Chapter 43: "A Viking Girl and A Lion. Part One."

February 7, 5:15 PM. Residential District of Dreamside, the Starbucks on Ginsberg St.
Vilde’s date begins. Mia sits in Starbucks—right across the street from the location of Vilde’s date. She wears a black crop top that bares her midriff and a short black pleated miniskirt that barely conceals her white thong.
The guy picks Vilde up at 5 PM from DreamArts, just as agreed. They sit in Olive Garden by the window so Mia, sitting nearby by the window in Starbucks, can see them perfectly. Mia sips her latte slowly, her gaze fixed on the couple across the street. Vilde sits with perfect posture, hands folded in her lap, while the guy—Harry, according to the name on his Instagram—gesticulates animatedly as he talks. He’s tall with broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline. His long black hair is perfectly styled, and he wears a fitted white shirt and black pants. But it’s not just his looks that capture Mia’s attention. It’s the way Vilde watches him—her face calm but calculating.
Vilde wears a white t-shirt and blue jeans. Her light hair, just like earlier today, is pulled back into a high ponytail. She catalogs every word, every gesture.
“Well, we’ll find out what kind of dick this Harry has… like a lion’s or not…” Mia mutters under her breath, watching them from across the street. Harry leans in, speaking with increasing intimacy. Vilde mirrors him slightly, angling her face toward him. Their heads are close enough that they could kiss. Mia observes how Harry’s hand drifts onto the table near Vilde’s wrist. His fingers flex slightly, like he’s resisting the urge to touch her. Vilde doesn’t pull away.
“Well.” Mia murmurs, tilting her head. “Well.”
Across the street, Harry finally makes his move. His hand fully covers Vilde’s wrist as he says something that makes her laugh. Mia sends a message to Vilde. “Well, any thoughts about his dick yet?”
Then Mia sees Vilde pick up her phone with one hand and send a reply, continuing to talk to Harry while smiling. Harry is still leaning in, speaking quietly, his thumb now moving in slow circles on Vilde’s wrist. She hasn’t pulled away. Mia watches as Vilde’s fingers twitch slightly—just enough to make her wonder if it’s nerves or something else. The corner of Vilde’s mouth lifts in a small, pleased smile.
Mia reads Vilde’s message: “He talks like he’s reading from a script for romance novels. But I have my legs crossed and he hasn’t tried anything yet.”
Mia chuckles to herself and types back: “Maybe he’s waiting for the right moment. Like when you’re in the car. That’s where the real test happens.” At that moment Harry stands up and walks away. Judging by his face and Vilde’s face, the guy simply needs to go to the restroom. Vilde is typing to Mia. “He went to the restroom now. So far so good. But I don’t think he’ll try anything in Olive Garden. Too public.”
Mia sips her latte and watches Vilde’s fingers dance across her phone. Harry makes his way back to the table. He takes his seat again, his movements fluid, like he’s used to carrying himself with confidence. His hand settles back on the table, this time a little closer to Vilde’s elbow. She doesn’t shift away. Instead, she angles her body slightly towards him. Mia watches with keen interest. Harry says something that makes Vilde smile—fuller now, more genuine. She angles her face slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her fingers hover near the table’s edge, hesitating. Mia sees Vilde’s knee bump Harry’s beneath the table.
“Hmm, what a great view from here.” Mia murmurs to herself. “Not nervous anymore. That’s a good sign.”
Vilde types fast on her phone. Mia’s phone buzzes. Mia reads the message: “Now he’s talking about his favorite books. I think he wants to prove he’s not just a dumb jock.” Mia snorts and sends back: “Oh please. He’s using the old ‘I’m a mystery wrapped in an enigma’ trick. Men always do that when they’re trying to seem deep but don’t actually have anything interesting to say.” Her fingers fly over the screen. “But at least he’s wearing a nice shirt. That counts for something, right?”
Vilde responds immediately: “Yeah, I guess. He’s got good muscle definition, but his voice is still too smooth. Like he’s been rehearsing these lines.” Vilde and Harry sit in Olive Garden a while longer, then leave the place and get into Harry’s car. Harry’s car is a blue Land Rover.
Mia also leaves Starbucks and gets into her black Toyota Camry. A message from Vilde arrives on Mia’s phone. “He’s driving. Not bad.” Vilde types, glancing at Harry out of the corner of her eye as he pulls away from Olive Garden.
Mia smirks as she starts her car. “Alright,” she responds, pulling onto the street behind them. She keeps a safe distance, watching the car ahead. Her fingers dance across her steering wheel. “Let’s see how this goes. You doing okay?”
