It was that time of year again when the Champions of every region gathered for a meet-and-greet party with their Elite Four. Shauntal, being the observant inverted writer that she was, preferred to enjoy the party from the sidelines.
Seated at a table in the far back with a decorative lace tablecloth to show off the wealth of the Kanto region. She took notes of the mannerisms between the various trainers and how they reacted in conversation. Some were calm and collected, some were full of energy – using their full voice volume to make their presence known. She could tell who was an expert in handling crowds and who wasn’t.
As it was, she could see that her colleague, Grimsley, had three people around him, all laughing and trading stories with him. Even Marshal seemed to be in a heated discussion with Lance. All the while, Caitlin sat at a further table from her as she was served tea.
Whilst she was taking notes, she didn’t notice that someone had taken residence at her table. It wasn’t until she heard a soft chuckle beside her that she was lured out of her notebook.
“Hm? Oh - my apologies, did you need this table? I can get up if I need to.”
As she rose to leave, the other raised a hand – halting her removal as she slowly sat back down. His casual red suit gave her the indication that he was a gentleman of class and the way that he smiled at her caused her to sink further in her chair then she expected.
“Is that a book you’re working on?” he inquired, tilting his head as his azure locks shifted over his shoulder.
“Oh, this? It’s just notes for me to use for my next novel. So, yes and no.”
He continued to observe her for a moment longer, slender arms crossing over his chest, “You wouldn’t happen to be the infamous ‘Ghost Writer’, would you?”
She gasps softly, closing her notebook. “How did you know?”
There was a slight curve in his smile, one of pride, as he leaned back in his seat, “I just had a hunch. I’m Lucian, by the way. A pleasure to meet you, Shauntal.”
He wasn’t going to mention the fact that he spoke with Grimsley earlier that evening to know her name. It was only polite to address a young lady by their proper name and didn’t want to seem like he was imposing on her by coming by to her table.
She shifted in her seat, offering him a small smile, “Nice to meet you too, Lucian.”
“You’re a beautiful young lady. Why aren’t you out there enjoying the festivities?”
“If my publisher caught me mingling with people instead of working, I’d never hear the end of it. Besides..” she adjusted her glasses over her nose, “..I’m not the best at starting conversations. When I do, I tend to get carried away and people lose interest in talking with me.”
He sighed softly, nodding in agreement as he looked up whilst musing to himself, “I agree. Idol chatter does seem to take up time that could be better used for reading. I tend to spend a great deal of my own free time between challenges reading history books and the like. Though, that’s not the only subject I read, of course.”
There was a brief pause as he slowly turned to face his attention towards her, “I’ve read some of your writing as well. You have quite the imagination, Shauntal. Dare I inquire as to where you get your inspiration for such vivid fantasies?”
She averted her gaze, a faint blush claiming her cheeks at the praise.
“Most of my writing is based on people in my life and events I’ve lived through.”
He raised a curious brow at her, “Is that so? You must have quite the partner for those romance novels then. As I recall they were best sellers, weren’t they?”
Shauntal slowly removed her glasses, cleaning the tiny bit of fog off of them on the edge of her skirt, “I more or less…used my imagination with those scenes. Ah … I haven’t actually..”
He could see she was growing a bit uncomfortable with the subject as he could more or less guess what she was trying to say, but he did have one more inquiry before he moved on.
“That’s a shame. Though I can understand the hesitation to ask someone to be a muse for something so intimate. Trusting anyone with such passionate acts takes quite a bit of courage, especially if you haven’t known them for very long. Though I wonder, would you actually seek out assistance if it was offered?”
Shauntal nearly dropped her glasses, fumbling to capture them in her gloved hands. As she adjusted them, she looked over to see Lucian leaning over the table with his hands folded under his chin, offering a gentle smile.
She could tell that his words were heartfelt, but she was speechless by his inquiry. For a moment, she struggled to form words. Sure, she’s thought about asking one of her colleagues for assistance with her writing but it was never their duty to help her with inspiration for her work.
“I’ve thought about it, yes. However, I don’t think it would be fair to others if I used something so personal for my work. That would be an invasion of their privacy.”
Lucian leaned back in his seat, regarding her for a moment, “I see. A shame really. I would’ve expected at least one of your fellows to at least make the offer. If not one of them, then perhaps a lover out of the range of the League. I can hardly see anyone with a taste for women saying no to such a beautiful woman such as yourself.”
He smiled a little, shifting in his own seat, “ Well, with that being the case, I’d like to offer my services. Should you require assistance in getting through your writer’s block, you’re welcome to bounce ideas off of me if you’d like.”
A soft chuckle left his lips as he tilted his head at her, “This could be quite exciting for both of us. Shall we trade contact information then?”
