Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Perpetual Thoughts ❯ The Mission Of Strawberry Roulade, What Happened Afterward ( Chapter 2 )

The girl was quite innocent.

 

Innocent, sweet, cute... she was quiet, and of course, Carrot wouldn't stop flirting with her. He wouldn't stop flirting with the girl, Chocolat and Tira carried on beating up on him... Marron felt that perhaps he could step in the way and try to dissuade the Misu sisters from beating up on his brother too badly, but... when he was running up behind the poor innocent Berry and trying to grab her breasts, well, that really was only his own fault. Marron didn't like to say 'I told you so', but it was hard not to contain an exasperated sigh as Carrot lay on the floor, knocked six ways from sunday by whips and mallets, extending his hand and groaning.

 

"Marron... he... help me..."

 

Marron didn't contain that sigh; he shook his head, accepting his brother's hand, taking a moment to appreciate it's warmth and the way it clasped hold of his so tightly... he helped pull Carrot into a standing position, made sure Carrot could support himself, then stood himself up.

 

"Niisan..."

 

There wasn't really anything to say to that behaviour; Marron seemed like he was about to say something, but... really... he couldn't think of anything. What was the point in saying not to do this or that? It was Carrot's staple, it was the sort of thing he always did. Trying to tell Carrot not to girlchase would be like trying to prevent the sun rising in the morning, it just wasn't possible.

 

Carrot looked at Marron, half-expecting him to say something else, looking away when he realised that Marron's expression didn't tell of any coming conversation. Trying to reclaim his lost dignity, he cracked his knuckles, trying to ignore the pain that seemed to hammer through his body.

 

"So, uh... the others... where'd they go? Did they just leave us, or what?"

 

Left you, Marron thought. Chocolat and Tira had walked off haughtily enough, carefully accompanying Berry away from the scary pervert man to the nearest inn where they could talk tactics and discuss strategy. Gateau had implied that Marron should go with them, but Marron had chosen to stay with Carrot, make sure he was alright. The others were only in the inn, after all; standing in the town's centre, the inn was only on the other side of the road.

 

It seemed that the mission this time revolved around the usual; Sorcerer - or Sorceress - tempting Parsoners away from their lives and disposing of them in various depraved and disgusting ways. Parsoners would disappear, then reappear sometime later, face down in the nearby river, or thrown over the town's fountain centrepiece... or maybe wrapped over a tree, life long gone from them... whoever the culprit was this time, they played dirty. And once Big Mama had received word of the Sorcerer's exploits, the best thing to do was, of course, to dispatch her trusty Sorcerer Hunters.

 

A few days on from the events with Gateau, and the event of his dream, Marron was feeling well enough to cope with a mission. Restored to usual, nobody mentioned the events of before, not even Gateau. That'd surprised Marron, but... he'd been just as embarrassed, unsure of what to say to Gateau... seemed Gateau didn't know what to say in turn, and so had acted, well, like normal. If Gateau was prepared to act like that, then Marron was prepared to act alongside him.

 

Currently, it was around midday; the town was full of hustle and bustle, nobody'd really taken issue with the Misu sisters beating Carrot up in the middle of the town centre. Indeed, some might have been glad of it; Berry hadn't been the only target of Carrot's wandering hands.

 

Marron glanced around as Carrot dusted himself off; "I wouldn't say they've gone too far, niisan. The inn is just over there..."

 

"But they were ready and prepared to just leave me there! I coulda got lost, and everyone woulda left me, and I wouldn'ta known where I was! Then I mighta got caught by the evil Sorcerer and then I could have DIED!!"

 

Marron just blinked calmly at his brother's outburst, brushing thoughts of his brother's death away from him before it became too much of an inner issue. Nothing scared Marron quite like the thought of losing his brother, it was best to keep worrying thoughts like that to a minimum during everyday scenes.

 

"Niisan, you're over-dramatizing things. We'd have found you eventually; I don't think Chocolat and Tira would trust you away from them for too long... I'm sure they just wanted to teach you a lesson for trying to grope our client. Whatever our overall cost, I don't think the price includes sexual harassment... you should attempt to contain yourself, niisan. We should rejoin the others..."

 

"Sure, sure... daaaaah, but I can't be bothered! Who wants to chase after some mouldy old Sorcerer on a nice day like today? It's the kind of day when girls'll be wearing floaty dresses, and short skirts, or short dresses even, and... maybe... maybe they'd be skinny dipping!!!"

 

Again, Marron could only blink at his brother.

 

"... We should keep our mind on the mission for the time being. Save the voyeurism for after the mission; it can give you something to look forward to..."

 

Carrot couldn't work out whether Marron was trying to make some vague attempt at humour as they approached the inn; he didn't push the issue, and he let the conversation drop.

 

The inside of the inn was quite a different atmosphere to the town outside; the brightness of the sun outside caused the inn to seem quite dark in comparison on the inside; it was quite full, and the air felt somewhat heavy with the scents of smoke and alcohol. Marron wrinkled his nose at that, obviously the inn also doubled as the local public house... as long as he kept himself at a respectable distance from any heavy drinkers, he decided he'd be alright. The overpowering smell was enough to make him feel a little light-headed, but his sense of duty overpowered that, and he set about looking around for the others in the group.

 

Eventually, after wandering through the core of the main room, Carrot and Marron found the others, sitting around a corner table; Gateau and Tira sat along one edge of the table, Chocolat and Berry along the other. Gateau looked up when Marron approached, "Oh, Marron! Wondered when you'd be joining us."

 

Marron nodded his acceptance towards Gateau, and quickly sat himself next to Berry before Carrot could. No point in risking Tira and Chocolat's anger towards Carrot in such a crowded public place; Marron had no desire to be thrown out of anywhere, not even as part of a collective.

 

Hopes of sitting next to Berry dashed, Carrot pouted and sat next to Gateau, leaning his hands on the table.

 

Gateau looked around at the others, "Right, now that we're all gathered... Marron, Carrot, Berry here was just telling us what she knows about our target... you wanna tell them about it, Berry?"

 

Berry nodded; Carrot gazed intently at her as she did so. She was so pretty...! All sweet and innocent, possibly a little younger than he himself, though that didn't matter... she was a little shorter than Carrot, perhaps around Tira's height... she wore a pink headband over her upper forehead to keep her hair out of her eyes... oh, and Berry had such lovely large brown eyes! Carrot wanted to gaze into those eyes, tell her things, see her blush... her cheeks were lightly dotted with freckles, she wore a flower in her hair... and that pale green dress looked so good on her! Girls were so pretty, Carrot thought. Might Berry-chan have a boyfriend? Such a pretty girl, surely she'd have somebody like that... but, it didn't hurt to inquire, did it?

 

"... Mmn, yes... I... I worked as a servant girl in Lady Roulade's house for quite some time... and... and I'd see her, the things she did... she's quite evil... we'd bring her food and wine as she tortured men she found, saying they were pathetic toys, only for her amusement... she'd ride out on a weekend through the town, on the lookout for any men she took a fancy to... and she'd... she'd tempt them away with presents and words and dreams, and take them back to her manor... it's the large building on the hill on the other side of this town, perhaps you saw it when you arrived..."

 

Carrot waved his hand at that, "Women like that, sounds like this Lady Roulade really needs a boyfriend, or something. Talking of which... Berry-chan, is there anybody in your life like that?"

 

"Ah... Carrot-san?"

 

Carrot looked hopefully up at Berry just in time to feel a harsh kick aimed at his leg; well, the kick connected with his upper thigh, but at seeing Chocolat's pissed-off glare, Carrot wasn't entirely convinced that she didn't mean to go further than that... sensing the danger, Carrot shuffled along on his seat, hoping he was out of range of Chocolat's attacks.

 

"Ne-nevermind, carry on..."

 

"A-ah... well... that was all, really... Lady Roulade has been carrying on like that for so long now, then my best friend, another servant girl... her boyfriend came to visit, and Lady Roulade managed to tempt him away also... we found him a few days later, absolutely dead... she was so upset. I thought I should maybe try and stop her, perhaps... it might be hopeless, but... if I have the help of the Sorcerer Hunters..."

 

Gateau opened his mouth to say something, but was disturbed by somebody walking - well, swaying, so intense seemed his intoxication - by.

 

"Tha-... thass the Lady Roolard yer talkin'... talkin' bout? Shez... shez a MONSTER!! Shez a temptieriss, and shez... shez... shez like a spider!! A spider!!"

 

The man was quickly moved along by someone else, most likely somebody accompanying him. Gateau leant his head on his clasped hands, "A spider, huh? What's that about?"

 

Berry turned to face Gateau, "That's... that's the nickname she's earnt, though anybody who mentions it in her presence is likely to find themselves next on her death list... Lady Roulade, the Black Widow. It's like the way that spider acts, isn't it? Finding a man, then killing them... I feel it's not a title she's proud of, though. If she had her way, there'd be no insolence in this town, and all men would bow to her and kiss her feet..."

 

Carrot yawned, "So it's an average Sorceress who wants to run the joint. Fine, fine, we get the picture. It's the big house on the hill where she is, right?" Carrot made to get up, "Let's just get there already. Maybe she'll be pretty!"

 

Berry's voice was quiet, "Lady Roulade is the most beautiful woman..."

 

She trailed off, almost as if she didn't want the Sorcerer Hunters to hear what she'd said. At Carrot's statement, Marron looked up, "Niisan, wait. I don't think we should hurry in there all of a sudden... Berry-san, is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Working so closely with Lady Roulade... is she guarded? Is there anything about her you could tell us to our advantage...?"

 

Berry took a moment to consider this.

 

"I'm not sure... I don't know what might work to your advantage... though, she keeps the front of her mansion terribly well guarded. She keeps only female soldiers, and often they're people who's boyfriends have been murdered by her... some of them don't even realise that, but... even those who do realise... it's better to live a life under her service, well-treated as those guards are... anybody who dared mention a word against her, she'd kill, but... yes... she keeps that area well guarded, you wouldn't be able to just walk in on her. Though, there's a servantés entrance on the other side of the house, going towards the river... it's a little more hidden, but it's better for her than to have the dirty servant girls come and go that way than let them be seen through the front entrance..."

 

Gateau nodded, "I see, I see. And... you can take us to that entrance?"

 

"Yes, it'd be better for you to go that way than fight your way through her guards. There's a whole network of passages in that mansion for the servant girls to go through, I don't think she'd suspect a servant to betray her, so those passages wouldn't be guarded..."

 

"Right. We should go there, then."

 

General agreement from the rest of the group; they left the inn.

 

Letting Berry walk in front to guide them, the Sorcerer Hunters walked through the town; the centre was still bustling, but given the information they'd had before, it did seem that there seemed to be more women in the town than there were men... men were there, but they seemed so... infrequent...

 

Eventually, they left the hustle and bustle of the main town behind, and after a while of walking, even the amount of buildings seemed to eventually dwindle.

 

Gateau walked alongside Marron. This was something Marron had noticed in the last little while; Gateau hadn't really said anything, especially not of what'd happened the other night, but... he did seem comfortable to act a little closer. There seemed to be a different kind of warmth in his voice when he spoke to Marron when compared to the others, and he was always willing to hang back or march forward if it meant walking alongside Marron. He'd illustrate points with little touches that he hadn't done before - petting Marron's shoulder to alert him to one thing, a swift stroke of the hand for another... it made Marron a little uneasy, he didn't know how either he or Gateau'd explain something like that to say, Carrot (if he asked), but... Gateau's attraction to Marron was somewhat obvious even if only at a physical level. Marron was sure Gateau could pass it off as something like that, he just felt like touching Marron's shoulder, stroking his hand, whatever.

 

The silences were the worst times, though. It was impossible while they were in a group, but Marron was so tempted to just say something, anything, just to enquire... usually, they were never alone, so neither could talk properly about things, but... Marron couldn't help but be curious. That night where he'd pushed Gateau away so suddenly... didn't Gateau have anything to say about that at all? Didn't he want to know why Marron had pushed him away? Maybe he didn't realise quite what'd happened, but... surely he was curious?

