Day 2: Year C-009

...

Billiam and Chenille had finished setting up the quaint dining table. It was not a perfect sight, but the area was at a minimum, properly sanitized, and the cooked food was ready to feast on wooden plates.

This late morning's menu was steamed fish seasoned with freshly cut bright rosemary and golden garlic. On the side, sweet, red winter berries were delightfully on display with a thick winterberry sauce.

Zanna was the first to sit; the gravity manipulation she possessed gently placed her on a beige, cushioned chair. She closed her eyes and prayed in silence as the others casually took their seats. Chenille sat themself on the right side of the Priestess and manipulated their yarn arm to pour everyone freshly prepared green tea. Billiam sat down with a smug grin as he turned on the tiny, old radio with a simple click of a button.

"...His... Grace... Today... News..." Billiam flicked the broken radio, temporarily fixing the jumbled signal, "...This morning, His Grace, Head Priest Lucian, from the front gate of the Temple of Obsidian, wished all families from every Street a wonderful sunny winter day!”

"Pardon me?" Zanna whispered with confusion.

“Other news includes the wedding of Jewellery store owner Marie and her fiancé, Joseph of Grand Street. Our annual Street-wide winter festivals are officially over, and our crime rate is non-existent so far in our wonderful year of C-009!-”

Billiam eagerly changed the radio's signal to a music station playing calming classical music. Chenille particularly did not appreciate hearing vibrant violin strings and robust flute, so they changed the station once more to something more jazzy and upbeat.

“So sorry if classical is too boring for you, Lone Wolf,” Billiam huffed, eyeing the Guard with a pretentious expression.

“Glad you noticed, it is.”

“I don’t like either,” Mikey blurted out, “Could we go to the opera station instead?”

“Everyone, how could you all casually banter when the news we heard was disturbingly calm?” Zanna vocalized, her eyes shone with fear.“Why did they not report news of the assassin? Or our sudden disappearances? Or anything news worthy at all-”

“That’s not what the radio is meant for. It’s to keep everyone from West Castle to East-Maritime as happy as can be,” Billiam sarcastically rolled his eyes. “Did you honestly believe the news was so openly honest? It’s an open secret that Lucian has the final say on what’s reported, and any bad news is thrown to the side to deter the public from panicking or throwing angry fits. I learned that one from my Father.”

The ex-Priestess blinked, but slowly nodded.

“...He is the type of person to dislike sudden change.” She quietly mumbled to herself before remembering what she told the ex-choir boy. “... Anywho, Mikey, I have been meaning to converse with you for an extended time regarding an important matter,"

Zanna opened her mouth, though she couldn't find the right words. Everyone at the table tensed, awaiting what she had to express and embraced the worst outcome. Though at that moment, Zanna shamefully looked down at her plate. Her eyes flashed a mild golden hue before returning to her usual emerald.

‘No. I can't afford to make the same mistake with careless questions and comments. Even if I did ask Mikey about the entire truth, it is not my place to know. After all, I continue to selfishly keep secrets as well. If I want him to have the slightest bit of trust in me, I should be more thoughtful and far less invasive.’

"Mikey, about what I desired to inquire..." Zanna smiled at the young ex-choirboy with a patient smile, "If you would like to tell me more about what happened during your fishing trip, I am more than happy to listen. The choice is yours."

The medium's crimson eyes curiously flashed with interest as he quietly chewed on his breakfast.

"I decline," Mikey quietly remarked before pausing again. "...But I'd like to ask if it would be right to visit the grave of Head Priestess Allucia,"

Hearing the deceased Lady of Funeral’s name sent an icy chill down everyone’s spine. Zanna attempted to acquire the proper words, but her eyes flicked an apprehensive yet optimistic gold tone. Chenille raised a brow while Billiam's working eye sparkled with amusement.

Mikey's hat twitched, sensing tension in the air. He hesitated before speaking up again with less bravado and confidence.

"A-Actually, maybe it’s a bad idea-"

"No, please reconsider that thought, Mikey. I am very interested to hear why you wish to visit Annie's Road. After all, one does not name that place simply as a conversation starter," Zanna insisted as she finished her plate with elegance.

