The world was not kind to Young Ascilia. The death of her father, the betrayal of those who promised to protect her, the cold voices that hung around her ears whispering indifference and hostility.
It was too much. She had cried many times. Days would come and go, but her world stayed forever gray. She was alone. Today was another one of those gray days. The rich man that got her father killed was taking her to some dark part of the city to revive him.
She didn't want it. But her father held secrets. A threat, greater than the Empire, was coming to all of Eorzea. Everyone would die. Young Ascilia did not know all of the details, and even if she did, she wouldn't tell her father's killers a damned thing.
She was waiting in the lobby of the Thaumaturges' guild, kicking dust and playing with the small gemstone she managed to mine the other day. This gemstone was a sign of her hard work.
Despite the sweat and dirt that coated her brow, she found the work relaxing. It was also somewhat fun. Between the crying fits and the cold despair weighing her heart down like stone, she dreamed of the pickaxe that was loaned to her. Maybe that'd be her future.
The rich man was speaking with the guild master about a dagger of some sort a while ago, then they left to the crypt below. It was probably where her father's body was housed.
Suddenly, from out of the hallway stepped an angel. That's all the Young Ascilia could recognize him as. The light leaking into the lobby highlighted his form. He was young, almost as young as she was. His hair was fluffy and light pink, like the clouds at sunset. His flowing sleeves added an elegance that the young girl didn't have the vocabulary to describe. His sky-blue eyes were slightly closed, dense with clouds and meek as rain. His lips were colored like heavenly cherries, plucked from a tree that the Twelve planted. His long fingers ended in soft pillowy tips that-
"Hello?"
Twelve above! His voice! It was like ice sliding off the side of a stone on a hot summer's day. His smile warmed her heart so much that she swore she started blowing smoke! She felt like she just consumed a pile of sweets when her father wasn't watching. She didn't know what this was, but she didn't want it to stop!
"Are you okay?"
Of course she wasn't! Ascilia's first crush was a boy like this? It simply wasn't fair! Her brain was malfunctioning. Stuttering like the broken clock in her living room. It was impossible to get the correct words out in the right order.
"I'm Winter. What's your name?"
Winter introduced himself with the grace of a Sylph. Or perhaps the cunning of a demon! Her father warned her of men that would ensnare their victims with love and drag them to hell. Was it happening to her? Why did she want to jump in so badly?! Her name! He asked for her name! Ahhhhhh!
"A-Ascilia!"
Not her finest moment. The angel must think her a fool. He must look down on her as if she only learned to speak yesterday. The Young Ascilia has had a terrible week, and today was another-
"Ah, it's nice to finally meet you, Ascilia."
The angel smiled, his teeth white as marble, and his warmth begged her to fall asleep. Her soul was leaving her body. Hold there, father. I'll arrive by your side soon!
"Ah, by chance, do you not recognize me?"
The Angel in front of her looked confused. She had no idea what he was speaking of, but it didn't matter. She didn't want to see him sad.
"I-I-I do!"
A bold-faced lie. Work fast Ascilia. Pray tell, where did you see-
'Ah.'
The Angel wasn't a stranger. He was there. He fought alongside the slick bard. He fought to protect... Tears unconsciously pooled in her eyes. She thought she had been emptied of tears. Maybe she foolishly thought that he would be on her side. That he may tell her it would all be okay.
A warm hand made itself known on top of her head. Even through her hat, she could feel its heat. The pressure was lighter than her father's. It was smaller than her father's. But the warmth was the same. She couldn't hold it any longer. She was a brave little girl. But still just a little girl.
---
I stood with Ascilia, who was crying into my shirt for a while. I felt sorry that we couldn't save her father. Her tears seemed to reach into my chest and poke at my cold and dead heart. I was also curious as to what she was doing here. What was she waiting for?
I thought my instinct would complete the puzzle in front of me, but annoyingly enough I was still clueless. Ascilia. I didn't know the name at all. Her eyes were somewhat familiar, but I couldn't match it with anyone.
