Nikushimi
Chapter 83:
A Little Persuasion
(Lucas POV)
It wasn't long after Maya left that I found myself smothered by Elizabeth, sensing the emptiness I felt from Maya's absence. Her love was an intoxicating distraction, but it was odd to not have Maya around. She had always been there, ever since Elizabeth had showed up my doorstep.
They had both been there since the beginning...at least in this life. I didn't really know of all my past lives, only that I had lived them. Hazy dreams that felt so distant yet always had a feeling of familiarity. A sense of nostalgia whenever Elizabeth was near.
I didn't really notice it before, since Maya had always been a constant in my life, but with her absence came a certain...crity. Just like Elizabeth, there was a feeling of nostalgia and familiarity that hit me, only it came with the ck of her presence. As if she had left many times before. This left me feeling disheartened, with Elizabeth soothing me.
"It's alright, my love," Elizabeth's gentle words whispered lovingly into my ear, "She'll return, I promise you that."
Elizabeth held me from behind as we rexed upon a divan in one of the sitting rooms of the penthouse. We watched the city as the sunset bathed it in a golden orange light.
"I know, and...sorry," I muttered back, leaning into her chest, "We're alone, yet here I am thinking about Maya."
Elizabeth ughed softly, a gentle sound that felt as if it caressed every inch of me. I felt a little embarrassed, unsure how to respond.
"I've had you for a thousand lifetimes," Elizabeth told me, her arms tightening protectively around me, "And I'll have you for this one as well. If I would get angry for you thinking about her, I would have never allowed you to love each other."
I felt my cheeks flush red, feeling suddenly sheepish.
"Still..." I mumbled, tracing the back of her hand gently which rested upon my chest, "I should be focusing on you, and-"
Without missing a beat, Elizabeth took that very same hand and raised it to my chin, turning my head with a firm yet tender touch. My breath caught in my throat, as well as the words I had been about to say as our lips locked. My mind went bnk for a moment, the taste of her lips sweet upon mine. As she pulled away, I could only gaze upon her in a daze.
"Rex, my love," she spoke softly, thumbing my lip softly, her gaze obsessive and loving, "I'm sure you've thought of me when you're with her as well."
"You do leave a sting impression," I told her with a chuckle, still a bit dazed, "You're not wrong, but I do feel guilty. I should be focused on the one I'm with, not-"
With a bit of an exasperated, teasing roll of her eyes, she pced a finger over my lips to silence me and made me look into her eyes. Their inner rings of gold melding with the hues of emerald mesmerized me.
"You're adorable," she said, barely above a whisper; a slightly amused smile upon her lips, "It's normal to think of someone you're missing. You're overcomplicating it."
She let out a gentle ugh, shaking her head as she caressed my cheek. I could only feel flustered under her loving scrutiny.
"Honestly, what am I to do with you?" she asked, her smile turning mischievous, "Oh, how my mind wanders. So many options."
I felt myself burn up from the hungry glint in her eyes, becoming even more flustered than before. I knew exactly what she was capable of, and I didn't think my heart could handle it at the moment, but at the same time I grew rather curious. My mind now swirling with what she could possible do.
"See," she chuckled, her finger gentle tapping the tip of my nose, "I can make you think of anything I want, whenever I want. So, I don't really care what you think about, I can always get you to focus when I want."
Her expression turned smug, radiating confidence as I realized what she had done. I had fallen right into her trap. "Damn it...she's good," I begrudgingly admitted to myself, though outwardly scowled at her as I tried to hide my smile, which didn't long.
"That's pying dirty," I told her with a stifled ugh, "I guess you have a point, though, but why do I feel this way? She's free to go where she needs, but...I have a sense of dread. As if she won't return, but I know she will...right?"
As I asked my question, Elizabeth's expression grew distant, as if remembering something from long ago. After a moment, she returned from wherever her thoughts had been and smiled warmly. Embracing me, she pulled me close, stroking the back of my head as she ran her fingers through my hair.
