#evasionfinalist

    ❛ U - UM, excuse me ! You’re Jude Mathis, right ? I remember you from the sports festival ! ❜ He had approached the other with such ENTHUSIASM at the idea of finally being able to talk to him after all this time. While he would’ve initially sought him out after the sports festival, there was far too much on his plate to even think about it but now that he’s encountered him like this, ( especially when school was back in session ) he had so many questions. 

Alisha sighed, staring out at the Great Tree from Nief’s house. Her legs hung over his balcony while her hands folded and unfolded a single piece of paper in her lap. It was something Lady Lailah had taught her before she had parted from Sorey’s group.

The thought of Sorey and Lailah only tore at her heart now. The paper crumpled in her hand.

It’s the burden of the squire pact. I wanted to come tell you, Alisha, I know how much your seraph friend means to you.

She stood and shook her head. Staring up at the tree for answers would do her no good. She turned to pick up the book that she had left on Nief’s balcony.

“Hey, princess! I can’t tell if you have your head in the clouds or the books right now.”

Alisha jumped down to meet Ian who was coming up the path. Even with her thoughts in disarray Alisha felt a surge of happiness at seeing her friend up and about again.

“A lot has happened,” she explained. “I was just going over my next plans.”

Ian hummed and stepped closer to Alisha. She put a hand on the shorter knight’s shoulder and seemed and rocked side to side, glancing behind her. Finally, apparently not seeing what she wanted, she put a hand on her waist.

“Jude not here?”

Alisha couldn’t help herself. She let out a yelp of surprise. It was just Ian being herself but well, that dagger was theirs. And such a suggestive position too!

“Hey, Sirel’s voice broke in as she dragged the cackling Ian away. “Stop harassing Alisha-sama.”

Ian stuck her tongue out and Alisha patted down her clothing. Jude was at the library right now. After all, Merlind’s archives were second only to the royal library and because it was the city of scholars there were some records only available here.

And, well, there was one other reason...

“Seraph Jude wanted to know about the local festivities so he’s doing some private research right now.”

Ian let out an “ooooh” and Sirel bonked her on the head. She gave Alisha a considering look. It was still difficult for Sirel to believe in Jude despite having heard his voice but both the knights were very supportive.

Alisha let out another sigh.

“She’s love lorn,” Ian whispered to Sirel but Alisha was already walking closer to the tree. She had to tell him it was almost time to part. But how could she first express her gratitude?

That was when she spotted Todd at the base of the tree. Again, seeing Ian’s brother looking so much heathier brought a welcome surge of optimism to her heart.

“Finding flowers?”

Todd brushed off his trousers and stood with a few daisies in hand. He nodded, but looked a bit lost. Alisha bent down so that they were eye level. Todd made sure his sister was distracted and whispered to Alisha, “They’re for Linda but I don’t know... her mom said that anything from town is cursed now. And I don’t want to make her sick again....”

Alisha patted his shoulder absentmindedly. She was not surprised there were still some in Merlind who still felt that way what with the quarantine but it was a shame, especially on this holiday when such gifts were common.

Still, flowers had made her think of one more gift she had read in her book.

“Don’t worry,” she reassured the boy. It took a moment for the words to reach her own heart but when they did she stood, hand in his, and led the way to the Inn. “I have an idea.”

An hour and a half later Alisha made her way to the library. It would be alright, she thought. Right now, as always, she and Jude would focus on the moment.

What came next they could both decide.

But for now it was time to celebrate. Smiling, as she spotted the seraph surrounded by a pile of books she sat down beside him and held out a box. Inside it was a small cake with the cream on top shaped like a daisy flower.

     ❛ YOU’VE gotten good at making the stew. You’re even better than Sorey now. ❜ A friendly jab, perhaps to LIGHTEN the air a bit. 

@evasion-finalist

There was no denying the weight of the atmosphere; silence hung heavily over the castle in Barona. Bustling halls and chattering residents had been reduces to hushed whispers and shuffling feet. It had been years since there had been any kind of incident, anything to hitch the peace that had begun to settle over Ephinea. The tensions and turmoils from ten years past had faded from the minds of most and Windor had become a thriving kingdom in few found themselves short of that which they needed. 

That was, until the events of the past week. 

He was loathe to bother his friend, knowing well how busy the other was, yet there was no other he could think of to ask. He hadn’t dared pen the full details, simply asked in his letter if the other might come by to discuss matters, perhaps entertain a request from an old friend. 

“It’s been far too long, my friend,” Richard smiles, though the expression is a bit heavier than it might have been. Recent events weighed on Windor’s King, yet they did not fully stifle the joy that came with seeing someone so dear to him. 

The Library on the Heimdallr was something else. Even though Mileena didn’t spend as much time studying mirristry these days, the amount of books in there on the subject really was impressive. Not to mention all the other things she hadn’t even glanced at! Considering their crews curiosity, it wasn’t a wonder many of them spent a lot of time down there. That left it up to her to make sure no one got too into their studies! She knew how Ix got so wrapped up in his studies he forgot to eat, plus a snack break never hurt anyone!

Slipping quietly into the Library, she glanced around with the small bag of goodies in her hand. It was pretty quiet, besides the occasional creak or rumble from the engines outside of the ship. The Library seemed mostly empty, though she spotted one familiar Doctor huddled in the corner. She made her way over as quietly as she could, though she hoped she didn’t startle him if he was deep in his work.

“I hope I’m not interrupting. I brought you a little something.” Already on cue, she’s pulling out a small covered plate of thin biscuits in the shape of a few certain critters ( Elize was very insistent on the icing on one of the Teepos ) on board. Nothing really too sustaining, but it should do for now. Mileena will have to remind herself to bring something a bit more filling next time.

          Delivery often brought him to the most surprising of places, but the research facility wasn’t a trip that he had expected to make in his life, but the order had come in with the address written out clearly; a note also in place to be taken. No matter how odd it would be, since such a place is guarded, Gaku would make the delivery since an order is an order and no one is exempt from having his soba.

          After successfully making his way through security, and giving out a few business cards for his family’s soba store to prosper, he followed the careful directions to the room where the recipient is supposed to be -- and the name is a familiar one, the young researcher Jude Mathis and Rieze Maxian that had been making his mark upon Elympios.