The hivemind is conquering for me?

I smiled as I arrived home. While I had not expected to find out I had living relatives, it was a pleasant surprise. It wouldn’t really affect my life majorly, but it was nice to have more family that could eventually be turned into cultists, preferably through my future experiments so she doesn’t feel the need to ride my bones. That would be quite the conundrum.

I did feel lucky though and thought about Millie. ’And it couldn’t have been a sweeter woman.’ Entering the house, the first thing I noticed was that no one was in the common space. I was secretly relieved, as my thoughts had naturally been focused elsewhere the past few hours and I still did not know what to do about my odd feelings for Janine that have been popping up recently and her drunken declaration early this morning.

I didn’t linger on it for too long and just went directly upstairs. I missed sleep last night so I wanted it tonight.

Orchid was just lying on the bed, looking up at the ceiling when I arrived. It looked like she was mimicking torpor and it was really cute. She then hastily moved as she acknowledged my presence, but didn’t move far as I tackled her onto the bed and proceeded to use her as a body pillow before falling fast asleep.

...

High end decorations, exotic finishes everywhere, high roller tables and gold, gold, gold was all Samantha could see as she made her way through the Golden reef. One of the most luxurious casinos on the planet.

To simply step inside, not even purchase a room, you needed a million credit entry fee which Samantha found utterly ridiculous. As she walked through the casino floor, past the myriad of high roller tables, she was getting all sorts of looks.

She didn’t blame them, she knew how she looked in the tight red dress she was wearing. Having had to cover up her mutated body for years, she enjoyed the freedom of more revealing clothing she had to admit and didn’t mind the gazes. As they truly meant nothing to her other than affirmation that her body will continue to be attractive to Apollo in the future.

She ignored calls from tables asking her to join and alongside the calls of rowdy old men offering millions to come and sit with them and eventually made her way to a bar. ”Brandy and twaupo please.” She said with a smile and was served hastily.

She had to admit, she actually liked the taste of the obscure fruit now she had it multiple times. As the drink was placed in front of her, the bartender asked. ”Are you with the Cacia’s Miss?” The bartender asked politely, knowing the influential family that ordered that drink all the time.

”No, more acquainted with them. I herald from the same world and know the matriarch and one of her sons.” The bartender smiled hearing this. ”Is that so? Well, have that on the house while I validate your claim. Lady Zorina, welcome. I have a friend of yours sitting right here.”

...

Zorina, wearing a white one-piece pantsuit with generous cleavage on display, was walking by, coming to get a drink when she heard that and was confused for a moment and was about to refute the bartender’s claim before her mouth parted slightly in present surprise.

”Samantha! Wow what are the odds both of us being here tonight? How are you, dear? So sorry we left abruptly the other day, you could not imagine the time we have been having. Paulie, I’ll have what she is having.”

Samantha hadn’t expected this encounter. It was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. Zorina was her main target for this planet after all. Her children were just tools, a means to an end. With Zorina, not only would she have a powerful, secret, Psionic being in her cult, but also unlimited wealth to help expand her influence.

”Zorina? Wow. What a surprise to see you here. Is it too informal to hug you?” Samantha asked, looking shy.

”Aww, aren’t you adorable? Come here!” Zorina said with a giggle before hugging Samantha. Zorina’s drink was then placed on the table and she immediately smelt it and pulled away from the hug.

”Twaupo? You really are gunning for my heart aren’t you dear? Getting such drinks even when sitting by yourself? To Diathama!” Zorina cheered and put back her drink, Samantha following her.

After drinking her drink. Samantha felt like probing for information and knew exactly how to start. She would abuse this coincidence to its maximum. ”Zorina, allow me to take a moment to say how sorry I am about Wendy’s disappearance. It is all over the news, was that the reason you had to rush home the other day?”

The smile on Zorina’s face disappeared and was replaced with disgust; It was not what Samantha was expecting. ”Do not be sorry, that girl is dead to me. Not only do we find out she is taking some kind of new drug that we couldn’t identify in our labs with the residue we had left, but in order to escape punishment and talking about it, she destroyed a good portion of our compound by flooding it and fled. It’s my husband that is making a big deal out of everything, worried sick. As far as I care, she can rot in whatever drug den she is hiding in and overdose for all I care. Because let me tell you, when she comes back, her ’Daddy’ cannot save her this time, she will feel my wrath. No one harms the family and gets away with it. Especially from within.”

Zorina then signalled the bartender for another round which were premade and he handed them over. ”Cheers!” The two women then drank the drinks before Zorina asked. ”Sorry, dear. I am frustrated due to the hypocrisy I am seeing from my husband in the scenario. Remind me, has Savitri told you of his past?”

Samantha nodded her head. ”In broad strokes. He messed up a mission that cost the life of some family members and has been ostracised by the rest of the family for it?”

Zorina’s eyes opened wide slightly. ”Wow, he really has changed being that honest about it with you... Good boy... I digress. Yes, that is what happened and his father still hasn’t forgiven him. But Wendy? The little shit destroyed our home and if my husband has his way, all she will get is a slap on the wrist because he wouldn’t want her running off again. It seriously pisses me off. Paulie, another!”

After finishing the third drink. Zorina seemed to find some clarity in the situation and asked. ”I am not keeping you from anything or anyone, am I dear? While I am venting about my troubles? With you looking stunning in that dress I fear for my poor son’s heart if it’s the latter.”

Samantha put on a fake blush and shook her head. ”No, I am meeting a friend here later on. She and I go way back. I don’t mind spending some time with you Zorina, you are pleasant company.” Samantha then placed her hand on Zorina’s forearm and rubbed with her thumb once before pulling away. ”What about you? Why are you here, this fine night?”

Zorina looked at her arm inquisitively for a moment. Before replying. ”I am meeting a contact. An arms dealer. I have been told she has a large stock she wants to get rid of for a discount and I am all for a good deal.”

Zorina exposed this information ,not to brag or to flaunt how she can openly break the law without consequence, but because she wanted to see Samantha’s reaction. She already had a good impression of the woman, but she needed verification.

”I’ve never been one for guns.” Samantha admitted, taking a sip from the chaser she was just provided. Zorina began to form a frown, but Samantha continued. ”When I have had to get my hands dirty in the past. I find melee weapons to be a more... Personal tool. Guns take away that personal touch. Takes away the detachment of your actions, which can lead to poor choices. Whereas with something like a knife. You have to be close enough to hear the person’s life fade. That makes every decision a lot more personal.” She then drank the rest of the drink and nodded her head, enjoying the flavours before looking towards Zorina.

Zorina’s face was one of shock, a rare sight, but shortly afterwards she let out a loud heartfelt laugh that caught the attention of many nearby casino goers. ”Oh darling, that was not what I expected to come out of your mouth just then, that completely blew me away Ahahaha!”

Zorina then stood up and extended her hand out to Samantha and asked.

”Why don’t you spend the next few hours keeping me company Samantha? I would enjoy yours very much.”