Tu Fui, Ego Eris

“Let me tell you about my life, let me tell you about my dreams. Let me tell you about the things that happen, always real to me…

Let me tell you of my hope, of my need to reach the sky. Let me take you on an awkward journey, let me tell you why…”


“I’m able to see things, things I don’t want to see. The lives of a thousand souls weigh heavy down on me.

The sin of a thousand souls not died in vain. Reincarnate, still in me live again!Someone to save me… Something to save me from my hell! A destination, away from this nightmare…”

- “The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg” Iron Maiden


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Chapter 11: Aliena Nobis, Nostra Plus Aliis Placent


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“So…Don’t go up this road?”

“I wouldn’t recommend it…”

The gas station was rather old and run-down, but that didn’t mean the attendant was willing to give up trying to make things better. And he wasn’t about to send someone down the dark, shadowy road to their possible death. Even if they were being a pain in the ass.

“But it’s the only way…”

“It’ll be you’re last way if you go down that way…”

The man in the car- no more then twenty- frowned and seemed to look about his car in confusion.

“That doesn’t lead anywhere besides an old castle, anyway. Why’d you want to go down there?”

A girl - whom seemed about the same age- laughed a little in response. She was seated next to him and seemed deathly thin to the gas station attendant. He fought the urge damn near push a sandwich down her throat. Her laugh was obnoxious and was obviously meant to be that way.

“That’s the whole point! An abandoned castle is the perfect place to trash!”

“American accent, I gather…And some American arrogance to go with it.”

Both the kids smiled and the girl laughed again, though not as haughty.

“Screw you, old man.”

She said in the middle of her explosion of laughter. And while she promptly wiped him the middle finger to drive her point home.

“We do what we want, when we want. And that includes going down that damn road whether you like it or not!”

Her boyfriend looked visibly embraced, the piercings that lined his face followed his coy expression. If he could duck out of the car and hide the attendant was sure he would. Still, he said nothing. Instead he let his combative girl rule the situation.

“Little miss…I really could give a rat’s ass if you go down that road.-”

“Really? You sure seem like you GIVE a rat’s ass-”

“I’m only saying, miss, that ninety percent of the people that go down that road don’t come back…And only one man that I know of comes and goes as he pleases. And he’s not what you would call normal.”

Rolling back to sit straight, the girl just smiled. She had crowded and slightly yellow teeth, but besides that was still rather glamorous looking. Her hair was wildly styled and even in a two-tone color, the left side blonde and the right side brown. Her make-up was thick and extravagant. He could only wonder how long her look took to create in the morning.

“Even better. Ha! We got lots of liquor.”

“Yeah…” The boy nodded, finally smiling himself. He wore a green beret sort of hat. Both had looked like they had just rolled out of Hot Topic and had too much to drink already.

“I don’t think you’re quite grasping what I’m saying here…It’s not abandoned. It’s inhabited. By some rather unusual, scary people. It would be a mistake to go down that road, let alone try to get inside.”

“We traveled a long way to see things like this, sir. I’m sure we can handle it.”

“Listen, kids, do whatever the hell you want. This is the last time I’ll tell you. That castle-”

“I don’t suppose…That would be my castle, would it?”

Everybody looked up. Only the attendant recognized the voice before he saw the man, and fear instantly moved through his veins.

Riccardo stood at the pump behind the car he was currently giving ‘directions’ to. It was a good twelve feet or so, but for the attendant that was close enough, if not too close. He wore a long leather trench coat and a wide-brimmed fedora that always conveniently covered his face in shadow. His legs donned expensive blue jeans that looked to be nearly as old as he was. Something that seemed rather out-of-character, but they were there regardless. His shoes were short boots that poked out from beneath said jeans, and looked cracked, worn.

Gloved hands pumped gas into his black Lincoln, a black machine that looked a few years old, most likely bought some time in the late nineties. Yet it wasn’t cleaned or prized, as it was covered with paint scuffs and dents. For some reason, it had a lot of red paint scrapped around it’s right side. He chose not to dwell on that.

Pumping gas with one hand, he was turned towards the attendant and the young couple’s car. Every single time Riccardo got gas at the station, he filled the tank. This always impressed the man because of the sheer expense of gas in these times, and that he never cared how much money he was spending, it was simply a chore that had to be done. He saw Riccardo almost every month, and had to fill the tank every time. That would be less then the norm for most people, but for someone like him, that traveled only about once a month- it indicated the sheer amount of distance the clone traveled every trip.

“I uh…How…How long were you standing there, sir?”

“About long enough to know I’m scary and unusual. Quite alright though, it’s not an unreasonable assumption.”

The attendant nervously swallowed. For a moment he thought he might have just peed a little.

“Sir, I swear-I didn’t mean it, I…I was trying to warn them not to bother you-”

“Ah! Not to worry, not to worry. As I said…I won’t deny a thing.”

He said it with a Cheshire grin, and yanked the pump from the car rather violently. So much that the attendant jumped back. He didn’t know Riccardo on a first-name basis. In fact, he only knew that the castle he lived was “Belli Castle” because of the local legends surrounding the place. He came, got gas, giving estranged looks, paid his large sum with straight cash, and left. His sheer strangeness always left it’s mark, however.

The attendant looked away, and at that point the extended his hand to indicate it was time for the teens to pay for the gas they bought. Both the kids looked from the attendant, to the man in their rearview mirror, and back. They had more a look of amusement then fear in their eyes.

“Who’s that?” The kid asked, in a way that made the attendant want to smack the shit out of him.

“The owner of that castle you wanted to trespass on, that’s who…” He whispered as loud as he could.

The kid turned around, getting an eye-full of Riccardo putting the pump back into it’s little compartment on the stand. He took a look at the price, and without hesitation he reached into his pocket and started fingering through the wad of cash.

‘You stupid fool, don’t do what I think you’re going to do…Goddamn American, going to get us all killed…’

“Josh, what are you waiting for? Go ask him. Go ahead!”

‘You’ve gotta be fucking me.’

This “Josh” got out from his car, and the attendent, in his dirty uniform and 5 O’ clock shadow, stood back and watched as he swaggered over towards the strange man. And like a Roman citizen watching a life-or-death struggle, he couldn’t help but watch with strange amusement.

“Hey, man!”

Riccardo jerked his head up, and for a moment Josh got a good look at the man. Even from under his hat, those fierce blue eyes still burned. He caught a few cracks on his face, the sword-in-hilt he still carried at his side. And it was at that moment that Josh took a step back.

“The Hell do you want, child?”

The attendent saw the way the man moved after that- and automatically assumed the kid had just peed a little as well.

“Uh- is that…Really your castle?”

“You are a horses arse, boy.” He stated. “And I strongly suggest you leave my castle be.”

“Hey listen- We didn’t mean any trouble, okay? We just wanted somewhere to hang out. Everyone around here seems so critical of what we do…We just like that kind of stuff.”

“So you just pick a castle and decide to go there, eh? There’s plenty out there to find- but not mine. Go find somewhere else to defile.”

“It’s more then that-”

“Josh!” The girl cried from the car.

He spun and looked to her, a nervous smile on his face.

“Don’t tell him everything! Just get in the goddamn car!”

Don’t tell him everything? Riccardo thought, but kept it to himself. As far as he was concerned, they were a mere nusciense to be rid of. He was just glad he got them now, and not at the gates or even at the castle’s grounds. Had he missed them completely and not stopped for gas, they would have met with Fiona alone at home, with only the dog and Debilitas to contend with. The thought frightened him. Her being home alone was frightening enough without the fear of intruders.

The kid looked back at Riccardo with a weary eye, and gladly got back in, looking at the attendent in a rather hateful way. Luckily for both, the gas had already been paid for. Some arguing arouse from the car between the two, but it didn’t stop the kid from starting his Eurotrash rental up, which was small and dinged worse then even Riccardo’s Lincoln, and putting the car into reverse.

“Hey, kids!”

They both looked his way, they couldn’t help it.

“Have fun…!”

It wasn’t so much the words as much as it was his crooked crocodile smile. They sped out not too quietly, going in the opposite direction of the castle as he planned. Turning towards the rather surprised attendent, he handed a stack of cash.

“Keep the change. Condiser it a thanks…For keeping those yanks out of my home. There will be more if you keep it up, as well.”

The attendent wanted to say ‘thanks’, but just backed up with the money in his hand, nodding like some servant of the middle ages. Riccardo gave him no mind, and turned back towards his car. The attendent only heard a few more words by the strange, imposing man as he got in his car, still looking towards the direction the teens drove away in.

“I swear, I had ‘better not be reborn like that. I just might have to shoot him myself…”

--

Fiona was at the sink-washing dishes. She had no idea why, it was never asked of her. Yet she couldn’t stand sitting around being useless. Besides, the pile of dishes growing in the sink was getting to her.

It had been about a month since Fiona had discovered she was pregnant. No bulge appeared yet- though her morning sickness had waned, only popping up here and there, not every day. This morning was a fortunate one, and the sun was coming in just right to make her feel better. Christmas came and went with no celebration, but she wasn’t expecting one-nor wanted one, either.

January came, and was now nearly over. She was at least anticipating the Spring and hot, almost deadly English summers she had heard about. Yes, she looked forward to that, because even now she was still cold. On cue, she dried her hands off and wrapped her arms about herself, huddling to keep in the heat.

Hewie lay on the stone floor on the opposite end. His tongue lolled out as he seemed to be the total opposite, hot and bothered from chasing rabbits. Turned out there was plenty of them on the castle grounds. Until now, there was nothing here to keep their breeding in check. Not to mention the squerrils, chipmonks and other critters of interest.

Speaking of critters, Fiona still had dreams of that night he took her, literally, beyond the mirror. Since then, she had asked him, much to her own surprise, what other animals existed. He smiled at her and tried to stroke her face. She siddled away, only to approach her again.

“There is something else- but it will have to remain a secret for now.”

