The hivemind is conquering for me?

As we entered the speakeasy, I immediately began taking in the place’s aesthetic. The décor was expensive just by sight with expensive rich woods and intricate carvings and statues throughout the place. The lighting was slightly dim with the place seemingly using real flames from candles and oil lamps to light the place, giving the place a homely atmosphere.

”Welcome Apollo, this place is where the most important and most significant members of Spartari come together and take a break from the stress of everyday life. The food is exotic with sophisticated tastes and the drinks are the best money can buy.” Zeona enjoyed the feeling of showing off her safe haven to a new individual. She then realised she was talking up a bar to someone who owns a very successful night club.

”Not that your bar is far behind. Your place is equally as nice of course.” She said backtracking. I turned to Zeona for the first time after entering the speakeasy and smiled as I said.

”Well, you can’t really compare the two. Totally different atmospheres after all. My family’s club is for people to lose their inhibitions in mock glamour. This place though... Yeah, I could imagine myself listening to some lo-fi beats while chilling with a nice glass of whiskey in this place. It has that type of atmosphere to it.”

Zeona was about to ask what lofi was? But was interrupted as Apollo sharply said. ”Wait! You said the planet’s significant members came to this place? Does Kathrine Hyllus come here?” Zeona, remembering Apollo’s supposed connection to the Hyllus family, nodded her head as she replied.

”Yes. I think I have seen her here a few times. I haven’t seen her in the last eight months however, I think she used to come here for *Ahem* companionship, in the past. I haven’t seen her here since your supposed ’connection’ to her began, and I am quite the regular so you can take my word on that.”

”Oh really?” I said, an evil smile manifesting on my face. I did not care in the slightest on how Kathrine got her rocks off before we met. If I did, I would have to consider myself a literal man-child. She has literally spelt it out to me that she used to be an absolute degenerate after all. That being said, I began brewing a way to tease my darling ’slave’ that I was delighted to try out later.

As Zeona was about to ask why I was smiling, a member of staff walked over to us. ”Forgive the delay Sir and Madam. We are rather full today. Can I be of service?” Zeona shook her head politely and explained as she placed a hand on my shoulder. ”No, this is my friend’s first time here, I was just allowing him to take in the atmosphere as it is the best on the planet after all. We are meeting a friend in room six, thank you.”

The hostess then looked up at me with a genuinely happy expression on her face that caught me off guard. ”Oh, is that so? I don’t think we have had a new member in over a year. You are most welcome!” She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a number. ”This is my employee number. If you are ordering drinks, flash them this and get two drinks on the house. Welcome once again!”

Just as I was about to thank her, she suddenly interjected. ”Oh! And sir, watch your head on the way to the private rooms, not all our patrons are as tall as you after all.” She then smiled again and walked away, causing me to mirror her emotions.

”Wow, what a pretty smile.” I said after she was out of earshot. Causing Zeona, who I didn’t realise was frowning, to ask. ”Are you interested in the hostess Apollo?” Her question caused me to turn confused for a moment before I clocked on to what she meant.

”Oh, no. Not in any romantic capacity. Sometimes you can just appreciate an attractive trait without it meaning too much. For example I really like your white short hair, like I said earlier, it gives you a brazen sexy vibe... Sorry, enough of my lack of filter, we shouldn’t keep your friend waiting any longer, correct?”

”Of course, follow me.” Zeona said rather flatly before I followed her through the bar. Zeona herself was doing her best to prevent a blush from growing on her synthetic skin. She hears compliments of her form all the time, It was natural. She was gorgeous and she knew it, but something as small as that caused her to blush? She needed to get a grip on herself. She recognised the man was cute, but that shouldn’t cause her to get flushed. She was way too old for that.

After making it to room six, Zeona turned to me and smiled. ”Delilah can get a bit too chatty and begin to ramble on. Honestly it is more polite to just tell her to stop talking if it gets too much instead of listening and getting annoyed. She will actually appreciate you telling her to stop as she doesn’t realise she does it.”

I simply nodded my head in understanding and followed Zeona, ducking my head as I did so earning the hostess a tip, as she entered the room.

The room was cosy. The walls were made of dark wood adorned with paintings, which made the room seem dimmer than it actually was. At the centre of the room was a table with an assortment of nibbles and on either side, two luxurious leather couches.

At the far end of the room, was a roaring stone fireplace with a picture of a winged serpent framed above. There were multiple sconces burning with lamp oil, a chandelier for extra light if needed and a window in the corner of the room with a gorgeous view of the cityscape outside that allowed natural light into the room.

Sitting on one of the couches was a gorgeous woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She had gorgeous natural green eyes and long eyelashes, accompanied by a touch of gold eyeshadow and a prominent eyeliner wing. She had hard angled eyebrows, a delicate nose and a set of plump, full lips that were kissed by a plum lipstick.

She was wearing a dress that showed off her cleavage while still looking respectable. Ignoring the shocked look of her friend at her choice of outfit, as she rarely shows off her chest, she gazed warmly at Apollo and said.

”Oh, you. I remember you. You were the noble at that club in the south that Zee Zee here abandoned me to talk to. It is a pleasure to meet you again.” Before Zeona could have a chance to rebuke her friend, Delilah stood up and walked over to her and gave her a hug.

”I am so glad you are back here safe! You need to stop going south for your little project. It gives me a heart attack every time!” Zeona melted into the hug, Delilah did something that made them just so comforting. ”I am sorry that I worry you, but I need to do what I need to do.”

Delilah pulled away hearing this and harrumphed. ”Well, no more hugs for you. Now then big guy, come give this old woman some cuddles! A hug is the best way to start a new friendship after all!”

Delilah then walked up to me with open arms and I leant down a bit to give her good purchase. Immediately as we made contact, Delilah squeezed me as hard as she could, her face becoming one of relief as it hid behind my shoulder. To be in the arms of her truest love once more. She reached out with her under-link to my actual telepathy and in a short moment relayed.

’I never thought I would see you again my darling Apollo! Oh I am the luckiest woman in the world!’ Delilah then quickly pulled back and fanned her cheeks. ”Whoo! Is it hot in here or is it just me?”

Zeona scrunched her forehead and scolded her friend. ”No, its hot as shit in here like always. I have told you this before, the heat doesn’t need to be this high in here!” Delilah went back to her couch and crossed her legs.

”Well, I don’t have interchangeable parts like you, the heat is good for my joints. Just open the window and get the heat out, no point bickering in front of our new friend.” Just as Zeona was about to walk to the window, I gently pressed on her shoulder and said. ”No need, I got it.”

I then raised my arm up slightly and ’grasped’ the heat in the room. I never would have noticed it if the two present company hand’s brought it up as it had no effect on me. Using the influence I have thanks to being Sol’s kindled, I hastily began absorbing the excess heat in the room until the room was at a comfortable level and then manipulated the fireplace to burn in a way that it would not make the room any hotter than this.

After I was done the room was silent as the two individuals present were shocked by my casual use of Psionic abilities. However, inside my Mindspace, a mass of sentient fire had become incredibly horny as I manipulated her essence to my command.