 

Marron supposed that it was the fact that the others were always there that prevented them talking about it. Once the group had met up again after those nights, Gateau was happy to see Marron well again, Marron had smiled gently and said it was good to be well again... but with Carrot and Tira and Chocolat around, how was it possible to talk about something like that? Marron supposed that he'd have to wait until he next had Gateau alone. But when might that be, he thought? Sometimes missions allowed that privacy, Carrot going off to do one thing, the Misu sisters going off to do another and ending up chasing after Carrot... that often left Marron and Gateau to do their own thing, but while they took a day or two off back in Eden, that kind of privacy was often rare. There was always somebody around, Dota or Eclair or Sirius or Milphey or someone who was friendly enough, and Marron too unwilling to ask for privacy with Gateau, for what kind of rumours might that spring up? Rumours were often founded in truth, but Marron was still not keen at facing his brother's questioning of such events.

 

This mission didn't seem the kind of mission that'd hold private time for the two of them. They walked so close together, Marron could feel Gateau's hand brushing perilously close to his own with every step forward, frustratingly so... he almost wanted to grab Gateau's hand himself, just to maintain contact and prevent that unsure will-he-won't-he feeling from Gateau's side... he couldn't do that, of course. But he felt he wanted to.

 

Walking up the hill, the mansion became a lot grander in their vision than it'd originally seemed; it was indeed a large mansion; obviously the headquarters of a Sorcerer... or Sorceress, as the case was this time around. The area seemed quite quiet, removed from the main town... from the hill where they stood, looking back, the mansion had a wonderful view of the town below.

 

They walked in silence, content to follow Berry's lead. Berry fronted the group, Carrot behind her, the Misu sisters on either side of him yet walking a little behind him, and Marron and Gateau behind them. Marron usually found himself paying attention to his brother in such a situation, and didn't understand why, suddenly, Gateau seemed to be the one capturing his attention. He tried to dissuade his thoughts, but in such a quiet circumstance, it was difficult. He felt he was bodily trained enough to muse deeply on sexual thoughts without becoming too frustrated during a mission, but he didn't like the idea of being caught out of his thoughts. Not that anybody would really inquire to what he was thinking, but... Marron disliked the idea, all the same.

 

Gateau was staring quietly ahead at some point over Chocolat's head as he walked. Marron watched him intently through the corner of his eye, silently keeping watch over him, just for this one time.

 

The thoughts running through his head still amazed him, though. How long had he and Gateau known each other now? Ever since that first meeting Gateau had flirted with Marron, shown off his body, suggested doing this and that, and every single time Marron'd ignored him and turned away... but suddenly, in the space of a few days, that whole situation, that whole tradition, had been turned on it's head. Suddenly, Marron wasn't quite sure where he stood with Gateau at all, and the thought confused him.

 

But, it was only his own fault. He'd been the one to seduce Gateau so, after all; for so long, Gateau had always suggested so many things, and then in the end it'd been Marron who'd instigated contact. Marron couldn't help but see the irony in that one, but... just that one time... would they do... more things, in the future? Might... might Gateau want to take him? Were they lovers now? Or a couple, at least...? What'd happened between them... did that make them boyfriend and boyfriend, or... had it just so happened that something like that had happened, and that was that?

 

Marron wasn't sure what to think of the situation. Surely it was more of a proper way to behave to keep that kind of action at least contained inside a steady relationship... though, if said relationship was based on an initial seduction in the first place, then how steady could that relationship be said to be?

 

The group was still silent while Marron lost himself in his contemplation a little. Tucking his hands into his sleeves and holding them across his chest, Marron narrowed his eyes as he observed Gateau some more.

 

Gateau obviously liked the way Marron looked. Beautiful people, Gateau liked them all. Marron especially seemed to catch his eye... and for his own account, in his own way, Gateau was not unattractive. Not beautiful in the way that Marron was, but... he had an air about him that Marron couldn't quite describe, something awe-inspiring that wasn't quite physical. Physically he was awe-inspiring of course, what with those muscles and everything, but not just that. He was so loyal to those he cared about, Marron supposed that included him... he was loyal to his friends and deadly to his enemies, and how many missions might the Sorcerer Hunters not have escaped alive from had it not been for Gateau?

 

... Marron wasn't sure, but that wasn't the point, his mind wasn't exactly going on statistics just then.

 

Glancing away from Gateau for a moment, Marron looked back towards Carrot. Of course, Carrot. The one who concerned most of Marron's thoughts, the one Marron cared unquestionably for, always... somehow, he suddenly seemed separate from Marron's thoughts. Carrot walked on up ahead, totally unaware of what'd happened... Marron'd passed out from being too hot? Well, in a way that could be argued to be the truth, but... might Carrot ever know about what'd happened, that night?

 

If it happened that Marron and Gateau became a couple, Marron felt Carrot'd have to know about that, even if not the details of it's origin... though, he probably wouldn't have a problem with it, not so long as Marron was happy.

 

Marron still worried that something like that would only serve to drive him further away from his brother, but... he'd started the situation in the first place, there was little he could do to help that. All he could do was to see what'd happen, and hope that things would work out for the best...

 

A little closer to the mansion, Berry stopped suddenly, drawing her finger to her lips to indicate silence to the group; they hadn't been making much noise in the first place, but sensing the need to be quiet, they stopped in their tracks; when Berry spoke, her voice was a whisper.

 

"If we go any further, the guards up at the gate'll notice us... we have to take the garden path now."

 

No reason to doubt Berry, so she was silently followed as she led the Sorcerer Hunters away from the original wide path, and across to some greenery at the side; the main path had neatly-cut grass and tall fruit trees on either side of it, decorative at first and covering beyond that. The area seemed impenetratable at first, but Berry presumably knew all the shortcuts and secret passages of Lady Roulade's estate; once the initial wall of trees was past them, the Sorcerer Hunters found themselves on a sheltered path through the trees. Berry turned to look over her shoulder, smiling at them.

 

"From here, it's just straight on to the mansion. The path tends to wind a bit, but it's not too much of a distance."

 

Carrot nodded happily, "You lead the way, Berry-chan! We trust you completely!"

 

She giggled before turning back to walk along the road, "I'm glad..."

 

The woodland path drew the group closer together; they walked single file now, Berry leading and Gateau keeping watch from behind... keeping watch of what was a different matter entirely. It wasn't as if they were going to be attacked, at least... or in any case, it was unlikely that that would happen. So instead of watching for danger, Gateau supposed it'd be safer to indulge in a different sort of watching; watching Marron.

 

Marron seemed quietly in thought, Gateau noticed. That wasn't unusual. Though, Marron usually kept his eyes firmly affixed to whatever it was Carrot happened to be doing at the time... Gateau was sure that, occasionally, Marron's eyes drifted in his direction... Gateau'd keep his eyes ahead, pretend not to notice, but it was hard not to. Those dark eyes, watching him so curiously all of a sudden... was he supposed to say anything? Was there anything to say to him? Nothing that could really be mentioned in front of the others, Gateau supposed.

 

So far, Marron hadn't said anything about what'd happened the other night. Gateau couldn't help be curious, about how Marron had cried out like that, how something had happened to push Gateau away... however, that whole situation had been strange, and Gateau didn't want to raise the matter if it was something Marron didn't want to talk about. Marron was so mysterious, Gateau wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to understand the young mage, presumably whatever had happened Marron understood it more than Gateau would. Maybe it'd been a kooky magic thing. Magic, that was always Marron's area of expertise... if something was explained then Gateau could usually keep on top of the various magics of the Spooner Continent, but he felt like a book compared to Marron's libraric knowledge... best to leave that kind of thing in his hands.

 

Even so, it was hard to look at Marron in quite the same way since that night. Marron had always seemed so calm and quiet, but yet... he'd pretty much thrown himself at Gateau, he'd suddenly done things Gateau never seriously thought Marron would do... and then what? That was the problem.

 

For the time being, Gateau felt it was best to try to keep like they'd been before. Gateau flirting, Marron ignoring him, the back-and-forth a constant in their relationship.

 

Their relationship... Gateau glanced at the trees above them as they walked past, seeing the occasional dot of bright sunlight above, feeling covered by the leafy canopy. What was their relationship now? Gateau had been flirting with Marron for what seemed like forever, after a while he'd almost got used to the fact that Marron probably wouldn't respond to him in any similar fashion... after all, what kind of event would randomly make Marron go 'Actually Gateau, I think I will look at you. And if you wanted to sleep together, well, I'm free all this week, so...'? Gateau was reminded of those toys small children sometimes had, the ones that were weighted so they wouldn't fall over, no matter how much you pushed them. Marron was a bit like that. For years Gateau'd been knocking and knocking and pushing and knocking, but Marron hadn't fallen over just yet... the situation at the moment seemed to be like the toy had hit back, and this time it was Gateau who'd been sent reeling.

 

But even if you kicked the thing off the table, gravity would dictate that it'd still land on it's weighted part, and still insist on just rocking, rocking, and never falling over...

 

... but if the toy itself decided to fall over?...

 

Gateau shook his head to snap himself out of it. He smiled derisively at himself; what was he thinking about?! Comparing Marron to a children's toy, indeed. And besides, since when had toys had sentient thought anyway? A toy wouldn't fall down of its own accord. Not unless somebody pushed it.

 

Folding his arms, watching Marron walking in front of him, Gateau wondered if the simile wasn't so far away after all. Marron wasn't a toy, but... could it be argued that Gateau'd been playing with him, all those years, all the same? Gateau was suddenly unsure about what his feelings really were. If Marron had responded favourably to Gateau that first time, then no doubt some kind of flirtatious relationship would have followed, with Gateau posing and Marron looking, and... what else? Might that lead to a bit of casual sex here and there? Hey, friends with benefits were never bad to have. Keeping it in the group, if Marron didn't mind then Gateau wouldn't argue, everyone had tension they needed to let out now and then, and if they chose to unwind together, well, that was fine with him.

 

However, Marron wasn't like that. Not many conversations had been sustained in that area, but Gateau didn't need Marron's confirmation to tell him that he was unlikely to be the sort of person who'd have casual sex with anyone. Someone so mystical, mysterious and beautiful... the sort of person who'd make opening a door seem significant and wonderful with the right sort of atmosphere. Marron was unquestionably beautiful, that was pure fact. He didn't seem to notice that beauty, though... Gateau frequently showed off his beautiful muscles, his beautiful body, beautiful this, beautiful that, beautiful the other... but Marron didn't seem to care about that kind of thing. He had the power most definitely, but... he didn't choose to use it... even though Marron could probably pick up anybody on the Spooner Continent if he so wished, he... didn't. Why was that? Gateau wasn't sure, but... Marron just wasn't that kind of person.

 

That said, was Marron the kind of person to corner somebody like he had that other night?

 

Gateau smirked quietly at the memory. Usually it was Gateau doing the posing and the flirting, and Marron getting flustered to the point of ignoring him... this time, it'd been Marron with the power, and Gateau had suddenly been the flustered one. He liked that, somehow. Amusing to see how the tables could be turned, anyway... and Gateau had to admit to himself, he'd been wary for quite a while there just in case Marron freaked and let off an attack in Gateau's general direction. It wasn't unknown for him to do that, the kind of fight or flight option, when Marron chose to fight it was always painful. Gateau supposed that'd been punishment for grabbing Marron's nose in the first place, but he'd only meant it in the nicest possible way...

 

The woodland path seemed to decrease in width, just a little. Gateau wondered how much longer the path would go on for... they'd only been a little way away from the mansion when they were travelling up the hill, surely? It made sense for a servant's route to be a little more winding, comfort was rarely spared on their behalf when it came to Sorcerers like the one they were facing, but... was this a route that was often used? The path was worn underneath their feet, but surely someone might want to make it a little easier to travel down...

