Chapter 21: Promises
Guess this changed things. Whether for better or worse I can't say for sure, but I'd hate to screw this up.
April 12, 2009
Luviagelita awakened to the sunlight intruding onto her eyes, disturbing her rest, and causing them to open to find herself clinging to Elric.
Her face blushed at seeing him resting peacefully whilst the memories of the previous night came flooding back. Remembering all the things he did to her: the kiss, the embrace, everything they did together on the bed; and how gentle he was with her—far from what she saw when he was with Coen. Luvia could not decide if this meant that he loved her more than Trish or thought she was less durable. Then again after seeing how roughly he ravaged Trish she was somewhat grateful he was more gentle with her.
He loves me? Luvia remembered that with some great deal of glee, continuing to cling to his warm body, suppressing a smile as she looked at his sleeping face. The thought made her soreness bearable.
Elric remained unaware of her observation, continuing to sleep blissfully ignorant (or so that was how he appeared, with Luvia unaware that he was reliving more of his Servants' memories).
The look on his face, the peacefulness, Luvia was hesitant to disturb. But forced herself to move. Pulling herself up, using the bed sheets to cover her breasts, Luvia shook Elric gently by the shoulder. "Elric, wake up."
Elric stirred, groaning for a half-second as he forced his eyes to open and looking upon his fiancée with a combination of pleasantness and confusion "...Lu…Luvia?" before the memory of last night came flooding back.
Rising, his face inches from Luvia for a moment before he saw the crimsons stains on the bed, and the first thing he asked was "How do you feel?" as he forced himself to face her beautiful visage.
"Spectacular." was Luvia's response. She said thus with a soft tone in her voice and a warm smile on her lips as she looked at him. Elric was at the very least happy he had not failed to please her.
Stroking her cheek with his hand as he told Luvia "Good." as both smiled. The moment lasted a few mere seconds before he found himself leaning into her.
Dropping the sheet, Luvia locked her lips with Elric's in an embrace—wrapping her arms around his neck—feeling his hands cling to her, caressing her thighs as he pulled her closer before she was eased back onto the bed for another ravaging.
Luvia may not have been certain if she could ever accept the idea of her not being the only woman in Elric's life, but as they embraced and he passionately invaded her womanhood she did know that she wanted to be the one he thought of more than any other.
Mordred sliced into her steak. Cutting off a chewable piece before her mouth would engulf it. Looking around as Gil and Enkidu were chatting, wondering where the heck is Elric?
He never returned to his room the other night, so she was left concerned.
Luvia smiled as Elric kissed her neck and ravished her, moaning beneath her breath "James…" in the midst of their fornication. Brought once again to a culmination of pleasure by her fiance. These low moans soon became loud as Elric buried himself in her breasts and proceeded to apply more force. Still gentle in how he thrust but bordering on aggressive in his conduct. As he did so, Luvia smiled, unable to recount such pleasure, clinging to Elric's body. "Yes…yes…"
Gilgamesh could not help but smirk as he swirled his wine, seeming to be the only one to have an inkling of what was transpiring to make Elric so tardy. Amused by Mordred's ignorance of what was happening.
Enkidu appeared to be oblivious as well.
This, the King of Heroes had come to assume, was a special link between himself and the Alagaddan—one which seemed only to be bequeathed to the golden boy—and was quietly savoring access to. Feeling everything as his master was reaching the threshold of pleasure being surpassed, feeling it as if the knowledge was a memory which was distant but was still as strongly vivid as they were detailed.
As he spoke with his friend Enkidu, discussing possible events they could orchestrate once they had returned to Clock Tower, he could feel the sensation of Elric's moment of carnal bliss with the Edelfelt heir. When he tasted his red wine, he felt the sensation of the blond Finn's lips; if he closed his eyes he would have beheld of the euphorically pleased expression on her visage.
He imagined the knowledge would amuse the red-haired freelancer if she was present as she seemed to have orchestrated events so this may transpire; and he imagined it would have flabbergasted the Saber of Red to know what was occurring between her master and Luvia, to a degree.
Rising himself out from her breasts, Elric loomed over Luvia as she smiled at the precipice of pleasure—their hands holding tightly to the other—as he watched her smile and he smiled back, lurching between her legs. Both brought to the precipice of pleasure and the climax.
Collapsing on top of her, Elric and his fiancé were left panting for breath.
Trish buckled on her corset, watching as Celenike slumbered with only the sheets to shield her breasts and nude body in general from visibility—feeling as if she was in dire need of a (second) bath. Or a chemical bath.
She had done so to distract the Russian for the night from intruding upon the moment of bliss between Elric and Luvia, and he still felt personally disgusted with what she had forced herself to endure. Coen may have possessed a fondness for sharing a bed with women, but it was not as fun without a man as far as she was concerned, and was even more difficult when your bedfellow smells of rot.
Noticing the beginnings of her starting to awaken, Trish motioned to leave the room. Kairi will be there soon.
