• **** (The Goddess)
    “It starts many millennia ago, when the world was created. A young Goddess created this world to answer questions her people had been asking... and she was the sole keeper of this little world.
    But she became sad when no life survived on the barren land, and she cried for a whole century – her tears becoming our oceans and water – from which life blossomed and the little goddess was happy to watch. After a while, humans evolved and she smiled because they were like her own people in form and behaviour.
    But this wasn’t enough and she descended to take a firsthand view, walking the Earth in a human vessel. Whilst on Earth, she fell in love, and had children. These children had special abilities, like her vessel, and were despised by normal people. Even her husband began to hate her, and she became sad again. She took her children and fled. To keep them safe, she bade them to hide their gifts and to lead normal lives. As her vessel died, she returned to where she came from, sitting and watching. Waiting. She watched her children grow up and marry... continuing the line. Not all of her descendants had powers... some were more powerful than others...
    “Two lines of descendants were always more powerful than any others. The Caragiri and the Senran, who always fought. Many generations of both families were killed. The Goddess, Miscenco, decided to intervene. They both had one origin, both shared blood. She couldn’t stand to see relations warring over a stupid thing they both had. She entered another vessel, another young girl. This girl met one of the Caragiri – and she fell in love again...” He sighed and looked to me, who was edging closer to him. He put one arm around me and pulled me to him, my head resting on his shoulder. This wasn’t enough for him – he reclined and pulled me to lay on top of him, his legs spread to accommodate me in between them – my head resting on his chest. He put his arms around me, pinning me there. I put my arms around his torso. He smiled slightly. “Right. I’ll continue. Are you sure you want to hear his?” I nodded.
    “That’s why I asked, Ri-chan...” He sighed again and continued as he stroked my hair.
    “Miscenco, in her vessel, was in love with the son of the Caragiri leader. They courted and she saw everything... all their secrets and even began training with him. Now... the Leader could not see Miscenco for who she really was... and ordered for her capture and imprisonment – his son was in love with a fake psychic – not a traced descendant. He tortured her to confess she was a fake, a fraud... and did unspeakable acts.... His son told the Senran. They burst in during a torture session in the main chambers... Miscenco hung limply from one of the ropes – she had been lashed with the sharpest Cat-o-nine-tails, and...” He gulped. “...She was in a bad way. The Leader’s son rushed to her side, let her down while his Father fought with the Senran Leader. Miscenco, wishing to stop the fighting, staggered to the centre of the chamber, aided by her love. She smiled and kissed him tenderly – he knew what she’d do... she released her soul, showing her true self to everyone there... As her wings unfolded, she smiled at the two Leaders. They remembered the truth of their lineage when she started to glow. When her wings unfolded fully, she turned to her love for the last time and kissed him goodbye. She returned to where she came from... And he followed shortly. He removed his glove to show the scarring of the blood pact... the horrified Leaders watched as he... killed himself, to be with her, and to escape his Father who would have killed him anyway for betrayal. The Senran then left, vowing to kill any Caragiri and those who associate with them when they returned.” He squeezed me tighter. “I personally lie neutral on the story of the war because I can see both sides of the argument. The Leader was wrong to torture Miscenco’s vessel, but the Leader had no powers, so he couldn’t tell. And his duty was to kill non-family members that knew their secrets. The Senran also overreacted – they got in by killing many people, then the whole vow thing.... You see what I mean?” I nodded. There was a long silence. “Their current Leader is Raphael Senran. And that means you’re in danger being with me. Everyone in ETHER’s in danger. Especially now he’s...” I furrowed my brows. He tilted his head to one side slightly. “It’s more risky for you because you leave EA and spend more time out of EA.”
    “No, it’s not that... who’s the current Caragiri Leader?” He chuckled as he blushed.