 

Then again, it was possible that Lady Roulade might prevent such things. And while the path seemed restrictive to Gateau, young servant ladies were a lot smaller, the path would probably suit them quite nicely. Berry seemed to walk along naturally enough.

 

Eventually, the path seemed to open out, presenting what seemed to be a herb garden to Berry and the Sorcerer Hunters. Some prettily-dressed maids were knelt to the floor, carefully gathering plants into small woven baskets. A few looked up on hearing the movement that the group made, but rather than questioning them at all, they just looked away, quickly. Almost as if they were nervous about something...

 

Berry just smiled, leading the Sorcerer Hunters through the herb garden.

 

"This is where we come and go from. Normally I'd be wearing a maid's uniform like them, but it's not too fitting to wear when you're going to the town, is it? Anybody'd be able to tell I was from the Roulade Household then. And tha-... oh..."

 

Approaching what seemed to be the entrance to the main household - well, the doorway seemed to lead into a kitchen area - Berry suddenly stopped. Carrot looked up with a "Berry-chan?", then noticed what'd stopped her.

 

Standing at the entrance to the kitchen, blocking the entrance for them to enter, was a strict looking woman, who seemed to be in her twenties, more or less. She had cascading blonde hair (with a pink streak running through it), wore a billowing dress of red silk and ruffles, and... had a Contrary Triangle on her forehead. On seeing this, the group froze.

 

The woman held a light blue fan in her gloved hand, idly swatting air towards her face; she regarded the group with disdain, Berry with just as much.

 

"I see you've been out again..."

 

"That's true, I have... I brought these people to see Lady Roulade..."

 

"I presume you mean... my sister."

 

"Indeed, Lady Roulade."

 

Berry turned to face the Sorcerer Hunters, smiling. She extended her hand towards the blonde woman, indicating to her as she spoke.

 

"Don't worry, she's not scary at all. This is Lady Raspberry Roulade, the sister of Lady Strawberry Roulade. She wouldn't report you to Lady Strawberry, she disapproves of her sister's actions quite so... isn't that right?... Lady Raspberry, these are the Sorcerer Hunters. You may have heard of them. I brought them, as I mentioned, to see Lady Strawberry."

 

There was a strange look in Raspberry's eyes as she looked over the group, "Are they here to destroy, or to be destroyed?"

 

Little malice in that voice; more something akin to genuine curiosity... ignoring that, Carrot leapt forward, grabbing the hand of Raspberry that wasn't holding the fan.

 

"WOW!! You're TOTALLY beautiful!!! Wow, if you're this beautiful... what does your sister look like? Does she look anything like you? Are you older than her or younger than her? I'm sure she can't be as beautiful as you, you're amazing!! You have such dazzling eyes!! You have such beautiful hair!! This dress, it must have been made for you to fit you so tightly... I am Carrot Glacé, and I hope that you and I shall have very many beautiful children together, Lady Raspberry!! Are you a virgin? It's alright if you are, I-"

 

Carrot was silenced by the timely coupling of Chocolat's fist with the back of his head.

 

"DARLING, you're so SHAMELESS!!!"

 

Carrot fell to the floor, reeling. Raspberry sniffed disdainfully at him, "Parsoner men can be so base on occasion..."

 

Ignoring that exchange, Berry turned to face Raspberry, "And... what might you be doing out here, my Lady Raspberry? Surely you wouldn't wish to mingle with the lowly servant girls..."

 

"I was looking for my sister... but it's not important at this moment. I... have an idea of where she is."

"Indeed you might, Lady Raspberry. I suggest you keep yourself to yourself for the afternoon... I intend to take these Sorcerer Hunters to meet Lady Strawberry... and I imagine you wouldn't want to see that meeting, would you? I'm sure there'll be quite a battle..."

 

Raspberry turned on her heel, "What my sister does in her spare time is no business of mine."

 

And she left.

 

Sitting up on the floor, Carrot rubbed his head, "Man... Chocolat really hit me hard that time... uh, so... we've gotta go find that Lady Roulade, or what? Berry-chan, where might she be? If that was her sister, I really really want to see what she looks like! I mean, wow, did you see her?! She was beautiful!"

 

Berry shrugged, "I can see how you'd come to that conclusion, but she's really quite tiresome. She's Lady Roulade's younger sister, and holds little power in the household other than her own existence. Should anything happen to Lady Strawberry, Lady Raspberry would take her place as the head of the household. The two live in conflict... Lady Raspberry doesn't approve of her sister's actions, and would be more content to allow anything to happen in her domain... Lady Strawberry would rather impose her ruling and make sure the Parsoners knew who their ruler was. This came about after their father, Lord Blueberry, passed on. His dying wish was for the county to be fairly ruled by the both of them, but people would say that Lady Strawberry didn't respect that opinion... however, some people would say Lord Blueberry to be a fool. Their choice."

 

Chocolat folded her arms, "Man, Sorcerer politics. So confusing, glad I'm not part of it. So we just need to get into the building and get rid of Lady Strawberry, right? And you'll lead us to her, right?"

 

Berry looked up, "Oh, ah, yes. We just need to go through the kitchen, then that leads off to the servant's network, it's quite simple. At that point I need to go and get dressed into my maid's uniform, but I'll meet you again at the top of the network so I can show you where Lady Roulade is. Alright?"

 

Agreement from the group.

 

Hands behind his head, Gateau made a noise of amusement, "What with that Lord Blueberry and Lady Strawberry and Lady Raspberry and you just being Miss Berry, there's a whole lot of berries around here, don't ya think?"

 

Gateau meant the comment in humour, but Berry didn't seem to acknowledge that. She glanced at Gateau, then to the kitchen, her voice almost inaudible.

 

"... It's a popular name."

 

Berry's sudden dour expression made Gateau frown, but he didn't have the opportunity to say much more. In that similar fashion, Berry led the Sorcerer Hunters into the kitchen area. Again, the maids working there tended to ignore Berry and her group... the more it happened, the more Gateau at least became uneasy. Surely some of the maids would be glad to see Berry? Perhaps they were so well trained to keep to their jobs that nothing could disturb them, but there was something about the way they momentarily looked up and saw Berry, something about that slight wide-eyed almost frightened stare that Gateau was sure he could see... was it in his imagination? He didn't know if he should raise the point... he decided he'd mention it once Berry had gone to get changed, see what the rest of the group thought.

 

The kitchen eventually tapered out into a corridor, with a door on one wall and an arch leading to another corridor on the other. Berry gestured to the corridor, "You should follow that path. At the end of the corridor is a staircase... up and up the staircase there are many different doors that lead to different floors and rooms of this mansion, but the one you want is the singular door at the very top of the staircase..."

 

She was already heading towards the other door, which she held slightly open. The grand front hall was slightly visible, chandeliers and a red carpet... typical Sorcerer front hall.

 

"... I'll make my way through here. I'll meet you soon, alright?"

 

Quickly, she made her way through the door, and closed it carefully behind her; then she, also, was gone.

 

Gateau frowned, looking at the rest of the group.

 

"I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

 

"Huh?"

 

Gateau nodded at Carrot as the five of them started along the corridor that would lead them to the staircase.

 

"Yeah... there's just something I don't like about this whole place, I can't put my finger on it. But didn't Berry seem to react kinda strangely to that Lady Raspberry chick? And when Berry was talking about the Sorcerers here, she seemed to... well, I don't know... oh, and all the maids, they seem frightened of her, almost. They see her and they look away quickly, I don't know what they think she's gonna do to them, but... isn't it just a bit weird?"

 

Carrot glanced over his shoulder, "I hadn't really noticed..."

 

Marron, however, had.

 

"I agree with Gateau, niisan. There does seem to be some kind of aura about this mansion, not only the people in it, but the very walls and foundations... I can't describe it, but it's almost as if... it's almost as if there's some kind of presence, almost. I'm not sure what we might be dealing with here... though, many buildings are old, many buildings can contain apparitions and inhabitants all their own, we're not here to investigate that. We should hurry to find Lady Roulade, for the time being."

 

Carrot didn't seem to pick up on any of Marron's seriousness, "Sure, sure..."

 

The journey up the staircase was uneventful. The stairway was quite narrow, only really wide enough for the Sorcerer Hunters to walk in pairs, but they didn't meet any opposition while going up the stairs. Despite the size of the mansion, there didn't seem to be that much activity going on with the servants...

 

Tira voiced this as they carried on towards the top of the highest tower, a nearby window displaying quite how high they were nicely. She glanced out of it, then turned back to address the others.

 

"It's... very quiet, don't you think?"

 

Gateau also glanced out of the window. Outside was quite a stunning view, the hills and such seeming vibrant under the sun, the town a little further away also seeming to shine... tiny movements were just visible, presumably the people walking around town... they seemed so far away! It seemed a shame to Gateau that such a beautiful place (even if it was only beautiful in it's own normality) should be governed by yet another bitchy Sorceress... but of course, that was the way of things.

 

"I know what you mean. You'da thought we'd meet at least one or two servants on the way, but we haven't met anybody, at all... I still don't like this. Kinda feels like we're about to walk into a trap, or something."

 

Carrot marched on ahead, "You're being too gloomy, Gateau! We can trust Berry-chan, right? We get to the top, she meets us there, we find Lady Roulade, we whack her around a bit until she learns the meaning of being friendly to Parsoners, we leave. What kind of traps are there gonna be? It's a nice mansion, at least. It's not like she's gonna have any snake pits or anything to drops us into... or I wouldn't think so, anyway... I hope not... what if she does, though? Eh, worrying isn't going to get us anywhere. We should just get to the top and find out what's there."

 

Chocolat walked next to Marron, behind her sister and Carrot. She folded her arms, "That might be true, but... if there was a trap, we're high enough up and isolated enough for there to be nowhere to run should we have to run... and if there's a battle, in somewhere like this, might it not be a bit dangerous if Darling turned into a beast? There's not that much room to get around, even if she's got a huge upstairs, it'd be dangerous..."

 

Sounding ticked off, Carrot waved his hand in Chocolat's general direction.

 

"Well, I'll just have to not get turned into a monster, okay? Jeez, I'm sure I can manage that."

 

Carrot's voice seemed loud in the silence of the corridor; Marron noticed this, "Niisan... keep your voice down. If we do happen to be walking into a trap, then anybody could be listening to us at the moment..."

 

Marron's comment lulled the rest of the group into silence; their footsteps up the stone stairs were the only things audible as they finally reached the top.

 

Eventually, the staircase seemed to open up somewhat, revealing a small room, just large enough for the Sorcerer Hunters to stand and contemplate what was ahead of them. Carrot stood at the front, looking at the wooden door ahead of him. No doubt that was the door that led to Lady Roulade's main room... a small windowsill was to his right, a plant pot with something green and frondlike spilling out of it sitting upon it. From that windowsill, the nearby town seemed even further away... Carrot marvelled quietly on that for a moment. Had they really travelled so far?

 

Gateau's hushed voice summed up Carrot's thoughts as he also saw out of the window, "Man... we musta come a long way up those stairs. I really wouldn't wanna fall down them, ya know? Anyway... uh... I guess that's the door we gotta go through... Carrot, you wanna go through it?"

 

"Yeah..."

 

Carrot took one last glance out of the window, and reached for the doorhandle. The door opened easily enough, issuing the tiniest of creaks as it swung towards Carrot.

 

Past that door was another area; not quite a corridor, but somewhere to separate the servant's passageway from the main room. A small windowed separation showed the Sorcerer Hunters what was beyond that area as they filed into it.

 

The room was, as expected, a large one. Obviously a room large enough to encompass the entire upper floor of the area... an empty throne sat at the back of the room, windows shining sunlight into the room on either side of it. On the opposite side of the room to the Hunters, slightly in shadow, was a large four-poster bed. This was obviously Lady Roulade's living quarters, but at that moment, it seemed to be deserted... suits of armour and large fantastic paintings decorated the room, but there seemed to be no human movement... not a servant, not a Sorcerer, not a Parsoner.

