Description: Spending a lazy domestic Sunday with your love ones.
Warnings: maybe suggestive a bit. cursing . Dats all
~~~
The first thing you noticed was warmth. Not the blazing humid heat that lingers through the Mississippi delta in the summer. But the warmth of plush skin clinging to your side.
Annie
This was a typical Sunday morning in your household. You sleep in, Annie's heat softening your muscles and swaying you into a deep rest. That and the remembrance of the lack of work you had to complete was a recipe for a lazy day.
She curled into your side, breathing slow and steady. The sunlight filtered through the window displayed tiny dust mites in its trail. The room casted in goldlight. For just a second you enjoyed moments like this. When things were quiet. Nothing needs to get done. Nothing needed fixin. Just silence and peace.
The household had its routine. Saturday was a workful day. Collecting herbs, running the small shack you and Annie sold goods out of. Listening to the neighborhood kids tell stories on what their moms and pops were up to. Between running around and the suffocating heat by the time you both arrived home Annie would shoo you into the bathroom to 'Wash the day of yourself' and get started on dinner.
Smoke would usually be home by now. You never knew what he went off and did but he always came back right in time for dinner. Something bout 'if his ladies worked all day and prepared a nice dinner for him then at least he oughta be at the table with the day's cash in hand.' Smoke was the kinda man who believed in providing. He hated that you and Annie were on your feet all day but he respected your decision to continue to work. So Smoke would work all day, make the money for the house, slap the money on the table and after giving you both a knee shaking kiss.
"Y'all breathin in there, or all that workin done finally killed yall?"
Smoke's voice echoes from somewhere in the house causing Annie to groan awake. Your laughing mixed with Annie's obvious annoyance from yalls husband's loud mouth. A second later the door swung open. There Smoke was fully dressed and leaning against the door frame with his signature smirk.
"Would ya look at that, yall are alive." he said smugly
"Leave us alone boy" Annie muttered without opening her eyes.
"Nope" he replied, moving closer to the side of the bed closest to Annie.
"I guess I'll just have to get in bed with yall." He shrugged
Annie opened her eyes quickly and glared at him.
"You get on my bed with ya outside clothes and I swear id bleed ur black ass dry "
Your body shook with laughter at their usual antics. Smoke's eyes softened and he leaned over to give you both a gentle kiss before moving back to the door.
"Morning chores are done, Kitchen is clean and ready to go. Yall take yall time getting up. I'll be outside working on that leak in the shack." With one last look he walked out the room.
We both let out a sigh of content.
"What a man," Annie swooned.
"Yes he is" You agreed
"Lets go get some breakfast started for our hard worker" You both agreed swinging your feet over the side of the bed and sliding your slippers on.
"But first shower" Annie groaned out while stretching her muscles.
"Want some company" You flirted
"Always" She offered back
"Guess our man is gonna have to wait a second for breakfast" You both giggled and made your way to the bathroom.
After the shower you both made your way to the kitchen. Freshly washed, freshly fucked, with skin slathered in sheabutter and your prefered smell goods.
Annie stood at the stove, flipping bacon while you stood beside her whisking the eggs and making sure the grits didn't stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. Through the kitchen window you could see Smoke hammering something. Then came the occasional clang and muffled curses.
You smiled while adding cheese to the eggs.
"Sound..promising" You grinned
"As promising as our man coming back inside with a nail through his hand."
You both giggled at that.
Smoke had been determined to fix the leak in the shack. The problem is he refused to admit when he needed some help.
Another clang rang through the house.
"Son of a b-" quickly followed after.
"You think he's actually fixing it?" Annie asked
"I think he's eventually going to after tweaking it a bit more first."
Annie slid the bacon on the plate. Handing it to you while you plated the grits.
She maneuvered around you to put the eggs on the skillet next. You both loved cooking together. You knew how to flow around the kitchen barley bumping into each other unless intentional.
The screen door creaked open after a couple of minutes.
