[Illium, Nos Astra] let the show begin! (closed)

"I should have let her sign something..." Taleeze was musing as Mie left the building. Maybe another time.

She turned around to Daia with a sigh.
"Oh my, that sounds just wonderful." She rolled her head to release the tension in her neck. "Warm water, the clear night sky overhead, floating around, chatting about stuff that has nothing to do with work for a change... Daia, you have me melting at your feet. But I am still mad about one thing..." she took a stern look suddenly, Daia seemed surprised.

"Why in all the oceans did you tell me about that place only now?" Then the two of them laughed "I'll just grab my gear and we are so out of here, okay?"

===========

Cup Day! The big game, the big arena.

Taleeze had hated the fact that they had to miss the second quarter almost entirely to get ready for the show. There were holoscreens everywhere in the catacombs of the Helix Arena and the pictures were still impressive with sound of 100.000 ecstatic fans above their heads. The technicians were buzzing back and forth as they cluttered in the small changing room, getting ready. Daia, Skylar and Taleeze were standing together, the two asari butt naked. Hovering before them was a drone.

"Okay, ready to dress." Taleeze activated the routine on her Omnitool and a flicker of energy engulfed her and Daia for a moment, leaving behind something that looked like a skimpy bikini made of orange luminescent energy. "And done," she said, smiling.

She was in fact a bit nervous. This was certainly different than the weeks before, this was the real thing and what they wanted to show tonight was never before seen on a stage.

The DJ came over and gave the two girls a thumbs up "Looks great girls, we will rock! I have just heard what the other chicks are playing and it sucks ass. No worries this is our home game."

"Thanks man. Just make it sound epic!" Taleeze was calling after him as he already was on his way to meet a technician. "Another fifteen minutes. This is nerve wrecking! I only hope the Irati doesn't mess up."

"I still can't get over this," Daia smiled, twisting her body this way and that and watching the gleaming energy follow her exactly. "I mean, I'm clothed, but I'm naked - I don't know whether to feel exhibitionistic or teasing."

"I'm sure you can manage both," Skylar chuckled. "Don't worry," she went on, to Taleeze. "The whole week leading up to this your synchronisation with the Irati has been perfection. The technician CSL loaned us said the software couldn't possibly have better 'partners' to operate with."

"She's a Nos Astra girl on home ground," Daia added with a grin. "VI or not, on a day like this everyone gives it their best. Goddess, I still can't believe that stabilisation from T'Hali, I thought we'd be down a point for sure."

She shook her head in disbelief, then began a quick stretching routine, more out of habit than necessity - regrettable as missing the second quarter had been, she and Taleeze had put the time to good use warming up, and the change room was climate-controlled to optimal conditions.

"I want to thank you," Skylar said quietly to Taleeze in the meantime. "Again, of course. Preparing this show has been a reward in itself, working with the two of you... Especially getting to know you," she added, fixing her gaze directly on Taleeze for the moment. "I wish we'd had more time without the demands of the show on us - but then, it's that dedication to the best possible performance that I find so admirable." She tilted her head slightly. "One of many qualities I find admirable in you," she corrected herself softly.

She glanced back at Daia, who had finished stretching - rather than returning to Taleeze and Skylar's side right away, though, after a glance at them she had taken a moment to look at one of the screens, showing a view of the crowd packed into the stadium.

"I'd very much like to continue to spend time with you," Skylar said, in the moment's privacy this granted her and Taleeze. "Without so much work to keep us from... other things." She studied Taleeze's eyes, then grinned. "As I recall, I owe you a show, too. I always keep my promises."

"Yeah", Taleleze was seconding Skylar at the view of Daia, "maybe it's better you consider it exhibitionistic, you might enjoy it a bit more." It sure was feeling a bit different with an aroused crowd during an intense match.
On a quick glance, the monitors showed a replay of an intense brawl on the field which obviously had occurred in quarter two. The referees had their hands full. Yeah, let's head out into that cauldron.

Skylar was showering compliments on a completely flashed Taleeze. She was ready to go out then and her heart was already pumping. If it even was possible, Skylars words added to that, Taleeze was feeling hot and cold at the same time. Her knees got weak. Goddess, not now, please.
"...continue to spend time with you" It was as if a giant bell was ringing in Taleeze's head. Was this true? She wanted to say something cool. Now. Or something alluring. Anything. Her mind was a bit blank. What were those steps again after the opening?