 

Taken aback by this somewhat, Carrot chanced a few tentative steps further into the room. He heard Marron whisper for him to be careful, he half-acknowledged the request, then ventured further. Carrot stood still for a moment or two, waiting for something to happen... surely at least Berry should be waiting for them? He frowned as he put his hands on his hips.

 

"... HELLO??"

 

The rest of the group froze at Carrot's loud shout, but it didn't seem to trigger anything. Made bold by this, Carrot walked forward, his footsteps noisier against the bare wooden floor than they were against the carpeted sections there. He walked part of the way to where the throne was, looking around.

 

"IS THERE ANYBODY THERE?"

 

There didn't seem to be. The others followed Carrot into the room, feeling that they were indeed alone in the large room.

 

Carrot ran over to one of the windowsills, looking out of it.

 

"Wow, we're really high up! Man, this is totally a Sorcerer's room, or a Sorcereress' room, whatever. All these paintings and stuff like that! She's gotta be loaded. And to have a mansion like this, and servants, and everything... and a sexy sister like Lady Raspberry, wow! I wouldn't mind being her Lord, ya know what I mean?"

 

Marron didn't share Carrot's relaxed state; he held an ofuda ready to strike, "Niisan, be careful... we can't be sure what'll happen next."

 

"We wait for Berry-chan, that's what'll happen. Maybe Lady Roulade went out, or something? We just wait until she gets back, no problem. Hey, I wonder if she'd mind me bouncing on that big bed of hers? It looks so big and comfy! Damn, you could probably fit four people in that bed. How come she gets such a big bed? I don't have a big bed like that. Hey Marron, come over here, come look. How much you wanna bet that even if you pushed our beds together it wouldn't be as big as that? Dammit, Sorcerers get all the good things!"

 

"Darling, shut up!... I thought I heard something..."

 

Carrot glanced over his shoulder at Chocolat, her statement silencing him.

 

"Oh?"

 

She just nodded, her body seeming tense, her mind waiting desperately for the next sound, if there was one...

 

The next action in the room wasn't a sound, however. Suddenly, heavy curtains dropped over each and every one of the large windows in the room, cutting out their light; bright outlines were visible, but that was it. The room was suddenly dark... there were suddenly strange sounds, ones Carrot couldn't quite place... he couldn't help but speak, "Wha-... what's going on?!"

 

"You waited for me, Carrot-san?"

 

"Berry-chan, you're here! What's going on?"

 

It was indeed Berry's voice, but there was something strange about it... her voice was deeper, somehow. She sounded more grown-up... Carrot noticed that, but didn't say anything. He listened as she spoke again.

 

"You'll see in a moment, Carrot-san. Just be patient."

 

Carrot was. After the strange sounds... they sounded like things grinding, or something... after they'd finished, the sound of somebody clicking their fingers was heard. Following that, lights suddenly illuminated the room, showing how dark it really was in the room with the windows covered.

 

Suddenly able to see, Carrot - and the others - were shocked by what they could suddenly see.

 

First and foremost was Berry. Carrot assumed it was Berry, at least... the woman standing in front of them certainly resembled her, anyway... she seemed taller, though. More grown up. Carrot's eyes wandered to her chest... yes, larger breasts also. It was almost definitely Berry-chan, right down to the flower that still decorated her hair, but... there was something different... the headband that she'd worn, the pink one that'd kept her hair out of her eyes... that was gone, and in it's place...

 

A contrary triangle?

 

She was a Sorceress?

 

Her freckles were gone, and an unpleasant smirk lit her face. Her outfit was tight against her body, and it fitted her perfectly, almost as if she'd been sewn into it... she observed the shock of the Sorcerer Hunters with obvious amusement, laughing quietly at them.

 

"Ahahaha, my, don't you all look so shocked?"

 

"Be-Berry-chan?!"

 

"I'd rather you refrained from addressing me as such, lowly Parsoner. I am not the girl you knew as 'Berry'... I am the Lady Strawberry Roulade! The Black Widow! She who is spoken about so reverently and so fearfully within this town... and those who disobey me... they are the ones who pay!"

 

Confused, Tira stepped forward.

 

"If... if you're Strawberry Roulade, then... why did you call the Sorcerer Hunters? Do you want us to kill you?"

 

Strawberry shrugged lightly, "It wasn't me who did that. I believe it was that troublesome sister of mine who initially called for you, she finally wanted to do something about me, at last... get rid of me, claim this area for her own... however, I found out her plans, I found them out and I sabotaged them! Appearing to you as someone so innocent, you fell for it totally, didn't you?"

 

She let her voice take on the girlish sound it'd had previously as she feigned a pathetic pose, "Oh, Carrot-san... oh, Lady Roulade is so unkind, oh, she tortures people, oh she needs to be stopped..."

 

Back to a smirk, "Some people are so easily fooled, especially Parsoner men who only think with their trousers. Well, so you are the famous Sorcerer Hunters, are you? I'm sure I'd like to have fun with you before I kill you. Haven't you heard about that? About how the evil scary Lady Roulade kidnaps men and tortures them? The name of The Black Widow is one I hold with pride, the way the men of the town speak that name... it's as if they're scared!... No... the truth is, they are scared... they don't want to become involved with the ladies of the mansion in case they're invited over! They run into their houses when Lady Roulade is riding around town, they know that they're just her playthings, and that she won't care if her toys break, for she can get new ones... like you! Sorcerer Hunters, I'm sure you've seen many battles..."

 

Strawberry circled the Sorcerer Hunters, "Let's see. There's five of you... you two girls, I have no interest in girls. You can become my servants once I've finished, that should be a fitting job for you. And you'll be glad of it, glad that I let you live... so... BE BOUND!!"

 

Without any warning at all, Strawberry went from quiet contemplation of the Sorcerer Hunters to leaping back and unleashing some kind of attack; taken by surprise, Tira and Chocolat were hit squarely, and fell backwards, coming to rest somewhere in front of Strawberry's throne.

 

Carrot ran forward, "TIRA! CHOCOLAT! Shit... what did you do to them?!"

 

Tira and Chocolat lay there for a moment; Chocolat groaned, and went to stand up once more... but she couldn't. As if something else was suddenly supporting her body, she couldn't move it... she moved her head fractionally to the side, as much as she could manage.

 

"Tira-...?"

 

"Onee... oneesama... I... I can't move my body!"

 

Carrot tried to help the Misu sisters stand, but what Tira said afflicted her seemed to be similar to Chocolat; neither could move their bodies, not even to let Carrot help them stand up.

 

Strawberry just laughed, "Ahahaha... magic that binds... it's quite useful, don't you think? And not terribly uncommon. Not all magic is the kind that unleashes fire and ice and lightning... and isn't this effective?"

 

She clapped her hands, some shadowy servants stepped forward, lifting Tira and Chocolat up easily. Chocolat glared down at them, "What are you doing?"

 

"Take a look around you, Miss Sorcerer Hunter. The room you saw before... it's different now. That room, as was my prior form, was just how I wanted you to see it. This room is my private parlour, my own high dungeon! I'll chain you up and keep you for later, it won't matter if it's just for a little while. You can watch while I occupy these men. Anyway, as I was saying..."

 

As Tira and Chocolat were taken off to one of the far walls of the room (still yelling on behalf of their freedom), Strawberry continued to circle the three remaining Sorcerer Hunters, contemplating them.

 

"So, three men. Not bad. Might have been nicer had there been more, but... still, three is better than two, or one. Even if one of them is a scrawny pervert, I'm sure you scream nicely. And with him... such a big, strong man... oh, how I can't wait to see you struggle! Even though you're strong, you won't be able to escape my binding magic. You're just a Parsoner, you can't do things like that. And the other one... haha, had I not heard you speak I might have sent you off to become a servant with those other two! You're quite beautiful, Mr Sorcerer Hunter. I'll enjoy destroying that beauty. You'll regret being born with such a thing between your legs, the destiny I have in store for you! You'll wish the rest of your body reflected the beauty of your face. So..."

 

Carrot interrupted Strawberry, "Where do you get off on insulting my brother like that?"

 

"Oho, you're brothers, are you? It's easy to see where all the good things in the family went. You're just the things that were left over, I expect? The idiot of the family, the stupid younger son..."

 

"Actually I'm the older one, Marron's younger than me. Just 'cause I tried to grope you and everything doesn't make me stupid, I'm perfectly clever! Ask me a question and I'm sure I'll be able to answer it, anything at all, anything."

 

Idly throwing the flower out of her hair, Strawberry scowled at Carrot.

 

"I have no desire to play with you just yet. I-"

 

"You're gonna hit me with the magic you hit Tira and Chocolat with, aren't you?"

 

"Perceptive, but still stupid."

 

"Ah, but, see, I'm more than I seem. If you hit me with magic, I turn into a big monster! And I'm not easily controlled when I'm like that... only my brother here and Tira and Chocolat can subdue me... so if you tie them up too and I turn into a monster... uh... wow, the situation is pretty dangerous after all..."

 

Strawberry folded her arms, "So you're saying I shouldn't hit you with magic, is that it?"

 

"Well, yeah..."

 

"Maybe you're just lying to try and get out of the pain! Men like you are all the same, you'll do anything to get away from pain, even if it's something really stupid! I'll hit you anyway! BINDING MAGIC!!"

 

"Niisan, NO!!"

 

Realising what Strawberry was going to do a split-second or so before she actually did it, Marron managed to leap in front of Carrot, letting his held ofuda fall to the floor as the magic hit him.

 

Carrot gawped in surprise, grabbing Marron as he fell; "Marron, you idiot! You shoulda let me get hit, then I coulda squashed her! Now what'll happen if I get turned into a monster?"

 

"... Niisan... niisan, I'm sorry... I didn't want you to... to be hurt..."

 

Carrot's expression softened, Marron obviously couldn't help himself from throwing himself all over the place to protect Carrot... he felt Marron's body stiffen in his hold, and couldn't help but wonder if Marron would have so selflessly done the same thing had it been a weapon of any kind rather than magic; the fact that yes, Marron would have done the same thing... that knowledge rested heavily on Carrot's conscience.

 

On Marron's side, he realised he had been a mite reckless, his body moving before his mind had really had time to think about the situation. Deflecting the attack and thinking further on what could be done would have been a better idea than what he'd done, but occasionally mistakes would be made... Marron just hoped that this one wouldn't prove to be fatal...

 

Then, there was also what was happening to his body. Marron wasn't a stranger to feeling magic inside him, there was always some kind of feeling whenever he summoned any kind of magic, though being hit by magic was always something a little different. This magic was different... it'd felt like his body had been filled with pure fire, burning and painful... then it'd calmed within his body, feeling... almost feeling refreshing... then that feeling had vanished as his body was bound by the magic, feeling trapped, feeling bound, though nothing except for the power inside him did either.

 

He was trapped like that, unable to move, and Carrot was holding him. Marron wondered if it was a little selfish to think that that wasn't an absolutely bad situation to be in...

 

As he felt himself be lifted, he let that thought flitter away. Strawberry's outstretched hand seemed to indicate that she was the one lifting him... something was around his arms? He seemed suddenly suspended from the ceiling, his body captured too tightly to be able to dangle.

 

Gateau looked up at Marron, "What the hell are you doing to him?!"

 

"Oh, I'm just storing him for later. I'll watch him struggle in a bit, but for now... let's see, which one of you should I go after next... the strong, muscular one, or the scrawny little chicken?"

 

Marron felt helplessness run through his body alongside the magic. What if Strawberry hurt Carrot? What if she really hurt him? Hopefully Gateau would be able to hurt her in his place, but... the frustration that came from knowing that anything could happen to Carrot and he wouldn't be able to prevent it... even while it was right in front of his eyes... he wished he could struggle, just so he could work off the feelings inside of him. There didn't seem to be anything he could do... he couldn't even cast a spell without being able to bring his hands together, and even if he wasn't bound by the magic, he was suspended a good fifteen or so feet in the air... even if he wasn't bound by the manacles around his wrists, there wasn't any easy way for him to be able to escape, or cast a spell...

