Tara picked up Oriana’s costume and put it on the bed, placing each bit nicely folded as her mother sometimes laid out her father’s clothing.  Picking up the ring she put it atop the clothing and on a hotel notepad she quickly scratched a message before dressing and leaving, making sure to lock the door behind her.

Special is enough.  Need to check in with Dad.
Love you.
TM.

Oriana, standing in her towel, read the note with a sigh. “God damn it,” she said as she crumpled up the note and tossed it in the trash.

What the hell else did she expect me to say? I…

Oriana dressed quickly, leaving the box on the nightstand. Finally shrugging on her jacket, she looked down at the box for thirty seconds before she took a step. Taking the box, she stuffed it into her pocket and headed for the door. Then she returned to the trash bin and removed the note, folding it and jamming it into her pocket. 

Closing the door behind her with a thud, Oriana pulled her cowboy hat lower over her eyes.

Food first. Then scouting out that target. Catching up with Jo. But when would she see Tara again? Admonishing herself, Ori walked briskly past the club and toward a jeweler’s on the corner. 

Oriana would not wear the ring on her finger- not now, and almost certainly never. But she didn’t have a home where she felt comfortable leaving things. So when she thought about it, she really had to get a chain and wear it around for neck for practical, security reasons. 

As Oriana thought about which type of metal would be best for the chain, she didn’t notice that she’d started humming an old song that Sister Cristiana had taught her. 

Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold
Greensleeves was my heart of joy
And who but my lady Greensleeves.
 

Naples

Eight Days Later

Tara and Oriana had returned to Naples, but whereas their first visit had been a celebration tinged with the death of friends, this trip was its inverse: things were tense in the Seven Cities, and Rora and Billy had sent Tara away knowing that there were storm clouds on the horizon. The plane cut through the clouds as it descended; both Ori and Tara were lost in their thoughts, staring out the window. They’d barely talked, both distracted with the situation that they were leaving behind. Billy and Aurora said it was okay, but… well, neither one really believed them.

Tara tried her best not to think too much on what was happening at home.  She could neither prevent war, nor save her parents from the path in life they’d chosen.  Instead she could only hope to look towards the future. What empire she might build for herself and how that could protect and help the family either alongside what her parents built - or in place of it.  Success with Bacchus wasn’t just about a good time or having a place where she could feel herself, it was about what was coming. A destiny that she knew could not be avoided. There were so few happy endings in this life, and Tara expected God to give them none here.  If there was to be safety and joy in life, in the words of Grandpa Gavin in her mother’s journey, she could not look to a man in the clouds. It would come from her own hands.

Tara dressed comfortably and packed an extensive bag of clothing and items she thought she might need, both for the reasons of pleasure and practicality.  If she had no home to return to, Aunt Tara’s plane, now belonging to her namesake, would be a safe space for her and Oriana until she could reconnect with whoever came out on the other side.  Being back here, however, without Laurent, Crupi, Brigitte, Jo and Ren was odd. Seeing Jo had been nice, but the redhead had been sent back to Italy bearing a gift from Billy when the clouds started gathering above New York. 

The plane landed in Naples on a Tuesday afternoon.  The sun was shining and here it seemed as if the whole world was ignorant of how tense it should be.  Tara looked at people coming and going and for a moment marveled at how the whole world just moved on with its business never knowing that right now half a world away she might be losing everything.  Tara silently wrote in her journal and then closed it, putting the pen and book away as she and Oriana made their way to the airport terminal.

A familiar face met them at the airport: Orlando was leaning against the terminal with his arms crossed, peering out at the world from behind a pair of sunglasses. When he saw Tara and Ori walk out, he raised a hand to greet them and call them over.

“Well, if this isn’t a sight for sore eyes, I’m just not sure what would be.” Tara held open her arms to embrace the large man.  “Orlando, how have you been?”

Orlando hugged Tara warmly, then slid his hands down to rest at the small of her back in a familiar way. A very familiar way. “Wonderful. Better now. I have a car waiting for you, if you’re ready.”

Tara stiffened slightly and blushed before stepping out of the embrace politely.  “That sounds lovely.”  she glanced at Oriana and gave her a reassuring smile.  “I still have a few bags on my plane, can we have someone grab them?”

“Of course,” agreed Orlando.

“Normally I travel light but my Mother and I did a bunch of shopping before I left New York at my father’s behest.  I fear I have as many outfits as my sister now.”

“Yes, Bacchus did mention to me that one of your last dresses did not survive the visit.” He glanced at Oriana with a smirk.

“It was,” Tara said, glancing down at the ground, only slightly less embarrassed, “A very enjoyable loss.  I trust you’ve been well here in Naples despite all the negativity I’ve heard stories about?  The House of Pleasure remains a bastion of respite, I trust?”

“Respite may be the wrong word. For some, yes. For others, it’s recreation. For many, it’s… rigorous.”

“Vigorous is the word my patron seems to like to use.”  She smirked.  “I can’t wait to see him.  I hope he’s excited by my return?”

“He’s been insufferable since your letter arrived. Even more than usual,” said Orlando. Oriana snickered.

“You hear that, Ori?  Insufferable.  I’m going to take that as a very good sign that he enjoys our company.”  She lifted her chin ever so slightly and took longer more confident strides.

“Yours, yes. I bore him. Enjoy being the shiny new object for him to fixate on,” said Oriana drily.

“Bore.  Bah.  If he finds you boring Oriana, I just can’t even… of the two of us, you’re much more interesting than I am by miles.  I’m boring and uneducated in all the things he loves best.”

