Morning, Sunshine., (Aithne only)

[Defunct Lies]

"Bitch!"

Ayrin winced, the sound of the slap echoing through the warehouse. A few sniggers followed, coupled with a a jeer or two. Ayrin glared at her attacker and spat at his feet, her spit crimson with blood that filled her mouth.

They'd been beating and calling her names for the past hour now, tying her up to a support beam with a few rags of her own clothing, leaving her mostly naked, save for her panties and socks. Ayrin could move, just a little, but the knots were too strong. They'd just been toying with her, using blunt weapons and their fists to beat her about. They wanted to hear her scream, to cry for mercy. She'd whimpered when Shinji had broken her arm with a baseball bat, but otherwise she wasn't prepared to give them the satisfaction of begging for mercy.

"You stuck-up little whore! Scream, dammit!"

Shinji had snapped. Ayrin could see it in his eyes. She'd seen flickers of it whenever they'd spar, his desire to hurt her. Things had come to head when he'd forced himself upon her. Naturally, she kicked his ass and then he got thrown out of the dojo. He was lucky that she hadn't pressed charges. But how she was wishing she had now...

Oh God, he was holding a knife now. Coming towards her, menacingly, with that sick look on his face. She took in a sharp breath as he slid the knife across her forehead, the cold steel making her shudder.

"You rejected me, Ayrin-chan...you kicked me in the nuts instead of letting me fuck you...you're gonna regret that, I can gaurantee it."

He turned the knife, the razor sharp edge biting into her skin. Blood was drawn as Shinji cackled maniacally, drawing the knife downwards, a stream of blood blinding her right eye as she tried to blink the blood away.

"I think first I should take your pretty little eyes...your eyes which always look at me with such disgust...loathing...hatred..."

With each word, Shinji pressed the knife in harder to her forehead. Ayrin grit her teeth. She knew what was coming next, and she didn't know what to do, Her limbs strained against her bonds. Oh God, please make this stop. Please. Please! PLEASE!

Shinji pulled the knife down, pain shooting through Ayrin's face, as all vision from her right eye turned black.

She screamed

And woke up.

Ayrin was sitting bolt upright, breathing heavily, sweat soaking her clothes and the sofa beneath her. She realised her missing right arm was positioned, as if the rest of the arm was attached. It had been reaching for her missing eye.

As her heart finally decided it wasn't going to leap from her chest, she fell backwards, letting out a sigh.

It had been nearly a year since that night back in Japan. The night she'd lost so much in so little time, and gained something else. The memories were still fresh. Still vivid. Still clear.

As painful and horrifying as they were, Ayrin never wanted to forget them. She couldn't allow herself to. She wouldn't.

Ayrin closed her good eye and sighed again, wondering if she had infact screamed out loud. She blushed, wondering if Trinity had heard. Well, she was sure to find out in a few moments, that was for sure...

[Aithne]

Trinity barely blinked as a scream ratcheted off the inside of their dorm. It became normal to her. Maybe it was when she was kidnapped, and all the other teenage girls were screaming day in and day out, or maybe it was the drug-induced terrors of acid from the squat house where she got her drugs and slept for a majority of her senior year back in Japan. Either way, did it matter? Not to Trinity. She was cooking in their tiny kitchenette, flipping the skillet and listening to the eggs cook. Her hair was pulled back, revealing high cheekbones and long neck. The ponytail bounced as she moved, the crimson curls wild in the morning. Her face was free of make up. She was pale, with dark circles around her eyes. The green flickered to see Ayrin on the couch. A breakfast bar with a couple of stools separated the kitchen and living room. They lingered on ayrin, before she opened her mouth, waiting for a moment so not to scare her right after a nightmare.

“…ohayou” She said, a cigarette between her lips. Her hand flicked the food onto a plate, and tossed the dirty pan into the sink. A couple pieces of buttered toast, an omelet with cheese and ham and fresh coffee. Trinity managed to balance her own plate, Ayrin’s place, and two cups of coffee. Waitressing seems to come in handy, huh? She walked around the bar into the living room, where she set everything down on the coffee table. This seemed to be their new dinning room…the low table with pillows was more like home to Trinity anyway. “Fell asleep watching TV again…?” She asked, with a slight grin, as she twisted her cigarette into the nearby ashtray. “Gotta stop doin’ that…what if you get sucked into a snow screen by the poltergeist?” Trinity, of course, was kidding, but sometimes it was hard to tell with her expressions. She had her own omelet with ketchup zigzagged across the top. She dug into it, sighing contently.