 

"Hey, Marron! I'll make sure she doesn't touch you..."

 

Gateau had called over; Marron just watched as Gateau fought against Strawberry, Carrot ran around... Marron closed his eyes, wondering if there was any way he could work the magic from his body. No doubt there was, he just needed a little time... he hoped Gateau and his brother would be able to hold Strawberry off for long enough. While they ran around, she probably wouldn't think of him...

 

He concentrated on the darkness he saw in front of his eyes. He tried to feel his body, really tried to feel it... he felt as if he was trying to get at an object that was locked inside a box, or something. He had to find how to unlock the box, first. How to weaken the magic... how to regain control of his body...

 

The darkness spoke of something else inside his mind. Another situation of being bound and controlled... barely being able to control his body, letting others manipulate it... struggling, but not really wanting to be free...

 

Marron snapped his eyes open. No, he couldn't think about that!

 

Disturbed from thoughts of dispelling the magic from his body, he chided himself. Any time spent was supposed to be going towards getting rid of the magic that'd laid claim to his body, not remembering insignificant things he'd dreamt about in an entirely different situation!

 

Not thinking of the other things that'd laid claim to his body... those other people... over and over and over, without question... not those things... not just yet...

 

Still... it was tempting, almost... there wasnét anything he could do, was there? Not for the time being. So while he was waiting for the others, perhaps it'd be alright to let his mind wander, just a little...

 

He shook those thoughts away from him. There was nothing to be achieved by becoming horny in the middle of a mission. Plus all the embarrassment that that brought... the human body was more trouble than it was worth, sometimes. He hated being helpless like that, but being helpless and horny, while perhaps desirable in another situation... this was not one of those situations. Gateau and Carrot were fighting their hardest to get rid of Strawberry; the thought of going up to Marron, lowering him from his bonds, ripping the clothes from his body, licking and stroking him all over, holding him down while they took him with wild abandon probably didn't occur to them at all!

 

Marron watched the two of them intently. He wondered if he should feel guilty for wishing it would. Even if it was Gateau, though? He thought of Gateau like that? Well, after what'd happened previously, surely it was inevitable... and if Marron was chained up, what could he say otherwise? If Gateau wanted to take him, he wouldn't be able to stop him...

 

Sighing under his breath, Marron wished he could stop his thoughts from unravelling so. It was a mission, it was a battle, it wasn't as if he could have sex with anybody anyway in such a situation... besides, what would the others think?

 

Before he could let his thoughts continue in that way, Marron - and the others - were disturbed by something; the cracking of a whip... Strawberry suddenly being bound by a wire... Marron frowned. That didn't make sense, did it? Those were Tira and Chocolat's weapons, but... Chocolat and Tira had been bound and taken away, surely?

 

The Misu sisters stepped forward; it was indeed them. Them in their dominatrix forms; Strawberry didn't seem to make the connection between those she'd kidnapped before, and those standing in front of her now; she struggled as she fell to the floor, looking shocked.

 

"Wha- what!? Who the hell are you!? Are you... are you backups? Did those Sorcerer Hunters call you? I didn't hear them doing anything like that at all! How can you - you couldn't have got in here without being noticed, I swear! You're in here illegally, I can have you executed for that!"

 

Chocolat tipped her hat up as she stepped forward, "You had us trapped a little while ago, Lady Strawberry... we're still the same people, we just look a little different."

 

"What- you- you're those two girls? But... but... the hair is the same colour, I suppose... and... yes, I suppose it would be... but I hit you with magic, I bound you up! How did you escape? You're not supposed to be able to do that, you're supposed to stay there until I've killed these guys and then you can be my pretty Parsoner servants!"

 

Footsteps were audible; Gateau was standing below Marron, trying to work out how to free him from where he was hanging. Carrot stood to the side of the fallen Strawberry, Chocolat and Tira stood in front of her... the footsteps were made by the Lady Raspberry Roulade, who appeared behind Chocolat and Tira; she stepped forward, standing in front of her sister.

 

"I was almost too late. Sister, I was the person who freed these people. It seems they've managed to bind you, but might they be able to free you..."

 

Gateau frowned, "Free her? What's up with her?"

 

Raspberry knelt next to Strawberry, "... Both of my sisters are trapped here. One trapped by the ghost of the other... it has gone on for much too long. Either the body must be destroyed, for her own good... or the ghost must be freed... though you are Parsoners, without magic... I can't imagine you'd be able to do something like that, so... while my sisters are bound like this, please; I request that you kill her."

 

Her face was desperate as she spoke, her voice similar. At that request, Gateau looked to Lady Raspberry, then back up at Marron, "Ghosts? I dunno about ghosts but things like that... that's the sort of thing that Marron can do, with his kooky Eastern Magic and all of that... so get him down, and we'll see if he can do anything."

 

Marron snapped out of his thoughts, realising he was being indirectly spoken to. "Oh? Oh, indeed..."

 

Raspberry performed a kind of hand movement similar to her sister; she lowered Marron from the chains, Gateau reaching up to catch him. No doubt Raspberry could lower him to the floor quite adequately herself, but... Gateau didn't want to pass up an opportunity to be able to hold Marron.

 

After what he'd just been thinking of, Marron couldn't help but blush slightly as he felt Gateau's warm hands around his body. He felt them so distantly, but he could feel their tightness, their fierce safety... Gateau wouldn't let him fall, Marron was certain of it. He wondered if his blush was too visible... he wished he could move. His body was still bound by the magic... Raspberry had freed him from the chains, but still his body couldn't move... and at feeling Gateau's arms around him, his mind worked more furiously, generating fantasy after fantasy that could hopefully serve him well on nights in the future. Gateau held him now... might he go further, do anything else? He glanced up, trying to catch Gateau's line of sight. Gateau just smiled at him, quite a gentle smile.

 

"You okay, now?"

 

Marron's voice felt a little strained, talking from within his trapped body, but his voice was enough for Gateau to hear, whispered though it was.

 

"Ye-yes, I'm alright, Gateau."

 

He was sure he felt Gateau's hands tighten somewhat; was Gateau's head on his shoulder? Was that a nuzzle, even if only slightly? Marron wished his body was responsive enough to tell him these things, if what Gateau was doing was commonplace, or if it was something he'd usually punish for... while the others were around, it was best to play it down, not to arouse their suspicions. He wasn't half sure of the situation himself, he didn't want anybody else to suspect and make the situation any more complicated than it already was...

 

Carrot walked over, comfortable that Strawberry was bound enough to not be threat. He looked Gateau and Marron over carefully, with a stare that Marron wasn't sure what to do with. How attentive Carrot seemed, all of a sudden. How quietly his eyes drifted over his own body, held by Gateau as it was... oh, and why couldn't Marron shift his thoughts away from those base needs... needs... needs... he needed...

 

Carrot reached out, prodding Marron's arm. He smiled, amused by something.

 

"Heh, she really got you there, Marron. Seems that Lady Raspberry managed to free Tira and Chocolat from being all bound up like that though, so I'm sure she can do the same to you."

 

He turned his head, "Hey, Raspberry-chan! Come on over here!"

 

Raspberry had been knelt beside her sister at that moment; she looked up at Carrot's call, standing up while smoothing her hair down self-consciously. She stepped over, her steps seeming loud... she gazed at Carrot as she walked past him, "Lady Raspberry to you."

 

"Ah, um, er, yeah... La-Lady Raspberry... anyway, my brother got all hit by that magic, and he can probably do something about your sister, so, wanna let him go?"

 

A nod, "Indeed."

 

She turned from Carrot to address Gateau and Marron's area, "Now... you there, hold him steady. Just for the first few moments afterward his body might seem terribly weak, it needs to become used to not being supported by the magic anymore. It should only take a few moments."

 

Gateau nodded as Raspberry pulled her pose, "Don't worry, I'll hold him."

 

Marron whispered, more to himself than anybody else, "I know you will..."

 

Once more, magic hit Marron's body. This time the reverse of what'd hit him before, this spell was one made to dispel such changing magic... like with the binding magic, Marron felt a cooling sensation travel throughout his body, but this one didn't turn to burning fire as the other had done. The feeling settled, it seemed to reach throughout his entire body, cooling each finger, each toe, every place within him... such a calming sensation, Marron barely noticed when his body lost it's rigidity, and when he fell back against Gateau. Slightly surprised despite himself, Gateau held Marron still so tightly, "... Marron?"

 

Marron's head was leant back against Gateau's shoulder, "... Don't worry, Gateau... it... it feels wonderful..."

 

His voice sounded tired, but so calm and relaxed...! His body fell totally against Gateau, a sudden warmth seeming to permeate through it that even Gateau could feel against him... Chocolat and Tira walked forward, Chocolat smirking. She nodded at Marron, "It does feel good, doesn't it? Don't fall asleep, though... I think we've got some other business to finish."

 

Feeling familiar feelings of touch filtering back to his body as if waking from a dream, Marron felt the cool feeling of the magic pass from his body. That feeling was gone... Gateau's arms were still tight around him, though. His head leant back on Gateau's shoulder... Gateau's head close to his own. So close. And despite his feet feeling the ground against them once more, his arms able to shift just slightly against Gateau's own, Gateau didn't let go.

 

It was Carrot who disturbed the moment, "Oi, Gateau, I know you like Marron and all, but I'm sure he doesn't want you holding him for so long! Let him breathe a bit, honestly..."

 

Gateau faltered, "Oh, ah... sorry, Marron. I lost myself for a moment."

 

He let Marron go, slowly, regretfully. The others had turned their attention back to Strawberry and Raspberry for the time being, Marron felt he could risk a quick smirk in Gateau's direction, a quiet whisper, "You lost yourself... because of me?"

 

"Marron?"

 

Without offering any explanation, Marron turned around and walked towards where the two Sorcerer sisters were; Strawberry was on the floor, tightly bound by Tira's whip and Chocolat's wire. Raspberry stood next to her, looking slightly more sympathetic than she had done previously.

 

"Please, help my sister..."

 

Strawberry writhed angrily, "I don't need any help! Stupid bitch... stupid Sorcerer Hunters... I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"

 

Raspberry shook her head, "I don't think you're in the position to be doing anything such as that, my sister... my sisters. I regret that it should have to have come to this, but... as long as the situation can be rectified, then... I am happy..."

 

Marron stood forth, holding an ofuda in his hands. Gateau watched him intently as he did so, heard the slight sound of Marron's quiet chanting, watched as Marron released the ofuda to hit Strawberry directly on the forehead... he watched, but he wasn't really taking anything in. Marron's smirk, just then... and that comment... what'd he meant by that? Marron's warmth still seemed to burn against Gateau's skin, even where that warmth had been obstructed by his own clothing... could they really be as they were before? Could Gateau really hold himself back, stick to the mere mild flirtation from before...? Even just then, he'd held Marron and nuzzled his neck, knowing that Marron wouldn't be able to notice... Gateau didn't think Marron had noticed, at least. And if he had, what might of reaction might he have had?

 

Strawberry glowed suddenly, crying out loudly. The room was bathed in a sharp blue light that seemed to blank out everything... and then it died away, and it was over.

 

****

 

Walking back down the hill that led from the mansion back down to the town, Carrot let out a happy, contented sigh. He walked at the front of the group, his hands behind his head, his eyes comfortably closed.

 

"Man, that was real nice of Lady Raspberry to feed us, wasn't it?"

 

Chocolat giggled, "Darling only thinks with his stomach and his other thing. I agree though, it was very nice. I'm glad we managed to sort stuff out there, I'm sure this region'll be much happier now that it's all sorted out..."

