What has happened to our once pure culture? When did forming a monogamous bond with a single partner become heresy? It used to be the opposite! For thousands of years, elves have thrived on the love and affection of a singular partner.
Ever since those heathenistic Chosen Ones have shown up, our culture has lost all sense; performing sexual acts for pure pleasure and no meaning or connection. Things like brothels were an entirely foreign concept before the seventh Chosen One showed up. Now it feels as though we have lost our way. Preferring cheap and easy gratification over long and enduring relationships.
Curse the seventh.
Public complaint submitted to the Keceo Chronicles, ignored and disposed of.
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"Elise! What are you doing here?" An awkward pause. "Why were you… a cat?"
What the fuck is going on?!
Gwyn was freaking out internally. That was horrifying to watch.
Elise was bruised and beaten; leaves colonized her hair. Dirt and pollen form a sweet-smelling paste on her skin.
"I missed you. I… didn't know if the Kosmairians would've let me see you, and I didn't feel like asking."
A smirk creased her lips as though she didn't look like she was close to death. Her breathing was labored. Her pale skin was ghostly white.
Gwyn didn't know whether to feel flattered or terrified.
"Shhh." Gwyn held a finger to the elf's mouth. "What if they hear you?"
"They won't. The Kosmairians are incompetent."
Something else is going on.
"Why would you say that?"
"Artero banned me from coming here."
Ah. I see.
It was suddenly crystal clear to Gwyn why Elise was upset.
"Why would he do that? Artero seems nice enough. He helped me all day to try and learn lesser magic."
Elise rolled her eyes.
"I bet he rubbed himself all up against you like a lost dog."
That's basically, exactly what he did. But it wasn't necessarily unwanted. I'm pretty sure I felt his...
She shook her head.
"He was just teaching me how he knows."
Elise sighed.
"Yeah, and he could hire an actual tutor and not use it as an excuse to get closer to you."
"Is something wrong, Elise?" Gwyn approached her closely. Sitting next to her on the bed. Dried blood was at the corners of her ears. The bruises that covered Elise were scattered like purple tulips. "You look hurt."
Elise sighed again.
"I'm just… I'm not as over him as I thought I was. Our relationship had stagnated for so long. He was so focused on his studies, but now that you're here." Elise looked Gwyn in the eyes. "It seems that the vigor he used to show for me is not entirely exclusive."
Gwyn didn't know how to respond. Being caught in a love triangle was something she enjoyed in novels, not in real life.
"Well. I… uh… appreciate the honesty."
"It's fine." Elise laboriously leaned up. "It irritates me to all the hells, but I'll get over it."
"Should you be moving? You look—"
She was suddenly very close to Gwyn.
"Don't worry about me." Her voice was in an entirely different tone from a moment before. She inhaled deeply. "You smell like sweat." She said in a breathy tone that suggested it wasn't an insult, but a turn-on. "I like how you smell."
Some of the cat's intense sense of smell lingered in Elise's nose, it seemed.
Gwyn shot up like she remembered she had something she had to be doing, face flushed.
"Yeah! I haven't washed since my training, so..." The sweat poured from her harder than in the training field. She nervously touched her fingers together. "How do your people bathe here?"
"In a shower?" Elise answered as a question. "Why do you ask? I thought we'd gone over this."
"Well..." Gwyn said nervously. "I couldn't find a shower here."
"No shower?"
Elise tried to stand but immediately fell back onto the bed.
"Elise! Are you okay?"
"Just… used too much magic."
Elise was half delirious, half in a daze. Almost reminiscent of drinking too much, she could feel her heart beating slower than usual.
Gwyn touched her skin.
"Do you have any medicine?"
"I'll be fine, I just need time to recharge. I'll be fine in the morning."
It doesn't look like you'll make it to the morning.
"If you say so."
Elise gestured to Gwyn.
"Just help me to the bathroom, I'll be fine."
Gwyn skeptically helped her up. Elise leaned on her as she helped her to the bathroom. The same problem persisted from before.
"There is no faucet. How do you get water in the tub?"
Elise laughed a little.
"Magic, of course."
Oh… yeah.
"Well… how do we…?"
Almost like second nature, Elise took out her catalyst, the golden dagger, and pointed it at the porcelain white tub.
"Fill this tub with water,
and make it hotter."
A straightforward spell commonly used for bathing in rural communities before the implementation of modern plumbing. Blood trickled out of her nose as a long stream of water quickly filled the tub. Halfway through the process, Elise collapsed.
"Elise!"
Gwyn held the Bloody Princess in her arms.
"Fuck. I've used way too much magic."
The room was a carousel, and Elise closed her eyes, but the spinning didn't cease.
"I'm going to get Rodrick, you need—"
"Don't!" Elise shouted weakly. "I'll be fine, Gwynevere."
"But… your nose. Your body. Don't be stubborn."
She tried to stand, but her legs shook violently.
"I'm not." Elise lied. "I…"
Gwyn clutched Elise tightly, stabilizing her.
"You aren't helping your case any."
"I'm fine, I've just used way too much magic today."
"You keep repeating that, as if it means something."
Elise let out a weak chuckle.
"I've never used this much magic before. I can see why the teachings always warn against it."
Gwyn felt a pang of ache in her chest for Elise.
"Well… why would you do that?"
"Because," she raised her head. "I wanted to see you. I'd experience this every day, if it meant you could hold me like this."
"What in a… struggling, fearing for your life, kind of way?"
Elise chuckled.
"Maybe a little less concern would be preferable."
Gwyn smiled and used Elise's words against her.
"You're at least interesting, if not a complete moron."
"Wooooow." Elise couldn't hide her smile. "You are aware I could completely kick your ass?"
Gwyn shrugged.
"Eh, I could probably take you down right now."
Elise's laugh turned into a cough.
"Gods… Elise…"
Elise looked embarrassed.
"Can you… Do me a favor?"
"A favor?"
This is surprising.
"Can you…" Elise's ears were bright pink. "Can…" The words kept catching in her throat.
"Can I what?"
"Can you… bathe me?"