[adamu]

Saturday, July 26th, 2076

Al sensed the tension in Alyce as she finished her story - not from descibing a night of incredible debauchery in explicit detail to the man she said she loved - but from her concern about his reaction. He admired the chance she'd taken, though she needn't have worried. There were a lot of things about her that kept him ever on the precipice of catching the next uncharted steamer for Madagascar, but this was not one of them.

He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Sounds like ya had a party, all right. I'll confess it's a curious feelin', hearin' 'bout it that way. But keepin' ol' Al so well apprised takes the guesswork out, an' that's a comfort. Back in the jungle, with Chinagirl, it was not knowin' what ya were about that made things hard. Speakin' of which..." And he lowered her hand to his lap. "Jist ta erase any doubt but what there's a part o' me liked yer story jist fine," he explained as her eyes went wide behind her spectacular death hippie shades.

He kissed her hand once more, and put back on his knee. "Only trick is, thinkin' o' the quiz night, not sure I fancy wonderin' if any given person ya introduce me to's had carnal knowledge of ya an' me the only feller inna room don't know it."

[Mercy Merchant]

Saturday, July 26th, 2076


Alyce is genuinely surprised by the hardness she feels when Al puts her hand in his lap.  The size implied by the bulge is impressive and she subconsciously licks her lips in anticipation.  When he puts her hand back on his knee, she is tempted to move it back, but realizes that if were interested in that, he would have done that himself.  "There are at least two ways we could fix that issue, Al.  The first way is to bring you with me to some of these parties, and the second way is to make up some code so I can let you know if I have had sex with anyone we meet."

"So let me know if you need any help with your work and I will be happy to get dirty with you.  I am already packed for Monday, so I do not have to worry about that.  For planning purposes, I have one bag and a small overnight bag.  Will they fit in your auto or should I send the larger bag on ahead by taxi?  Or do you just want to meet me at Charring Cross?"

[adamu]

Saturday, July 26th, 2076

"Bags'll be fine, 'course I'll fetch ya." He stood, helped her up, and continued to walk. "Ya pretty much read my mind on the code, which is a good thing since ya won't see me at no parties till ya find one I can keep my clothes on an' the mask off." He acted nonchalant, but with every movement of her body under the supple fabric of her dress, he imagined it doing - and having done to it - the things she'd so vividly described.

They were soon back at the car and he pulled up the door for her. "So howzabout whenever ya introduce anyone as, say, yer dear friend...?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Saturday, July 26th, 2076


Alyce smiles and nods as she laughs.  "Dear friend it is.  I hope that you are not too disappointed by the number of dear friends I have.  By the way, many of the people at the pub Quiz Night are dear friends, some have been dear friends for years.  And to be honest, there are some people I have shared with whom I would not recognize unless I saw them naked."

She lets Al open the door for her and help her into the auto, remaining mostly silent during the ride back to her home.  After getting out, she turns to him.  "So, give it a thought and let me know if you want any help at the garage tomorrow, otherwise I will be on the curb here on Monday by half-six in the morning, or whenever you think I need to be ready.  Oh, I do have a question about the train.  Would you prefer that I leave Al2 home or may I bring him with me?"

[adamu]

Saturday, July 26th, 2076

"Tomorrow, right. Don't mean ta ignore ya. Jist ya got a way o' pepperin' a body with ideas an' queries an' whatnot, feller can't hardly keep up. Ain't got no garage, per se. Burnt down. Place I got now does fine though. But tomorrow's the Sabbath. No work."

They stopped at her door, he a few telling paces away from it. "Half six'll do, I reckon, but no date o' mine's waitin' onna damned curb."

He kissed her then, more slowly than the last time. He tried not to think of how many others had been there in between times, and the way she moved, hell, it was easy enough not to think of anything at all. Pulling back, though, he thought of it again, and realized it didn't particularly bother him. Which made him feel like a hippie, so he said, "Yer askin' my druthers 'bout yer friend in there, well, reckon three's a crowd. See ya Monday."

[Mercy Merchant]

Saturday, July 26th, 2076


The kiss is slower and Alyce tries to show him how much she enjoys the kiss.  It takes significant effort to not wrap her legs around the man and try to drag him off to a bed, or a dark corner, or frag it, even a lit corner to shag him.  But he is not yet ready for that and she settles for the kiss, trying to delay the break for as long as possible. 

