Chapter 20: Rekindled Flames and Ruffled Feathers

Glad that mess was resolved. Only downside is I have to be involved with Celenike for a little while longer. For now we play it safe, lay low and wait to hear back from my old man while we plan the route back to the channel for a crossing.

April 10

The streets of Trifas were lively, rife with movement and chatter from the local color who were all preocupied—some in route to particular destination, some busy with a task at the moment, and some of the men were simply gawking at Luvia and Trish who were walking down the street with Elric and Mordred not too far behind in tow.

The group was for the most part sightseeing and collecting some supplies for the night. Having decided to wait in the city whilst they were aticupating to hear back from Lord Rheon and made plans for the trip in the following days.

It was of seldom surprise to Elric that Trish and Luvia were garnering such attention from the local men (both around their age and a mite older) for they were both exquisitely beautiful. Though, just because he understood it did not mean he did not feel a twing of anger at the ogling from the Romanians.

All to Mordred's silent amusement as Elric's eyes narrowed in annoyance at the local color showing them that much attention. Tempted to draw Knall and vent his frustration onto all of them, though thankfully he was able to restrain himself.

"Should we take these to Sisighou now, or…?" Luvia asked, holding up what they had collected at that point in the day.

Trish scoffed and shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe later. Let's grab us some drinks then we should be good."

They seemed to have mellowed out from their animosity (which seemed to be present before) ever so slightly, or so Elric was choosing to see it that way. He considered they would have been united in resenting him for what they thought went down between him and Celenike…but then Elric remembered it was Trish who was a part of this equation and the theory quickly fell apart.

As they continued to walk and Elric gradually became numb to the men fawning over the two women, a thought became prevalent among the freelancer's thoughts as he continued to step forward: so bored.

Elric hated being there. It was all so tedious. There were no flying bullets, no magecraft being directed toward him maliciously, and no strife for him to contend with. Grateful at the first excuse to break away and wander off back to his hotel room.

Leaving his Servant to look after his friend and ex, he quickly departed. It took a while before either of the women noticed.

Once he was back at the hotel he was quick to lose his clothes and jump into the shower. Still feeling conflic raging within himself. Waiting to hear back from Clock Tower made him anxious, and he hated that afte all this time he was still lacking any sort of plan for how to get out from under his father's thumb, and he still could not forget the memory of what happened between him and Celenike in the interrogation room.

He tried not to think about the kiss, about what could have happened. The idea repulsed him but at the same time he could not shake the memory completely—nor the emotions he felt in that moment; the feeling of desire and lust he felt toward her.

It made no sense to him, and all he could do was curse Argosax for this development. It was not as if Celenike did not have some positive qualities to her, but the bad certainly outweighed the good.

Attempting to distract himself he thought of other matters, such as the apparitions he saw in what he assumed was Alagadda.

So that was my mother…

He smiled bitterly as he thought about the memory. She was different than he had expected, there was less disappointment among her features, less anger in her eyes.

He pondered on the course of his life to that point and wondered what his mother and brother would have thought if he knew the life he had lived. He wanted to imagine that Emil would have been the best uncle (unlike Somnus). He could see his mother disapproving of the nature of his relationship with Trish and Zed in the past, and would have disapproved more so of his past relationship with Celenike. He wondered what she would think of Luvia. Emil probably would have been happy about the idea of him and the Finnish beauty being wed—given he had always been pleased to see them in the company of the other.

It was a strange series of circumstances in which he found himself suffering through. He would just be glad to see the conclusion of this excursion. It would be a displeasure to eventually part ways with Trish but that was how things were. Ned would be less than enthused if she was back to spending excessive time around her ex-fiancee.

Once he was finished, Elric exited the shower. Expecting to find an empty room awaiting him as he emerged, still fitting into his pants, but as he did so he found Trish sitting on his bed with a pleased smile.

"Nice to see you're keeping yourself in good shape as ever."

"Trish." He said, not expressing any scorn or annoyance, looking around curious if she was the only present, to which he found to be thus. "What are you doing here? I thought you and Luvia were still shopping."

"We finished not long after you left. Edelfelt is treating that Saber of your's to a meal now, or was preparing to last I saw of 'em."

"And you are here, why?"

"I was curious to see if you were up to something. For a second I was concerned, thinking maybe you were paying Celenike a visit."

"Why would I?"

"Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't hold it against you if that was the case. She does seem very…enticing." Trish teased. "But then I learned you weren't there so I came here to check on you. Boredom got the better of you, huh?"

"And?" Elric scoffed. "It's not like you two needed me to deal with anything."

"Oh, but what if those boys eyeing us tried something?" Trish asked back, again in a teasing manner. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't notice, remember, I've known you since you were fifteen."

"Yeah, yeah."

There was some silence. Trish rose to her feet, having something on her mind she wanted to say to him. "I have to admit, Edelfelt is definitely different from what I had imagined. I can see why you have such a fondness for her." Stepping closer. "I wonder what Zed'll think when they meet."

"Oh boy." Elric smirked a smidge.

Trish shared his sentiment. "Can you imagine how they'd be acting around one-another?" Washing some of the water still lingering on his shoulder off sensually. "Though that'll probably be a secondary concern for her if you're around." Smiling as she eyed him up. "We'd both be busy trying to get her away from you for a while."

Looking into her eyes, remembering his dream of her (back in the Castle's interrogation room), Elric found himself leaning into Trish's lips before he knew it.

Parting, Trish caressed Elric's cheeks with her hands "I suppose I shouldn't even bother to ask if your feelings about me have changed."

"They're the same." Elric assured her. "Let me show you." Before again kissing her as he pressed Trish down onto the bed.

Coen smiled, feeling one of his hands reaching beneath her brazeer as they were both in the midst of reliving old memories. Pulling away at her pants.

Elric could feel some shame. He was prepared to resist these urges days before, but now he was letting those feelings run wild. Looking into Trish's euphoric expression all thoughts of resistance washed away.

"A shame Zed isn't here." Trish whispered teasingly, "She'll be—Ah!" before Elric cut her off with a quick thrust.

She spread her legs wide with amorous moans as Elric kissed her neck before constricting them around his waist.

They had been apart for so long, and as they indulged in their passion both were eager to make up for lost time even more.


It was late at night, around the time when the moon was typically to reach its zenith, when Edelfelt had returned to the hotel. Leaving Mordred and the two other Servants to wander the town, she was eager to return to her own hotel room for the night.

As she passed through the halls she saw a crack open to the door of one room, it was Elric's. She wondered what had happened to him but Trish suggested he probably became bored and simply went back to relax in his room.

She was going to pop in and just say hellow, ensure that he was fine, but a sight made her mood sour.

First she saw the clothes scattered across the floor, then the two of them came into her line of sight. Nearly gasping in shock by the sight of their exposed bodies with Trish beneath Elric, locked in an illicit embrace, moaning as she was being ravaged and the freelancer kissed her neck sensually.

Luvia should have been angry as she watched through the crack in the door with blushing cheeks, but she could only feel fascination and perplexion as she observed their fornication.

Elric was so rough with Trish, looking like he could have broken her in-half literally in addition to figuratively in-line with the expression, but the look on Coen's visage was pure ecstasy. She was enjoying every second of Elric ravishing her body,

"Elric…" she heared the redhead moan before being silenced with a kiss.

Once Luvia decided she had seen enough she backed away from the door slowly, leaving the two oblivious to her tom-peeping, and walked towards her own room—left emotionally confused for the rest of the night.


Though they had been caught the pair were unaware of this.

Trish clung to Elric as he fervently ravaged her. Passionately embracing his lips while he put as much force he could muster into the thrusts which rammed into her.

Smiling in the midst of the kiss.

They had been apart longer than she could accept and wanted to ensure that if this moment was her last memory of time with him it would be memorable. Moaning incessantly as Elric ravaged her, reintrocducing her to pleasure which she had nearly forgotten.

Elric was just as lost in the pleasure. His mind soleyl focused on Trish. Ravaging her fervently, forgetting the world for a moment. Allowing the alterations to his mind caused by Argosax's magic to have its way. At least for the night.

Both would savor the sensation of being alive.

April 11

Elric awoke as morning was close to approaching. Glancing around he found Trish rested in a deep slumber.

Stretching out his arm, he caressed the skin of her flesh. Running it up her side Trish awoke in a gasping "Huh" before looking over her shoulder to see Elric admiring her. "Morning already?"

"Looks like."

Motioning her body around, she rested herself on her side.

"You regreting what we just did?"

"A little." Elric told her. Tenderly sliding his hand along her slender waist. "But then again, I have worse regret."

"Care to share, handsome?"

"Letting my enemies make you desperate enough to go to Ned for help."

