Mika seeks her out

Winlay sat in the boiler room over half an hour. She tried to meditate, she tried to pray, she even tried to read the nearly incomprehensible technical manuals that were scattered about the room but mostly she waited. Deep inside she knew she was hoping that Adam would suddenly appear and take her in his arms and make everything OK again.

Again and again her feet took her to the lower section of the boiler room where she and Adam had first held each other. Her reflection in the large spherical boilers was oddly distorted, but no more distorted than the events of the past few days. She was no longer Sister Winlay, the naïve village girl with unshakable faith in the Church following her dream to serve the people of Pandora; the reflection she studied in the polished metal was of a golden-skinned and sensual woman that had an undeniable sexuality. The girl she had been just two days ago had barely even kissed anyone, but in this very spot she had done things she thought she’d never do - she had sexually satisfied a man. In spite of Adam’s coldness in the past few days, Winlay was absolutely sure that in this very spot she had given Adam what he needed.

“Want some company?” Winlay jumped, startled by Mika's sudden appearance. “Adam and The Oracle are going over contingency plans.” Mika told her as she climbed onto the table and sat cross-legged in front of her. “Actually there is really nothing that they can do but at least Adam isn't sulking as much as he has been.” Winlay tried not to react too Mika's comment but she found herself craving any information about Adam, even mundane news like what Mika just told her. The two friends sat in silence for a minute or too before Mika took Winlay's hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze.

Mika studied her carefully for nearly a minute before sliding off the table and joining her on her chair wrapping her arm around Winlay's shoulder.

“I don't mean to pry Winlay,” Mika began gently “but I really have to know what's going on between you and Adam.” The chair was just large enough for the two of them and Winlay was acutely aware of the way Mika's body molded against hers; it was nice to have the physical contact after the last couple days of feeling abandoned.

“It's over Mika, let it drop.”

“No Winlay, that's just it. It's not over, Adam is pouting like a scolded dog, and you've barely smiled in two days.” Mika hugged her fiercely and then took her by the shoulders and shook her gently. “Did he push you too far? I swear if he **** himself on you I'll kill him myself and save Beldan the trouble.”

“No Mika!” Winlay gasped in horror that Mika could think that Adam was capable of ****. She understood that nothing less than the whole shameful story would satisfy her friend and Mika deserved to know that Adam was not that kind of man.

“We kissed. Well we did a lot more than kissing.” She admitted feeling the blood rush to her face as she remembered just how far things had gotten out of hand in this very room. “But Adam never did anything that I didn't beg for.” Winlay fell forward and pressed her face into Mika's shoulder. “I acted like such a slut Mika, I don't blame Adam for pulling away like he did.” It took several more minutes for the all the details of the encounter to unfold but Mika gently took her through the whole sordid thing and Winlay finally finished she looked at her friend afraid that Mika too would be repulsed by her whorish behavior.

“So he didn't have the nerve to finish what he started.” Mika summed up in one short sentence.

“No, it wasn't his fault Mika! I told you, it was mine.” Winlay was willing to live with her shame but wouldn't let anyone criticize Adam. “I behaved like a cheap whore, its no wonder her doesn't want me.”

“Listen sweetheart,” Mika laughed gently as she brushed Winlay's hair back from her tear-stained face. “I don't have much more experience with men than you do Winlay, but I've never heard of a man turning down a woman because she was too willing.” Mika kissed her softly on her brow and then gathered her into her arms in a tight embrace. Winlay hugged back fiercely pressing herself into Mika's embrace only partially aware of how her soft breasts were flattened against her friend's. Mika stroked her hair and kissed her again on her cheek letting her soft lips caress Winlay's darkened skin gently. Finally she pulled away and said confidently.

“I think I know how to help.”