“Okay. Perhaps ‘bore’ is the wrong word. But I’m not deferential enough,” said Ori. 

“Deferential.”  she scoffed.  “Well, perhaps he hasn’t found the right way to motivate or inspire you and should simply attempt new methods.”  She winked at Ori.  

“Oh, he will,” said Oriana and Orlando simultaneously.

With a sigh, Ori headed toward the waiting car and opened the door for Tara.

The entrance to the palazzo of Stefano Tattaglia, better known as Bacchus, was even more ornate than Tara remembered. White marble and gold led Tara and her companions through the foyer, where they all turned in their weapons. A long hallway brought them to the expansive dining room, decked out for a feast that would have impressed even the most prodigal Romans.

Tara seemed to morph into a new person the moment she passed through the doors leading into the dining hall.  A weight lifted from her shoulders, her smile came more easily and her eyes lit up like a child taking in the wonders of Christmas for the first time.  Something about this place sit right with her. The food, the people, the pleasures… such happiness and freedom as Tara only dreamed about at night when she slept and it was real here.  Her eyes scanned with less shame this time across the bodies about the room, slowly becoming more comfortable with the sight of human flesh and it’s round soft curves and hard edges.  

As every time she’d come into this room before, Tara came prepared to be the gracious supplicant before the God-King.

“TARA MASTROSIMONE!” roared a loud voice, greeting her as soon as she came through the door. Bacchus, a bearded dark-haired man of around thirty, surprised Tara by remaining seated on the other side of his table. He’d stood to greet previous. Had she done something wrong? She was wracking her brain for possibilities when he continued speaking. “Welcome, First Student. You’re back much… sooner than I expected.”

“I could not stay away, in truth,” She began with a smile growing on her face.  “There was so much more to be learned, so many things I wanted to ask you, so many pleasures to be enjoyed… New York seemed so bland by comparison to this heaven upon the Earth!”

Bacchus remained seated, fixing a furrowed brow and focused look at Tara. “You have… excellent taste. You are welcome here, as I said, whenever… you’d like to stay. Surely many pleasures await you… here. Not the least the one you brought with you.”

He smirked at Oriana, who nodded her head in a greeting. 

Tara walked confidently towards Bacchus and stopped only once she reached what felt like a place where one might be expected to stand when accepting an audience with the great hedonist.

“Oh, how… how… rude of me. Please, have a seat at my table.” The man’s voice sounded slightly strained.

“If you would allow me, I had hoped to approach you and give you a personal greeting?”  She smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Bacchus looked curious, and nodded despite his seeming distraction.

Tara came around the table to his side, and saw a woman’s head moving slowly at his lap. It was obvious why their host had remained seated- and why he had occasionally paused in his speaking. When Tara looked down, Bacchus roared with laughter. Then he waved the woman away and adjusted himself in his robe; Tara caught a glimpse- more of Bacchus than she’d ever expected to see. “That’s a win for me, Marilena,” said the God-King. “You now owe me a favor.” 

The woman wiped her mouth and glared at Tara before slinking away. Bacchus stood to greet Tara, still prominently visible.

Tara couldn’t help but look and blush and then force her eyes up to meet the man’s gaze.  Standing on her toes slightly she kissed his cheek gently, innocently, but with all the admiration and love she had for him.  It was the sort of kiss she might have placed on the cheek of a beloved family member and because of the situation, it was all the more strange now.  In her head, this was supposed to play out so differently!

Tara, her cheek by his, whispered in his ear, letting her breath play on his earlobe purposefully as she did, “I’ve thought a lot about our last conversation in private.  I hope perhaps we have another chance or two to talk away from this dining room.  I know you like to make me blush, but there’s another side to you that I want to explore a bit more - if you’ll indulge me?”

“Indulgence,” said Bacchus, “is my middle name.”

Tara pulled back and smiled at her patron, “Well, I’ve dreamed of little else since leaving your company.  I’ve missed this place more than words can say.  I am glad to be back at your side.”  She bowed - but not too low, “Teacher.  Friend.”  She stood again her eyes wandering again if only out of morbid curiosity.  She’d seen male parts before.  She had a younger brother after all, but this was not at all like that and it was a strange sight to her.  Still, one didn’t gawk, even in a place like this nor with a host, even one so open as Bacchus.  It was rude to stare.  Tara fell back in beside Oriana at the table and instantly went for the wine.

“You must be tired from your flight. Go find a room, rest, revive yourself,” he glanced at Oriana, “and return to us for dinner. Perhaps a private dinner in my chambers?”

Tara blushed, “I think that would be very nice.  Thank you.”  She inclined her head again and turned to Oriana wondering if the locks had been reinstalled.  With that, she began wandering down the hall that she was now a bit more familiar with.

“Good to know some things never seem to change.”  She said softly to Ori as the din from the dining hall disappeared behind them.  “You okay?  You were really quiet back there.”

“Just thinking. I’m glad I’m here,” said Ori. “But I feel strange leaving New York. And Bacchus and I don’t have much to discuss. We’re friends, but we spent a lot of time together. Also, he seemed… preoccupied,” smirked Oriana.

“Yeah.  I missed that detail.  Apparently I am woefully unfamiliar with the looks men have on their faces when engaged.  Truth is, I thought he was upset about something when we came in. I had no idea that he was… that she was…”  she shook her head. “Yeah this goes right back to our talk in the hotel. Shit I don’t know about men.” She laughed at herself, but it was a touch uncomfortable sounding.  

