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AnimeCon Harem 1: Fighting His Past
🕑 Added 2018-09-05 22:56:37 +0000 UTCHey, syour foot actually on the gas, Rebecca? Or... are we just idling forward? Emily grumbled, rhythmically tapping the armrest of her friend's station wagon in irritation. Cause were movin a little slow.
Really? Rebecca asked sleepily, squinting through her unruly tangle of auburn curls. No one's going faster than us, though.
Maybe 'cause they're all stuck behind us? Like, right behind us. That huge line of cars breathing down our exhaust pipe. See all the angry little faces in your rear-view mirror? Emily pointed, exasperated.
Then that means we're allll going a safe speed, Rebecca concluded, smiling contentedly and nodding to herself. She was a hazel-eyed, freckled, unkempt, and drowsy-looking girl with a rather plain figure hidden beneath a baggy blue sweater with kittens knitted onto it. She seemed like an awkward but affable girl in her twenties, one whod spent half of every year of her life raised by her grandparents, a serene and old-fashioned elderly couple.
Few knew, but the other half of every year was spent travelling with her parents, prominent medieval and renaissance-fair enthusiasts active in every reenactment and historical combat organization in the country. There Rebecca was known instead as Mara, old Russian for 'Nightmare', and since the age of seven she'd participated in field combat with sword and shield and spear. Of course, no one but her closest friends and the geeks in their local LARP group suspected her to be anything but some harmless, frumpy, crazy cat lady in the making.
Seriously? Safe? If we dont drop off the Package by four-thirty, I'm gonna be late for work. That pedal needs to hit the floor and I need to see all this, Emily gestured towards the parking lots slowly crawling along outside her window, Turn into a hellish blur. Please, Rebecca? A little faster?
Oh-kay, here we go! Rebecca said, twisting her grip on the steering wheel and accelerating. The sedate hum of her car's engine rose to a sleepy grumble.
Aaaaaaaah, Emily croaked in mock terror as she watched the speedometer needle climb from fifteen all the way up to hold at nineteen miles per hour. She slumped down in defeat.
Um, could you try not referring to me as the Package? It's kind of demeaning? a voice chided from the seat behind them in the station wagon.
Repressing a grimace, Emily slowly craned her neck towards the back seats, and the third occupant of Rebeccas car, the Package.
Chloe. Brians now ex-girlfriend, currently couch-hopping between the apartments of all of her friends. She was tall and well-proportioned, with a dancer's figure and graceful, doe-eyed features. Yoga pants clung tightly to her slender, coltish legs, and a stylish blouse was fastened snugly around her with an equally fashionable leather belt. She wore her long brown hair in a sexy, loose tousle down one shoulder, and as usual, wore her typical disapproving frown. Everything a girl wants to have, in one sexy... package, Emily thought, feeling an envious pang. And shes such a rotten bitch. It really isnt fair.
Youd better step on it, Rebecca. The Package is getting hostile, I repeat; The Package is getting hostile, Emily said bitterly. Rebecca let out an unlady-like snort, but it had always been easy to make her laugh.
This is a really important text, Chloe snapped, shooting a cold glare up at Emily. Could you both just... not?
If its that important, should you really be texting it instead of, oh I dunno, calling them?
Somehow lately every little thing Chloe did was getting under Emilys skin, and she hadnt been able to keep herself from antagonizing the girl.
Uh-huh... cute, Chloe said dismissively, not looking up from her phone.
Annnyways, Emily said, Rebecca, I was thinking. Do you want to head down to the convention early, like, Saturday night maybe?"
But we both work Saturday? And you work Saturday night?
Yeah, but if I switch my night shift tomorrow and take Karens morning shift, we could head out early, like as soon as youre off work. Which is what, like, six-ish? Im sure Briand let us room with him that night."
So wed have an earlier start Sunday morning? Im cool with that, yeah. I can just ask my Grandpa to feed Prince for me that night too. I guess just... call me soon as you find out if you and Karen can switch shifts, Rebecca affirmed, giving a thumbs-up.
You two are still going to that con? Chloe mumbled, not sharing their enthusiasm.
