expiate;

   ♚ “You can not be serious…” She gave a small, exasperated sound. He had been her last measure, the one person she could always turn to and rely on, but now she could not depend on even him. Without a person or reason to place blame on, Ultear would only get irritated at nothing. 

   ♚ “Where in Paralia? Do you think this could be some sort of prank or joke? We have enemies, but this is beyond foolish.” She could think of several words for what the situation was, but foolish was simply what came out of her mouth. Still, she could not leave him stranded. She moved to the wardrobe, which was smaller then the one she possessed at home but nonetheless filled with clothing. 

   ♚ “I am completely fine, or so I think. But I need to get back as soon as I can. I need to get back to the kids-” She stopped as he asked his question. Her memory was hazy, but she did remember what she had done before she had gone to bed that night. In fact, it had been a simple night in with her children, no partying or off with men she barely knew. No, and now that she remembered her adopted bearings she could feel panic setting in faster, etching away at her composure.

   ♚ “I-I was just with my kids. I have to get back to them. Just find out where exactly you are, and I will come get you. I’m getting dressed and I will be on my way.”

What's more, the more he wandered forward, the more he came to view people sporting brands of Kairos in ridiculous numbers. Paralia was never a location considered to be crowded or overpopulated by any means, so what sense was there in so many of their own having traveled here all at once?

Distracted now by the worry that settled unevenly within her tone, an inaudible sigh was breathed. The separation would bother her to no end he knew, but even so there was nothing that could be done until appropriate repairs were made. Kids or not, they were of enough age to care for themselves for the duration of this bizarre circumstance.

"Foolish?" A tired scoff before repetition was emphasized. "I'm nearly there; stay put." The GPS on his phone worked remarkably well given his location. If he cut through these woods before him, he'd be by her side in minutes.

However, despite the ranch being in sight, it felt as if each step he took carried him further from it. Vision blurring suddenly, the frantic thought that he might have been poisoned ran through his mind, unable to explain the phenomena by any other means.

"Just send the kids a--" Reality shifting, he became disgustingly nauseous, a chilling sensation of his body pulsating seizing his attention. Seeing nothing but his own skin he remained utterly confused, unable to place a source to this feeling so eerily close to self-destruction.

Ultear was a woman whose logic was based on things that were sold in reality. She was spontaneous, yes, but her reasoning for her sudden behavioral changes were rooting in things she knew were possible. Ul knew what her money could buy her, what her body could win her, and would her mind could provide for her. She was not interested in anything beyond that; superstitions were wasted on her as she dismissed them absolutely.

However, she did not have an answer as to just how she woke up in a bed miles away from the one she laid down in. This was her home. Yet, she could not shake the unsettling doubt that plagued her. Just what was she doing here? Ultear had no memory of the journey to her ranch home in Paralia. She was not scheduled to be there for another two weeks. Yet, there she was, and she was having a difficult time coming up with an answer.

Removing herself from her bed to stare out her window, eyes taking in the atmosphere as she began to push out the unexplainable and figure out just what she was going to do next. Keeping calm had always been a strong suit for the woman, but Ul could feel herself losing her grip as she was grasping as straws of just what was happening. Her first instinct was to get home. Frustration began to raise not only at the fact that she would waste a day returning to the city, but the moment she picked up her phone and called for a car to get her, she was told all transport was blocked.

Giving a slew of curses under her breath, she could think of several different options as to attempt to make it back to her home in Kairos. However, her patience thinning by the moment, she went with the tastes most reliable option as she dialed her most trusted contact.

    ♚”Jellal.”

    ♚ “Don’t… ask how I am here, but I am at the ranch and I need to get back to the city as soon as possible. I don’t care how- or why, for that matter, the roads are blocked, but I need you to send a car, a plane… anything. I do not…” She had not allowed the man to get a word in edgewise, but the urgency in her tone allowed her to convey just how strongly she felt she needed to return home.

Paralia...? Surely there existed no untouched plain so expansive in Kairos, the city he'd watched change over years into an industrious center of business. Yet, to believe this was Paralia was to acknowledge that he had been moved miles from his home without his knowledge, sensation, or memory.

No evidence of others existed within his radius of sight nor did any headache that might have hinted to an irresponsible alcohol consumption the night prior. Noting that he had all his usual belongings on his person and wasn't the slightest bit injured, he reached no concrete conclusion and could only sit silently bewildered.

