Archive of Our Own

"Congratulations, Private." Elegance spoke crisply. "Sergeant Franka, if you would?"

Liskarm held herself at attention and watched her partner step forward to take the insignia patch and pin that Lieutenant Bright held out. Next to the captain, the Lieutenant looked especially short, though in reality she was as tall as Liskarm. A kindly smile spread across her round face as soon as Franka's back turned.

Franka, for her part, was just about holding it together, but Liskarm knew what to look for now. The vulpo had some really good joke she wasn't telling, and the effort was taking all her concentration as she slid the pin into place on Vanilla's blouse. Even she had to reach up a little to do that; the cadet – not a cadet anymore – could almost look Elegance in the eye.

"Welcome to the family." Franka allowed herself a smile at that, and Liskarm narrowed her eyes, trying to will her partner to crack.

Vanilla saluted. "Thank you, sir." Beyond her, Liskarm saw Jessica reflexively match the gesture and falter, then hold her arm in place. Inwardly, she sighed. There was no helping the young operator's jittery formality. Maybe Vanilla would be a good influence in that.

Elegance and Bright returned the salute with eerie synchrony. For a moment, Liskarm narrowed her eyes more seriously, but Elegance cut her thought off before it could flower into suspicion. "Dismissed. I believe the four of you have a party to prepare for? You too, corporal."

Jessica squeaked and lowered her arm.

Liskarm rode down the sudden fluttering in her chest at the mention of the party. Elegance, of course, would have to know about any private function using the company's facilities, and booking the corporate suite had offered much better privacy than going out somewhere in the city. Hopefully the captain hadn't caught wind of any more than that; if she had then there was no hope at all that Franka hadn't realised.

Franka led the way out into the corridor, with Liskarm bringing up the rear. No sooner had the door closed than the vulpo pounced on her former intern in a bear hug. "You did it! I'm so proud of you!"

Liskarm reached out and clapped her partner on the shoulder. "You finally managed to graduate a trainee!"

Franka shot her a look. "I am having a moment here."

"You might want to ask the Private how she feels about that." Vanilla looked like she'd swallowed a bug, staring down Franka's ears with a very fixed expression.

Pulling back, Franka looked up into the vouivre's face. Then she grinned and pinched Vanilla's cheek. "Aww, are you a big girl now? All grown up and embarrassed that mommy loves you?"

"F- Franka!" Vanilla jerked her head back, flailing to dislodge Franka's grip. "Why are you-?"

Franka turned to Liskarm, face held just about straight. "They grow up so fast…"

"Unlike you." Liskarm prodded her partner in the arm. "Come on, the room's booked for seven, and if I know you, four hours won't be nearly long enough to get dressed on time."

"Bet I can get into my outfit quicker than you get into yours, babe." Franka grinned, showing teeth. "After all, I've got a lot more practice dressing up."

* * *

The suit suited Liskarm. She'd expected it to feel restrictive, but the tailor had done an excellent job. Even the stiff cuffs at her upper forearms left her plenty of room to move. The waistcoat was as snug and cozy as an embrace, and unlike the one she'd been fitted in, the silk lining matched the blue of her horn-tips perfectly. Jessica's recommendation had been spot-on; the tailor she suggested had been a little startled when Liskarm walked in in her uniform and asked for a modern Victorian-style suit, but had been enthusiastic as soon as he'd recovered. Of course, the ensemble had cost almost a full week's pay, but Liskarm could imagine getting a lot of use out of it.

Not that that helped with the slight cold sweat she was wearing underneath it. She was well on time, in defiance of Franka's prediction, but the look in her partner's eyes as she'd said it… Had Franka figured out what she had planned? Liskarm hurried despite herself, trying to avoid brushing her hand against the small weight in her pocket which increasingly felt as if it might bite when touched.

By the time she emerged from the utilitarian barrack corridors of Blacksteel HQ into the swishly-decorated customer-facing areas, she was marching at a pace barely short of a run. The gold-inlaid clock in the reception hall said it was still twenty to seven. Liskarm almost tripped on the plush red carpet as she tried to slow down.

