Lexi's Exploration Pt. 01

Authors note: Obviously, the following story is a work of fiction and any likeness to any real person is totally coincidental. This is the first part of a much larger story arch. I hope you all like it. If you do, feel free to drop me a line publicly or privately and let me know your thoughts. Few things in the world are as good as knowing your weird fantasies are also turn ons for other people.

Part One: The Apartment, The New Friend, and The Artifact

This story is just the beginning. It is the strange event that sent me on a spiral of self discovery that would send me from being a somewhat naive college kid to full fledged sex-fiend. And it all just started moving into my new apartment.

I loved the apartment. Technically it wasn't my apartment at all, it is my Aunt Claire's. But Claire had taken a position abroad for the next year and needed someone to sublet. She was willing to cut me a great deal.

The day she gave me the keys Aunt Claire said, "Lexi, I don't care much about the rent so if that gets to be a problem just let me know. I really just need someone to water my plants and not have a drug fueled orgy while I am gone." That seemed easy enough and in exchange I got a fully furnished place, just a few minutes from school, in a building and neighborhood I would never be able to afford.

But the most important thing for me was how the building felt. Just the whole vibe of it is so grown up. It feels Like I am in that strange limbo place in life. I had just finished my sophomore year at State. I was 20 years old but still treated like a kid by society and I wanted a more mature life.

I have always felt more grown up than I was. I wasn't the stuck up kid in high school but I also never understood why people were so happy with it being the "best time of their lives." I worked hard so I could just get out of there. Because of that, I often felt like living in the dorms and "college life" was just an extension of that same juvenile attitude. I didn't think I was better than the people around me. My focus is just different, and this place helped me feel that. Here, I would be surrounded by mostly young professionals and I felt that could help motivate me into maturity.

I moved in at the end of July. It was a little over a month before school started but it felt like it would give me enough time to settle in before starting the term. My dad had wanted to help but I thought it was important that I did things by myself. Besides, it was a finished apartment. I was just moving in boxes of clothing and books. How hard could it be?

It turns out it is easy to turn down help before you know the elevator in your four story building is broken. But, that's how I met Caitlyn which would change my life forever.

I had started climbing the steep stairs with my box of clothes. After three trips on the four flights of stairs my legs were starting to burn and I was starting to get hot. I always thought I was fit but I am also petite so I don't have the greatest of muscle strength. The flights of stairs combined with the July heat were starting to get to me. I dropped my hamper full of clothes in the bedroom, splashed some cold water in my face, and took off my blouse, hoping my thin tank top would keep me cool. I tried to pump myself up for the few remaining boxes but didn't do a very good job.

A few minutes later I was climbing the second flight of stairs, now with my last box of much heavier books. My arms and my legs were giving out. I was starting to feel light headed. The weight of the books started to wear on me and I could feel myself going backward. In that split second I was sure my life was over. They would find me buried under the thick novels I loved so much. Right when I thought I was going to collapse, hands braced against my back as a voice said, "Woah kid!" Before I could even tell what was happening someone was grabbing the box from me and saying "Which way?"

I didn't even fully register what was happening but responded automatically. My brain was on autopilot. "Fourth floor, apartment 4-B" I said while slowly following this person up the stairs. I didn't even register any details about who it was until we reached the top. My brain just focusing on a stair at a time.

It wasn't until we were in my apartment that I even registered that she had kept talking. "...so anyway neighbor if you need anything just come on over you can always-"

"Wait sorry, what?" I interrupted.

"Ha!" She laughed, setting down the box of books, "You didn't catch any of that did you?"

"I'm so sorry." I said. Suddenly, a flash of embarrassment went through me. Here I was trying to be a mature adult and I still was just the kid who needed to be bailed out. My embarrassed brain went through all the ways I was self conscious of. I was too short, too skinny, to be able to even lift my own boxes. My bright orange hair was a mess on my head that made me feel like a crazy person. My tank top, sweaty and clinging to my small chest.

