~15~ Unfinished Business

"In my apartment, why?" Ruy called back through his mind.

No answer.

"Sophie?" Ruy asked again.

Nothing.

Maybe she was just checking in, making sure he was okay. Ruy thought this as he tried to fall back asleep, but in 20 minutes, there was a faint knocking at his door. Ruy froze, not knowing what to expect. He grabbed his gauntlet from the top of his bedside table, strapping it on. He awkwardly shuffled through the apartment, his wings dragging as he did so. He slowly turned the handle, peeping out the crack in the door.

No mugging or harassment met him, only Sophie's swirling dark irises as she peeped through the crack. She gazed up from beneath his height, drops of brown seeping through her thick lashes. Ruy let out a sigh of relief, opening the door fully for her. She clearly hadn't cared for herself since the battle, but she looked a bit better. Her limp was gone, her hair tied up in a tangly mess behind her head. She still wore her black armor, most likely traveling by the rooftops to avoid questions and attention. Hanging from her shoulder was her brown leather bag. She stood as tall as possible on the tips of her toes in an effort the glance behind him to see his apartment. She didn't even try to hide her cringe.

"Am I not paying you enough?" Were the first words out of her mouth.

Ruy didn't even have a comeback. "How did you know where my place was?"

"One, I'm the one who signs your paperwork as your employer, so I know your address. Two," She tapped her temple, "Tracked your mind." She smiled.

Ruy snorted, "Of course you did."

Sophie looked up at him, biting her lip.

"May I come in?" She asked quietly, trying not to disturb his neighbors. Ruy just noticed that he was frozen in place in the door frame, leaving no room for her.

"What? Oh yeah- yeah! Come on in." He awkwardly shuffled to the side, tucking his wings close to his back as Sophie walked in. She looked around, her lip puckered out as she observed the hot wreck that is his apartment. She picked up the bottle of brandy sitting on his table, sloshing the barely touched liquid around in the glass bottle. Sophie turned on her heel, looking at him, holding the bottle.

"Really?" She asked.

He shrugged, leaning against the door frame. "It's been a long day." He answered. She snorted, placing the brandy back on the table and rubbing her arms.

"I don't want to go home to the Villa. I don't want to hunt down Ricin to ride out, I'm sure my neighbors are going to ask questions, and the house is going to be a mess..." Sophie sighed. She met his eyes.

"Do you mind if I crash here for the night?" She asked. Ruy's brain froze, but he furiously nodded his head.

"Yeah, yeah... no problem. Do you need pillows and things? I'm sure I have some extras around here somewhere." He proposed.

"Sure, but most of all, I think I need a shower." She chuckled, pulling apart her blood dried hair.

"Uh, yeah, sure! Everything should already be in there." Ruy confirmed, pointing to the small powder room near the back of his apartment.

"Thanks," She smiled. After dropping her bag on the counter, she calmly made her way toward the bathroom. The way her hips swayed from beneath her bloody clothes took Ruy aback, snapping back to reality when the door quietly shut behind her. Ruy stared at the door for a moment, then two, then three.

"Ruy?" Sophie called out.

Ruy was still in a daze.

"Ruy?" Sophie called out again.

"Yeah, yeah?!" Ruy called out after her.

"Do you have a towel?" She asked. Snapping from his gaze, he awkwardly rushed towards the closet where the towels are stored. He knocked on the door, Sophie opening up just slightly to lightly grab it from his hand.

Ruy grabbed another blanket and pillow from the closet, turning around, realizing he had no other place for her to sleep. He had no problem sleeping on the floor if it made her uncomfortable. Ruy placed the blanket and pillow on his bed, deciding it would be up to her.

It only took a few minutes, but Sophie walked out of the bathroom, wringing out her now clean hair, the blond strands looking light caramel brown with the water. A towel was wrapped around her body, the one Ruy gave her, casually humming to herself as she grabbed her bag. He watched as drops of water rolled down her collar bone before disappearing beneath the towel. Ruy knew he was staring, but he couldn't seem to tare his eyes away from the little droplets splayed along her chest, but as he turned back on her heel, quickly returning into the bathroom.

A few moments later, Sophie came out with her hair in a long braid, a black human t-shirt that was cropped right below her navel. She wore a pair of green joggers, the lace loosely tied around her waist. She still had a few open gashes, which slightly oozed blood. She didn't seem to care about them much, but Ruy silently got up and grabbed the first aid kit.

