The silence at the table born from Maira’s question struck everyone with surprise and a bit of intrigue. With all eyes on Rielle, the ball was in her court.

“Honestly, it’s hard to say. For the three of you, it’s been at least a few hundred years since we were together. So I don’t think I could say for sure who I loved more.” She admits.

“That makes sense,” Artorius says, with an inquisitive look.

“Then the solution is simple,” Maira says. “Why don’t we date her again and see who can get her heart racing the most?”

Yet again, Maira’s words fill the table with silence.

“This sounds like a fun idea, Maira,” Erica says as she balls her hand into a fist.

“That would allow us to see how much Rielle has also changed.” He says, resting his chin between his index finger and thumb.

“But… How does Rielle feel about it?” Erica asks.

Once more, the attention is back on Rielle. She smiles and crosses her legs.

“I think it sounds like fun. It’ll help me sort out my feelings and learn how much you guys changed, too.” Rielle states.

“Then it’s settled!” Maira exclaims. “First up in the rotation will be… Me!”

“Like hell!” Erica states. “We should determine this in a way that’ll be fair to everyone.”

“I agree with Erica,” Artorius states.

“Then let me handle that,” Rielle says. “I’ll be thinking of a number between 1 and 100; the person with the furthest number from it goes first.”

“Bring it on!” Erica says,

“Piece of cake,” Maira says.

“Let’s just take it easy,” Artorius says, throwing both his hands palms up.

“She couldn’t be… Right?” Artorius thinks. 

“Alright, take your guesses,” Rielle says. 

“1,” Artorius says.

“100,” Erica said as fast as she could.

“You guys are seriously the worst for that,” Maira says, crossing her arms. “30.”

“The number is… 96,” Rielle says. 

“Rats!” Erica exclaims.

“Looks like it’s me up first,” Artorius says.

“We did something like this when we first met. Just what is she planning by having me win?” Artorius thinks. 

“I’ll win the next one,” Maira says.

“Don’t worry. You two can decide by playing rock paper cutters or something.” Rielle says with a smile.

“Erica, let's do this. Our battle shall be legendary.” Maira states. At the same time, she is hunched over, holding her left hand in a fist while holding her other hand over it as if trying to contain something.

“Lets… Just get this over with.” Erica states.

The two hold their hands out at the center of the table.

“One, two, three. Cutters come first!” Maira says.

“One, two, three. First comes rock!” Erica says.

They throw their hands out and abruptly stop. 

“What the hell is ‘first comes rock?’” Maira says, placing her hands on her hips.

“And you think ‘cutter’s come first’ is any better?” Erica questions.

“Ah… I forgot you guys were like 200 years apart.” Rielle says. “There’s bound to be some differences in the stuff you know.”

“Really? I just thought she just made it up on the spot.” Erica says without a hint of malice in her voice.

“I don’t like how easily those words just came out of your mouth,” Maira mutters.

While those two are engrossed in their rock paper cutters match. Artorius leans in closer to Rielle.

“Was that guessing game intentional?” He whispers.

“I figured it’d be more interesting if it were in the original order.” She whispers back.

“But this match of rock paper cutters isn’t a guarantee.”

“You might think that way, but there’s no way Maira will lose this.”

“How so?”

“You’ll see.”

“Okay, so we’ve finally decided. Best out of 5. No rematches. 

Finally, back on track, Erica and Maira face against one another again. This time, they omit their starting phrases to prevent an argument. Their fists slap against their palms three times before opening up. Maira reveals her hand in the cutter position while Erica has paper.

“That’s one,” Maira says smugly. 

“Tch.” Erica sucks her teeth.

Second round. Erica throws out cutters, but Maira has rock.

“How in the?!” Erica questions.

“Impressed by my divine powers?” Maira asks. “I’ll even tell you what I’m going to play next. I’ll be playing…paper.” 

“Don’t regret that choice now,” Erica says.

“This isn’t good. She’s getting into my head. At this rate, I’m going to lose. I’ll have to use my trump card.” Erica says. 

3rd round. Maira plays paper just like she says and starts laughing. Erica plays cutters and, in a blur, counters her entirely.

“What kinda magic did you pull there?” She asks.

“No magic. I can only use simple ones like message anyway.” Erica says.

“What happened there?” Artorius whispers.

“Erica’s physical ability is insanely high, even I barely noticed. As she tossed out the rock, she rearranged her hand faster than most could detect.” 

“So now there’s cheating involved?! Well, I guess it was already like this.”

In another blur, Erica takes the 4th round as well, using her physical prowess to best Maira.

“There’s no way she should be able to predict my tosses; something else is happening here. I might have to use a trick up my sleeve.” Maira thinks.

Final Round. They simultaneously throw out their picks, and both land on rock.

“What?!” Erica exclaims.

“Why so surprised? It’s almost like you expected to win there.” Maira says.

“Urgh.” Erica groans. “Let's just make this next one the last one. The barmaid has been standing there with our drinks. Waiting for the tension to die down.” 

Final, Final Round. Erica tosses out cutters and sees Maira going for a rock. As she tries to change her hand, she is overwhelmed by a sudden, mysterious pressure. It takes her out of the game, and she misses her time to change her hand.

“And the winner of this match goes to ME,” Maira says.

“What was that just now? A demon?” She mutters.

Rielle coughs.

“In any case, we have our order. Artorius, Maira, and, Erica.” Rielle says. “Now, to celebrate, let's drink!”

