Volume 14 - Onward and Upward, Chapter 106 - Unexpected Comeback
The bartender turned around, revealing a familiar face surrounded by incredibly long, pink hair. Strands of it trailed over a tight-fitting white t-shirt with the words 'Wild Life' printed across the chest. Her hair continued out of sight into a large wooden chest around her feet, the top of which was just barely visible behind the bar. She also had pointed ears and mismatched red and purple eyes.
The bartender was unmistakably a mimic, and unmistakably Mimi.
Chione's jaw dropped and her mind went blank. After a second of silence, her brain kicked back into gear, revving with half-formed questions. How? Why? What?!
Her mouth tried to put some of the questions into words, and after a couple false starts, she managed, "How are you here? Why are you a bartender?!"
Mimi smiled and casually leaned forward so she wouldn't have to yell over the rest of the nightclub noise. With a teasing tone and a wink, she said, "Is that any way to greet an old friend?"
[https://i.imgur.com/mZUBPkW.png]
Chione blinked, then clasped her reddening face with both stony hands. "Oh, I'm sorry. That was rude of me. It's wonderful to see you again, Mimi. I missed you," she said with a sheepish smile.
"It's nice to see you too, Chione," Mimi began. "As for your questions… Remember in Tokyo, when I told you I was taking vocational courses so I could make it on my own?"
Chione nodded.
"Well, I've decided to be a bartender, at least for now," Mimi finished.
She gestured down at the chest around her feet, then said, "My crappy mobility is more than enough to get around behind the bar." She grinned and added, "And it's a career where I can put my looks to good use. If I can figure out a customer's preference, I've started adjusting my tits to match, for even better tips." She seemed incredibly proud of her ability to put her slight shapeshifting powers to financial use.
"But how are you here in Okayado? What about your host, Hajime?" Chione asked. She just couldn't get over her longtime friend's sudden appearance in town.
"Oh, I switched Exchange Program hosts so I could move back," she said simply, like it wasn't a big deal in the slightest.
Chione brushed a lock of hair over her ear and leaned closer. She knew Mimi and she knew the situation couldn't be so simple. "Oh? I don't think that's the whole story."
Mimi rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. I was lonely in Tokyo. I met a lot of people, and had lots of casual flings, but… I suck at making friends."
There was a long silence, then Mimi added, "Me and Hajime never really got back to the 'friend' level. Everything turned so formal and stuffy after we broke up. Seems that we only knew how to be lovers."
"So who's your host now?" Chione asked. Mimi was being unusually open and Chione was determined to make the most of it.
"Oh, he works here too. A guy named Brutus. I love him to death," Mimi answered.
Chione recognized the name, but she tensed up at the word 'love'. She was worried that Mimi seemed to be right back in a complicated host-dating relationship.
But then Mimi said, "He's like the big brother I never had. It's actually really refreshing to have a guy in my life that isn't trying to get into my box."
While Chione blushed at the certainly-intentional innuendo, Mimi continued, "Agent Will matched us up, since Brutus's homestay just graduated from the exchange program."
Chione was finally feeling pretty stable after the shock of Mimi's reappearance, but there was still one question on her mind. She nearly shouted, "But why didn't you tell me you were moving to town? We talked on the phone just a couple weeks ago!"
Mimi leaned back, away from the loud gargoyle. "I wanted to surprise you after I got settled into my new home and job." Mimi bashfully twirled a strand of pink hair around her finger, then said, "So, uh… Surprise!"
Chione clenched her jaw and shook her head, thinking, Same old reckless Mimi. But I never could stay mad at her. Then she smiled, held her arms wide, and said, "Can I at least get a hug?"
"Of course," Mimi replied, then leaned over the bar and gave her best friend a long overdue embrace.
The two friends continued to chat and catch up for several minutes. While they had spoken on the phone recently, there were a lot of new developments to talk about. Then a small, white-haired mothgirl climbed up on the stool next to Chione and sat down.
Actia looked between her girlfriend and the mysterious pink-haired bartender and said, "Chione, what's up? The party's headed back to the private room for now." There was a hint of alcohol-fueled jealousy in her voice.
Chione was too tipsy to notice the jealous tone. She grinned and said, "Oh, Actia, you remember Mimi, right?"
Actia's expression softened as she finally recognized the woman behind the bar. She would have recognized her sooner if not for the dim lighting, the alcohol in her system, and the fact that she'd expected Mimi to still be in Tokyo. Seeing her in an actual shirt was a change of pace too, since she had usually worn a distractingly-sheer top when they'd hung out at the Inn.
