Ch Title: Cause, baby, it's easy to fake a smile when you've been doing it for a while.

Beep…

Everything was so heavy.

Beep…

She was so tired.

Beep…

But she needed to see her brother later.

Beep…

Was that her alarm?

Beep…

Must be running late.

Beep...

Murky gray eyes slowly blinked open slowly, sluggishly. It took so much energy to do such a simple action. Her eyes stung in the dim light as they tried to make out her surroundings. Where was she?

Beep…

Why was she on her back? She couldn't get up with her stomach if she was on her back?

Beep…

Why did her room look so weird..? She doesn't recall any white walls in her house? Did Tien repaint while she was out?

Beep…

She rolled her eyes in humor and tried to move a hand to caress her stomach. The limb barely twitched.

B-Beep…

Confusion creeped into her veins as she tried again. Again, barely any movement.

B-Beep…

It's just sleep paralysis. Give it a minute. It'll be fine. Mommy's fine. Her eyes flit to her stomach.

B-Beep... Beep…

Her stomach was flat. She could see two lumps where her feet were.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

She tried to move and sit up but couldn't. Panic grew next to her confusion.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Why could she see her feet? Where were her babies?!

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Where is she?! Was that a railing? Is she in a hospital?

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Did she give birth early?! Did something happen?

BEEPBEEPBEEP!

What happened!?

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep…

Rin Yamamoto sat silently as he watched over his sister. His hair was a mess with bed head and his clothes in a disarray. He'd dropped everything when the hospital called to tell him his sister was awake. His wife was home with his daughter asleep but he knew that if they could, they would be right there with him.

Still, he was somewhat happy for the illusion of privacy. His sister had a private room in the hospital and 24/7 guard to protect her from any other attacks or fans that tried to trespass. The hospital tried to keep things under wraps but from the top floor he could see the huge crowd of fans and reporters that had also gotten hold of the news. Walking over to the window, he leaned against the glass and glared half-heartely at the persistent crowds. They claimed to love her but no one actually tried to help her when it happened…

"Tch…"

Rin walked away from the glass and sat back in his seat next to the bed. Hesitantly, he reached out and held his sister's hand and took in her features. Her normally shoulder length hair had grown to her waist that laid limpy across the pillows. He refused to let anyone come in and cut it, saying that she neve let anyone touch her hair. Her skin had lost its glow and looked almost fake under the light of the numerous monitors hooked up to her. Looking at her lying in this bed… So still and unaware of the world…

Somewhere on that floor, he could hear cheers blaring from a TV speaker as the Yggdrasil World Champioships reached their finale.

Tears slowly dripped down his face before he gave up trying to hold them back. The tears flowed hot and fast as he dropped his face into one hand and tightened his grip on his sister with the other.

He wanted to be alone with her when she woke again. He had to make amends. It was all his fault that she was attacked.

He should have been there.

"O-oniichan...?"

Rin froze at the tentative voice. His face whipped up and towards Sara's. Icey blue met slate gray and for a painfully brief moment, everything was normal.

But it wasnt.

"Where am I?" She rasped and winced at the sound of her voice. Rin immediately poured her a glass of water from a pitcher and held it for her to drink. The water went down greedily, Sara almost choking a few times as she drank. "Slow down." Rin said as he pulled the cup away. Sara gasped as she tried to catch her breathwhile taking in her surroundings. "D-did I go into labor early?' Where's Ruruma and Nanama?" She asked with a weak smile. "Do they look like me or… like…?"

Her questions puttered off as Rin refused to answer and looked away sadly.

"You were attacked." He started. "Your stalker… he snapped when he heard about the pregnancy."

Sara grew paler with each word tht she heard.

"The twins didn't make it."

Tears pricked the corners of Sara's eyes as she held back a sob to ask. "When's their funeral?"

Rin looked uncomfortable at the question. Carefully, he held her hand again and started to stroke her hair. "Sara…"

"You've been in a coma for eight months."

The heart monitor went crazy as she began sobbing and hyperventilating. A team of nurses rushed in and immediately sedated her. Rin's face was covered in guilt as he watched his little sister's tear stained face.