As she brushed her teeth, he walked up behind her, tucking her hair over one shoulder and looking at the wound. She froze slightly, but Ruy continued to graze his fingers lightly over her injuries. He smiled slightly, enjoying the small shiver that went down her spine and small goosebumps appearing where his fingers lingered a little too long. He had no idea how she still got injured through the armor she was wearing, but he knew the one on her shoulder, and upper back needed stitches.

How she had such high pain tolerance, he did not know.

Ruy dressed the one on her back quite quickly, since it was easy to pull the skin together and her t-shirt moved enough for him to get at it immediately. Her shoulder, not so much. She finished brushing her teeth and washing her face, now just standing still for Ruy as he secured the bandage over his stitches. Ruy could see the outline of a new tattoo on her back, peeped just underneath her t-shirt, but he didn't ask about it.

"Sit down," he said quietly. Sophie didn't protest as she sat on the side of the tub, her toes curling as Ruy started to stitch her shoulder. It was stitched over her family crest, the wound almost the entire size of the tattoo. But after it healed over, the ink may not be in the same place. Ruy finished his stitching, his line of work making it so he could dress any wounds effortlessly. Right as he was getting up, starting to put things back in the kit, he heard Sophie turn around and stare at his wings.

"What happened?" She asked quietly. Ruy stayed quiet as he put away the supplies in the metal kit, his wings awkwardly rustling behind him.

"You tell me what happened to you; I'll tell you what happened to me?" He asked. He finally turned to her, their eyes meeting—deep azure blue on shining golden Brown.

"A secret for a secret?" He proposed.

Sophie cocked her eyebrow.

"Nothing happened to me." She reasoned.

"Hmm. Is that why you have a new mystery tattoo on your back? Is that why you have this new mystery set of armor that I've never seen before?" He glared at her harder.

"Is that why you have an ocean of boundless deadly power just sitting in your body?" He asked.

Sophie was quiet.

"You didn't see me use it." She said back, not even trying to deny it.

"But our men did. They described it to me when I asked, Soph. They told me it was like night and hell bent to your will, you crushed the Neverseen like it was nothing. They told me how storms, not just lightning, whole bloody storms flew to your grasp. How you spent all of it on protecting them." He snapped. Sophie was quiet.

Ruy was the second in command in her guild; of course their men would tell him.

"So," He breathed, turning back to the medical kit, putting returning things to their little spots in the metal box.

"A secret for a secret. That is my deal." He said sternly. Ruy wasn't sure if Sophie was going to kick his ass for being this stubborn with her, but he didn't care. He needed to know.

"Okay." She breathed.

They didn't move as they told one another what happened. Sophie remained propped on the edge of the tub, Ruy leaning against the porcelain sink. Sophie explained how the cord wasn't part of their Mirthless blueprints, what it really was. She tried to brush over her interactions with Vespera, but Ruy wouldn't budge. Ruy was relieved to know that she didn't physically hurt Sophie, but it still worried him that she was nowhere to be found.

But Vespera wasn't the main focus when it came to the story.

Ruy paled when Sophie explained Kynareth inexplicable detail. She told him word for word what she looked like, what she said, and what she did to Sophie. Sophie's eyes were distant as she recounted it, her hand reaching back and tracing over the markings Kynareth seared into her flesh.

But then she described her power.

How Kynareth made her shadows into Night, made her lightning and ice into Storms. But it was too much for her, Sophie was powerful, but she had no idea what she was doing. She was barely able to reject the power when it almost killed her, but when it ended, everything was gone. Even now, Sophie couldn't use her shadows or ice and lightning; it was like Kynareth took them with her when Sophie returned the power. Sophie could barely use her telepathic powers now. She had a sneaking suspicion her abilities were being held hostage until Sophie did what Kynareth asked, visiting this mysterious Throat of the World.

"I think she may be the reason that I can't inflict, enhance, or teleport anymore, either." Sophie finally looked up at Ruy, her sunkissed skin glowing pale in the dimming light, his throat catching a little as she once again looked up at him.

"It's just a theory, but... I don't know; maybe it's the reason no physicians can figure me out. Maybe it is something beyond them." Sophie shrugged.

And Ruy hated the look on her face as she whispered: "Maybe she had a hold of me long before this stupid battle."

Ruy was quiet, his arms crossed as he processed it all.

"Who have you told?" He asked, his voice quiet.

Sophie looked at the dirty tiled floor. "Just you." She answered.

Ruy nodded, not knowing what to say. He knew Sophie hated being told what to do, what to say and what to be. Maybe that was the reason she couldn't get herself to look at the tattoo now adorning her back; it was a reminder that she lost everything she fought for. She wanted her life to be her own, not a puppet to be controlled again.

She left the Lost Cities for that exact reason.

