Maiden Voyage

[MiniKitty]

Brian

Kimberly

Levan

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Maiden Voyage

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Compared to how the apartment looked when Levan bought it and how it looked now, there was barely any resemblance. Back several years ago, it was just a standard living unit in a building with about a dozen floors. At that time he had already made a fortune, all thanks to a chaotic chain of events set in motion by a singular OSC Barge pilot handing out a very generous gift. While the boy's sudden sirius-wide popularity had for the most part faded away, it certainly changed his local lifestyle. Young people from David's Hollow and the surrounding areas found their ways to hang out with him, spending time at the apartment, ensuring it was almost never without a few guests. It got nicknamed "The Den", and not knowing how to put an end to the endless party, Levan simply embraced it.

First Madeleine, a living poker face, became a permanent guest, and later Monique, best described as a party girl. The latter ended up taking care of the Den whenever Levan left the planet to have adventures in space, thereby willfully securing herself a somewhat paid job as housekeeper. And when Kimberly arrived a few years later, she hired her as housekeeping assistant. As a maid, as everyone else called it. Whenever Madeleine and Monique weren't around, she was in charge, and certainly used that privilege to turn the Den from an apartment into something more akin to a mini nightclub.

Levan didn't mind that at all. It looked cool. Dark walls, neon lights, stylish furniture. With a respect for the efforts put into everything, most guests took greater care of their surroundings. No more broken glass tables, burned spots on the couches from misplaced cigarettes, fewer pizza stains, fewer sticky floors from spilled alcohol, less vomit, blood, dropped pills, just all in all much nicer. And fewer visits from LPI.

Only the lower floor remained available to guests, while the upper floor was where Levan had his bedroom, shared with Madeleine and Monique, as well as some reserved guest rooms, just in case Aspen or Kristoff ever showed up again. Not that he really expected anything to ever come from them ever again. Chapters closed, new chapters opened.


It was not too rare for Levan to stay in bed with Madeleine and Monique for a little longer on a Sunday. There was no rush to leave. No reason to. If anything, the two girls had their ways of maintaining their lasting claim on their territory. However, when the boy remembered that today was Kimberly's birthday, despite all reasons to stay under the warm blanket, between two warm bodies, he managed to escape and got ready for the day.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, now showered, styled and clothed, he kept doomscrolling through the news. Another day without headlines about the situation between Liberty and Kusari. Hopefully it would stay this way, he thought. If the situation with Kusari got any worse, Denver would be the first world to suffer the consequences.

Two slender arms wrapped around his midriff from behind as Madeleine had snuck up on him, silently leaning her face against his back, eyes closed. If Denver was ever endangered, he figured he would ditch the Den and take Madeleine and Monique to some other planet. But that would just be the start, he thought, as Monique would surely want her family to escape, too. And then there was Durga, his new bodyguard, who also lived here at the Den and had no other place to go.


Trying not to think about it, Levan left the bedroom, walking down the stairs. Some unmemorable club music was already playing, some familiar faces already hanging out, talking, playing video games on the big screen, a couple lounging on a couch, smokers on the balcony, two guys in the kitchen. It had turned into some cursed ritual where especially the newcomers would try to be respectful and wish Levan a good morning, while others just yelled a Heeeeeeey! at him and some simply ignored him. Something he preferred, if he was honest.

Two girls used pumps to inflate balloons, and looking at the ceiling, the boy noticed a layer of helium-filled balloons of various colors. It certainly was a bit much for his liking, but it was for the birthday party. Ironically, the birthday girl was already present, about to climb on a ladder to attach decorations to the wall. Right next to her was a guy with blond hair. Levan remembered him. Brian? Low-key pervert, macho, always hitting on the ladies. Given the daring outfit Kimberly donned today, it was no surprise he was near.

In fact, her outfit was considerably more daring today. Kimberly was known as the local goth lolita, preferring dresses of that kind. It was cute, but not something that caught Levan's attention. For the most part, he simply found it a bit weird. But then again, the average person probably considered his own leather-based style a bit eccentric. To each their own.

Today, however, she was a lot more revealing, with a suspiciously well-fitting black leather dress. Definitely an eye catcher, and connecting the dots, Levan quickly understood why Brian was next to her, holding the ladder, as she was seconds away from climbing it. Wearing a dress.



≫ Levan ≪

Heeeeeey!

Just as she had stepped on the first step of the ladder, the boy arrived at her side, arms wide open for a birthday hug. Excited, Kimberly got off the ladder and accepted.


≫ Kimberly ≪

Levan!

≫ Levan ≪

Happy Birthday! You, uhm, look stunning!

≫ Kimberly ≪

Thank you so much!

It got a little awkward as she did not seem to plan to let go anytime soon, so he double-tapped her back multiple times.


≫ Kimberly ≪

Mhmm, you smell so good...

≫ Levan ≪

Uh, thanks! I, eh, just showered!

Creating a certain olfactory flavor definitely was something he enjoyed when it resulted in such a reaction. The neon lights covered it, yet both seemed to get slightly rosy cheeks. After one more squeeze, Kimberly let go of him and immediately turned back to the ladder, intending to go up.


≫ Levan ≪

Hey, uh, Kimberly? Let me do that for you. It is your birthday, after all.

