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AnimeCon Harem 2: Dangerous Games
🕑 Added 2018-01-15 09:57:42 +0000 UTCSo whats with the box? Buy somethin big at the con? Kelly asked, sliding into the easy chair situated beside the bed and settling the packing box into her lap. She tilted the box up on its end so that she could read the invoice taped onto the top. Calamity Queen set by Noblesse Oblique? What is this?
Ah... that thing. It was the gothic lolita outfit hed bought for Chloe months ago and secreted away from her, that last tangible missed opportunity to reconcile their failing relationship.
Its... uh... He said, embarrassed. Its like a costume... dress... thing. Bought it months ago, it was gonna be an AnimeCon surprise for my ex, but...
Right, that break-up, gotcha, she said, glancing suspiciously from the box to him. Whatcha doin with it here, though? Were you gonna try it on yourself or somethin? I mean, why bring it to the con if its a dress?
I dont know, he replied. I guess I thought I could sell it or trade it or... something, Ive been keeping an eye out for girls wearing gothic lolita stuff. Even if I sell at a loss, I can still at least get three or four hundred bucks back and be rid of the thing without feeling like it was a total waste.
Three or four hundred bucks? Kelly echoed, eyes widening, and she hefted the box in her hands. Christ, how much did you spend on it?
Ugh... you dont wanna know. Noblesse Oblique is considered burando, or, uh, brand over there in Japan. Its a designer label sorta thing and not many get imported, so theyre pretty rare.
Burando, thats funny, Kelly said. You said its gothic? Like a goth... fantasy dress sorta thing? Whats it look like? I used to be all gothic back in the day.
Uh... how to even describe it... Brian laughed, rubbing his cheek. Kinda like some cross between a french maid outfit and a victorian dress, with a whole lot of... fancy little embellishments.
Wouldnt it be easiest to sell that kind of thing online? Kelly said, placing the box down reverently beside the chair.
I wish, Brian griped. Finding a buyer involves digging into all these little niche fashion subculture forums and knowing all about the burandos. When I bought it, it was direct from the retailer overseas. I just pointed my credit card towards these moon runes in her wish-list and that was that.
Moon runes? Kelly asked, arching an eyebrow.
Kind of weird describing things to a non-anime fan, even the explanations need explanations, Brian thought. Its kinda... fan slang for when you run into a bunch of Japanese characters, all the hiragana and kanji and whatnot. If you dont know how to read them, they might as well be gibberish; moon-runes.
Thats funny, Kelly said, and he couldnt tell if her interest was feigned or not. I figured you, uh... fans of this kind of stuff were into that though, like, learning Japanese and translating it and all.
Some are, I guess, Brian admitted. But thats deeper down the rabbit hole than most of us go. He resisted the temptation to tell her that their rabbit, Stephanie, was good with Kanji. Kelly probably wouldnt care.
Thats cool, Kelly said, and her vague reply left Brian wondering. Is she being dismissive, or trying to be polite? I cant get a read on her at all...
The sudden sounds of the Fantasy Wars victory theme began insistently playing from within the small pile of Brians things beside the bed, and Kelly quirked an eyebrow at him.
Sorry, Id better get that, Brian said as he fished through the stack to retrieve his phone and accept the call. He felt both relieved and a little guilty to see that it was Emily rather than Chloe. Wouldnt have known what to say to her.
Heeeey, Emilys voice warbled through his phone, I just got off work. Howve you been holdin up, guy? Hows the con been treatin you?
Hey Emily, he replied, genuinely happy to hear from her. Pretty good so far, actually. How do I even begin? How can I tell her I somehow went from alone and pretty miserable to suddenly sharing a room with some girls I just met?
Yeah? For real? She replied with enthusiasm, Well, atta boy! I was worried, you know? And I keep thinkin bout you. I also, ummm, called to see if maybe I could ask for a h-uuuuuge favor... if thats okay?
Whatcha need? he asked.
Okay. So. You know how I couldnt make it to the con till Sunday cause of work? Well! Karen hadta switch shifts with me, so now Im free to hit the con soon as Rebeccas off work tomorrow. So we were wondering... if maybe we could room with you Saturday night? We can pay our share, she hastily added.
Ah, geez lady, I dunno, Brian teased. Its pretty crowded with me an all these girls here already.