I continued to stroke her head. Poor thing. No matter what world you're in, losing family is tough. Losing your parents is tougher. Losing your last parent is the worst. It can make one feel alone in the world. No mother was mentioned to me, so I assumed that was the case. She may truly be alone.
"Ah."
I turned my head and met the eyes of that curvy Miqo'te that jumped on top of the cart during the parade. What was she here for?
She jogged towards us, or rather Ascilia. Her breasts, while not quite large, threatened to jump out of her open shirt with every step. Her absurdly short shorts revealed her thick, pale thighs to the world. The sight was almost too stimulating for my body to handle. A sense of foreboding filled my chest.
Ascilia, upon seeing the walking succubus coming our way, instantly broke from my embrace and ran outside of the guild, down the stairs and around the corner.
"Ascilia..."
I didn't know what drama I had just walked in on. My body was surging with heat. If I wasn't experienced, perhaps I would have identified this feeling as poison. However, I knew better. All men do. Hormones.
The bitter temptress turned her head to face me. Her lips were full and begging to be bitten over and over again.
"H-Hello... We've met before haven't we?"
Her voice was sultry. Every stroke of her vocal chords resounded in my ears and shook my mind.
I had to escape. I myself control was abysmal for some reason. What had happened to me? I faced attractive women of all kinds working my job, but this one was slamming me with a hammer of sex appeal that I could not easily ignore.
"You were at the parade, weren't you?"
"Y-yes! That's right!"
Her tail started to wave and flick. I would need to bite it when pounding her from behind or else it would tickle my nose. Her hips weren't especially wide, but her curvature was explicitly feminine. A good shape to hold onto while drowning her womb.
"It's a joy to find your company once more miss..."
She would look proper with my child in her belly. What? Was I being bewitched?
"Oh! F'lhaminn is fine! I-I wanted to thank you all this time... P-Pray tell, what sir's name is?"
F'lhaminn?! I knew this woman. The caretaker of the Scions. And Minfilia's adoptive mother. Her presence became know to the player when the Crystal Braves formed. I was attempting to drag Minfilia's mother to bed?? She wasn't bewitching me. She didn't know any magic. Then what was wrong? What was this heat?
These hormones were going to get me in serious trouble! I was experienced with women, but it was baffling to be feeling like this with a mind that was developed enough to understand what was happening.
I could smell her sweet fruity breath. I wanted to hear her moan and squeak into the air. I wanted to hear her beg for more.
I softly grabbed her hand and kissed the back. It was soft, as if she lacked bones. I could imagine gripping it strongly while tenderly plowing her insides.
"It's no matter, F'lhaminn. You may call me Winter."
Because that's my actual name. What else could she call me other than Winter? Darling, Lover, Daddy, Master-What am I DOING?! Get it together!
A deep crimson flooded her features. I bet I could make her redder than that useless scion she's been with. I could paint her with my color and make her forget he ever existed.
"It's a pleasure, W-Winter."
Damn. I had to get out of there. It was absurd. I was being poisoned by her thick feminine scent. Perhaps it was because she was a Miqo'te? Or my senses got sharper somehow?
'Come on!'
I pumped myself up to resist my body's instincts.
"Indeed."
I gave her a fresh smile and continued-
"It seems that you were in the middle of something with Young Ascilia and I dare not intrude any further. It's been a pleasure meeting you! Good day!"
A stiff excuse that left no room for argument. F'lhaminn opened her succulent lips slightly. That mouth was designed to run up and down the sides of my cock. That tongue should be swishing my cum around and asking for permission to swallow.
I started walking away. It was okay when she was at a distance, but when she got close I was losing my mind. I didn't get to think about why she was here. Why did she look so young? Did she adopt Minfilia yet?
"Ah! W-Wait, Winter!"
Once again she ran up to me, the meat on her thighs quivered when she took a hard step. She flaunted them in my face like I wouldn't dare to bite and mark her as my woman. They should be gripped tightly while shoving my tool deep into her folds and swinging my hips.
"I-Uh, are you uh, close with Ascilia?"
Are you jealous? Of a teenager no less? Do you need me to fill your womb to assure you of your place?