"It's nice to see you again, Mimi," Actia said.
Mimi replied, "You too, Actia." Then she smiled a mischievous half-smile and asked, "So, how far have you two been in bed?"
Chione turned pure red in embarrassment, as did Actia. The color stood out even more against her pale skin and hair.
"Uh, um," Actia stuttered for a moment. Then she gathered her courage, intent on proving herself to Chione's best friend, and blurted, "A-All the w-way. Several times."
Chione blushed an even deeper shade of red and started to get light headed. She wobbled on her stool for a moment but Actia grabbed her by the shoulder and managed to steady the larger, heavier girl.
Mimi giggled, then said, "Sorry for prying. It's just so fun to get Chione flustered." Then she lowered her voice and quietly muttered, "I didn't think you'd actually tell me."
Mimi finally mixed Chione's Kir Royale, but she made it pretty weak after seeing how tipsy Chione was. She handed Chione the watered-down drink and said, "Get on back to the party. I promise to visit your room once I get time for a break."
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"Oh, Flare," a slightly drunk Iormu said. "I've got a papillon girl in my kindergarten class who's been having some trouble with self confidence." The jormungand was coiled around an equally drunk slime who seemed to enjoy the tight embrace.
Flare finished off a glass of ice water, trying to cool down after some heavy dancing. Her white shirt was damp with sweat, revealing every detail of the lacy bra beneath.
Once she finished and had caught her breath, she said, "Oh, yeah. That was a hard age for me too." For papillons, those 'caterpillar' years of being heavyset and lethargic could be hard to bear. The only thing worse was the painful transformation during puberty.
Iormu nodded solemnly. "She doesn't have another papillon in her life to talk to. Think you could meet her some time and share your experiences?" she asked.
Flare felt for the little girl. She immediately answered, "Of course. I'd be happy to." Then with a laugh, she added, "If either of us can remember this conversation, that is."
Quess piped up then, "Don't worry about that. Iormu has an excellent memory. She remembers everything." She lovingly ran a translucent finger down the side of Iormu's face and added, "Including all my favorite positions…"
Flare looked away as the caress quickly turned into a makeout session. Thankfully, Actia and Chione had just arrived, so she moved to their table instead.
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"Hey girls. What took you so long? Checking out that bartender?" Flare asked with a smirk.
"K-kind of, but n-not like that," Actia stammered. "It turns out she's Chione's childhood friend."
Flare's golden eyes widened with curiosity. "Oh really?" she said as she pulled up a chair and sat down at the table.
Chione nodded. "Yep, her name's Mimi. At some point tonight she'll be coming back here for a bit to hang out." Then she crossed her arms and shook her head, muttering, "I still can't believe her…"
"What do you mean?" Flare asked. She was sensing some juicy drama and she wanted to know more.
Chione answered, "She came with me from France when I got into the Exchange Program, and she lived at the Inn with us for a while. But she moved to Tokyo in November. Now she's back in Okayado, apparently."
Flare shrugged, putting her four hands palm-up. "Sounds like a good thing. What's the problem?"
Chione smiled a half-smile. "It is a good thing, but she didn't tell me at all. My best friend moves to town, and I find out by bumping into her at a bar?" The irritation in her voice was clear.
"Oh my dear, inexperienced Chione. You've gotta learn to see the good in what you've got, even if it isn't perfect. On that note, I'm gonna go make the most of tonight and flirt with some guys. Seeya!" She hopped up from her seat, fluttered her magnificent and flashy wings, and jogged out the door.
Chione pondered that advice for a moment, but her thoughts were interrupted as the private room's door swung back open with a BANG.
"Oops, sorry about the noise. This cart is a little unwieldy." It was Mimi, rolling through the now-open door on her electric dolly. The wheeled platform was low to the ground and slightly larger than the base of her wooden chest. Its rubber edge is what had collided with the door.
Between the loud entrance and the apology, the entire room had turned to look. Since Chione and Actia hadn't had a chance to tell the others about MImi, they all stared in shock.
Yuisu was the first to speak. "Mimi?! What are you doing in town?" Then she raised a finger and said, "Oh, it must be for the wedding." She turned to Mara and said, "Mara, you didn't tell me you were inviting Mimi tonight."