Smoke stepped inside the second the eggs hit the plate looking exhausted and irritated. The second he laid eyes on both of you, setting the table, placing a plate in his seat, his shoulders relaxed and he smiled. A dramatic sigh escaped his lips followed by a chuckle.
"How's it going?" you asked.
"I say we burn it down and start fresh" He joked walking towards ANnie wrapping his arms around her.
Annie gasped and stepped out of his hold and turned to face him.
"You like trying me dont you smoke" She waved the nearby knife at him
"Yes ma'am" he grinned proudly
You chuckled and shook your head.
You and Annie burst out laughing and continued setting the table. Smoke stopped talking and took the time to stare at you both. Taking in the way your skin flistenined in the rays of the sun. He loved him some you and Annie and that would never change.
summary: head cannon on what sex—a-z—is like with Armando
A: After care (what they’re like after sex)
I’m fully convinced that after you have sex, Armando cleans you off while telling you how well you took him. Then he sets a bath or shower, your preference, for you both. He likes to clean you off and sing you some more praises before you ultimately fall asleep in each others arms.
B: Body part (what’s their favorite body part)
I see Armando as an ass and back guy. There’s no doubt he’s in killer shape, so I think seeing a toned back and a fat, perky ass bouncing while he drills into you from behind, would definitely turn him on, only fueling the way he destroys your cunt.
C: Cum (where do they like to cum)
Armando cums literally anywhere you let him. On your face, in your pussy, on your back, on your stomach. Anywhere you tell him, he will
D: Dirty (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)
Armando once caught you using a vibrator and never told you. It was just something about the way you moaned and squirmed, touching yourself while you called out his name, that fueled his ego and lust for you.
E : Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)
Armando’s a drug dealer, there are desperate girls lying up just waiting for the chance at a good fuck with him. I think it goes without saying that he’s pretty experienced and has methods on making you cum each and every-time you fuck.
F: Favorite position (this goes without saying)
I think Armando likes some good ole’ missionary, except he likes to fold you like a pretzel, test the bounds of your flexibility, as he pounds and drills deep into you. He loves to not only hear your cries and moans but see them too, and in missionary, he really gets the best of both worlds.
G: Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)
To Armando, there is nothing funny about getting the chance to fuck you and see you wither from his touch. I doubt he laughs in general, so sex would definitely be a no laughing matter.
H: Hair (how well groomed are they)
For the most part I think Armando is clean shaven. I didn’t see a spec of hair on his chest in the prison scene so I think when you pull down his pants, it’ll either be clean shaven or a slight buzz down there.
I: Intimacy (how intimate are they)
It depends, are you the love of his life, or a quick fuck? Love of his life? He’ll go above and beyond for you. A quick fuck? The most you’ll get out of his is an orgasm and one night in a five star hotel.
J : Jack off (masturbation headcanon)
Armando has a high sex drive—I mean look at his father—so he’s definitely going to jack off, especially with the time he spends alone and in prison. He’d jerk off thinking of you, squeezing snd pumping his swollen cock in his fist until he cums.
K: Kink (what are their kinks)
Now as violent as Armando can get, I don’t think his kink would be anything that can hurt you. I think if anything, the lack of a stable family and community around him would make him desperate for a family of his own with the right woman. I think he’d have a breeding kink, always moaning and babbling about how he wants to cum deep inside of you, impregnating you to start a family. His favorite phrase to moan near his orgasm: “Hazme papá, mi amor.”
L: location (where do they like to fuck)
Armando will fuck you anywhere his cock starts to ache, needing to be inside you. It doesn’t matter where you too are, if he wants you, he’ll have you.
M : Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)
Armando has expensive taste. So he gets the most turned on when you’re sensually dressed in the lingerie he bought you, all dolled up for him. I think seeing you like that, doing mundane things like cooking and cleaning, will have him ready to explode.
No: No (what are some things they’re not doing to you)
I don’t think Armando’s doing anything that can hurt you. He doesn’t want you to fear him if he goes to far, then he’ll loose you and he can’t risk that.
