A/N: Sorry for the delay on this, but I said I'd get it out, and here it is. This one is mostly fluff, but is should be nice. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. I do own my characters.
Setting: Six months before the events recorded in Turn 19, Castle Amarantha.
Ashlynn wore a lazy smile on her face as she relaxed upon her master's bed. It was morning. Her master was already up it seemed, so Ashlynn supposed she should be waking up as well. She stood slowly and found her clothes. As she dressed herself she relived the pleasant memories of the previous night in her head. It was nice. Ashlynn had grown accustomed to this life. Parts of it concerned her, but in general, she couldn't complain.
Dressed, Ashlynn emerged from the large bedroom and walked into the corridor. Hungry, she walked the long path down to the kitchen. She found Philip there. He was odd company, but amusing in a strange sort of way. Ashlynn fixed herself a simple breakfast and initiated a conversation as she ate it quickly.
"So, what's happening, Philip?" she asked with a laugh. "Find any unicorns lately."
"The last unicorn was killed 127 years ago. It's flesh and bone was ground to dust, dust that now courses through the veins of the woman known as Deifilia Amarantha," said Philip, sure of himself. Ashlynn laughed.
"Oh, that's right!" Ashlynn started, clapping her hands together. "But what if the unicorns are time traveling from the past through our dreams in order to reappear in the world?"
"I never thought of that… Philip started. "It's a possibility…"
"Well, you better get looking. A unicorn might be behind any corner!"Ashlynn started with a strong nod.
"Of course. I will begin the hunt immediately. My mace of unicorn horn will guide me to their mother ship!" shouted Philip standing and grasping his thick, warped staff.
"Good luck," said Ashlynn with a devious smile and laugh.
As Philip left to go find unicorns, Ashlynn finished her breakfast. She sighed as she was leaving the kitchen to return to the corridors. She continued a ways before deciding she'd go see if Naida was up. She found another in her path. It was the cold, emotionless, Signa Norrell.
"Hi, Signa!" she called with a smile. This girl never reacted to her, but she could at least try, right? Maybe someday she'd get something at least resembling a smile.
Signa ignored her, staring ahead blankly and taking a slow step forward.
"How are you today?" Ashlynn asked, smiling.
Signa ignored her, staring ahead blankly and taking a slow step forward.
"I'm pretty good myself. Can't complain. It's not a hard life, and there are some strange but good friends all around. Besides, I really owe her a lot. Even if she makes me do things I don't like on occasion, it's worth it for what she gave me," said Ashlynn, smiling.
Signa ignored her, staring ahead blankly and taking a slow step forward.
"You want this cookie?" asked Ashlynn, pulling a small cookie she had taken from the kitchen out of her pocket and dangling it before the girl.
Signa ignored her, staring ahead blankly and taking a slow step forward.
"You sure? It's tasty!" Ashlynn proclaimed, still waving the sweet baked good in the girl's face.
Signa raised her hands and grabbed it reluctantly. She nibbled at it slowly for a few seconds before eating the rest in just a few bites.
"See? Good, right?" Ashlynn laughed.
Signa ignored her, staring ahead blankly and taking a slow step forward.
Ashlynn laughed harder and started down a different path from the other. "See ya later, Signa," she said with a wave as they parted.
Signa ignored her, staring ahead blankly and taking a slow step forward.
It wasn't much longer before Ashlynn reached the television room. It was kind of strange seeing a big TV in an old castle, Deifilia was nothing if not unconventional. She was going to live in her old castle, but she was going to buy a massive electrical generator and fill it with modern comforts. She was just that sort of person.
Naida was in the room like always, playing the video game system connected to the TV. She looked like an unfamiliar woman, but despite being Ashlynn's best friend, Naida always appeared as a stranger. She looked up as Ashlynn drew nearer and smiled.
"Hey, Ash! Good to see ya!" Naida started with a laugh and smile.
Ashlynn sat down next to the other. "You too, Naida. Now let's get down to business."
"Knightmares good?" asked Naida. bringing her game back the start screen.
"Fine with me," said Ashlynn. "I'm going to win this time."
"Tch, doubt it. I've been practicing," Naida started.