Well yeah... why wouldn't we? Emily challenged. Single-day passes are only twenty-five bucks, and we both have all of Sunday off for sure."
Uh, cause you both made me fork over my pass to Brian, Chloe muttered, crossing her arms.
We made you make a decision, Emily corrected. You cant honestly say youd be okay with breaking up with him and then having him pay for your pass and your hotel stay.
Why not? Why should I have to pay for either of those things? Chloe retorted, twisting her lovely brown hair in her fingertips distractedly without taking her eyes off her phone.
...Uh-huh, Emily grumbled, trying to stay composed. Her tongue was getting slick with nasty words that were hard to bite back. Well, all of that's between you two, it doesn't mean me and Rebecca aren't going to hang out with him, Emily said decisively. Hes still our friend, okay?"
Yeah... well, whatever. Chloe replied, disgusted, and tossed her phone across the seat. Let me guess, you're dressing up as the titty ninja again?"
Rebecca and Emily exchanged glances, and Emily comically pantomimed looking at her own meager chest in surprise.
Guess not, I'll just have to be the itty bitty ninja instead, Emily said dryly, prompting a giggle from Rebecca.
Funny. But kinda sad that you feel the need to dress so provocatively. You dont need to slut yourself up to please those nerds, you dont need that kind of... dehumanizing attention. You dont need to please anyone, youre not a slab of meat for them to gawk at and drool over. Chloe decided.
Dehumanizing...? Emily made a face.
You realize Akane Kurokawa was obviously written and drawn by a man? And because of that shes not a real character, with real choices. Shes a commodity, a caricature, a checklist collection of sexual traits that exist to be desired, obtained, and then... ew, used.
Whoa champ, easy on the feminist buzzwords... youre not on your blog. Besides, what happened to feeling empowered by wearing whatever I please? Who doesnt want to be a sexy badass? Akane was my hero all throughout high school, and I wanna cosplay her, Emily said resolutely, batting her eyelashes innocently.
And... Ive been single for a while now. So what if a little of that kind of attention is just what Im lookin for? Ive always wanted Brian to see me that way, Emily thought, her mood darkening. I didnt ask my body to stop fucking developing at fourteen, you know.
Hah, that kind of attention, Rebecca chuckled.
Emily, seriously now. Don't you think the Akane Kurokawa outfit is a little too... well, revealing to wear, in public? Chloe chided.
What's to reveal? Emily snorted, grabbing her tiny breasts in her palms. You think someone'll notice mah bumps?
Haha, mah bumps, Rebecca echoed.
So that's it, you think it's okay that women get objectified like that? This is an important issue, and youre just gonna brush it off with your little jokes like you do with everything else that matters.
Well you know how it goes, If you've got it, flaunt it. Akane Kurokawa, master kunoichi, well, she's definitely got it.
But we don't got it, Rebecca said in mock disappointment, pouting. Although taller and more athletic, she had a pair of tiny breasts as well.
I know. But we still wanna flaunt it, Emily said, her own pout breaking into a grin. I think Chloes just bothered by Akane being a strong independent woman who also happens to feel confident wearing outfits that are well, a little revealing.
Rebecca snorted. Yeah, just a little revealing.
Doesnt she get raped by tentacles, like, four times? And saved? By the male characters?! Chloe asked.
That was only one or two times, Emily rolled her eyes. And she didnt actually get raped, just tied up, groped and maaaybe had a tentacle shoved in her mouth. They save her jussst before the real penetration started. Frikkin teases. Those episodes were hot.
Thats... absolutely disgusting, Emily. Even if youre joking, thats really, just... absolutely the worst. The fact that they could even air that in an anime is degrading to women everywhere. The look of pure revulsion on Chloes face cheered Emily up a bit.
Oh, of course. Sex and fetishes are just for deviant male scumbags. Chloe, youd blow out a vein if you saw some of the folders on my hard drive, Emily thought, hiding a smirk.
Rebecca, did I tell you about all the progress I made improving last years Kurokawa cosplay? Emily asked. So last year I got the basic yukata from that online retailer with measurements to my size... but the body fishnet that came with it was positively enormous, their customer service guy said they only had it in a one-size-fits-most sorta thing.
