I'll pick Flora to go with us today.

“Let’s take Flora,” you tell Amara. “She could use some time to stretch a little bit. The others deserve to unwind. Relax and get some decent rest.”

“I’m feeling just fine,” Scarlet remarks. “But, I guess someone has to watch over Kenji while he recovers from that wound.”

Amara shifts her weight. “Kenji’s tougher than you think. You need to stop babying him every chance you get, Scarlet.”

“It isn’t like that,” Scarlet spits but then recoils. “I just worry about him, that’s all.”

Amara opens her mouth to say something else, but she shuts her mouth when she looks at you. Instead, she looks behind her and rallies Flora to join your circle. Slowly, from behind, Alexandra joins the fold too.

“Flora, you’re coming with Warren and me. Get cleaned up and ready.” Amara announces, making Alexandra snap with questions, but she shuts her down with a stern glare and posture change.

“Sorry,” Alexandra corrects herself. “I was just expecting...I- I don’t know...A chance to use some of the experience I got during our time together.”

“Oh, my God...Shut up, Alex. Don’t get all soft and squishy on me. You could hardly climb out of this hole this morning.”

Alexandra doesn’t put up a fight, but it does cause Scarlet to snicker for some reason. Flora, in the meantime, doesn’t say or do anything. Instead, she just watches, looking somewhat annoyed by the whole interaction between her companions. Eventually, though, she looks at you and smiles slightly, mouthing the words “thanks” before she makes her way towards the shelter to do what she was told. Scarlet and Alexandra do the same, but it’s probably just to sleep or to get comfortable. This leaves you alone with Amara, who is now staring directly at you.

Amara cocks her head. “So, I’ve spoken to the others.”

“Should I be worried about that?”

“Stop with the questions.” Amara snaps.

“Right, sorry.”

“I’ve heard that you’ve had some...odd interactions with them. Well, sexual interactions. The first night you met Scarlet, you fucked her. Then you tried to kiss Flora, and then you let Alexandra fuck you. Is all that true?”

Your stomach churned. You didn’t expect to become the main attraction for all the gossip. When you fail to answer, Amara steps forward. “Kenji has only had one incident where he was becoming sexual with one of the others. And he’s been with us since Summer.”

You rub the back of your neck and tell her that it’s all true, but there’s more to it than she thinks. She seems to take offense to this, so she barks at you. “You’re new here. I trust others with my life. And you’re trying to sleep with every one of my girls?”

“It wasn’t like that. Alexandra pulled a gun on me to get me to sleep with her! Honestly speaking, though, Scarlet that was...that was more unexpected. Flora was just a mistake and-”

Amara cuts in. “Shut up. I don’t want there to be just sex keeping this group together. That’s dumb and unprofessional.”

Your face feels warm, and your head feels funny. It feels like your mother is correcting you. Then you suppose Amara is a mother of sorts; she’s just taking care of technical strangers. When you once again fail to speak up, she continues her speech. “Don’t. Sleep. With. Any. Of. The. Girls. Especially Flora. She’s above you.”

You open your mouth to say something finally, but Amara gives you a look that tells it’s better that you just agree. She jabs her finger at you while advancing. “I appreciate the help back in the Heights area, but this isn’t a regular contract. You have an extensive background and have a connection to Tiny’s Tavern.”

“Why does that matter?”

Amara rolls her eyes and tilts her head to one side. “Questions.”

“Whatever,” you moan.

“Scarlet might have found your file, but I was the one that permitted to get you. You’re a special case, Warren, please don’t ruin your life for some skin. I need you. And pretty soon, you’re going to realize that you need us.”

Her voice softened towards the end, and her accent was starting to bleed into her words, too, making her seem much more innocent than you had previously thought. You want to find out more about the ARS; you know the only way to learn more is just to work…

Before long, Flora joins you and breaks the tension by stating the quality of the weather is pristine. Amara agrees, and so do you. Then, just as awkward silence was about to build, Flora walked over to Amara and handed her a full dusty satchel. That’s when Amara told you both to get on the horses.

