Celia Xiu

". . .As Heathcliff had previously said to, he informed us that our respective Grade Evaluations had been scheduled. He had finally been given permission to formally tell us."

"He seemed more pleased than usual. Director Miris made sure none of us stood apart and congratulated each one of us individually."

"It felt pretty good to hear such a glowing review."

"Though, I shouldn't be too happy."

"Hm. . ."

"I knew my workload had been decreasing."

...

And sorry for blinding him and ripping one of his arms off to melt it...

....

...Yeahhh...

(Husky looked guilty, that's for sure.)

"I suppose. . . it is reassuring that you are thinking about apologizing."

"Not everyone is willing to acknowledge when their actions have caused harm. The reason for your apology to me was quite surprising. My trauma needn't be your guilt."

"Though. . ."

"I would recommend considering what you wish to say before meeting him."

"An apology is not only an admission of wrongdoing. It is also an acknowledgement of the other person's feelings."

". . ."

"I am not very experienced with apologies myself."

"But I believe sincerity matters."

"Speaking of Hana. . . I'm quite sure my evaluation is going to be with Hana South."

". . .and I am quite nervous around Hana Fixers, so I do not hold any promises that I will remember to do so."

But yeah, I'm gonna try and be sincere...Though...

I probably won't be able to consider what I wish to say for too long- If I do it for over 10 minutes, my head will explode and I'd be dead, so uh..

". . .As Heathcliff had previously said to, he informed us that our respective Grade Evaluations had been scheduled. He had finally been given permission to formally tell us."

"He seemed more pleased than usual. Director Miris made sure none of us stood apart and congratulated each one of us individually."

"It felt pretty good to hear such a glowing review."

"Though, I shouldn't be too happy."

"Hm. . ."

"I knew my workload had been decreasing."

...

And sorry for blinding him and ripping one of his arms off to melt it...

....

...Yeahhh...

(Husky looked guilty, that's for sure.)

"I suppose. . . it is reassuring that you are thinking about apologizing."

"Not everyone is willing to acknowledge when their actions have caused harm. The reason for your apology to me was quite surprising. My trauma needn't be your guilt."

"Though. . ."

"I would recommend considering what you wish to say before meeting him."

"An apology is not only an admission of wrongdoing. It is also an acknowledgement of the other person's feelings."

". . ."

"I am not very experienced with apologies myself."

"But I believe sincerity matters."

"Speaking of Hana. . . I'm quite sure my evaluation is going to be with Hana South."

". . .and I am quite nervous around Hana Fixers, so I do not hold any promises that I will remember to do so."

Hi I'm Husky a member of the Index, nice to meet you!

Also uhm...

I know this might be stupid to ask, but how does the Liu Association manage to control their flames from not burning themselves?

"I apologize for flinching. . . I have some bad memories with the Index."

"Nevertheless, I will try to answer your question."

"The Liu use specialized Workshop weaponry and Martial Arts that ignite from friction. This means that without proper skill or training, Liu fire cannot be brought ablaze."

"Our equipment, like our coats are specially made to regulate heat."

"We have our own proprietary Workshop fabric, called Liu Fabric, designed specifically for Liu combat. It greatly reduces the effects of our own flames. It is fire-resistant, however, sufficiently intense heat may still cause the threads to fray."

"Most higher-grade Fixers learn techniques that allow them to fight without being hindered by the flames they produce. Those of lower grades. . ."

But...Hm..Uh- Thanks for telling me about this actually!

"It is quite beautiful."

"I had not expected to receive a gift."

". . .thank you."

Celia paused.

"I believe it would be better displayed at Section 1's common room than my quarters."

..Of my own will! Usually god I follow just...gives me prescripts about the Black Silence, which...they have good taste-

But anyways- Ahhh- I used to be in the ring! Fauvist Docent, actually-

So I did genuinely want to just- try to make a better first impression, and also uhh- dragons are cool and I've seen them before sort of in the Outskirts, and since the Liu association has like- a lot of dragon motifs and stuff- I thought it'd be like- cool.

"I try to separate the person from the organisation. . . but the Index. . . I still have nightmares."

"Still… I hold no hostility toward you."

"If anything, I appreciate that you chose to apologize, even if you do not have a reason to do so."

