Lost Girl in Transition Ch. 02

Before very long, Claudia found herself completely engrossed, but as the dummy head began to taunt and yell out all sorts of strange phrases, her concentration was effectively lessened.

Thoroughly irritated by the talking doll's head, Claudia only played harder, but as the ball propelled itself right into the drain, Claudia knew that the game had come to an end.

"Hey, bucko, grab yourself a hot dog!" the ventriloquist dummy's head jeered, and the words "Game Over" flashed across the screen in bright red letters.

"God, he's annoying," Claudia proclaimed while glaring at the dummy head. "If it wasn't for his trash talking, I would have totally won the game.

Chuckling behind her, Tristan placed his hands against the curve of her midsection.

"The problem was, you were using your hands more than you were your hips."

"I was not," Claudia rebutted, but as Tristan glided his palms against said area, her body softened and became boneless.

"I was watching you closely," he said into her ear. "Your body was stiff, gotta loosen up and move around a bit."

Stimulated by the heat of his body, Claudia breathed a little quicker and the hairs on her neck began to rise.

"Probably sounds strange the way I'm explaining it, so I'll demonstrate and you'll see what I mean."

The sound of quarters jangling reached Claudia's ears, followed by them being fed into the slot. A few seconds later the carnival themed music began, and Tristan's palms lifted to cover Claudia's hands, which still rested on the controls.

With an ease and skill that Claudia couldn't help but admire, Tristan manipulated the buttons. Following the shiny metal ball with her eyes, Claudia watched as it zipped around, navigating the maze of obstacles that were set up along the playfield.

Although he played with zeal, Tristan somehow managed to softly manipulate her hands, making it seem as if she were the one playing, and not being assisted with every move. The incessant "boing-zing-zap!" of the sound effects pierced the air, lights flashing across the playfield as the score climbed on the LED display.

But the brilliance of the lights and various sound effects were hardly noticed by Claudia at all, because Tristan's crotch was every so lightly bumping against her backside.

"You see what I'm doing?" He asked while shimmying his hips back and forth. "You feel how I'm moving the lower part of my body?"

"Uh-huh." Now breathless, Claudia's nerve endings began to tingle.

"Gotta put your hips into it, you know? Work up a little rhythm as you play along."

"Got it," Claudia breathed, but instead of focusing on the silver ball that was zinging around, she was completely absorbed by the rocking of Tristan's hips.

Tightly encased in skinny jeans, Claudia's backside was prominently displayed. Even beneath the fabric that cupped it, its roundness was noticeable, and perhaps enjoying the cushion it provided, Tristan purposely pressed in closer to her body. Although only semi stiff, Tristan's erection was definitely noticeable, and stimulated by the heat it gave off, she let out a faint gasp.

Thoroughly turned on, Claudia was hyper aware of the sexual energy he exuded, and in a lustful way that made him audibly groan, shifted her backside against him. Now manipulating the buttons at a faster speed, Tristan steadily built the score, and with a perfectly timed maneuver that more than doubled his points, the backboard display went off in flashes of color.

Releasing his hands from the controls, Tristan allowed the ball to slide through the drain, then took a few steps back so that Claudia could turn around.

For a moment they just stood there eyeing each other, as if uncertain what they should say. But as Tristan took one of her hands and threaded his fingers through hers, Claudia finally found her voice.

"You're really good at pinball," Claudia said while tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "You've got this great technique."

"Glad you think so," Tristan said, and grabbing her by the waist, pulled her up against his body. "What I said about moving my hips...that goes for more than pinball."

"Yeah," Claudia said while losing herself in his dark eyes. "I kinda guessed that."

"You're giving off a really strong scent right now," he said while gazing at her face, and as uncertainty crossed Claudia's features, a gentle smile tugged at his lips. "It's the good kind of scent," he quickly added. "The kind a woman makes when she's signaling her desire for a male."

"Oh." Lifting her arms, Claudia wrapped them around Tristan's neck. "Well you've got a special scent, too. It usually smells like freshly washed laundry, but right now you smell all earthy and musky."

