Age of Discussion

Early the next morning, Lily and Gale run into each other in the forest.  "Hey, Lily.  What's up?" Gale asks.

"Ha-ha," Lily answers sarcastically.

"Huh.  I've... gotta admit.  This is a really nice trap," Gale says.  "I had no idea you knew how to make something like this.  I thought you were all book-learning and court manners."

"Yes, well, Mom made sure we got a lot of survival training," Lily explains.

"So, er...  I take it this is that swift and terrible vengeance you promised?" Gale asks.  Lily nods in affirmation.  "I... see.  But, uh... it just seems like I should be the one strung up?"

"Oh, you make a good point.  I'll take that under advisement for next time," Lily responds.  "How about you help me down, I can reset the trap, and we can try your idea?"

"Not.  A.  Chance.  I really admire your optimism, Lily, but you know exactly what's about to happen."  Gale advances on her hapless victim with a sadistic grin.  She reaches up, sliding her hands under Lily's blouse and and positioning her fingertips along Lily's flank.  "Ready?"  Gale asks.  Lily bites her lip and shakes her head.  "Y'know, I guess I could let you off the hook," Gale says.  She pointedly drums her fingers against Lily's flank as she pretends to think, continuing until Lily begins giggling.  "I-i-i-i-if you admit the reason you and Rand teamed up on me is because you know you can't beat me in a fair fight!"

"Not.  A.  Chance," Lily echoes.  "You can just... do your worst!"

"Oh?"  Gale slides a hand down Lily's thigh, along her calve, finally seizing her ankle.  She pokes teasingly at Lily's exposed toes.  "This is going to be fun~"

"N...  Heehee!  Not...  Not there...!" Lily begs.  She squirms in protest as she's stripped of her boot.  Gale gives her a look, one final chance to back down.  Lily hesitates.  "I...  I said do your worst!"

Gale smiles.  She begins with a single fingertip.  Slowly, gently, she traces the contours of her victim's foot.  She carefully watches Lily's face for the smallest changes, probing to find her greatest weaknesses.  Lily struggles, but is firmly in Gale's grasp, unable to do more than wiggle her toes as Gale explores.  She squirms, defenseless and helpless against her tormentor.  Gale's experiments gradually increase in cruelty and intensity as she discovers where Lily is most vulnerable.  Lily can only writhe and squeal with laughter as Gale repeatedly rakes her claws along the length of her sole, mercilessly targeting her most ticklish points.  Eventually, Gale slows to a stop.  "Well?  Ready to admit defeat?  Or should I stop holding back...?"

Lily takes several seconds to recover, her breathing slowly becoming more regular.  "N-nev- aaaahaha...!" she tries to answer defiantly before Gale silences her.

"Oh, now that's a cute face you're making." Gale says.  She continues to tickle Lily lightly, just enough to keep her from speaking.  "How about a compromise, then?  Let's have that duel.  Best two of three rounds.  Winner gets unlimited tickling privileges!  Since you're so-o-o-o-o confident you wouldn't lose a fair fight-"

"I... Haha...!  I accept!" Lily blurts out.  Gale pauses.  "I... am going... to destroy you...!  N-now... get me down from here...!"

"Hm?  That wasn't part of our deal! We can duel whenever, but a chance like this is once-in-a-lifetime!" Gale sings, reaching for Lily's other boot.