#chaotide

elena was used to the occasional difficult tasks. one more job shouldn't have mattered. go there, do some recon, then return with the information. it really wasn't the end of the world, even though her objective was in the azurite ward. so then why did she feel so nervous and on edge? she'd been doing this kinda work for a while now and it was really just routine at this point. besides, she owed it to raven for taking her in when she had no family left. her loyalty to them was unquestionable and unbreakable.

still, she needed to gather her thoughts. she stepped outside the base and sat down for a smoke because her nerves were completely shot. thank god i'm not working for some corporation, she thought to herself as she observed some of the corpo buildings in the distance. sure, she was stressed about some of the jobs she got here, but it was something she liked and actively wanted to do. oh, how she pitied the fools who slaved away at their corpo job every day. she took solace in knowing that it could never be her.

once done contemplating, her head felt a little more clear but the stress about the next day day wasn't going to go away and she knew that. no matter, she had to move on as she still had other things to do today. elena quickly glanced at her phone as she was ready to get up and go inside. 4:43 pm. there was still some time for her to think. she put her phone away and reached for another cigarette when she noticed that fury just stepped outside. elena was actually greatful that she bumped into one of the seals because she had a lot on her mind about the upcoming day and badly needed someone to talk to.

most of sarya's camp had retired for the night, entrusting first watch to herself and one other. she knew him only briefly: a tall, standoffish man from anchor bay. beyond that, she had only been told not to bother trying to strike up conversation with him about anything other than work. fantastic, a long night of silence. pearl heaved a sigh, wishing more than anything she'd been partnered with nessa and her ever consistent jugs of wine that weren't strictly contraband, given they were 'offerings' to her deity.

with only her greatsword in tow pearl made her way to the edge of the camp, enjoying the soft warmth of the fire at her back as she crossed its center. she'd be there until only embers remained, most likely, so it was nice to take in what she could before the cold of the night took its toll.

when she arrived it seemed her partner for the night was already stationed at his post, gazing out into the forest. it seemed almost a shame to interrupt him, but she couldn't go the entire night without saying a word.

"seen something already?" she stepped forward, announcing her presence with the soft crunch of earth underfoot, "didn't expect anything to show up quite so soon, but it saves us from being bored all night I guess."

pearl heaved her sword off her back and stood it against the temporary fence they'd built around the encampment. it wasn't perfect, but it could hold the weight of the weapon. at least if any people were to come through, they'd have to walk directly through the entrance before getting to where sarya was resting.

prom. a heinous excuse to get dressed up and try to smuggle your parents' booze into school... among other things. if it had been up to silas he would've avoided the affair like the plague, but of course he couldn't ignore willow's pleading. this was to be the highlight of her school career, and he'd be damned if he ruined it for her. whatever his argument, none of it would stand against her begging and pleading for him to just suck it up and be a normal guy for one night just to let her have this one thing.

" sure, princess, anything for you. "

he'd tried his best to dress up: a formal jacket thrown over his usual black t shirt and leather pants that could sort of pass for formal from a distance. it was the best she was getting out of him aside from the corsage he'd begged his mother to help him choose.

showing up in his dad's beat up truck probably wasn't the way willow had wanted to be driven to prom, but it was the best he could offer. he didn't even drive regularly, so surely this was an improvement. he could've made her take the bus, after all.

silas inhaled when he reached the door to her home, fully expecting her mother to open it and make a foul comment about him as usual. she'd never acknowledge him trying. raising his fist he knocked his usual pattern, ensuring they knew exactly who was at their door and to never let them forget it.

still fully armoured, the knight had opted to leave her helm and glaive at the entrance to the gardens -- none who knew her would be foolish enough to pick up her signature weapon, only perhaps question why she had brought it at all. even off duty, she was still beholden to protect the drehers at a moment's notice.

"lady moon blesses you tonight, alexandria," she hummed, stopping to admire the reflection in both the jewels that adorned the empress's crown and her eyes. though it was no strange feat for mortals to possess eyes of such shining blue, the stark coldness of the dreher lineage seemed reflected in their features, culminating in their gaze. it had scared her once, but now endeared her. alexandria was a castle of ice with infinite hallways to lose oneself in, to freeze almost to death in, but even her coldest corners were melted by the warmth of a hearth within.

"and the garden looks phenomenal as always, your choice of blooms far surpasses those of your father."