It'd been two days since he unsummoned Lucka. As promised, Sephiroth summoned her again on Sunday night. It was eight pm. He thought it was better to summon her early to get enough sleep later.

He'd summoned her three times. Although, he had a concern. How did the coordination's placement work every time Lucka would appear in Gaia?

He thought it'd be the place where the last time she'd gone, but he was wrong. It seemed she'd appear wherever he was around. Even though the first time she came to Gaia, she was in his kitchen while he was in his bedroom. Perhaps, it shouldn't always be in the exact area. Or it would just happen randomly and anywhere. Because the girl would also appear when Sephiroth was nearby. For instance, this time, she appeared nearer than the last time he summoned her to the office. He didn't have the foggiest idea whether the place range related to his mana at that time or that was just how the magic organically worked.

"Lucka," he said.

"Uh-huh," she replied nonchalantly.

Her back was facing Sephiroth as he watched her lying around. Somehow it didn't feel right to have a coworker at the time like this, especially on his bed. But he hadn't moved from his spot either.

Sephiroth put down his PHS and leaned back his head to the headboard. He thought something was wrong with her fragile voice and her limp shoulder. Besides, how she even didn't bother to move from her position. It was like she utterly ignored the fact that they were alone in his bedroom. Didn't she remember only a few days ago she'd seduced him?

"Is there something wrong?" he asked.

Lucka lazily turned her body to face him. She tilted her face so she could stare him right in the eyes. "I have the answer, but it only raised another question," she said with a frown.

"Where did you get the answer from, and what's that?" he asked calmly.

Lucka eyed him with a furrow. "It's my aunt. Not close by blood, but yeah," she said, shrugging. "I slightly had the revelation about my magic, and she gave me this." She straightened her elbow on the bed and showed her wrist wrapped in a gold bracelet. The surface was carved into the shape of snake scales.

Sephiroth looked at the thing intently. He could feel the intense magic that emerged from it. Though, it was different from the usual energy he'd used to know.

"What's about it?" he asked.

"It's a Ladon Heirloom. She said she gave me this because my magic is restored. Though she didn't tell me what the main purpose of the restoration is,"—Sephiroth gave her a frown—"yes, right, that was the other question I have. And what is this for? She said it'll help me to finish my duty here. I don't need your mana anymore to depend on. This bracelet has provided it for me."

Sephiroth straightened his posture. As though it was a whole turn of events that attracted him. "That's impressive. So you'll be living as an independent individual in Gaia."

"Yeah. It's cool, right," the girl said with a smirk.

Sephiroth didn't say anything for a moment. He was busy thinking about her bracelet.

Beethoven: Symphony no.5 in C minor, Op.67: I Allegro con Brio

While watching him, Lucka remembered her agreement with Euriale. Since she was here, she quickly decided to ask him. Because the hell she knew how to get it. She hadn't played all the game's sidequests. It was the easiest way she had, right? "General, where could I find a gold baby Chocobo?"

The General raised his eyebrows at her random question. "Why do you ask?"

Lucka's heart almost stopped as she showed a wary look. "It's for my aunt."

The General frowned. "Why does your aunt want a baby Chocobo?"

She blinked. Darn it, I shouldn't ask. The General was sharper than a sword blade. Why are you too perceptive? She didn't think about the consequence of her question that far. Did Lucka become careless because she was getting used to him? Didn't she realize she'd let her guard down because he acted normal (staying stoic and calm in almost every situation) around her? A day hadn't passed, and she'd already broken her promise to Ryuu. And indeed, the General wasn't him that would let her do whatever she wanted.

What should she say to him? Is it; because my aunt is a freak deity bitch? No, it'd mess things up even further. Then what was it? Lucka stared at him. He tilted his head with a demanding motion. Fast, think fast. He is waiting. Use your brain, Lucka… Is being honest helpful? The General narrowed his eyes.

"It's, uh, for sacrifice!" She blurted out. Did she give the correct answer? Duh, I sounded like a moron. It would only spoil everything. Would he buy what she said, though? She hoped not. Because if he did, it might lead to another suspicion.

