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Chapter Text

At first Ashe thought it was a deception that no one noticed. Students would walk up to a girl in his class, a soft-faced peach-haired girl called Mercedes who was just about the nicest person Ashe had ever seen, and mention something about having an "appointment", and Mercedes and that person would disappear for a bit. Sometimes half an hour, sometimes four. When Ashe sees that person again they'll be stumbling and barely coherent, and Mercedes will be smiling happily and humming to herself.

So Ashe assumed the logical thing: that Mercedes was secretly evil, and using her womanly charms and magic to manipulate the men… and women…? Of the student body for her own nefarious ends! Maybe she was a witch, or a demon! A demon with the face of an angel, but the soul of a politician! Evil to her core!

The only thing Ashe couldn't figure out was her plan, and exactly what she was doing to the people she had "appointments" with. His books of knights and chivalry tell him of evil witches that siphon the youth away from others… but Mercedes already has the face and body of a goddess, and why would she need to do it so frequently? That doesn't quite seem right.

So Ashe finds a different idea, one that makes much more sense for her actions: she's mind controlling everyone! She encourages people to make "appointments" with her by bribing them with… something… (maybe sweets? Supposedly she makes great sweets) and when they're alone she casts her wicked spell!

That has to be it. Right? Sure, he doesn't know why she'd be controlling everyone, and maybe old knightly tales aren't the most reflective of real life, and Mercedes has never shown any other signs of being mean or dangerous, but she's still so suspicious! Besides her evil appointments she's also too friendly. She's too… touchy. She's always putting a hand on someone's shoulder, or their arm, or leaning against them, and stuff like that.

(Sometimes Ashe worries that she's getting attention from the wrong people. He's seen Sylvain very obviously eyeing her and trying to get her attention, as well as some other people...)

Ashe is very suspicious… but he's also very busy. Extremely busy. The Officer's Academy is difficult. He's surprised a commoner like him is even keeping up as is. The magic classes are particularly difficult. He can't keep an eye on Mercedes all the time.

(Besides, Sylvain and some of the other Lions have noticed his constant staring, and are starting to poke fun at him. Ashe does not like Mercedes… well okay, she is nice to him, and beyond being suspicious he doesn't have any proof that she's actually evil yet, and she is attractive… but he's just watching her out of knightly suspicion!)

Ashe is struggling to keep up with his work because his magic theory classes are so difficult. Unfortunately as a first year student he is required to take a little bit of everything so he can't simply drop his magic theory classes. He struggles long nights trying to memorize spell circles and formulas. So late in fact that he starts to be tired even in the morning, and it affects his ability to function and begins a vicious cycle of staying up even later to compensate for what he's missing by being so tired only for that to affect his attention even more the next day and it's just terrible.

And then the worst thing possible happens… Mercedes notices…

"Ashe!" The older girl greets politely, holding a tray of food. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

"Uh, no…" Ashe shifts to the side to allow her to sit next to him. It strikes him as odd, after all the other side of the table is totally empty, and there are other tables with people she's closer to she could be sitting at.

Still, she puts down her tray of food next to his, sitting much closer than he expected. Ashe considers moving further away, but it would be obvious he's trying to keep his distance if he does that, so instead he stays in place.

They eat their food in relative silence for a few minutes. Ashe continues to shoot glances at the girl next to him, wondering why she wanted to sit here in the first place.

Eventually, after most of their food is done, Mercedes speaks. "I've noticed that you seem a bit tired lately." She hums, and turns to look at him. "Are you staying up late Ashe?"

Ashe's shoulders hunch sheepishly. "A little bit."

"You know that's not healthy for you." She scolds lightly. "You need to go to sleep at a proper time."

Ashe sighs. "I can't…"

"Oh?"

"I have to keep up with my classes, and that means staying up late." Ashe mumbles. He sits up straight and tenses when Mercedes puts a hand on his back.

"Do you need help?" She asks in concern. "Which classes are troubling you? Are you stressed?"

Ashe isn't sure he should be confiding in her, but… "The magic classes are hard."

"And are you stressed?" Mercedes repeats.

"A little…" And by that he means a lot.

"I can help." Mercedes offers kindly. "Both with the classes and with your stress. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but I am rather skilled with magic. I can tutor you."

That sounds almost too good to be true, but Ashe really isn't in a position to decline. "That would be great. Thanks."

"And for your stress I can use my natural abilities to help." She offers.

Ashe blinks. "Uh…"

"Oh, did you not know?" She sounds surprised. "I thought you would have heard about it from someone! Oh dear, I did not mean to seem like I was coming on to you!" She brings a hand up to her chest where a necklace sits. "I'm not human. I'm what's known as a succubus."

Ashe blinks rapidly, surprised. "Like… the…"

"The sex demon, yes." Mercedes nods, not at all embarrassed. She's probably had to explain this before. "I have potent charm powers. The only reason you're not charmed right now is this necklace which holds back my powers. My charm powers can be very soothing though. In exchange for feeding on you, I can help you with your stress."

"Feeding?" Ashe squeaks. D-Does that mean…?

"Well there are several ways a succubus can feed." Mercedes smiles. "They way I do it is rather inoffensive. A hug. Now, that hug needs to last for… hmm… maybe a few hours? I haven't had many appointments lately, so I'm a bit peckish."

"H-Hours?" Ashe squeaks. She'd be holding on to him for hours?

"Yes." Mercedes smiles, like that isn't unusual and embarrassing. Then again, that must be normal for her. "Don't worry! You'll still get all your work done. I'm a very good tutor!"

Ashe smiles nervous. "Ah-uh- thanks?"

Oh goddess his heart is racing. What has he just agreed to?

###

"This is a terrible idea." That's what Ashe thinks as he stops in front of Mercedes' room. Yet he still raises his hand and knocks on her door.

The door opens only a few seconds later. Mercedes must have been waiting for him. She smiles gently and opens the door wider to let him in.

Ashe wasn't expecting to see a platter of sweets on a table in the middle of the room. Mercedes sits him down at the table and pushes the plate towards him. "Have some, then we'll get to the tutoring."

"Oh." Ashe was expecting the other thing. Mercedes seems to know this, because she giggles with a knowing look.

"You can't very well study if you're charmed up to your ears, can you?" She teases. "You brought your books, didn't you?"

"Uh, yes!" He squeaks. He scrambles around in his bag to pull out the books. Mercedes has an even wider smile on her face when he glances at her face again, making him fairly sure she knows he's embarrassed and finds it amusing.

"Well then, show me what you've gotten so far." She instructs.

(She also pushes more cookies at him after noticing he's finished the one he was eating before, and he sheepishly accepts)

Mercedes' tutoring is dozens of times more efficient than trying to figure out magical theory on his own. What would have taken him several hours instead takes one and a half. Ashe really wishes he had asked for help before now.

"Well, this is wonderful!" Mercedes smiles and claps her hands. "All done!"

"Yeah." Ashe nods in relief. He feels like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. "Thanks Mercedes. I wish all my work could be this easy."

"I'd be more than happy to help you with your magic courses in the future!" Mercedes says cheerfully.

"Really?" Ashe says in relief. "Thanks. I really do appreciate it."

"Of course!" She smiles. "But not for free."

Ashe tenses. "What do you want?"

"Well… as much as I make appointments, there are times when I'm too busy to have time to be able to feed on so many people." Mercedes explains. "And Annie helps me when that happens, but I can't feed on her all the time considering how often I need to feed, and I don't want to ask random students because… well… I'm not unaware that some of them might take that the wrong way."

"Why me though?"

"I feeI can trust you." Mercedes says with a smile. "Am I wrong?"

"I- uh- no! You can trust me." Ashe nods rapidly.

Her face brightens even more, and Ashe's heart skips a beat. "Oh thank you Ashe! Speaking of feeding, we should get on to that shouldn't we? Are you hungry first? It will take a while, you may be peckish if you haven't eaten enough!"

"I'm fine." Ashe says. The butterflies in his stomach are growing, and his pulse is starting to pound.

"Well, if you're sure…" Mercedes murmurs. She stands up and motions for him to do the same. She then sits down on her bed and pats her lap. "Alright, sit down and we'll start."

Ashe didn't realize he'd be sitting in her lap. Still, he agreed to this, and Mercedes has been nothing but kind. He takes a breath, turns around, and sits in her lap.

"Are you sure you want to sit like this?" Mercedes giggles behind him. "Most people prefer to face me."

Ashe blushes and looks away. "I didn't think I should."

"You can." She says sweetly. "If you want to."

Ashe does indeed turn around. It's so much more embarrassing to sit down in her lap while facing her than while facing away though. They're almost nose to nose… or more accurately nose to bust. Ashe hates how short he is sometimes.

"Alright, just let me…" Mercedes murmurs and removes her shawl, leaving her arms bare. "Feeding works through physical contact, skin to skin. So I'm going to put my arms up your sleeves, alright?"

"Okay." Ashe says hoarsely.

"Alright then." The older girl murmurs. She grabs her necklace and slowly removes it. "Just relax, I'll take care of you."

Ashe isn't sure if it's her words or the sudden flush of charm magic from her removing her necklace that sends a shiver down his spine. Either way, when her hands touch his arms, he can feel the weakness shoot through his body. He couldn't stop himself from falling against her if he tried.

He can feel heat on his cheeks as Mercedes hums and properly threads her arms into his sleeves and her hands onto his back. Her skin is warm on his, and it seems to sap his energy wherever she touches. Ashe tries not to shudder at the feeling.

"There we go. Comfortable?" Mercedes coos. She snuggles into him, readjusting how they are sitting and pulling him more tightly against her body. Ashe is trying not to think about how his face is being pressed into her breasts right now. That would be impolite of him to think.

Then Mercedes settles down, apparently content with her seat, and Ashe all of a sudden realizes the full extent of his situation. He's going to be stuck like this for hours. His body already feels warm and heavy and just… pleasant. His mind isn't working correctly either. It's actually a bit difficult to think at the moment because he feels wonderfully content and lazy.

Perhaps worse still (or better, depending on how he wants to see it) Mercedes is not motionless. Her hands caress his back, and she occasionally hums a song under her breath that vibrates to his head though her chest.

Ashe tries to readjust himself, but finds his body isn't responding. The only thing he can do is blink his eyes and occasionally twitch his fingers. Mercedes never mentioned paralysis. Or is that just normal for charm magic?

Time creeps by slowly for Ashe, really allowing him to experience what it's like to be in Mercedes' grasp. It's comfortable, almost scarily so. Ashe feels like he could fall asleep like this, using the older girl as a pillow, but he doesn't feel like he should.

Ashe has to remind himself that he's dealing with a succubus, and that he shouldn't get too comfortable. Not only is it impolite, it's dangerous.

"You're still fidgeting so much." Mercedes notes quietly. "You're fine Ashe, you can relax. Sleep if you want to. Others have. You don't have to be nervous, I'll take care of you."

Ashe swallows thickly, but nods. Or, more accurately, he tries to nod but can't. Still, he makes an effort to relax. Mercedes has not hurt anyone else, and she's even had appointments with people like Sylvain, so anything he does or thinks or says under the influence of charm magic shouldn't be offensive to Mercedes.

So Ashe takes a deep breath, and just allows himself to enjoy his position. He allows himself to lose focus and submit to Mercedes' embrace and the massage she seems to be giving his back. He stops paying so much attention to the time, and doesn't fight against the charm magic seeping into his body and brain.

###

"I think that should be enough." Mercedes murmurs. Ashe is so charmed that he doesn't really process what she says, not that Mercedes really expects him to. Even though she's putting on her necklace it will still take ten minutes for the paralysis to wear off, and an hour for the charm to fully wear out.

As expected, Ashe is in no position to react when she removes her hands from around his back. She can't very well just leave him paralyzed on the spot though, even if she is done feeding. She moves him so that his head is lying in her lap, puts her shawl back on, and patiently waits for the paralysis to wear off.

Ashe was… not quite as tasty as she expected, though in hindsight that's probably because of how late he was staying up all the time, impacting his health, and the taste of an individual directly relates to their health. At the very least it was nice to see him finally relax rather than be so clearly tired with bags under his occasionally bloodshot eyes.

Besides, Mercedes has tasted much worse than Ashe in the past, and she hopes with their deal his taste will improve. Not that she made the deal just to feed on him, of course not! She genuinely wants to help. She simply doubts he would have accepted free help, so she made it a deal instead.

The ten minute go by and Ashe starts to twitch. He's still drugged to high heaven on charm magic, so he's nowhere near in his right mind, but she probably won't have to monitor him now.

Ashe loopily tries to get up, and nearly falls face-first into the table.

Okay, maybe she will have to watch him… or she could just put him to sleep until tomorrow. Yes, that sounds like a good idea.

###

Ashe wakes up the next morning feeling very relaxed. In fact, he feels better than he has in several weeks. It's been too long since he got a good night's sleep.

…

Oh, right. That's why he got a good night's sleep. How on earth is he going to face Mercedes today? He spent half of yesterday basically being babied by her. There's no way he's going to be able to face her without a stammer or a blush.

Then again, she's probably used to this sort of reaction, and he's just overthinking it. Now that he considers it, that must be kind of a pain to have to deal with people being awkward around you just because you have to do something completely normal to your species.

He also feels embarrassed that he ever thought she was evil. Maybe he should take his knightly tales a bit less seriously.

Chapter Text

"A spar?" Mercedes says when Felix asks her. "Well, I suppose I have some free time, but I really think Manuela would be a better choice of opponent if you want someone with white magic."

"I know that. I'm not looking for someone with white magic." Felix scoffs. "You're a succubus. You're a perfect challenge for my skills."

"Oh…" Mercedes frowns. "I don't see how that will work. If I take off my necklace, there's really no contest."

"Don't look down on me." Felix sneers. "I've trained plenty for this. I know to avoid your touch."

"Ahh, so you want me to restrict myself to touch?" Mercedes hums.

"Of course not. Give me everything you have." Felix insists. He didn't expect her to be so patronizing. Does she really think he's so incapable that he can't dodge someone as clumsy as her and a few spells? "It's not worth my time if you're not going to put in effort."

The older girl tilts her head and a small smile crosses her lips. Felix bristles. She is looking down on him! "Oh my, well I suppose I must oblige then. I hope you know what you're in for."

"Don't underestimate me. I plan to come out on top." Felix says. "I've trained for this specifically."

"I see." Mercedes giggles. "I hope you haven't spent too much time practicing for this."

"Of course I have. I don't do half-measures." Felix scoffs again.

"Ahh…"

"Does Saturday afternoon work?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"I'll see you then." Felix turns on his heel and walks off. How dare she patronize him. He'll prove himself by winning their match on Saturday. He'll train extra just so he can guarantee he'll win. He can't let her get away with implying that he's weak.

###

"Felix!" Sylvain says cheerfully. "So I heard some interesting news yesterday~!"

"Go away Sylvain…" Felix growls. "I'm training."

"You're always training." The redhead says dismissively. "Seriously, how long have you been here today?"

"Not long enough."

"Exact time Felix."

He sighs and looks up at the sun. "Maybe… five hours? Like I said, not long enough."

"Felix, buddy, you can't train all day. There's this thing called relaxation… and also schoolwork."

Felix snorts. "You, lecturing me about schoolwork? That's rich. Now did you come here for a reason or not?"

"I want to know if the rumors are true." Sylvain says. "Did you really challenge Mercedes?"

"Of course I did." He huffs. "It's the perfect challenge of my abilities."

"Buddy, you do know that succubi are called the hunters of humanity for a reason, right?" Sylvain says slowly. "You seriously stand no chance."

That brings a snarl to his face. Sylvain too? Does everyone think he's a weakling? "I've trained for this Sylvain, I will win."

"Riiiiight." Sylvain smirks. "Sure buddy. Hey, can I come watch?"

"No."

"I thought you said you trained for this."

"I have. I just don't want you watching. You're distracting."

"Fiiiine. I'm sure I'll hear the results from Mercedes later." Sylvain laughs. "Good luck Felix, you'll need it!"

"I don't need luck, I have skill."

###

"Felix, I have a suggestion." Mercedes murmurs as he tests the weight of his training blade. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind adding some stakes to this fight?"

The boy raises an eyebrow. This seems rather unlike Mercedes is his mind. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I find myself in need of a feeding partner for today, so I'd like to wager if I win that you allow me to feed on you." Mercedes murmurs.

"And if I win?"

"Whatever you choose." Mercedes promises.

"I want more matches if I win." Felix demands. "I can only perfect my skills with a live opponent."

"So you agree to the terms then? You know what a feeding implies?"

"Yes." Felix nods. He can feel a nervous energy enter his veins. There's nothing quite like a fight with stakes. It might not be life or death, but it adds a certain amount of tension. He's never been the subject of a feeding, but he vaguely knows what that means. It doesn't matter though. He won't lose.

"And you are still sure you want me to use my other abilities?"

"Go all out." Felix nods. He raises his sword up in front of his body. "There's no point if you aren't trying."

"Alright~" Her voice has a sing-song tone to it, like she's amused by something. One of her hands rests on her necklace. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Just tell me when you're ready and I'll take it off."

Felix takes a steadying breath. He remembers what he has to do. He wore long sleeves today so he has less skin exposed for her to make contact with, he chose a longer blade so he has more reach, and he practiced dodges and blocks for the last three days in preparation for this. He can win, he just has to fight smartly. He is not weak and he'll prove it. "Ready."

Mercedes slowly removes her necklace. As soon as it's over her head, Felix can feel the charm magic roll over him. A warm tingle envelope his entire body, and he has to fight a shiver that's trying to crawl down his spine. On top of that, he can't look away. His eyes are locked on Mercedes, and it takes a massive amount of effort to remove his gaze even for a second or two.

"That's just my passive charm." Mercedes murmurs. "Are you sure that-"

"I can handle it!" Felix snaps. He hates how his voice catches halfway through. It makes him sound pathetic, like a child that can't speak properly. "Don't mock me."

Mercedes' expression softens. "Felix…"

"Don't pity me either!" He all but roars. "I won't stand for you treating me like a weakling!"

"I see." Mercedes stands up straight. "You want me to do everything I can?"

"Yes! A proper fight!"

"Alright." She nods seriously, just like Felix wants. "Just say when."

"Fight!" He roars, and takes a single step forward. Mercedes' gaze hardens, and paralysis abruptly seizes his body. Felix tries everything, anything, but all he can't even get his eyes to look away now. Less than five seconds have passed, and Felix is totally incapacitated.

