Did I entertain you?

The Captain pinches the bridge of his nose and then looks up when he hear step approaching. He's surprised to see Dunn, but that surprise is nothing compared to what the Lieutenant tells him.

"Sampo? Sampo Koski? Wants to talk with me? Talk?" Dunn confirms that, yes, that's the case. Says he has an offer.

A less honest man would simply have arrested Sampo there and then, but Gepard isn't just the Shield of Belobog, but also a infuriatingly honest man.

"Show him in," he replies, putting away the papers, making sure nothing sensitive can be seen and straighten up.

When the thief enters the room, Gepard's blue eyes lock onto him. Something feels odd with him, but he can't put his finger on what it might be.

…Well he was behaving better. Barely a prank to his name! If you don't count the museum stint. Evidently they didn't and he was allowed to enter Gepard's office. A cozy, yet overwhelming area at the same time. The stacks of paperwork gave the thief hives. It was a good thing he never became a pencil pusher.

“Captain Gepard! How are you, buddy?” He said, giving a joyful laugh and a smile as he always did. Without waiting, he pulls on a chair, making himself at home right on it. One leg across the other. “Hm… still up to your nose with paperwork I see. Such a shame for our dear Captain to be here and not out there when he wants to be. Maybe you'll give me a rest for once, hm?”

That dastardly Thirty - Five, the chaos that man had sown... yet, COLUMBINA knew fully well that she too, was not without guilt in how things ended up. Had she stayed, would any of what ensued, happen at all ? Would things have turned out differently ? These hypotheticals were just that, no matter how she could twist and turn the thoughts in her mind like a crystal ball — they were not what the reality around her was. What was important, was the here and now — her cherished, darling little brother was back. He was her family.

The dear memories that of which she held so close to her heart, all made themselves known. Like a gallery of the soul, the memories drifted around in her minds' eye — from the silly endeavours that resulted in il Capitano hoisting them up in his arms, carrying them away from their mischief, to the times they would sneak away with desserts that Rosalyne, Arlecchino or Sandrone happened to bring that day — somehow leaving everyone else with a few servings less than they recalled.

How precious these times were to her, even now. If there was one thing which quelled her misery, it was the fact that she was now whole, again — no more was she the frail Goddess that she once was ; one on the verge of disappearing for good, rejected by the very world she was meant to watch over dutifully. Perhaps that era of pain was for the best — after all, if she hadn't left when she did, the girl known as COLUMBINA would have been nothing more than a mere memory, by now.

Hearing his request, she hesitated once more, frightful about the possibilities that could await. Instead of internalizing these worries, she spoke them out into existence. ❝ ... Not an eternal sleep, but a sleep to recover your energy ... ❞ she said gently, her words reassuring herself more than anyone else.

With a soft nod, THE DAMSELETTE gently readjusted their positions — carefully, she laid his head on her lap, much like before ; her fingers gingerly combing through his hair. The lullaby began to fill the air once more, this time bringing with it a sense of peace that felt... light and comforting : freed from the burdens that once shackled and caged them.

So he had died. 

8 closes his eyes to take in this news. He had suspected this had been a long dying dream as he read reports of those who died and come back to life mentioned an odd gray zone between life and death. But to have this confirmation made him unsettled. Prime did always keep his promises. No matter how cold or cruel they could be. 

It didn't matter, he did promise his death. But right now, as she suggested, he needed rest. Revenge would come later, when he was fully recovered. His heart would steel itself as it has many times before dissection. Il Dottore, Prime, would get his day. 

For now, he feels his body being shifted. When he opens his eyes once more, he can see her towering over him. The pillow was replaced by her soft thighs. And although she looked tearful, she still looked breathtaking. Like the angel she truly was. The lullaby restarts, sounding much more content than it did before. 

The notes fill his ears as clear as they. Lulling him to fall asleep once more. Or perhaps the first time? What was death but a permanent sleep? The child lets out what sounds like a laugh. A shame he couldn't study it, save for the pain that lingered. Though it was Dottore’s doing no doubt.

She could see the internal struggle that was at play — and oh, how she wished she could help. Thoughts surged through her mind, running rampant with the terrible possibilities of what could have happened in her absence — and what could have been the reason for him ending up in such a debilitated state. Her own selfishness : this was the byproduct of her own selfishness.

How terribly human of her, was it not ?

Such a thought could bring about a smile to her lips, if she weren't agonized by the scene laid out before her, that is.

Yet, he fought and fought — and with it, came a well - earned victory. At long last, those eyes sprung to life, and COLUMBINA couldn't have been happier. Her own iridescent eyes began to shimmer, reflecting all the unsaid emotions swelling up inside of her chest at seeing the young Segment, alive and well.

For a moment, she wondered if she had somehow slipped into a strange dream... ( After all, wasn't he supposed to have been gone ? Erased ? Like the rest of them ... ? )

When their eyes finally met ( for the first, proper time ), a gentle smile adorned her lips — timid in nature, as though she were still trying to comprehend if this were reality, or a well - crafted illusion. How it would destroy her if it were the latter.

