"This isn't too much, is it?" Ayla glanced over her shoulder, admiring Roxy's reflection in the full length mirror in the closet. The black denim hugged her curves and accentuated her rear while a tight, black leatherette halter top pushed her breasts up. It was like magic how light and supportive Roxy's lingerie was in comparison to what Ayla was accustomed to.
Roxy nodded appreciatively, having changed her projection's clothing to light colored jeans and a pink crop top. 'Perfect! Let's go through a makeup routine real quick and get you out of the apartment. We'll grab a jacket and such, later, promise.'
Ayla returned to the vanity and was guided through the painstaking process of applying makeup. Her hands were steady and well practiced despite Ayla's concerns that they'd ache over holding them up for so long. It all reminded her of when she was learning how to draw intricate protection sigils at the academy- everything had a precise order to be performed in with just the right mixture of components.
After what felt like ages passed, Ayla was ready. Her reflection showed a dark smoky eye with winged eyeliner and thick dark lashes with deep red lipstick over large pouty lips. Ayla was dazzled by how lovely Roxy was. "What about our hair?"
'We're about to put it under a helmet so a loose braid would be best,' Roxy suggested with a smile.
"I know how to do that," Ayla commented as she deftly braided Roxy's strawberry blonde locks. With a final appreciative glance in the mirror, Ayla pulled on a pair of leather riding boots before leaving the bedroom. Roxy had everything Ayla needed by the front door- keys, wallet, phone, helmet and gloves. Ayla slipped the wallet and phone inside the pockets of Roxy's white leather motorcycle jacket before stepping into the fall morning.
A crisp wind brought with it the scent of mossy oak and damp fallen leaves. Beyond it were unfamiliar subtle smells of asphalt and car exhaust. Ayla stared at the cityscape that unfolded before her. Old brick buildings were bordered by well manicured evergreen hedges, lawns, and red brick walls mounted with black wrought iron gates fences. Orange and red leaves were placed into neat piles under the tall oaks the along the walkways and within the yards of the other houses. "This is much bigger than I expected!" Ayla softly commented.
'Unlock the gate and go to the left. We have to get you mounted up,' Roxy instructed in amusement.
"Mounted on what?" Ayla stopped and blinked in puzzlement. "You said you do not ride horses here. Do you have a stable nearby?"
'My, our motorcycle. It'll be like riding a bike!' Roxy reminded Ayla with a mental image of the white motorcycle.
"Roxy. I have never ridden a bike." Ayla frowned as she made her way towards the gate to unlock it.
'It will be fine. Promise!' Roxy grinned.
-----
It was not fine. Although Roxy's body was accustomed to sitting on the motorcycle and gripping the handle bars, she needed time to adjust. The positioning felt wrong with a powerful and heavy vibrating machine between her legs. Ayla managed to balance on the motorcycle but the process of shifting gears by tapping with her foot and gripping the clutch at the precise moment without choking the throttle was maddening, as she repeatedly stalled the engine. It forced her to downshift to neutral and restart the motorcycle before she could try again.
The way her thighs pressed against the frame as it vibrated was not as unpleasant as Ayla thought and was far more enjoyable of a sensation than sitting on a saddle. It thrilled her when she managed to figure out enough of the process to navigate the vehicle out of the yard and onto the roadway. As she leaned forward into the wind and edged around corners and other cars, Ayla was both terrified and amazed. It felt like she was flying through the city.
Roxy gave her directions, praising her progress around the blocks towards their destination, her favorite Sirens coffeehouse.
After finally coming to a halt, Ayla pulled off her helmet, fucking it under her arm as she turned off the motorcycle and kicked down the kickstand. She swing her leg over the bike and stretched. It had been a short ride but her entire body was tense from the anxiety of morning traffic. Dodging cars was almost as as avoiding traps in a mysterious crypt. Ayla checked where she parked, noting a red maple tree in the grass next to the pavement. She lightly touched the rough gray bark before turning towards the span of shops, focusing on the one with the green sigil of a mermaid out front. Ayla took a deep breath, it was time to become Roxanne Pierce and interact with this world.
-----
The twinkling of bells announced Roxy's arrival as her heels clicked across the threshold of the coffeehouse.
"Welcome to Sirens!" The staffers called out from behind the counter.
The lights seemed dim with sunlight pouring in through the large glass windows. A glass display held a variety of pastries and bread while a large blackboard behind the counter had the many variations of coffee, tea, and other drinks Sirens served. There were a few other patrons, tucked into back tables wearing earbuds in front of laptops, slowly drinking coffee as they plucked away at their keyboards.
Roxy walked to the counter and offered the green aproned barista at the register a friendly smile.
He was slightly shorter than Roxy in her heels and seemed to be fresh out of high school with a sliver of baby fat on his otherwise lean face. His brown eyes appraised her appearance as he politely returned her smile. His dark hair was hidden under a green cap and the name tag on his chest read, "Del".
"Good morning, how can I help you?" Del asked politely, lightly tapping the edge of the register with a smile as he waited.
Roxy glanced up at the menu for a moment before looking back at Del. "Pink drink, extra large and a bacon Gouda, please."
Del repeated the order, tapping the register screen. He made eye contact as he waited for confirmation. Roxy nodded and he gave her the total. Without much more conversation or fanfare, Roxy paid and moved to the end of the counter to retrieve her order.
Roxy responded to her name when it was called and withdrew to an empty table with her first meal in this new world, Silverhill, Maryland. It was a strange place but eating at this world's version of a eatery was pleasant. There was a promise of more intriguing courses. She sipped her drink in anticipation and shivered at how cold it was.
"It's good. I should check my phone to see if Richard has returned," she thought as she pulled the phone from her jacket and unlocked the screen with her thumb. Alert notifications covered her screen.
"Missing local man returned from the dead!" Announced one local news site.
"Richard Clayton reunited with family after mysterious disappearance!" Pinged the Silverhill Gazette's news alert.
Then Socialbook's application notification alert presented, "Richard Clayton has posted a status update: Wassup. Just got back, hit me up with your number, just got a new phone."