It’s been only a few days since he joined ❛The Shepherds❜, as they called themselves, && much to his surprise, they were probably the MOST cheerful && trusting people he’s ever met( not to mention q u i r k y ). It was almost relieving to see people like that now-a-days; there’re people who stress over the recent catastrophes or simply live in fear, which he didn’t count as living, && it only made communication with others harder.

                                        It wasn’t like that here.

Smiling faces, lots of joking around, && not only that, everyone was friendly( not to mention UNIQUE ). Or well, everyone but one person–someone he’s met previously, the girl he managed to save. She was always glaring daggers at him whenever he showed up, he FELT it even when he wasn’t looking…nothing a but a chill down his spine whenever it happened. It’s not like he doesn’t get her anger with him, oh no, he definitely understands how && WHY she harbors it, it’s something that can never be forgotten, but if he can coax her into forgiving him, that’s an entirely different story.

Much to his surprise–not really–SHE was glaring at him once more, except this time he stared back at her. It wasn’t like him to do so, but he wanted to see how long she could keep this up. Not long, surprisingly. He’s surprised at her sudden leave && gets up casually to follow after her, he should probably clear things up.

                   ❝Hey, you! Could we talk for a bit, if you don’t mind?❞

     She hadn’t expected Gaius to follow her out of the Mess Hall, much less try to spark a conversation with her! And how dare he address her in such an undignified manner? Did he have no semblance of respect for his social superiors?

     The woman would turn on her heel and fix her look of unbridled loathing upon him before thrusting her nose high into the air and scoffing loudly. 

     “Me? Talk to you?” the noblewoman drawled. “I’m afraid I can’t extend you that favor, Gaius.” Fixing a steely eye on the thief, Maribelle continued, “yes, I remember a mutt like yourself so very clearly.” How could she forget? Gaius was the reason her family was still dealing with the repercussions of his accusations years prior.

      Glaring at the man, her finger would poke his chest painfully before she would go on, “you have plenty nerve to think I ‘wouldn’t mind’ speaking to you after everything you have done to me, thief. You have plenty nerve to sit there and act like you are entitled to my listening to more of your fanciful lies! Frankly, the only way I would consider speaking to the likes of a street rat like you would be if you dropped dead so that my family can finally recover!”

     Taking a sip from her tea, Maribelle kept her gaze anywhere but on the newest recruit. Even from across the hall, his eye-watering orange hair caused a spark of fury within her. She wouldn’t look at him, for she knew that the more she did, the more tempted she would be to rise from her seat and deliver upon him the wrath of a noblewoman.

     As she took another sip from her teacup with a shaking hand, she thought about the new recruit. How could she have met him all these years later in a cause as noble as the Shepherds? Were the gods perhaps playing some cruel joke on her? Was he here to maybe kill her since he failed in killing her father?What was Chrom thinking, hiring a lowborn rat like Gaius?! She would need to have a word with the Prince later!

    But as she looked up, she froze when she noticed the thief looking at her. Their eyes met, and for a moment, Maribelle could do nothing but stare at the man. It still all felt so surreal, seeing him alive and around her again. She didn’t understand what she did to deserve his company, but fate was especially cruel. Hadn’t she suffered enough at the hands of this loathsome brigand?

A figure approaching the noblewoman caused her to look up in curiosity. Who was approaching her and for what reason? Once her eyes settled on the visitor, the noblewoman combed her fingers through her curls, pointing her nose in the air.