"Drop your sword." Mercedes instructs. The sword immediately slips from Felix's fingers into the dirt. She then extends her hands forwards and whispers. "Won't you come here?"

It's like someone buried their fingers in his brain and pulled. Like a puppet on strings, totally out of his control, Felix's body strides forwards until he's standing directly in front of her. Why wouldn't he listen? He loves Mercedes. He'd do whatever she wanted him to.

Soft hands touch his face, brushing his hair out of his eyes. Felix doesn't bother to suppress his shiver this time. "You really had no idea what you were getting into, did you?" Mercedes asks quietly. "Still, I suppose I was rude to you. I'm sorry for that."

Felix doesn't know what she's apologizing for. Clearly he was in the wrong. It's not like she could ever do something-

Mercedes taps his forehead and removes the more severe charm from his mind, and Felix suddenly understands his situation. He lost. Badly. He managed a single step before she completely dominated his mind and controlled his body, and that was before she laid a single finger on him. All his training was irrelevant. He grossly underestimated what a succubus can do.

He's furious, he's humiliated, but mostly he's disappointed in himself. He was warned multiple times; Mercedes warned him and Sylvain warned him, but he didn't bother looking any deeper into a succubus' powers despite that. He's more glad than ever he didn't let Sylvain spectate this match. Sylvain would never let him hear the end of this.

"I'm going to put my necklace back on. Don't fall." Mercedes warns. Felix doesn't know quite what she means by that until the necklace goes back on and the charm abruptly vanishes from his body. His legs quiver and he sways in place, and he hastily grabs Mercedes' shoulders to keep himself upright. "Pulling charm magic out from someone can be just as disorienting as inflicting it." She explains as the boy gets his footing back. "Now, I believe my prize for winning was feeding. So if you have some free time now…?"

"Fine." He grunts. This feels like adding insult to injury. Not only did he lose to a succubus, but now he gets drained in an appropriate manner. He knows Mercedes probably doesn't mean to humiliate him further, but that's what it feels like. "I'll be your food."

"You make it sound so awful." She sighs. "It's pleasant, I promise."

Being paralyzed and having your energy drained is pleasant? "Right…"

###

Mercedes will admit she has ulterior motives. She could have easily found someone else to feed on today. It's not like there's a lack of people who'd be fine with it, or even eager for it. No. The reason she still asked to feed on him was because of Sylvain.

As it turns out, Sylvain is not nearly as bad a friend as he appears to be. He knew Felix was overworking himself, but also knew that Felix wouldn't listen to him if he tried to tell him to chill out. So, knowing Mercedes was going to fight him, he asked her to make Felix relax.

Mercedes doesn't condone forcefully inflicting anything on someone else, but she couldn't just ignore an obvious request for help, so she went ahead and added stakes to the fight with the condition that she could feed on Felix if she won so that she could help without being immoral about it.

He's being adorably sulky about it, mostly because Mercedes is pretty sure he's embarrassed but doesn't want to admit it. After all, he doesn't seem very physically affection, and that's exactly what she's going to be doing.

"You've eaten today, yes? It wouldn't do to start on an empty stomach. This is not a quick process." She says conversationally.

"I'm fine." He responds curtly. He has a grimace on his face. "Let's… just get this over with. I have training to do."

"From what I've been told you train all the time." Mercedes chuckles. She removes her shawl, revealing bare arms. Feeding in this manner is all about skin contact, so she rarely bothers with sleeves. "You really need to relax more. Stress can do terrible things to a body."

"You sound like Sylvain."

"Maybe he has a point then."

Felix scoffs. "The day Sylvain has a good point is the day I retire my sword."

"My…" Mercedes giggles. "So grim."

"Don't mock me."

She probably shouldn't tell him that she thinks his embarrassed scowl is painfully cute. It's probably a succubus thing. Succubi tend to find weakness endearing.

Well, technically succubi find weakness exciting (in all senses of that word), because weakness marks easy prey for them. It's a biological reaction. There's certainly no way she's going to reveal that though. That would be even more mortifying for Felix.

"Now, how do you want to do this? I'm not picky." Mercedes says. "You're taller than me, so maybe I should sit in your lap?"

Felix's face blushes scarlet. "Why would you do that!?"

"Felix, you're not exactly going to be able to move during this." She explains with a smile. "I need to make sure you don't fall over."

"Why are we sitting then?" Felix frowns. "Wouldn't it make more sense to lie down?"

Mercedes' face lights up with a wide smile. "Oh, of course we can do that! I thought it would be too intimate for you."

The boy is confused for a few seconds, then realizes what he just suggested. "On second thought-"

"Let's go right ahead then, hmm?" Mercedes says, and gently pushes him against the bed. Felix has an anxious expression that he's desperately trying to suppress, and Mercedes has to stop for a second. "Felix… I'm not going to force this on you-"

"I'm fine."

"You look like you're about to panic."

"I'm fine."

"Alright…" He will be fine in a moment anyways. Feeding involves inflicting calm on your partner to some extent. "Just lie down, and I'll deal with the rest."

Felix reluctantly listens to her order and lies back on the bed. It's a new perspective to have Mercedes leaning over him like this. He doesn't want to admit he finds it intimidating. It's a stupid thing to find intimidating, Mercedes is possibly the least scary person he's ever met, but she's also the person who beat him in a fight in less then two seconds.

"Just relax. I'll take care of you." Mercedes soothes. At least, she tries to soothe him, but those words only serve to make him more nervous.

"I don't need taking care of."

"Nonsense. Everyone needs a bit of love sometimes." Mercedes tuts. "Now shh…"

She removes her necklace and Felix fights a sudder. He's not sure if her natural charm magic is pleasant or terrifying. It's probably supposed to be pleasant, but knowing that the whole reason she has those powers is for the express purpose of controlling people kinda puts a damper on any comfort it might deliver.

Mercedes takes a moment to seat herself on his hips, then leans down so she's lying against him and winds her arms up his sleeves and around his back, and rests her head against his neck. "There we go. Nice and comfortable."

Comfortable is one way to put it. Felix would describe it as nerve-wracking. He feels weak like a kitten… or a worm. Her hands are warm and soft on his back, and her chin resting in the crook of his neck makes his neck tingle pleasantly… but it's also a stark reminder of his weakness. He couldn't push her head away from his neck if he wanted to, and he has no strength to fight off her embrace.

He also hates how his attention is being drawn in inappropriate directions. It's probably because of her natural charm magic, amplified by her touch, but he can't help but feel that if he were just a bit more focused, a bit more controlled, he could ignore his instincts. He doesn't want to think about the pleasant weight of her body on top of his, or the way her thighs lightly squeeze his hips, or how her breasts are being squished against his chest…

"This has to be what it's like to be Sylvain." Felix grimaces. "I feel so dirty.'"

On some level he knows it's not really his fault, and that Mercedes doesn't care and probably expects this, but that doesn't make him feel any less disgusted with himself.

"Stop being so tense." Mercedes scolds. Her hands press into his back, finding obvious tension in the muscles. "I'm not going to hurt you Felix."

He knows that. It's just-

"Or maybe it's because you've been training too much." Mercedes murmurs. Her hands start to massage him. "You must be so sore... Felix, you can't ruin your body like this."

Felix would grimace if he had control of his body. This feels like the lectures Ingrid gives him, except without all the shouting. Yes, he's always sore, but if he isn't that means he's not training enough. Any moment his muscles aren't sore is-

"I bet you think that always being sore is a good thing, don't you?" Mercedes huffs as if reading his thoughts. "There is such a thing as overworking yourself you know. Honestly. In fact… I'm going to roll you over."

She doesn't bother trying to get a response out of him before extracting herself from him and rolling him onto his stomach (taking care to make sure his head is sideways and comfortable on the pillow) and then pulling up the back of his shirt. She then stretches her fingers and begins properly massaging his back.

"Really Felix, you need to give your body a break once in a while." She scolds.

Felix would be lying if he said it wasn't incredibly relaxing. At the same time he has no idea what to think about this, because a massage was not part of the deal.

"Am I being babied?" Felix considers. He wouldn't put it past Mercedes. It seems very in-character for her. He's heard of her "appointments" before and knows it's not unusual for her to dote on the people she's feeding from. Still, it's an unnerving feeling to be acted upon with no ability to act in return or even refuse, even if the other party has the best of intentions.

It's also just occurring to him that he's going to have to handle multiple hours of putting up with whatever arbitrary thing Mercedes decides needs to happen. He really should have thought about the stakes of that fight a bit more… though the only reason he agreed in the first place was because he thought he was going to win.

(As it turns out, after thoroughly massaging his back, Mercedes doesn't decide anything else needs to happen and contentedly spends a few hours snuggling him.)

###

"Hey Felix!"

"Go away Sylvain."

"I heard an interesting rumor today-"

"Don't care."

"-about you-"

"Still don't care."

"-and Mercedes."

Felix is silent. He really hopes Sylvain drops this, but he knows the redhead won't.

"Didn't you challenge her to a fight?"

"Yes." He growls.

"And you lost."

A snarl crosses his face. "Thanks for reminding me."

"You're just bitter." Sylvain chuckles. "But that's not what I heard. I heard you were seen leaving her room a few days ago."

"Maybe."

"She convinced you to let her feed on you, didn't she?"

Felix turns away and glares at the sword in his hand. Under his breath he mutters. "We made a bet."

"What was that?" Sylvain asks cheekily, putting a hand to his ear. "Louder please, I couldn't hear you."

"We made a bet!" He snaps. "And I lost. Happy?!"

"Very." Sylvain chuckles. "So, was it great? Did you freak out because you're bad with women?"

"I am not."

"Did you finally take a break?"

"If you can call being pinned to a bed by someone for three hours taking a break…" Felix grumbles.

"Lucky bastard." Sylvain says in awe. Felix scoffs and rolls his eyes. Of course that would be Sylavin's reaction. "But that's good. You never chill out. I'm glad Mercedes followed through and got you to chill out."

"Yeah yeah." Felix says, then something occurs to him. "Wait… what do you mean she followed through?"

"I might have asked her to help you relax." Sylvain grins.

"You bastard…"

"Aw c'mon, it turned out well, didn't it?"

"I hate you."

"Hey, even Ingrid was in on it."

"What!?"

"It took a bit of convincing, but…"

"Why am I even friends with you two?"

"Because we all stop each other from self-destructing?"

"Shut up Sylvain. Don't pretend you actually know what you're talking about."

Sylvain promptly starts laughing, and Felix makes a concentrated effort to ignore him and get back to practicing. Sylvain isn't done talking though. "You never told me if you liked it or not."

"I'm not answering that."

"You know I won't stop asking until you tell me."

Felix snarls. Why must Sylvain be so intrusive? "It was fine."

"C'mon Felix, details!"

"No. It was fine. That's all you're getting."

"So you liked it."

"I never said that."

"Well you're only telling me that it was fine, so I have to make some assumptions."

"No you don't. You're just doing it anyway."

"Yep!"

Felix can feel his eye twitching. Why did he have to be friends with one of the most frustrating people in existence? "It was… unnerving. I'd rather not go through that again."

"Huh." Sylvain's voice loses the teasing tone. "Why's that? I usually find it pretty pleasant."

"It was." Felix admits in frustration. It's not like Mercedes did anything wrong or supremely intrusive. She was perfectly nice to him. It was pleasant and relaxing. "Look, I don't know. I had no control of my limbs, my head, anything. There's just something that feels wrong about that."

"Really? It's fun for me." Sylvain muses. "Kinky even."

Felix regrets sharing anything with Sylvain. "You're disgusting."

"Nah, you're just too uptight."

Chapter Text

When Annette first saw Mercedes, she thought the older girl looked like the physical embodiment of a hug. She looked friendly, gentle, and comforting. Of course, Annette didn't know if that was true because she'd never talked to Mercedes, but it certainly influenced her decision to approach. If there was anyone who would be her friend, it would be this girl. How could someone who looked so fluffy and soft be a bad person?

Mercedes looked mostly the same as she does now, if maybe a bit more thin and a little less modest. The most notable difference would be that she didn't have her shawl, but she otherwise wore a very similar outfit.

Not that Annette knew that back in the day. To her, Mercedes' conservative-looking white shirt that nonetheless clung very tightly to her figure was normal. The shawl that (mostly) hides her figure didn't come about until Garreg Mach. She was also more thin than she is now. Not that she isn't thin now, but… it used to be more pronounced. Her body was more obviously exaggerated in the waist to hip/bust ratio.

It's only in retrospect that Annette can make these comparisons though. Again, at the time, Mercedes to her was the friendly-looking, huggable, pretty older girl that she wanted to make friends with. She was not the girl she had been friends with for years, and Annette was not aware of her nature as a succubus. Not immediately at least.

Class had not started yet, and there was a free seat next to this girl. So, mustering her courage, Annette had walked over to that free seat and sat next to the older girl. "H-Hi! Is this seat taken?"

"No it isn't." The older girl had smiled. "You're welcome to sit."

"Thanks!" Annette chirped back. "My name is Annette Fantine Dominic!"

"And I am Mercedes Von Martritz." Mercedes responded with a serene nod.

"See? She is friendly, I knew it! Hug incarnate!" Annette beamed. "I'm a first year! This is actually my first class!"

"It is mine as well." Mercedes said. "I'm also in first year."

"Really!?" Annette gasped. "But you're… old."

"I'm not sure eighteen counts as old." Mercedes giggled. "But I started my education a bit late, so I'm only a first year."

"Eighteen?" Annette thought. That seemed like so much older than her at the time. Annette was only twelve, so eighteen years old was an extra half a lifetime to her. That seemed like a lot, and to be fair even now Annette hasn't hit that point. "That seems old to me. I'm only twelve."

"When you say that I do feel old." Mercedes hummed. She runs a hand over her face. "I can feel the wrinkles and see the grey hairs already…"

That was an absurd thing to say already considering Mercedes' skin and hair was immaculate, though it was only later that Annette would understand the humor of Mercedes even suggesting she could get wrinkles or grey hairs. Succubi don't get signs of aging like that until they're really old, as you might expect of a species whose whole deal is that they're as generally physically attractive as possible. If a succubus gets grey hairs, they're probably over one-hundred years old already and succubi live a century and a half at most, so that's the equivalent of being an elder, two thirds through your life, before any major signs of aging start to show up.

That meeting, simple as it was, was the start of a very long friendship.

Annette's impression of Mercedes didn't, and still hasn't, changed all that much over time. Annette can still say with confidence that Mercedes looks like a hug given human form, and she is indeed very friendly and soft. That doesn't mean Annette hasn't learned anything about the older girl at all though. For one, it took a while to realize that maybe Mercedes wasn't human, or at least had some odd psychological quirks.

It started with noticing how Mercedes acted when she didn't know Annette was around. So it was mostly things Annette noticed before calling out to Mercedes when she saw her, which would be maybe a few seconds. Still, Annette had always been observant, so despite it not being a long stretch of time she still noticed some things.

For one, Mercedes would sometimes hold herself differently. There would be occasions when Mercedes' posture would change from her usual calm and relaxed state to something more tense and alert. She would tilt her head to the side, slightly pucker her lips and drop her eyelids, and hold her hands behind her back and thrust her chest forward. Sometimes, when she was doing this, Annette would notice her talking to people, usually boys, or walking slowly along a path with a swing to her hips. Annette herself was too young and had too little experience with flirting to identify seduction or an intentionally tempting pose when she saw it. To Annette at the time, it was just something that Mercedes did and she didn't give it much thought.

Other times Annette would notice that when she messed up, usually when she tripped over something, Mercedes would have a flash of an unusual expression. It was an intent, intense stare, sometimes accompanied by Mercedes leaning forward a bit or a light parting of her lips. The expression would last just a moment before the older girl's concern kicked into action and she would rush to help and heal Annette, but it was another odd quirk that Annette eventually took note of.

There was also one particular memory that Annette has that she remembers as the starting point of her really beginning to pay attention to Mercedes' quirks. It was a bout of odd behaviour on the older girl's part. The day started normally, with Annette meeting Mercedes (who was always slower to get up in the morning) at her door and they walked to breakfast before going to class. That was all normal.

It was the small things that were off. At this point in their relationship they were comfortable enough to share the occasional greeting hug, and that's exactly what made Mercedes' actions weird. That day, Mercedes was rather touchy. It wasn't anything intrusive exactly. Mercedes would touch Annette's arm when she spoke, always put a hand on her shoulder to get her attention rather than just saying her name, would lean towards her whenever Annette spoke and would subtly stare at her mouth the whole time.

It was that combination of small odd things that made Annette start really paying attention to Mercedes' quirks. It would only be later that she would learn that on that particular day Mercedes was starving from not having fed in nearly a week and a half, and it was the closest Mercedes ever came to outright attacking someone. She did not have the arrangement she has at Garreg Mach where she uses her feeding to help others with stress; she used to feed the more standard way by identifying a target, either enticing them into approaching or seducing them directly, and then isolating them somewhere secluded to feed and then wiping their memory. It was a daily game of manipulation by finding people to prey on or else setting them up to be preyed on later. Feeding through kisses granted her a bit more leeway, satisfying her for up to a week if needed rather than a few days at most (though feeding every four days was still the most healthy for that particular method).

Anyhow, Mercedes was acting weird, and Annette finally took notice. It was from then on that Annette studied Mercedes' actions and started to piece things together. Annette eventually learned what seduction was (through a book Mercedes gave to her actually) and almost instantly identified some of Mercedes' actions as such. It was hard at first to wrap her mind around her saintly, sweet, gentle friend seducing someone.

She noticed how Mercedes was often busy in the evening, but never went back to her room during that time. She noticed how Mercedes' eyes would follow anyone who was obviously skittish, shy, or clumsy. She noticed that Mercedes would go through great pains to hide the fact that she wore a necklace for some reason, and Annette overheard a talk between Mercedes and a teacher about the fact that the necklace was magic that Mercedes was quite obviously coming up with excuses for, claiming it was a family heirloom that provided protection from magic. It was a vaguely plausible excuse due to Mercedes' naturally incredible magic resistance and it got the teacher off Mercedes' back, but Annette knew it was untrue. Mercedes had told her it was a gift from her mother, bought for her fifth birthday. It wasn't an heirloom at all.

Annette also remembers the day that she learned that Mercedes was a succubus. It was actually by accident. Annette can't remember why she was looking for Mercedes. It might have been a project they were working on together? It was important at the time, though it really doesn't matter now. All that matters is that it was important enough for Annette to try and find Mercedes despite this being one of the evenings Mercedes was busy.