Trinity was wearing a sports bra and a paid of man’s boxers. They were the typical boxers, with stupid cartoon characters on them. This time the images were south park characters. In this state, one could see all her scars, tattoos and piercings in all their glory. Despite the old wounds, ink and metal, Trinity was very attractive. A shy pound heavier than too skinny, Trinity had a large breasts, a flat stomach and wide hips. The hour-glass shape fit her nicely, and she was short too, only 5’4’’. Trinity had tried to be conservative around Ayrin, but once she got use to her new roommate, did not care.

She mowed through a piece of toast, before she went for the coffee. “What’s the plan, jo?” She meant for the day, seeing there were no classes for the summer.

[Defunct Lies]

Ayrin blinked, looking around at Trinity, seieng her chewing on some toast and smoking a dog end.

"Ohayou..."

It had been a week since she'd moved in, and Trinity had been a star in Ayrin's eyes, helping look after her. The breakfasts were just one part as she reached for her coffee, taking a sip, immediately feeling the warm liquid making her perk up.

She didn't seem to bat an eyelid at Trinity's state of (un)dress, not one to be embarrassed by a lack of clothing. Hence she was wearing her lycra top and shorts. The tight material defined the girl's curves and shapely figure. Like Trinity, she was sure to have her own appeal, despite the obvious scarring and lack of limb.

"I can't help it. I'm a sucker for Akira Kurosawa films. And the fact it was Yojimbo, Seven Samurai and Throne of Blood all in one night...well...the fact is I'm here."

She scratched her head and yawned, reaching for her plate.

"Ooh, omlette. As for what to do...I don't know. I have my early morning kata training...then I suppose I could go for some lunch...after that, I don't know."

Coupled with a noncommital shrug, she proceeded to dig in to her food.

[Aithne]

"Ooh, omelet. As for what to do...I don't know. I have my early morning kata training...then I suppose I could go for some lunch...after that, I don't know."

Trinity finished her food in a matter of seconds, only crumbs and a smear of ketchup proved that it had once been there. She leaned back onto her arms, her legs cross Indian style underneath the coffee table. There was a lit cigarette in her mouth again.

“We need to go shopping…food shopping that is…unless you give me a list, I can do it while you train…” Her eyes drifted over to the fridge, which was almost empty save for condiments. In fact, the eggs and bread were probably the only edible thing in the dorm.

Grunting, Trinity pulled herself out from underneath the table. She bent her knees and drew herself up to standing position. Padding in her bare feet around the coffee table, she flapped onto the couch. Her hand, as if by magic, found the remote immediately, switching it on with a button. The channel was set to a Japanese station, featuring a wacky game show. Ah, daytime television. Trinity was so glad the school had satellite, and was able to get such programming. There were tons of channels in all different languages. Well, they really had no choice, they had so many immigrant transfer kids. Her face slumped against Ayrin’s good arm, her cheek pressed against her biscep.

“I don’t wanna do anything” Trinity moaned, closing her eyes. “Lets have a lazy day and order pizza later….” Her hands wrapped around the girls waist, shaking her back and forth teasingly, trying to get her to agree.

[Defunct Lies]

Ayrin simply looked at the TV, a deadpan expression on her face as Trinity shook her. She had become friends quickly with the other girl, and had managed to learn quite alot of things about the university and just about taken Ayrin under her wing.

Considering teh entire time she'd been here, she'd been doing her katas every single morning for at least 5 hours. It couldn't hurt to just hang around for one day...it was Saturday after all.

Pluss Takeshi's Castle was on. And who didn't love that? Families of common Japanese people running around something akin to a hellish playground.

Trying to reach for her cigarettes, Ayrin sighed, unable to get her arm free.