Why did he have to be so fucking cryptic? Already she felt like they had been together for years- and the concept frightened her. Sometimes she felt hopeless, and toyed with idea of still trying to be rid of the spawn inside her. Part of her still couldn’t believe the reality of the situation. Then, she had to admit, she felt rather…good. A sense of peace would overwelm her. The stress from school was completely gone. Nothing was demanded of her besides her body. And it had become increasingly more and more easy to give that up.

And yet, there was no challenge anymore. Besides that of the mind, which was constant. Still, she felt the need to do something. It was almost a guilt-trip. She wanted to give something in return, even if what he was giving was unwelcome.

“Hungry boy? Didn’t have breakfast yet, did you?”

She spied the dog’s bowels- which Riccardo had brought home last shopping trip. Two large stainless steel bowls with rubber rims. They lay on a large mat. Kibble lay strewn about. He did buy some actual dog food- and Hewie did eat it on occasion. Yet most of his food was still actual meat. So far, the dog was still in good shape. Yet she wasn’t in the mood to cut up any meat or veggies right then. Dog food it was for him!

Wondering over to the newest addition to the kitchen, it was a dog food container. It was tall and made of plastic. She was actually smiling, it made her feel like she had a purpose in life again. Fiona took pride in her dog, and was doing everything she could in how to learn how to take care of one the best way she could. She wasn’t sure why- perhaps mother’s insitct- but she knew it had to be done.

The container held the best dog food money could buy- and she scooped out about a cup and put it into his bowl. Hewie watched this, and then jumped up. He sniffed the food and took a few kibbles, then left it be. He had been spoiled. But Fiona knew- he would come by when he was hungry enough.

Suddenly, she doubled over in a cramp, and she slowly sank into a crouch at the floor. She didn’t scream, but wasn’t holding back either. Licking her lips and breathing heavy- she sat there and wallowed in the bit of agony. It was twice as bad as a period cramp. It felt like her insides were being eaten alive, but she knew it was more of her young body responding to the pregnancy.

“Why did you did this me? Why… Why?”

Hewie came over to her, and licked her face gently. It made her laugh, but it hurt to laugh. She whinned as another shot of pain went through her.

“Riccardo. You son of a bitch. You did this to me- Ahhh!”

Leaning forward, she touched the cold stone floor with her head, and there she lay for a good many hours. She was just glad Riccardo wasn’t actually there to either mock or comfort her- both were just as bad as far as she was concerned.

At least she still had pain to keep her from losing her hold on reality.

He was elated. She had been with him for a few months now, and in that time she had loosened up a little. Occasionally she would look him in the eye, but it would be fleeting. He noticed that she was beginning to grow more comfortable with him around, no longer trying to leave at every opportunity. Although she didn't quite strike conversations with him, when he mentioned something to her, she was more likely to respond and talk, avoiding his eyes, but looking at his face.

Today was a big day for him, he was taking his monthly trip into town, which he had been putting off for some time. He would not take Fiona, though he admitted he would love to. Riccardo wanted to dress her in something beautiful, take her about town, parading her about in pride. But he knew that was too risky, she might try to make a break for it. He didn't know if she would or not, but just the chance of it occurring was too much of a risk right now. A fully pregnant woman would be easy to keep track of and monitor, but not one with no bulge to her stomach, and with some energy still left.

Every time he went into town was a rather...interesting event. He constantly hid his face beneath a wide brimmed hat, hiding his body underneath a long overcoat. With his head down, his face in shadows, it was a rather effective way to stay hidden. When someone spoke to him, or even so much as bumped into him, they seemed uncomfortable. He wondered whether this was because of his gloomy appearance, sly voice, or sneaking glimpses of his face.

It wasn't the most pleasant experience in the world, and yet he did enjoy getting out of the stuffy place for the day. He had even more shopping to do this time, as his new mistress had graciously made a list for him.

He was looking it over now as he snuck a look while he drove, a small smile spreading across his face. Rather ambitious, wasn't she? It included junk food- like chips, cakes, candy. He chalked this up to cravings, as she had never asked for it before. More clothing was on the list, as well as some more reading material.

The list continued to go on, strange food made up the bulk. He had no problem acquiring such items if they made her happy. However, he would need to remember to remind her that such items should be ate in moderation. He wasn't well versed in such 'modern' things, he knew he would have a hard time finding half the stuff.

He had fixed the TV, so in the very least it gave her something else to do. Yet it was still on it’s last legs, and knew that he would need a new one. Riccardo didn't watch much television, he was always too busy. He used it mostly to catch the latest events of the outside world, occasionally catching an informative program or two. But he knew Fiona had most likely grown up with it, and caught her watching it in her spare time. It kept her calm and occupied, perhaps it would be a good idea to get her a bigger, nicer one.

There was also a list below hers for Hewie, it included dog food, a dog brush, a flea collar, and raw hide chews. He didn't know much about the proper care of dogs, except that they could be used for guard work, ate table scraps and feeding them garlic helped keep fleas at bay. This, along with fatherhood, was a new world to him.

The dog was starting to grow on him. Hewie was actually beginning to split his time between Fiona and Riccardo, gradually becoming used to him. He didn't 'love' the mutt, but found him to be more useful then expected. He guarded over his mistress, barking at Debilitas if he came near. Once, she was walking in the garden, and the dog barked up a storm in the bushes. Riccardo investigated, finding a venomous snake in the brush.

He always admired snakes, it was the Belli family crest, not to mention their many uses in alchemy. And so he did not dispose of it, and instead took it by the tail and put it into a bag. He then took it outside the castle grounds, letting it free. Regardless, he had a new respect for the mutt, and would not harm a hair on the beast. Fiona was actually beginning to take an interest in training the dog, and even successfully taught him to bite the dummy in the training yard. He was impressed, and told her so.

Riccardo knew that one of Aureolus’ clones, his named slipped his mind at this time, was a dog lover. So in a sense he knew where Fiona's love and talent of training for the White Shepherd came from. It was in the Belli blood, deep down, somewhere.

The note was promptly folded up and deposited in his hidden side pocket. He had already explained to Fiona what was happening today, that he would be gone nearly all day. It was made explicitly clear, though, that she not try anything.

"If you run. If you somehow find a way out while I'm gone..." He told her that morning. "I will find you. I have ways, my dear, I have connections, and money talks. You will be found, and I will not be too happy with you when I do. I can tell you that your freedom will be restricted a great deal, and you will never go into town with me."

She nodded as she was told this, and she knew already she wasn't going to do anything. Fiona had already tried that, tried to jiggle the castle lock with a pin, tried to scale the gate, or any other surface. Once, she even went back to the Chaos forest and find a way out through the trees. She was met with an eight-foot stone wall, and an impossible cliff. The place was secure, like some unintentional prison.

There was only one way out, and that was through Riccardo.


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There was a sort of chemistry between them, though she wouldn't admit it. He knew what she was going to say or ask before she did, and she began to notice what upset him and what didn't. She began to notice certain things about his personality, looking closer into his psyche than she wanted to. He hung around her almost constantly, his presence a part of the normal background.

One could get used to the most horrible, hated of things. That's what happened with Fiona, she came to the point of complete tolerance. She could no longer truly hate the man, he was just too good to her. She never thought she would even think such a thing, but as time wore on, things changed.

There would always be a certain revulsion to his “love“, both physical and mentally. Anytime he came close to her, his gaze shifted to her belly, which would start gradually growing by the month anytime now. It made her feel strange. She knew it was inside her, a child that was mostly his. Even when he wasn't fucking her, there was a part of him still inside her, growing like some cancerous tumor. There simply wasn't a way to be more intimate then that.

And it turned her stomach beyond belief.

Fiona stood from her chair, even now she had a hard time moving about. She became dizzy, and held the side of her head to help refocus. Her hand always consciously went to her belly, almost as though she was attempting to protect her baby. For a moment she considered this, and it really did bother her.

"Will I care about it?" She asked herself.

For a moment her arm rested about her midsection, the small life forming within her. Fiona truly wished she knew what it looked like now, perhaps she would go to his study when he was gone, and see if she could find a book about pregnancy. Surely, it shouldn’t be too hard.

Fiona couldn't effectively answer her own question. It would be part of him, Hell, it would be mostly him. How could she care for his child, his 'next incarnation' as he put it? Something told her she would hate the baby...Even if she didn't want to.

What choice did she have?


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Riccardo was never one to think much of the pain of others...Not unless he would benefit from it. Fiona morbidly wondered if he got more pleasure from the news of his child, then the act of killing her father.

The truth was he remembered just how satisfied he felt when he plunged the knife in. The look in his eyes was worth it alone, he didn't know if Ugo ever saw, or knew who did it. But he hoped he did, then he would know why it was done. He hoped that knife through his chest was just as painful as the one Ugo put through his own, when he left them to fend among themselves. He had it coming, and deserved every serrated edge he got.

There was still a part of him, he would admit, that wanted his clone brother still around. It would delight him like no other to see his face when he witnessed his pregnant daughter. And then informing him that he was the father and that he had been sleeping with her. Ayla would have been a good fuck, too, if she was happy with Ugo, she would have been more then satisfied with him!

Unfortunately for him, he never had the opportunity to test out that theory, she died from the crash. Stupid bitch should've been wearing a seatbelt. It almost made him regret going along with Lorenzo's plan. But, what was done was done, and now he would have to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and look forward to the birth of his next incarnation.

What choice did he have?

---

The car itself was nothing special. It was a black Lincoln, bought new on a lot some six years ago. It was chosen at random, as he had no concept what made a good car, except that it got you somewhere. Before that, he had used Lorenzo's car, a Lexus that was never cared for and fell apart soon after he touched it. The old man stopped driving it years ago and it became unofficially his. Still, he hated the thing and drove it in to be traded for his current one.

He was paying for the attack now, as it made a clunking noise now as it drove along. He remembered when he learned how to drive, this was something that Ugo had accelerated at and beaten him to the chase in years ago. Ugo loved to drive, and spent more time on the road then any previous incarnation before him.

Riccardo snorted at the memory of his twin. Despite being older by a few hours and being Ugo's 'big brother', he tended to be picked on, put down. He wondered why they thought so differently, and almost never communicated. Sometimes he wished things were different, that his asshole of a brother would actually agree with him and talk to him every now and then. When he did open his mouth, it was to make fun of something he valued.

