The Complicated Love Life of Ivil Antagonist

Chapter Fifty-Eight - Confidence

Sometimes one has to respect confidence, even if that confidence is entirely misplaced.

"I want to come," Twenty-Six said with the surety of someone unaware they were jogging through a minefield.

She was standing on the end of the dining room table where Ivil and Aurora were preparing themselves for their little side-adventure.

Mostly it was Aurora who was doing the preparations. She needed clothing to travel, clothing for the presentation, and something nice to wear afterwards. That didn't take into account the various computers, hygiene products, and other miscellany she needed to bring with her.

Fortunately, Aurora was a tidy packer. Unfortunately, packing all of her things into a single medium-sized suitcase took time and effort. Ivil was helping, but was also sorely tempted to shove everything in and tell it to stay. Her own things were in a much smaller suitcase.

"Just to be clear," Ivil said. "When you say you want to come, you mean with us, yes?"

Twenty-Six's mouth worked, then she stomped a foot down. "Yes, of course!"

Ivil nodded. She knew.

She knew because Twenty-Six had spent the better part of half an hour pacing back and forth in the engineering bay psyching herself up, and Ivil was aware of her the entire time. But she couldn't let such an easy double-entendre slip by, not when Twenty-Six and Aurora both blushed so prettily.

"That would actually be up to Aurora," Ivil said. "This is her mission."

Aurora looked up, inspecting Twenty-Six for a minute. "I suppose having a talented mechanic along with us couldn't hurt," she began, which had Twenty-Six's eyes lighting up. "However, I don't know if those skills will actually come in handy. Frankly, you'd be a little wasted on this trip, Twenty-Six."

"Oh," was the girl's reply. Then that confidence returned. "No! I want to come because... I want to come. I mean, I want to be with you. It's alright to follow just because, right?"

"I suppose," Aurora said. "Evelyn is coming in her... Evelyn is following along with me in the role of--no offence--powerhouse. To scare off any problems we might encounter along the way. I did hire one more person, but she's a consultant and guide. We're otherwise travelling light."

"Oh. Does that mean you don't want me to com--to travel with you?" Twenty-Six asked.

"I wouldn't mind having Twenty-Six's company," Ivil said. "Nor do we necessarily need her to be useful to be good company. But I think it would be nice if we all came together."

Aurora and Twenty-Six gave her a look, as if wondering if she was in on the joke. Ivil, however, had the poker face of a god.

Aurora shook her head. "Fine. We can go together. One more person with us couldn't hurt. Actually, there might be yet another person with us. Missy mentioned that you'd met her? She's a local bounty hunter, good reputation, fantastic credentials. Honestly, I would be stretching my budget to afford her services but Missy managed to negotiate things down somehow."

"You mean Pixie?" Ivil asked.

"Pixie?" Aurora repeated. "No, or... perhaps? Her file says that her name is the Nightshade? She'll be escorting our transport out."

"As in, with her own ship?" Twenty-Six asked.

"Yes. She has a fighter craft," Aurora said.

"That's awesome," Twenty-Six said. "But isn't it also kind of...excessive? Like, a whole fighter to guard a transport around the orbit of one moon?"

Aurora waved dismissively. "Not just that. She'll be hovering around Callisto as well, taking shifts with the other hired help. Not every faction representative will have a cadre of bodyguards, but some will, and that includes light fighter escorts. If we were dealing with one of the major moons then there would probably be one or two escort frigates keeping their diplomatic vessel safe. We're coming in a little... under-armed, actually."

"Hmm, yes," Ivil said. They were definitely approaching the table with the appearance of being under armed. "I wouldn't mind seeing Pixie... that is, the Nightshade, again. She was... fun. Twenty-Six, I think you might like her, she has a very keen appreciation for spaceships, though mostly focused on fighter craft."

"I've never serviced a fighter before," Twenty-Six said. "That must be so cool. And so expensive. They have a ton of bespoke parts. Most warships do, but it's worse for smaller craft since they need to cram so much more into a smaller space. Do you know what model her ship is? Wait, no, I'm rambling."