"You do realize that place is dangerous to visit? Not to mention, they don't let the residents of Grand Street there, and they're permitted to go nearly anywhere else within the city limits without being questioned by the Royal Guards." Chenille discouraged Mikey before Zanna held their hand and slowly nodded.

"Surely, he is not mentioning that place for mere entertainment. Let us hear his case, please, Chenille?" The former Priestess sweetly requested, with sparkles in her emerald eyes. Once her sweet plea reached the Guard’s ear, they couldn't help but feel obligated to listen. Chenille quickly nodded and adjusted their long locks of plum hair.

"...Very well then."

Billiam grinned at the ex-temple Guard's flustered expression and continued to finish his meal.

"Well. I-I know it is a wild idea, given we're outlaws...” Mikey chose to tell a half-truth and held his expression, “But there’s something I would like to know besides visiting Allucia’s grave... I'd like to see if my parents' graves are there, since I haven’t heard from them in a long while now."

Mikey's emotions began crashing like waves as his eyes created salty tears. The others at the table appeared concerned and were about to console the young boy. Yet, rather than giving in to the aching sadness, the young medium wiped his tears away and kept his resolve. His eyes sparkled with determination, and his eyebrows furrowed into a serious expression. Something no one else had witnessed from young Mikey.

As the others remained silent, thinking of the possible outcomes, Zanna was split down the middle with her final decision. On one hand, visiting the resting place of Dearest Allucia could potentially fill a missing hole in her heart.

Though a part of her remained unsure and fearful of the unknown, the group to be caught by the Royal Guards would have them struck to death in an instant. After all, the most trained Royal Guards held powerful magic far beyond growing common plants or breathing red embers.

‘When I was alone in my room, I recall witnessing the Guards assigned to Annie’s Road transform into powerful beasts and manipulate the constellations above to bend to their will...’

Mikey couldn’t bear the silence and spoke up at the table with unseen strength. His eyes shone with passion, his posture straightened, and his voice was more alive than ever heard.

"If we don't keep moving, that assassin will eventually find us residing here anyway. Give my idea a chance." The medium was persuaded with vitality as the others watched with surprise and delight.

"Staying in one place for too long does spell doom for us. Remember, the Royal Guards are allowed to patrol beyond the walls, so they could easily find us here." Billiam seconded, smugly folding his arms and nodding along with Mikey's words. He was confident the Medium’s magic would prove powerful within a graveyard; therefore, he held little fear of visiting Annie’s Road.

"...The kid’s right." Chenille brooded for a moment before they stood up, "Visiting Annie's Road instantly isn't guaranteed for us, but within three days, we are leaving this place in two teams. My decision is final."

"Final, you say? The four of us splitting does not sound the least bit safe. Surely, one might accidentally reveal themselves or worse!" Zanna nervously protested, her eyes flashed with doubt.

"Not if we divide our team with equal power." Chenille gently held Zanna's face and flashed the ex-Priestess a charming grin, "You and I are the clear powerhouses of our group, so it's best if we both lead our teams. Does that sound fair, Zanna?"

Despite the depth of the urgent moment weighing on everyone, Zanna could not help but sense her heart pound with deep admiration. Her serious thoughts descended into a tangled mess as she could not erase the image of Chenille appearing attractive in her mind.

"Y-Yes. Very fair assessment of the situation." The ex-Priestess responded with a serious nod.

"Great to hear. You and Billiam will make one team. Mikey and I will be the other. These teams will cover each other's weaknesses, and we'll be guaranteed to work more efficiently."

"A-Ah. Right. Billiam and I are a team," The Priestess reluctantly replied, forcing a smile as the surgeon patted Zanna on the back.

"Ha! Don't look so down, I’m certain you'll be in Chenille's tender embrace once we eventually meet up again!" The surgeon teased with a sing-song tone as Zanna huffed at the childish tone.

"Airhead, stop making it seem like we're going to be weeks apart from each other. Every night, we'll be staying in a hotel as a group, but during daylight hours we'll be apart, traversing the large Streets of Grand Island."

"That sounds like a decent plan. M-Maybe we'll topple Lucian's reign while we're at it,"

The room fell silent at Mikey's plan of grandeur, even if it was merely a joke. Chenille and Billiam blinked before Zanna let out a small chuckle.

"...Perhaps, we shall," She jokingly remarked with a tiny, genuine smile.