The Witchly not-yet-couple strolled on the street in the vibrant atmosphere, enjoying the nightly breeze brushing their cheeks. They both have made no plans, so their steps merely wandered without a destination. Yet, the aimlessness created a sense of openess rather than awkwardness, the easness of Mel's boobs especially helpful in 'softening' Lila's nervousness.
However, to a certain blue-head's dismay, those pillows were also her source of nervousness. And Mel enjoyed every second of it.
"Oh, skewers!"
Soon, Mel's featherbags left Lila's arm, earning Mel a sigh of disappointment. The 'innocent' Mel grasped the meat skewer, the sweet, spiced scent intruding into her nostrils as Mel took a bite.
Delicious. Makes her wonder what Lila's apple cheeks tasted like. Witch of Lust's head was swirling with unashamed thoughts, before she glanced behind her shoulder.
Lila stood there staring, the emerald eyes distracted by her moving lips, as if the food in her hand could not compete against the delicacy in her mouth.
The embodiment of Lust's tongue darted out to lick off the oil, moonlight glistening on her moist lips. "Want a bite?"
Sensing the double meaning, Lila's eyes slanted. "What if I say yes?"
"Hehe." Mel poked Lila's mouth with the meat, the glossy drip mixed with Mel's saliva trickling down to the chin. The Witch of Envy's cheeks flared up like usual, earning Mel a teasing chuckle as she replied sincerely.
"I don't mind giving both, you know?" Her foxy smile returned. "I'm never a picky eater, and neither are you."
A whimper escaped from Lila, the slick, sensual cocktail unbearable to her. "Mel..."
The Witch of Lust watched as the blushing maiden shook off the skewer, her hand grasping the robe as if it would ground her senses. This is it.
"Lila, how about-"
"...mmm."
Mel widened her eyes. Has she heard it correctly?
Tipping over her sunhat, Mel observed in full view how Lila's brows knitted together in determination. Her emerald eyes were trembling yet steady, and for the first time, the Witch of Lust failed to read Lila's expression.
Well, the blush remained, however. That traitmark remained like an unwipeable ink on a portrait.
And with a courage reminiscent of how she asked her to stay for her sister's recovery a week ago, she mustered all her strength for a whisper.
"Yo-your room tonight?"
That's suggestive, for just a kiss. Mel almost laughed out loud.
She nodded calmly. "Of course." Admiring Lila's softening expression, Mel naturally held out her hand.
Without a word, Lila hesitated before taking Mel's hand, their palms perfectly fitting together like a shared resolve.
And just like that, with a deepening blush from Lila, Mel finally received the much-anticipated news.
[ Favourability: 39.5 -> 46 ]
Fantastic! Mel smirked to herself, pulling them to another banquet table. She sincerely prayed, perhaps to the Saintess, that this peaceful date ended with a classic kiss ending, ideally on the lips instead of a mere cheek.
--------------
[ The Witch of Pride waved lightsticks at such a reunion! ]
Wow. Even Witches can be shippers. Giggling to herself, Mel and Lila chatted with the villagers. The end-of-month party mainly consisted of eating, followed by-
"Dances, of course!"
The flower vendor, Amanda, grinned, laughing wholeheartedly at the foxy Mel and embarrassed Lila. "Just brought in the last firewood supplies in exchange for some flowers! Now, go enjoy yourselves around the bonfire!"
Mel's lips curled up to a wry smile. There was a specific purple lily unique to this town, and she recognised that Ed bought those flowers, in pursuit of his-love-that-can-never-be. Respect for the Skeleton, but that Guildmaster's stubbornness would not be cracked anytime soon.
For now, however, Mel's grasp on Lila's hand tightened, her eyes curving with amusement. "Wanna try, Lila?"
Lila pressed her lips before nodding. "Lea-lead the way."
Hearing the familiar words, Mel smirked. "Oh. My Lila knew how to fire back now, huh?"
The Witch of Envy pouted at her fellow witch's tease, before pulling her away from Amanda. Mel chuckled at how Lila betrayed her own words, but she would rather not ruin the moment.
Crowds gathered in their visions, hands clasping together and twirling around the fires. Wooden flutes and whistles played together for a folk melody, the joy in the tunes melting well into the comforting warmth from the bonfire.
It is here where Lila stopped in the middle of the dancing crowds, her palms oozing sweat that spoke of a panic inside. Mel mused at the sticky, sweet beads that beckoned sinful temptation, though her lover-not-lover's distress must come first.
"Realise you never learned to dance?"
