Just saying that Clorinde is someone weak is impossible to believe, yet her weakness (fear) is to Furina.
Why? Well...
One wrong word and Furina would be effortlessly pulling off more theatrical romantic schemes with a flick of her wrist, the slightest flick of her fingers being pointed at her.
Clorinde knows she's not perfect, she's encountered too many risky situations in the end, and even if she'd never shot to kill, she's definitely made mistakes.
"Clorinde, come closer"She speak with a gesture of his finger, and she hesitantly obeys.
Only two people... there are two people in the world with this level of command over her, Furina (for obvious reasons) when she's in a bad mood or wants to have fun chatting with her.
And lastly, Aether, who well... she may have grown fond of his person and not his slender body as well as his long blond hair, making her knees weak at the sight of him.
But when Furina needs something, that never assures anything good.
She guides her to a chair and forces her to lie down hard, now she is really worried. What is her goal? Furina rarely needs anything unless it's a taste of desserts or something to do with junk food.
"Who would love Duelist Clorinde?"she used to joke when she was performing solo. Back then no one, that's for sure, and even today she finds it strange that a partner is waiting for her at home every night. That her sheets are no longer cold and her mornings drag on with heated, tight skin. Still, even back then Furina was only joking.
"I need your help."
That sounded somewhat ominous, but those are thoughts for another time"What do you require?"Sheask, forcing a smile as it meets her face.
Furina levels her with a sweet look that dares her to defend herself. She won't of course. She watches the way he squirms in the chair and his mouth curves slightly. Pulling a small metal tube from his pocket and with a single twist, he reveals a lump of purple lipstick.
"Meet your new way of attracting him" she says"So let me try it on you"Well, there are worse things she's asked her. Clorinde lets out a sigh of relief and her whole being relaxes.
"Oh come on"she complains, looking at her"You're acting like I'm giving you lingerie that's too revealing".
"You did."
"It was just a suggestion"Furina reaches over and leans her knee against the seat cushion right between her thighs for balance.
"I shouldn't..."
"Hold still"she interrupts, grabbing Clorinde's chin gently.
Both violet irises turn to the lipstick that glows bright purple"I don't think that's my color, but..."She hisses as her fingers cup both cheeks in warning. It's a hard life for someone whose love language is somewhat nil.
She stands still as she runs the pencil along the curvature of her lower lip. She hums, tracing his mouth with the purple, her hand still and deft as she marks it. Then, out of the corner of her eye, Clorinde sees a startled Aether.
What on earth is Aether doing in Furina's house?!
He just stares, his face already crinkling as he can't contain a smile.
"Clorinde"Furina hisses, pulling her face back slightly and reassuring her.
"I'm sorry, I just..."
A sigh leaves her mouth. She blinks and her gaze travels over Furina's movement against her jaw. She's not jealous, she supposes, but seeing Aether here makes his expression cool slightly anyway.
She is not used to having close friendships, and while she understands that Aether and Furina understand each other and constantly, seeing them so close is strange to her"I... I have to go"Pushing Furina's hands away, she stands up almost staggering at the sudden move.
"Clorinde"Aether says just as she turns to leave"Wait."
She of course waits, and in a split second, it's enough time for Aether to grab her around her slender wrist and pull.
The kiss comes as a surprise. She never thought to kiss in public, let alone in Furina's house. Clorinde is particular about this kind of thing Aether now throws out the window to feel the taste of Clorinde's mouth at that moment.
She wobbles but slowly begins to sink into him. A moan comes out against Aether's mouth, relaxing, lips opening slightly to deepen the touch.
Unexpectedly, Clorinde smiles, she seizes the opportunity for all she's worth, tongue sliding inside her mouth to tease every nook and cranny. Aether sighs softly and closes his eyes. He holds Clorinde by the hips, drawing their bodies even closer together. Clorinde cups his cheek, tilting his face, searching for more...
And then a cough sounds very loud.
Clorinde recoils as if she had used Electro in a microsecond, wide-eyed and laughing to herself, being the kind of nervous about getting caught."I-I-"
Aether turns to Furina and asks,"How does it look?"
Clorinde's expression turns puzzled.
Furina hums, looking thoughtful"Well actually., no spots, looks like the saleswoman wasn't misspeaking when she said it was completely proof to transfer."
"...What the heck?"
"The lipstick, honey"When Aether turns to her, he laughs at her ruddy expression and the way her mouth tightens at the perfect nickname"I wanted to try it on you."
"Besides"says Furina"Don't ever subject me to seeing a display like that again, I only have one set of eyes."
Aether snorts, giving her a half-slurred smirk, to which Furina responds with a pout. Clorinde looks dismayed, she's not used to looking like this and without decorum. As far as she is concerned, she is the perfect example of politeness and poise, everything a Champion Duelist should be.
They watch her put away her lipstick and walk away. Aether still holds Clorinde by the waist, pinned in place.
"Hey"he murmurs, leaning closer"How about another kiss?".
"Aether"she warns.
"Please, the damage is already done why don't we put this lipstick to the test again huh?"
Clorinde doesn't pull away. She watches Aether with a serene expression, running her thumb across her cheek, tracing the corner of her mouth"Wouldn't a more private place be a wiser option if we could actually test the integrity of the lipstick?"Her provocation surprises Aether, who suddenly can't help but think of taking her to a corner and kissing right there. And Clorinde, as if reading his mind, lifts her face with a soft, complacent sigh.
Aether recognizes a victory when he sees her, for she rarely grants such opportunities. This time, when he kisses her, he keeps it soft and sweet, not wanting to push his luck. He lingers, pecking softly and gently until Clorinde moves away.
"Will it look good somewhere else?"She murmurs, lifting his hand to press his thumb to Aether's lower lip.
"We have to find out."
Not long, it's Clorinde who leads Aether into his office. And yes, they test the integrity of that lipstick, enough so that they can probably publish an article about it.