★ a Flower of Young Love ★

- - ✁ @hopefulprimrose liked this for a starter ！！

Huh. That was strange - this wasn’t Ylisse, not with all these g i a n o r m o u s buildings everywhere! Not even the huge castle was that big! And everyone was wearing such funny outfits - it kind of reminded him of the whole beach Hotrealm.

Except not.

Henry giggled at the gawking looks he was garnering, before calling out to the nearest person. “Heyo! Can you tell me where I am? I think I messed up a bloodstone or something!“

Jude straightaway had a feeling that this young man was... Not as he seems? Different? A little out of it? Possibly something a bit offensive? No wonder there was such a crowd around here; pure white hair, a permanent smile on a pale face, garments seemingly from some sort of fantasy world, a lot of stuff that stood out. Maybe he was dressing up for something? The researcher had heard about some sort of “cosplaying” craze that was common in pop culture, perhaps this young smiley man was a part of this craze?

“ Hm? Well, you’re in Trigleph right no-- Wait, a-a bloodstone? “

@ofstarsandskies

“ I believe it’s also partially due to the fact that you're a very trustworthy person in general, Ludger. It’s a good characteristic to have. “

Jude as well had fond memories of traveling together with Ludger. If he could, he wouldn’t mind traveling forever with just himself and his partner... Well, Lover Boy would have to keep on dreaming. Duty calls after all, for the both of them...

“ I’m really happy to hear that. It really means a lot... I mean, after everything that’s happened, it’s just... Really good to know... “

It seemed like it had been years since Jude had a day off like this. Of course, he had locked himself up in the lab with Balan on his own accord. It was for one last push onto the spyrite prototype, and it was safe to say that both Balan and himself were happy with the results.

Perhaps it was just that sudden rush of relief and satisfaction, but afterwords he couldn’t help but run his mouth about the tech to Ludger and Julius, who were just as happy as the researcher and offered to help promote it once it was safe for distribution and testing through Spirius. Spirius had changed very much ever since the company was passed down to Ludger (who had expressed the humorous fact that Julius was working under him now and not the other way around) as well as the inclusion of the hard-working Lara Mel Marta, a woman that Jude unintentionally felt uneasy with. Not because she was distasteful or anything, but more of the fact that this woman was supposedly was Elle’s mother and Ludger’s future wife. But, of course, that was in a fractured dimension. This prime dimension was free of any conflict like those of the past years.

The young man didn’t plan his day out, all he really wanted to do was go out and get the fresh air that wasn’t as available in the lab. But, he was planning on going to a new tea cafe chain that Balan had told him about, saying the cafe just “appeared like magic and served the finest yet cheapest tea the world has ever seen”. He might as well go check it out for himself, plus it was the perfect weather and season for a nice cup of hot tea.

Jude entered the seemingly small cafe, fiddling with his old knitted scarf and matching gloves. A large line stood in front of him, he was surprised that so many people were able to fit in such a small area. Looking around, the cafe was decorated with the essentials of any cafe: seemingly clean and wooden chairs and tables, colorful and plentiful window paint promoting the many beverages that were served, neutral and earthy colors and trinkets that were plastered throughout the room, suppose it was going for a “minimalist” design. Jude stood in line and stared at the menus hanging in front of him. He kept his eye out for anything simplistic and affordable, but his eyes fell else where on a familiar figure right in front of him. Long flowing blonde hair, seemingly quiet demeanor, and that oh-so crossed-armed pose of hers...

@hopefulprimrose || ✧

“Haha…yeah. Definitely! After all…it’s the reason I got to travel with everyone.”

Leia seemed a bit sheepish about her actions back then, but her smile was genuine. Stowing away on that boat without telling a single person had been a brazen move, but she couldn’t say she regretted it. She’d been determined not to be left behind again.

“ And I’m glad you did. It wouldn’t be the same without you. “

Jude wasn’t one to excel in dishing compliments, but he always seem to say them unintentionally. Though, complementing Leia for sneaking her way into cargo without anyone’s knowledge... Suppose some aspects were worth the praise.

“ ... Ah, don’t snicker like that! I really mean it! “

“Nay~ Violence is thrilling. Knowing that one slip up can lead to death makes it exciting, nano ja~” She was a battle maniac as Rita put it.

“ ... I suppose that is very much true. And unsettling... “

He… He couldn’t keep his promise? Damn it, what about everyone else? He was dying here for nothing. It was worthless, useless just like any fractured dimension. “I don’t hate you,” she told him, surprising herself. “But… I can’t like you, either. That’s just–” She cut herself off. “The least I can do is what you asked of me.” She prepared to finish what she stopped earlier. “And, I probably won’t have any say in your world. But if I possible, I’ll see that your promise is fulfilled.”

In that way, at least the real world will stop killing spirits. In that way, at least one group of living beings doomed to die will survive, even if fractures couldn’t. That way she could save someone as she couldn’t on her own world.

“ ... I’m glad. T-Thank y-you. “

Though he knew the older woman had the strength to do what he couldn’t, Jude didn’t expect Milla to do everything, nor would he force her to do it. But, hearing it from Milla-- her unwavering voice cool and strong, almost reassuring-- calmed him. He would be able to go somewhat more content.

Now everything was seemingly fading. He could feel his consciousness slip slowly, too slowly. If it were slow enough, maybe Jude would have the chance to say his farewells to everyone. Maybe he would have the time to cook one more dinner with Ludger and Elle again. Maybe he would have the time to help Alvin with his business once more, as he always been. Maybe he would have the time to have tea with Rowen, Elize, and Teepo once more. Maybe he would have time to spend one more lunch with Leia again. Maybe, just maybe, he would have to the time to truly befriend Milla, the woman right in front of him, ready to finish him. But, fate is truly fate, there was no further delaying it.