Three settling in after the cold dusk, the warm area wrapping around them. The former knight heading onward, soon sitting on the opposite side from Atlalune.
"It must be hard on you, seeing the home you risked your life for slowly degrade." Atlalune folding her arms, her eyes below.
"It is. Thirty years, the war against Laquel that nearly drove us into the ground. It boils my blood that the current Royal Family is leading us down the path to ruin." Ethan scowling, a sigh soon leaving him.
"Powers rise and fall, it is the natural order of things. Though, it does not mean we cannot at least try to prevent it, right?" the ex-mercenary's gentle vision to him.
"Yeah, at least we can say we did everything we could." His slight grin to her.
Lives devoting themselves to a kingdom, giving it up to those of tomorrow. The passing years slowly showing its fall, many suffering souls unable to escape their torment.
A few doing their best, wishing for it to rise from the depths. Sol soon stepping into the room, handing a cup of hot chocolate to Atlalune and Ethan.
"Thanks, perfect for this time of the year." The knight grinning at the mage.
"I agree, much appreciated." Ethan smiling at the noble-woman.
"Oh, you both are overdoing it." Sol giggling a bit.
Three enjoying the season with each other, relishing in the pleasant gathering. Problems around them, yet this small space giving them peace.
The young woman shortly sitting beside her wife, holding a hot cup in her hands. Ethan soon putting out a map on the table, precise details linking to many points.
"As you know, Valgard has been having a problem with the mob for years. The center point is their largest stronghold, with four other sections. North, south, east, and west." The former knight pointing to each stronghold.
"I've been curious, was Flint part of their ranks? It gets me thinking, since Sol's family was threatened with destruction." Atlalune's hand to her chin.
"He was, but has since left their ranks. Needless to say, he did eventually marry into the family." Ethan resting his hand on his knee.
"That family is such a mess. Either way, I plan to permanently cut the chains between us after saving the girl." Sol's serious vision.
A mage leaving behind her past, her desire to move away from it, to soar with the one to her heart. Those from long ago pulling her back in, crashing the harsh waves against her.
"Be ready for anything. Their network is large, so it would come as no surprise if they already found out about this exchange. They'd likely expect you Atlalune, but they would not count out, the Witch of Heavenly Fate." His eyes to the mage.
The researcher developing her magic over the years, bringing down many in her deadly tactics. Enemies and allies alike branding the title on her, acknowledging her perfection over the elements.
"I keep saying that is a silly title, all I did was get better at using magic." Sol pouting a bit.
"You cannot deny the results though, your handling and tactics are quite fearsome." Atlalune glancing to her, smiling a bit.
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"Those are your tactics I learned from! My image, going down in the mud..." The researcher lowering herself in defeat.
"Haha, Atlalune learned from Rona. So, it is only natural it would lead to this." Ethan laughing.
A few souls enjoying the dusk, relishing in the presence of each other. Their many years with one another, cherishing every moment in their small time. Atlalune stretching her arm around her wife, holding them close.
"I say you should take it as a compliment." The ex-mercenary's gentle tone to her partner.
"Easy for you to say, people expect you to be a brute. Now they think I am the same, me, a delicate flower..." Tears to the researcher's eyes.
"Uhh...you kinda set fire to the land when you were spooked by some creepy crawlies." Atlalune leaning a bit closer to their face, her teasing smile to her companion.
"I--I don't know what you mean..." Sol looking away, slightly blushing.
The simply proceeding dusk, laughter filling the area. These simple hearts in one place, wishing to continue their time together.
A few passing days, Atlalune and Sol returning to Valgard underneath the late afternoon light, their presence in front the mansion. The mage looking back, her thick red and blue clothes.
Her eyes on the fountain flowing down its water, seeing the white snow everywhere blanketing the area in its bliss. Some servants working out in the cold, taking care of the place.
"I know you don't want to be here, neither do I. I'll keep you safe, so let's just get this over with." The ex-mercenary holding her partner's hand, faintly smiling at them.
"Yeah, thank you..." The mage slightly grinning at Atlalune, pressing against her wife.
Two hearts together for a long time, progressing through the many years with one another. A job rerouting them back to an unpleasant place, yet their desire to see it through to completion. The knight feeling the chilly breeze on her, her thick black clothes providing some warmth.
Atlalune soon pressing the doorbell, hearing the sound echoing deep within. The shortly opening path, a maid standing there, her long autumn hair and eyes of the sea.
"I am Atlalune, and this is Sol. We are here for a job concerning a sold girl to the mob." The ex-mercenary folding her arms.
"Thank you for coming, I was worried you wouldn't." The maid's hand to her chest in relief.
"Part of it was my fault, I feel like we have to get the child out of that situation. Plus, the Royal Family requires the mob's elimination." Sol's hand on her waist.
"I am honestly surprised they are acting now. I mean no offense, but the Royal Family this generation has been more of an issue than anything." The person sighing.
"We are not part of their ranks, but hands for hire, so rest at ease. Both of us agree on your sentiment." Atlalune looking away a bit.
"That's good. I am Clea, you can also call me the closest one to a parent Lucil has." The woman's sad vision below.
A maid's many memories with a child, the small one deep in her heart. Her desire to bring the kid home back into her arms, letting her fury out at the dreadful decision. Two working together for a small chance, hoping for certain ones to take up the job.
"Did her parents pass away...?" the noble-woman's grim expression to the person.
"Yeah, she was always crying. Though, slowly she opened up to me. Before I knew it, I became like her second mom. The girl means the world to me, and I gave Flint a piece of my mind for his decision." The maid scowling a bit.
"I don't blame you. Good thing I wasn't here, I might have just killed him." Atlalune slightly frowning, gesturing her hand to the woman.
"I had to hold back myself, since I knew he tried everything he could. Flint has changed a lot." The person sighing.
"Call me surprised. Anyway, we should be discussing this with him, and then we can work out a proper plan." Sol's hand to her chin.
"Right, please come this way. And, thank you again." Clea gratefully bowing to the two.
Two great individuals responding to a desperate plea, the maid slowly seeing a new route. Her heart wishing for the return of one, a small girl bringing more into their world.
Clea leading the mage and ex-mercenary into the mansion, soon closing the door behind them. Sol's eyes on the clear floors, shortly shifting it to the many pictures on the walls. Her vision to the chandelier hanging high, countless memories flowing through her.
"I assume many of the ones I knew are dead at this point?" the mage resting her hand on her chest, looking to the maid.
"Yes. Agatha, the one who wanted to marry you off to Flint. She passed last year." Clea glancing back to the researcher.
"Those horrid years are still with me, nothing was lost with her death." Sol walking onward.
A heart forever trying to distance herself from the old days, yet the branding sentiments grabbing at her. Her mind wandering back, Agatha's echoing words in the mage.