Haaaaa... finally at last, Chapter 3 already updated.. well at least part of it anyway. How long has it been since I had updated this.. hahah don't ask. Anyway, I used to have this chapter posted already from before but due to lack of proofreading and suggestions to some of our readers and materials that I decided to take down the original Chap 3. (thank god for smartphones I was able to update a new version of this Chapie). For those who originally read the original Chapter 3, I hope that you will notice the big difference to the new one. I'll be updating soon since finally I had ome spare time to do this chapter..

as for those who are asking.. yes I will make sure that I will see this story towards the end, even though it will take time to update. I WILL DEFINITELY SEE THIS STORY TO THE END. this is just a part of Chapter 3.. I still need to do major revisions to the M content of this chapter, but I will be finishing this one in just a matter of weeks.

disclaimer: I dont own TotA... I may be a die hard fan of the tales of series but i still dont dare snaring the copyright from bandai namco.. :p

Chapter 3: The First Session - Broken Seals

Tear caught her breath as she emerged at the other side of the pool. She was pleased with the idea that she still remembered some techniques from the swimming lessons they had back in military training. She never saw the opportunity to use it so far. But still, it was refreshing to just occasionally practice the things she had learned from before without being worried about bug and wide-eyed men who always stared at her well-endowed bosom. Tear had pulled her nosy ponytail loose; she found it somewhat troublesome to always flip her hair over just to keep it away from her face whenever she emerged from the water. Of course this didn't escape the notice of our oh-so-mighty Jade the Necromancer, who's probably trying his best to slap some sense into him as his mind begin to drift of doing inappropriate things to Tear. 'Ah... Luke it's such a shame that you're not here.' he thought.

"Colonel", she called; "leaving already?" she asked as she saw the older man turn around and emerge from the water.

This is NOT going to be easy. "Hmmm? Not really, I just placed this bottle aside. We surely don't want tripping some mindless fools while they are looking at you. We don't want anything to happen that will require serious interrogations from the management, do we not?" Jade said dismissively and pushed the bottle aside from the pool then submerged back into the water. He doesn't want to let Tear notice the REAL reason why he was planning to leave early. He tried to distract himself with something else; hopefully enough to buy some time to regain his cool "In any case, Tear would you be oh-so-kind to cut the use of the spa short? It is not a good thing for grumpy old men like me to be exposed to harsh weathers like this. They make my joints ache once in a while. It's such a shame that I don't have my lubricant with me right now to ease my aching back".

"Whatever Colonel…" Tear muttered.

"Oh, by the way—"Jade said impishly as he took his glasses off and placed them neatly beside the pool, he can feel himself cool down somehow. "—there was another reason why I don't really want to stay out here at this late hour." Hearing those words made Tear snap her head back towards the older man. "As far as I remember there was another reason why Keterburg Hotel was famous among youngsters like you." He continued, his grin hinting of what he is getting at. Of course Tear knew where the subject headed and tried her best to ignore the Colonel. "If I remember right there was a certain rumor that a young lady, almost the same age as you are, was murdered at this very place by his lover. As they say her anguished soul, scorned by both anger and hatred, still haunts this place until this very day," he narrated watching how she was affected by the story; he knows how she hated these kinds of things. Well, how can he help himself? He really can't think of any good way to distract himself right now, but to rather make fun of her. "They say almost every time the clock chimes in the midnight, she shows up and snatches poor souls from those who are foolishly still awake at unreasonable hours in the night."

"Wha—I know that you're just making this up just to scare me Colonel," she said obviously still trying to hide the fact that she was scared of ghosts. If she only knows the way she is shaking right now that Jade can swear that he is seeing huge ripples in the water.

"My, my, are you saying that the infamous Jade the Necromancer invents make believe stories?" Jade chuckled as he sighed melodramatically.

"Y-You always do that." Tear retorted, her hands on her hips.

"It never occurred to me that you always doubted my credibility. I'm terribly hurt! "Jade said mockingly as he spread his hands in his usual way. Thank Lorelei; he was able to think of a good distraction. He can now feel that he was almost cooled down now. "At first I was also skeptical about it first as well, but I even personally investigated this matter as well in the past. It was never been solved up until now mind you."

"I never thought that you, of all people, will resort to explaining unsolved cases to the supernatural." she rebutted, evidently still trying to hide the fact that she was already terrified.

"As they say, there is always the possibility of the supernatural, if all the plausible and logical explanations were no longer applicable." he chuckled.

"Whatever Colonel..." Tear shrugged and dove into the water.

"...Bong... bong... bong... bong..." as if in cue, the big clock in the center of the plaza chimed as the hands struck 12 midnight.

"...1...2...3...4..." Jade counted. "Well, Tear what do you say, are you going to wait for the last chime? You know what's going to happen when the last bell rang, right?"