"My fear is not towards you."

"An apology is not something I receive often. . . especially not one that required this much effort."

"I appreciate the kindness behind it. Thank you, Husky."

"It is cool, though. I like dragons."

Hi I'm Husky a member of the Index, nice to meet you!

Also uhm...

I know this might be stupid to ask, but how does the Liu Association manage to control their flames from not burning themselves?

"I apologize for flinching. . . I have some bad memories with the Index."

"Nevertheless, I will try to answer your question."

"The Liu use specialized Workshop weaponry and Martial Arts that ignite from friction. This means that without proper skill or training, Liu fire cannot be brought ablaze."

"Our equipment, like our coats are specially made to regulate heat."

"We have our own proprietary Workshop fabric, called Liu Fabric, designed specifically for Liu combat. It greatly reduces the effects of our own flames. It is fire-resistant, however, sufficiently intense heat may still cause the threads to fray."

"Most higher-grade Fixers learn techniques that allow them to fight without being hindered by the flames they produce. Those of lower grades. . ."

But...Hm..Uh- Thanks for telling me about this actually!

"It is quite beautiful."

"I had not expected to receive a gift."

". . .thank you."

Celia paused.

"I believe it would be better displayed at Section 1's common room than my quarters."

It was big. But it didn't overwhelm the room.

Outis stopped. She studies it in silence. Her gaze running along the thin red threads.

She turns to Celia. "Who made this?"

"An Index Messenger." She replies, fixing her hair.

The room is silent for a moment.

"I would expect this type of stitching from a Ring Corporist or a Fauvist."

Outis approaches the sculpture, inspecting the stitching, the joints, the balance.

"No hidden mechanisms. . . no concealed blade. . . nothing dangerous. . ."

The smoke war veteran exhaled softly, placing a finger to her chin. "This is highly atypical of a messenger."

A voice called out from the doorway.

"What's all this then?"

Heathcliff steps into the room, still in his Liu coat, drying his hair with a towel after training.

He stops in front of it. "Bloody hell."

He walks around the sculpture once. A grin lit on his face. "That's brilliant."

"Who made it?" His purple eyes turned to Celia. "Did you commission it or somethin' lass?"

"An Index Messenger." She repeated once again. "It was a gift."

His grin faltered. "You're jokin."

Celia shook her head. "I wouldn't, no."

It earned a scoff from Outis. "The workmanship is exceptional. Whoever assembled this possesses considerable skill."

"Those stitches are clean." Heathcliff nodded. ". . . Probably took ages, that."

". . . If they crafted this of their own volition, I hope they continue to do so." Outis turned to leave, her coat swishing behind her disciplined steps.

Heathcliff let out a low laugh. ". . . Shame they wound up with the Index."

Heathcliff gave the dragon one last look before turning away, patting Celia on the shoulder.

"Hey, I heard yer's Grade Evaluation with Hana was coming up soon."

Celia stilled. An eyebrow raised. ". . .Already?"

Hi I'm Husky a member of the Index, nice to meet you!

Also uhm...

I know this might be stupid to ask, but how does the Liu Association manage to control their flames from not burning themselves?

"I apologize for flinching. . . I have some bad memories with the Index."

"Nevertheless, I will try to answer your question."

"The Liu use specialized Workshop weaponry and Martial Arts that ignite from friction. This means that without proper skill or training, Liu fire cannot be brought ablaze."

"Our equipment, like our coats are specially made to regulate heat."

"We have our own proprietary Workshop fabric, called Liu Fabric, designed specifically for Liu combat. It greatly reduces the effects of our own flames. It is fire-resistant, however, sufficiently intense heat may still cause the threads to fray."

"Most higher-grade Fixers learn techniques that allow them to fight without being hindered by the flames they produce. Those of lower grades. . ."

But...Hm..Uh- Thanks for telling me about this actually!

"It is quite beautiful."

"I had not expected to receive a gift."

". . .thank you."

Celia paused.

"I believe it would be better displayed at Section 1's common room than my quarters."

"I still hold a high degree of respect for her. However, in her. . . day-to-day life she truthfully gives very little indication of once having visited the Library."

"I believe. . . this the correct terminology. Based on my observations, it appears to refer to a statement that is difficult to dispute."