Ana watches Quinn go with deep longing held at bay by her sense of duty. She has stopped the woman once, and allowed her to distract her once; she shall not do so again and miss her morning prayer.

With haste, she heads to the mostly empty bathhouse, trying her best to ignore the questioning glare that surrounds her. She will answer them honestly if they asked, which is why she’s hoping that none of them does.

And indeed, for once, the way people treat her as something above them and inhuman are to her benefit. Some stops her, but only to greet her or to pose her a question about today’s schedule.

A relief, because Ana doesn’t want to bring a scandal to the temple. Not because she’s sharing her bed with someone, the Great Mother is one for love; physical, emotional, or both. Rather, it was with whom she shares it with that will spell woe for everyone involved.

At that moment, she couldn’t care less. But now, with everyone eyes on her; she began to wonder whether or not she should simply disconnect herself from Quinn and all the problems that came with her.

That would be for the best for everyone but her, Ana’s certain. Yet, unlike so many times before: she refuses to give this one up. She will find a compromise that will work, she must.

With that thought in mind, she relaxes into the bath, permitting the warm aromatic water to transport her to a better place, devoid of bubbling troubles coming her way. Slowly and effectively, they take away the aches from her body, but not the marks of yesterday left by bites and kisses.

She doesn’t want them to do so. Even now, the memory of it still fills her heart with a joyful sensation, and she would like to never let go of that. It has been quite some times since she last felt it, after all.

Truthfully, that was perhaps one of the better reason Ana has for accepting Quinn’s proposal. The other one was simply improper for a woman of her caliber: she fell for Quinn’s charms and are now in love with her.

Which is more likely than she cares to admit, considering she has deliberately granted the woman a chance to escape prosecution by the way she phrases her question and doesn’t ask for further clarification.

Whatever the case, Quinn is a problem for Ana now, and she couldn’t be happier.

Such a cheer exudes from her the entire day, from her prayers for the safety of all she loves—Quinn included—to the jobs she performs during the day: giving out that day’s tasks to her colleagues and checking in on people still stuck on the sick bay.

Most of the individuals she interacted with grant her a curious glance but says nothing more, for Ana doesn’t quite smile; her eyes just shine brighter than they’re used to see.

It burns white-hot when lunchtime comes, promptly excusing herself to return to her office; hoping she would find Quinn in there.

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Seemingly not one to disappoint Ana, she indeed is already situated in front of her desk with a dish at hand. As soon as the door was opened and she realizes it was Ana, she stands up and gave a mock bow as a greeting.

“Quinn,” Ana replied, nodding.

“Ana.”

The pleasantries done, Ana sits at her seat while Quinn quickly followed, beginning their lunch together. The item on the menu presently wasn’t impressive yet are still delicious, though Ana couldn’t credit her enjoyment of today’s lunch to the food but to the company.

She starts the conversation mundane. “How’s your day so far, Ana?” With a question other has asked her for badinage and with an obvious disinterest, hoping it would be enough to cover the fact that they’re talking to Ana for other reasons.

They never succeeded, but Ana was still sufficiently polite in her humor to reply in kind, as expected of her: “It was fine, Quinn.”

However, rather than moving on from the topic. “Oh?” Quinn leans forward instead. “That’s great to hear! Care to elaborate?” The curiosity that coats the entirety of her voice was genuine.

“If you’re interested.”

“Oh, I’m very interested, Ana,” she teases, making sure Ana know that the exaggeration was no mockery and based on something sincere.

And so, Ana obliged. She told Quinn of the deeds she has done for the day and the troubles that halt her on the way. Quinn engaged her through the entire conversation, she would ask for a clarification on one thing, and give an anecdote to relate to the other.

When Ana was done, time has moved far past them both, the tray that contains their food has long been empty: their little luncheon has ended.

Slowly, Quinn stands from her seat with a wry smile plastered onto her radiant face. “I do apologize for not tagging along today, Ana.” She’s apologetic. “But! I have a rather urgent business with General Adder that will take all of my day.”

“Duty first,” Ana responds, burying the disappointment deep inside her heart. “I understand perfectly, Quinn. There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

“Oh! There’s a lot for me to apologize for, Ana,” Quinn retorts, half-joking; causing Ana’s brow to furrow. Seeing that expression, Quinn smile turns into her usual impish grin as she continues: “I’m available still throughout the night, though.” With a wink to end her sentence.

The wink gave pause to Ana for a moment. “Of course, and my offer stands, Quinn.” But not long.

“Good day, then, Matriarch.”

“Good day, Ms. Quinn.”

Ana waits until the woman was truly out of sight and mind before she moves on, proceeding with her duty as best as she can while ignoring the fact that while Quinn wasn’t following her, she can still feel her presence annexing over the entirety of her thought.

For the second half of the day, she was unbalanced; not her usual self. Some of her colleagues even suggest her rest due to the way her face would sometimes turn feverish red throughout the day, seemingly at random.

Ana doesn’t take the offer, of course; nor does she explain the real reason. She merely endures until night finally arrives with a promise of reprieve from the terrorizing force that has made home inside her skull.

Fresh from the shower, she sits at her desk doing some logistical calculations—making sure they have enough herbs and rations to survive the winter month—while waiting for Quinn to come.

The woman is an enigma to Ana, an anomaly, a question that begs an answer. She understood how someone so charming can be so hated, how that silver tongue was used to tempt people into the deepest pit of despair.

Yet, here she was all the same, looking forward to her visit.

She whose smile are the striking lightning, a beautiful disaster; bright and blinding.

She whose voice are a gale that stokes all desires, faster and bolder than the very wind; to which all things kneel.

She who has taken her heart and make it beat anew.