"A secret for a secret, that was the deal." Sophie breathed. She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. Ruy sighed, his wings shuddering.

It was his turn.

He explained everything. He explained the mysterious crystal Cato found that linked them together, the Dunmer public seeing him for the first time, the King pushing him past his breaking point, the mysterious crystals his stepmother gave him. The way he moved through time and space to get to the battle in time. When he was done, Sophie was open-mouthed.

"Do you know why the crystal connected us?"

"Not. A. Clue." Ruy groaned.

Sophie groaned, running her hands through her hair. He realized long ago it was an endearing habit of hers, whenever she did it it was often due to her thinking hard, it allowed for him to see the cute little furrow between her brows and the way her eyes squinted when she concentrated.

"Great, we have the Vatarian Leaders to deal with, my powers gone, a weird connecting crystal, The Dunmer Kingdom, the Inalian Senate and public, the nut job goddess harassing me-" Outside, thunder rumbled dangerously, as if in a warning.

"Oh, get over yourself!" Sophie snapped at the storm, likely thinking it was Kynareth.

"We have to keep everything balanced, Sophie." Ruy decided.

Sophie looked at him with tired eyes, her hair falling out of her braid. her hair was back to its signature honey blond, the water mostly dried out of it.

"We can't let things go, but we can't be hasty. We should try to handle things carefully and smartly. Kynareth hasn't done anything yet; maybe she could wait?"

"But how long can I go without my powers without anyone noticing? I don't want to tell the Guild about Kynareth yet; I have no idea how they will react."

"They reacted well to me being Vespera's son and half Dunmer."

"I don't want to risk it." Sophie sighed.

Ruy pushed himself off the sink, pointing his head out the door.

"Again, we should take it slow, be careful about these things," Ruy repeated as Sophie walked out of the bathroom, Ruy right behind her.

"I guess." Sophie sighed as they both quietly padded towards his small kitchen. Ruy watched her out of the corner of his eye. Strands of her blond braid now stuck out, her long hair framing her face. Her golden-brown eyes glinted in the moonlight, complimenting the warm sunny glow to her skin. Her sculpted body moved easily and casually, even when her brain was running a million miles per hour.

Ruy grabbed two glasses from his cabinets, filling them up with water. He heard Sophie haul herself onto the counter, humming, and listening to the sounds of the night.

Ruy handed her one of the glasses. He turned to place ice in his drink, out of the corner of his eye, he watched Sophie run a finger over the rim of her glass. He watched as frost started to form, her hand shaking with the effort of it.

She was trying to use her frost powers, to prove that she could still use them.

The frost barely did more than slightly chill the water, her Froster powers sputtering out. She sighed in defeat, taking a sip of the water and placing it back onto his counter. Ruy couldn't imagine having to lose his powers, what might be going through her head right now.

He stood in front of her, taking a sip of his water and placing it near her glass.

"Hey," He breathed. Sophie looked up at him. He ran his hand up and down her arms, realizing they were cold.

"It's going to be okay. We are going to get this all figured out." Ruy promised. She relaxed slightly, but her face was still morose. But could still see the slight furrow between her brow. Absentmindedly he reached up, smoothing his thumb over the space, causing her eyes to flutter a bit and a small breathy sigh to escape her lips. He smiled softly before placing his hand back on her arm.

"I'm home, I'm home and I'm not going anywhere." She breathed to herself. Ruy understood why she needed to say that. She spent so long trying to return to Inalia, her home that she held so close to her heart and so fiercely defended. And with so many things changing, she was worried that Inalia would come into jeopardy. She worried that the Neverseen and the Elven Council, two groups who have made her life hell, would come and ruin her city. Her city of warmth and dreams, the one where she could always return when she needed it most, to the people waiting within the culture she held so close to her heart.

"I promise that no matter where you go," Ruy slid his fingers into hers,

"No matter what happens." He placed his lips on his cheek, pressing a small kiss into her flushed skin.

"I will be right next to you." He breathed.

Because Inalia was his home too, it was a home of hope, a land of dreams.

Like hell was he ever going to let it go.

He had no idea why Vespera hated Inalia so much; they place where she was born and raised, the land that raised her only to watch her try to tear it apart.

Ruy pulled away from Sophie's cheek, but she met his lips, parting them slightly against his. Ruy didn't freeze, he simply wrapped his arms loosely around his waist, turning his head and kissing her back.

Sophie didn't know when she exactly fell in love with Ruy Ignis, once her enemy. She didn't know where life was taking her, what hellfire it was going to drag her through. But she didn't care. Because she was going to fight. She was going to rip apart the prejudice against her species. She was going to slaughter the nightmares plaguing her world.