Puhleeeeese, Emily called in her sickeningly-sweet little girl impression that he knew all too well, easily overlooking his comment about having girls. Of course shed never think I was serious.
Ill give you a whole dollar! Im small and dont take up space at all! Ill sleep under your pillow and you wont even know Im there! Rebecca will stand watch with her sword for the room all night and kill all of the enemies!
Well hmm, if its all of the enemies... he said, pausing. For a moment he considered warning her that he hadnt been joking and that there really wasnt much space left in the room now, but ended up holding his tongue. Honestly, I kinda want to see the look on her face when she realizes that I actually do have girls staying with me, Brian thought. And Ill play it off like its no big deal, of course. The crowded little room might inconvenience them a bit, but its not like he was going to accept their money anyways.
So we can stay with you? Emily asked, sounding adorably hopeful.
Course you can, Brian said. Itll be just like the old days.
Well not just like the old days. Emily declared. This time, its gonna be even better.
You might be right this time, Brian said, chuckling.
Im always right. But this time, Brian, listen, theres... well, I..
Hmm?
Uh, its nothin, its nothin. Thanks for lettin us stay room with you tomorrow, really. I gotta... I gotta go. See ya tomorrow, Brian.
Hey wait, Emmie?
Yeah?
Have you seen Chloe at all?
There was a prolonged silence on the other end of the line, and he had that unpleasant gut feeling he used to get around Chloe, that feeling when he realized too late that hed said just the wrong thing. For some reason he even imagined a look of distaste and disapproval souring Emilys normally perky features.
She... uh, yeah, I saw her, Emily reluctantly replied. Shes been pissy.
Did she say something?
Shes always saying things, she wont fucking let up, Emily hissed. Ive about had it. Like, someones gonna find her accidentally fallen down an elevator shaft somewhere. Onto some bullets. If she says anything about you to me again... look, I cant be responsible for what happens, kay?
That bad, huh?
...Yeah, Emily huffed. That bad.
Thats... well, thats normal, Brian said with difficulty, frowning. After a relationship, for her to feel that way, you know.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a while.
Brian, dont fucking make excuses for her anymore. Emily finally said, her voice quiet and a little cold. Ive really gotta go. Talk to ya tomorrow. And thanks again. Later, guy.
Hey wai-- he began, but shed already ended the call. He stood there silently for a few seconds with the phone to his ear. Shes always taken my side with things, Brian thought, showing a faint smile. Wonder if shed feel the same way if she knew what a crush I had on her in high school. Would we have still been friends like this?
Someone checkin in on you, huh? Kelly asked, sounding amused.
Nothin like that, Brian replied, tossing his phone back into his things. Nother friend of mine, Emily, she and our friend Rebecca need a place to stay for the con tomorrow.
Will you need us to find somewhere else to crash tomorrow? Kelly asked.
All of usll fit in here just fine, Brian assured her. Our first couple times here at Animecon, we had seven of us packed in a room just a little bigger than this. Spart of the whole anime convention experience.
So... okay, on that note, now Ive gotta ask, Kelly said, Whats up tween you and Stephanie? I mean, I know you mentioned earlier today that youre recently single, but are the two of you like a thing, or gonna be a thing?
What do you mean? Brian asked innocently, and Kelly shot him a sardonic are you fucking kidding me look.
Okay, okay... I feel like we could be a thing, Brian admitted. I think were both interested, but... well, we just met today, I don't wanna rush anything, were definitely not ready for that.
Well, what if she was ready? Kelly said. Could you be ready, like, what would it take?
Whats it matter? I mean, why? Did she say something? Brian asked, curious.
We talked for a while. Shes into you, but like, she actually wasnt even gonna call you about being stranded and roomless. She was all against it... until I mentioned that it could be like, an opportunity, and that really flipped her gears or something. Its definitely like shes wantin you to take a shot.
Ah... opportunity. I did say she was my opportunity. Thats from stuff we were talking about earlier today, Brian mused, thinking back. You ever hear the phrase, Luck is when preparation meets opportunity?
Nope, Kelly shook her head.
Well, I was saying that rather than chalking things up to good fortune, Ive got to appreciate the people who... helped my circumstances. Emily, that girl I was just on the phone with, she got me back on my feet, prepared me to come have fun at the con after my breakup. And meeting Stephanie really gave me this opportunity to... well, not be as miserable as I thought I would, I guess, Brian shrugged.