"That's because I'm turned on." Tristan's eyes glossed over with desire. "Being pressed up against your body gave me quite a reaction."

"I felt it," Claudia said, and her fingers grazed the back of his neck, slowly maneuvering upward until they tangled in his hair.

"When I pressed up against you from behind, what were your first thoughts?" Gazing deeply into her eyes, Tristan awaited her response.

"I was surprised," she quietly said, "But really turned on. And then I started to feel this overwhelming need..."

"What kind of a need?" Tristan asked, but the look on his face made it clear that he already knew what she was taking about.

"This ache." Now barely audible, Claudia's voice was little more than a whisper. "It's like this pressure deep down inside...this want for something more."

"A horniness," Tristan breathed, and as she slowly nodded her head, Tristan pressed his forehead gently to hers. "I love knowing that you want me."

With their bodies already touching, they couldn't get much closer, and yet still Claudia found herself desiring more. Less boyish and more manly with each passing day, Tristan's jawline was strong and sharp. His shoulders, which felt so solid beneath her palms, hinted at the beginnings of lean muscle, but it was his overall demeanor that exuded a masculinity she couldn't resist.

"These urges we have for one another..." Tristan started while giving her a penetrating stare. "It Isn't just a lustful thing, but a deep and true connection."

Lost in the darkness of his eyes, Claudia nodded.

"Have you given any thought as to what It'll be like once you and I fully connect?"

"Fully connect?" The words came out slowly, as if Claudia was mulling over what had been said.

"Yes," Tristan replied. "Once we exchange our sexual energy and consummate our love."

Almost immediately, her body flooded with warmth.

"Have you thought about it?" He asked.

The nod she gave was gentle but firm.

"Then you know It's going to be very intense."

Completely speechless, Claudia could only stare up at him with soft, round eyes. But within her body, arousal was steadily increasing, coiling so tight in her lower belly that her vaginal muscles clenched.

"I'll be gentle of course," he said while staring unblinking into her eyes, "But as your body becomes more comfortable and fully opens to me, I'll probably become very passionate."

Hypersensitive to the feel of his breath against her lips, Claudia swallowed, then briefly lowered her lids before peeking up at him through her lashes.

"Does it make you uncomfortable when I talk about sex?" He asked.

"No," she said in a soft voice.

"Good." His thumb came up to caress her cheekbone, and with a languidness that pulled a sigh from Claudia's lips, claimed her mouth in a tender kiss.

So lost in the wet, warm heat of his mouth, Claudia barely took notice of the creaking floorboards. But as somebody loudly cleared their throat, both Claudia and Tristan broke the kiss.

Standing before them with arms that were crossed against his chest was a huge bear of a man. Clearly the proprietor of the store, he eyed them with a frown, then tightened his lips as he noticed their intimate embrace.

Dressed in a pair of jeans, flannel shirt, and wide black suspenders, he seemed like the type of man who belonged out in the wild, chopping wood and rolling logs in a lumberjack competition. Clearly not giving a damn that he was impeding on their intimate moment, the Paul Bunyan doppelganger lifted a brow, then questioned them in a voice that was deep enough to rival Barry White's.

"You kids gonna play another game on that pinball machine, or you just using my store as a make out spot?"

Not quite certain of how they should respond, Tristan and Claudia shared a quick look, then linked fingers and walked away while the storekeeper slowly shook his head. Having already purchased a few items, Ethan and Kimi stood next to the door.

Wearing twin smirks, they were each sipping a bottle of sasparilla, and upon Claudia and Tristan reaching the spot where they stood, they broke out into a bona fide grin.

"Nice game of pinball you two played there," Ethan said. "I never knew it could be so erotic."

Lightly blushing, Tristan and Claudia shifted their feet.

"Sweet and innocent on the outside, but kinky underneath, huh?" Kimi shifted her gaze from Tristan to Claudia, and then back again before handing them each a bottle of root beer. "Looks like you two need to cool down."