“Ah – o-of course! You really don’t have to help me though. I’m flattered by the offer though.”
Their Rotom phones floated for a moment, sharing each other’s information before sliding back into their respective pockets.
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. It would be both an honor and privilege to be of assistance to such a talented writer, such as yourself. Your words have a way of capturing the attention of your readers and dare I say, I often find myself captivated often with your works. Now, with our contacts out of the way, “ he uttered, tapping his chin in thought, “I can’t help but wonder what sort of novel you are working on next.”
Shauntal looks down at her notebook and all the various notes she wrote during the first hour of her being there.
“I don’t have anything solid just yet. My publisher did make mention that there was a request for me to continue or at least work on a sequel for the latest fantasy romance I wrote. I’ve only got bits and pieces of a script here, but I've been working on this for months now. I admit I haven’t exactly been motivated to write too much back home.” she gave a dry laugh. “I suppose I have too many distractions there.”
He gave her a long look before slipping out of his chair for a moment. Shauntal watched as he crossed the Galla and promptly interjected a conversation between Cynthia and Iris. He looked over his shoulder toward her for a moment before looking between the two champions. They shared a collective laugh before he returned back to the table with Shauntal.
“It seems that our Champions have no issue with you taking a week or so off with me. I believe a change of scenery will do your muse wonders. I imagine you and the others from Unova are staying at a hotel, yes?”
She was so shocked by his offer that she could only nod in response.
Chuckling softly, he gave her a formal bow – sweeping his right arm under his chest while bending his head down to her, “ In that case, my lady Shauntal, my home is yours during your stay. Should you require anything, you need not hesitate.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, let alone seeing! Such a perfect stranger, who admired her work, was offering her a place to stay so she could reconnect with her writing muse.
“O-oh..why thank you. You didn’t have to go out of your way to do that. I’m sure I would’ve found a way to think of something. I do appreciate the offer of hospitality though.”
As she spoke the ambiance music played classic waltz music. She couldn’t help but sway a little in her seat. Watching her doing so earned a soft chuckle from Lucian.
“Would my lady like to take a step onto the dance floor? I would be honored to give an escort.”
She was embarrassed for a moment but knew that she couldn’t contain her need to move in her seat. He offered her a hand and she immediately accepted. Holding her hand, he walked towards the middle of the room where a few were already dancing, and gently spun her around before placing a free hand on her hip.
Fingers gently laced together, Shauntal placed her free hand on his shoulder as he led her onto the dance floor. She could tell that a few of the Elite were speaking amongst themselves about the display but she didn’t really care at the moment. It had been years since she enjoyed dancing. Her footing was a little rusty but she knew the basics, thanks to her father teaching her before his passing.
As they came to the climax of the dance, she released his shoulder and allowed him to spin her around, dance ahead a few steps before drawing her back into his arms as they continued their usual pace. Shauntal couldn’t help but giggle a little.
“You’re a brilliant dancer, Lucian. “
He gave a bitter smile, “Ah, well. . .private schooling has its advantages I suppose. There are some things you can’t avoid and dancing certainly was one of them. At least my dance partner this time is significantly far more adorable than my last. Having your instructor as a partner at a formal event can be a little humiliating.”
“I can see how that would be awkward.”
As she danced with him, her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, “ ‘As the Empress glided across the marble field of dance, she found a suitable partner within the crowd of spectators during her grand ball. A finely dressed noble with a boastful title. Many rumored that he cared not for such festivities, as his mind was usually focused on his career as a collector of the finer things in life.
However, as he took hold of her hand while standing behind her, he never once missed a beat to shadow her movements. When they turned to face one another, she felt a magical spark in his eyes. The way he mystified her was as if nothing existed in that room but them. Dare she say, she had a moment of love at first sight.’ “
When she looked back at him, Shauntal could see a slow smirk playing upon his lips, “Love at first sight, hm? I’m not one to believe in such fairy tales but perhaps I can make an exception, just this once.” he says with a chuckle, giving her a playful wink.
__________________________
On the sidelines of the dance floor, Grimsley crossed his arms as he watched various couples take the floor. Most were old friends and business partners that wished for privacy in their conversations. However, as he noted a particular pair take the floor, his brows rose.
“Oh…?”
Watching with a newfound interest, Grimsley saw Lucian take Shauntal to the dance floor. He wouldn’t have pegged the gentlemen as one who could dance but he thought it was rather interesting to see the two of them dancing together – even more so when he noticed how she giggled while being twirled about into his arms and the grin that played upon Lucian’s lips as he watched her dance like a Litwick's flame.
Beside him, an old friend, Will, wore a smug grin, “You seem surprised, Grimsley. Did you not think that my brother would be taken by Shauntal?”
