Please click here for authors N-Z

Beauty on the Pyre
An Arc-en-Ciel teaser

Chapter One
Riding on the Winds of Change

There was something unsettling about this woman. The way she simply sighed and stared; gazing out the great glass window into the starlit sky. Of course, her circumstances were far from enviable…but that didn’t mean she had to be a bitch about it. “More wine?” Erika offered with a cheerful smile – as best as she could manage. She was torn, really, between hating the Erika von Cale she knew for being reduced to mollycoddling their honoured guest and relishing the challenge of finding out what made her tick. Erika bit on her thumb, wide eyed in anticipation of such a simple answer. The pause was insufferably pregnant.

“No…thanks.” She spoke! Erika’s eye twitched ever so slightly. For once, the Inquisitor had met her apparent match. With practiced habit, she brushed her dusty blonde hair out of her eyes and made to relax. It was…well, it was hard. You could almost feel the power coursing from her – backed up by a confidence that simply oozed from every pore in her body. Even here, effectively a prisoner like this woman was, and surrounded by the most impressive security features known to the Emperor she remained undaunted.

To tell the honest truth, Erika did not feel entirely safe. Years of instinct were screaming at her to run or fight or something! Anything but sit here and sip expensive drinks (though, Erika mused, the red was particularly fine). She licked her lips and poured herself another glass, raising it to her mouth. Fate Testarossa…what a unique, talented, arrogant, prideful little minx she was. Erika smiled to herself. She hated her.

Carim sat down behind her desk with a sigh. Today had been a busy day; a group of Scrya’s had made an archeological discovery that had the potential to reveal much of the still hidden information on the history of Ancient Belka. She took a deep breath, and commed Schach.

“Can I help you, Knight Carim?”

“Yes, I was wondering if you could bring me some tea?”

“Ahh, long report to write?” Schach answered, half-guessing where this was going.

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there right away.”

Carim smiled as the screen closed. She could always count on Schach in these things. She shifted in her seat slightly as a new screen popped up, and after marking the date, she began to type.

Scryan archeologists have made an astonishing discovery today. In the ruins of a faraway enclave, a small group of Scrya’s had discovered a library of sorts. Quick investigations pointed out that it used to be Belkan in origin. Though most of it was empty, and what was left was almost destroyed in decay, a few precious documents had been found reasonably intact. Among these was mention of something that has the potential to shake our known history of the Ancient Belka to the core.

The documents spoke of many legendary figures, but also a word that we have, to this record, rarely encountered. The document spoke of the Primarch.

The Primarch are figures shrouded in the veil of history to this day. Legends and stories about them are abundant, but we are not sure which to believe. If this document is true, it could a key to unraveling the mystery behind the Primarchs.

Among one particular file of the documents we found a picture of a young woman.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...stina_torn.png

The picture is in remarkable condition, despite being damaged by the sands of time. It is to this point unsure what she has to do with the Primarchs, but from what little has been translated so far, it seems that she was of importance enough to be heavily weaved throughout the document. Some of our most talented linguists are working day and night to reveal the information that this young woman holds.

While we cannot be sure of anything, I am confident that this discovery will open the door to whole new realms of knowledge of the Ancient Belka.

Part 1: A burning vessel.

Hot.

It was so incredibly hot.

Fires were burning all around her, flames tearing away at the controls of what was once the greatest weapon of the Belkan Empire, burning the bodies of the fallen that lay scattered throughout the room. Flames that dried her tears as fast as they flowed from her eyes.

And yet, the heat of the flames barely registered even in the back of her mind, her thoughts focused on the girl she held in her arms.

So much blood. She had never really paid attention to it before, but was it really possible for a human being to lose this much blood?

No, she already knew the answer. It was possible for a human being to lose this much blood, but it was not possible to survive losing it.

Even for one such as her.

“Why?”

The girl tilted her head upwards, meeting her eyes. The very motion seemed to strain her to the extreme as her entire body seemed to shudder while making the attempt. Blue eyes met her own pair of mismatched ones, one green, one red, as the blood covered girl curved her mouth in a small smile.

“Because I had to.”

The words were like a dagger to her heart. Renewed tears fell from her eyes as her grip on the girl tightened.