Hmm, Rebecca nodded. I do remember the body stocking thing you wore underneath last year was kinda... weird and baggy.
Exactly! And that netting was some cheap, wiry plastic shit. Big square weaves. Felt awful on my bare skin. This year I got a fishnet body stocking from this lingerie website, and its perfect. Its this tight little nylon diamond-weave pattern that fits snug everywhere, and its comfy as hell. Looks just like it should too, like in the anime. Well, except that I dont have her double Ds, ocourse.
...Lingerie website? Rebecca wondered aloud, theatrically giggling into her hand. Oooh.
And youre really wearing it for your costume? Chloe deadpanned, glancing over. Some fetish-wear fishnet thing from a lingerie site?
Yeppers! Emily answered with a wolfish grin.
Disgusting. Chloe declared, rolling her eyes. I wouldnt trust anything from a website that sells lingerie in childrens sizes.
That stung. Inwardly seething, Emily instead turned back to Rebecca. Anyways, last year I covered up my nips with band-aids, this year Ill have actual flesh-tone pasties. Theyll help keep me going from indecent to... well, explicit. Hopefully. I mean, its in case some kinda accident happens, since the yukata I wear over its so loose.
Pasties? Thats like, professional, Rebecca said appreciatively. Like, professional cosplayers would wear those. Well, not professional. Uh... famous cosplayers? The good ones. Like models.
Chloe rolled her eyes. Are you going to dress up this year, Rebecca?
Mmm-hmm! Rebecca hummed, nodding sagaciously. Just my normal summer soft-kit, though, and my fancy new sword and board.
Your what? Chloe said, already lost.
Well, my soft kit is fighting garb, Rebecca said, a slow smile spreading across her features. My summer fighting garb. Viking stuff; boots, winnigas, kirtle, a linen undertunic. None o my armor, wed call that hard kit, and none of my lovely wool stuff this time of year.
And sword and board meaning sword and shield, Emily added. Rebecca has the most gorgeous viking round shield Ive ever seen at a LARP.
Youre doing a... LARP roleplay thing, then? Chloe asked.
No no, I cant do much in-character stuff this time. Pretty much all thats on Sunday is the tournament. Still, there should be some worthwhile fights.
Wait, youre fighting at the convention? Chloe asked, aghast. I thought that wasnt allowed?
Well, it was some kind of big legal or liability issue that didnt mesh well with the conventions safety standards, so they instead created a new group specifically for Animecon this year, called the Order of the Sovereign Swords. Theres gonna be a lot of problems and drama, for sure. Fantasy geeks who dont know a halberd from a hauberk, stick-jocks complaining about using padded weapons, you know, yadda yadda yadda, Rebecca murmured, a dreamy look in her eyes.
Its... well, its hard to picture you fighting with people, even if its just pretend. Chloe stated. Emily and Rebecca turned to each other and burst out laughing.
Whats so funny? Chloe demanded, giving them both a pout.
Chloe... calling what Rebecca does with padded weapons pretend doesnt quite cover it, Emily said, grinning widely. I mean, youre talking about Mara, the Nightmare. Daughter of Thorferra the Tall?
The last time Emily had seen Rebecca get serious was at a medieval LARPing campout. Shed stormed a formation of five enemy soldiers, and in a flurry of surgically accurate sword-strikes,killed all of them. Two of them didnt take her strikes, however, brushing off the hits. It was a way of bending the games rules to claim that hits werent solid enough to count.
The girls cheerful, lethargic look had given way in that moment and the cold, terrifying face of Mara was revealed. So she had struck them again. And again and again and again, too fast and fierce for them to block or counterattack, a terrifying clockwork frenzy of slashes. Even though the weapons were thoroughly padded with safety foam, Rebecca had the skill and leverage with a sword to use the kind of devastating force of a pro boxer wearing boxing gloves, and those two players were too bruised to crawl out of their sleeping bags the next day.
Youre joking. Chloe said, grabbing her phone and checking it again. Really. I cant picture Rebecca even swatting at her cat.
