Eleanor Hume was a good girl.
A former Praetor Exorcist, travelling far and wide to protect the people of the land. Now a rogue agent, traveling with pirates, daemons, and stray malakhim. A double-agent spy; now full traitor. Life turned upside down since she joined this band of misfits and debauchery.
And yet, with renewed eyes, Eleanor believed she following both her heart and her head.
The revelations about malevolence, the nature of Innominat, therions, and all forces within the world was enough to make any normal person's head spin. But not for her. Blame, and excuses, Eleanor tossed those aside and took it into her own hands. To repay the world for near tranquility. These sins, despite chosen by others above her, were hers to bear.
But passed the shocks and pains, passed the tears and sorrow, there was something else that she felt she needed to get out. Something else she needed to talk about.
But would now be the right time?
Talking with Rokurou gave her advice. He was always straightforward with his answers.
We're getting close to the end of the journey. He reminded her. If you want to talk with her, it'd better be soon. While we're still on this boat. Because once we hit land, we're heading right into the dragon's mouth. And gods know what we'll find there.
Biting the salty air, Eleanor walked across the Van Eltia. Its cleaned and worn boards lightly squeaked as she approached another person.
A young woman with long black hair. Her clothes in tattered rags with a draping black cloak too big for her. Goldenrod eyes hardened like an old coin. In her right arm, a retractable blade and in her left, wraps containing a therion's devouring claw.
"Velvet, was there something you needed to talk to me alone?"
The woman turned around, her hand on her hip as she usually does. "Where's Laphicet?"
"Oh, he wanted to stand watch with me, but I told him to get some sleep."
Velvet loosely smiled. "I own you. The little boy's always trying to play the tough guy."
Eleanor turned the smile. "Just like the person who named him."
"He's nothing like me." She shook her head. "His motivation comes from hope."
The two leaned over the ship's railing, feeling the wind breeze against them. Strange how everything they are fighting for, for the world, and it appears nothing is happening.
"The wind is nice, isn't it?" Velvet broke their silence.
"Yes. The world may teem with hardship and sadness, but it's also filled with beauty. The endless ocean, the islands to the south. Even the frozen tundra and volcanos."
"And it's humans that make home all among this beautiful and cruel world." Velvet sighed, leaning harder on the rails. "I finally understand what Laphi saw when he sat looking out over the ocean."
The two watched silently as the ship continued its course. The black-haired therion broke their silence again.
"Eleanor." She held her hands together. "I have a single favor to ask of you."
"Yes, Velvet?"
"Should anything happen to me, take care of Laphicet."
Eleanor's brow furrowed. "What? Is there something the matter?"
"I have a theory… Innominat's power is fundamentally the same as therions so…" She tightened her left hand into a fist. "… No, 'theory' is too rational. A part of me wants to leave something. Something separate from my hatred. It wants me to leave this world with hope."
"W-wait, you don't mean..?"
Velvet turned away from the sea, leaning back. "Humor me, ok? If the worst happens, I'm counting on you."
"… I understand. You have my word. I'll look after Laphicet." She closed her eyes, slowly walking away. "As much as I'd love to take advantage of this momentary weakness, I can't. My oath is to obey your orders until my dying breath."
The woman blinked for a moment. A gentle smile grew on her lips as she chuckled. "I almost forgot about that. Good thing I kicked your butt earlier."
She giggled. If it wasn't for Velvet, for Laphicet, for Rokorou, Eizen, Bienfu, and Magilou, she would have never had this experience. This adventure. This unclouded view.
She stood there, playing with her fingers as her partner returned to watching the waves. "… Isn't Laphicet gonna get worried if you stay out here for too long?"
"He fell asleep just before I came out."
"Oh." She paused. "… It's getting late. You should get some sleep."
"I'd say the same to you." Sweat was forming on her forehead. The christened Lord of Calamity turned around, giving her usual frown.
"Is there something the matter? Your sweating is gonna get you sick."
The redhead bit her inner lip. It was now or never. "V-velvet. Could we go back to your room? I have something that I want to talk to you about. In private."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is this place not good?"
"N-no, no! I just feel that… your private room would be best."
-.-.-
Velvet sat on her bed, listening to the waves splash against the boat. Despite being a pirate vessel, they managed to keep the inner parts nice and clean. Maybe it was just Eizen's stern leadership. Or maybe it Van Aifread's strict rules.