Accepting the beverages, Claudia and Tristan took a sip, then followed Ethan and Kimi outdoors, and towards the van which was parked nearby. With the sky now dark, there was only a lone streetlight to illuminate their surroundings, but rather than provide adequate light, it continually flickered.

Casting a dim, dull yellowish tint, the streetlight seemed ready to go out at any minute. But as the teens passed beneath it on their way to the VW bus, it suddenly grew brighter, casting a wonderfully vibrant glow. Startled and amazed, Ethan, Kimi, and Claudia all stopped to glance up at the now bright streetlight, but Tristan continued to walk, heading straight for the parked VW van.

"Did you guys see that?" Kimi asked.

"Yeah, it was really trippy," Ethan responded. "I wonder what made it grow brighter all of a sudden?"

"Maybe we're carrying some special energy," Kimi replied, but no sooner had she said that, did the streetlight begin to dim.

Just as before, it started to once again flicker, and completely puzzled at the sudden change, Kimi and Ethan exchanged a, "what the hell was that all about?" look.

"That's freaky." No longer just puzzled, Kimi seemed mildly freaked out.

"It was definitely weird," Ethan agreed, "But maybe this is one of those smart streetlights. You know the kind that turn on when people approach it?"

"I thought those were still in development," Kimi said. "And even if it was a smart streetlamp, those are designed to shut off after, not flicker on and off."

"What do you think, Claudia?" Turning his attention to her, Ethan gave her an inquisitive look. "A minor glitch that can be rationalized by science, or something unexplainable?"

Tempted to glance at Tristan, Claudia started to shift her eyes, but on realizing it might hint as to the source of the unusual occurrence, she kept her gaze pinned solidly on Ethan.

"Well, it was definitely unusual. But if I had to pick one or the other, I'd say there was probably some type of explanation."

"I agree," Ethan said and he shifted his gaze, but on realizing that Tristan wasn't around to offer his opinion, a puzzled expression crossed his face. "What the hell...where did Tristan go?"

Gesturing towards the VW bus, Claudia pointed him out.

"What's he doing over there by himself?" Ethan asked, but before Claudia could respond, he called out to Tristan. "Hey, Tristan. What's going on? Why are you all the way over there by yourself?"

A shrug of the shoulders was preceded by Tristan shifting awkwardly on his feet.

"Well come over here and hang out with us," Ethan said. "We wanna get your opinion on something."

Clearly reluctant, Tristan remained rooted to the spot, but as Ethan gestured for him to come forward, Tristan finally budged. Slowly, and with visibly heavy steps, Tristan began to walk. By the time he reached them, Claudia noticed that he was blinking more than usual, and instead of looking straight in the eyes of Ethan, he shifted his gaze to Kimi, then finally to Claudia, who grabbed his hand for reassurance.

"So we were discussing the possible reason why this streetlamp went all wonky," Ethan said. "You got any suggestions?"

"Does it really matter?" Tristan asked. "I mean It's just a streetlight. An inanimate object."

"Maybe so," Ethan responded. "But you've gotta admit it was sorta strange. I mean, why did it suddenly go all bright out of the blue like that?"

"Could be any number of reasons."

"Such as?"

Tristan gave no response.

"Aren't you curious at all?" Leaning against the light pole, Kimi stared at him straight on. "You're a different and open minded kind of guy, so seems like you'd be comfortable with discussing this type of thing."

"I am comfortable," Tristan rebutted.

"Then why are you blinking so quickly?"

Rather than respond, Tristan completely clammed up.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Kimi slowly asked.

With brows now raised, Ethan stared at Tristan.

"That's why you're so nervous and didn't want to discuss it with us," Kimi said. "Because you somehow affected the bulb in that street lamp."

"Wait, what?" Ethan gazed at Tristan with an intensified focus. It was you who made that streetlamp go brighter?"

Tristan nodded.

"How did you do it?"

"It wasn't purposeful. Just happened on It's own."

"I told you he was different," Kimi proudly said to Ethan. "Remember how I told you he was born with a caul?"

