AUXILIUM

LING

“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Lizzy said. “Laura ran off the second we grabbed Derek's present. I don't know what's up with her.”

“No problem,” Ling said honestly. “It's the least I can do after all that with Turgay. Besides, I also need to get Derek something.”

“Anything specific in mind?” Lizzy asked. She held a yellow t-shirt up to her, checking for size. It was weird hanging out with her, and not just because they hadn't done it before. She was a lot taller than Ling, and she still wasn't quite used to it.

“I dunno... clothes?”

Her golden eyes twinkled. “For you or for him?”

Ling blinked. “What?”

She grinned mischievously. “Weeell... there are lingerie stores around her, so maybe...”

Ling was honestly surprised. Lizzy hadn't struck her as someone who would notice that. Maybe there was more to her than met the eye. On the other hand, it would be nearly impossible for there not to be.

“I doubt it would work,” Ling said. “He's not exactly tuned into that channel.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Anyway, I'm not sure I can pay for much. I barely have enough for food.”

She waved her hand. “Don't worry about that. I'll pay for everything.”

Ling frowned up at her. “You don't have to do that. I would prefer not getting anything rather than owing you more.”

“Oh, don't worry about it,” she said with a grin. “I think friends can afford to owe each other a few favors.”

Ling shrugged uncomfortably. “I... guess, but I mean... after all that with Turgay—”

Lizzy gave her a level stare. “Ling,” she said. “That was not a favor. That was just doing the right thing. You don't owe me for that.”

Ling raised an eyebrow. “Becoming complicit in grand theft is doing the right thing?”

“More like spreading the toy box around is the right thing.” She licked her lips in an exaggerated way. “Can you imagine the implications?”

“Not really,” Ling admitted. “Cheaper healing and more anthros?”

Lizzy smiled. “A little more than that.” She opened her mouth to continue, but then bit her lip, reconsidering. “I don't really understand it all. My agent is the one who's really excited. She keeps going on about how it needs to be open sourced and so on, how it will completely reinvent society.”

“The toy maker already did that,” Ling pointed out. She indicated a nearby fel. “Or did you miss the memo?”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Lizzy just rolled her eyes and held up another shirt to her, green this time. “I mean beyond that. You saw the toy box, right? Didn't you feel its potential?” She turned to grab another shirt.

Ling just stared at her. “Uh, no. No, I didn't. I saw a shiny metal coffin.”

She turned back and blinked. “Really? Interesting. I wonder if it's just a coincidence...”

Ling rubbed her forehead. “What?”

“Sorry, sorry,” she said. “It's just that all my people who helped out mentioned a sort of power in the box. A feeling of infinity.” She shrugged. “Probably just all in their heads. They thought it was important, so it was.”

“I suppose,” Ling mused. She took the newest shirt from Lizzy. It was a floral print, mostly with light colors. It looked nice, but she wasn't sure how it would work with her skin tone. At least it matched her hair.

“Changing room is right over here,” Lizzy said as she dragged her to the corner of the boutique. “Let's see how that looks.”

After Ling finished changing and was looking at herself in the mirror, a thought occurred to her. “Your people... the ones who got Turgay in touch with Soaring Eagle. They're trustworthy, right?”

Lizzy just laughed. “Oh, yes, I can guarantee that. They wouldn't rat you out if their lives depended on it.”

That made Ling distinctly uncomfortable. She really didn't know how to handle that sort of devotion. She didn't even know these people. “That's good, I guess. How are you so sure?”

“I select my agents and other support staff by loyalty,” she said. She gently grabbed Ling's shoulders and turned her a little, so she could see a better angle. “There's so much I can't do, I need people I can rely on.”

It really was a nice shirt. Tight too, emphasizing her chest, such as it was. “Like what? What can't you do?”

“Can't drive,” she said. “Never got the hang of it, although in Domina it's not as big a deal as it would be elsewhere. I'm horrific with computers. They make no sense. And medicine. I need help in that area. A trustworthy doctor and someone to remind me to take the right pills. I always forget otherwise.” She shrugged. “Those are the big three.”

“How'd you even get into voice acting in the first place?” Ling took off the shirt and pulled on the next one. She was pretty sure she was going to get the floral one, but she wanted to check all her options first.

“Same way anyone gets into anything,” Lizzy said. “Did an audition, got chosen. I mean, isn't that basically how you got your scholarship?”

Ling winced. “Not... quite. There was a lot more begging involved.” The second shirt wasn't anywhere near as good. Purple just wasn't her color. “AU doesn't really have a big soccer program.”

Lizzy nodded. “I know how that is. You think you've found something big, and it turns out that you're the only one who cares.”

That reminded her. “I asked before, but you never answered. What kind of things have you voiced?”

“Not much you would be interested in. Kids shows, mostly.”

“Laura said something about My Little Pony...”

“Yeah, exactly. Stuff like that.”

“Hm.” Ling selected another shirt from the pile. “Any anime?”

“A few. I was Amane in the new Gundam. And I played a minor side character in the new Lain movie.”

Ling blinked. “Huh, I saw Gundam. Didn't recognize your voice.”

Lizzy cocked her head. “Really?”

“Well, now it sounds familiar,” Ling said. “I just didn't make the connection until you pointed it out.”

“Well, you know how it is. Everyone sounds a little different in-character.”

“Not really,” Ling said. “At least, not for you. I just hadn't thought about it.”

“It's not really important,” Lizzy declared. “You know what is?” She grinned wickedly. “Getting you some lingerie.”