“Well, we’ll have time to talk. And if you want to learn…” Ori pushed the door open and found an empty room. She grinned. “... well, you’re in the right place. For now, though…”

Ori pushed the door closed and pinned Tara back against it. Then they proceeded to revitalize each other. Tara didn’t bother stifling her cries- and neither did Oriana.

An hour later, Ori stepped out of the shower with one towel wrapped around her body and one around her hair. 

“I don’t know what it is about a freshly showered you which makes me want to …”  Tara giggled. “But… I suppose it can wait. Feel better now? A little less stressed about home I hope?”

“Maybe. I certainly took out a lot of nervous energy,” she shrugged with a smile. “Whatever, can’t do anything about that, right? What are you wearing for dinner? Or shall I pick something out for you?”

“Oh that would be interesting… let’s see what you come up with.  I’ll wear whatever you pick, or maybe go without whatever you think I should go without?”  She winked and leaned back on the pillows watching Ori rummage around. As she lay there her mind wandered and again Tara was quiet, deep in thoughts.

“That works. And fair’s fair- you pick something for me, as well.”

Tara smiled, “You sure you want to let me do that?  I mean, we both know my taste leaves something to be desired.”  she laughed.  

“Not when it comes to me,” said Ori, speaking matter-of-factly as she started brushing her hair.

“So you’re not worried I might put you in something super conservative or … I don’t know, something that doesn’t fit in here?”

“I actually considering putting you in something super conservative. Just to appetize him. He’d be annoyed if a newcomer did that. But you? You’d get away with it. And everything fits in here. It’s customary to dress provocatively, but it’s a welcoming place. Attitude is more important than attire. For example, if you’d gotten offended earlier at his little ‘bet’...”

She shook her head, “No.  He didn’t mean to make me feel bad.  I think, if anything, he remains worried for you and me.  I think, next to my parents, he’s most enthusiastically pulling for our relationship to work out.”  She climbed out of the bed and moved towards the clothes.  “He’s not just a fan of lust I think - I think he treasures all emotions.  The more powerful the better.  Lust is… just easiest.  I mean, you do certain things, the body responds.  Do things the right way or in the most appealing manner, lust is stronger.  It’s a tool.  The outcome is the emotion. It’s why he wanted to hear our story at the table in the dining room the last time we were here.  It’s not just about hearing about our pleasure I think - it’s about how I feel when I tell the story, how you feel when I talk about you, about how they feel hearing about us together, and there’s so much in all of that to unpack.  It’s … complicated and pretty and … I don’t have the right words, but I like it and I find it indicative of his heart.”

“You’re not totally wrong. A little off, in my opinion, but you’re in the right ballpark. He does have a heart, or he could have made things much harder for me and the other girls. Just don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that his heart is the organ that primarily motivates him.”

Oriana removed a sleek black leather coat from her things. It was the style she always wore, but this one fit Tara perfectly. It fell just above Tara’s knee, and it had a belt to cinch it together at the waist. “I’m thinking about this coat.” Smiling, she tossed it on the bed near Tara.

“Oh, that’s a nice coat!”  Tara said smiling at it.  “Though I don’t know that we need a coat in the dining room.  I mean it’s really a very comfortable temperature in there.”

“Agreed. But I’m sticking with my choice. What’s your pick?”

She shrugs, “Fine by me, but try to pick something light to go under it if you would.  I mean, I don’t want to smell like sweat after shower.”  She began digging through the clothing, feeling the fabrics as much as looking at them.  Stopping at white satin negligee, she got a distant look in her eyes and the faintest hint of a smile as she rubbed the fabric between her finger and thumb.  Without realizing it, Tara held her breath a moment, her eyes closed softly and memory took her away from the room.  
 

Silence was broken when Tara took a deep breath and pulled the very simple article from the closet.  It wasn’t particularly revealing, in truth it covered more than some dresses worn here. Tara supposed it might be conservative by the standards of this gathering, but her very visible reaction to it’s appearance was not something easily hidden.  Something about it thrilled her. “This. I… I’d like you to wear this.”

Oriana smiled. “Good pick. I’ll go get changed. You get your coat on. Just the coat.” With a grin, Ori closed the bathroom door behind her. 

Tara could barely hide her excitement and then she looked to the coat and back towards the now closing bathroom door.  “Oh … shit.” Steeling her nerves she peeled off her towels and picked up the coat trying to close it as best as she could to retain some small shred of modesty.  Of course, that was probably a fool's errand in The House of Pleasure.

Oriana emerged in white satin, smiling at Tara. “I like it.”

Tara stared at Oriana as if she’d seen a ghost, a phantom that not laid eyes on in years and then, color rose in her cheeks the longer she looked.  Heat. All over her body but intensely in all the right places, almost too strong to be ignored. Tara looked at the floor and swallowed the lump in her throat as her fantasy made flesh stood feet from her.

Ori paused. “What?”

“Its…”  she wet her lips.  “I… the first time I, I mean, the first time I really knew.”  She sighed. She looked up at Oriana. “There was a woman. She was lovely, not like you, but pretty.  Simple, but pretty. Softer. Rounder in some places than you. She had the sun in her hair…” Tara had a far off look in her eyes as she spoke.  “And she was in this… white…”

“Who was she? Where’d you see her?”

“Canada.”  she said softly.  “She lived in the small town near where I grew up.  They were swimming. A bunch of young kids. We weren’t very old then.  Maybe young teens. She was… the first time I thought about a girl. She had a slip she swam in and I’ve never forgotten how I felt that day.  I just… never thought I’d see something like that or feel that way now.”