This late in the day, and with no outside guests, the entrance was shut and there was no receptionist. There'd be a security guard at the station by the door, but Liskarm told herself she was already out of their line of sight. Whoever was watching the security cameras might have had an amusing show, but she was used to the base's constant surveillance.

The door to the corporate suite was wide, two heavy wood panels with a lacquered originum inlay. Despite appearances, the dangerous black rock was carefully sealed. Still, Liskarm felt an inward twinge, thinking of the line of dark crystal stitched along Franka's collarbone. Pushing the gripe aside, she leaned into the door's weight and stepped over into even richer carpet.

Warm, low light greeted her, softening the harsh angles of the long black table on which only the four middle places were laid. Silverware glittered with reflections from the uplighters, a small arsenal of knives and forks. In the corners of the room, dark metal sculptures made twisted imitations of trees.

"Hi Liskarm. You look good in a suit." Vanilla stood at the bar on the left-hand wall, fingers curled round the stem of a half-full martini glass. She wore a… was that what they called a bodysuit? Black, one piece, crisply-ironed black trousers rising up in smooth planes to a halter neck. Round brass buttons, like an old military dress uniform, studded ornamental lines up from her hips to her waist.

"You too." Liskarm crossed to the bar and tapped the counter to bring up the inlaid menu screen. There were no staff, as a matter of operational security. It felt right for Vanilla to address her by her first name. She was so much more relaxed now than the unfailingly earnest teenager who'd joined the company eighteen months earlier; the better side of Franka's influence. "Hope you weren't waiting long."

"Nah, I just got here." Vanilla glanced at her glass, which was half-empty. Well, most things that came in martini glasses were small drinks.

Liskarm hovered over the beers and thought better of it. There'd be wine with the food and mixing was probably a bad idea. The full wine list was multiple pages but there was a small selection of house wines at the top; she picked a white without looking too closely at the details. There were a few quiet clicks and clunks from under the bar, then a glass rose smoothly up behind it and slid towards her.

She picked it up and raised it towards Vanilla. "Congratulations."

Vanilla raised her own glass and there was an awkward moment's hesitation while they both decided whether or not to actually clink them together. In the end, clumsily, they did. Liskarm gave a sheepish smile and buried her face in the wine. It was good – crisp and dry, without too much fruit. What should she say to Vanilla now?

"Are you alright?" Vanilla peered down at her, face tight. Was she-? she was, she had heels on, as if she wasn't already even taller than Franka. "You look like something's bothering you."

Liskarm flinched her hand back from her pocket. The directness of the young vouivre's question was disconcerting, even without making her feel completely transparent. Had Franka been teaching her intern how to read minds too? Actually, that was a stupid question; reading body language was a critical part of effective close-quarters combat.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Vanilla drained her glass, swallowing awkwardly.

"Oh, no, uh, sorry." Liskarm reached for something she could cover with without lying. "Just not used to dressing up." Inspiration struck and she cracked a grin. "Franka would tell you I'm bad at relaxing."

"Yes, she has," Vanilla smiled, then caught herself. "Um, sorry, sir."

The junior's sudden hesitation brought a chuckle to Liskarm's throat. "No, I knew what I was in for as soon as you lasted more than a month with her. Things are going to be a bit livelier from now on, I guess."

Before the conversation could die another awkward death, the door swung inwards. Liskarm's heart made an attempt to leap sideways out of her chest, but it was just Jessica. The young feline slipped into the room like a teenager sneaking into the kitchen for a midnight snack, then jumped when she saw she wasn't alone. "Oh! Good evening, Ma'am, Vanilla."

"Hey Jess," Vanilla waved her glass in Jessica's direction. "Thought you'd be wearing something flashier, after all that talk of gowns."

Jessica glanced down at the plain, dainty black dress she wore. It had neither embroidery nor sequins, just a flat black belt over the flared skirt reaching almost to her knees. Her shoes were a little more striking, just for their high gloss and heels that might well make her taller than Liskarm for the evening, but she looked more like a hostess than part of the party.