The General shifted in his position. He was displaying a curious and skeptical expression. It seemed he wouldn't let her flee this time. "Why do you need to sacrifice a Chocobo? Even the baby one, and who's your aunt?"

Lucka kept her silence for a moment. See, I told you, bitch. She instantly regretted her bluntness. He was prying her now. How did she tell him anyway? It was her family business. But if she told him, how would he react? Should she deceive him? "You don't need to know. It's my family stuff. It has nothing to do with you or even for your well-being." She tried to convince him, but he only glared at her in return.

"No. You tell me now who you are and your family history. Indeed, it has to do with you coming here in the first place. Don't try to fool around. I let you slip before. I won't buy anything this time," he said dangerously with a firm commander's tone.

Lucka noticed that he knew she was avoiding the topic on purpose. And with his reaction, she could swear he wouldn't back down.

Lucka almost gulped down. She just realized how the situation could change in the blink of an eye. And how her body felt like a rock that she was only lying there, not brave enough to move, even to twitch a finger. Suddenly the air between them became arduous. Many scenarios played in her mind, but they didn't prevent her from resisting him. Because at least she should protect her family's secret. "And if I don't want to tell you?" she said with fake innocence.

The General cast a piercing cold eye that made her heart nearly stop again. He lowered his body to trap her, with both arms on the side of her head. The sudden movement made her head hustle deeper into the pillow. His face was a breath away. Every soft inhale and exhale he took seeped through her ears.

A wave of heat burned her cheeks. She stared unconsciously at the General's juicy lips and neatly shaved smooth skin. Her lungs became empty after a mild, fragrant smell entered her nostril. There was a concoction of his musk infused in delicate perfume. Luxurious, earthy accord, with a touch of rose and fresh bergamot note. While his locks of hair smelled heavenly vanilla with a mix of white flower scents… Zeus. She didn't dare to draw a breath again as she was nearly lost on the track. She was even afraid she'd be aroused in this state.

God, it ain't fun, and it feels so wrong.

"I wonder… what kind of way to make you talk…" he said with an impossible husky voice, which sounded deeper and richer than usual—Lucka shivered when she dared to look at his eyes. There, she found some sort of heat that made her freeze—"Seeing you're sober, I'm curious… Where's your bravery when you're drunk? Now that I have you here… what will I do to you?" he said, lowering his face. His lips ghostly brushed her ear when he whispered, "Will I make you skip work tomorrow?"

Lucka held her breath longer. Goosebumps spread on her skin from his implacable words and his hot breath. Was he serious? She could handle it when he intimidated her in a life-threatening way because she was used to it. But now, the circumstance was way, way different. She'd even imagined he'd doom her right away if she dared to try an escape.

"General, I… I can sue you for sexual harassment." Lucka blinked slowly. She anticipated whatever response he'd throw at her while her heart was beating fast like a fluttered bird's wing. She reminded herself, despite his damned pheromone that nearly preoccupied her, she should deny him at all cost.

His eyes darkened as he heard her poor threat. The corner of his lips curled into a seductive yet frightsome smirk. Was it even legal to appear like that when he intimidated someone? Did he make her brain confused now?

"You can sue me. Then, what do you think they'll ask you, why in the first place I treated you like this?" he said, "doesn't it complicate everything when the judge questions your true identity?"

Zeus. He's really good at frightening people. Why should I save this sinister-soon to be-lunatic? … Wait. Lucka frowned at her thought. Crap, that's the whole bloody point. He was so scary even when he was still sane. He needed to be stopped before his mind cracked. But now wasn't the time to think about it. Focus, Lucka. I have more urgent matters in hand. "I… I'll let the Turks settle the case. We have each other. I can win the court."

The General looked amused by the notion. Perhaps, he thought it was a silly scheme. "No, you can't. Even if they help you and you win over me. How does Shinra react that you taint his precious Hero name? How will the public react?" He lashed out his taunt in a low deeper voice—that made her breath heavy and her stomach cramped—"what will Shinra do to you? Your sole existence will attract him, and I won't help you. Because you're the one who opposed me." He finished by tilting his head in an annoyingly challenging way. He didn't even bother hiding the smugness in his tone. Lucka bit her lower lips in exasperation. The motion, though. Made his eyes linger there for a second longer before they darted back at her eyes. And she didn't miss that brief distraction.