“Want to stop at the pool on the way to dinner, then? Or save it for after?” Ori’s face was entirely innocent as she moved closer, dancing at the edge of Tara’s orbit.

“We… can’t be late for dinner.  I know he allows exceptions but I want to make him happy so he gives us his blessing…”  her words said one thing but her eyes told a completely different story. She couldn’t keep her eyes off Oriana as hard as she tried.

“Alright. Your call, boss. Honestly, he’ll probably appreciate the tension more. And you can wear something underneath if you really have to. But nothing above the waist. Now come on- he’s not a patient man.” Ori walked toward the door, enjoying the feeling of Tara’s eyes on her.

Tara nodded eagerly.  “Best not to fuss with the panties… it would be a huge waste away.”  She said following Ori out the door, her eyes drinking Ori in so much that she forgot about worrying over how exposed she was.

As they reached the door of Bacchus’s private chamber, Ori turned and began adjusting Tara’s coat, enjoying the other woman’s desperate silence. “I’m going to make it look normal. As you sit down, it’ll be obvious that you’re not wearing anything else. I wouldn’t even mention it- just treat it like normal.”

Tara nodded,  “I’m going to have a hard time keeping my mind on the matter at hand.  You might have to kick me under the table from time to time.”  She swallowed another lump in her throat.  “I really need wine right now.  Have I told you in the last five minutes how beautiful you are?  That’s something I should have done, if I forgot it.  You’re lovely.  Beautiful.  A goddess… I … I really need wine.”

Ori smiled, then leaned forward to kiss Tara. It was strange- usually, in the rare moments they had alone, they both tended to make the most of their time. Just kissing was a strange thing, and Tara found herself leaning forward as Ori backed away and knock on the door.

“Come in!”

Bacchus was seated at a small table in his chambers; the room looked familiar to Tara and Ori, since they’d stayed there after their second trip to the House of Pleasure. Bacchus was wearing silk shorts and a silk vest; unlike the men who worked for him, he was not in spectacular shape- but he was still an attractive man. He smiled at the two women through a neatly trimmed brown beard.

“Black and white. An interesting combination- although I would have expected Miss Montini to be wearing black.”

“We picked each other’s outfits.  Perhaps we’ve projected onto one another a bit?”  She smirked and moved towards the table.

“An interesting idea. So what does your choice say about you? Purity? Angelic innocence? Or simply goodness? Whereas the black leather is… harsher. Stronger. More violent.”

“Maybe it’s what we see in each other,” said Tara.  “The thing we try to bring out of one another? In truth I picked the negligee because it reminded me of a slip I once saw a girl wearing when I was younger.  It’s a foolish thing but she was striking and it’s the first time I ever recall wanting to kiss a girl.”

“Ah. These memories have power over us. And why do you think she picked the leather coat for you?”

“You could ask her, but as you’ve asked me, Ori is always trying to make me stronger than I am.  She … makes me better. It seems right she’d put me in leather, to protect me and… well, maybe it’s about the coat she gave me when we met the second time.”

“I could have asked her, but she would have said ‘I just liked it’ and not indulged my curiosity more. If you get warm- feel free to remove it. If I know Oriana, she has a surprise under there.”

Oriana just grinned. “Thank you for dinner, Bacchus.”

Tara carefully sat down in her chair.

“Don’t worry,” said their host. “No one is lurking underneath the table for you. At least not yet,” he laughed.

“I’m glad we got a chance to return here.  Thank you for inviting us up.” she said to her host graciously.  “You have no idea the great help you’ve been to me. I mean, beyond the men you sent me.”

“You intrigued me too much to let you die. And Francesco Bianchi offended me. It was better to remove him.”

“We shouldn’t speak of such people or things.”  Tara picked up and opened the napkin, “I don’t want you to dwell a moment on such unpleasantness.  We have so much better things to discuss. I want to know all about the details of your bet that was happening when I arrived.”

“Ah. Of course. Wine!” A servant appeared, filling their goblets. Some light appetizers were scattered on the table. “Marilena is here because she has been betrothed to a wealthy man. Her family is poor, and this marriage has the potential to bring them not only security, but prosperity. Marilena arrived here nearly penniless two weeks ago, begging to learn how to make her husband happy. We have helped her acquire this knowledge, and she has made excellent progress. However,” he said with a wry grin, “today she got overconfident. Made claims about her skills that went too far- claims that included even myself. Today, you saw her fail. She’d had ten minutes prior, and your arrival, which had been announced to us, was the deadline. Although she is quite talented, she still has much to learn. But by the time she returns home next month, her family will have a very happy husband.” 

“I’m sad she failed in some regards, but also glad to hear she has time to learn how to live up to her boasts.  I’m sure if anyone can give her the education she seeks, its you and this House of Pleasure. I’ve no complaints about my lover’s talents, certainly she is very gifted.  Surely if she’s half the student Oriana is, then I suppose her husband will be very satisfied.” She chuckled and ate another appetiser.

“Can I ask, or is it too private, to inquire how you came to be at the head of such a temple to life’s great delights?” wondered Tara, picking up her wine glass. “ I mean, it’s not the sort of calling every man follows successfully though he might want to.” 

“Sometimes, one finds themselves so talented in their hobbies that they simply must dedicate their life to it. As for me, I had the means to do so. The world is a large, often terrible place. In my own palazzo, at least, I own a slice of the heavens.” Bacchus studied Tara carefully.