Vilde’s fingers fly across the screen. “Yeah. He’s talking about his job now. He works in IT at a big company. His hands are good—I can tell even while he’s driving. They look strong.”
“Hasn’t he asked yet why you’re on your phone so much?” Mia types while both cars sit at the traffic light. “Am I not too noticeable? And where are you going, by the way?”
Vilde’s fingers move quickly. “He hasn’t said anything. He’s talking about his career and asking me questions instead. I think he doesn’t want to seem controlling or boring.” She glances up from her phone to Harry’s face as he drives. His jaw is strong, his lips full in a way she finds interesting.
“I’m not sure where we’re going. He said he knows a nice spot. I think he wants to show off his knowledge of the area.”
Mia chuckles as she follows the Land Rover through the Residential District streets of Dreamside. “Ah, the ‘I know this town like the back of my hand’ routine. Classic. And boring.” Her fingers rest on the steering wheel as she keeps a steady pace behind Harry’s car. “At least he’s taking you somewhere instead of just trying to make out in the car.”
Vilde’s thumbs tap rapidly. “I don’t mind that. I like seeing new places. Don’t get into an accident, Mia. You’re driving and typing at the same time.” Her knee bumps against the car door as Harry takes a sharp turn onto a quieter street lined with tall trees and elegant houses.
Mia scoffs but keeps her eyes on the road. “Pfft. I’ve texted while driving a thousand times. You’re more likely to crash from trying to pay attention to two things at once than I am.” She accelerates slightly, keeping the distance as Harry navigates the curving streets.
Vilde’s fingers fly across her phone. “You’re reckless.” She glances up at Harry as he turns into a driveway and kills the engine. The house is two-storey, modern but understated, overlooking a small park with a playground and some trees. The street is quiet, lined with similar homes.
Mia types. “Where are we?”
“His place, I think,” Vilde types back quickly. “He said he lives alone.” She’s studying Harry’s profile as he shifts the car into park and turns to her with a smile.
“He says it’s a good spot to continue.” Vilde’s thumbs move across her screen.
“Everything ok?” Mia types fast while they get out of the car. She’s parked at the curb a few houses down, half-hidden behind a bushy tree. No response.
Mia watches Vilde and Harry walk toward the house. She tilts her head slightly. Vilde looks hesitant but not uncomfortable—her shoulders squared, her posture confident. Harry’s hand brushes the small of Vilde’s back as they reach the front steps. Vilde pauses at the door, tilting her head to meet Harry’s eyes. “It’s… nice,” she says, voice carrying a light note of curiosity.
Harry smiles, his face softened by satisfaction. “I try to keep it simple,” he says, pushing the door open with a slow movement that invites Vilde inside first.
Mia doesn’t hear them. She stays in her car. Her phone stays silent—Vilde isn’t writing anything, and she doesn’t have time for it right now. Vilde and Harry go into the house and disappear from view.
Mia shifts in her seat. She’s got a perfect view of the front door. Her phone has been silent for about an hour now. The quiet of the Residential District feels suddenly oppressive. The neighborhood’s tidy streets and manicured lawns start to get on her nerves. She exhales through her nose and reaches for her phone again.
“Well?” she types to Vilde. “This is taking longer than I expected.”
Her fingers hover over the screen, waiting. Nothing comes back. Mia checks the time—another fifteen minutes pass. She glances toward Harry’s house again. No movement at the door.
A light flickers on in an upstairs window. A figure passes by it, only briefly—just a shadow.
Mia’s lips curl into a smirk as she types. “Well, well. Looks like you didn’t waste any time, did you?”
Still nothing. Mia leans back in her seat. She watches the window for a while longer. It’s the room at the farthest end of the house, overlooking the street but not directly facing the front door. She imagines what’s happening in there—what Harry might be doing to Vilde, how Vilde might be reacting.
Her phone buzzes. Finally. “We only just started… Probably,” Vilde writes.
“‘Probably’?! What were you doing there for over an hour?! Discussing EU politics?!” Mia types right away.
Vilde’s thumbs dance across her screen. “We were… getting comfortable.”
Mia rolls her eyes. “Uh-huh. That’s what they all say.” She shifts in her seat, tapping her foot against the car floor. The neighborhood stays silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hum of a lawn mower somewhere down the street. The house looks just as quiet as before—no movement at the windows, no sounds from inside.
Vilde types again. “Ok. We did start making out. A little.”
Mia barks out a laugh, shaking her head. “A little?!” Nothing more comes. A few more minutes pass.
Vilde sends a message. “He went to the minibar… Mia, he doesn’t have a lion dick! He’s not a lion!”