The Dark Type gambler thought for a moment, “So that’s why he asked for her name. I knew he was interested in books but I didn’t think he would be interested in her as well.”
Will simply shrugged a shoulder, “I wouldn’t be too concerned. Lucian is a gentleman through and through. From what I’ve heard, she already has arrangements to stay with him for a week or so. I’m sure you’ll have a chance to see her before they leave. Unless. . .” the masked psychic turned to him, “. . .I’m sensing a hint of jealousy?” he teased.
Grimsley gave a look to Will, “I wouldn’t claim to be jealous of anything. Though I am curious about what his play is. It’s not like her to accept a hand from anyone who isn’t from Unova. She’s quite inverted. I’m actually a little surprised she managed to come out of her office to attend the Galla this evening.”
Will arched a brow at him, “Are you sure about that? I believe she may have been hesitant to reach out due to her circumstances. Most Ghost Type users keep to themselves, or at least that’s what I’ve observed anyway. If you don’t believe me, then maybe you should speak to her yourself?”
Grimsley paused, a slow smirk playing upon his lips, “I have every intention of having a word with our little ‘Ghost Writer’. But first, let’s make a game out of this, shall we? If his intentions are pure, then I’ll yield and accept the fact that you were right. However…” he flips his coin, catching it perfectly within his hand as he turns his attention towards the pair in question, “. . .if he doesn’t and his intentions are anything beyond their mutual interests with her writing, then you should admit that I have reason to be concerned.”
Will couldn’t help but chuckle, “I don’t think it’s wise to bet against a psychic, but if you insist. Lose it at your own peril.”
Waving a hand towards the dance floor, Will invited Grimsley to lose his bet. Tucking his coin away, Grimsley walked towards a sideline and waited for Lucian and Shauntal to come his way before tapping Lucian’s shoulder.
“Mind if I cut in for a moment?”
Lucian and Shauntal paused before giving each other a look. She released him before he took her right gloved hand into his own, pressing a faint kiss to her knuckles.
“I’ll wait for you by the entrance when you are ready to leave, my lady.”
“Okay. . .thank you.”
He gave a formal bow to her once more before making his way out of the dance floor. Once he was gone, Grimsley stepped in and placed a hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him as his fingers tightly interlocked with hers.
Leading with perfect practice, he leaned closer to whisper into her ear, “I see you and Lucian are getting quite close. Since when were you two on such friendly terms?”
“Ah..w-we aren’t that close. I only met him today. He’s kind and has a genuine interest in my writing. He even. .” she looked away from him. It wasn’t worth the energy to go off, especially not in public.
Grimsley could tell that he was on the verge of getting a vital piece of information out of her but he had to persuade her that it wasn’t just for his personal gain, “Go on. I’m curious as to what triggered the idea of you working with him. You know you can tell me anything.”
Could she though? The last time she uttered something that was private and possibly embarrassing to her, he teased her to no end. She had made the mention that her neck was bothering her due to working so late that she fell asleep on her laptop. So when she asked if he could help her massage a knot out of her neck, he poked fun at how she thought the keys on her laptop were slightly imprinted on her left cheek and arm. He still helped her, but the comments bothered her. She didn’t tell him though. Shauntal knew he enjoyed the rapid-fire commentary and riling her up. It was like a twisted game on his part.
Her shoulders slumped as the music slowly came to an end. He stopped by a window, away from the main floor so the two of them could talk.
“He. . .offered to help me write my next novel. He has no problem if I bounce ideas off of him or ask him questions. Plus he is helping me get a change of scenery.” She took a deep breath, “I’ve had writer’s block for over six months and I’m nearing my deadline. I need this escape so I can get at least a script out by the end of the week. Are you satisfied now?”
He released her and crossed his arms over his chest, a finger tapping his chin in thought. It didn’t seem like there were any ill intentions mentioned but he was still suspicious.
“Have you at least decided what sort of story you’re writing?”
Shauntal gave a nod, “Fantasy romance. I was requested to write a sequel to the original story I had so I’ll be working on that.”
Grimsley gave her a slight grin, “You’re going to have him help you with a fantasy romance? My…is our little Shauntal finally stepping out of her ghost shell, so to speak? You know, you could’ve asked me if you need help with anything. I read enough of your work to know how that mind of yours works.”
She quickly shook her head, giving a nervous laugh, “N-no..! That’s perfectly fine. I wouldn’t want to impose.”
Giving him more fuel to tease her at how inexperienced she was compared to him? No thank you! She would rather test her luck with a gentle stranger than someone she saw every day, who could poke fun at her mannerisms if she was ever in a tight spot in a heated conversation with him..