“I am inspired by you.  You do understand that, right?”  She asked her patron.  “What I found here in this house is more than Oriana’s affections.  It … it’s more personal.  You and this place mean a great deal to me.  I am ever going to be looking towards Naples as some men look towards the Holy Land.”  She smiled.

“Ah, then you truly do understand this place- what it is supposed to be.”

“I miss this place, where I can be who I am, when I’m back home in the New World.”

“Why not stay? Leave your ‘New World’ behind?”

“I find myself disgusted there is no place like it anywhere near to where I live.  I feel a swell of pity for any woman or man like myself who has never known such freedom, such joy, and pleasure at being who they are and loving as they will.  And… it occurred to me that maybe it doesn’t need to be that way.  Maybe, they could have a place to worship that which we were given by the hand of the divine - celebrate it and each other just as they do here in Naples.  I feel woefully inadequate to ask you to ever indulge me… and so, I told my parents I wanted to travel here and learn from you and hopefully leave with your blessing to bring a small bit of the wonder which I found here back home with me.”  Tara held her breath.

Bacchus looked curiously at Tara; he’d been watching her. “What do you have on under that coat? Remove it, and we’ll throw an extra log on the fire.” Oriana grinned.

Tara stood up smoothly from the chair, having expected to discard the coat at some point.  Trying not to show her nerves, reminding herself that her nudity was a small thing and that the man had seen hundreds if not thousands of women over the years.  Telling herself that nothing she had would surprise or shock him… she began to undo the belt at her waist.  She wet her lips as she worked with slightly trembling hands and first let the coat fall open before finding the courage to slide out of it the way a snake slips out of it’s skin.  Her whole body seeming to contort as she peeled the leather away.  Carefully she put the coat on the back of her chair and with her hands held in front of her she sat down politely, her upper arms barely covering her chest. 

Tara felt her cheeks were on fire.  She looked down at her plate.  “So, in part, I’m here to talk to you about … furthering my education for reasons of a higher calling and … in part because of something you said in this room the last time we met.”

“You want to discuss business,” said Bacchus. “ Not only that, you wish to borrow my business. Some would say steal. I am not one of them- but some would. You have passed the first test, at least, in being free with yourself. And you have proven in your conversation to understand this place- what it is and what it can be.” He paused. “I have some questions for you. Oriana, while she is answering, please feel free to distract her however you wish.”

Tara had a moment where she could not hide the panic on her face, a brief instant where she couldn’t help but look at Oriana with all the nakedness she felt physically.  The man had stipped her of clothing and now, with a few words and if Oriana did as he asked, he would strip her in another way. She’d been prepared to talk to him about the idea of why she’d come here, the other idea, but this wasn’t at all what she had in mind.  Bacchus had a very grand way of turning everything on it’s ears. Most of the time in a very enjoyable way, but sometimes… Tara forgot about how strange she’d felt the last time she was here until this exact moment. Taking a deep breath she tried to suppress her fear.

Oriana looked at Tara, slid off her chair, and went to sit on Bacchus’ lap. She sat on one of his thighs, leaning back against him for now. 

“What can I tell you?”  she said making herself meet Bacchus’ eyes.

“What would you call your establishment? What would you borrow from the House of Pleasure and what would you leave behind? What would you add of your own? You already owe me one large favor, if you recall. And this favor I would do for you is… unprecedented.”

Oriana took a deep breath as she leaned against the shoulder of Bacchus and looked up at him. 

“I respect the view some people might have, that I’m stealing or even borrowing from here.  Anything I took from here, literally or figuratively would not achieve the goals of this place.”  She let her eyes languish on the rise and fall of Oriana’s breasts for longer than she wanted to and kept feeling her eyes drifting back to them as she forced them back up to Bacchus’ eyes again and again.  

Oriana slid off Bacchus and walked behind him, trailing a finger along his collarbone. As he listened to Tara, Oriana massaged his shoulders. 

“I don’t want to make an imitation of this grand house.  I wish to open a temple. It would no more be the House of Pleasure than one could compare any of the great structures of the Romans.  Sure, there are similarities, they’re made of similar materials, by great artisans, they may even feature some of the same styles of architecture, but to call the Colosseum the temple at Delphi … well, that’s silly.  They’re not the same. I want, if I’m to be very liberal, a homage - but even that feels the wrong word. I think you and I are kindred spirits. I feel like you understand me though we are very different. Look at us.  Could anyone say that we are the same? And yet… I find parts of you to be worth attention as you find parts of me to be pleasing. My mind, my body… your mind… parts of your body.” She let herself look at him, the way she thought would have been rude in the dining room.  She didn’t hide her desire to study him, in fact she craned her neck to get a better look of him, trying to think of him as one of the great works of art all over this nation.

Bacchus shrugged off his vest, sitting only in his shorts as he listened to Tara. Oriana’s hands moved off his shoulders and down his chest.

“You’re lovely in your way.  Different than my brothers or my father.  I’ve never seen them like this though so… forgive me for wanting to look closer.”

“You are forgiven. Come, sit on my lap and continue speaking of your plans. What will you change? What will be new in your House of Pleasure, if that’s what you call it?”

Tara nodded and came around the table.  Perhaps more meekly than she intended she placed herself upon Bacchus’ leg.  The silk was comfortable on her bare skin, and Tara could tell Oriana was working hard not to make eye contact as she returned to Bacchus’s shoulders. 

