She had finally made it to the inn, still feeling embarrassed by her defeat at the hands of that red-haired wench. "I can't believe I lost to someone who was totally naked. Lady Grizelda would have a fit if she found out."
She thought back to the fight. She remembered how that stood on her chest and almost ran her through with her own sword. She remembered crying out for her mother. "How embarrassing..."
She remembered how easily she was defeated. She never had a chance. "Darn her and her stupid red hair. And her dumb confidence. And her lousy long legs...ooh, I just want to break them. And those breasts...I just want to rip them off her chest. And..." Suddenly, she felt warm in between her legs.
"Gah!" she screamed. "I'm not even gay!"
The inn's door flew open and a fully-armored woman rushed out with her sword drawn. "Who goes there? Huh? Lady Victoria? Where did you go?" Then, she looked at her and gasped. "Why are you standing out here screaming with your hand between your legs?"
She looked down. Her hand certainly was there. She hadn't even realized it. Was this because she was thinking about that red-haired woman? "I-I don't know. I'm sorry, Lady Grizelda. Did I wake you?"
"No," Lady Grizelda said. She got closer. "What happened to your face? Where did you go?"
She couldn't let her know the truth. She couldn't let her know she was defeated by a totally nude opponent. "I was just walking when I came across a group of kids. One of them threw a rock at me and they ran. I didn't see where which direction."
"Hmm...very well," Lady Grizelda said. "Try not to stay out too late." She turned to head back inside.
"L-lady Grizelda?"
She turned. "Yes?"
"About those Sexy Warriors," Lady Victoria asked. "Do you think we might destroy them soon?"
Lady Grizelda shook her head. "There's no reason to rush it. They know they shouldn't be walking around like that. Whores like them give female warriors everywhere a bad image. They have no right to exist, especially that red-haired floozy. But our goal isn't to rid the world of skimpy armor or those who wear it. Our goal is to repair the damage sexy armor does to the female warrior image and save as many future female warriors from the humiliating fate of wearing it. Why do you ask?"
"N-no reason," Lady Victoria answered. "I just think it would make more sense to give them a thrashing so they will learn the folly of their ways."
Lady Grizelda started to look concerned. "You wavered at the beginning. Heavens, you want to wear that hideous armor, don't you? They got to you, didn't they?"
"N-no, it'd be too embarrassing to wear something like that," Lady Victoria said. "Make no mistake, I want to see them fall hard."
Lady Grizelda grumbled. "Are you being totally honest with me? You really don't want to wear it?"
"No," Lady Victoria answered. "It sucks and they look like idiots. Anyone with common sense can see that much."
Lady Grizelda nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. Anyway, let's not be too hasty on attacking those floozies. We'll get our chance to show them. Timing is everything."
*
Shallista was sitting on Penelope's porch, taking it the night sky. There was a chill in the air that felt good on her bare skin. She breathed deep and exhaled. Memories of growing up in the mountains of the nation of Dimell filled her head. Those days were several continents away, almost twenty years in the past. "Hmm...good times."
That door opened and the smell of liquor wafted out. Penelope wasn't far behind it. "It's rather chilly out, milady. I'll get you a sweater."
Shallista shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Okay." Penelope said. "Mind if I sit with you?"
"If you'd like."
Penelope closed her door, then came over and plopped down next to her.
"You reek of alcohol," Shallista said. "Are you drunk?"
"No, but everybody else is. They all passed out, so there's no one to talk to." It was silent for a moment. "So what do you do when you're bored, milady?"
"Many things," Shallista said. "Above all else, I keep my mind occupied. You know what they say about idle minds..."
"Yeah, idle minds sucks," Penelope said. "Oh, can I ask you a question, milady?"
"I don't see why not?"
Penelope looked her over. "Were you embarrassed the first time you wore sexy armor? I mean, you're a smoking hot vixen with nothing to be ashamed of these days, but how did you feel the first time you put it on?"
"Embarrassed? No. I just wanted to be cool...like her."
"Like who?"
Shallista remembered the day the woman entered her village woman well. It was sunset. She came in with long black braid and two short swords sheathed on her back. Her outfit didn't leave much to the imagination, all the better two take in the woman's physique. She was very fit, not quite at barbarian levels of musculature, but far beyond what an average woman could look like from a workout here and there.
What she remembered most was the woman's confidence. There was no hesitation in her movements or embarrassment on her face. She was a strong woman. Even though the two never spoke and she never learned her name, but Shallista knew she wanted to be like that.
"The woman who motivated me," she finally said. "That was seventeen years ago, when I was only sixteen. She looked to be in her late twenties at the time. She must be in her mid-forties by now. I wonder what's she's doing now. Is she still wearing sexy armor?"
Penelope asked, "Do you think about the you'll have to hang up the halberd and cover up? Do you think about the day you can no longer be a sexy warrior?"
"Honestly, I try not to think about it," Shallista said. "I am well aware the day will come when I'll no longer be sexy and can no longer be a warrior. All I can do is milk this body for everything it's worth and bow out gracefully when my sun sets."
"Shallista…"
"But I'm assuming that time is many years from now," Shallista said. "After all, I'm in the prime of life and at the peak of fitness."
Penelope had another question. "If you hadn't become a warrior, do you think you would have been a singer."
Shallista looked up. "Maybe. Ha, I haven't sang since that day." That day in the mountains when her...boyfriend for lack of a better word, was killed by his jealous friends. "What a mess..."
"I didn't mean to bring up something so painful," Penelope said. "I was just curious."
"I know," Shallista said. "Honestly, I do like to sing. If my singing wasn't dangerous for men to hear, I probably would sing for a little coin here and there."
"I don't mean to be selfish, but can I hear you sing?" Penelope asked. "It's just us girls, so there shouldn't be any harm."
Shallista looked around. "I guess. I must warn you, I haven't sang in eight years. I might be a little out of tune." With that, she stood, cleared her throat, and started singing a childhood favorite of hers. After she was done, she noticed Penelope crying. "Penelope?"
"It was beautiful," Penelope said, wiping away tears and sniffling. "Your singing voice is so beautiful. The world has truly been robbed of a gift."
Shallista's body tingled with embarrassment. "I don't know about all that..."
Then, it happened. A man lumbered around the corner, as if he were a zombie. "Maaa...sterrr…" He must have heard her. She knew he was totally under her control.
"Damn it!" Shallista said. She should have been more observant. "This is why I don't sing. I'm lucky it was just one of them."
"Your...orders...maaa...sterrr."
"J-just sit there," Shallista said. "Don't move, no matter what happens or what I say."
"Yes...maaa...sterrr." He then sat down cross-legged and stared off into space.
"You weren't lying about controlling men with your singing," Penelope said. "It's too bad. Others really should hear you."
"I'll never sing again," Shallista said. "It's too risky. All it takes is for one man to stumble along and I have a potential killer drone on my hands."
"But you could have an army of loyal do-gooders, as well," Penelope said. "Imagine the possibilities."
"That's too artificial," Shallista said. "I want to win the people over with charisma, good deeds, and maybe a pinch of sexuality, not control them with a spell. And when that spell wears off, all that'll be left is a bunch of confused people. I don't want that. Anyway, I'm going home after this man comes to his senses again. I'm leaving my girls in your hands."
"Okay," Penelope said. She headed for the door and opened it, then looked back at Shallista. "I don't know how, but I'll make it safe for you to sing again. I promise."
Shallista didn't know what she was planning, but she felt like she could believe her. "Very well. I leave my singing voice in your hands."
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