Trish giggled lightly, pulling herself closer to him. "Are you worried what Luvia will say if she finds out? Because I won't tell."

"That doesn't sound like you."

"I rather like the two of you together." Trish told him with a tone that combined sincerity and elation. "Me and Zed never had a problem with sharing."

"Yeah..well Luvia isn't like you and Zed." Elric told her, his tone betraying some appreciation. "Though that would be a pretty good thing if she was. But she ain't."

"Is that why you like her so much?" Trish asked. "That aspect that makes her different from me and Walker, because I do like that about her."

She then began smiling as she traced her finger across his chest, Trish asked."What do you suppose the odd are of me getting preagnant again?"

"Not that high." Elric told her bluntly. "Allen was a one in a million chance, remember? Zed tried so many times I lost count. You just got lucky."

"Right. I almost forget, sometimes, how many times you would ravish Zed; and it somehow didn't do anything." Trish retorted somewhat discouraged "Sometimes I can't decide if that part of you being a half homonculous is the greatest boon or inconvenience." resting her hand flat on his chest.

There is a moment of silence between them. Both feeling a sensation of bliss.

Finally, Trish asked a question which had been buzzing in her head for a while "This engagement with Edelfelt…do you think it'll interfer with you seeing Allen in the future."

"It won't be a factor, hopefully. I'm trying to find a way out of it."

"Why?"

"Because…because I want to. Because it's just one of dear ol' dad's schemes. Because I want to be married to someone that I know loves me back."

Elric was not looking at her, so he did not see the look of 'he doesn't know?' on Trish's face, nore the follow up look of 'I found myself some new entertainment.'

The lovers proceed to dress themselves before the others are expected to come visit them.

Elric was fitting on his shoes when Trish asked "Do you have any idea of how you are going to get out of this arrangement your father has created?" as she stood beside the bed, watching him with some amusement.

Belmont sighed lightly "I'm working on it." placing his foot down with some frustration on his face as they thought about it.

Raising one of her own legs over both of Elric's, Trish seated herself on her ex-partner telling him "You could always contact my father." Wrapping her arms around his neck with a smile. "He and Dio would be game for messing with Lord Rheon."

"Maybe."

Trish then gently grabbed his chin to make him face her, "If anything you atleast know that you have options."

Looking deep into her eyes, Elric ultimately told her "I'll think about it." before leaning into her lips to claim a passionate kiss as he grabbed her by the hips.

Somehow he would end up kissing her chest.

There was a sudden and abrupt knock at the door and Luvia awoke in her bed. Stirring to lucidity in confusion.

"Hey, Edelfelt! Are you up yet?" she heard Mordred's voice quickly follow a quick succession of five more taps on the door.

"Yes, Erica." Luvia answered.

She then heard Mordred step down the hall away from her room, and afterwards Luviagelia proceeded to get up from her bed and dress herself.

The recollection of her discovery the night before was in the back of her mind, resurfacing rather quickly once Mordred was no longer present to distract the Finnish magus from her own memories.

She was yet to sense anger within herself toward Elric. If anything she was confused. That confusion was frustrating.

Anger was definitely present amidst her emotional confusion. But she did recall that in her conversation with Trish—back when they were alone in the room within the castle—that she was willing to try something with Elric to prove a point.

Given what she saw the night before, as they let loose with their passion, she could certainly consider her point proven.

Wondering as she was fitting on the last of her dress Will I even be able to face him?

It was something she would test quickly upon exiting the hotel. Finding Elric and Trish lost in conversation, smiling as they did so, acting as if they were the only people around for a thousand miles.

The sight of them birthed a sudden urge to pile drive someone violently.

When Elric parted ways temporarily to join Mordred at a table, Luvia stepped forward to confront her.

"Edelffelt." Trish greeted her. "I trust your morning has been well." while treating herself to a cup of coffee and looking as lively animated as ever with an extra spring in her step. Looking more happy than usual, much to Luvia's personal disgust.

Luvia did not beat around the bush. "Can I assume you changed your mind and could not wait until your son was fully grown." As with Elric not around she felt her confidence less than injured.

"Hm?" Trish seemed somewhat struggling to understand her meaning…for about half a second before the realization of what she was getting at. "Oh, you saw?"

Luvia sighed "Consider your point proven." Feeling such an unyielding sense of defeat that she wanted to return to her hotel room and crawl back beneath her covers or treat herself to the local bar.

