Krile's Conundrum
1. Night time should be for sleeping, not passing out in the bath.
Krile was many things.
An intelligent young woman, an accomplished scholar, a semi decent cook, a fun loving person, a sassy bitch(according to some, and by the Twelve was she not so secretly proud of that one), a lover of fine reading, and admittedly…. she was also a bit of a glutton(though given how she was an impoverished orphan for a decent chunk of the early years of her life, that was to be somewhat expected)...and finally, a good friend.
Krile wasn't socially inept either, unlike a certain junior of hers that shan't be named *cough Alphinaud cough* she knew when someone was being friendly and when they were being downright flirty... So please, how in the hell did she get herself into this mess!
Rising Stones, 2:45am
Krile's room.
"Aah!" Krile pressed her face deeper into her pillow as she brought herself to climax for what felt was quite possibly the fourth time tonight.
"G-gods above…" She moaned into her pillow as she rode her post orgasm high.
Three nights.. three nights in a row this has happened. All because of that.. that crimson haired succubus!
"Why in the hells is this happening?" The Lalafellin woman groaned as she slowly slid a lightly glowing, phallic object out of her sensitive womanhood.
Seriously. This went far, far beyond simple attraction. Hells it wasn't like she'd never been in a relationship before(sure it didn't go beyond hand holding...and she may have only been thirteen at the time.. and sure, it wasn't really a relationship and more her holding her then crushes hand when they got lost while on an excursion, but it still counts!) or that she hadn't had any experience in carnality, she was twenty-two for Menphina's sake! Honestly, you'd think that the parties that she went to during her time during her senior years at the Studium would have somewhat desensitized her to rather attractive women, but nope!
Probably because she didn't actually socialise at said parties and just sat in a corner sipping on non-alcoholic drinks because she was a somewhat antisocial teen and used smugness as a defence mechanism for social interaction! Not that it was her fault though, because hey its totally fucking fine to bully the child who had the misfortune of awakening the Echo at a young age and can pretty much read someone like a book if she really tried as a fortunate(or in some cases unfortunate) ability she got with it.. yeah totally. It's not her fault that she accidentally outed the most popular student as a complete and utter slut who was actively cheating on her fiance daily during a visit to the Studium with her grandfather years before she attended.. it just happened. But noooo. She's just a little fucking creep apparently.
Ok so she may have lied earlier about her not being socially inept… sure, she isn't as oblivious as Alphinaud.. but wow, she is bad with people sometimes. Like, really.. really bad.
Oh yeah, there was also the fact that she was bisexual but favoured women! Seriously, the sheer amount of times she was told that she was being selfish by the more.. prudish folks back in Sharlayan due to her preference grated on her nerves, seeing as she was the sole heir of the Baldesion name(despite being adopted.)... yeah, really put a damper on her actually getting a girlfriend.
Meanwhile, the heir of the Guadi family is known to have multiple male paramours.. in other words, that blue haired fop rides the cock carousel on the daily but it's fine because he has a fiance…stupid double standards. He clearly has no interest in women and everyone knows it! But just because he has some right cunt of a woman(whom she is absolutely certain he paid) to carry his future children, that somehow makes it better….
Though a deep down part of her understood why they were saying she was selfish. Because yes, Sharlayan was rather open to same sex relationships and such, but she is the sole heir of an old family.. still fucking annoying though. Hell she'll probably just do what her grandfather did and adopt some kid in the future. Worked out just fine for him so it can fit her.. y'know, unless she dates a girl that magically grows a penis one night.. actually was that possible? Like, Fantasia was a thing but it was extremely, extremely rare.
So then.. when she arrived at Idyllshire and took one look at Naruko when she had met up with her, Alphinaud, Y'shtola and Minfilia outside of the small hamlet when they were enroute to seeing Matoya(yes that Matoya.) To ask her about using her 'Crystal Eye' to see if they could find someone called Kyna, her heart started beating like mad and she kept falling over her own words. It also didn't help that Naruko was wearing her 'casual' traveling clothes, which consisted of a loose black singlet, a long unbuttoned coat, a tight pair of leather pants and some well worn traveling boots… gods, that view of her abs was marvelous, and how those pants perfectly clung to her shapely rear.. gods above. She'd heard the stories about Naruko. About how she was both beautiful and fierce.. for once it seemed the tabloids and gossip mongers were right.