O: Oral (do they give and receive oral)
Armando loves the taste or your pussy, and he loves how he can make you cum just by eating you out, he loves the power of gives him. He doesn’t always ask for it, but he loves when you go down on him and suck his cock with such ease. It’s glorious watching you choke and slob on his large member.
P: Pace (how fast or slow is sex)
This depends on Armando’s mood. If you’re fucking or having a quickie, he’s all about fast and tough, making you cum as quick and hard as he can. But if you’re making love, he will give you slow, powerful, and calculate strokes, making sure to hit your sweet spot every-time time he pushes into you while singing you praises and telling you your worth.
Q : Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)
Armando is always game for a quickie, but I don’t think he has them often. If he’s going to fuck you, he’s going to fuck you passion and purpose and quickie doesn’t give him the time to do what he truly wants to do to you.
R: Risk (how risky are they)
Armando’s a drug-dealing assassin, risk might as well be his middle name. He’s fucking you in the office, in the van, in the compound, outside in the woods, in an airplane bathroom, upstairs at a friends place. He’s an adrenaline junkie and some part of him gets off on the fact that you like the risk too.
S: Stamina (how long do they last)
Do you see his body? That man can last for hours if he has too. Round after round he won’t tap out until you do, and if that means being balls deep for hours, he’ll do that.
T: Toys (do they like toys? Do they use them?)
Armando won’t use toys on himself. And he doesn’t really like them, he’d rather his partner cum because of him and what can do. He’ll study every part of you and listen to your sexual language so that he can perform just what you need to make you cum harder than any toy could make you.
U: Unfair (how unfair are they when you fuck)
Armando loves to tease you, edging you and seeing how far he can push you for your release. He loves to stop fucking you just when you’re at the edge so that you’re begging for him just to stick the head of his cock back in and finish his job. Hell do this a few times because some insecure part of himself needs to know just how badly you need him.
V: Volume (how loud they are during sex)
Armando is definitely vocal. He grunts and moans as he takes your pussy with his cock. He praises you in Spanish and English for how well you take his cock. He wants to be heard by you and others, claiming you as his with his sounds.
W: Wild card ( a random head canon)
As dominant as he can be, I really do think he’s a munch. I think he could sit for hours just eating your pussy or doing as you ask him and following your orders. Whatever you tell him to do in the bedroom, that won’t hurt you, of course, he does it. And he does it with fucking pride. He’s your best eater and there’s no doubt about it.
X: X-ray (what’s going down underneath)
Marcus said it: “those Lowery genes are a bitch.” I’m thinking Armando is strapped. He’s about 7 1/2 inches and thick, a perfect size to stretch you out and give you a good, full fucking that’ll have you craving for more.
Y: Yearing (how high is their sex drive)
High. That’s all I’m going to say. High.
Z: Zzz (how fast to the fall asleep after sex)
I don’t think he sleeps right after. Armando definitely pulls you into his arms and watches you sleep against his chest. And once you’re sleep for a while with no waking, I think that’s when he’ll slowly start to doze off himself.
I lowkey don’t like when it’s soooo many series going at once. I’m reading a maybe 4-5 chapter story it hasn’t been updated since 2024… damn just take the story down lol Love y’all writing but God damn. 💔
"This all such a mess...a big mess...Why...What were you hoping to accomplish when you brought that woman here, Alicent?"
Alicent stare ahead at the flames in the fireplace despair and bitter, ignoring the woman she considered to be her second mother, she and the rest of the family were in the great chambers, Jaenara and Aemond have been gone for five days and the due date was coming up close. And no one know where they are. Their dragon are gone, of course, and nobody from Mageonste or Dragonstone seen them. It's as if they disappeared off the face of the earth, and it's all her fault.
"I can tell you that, mother. She was trying to get rid of Jaenara, so the bastard can give her a real grandchild." Aeron accused glaring at his half-sister as she sat sulking in the armchair close to the fireplace.
"You don't know if thats true, Aeron." Valaena spoke up quickly to defend her sister, she walks up behind her husband to stand next to him.