She was going to tear the Neverseen down brick by brick with her bare hands.

And Ruy was going to be right next to her as she did it.

As Sophie's eyes fluttered open, her hands drifted to his shoulders, to the mighty wings branching from his back. The smooth leather reflected in the moonlight, the powerful talons resting at the apex of the mighty wings. Her eyes gazed over his face, his newly pointed ears, the markings decorating his shoulders and chest, crawling all the way down his upper arms and stopping above his elbows.

They were long delicate swirls, a dark purple-ish blue mixing with swirlings whorls of midnight black.

His Dunmer markings.

She used her hand to trace one of the lines decorating his muscled shoulder blade and only smiled as Ruy's teeth grazed her lip at the contact. She fully pulled apart their lips, smirking at him.

"They are new, huh?" He chuckled, watching as her eyes took them in.

Sophie smiled as she ran her hands over the planes of his chest and back, both observing the tattoos and the muscle underneath. But her hand went to the base of the wing, observing them carefully.

Sophie spent her days in the skies, flying above the clouds on Ricin, enjoying the sky's kiss.

But to have her own pair of wings? She could only imagine.

She fingers delicately grazed the main muscle of the wings, admiring as he folded and moved them.

"They're beautiful." Sophie breathed, admiring how the moonlight made the black leather shine an elegant blue. But Ruy's eyes were solely on Sophie, looking at her with a small smile. Not a smile like he was about to pounce on her, or a smile of cockiness, but one directed only at her.

It was a smile that no one knew.

One of love and peace, like she was the savior of the peace of his mind.

It made Sophie go aflame.

She moved her hand to his cheek, running her thumb over the sharp lines and beautiful curves of his face. He was hand down the most handsome man she had ever seen, and here he was, loving her with all of his heart.

Sophie reconnected their lips, parting her lips and tilting her head, resting her arms around his neck. Ruy didn't hesitate, gladly reconvening their mouths, his hands at her waist tightening.

Sophie wrapped her feet around his waist, hooking him closer, but not pushing him onto her even as she was sitting on his countertop. The way they were tangled up in each other's arms, it was fast and slow at the same time, raging fire and bitter cold. She wasn't scared of him; he wasn't frightened of her either. All of the words that needed to be said between them had already been said, except...

"Ruy," Sophie breathed onto his lips. Ruy pulled away from her, just a hair width apart. She felt his breath on her swelling lips, on her flushed skin.

"I love you too," She whispered. Ruy's eyes slightly widened, remembering what he whispered to her outside Luram Bak's door. The corners of his mouth tilted upwards, his hands pulling her closer. Sophie wrapped her arms around his chest, hugging him tight as she nuzzled her nose into the crook of his neck.

"I love you," She repeated into his tanned skin. Ruy's arms wrapped around her as well, placing a kiss into her hair as they embraced.

The two of them fell asleep on Ruy's shitty mattress, Ruy's wing draped over both of them as they fell asleep to the sounds of the City of Dreams.

Biana snorted awake by Sophie's rude barging.

"Usually, I'm the one that sleeps in, Biana. You are usually up and dazzling the world with your presence by 7 am."  Sophie laughed. Biana groaned, muffling the world by shoving her face into a pillow. Biana was sleeping in Sophie's room in the glittering Guildhall. It was maybe twice the size of Biana's room in Everglen, massive floor to ceiling windows surrounded by billowing red and gold velvet curtains that warmed with the Inalian sun. The floors were an exquisite creamy marble, streaks of warm reds and copper running through it. The furniture was expensive, but not like Elven furniture. Elven items were harsh lines and modern cuts, compared to the Vatarian's furniture, which was swirling gold and silver complementing painted wood and satin, tall columns of marble with ribbons tied around them. It was just as exquisite as Elven materials, maybe even more so.

"What can I say, it has been a long last couple of days." Biana chuckled through her pillow. Sophie snatched the pillow off her head, Biana moaning in annoyance.

"Trust me; I want to let you sleep in." Sophie sighed, crossing her arms.

"But," Biana finally looked at her.

"We have a long day," Sophie mumbled. Biana glared at her friend but grumbled as she peeled the heavenly blankets off and made her feet touch the cold marble floor.

Sophie rolled her eyes at Biana's slow going, knowing that she was the exact same way in the morning.

"Where did you sleep last night since I took your room?" Biana asked, stretching her arms over her head.

"Oh, I went home to the Villa." She answered.

"What? But I thought Ricin was injured, how could he take you? Maria said it was a long walk to your house."

