People stopped to glance at them as they walked by, most just noting them as a couple of foreigners entering the city. Some - especially the women - paid more attention to the fact that Albert Silverberg and his black-clad companion - the demon Yuber, although that fact was not known by anyone here - were both quite handsome. It was still obvious to anyone who looked at them that they were not from the Zexen area, but considering the fact that Vinay Del Zexay had its share of strangers thanks to all the trade relations, they weren't that unusual of a sight.

"Heh. People are looking at us," Yuber stated, his amusement apparent. "Wonder how many know that I could kill them so very easily...? Ah well, none of them do. I guess they're just jealous and wondering where I found you from..."

Albert walked forward, his green eyes scanning the streets. He didn't care about people staring at him; if he looked like a stranger here, it was nothing compared to the looks he got in Crystal Valley. Harmonians were much stricter with strangers.

"Don't count on it, Yuber," he answered calmly. "It doesn't matter what people think anyway. Don't forget that we're here on business."

The Black Knight smirked while he watched some kids play on the street. "Whatever you say. Except that it's more like you being here on business; I'm just here to teleport you around."

Albert stopped to ask something from someone who appeared to be a trader. He returned to the demon's side after a moment. "Yes, if you wish to put it that way. Don't forget this is needed for the plans. There's an inn over there; I'm going to go get us a room."

Yuber stopped suddenly and grabbed the strategist by the arm. He drew him closer with a wide grin on his face. "A room? Sounds lovely. You wouldn't agree to doing anything in public anyway..."

"Correct," Albert commented, unperturbed. "Which is why it would be preferred if you let go of me."

The demon smirked then grabbed the redheaded strategist behind the neck and pulled him close for a kiss. Albert didn't respond. He didn't actually have anything against being kissed by Yuber, considering the demon had chosen to sleep with him on a regular basis, but he did have a lot against the place where he was being kissed. He chose not to fight, though, as he didn't wish to make a show, knowing that there were people looking at them.

A couple of knights walked by, and one of them stopped to comment something about what they were doing. Yuber just looked at the man and grinned, but he did move away and let go of the redhead.

Albert waited until the Zexen knights left, then looked at Yuber icily. "It would also be better if you didn't do that. We aren't here to draw unnecessary attention, you know."

"Boring. Fine," the Black Knight answered. "I wouldn't want to interfere with the plans in any way. Heh. Now people sure are looking at us..."

"You sure seem to enjoy it," the strategist pointed out. He didn't look around; he knew that there were enough people around the streets to see them, and not many of them were probably too open-minded about what they had just seen.

"As I said, I'm going to the inn," he continued after a short moment. "If you really wish to do what you just did, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until later. After I get the room I'm going to take care of what I came here for. It might take the better part of the day."

Yuber folded his arms. "And I'm expected to sit here all day waiting? You can't be serious, Silverberg."

The strategist started walking to the direction of the inn, not really caring if the demon followed him or not. "Do as you wish. Just remember what we're doing."

"Hrm." Yuber followed the redhead, apparently quite disappointed. "So this means I don't get to kill anyone, and I won't even have you around for entertainment. Guess I'll have to go wander around or something... Or would that mean 'drawing unnecessary attention' as you say, considering people will stare at me, being a handsome stranger and all?"

Albert stopped at the door of the inn and smiled calmly. "As long as you don't cause any trouble, and especially, don't attack or kill anyone. Also, I do expect to find you back here tomorrow morning, as we need to get back by then."

"Sure..." Yuber said, grinning. "But, just don't expect me to stay around waiting until you might choose to show up..."

The strategist shook his head then entered the inn and went to ask about a room.

The business he attended to required calmness and diplomatic patience, but Albert was at his best at such tasks. It took him several long hours to get to even talk to the people he wanted to talk to, but he knew every trick that was required to know when dealing with officials.

By the evening, Albert had taken care of everything he had planned to do, and he was quite satisfied at his work. A council member invited him to a dinner, and he never passed such perfect opportunities to make more connections. It took him till late at night before he finally got to leave, but he didn't mind.