Mara blinked her six eyes. "Uh, I didn't invite her." Then she waved a hand quickly in front of her mouth and clarified, "That's not to say you aren't welcome, Mimi. Welcome to Quess and Iormu's bachelorette party!"
Iormu and Quess looked at each other, sharing the same lost expression. Neither of them had invited Mimi to the wedding or the bachelorette party, since they just didn't know her that well, and they had wanted to keep the ceremony small, with just their local friends.
Mimi wasn't bothered by the confusion. "No one invited me. I just happened to be working tonight. I'm a bartender here now." She tried to be cool and collected as she said it, but it was a little awkward to announce her sudden return like that.
Yuisu scrunched her nose up in thought. "So you live in Okayado now? What about the Exchange Program?"
Mimi rolled the rest of the way into the room and approached Yuisu's table. Mara, Tsuen, and Haru shifted a bit to make room at the small round table. "I'm still in it, just with a new host. His name's Brutus, but despite the name, he's a really chill guy."
Yuisu and Haru nodded in unison and Haru said, "Yeah, he's great. Helped us out a couple times."
Yuisu grinned and said, "So you know Kyle too?"
Mimi sat on a tooth-free edge of her chest, tugged the wrinkles out of her short black skirt, and said, "I know of him. Haven't had a chance to meet him, since he's been busy moving in with his girlfriend."
Yuisu's eyes lit up. "Oh, how wonderful. I'm so happy for him." Just like Brutus, Kyle had come to her defense in the past, and he'd been a wonderful guest of the inn while everyone was away at ComicMon, at least from what Sari had told her.
Haru leaned forward, casting a critical eye at Mimi. "So how long have you been in town?"
Mimi twirled a strand of hair around her finger, which seemed to be her nervous tell. "Uh, about a week," she admitted.
Mara grabbed two of the large, pointed teeth that lined the front of Mimi's chest and pulled herself close. "What?! And you didn't visit the Inn or even call?"
Chione and Actia had scooted their chairs closer to the conversation, and Chione just couldn't hold her tongue any longer. She blurted, "That's what I've been saying!"
Mimi stood up in her chest, feeling defensive. "Hey, I wanted to surprise you all when I was ready, but running into you here forced my hand, okay? I didn't do it to spite you or whatever. I know you don't think highly of me, but I'm not that petty."
Tsuen finally entered the conversation to do some damage control. "It's okay, Mimi. Nobody's upset. We're all very happy to see you, and happy that you're in town now." She cast a glance around at the other women. "Aren't we?"
Everyone nodded enthusiastically.
"Yep, welcome back, Mimi!" Mara cheered.
"It's good to see you again," Haru said with a simple nod.
Suddenly, Chione stood up and pulled the standing mimic into a hug. "I'm sorry for bitching about that still. I really am happy you're back, Mimi."
"Aww, thanks girls," Mimi said. "I am happy to be back." What she didn't verbalize is how happy she was to be among friends again. Other than casual sex, she hadn't had much friendly interaction since her breakup with Hajime two months ago.
Quess oozed out of Iormu's coils and reformed next to Mimi. She said, "I know it's short notice, but you're invited to the wedding on Sunday, Mimi. We'd love to have you there."
Mimi thought for a second, then smiled wide. "Luckily, I already have that day off. I'll be there."
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After about 20 minutes of much needed socialization, Mimi excused herself from the group. "I should get back to work. Halifa is filling in for me, but she doesn't like being cooped up behind the bar. Something about how 'death cannot be caged'."
Halifa was the name of the heavily-accented and thoroughly spooky waitress that had been serving them all night. No one wanted her to be upset with Mimi, so they didn't ask Mimi to stay longer.
Chione replied, "No worries. Seeya on Sunday!"
"You got it!" Mimi said as she rolled out of the room.
A couple minutes after Mimi left, Yuisu glanced at her phone and noticed the time. "Uh, girls? It's almost 1AM. Should we wrap things up?"
Before anyone could answer, the door opened once again and Halifa entered. Her eyes glowed an eerie red in the dimly lit room, and her wispy black dress and incredibly long white braid trailed behind her like a wave of mist.
The deathly pale woman was skillfully carrying a tray with eight full glasses on it. In her unplaceable but very foreign accent, she announced to the room of women, "These are courtesy of Mimi, und they are her favorite vodka highball cocktail. Please, enjoy."
The mysterious waitress set a glass in front of each woman, including a darker looking one in front of Mara. "Mimi made this one vith coffee instead," she clarified.