There was a hint of smokiness and subtle floral scents that hit my nose. Like roses among firewood. It was...comforting as I rexed into her.
"She'll return," Elizabeth assured me, "Of that, I'm certain...at least, this time."
As she soothed me, she began to talk of the past. Of a time when Maya had been by my side as a guardian and friend. The feelings I felt were from when she had left my side, never to return. There were many reasons for this, but the most common had to do with her sister, while the second most common had to do with protecting me.
There were moments in which she had abandoned her post to protect her sister, get revenge, or eliminate a threat to my life. In the lives that I had known her, and even in the lives that she remained a shadow watching over me, it had left a sting impression. An imprint upon my very heart and soul that now resonated with me. A connection that had been made.
It was the reason for this feeling I had now, and with it, everything made more sense. As I grew closer to Maya, I become more intertwined with her just like I was with Elizabeth. I didn't fully understand it, and Elizabeth avoided expining too much as my head began to kill me.
"Even if you can't remember, your heart and soul remembers," Elizabeth finished softly, helping me take a drink of water as I swallowed a couple of pills to help my head, "Just as you remember me, and all of the feelings that come along with it."
As I finished the water, I felt my head get better as the dizziness subsided a little. Leaning back against her once again, I rested my head upon her shoulder.
"I see. I guess that makes sense," I let out a sigh, wishing I could remember, but knowing that it would not be good if I did, "I'll just have to deal with it then, and...ah~!"
The words were caught in my throat as a gasp escaped my lips. Elizabeth's lips had found the side of my neck, kissing my skin tenderly. I felt my heart quicken as all thoughts ceased to exist.
"Don't worry," she whispered between kisses, "I'll help you~."
And help me she did as another gasp escaped my lips. The st thing I remember thinking was how unfairly soft her lips were, and how her hands knew just exactly where to touch.
-----
(Lucas POV. A Day Later. SMUT/SPICE)
Shifting in Elizabeth's arms, I woke with the morning light. Her entire body was wrapped around mine, snuggled as close as she could get. Her warmth and presence was comforting, and still as surreal as ever. Her breath gently caressed my neck as she slept soundly.
Smiling, I rexed into her, tightening my own arm around her. She looked absolutely dazzling in the sun that filtered in through the closed curtains of our room. Her hair fell across her face and shoulders, shimmering with a captivating hue of dark teal. Every breath she took, I could feel, as she looked so peaceful.
Reaching up as carefully as I could, I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Her skin was so soft, the warm hues underneath its fair complexion looked as if kissed by the very sun itself. I was almost jealous, if not for the fact that I pced my own kiss upon her forehead. She shifted with a smile, tightening her hold around me.
"...Morning," she muttered sleepily, opening her jeweled eyes, "Did you sleep well?"
The light of the morning sun caught her emerald irises, illuminating the golden rings within. For a moment, I forgot to speak, but soon found my voice.
"Yeah," I replied, resting my head against hers, "How could I not, next to you?"
"Heh, good answer," she replied with a satisfied smirk, "I definitely did. You wore me out."
I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
"Did I, now?" I cleared my throat, trying to py coy, "Well, I had to do my best. You cheated."
"I did not!" she gasped in mock offense.
"Well, I certainly was at a loss," I answered with a slightly chuckle, "You know it's rather unfair that you-"
Before I could finish the sentence, her eyes shimmered. To the other side of me, appearing in a bze of ethereal fmes, was another Elizabeth. It was a perfect copy down to the way she touched me as her arms enveloped me from the otherside. "Fuck..." I swallowed hard, cursing myself for having challenged her so early in the morning.
"It's not like you were compining," the copy of Elizabeth whispered in my ear as she began to nibble upon it.
I stifled a slight moan, gring at the two of them.
"You're not compining now, either," the real Elizabeth stated, rubbing her leg against my lower half, teasing me, "Shall we have a round two? Or would it be round four?"
She wondered with a scivious grin. I could feel myself getting aroused, as it was hard not to stuck between two Elizabeth's. Taking a deep breath, it took all I had to break free of them and get out of bed.