"Not at all miss. We just met today. Was there something the matter?"
I'll fill you up as many times as you need. Let's ditch that idiot of a boyfriend you have.
"Ah, n-no!"
Her ears were flattened in anxiety. I was caught in-between biting them while pushing her to the ground and wondering why she cared about Ascilia and I being close.
"F'lhaminn, if there's something you need my assistance for-"
Like getting impaled on my meat rod.
"Pray tell. My ears are open to your concerns."
It must be pheromones. She's emitting them like crazy.
Once again she blushed. I didn't see any reaction like this when that floppy dicked son of a goldsmith was talking to her at the parade. She had a frightened look on her face. Was the fear sourced from the monster, or that man?
"O-Oh no Winter. I'm quite alright..."
I took a step closer. And gently placed my left hand on her hip, gripping her soft flesh strongly enough to provoke a warm shiver. If I couldn't stop myself, that scion who paid for my treatment was going to get cucked today.
"Are you sure?"
"Hah... I-Uh... pant"
I was taller than her, but not by much. I could feel her breath. When her mouth opened I could see her tongue. A tongue that should be coated in a thick layer of my seed at that moment.
I leaned in slightly and felt her lean in as well. Her eyes started to droop and gaze at me sheepishly. I could feel her breath as our foreheads touched. Her fingers traced the back of my hand lightly.
I could easily lift her up and slam her down on my shaft right away. She was the right size for a spirited carry fuck. I wanted to slam into her depths in the middle of the hall where everyone could see. Where her lover could see.
'Hear.'
But I shouldn't do that.
'I'm not a god-damned animal.'
'Think.'
I felt the Aether's chill with my "fingers". It cooled my head. It graced me with common sense.
'I won't be led around by the dick. That'd be crazy!'
'Feel.'
"Very well... Then I should be going now."
"Eh? B-but... Mmmm"
Her ears flattened once more as she pouted.
"Good day, F'lhaminn."
I tenderly took her hand again and kissed the back. This time I held my composure properly. After doing so I simply let go and walked away. My lungs were filled with a soothing and cool feeling.
While walking out of the guild, the master Mumuepo tottered past me, going in.
"All healed up, boy?"
He was in a joyous mood. As was I.
I calmed my nerves and answered.
"Yes sir. Thank you so much for your aid."
I was being genuine. He didn't have to let me use a solo room. My knowledge of the future had caused me to misjudge this demon. He eventually was thrown out for corruption, but I started to wonder if that wasn't an act of fraudulence. Was Mumuepo the fall man for someone else?
"Ah, think nothing of it. We were paid well after all."
The little demon gave a small chuckle.
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble sir, I'd like to be considered for entry into the Thaumaturges' guild."
"My my my!"
He seemed surprised.
"Just when I thought you wanted to escape from this place, you desire to come back?"
Did he pick up on that? I moved past it.
"I have the gil to pay the entry fee sir. I couldn't help but think that if I had access to your practice of magic, maybe I could have saved more lives that day."
Mumuepo tilted his head, considering my words.
"You know boy, Thaumaturgy does not typically include the practice of protecting others. Our work is the unleashing of deadly manifestations of primal power. Death is the central focus of our magicks. Not life."
He seriously looked me in the eye as he spoke these words. Despite the charges of corruption, at times like these, he truly did look like a guild master.
"Killing my enemies, means lives are saved sir. I am not afraid."
"... Hahahahahahahaha! Very well! Bring your coin tomorrow, and we'll see about getting you a wand! Don't disappoint me boy! I very much look forward to your journey."
Mumuepo gave me a sinister grin.
---
F'lhaminn Qesh was in-between heaven and hells at the moment.
On one side was a beautiful beast who screamed decadence, watching her every move with his warm, sky-blue eyes. Butterflies flew around doing a mad dance in her belly whenever his face was near. When she walked in on him comforting a crying Ascilia, she almost pushed the poor girl out of the way. Her nose twitched when she got a whiff of his scent. It was odorless, but thick and heavy. It was less of a smell and more of an aura that stuffed her nose and made her body grow weak. The way he grabbed her hip, the dessert that she was allowed to inhale...