"Maybe she's on a date?" Annette had thought as she ventured closer to the boys' dormitory. Maybe Mercedes was over here meeting with someone. "I don't want to interrupt, but this is sort of important."

She snooped around the back of the building, where tall trees cast shadows on the walls and she could see some certainly underage boys sharing a keg of ale they managed to get from Goddess-knows-where. Annette kept to the trees where it was darkest, and she could remain unnoticed.

Mercedes was not to be found directly around the dormitories, but she wasn't too far away. It was through mild desperation and, by pure chance, overhearing that someone had been seen sneaking off to the gardens at night, that Annette made her way into the gardens and climbed over the gate.

The gardens were full of all sorts of wonderful plants, and with the low sun casting everything in darkness it granted the place a surreal, fey-like quality. She carefully wove between aisles of plants and supplies, looking for her friend.

She did find Mercedes to be fair. Annette couldn't see exactly what was going on at the time, but she did see Mercedes' back turned to her and the arms of someone else around Mercedes' waist.

That was also the first time Annette got a taste of charm magic. She didn't quite understand it at the time, only processing that she couldn't help but stare at her friend. Still, she had enough presence of mind to not be completely stunned and fight the charm magic to the point that she could raise her voice and call out: "Mercie?"

Mercedes' reaction was fast. In an instant she had taken a step away from whoever the other person was and slipped on her necklace (which also shut off the charm magic). Annette was admittedly alarmed to see the other person, an older boy who was probably a fourth year, slump against the wall with twitching fingers and limp arms, but she forced it out of her mind for the moment. "Annie, what are you doing here!?"

"I was looking for you! W-We have a project due tomorrow, remember? We said we'd work on it this evening."

"Oh! I'd completely forgotten!" Mercedes gasped. "Give me just a minute and I'll be right there!"

Despite what she'd just seen, Annette didn't bring it up. She didn't ask what was wrong with the boy, or what happened to him afterwards. The urgency of completing their project took priority, and it would be four days before Mercedes finally breached the subject.

"So… do you remember what you saw a few days ago?" Mercedes had asked hesitantly over dinner.

"It's kind of hard to forget." Annette muttered. "What was going on? What did you do to that guy?"

"Well…" Mercedes said reluctantly. "Annie, you're aware that there are intelligent species in the world, right?"

"Yeah." Annette nodded. "I remember learning about vampires and stuff when I was being tutored back at home. It was shocking to learn they were actually real and not just stories."

"Well I'm one of those intelligent species." Mercedes admitted. "I am not human. What I was doing to that boy is known as feeding, because I am-"

"A vampire!?"

"No, I'm a succubus." She explained softly. "I need to do what you saw me doing in order to survive."

That point was about seven months after they first met, and just under four years ago from the present day.

###

"I looked like a hug, did I?" Mercedes says in amusement. "That has to be one of the most creative and flattering compliments I've ever gotten."

"You still do." Annette says. "I can't really pinpoint what about you gives that impression though."

"I've been told before that I'm quite motherly. Perhaps that is it." The older girl suggests.

"Maybe." Annette shrugs. "Though now it might just be because you give really good hugs."

"Hmm…" Mercedes hums, smiling. "Maybe."

"I still don't understand some of the things you did back in the day though. Why were you staring at me when I tripped, or always paying attention to shy people?"

"Those are both for mostly the same reason." Mercedes explains. "You know I am a predator, yes? A predatory species that is."

"Yeah." Annette nods.

"Well, unlike humans who are more prey species then predator but are a bit of both, succubi are all predator." Mercedes says. "Our instincts are a bit different than humans, and more pointedly we prey on humans… so naturally, anything that marks someone as easy prey catches our attention and is enticing and exciting for us. So tripping, or shyness, or really any sort of weakness, physical or social or emotional, is something we take notice of because we can easily take advantage of it."

Annette can feel her face heating up a bit. "Wait, so when you were staring at me whenever I tripped-"

"You were very enticing." Mercedes says calmly, like she isn't embarrassing her best friend immensely right now. "If too young for me."

Annette hides her face in her hands. "Oh Goddess…"

Mercedes calmly sips her team, poorly hiding a smile behind the cup. "Don't worry, you couldn't be expected to know. I wasn't aware myself until I put time into studying how succubi work."

"You actually studied this stuff?" Annette mumbles.

"In a sense. I studied evolutionary biology and psychology." Mercedes affirms. "I knew I was quite different from humans early on, so I made a point to understand why and how that was the case."

"What's evolutionary biology? Er, and psychology?"

"It is the study of why certain traits, physical and mental, might have developed in a creature over time." Mercedes explains. "Such as, say, the flight or fight response, which is to help a creature survive danger. Or on the physical side, why humans have thumbs, or why children are so helpless."

"Woah…" Annette blinks. "And how much did you learn about yourself?"

"Directly from the course? Not much." Mercedes admits. "But with the knowledge I gained I could start making some tentative assumptions. Actual conclusions would require research and testing and all that, and I don't really want to do that, but it was still helpful."

"You're so cool Mercie."

"Cool? I thought I was gentle." Mercedes giggles. "Or a hug."

"You can be all of them." Annette says. "You are all of them! Cool, but gentle and nice, and definitely a hug."

"I'm starting to think you might want a hug."

"I always want a hug."

Mercedes is more than happy to indulge her friend of course, and Annette is happy to get another hug. Mercedes speaks up while they're embracing. "So, on the subject of evolutionary psychology… this hug, right now."

"Yes?"

"I feel- less so because you're a close friend- my hunting instincts in the back of my head." Mercedes explains in a quiet, calm, non-threatening voice. She's not saying this to be scary, she's saying this to be informative. "A desire to squeeze and nibble and feed. It happens almost every time I hug someone, or even just when I make physical contact. I've gotten used to it over time, I can ignore it quite easily, but it is still there."

"And that would be because…?"

"To encourage proper feeding behaviour. Squeezing the hug would make it hard for you to struggle away, and nibbling would start to activate my more potent charm powers, and of course beginning to feed would trigger feeding paralysis." Mercedes explains. "So a succubus that has these instincts versus one that didn't would be more able to hunt properly, or even hunt at all if they never got instruction and only had instinct to rely upon."

"Ooh, so it's a survival thing!" Annette chirps.

"Exactly." Mercedes nods. "Many succubi quirks are related to feeding and predation, with a few exceptions."

"Like what?!" Annette asks eagerly. She's just curious at this point.

"Well… from what my mother told me, most succubi if not taught otherwise tend to be naturally egotistical and apathetic to others." Mercedes murmurs. "From looking through history texts I learned that we tended to be solitary predators because too many succubi in one place draws attention from all the feedings, and we often regarded humans as no more than food and so relied on manipulation and being as self-serving as possible. Therefore, we had no one to be empathetic towards because the only person we cared about was our mother, and we thought ourselves better than all the easily-manipulated humans around us."

"It sounds really scary when you put it that way." Annette admits.

"It does." Mercedes agrees. "Unfortunately, we cannot choose our instincts. They manifest through millions of years of random mutations and small adjustments. Succubi are naturally encouraged to be confident in our abilities, because we do truly have overwhelming advantages, and we are apathetic so as to use those advantages to the fullest. From a survival standpoint it makes complete sense to be egotistical and apathetic because humans are usually just too weak to threaten us most of the time. And that isn't even touching on the instinctive desire to control others."

"You have that?" Annette asks, amazed. "I would never have thought so from you Mercie."

"I ignore it for obvious reasons." Mercedes says. "I suppose it would be more accurate to say it's a desire to dominate others and hold them completely in your power than to merely control or direct them. When your charm magic is strong enough to amount to mind control, well…"

"I can see why that would be the case." Annette muses. "But wow, that's really something. It's so weird to think of you feeling like that Mercie!"

"That is just what I am." Mercedes hums. "Besides, they are only instincts. Education and upbringing have a strong impact as well. I may be a predator species, and everyone else my prey, but that does not mean I learned to be a domineering and terrible person."

"And it's not like humans don't have some nasty instincts too, right?"

"Exactly." Mercedes nods. "I would like to think that, powers aside, I am no more worrisome than any other person."

"Yeah." Annette nods. "And you're probably the most empathetic person I know!"

"Thank you Annie." Mercedes giggles. "I've had a lot of practice controlling myself. You should have seen me at home before I went to the mage academy. I was a bit of a terror for the servants while I was learning self-control growing up. I can't count the number of times I cornered some poor servant boy whenever I was hungry without any consideration for what they were doing at the time."

"I can't even imagine you doing that." Annette says. "That seems so different from how you are now!"

"I would hope so." The older girl says. "I'd like to think I've changed, especially now that I no longer have to hunt to feed."

Mercedes still hunted right up until she came to Garreg Mach, and it was only recently that she started to allow Annette to be a feeding partner. She was reluctant for a long time because of their age difference, thinking of it as taking advantage of her younger, more naive friend.

"But now you have to settle for hugs instead of kisses. Do you miss hunting ever?" Annette asks.

"Of course." Mercedes sighs. "How I feed now is like having a snack every hour instead of actually having meals. I may be used to it, but I wouldn't exactly call it satisfying."

"Well I could-"

"No Annie." Mercedes interrupts softly. "I appreciate the thought, but I'd rather not."

"Ah, alright." Annette mumbles. Then are you just never going to…?"

"Maybe when I find an actual partner." Mercedes hums. "Or when I can't keep up the current arrangement. For now though, I prefer this."

"Okay. But if you ever want a proper meal, I'll be happy to provide!" Annette chirps.

"I will keep it in mind." Mercedes murmurs. "For now though, let us simply enjoy our tea, alright?"

"Okay!"

Chapter Text

"Ah, Mercedes, you look divine as always."

"Always the flatterer Sylvain, and oh so creative. Divine, because I'm religious? I can't imagine anyone has thought of that before."

"I don't need to be original, I just need to be good." Sylvain says, and winks.

"Oh really now?" Mercedes smiles. "And how good are you, exactly?"

"Very." Sylvain says. "Enough to win the heart of every girl I talk to!"

"Oh, is that so? What are all these rumors I hear about you being rejected then?"

"Jealous exes mostly." Sylvain says dismissively. "Some ladies don't know when things aren't working."

"Mmm, I'm sure that's it." Mercedes hums. "So did you have a reason for stopping me here Sylvain, or did you just want to give a compliment?"

Mercedes is prepared for the inevitable offer of lunch or tea, but to her surprise Sylvain simply laughs and says: "Just a compliment! Sorry to get in your way Mercedes, your dazzling beauty was just that distracting! I'll talk to you some other time."

Sylvain strides away, raising a hand in goodbye, leaving Mercedes slightly confused as to why Sylvain bothered to approach her at all, especially if he was going to stand across the walkway from her the entire time. He didn't even try and lean in or put an arm over her shoulder like he would with other girls.

Very odd.

Mercedes goes about her day as usual from then on. She has faith class under Manuela, has lunch with Annette, has a brief training session with the Professor (and refuses to let him fight her without her necklace off, because she won't be responsible for charming the Professor when he still has to teach more classes today), and then takes a trip to the market before dinner because she has no afternoon classes.

As standard procedure before she leaves the monastery Mercedes changes her outfit. She puts on a slightly baggy, long-sleeve, turtleneck shirt, and a floor-length skirt. She also wears her shawl, of course, because she likes her shawl.

She changes her outfit for practical purposes. It might be uncomfortable to wear long-sleeve shirts and a long skirt in the summer, but unwanted attention is even more uncomfortable, and outside of the monastery proper she can't rely on the assistance of guards, teachers, or friends as much.

Of course her powers will protect her just fine, but she'd rather not ruin a perfectly fine trip by being forced to inflict paralysis in public because someone decided bare forearms was somehow an invitation for persistent flirtation.

Anyhow.

Mercedes is perusing the open-air market, looking over some very nice fabrics that she's considering for a new shawl (it can't hurt to have a backup, not to mention something more thick for winter) when a conversation catches her attention. She hears her name mentioned by a pair of male students walking through the market.

"-yeah, I heard Sylvain has had several appointments with her." One of the boys says. "If Mercedes can put up with him, you'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" The other boy, quiet and nervous, asks. "I don't want to seem needy."

"She's basically made it her job to help people who are overworked, you're exactly the sort of person she'd help." The first boy reassures his friend.

Mercedes listens to all this with curiosity. First, she's quite happy to hear that she's know for her kindness and not just her physical appearance, second, she's absolutely willing to help this person if he feels he needs it, third, she's never had a single appointment with Sylvain. Where did they hear that from?

She doesn't talk to the two boys, allowing them to continue on their way, and files away their conversation in her mind for later. She goes back to looking at different fabrics, choosing a nice light blue colour and spending a minute to haggle down the price.

Mercedes returns to her room with a swath of fabric rolled up under her arm, and after putting it away she goes about locating Dorothea.

Now, Mercedes doesn't interact with Dorothea all that often, they're friendly acquaintances at best, but Mercedes is well aware that Dorothea is always on top of the rumor mill. Mercedes is sure she could ask Hubert, Manuela, or Claude, but Mercedes is most familiar with Dorothea.

Dorothea is difficult to locate, surprisingly. Usually she dominates whatever room she's in. She's not on a date, surprisingly, but is instead off bothering Felix to try and get a date… and failing, badly.

Luckily for Felix (who looks extremely uncomfortable and is trying to physically distance himself from Dorothea to little effect) Mercedes has need of Dorothea.

"Dorothea! Oh, my apologies Felix, would you mind if I steal her away for a moment?" Mercedes asks. It's an unnecessary question, but she's trying to be diplomatic here.

"Please." Felix grumbles. Dorothea sighs, knowing she's lost her prey, and turns to face Mercedes, and Felix quickly flees the room immediately after.

"Mercie, to what do I owe the honor?" Dorothea asks with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "I don't suppose you came just to free Felix. Did he have an appointment maybe?"

So she knew she was making him uncomfortable? How rude. "No, actually, I need your expertise."

"Oh?" Dorothea perks up. "Do you need suggestions for a play? Dance lessons? Singing? Or maybe you need flirtation tips? I'd like to think I'm rather good at that."

"Ah, no." Mercedes says, somewhat apologetically. "I actually need your knowledge of the rumor mill."

"Oooh!" Dorothea smirks. "Looking for something juicy?"

"Not quite." Mercedes says. "I need to know the origin of a certain rumor."

"Well that's a bit tricky, but I can try. What's the rumor?"

"I've overheard someone mentioning that Sylvain has had appointments with me." Mercedes says. "Which simply isn't true at all."

Dorothea's eyebrows shoot up. "Wait, really?"

"Yes."

"Huh. I thought he would have been one of the first after you started offering." Dorothea says. "Did you turn him down or something?"

"He never asked, and I never saw it necessary to offer."

"Wow." Dorothea murmurs. "Learn something new every day. Well, uh, as far as I'm aware that specific rumor- I didn't think I was a rumor I just thought it was fact so I didn't pay particular attention to it- came from Sylvain himself. He mentioned it one day and it seemed perfectly plausible, so everyone took it at face value."

"I see…" Mercedes says, her brows knit in thought. "Thank you for your help Dorothea."

Before Mercedes can leave, Dorothea grabs her by the sleeve. "Come on Mercedes, you can't just free my potential date and walk away! Who's going to keep me company over dinner now?"

Mercedes rolls her eyes just a bit, and then offers her arm. "Would you like to accompany me to dinner, Dorothea?"

"Indeed I would." Dorothea says primly, and loops her arm through Mercedes'.

Dinner is fine, but Dorothea talks way, way too much for Mercedes to get in many words herself. Dorothea is like her mentor in that way.

###

Sylvain takes a deep breath, and puts his most winning smile on his face. He really has to stop doing this to himself. He knows he's stepping into the proverbial lion's den by doing this, but not doing this would raise more questions than he wants.

So Sylvain waits by the entrance to the cathedral as he does every Sunday at exactly eleven in the morning, and waits for Mercedes to show up.

Sylvain isn't used to being scared of someone. The only person he could say he was properly scared of before Mercedes was Miklan, and that's for very different reasons. Miklan scares him because Miklan is actively malicious. A violent, vicious asshole who Sylvain has the misfortune of knowing personally. Mercedes is very much not that, and admittedly isn't as scary as Miklan, but Sylvain finds himself scared anyways.

Not that he'd ever admit that aloud, of course.

Mostly it's because, for all everyone else seems to see in Mercedes, Sylvain sees the same thing he sees in almost every noble he's ever met, just with a nicer coat of paint and potentially life-destroying charm powers, and with a very real reason to dislike him.

But it's that nice coat of paint and life-destroying charm powers that force Sylvain to deal with her weekly, despite the risk. People expect it of him and so he must oblige, or at least seem to.

He can see Mercedes walking down the bridge to the cathedral right now. As always she's wearing the smiling, vaguely motherly mask she's carefully crafted and that works so well for finding a potential husband.

Yes, a husband, because Sylvain doesn't think Mercedes is any different from any other noble girl. What are her powers and her appointments except for a convenient way to keep herself well-connected, make herself known as a 'generous' individual and get prestige, and to search for a husband through appointments which will also allow her to easily capture anyone who catches her interest? Succubi charm powers can quite easily be used to permanently alter someone's mind. She could have influenced any number of the people she's fed on, and no one would have any idea or indication of it.

Add onto this the fact that Sylvain has hit on a number of Mercedes' friends in the past, and that's why Sylvain is wary of her and why he hates having to pretend to hit on her. She's no different than anyone else, is much more dangerous than anyone else, and probably doesn't like him.

"Heya Mercedes!" Sylvain says, waving to the girl when she passes nearby. "How's my favourite divine beauty doing?"

"Still using 'divine', Sylvain?" Mercedes asks, smiling. "I remember you said you didn't have to be original, but using the same compliment so shamelessly? Surely you must have some standards."

"You wound me!" Sylvain gasps. "Using the same compliment only reinforces my sincerity! Why, if I called you cute once and then lovely another, it would seem like I was inconsistent and untruthful!"

"Or you might have only one compliment because you haven't noticed anything else to compliment, signalling your insincerity." Mercedes points out.

"We can talk hypotheticals all day, or you can just accept my compliment." Sylvain suggests with a wink. "It's free! No need to question it."

"Hmm…" Mercedes hums. "If you say so."

"I do."

"Well, thank you then." Mercedes says. "In fact… I have a free gift to offer in return."

Sylvain blinks. "Uh, you do?"

"Indeed." Mercedes says. "It's come to my attention that, despite it never having happened, you've mentioned having several appointments. So that you don't have to lie any longer, I figured I would offer one."