When his phone began to vibrate his gaze broke away from the world he had been close to passing off as a dream, eyes blinking absentmindedly at the notification before the name of the caller settled. Digits slid across his touchscreen effortlessly as the woman placed on speaker, having already expected a rant of unreal proportions for his absence.

To his surprise, she was just as shaken by her circumstances, her frustration evident in the way he couldn't manage a word. Considering the more vital details that spill off her anger-- at the ranch, roads are blocked-- he decided meeting was their best option.

After he's given a chance to respond to her inquiry however, he paused, at a loss to even his own location.

♚ "I wasn’t near the chandelier-" She insisted, but was cut off as Jellal swiftly placed a corsage on her wrist. She looked at it approvingly, briefly trying to count all the times he had given her such a gift. The more satisfying action, however, was how the other took her hand in his. The pair were so toxic that it was when they wanted to be gentle was when Ultear was the most pleasantly surprised. She would not let go, because why would she ever need to?

He was hers, and she was his.

The woman only gave her partner a nod as he lead her to the floor. Falling into position without hesitation. There was a natural flow between the two that state complete comfort to anyone who might have been watching, and it wasn’t long till eyes were upon them. Whether they be jealous, admiring or perverted, well, Ultear could have cared less.

♚ "They seem to have started earlier then normal, haven’t they?" She cooed, fully enjoying any glance that came her way. Whether she struck envy or love into other’s hearts, she wanted it all.

♚ "Its such a pity. Sometimes I feel as though I shouldn’t get others hopes up, allowing them to think they can achieve this life." She spoke so openly, not letting a single thought escape her lips. Then again, this was Jellal. There was nothing that was to be spared between them, and if it was it was not for very long.

"They'll eventually tire themselves out, I assume." An elegant spin, a murmured, confident comment, and repeat via a three step count. His practice was obvious, but charm was a commodity not so simply obtained. Fortunately, flaunting it was practically innate.

As applause was given between songs, his gaze turned to the cluster of girls noted by his date. With a small smirk, he released a casual sigh to indicate there was no need for concern. She must have known he wouldn't show such interest in clear amateurs, but that was no reason not to acknowledge them.

--In the most arrogant way possible, of course. As music began again, he skillfully maneuvered their position toward the group, occasionally locking glances with the few who had the courage to continue staring so blatantly. Then, perfectly on cue, he twirled his partner into their direction in a fleeting, egotistic moment before returning her into his arms closer than ever before.

❀     It was early in the season for the temperature to spike up like it did in the past two hours, but it had and Satsuki had truly felt that spring was finally here. She didn’t much care for strong gusts and the rain, and the only semi-warm days of late. Just heat. Pure, dry heat in that the only way to beat it was jumping into the sea or the pool, or even lounging about in artificial cold at her apartment or wherever. Her spring break from classes had only just begun and things were really looking up.

     Satsuki couldn’t put her finger on why exactly she was out here, shooting baskets all by herself. She loved basketball, anyone who knew her knew that, but she could never say she was particularly good. At least, perhaps, not next to her childhood friend or her old school mates. She knew the game like the back of her hand but playing it wasn’t really her style, not since she was eight years old, so it sparked irony in her that ten years later she was back on a court just shooting the orange rubber globe into the basket. With varied results that made her grimace; her form wasn’t too atrocious, but her aim? Oof…

     A half hour into her routine and the heat started to make her break a sweat. One final basket, the ball thudding rhythmically against the asphalt until it didn’t and it simply rolled about, and Satsuki sifted through her bag to retrieve her water bottle. As she took a drink, carmine eyes glanced at the other pair of eyes that had set upon her just then. She pulled the bottle from her lips and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before she looked at them expectantly.

While he hadn't planned to cross so far into the recreational areas, his thoughts had caused him to lose sight of time and likewise, his direction. Enjoying more the solace that came with these locations in the mid-afternoon, his gaze only wandered when sounds of activity came from the otherwise empty basketball courts.

It was perhaps the familiarity her long locks provoked that captured his attention, so much that he hadn't realized he'd stopped walking entirely. Not particularly skilled, he mused, but elegant in appearance nonetheless. Regardless, he had no intentions of staying, but given how little people there were about, he knew her voiced inquiry was undoubtedly aimed for him.

