Chapter Text
Chapter 14 Conditioning
Karmi woke up covered in silk sheets, and shifting she realized that the sun was streaming in behind the curtains in Liv’s room. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she rose keeping the sheets over her chest. She was alone, but the sound of running water caught her attention from the hall. Realizing that she didn’t have much of a choice, she decided to take the risk and strode out of the bedroom following the noise to the master bathroom. Peeking inside, she saw Liv in a luxurious shower, the entire ceiling pouring water on her fog-obscured form. Swallowing her fear, she called out, “Liv?”
“Karmi!” Opening the door, Liv smiled as she took in the sight of Karmi. “I’m almost done if you want to wait a second.”
Karmi shrugged, trying to play cool. “I, well, I thought maybe you’d like some company?” Liv chuckled, motioning for Karmi to join her inside. Folding up the sheet as best she could and leaving it on the toilet, Karmi was struck by how great it felt stepping into the shower, the water surrounding her the instant she felt it hit her. There was plenty of room to move around, and still get all the best views of Liv. “Wow.”
Liv smiled, going back to washing her arms. “I always wanted something like this, once Sycorax was successful I figured I would give myself a little treat. So, how’d you sleep?”
“I slept great, that bed was so comfy,” Karmi admitted, enjoying the show as Liv washed up. “What about you? Were you okay?”
“I felt great,” Liv sighed, glancing over her shoulder. “After we both wash up, how about I treat you to breakfast?”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“No, but I want to,” Liv said, sighing as she moved to the rest of her body. With her attention firmly locked on the suds running over Liv’s chest, Karmi heard her continue, “You know anywhere with some good food?”
Karmi snapped back when she realized she wasn’t answering. “Oh, I mean, there’s the Lucky Cat.” Then she realized that she was potentially setting up some trouble. Liv and Cass, both in the same building?! And Cass knew Karmi had a date, she’d know the second she walked through the door! “B-But there’s also the Benbow Diner! It’s got some pretty good food too!”
Liv nodded, letting the water run over her face as she asked, “Which one’s closer to your apartment?”
Karmi couldn’t hide the cringe on her face. “The Lucky Cat.”
“Alright, we’ll stop there.” Peeking out her left eye, she said, “You can use my soap, I think we’re at that point in the relationship.” Karmi forced a laugh as she looked over the lotions on offer.
Showered and back in her sundress, Karmi made a mental note to bring a change of clothes in the future if she knew she’d be staying overnight at someone’s house. Not that it mattered, since Liv was already on the road into the city. She didn’t know if her concern was radiating off her, but Liv either didn’t notice (Unlikely) or wanted to know what was happening (Most certainly) as they pulled into an empty space on the curb a block away from the café. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to take a walk in the city,” Liv sighed, smiling as she looked over the skyline of skyscrapers and helium generators. “Did you miss it while you were gone?”
Karmi didn’t know how to answer. “I think I missed my friends more than anything,” she answered, eyes locked on the door as they approached. “But I can definitely see all of them now.”
Before they could step inside, Liv stopped and checked her purse. “Oh, shoot! I’ll be back in a second Karmi, I almost forgot my card.”
“Sure, I’ll get us a table!” This was terrible, she was never any good at playing off her nerves! Sighing, she did her best to steel her courage and strode through the door.
It was still early enough that most of the city hadn’t yet recovered from the start of the weekend, meaning the café was almost empty except for one or two older patrons. Cass stood behind the counter, making sure the coffee was full and the pastries ready when she looked to the door. “Karmi! Oh, how’d it go last night sweetie?”
“Oh, uh, it went great,” Karmi said, in a way that screamed nervous. It felt like when she was a girl, and was bracing herself for her parents about to find out that she’d disobeyed a rule. “I’ll just have a latte and a cherry Danish this morning?”
“Sure!” Humming a cheery tune to herself, Cass readied the breakfast and set it before Karmi. “On the house, call it a little treat.” Winking, she added, “And maybe showing you what I can offer next time you’re free.”
Karmi tried to laugh naturally. What came out was as stifling as a closed-off room in a Louisiana summer. “Right! Well, I’ll just leave you to it!” Hurrying to the farthest table she could find, she tried to ignore the panic welling up in her heart. Even then, the taste of the Danish was good! Darn it, why was Cass so good at what she did!
