Selenity owns Fire Blossom, Annabellina and Frank. Nyneve owns Saxen Maverick and Moksha.

Chapter 16:

Connection. Conversation. Cruel.

Miyu and Larva lay side by side. Effie stood at the head of the table and gently placed on hand on Miyu's cheek. She was cold. She was dead, of course, but it was still a disturbing, yet strangely exhilarating sensation. Her other hand she raised hesitantly before letting her fingers trail down Larva's arm, still shrouded in the black expanse of his robe. His eyes were still open, but blind to the world. That was one of the scariest things Effie had seen. Red eyes, dull and empty.

"What's going on in here?" She jumped and turned to see Duo leaning against the doorframe.

"Hey Duo. I thought you were keeping Tabby company."

"I was. Until she tried to blow me up. Apparently I was breathing too much."

"A sake hangover's a real bitch."

"You know this how?" He arched his eyebrows and she laughed. "So…what's with the caressing?" She quelled slightly under the suddenly cold note in his voice, but her eyes hardened.

"Nothing." He looked doubtful. "I don't have to explain myself to you, Mr. Maxwell." Their eyes locked into a match of wills. Duo sighed and looked down for a moment before directing his gaze back at her. It was soft now, and Effie felt her sudden anger melting.

"I know you don't, Effie. I was just asking."

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"Because, you know, I'm not sure here, Fire Blossom. One night I'm your savior, and the next you've got your hands all over another guy," he tried to keep his voice light, but…

"Is that a touch of jealousy?" He colored slightly and she laughed. "I just…it seems so weird. The Sacred Ones are gods, you know. And I feel like I should, I dunno, burst into flames or something beholding the magnificence of a god. And yet…" She walked slowly over to him and pressed her hand against his cheek, "I can touch you."

He grinned and rested his own hand on her shoulder.

"So…." She tilted her head, "The thing with the wings, can you do that at will or only during a battle?"

"Why do you ask?"

"'Cause," she pursed her lips and smiled, "it's kinda sexy."

"Oh yeah?"

"Miyu…" a dead sounding voice spoke behind them and Effie whirled around. Larva had risen and was bent over the unmoving body of the small vampire. He looked pained. He straightened to his full--and very impressive--height, and his scythe materialized in his hands.

Before he was able to move forward however, a wall of flame appeared in front of him. He did not attempt to advance. He hadn't forgotten his last incident with the power Effie wielded.

"Hi. Larva, right?" Effie asked. He glared at her, ruby eyes burning into her. "Calm down, we don't want to hurt you. And, the whole fire thing earlier, that wasn't my fault. I'm still sorry, of course, but-"

"I am insignificant. You harmed Miyu. For that you must pay."

"Now that's devotion," Duo muttered. Effie elbowed him. He responded with a loud 'ow'.

"She'll be fine. She should be getting up any moment. This is part of her destiny. Yours too. You had to die to be reborn as the God of Justice."

He eyed her doubtfully, but he didn't look quite as aggressive as before. Effie stepped forward and, taking a deep breath, held out her hand. A hole appeared in the flames just large enough for her to reach through.

"Ceasefire?" She asked with a hesitant smile. Larva stared down at her hand. He raised his own much larger hand hesitantly. Duo stared at Effie, clearly sure she had gone insane. Larva slowly dropped his hand back to his side and lifted his eyes back to meet hers.

"I cannot speak for Miyu. I should not even speak to you without her permission," he dropped his eyes.

Duo hissed something under his breath that sounded suspiciously liked "whipped". Effie considered hitting him again, but since it hadn't had the desired effect last time, she decided against it. She sighed and began to withdraw her hand, but it was suddenly gripped strongly by a cool hand a tad smaller than hers. She stared in surprise at Miyu.

"I believe we can reach an accord," she said with a tiny smile. Effie grinned back and the fire disappeared.

"Let's go chitchat. We've got cocoa, and soda, and coffee, and tea, and…" she continued to rattle off the Tsunami's complete supply of beverages.

"Miyu…" The vampire turned to view her servant as the two continued walking.

"What is it, Larva?"

"We cannot trust them," he said simply. She shrugged slightly.

"I don't know…they seem nice."

"Miyu, don't forget-"

"How can I?" She put a hand to her temple and shut her eyes. Larva rested his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Miyu."

"It's not your fault. My destiny has taken an unexpected turn. I intend to see what this new course may hold before I refuse it." She turned around and paused, smiling brightly. He stared, unsure what to do, for a few moments before an almost nonexistent smile twitched the corners of his pale lips. She opened her eyes and tilted her head, as though seeing him for the first time. "Your mask…"

His hand shot up to obscure his face from her. He ducked his head.

"My apologies," a new mask, dead and white materialized in front of his face. Miyu frowned ever so slightly. She began to speak, but changed her mind and continued walking.

"Besides, they are not such formidable opponents. Except for the vampire, and that boy," she nodded toward Duo who was walking next to Effie a few feet in front of them, and out of earshot. "Watch them, Larva. I'm not sure about them."

He nodded and faded partially out of reality until he was barely visible.

Effie lay asleep. A guitar chord woke her, and she sat up in bed. Duo was sleeping in a chair near her bed, and lounging in another chair…

"He's a cutie," the thin, lanky man nodded toward Duo and smiled slightly. Strands of bright violet hair fell in his eyes and he looked up and tried to blow them away, looking both amused and annoyed. Effie stood and walked slowly toward him. She reached up, as if to touch his cheek, but paused.

"I'm asleep," she whispered. He grinned at her.

"Yes, you are. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it."

"Why should I enjoy it?" She turned away and walked over to Duo. He looked very pale. She rested a hand on his forehead. He was cold, and, on closer inspection, she could see a tiny bit of blood collecting at the corners of his mouth.

"Kathy-"

"They don't call me that anymore."

"Don't you miss me?" She turned around, not really caring very much about Duo's apparently lifeless state. The man rose and set the guitar he had been casually strumming on the floor next to the chair. He was tall, and very, very thin. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, she could see he was wearing long, baggy jeans and a partially open pinstripe shirt. Looked just like she remembered him. It was vicious of her mind to do this to her. Show her him in the middle of everything that was going on. After everything…it was cruel. Simply cruel. He spread his arms wide and tilted his head, expectant.

"C'mon, honey. Get over here and give your big brother a hug."