"Oh, well, I didn't want to upstage anyone." She walked over to join them at the bar, clearly as comfortable atop the heels as in her usual combat boots. Liskarm narrowed her eyes. Between that and the fashion advice, there was a side of Jessica here she hadn't anticipated.

She realised the feline was inspecting her in turn. "You went to the place I suggested? I hope they were friendly?"

"Very professional." Liskarm glanced down at her forearms, suddenly feeling that the jacket was a little tight in the shoulders. "Why, is something wrong?"

"No, no no no," Jessica fretted. "You look great, ma'am. I think, um, well, if I had to suggest anything, you might want to ask for a full-length sleeve next time, but the cut is perfect. I'm so glad you chose a three-piece, it really suits you."

She turned to Vanilla, inspecting her with the same sharp, steady eye. Where was that when she was in the training simulators? "This is great! I love the detailing, was it expensive?"

Vanilla chuckled, "No, I spent an hour on that site you linked me to, it was about twenty bucks. I don't get my first proper paycheck 'til the end of the month, unlike a certain big spender over here." She peered pointedly down at Liskarm.

Liskarm almost felt her pocket throb. "Yes, well, do you want me to pay for this party or not?"

"Hey, it was your idea. Yours and Franka's, anyway."

Before Vanilla could press the inquiry, Liskarm turned hurriedly to the bar. "Jessica, what will you have to drink?" She swiped a finger to bring up the menu again.

"Oh, um, just a… is there a fruit juice?"

Liskarm tapped the 'Non-Alcoholic' tab and stepped back. "You might need to be more specific."

"You don't drink, Jess?" Vanilla spoke from the beginnings of a grin.

"Um, not on an empty stomach." She glanced at Liskarm. "Have you chosen wines for the meal already?"

"We asked the kitchen to suggest some." Liskarm frowned. "Something wrong?"

Jessica looked like she might say something, then ducked her head and stepped up to the menu. Liskarm exchanged a look with Vanilla, who nodded in the direction of Liskarm's outfit, then shook her head. Liskarm took as much of the hint as she could understand and stayed quiet, sipping tentatively at her wine.

After a moment, Jessica straightened, taking a tall, plain tumbler half full of a cloudy, pale green liquid as it slid over the bar. She took a drink as if biting a lemon and stepped back. When she lifted her head, her expression was bright. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything?"

"No, nothing much." Vanilla was craning her neck at an awkward angle to peer at Jessica's drink. "What… is that?"

"Hm? Oh, grapefruit." Jessica offered the vouivre the glass.

Vanilla sniffed at it and her eyes crossed briefly. "You drink that by choice?"

"Well, um," Jessica's head drooped again.

Noise from the bar distracted them. A tray slid onto the countertop, bearing an ice bucket with a bottle neck sticking up out of it and an embossed greeting card. Who-? Liskarm couldn't think of anyone who could have ordered them champagne for the evening with completely innocent motivations.

She almost yelped aloud as Vanilla reached out blithely and picked up the card. One eyebrow raised, the vouivre flipped it over and scanned it. "Dear Vanilla, Franka, Liskarm and Jessica, I thought it best not to intrude, but I hope you won't mind a small gift. I hope you all have a lovely evening. Congratulations, Elegance."

Liskarm hoped her face was straight. The captain had to know, surely? The wording was so careful. And if the captain knew, then Franka must have seen right through everything. What sort of entrance was the vulpo likely to make, if Elegance thought this was a fair prank to play?

She was interrupted in her spiralling by a squeak from Jessica as Vanilla lifted the bottle clear of the ice. To Vanilla's startled look, the feline responded with a tight throat, "That's a Pomme d'Erignon. It's worth hundreds of dollars!"

"Hundreds?" Vanilla's eyes went wide. "I didn't know any wine cost that much."

"I hope Elegance didn't charge it to our tab, then," Liskarm managed, hoping the humour would cover her internal reeling. "Hundreds? Really?"