    “You’re lying on him.” I flinched slightly, and he laughed. I hadn’t thought of that – he was the oldest of the two siblings at the end of the line. He leaned to kiss my hair. “Raphael is thought to the end of the line. You could say this is the final stand.” I looked up at his face. It wore a mask of thought. He looked down at me, his face suddenly serious. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise... The Blood Pact is the proof...” He squeezed me again, and smiled. “Come on, let’s move away from the really serious stuff, eh? I do believe you need help with your coursework.” He removed one arm from me and reached behind his pillow. He had a pile of notes in his hand. “Do as these say. You’ll be fine. Oh, and there’s some good sites for revision...” He smiled. “Some of us do our homework quickly to have time for fun...” He put the notes on the bedside table and started to trace down my back with one finger. His other hand moved to tangle playfully in my hair as I started to trace contours down his neck, the edge of his Mithrim undistinguishable from skin... I smiled and rested my cheek against his. He smelt good, smelt... familiar, said the voice in the back of my head. Perhaps... the voice whispered... it’ll be alright this time around...
    “Ri-chan... Thank you, for everything...” He chuckled.
    “You make it sound as if I won’t see you for a while, Mi-chan...” His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. “I’ll be there for you... now and always.” He squeezed me. “Idiot. You know that... Our pact...” I turned my head to kiss him on the lips.
    “It’s just... There’s a little voice in the back of my head saying that it’ll be ok this time...” He laughed. I blushed and he stopped. He wrapped the other arm around me, too. Our eyes met. Emeralds drenched in concern...
    Did you see something when... He couldn’t say it, so he thought it. Did you see something... in that time? I knew what he meant.
    “Yes.” I shifted a bit, so I could rest my head on his chest, one arm around him, the other on his chest. “Miscenrari... I don’t know... It’s... blurry...” His arms shifted a bit. I grasped at his chest, tensing my fist. “It was confusing... something about life, death and choices... well, a lack of them, anyway...” I screwed up my face a bit, tensing muscles... I had tears in the corner of my eyes, I was sure... I felt worn out...
    “Hey... It’s okay, Mi-chan...” His hand stroked my cheek, wiping away a tear. “It’s alright...” Words seeped into my head... overflowing into my mouth and into the air... I couldn’t help it... The voice was whispering them, the voice of authority – the one who knew...
    “Something’s going to happen, Alex... It’s soon, it’s big, it’s bad... I’m scared. It’s not going to be a happy ending...”
    “Mi-chan...” He continued to soothe me. “It doesn’t matter how bad it is... I’ll be here through it all...” It was weird... I could feel Ri-chan’s presence, but the other, familiar presence was still there. It had always been there – just now, I was more aware...She was also trying to comfort me. “Heal, Mi-chan, heal.” I fell asleep, obviously. The past weekend really had taken it out of me, and I was very comfortable where I was, it was very understandable that I’d fall asleep. And where better?
    *** (Alex + College = ?)
    I could feel a whirl of other voices...
    Yeah, I’d probably be tired, too...
    She needs to sleep, Alex. ...Just let her rest. She needs it...
    I’m sorry, so sorry...
    Yes, she’ll need more time...
    Watch for depression, will you?...     Ugh. I don’t think I can get used to knowing thoughts like this...
    Why, Alex, why?... It’s the same damn story over again. ... It’ll be alright this time around – it’s not over...
    “Mi-chan?” I could feel hands on my shoulders. “Mi-chan? It’s Monday. Time to get up~” I opened my eyes slowly. Ri-chan’s glowing emerald eyes. With the musty scent of my room... I sat up slowly, and blinked a couple of times. Everything’s blurry... Nope, not with it. He smiled. “Come, I made breakfast!” That sounded odd. I blinked a few times. Still not understanding the situation. He blinked a couple of times, then cocked his head to one side in a look of puzzlement. He sighed and swept me off my feet... he carried me downstairs to the table. Fry up! I ate eagerly... slowly coming to terms with the situation. Ri-chan. House. Bed. Cooking. ...
    Girl’s clothing. If that helps.
    Girl’s clothing. He was in girl’s clothing... I smiled sheepishly.