Thats cause I wouldnt, hes my little fluffeh angel! Rebecca gushed.
...By the way Chloe, I ran into Brian when I stopped by the apartment to check for your stuff, Emily said snidely.
And I would care... why? Chloe asked flatly. What did he say?
Emily answered only with a teasing grin. He asked if you were okay, because he still cared about you. But you don't deserve to know that.
Did he say anything about me, or not?
Nah, I gave him the con badge and he was pretty blasé about the whole breakup. Ugh, and he's having fun at the convention right now....that jerk. Emily said glibly, While I'm stuck here, about to be late for my hellish job. As if to punctuate her statement, one of the cars trapped behind them honked its horn.
Blasé? Rebecca asked, arching an eyebrow.
Yeah, I coulda just said he was all like whateva like you guys expected, but sometimes I gotta remind you simpletons that Im also hellishly smart, Emily declared, winking and flashing an infectiously cute smile into the mirror of the passenger-side sun visor.
Who cares what hes doing? And whats with you saying hellish all the time? Chloe griped, tapping at her phone absentmindedly.
Shove off, I relish my 'hellish', Emily grumbled.
Uh, Is 'heckish' a word, then? Rebecca wondered out loud.
Of course, Rebecca, Emily cried in exasperation. It describes the special rated-PG hell for children and little old ladies, where the fires are only lukewarm, nobody swears, and the blood is censored. People who drive too slowly miss out on heaven and wind up there, in heck.
Oh, dear. Rebecca slipped Emily a sly smile and the passing scenery outside their windows seemed to perceptibly slow again.
Emily struggled to resist the urge to strangle her friend with her seat belt.
Hmph. You gave Brian my apartment key back too, right? Chloe grunted.
Eyes widening, Emily jammed her hand into the tiny front pocket of her jeans, feeling the cold metal of the key. Shit.
...Of course, Emily lied, fuming at her mistake. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rebecca's sly smile reappear. Shiiiiit. Oh! And I gave him Sammie's harem charm too.
Oh no, the harem chaaaa-, Rebeccas sentence was overtaken by a yawn.
Yep, you said it. Hes probably neck-deep in fine chicas by now, Emily sighed with a smile.
Thats not what I said, Rebecca protested weakly.
Harem charm... Chloe muttered in vexation. The mentality behind the whole harem thing is disgusting. It's the same male power fantasy they cram into everything to pander to these horny losers. Gives them these expectations of women that are horribly skewed, and reduces the women to ...things, empty stereotypes. I can't stand it. Thats why the birthrates in Japan are so bad. Instead of going out and meeting women, the men stay in their tiny little rooms and whack off to sexist cartoon pornography.
Uh... hey, I'm going to have a harem of kitties someday, Rebecca chimed in, trying to diffuse what she knew was going to become yet another argument between her friends. No one was listening. A calico, for sure, a siamese and-
What's so wrong with harems? Emily said. Its a pretty standard sorta wish-fulfillment kind of romantic drama. Weren't you all into those awful teen drama Dusk books back in the day? And didnt you force us all to watch your Vampire Crusader anime?
Its not the same at all, Chloe said icily. Harems perpetuate this rotten culture that teaches men that its okay to collect women. It shows women that their lives center around impressing and servicing a man, or being discarded on that mans whim. It implies that one man is worth many women, and nothing could be further from the truth.
Chloe clapped her hands together in amusement, chuckling. In fact, you think Brian is talking to girls right now? Ha! A hundred bucks says Brian holes himself up in his hotel room the whole weekend, whacking off to cartoon porn. Alone.
A blue mist rolled through Emilys mind for a moment, clouding her thoughts with salacious ideas. Brian alone in that hotel room, sensually stroking himself... Id love to catch him like that. Tried to, a couple times back in high school. I want to see him, out of breath and eyes glazed with lust, Emily imagined. I want to catch him in that unguarded moment, want to see his cock, rigid and huge. Would he stop, embarrassed... or maybe hell just keep pumping away, working that dick with his eyes locked on me... Back in high school shed sometimes gotten off on simply imagining that Brian masturbated to the thought of her. What better way was there to wipe away the insecurities she felt in her short stature and petite, underdeveloped body? Yeah, count on me to have the most perverse sense of validation, she thought with a sigh.