"It's fine," Aurora said. "Your rambles are at least entertaining, which is why... yes, you can come."

"Yes!" Twenty-Six cheered. "Wait! I need to get my things ready. Should I bring tools? Would that be weird?"

"A little."

"I'll just bring the small set then!" Twenty-Six said before running off.

Ivil turned to Aurora. "Thank you for that. Twenty-Six is a charming young woman, I'm certain we'll have fun together. And I think it would be good for her to see more of the world than engineering bays."

"Mhm," Aurora agreed. "I heard that you took her out on a date?"

"Just to dinner," Ivil demurred.

Aurora smiled. "Still on your romantic quest, then?"

"I'm not happily married yet, am I?" Ivil asked.

Aurora's smile turned a little more smug. "You know, the station we're going to, Oppresorax, certainly has a few entertainment venues. Those could be interesting to visit."

"I think I'd like that," Ivil replied with a smug smile of her own. "What kind of entertainment are you into?"

Aurora hummed. "I enjoy dancing, listening to music. I can play some as well, if you want, though I was never good enough at it to really stand out."

"You're a musician!" Ivil delighted. "That's incredible, what do you play?"

"The Phobian harp, and... yes, that's it."

Ivil perked an eyebrow. "And that's it?"

Aurora flushed slightly. "Fine. It's mildly embarrassing, but I played the triangle for three years in school."

"The triangle. Well, I suppose that's... something that requires... skill?"

Aurora pursed her lips. "I learned the harp to get away from that reputation. No one wants to be triangle girl. What about you?"

"No triangles for me, I'm afraid," Ivil replied. She glanced down. Somehow, while moving things around, she and Aurora had ended up being rather close. "So, Aurora, when it comes to... instruments. Do you like being the one playing the instrument, or... do you like it otherwise?"

Aurora looked up slightly to meet Ivil's eyes and then seemed to realise how close they were. She licked her lips, and Ivil could sense her heart skipping and beating a little faster. "You're being very flirtatious, Miss Ville," she said before reaching up to adjust her glasses.

"I think you're worth being flirtatious with," Ivil said. "But if I'm making you uncomfortable...." she pulled back a little, then stopped when Aurora made an aborted gesture to grab her.

"No, I don't mind. Though, perhaps this would be unprofessional."

"Hardly. Unprofessional would be flirting in secret, or pushing when someone thinks it has gone too far. I'm not your subordinate, Aurora. Nor are you mine."

"I see, yes." Aurora swallowed and seemed a little flustered. She swallowed, then shook her head. Her hand rose and very lightly touched Ivil on the stomach. "You're right," she said.

"I sense a but," Ivil said.

"I'm more of a 'however' woman," Aurora said. "However... excuse me, but you have me a little worked up and I'm having a hard time keeping my thoughts straight."

"Is that a compliment?"

"A little," she admitted. "You are very attractive, however, I am here to save my world. I can't afford attractive distractions at this time. As much as I would love it if you did... things to me, it wouldn't be right. People are depending on me, Evelyn. And if we do something, I'd want it to be honest, not a fling."

Ivil nodded. She could respect that. "So put a pin on the flirting?"

"A little," Aurora said.

"Only a little?"

"Well, it is fun," Aurora replied. "After the meeting tomorrow wouldn't be a bad time for this kind of... thing.

"Oh... wow."

They both turned to see a blushing Twenty-Six by the entrance. Aurora still had a hand touching Ivil, but she pulled it back as if Ivil were a lit stove.

"I'm so sorry, uh, were you two about to... kiss and stuff?"

"No," Ivil said. "We were talking about it, however."

"Oh, wow, I should go add oil to the filters and check the blinker fluid," Twenty-Six said.

"No, wait," Aurora called out. It was enough to keep Twenty-Six from fleeing, at least. "Stay for a moment. We should... clear the air. Especially after that note you left me."

"Note?" Ivil asked.

"I may have made a terrible mistake," Twenty-Six said. "I'm so so sorry, Miss Aurora. It's just that I don't know how to flirt is all!"

Ivil glanced between the two and discovered that she was mildly confused. She wasn't sure she liked it.

***