Mia, who decides to eat some chips at that moment, nearly chokes and quickly types a reply. “Are you sure? Did you see it or feel it? Need help?”
Vilde types. “YES! I NEED HELP!”
Mia calls Vilde, getting out of the car and heading toward the house. “So he doesn’t have a lion dick…”
Vilde hisses into the phone. “I grabbed his dick. Small. Like… a champagne flute.”
Mia starts laughing openly now, walking faster toward Harry’s house. “I thought you said he had big hands?”
Vilde speaks in an exasperated whisper. “Yes, they’re big! His hands are big, but his dick—“ she pauses, then continues in a rush, “—is not. It’s small and thin.”
Mia approaches the house, still laughing. “Did you tell him that? Did you say ‘Oh no, I was hoping for a lion dick’?”
Vilde groans. “He noticed I was… disappointed. He could tell.” She sounds embarrassed now.
“Oh, devil… Now I also have to play the psychologist. You owe me three huge pizzas, Vilde,” Mia says. She hangs up the phone, approaches the house and rings the doorbell.
Mia stands at Harry’s door, grinning with self-satisfaction as she rings the buzzer. The sound echoes inside the house, followed by hurried shuffling. A few seconds later, Harry appears in the doorway looking flustered. His shirt is slightly rumpled, his hair more tousled than when he first picked up Vilde.
“Hey… mmmm… Mia?” he says, shifting uncomfortably as he remembers her name. “Uh, what are you doing here?”
Mia leans against the doorframe with exaggerated casualness, arms crossed. “I’m here to save my poor friend from this disaster,” she says, jerking a thumb toward the house. “Vilde called me. Said you both needed help.”
Harry’s face twitches. His hand instinctively moves to adjust his pants. He glances past Mia toward the driveway. “She—she called you?”
“Yeah, Tom Thumb,” Mia says cheerfully. “My little Viking girl called me. Right after she discovered you have a champagne flute instead of a dick.” She moves closer, invading his space as she smiles. “But don’t worry. I’m here to help. I’m a team player.”
Behind Harry, Vilde appears in the hallway, arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looks both mortified and relieved to see Mia. “Mia…” she says weakly.
Mia strides past Harry without invitation and throws an arm around Vilde’s shoulders. “Look at this poor thing,” she says loudly, giving Vilde a dramatic squeeze. “Left alone with the tiny dick club. You should have called me sooner, my hentai Valkyrie.”
Harry clears his throat and follows them into the living room. “Look, I—“
Mia whirls around to face him, her ponytails swinging. “Yes? Were you about to lie to me? Because that would be really stupid.” She looks at Vilde. “Tell me exactly what happened, from the beginning. I want details.”
Vilde groans and buries her face in her hands.
“It’s not that small,” Harry insists, crossing his arms. “It’s just… proportionate.”
Mia snorts. “Proportionate to what? A grapefruit? A cocktail umbrella?”
Vilde speaks up, still avoiding eye contact. “I lied. I told him it was fine when it wasn’t.” Her words come out small and ashamed. “I thought… maybe it would get bigger or something?”
Mia’s grin widens as she pulls Vilde closer. “Oh my god, you sweet, naive little lion-loving fool. Did you actually believe that could happen?”
Harry shifts uncomfortably. “Look, I know it’s not what you were hoping for—“
Mia cuts him off. “Not what she was hoping for? You have no idea what she was hoping for. She wanted a lion dick, Harry. A lion dick.”
Vilde whimpers slightly at the reminder.
“I don’t…” Harry starts, not understanding what’s going on.
Mia immediately interrupts him. “Vilde wants a lion dick,” she says, putting her hand on her hip. “She’s a virgin, you already know. Honestly, it’s not about you. It’s about Vilde’s expectations. She once watched a National Geographic show about lions and decided her first time should be like with the lions.” Mia pauses. “Back in her teenage years she used to jerk off to African soccer players, but it’s probably not about that. Apparently, only lions.”
“MIA! MAYBE WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW?! I WAS LITTLE THEN!” Vilde’s voice cracks into a strong Norwegian accent from the agitation.
Mia shrugs and hugs Vilde from the side. “No, no. I think it’s an important part of her sexual development,” she says with a smirk. She turns to Harry. “So… lion dick. You don’t have that. But you could at least try to make up for it.”
Harry is clearly uncomfortable. “I could… I mean, if you want to stay, then I could try with Vilde… I mean…” he stumbles over his words.
Mia claps her hands together. “Oho! Excellent. I think you both just need one more person.” She looks at Vilde. “You wanted to try a threesome. Remember?”