“Why? Why did you have to? Because of your duty!? Because of your oath!?”

“Heh.” The girl’s body shuddered as the small chuckle escaped her lips. “When did I ever do things I did not want to do myself?”

“But why?” She repeated again. She wanted an answer. No, she needed an answer. She would not be able to live with herself if she never found out why.

Why did people die around her?

“You’re probably blaming yourself for what happened here.” mismatched eyes widened as the girl spoke again.

“You always do. No matter how you try to hide it behind your harsh attitude, you always blame yourself. What happened here was my choice and mine alone.” The girl smiled. “I am a selfish girl after all.”

“If only you hadn’t been assigned this duty.” She lowered her head in sadness and shame. This was her fault. It was for her that this had happened. For her that she had sacrificed herself.

A shudder coming from the girl’s body startled her out of the path her thoughts were taking as her worried eyes resettled on the girl in her arms. Another shudder, and the girl’s eyes closed in a wince as she suppressed another chuckle.

“See? Once again, duty duty duty. But I didn’t die here protecting ‘her royal majesty’.” The girl said, reopening her eyes. “I died here protecting my sister.”

“I don’t want you to die.” She said, holding back a choking sob.

“Nor do I. But if I know you will live, I am all right with it.” The girl’s blue eyes traveled upwards again, seeking her mismatched ones. “Will you live?”

At that moment, she wanted nothing more then to lie. To deny that she could make it out alive easily. Anything to prevent what she feared.

But the words came, even though she did not want to.

“Yes, I will live.”

The girl’s face softened, as if a great burden had been lifted. “Then, this is goodbye.”

Her eyes widened.

“Goodbye… Vivio…”

The girl’s eyes closed, and her body went limp in her arms. A lock of red hair slowly fell in front of the now closed eyes. Saint king Vivio Sakurazaki’s eyes slowly widened as realized what had just happened.

“…Alistina?”

She shook the body in her hands, refusing to accept the truth.

“Alistina? ALISTINA!”

But the blue eyes never opened. The saint king collapsed on the body in tears, not believing that the one person who had been at her side forever was now gone.

How had it come to this?

Chapter 02: Playing with politics

The Royal Palace, center of the Belkan Empire, its towers pointed high towards the sky. And at the moment, a field of battle.

Not a normal field of battle, oh no, many of the palace’s occupants knew how to handle a normal battle. This was a battle of a different kind, a battle where it does not matter how skilled you are with the sword, or how many enemies you have slain.

“This situation is unacceptable!”

This was a battle of words.

“According to your words, Lord Beckert.”

The council hall, possibly the biggest room in the palace itself. Surprisingly exotically decorated, and filled with one huge central table. Filling the table were politicians. Lords, ladies, senators, whichever ruled their respective territories. All were here in the council room to appeal their words the senate, and the king of Belka.

True, the Belkan Empire was an Empire, and as such the final say was made by the ruling person, but one person can only govern so much. The Belkan Empire stretched several worlds, which made the need for a bureaucracy apparent, though not any more liked.

“Do you not see?” A brown haired man with a short beard almost shouted through the great room. “We have finally taken the border country out of the hands of those wretched rebels. Many of our own have suffered severe financial difficulty thanks to that rebellious scum. The country should immediately start compensating us for our troubles.”

“But they had no choice; they were occupied by the enemy force. According to the reports their financial status is even worse then ours.” Another councilmember protested.

“They should be thankful that we even bothered to drive the rebels from their lands. I still say that we simply should have brought out the Cradle and-”

“That would be enough, Lord Beckert.”

All heads turned into the direction of the king, or rather the person next to the king. Long red hair flowing behind her, blue eyes piercing the lord in question.

“This talk on what could have been done is pointless. What has happened has happened, we have reclaimed a country that was taken away from us, that is all. To demand gratitude of them would be beyond stupidity.”

A different council member, a young long haired blonde man, decided to voice his opinion on the matter. “But lady Alistina, surely you agree that we cannot simply excuse them? From what I heard, they offered only little resistance against the rebel forces.”

“Would you do any different, councilor Torië, if your family was threatened to be killed on the spot? Regardless, to the people in that country, all that has happened is that they changed rule yet again. We must be sure to keep their loyalty, so that we have to station less forces to keep the place under control.”