    “Someone’s got to get you to school this morning. And I’ve got to flesh your story out about girlfriends over.” I blinked again. Damn, he looks better in a skirt than me! I’m still not used to that... And speaking of me... I’d logged out. And I was in my nightgown. “You logged out early this morning, when you were awake. Just after you’d finished healing.” Nope. Don’t remember that. “You fell asleep again, though.” He smiled. “No worries, I didn’t see much and I didn’t do anything.” I smiled.
    “No, it’s just you look... good... as a girl...” He grinned. Damn. His long hair in ringlets and an appliance of a padded bra... I looked at his legs under the table. Smooth, toned and... hot, even in tights! I blushed as he slid his skirt higher... No, he wasn’t wearing tights – they were suspenders and stockings!
    “Don’t I look good anyway?” I continued to look at his legs.
    “More than good... temptingly hot... Not fair...” He smiled as he revealed a little pair of silk boxers under the skirt. “******** me...” I whispered under my breath. He let a sly smile grace his lips. He took my hand, smiling broadly.
    “Happily.” I blushed. I’ll try not to say that aloud again. “You only have to ask, and I will comply...” He paused, scowling... “But not now. You need to get to school.” He took me upstairs after I brushed my teeth. I blushed when he refused to get out of my room, but he smiled and stood next to my closet. I want to get changed...
    “Ri-chan...” I moaned. He turned, put his hand in my closet and pulled out a top. He then pulled out a pair of jeans to match. A red, sequinned Basque and my favourite jeans. I blushed. That was a little revealing for school, wasn’t it?
    “I know, you think the Basque’s too revealing. I see a poncho that matches it.”
    “But, Ri-chan...” He put on a face of curiosity and took a deep breath. Yes, he’d probably prepared whatever speech he was going to give...
    “My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
    Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
    If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
    If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
    I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
    But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
    And in some perfumes is there more delight
    Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
    I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
    That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
    I grant I never saw a goddess go;
    My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
    And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
    As any she belied with false compare.” He smiled. “Sonnet 130, William Shakespeare.” He brought the clothes to me by wrapping his arms around me. “He’s right.” He pulled my nightgown off (although I protested) and slid the basque over my bra – it fitted well, but I hate it because it shows my ‘bingo wings’ and most of the spots over my back and shoulders. He bent to kiss my now visible collarbones, before moving to kiss the gap between my now very much revealed cleavage. I blushed and held his face in my hands. I sighed gently. I can’t compete with this...
    “Pass me the poncho, please...” He looked up at me with enthusiasm. “...But, what will the Teachers say? It’s a little...” He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist, pushing his head further into the crevasse.
    “It looks fine from here...” I smiled.
    “Yeah, you would say that.” I sighed again. “Lucky I have a poncho, huh? It looks a bit nippy out there today...” He removed his arms and I put the poncho on, followed by the jeans. It looked alright in the mirror. Naturally, Ri-chan agreed and promptly hurried me out of the door. He drove me to school, attracting jealous looks from everyone, even the ‘Popular’ people. That type of beauty... simply not natural, even among girls. Ha, if only they knew she was a he. No, that would make it worse. And the car... damn shiny, top-of-the-range Lexus driver! I leaned through his open driver’s window.
    “And about getting home?”
    “I’ll be back to pick you up, don’t forget... Don’t miss me too much.”He winked. “You finish at three, right? Well, I’ll pick you up in the car park. See you later...” He kissed me on the cheek before driving off. I’m sure I’ll get hell for it from the more popular people later, but heck, it could be worse. I sauntered into my form room early. Best avoid the ‘Popular’ people for now, just in case. Ha~, Ivy, Alice and Ren were already sitting in the room. Ren smiled.
    “Is there something you’d like to tell us?” Ivy ran over to grab my hand and drag me over.
    “Yeah... we saw a hot young woman drop you off...” I smiled.
    “Oh, Alex? She’s a friend.” Ren tilted her head slightly, but I continued. “She stayed the weekend to help me with my coursework because her parents were away. My parents wouldn’t let her stay anywhere else, and I had to stay with her the whole time...” Ren blinked twice. Alice noticed this, and smiled.