Sylvain laughs, trying to hide his nervousness. "Heard about that, did you? I swear I don't mean anything too selfish by it! I wasn't trying to nag. It's just… people expect it of me, so it was easier to say that I'd had appointments rather than constantly have to explain that I hadn't."

"I see…" Mercedes hums. "The offer still stands anyways. I don't have anyone else scheduled for today, you wouldn't have to lie anymore. Another day works too, if you feel like it."

Sylvain quickly searches his mind for an excuse, but there really isn't anything convincing he can say without having to expose his distaste for her.

Then again, since when has he really cared about the women he flirts with? It's not like they care about him. If showing his distaste frees him, then why not? He'd rather have her annoyed with him than actively put himself in her clutches. Maybe that's not the smartest move, but it's the one he's going with. "I'd rather not, honestly."

Mercedes blinks in surprise. "Oh? I promise it's quite pleasant-"

"That's not the problem." Sylvain says, cutting her off. "I know full well what you're doing and what you're capable of. I'm not involving myself in that."

Mercedes' face turns to a confused frown. "Oh? You don't want to involve yourself in helping others relax? Isn't that what you're always doing with Felix and Ingrid?"

Sylvain crosses his arms. "Don't treat me like an idiot, you know what I mean."

"I really don't."

Does he actually have to spell this out? "We both know your appointments are a convenient way to get connections, prestige, and search for a husband."

Mercedes straightens her back, offended. "You think I'm that petty?"

"Isn't everyone?" Sylvain asks. "Come on, how many of the noble students here aren't involved in some form of political scheme? Everyone is making connections, and more than half the girls are just trying to snare an important duke-to-be. I'm not blind Mercedes."

Mercedes purses her lips. "Perhaps, but even so, that is not everyone. It's quite rude to presume such a thing. Even if that is the case, that does not make them malicious. Not every search for position and partners is an affair involving blackmail and backstabbing Sylvain."

"Considering your history, I'm surprised to hear that from you." Sylvain snorts.

"Oh, don't misunderstand me, I'm not suggesting you don't be wary. I'm merely suggesting that you stop assuming you know everything about a person you've barely interacted with." Mercedes chides. "I am not searching for a husband, thank you very much, though I wouldn't turn my nose up at a romantic partner if I found someone suitable. Nor am I particularly attempting to spread my influence. I need to feed, and this is the least morally dubious way to do so, with the upside of being stress relief for others."

"Uh-huh." Sylvain says doubtfully. "And I suppose you're going to tell me you're not using your charm powers on people to keep them amicable to you either."

"Of course I'm not. That would be a terrible thing to do!" Mercedes exclaims. She was only minorly offended before, but now she's quite annoyed. What a thing to suggest! She'd like to think she has more moral fortitude than your average tyrannical dictator thank you very much! "What did I do to deserve being seen as a manipulative monster? Please inform me Sylvain."

"You need to suspect the worst of people." Sylvain says matter-of-factly. "How can I possibly confirm you aren't manipulating people?"

"That's called paranoia Sylvain."

"And?"

"Literally anyone could be manipulating other people, and not using magic for that matter. If anything, I'm less suspicious because it's much easier to detect charm magic than plain old social manipulation." Mercedes huffs.

"Ah." Sylvain pauses. "Uh, maybe you have all the faculty under your influence already?"

Mercedes gives him a flat, unimpressed look. Even Sylvain has to admit that sounds far-fetched. "Sylvain, really. You sound like Bernadetta."

"Okay, okay, you probably don't have the faculty under your control." Sylvain grumbles.

"If you're still worried, I could always teach you how to detect charm magic." Mercedes suggests. "It's not the most difficult thing in the world. Arcane Sight is one of the most basic spells there is."

Sylvain mulls the suggestion over. Arcane sight would be useful for more than just seeing charm magic. He could see any magic. He wouldn't mind being able to do that. "What's the catch?"

"There's no catch. I'm more than willing to teach you for free." Mercedes says. "But, if it would make you feel safer to offer some sort of payment… I still need to feed on someone today, and I'd quite like to show I won't do something horrible to you."

Sylvain's eyes narrow a bit. That sounds to him like an awfully convenient way to facilitate doing something to him. Still, Mercedes did have a point. He really doesn't have any proof that Mercedes was doing anything wrong to the people she feeds on. She also went out of her way to help Ashe before, which, for the sake of reputation or not, is a nice thing to do, and he can always alert Felix and Ingrid beforehand so they can make sure he's not permanently charmed when he comes back.

Besides, Felix has gone through an appointment before and came out fine. Annoyed, but fine. Sylvain kinda wants to do this just to feel what Felix felt. Felix didn't like it, and it's one thing to hear it was because he felt powerless, and another thing to actually experience that firsthand and be able to empathize.

"Fine then. I'll bite. Or, well, let you bite."

"It doesn't involve biting Sylvain."

"Maybe it can." Sylvain says, and forces a wink to break the tension and placate his own nervousness. "How long will teaching take, by the way?"

"It depends on your level of understanding with magical theory." Mercedes says.

"I know the basics. I can even pull up a small fireball if I focus long enough." Sylvain says. "Believe it or not, I actually pay attention in class."

"Well, then it should only take a week or two." Mercedes assures. "See you tonight? After dinner?"

"Sure. Your room or mine?"

"Mine please. I'm properly prepared for appointments, after all."

"What sort of preparations does she need for appointments anyways?" Sylvain muses. "Hey, sure. My room's a bit of a mess anyways. It's a date then."

Mercedes rolls her eyes at the sudden return of his flirtatiousness. "Sure, sure. Don't cry if I turn you down at the end then."

"That's supposed to be my line!" Sylvain gasps. "And who says I won't surprise you?!"

"Please do." The succubus says. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for the service."

"Ah, of course. Don't let me get in the way of your devotion, my lady." Sylvain says, and makes an exaggerated bow and sweep of his arm as Mercedes walks away into the Cathedral.

As soon as she's out of sight, Sylvain immediately turns around and jogs off to find Ingrid. He's honestly terrified about what he just signed himself up for.

###

A student dorm room has never looked so foreboding. Mercedes' room, from the outside, is just like all the others. The only difference are the small garden boxes at the edge of the porch, growing a few different types of herbs whose leaves can be used in tea or for medical usage, and a few rolls of thread propped up on the inside of her windows.

Sylvain glances left and right, not sure if he's thankful or worried that no one else is here to see him go inside. Ingrid knows he's going in (she was exasperated with his 'paranoia' concerning Mercedes. "She's basically a mom, calm down Sylvain" were her exact words), so he should be fine, but his apprehension is persistent nonetheless.

He can't put this off forever though. Sylvain straightens his shoulders, brings his usual winning smile to his face, and knocks on the door.

He waits six agonizing seconds. Somewhere behind him a bush rustles menacingly, shifting to his left foot causes the wooden porch to creak much too loudly, and there is the quiet, sinister sound of movement on the other side of the door.

Mercedes opens the door looking much the same as ever. The only noticeable difference is the lack of her shawl, and her necklace resting on her shirt so it can be removed rather than being tucked inside for safety.

Her smile is almost exaggeratedly soothing, like the smile someone might give to calm a frightened child. Sylvain consciously tries not to shift or squirm and stand straight, projecting as much confidence as he can, but it feels futile even as he does it. His weakness has surely already been noted. A predator species like a succubus would hardly miss the signs.

"Oh good, you're here!" Mercedes says. Her eyes quickly flick over his form, but to Sylvain it feels like a thorough examination. "Are you ready? Have you eaten and drank? This isn't the fastest process. I have cookies if you want."

"No, uh, I don't need cookies." Sylvain says. Does she treat everyone like this? And cookies? Is he a child to her? A nervous child to be reassured?

No, no, that's not right. She just likes sweets. He's jumping to conclusions.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Good! I'm quite peckish." Mercedes says cheerfully, as if discussing him as food is perfectly normal. She steps aside to let him in, and Sylvain crosses the threshold to her room. Her room is almost painfully cosy and well-organized. Everything is tucked neatly into a corner or cubby (probably so Annette doesn't trip over something, now that he thinks of it), there's a very nice rug on the floor, and no less than a six blankets he can see either stacked on a cupboard, out on the bed, or hanging off her desk chair, and a whole slew of other small things Sylvain could call out like her usual shawl hanging off a coat hook. "Chair or bed?"

"Uh…"

"Oh, sorry. I should clarify: would you like to sit or lie down? I wouldn't want to have to hold you up the entire time after all."

Sylvain isn't prepared to make a decision like this. He has no idea if he should sit or lie down. What does that even entail? What's the actual difference? Thinking on it, how, exactly, is Mercedes feeding on him? He knows skin contact is necessary, the more the better, but he's never actually heard someone describe the exact actions she takes during a feeding. "Is there a difference?"

"Just preference." Mercedes says. "Are you more comfortable sitting or lying down?"

"Uh…" Sylvain says again, feeling dumb. Every time he's made out with a girl, he's never actually discussed things beforehand like this. It was always very spontaneous. He has no idea what to say. Does he have a preference? He never thought about it.

Sensing his loss of direction, Mercedes puts him out of his misery and makes the decision for him. "Let's lie down, shall we?" She says gently, and grabs one of his hands. "There's less of a chance of a slightly off posture leaving you sore."

"Sure." Sylvain says, like he was considering that at all rather than drawing a complete blank.

It's almost alien to be in such familiar territory, lying down in a girl's bed, but feel like he has no control, almost like he's a toy that Mercedes is pushing around (if very gently).

Ingrid would probably scoff and say that for how many women he's manipulated, this is getting off light. Sylvain can hear her nagging in his ear right now, telling him that he's fine and there's nothing to worry about.

"Alright." Mercedes murmurs. She's kneeling overtop of him, legs on either side of his hips and hair dangling around his face. Her hand is on her necklace. "This is your last chance to bow out. I can tell you're still nervous. If you don't want to do this, say so now. You won't be capable of it once we start."

Right. Paralysis. He'd sort of forgotten about that. He's come too far to back out now though. His pride won't allow it. "I'm good." And, just to try and retain some sense of normalcy, he adds: "Don't get too attached to me! This might be a one time thing."

Mercedes smiles softly, clearly recognizing his continued nervousness. Somehow that acknowledgement makes him more nervous than if she'd just ignored it and gone ahead. He hates that she can see right through him. "I'll try not to."

With that, Mercedes plucks off her necklace, and Sylvain goes ridgid. He'd hoped he was prepared for charm magic. It's just a mental influence, intrusive thoughts. Surely he could ignore it if he tried hard enough.

Of course not. It's never that simple. The necklace comes off and Sylvain feels like he's been sucker-punched. He's no stranger to lust, it's one of the few things he actually feels towards the many girls he's fooled around with, but it's never felt quite so… oppressive. Rather than some primitive appreciation for a nice body, he's actively having trouble pulling his eyes off Mercedes. It's honestly unnerving just how much want he feels, and how difficult it is to ignore it.

"Succubus charm magic, our natural aura anyways, when we don't try to shape it, has variable effects." Mercedes murmurs while setting down her necklace on her side-table. "Some people feel an unignorable lust, some feel a gripping fascination, some feel a desperation to please, others feel paralyzing reverence, and there are countless other effects I could mention. I can usually predict the effect fairly well. It's dependent on personality, and how the individual deals with romantic and sexual attraction in general."

Even her voice excites him, which, from a logical standpoint, is absurd to Sylvain. She's academically describing charm magic. It should not be sexy in the slightest, but somehow it is. Her voice is also noticeably different. There's a faint whisper, a purr, added to her words. Is that a side-effect of her magic on his brain, or is that something natural to her that the necklace suppresses?

"For you, I'd predict lust." Mercedes says. "That tends to be the standard response, and even if you have a different response there's almost always a little lust thrown in. Teenagers and young adults are quite predictable. Of course, there are quite a few colourful personalities here at the monastery, so I see other responses much more often than I would otherwise in this sort of age group."

Sylvain nods dumbly, hanging off every word. He feels compelled to say something, but almost immediately regrets it when all he can mustur is: "I- uh- yes."

The girl smiles down at him when she hears his words. It's still a gentle and kind smile, but there's something else there too. Amusement, satisfaction, hunger. Things that should make him squirm in discomfort if he were in his right mind. "Ready? Well, I suppose we're past that point now. I'm going to start. You're going to feel your muscles relax of their own accord, and you might start to lose focus and your train of thought. It's quite normal and not at all permanent, don't worry."

Saying "don't worry" in this circumstance is like throwing a fireball at someone's face and saying "don't flinch". Even if they have a shield or high magic resistance, they're going to flinch from the light alone.

Not that Sylvain can worry for very long. Mercedes' lips are very distracting, and the swell of her breasts is just begging to be squeezed. His hands are oddly shakey as he raises them, but Mercedes cuts him off by using the opportunity to thread her hands and arms down his sleeves and pull him into a hug while wrapping her arms around his bare back inside his shirt. It's not at all what he was expecting, and he thinks he would have liked some warning about this before being charmed up to his ears.

That thought is quickly replaced by inane thoughts like "her hands are very soft", and various other thoughts are decidedly less wholesome, but the point still stands damnit.

The majority of the feeding, upon thinking back to it (because his thoughts aren't very coherent for most of it) felt like a dream. It was only a few hours, but could have been an eternity for all Sylvain could tell at the time. It was blissful in the mindless relaxation sense, like sleeping under a tree on a nice day, but with a consistent stream of garbled, half-formed thoughts and impulses shooting through his mind seemingly at random.

He's also vaguely aware that his lust was suppressed at some point during the feeding. He simply… stopped feeling it. Thinking about it, Mercedes must have consciously decided to do that, probably to make the entire ordeal more comfortable for the both of them. He wouldn't have to deal with constant sexual tension, and for her part the benefit would be that he would just stop squirming and twitching the entire time.

His sense of self awareness returns quickly after the feeding is done, but it's not a sharp return like suddenly waking up from sleep. It's a gradual process, and the point at which he realises he isn't thinking in flashes of emotion and half-conherant thoughts anymore is hard to pin down.

Mercedes is no longer on top of him. She's sitting on the edge of the bed next to him, humming as she knits something. Every once in a while she looks back at him, checking to see if he's returned to coherency.

He doesn't know what tips her off. Is it that he meets and keeps eye contact, or is it just a change in facial expression? Either way, she puts down her project and starts to talk to him.

"Are you back?"

He nods, not trusting his tongue to answer like he wants it to.

"You reacted rather strongly to my charm magic." Mercedes notes. "Usually people are up and moving again within fifteen minutes, if rather wobbly in their movements, after I finish. You've been lying here for about thirty, and have been much more dazed than most people. Usually I could talk to someone in the middle of the feeding and they'd be able to at least understand me and respond with a blink. You… well… you were borderline incoherent. Do you even remember me talking to you?"

Sylvain takes a moment to think. Charm is still in his system, but his focus is returning rapidly. "I…" He says, testing his voice. "I can remember you talking, but not what you were saying."

"I see…" Mercedes murmurs. "Usually I don't see that sort of incoherency unless I'm doing something significantly more intimate."

"Is that… bad?" He asks.

"No, it simply means you're weak to charm magic." Mercedes soothes. "Even so, you were in no danger."

That still sounds bad to him.

"I'll admit, I wasn't sure if I should have used my magic to give you some clarity." Mercedes says. "It's standard practice when doing anything more intimate than a kiss, actually, because a succubus' partner tends to be… erm… borderline catatonic if they don't. "

"What…?" Sylvain asks, alarmed.

"Essentially, they feel too much pleasure for their brain to process and sort of just… black out. So any decent succubus will give them a focus boost, or maybe mute the pleasure, so that doesn't happen and they can actually enjoy and process what's going on." Mercedes explains. "Though, I'm told it's very pleasurable for the two or three seconds they remain conscious if you don't give them some sort of protection."

Okay. Cool. That's not fucking horrifying.

"Not that you were at risk of that." Mercedes reassures, belatedly realizing what she was implying and probably seeing Sylvain's expression. "Even if you had no resistance whatsoever, this sort of feeding doesn't produce enough pleasure to have that result."

Still horrifying.

"Would you have prefered I give you some extra focus, for future reference?" Mercedes asks. "Or were you fine despite being incoherent? It only really matters that it was enjoyable, after all."

"I'd rather be able to understand what's going on." You know, assuming this is even going to happen in the future, which it probably won't because once is enough thank you very much. It felt great, but in a terrifying, mind-numbing sort of way.

"Alright." She says. "I… I apologize if it was a bit more scary than expected. Most people don't have a vulnerability to charm."

"It's fine, really." Sylvain says. He tries to push himself to a sitting position, and only manages halfway before his shaky arms give out on themselves and he collapses back into the sheets. "Ugh…"

"I wouldn't try to move for a while." Mercedes warns. "Even if the paralysis has worn off, the charm hasn't, and that can be plenty disorienting. I don't want you falling down stairs or something."

"Annette has done that before, hasn't she?"

"Maybe." Is what Mercedes says, but her expression clearly tells him that, yes, it has happened, and more than once. "I don't let her leave without my escort until I'm sure the charm has worn off."

"She trips over enough barrels and rocks as is?"

"You have no idea." Mercedes sighs. "Honestly, sometimes I'm tempted to just carry her everywhere so she stops tripping."

The mental image makes Sylvain smile. "You really are a mom."

Mercedes rolls her eyes. "A title I shall wear with pride."

That's how the next half an hour is spent, having little conversations with Mercedes. By the end of it, Sylvain feels oddly, genuinely calm, and not because of the charm magic. Sylvain finds that Mercedes is very, strangely... normal. Not normal in the noble sense of marriages, money, and machinations, but normal in the common sense of friends, food (Mercedes has much to say about sweets, Sylvain discovers), and family.

And so despite deciding that he's not going to ask for an appointment again, because it was still a vaguely terrifying experience, Sylvain returns to his room that night feeling calm, and like maybe he wouldn't mind sharing another meal with Mercedes some other time; not for the sake of flirtation, but because even with the necklace on there's something oddly soothing about talking with her.

Or maybe that's the residual charm in his system speaking, and tomorrow he'll wake up and want nothing to do with her.

Chapter Text

Every young Faerghian of even vaguely noble blood knows the tale of Leroy the Dull. It's a purely fictional tale, but one rooted in very real events that have repeated time and time again.

The tale isn't complicated. It's a cautionary tale for teens.

Leroy the Dull is a king, or sometimes a duke depending on the teller. He's a good ruler. He listens to his advisors. He is beloved by his people.

