#inimicorum

“Unfortunately, killing them and leaving them in gruesome states for discover is probably not going to best put the message across, especially when the populace at large is continuously brow-beaten with the heroics of your victims,” Ellie spoke this quietly but sincerely, not wanting to raise any attention to the table with the hooded girl.

She didn’t recognize her scent, but she could detect the similarities between her and her sister. She took a seat across from her, offering a pleasant smile, “Alas, there’s naught to be done. Those who harmed you are dead, deservingly so, and Beauclair is all the better for it. Save for Dettlaff’s... commitments.”

From her pocket, she pulled a small card that gave the name and address to her bakery, “You may or may not know me as the Baker Lady that Never Ages. Of course you can probably surmise that I am not entirely human. I am dear friends with Regis... You have met him. But never fear. I am not going to harm you or berate you for what you did.”

“ Of course you would say that. ”

Regis sighed, weary beyond words. “ What is the point of all this? ” He asked at length, and this time he did not even deign to look at her, gaze upon his folded hands and shoulders hunched beneath the weight of... what? Their animosity? The sure and creeping danger they found themselves in? There was far too much to unpack, this whole wretched mess too tangled in emotion to make any real sense. And yet they still tried, only succeeding in picking at each others’ wounds until they bled anew, leaving them sore and without resolution until the next round.

“ This vicious bickering between us is not only childish but pointless. ” He pointed out bitterly, “ Do each of us expect the other to bend? To concede defeat and agree? We will never agree, that much is certain, and yet... ”

For once, he seemed unable to draw a proper conclusion, scowling at his gloved hands with lips pressed into a thin line. “ By rights, we should be on the same side. We have both loved him, have we not? ”

Anarietta covered the hand swiftly, as if not trusting her own senses. Was it true? Was the spell fading, and the ice that gripped a heart of her returned Syanna was melting at last. Oh, how happy she was! She even decided not to take an offence at her stinging words or a misplaced, very rude chuckle  - her Julian was not so ignoble as her retelling made him sound! Nor her plight a reason for merrymaking!

“I...I don’t know. He is impulsive and passionate, but so am I. Despite all his fallings, he loves...loved me genuinely. Nor he is not malevolent, not on purpose. He can be rush sometimes, that is all. One should probably not entrust anything to a such individual, least of all, such a fragile organ as a heart, but...my mind says one thing, while my heart longs for another decision.”

Anarietta placed a kiss upon Syanna’s palm. “However, I know who has my full trust. My older and much wiser sister! No matter if she tries to present herself worse than she truly is. I can see behind your mask, ma cherie.”

“But...but why would one take a lover...without getting a heart involved? Is it not the sole purpose of love - to stir one’s heart?” the little weasel frowned at their reflection - dark-jet and shining-gold. Ah, she had always thought her looks lacking, compared to the shadowy beauty of her sister. Even as a child Sylvia Anna was considered to be luckier with her lot when it came to appearances. Her hair was of noble shade - not like a fox coat.

The ladies giggled and whispered covertly, silks rustling and hiding their little poisonous tongues. “What a dusty antiquity! Artorious Vigo has been dead for ages! Does she still leave in the past? Her manner to dress definitely does.”

The Duchess brightened at the sight of her sister, a somber shadow among the bright flowers of the court. Ah, she was intimidating on the outside, but soon the people of Toussaint shall learn how kind her heart is! How amiable of her to help Madame de Ségur out of her silly blunder!

“I am most sad to say this...our kind uncle Artorious is gone. The funeral was a beautiful, dignified affair, befitting his many merrits and a loyal service to our Duchy.” Anna Henrietta sighed and lowered her head in a perfect tableu of a noble grief. Despite the slightly unnatural, too perfect posture, she missed the court mage sincerely and time had done nothing to cover the absence of a kind figure of her carefree childhood. 

“As for Fringilla...she is taking a much needed repose after a most troubling misunderstanding between her and our Uncle, The Emperor.” Oh, that was another thing to add to the string of unpleasant news, and not in accordance to the plans of Anna Henrietta. She wanted to surround her beloved sister with merriment and bliss, not to recapture some grim affairs of the past! Her eyes narrowed just a splint, and the lines of the dainty nose grew sharper. 

The ladies grew eerily silent and hold their breath.  

“You are overworking yourself, my dear Syanna. Take a rest, I beseech you. Who would want to spend such a sunny day closeted in a dungeon? The weather is most kind to us today. Let us spend it outside. Together.” The Duchess strived to took Syanna’s hands in hers, as she smiled coyly. 

Mischief-Time: turning NSFW starters into pure&innocent ones

Natanis has never said no to an adventure. Yet this one turned sour. 

“This was not the pastime I had in mind when you offered me a ride under the pearl-moon,“ the succubus confesses sulky. The horse studies the unsure creature with a smart eye, half-hidden by lashes. Natanis, being what she is, has never learned to ride. Instead she became masterful at excuses why she doesn’t take a horse. Ah, I prefer a litter. Surely any lady of fashion does. Look at my dress! Oh, I am afraid of the beast. Please,please, don’t make me, sweetheart!

Something tells the pampered blonde that the stead she has been gallantly offered, as they sneaked out and to the tavern stables, doesn’t belong to the bold raven-haired. After all, one cambrioleur professionnel always recognises another. 

‘Ah, it is not for the quality of the stones, mind you, but for the association. It is one of Duchess’ favourite sets. We, being true children of Toussaint, love our Duchess and everything that bears her graceful touch’.

The Twins finally settled in Beauclair after the last of their ‘daring heists‘ went rough. Gentle creatures as they are, they had a wanton and dangerous hobby - stealing jewels. The most ancient, highly prized, meticulously guarded…Not for money, for their lovers were generous enough, but for the thrill some of their lesser brethren found in a challenging kill. Once they have sneaked away Queen Zuleika’s famous set of bracelets, artfully imbedded with bones of Saint Lebioda, right during the royal audience. 

Looking identical helped them to provide an alibi for the heists they committed. The Twins also use this trait to trick their lovers and never go outside together. They managed to fool Regis for the whole week and were very smug over the fact.  

One of the twins has an ugly reminder why they made a vow to abandon their old ways. However, it does stop her from secretly leering at Anna Henrietta’s diamond-and-turquoise(?) set.