Shauntal quickly adjusted her glasses, “Thank you though. I’ll take my chances with Lucian, as he’s already made the offer. I should get going. I don’t want to keep him waiting. I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”
Grimsley gave her a nod, watching her leave to gather her things and head out the entrance. He noticed that as he was making his way back to the crowd he was socializing in, Will was making his way toward him halfway. The pair glanced at the doorway before looking back at one another.
“I told you his intentions were pure. You should have more faith in people, Grimsley.” Will uttered as he looked at him.
Crossing his arms, he gave the doorway a thoughtful expression, “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Your brother seemed rather smitten with Shauntal before he left. If he has indeed read all of her work then he might have an advantage as to the type of guy she’s into. Are you sure your brother wouldn’t have alternative motives with her?”
A sigh left the younger psychic, “Even if he did, why does it matter to you? They’re both adults.”
Grimsley looked away from Will. He didn’t want to say it, but Will was right. He felt a tinge of jealousy. Grimsley always thought that he was the main person that Shauntal would come to if she needed help with her writing. He supposed a few of his previous taunts about some of the topics she wrote were a little over the top. His words likely scared her off, making it difficult for her to trust him with much else. They were colleagues but that didn’t mean he was required to have the privilege of being an intricate part of her writing process.
Giving a defeated sigh, he waved off a hand to Will, “Ah, no matter. You have a valid point. It seems I may have lost my chance at having a decent hand. A loss is a loss.”
Will watched him with mild interest as he walked past him, “Where are you going?”
“To drink myself into a stupor, that’s what. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like.” Grimsley uttered with a tired sigh.
His reply earned a chuckle from Will, “You go on ahead. I think I’ll pass.”
Grimsley shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself..”
Once Grimsley was far enough away, Will laughed a little to himself as he gave a soft round of applause.
“Well done, brother. You’ve taken down a man who has an ego possibly equivalent to the size of your grand library. Well done, indeed. I’m curious as to how this will play out in the end.” He tilts his head in thought, “I do hope that an ego is all that’s bound to be broken this evening..for her sake.”
___________________________
After Shauntal gathered her things, she met with Lucian, who was waiting patiently for her outside. He offered a hand, which she took as she walked with him to the hotel where the Unova Elites were staying.
While they walked, Shauntal kept to herself, eyes glued to the ground.
Lucian noticed that there was a different vibe about her since he last spoke with her. It was like the joy and excitement in her steps were drained. Did something happen between her and Grimsley? He could peek into her mind to get a glimpse of what was bothering her but he respected her boundaries. Instead, he spoke up, giving her hand a light squeeze to hopefully gauge her attention.
“Is everything okay? You seem a bit distant.”
She forced a small smile, “Oh..everything is fine. Don’t worry about it.”
He gave her a look of disbelief, “My dear, I don’t need to be a psychic to know that there’s something troubling you. If you wish to vent, you’re welcome to let it out. I’m sure your mind will be more at ease.”
Shauntal stopped at a lamp post, “Promise not to laugh if I tell you?”
He paused beside her, waiting patiently to hear what she had to say, “I promise I won’t laugh. If there is a matter that vexes you so; it would be in my best interest to aid your situation, not to make it worse.”
Taking a deep breath, she released his hand as she shifted her notebook from her side to her chest, hugging it close.
“When Grimsley danced with me, he accused my going with you to be of an alternative motive you might have. He seemed disappointed that I didn’t ask him for help but. . .I find it hard to speak out and ask him, especially about what I have in mind. I know he likes to talk and fits into plenty of social circles. He also has a habit of teasing me. So I..” she froze, finding it difficult to find the right words.
Lucian watched her carefully, a hand firmly on his side as he gathered the emotions from her words. He could tell that there was a mix of sadness and doubt.
“..want to save yourself from further embarrassment and humiliation? I can’t say that I blame you for wanting to distance yourself from such activity. That sort of situation goes back to what I stated earlier, I believe.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, considering the concern that the two of them were accused of. It was best that he was honest from the start. He had no need to lie about his intentions.
“When I made the offer to assist you with your book, giving you permission to use me as your muse, I don’t believe I placed any restrictions on what I was offering.”
A small smile crept over his lips, “Books are wonderful things. The thoughts written down in a book transcend both time and space. When it comes to your writing, I can sense how much passion you pour into each page. You have a true talent when it comes to sharing stories. So when you are in obvious need to reignite that passion, I find it a true honor that you would accept my assistance, by any means necessary. Granted, my objective isn’t solely to bed you and I’m not going to take advantage of your desires if you wish to keep them private. However, if that's what it will take to reignite your passion, then I have no qualms in lending a hand."
She looked up at him, lips parted in shock, “Any means necessary…?”