"I got a ride from one of the passerby's in their carriage. It was a family friend; I practically passed out in their carriage!" Sophie laughed. Biana squinted at her, the story she was telling her didn't seem true. But it was obviously the story Sophie was sticking with, and Biana wasn't going to get her to crack.

"Fine, whatever you say." Biana shrugged. Sophie's white flittering blouse shifted as she rummaged through her closet, finding some old Elven clothes for Biana.

"Here, go take a bath then change into these. They are my old clothes; I don't know if you will fit into them. After that, go to the back of the Guildhall, meet us on the porch. " Sophie explained, handing Biana the clothes.

"The bathroom you have in here is only a powder room," Biana argued, tucking the clothes under her arm.

"Use the private Morretti bathhouse. It is down the hall, take a left, the big pearlescent doors with the golden handles." Sophie said, her accent curling the words. Biana shrugged, starting towards the door, but then her mind stopped.

"Wait, okay, tea." Biana gasped. Sophie blinked.

"You have tea to spill? Now?" Sophie asked.

"Hell yeah I do- Ruy Ignis, Sophie? RUY. IGNIS." Biana started.

"Y-yeah?" Sophie continued.

Biana slammed the clothing down on her vanity, their eyes never tearing from one another.

"He is SO attractive, Sophie." Biana breathed.

Sophie blinked.

Before leaning forward, whispering back to her, "I KNOW, right?" Sophie whispered, a smile breaking on her cheeks.

"Like, what the hell do they feed them in the Neverseen? How did Vespera even manage-"

"I swear, it doesn't seem real." The two girls gossiped

"And you two just, I don't know, became friends? Just casually?" Biana asked.

"Kinda. My stay at the Neverseen was... complex. Vespera kinda assigned him to be my babysitter." Sophie chuckled.

Biana giggled, "Really? Oh, poor him."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "I think you mean poor me. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't rather chucked me off a cliff then look after me." Sophie laughed. Biana leaned forward, putting her hand to the mouth to make sure no one was listening in on them.

"Okay, and a pact, right? I need you to promise a pact right now?" Biana whispered.

Sophie made a big show of putting a finger on her chin, thinking it through.

"What kind of pact?" Sophie asked.

"One of silence. Not a word we speak passes through this room." Biana hissed. Sophie smiled before nodding.

"Your brother?" Biana smiled.

Sophie's face turned to one of shock.

"Oh come on now, Sophie, your brother is really attractive."

"Ew, Bia! You can do better than my brother. Blegh!" Sophie stuck out her tongue.

"Seriously, your entire little group now is stupid attractive. Do you like collecting attractive people?" Biana joked. Sophie snorted.

"Well, I collected you, didn't I? Do you count as one of my collectibles?" Sophie laughed.

Biana flipped her brown locks. "You know I am." Biana bragged. They both fell into a pit of laughter, the sound echoing through the massive room. Sophie adjusted her off-white skirt secured around her waist, looking at the clock on the wall.

8:12 am.

"Come on, jump into the tub already, if we are going to bring you and Keefe, we have to leave by maybe around dinner." Sophie sighed.

Biana spoke before her brain caught up, "Leave?" Biana asked.

Sophie's eyebrows scrunched down, clearly confused.

"Don't you want to go back home?" Sophie asked.

Biana and Keefe spoke of this late last night, right before they went to sleep. She will never forget what they talked about.

"Things are different here, huh?" Biana laughed as she and Keefe tried to remember where Filomena pointed them to their rooms.

"Yeah, but... amazing. It's amazing here." Keefe breathed. Biana noticed something more to his voice. She tried to meet his eyes, but they were fixed solely on the massive city unraveled before them: the architecture, the culture, the people.

The freedom.

It called to Keefe, Biana could tell. After his dreams were shut down one after another in the Lost Cities, he was losing hope in not only those around him but himself as well. But realizing this city of dreams hidden in the valleys of who knows where, across the oceans no one had mapped... it fascinated him. His close friend was born here, grew up here, she welcomed him with open arms and showed him a family that would love him. A family of runaways and forgottens, just like him.

"You want to stay, don't you, Keefe?" Biana asked him last night. Keefe was silent, focused on walking.

"I have nothing left for me in the Lost Cities, Biana," Keefe whispered. Biana's heart cracked as she finally saw the look in his eyes. The look of defeat and disappointment in themselves.

It was the same look in Sophie's eyes, years ago, before she returned to Inalia. Biana didn't understand what it was at the time.

