Dressed Up Darlings

John looked at himself in the mirror set up in the hall’s main room. He had no idea what one wore to a club, certainly not one on the Abyss side of things, so he let the girls sort out his attire. A simple black buttoned shirt with rolled up sleeves and blue jeans. Casual, he mused, but not something too out of the ordinary for him to wear that it felt more like a costume.

“Well, don’t you clean up good,” Senka purred as she approached. She had it the easiest, given her clothing was a manifestation of her will and his mana. And she certainly wasn’t going for anything less than striking.

She wore a dark purple satin dress that clung to her like a second skin. Its neckline was low, revealing quite a fair amount of cleavage, held up by only a thin strip of fabric tied around her neck.

She smiled as John’s eyes drank in her form and she gave him a playful twirl, stopping with her back to him, ass thrust out to show it wasn’t only the top the dress accented.

“Think I’ll knock ‘em dead?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at John.

“The people at the club?”

“Not them. I mean our girlfriends,” the spirit playfully retorted. “And potential girlfriends. You were getting pretty close to Lita before.”

John had the decency to blush slightly. “It wasn’t an in depth talk,” he said.

“You didn’t talk to anyone else. Not even Tok,” the spirit coyly remarked. “I’m not sure I like this whole ‘obscuring my feelings’ thing.”

“I’m not obscuring anything,” John said. “Yes, I find Lita attractive and she seems like an all around pleasant person with interests that don’t run afoul of my own. Doesn’t mean I’m trying to drag her into our relationship.”

“I think it’s fairly obvious she at least finds you a catch.” Senka smirked.

“I think she likes how my powers work,” John countered. “That I can do a transformation sequence with my kit isn’t a good foundation for a relationship, especially not one as unorthodox as ours. I don’t want to trap her or anything. She doesn’t seem like the type to voice being uncomfortable, even when it's unbearable. Trust me, I’ve been in that position.”

“I know,” Senka said seriously. “And it’s clear she’s just as shy as our Kiera, if not more. I’m not advocating for us to pressgang her or anything like that. But we shouldn’t put up walls.”

“And I’m not saying we should,” John responded softly. “But let’s just let things develop without trying for one outcome or the other.”

“I suppose there is no rush,” Senka relented. “But you’ll forgive me for trying to help her out of her shell, right? Even as just a friend.”

“I don’t think I could stop you, short of locking you up in my head.” John shook his head.

“Hmm, there’s an idea,” Senka purred, sliding closer to John. “Me locked up, chained down on a bed for being naughty.”

“Hardly sounds like that’s much of a punishment,” Aeolia said as she flew in, giving John and Senka a good look of her outfit. She had gone for a punk look: a plain white t-shirt with a mesh undershirt peaking out from a few deliberate holes ripped into it, a leather vest, and a black pleated skirt held up by a thick black belt.

“You could spank me,” Senka remarked, shaking her rear a bit. “You’re looking like that would be something you’re into.”

“I could pin you to a wall down an alleyway,” Aeolia shot back with a smirk. “That set you off.”

“Oh, it does,” Senka purred.

“Does everything have to become about sex around here?” Vivian cut in as she walked in. She had opted for a more conservative outfit compared to Senka and Aeolia’s: a pair of green slacks with a simple black shirt. The only shift away from something professional was the number of buttons undone, revealing a fair amount of the redhead’s pale cleavage.

“Eventually, yes,” Senka answered. “We’re all attractive young people with hormones, or the spiritual equivalent, raging. It’s going to lead to sex.”

As if to prove her point, Senka moved towards Vivian, a sway in her hips. Before Vivian could react, Senka reached her and cupped her chin, tilting her head up.

“You know,” Senka said in a quiet, husky tone, “I think all the time in the sun is starting to bring out freckles on your face. They suit you.”

Vivian’s cheeks darkened as blood flooded her face and John and Aeolia inched closer. Sure enough, a light smattering of faint freckles stretched across her face.

“How long have those been there?” Aeolia wondered. “I don’t think we’ve been so distracted to miss these.”

“I think being out in the sun today brought them out,” Vivian managed to say after collecting herself. “I haven’t been out under the sun for long periods before.”