She came to slowly. Her head felt like cotton as she looked around her hospital room. Turing her head to the side to go back to sleep when she spotted him.

"Nara…" She whispered and tried to reach for the man sitting beside her. "I'm so happy to see you…"

Black eyes were unreadable as the man pulled away. Sara suddenly notice the woman next to him. A foreigner, buxom and blonde with the prettiest green eyes she'd ever seen. "Nara…?" Sara tried again as she looked at him confusedly.

"Sara, this is my new girlfriend. Anna." He said as he laid a hand on the woman's shoulder. Sara felt her world fall further apart. This couldn't be happening…!

"I don't think you were going to wake up. I had to move on with my life." Nara told her, his voice almost pleading as he tried to defend himself. "The doctors say you'd never walk again even if you did wake up. You couldn't expect me to give up my career to stay with you everyday and take care of you?"

She wanted to scream, kick, throw something. Anything. How could the man she loved just say these things to her? She lost everything and he's here trying to justify why he doesnt want to be a part of her life anymore?

The woman, Anna, smiled awkwardly and held out her hand to shake. "It's an honor to meet you, miss." Her accent was heavy as she spoke, obviously unused to the language. "I'm a huge fan of your movies. Especially your last one, "Kill Me Before I Die"." She laughed and took her hand back when she remembered that Sara couldnt move. "I actually met Rin at the nomination party."

Sara just stared as the woman continued to talk, to in shock to even respond. The words were distant and muddled, like the adults in that one vintage cartoon. Rin started to talk as well but his words were also drowned out until he put the final nail in the coffin.

"Can I have the ring back, Sara?"

The sun beamed down on them from high in the sky. Ainz, dressed in the same dark armor from that first night outside the Tomb, stood beside Naberal Gamma in traveling clothes. They were to be known as Mommon the Drak Warrior and his companion Nabe. The plan was simple, really. They were going to gather information about htis new world while building a reputation to help them become acquainted with this new society. There was only one hitch.

The worried glare of one Carrisimi Licentia.

The angel is flanked by a small squad of guardians as she held Victim in her arms. Sephiroth and Karma stood on either side of her wings. Demiurge stood next to Karma with Sebas on Sephiroth's side. Albedo was slightly off to the side as she watched the proceedings, her eyes full of stars at the sight of her beloved donning suc magnificent armor.

"I know I can't stop you, but I must ask you to reconsider." Carrisimi asked as she stepped closer and looked at Ainz throught the helmet. Victim was handed off to Sephiroth, the incubus automatically moving to stroke the tiny angel and rock him back to sleep. "Dont leave me." Her eyes shined with tears that hadnt formed yet and her face was in the perfect "kicked puppy" expression. Her eyes fluttered with sorrow as she tilted her head ever so slightly to the side.

Ainz knew what she was doing. Carrisimi had abandonment issues a mile longand often stated that everyone always left her. And she was truly worried about having to lead. She could barely take care of herself these last few years, how was she to lead a whole kingdom. But Ainz had faith in her. She needed to know that she was strong and didnt need to wholly depend on others to be happy.

He almost caved and cancelled his plans though. But he needed this.

He never told her the other reason he wanted to do this. He never told her that he wanted a break from the Tomb. It was so suffocating with the constant presence of Albedo and the other guardians. He knew they meant well but he needed space and freedom.

I'm sorry to do this to you Carrisimi. But I need some peace away from them.

Carrisimi seemed to be mostly unbothered by the antics of their subjects so she should be fine. They agreed to rule together but she hadnt been put in that kind of position yet. What better time to give her the chance than when he was leaving the Tomb in her care as opposed to directing under an attack.

He felt like he was trying to convince himself to reassure himself he wasnt a bad friend...

"I must do this. We need to learn more about this world before we can makeany further decisions for our people."

Carrisimi's expression dropped and the pain, so raw and unfiltered, was painted so clearly across her face. Ainz watched as too many emotions danced through her eyes before they slipped away to make space for a radiant smile. It reminded him of something she said when he asked her how she could smile for the cameras after what happened.

