Vitcity

"Still hurts like the dickens," Marin says. "But it's on the mend."

"I'm sorry to hear that, though it's good to hear it's on the mend. It must be rough having to do as much as you do with an injured arm."

"It's not so bad. I have plenty of assistants and a wonderful daughter who help where they can. It makes cooking harder, and I can't play most of the games I use to unwind... or work out... But it could have been much worse."

Nora nods. "That is true... I haven't seen weather like that before in my life. I've rarely seen bad weather beyond thunderstorms, really... It was quite frightening."

"It was... definitely not normal. Hm?" Something catches Marin's eye and she walks over to you, bends down, and picks up the feather duster. "Did Ms. Randall drop this? That's not like her."

Alice blushes slightly. "Oh, I... got that out myself. I... wanted to clean up a bit before Nora got here, and everyone's so busy cleaning up... I'll take care of it later."

Marin raises an eyebrow, then sets it on the table. "OK, then. Did you two need anything else?"

Nora shakes her head, smiling. "I don't believe so. Thank you for bringing the kettle and tea down."

"I'll leave you two alone, then. I'll see you... You were scheduled for Thursday this week?"

"Yes, Thursday."

Nora grins at Alice. "You are so cute when you blush."

"I'm not blushing. Am I?"

"You were, when she picked up the feather duster." As Alice turns redder, Nora grins wider. "See? Adorable. You blush so easily when it comes to tickling, but you were quite bold earlier when you kissed me..."

"W-weren't you going to make some tea?"

Nora giggles and stands up. "Of course, dear." She'll go make a pot of tea. Once done, she comes back to the couch with two mugs of tea.

"Ah... this smells delicious." Alice sips her tea and scrunches her face. "Mmm... might need a bit of sugar, though..."

"You don't put sugar in tea, dear. That's an American thing."

"But... sugar lumps? And little tongs?"

"Most brits prefer milk or honey in tea. I suppose some do still use sugar in blended tea, but that's been going out of fashion for a while now. And sugar is never used in good, proper tea."

Alice frowns, then tries to drink some more. "I don't have any honey, but let's see if milk helps..." She makes her way to the kitchen and stirs in a bit, then rejoins Nora. She takes another sip, this time looking a bit less put-off by the flavor. "Better. ...Being kissed is one thing, but being tickled means showing weakness."

"Oh? And what's wrong with being vulnerable around someone you trust? Especially when we're alone, hm."

"It... It's still embarrassing."

Nora smiles, sips her tea, and crosses her legs. "Mmm. Now I'm wondering what else you'd find embarrassing... and what you wouldn't."

"Hmph. I'm not some wallflower. I just... almost no one knows about the ticklish thing. But you beat me fair and square, and you told me about that weakness. So."

Nora grins. "Wallflower, no... But you are beautiful."

"And you're pretty cute yourself."

"Cute, hm... Coming from you, that sounds nicer than being called beautiful. Oh, I have an idea... While we enjoy our tea, let's play a game. One of us picks a subject, and the other says whether or not they would find it embarrassing. And answer truthfully, of course. You can go first."

"So the execution has become an interrogation? Fine. Let me see... Going to school in your swimsuit."

"Nope. Not embarrassing. My turn. Showering together."

"U-us? Now? N-naked? Um... A little, yes, but I can think of worse things. Er... you didn't seem embarrassed about being tickled, but was that the truth?"

Nora giggles. "Oh, no, I was just putting on a brave face. It was quite embarrassing."

"Th-then why were you surprised I find it a bit embarrassing..."

"I wasn't. I was just teasing you, dear."

"...Hmph. Your turn."

Nora sips her tea. "Your mother asks if we're dating at a work party, surrounded by other people we both know."

"Ah... Enough to get a blush, but less than the tickling and far less than the shower. OK, same question to you, but the Queen is also there."

Nora laughs. "Not embarrassing at all. I loudly declare 'Why yes, mother dearest, we are!' Not only would it mean I have a wonderful girlfriend, but to see the look on my father's face... Hehehehe."

"He wouldn't approve of me, then?"

"He wouldn't at first, only because he's a traditionalist asshole... And by that I mean he can be a bit of a bigot. But that would change pretty quickly, I think. He values power and intelligence above all else, and you, my dear... Well, as you said yourself, you are no wallflower."

"Hm. You certainly are a confident one. And your question?"

Nora takes her time responding, finishing most of her tea first. She then uncrosses her legs and leans back. "I grew up being told I was just one lucky plague away from being the Queen of England... And was learning the grand game as soon as I could walk. So yes, I'm confident... Though I don't believe I'm arrogant. Mmm, my next question... Well. I think this exercise has proved most enlightening to me. I know where you draw the line a bit better now. So, my question- and a serious one, mind you- would you like me to spend the night?"

"You're welcome to borrow my couch anytime, if you need... but that isn't what you meant, is it?"

"It is not."

Alice takes a long sip on her tea, with a hard frown. "I moved too quickly during my last relationship. I don't want to repeat that mistake."

Nora nods, unfazed. "Ah, Is that so? Well, that's fine. I can wait."

"It was... a rather messy break-up. But you certainly seem determined, hm. Utterly confident that you're going to win my heart, are we?"

Nora smiles. "Perhaps."

"I didn't answer the question, though, now did I? Whether I would find that embarrassing..." Alice smiles, sets her tea down, and stretches, grabbing the duster with one foot and settling into Nora's lap. "It wouldn't be much of an interrogation if I just gave you every answer, now would it?"

"Now that is a good point. Well then, I'm going to enjoy this."

"O-OK... Y-yes, I would... find it... embarrassing. Not anywhere as bad as... this, but still... What about you?"

"Mm. Only at first." Nora goes back to tickling immediately.

"W-w-wait, no question? I still... had another. How... about... if next time I win I went after your other weakness?"

Nora pauses. "My... other weakness?"

"You mentioned you were ticklish in two places. Your feet, and..."

Nora giggles. "Ah, that... Yes, I'd definitely be embarrassed... How much depends, hm?"

"Then I suggest you wear something like my outfit to our next match. Oh, but of course you're not going to lose, hm?"

Nora grins devilishly. "O-o-o-o-or... I could wear a swimsuit to our next match. But, naturally, I don't plan on losing."

Alice laughs. "How would my mother react to walking in on us playing chess in our swimsuits?"

Nora laughs as well. "That... I have no idea. But I think it would be rather amusing."

"Just bring one to change into... And look forward to losing."

"Same to you, dear."

"...Well? If the interrogation's over, it's time for the execution. Or would you prefer another kiss? You did win two."

"Mmm... Choices, choices... Definitely another kiss."