The House Of Ellis, Episode 8

Lady Madison stepped out her front door, donning the thong armor she'd bought a few hours ago.  Shalista was standing right there waiting for her.  She was already starting to get embarrassed.  "How is it?  Do I look stupid?"

Shalista circled her finger.  "Turn around.  Let me see the backside."

Reluctantly, Lady Madison did so.

Shalista whistled.  "Nice."

Lady Madison turned back around and covered her butt with her hands.  She was so embarrassed right now.  "Shalista…"

"I don't know what you what me to say," Shalista said.  "You've got a nice butt.  I have to admit, I'm kind of jealous."

Lady Madison grumbled.  "I'm changing."

"Why did you buy it if you aren't going to wear it?" Shalista said.  "You're at home.  If you can't wear it here, where can you wear it."

"It's...just too much," Lady Madison said.  "I mean...my butt is completely out."

"You just haven't adjusted yet.  Let's hit the training grounds for an hour or so and you won't want to wear anything else.  If you still hate it, I'll buy it off you for twice what you paid."

"Hmm..."  It couldn't hurt.  It was as Shalista said.  She was at home.  No one could see her.  And it would be ashamed to let it go to waste.  "O-okay."

So they spent an hour on the training grounds.  Then a second.  And a third.  Lady Madison plopped down on the ground and crossed her legs.  "What a workout.  I don't think I've ever gone that hard."

Shalista plopped down next to her.  "You had fun, right?  And you didn't even once complain about your armor."

Lady Madison looked down at her body.  It felt so good, she forgot she was wearing it.  "Okay, I admit it, I like the armor.  Are you happy now?"

Shalista nodded.  "Yep."

Suddenly, Lady Madison felt something.  There was another person, hidden from view.  They were being watched.  She looked south where the trees of the surrounding forest were closest to the training ground.  She stood.  "I don't know who you are, but come out now and I may let you live."

Shalista looked up at her.  "What's wrong?"

"Surely a warrior like you knows when she's being watched, right."  Returning her attention to the trees, she said, "I won't say it again!  Come out of the trees right now!  If you try to escape, I will catch you and kill you!"

No response.

It looked like this was not going to end without bloodshed.  "I have given you fair warning.  Now you will learn the mistake you made trespassing on the property of Lady Madison Ellis!"  Her hand started glowing blue.  Then she pointed where she thought the threat was and called out, "Ice!"  An ice spike roughly the size of a man formed in front of her hand and flew into the trees, breaking when it hit the air near the forest.

Shalista stood.  "A force barrier."

Lady Madison nodded.  "Looks like we're dealing with a force mage.  You stay here.  I'm going into the trees."

Shalista looked out at the trees and gasped.  "Lady Madison!"

She looked at the trees and saw faint distortions of the air coming at her fast.  Force knives.  She deflected them with one might swing of her sword and ran toward the trees.  "You've just made the last mistake of your life!"

When she got near the trees, someone jumped out at her with a dagger.  The person was completely covered in a loose garment resembling something worn by ninjas.  Lady Madison countered by knocking her aside with the flat of her blade.

"Ungh!" the person grunted as they flew and crashed down into the training ground.  Judging by the sound of their voice, the intruder was female.  She went rolling right up into she was at Shalista's feet.

Shalista kicked away the dagger and sat down on her stomach.  "Looks like you're up Crap Creek now.  Was it worth it?"

Lady Madison hurried over and put her sword to the woman's head.  "You're dead.  Take off the mask so I can look into the eyes of the maggot who crawled onto my property."

The woman started laughing.

"Have I said something humorous?"  Lady Madison realized she recognized that laugh.  "Wait a minute, take off that mask."

The woman did so.  It was a young woman, in her late teens.  She had brown hair tied into a ponytail, green eyes, and a flawless face.  "It's me."

"Sophia?"

"So you recognize me?" Sophia said.  "I must say, I barely recognize you because of the sexy armor.  A lot's changed since we last met a few months ago, huh?"

"Don't worry, this armor isn't going to become a regular thing."

Shalista looked up at Lady Madison.

"It's okay, you can let her up.  She's not an enemy.  She's my stupid, STUPID subordinate, Sophia Winchester."  Lady Madison glared at Sophia.  "I almost killed you, stupid idiot.  If I hadn't used the flat of my blade, you'd be dead."

"I have to admit, I was scared when you swatted me out of the air like a fly," Sophia said, working up to her feet.  "I almost pissed my pants when I saw you swinging that sword."

"It's not funny," Lady Madison said, her voice cracking.  "You know I care for you, right?"

Sophia held her ribs and groaned.  "You sure do have a funny way of showing it."

"Grr...Sophia," Lady Madison grumbled.  "I'm on vacation.  What did you come for?"

"I just came to hang out and drink some tea," Sophia answered.  "Maybe I could even get to know your friend here."

Lady Madison turned and sighed.  "Fine.  I'll brew some up and we all can have a nice talk.  Follow me."

Sophia pulled a pack off her back.  "Yay!  Just give me a chance to change into something more comfortable."  There was a brief silence before Sophia said, "By the way, milady.  I hope you don't mind me saying so, but you have a very nice butt."

Shalista laughed.  "I know, right?"

Lady Madison felt a scream welling up inside her but resisted the urge.  "Go home."