Haha, would Brian actually, you know... whack off? Rebecca asked doubtfully. Both Chloe and Emily gave her a blank look. Sometimes it was easy to forget how sheltered in some ways their friend was.
You know what, Chloe? Emily insisted, shifting her tiny butt against the cushion of her seat. Ill take that bet of yours. You dont know Brian like you think you do. Never did. And its called hentai, not cartoon porn.
Same thing, doesnt matter, Chloe said indifferently. Besides, do you even have a hundred bucks, Emily?
Weellll, I will when you lose the bet and pay up, Emily said with confidence. He has the harem charm, and besides, hes single now. Youve forgotten what he was like when he was single.
Well, Ill never forget now, since Im sure hell be single for the rest of his sad life, Chloe said, laughing airily. You dont know how awkward and weird he was when he was dating. Let me put it this way; hes the kind of guy who thinks its romantic to quote nerdy movies.
Welllll, thatd depend on the quote. And the movie, Emily argued. The right reference at the right time would be really sweet. Besides, hes at an anime convention. If thatll work anywhere, itll work there.
Something from a kids movie, though? Like Goblin Labyrinth? Chloe scoffed. How do you even-
Which line? Rebecca interrupted immediately.
What? Chloe asked, surprised.
Im asking, which line did he quote? Rebecca enunciated carefully, her smile fading and her soporific expression draining away.
Uh, Chloe struggled to remember. It was stupid. Something like, Im not asking for much... or no wait, Im asking for so little-
I ask for so little... just fear me. Love me. Do as I ask and I shall be your slave? Rebecca recited breathlessly.
Yeah, that. Chloe affirmed, irritated. So what? It never made any sense.
Rebecca slumped down in the drivers seat, giving out a long sigh. If a guy ever said that to me, Id melt. I never knew he said that to you, why didnt you tell us?! Havent you seen Goblin Labyrinth?! The meaning behind that moment, what was going on? What he was offering her?!
And how hot the Faerie King was? Emily added excitedly. I mean, he was played by David B-
Yeah yeah, Brian made me watch it once. Chloe said with disdain. It didnt exactl-
Ive seen it hundreds of times, Rebecca said proudly. Its my absolute favorite fantasy movie of all time. In fact, were watching it tonight after work.
Sweet! Emily said, smiling brilliantly. Seems like Goblin Labyrinth lines didnt work on his lady, but we still gotta give him points for trying it, at least, right?
Yeah, his lady, great, Chloe said, scowling and turning to glance at the column of cars backed up behind them. Because obviously I belonged to him; I was only there to satisfy his urges, fulfill his sense of male superiority, and stroke his ego. Guess I forgot for a moment how brainwashed you two still are. No wonder nobodys on my side anymore.
Little blue droplets danced across Emily's vision for a moment, and she blinked quickly. The thought of Brian using Chloe for satisfaction was, well, kinda hot. Taking this haughty bitch down a peg or two and wiping the damn smug superior look off her face... with his dick, of course.
Humiliating her... degrading her. Pulling an indignant Chloe over his knee and spanking her across that pert bottom of hers in steady, deliberate strokes that shes helpless to struggle against. Teasing and stroking her to the edge of desire, leaving her panting with lust like a simple bitch in heat, until shes absolutely begging for it... Condensation was forming on the inside of Emilys mind, and when the blue beads of moisture began to run down the panes of her thoughts Emily jerked, shifting her thighs against one another. D-damn. I know what tune my vibrator's gonna be humming to tonight. Have I developed a new fetish?
Satisfying urges, superiority, and ego... that sounds just like the relationship I have with Prince, Rebecca interjected, trying to lighten the mood.
Except Prince Charming isn't a boyfriend, or a man. He's your cat. There's a little bit of a difference, Chloe reminded her friend.
...Is there, though? Rebecca wondered aloud, tapping her lip. Is there?
She's got a point, Emily said. Prince Charming is the textbook example of an oppressive patriarchal male."