He doesn't even need to ask. In fact, Tear was already trying her best to make her way back to Jade as fast as she can. She waded her way thru the water, her breasts swayed in time with her movements. Jade just stood there watching as she made her way towards him. He really can't help but notice that red fabric of Tear's swimwear being slowly pushed away to the sides by the pressure of the water. The older Malkuthian can swear that he almost can see the pink border under it already. Oh such irony, and he thought that he can escape this situation unscathed, he felt that his temperature just went up again almost three degrees higher.

"...Bong...bong...bong...bong... 9...10...11...12..." Tear counted the chimes and cursed herself silently; she should have listened to the Colonel earlier. Oh Yulia help her, she doesn't want to see one of these things, of all the places, not here, not now. She quickens her pace, trying to close the distance between her and Jade. SHE DOESN'T WANT HER SOUL TO BE TAKEN AWAY. He will make it go away, he will definitely make it go away, she screamed inwardly.

"What is wrong Tear? I thought you said that you didn't believe me? There goes you're last bell. She might reappear anytime now." He chided.

But Tear didn't even pay any attention; she just concentrated how to go to Jade as fast as possible. 'Almost there...' she thought, 'just one big step at a time-one at time...'

Slip.

Tear went crashing into the water as her left foot oh-so-undecidedly slip from the slippery tiled floor. She braced herself for impact, she knew that there might be chance she might hit the ledge of pool and get injured if she won't break her fall. Of course, Jade, a gentleman himself, had acted quickly in reflex. He went ahead and tried to wrap his hands around her to save her from an accident that might end her up get badly injured. Thank Lorelei that his hands landed on her back and almost avoided touching her in unnecessary parts.

Tear slowly opened her eyes, she was actually surprised to find toned arms wrapped protectively around her. Even more surprising was the fact that instead of meeting the hard tiled floor, there she was, leaning against the thin and well defined chest of the Colonel, hugging her tightly whenever she flinched.

"If you want to save yourself from embarrassment, I suggest you not to move." the older man said as he hugged her tighter, her breasts now in full contact of his bare skin. His male instinct says that he should take advantage of this situation. But still, being her friend, and as someone older he compelled to control and restrain himself. Tear, in the other hand, still hasn't grasped the current situation, but listened to Jade and stayed in his embrace for several minutes. It was only after she realized the full contact of her erect bosom on his bare chest that it dawned into her. She felt dizzy knowing that he had seen her half naked. She looked around and saw her bikini top as it slowly floated away at the other end of the pool well beyond her reach. The knot must had gotten loose and conveniently caught her fingers while she was doing some backstrokes earlier. It must have been also the thing she stepped on and made her spun wildly on her feet.

"Tear," Jade said as he cleared his throat, "as much as I enjoy our current predicament, I suggest that we start moving soon. We don't want to have unnecessary people to see us like this and start spreading unwanted rumors." he added. "Not unless, that you are also enjoying this little opportune moment to satisfy of your lifelong fetishes for old men with long hair. I would gladly take your proposition any day, if only it will not make me look like a pedophile for my age. "

Tear knew that he meant to throw that as a joke to at least lighten the already awkward atmosphere. Thanks to that she can feel her head clear a bit from the haze. She tried to regain her footing and tried to cover her ridiculously oversized breasts with her small hands as she made an effort to slowly break contact with Jade. But the moment the Colonel released her from his arms; pain quickly seared from her left foot and found herself unable to stand.

"A little too clumsy today, are we not?" he said as he immediately tried to wrap his arms around her again. "My, Tear!" he added as he effortlessly lifted the young melodist from the water. "I never thought that you'll be this heavy, I wonder where you hid all that weight in your body *sigh*. My poor old bones will surely hurt tomorrow because all of this."

Tear can't help but blush to the Colonel's comment; she knew that he really intended that as a pun for her ridiculously large bosom. But anyways, never in her life did she imagine that she will end up in an awkward situation like this ever, especially with Jade of all people. Still, she really can't help herself be thankful that this happened with him instead with Luke nor Guy. She doesn't want to know how things will end up if it this happened with the two guys. On the brighter side, this is the first time that she shared intimate contact with the man. No one in the group, well save for Anise, ever dares to have this kind if proximity with him. In any case, there was something that kept bugging her at the back of her mind. All the while that she was all cuddled up on his well toned arms, she really can't shake the feeling that something hard and stiff had been poking her skin since earlier.

With Tear in his arms, Jade went ahead and started to carry her out of the pool. He just can't help himself but gawk inwardly how close her tantalizing big breasts are to his face. All the while, he tried his best not to lower her any further than his chest. He doesn't want her to know what is going thru his mind right now although he already had inkling that she knows his current state; he knew that she might be already aware what is going on. But still, he doesn't want to tarnish whatever modesty and innocence she had left. Jade tried to cool himself as he tried to slap some sense back to him as alcohol started to cloud his judgment. He doesn't want to expose Tear to something that she is too young to understand.