"My father hates me, Biana, no matter what you say. And I hate him. My mother was always selfish; she took everything I could've had for myself in those Lost Cities." Keefe whispered. Biana's voice cracked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Keefe, you have a future there. You have a plan to teach..." Biana focused her voice, "You have us." Biana promised. Keefe gave her a warm smile, but it was forced, Biana could tell.

"I just don't know what I want, Bia." Keefe shrugged. Biana stopped in front of the bedroom door, Keefe's across the hall from her. Biana let out a breath.

"I think you should stay, Keefe." Biana breathed.

"W-What?" Keefe stuttered. Biana turned on her heel, smiling at her friend.

"You belong here, Keefe." Biana smiled.

Keefe seemed to be working it through his head.

"What about you?" He asked.

Biana didn't know in all honesty. She liked Inalia, but she also loved the Lost Cities.

"I'm thinking about it," Biana answered. Keefe nodded in understanding, looking at the door to his room.

"I don't know." Keefe breathed, and he meant every word.

He was divided.

Biana blinked, back to reality with Sophie standing in front of her.

"He really is thinking about staying?" Sophie asked. Biana's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes fuming.

"Did you just read my mind?" Biana snapped.

"I would never, Bia. You were practically screaming it into my head." Sophie whispered. Biana nodded, shuddering.

"Are you thinking about staying, Biana?" Sophie asked. She wasn't pressuring Biana to leave or to stay, just asking out of curiosity.

Biana opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"I-I don't..." Biana let out a breath. Sophie smiled slightly and placed a hand on her shoulder. Underneath her big flowing sleeves, Biana could see her gauntlets. It was like she never took them off.

"I won't pressure you or Keefe into any decision, neither will my inner court," Sophie whispered kindly. Biana nodded, and she glanced at the elven clothes sitting on the vanity.

"Do you have something else?" Biana asked.

"What do you mean?" Sophie asked.

Biana smiled, shrugging. She looked Sophie up and down, smiling at her outfit. It was a bright white blouse with flowing puffed sleeves, hiding her bladed gauntlets underneath. Around her waist wrapped her tanish white skirt that beautifully followed her movements as she walked, but practical with pockets at the fronts of the easy to wash fabric. Her hair was done up in a loose coronet, comfortable and efficient while also delicately and naturally framing her face. She wore natural makeup products, only small things to bring out her breathtaking beauty even more.

Biana gestured to her get-up.

"I kind of what to try out Vatarian fashion," Biana admitted. Sophie looked taken aback, but she nodded, opening her closet door and turning to Biana.

"Take your pick," Sophie smiled.

Sophie sat in one of the wicker chairs on the patio, the circular table having room for three more seats. Alexios, Biana, and Keefe were yet to arrive. Her Inner circle surrounded the table; breakfast spread all over the table, and their relaxed and joyous laughter ringing through the intoxicating crisp fall sky. It was fall in Inalia, and it was one of their warmer days before the cold truth of winter fell upon them. Mansi was the one to propose breakfast outside, and everyone jumped on the idea.

Nour and Ruy were cackling at a joke Maha just made, Mansi and Alvar talking between the two of them with smiles on their faces, Lilac happily eating away at her eggs benedict.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I had to fix a few things!" Alexios laughed.

Nour answered with his mouth full of food, "It's no big deal, we know you need your beauty rest- WHAT IN *MEHRUNES NAME?!"

Everyone at the table whipped their head to Alexios. His eye was still bandaged, but instead of the jagged long hair he sported earlier, it was now impressively chopped off. The long shoulder-length hair was now cut closer to his head, windswept and grown out just slightly. It complimented his stubbly face, and his hair no longer was it's an uneven mess thanks to the battle.

(His hair is a really light brown, not dark like this, but ya know. Whatever.)

Everyone's jaw dropped, Sophie and Lilac's the farthest.

"Uh, yeah, I decided to fix this mess-"

"AGHHHHHHHH-"

"Lia, stop-"

"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-"

"Amalia, for real? It's no big deal-"

"OH MY GODS, TURN IT BACK, TURN IT BACK!" Sophie screamed, scrambling out of her chair. She had never seen her brother with short hair. Not once in her entire life. He always had it at least to his shoulders. Seeing it this way threw Sophie way off balance.

Alexios always dreamed of becoming a Spartan, and he always wore his hair how they used to. The new-look worked terrific on him, but Sophie didn't care; it almost didn't seem real.

"It looks great!" Maha gasped, getting up out of her chair to admire it.

"Thanks, Mom did it-"

"Where? What? How?" Sophie was still panicking.

"Amalia-"

"18 years, Alexios! Eighteen years you have never once changed your hair! And now you decide to just chop it off without any warning!? I can't handle that much change, Alexios!" Sophie yelled.

