The hivemind is conquering for me?

A good few hours went by just enjoying each other’s company. I was glad to see that Janine and Evanthe were getting along over their shared love for guns. Although I didn’t know Evanthe for long, from what I knew of her history and of Janine. They both could do with friends and I was happy to oblige.

After my eighth pitcher of the ’night’, said loosely as it was still bright out, I began to feel the slightest bit tipsy which was weird as when I chugged that entire barrel I was completely fine...

The others were practically dead as they tried to catch up, with only Hecate who had been passed out the entire time after that half pitcher. Getting everyone home was my priority as the sober party. Evanthe lived close in the dorms so after walking as a group to hers she was the first to say goodnight.

She had put the title of alcohol being a social lubricant to the test as the more she drank, the louder and more confident she got. Janine and her were talking about a dance off at one point, but then the drink hit them hard, well Janine less with her resistances to alcohol, but she did steal a sip of my Psionic beverage and that had her speaking gibberish.

Mindy also had a dorm, but it was a private dorm just next door to the main building. Selling the company was quite the lucrative sale so she would be fine with the small room during her time at the College.

I had the others wait outside while I escorted her inside. I was sure others were sleeping and Valerica was in a shouty mood.

As we entered her room, I whistled at all the cool swag she had brought with her and was about to say something before I noticed the conflicted look on her face. ”Apollo, can we talk for a second?”

She looked vulnerable and scared, seemingly unsure of if she should say the thing she wanted to say. I leant up against a door frame and replied. ”Of course, what’s on your mind?”

Mindy took a deep breath before her golden slitted eyes gazed up at me with a determination to get out what she needed. ”Apollo, before we parted, before Jacob’s... I was willing to... You know, the whole affair thing? But after all of that. I don’t think I am ready for anything right now. And I am sorry if that is something you are looking for in having me around, but I can’t be that person for you right now... I hope you understand.”

My head shook back, completely taken off guard. ”Whoa! Mindy, I hope you don’t think I only want you around because I find you attractive and want something more with you? You know that is not how I operate. Mindy I like you because you are a badass and sure we kissed a few times and you got handsy under a table with me, but if you want to just be friends. Trust me, I am more than fine with that.”

Mindy’s response was a great big sigh of relief before jumping up, wrapping her legs around my waist and hugging me tight. ”I knew it! I just had to make sure. Sorry, I really did know it, but I am a bit drunk right now and my mind is racing. Hmmm.” She suddenly hummed as she looked at my lips.

”What? Are you planning on going back on your word already?” I joked. ”Yes. No. Shut up! No, I looked at those lips of yours and compared to last time and just realised something. Did you get taller?”

...

I left shortly after laughing loud enough to wake Mindy’s neighbour and our next stop was the faculty building where We dropped off Valerica and Gabrielle. Both were seemingly fine, a little wobbly, but considering Valerica was carrying Hecate over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes, I knew she was fine. ”Apollo! Give me night night kisses! Or with this sun out, day day kisses!”

I walked over to Valerica and went to go kiss her on the cheek when she turned and kissed my lips before laughing hysterically. ”Oopsie! Now Kiss Hecate goodnight. She might be a pervert, but she is a good egg.”

”Umm.” I uttered before Valerica further commented. ”Just on the forehead Apollo, don’t make it weird. Kiss her already!” I narrowed my eyebrows, there was a mischievous glint in Valerica’s eyes, but I went along with it and kissed the past out woman on the forehead. Valerica then cackled manically and walked away talking about a perfect opportunity.

After dealing with the loud Valerimommy, I turned to the quieter member of the group tonight and opened my arms wide. ”Do you want another hug? I enjoyed your company today, thank you.” I stated simply.

Gabrielle felt her heart begin to race and walked forward hastily, and at the point of physical contact she hugged me tight and my sides began to hurt. She then unexpectedly kissed me on the cheek before pulling away and wiping with her thumb where she just kissed.

”You get some rest ok? You drank an incredible amount. I will be coming to check on you in the morning to make sure you are ok.” She said with a tender affection that I did not expect. I didn’t let it show on my face how incredible her lips felt against my cheek as the hugs were already addictive and I didn’t want to seem odd. I simply nodded and said farewell once more.

With the friends and family all home safe, I wrapped my arms around Orchid and Janine and we made our way back to our home. Orchid had been a little quiet for a while, more so than usual.

I wanted her to enjoy herself tonight so I gave her some of my drink, but also discreetly laced it with a few drops of my blood. Something she had not had since her and Keyla decided to become girlfriends for that short stint.

I was slightly worried and would check on her thoroughly after tucking Janine in. When we arrived home, Nerissa was standing by the front door. ”Eventful get together?” She inquired, causing me to nod.

”Yeah, I ran into an old friend and a new one. Had a couple of drinks, had a few laughs. Pretty good with a surprising lack of drama, so this ’night’ is a major win in my book. How were your preparations for the inspection?”

Nerissa removed her helmet and smiled kindly towards me. ”You won’t have a thing to worry about, Apollo. Just get some rest. I have purchased a sleeping mat from the campus commissary since you have no beds currently. They are just in the living room for now, I did not wish to invade your personal spaces without direct consent.”

I nodded my head with genuine appreciation at that, before looking into the living room. A large mat was on the floor accompanied by a large blanket.

*Pfft*

I suddenly heard a suppressed laughter coming from my right arm. Turning to Janine, my action caused her to look up at me and giggle out. ”Apollo, look! We are going to sleep together!”

I raised my eyebrow at Janine who had been mellow for a while. ”Janine, how drunk are you right now?” I asked, prompting the Sepiida to take mental stock of her faculties. ”The sip of your drink has waned, I think. I am now seeing you as twinkerbell, but I am not drunk enough to act on it, if that’s what you are getting at.”

In truth, she preferred Apollo as he was now anyway, compared to what the beer goggles did to him, but she was still telling the truth. She would be able to hold herself back... Especially since Nerissa would be watching. She was surprisingly nervous around another alien for some reason. She felt this uncomfortable urge to compare herself to the other alien and that made her feel icky.

”Alright then. You get yourself ready for bed and you get yourself ready for a good watching session. I am going to take Orchid upstairs to help get me ready for sleep.” Orchid then held my arm tighter, which made it difficult to traverse upstairs, but somehow we managed.

As we entered through the bedroom door, Janine had shimmied out of her dress and was in her bra and panties at this point before she turned to Nerissa. ”Yo, Greenie, Do you think ’get ready for sleep’ was code for naughty stuff?”

Nerissa looked above at the open floor balcony above her before looking back at Janine. ”I don’t think so, Apollo seemed more concerned about the two of you than his own lust when he walked in. I think he just wished to talk to Orchid for a moment.”

Janine then nodded her head before unclasping her bra, without realising. ”Mhm, mhm... Wanna go and see if the walls upstairs are soundproof?”