He has a vice. A weakness for pretty women.

The specifics vary wildly here. Some tellings have him meet her on a venture into his capital city, some have her walk into his castle demanding an audience, some have her be a new servant. Regardless of how the meeting happens, certain things are consistent.

She is always described as being alluring to the extreme. Hair down to her waist of black or gold, passionate dark red eyes, and a figure that puts all other women to shame. Just looking at her is entrancing and no one can keep their eyes off her, least of all Leroy.

The woman is surprisingly receptive to Leroy's attention. She smiles often and stays close to him.

"Keep your gloves on around her, your highness." Leroy's advisors warn. "Don't be alone with her. She's too nice, too friendly. She might be dangerous."

And then, of course, the main warning of the tale.

"She might be a succubus."

You can predict the rest of the tale. Leroy doesn't listen, and the woman slowly worms her way into his life, asking for favors, grabbing more and more of his attention, and even starting to affect his rulership. His advisors start to develop illness or insanity, abruptly change their tunes about the women, or vanish entirely.

Eventually, he takes off his glove to hold his new love's hand. With that touch, he's no longer a man. Just a puppet, dancing on the strings of one of the most powerful and manipulative monsters in the world.

"Such is the power of a succubus." His Father once warned him. "Beware of someone who smiles too sweet."

Of course, that's not the only thing any Faerghus noble knows about succubi. There are many historical stories, or sometimes recent stories, about a dukedom or barony falling into ruin when a single succubus got it into their mind to toy with the ruler. There are tales of kings passing odd and specific laws, slaughtering whole towns, and growing gaunt and emaciated as their new, parasitic lover drains them of their free will, their sanity, and their life.

Needless to say, Mercedes was a complete departure from what he expected from such a legendarily dangerous being. She will happily explain, at length, exactly how you can protect yourself against powerful charm users, and what a succubus should be doing to protect people around her from her effects.

Mercedes also made him aware that succubi have abilities far beyond what the cautionary tales tell you about. Their touch is irresistible, yes, but even from a distance it's not all that hard for them to dominate a human mind.

She made him aware of all these things over tea.

"It has been a very long time since I've done a total domination." Mercedes says while Dimitri sips on tea he can't taste. He can feel the heat though, which is more than he can say for most drinks. That alone makes tea enjoyable. He can feel something from it. "I don't dominate for obvious reasons."

"Moral reasons, I presume." Dimitri says.

"Of course." The woman nods. "The last time… I think it was Annette, if I recall correctly. We were testing the potency of a particularly powerful anti-charm spell."

"Did the spell work?"

Mercedes shakes her head. "Not even close."

"How unfortunate."

"It really is." Mercedes agrees. "If there were some counter to our abilities, perhaps succubi would be less reviled."

"I wouldn't say reviled." Dimitri says politely.

"But you should." His father's ghost whispers in his ears. "What are you doing here? This is a distraction, and a dangerous one. Don't play with predators, boy. She'll consume you, and then who will be left to avenge me?"

"I appreciate the words, Your Highness, but I know you're lying." Mercedes says. "My kind isn't welcome almost anywhere."

Dimitri's smile strains a bit. Mercedes is right, of course, but he doesn't know what to say in response to it.

"Anyhow." Mercedes says. "That's not why I wanted to talk to you."

"What did you want to talk about then?" Dimitri asks, eagerly accepting her mercy in the form of a topic change.

"She wants to eat you." Glenn warns. "Don't let her."

"I've noticed your extensive training recently…"

"Have you?" Dimitri asks proudly. "I must be in top shape for this month's mission after all. Am I doing well?"

"I presume so." Mercedes hums. "Your skill isn't exactly what I noticed though."

Dimitri deflates a bit. "Oh?"

"You're training a lot, Your Highness." Mercedes says. She sets down her own tea cup and leans forward. Her pale blue eyes lock onto his, and despite the necklace around her neck suppressing her powers, Dimitri feels transfixed. "Far more than one should. Even Felix doesn't train as much as you do."

Dimitri is fairly sure Felix doesn't train as much purely because he doesn't want to be in the training grounds at the same time as him, but he doesn't say that out loud. No need to drag Mercedes into the drama. "I have to set a good example as house leader of the Blue Lions."

"Yes, well, I would like to extend an offer to help you destress." Mercedes says. "It's all well and good to hone your body, but you have to give it time to relax as well, and I fear you aren't doing that nearly enough."

Dimitri isn't a fool, he knows where this is going. He's well aware of Mercedes' "appointments", and while he doesn't have an issue with them, he also thinks he really shouldn't accept one himself. "I assure you I get plenty of sleep. I rest more than enough then."

Mercedes purses her lips. "Your Highness, that's not nearly enough. I'm worried you're overworking yourself."

"She's looking for an opening to feed." Glenn whispers. "Keep her at a distance. Stay away."

Dimitri steadfastly ignores Glenn. Usually the man gives solid advice, but here he's simply not being helpful. Yes, Mercedes might want to feed on him. That's hardly a bad thing. She makes such an act more than an equal exchange from what he's heard. That said, he doesn't feel he should allow himself to be fed on. It simply wouldn't be safe with how unpredictable his crest is. He doesn't want to risk injuring her. "I assure you, I'm more than capable of enduring my own training, Mercedes."

"I know." Mercedes says in a tone that suggests she doesn't actually believe him but isn't going to push the issue right now. "But still, would you let me help?"

Dimitri smiles politely. "I'm not sure that's safe."

Mercedes frowns. "Your Highness, my control is not so lax-"

"I don't mean your control!" Dimitri says hastily. "I mean my own, my crest I mean. I… wouldn't want to accidentally injure you. My crest is unfortunately unpredictable."

"Ahh." Mercedes smiles. "Well, that's not an issue at all."

"It isn't?"

"No. Feeding paralysis is quite potent, and I can actively induce more paralysis if you really want me to." The woman offers.

Dimitri considers this. His father and Glenn hiss in his ears that it's a terrible idea, that he's wasting his time and putting himself in unnecessary danger. As much as Dimitri values the opinions of his father and Glenn, in this particular case he believes they're being quite unreasonable. "I suppose I wouldn't be opposed."

Mercedes smiles. "Good. Shall we then?"

"Right now?" Dimitri blinks.

"You said before that you barely had a free afternoon, and that this was one of few." Mercedes says. "So if we put this off for a later time, we may never get around it, correct?"

"I suppose that's true." Dimitri agrees slowly.

"Well, let's not waste time then, hmm?" Mercedes hums, and stands up from her chair under the gazebo. "I'm sure you want to be functional again by dinner, after all."

Dimitri balks a bit at her turn of phrase, but also stands up. Just what is he getting himself into? "Of course. Lead the way."

They both take a moment to clean up the plates and cups. Dimitri takes special care with the elegant, fragile cups, not wanting to end this meet up on him breaking something by accident; especially if Mercedes is going to be feeding on him in a few minutes, he doesn't want to give her a reason to be annoyed with him.

Before entering her room, though, Dimitri makes sure to inform Dedue of what's happening. Even if he trusts Mercedes, not an hour ago she told him about how to protect himself from charm (which amounts to: have other people looking out for you and tell them when you're going into a situation where you might come out charmed, because while you can't fight a succubi's charm, you can dispel it if they aren't around to reapply it constantly) and he's not going to throw that advice aside. He might as well apply any safety measures he can.

Mercedes' room is very clean, and much more decorated than his own. Dimitri's eyes are particularly drawn to the stack of colorful blankets she has on top of a cupboard. They look quite cozy.

He doesn't look at the bed. Surely feeding isn't going to involve it… right?

"I presume you know how this works?" Mercedes asks as she removes her current shawl. Dimitri never realized that her outfit doesn't have sleeves, but it becomes quite apparent with the shawl out of the way.. "Or have you not heard about it from anyone else?"

"I've heard a little." Dimitri says. "Most people don't give much more detail than that this involves a hug, but I sort of expected as much given what you are."

"Hmm, well, are you aware how long this will take?"

"I presume from how long others took, an hour or so?"

"A few hours actually, but it seems you do know how this works." Mercedes says with a smile. "So, bed or chair?"

"Pardon?"

"Do you want to do this on the bed, or on a chair?" Mercedes repeats. "Wherever you're more comfortable. I don't particularly care."

Dimitri still isn't completely sure how this is going to work, so he defaults to the 'safe' option in his mind. "The chair."

"Alright." Mercedes nods. She spends a moment unfolding a blanket and draping it on the back of the chair to give it some extra padding. "Shall I sit first, or you?"

"Umm…" What little idea Dimitri had of what was going on is now totally lost.

"If we're sitting in the chair, it's not going to fit us both." Mercedes smiles in amusement. "So one of us is sitting in the other's lap."

"Oh." In hindsight it's sort of obvious, but that doesn't make Dimitri any less nervous about the situation he's suddenly in. "Erm… perhaps I should be on the bottom? I might be a bit heavy for you."

"I'm quite a bit stronger than I appear, but that's fine." Mercedes chuckles as Dimitri takes a seat. "Now, have you ever been under the influence of charm magic before?"

"I have not."

"Well, this might be a bit of an odd experience for you at first." Mercedes hums. "You're going to feel an uncontrollable rush of emotion and urges, and that's fine."

"What sort of urges?"

"Well, it depends on you." Mercedes explains. "A succubus' charm magic affects everyone a bit differently. For someone around our age it's usually mostly going to be lust, but other things can creep in, and honestly with how interesting everyone at the monastery is I've gotten many different reactions. It all depends on your personality, how you deal with attraction, love, and reduced inhibitions, and a number of other things. Honestly, I could host a whole seminar on succubus charm and everything related to it."

"Maybe you should. I'm sure a lot of people would be curious enough to attend." Dimitri encourages.

Mercedes smiles. "Perhaps. We're getting distracted though. If you're going to sit, sit. No need to stall."

That's really what he was doing, wasn't it? He didn't even realize it. Taking a deep breath, Dimitri sits in the chair. From there, he's looking up at Mercedes rather than down, and while that would not usually be significant, here in the privacy of her room it feels important. Mercedes almost… looms over him. Not intentionally, perhaps, but noticeably. Maybe it's the way she leans ever so slightly forward, or how she's standing between him and the door, or the slightly hungry glint in her eyes, and how even without her necklace off her physical attractiveness is glaringly obvious and he's trying not to let his eyes wander.

Such is the sheer intimidation of a succubus, he supposes, because it is intimidation. Not intentionally so, probably, but all those small things he just mentioned are reminders of how in this moment he is weaker than her.

And that's not something Dimitri thought he'd ever think. He's weaker than someone. It's… uncomfortable. Even though nothing has happened yet, it's uncomfortable.

"Then why are you here?" His father whispers.. "You have better things to do."

Dimitri ignores him. Revenge will come later. There's nothing he can do now that he can't do tomorrow to the exact same effect.

"Are you comfortable? Are you ready?"

Dimitri doesn't think it's possible to be ready for this, you just have to take the plunge. "Ready."

With his consent given, Mercedes slowly takes off her necklace, and Dimitri feels. He feels a foreign sensation of want bubble up in his stomach, and he stares unabashedly in a way his noble upbringing strangled out of him a long time ago. He wants to… he… he wants to grab her, he wants her to leave for her own safety, he wants to hold her tight and never let her out of his sight, he wants to apologize.

It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make any sense at all.

"Feeling alright?" Mercedes asks. Her voice is a hushed, almost rumbling purr, and Dimitri vaguely thinks it must have something to do with her necklace being off. She doesn't usually sound so sensual. "You're gripping the chair quite tightly."

Dimitri consciously relaxes his hands. He doesn't want to break her furniture. "Just… overwhelmed."

"That's normal." Mercedes reassures. She brushes hair out of his face, being careful to not actually touch his face with her bare skin just yet. She takes her seat in his lap, and Dimitri shudders as it sparks all sorts of sensations he isn't prepared to analyze. "What do you feel? If you don't mind telling me of course."

"I…" Dimitri falters. How can he say what he feels? His desires are so unseemly.

"No?" Mercedes says, taking his hesitance for refusal. "Well that's fine. I don't mean to pry. How about we start then? Last chance to back out."

"Do it." Dimitri says instantly. The more he sits here and stews, the more strange and conflicted he feels. Maybe the feeding will give him peace of mind.

If only all his problems could be solved this way.

Mercedes doesn't delay any longer. She sticks her hands up his sleeves and around his back, and leans into him with a content hum.

If removing the necklace was like getting hit with a wave, actual physical contact is like being launched headlong into the ocean by a catapult. His body is a riot of sensations he isn't used to and in some cases things he's never felt before at all. Desires to touch, desires to cower, desires to beg, desires to take.

It still doesn't make any sense, but it's so much easier to simply accept it all and bask in the physical sensations from the touch of someone else. To relish in the inability to move and for once, not have to worry about his strength, not hear the voices of his father and Glenn whispering his ears, and not think about the future.

For three blissful hours, before peace inevitably has to come to an end.

###

What Mercedes doesn't understand is why Dimitri doesn't want another appointment, when he had nothing but good things to say about his first, and will even extol the benefits to others.

She's tried to ask him, but he always answers evasively, mentioning something about being unable to accept the rest she offers, and Mercedes doesn't think he's talking about his busy schedule.

It's not her place to force the issue. Maybe it has something to do with pride, or fear, or insecurity. She has no way of knowing (without being horribly intrusive).

Really, all the Lions are completely unlike the more normal students. Mercedes has plenty of repeat customers among the non-elite classes of students, but among the Lions she's only ever had Ashe come back for more, and even then it has more to do with her tutoring him than an explicit desire on his part for the relaxation of a feeding.

Aside from Annette, of course, but Annette is a different case.

Mercedes shakes her head and turns her head away from the Prince, who is once again making his way to the training grounds. She really doesn't understand the Prince, or any of his close friends. Felix, Sylvain… those three boys are a puzzle.

Well, maybe not Felix. Felix is just grouchy and doesn't like to feel weak. But the other two are a puzzle.

It's mildly frustrating that the people that look like they need the relief the most are the ones that refuse to accept it more than once, but alas, it's not up to her to dictate what others do, otherwise she'd absolutely insist the boys allow her to help them more.

Or maybe she's just being selfish, because as much as she might not mention it, she does get a small thrill out of successfully 'ensnaring' such tasty young men to feed on. Sure, her basest instincts draw her to the smaller, nervous, more obviously vulnerable ones like Ashe, but there's a thrill out of snagging more 'challenging' prey.

Of course, she can barely be said to be hunting. She's not using deceit or force or charm to get them to come along with her. And besides, pretending that snaring anyone would be remotely challenging if she actually tried is a flat-out lie.

Mercedes shakes her head again, this time at herself. This isn't the time to fantasize, and Dimitri's choices are his own. All she can do is keep her arms open, metaphorically, in case he ever does want relief again.

She hopes he'll be alright.

Chapter Text

"It's not as hard as it seems." Is what Ingrid said one hour ago, but she's starting to think she accidentally lied.

"I'm sorry Ingrid." The older girl says, breathing heavy. "I don't think this is working."

"I'm sure it's just a matter of practice." Ingrid says, frowning. Watching Mercedes try to use a lance is like watching a kid try to hold a frog. The lance just seems to slip from her hands at the slightest provocation, or sometimes no provocation at all. Ingrid is glad no one is sparring with Mercedes, because with the number of times the girl has accidentally thrown her lance someone would have been bound to get hurt. "Some people take longer than others."

Even Ingrid can tell that her tone really isn't selling what she's saying that well. Both girls know on some level that Mercedes really isn't suited to this, but the Professor insisted every student have at least some proficiency with one melee and one ranged option, and Mercedes technically lacks a melee option.

"Perhaps I should have insisted that my natural abilities can defend me well enough at close range." Mercedes sighs. She raises the practice lance to a resting position, fails to balance properly, and almost falls over. "They've never failed me before."

"You've had to use them before?"

"Well…" Mercedes smiles.

"For self defence." Ingrid clarifies before Mercedes can poke fun at the foolish phrasing of her question (because of course Mercedes has used her powers before).

"Well yes… and no." Mercedes says. "I've used them to hunt before, and I used them against the bandits from our first mission, and I'm confident they'll work against anything not outright immune to charm."

"But you still need something against other charmers."

"Yes." Mercedes admits. "So perhaps learning the lance is still prudent, though I can't imagine myself fighting many beings that are charm immune. We're a bit of a rare breed."

The conversation could end there. Everything that needed to be said was said. But Ingrid is curious. Something Mercedes said was odd. "What do you mean you've used them to hunt? Does charm work on boars or something?"

Mercedes blinks in confusion for a second, then smiles. "Well yes, I can charm animals, but that's not quite what I meant. I meant hunting to feed, hunting people. I didn't always have my current arrangement."

"Oh." Ingrid says quietly. It's always strange to remember that Mercedes' species, succubi, are actually famous for seduction and not 'appointments', and it's even stranger to know that Mercedes might have lived up to this reputation at some point in her life. "I can hardly imagine you doing that, honestly."

"I'm not surprised. Even Annette seems to find the idea strange, and she's seen me hunt before." Mercedes chuckles. "She tells me it's because I 'look like a mom'."

Ingrid can't help but agree with that sentiment. Mercedes really does look like a mom. If Ingrid had to guess, she'd say it's the hair.

"It's been a while since I've hunted though." Mercedes muses. "I'm almost certainly out of practice, though I suppose I could use overwhelming charm magic if I really needed to, but there's no fun in that."

Ingrid frowns a bit. "Fun? In hunting people?"

"Oh yes." Mercedes says, completely unashamed. "It's quite, ah, exciting. There's a thrill in using my powers and skills to ensnare someone. I used to enjoy challenging myself to use minimal charm magic when hunting too. I had to rely purely on my ability to corner someone in a secluded area with words and actions alone."

"That's…" Ingrid doesn't know what to say.

"Predatory?" Mercedes offers. "Uncomfortable?"

"Yes."

"That's exactly why I don't do it anymore." Mercedes hums. "But just because I don't do it for moral reasons doesn't mean my instincts have changed. I still miss the thrill of identifying a target and ensnaring them for a meal. I can't recall how many times I hunted some poor servant boy to feed when I was younger, or another student when I was at the School of Sorcery. I was guilty of feeding more than I had to when I was younger. I really enjoyed hunting."

As much as Ingrid is disturbed, she thinks she understands. "Sort of like actual hunting; hunting animals I mean. There's a certain fun, no matter how cruel, in landing a good shot with your bow. Knowing you've bested another living being."