    “I think Ren thinks that you’re not telling the whole truth. I must say I agree. Spill.” Ren nodded.
    “You seem... much closer than just friends... a lover, perhaps?” I blushed. Was it that obvious? Ren continued. “She looked like she wanted to kidnap you, take you far from here. You wanted to runaway... You two looked... good together.” Ren’s very good at this psychic malarkey. I’d like to see her use a Mod Unit one day... see what happens. Still... I can’t tell them... I blushed more and looked to one side.
    “Umm... You see... We... err...” Ivy smiled.
    “Aww... Our little angel’s come out... so, what are you?” I blushed. Yeah, I know what she means.
    “Straight as a roundabout, bent as a ruler.” There. Ambiguous. And true, because I am bi, but I claim(ed) straight. Everyone smiled. There. It’s out.
    “There we are. Isn’t that easier, now you’ve opened up?” Oh, how I’d hate to tell them all... But, still, I admit that Ri-chan would satisfy both sides of the equation. The thought of his little boxers and suspenders under his short skirt sent wonderful images through my head of little teases he’d do... I blushed again. Ren was about to ask something when our Form Tutor walked in, followed by ‘Popular’ people. Hmm, it seemed as if they’d been stirring trouble... but our Tutor wasn’t taking notice of them, for once. In fact, our Tutor was smiling at me as she formally handed me a sheet of formal looking, heavy paper. I read the paper aloud...
    “To... blah-de-blah-de-blah... To confirm your acceptance into ETHER Acadamy, with the unconditional offer onto such-and-such course.” I scanned the page further. “You are also eligible for full scholarship for your selected course, covering the tuition fees of £4500, accommodation costs of £15000, and living expenses of £12,000+. We here at ETHER congratulate you on your successful application, and look forward to seeing you at our admissions day on the... Well, I may have to go to that...” I stopped, suddenly aware of everyone looking at me in disbelief. Ren smiled warmly, as did Ivy and Alice, who threw her arms around me.
    “Congratulations! Wow, our little AnjelisGrimn... a genius!” EA is a very well known University, well known for its success rate and... geniuses. Damn it.
    “And you have a full scholarship.” Aah, Ren’s voice of reason. “You’re going to be rich... Hmm, EA. Sports...”
    “It’s in the game.” The fees are relative to its status, although I already knew my place was guaranteed, and the scholarship, too. As the ‘Popular’ people gawked... Reish walked in. He’d also applied for EA... and received his acceptance. Huh, I guess Libra, the one in charge of the admissions, has some plan...
    “Huh. I’d heard that someone in this form had been accepted to EA. Who?” I furrowed my brows as he approached our group.
    “What? No ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Hello’? My, my, Reish. No manners at this hour.” I turned back to Ren, who was now tugging at a bit of my hair. “Yes, Reish. It was me. See you in chemistry!” He put a hand on my shoulder.
    “Why?” I pried my hair from Ren’s grip, stood up and turned to face him. “Why would you get accepted? You’re an idiot, not a genius!” He was getting angry... “YOU can’t even walk up STAIRS! YOU can’t DO ANYTHING!”I smiled, gently and warmly. He was getting redder and redder.
    “I do not know why I was accepted.” He slapped me (quite hard, I admit), and I sat back down in shock. Ivy, Ren and Alice stood up, ready to do something. I held my hand up as I brushed my cheek gently where it stung. “It’s okay... don’t...” I tasted blood. I think my cheek hit a sharp tooth... I then started coughing. No, not because of the slap... it was a delayed side effect of the Mod Units, I’m sure. Damn, that extended logged in period... The blood I tasted showed in my spit... promptly alarming everyone. I saw the blood and started coughing more in shock... My throat hurts! My chest... Everyone panicked. I panicked! I stood up and pretty much sprinted out of the room, leaving everything. The look of Reish’s face... he looked really shocked. I ran until I needed to clear my throat more. I was doubled over as the blood spilt out of my mouth. Heck, I was in the middle of the corridor, but I couldn’t care less. After that, I staggered to a safe hiding place – under the science stairs. The blood.... the blood! The smell alone was making me... very bloodthirsty, and potentially violent. I huddled up there.
