are allowed to access our database, they have to provide genetic fingerprinting and a blood sample analyzed at our lab, not theirs. From there, an extensive psychological profile is created, and they are monitored for no less than eight weeks, regardless of occupation.”
She took a deep breath. “After they are authorized, they are given a limited selection of dates to choose from. The ones that can take the most damage. The delicates are held back until three dates have been accomplished with no physical injury or undue force. The escorts on those dates are doing the character analysis and an estimate of the propensity for violence. Some of the escorts don’t mind a bit of violence now and then, but when they ask for a client to be removed from their roster, they are. Both escort and client are tested every three months if they want to remain listed with the company.”
Next question. “Do the clients ask for the same escorts time after time?”
She shook her head. “No, they can select anyone available on their menu. If they want to go for a run in the moonlight, it is a different selection than when they just want a sweaty tangle of limbs. Some of the ladies or gentlemen who enjoy sex are not really that athletic.”
A burst of laughter rushed through the audience.
She nodded to the next hand in the air. “Have you ever had to fire a client? If so, what were the circumstances.”
Zera paused before she answered. “Yes.”
“What were the circumstances?”
She took a deep breath. “He tried to kill me.” She felt the tension in the men and women around her. “He lied on his application, sent someone else’s DNA profile and scans. I did the initial scan of him when we met, and he punched me. I woke up with him on top of me, strangling me with enough force to break a light post, and I struck him. I called the local peacekeepers, and they had no interest in following up, so I called a team while I hid in the bathroom and typed my situation. He made it through the door a moment before help arrived, and I survived the night with my neck crushed. My voice returned three days later. New protocols were put in place immediately, involving the intensive verifying of the clients.”
The room was silent. “So, it isn’t just screwing your favourite teams. It is a legitimate danger to your person. This is a chance to make a lot of money, but you can also lose your life, your health, your true love. Never fall in love with a client. That is why the masks are an issue. Only management knows who your client actually is and what they want. They have to outline things with management, and you can decide if that pushes your limits. You then get a list of things to do to prep for the date, preferred hairstyle, makeup, body hair, or not. They have a catalogue of outfits to choose from.”
One of the men in her department raised his hand. She knew where this was going.
“What are your limits?”
Torun laughed. “We will let you know if we find them.”
The crowd was murmuring we? Zera winced when Torun kissed her hand, Tycho kissed her neck, and Ryma licked her other palm.
The room burst into astonished roars.
Chapter Five
When Dr. Miliken entered the space, he gestured for everyone to quiet. “Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet. I understand that our unscheduled speaker is fascinating, but you need to keep your self-control. If Researcher Zera is willing, I am sure that you will all get your questions answered. If you are interested in hearing more, please notify the organizers, and it will be discussed in a special event.”
Zera looked at him. “Seriously?”
He grinned. “I know a winning subject when I hear one. Now, will you take more questions?”
“As long as they are not if I have all three of them with me at the same time.”
Torun kissed her neck. “She does.”
A woman raised her hand. “You mentioned the masks, but why do they all know you?”
“Torun and I were lovers beforehand, and he was my first patron. He knows what I look like. He has also recommended me to his team. They know what I look like. Because of my friend and fellow date being attacked, he is making the move to dox me to his fellow teams so that those who have thought fondly of me might keep an ear out if anyone tries to make a move.”
He murmured against her neck, “Am I that transparent?”
She snorted. “Not hardly, but it seems that you have an agenda, and that is the only one I
can think of.”
She angled her head, and he nipped her before she remembered the audience.
A hand shot up, and the question was asked before she could acknowledge it. “What makes you different than someone genuinely beautiful? There are dozen of women here who have more allure.”
Tycho answered that one. “You are un-activated, correct?”
The man frowned. “I don’t understand what that has to do with it?”
“The activated sensory system is different. Now, for example, out of the first five rows, who is attracted to Zera? Be honest.”
The folks in the first few rows blushed and raised their hands.
“Next five rows.” The grins were easier, and hands went up. The rest of the auditorium raised their hands, male and female.
“So, whatever their activation is, they know that they can find comfort and solace in her arms. When Zera is with you, she is entirely yours, even if there are more than one of you. Everyone is equal, and everyone is welcome. But that is bought with trust. And her fees are extreme because the kind of security that the escorts need doesn’t come cheap. Just the masks alone run into the high six figures, and there is one custom made for each escort.”
Ryma hugged her and propped her head on Zera’s shoulder. “She calls us her little distractions.”
There was silence, and then, a woman with dark hair and darker eyes said, “How do you get ready for a date?”
“Um, it can rank from a shower and a change of clothing to a fairly thorough overhaul. It is all outlined on the initial date contract. Each encounter is a separate event, separate contract.”
“What kind of thorough?”
“Waxing, shaving, enemas, lipstick in places you would not normally apply lipstick.”
“Enemas?” The girl’s eyes widened. “Why would you need that?”
Zera looked at her and cocked her head. “Um, one of the prerequisites for this is that you enjoy sex already, with variety. As for why it would be needed... when it happens, you will know.”
Hron was laughing his ass off, and Astel was snickering. Ryma grinned. “Don’t look at me.”