Ace Muses

So. It was relating to time. She looked up at the sky before looking at the Anguis in front of her. And stepped closer.

Rhea stared at Harwood before furrowing her gaze. He was playing with her. The bastard was playing with her. And he knew about her sixth-sense? How did he get THAT information about her?

"It is a Sept-Terrion, isn't it? It's one of the ones that haven't been involved in your society's plans. It's not Space or Mirage. And it's certainly not Fire or Earth since they're dead. And Steel is... Well. That's for THIS plan."

She leaned forward, searching his face. ...Weird. His eyes reminded her of her own; except lighter.

Rhea blinked slowly before looking at Retzy and then at Harwood again. And then crossed her arms.

"Then I'm just gonna start guessing. It has to do with the Sept-Terrions, doesn't it? I'm from a clan closely aligned with the Sept-Terrion of Fire. So....."

He held his cigar a little further away from his face, just so he could lean that much closer to Rhea's face with a smirk.

"...I'll tell your boss to make sure you have the HARDEST mission if you don't tell me, Harwood. So. I think you should tell me."

Retzy snorted as Rhea pouted.

"Uhm...?"

"Ellroy," Retzy chided. "Don't make such a tempting offer. Besides, you know the Grandmaster would NEVER do that. You're in your Anguis spot for a number of reasons. And one of them is so you can be kept on a leash."

"...Loose cannon?" Rhea asked.

"I doubt she'd let me join. I'd want an Anguis spot. Not an Enforcer spot."

She looked at Retzy before flushing. "N...No offense."

"None take, sweetheart."

She then looked at Ellroy before poking him in the side.

She furrowed her brow as she mulled over something else before catching up to Harwood. Hm.

"...What did your leader say to the Azure Abyss? What did she tell her? She obviously told her something to join your group..."

"You are the curious sort, aren't you?" Retzy asked.

Ellroy shrugged.

"I wasn't there, so heck if I know. Everyone in Ouroboros has different reasons for becoming part of it. Like us! We didn't get some grand heartfelt speech or deep secret about the world, it was just 'join or die'. And I sure wasn't ready to kick the bucket yet! ...Or rather I was, but that would've been a horribly boring death, so I wanted to stick around and see how things shake out and maybe die doing something a little more dramatic."

"Thank you," Rhea murmured as they all walked some more. "I hope you enjoyed the procession! It was quite a lot, huh?"

"But you were beautiful~"

Heehee... The trio continued to walk as Rhea mulled over a few more things. Hm.

"Sweetheart, we know that you have a lot of questions. And that you're a curious sort. One thing at a time, okay?"

"....Mmmphth..."

He took a drag of his cigar and blew smoke upward.

"I...I don't think I was wanted there? Or needed?"

"To be fair, darling," Retzy said as they walked. "We're really not needed there either. We just want to see what's going to happen~ It is sure to be a spectacle."

"Retzy, sweetheart."

Retzy and Harwood...? Hm. Putting on her boots, Rhea moved over to the duo.

Hmph. Pouting, Rhea crossed her arms before furrowing her brow. Still.

Uh...?

"Who...Are...You?" Rhea hedged.

"I know you did. But because it was a good idea, I elected to ignore it."

Hugging herself tightly, she squeezed herself as she could feel that horrible feeling encompass her. The drop that accompanied whatever went on in her brain.

She felt like she was caged.

...Rufus allowed his gaze to wander above them, almost like tracing something invisible with his eyes, before looking at Rhea again.

"Whatever cage you see is one of your own making," he said softly. "I cannot fly for you. I can only remind you the door is wide open."

He put a hand on her head, and bent down to press a kiss to her forehead.

"I must go now. I promise I will return safe and sound, when the Great Twilight falls upon us, and try not to leave you waiting for longer than necessary."

He pulled away, and made his way to the door-- before pausing in front of it.

"I know, Rufus. I know. But it just sucks being left behind all the time. It really does. When I see Vita and Emma, who I grew up with, out there fighting. Or what have you... And then I'm back here? Waiting for you? Not knowing?"

Tears filled her eyes as she stared up at him.

Rufus searched Rhea's face for a moment.

"...You're not left behind for lack of skill or trust. You're left behind because you have nothing to gain from this. Vita and Emma are out there fighting because they have something they want to fight for. They have a personal stake. They created one for themselves. If you want to go out there...what's stopping you?"

He put his hands behind his back.