    No-one looks under the stairs... I thought as I heard people running around, calling my name. They were worried, and I could see why. I mean, a person spitting up blood worries everyone. Someone stopped on the stairs above me. Reish. I could smell it, somehow. It sounded like he sat down. I glanced at my watch. Still form time for another five minutes. I shut my eyes. It hurts... I wish Ri-chan was here...
    “I just wish I could find her. I shouldn’t have slapped her... This is my entire fault!” Huh? Reish is talking to himself. He sounds... sincere. “Damn it... she must be in pain.” There was a pause. “She’s hurt... and it’s MY fault. I wish I could find her...”
    “Why would you want to find her?” I could feel a familiar presence... “Are you going to hurt her again? I won’t accept that, you know...”
    “Aren’t you the person who...?”
    “Yes, I dropped her off this morning.” A familiar voice, falsely feminine and filled with venom and menace... Ri-chan. “What did you do to her?”
    “I don’t have to answer to you! And what the ******** are you doing here!” Ri-chan chuckled darkly. I knew this tone well, and I could imagine the look he was giving Reish.
    “I was worried. And I can see my worries were justified. I came to get her.”
    “Why?”
    “She’s very important to me, Reish.”
    “How... How did you know my name?”
    “I have eyes and ears everywhere. Especially for her.”
    “What the-“
    “She...” There was a pause and suddenly I heard a thump above me. His poison velvet voice was above me. “...is important to me...”
    “What, are you, lesbians? ...And get away from me!” Matt sounded panicked. Not too angry, just panicked. Was Ri-chan doing something I’d like to see? “Wha-“ There was a muffled sound of complaint, then a click of a camera. Then an angry yelling from Reish. “Gimme that!” Ri-chan snickered.
    “Nope.” Ooooh, I can imagine what happened. Aah, Ri-chan overcome his fear of cameras for one shot? Must be good. A second click, more yelling. Two shots. Must be good. I heard a pounding of feet down and away from the stairs, and then another smooth evil chuckling. “Right. To Mi-chan.” There was a pause. I heard a light thump to my right. “I knew you wouldn’t be far. Mi-chan... are you alright?” I couldn’t move – the pain from my throat and my cheek coupled with paralysis. I whimpered a bit as he kneeled next to me and put his arms around me. “Mi-chan... We need to move you. Your bleeding is causing panic.” He removed his hands and then picked me up. He walked out from beneath the science stairs. Ren, Ivy and Alice were waiting, judging by the feeling I was now getting. Alice giggled.
    “Ren, you were right.” They approached us. I still couldn’t move or open my eyes. I felt a gentle stroke on my forehead.
    “Will she be alright? She looks... very pale.”
    “She looks as if she was hit by a bus... There’s enough blood for it.” Ri-chan sighed.
    “I need to know what happened.” His gentle, ‘soothing’ voice, used for extracting information. Especially from girls... It works very well. “She’ll be fine, but I need to know what triggered this. Did she receive any shocking news, or was she hit anywhere? Please, I’ll need to know...” There was a tense pause.
    “Umm... She received confirmation of her scholarship into ETHER Acadamy, and...”
    “Reish came in. He seemed angry...” There was a pause.
    “He slapped her.” I could imagine Ri-chan’s anger building up and being suppressed.
    “Thank you.” He walked forward a bit. “I’ll take her to your Medical Room for a while. If she doesn’t improve, I’ll take her to hospital.”
    “Would you take her to ‘Hospital’ anyway?” Ren asked ‘sweetly’. There was a small smirk.
    “Perhaps.” There was a pause. “Miss Menora, you are very intuitive!” He chuckled. I’d like to see her use Mod Units...
