「.golden girl.」

She took advantage of short break to grab some sun by the poolside.  She knew she was on call 24/7 so it could be short-lived so she would enjoy the time while she could.  And she turned her head when a shadow crept over her.  “It’s not nice to stare, you know,” stated Gwen, a slight smile on her lips

Occupying the free lounge chair next to the other’s, Sasha couldn’t help but notice Gwen. She had seen the bartender around, more so working, but never in this light. "My bad...I was admiring your swimsuit.” Sasha explained, yet her cheeks had already turned a lovely shade of pink. “I had no idea it turned into creepy staring.”

Laurel was finding it hard to get into the vacation mood. She had been on the island for just a few hours, woken up from a short nap and immediately tried to check her e-mail. But…nothing. No new messages since she left New York, which she could only imagine was the result of poor connection. She wandered around the resort, blind to everything around her except her phone.

“Goddamnit…oh for fuck’s sake…” she muttered. 

Sasha strolled through the halls, her mind pre-occupied with thoughts of a waffle cone topped with vanilla caramel fudge ice cream on her mind. Her treat would be just that-- a treat, to reward herself for nothing in particular. The highlight of her day had been a shopping excursion, which she had concluded minutes ago. Her purchased items had been arranged to be taken up to the suite and now time was in her favor. Sasha’s path now led to the eatery with the best deserts, thanks to her craving. That’s when she noticed the blonde. “Excuse me, Miss.” The redhead approached to get her attention, while being careful as to not come directly in her path. ”Unsettling news or is it a device malfunction?” Sasha gestured to the phone which seemed to be the source of her disgruntled actions.

“I assure you, you’ve hit the limit.” Viktoria smiled at Sasha’s joy. The expression on her face would have been thanks enough were she not such a stickler for manners and decorum. “Yes, me too, my darling.” It was the least Miss V could do. She thought of how Vanya and her fondness for her. In some way, it was her fault her daughter was on this isle. If Viktoria had shown the proper restraint in getting involved with her employees young daughter things might have been different. She wasn’t a woman who believed in regrets or fate or anything silly like that. Still, certain thoughts like this did nag her at times. For all she was above, she did not see herself devoid of culpability in this matter.

“Oh, don’t,” Viktoria protested gently at first.  She shielded her face playfully with her hand. “Sasha…ah..” but her smile invited more games. And why shouldn’t they have memories together? “Selfie?” she asked, the term clearly new with how she uttered the word. The older woman figured out what it was quickly enough. Scooting back next to Sasha she posed with pleasant expressions and returned the kiss to her cheek, so they would have matching pictures in that pose. “You’ll text those ones to me?” she asked. “No..not bad..” Miss V never thought her time with the redhead wasted in all their years together. It didn’t matter if she were sneaking into her office for a hug and a kiss or if they were spending a few weeks jetting off together somewhere. Every moment mattered.

“Now,” she pulled the phone slowly from Sasha’s grip, interrupting her scrolling. She set the device on the bed near them but never looked away from the cute expression staring back at her. “You were going to show me your superpowers..” she finished, this tone decidedly the one of Miss V and no other side to the Archduchess the birthday girl might know.

The redhead had already began selecting the images to send, only to be pleasantly disrupted. Her mild confusion quickly vanished, a flirty expression in its place. “Mhmm...” Sasha hummed in agreement as if she vaguely recalled such. In reality she was well aware of what had been interrupted for the sake of being presented with yet another gift. A pause for a cause, however, thoughts of Viktoria’s lips against hers returned to the forefront of her mind. “Oh yeah...I was, wasn’t I?” The sub teased, knowing fully well that she couldn’t drag this out anymore. If their almost kiss before was any indication, Sasha knew the urge Viktoria had matched hers. 

Grateful that she had already made the move to Viktoria’s side, all she had to do was lean to her right. And that she did, her hand resting on the woman’s left side in the process. Sasha’s lips brushed lightly along the older woman’s jawline. The faint kisses she pressed there led a path to Viktoria’s lips. There she eagerly captured them with her own. The redhead braced against Viktoria for leverage when leaning in to savor the quietly building passion of their locked lips. Sasha’s lips moved against the Archduchess’ enticingly, slowly even, as she took her time graduating to the point where her tongue could no longer resist tangling with the other’s. 

From the perch at Viktoria’s side, the twist of her neck grew slightly uncomfortable as moments ensued. Her free hand aided with building more of a physical connection. It gently found purchase at the opposite side of Viktoria’s face and neck; which she had yet to tease with her tender kisses and not-so-gentle nibbles. Shifting her frame to make her position at the woman’s side beneficial, she faced Viktoria a bit more than before. Going a step further in the moment, Sasha artfully straddled the woman’s lap, an action made easy by the short scalloped hem of her dress. Sasha’s lips left Viktoria’s abruptly, but the position of her hands remained as is; one at her side and the other curled at neck, with fingers lightly threading in the hair at her nape. 

                                    ↳ Sasha Haas + GENERAL

“Ah, you’re forgetting how subtle and humble you are, my love,” Miss V quipped back when her mouth wasn’t full. She wagged a playful finger at the girl beside her. Viktoria needed days like this to lift the weight of her otherwise bogged down life from her shoulders. She wasn’t particularly outdoorsy, but this served as a happy medium — fresh air without having to wear anything close to a hiking boot.

