Hayli

I forced Terra into the bath, washing her more thoroughly than I had seen her doing herself the nights prior. It was of course a bonus that I got to touch her during it. She really does have a nice body, though at the moment I would rather see it covered in a dress appropriate for our date today. Our first date, my first date. Ugh, I was too excited for this.

After drying ourselves off, and a few kisses, I did her makeup and hair, followed by my own and then had her sister-in-law help us into some simple dresses she had allowed us to have. Terra loudly complained about the corset but stopped when I told her it made her look beautiful and instead just mumbled under her breath. I had her turned away to hide the fact I didn't have a corset of mine own. I really just wanted to show off my girlfriend's best features that were appropriate for others to see and that included her... chest. (Do not judge me, I am a simple lesbian.) Of course, the other thing was that she was mine. I mean my girlfriend, and so I had our hair and makeups done the same. I made sure to do a style that also was popular among women such as we. 

"I must say, you do seem to be happier in a dress than you ever did in a suit." Callie helping Terra into a pair of heels.

"I think you'd look nice in a suit."

"A lady's suit maybe. And besides, I like to look at women in suits not to wear them."

"Should I wear a suit."

"No. I don't like it that much."

"Good, because I don't own any."

Terra smiled standing up. "We should get going, Hayli. Unless you don't wish to see a play before supper."

As well moved back to the main room of the house, Caela whistled, "Wow. I'm not sure who I'm more jealous of."

"Me, obviously." I replied.

Caela came over and leaned in, "You are so lucky I didn't bet you on if you actually liked Terra."

"You'd have lost regardless."

"How so?"

"I don't like Terra. I love her." I wink at her.

"Ugh. Can you two leave. I hate seeing happy couples."

Uther laughed, "And Callie and I?"

"As I said."

Callie laughed. Terra hugged her brother goodbye and told Emily and Ribbit to not cause Caela too much trouble and then after acquiring a carriage we set off. 

"I hope you realize; I will be judging you if you don't watch the play."

"Oh, trust me, I am aware of that."

"Good. Kind of wish I knew what was on so I could be prepared."

"Prepared for what?"

I let out a small chuckle, "Well, if it's a play I dislike, I might doze off and might want a pillow. Or two."

Terra glared at me, covering her chest, "Deities, Hayli."

"Sorry. And besides that, if it's a play I enjoy and the acting is subpar, be ready to be kicked out."

"If you behave yourself today, I will let you have me tonight."

I smiled, "I take it that means cuddling and kissing?"

"I am not having sex on a bed in that room. Besides, I know Caela could hear us if we did."

"I mean I think the issue would be we just met. But I guess we are gay, so."

Terra laughed a little, that cute teehee that she had, "Right, about that. How open do you want this to be?"

"How bigoted is this town?"

She shrugged, "As I said, didn't pay much attention when I thought myself Earth."

"Well, theater is usually as safe area for us types. Besides I don't think anyone back in the Duchess's cared."

"Yeah, but this town is closer to Otterburgh. Distance wise I mean."

"Are you getting cold feet? On our first date?"

"No. I just want it to go well. To make sure your happy."

"Well, I want you to be happy."

"Then, who is getting the drink and such?"

"You, obviously. You're taller than me, and..." I looked at her arms, the slight scars on them and the muscles that had survived the potion she had clear took just starting to return, "You clearly have more strength than me."

"You have a tail."

"You want scales in your food?"

"I see your point." She looked out the window and sighed, "I do hope the dinner goes well."

"At the Duchess's?"

"I mean Khione being there is suspect."

"Khione being his heir is suspect. I must admit I am worried that she might have the rune item I'm looking for."

Terra shook her head, "I'd rather not fight her."

"If she isn't carrying a Rune Item, we won't have to."

"And we can be assured that your mission was pointless, and we can return to our home, heads held down."

I smiled at her, "Our home?"

Terra grew red and she struggled to keep her face neutral, "I- Well, I-" 

I leaned across and gave her a peck on the lips, "I mean I don't think we should call it our home until I know we have our own place or at least a room."

Terra nodded. "Okay."