“Sounds like that’s a sign for a vacation,” Beth declared as she marched in. Like Aeolia, she went with a punk look: ripped black jeans, boots, a purple crop top and a leather jacket.

“We’ve hardly started working. We don’t need a vacation,” Vivian shot back.

“But you look so much cuter with freckles.” Beth smirked.

“I can get them working out in the field,” Vivian retorted before catching what Beth had said and turned a touch more bashful. “You think they suit me?”

“I think you look lovely either way,” Senka answered. “But there is a certain appeal to them.”

John nodded. “I’ve always thought freckles were cute.”

“Then I think getting some more sun’s a good idea,” Vivian said.

“That sounds wonderful,” Verida remarked as she led Kiera and Teri into the room. The goddess had elected to wear a variation of her usual attire: a sleeveless black Chinese style dress with gold accents and cherry blossoms printed on it. “I think we could do some hiking. Get the lay of the land down at the same time as relaxing.”

“I’d be down for that,” Teri added. She had elected for a bold outfit consisting of a white corset top with black lace, a black pleated skirt, white thigh highs with a black lace trim and black boots. Her ears twitched as she drank in their appreciation.

“That d-does sound fun,” Kiera threw in her two cents. In contrast to Teri’s striking outfit, she had gone for something more casual: a simple pink camisole and blue jeans. She blushed as attention turned to her, but didn’t shy away from their appreciative gazes.

“I can show you some of the stuff around the forest!” Anita cheered as she bounced into the room, wearing a bright red sundress with white flowers printed all over it. Somehow, the idea of the upbeat dryad going to a night club in something more fitting for a picnic was a perfect fit. At least she would be easy to find if they got separated.

“I’m sure you know all the best spots,” John said, getting a preening smile from Anita.

“Anyone hear from Estelle?” Vivian asked. She was the last member of their group yet to make an appearance, which was fair since she had gone back to her and Nephele’s place to change. Everyone else had clothes here in the Kingdom or back at John’s place. Even if both places were effectively next door, the witch’s home was a lot more complex than a simple suburban neighborhood home and John imagined her closet was far more impressive than anything they had elsewhere.

“She said she needed to ‘dig something out’, so I guess it’s going to take her a bit longer,” Anita supplied. “Does anyone else feel bad that Brenda isn’t coming with us?”

“It’s unfortunate,” Verida answered. “But she has her own duties to attend to. She is still mostly involved with the mundane world. And I think she wants to maintain that link.”

John had to agree with the goddess’ assessment. Despite her becoming accustomed to the Abyssal side of things, and all that entailed, his mother kept at her job with the diligence he had come to know her for, as well as making time to socialise with her friends and coworkers, as she was doing tonight.

Anita pouted. “But I wanted to dance with her. I mean, I want to dance with all of you, and Brenda being not here makes me sad. I don’t like being sad.”

“I’m sure if we actually scheduled things instead of being spontaneous, we could do a full group outing,” Vivian said. “We managed with the trip to the mall.”

Verida’s posture shifted suddenly. “Estelle just came through.”

“Should we just head out and meet her halfway?” Aeolia suggested. “We have to leave the Kingdom anyway, so no point in having her walk all the way here then back.”

“That’s a good idea,” John said. “Everyone got everything they need?”

With a smattering of confirmations, the group filed out of the hall. As they emerged, the evening sun was painting Pruzonia in deep red and orange tones. And on the path up to the hall from the entrance was Estelle. The witch had traded out her dress and hat for a purple jean skirt, sleeveless silver blouse and a purple silk scarf.

She smiled as she saw them. “Well, looks like I’m getting the warmest welcome.”

“I think a warmer one would include less clothing,” Beth joked.

Estelle let out a laugh. “I’m sure that would get certain things pumping and up the temperature.”

Vivian sighed and shook her head. “We are too horny for our own good.”

“I can think of ways we’re not,” Senka said. “We could be wearing less clothing over all and fucking constantly. Compared to that, I’d say we’re down right modest, for the most part.”

“Yes, we haven’t given into hedonism and thinking of nothing but satisfying our base needs,” Vivian remarked dryly before shaking her head. “Sorry if I’m being a bit harsh.”