Finding her way to the local dining establishment Trish joined Mordred at her table, looking as if someone had ruined her morning.
"Something wrong?" Mordred asked.
Trish retorted "Not really, why do you ask?"
"Because you look as if someone has wronged you." Gilgamesh said that time from his and Enkidu's table. "And was not punished properly."
"It's nothing." Trish told him, trying to be as respectful to the King of Heroes as possible. Repeating "It's nothing." almost sounding as if she was trying to assure herself of that fact and not think of the night she put herself through.
Buttoning up the last preparations of closing her dark blue dress, dripping wet still from a swift bath, Luvia was still smiling. Though it was short lived as she spent so much time with Elric that the others were probably a mite fuming at how long it took them to join them.
Hearing Elric emerge from the bathroom and seeing him fully clothed for the first time since they awoke (not that she was complaining) she looked back to the last of the buckles she was preoccupied with.
"You are truly something, Elric." she said, at last finishing the last buckle, trying to sound complimentary to him. "I guess there is some benefit to the experience which Trish and that other woman bequeathed you." not intending any malice.
"She told you, huh?"
"Yes. I must say it certainly shows."
Elric burned with a light hint of shame at that knowledge, forcing himself to ask "Does that make you see me as a horrible person?"
"Of course not. I am pleased to know you possess knowledge of how you should treat a woman." Luvia answered. "I must admit I was not entirely enthused by the idea initially, but…"
Suddenly she felt him grab her by the waist from behind as he told her "Luvia…I do love you, I have for a long time."
The admission made Edelfelt smile blushingly.
"I don't want you to think I'm just some hound dog who does this with anyone."
Leaning back into his chest, still smiling, Luvia retorted "I am aware and accept this part of your life." Casting her gaze to him, finding a nervous visage awaiting. "I would rather marry you than deem you as a vile beast."
"Luvia…I…" the two suddenly kissed once again.
Spinning herself around as they embraced, Luvia wrapped her arms around his neck whilst Elric held her firmly by the waist.
Parting, Elric asked "If we do get married, Luv, how would you prefer I treat Trish?" Looking into her determined eyes. "I love her just as I do you."
"I know." Luvia admitted. "I am not fond of the idea of you having another woman as your lover, but I can make exceptions, eventually."
Elric felt his heart skip a beat.
"But let me make one thing clear, James," she continued. "While I will try not to resent you for having mistresses, I intend to be the woman you love the most."
At last, Elric and Luvia emerged among the crowds of people in the streets of Trifas.
Mordred was seconds away from asking a barrage of questions in a garrulous manner. Gilgamesh gazed at them with a knowing expression, as did Trish (albeit with some wistfulness to her).
"About time!" Mordred said, puckered and primed to verbally rip into her Master for putting her through such an asininely long wait. "I've been waiting here for an hour, what were you up to?"
"Um…" Elric wasn't sure he even wanted to attempt explaining himself, one part embarrassment and the other reason being they were in public. Looking to the table he opted to try and change the subject "You ate three steaks? Damn."
"I was hungry."
Luvia giggled "And I thought Shirou's Saber was a glutton." much to Mordred's immediate resentment.
"Why I outta…" Mordred said, stepping toward Luvia.
Elric raised his arm between them, ready to shield his fiance from anything (just as he would Trish and any other woman in his heart). Saying "Easy Mordred, no need to get nasty. Drills was just making a joke, is all." in an attempt to calm things down. "Sorry I kept you waiting, Luvia and I were just discussing some things and we lost track of time."
"Of course you were." Gilgamesh muttered, as did Trish (almost simultaneously).
Mordred, still ignorant the two were now more intimately close, unlike Gigamesh, Enkidu, and Trish, was reluctant to back down. It took a tense standoff before she would eventually back down.
"Whatever."
Mordred was still annoyed, but Elric getting in the way of her taking any action made her step back—looking a little dejected in the process—seeming to calm down a little. "I'll remember this the next time someone slights you, Belmont."
"Mordred." Elric began to protest subtly, attempting to not draw too much attention from the local color. "I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just sayin' it isn't worth fighting over."
"Like is said: whatever." was all Mordred responded with as she seated herself once again, looking at the scraps she had left like a sullen child mad at their parents (not good for Elric, given his loathing of Artoria). "What are we doing anyway? We leavin' yet?"
Sighing, Elric seated himself at the same table as Mordred "Not sure." Shrugging his shoulders. "Until we hear from Rheon or the Glaives we're stuck here. We should be hearing from them soon though; those pricks aren't known for screwing around too much."
"That doesn't inspire confidence." Mordred said in response. "I'm bored, we need something to do; anything."
"Have to agree with the saber." Trish said, sounding a smidge like a curmudgeon.
Elric looked at her surprised, as did Luvia. "Are you okay, Trish?"
"I'm fine." Trish answered before looking to one of the stands. "I'm gonna get me some snacks."