She breathed, trying control the panic.

"You will have my undivided attention," Taleeze replied, the words forming themselves now. "And I also want to spend more time with you too. You have been working so much lately, and this project with you..." she glances quickly over to Daia "the two of you was a great experience, something really special. I was the newcomer at the club and we took this on together and you made me feel special, like we could achieve something." She continued in a slightly lower voice "I was taking all I could from you over the last weeks, Skylar. I also want to spend more time with you - as much as I can. Patience is an asari virtue and I am patiently awaiting your call." She held Skylars gaze but her eyes must have shown her longing. "Can you please hold me for a second before we go outside?""

The monitors showed the flickering lightshow of the T'Wins, the Arena echoed from the sound, but nothing really could be understood. It was more like a low rumble.

"Get ready girls, five minute warning!" The manager was waving a datapad to hurry everyone up.

Skylar's eyes widened slightly at the emotion bared in Taleeze's eyes and voice, but her surprise quickly became a smile - one atypical of her, shy, almost wondering.

"More than a second," she said quietly, drawing the asari into an embrace. Her breath caught for a second as she felt Taleeze's body - Taleeze's naked body - beneath her hands, the warmth of their breasts pressing together through only the thin barrier of the opaque mesh dress she wore beneath today's corset. She had admired Taleeze au naturel on many occasions - on stage, and any time she and Daia had practiced with her holographic system in play - but never touched her, not like this.

"You have been patient," she agreed softly, somewhat surprised her voice worked at all just now, let alone remained steady. "Rehearsals aside I've been absent on work a lot... too much. I consider myself fortunate that you haven't set your sights elsewhere. Very fortunate."

She looked up at the manager's warning, and met Daia's gaze as the other asari returned, but didn't let go of Taleeze just yet. There was no reluctance on her part at having Daia see her and Taleeze like this, and Daia's response was simply to smile, and put a gentle hand on Taleeze's shoulder.

"I'm so very proud of both of you," Skylar said, then chuckled at herself. "Goddess, I feel like the coach in one of those cliché sports films... You're both magnificent - I know it. Everyone out there," she tilted her head slightly towards the corridor leading towards the arena, "is very lucky, to be about to discover it."

She stepped back - reluctantly - from Taleeze, trailing fingertips across her back and hips as they parted, finally catching her hand.

"You already know how this dance goes," she smiled. "You've already won. Go be victorious."

Daia moved closer as Skylar stood back, nudging Taleeze's hip gently with her own then slipping their arms together.

"Feeling good?" she grinned. "We've got a stage to own."

The world was blocked out. All that existed were the arms around her and the warmth of Skylar’s body on her skin. A second for an eternity in that embrace. She didn’t feel ashamed for her display of weakness. She had to swallow hard at Skylar’s words.
“I can’t take my eyes off of you.” Was all she was capable to reply. Everything else would be taken care of later.

Daia came over and Taleeze felt her hand on her shoulder. The contact with her friend felt good. The panic was gone, Taleeze felt absolutely safe with Daia and in Skylar’s arms.

The world became crystal clear all of a sudden, as if reality was turning SuperDefinition Holo. Her hand in Skylars. Be victorious. Her heart missed a beat.

Time was spooling backwards. Taleeze was in that corridor, it was match time. The crowd was cheering, the other players around her were high-fiving. They wanted to win today.

She was calm and looked into Skylar’s blue eyes, answering nothing, only smiling. A wink and it was time. Once more the center of attention on a pildavi field, just like the old days.
“I’ll win this thing for us.” Spoken to Skylar.

She returned the hip nudge from Daia.
”Yeah, I feel great, come on Daia, let’s go!” Her free hand was coming up and Daia was returning the high five. But when Taleeze uttered an old pildavi battle cry in the narrow hallway, Daia was startled a bit but then just laughed, Taleeze joining in. The spirits were flying sky high.
The CSL technician was activating the Irati. The manger was counting seconds…2-1-go!

They stood at the end of the hallway, one step and they would be on stage. The Arena was dark and quiet, the audience in mesmerized expectation. Taleeze was holding Daias hands, slightly rocking to the beat that was to come. It was, as if time stood still.
Then the laserbeams around the stage exploded in a flicker of light and the hammering beat of the classic tribal filled the Helix Arena.

The Irati came to a flickering life at the front end of the stage and Taleeze and Daia exchanged a quick glance. One nod, they stepped outside and the great show began.

-the end-