Shauntal swallowed a dry breath, finding that the evening breeze was a little warmer than she remembered from earlier as she brushed her thighs against each other. If she was given permission to get that sort of help then maybe her romantic scenes could be a degree or two more accurate. She was given the go-ahead to use anything he said or did with her as inspiration.
In a matter of seconds, she found that her mind wandered towards the idea of him reciting the flirtatious words of seduction that her main character spoke into her ear to help her visualize how the scene would feel in the position of her female lead. The way his breath would feel against her neck when he spoke while his hands distracted her body with brief gentle creases along her hips as he pulled her closer, feeling up her thighs before lifting one leg to wrap around his waist.
She was making herself hot and bothered with just the images alone.
Being the empathic psychic that he was, Lucian adjusted his glasses as he gave her a small smile. When she had such erotic thoughts while he stood so close to her, he had little control over how much her thoughts affected him. He was flattered that she would have such fantasies with him but he needed to make sure that they were on the same page. This sort of thing would be a disaster if they were booked at different chapters.
“I assure you, if you trust me enough to partake in something so dear to you, I will do my best to deliver. Is that all that was bothering you? Sadness isn’t a fitting look on you, my lady. You look far better with a smile.”
Shauntal gave a nervous laugh, nodding her head, “I think so, yes.”
“Wonderful. Now I suppose there is one last thing that should be discussed before we continue. You are aware that I am a psychic type trainer, yes? As you can imagine, I have quite a bit of power at my disposal as well. I tend to feel emotions others can and catch a glimpse of what others are thinking from time to time. Does that bother you?”
She sort of figured that he had powers, as most expert psychic trainers had abilities. In her mind, she would be considered a hypocrite if she kept him past an arm’s length for having such abilities, what with her being able to speak to ghosts on the regular. It didn’t really bother her. She was more or less an open book anyway.
“I’m not bothered by it.”
He sighed a breath of relief. For a moment, he was concerned that she wouldn’t accept him for having such abilities. Call him strange if you will, but he was always worried about making friends or getting close to anyone for the sake of their emotional and thought privacy.
“Thank heavens. I’m glad you aren’t opposed to my unusual powers. You won’t regret placing your trust in me.”
Once more, he offered an arm to her and she slowly accepted the offer. Delicate gloved hands held onto his arm as they made their way to the hotel. As they made their way up to her room, to which she was glad they each had their separate rooms, Shauntal used her key to enter on her own and prepared to pack her things.
“I shouldn’t take too long. I only took a few things out this morning.”
Entering the room with her, he closed the door and leaned on the doorway for a moment, “Take your time. I’m in no rush, my dear.”
Shauntal took out a few of the outfits she had hanging in the closet, quickly trying to hide a particular purple silk garment. Her rushed reaction to hide it only made him curious.
“What was that?”
“Hm?” she looked up from her suitcase, quickly trying to close it. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“I highly doubt that. Come now. Let’s see it. That garment you’re trying to hide from me. It can’t be that bad.”
Shauntal looked away, biting her bottom lip a little, “It’s pretty terrible. I bought it on impulse when we first arrived here, but only because it’s similar to what I have a character wearing. I was hoping to wear it when I got home to help my muse a bit but that probably won’t work, will it?”
“That depends. Care to show me what it looks like?”
Heaving a defeated sigh, she slowly pulled the purple lace and silk outfit out to show him. It was a two-piece outfit that was mostly made of black lace, including the garters that were attached as the main part of the outfit was purple silk.
Lucian observed the outfit before crossing the room to Shauntal’s side. He eyed the garment before turning to the woman beside him.
“Have you had a chance to try it on yet?”
She shook her head, “No. Let me guess, you want me to try it on, don’t you?”
“If you don’t mind? You say it’s something similar to what a character of yours wears, yes? A visual aid would be appreciated.”
Before she could protest, he took hold of her waist and brushed a few stray locks away from her ear.
“Perhaps we can reenact that scene you were thinking of earlier? Your muse is ready at your beck and call, my lady.”
Shauntal felt her cheeks burn up to her ears as his words made her heart skip a few beats. It took everything within her to not scream a little at how flustered he was making her feel. Is this what it felt like when lovers flirted? If so, he was rather good at it. As it was, she was trying to keep her emotions in check, but to no avail, she heard his deep voice chuckle against her ear once more.
“If screaming is something you’d like to do, then I’m sure we can make the proper arrangements this evening. Go on and change for me. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
With that, he brushed his lips briefly against her neck before pulling back with a smug smirk upon his lips.
Shauntal quickly gathered the outfit and fled to the restroom where she would change out of her usual attire and slipped into the outfit she bought. To her dismay, her chest wasn’t completely covered, as she underestimated the fit for the top gown piece. Thank goodness it came with a robe. She could just cover it and call it a day.