Okay. But what are you actually gonna do about it? Are you gonna take advantage of the opportunity? Kelly smirked. We called you because she obviously wants there to be like, a chance for something to happen. Isnt it just a missed opportunity if you dont make a move, then? Guys are supposed to be like, proactive, take initiative and make the first moves, you know?
I can understand why shed be enthusiastic, Brian said uneasily. But Im getting the impression that, in a lot of ways, this is her first... kind of this experience. So, I dont want to push things too fast.
Fuck that. You like her, right? Push her into things, push her into everything. Shes already twenty-two for Christsakes, and she hasnt even... she hasnt, uh... Kelly quirked her lip as if realizing she mightve let slip too much. Listen, you kissed her today, right?"
"Yeah, Brian admitted sheepishly. But it was, uh, I realize I shouldnt have, I didnt plan it out or anything. It was outta the blue, kinda cause she dared me to. Was one of those moments where the vibe is right, and it seems like shes sending cues, and it just... seems like the right thing to do, you know?
Whyre you getting all defensive about kissing her? Kelly snorted. Kissing a girl you just mets kind of well, badass?
Just something Im readjusting to, I guess, Brian explained with a chuckle. You see, my ex, she was always stressing that acting without explicit consent was always a form of... well, a part of rape culture. So all day Ive been feeling kinda guilty for kissing Stephanie without... asking for her permission or like, really confirming that it was gonna be okay with her. I mean, sure, it felt like she was flirting with me, but that doesnt?
Thats retarded, Kelly said, rolling her eyes. You dont have to ask for permission for every little thing and make sure it's okay, thats your ex bein a control freak. Guys are expected to read the mood, take charge, and know exactly what to do. Thats masculine. Thats whats sexy.
Chloe, uh, my ex would definitely disagree with that, Brian said with a bitter smile.
And look where it got her, Kelly countered with a dismissive laugh. She's gone, she's outta your life. Doesnt matter what she thought, what do you actually think?
About Stephanie? Im gonna... well, I want to take things slow, not take things further before she's really ready. Im a mess right now anyways.
Shes not gonna be gettin any readier than she is, Kelly grumbled. And she shouldnt be! Ive always hated that whole mentality.
What mentality? Brian asked.
Thinkin a girl needs to be ready for things so she can safely experience them. Trying to ever so delicately ease her into things as if life and love is just this awful, dreadfully traumatizing thing. Take off the kiddie-gloves, for fucks sake. Youre coddling her, youre watering down the experience, and worst of all, youre holding back. Thats dishonest.
Being careful with things isnt dishonest, Brian said in exasperation.
Here, Ive got a weeb way to put it for ya, Kelly said. My mom was a registered nurse, and she told me about this stuff in Japan. Didja know over there theyre real crazy bout hand sanitizer and cleanliness, and like, wearing those medical-looking face-masks that block germs in public when colds are going around?
Thats called courtesy, its this weird cultural thing over there.
Funny. But yeah, when they do get colds, they dont just shrug it off like we do. Theyre actually like, bed-ridden and near death and shit, because theyre so focused with preventing germs everywhere that their immune systems have never been challenged, and like, toughened up. So when they do ineva... uh... inevibly? Is that right?
Inevitably?
Thats it, when they do inevitably catch a cold, their bodies arent equipped to deal with it. Do you get what Im saying here? If you shelter a girl from too much, if all you do is play it safe and take it slow with her, your relationship ends up weak.
Thats... certainly one way to look at things. But its not just her, either. I just got out of a nasty relationship, and Im not gonna press my baggage and problems from all of that onto Stephanie, Brian argued. That wouldnt be remotely fair.
Fuck fair, Kelly said. Thats you deciding things all... one-sidedly. What if weuh, what if she wants to help? Whatre you really gonna accomplish by keeping a distance up when she wants to get closer?
I dont get it, Brian chuckled, running his hands through his hair. Whyre you pushing this so much, like, whats your angle?
You gave me this, Kelly dangled her convention badge from its lanyard, and then used it to gesture to the room around her. And you set me up with all of this. Im just tryin to earn my keep here, alright? You look out for me, Im gonna look out for you. So let me look out for you!
All of that was no-strings-attached. I dont want you thinking you have some obligation to?
Arent we friends though? I mean, just what am I to you? Kelly asked, cutting him off.
You cant pull the friend card on day one, Brian pointed out. Thats like asking for your vacation day during job orientation.
