#outsiders perspective

The small office was quiet, one of the window panels open and wafting in a breeze that brushed strands of red hair into a young man’s face as his green eyes with a hue of blue mixed in was silently sitting at a work desk, his tools lightly clicking and clinking against metals of the project in front of him. It was supposedly a simple project, something he was making for himself, but Chrono knew that it was for someone else completely. As his hand picked up a small set of clamps he used them to pick up a delicate piece of inner clockwork to set into its new discus shaped home.

Then came the knock on his door, making the master of time as he often been teased with looked up, reaching over to lightly push away a magnifying circular glass aside. “Enter.” his voice called calmly, and at first while he kept a straight face, absently reaching over for the white mask that was across on his desk, not sure if it was a mere guest looking for his opinion or someone he trusted. However, it was relief that washed over his features as a young woman opened the door with a soft creek of hinges, his heart doing a little jump, usually hooded features were free, a very pale gold head that could have been mistaken for white or even silver, of hair wound up in in intricate bun with a few added braids with a few feathers dangling off the ties, and piercing bright blue eyes glittered like gemstones when her gaze met Chrono’s.

“Artemis, what...what brings you in here?” the young man asked, cursing himself for the slight issue with his string of words he couldn’t quite seem to form.

“Oh, I figured you would like something to drink.” Artemis replied as Chrono’s eyes finally noticed the tray she had laden in her cloaked arm. It was a simple silver tray, but with a curious white pot that seemed to shine, painted with long branches with pink flowers with a matching set of cups nested on their saucers. A steam rose from the spout of the pot in an unrecognizable aroma, but it put his tense muscles relax a little even as the door shut. Walking over with a soft click of heels she would set the tray down on the side of his desk.

“It’s a rather cute pot if I must say.” Chrono muttered, being mindful and rolling up the set of tools to make sure he didn’t knock anything over while Artemis held the pot and would carefully pour a steaming stream of a clear yet bright red liquid would start filling the delicate white workings.

“Ah, thank you. It was...a design I’ve been fiddling around with. I hope it’ll keep the tea hot for a while longer.” She replied, pale cheeks dusting with a shade of pink that matched the flowers painted on the pot.

“Well, you certainly have always had an eye for aesthetics and color.” Chrono couldn’t help but tease, being someone who worked in the offices, they didn’t work in the seats, but they often helped with designs and prototypes. When Artemis offered him the cup of tea he would take hold and took a small sip, letting the flavor put him at ease; floral, slightly sweet, a hint of fruit dancing on his tongue until the after taste was slightly tart. “Mm, delicious…” he breathed relaxing in the chair with a soft creak of the wood under him.

“Heh, rosehip tea does wonders.” Artemis chuckled and poured herself a cup that was still on the tray before the pot was set down, she would go to a small metal can and went to the various flora that had been potted around Chrono’s office. It never used to be filled with greenery, just shelves and a mess of books and ruined prototypes...at least not until Artemis arrived into his life. One who could have looked so naive as an assistant, turned out to become a great friend and confidant...he often found himself happier, able to focus a little better without the clutter, but most importantly always felt his heart leap into his throat at her presence every time. 

Chrono glanced over his shoulder a little and in the faint light of the sun that was streaming through it practically haloed the woman in his office while she watered the flowering plant in his window, the aroma coming in on the breeze. Even as he set the cup down into the saucer with a soft clink so he could go back to work, it all felt peaceful.

At least it HAD been peaceful, the foyer doors banged open as if by a nasty wind, reverberating into Chrono’s office, making the delicate work he had been working on break, and the tea in the cups ripple. “Earthquake?” Artemis muttered as she set the water can down into a stand made of thick wired material to walk to the door, Chrono in the meantime staring down at some of the parts that had broken free from his project...making it clear he would have to start over again with the inner workings. Just as Artemis reached the door however, they both froze, a set of heels clacking against the floor with utmost determination even though one of the other workers were obviously trying to get whoever it was to stop because of a meeting.

Slowly Artemis opened the door to peer outside curiously in time to see a sweeping motion of dark hair, a few pink flowers poking out, and eyes set most determined, and as she looked out more watched as she marched with purpose towards the meeting chamber for the Fourteen.

