#lunaferrous

“It’s alright, I’m alright.” He says to her softly as she wipes the blood from his face with shaking hands. Just a few moments ago something happened, she was finishing up a job with the help of her husband and then a bomb, tossed by the target right as the killing blow was landed. She didn’t have time to move but Dio pushed her out of the way, taking the full blast.

Continued // @lunaferrous

If Luna had been expecting the sound of footsteps leaving the room, and the door closing behind them, she heard neither. Instead, there came the gentle scrape of a chair being drawn back, followed by the soft, layered whisper of fabric shifting. The princess. Nunnally.

“I did put it on the table.” – the princess remarked in a lightly amused tone; as if it were a small absurdity to mistake her for a maid, or a serving girl –  “But I’ll tell no such thing.” – she continued, while the delicate murmur of tea being poured into two cups filled the quiet. –  “Instead, I’ve ordered them to make some chicken soup. You’ll like it, I’m sure…” – Nunnally lingered a moment, her voice turning thoughtful – “But before that, you must eat something. I’ve brought toast, and jam, and butter. And a bowl full of oats with apples and cinnamon…” – she paused, the faint scent of spiced steam rising between them.

“But if that’s not to your liking,” – Nunnally added – “I can fetch you something else.”

“Is there anything you’d prefer?” – her laughter followed softly, like the brush of silk she was wearing – “Apart from me leaving your room, that is…”

The princess moved towards the window, drawing the curtain aside just enough to let in some pale winter light.

“It’s a heavy blizzard.” – she murmured – “They say you were lucky to make it back before it truly began.” –  there was a teasing note in her voice –  “They say it wasn’t the wisest thing to go chasing that bear.” – Nunnally sighed then, quietly – “Anyway, we’re stuck here. For a few days at least. Probably longer. All the roads are buried under snow, and it wouldn’t be wise to try to leave.” – disappointment flickered over her face. They were meant to attend the celebration in the capital. But perhaps her father had planned it this way: a lesson, or a warning. Perhaps he thought his daughter wasn’t ready. The thought made Nunnally's soft features tighten; she was ready. Why did everyone insist on treating her like a child?

“Oh, and I brought you some herbal tea.” –  the princess added after a moment, her gaze wandering curiously around the unfamiliar room –  “It should help with the cold.” –  Nunnally had never been here before. Perhaps it was curiosity that had drawn her  here. Or boredom. Yet it wasn’t indifference; coming here hadn’t been entirely safe, and she had been advised against it.

“Would you like me to read you a book?” –  she asked suddenly, her voice gentling again. Then, almost to herself, she added: --

Hands were clamped tight around his ears, able to feel each wave of sound as it reverberated through the air, heart leaping in his chest with each shot followed by the lingering scent of gun powder.

"Next time remind me to get ear protection..Rather not go deaf as well as blind." He headed towards where he'd been directed and started setting up the bottles at various heights and locations in hopes to offer her some sort of challenge.

Personally he never understood how someone could stand something so loud, but he wasn't there to judge and her skill with it was none the less impressive.

"Tell me. Do demons of your like make pacts with other daemons?"

It was true; he was shivering in his boots. It could've been worse since there's no transparent beings haunting him across the area. 'No, calm your heart,' he reassured himself under the gazebo. The last time that happened, it was the most unpleasant situation they ever had to deal with, with snow no less. He double-checked and inspected the park for any subtle hints telling of a being spying on them. There's no eye to be seen through the trees for now.

"A warm shower to forget these days." He can still talk no matter the weight of this weather. "And how rigorous the rain has been, I'm afraid. I don't see them yet. Those things. Maybe they're taking a vacation? I don't feel more burdens on my head, but sometimes, I overthink they'll come back, like last time."

An unpleasant situation within the tundra; those beings not only haunting him but her as well, all by a simple touch revealing his world to her. He wished he'd gotten a hold of his emotions that time, or else it wouldn't be complicated.

He rubbed both his arms and sat down next to her on the bench. His teeth chattered as he wrapped more of the towel around his entire body. He almost looked like a cocoon with his head peeking out. He will never get used to the cold now, will he?

"No, I don't see them," a gentle smile rose to her. "How have you been faring? I know, it was, a horrific experience. And I haven't recovered from it yet. Know it's a bit late in asking, but wanted to make sure—" A pause and then looking back up to Luna. "Are you okay?"

"I almost thought you wouldn't come."

The whole block had been evacuated. The reason, of course, was bullshit; in this day and age, on one would believe that a young woman possessed by an archdemon could be the cause, yet it was. The skies had darkened not from a gathering storm, but of a portal to Hell that belched ashes and hellfire that polluted the skies and cratered the townhouse that this young woman had once lived. It was a convincing fabrication, one with visible evidence the eye could drink its fill, for its smoking ruin blotted out the sun that might have scoured away its filth and exudence.

Sypha turned to the demoness who very likely wished she could be anywhere except there, their quarry right across the desolated street.