With a small groan, the Lalafellin woman slowly rolled(yes rolled, like a bolt of cloth rolling across the floor) to the edge of her bed.
She winced at the state of the sheets.. yeah this was going to be fun explaining to whomever was on laundry duty this week...oh wait, Y'shtola's on laundry this week...shit.
Walking(stumbling) towards her dresser, Krile pulled out a fresh nightgown and a bathrobe. And after haphazardly pulling on said bathrobe she slowly trudged to the baths.
"Just had to choose one of the rooms without a bathroom didn't I?" The Lalafell woman grumbled as she slowly walked down the dimly lit hallway. The soft sound of her bare feet against the stone floor echoed slightly in the late hour… perhaps she could swap rooms? Eh, she'd ask about it later on.
Thank the Twelve that nobody else was up at this time. Because she really didn't want to explain herself...not that it was anyone's business and all, but she'd rather not have to explain to Y'shtola for example,why she is going to the shared baths while reeking of sweat and other fluids. Especially because she's just knows she's gonna be getting judgmental looks from her after laundry day.
However luck as it would seem was on her side tonight, as she finally reached the washroom.
With yet another small sigh, she gently pushed open the door.
-Five minutes later-
"Gods I needed this~" Krile said with a relaxed sigh as she sank deeper into the hot water of the bath, her eyes closing in as she relaxed in the hot water.
She didn't know who suggested that they should have a rather large indoor bath in the Rising Stones, but by the Twelve she was thankful.
"Hear hear." Another voice said tiredly from the other side of the bath.
Krile's eyes shot open. On the opposite side of the hot spring-like bath sat another person. An all too familiar person who she has just been fantasizing about whilst masturbating only a few minutes ago!
AND SHE WAS NAKED!... oh god so was she! Gods above Naruko's gonna think she looks gross. She had bags under her eyes and her hair was kinda greasy from today… oh gods she hadn't shaved her under area in a week and if she got up Naruko would see it and think she was a grot!
"You ok there Krile?" Naruko asked as she stood up and waded through the water towards her. "You're looking a bit red in the face dear." She asked with genuine concern as she lightly pressed the back of her hand against Krile's forehead.
'Ohgodohgodohgodohgod!' Krile thought as Naruko's breasts swayed gently only an ilm or two away from her face. 'T-t-they are so much bigger than I thought. A-a-and they're s-s-so close!' Krile couldn't help but stare at the large breasts that were before her. Her eyes taking in every detail about them, from the size and colour of the Hyur woman's nipples(they were not too large and a rather lovely shade of pink in Krile's opinion), to the small scars that marred her chest..she couldn't look away.
"Hmm… you don't have a temp." Naruko murmured.
"I-i-i'm fine Naruko." Krile squeaked as Naruko's bosom gently swayed in front of her. 'T-they look so soft…' The Lalafellin woman thought as thoughts of burying her head in between those glorious breasts flooded her mind.
"Well.. if you say so." Naruko said with a shrug as she moved to stand up… only to lose her footing "Shit!" She yelped as she fell forward.
Luckily she was able to catch herself before falling on top of Krile. "That woulda been bad… You ok Krile?" Naruko asked, only to get no response.
However, with a cursory glance down she saw why.
For whilst she had stopped herself from smooshing Krile against the side of the bath.. she failed to take into account that her bust may have made contact….
In other words, Krile's head was wedged firmly between her tits.
"Oh! Sorry!" Naruko yelped as she moved back.
Krile seemed to be in a daze. Her face was red, and her eyes unfocused.
*Splash*
And then she promptly passed out. Leaving a panicking Naruko trying to make sure she didn't drown or something.
2. Obvious infatuation.
"This is just sad." Thancred said as he, Y'shtola and Urianger watched Krile stare at Naruko as she worked out with Hoary Boulder and a few others.