 

The Sorcerer Hunters were returning back to the town after the mission, and after they'd stayed to have dinner with the grateful Lady Raspberry. The situation had been quite a sad one, it seemed; there had originally been three sisters in that family; Strawberry had been the oldest, Raspberry had been the middle sister, and Berry had been the youngest. Berry had always been a sickly child, and had seemed to retreat further into that sickness when Lord Blueberry had fallen ill, then died... meanwhile, Strawberry had always been quite the unpleasant character. She'd seemed almost happy when Lord Blueberry had passed on; the estate then belonged to her, and darkness had befallen the town over that time.

 

So disliked was Lady Strawberry, attempts on her life were frequent. She'd been lax, one time... and one time, in her own mansion, she'd been killed. Her body died but her soul wouldn't... the property and position of the house allowed her to remain there, and the regrets from her past life - or her manic obsession with keeping the family property - wouldn't allow her to pass on. She watched as Raspberry prepared to take over the estate, to rule fairly and kindly, and was displeased. Knowing that Berry was frail and weak, she'd gone to her younger sister in dreams and visions, eventually gaining the ability to control her sister's body. And with that, Berry's life became split; she became herself so infrequently, so often her sister took control... and with that body, strong as Strawberry could make it become, Strawberry rose from the dead and regained control of the area; Berry was young, and would live for as long as Strawberry wanted her to; it seemed inescapable, and Raspberry was the one incapable of escape.

 

However, Marron's ofuda and magic had enabled Berry's body to be freed from Strawberry's soul, and revert back to it's normal state, that is, the Berry who Carrot and the others had first seen, when taken around the village.

 

It was sad to lose one sister, in a way. Even a sister so unpleasant as Strawberry had been... but Raspberry was happy enough to be able to stay with her other sister... any thoughts she'd had of freeing the souls and bodies of her sisters didn't seem to have any kind of happy ending, and Raspberry was so overjoyed to have Berry back, she'd figured that letting the Sorcerer Hunters dine with her was the least she could do. Even that perverted scrawny one. And of course, they'd be paid well for their efforts...

 

The Sorcerer Hunters eventually returned to Eden, and several weeks later, were informed by Big Mama that the region was much more successful and flourishing than it'd once been; Strawberry had chosen to rule through fear and intimidation... Lady Raspberry held a natural rapport with the Parsoners, and while she did seem a little distant to them, she didn't wish to harm them in any way. And Lady Berry was also popular with the Parsoners... the situation had rectified itself quite nicely. The Sorcerer Hunters were happy for the pleasing ending to that mission.

 

However, it wasn't as if it hadn't given two particular Sorcerer Hunters anything to think about. The things that'd happened during that mission, small though they seemed... Marron often found his thoughts going back to those events, sometimes merging those thoughts with his dreams... the thoughts and dreams of being tied down, of being bound... of not even being able to move, of feeling Gateau's warmth near to his body... and he felt regret at thinking of Gateau such, surely it was Carrot who should occupy his thoughts such as that? Well, it wasn't as if Carrot wasn't in his thoughts at all; the thought of being entirely at his brother's mercy was an attractive one, and one that Marron thought on often. But Gateau's warmth was something Marron'd felt... it wasn't something he had to imagine, no matter how creative his imagination could be. He didn't have to think about what it'd be like to feel those warm arms, those protective hands, the feeling of Gateau next to him... he didn't need to imagine that, because he'd felt it, and the memories could just be summoned, and twisted, and taken into a dream...

 

Gateau still didn't know what to say to Marron. Was there anything to say? Was he supposed to directly come out and ask Marron if he wanted to have sex, or do anything else like that? Was he supposed to carry on flirting, or cut it back a little, or put more of it on...? Gateau really wasn't sure. Marron was incredibly beautiful and undoubtedly wonderful, and Gateau really had no desire to screw anything up, especially not his relationship with Marron, even if he wasn't quite sure what that was... Marron's feelings confused him more than anything else. He supposed the best thing would be just to ask him how he was feeling, how past events affected him, what he wanted to do in the future... it was tricky, though. It wasn't that Marron was especially hard to approach, but a conversation such as that... it wasn't as if Gateau hadn't tried to talk to Marron about such things in the past, it was just that he'd never really got too far... Marron would usually clam up, give little information out, suddenly become unresponsive... probably not somebody who was comfortable talking about that kind of thing. But when it was his own feelings, his own thoughts, surely he could talk a little about that?

 

Marron was currently outside, being carefully observed by Gateau. It was another free day in Eden, another day with no missions for the Sorcerer Hunters... much as Milphey had watched him a time previous, Gateau watched Marron now; Marron wasn't concerned with practical magic exercise this time around; he just appeared to be reading, underneath one of the trees in the main grounds... Gateau wasn't sure where the others were. Probably out and around, but he didn't really mind nor care... as long as they were alright, they could take care of themselves. They'd only go as far as the city, in any case.

 

Gateau wanted to go out, and talk to Marron. It'd been too long and the issue was really starting to bite at him... it'd started off as the occasional thought, maybe a little more than that, like it'd always been... and sometimes when Gateau fantasized, he'd fantasize about Marron, and cry his name at release...

 

Now, it was almost every night, and it was as frustrating as it was lonely; Gateau could remember almost exactly how Marron had felt, licking and sucking on him like that... his touch... just the fact that it was Marron doing things like that was enough to send Gateau's mind swimming. The sort of thing anybody would fantasize about, and he... he'd actually experienced it... but what could he do? Was that it? Just something that happened? Gateau supposed that, it'd been so long now, maybe even Marron'd forgotten about it... well, perhaps not forgotten, as such. Had Marron done things such as that in the past? If not, if that was his first time doing anything like that, well... it was hardly something someone would forget... and as for Gateau himself, he wouldn't have been able to forget even if he'd wanted to. Marron haunted his sleeping dreams and his waking thoughts, and he walked so tantalizingly close during missions, so close, and Gateau could barely even touch him... there were the friendly touches, the brush of a hand, the patting of his back, but... it wasn't as if Gateau could suddenly sweep Marron up in his arms and subject him to just the kind of kiss that'd express exactly his passions, kept inside for so long, suddenly unleashed... not even while he was unable to move his own body and needed Gateau to hold him, not even then... but to be fair, that'd be taking advantage. He doubted Marron would respect him at all for doing something like that.

 

And Gateau was supposed to respect him for suddenly leaping at him?... Well, that was a different matter totally. Gateau wasn't the fragile, mysterious one; if Marron was going to throw himself at Gateau, then Gateau seriously was not going to complain.

 

Gateau leant his arms against the cool windowframes, and his forehead against his arms. Marron was so damned beautiful. And so seemingly inaccessible... Gateau's libido was one thing, but was there any way to look at the situation to make it not seem like "I'm horny, let's fuck"?... Gateau sighed deeply. It wasn't like that... well, not totally like that. Sex with Marron would undoubtedly be brilliant, but it wasn't just that. It'd also be quite nice if Marron didn't quite shy away from him so much, if he didn't get so annoyed with just the mild flirting, if he'd show just a little attention to Gateau as well as to his treasured brother... the treasured brother who barely seemed to notice Marron's constant attentions... it was almost enough to be something a little suspicious about, but... Marron was just amazingly devoted, that was how he was. That couldn't be argued with.

 

Out on the grounds, Marron turned a page in his book, carefully reading it, letting his eyes roam the page, taking in the information... what kind of thoughts ran through his mind? Did he think of Gateau as Gateau thought of him?

 

What was there he could do... Gateau hardly wanted to put Marron in a corner suddenly, but... no, he didn't want to do that at all. Though, could anything happen at all if Gateau stayed inside all the time, just watching Marron? If he just watched and did nothing at all, surely nothing could happen for things to follow on to that...

 

Mind made up, Gateau went from the corridor on the walk that would lead him through to the grounds. It made sense to at least go and sit with Marron, maybe talk to him about insignificant things... put him at ease, calm him slightly. If everything was always flirting and sex then perhaps Marron would get sick of it, but just chatting about what the weather was like or what that mission they'd been on a few days ago had been like... surely that'd be a better thing to talk about. Surely that was better than talking about what it'd be like to... do other things...

 

Gateau approached the tree; he knew that Marron was on the other side, he knew that Marron was reading... the tree was large, and it currently hid Marron from view. Gateau didn't want to scare him, or anything... he quietly approached the tree, glancing around it, confirming his thoughts. Marron was there, and he was reading... Gateau couldn't make out the words, they were a little too far away. Obviously it was some kind of magic book, though... it was rare for Marron to read anything else. So dedicated...!

 

Leaning his back against the side of the tree beside Marron, Gateau smiled down at the momentarily unaware young mage, "... Hey."

 

Marron looked up in surprise, looking in front of him to see who'd spoken, seeing nobody there... he glanced from side to side. On turning his head to his left side, he saw Gateau out of the corner of his eye... well, of course, it'd been Gateau's voice. That voice couldn't belong to anybody else... Marron closed the book, tucking a thin bookmark into it as he did so. Likely Gateau was there to unknowingly tempt his thoughts, Marron doubted he'd be able to read much more for the moment.

 

Pushing those thoughts aside, Marron smiled up with a smile that felt just a little too warm for his state of mind, "... Gateau, hello."

 

Gateau sat himself down against the part of the tree he'd been leaning against; he indicated to the book Marron'd now set to the side, "You don't need to stop reading on my account, I thought I'd just come out here and sit with you a bit. Carry on reading if you wanna."

 

Marron knew from past experience that the ancient words of this or that magical practice would suddenly become dull in somebody else's presence, and the lines and marks on the page would merge in his mind, merge into a dream of him and other people, maybe of Gateau, if it was Gateau beside him... maybe of Carrot, if Carrot were the one to disturb him... somehow, recently, concentration had been hard coming to Marron. He'd learnt not to fight it.

 

"No, no, it's alright, I'd reached the end of that chapter. It's alright."

 

"Ah, I see..."

 

Above the two of them, the wind blew; a few leaves from the tree were unsettled, there was a light whisper from above as some leaves fell to the floor. That gust of wind died down and was then matched and bettered by a greater gust of wind... a few more leaves fell. Gateau leaned his head against the bark of the tree, staring up at the shaking branches above him.

 

"That wind's pretty strong."

 

"Indeed..."

 

Then that wind died down, and the area was generally silent once more. Gateau held his hands together, tapping his fingers against his knuckles. What to say? Talking about the weather was so dull... it was sunny, it was a bit windy, what else was there to say? And the most previous mission had already been used as a topic of conversation in days past. Already been done to death. What else was there to say? What kind of things did Marron... ah, there was an idea.

 

"So... what were you reading about?"

 

Marron looked up, vaguely surprised by Gateau's question. He smiled slightly, "Ah, it's nothing you'd be interested in, it was just a book about some of the history of magic... tracing how some magic travels through the ages... I thought it'd give me some insight to some of the Sorcerers we fight."

 

Gateau nodded, "Sounds interesting!"

 

It sort of did. If Marron was going to talk all about it, Gateau was prepared to listen; Marron just laughed quietly, self-depreciatingly.

 

"I'm sure it wouldn't interest you... since when have you had an interest in the history of magic? Surely you'd rather it didn't exist at all..."

 

"Oh, I don't mind magic, it's just what Sorcerers choose to do with it that pisses me off. Why can't they develop some magic that looks after and takes care of the Parsoners? Or, if they really don't like the Parsoners so much, why don't they set up a private estate far away? I'm sure there are loads of places on the continent without people around at all... ah... I didn't mean to rant, sorry."

 

"No, it's alright. It's interesting to hear you talk with such passion about a subject..."

 

"Yeah, but I didn't mean to get all pissed off about anything. Let's talk about something happier. Um... what do you want to talk about?"

 

Marron drew his knees to his chest, "What do I want to talk about? I'm not sure..."

 

This seemed true. Gateau also could think of little to say... he was half-tempted to punch the ground and bitch about his sudden inability to find anything to talk about at all - surely his venture was doomed? What kind of people couldn't even think of anything to say to each other?! Gateau could chalk his suddenly blank mind down to his being suddenly flustered, but Marron, who seemed so calm... what was he thinking of? Why couldn't he think of anything to say either? He was a quiet person, though. Perhaps that was why. What kind of things did Marron talk about with Carrot? Gateau had walked past and heard them, sometimes the two of them stayed up for hours at nights, just talking... what was it that Carrot knew to talk about that Gateau didn't?