Lord Beckert snorted. “If they have realized that their rule has changed, they should know that their laws have changed. That is all.”

“That would be like inviting the rebel forces back into the country. We need to gain their loyalty, Lord Beckert, not lose it.”

“And requesting compensation for rescuing them would do so?”

Lady Alistina shook her head. “Tell a conquered man he has a new master, and he'll shrug. Tell him his new master demands a fifth of his annual income, and he'll go and find his pitchfork.”

For a moment it seemed as if Lord Beckert would continue the argument, but to many of the room’s occupant’s surprise, he sat back down. Lord Beckert’s features changed little as he sat back down, save for a nigh undetectable twitch in his right eye.

A twitch that did not escape the king.

“Very well Lady Alistina, you have made your point. We shall give this country a while to catch its breath, and for us to gain their trust.”

The king’s decision was made, the debate was over. As it always went, the occupants in the room had been arguing back and forth for quite a while before the king finally made her decision.

Her decision.

One would expect a king to be a man, a proud man who would lead his people through the light and dark days that their lands faced. Who would take up the sword and smash any evil that opposed him and his subjects.

Perhaps that is why she was called a king.

The Belkan Empire was lead by a king, as it had always been. The Saint King of Belka. The royal blood of the empire. The current king had all the qualities of her predecessors, and also had a beautiful face. And until recently the Empire had flourished under her rule as it had always.