Mel's playful jab got straight to Lila's heart, the blue-bun burrowing her gaze down at the soil, the time all expended for sister biting back again.
And like a gentleman who swooped in to save a beauty, Mel's arm clasped around Lila's waist, eliciting a surprised, involuntary shiver.
Mel's hand smoothed over Lila's back, her voice calm without a hint of desire. "Relax. Follow my lead."
Their steps soon followed the music, methodical and rhythmic. It took a slight stutter in Lila's steps to adjust, but both gradually blended seamlessly in their moves. It was a dance where Mel took the lead entirely, her boldness complementing Lila's cautiousness.
The blue-bun pouted. "You practised with Sister Saria?"
Mel nodded without an ounce of hesitation. "Jealous that my first dance is not with yours?"
"At least it would not be half as embarrassing if... if you're as much of a novice as I am."
Lila's matching dance steps faltered, confessing. "Am I selfish?"
[ The Witch of Pride is watching closely for your reply. ]
What is this? Are we a daily drama channel now? Mel sighed in exasperation. "Lila. I will be truly saddened if you're not selfish with me instead."
Lila's head drooped, a hairlock sliding over her face to hide an insecurity. Darkening imaginations slipped into her mind, for how, instead of a smooth, elegant dance, they could trip over each other with laughter, clinging onto each other's bodies for support.
She immediately shook her head before mumbling. "Hm." She is selfish. She didn't want her friend to tease her perverted vision, however.
[ The Witch of Pride nodded approvingly, thinking- ]
[ ... ]
Mel's eyes squinted at the System's panels. Rarely, very rarely did the System stutter. She could sense a certain foreboding, as if something cataclysmic was cracking through the air.
"Mel?"
The Witch of Lust blinked, her reply hanging in her throat before pausing. Her eyes shook a little, her fingers clasping Lila's back in protectiveness. She could feel a crack in the air, as if the concept of
[ The Witch of Pride has noticed-dapifajwpaoijfadfa ]
[ ... ]
[ ...hello. ]
The ominous, unspoken greeting stormed into Mel's ears. For a moment, she almost immediately summoned her Witch form to brainwash everyone evacuating from the village.
Mel gritted her teeth. She is no fool. She knew full well who this was. How she should proceed was entirely another question.
The Witch of Lust eyed a corner. A certain catgirl's eyes glistened with tears of joy and jealousy, staring at the couple. The blurred visions caused her not to notice her master's worry, a feat that Mel found adorable but dangerous now.
Did her familiar also not feel the Witch of Pride interrupting? In the first place, how did she invade the System so cleanly?
Yet in contrast to her silent turmoil, the message merely went on. Each word was typed out individually, as if each syllable was yelped with desperation.
[ The.System.Liar.]
The Witch of Lust frowned at the panel. Lies? Her second-most-reliable informant was lying? About what?
An utter confusion washed over her expression, her heart bumping into her chest. Her mind scoured for the implication behind Pride's warning.
The Witch of Pride may be the only awakened Witch who started the Church-Witch War, but she was also the most caring Witch for her fellow Witches. In the original apocalyptic game, for each Witch's death, players could find how she built ice coffins for each Witch, freezing the entire continent so no one would disturb their eternal slumber.
This is why she felt unafraid of Pride's little peekaboo back in the 'scamming' act with the Merchant, and also why she must put stock in her warning.
[ Host? ]
"Mel? Ple-please, don't scare me by suddenly freezing..."
The Witch of Lust broke out of her trance. All of what just happened spanned 30 seconds, yet it felt like it sucked out a lifetime from Mel.
Meeting Lila's concerned gaze drew her back in. No. Not now. She will interrogate it later.
"Ugh..." Groaning like a child who realised her favourite hero had suddenly turned 180 degrees and become the Demon Lord, she leaned her chin onto Lila's shoulder, their steps barely resuming under Lila's confusion.
Lila heard Mel sniffing against her neck, blushing at the sweaty scents mixed with hers.
That did not deter the kind Lila from returning the hug. She knew not what had happened earlier, but perhaps her friend needed a treat to be comforted. She owed that much, and much more going forward.
[ Favourability: 46 -> 52 ]
[ ...uh, host? ]
Shut up and let me enjoy the moment, you suspect. Labelling her kidnapper with a new badge of crime, Mel's hug tightened over Lila's body, resisting the urge to roam over the robe like a desperate degenerate.
The Witch of Lust's mental throttle for that fanciful 'Kiss Ending'! System? Witch of Pride? All shall be left aside for later!