"No, it's true." Aegon announce, getting everyone attention expect for his mother as he tilt his goblet back, "What? We all know it is." He says when he notice everyone looking at him.
Rhaelle looks away from her cousin with distress look, she was so worried about Jaenara and the babe, when she went to her chambers that night in hopes to comfort her. The young girl and her prince were no where to be find, at first Rhaelle didn't think much about it, she knew how the young girl felt and she understood that she needed time away. But, that's didn't mean she had to like the fact that her neice was in the wind.
"I still do not see why we can't go looking from them." Alys says looking over at her mother with her arms cross.
"They need to come home on their own, we can not just drag them back if they are not ready to come home and...and for all we know, maybe they don't even want to come back."
Alys frowns at her mother, before she look over at Alyssa to see her with a small frown too.
It was true. Everyone knew it. What happened at the dinner was despicable and cruel, it was obvious that Alicent wanted to get under Jaenara's skin. And they all knew why, after the private dinner that caused tension between not only Rhaenyra and her father but the king and his queen.
"Maybe, that's a good thing." Rhaenyra said.
Multiple pair of eyes glare over at her as she sat on the couch between her older and younger son, Luke look over at his mother with a deep frown.
"In why in the fuck would that be a 'good thing'" Alys hiss, rhaenyra looks over at her cousin with a placid look.
"I'm just saying, if she doesn't want to come back maybe there's more than one reason than what happened at dinner."
"Yeah, and we're looking at her right now." Baelon snips.
Rhaenyra ignore her cousin before looking at her lady wife and lord husband as daemon just walked in putting his hand on his wife back.
"You know I'm right." Rhaenyra says.
Rhaelle frown at her princess-wife before turning her attention to the queen, Jaenara didn't really talk much about the first couple of months of her marriage to Aemond. All she told us was she miscarried before this one and that's it, we probably wouldn't have known about the miscarriage if it wasn't for Alicent bringing it to light one night at dinner.
"Hard for me to say, but maybe she's right."
Rhaelle along with her kin look at Maekar with a mixture of expressions.
"Are you serious?" Baelon says in dismay, not believing what he was hearing, Maekar gives his mother a look.
"Sadly." Rhaenyra roll her eyes looking away, "But, I wouldn't put it pass Aemond to punish Jaenara for her brother's actions." Maekar looks over at Lucerys, who frown at his cousin making Jacerys glare at Maekar.
"This isn't Luke's fault."
"I didn't say it was, did i?" Maekar snip.
"Then, what are you trying to say, because last time I check. Aemond ran off with Jaenara and they seem to be happy with one another."
"Well, if your self-righteousness wasn't blinding you, you would have notice how much your sister has change. How she doesn't smile as much as she use to or how she rather spend most of her time outside in the garden than inside the castle--" Romarn chuckles making Maekar stop to look at him.
"It sounds like you fancy her, cousin."
Maekar roll his eyes at Romarn.
"No, unlike you have a very keen sense of detail that helps me understand what's going on around me." Maekar snide, making Ronas snort.
"Sure you do, did your 'keen sense of detail' tell you anything when you were watching her and aemond cooing another that night." Ronas smirk.
Maekar swallow as he stare at his cousin, the look he was giving them was emotionless and some of the others in the room stood awkwardly silent at the tension that appear in the room.
"No." He finally answered, making Ronas raise a brow while his brother grin, "But, if you have any keen sense of a brain, I advise you to keep your asinine, which means foolish by the way, remarks to yourself unless you want to swallow all of your teeth." He threatened.
Ronas roll his eyes with a peeve look, unlike his younger brother, Romarn sneer at the older boy.
"No need to be so testy, Mae." Romarn ribbed, making Maekar flick his eyes to him,"You should learn how to take a jest, maybe then jaenara would find your company a little less intimidating." He chuckle.
Maekar narrow his eyes at his young cousin before he close his eyes and took in a deep breathe before reopening his eyes as he exhale, the rest of the clan watch holding their breath as Maekar turn his attention back to Romarn.