"Exactly." Mercedes nods. "It's the very same feeling, just instead of my prey being animals, it's people."

"Though there's not much skill in hunting people for you, is there?" Ingrid points out. "You just pull off your necklace and they're done for."

"True. Though that's enticing in it's own right. The helplessness is quite delicious. Succubi are drawn to weakness after all." Mercedes says. "It can be quite fun to walk up and blast someone with charm magic. To simply take what you want… but honestly that was never my style, and it's not as practical as you might think. Just taking off my necklace willy-nilly would be dangerous. People would figure out what I am and what I'm doing, and as powerful as I might be there are still things that can threaten me. I preferred to refrain from charm magic entirely when hunting, and just use my words and actions and appearance to isolate someone for a feeding. That's practical, and there's a certain pride to be had in flexing my other skills."

"I can't imagine you seducing someone." Ingrid says without thinking. She winces internally at her lack of a filter a moment later. That was probably rather rude of her to say, wasn't it?

Mercedes' smile is mischievous, not at all offended. "Oh? Would you like a demonstration?"

Ingrid resists the urge to scoff. "I'm fairly sure I can't be seduced."

"Mmm…" Mercedes hums, eyes twinkling. "Is that a challenge?"

Ingrid has the distinct feeling of dancing on the edge of something dangerous, but a mixture of pride and curiosity prompts her to say. "Maybe it is."

Mercedes drops her lance and claps in eagerness. "Oh, are you sure? I would truly appreciate the opportunity to flex my old muscles, so to speak. I promise I won't actually feed on you in the end, unless you want me to of course."

Ingrid is slightly offended at the implication that Mercedes is so sure she's going to win, and decides to ignore the last part of what the older girl said because she doesn't want to imagine what state she's going to be in if she actually does lose. "Don't sound so confident you're going to succeed."

Mercedes' grin is something Ingrid never thought she'd see on the older girls' face. It looks like a bit of a leer, and her words are just as foreboding. "Ingrid dear… you've challenged a succubus to seduce someone. This is only going to end one way."

And that is when Ingrid realizes she's made a huge mistake.

###

Ingrid will admit that she totally forgot about the informal challenge she made to Mercedes, because the older girl doesn't act on it at all for a few days, and with how little Ingrid interacts with Mercedes in general it was easy to forget.

That's why, when Mercedes sits down next to her at lunch, Ingrid doesn't think twice about it. It's not something too unusual. When Annette is otherwise occupied, and Sylvain and Felix aren't making a bother of themselves, Mercedes and Ingrid will usually sit together. Beyond Annette, they're the only girls in the Lions, and Dimitri and Dedue don't tend to make for the best conversation most of the time.

"Enjoying the Alliance meats, are we?" Mercedes says as a greeting. Her plate has a small serving of steak alongside vegetables and bread, which is a sharp contrast to Ingrid's full rack of ribs, half a ham, and only a minimal selection of vegetables so as to not technically have a meal consisting only of meat.

"They're only here for a week." Ingrid says through a mouthful of food. "I have to try everything before they're gone!"

"I think you're doing a little more than 'trying' them." Mercedes teases. "But I suppose you need all that protein for muscle, don't you?"

"Of-" Ingrid starts, swallows, and continues. "-course! Besides, nothing beats a rack of ribs with some good spice."

"Nothing at all?" Mercedes asks, her voice leaking a hint of amusement. "My, that's a bold claim. My baking would beg to differ, but something tells me you're not as big on sweets as myself."

"Sweets are good too." Ingrid says while cutting off another section of the ribs. "I'll admit I lean more towards rich sweets than the ones that are pure sugar."

"Chocolate?" Mercedes asks.

"For sure." Ingrid nods. "Dark chocolate is nice."

"Then perhaps I could defend my chef's honor, which has been thoroughly offended I might add, and challenge these ribs with a cake?" Mercedes asks cheekily. "I won't see sweets loose to spice."

"You're welcome to try, I won't argue with more good food." Ingrid shrugs.

"I wouldn't want to ruin your figure though." Mercedes teases, and very obviously runs her eyes down Ingrid's body. "It must take quite a bit of effort to maintain it, hmm?"

Ingrid flicks her eyes away, a bit self-conscious. "I have no idea what you're talking about Mercie. I just train. I don't do anything special. Besides, you're one to talk, what with your… figure."

Mercedes hums in amusement, and Ingrid can feel the older girl's eyes burning into the side of her head. "Now now, we both know I get a free pass on that. I quite literally don't have to try. Don't try to deflect, Ingrid, you must give some thought to it."

Ingrid chews a particularly tough portion of meat, delaying her response as she tries to think of a way out of this conversation. "Not really." She settles on saying. "But I guess a fit form is a nice form to some extent."

"I'll say." Mercedes smiles. She seems to delight in the way Ingrid won't meet her eyes, and it's at this point that Ingrid abruptly remembers the challenge she posed to Mercedes a few days ago.

Ingrid swings her gaze back to the older girl. "I see what you're doing." She says, forcing herself to meet Mercedes' eyes. That's a huge mistake, because the older girl's blue eyes are twinkling in knowing amusement, and combined with Mercedes' folded hands and slightly upturned lips, and both of them knowing full well just how flustered Ingrid actually is, her proclamation sounds quite pathetic indeed.

"Oh my, I've been caught." Mercedes says in a low voice, drawing out the Y on 'my' with a breathy sort of tone that almost sounds like a laugh. She leans to the side, towards Ingrid, propping one elbow on the table and resting her chin in it. Her eyes are half-lidded, somehow making her look smug, amused, and curious all at once. Mercedes isn't looking away, and the sustained eye contact is really starting to make Ingrid squirm. "You can't blame a girl for trying, can you?"

Ingrid knows that the low, purring whisper of Mercedes' voice is being used purely to get a reaction out of her, and the problem is that it's working. The older girl's voice tickles Ingrid's ears in a very distracting way. Ingrid also has to be the first one to break eye contact, because she just can't keep staring into Mercedes' amused eyes for a second longer. "Well you're going to have to try harder than that."

Mercedes' response is eager enough to make Ingrid genuinely nervous. "Oh, gladly."

Silence sneaks into the conversation as Ingrid picks at her food. She's now very aware of the older girl sitting next to her, still gazing at her face while Ingrid determinedly doesn't make eye contact again. Just to give herself something to do, she stabs a slice of ham and sticks it in her mouth. It's an immense relief when Mercedes finally stops leaning into her personal space and returns to her own meal.

"Do you still want cake?" Mercedes says after a few minutes of tense eating (at least, tense on Ingrid's part). "I was genuine about that offer."

"I…" It would be easy to refuse, but Ingrid knows she's be refusing purely so she doesn't lose this stupid challenge, and honestly that seems against the spirit of it. On top of that, even if she was mostly joking, Ingrid doesn't want to just forfeit a challenge she sort of agreed to. If she really wanted this to stop, she could have told Mercedes as soon as she realized what the older girl was doing. So she's going to accept the offer of cake, knowing full well Mercedes is going to use the opportunity to pick her apart some more. Ingrid refuses to back down, and she refuses to be beaten. "Sure. Cake is cake after all."

###

Mercedes is having difficulty in the most delightful way.

It's one thing to seduce someone who doesn't know you, and quite another to seduce someone who does, and more absurd to seduce someone who knows that you're trying to seduce them. It's a challenge Mercedes has never faced before. Oh sure, she cornered the same poor servant boy dozens of times and he was eventually aware of what was going on, but that was less seduction and more cat-cornering-a-mouse.

It doesn't help that 'seduce Ingrid' is a very vague goal. What does 'seduce' mean in this case? It can't mean getting Ingrid to accept sleeping with her because that's obviously not appropriate, and Mercedes promised not to feed on her so it can't be getting her into a position where she's willing to let that happen. Because of this, Mercedes doesn't actually have a goal beyond 'flirt with Ingrid I guess'.

It's still quite fun. Even simple flirting is something she hasn't really done in a year or two, and it's refreshing to be able to do that again.

Mercedes extends this breath of freedom to her appearance. She forgoes her shawl in favor of leaving her arms bare, she lets her hair out of its braid and has it fall down her back in a sheet, she wears a snug shirt she hasn't taken out of the closet since she got here that very obviously strains to contain her bust.

It's not that Mercedes would dress like this all the time if she got the chance, she adores her usual sweaters and shawls, it's just that she likes this look too but never has an excuse to use it. All her classmates, not to mention her teachers, would raise an eyebrow if she walked around in this slightly risqué outfit.

Well, Professor Eisner wouldn't raise an eyebrow, but he's not well versed in social nuance… or social anything really.

Ingrid's expression when she sees Mercedes' changed appearance for the first time is that of curiosity, and then a moment later it changes to utter shock, and Mercedes realizes with no small amount of amusement that Ingrid must not have recognized her at first.

It's probably the hair. Annie has told her she looks like a totally different person with her hair loose.

"Hi Mercedes." Ingrid says, still looking a bit shook. "You have your hair down."

"I do." Mercedes says. She sets the cake down on the table, along with the plates, and runs her fingers through her long peach hair. "Do you like it?"

"Yes. It's very… different." Ingrid says slowly. Her eyes trace down Mercedes' figure for a moment before snapping back up to her face. "You're very different."

Mercedes can't help but smile. She leans forward and clasps her hands in such a way that maybe her elbows are not so subtly pushing her chest up. Totally unintentionally, of course. It's not like this is a practice maneuver or anything.

(Honestly, Mercedes doesn't even know if trying to invoke physical attraction is even going to work on a straight woman, but she's willing to try. Besides, there's always a chance Ingrid is into women as well. Dorothea seems to think so.)

"I'm glad you noticed." Mercedes says with a smile. She could push this more now, but she doesn't. Ingrid came here for cake after all. She doesn't want to scare the girl off quite yet. "Dark chocolate is good, I hope?"

"Of course." Ingrid's eyes quickly go to the cake. It seems chocolate is much more tempting than Mercedes herself, and Mercedes isn't offended because honestly, she loves cake too. "It's so big…"

"I'm well aware of your usual appetite." Mercedes says. "Sylvain made it very clear just how much you could eat."

She wasn't even really trying to tease Ingrid with that, but Ingrid gets a bit red in the face anyways. "You went to Sylvain for this?"

"Well, I went to Sylvain to see if he knew anything about you I could exploit." Mercedes says without an ounce of shame. "And then the topic of cake came up, so…"

"Oh Goddess, what else did Sylvain tell you?" Ingrid groans. "I swear, whatever he told you is probably wrong, please don't listen to him."

"Hmm, I probably shouldn't mention how he told me that you have a weakness for knights-"

"I do not!" Ingrid says with the sort of vehemence that only comes in response to a running joke. She throws her hands into the air. "I swear to the goddess, I was five and Sylvain hasn't let me live it down!"

Apparently there's a lot more to this running joke than Mercedes is aware of, and she can't help but be curious. "Do tell."

"Absolutely not!" Ingrid huffs.

Mercedes raises an eyebrow. "Should I ask Sylvain to elaborate instead?"

"Don't you dare." Ingrid growls.

With that interesting tidbit out of the way, Mercedes finally cuts the cake and serves out a piece to each of them. Ingrid digs into hers with abandon, only barely adhering to the rules of politeness for meals in her excitement to eat.

Ingrid has far more than one slice. Two, three, five slices go down her gullet, and Ingrid hums her approval with every bite. Mercedes could probably tease Ingrid about this, but she'd much rather watch someone enjoy her baking.

Her goal today was to flirt with Ingrid, but that's been all but shoved aside in favor of just sharing a cake.

Mercedes didn't expect the whole cake to be finished in this one sitting with just two people but apparently she underestimated Ingrid's ability to consume food. Honestly, she's like Raphael but less meat-focused. Mercedes had a grand total of two slices and Ingrid slurped down the rest of the cake in record time.

"That was so good." Ingrid says. Mercedes finds the act of Ingrid wiping her face with a napkin strangely funny. It's such a stark contrast to Ingrid's unabashedly eager eating habits. "Thanks Mercie."

"It was my pleasure." Mercedes says. "Or, maybe it was yours, seeing as you ate almost the entire cake."

Getting Ingrid to blush really isn't hard apparently, because another one graces her cheeks. "Look, it was a really good cake, alright?"

"Is it really that easy to fluster you?" Mercedes asks teasingly. With the food out of the way, she has no more excuse not to act on her supposed goal. "Oh Ingrid… you're just a feast waiting to be eaten, aren't you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ingrid asks, the blush only grows stronger.

"You're such an inviting target is all." Mercedes chuckles. She leans on the table. propping her head up with her hands and letting a predatory smile steal across her lips. "Succubi are drawn to weakness, or more specifically we're drawn to vulnerability, so you look very tasty right now."

Ingrid shivers, and Mercedes' eyes light up in hungry delight. She expected to have to work to get Ingrid to squirm, but apparently not. What a treat Mercedes is getting today. She forgot how satisfying it is to know that she is responsible for making someone blush and squirm and shiver.

This is why hunting was so viscerally enjoyable, regardless of the morality of it. This and feeding after successfully cornering her prey, of course.

"How can you say things like that with a straight face?" Ingrid groans. "You're worse than Sylvain."

"Oh I assure you, I'm being much more earnest than Sylvain right now." Mercedes hums. Remembering their last interaction she fixes her eyes on Ingrid's, more than happy to abuse the intimacy of sustained eye-contact. With an intentionally obvious lick of her lips, Mercedes adds. "Just say the word and I'll prove it."

"I- uh-" Ingrid stammers, apparently not expecting Mercedes to be so direct. Mercedes doesn't let up the pressure, and leans across the table and extends her hands to stroke the blonde girl's cheek.

"I promise I'll be gentle." Mercedes coos. Her eyelids sink to half open, what some people might call a smoldering look. The older girl delights in Ingrid's stunned paralysis. She puckers her lips a bit, as is tempting Ingrid for a kiss. "Come on, it'll be alright…"

For a moment Mercedes expects Ingrid to give in, as shocked and flustered as the girl seems, but Ingrid is stronger than that. The moment of surprise and weakness passes, and the younger girl regains a measure of composure.

Ingrid doesn't flinch away, she's not afraid. She merely pulls back, embarrassed, and understanding that Mercedes is trying to break her down. "Goddess above, you're something else Mercie. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Thank you." Mercedes says smugly. She retracts her hand and settles back into her seat. The moment of weakness has passed, she's failed for now, there's no reason to keep pushing. "It's a delight to show a bit of myself that I usually keep under wraps every once in a while."

"You mean you're not putting on an act?" Ingrid blinks in surprise.

"Oh no. I was being quite honest." Mercedes hums. "I have my own desires. I simply keep them under wraps for politeness' sake. More so than most I'd argue, because a succubus' desires can be much more uncomfortable to hear than those of a human."

"You mean your feeding instinct?"

"Among other things." Mercedes says. She's not about to tell Ingrid that Bernadetta routinely grabs her attention due to the girl's obvious frailty and vulnerability, and she's had more than one fantasy about what she could do if she got her hands on the small girl. Not that she'd ever act on those impulses, but those sorts of predatory thoughts are hardly unusual, and hardly the sort she can talk about with someone she doesn't absolutely trust to understand. "They're not for sharing with any but my closest friends. No offense, of course."

"None taken." Mercedes can tell Ingrid truly means that. They're classmates, friends even, but neither of them is going to pretend they're the closest of companions. For Ingrid that honor goes to Sylvain and Felix, and for Mercedes that goes to Annette. "Incidentally, you're going to have to try harder to get me. This still isn't enough."

Mercedes smiles serenely. "As you wish."

###

Ingrid is in over her head, and the worst part is that she might like it.

Mercedes… Ingrid underestimated her; underestimated just what Mercedes was willing to do. Ingrid never doubted the older girl's capabilities, she doubted how much Mercedes would use the skills she had.

Even thinking about what happened yesterday, how Mercedes had come on so strongly, how...

"I'll be gentle." Mercedes' voice purrs inside Ingrid's head.

...Ingrid doesn't know what to say about that, except it made her heart skip a beat. She's no stranger to being flirted with, she's dealt with dozens of suitors in the past, but something about Mercedes was more honest, more sensual, more hungry, and it was far more effective than anything her suitors have tried before. Embarrassed as she was, Ingrid was flattered at the interest.

It helps that she knows and trusts Mercedes. At least, more than she does her suitors.

"At least Sylvain and Felix haven't seen any of this." Ingrid sighs while putting away her spear for the day. "I can only imagine what Sylvain would say if he actually saw any of this. Bad enough he knows this is happening at all."

Maybe it would be prudent to just give up and admit defeat before Mercedes takes this any further, but Ingrid's pride won't allow it. She can't let a succubus defeat her!

(Ingrid has no illusions about her chances of winning this challenge, but she can't just give up! She has her pride and her pride says not to surrender!)

Ingrid almost instantly regrets her decision when she takes two steps out of the sparring grounds and comes face to face with Mercedes herself.

The older girl is smiling, but it's not quite her usual, motherly smile. Oh sure, it might look like it to someone else, but Ingrid can see how Mercedes' half-lidded eyes latch onto her instantly. The fact that Mercedes has chosen yet another conspicuously tight, sleeveless shirt (actually, maybe all Mercedes' shirts sleeveless? Ingrid hasn't been able to tell because Mercie usually has her shawl on) also tells Ingrid that maybe Mercedes is after her again.

Ingrid will fervently deny that the thought excites her, or if it does then it's the fault of a succubus' raw charisma and has nothing to do with her.

That thought, that Mercedes is after her, is confirmed a moment later when the older girl grabs Ingrid by the arm, completely ignoring Ingrid's question of why she's doing that, and pulls Ingrid aside into a small alley between the sparring building and the sauna.

Ingrid is more amused than concerned right up until the moment Mercedes puts herself between Ingrid and the exit.

"Resorting to this, are we?" Ingrid asks with more confidence than she feels. She puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow to show just how not-concern she is.

That bluster totally falls apart the instant Mercedes takes a step closer, deep into Ingrid's personal space, and Ingrid takes a step backwards to regain that space. The pattern repeats a few times until brick meets Ingrid's back and she has no more ground to give to stop Mercedes looming mere centimeters away from her.

"Why are you fleeing, Ingrid?" Mercedes breathes, like the answer isn't obvious. Her smile is decidedly smug, and her tone taunting. "I haven't even done anything."

"Yet." Ingrid shoots back.

