Chapter Two

What's Mine Is Yours

Nymph sat patiently on the count as she monitored Tomoki's heart rate and breathing. It was slowing by the second, soon he will be asleep and Ikoras will be free to discus her plan. A half hour passed and Nymph could tell that Tomoki was sound asleep. She crept up the stairs so Tomoki wouldn't wake again. The last thing she wanted was to have him stir and Ikoras stay by his side. This was her one shot to make her move, while Astrea was away for the night; it was now or never. Nymph pulled the door and stuck her head in the small opening she made.

"Hey, uh.. Alpha? Are you busy, I could use a bit of help downstairs. I heard Tomoki wake earlier, and I want him to wake up to a spotless house. I think it'll be a nice surprise." Nymph's reactor picked up speed. She was nervous about the whole situation.

"Of course, Nymph, but we must hurry. I must not leave Master's side for long. I fear he will wake again from another nightmare". Ikoras was hesitant to leave the room, knowing she promised to stay close this night. Before closing the door behind her, she took one last look at her master and sighed heavy. She never enjoyed parting ways, even for a few minutes.

"So Alpha… can we talk over some tea? It's kind of serious, and you can't get mad, okay?

Oh man… I don't know how Alpha will take this. Please, please don't get made when I ask…

Ikoras agreed and sat at the table while Nymph served her a cup of tea. Ikoras had agreed to hear Nymph out and agreed to her terms. The two sat in silence as the tea sat and cooled for a moment. Nymph has still not said as word, or even glanced at Ikoras since they sat down. Getting slightly impatient, Ikoras broke the silence.

"Nymph, you had questions to ask, did you not? May we start, I need to get back to Master".

"Oh yes… I'm sorry Alpha, I just don't know how to say it. It's about ma…it's about Tomoki."

I can't believe I almost called Tomoki master! That was too close. He isn't even my master, not yet at least."

Ikoras' reactor speed spiked; a pang of jealousy and concern. Nymph heard the anomaly in her reactor and knew exactly what was on her mind. She anticipated a hard no from Ikoras before the question was even popped.

"Has master been… master? Has he been inappropriate with you lately, more so than normal?" Ikons feared that she might be losing his affection to another, to Nymph.

"No, no, he's actually been rather well behaved. Oddly enough, he hasn't done anything too bad since.. you know." Nymph's voice trailed off as memories of her death flooded her mind. It's been a couple of months since then, but the memories still feel as if it happened just yesterday.

"I guess that's what I'm worried about Alpha. He isn't quite the same Tomoki, and you know it. These dreams, these nightmares hurt him more than anything. I want to help I know I can… but there is just one condition. Tomoki has to be my master first. It's not my place to do this for him, to help him like you do everyday, if I am not his. I know how you feel about him, and I respect that. So please, Alpha, may I have Tomoki as a master too?"

Nymph continued to pour her heart out to Ikoras, still staring at the floor as she spoke. Her reactor raced just thinking about Tomoki being her master too. She has wanted this for years now, and finally she has come so close. Ikoras took a slow sip of her tea before responding to Nymph.

"Yes, I have noticed master has not been the same. I do also love master, very much."

Nymph cringed at the words and Ikoras noticed, but made not comment as she continued wit her answer.

"My master is my master, that will never change. That doesn't mean that you cannot have master too. What is mine is yours, Nymph. I know you must have feelings for master too, it must be true after you gave your life for him without being master's angeloid too. You can ask master to claim you, but I cannot say what master's response will be. I wish you the best, Nymph."

Nymph stopped mid-sip as she received approval. Eyes wide, she stared at Ikoras in disbelief.

There's no way, this can't be! Alpha actually said yes! This is so great, soon I'll have a master again!

This was only half the battle though. Ikoras' approval didn't mean Tomoki would approve the request. Caught up in the moment, she didn't quite realize it herself.

I hope master takes her. She deserves it the most, after all. Nymph first laid her life down before master so he could use the Rule. If anything, she deserves the master she wants.

"You should ask now, Nymph, while the house is so quiet. I feel Astrea might be jealous if she were to be around when you ask." Ikoras finished her tea and began to rinse her cup. She couldn't help it, but she was still jealous. Ikoras belonged to Tomoki first why should she be forced to share? It all boiled down to having him happy, at any cost.

"Right. Thank you again, Alpha. No matter what happens, I'll always be thankful for giving me your approval. If you want, you can be there when I ask. I don't mind, really. It's more of a privilege for me to even get to ask Tomoki." And she was right. Angeloids weren't meant to choose their masters. They were given to their masters and given purpose by them.

"No, its okay. Being down the hall will suffice." Ikoras finished rinsing the cups and lead the way to Tomoki's bedroom. "I did say yes, Nymph. You are asking tonight, correct?"

"Oh, yeah, of course. I'll be right there" Nymph took a deep breath and went over what she planned to say for the hundredth time. Her reactor pulsated with every step she took toward Tomoki's room. She wondered how dying for Tomoki seemed so much easier than asking to be his. It made no sense to her, but she still continued with her plans and made her ways upstairs.

"I wish you the best." were Ikoras' final words of encouragement.

I know you have minimal emotional capabilities, but something more assuring would have been great…

"Thank you, Ikoras. It mean's a lot to me". Nymph braced herself before entering the room.

This is it. After all these years of waiting and proving myself, I may finally have a master. Not just that, but the master I want.

She took one last deep breath. He head spun with excitement and butterflies dashed around her stomach; if heaven was real, she felt like she could be there now. Anxious, scared, and completely in love, she went to pop the question.