That was when the bell dinged, and Karmi looked up to see Liv walking in. Cass looked shocked, but Liv waved off any concerns. Undoubtedly, just saying she was stopping by for breakfast. Cass seemed relieved, making a little small talk. Liv put her order in, then strode up to Karmi’s table. Karmi able to see Cass’s expression slowly shift from polite and happy to confused to surprised in less than ten seconds.
Liv settled in across from Karmi, smiling as she took in the café. “This looks like a great place to get breakfast Karmi, I love the feel of it. A real family place, not another cheap chain.”
“Yep,” Karmi said, trying to avoid eye contact as she sipped her latte. “Such a nice place.”
“I’ll talk to Momokase when I drop you off,” Liv said, looking over the pictures on the walls. “I have a plan, but it’ll sound crazy.”
Karmi stopped in the middle of another bite. “Crazier than what’s already happened?”
“Touche,” Liv admitted. “I think we need to use 7-XG as a catalyst, get whatever might still be in Momokase’s system to express itself. Once its finished, and we control the result as best we can, we have a chance to move forward on your ‘problem’ and anyone else that might be affected.”
Karmi thought over the idea for a second. “That sounds pretty risky. Momokase could…wind up like me.”
“I know, and it’s a bigger risk than I’d normally like,” Liv admitted. “We can at least run the idea by her, see what she says. If she doesn’t accept the risk, we have to figure out another way.”
Before Karmi could ask any further questions, a steaming breakfast sandwich and mug of coffee appeared before them on the table. Looking up, they both saw Cass standing next to them with a too-wide smile to be natural. “So! Karmi, you didn’t tell me you’d be bringing the Liv Amara to the Cat!”
Karmi gave her own uneasy smile back. “Oh, well, you know how crazy the start of a school year can be!”
“Oh, don’t I!” Cass laughed, shooting nervous looks to Liv every other second. “So! Liv, can I call you Liv? Karmi said she was an intern for a while at Sycorax! Everything was good and happy there right?”
Liv smirked, sipping at the coffee before replying, “I’m glad Karmi has such a protective partner by her side.” The mental pileup in Karmi’s mind could have put the I-60 to shame as she realized what Liv just said. Cass looked about the same, Liv unable to hold back a laugh at their reactions. “It’s alright, really. So, can we sit down and talk about this? Or do you need some time to process?”
“I’m…honestly not sure right now,” Cass admitted, grabbing a chair from an empty table. “Karmi, you never mentioned Liv Amara was ‘involved’ in your life.”
Karmi didn’t know how else to answer. “You never asked.”
“Ms. Hamada, I understand that you’d be worried about Karmi and I after everything that happened.” Sipping at her coffee, Liv turned and held her head high as she looked Cass in the eye. “I do care about Karmi, and I hope you do as well.”
Cass nodded, not backing down from what didn’t quite feel like a challenge. “Why else would I be here right now when I’m open?”
Liv smiled, turning to Karmi. “Well, what do you think?”
Karmi sighed, looking between the two women. “It’s a little bit much right now, okay? I don’t think either of you can be surprised by that.” As both women nodded, she straightened up a little. “I don’t want this to ruin anything either.”
Cass’ face softened, reaching out to take her hand. “Oh, Karmi, nothing is going to ruin this right now.”
Liv smiled, taking Karmi’s other hand. “I feel the same way. We can at least agree on that?” Cass nodded, but made a point to show she was tightening her grip on Karmi’s hand.
Karmi sighed, the stress of the moment dissipating like the fog over the bay. Between Liv’s sparkling green eyes and Cass’ calming full smile, she felt even better about…well, about everything. “So, neither one of you is jealous?”
Liv shook her head, taking another sip. “Clearly you have someone who’s already a better cook than I am.”
Cass thankfully decided to play friendly. “Along with someone who’s so smart she cloned herself.” Liv smirked, shrugging at the jab.
Karmi smiled, looking between the pair. “So, what now?”
“First, we finish breakfast,” Liv said. “Then we get started on our plan. But I think I might be stopping by here for some lunches more often if the café is so close to your house.”
Cass gave Karmi a playful jab to the shoulder. “Non-jerk rich people are some of the best customers.” That was when the bell at the front of the shop rang, and Cass jumped up. “Back to it, then. I’ll see you both later.” Then, making sure no one was looking right at them, she smirked and gave Karmi a quick peck on the cheek before moving to the front of the café.