Still, this was a weird request Eleanor wanted. Usually when the naïve Exorcist sweat, she was lying about something. In Phi's opinion, it was her better trait. Better to be bad at telling lies than telling lies so easily.
Her thoughts disappeared when her door opened and Eleanor came in. She locked the door behind her and took a seat beside her. Must be something important. Was it something she was concerned about taking care of Phi?
"So what did you want to talk about?" Velvet asked.
The former Exorcist took a slow breath. "We are coming to the end of our journey."
"Yeah. It's been a long adventure hasn't it? Remember when Rokorou and I first met you?"
"You saw me crying."
"It'd left a mark, didn't it?"
Eleanor shook her head. "You called me a crybaby."
"We weren't exactly friends back then."
"Yeah. Things changed haven't they?"
"Yeah…"
Both anxiously sat, waiting for the other to speak.
"H-hey Velvet?" Eleanor spoke up.
"Yes?"
"Remember back at your village? One of the town's err, folk said that had a crush on somebody?"
"What about that?"
"Do you remember what he was like?"
The therion tapped her shoulder, closing her eyes. "No I do not. It's been a long time. Why?"
"I know that we are heading off to the final battle. And when you told me to look after Laphicet if anything happened to you." Her voice wavered.
"And?" She turned towards her.
"I… I want to… I just…" She stuttered. Her green eyes stared into her's.
And she kissed her. On the lips.
What seemed like an eternity lasted for a brief second before Eleanor backed away, head down and fingers crinkling her dress. "Th-there… I just wanted to let you know."
Velvet stared back, blinking a few times. Subconsciously, she pinched her skin. Nope. She was still awake. Probably. But did she really just… kiss her? When did this happen? How did this happen? Why?
"When did you-"
"A little while after you forced me to serve you. When we arrived at the port of Islegand."
"That was when you were spying on us. Even then, you felt this?"
"Call it…" She deeply sighed, her face blushed red. "Call it whatever you want."
Eleanor rocked on the bed, wondering if she should just leave. It was embarrassing enough. And these questions felt too revealing. She couldn't imagine Velvet returning her feelings. Her heart belonged with the Malakhim they took care of. It was foolish.
Just before she got up, Velvet grabbed her arm. Shadows fell over her eyes. "Stay for a moment."
"W-what?"
"Just stay." Eleanor did as she was told. She stared at her partner, her eyes still cloaked by her long hair.
"Velvet?" She hesitated. The raven-haired woman pulled herself close and returned the kiss.
For Eleanor, the second kiss felt just like the first. This time, Velvet pulled away. Quiet as before, the two sat. Finally, Velvet spoke up.
"I think," She muttered. "I might have just tasted something else. Something that's not blood."
Eleanor gulped. Was this a test? Did she really taste anything other than blood? Or… maybe this was something she wanted.
Summoning her pride, she asked, "Do you want to check again?"
The therion wasted no time. They embraced one another, lips locked on together. Tugging and pulling, they scooted over to the bedrest. Every time one pulled away to caught a breath, a low moan escaped their lips. A few echoed louder while the other 'shh-ed' them.
First the armor clanked to the floor. Next the bare clothes. Finally, down to their undergarments. The blanket beneath them crinkled as they laid on top. Bare naked on the bed, staring at one another with flustered redness on their cheeks.
"Do you have… any experience?" Velvet asked, holding Eleanor's hand.
"I've read a book about it."
"During Exorcist training?"
"N-no, they were… Bienfu's."
A thin grin spread on Velvet's face. "You took a peak?"
"W-we had them, and the rides take a long time so I… naturally read a few."
"Don't make excuses, you were curious."
"Yes! Wait, no! I mean-"
"You are such a crybaby." She smirked.
"I-I am not!"
Teasing Eleanor was always fun. Even went they were laying on the bed. Pulling the sniffling girl close, she kissed her forehead. "I know. You're not. It's why you're able to take Laphicet as a vessel. After everything you've been through, you've found your path and stuck with it."
Her voice lowered, listening to her talk.
"Even if we had a rough start, you spying on us from the beginning… Thank you Eleanor. For sticking with us. Through thick and thin."
"V-velvet…"
Smiling, she kissed on the lips, closing her eyes. Their arms pulled one another close and their legs crisscrossed over each other. Slowly, Velvet laid on top her, taking control. She aggressively kissed as Eleanor sunk into the bed. Her larger chest squeezed against her moderately sized breasts, warming their bodies.