“I haven’t settled on a name, but the truth is that I felt like there was something of an omen waiting for me back in New York when I returned.  You see, I was helping my father with the books for the family’s businesses.  It turns out the Byrne family… my mother’s family had a business in New York City called Olympus.”  She smiled. Oriana winked at Tara from over the shoulder of Bacchus, gave her a thumbs-up,  then kissed the man’s neck.

“My great aunt Tara, for whom I’m named, she opened it.  When I saw it, I was… moved.  It was as if the Divine had reached right down out of the heavens and told me that this was my calling.  Not a nunnery as I considered going to for a few years, but a whole different sort of place of worship.  I wasn’t just happy here… I was, oh… I don’t know that I could change much and ever hope to improve on what you’ve done.  I know what I would never allow.  I know what I would keep.  I feel very passionate about some aspects of this place, that those concepts need protecting and their integrity is paramount.”

“What would you protect? What would you not allow?” As Bacchus asked the question Ori moved behind Tara for a moment. Picking up some grapes, Ori popped one in her mouth. She seemed torn on what to do. What she wanted seemed clear. 

Tara held out a hand over Bacchus’ shoulder towards Oriana, beckoning her to come closer, and then looked at Bacchus.  “You’ve created a place where hate and negativity are kept outside the walls.  You protect the rights of these people to feel what they will.” Tara shuddered as Ori kissed the back of her neck. Bacchus seemed pleased. 

“It’s not about the weapons like I thought, or enforcing your power like I guessed before I met you - I learned that when you sent Oriana back in this room to be alone with me.  When you tried to help us, not just to heights of lust or to have your way with us, but to avoid a hurdle that would hurt us at some point in the future.  You want us to be happy.  I think you want it almost as much as I do and that … has created a very unique feeling in me.  I want people to feel the way I do, when I come here.  Not just free, not just safe, but … ”  Tara searched for the word.

As Tara spoke, it was impossible not to notice the physical enthusiasm of Bacchus. His face was inscrutable, but his body, at least, seemed to approve. 

“Powerful.”  She said finally.  “I’ve never been stronger than when I relented to this strange and wonderful place and I… I think that there is a world of people who need to have some place  they can be powerful too.”
 

Bacchus nodded, then he stood, letting Tara slide off his thigh. The fabric of the silk shorts seemed fit to burst, but he spoke in an untroubled and unrushed manner. 

“Very well. You already owe me one favor. This will be two more- in fact, since you called me friend- can we not say you’ll do any reasonable favor I ask of you, in perpetuity? And at least a couple unreasonable ones. In return, I will help you build your House of Pleasure across the Atlantic.”

Tara smiled, “I think you knew the moment you met me that I was the sort of girl who was likely to agree to such things without the need to call them favors.  But if it pleases you to track such boons, who am I to discourage it?” 

“A favor is more divine than a debt or a request. And yes, I know you are the sort of girl who would agree to such things. If only you were the sort of girl to agree to even more things.” Bacchus grinned ruefully, but without any harshness. “I enjoy tracking my boons, as you say, because when I call to collect my debt, I gain both the favor at the time and the memory of earning it.” 

Tara glanced at Oriana, attempting to get a read on her body language and mood.  Wondering if her head was in the same space as her own. Glancing back to Bacchus she asked him, “You don’t find Oriana dull do you?  She is exciting, isn’t she? Lovely. Exquisite even?”

“All these things and more, of course.”

Tara nodded.  “I asked her the other day if being with me was similar to what she felt when she was with you or other men.  It was a question your discussion,” Tara put her fingers onto his chest, lightly. “Made me realize should be asked… a question I had no frame of reference for.  No way of understanding and one day I might wonder if I was …”

“There is a danger of that, which is why I asked it in the first place when you visited me months ago.” He glanced at Oriana. “And what did you answer?”

“I said,” said Oriana in a quiet voice, “that it was special. I misunderstood the question at the time.”

“Ah. And what would you say now that you understand the question?”

“I would say,” said Oriana, “that it was some of the best I’ve ever had. In the area of gender, it just feels different. Not better. Not worse. Just… different.”

“Chocolate is different than Vanilla.  I like them both but I have a favorite.  Do you?”  Tara asked Oriana, for a moment almost ignoring Bacchus’ preference.  “What… makes you happy?”

“I enjoyed the night with you as much as I’ve enjoyed any time I’ve been with a man. Being with a man would be more… complicated now. Although better than it was before. It just feels different. Sometimes you can crave one flavor- one feeling- or the other.”

“Oriana thinks the world of you,”  Tara spoke slowly and purposefully looking up to Bacchus’ eyes, reluctantly letting the sight of her lover disappear into the shadows of the room on the edge of her vision as she focused on the man in front of her.  “I do too.”

Tara reached a hand up and touched Bacchus’ cheek with the tips of her fingers her brown eyes locking on his intensely, “If she’s got a craving, I only want to see her happy.  Do you understand how I could feel that way?  That I love her, but I’m not afraid that she’s going to stray and leave me to stay here forever.  I’m not sure many people I know would understand that - but I know Ori.  I’m not afraid.”

“What is it you want, Tara Mastrosimone?” asked Bacchus. Oriana looked at Tara with a furrowed brow. 

“Oriana hasn’t always had a lot of agency in her life.  I don’t know that when she came here that it was entirely her desire… but you made her feel like she was cared for.  You pleasured her.  Made her safe and there aren’t many men in the world who make her feel that way.  I want you to ask her, if she’d like to be with you tonight.  If I can be here, with you both.  I could learn some things I’m sure and if she’s happy and you’re happy… well, that’s a good thing.  I mean, if you want to?”  Tara realized she’d assumed the man wanted it by his bodily reactions, but she hadn’t really asked him at all what he wanted.

