Moving Day (D9 LE Mei's Room)

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei leaned closer to her guest. "Yes, let me in."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko lowered her voice, just a bit, leaning closer, "I actually joined the Angels because I have bounty hunters looking for me; Combine authorities would like a word or two, plus the people that used to work with the Yakuza I worked for want to tie up loose ends."

She tucked her legs to the side as she sat up completely, Yoko shaking her head, "Our CO knows of course, and First Lieutenant Nopera. When I saw the recruitment poster, I thought to myself, 'What could be safer or a harder place to find than with a traveling army?', so I practically begged for a job. Thinking past this wasn't... exactly in the cards."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Holy shit are you serious? That's crazy. For a long time I though the Combine was utopia but you...Yori...I don't know about Tanaki or anyone else but...fuck."

She was truly stunned, so many people seemed to be escaping their homes and she was just on an adventure.

[Yoko Lee]

"I suppose it can be, if you fit in.Once you're assigned a job, everything is provided for you. A very orderly and well run society with each according to their needs and their abilities; The Five Pillars. Some of us just never fit into that order is all; I can't speak for Yori, but I got a taste for freedom and rebellion in school and wanted more."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"When you put it like that it sounds even stricter than life in the CC. Back home if you are born poor you will probably die poor, a farmers son will have farmers for sons, but if that's farmers son turns out to be a brilliant painter the state will foster that so there is a chance at upward mobility. I was in a good place, I only left home for the combat experience and because I failed my first citizenship test."

She wanted to ask a million questions but Yoko said she didn't like to talk about it so she wouldn't push things.

[Yoko Lee]

"I've never been, of course, so I couldn't really say the differences. The Combine is mostly a merit based system, school figuring out what you're good at. I was told I was good at figuring people out, so they'd actually sent me to university to train as a psychiatrist, but it wasn't all that interesting to me. I didn't want to be stuck listening to people's problems the rest of my life in some stuffy office. I wanted to go on adventures and live free."

A small smirk crossed her lips even as Yoko crossed her legs, "I know, was kind of stupid and selfish of me."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"What, to live the life you want? That isn't stupid and selfish is subjective. With all the things you've done I imagine a few people have been hurt along the way, hopefully they all deserved it, hurting innocents would bother me personally but not everyone is as soft as me. Being a psychiatrist probably would have been a less dangerous life than what you have led but I'm not sure it would have been more peaceful. The weight of others problems and emotions can be crushing some times."

[Yoko Lee]

"You're probably right. And no, never hurt anyone innocent. Every one of them scumbags, frankly. Used to think of myself as somewhat of a Robin Hood type character, or and angel of the streets; Helping out the poor and vulnerable against thugs and oppressors. I certainly liked to think of it that way really. Maybe it was justan easier life to live than having to hear and handle problems in the way a doctor does, who knows?"

She looked up into Mei-Ling's eyes, "And there's nothing wrong with being soft, nothing at all. I like soft people, innocent people, people with a spark of life in them not worn down by the universe out there. I admire it, in a way."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Hearing the things you've been through, that John and others have been through makes me feel like I was spoiled. I mean life wasn't easy, I wasn't strutting around in fancy clothes and eating my fill every night but I would never say we were struggling, not for long at least. There were tough times, especially right after my dad got crippled but my folks never lost their spirit so neither did I."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko nodded softly, reaching out to trail some fingers up Mei-Ling's arm before cupping her face in a hand gently, "And I hope you never do."

A small smile and she let go, stetching. "Well, not the sort of gossiping I expected when I came over here, but hopefully I didn't bring down your mood too much or anything. It was nice to have someone to talk to, definitely. And getting to stretch out on your bed too," Yoko said with a chuckle.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei blushed slightly and put down the bag of yarn.

"It's a good bed, nice and soft, almost as soft as me." She ran her hand over the expensive sheets but looked in Yoko's eyes. "What kind of gossip were you looking for, or were you looking to start some gossip?"

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko almost chuckled again before shrugging, Dunno, I suppose. As I think I may have established to you this evening, I don’t always think ahead on things. Figured there must be some good gossip in a big military venture like this, see what I could find, you know."