Prince Charming, Rebecca sighed, My little butterstuff fluffylumpkin.
Well, whatever. Did I tell either of you about the new guy Ive been talking to? Chloe asked casually.
What?...Who? Emily said, taken aback.
Ryan at Seabrooks, that little indie coffee place. Hes the one with the pink hair?
Hipster mister! Rebecca exclaimed, remembering him. But isnt he...?
Turns out hes bisexual, not just gay, Chloe said defensively, Itd be nice to experience someone with that kind of open mindset. Someone who isnt... well, trapped up in prehistoric ideas of what genders should be. I really need to get away from all of that casual misogyny.
...And whos a misogynist, then? Emily asked through her teeth.
You know who I mean, Chloe scoffed. A certain cis-gendered assho-... well, guy we all know, glancing guiltily at Rebecca, who didnt like her friends using bad language in her car.
Brian actually cared about you, you know? He really tried to... make you happy. And he tried so hard to put up with your... well, you. Emily managed, trying not to raise her voice.
Yeah, okay. Chloe snorted. He tried to put up with us actually becoming progressive. He tolerated my little game of fighting for equality, in a culture of oppression. But caring? He didnt care, couldnt care. Because hes a man, so everythings just fine as it is in his little world at the top, living in privilege.
Alright, now youre bullshitting me. Emily laughed, not caring what swears slipped out.
Excuse me? Chloe asked.
Privilege? Did you forget every fuckin thing you know about Brian? How rough he had it with his parents? His dad trying to beat the shit out of him all the time? How he had to stash his games and anime at my place so that his stepmom wouldnt throw them out while he was at school?
Wow, so terrible, his mommy took away his video games...
Games he paid for, with money from his job! Chloe, your parents paid your tuition and bought your car for you. Brian left home when he turned eighteen with nothing but the clothes on his back. He got a job, an apartment, supported himself, supported you?
So youre making Brian out to be some kind of hero for being abused and leaving home, but when I leave Brian for the same reasons and circumstances everyone jumps down my throat with criticism? What, because Im a woman? Hows that fair? I did pity him for the way they treated him at first. I think he learned a lot of his abusive behaviors from them. But I cant be expect?
Abusive behaviors? So what? Brian abused you?
...Yeah, he did. He abused me. An awkward silence filled the car for a few long moments.
What, he hit you? What did he do? Emily demanded in disbelief.
...No. He didnt physically hurt me. He didnt have the guts, Chloe declared proudly. Deep down men are cowards. They always talk big and then lose their head when a woman challenges the status quo.
So hes abusive, but he never hurt you? Emily asked incredulously, But hes a coward, for not abusing you? How can-
Real abuse isnt bruises or a black eye anymore, Chloe interrupted. Its not being able to speak your mind because hes too eager to shut me down. To pick apart every little thing I say and... twist the meanings around. Having him always going against me, opposing... no, oppressing me. When you dont feel safe in an apartment with your boyfriend, then, hello? You are being abused. Psychological abuse leaves trauma that lasts-
Wow, so terrible, he tried to politely reason with his entitled feminist girlfriend, Emily mocked. Always seemed to me like you were the one oppressing him.
He cant be oppressed, jackass, Chloe interjected. Hes a man, and we live in his culture, a patriarchal culture. Hes the one in power, and the one thats oppressing. And if he ever is really abused, then he should appreciate the goddamn experience, because then hell understand what women everywhere go through every single day.
Are you fucking out of your-
AHEM. Rebecca interjected rigidly, her soporific expression draining away. Both of you, just chill down, okay? Seriously, you guys? Were all friends here. Friends.
Chill out, Emily had almost corrected her, but instead she blanched sheepishly and held her tongue. Besides, shes right. Arguing with Chloe never gets anyone anywhere. How long did my poor Brian put up with that?
As the oncoming traffic finally dwindled, the long line of cars behind them now accelerated and began to pass them on the two-lane stretch of blacktop. A little ashamed, Emily sunk down further in her seat as withering stares were directed at them by the passing cars. Rebecca stuck her tongue out at them, and her station wagon continued ponderously puttering along at the same tepid pace.
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