Introspection, Kate, and Minh's flat

Yumi kept smirking at me playfully, eagerly waiting for my answer. In all honesty, I was still craving for more of what we did. I only recently discovered how wonderful sex as a woman felt, and I was already addicted. I wanted to feel that again so bad. And Minh being in a skin I found absolutely beautiful certainly didn't do anything to convince me otherwise.

I didn't want him to keep teasing me forever, I had to be more assertive, like I used to be before all this mess. And more like Amber as well. She enjoyed sex quite a lot, so I channeled her personality and leaned closer to Yumi.

“You can't get enough of me, can you~?” I replied with a teasing grin of my own while swallowing the last bit of my muffin, making sure to lick my lips in Amber's usual flirty manner.

“Who could resist such stunning beauty~?” Yumi declared, her voice dripping with sensuality as her hand approached my face.

Her delicate fingers grazed my cheek, slowly and meticulously caressing my soft, dark skin. She was savouring the moment. Tyler meanwhile put his hand back on my thigh, giving me gentle and loving squeezes and caresses. It was nothing sexual yet, but already so enjoyable to know that I was desired and lusted after by these two… My lust was rising again.

“Let's get to my place, we can have all the fun we want~” Yumi then said, the warmth of her fingers leaving my face as she stood up. I briefly touched my cheek where her hand was, something she noticed. She grinned and whispered. “I'll touch you more later soon, don't worry~”

“It better be a promise~” I retorted sensually as I got up from the chair. I then went to thank Kate for the delicious snacks. “It was the best muffin I've ever had. You're really talented!”

Her smile was warm and her cheeks red as I complimented her. “I bake everything following the recipes my late father taught me. I’m glad you've been enjoying them, master.”

It bothered me to be called ‘master’, but in addition to the obvious social connotations I always despised, there was something else. And I realised what: the masculine form. I disliked it.

Noticing my silence, Kate spoke again, more shyly this time. “I-Is there something wrong?”

I shook my head. “No, don't worry. Just, being called master makes me uncomfortable...”

“O-oh, I'm sorry. How would you prefer to be called?”

I thought about it for a moment. Being called E by Ashley earlier felt a lot better than using my real name. I had no real attachment left to the name Edward, I'd only keep it due to Claire still calling me that. I could no longer deny that I was trans to at least some degree, no matter if it's from the curse or not. I felt much better being seen as a woman, and Edward was certainly not a woman's name. I had to find a new name for myself, one to use with people who knew the real me.

I smiled at Kate. “I need to think about it, but for now, you can just call me E.”

I could see Yumi and Tyler paying close attention to us. They probably heard our conversation.

Kate nodded. “I'll keep that in mind, E.”

I didn't know much about Kate other than her being my mother's assistant, so I wanted to do a bit more small talk. “Your father was a baker?”

Kate's expression turned more melancholic. “He was. He owned a cafe as well. But he… died almost two years ago, shortly after I finished high-school.”

“Oh, I-I see. I'm sorry to hear.” I replied quietly. “I didn't want to reopen an old wound.”

She smiled weakly at me. “I-It's fine, E. I was on the streets for some time after that, but mist-,” She started but blushed and corrected herself. “Your mother helped me and gave me the opportunity to work in my own cafe.”

“Is that why you're her assistant now?”

She nodded. “Yes. Although she rarely needs me, I'm always willing to help her.”

“Isn't it strange to… work for a skinwalker?” I was curious to know how Kate and the other humans who willingly joined the coven felt about it.

Kate's cheeks reddened even more, her eyes avoiding mine. “It's… not so bad... It was weird at first, of course, but your mother and the other members are really kind.”

I chuckled softly. “Yeah, I certainly didn't expect that either. Anyway, I should probably go now.”

Kate smiled at me. “I hope you'll come by again.”

I giggled. “I definitely will. I want to taste the rest of your pastries. Have a good evening, Kate.”

“You too.” She replied with a warm smile.

After Yumi paid for our meals, Tyler and I followed her to her car.

“So, I couldn't help but hear your discussion with Kate earlier.” Minh said, glancing at me. “Would you prefer if we avoid using your former name?”

I stayed silent for a few seconds, before slowly nodding. “Y-yeah…”

Surprisingly, Minh approached me and gave me a gentle hug. “Relax, it's alright. I told you the day you met Liam: you are what you want to be. If you wish to be gendered as a woman or pick a new name, all you need is to tell us.”

I returned the hug and rested my head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Minh.”

“Is there any name you'd like to use for yourself?” Ashley asked, using Tyler's soothing tone.

“I haven't thought about it until now, so not really…” I truthfully replied.

Minh let go of the hug and tapped his chin. “Hmm, maybe you could start with names starting with E, since you like the diminutive? You could always try for a few days and see if the name suits you?”

What Minh said made sense. I knew from Amber's vast knowledge that it was common for trans people to try names with their friends and see if they liked being called this.

“I'm gonna think about it and tell you when I've decided,” I said with a smile.

Minh smiled, gently gripping my shoulder before gesturing at his car. “Alright~ Let's get in, then~”

While Yumi got into the driver's seat, I dragged Tyler in the back next to me. We exchanged kisses, exploring each other's bodies again as Yumi drove us to her flat, giving us amused glances from time to time. Ashley was so eager, and I could feel it in her touches. Even though Tyler already knew Amber's body pretty well, it was as if Ashley was discovering it for the first time, taking her time and tracing every curve with her fingers. She was acting with such reverence towards me, as if I was her goddess. It made me feel so good.

I almost didn't notice as Yumi parked in front of the same building Liam used to live in. “We're here, you can resume your fun on the bed up there~” she announced with her usual flirty tone.

Tyler kept holding my hand as we followed Yumi to the elevator and inside her flat. I was expecting something more luxurious, but Yumi's flat was actually fairly normal, with two bedrooms and a cosy living room and open kitchen. It was extravagant in terms of decorations, however, having lots of paintings and pictures of various people on the walls.

It got me curious, and I approached one of the walls, observing the photos displayed. A few of them had a pale but cute redhead girl and a tanned blonde dressed in a very girly fashion.

“The blonde, Charlotte, was my main skin back then. And the redhead is Kayla, a good friend of mine.” Yumi explained before I could ask anything.

“Ah, I see. She knows about you?” I asked.

Yumi giggled. “Yeah, she does. We're still fairly close, even if she became a lot more independent compared to when we first met. I could invite her for dinner if you'd like to meet her, she lives three floors below.”

“Huh, sure, why not.” I replied. Yumi sent Kayla a quick text, and I continued once he was done. “Do all your friends live here?”

“I own the building, so yeah, I prefer to have my close friends as neighbours.” Yumi said with a laugh. “I heard Amber was looking for a flat to share with her friends for next year, and there's a few empty ones here I could lend you.”

I definitely didn't expect that. Minh was a lot richer than I thought if he owned a whole residential building. And he so casually offered me to get a flat here.

“Really?”

Yumi approached me and gave my cheek another gentle caress. “Why would I lie? You are part of the family, E~ And I take very good care of my family~”

I decided earlier to stop being a pushover, so I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, giving her a languishing kiss before grinning teasingly. “Was that a good way to show my gratitude~?”

“The best way~” Yumi commented with a smirk as her free hand ran along my waist and rested on my ass, squeezing it. “Should we go to the bedroom now~? I can assure you my bed is exceptionally comfy~”