“It...seems that Lady Fae is on the warpath.” She spoke softly once the door clicked shut quietly. 

“Oh...dear…” Chrono muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose and suddenly he startled when there was another equally loud bang that echoed again further down the hall.

“HAAAADEEEES!!!!” Fae’s voice echoed before there was a third and final bang as the doors slammed shut and silence fell hard and heavy between Chrono and Artemis. They stared at each other for a long moment, but it only took one of them to softly start chuckling, then they fell into soft gales of laughter, faintly hearing the voices carry their way. Little did they know it was only just the beginning.

---

Then the “prank war” began. Artemis had been carrying a stack of papers with Chrono’s help, though were brought to pause when they watched the pink haired Persephone walked by carrying a rather curious green colored creature in her arms and humming a delightful tune to Lady Fae’s office. When they had dropped off the work to where they needed to be, finishing off from Hades’ office Fae had just been...oddly coming from Lahabrea’s office, speaking to Elidibus.

“What do you think that was about?” Artemis asked curiously while glancing back over her shoulder at the pair. It was a little strange that Fae was acting rather dodgy around her bonded’s questions.

“Not sure.” Chrono muttered as his fingers were dancing a gemstone between them, a spark of golden dust pouring from it. “Lady Fae hasn’t always been in Lahabrea’s good graces, but perhaps she was just simply seeking him out.” Though the first part had always contained proof as the Speaker’s voice shouted from down the hall and almost as fast as she had come, Fae had disappeared into the shadows without warning. Leaving the two rather confused.

Artemis though as they went back to Chrono’s office, couldn’t help a wry smile. “I bet for a day off that Lady Fae has some kind of ulterior motive. It did seem rather odd that Miss Persephone had come in carrying a small creature and suddenly Lady Fae is coming out of Lahabrea’s office.” It was obviously broken logic, at best to be a jest as they leaned against the door just under the frame.

“Oh, what would you do if you won the bet?” Chrono was grinning a little bit and would lean against the door a bit, Artemis gave him a smile that made his heart practically rattle like a bird trying to break free from its cage.

“For a day off? I think...if I’d gotten the day off, it would be walking through that tree park. Maybe with some company…” her voice trailed off and her breath caught a little in her throat as Chrono, practically hypnotized by her words, her voice, his feelings were overrunning. But he stopped and they both jumped when there was a very loud, and very agonized scream come from down the corridor and they both looked over, but Chrono did the smart thing and pushed them both into his office just as Lahabrea was storming by, covered in NEEDLES and his robes looking rather holed, spitting venom as he looked for Lady Fae.

“P-Probably best we stay here for a bit.” Chrono muttered once he shut the door, Lahabrea had shot them a look that could whither all the blooms in his office. “At least until the storm dies down.” But his lips trembled a little bit and he couldn’t help a slightly nervous chuckle that escaped his lips as he slumped to the ground, knees weak as even Artemis was on her knees by his desk. “Looks like you won…” he breathed and gave the light haired woman a lopsided grin, “When do you want to go?”

---

The next few days that came were at relative peace, Elidibus and Fae were gone for a little while, but when the two had come back, it had been both Fae and Persephone who had become the targets for the next bout of revenge pranks. Artemis and Chrono had made playful banter that perhaps it would be one of them, this time placing a few coin bets for who would be next in line for either a tongue lashing or a prank in return. Chrono had been the one to place on Fae and Persephone perhaps both, at the time, just due to the logic after the curious Cactus creature had been talked about through the hall and had the earmarks of Miss Persephone’s design work.

While it had been a harmless one, the two women breaking out in rashes, sneezing like they had colds, and watery eyes. It was obvious they were having some kind of allergic reaction to something, but in their wake had been a very, very strong scent of roses. It was very possible that the harmless prank had come from Miss Anais, the alchemist and even a medic of the city. It...did make some logical form of sense.

Artemis sighed as she would hand over a bag of coin to Chrono, who pocketed into the sleeve of his robes and gave her another wry smile, his hand reaching over to gently tug her by the waist to pull her close.

“So, who do you think will be next?” he asked curiously, they had started to find this as some type of entertainment and a way for them to bond. And in a way bonding they did! Even if everything was trying to be subtle gestures.