"Yes...Maybe your right, cousin." Romarn smirk as he raise his brow with a look, "Maybe that's why it was easy for you to get Alyaena into bed--"
"Maekar! You bastard." Alyaena cries out with a look of horror and embarrassment.
"I guess humor can be consider an aphrodisiac." He shrugs nonchalant before looking away from Romarn's shock expression, while Alyaena glare at her brother.
"Fucking pig." She mumbled making her brother look at her.
"Stop fussing. If you want to blame someone blame that idiot you let dump his seed into you--"
Alyaena growled balling her fists, she turns to Romarn who looks back at her with a fear in his eyes.
"I'm going to kill you--"
"No." Daemon was quick to around his wife and grab Alyeana's elbow before she could charge at her moronic cousin, her father pulled her back to stand between him and his wife.
"It slipped out." He said low with a sheepish look.
Alyaena roll her eyes angrily looking away from him and crossing her arms, Daemon kept a close eye on his daughter as another argument ensures.
"Slip out? More like he projectile vomited it out, he wouldn't stop talking until he finally passed out." Aegon chortles from his seat besides Adrielle and Helaena, romarn glared at aegon.
"Shut up." He snapped, "Atleast I wasn't making a fool of myself. Oh where's my belove? Where Adrielle? Where is my beautiful wife, Adrielle? Adrielle, Adrielle, Adrielle." Romarn mocks with a annoyed look, aegon scowled him before he could say anything Adrielle spoke up.
"Don't even justify that with an response, Aegon." Adrielle said leaning against Aegon, "He is just mad that he doesn't have the type of relationship you and I have." Adrielle looks at her lover who gaze at her with a lovesick smile, Aegor stood behind his adopted sister with a shake of a head.
"A relationship build on empty promises and lies, why would anyone want such a union."
Adrielle snap her head around to glare at Aegor, he looks back at her with a raise brow with a look that made her look away with a bitter mood.
"Well, not all of us are bless to be born a boy, little brother. Not all of us have a say in what we can do in our life--"
"Stop it." Aeron interrupted.
"Don't you dare blame my gender for your shortcomings, big sister." He sneer, "It is not my fault that you can't learn to keep your legs close, or mouth for that matter."
"Aegor, that's enough! Apologize to your sister." Valaena chided with a displease look, Aegor look over at his mother before looking back at his sister.
He look at her for a minute, she had a brow raise high with a smug look, she mouth taunts at him as aegon looks at him with a sneer.
"I'll apologize when she pray to the gods for forgiveness."
"For what?" Adrielle gives him a offended look, Aegor tilt his head to the side.
"For killing your baby."
Adrielle's face drop along with Aegon, the room went quiet, so quiet that rhaelle could hear the rats in the walls.
"What is he talking about, Adrielle." The young princess drop her gaze to the floor, "...Aegor." Aeron turn his accusing eyes to his eldest son, who averted his own to anywhere that wasn't his family.
"Maybe, this should be discuss in a more private setting–" Rhaelle started.
"No! There's no need for that...I already got my answer."
Aegor and Adrielle look towards each other before looking at their father, Aeron stare at them with a coldness that they never been on the receiving end of before.
"Papa--" Adrielle start with tears in her eyes but Aeron raise up a hand stopping her.
"Don't." He drop his hand with an exhale, "I have allow you to do..whatever you want for the pass seventeen years, mainly because of your mother, but now I see I should have done more." He nodded to himself before he looks up at his daughter, he glance at aegon before looking at adrielle, "This decision hurts me more than you can ever imagine." Adrielle frown at her father's words before staring in confound as he turn on his heels walking away.
"What does that mean?" She asked once he left out the door, Adrielle look at her mother and grandmother, "M-Mama, what does father speak of?" She asked desperately, Valaena snap out of her thoughts before she looks at her daughter.