Vilde squeaks and hides her face in Mia’s shoulder. “Threesome?! I’ve never even had… regular sex, Mia!”
Mia rubs Vilde’s back soothingly. “Don’t panic, my hentai valkyrie. You’re about to have your first threesome with two very experienced people.” She looks at Harry playfully. “You up for this, Tom Thumb?”
Harry speaks with a little more confidence. “I… yeah. Okay.” He runs a hand through his long black hair. “But I don’t know if I can… I mean, I don’t want to disappoint you both.”
Mia grins wickedly. “Oh, boy from a boy band, you already disappointed us. Now you just need to work extra hard to make up for it.” She turns Vilde around to face her. “You okay with this?”
“Damn. I don’t know… I wanted my first time to be with a lion’s dick…. Harry is very nice and good-looking, but his dick isn’t a lion… And you… Well, you’re a girl, Mia…” Vilde says uncertainly.
Harry stealthily looks at Mia. His gaze lingers on her short black pleated miniskirt, which fails to hide the outlines of her hips and ass and keeps flashing her white thong.
Mia tilts her head, ponytails swaying as she studies Vilde’s hesitant expression. She gives Vilde a reassuring squeeze before turning to Harry with a wicked grin. “She’s nervous, obviously. But you know what? I think… Hmmm…” She moves closer to Harry and speaks quietly. “You want to make up for that not-lion cock of yours, right?”
“Yeah,” he says, voice thick. “I can do that.”
Mia’s grin widens. “Then we call Katia.”
Harry’s eyebrows shoot up. “Katia? Who is she?”
Mia keeps her arms draped loosely around Vilde. “She’s super popular at our college, DreamArts. And she’s the president of the Music Club. She’s close, she’s hot, and she knows how to handle… situations like this.” She glances at Vilde, who’s now peeking out from behind her arms. “What do you think, my hentai valkyrie? Think you can handle a threesome with our Tom Thumb and a Bulgarian princess?”
Vilde whimpers. “Professional… you mean… she’s a…”
“Escort,” Mia says. “But yeah. She’s got experience. And right now, that’s exactly what you need.”
Vilde trembles slightly, her breath coming faster. “I… I don’t know if I can do this…”
Harry takes a tentative step forward. “Vilde, I want to make this good for you. I know my… equipment isn’t what you were hoping for… But if Katia joins us, maybe it could be better?”
Mia nods approvingly. “Smart Tom Thumb.” She turns back to Vilde, brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face. “Listen, my sexy Norwegian Viking girl. You told me once that you wanted to try a threesome, right? This is your chance.”
Vilde sighs. “Damn, Mia… I was a little drunk then because of that Four Loko of yours and all… Damn, I didn’t imagine everything like this… Are you sure? I’m not a lesbian at all…”
Harry asks Mia, “And who the hell is this Katia anyway? I barely even know you, except that you’re Vilde’s best friend… Can this Katia really be trusted?”
Mia laughs. “Oh, if there’s anyone you can definitely trust, it’s her. The most loyal friend, one of the smartest and kindest girls. The star of our college.”
Vilde adds quietly, still hiding behind Mia’s arm. “Yeah… She’s cool… I guess.”
Mia nods. “And she’s not just popular for her personality—she’s got… other skills. Very professional. Very experienced. She knows exactly what to do to make a girl feel good.” She winks at Vilde. “And she’s also really hot. Average height, red hair, white skin, slim figure, medium-sized breasts and ass. Looks like a sexy librarian, but no glasses.”
Harry shifts uncomfortably. “So she’s… a sex worker? You’re telling me we’re inviting a sex worker to have a threesome with your virgin friend?”
Mia shrugs. “She’s a good friend, a musician, a socially active student, and a sex worker. In short, she’s kind of like an elite geisha.” She grins. “And right now, she’s the perfect solution for this little… situation.”
Vilde finally peeks around Mia’s arm. “Mia… I don’t even know what to do with a girl…”
“Don’t worry,” Mia says, patting her friend’s cheek. “You won’t have to do anything at all. Katia will take care of everything.” She steps back, gesturing for Vilde to look at Harry properly. “See? He’s trying. And he knows he disappointed you. This is his way of making it up.”
Vilde studies Harry. “I… I feel bad now. Like I hurt you.”
Harry shakes his head quickly. “No, no, don’t feel bad. I just… I get what you wanted. I mean… about dick.” His words come out strained. “Maybe this—having Katia here too—could be good. For all of us.”
Mia claps her hands together. “Exactly! Now, Tom Thumb, I call Katia.”
