Dark Secrets

Treats

     Body untouched and unattended to, Mercury headed home as soon as she clocked out. Her boss had been too sick to come in for work so her thighs were clean and her skin was itching for what it hadn't received. She walked along at a decent pace and listened for any rustle of wildlife that could satisfy her stomach for some time. There was nothing. She kept going and remembered the note Dahlia had left earlier in the day. It was an invitation, one that Mercury could take if she so pleased. She blinked at the night sky and again wondered what Dahlia's special treat might be. She didn't think Dahlia was stupid enough to offer something frivolous, but, then again, to Mercury, many types of gifts were frivolous. 

     Mercury passed her apartment and continued on to the city, pushed on only by the fact that she hadn't found anything to eat in the desert. She had to go to the lounge now. Or at least walk through it. Anyway, she thought, it was early, so Dahlia might not be there yet. All could be avoided with enough finesse and luck.

     As she reached the lounge, Mercury went straight to the bar and ordered a bottled water, but the barman wouldn't give it to her. She asked again, thinking perhaps he had misheard her request, but, again, he refused her. Instead he leaned over the bar to be heard better over the crowd and pointed Mercury to the back where Dahlia's little room was located. Mercury shook her head. No, that wasn't what she was asking for at all. She wanted water. The barman shook his head this time, and said he knew, but it was Dahlia that wanted Mercury, not the other way around. Now Mercury understood, and she asked if there were water bottles in Dahlia's room. He shrugged and moved on to another customer now that his message was delivered.

     So Dahlia required Mercury's presence, but Mercury only wanted water. She scanned the lounge, then, deciding that the only way she'd get her water is if she went to see Dahlia, pushed her way through the crowd and to the dressing room. She entered without knocking since she was wanted and stood in the entrance. Dahlia was getting ready, beating her face with makeup, but paused as she looked up to see her visitor through the vanity before her. All was silent and still for almost two minutes.

     "Can I have a water?" asked Mercury, figuring she should talk first since Dahlia wasn't taking the initiative.

     "Close the door, please," said Dahlia.

     Thinking it was a condition to get what she wanted, Mercury did as was asked. But Dahlia handed over no water. She gently lowered her gear then spun slowly in her seat to face Mercury.

     "Can I have a water?" Mercury asked again, adding, "Please," to increase the chances of receiving one.

     Dahlia studied her special guest for a moment. "Is that why you came back here?"

     "Yes. The barman wouldn't give me one."

     Smirking, Dahlia said, "I wondered if you'd fight." She swiped the corner of her left eye with a delicate fingertip and looked at it to see if makeup residue was present. There wasn't. "Do you want your special treat?"

     Mercury calculated in her head. This or that. Water or no. "What is it?"

     Dahlia's smirk turned to a soft smile, and she turned to grab a rather large box from underneath her vanity, struggling slightly, bringing it out to place on her lap. She crooked a finger for Mercury to come closer, who did. As Mercury reached out to take the box, Dahlia slapped a hand on the top swiftly.

     "One condition," she said.

     Mercury took her hands back. She calculated once more. "What?"

     "You have to stay in this room until my set is over and I come back." Gazing directly into Mercury's eyes, Dahlia lifted the lid of the box and revealed what was inside. Mercury didn't appear to want it, but she didn't walk away, either. "Deal?"