Day 2: Year C-009

...

At the mossy cabin, Chenille and Zanna teamed up to tackle the checklist of cabin chores. The Priestess happily dusted the vicinity with her gravity magic, magically directing the dust piles into the large garbage pails.

Meanwhile, Chenille sat by the fireplace, altering an extensive number of winter coats and accessories stored within the closet. Their old white uniform garments were a liability for identification, so everyone needed a new, seamless winter outfit. The Guard took a step back to analyze the two new outfits they had crafted. Billiam’s new furry cloak and winter toque were dyed a dark blue, along with glossy black fur boots and a pair of goggles for surgical purposes. Mikey’s new winter cloak was a light shade of grey, along with re-sized brown boots and a big, fluffy white hat.

"...Um. Your Grace?" Chenille hesitated, avoiding eye contact.

"Hm? Ah, Chenille, about that title of mine. Since the Temple… has temporarily dismissed my label, it is quite right if you refer to me as Zanna." The Priestess gently replied.

' She believes the corrupt Temple will take her back. Under any ruler, I know without a doubt, they'll treat her unjustly, even if she betrayed the group and brought our corpses to the Head Priest.'

Chenille darkly thought to themself, finishing adjusting a winter coat for the Priestess.

"Alright then… Zanna. Would you like me to dye your winter coat? I have nearly every shade except orange right here."

Chenille explained as they laid out a pure white coat of snow fox fur, a plain bowler hat, and a few false rose garments on the carpet. 

The Priestess' eyes sparkled as she held the gorgeous, warm coat.

"Needn't fret, Chenille. Orange is a shade that doesn't particularly suit me anyway. I wonder if a bright green would look alright despite being out of season?"

“A light shade of green is pretty when matched with the right colours. I'll see what I'm able to come up with."

Zanna beamed at the compliment and sat by the warm fireplace, desiring to observe the dying process. She slowly removed her Priestess headdress of soft fabric and pine needles, and placed it behind the vintage couch. Chenille reached underneath the same couch and fetched a box of winter weld and a smidgen of indigo.

The ex-temple Guard flushed when they noticed Zanna happily gazing in their direction.

‘Her smile's real beautiful.’

"Um. Chenille. May I inquire of you on an important matter?"

Chenille was taken by surprise, but pretended to remain focused on altering the clothing.

"Of course."

"...How did you locate this cabin's existence in the middle of nowhere?"

‘I thought she was going to ask if I liked her or something... This question is so much worse.'

Putting down the equipment, Chenille turned to Zanna with a calm expression. Though something in their heterochromatic eyes concealed a peculiar uncertainty.

"... Easy, I lived here once,"

“Ah! You once resided in this captivating home?" Zanna's expression was filled with curiosity and joy. "I whole hearted, while it is a humble wooden cabin and most Royals would rudely call this place modest, the way this cabin coexists with nature is wonderful! It's simply ideal, and I would have loved to grow up in a place like this!”

‘...How do I tell her?'  Chenille nervously thought to themself.

"Uh. Sure. This place is... nice. But didn't you live in a mansion? You grew up to be a Priestess, 

and everyone knows they all come from prestigious families... I'm sure you lived with a silver spoon in your hand and saw rainbow pearls every day-"

"That's not true." Zanna's tone quickly shifted into slight impatience. "...Um, what I'm trying to say is... You do not understand every detail about me."

The two fell silent, awkwardly clustered in front of the cozy stone fireplace.

"...That makes two of us then,"

"Pardon me?"

"I was lying when I said I found this place nice... I'll say this once, and only once, but I hate it here. Too many bad memories,"

Zanna held Chenille's hand and looked directly into their hetero chromatic eyes with empathy.

"I may find this place charming... But I deeply apologize for my hypocrisy. I know nothing about you, yet I constructed such an irresponsible misjudgment comment."

"You couldn’t have known... Honestly, being here with you and the others makes living here bearable." Chenille commented as they held Zanna's hand. "...Being beside you while I slept made me feel like I was safe for once in my life,"

Zanna's face flushed as the Priestess’s mind urged her to lean in closer.

"... Really, now?" The Priestess questioned with a tender smile.