Zeus, am I really in trouble?

Lucka dipped into her mind hard. She felt that building dread rapping her from behind her head. Her palms started sweating, and a cloak of coldness almost made her conscious awry. What should she do? She couldn't sell her family story freely…

Ah, that was it. Lucka said after drawing a deep breath and smoothing back her mask, "Fine. We're basically an ally. We don't need to start any conflict between us. Let's just do this peacefully," she said, pushing him off with her feeble hand.

He moved, straightening his back, though his eyes still pierced deeply into hers. "Sure," he said.

The General must think he'd spare her if she submitted willingly. But it wasn't what she had in mind. Would he be mad at her?

She raised to sit in front of him and continued, "There's a price for every knowledge," she said, grimacing mentally at her own words. She really sounded like Euriale now. Had family heredity run thick in her blood? She didn't like the idea of being equalized by the evil deity, but it was the only thing she had. "This's my family secret. I carry it with my life. What will I get in return if I tell you my story?"

He gave her a devilish smirk—his Mako green eyes shining behind his locks under the dim light of the room—Lucka was stunned by the scene. Did she make a lethal mistake? Did she really think she could stand him by proposing a trade? He had generously let her lead into an agreement before. She knew that well. But now, he made it crystal clear that he didn't want to bargain with any kind of condition.

"Are you not aware you have no place to negotiate?" he said, shifting his position and moving closer to her. His hands rested beside her side, trapping her again with his figure. "Don't try me." His nose almost brushed with hers, his seductive voice even lower than before.

Lucka caught a breath. Shit, shit, shit. She gripped the bedsheet, and her eyes wavered. Though, at the same time, his words triggered a thick layer of boiling fervor and frustration that grew inside her. Without any single thought, she said with both glazing yet fiery eyes. She pressed the tone as cold as ice when she said between her clenched teeth, "I won't tell you, even if you rape m—"

"Should I...?" He leaned his face to the side of her head and spelled them slowly with his rich baritone.

SHIT, fuck. Fuck you. Fuck yourself. How can you sound so lewd like that?!

Lucka's eyes rounded like a saucer. They were locked in the corner of the room while goosebumps rose on her entire skin. A seething rumble ran in her blood. Her face burned brighter. Both from the deep humiliation and rage in her chest. Lucka gulped down a lump that blocked her voice. But it only made her let out a merest small whimper while she was close to getting an anxiety attack. Her heart was blaring madly. Her stomach churned from the acid that started rising. She grasped the bedsheet even closer to her. Between the wet palms, her breath became heavier and heavier.

He wouldn't really do it, would he? She should have managed to put on her brave mask longer, though that dreadful feeling made her limp. Lucka would never imagine he could intimidate her in the most lecherous way like this. She never knew what he could and would really do to her at this point. In the end, the scariest thing was always uncertainty.

This was so wrong. Lucka was here to help him, yet she was the one being threatened. But no matter how he pressed her, she couldn't show any fear because it was what he wanted; to overpower her. And if she gave in, then she failed. "Where's your honor as a SOLDIER? I'm offering a more convenient way. Why do you make it hard? It ain't a fun game," she said bluntly, pulling out the last strength she might have.

The General pulled back and put on a pensive look. Though, Lucka didn't miss the amusement that flashed briefly across his eyes. See, he's enjoying this too much, isn't he?!

He snorted as he gave her a mocking smirk and moved to his last spot by the headboard. Somehow, Lucka could notice he was torn in his mind, but he sighed at the end. "You sounded like Angeal," he said, "what do you want in return?"

Lucka's eyes flickered. She exhaled a long breath, yet her eyes flashed wildly at him. "I want the gold baby Chocobo."

The General quirked one eyebrow. He was keeping his silent for a moment. But, Lucka didn't know what was bothering him. Is it not that easy to get it?

He sighed again. "Done," he said and inclined his head nonchalantly at her to talk.

She eyed him, leaning forward by unconsciously displaying a more defensive posture. "I'll tell you once I have the baby Chocobo."

She held her breath.

Oh no.