    Yes, I agree.
    “My apologies, Miss Enmesh, Miss Menora and Miss Black. I should introduce myself. My name is Alex Dimuri. And yes, we are very intimate.” There was an astonished silence. ...
    Ri-chan!
    What? You said it, not me - and it’s true...
    No, it’s not that... It’s just you were so blunt about it.
    Oh, so you’d rather they probe you more? I sighed inside.
    Fine...
    “Ah. I see...”
    “If you’ll excuse me...”
    “Get well soon, little black-wing!” Ren called as I was taken away by Ri-chan. He walked pretty fast, but suddenly stopped. What, was someone in the way? All I could feel was anger...
    “Reish.” Uh-oh. Venom voice. “I heard of what you have done. Be proud in knowing that you may have been the cause of her going to hospital.”
    “And what? You should be proud of kissing me whilst your lover was hurt? Please...”
    “Hmm, but I enjoyed seeing you squirm. I’ll bet she’ll enjoy seeing the pictures...” There was a stuffy pause. “If you’ll excuse me, I must take her to the Medical Room, then to her doctor. Farewell, Reish. Don’t hate yourself too much...” He walked away. “b*****d...”
    *** (Infirmary)
    I heard the fuss as he approached the Med Room... He was told to get me to a hospital, and he half-complied. He took me to EA, presumably driving as fast as he could. I was sprawled on the back seat of his car. It was a while before I could speak – my throat was sore, but I needed to speak...
    “Ri-chan...”
    “I’m here. Are you feeling any better?”
    “Heh. Can’t move, can’t open my eyes. My chest hurts.”
    “Hmm, your throat sounds sore, too.” He paused. “Can you still taste blood?”
    “A little.” I paused. “Ack. You know what I’m like with blood...”
    “Yeah... bloodthirsty, violent little thing, you are.” He chuckled. “You like it really.”
    “It’s a habi-“ I started coughing heavily.
    “Don’t talk, Mi-chan. Please, reserve your voice.” Try this instead. I tried to move. Mi-chan, please... you’ll hurt yourself again.
    But... I just can’t lie here and do nothing, Ri-chan. There was an awkward pause.
    Mi-chan, how come you can read minds without your Mod Units? There was another pause as I thought.
    I have no idea. And only you so far and other ETHER admin. And you! Strange, huh? I laughed inside, as did he.
    Strange indeed. Maybe you need more practice before you can read other people’s minds? Hmm... We’re here. Uh-oh, here come the voices again. I wasn’t listening to the speech, but I still heard voices...
    Alex? Oh... What happened? Libra.
    Is she alright? ... Ah, yes, bring her in. I’ve got something for that. Dexie. I felt Dexie’s hands lift me... then a sharp jab in my arm. It felt better really quickly, and I was able to move. I opened my eyes to the sight of Dexie holding a bowl. I had to cough out a bit of blood, and Dexie had to check my throat and lungs. He laughed.
    “No problems, just a really sore throat. It looks like you decided to bleed all at once, that’s all.” He turned to Ri-chan. “You did well, getting her here this quickly during rush hour.” He turned back to me. “It was nothing much. Just the effect of that long logged in time, the new abilities and... the shock of the news.” He smiled. “It’s not every day that you’re accepted into the genius school of the country with generous living expenses when you didn’t apply.” He seems... warmer.
    It’s nice to know I'm not the only one with this harsh ability, Dark. It can be annoying, reading everyone’s minds. Meh. He was listening to my thoughts, it would seem.
    Yes... I can see that, Dextera.
    ...Haha, do you? How’s the control? I smiled.
    Sucky. Not perfect control, but it’s not a problem most of the time. I felt his slight surprise.
    Well, that’s good. You’ll never have perfect control, but it seems you’ve mastered this quickly. Well done.
    “I don’t really know how tomorrow’s going to be after this...” Ri-chan put a hand on my shoulder whilst his other hand took mine. “...And who put in the application for me for EA?” There was a pause. “Was it one of you two?” Ri-chan laughed.