Sasha’s antics made Viktoria so warm. She wanted to touch her and kiss her all the time in a appreciation for who she was. Most of the time the royal woman held herself back from this — particularly in public. Just now, for example.

“You did,” Miss V smiled slightly. “But I don’t mind it.” She paused for only a second to sip her tea. “I did wish I was there with you.” They had taken so many lovely trips together but none to England. Not yet. Viktoria loved the educational experience of traveling and she did it a lot. Sometimes out of necessity, but even then she took advantage. “You living outside of any bubble has always been important to me. — I want you to know the world and other people. The ones who are like you and those who are not.”

Sasha giggled, raising a hand to her mouth, noting the warning finger. In comparison to what she listed, those two traits didn’t fit in the moment. “Indeed, I am the queen of subtlety.” The redhead spoke with a dignified air to her tone. She sat up straight, setting the teacup and plate pair in her lap. With the most delicate, Viktoria inspired movements she tasted her honey sweetened tea.

While polishing off her scone, Sasha added a sandwich, and crumpets to her plate. “I share the same wish, perhaps someday it will become reality.” It might not be a possible feat in the near future considering her current predicament, but she would never cancel it out entirely. Doing that would mean giving up on hope; which Sasha has no intention to. “I have been so focused on school, I know that there’s a lot of England I have yet to discover.” And what better company to have than Viktoria, Sasha mused. Their trips had not only served for recreational purposes, but learning experiences as well. Sasha felt blessed to have the opportunity, and never once took her good fortune for granted. 

While adding jam to her crumpets she listened to Viktoria’s heartfelt words. “I love how our trips mostly turned into adventures.” There’s never not a time to learn and be exposed to different things, this isle included. “For now, that’s how I’m planning to look at this place, as just another adventure.”

“They’ll be similar to before,” Viktoria assured her. Miss V wasn’t a Mistress who made any sort of big changes without being clear anyway, so there was no need for much fuss. The brunette let out a gentle breath at Sasha’s comment. Her smile big and kind. “You’re too much, my darling girl.”

She watched her open the drawers and pull out each box. “I still got a few tricks up my sleeve.”  Viktoria reached out where she was turned toward Sasha and rubbed the hip the girl at more of her weight planted on. When her hand wasn’t moving it simply rested against her. “I can’t pick a favorite, really,” she said once they were all open. “Though I’m sure each will get its due. You’ll look exquisite in all of them.” That was the idea. Obviously. “I haven’t seen you — or any girl in leather in quite some time.” A more subtle love of the Archduchess who generally preferred someone soft to play with — pink and gentle.  

“Is that the right one?” she spoke of the character. Viktoria truly had no idea about this kind of thing. She was a good listener and skilled at research due to her law degree, and that came in handy for other  endeavors too. “No,” the word was lilted and light. Miss V leaned forward. “But I assume you intend to show me?”  Top teeth lightly caught her own bottom lip while she waited.

The Archduchess had been about to go in and take the kisses she was was craving before she remembered something. She held up her index finger indicating a request to pause the moment. She went to her room and came back with an unwrapped rose gold iPhone box. She set it in Sasha’s lap. “The concierge set it all up for you. It should be charged. You can’t have internet access but it has a Vienna native number. So long as you’re discreet and I’m in the room, you can talk to your parents.”

Sasha nodded, she figured that the only differences and perhaps addition to the rules would be centered around their location. Keeping that in mind she was looking forward to their after dinner conversation. “It’s true.” Sasha loved seeing the older woman smile. “Full-on crush reaction, sweaty palms and all.” Sasha joked, reminding her of the teenage version of herself; harboring a crush on the older woman.

There was no denying that statement, the more surprises she unveiled, her excitement showed no signs of waning soon. Picking a favorite was a futile endeavor, matching that of the candy fest in the kitchen. Thanks to the Archduchess’ revelation of sorts, Sasha now had a choice in mind as she glanced at the hot leather number. “I guess that settles which outfit will be going first.” Sasha declared with a smile, adoring the warmth and comfort that came from her Mistress’ touch. “Yes it is,” she held up the glittery green costume once more before finally setting back into its box on the bed. Her attention now elsewhere, Sasha moved onto the bed, curling her legs beneath her as she leaned forward on cue. “Indeed,” she breathed her pulse picking up as Viktoria drew closer. Balancing on her hands, she was prepared to demonstrate the aforementioned killer kisses.

Brow crinkling at the need for a pause, the redhead sat back on her heels, watching the older woman leave. Sasha’s concern melted away at the sight of the box upon Viktoria’s return to her room. Her room, she took a moment to let that thought sink in. Sasha removed the phone from the box, turning it on. Very similar to the one she had pre-isle life, minus the restrictions of course. “I don’t know how many times I can say thank you,” Sasha beamed.

At the mention of her parents, she was excited to be able to speak with them in the near future. Now that it had become an option, she definitely planned on making a call to them in honor of her birthday. “I’m glad that they no longer have to worry about my whereabouts.” The isle’s red tape aside, Sasha was grateful for Viktoria’s initiative once she encountered her on the isle. Her parents may never know the truth, but at least they knew that she was alive and well, taking time off school.