#ayenka

Wakanda’s dry season was not for the weak. And in Upanga, the headquarters of the Adored Ones, it was merciless even for the strongest.

Today it was no different.

Aneka adjusted the fabric draped across her body. She wiped the sweat from her brow as she readied for another long training session with the newest recruits.

Her shoulders were tightly wound, tense at the thought of dealing with that troublesome bunch. Or rather, there was one recruit that was a persistent, stabbing pain in her side.

Ayo--that dreadfully pretty face plagued her even now.

Ever since she’d made an example of the mouthy woman on the first day, she’d been taking every chance to get on her nerves. Always the first to interrupt. Always questioning her orders, insisting on being front and center when they ran drills, and always the first to volunteer to spar her instructor.

It was nauseating how easily she filled each aspect of her life. Like blood spilling over-- copper on her tongue, clogging her throat, flooding her vision with red.

Ayo was an all-consuming issue that she could not, for the life of her, solve.

Aneka shook her thoughts free. This is why she rose before the sun so she can warm up without such distractions. It's best not to waste time with useless ruminating.

However, before stepping into the hall, she hesitated. On high alert once as she realized she wasn’t alone. A barely perceptible grunting and hushed voices in the training hall. The dim light provided no aid in identifying them, but their joined shadows were stark against the walls.

At first she assumed she was beat out by some recruits eager to train, but--

Soft moans. A cry broke through the silence, a few weapons clattering to the ground suddenly. The recruits quieted, stilling their activity before quickly resuming with vigor. A slick, wet sound filling the air with its musk.

Aneka promptly turned on her heel, deciding to complete her warm up in the courtyards instead.

Fresh air would do her good.

Later at training, she added in more drills, extending the session by at least an hour. If they had so much energy, she was more than capable of putting it to proper use.

-

It happened again. It was becoming a frequent occurrence.

Sometimes it was early mornings. Other times it was during the lunch breaks, before chores, or long after the hall had cleared for the night. If she didn’t know any better, her warriors were replaced by a bunch of lions in heat.

And it almost always inconvenienced Aneka.

“It is not as if we barred them from visiting each other’s rooms,” Aneka complained, a hand pinching her nose as she slumped in her seat, leg bouncing. That wound up agitation was twisted and tightened with each passing moment. She hasn’t been able to fit in any personal time for her own training these days without running into her recruits being intimate. As such, she hadn’t had any reprieve in the slightest, “Why must I be dragged into their business at all times?”

“It’s not necessarily an issue of conduct,” Mistress Zola said humorously from where she reclined.

After all, the spaces were typically left immaculate. Other than Aneka, she hasn’t heard reports of anyone else running into these recruits. So while it wasn’t ideal, at least they were attempting to be discreet.

Mistress Zola leaned over to the small table where refreshments were supplied, stirring the sweet, cool syrups together in her glass, “It happens with every batch of recruits, even from my time. As for the location and timing…Well, tensions can run high when training together. I suppose this helps them cool down.”

Aneka raised an eyebrow, “I never encountered it before now,” she said, racking her brain. Her memory of those years were grueling, each day shaping her into steel. All preparation for her life-long duty. Although there were lighter moments back then, she was far more well-acquainted with the training hall floor than what was between her thighs.

Mistress Zola hummed in agreement, “Perhaps, but you were rather ruthless with your peers during sparring sessions,” she said, lifting the glass to her lips, “They most likely decided to lick their wounds elsewhere.”

“You always act as if I was such a menace,” Aneka said, waiving her off with a frown.

“Were you not?” Mistress Zola’s head tipped back with a hearty laugh. She picked up and offered the second glass, a glint in her eye, “C’mon and drink dear, before you set yourself aflame with your worries.”

-

Light caught the graceful arch of Ayo’s leg. The sweeping kick strong, her braid flying behind. Each movement precise, air rushing as she moved through the space with light feet, but deadly force.

Sweat beaded her brow as she concentrated on that unseen foe. The sheen made her glow in the afternoon daze. A healthy, pleasant warmth that made the dark pools of her eyes light up. A stoking fire, leaping higher and higher. Devouring the midnight sky and all who dare witness its fury.

The longer Ayo fought, the more she became energized. Feeding off of herself in a dizzying display of discipline and passion that left Aneka struck. Standing at the entrance, unable to move any further as she watched. Fingers twitching, an impatient itch taking hold of her bones.

Ayo changed her stance, shifting her weight as she twirled the staff in her hand. Then it flew from her grasp. Whipping through the air, noiseless as it struck the wall next to Aneka’s head. Close enough that it was obvious who her target was, far enough to cause no real harm.