    “You were put in automatically... The whole upper-level-admin thing.” He stroked my cheek. “Why? Did you really want to go further away?” I shook my head.
    “No, it’s just that my acceptance letter went to my school and not to my house.” I smiled. “Well, it would have made my life a bit easier, that’s all.” We all chuckled. Libra entered the room.
    “Dark... should we put your residence in the Infirmary?” She laughed lightly. “You seem to have been in here quite a bit recently, huh?” She came to sit by the bed, ushering Ri-chan and Dexie out of the room. She smiled cheerfully as she put her hand on the bed. I bowed my head.
    “Master...” She giggled and I raised my head again.
    “Dark, you have no need to do that at the moment.” She sighed. “Dark... we have a new potential candidate that I’d like you to watch when you can.” She smiled again. “You know him from your college. Does Matthew Reish ring any bells? It’s only until September - he applied here and was accepted.” I blushed.
    “Yes... I’ve already heard the news about his acceptance...” She looked puzzled for a second, and then smiled again. “Ah, yes... I forgot you were at college this morning. Hmm...” Ri-chan stuck his head around the corner.
    “Reish is a jerk! He slapped Mi-chan this morning, triggering the chain reaction...” Libra looked surprised for a split second, then returned to her usual calm face. “...And he’s a potential. Great.” He withdrew at Libra’s glance, and she laughed.
    “Oh... Did he meet Reish?” I nodded.
    “Did more than meet him...” I sighed. “The camera... It’s on camera...” Libra raised her eyebrows. “There was some kissing involved...” I could almost feel Ri-chan’s embarrassment, even when he was out of the room. I knew he was eavesdropping.
    “Camera?”
    “Yeah, camera.” Ri-chan was suddenly standing behind Libra, holding the digital camera. Libra took it with a smile, turned it on, took one look, went red and was at a loss for words. I’d never seen her like this... I took the camera from her shaking hands. Three pictures. She’d only seen the one picture... I went red. It was a picture of a toned thigh in suspenders and stockings rolling up a skirt to reveal little silk boxers... Ri-chan’s thigh... I went red at the images this called forth in my head... I flicked to the next image. I felt dizzy at the sight of this image. Kissing. Yaoi... My eyes must have widened, and the next picture didn’t help. Hand on... I turned the camera off before my nose bled like in manga. It might actually happen.
    “I preferred the first picture.” My only reply to those images. Libra raised one eyebrow.
    “Hot stuff. Whose thigh?” Ri-chan and I looked at Libra. “I mean, it presumed it went further.”
    “Umm, Master Libra... The other two pictures were of Reish undergoing... some BL.” She didn’t believe me, and briefly checked the camera again.
    “No, it’s Reish and some girl. Did Sword set this up? And to what end?” I looked at Ri-chan.
    That’s a good point. Why? He smiled.
    “I wanted to cheer Mi-chan up... and now she has some dirt to dish if she so wishes...” Libra furrowed her brows. “Do you not recognise the girl in those pictures?” She looked at him more closely and fainted. More precicely, down at his legs. Yes, Ri-chan had been in his little black skirt the whole time, and Libra had not noticed. He looked at me and started laughing. “I don’t think she was prepared for that.” I smiled and lay Libra on the bed as Dexie walked in again.
    “Clearly not. What was on that?” I handed him the camera and he paled further. Even though he wasn’t logged in, he was still naturally pale, with a strawberry blonde mess for hair and hazel eyes. He looked at Ri-chan calmly after seeing the pictures. “You have the thighs for it.” We were all chuckling when Sinistra walked in. She blinked and cocked her head to one side at the sight of Ri-chan, looking at his legs.
    Damn Ming-Li effect. But Sam’s right – He really does have the thighs...
    “I take it Master is alright?” I nodded.
    “Yes, Master Libra will be awake soon.” Reflex speech. I just know I’m right. “How fares your Master Light?” Sinistra looked somewhat surprised that I asked.