Yuber has most likely gotten bored by now, he mused while he made his way through the city. It was completely dark, and there weren't too many people on the streets. Everyone was home at such late hour, or, as Albert idly noted while he passed a random pub, spending their time somewhere. He didn't run into many people, as the few people wandering around the streets were mostly guards.

He was quite convinced that he would find their room in the inn empty. Yuber had most likely left to check on Luc, or, even more likely, to find some ruins and kill random monsters just to pass time. He considered if the Black Knight had kept his promise about not killing anyone while they were here, but he discarded the thought. Yuber knew well enough that stupid moves might have delayed or even destroyed their plans, and they couldn't afford that.

Doesn't matter, he thought. I would prefer to sleep tonight anyway. My plans have a precise schedule, and it would be better if we don't have to stay here for another night. That is, if he would just show up before tomorrow morning.

His thoughts returned to the details of the plans as he turned by the corner and passed a dark alley - or would have passed, if strong hands hadn't suddenly captured him by the arm, snatched him off of his feet and dragged him between the houses and around the corner. Albert's observation skills never failed him, and while someone pressed his hand over his mouth so he couldn't scream, he noted the fact that they were in some kind of an area behind a couple of houses.

Albert frowned, his thoughts scolding him about being too deep in his thoughts and not considering the option of a possible assault or robbery, considering how late it was. The hand covering his mouth wasn't really needed, however. He wouldn't have screamed anyway. The area was dark, and due to the shadows and the fact that as his eyes were adjusted to the lights on the streets, he couldn't see his assailant too well. He could only see a dark figure holding him.

Albert Silverberg wasn't easily fooled, however. He needed only a few seconds to consider everything and to realize that the attacker wasn't demanding money, nor was trying to maul - or rape - him. Not yet, anyway. He sighed silently, making an amused note how the person holding him appeared very disappointed by the fact that he didn't put up a struggle.

"Just as boring as usual," a familiar voice whispered by his ear, and the strong hands withdrew. "What is it with you, anyway? What if I had been a thief, or even worse, a rapist?"

"Then the thief would've left quite disappointed," the strategist answered calmly. "I am not carrying much money, or anything else of much value. Maybe he'd take my earrings, but that's really it. As for a rapist... hmm," he shrugged, folding his arms as he stared at the dark figure of his so-called assailant. "Wonder if someone like that would've enjoyed raping someone who doesn't give any response. At all. You should know that I can be quite cold if needed, Yuber. I wouldn't fight; I wouldn't even scream. I might of course observe the person and have him killed later. Are you satisfied with the answer?"

The demon grinned in the darkness. "Sounds like something you would do. Bah. So... I don't get the pleasure of molesting you against the wall here while you fight back with all you have?"

"I'm not as weak as one might think," Albert answered with a light smirk toughing his lips. "I could get a normal man off of me if I wanted. And no, you do not get the pleasure, nor am I in the mood for getting fucked in a dark alley. If you want to fool around here all night, be my guest. I'm going to bed."

He turned to return to the street, but Yuber apparently had other plans. The Black Knight caught him by the shoulder then slammed him against the wall with enough power to make the redhead wince from pain. "But I am!" Yuber commented cheerfully. "And you should know, I can be quite demanding if needed."

Albert looked at the blond demon's face, his expression indifferent. "Then you may just as well try, if you're willing to take the position of that rapist you were talking about. I do not..." He was about to continue, but Yuber didn't obviously feel like listening. The Black Knight grabbed him by the jaw and leaned close for a deep, somewhat violent kiss. Albert just stood there and allowed Yuber to kiss him, without giving the blond any response.

Yuber withdrew after a while then just stood there and stared at the redhead with a somewhat evil smirk on his face. Albert stared back at him; he leaned against the wall lightly, and his expression stayed as unconcerned as ever. He knew it agitated the demon, but he also knew he could win.

"What if I am willing to try?" Yuber asked after a moment passed.