After adjusting the garter belts, she fixed her hair and took a deep breath. She’s never worn anything like this for someone before. To be honest, she was nervous.
She just had to channel her character though. A young empowered Empress, fearless and confident. Heir to a wealthy kingdom and the most sought bachelorette. No words from any party, individual or otherwise, could make her thoughts sway in her line of thinking nor of her goals to keep the peace in her lands.
It was her duty to her people to marry and provide an heir, much like her ancestors before her. However, with the end of a recent civil war, finding a partner she could trust was difficult. So few that took interest in her, did so out of mutual goals for her country.
That was until she met a handsome noble on the dance floor. The best way for her to test their loyalty was to seduce and interrogate them. It was a known tactic for her protagonist and Shauntal hoped that she would be able to pull it off without looking too goofy in front of Lucian.
Taking one last deep breath, she opened the door and slowly entered the bedroom. As the door opened, Lucian turned his attention from his Rotom phone toward the direction of the doorway. He had taken a seat on the bed to wait for her but when he saw her step out, the corners of his lips curved.
“Well, well. . .what have we here?”
Shauntal stepped closer to him, closing the distance between them, and pulled him into a needy kiss as she tugged on his jacket. He was taken back at first, unsure how to react to such direct action, but he slowly held her right cheek while his other hand wrapped around her waist. If this was the pace she wanted to go at, then he would follow her lead.
She parted her lips slowly, nudging him with her tongue as her grip on his coat grew tighter. So far, things were going well. Her hands were shaking, but she managed to stand her ground as he parted his lips further for her. Thus allowing her passage to slide her tongue against his. Soft moans left her muffled lips, causing her to lean against him. For a brief moment, they shared an intimate kiss. He could tell that she was shaking as his hand that held her hip traveled slowly up her spine.
Breaking their kiss for a moment, Lucian rested his forehead against hers as he chuckled softly, “Hm..not quite what I expected from you when you came out here but I’m not complaining. Though I could’ve sworn there was more to this outfit than just the robe. May I?”
Shauntal bit her bottom lip, “The top..doesn’t exactly fit right.”
“I’m sure you look fine. Come, let’s have a look at you.” He untied the robe and saw the black lace hug her sides, the silk base just barely covering her breasts as the garters she wore outlined her thighs.
His dark blue gaze softened at her, “You look absolutely stunning. I’m not sure where you got the idea that you look anything less than the image of perfection, but I highly disagree with the notion.”
She blushed as she released his coat, “Thank you. I don’t usually wear flattering attire like this. So it’s nice to know I don’t look too terrible in it.”
“Quite the opposite, my dear. Now, about that kiss from earlier. Care to explain? Again, not complaining. I was just taken a little off guard by that.”
Shauntal shifted in place, “I wanted to channel my main female protag so I wouldn’t feel so jittery and nervous. I’ve never worn something like this before, especially not for someone else. That isn’t weird, is it?”
Lucian simply shook his head, “Not at all. I suppose many couples dabble in a bit of role-playing to play out various fantasies or to conquer various fears. For you, however, I think it may be a bit of columns A and B. Now, seeing as you are all dressed for the part, I believe it would be a terrible waste to not seize the moment, wouldn’t you agree?”
Shauntal thought for a moment, knowing full well that he could hear her thoughts. She wanted to do something with him but was scared of getting hurt. The last thing she wanted was to wake in the morning to have a walk of shame and regret the time they spent together.
His heart sank for a second before taking hold of her hand and kissing her knuckles. She noticed how he never once removed his eyes from her own.
“The last thing I want you to have is regrets, my dear. That would be counterproductive as a muse, don’t you think?”
She could only give him a brief nod, “I guess so.”
He took a moment to carefully place her suitcase on a nearby chair before taking a seat at the end of the bed, then taking her hand to pull her close to him. Pulling her against his chest, he invited her to sit on his lap.
She felt a little awkward about this but the seating didn’t feel terrible. In fact, she felt a bit empowered – sitting there with her legs straddling him while his hands slowly made their way up her thighs, occasionally toying with the fabric of her garters.
He gave her a smug smile, “How does my Empress enjoy her new seating arrangement? Is it to her liking?” There was a hint of teasing in his voice but he meant it in all the best ways that caused the butterflies in her stomach to flutter.
“Ahh..” She was taken off guard by his comment. Was he already going with the flow of role-playing her characters with her? Well, he was fitting the role of her noble gentleman with flawless effort.
Shauntal hummed a soft moan when he moved his hands up and around her hips and placed his hands firmly on her derriere. “My seating arrangement is just fine. Could use a few adjustments though.”
“Oh? That won’t do. How can I meet your requirements?”
A small smile crept over her lips, slowly finding herself comfortable with her role, “I am thinking the chair has too much fabric. I want to feel in charge, not fall asleep.”
