Lightning moved to her arm and took Odile's hand as they exited. "Moved, sweetie?" Odile asked quietly. Lightning cast her a glare for the remark. Yes, they'd witnessed real grief, especially in that Umbra Ariadne, but it didn't change anything. The Umbra were twisting truth in claiming pregnancy couldn't be had, lying about it to look better than they were. Lightning bought their grief, sure; even a rapist could be upset over her baby's death. It didn't mean it hadn't happened that way. These women were sadistic, god-powered connivers; take what they were doing to the Yuns for example. Kale had been scared white of what they'd do just coming into her village. They were definitely capable, slithering snakes.

"I'm sorry about what happened in there, Jeanne said as they got away, "Are you two okay?"

"We're fine," Odile answered for them casually, "Did that… reveal who our mothers are?"

"Yes," Jeanne confirmed, seemingly stressed as they made way back to her villa home.

"Is it you?" Odile asked, suspecting the same as Lightning had from how they'd reacted.

"Yes, it's us." Lightning suddenly had a sinking feeling as she looked at Odile, then observed Jeanne's strain. If both of their mothers were from them, with no known discrepancy in their ages...

"…We're not sisters, are we?"

"What?" Jeanne asked, alarmed. Cereza actually chuckled with glee.

"No, no, Lightning, that's not the case. You're not ours, Sweetie."

"Oh," Lightning released a breath that had Odile grinning from ear to ear. She scowled at her, sneering. Odile squeezed her hand delightedly.

"So, who's Lightning's mother?" Odile asked, "Or mothers…"

Cereza just finished off her chuckle, "We suspect Raina's your mother, Lightning. She was the one absent from the council meeting; though, I can't imagine where that dark coloring comes from."

"It's fake," Odile announced blatantly. Lightning squeezed her hand painfully hard and glared. "Ow!" Odile pulled her hand from Lightning's, then answered her mothers' concerned eyes. "She's sensitive."

"That's okay," Jeanne finally spoke again, opening the door for them of the giant villa house. "Girls, if… if you're okay to do so, I'd like to talk to you about what happened… in Cocoon."

"Sure," Odile answered, surprisingly easily, concerningly good at faking this kind of thing. Lightning glanced at her, but she just offered a little smile. "We don't mind."

"Jeanne," someone said from behind them, turning all their heads to a slender, blonde woman in the doorway, holding something. "I've come to return Fang." Lightning squinted to see what was in her hand, thinking that some kind of object, "Oh. I didn't know you had company. I'll just leave you with her, then."

Lightning's eyes widened as the tall girl stepped aside with a little tug of her wrist to drop off Fang. "Thank you, Circe," Jeanne said in her leaving, though Lightning barely heard it for what her eyes were registering. A woman wearing a strange, never-seen-before white suit strode through the door and paused before them. Tall, tan-skinned, with dark, scraggled hair flipped every which way, she stood taller in height than Odile with crystal green eyes above a scarred lashing staining her cheek that did nothing to hamper her exquisite beauty in the slightest. Since coming to Pulse, Lightning and Odile had come across pretty faces. From Kale to the flawless faces of the Umbra, even the land, it was pretty clear beauty had been woven into Gran Pulse genes.

None of that could've prepared her to stand before this. White suit hanging open, red tie half undone as she fingered it with an off hand, cheekbones otherworldly, with the most feminine, kissable lips Lightning had ever seen, slender eyebrows pinched as that jaw grew taut on sight of them. If Lightning had been afraid of lusting for her enemy, she'd just hit breaking point. Because this woman had her quaking in a stare at that scarred, perfectly majestic face just by standing.

"Lightning," Odile barely breathed, and it took everything in Lightning to rip her eyes from that beauty to see Odile staring too, but lower than she. Lightning followed her gaze and blinked at the biggest pants bulge she'd ever seen. Her eyes quickly lifted back to the face of this majestic creature who couldn't possibly be human with a face like that staring at them.

Sharp, dazzling viridian eyes cut a fast track to the Umbra behind them with something that almost cut a glare into them. They lowered back to Odile and Lightning. "Do you want to be done together or separately? If it's separate, I need to be able to sleep in-between."

"Fang, no." Jeanne shook her head, sounding lost or sad.

