Tseng watched Reno walk away with a heavy heart…he was a most promising young man, but unfortunately he had a love of plants, not justice like Tseng had hoped for. He was still looking for a likely successor, someone young enough to get a proper necessary education to be the next magistrate. He wanted to retire and have more time for…he saw Father Vincent heading to the church and moved to intercept him.
"Well, I wasn't expecting to see you today, Tseng." Father Vincent said as the magistrate approached him. "But I suppose you are concerned with the loss of two more villagers. Shall we talk about it in private?" Father Vincent smiled benevolently at Tseng.
Tseng smiled back at him. "Yes, I think I am in need your counsel, Father." The two men walked in companionable silence until they reached the hallway to Father Vincent's private study which doubled as his office when need be. "It's not just the two men, Father. Reno went off to the woods today, despite my warning him most severely "
"Ah, young Reno. He frequently helps out with gardening and research. A very intelligent young man, but unfortunately too innocent about the evils lurking all around." Father Vincent replied as he opened the door to his study, locking the door once Tseng entered, to ensure their privacy.
"I remember when you were too innocent, Vincent." Tseng told him, stroking the priest's hair. Their similar long black hair made some people think they were brothers, but the bond between them was of flesh, not of blood.
"Do you think you have done enough penance for that offense?" Vincent replied casually as he put his hands on Tseng's tunic, feeling the firm muscles of his chest underneath it.
"Never." Tseng told him, cupping Vincent's face in his hands and kissing him, then released him to kneel in front of him, lifting up his priestly robes. .
Vincent groaned as he felt Tseng's lips on his manhood. He always found it difficult to keep quiet from the pleasure Tseng so easily gave him, but neither of them could afford to have their relationship made public. He bit his lip to keep from crying out as he came in Tseng's mouth. "That…that was a very good penance." Vincent said when he could talk again.
"Now it's your turn, isn't it?" Tseng asked as he stood up, and Vincent's eyes were drawn like a magnet downwards to see that Tseng was indeed ready for his own pleasure.
"Of course." Vincent nodded and bent over his desk, keeping his robes above his waist. He closed his red eyes as he felt Tseng enter him, sighing in contentment. He hadn't always been a priest, but Tseng didn't know that when they met upon Vincent's arrival in the village ten years ago. Their relationship had begun five years ago, when Vincent went to offer condolences to Tseng over the death of his wife Scarlet. He had developed a good friendship with Tseng, having frequent dealings with him professionally, but that night…Vincent had been quite familiar with sex in the past he tried to forget, but neither of them had ever been with other men, and the love that quickly blossomed between them made Vincent realize he had been virginal in a different way.
"You're wonderful." Tseng said as he eagerly thrust into his lover's body, Vincent was always so fit and firm that his body encased Tseng's member so perfectly as if they had been made for each other. Tseng had been as stunned as Vincent to find himself enjoying a physical relationship with the town priest. They justified their union by never using a bed, since it was a sin for men to lie with other men. Their mutual climax was as strong as ever, robbing both of them of their breath momentarily. "I thank you for your counsel, Father Vincent." Tseng said out loud when they were interrupted by a knock on the door by one of the nuns.
"You're welcome, Magistrate." Vincent replied as he opened the door once they made sure their outfits gave no indication of their activities. "I hope to see you at Mass." Tseng nodded and left, then Vincent turned to the nun. "What is it, Sister Shelke?"
Rude didn't have to search too long for the intruder into the Master's woods. He watched the young man look carefully at the plant life, and occasionally would take a pad out of his bag and draw on it. After watching him for a while, Rude gathered up the plants and fungus the young man seemed most interested in and placed them where they would catch his eye, subtly guiding him towards the cave. He didn't even notice Rude's presence when he laid the trap. Rude hurried back to the cave. "He's getting close, Master. He was only interested in plants, nothing else." Rude informed Sephiroth.
"Then it will be easy to confuse him until nightfall if he's not the right one, when you may have your way with him, Tifa." Sephiroth announced. "Follow me, nymphs." He left the cave with Aerith, Yuffie, and Elena trailing behind him.
Reno was in heaven, having found a plethora of not only halo mushrooms, but dragon lilies and flame roses as well. He lost track of time as he studied them, making notes and drawings. Suddenly he heard footsteps behind him and he whirled around, seeing only a flash of bare skin disappearing behind a tree. "Who's there?" he asked. The only answer he got was a giggle, and he cautiously approached the tree, but no one was there, then he heard another giggle near another tree. "Show yourself!" he shouted, starting to feel nervous. A third giggle came from behind him, and he looked back to see a slender female hand grab his satchel.
"Hey, come back here with that!" Reno forgot all caution as he chased after his bag. He finally found it near a pond close to a cave, and that's when he realized it was getting dark, and he didn't know where he was. He pouted at missing dinner, hoping his brothers wouldn't be too worried. Reno still didn't know who had taken his bag, but he was getting tired, and sleep would at least make him forget how hungry he was. Curling up reluctantly on the ground, he prayed for safety as he put his head on his satchel for a pillow.
Vincent was kept busy with his usual priestly duties, plus the added task of comforting the families of the latest two victims of the haunted woods, for the rest of the day, and when he finally had time to himself again as he got into bed, he was frowning. He knew what must be causing the male villagers to disappear, and it disgusted him, since something had to be done. Twelve villagers gone, and it chilled him to the bone that Tseng could be the thirteenth, since as the town magistrate, it would be his duty to try and eradicate the threat. "You can never outrun your past." Vincent muttered to himself before falling asleep.