The strategist's expression didn't change. "Feel free. You know the consequences. Someone might also find us from here. Are you willing to take your chances?"

"Why not," the blond mused. "I don't mind! You would, of course, but I don't think I was asking your opinion in this in the first place. I can be very persistent if I want to, and you should know it. I can, and will take you by force if you really decide on the cold mode tonight..."

Albert stared at him with an icy look in his green eyes. "You know my answer."

"So I do," the Black Knight answered, then adjusted his hat and stared back at the redhead. Albert didn't move; he had been in a staring contest with Yuber before and knew he could win. The demon was likely to get bored or annoyed after a while, and when that happened, Albert would win. That, or he decides to take what he wants anyway, he added in his mind, not too amused about the thought.

Yuber's mismatched eyes gazed into the strategist's green ones, the demon's stare intense and demanding. Albert kept his cool with ease and showed no reaction. He kept his expression distant; he knew Yuber wouldn't allow the game to continue much longer and was pretty much sure he was going to win.

A long moment passed in silence, then Yuber's grin turned into a mischievous one. Albert knew well enough that the demon had had enough, but he didn't get a chance to say anything. The Black Knight stepped forward all of a sudden, and his hands went for the strategist's coat while he pressed his lips against Albert's, disabling the redhead for a short moment. Albert still didn't answer to the kiss, but the moment of distraction proved to be too much as Yuber ripped his coat open while kissing him.

Albert's next move was to grab the demon by the shoulders and push him away. He glared at Yuber, his irritation apparent. "Are you out of your mind? I would prefer my clothing intact, and we don't have time to waste for getting a new one." He took his coat off and studied it, shaking his head. "Hmm. I will have to get those buttons fixed. I should make you fix them for causing this..."

Yuber suddenly interrupted him again. The demon moved closer and slipped between the wall and Albert, then stopped behind the strategist and wrapped his arms around him. "Heh..." He picked the coat from the redhead's hold and dropped it to the ground. "You sure need to stop being so... orderly about everything. It's boring, you know..."

"No, Yuber," Albert managed to push the blond's hand away for a little and turn around. "Despite what you may be thinking right now, we're still not having sex here."

The Black Knight grinned and slipped his hands to Albert's waist, then started working on removing the strategist's clothes. "Yes we are. We so very much are."

Albert scowled at him, then calmly captured the demon's wrists and pulled them in front of him. "I believe you are still aware of what I said about it? I'm not interested in doing this, and not here, but it surely appears you're just not giving up. Yes, I know you well enough to know that once you decide something... Hmm. All right then. Since my options are to either get molested against my will, or... hmm. I think I'll pick the latter option."

"Which is?" Yuber asked with a wide grin on his face. He made no move to free his hands even though they both knew he would have only needed to simply pull his hands away to do so. "I don't think I gave you any other options."

The strategist smiled calmly, then removed his scarf with one hand and wrapped it around the demon's wrists and tied them together with the garment. "The other option is to give you what you wanted. And since I'm not interested in being the one against the wall, I'll have to make sure I'm not. You, however..."

The blond laughed. "What if I'm not interested in that, either?"

"You are," Albert answered, seemingly unconcerned. "You've stated a couple of times already that I should know you well enough to know, and that's quite correct. I know well enough that you'd rather have me this way than take me while I'm not willing to do what you want. Besides, you're curious, and very interested in trying to do it here. Does that answer your question?"

Yuber smirked, then raised his bound hands and slipped them around the strategist's neck. "Fine. Works for me..." He drew Albert closer and kissed him, pleased to find the redhead responding to the kiss this time. Albert went further than that; he grabbed Yuber by the neck and pushed him against the wall, then took control of the kiss. He did know the demon as well as he claimed; Yuber allowed it and parted his lips eagerly as the strategist deepened the kiss.

Albert's hands wandered on the Black Knight's body as they kissed; he struggled for a while until he managed to get Yuber's coat open, then worked for a while with the demon's shirt. He broke the kiss after he was done and leaned back a little, his eyes admiring the blond's bared chest in the darkness.