Terra zoned out the rest of the ride, while I just watched her. I mean who wouldn't watch their girlfriend's cute little movements she made when she wasn't aware of herself completely? (Please take that in a normal way.) I guess even I zoned out looking at her as soon the door to the carriage was opened and the driver was telling us to get out.

Terra helped me down and waited while I went to the box office. The play on was one I hadn't heard of, but the playwright was a well-known up and comer, so I had some expectations for it. I bought a small box at the midlevel, so we might have some privacy- which did wipe a bit of our allowance out. I grabbed Terra and led her inside, making our way to our seats.

Terra was looking around, a strange look of nostalgia on her face. I sat down and asked if she would get us drinks from the bar. Terra nodded, taking the coins from me and left leaving me alone.

Below on the stage, they play was beginning to be introduced. 

"Today we have a gift for you, a play from Gertrude Volmer that they have just finished. For us here, so close to the real-life place and events which inspired it, there is no greater honor than to bring this story to life and to you. Now, as always, the disclaimer. This is a work of fiction based on a real-life event. Names and ages and appearances have been changed and the characters while based on real people should not be treated as the real people they are based on. Now, please enjoy, 'The Princess and the Tragedy' and yourselves."

The applauses came as he bowed and moved away from the stage. The curtains raised and, on the stage, were two figures. A human with fake horns on her head, moose horns that I hope were faux, and a human.

"Demon." The human said, dripping with venom in his voice.

"Beloved. Are you okay?"

"Okay? Okay? I am a murderer now, because of you. I am a pariah from my family, because of the blood on my hands, the blood I spelt for your desires, your ambitions."

"It is also your ambitions. Our ambitions."

"I only desire to live a normal life."

"And you expect that with your family?"

"If you would leave us alone maybe I could."

Terra came back with some flavored water. I thanked her and turned back to the play. Terra left to get some food to snack on. The play continued on as Terra arrived back, with a plate of little breads and cheese.

Soon the play began to reach the final act.

"Hearth! I am offering you a kingdom. Why are you not happy?"

"A kingdom for the price of lives of innocents?"

"I do not need your answer now. When I arrive with my army, let your actions be your answer."

The scene shifted to a battle, very unconvincing mock fighting in the background. 

"Hark, Sister. Have you seen our parents?"

"No, brother I think them lost."

"Lost? But Hearth. Was he not with them?"

"Yes, but the Demon appeared."

"So, to battle he did ride?"

"No. To her side. He is a like a demon himself, raging about like a cyclone of destruction."

"Then it will be my duty as a brother and a Hero to end this pointless bloodshed with bloodshed of mine own."

Terra had come back and was staring at the stage as the Demon and Hearth faced the Hero.

"Brother, why are you siding with her?"

"Because I want to be something more than I am. You who is given everything would never understand."

"You killed out parents Hearth. Our friends! Our sister!"

"They are but steppingstones in my way. Our way." Hearth's actor gave a slight bow to the Demon's actress.

Beside me Terra was shaking hard enough that I could feel our box vibrate. I glanced over seeing her grasping the arm of her chair and teeth gritted as she breathed heavily. I was going to ask if she was okay, but she stood up and stormed away.

"Hero! I will return and get Hearth."

"Your foul manipulations will not work on him again."

"You foolish human, the lust he has for me will always work."

The play was now over but for the closing monologue. I stood up and went towards the bar. I found Terra at a booth, head down on the table, clearly having been crying.

"Terra? You, okay?"

Terra looked up. "Huh? Sorry. I just... heard some of the play and- I just couldn't watch it. I lost it."

"It wasn't that bad of a play." I tried to joke.

"No. It's just... it brought back memories for me. I would have stormed the stage if I had watched it anymore."

"You want to elaborate?"

"Not really. But I know more about the events of that play than most people. Besides I guess Quaza. And this play is shit." She said, hands shaking.

I nodded, sitting next to her. "Well, you can elaborate later. If you don't want to, that's fine."

"If we weren't on a date I might." She sighed, "You can have me tonight. As an apology."

"You don't need to apologize. I'd rather you leave and not watch than perhaps watch something that hurts you."

Terra smiled, wiping her eyes dry. "I love you."

My heart smiled at that, "I love you, too."