"A smile is the first thing they teach you to fake when you become an actor."

Ainz kneeled before Carrisimi and opened his arms to the angel. Carrisimi took the invitation immediately and hugged him. "Be safe." Carrisimi whispered to her friend and kissed his helm. Satisfied with the gesture, the angel stepped backand deftly plucked a feather from her wing, the delicate plume turning dangerously sharp with the change to diamond. "Take this with you. To remember me by." She said as and handed it to him.

"Of course, Carrisimi." Ainz said and thread the shaft through his scarf.

Albedo was pissed. Unknown to those around them, Carrisimi's action was a stake of claim and intent. One that Lord Ainz had accepted by displaying the feather so openly. The closer the feather was to the heart, the higher the acceptee held that person in regard. Carrisimi's feather glittered so prettily in the sunlight right above Lord Ainz's heart.

A dark aura covered Albedo as she restrained herself from lashing out at her obvious competition for her beloved.

"Lord Ainz." Albedo called out as she approached the Supremem Beings. "I would like to gift you one of my own feathers."

The succubus presented her beloved with one of her biggest feathers, the plume easily dwarfing the one Carrisimi gave him.

"Take that, you damned angel!" Albedo crowed internally.

"Uh… Thank you Albedo." Ainz said awkwardly before putting the feather in his inventory. The feather was beautifu but it would just get destroyed if he put it on his armor. Plus, it was just too big to actually look good instead of costumey.

Albedo felt her heart break a little at the obvious dismissal of her intent. Maybe she had to try harder?!

Ainz was blissfully unaware of her plight as he stood back up and addressed the gathered guardians.

"I must take my leave now but I expect you to treat Lady Carrisimi with the same level of respect and deference you give me! She shall lead you inmy absence and her word is law until my return!" He called out before turning to Nabe.

"Come, Nabe. It is time."

The maid bowed and bade her mistress farewell before following the lich the a portal. As soon as the portal disappeared, Carrisimi sighed and turned to the collected guardians.

"Children, you are excused for the rest of the day. Sephiroth, if you could please escort Victim back to the eight floor that would be most appreciated." The incubus bowed with his companions and descended into the tomb. Carrisimi allowed a fond smile to grace her face before turning to the others. "We have much to do if we are to survive in this new world. Albedo," She addressed the succubus. "If you'd lead the way, I need to get to Ainz's office." She said politely.

On the outside, Albedo was calm but on the inside she was screaming and cursing the angel. Her jealousy could burn countries as she smiled at the angel and opened a "Gate" to the ninth floor. Walking through the portal, she was spooked by a wall of white on the other side.

Snowflake peered down at Albedo, hs tongue flickering out to catch her scent and measure her worth. He couldnt attack her but he could still decide if she was worth the effort of tolerating. The female remained still as the snake ispected her, memories of the many deaths of her creator at the beasts jaw still fresh in her mind.

"Ah, Snowflake!" Carrisimi called out as she exited the portal. "There you are. Are you being a good boy?"

Albedo was shocked as all the negative energy coming off the snake vanished in an instant. Snowflake darted forward with a terrifying speed and began to nuzzle Carrisimmi's stomach. His long body slithered around Albedo to curl slightly around his owner. The gathered guardians were forced back to make room for the massive reptile.

They watched in awe as Carissimi cooed and scratched at the scales around Snowflake's face. "I'd love to stay and play, but I have work to do." She told her pet while stroking him between the eyes. "Why don't you go and patrol? I'm giving you free reign of the Tomb until Ainz comes back. But stay away from the eighth floor, okay?"

With a small pat, Carisimmi dismissed the snake and started to walk away. She'd though her pet would just slither away and find himself on the sixth floor but was surprised when Snowflake began to follow behind her. Turning back to the snake, they both stopped and looked at each other. "I have work to do Snowflake." Her words were amused but tired. "Why dont you go find Aura? Im sure she'd love to play with you."