...Okay, then. Maybe Ive been goin about all of this the wrong way, if you dont really think of me as a friend yet... Kelly mused, a sly smile slipping across her features.
Thats not what I said, Brian said.
Stephs a sweet girl, and I do like her. But from what youre saying, maybe shes not really what you need right now? You did just get out of a long relationship, and Stephanie... she doesnt really even know the ropes yet. If youre not comfortable with the situation, like, taking initiative and introducing her to your... needs, youre headed right back into another long, messy slog without any emotional... relief.
Relief? My needs? Thats the last thing anyone should be worried about right now, Brian laughed.
Thats naive, Kelly chided, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. Look, Im no stranger to rough break-ups. In a serious relationship, you invest all these big pieces of yourself. And, when it all ends... well, snot like you get your change back. Youre gonna have all these empty aches inside of you thatll keep reminding you of her, and theyre not gonna really heal til you can forget.
What can heal you is... affection. Intimate affection. Being shown physically that someone else is attracted, cares for you, accepts you. Wants you, wants to put in effort for you. Minds are complicated, and its easy to doubt words, but with the physical well, bodies are honest. Besides, sometimes you just need to get laid, its healthy. I know I definitely need some action this weekend, Kelly said, flicking her brandy-brown eyes back to him meaningfully.
Yeah? Well, I wish you the best of luck with that, Brian said, grinning. Is she baiting me on behalf of Stephanie? Or does she just want to mess around with my head? She seemed fairly sincere earlier, too... Whats going on?
I dont need luck, Kelly said with a confident laugh. Whatd you say about luck before? Luck is when... effort begets opportunity?
Close enough. You have the idea of it, what was important, Brian thought, remembering Stephanies words. For a moment, his head whirled as these ideas and coincidences seemed to align themselves together. If Stephanie represents MY opportunity, maybe shes been Kellys opportunity, too? Id have never run into Kelly, or given Kelly my spare pass if not for Steph, and if she hadnt called me tonight from Stephanies phone, Id never have invited them to stay with me. Both times it was
I make my own luck, Kelly declared, a finger toying with her tank top at the crook of her cleavage and teasing it lower. Maybe, do you wanna... fool around?
The tipped shapes of her nipples distended the shifting fabric as Kelly leisurely inched the neckline of her garment down, revealing more and more of her tantalizing skin. In the span of a slow breath, shed tugged that hem nearly to her navel, her lovely breasts nearly spilling free... when the hush of the spraying shower water inside the bathroom cut off, followed by the sound of the shower curtain being drawn open.
In unison, Kelly and Brian exchanged guilty looks followed by laughter. Coughing nervously, she released the fabric and let her neckline return to position with a distracting jiggle. This girls absolutely dangerous, I almost froze up and lost it there...
Meaningless sex wouldnt get anyone anywhere, Brian said, a bitter smile crossing his face. Its always a terrible idea.
Thats small-minded, Kelly said, scowling playfully. Just because its not part of some deep, committed relationship doesnt automagically make sex meaningless. A meaning can be something as simple as, like, I dont wanna be alone with my thoughts tonight, or Please help me forget him. Or her, I guess, in your case. And a lot of sex in relationships is meaningless; you just end up fuckin outta convenience, without any real reason or significance.
You know what I like about you, Kelly? Brian asked, looking thoughtful.
Whats not to like, Im pretty fuckin amazing? A cocky, genuine smile broke the surface of her cool facade, and Brian felt himself smiling in return.
I like that youre this total opposite side of the spectrum from my ex, this completely other perspective, Brian chuckled. Its refreshing. I mean, neither of you are right at all. Youre both pointlessly persistent and take your ideologies to these weird extremes, but still. Its nice.
Thats rude, Kelly scoffed. Ive been being serious with you.
Have you? Brian wondered. Its kinda weird that youre pressing your point so much, like, why, whyre you so adamant about it?
Im here lookin out for you, Kelly insisted, pouting. And youre here being a stubborn jackass. Youre really not gonna make a move on Stephanie, then?
Tonight? Of course not, Brian answered.
Well... well see about that, wont we? Kelly remarked with a mysterious smile.