The Guard gently smiled as they brushed their hand against Zanna’s delicate skin.

"It reminded me of when we first met... Being surrounded by love,"

The scent of red roses engulfed the duo as they gazed at the fireplace. Before Zanna could reminisce about the first encounter with the battered ex-temple Guard, Billiam burst through the door with a smug grin.

"Hey, you two!" The surgeon called out from the door. "Getting along well, I see!"

The surgeon laughed from the front entrance as he carried a large box of lake trout. Mikey was seen carrying his box of fish and berries. The ex-choir boy looked somewhat pleased before he turned to frown at Chenille’s direction. Mikey then flinched and walked to the kitchen to set down his food.

‘Damn, what did I do?’

Billiam then passed by with a mischievous grin on his face.

"So sorry to interrupt your romantic moment-"

"Ah, shut up, Billiam! Start prepping the fish!" The ex-temple Guard immediately stood up and cracked their knuckles with competitive delight.

"Ha! Race you to the kitchen, Lone Wolf!"

Zanna lifted herself back up with her magic and looked rather gloomy at the fireplace.

‘...No. I could not go through with the kiss... What in the name of the Goddesses was I doing?!’

"...Zanna?" Mikey stood in front of the Priestess with a solemn expression.

"Y-Yes? Wait. My goodness, there are tear stains present on your visage! Did Billiam state something coarse or snappy?" Zanna gently held Mikey's face with concern.

"No. If anything, for once, Billiam helped from his own volition."

"I see... Then why were you crying?" The Priestess questioned with her typical caring tone.

Mikey averted his gaze, too anxious to answer. He refused to open up all over again on such a serious topic. However, he thought of Billiam's words before the duo re-entered the cabin.

‘You don't have to tell Zanna about the message just yet. But you must acknowledge that we're in this situation together because it's obvious the Head Priest desired all four of us dead. So from here, we are working to survive -and maybe change the course of history while we're at it.’

“Zanna..." Mikey began as Chenille and Billiam poked their heads around the corner, "I... feel uncomfortable telling you everything in one sitting, but I had a realization about myself, and I demand your attention..."

The Priestess sat down on the couch and nodded with a serious expression.

"A long time ago, I vowed to help my staff in dire times, so I promise to be attentively listening,"

"Thanks..." Mikey sat by the fireplace and glanced up at the Priestess with concern, "When Billiam and I went fishing, I used my abilities for the first time..."

Zanna's eyes lit up, but she remained silent and attentive. The ex-choir boy’s hands went cold, his gaze averted with hesitation. He knew the truth about Allucia would come to light eventually, and he hesitated to state anything negative against her in Zanna’s presence. If he confrontational, even in the slightest, Zanna would pry into his life, which he didn't want at all. His top priority was to keep Zanna off his back.

Meanwhile, the Priestess’ understanding smile had cracks of nervousness. Her eyes even shimmered with suspicion, wondering why Mikey looked hesitant about magic. Discussing abilities was not a taboo subject; in fact, many people were openly proud of their magical capabilities. Then again, Zanna would only passively mention her gravitational abilities in casual conversations.

With a heavy sigh, the spirit medium decided to play his cards carefully. His nervousness slowly shifted to a warmer, sheepish expression.

"... I-It was a unique experience, which is why I was crying earlier,”

‘Forgive me for only telling half-truths, but despite our circumstances, I still refuse to trust you,’

Mikey nervously thought while keeping up the facade of being calm and open.

“Your magic was the reason why you cried? Dear me, please don’t tell me the ability you developed is a painful one?” Zanna floated into a standing position as she began to dote over Mikey. “If there’s anything I can do-”

“Thanks for caring about me… But no, my ability is not physically painful. Seeing myself use it for the first time was an emotional comfort, really," Mikey reassured with a small smile.

Despite his best efforts to play off his crying, Zanna's eyes momentarily flashed golden. Her face flashed concern and she was most certainly unconvinced of Mikey's reasoning. She then sighed in disbelief and floated away from Mikey, leaving the spirit medium quite nervous.

"..Why don't we discuss this matter over brunch, Mikey?"