It didn't surprise Riccardo that Ugo decided to stop teaching at the academy. He did have interest in alchemy, as all Belli’s do, but it was obviously shallow and unattached. Instead, his mind wondered, and he found his way into some woman's pants instead, running away with her to America with no words to them. He was always a rebel, always running to the car to 'take a drive' when things were demanded of him. He would disappear for days at a time, a few years ago he came back completely pissed, drunk off his ass, and that was when the two had their last real fight. He witnessed Ugo stumbling through the front gates, closing them in a drunken haze, and making his way to the main door.

Riccardo sneered- he didn’t understand this shit one bit. Why go out and get drunk when there were more then enough drinks in the castle? The whole cellar was full of wine! And he knew that’s what he was getting wasted on, too. Going to that one girl’s house and getting smashed together.

“Ah, Ugo!” He faked his joy for his return.

“How nice of you to join us, we were just getting ready to try the metal process again-” On cue he, ran out the front door and closer to him.

“…When I discovered you weren’t here! Again! Imagine that?”

He seethed at his clone-brother. Furious, as he was Aureolus Belli's 'perfect' clone, and couldn't afford to be lost, injured, or fucked-up. Like he was now.

"Like you give a shit," He uttered, his eyes wild, his voice slurred. "-Like you'll do anything."

"Like Hell I won't. I'm tired of you're bullshit Ugo, stop being such a selfish little prick and start thinking about you're life-"

"Maybe I don't want to end up like you two- lonely and holed up in this Godforsaken pit of Hell. Maybe I want something else. You ever think of that, asshole?"

"I‘m afraid not." Riccardo said, his voice edging on the sharpness of a knife.

"Because we are Aureolus Belli. We cannot let his great Azoth die. If you cannot understand that, Ugo, then maybe you are not him... Maybe you're the fucked up one in this family, not me."

Ugo smiled, much like his own, but something a little more sinister to it, something a little scarier.

"I don't think anyone can be any more fucked up then you."

He lost it. Riccardo swung and punched his brother, sending the buzzed Ugo back and to the left. For a moment he stood there, holding the spot on his cheek that had been dented. His eyes glaring with the same hate and bloodlust that dwelled within both of them. Ugo tackled him to the ground, he straddled his older brother, punching him, wrapping his hands around his identical neck.

His face turned pale, blood draining from it as his life started to fade away. Ugo’s legs kicked fruitlessly on the stone ground, his hands clutching at his clone’s own neck but unable to form a grasp. A voice in the back of his hand urged him to do it, to snuff him out. Close it tighter, harder, smash his windpipe…

Then his humanity, no matter how little he head, took hold of the situation. He broke the stranglehold, punching Ugo again, later finding out he had broken his nose. For a moment they stopped, and Ugo crawled up and away, standing up with his nose bleeding.

They exchanged looks. Identical looks. It was like a mirror, and one of them was cracked and broken. At that moment there didn’t need to be words, they understood one another perfectly. They thought the same, they were, after all, the same person. Riccardo turned around and walked away, leaving his brother bleeding at the front door. And he didn’t look back.

After that, the two ignored each other to an even greater degree. When one entered a room, the other would leave. Words were rarely ushered. There was a brewing hate that Riccardo had for his brother. On the other hand, Ugo began to grow up a little, taking his duty to the castle a little more seriously. He tried several times to bridge the hate between himself and his brother, with little success.

"Save the words, Ugo." He would often reply.

"...You have already proven you're worth to me."

Those last words echoed in his mind as he drove, the forest that surrounded the castle thick and overcrowded. It was always a peaceful drive into town. The trees formed a canopy above the road, letting little light in and creating a brooding shadow. Memories floated in from his past, some wanted, others not.

Lorenzo had called him a 'bad apple', a troublemaker, and he was right. Compared to Riccardo, Ugo was a pussycat. Ugo always meant well at the end of the day, but Riccardo never did. When he did something wrong, he reveled in it, rolling in it like a cat in heat. His apologies fake, never sobbing when scolded, his exterior cold, like that of a machine. In the end, it was his brother that wore his heart on his sleeve, he showed ethics, feeling, he felt love. Deep down inside, he was more human than any clone created.

And Riccardo hated him for it.

That didn't change, however, his brother's comments and actions against him were permanent. His scarring ran deep, just as deep as the scars that lined his skin. Lorenzo never stepped in, never cared. Yet, Lorenzo was always proud of Ugo, not caring that he would often go off and leave them, it was as though he ignored it completely. He believed Ugo could do no wrong, it was Riccardo, the 'imperfect' one, that was at fault. By the time he matured, it didn't matter, the damage was done. There was a seething contempt, a bitter hate for all things not him and all things that didn't care about him.

Why did Ugo deserve to carry out the bloodline, to bastardize it by procreating a child, a healthy child? He was the original incarnation, he assured. They were of the same blood, the same sperm, the same raw material. They shared the same azoth of Aureolus, the same of Lorenzo and so on. Surely, that child was his as well, by right?

With a sigh, Riccardo drove on. His mood suddenly depressed and withdrawn. He never tried to think of such things, as they distracted him to the point where he couldn't drive. The license he had now was fake, made by someone off the street. The person in the picture was Lorenzo as a middle-aged man, and with the exception of the scars, it looked exactly like him. It wasn't that he couldn't pass the test, but more of an issue of having his privacy poked at. He didn't want pictures taken, questions asked, motives questioned. He taught himself to drive, and luckily for him, was never caught.

The forest ended, he began to enter the same neighborhood that Hewie had been captured in. There were no 'missing' posters, no searching owners. It appears they once cared about the dog, but not enough to take up a search. At least, that he could see.

Riccardo never felt sorry about the owners he kidnapped dogs from. He felt more sorry for the dogs, if anything. And not by much. Such dogs were always kept outside, unattended, in the middle of the night. Sometimes they were on a chain, which had become rusted with age and chinked from use. The dog's barks, if such mutts barked at all, went ignored. Some were allowed to roam at large, barking and growling at the car before it even came to a halt.

Sometimes he would turn down a dog, even if he needed the Azoth badly. Once, he stopped in front of a wondering dog in a nearby abandoned house. It was a pit bull, his ears cropped and sagging, tail bitten in half, face scarred by bites. He knew such dogs legally needed to be kept muzzled when in public, and it was a stray. He locked eyes with the animal, the pit’s eyes sad and beaten. He felt a sort of kinship with the beast, his face also mutilated, not by birth, but by man's cruelty. Whatever Azoth left in that creature deserved to be, and so he drove on, leaving the dog to wherever he had decided to wonder. He wondered if that was in fact a crueler fate then killing the beast.

He drove by the same place today, slowing a little as he reached the abandoned house. There was no dog, whether that was good or bad he couldn't guess. The houses here were rather mundane, low-key. Riccardo couldn't possibly understand how people could live in such small houses. Yet he never dwelled on the lives of others much. There was too much there, too much complexity and understanding that might mean he might start caring for such people, and that would have been a hamper to everything.

The small town went by fast, and he gradually only saw a house here and there. He finally came across traffic, which always made him nervous. Every time a car went by he assumed it was looking at him, turning their heads to somehow see through his hat and shadow and peer at his deformity. The windows were halfway down, it wasn't hot or cold, but he needed some air. He was heading to the commercial district some good miles away. It would be an hour before he reached it, and tried his best to hold on until then.

He was beginning to miss Fiona already.


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There were a lot of books in the study, most of them were scientific or alchemic in nature. She did find a few on the development of fetuses, and didn't think it was a coincidence that they looked to be opened recently. No doubt when Riccardo was thinking up this scheme, he had done research into such things. It disgusted Fiona to think that as she was in college, learning how to be a successful adult, or on the plane with her mother and father, or in their hotel, a man was dreaming up plans to impregnate her with his offspring.

She wondered how Riccardo knew where they were, and how he got to them. Surely, they had to plan such a thing. They had an eye on them the minute they entered the country, she knew it somehow. How Lorenzo and Riccardo did it, she didn't know. The minute they entered the country's airspace, touched down, and stepped off to begin their vacation; they were doomed.

Fiona shivered as she closed the book and put it back. She had been in the study for hours, and now she began to grow hungry again. There was a reluctance to leave, like there was more to be discovered if she just probed deeper. There was a part of her that wanted to, but knew that what she found might mirror the mind of the man. she wasn't sure if she wanted to enter his world. There might not be any turning back.

But she was curious, her mind screaming for her to look around. She complied, turning around and moving towards his desk. She began to rummage through his things, and knew that if he could see her now he would be furious. Somehow it made it all very satisfying.

Some people came walking down beside him, and he moved in an awkward way to avoid them. They didn't notice, talking too loud to even see him very obviously get away.

He entered the grocery store, his hat obscuring his face, which drew a few glances in of itself. The warm heat vents hitting him like a slap in the face. He had been so acclimated to the rather temperate atmosphere of the castle that such a modern device was rather extreme for his tastes. With a deep breath, he took a cart, shaking it from the others that lined the entrance to the supermarket. He decided that he would get all the things he needed first, which was considerably short now considering both Daniella and Lorenzo were now dead. Good riddance.

It was a simple little grocery store in a small town. The prices were fair- not great but he could care less. They carried a good lot of everything he needed. Too bad he’d never been to a WalMart or he’d only had to have made one stop. As it was, he would need to stop at a butcher, and hardware store yet. It would all just barely fit in the car. Already the gears in his head were turning for another stop as well. He loved spoiling Fiona with gifts. This time he would have to make a stop at the local electronic store while he was at it. Seeing that shy smile on her face was worth far more then anything money could buy.

“Excuse me, sir?”

Riccardo damn near jumped five feet in the air, and he spun around to see a meek girl pop up behind him.

“Would you like to donate to the local orphan fund?”

He hesitated, and looked the girl up and down. She was Asian, thin and short. So frail that he swore he could just push her over if he wanted and she’d break every bone in her body. And surprising him like that had made him want to do just that. Her eyes were distant, and she looked to have been doing this all day because she had to, not because she gave a shit. She was standing next to a table with papers and displays advertising the charity that apparently the store sponsored.