"...Nice..." Yuber whispered, clearly contented. "But if we are doing it here, I sure hope you're as strong as you claim to be..."

"I am," Albert answered calmly. He ran his fingers over the demon's chest, then stopped to caress the smooth skin. "You're acting like I've never been on top and you didn't know better. So, fine, I've never done it against the wall, but first time for everything."

He let his hands fall to Yuber's waist, then started undoing the blond's black pants. He was finished soon and pulled them off, kneeling down in the process. Yuber watched with a grin on his face, but he did move his legs obediently as Albert removed the demon's shoes and then pulled the pants off, leaving them by their feet. He glanced up then tilted his head a little and smiled as he studied Yuber's bare legs and his lower body. Yuber was quite aroused, and Albert had to smile at the sight.

"Well well..."

"Heh..." Yuber looked down, then caught the strategist's hair with his tied hands. "Well, get on with it. You'll insist on preparations anyway... Quite boring, but whatever. Your call..."

Albert caressed the demon's thighs as he turned to look up. "I'm not that much of a masochist, thank you very much. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I just took you now, but I'll skip the pain part tonight. Trying to get anything done without preparations is quite unpleasant, not to mention troublesome. I'm not up to that at the moment, so deal with it."

"Whatever you say," Yuber commented casually but tightened his grip on the strategist's hair a little. "...If you'd just get to it... I'm impatient."

"Quite so," the redhead answered as he reached for something on the ground a few feet away. Yuber raised his eyebrows, curious, but soon realized the strategist was looking for his coat. Albert drew it closer, then looked for something from the pockets for a moment before folding the coat away and placing it by the wall. He opened the small container he had removed from the pocket of his coat and spread some of the contents on his fingers.

The Black Knight laughed. "You can't be serious, Silverberg. You carry lubricant with you?"

Albert shrugged. "I'm also the one willing to sleep with a demon to keep him from taking his boredom on innocent humans in places where we don't need extra trouble. Besides, you surely don't bother to carry any, so one of us has to. Now, if you want to do something tonight, behave."

He pocketed the container then returned to caressing the blond. He pushed Yuber's thighs apart a little, which the demon obeyed again. Yuber rested his back against the wall, then grinned and lifted his left leg over Albert's shoulder. "...Fine... Will this do?"

"Good enough," the strategist answered. He raised his left hand and wrapped his fingers around the base of the demon's erection while he slipped his right hand deeper between Yuber's legs. He searched around for a few seconds then carefully pressed a finger inside the blond upon finding his target. Yuber gasped silently, his grin widening as his fingers played with Albert's hair.

Albert lowered his face a little and captured the tip of the demon's length in his mouth. He sucked cautiously, well aware of the fact that Yuber didn't actually care for gentleness. However, the demon's impatience amused him to some degree, so he liked doing things slowly. Yuber tugged his hair a little too hard, and he rewarded the Black Knight by pressing another finger in, then moved the digits carefully, allowing the demon's body to accommodate to the pressure. Yuber mumbled something that he couldn't hear, but he guessed it was something about him being too slow.

"You could skip commenting while I'm doing this," Albert said, glancing up. "Whatever you were complaining about, I can't exactly answer unless I stop. And if that complaint was about me being too slow, then shut up and let me finish."

"...Hrm..." Yuber relaxed a little, then raised his hands and adjusted his hat. "All right, you win for now. Just continue..."

The strategist smirked, then returned to what he had been doing. He took a little more of the hard length into his mouth, fondling the base with his hand while he sucked on the member. He pressed his fingers deeper into the blond with skill and knew he had hit the right spot when Yuber rewarded him with another gasp. The demon's pleasure was unmistakable.

A little more should do, Albert thought as he continued. He didn't want to take too long as he was aware of the fact that someone might find them. Yuber didn't of course care, but he did. He continued his caresses for another moment, amused as he felt Yuber pressing against his fingers and actually being careful about not thrusting into his mouth recklessly. He smiled in his mind; Yuber had obviously learned his lesson and knew that he would stop if that happened. Albert played by his own rules, and the demon would have to follow them, or else.