It is another taste… Like berries… She thought, sliding her tongue in Eleanor's mouth.
But the former Exorcist wasn't submissive. She tugged on the therion's tongue, breathing, and probing her tongue in her partner's mouth. Back and forth, they exchanged their tastes, rubbing the nubs of their clits together.
"V-velvet…" Eleanor said, taking a moment to breath.
"Yes?"
"I want to try something else. Swing yourself around."
At first, she was confused. She wanted her rear facing her? Was this something she read? She nodded, lifting herself up and rotating herself around. Her face just centimeters away from Eleanor's crouch and her ass hovering over Eleanor's.
Velvet sighed, "I don't understand-"
Her words cut short. Something slid inside her entrance. It was a strange feeling, but it wasn't painful as Niko said it would be. That feeling spread, sparking up her core. A feral moan passed her lips as she leaned on her partner's body.
Eleanor rested on hand on her ass, sliding her index and middle finger in and out. She looked at the clear liquid coating hand. Up and down her clit, she gliding her hand across her sex and pulled her hand back. There was no smell she found as she took a lick of her coated finger. It took a moment to process that taste. It wasn't bitter, but it wasn't sweat either. Curious, she lifted her head, lips quivering just before her sex.
She took a gulp and lunged forward.
Velvet gasped, her eyes dilating as her partner dove her tongue in. She felt her tongue push and pull, twist and turn, roll and swirl inside her. Her breathing stuttered, pleasure rolling over her head and body. Her mind wandered for a moment and returned. She wasn't just going to let Eleanor have it all. Hooking her arms around her lover's legs, she dipped in her partner's cup.
Their lust built on each other. As Eleanor added her fingers, Velvet did the same. As Velvet tongued deeper, Eleanor tried further. Faster, their little battle pushed each other to the brim, swaying the bed. Until it burst and they climaxed.
Velvet and Eleanor's bodies shook, and flooded their mouths with each other's creamy liquid. And they hungrily drank their share. Bathing in their partner's afterglow, the Lord of Calamity swung herself around and kissed her love on the lips.
"You're very sweet. Like a tart apple."
The former Exorcist blushed, chuckling at her compliment. "Of all the things you couldn't taste, it finally broke with me?"
"Wonderful, isn't it?"
They laughed, resting on each other. Loving glances held with one another as they unwound. And yet, Velvet wanted more. Was it her therion hunger getting the better of her? Or was it something more. Ignoring it for now, she pressed her cheek against her love's.
"H-hey Velvet, did you leave something on the bed?" Eleanor asked.
"No. Why?"
"I thought I felt something odd." She looked down their body and froze. She pointed down at a thick bulge between them. Attached to…
"Is that a..?"
Velvet rolled herself off and stared down her body. To her surprise, and horror, there was something she did not have before. A throbbing rod of flesh, topped with a pinkish cap. Her eyes widened, she wanted to scream and nearly did before Eleanor's hand cupped her mouth.
"We'll wake up everybody on the ship!" She shushed.
"I know, I know!" She growled. "But what is that?!"
"It's a dick of course! You remember when we suddenly switched bodies with the boys in that hot springs!"
"I know what it is, but why is it on me!?"
"Could this be an extens-" She cut herself off from Velvet's snarl. "Could this be related to your therion powers?"
"How should I know?!"
The two sunk prone on the bed, not wanting to move. A night of kinship and love ruined by a sudden revelation. It wasn't like Innominat's truth, but it was a close second.
"I can't have this." Velvet muttered. "I'll chop it off!"
"H-hey, hey! Don't do anything rash! Let's just wait for awhile. Maybe it'll go away on its own."
They laid on the bed, doing their best to casually look at one another, ignoring the other problem in the room.
"Is it gone?"
"No, and I can feel it too. It's…" Velvet shuttered.
Minutes passed as neither of them said anything. Just the sound of their breathing and the ocean rippled across the room. And Eleanor couldn't take it. She wasn't going to let their night together end on a sour note like this. Her arm strung down her partner's body and grasped her cock.
"Eleanor, what are you doing?" The Lord of Calamity demanded. She felt the Exorcist slowly massage and pulled her shaft. Just like before, the same pleasure rode up her body. It shivered her down as the redhead kissed her from her breasts down.