"Oh?" Mercedes' quirks an eyebrow, and her smile extends into a grin. "So you're expecting me to do something?"

"Shouldn't I? Considering the challenge?" Ingrid says defiantly.

"But expecting something so drastic you have to flee?" Mercedes questions. Her blue eyes sparkle with amusement, and refuse to release Ingrid's gaze. "Ingrid… just what are you expecting from me, hmm?"

The way Mercedes says Ingrid's name sends shivers down the blonde girl's spine. "W-Well-"

"I promised not to feed on you, didn't I?"

"Well yes, but-"

"But?" Mercedes cuts her off. She inches closer, her nose almost bumping against Ingrid's. "Were you expecting me to break my own rule?"

"N-No."

"Or maybe…" Mercedes' grin can only be described as 'victorious'. "Were you hoping I'd break it?"

"Of course not!" Ingrid huffs.

"Are you sure?" Mercedes purrs. "I think you want me to. We're quite close, after all."

"I don't! Us being this close is your doing!"

"Oh? Then why haven't you pushed me away?" Mercedes asks. "I'm not using my magic Ingrid, there's nothing stopping you. We both know you're stronger than me."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Oh really?" Mercedes laughs softly, and Ingrid knows just how pathetic of an excuse that is. "Aren't you considerate?"

The older girl leans in, and Ingrid has a brief flash of panic, thinking Mercedes is about to do… something… but Mercedes merely puts her mouth close to Ingrid's ear.

"Or maybe you're just a pushover." Mercedes whispers. Her voice caresses Ingrid's ear and sends a pleasant tingle into her brain. "Because you're enjoying this."

Ingrid swallows thickly. She doesn't know her hands started trembling. "I-I-"

"Come on Ingrid, just admit it." Mercedes purrs. "You held out long enough."

She's 'held out' only three days when Mercedes isn't even using any magic, and that feels utterly pathetic to Ingrid.

"No one will hear but me." Mercedes promises, sounding very much like the temptation demon so many people think succubi are. Ingrid can't see the girl's face, but she can imagine the hungry smile and bedroom eyes Mercedes is sporting right now. All she'd need to complete the image is Mercedes stroking her cheek again. "Just three words: 'I like this'."

Ingrid's pride protests this. It protests fiercely. But other parts of Ingrid are less strong and more prone to bend, like the part that enjoys attention, the part that wants the embarrassment of this whole challenge to be over, and the part that enjoys someone attractive whispering into her ear.

Her mouth feeling dry, her hands shaking, her cheeks warm, and her pulse racing, Ingrid stammers out: "I-I l-like this."

"Good girl." Mercedes coos. Her words send a shiver down Ingrid's spine once again. Mercedes pulls back a bit, smiling with all the alluring, hungry menace fitting of a succubus, and Ingrid's breath hitches. When Mercedes leans in, Ingrid closes her eyes, submitting to whatever this is…

A soft, chaste kiss to her forehead, and nothing else.

When Ingrid opens her eyes again, Mercedes is still smiling, but it's no longer the menacing, predatory grin of someone who has cornered their prey. It's her normal, amused, vaguely motherly smile, and she's standing a few steps back, giving Ingrid her space once more.

"So, I guess that means I win, hmm?" Mercedes asks cheerfully, eyes dancing with mirth.

Ingrid blinks twice, her heart still pounding, adrenaline still in her system, still ready for so much more than Mercedes actually gave her… and remembering that Mercedes promised not to feed. The flood of embarrassment that washed through her is overpowering, and she hides her face with her hands as she fully comes to grips with what just happened. "Oh my goddess…"

"Sorry." Mercedes says. The subsequent giggle really doesn't make Ingrid feel any better. "Did I go a bit overboard?"

Ingrid's reply is incomprehensible even to her own ears, muffled as it is by her hands.

"That bad?"

"I didn't think you could be so aggressive." Ingrid mumbles, pulling her hands off her face. "Goddess, I only held out for three days."

"Most people don't hold out at all." Mercedes hums. "Quite frankly, a bit of attention from an attractive girl is more than enough to bring down most people."

"Those people are probably men." Ingrid points out.

"Most of the time." Mercedes agrees.

"I'm not a man."

"I know."

"I'm straight!"

"I know." Mercedes placates the girl. "There's nothing wrong with liking a little attention, Ingrid, even if it's not from your preferred source."

"Easy for you to say." Ingrid grumbles. Her face is still on fire, but she's swiftly regained some level of emotional control. "You didn't… I… I didn't think you'd act quite like that. You kept catching me off guard."

"A bit different from my usual, hmm?" Mercedes chuckles. "It felt good to let loose a bit. Thank you Ingrid, I'd be happy to do this again sometime."

"I'm not sure my heart can handle that." Ingrid grumbles again.

"Poor you." Mercedes says, clearly fighting another giggle. "Yet another girl left unsatisfied."

"Don't put it like that…" Ingrid groans. "Sylvain would have a field day if he could see me right now."

This time Mercedes does giggle. "I mean, I guess I could give you some satisfaction."

"I thought we were done with the challenge?" Ingrid says in exasperation. Is Mercedes really going to tease her about this? "And please watch your phasing."

"Well, I haven't fed today, so…" Mercedes offers. "If you'd like, I'd be more than happy to feed on you."

Ingrid isn't really sure what prompts her to mutter, half joking: "You're going to have to try harder…"

Mercedes' eyes light up, a hint of that predatory intent returning to her. "Oh, do I?"

Ingrid immediately backpedals and she frantically waves her hands in denial. "Uh, no, I was just joking! I meant I wouldn't mind at all!"

Mercedes laughs, and Ingrid feels quite foolish. "No need to be so anxious, Ingrid. I can take a joke."

Ingrid slumps. "Sorry, I guess I'm still flustered."

"Really, did I go too far?" Mercedes asks again, concerned.

"No, no, it's what I challenged you to do." Ingrid mutters and rubs her face. "I should have known better than to challenge a succubus to something like that. I'll be over it in a bit. For now I'm still a bit worked up."

"Then let's go back to my room. I can help you relax." Mercedes insists. "I'm a bit, ah, 'worked up' myself."

"Not that sort of worked up!" Ingrid groans.

"What do you mean?" Mercedes asks. She sounds innocent, but her smile is knowing. "I meant I'm hungry, so to speak. I just had a successful hunt but didn't get to feed after all. What were you thinking?"

Ingrid swears Mercedes is going to be the death of her. "I… never mind. Just let me get clean, I was just training."

"I'll be waiting in my room then!" Mercedes says cheerfully as she walks away. "Don't be shy!"

Ingrid has a feeling she's not going to be able to look Mercedes in the eye for a month after today…

Chapter Text

Duscurian folk tales and legends differ from Faerghus' usual roster. Not that there aren't some commonalities, but many Duscurian communities are rather insulated against greater Faerghus' and Fodlan as a whole and as such their culture and stories have crossed over all that much.

"Our parents would tell us many tales of other species when we were younger." Dedue says, pouring some of his local tea while Mercedes cheerfully sets down her various baked goods. The gardens are largely unoccupied today. Most of the other students are otherwise occupied, having ventured into town, not woken up yet, or spending time on a hobby rather than having a mid-morning snack outside. "They would be mixed in with other stories depending on the species. The more common kinds had regular characters, so to speak. A dwarf would likely be a surly smith or a priest. An elf would either be an aloof wanderer or else an eccentric mage."

"That's not unusual." Mercedes muses. "I can remember plenty of stories from my mother and the maids. Marauding bands of orcs were a common stand-in for savage foreigners I think."

Dedue does not scoff, he's far too professional for that, but he does exhale with slightly more force than usual. "Orcs often served that purpose for our stories as well, though I suspect in less of a… derogatory way. To us, orcs are wanderers. Those who live on the land; hunters, in tune with nature not due to some inborn magic but skill and dedication. It was not unusual to have bands of orcs pass though the village where I grew up. They would trade meats and pelts for produce, furniture, and metal items like horseshoes. We have a legend that the people of Duscur first learned to fend for themselves thanks to orcish guidance. They taught us the art of the snare, and from that snare the first Duscurian caught his family a rabbit to eat."

"Really?" Mercedes asks, fascinated. "It sounds like Faerghus could stand to take a lesson or two from Duscur. They might have fewer orcish raids that way; and more rabbit!"

"Indeed." Dedue says, expression neutral. "Do… do succubi have their own cultural stories like this?"

"Mmm, sort of?" Mercedes says. "I'm not the best to ask there. I'm quite separated from what little collective society we have. Most succubi are solitary predators and parasites, we don't tend to have much community beyond those who just happen to live near us, and that community is tenuous and liable to shift whenever one of us gets outed or our current meal structure falls apart."

"Historically that did not stop vampires from constructing communities." Dedue points out.

"That is true." Mercedes nods. "And for such a necessarily social creature as a succubus you would assume it would be easier, but Succubi are individually much more demanding than a vampire. A vampire knows of strength in connections, but a succubus thinks she is superior to all; we are taught that we are superior to all, that the simple humans are ours to play with, and other succubi are threats to our secrecy and rivals for power. At best most succubi have a non-aggression understanding with each other. Friendships are uncommon and cooperation rare."

"That sounds rather lonely." Dedue notes, taking a sip of his tea.

"It is." Mercedes says. "Our instincts incentivise such behavior. Control is safety and trust is an unnecessary liability to a creature with easy mind-control. It does not help that our instincts incline us to be possessive and demanding of those around us; a human under our control is far easier to keep under control if you don't let them wander too far and keep their attention pointed at you. The more time they spend away from you the longer your charm magic has to wear off and their mind to notice something wrong. Most succubi are clingy with their prey for exactly that reason. The common Faerghus tale of King Leroy the Dull has the succubus advisor constantly hovering over his shoulder for that very reason; it's reflective of our actual normal behavior."

"Hmm." Dedue frowns, lowering his cup and staring into the light brown liquid within. "Duscurian tales do not quite paint the same picture of succubi."

"Oh?" Mercedes perks up, nabbing a doughnut. "Well that sounds like a pleasant surprise! Because I've met other succubi, and unfortunately the stereotypes tend to be quite accurate. Most of us are quite nasty."

"There is likely still some cultural variance. Distrust breeds distrust." Dedue says quietly. "A culture that is inclined to distrust them will be repaid in kind."

"What does Duscur say about succubi?"

"We have a tale about them. A children's story." Dedue says, setting his cup down entirely to look Mercedes in the eyes. "As it goes, a new family moves into the village: a lady and her daughter, both with cream skin that never mars and laughs that could beckon the stars themselves down to listen closer."

Mercedes leans forward intently, and Dedue finds himself sitting back a bit to lessen the inherent intensity of her gaze. Having eyes on him has always been somewhat uncomfortable, much less when he's talking about them specifically. Mercedes is not what most people would call intimidating, but her serenity, self-assuredness and understated power lend a weight to her attention that has him choosing his words more carefully than he perhaps needs to.

"They integrate with unnatural ease. The child makes friends with a few words and the woman steps into long-established social groups like she was always there. Other mothers commiserate with her like an old friend, and even their husbands are always happy to have her visit."

Mercedes' eyes narrow just the slightest bit, and Dedue nods in acknowledgement. They can both see where this is going.

"Two very different trends emerge among the children and the adults, however. The children are doing better than ever: they squabble less, share more, resolve differences with greater ease, and find their insecurities more easily pacified in their new friend's presence. Their new friend is very affectionate, and the children flourish with her inclusion. Soon all the children hug in greeting rather than just saying hello and disperate play groups have become a single strong community eager to include new members and broaden their play."

Mercedes smiles slightly, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "And the adults?"

"The opposite. There is new tension, spreading slowly like a rot. Everyone loves their new member, but insecurity follows in her wake. Wives grow anxious of the time their husbands spend in her presence, or else doubt their own abilities. They grow jealous and protective of her attention, valuing her advice like gold and hoarding it to themselves while at the same time never feeling truly confident in her presence. The men are anxious as well; some question their own faithfulness to their partners, never realizing the pull they feel to this new woman is magical in nature. Many more consider her a witch when she is not present no matter how enamored they are when she stands before them. Distrust runs rampant, and soon none of the adults trust each other or even their own thoughts."

Dedue takes a breath and a sip of tea, closing his eyes for a moment to remember the exact ending. Mercedes relaxes a bit, realizing just how far forward she's leaned in the process of listening and easing off the intrusion into Dedue's space.

"It is the child that reveals what they are. The other children question why she hugs so much and so the girl tells them that she needs touch to live, and that she has never been hungry since having them to play with. The children are overjoyed; the parents less so. The little girl is no threat- they understand this well- but the gentleness of her own actions only shows how cruel her mother is in comparison. The paranoia of the adults now makes sense in the context of a being that bends affection to work as she wishes."

"What happens after?"

"The woman is confronted and her wrongs explained. Duscur folk tales tend to put a heavy emphasis on understanding and reconciliation." Dedue says. "The woman is encouraged to learn from her daughter's example and share her needs aloud rather than handling them on her own to everyone's detriment."

"...that seems perhaps a bit optimistic." Mercedes says cautiously.

"They are tales and not rules for a reason." Dedue says. "The chance a community in Duscur would come across a succubus was very rare and so the tale did not offer practical advice so much as a moral lesson. It is a lesson on the benefits and downsides of accepting new members into our community and a reminder that there is always nuance and will always be some good and some bad."

"But with an overall positive outlook I see."

"Of course. The goal is not to scare the reader, but to warn them so they are better prepared to handle life and improve where their ancestors may have stumbled." Dedue says simply. "Every generation's duty is to improve on the past, and through that process the world will always get better."

The two of them fall into companionable silence for a minute. Mercedes passes Dedue a cookie and he dips it in his tea before taking a bite. If he listens hard enough he can hear footsteps elsewhere in the monastery- the cobblestones help them carry- and voices drifting in on the wind from idle conversations of those walking by. In times like these he can somewhat understand the idealized vision Faerghus seems to have of nobility, if only His Highness' life was all tea parties and speeches and ceremonies.

"Our children actually grow up more quickly than humans." Mercedes says eventually. "Physically, I mean. I was physically an adult by the time I reached thirteen years old. Mentally we age at about the same rate, but considering how much of our hunting strategy revolves around sexual appeal I suppose it makes a certain amount of sense. It made it difficult to relate to other children sometimes; I suppose I always looked more mature than I actually was. I envy the girl in your story who could integrate so easily."

"It is only a story." Dedue says quietly. "I would not look to it for accuracy."

"It is still a helpful tale. I was simply comparing it to my own knowledge." Mercedes says. "The biological quirks of succubi are not exactly well known after all, aside from feeding of course."

"Did your mother have any tales that were specific to succubi she would tell?" Dedue asks. Mercedes seems to be in a sharing mood and he's happy to indulge her.

"Mmm, I suppose. I don't remember most of them myself, but there were simple tales- more like warnings- about the need to hide our powers. They always focused on how humans are scared of us and how it's important to look as human as possible." Mercedes recounts. "My mother always put heavy emphasis on the girls in the story keeping their necklaces on. I learned from very early on to never let my power leak out unless I absolutely needed it, even when I was alone."

Dedue nods. Considering the potency of Mercedes' aura, he's not surprised; it's far from subtle. "It is quite noticeable."

"Nowadays indeed, but not so much when I was younger." Mercedes reminisces fondly. "As a very young child I could only draw attention if I tried. I would focus so hard and push my power out to get servants walking by to look at me as a way to practice. It would only charm them for a few minutes unless I made physical contact. I was still mostly feeding from Mother at that point so I rarely made contact at all."

"Succubi can feed from each other?" Dedue questions.

"Not without cooperation." Mercedes says with a shake of her head. Even that small movement makes her hair shine in the sunlight; one of the few subtle hints of her power while it's suppressed by the necklace. "Our natural resistance to energy drain and charm effects is far too potent for another succubus to naturally overcome. When my mother fed me it was through pushing her energy out or intentionally suppressing her resistances. From what I remember most succubus children actually feed from a different caretaker; usually an enthralled servant of some sort. Mother's method was a bit unusual in that sense."

"Would that not be tiring?"

"No more than a normal child." Mercedes chuckles. "Our energy needs are actually not that strong as children. We don't even need to feed on energy at all until we reach about two years of age, and at that point it's a trickle that even a human wouldn't notice. Once we reach our growth spurt, however, those needs skyrocket. That's around eight to nine years old if I remember properly. Before that point I could survive on a few hugs and kissing someone's cheek once a week."

"...your schoolmates must have considered you quite affectionate."

"Indeed." Mercedes says with a fond smile. "Though most of them were rather off-put by my height. Remember, eight years for a succubus is physically closer to twelve or thirteen for a human, and we're physically adults by thirteen. I always had quite the height should have seen me and Annie back when we met, she was absolutely tiny in comparison!"

That's quite the mental image for Dedue, especially taking into account the six year age gap between the two girls. Mercedes would have been almost fully grown by the time Annette reached the age of six, let alone of age for the Royal School of Sorcery. "I can scarcely imagine it."

"People kept assuming I was her mother for a while." Mercedes chuckles. "Mostly because of the age difference, but also because I was very clingy with Annie back in the day. Honestly, I still get the impulse to carry her from time to time, but she doesn't let me anymore."

"Is that another impulse of your species?" Dedue asks.

"Oh no, it's just a manifestation of our usual clinginess. Annie is small, I like hugs, and it satisfies some of my impulses for physical contact and restraining prey, so I used to carry her around from time to time." Mercedes says dismissively. "We have a number of controlling instincts similar to that. A side-effect of being a solitary predator species that relies on manipulation I expect. It's the same reason we're so drawn to obvious weakness, be it physical, emotional, or mental. Poor Bernie might as well be labeling herself as easy prey to our eyes."

"So you always go for those who are weak, if you have the choice?" Dedue questions.

"Not at all!" Mercedes giggles. "Hmm, how do I put this…? Any good hunter knows how to pick out an injured animal for an easy kill, yes? But there is a certain pride that comes from hunting a prime specimen or something stronger than you need to. It is much the same for succubi. Granted it's still quite easy for us, humans are pitifully weak to our charm magic, but that doesn't mean we don't find some joy in seducing a confident, level-headed, fit young man or lady just because we can. It also helps that different dispositions and fitness levels means a different taste, so someone like Bernie would likely taste quite different from you."

Dedue blinks in surprise. "Energy has taste?"