"It's cool." I watched her go into the kitchen and pour a glass of water. I was starting to come to my senses and take stock of the details of this person who just saved my life but even now my embarrassed brain was doing nothing but comparing us. She was maybe in her late 20's or early 30's and just seemed put together. She was tall, probably 8 or 9 inches taller than me at about 5' 11". She was very pretty. Her workout clothes hugged her body tightly so I could see strong muscles and perfect curves that, even in my delirious state, I was a little envious of. Her own mass of brown, curly hair also pulled back tight but neatly. I was instantly enamored.

She walked back, handing me a glass of water and drinking one herself. "Anyway," she continued, "I was saying you must be Claire's niece right? Alex, was it."

"Yeah, I mean Alexis but everyone calls me Lexi. God, thanks for your help."

"Don't mention it." She said while gesturing her hand like saving people's lives on the stairs was some sort of mundane experience for her. "If you didn't catch it earlier, I am Caitlyn. Daniel and I live next door."

She grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the counter. Her familiarity with this place told me she and Claire must be relatively close. She handed me the paper and said with a smile, "So if my music or whatever keeps up at night you can call. Or just pound on the wall."

I laughed. She was so intriguing. She had a certain energy about her and confidence with everything she did.

"Well," Caitlyn said. "I need to strip these nasty clothes off. I guess you do too" She said with a laugh as my brain immediately went places she had not intended it to. Caitlyn continued to walk to the door, "Nothing feels as good as a shower after a hard workout. But don't stay a stranger and if you feel like you are going to pass out again shoot me a text." And with that she turned and walked out of the apartment without waiting for a reply.

I spent the next week trying to get accustomed to my new living situation. The first few days were total enjoyment of my freedom. I had to work but I could always choose what was on TV, or what music to listen to. I even just walked around naked just because I could. But I was used to living in close proximity to people and found myself lonely. So, the Monday after I moved in, I decided to reach out to the one person I knew in close proximity, Caitlyn.

There was a coffee shop across the street that I had been to a few times but this time was different, nicer. She showed up with a great smile on her face. The kind of smile that you see first in the eyes first. It was like she was greeting an old friend and not a relative stranger. "Hey," Caitlyn said, "it's nice seeing you not about to die on the stairs."

"It's nice to be seen that way." I agreed with a laugh. I was grateful to not look like I was about to pass out. My red hair was down and brushed. My makeup wasn't smudged. My skin was still pale but at least it wasn't pale and covered in sweat.

It was like finding a new local place, our place, to hang out. It was also nice to get to know Caitlyn better. She was smart, funny, and pretty. She was a bartender but had always wanted to be a writer. "I am sure you wouldn't be interested." Caitlynn said when I pressed to read some of her work. "It's like the quality of choose your own adventure meets high fantasy, meets slutty romance."

"WELL," I said in an over the top voice, "If your goal was to get me less interested with that description than you failed miserably."

I also learned that Daniel, her husband of 7 years, worked at State. Technically he was a professor of archeology but it was more of a research position with the museum. He had been away working with securing a loan of a new artifact for the museum but would be back soon.

But the most interesting thing was when she said, a bit too nonchalantly, "Oh, speaking of, yeah if we make um noises or... um... anything just let me know."

"Yeah," I said, totally missing it. "That's what you said about music and stuff."

"No, I mean, like, NOISES." She said, to my embarrassment.

"Oh. Noises. Wait, NOISES'' I exclaimed. Look, I am by no means the most experienced person but I am not a prude. I had had a few sexual experiences. It's just, at times, I completely miss the subtleties.

"Yeah," Caitlynn said, laughing, "You got it. Look Lexi, we just have some unconventional interests and I have a tendency to talk loud and talk dirty."

All I could do was laugh. As awkward as this could have been, the personal frankness felt almost flattering. She was trusting me with something private and it made me feel special. It also felt so casual. It was that casualness that disarmed me. A thought briefly, but strongly, popped into my head: Caitlynn's tall form and firm breasts being pressed into the thin wall that separated our two apartments as someone took her from behind. I tried to will myself to not blush as this intrusive thought pressed into my mind.

Shortly after Cailynn said she had to get ready for her shift at work but it felt nice knowing I had this new friend. Because of my new friendship I felt more comfortable in my apartment alone.