Now with her partner's lips kissing her newest member, she stared back. "Do you even know what you are doing?" Velvet shook her head. She had an idea what she was going to do.
"No, not really." Eleanor giggled, stroking off her lover's cock. Rubbing its hard shaft, she watched Velvet's face twist and turn in shivers. It was payback for all the jokes they passed without her knowing.
She grew adventurous. Her mouth opened and swallowed her shaft. Breathing slowly, Eleanor rocked her head back and forth on her cock, smothering her skin with her saliva. Alternating between strokes and sucks, she watched Velvet move to her own beat. Her inexperience was spotty, but her hands expertly tugged and pulled her shaft. Eleanor wasn't lying when she said she was good with her hands.
Velvet's hands reached to the edges of the bed, gripping tightly as she tried to control herself.
"E-eleanor… I'm..!"
A burst of liquid exploding her mouth. Her eyes widened as she gulped down the cream. A taste of bitterness dissipated into rich gooey sugar. Her love's cock throbbed and twitched as more came and poured down her throat.
When it all ended, Eleanor pulled her mouth away, swallowing it all down. Velvet heavily panted, pulling her love close. They stared at one another before embracing in a kiss. To her surprise, Eleanor's mouth tasted as sweet as before.
"H-how was it?" Velvet tentatively asked.
A sly smirk grew on her face. "Compared to sale'tomah, it was nothing."
She barely contained a laugh, pulling her closer by her butt. Together again, Velvet still felt that her cock has hard as it was before. They grew silent, but they both had an idea what the other wanted to do. Eleanor backed her hips against her love's shaft, mere moments before it cleanly slid in.
"Are you sure?" The therion asked.
"If it's anybody that I felt should, it'd be you."
Those last words softened Velvet's eyes, caressing her cock against Eleanor's sex. She couldn't find the right spot, slipping and out-right missing until she thrusted in. The redhead's face winced in pain. It felt as if something had snapped between her legs but the pain passed soon enough.
"Are you alright?" She asked, her voice rimmed with concern.
"Just shocked. I'm fine. Really."
Perhaps it was relief or just brevity, but Velvet chuckled, thrusting in and out of her love. She returned the same, bouncing herself on her rod, feeling her ass squeezed. A revelation came to mind and a low giggled travelled up her throat.
"What's so funny?" Eleanor asked, amid her panting.
"I don't see why Rokurou's complaining. Your butt isn't bulky, it's cute."
Scarlet rushed up her face, almost stopping their beat to catch a breath. Laughing, but keeping it low, they embraced resting forehead to forehead kissing as before. By instinct or passion, they quickened their pace, gasping and moaning. Kisses tugged and pulled lips and tongues. The bed grinding against the wooden floors.
"Haaa, a-almost...!"
"M-more!"
Begging and panting, pleasure scorched up their bodies. They shivered and cried out each other's name as they climaxed. Velvet's cock twitched and spurted rich liquid. Trembling, Eleanor bucked her hips, squeezing every bit before collapsed with Velvet in tow.
Dazed, tired and happy, the two women laid on the bed, hand in hand. Smiling, they scooted close and let weariness take them.
-.-.-
When Velvet came to, she gazed at the strange world. A blanketed white world with just the bed. Eleanor had disappeared and she was alone. An endless scape of white dotted with ruins and flowers scattered about. She had been in this world countless times. Talking with ghosts and specters. Nightmares and dreams.
"Was your night eventful?" A voice asked besides her.
Velvet turned, seeing the malakhim from before. Short red hair that ended with silver tips. A center 'V' cut in her clothes, emphasizing her chest. But the most mysterious thing part was her strange one-way mask, shaped like wings.
"Seres." She sighed, sitting up on the bed. "What do you want?"
"Is that how you'll greet your older sister?"
"No, it's not." As much as she saw her as another Malakhim, she was her sister reincarnated. Despite her denial. "So you felt what I was doing."
"Of course." Her voice was completely neutral.
"What? Isn't that a little…" She couldn't find the word. "Are you going to scowl me?"
"No. You're old enough to know what the consequences." She walked around the bed. "I don't think you need any explanation."
"So what's the point of this?"
"Just to say, 'I'm glad that you found somebody after all these years. That heart hasn't forgotten what it means to love'." A smile grew on her face. "At least, that's what Celica would've said."