Liv smirked, looking at Karmi over the rim of her coffee. “You’re sure I’m your first partner ever?”
Karmi blushed even harder. “I’m just glad this didn’t turn into a disaster. So, you’re not mad?”
“Not at all,” Liv answered, still holding Karmi’s hand. “She cared enough that she was willing to confront me if something was wrong, even if that showed she’s also your partner. A lot of people wish they had someone half as willing to act as she is.”
Karmi’s heart swelled, glancing over as Cass took the orders of the two customers at the counter. “Glad I don’t have to wish for it then.”
Stepping into the apartment, Karmi noticed that the pots and pans were already drying. Yet the living room was bereft of criminal houseguests watching daytime trash TV. “Momokase?” Moving to the basement, she popped the door open but didn’t hear anything. “Are you there?”
Liv scanned the apartment as Karmi moved for the stairs. “You don’t think she escaped.”
“Not after she took on the Mad Jacks,” Karmi admitted, hearing the shower running. “Momokase?”
“HEEEEERRREEEE!”
“Oh boy,” Karmi muttered, bounding up the stairs with Liv seconds behind. Finding the bathroom door open, the pair were treated to the sight of the blue-haired thief once more trapped in the throes of ecstasy as she furiously jerked at her engorged clit in the tub.
Liv didn’t waste time as she took in the scene. “How long?”
Momokase hissed, hips bucking as the water washed over her. “Ten! M-Maybe twenty!”
“The same as when Karmi found you the first time?” Rapid nodding. “Should we leave you alone?”
“No!” Glaring at the pair, she grunted, “Stay here! Stay here!”
Liv nodded, moving to lean against the sink. “Are you in any pain?” Momokase shook her head. “Is there any noticeable difference between now and the last time?” Another shake. Liv’s eyes narrowed, and she asked, “Does us watching you help?”
Momokase hissed for a second, then muttered, “Yes, yes it does!”
Liv nodded, moving from the sink to kneel next to the tub. Karmi noticed that seemed to inflame Momokase’s attitude, and her hand seemed to move even faster. She noticed Momokase’s eyes flicking between them, as if the fact that they were both watching with such focus only made the pleasure greater. She could already feel her cock rising up again, straining against her panties at the sight. She was sorely tempted to join in again, but the fact that Liv was still as she watched held her in place.
That was when Karmi noticed something in Liv’s eyes. A hunger, almost like she was devouring the sight before her. Most of the time her eyes were kind, able to fill Karmi’s heart with warmth and affection. Seeing them looking down on Momokase like this, she didn’t know what to make of it. More curious to her, she noticed Momokase seemed to like it.
“It’s been a long time since you had a partner, hasn’t it,” Liv noted. “Have you been feeling it more since this started happening?” Momokase didn’t even answer with words, she only let out a grunt. “You certainly take care of yourself. So many toned muscles, and no one to share them with. I bet it’s been driving you crazy, being around so many gorgeous women and not being able to have any fun.” Karmi blinked, staring at Liv as Momokase somehow picked up the pace. “I know how it feels,” Liv whispered, kneeling next to the tub. “Not having any release. Forced to make do when you know you can do so much more with someone else.” Momokase groaned out, grinding her fingers into her engorged clit.
Karmi felt her hands drift to her own cock, running her hand along the shaft as she felt her panties starting to soak through. This was a side of Liv she hadn’t seen yet, not the gentle mentor that was guiding her through intimacy. This was Liv at her most experienced, a lover who knew what a partner wanted and how to deliver. Guiding Momokase to orgasm with nothing but words and a hungry gaze. As Karmi remained a silent partner in the scene, Momokase began to groan out, hips high as she began to shudder with another massive orgasm. Shaking against the tub, the thief was left gasping as she tried to remember where she was.
In a second, Liv’s hungry eyes vanished. “Are you alright?”
Momokase took a few seconds to pant before muttering, “Fine, just…just need to finish here.”
“Of course,” Liv said, rising from the now-soaking floor. Pulling the curtain to a point where it wouldn’t let things get worse, Liv led Karmi out into her bedroom. “Are you alright?”
“Y-Yeah,” Karmi stuttered. “But what was that?”
“Huh?” Liv looked confused for a second before she realized what Karmi had seen, and smiled. “Sorry, I guess I should’ve told you what was going to happen.”