"That's beside the point!" I excimed, quickly making my way across the room, "I need to use the restroom!"
The two of them giggled, a sound that sent my heart racing.
"It's so cute when he's embarrassed," she told herself.
"I agree," she replied to her other self.
My head spun with how rather confusing it was, and ran wild with the fantasies of the possibilities it contained.
"I wonder...if she could make a third?" I muttered, just as the door to the bathroom was closing.
"Would you like to find out?" Elizabeth's voice surprised me as I looked up, finding her standing in the bathroom with me.
"When did...how did...what?" I blinked, opening the bathroom door to see if she was still out on the bed.
Sure enough, one Elizabeth was still ying there, waving coyly at me before stretching in such a way as to show me everything. Her eyes told me what she wanted. Turning back to the Elizabeth in the bathroom with me, I simply sighed and made my way sheepishly to the toilet, pausing for a moment.
"So..." I gnced at her from the corner of my eye, "Are you...going to watch me?"
She simply smiled, rolling her eyes before disappearing in a flourish of fme. Letting out a relieved sigh, I took care of business before taking a moment to compose myself. She was already being mischievous so early in the morning. I almost dreaded to know what she was pnning next, though I didn't have long to wait.
I finished using the bathroom, washed my hands, and had just finished brushing my teeth when I heard the door open. In the reflection of the mirror, my heart stopped. I have seen Elizabeth's [Living Mirage] before. I knew she was capable of creating a duplicate, but this?
"There's...three of you," I muttered in disbelief, "I didn't know you could do that."
Standing in the doorway was the silhouette of three Elizabeth's. Each one as alluring as the next, every single inch of their bodies id bare to me. I found my eyes tracing everything, trying to burn it into my memory. The way her hips curved, the subtle tone upon her muscles.
One stood between two of them, arms around them, hands resting upon their waists. Each looking as alluring as possible, leaning against the doorway of the bathroom. Their eyes locked onto me.
"Neither did I," the one in the middle spoke, and I knew that she was the real one, "You asked, and I deliver. Now I know, but before that..."
I could already see my life fsh before my eyes as the three of them walked further into the bathroom, the door sliding shut behind them. Their hands upon my skin before I knew what was happening. Their lips made any thoughts go bnk as I was brought into the shower. The warm steam rising as the water poured over our bodies.
I didn't resist, only a fool would do so. I could feel the heat rising, not just from the shower, but my own body. I had never felt so aroused before. One Elizabeth held me from behind, my body against hers, I could feel her chest press on my back as another leaned against me from the side.
Her fingers traced down along my chest, reaching down as the third helped herself with the help of the other Elizabeth. I gasped as her mouth found what she wanted, and then...I gave into the urges I was trying to resist, if only to retain a sembnce of crity, futile and foolish as it was.
Everything became a blur as all was lost in the melding of our bodies.
Three pairs of hands upon my body. Three pairs of lips. Their legs wrapped around me, I lost track of who was who. I didn't have enough hands for all of them, and yet they found use of me so that none were neglected. In the end, it didn't matter in the throes of passion.
All that mattered is that I satisfied each one thoroughly, and in turn they made sure I was well-taken care of. Their moans rose and mixed with my own. The pleasure was...indescribable.
My senses came back to me for a brief moment as I leaned against the wall of the shower, panting and out of breath. I was trying to collect myself when I saw them...and I knew my fate was far from over. I saw three devilish smiles, filled with lust and love, obsession and possessiveness aimed at me. Three predators, and they were all starving.
I could do nothing but chuckle, knowing the danger I was in.
The warmth of their flesh and the passion in our hearts saw our bodies intertwined once more as they approached me. They kissed me, held me close, and I found a second burst of energy. Grabbing one of them, I turned them against the wall. My hands upon their skin, I pushed myself into them, hearing their moans of pleasure in unison as each could feel what the other felt.