Aneka glanced off to the side, “You missed,” she said, before evenly meeting her gaze.

Ayo lifted her chin, “You were staring,” she accused, squinting at her, “If you want entertainment, you are better off finding it elsewhere.”

“I am your instructor and you are in my training hall, ” Aneka said, nostrils flaring, but she kept a cool head, “If I want to stare, I can stare.”

“You are my instructor,” Ayo parroted with a mocking tone. She strolled away, going to pick up another staff from the weapons mount. She rolled her eyes, “If you offer no guidance, you are of no use,” she balanced the staff in hand, not paying her another glance, “Find another recruit to pester.”

Aneka’s feet finally found movement. She passed the abandoned staff, fingers deftly wrapping about it and pulling it free. As easy as water, it folded over her hand as she walked, approaching the center of the room with unhurried steps.

Ayo tracked her movements. Eyes as keen as ever, undeniably gravitating towards her even as her mind insisted she look elsewhere.

Well-balanced muscles, shapely legs. Sweet, plump lips and swinging hips. A frown that was somehow vicious and scolding, yet insultingly indifferent. Aneka looked down at her in that way she always does. An infuriating woman that never failed to dig into her spirits and leave her raw--hungry.

Ever since Ayo first met Aneka, she knew she’d never submit to this woman like her peers did.

This was a hall where the greatest of their warriors were formed. It suited Aneka well, the room seceding to her presence. The atmosphere thick, a weapon on its own as Aneka comfortably sank into the stance she taught them the first day. That stance-- it indicated the beginning of a spar.

Ayo sighed. She was tempted to ignore the request altogether, but she found herself turning and mirroring the stance instead.

She’d never deny her, seeing Aneka fight was Ayo’s greatest pleasure.

But the chance to make her kneel…it’d be a taste like no other.

-

Is this what it felt like to have knives at your throat and burning coal at your feet?

Out of breath, rendered unable to think for more than a second before you must move--then attack--then move again.

Ayo was a match, striking something deep within Aneka. Pushing, prodding, chasing her across the training hall. Matching her at each step, shadows crossing and intertwined against the walls.

An equal like no other, Ayo was glorious to witness.

-

Dragging nails scratched up her backside.

Aneka stifled a moan with her hand, body shuddering against the wall. The sun was high, a sweltering wet heat that dripped from her temples to her toes. Her hips bucked recklessly as that tongue worked her over.

Wakanda’s dry season was not for the weak and neither was Ayo’s mouth.

As if reading her train of thought, the woman at her feet, smoothed her hands under her thighs before taking a firm grip and hiking up Aneka’s legs over her shoulders. Bending her body against the wall with an ease that almost made her lose it then and there.

Ayo looked up with half-lidden eyes. A drunken smugness. Shining with pride. Mouth to chin--a dripping mess.

Aneka’s temper flared. That pretty face thinks she can make a fool of her, doesn’t she? Gathering her strength she found the base of Ayo’s ponytail.

Ayo’s eyes watched the movement. She was forever watching. Aneka could never escape their scrutiny, could she? Ayo made no moves to stop her from taking hold. Taking the challenge for what it was and squinting up at her as if to call her bluff.

Aneka tightened her grip.

-

It happened again.

It tends to happen whenever they train together. Aneka made no moves to stop it and Ayo didn’t comment on it. Nothing changed outside these halls. There was nothing between them.

Aneka stretched, palm flat against the floor, easing her body into position. She took great pains not to reveal the soreness that permeated her body, breathing cool, even breaths.

Across the room, her recruits were performing similar stretches together. Aiding each other with touches that ranged from helpful to indulgent.

At some point Folami had broken away from the group, approaching her instructor. She had an odd look on her face, flitting between concern and something far colder, “Aneka, could we talk for a moment?”

“We’re already talking,” Aneka replied with a side-long glance.

Taking her cue, Folami continued, “I think it's important for you and Mistress Zola to know that the other recruits have been disgracing the hall with--”

Aneka nodded along, distant as she listened to the woman, her eyes wandering. Finding its way to her like it always did.

Sensing her gaze, Ayo looked up from where she was performing her own cool down. Legs bent just so, a delightful arch in her back. Sweat dripped down her collar bone, traveling between the valley of her chest. She raised an eyebrow, a challenge of some sorts.

Aneka didn’t look away.

At that, Ayo slowly rose to her feet. As the other recruits filtered out to head to the showers or the lunch hall for their break, she disappeared down the side-hall where the water-fountains were, hips swaying.

Aneka quietly dismissed Folami, promising to follow up her concerns at a later date.