The Black Knight squirmed then kicked Albert on the back lightly and looked down. "Come on, aren't you done yet? I am getting very impatient..."

Albert replied by biting on the demon's member gently, but he withdrew his fingers and pulled out the container from his pocket. He then let go of Yuber, shook the demon's leg off of his shoulder, and stood. "I knew that already. You sure have a selective memory, though. Either you let me finish, or I won't finish at all. I would suggest you keep that in mind."

Yuber threw his arms over the strategist's shoulders again and drew him closer. "Noted. Rather dull, but I guess I can't complain right now." He smirked and pulled Albert close for a short kiss. "...Oh come on..." He commented as he noticed Albert working with the lubricant again. "Aren't you done with that yet?"

The redhead smiled a little as he worked with his own pants. "Yes, I am. Now," he added as he spread some of the contents on his own member and then put the container away. "I think I said already that I'm not in the mood for unnecessary pain. You could also be more helpful if you wish to..."

He didn't get a chance to finish as the demon drew him closer and silenced him with another kiss. As they parted, Yuber looked at the strategist, grinning. "I am being very helpful... if you just figure out how you're going to do this, my little tactician."

"I should have a pretty good idea about how this is done," Albert answered. He pressed Yuber against the wall, then grabbed the demon by the thighs. Yuber was indeed, as he claimed, being helpful; the blond demon allowed Albert to get between his legs and even positioned himself for better access. He wrapped one leg about the strategist and laughed as Albert stopped for a moment to find a position where he could keep his balance, then carefully pressed his length into the demon. Yuber clung to the redhead for a moment then squirmed a little in an attempt to take as much as he could into him.

Albert stopped and looked at the demon's face, then closed his eyes for a second. He always found the first sensation of taking the blond like this to be quite pleasant. "...As I was saying," he continued from the previous sentence while moving a little. "I should know how this is done. Might be the first time for me to do this, but that is, from this side. I believe I've been the one against the wall for a couple of instances..."

Yuber only grinned then shifted against the wall slightly. Albert didn't have much difficulty holding Yuber as the demon had decided to not make things difficult, and he managed to find a steady rhythm for his movement after a moment. Yuber clung to him somewhat but was still careful not to put too much weight on the strategist.

"...I think I like this," the demon whispered and closed his eyes. Albert smiled a little, concentrated on keeping the act as precise as anything he ever did. It annoyed Yuber a little, but he had to admit the strategist's ability to stay so reserved even in the middle of lovemaking excited him.

Albert leaned in to kiss the blond; Yuber answered to the kiss eagerly and pulled the redhead closer, biting gently as they kissed. Albert frowned slightly but didn't break the kiss; he was well aware that Yuber liked the taste of blood. He changed the pace of his thrusts to a little faster, never losing the control over himself. Yuber murmured something under the kiss, his satisfaction apparent.

"...Mmh... more..." Yuber mumbled as the strategist withdrew from the kiss to take a couple of deep breaths. Even with his control, it wasn't easy to keep up for too long. Sure, Albert didn't have problem with control over this body, but he was aware of the fact that he would get tired eventually, and he wanted to finish before that happened. His frown deepened as the demon dug his nails into his neck and he made a mental note to tie Yuber' hands somewhere where the blond wouldn't get a chance to scratch him the next time.

Tying him down completely would be more like it, he added in his mind.

The demon laughed softly when Albert stopped to correct their position a little. He then shook his head as the strategist glanced down, obviously displeased by the fact that he couldn't caress Yuber while holding him against the wall.

"Leave it..." Yuber murmured, impatience in his voice. "You don't have to touch me to get me to come, you know..."

Albert shook his head shortly as he resumed his thrusts. "I would prefer to do so... but I'm afraid I'm too occupied at the moment." He closed his eyes for a short moment to focus, and he then looked at the demon as he heard Yuber laughing again. "...What's so funny?"