"Heh, we'll just have to see then, "Said Ashlynn as the versus mode was selected. At the unit select screen, Naida selected the Tristan Divider. Megami chose the Mordred.
The fight lasted a while, both women very much into it. Eventually, Naida scored a winning blow, much to Ashlynn's frustration.
"Tch, you suck. Let's do this again!" she started, shaking her head.
"Sure thing," said Naida. She selected Lancelot Albion. Ashlynn picked Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. Eight Elements.
This time Megami won after a little effort. She smiled and laughed, thrilled by her exciting win.
"Ha! Lets go again," started Ashlynn.
"Of course, I'm not just going to let you win," said Naida eagerly.
"Ms. Fiametta, our Liege requests your presence," a voice said suddenly from the door, causing them both to look up. It was Lazarus, looking as dark and twisted as ever. Naida sighed and stood up.
"Pfft. Guess we'll have to continue later, Ash. Maybe Vi will be up and ready to join by that point as well," she said as she walked toward the door.
"Sounds cool. See ya later, Naida," said Ashlynn with a smile.
Naida left quietly. Lazarus too looked ready to walk away when Ashlynn decided to call out to him.
"You want a match, Lazarus?" she asked, holding out one of the game controller.
"Such mindless indulgence is a sin in the eyes of God," Lazarus said firmly. Ashlynn laughed. She turned the game off and stood to approach him.
"Heh, so what is that like number 433 on the list of things you've told me are sinful. Crazy," said Ashlynn walking toward the door to the room.
"God is unforgiving. He created man in His perfect image, but men have nothing in their mind but serving their petty material needs," said Lazarus, nodding.
"Glad I don't even try to not be a sinner then," said Ashlynn, walking out into the corridor; Lazarus followed. "Yep, Hell will be a joke after this life."
"The fiends of Hell are not something to view as a simple joke, Miss Alvara," the priest cautioned in a low voice.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to fear Hell, right?" said Ashlynn, putting a hand at the back of her head. "Knowing what I know about your God, your Devil can't be very much fun to be around."
"You mean to speak ill of God with those words, do you not?" Lazarus snarled as the two walked.
"Not really," said Ashlynn. "I'm just pointing out that the God you preach about isn't the most benevolent I've heard about."
"There is only one God. All others are false idols," said Lazarus. "The existence of such things is why God must be so unforgiving with his creations."
"Whatever you say, Father Cain," started Ashlynn. "I'm sure you know more about this stuff then I ever could."
"But of course, I hear God's word. I see what others do not," said Lazarus, with a nod. "Sinners lacking His holy blessing could never understand Him like I do."
"Big Sister!" a call came suddenly. Ashlynn looked down. A small child rushed at her and threw her arms around her hips affectionately. Ashlynn petted the little girl's head.
"Hi, Lucrecia. How are you today?" she asked, beaming down at the six year old girl, who had treated her as a sister since she joined the group.
"Good," the girl replied in her sweet voice, nodding and smiling cutely.
"That's good," said Ashlynn, hugging the girl a little before letting her back off.
"God smiles on those who show love to His devout servants, child," said Lazarus leering down at Lucrecia. Ashlynn's brow twitched angrily.
"Really, Father Cain?" the girl asked innocently, with wide eyes, taking a step toward the priest.
"Honestly, and you claim you don't have a sinful mind, Cain?" Ashlynn started, shaking her head and taking several steps away from the girl and toward the priest.
"I don't know of what you speak, Miss Alvara," Lazarus started with a wide grin.
"I read the file on your past," said Ashlynn. "And I don't intend to let my little sister here down in any way."
"Big Sister!" Lucrecia called cutely, closing the distance between her and Ashlynn. She proceeded to trip on her own feet, her girlish sundress flipping up, revealing bear print panties. Lazarus was staring
"Where do you think you're looking, Cain!" Ashlynn started punching the priest in the jaw, knocking the glasses of his face. She helped Lucrecia up to her feet as the man looked for them on the floor.
"That's how you deal with perverts, Lucrecia," said Ashlynn contemptuously, taking the girl by hand and leading her away..
"Okay, Big Sister!" the girl started, cheerfully, smiling upward.
"You hungry?" asked Ashlynn.
"Yep!" Lucrecia nodded.
