Friday Pt 6

"Very nice, ladies! Very nice! One. Two. Three."

Penny smiled at Willow and then her partner, Neo. "Thank you, Neo. I think I've got this now."

Neo nodded and looked at Penny. She still needed rest. She lead her over to the side and sat her down, then tilted her head.

Penny smiled and patted her hand. "I appreciate your concern but I am fine." She looked around at the others. "Maybe help Manami or Roberta and Sasha? Roberta is surprisingly clumsy and struggling."

Neo nodded looking where Sasha was dancing with Roberta. It would be a small miracle if she didn't break Sasha's foot before the end of practice. Neo sighed and nodded heading that way.

Penny smiled. She'd sat out most of the earlier practice sessions but she, like so many of the others today, really wanted to practice normal dancing for the wedding. Willow really was a good teacher and with the others assistance dance practice was becoming a fun bonding experience. It didn't hurt that everyone was looking forward to it and dancing at the wedding with Walt... well almost everyone.

She looked over at Mystique. She had actually joined them today. She'd followed Zwei in. She hadn't participated but she hadn't left either. Just sat there watching with Zwei.

Penny got up. She got two of the water bottles and a cup. She poured water onto the cup and then set it by Zwei and held the other bottle out to Mystique.

Mystique stared at her and then the bottle while Zwei drank. It had been warm lately. She slowly took the bottle. "Thank you."

Penny smiled at her. "You are very welcome, Mystique." She sat down nearby and drank from her own water watching the others.

Mystique didn't want to be here.

She'd been happy to see the mutt waiting for her after getting back from Villain-anon. They'd walked around again. But this time he'd wanted to go inside the gym and for some reason She'd followed. The animal was the only one here who didn't judge her. He was her only friend here.

She glanced over at the foolish girl. She didn't like her. Her delusional optimism... her naivete... her (artificial?) sweetness and crazy talk. She was... happy. Mystique didn't like that. She didn't like the way her happiness made Mystique feel.

She felt she was being watched. Penny smiled at her and she looked away. When she did she saw Neo glaring at her. Warning her. Mystique rolled her eyes. There's no need. She couldn't actually "do" anything to hurt her... or could she?

She could say something! She could hurt her with her words! She opened her mouth with a hundred hurtful things to say and turned and... forgot them as she stared into that smiling face and clear green eyes. "I..." she paused as Penny looked at her smiling and waiting. She needed to say something now. Anything to avoid looking weak! "I can dance."

Penny still smiling tilted her head. "I did not know that. Do you like to dance?"

Mystique shook her head no but said, "I do- did! I used to..."

Penny nodded. "You don't like to dance anymore?"

Mystique nodded. "I haven't in a very long time."

Penny nodded and stood up and offered her hand still smiling. "I like dancing. I think I can do one more dance. Would you like to dance with me, Mystique?"

Her thoughts raced. *No! Yes!* as she took her hand.

*She's made a mistake!* she thought as they started dancing. *She's defenseless. If I act quickly before the system senses I could-*

*Too what end?* she heard the people from their group in her head as she and Penny turned about the dance floor. *Assuming you could do it? Where would that get you? What important goal does that serve? How does that help you or make your position any better than it is now? You'd be punished by the system. Surrounded by enemies because everyone here would turn on you. You still can't escape. That man would destroy you. The man who defended you earlier.*

*The man who crippled me!* She tried to rationalize. *Made me like this. It's-*

*Your fault. You screwed up. You underestimated him. Overestimated yourself. If the positions were reversed you'd have likely been far less kind. Now you want to hurt a defenseless trusting girl who means you no harm just to get back at him? Hurt him a little? Weakening your position and yourself for no gain? No measurable benefit? Just spite?*

Penny smiled at her and even laughed as Zwei ran around them happily dancing and barking too!

*You're in no danger. You're with two living creatures who maybe don't understand you but still accept you with kindness and openess. Touching you gently. That actually want you to be happy for a moment instead of a miserable, hateful, self-loathing monster. Can't you accept that for one moment? For yourself?*

The music stopped and the dance ended. Penny smiled at her. "Thank you for dancing with me, Mystique." Zwei stood on his back legs, his front paws on her leg. "Arf!"

Mystique slowly let go. Just like the dog, or Walt patting her shoulder when he'd defended her, touching or being touched by something, someone, who didn't mean her any harm... felt nice. Touch was important for all living things... even her.

"Thank you for the dance." She reached down and patted the do- patted Zwei. Penny smiled and joined her patting him together.

"What do you think of this one?"

Walt nodded. "I think that's a very nice on you as well Curie but..." he cleared his throat. "Why would you be wearing that and showing it to me now?"

She smiled as she ran her hands down revealing and form-fitting costume. "It is a nurse, non? As I'm going to be providing medical attention I assumed I would need to dress the part. This is why we are here, oui?"

"Oui," said Walt getting giggles from the others then immediately shook his head. "I meant non! No. We're here to get you three some extra outfits and a couple of nice things to wear until another time and a latter date! Not... cosplay!"

The others "booed" and Curie pouts frowning. "If it displease you I shall be putting it back..."