"Oh for Kynareth's sake- Lilac, talk some sense into her-"

"NO! I agree with her! This is weird!" Lilac yelled.

"Does it look that bad?" Alexios asked.

"No, Alexios, it looks amazing! It is just... a change." Sophie trailed. Alexios chuckled into his glass.

"Would you prefer I continued to rock the uneven chopped mess?" Alexios asked.

Sophie pondered, carefully sitting down in her chair.

"No, Alexios, you really pull it off; it's just... you liked that hairstyle," Sophie muttered. Alexios swished around his drink.

"The Spartans are gone, Lia; maybe this was just a way to grow up. Besides, I needed to change things up." Alexios shrugged. Everyone at the table went quiet.

"I call bullshit," Mansi called out, casually spreading mounds of strawberry jam onto her french toast. Alvar rolled his eyes at her language, but she just smirked, leaning forward.

"For what?" Alexios asked.

"Just because you changed your hair doesn't mean you need to give up on your dream of being a Spartan, *Muskana Boquoquo." Mansi snapped.

"Hey!" Alexios snapped at Mansi's insult. Sophie chuckled as Keefe walked out to the patio.

"Foster, I need a map just to get through this stupid Guildhall! It took me at least 20 minutes just to find my way down here." Keefe complained. Sophie shrugged, taking a deep sip of lemon orange tea.

"No, you just have a horrible sense of direction." Sophie hummed. They all burst out into laughter as Keefe rolled his eyes, smiling. Sophie looked him over, her heart deflating a bit when she noticed he confidently was wearing his elven outfit.

So he was going back.

Sophie had to admit; she was excited about him possibly staying in Inalia. But maybe he still hadn't made up his mind.

"Keefe, I must admit, I'm curious," Maha kindly started, adjusting the ruffles on her blushy pink dress.

"Are you returning or not?" Maha asked sweetly. Keefe gave her a confused look.

"What do you mean-"

"Are you staying here or going back to that elven shit show?" Nour asked casually, leaning back in his chair and taking a big bite of his toast. Maha took her napkin off her lap and smacked him with it.

"Be polite!" Maha hissed, Nour yelping as the napkin whipped his bicep.

Keefe wanted to ask, but Biana finally came through the door, making one of her beautiful entrances. She wore a flowing blue Grecian dress, looked like one of the more luxurious types of clothing from the Grecian countryside. It was like moving mermaid silk wrapped around her body, the soft blue lace serving as the lowest layer of the dress. On the outer part of the dress, long draping strands of the silk made it seem as if the dress contorted to her beautiful shape while also letting some of the long strands of fabric do the talking, the open back revealing her sense of confidence. Her hair was unbound but washed and brushed. She smelled like the floral-scented soaps and conditioners Sophie left out for her, her makeup full of warm browns and silvers; her lips painted pink.

"I may have let it slip that we talked about... staying." Biana chuckled. Mansi piped up as Biana walked in, furiously patting the seat next to her. Biana quickly ran over, happily whispering to her future sister in law.

"Ah," Was all Keefe said.

"And I may have... told the others- but I'm not pressuring you to do anything! It is solely your choice." Sophie insisted. Keefe shrugged, clearly not bothered.

"It's okay."

And then he said something that shocked everyone.

"I'm going back." He said confidently. Ruy noticed Sophie stiffen up a little bit, and he placed his hand slyly on her arm below the table, sending her feelings of peace and level headness.

Surprisingly, it was Biana who piped up.

"Why?" She asked, sternly and loudly.

Everyone seemed taken aback by her pushing, except for Sophie, who knew Biana well enough to know that she wasn't going to let this go.

"I have unfinished business." Keefe smiled.

He was not scared about going back; he even seemed... confident.

Sophie cocked her eyebrow, leaning forward with a smile on her face.

"What are you planning?" She asked. Keefe gave her one of her sinister smiles, the same smile he gave her right before they launched their prank of Foxfire all those years ago. Even though his face revealed he had an insane plan brewing in his head, he casually shrugged.

"You have your secrets; I have mine. As I said earlier, I have unfinished business." Keefe admitted, looking over the Vatarian breakfast.

Everyone was quiet until Nour and Alexios burst out into laughter.

Nour pointed his fork at Keefe.

"I knew I had a good feeling about you." Nour laughed as Alexios continued to cackle. Keefe seemed taken aback by Nour when he was relaxed since he only knew him when he was on missions and as a stranger. Everyone loosened up, Sophie just rolled her eyes with a smile on her face.