The look melted into the grin, "And yes, there is a lot more soft about you than just your thoughts on killing; Butcher's a very lucky guy."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Well me moving in with John has to count as decent gossip seeing as how you didn't know about us. Alex lost a bet and has to wear a red dress to the next company party. I gave Alex a dress I bought and never wore that should blow people away so hopefully we have a party soon. This isn't really gossip but tomorrow is Richard's birthday. I think I told you about Yori's relationship survey.

Hmm, what else, what else.

Oh did I mention John and I have an open relationship? Yeah, he really is the best, I'm not sure I need another man in my life but I think it's awesome of him that he is OK with it, not to mention the ladies. He's surprisingly open to just about anything which is good because I'm into just about everything. It's so refreshing to know that if I decide to spend the night between a pair of soft, long legs he isn't going to be upset or jealous about it."

[Yoko Lee]

That got a coo out Yoko, and she sat up fully until she was literally straddling Mei-Ling. Looking down with a sly smirk, she put her hands on her hips, "Zat so? Well, I don't know about that, but I think you need to do a more thorough job of getting my measurements. For any future 'projects', you understand."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"You haven't really shared any gossip with me you know. There must be something juicy you are willing to share."

She ran her hands up Yoko's legs and over the hands on her waist then snaked her arms inside of hers and up Yoko's sides and back till she want holding her in a distant hug.

"I think I have a few things that would fit you right now actually. If you want you can take a look around and see if there is anything in here you like. You can use anything in here you want."

[Yoko Lee]

"Gossip from me? Hm... I may have some things, yeah"

She thinks a moment or two, "...Well, for one, Miss Tessa uses Verbena shower gel with aloe vera to keep her skin so soft. For another, Ezmeralda supposedly owns a spicy red dress of her own she told me about with one side slit all the way up to her thigh that she'd like to find an excuse to wear. What else..."

Yoko brought her hands up, ticking off fingers as Mei-Ling gently held her in place, "Richard is very smitten and loyal to Miss Yori, wouldn't consider the idea of me showering with him while he's dating. There's one of the other NCOs that's supposedly is teaching our CO's daughter kung fu in her spare time. And there was a party that turned into something pretty spicy in an unused storage bay on the Angel's Descent."

A smile, "How's that work for you? Otherwise, if you want me to try on clothes you're gonna have to let go, you know."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Richard's a good boy, maybe too good. I don't know from where he summoned the willpower to say no to that kind of offer, he must really like Yori. As for Ezmerelda I hope I get a chance to see that, she's another hottie on a ship full of them. My list of names is a long as Aleksandr's arm. Who the hell is teaching Annalena kung-fu?"

Mei made no move to release Yoko.

[Yoko Lee]

"Oh, someone from strategy. I didn't catch the name with the rumor, but I say go them. I wish I'd had someone to teach me that stuff when I was her age rather than waiting until now with Butch. Anyways, don't be too rough with Richard; That kind of thing is kinda cute, like a puppy. Besides, he gives me free smokes."

She chuckled and wiggled in place a little, "At some point though, you're going to have to make a decision, Miss Zhou; Let me go to do whatever, or pull me closer. Which will it be I wonder...?"

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei released her grip and leaned back on her elbows.

"You are a cruel one Ms. Lee, tempting and teasing me when our biological curse is beating me up. Any other time of the month I would call your bluff and pull you down on top of me. I've been told I'm pretty good in bed and I'm betting you're fantastic at it so we could be dangerous together."

She reached up and brushed Yoko's cheek with the back of her hand.

"If you REALLY want to play come find me in a few days, or text me something inviting and I will come find you."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko leaned down and pecked Mei-Ling's cheek before laying down next to her, "I am told I can be an insufferable tease and brat sometimes, it's true. Don't get me wrong though, I didn't mean to be too insufferable with it. I know well how to treat a woman, even during these special cases and that's with... kisses and cuddles and little massages in just the right spots."

Yoko's fingers gently lifted Mei-Ling's shirt a little and gave soft circular strokes around her abs, the motion slightly helping with the cramping sensations as Yoko otherwise distracted her by kissing at her neck.

"Every woman is different, but there are ways to help with the cramping and bloating that just take a loving touch and some consideration. Maybe you could even teach John to help."