It would be a lie to say Trish found some enjoyment in Luvia's agony, she was—to a small degree—but at the same time she was feeling some subtle sympathy, recalling being in a similar position in the past. This however did not stop her from wanting to have some fun with the noblewoman.

"Enjoy the show?"

Luvia seethed with anger in response to the inquiry. Looking as if she was ready to slap the femme fatale. Causing Trish to back off somewhat.

"I would not mind sharing him."

"Share him? Do you have no self respect?"

Trish sighs, somwhat disappointed. "I used to think that to a degree. Back then I wanted him all to myself, but I gradually found that he loved this one woman almost as much as he did me."

"Is she…a mother, too?"

"No." she admitted. Almost sounding a mite sad by that admission. "Not for lack of trying, mind you. She used every opportunity to try, but Elric's condition as well as her own made that more than difficult."

"His…condition?" Luvia looked to the oblivious Elric, still too invested in his activity.

"I don't know if this is common among other half-homonculi, or if it is because of the circumstance of how the Belmonts created his mother, but for some reason Elric struggles to conceive children. Our son, Allen, was a fluke. It doesn't affect his performance in bed, of course, but regardless of how many times the three of us tried, I was the one to become pregnant."

Luvia blushed slightly at the mention of 'performance,' but she tried to hide it. Trish noticed this and whispered "He's gentler than you think."

"I am unconcerned with-"

"Point is I'm not against him having more than one lover. I wouldn't mind if Allen had more than a few siblings in the future."

The more she talked Luvia could not be certain if Trish was being sincere or just messing with her.

"And I wouldn't be against him having a relationship with you. He's always like you; loves you dearly"

Luvia blushed slightly at the admission, "What?" Much to Trish's amusement, who was already halfway to finding Luvia adorable in the way she conducted herself.

"So you didn't know. Figure." Trish chuckled as she nodded her head in continued amusement. "Elric is excellent in combat and some other things, but when it comes to relationships he can be hit or miss."

The idea of him having feelings for her caused Luvia's heart to race. She then had a million different thoughts racing through her mind. To distract herself she asked "How many times did this other woman attempt to have a child with Elric?"

"They tried…probably more times than I'm aware of. She really wanted to have a child with him, and still does."

"Where is she now?"

"Back home, at the Dioland compound. Pretty upset that she could not come."

The idea was less than ideal. Luvia personally found it unconventional; and the more she thought about it the more aggravated Luvia became. It was not as if she and Elric were in some passionate relationship. Not as if they were lovers who had been together for years. They were childhood friends. But at the same time she could not deny that she found him enticing, and he had made it clear he found her to be attractive. And it was not as if a situation similar to this was uncommon among the Magus nobility. Her own father was not above having a mistress or two, but he never tried to have children with any of them. Elric, on the other hand, sounds like he was interested in having children with some if that was possible.

Trish watched the contemplative expression on Luvia's face and could not help but continue to be entertained by it.

"If you want I can do something that will help you soften up your confusion."

Luvia looked at Trish confused, asking "How?"

Trish directs her to a position near where Elric was sitting, but where he would not notice her. It would be the ideal spot to eavesdrop. "Take a seat there and listen."

"Why?"

"Just do it. It'll make sense later."

Reluctantly, Luvia complied.

Trish joined her ex-fiancee at the table, making an excuse to get Mordred away for a bit, leaving her alone at the table with Elric. Free for her to begin without any possible interruptions—aside from the occasional waiter.

"So, Elric. Since I know your feelings for me haven't changed, I'm curious to know if the same is true for Edelfelt."

"Where'd that come from?"

"Oh I'm just curious. When I go home you know who is going to want a report of things, and I will be very thorough in my details, so I was just wondering if she needs to worry about her having to share you with someone other than me."

"I…"

What's the point of this? She knows the answer already.

Luvia wanted to leave; to get up and return to her hotel room. But she forced herself to stay, secretly curious to see where this situation would go—to see what the outcome would turn out to be.

"I remember back home you used to mention her sometimes."

"I…" His face was different. Trish could see through his veneer, so attempting to conceal his true emotions would be pointless. "So what if my feelings are the same. I doubt Luv would feel the same."

Come again?

Luvia was shocked. Just barely able to suppress a "What" from escaping her lips. With a thousand thoughts racing through her mind. Chief among them: What is that supposed to mean? What feelings? Is it similar to what he feels toward Coen?

The conversation continued.