Valaena didn't say a word as she turns making Adrielle stand up from the couch, she called for her mother again only for it to fall on deaf ears as Valaena left quickly. Adrielle stood in the middle of the room feeling as if her world just came crumbling around her, Aegon glance at Helaena who stare at Adrielle with worry.
Alyssa was the first to move as she stood and walk over to her cousin, she touch Adrielle's shoulder gently as the other girl stare blankly at the door.
"Adrielle...Are you alright?" Alyssa whispered moving to stand beside her.
Adrielle didn't respond instead she starts crying, she covered her mouth before she stumble forward towards the door.
"Adrielle!" Aegon called after concerned before getting off the couch with Helaena in toe.
They left the great chambers to follow after Adrielle, the rest of the family stood still watching in utter shock. Again, Alyssa was the first to move and she turn to Aegor with a look, making the other boy sense his belove heated gaze.
"Don't look at me like that, she started--"
"Your an ass, Aegor." Alyssa snapped making Aegor roll his eyes.
"Spare me, please." He started, "She did it to herself, if she stop pushing me--"
"You could have walked away." Baelon said, Aegor look at him.
"Would you and Alys."
Baelon glance at Alys before shrugging his shoulders.
"Fair point."
Alyssa rolled her eyes at him putting her attention back on her nephew.
"You had no right--" She pointed at him.
"Gods! Why is it every time something happens between me and adrielle, im the one at fault and not her."
"That's not true, darling." Rhaelle said.
"But, it is, my mother has always taken adrielle's side and father only does what mother tells him to do." He says, "It's not fair she never gets in trouble...never." he looks at Alyssa before shaking his head and stalk towards the door.
Rhaelle touch his arm but he only kept walking, Alyssa goes after him not before giving her mother a look that she take care of him before leaving out the door.
"Can this day get any worse." Alyaena utter under her breathe before flopping down on the couch that was inhabited by Adrielle, Aegon, and Helaena.
Just as she said that Alicent gets up from her chair catching everybody's else attention, the queen turns slowly looking over towards rhaelle with red eyes and dried tears covered her flush cheeks.
"Do you really wish to know why I brought Alys River here?" Alicent said in a low and empty voice, rhaelle swallow eyeing Alicent, "I brought her here because I knew if jaenara saw her...she fall back into desolation, she would have shut herself out, stop eating, and slowly fade away in her room like before. She would have loss the baby but...atleast Aemond would have had Rivers and their child in the end." Alicent finish, she glance around the room fo Daemon along with his children glare at her with hate, while Rhaenyra and her son were unbothered by her words.
Alicent snap her eyes to rhaelle when the old queen took a step forward before walking up to her, Alicent straighten her back and she close her eyes, hoping the slap would be painful. She waited for a moment, but nothing came, she opened her eyes and she felt her heart crack in her ribcage as she stare back at the disappointed and unforgiving eyes of her step-mother.
Rhaelle gaze over Alicent's features trying to figure out what she did to make Alicent like this, all she ever done was be a good mother to her and love her like she birth her. But, love from rhaelle wasn't enough for the queen, or maybe there wasn't love in her at all, maybe Otto made sure of that.
Alicent held her breathe when rhaelle opened her mouth, but rhaelle stop herself and purse her mouth shut. She looks at Alicent with a tired a look before she turn away from her, Alicent watch with furrow brows as the rest of the family follow after the former queen.
Rhaenyra was the last to leave, she held onto the handle of the door before looking at Alicent. The queen stood there hollow as tears gathered in her eyes again, Alicent look at Rhaenyra finally, they stare at each other for a moment before Alicent was the first to look away and turn back to the fure. Rhaenyra watch as she sat back down again and went back to staring emotionless like statue at the fireplace, the older princess slowly closing the door behind her as a feeling she never thought she feel for Alicent again appeared.
My new original character, inspired by Silver the Hedgehog, I decided to post on Dia Nacional de Zumbi e da Consciência Negra (a holiday in my country, Brazil).
Note: I don't have a name yet.