February 7, 8:00 PM. Residential District of Dreamside, Harry’s house.
Vilde and Harry sit on the couch in the living room.
“Listen, I feel like an idiot and a piece of shit.” Vilde covers her face with her hands. “I don’t know why I got so hung up on this ‘lion dick’… It’s just that I’ve never been with a guy… Never been with anyone at all… You, Harry… You…”
Harry hugs her, chuckling. “Listen, it’s fine. In some way it’s actually cute and funny… I mean in a good way…”
Mia walks around the kitchen talking on the phone. “No way?! He actually said that?! Alright, just get your ass over here, Bulgarian princess. If you find a lion’s dick on the way—grab that too.” She hangs up and walks into the living room. “The Bulgarian sexy chick will be here soon. So don’t worry. Vilde—you might not get a lion’s dick tonight, but you’re guaranteed some fucking awesome first sex!” She plops onto the couch next to Vilde and drapes an arm around her shoulders. “You’re nervous, huh?”
Vilde nods, biting her lip. “It’s just… it’s all happening so fast.”
Harry shifts uncomfortably. “I’m still… not sure how I feel about inviting a stranger into this.”
Mia rolls her eyes. “Katia’s not a stranger, Harry. She’s like the Fairy Godmother of DreamArts. And she’s here to make sure Vilde’s first time is amazing.”
Vilde twists her fingers together in her lap. “Do you think…” She cuts herself off, glancing between Mia and Harry. “Do you think… it’s really okay to do this?”
Harry looks uncertain for a moment, then nods. “Yeah. If it’s what you want… and if you’re comfortable.”
Mia grins. “Of course it’s okay!” She nudges Vilde playfully. “You both want your first time together to be amazing. And you don’t want some non-lion-like penis to ruin it. And Katia—well, she’s just built for this. She knows exactly what to do.”
The doorbell rings. Mia jumps up. “That’s her!” She runs over, opens the door, and lets Katia in.
Katia stands in the doorway in a modest yet stylish outfit—a crisp white blouse, dark navy blazer, dark wide-leg pleated trousers, white gloves, and a white hat. Her long red hair falls down her back in loose waves. She holds a black Louis Vuitton handbag.
Mia greets her with a warm hug, then introduces her to Vilde and Harry.
“Well, well, well,” Katia says with a smile as she takes in the scene. “Looks like there’s been a bit of a situation here.” Her Bulgarian accent is thick, but her English is impeccable. She walks into the living room with Mia. Her piercing green eyes flicker between Vilde, who looks nervous, and Harry, who seems embarrassed and eager to please. She sets her bag down and gives Mia a sly wink.
Mia grins. “Don’t worry, Katia. You’re here to save the day. Vilde’s got a thing for lions, but Harry… well, let’s just say he’s more like a mouse.”
Katia chuckles, eyes sparkling. “Ah, so it’s a little mismatched, eh? Don’t worry, I’ve got just the prescription for that.” She looks carefully at Vilde. Warmth fills her eyes—like a mother’s or an older sister’s. “Vilde…” she whispers. Then she turns to Mia. “Mia, you know, you should have told me everything from the very beginning. You know that for many girls the first time is important. And your friends are my friends.”
Mia shifts from foot to foot. “Oh… Listen, I’ve been completely busy with other stuff lately. I was making a thousand Valentine’s cards for all the local boys for February 14th. And I finished them! I just still need to figure out how to charm Alex and steal him from that golfer chick with the overpumped arms…”
Katia laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. “Still trying to get Kate Norwin’s guy? M… Well, good luck.” She takes off her gloves and shakes hands with Harry and Vilde.
“Katia Georgieva. Just Katia is fine,” she says.
“Harry…” Harry says.
“Harry Smiles. IT guy from AIviators. I saw you at the conference last year in the Business District. Good presentation. Finally got a chance to talk in person. And not just talk…” She shifts her gaze to Vilde. “Ah, I’ve heard a lot about you. Mia only talks about you in our conversations.” Katia walks over to Vilde and takes her hand, looking into her eyes. “I’m here to make your first time unforgettable. And I’m not just talking about the sex. I’m talking about making you feel like a goddess.” Her thick accent and the warmth in her gaze make Vilde’s heart flutter.
“I don’t know what to say…” Vilde whispers, a little overwhelmed.
Katia gives her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Just trust me, okay? Let me take care of you.” She turns to Harry and gives him a sly wink. “And don’t worry, Harry. I’ll make sure you give Vilde an experience she’ll never forget.”