Moving my hand up to their throat, I grabbed them, choking them with just the right firmness. She gasped, turning her head to meet mine as our lips met. This caused the others to press themselves against me, urging me to continue. My lips found theirs as, finishing for another time, and yet they were not done with me. As I pulled out, they pushed me down, another one straddling me.
One by one, they had their way with me, and even then...they weren't done with me, even as they stood their dripping with the fluids of our love. The water soon washed it all away as they began again. Their bodies pressed against mine, I felt myself rise once more and they helped me inside one of them. Guiding and gentle, yet with an insatiable hunger.
Their lips caressed my neck as I fell against their mercy. This battle was lost, but losing wasn't so bad. I would at least put up one hell of a fight, fingers gripping into their flesh as I fought on, moving in a rhythm that had them crying out for more.
From the walls to the floor, I made love with them, giving it everything I had. It was only over when her body shuddered against me for perhaps the fifth, maybe sixth time, as she straddled me upon the floor. Honestly, I had lost track. Since her bodies shared sensations, she was probably feeling everything three times over.
Which, speaking of her other bodies...my hands were busy with the other two Elizabeth's, who also shuddered, clutching my hands against their supple flesh. I felt them tense before rexing, all three colpsing against me. I couldn't imagine how intense it must feel, but it made me happy to see her enjoying herself as I felt myself finish as well.
As I slumped back against the wall, breathing heavily, each one kissed me, and then...the two upon my arms flickered into ethereal fme as they recombined with the Elizabeth upon my p. She smiled with triumph, grinding against me teasingly. I let out a soft moan, shivering in pleasure.
"Damn it, Ellie..." I growled, gring at her with admonishment, "Now that was unfair."
"You loved it," she replied, raising her arms behind her head to give me a full view of her chest, looking down upon me with a smug, satisfied expression, "I know I did."
"Fucking hell..." I could barely think straight, almost contempting going for another round, but no matter how aroused I was...my body was exhausted.
Slowly, Elizabeth removed myself from her, enjoying the expressions I made as I felt every movement. Kissing down my chest, she smirked as her eyes looked up at me with that devilish glee.
"Ellie...what are...ah~!" I gasped, knowing exactly what she was going to do, yet not having the strength to stop it.
She wrapped her mouth around my still hard member, taking it all the way inside of her mouth until her lips hit my pelvis. The warmth was enough to send me into rapture once more, even as exhausted as I was. I couldn't resist, only hold her head as I succumbed once more to the pleasure.
"F-Fuck..." it was the only word I could utter as my head fell back, giving myself into it.
She was meticulous. Methodical in her ways as she knew every spot that I was sensitive to. It was one thing when three Elizabeth's were doing it, but now that she could solely focus on it by herself...it was something else entirely.
I completely lost this war, and was quickly losing the battle as well. I could feel it, the rising of release. She sensed it too, smiling as she picked up pace, making sure to take everything to the base. She knew I liked that, and teased me with her tongue licking in just the right spots.
Clinging to her head, my hands pushed her face down upon me even harder than before as I felt myself about to burst. She gripped my thighs, ready and waiting. I thrust my hips up, shuddering one final time as everything was emptied into the back of her throat.
She swallowed every drop, not wasting a single thing. Once done, she carefully removed me from her mouth, taking a satisfied breath as she licked her lips.
"Delicious~," she whispered, the look of lust upon her face.
I could only blush, feeling myself grow flustered.
"You're incorrigible..." I shook my head, failing to hide my smile.
She chuckled, cozying up to me as she traced a finger upon my chest.
"I can't help it," she whispered, "You're my favorite meal."
"Oh, shut up," I scoffed with a smile, "Now what? I'm fucking exhausted...and you can't feel your legs, can you?"
She looked away bashfully, as I had noticed she was careful when she went down on me. Her legs were subtly shaking.
"Maybe..." she replied sheepishly, "I'll be fine in a bit, but you know...I really like it when you fuck me senseless."
"I..." my words were lost as I found myself flustered by such brazen words.
"Heh, cute," she chuckled, kissing me under the chin, "You know I'm yours, right?"