It was one of the rare times Naruko was at the Rising Stones, and as she was currently not doing anything she figured she would join the others in some basic workouts.
This just so happened to coincide with the four of them discussing how to deal with the so-called 'Warriors of Darkness' and the whole Warring Triad situation. Though it would seem that their discussion would have to wait as Krile was rather distracted by the sight of Naruko's rather shapely rear end that was confined in a pair of shorts.
"Do close your mouth Krile, you are liable to attract flies." Y'shtola teased. But it seemed the Lalafell lass was in a world of her own, and by the blush it would seem her thoughts were less than innocent.
Watching Naruko stretch after a workout was a not so secret pleasure of Krile's "By Thaliak.. I would lick those abs clean if I could." Krile murmured in a daze as she watched a bead of sweat glide down Naruko toned stomach, getting mixed looks of exasperation from the others. Honestly, it was both humorous and concerning all at the same time.
"Twould seem that dear Krile is locked in a rather... perverse reverie." Urianger said, shaking his head. "She's been staring at Naruko for over twenty minutes." Y'shtola said with a deadpan expression.
"Oh don't act like you weren't taking a peek or two." Thancred chuckled only to receive a stern look from the white haired woman.
Meanwhile, across the room Tataru made her way towards her desk with a small pile of paperwork in her small arms. "Krile's ogling you again." She said as she stopped for a moment to let Naruko take the towel that she had around her shoulders "Oh I know." Naruko responded as she stretched in a somewhat provocative manner. Something that Tataru decided to capitalize on by giving the Warrior of Light a firm slap on the ass as she passed by her, causing it to jiggle oh so right.
It also caused her to drop said pile of papers, much to her dismay.
*Thump*
"Krile!"
"By the Twelve.."
Naruko let out a small laugh as she looked at Krile who had passed out at the table, muttering about the perfect ass and delicious abs or something.
Y'shtola gave Naruko a stern look "You truly shouldn't toy with her like that." She scolded, only for Naruko to roll her eyes "Oh come now Y'shtola, tis simply some harmless flirting… besides, you don't care when it's with you my dear." Naruko rebuked.
"Aye, but I know that it is empty flirtation between friends. Krile has only been with us for only a scant few weeks, she may believe you are serious." Y'shtola said as she crossed her arms.
Naruko shrugged "Oh please Y'shtola, we both know she can read my intentions like an open book due to her gift. She knows I'm just being friendly."
Little did she know however, she had already sown the seeds of affection in Krile's heart.
3. Bitter Valentione
Tataru grumbled to herself as she walked down the hallway in the living quarters. Krile hadn't turned up to this morning's meeting(which dragged on waaaaay to bloody long) and the others asked her to fill her in on what their next move was.
This sadly cut into her off time that she was planning on using to go to Ul'dah and tease the hell out of Nanamo about this morning's Harbour Herald that had a front page story of her and Naruko being seen on a romantic Valentione's day date.
She wanted details damn it! She also needed to pee really bad so she had to make this quick.
With an exaggerated sigh, the lilac haired Lalafell scurried along. And before long she arrived at Krile's room.
"Krile?" She called out "Krile are you in here?" Tataru knocked on the door, only to receive no answer.
Letting out a huff Tataru reached for the doorknob "I'm coming in.. please be decent." She said, murmuring the last part to herself. Seriously the amount of times she's walked in on someone either half dressed, naked or in the midst of undressing was astounding.. though that may be because she tended to just barge in… and it was mostly Naruko she walked in on.. or sometimes Y'shtola or Alisaie.. or recently, Krile(look if you are getting dressed lock your door, simple as.)
Like that time she walked in on Y'shtola in the middle of pleasuring herself a few weeks ago.. a shudder rippled down the pink clad woman's spine at the thought of the 'punishment' she received that day… and by that she meant that Y'shtola took her over her knee and spanked her ass raw. And now you'd think that given her preference and tastes that she'd be all for it.. but no. It honestly reminded her of her mother.. and that sucked… Not that she hated her mother or anything! But like, yeah. Kinda ruined a fetish she had… but also kinda possibly sowed the seeds for another one(she accidentally called Y'shtola mommy and uh.. yeah. They agreed to never speak of it again)
And don't even get her started on how she literally walked in on Krile going to town on herself last week when she was bringing her those books she requested. Awkward couldn't even describe it.
