Mature Content Warning: None really. :) Yes, yes... BOO hisss.... booo...

Author's Note: Anyway, this chapter (all three segments) is mostly character interaction and 'getting to know each other.'

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Chapter 21.1: Operation Sexy Justice

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Rose petals flew through the air as two happy girls giggled and laughed atop Scott’s bed. Operation Sexy Justice had gone off without a hitch. Scott had almost immediately responded that he would be home soon.

“That was just hilarious. I wonder how disappointed he’ll be when he gets here and we are wearing normal clothes?” asked Sonja.

Shara waved it off. “It’ll be fun to see, but we need to talk to him anyway.”

“True, though I do have to admit that it’s a sad thing that these rose petals will go to waste.” said Sonja.

The part-time retail employee and sometime ninja nodded to her Valkyrie co-conspirator. “Yes, it is. Remember what I said though.”

“Do you really think that’s true?” asked Sonja.

Shara slipped an arm around Sonja’s waist and gave her a half-hug. “Yeah, I do. We haven’t talked in a few years, but I’ve known the guy for a long time. Heck, I’ve known him longer than he’s known that I’ve known him.”

“Huh? What’s that mean?” asked Sonja.

Shara laughed loudly then shook her head. “Just a figure of speech... Anyway, coming on too strong is definitely a bad idea.”

“Well, I do know that he’s not interested in a sexual relationship with me right now...” admitted Sonja with a sigh.

Shara gave the girl’s shoulder a squeeze. “So, you’ve already talked with him about that?”

Sonja nodded then cast her eyes downward. They had gone over that fact repeatedly.

“Is having sex with him really that important to you?” asked Shara.

“I don’t know... I just...” began Sonja.

“Just what?” asked Shara.

Sonja sighed. “He confuses me.” She looked up then over to Shara in the hopes that the other girl would have an answer to her many questions.

“What about him confuses you? Does he ever lie to you or try to manipulate you?” asked Shara curiously.

“Not that I know of, it’s just that I am not used to a hum-” she started to say, but corrected herself at the last moment. “A man like him.”

“Tell me about him?” asked Shara, a smile on her lips.

Sonja blinked at her then tilted her head to the side. “You’ve known him for years, surely you know him better than I do after only a little over a month?”

“Yes, I know my Scott. Tell me about yours.” replied Shara softly.

“My Scott, huh?” Sonja smiled a little then took a breath. She was not sure what to say. After a moment, she felt she had an answer.

“I sleep with him most nights, but he’s never once tried to take advantage of me. It is irritating.” said Sonja.

“What else?” asked Shara.

Sonja closed her eyes and thought of him for a moment. She thought of the goofy things he did, and the serious talks they would occasionally have. The sweet moments blended with the painful ones, and she could not help but smile sadly. “I don’t know. There’s so much...”

“Would you want to keep spending time with him even if he never so much as let you give him a hug?” asked Shara.

Sonja nodded slowly. “Yes. I think so.”

Shara decided to take a shot in the dark. “You’ve never had an actual boyfriend have you?”

Sonja’s cheeks reddened slightly. “I’ve known the touch of many men. I am no inexperienced child.”

“Oh honey, you know that’s not what I’m asking.” said Shara gently before she squeezed Sonja’s shoulder again.

“I fail to see the difference.” said Sonja stubbornly.

“Can you name a single one of those men who you would want to spend every night sleeping next to without sex being part of things?” asked Shara.

“I don’t know most of their names.” said the Valkyrie softly.

“You don’t seem like the type to kiss and forget.” said Shara.

Sonja snorted. “I see what you are trying to say, but you should know that where I come from we see things differently.”

Shara sat up then leaned against her new friend. “How so?”

“Well, we make it a point of pride to be experienced in all of the arts of battle. We are no shy and retiring maidens.” said Sonja.

“You see sex as a battle?”

“Of course! A Val... Woman of my people must learn the best tactics and methods to properly pleasure our husbands so that we might subdue them.”

“Well, that does make a strange sort of sense...” said Shara lightly.

“Yes, making love is a type of battle and as a proper warrior of my people I aim to win.” said Sonja.

“So, all of those other lovers were training?” asked Shara curiously.

“Obviously, they were nothing more than an exercise routine for proper skill development.”

“So, Scott would be the same?” asked Shara.

Sonja snorted then started to admit as much, but the words died in her throat. Her face reddened slightly and then she looked away.

“Hmm, talk about skill grinding.” said Shara with a grin.

Sonja flinched visibly then took a deep breath. Who was Scott to her, anyway? She was technically married, even if her so-called husband was garbage in her eyes. As long as he lived, her options were limited.

“How does he make you feel, huh?” asked Shara. She leaned in and kissed Sonja on the shoulder as a sign of support.

The Valkyrie closed her eyes for a moment then slowly opened them. “Confused mostly; confused and...”

“A little scared?” asked Shara.

“He does not frighten me! I could still defeat him easily.” said Sonja in a prideful manner.

Shara looked at her then shrewdly asked, “Really? What if he beat you?”

Sonja loudly scoffed at the very idea but then her cheeks began to redden. “I... It wouldn’t matter now, anyway.”

Shara pulled the warrior girl to her mighty bosom and held her in a warm and tender embrace. She lightly Stroked Sonja’s hair and whispered words of encouragement to her.

After a time, Shara asked a question that Sonja was not allowed to answer. Why wouldn’t it matter if Scott beat her?

Sonja remembered that Shara was not supposed to know about her race and Scott’s dream world actions. She refused to compromise his trust in her.

What Sonja did not know was that Shara was well-versed in all of that due to her true nature. She had eased dropped on their conversations often enough when in her invisible goddess form and already knew the story. She just wanted to hear it from the girl directly so that she could continue to maintain her identity until she had the authorization to reveal everything.

“Sonja, everything matters. How you feel about Scott; that matters a lot more than some things.” said Shara.

“What about you? How do you feel about him?” asked Sonja in an annoyed tone of voice.

Shara breathed out softly then smiled in a gentle way. “I can honestly say that he is the best part of being in this world for me.”

“That’s... a strange answer.” replied Sonja suspiciously.

“True enough, but I plan to take my own advice.” said Shara.

“Be available, but give him some breathing room?” asked Sonja.

“Right. We have our whole lives to fall hopelessly in love with each other. Someone I care about, a guy a lot like our Scott, gave me the advice that I gave you.” said Shara.

“It’s better to be really good friends first?” asked Sonja.

“Exactly I don’t want to freak him out, or give the poor guy a heart attack... So, I’ll get to know the man he has become since I left town. While doing so I will also become someone he can’t possibly see himself living without.” said Shara without a hint of embarrassment in her tone.

“Interesting plan, but what if he doesn’t go along with it?” asked Sonja.

Shara grinned at her. “Who says he gets a choice?”

Sonja laughed then shook her head. Shara was certainly something.

Shara looked around the room then sighed. “I suppose we should clean up. He’ll be home soon.”

“Yeah...” said Sonja. A soft smile arose upon her lips as she thought of his imminent return. Her day was always a little brighter when she could spend time with him.