Snowflake tilted his head to the side in what seemed to be in understanding before climbing a pillar and disappearing ito the shadows of the high ceiling. It was almost disturbing how his gleaming white scales easily disappeared into the dark whenever he took to the shadows. It was how Tabula was always caught off guard, the snake a master of stealth.

It was truly disturbing.

Carrisimi shook her head and turned back to Albedo, an apology on the tip of her tongue. "Apologies if Snowflake scared you, Albedo. I know he and your creator had a very… complicated relationship as did I. But I promise you, he will not be attacking you or any of the other NPCs." Carrisimi gave a smile that she'd hope was reassuring but Albedo only saw as mocking. "Shall we continue to Ainz's office?" She finished before their little group continued on with their task.

Several maids had stopped to watch the interaction, fear and awe evident on their faces. Many a time they'd had to chase Snowflake off the throne or were hunted by the massive snake. While he'd never eaten them, the terror of being chased by smething so large and deadly was something they would never forget. Almost as if he could hear their thoughts, a series of almost mocking hisses echoed earily through the halls. The maids quickly cleared out and the hall became devoid of any activity.

Albedo continued to lead Carrisimi in silence to Lord Ainz's office in silence. A silence she used to think.

Obviously, the nephilim was a love else would she present her feather to her beloved Ainz-sama! The damned lamprey wasnt any real competion. But now she had to compete with a Supreme Being. The last of her kind. And the woman was beautiful to boot. Carrisimi could provide Lord Ainz with pureblooded heirs and knew him in IRL.

Albedo had a alot stacked against her.

Their arrival to Lord Ainz's office was signalled by the slight groan of the opening doors. Albedo felt her eye twitch slightly as she watched the angel settle into Lord Ainz's chair.

"How dare she spread her scent on my beloved's seat!"

"Lady Carrisimi." Albedo started with a tight smile. "Wouldnt you rather another desk and hair be brought for you instead of using Lord Ainz's?"

Carrisimi looked up from a scroll she pulled out of the desk and blinked innocently at the other woman. "Ah, that wont be necessary Albedo. Momo's seat is actually very comfy." She said wistfully, unaware of her slip of tongue. Albedo's face scrunched every so slightly but said nothing, just fuming as she politely dismissed herself.

Carrisimi looked over the scroll, a clear list of things to do written out for her by Momonga.

To Do

Discuss farming and paper production with Demiurge

Choose location on Sixth Floor to grow produce and livestock

Pay visit to Carne Village

Carrisimi stared confusedly at the paper, looking for the rest of the list. Was this really it? This seemed easy enough. Maybe she was worried for nothing?

She was absolutely wrong. She hadnt worried enough.

The morning had gone relatively smooth, her meeting with Demuirge having taken up the entire morning. It wasnt the paperwork that was hard, she actually found it kind of relaxing.

No, it was Demiurge and Sebas that made the morning stressful.

If she'd been her demonic form, she would have surely burst into flames.

She didnt know what had gotten into them but they were literally all over her the entire day. The strap for one of her heels had snapped when Snowflke scared her by dropping from the ceiling. Demiurge had fixed it and put the shoe back on for her, but not without running his lips across her inner ankle. Her hair kept falling into her face as she leaned over papers and Sebas had pulled it back, his fingers trailing over her throat and ears slowly while his nose followed the line trailed across the nape of her neck.

And those were the tame actions.

Ch Title: Cause, baby, it's easy to fake a smile when you've been doing it for a while.

Now she was seated at the couch and enjoying lunch when they made their move again. Sebas had brought her a blackened salmon and peach lemonade and Demiurge, a stuffed lobster drowned in a creamy lemon sauce. Carrisimi had been looking longingly at Demiurge's meal when the demon offered her a bite. While she chewed happily at the tender meant, the two men glared heatedly at one another. Every advance was important in their courtship, indirect kisses included.

Carrisimi was completely unaware of the growing tension, just happy with her stolen food. Her feathers flufffed up happily at the taste when she gave a small hiss. Carrisimi slowed her chew as both Demiurge and Sebas snapped their gaze over to her.

"Um." She squeaked as her eyes darted between the two. "My wing hurts…"