However, all uncertainties were diminished the moment he spoke of her eyes — and soon thereafter, those very same iridescent hues began to glisten, tears welling up before cascading down.

( Dearest Moon Goddess had been getting much better at understanding and expressing her emotions — no longer wishing to contain them behind a facade of apathy : and this moment was no exception, for try as she might — even if she wished to hide behind her mask once more, the floodgates were long since broken. )

Her lip trembled for a moment as her vision blurred. No matter how much she blinked, those pearly tears kept coming. This was, after all, someone very precious to her : someone whom she thought she'd never see again.

❝ I ... I promise, we'll stay by each others' side from now on — ❞ COLUMBINA began, speaking as though she were not going to have any other chance to say these words again if she didn't speak them now, ❝ ... We'll eat delicious food, and play games, and go to the moon — ❞

At last, Luonnotar arrived, gently nudging against that poor Goddess' head, coaxing her from the bottled pains that were pouring out. She closed her eyes for a moment, a soft sniffle being heard ; then, those eyes would open once more — hesitant, at first — for she was afraid that he would have vanished. Alas, he was still there, and the relief reflected in her eyes.

Foolishly, she hadn't even thought of the boy's potential pain as she leaned in, pulling his smaller form into her arms, embracing him fiercely — like a mother would to their lost child.

He wasn't logical either. Any anger he would've felt seemed gone simply by her promises of staying together. Promises she once broke, but he was foolishly choosing to believe in right now. She felt so soft and warm, soothing the once burning pain down to a tolerable warm numbness. The fragrant scent of her hair tickled at his nose, reminding him of all the times he attempted to brush her long, flowing hair.

She'd laugh at his attempts but always said thank you. Even allowed him to try to place flowers he would find out on expeditions when he was allowed. Those memories drowned those horrible feelings of anger Prime and the older segments taught him. And hey, who didn't love sweets?

They'd make such detailed plans only to be caught by Il Capitano or that long nosed mayor. The Chicken, if 8’s memory served right. It was funny, thinking of those sweet memories. They'd laugh and laugh… he missed that.

Maybe they could make new memories. But right now, as he was being held by the Moon Goddess once more, he could only ask her one thing.

As she sang, the Moon Goddess would gently thread those elegant fingers through his locks, being oh so careful not to fall upon any potential knots in his hair. ( Oh, how that thought alone brought back fond memories of when they would brush one another's hair — her own long hair being a nightmare to brush through, while his own was easy to practice on ).

Soft was the lullaby, the invisible notes wrapping around the sleeping Segment — searching, seeking — as though she hoped she could somehow find a way to wake him. His shallow breaths dredged up worry, deep within her chest. The Kuuhenki began to gather a few items, here and there, bringing them over to the sleeping boy as though they were trying to see what could possibly spark wakefulness into that slumbering creature.

Despite her worries, COLUMBINA's voice didn't waver — the notes were serene and steady, as always, offering that same familiar comfort that was once always there.

... Until she had left, of course. She had left the Fatui.

She had left him. All alone.

Perhaps it was thanks to what she had begun to learn, from her dear comrades — but a sense of guilt that she hadn't even conceived a proper thought of beforehand, wrapped its' ugly self around her heart, much likes sharp, thorny vines curling around her from the inside out, as the realization settled uncomfortably within her feathers.

Her fingers trembled for a moment, causing a Kuuhenki to gently nudge her in reassurance. ❛ it will be alright ❜, is what it felt like she was being told. Eventually, her singing came to a gentle halt, the notes still dancing in the air like an echo that refused to leave.

... She had never seen him, before — not with her own two eyes, that is.

The very first time she had opened her eyes, Sandrone had been lifeless. A very real surge of fear overwhelmed her within a breaths' beat — a soft wisp of air being sucked in through her lips. With her free hand, COLUMBINA gently removed the veil over her eyes, opening them slowly...

Much to her relief, he didn't appear bloodied nor bruised — all the same, though, he wasn't exactly being lively, either. This was the young Segment who she had become so fond of, and who, in turn, became fond of her.

Deciding to sing until he wakes, THE DAMSELETTE began once more, only to find her voice coming to a standstill — for he had spoken.

As meek and muted as it was, he had said something. Her feathers rustled gently, leaning in just a bit to inspect him better. The hand which was resting in his hair now slid down to caress his face, her thumb gingerly rubbing beneath his eye.

❝ ... I'm here. ❞ she began, her voice gentle and soothing, ❝ You're safe ... I won't leave again. ❞ They say to ' never make promises that of which you cannot keep ' — but she knew very well that this promise was set in stone. She would make sure of it.

“Bina… Bina!” 

I won't leave again.

Whether or not it was something she would truly keep her word on, he needed to wake up!

The young segment pried his eyes open, yelling with all his might his desire to live! And all at once, his body seemed to flare up with life. The pain that held him down seemed to double but he could see again. Everything was still in a haze but his eyes slowly adjusted to the light in the room.