It's enough to make him chuckle. He hadn't touched a basketball in what, five years? Judging strictly by her tone and figure, it was safe to assume she was around the age of a university student. Jellal pocketed his hands before responding, demeanor nothing but lighthearted. In truth, he really hadn't the time for games, but he'd already delayed himself this much, and there's nothing he'd rather do than professionally procrastinate.

If someone were to ask Ultear how many parties and balls she had been to, she would not be able to answer you unless you took one word answers.

Countless.

At some point, these events had been divided into two categories, those for business and those for pleasure. Tonight had simply been about pleasure, and that much had been made certain when she had rode in on the back of an elephant, the whole ball looking at her in all her splendor and glory and wealth. It was her weakness, being at the center of attention. One that she fed constantly. And while some could scold her from behind close doors, she knew that it was only their jealousy speaking. 

Once she had left her elephant, handing the beast over to someone who was to take it outside to rest, she was in search of her date. He had always been her date, and when he wasn’t, Ultear would rarely take anyone else as such. They had worked too long and too well together to trust anyone else, and on such occasions when they went out with others was for interest of their company alone. 

Besides, who else was going to keep her entertained in all this? Dark irises search the crowd, ignoring those who had questions about her entrance. Before long she found him, grinning to himself in a corner as he watched her approach, clearly amused. She almost wanted to rip that away from him, but instead she gave him a clever smirk of her own as she finally reached him, her purple gown hitting the light so that it shimmered and showed off just the right parts of her.

With a mask that hadn't hid the entirety of his tattoo, he was hardly disguised. It mattered little to him as one who was far more accustomed to selling his reputation and identity with full flair. Truth be told, the two of them wore enough metaphorical masks as it was. Facade after facade, this party was just another opportunity to take advantage of the expendable and derive pleasure from material pleasantries, trivial discussions and naturally, formal dance.

"Were you trying to shatter the chandelier?" He half-expected backup dancers to fall from the lights. Smirking as she made her approach, he lifted himself from the wall he'd leaned on in wait. However much he teased, it's clear from his smile that he held only the utmost approval for her glamorous appearance.

Glamorous, of course, in regards to both her entrance and her attire. To match the elegance of her gown he slipped upon her wrist a corsage traditional of events like these. As her date since school years, it felt only proper, and also provided the opportunity to secure a gentle grip around her hand.

What exactly was impossible, anyway? There didn’t seem to be a single soul out there that might have had a solid answer for it. Did one have to witness the results in order to believe it was possible? What ever would become of logical thinking then. To challenge such perceptions was there for individuals to believe and interpret those certain obstacles, and if not then their minds would have been doomed in becoming ‘boring’. Thus in order to achieve that, sometimes ambiguous curiosity could have been enough to push one’s instincts of doing the ‘impossible’ to make it ‘possible’.

She was getting carried away with the topic though, and once her red hues came in contact with the young man, he was already getting comfortable around her. As if he was a regular and it was alright to pluck out petals that have done absolutely nothing to him.

"What loathsome thoughts. That much, I know. But that is merely wishful thinking of yours because death will always follow us wherever we go. Age, disease, and even thoughts are powerful enough to drive us into the inevitable in the end. When you embrace it, it’s only then it becomes a different story."

Laughter escaped in a collection of conceited chuckles, amusement obvious at her intended resistance to his view. It was no secret that death was inevitable; it's precisely because there was no escape to this truth that he didn't find his way of thinking deplorable in the slightest.

Afterall, to find beauty in the ephemeral is to appreciate what one has before it's gone. The comparison to people may have been too arrogant a comment that implied him to be an exception, but speaking apart from the whole or not, he was ultimately just the same as the rest-- tragically mortal; precious for some time, then fated to perish. If one could not find some sense of allurement in the harsh reality of this world, then what type of life could they live?  If his remarks were to be considered naive in nature, the implied opposite certainly didn't appear much more appealing. 

"Perhaps it is wishful thinking." An echoing of her previous words, nothing more.

Besides the conversation, it seemed his casualness provoked a minor annoyance. As he was not one to embrace others' views regardless if they're voiced, he had no qualms with dropping the subject. Rather, a smile remained stuck to his features despite the quiet seriousness reflected in her opposing crimson. His hand fell from the flower and into his pocket, body shifting to properly face the one addressing him.

"Certainly." It didn't seem as if she'd let him off without purchasing what he'd inappropriately harmed, anyway. "A bouquet of these should do fine."