Her voice was low, and it was obvious she was afraid to even talk let alone want to. And to such a strange man, at that.

“I’d rather not. Thanks for the offer, miss.”

Turning straight around, he went to push his cart when he slowed and stopped…Something had come over him. Why the hell not? He didn’t particularly care about any kids that weren’t his, yet he didn’t care about money, either. If Fiona was there, she would not have approved of his refusal.

Coming back over, he surprised himself with his sudden generosity. He reached in his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and thumbed easily through the pile of cash to find around a hundred dollars by US standard. The girl looked at him strangely, and rightfully so.

“I changed my mind. Have a splendid day, young miss.”

Without missing a beat, he turned back around and started making his way back to his original destination. The girl called out a swift “Thank you!” in response, but he didn’t listen or care. Instead he took off towards the produce aisle to load up.

Pulling out his list, he looked it up and down.

“Let’s see, now…Apples…Oranges…”

The cart filled quickly. As was his way of shopping, as it wasn’t an activity he enjoyed. His boots clanked heavily on the linoleum floor as he went about each shopping counter and tossed a large number of just about every item in. He pillaged the fruit section, filling nearly half the cart with apples, bananas, lemons, oranges, tomatoes, nearly ten of everything. He knew it was a lot- but the fact of the matter was that it all ran out far too fast.

Besides, with Fiona now pregnant, something told him it would run out far too fast for his liking! He wondered when the cravings would start, he looked forward to it. The minute her stomach would bulge, he knew he would be a giddy idiot about it, and he didn’t care. Thinking about it put a smile on his face, and made passerby’s look at him even stranger then before.

He always looked the same. But Riccardo was not so naïve as to the changing of the decades. As a young man, he saw the change of the 60’s, with it’s peaceful children wearing anything from tie-dye to looking as though they haven’t showered in weeks. He’s seen the 70’s with all it’s free-sex-and-drugs attitude that he also witnessed suddenly take a nosedive. The veterans coming back from a war in faraway lands with limbs missing and dreams crushed. Minds destroyed from the fighting and Agent Orange as they had blank, dead, lifeless eyes.

Then came the 80’s where music ruled the world. Kids with hair miles high, and smelled heavily of hair spray to keep it like that. Covered with everything from band logos to leather. That was his favorite decade so far- for once he wasn’t the one being stared at. That title belonged to the ones wearing tattoos and mohawks everywhere they went.

The nineties were his least favorite- the whole world was growing up. And he was growing older- which depressed him enough without an heir. His country was at war again, helping the United States in the middle east. Just as they were, now. Yet people seemed to care even less now then they did back then.

At least in this decade, the millennium- the world was opening up once again. Woman were wearing skimpy clothing and it had become socially acceptable. Riccardo was a man, after all. And he rather enjoying the scenery, he got an eye-full every time.

Speaking of which…

A lovely girl was leaning over the bananas stand, showing him her splendid cleavage by accident. Riccardo’s eyes were glued to it like he had just seen the ocean for the first time. The small, revealing shirt that read “Motörhead” broadcasted her music tastes, as did the “Black” and “Sabbath” tattoos above each breast. And then she turned, and bent over to put some in her cart, showing her thong that rose above her jeans. He didn’t recognize that he had taken a step forward to get a better look. He was practically drooling in his mouth.

He woke himself up before she noticed, and turned away just in time. Riccardo swore when he got home he was going to slam Fiona like he’d never had before. Now that he had more than enough sex then he’s had in twenty years, he craved it like never before. Already he fantasized about what he was going to do to her when he got home. He couldn’t wait!

Another smile on his face, he rolled the cart away from the cock-tease. Next on his list was the dairy section. The girl he was just eyeing rolled beside him and went to the milk fridge. She bent down again to get some skim milk…

God, he loved the millennium.


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Fiona suffered another stroke of agony whilst searching the study, then almost fell asleep on the floor. She had never wanted him more then right at that moment. Even when Lorenzo was attacking her, she at least was fighting for her life. Not in total agony as she was now. Yet slowly, as time went by, it faded until total emptiness. A fleeting horror wound through her body, and it was for her baby. Their baby, technically. Yet she didn’t want to think of it that way. As much as she didn’t want to give birth to his child- she also didn’t want an innocent life, especially that of her baby- to die.

The young woman, a girl, really- Had to remind herself that the life inside her wasn’t at fault for the person that put it there. Even if it was true that it would carry his life, his knowledge and even past memories, it was still just a child. And it was totally helpless, relying on her to grow, to simply live. To be nurtured.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she let out a cry of despair as she rolled over on the carpeted, but still chilly floor. Her head was thudding from the blood pressure and an oncoming headache. Tears were drying on her face, and she sniffled in response. Hewie was laying next to her, his comforting white coat still holding her together by her mental seams.

“Hewie, what did we ever do to deserve this?”

Confused, the dog got real close to her face and sniffed it, licking her a little right at her lips. She sputtered and laughed, grateful that the dog could make her feel better so easily.

“Hewie! Not on the lips, love.”

Oh, God listen to her…She was starting to sound just like him. It scared her more then she wanted to admit. A part of him was already inside her, after all. Thinking of him made her realize he would be back, eventually. In a sense she was almost relieved. If Riccardo had been here; she wouldn’t have lasted long on the floor. She would have been scooped up, placed in her bed, and given some sort of alchemical remedy to make her pain just float away.

Then again, he also would have treated her like a child. A child, she had to admit, that she still was. Fiona knew she still had room to mature as an independent adult, and knew it could never happen in this place. Not while she was being fawned over and treated like a queen. Not while she still wanted to hide like a little girl when her father was angry. Her own comparison to Riccardo as a father disturbed her as well.

Carefully, the girl stood up. She hobbled like some old lady over to the desk and placed her arm about her midsection. It chilled, and saddened, her to think that sooner then she would like- it would start to grow. A bump at first, yes. They call it a “baby bump” to be cute. But for her it will be a horror to actually see it. And Riccardo will be fawning over her like a dog humping a leg.

Fiona put her hand to her head, and sighed. Too much…Too much for someone her age. None of this should have happened. Shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be pregnant. Let alone with the child of her parent-murdering, psychopathic captor. She wondered if she was in fact, in a padded room somewhere instead of in an actual alchemist’s castle in England.

What kept her going was reminding herself to think in the moment, not of the future. Not even the near future. If she did, it would only lead to depression. Because thinking of the future as a sure thing just couldn’t happen…She didn’t know what the future would hold for certain.

She reached over her shoulder to feel the birthmark she had since she was born. In was slightly raised from her skin. This caused her dilemma, her father upsetting this family of hers is what started it. Both by leaving and by impregnating her mother.

Again and again, she had to tell herself, that it she wasn’t anyone’s fault but the residents of this castle. Not hers. Not her parents.

Right?


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Now the cart was stacked with cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and some vanilla-flavored milk. The last four requests specifically from Fiona. He wasn’t happy about the fact that this stuff would melt if he wasn’t fast enough- but he convinced himself it would have to be okay. He tried to get the flavors she wanted- he could see a pregnant girl like herself getting an odd craving in the wee hours of the morning.

Meat, he didn’t have to worry about in this store. But he continued on, going down the bread, cereals, canned good aisles. All the while, he had his list, and Fiona’s. It included sugary sweets like breakfast cereals, granola bars, and not to mention pickles. Pickles raised an eyebrow. What, cravings already?

The store was relatively dead, which made him feel more comfortable to say the least. He was able to shop in peace, and take his time. Which was for the best considering he had extra things to acquire this time. He found himself in the ‘industrial size’ aisle. Loading up the cart to new record sizes. Great, now he needed to get a second one. How he was going to pull this off, he wasn’t sure.

As he rounded the corner, he heard it. It made him stop in his tracks.

“…says the car is totally trashed. Looks like it was attacked, rammed off the road. And the man inside was stabbed to death.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah, they’re still looking for the bloke that did it. Reckon I’ll be getting home early tonight.”

“’Don’t blame you one bit! Locking my doors tonight for the first time in a good lot of years…”

They went on for a good while about how the world was “so sad today” and so dangerous. Riccardo laughed inwardly and shook his head. Every generation says that! The world is far less cruel then it ever was, and it got less so every decade. Besides, he locked his doors every day, 24/7 not to mention the many, many traps. Anyone who didn’t at least lock them were a damned moron. He didn’t feel sorry for these simpletons one bit.

Riccardo did wonder how anyone found out about it, though he did know it would happen eventually. Perhaps a passerby found them, and the word spread. No matter, he was a free man and would remain just that. If worse came to worse, and he ended up in jail, he wouldn’t remain there long. He had several well-paid lawyers in London that got him out of clusterfucks before, and it would just as easy this time. And that was even if the cops decided to put their noses up at his bribes, and it has yet to happen yet.

Rolling past them, without fear, he made his way to the pets. He was down it a few times in the past, but this time he knew he needed to top off this cart. He grabbed two large bags of the most expensive dog food and piled them at the bottom above the wheels. It made the cart just heavy enough to strain when he pushed it. He threw in brushes, treats, wormer, toys…So much that some fell off the top, and he had to bend down to put it back. A woman and her daughter strolled by and smiled at the display. He couldn’t help but smile back from under his fedora. Even he could laugh at himself.

Just about done…Soon, he would be home with his Fiona again. Even thinking of her made his body turn rigid. A warm sensation filled him at her memory. It was a foreign sensation, one of comfort and well-being. Like life was worth living with her by his side. Was it love, he wondered?

Well, he supposed it didn’t matter. It was a foreign concept to him, anyway. If he did feel it, it surely wouldn’t weaken him. It was a rather useless emotion, if anything it prevented progress. Lust was far more satisfying. That’s what made his brother weak, that’s why he was dead now. It wasn’t his fault, perhaps not even Lorenzo’s. He may have killed his brother, and rather wanted to. But he never really loved him, anyway. Had no remorse, no feeling for anybody…

Right?