Walt sighed. "No. I like it and If you like it, we will buy it. Terri. That one too. Next!"

Mission stepped out and Walt was surprised. "Wow- I mean, really?!"

Mission was embarrassed but struck a pose then did a little dance and twirl. "It's for dancing. There'll be dancing at the wedding won't there?"

Walt nodded. "Yes. There will be. But I thought you hated the whole twi'lek dancer girl thing... that is the stereotype? Plus I think that outfits more a bachelor party thing..."

She blushed. "Well if you are going I can wear it there-"

"I'm not going to let some horndogs see you in that! Only I-" He stopped shutting his mouth. His teeth clacked together. He blushed and cleared his throat. "I'm not going to the bachelor party and I think it's very nice. If you like it, we'll get it... for you! But please ladies stay on task here? I'm begging you! Next!"

Nora burst out of her dressing room and onto the little platform. The winged nordic style helmet shone as did the breastplate beneath. She hefted Mjolnir high as the iconic red cape flowed from her shoulders. "Behold! It is I! The Mighty Th-"

"Fine!" Walt said. "I honestly didn't expect any less. This one too!"

Th-Nora pointed the hammer at him. "Walt! You could have let me finish my line!"

"Time, ladies." He sighed. "We only have so much time and I have a lot to do!"

The mighty Th-Nora, grumbling, made her way back into the changing room.

Blake sighed. "I told them to each pick out a couple of "costumes" just in case. It's my fault there's so many outfits."

Walt shook his head. "No Blake it's good thinking and I'm thankful you reigned them in a little. You've been a great help! What's next?"

Blake smiled and nodded. "Swimwear. I told them to each pick out a suit or two just in case we go swimming or to the hotsprings with you."

Walt blushed. "I Uhh probably don't need to see tha-"

"Next!" The girls called out for themselves. Curie was wearing a white string bikini and Mission came out wearing a black one. Walt blushed as they both looked really good! While certainly a bit racy they were simple and functional and not scandalous like he had feared. Curie was quite happy with his reaction as he swallowed hard and Mission blushed but smiled as well. Infact this was similar to the outfit he and Ilulu had seen her in. Just cut differently. Apparently she liked that sort if thing.

"You're both amazing- I mean you look great! In the suits!... those suits will do nicely, ladies. If you like them we'll take them-"

"Almost... There!" Said Nora as she walked out in her "bikini". "Tadah!" She said as she raised the sword with it high overhead. "What do you think of- what?" She looked around at the others. "Oh?" She said standing there in a Red Sonja costume. "Swimsuit Bikini... I got it... I'll uh, just go get changed into mine, then..." she backed away into her changing room as the others laughed except Walt who smiled and told Terri. "That one too!"

Blake smiled seeing Nora being her usual cheerful self. Whatever had been bothering her before, whether scars or something else, seemed like she was trying to move forward past it. She smiled at Walt. She had to admit. He had a talent for enabling and encouraging that.

This time Curie and Mission came out in one pieces. Mission's was a white one while Curie's was black this time. Nora came out in a pink bikini similar to the ones the others had worn. She seemed nervous but her confidence grew as Walt had a hard time not staring. It was completely obvious how much he liked that suit and how she looked in it as he said, "Wow!"

Blake smiled. It was odd. She wanted more of his attention like that herself but seeing how happy and positively it made Nora feel she began to understand how the others made their relationship with him work. They were happy when he helped make the others happy. She felt it too!

They finished up shopping and picked up Ada, KL-E-O and PAM who were very excited about their future upgrades. They thanked Terri for her assistance and Walt gave her a tip that boggled her mind. "S-Sir, this is-"

Walt raised an eyebrow. "Too little? Sorry, I'll throw in a few more percentages-"

She shook her head. "Too much! I barely make this much in a year! Why is your bill so high!"

Walt shrugged and gestured into the ships cargo bay. "Top of the line lab equipment for the few pieces I didn't already have, crates and barrels full of materials are cheaper to buy in bulk, custom rush order "special" parts that I wanted left to the hands of an expert - also bought in multiples to be on the safe side, the ladies bought a few things and you treated them well and treated me the way I like too. You did an excellent job overall so I tipped a few points higher." He smiled at her and shook her hand. "Good work today and thanks again, Terri. I mean that. Working for RD has its ups and downs like every job but you're off to a great start. Hang in there!"

They all waved goodbye to her and Walt looked at where Friday had had Silver unloaded. There was a little time before they needed to get to the venue. He looked at Blake who nodded. She still wanted to come along. He smiled and nodded back.

"Ada, KL-E-O, P.A.M and Curie," wakt said. "See that everything is unloaded at "home" and follow Friday's directions for setup and the initial preparatory steps and procedures. I'll start as soon as we return."

Nora walked over to Curie. "I uh, I'll help you setup and think about what you said."

Curie smiled. "Superb! Thank you, Nora!"

Walt looked at Blake and iffered her his arm and she smiled happily and took it as they walked off to Silver. "Would you like to have dinner with me? We can have fish."

Blake smiled and laughed and told him teasingly. "You had me at fish!"

Walt laughed too!

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Nora Valkyrie Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM and KL-E-O

Will Return In

Friday

Coming Soon]