"Hey! H-How did you get through the--?"

"Shut the glitch up. I'm not here to talk."

"What do you want from me?"

The ribbing on (2)syl's skinsuit was shining bright red.

Ah glitch. I'm in trouble.

Smiling, (2)syl took a step towards Phoenix. "I've never seen you so serious. Is something wrong? No flippant comments about a girl breaking into your room?”

Phoenix briefly considered saying something about it being such a regular occurrence that he had used up all his good comments, but thought the better of it.

“Don't you have anything to say? Don't you have something to tell me?"

"I thought you didn't want to talk."

(2)syl raised an eyebrow. "I don't." Then, why did she come here?

"Hey, then neither do I."

(2)syl folded her arms across her chest and took a few more steps towards Phoenix. The room being as small as it was, this put the two quite close. (2)syl had now invaded Phoenix's space bubble. They had spent many nights practically sleeping in each other's arms—not to mention that they had just been kissing a few moments ago.

This time, it feels...different. She wants something.

(2)syl said nothing, but kept staring at him.

"It's going to be a long night, isn't it?" Phoenix said.

"Could be."

Enough of this game-playing.

"I don't know why you're here,” Phoenix finally said.

"You left. We weren't finished,” (2)syl said plainly.

"And you think that--"

"We. Weren't. Finished," (2)syl said—this time more firmly.

Well, I wasn't finished planting the Skreamer. Stupid me. I could have left town by now. Why did I have to kiss her?

"But--"

"You know we weren't."

"I don't know that."

"Don't glitch with me! We've been through too much together for your usual g'ekk j'aa! And don't treat me so casually. It's not like we just met today."

"That's not what I meant! You're twisting things!"

"Remember, you're not pulling a con here. You know what you did back in my room and why you stopped. I can see it in your eyes. You know it's not finished between us. Don't deny it again."

"So, you want us to..."

"Yes," (2)syl said, plainly.

A slap in the face or, at minimum, a biting remark was the response Phoenix had expected. In fact, he had been mostly joking. The simplicity and straightforwardness (2)syl's answer took him off guard. The fact that the answer was in the affirmative made his head spin.

Holy glitch! That's why she came in here!?

He wasn't prepared for this. His heart skipped a beat. A slight shiver ran down his spine, ending in a mildly nauseous feeling in his stomach.

In a momentary lapse of control, Phoenix's eyes quickly scanned (2)syl's body. As if on cue, the ribbing on (2)syl's skinsuit started to turn pale. He knew it was impossible, but Phoenix's brain told him that the color had jumped to her quickly reddening cheeks. Her breath quickened.

She's not making it up, either. She really wants it.

(2)syl swallowed, then licked her lips. Her eyes were slightly shut.

For a moment, Phoenix felt a wave of passion sweep over him. He quickly brought it under control, but he knew it would be back shortly, and he wasn't sure what he would do then.

I can't believe this is happening.

"You don't know me," Phoenix said.

The truth is that I really do care about you, (2)syl—so much that I'm not willing to risk your life by taking you with me. I wish I didn't have to keep it a secret from you, but its better that way—for both our sakes. It's also best if we don't let things get out of hand here. I wish I could explain it all to you, but I can't.

"That's a glitched thing to say. Are you trying to make me mad?"

"No!"

"Fine, kiss me again, Phoenix. Right the glitch now. No more talking."

He held up his hands. "I told you. We can't--". The look that she was giving him right now silenced him. He wasn’t sure what it meant. Sadness? Frustration? Lust?

"Glitch! You're not listening to me! You never do!"

As if to prove his point, she slowly, but deliberately slid one hand across her chest, grabbed the zip tab on the side of her neck, and pulled it down her shoulder. She pulled the suit open, so Phoenix could peek in. She glanced at her shoulder, now naked except for the strap of her undergarment, then back at him, raising an eyebrow. Involuntarily, he looked. His pulse quickened.

Something about seeing a woman's bare shoulder...

"syl, you don't want to do this."

"Don't tell me what I want. I'll tell you."

Before he knew it, the zip tab on her other shoulder was down, and now more of her was revealed.

"Careful now!" Phoenix raised his arms, intending to somehow stop her, or at least slow her down. He stopped short. It was all he could do to keep himself from grabbing the zip tabs, the straps, pulling them both down in one quick motion and--

"You know, I think you may have hit your head when you passed out earlier! Maybe you should lie dowmgghfff--"

(2)syl, on the other hand, showed no such restraint. She lunged into Phoenix, silencing his lips with hers. And as if that weren't enough, she slid her tongue in for good measure. For a brief moment, something nagged at him, telling him that he should stop. Whatever that was, it was rapidly becoming more distant with each pound of Phoenix's heart, finally drowned out by the sounds of their lips smacking.