"Thanks for the relief," Fang bit off bitterly, "Is there anything else you need of me?"

"No, Fang." Jeanne said quietly. "You can go." Brushing past Cereza, she disappeared away out of the foyer as quickly as she could. Jeanne looked strained again, like she wanted to go after Fang, and Lightning couldn't blame her. Even as she stormed away from them, she couldn't tear away her eyes. Cereza touched her arm comfortingly and whispered what they probably weren't meant to hear.

"She'll be okay. You know Roma."

"Who is that?" Odile asked blatantly, staring after the space Fang had disappeared, as if hoping for even a momentary reappearance again.

"Fang's our house guest," Jeanne exhaled with a soft puff. "You may meet her later."

"What is she?" Lightning asked, not altogether meaning a clan, but that was provided for her anyway.

"She's a Yun," Jeanne answered simply, drawing Lightning's questioning eyes. She remembered Kale, and how 'servicing' she had been as well. Were all Yuns that way? Was that Fang's case too, bitter that she had to service the Umbra?

Rapists, Lightning thought with a silent growl in her head. These people were despicable, all of them. They housed an entire society of rape. Fucking power-driven goddess women, making such a beautifully creature that bitter over her situation. Lightning would see them burned for it, all of them.

"I'm going to make some food and see if Fang needs tending," Cereza volunteered, relieving Jeanne, who nodded with a quiet.

"Okay," she turned back down the hall and summoned them again. "This way," Lightning and Odile followed Jeanne back through the house to their room. She ached a bit, wanting a shower, and the mention of food made her crave it. Lightning didn't know what time it was, but the moon had been up when they'd exited the hall. Her stomach ached for something to put in it. "Are you girls tired?" Jeanne asked along the way, "Or hungry? I can leave you to wash up and change, if you need."

Lightning almost moaned at the words, wanting that so very badly, but these women were all still evil, she couldn't bring herself to accept a kindness from them, one they would refuse their own people, the Yuns, so blatantly. Like black-souled demons, these people slithered and—

"That would be lovely," Odile agreed, more than happily. "Thank you, mother."

The address drew Jeanne's eyes, who looked upon Odile with an immense mix of emotion and old, subdued pain. "You're welcome." Jeanne finally breathed, letting them both back into the room they'd occupied before.

"What was it you called me before?" Odile asked, filling her mother's eyes. "My name?"

"Jihl," Jeanne whispered softly, "I named you Jihl."

"Jihl," Odile smiled warmly. "You can call me that again if you want. I kinda like it." Jeanne's eyes watered with unshed tears. "And Lightning and I can talk to you about Cocoon, if you want, Mother. Can you give us the hour?"

Jeanne's arms wrapped around her then, barely containing a sob caught in her throat. Odile hugged her back warmly; Lightning couldn't fathom how. "Jihl… my daughter," Jeanne whispered like a whimper. By the time she pulled back again, she'd gotten ahold of herself as best she could. "I'll bring you up something to eat," Jeanne promised, which Lightning's stomach churned for, despite her best protests. "Do you girls like meat?"

"Oh, yes," Odile agreed, "We're big eaters. Lightning, especially."

Lightning cast her a glare under the radar for it.

"I'll put it on the desk," Jeanne said, "And bring you fresh clothes. If you still feel like talking after…"

"We will," Odile promised.

Jeanne gave a last, small nod to them, "I'll search for Raina immediately, Lightning. She'll come as soon as we find her, I'm sure of it. We can talk about her too, if you wish to."

Lightning's jaw tightened. Odile thanked Jeanne for them, who gazed their way, then finally turned away to make them things to eat. Odile ran over to the bed and jumped as soon as she'd left, almost squealing in glee.

Lightning waited at the door to listen to her retreating footsteps. She closed the door behind Jeanne, but then stopped when all sound of the steps went out like a light. Frowning, she opened the door another smidge. Distant feet on the stairs picked up a quiet step once more. Lightning testingly shut the door. Once again, all lingering sound went out in a blink.

"Lightttninnng, what are you doing?" Odile complained from the bed, "I wanna cuddle."

"The room," Lightning opened the door a crack again, "It seals off sounds."