The General's jaw clenched tightly. He shot her a silent venomous glare behind his silver lock curtains. It made her almost lose her ground altogether. Did she imagine that his eyes were shining brighter? He was about to move forward when she raised her hands—shielding herself from whatever wrath he'd throw at her soon.

"If you touch me, the deal drops!" she snapped, panicked. "And I'll burn this place down!" Her voice intensified while her eyes were wide open behind her trembling fingertips.

He stopped halfway. His eyes narrowed as his hand twitched as if he was restraining himself. Then the General straightened up his spine, studying her closely. Did he believe she could burn his house alone?

"Let me trust you… and you can trust me..." Lucka murmured carefully, her voice so weak it was almost gone.

He raised his eyebrows at her words. With that, soon, his stoic face returned. He blinked slowly and leaned in, talking in a thick spine-chilling lower tone. "If you ever deceive me, I'll make sure you won't like the result. And our relationship will never be the same again."

Lucka nodded lamely. She didn't know how long the conversation had been going. It should've been short, yet she felt they'd talked for the entire night. Then to her relief, finally, he let her go home.

Monday morning at the General Affairs floor had been pretty tight. Veld was gone somewhere. Tseng juggled between an endless pile of paperwork on his desk and charged various assignments for other Turks. Sadly, Lucka didn't see Cissnei around. But she'd introduced herself to the team when they gathered at the meeting earlier. After that, she was pretty busy with her task. She was finishing the data on the Deepground until she didn't realize it was finally lunchtime.

She decided to go alone to the cafeteria at the Recreation Facility. Unless she accidentally bumped into the devil and it was too late to turn her back because he'd already seen her. God, Zeus, he makes my heart explode! Why does he pop out of nowhere like a mole? She wanted to ask so badly, but it would only point out that she didn't want to see him anytime soon.

Luck didn't plan to avoid him forever, yet, last night's drama was still fresh at the forefront of her mind. He was watching her with his typical impassive demeanor. His hand absently peeled the orange skin. How could he stay calm like that after he oppressed and sexually harassed her like that? Indeed, he could. He was the soul-stirring, imposing General after all. And the scary part was his calmness could cover any inclination in his mind towards her. There wasn't even a single trace from whatever heat she'd seen before. His eyes only displayed a steady and composed manner.

"Lucka," he said and pointed to the table, ordering her to sit with him.

Her grip on the food tray tightened when he called her name. Her heels feel so heavy. Like it was planted to the floor. She lowered her gaze. What should she do? Should she comply, or should she just run away? She stayed there a second longer. The General was waiting, she was tired, but she didn't have a choice except to face him. With a sigh, she finally yielded and slumped down across his seat.

"Yes, sir," she said, for the first time addressing him as a 'sir.' What did she think now? Was it because she wanted to cast a further distance from him? Or did she want to show how professional she was?

"How's your sleep?" he asked.

You creep! What kind of question is that?! With whatever had occurred last night. Was he someone who needed a small chit-chat after doing a degrading act? She wanted to retort, but instead, she decided to reply as nonchalantly as possible. "Good."

The General only hummed back, then he slid something across the table. Lucka spared a glance at the thing. It was a piece of paper in ticket size, then she stared back at him. "What is that?" she asked.

"It's from Genesis. He went for a mission this morning and left it for you," he said, then ate his orange.

Lucka took the paper and read silently. It was a show ticket. There was written:

| Poetry Night.

Spoken Words: LOVELESS|

She frowned. "Is he asking me out?"

The General only gave her the merest shrug. What a very informative messenger, she thought. Lucka mumbled her thanks and put it inside her suit pocket. She should call Genesis later.

"The baby Chocobo," he said and made Lucka look up at him. "Give me a few days, and I'll give it to you this weekend."

Lucka was about to slip out of her excitement. If only she didn't remember, they still work on their reconciliation. But she didn't want to be the one who started it, so instead, she nodded and turned her head away.

The General said nothing. He instead gathered his dishes and stood. "I'll take my leave," he said with his tray in both hands.

"Bye," she said coldly, then shrunk to her seat after the General disappeared. She finally let out a deep breath of relief. Zeus… Help me…