The barmaid drops the drinks off at the table and walks off. 

Rielle sends a message directly to Artorius in his head.

“I know you’re probably curious about what just happened. So here’s the rundown. You’re aware that Maira’s a shapeshifter, right? Well, for a split second, she morphed part of her body into a demon’s, knowing Erica’s nature as a knight. Rielle explains while grabbing the wooden mug and guzzling it down in seconds flat.

“In the end, the entire thing was brimming with trickery. Oh well. I’m just a regular man surrounded by knights, witches, and shapeshifters, after all.” He thinks, spending not another moment thinking about it; he takes a sip of his ale.

“Phew! I missed this taste! It feels like it’s been forever since I had alcohol!” She exclaims.

“How long have you gone without alcohol?” Erica asks.

“At least 15 or so years.” Rielle answers.

“That long?! What were you going sober for?” Erica questions.

“Old age.” She says, picking up another mug of beer.

“I should’ve known,” Artorius says, says with a grin.

The drinking went on until the wee hours of the morning. Light filtered in through some white curtains and landed on tan bedsheets. Just beside it lay Rielle, asleep. Beads of sweat appear on her forehead as her body begins twisting and shaking as she seems to be in torment. She shoots up from the bed, covered in sweat, and sighs.

“That dream again?” She mutters. “It doesn’t help that I’ve got a killer hangover either.”

Rielle looks over and finds Maira lying in bed beside her, soundly asleep, with the blanket covering most of her body. However, directly beneath her was a deep red stain on the bed.

“Hm… Now, that can’t be right.” Rielle says.

She leans over and takes a whiff of it, catching the sweetness of it.

“It’s wine.” She says. “Maira, wake up. You’re sleeping in a pool of wine.”

Maira shoots up and notices the wetness beneath her.

“Whoa, it’s like I wet the bed,” Maira says.

“Gross. Get up and shower; you’ve been soaking in that wine all night.” Rielle says.

She raises her wine-stained dress up, revealing her thighs.

“Don’t they seem even more delicious with the wine? Huh? Huh?” Maira says.

“Not after that pee joke you just made.” 

“Fiiiine, I’ll go shower. Do you want to come with me? It’s big enough for both of us.”

“I’ll pass for now. Can’t have you cutting in line.” Rielle says.

“Okay. It’s worth the wait anyway,” Maira says, smiling.

“Still, Maira has this place pretty well kept. I still have flashbacks of her clothes thrown about everywhere.” She thinks.

She scans around the room, seeing a neatly tidied desk in the corner and a big fluffy chair in front of the bookshelf between the desk and bed. A dresser was also near the door in the front of the room. Rielle gets up from the bed in her innerwear, consisting of a sleeveless shirt held in place by a choker-like band with straps on both sides. It came down her torso, splitting at her waist, and connected further just before her upper thigh with a thin strap. She wore a pair of leggings with multiple tears, revealing her skin. She found her blue jacket lying on a chair in the living room. From there, she could hear the sounds of water coming from the bathroom.

“Where are Artorius and Erica?” She asks.

“They’re in the guest rooms!” Maira exclaims.

Rielle wanders to the two closed doors near Maira’s bedroom and, at the first one, knocks at the door. But the door swings open a bit, revealing Erica inside. She watches Erica gather her hair up neatly with the scrunchy held by her lips. After gathering it, she removes it from her mouth with her right hand and uses it to tie up her hair. She looks at the door and sees Rielle standing, hand on the doorknob.

Rielle smiles.

“That’s hot.” She says before gently closing the door.

“Don’t just say that and back out the room!” Erica exclaims as she opens the door back up.

“Sorry, I tried to knock, and the door opened.”

“Are you sure?” She asks. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind it even if I was changing, but…”

“That time in our lives is over.” Rielle begins.

“You’re… right,” Erica says in a monotone voice.

She puts a finger on the tip of Erica’s nose.

“For now, that is.” She says before winking.

“I swear you are such a tease,” Erica says. “But that’s one thing I love about you.”

They hear a yawn come from beside them. They look over and see Artorius leaning against the wall.  

“You guys sure are getting started early in the morning.” He says while chomping down on a bowl of cereal.

“No more than necessary,” Rielle says. “Skinship is necessary for fostering relationships.”

“I’m feeling a little left out.” He says jokingly.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got all day to play together.” She states.

Erica seemed visibly frustrated by that response.

“Don’t go trying any slick moves, Artorius! You’re always acting calm, but I know just what kind of man you are.” Erica says.

“What kind is that?” He questions.

“The horny kind!” She says.

“What… Like everyone here?” He says.

She raises her finger in response and then lowers it. 

“Okay, you’ve got me there,” Erica says.

Maira walks out of the bath, wrapped in a towel.

“Some people are okay with multiple partners, though. I don’t see it as a bad thing.” Maira says.

“Really? People do that?” Erica questions with a flustered face as she imagines all sorts of scenarios.

“Do you live under a rock?” Maira asks. “Kings have all sorts of harems.”

Rielle cuts in. 

“I’m not so sure I could do that,” Rielle says.

“Why not?” Artorius asks.

“I… Don’t like to share.” She states with a bit of a glare.

Artorius nearly spills his cereal when he hears it. Erica looks like she’s been sent to a galaxy far away. And Maira fans her face a bit to hide the blushing.