(2)syl's tongue invaded his mouth, making every corner its own. Phoenix gave in, welcoming it, his own tongue caressing it. No longer satisfied with playing such a passive role, he gently, but firmly, started pushing his way inside of her mouth. She took a few steps back, but she wouldn't get away that easily. At first, she resisted, but that changed, once he was inside. With her lips, she welcomed him, sucking him the rest of the way in.

For a moment, she disengaged. Her eyes locked with his, distorted and blurry at such a close distance. She spoke to him in a seductive, husky voice. "The only way I'm lying down is if I'm on top of you." Phoenix’s eyes when wide. (2)syl raised an eyebrow.

Phoenix’s heart pounded. The pause was only a second, but seemed to have the weight of an eternity. Then, it was back on. Without warning, (2)syl spun him around, and pushed him back. He was surprised at her force—a strength born of desire. Their lips locked as she pushed him back into the wall. (2)syl giggled, but Phoenix’s head was spinning so much that he was barely aware of it. However, he was acutely aware of (2)syl’s hands, which were now exploring his chest.

She stopped kissing him for a moment. A strange look crossed her face, as her eyes scanned his chest. Frustration? Whatever it is, I don’t think she’s mad any more, and it’s kind of cute. He couldn’t help but give her a kiss on her forehead. Some of her hair started to fall in the way. He gently pushed it back, and then allowed his hands to keep going, burying themselves in her hair. Her hair felt cool and soft. As he played with her hair, he finally admitted to himself that he had wanted to do this for some time now.

By now, he realized that she was feeling his chest with a purpose. Zip tabs. She’s looking for a zip tab! No wonder she’s frustrated. This jumpsuit doesn’t have any. She has to--. (2)syl was reached for Phoenix’s collar, tugging at it, desperately. “syl,” he started to explain, “you're going to...ah...”

“Hush,” she said, with gritted teeth. She pulled down on his collar sharply with both arms. The skinsuit made a piercing ripping sound as it gave way under her brute force. Cool air washed over his exposed torso, heightening the sensitivity there. Then, she was inside, continuing to explore his chest with hands and lips and even teeth. Silly girl. My skin doesn’t have any zip tabs either.

(2)syl’s attack was relentless. The top of Phoenix’s jumpsuit was now completely off, and her hands and arms now roamed freely. Her lips slowly made their way up his arms. The wetness from her kisses was cool and refreshing against his skin. For a moment, she paused, resting her head on his chest. Something metallic struck the floor and then rolled away. He glanced down. It was her sever-whip.

Then, suddenly, her mouth was pressed to his again, but only for a few moments. Now, it was in his ear. Her heavy breathing sounded like a gale here, and it tickled a bit. “Take this glitched skinsuit off of me,” she whispered, hoarsely. Without waiting for a response, she spun around, bowing her head and bending forward a bit, offering him access to the zip tabs at her neck. This can’t be happening. Yet, with her back to him and sever-whip on the floor, she was completely vulnerable. No scam here. She reached back and pulled her hair up, out of the way. The silver zip tabs, which dangled at her collar, taunted him, as did the tips of the tattoo there. Finally, I get to see how far down that thing goes.

With sudden resolution, he grasped both zip tabs and zipped them down her arms with a force that surprised even himself. He peeled the back of her skinsuit down. He could feel her shiver a bit, goose bumps rising. So far, he had only gotten glimpses of her tattoo, but now he took a moment to study it in all its glory. It was a system of black, jagged lines, varying in thickness. The marking was symmetrical from right to left, but had no particular pattern that he could discern. It was a lot more extensive than he realized, covering her arms, neck and back. Part of it still remained hidden beneath the lower portion of her skinsuit. It had a dark and menacing feel to it. It was almost as if it were a monster ready to attack, yet at the same time beckoning him to reveal the rest of its own thin black body.

I wonder how it feels.

Phoenix started kissing the tattoo, beginning with her neck. He couldn’t tell for sure, but his mind told him that her skin was slightly raised where the mark was. Maybe it was just his imagination. A few more kisses resulted in (2)syl shivering again.

She turned back to face him. As she did, the front portion of her skinsuit fell away, leaving her with only a simple black bra clinging to her upper body. She slipped the straps off of her shoulders.

A woman’s bare shoulders.

“Kiss me,” she breathed. Instinctively, Phoenix leaned in, aiming for her mouth. She stopped him before he got there. “Not on the lips, silly.”