"Now, before I go back- I want to have a good Vatarian breakfast. Tell me what I should eat first!" Keefe announced, rubbing his hands together, looking over the vast table. Alexios gave him a sinister smile, directing him and Biana through the menagerie of Inalian breakfast foods, specifically the vegetarian ones. Fluffy buttermilk waffles, quiches, and toast complemented by jams, jellies, and jars of butter. Different teas, milk, and coffees also were in everyone's cup. In the middle of the table was a big cake, decorated in lavender icing with small pink flowers decorating the top.

Maha asked Biana what type of drink she would like, quizzing her on what her tastes were, before placing a teacup filled with a milky pink substance, the steam intoxicating her nose. The minute it met Biana's lips it overtook her taste buds in the best way possible, a beautiful swirl of rosy tea and lavender milk.

In front of Sophie was a similar looking drink, but a bright yellow color and scent coming of it, scenting of lemons and citris.

In front of Sophie was here note book, and as she flipped through it, nobody could really make out it content except Sophie it seemed. On some pages they were beautiful hand inked drawings of the Grecian countryside and villages, others they were small cramped notes about battle strategy and scribbled thoughts. Even on some of the pages there were pressed leaves and flowers, complimented by notes. It was the same notebook Edaline and Grady gave her all those years ago.

"Did the gnomes make all of this?!" Biana gasped, placing a napkin in her lap as she gazed over the table. Maha looked up from her yogurt.

"Gnomes? Why would they make this?"

Keefe was pouring piles upon piles of food on his plate, "The gnomes do most of our work in the Lost Cities, in exchange we give them technology and such."

Mansi shrugs, "Sounds dreadful. No, we do all of our own work, Filomena made all of this."

Sophie held her teacup in joking salute, "The best chef to ever tread the lands, Aunt Filomena, truly." She said dreamily.

Everyone hummed in agreement.

Mansi gasped, pointing her spoon at Sophie, "Do you remember those tarts she made when we were children? When we used to come home after playing out at the ocean or the forest? The ones with the-"

Alexios banged his fist on the table, pointing at her as well with a smile on his face.

"The Bumbleberry filled ones! With the butter folded in the layers?" Alexios finished. Everyone agreed, happily reminiscing around Filomena's food. Biana and Keefe gladly laughed with them, enjoying their stories and recounted their own. They finished breakfast a while ago, not just enjoying the last warm days, but each other. After a long battle, they all liked to spend even more amount of time together. Maybe to ease the peace of their minds knowing they were all still alive.

Sophie and Lilac sat on the same chair, Lilac dozing off in Sophie's arms after stuffing herself silly with eggs and berries. Mansi propped her feet up as she braided Biana's hair in a Wampanoag style, the two of them gushing and gossiping together. The Inner Court desperately begged Biana and Keefe for stories of their antics when Sophie was young. Keefe described their legendary prank on Foxfire right before they left for the Black Swan, or how she blew up the Carvo birds at the Lumangwe base.

"You guys are awful- is there anything you won't share?!" Sophie scoffed as Biana recounted the time she blew up the entrance to Exuilium.

"I have no restraint when it comes to embarrassing you, Mentore Amalia Morretti." Biana laughed, exaggerating Sophie's fancy noble title. Everyone burst out into laughter, Ruy not even bothering to hold it in beside Sophie.

"You too?!" Sophie gasped, nudging him with her elbow.

"What can I say? I just never knew you were such a beacon for chaos-"

"Mentore Amalia!" A voice cried out. The Inner Circle all snapped to attention at the panic in the sound. A gnome came running up, their large Assassin sash wrapped around their chest like a scarf, waving around a big stack of letters.

"What is wrong? Is everything alright?" Sophie asked in Gnomish, leaning down to take the letters.

"The letters..." The gnome panted between words, "The letters- Look at the wax seals!" The gnome cried out. Sophie gazed at the letters in her hand, tensing as she recognized the paper and, most importantly, the seals.

There were five royal letters in her hand.

The Cities of Wampanoag, Egyptinat, Chiranu, Cariana, and Avrima all responded to her.

Sophie looked at her Inner Court, her skirt brisling as she shifted from foot to foot.

"Breakfast is over, everyone," Sophie sighed, her hands clenched around the messages. Everyone watched as she and Ruy opened the letters, the two Highest members of the guild gazing upon their secret contents. Everyone held their breath as they looked up at them finally.

"Everyone inside, now," Sophie said, sternly folding up the notes and placing them securely in her skirt pocket.

"We need to have a talk." She growled.

Mehrune- Vatarian god of chaos

Muskana Boquoquo- Wampanoag for bone head

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_Sibylline_