Mia sighs. “Yeah, even I’ve preferred to be more delicate about sex lately. Last month I had sex with one guy and… Basically everything was shitty.”
Katia raises an eyebrow. “Shitty? I’ll never believe Mia had shitty sex…”
Mia waves her hands. “No, not in that sense… I mean SogniSide came in and started watching us fuck. I forgot to lock him in the other room.”
Vilde giggles. “What? Your cat was watching you?”
Mia sighs. “Well he’s not a cat yet, still a kitten. He’s three months old and I’m like his adoptive mom… Damn, I still feel shitty about it. Hope he doesn’t get psychological trauma or something like that. Poor kid… I’m making it up to him now with petting and all kinds of treats. At least he got lucky with the babysitter—awesome girl, she’s sitting with him right now.”
Katia’s eyes widen in amusement. “SogniSide, huh? That’s quite a name for a kitten. But I suppose it’s fitting for a little explorer, don’t you think?” She chuckles, shaking her head. “Well, Mia, it sounds like SogniSide got quite the eyeful. You might have to have a talk with him about boundaries soon.”
Mia nods vigorously. “Yeah, definitely. I don’t want him getting any weird ideas about what people do in bed.” She glances at Vilde, then back at Katia. “Anyway, enough about my cat’s sex life. Let’s focus on making Vilde’s first time amazing, shall we?”
Katia laughs. “Yeah, right.” She deftly takes off her white hat and dark navy blazer and throws them on the couch. “So… All this is going to take the whole evening, so we’ll start with dinner, conversation and a shower afterwards before the main event. But…” She turns to Mia. “I’m grateful to you for the call. You literally saved me. Your crazy Steve ran over to us at the Music Club again and started campaigning against AI.” Katia sighs. “The whole problem is that our college is just a gathering of polite idiots and no one can tell him everything straight. At least hint to your ‘genius’ that I and my guys are musicians, not artists. But even apart from that—his works with furry hentai in the style of Pieter Bruegel the Elder are simply the real anti-advertisement of ‘human art.’ It’s not sexy and not funny. It’s stupid and vulgar.”
Mia scoffs. “Yeah, Steve’s a real pain in the ass. I swear, if he gets anywhere near you again, I’ll take him out back and talk some sense into him.”
Katia grins, her sharp green eyes flashing. “You’re my hero, Mia. For real.” She turns to Vilde and Harry, who watch the exchange with fascination. “Alright, you two lovebirds. Let’s start with food. Vilde, I’m guessing you haven’t had dinner yet?”
Vilde shakes her head. “No, I didn’t.”
“Perfect.” Katia claps her hands together.
Mia rolls her eyes. “Yes, they didn’t have dinner. They were drinking some drinks at Olive Garden on their date while I was slurping coffee at Starbucks across from them. And that was around 5 PM. Then I followed them to this house and was forced to sit for more than an hour in my car until Vilde suddenly discovered that Harry doesn’t have a lion dick. I ran over on her message, and the rest you already know, Katia.”
She flops onto the couch. “Harry, stop making that surprised face. Better bring us something to eat and drink. Just no alcohol—I think it’ll only make things worse.” Mia closes her eyes and relaxes on the couch. “And adjust the thermostat, please. I can feel the heat coming… And I hate sweating, just like I hate getting a tan. Two weeks without rain in Dreamside! Is this really Southern California and not the Atacama? It’s a nightmare, not winter!”
Harry hesitates for a moment. He offers a small smile. “I’ll just… get the food and drinks ready. Okay, girls, make yourself comfortable.”
As he disappears into the kitchen, Katia moves to sit next to Vilde on the couch. She leans back, crossing one leg over the other. “Vilde,” she says in a low, melodic voice, “I know you’re nervous. But trust me when I say—there’s nothing to be nervous about.” She reaches over and squeezes Vilde’s hand gently. “You’re in good hands this evening.”
Mia snorts from the couch. “Good hands? Katia’s got the hands of a professional,” she says with a grin. “She’s had more first-timers than you can count on both hands, sweetie. But I think you’re in for something special.”
Katia smiles. “Mia is right, of course.” She turns back to Vilde. “I have a… particular gift for making sure that first times are memorable experiences.” She adjusts her posture slightly. “Now, Vilde, I want you to focus on feeling good. That’s the most important thing.”

A few minutes later all four of them sit in the living room with drinks and food, talking.
“AIviators, huh? Serious company,” Katia says, addressing Harry and looking around the room. “But why Dreamside specifically? Why not somewhere else in SACZ? Sonderside, for example. From what I know, all the top IT guys are there.” She gestures toward the wall covered in award certificates that track Harry’s professional achievements.