"Fine...but as long as we get a meat feast. I can't remember the last time I had pepperoni..."

She wriggled her arm out from Trinity's hug and finally grabbed a Lucky Strike, flicking it between her teeth and lighting it afterwards, tossing the Zippo onto the coffee table.

Letting out a mixture of a sigh and a ring of smoke, she grinned.

[Aithne]

"Fine...but as long as we get a meat feast. I can't remember the last time I had pepperoni..."

”Woohoo!’ Trinity exclaimed as she was still leaning on Ayrin. This time, she shifted her body weight so she was lying on her back. Her legs hung over the side of the couch, while she settled her head in Ayrin’s lap while she smoked. Her crimson hair curled over her leg and trailed along the floor. “Finally…” She muttered, sighing contently. Her green eyes shifted from Ayrin to the television, watching it briefly before glancing back at Ayrin. She grinned slightly, and nuzzled her face into Ayrin’s stomach

“Squishy…” Trinity teased, bringing up her hand, her long fingers poking at Ayrin’s sides. Her grin widened as she exclaimed, “Sneak attack!” and began tickling the girl senselessly.

[Defunct Lies]

At first Ayrin simply cocked an eyebrow, looking down at Trinity and wondering why she was down there. She guessed that's what friends did. She hadn't really had a true 'friend' in her teenaged life, most girls steering clear of her due to her chequered past and stern demeanour back in those days.

Ayrin smiled softly to herself, focusing once again on the TV and the fat salaryman as he tried to scramble over the rollers and avoid the murky water belo-

"Wah~!"

She squeaked (yes, squeaked) when Trinity nuzzled her nose into her bare belly. She blinked down and began to speak.

"Trin, what are yo-"

Then Trinity brought out the ticklin' fingers.

"Oh no."

And thus the tickling began.

Ayrin burst into giggles, squirming about, trying to get away from Trinity's questing fingers. However, she was somewhat pinned by the head on her lap, and thus her escape was confonuded seeing that she was right next to the couch arm and thefore had few options. She couldn't exactly grab Trinity's arms and stop her, seeing as she had one. And she could hardly get a word in through all of her hysterical laughter.

Ayrin kicked and struggled to get free, and managed to somehow squeeze her way out of Trinity's vicelike grip. However, she tripped in the process, falling face first onto the coffee table, right into her breakfast.

splat

Warm omlette went flying as Ayrin hit face-first. After a pause, she came up, spluttering, but uninjured. Her face was an eggy, ketcuhpy mess, one eye glaring through it as the mixture dripped down onto her lycra top.

"..."

No words were needed to show her annoyance, but no doubt it would be quite the picture for Trinity.

[Aithne]

Trinity laughed as Ayrin squirmed under her fingers. She went from her sides to underarms, and neck, trying to find the best place that was most ticklish. However, as it was getting good, Ayrin got free, she kicked and struggled and managed to escape. However, she fall face first into the coffee table and their breakfast. It went everywhere. Trinity’s eyes were wide in her head, staying stone still until Ayrin turned around. She tried, she tried so hard to keep a somber face, but she could not help it, her eyes were tearing until she exploded into laughter. She hugged her sides as she laughed long and hard at Aryin’s misfortunate accident.

“I’m…HAHAHA so…hahaheeehehehee So-sorry!” She could not help but laugh and wheeze as she got up to go get a washcloth. She managed to calm down, a grin still on her face. In the kitchen, she found a nice clean washcloth, and spritzed it with warm water. Her eyes glanced at Ayrin as she did this “Auw…it’ll be okay…”

She walked back, straight up to Ayrin, where she took her chin in one hand, and began wiping her clean with the warm towel, while Ayrin seemed to pout in annoyance. “It’s not that bad…see? All better…” She murmured, trying to annoy the woman any further. However, Trinity paused as held Ayrin’s face. It was clear of breakfast, yet her hand still gently braced it. A slight grin crossed her face as her hand dropped the washcloth. The newly, free hand wrapped around Ayrin’s waist, pulling her against Trinity. With that, she pressed her full lips against her roommates in a kiss.

