Moved

"Hey, you didn't have any better ideas." Keeping Nora fed was a full time job, even at Beacon where they'd had a literal cafeteria to eat at whenever they wanted. Now on the road, whenever supplies became scarce they had to do what they had to do.

Especially when Nora wanted pancakes.

He grinned though, bumping his shoulder gently into hers in return. "Maybe the next town will have a tavern with actual food and not just whatever they can find in the back." A boy could dream.

Ruby's giggle at that turned into a snort. "I think Nora would try to eat a Grimm if she thought it'd taste good." She wondered when they might find another town. Each day seemed a dice roll, unpredictable and unforgiving at times.

Born second-eldest of her siblings, Saphron wasn't expected to inherit much from the Arc lineage, with her primary interests being in painting and culinary arts. As long as she could do those, she was happy and content in life.

Then, one Vytal Festival, she met Terra Cotta. It was love at first sight for Saphron. They exchanged Scroll numbers and became penpals for a handful of years before becoming long-distance lovers. Unfortunately for Saphron, Terra lived far off in Argus, and Saphron had no means to move or even visit Terra. What Lien she could earn as a line cook was meager at best, even with her family providing a room for her.

Looking for a faster solution, Saphron reached out to an advertised loan-provider in Mantle to get herself relocated. Much to her surprise, Urbia was glad to help and required no downpayment. Her terms for the loan were unorthodox and jarring: have Terra Cotta fall in love and marry her without proposing or ever speaking her own feelings. If Saphron thought of sharing her feelings or the secret pact to anyone, her Aura would alight with phantom pains...like knives or needles digging into her skin. And if Saphron failed, then she would die on the morning of Terra's wedding and all the years she might live would become Urbia's. But if Saphron succeeded, Urbia would not need any payment.

Saphron was hesitant, but what choice did she have? She wasn't wealthy or especially skilled, and she refused to take her parents' Lien when they had seven other children to care for. She agreed and used the loan to move to Argus, shortly moving in with Terra thereafter. Needless to say, despite the trials and tribulations, Saphron and Terra were able to fall in love and live happily ever after in Argus.