Watching her walk away, Elric looked to Luvia, "I'll be right back." before catching up with Trish to grab her firmly by the left wrist. "We need to talk."
The two ended up going deep into one of the nearby allies, hopefully where no one could see what they were doing or eavesdrop on them; and there Elric asked bluntly "What happened to you?" He knew instinctively something was up, he knew he had Trish to thank for what happened last night between him and Luvia and was concerned something insidious transpired as a result.
"Nothing, I swear." Trish tried to lie, not able to even look him in the eyes.
Touching her chin gently, not believing a word of it, Elric delicately made their eyes meet. "Trish, what happened?"
"Very well." Trish admitted everything that happened.
Elric was shocked, despite not permitting it to show. But as he began to say "Trish…" she could see he was concerned for her. "You didn't have to do that. I could've handled Celenike for you." It made Trish smile, seeing how much he cared.
Stroking his cheek, she told him "It's nothing, James, I promise."
"Trish," Looking into her eyes, admiring her beautiful features, Elric closed the distance between their lips. "I love you and hate the idea of you putting yourself through somethin' like that."
That made Trish blush.
"It wasn't so bad, Elric, I had a little fun. She's just not as pleasing as you." She told him, feeling one of his hands on her waist.
"I will make this up to you."
"Promise?" Trish smiled.
When Elric returned from the alley he looked secretly pissed. Wrath being suppressed. Luvia could tell rather easily. She had known him well enough since childhood to know when he was holding something in.
Seating himself beside her he was instantly asked "Is everything okay?"
"Yes and no." Elric answered her. "I'll tell you later."
Luvia did not push the issue for the moment. Gilgamesh looked at him knowingly but strangely enough he held his tongue (for once) from saying anything physically. He opted instead to do so telepathically.
'What are you going to do about this, Alagaddan?'
'Get us back to Clock Tower first.' was Elric's telepathic answer.
'Good enough, I suppose.'
Enkidu looked at him exceedingly knowingly.
Only Mordred was in the dark, once again.
As the day dragged on, Mordred's misery compounded, Elric's phone suddenly began to chime. Pulling out the device, Elric answered with a "Hello" before a familiar voice was to retort.
"Good day, Rheon."
It was a voice Elric recognized from old memories, memories of his last few years before he left the Rheon Family behind "Integra. Been a while." instinctually correcting her on the manner in which she addressed him "My name isn't Rheon, it's Belmont."
"Yes, yes." Integra said, responding in a way that conveyed she was too preoccupied with another matter to bother being contentious. "Apologies. I forgot you've disowned the name after what happened with your brother. My condolences by the way, I remember the two of you were close."
"Are you calling for a reason? Or did you just want to make small talk?"
Luvia and Mordred looked at him curiously.
"Yes. I have a request. I understand you are in Trifas, I need you to aid a group of mine who are transporting an asset."
"Why me, exactly? There are plenty of Glaives in Europe, send one of 'em to deal with it."
"Normally I would agree with you, Belmont, but they are preoccupied at the moment with other missions" Integra explained "Plus you are is closer proximity to the team I have on the mission. They would have been back by now but the Iscariots involved themselves."
Not a good sign.
"What?"
"What is it?" Mordred asked. With Luvia following up with "Has something unsightly occurred?"
Elric raises his hand with a finger, asking for a moment of silence, saying with his face give me a second.
"Yes." Integra said in affirmation—confirming that Elric had not misheard her—as she continues to elucidate. "Some months ago one of Yggdmillennia's experiments escaped from their facilities north of their castle, and they came into contact with one of my men who had been investigating an incident they had been involved in. They have been trying to escape for some weeks now but it seems that the Iscariots have been keeping them boxed in the country."
"Where are they now?"
"In a small village three hours away from Trifas," he was told. "I would like for you to meet up with them and deal with the Iscariots so that they may deliver the asset and his Servant to Clock Tower."
"Servant?"
"Yes. A…Rider-class servant according to the description my men have given. A very mouthy one as well. My agent mentioned it seems incapable of shutting up for too long a duration. Makes keeping a low profile difficult."
Elric sighed scornfully. Great, that's just what I need. Thinking of how it was just more trouble. But the Iscariot angle did intrigue him—he could admit that to himself without much self-deception. It obviously involved a fellow homunculus, otherwise one of Clitus' colleagues would not be involved.
Ultimately, Elric told her "Give me an hour to tell the others and I'll see what I can do." before hanging up.
"What was that about?" Mordred asked first.
"Well, you see…" Elric then proceeded to elucidate on the ordeal presented to him by Integra.
Trish was intrigued. "How very vague, are you going to take it?"
"Maybe." Elric said, avoiding a direct answer.
Mordred wasn't against the idea of it either way, but Luvia wanted a clear response to Trish's question. "Are or are you not, Elric?"
"A chance to mess with the Iscariots, how could I resist?"
"I was afraid you would say that."