"Good, I already ate, but let's get you something," said Ashlynn as she decided to head back to the kitchen. When they reached it and entered, it was again occupied.
"Hello, Miss Harrison, Miss Alvara," the old Sage started in a quiet voice as he sipped some coffee from a mug.
"Hi, Grandpa!" started Lucrecia cutely. The old man shook his head at the name.
"Hey," started Ashlynn. "So, what's fated to happen to me today?"
"You always ask, that, don't you?" the Sage started, smirking a little.
"You say you can see my fate," said Ashlynn. "And I don't believe in your sort of fate. I want to prove you wrong."
"Fine by me," said the Sage. "Today, you will waste your times on unimportant things before eventually going to bed having accomplished nothing of significance."
"Wow, that sounds like the same sort of easy to fulfill forecast you always give," said Ashlynn. "You'd have to be more specific for me to buy into this whole fate thing."
"It's hard to find specific things in days so insignificant to your fate," said the Sage.
"Sure, whatever you say," said Ashylnn, shrugging.
"It's fine if you don't believe now, girl. In the future this will change," said the Sage.
"Heh, fine. That's your prophecy and I'll make sure it never comes true. I'll remain a skeptic until the end," Ashlynn said with a full nod.
"As you wish, girl," said the Sage.
"Well, I think I'm going to go check on Vivia," said Ashlynn. "You think you could fix Lucrecia up something?"
"But Big sister!" Lucrecia started, looking distressed.
"Come on, Lucrecia, you'll see me later. 'Grandpa' here is better at cooking anyway," said Megami. The old man glared a little at her.
"Fine… but you have to play with me later," said Lucrecia, pouting a little.
"Of course," said Ashlynn, patting the child on the head. "See ya then." She looked at the old man. "I trust you don't mind?"
"I suppose not," said the Sage, nodding.
"Cool, see ya," the girl replied, shrugging and giving Lucrecia a final wave goodbye.
Ashlynn exited the room quietly after than and emerged back into the corridor. She continued a long way before her path was crossed by a surprising someone. She stared Deifilia Amarantha's beautiful features down carefully and smiled at her.
"My dear Ashlynn. It's nice seeing you," the woman said approaching her, lifting her chin and then softly pressing a kiss onto her lips. Ashlynn kissed her back softly.
"Y-yeah," said Ashlynn, nervously as the kiss broke. Megami couldn't get used to this woman. She was unnerving, somewhat frightening, but Ashlynn owed her every ounce of happiness she now had. The woman's arms, her bed, they were also comforting, Ashlynn couldn't deny this.
"Did you enjoy last night?" the woman asked with a kindly smile and a sweet voice, that belied the darker side of her character.
"Of course. Didn't I make it obvious enough, then?" started Ashlynn, blushing. Deifilia Amarantha was good at pleasing women. It was that simple.
"I suppose so," said Deifilia with a smile. "You were cute."
"Well, I'm glad you think so," said Ashlynn with a smile. "I'm up for it whenever you need me."
"It pleases me to hear that," said Deifilia, smiling and running a hand through Ashlynn's hair. "You're probably my favorite, you know that?"
"Stop…" Ashlynn blushed and laughed. "That's not fair to the rest."
"You know Signa doesn't care about such things, and Naida can feel synthetic since I'm pleasing an image that isn't truly her," said Deifilia. "It's you that is nothing short of beautiful in bed."
"Isn't that a little unfair to Vivia?" Ashlynn started, shaking her head.
"You're right. Vivia in a beautiful girl as well. I think I'll have her tonight," said Deifilia.
"I bet she'll like that," said Ashlynn.
"Yes," said Deifilia, closing her eyes and smiling.
"Well, speaking of Vivia, I think I'm going to go see if she's awake," said Ashlynn in a low voice.
"Why don't you, Ashlynn," Deifilia said, smiling softly.
Ashlynn smiled back at her hesitantly and then walked ahead, a little relieved to be away from the intimidating woman. She hurried down the corridor to the bedrooms. She knocked at a familiar door.
"Hey, Vivia. You up?" she started in a full voice.
"Ah, Ashlynn," a low yawn came. After half a minute of rustling sounds the door opened. "Hey."