She remains standing on the curb as he pulls away and she considers all of the things she has learned about Al in the past few days.  He has opened up quite a lot for Al, so maybe he is really trying to make this date stuff work.  Going to bed without him will leave her dissatisfied and she knows her toys will get a work out tonight.

And Sunday.

On Monday, Alyce dresses and makes sure that things will run as smoothly as possible in her absence.  She spends time with Al2, making sure that he knows that she will be gone for about three weeks and that he will be left in the care of Stephanie, Mae, and the staff of the book shop.  It saddens her a great deal that Al apparently has no fondness for the Hell Hound and she resolves to try to find out why and try to work out some way to get the two to at least exist with each other.  She is ready by 0600 and sitting on the couch at the front of the shop's main lobby, with her luggage pieces near her.  She is dressed in tailored and form-fitting black trousers that grip her hips and accentuate her shapely ass before falling in a crease to just above the straps of her black two inch heels and there are no visible underwear lines when she moves.  Her top is a midriff-baring lace that has enough holes in it to leave absolutely no question that she is not wearing a bra and hinting at the cross and wooden idol resting in her cleavage.  She is wearing a wide-brimmed white hat set at a slight angle and her entire outfit is accented by a small handbag, her ever-present glasses, and her skull-topped walking stick.

Al is precisely on time but she remains on the couch until he comes in the door to ask for her, then stands for him.  "I am ready Al.  It has been a long time since I took a nice holiday.  Thank you for recommending it."

[adamu]

Monday, July 28th, 2076

With no work to interrupt his drinking, Al spent Sunday thoroughly inebriated. Whether he was trying to forget the demon from the other plane or the one right here in London was hard to say, but in any case he did not forget that the latter would be waiting for him at half-six. Fortunately it was full daylight by five, and the few sharp rays of sun filtering through the filthy windows of his Caravaner woke him in plenty of time.
Spike was nothing if not self-sufficient, but Al tore open a ten-kilo sack of chow as a going away present, then tossed some frozen steaks into the man-high grass surrounding his lot – the scent would attract him as they thawed. He made sure he had his cards in his pockets, tossed a couple of cartons of Lucky Strikes, his Erdnase, and some boxers and socks into a small plastic Stuffer Shack bag, and fired up the Porsche.

When Alyce stood, Al was impressed. The painted-on trousers, the taut, bare stomach, and the flagrantly transparent lace top were her ineffable combination of naughty class. He loved when she showed herself off. “Woman, ya look like the over-monied harlot ya are, an’ ol’ Al approves,” he said with a wolfish grin as he picked up her pair of small bags. He tossed them into the tiny space behind the seats while she said her goodbyes inside, and next thing they were in traffic on the way to Charing Cross Station.

An HGV flattening a cyclist held them up, but Al called ahead – there was a certain leeway in the schedule for first-class fares – so when they got there the other passengers were all aboard, and a pair of valets was on hand to assist with the luggage. One took Alyce’s bags and, to his credit, made a valiant if futile attempt to keep his eyes off of her breasts. The other looked somewhat at a loss as Al handed him the small plastic bag, but carried it with as much decorum as he could muster.

The adjoining first-class cabins were mirror images of each other, each with a shower/toilet unit, two-chair dining table, miniature settee and entertainment unit, and a brave approximation of a double bed. Space was necessarily at a premium, but the designers had made a good job of it, with opulence taking the edge off the lack of elbow room.

[Mercy Merchant]

Monday, July 28th, 2076


Alyce tipped the valet generously, giving him another opportunity to scan her chest.  The slight morning breeze has caused her nipples to harden and be completely visible through the lace top and pushes her otherwise free-falling trousers against her well formed legs.  She takes a quick look at the two cabins then goes into hers.  "Back out in a tic, Al.  I want to unpack and hang up my clothes to avoid wrinkles."  She disappears into her cabin, returning in a few minutes, wearing the same clothes but sans hat.  Knocking on Al's door, she says, "Let's see what the amenities are like in First, shall we?  I could use a beer and a fag."

The first class section of the train is centered on two sleeper coaches connected directly to an observation coach behind them with dining and bar cars forward.  The observation coach has a second level with seating under a rounded dome in front, an exposed deck to the rear, and a small bar.   Al and Alyce find two other couples already on the exposed deck, taking advantage of one of the clearest London mornings in the past few weeks.  Alyce smiles at the cute bartender, who does his manful best to keep his eyes above her chest and fails dramatically.  Taking a beer, she leads Al onto the open deck and approaches the other four travelers, stopping at one pair.  "Good morning Professor Crane, Mrs. Crane.  Al, I would like you to meet my dear friend, Professor Michael Crane and his wife Pamela."  She had intentionally not used the dear code when introducing the man's wife because she has never had sex with her, unlike the husband, with whom she has shared a number of intimate moments.  "Professor Crane teaches up at Cambridge.  I think we met at some sort of parent's night when Gem first went up.  "How nice to see you on this train."