[Defunct Lies]

Ayrin grumbled as Trinity burst out laughing, her eyebrow twitching slightly. The omlette also seemed to get slighty more cooked, either from the rising temperature of Ayrin's face due to her anger or her embrassment.

Then Trinity cooed over her, washing her face clean. She felt like a little kid again, her blush certainly due to her awkwardness this time.

Then Trinity kissed her.

...well this was a new way to start off a Saturday.

Whether or not it was due to the impact of the egg-based breakfast product with Ayrin's head (coupled with the rather hard plate and coffee table below that), the scarred swordsgirl didn't act shocked or shove Trinity away in disgust. She was was surprised, obviously, a sharp intake of breath making its way through her nose, her eye widening.

Her thoughts were all jumbled and the fact her roommate was now engaging her in a rather blatant kiss didn't exactly help.

One thought occured to Ayrin at that time. She was straight, right? If so, why was she allowing this to happen?

Well, for one, she was rather surprised anyone would want to even touch her given her state. Therefore, intimate contact with another human was not something she'd expected to occur, be it male or female.

Yet, here she was, kissing Trinity, letting it happen. She didn't exactly throw her arm around her, or wrestle tongues with the other girl, but in a sense, she was kissing back. Albiet, it was rather awkward on her part. If anything...Trinity had just taken Ayrin's first kiss...

This thought was enough to simply make Ayrin's mind go blank.

And so she just sat there, kissing Trinity.

[Aithne]

She felt Ayrin stiffen for a moment. Trinity’s scarred, frail arm embraced her tighter, smoothing her long digits along the small of her back. Why had she done it? Trinity was usually very aloft among her peers, distant and untrusting. She bordered on A-sexual sometimes, those raging hormones kept at bay. Now was different. She liked Ayrin probably from the first moment she saw her, it just happened. Living with her and being friends only strengthened those feelings to the point it was driving her nuts. When the opportunity presented itself, Trinity could only seize the moment.

She became rather concerned, after a moment, that Ayrin remained stiff, eyes wide. However, Ayrin seemed to resolve something, or came to grips with the occurring situation. Trinity felt her timidly return her kiss. A slight grin spread across her lips, as her free hand reached to brush calloused fingers across the soft skin of her face. They trailed into the chestnut brown hair upon her crown, smoothing her fingers through the silky mass. Her mouth and lips caressed Ayrin’s, meshing and molding against hers. She kept the kiss innocent, not plunging her tongue down her throat for fear of scaring her off.

The hand trailed around her head, stroking the line of her jaw. Trinity, regretfully, pulled away. Their bodies remained pressed together, due to trinity’s arm on her waist. Emerald green eyes flickered and looked into Ayrin’s good eye. A sheepish grin spread across her face as she pulled away from Ayrin. “My bad, couldn’t resist…”

[Defunct Lies]

Ayrin blinked as Trinity broke the kiss, staring into her eye. She didn't quite the other girl's mumbled apology, her senses focussed more on the intimate moment they'd just shared...well, still sharing, seeing that Trinity still had her arm around Ayrin's waist, and Ayrin was a little befuddled to find that her own arm had draped itself onto Trinity's shoulder.

Her mind was still a whirl, the rational part of her brain trying to process what the hell had just happened.

Okay, so she'd been the victim of a tickle attack, tried to get away, then smacked her head into a table...then Trinity had wiped her face, and then, whilst she was still quite dazed, kissed her.

And not in a 'friends' kinda kiss. A proper kiss. A kiss kiss.

However, whilst the rational side of her head tried to make sense of her current state of affairs and plan out a course of action, her instinctual side decided to kick in.

Being alone and in this state had made Ayrin's self-esteem drop like a stone. She was constantly scared that people would reject her and that she'd never be able to truly share an intimate moment with anyone. A part of her had been crying out for someone to care for her...and this, of course, naturally put something akin to a bunsen burner underneath her libido, slowly bringing it to the boil, but not quite getting there. All that was needed, was one single action to make it spill over. And that's exactly what Trinity had done.

Her arm, carelessly draped, now wrapped around Trinity's neck, making sure she wouldn't pull away.