 

Suddenly, Marron stood up. Gateau blinked up at him, shielding his eyes from the sun around Marron with the back of his hand. They looked at each other for a moment, Marron waiting for Gateau to say something, Gateau momentarily speechless.

 

With the sunlight around him like that - his head blocking out the sun now - Marron really did look beautiful. Behind him was bright sky (and the tree above), behind his head was the sun... it cut out the main glare of the sun, but it left it's mark in a kind of halo that seemed to outline Marron's form. The wind blew again, disturbing Marron's hair... his hand went up to sweep it back from where it'd blown into his face. For a moment, things seemed to move as if in slow-motion... Gateau just watched, idly stupefied. How on earth could anybody be quite that beautiful? It didn't seem possible...

 

The angelic sunlit figure brought Gateau back down to earth by smiling warmly... no, there he went again, much too beautiful for human comprehension once more. Oh, and his voice was so beautiful and calm and deep also... and was he speaking to Gateau? Gateau felt happy that Marron should speak to him. Then he figured that he might want to listen to what Marron was actually saying, just in case he'd missed anything important.

 

"... so I have to go to the town before we next go on a mission... I'd wanted to go today, somehow seeing you reminded me of it, so thank you for that. I'll be back in a while... it's a nice day, though. Perhaps it'd be nice to walk slowly... anyway, I'll see you soon, Gateau. Goodbye."

 

Marron brought his hand up in a small wave as he headed off back towards Eden, back towards the front door, out towards the closest shopping district of Facade. Watching Marron walking off, his robe flowing effortlessly out behind him, it took a few moments for Gateau's mind to catch up with what'd just happened. Marron was going somewhere? Where was he going?

 

Scrabbling up quickly, Gateau covered the distance between he and Marron; he caught part of the robe that covered Marron's upper arm. Marron noticed this and turned around, "Ah, Gateau?"

 

"Wait, where are you going?"

 

"As I said, I need to go and pick up some more ofuda parchment, I want to have my resources readily available... and I want to go quickly before Big Mama gives us another mission. So I thought I'd go at the moment..."

 

"Can I come with you?"

 

Marron paused, looking up at Gateau. His eyes were honestly questioning... Marron couldn't help but smile, just slightly. Quite amusing, really... why should Gateau have to ask Marron's permission for something like that? Marron stated that fact.

 

"You don't have to ask my permission if you also want to go to the shops, Gateau..."

 

"Yeah, but I want to go there with you..."

 

"I'm not stopping you."

 

Not quite a 'yes', but not unfriendly either... Gateau figured that'd be as close as he'd get to confirmation, it was enough for him. Happily enough, Gateau waited at Marron's door as Marron found adequate money, and the two of them set off towards the town together.

 

It remained sunny. Both were quiet as they walked along the worn path to downtown Facade, but that didn't really matter. It was a comfortable silence, Gateau didn't really feel the need to have to talk to Marron about anything. It was enough to just be with him.

 

Still, it didn't hurt to just watch Marron, while they walked. There wasn't any need to hide it, and Gateau was pretty sure that Marron knew he was watching... but Marron wasn't chiding Gateau for that, or telling him not to, or anything... part of Gateau's mind told him that this was because Carrot wasn't around, of course... Marron could be a more comfortable person without Carrot around, surely... the sudden thought occurred to Gateau, what if they met Carrot in the town?! He didn't want that to happen! Carrot would end up distracting Marron, and any time they had to themselves at all would be taken cruelly away...!

 

Well... until that happened, maybe Gateau could be a little closer... and if Marron didn't care about Gateau openly staring at him, then maybe he wouldn't mind if...

 

Gateau stepped just a little closer to Marron, reached out behind him, and carefully put his arm around Marron's shoulders. Gateau held his breath for a second... would Marron object to that? Would Marron suddenly pull away, or...?

 

Marron just looked up at Gateau, a kind of confused look on his face... not angry, but confused...

 

"Gateau...?"

 

Gateau smiled gently, hugging Marron's shoulders as he spoke.

 

"Just felt like it... you don't mind, do you?"

 

Walking like that, Gateau was so close to Marron... Marron could feel Gateau's warmth to his side, around his shoulders, Gateau's fingers over his shoulder... no, he didn't mind, not really. He didn't quite lean against Gateau, but... he didn't want to argue with Gateau, or pull away. It wasn't as if the day was cold, but... Gateau was warm, and the warmth of another person was something pleasant to feel.

 

Feeling a little more bold for that, Gateau smiled though he knew Marron couldn't see him. Perhaps there were things he could talk about with Marron after all... just little things, little things that automatically came up... with a little squeeze of Marron's shoulders, Gateau spoke.

 

"So... while we're out, whaddaya say about catching a bite to eat, or something? Have you had lunch yet? I know you were outside for ages, reading..."

 

"I ate breakfast..."

 

"Yeah, but I'm talking about lunch, here. C'mon, where's the harm in that? I'll pay, even."

 

Marron let himself be coerced into having lunch with Gateau. Gateau located a nice little establishment, somewhere where they could sit, eat, drink, and watch the world go by. So, for that time, that was what they did. Gateau found his tongue at last, and found pleasure in talking about nothing in particular with Marron. They observed people who walked by, people who wore amusing things, or cute kids who ran by screaming and laughing... Marron felt himself be watched by Gateau's meticulous eyes, and couldn't help but glance shyly to the side at that. Gateau really did like to watch him, it seemed. They'd spent all that time together, and Gateau hadn't once ripped his clothes off and told Marron to look at him, those sorts of things that Gateau always usually did... he honestly, honestly wanted to spent time with Marron, did he? Surely there had to be at least some reason for him to act like that...

 

The two of them sat there quietly, still watching people as they went on their way, Marron occasionally sipping at a cup of hot tea. His eyes watched the passers-by, and he knew that Gateau's eyes watched him, but Marron's mind was far from the subject of just those who walked by.

 

Did he want to say anything to Gateau? Mention anything of... those times before...

 

Before he could stop himself, Marron set his cup gently down on its saucer, "Gateau... why are we here?"

 

Gateau had been leaning his head on his caged hands, a slice of cake halfeaten and mostly forgotten about underneath those hands. He raised his head when Marron spoke, "What?"

 

"I mean... why are we here, like this? Surely you wouldn't have taken me out for lunch before..."

 

"Who says I wouldn't?"

 

"Well, alright, maybe you would have done. But... you haven't, not before. And earlier, when you put your arm around me without hesitation... I didn't mind that, I don't mind this, but I can't help but be curious as to... well... why? What was it that suddenly enabled you to act so closely all of a sudden?"

 

Gateau thought this over in his mind for a few moments.

 

"... I just wanted to act a bit closer to you, I guess."

 

"Do you have a reason? Did you suddenly become easier with me?"

 

"I... I guess it's something we had to talk about... Marron, I like you. And even though it was quite a while ago, I... I enjoyed the things we did, y'know? Even if you were all hazed up with the heat that night and all... it... I wouldn't that to just be that, but it's not like I only want sex from you, 'cause you're too great to just want that from. I... I like you. I just want to be close to you... is that wrong?"

 

Marron took a tentative sip of his tea. Oh, if only Gateau knew the true circumstances of that night. Would he be so eager to chase after Marron in that circumstance?... Never mind that.

 

"No, that's not wrong... we haven't spoken of that at all, though. Why bring it up now?"

 

Gateau jabbed his fork into the cake and stabbed it around a little, letting that occupy him for a short while while he gathered his thoughts. He spoke carefully, considering each word.

 

"... Well... I don't know if it's just me, but... since that happened, I... it's almost like I haven't known how to act with you, you know? What sort of things am I supposed to say, what sort of things am I supposed to do... I just haven't known where I've stood with you, I guess that's the bottom line. I mean, doing those things... was it... was it because you wanted me? Even if it was purely just sexual... is that how you see me, do you want me like that? Or... is there anything else you wanted? 'Cause... if there was anything that you wanted, anything at all, I'd try and get it for you."

 

He looked up at Marron, daring to make eye contact. Marron seemed to be mulling Gateau's words over silently, Gateau gave him a moment to do so before he carried on.

 

"I'd be what you wanted me to be, Marron. If you just wanted someone to have great sex with, hey, there's always room in my bed for you. Or if you wanted someone who'd always protect you... well, I try to do that anyway, even if I'm not as good at it as you are at protecting Carrot. But if you just needed a hug at the end of a mission or something, I'd always be willing to be the person to hug... even if it was just because you wanted to hug that brother of yours but couldn't, I wouldn't mind..."

 

Marron's eyebrow arched slightly. That last point had been strangely close to what the mark would be should Marron take advantage of that... he didn't voice that, of course.

 

So Gateau was prepared to do whatever Marron wanted him to do? It seemed reasonable so far.

 

Clasping his hands together once more, Gateau stared intently at his cake. Seemed he wasn't willing to risk eye contact this time around.

 

"But... if we were to get together in any way, I mean... really get together... would you be a bit more, well, open?"

 

"How do you mean?"

 

"Like... in front of the others. Not get flustered if I flirt with you, or act in a way that gets Carrot on my back and yipping at me for making you feel uncomfortable... I mean... if it's something that embarrasses you, I don't mind that, but... sometimes I end up getting my ass fireball'd, and if we were together I'd rather that didn't happen... but even so, I don't know how you feel about it all... I guess, given what Carrot's like, it might be kinda hard to introduce the idea of you and me to him..."

 

"He knows about my... gender preferences."

 

Gateau blinked, "Marron?"

 

"My brother knows that I have a preference for men."

 

One man in particular, but neither Carrot nor Gateau were going to find that one out, not if Marron had anything to do with it. Gateau's look seemed to lighten at that, "You have a preference for men...? So... you are gay, then?"

 

"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but... ah, it's something that's complicated to explain, so please, just accept that. Accept that, and that my brother wouldn't mind if I told him that there was something between you and I."

 

"I, I see... well, I guess that's one less thing to worry about, I wouldn't like to create any angry feelings between you or me or Carrot for anything. But... still, it's... Marron, it's about how you feel. We don't have to be anything more than good friends if you don't want us to be, don't let me put you on the spot or anything."

 

Despite that, Marron couldn't help quite feeling that, even if only a little. Just by bringing the subject up at all was putting Marron on the spot, asking him to express emotions he wasn't sure how to express, to describe feelings he couldn't even name. He looked up at Gateau, ended up caught in his gaze. He held the stare briefly, then moved his focus back down to the cup in his hands.

 

What was there to say to that? Marron wasn't sure. He'd be lying to deny the sexual thoughts he'd had about Gateau recently, but what was that when compared to anything? Surely a relationship built only on that would be such a selfish one, and if it was centred around sex, then could that strictly be a relationship at all? Surely there had to be love there also...

 

Confused, looking back at Gateau... for all he'd said, Gateau hadn't quite said 'I love you'. Not quite. It was so visible through his words, though... 'like', indeed. It had to be more than just 'like', Gateau wasn't somebody who did anything by halves... but he, Marron himself... did he love Gateau?

 

Not like how he loved Carrot, of course. He couldn't love anybody like how he loved Carrot, and nobody else could mean to him quite what Carrot meant to him, but... if it was just about the sex, then surely Gateau would at least be able to help with the pain and frustration Marron often felt. Somebody else's touch to experiment with. And even though it'd ended up quite badly before, well... Marron was sure there were steps that could be taken to prevent that from happening again. Ah, but love? Seriously, did he love Gateau? Marron wasn't sure.

 

"... Gateau. If everything in a relationship was based around the sexual side of it... surely that'd knock against the friendship? I... I wouldn't want to spoil our friendship. You're somebody I trust and value, I wouldn't wish to disturb that..."