You wanted to confront Flora and ask her why she told Amara and the others that you tried to kiss her, but you know better than to do that with Amara so close; maybe a chance will be presented to you whilst inside Billings. You internally sigh since you have your doubts about anything playing out as you want it to.

The whole way to Billings, you don’t say a word. It’s just Flora and Amara chatting the entire way. Sometimes Flora would shoot you a look and ask you something, but it never becomes anything serious. To make matters worse, Amara would butt you out of the conversation if you had something to offer. Opinions, thoughts, ideas - even you coughing would set her off sometimes. Then, suddenly, you wonder if Amara has a plan to get you killed. Anything seemed possible…

Once inside of Billings, you do end up doing some business things. Most of which Amara handles. Some papers were signed with signatures, some little promises, and hand deliveries from the satchel Amarawere given. Surprisingly, your little group was pretty good at dipping into alleys whenever the local police came into view; even when verbally confronted, Amara used her silver tongue to get out of being questioned for too long or being caught in her illegal activities.

Towards the end of the day, Flora requested to get medicine for the others and new clothes. Amara was quick to agree, but you didn’t say anything since you didn’t want to ruffle any arguments. It was dark out by the time all that was done, and the city was getting ready to go into lockdown. You thought Amara would try to rush you all out at that point, but instead, she made plans to spend the night in Billings itself. It didn’t surprise you when she quickly started to guide you and Flora. This was the first time you were offered a chance to be alone with Flora.

While deciding whether or not to talk to her, Flora makes her own decision and starts talking to you. “You seem kind of distant all of a sudden. What’s wrong?”

Your eyes train to the back of Amara. “I think your boss hates me.”

Flora shrugs. “She’s cold to anyone new. Don’t take it personally.”

A few seconds of silence pass, so you say something else before it can get silent. “Why’d you tell her I tried to kiss you?”

“Why did you let Alexandra piss all over you?” She snaps back.

“Hey!” You bark.

Behind a giggle, Flora clears her throat. “She asked us three what we thought of you, and after the others confessed about your sexual interactions, I came forth with mine. Scarlet found it amusing, and so did Alexandra, but as you may have guessed…Amara didn’t. Looking back, I might have overreacted. I understand where you were coming from after that point…with Delilah and what now.”

“I…miss her, but I’m glad she and I didn’t get any more involved with her. It would have ended poorly. Sooner or later, at least.”

Flora makes a weird humming noise in response, but she’s soon talking. “You remind me of someone I used to know too. But you don’t share any of their characteristics or personality. You are polar opposites of each other.”

Flora continues to look forward as she talks, but you can see her expression is changing even from the side. “The person I’m referring to is my husband. Well, my ex-husband...Maybe I’m a widow now?”

Jesus, this just got a little heavier...

"My family married me to a man that I thought loved me when I turned 21. He treated me like a queen and made me feel like the last woman alive. He was a rich, powerful man that came out of Boston. He had connections and got involved in a lot of trading wars with the other States. He put on a great show for everyone, even me when we were 'home.’ He'd go on these week-long business trips and return to me like nothing bad had happened. Then one day, one way or another, something happened, and he asked me to come with him - he didn't tell me why or what we were doing, but I trusted him. I thought he loved me. So when he took me to New York state, I asked him nothing. When my parents heard about this, they asked how I felt, uhm, told me not to go. I remember snapping at them for questioning him - questioning the man that they made me marry and to one day have an offspring with."

Flora grunts, a look of disgust washes over her face. "I don't know who I am angrier with now. Them or me...Anyway…. He took me to New York and dolled me up. He bought me all the clothes I liked. Protected me like no one else ever did. He spent more than fortunate keeping me fed and entertained until we made it to what used to be the Big Apple. There, he sold me to a group of Chinese gun runners for a shipment of AKM's and 30.cal machine guns."

"...I felt so dirty in the dress I wore. So whorish and used with my makeup. My first and only act of defiance was taking off my fucking ring and throwing it at the bastard I was married to." Flora cups her together and takes a shaky breath in. Her grace had gone missing, and her voice was lacking the innocence you once looked for. "A dozen men reached out and touched me. Everywhere. They slapped me around before they dragged me and my luggage into a car to drive me around as they counted their gains. I felt their eyes go over me like a toy the entire way back to their hold out."