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The car was gone. It was for a good many days. But it was there far longer then it should have been. Car tracks led from the crash site, to back where it was towed out. The dried blood had long since left the ground, but even now broken glass lay scattered about the former crash site. Two white crosses had been placed there by some courageous citizen, both as a memorial and a warning to any passerby’s of just how dangerous the road was.

A man stood by, looking at the now still and quiet scene with dark eyes. Yet the eyes themselves were not dark in color, they were blue. Identical to those seen before. Though his silhouette was slightly different. He took a puff from his cigarette, then blew the smoke into the wind. This man rarely smoked, but when he did it was to calm himself down, and he needed it after the recent flurry of activity. With a slight flick, he dropped the cigarette and crushed it into the worn tracks of the car. A string of smoke puffed into the cold pre-Spring air as it died.

He was dressed in black from head to toe, with the absence of a hat. As he had nothing to hide. He strained his head back both ways, and looked at the scene once again. As the one that found them, he was rather curious to see the scene without a car at all. Though he knew who did it, and why.

When he discovered the car, the corpses within it were there for a good many months. They were starting to rot, and smelled horrible. He had to inform the authorities, of course. It made him look more trusted by the community and prevented him the dirty work of hiding the car and Alya’s body. It was only Ugo’s that he was interested in. And he had already taken care of that particular issue. Better then would have anticipated, actually.

Now the wheels were in motion. He smiled at the thought. Riccardo had Fiona now, that he knew for a fact. And he also knew that Fiona would almost certainly be pregnant at this point. The Belli’s were already rather keen on intercourse, but Riccardo especially, he had heard, was like a rapid animal when it came to the deed. Thanks to his reliance on dog Azoth. This made the man in black cringe- how he could put that into his body, he would never understand.

If Fiona was pregnant- good. Part of his plan was already unfolding. It was a plan that would take years in the making, almost twenty years at that. Yet a man like him had more then enough time on his hands. He could wait, and he would. So far the evidence proved that the first part of his scheme was in play. It was like watching animals court- and he was the observer. The naturalist with a camera that watched them mate and propagate.

More soon then he could imagine, he would harvest the fruits of their union. It would be far sooner then any other wait he had in his whole, long life. Until then, he would wait patiently for nature to take it’s course.

The man in black lit another cigarette, and took a long puff. He had to tame his excitement, reminding himself he had a long wait. But it would be here before he knew it. Or rather, ‘she’ would. The man in black looked towards the direction of the castle and smiled, so tempted was he to eavesdrop on their little mating game like the ‘naturalist’ he had become.

Leaving the scene of the crime, he walked towards his Mustang parked nearby and got in. He was a busy man, and would have to get back home soon. His new guest needed tended to, and he was positive he would love the news he would have for him. How he would respond would depend on how far his recovery was going.

“Soon…” His familiar voice purred.

“Just like the oroboros…We’ll be one again.”


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Slowly, he moved towards the checkout, a few items on Fiona's list still needed. He looked up at the clock on the wall, he tried make as much time as possible. Leaving her home alone always made him nervous. It had been a few hours, yet he knew he wasn't truly finished. There were some things he would have to get at some other places, including some chemicals on his personal list.

Riccardo walked past it, figuring he could kill a few minutes by looking for those things for Fiona. As he did so, he watched a man walk by with his wife. They were a young couple, obviously taken with each other. And in the cart, in a special seat, was a baby. He tried not to stare, but found it hard not to. Instead, he waited for them to pass. He watched as the three interacted, they obviously loved one another. The baby began to cry, so the mother unbuckled him, and held him close. The baby soon was quiet, nestled in his mother's embrace.

He never wanted to be a family man, never wanted to be like Ugo, carting his wife and daughter along. It seemed sour to his palette. It was too ordinary, too normal. It made him a bit sick to his stomach to think to turn out anywhere like that. Alchemy and music were his reason for living, even the latter was his personal choice and not his destiny, anything else was near trash to him. But now? Now he was ready to add some more things to his list. He had Fiona, and now even that dog, that mutt, was...slightly less irritating then before.

The minute he saw her lying in the seat of the car, dazed, unconscious, he knew his dreams of his Azoth being reclaimed would come true, he remembered laughing in glee. She would come to be the mother his next incarnation. As he watched the woman move about the castle, he felt himself drawn more and more to her, a frenzied, insane sort of chase ensued. At that point he didn't care if he hurt her. He needed her, he craved her as both a carnal desire and bodily need. All he wanted to do was knock her down and spread those legs of hers. Even after having her several times already, there was something distinctly arousing about that thought.

Yet here he was, admiring a family as they held one another's hands, and cared for their offspring. Why was this any different then the very thing he was trying not to be? Why did he crave that, why did he want so desperately for Fiona to crave him back? Why did he care at all? It was no secret to anybody that he was a selfish man.

He turned from them, he didn't want to ponder all these questions; it bothered him. Riccardo knew why and what he was doing, he didn’t need to keep reassuring him he wouldn't change himself, he would remain the same person he always was. However, he couldn’t help but ponder if that’s really what he wanted, indeed.

Riccardo made a brake for the front, deciding he had seen enough of the outside world for now. There was only one human being he wanted to see for the next month, and that was Fiona. It was strange how he came to desire the woman's presence, now he missed her. He thought he could never come to 'miss' another, but now he came to it, now he knew how it felt. The Azoth filled woman made him feel alive for the first time in his life.

Now he was in line with several other people in front of him. The noise, smell, of the general populace enough to overwhelm his nerves. He groaned to himself, three people in front of him. Here, he was out of his element, a fish out of water. Anyone that shopped on a regular basis was more knowledgeable then him at this moment. And that killed him, he was used to being the superior one in his element.

Finally, it was his turn. The cashier greeted him, and he replied only as much as he had to. The woman looked tired and seemed as though she could really give a shit- doing only what she had to not to get fired. He put everything on the belt, which was promptly rung up, bagged, and set to put back in the cart. The cashier didn’t look to be none to happy ringing up his usually massive purchases.

He nearly forgot the dog food at the bottom, which was something he truly wasn't used to. The total was around three hundred pounds, which he promptly pulled from his wallet and handed it to the woman. She said 'thank you' and 'have a nice day', to which he replied “you too”, nodded and left. Riccardo was not one for conversation.

Pushing his cart into the parking lot, he took his time loading it up. The ice cream was already starting to get soft, but it wasn’t hot enough out to give him much worry. He piled the dog food in the back seat. Closing the trunk with some difficulty, he went to get in the front of his Lincoln-

A car was pulling in, and he instantly recognized it. Those damn kids from the gas station. They took one look, up and down, their eyes met his.

He didn’t even register when they peeled out, the kid driving barely looked behind him when he backed out. Smoke filled his vision and he could just breath enough to stop from coughing. The smell of burnt rubber clung to the air.

Why, he didn’t know he had such an effect on people! He saw them take off into the distance. He heard the beater’s engine rev as it accelerated away.

“Smart kids…” He said to himself as he watched them leave.

---

There was little to be found in the study, mostly just papers and books about alchemy and observations he made. There was an extremely large amount dedicated to the Luminiscents, which thankfully didn't appear nearly as much as they used to when she first arrived at the castle. She saw them a few times, but wasn't as afraid of them this time, as there was no one chasing her about like before, when they ran into her, there was a jolt and they dissipated. But she knew it was coming, and they didn't really bother her anymore. But it was irritating, in the same way a mosquito doesn’t scare you, but it sure gets on your nerves when they bite.

Surprising even herself, Fiona was disappointed. She somehow felt it would be much more revealing then this. There was a smell to the room, the smell of old books and papers. Now she knew what that smell was to him, it was strong on his clothing, the smell of pouring over books.

She sighed, looking over at Hewie. His tongue lolled out to the side, panting from running about the castle just a few minutes ago. The dog had full run of the place, sometimes Fiona wouldn't see him all day. He had yet to have any visible accidents in the place, which she was glad, she didn't know how upset Riccardo would be if he did. Hewie's behavior did a 180 after he was 'rescued' by him, it was odd, there was no longer any fear. Even if Fiona wanted to command him to attack Riccardo, it wouldn't be possible. The dog considered him to be his 'alpha' now, not an enemy or threat, but someone to be respected and listened to. A dog will never attack their leader.

Fiona didn't know whether to be upset with the dog or not. If he could have took Riccardo out, maybe she could have grabbed his keys and escaped. There were times when she looked about and saw various things that could bludgeon, stab or even kill the man. She could wait until he turned his back, do the deed, collect the key and get out.

Yet it never happened. She never did do it, or was ever anywhere close. Fiona always felt a revulsion to such thoughts. She was no murderer, no cold blooded killer. Though the want, the desire was there. It brought up a certain bile, certain disgust in her mouth. Riccardo may have been a horrible, horrible man that did horrible things. But if she sunk to his ways, she somehow imagined herself being brought to his level. She was already Daniella’s murderer, a thought that still didn't sound okay, especially after Riccardo seemed to revel in her deed. He also became her caretaker, willing or not, and there was a certain gratitude for everything he did for her. Instead of to her.

And then there was the sex. It was bittersweet when he made ‘love’ to her, she knew she should be upset, cry, maybe even throw up. Yet she never could express the sensation of both disgust and pleasure, never could stop herself from wanting his touch, his thrusts, his gentle kissing down her neck and to her breast...

With that thought a shiver went through her body, goose bumps appearing against her white skin. The very thought that his hands and mouth were already all over her body. She found herself both wanting and hating his touch again, she wished she could grab a psychologist and tell her all her woes. If these feelings were normal from being confined with a member of the opposite sex for far too long. She had convinced herself that if any two people, opposing sexes or not, were trapped together long enough that it would happen eventually. They were all animals, and one of their primal desires, some would say needs, was sex.

Still, a psychiatrist could do this place wonders.

When he touched her, she never did reply, just moan...She could never help herself, never resist. It was too potent of a feeling, a desire that would erupt if given the right stimulation. Fiona wondered if she was going mad, as she would loathe the man one minute yet crave him the next. This is what also made it impossible to kill him, she had a connection with the man now, an intimacy. If she did get out, escape, could she ever learn to be with anyone else besides him? Even if she tried, wanted to, could she ever actually do it without him in the back of her mind?