“No, it’s fine,” Karmi said, trying to play off what just happened. “But, I mean is that what you’re usually like?”
Liv smirked, putting her arms over Karmi’s shoulders. “I do like to be in a little more control. That’s not what you need right now, though. Once you’re sure you’re ready? Then I’d feel comfortable enough to be a little more dominant for you.”
Karmi nodded, feeling her cock already shrinking back to where she felt was “normal.” Of course, “normal” wasn’t going to be normal forever. Once she was changed and Momokase was finished, this could be the first step to making that real.
Fifteen minutes later, Karmi and Liv were down in the kitchen sipping at some tea when Momokase strutted in wrapped in a towel. Of course, the way the towel hung on her body, it shifted in a way that Karmi could catch fleeting glimpses of cheeks and lips. “Sorry about that,” Momokase said, like she’d been caught in the middle of changing her clothes. “Though the fact that that you’re here means there’s progress?”
“Then you’ll need to hear me out first,” Liv said, motioning for Momokase to take a seat with them. “You understand that what Diana did, I can’t just undo it like I’m turning off a light. Biology takes time.”
“Not from what I saw,” Momokase muttered as she settled in across the table from Liv. “It seemed like your ‘sister’ could almost work magic.”
“Ethical biology then,” Liv clarified. “And in a situation like this, we have to be willing to improvise. You understand?”
“I suppose so,” Momokase sighed. “Well, what is your plan then?”
Liv didn’t flinch as she spoke. “I want to use 7X-G. If we can force whatever has been changed to fully express itself, we stand a better chance of undoing it.”
Momokase didn’t break, but she did glance to Karmi. “The same thing that happened to you?”
Karmi shrank a little, but didn’t look away. “It’s pretty obvious that what happened to you happened to me, but you’re going through it at a much slower pace. If we have more knowledge about what’s happening, we can at least get closer to figuring out a way to reverse it.”
Momokase shook her head, sneering as she turned to Liv. “So, I’m to be your guinea pig to find her cure? This isn’t the incentive you think it to be.”
“It’s our best chance to solve both issues,” Liv argued. “Besides that, I can’t imagine there’s anyone else capable of even trying to help you right now.” Momokase grumbled a bit, but didn’t argue. “Exactly. But we won’t do it unless you agree. That’s what makes us different from Diana.”
Momokase pursed her lips, mulling over the choice in front of her. Which, Karmi realized, really wasn’t much of a choice at all from where she sat. With a sigh, she said, “When?”
“We’ll wait until next week,” Liv answered, as Karmi felt a massive weight disappear from her chest. “I need to get everything ready, I’ll let you both know when I’m set.”
“Very well,” Momokase said, rising from the table. “I supposed I should enjoy what I have while I have it, at least.”
The words struck Karmi. True, she wasn’t the reason for what had happened to Momokase, but she was involved. As Momokase disappeared into the basement, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Liv reached out, taking Karmi’s hand in hers. “None of this is your fault, Karmi. If anyone deserves any blame for what’s happening, it’s me.”
“You made a decision because of a bad situation,” Karmi said, turning to Liv. “You never could’ve imagined Diana would do anything she did.”
“I’m still responsible,” Liv sighed, looking as defeated as the Oakland A’s. “I was the one who created her, gave her free reign to do whatever she wanted until I was cured. If it weren’t for her, none of this would have happened to any of you.”
Karmi didn’t know how to answer that for a second. Then she gripped Liv’s hand and said, “It helped this happen.”
Liv looked up in shock, unable to process for a second, then a smile began to creep across her face. “I didn’t think I needed a date that badly.” As Karmi cracked up, Liv moved next to her and pulled her close. “It means a lot. You not blaming me for what happened.”
“I never will,” Karmi said. With a little less will than before, she moved her face close and kissed Liv. “Promise.”
The weekend was over far too soon, sadly. Even as much as Karmi loved to be in the lab, she didn’t mind having her free time either. Still, after her checks on the experiments and her other classes, she found herself in the lecture hall once more. By now Namaari was sitting next to her, smiling as she set her bags down under the chair. “So, how tough is she with grading?”
Karmi smiled. “Prof. Granville can be strict, but he isn’t harsh. She’s always willing to give credit where she sees real work and effort being put in.”
“Hope so,” Namaari muttered, looking toward the doors. Following, Karmi saw Audrey storm in and grab the first seat that was available. The one closest to the door.