She exhales. Her hazel eyes were now dark. "I wasn't **** or used by them, but I know I would have if it weren't for the crossfire they got into with a rival gang along the way. The driver of the car I was in died somehow and drove us through a barrier and fence where I could slip out and escape during the firefight that ensued after the crash. Unfortunately...I was caught by the attackers - with my luck. They were **** dealers. My 'pristine' appearance gave me a one-way ticket being face-fucked by the first guy that found me, and then stripped and beaten in a camp in front of 30 men."

A drawn-out sigh comes from her mouth. She looked at Amara as she strolled to a tall building with electronic lights setting it ablaze with a brilliant shade of oranges and yellows. She continued. "From there, I was taken to Ohio - I had pretty much given up hope at that point. I wasn’t sexually abused all that much; they didn't want to damage any of their so-called product, but they still flaunted me naked at every stop to gather attention...Before I was either sold or taken somewhere else, though, Amara found me. She gave me a choice to either follow her around or stay where I was."

She shrugs. "And here I am. Montana. Telling some strangers my entire life story. When you helped me last night, I knew my husband would have never risked his life like that. The insurance you gave me by simply being there with me was…was something I can’t put into words.”

“So,” she deadpans. “I’m sorry again for acting the way I did and thank you for taking me today. It’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

You’re about to say something to her when Amara abruptly stops and turns. The owner of this hotel owes me a favor. We’ll be spending the night in a suite. Finally, a place to sleep and to have privacy!” Amara purrs and moans, stepping inside without you.

Surprisingly, Flora doesn’t blindly follow Amara inside; she instead stays outside with you. “The least I could do is give you that kiss after all you’ve done.”

“Hey,” you murmur. “You don’t have to.”

“I should.” Flora counters, stepping closer.

The idea to stop her had entered your mind, but you don’t commit to it. Instead, she pressed her warm lips against yours. You were caught off guard, despite knowing what she intended to do. Flora closed her eyes, and you closed yours. A soft clicking noise emitted from your disjointed show of affection.

Carefully, you reached for her shoulders and embraced her. She showed no sign of rejection from this action. In fact, you felt your heart leap upon contact. To your surprise, she wrapped herself around you too. The kiss started to melt into something a little more lusty and sloppy. Your tongue began to tease the gap between your enclosed lips. You felt her fingers tighten slightly where they gripped you but then relax as she started to part her mouth to allow you in.

Your tongue counted her perfect teeth. She slid her own against yours, lathering you in her salvia. A moan started to escape from her throat too. You push her away from you when you realize you're in public. That kiss was turning away from its friendly and playful origins - it was turning into something much more serious and full of desire.

Even though she shared some features with Delilah, she had more experience in primal interaction. “Wait, Flora - we can’t do this. Amara would kill me if she saw any of this.”

She looked up at you. Her cheeks are pink. The tip of her nose was red-hot. Her lips wet with spit from both of your mouths. “She would kill you. Sorry.”

“I’m too tired to do anything anyway. And this might just be because of the stress from last night.” You try to reason

“But, I— ” Flora stops herself. “We should talk again sometime, though. I like talking to you. You’re… different.”

“Good different?”

Flora smiles. “Good different.”

You both step inside the hotel. The old scent of a bygone era lingers inside, with pre-war paintings still along the wall, refurbished at one point or another. The lobby was well-lit with lights, amber in color with an inviting warmth emitting from behind the glass. The windows allowed a view of the nightlife outside as it settled down. The clean tile floor reflects the orange light, giving the interior a warm tint. Chairs, couches, and a crackling fireplace beckon you to sit near it - you almost did too, but you knew your time was running out.

Amara, as promised, got a suite that was big enough for your group plus more. Amara collapsed on the couch and kicked off her shoes. A long, drawn-out moan came out of her mouth as she flipped to her back and bent her arm over her face. “Flora, you can get the main room tonight. I want to stay out here.”

Flora looks at you and then proceeds to explore the room before going to where she will be spending the night. You are left alone, wondering who you should bother for the rest of the night… You had intentions to learn more about the ARS, but after that experience with Flora, you kind of want to spend more time with her...