Harry shrugs and takes a bite of pizza before answering. “I grew up here. It’s home. Plus Dreamside has the best networking infrastructure in California—maybe the world. You should see the fiber optic cabling underground. It’s like something out of science fiction.” He gestures vaguely, still not fully comfortable with Katia and Mia in his house. “And the security systems? You’d need a nuclear bomb to breach them.”
Mia rolls her eyes. “Oh my god, you sound like one of those security nerds. Tell us something interesting about your job, not just technical mumbo-jumbo.” She leans forward, elbows on her knees.
Katia, sitting in the armchair, shifts her gaze between Harry, Vilde, and Mia on the couch, evaluating each of them. She pours cola into a glass on the coffee table and continues. “Mia, you’re very impatient.” She leans back and takes a sip. “You knew your friend was a virgin when you agreed to help her look for a ‘lion dick.’” Katia glances at Vilde for a second. “So be patient. The sooner we all relax, the better. Besides, I’m genuinely interested in the infrastructure differences between Dreamside and Sonderside. I don’t get to other SACZ towns often, especially the ones in Silicon Valley.”
Harry shifts uncomfortably. “Well,” he begins, “Sonderside is all engineering and development. That’s where the innovations happen. Dreamside is more… the polished final product. The user interface, you could say.” He smiles thinly.
Mia watches with amusement. “Oh, come on, Harry. You can do better than that. Tell us something juicy. Like how all your techno-jargon actually applies to sex.”
Harry sighs. “It’s… pretty similar, actually. Different interfaces, different protocols for connection. Some systems are secure by default. Others need to be unlocked.”
Katia tilts her head, intrigued. “So if someone’s system is secure by default…” she begins, letting the words hang.
“Then you need the right tools,” Harry finishes, surprising himself with the boldness. He glances at Vilde, who watches him with wide eyes. “Or… the right password.” He looks at Katia. She smirks knowingly.
Mia claps her hands. “Now we’re getting somewhere!”
Katia smirks. “Mia, you only think about sex…”
“Said the courtesan,” Mia cuts in immediately.
Katia laughs. “I dare say I’m also a pretty good musician. And my college results are definitely better than yours, Mia. I’d really like to visit Sonderside.” She looks at Harry. “To see the other side of the modern neo-hippies. They say Musk is building some serious AI data center there right now? That’s right up your alley, Harry.” She pauses. “He should have put one of those data centers on the outskirts of Dreamside. A lot of girls here are literally dripping over him. Flower Street has been covered in graffiti with his portraits for years.”
Harry chuckles nervously. “Yeah, Musk’s projects are… ambitious. But Dreamside has its own special charm.” He gestures vaguely at the room. “Like this house. It’s not exactly standard architecture.”
Katia leans forward, elbows on her knees. “I noticed that right away. This house isn’t just special. It’s unique. I’m not surprised you chose to live here.” She speaks with clear interest. “I love original ideas. In music or in life.” Then she notices the piano in the corner. “Oh, Mia.” She looks at her friend. “You once said I couldn’t play Château Parties by Abel Noir on a classical instrument and still convey the full range of its R&B and synthpop.”
Mia grins at the challenge. “That’s right. I said you couldn’t do it justice on a piano. But hey…” She gestures toward the instrument. “We’re here, you’re here, and there’s a piano right there. I guess this is your chance to prove me wrong.”
Katia rises gracefully from the armchair. “Oh, Mia,” she says with a smirk. “You’ve been underestimating me for too long.” She strides to the piano, runs her fingers lightly over the keys, and settles onto the bench.
Harry watches Katia with interest as she positions herself at the piano. She starts playing. The pop hit he wrote, inspired by the views of the Mansion and Estate District of Dreamside, turns the sound of a single piano into something new yet familiar. Katia quietly sings along—the Bulgarian accent of the 18-year-old DreamArts student becomes ghostly, almost unnoticeable.
”From Friday evening to Sunday morning,
From crimson sunset to tender sunrise.
Too much spicy food leaves burning,
They talk about their love for king-size.”
The notes flow as her fingers move across the keys. Her voice is smooth, carrying just enough sultry sensuality to match the song. She glances at the others with a subtle smile.
”Alcohol goes hand in hand with coke,
A kaleidoscope of human bodies.
Memories beneath the garden oak,
Small talk and late-night toddies.”
Her green eyes catch the soft living-room light while she keeps perfect pitch, turning the synthpop hit into an acoustic piano arrangement. Harry watches in genuine appreciation. Mia leans back with her arms crossed, nodding along. Vilde’s breath catches as Katia’s voice fills the room. She fidgets with the hem of her white t-shirt, attention split between the music and the charged air. Harry listens intently, posture straightening.
