Face Down

Tension. It's not just what I feel as my AV returns Azure and me to my loft, which has been upgraded as ordered with wall turrets, reinforced glass, and all the other bells and whistles. Same-day drone workers. They're almost worth the record unemployment. I barely even notice the place has changed other than the mess being cleared up and a couple of new panels for the defences to pop out of.

Tension isn't just what I feel when I shower and change out of my work clothes into a short, sleeveless, black dress. All the while Azure ogles me like I'm the world's greatest spectator sport. No point being bashful. Not like she's really enjoying it. Just some ones and zeros.

No, Tension is the name of the bar in my building, down on the 69th floor. Yeah, they're real subtle. It's frustrating that the one night I do want my brain fucked out, the Honey's service is on cooldown. I could call them and request it... But somehow that makes me feel ****. Besides, with plenty of experimental college teens and bored housewives within walking distance, there's no need to hire a professional.

"Master, you know I could just do you, right?" Azure asks as I put my hair into a short ponytail. It's not like I have much in the tits and arse department to flaunt, so make-up and short skirts are my go-to for pulling. "I could watch some of your porn collection and make sure you have the night of your life." She adds in a sultry tone. I stop just short of putting on my eyeliner. For some reason, the idea of Azure being able to make me scream makes my breath hitch... No. No, not going there. If I wanted to fuck a machine, I've got vibrators for that.

"I don't have a porn collection." I lie, returning to putting on my face. "And we don't have that kind of relationship." I remind her. While I've warmed to Azure's eccentricities... She's still not human.

Azure just laughs at my statement. "We literally fingered ourselves while staring at each other yesterday." She reminds me. Colour shoots to my cheeks. I was hoping she hadn't realised I was staring so much. Stupid hope, really, she was looking right back at me. "Plus, your window begs to differ." She adds, gesturing to the window that doubles as a screen. A video of a woman getting railed by three others wearing strap-ons appears and continues playing from where I was watching a few days ago.

I gesture at the screen to halt the video and prevent the loud moaning sound coming from it. I notice that Azure was able to do that without a bangle... Guess it's an AI thing. For humans, bangles are our all-in-one interface, monitor, and assistance tool... Everything an AI is made for. I suppose it's not that crazy that they have similar features.

"First off, I was watching the girls... I just happened to glance at you." I lie again. "Second, the idea of a one-night stand is that you don't see them again, not exactly something I can do with you." I point out, though frustratingly, Azure seems to smile wider with my explanation. "What now?" I ask.

"But you are attracted to me, you didn't deny that part." She points out, smugly. If my cheeks were red before, my entire face must be scarlet about now.

What a ridiculous idea. Attracted to her? No way. Nope. Nuh-uh. Impossible, preposterous in fact. I actually find it offensive. Attracted to her? To what? Her killer smile and perfect dimples and supermodel body and adorable face and... Everything? No way. I could never. Never in a million years. Fucking insane to even think about it... I said insane... Stop thinking about it.

It's at this point I realise I've been silent and blushing for about twenty seconds. I turn around and stride to the front door, leaving Azure in the capable hands of the best defences money can't buy.

Perhaps if I find someone hot enough, I'll stop thinking about it.

*

"So, it was then that I realised that I wanted to switch my course." Rambles... Jannette? Janine? Jessica? Something like that. I have no idea at this stage, I approached this girl because she looked slutty. Turns out I was wrong, but at this point I've committed. If I've had to listen to her whine on about how each of her boyfriends didn't get her for two hours, then I'm invested. Call it the sunk-cost fallacy, but at this point, getting this girl into bed is a matter of honour.

"That sounds really tough... Hun." I decide on in lieu of remembering her name. I reach forward from my bar stool and place my hand on her leg. "Sometimes, you've gotta try something new to find what you really want." I continue, running my finger down the side of her jaw. I can see from her face that she's made her decision too. Might as well pay my tab, take this one upstairs, and show her exactly what she's been missing.

I turn to signal the bartender when a loud voice cuts me off. "Tera!? How could you?" Screeches a familiar voice, loud enough to grab the attention of everyone in the bar. I whip round to see... Azure? Is she wearing my dress? Is filling my dress out better than me? Wait, back to my first thought. Why is she here? Azure approaches us, her navy dress sparkling as she approaches. "I thought you said you were done stepping out on me!? You promised! What are we gonna tell our kids, Tera?" She screams.

J-something gasps in horror, moving to stand up. "Wait, Jenna, she's messing with me, none of what she's saying is true." I protest, to no avail, as she looks even more upset.

"My name is Gemima, you insensitive dick!" She yells, picking up her wine and throwing it in my face. I would worry about my make-up, but honestly, I've lost face either way. "You're no better than men." She spits at me. "We both deserve better, honey." She adds to Azure as she storms off.

In my defence, G and J are very similar. Not that I'm too concerned with that right now. I'm a little bit preoccupied with this overwhelming and unyielding fury.

"Explain." I growl at Azure. "Now." The rest of the bar seem to be returning to their own business, but I can still hear the occasional 'bitch' and 'evil' among the whispers.

"I was bored." Azure smiles innocently. "I read all of your books, and then I thought, why don't I recreate one of them? That'd be sure to cheer you up!" She explains happily. Far too happily. I will find whichever book this was from and burn it. First things first, though.

I stand, taking Azure by the arm. "Fine. You want to screw with me? You win." I hiss at her, leading her out of the bar and towards the lift. She seems confused but curious at my reaction. I said I was getting laid tonight, and I'm going to follow through.

Let's see how she likes getting exactly what she asked for.