Professor Crane looks every bit of his fifty-plus years, but his wife must be a trophy of some kind, because she looks barely into her thirties.  Of course, modern science could also explain her youthful appearance.  Pamela shakes hands with Alyce and Al, perhaps holding onto Al's hand a moment too long as her eyes hungrily devoured him and she turned just oh so enough that he was able to get a good look at her expensively concealed bust.  For his part, the professor can barely talk as he takes in the view that the breeze gives him of Alyce's chest.  Alyce breaks the moment by taking Al's arm and guiding him to the other couple, who she does not know.  Mutual introductions are made before Alyce and Al walk to the edge of the deck and look out at the view afforded them of Greater London.  Several other people show up on the deck and some mingling takes place as people learn who some of their fellow travels are.

[adamu]

Monday, July 28th, 2076

Al figured the room was nice enough. The windows had been permanently locked, a pet peeve he'd rectify as soon as he had a free minute. There was no bathtub, but he hadn't used one in years anyway, so he didn't figure he'd miss it. And while the bed might be a bit short for some, it would be no problem for him.

He explored the first-class car with Alyce, which was fun. The train was actually almost all sleepers, since this was essentially a cruise on rails, but from the materials he'd glanced at, the cars farther back were rather less extravagant. Of course, their operating cost was still probably about fifty or sixty percent of the luxury cabins, even though the luxury ones cost roughly four times as much. And going up to the observation deck confirmed what the extra mark-up bought - exclusivity.

He didn't know the names for all the fabrics these people were wearing, but they screamed money. Even the tech some of the apparel integrated looked like stuff he hadn't read about yet. The women all looked under thirty - so they were natural and bought, or bought unnatural. Hell, the men all looked pretty damned vital for their ages. They all talked like they'd gone to one of those fancy boarding schools, like the archetypical British aristocracy always did in movies. Al liked that, thought it sounded cool. They always acted completely calm and off-hand about the most terrible catastrophes, while getting visibly worked up over trivialities.

Al, of course, looked better than any of them. While it has been a couple of months since he'd taken his knife to his sandy blond hair, he figured it had a sort of windswept look that suited him well. The nose at the center of his weather-beaten face had clearly been broken several times, and his hygiene was conscientious, having partially shaved last Wednesday. His clothes were not expensive, of course, but they bespoke thrift and elegance - they served him well, and in fact were the same ones in which he'd passed out on the beer-sticky floor of his Caravaner last night, leaving his yellowing T-shirt flecked with black dog hairs. He was aware that his antique jacket was fabulously expensive in theory, but it was currently in such a dilapidated state that it didn't detract from his overall look.

And to top off his dashing appearance, he was standing next to Alyce. In her two-inch heels she was five inches taller than he was, which he found majestic. Everyone was looking at her, and yeah, that was partly because of her tits, but he knew from experience that she got just as many looks when dressed more....well, when dressed more.

Although he'd sort of seen himself mostly sitting in his room, eating, drinking, playing cards, and looking out the window most of the time, it was clear this was liable to turn at least partly into a social thing. He shrugged inwardly at that - these folks seemed decent enough, even if given to a certain degree of frippery, and clearly not as clever as they thought they were. But he made a mental note that if he wanted to really relax he'd have to avoid high class gatherings in the future, as Alyce apparently knew half the wealthy people in England (of which she had slept with a fair percentage).

Maybe a nice monster truck rally next time.

For now though, he figured it'd be an okay three weeks.

[Mercy Merchant]

Monday, July 28th, 2076


After about an hour of mingling, Alyce pulls Al off to one side and leans close to his ear, her warm breath pulsing at his neck.  "I am about ready to leave this place and these people, Al.  I am not here to mingle with tiresome people that seem to either want to shag me or shag my boyfriend.  I am here to mingle with you and get to know you better.  We might find more privacy forward in the dining car or maybe just grab some beers and go sit in one of our rooms.  What do you think?"