Prof. Granville strode in for the morning, setting the graded tests down on the desk. “Good morning everyone. I hope we all had a pleasant weekend. Now, I have your tests graded, and I’m happy to say that many of our visiting students have done quite well for themselves.” Karmi watched as several of the visiting students seemed to ease. Probably for the best, even the pre-med courses would’ve only had so many students available to help if they’d collapsed. “You’ll collect your work at the end of the class today,” she said. “For now, we’ll begin our next section.”
The class went by fast enough for Karmi, leaning over to help correct what she’d notice Namaari misunderstand. Pointing out ways to understand certain equations or how to follow the proper steps to ensure the right answer was found. Yet there was still the fact that Karmi could see Audrey glaring down at her work, half-present in the class but half-engulfed by her own rage. By the end of the class, everyone was lining up at the desk to get their tests back. Most of the reactions were the usual reactions to receiving a passing grade. A few were happily surprised as others were disappointed they hadn’t done better. Prof. Granville treated them all the same, though she would patiently note where some of the students had made their mistakes. One or two of the students were told that there would be time during the professor’s office hours to debate their scores, but there was no trouble overall.
Karmi’s grade was about what she expected, a ninety-seven with a few marks against her for the more difficult questions. Namaari’s score was apparently better than she expected too. “Holy crap, seventy-nine,” she grinned. “That’s the best grade I’ve ever gotten in math.”
Karmi’s heart swelled, the sense of pride from knowing she was smart enough to tutor Namaari to success matched by the sense of joy at seeing her succeed at the test on her own. “That’s great, but we’ve got a lot of semester left. We’ll keep the tutoring as long as you need it.”
Namaari smiled, a little bashful as she turned her eyes away. “Dep la isn’t gonna let me live this down.”
Before Karmi could say anything else, she noticed that the line of students was almost gone. Audrey had made sure to be the last, as if she couldn’t bear to get her grade before anyone else. Prof. Granvile was silent as she handed the test over, but before she could say anything Karmi watched as Audrey crushed the papers in her fist and stormed for the door. Prof. Granville tried to reach out, but was left shaking her head as she gathered her things.
The young woman stormed past the two, not bothering to even acknowledge them as she stormed past. Karmi wanted to say something, but the glare Audrey was throwing at the world probably would’ve stopped Baymax in his combat armor. “C’mon,” Namaari sighed. “Let’s grab some lunch.” Stepping out onto the campus, Karmi looked out over the other students. She saw a few familiar faces, but there was one that stood out. A young woman in a suit jacket and jeans, with long brunette hair on her left but shorn on her right. Something about her looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.
“Hey guys!” Turning back to reality, Karmi saw Anna hurrying up. “Oh, you got your tests back! What’d ya get?”
Namaari grinned, holding up her paper. “All thanks to Karmi.”
Karmi scoffed, waving off the idea. “I only helped you a little. You’re the one who got that grade yourself.”
“Aw, that’s great Namaari!” Anna began to bounce a little. “I just got outta my morning class too, you busy?”
“Just about to grab lunch,” Namaari said. “C’mon, let’s see what they’ve got.”
Filling up in the cafeteria, Karmi sat down with her tray of chicken salad as Namaari joined with a plate of spaghetti and Anna with a grilled cheese and mug of tomato soup. “So, do you and Raps have any more parties planned?”
Anna smirked, looking rather proud of herself. “Just wait until Halloween, then we can have some real fun.”
“Let’s just get through the semester,” Namaari sighed. “We’ve got more tests coming, don’t we?”
Karmi smiled as she took another bite. “You’ll be fine. Now that you know what to expect you can be ready for the next one. I’m just worried about Audrey.”
Anna cringed as she dipped her sandwich in her soup. “Guessing her grade wasn’t the best, huh?”
Namaari let out a dark chuckle. “That’s one way to say it.”
“She just needs help,” Karmi said, neurons already firing on what to do next. “If she wants a challenge, that’s what we’ll sell this as. A way to prove that she’s smarter than even she thinks.”
Namaari smirked and elbowed Anna. “Think we should warn Audrey that the doctor here is on the warpath?”
Anna ignored the joke, asking, “Want any help?”
Karmi smiled, realizing she didn’t think twice as she answered. “If I do, I’ll know who to call.”