"Oh yes," Jessica jerked her head in a sharp nod. "I suppose from a specialist supplier you might be able to buy a crate for under three thousand, but a single bottle at a restaurant?"

"We'd better not waste it, then." Vanilla turned to the bar. "How do we get this thing to give us empty glasses, Liskarm?"

"Wait!" Jessica sounded genuinely distressed. "Champagne should be drunk with the appetisers." She glanced from Liskarm to Vanilla and back again, "And, um, well, we should wait for Franka to arrive, too. Or we could save it for the toast, um."

Did Jessica know? Liskarm's body felt like glass, fragile and transparent. Her pocket ached.

Oblivious, Vanilla said, "It won't go flat, left open that long?"

"What? Oh, no, but there's no rush." Jessica was almost stammering, but not quite. It was the same superficial hesitancy that characterised her on the battlefield, as if some deep training was bearing her up. "Since it's already open, it would be better to drink with the appetisers than leave until later, but it would be fine either way."

Fighting to keep her voice steady, Liskarm said, "Well, let's wait for Franka to get here, then. I don't know whether all the extra dollars mean it'll get us drunk faster or slower, but I do know that champagne goes to your head faster than anything."

Jessica glanced at her fruit juice. "Oh, um, yes, of course. It's actually, well, uh…"

"I didn't know you knew so much about wine, Jess," Vanilla cut in. "I suppose it's like with the fashion stuff?"

"Sort of, um." Jessica paused and took a sip. Then she started and looked at the door.

It was opening. Liskarm's heart wrapped itself around her larynx and squeezed. She managed to put her wine glass down on the bar. Did she remember emptying it? Rings glittered on Franka's fingers as they curled round the edge of the door panel, and then she appeared behind them.

She wore a figure-hugging white dress, its hem a flat line halfway down her thighs. The neckline plunged almost to her abdomen, and if she was wearing a bra Liskarm couldn't see where it was hiding. Black originum studded her collarbone, the line broken only by the wide strap of the dress. The jewels dangling from her ears glittered – real diamonds – through the folds of her perfected hair.

Liskarm closed her mouth and swallowed, throat dry.

Franka smiled, "I hope I kept you waiting – just long enough?"

She started to walk over to them, hips swaying, eyes fixed on Liskarm's face. There was a hot, blurred sensation at the edges of Liskarm's vision, like the wine was already taking effect. Was Jessica saying something?

If she was, Liskarm missed it. Vanilla, speaking more forcefully, cut through. "You look great, boss." Liskarm felt the young vouivre's attention sharpen. "Will one of you tell me what this is really about, now?"

Again the fear that everyone might have seen through her plans thrilled through Liskarm's gut. Franka took the question more in stride. "Whatever do you mean, dear?"

"You wouldn't really throw this much of a party just for me, Jess said you never threw one for her. These outfits. Elegance sending us three-thousand-dollar champagne or whatever. Something else is going on."

"Elegance sent what?" Franka had the good graces to look shocked.

Liskarm could feel the moment souring as Jessica stuttered to correct Vanilla about prices. Maybe setting things up like this had been a mistake. Would Vanilla be upset? But she'd had to find some excuse for a big occasion, and they were footing the bill.

She made a decision.

In the single smooth movement she'd practiced for hours in front of her bedroom mirror, she dipped her fingers into the offending pocket and knelt. For a wonder, the ring didn't catch on the lip of the pocket as she pulled it out and held it out towards her partner. "Franka, will you marry me?"

A moment's silence told her she'd captured everyone's attention. The suit, so comfortable thus far, was suddenly hot and clingy, like she'd been for a run in it on a sunny day. Her neck ached already from craning to look up into Franka's face, and she was glad there were no lights in the ceiling to dazzle her. Any more than Franka did, anyway.

Then the vulpo made a noise like someone trying to pronounce a cat walking across a keyboard and turned sharply on her heel. Liskarm's stomach twisted with her, but she wasn't walking away. Instead, she was… adjusting her dress? Fiddling with her jewellery? Hard to tell from behind.

