[] Explain that the most *beautiful* mon you've ever seen is Grademon. A mercenary Ultimate with skill comparable to the likes of a Mega.
-[] Whilst talking about womon bring up the lust corruption and how it makes you feel about Ardat and that recent burst of rage.
===
Pondering Frigimon's question over, your mind can't help but flash back to Grademon. The knight's dazzling technique with her swords, the sublime way she moved, effortlessly dodging and parrying… and how she dismantled both Schwartz and Thresh with ease.
Her grace and martial mastery were what you might've expected from a Mega, not an Ultimate. It wasn't something that could be given, only earned through countless months of practice. If there was a living embodiment of the path you walk as a warrior… she would be the closest thing to it.
I remember our dazzling clashes, how the fight flowed from one side to the other time and time again. How Grademon's skill allowed her to triumph over my greater power... And even my sorcery wasn't enough to guarantee a win…
If only we could duel once more.
"Oh my, I think somemon has a crush." Frigimon giggles, pressing a mitt against her face.
Crush?
-considering definitions
-matching to database of metaphors
-error.
"I have... no wish to crush Grademon." You reply with mild confusion. "Unless, the move assists in battle against her."
"Er, sweetie? I'm not sure you understood what I was saying."
"She meets all the criteria." Comes your blank reply. "A womon, and stunningly beautiful. In battle."
"Didn't mean that, I meant attractive." Frigimon clarifies, annoyance leaking into her tone.
"Aye. And Grademon's fighting skill is very attractive… as is Dame Fonte's, to a lesser extent."
"..." The caretaker rests her face in her hands with a groan.
Hrm, that isn't the response she sought either. Mayhaps instead…
"I... also found Ardat to be beautiful?" You put forward questioningly. "And it is because of her body, not her skills. Is that sufficient?"
"You do?!" The snowy champion straightens up out of her chair in glee. "That's such great news sweetie."
It… is?
"But my attraction is her is fake." The explanation makes Frigimon freeze, flipping from gleeful to baffled. "I only find her frame alluring because I've endured potent corruption from her."
"C-corruption?" The caretaker murmurs, suddenly sounding very worried. "Is it because she's a LadyDevimon?"
"No, it is because-" Your mouth slams shut mid sentence, cutting off the explanation of something very classified. Something you'd sworn an oath not to unveil.
She isn't aware of Ardat's true nature as the Scion Of Lust...
"Sweetie?"
"I've said too much already. My apologies."
"What? Young mon tell me what's going on this instant!" She snaps authoritatively, planting her hands firmly on her snowy hips. However, you're not a rookie anymore. The tone slides off your resolve like water on stone. A dozen seconds pass in dead silence before she slumps back into her chair. "You're… not going to tell me, are you Verge?"
"I cannot. I gave an oath."
"If something's going on with little Ardat… please. I helped raise her, I won't tell anyone else, just… please."
"..." Pain flares in your core, guilt, shame. But you endure it, look straight at Frigimon and stay perfectly silent.
"You're not going to tell me, are you?" The Champion's voice is small now, a whisper of pain and loneliness. It's all you can do to nod in regret. "... if that's how it has to be Verge. Then I'll leave it there."
Damnit… I… if only it could be different.
"Was there anything else you wanted to talk about Verge?" Frigmon speaks up again, trying to sound cheery but there's something about it that's…
Ah. She's not calling you *sweetie* anymore Verge.
"Yes… because of the forced attraction I spoke of earlier…. I felt furious when Thresh attempted to court… her."
"You? You were jealous?" Frigimon recoils in shock and disbelief.
Jealousy? Impossible.
"I was not envious of him. I was angry because… because…"
Spirits below… mayhaps… I was.
"I've never considered where the anger and agony sprouted from, only that they came into existence... "
"If I had to guess Verge, then it would be possessiveness." Frigimon explains. "You want her, and your brother… Thrash?"
"Thresh."
"Goodness gracious, I'm sorry. When he confessed to her, Thresh became a threat in your heart."
I see. It's because I wanted Ardat to myself… how despicable.
"My apologies for seeing her in that light." You apologize again, starting to feel just a little nauseous. "To consider owning Ardat like some sort of slave…"
Has my path fell farther than I realized.
"Lord in heaven, you are so dense!" Frigimon screams, whirling frustratedly around in her chair. "That's not what your feelings mean! You like her! And as more than a friend!"
"Come again? As more than a friend? How can that-... the corruption."
"Ja you… yes. I don't rightly know what this corruption is since you won't tell me. But I'll tell you this Verge. She likes you as more than friends."
Impossib-
…
…
By the Great Tree!
"I... how am I... what should I tell her?"
"The two of you need to talk it over like grown mon. Not keep dancin' around it like it's blockin' the floor!" Frigimon shouts, arms waving madly in frustration.
"A... very good point ma'am. This should be faced head on when I next meet with her."
But... what stance should I take?
===
[] You'll need to be firm, and tell Ardat the truth. You enjoy her friendship, but she made you like her more. And that forced falsehood, will make going forward difficult.
[] When the time comes, you'll be honest. You have no interest in the so-called *Romance*. Your path is that of a Martial Artist and a Shield. There's no room.
[] You'll tell her that you share her feelings-even if you know it's forced-that doesn't matter, you're willing to give it a try.
===AN: I expanded this bit from a snippet to a full update with a vote because at this point Frigimon knows about Ardat's attraction to Verge and there's no way she wouldn't tell him about it. As a side note, last option is only possible because of full lust corruption. God help me, please not let this vote be a mistake.