Seriously people lock your fucking door if you are doing that shit.
Opening the door, Tataru was met by an almost pitch black room that was lit by only the faint light of a desk lamp off to the left. After a moment of contemplation she shrugged and walked in, closing the door behind her and made her way over to Krile's bed.
"Krile, come now sleepyhead. I know you like sleeping in, but it's past noon and you missed the… oh.. oh dear." Tataru came to a halt as she walked around to the right side of the bed.
On the floor with her knees tucked under her chin was Krile, her back pressed up against the bed as she hunched over slightly, her shoulders trembling. Gone was her usual attire and in its place she wore a simple pair of pyjamas.
She looked like she'd been crying all morning, given how red around the eyes she was. Looking down, Tataru found the source of Krile's emotional anguish… this morning's Harbour Herald..
"Why did she do it…" Krile murmured softly as she looked up at Tataru, teary eyed. "Why did she toy with me…"
Tataru blanched 'Oh… ooooh crapbaskets.'
Yeah, this was not going to be a particularly good afternoon.. well, here's hoping she could somehow fix this mess.
Afterall… if anyone knows how to deal with a broken heart… it'd be her…
After she relieved herself that is.
4. Negotiation is not acceptance
'This is a waste of time.' Krile thought bitterly as Tataru and Nanamo conversed, as they had been for the last hour or so.
It'd been a month since the news of Naruko and Nanamo's relationship was made public. A month since he had her heart torn out by the woman she thought had feelings for her.
'I bet Tataru was in on it… fucking cunt.' Krile thought angrily. This had all been one big joke to them hadn't it? Make her think the Warrior of Light may have liked her only to reveal that she was in a relationship with the fucking Sultana.
"I.. I understand how you are feeling Krile. I really do. But please, don't think poorly of Naruko.. she's not exactly good socially and I'm certain she didn't intend to lead you on like this.." That's what Tataru had told her that afternoon. That Naruko hadn't done it intentionally and that she should talk to her and clear the air… fucking bitch was in on it no doubt. Bet she thought it was soooo funny watching the new girl crush on a taken woman.
"So…" Nanamo said, looking directly at Krile. "The reason I wanted you both to see me was-"
"Yeah, yeah.. stay away from your woman." Krile spat. "Don't worry.. I don't plan on socialising with her if possible anymore." She grumbled, getting a sharp look from Tataru.
"Krile…"
Nanamo leaned back in her chair "Actually.. I wanted to tell the both of you that I am.. open to the idea of-"
"Oh here we fucking go. Let me guess, this is the part where you say you are fine with sharing and that you are open to the idea of a fourway relationship." Krile snarked with a bitter laugh. "I know how this ends. You two think this is so fucking funny don't you? Well I've been here before and I'm not falling for it."
Nanamo shot Tataru a confused/concerned look and got the same in return.
"Krile, what on earth are you on about?" Tataru asked.
There it was. There it fucking was. 'What do you mean Krile? We weren't stringing you along Krile. Stop crying you fucking baby.'
How dare they. How fucking DARE THEY PUT HER THROUGH THIS SHIT AGAIN!
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Krile hissed out "I bet you all thought it was so fucking funny, watching me get strung along like a puppet on strings."
Nanamo made a face and Tataru looked concerned but that didn't matter. She was gonna say her piece then leave, because like hell she was gonna stay in a room with these two.. fuck she didn't even know what to call them she was that pissed.
"This is exactly like that shit back at the Studium." Krile spouted angrily as the memories of a particular incident dug there claws into her mind.
Oh hey Krile, wanna hang out with us? Hmm? Oh because you're cute and Ayri and I kinda like you… you will? Awesome, meet us at the park tonight and we'll do some stargazing.
