Interesting.
Michaela might be a good friend for Taurus if we can keep her on our side. I’ll do some more digging into her presence here before I talk to him about it, though. Our family has enough internalproblems without more people jumping into our relationships and fucking them up.
“I agree, too,” Tamara interjects with a big grin.
It takes everything in me not to laugh in her face. Not only are she and Rita some of the most active folks writing up adventures full of crazy sex, but she showed up to Deli’s party on a leash. She’s ridiculous, especially if you count the times she’s almost lost her spleen when Deli found out that Tamara was making secret plays for Taurus via text message.
“I’m friends with a lot of guys, but I don’t have any interest in any other relationships. Preston and Aidan are my companions, and if I feel comfortable enough to write about racy stuff, it would be with them,” Michaela finishes.
Then why does she have all the other droids and shit? What the hell is that about?
“I’m the opposite, by the way. You’ll never see a detailed story about Taurus and me.” I shrug and give her a half-smile. “It’s too personal.”
Sari growls and sends me a glare. Her reaction is followed by a soft growl at the other two, who flinch perceptibly. “That’s bullshit, Talia. I’m one of the more ‘open’ people around here. By my count, out of a hundred-plus tales I’ve shared in the archives, only about five to eight percent are NC-17. Perhaps you and Taurus need to curb your hormones.”
Deli moves closer to the circle, but I send her a warning to let me handle it. “I’ve been here two months, and when I look at the public stuff, all I see is sex, sex, and more sex. Oh, and occasional domestic violence, but that’s a separate issue.”
“I see a bigger picture than you because I’ve been here almost two years. So I know these people better than you, and I haven’t shared or done anything this month other than arriving at Rafe’s party.”
The coyote’s grin is fanged, and I almost bark at her to put them away. Before I can, Deli raises her hand. Lily sighs in relief as the stick passes to her co-mayor. The cat opens her mouth, but Michaela cuts her off.
“I think in the beginning—when neither of you were here—there was more sex, actually.”
Sari gives her an incredulous stare, but my mate snorts in amusement. Michaela must be telling the truth, but Deli won’t press it. She knows it will lead to a discussion that will hurt Taurus or me.
The kitty waves the stick for a second, and once everyone looks at her, she gives them an angelic smile again. “I think it has increased in the past few months in public venues. Whether or not I agree with the negative assessment of that, no one is being accused of doing something bad. Talia and Michaela’s thoughts are opinions, so we should treat them as we do any other kink or preference here—we don’t shame them.”
“I’m not saying sex stuff is bad, by the way. I’m responsible for some of it,” I add. “I would just like a place specifically not used for hookups, so those who don’t want extra partners are comfortable socializing.”
“So many people are sharing tales this month that I don’t always have time to read them all,” Rita says petulantly. “Having another space might make that worse.”
Tamara nods in agreement, and I grin. They can’t weigh in if they’re not reading things—that’s a perfect admission for them to make. It only supports what I’m going to say next because the proliferation of shit is because of everyone going hog wild on crazy sex shit to impress one another.
“I want some ‘1950s milk shoppe’ fun so my primary family can get to know everyone better. That’s all.” I glance at my mate and she nods, settling back in her chair. I hope she gets where I’m going now.
“We have the Zoo for that, right?” Rita asks as she gets up to head over to the buffet. She heaps her plate full of food quickly, and I understand how she got in the position she’s in. Her emotions are tied to food, and she’s caught in a pattern I know well from my past in the other place well before I met Taurus. I almost feel sorry for her, but then remember how much trouble she supports Tamara causing and let it go.
“No,” I reply, “The Zoo has been used for sexual things and as a weapon against people. It is not a clean, fun venue.”
“What do you mean, Talia?” Michaela furrows her brow at me curiously.
I sigh, finally getting how Sari roped these idiots. They pay no attention to anything that doesn’t involve them and believe everything they are told. That’s why they don’t perceive who the real problem is.
“I’ve seen video feeds of sexy songs. Plus, someone who no longer lives here used a song about bitches and fences to punctuate her departure. It set an aggressive tone that I was uncomfortable with because they meant it to attack people.” I peer at Sari, letting her realize I see her bullshit plotting.
“Would you care to name names, or are we going to malign people in their absence?”
“Sari, you sang a song just last week about getting drunk and screwing. I don’t think we need to spell it out for you,” I shoot back with venom, tired of her pretending she’s oblivious and innocent.
The cat stands, waving the stick again. “Her point is valid. From its inception, The Zoo has been a place people have used to take a swipe at others. Its stated mission is that it has no rules and violence is encouraged. It is not meant to be PG-13 by definition. That was announced completely disrespectfully, so we all know about it. Also, its former bouncer has moved out, so we can’t trust that it is safe for everyone.”
“I never saw it that way, so maybe the snipes weren’t meant for me,” Rita says, plopping back in her seat. “I thought it was supposed to be fun.”
Tamara raises her hand, so my mate gives her the stick. This woman is on no one’s side but her own, but she’ll sow discord for no other reason than she likes it.
I don’t trust her, but she’s about to take the stage and suck up the spotlight.
This is definitely going to suck.
