(A/N: More building time. Soon enough everyone will be there. Thanks to Elder-Master for the beta like always.)
(Winter Place: Nagisa's Apartment: Servant Quarters)
"I shall have to scold Chiyo later. She's far too slow," Tamao complained to herself. Admittedly, Tamao never felt that Chiyo was an ideal choice for a lady-in-waiting. There were far too many things to name. Chiyo's posture, her attitude, how easily she was flustered. Some of it could be chalked up to young age. But the vast majority of things were beyond Tamao's tolerance.
"Milady needs someone she can rely upon. Someone who will never falter…" Tamao said as she passed verdict over someone she felt was unworthy. As Tamao's hands worked quickly on the waist of Nagisa's night gown, a fire seemed to pulse in her eyes. "…not some weak-willed girl. She is not fit." Tamao growled under her breath and as she felt her jealousy rip and tear within her as her cheeks flushed with anger.
Tamao's hands moved in a controlled blur as she finished the alteration. Having bit the thread off with her teeth, Tamao stabbed the needle into the pincushion.
"Not fit at all."
Having finished the task, Tamao examined the garment. As she checked it, her hands turned from just barely touching the cotton to raking it though her fingers. Tamao pawed at the gown as if its contents were still inside it.
"Milady…" Tamao whispered as the events of the morning returned to her. Slowly tugging, touching, and tying. The smooth and firm contours were too much. Now that she was away, away from prying eyes, Tamao could finally…
"I…" Tamao trailed as she placed the garment to her face, as if it really were her virtuous Lady. As the garment caressed her face, Tamao was brought into a different world, or perhaps even a different reality.
In this reality, Tamao didn't cover her Lady; she seized her in her arms. Tamao didn't console her; she stole the soft kisses of a virgin. Tamao did not dress her, she worshiped her every inch. Tamao didn't allow 'her' virginity to be taken by that woman, she took it herself. The sweet moans, the blooming flower that she devoured and the essence of a goddess dripping down the back of Tamao's throat. The mere thought caused Tamao's deepest calm to turn to mist and was no more.
But this was another time, and another place.
Tamao's reality dawned upon her. Embarrassment flushed over Tamao's face. There was no one here to see her fantasize about her Lady's moans and screams. Still, she felt as if she were somehow the worst being to exist. Tamao wanted things that she could not have.
"How despicable!" Tamao stated, gown dropping to the floor as she wept. So many things had come to pass over the past few months. Perhaps it was the stress of a new place. No, it was no such thing. Those things did not explain this. Something that had always been there, but Tamao just chose to ignore it. And deplorable things were committed in this snowy prison.
Tamao's tears gave away to a slight giggle and before long a full laugh. Tamao's body shook heartily as her mind realized the full weight of what now would obstruct her forever.
"Nagisa's…body, her life, her soul. Everything. To be offered to that whore, that ungrateful foul wench. This simply will not do, but there is nothing I can do about the latter. And I fear that I may lose this battle I am waging with myself. I want to be entwined with Milady. I want Milady to scream my name. I want Milady's…" Tamao stated as she gasped loudly and latched her hands over her mouth, she began to cry once more.
"My God, what is happening to me!" Tamao said as she pushed the chair over. Down on her knees, Tamao fought to regain her composure, but only continued to convulse with more sobbing. Fate dangled bait before Tamao and she feared that she might not be able to resist it.
(Winter Palace: Noble Apartments: Hikari's Parlor)
"I see, I see, I see" Chikaru said in-between gasps. "So it was the horse that knocked you off, and not you falling off the horse." Chikaru fought to keep a formal laugh, but found it increasingly difficult.
Nagisa however did not find the reaction the least bit amusing.
"Lady Chikaru, I cannot help but think that if I was not looking at you, I would mistake your laugh with such an animal." Yaya openly shot at Chikaru. Despite the glare of Kagome towards the nun, Chikaru turned her head to the side slightly and then cackled.
"I believe I was right about you, dear Sister. Apparently your window blew in and bestowed upon you a fluffy coat of snow before you awoke this morning. It must be lonely in a bed of one." Chikaru blasted back.
"That is quite enough." Hikari said quashing the civil spat.
"If I was not mistaken, I would think you two closer." Nagisa said as two pairs of eyes glanced at her own.
"Oh?" Chikaru said as she seemed to take interest.
"Lady Nagisa, just how close do you mean?" Yaya asked raising an eyebrow.
"I just meant that I have only seen such bickering from two married people." Nagisa finished.
"Indeed, you are correct. Sister Yaya does act like an elderly man." Chikaru said opening a full volley.
"The good Countess keeps her youth by bathing in mud." Yaya said with a slight smirk not trying to be polite anymore.
"Calling me a Sow are you? I thought you more creative than that." Chikaru blustered with a glint in her eyes.
"I will have no more at my table. No More!" Hikari ordered.
"Oh dear." Chikaru said as her expression became somber and then bounced back quickly.
"Hikari, why are you so upset?" Yaya queried.
"I will not have name calling. I do not like it." Hikari stated as she looked down.
"Really, why do you not go read that instead of being so polite?" Chikaru said bluntly as the atmosphere began to lighten. And perhaps the recommendation was best. Hikari rose from the table as did Yaya.
"I have church matters to attend to. I fear that the Lord is calling me back home." Yaya stated as she began to walk away.
"Are you sure that he's not calling you away from an argument you cannot win? The intention of a God is so fickle." Chikaru said once more going for Yaya's neck.
"Pray that He does not intend you to die in a cloud of foul smoke." Yaya said without breaking her stride.
"Fair enough..." Chikaru said as she seemingly dropped the issue. As she noticed that only Nagisa remained at the table, Chikaru turned her attention towards her. "Lady Nagisa?"
"Yes...?" Nagisa asked as she heard the doors to both the hall and Hikari's private apartments close. She looked over into Chikaru's eyes, which had since become serious.
"Why would someone in such a life as yours, come to such a dreadful place?" Chikaru asked with some firmness.
"Dreadful?" Nagisa asked.
"I am sorry, allow me to clarify. Why would you allow yourself to be sent so far away from home to be a prize for some ruler?" Chikaru pushed down with slight vocal force.
"You think I chose this?" Nagisa asked showing some surprise and a touch of anger.
"No, I suppose not." Chikaru said before taking in a deep breath. "I have foreseen something."
"Foreseen?" Nagisa asked confused.
"Yes, something is going to happen." Chikaru said somberly.
"What?" Nagisa asked once more. As the sun pulled its rays from view, the two Ladies seemed to get quiet and with what appeared to be a kiss to the ear, Lady Chikaru departed, leaving only Nagisa in the once lively room.