Inspired by Silver the Hedgehog, she's a girl born years in the future where Earth is destroyed by a cataclysmic event and few humans remain. Everyone believes that a magical girl started it (I was thinking of Aika from Pretty Pretty Please I Don't Want to Be a Magical Girl, but I'd probably change it; she was supposed to be an OC for Pretty Pretty Please I Don't Want to Be a Magical Girl). Using technology, they managed to use magical girl magic to travel back in time once and for all, and they also needed someone to travel with. My OC was chosen because she was the only one who volunteered. Using technology and magical girl magic, experiments were conducted that made her manifest telekinetic abilities. NOTE: She uses prosthetic legs because she was born without them. She was sent to the past with the objective of preventing the cataclysmic event.
I was also inspired to draw a magical girl by @keyrinq's wonderful drawing, of @gutt-gerl's BLOOD MOON ZIRA DESIGN.
Sometimes it felt as if she came out of nowhere. Invading Shuri's world in more ways than she could have imagined. Making her question things she firmly believed in. Shuri could never have prepared herself for the revelations. But... will she be able to handle the truth? Especially when she's so drawn to the enigmatic beauty who comes with more secrets than she can fathom. What starts as curiosity turns into a dark unraveling. Not just for Shuri, but the whole Wakanda.
Shuri Udaku x Black OC
Pre-Black Panther
Chapter 1
The princess of Wakanda was being led up the stairs by her persistent friend. They were following the music; people passed and showed their respect to the princess. Her mind was counting all the things she could be doing with her time, instead of being led to a gathering she had no interest in.
“Come on, Shuri!” The girl in front of her groaned. “You’re always in that lab of yours. Don’t you know? Life will pass you by if you don’t stop and enjoy it.”
“Life is not passing me by.” She rolled her eyes as she allowed the shorter girl to drag her. “We enjoy different activities. You know this is not my kind of place.”
“How will you know if you don’t try it? It’s always science, science, science.”
The girl giggled, “I bet you even dream of it.”
Shuri ignored the jab and sighed, “You know my brother’s birthday is tomorrow, Imani. I must get enough sleep.”
“You never get enough sleep, Shuri.” Imani retorted with an eyeroll and a smile. “You need to relax.”
They reached the top of the stairs, where the exclusive ‘gathering’ was taking place. Shuri didn’t know how Imani had gotten the invites or who was allowed in the place. But they had called it a gathering.
She assumed it had to do with status.
“I promise it’s not as bad as the clubs. It’s just us and a couple of friends. No wild night, I promise.”
“Ahh,” Shuri sighed and nodded, “I guess I must get my ears checked. For a second there I thought I was hearing loud music.”
“Shuri.” Imani grabbed her hand. “That’s just the DJ. And FYI? He’s so good he can make you dance the whole night, and you won’t even notice it until it’s closing time.”
“You’ll forget all your worries just by hearing him play.” She twirled, the short black dress swaying with the movement and hugging her hips. “But that’s not why I wanted you to come. You know Kele, right? The singer?”
Shuri frowned before her eyes lit up with recognition.
She nodded slowly.
Imani giggled, “She’s here tonight.”
Shuri did not know the girl, but her name had popped up in a few conversations. It was nothing that caught her interest, only that she had a magical voice, and her presence was like witnessing the face of a goddess. Those, of course, were exaggerated praises she had heard from some of the scientists in the lab.
“She’s only been to Wakanda, like two times before. I missed her last performance and it’s difficult to get invited. I had to beg the DJ to get me an invite. On my knees!”
Imani gasped and slapped her arm, “No! Not like that.”
“Being invited to her performances is like…” She waved her hands in exaggeration. “A once in a lifetime opportunity. A friend of mine got invited to the last one and she says she woke up feeling refreshed. As if she had suddenly become a new person.”
She added offhandedly, “Granted, she might have been high or something because she woke up with all her jewellery gone and she hardly remembered anything for 24 hours.”
“So, you brought us here to get drugged and mugged. Am I getting this right?” Shuri deadpanned, ready to turn around. “Great idea, Imani. Truly.”