Then she tucked the silver tray under her arm, turned, and gracefully exited the room. In fact, she moved too smoothly, as if her feet didn't actually touch the ground at all.
[https://i.imgur.com/SswrOZ0.png]
"Huh," Quess said after the gloomy waitress was gone. "So, that was a thing."
"An awesome thing!" Mara proclaimed, then she raised her glass above her head. "Cheers to Mimi's return, and to Quess and Iormu's last days as unmarried women!"
"Cheers!" echoed the others as they raised their own glasses. After numerous CLINKs of glasses being tapped together, everyone downed their drinks in a few quick gulps.
They all realized their mistake at the same time. Actia coughed as the strong liquor burned her throat, Quess's body turned a spicy red, and Chione's cyan eyes watered. The others were equally startled by the unexpected strength of the mixed drinks.
Iormu slammed her glass down on the table with a BANG. "By the gods, Mimi doesn't mess around. I haven't had a drink that strong in ages."
"You got tha' right," Mara said with some difficulty. The caffeine in her drink had hit her fast and hard, thanks to her low body weight. "I guesh we're gonna end the night on a high note!" With that, she bounced away and danced around the room in an unusual springy scuttle. It wasn't clear whether it was an arachne cultural dance or the spur-of-the-moment creation of a drunk girl.
Haru had downed her drink a little slower, since she had a harder time holding the glass with her wing, but the alcohol hit her all the same. Her normally crystal-clear vision was blurring, so she focused her gaze on Yuisu's face in an attempt to stabilize it.
Yuisu noticed and mistook it for a horny stare. She smiled and wiggled her chest at Haru. "Enjoying the show, babe?"
"I suppose so, but it'd be better without the blurry vision." She glanced down at Yuisu's silly rave-girl outfit, complete with a bright purple bra under a mesh t-shirt. "And without all the clothes in the way." It seemed there'd been some desire in that stare after all.
Yuisu leaned close, lightly pressing the tip of her nose to Haru's in an adorable way. She whispered, "I've still got some dancing left in me. After we get home, I'll put on a real show for you."
Haru looked into Yuisu's eyes for a moment, enjoying the intense mix of love and eroticism she saw there. Then she replied, "I'm looking forward to it."
Their intimate moment was interrupted by a very wobbly Mara suddenly jumping on their table. The tiny arachne seemed irritated and her reason soon became apparent.
"Bah! Nobody's paying attention to my dance!" she yelled. "Just 'cause I'm small doesn't mean you can jus' ignore me! An' after I set up this whole par—"
She was interrupted as two arms grabbed her around the midsection and pulled her into a hug. "What'd I tell you about jumping on tables, Mara?" Tsuen asked with a hint of menace in her voice.
"Uh…" Mara started.
"I think you need some punishment when we get back home," Tsuen said in a very suggestive tone.
Actia was near enough to overhear. She shook her head and said, "That'll just encourage the bad behavior, Tsuen."
The centaur hugged Mara tighter, smushing the smaller woman's face into her cleavage. "Meh," Tsuen said with a shrug. "So long as I get my sexy-times." Drunk Tsuen was once again horny and shameless, but at least she was waiting until they were back at home to get naughty.
After about 30 more minutes of drunken whispers, giggles, and conversation, Yuisu stood up. She raised her voice a bit too loud for the enclosed space and said, "Alright ladies, this was fun, but it's almost closing time and I'm gonna make sure we all get home safe." She planted her hands on her hips and stated, "No one's driving anywhere, and no woman left behind! We're all gonna walk together to the limo. Our new driver should be waiting nearby."
Actia raised a small hand. "Uh, Chione and I were gonna walk back to my place and hang out, since the night's still young."
The plan was news to Chione, but she nodded all the same. "Yeah, we're good to walk, and we won't fly drunk. I promise."
"Awright, girls, but you be careful. You gotta watch fer cars and drunk people," Yuisu slurred. Then she started toward the door. "I'm gonna see if Flare needs a ride too."
Actia shook her head. "Nah, she texted me that she already left with some guy."
"Guy?" Yuisu asked, having briefly forgotten that Flare was straight. "Oh, right. Cool." Then she waved a beckoning arm and said, "Come on, girls, let's get home to our beds and lovers!"
As the group left the private room, Yuisu briefly glanced back at the messy room and the numerous empty glasses they left behind. She mumbled, "Oof, not looking forward to the bill, but that's sober Yuisu's problem."