“Can I speak to Tara alone for a moment?” asked Oriana. Bacchus nodded curiously, deep in thought.

Ori took Tara’s hand and lead her to the far side of the room. Ori’s cheeks had flushed slightly, and she leaned forward to kiss Tara’s neck as she growled, “What are you doing?”

“You’re not to be collared.”  She said, a reference she knew the other woman wouldn’t get, but one that meant a world of importance to her.  There was, as the story told, a power in letting something have slack by not choking all the life out of it in holding tightly to it. 

“No, I’m not. But you don’t need to do this.”

“I don’t own you, Oriana.”  She shook her head. “I know I don’t need to do anything that I don’t want to do - and neither do you, but you also have a world of… good things out there still to enjoy.  Things you’ve maybe only ever enjoyed in a very specific context that wasn’t so great.” She glanced to Bacchus, “That man over there is one of the few men in the world who actually makes you feel safe.  He clearly thinks highly of you - he gave you a knife in this place.”

“I stole that knife. And he never hides his desire. But he knows me. He’s been looking at you more than me, and it’s not just because I’m standing behind him.”

“Ori, he can’t hide his desire… and if you feel it too, well, I want you to have a night with a man that isn’t…”

“I know.” Ori’s eyes dropped. 

Tara reached out and touched her chin and when her eyes came up, Tara kissed her lips gently.  “Just answer one question and then we can drop this if you like… do you feel some desire for this?  Would it make you happy?”

“Yes. But I don’t need it. And if you’re going to sit there like a martyr, I don’t want it. If this turns you on, then okay. If it’s for business, then okay.”

“Didn’t hear anything I said…”  She smiled. “You worry too much.”  She kissed Ori again and then walked back to Bacchus.

“I’d like to amend my request, if you don’t mind?”  She sighed, seeming to let some of the tension out of her shoulders. Bacchus stared at her, nodding for her to speak.

“Will you and Oriana help me tonight?  You see I don’t think I can relax about this unless I see how much Oriana enjoys herself… but, I won’t feel right going into this whole House of Pleasure thing so … unversed in what goes on under my roof.  I told you I came here for an education, from you. I meant it. I flew here to ask you to make love to me. Like men do with women… but only if Oriana is first. And she has to enjoy it. I want you to make her feel as loved as I will.  So that when it’s my turn, I don’t have any surprises. You’ll make her feel all the ways you’re going to make me feel. I’ll see how great it is and I won’t be afraid anymore.”

Bacchus and Oriana’s faces both hardened simultaneously, but Bacchus was the one who spoke. “You said earlier, on your last visit, that you felt no attraction to men. Sex must never be forced, Tara Mastrosimone. It must be truly desired. To lie about this to make Oriana happy- it is not permissible.”  

“It’s true.  If I was here alone with you, I’m not sure I’d want to, but I told you both, I’ve been thinking a lot about the question you asked here since we returned home.  At first I was threatened by the idea that a man might replace me… or be more enjoyable… and then we had this night together.  I can’t tell you what sort of witchcraft or miracle took place that night, but I know there is no way in hell anything could ever be as good as what I felt that night with her.  Then I started thinking about her being with a man in a different way.  I started wondering, what if… it was something we did together?  What if she did like it?  What if it was something I could bring to her… to join from time to time, like this trip to Naples and me not telling her about this thing I’m asking you for now.  And I started daydreaming about it.  And… well, that led to other feelings.”  Tara smirked and her cheeks were again crimson.

“Very well. You’ve made your case. I will be back in two minutes. If you are gone when I return, then there are no hard feelings between us. If you are here… I will give you an education.”

Oriana, however, was simply staring at Tara. As Bacchus went to the master bath, Oriana moved quickly to Tara and began kissing her, steering her back toward the large bed.

“You surprise me, Tiger.”

“Ori,” She breathed her name, “There’s nothing in the world I don’t want to share with you.  You make everything good.  I didn’t know that I could even-”

“Tara? Stop talking.”

With a smile, Ori stopped Tara’s mouth.
 

When it was done, Tara shuddered and shivered.  She could not recall a moment in life when she’d ever felt this dizzy and weary.  The wine, the sex, all of it was just too much. She’d used her lovers and been used in return and had no regrets about it save that she’d ever been worried at all.  Tara stroked Ori’s hair and tried to catch her breath, listening to the other two. In some small way it was as she supposed dying must be, a complete zapping of a will to move or think or talk.  For once in her life, Tara had no words and she lay limp and without ambition for anything save what was already in place. Skin on skin. Sweat slowly becoming sticky between them, and a strange sense that once again her life had changed with a single decision though she couldn’t say how in this moment.

Orian, after a couple minutes, pushed herself up, kissed Tara, and trudged off toward the bathroom. Tara heard the shower turn on. Bacchus was simply lying back, staring at the ceiling with a content, but exhausted, smile on his face.

“Thank you.”  she whispered so that Bacchus alone would hear it.

“Thank you,” he rumbled back. “This, I think, is your graduation.”

 “I suppose that it is.”  she let her gaze drift to the bathroom.  “Does it ever get old? Does it ever become just sex?  Or do you still feel these feelings I’m feeling now?”

“It depends on a great many things. You may never feel like this again… but something similar? That is possible. It can get boring. But there are… infinite possibilities. It is best to explore them.”

