Claire could feel Jasmine stirring that entire night. The fact that she had missed their pursuers was weighing heavily on her. It made it hard for Claire to sleep too. Their next day of travel was mostly silent, since Victoria joined them inside the carriage. Besides the woman gushing over Toni, the rest of the cabin was focused on preparations.
Jasmine and Elsie were driving, giving them plenty of time to discuss their feelings. Elsie knew she could get Jasmine's grievances out of her. The older twin did seem to be able to get Jasmine to complain more easily than anyone else.
"Jazz." Elsie pulled on her forearm. "Please don't keep it all in. Claire is super worried about you…"
"I know." Jasmine shook her head. She was missing her solo work at the moment. Not having to deal with her emotions until the job was done and all. It was the only part she really missed. "I'm more mad at myself than anything. Don't worry."
"That is what we are worried about," Elsie pouted. She tugged on the assassin's arm again. "At least vent some of that anger out."
"I will," Jasmine huffed. "Eventually."
"Well, can you at least vent some now?" Elsie insisted. "Even if it's about Victoria."
Jasmine rolled her eyes. It wasn't what was bothering her the most, but the woman did bother her. "Vented plenty about her already."
Elsie smiled up at the grumpy expression. "Seems like you could vent a whole lot more about her."
"Not with her in the cabin."
"I doubt she'd mind, though." Elsie looked back at the driver's window. "She's so unbothered about everything, it seems."
"Except Toni," Jasmine scoffed. She couldn't believe Elsie got her to start complaining. "Claire said she was a lot more serious in their private talks. Said Victoria even complained about Anka."
"Yeah?" Elsie relaxed a bit after getting her going. "And how does that make you feel?"
"Belittled? Annoyed? Like a dancing monkey?" Jasmine furrowed her brow as she tried to explain her thoughts. "Like I'm entertainment."
"Mhmm." Elsie held back her laugh. She didn't expect it to be this easy to get Jasmine to talk. "I noticed. Glad I'm not that annoying."
Jasmine let out a deep exhale. "Not even fucking close. You usually wind up acting cute. The emotions that arise from you being annoying are mild, if not amusement. Her? It's like she wants me to explode at her. The disrespect she showed last night nearly made me break."
"I think we all noticed." Elsie nodded. "At least Claire made her feelings known. I hope she actually listens to her."
"I fucking doubt she will," Jasmine muttered. She glanced back towards the cabin. She knew the woman could hear everything they were saying, but she didn't care. "Maybe alone, but not in a group. I had a serious conversation with her, too."
Elsie felt satisfied with herself. She got Jasmine to relieve some of the pressure building up within her. It worked a bit too easily, and she was kind of disappointed that she didn't get to do her backup plan. Been awhile since Elsie fooled around in the driver's seat, so if venting failed, Elsie would have offered physical relief.
"For a moment, I admired the rigid professional she was." Jasmine kept going. The disdain in her voice was evident. "Maybe it exists within her, but I'd rather assume it was another act."
"Probably a bit of both," Elsie chuckled. "Likely she acts professionally around her Lady and others."
"Others she respects," Jasmine shook her head. "I think that's it."
"I wouldn't say that." Elsie pulled Jasmine's gaze towards her. The older twin chose her words carefully. "I think she does. She seemed sincere when she said not to be too hard on yourself for missing our pursuers. Maybe she sees some of herself in you?"
Elsie witnessed something she'd never seen Jasmine do in all their years of knowing each other. Jasmine's eye twitched. It was brief, but very noticeable. Jasmine's words were cold but full of disdain. "Don't you ever compare me to her."
Elsie blinked. Her mind went blank. She could vaguely hear her sister's voice echo within her. She would never admit to Jasmine what effect her tone and demeanor did to the older twin.
"Yes, ma'am." It wasn't intentional; it just kind of slipped out of Elsie's mouth.
"Ma'am?" Jasmine turned back towards the road. "I'm not that old."
Elsie blinked. It took her a moment, but she eventually giggled. "You act that old."
"Shut up." Jasmine shook her head. "I do not."
"Do, too." Elsie's smile widened.
'Elsie?' Ana's voice chimed in her head. 'Um, are you okay?'
"I act my age. You just act like a spoiled child," Jasmine said. She spoke in near unison with Ana.
'Shush,' Elsie shot her sister down. 'Do not bring this up again.'
"More fun to act childish." Elsie pulled away from Jasmine. "Get to enjoy life more."
"I enjoy life." Jasmine pulled Elsie back. "After the job is done."
"Sure!" Elsie smiled and let herself be pulled back. "That's why the Goddess had to give you a literal punishment to help you relax."
Jasmine couldn't argue with that, even if she wanted to. "Fuck you."
"Ahh." Elsie poked Jasmine's side. She danced a bit in celebration. "Conceding already? Not even going to fight back? It's more fun when you fight back."
"More fun when you shut the fuck up." Jasmine chuckled. "Ursa would agree."
"Hey!" Elsie lightly punched Jasmine's arm. "I'm trying to be less annoying to her! You know this."
"Trying and failing," Jasmine retorted.
"Wowww." Elsie said in exaggerated anger. "I thought you were helping me! What is this betrayal?"
"I'm only stating facts, Elsie." Jasmine held back her laugh. She could feel the tension within her body easing. "Though she is very fond of your looks. She likes your blue eyes a lot. So you really just need to talk less."
"Impossible," Elsie shook her head.
"I know," Jasmine hummed. "Only seen you quiet after battles and fucking."
"Surprised you didn't say with a cock in my mouth." Elsie bit her lip. Jasmine's earlier snap back at Elsie was still having an effect on her. And she did expect to relieve Jasmine physically. She leaned in close to Jasmine and whispered in a sultry tone. "Kinda hard to talk so much with one filling my mouth…"
"Nah," Jasmine shook her head. "You moan a lot."
"Oh, yeah? I don't think so." Elsie tilted her head. Did she miss Elsie's intention or was Jasmine just messing with her? She tried again, whispering once again. "I could prove it right now."
"I mean, Lily moans a lot more." Jasmine glanced towards Elsie. "Maybe Ana too, but you might be the third loudest moaner."
"Uh-huh." Elsie blinked at her. She definitely just didn't get what Elsie was implying. Elsie didn't know if she wanted to be mad or laugh at the assassin. "And you might be the second densest one."
Jasmine furrowed her brow. "Nah. I think Ursa and Lily have me beat."
"No arguments about Claire being number one?" Elsie giggled. At least they could agree on that. "But right now? I think you have them beat."
"Why though?" Jasmine tilted her head. "Those two can miss subtle signals so easily."
Elsie stared blankly at Jasmine. Then she let out a deep sigh. "Fine. Whatever. They are pretty dense, too."
"That's what I thought." Jasmine smiled and turned back towards the road. She was happy in her victory over Elsie, unaware of what Elsie had even meant. She did notice Elsie sighing dramatically every couple of moments, but she assumed it was just her being a sore loser.
Victoria and Ana exchanged a knowing glance. Both heard the conversation. Ursa, on the other hand, was too distracted trying to avoid Victoria's attempts at petting her. She didn't hear a word about what the two drivers were saying.