[adamu]

Monday, July 28th, 2076

Al shrugged. "Reckon I'm good either way," he intoned in his gravel pit voice. "Honestly, yeah, would like ta spend the better part o' my time on this jaunt alone with you. But I'll allow as I also like a certain amount o' time ta myself. An' like a party as much as the next feller, ta boot, so don't reckon we should be hermits neither. So a good mix, in that order..." He realized he was sitting around discussing how to spend his down time with another person. He'd never done that before. It felt weird, to have to come to some sort of agreement about such simple things. Was that what it meant, being in a couple?

He'd been with other women. But they generally did as they were told. He had a feeling Alyce would too, probably like it even. But that wasn't what he wanted from her. Well, not most of the time anyway...

So here they were having a conference to decide whether to slip away from an informal social gathering. He thought it odd that she suddenly minded having people lust after her...but then she was a woman, after all.

Yup, she was  woman. And he did want to spend time with her.

"An' if it's gon' be in that order, then I suppose we exit stage left right about now." As usual, he offered his arm and led her from the deck, a few quick goodbyes tossed off in passing. Her idea about the beers had been a very good one, but no need to stop at the bar. He took her to their rooms, hers to be precise, and by the time they got there he'd used his 'link to order not only the beers but a hearty brunch with French coffee as well.

[Mercy Merchant]

Monday, July 28th, 2076


Alyce had the porter place the tray with the food and beverages on the small table and signed the chit because they came to her room, making sure to add in a nice tip.  As the man leaves the room, Alyce shuts the door and locks it before turning to face Al.  Putting her hands to her top, she lifts and removes it, exposing her still near perfect breasts to his, hopefully, hungry eyes. As she slips her hands into her waistband and moves her trousers past her ass to fall in a pile on the floor, she says, "Al, I know that you had once said that I am supposed to be naked when we are in a room together.  Is that still true or should I put my clothes back on?  If you like it, you might want to pull the shade on the window, at least until we are out of London."  Naked except for her glasses, her crucifix, and her voodoo totem, she waits to hear his desire.

[adamu]

Monday, July 28th, 2076

And suddenly they were back to those magical days in Andoung Tuek - the thrill of first acquainting combined with the peace and luxury of the luxury train car. Not a penthouse, but maybe close enough...

The first response that came to Al - besides his instant erection - was to say something typically flippant and non-commital like, "Yer room, baby, an' yer body. Do what ya want."

But because she'd ensorceled him, he did something completely out character and thought twice before speaking. He knew he had to start giving her more. Just a little bit. Start telling her straightly what he wanted. Though part of what came out surprised even himself.

"It's a good rule. Keep it. But ya want the shades down, pull 'em yerself. Gittin' a taste fer watchin' folk look at ya."

[Mercy Merchant]

Monday, July 28th, 2076


Alyce shrugs and moves to sit on one of the chairs at the table.  "I am fine if you are, Al.  I want to please you and I am OK if that also pleases others."  She dishes out food from the tray to the plates and hands him one before taking one for herself.  She eats a few bites, commenting on the fine quality of the food, then puts her fork down as she sips at a beer.  "What do you want of me, Al?  Do you know yet or are you still trying to work that out?"

[adamu]

Monday, July 28th, 2076

It was a great meal for a while. Sure, he said he'd talk to her but, "Lord o' lightnin', woman, you do git right to it." He grinned amicably around a mouthful of eggs and sausage. "We got three weeks - don't blow yer wad inna first two hours."

The easiest response would be to ask her his question. The one he'd figured was at the heart of things. The one he planned to pin her down on. But it was way too early. He wasn't ready to hear whatever the answer might be. They needed a chassis first, a foundation.

He swallowed his food and produced his Zippo. But before lighting up, he said, "Sorry...said we could talk. Sorta pictured it by starlight...in Scotland...shit. Anyway, honest answer's an easy one....B...Still tryin' ta work it out. I mean, look at ya. I ain't gay. They's a hell of a lot I reckon I want. An', if I may wax cheesy, well, I'm tryin' ta show ya...hell, was tryin' ta show ya back inna day...an' maybe show myself too...that that ain't all I want. 'Cept yer such a damned nympho it can be hard to separate things out...But then I like that about ya, see. Maybe too much..."

He sat back in his leather chair, frustrated and exhausted like he'd just wrassled a gator. Finally lit the cigarette forgotten in his hand. "Anyhoo, it's like I done said eight years ago. What a man wants ain't the same thing as what he does."