He chuckles softly, “We can’t have that, now can we? Hold a moment.”
Lucian took a moment to remove his glasses and tuck them safely into the front coat pocket before shrugging off the first layer of sleeves. He then removed his belt, tossing it beside the bed.
Once the belt was gone, she shifted for a moment to allow him to remove the rest of his garments, save for his shirt. She stopped him from touching the black buttons on his top, causing him to halt his movements before resting his hands back on her hips.
“Is this more to your liking?” he uttered softly, pressing a gentle kiss along the curve of her breasts.
She feathered the tips of her fingers between his lavender locks, “Mhmm..much better. Before we begin, I have some questions for you and I’d like you to answer as honestly as you can.”
“So long as I can still give homage to my Empress, you can ask me anything you’d like.”
Shauntal melted at his words. Sweet Arceus, he was damn good at this. She was going to be sure to use a line or two he spoke later on. It certainly didn’t help when a hand of his dove between her thighs and toyed with the lace that covered her.
“If I were to choose you, how do you plan on serving our country?”
He gave her a thoughtful expression, reading her eyes as he traced her inner thigh with a hand, humming softly.
“I would ensure that my Empress always remained safe, as is any future we might have. She commands the country. I am merely the blade she uses to defend it.” His free hand held her rear once more as he leaned forward to kiss her neck.
Shauntal squirmed above him, making soft noises as he toyed more with her outfit against sensitive skin. If this was how he was going to flush out her character with her, then there was a possibility that this coming week would be filled with many new experiences and she was here for it.
She bit her bottom lip, attempting to regain her composure. There was still one more thing her character had to ask before she completely lost control of herself.
“G-good..Your dedication is noted. Just one more thing your Empress needs to know.”
“Just one? That’s a shame. I was quite enjoying answering your inquiries. Your majesty, if I may be so bold as to say so, looks especially radiant this evening when she lowers her guard.”
The way he looked at her gave her the indication that the comment wasn’t just for her character. It was true that she had lowered her walls and allowed him to become an intimate part of her life, whether she realized it or not. Her characters, despite whether they were flushed out or not, were precious assets to her writing and she allowed him to partake in adding such fascinating personalities to them. She was certain that the moment she was able to reach her laptop, this story was going to write itself with just the brief amount of time she spent with Lucian.
“In what ways can you serve your Empress?”
A soft chuckle slipped from his lips, “That’s not a challenge I was expecting from you, your majesty. I would have hoped my services would’ve been obvious. Since it isn’t, allow me to demonstrate.”
He undid the lace ribbons that kept her bottom piece together, discarding the small garment with his own clothing. A soft sigh left his own lips as he slipped two digits between her folds as kissed up her neck. Her arousal for their little scene had her equally excited as he was.
“You know that I collect finer things in this world, your majesty. I take a great deal of care in all things I have in my collection. What finer thing to have to show that I have acquired the pinnacle of perfection in our lovely country than to have such a rare and beautiful jewel in my possession? I’d ensure that such a jewel would be polished as often as possible and everyone knew how precious such a perfection meant to me.”
He curled his fingers inward, causing Shauntal to quickly reach for his shoulders as she leaned her forehead against his. Soft breathless moans slipped from her lips as he moved slowly within her. He didn’t want to hurt her, as he recalled that this was still the first time she was intimate with someone.
By the way she was holding him though, he would like to give a lucky guess that he was doing just fine. Even her thoughts were broadcasting quite a bit of vulgar language that was mixed with praise, earning a soft chuckle against her ear.
“Is that answer satisfactory to you, your majesty?” he whispered against her skin.
“God yes…Y-you pass.” she croaked out, struggling to keep herself in character.
“I’m pleased to hear that. My, you look flustered. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable?”
She didn’t need to be told twice. He slipped his fingers out and slowly guided her on top of him. She held his shoulder tightly as she felt the unusual firm sensation of him inside her.
Shauntal rolled her hips so she could adjust, earning a low moan from Lucian. He held her hips as he pulled her close.
“We can go at your pace, sweetheart. I admit this may be my first time as well, so let’s take our time and enjoy ourselves, hm?”
“I’m surprised you haven’t..been with anyone before me,” Shauntal uttered softly.
“There are some downfalls to being a psychic, I’m afraid. Most are terrified of having their thoughts read or have unstable emotions that make being in the same room as a psychic can cause more damage than not. So I’ve, more or less, kept to myself. Books usually keep me company while the human company is rather limited.”
Shauntal could understand what he meant. She dealt with similar issues, except her company usually persisted with those that had passed and was often thought a bit crazy for having her story monologues when she was writing.
Since this was a first for them both, she hoped that she was doing well enough for him that she didn’t disappoint.