"Yeah?" I replied, a little uncertain on where she was going with this.
"Well..." she got real close to my ear, whispering with a seductive venom, "I liked it when you choked me. Next time, you can be rougher if you like. In fact...make sure everyone knows I'm yours."
Her words sent a chill through my body, one of arousal that I couldn't expin. As I looked into her eyes, a little confused, I saw the glint in her eye and understood immediately what she meant. Usually, I was often oblivious to such things, but in this case it was so btant that I couldn't ignore it.
Bringing my hand up to her throat, I tilted her chin so that she looked at me. I held firmly, my heart racing in my chest.
"Fuck, Ellie..." I muttered with slight amusement, her eyes shimmering with glee, "You're one naughty girl, aren't you?"
"I want the world to know I'm yours," she told me sincerely with a conviction unlike any other, "I understand you like me being in charge, taking what I want...I just want you to know that I am yours. So-"
I pulled her close, shutting her up with a kiss. I knew what she wanted. I would be happy to oblige, for in that moment...I felt something shift within me. As if something unlocked.
I wasn't ashamed of being her lover. She was my wife, after all, or at least would be in the future. If she asked it of me...then I would do all I could to fulfill her wishes as best as I could. Even if it wasn't something I normally did.
I was definitely more of a subservient person than I was dominant, but I wasn't afraid to cim what was mine, and with her...she was mine. Perhaps there was a bit of yandere within me. I would let no one else have her.
In response to my kiss, she pressed against me, savoring the taste of my lips as I did hers. As I pulled away, shew as left breathless, looking upon me with heavily lidded eyes.
"Oh, they will know," I told her assuredly, "Just as I'll remind you, when or if it is needed."
"Mmm," she practically purred, pleased with my answer, "Perfect~."
I took a deep breath, unsure what I would do with her, but it was enough to know that she was happy. After a moment, we were able to finally compose ourselves, and with a bit of help from me, Elizabeth was able to stand and steady herself. Her legs were still a bit wobbly, but with each others help, we were able to actually wash our bodies and finish our shower.
We missed nothing as we made sure to get every inch clean, taking a bit of a detour with kisses and caresses, but nothing strenuous after such a morning. Though, I knew that she could, if I was able, to go again at any time. I would need the stamina of an S-Rank to do so, however...but I knew that she would probably have a solution for that if she really wanted.
I was thankful that she was able to contain herself a bit, and we were finally able to get some breakfast.
(End of SMUT/SPICE)
-----
(Lucas POV. Moments Later, Breakfast)
It took a while to compose ourselves before heading down to eat. I wore casual clothes, simple dark grey sweatpants and a loose, slightly lighter t-shirt. They were extremely comfortable, made by custom order as all my clothes now were. Elizabeth wouldn't let me wear anything except the best...mainly because everything I wore came with insane enchantments that I dare not even fathom the cost of.
Elizabeth, due to her taking time off, wasn't about to get dressed up and so wore dark green pajama pants made of silk, along with an oversized dark grey t-shirt because she wanted to match with me. It was one that hung off her left shoulder, revealing its slender, yet toned nature. She did this on purpose, knowing how attracted I was to such things.
I couldn't help but stare at her from across the kitchen table as we ate breakfast that I was able to make. I was careful so as not to make any mistakes, which was a little difficult to accomplish with her holding me so closely from behind and watching me like a hawk. Still, I had accomplished creating some scrambled eggs, toast, and even some bacon. Arguably...that was the toughest one, but somehow I managed not to burn it or myself.
"Like what you see?" Elizabeth teased with a smirk that was half-hidden behind her mug of tea.
"Always," I replied with ease, though still felt a little flustered as I felt her foot brush against my leg under the table, "Ellie..."
I spoke with admonished caution. She sighed with a huff, rolling her eyes with amusement. Taking a sip of her tea, she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment. It was a moment that I enjoyed as well. After all, it was...peaceful.