"Hey, I don't want to either. But... well, hey, you don't have to say anything now, okay? Just think about things a bit. I won't mind if you do just wanna be friends or anything, it's not like we'd lose anything with that, is it? Things being like how they've always been... but if you ever do want anything more, well... you know where I am, you see what I'm saying?"

 

Finishing off his cup of tea, Marron made as if to move. He saw Gateau's cake, "I understand, Gateau... but were you going to finish that?"

 

"Hm? Oh..."

 

Gateau used his fork to prise a little of the cake away from the rest of it. He pushed the fork through the middle of the cake, as if to eat it... he leant the fork out over the table in Marron's direction, smiling with just a hint of desire... Marron saw that, and blinked at the cake. Gateau's smile deepened, "Say 'aaa'."

 

Marron's eyes went from Gateau, to the cake, to Gateau, to the cake again. Did he really want Marron to...?

 

"... Aaa."

 

Gateau laughed kindly, pushing the cake forward for Marron to take it into his mouth. Blushing, Marron did so. Gateau's humour remained in his eyes as he watched Marron eating, "How sweet."

 

Carefully swallowing the cake, Marron wondered what it'd been that'd let him do such a thing... well, Gateau had spurred it on. But wasn't that something affectionate that sweethearts did to each other, feeding each other things in such a fashion? Chocolat always seemed to be trying things like that with Carrot, anyway.

 

Still smiling, Gateau just leant his head on his hands and looked at Marron. Marron himself wasn't quite smiling; he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, musing on things.

 

So Gateau at least wanted some kind of relationship... that wasn't surprising. Was it alright to really accept something like that? Was that what Marron wanted? At that moment, Marron wasn't sure at all... he couldn't find any idea to accept the arrangement, but he couldn't think of any reason not to accept it, either... his brother wouldn't suspect anything at all... and surely the highest priority was making sure that Carrot never ever found out about Marron's feelings for him... of course, all of Marron's fantasies about Carrot were, well, with Carrot. And nothing like that could ever happen if Carrot never even knew, but... Marron knew, it was his daily burden, that Carrot would likely never react in the way Marron wished him to... Carrot was always somebody who'd be distracted by somebody else. He had the Misu sisters after him, and he constantly chased other girls... Marron had a feeling that, even if Carrot had a girlfriend he was happy with, his eye would continue to wander, always. Carrot just didn't seem the type of person to be tied down (not in a literal way, though Marron's mind didn't object to that either, in it's darker moments)... but, if Marron accepted Gateau's feelings, if they really took it seriously, then Gateau... Gateau would be his, and his alone.

 

Marron let his mind continue down that path as he and Gateau continued down a different one. Marron was vaguely aware of Gateau suggesting the two of them go somewhere quiet, and didn't offer any argument, and so followed. Seemed that they were going along a quieter (as expected) forest-flanked path, somewhere away from the busy daily activities of Facade, and all the people there... Marron could almost hear the city noise become quieter with each footstep. Still the sun shone above, and it became so much more peaceful as they continued on...

 

So. Marron's choices seemed to boil down to two answers. Either continue to yearn for one who'd perhaps never appreciate him, with all the pain that that brought with it, being so near and yet so far... or continue to yearn for the one who'd probably never appreciate him while seeking an outlet for his feelings with somebody who appreciated him totally. The second one seemed so much more attractive, for some reason.

 

Of course, there was always the problem... maybe Gateau'd have to know a little more about how Marron's mind worked to really understand him. To understand why their future sexual endeavours might be a little... strange... but plans were drafting themselves in Marron's mind, and he was coming up with a plan that might just possibly grant him his long-sought-after orgasm. He hoped so.

 

Though, that was an entirely selfish way of looking at it, and Marron couldn't escape that. As they continued to walk, Marron looked up at Gateau... it seemed that, for the moment, Gateau was concentrating on the path they were walking on, and not on Marron. For once. For the moment.

 

Marron took that opportunity to look at Gateau himself, really look at Gateau. Concentrate on him a bit, become a bit familiar with him... yes, Marron thought. At least physically, Gateau was certainly quite an attractive person... his tanned skin was a nice compliment to Marron's own (though Marron always thought that he was a little too pale, not that anybody else really seemed to notice... probably yet another thing he inherited from Apricot, he supposed)... almost a little exotic. When he looked serious, it... it was nice. Gateau's eyes were concentrating on the road ahead... Marron watched and studied that concentration. When he'd felt those eyes concentrating his own body, he'd shyed away... idly, it almost seemed desirable at that moment. Why should he feel shy to feel Gateau looking at him like that? He'd always batted Gateau away before, and despaired at his rampant desire, but... things were different now. Feelings seemed to be deeper now, their thoughts seemed to be maturing... Marron had never quite been sure whether Gateau's constant flirting and teasing was for play or show or what, but now that they were quiet, and that they'd talked, even if it was just to skim the surface...

 

Marron looked away. So maybe Gateau was serious now. He seriously wanted a relationship with Marron, he'd more or less said so... and he'd said he'd try to be whatever Marron wanted him to be, so... really, where was the problem? Briefly, Marron couldn't work out why he hadn't already taken Gateau up on his offer that moment...

 

Carrot, though.

 

Carrot was the problem.

 

Marron almost felt frustrated; surely there should be no contest between the two, but Marron was still unsure as to who'd come out on top of said contest... the loyal, steadfast part of his mind argued for Carrot; he'd loved Carrot for all his life, and in such a deeper way for as long as he could remember... romantic thoughts were of Carrot, erotic thoughts were of Carrot, he'd developed some kind of Carrot-related sexual difficulty, even despite that last one, who was Gateau to disturb such things? What he felt for Carrot, and those sorts of things... they were his thoughts and his alone!

 

The rational half of Marron's mind spoke differently. In the long-term, there really seemed no practical purpose for going after Carrot in such a silent and un-noticeable way. Of course, he could never know of Marron's feelings - he'd be shocked, he'd be disgusted, there was no way it could work.

 

Then so, why did Marron cling to his ideals so steadfastly?

 

Gateau would be his. Gateau could be his. Surely it was a choice between dreams and reality - and was it not the nature of dreams to be mostly unattainable? Something to strive towards? It made little sense if dreams were really so unattainable. There was honestly nothing to be physically gained from such things.

 

And if being with Gateau meant that Marron could get over his problem, well, all the better.

 

Eventually, the two of them reached the end of the path; the path itself faded out from walk-eroded stone into rough patchy grass that increased in density the further around it went. Then even the grass fell out suddenly... they were at a riverbank, next to a small river.

 

Marron listened out for a moment; it was relaxing to listen to. The busy city seemed far behind them, alone as they suddenly were... Marron could hear birds sing around him, and the song of the river seemed loud, but refreshing... he smiled up at Gateau, "This was where you wanted to go?"

 

Gateau looked a little embarrassed, "Well, I didn't really have anywhere specific to go, I just wanted to walk somewhere quiet with you, to wherever that went... but if you wanted to stop here, then we can stop here."

 

"And where else would we walk to?"

 

Amusement in Gateau's voice as well as from Marron's own tone, "You have a point."

 

Walking over to the edge of the bank, Marron gently lowered himself into a cross-legged position. Gateau joined him, sitting just a little further back from Marron, his feet out against the bank and his arms behind him to hold him up. The two of them were content to listen to the river for a few moments... Gateau's mind worked frantically on something to say, Marron's mind also. They eventually spoke at once.

 

"So, abou-"

 

"Gateau, I-"

 

They fell into silence, looking at each other, smiling in apology.

 

"I'm sorry, Gateau. You can speak."

 

"No, you can go first if you wanna, I'm sure it's more important than what I was gonna say."

 

Slightly disjointed by Gateau disturbing what he was about to say, Marron took a few moments to remember what he'd been going to say, and the implications thereof. He stared intently at the river, painfully aware of Gateau staring at him... he closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. Surely, with what he was about to ask... if he was going to say what he wanted to say, then... he shouldn't be intimidated just by Gateau looking at him, surely?

 

Marron looked up, "Gateau... about... you and I..."

 

"Mm hm?"

 

"If we... if I did consent to a relationship..."

 

"Yes?"

 

Marron realised he hadn't got anything to follow his 'What If' up with. Had he really meant to state it so rhetorically?

 

"... I didn't mean that. I... Gateau, I... I want to agree with the things you're talking about. I... wouldn't mind it if we were easier with each other. I'd tell my brother about it, and... I wouldn't be so angry with you for flirting in his sight..."

 

The only anger really came from Marron being worried that responding anywhere near acceptance of Gateau's flirting meant that Carrot might think that Marron really did want Gateau, and might push he and his brother further apart... but really, what was there to be gained by that? Was Carrot really going to think 'Ah, he doesn't want Gateau, he wants me!!'? It wasn't likely. So perhaps... being a little more friendly... perhaps that didn't matter. Perhaps it would be better to be more than friends.

 

Gateau just stared at Marron, shocked into silence. Had Marron really said what he thought Marron had said? That they... could have a relationship? Gateau stuttered his confusion.

 

"Ma-... uh, I... Marron, that is... uh... you... you mean... you'd say yes? You want to agree with things like that... you want to... be with me?"

 

"I want to see what it's like. Yes, I want to be with you."

 

Gateau smiled wryly, "'See what it's like'... I guess you haven't had a boyfriend before, huh..."

 

"Or a girlfriend, to be honest." Marron didn't know if that meant to imply that Gateau had had a boyfriend before, or a girlfriend, but he didn't like to inquire. He didn't really care, nor want to know.

 

"Too busy chasin' after that brother of yours to worry about that, I guess..."

 

Marron blinked... again, that hit the target almost exactly. He faltered, "You... could say that."

 

There was a moment of silence, then Gateau's happy sigh.

 

"Wow. So I guess you don't mind if I call you my boyfriend now? Marron, my boyfriend... that sounds pretty good. Hehe, I'm excited... you really said yes! I guess all the other stuff can follow on too, now..."

 

"'Other stuff'?"

 

Gateau nodded, "Yeah... we can be all happy and relaxed, and maybe later on we can get a bit romantic... I wouldn't mind being romantic with you, y'know? Just doing the little things, sitting around together, just... little things, I dunno. I guess we'll take it a step at a time... you're sure you're sure? I mean... you're sure you want to... be with me? You made your mind up awful quick, you sure you're not just reacting suddenly? I mean, if you weren't absolutely sure..."

 

"I've been thinking it over ever since that event where I... cornered you. I've been wondering what I should say, if anything... wondered what I could say... I could never think of anything, but... the things you said today convinced me that, perhaps... perhaps it would be in my best interests to be with you... I should like that. To do the things that two people do, to experience that closeness... to have a way to express things I feel deeply... if that can be with you, then... I want it to be with you. It's hard to explain, but... just for the moment, please accept... I want to be with you, Gateau."

 

"I guess you're really sure, huh..."

 

Marron ran a hand through his hair as the wind blew slightly, "Yes. Yes, I'm sure."

 

"Really sure?"

 

Gateau's disbelief amused Marron, "Yes, really sure. I'm really sure that I want to be with you, Gateau. I want to start in a different way as to how we did before... I wasn't in control of my emotions nor my body that night. I'd rather be more controlled with things... I'd rather we both had a say in things that we did. I'd like us to work together."

 

"I see... but is it okay to be a little spontaneous?"

 

"I suppose it would be, it'd depend on the situation. Why?"

 

"Because I wanted to do this."

 

Before Marron could even ask what 'this' was, Gateau had moved forward to press against him, wrap his arms around him, and kiss him. Suddenly and deeply. Marron was caught by surprise, but let himself be surprised... he let Gateau hold him, he let his body fall submissive in Gateau's hold. If any of his plans were to be set in action, he needed to grow used to such a feeling. If Gateau wanted to be the dominant one, then Marron was prepared to let him be so. He wanted to be dominated. And by somebody as strong and powerful as Gateau...! Oh, there didn't seem to be a way for the plan to fail.