We had a few interactions like this over the next week. I knew part of it was having Daniel out of town, but I was also really grateful to have these little friendly interactions. They were neighborly but also personal enough to tell me we had a real friendship forming.

But at night I found my mind wandering back. I would sit in bed wondering about what Caitlynn had said about "unconventional interests" and loud dirty talk. As I would sit there, almost asleep I found my brain going from inquisitive to imaginative. My brain would fill in "unconventional interests" with my deepest, darkest, desires. Some of which shocked me. How were these thoughts even in my mind? Yet, I could see the imagined form of Daniel, a man I had never met, using my new friend's body in ways my vanilla self had never experienced. In my head I could hear her voice saying things like, "Thank you master," "fuck me harder," "cum on me," not to mention countless moans in response to thrusts, and slaps, and whips. Why were these thoughts in my head? And why did my hand find itself between my own legs? As I would rub my clit I would bite on my lip until I could taste blood, knowing that if I let out a moan or a scream it would be heard by the very person I was fantasizing about.

One late July morning I was getting ready for work when I got a text from Caitlyn saying "Hey, I just picked up Daniel from the airport. We have some things to do today, but I told him we had a new neighbor and we wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow. I got work off so please say yes." I knew that getting a Saturday night off of work was hard for her so this must be a big deal.

"Of course!" I replied, trying to not sound as elated as I really was. "I would love to have dinner with the two of you." It felt so mature. Not like some sort of wild college party, but a dinner party with friends.

The next day I spent a long time picking my wardrobe and getting ready. I knew I was being silly and making a bigger deal about this than it should be but I was having fun. It was almost like playing dress up. I didn't have anything that screamed dinner party but I did eventually settle on a very dark green sundress, the closest to a little black dress that I have.

I knocked on the door and heard a muffled clang followed by a frantic running. The door burst open and Caitlyn beamed while waving me in.

"Well don't you look cute?" She said with a big smile. "I would give you a hug but I am covered in tomato sauce. Daniel will be right back. He ran out to get some wine which is dumb because we already have some but he said he wanted to get fancy stuff to celebrate. Anyway, come one in. I can't really give you a grand tour because I am right in the middle of trying to not burn something."

We made our way to the kitchen where I stood in the doorway looking at the view of their apartment. The setup was identical to my apartment just in reverse. The whole place was cool. I was surprised with the minimalism of it all, especially by comparison to the clutter of my place. This was so different. Clean, neat, and orderly. It gave me the weird sensation of being in an alternate universe version of my place. I had the weird thought that if I stayed here long enough I would become an alternate reality Lexi and I wondered what would be different?

This strange thought was quickly changed by someone coming through the door. Daniel was tall, well dressed in a button up shirt and vest. His sleeves rolled up which allowed me to see strong forearms. As his hands gripped bottles of wine. He gave me a large smile through his short, well kept beard that had a slight, subtle grayness giving away that he was probably a few years older than Caitlynn.

"You must be Lexi," He said kindly.

From the kitchen I heard a laughing Caitlyn say "Oh shit!" She rushed out of the kitchen holding a big spoon covered in a sauce. "My bad," Caitlyn added, "Lexi, this is Daniel. Daniel, Lexi" And she quickly disappeared into the kitchen.

"It's a pleasure." I said, feeling a little shy. It felt like I needed to add something, "You have such a lovely home."

"Oh, thanks." He said kindly, "Some people would say it feels cold. I live a big chunk of my life in a museum so I really can't stand clutter."

Caitlyn quickly added "By 'some people' he means me. But, to be fair if I had my way there would not be room to walk."

Daniel held up the bottles "Pinot Grigio or Bordeaux?"

I knew nothing about wine so I just pointed at the red one. "Thanks, and can I help with dinner or-"

"Stir this sauce!" Caitlyn interrupted, "It has been trying to burn on me."

I laughed as I grabbed the spoon and to my surprise she kissed me on the cheek playfully and said "You are a lifesaver! I am really, really, not a great cook. I have no idea what I am doing and we might be ordering take out. Anyway, Daniel what were you saying before you fled to get wine we didn't need."