She spun back to face the group and threw – Liskarm caught it – something? Right at Liskarm's face. A bead of warm metal in her spare fist; somehow, she'd managed not to drop her own ring or lose her balance. Liskarm's thoughts came back together and she opened her hand, palm up to the light.

For a moment, she looked in puzzlement from the elegant, plain gold band in one hand to the silver, diamond-topped ring she was holding up with the other. Then she managed to drag her gaze up to Franka's face again. The vulpo was grinning through tears, teeth showing.

She said, "Get up, dipshit, of course I'll marry you!" And she grabbed Liskarm's hands, hauling awkwardly until she stood. That left her off-balance, and she stumbled into Franka's embrace, still holding one ring in each hand, fists clenched as she held them to the other woman's back. Her face was pressed into the strap of Franka's dress where it rose up her shoulder. The fabric was thicker than she expected and… damp? No, she was crying too.

Eventually, Franka took hold of her hair and pulled her head back far enough to kiss her forehead. "Are you going to actually put that ring on me?"

Liskarm managed a half-step back, feeling like her legs had turned to stilts. It took her a moment to remember which ring was in which hand. Franka extended the fingers of her left, looking haughtily down her nose. With a deep breath, Liskarm slid the diamond into place – mercifully, it fit neatly.

Quietly, but with dancing in her voice, Franka said, "Go on. If your ring doesn't fit I've got a jeweller to shank."

Liskarm opened her other fist and let Franka pick up the ring from her palm. Its high polish looked almost fluid. Franka's fingers were feather-light as she singled out Liskarm's stocky ring finger and slid the band into place. It caught for just a second over her knuckle, but then settled home.

She looked up into Franka's kiss, felt the vulpo's smile through her lips, tasted salt as the tears still streaming down both their cheeks mingled. Franka murmured, "I love you." Then, as the kiss ended, and their foreheads rested against one another, she said more loudly, "You look so cute in that suit."

Feeling the game resume, grinning, Liskarm pulled back. "Good job I've got an excuse to buy another one, then, isn't it?"

"I knew the two of you were up to something," Vanilla interrupted, but she, too, was clearly enjoying herself.

"Suck it up, rookie," Franka shot back. "Or do you want to pay a share of the bill for tonight?"

"Congratulations to you too." Vanilla all but stuck her tongue out.

Franka's arm settled around Liskarm's shoulders. "Whatever are we going to with our brat of a daughter, babe? It's enough to drive a woman to drink." Ignoring Vanilla's protest, she waved a hand at the champagne. "Speaking of which, Jessica, is that stuff really worth three grand?"

"No ma'am," Jessica said hurriedly. "That, um, would be for a case. But it's still worth hundreds by the bottle. Um, congratulations!"

"How many times do I have to tell you not to be so formal when we're off-duty, Jess?" Franka smiled again, against her teasing tone. "Knock it off with the 'ma'am' stuff."

"Yes M- um," Jessica caught herself.

Not missing a beat, Franka let out a mock gasp. "Did you hear, Lisk? She called me mother!"

* * *

"We're getting married, sir." Liskarm thought she managed not to sound giddy as she spoke.

Elegance looked from Liskarm's face to Franka's and back. Then, without breaking eye contact, she unfolded a long arm, picked up the receiver of her desk phone, and pressed one of the quick-dial buttons. She brought it up to her ear, waited a moment, and said, "Two of our reprobate sergeants are in my office right now." Short pause. "You owe me fifty bucks."

There was a longer pause, then Elegance covered the mouthpiece and glared at them. "Which of you proposed?"

"It was a joint effort," Franka blurted, before Liskarm could speak.

"Was not! I asked first."

Elegance's glare sharpened. Liskarm could almost see Bright on the other end of the line. With the weary tone of an old schoolteacher, Elegance said into the phone, "Yeah, ok, send me the fifty and I'll put it towards the dinner I owe you."