Jade walked towards the set of benches where he had placed his robe earlier. It was a good thing that he chose a spot concealed by clumps of ornamental plants in one corner of the spa. He can't risk anyone seeing him and Tear at this state of sexual tension. "Tear," he said as he laid her in one of the benches and offered her his bathrobe, "would you be so kind to give me a moment?" he asked as he quickly turned away from her so that she won't notice the erect bulge under his Speedo.

Tear quickly took the robe from the Colonel and gave him an acknowledging nod. With that Jade hurriedly left towards the dressing room and got another bathrobe for him. It was her time to gawk into Jade's well maintained form. She really can't help herself but stare on his back and note how well defined his muscles are despite his age. If only she haven't known his actual age and without his glasses that Tear might had mistaken him for someone in his mid-20's or just a bit older than Guy and a man of every women's dreams, physically speaking

per se. Her eyes settled and noticed how his almost bare-to-all swimwear suits him perfectly. Really, His Majesty and Jade's best friend must've planned for everything.

Jade reappeared obviously newly showered and with a bathrobe on. His hair neatly pulled back on one side of his head and exposed the softly chiseled but well defined and powerful jaw line. He approached the side of the pool to collect his glasses and discarded glass and bottle of whiskey before he went back to her. But in Tear's case she really cannot help but inwardly appreciate his refreshing scent. It's not that Jade smelled bad, he actually smells nice and had this distinctive scent that reminds her of the gentle snow of Keterburg. In fact, even after a monster fight or what-not, she was not even surprised that he seemed like didn't broke a sweat. She remembered that the group had this conversation about him still smelling fresh like flowers when they had been back and forth in the Chesadonian dessert or the hellish inferno of Mt. Zaleho. This evening, however, is different. This is the first time that he had seen the Colonel fresh from the showers. She really adored that smell of soap in his skin and shampoo in his long hair. This is one of the secret fetishes she had aside from her penchant for cute things. She also secretly adores anything that smells nice. Not to mention that her room back in Yulia City was filled with Selenias and other kinds of potpourri. That's why that right now she really can't help but discover her newly found admiration for the older man. And that the mere thought of this made her squirm to the bubbling feeling that built up from the pits of her stomach.

Jade approached and stopped then sat in front of her. He was glad that he was able to find a spare robe in the dressing room. It was also a good thing that the spa had this water temperature regulator that he was able to take a quick shower with cold water. It did help him to somehow cool his angry member earlier. It's not that he had totally simmered down, but still it was enough to at least conceal his erect cock under the robe. He took his glasses off and wiped the lenses on the dry part of the robe and wore it again.

"This does look bad." he said as he stretched a careful hand and reached for Tear's left foot. He can see the swelling start on her ankle.

"This is nothing compared to what I had before." she replied, her mind still occupied from the events from before.

"Hmmm... a tough girl as always," he whistled beneath his breath. "For the meantime, let us head into my room. I had some pain killers and we might also do something to that nasty sprain of yours."

Tear skipped a beat... She will be going into Jade's room with him-ALONE?! Of course he can't help but notice the discomfort in her reaction. "Why Tear, it's not as if we will be doing something naughty. Not unless you are certainly looking and planning to do something to this innocent old man." he teased her.

"Wha-?!" she was dumbfounded with what Jade was implying seductively at.

"Now now Tear, as like I had said earlier, I definitely had no intentions of being a pedophile. Not unless-" his voiced trailed of subtly hinting her with one of his enigmatic grins. "And old men like me really cannot put much of any fight anymore, can we?"

Tear instantly flushed at what he suggested seductively and was about to protest when the cut her off and offered an outstretched hand. "My, do you really prefer to have your foot to just rot and fall during your sleep? We need to have this attended to, we will ask Natalia to use some healing artes for this tomorrow." he said. "But more importantly, can you at least stand?" he asked her as he gently placed her arm around his shoulders and hold her on her waist.

Tear appreciated the gesture and went held on to the older man for support. Jade wrapped her arms around his neck and gently hoisted her to his shoulders. They were about to head to the directions of the dressing rooms when Jade stopped on the edge of the pool. "Ah," he exclaimed, "it's really not a good idea to leave this hanging around, isn't it?" he gestured on the floating red fabric on their end of the pool.

soo.. how was it so far? Better? It's been so long that I am afraid that I might had rendered the characters OC already.. hahah.. anyway.. I'll go ahead and finish this chapter in a matter of weeks.. ;p

Comments, reactions and criticism are welcome... It makes me a better writer and gives me further idea what to improve... FLAMES ARE NOT WELCOME THOUGH HAPPY READING!