Therefore no one questioned the king’s gender.

~~~

Later that evening, the king and Lady Alistina were waking through the corridors of the grand palace.

“You played a dangerous game today, Alistina.”

Alistina sighed. “These are politics, Vivio. Every word you speak is a dangerous game.”

The king sighed. “How often must I tell you that I do not wish to be called by that name?”

“Why not? I’ve been calling you that since forever. Besides, it’s your name, isn’t it? Saint king Vivio Sakura Zaki, king of the Belkan Empire.” Alistina said dramatically.

“It is a child’s name, at least call me Sakura.”

“Never.” Alistina replied with a grin.

‘Vivio’ surpressed a frustrated cry, and decided to shift the subject. “Back to the matter of the council, you were taunting them the entire time, what will you do if Lord Beckert decides to retaliate?”

“You’re worried about Beckert? He’s the least of our worries. He’s a warrior through and through, strong and opposing, and he obviously knew when to back down, but he lacks the skill with words. He can do little more then bark in the council hall. No, I’m far more worried about Torië.”

“Councilor Torië? I do not see why you are worried about him; he has been quite helpful these last few weeks.”

Alistina shook her head. “Vivio, you are a great knights, and a great leader, but you are just as bad as Beckert when it comes to politics.”

“What do you mean?” Vivio asked, slightly upset at her skills being put down like that.

“Not counting me, Torië is one of the youngest members of the council. He holds no prestigious lineage, and he has no title to speak off. For someone like him to have reached a post as important like this at such an age means that he knows every trick, every flaw, and every exploit in the world of politics. Someone like him would literally go over corpses to gain more power.” Alistina explained.

“Alistina, you do realize that that is a very serious accusation?” Vivio queried.

“But a very accurate one.” Alistina responded. “You noticed what he said in the council hall today? It sounded very polite, but it was actually him probing how far he could push things around in a serious situation.”

“I see…” Vivio responded thoughtfully. “So how do you suggest we handle him?”

“Dump a potato sack over his head, tie him up and kick him into the deepest hole we can find.”

Vivio jerked to a halt and turned to observe the red haired girl’s face with incredulous eyes. To her credit, Alistina actually managed to keep her face straight for a few seconds before she broke down in a laughing fit.

“Oh this is great. You should have seen the incredulous look on your face.”

Vivio’s eyes settled in a glare as she placed her hands on her hips. “This is a serious matter Alistina, it is not something to joke around with.”

“Duty, duty, duty. Relax, we’re not in the council hall anymore. Besides, there is nothing we can do about him at the moment.”

Vivio tried to keep the glare on her face, but soon she sighed and let her hands slump to her side. “At times like I find it very hard to believe we actually share the same genes.”

Alistina grinned. “Genes don’t make the person. Now come on, let’s go get some rest. My brothers should be returning tomorrow, and I doubt they will be the bringers of good news.”

Ignis Fatuus
Genre: Drama/Romance
Main couple: Fate, Nanoha
Summary: If things were not what they seem to be. An illusion. A misleading truth. Is there even a truth? AU fiction. FateNanoha.
Rating:T

I was never really one to shop for girls but Nanoha's comment this morning was still bothering me. I knew she was just teasing but there was still something in the way she said it, some faint hint of sadness, that I couldn't help but pick up on. This thought ran over in my mind again and again as I looked at what was before me. Nothing caught my eye right away and I almost gave up on the store before finding something that looked promising. The glass jewelry cases in the middle of the store grabbed my attention, or rather a bracelet inside of it did. A medium sized linked silver bracelet was sparkling in the light almost as if calling out to me. On it was one matching silver charm in the shape of a heart.

'A charm bracelet,' I realized, looking at the several types of charms that could be added to it. 'Simple, pretty, shiny, and it just screams Nanoha.' I stood up straight and met the clerk's eye to call them over to me and ten minutes later I was back out in the cold, now fifty dollars lighter. Although the blow to my wallet stung, I was rather pleased with my purchase. Nanoha was always there for me, it was about time I showed my appreciation.

“I'm home!” I called out as always when I opened the door to the house I now shared with two girls.

Nanoha, as always, came to me with a smile. “Welcome home. You hungry?”

“Starving.” My reply seemed to make her happy. “Something smells good.”

“Pizza,” The girl informed me while rocking on her heels while waiting on me to finish taking off my shoes. “How was Hayate-chan?”

“A lot better.” Walking in, I held up the bag so she could see it. “I have something for you.”

“Oh?” Her face lit with curiosity. “What is it?”

“It's a box.” I took out the long slender jewelry case and held back a chuckle at Nanoha's reaction to cover her mouth in surprise. “Sure are happy about a box.”

“What's in it?” She reached for it and pouted when I moved it away. Trying again, she stood on her tip toes and reached for the case when I held it up. “Stop teasing me!”

“But it's fun.” I let her try once again before bringing it down and handing it to her. “Here, I hope you like.”

“I will,” She assured me before happily clicking open the case and fawning over the simple gift. “Awwwww, it's so kyute!”

“...Did you just say 'kyute'?”

“What on Earth made you buy me a gift?” She sounded happier than I've heard her in the past month or so. “Aw, I love it. A little heart and everything.” The bracelet was put on and looked at again now that it was on her wrist. “Thank you!” I got a tight hug, which I returned.

“I just thought I'd get it for you. No reason really.”

“You're the best.” To my surprise Nanoha got on her tiptoes and pecked my cheek. “Thanks a lot.”