There was also the life in her womb. His life. His child. The baby, a mere fetus, totally relying on it's mother for development. She still didn't want the child, wishing it could miscarry and leaving her a free woman again. Yet there was also a feeling of love, of caring, of motherhood. There was a flutter of excitement, fear, could she do it? Regardless, that was his as well, and she couldn't bring herself to kill the father of her unborn child.

With a sigh she watched as Hewie left the room, she followed him out. It was raining outside, hard actually. Around here, with the large and open expanses, you would most defiantly know the weather. Why was it that castles are no longer being built? Oh, that's right, maybe draftiness?

It was a nice feeling though, the little droplets of water spritzing her as she walked by. The blood on one of the columns from her first night in the castle had since been washed away. She asked him, before, what it had come from. He said it had been from an intruder, which they did get from time to time in the place, they entered over the wall, and attempted to grab some valuables and make good their escape. They chose the wrong castle, though, and were soon greeted by a suspicious Riccardo as he was awakened easily from a small nap on his chair in the study. He exited the room, only to find another man, wielding a modern black berretta, but he didn't rise it soon enough. Riccardo shot him right through the head with his antique flintlock pistol, making a rather nasty mess. He found another one climbing the wall, using a rope, scampering up it in fear after hearing the gunshot.

Luckily for Riccardo, he didn't get away with anything valuable to him. Lorenzo, though, was pissed. It actually made her quite satisfied to watch the old man have a conniption fit over some stolen junk. It had happened only weeks before, the blood stain still remained on the column. Daniella never did get around to cleaning it, and until Fiona's arrival at his castle, he never lifted a finger to help unless very specifically asked. One of the reasons why Lorenzo had let Riccardo live was to have as a keeper, a butler of sorts to the residence. All the while his “precious” Ugo was allowed to study, and work on his studies all he wanted. Riccardo never took to such work, and ignored Lorenzo's requests half the time, instead doing what he, quite frankly, felt like doing.

Yet when Fiona arrived, it was a different world altogether. All she did was mention the blood, and he ran out to wash it clean. He nodded when she mentioned that it bothered her, and he seemed to take everything she said in with an odd attention. She somehow felt Riccardo was busier now with her than he had ever been before. He got tired faster, and he actually seemed to look forward to sleeping later.

What Fiona didn't know was that Riccardo was feeling worlds better, slowing down his aging by a few more years. All from the small amount of Azoth that he took into his body. As long as he had Fiona, he would barely age at all. As a matter of fact, it would reverse the process entirely. This was one of the reasons Lorenzo so desired her Azoth, it would virtually turn back the table of age, turning him into a middle-aged man again. Fiona would benefit from the Azoth as well, but in a different manner. She would not age as quickly, when she's fifty she will still look thirty, and when she's eighty she will appear in her late fifties. The same could be said of Riccardo, who would be remarkably preserved and able in his later years. If they ever came.

Riccardo may have aged quickly, but the Azoth supplements were enough of a shock to his system to keep him looking a bit younger than his actual age. The scars, however, would never heal completely, they were genetic, a result of the original DNA being degraded each time he was cloned, finally braking up with his. This was proven when Debilitas was created, he had a small scar above his right eye, and was horribly impaired in just about every way.

Fiona wondered if her child would be deformed. Scarred. God, she hoped not. On one hand she thought of Debilitas, she would scream if that was the result, she wouldn't know if she could handle it. The scars she would have to deal with. It was bad enough the father was genetically deformed, but the...well, she supposed 'inbreeding' would be the best word, wouldn't help, either. For a moment she laid her hand on her stomach, admiring it‘s current flatness. She may not have wanted this child, but she wished in the very least that he or she would be healthy.

She wondered into the kitchen, Hewie hot on her heels. She was hungry, again. Shocker. There was enough cheese left to munch on, and some more beef jerky. At home she used to eat deer jerky all the time, her uncle on her mother's side hunted, and would always bring by a fresh supply of the stuff around the season. She knew it would be virtually impossible to get around here, though.

Still, she gathered what was left and sat at the dining room table. Somehow, she felt lonely. Hewie sat below the table with his head on her lap. His eyes shifted from her plate to her face, his snout inches from the food. She smiled at the dog, and to think he just ate! His presence helped, but there was still an emptiness that couldn't be filled.

Fiona never really “had” a dog, technically. Yet they did take care of a stray for about a week. They told her it was just until they could find her a home. She remembered her from when she was little. It was a collie mix from what she could recall. She wondered into their yard, fur matted and emaciated. But they didn't have her long, she rushed out the front door and got hit by a car. She remembered her father taking the dog to the emergency vet in the middle of the night, waiting there in the office for the news they both knew would come. She had extreme cranial damage, and went into shock. They called them into the examination room, the lights brighter then in the waiting room, the dog they had named Dusty, not in sight. The vet, a young man in his early thirties that seemed generously heartbroken, gave them the news.

Dusty was in extreme pain, and probably wouldn't make it through the night. It was also revealed why she didn't see the car coming, it appeared she had what they called ‘corneal dystrophy‘, a genetic disease only collies and their mixes get. She was almost blind, her retinas falling from the back of her eyes. Fiona remembered crying into her father's shirt, his hand resting on her back.

"What can you do?" He asked the vet, but he only shook his head.

"I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do. Even if she does survive, the disease is so widespread she would be blind for the rest of her life. That would be okay in itself, but with the injuries she sustained tonight, she'll never be the same. She will have arthritis and require the same care of a senior dog. But blind dogs can become aggressive, especially if in pain. And once again...Her chances are slim. She's in shock right now, which means we can't administer any anesthetic. We're losing her..."

Ugo nodded, and looked to his crying daughter at his side. Everything he knew about the world, that he was taught, was no help at this point. Anything administered now would do little to no good. Such things were created to strengthen the body and increase stamina, which could in turn heal wounds, increase antibodies and increase energy. However, the dog's body was mutilated by the car, and it was too late for either medical science or alchemy to help. Even in the case of resurrection, he had long abandoned that part of his life. Never to return.

"We'll bring her out for you to see, so you can say goodbye."

She remembered hearing those words, and the wail she let out when he disappeared into the back room.

"Daddy!" She screamed. "Daddy, no! Don't kill her, please!"

That was the only time she ever saw her father cry. He wiped the tears away with his free hand, hugging her even closer with his other.

"She's suffering, honey." He tried to comfort her, feeling like he was some horrible person for admitting to such a thing.

"We're she's going there'll won't be any pain...You know, doggy heaven?"

She remembered being told about “doggy heaven” one day when they drove by a shelter, she had asked what happened to the dogs, and she was always told the truth about such things. The fate of pets that never did find homes.

The vet came in with their dog, her limbs dangling almost lifelessly and her pale tongue still dropping from her mouth. She was placed on the table, her chest rising and falling faster then normal.

Fiona wrapped her arms around the dog and cried into her fluffy coat, saying her goodbyes to their dog of only a few months. Ugo petted the dog a bit, obviously trying to hold back the full onslaught of his feelings. He raised a hand to his mouth, stifling his cries.

"Goodbye girl..."

Were his only real words, said through what was obviously laced with sadness, his voice warbling between a cry and a heave.

As he said this, the vet injected the overdose of anesthetic, slowly stopping the dog's heart and letting her sleep into a peaceful death. He put a stethoscope to her chest and nodded as her heart rate slowed, then failed. He nodded to the two, indicating the sad fact.

"She's gone..." He told Fiona and her father. Those two words always stayed with her, she would never forget the peaceful look of her dog's face as she slipped into the light.

“She’s gone.”

The girl remembered little after that, except that her father paid the bill, took her body home, and gave her a proper burial. Her mother was shocked at the news, crying the rest of the night. She never did get another dog after that, though she wanted to. Ugo, however, wanted nothing more to do with it. Dusty's death had heartbroken him, and didn't want to go through with it again. Not to mention, her strict parents hated the idea of a dog to begin with. Fur in the house, dirt, slobber. Is wasn’t their idea of anything the should have to deal with. She did admire friend's dogs, and still had a strong love for them.

Now she looked down at Hewie, a faithful and loving companion like no other. When Riccardo had shot him, she was sure he was a goner. It shocked her like no other to find that Riccardo actually brought the dog back, and fixed him up. From what she saw of the man, he was a cruel and uncaring person who seemed to care less about the canine.

She petted the faithful dog's head. Without the dog, somehow she felt there was no way she could have made it. There would be nobody there to talk to, to vent her feelings, to snuggle when she began to cry. It was because of Hewie that she was still alive.

Fiona took another bite of the beef jerky, ripping it with her teeth and beginning to chew the hard and tough meat. No cooking needed, the perfect snack. She was glad Riccardo cooked for her, because god knows she didn't know how. She burns toast, for Christ’s sake.

The only sound left in the room was the dull ticking of the grandfather clock. There were several in the castle, this one being especially loud in the large room. She looked over to it, it was beginning to go on six, he should be getting back soon.

Hewie walked away, finally realizing that he wasn't going to be given anything. She stood from her chair, taking the leftover bag from the jerky and throwing it into the refuse bin in the kitchen. This was her castle now, after all, like Riccardo said, and she might as well keep it clean.

Having nothing else to do, Fiona found herself pondering a nap. Her ankles were swollen, that dizziness returning. She wondered where she should lay this time, the bed smelled too much like him...And she was actually beginning to become used to that worked, tired, old-book smell of his. It was similar to the smell of a library, stale room, and gym rolled into one. Yet she tried to avoid it if possible.

In the end, she meandered over to the coach in their room, a tradeoff in the sense that it carried only a little of his scent. (Just about any sleeping surface contained his smell in some way or another.) She lay her body upon the cool surface, and she realized that she needed a blanket. There was one that Riccardo gave her a few days ago, she was complaining of the cold, and so he handed her a slowly unraveling red and white cotton blanket. It was very comfortable, and didn't smell much like him, either. He told her it was in the family for generations, and to be careful with it. She listened to him, and put it away when she was finished. Fiona got it out again, and laid it upon herself on the sofa.