On the other side, Hells, because she already had a man that she named her lover. Although their relationship was a secret and lacking in many ways, she couldn't help but slap herself internally for straying, even just for a moment. She was holding back as best as she could. She thought herself to be loyal and steadfast. Yet with one glance, her resolve shattered.
Well, that wasn't quite true. It was just this once. Just with that, Winter.
"Nielle..."
Niellefresne was a cold and calculating man on the surface. Even quite a bit beneath the surface as well. But if one were to dig even further, all the way to the core, they'd find a heart that held more gold than all of Ul'dah. He may not be a paragon, but who was? He truly wanted what was best for the City. F'lhaminn admired that. He was bold, ingenious, connected, and, at the very least, tried his best to be caring. She was fully on his side, no matter what plan he cooked up. Or rather, she was until the accident.
She could still hear the screams of terror. They sliced away at her defenses and left her feeling numb. Few had died, but it was more than zero. The number her dearest had given her. She could see how shaken he was as well. There was a good chance, that if W-Winter and Thancred hadn't stepped in to distract the beast, the amount of dead could have skyrocketed. She, likewise, could have met her end.
An effort that had originally been a display of political power turned into the result of fools playing as the Thirteenth.
Nielle was clueless as how to proceed. A death or two was not uncommon in Ul'dah. It was a blunder that chipped away at him and would for many moons yet, but the real issue was who that dead man was.
Ascilia's father, Warburton was hiding a secret. A secret that could endanger far more than Ul'dah. But Nielle had- no, they all had killed him. The man kept his secrets to the grave, and the young Ascilia, who learned of F'lhaminn's terrible crime, refused to speak nor forgive her.
It's the only thing she could do to cope with her sins. When the ang- when Winter and her spoke, she felt like- no. She couldn't. But the guilt was gone, even if just for a moment. Her mind was no longer thinking of her sins. Winter helped her escape. The butterflies started fluttering again at the thought of him. Of his scent. She could tell he wanted her. He wanted to pin her down and ravage her, as did she. The thought of him biting her neck, grunting heavily as he pushed his way inside her honey pot. Pulling out and dragging her heart upon the tip of his-
'NO NO NO NO NO!'
IT WASN'T RIGHT. Nielle! She needed to find him! To see him! She heard what he was planning to do. She couldn't let him!
Tears pooled in her eyes and made it difficult to see. All the emotions, that took refuge within her breast, fought bloody battles with each other.
Why should she suffer because of Nielle's foolish mistakes? Why must she be the one who gets burned when all she did was what she was told? He said no one would die. Now look! Even if no one did die, the fear was not fake. Would any witness of this event ever enjoy a parade again?
But why should she get off the hook? She endorsed the plan. She was sloppy and only gave 1 flower to Ascilia and her father. Why should she be allowed to walk off into the sunset as if she had no blood on her hands? When she saw Ascilia's face of torment, her heart shattered into dust.
The guilt sliced deeper and deeper. On this line between heaven and hells, she was burning and knew no one would save her. She wanted it to be over. She had to find Nielle and stop his madness. She had to find Ascilila and beg for forgiveness. She had to find Winter...
Didn't she ask for Winter's help? Yes, that's right. She was afraid that if she did, she'd add on extra conditions. Favors in return for his grace. Promises in exchange for his mercy. Winter could punish her. Make her understand her mistakes.
Nielle didn't have to know what she paid to receive Winter's aid. She could feel both of them restraining themselves. It was driving her mad! But it was true that she did need help.
Once more. Talk to Winter once more. She would restrain herself. She would not fall on her knees and pant like a whore. Pressing her nose up to the jewel of his pants and inhaling deeply. Using her mouth as he demanded.
Just this once to find Nielle. She spun around on her toes, a skill she picked up from her time as a Songstress and surprisingly didn't have to go looking far.
In the distance, Winter was talking with the bard, Thancred, who she thought to be exiled. A welcome surprise. With another party present, she could keep her mind from wandering.