“Friend to friend… it’s why we had to come back.  She … I’m not the only one learning things. There are a million things I don’t know that she knows.  Things she’s done and seen, in bedrooms and in life in general, but - there is a lot of experiences she doesn’t have.  Things I take for granted. She doesn’t understand that it’s not about how the parts fit, I think some of that comes so easy for her cause she’s … perfect.”  She laughed. “Ori can’t see the seduction in the romance, if that makes sense? The crazy questions you ask, the talking the taunting… she thinks you’re more focused on one organ… I think you’re focused on another.  And maybe we’re both wrong but I know… I know she only thinks that you feel that way because of the wrongs done to her. So, when I say thanks - it’s not just for me. I mean it for her too. She loves you in her way.  And I’m glad there is one person in this world, one more person in this world, who gave a damn about her when she needed it most. What we did here tonight wasn’t just fucking… I think maybe it’s something, part of something that she and I are working through together.  I’m grateful for this place… for you.”

“And what are the two of you working through together?”

“We’re both finding ourselves.”  she said after thinking only a moment.  “She’s been who he made her to be for so long she’s not sure how much of it is her and how much of it is his creation I think?  Me… well, I’ve been mixed up, but things are clearer now. And I’m glad it is because, I’m not sure things are going to be okay in some other areas of my life.  I’m pretty sure my parents sent me away because they’re going to start a war. I’m not sure… I’m not sure they’ll be there when we come home. My House of Pleasure might be the only future I’ve got, but my parents sent us here knowing that I was going to find something of my own - something I could share with Oriana.  And that I’m happy … since we got on that plane a day ago, I’ve been telling myself to be okay with whatever we find when we come back. This… this future, it’s the only thing that matters right now. It’s the only thing, Ori… me… this.”

“I am sorry to hear this. Rest assured, your House of Pleasure will be there for you- and this one,” said Bacchus, as the shower in the master bath stopped. “You and Oriana are well suited. Whatever awaits you, you will endure it together, I think.”

Tara smiled at that, “That means a lot coming from you.  I think you’ve seen a lot of shades of love in this place.  Lust.  Love.  Everything in between.  I know now that I need to stop trying to compare myself to the rest of the world.  I’m not like other people and that’s a very good thing.  Not a bad one.”  She winked at Bacchus.  “I should shower.  My God, how late is it?”

“It’s tomorrow. You and Oriana stay here tonight. I will see you tomorrow and we will discuss business more in-depth - well, the other aspects of the business.”

“I think that sounds wonderful.”  With that Tara slid out of the bed and walked over to the bathroom door.  Knocking lightly she peeked her head inside, “Ori?  Mind if I join you?”

Tara heard a shifting, like someone standing up inside the shower. “Sure. Of course. I won’t be long, though.”

She came inside, “Sitting because of the weight of your muscles… or thoughts?” She asked coming over to look at herself in the mirror, not looking at Oriana.

“Both. Mostly just exhaustion.”

“Thank you for tonight.”  Tara said quietly, barely above the sound of the shower.  

“You too.” Ori emerged, squeezing out her wet hair as she grabbed a towel. “We’re staying here tonight, I assume?”

“Yeah.  He’s gone somewhere else.”  She smiled and looked Ori up and down slowly.  “So, I think I’m still really partial to women.  I did like watching you.  I liked watching you most of all.  And the tongue.  That was good.  There were some moments where it wasn’t disagreeable, maybe even good?  But -”

Ori smirked. “Stop even talking about it. I’m tired just thinking of it.” She leaned forward and kissed Tara’s brow. “I prefer you. Now I’m going to be asleep in 2 minutes; I’d prefer not to be on the bathroom floor.”

“I’ll wash quick,”  Tara said with a smile at the confirmation that Ori preferred her.  In the shower, Tara found a small spark of energy and washed with great alacrity and even hummed a Doris Day song as she did.

When Tara left the bathroom, she saw Oriana’s hair contrasting with the white pillow on the huge bed. Ori, despite usually being a light sleeper, didn’t wake up as Tara approach. Her deep breathing suggested that she was gone. 

Sighing she slipped quietly into the sheets beside Oriana, trying her best not to wake her as she did so.
 

“Mom, I’ll be fine.”  Tara said kissing Aurora and hugging her again torn between being annoyed at all the fuss being made and worried by it.  “This is more vacation than business this time. Nothing is going to happen.”

“You say that, but Italy hasn’t ever been good to this family.”  Billy cautioned.

“And things have been tense in the seven cities.  Tara I just… please watch your back.” Aurora released her daughter.

“Bacchus’ palazzo is the safest place on Earth, Mom.  No one can touch me there if I don’t want it. I swear.”

“I wouldn’t be sending you like this if my contacts didn’t say the same, but Tara …”  Aurora hesitated, looking as if she wanted to say more but Billy put his hand on her arm gently.

“Just take care of each other, Taa.”  Billy inserted.

Tara came down to hug her father and he gave her a powerful hug that went on longer than even she really expected.  When he released her, he looked up to Oriana who was coming back from loading up the bags.

“That goes for both of you.”  He said meeting Oriana’s gaze.  “Take care of my little girl.” And, to Oriana’s chagrin Billy gave her a hug as well.  

“I will.”  Ori said simply.

Aurora gave a silent nod to the other woman, seeming to assume that if Oriana needed to know something - it was either shared in that look or already said at some point in the past that Tara had not been present for.

Tara followed Oriana up the stairs to the plane door, pausing at the top to look back at her mother and father.  The Mastrosimones, hand in hand, smiled up at Tara and waved goodbye.