Kallad and Salacia sat on opposing sides of the table. Salacia helped herself to the treats and foods laid out on the table.

Kallad crested his hands in front of his face, “Let us begin.”

Salacia nodded with a chicken wing still hanging out of her mouth. She speedily vacuumed the meat from the wing, sucking the bone completely dry. Her focus was now on Kallad.

Kallad was impressed at her display, but there were more important things to focus on at hand.

He remained in his position, “Salacia, what do you know of the upcoming summit?”

Salacia placed a finger on her cheek thoughtfully as she pondered. She had no reason to lie to Kallad, given the good relationship their clans have had in the past. That, and her continued lust for him, all factored into her decision to tell him the full truth. She stared at him, “The Arbiter is planning on officially vilifying the Life clan. He wants the Justice clan to absorb them entirely.”

What. This early? The seeds have only just begun to show fruit, so how can he make that decision this early? That’s not... Kallad was panicking. The Warden is too weak. If the Arbiter overthrows him, or takes the clan by... “Is he planning on calling a vote?”

Salacia nodded. She sighed, “The vote is just a formality though. Even if it doesn’t go his way, he’ll recoup within the few months after it and take the Life clan by force.” She winked, “I had to work extra hard to get that last bit of information.”

Kallad looked at her with a hint of pity.

Salacia noticed, “Not like that! I didn’t fuck him; I would never fuck that sleazy old bastard. I just meant I had to put more effort in... you really think I’m that nasty? I mean I’m nasty but I’m still a prideful lady.”

Kallad sighed, “Still. This is far too early...”

Salacia nodded, then took a bite out of a delectable small square that melted in her mouth. She gulped it down after sucking the sweetness out of the tasty goo, “I’m against it. The Life clan is far more important to our world than the Arbiter gives them credit for. I might not be as dubious as you are, or as smart, but he’s making a grave mistake if he thinks the other Aspects will just let him do as he pleases.

Kallad shook his head, “The others wouldn’t place their lives on the line for the Life clan. Their Aspect is noticeably weaker than the rest, and since the previous Warden disappeared they lost the majority of their combat power.”

Salacia nodded solemnly, “I really liked him. More than anything, he felt like a brother to me. You’re too young of an Aspect to have known him well, but he was truly a great man.”

Kallad eyed her with suspicion, “You didn’t want to f-”

Salacia raised her hand to stop him from going any further, “If you continue down that line, then no matter how much I want it, you’re not going to get any.”

Kallad silenced himself. He shot Salacia a soft expression, “What was his name?”

Salacia looked down at the trays of food and treats that Kallad had so eloquently laid out for her. She shed a tear, “Varon. He made an enemy of the Arbiter... then he told me that he discovered something that forced him to leave for good.” She just realised what she’d implied, “Kallad! Please tell no one of this! If the council knew what I know then... then...”

Kallad smiled at her, “Who do you think I am? I don’t just spill information like that. You have my word.”

Salacia breathed easy. If it’s his word, he’s been known to never break such pacts. I can trust him, I think.

Kallad returned to his thoughtful pose, “Of the eight of us, the Arbiter cannot contribute to the vote if he puts it forward. That leaves seven. Me, you, the Warden, Spectre, Huntmaster, Tinkerer, and Chancellor. Given that the vote concerns the Warden’s domain, he won’t have a say either. That leaves six of us.”

Kallad sighed, “Considering your disposition, you and I will vote against it, but we need to convince two of the others to vote alongside us. Fuck, even a stalemate will do. At least that will postpone the vote to a reconvened summit six months down the line.”

Salacia understood what Kallad was trying to do, “You’re hoping to buy time?”

Kallad nodded.

Salacia continued, “If so, then it would be best to aim for a stalemate.”

Kallad stared at her questioningly, “How so?”

Salacia grinned, “If there’s a stalemate, then the vote will be postponed by six months. That will lock the Arbiter in, he won’t have a choice but to wait for the next vote. If he took the Life clan by force during that time, then he would become an enemy to all of the Aspects for disrespecting the Creator’s system. But if the vote results in his loss, then he’ll be free to take the clan by force only a few months following the vote.”

Kallad was intrigued, he didn’t realise the Songstress was so calculating, “I see. You’re right. A stalemate would be the best thing to buy as much time as we can to make preparations. Who would be best to... actually I have a plan.” Kallad grinned a devious grin.

Salacia licked her lips, “That plan better involve fucking the shit out of me because I don’t want to wait anymore. Look.” She pointed down.

Kallad looked down. What the fuck, she’s been ready this whole time...

Kallad held his devious grin and aimed it at the Songstress, “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that. I’ve got a huge hidden weapon waiting just for you.”

Salacia’s voice began to sound melodic, “Oh my dear Kallad. You slay me.” She giggled, “Do show me this huge hidden weapon of yours, and I’ll provide a fitting scabbard.”

Kallad walked over to Salacia. He held out his hand, “Oh how I have been waiting all day for this. I can’t wait to-”

“Dad?”