    “She’s still in shock, Master Dark. And you? I thought you had college?” I smiled.
    “Yes, but there was an incident. My throat decided to bleed. Meh, it’s just a consequence of the extended log in period. No worries.” I smiled, but started coughing again. Dexie passed me a bowl again for the spit. Sinistra passed me a hip flask, and winked.
    “Drink up, chin-chin.” I opened the flask dubiously and sniffed. “Relax, it’s medicinal.” Dexie glanced at her as I drank it up, flinching as it stung my throat on the way down. Brandy, lemon juice and warm honey water – real medicinal stuff, that. She giggled. “Pokey, but so good for the throat.” Ah, Sinistra is more of a Natural Remedy person although she’s a fully qualified Doctor. Dexie’s the opposite – by the pharmacist treatment. I handed the flask back to her. My throat did seem better. Ri-chan smiled.
    “It certainly feels better... Thank you.” Sinistra smiled.
    “No problem, Master Dark.” Libra stirred and sat up.
    “Sword... Please get changed.” Wow. She didn’t even look. He bowed and left the room. Libra turned to me. “Dark... did he really go around your college like that?” I nodded. Libra sighed. “And then the camera...”
    “Yea... what am I going to tell my parents? I missed school!” Ri-chan came back in behind me, half-changed. He still had the vest (no bra), but had changed to tight trousers. I lingered on his thighs – he was still wearing his suspenders. He put his hand on my shoulder.
    “I’ll take you home tonight, and they’ll be none the wiser.” He kissed my cheek. “If there’s a message on the phone, we can delete it.” His other hand started to sneak around my waist. “I can fake a note. I can...” His hand made it around my waist. His face lowered to rest on my shoulder. “...intercept e-mails or anything.” He dropped his voice to a whisper... I’m pretty sure no-one could hear him... “Take me home...”
    “Hmm. Yes. Well, you can't go back today...” I looked at Libra, who slyly rolled her eyes. “Master Libra, would it be acceptable if I used this College truanting to catch up with my work?” She nodded.
    “Yes. Dark, you’ll need to work if you’re going to pass.” She sighed. “Take Sword with you. He’s done it all before. Dismissed, you two.” I bowed my head slightly, Ri-chan letting go so I could bow.
    “Thank you, Master Libra...” I began to walk calmly out, followed by Ri-chan. Libra giggled.
    “I want you to at least have done SOME work! At least a sentence!” I raised my eyebrows. Was it really that obvious? He scooped me up and started sprinting for his car.
    “Whoa... Someone’s eager to do some work!” He laughed.
    “I’m waiting for two words, Mi-chan... just two.” I sighed.
    “Umm... Not now.” His face fell slightly before smiling again.
    “I was hoping for two completely unrelated words, but, but...” He opened his car door and set me down in the passenger’s seat. “...they’ll do for now.” He kissed my forehead before leaping past me into the driver’s seat. So agile... so eager. This eagerness of his caused him to drive... much faster than usual. Damn crazy shiny top-of-the-range Lexus driver!
    *** (Effects)
    I opened the front door slowly. No-one’s home yet, thankfully. Dumping my bags in the living room and removing my memory sticks was too long for Ri-chan to wait – and so, rushed me up to my room, shutting the door behind him. As I turned my slow computer on, he grabbed my hips from behind and snuggled close, leaning on my back. He kissed the hollow beneath my ear as I put the memory sticks in the computer and loaded the work up. His hands moved silently towards my crotch. I blushed as he reached a sensitive spot. I was seeing lewd fantasies in my head... I couldn’t help it... He wanted to go further...
    “L-l-let’s get some work done first, Ri-chan...” He sighed and removed his hands, sitting down casually on the side of my bed. I blushed again – I missed the contact... But he helped me do my coursework – for some reason, everything wasn’t clear and Ri-chan seemed ready for action... after a while, it became impossible to concentrate on our work – his kisses soft but demanding, his touch seeking more... and I wanted it as much as he did eventually... everything blurred...