“Shuri, I want us to relax and have this once in a lifetime opportunity together. Come on!” She hugged Shuri’s arm. “I am leaving in a few days, and this is a chance for us to enjoy something together. Plus, this is Wakanda. What are the chances of us getting robbed?”
“Now, for the actual reason we’re here.” Imani cleared her throat and lowered her voice. “This girl has been performing for the past three years but nobody has a recording of it. They say hearing her voice feels like you’re in a trance. Everything disappears and the only thing that matters is her. No one is allowed to record and even if you try, they erase everything.”
Imani knew that would get her attention. She smiled victoriously and continued, “I thought they were joking but there’s no recording at all. All the videos? Muted. Recordings? Wiped. But Shuri this is Wakanda.”
“We have all this technology and you, my friend,” She tapped Shuri’s chest. “You will use all that fancy technology and get us a recording.”
“What?!”
“It’s not like it’s illegal or something.”
Shuri was about to fight her when a girl suddenly passed by them, muttering a small apology along the way.
Imani suddenly gasped, her hand rising to slap her friend’s arm in alarm. Shuri winced as the girl slapped her arm repeatedly, her eyes wide in shock.
“That’s her!” She whisper-yelled. “It’s really her! Do you think she heard me?”
Shuri’s eyes moved to the girl. She was tall, with skin as warm as cocoa and her jet-black hair held in a tight ponytail, soft curls bouncing with every step. She wore a loose, silky dress that stopped mid-thigh with silver heels that made a sound as she moved further away from them. Shuri caught glimpse of a tattoo on her left shoulder, just peaking from the straps of her dress. She didn’t have time to process before her friend took her hand and rushed after the girl.
“Imani, stop running.” She hissed but made no motion to stop the girl. Unlike her, she wore a loose black romper that had beads sewn along the neckline. Her hair was braided in five lines, with pearls woven into the thick braids, and her Kimoyo beads attached to her wrist as always.
“Don’t forget to record.”
Imani pushed the door open, and they were greeted by a relaxed crowd, seated and chattering amongst themselves.
The opposite of what she heard from the outside just a few minutes again.
The girl was seated on the stage, a small setup made for her so she could sit above everyone else. Behind her was a DJ sitting on a chair behind his equipment.
Whoever chose the place made sure the two artists were stationed near the large window that overlooked the city. The scene was lovely and inviting. Not at all what the princess was expecting.
A few people waved them over to the indigo couches and Imani led them to the group. They all looked high class. There were various drinks on the table, others untouched. The couches were a few feet away from the stage, just close enough to admire the scene and have a closer look at the enchanting young woman.
The singer muttered a few words to the DJ and turned to the crowd with a warm smile.
There was a black band around her neck, paired with colourful bangles on her wrists.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” Her voice was smooth and velvety. Her accent like theirs yet tinged with something completely different.
A few squeals and sighs reached Shuri’s ears. A few people responded to the question with actual words.
“I asked Mr DJ over here to prepare something fit for the evening. Something chilled… relaxed.”
Her eyes flickered over the crowd and her smile widened, “Try to keep up, yeah?”
She nodded to the DJ and a soft tune started.
She harmonised softly before she started singing.
Her voice was more enchanting when she was singing. The upbeat melody mashed well with her voice. The lyrics playful and a bit suggestive, companied by her coy and yet flirty smile. Shuri allowed herself to relax and enjoy the music. Basking in the velvety voice and allowing the music to fill her senses.
The audience couldn’t take their eyes off her. They didn’t know if they wanted to dance or sit and enjoy the music. Others couldn’t move in fear that they would miss a moment.
A small static filled the air.
Shuri frowned. She pulled herself away from the music and scanned the room.
No one else seemed to hear the sound…
She shook her head and turned back to the singer. A pair of warm brown eyes met hers and her breath hitched.
The singer removed her gaze and continued singing, closing her eyes and immersing herself in the song.
The princess heard the sound toning down before it disappeared completely.
She listened to the music, now more aware of everything than before.