"Yes! Well, 'taste' is the closest equivalent I can give to someone who doesn't drain." Mercedes says. She flicks her fingers in a circle while trying to come up with a more coherent explanation. "Sensation-wise it's probably closer to touch and digestion honestly. Someone's energy can be cool, warm, bubbly, subdued, chaotic, sickening, and anything in-between. Some of it is based on physical fitness, some on mental state, and some on a person's natural magic. Every person is a distinct dish, however. Even if their state drastically changes, their energy taste is always distinctly them. There's also some theory that the succubus' own state- especially an emotional connection to whoever they're feeding on- can influence their taste and make energy draining more efficient, getting more energy for the succubus and taking less out of their target. For example: Annie has only grown more delicious over time for me. She has this wonderful, tingly initial burst to her energy that settles into a smooth flutter after a few minutes, but if I move or adjust my embrace I get another burst of tingles from her."

"I see." Dedue says, even though he has no real way to understand energy taste himself.

"Love and arousal are almost universally delicious, charm-induced or not." Mercedes continues. "From what I've heard a lot of succubi also enjoy some degree of fear as well. It gives a certain pulse to a person's energy that's admittedly tempting. I find it's best in moderation; for moral reasons obviously but also because too much fear tends to drown out the rest of the flavor. A bit of nervousness is a fun sprinkle of spice, but terror is upending the entire jar on the dish." She leans forward, resting her head on one of her hands which is propped up by her elbow. Her eyes sparkle in amusement and Dedue finds it hard to look away. He doesn't assume he's being charmed, Mercedes is also just naturally striking. "Half the reason I enjoy nervousness in someone is because it's usually followed by relief, which usually feels like a nice cool flush through my body and is incredibly satisfying, both in taste and knowing that I'm helping them."

Dedue nods, trying not to let it show that he's affected by simple actions from her end. He sips his tea to give himself something to do, and the warmth of the drink helps him pull his eyes away for a moment. He's disappointed in himself. He prides himself on his composure and restraint and this is a shameful showing. "There is no shame in enjoying yourself. Your help is appreciated either way and the results speak for themselves. His Highness spoke highly of your aid."

"I'm flattered." Mercedes smiles. "Perhaps I might tempt you into a session as well, or at least letting me have a small nibble? I've tasted everyone else in the class so far, and I have to admit some curiosity in sampling the last dish of the course."

Dedue doesn't quite know how to feel about being referred to as a 'dish', or the way Mercedes' eyes glint with subtle… he would say 'threat' but that sounds like an overreaction to his ears, born of an instinctive fear of someone so powerful; perhaps 'interest' is the correct term, or 'hunger'. "Do you require sustenance?"

"Not particularly, I just wonder what you taste like." Mercedes says honestly. She laces her fingers and leans forward, her eyes drooping to half-lids in a look that would likely read as amusement on someone else but Dedue recognizes clearly as hunger from Mercedes. Not the hunger born of desperation, but one born of seeing a treat dangled in front of your face even if you are not otherwise hungry. "It's quite selfish of me honestly, but would you mind? It doesn't need to be a full session; if I could just embrace you for a moment that would be more than enough."

Frankly, the request intimidates him. He wouldn't say he's comfortable with lending himself out as a snack, but at the same time recognizes that there is no malice in this request. Mercedes will not begrudge him should he refuse… and while he is quite wary he can't deny some curiosity. His Highness did speak highly of the experience and this is likely the safest way he'll ever get to experience the drain of a succubus. "I would not be opposed to you taking a small taste."

Mercedes claps her hands eagerly. "Wonderful! Would you mind if I did so right now?"

"If you wish." He says stoically, ignoring the way his pulse suddenly jumps and his throat tightens.

That anxiety only grows as Mercedes happily slips out of her chair and moves over to his side of the table. He makes to stand as well, but she puts her hands on his shoulders to keep him down. "You can sit, I only need a little contact. Are you ready?"

"Do you need to remove your necklace?"

"That just suppresses my natural aura. I can push past it rather effortlessly, and a bit of charm is going to leak through whenever I use my power anyhow." Mercedes says dismissively. "So again, are you ready?"

He's not sure it's possible for him to be ready. "Yes. Go ahead."

With that Mercedes pushes up her sleeves and leans in, lacing her arms around his neck. Her skin is sinfully soft and her touch is featherlight. He expected such a touch to tickle, but it does nothing of the sort. If anything he finds himself relaxing against his own impulses and is fully conscious that under normal circumstances he would likely be charmed so strongly he wouldn't be able to think straight enough to register his relaxation as unnatural.

It's not physically uncomfortable at all, but he suspects that the lack of charm (strong charm that is) makes this experience very different from what his Highness experienced. He's hyper-conscious and increasingly anxious of how his body and mind are being artificially pacified. His heart is starting to race in his chest and-

Mercedes pulls back. Her hand moves up and brushes his head, sending a wave of calm over him that has him slumping slightly in his chair as his growing anxiety is forcefully brushed aside. "Sorry, I think I got close to triggering your charm panic there. Are you alright?"

"I am fine." Dedue says. He isn't wary, but that's because she just forced him to be calm, isn't it? It's strange to know he should be alarmed but isn't. "I am experiencing some… dissonance, I believe the term is."

"That's to be expected." Mercedes nods sympathetically. "It's part of the reason our natural charm is so strong actually. Humans have a certain range where their subconscious notices they're being magically influenced and it triggers their fight-or-flight response. Mother always called it 'charm panic'. It's why you never see anyone using minor manipulation magic; you either need to go extremely subtle or well above the charm panic range to avoid triggering it. A succubus' natural aura is usually above it because the range is skewed quite low; in fact it might be why we evolved to have such overkill charm powers in the first place."

"Hence you forcefully calming me." Dedue says pointedly. He doesn't feel annoyed, but again, his emotions are not his own at the moment even if he thoroughly believes no ill intent was present.

"Ah, yes. Sorry about that." Mercedes grimaces. "I didn't want you to have a panic attack because of me so I calmed you with my powers; which was me panicking. It will wear off in a minute or two; I didn't give you too strong a dose. Again, my apologies."

"Your apology is accepted. You were attempting to minimize harm." He says. He can feel a stirring of discomfort in his stomach, so the artificial calm must be wearing off already. He focuses on the feelings emerging: discomfort, mild alarm, nervousness, disappointment, frustration… but no anger. He certainly does not want a repeat, but there was no foul play here. "Perhaps next time we should discuss what is to be expected and allowed more thoroughly."

"Indeed." Mercedes nods. "I got a bit carried away, but I hope I didn't put you off being fed on entirely. It's meant to be pleasant after all."

"...I doubt I will agree in the near future, but I would not be opposed to a more structured experience at some point later." Dedue says slowly. "I need some time to process this."

"Of course." Mercedes bows a bit. "Regardless, thank you for letting me have a taste. Your energy is quite solid! It's sort of like flexing a muscle and feeling it push against your skin. It's constant and firm and smooth. It suits you!"

He really doesn't know how to feel about that, but he assumes she's giving a compliment and treats it as such. "My thanks. If you don't mind however, I think we should finish our meal here. I doubt I will be much company in my state. I will be happy to do this again next week, however."

"Good." Mercedes is visibly relieved. She must have expected him to be put off by today's experience, and perhaps he is a bit, but he refuses to let an irrational gut reaction dictate his actions. "It was a pleasure spending time with you, Dedue."

It was, despite how uncomfortable his first feeding experience ended up being. Besides, time with a friend can never be wasted. "And you as well, Mercedes."

Chapter Text

Bernadetta is no stranger to non-humans. She's no stranger to the people that stalk the shadows in evening hours; most of them came to her father's mansion after all to drop off his share of what they managed to pilfer or to get new orders.

Yes, Bernadetta is privy to exactly how so many vampires, ghouls, shadows, and other creatures make their living in Varley county. Pickpockets are the most benign of their occupations and there are certainly many in Varley county, but it's not usually pickpockets that visit her father. They're not the ones that make the most money.

Assassins, kidnappers, slavers, highwaymen, spies and saboteurs; all of them take refuge in Varley country to some extent… so long as they give her father a cut. Most of them aren't human. Vampires constitute a large portion of the assassins, the most notorious highway gang is made of werewolves, the spies usually consist of several species with a natural stealth abilities like shadows, frogmen (clinging to walls and ceilings should not be underestimated), and various types of fairy.

But the scariest were always the kidnappers, the slavers. It's rarely the big, brutish species you'd imagine. No, the best slavers in the county are harpies and the most notorious kidnapper is a succubus.

Not that Bernie knows anything about this. No no, of course not. Bernie was asleep and not spying at all. She didn't overhear her father negotiating prices to potentially abduct another noble's eldest son to 'send a message'. She didn't hear anything at all! Bernie was asleep like a well-behaved daughter.

Regardless, Bernadetta doesn't have the best experience with non-humans and counts her blessings every day that-

"Hello Bernadetta."

"DON'T KIDNAP MEEE!" Bernadetta shrieks, running for her life to the safety of her room, knowing all too well what fate awaits her if she dares interact with the succubus from the Blue Lions.

Mercedes watches in faint amusement as Bernadetta flees. That's the most extreme reaction she's gotten so far and that's including the three people who tried to exorcise her. She hasn't even interacted with Bernadetta before.

(And frankly, if she wants to avoid being kidnapped by a succubus then being so obviously weak is far from the best strategy. That's more likely to inspire interest than dissuade it. Succubi enjoy such obviously easy prey. What fun it would be to toy with little Bernadetta just a bit and taste her relief when calm is pushed onto her…)

Mercedes sighs and shakes her head at herself with a smile. It's been a while since she's fantasized about preying on someone. Perhaps some advice is in order to help Bernadetta avoid what she's so afraid of.

(And if Mercedes gets the chance to feed on her, well, that's just a bonus.)

###

Engineering a situation where she can talk to Bernadetta without the girl immediately fleeing is surprisingly challenging.

Bernadetta spends most of her free time in her room which is quite the restriction as she is quite prone to pretending she's not there if spoken to through the door. Mercedes tries to interact with her between classes, but that more often ends up with Bernadetta missing one of her classes after fleeing so Mercedes quickly stops trying that.

She eventually settles on a new tactic: bribery. Cake, as it turns out, can solve many problems.

"Oh, Bernadetta!" Mercedes calls after knocking on her door. This is not the first time she's tried to talk to her through the door so Mercedes knows better than to expect a response. "I made some cake earlier today and was wondering if you'd like to share a slice."

She holds her breath for a moment and resists the urge to press her ear against the door. It's not her place to intrude any more than she already is. If Bernadetta is really so set on avoiding her then she has to respect that.

Seconds tick by as she waits. Mercedes perks up when she hears movement behind the door and then…

"...what kind of cake?" Bernadetta's nervous, squeaky voice whispers through the door.

"Chocolate." Mercedes answers immediately. "Both the icing and the inside."

Another pause. The handle of her door clicks, and Bernadetta opens it just enough to peek through at her and confirm she is in fact holding a cake. She's adorably nervous, and Mercedes again nudges her predatory impulses back into line as they urge her to just grab the girl right here or lay on the temptation. The opposite of her predatory impulses- her desire to comfort someone so obviously anxious- is also something she has to reign in here as well, knowing full well that Bernadetta would not take an offer of comfort positively at the moment.

"Y-You're sure?" Bernadetta asks, meeting her eyes fearfully for a moment before looking down and away.

"Of course." Mercedes replies softly. "Would you like to join me in the garden? I can make tea."

Bernadetta visibly thinks it over, eyes darting back and forth as her mind races. Eventually she nods and hesitantly steps out of her room.

Mercedes allows herself a satisfied smile as she leads the way towards the gardens and finds a secluded table for the two of them. She cuts Bernadetta a slice to eat before going to make tea, hoping that giving her something to occupy herself will keep her from running off in the interim.

She's just a bit relieved that Bernadetta is still there when she returns (though Bernadetta has already finished a slice of cake, so Mercedes cuts her another slice before serving the tea) and she can finally settle into her seat with at least faint confidence Bernadetta won't flee the next time she opens her mouth.

Not that Bernadetta doesn't freeze like a deer in torchlight the moment Mercedes starts speaking. "A fan of chocolate?"

"Y-Yes." Bernadetta says with a quick nod as she shoves another forkful of cake into her mouth. "I-I've made cake myself before, when the kitchen is empty long enough."

"You have?" Mercedes' eyebrows shoot up. "You have to let me help next time then! Baking is much more fun with company!"

"I-I prefer to do it alone." Bernadetta says, eyes staring down at the table as she says so. "N-Not that I don't want you around or anything!"

Mercedes hums. "Pardon if I'm a bit doubtful, Bernadetta. I know you're not a fan of company, but you don't flee at the mere sight of most other people. I would like to know why."

Bernadetta looks like she was just asked to stick her neck under a guillotine, but she doesn't flee so Mercedes counts her blessings and simply waits for the anxious girl to eventually spit out a response.

"I-I well, it's not you e-exactly!" Bernadetta stammers, her eyes darting towards the exit to the gardens and then back to Mercedes. "J-Just, um, bad experiences?"

"You've interacted with succubi before?" Mercedes asks softly.

"Not interacted e-exactly." Bernadetta mumbles. "Some w-would visit our estate to talk to m-my father for 'business'."

Mercedes narrows her eyes. That doesn't sound good for multiple reasons, least of all that Count Varley has a reputation that make Aegir look like a saint in comparison.

"S-Sometimes I could hear what they were talking about." Bernadetta continues, poking at her half-eaten cake with her fork without eating. "I think she specializes in k-k-kidnapping. For r-ransom mostly, or at r-request."

Mercedes' lip curls. She would love to say she's surprised, but the only surprising part is that this succubus does kidnapping for money rather than personal benefit. Her species is not known for their moral fibre, unfortunately. "I hope it goes without saying that you don't have to worry about that from me."

"O-Of course! Oh gods please don't hate me! I didn't mean-!"

"I know." Mercedes soothes. "It's an understandable fear though, especially knowing you don't have any way to stop it if a succubus decides to target you."

"Mmhmm." Berandetta nods rapidly. "It's t-terrifying!"

"Acting as you do is a good way to grab our attention, however." Mercedes says, nudging the subject over to match her original intent for this talk. "Succubi are drawn to weakness, you know."

"So Bernie was doomed from the start?!" Bernadetta wails. "I'm destined to end up as food for a demon!?"

"Feeding doesn't have to be fatal." Mercedes reminds her. "Feeding can be quite pleasant and harmless. I do that sort of feeding all the time, it's what my appointments are for."

"So you can snack on parts of our souls!?"

Mercedes holds back a sigh. "That's the dramatic way of putting it. We feed on what we call 'life force' which is technically attached to your soul. It influences your physical energy and your mana but is technically its own thing. It's a protective field around your soul that regenerates naturally from damage, and that is what we feed from most of the time. It's harmless as long as you don't take too much at once."

"Oh."

"Regardless." Mercedes says, redirecting back to the intended topic. "Your obvious vulnerability makes you an obvious target for us. We find weakness very enticing, so running away, being obviously nervous, and emotional vulnerability are all things that draw our attention, so if you want to escape notice you need to project confidence regardless of how you actually feel."

"He-ha!" Bernadetta giggles nervously. "I don't think Bernie- I- can manage that."

"Well then you'll just have to settle for looking tasty." Mercedes teases lightly. "Or I could mark you if you want? That way other succubi would think you're 'taken'."

"M-M-Mark me!? Wouldn't that involve feeding on me?"

"I mean, if you're offering…" Mercedes smiles impishly. "But no, it's just a simple little spell that leaves a little bit of my magic on you. Succubi and other feeding species like vampires use it to let other feeders know who is off-limits. Usually family, partners, and other people that might be significant. We can't spread our mark to too many people without being seen as greedy of course, but I've been rather conservative with mine so I could give it to you."

Bernadetta squints at her as if she's expecting a catch. Mercedes is somewhat tempted to make this conditional on being allowed to feed on her, but that seems a bit cruel. (Even if Bernadetta sorely needs some relaxation that Mercedes could very easily provide.)

"Of course, I would heartily suggest an appointment for anyone, including you, if you need help with anxiety. I'm sure I could allay your fears a little bit~" She says with just the barest hint of a coo in her voice and a slight lean forward. Bernadetta's eyes go wide but she hasn't run yet, so Mercedes pushes just a little bit further. "It's relaxing, I promise! I've had people fall asleep during the process. I have it on good authority I make for a wonderful pillow."

"U-Um-"

"It is a bit of a lengthy process." Mercedes continues, eyes half-lidded as she watches the smaller girl fiddle with her fork. Mercedes's own hand traces her pendant, idly playing with the gem that keeps her passive charm at bay. "Back when I used more intimate methods of feeding it would only take an hour, but my current process takes three or four depending on how filling a person is."

They sit in silence for a few moments after she finishes talking, punctuated only by the clink of Bernadetta's fork on her plate as Mercedes watches every nervous fidget with hungry eyes. Little Bernie really is a snack waiting to be eaten… but Mercedes is letting her instincts get away with more than they should again. With a sigh, she sits up straighter so she's not looming as much and folds her hands in her lap. Bernadetta isn't going to bite, so no feeding unfortunately.

"So do you want me to mark you?" She asks gently. "It only takes a moment; just a touch."

"Y-Yes please." Bernadetta squeaks.

As she said, it only takes a moment. Mercedes leans over the table and taps Bernadetta on the back of her hand and the mark is attached with no physical sign it's there whatsoever.

"D-Did it work?" Bernadetta asks, touching the back of her hand as if she expects a reaction of some sort.

"Of course. It's magical, you won't feel it unless you scan for it with magic." Mercedes hums. "I assure you it's there."

"Okay…" Bernadetta breathes, her shoulders untensing a little bit as she leans back into her chair. "Th-Thank you."

"Anytime Bernadetta." Mercedes giggles. "Just let me know if you ever need to relax. I'm happy to whip up something for you! Or you can join me in my room of course~"

The little girl yelps. "I'm good!"

The two of them finish the cake in relative silence from there. Bernadetta is still nervous and Mercedes doesn't see any reason to push the girl more than she already has. When they finish Bernadetta stammers out another thanks and flees back towards her room, leaving Mercedes to clean up after the meal with an amused smile on her face, running over in her mind how cute and tasty her conversation partner looked the entire time.

With a sigh and a shake of her head, Mercedes goes off to find Annette. If she doesn't feed on someone soon she's going to spend the rest of the day fantasizing about feeding on Bernie. She needs someone small to squeeze and her best friend will always oblige her.

Still, it's been a long time since her restraint has been tested this strongly. She had to let the perfect snack dangle itself in front of her and not bite.

The things she does to help others…