The bathroom door opened, releasing a dramatic whirl of steam as Stephanie stepped out after her shower. She wore simple blue pajama bottoms, and an oversized T-shirt featuring a faded soft-drink logo hung loosely on her petite frame. Her skin was flushed from the heat of the water, her pink and blonde shoulder-length hair fluffy from being dried. It was an appealing look, but Brian had trouble putting his finger on just exactly why. This isnt the Stephanie everyone gets to see, this is her out of costume, out of normal clothes even... this is her when she wants to relax and be comfy, he guessed. It was an intimate look, and she was cute as hell.
Chloe had always insisted on donning a bathrobe and pulling her damp hair up into a towel-wrapped bundle on her head after showers, which to Brian somehow felt stuffy and prim. Fuck. Stop remembering her.
Stephanie turned away from the mirror, paused when she realized his attention was on her, and offered a nervous smile that immediately eclipsed errant memories of his ex-girlfriend. It, uh... I dont think it came out at all. Still very pink, uh, in the same places. Oh, right. Her hair.
Here, lemme take a look, Kelly offered, withdrawing a brush from her bag and directing Stephanie in front of her easy chair. You showering too, Brian?
Nah, Brian replied. Ill wait and take one tomorrow, after my morning run.
Ew, run? Are you one of those weird morning people? Kelly asked as she stroked carefully through the tufts of Stephanies mottled hair.
Something like that, he replied. The loop I do in the mornings back home gets old, so the change of sceneryll be nice.
Thats... cool, I guess. So you run. Youre a geek and a runner?
Yeah. Wakes me up, clears my head and gets me going, you know? Plus, I dont want to be this morbidly obese for the rest of my life, so Ive gotta do something, you know? Brian joked.
Youre not fat at all, Stephanie predictably protested. Youre perf-, uh, youre just, ah, just fine the way you are.
Well, hey, its late. You guys feel free to take the bed, Brian chuckled, Ive got the floor over here.
What? Kelly asked, giving him an incredulous look as she gently pulled the brush through Stephanies hair. Uh, no? Youre not sleeping on the floor cause of us, thats stupid.
Im fine, dont worry about it, Brian said. Hed slept alone on the floor a fair amount over the course of his relationship with Chloe. After all, the couch in their shared apartment had been slightly too short for him to sleep comfortably on.
You, uh, cant sleep on the floor, Stephanie protested, shooting Kelly a desperate glance for help. Its you, ah, its your room, you let us stay, so you cant, I mean, if anything, we should sleep on the floor.
Youre my guests, what kinda hospitality would that be? Brian asked, putting on his charming grin. And more importantly, youre girls. Theres no way Im letting delicate and lovely creatures such as yourselves sleep on the floor like common beasts. Chloe woulda MURDERED me for saying something flippant and sexist like that, even though she probably wouldve agreed with me.
Youre not sleeping on the floor, Kelly insisted.
Hey now, Brian said. Its my room, since when do either of you get a say in where I sleep? Its not a big deal.
Since we actually care, and any of us sleeping on the floor is dumb? Well all fit on the bed together if were cozy, Kelly argued. She tossed her brush back into her purse and carefully smoothed Stephanies hair down the nape of the shy girls neck with her hands.
Are we cozy? Sleeping in the same bed when weve all just met is kinda weird, isnt it? Brian pointed out. Id be pretty self-conscious in bed next to you girls, you know? I mean, I can keep my hands to myself, but that doesnt mean Id sleep well.
Who asked you to keep your hands to yourself? Kelly retorted, grinning. Right, Stephanie?
Uhm, wh-what?
See? Shes uncomfortable, Brian pointed out.
Were, uh, well Im fine with sleeping anywhere, really, Stephanie interjected weakly. I just, um, I dont want you to have to sleep on the floor because of me. Ill feel bad. Please.
Ugh. Look, just drop the stubborn gentleman act, Kelly groaned. Youre a guy, and youre actually gonna refuse to climb into bed with us?
Now thats sexist, Brian countered playfully, pulling back the bedspread. You guys want the sheets, or the comforter? Take your pick.
W-we could vote, Stephanie suggested. That would, be, ah, be fair?
Its my room, how is voting fair? Brian asked.
How bout we compromise here? Kelly proposed. We can have a little wager, or like... a game or something, and the winner gets to decide.
Like what?
Oh, I dunno... why dont we play truth or dare? Its fun, plus itll help us get to know each other a little better. Were all in this room together now, we dont gotta be strangers.
( Previous: Hotel Room | AnimeCon Harem | Next: Truth or Dare, Round One )