Though I was worried about Maya, spending time with Elizabeth was proving a perfect distraction. It felt like forever since I really had a moment alone with her. She was either busy working or there were other people around. Not that I minded having others around...at least those I was comfortable with.
"Speaking of..." I thought with amusement as the sound of two voices began to grow closer.
"Denny, please, you have to-" Hannah's voice pleaded from outside the kitchen.
"I told you..." Denny said in exasperation, "I've tried, but their security is-"
Denny's words trailed off as they rounded the corner into the kitchen with Hannah next to her. They both wore pajamas, with Denny sporting a bck crop-top and shorts, revealing more skin that usual, along with the tattoos that were often hidden because of this.
An intricately designed circuit board style tattoo could be seen wrapped around her right thigh, that then went around her back and returned on the left side of her hip where a purple and blue butterfly burst forth from it onto her skin. It was a beautiful tattoo that I felt like it fit her perfectly. On top of that tattoo, there a simir circuit board tattoo upon her right arm that turned into matrix-like code as it reached her forearm, and a colge of a couple characters from anime and other media that she enjoyed. These were mainly women that she reted to or had a crush on.
Meanwhile, Hannah wore a simir oversized, off the shoulder t-shirt and pajama pants as Elizabeth. However, her shirt was white and her pajama pants were pink. They stopped as they saw us, with Elizabeth peaking over her mug as them with slight annoyance at her moment being ruined.
"Morning," I greeted, pyfully kicking Elizabeth under the table to tell her to behave; to which she gave in begrudgingly and gave them a soft smile, "There's some breakfast if you're hungry. I assume that's what you're looking for?"
"Yeah," Denny smiled, taking a whiff of the air, "I thought I smelled something good. I take it you cooked?"
"Mhm," I nodded, "I figured you'd be waking up soon, so I made extra. Though, you'll have to make your own toast."
"Perfect," Denny practically skipped over to the toaster to begin preparing hers, while gncing back over at Hannah, "You want some?"
"...I guess," Hannah huffed, crossing her arms before muttering a little begrudgingly, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Denny replied, waving towards the table, "Now sit, Princess. Nothing will change if you gre at me."
Hannah's arms dropped as she sulked over to the table, pulling out a chair on the end next to me where she promptly plopped herself in and colpsed all woefully on the table.
"Being dramatic won't help either!" Denny called with her back turned, causing Hannah to flinch a little.
"How do you even know..." Hannah muttered, gring at her from over her folded arms, "Like a wizard or something."
"It'd be witch, and because..." Denny flourished her hand and two tiny, spherical drones appeared from out of stealth over her shoulder, "You think I leave my back open?"
Hannah mouthed her words back in a pyfully mocking way. Despite this banter, Denny brought her some food before sitting down across from her. They began to eat in silence, which was a little awkward. Especially because I could feel the tension in the air. Elizabeth, for her part, completely ignored it as she enjoyed her food, occasionally casting a flirtatious gnce my direction.
After a while, I couldn't handle it anymore and sighed heavily.
"Alright, fuck it," I stated, setting my fork down, "What's going on? I can't eat like this."
Denny and Hannah flinched, while Elizabeth raised a curious eyebrow.
"Denny," I gnced at her with a stern gaze, "Care telling me what this is about?"
She sat back defiantly, crossing her arms with a huff.
"It's not me that you should ask," Denny said, motioning with her hand towards Hannah, "It's her. I did everything I could, but I couldn't get them."
"But you-!" Hannah began to excim and she stood from her seat and pced her hands on the table, only for me to cut her off.
"Hey," I said firmly, causing her to balk a bit, "Sit, please. What's going on?"
She sat back down slowly, pulling her chair back in. Her face flushed with a bit of pink as she suddenly became bashful.
"It's...nothing," she muttered, completely unconvincingly.
"Hannah..." I coaxed, trying to speak as gently as I could, "I'd like you two to get along, but I can't force you...however, I don't like seeing either of you upset, so...could you tell me? Please?"
Hannah's face twitched a bit as if with a bit of guilt. After a moment, she muttered something under her breath, but I couldn't hear her.