Katia’s fingers keep moving with practiced ease, her gaze flickering between the keys and the others.
”All clothes are thongs and bras by Calvin Klein.
Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru wine.
Expensive perfume with an underlying spice.
One of them prefers cola with ice.
Another one is racking up sex frags.
Orgasms have no side effects.”
The melody wraps around the lyrics with playful precision. Mia hums along, nodding. Harry watches, openly fascinated.
”Château parties.
Taking apart artes.
Intimate after-parties.
Strange syntaxes.”
After the chorus she continues.
”The producer looks like a pompous cock.
Rooms are drowning in roleplay mock.
Manhood becomes like a rock.
An amazing mix of soda and seed.
She drinks every drop she needs.
Her fingers work at breakneck speed…
Card games with cola and seed drinks tire,
Kinked fantasies hiding in their mind’s fire.”
Her voice carries the added depth of the piano arrangement. Harry stays captivated by both the skill and the sultry tone she gives the lyrics.
”Tonight she softly called him ‘DICKHEAD’
At that moment his mind was in another head.
Yes, the hands can’t resist him,
It’s some kind of societal hymn.
In the gloom her teeth are as white as milk.
In the room her voice sounds like silk.
Château parties.
Taking apart artes.
Intimate after-parties.
Strange syntaxes.”
The final notes linger.
”From the vine-covered mansion walls
To twerking and playing with balls,
Without taking ecstasy,
Everyone is drowning in ecstasy.
Château parties.
Taking apart artes.
Intimate after-parties.
*Strange syntaxes.”
She finishes with a flourish. Her smile widens as she meets the group’s silence with amused satisfaction. The moment hangs—Harry frozen in admiration, Mia tapping her fingers against her thigh, Vilde’s lips slightly parted as she recovers from the intensity of the performance.
Then Mia speaks first. “Well,” she drawls, crossing her arms and tilting her head toward Katia. “I was starting to think you were just a Music Club president who happened to have a hot body, but now I see you actually have skills.” She gestures to the piano with a smirk. “Not bad.”
Katia’s smile doesn’t waver as she stands from the piano bench. “A hot body doesn’t guarantee skill,” she replies smoothly, turning to face the others. “But a body like mine certainly helps distract from any mistakes.”
Harry shifts in his seat, clearing his throat. “That was… impressive,” he says, gesturing toward the piano. “That arrangement… was really something.”
Katia nods at the compliment, her smile cool and composed as she crosses the room and sits back in the armchair. “Thank you.” She looks from Vilde to Harry. “So how did you meet? You had your first in-person date today, right?”
Harry clears his throat again, glancing at Vilde. “Yeah, we met online. The usual—chatting, video calls.” He gestures with one hand. “We both like nature shows and other stuff, so we had a lot to talk about before meeting in person.”
Katia’s smile stays relaxed, her green eyes flicking between them. “A good foundation. Video calls helped you get past the initial awkwardness.” She leans back, crossing her legs. “I imagine that helped a lot when you finally met up.”
Mia giggles. “And it’s exactly thanks to nature shows that we’re all gathered here. Vilde turned out to be too big a fan of lions, and I couldn’t leave my friend in trouble…”
Vilde shifts uncomfortably, twisting the hem of her white t-shirt. “I—yeah, I did,” she admits, her Norwegian accent thickening. She looks at Harry with embarrassment. “I’m sorry about the… champagne flute comment.”
Harry gives a small, uncertain smile. “It’s okay. I mean… I’ve heard something like that before.”
Vilde covers her face with her hands. “I’m sorry. I really do like you. You’re a good guy.”
Katia watches with quiet amusement. “Vilde,” she says gently, tilting her head. “You’re nervous, aren’t you?”
Vilde nods, hands still over her face.
Katia sighs, offering a reassuring smile. “That’s alright. Being nervous means you care. It means this is important to you.” She glances at Harry. “And Harry… he seems like a patient man. Doesn’t he?”
Harry nods, shifting. “Yeah. I mean, I get it. First time’s a big deal.” He tries to lighten the mood. “And I guess I didn’t exactly disappoint with the size, huh?” A strained chuckle escapes him.
Vilde peeks through her fingers. “You didn’t disappoint,” she says softly. “You’re still… you.”
Mia leans back with an exaggerated sigh. “Alright, fine. You two are adorable. But Katia, you promised to make this unforgettable.” She gestures toward the couple on the couch. “So let’s get moving.”