"Honestly I find it adorable that you haven't tried anything."

"Adorable…?" Elric was almost surprised by the comment, but then he remembered this was Trish Coen he was talking to. Who never really had a problem with there being other women in their little love circle—after she became accustomed to sharing him with Zed. There was also the possibility to consider that she may have found Luvia attractive as well—not that it would matter. Trish would still be romantically focused on him but she was never above seeing women in an enticing sense. Even when they were younger. "What do you expect, Trish? This is me we're talking about."

Trish softened a smidge. "Come on, Elric." placing her hand on his gently. "What do you really think of Edelfelt? You can be honest."

"You already know the answer to that."

"Yes, but I want to hear you say it."

"I…I do feel the same as I did all those years ago." Elric finally confessed. "But even if I do, I doubt it'll mean much to her."

"Why do you say that?"

"She has a thing for this guy back at Clock Tower, so I don't see much happening between us in the future."

"Oh?" Trish's eyes went intensely star-like at that. "Care to elaborate?"

"Not really. Probably shouldn't have mentioned it at all."

"What are those feelings, exactly? I don't think I ever heard you express them properly."

"Good. I prefer to bury them. They'd probably cause me nothin' but trouble."

"Why? What do you really think of Edelfelt? Both as a person and a woman."

"Luvia…Luvia is probably one of the few noble children I could ever respect. Always has been. She's beautiful, intelligent, and competent. She actually concerns herself with commoners. I actually wouldn't mind if I was forced to marry her if she had no objections, but I don't want to force it on her."

"You love her." Trish blurted out lowly, just enough so both Elric and (just barely) Luvie could hear her.

Elric did not respond.

"You love her just like you love me."

From her hiding spot, Luvia blushed. Her heart beat with a rapid pace to rival the rapid fire of a machine gun.

"So what if I do?"

Luvia could not help but smile at the admission, blushing brighter. She was happy, more happy than she actually expected herself to be.

"Well, then." Trish said with a satisfied tone. "If you do not want to lose her I suggest you chat with her about it before it's too late."

"If you insist."

"I do." Tried then rose to her feet. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to."

"What kind?"

"Nothing which will affect our mission, I assure you."

Without a further word Trish departed from the table and joined Luvia at her's. With Elric none the wiser.

"See?"

"You could have simply told me that was your intention."

"Yes, but I didn't. Now you know Elric feels the same way for you that you, yourself, do for him."

Luvia could not decide if she should be still confused and angry or just grateful. She was very much happy to know that Elric felt about her in such a way. But now what was she to do? The answer to what her course of action should be was more than crystal clear. Though the question of what would occur even if the matter was resolved splendidly.

As she contemplated the matter, hand rubbing gently against the space between her bottom lip and chin, Trish watched with a smirk. Unable to suppress her own personal pleasure in seeing how adorable Luvia could be when in a preidcament.

Eventually Luvia merely decided I'll make it up as I go.

She doesn't need to say a word, Trish registers her plan rather quickly (or seems to have some vague awareness of what the Edelfelt heir intends to do).

"Well if you have something in mind, I think I'll leave Elric in your care, atleast for today."

"What…?"

"Good day, Edelfelt. Try not to screw it up." Trish chuckled as she walked away, disappearing in the Trifas streets.

Once her rival is out of sight, Luvia goes to join Elric at his table just as Mordred has returned.


Elric watched as Trish disappeared in the crowd, his eyes focused on the back of her swaying hips as she stepped away from the table. Memories of their passionate little romp the night before flashing in his mind for a moment before he returned his thoughts to the present and what required his attention.

He thought of their conversation about Luvia and a series of memories found their way in the forefront of his mind. Luvia was obviously attractive, he found her more than enticing, and it was clear she had some sense of attraction to him. Having been acting a mite territorial when it came to him and Trish.

I'm a fool sometimes, Elric thought.

He felt a twinge of anger at himself for not thinking of what Trish made him realize. He did not want to lose Luvia—whether she would be accepting of his relationship with Trish and Zed was yet to be decided on. It was doubtful.

He more than loved Luvia. He had for a long time, he was just always struggling to express it (probably not helped by his own poor self-perception). So it would be a shame to lose her to someone else without even trying.

It was more than he wanted to tell her, he wanted to make it crystal clear, but that would not be easy for him. The laws of reality seemed to demand it be a crucible for him. A crucible which became very apparent as Luvia approached the table to take a seat, around the same time Mordred had returned.