Her neck craned forward and once again, there was the joyus meeting of lips. Only this time, Ayrin was a little more prepared, her hand reaching up to hold Trinity's head, her kiss far more passionate and forceful, her eye closed as all those bottled up frustrations began to vent into this one action.

[Aithne]

Trinity made a sound of surprise as she was pulled back into a kiss. She wrapped her other arm around Ayrin’s shoulders while the other still braced her waist. The kiss was more passionate, needy. Trinity obliged, parting her lips to deepen the kiss. The barbell piercing in Trinity’s tongue flicked across aryin’s top lip. Her hand reached up to stroke her hair. She was surprised Ayrin seemed so accepting of this, but she was not sure what was going through her head. Regardless, she continued to kiss her deeply. She pressed her body against her, forcing her back. She pushed her into the wall, pulling her arm back and sliding both hands to her hips, massaging her waist, stroking the skin. She purred softly, loving this moment.

[Defunct Lies]

Ayrin liked this. Her body pressed up close against another, her lips locked to another pair, her tongue wrestling with Trinity's. Their sighs filling the air around them. The hands gliding over her waist, her back against the wall and her fingers tangled up in the other girl's hair...

Her body felt hot, a sensation she didn't usally experience, and her clothes felt even tighter. The bottled up lust inside her seemed to just be exuding from Ayrin's person, and despite her lack of experience, she was definitely making up in terms of effort.

But then, reality came crashing back to her.

Ayrin suddenly froze up again, as she seemed to come to her senses. Trinity would probably sense something was up, seeing that Ayrin's lips seemed to become quite stiff, her hand pulling away from the back of her head.

A whilwind of emotion hit Ayrin like a freight train as realisation sunk in. She'd just been locking lips with her roommate, rather enthusiastically. That pleasant feeling still remained, adrenaline pumping through her body. But an overwhelming sense of guilt ,and a feeling that could only be described as 'weirdness' seemed to override her animalistic desires.

The worst thing was that she had no idea what to do or say now...should she keep going? Should she shove Trinity away? Lock herself in her room and think things through?

If wasn't confused before, she definitely was now.

[Aithne]

Trinity returned these actions with zealot and passion. However, she felt the sudden pause almost immediately. Her lips slowly parted from Ayrin’s. She drew back from the girl to stare at her. Trinity kept her face blank, her eyes emotionless. This was her uniform face, that calm, peasant look that she gave people when she wanted to hide her feelings. Was she hurt? No, not quite, she was more disappointed. If Ayrin found this whole situation weird, she would probably leave. Trinity did not want that, but apparently, that was what was doing to happen.

Trinity withdrew her hands from the girl’s sides. A soft smirk crossed her face. “Forget it happened…” She murmured, in Japanese. Her eyes were still empty as she said this. Finally, she removed herself from before Ayrin, backing up. She then turned, to go into the kitchen and clean up the mess that had occurred.

[Defunct Lies]

Ayrin stared at the floor as Trinity walked away, leaving her on the floor, still breathing hard, her mind catching up with what had just happened. Finally able to think straight, Ayrin had no idea what to do.

It was obvious to her now that Trinity liked her, more than just on a 'friend' level. And that had just been an opportune moment for the other girl to show it. Heck, she'd probably been waiting for that moment for some time now.

As for Ayrin, she did like Trinity. She was the first person who'd truly been kind to Ayrin, not appearing to care about her looks or her demanour. She was now feeling confused. Was she freaked out? Sure, but who wouldn't be?

But.

"Trin, wait!"

She got up quickly, chasing after the other girl, her mind made up. There was going to be no 'ifs' or 'buts' around this. If she searched her heart and tried to think about it, she'd probably come to the same conclusion she was thinking of right now.

No matter what Trinity did now, she was going to be on the reciving end of a tender and loving embrace. Albeit, a little awkward, seeing that it would be one-armed, but at least she was trying.

"Trin...you just wanted to let me know, right? Well...I'm not gonna say 'no'...If that's what you want?"

Ayrin would bury her face in the nearest bit of Trin she could hide herself, as she'd probably be blushing redder than a ripe beetroot. But, her mind was made up. Trinity had shown affection and love...Ayrin wasn't going to reject it.