"I'm not falling for that rot again. I refuse to be hurt like that AGAIN!" She continued to rant angrily. As all else around her became muffled and the dull ringing in her ear only worsened as more memories surfaced.
Ahahaha look at her face! Aw what's the matter, is the widdle Baldesion sad because we left her out in the rain last night? What did you actually think we liked you of all people Baldesion? Ha! Fat chance you fucking creep. Who'd like someone who can do that freaky mind reading shit like you can?
Snapping out of the memory she realised she was shaking. The dull noise was mostly gone but the atmosphere of the room was substantially different… odd, when did she get up? And why did it suddenly smell like cognac in here?
With a few shaky breaths she finally worked up the courage to look at the others.
Tataru was gawping at her in a mixture of confusion and shock. Her eyes darting between her and something else… wasn't.. wasn't Nanamo sitting next to her?
Turning her head to what Tataru was looking at she saw Nanamo over by the wall, staring at her with an unreadable expression. On the floor next her was the shattered remains of a glass bottle…
Krile's eyes widened as the fog that was clouding her mind cleared and she remembered what she did only moments ago.
In her anger she had stood and began pacing whilst shouting and Nanamo had gotten up to calm her… only for her to grab a nearby bottle of alcohol(a rather expensive bottle of Sharlayan Cognac that was thankfully almost empty) and threw it at the Sultana in a fit of blind anger. It missed by a wide margin and shattered against the wall thankfully…
'I.. what did I..' The ringing in her ears came back full force and she suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Looking down at her hands her vision was getting blurry and she faintly heard someone calling out to her, but it was too muffled.
Gods she couldn't breathe.. everything felt so heavy and it.. it.. and then nothing but darkness as she collapsed into the carpeted floor.
5. True Heart
Rhalgr's Reach was a warzone.
The Empire had struck hard and fast, giving no time to plan a counter offence..
*Clang*
Looking up from my position I could see a rather worse for wear Naruko locking blades with Zenos.
"Just fall already you bastard!" Naruko ground out as she pushed her greatsword against the crown prince's katana.
"Hmph, is this all the vaunted Warrior of Light is capable of? How… disappointing." The towering man said in a cold, dissatisfied tone as he delivered a fierce punch into Naruko's stomach, her armour cracking and buckling under the pressure as she was sent flying back several fulms.
Naruko tried to stand as Zenos walked away, but she collapsed onto her knee as she held her side in clear agony.
Luckily, it seemed the crown prince's bloodlust had been sated as he called for his forces to fall back.
The rest was a blur.. though one memory stuck out..
I remember Naruko dragging herself over to me as I tried to heal Y'shtola. Her armour rend and cracked, blood dribbling down her face from her nose with a look of pained determination. Her greatsword had certainly seen better days as well.. given that it had a large chunk missing from the left side along with various cracks running up the middle.
Part of me wanted to tend to her immediately… but in my panic and sadly enough.. petty anger I didn't.
"Stop gawking and help me stabilize her or fuck off!" I screamed at Naruko as I desperately tried to stabilize Y'shtola… I didn't even realise that she was just as badly injured.. and yet she still helped. I remember her gently placing her blood caked hands near mine and use what dwindling aether she had to help me… and I didn't even say thanks..
I.. I didn't even realise that her wound from Nidhogg had reopened until I saw her getting carried in by two members of the Resistance after Alisaie found her unconscious by the water, barely breathing.. again.
That was the last thing I said to her before she and the others left for Doma..
I was still angry.. still hurt.. the thought of Nanamo's offer and my own airing of past hurts still lingering in my mind.
And now… I don't think I will get the chance to apologise…
How long had it been since her capture? A week? A month?
How long…
She could hear faint voices.. but she'd long since realised that they were likely not there to save her.
She'd given up on that after they had electrocuted her in the pod she was in when she last heard voices and cried out for help.
*Clang* *Smash* "WHERE… YOU BI…"
Hmm.. one of the scientists must have misplaced something again?