“Welcome.” I touched the spot I was kissed and felt my lips turn up lightly to a smile. “You haven't kissed me in ages.”

“Well, if you would do things to warrant it, I'd kiss you more often.” She had a faint tint of blush on her cheeks, keeping her eyes on the sparking bracelet still. She stared at it for a moment longer before suddenly gasping out. “The pizza!” Quickly she ran to the kitchen and pulled the oven door open, quickly taking out the food. “Oh thank goodness, it's just a little brown on top.” Sliding it onto a cutting board, she went to dust her peel with corn starch before slipping the next one onto it. “Yuuno-kun, this one is yours. It'll take about six minutes so get comfortable and I'll bring it to you when it's done okay?”

“Hmmm....” I hopped on the kitchen counter instead and watched her. “It's quiet tonight, where's Fate at?”

“She ate dinner and conked out. Said she had a hard day.” The girl closed the oven door and walked over to me. Turning around, she faced the same way I was and leaned back against me, pulling my arms to wrap around her front. “It's a little chilly in here.”

“Put on clothes.” I teased. The girl was in her pajamas, which consisted of nothing more than a large shirt that went to her knees.

“But this is comfortable.” She protested while playing with my hands, eyes still darting to the gift she was wearing. “And you're warm.”

“Keep moving my hands like that and I'll end up feeling you up.”

“I don't mind,” She replied airily. “Go for it.”

“...I really will if you say that.”

“Then do it.”

“...I'm not in the mood.”

“Sure,” She giggled to herself and I couldn't help but chuckle. “Ne, question?”

“Yes?”

Nanoha looked over her shoulder at me. “Am I feminine?”

“What do you mean?” I blinked. “Such a sudden question.”

“Hm. Well,” She thought about it. “I kind of get love letters every now and then, but they are normally from people I don't even know. I have a fanclub you know?”

“I know.” I hated those guys. A group of about fifteen that basically worshiped the ground Nanoha walked on.

“But besides those, I don't really get any attention. Am I not feminine enough? Am I attractive?” I pondered it, allowing her to turn around in my arms and look at me. “Even you don't ever look at me when you have the chance.”

“I look at you all the time.”

“Not when I'm naked.”

I blinked. “You want me to look at you naked?”

“No!” She shook her head. “I mean when the situation comes up, when I walk across the hall in only a towel or something. Your eyes never once dropped to look. Am I not feminine?”

Acting on impulse, I reached forward and popped the top snap-buttons on Nanoha's shirt open, revealing her breast fully. “Hmmm.... I give you about an eight.”

Her face slowly turned scarlet but stood there a full five seconds before letting out a 'kya!' and turning around to button them. “Pervert!”

“Yup. I get that way around very feminine women.”

Nanoha slowed down her buttoning and looked back over at me, smiling. “I'll forgive you this time.”

“Thank you,” I teased back.

“But next time,” She winked. “I might just slap you.”

“You want a next time?”

“Maybe, nyaha!” With that she went over to the oven and checked my food. I didn't understand girls sometimes, but right now I could tell Nanoha was happy. She really wanted attention and a little encouragement that she was pretty. I had given her both tonight and her smile was really cute right now. It was this simple moment that made me glad we shared a house together.

~**~

Sunday again; a day off with nothing to do. From the burning smell of death coming from my door I could tell Fate was trying to make breakfast. After a glance out my window I saw Nanoha outside playing in the snow. I knew already that Hayate was going to be shopping today so she could get out of the house. As for me...

A.) Nanoha was so happy last night, I really should treat her to something today to make sure she knows that I appreciate her.
B.) I did say I would take Fate out sometime... but since I bought a gift, it will be a cheap date, would she even like that?
C.) I can probably meet up with Hayate for lunch, if I don't die from Fate's breakfast. A good meal sounds good.

an OC character cured hayate's depression by tying her up and molesting her.

Nanoha smiled proudly. “You loved it.” She got a dark blush but no protest. “Fate-chan, do you trust me?”

Fate smiled softly at the request. “Yes, I trust you.” The look she got in return was priceless, melting her heart with the sheer cuteness and pride suddenly showing in her lover's eyes. “What did you have in mind?” She knew Nanoha liked to experiment in bed but always held back in an attempt to better please Fate's simple desires. Occasionally, like now, she would brave a request and ask permission to try something. Normally afterwards it became something they would do occasionally but for the most part their love-making was simple and romantic.

“Well,” Nanoha reached into the plastic bag and rooted around a moment before pulling out furry handcuffs. “I kind of...”

Fate's eyes went wide. “...Wow...”

“...Is it okay?”

Slowly nodding, Fate offered Nanoha her left wrist. “Mm... I trust you.” The blue eyed one smiled lovingly, gently taking Fate's wrist and clicking it within the restraint before putting the other half to their headboard. Shortly after her right wrist followed suit, leaving her bound shyly. “This is kind of...exciting...” Her wrist moved testingly, finding that she was, indeed, cuffed with her hands spread out above her head and attached to their bed frame.

Nanoha reached back into the bag. “One more thing...” She took out a blindfold that had the same fur around it as the handcuffs did. “You're not going to see any of this.” After the initial shock her lover gave a small lopsided grin and lifted up to allow Nanoha to place it on. “Is it okay? Uncomfortable? Are the cuffs too tight?”

“No, they're fine.” Fate felt her cheeks still coloring, suddenly wishing she could see Nanoha's gaze on her current position.

Rune better not touch Fate again :frustrated:. I feel bad for her about losing her first kiss drunk :upset:

right up to the kiss turned heatbutt