Twice the Fun

Twice the Fun (part 3)
by Bevie James

Starring
Sonsi Inamore Sybarti Inamore

and

Feathered Guy Anthropist

Sonsi was irritated, but concerned. The man seemed entirely immune to Sybari’s attentions, and that just wasn’t right.

“Can we help you?” she demanded, offering no pretense of manners.

“In a way,” said the man.

“What way? And what is your name?”

“You may call me Wilburt, if you like.”

“Wilbur?” exclaimed Sybarti. “What the hell kind of name is that?”

The man gave Sybarti a non-plussed gaze. “It is a German name, meaning ‘trustworthy’. It is derived from ‘Gilbert’. No doubt shortened to ‘Gil’, then ‘Will’, then ‘Wilburt’.”

Sonsi crossed her arms. “Thank you for the grammar lesson.”

“Indeed. I can expand the lesson if you like.”

“No thanks. So, Wilburt, are you ready to tell us what this is about?”

“Actually, my name is not Wilburt. My real identification is more of a nuisance.”

“And just what is your real identification?”

The man reached into his bag. Sonsi readied herself. Sybarti stepped away, connecting with her in preparation for the hypnotic spell. However, the man produced no weapon. Instead, he handed Sonsi an identification card. She took it hesitantly, reading it before handing it to Sybarti.

“Feathered Guy Anthropist?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Sybarti offered the card back. “If I were you, I’d kill my parents.”

“You may keep the card if you wish.”

“Why would we wish that?” asked Sybarti.

“In case you should wish to contact me in the future.”

“You say that like you expect we will,” said Sonsi.

“The possibility exists.”

“How do we contact you?” asked Sybarti. “All this card indicates is your name.”

“The contact information is in the name. Unless you have other questions, I believe I can let you continue on your way.”

“Let us continue?” said Sonsi. “You say that like the decision is entirely yours.”

“Perhaps not entirely,” said Wilburt. “However, it is unlikely you would leave until I had concluded my business.”

“Which is?” Sonsi asked.

“Actually, my business is concluded. Thank you, for your pleasant cooperation. I trust our next encounter will be equally gratifying.”

Sybarti laughed. “That’s it? You just wanted to give us your card so we can get in touch with you later? Look, Willy. I’ll play now, if that is what you wish. Later, I may not be so generous.”

“Your generosity is noted for future reference. Good evening. And thank you again for making my task so easy.”

The man ran down the road. He opened his wings, lifted into the air, and disappeared into the night.

Sonsi and Sybarti stared. Then Sybarti made to toss his card away.

“Don’t!” said Sonsi.

“Why? You don’t want to contact him, do you?”

“No. Not now. But something tells me we’re going to want to later. Let’s get to the cabin.”

They got back into the car and sped away. Sybarti took the bag from the glove box and opened it.

“No!”

Sonsi looked sidelong at her sister. “What is it?”

“Stop the car!”

Once again the sound of screeching tires echoed into the night. Sonsi turned full in her seat. Sybarti was shaking with rage.

“What is it?” Sonsi asked. Sybarti opened the bag and turned it so Sonsi could see inside. It was empty. The diamond necklace was gone. Sonsi’s eyes went wide. “How did he do it? He never left our sight.”

Twice the Fun

Twice the Fun (part 2)
by Bevie James

Starring
Sonsi Inamore Sybarti Inamore

and

Feathered Guy Anthropist

Both Sonsi and Sybarti sat and stared at the man standing in the road. He made no move to either get out of the way or to advance upon their vehicle. Finally, Sybarti snapped.

“Just who does he think he is, standing in the road like he owns it?”

Sonsi chuckled grimly. “Who do you think he is?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, look at him! I very much doubt he comes from anywhere around here.”

Sybarti gave the strange man another look. “Oh. I see what you mean. Think he’s a regulator agent or something?”

“Or something. Why don’t you put that little prize back into its sack and stuff it in the glove box.”

“Right.”

Sonsi waited until Sybarti had done as requested. “Okay. Let’s get out and see just what it is this guy wants.”

Sybarti smiled, slyly. “I know what he’s going to want.”

“Careful, Lover. We’re not sure what we’re up against yet.”

“We’re not up against it yet.”

“Dove and Condor?”

“Maybe. You want to play Dove?”