"LIKE… I'LL…YOU!" *Clang* *Clang* *Crash*
Maybe if I.. an uncomfortable shudder ripples through me as I focus my finite amount of aether to help give clarity to what is happening. The headache better be worth it after this, she just had to make sure she didn't expend too much.. After all she highly doubted the Garleans knew how to treat Aether Sickness.. if they would that is.
"I'll keep her restrained."
Lyse?... But.. but that would mean..
"Gods.. how many innocent people did they butcher for this… abomination?"
Alphinaud! That.. that was Alphinaud!
"Wait is this?"
"Krile's robe…"
Naruko?.. she.. she actually came..
"I wouldn't bother Warrior of Light. She's probably dead already."
"If she is.. I'll personally see you to hell Fordola. As slow, and as painful as possible. And don't think your paltry copy of the Echo will save you.. after all, it didn't help you just now did it."
Y-yeah! Tell her Naruko! Show that…!
I couldn't stop the agonized shriek leaving my lips as a rather fierce bout of Aether Sickness set in.
Oh gods the pain! Make it stop! Make it stop! Makeitstopmakeitstopmakeitstop!
"Did you hear that?"
"Fuck that was Krile!"
I can faintly hear footsteps.. but barely. Flashes of white and a searing pain surged through my body as I over taxed what meagre reserves of Aether I had left to hear the others.
"This one!"
"Are you sure?"
*Click* *Hiss*
Suddenly a blinding light filled my fading vision along with the cold kiss of the facility's stagnant air along with the faintest whiff of warm spices and saltwater from in front of me. I couldn't help the faint whimper of happiness that left my lips..
It was Naruko.
As my consciousness faded a pair of hands pulled me gently into an embrace.
"Oh thank the Twelve… you're safe now, Krile."
And done. Five instances of the early point of Naruko and Krile's relationship. Five moments of lust, objectively bad humour, heartbreak, anger, and relief. Along with a touch of backstory for Krile's childhood/teenage years. Now Naruko has a reason to beat up some scholarly types when we inevitably get to Sharlayan. And yes, Krile will definitely show off that her girlfriend is the Warrior of Light herself...with hilarious results and at least three people getting punched.
Not gonna lie, the last two took me the longest to do. I wanted to get it right y'know, but I can't help but feel I could have done better.. ugh I hate when I think like that. It's part of why these damn things take so long.
So I can to a decision about the Tataru part I was gonna do for this… I ended up scraping it. I'll explain why but here's an excerpt from it and I'll let you guess why. It happens the same night Nanamo and Naruko get together.
A Coinkeepers sorrow
"I should be happy for them.. I should be estatic.."
"They love each other so much.. and they belong with one and other.. they deserve happiness."
"So why does it hurt so bad? Why.. why can't I find joy in knowing I helped them find love…"
"All I feel is a broken heart… am.. am I broken?"
"Hehehe of course I am.. it's been like this ever since my family lost everything.."
I drop the small blade and let out a small hiss of pain as I clutch my bleeding wrist.
"This.. hurts a lot more then I remember.." muttered as I pull my hand back and gaze at my wrist.
Fuck… what am I doing to myself.. I hadn't done this since I was sixteen… I guess I really am broken….
So yeah. I didn't even realise just how dark it was until I reread it the next day and thought 'Did I just write a 800 word short about Tataru struggling with suicidal thoughts after she helped Naruko and Nanamo get together?
And the more I reread it.. the more.. I dunno, uncomfortable it made me? It felt a bit too real if you get me.
And while I personally thought it fit well.. at the same time it felt a bit.. yeah. So I scrapped it. I'm not getting rid of that aspect of her character though. Oh no.. I plan on involving it at some point. Because in all honesty, Tataru strikes me as someone who possibly has minor depression but simply hides it with her happy attitude. But that's just me. I also think she's a scheming pervert who has plans to lay claim to the WoL. So take it how you will.
Anyway, I'll see you all next chapter. And before I go, I'm currently rewriting the new chapter for In Crimson it Began. It was 70% done but it was rushed and kinda shit so it's being reworked. Dunno when I'm posting it but it's coming.