They seemed frightened, stirring from left to right in this unfamiliar space. Until they fall upon the angelic grace of the songstress in his care. 

“Co…lumbina?” His throat felt dry, voice cracking. It couldn't hide his disbelief. Was this truly her? Vision fully returns by now, and he sees her. The Moon Goddess in her full form. With her own, true eyes staring back at him. 

THE DAMSELETTE, COLUMBINA HYPOSELENIA had once found refuge, a home within the Fatui ; it was a promise bestowed upon her by none other than Her Majesty, The Tsaritsa. It was there, once upon a time, that she found herself in wondrous company — yet, from then 'til now, many things had come to pass, many things had changed.

From the loss of some of her then - colleagues, to her entire story unfolding before her very eyes : had it not been for those who truly cared for her, she may not even be here, anymore.

She was forever grateful to the changed tides — for they brought her kinship, understanding, and the chance at starting over again ; this was something that the COLUMBINA ( or, rather, LADY KUUTAR ) of over five hundred years ago would never have imagined possible. Now, instead of misaligned reverence, the Frost Moon Scions treated her how she wished to be — not like a God to be placed upon a pedestal, always asked favours and treated as though she should serve everyone — but merely as their beloved Moon Maiden, who — at the end of the day — was just as silly and chaotic as any of them. Some still quaked in her presence, but with the assistance of Lauma, the integration became far easier.

Today, COLUMBINA was sitting quietly, perched upon the quaint manifestation of her moon as she loftily gazed upon the skies, counting the birds that she could sense with her abilities — that was until she sensed a familiar energy...

Immediately, downy white feathers bristled — not in contempt or anger, but confusion. The presence she was sensing couldn't be possible — could it ? She could have sworn that he had vanished — rather, HE did, but this presence... brought about a familiar, gentle pang in her heart. This presence brought about pleasant and unpleasant memories alike — from the sweets so sneakily shared, to the times he would pull at her hair. From the gentle days where she had to sing sweet lullabies to quell his troubles, to the passionate frustration that only a young child could have, due to some diabolical schemes of a much older Segment.

Without allowing herself to dwell on it for long, COLUMBINA found herself moving quick — making haste to follow where she felt that all too familiar presence. Nary had anyone seen the Moon Maiden move so swift, as though she were chasing one final, fragile hope that something ( someone ) dear to her would be there.

By the time she arrived to the scene, she could see a few of the Scions surrounding a young boy. Lauma was finished with ensuring all the vitals were well and in order — though, be that as it may, if she were surprised at the artificial human, she didn't make that known. COLUMBINA's arrival was enough of an indication on who this strange Fatuus' child could be, knowing very well that she'd have to speak to the dear Moon Goddess later on.

Settling down once they were alone, COLUMBINA quietly gazed at the sleeping boy, a soft frown tugging at her lips. Kuuhenki curiously drifted into the little shelter, daring to approach the boy with timid concern, reflecting her own worries. Hesitation held her for a moment, before her hand found its' way to gently comb through his turquoise - tinted hair. Like clockwork, a gentle lullaby began to leave her lips, as soothing as a warm blanket on a fiercely cold day.

“Hng!” 

Wherever he was dropped in, it felt soft. Not enough to cushion the pain that melted into his very being but close enough. More voices, so many voices. It hurt his ears hearing all the strange muttering around him. Then… a soft voice spoke. Whatever the voice said calmed the other voices around them and even… brought peace to the segment. 

It wasn't exactly like her voice. But they did a great job imitating her. Whenever she spoke, it brought a gentle, alleviating feeling to his body. It felt this way for a good while, something about this voice seemed to heal him the same way her voice did. If he couldn't have her once he recovered, he'll have to capture this— this— whatever it was! 

Revenge. Revenge would come after as well. 

But when the voice leaves him, all thoughts of revenge leave him. No, don't leave me like this. Try as he might, his body refused to listen. Every muscle stayed still as he begged for the voice to come back.

Alone, he's back alone.

8 should've known. Whether it's the Gods or the adults in his life… they all leave after hurting him. Or leave to hurt him. It doesn't matter the order, they're all the same and he shouldn't listen to his childish heart! Prime, 18, the rest of them were right. Humanity is worthless. They all deserve to—!

Warm.

Warmth spread from his head trickling down to his face, his neck and into the rest of his limbs. At least he hears again, clearly this time. And it's her singing. It's a lullaby he often bothered her to sing. Yet Columbina, Bina, would sing it without issue. Like a songbird for her master.

He missed that song. Oh how he longed to hear her sing again. The other segments enjoyed it as well, though none truly appreciated how angelic it sounded. Like a warm hug that wrapped itself around him. Oftentimes when he couldn't sleep, seeing the faces of all the people he once experimented on, her singing lulled him to sleep.

Her slender fingers would stroke his hair as she sang. And she even let him sleep on her lap if he was being good that day. He… he missed her. He missed her every day since she left. 8 still missed her now as he laid there, vulnerable and easy to kill.

But if this is how he dies for good, then hey. At least he dies being able to hear her one last time.