"Privacy? No way," Odile patted the bed beside her. "Lay with me, luv."

Lightning turned from the door, leaving it a hair opened for the sound. "We should wash up. I'm dirty from everything, and especially you."

"You're no fun," Odile pouted, rolling sideways on the bed to a sitting position at the edge. "If you won't play, at least help me strip."

Lightning crossed in front of her on the bed where Odile gave her a smile. She lifted her arms expectantly, giving Lightning full access. Lightning reached around her where the leather clasped at the back. Her breasts pressed to Lightning's front, smushing so pleasantly. Odile's lips grazed hers, then pressed, pulling Lightning's waist to hers as she pulled free her blade and let it fall, undoing Lightning's straps.

Lightning inhaled at the warm press and allowed it. Odile's lips massaged hers, stirring Lightning deep inside. How she wanted to stay here and throw Odile to that bed.

But they couldn't. They only had an hour until Jeanne got back.

Lightning pulled back as the straps came loose to Odile's pout. Lightning pulled the top garment away as her uncomfortable skirt fell to the ground. "We don't have much time. Come on," Lightning said, taking Odile's hand so she could lead her to the bathroom.

"Baaby," Odile whined.

"No," Lightning said in finality. They had to wash up, contact Sage, and prepare their answers for Jeanne. "No sex."

XXX

Lightning's eyelids fluttered, back flattened to the back of the tub. "Oh—Od…ille,"

"Mmm," Odile purred, delighted, adding hard pressure to Lightning's sensitive clit with her biggest, flexible toe. "That's right, baby." Lightning moaned softly and reached for the limb between her legs, but only laid a hand on the foot and didn't attempt move it.

Lightning released a hard puff of breath, the pain from her taunting limb almost as strong as the pleasure. "It hurts," Lightning winced, Odile grinding a particularly tender spot.

"So stop me." Odile taunted, knowing she was far too gone to stop. Lightning whimpered. Water splashed as her foot moved, big toe dipping lower to her entry where it slipped in and made her gasp. Lightning's grip on her foot tightened.

"Odile— " Lightning moaned, whimpering.

"Good girl." Odile purred, so very pleased with her lover in this. "Now, come!" The order came with such a rough push, it almost had Lightning crying as sweat dripped back into her hair. The toe pulled free and lifted again to grind. Odile leaned half across the tub and grabbed Lightning by the shoulder, dragging her close to kiss in a meshing of mouths that caved Lightning so close, it only took a single press further to push Lightning over the edge. She broke from Odile sharply with a ragged gasp that had her back against the tub again, breathless as she heaved for air.

Blinding pleasure gradually settled with her breathy intakes until a weight eventually pulled across her body, climbing until she pulled over her entirely. Lightning had not even the strength to open her eyes as Odile's legs curled around her back until she'd completely seated in her lap. Odile kissed her throat as she breathed, gently suckling the pretty bruise she had made. She worked her way up to Lightning's mouth and lavished her lips with a long, slow kiss. Lightning's heart gradually slowed with the rest of her body. She let out a last puff as Odile kissed back to her ear.

"Odile…" Lightning hummed, so sated.

Odile smiled in pure delight. She pet Lightning's head and cradled her against her body. "Thatt'a girl, luv." Lightning felt her ease against her legs. Odile always liked to feel their sexes rub. She kissed her cheek one last. "I'm proud of you."

"How did this happen?" Lightning whimpered, resting her head. "We have… so much to do."

"You worry too much, luv." Odile stroked down the middle of her back until her hand brushed the knob. "Shower water coming in," she warned, pulling the nozzle so that the spigot above them rained water down, cool at first, which made Lightning gasp, but it quickly turned warm again.

Odile stayed in her hug of Lightning, absently doodling on Lightning's back. She stopped when she hit the tail end of the scar high on Lightning's left shoulder. Sort of bubble shaped at the top like a fan, the mark jutted down to a point. It was the mark of Cocoon, of Sage's dearest, and it'd been burned into Lightning's skin. Odile had one just like it; it was branded proof they were disciples of Sage. He'd called it a blessing when he'd brought the hot iron to their backs.

Odile called it a bawdy show of dominance. The thing was ugly, and it had hurt. Some day, she'd always thought, she'd burn something over it in a miniature rebellion. Maybe she'd get to do it here, if Lightning came around.

