Blighted Affection

Chapter 5 : Poisonous Jealousy

30th Floor, Dragon Landing Field and Chambers, Central Cathedral

"Kyururuu..." A fawning call came from Amayori's throat as Alice brought a bucket full of fish towards her. Asuna smiled, lightly patting on Amayori's neck. Even though she had been here for almost a month, she could never get rid of the amazement she felt living in the Underworld. She was most fascinated by how realistic these dragons appeared to her and felt blessed to be able to come this close to the creature to pet them.

"Yes, Amayori, I'm coming over so just sit tight and be patient." Alice giggled as she walked with ease despite the weight of the huge fishes. Amayori sounded another small call as if she was replying to the blonde knight in her blue uniform.

"Amayori is always so gentle. I'm amazed by how close the two of you are. It's really heartwarming to see, Alice." Asuna said, watching the blonde knight placing the heavy bucket onto the floor before Amayori.

"Well I've been taking care of her since she was little. Here you go, Amayori. Eat up but slowly, alright?" Earning a happy cry from the dragon, Alice turned to face Asuna. "I've known both Amayori and Takiguri over there since they were born and took care of them until Takiguri was assigned to Eldrie." Upon being mentioned, the elder brother of Amayori, Takiguri, let out a slightly deeper voice as an acknowledgement, causing the two ladies to smile at his reaction.

A sudden sound of strong wings flapping could be heard approaching, both Asuna and Alice turned their heads to see two dragons headed towards the landing field. Asuna took note of how Alice's face lit up with happiness when she recognized the ice dragon Fubuki. She then turned towards the black dragon beside Fubuki, wondering if she could feel just as eager for the rider on sitting on Kuroyami's back.

Descending in an arc, the two dragons turned their long necks towards the landing field with their four talons barely touching the cold marble floor and Kuroyami immediately sounded out an excited call from his throat when he laid his eyes on Asuna, taking big steps towards the chestnut-haired girl. Losing his control on his dragon, the black knight pulled on his reins attempting to calm it down. "Woah! Woah! Kuroyami, you bastard! At least let me down first!" Kirito yelled in annoyance. With a grunt, Kuroyami roughly bounced his back, shaking Kirito off balance and causing him to drop down onto the floor with a loud thud.

"Kirito-kun?!" Asuna called out in worry as the black knight groaned and grumbled at the sore spot he fell on. Before Asuna could reach out to him, Kuroyami intercepted her, affectionately rubbed his snout against her cheek. "H-Hi there, Kuroyami...I'm glad to see you too. Ahaha...stop...that tickles..." Asuna giggled lightly, gently patted the dragon's cheeks. It was after their first meeting, Kuroyami seemed to have a crush on Asuna, much to everyone's surprise as he was pretty much cold towards everyone and even more so to his own master.

Alice laughed at the comedic scene of Kirito before her then turned her head towards the calm flaxen-haired knight who had just gotten off his own dragon, gently caressing its bright bluish scales. Fubuki, the ice dragon who is just as stoic as his master, lowered his head upon Alice's arrival. The female knight smile, smoothing her hand over the dragon's head. "Thank you for your hard work, Fubuki." She said softly and the dragon leaned over closer to her. She then faced the knight standing beside Fubuki with the same warm smile. "Thank you for your hard work too, Eugeo."

A small smile crept on his thin lips and he gave her a courteous bow. "I have returned, Alice." Since their conversation in the Rose Garden, they had slowly begun talking to each other more often. The stoic knight had gradually loosened up around her but would still wear an expressionless face when talking to others. His smile was so rare as if it was only meant for Alice and Alice only. The blonde female knight couldn't be any happier that Eugeo was willing to open up to her, willing to know more of his past self and his relationship with Alice.