“I would. But you don’t make much of a Condor.”

“Tell me that later tonight.”

“Scamp. Let’s go.”

The two women got out and sauntered up to the man, who patiently stood his ground. He waited until they were only a few steps away before addressing them.

“Good evening, ladies.”

“Good evening,” said Sonsi. “Out for a walk in the moonlight?”

Sybarti sidled up to the man. “How romantic!”

The man gave Sybarti a glance, but he continued to address Sonsi. “Not really. I had reason to believe the two of you would be using this road, and I wished to talk with you.”

Sybarti let her hands wander over the man’s tunic, which was stretched tight across his chest. “Ooh! How interesting. Hoping maybe we would give you a ride?”

Sonsi continued to study the man. He was dark-skinned so it was hard to tell. Maybe he was blushing, but she didn’t think so. His half smile was one more of amusement than embarrassment, or excitement. More and more she was convinced they were dealing with a regulatory agent. Possibly hired by law enforcement from Sorc. He was too collected to just be anyone.

“You were looking especially for us then?” she asked.

“Oh, yes.”

Sonsi exchanged a quick look with Sybarti. As twin sisters they were often able to communicate silently. The looked was enough to let Sonsi know Sybarti was prepared to act. Sonsi maintained her poise.

“May I ask why?”

“I should have thought that was obvious,” said the man.

“So would I. Except you are entirely ignoring my sister’s attentions.”

“Oh, am I? So sorry. Very nice indeed. Thank you so much.”

Sybarti fell away as though slapped. “Nice! What do you mean, ‘nice’? You gay or something?”

The man smiled. It was the kind of smile which Sonsi hated, for it meant he felt in control. Males never felt in control around Sybarti.

“Or something,” he said.

Twice the Fun

Twice the Fun (part 1)
by Bevie James

Starring
Sonsi Inamore Sybarti Inamore
and

Feathered Guy Anthropist

The two women laughed as they got into the car. The engine revved and the car sped off, leaving the sound of squealing tires behind.

“That worked better than I expected,” said the passenger, opening the brown paper bag she held. She lifted out a heavy necklace, strung with diamonds.

“Right,” said the driver. “This place is great. There are gems all over, and the males seem easy enough to control.”

“Ha!” laughed the passenger. “Oh, Sansi, you’re a peach. That idiot is probably still waiting in bed for us to come in.”

Sansi expressed her satisfaction with a smile. “I expect he will deflate well enough when he realizes we already got what we came for.”

“He’s going to be mad.”

“He must be mad to believe either of us would climb into bed with him. But I think you were the one he was really hoping to get.”

“Me? Why so?”

“Don’t play coy, Sybarti. The guys all hit on you first. You know that.”

Sybarti cocked and eye at her sister. “Maybe that’s because they think I’m you. They can’t tell us apart.”

“Yes. Well, we’re not quite the same. I’m less inclined to take things further than we did tonight. You, I think, would have enjoyed it.”

Sybarti shrugged. “So I like the fringe benefits.” She leaned over and caressed her sister’s shoulder. “You would, too, if they were anything like me.”

Sansi pushed Sybarti’s hand away. “Not while I’m driving.”

“Saving it for later, huh? I’m cool with that. Just don’t make me wait too long. All that play-acting back there has got me warmed up. Kind of like this vehicle we’re in.”

“You’re always warmed up. But I’ll cool you down all right, once we get to the cabin.” She glanced at the necklace Sybarti was holding. “How much do you think that will fetch?”

Sybarti turned it in her fingers and held it up to the dash lights.

“These are good stones. Better than any we got on Sorc. And there’s a lot of them. This would be a career for most brigands.”

“Yeah, well we’re hardly in that crowd. How long can we go off it?”

“A while. But we’ll probably need to make another haul before we bail off this planet. It’s a pity we have to sell it. It’s such a pretty thing.”

Sansi watched her sister admire the necklace.

“Put it on. I’d love to see you in it.”

“I bet you would. When we get to the cabin. You can put it on me, and then I’ll let you take it off again.”

“You’re a scamp. Ho! What’s this now?”



Sansi braked and the car came to a quiet stop. There, standing in the road before them, was a tall man in a tight green and blue suit. He had blue hair and great white wings. He carried what looked to be a grocery bag.

“Why do I sense trouble?” asked Sybarti.