Thankfully Gilgamesh and Enkidu were away exploring Trifas once again.

He should have concerned himself with the after effects of Argosax's magic, but since his night with Trish the spell seemed to have waned in its effects. So that was one less detriment to concern him.

So Luvia became a more prominent thought.

Perhaps Elric should have been more preoccupied with other concerns. The plan for their route back to Clock Tower was more than pertinent and of more critical importance but could not help but to distract himself from the matter to a certain degree.

As she took her seat across from him there was a moment of silence between him and Edelfelt. With Mordred finally being the one to break the silence with the tact of a sledghammer. Asking "So, what's the plan for today?" Not attempting to hide her awareness of the awkwardness between them "Unless the two of you intend to spend the whole day staring at each other."

"We'll…we'll be leaving tomorrow." Elric answered. Much to his and Luvia's relief as he moved the focus of the conversation away from the two of them. "I've already spoken with the Glaives over the phone. They'll be meeting us in France to escort us across the channel on a privat jet."

"So what do we do in the interim?" Mordred asked her master. "Just waste the day away as we please?"

"Essentially."

"What about your ex?" Mordred inquired, with a teasing emphisis when she referred to Celenike as her master's ex.

"She's to remain under guard till then." Elric did not even dignifiy the teasing aspect with a response. "Thankfully Kairi has that handled."

"Well then, I'll be tresting myself to some local meat. Do any of you want in?"

"I'm good." Elric said, drinking his water that had been provided to him. "I think I'll just relax in my hotel, maybe hit up the local libraries."

Luvia soon folllowed up with her own answer "I will need to decline as well."

Mordred made no attempt to argue for them to join her. They didn't want to go, this didn't want to go, and thus she saw no real reason to force the issue. It was not that important to her. The Knight of Treaher then abruptly excused herself from the table with a "see ya." and a hand wave.

Once the Saber of Red was out of sight Luvia looked to Elric curiously. Watching as he finished up his cup of water.

"Do you really intend on spending your day reading, Elric?"

"I don't have anything better to do." Elric shrugged. "What about you, luv?"

"I think I may undergo a tour of this fine city." was her answer. Clearly formulating some other thoughts in her mind, with some ulterior motivation that was easy to see but he did not say anything. Allowing her to continue. "Care to join me?"

Elric thought about it, considering declining the offer But found himself unable to resist the opportunity, remembering the conversation he just had with Trish. "Sure, why not." Finding himself led away by the hand.


Gilgamsh watched from a distance as Luvia took Elric by the hand and led him into the streets.

It made the King of Heroes uncertain if he should be amused or disgusted. Alagaddans were known for many things chief among them was a need to dominate and hedonistically indulge in carnal bliss.

The contrast with what he expected was bordered on asinine. He was going to need more wine before the day was done, or so he suspected.

He intends to be a gentleman about this, he assumed. All to the golden boy's aggravation. Unable to understand the reasoning. Unlike Mordred and Enkidu he had bothered to glean sample peaks of their master's memories so he knew the magus was more than capable of being more direct. Conduction himself as he was now, though, just seemed farcical.


The decision to spend the day with Luvia proved to be more fun than Elric had expected. Finding himself taking in the sights to be more lively than any amount of time he could have spent with a book.

He had fun.

Spending time with Luvia with no other in their company, it reminded him of that time in the garden—when his family first brought him to Finnland. Elric had almost forgotten how much Luvia could make him happy.

Eventually they found themselves back at the hotel, laughing in her room. Talking about random topics when he found himself intimately close to her.

Luvia was aware of their close proximity but seemed unconcerned, in fact she seemed to be enjoying it; and before he could pull away, Luvia leaned closer and kissed him.

Once she finished, Elric looked at the Edelfelt heir stunned before he found himself pressing his lips against hers in a passionate embrace. One that was different from the one he conducted when putting on a show for Lord Rheon and Somnus' camera.

It was as tender as it was aggressive.

Luvia gently clasped her hands to his cheeks and kissed him back. Feeling him grab her waist with one hand while his other arm wrapped around her back as they did so. Savoring the taste of his lips, Luvia was happy with the sensation as she returned the kiss.

They embraced for a moment but it felt as if it lasted for a longer duration. When eventually they parted, Elric was left with a myriad of questions.

"Luvia…what would you prefer to do?"

"I would not be against us being wed…" caressing his face. Happy to see the same hungry gaze he cast toward Trish. "Or being treated the same as you do with Coen."