Water doused their heads, all warm. Odile kissed the top of Lightning's dark strands, then finally pushed her back by the shoulders to smile at her sleepy face. "Feel better, luv?"

Lightning looked at her with pretty eyes, the day's exhaustion running her thin. "I'm hungry," she mumbled, and her tummy made a noise in kind.

"Aww," Odile purred, taking the hair cleaner in her hands. She squirt some on Lightning's head and rubbed it in, "And I wanna jump in our new bed again, so let's get moving." She sudsed up Lightning's head, her own hair starting to weigh down with water and let it sit a moment, reaching down so their sexes to clean Lightning all up. "You're doing me after," Odile warned, "So, don't get too sleepy yet."

Lightning yawned. Odile pulled her rebellious little head under the stream again to rinse it all out. Lightning's hair came out smooth, clean and shiny. "This is pretty good stuff," Odile commented, running her fingers through Lightning's hair.

"They should have good stuff," Lightning grumbled, "They bloody wear their hair." Odile grinned and patted her cheek. When Lightning was all clean, she turned around and sat between her legs as Lightning used considerably more suds to clean her hair. Odile leaned back against her body comfortably, hair all sudsed and getting Lightning soapy, as Lightning fingered her to clean and washed the hair between her legs. "Mmm," Odile murmured, kissing Lightning's cheek between her wet drapes of hair. "Thanks, baby."

Lightning started doing more, thumbing for her clit. Odile caught her wrist. "Tomorrow, Sweetie. I know you're too tired for this. You can do me on that perfect bed." Lightning kissed her on the lips.

"Deal," she agreeingly said. Odile stroked her cheek and kissed her one last. Lightning rinsed the soaps from her hair, which took another good fifteen minutes before they finished up and pulled out of the tub. Lightning's stomach moaned loudly while they were drying with towels. Odile grinned and issued her out.

"Go, I smell food out there. I'll clean up."

Lightning kissed her again and nearly flew out the door after that. Odile shook her head and cleaned up their mess. She towel-dried her long locks as best as she could manage. When she entered the next room, she found Lightning naked, sitting on the bed with soup and fresh bread in her hands. And the food wasn't the only thing that was smelling. Odile laughed. "You're wet."

"Shut up," Lightning grumbled, gorging the food in. "It tastes so good," Lightning practically moaned.

"Just leave a crust of bread for me, will you, hon?" Lightning made another noise of contentment suspiciously like her happies during sex. Odile left her to it and plucked at the garments her mothers had left. She found a sizely bra and held it up with an amused grin. "Think this'll fit me?"

Lightning glanced over and snorted at it. "Fifteen years ago, maybe."

Odile chuckled in delight and put the bra back down in favor of a looser-fitting, long robe garment that she wrapped in like a queen. "You know," Odile said, admiring herself in the lengthwise mirror near the door, "You should lie down, Light."

"In a minute," Lightning said, finishing off the last of her soup.

"Don't put on any clothes," Odile ordered her girl.

"Odile— "

"I'm not gonna do you, you twat." Odile brushed off. "Just lie down." Casting a doubtful glance at Odile, Lightning finished a last bite of bread and settled in facing her. "Face the other way," Odile commanded. Lightning looked at her with a doubting brow. "Oh, just do it." Odile huffed. Casting a glance back over her shoulder, Lightning warned.

"No implements."

"No implements," Odile promised, then dropped her robe with Lightning still looking the other way. Odile approached the bed and slid in behind Lightning. She pulled up the covers, then wrapped a warm arm around her lover and pulled her in against her chest. "Isn't this nice?" Odile murmured, warming herself with Lightning. "No worrying about who will come in if we fall asleep like this… no one chafing their dicks in us." Lightning's eyes were already closing.

"It's a nice break," she agreed back, "We still have to find Ragnarok."

"Mhmm," Odile murmured for Lightning's stubborn insistence. "But in the meantime… " and hopefully more than that, "I like this. Having this with you."

"I like it too," Detecting a faint smile on her lover's sweet lips, Odile kissed the back of her cheek one more time tonight, and let the thought sit with her as they drifted off to sleep.