The two locked eyes for a moment. She glanced downward at her chest, hinting, then back up at Phoenix. He looked down. Her bust seemed much fuller now that her skinsuit was no longer covering them. Her bra seemed like it could fall off of its own accord. She shifted her weight a little. Her smooth skin there flexed with her movement.

His lips landed on her left breast first. Her skin was even softer than he had imagined, and easily yielded to him. His head was spinning, and his heart felt like it was going to explode. He began to kiss her relentlessly, his mouth making its way over to her other side. Her skinsuit ribbing exploded with color, throbbing with every shade of red. (2)syl sighed deeply, clearly aroused.

Now (2)syl’s arms were around Phoenix’s waist again, holding him tightly. Phoenix was suddenly aware that one of her hands was making its way to the front, tugging at his waistband.

* * *

Date: Unknown
Time: Unknown

“…and if we get separated, we’ll both meet back at the designated rendezvous point.”

“Designated rendezvous point? You make it sound all official. It’s really just the place where we first kissed, right?” asked Maia, with a raised eyebrow and a grin.

Cyre sighed, but finally gave in. “Yes, that place,” he said.

“And then, it’s off of Million City!” she said with excitement.

Maia leaned over and kissed Cyre quickly. Cyre turned to face her, and the two embraced. Their kiss deepened, and her hands went to his chest. They slid slowly over his muscles there and gradually slipped down towards his pants. Cyre’s hands intercepted them before they reached their destination.

“Now, now,” he said with a smile, “There will be plenty of time for that later tonight. First things first, though. We’ll meet right at midnight.”

“Midnight,” Maia echoed.

“And don’t be a minute late.”

Maia smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.” She raised an eyebrow and tugged at his belt. She grinned evilly. “Just be sure you’re ready.”

* * *

Date: 01.31.2196
Time: Evening

Phoenix suddenly pushed back, in horror, sending (2)syl stumbling backwards.

What am I thinking!? I shouldn’t be here…now…doing…this! This is just like the last time. Things were getting all steamy with some woman, and I wound up getting locked up by the BATs for it. I don’t need that again.

Phoenix saw the look of pain on (2)syl’s face. He glanced down, noticing (2)syl’s sever-whip on the floor behind her. If she was trying something funny, she would have kept that in reach. His heart sank with guilt. I don’t need that either. Even if she doesn’t have some kind of agenda.

"No more! I can't do this! Glitch!" he said, at last.

"Glitch that! You want to! I want you to! What the glitch is wrong with you?!"

"Nothing...I can't explain it to you right now." How could I ever? She wasn’t there. She wouldn’t understand.

"What a glitch of a thing to say to me," she said. With one hand, she was covering herself up with the front of her skinsuit. With the other, she was reaching for her sever-whip. “You're holding back for some reason, and I want to know why. You owe me that much.”

"We don't owe each other anything."

"It's her, isn't it? You're still in love with her." In…love? Am I, still?

"Who are you talking about?" Phoenix asked, trying to buy time.

"Glitch it, you're difficult. You know I'm talking about Maia."

"Oh, her..." I forgot I had mentioned her to (2)syl. "You don't know anything about her. Or me. Or what was between us."

"I know what you told me, unless you were pulling a con on me, back on the edge of that cliff, while you had your hand down my skinsuit. Remember?"

"I remember." It was a mistake to tell her. Why did I do that, anyway?

"Good. But it's just one of the many mistakes between us."

"I'm not in love with her anymore." How could I be after what she did?

(2)syl took a step or two back towards Phoenix. "Then what is it? Please tell me."

Phoenix glanced behind (2)syl, where his sais and backpack sat, all waiting patiently. Besides all that, I have a job to do, and she’s just gonna slow me down…or get herself killed.

"syl, you need to leave. I can't have you here right now."

(2)syl bowed her head, giving in, but not giving up completely. "I'll leave, if you tell me one thing. Do you feel anything for me? Love or lust--I don't care which. Just tell me."

"I...won't deny…,” not sure which....maybe both. “…that."

"If that's the case,” she said, as she backed towards the entrance, “and you're letting me walk out this door, then you're a glitched fool. I...I don't understand that. Not one glitched bit. You'll have to live with regret. It's gonna eat at you."

It’s better living with that than living…He remembered being sealed in the bubble, moments away from his own execution…or dying…with the regret of being betrayed again.

"I feel something for you, Phoenix,” her voice trembling, on the verge of tears, “and it's not just lust." (2)syl paused for a moment, before storming out of the room. The door slid shut behind (2)syl as she exited.

More words.

* * *

Date: Unknown
Time: Unknown

“Don’t you know that I love you?” she whispered in his ear.

* * *

Date: 01.31.2196
Time: Evening

If only those words had been true.