A careless laugh poured from her lips, smooth as silk it died into his ear. 

♚ “Oh, my darling, you know you shouldn’t make challenges you can’t win.”

Of course, in their long friendship they knew each other so well that it had become accustomed to push the other. To find a limit they had not reached, or a reaction that was new. And while she had an end goal in mind, Ultear saw no problem with little detours.

His hand came to her cheek, his fingers gently moving against smooth skin, his touch more possessive then it was affectionate, cruel then it was caring. She stayed that way briefly, her hands posed so that a finger throated to slip between buttons and onto his skin. Then, she pulled away, a suddenly defiant motion, but one that would not last long. she moved to his desk, her gaze briefly scanning over papers.

♚ “I’m surprised you weren’t leaping at the chance of me when you have all this work to do. Or, tell me, is it something else?” She did nothing to hid the mischievous intent in her tone, her eyes going back to his frame as she placed her hands on either side of his chair’s armrest, shifting her body foreword.

♚ “Or is it that you really are sweet on that Rochester girl? I knew you liked her money, but I did not think you liked her.” In their business, neither of them could afford to not take advantages of those with a feeble heart. And so that is what they both did in order to thrive, using others affections in their endless games of lies and riches. Just as he had his games, she had her own, however.

♚ “Perhaps I should just go find one of the many that are sweet on me, hmm? If you are such a lost cause then maybe I should just leave. Find myself another man who will give me what I want. There are oh so many I’ve yet had the chance to try.” Her words were threatening, sharp as a knife and yet as smooth as the flat of the blade. She attempted to play at his possessive nature, to see how he would react. She would make him beg, she would entice him and have her admit what he craved. He had before, and he would again.

Eyes shut at the mention of his work only reopened inquisitively at her impish remark, a tempted gaze glazing over the chest that neared without hesitation. Distance reduced, a scoff followed at the mention of his most recent opportunity, demeanor otherwise seemingly unfazed.

"Was that her name?" A reply of utmost arrogance, it was used just to convey his true disinterest. Smirk distorting what was once a nonchalant expression, he added pretentiously, "You seem to remember better than I do."

They were close enough that petty jealousies shouldn't have influenced their relationship, both their ideals virtually identical concerning the immoral use of others. What's yours is mine; she was the only person he'd ever embraced such a bond with, the fact of the matter being his position was brought up purely due to her leverage. However, it's precisely because the origins of his corrupted nature dated to the day they met that he found himself seized by the very envy he degraded others for.

Worse was that she knew of it, prodded at it, tested the limits of a weakness he'd never admit to having. The more she spoke of her sweet options, the narrower his stare became, slowly descending into the fierceness of a glare. It wouldn't do to lose so soon-- games that were not extended until they were painful were hardly games at all-- yet logic simply did nothing to eliminate his inner aggression. He'd needed to seek another means to satisfy himself, a means through only the finest of denial.

"Spare me." Irritation supported the retort hidden beneath confidence. "If you'd wanted to try a new, mediocre toy, you wouldn't have come here to begin with."

Abruptly, he stood from his seat, forcing their positions to reverse so that he might have her back to his desk. Voice lowering to near inaudible levels, he leaned forward enough for breath to fall upon her neck, placing his best effort to resist biting the succulent lips that taunted him and, with no intentions of caving first, responded in kind. 

Spring. A time of new beginnings, a new chapter, a new opportunity. It came right before the dreadful, prosaic winter that seemed to be everlasting, yet was proven wrong once the warmth dispersed the land. She, for one, never indulged in the liking of the coldness, it was something she had come to learn in despising so. The bitterness that came along with it that always was a reason for her to retreat back to her home discomforted her. And how could she forget the darkness blanketing the skies sooner than it was expected to arrive! She hated it. That was all she could say about it, and never will she think she’ll learn to enjoy it.

The sun glimmered pleasantly from the sky for her to start the day off in a decent mood, every ticking from the clock constantly reminding her it was time to open up. She expected nothing to change drastically once she opened the door, in which she didn’t mind at all. If there was anything she liked about Paralia, the town itself was stable with its settings in which she preferred over than an unexpected twist.

Only when she unlocked the door, her gaze fell upon an individual curiously glancing over one of the bouquet of flowers that was for display on her stand. How unusual for customer to arrive at an hour like this, she mused herself. Could it be it was for a gift for their loved one? Perhaps it was to commemorate an event of some sort that was meaningful only to them. Or there was a possibility they simply just found a floret that grabbed their attention while passing by.