Terra stood up and stretched, "I suppose we should go get real food. I'll elaborate on the way."

"Lead the way, Terr-Terr."

Terra smiled and took my hand and lead us out of the theater.

 

Terra

The waiter complimented our choice in meal and left. 

"Wow, that's really shitty to make a play about." Hayli said, sipping on her water.

"Can we not talk about it anymore. I don't like being upset when I'm with you."

"That's fine. By the way, you don't like Quaza like you like me?"

"I mean... no. I like her, I love you."

"Good."

"So, besides my issues, how was the play?"

"Should you really ask me that?"

"What?"

"Well, the acting was subpar, the stagecraft was lacking, the dialogue was trite. I think that the play needed to have a few more rewrites in general. I mean seriously, it felt like a first draft. Standards are going down if this was let out to be staged."

"Was it really that bad?"

"Oh, Terra. By the time we get married, you'll know so much about the theater."

I shook my head. "You underestimate how dumb I can be."

We continued our meal, having a very good and very normal rest of our date, chatting idly about things that I already knew about her and telling things about myself that Hayli should have already known. The food wasn't very good but that really didn't matter. I was having a nice time with Hayli and that was all I cared about.

We caught a carriage back to Ulther's house, carefully sneaking in to avoid waking the kids and made the way to the bath. 

I started it and Hayli helped me out of her dress and I out of hers. We slipped under the water, Hayli in my lap, tail around my belly. It was still weird how comfortable I was with this. I mean, reasonably having Hayli and me like this should be awkward, but it was calming. Bathing without her just felt weird to me. Twins, this sounds weird. After managing to just relax and soak with her, we got into some of my old pajamas which were big on Hayli and tight on me.

Hayli pushed me onto the bed and kissed me. "Terra. I'll be having you now."

"Be gentle." I winked at her.

She laughed, "So no biting?"

"I might let this go beyond cuddling if you do."

"Oh?" Hayli leaned down to my shoulder and kissed it. "I'll keep that in mind for later."

Hayli hugged me, hard, making my ribs hurt. I shifted to a more comfortable position, and asked, "You sure are jumping into this relationship fast."

"I'm only going the same speed as you. Besides, if I went for a slow burn, I might explode."

"Says the girl who was fine fake dating me."

"I was going to make it real when we took you back with us."

"Make it real? Wow, you just see me as an object?"

"You know what I mean."

I nodded, "Yes, but that face you make when you're upset is too cute to not tease you."

Hayli placed a nail on my shoulder pushing in slightly. "I should be too cute to tease."

"You're beautiful. So, the cute parts are the ones I like seeing come out more."

"I'm the one going to fast huh?"

"I never said I wasn't. I mean, I'm the one who made this real, right? And said I love you first."

"Back at the theater?"

"No, on the way here. Remember?"

Hayli smiled, "Oh, that was real. I am so glad Caela is asleep and across the hall or she'd be giving me so much shit."

I laughed, "Would you deserve it?"

"I'd say yes, but my diary would disagree."

"Oh? You have a diary?"

Hayli chuckled nervously, "Oh, yeah. It's something my father made me keep after Azrael. I'd prefer you not read it. It's embarrassing."

"Oh. I understand. Vern made me write something akin to a diary and it's kind of spiraled out of control and every time someone else reads it, I want to die."

"You have a diary to? Well, maybe I'll read it." 

"You can read mine, but I can't read yours?"

"Fair point. When we get back to the capital, let us read the other's writings."

"Sure. I may warn you, I am missing a bunch of writings because of circumstances."

"Because of my dad?"

"Some. A train explosion for another."

"You were on the train too?"

I thought for a second how to reply and stopped myself from being rude. "Yes."

"Well. Whatever you have I will devour and use against you."

"Are you trying to make me not let you read it?"

"You can use mine against me."

"Why would I want to use anything against you, Hayli?"

Hayli laughed, "Did you not just say I was cute when I was teased?"

"Point taken." 

Hayli kissed my neck and whispered in my ear, "We should probably rest up. I have a feeling your sister-in-law will make us actually help with your niece and nephew."

"It would be the least we could do."

We continued to cuddle, kiss, whatever until at some point we both dozed off in each other's arms, happy, safe and content.