"Yeah, but I thought that only gave him the ability to talk with spirits, and pick up on energy fields, and stuff like that."

"I have other gifts as well," Tristan said.

"Like that?" Ethan asked.

"Well, that lamp was a pretty good example."

"But what was that exactly? Is there even a name for such a thing?"

"Street Light Interference Phenomenon."

"And it happens the same way every time? Like whenever you pass a streetlight, it gets really bright?

"Sometimes they go brighter, other times they burn out and become completely dark. Just depends on my mood, I guess."

"Damn man, that's fuckin' dope," Ethan said. "You're like a complete badass, you know that?"

"Sounds more interesting than it actually is," Tristan stated.

"No way, it is cool man. It's *definitely* fuckin' cool."

"Can you affect any other types of devices? Kimi asked. "Like is your energy field so strong that you can alter other things in your surrounding environment?"

"Depending on what it is, yes. But It's mostly electrical devices. Anything else requires me to purposely funnel my energy."

"That thing with the street lamp, though..." Temporarily pausing, Kimi gazed up at its flickering bulb. "Could do it once more so we can see it again?"

"Why? It's not all that amazing."

"It is to me," Kimi said, and in hopes that he would give into her request, she offered a soft smile.

"I feel like a sideshow freak," he quietly mumbled.

"No way, you're not a freak at all," Kimi said. "I'm just super amazed at this ability you have."

"We admire you, Tristan," Ethan said. "You're a different kind of guy, you know? Not an everyday dude you'd meet walking down the street."

Still reluctant, Tristan glanced from Ethan to Kimi uneasily, but on focusing his attention on Claudia's face, he saw a reassuring smile cross her features. Hoping to ease his nervousness, she stroked the back of his hand, then gently gave a nod before looking at the flickering streetlamp.

Following her line of sight, Tristan unlinked his fingers from hers. Then with slow, but confident steps, he began to make his way forward. Still leaning against the streetlamp, Kimi stepped away from it, and after joining Ethan and Claudia's side, watched Tristan move closer towards it.

As soon as he was within a few paces of it, the flickering halted and the bulb began to brighten, gradually increasing in intensity until it reached the brilliance of a 100-watt light bulb. Like a moth to a flame, Claudia's eyes remained focused on the ever-increasing radiance, but soon it became so bright that it hurt her eyes, so she averted her gaze and looked at Tristan instead.

So close to the streetlamp that his body was practically touching it, Tristan remained completely still. His back was facing her do she couldn't see his expression, but she did notice that his hands were stuffed nonchalantly into the pockets of his pants, as if it were a perfectly normal occurrence that was presently taking place.

Now emitting a loud buzzing noise, the brightness of the bulb had plateaued, but as Tristan slowly backed away from the lamp post, the brilliance began to fade. Gradually it became weaker before returning to It's flickering state, and as the buzzing finally died down, the night once again grew quiet.

Stunned into silence, Kimi and Ethan just simply stood there, looking at Tristan with what could only be described as an unconcealed awe. Perhaps feeling the weight of their stares, he quickly rejoined Claudia's side, and as her arm slid around his waist, he pulled her up against the warmth of his body.

"That was trippy," Kimi said with now widened eyes. "I'm not even sure if I actually saw what I think I did."

"You definitely have a powerful gift," Ethan stated. "We've got some powerful healers on the Fort Peck rez where I live, but nobody quite you like you, Tristan.

"It's not something I was trying for," Tristan stated. "It's just a part of who I am, so I can't lay claim to expending any effort."

"Exactly," Ethan agreed. "Which is why I said you've got a powerful gift."

Wordlessly, the four teens made their way towards the van, and on reaching the vintage vehicle, they all piled inside. Taking their customary seats in the driver's compartment, Ethan and Kimi buckled in, then waited for Tristan and Claudia to get settled on the full-length bench seat behind them.

With a turn of the key in the ignition, Ethan brought the hippie bus to a puttering start, and after swerving the wheel, maneuvered the old van out onto the road.

By the light of the moon they travelled along, merging onto the highway and into the distance that stretched beyond.