A usual response from her would have been 'Are you going to continue aimlessly looking at them? If you don't have any intentions on buying, leave.' Though, she bit back her sharped tongue just this once. Instead, Azami carefully slithered towards the other and stood from behind as she bent over to get a better perspective at what they were looking at. Seeing how there was no reaction coming from them, she assumed they were so occupied staring bluntly at the small garden that they didn’t notice her presence.

Ah- this will turn out interesting.

Eyes blazing at the lack of well-renowned brands, the male could only chuckle scornfully beneath his breath. As president of an advertising agency, he'd little interest in an area that placed their priorities on traditional, local businesses, especially now, as he was forced to travel miles just to make a purchase. It  was simply inconvenient and old-fashioned, not to mention inefficient.

And yet, he couldn't deny the quality of such goods, fingers tilting a delicate petal in his direction as its simplicity shined brighter than any artificial replica could. At the very least, he would not vanquish his taste for perfection in his seeking for quick, money-making advances. This style was the reason the sacrifice was made to come here at all, afterall.

Interestingly, his attention is seized by a dark little thing, curved lips evident as soon as a dismal question was voiced aloud. Needless to say, it was the last thing he was expecting from the owner of such flowers, but the bold perspective was welcomed entirely.

"Life is terribly boring without the element of death." he began, response entirely casual as if such a bleak notion was common. "These flowers would turn dull were they beautiful every season. We treasure them only because we can have them for so long." 

Amused by the conversation, he plucked off the petal that had done nothing but lay gently between his digits, neck turning to better glance at his acquaintance with a nonchalant air. 

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Late nights were a regular thing for the raven beauty, her fingers falling and shifting over papers. When the firm had first been established, frustration would always beat at her, and she would respond with anger, often rushing through her work and snapping at anyone who would try to interrupt her. But now she was wiser, as it came with age, and she handled the droll of everyday necessities with much more grace.

Glancing at her clock, it was already nine. Ultear was not one to complain when it came to her business, but she knew the fine line of letting work pass over into over time, and she did not fancy having any more stress then already burdened her shoulders. No, she needed something to relax her, even if the moment was fleeting, she needed some amusement that would erase that day’s with of dealing with incompetent fools.

She knew this office like the back of her hand, she knew where every camera, alarm and weapon was secretly placed, and there was only one other person who knew those blue prints as well as she did. Leaving her office, barely thinking twice as she turned the corner and stepped into the elevator. His office was two floors above hers, and had an impressive view. It was out of hesitation that she had allowed him to take the bigger office, allowing his male pride to build off of the impressive atmosphere. And as she walked into his office unannounced, the impressive atmosphere was drowned out by the memories the two had created here. The meetings, the fights, the making up…

With a sly smile, the woman leaned over the chair of her partner, her cheek pressed against blue as her hands gently pressed against the fine fabric of his suit, and with nimble digits they slid underneath his jacket, feeling warmth and the gentle heave of Jellal’s breath.

♚ “I am terribly bored, and I have done enough to put off the rest till another day.” She cooed, her lips close to his ear as she tempted him.

Fortunately, the door to his office was opened as if on cue, providing a charming distraction with little delay. Gaze fixated on his work with feigned concentration he chuckled, well-aware of the identify of his sudden guest without needing to spare a glance. Afterall, there were only so many around to enter his office unannounced at this hour, and even fewer with the grace to strut in with total confidence. A smirk played at his lips as her figure elegantly maneuvered past his desk, the proximity entirely welcomed. 

She so had a talent to entice. It was a manipulation of another kind, one perfectly alluring while simultaneously remaining beautifully conspicuous. It was in this way playing off the other came naturally, particularly for him, who thrived off his games.

"What an impatient woman," he scolded teasingly, tone inflated with superiority as fingers delicately dropped the pen previously in hand. A subtle lean into her touch was plenty to state his approval without words, further convincing not required in the slightest. Her claim to use force was but a factor he'd take into consideration, always one to find new ways of escalating his entertainment.

Still, he does not budge from his seat, instead raising a single hand to stroke at the face that shamelessly whispered temptation. It's a gesture that would normally be seen as affectionate, should there not have been sin laced into the gaze that now shifted to meet hers.