Vivia Clarimond stand in the door, in her pajamas, wiping sleep from her eyes. Even with her soft black hair frazzled, this was a beautiful girl. She had soft pale skin, deep brown eyes, and a very nice figure. Vivia was 27, seven years older than Ashlynn, but, like the even older Naida, she was on about the same maturity level. She was a fun person to be around, with her genuinely cool, laid back character.
"Sleep well?" asked Ashlynn smiling at the other.
"Not long enough," Vivia yawned and threw a hand up in the air to stretch.
"You went to bed at eight, you know…" started Ashlynn, shaking her head.
"You know how it is," Vivia said, groggily.
"I have heard your Geas leaves you exhausted, but I'm not sure I've ever seen you not sleepy. It's kind of strange," said Ashlynn, smiling.
"Yeah," said Vivia. "I probably need more caffeine… or something…"
"Well, someone already has plans for you tonight at least," Ashlynn informed with a smile.
"Oh, well, that's something worth staying up for," Vivia laughed. "Though I have to be careful. Last time I fell asleep halfway though. I don't think she liked that much."
Ashlynn wondered how this was possible. At the very least, she had an idea why Deifilia hadn't mentioned Vivia at first just a moment before.
"Yeah, you might not want to do that," said Ashlynn with a laugh.
"I think you're probably right," the girl replied smilingly.
"So, you hungry?" started Ashlynn, shrugging.
"Not really," said Vivia.
"Deifilia was talking to Naida, but as I just ran into her, I think that's done now. We could go find her for some gaming," Ashlynn suggested, nodding.
"Yeah. That sounds like fun," Vivia replied, with a quiet nod.
"Let's go then," said Ashlynn, smiling.
"Cool. Wait a sec for me to get dressed," said Vivia.
"Of course."
With that, Vivia disappeared into her room again. After five minutes she reappeared, her mid-length hair spiked out evenly and normal clothes, pants and a nice blouse, adorning her body. She looked cute.
The two started down the hall wordlessly, a relaxed atmosphere around them. Eventually they reached the television room. Naida wasn't there.
"Eh, she'll show up eventually," said Ashlynn sitting down.
"She always does," said Vivia with a smile as she sat down too, turning on the knightmare frame combat game.
"Lucrecia probably will come eventually too. I said we'd play together," Ashlynn, said, remembering her cute "little sister".
"Cool. That's a cute kid," Vivia replied as she navigated through the game menus. She selected Shinkiro at the character screen.
"Yeah, she's sweet," said Ashlynn. "It's a shame this has to be her home."
"But she's one of us," said Vivia. "You know her past. She owes more to that woman than almost any of us do."
"Yeah, but I just think she'll be hurt in the end. It's sad," said Ashlynn, her voice low and somber.
"We'll all be hurt in the end, Ashlynn. We may hide from it now, but we can't forever," said Vivia, her voice very low. "It's the truth."
"Right," said Ashlynn. "I know I've done things of which I'm not proud. I know that woman will have me do even more such things in the future."
"Do you think this happiness, these few joyous moments in our bleak lives are worth all this? That being saved by her was worth being free?" asked Vivia.
"I can't tell you that directly, Vivia," Ashlynn said, shaking her head. "All I can say right now, is I'm going to win."
"Win? What do you--?!" Vivia started. it was only a moment later that he realized that Ashlynn had finally selected a unit, Galahad, and the game had begun. "No fair! Cheater!"
"You're fault for not paying attention," said Ashlynn with a quick laugh.
Vivia punched her hard in the leg and then turned her attention fully to the game. Even with Ashlynn's early lead, she still won out in the end.
They played a long while, eventually lucrecia and Naida did join in. That day was fun. It was peaceful. Ashlynn had a smile on her face. There weren't many days like that one left.
A/N: A fairly long extra. This one was fun for me, allowing me to capture a certain set of characters in a new light. Even though it wasn't perverted like most of his suggestions, I was pushed to do this by daiki-kasho (probably because it meant more time for his two characters), but I enjoyed it. It's going to be one in three Ashlynn focused past extras we'll be seeing. This Vivia girl will be fleshed out a bit more in the other two.
Items to be added to the main story's info page:
Vivia Clarimond