Ch 2.57: ❤ Diversion

Elaina really needed to work on her dress, needed to study the textbook Carly had left her afterwards, needed to go over the rules for poker, needed to eat, needed to sleep. All were very important things, and all were in the very, very back of her mind as she stared at a naked Flora holding the dress she’s just made.

“I really need to work on my own dress, Flora.”

“Oh come on,” Flora said as she walked over, pouting in front of Elaina. “You made mine in a day!”

“I can’t wear something like that out in public!’

“Oh course you can! I’m going to after all.” Flora punctuated the point by holding the dress against the front of her body, showing that it did very technically cover the most important parts. “See, perfectly decent!”

Elaina waved Flora off, returning to drawer that held fabrics to pick out something for her own outfit, and to try and take her mind off of how Flora and that dress looked. “You are wild for wanting to wear that in the first place, but even if I was too I couldn’t wear that. I have a bit more in the chest than you, you know.”

“So a boob or two spills out every now and then, what’s the big deal?”

“Flora!” As alluring as the idea actually was, Elaina should’ve known she was being baited before she turned, but it was Flora’s cheeky grin as she was bent over and holding her hands behind her back that let her know the girl was actually kidding. And even more than she was cheeky, she was just so damned inviting, with bright eyes and an eager smile that anyone would have a hard time saying no to. I can probably start my dress tomorrow. “Fine, we can go to my room for a bit.”

To say Flora looked elated would be an understatement with the way she hopped into the air, clapping the dress in between her hands. “Thanks the gods! Carly wouldn’t hang out with me earlier cause she was so busy, and I was really afraid you were about to say no too.”

Flora started off towards the school, and Elaina almost thought she was going to forget to get dressed at first, right up until the school uniform started materializing around her again. “You coming?”

“Uh-huh,” Elaina said as she started grabbing her things, her faculties somewhat returning now that Flora had clothes on once more. But even with a firmer grip on her mind, she didn’t want to stay, didn’t want to change her mind, didn’t want to give up the chance. After all, Flora was the person in her party she knew the least, had spent the least amount of one on one time with. It would be good to get to know her more, productive even. Never mind that the same could happen if they just chatted while Elaina worked.

Once she had her stuff packed away, Carly’s book included, she started off after Flora, running to catch up as her senior stood in the door way.

“You look pretty eager yourself,” Flora said.

“I didn’t want you holding the door open forever,” Elaina said, laughing as they entered the engineering classroom.

“You know, this lecture hall is pretty empty.”

“Not a chance.” Not in the middle of the day anyway, Elaina added to herself. Gods, what am I even thinking?

Flora. Flora was what she was thinking. Even besides the obvious allure of her walking, those damns hips swaying, she just had an aura you wanted to follow, the air of a true leader. Part of it was definitely that Flora had a good read on people, knowing what to ask for and when, but regardless she was just so easy to say “yes” to.

Part of Elaina felt that maybe she’d be a better leader for the System. Elaina was sort of the de facto leader, but she didn’t have the experience that Tira had, or the charisma that Flora did, not even the knowledge that Carly did. She was maybe stronger on a technical level since she was level three, but that was by mere chance, not her own merit.

“Flora, I think you should go with Carly into the tournament. As the ones we’re trying to actually get to round two, I mean.”

Flora didn’t break stride as she exited the classroom, stepping through to the hallway and into the light crowd of students. Elaina thought that the girl hadn’t heard for moment, but eventually the reply came. “No, I don’t think so.”

Elaina waited for a follow-up, for some rational behind the answer, but it didn’t come. “I don’t even know how to play though.”

“It’s not that hard. I only barely know the rules myself. And besides, Carly has a plan. We should trust her.”

That was that, somehow. It still didn’t quite feel right to be going in as the second for Carly, but felt even more wrong to argue with Flora. She really does have something I don’t.

Elaina’s mind danced with turmoil as she walked through the halls, unable to comprehend why Flora was so easy to follow, and why she believed in Elaina at all. Her thoughts finally returned to reality, to the present, as they walked through to her dorm’s common area.

Visitors were allowed this time of day, and one might not normally have gone noticed, but Flora’s height and volume of hair made her stand out even putting aside her general eye-catching nature, and eyes did she catch. Elaina couldn’t help but feel the entire room’s gaze on them, and she couldn’t help but blush at the fact that she was pretty sure they all knew what was happening as well. Flora’s walk was just too determined, to purposeful as she led Elaina towards the stairs for it to be anything else.

Somehow though Elaina managed to push through that minor embarrassment, even managed to enjoy the slight boost of pleasure from in through [Humiliation Factor]. Still, she was grateful the awkwardness was over, right up until Flora opened the door to Elaina’s room and they walked in, catching the attention of a book-holding Carly sitting on her bed.

“What’re you two doing here?” Carly asked.

“Each other,” Flora replied.