"You'll have to speak up if you want me to hear," I teased a bit with a chuckle.
"..ian...ing...ert..." Hannah muttered a little louder this time, growing even more embarrassed, but still I couldn't understand a single thing.
"Hannah..." I urged gently, "If you don't say it, I'll have to have Denny tell me. I'd rather you-"
Her eyes went wide with realization of how much more embarrassing that would be, and from her mouth came the most adorable and amusing thing that I couldn't have predicted.
"JULIAN IS HAVING A CONCERT!" she practically screamed with a schoolgirl-esque delight before realizing that she had yelled.
Denny scoffed with amusement, smiling at the reaction. I immediately knew who she was speaking of, as they were her obsession. Maya had often spoke about it, and Hannah was rather vocal about her love of Julian. Turning completely red, Hannah sunk into her chair and spoke a little less...excitedly.
"It was announced today, as a surprise..." Hannah became a little disheartened, "I wanted to get a ticket, but they were sold out immediately."
"Ah..." I rexed a bit, understanding the dilemma, along with what most likely happened, "You asked Denny to hack their servers and get you a ticket, didn't you?"
"Mhm," Hannah nodded sadly, "But she said that it was impossible, even though she's the best hacker I know."
This was surprising, but exactly what I expect to be the issue once she told me about the tickets being sold out.
"Honestly, that is surprising," I gnced towards Denny in curiosity, "You really couldn't get a ticket?"
Denny shrugged and shook her head.
"I mean, I'm good, like real good, but..." she sighed, seeming a little frustrated, "The system just...doesn't exist. I can't hack what isn't there."
"I'm sorry...what?" my shock was genuine, "How is that even possible?"
"My best guess..." Denny scratched her head and motioned vaguely, "The moment the tickets were sold out, the servers it went offline. It's like a kill switch."
Denny continued to expin that this was a security measure that became more common in the st couple of years, especially for such high-profile celebrities as Julian. The data of those who bought the tickets would be stored in an external server to be accessed ter when the tickets are actually sent out. The moment the st ticket is sold, the server that the tickets were bought from would then be completely severed, wiped, and deleted. Leaving nothing behind for anyone to find or access.
It's a near instant execution...she knows this because she practically designed it years ago. Much to mine and everyone else shock, even Hannah.
This meant that the everything was on a closed system, and without access to the direct server from the physical location...there was nothing she could do. Denny couldn't even copy an already existing ticket to duplicate it and change it to appear legit. The more that Denny expined it, the more dejected and brokenhearted that Hannah appeared. Especially as she got to the part where it was her who created such a system. To the point that tears even began to well up in her eyes before she couldn't bear to hear anymore.
"Alright, alright!" Hannaha excimed, exaggerating a little of her grief, "If I knew you would betray me like this, I would have hardened my heart to you!"
"Hey...it was good money," Denny defended herself, "It was honestly simple, and a few companies were already doing something simir...I just improved upon it. They wanted it to be hacker proof, and I'm the best hacker I know...so I tested it against myself."
"Why didn't you tell me that sooner!?" Hannah cried, "Betrayed! Backstabbed! Fooled! I thought you were my friend!?"
"I am your friend," Denny sighed, shaking her head in exasperation, "I told you that I can't do it remotely. I never said I wouldn't do it. As I said, you need to be at the physical location, and-"
"Okay, okay...hold on," I held my hand up, head spinning from all this tech talk and melodrama acting by Hannah, "First of all, you're not hacking anything."
"I mean..." Denny looked away with a bit of coyness, "I'm not, not hacking it."
"No, you're not," I stated again firmly, "Look, I don't mind what you do, but...there's an easier solution to this, yes?"
Both Hannah and Denny looked at me with a mixture of emotion. Denny looked a little confused, curious...while Hannah was a bit skeptical, yet hopeful.
"What do you mean?" Hannah sniffled a bit, trying to be pragmatic about this, "This is a Julian concert, and not just any concert."