Kallad stared at Salacia, who was looking towards the entrance to the penthouse. Oh for... why now Sin, why now?!

Kallad turned to his daughter, “Hey honey! Dad’s busy right now so can you and Rai head out for another five minutes or so?”

Salacia raised an eyebrow, she whispered to herself, “Five minutes?”

Kallad wanted to scream, that wasn’t what he meant.

Salacia took the reins, “I see that the residents of the penthouse have returned.” She looked at the boy with a black ponytail. His blue eyes were enticing, but she had something else on her mind right now. “Kallad, maybe we should continue the meeting in my room? I suppose that might be the best course of action. Especially if you’re going to enjoy a full five-course-meal.”

Kallad’s heart skipped a beat, “Yes. I believe you might be right. Allow me to show you to your room.” Kallad led Salacia past Rai and Sin.

Sin watched as Salacia eyed Rai from top to bottom, then bit her lip. She suddenly felt an urge to protect Rai from the hungry beast. Her worry soon left her as her father and, who she presumed to be the Songstress, left the penthouse.

Rai stood, scared for his life. He slowly turned to Sin, “Sin... was she...”

Sin nodded, “I think so. I don’t know what her and dad were going to do but... I have a feeling that if we came here any later we would’ve seen something that’d leave us scarred...”

Rai nodded rapidly. He was still shook up from the rabid beast that looked like she wanted to devour him. Rai pointed to his room past the kitchen, “Sin. I’m gonna go get changed.”

Sin nodded, “Yeah. Good idea. I’ll do the same.”

Rai went into his room and shut the door.

Sin was about to go to her room upstairs, but something glistened in the corner of her eye. She walked over to the table of food and treats. Dad always goes all out for guests... I hope he didn’t spend too much. Anyway, I think it was over here? Sin walked over to the chair that the Songstress was sat on. Is that... why’s it so shiny? She was about to reach for it... but she realised.

Sin screamed, “LILLYYY!”

Rai heard her scream for Lilly and came running out of his room. He was only wearing his loose fitting pants, and left the shirt he was going to wear on the bed.

Lilly showed up with a wisp of black mana, “You need not shout, my lady. How may I help?”

Sin pointed at the chair as her arm kept shaking alongside her body, “P-P-PLEASE G-G-GET RID-D OF THAT-T!!” She was blushing heavily.

Lilly looked at the chair, then stifled a giggle. It seems the Master’s plan succeeded. “Very well.” She snapped her fingers. Lilly, alongside the chair, disappeared in the same manner that she appeared.

Rai stared at Sin, “Sin, are you okay?!”

Sin was still shaking. She turned around and looked at Rai. Her face became extremely hot. Sin was so flustered that she couldn’t think straight. For some reason, she thought it would be a good idea to throw a cushion at Rai from the couch beside her, “G-g-g-go g-g-get ch-changed you idiot!” She ran upstairs without looking back.

Rai caught the cushion. He was so unbelievably confused about what just happened.

That’s when he realised that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. Oh. His face heated up. That’s practically the same as... Shit! Rai was incredibly embarrassed. He was proud of the work that he’d put into his body, but even during his recovery and rehabilitation Sin had never actually seen him without a shirt on. Rai ran back into his room.

The two of them remained in their rooms for a while.

They calmed down soon after, and left their rooms. The both of them were overwhelmed, and lost in their own thoughts.

Rai left his room to go into the open area with the couch, crystalakrum, and table with food and treats. Sin walked down the stairs to go to the same place.

They were both so stuck in their own heads that they weren’t aware of their surroundings. They bumped into each other.

Rai stared at Sin, and Sin stared at Rai.

They both bowed to apologise. Neither of them actually thought about it, and they ended up slamming their heads together. Rai and Sin both fell to the floor.

“Ow...” They both groaned in pain.

Rai started laughing, “What a day.”

Sin laughed alongside him, “It’s just been one thing after another.”

They soon stopped laughing and looked towards each other.

For a moment, there was silence between them.

“I’m sorry for...” They spoke at the same time.

Rai smiled at her, “You first.”

Sin steeled herself again, “I’m sorry for reacting like that. I was really flustered...”

Rai smiled softly at her, “I’m sorry for not realising. And for running out without a shirt on.”

Sin giggled, “We’re so close that stuff like this really shouldn’t bother us anymore.”

Rai nodded, “Come here.” He held his arms out for a hug.

Sin leapt onto him, causing them both to fall to the floor from their sitting positions.

They giggled together.

Sin looked into Rai’s eyes as his hair was splayed out on the floor. She was on top of him. His smile as he laughed made her so happy. The warmth that she felt when she was with Rai made her forget all about her life in a cage in the Underworld. She wanted Rai to stay by her side for as long as possible.

Rai admired Sin’s face hovering over his own. Her hair draped down like curtains covering just the two of them. Her eyes in this moment were so caring. His heart fluttered. Rai could get through his hardships if he had her by his side. He wanted Sin to be with him, always.

Their hearts were beating so hard that they could hear each other’s pulses.

The tension was viscerally tangible.

It snapped.

Sin kissed Rai.