That was all he needed to hear. Quickly stealing another kiss.


The day had been tediously slow, rife with various tasks since parting ways with Elric and Luvia, but finally Trish was near the end of her things to do that day. Arriving at the hotel room where Celenike was being held at gunpoint by Kairi for the time being.

Walking into the room, Trish greeted her fellow freelancer with "Sisighou." Placing the supplies she had procured on the nearby table.

Looking over at her from his chair, Kairi asked "My shift over?" Motioning his weapon away from Celenike by an inch. When Trish confirmed as much he holstered it and rose to his feet. "Try resisting the urge to manhandle her. It's very tempting."

Once he was gone and the two women were left alone, Trish seated herself at the same chair which Kairi had been using for most of his day and cast her gaze to Elric's past lover. Not even bothering to pull out of the pistols holstered on her slender waist, let alone consider the option available to her.

Silence was present strongly in the room as the two women gaze at each other. Trish's own mild disdain (which she had recently discovered) being fairly evident and clear to see as was her own uncertainty concerning the Russian woman who merely crossed her legs in response to her.

She's not such a bad looker, Trish thought to herself—admiring the legs as they crossed, and taking note of her other attractive features. She could certainly see Elric bedding her in the right circumstances. If it wasn't for the woman's personality—which Trish had taken more than a dislike toward—she would not mind her existance so much. She may have not minded using Celenike to teasingly toy with her old beau, but Trish did resent the idea of her in Elric's life to a degree.

She would have prefered seeing Luvia and Elric together and no other woman than ever tolerate the possibility of Allen having a half-sibling through the domineering magus across from her.

"So you are the mother of Darling's child." Celenike saidm breaking the silence.

Trish put on a new face, one which attempted to show indifference to the question as she answered curly "I am. If by darling you mean Elric." Leaning back in her chair to sell the apathy she was working semi hard to sell at the moment.

"I must confess, you are different than I had expected."

Trish knew she would regret asking, but did so anyway "How so?"

"I expected someone more…elegant." Celenike smirked.

"Well, when I expected Elric to find himself another lover I expected her to be slightly less disturbed."

Celenike made a humph sound with a slight tone that conveyed some impression that she was pleased to see that Coen possessed a back bone.

Trish continued to eye her, wondering how Elric could ever share a bed with the woman—atleast while sober.

"If you have something you wish to ask then inquire. I won't bite. You are not Darling."

"How did you come to meet Elric?"

Celenike proceeded to elaborate "Darling was among a group of freelancers I had employed. I had intended to make use of his services then discard him, but he proved to be far more useful than I had anticipated so I kept him around for my personal enjoyment." Stroking a hand against her waist. "In time I took a liking to him and gave him the pleasure of sharing my bed."

How revolting.

"Unfortunate," she continued. "Circumstance conspired to take him from me. I wouldn't have minded receiving somethign more personal from darling." Rubbing a hand over her yet-to-be filled womb sensually. "Something special which is ours alone."

The manner in which she did so…Trish could not help but be reminded of her surrogate sis, Zed, back home. How she desired (and still desired) the same from her ex-fiancee. The difference was in how they treated Elric. Zed gradually came to genuinely love him, and Trish had come to be in love with him long before they became intimate. But Celenike? It was clear as day that it was not love that made her crave Elric, but a need for control and domination.

Celenike quickly took notice of the contempt in Trish's eyes; and proceeded to step toward her saying "No need to be jealous, Coen." Eying her body lecherously. Grabbing her by the brazeer. "I wouldn't mind sharing him with you, when I'm not being entertained by him."

Trish slapped the Russian's hand off of her, telling her "That'll never happen, unfortunately for you. Elric has more than enough women in his life who he would do that with. Who are less crazy, and even if he was willing to, he'll be preoccupied with other matters soon."

"What do you mean?"


As they kissed, Elric eased Luvia onto her bed.

Eventually they found themselves with only a sheet covering modesty of their waists as Elric loomed over her asking "Do you…?"

Luvia nodded and he followed through. Planting one hand deep into the mattress and making one strong strike into her.

Luvia grabbed him tightly with both hands. "Aaaaaaaaah!" Clinging to him, feeling a mix of pain and pleasure, letting out a small groan as she whispered "James." Enduring a succession of thrusts with a smile as he moaned back "Luvia."

It would certainly be a night that neither would forget.