"Oh!" He said, continuing a story that had clearly happened before I arrived. "Um, Lexi, a little back story, I was just in South America securing a new piece to be one loan for an exhibit. The museum has some other pieces from the same dig site in their possession and the deal is that we could put the whole thing on display temporarily if they got back what we had in the first place. Anyway, so yeah, really long story short they said they didn't trust the museum but they did trust me so the artifact is to be with me unless it is in its display."

"Is that safe?" I asked, barely able to keep up with what was being said in the first place.

"Not at all." He replied, "My boss is so mad but it was the only way we could make this work."

Caitlyn managed to save the sauce afterall and it was quite delicious. After two glasses of wine our conversations started to feel more natural. Eventually we moved to the living room after dinner. It felt so natural. Like three old friends just catching up rather than getting to know each other. But that naturalness would quickly change into something totally different.

Caitlyn, who had had a fair amount more to drink than I, suddenly asked Daniel, "So, can we see it."

My mind flashed with all of my late night fantasies. It took me a second to realize, to my own embarrassment, that they were talking about the artifact that Daniel had brought home.

"I hardly think that would be appropriate." He said.

Caitlyn's eyes got big and puppy dog-like as she asked, "PLEASE? We won't even breathe on it will we Lexi?" I played along and playfully took in a deep breath and puffed up my cheeks. Caitlyn followed suit.

Daniel got out a cube shaped wooden box that looked like it was made for this singular purpose. He undid two latches, got on white gloves, and carefully removed what looked to be a mannequin head that was wearing a leather headpiece that had a roughly, hand carved, turquoise stone embedded in it. Daniel also pulled out a piece of cloth that was wrapped around a small stone tablet with engravings in it. "Well," Daniel said, "Here it is- Jesus Caitlynn you can hold your breath for a long time."

Caitlyn let out a gasp."Yeah," she said while catching her breath and giving me a wink, "that's what all the guys say."

I couldn't help but giggle. "So," I said, trying to hide my own blushing face, "what is it Daniel?"

"Well," he said, "It is part of a big fertility ceremony."

"Is a blue rock a symbol of fertility?" Caitlynn asked, somewhat unimpressed.

"Fun fact about that blue rock," Daniel said, "That exact molecular structure has never been found in any other turquoise ever, even from the same digsite. Anyway, it is said that the wearer would put it on and read from the stone and that he would put everyone, even the wearer in some sort of trance. Then, the wearer would use that power to will or command people to mate and it would be successful because the trance is thought to bring about deeper lust."

I added sarcastically: "So I guess the archaeological lesson is that it has always been true that Jewelry is a good way to get some action."

"You should put it on." Caitlynn said, matter-of-factly.

"Oh, I really shouldn't." Daniel replied, "I shouldn't even have it here." He was serious but I could tell he was waning. The fun of the night mixed with the wine. I just met this man and I could tell he was serious about his work but that Caitlyn knew how to get what she wanted from him. But as I saw the object it did feel like it wanted to be free. It was a strange feeling. Like it was asking to be let out.

"What?" Caitlynn said with a smirk, "Are you afraid you will break it or that it will work?"

He chuckled, "Breaking it is my biggest fear. I mean, I was entrusted with it and it is priceless. Plus magic rock hypnosis isn't a thing." There was a long pause before he gently removed the item from its case. "I guess a tiny peek wouldn't hurt."

Caitlynn laughed and leaned back on the couch next to me as Daniel sat across from us on the arm chair. The leather headpiece on his forehead with a big blue rock looking like a third eye. In his hand there was the stone tablet.

"What does that say?" I asked.

"Well the first part is like, instructions." Daniel started "It just says 'Three times then command.' But the second part translates to, 'Open your mind. Let the bull out,' um that is their fertility god, 'Open your body. Let the bull in.'"

He took a breath and in a strange language said "Shi' sho-rish. Tou Olia oo. Shi' sho-arwa. Tou Olia ba."

I tried to let out a little chuckle but I felt funny. It was like suddenly there was a disconnect between my body and my brain. My vision was being weird too. I felt more like an observer of the things around me and they were, slowing. I could also detect something growing in me. A feeling of passion.