She no sooner felt a firmer grasp on her rear as he nipped at her ear, “You’re anything but a disappointment, my lady. I’m quite enjoying myself this evening. I only hope the same goes for you as well.”
Nodding her head, she carefully took off her own glasses and placed them on the bed for a moment. The last thing she wanted was to lose those.
“I can barely see anything so you’ll need to be my eyes for me.”
He took a quick second to relocate her glasses to the side table before responding to her.
“That’s not a problem. Just close your eyes and feel what comes naturally. I can describe things to you later.”
A blush dusted her cheeks for a moment as she realized he probably wasn’t kidding and would likely take a great deal of joy in telling her how much he enjoyed seeing the look on her face when she finished.
Having heard her thoughts, he ran a hand up her back as he hummed softly, “I’m sure you’ll look beautiful no matter what your face looks like, my dear. “
She took a deep breath and followed his advice. Rolling her hips against his, she started to set a pace for them. He allowed her to take control, letting her body get used to the feel of him until they were both panting and moaning. Gently taking hold of her chin, he drew her into a soft kiss.
Nothing felt forced, despite the fact that she was with a gentleman that could easily turn this moment into something for his own gain. She was thankful for how gentle he was with her and paid attention to her social cues. She started to move faster, Shauntal could feel her legs getting weaker and her thighs shook as her body shuttered. Within their kiss, a muffled moan escaped as her tight walls collapsed around him. It wasn’t long before he followed behind her and his gentle kisses were becoming more demanding and hungrier.
Much like their first kiss, passion was ignited once more as his own tongue returned the favor from before, daring to duel her for dominance. It wasn’t much of a challenge though, as she yielded to him. All she wanted was to bask at the moment with him. As they shared a moment of bliss, she accepted what he had to offer in their kiss whilst she slowed down.
When they finally broke to breathe, she couldn’t help but giggle out of habit, “That was…definitely better than reading an erotic scene.”
Her comment earned a hearty chuckle from Lucian, “I’m glad to be of assistance. My duty as your muse seems to be working then.” He looks over to an alarm clock that was placed on a table nearby, noting the late hour.
“We should probably get going soon. Before we do, are you feeling alright? I don’t want to hurt you for the brief moment we’ll need to get up.”
“My legs ache a little but other than that, I’m fine.”
He knew that was a normal thing so he didn’t think much of it. Giving her one last kiss, he carefully placed her on the bed beside him so he could get dressed and allow her to rest for a moment. Once ready, he asked if everything else was in her bag. When she mentioned her clothing in the restroom, he gave Shauntal her glasses back and gathered her garments along with her suitcase. She was then wrapped in his arms as he teleported the two of them to his home.
He released her near his bed, sliding her suitcase to the side and placing her clothes in a nearby empty basket. He kissed her forehead, admiring the dazed smile that was painted over her lips.
“You’re welcome to freshen up in my bathroom here. I’ll be back in a moment. No need for you to have your key in your room if you won’t be there.”
She gave him a nod before heading toward the aforementioned room. Once he started to hear water running, he went back and retrieved her key card before heading down to the lobby.
As he spoke with the attendant at the front desk, he noticed that Iris and Caitlin were entering the double glass doors behind him. He quickly finished his business, to ensure that Shauntal’s room was labeled for being available so he could have a word with the ladies that stepped in.
Thankfully, Caitlin knew he wished to speak to them and she gave him a knowing smile.
“Good evening, Lucian. Iris has already informed me that you will be taking care of Shauntal for a few days. I hope this trip helps with her writing. She’s been quite miserable for the past few months.”
Lucian gave the pair a formal bow, offering an honest smile, “I assure you, Shauntal is in the utmost care. I’ll be sure to return her home once she is finished with her writing. Speaking of which, I was wondering if the two of you knew where Grimsley was?”
Caitlin and Iris shared a look, one unamused and the other stifling a giggle, “Oh he’s still at the Galla. He’s probably going to wake up with the worst hangover ever.” Iris uttered between giggles.
“He was challenged by Lance to a drinking contest. Honestly. Such a vulgar display. Though I suppose he isn’t one to back down from a challenge, is he?” Caitlin muttered as she held her cheek in her hand.
Lucian pinched his brow, “I see. I suppose I’ll speak with him another time then. At any rate, I’ll be taking my leave. Have a pleasant evening, ladies.”
Lucian gave the pair yet another bow before leaving the hotel. He had a lovely novelist to attend to and he would ensure that during her stay in his home, the flame of passion for her writing didn’t die. He wasn’t lying when he mentioned that he was fond of her work.
Yet, he is discovering that he is growing rather fond of the infamous ‘Ghost Writer’ herself. This coming week was bound to be quite exciting for them both.