"Oh? What makes this one so special?" I inquired, a little curious myself.
"Well...it's a meet and greet!" Hannah answered, getting a little giddy just thinking about it, "I mean...kind of. Those who buy the VIP ticket are able to go backstage and actually meet Julian. Julian very rarely has these events, and it's a short notice too!"
"How short?" I asked, fearing the answer a little.
Hannah hesitated a bit before answer, but eventually did.
"...Two days," she muttered, sounding dejected, "I'm constantly watching Julian's socials, so I know the moment something happens, but I wasn't fast enough."
"Damn..." I thought to myself, thoroughly impressed and terrified, "If even a superfan like Hannah wasn't fast enough...just who the hell was?"
I felt a little bad for her, considering how downtrodden she looked. Like a puppy left out in the rain. My heart honestly couldn't take it, and while I wasn't a huge fan of them myself, as I had heard of them, I didn't want Hannah to miss out on this opportunity.
"So, as you can see..." Hannah sighed and shrugged before flopping back on the table, "There's nothing to be done unless Hannah can-"
"Ellie~," I leaned forward, voice as alluring as I could make it.
Elizabeth, who had been enjoying her tea while remaining out of the conversation flinched. Her face locked into a loving, if apprehensive smile.
"Yes, darling?" she asked hesitantly, "Is everything alright?"
"You heard her, didn't you?" I inquired, to which Elizabeth gnced at Hannah and then back at me.
"I...wasn't really paying attention," she answered, taking a sip of her tea to hide the fact that she was outright lying.
"Well, let me fill you in," I smiled devilishly, locking eyes with her, "She wants a ticket to this concert...a VIP ticket."
"...Okay?" Elizabeth tried her best to sound disinterested, as if it wasn't her problem, but she knew what I was going to ask and was dreading it.
I felt guilty about it, but...Hannah was family, and Elizabeth was the only one who could help her, and it would be easier than Denny trying to infiltrate wherever this server was and risk getting caught.
"Ellie, allow me to rephrase that," I took a deep breath, hardening my resolve and expression, "Get her those tickets."
Elizabeth's eyes widened at the tone I used, as if pleasantly surprised before composing herself a bit and hiding her face behind her cup.
"I don't want to..." she pouted, turning her eyes from me.
"Elizabeth," I used her full name, causing her to flinch, "Look at me."
She hesitantly relented, trying to appease me with an awkwardly charming smile.
"Yes, my love?" she asked, dreading the outcome.
I didn't answer right away, but instead stood slowly from my chair. Taking a moment to walk purposefully around the table, I made sure not to rush. Elizabeth's eyes followed me, and I kept mine locked on her. As I made my way around the table, I stood before her and ran a finger under her chin.
"You're going to get four tickets," I spoke with as fond a smile as I could, though a bit of firmness undery my tone, "We're going with her now. Mainly, because I want to see her smile. Secondly...I know you don't like Julian, but I'm not asking this time."
All walls colpsed as she practically melted into my hand. I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, as I wasn't used to being this assertive, and yet...it is what she asked of me. Elizabeth wanted me to state desires, make sure that the world knew she was mine, and I was hers.
This was just one of many ways to do that, and as she practically purred, her eyes gazed up at me with obsessive desire and attraction. I could feel my body heat up just from that look alone.
"Mmm, fine," she relented, albeit without much of a struggle.
"Good girl~," I praised her softly, her face going flush, "Thank you."
In the moment the words left my lips, I felt myself in great danger. If not for Elizabeth's excellent self-control...I might have been jumped right then and there, Denny and Hannah be damned. Instead, her eyes took on that yandere glint, a heavy blush across her face.
"A good girl gets a reward, right~?" she inquired, to which I replied by caressing her face.
"Of course," I agreed, praying for my safety whenever this reward was to be paid.
So distracted by Elizabeth's reaction, and my own attempts to compose myself, that I was completely ignorant to Denny and Hannah's looks of impressed disbelief, and their flustered expressions.
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Nikushimi