The combination of the cold air, the wet rain coming down outside, the dark room, the warm blanket, and her tired, pregnant body was enough to make her fall asleep rather easily. She was more than comfortable, and her eyes closed, and didn't open for some time.

Her dreams were light, odd, she saw herself with her child. It was a boy, healthy, and fully grown. There was no question who his father was, as he looked like a teen version of him, scars and all. It frightened her at first, but when her son spoke to her in her dream, his voice even bordering on his father's, it was obvious he was full of love, his smile not sly, but bright and cheerful. She hugged her son, and her dream made her smile, if this was how it would really come to be, she decided…somehow, it would make all the misery worth it.


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“This one is the best model in the whole store. It has the most cinematic image quality. And, an anti-glare screen coating helps reduce shine. It has some of the best audio quality around-”

Riccardo’s head spun. He had absolutely no idea.

“Alright- alright. How much?”

“Excuse me?”

“I have no clue what any of that means. I could care less. It sounds complicated, you say it’s the best. Fine. I’ll take it.”

The salesman didn’t argue. He turned right around and went to the cash register. He stopped along the way to tell another salesmen to get the box out of the back.

He swiped one of his credit cards easily through the machine. It was one of the things he did get about the modern world. It was easy considering it beat taking cash out and counting it. Not to mention, he was more then good for it. The family had more money then could ever be disclosed. Aureolus and his clones had created enough gold and other rare materials to make enough money to keep their family living on easy street for the rest of their lives. He didn’t even bother to look at the bank statements anymore. They were always in the four digits. And that was only what he had put in the bank, after all. The money always flowed in thanks to his many stock deals, and even that was managed by a team of stockbrokers he rarely kept in contact with.

The widescreen plasma TV was a drop in a very large bucket. He just hoped it would fit into the car. The Belli’s had not owned a truck in quite some time. With perfect fluidity, he signed his name, and the receipt spat out just as fast. He smiled a bit in response, somehow he knew Fiona would love this.

After being thanked, he escorted them outside to his rather filled car. Opening the front door, he moved the seat forward and invited them to get it inside. It was a tall, thin box. At first it didn’t look like it was happening. Then they tilted and pushed just enough to get the front part through, and the rest slid in with little effort.

Riccardo thanked the help with a cool few hundred pounds each, to which met with much praise. Who’s to say he doesn’t have good karma? Jumping back in his car, he tried to get out of the rain before it soaked him completely. It was near sundown, and would be before he got home. It made him anxious to see his girl again.

For she was his- and already it seemed he was a separate half of a whole without her.


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Warmth. Comfort. Leathery fingers touched her soft, clear, perfect skin. She stirred at the oddly arousing sensation. It reminded her of…Something.

No, not something. Someone.

For the first time in a long time, she did not awake with a start. Her eyelids fluttered open, and he was there as predicted. Riccardo was gently stroking her face, her vision of him blurry. Closing her eyes again, she moaned to express how tired she was. She only had about an hour nap. Somehow, she felt she could just about sleep the rest of the night.

Then he did something new. He started to kiss her eyelids. Beckoning her to wake back up, though it had the opposite effect as it started to send her back into sleep.

“Come, love. I have something for you.”

“I bet you do. When did you get back?”

“About…forty-five minutes ago. Everything’s been unloaded.”

He stroked her hair, and she had to admit it felt nice. How could such a monster be so gentle?

“What do you want?”

“I want to see you happy, my love. Haven’t I made that clear by now? Come see what I have for you.”

She groaned like a teenager being asked to get up for school. Right now, she was comfortable. Really, she could use at least a few more…hours.

“But I’m so tired. And it’s so warm under here.”

Riccardo was getting pissed- but stopped when he realized he knew exactly what to do. He slipped off his sandals, pushing them next to the couch. A smile spread across his face as he contemplated what to do. If warmth was she needed, he’d make her warm, alright.

He took off his top hood, and the emblem made a “clank” as it hit the floor. This made her stir, and her eyes flutter. He smiled back, and slowly lifted the blanket. Again, she moved but only a little. Fiona was far too out of it to even want to move.

Then she felt his tremendous weight on her- and she knew what she had planned. Yet she was surprisingly calm. What was the point of fighting it? She was never going to win, get away. He kissed her lips, gently at first, then prying to get into her mouth.

“Open, Fiona.” He instructed. His voice serious.

Still, she stubbornly kept it shut. His anger began to rise, a flame inside his skull starting to brew.

“I said, open.”

Weakly, she did so. He wasted no time, kissing her deeply. She made a noise of despair, but it was muffled as he once again explored her mouth. Yet he was passionate, fueled by desire. Being away from her for this long was enough to heat that flame again. It was all he was thinking about on the way back home.

She let him kiss- his hands traveling to her breasts and gently giving them a squeeze. On instinct her legs popped up from under him on either side of his body. He made a pleasured noise that was muffled; his hips grinding into hers.

Already her body sang, craved. She didn’t understand why it was like this. It was as though they were magnets to one another. His hands came up to hold her face as he continued to kiss her, and then finally he released. After that he kissed down her neck, and went to remove her blouse. She never made a noise of refusal, just heavy breathing on her end.

It slipped off, the sensation of his breath on her breasts always frightening to her. He didn’t waste a moment, and felt his mouth on the right nipple in seconds, toying with the other with his hand. She uttered a moan and laid back on the soft pillow. Oh God, it felt wonderful. Why, God? Why did it had to feel this good?

Before Fiona could register, he had crawled down her body and removed her panties. Inserting a finger to make sure she was wet, he pulled down his own and smoothly penetrated. She made noises of discomfort at his still-surprising girth, but as always she took it all. He held her fast and still, grabbing her rear as he went deeper. Crying out, she muffled herself and bit her lip. He wanted all of her tonight, that much was sure.

Her back arched as she writhed under him, and her mouth opened to cry out. Each thrust filled her completely, made her body quiver and drive her to utter madness. She grabbed his shirt above her, one hand on each side, knuckles white.

“No…No…No! I’m gonna…I’m gonna-!”

She hated coming for him, despised it. Yet how could she not want to? The climax was the end reward of sex. In the very least, should she not enjoy the result?

On cue, hearing her words of protest, he grabbed her about the waist so hard that it stung a little. In doing so, he went harder and deeper. Each thrust feeling like the force of a train plowing into her. It’s what sent her over the edge, however. And she came with such force she clamped her legs around him in earnest. Pushing him deeper, he came as well. He felt her body tense and squeeze him, almost as though it was trying to take everything it could from him. Like his very soul, his essence.

It made her wonder. Was she?


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Anytime they had sex, his eyes would practically glisten. She could swear he would always look about ten years younger. Considering the effect Azoth had on the human body, she wondered if there was more truth to that then just appearance. He scooped some salad from the bowl onto her plate, a smile on his face as he did so. The sort of smile that couldn’t be wiped off easily.

Fiona sat there across from him, not enslaved, but dull. She stared into space. The more she came to enjoy her imprisonment, the further into madness she seemed to be drifting. It just didn’t seem to be reality. It was like a dream. Like she died back in that car crash. There was no castle, no crazy uncle that seemed to change by the day ether better or worse. One sex-craven and Hell-bent.

He was talking now, and she wasn’t listening to a word of it. One could compare it to those “Peanuts” cartoons where an adult just chattered away and nobody knew what the hell they were saying. Then he put his hand on her shoulder, and she awoke from her catatonic state.

“Fiona?”

She looked at him with a gaze of surprise.

“Wha-what? What’s wrong?”

He looked at her strangely, which scared Fiona. Because for a man like him to be looking at her like that, meant she really had to be doing something strange, indeed. A look of panic drained her face of all color, and she averted her gaze.

“I should ask you the same. Did you even hear what I said?”

Swallowing, she shook her head. Afraid to upset him even after the moment they just shared.

“I’m sorry. I don’t feel well…”

“What’s wrong? Seriously, love. What is it?”

Fiona shook her head, she didn’t know how else to put it.

“I don’t know. I just don’t-”

“If there’s something not to you’re liking, you know to let me know, don’t you?”

“Yes. Yes of course.”

Riccardo nodded, and gave her a weak smile.

“…Like the food? I had to make it rather fast.”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Thank you.”

They ate in silence, Hewie by their side as he tried to beg for food. He very rarely ever actually got anything.

The girl wondered if she truly was going insane. How would she know? What were the symptoms? God, she needed that psychiatrist right now.

“What was it you wanted to show me?”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It…

It was beautiful.

It had to be the nicest TV she had ever seen. Large, flat, and wider then any other TV her family ever owned. Despite their cash, they were not ones for having the latest technology. And oddly enough, she knew this castle wasn’t exactly the highest caliber in such matters, either.

She couldn’t talk. Just stare. He had placed it where the old TV used to be. That one was laying somewhere in the kitchen, laying on the floor like a piece of trash. At this point, it might as well be.

“How-what-why…I mean…Wow.”

Riccardo laughed at her reaction. How couldn’t he? She was being simply hilarious.

“I assume you like it, then?”

“I just don’t understand. I mean, a new TV? Whatever possessed you to get this?”

“The old one was a piece of shit. You knew that, didn’t you?”

“Well, yeah. I just never saw this coming! You guys don’t exactly seem keen on new technology.”

“True. But if it makes you happy- keeps you content in you’re home…I’m willing to upgrade.”

Fiona looked at him strangely, then looked back at the TV, still in box. It was huge, and she wondered where the hell they were going to put it, not to mention how to hook it up.

“Do we even have cable?”

“Have what?”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘This sucks…’

If Hewie could talk, that’s exactly what he would say. But it certainly was what he was thinking, anyway.

He was in a full tub, filled with warm water. Fiona poured a bucket of water over him, diluted with dog shampoo. Riccardo was keen enough to pick up flea and tick shampoo at the store. And she was glad, now. As she dipped her hands into his white fur and built up a foam, she saw the black insects just come floating out. She winced at the idea of the dog being next to her the whole time, infested with such pests.