"I…" After such a long time, Velvet felt at ease. Under the night skies, or the quiet beaches she's been on, she never once felt that she could let her guard down. "Thank you Seres."
-.-.-
"Land-ho!"
"It's not land-ho if the land's already been found."
Eizen grunted as Magilou slid herself down the ship's railing. With Port Zekson coming into view, it'd only take a few minutes before they docked. Once there, it was a straight shot to the Empyrean's Throne and then who knows what.
The air was tense from crew's anxiety. It would be the last few moments they'd see him or any Malakhim. Perhaps, this was for the best. With so much damage between their race and humans, it'd take decades if not centuries to heal those wounds. But now was not the time to think of such actions.
Rokurou was still practicing his swords with an old wooden katana. Each swing flying sweat off his half-naked body. It was amazing that he'd continue even after Shigure's death.
"999… 1,000!" The Yaksha daemon grinned, setting aside his practice weapon.
"Having one last workout before the big kill, hoho?" Magilou smirked, tilting her hat.
"Hell yeah! Gotta have a warmup so your muscles would cramp right?"
"Whatever you say."
Throughout this journey, the Earth Malakhim has made odd friends. Two daemons, an Exorcist, a 'witch' and another malakhim with purification powers. Life was a strange game he played even with the Reaper's Curse.
"Say, has anybody seen Velvet, Eleanor or Laphicet?" The witch chimed.
"Actually, no we haven't. Are they still sleeping?"
Almost on cue, the smaller malakhim walked up the stairs, his face burning red.
"Hey Laphicet!" Rokurou greeted him with his usual smile. "H-hey, kid. Are you alright? Looks like you have a fever."
"N-no, no! I'm fine. Really!" He sounded like a kid that found something he wasn't supposed to.
"Ooooh reaaally? Can't have ya being all sick just before we kill Artorius right?"
"I'm not sick! I'm just… ok."
"'Just ok'?" Eizen raised an eyebrow. "You don't sound like it."
"Well, it's just that-"
The floorboards creaked as Eleanor and Velvet walked up the stairs to the ship's main deck. They seemed relieved, almost in-sync. Velvet was the first one to speak. "We almost there?"
"Just a few more minutes." Eizen shrugged. Rokurou chuckled, walking over to them. That smile slowly came to a frown. He felt something was off.
"Soo Eleanor? Did ya ask?"
"Y-yes and it… went well." She seemed to avoid the whole subject.
"What? That's it? Nothing else? She didn't deny you did she?"
"No, no! Velvet just smiled and nodded and everything went well!" Even the raven-haired woman raised an eyebrow.
"That's not the impression I'm getting. Hey Laphicet, what happened?"
The little Malakhim shuttered, looking up from his compass. "N-nothing! Nothing at all!"
The war-daemon cupped his chin. A thought passed and sudden revelation came to mind.
"No way! You didn't!" He howled, laughing. Eleanor and Velvet's face turned a bright red.
"We did not!"
"Holy shit you did! Aahh man! Great job Eleanor!" He gave his thumbs-up to the Exorcist's disapproval.
"I hope you didn't make the room a mess." Eizen rubbed his temples. Who knows what happened in there. If heated arguments between them almost had drawn blades, what would sex do?
Laphicet hid his face under his hands, too embarrassed to say anything. But behind him, a gleaming smile shined brightly from Magilou as she laughed.
"How scandalous! The forbidden love between two star-crossed lovers, only amplified by their natures as daemons and exorcists!"
"Magilou, you better not." Velvet growled.
"On a darkened night, when all lights were out, the young Exorcist left her windows open. A shadowy figure, black as a swan jumped through. Pinning her to the wall!"
"That's NOT what happened!"
"Forcing herself on to her, they broke papers and furniture, fueled by nothing but lust! She crawled down her body, ripping her clothes! It took a single kiss to have her scream, 'Devour me O' Lord of Calamity!'"
"That's it! Double sale'tomah for you!" Velvet roared, whipping out her wrist blade. Laphicet smartly ran as the therion dived right for Magilou, missing by just an inch.
Eizen heavily sighed, watching the chaos break out. Rokurou teasing Eleanor, Magilou getting on Velvet's nerve and poor Laphicet doing his best to stay out of it. He turned his back to the ruckus, pulling the young Malak away and took command of the ship.
This is one helluva way to start the day…