“We have had a stressful few days,” Verida said, placing a soothing hand on the redhead’s shoulder. “Having some time where we can just relax and have fun with our, hopefully, friends surely is something we need.”

“I think having to fend off an attack by a generations-old enemy is one hell of a bonding experience,” John opined.

“Certainly is,” Estelle added. “And it’s all the more reason we should take the opportunity tonight to let off some steam. Have some drinks, dance a bit, laugh. Anything to decompress.”

“Let’s not overindulge though,” Teri spoke out as the voice of caution. “Last thing we need is to start problems with someone new.”

“I can agree to that,” Senka said.

“I’ll try not to have anything too strong,” Beth added.

“Might be best for you to go virgin, princess,” Aeolia jabbed. “Don’t want you spilling any secrets.”

Beth playfully stuck her tongue out at Aeolia.

“For the sake of my nerves, can we all at least try to maintain something of a buddy system?” Vivian asked. “I don’t think Goe would recommend a seedy place for us to go to, but one can never be sure if someone around won’t try to cause trouble.”

“Sticking as a group, or a few smaller ones, sounds reasonable,” Verida said. “We’re a large enough party for that.”

“I wouldn’t want to have fun without you guys,” Anita chimed in. “But maybe we can meet new people!”

“L-let’s focus on becoming better friends with Tok, Goe and Lita first,” Kiera nervously said.

Anita’s eyes lit up. “Right! Recent friends first, new ones later.”

“If there’s nothing else, we should head out,” Vivian said. “No point in holding off. The address isn’t in an area I’m too familiar with, so we’ll have to be on the look out for the place as we get close.”

“Worst case scenario, we call Tok and get some clarifications,” John remarked.

The repetitive beeps of Tok’s phone dragged Lita out of her nervous contemplations. Tamia’s car, a nondescript SUV, rolled down the road towards the neighborhood the club was set up in, a rather busy collection of streets. Busy, Lita figured, meant harder for anyone not in the know to notice things.

“John’s calling,” Tok reported from his seat behind Tamia. “Hey, John. What? You got lost?”

The quality of Tok’s phone wasn’t anything more advanced than most models, so Lita struggled to hear what John was saying to Tok over the sounds of driving and the low music Tamia had playing over the sound system. But she could make out his exasperated but playful complaints about the directions they were given.

“Sorry about that,” Tok apologized. “I figured the address would be enough, but the roads are a bit tricky and the signal isn’t all that great due to some kind of countermeasures the place has around it. Hang on, I’m gonna hand the phone to Lita. She can use our GPS to help get your bearings.”

Lita nearly choked as Tok practically threw his phone at her. The phone bounced in her hands before she managed to grab it, and in her panic, she nearly jammed it into her ear.

“Ow,” she reflexively said.

“You okay?” John’s voice immediately asked, his concerned tone coming through clearly.

“Yes!” Lita quickly answered in a voice slightly too loud. “Um, I mean, I, um, jammed the phone into m-my ear. T-Tok tossed it at me.”

There was a moment of pause before John said, “He can’t hear us right?”

Lita looked into the rearview mirror. “Um, I don’t think so.”

“I’ll make sure to tell Goe to give him a whack for that,” he said and Lita felt her heart pick up its pace.

Trying to distract herself from her emotions, Lita stuttered out, “S-so, directions?”

“Yeah. I think there are a few roads that have similar names around here. The club’s not near Amber Drive is it?”

“N-no,” Lita answered, reaching towards the GPS. A few taps let her see the nearby road names. “Okay, I think I see the issue. There’s an Ember Road a few blocks north and both streets come off the highway you should have taken. Y-you must have taken the earlier exit.”

“That would do it,” John said. “We can swing back to the highway and make that exit from here, yeah?”

“Looks like it,” Lita muttered.

“Great! We should get there in, like, what, ten, fifteen minutes. See you there!”

“B-bye,” Lita managed to get out before John hung up.

Lita kept her head down, not wanting to risk seeing Tamia, Tok or Goe looking at her with knowing eyes. She didn’t want to ruin the car’s interior by spontaneously combusting.