She certainly seemed oblivious to Brian holding the ladder for her for a reason. Without hesitation, she kept going up the ladder.


≫ Kimberly ≪

No, no, no need to, Levan. I can do that just fine!

≫ Levan ≪

Well, uhm, let me hold the ladder, then.

≫ Brian ≪

I got it, no worries!

≫ Levan ≪

I take it from here. Maybe you can help decorate the kitchen?

≫ Brian ≪

Nah, man, I love helping Kimby!

She was at the top of the ladder. Levan and Brian locked their eyes onto another, as Brian understood Levan did not want him to look up. Despite Levan being a head shorter than Brian, a sudden change in his demeanor convinced the blond guy to let go of the ladder.


≫ Brian ≪

Oh damn, I forgot my, eh, thing in the kitchen. You got her, right?

≫ Levan ≪

Sure. Go get your... thing.

With the silent exchange over, Brian left. Some of the people here are hiding their rotten plans behind the widest smiles, Levan thought. Years of hosting all kinds of personalities in their early- and mid-twenties showed him examples of all kinds of people. Luckily, the worst ones didn't manage to stay for long without some kind of intervention. No hard drugs, no sexual assault. The Den was supposed to be a fun place to stay at, not a place to enable perverts.

Happy about thwarting Brian's plan, Levan mindlessly looked up to check on Kimberly, only to immediately stare at the floor again, realizing he had just accidentally done what he prevented that macho from doing. What a hero.


≫ Kimberly ≪

Is that straight?

Without looking up, he replied.


≫ Levan ≪

Yup!

≫ Kimberly ≪

Good!

She climbed down. Levan moved a step back to give her space. With her dress not allowing her to see her feet, she missed the last rung and clumsily "fell" off the ladder, backward bumping into Levan, hitting the back of her head against his nose. She immediately turned around, showing a mix of worry, embarrassment and appreciation for him catching her.


≫ Levan ≪

Ouch!

≫ Kimberly ≪

Oh god, Levan, are you okay?

He held his nose, feeling a momentary blurry pain.


≫ Levan ≪

Uhm, yeah, I am fine!

≫ Kimberly ≪

I'm so sorry, I missed the- Levan, your nose is bleeding!

It certainly was. Blood was oozing down his chin, dripping onto his white T-shirt and down onto the floor. He reflexively closed off his nostrils with thumb and index finger, which affected the sound of his voice.


≫ Levan ≪

Do not worry about that!

He quickly turned away to head to the stairs, but Kimberly followed him, staying at his side.


≫ Kimberly ≪

I'm so, so sorry, Levan!

≫ Levan ≪

Really, it is fine. I figured I would get a nosebleed from you, although I thought it would be because of that dress.

≫ Kimberly ≪

You have no idea how sorry I am!

≫ Levan ≪

No need to. It is a very cool outfit!

They made it upstairs, heading for the guest bathroom. Levan leaned over the sink, letting go of his nose. More blood oozed out, right into the white porcelain.


≫ Kimberly ≪

Does it hurt?

≫ Levan ≪

Not at all. It is just a popped blood vessel. Really, do not worry about it.

Cool water joined the red liquid in the sink, thinning it before vanishing down the drain. It did not take long for the bleeding to stop. Nevertheless, Kimberly felt visibly bad about it.


≫ Levan ≪

I got some on my T-shirt, can you get me a new one from the bedroom? Any will do.

≫ Kimberly ≪

Uh, okay! On it!

After cleaning nose and face, he took off his T-shirt, throwing it onto the toilet seat. He inspected his nose in the mirror, carefully prodding it with a finger. Nothing seemed broken. Just a popped blood vessel, which already appeared to have sealed. What a mess, though. Not the most ideal impression to make to the birthday girl.

Kimberly returned, not with one but five folded T-shirts, neatly stacked, sandwiched by her gentle hands. Her eyes immediately caught sight by his bare upper body. She knew about the many scars, and the pretty tribal tattoos somewhat concealing them, but this was a rare sight. And certainly an appealing one.


≫ Kimberly ≪

I didn't know what you liked, so I brought you a few!

≫ Levan ≪

Thank you.

He blindly grabbed the one ontop of the stack, and quickly put it on. She simply remained next to him, not hiding her curious looks.


≫ Levan ≪

Something wrong?

≫ Kimberly ≪

No, I was just, eh, wondering how expensive it was to get all those tattoos!

≫ Levan ≪

You like them? I actually got a good discount.

≫ Kimberly ≪

... Does that discount actually mean anything to you? You know, being rich and all that?

≫ Levan ≪

It is mostly about the gesture. Besides, you do not stay rich if you just throw your money out of the window without any thought.

≫ Kimberly ≪

True. Is your nose better?

≫ Levan ≪

I think so?

≫ Kimberly ≪

Let me see!

She stepped closer, stopping right in front of him, her face getting awkwardly close to his, just to peck the nose on the tip. Smirking, she took a step back. It baffled him.


≫ Kimberly ≪

Did that hurt?

≫ Levan ≪

Uhm, not at all.

Kimberly chuckled awkwardly, then took another step back.


≫ Kimberly ≪

I will, eh, go back to decorating!

≫ Levan ≪

Oh, okay-

And with that, she left, leaving him with a silent, content smile.

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