"Funny?" the Black Knight grinned as he leaned his head against the wall, knocking his hat off while doing so. It dropped to the ground next to them, but neither of them really paid attention. "...So... I shouldn't find the fact funny how you can just... have a conversation in the middle of... this...? ...Mmh..."

The strategist managed to smile, then just continued in silence. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep up for too long anymore; as calm as he appeared to be, he couldn't pretend that he wasn't enjoying the act immensely. Yuber's erection was pressed against his lower abdomen, and he guessed the demon wouldn't need much more either. From the way Yuber reacted, he calculated that the blond's release wasn't indeed too far away.

And I'm not giving up before he does, he thought, smirking. He knew that it fascinated the demon, as Yuber could go on for quite a long time. Albert meanwhile could control himself to some degree.

"...Nh... Ah, give up already..." Yuber mumbled, very impatient now. "...weren't... you the one who wanted to get out of here...?"

"No, and yes," Albert whispered as a response, managing to keep his thrusts controlled. He considered answering something else but felt his concentration drifting a little. It only took a few more moments before Yuber was the one giving up; Albert grinned tiredly as he heard the demon mumble something and sag in his hold. He was getting exhausted, so he just let go of the control. A couple of more thrusts was all he needed, and he came whispering the demon's name silently, then caught himself before they both would have collapsed to the ground by the wall. He withdrew, then just let Yuber drag him down and sat by the wall and closed his eyes.

"...The hell?" A voice he didn't recognize asked from somewhere near the entrance of the alley. Albert raised his face and turned to look at the speaker, his mind nagging him about the fact that he hadn't noticed anyone being there until now.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" The person asked, stepping closer. The strategist noted that the man was clad in a typical Zexen knight armor. "Don't you know that we're in war? It's not recommended to be outside at this hour."

Albert took a deep breath, then shrugged. "I'm afraid I wouldn't know that. We're not from here."

The guard stared at them suspiciously, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "What were you doing anyway? You could just as well be a rapist..."

The strategist blinked, then realized that Yuber had slumped to the ground next to him. It was dark in the alley as he had noticed when he had gotten dragged in there in the first place, and it crossed his mind that the guard couldn't probably actually see if Yuber was male or female.

So I'm the rapist now, he mused. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you," he answered, lowering his head a little to hide his smile - even thought it was unlikely that the guard would have seen him smiling anyway. "I can assure you that what we did was quite consensual."

The guard let go of his sword but appeared a little doubtful. "You sure about that?"

"Very sure," answered the demon's voice. Yuber sat up and grinned at the guard, not even attempting to hide the fact that he was indeed male.

The knight took a step back, his expression somewhat disgusted now. "...Damn foreigners. Who knows what kind of Grasslander spies you might be... I'm... I'm so going to go report about you two and have you arrested. Stay right there!" he ordered, then fled back to the street.

Albert shook his head. "Consensual or not, Yuber, I think it's time we get out of here. I warned you about this."

The Black Knight just grinned as he leaned over to get his hat from the side. "Fine. I would of course prefer to stick around to see if he really goes to get backup and tries to arrest us. But that would be a fine example of your... unnecessary trouble which we don't need messing up the plans, eh?"

The strategist stood, adjusted his clothes for a bit and then picked up his coat. "That would be quite good definition of it, yes. Grab your clothes and teleport us away from here. I was planning on getting some sleep tonight, and it seems we could both use a bath right now."

Yuber shrugged but picked up his clothes from the ground without objections. He didn't bother to get dressed but just raised his hand. A second later there was a short flash, and a greenish light surrounded them.

"But you do know," he said with an evil smirk on his face. "I do like this city. We are looked upon as strangers, but that makes things even more fun... And next time, I'm on top."

Albert only shrugged slightly; then they were both gone, and the light vanished from the alley.

Author's notes:

Random idea with Albert and Yuber, and just because I like Albert as seme.

- Lady Harken (September, 2004)