“Good boy!” She cried happily.

The dog looked miserable, but didn’t attempt to get out. He’d had baths before, yet it didn’t mean he liked them. She washed his ears, his face, scrubbing as hard as she could. Even the area under his tail, which felt more comfortable to the beast then he would have liked. The water about him was turning a murky black, and his coat went from off-white to the very glimmer of the polar ice caps themselves.

She reached down into the tub and unhooked the drain. The low growl of water emptying surprised Hewie and made him look. Fiona drew another few buckets of clean water and poured it over the dog, running her hand along his body to get all the soap and pesticide out.

“Good boy! Hewie, I swear you’re the perfect dog.”

Hewie looked right at her as though he understood, and his eyes seemed to glimmer as his tongue lolled out. He did something to please her! That made him happy. That would make any dog happy. He jumped from the tub, and Fiona shielded herself with a towel as he shook. Afterwards, she quickly covered him with a towel and started to dry him off. She hated the concept of having to clean up after it all.

Soon, he was dry enough to go out and air-toast on his own. Hewie grabbed the towel from her, ripping it from her hands. She didn’t pull- these weren’t her towels (although technically- they were) and didn’t want it ripped up. Then she laughed as she watched him put it on the floor, and dive into it. One of the smartest breeds, he figured it would dry him off even more. He was rubbing his face, and back, all over the still-dry piece of fabric.

Another shake, but this time he was nearly dry. He looked fantastic, too. Brighter then he’s been. She grabbed a brush, and started to comb his double-coat. It was thick, especially for the season. If she didn‘t, it would be in tangles a bit from now.

She then did the whole works- cutting his nails, cleaning his ears, eyes. She even spread some toothpaste on his teeth. This- especially, he was not a fan of. He made a face and licked his teeth. His strong stomach wouldn’t throw it up, but that didn’t mean he liked it. Still, if the dog wanted to keep those teeth, it was the wise thing to do.

“Okay boy- you can go.” She said it in a tired way, she was wet and fatigued.

He did just that, walked towards the door and pushing it open with his nose. She heard as he walked up the stone steps to parts unknown. She turned around, feeling accomplished. Taking off the rug, which was soaked, she wiped the floor down. Fiona didn’t want to step out of the shower and break her neck.

As she threw the towel into the hamper, she soon shed her clothes. Carefully removing her blouse, and then her skirt, she set them in there with the same order. Her panties shortly followed, and reminded herself that Riccardo washed all her laundry. Uncomfortable, but she sure wasn’t willing to wash any laundry, either.

Stepping into the shower, she drew the curtain before her and turned on the water. The warmth was relieving. And the cleanliness was more then welcome. When she took a shower, she truly felt clean for the first time in that 24 hour period. Sometimes, like after sex, she would take one more then once a day.

Fiona looked down at her stomach. Although less toned from all the wholesome food, she was still not showing any signs of the new life growing inside her. She rested her hand there, and fought the urge to cry, she had been doing it too much lately. She would get through this. Taking it one day at a time. Fate had made it’s decision for her. Now she needed to live with it.

And live with the man that did it to her. Sleep in his bed, and be bedded by him, even still. Even after he got her pregnant like he wanted- he proved to be too greedy for his own need. He saw her as a possession to have whenever he wanted.

Like how one owns a flower. They keep it, and if they were to disown it and let the water dry up, they would die. And a flower she was, still. Blooming, with a bud ready to erupt from her stem. She wasn’t going to wilt anytime soon. Not if her ‘caretaker’ had anything to do with it.

Fiona washed herself, and wondered. If, perchance, she were to die. Could he resurrect her? Weren’t alchemists able to do that? And if so, wouldn’t that old man Aureolus been able to do that to begin with?

The question creeped her out, and she shook at the thought. Even in the warm water, she formed goose bumps. She hoped no more ‘visions’ would make their way into her head today. They were of past lives, and they bothered her tremendously. Especially during sex. God, she prayed she never had that vision of her mother ever again.

As she finished, dried, and dressed, she walked towards the door. As she closed it behind her, she felt the pain again. First it was like a cramp, and she grabbed her stomach and made a face of frustration. Why was her body doing this to her?

Then it was like a knife, and she cried out. It was so loud it formed in echo in the hallway. She laid on the floor, feeling the chill of the ancient castle on her stomach. It helped the pain, but not by much. A head ache rampaged through her skull. This time, she knew, she needed him. As much as she hated to admit it. Yet all the doors of the castle were closed, being still rather cold out. She wondered if he would ever hear her.

Then she heard his footsteps, running. She exhaled in relief, tears in her eyes. Fiona shook in a combination of fear and pain. She was not proud of relying on him, but the fact of the matter was it was her new life, now. His touch and voice have transformed from fear to comfort. And as he rounded the corner and went down the steps, she could tell he was frightened already. More then she ever could be.

“Fiona? What happened- you…You didn’t fall, did you?”

“No… It just, hurts.”

“You’re in pain?”

“Yes! It hurts!”

He shied away like a hurt dog, and actually looked rather offended, like a hen-pecked husband.

“What hurts?”

She grimaced and lifted her hands from her stomach.

“Here, it’s like someone’s stabbing me!”

Riccardo knelt, and felt his heartbeat rise. This could be bad- the child could miscarry. It could be dying.

“Not to worry. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not serious.”

“How can you be so sure!? You don’t have a uterus that feels like it’s disinigrating inside you’re very body…!”

Wincing again, he made a look of concern. Slowly, he started to actually feel regret for causing harm to the girl. Yet it was fleeting. He needed this. They both needed this. Their line, their Azoth, needed to carry on.

“Love, you’re just experiencing conception pains. It’s not all uncommon with a young thing like you becoming of your first child.”

Fiona’s eyes squeezed shut, she turned away from him, still on the floor and rolling to the other side.

“I don’t want this thing inside me!”

“You know you have no choice. And for the record- neither do I.”

“I’ve heard enough out of you! Get me off of this floor!”

Riccardo practically had a stroke. This was the first time she had ever ordered him around, or even tell him what to do. At first rage billowed underneath his skin like a swarm of festering bugs, then a strange sort of arousal swam underneath him. There was something erotic and strangely satisfying about her finally taking charge.

“But of course, my Lady. Here, not to worry- I’ll take care of you.”

He bent with his knees, and scooped her up. And like magic, she felt her pain start to seep away. His warmth was welcoming, and she didn’t care anymore. Pain will make even the strongest do things unbecoming of them. He carried her up to “their” room, where he placed her on the soft bed with recently washed sheets.

“…You know I care about you.” She heard him say, her mind in a fog.

“And I’m tired of fighting over this. You are to have my child- that is how it’s going to be. It’s inevitable, it’s your fate. There is no fighting this.”

She heard it all, but she refused to believe it. Somehow, hope still clung on for her. Fiona had hoped she would miscarry. Although she knew she could never do it herself. In fact part of her didn’t want that, either. Either way she was so torn over the new life in her body- a life she was sure was a monster in her own guise.

“…I’m not fighting.” She slurred.

“I just want the baby to be healthy.” She partially lied, but it still chilled her to say such a thing.

“I doubt that.” He said with a sigh, and reached for her midsection.

“Believe what you want.”

“I will. I’ve always believed what I chose, my Lady.”

His hand crept over to her throbbing stomach, which still felt like a bad period cramp on her worst day. It drew back at his touch, but ultimately it accepted his warmth. He spread his fingers out, and it took up her whole belly. And it hovered there, and she felt herself relaxing, near falling asleep.

Almost immediately, she felt the pain dissipate. The throbbing slowed, and then left. It was replaced with a cold, soft numbing sensation. That, in turn, was replaced with warmth. A chill rocked her spine at the concept of being “healed” so to speak by this man- how was it possible?

“What did you do?” She asked, incredulous.

Riccardo smiled rather warmly, and looked at her squarely in the eye. He reached forward and stroked her face. A warmth filled him, the sensation unfamiliar, but he was starting to recognize it. Affection.

“I simply told him to stop.”

“What?” Fiona asked, unbelieving.

“There’s nothing wrong, you’re not bleeding. The child is fine, I can sense it. He’s simply putting up a fuss, is all.”

Fiona shivered, and he sensed it.

“Now, now…What’s the problem, love? Don’t like my touch anymore?”

“I never did.”

“I don’t like it when you lie to me. Do I not please you?”

Fiona looked down, blushing horribly. When he asked that, he began to brush her thighs, and the blood began to rush to all the inopportune areas.

“I’d rather sleep with the devil.” She spat in shame, and she heard Riccardo scoff.

“Even I would admit- you need not look any further then Lucifer on Earth- then I.”

“Well, you are no saint-”

“And you, no harlot.”

Fiona bit her lip, actually rather happy with that ‘compliment’ so to speak.

“Listen here, King Henry…” She provoked, taking advantage of their sudden understanding. The mood was right.

“…Don’t you have better things to do then to court a girl half you’re age in hopes of creating a male heir? What’s with you English and that dream, anyway?”

Riccardo laughed in his throat and turned away, that was an actual, factual, good one.

“I’m no King…I was a servant before I became a Lord. And a servant I remain to you-”

“Yet you act like one. Taking what you want, when you want. You have the same desires. Don’t plan to behead me if I don’t produce a boy, do you?”

“I see you know you’re history.” Riccardo submitted.

“My parents did send me to the best school they could afford, after all…”

“I see that. But for the record- no. I’ve told you before. You’ll live forever before you end up dead in anyone’s hands. Especially not mine.”

Then she looked away, rolling over to her side on the bed. Riccardo was now beside her, stroking her from head to toe.

“What if it’s not a boy? What if he’s deformed, stillborn…?”

For a minute, Riccardo didn’t speak, but his touch remained.

“Then we’ll keep trying. That’s all we can do.”

Then she began to probe her mind for more facts- history always did repeat itself. That’s why it was so important to teach- and to learn.

“What’s wrong with a female heir, anyway?”

Riccardo smiled and stroked her face, admiring her pristine looks, and the birthmark on her exposed shoulder.

“…Because I already have one.”