The Three of Cups (part 1 of 4)

Posted on Tue Nov 16th, 2021 @ 2:41am by Alison Bliss & Kindra Graham
Edited on on Sun Jan 23rd, 2022 @ 8:12am

Mission: Li Shen's Bazaar
Location: Kindra's Shuttle
Timeline: enroute to Li Shen Bazaar

After everything that happened since she'd boarded the Fortune's Echo - the long flight out to Ghost, Alden's rejection, followed by the events on Ghost, and then Alden's apparent change of heart - Kindra was ready to put her worries aside and enjoy Alison's company. A 'girls evening' with her friend was just what she needed.

Kindra measured her favorite tea into her mother's teapot - leaves from the camellia sinensis plant, handpicked when they'd just begun to open and the buds were still covered by fine white hairs. The delicate scent of white tea infused her shuttle. Kindra had set out extra pillows for lounging and a box of chocolates she'd been saving for just such an occasion. Dressed in a pink silk nightshirt with matching shorts, Kindra wore the brooch Alison had given her on the neckline, even though the treasure was far too elegant for such informal attire.

Alison showed up without any knocking or advance warning. She had little regard for privacy and assumed that Kindra wouldn't mind at all. She was barefoot and dressed only in a slinky baby pink ruffle hem belted satin robe, exposing her model-like, slim and long legs. It was bordering indecent but as their relationship settled firmly in a close heartful friendship, Alison's attire was more of a statement of her self-confidence and acceptance of her body rather than attempt to seduce. Not that Alison wouldn't mind end up in bed with Kindra. Who wouldn't?! But Alison felt this was unlikely because it simply wasn't their way anymore and Alison didn't mind how it turned out. She was glad to have Kindra as a friend in her life where there were no real secrets.

"Hey dream girl." Alison stepped in and waved with her slender hand holding single-malt Stranahan whiskey. By now Alison knew what kind of booze was Kindra's favorite and when came to luxuries including booze, Alison considered herself an expert, topping up her secret stash every port. "I thought you might like this one." She inhaled the air deeper almost tasting the ingredients that were boiling in the teapot. Companions were one of the best in the Verse when came to making tea, as a former companion, Alison could attest to that. So while she considered herself rusty in that department, judging by the smell, Kindra was certainly not rusty at all.

Kindra had been expecting Alison, so her appearance in the shuttle was no surprise. Neither was her slinky, revealing, and downright sexy clothing… or lack thereof. Kindra allowed her gaze to rove over her sultry guest's form in unhurried appreciation. "Alison, as usual you look gorgeous."

She followed up that greeting by lightly kissing Alison on the lips, an action that was as much an acknowledgement of the truly enticing nature of Alison's physical presence, as well as an affirmation of the physical boundaries of their friendship. "Shall we start with tea, and then move on to… whatever is in that bottle?"

Alison returned the friendly kiss and then bowed slightly. "Thank you." She acknowledged the compliment and nodded. "Sounds like the plan."

She sat down on the pillows in very graceful and alluring way but it was more because it was a second nature to Alison than it was a genuine attempt to seduce her friend. She put the whiskey bottle on the side and her eyes ravaged on Kindra who was captivating in a seemingly most mundane task like preparing the tea. Alison knew like very few how much it required work from Kindra to maintain such grace and her eyes reflected that to a degree as appreciation. "So... how are you? I saw a little cloud over your head but haven't had a chance to ask you about it?"

Whilst her friend made herself comfortable, Kindra began pouring the tea. She looked up sharply at Alison's question, and overfilled the second cup, spilling tea over the side and into the saucer. So far Kindra had sequestered her grief to the privacy of her shuttle, immersing herself in her music, and she thought she had succeeded in hiding her emotional distress. But of course Alison, with her companion training, had noticed.

"Uh…" Heat flushed Kindra's cheeks as she cleaned up the mess and answered simply, not looking directly at her friend. "I asked Alden to give me a second chance. His answer was no." Her voice cracked on the word no and she offered Alison the first, properly poured cup without further explanation. Alison and Alden were incredibly close, surely she knew about the rejection. But had Alden confided in her about what happened on the bridge?

Alison face remained unchanged and neither in her moves she gave any indication that spilling the tea was something unusual. She decided that ignoring the fact would be the best way to help her friend to calm down. She took the offered cup and inhaled softly the aroma. Alison was aware of the emotions between Kindra and Alden and how much intimate their relationship was. Being in relationships with both of them and at the same time, she was excluded from theirs and as such, she didn't want to overstep here. However, she felt she needed to do something to help, plus, of course Alison was a bit nosy.

"So...?" The blonde raised her blue eyes inquisitively at Kindra. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Kindra felt a warm surge of gratitude for her dear friend's support. "It hurt." Those two words held so many painful emotions. "It was perhaps foolish of me to ask him. Alden and I had a week together of good music and great sex but no plans for after." She was quiet for a moment, considering what Alden confided about his wife, and that was only one of many hurdles ahead. "He gave me to understand he'd moved on, and I expected to find a way to do the same. But maybe," she thought of that interlude with Alden on the bridge, "uh, maybe there's a chance…"

She wore an evasive smile, uncertain if she should tell Alison what happened on the bridge. "People get their hearts broken all the time though, right? They say time heals all wounds or some such fei hua. What about you, Alison? Has your heart ever been broken?"

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