Day 5: Year C–009

...

“My Lady- Er, Zanna. What’s the matter?” Chenille questioned in a hushed tone, turning their head away from the worn-down window.

It appeared to be roughly four in the morning, as the night sky was at its brightest within the Western part of Grand Island's woods. The absence of black fog brought an odd moment of comfort to Zanna, as she closed her elegant emerald eyes and shook her head in relief.

“J-Just a nightmare, that is all. Please, go back to sleep, it’s likely far too late to stay up any longer.” She demanded in a gentle tone.

Chenille knelt beside Zanna and slowly nodded.

“If you say so...” The Guard lay beside the couch and rested their weary eyes, “...Say. Zanna. Do you remember the first time we met?”

Zanna warmly smiled and awkwardly chuckled, her eyes hinting at nostalgia.

“How could I ever forget someone who stepped onto the marble staircase covered in their blood with their best friend barely holding himself upward?”

Chenille smiled at the Lady in green’s sentiment.

“Right... To this day, I wonder why you never bothered to ask what happened to us out there.”

“Well, there are good reasons why I simply minded my business. First and foremost, it is a crucial code for Priestesses to remain confidential while handling urgent circumstances. Not to mention, I was too frightened to ask for further details after Billiam graciously told me what was going on... or at least a part of it before he too fell unconscious.”

“Knowing him, he didn’t tell the whole truth.” Chenille quietly chuckled.

“I see... Since you have brought up the subject, what exactly transpired that evening?”

“Uh.” Chenille awkwardly averted their gaze. “Do you promise not to judge?”

“What good would that do? I'm present to remain attentive,”

Chenille awkwardly looked down and sighed in embarrassment.

“...Billiam attempted to steal some kid’s wallet while we were staying on the border of Porter Avenue and Verde Street.”

“Goodness, covet a wallet from a mere child?”

“Pathetic, right? So, there he was at seven in the evening, knocking on my motel door, covered in blood and telling me the kid was apparently related to other thieves who so happened to be walking around Porter Avenue. He couldn’t swiftly dodge like he always does because these people planned a sneak attack. So, of course, as his travelling companion, I had to step in and defend him, which I tried. But duelling somebody with ice magic is a real major weakness of mine. That type of ability stiffens my yarn body in a few short seconds. In other words, we both got kicked into next week because of petty theft.”

“Dear me, how did you both escape such a gruesome conflict?”

“It wasn’t easy in the slightest, but I used my strings of yarn to temporarily cover our wounds, while Billiam used his magic to accurately dodge anything in his way while leaving those thieves in the dust. Once the sun completely set, we were around your Temple and decided to ask for help. But I passed out about halfway through our walk, so it was up to him to carry our bloodied bodies.”

“...So he purposely lied to me about being clumsy... I figured after he dodged all those low-hanging branches a few days ago.”

“He’s a chronic liar, that Airhead,”

“Now I wonder, how did someone as thoughtful as you get to know him?”

Chenille chuckled and shook their head in further embarrassment.

“Despite his major flaw with his lying habit, I owe that guy for practically saving my life when I was only thirteen. He knows that I was trapped in this cabin with my abusive mother and gave me a chance at having my own life. Back in the day, I spent countless hours collaborating with him while he was on the run-”

“Pardon me, he too was a target of the Royals?” Zanna questioned with complete shock.

“Yes, but it’s not my place to say any details, so I’ll let Billiam do the rest of the talking for himself one day...” Chenille’s face hardened, recalling the first time the shady medic was openly and shockingly honest on a cold morning. “Just know he suffered a lot, hiding himself with layers of lies he fabricated for protection...”

Zanna slowly lifted herself and reached for the Guard’s shaking hand. Like a floating lotus down a roaring stream, the ex-Priestess was like a guide and shielded Chenille from drowning in negative emotions.

“...I-It’s a huge responsibility, being a Guard for essentially my entire life. From watching the Verde Street Temple during daylight hours, patrolling around the money safe Billiam and I kept, and keeping watch from the cabinets as my Mother went on maddening rambles that frightened the hell out of me... I wonder if her soul is still lingering here, laughing at the person I’ve become.”

“Even if she remains, I will be here to protect you from her.” Zanna gently embraced the Guard. “You’ve been nothing but understanding and thoughtful since the day I hired you... What sort of soul would laugh at a person like you?”

“...Zanna. I’m not a good person-”

“Well, neither am I-”

“What are you talking about? You are the definition of perfection.” Chenille silently exclaimed.

“But I am secretly an envious woman and clearly very ignorant of what happens on our Island,” Zanna admitted with tears in her eyes. "Though I do not show it, I wish I were close to you as you are to Billiam and Mikey. Even now, I wonder how to get the young boy to open up about his true emotions."

“Please listen to me closely, Zanna. While I don't exactly understand how you feel, please don't bring yourself down so easily. From what I’ve seen, you’re compassionate, even when surrounded by miserable people. Not to mention incredibly charitable, patient, beautiful inside and out... All you have to do is live your authentic self and forget what others believe about you.”

“But I don't believe I even understand who I am...” The beautiful woman teared up, shaking her head. “M-My entire identity was being a faithful servant for the Goddesses and my Mother's perfect, precious daughter. Now with nothing left to my name and my Dear Mother dead... I don't understand how to begin being myself.”

“Even if our group's relationship isn't perfect, you still have us to guide you, right? You'll slowly but surely start to learn to be you.”

Zanna slowly nodded, her eyes still harbouring doubt, but her determined smile tried its best to shine.

“I'll try, Chenille. For the sake of the group-”

“Ah. You mean for your sake, first. I've always had the belief that once you learn who you are, walking through Life isn't so bad.” Chenille held the Lady's hand and grinned. “Let's start with a simple question... Who do you think you are?”

“My name is Zanna of... Nowhere from now on. Um... I made new friends with my former Temple staffers. My faith in the Goddesses is still strong... I love to play piano... All I want is to live a life of faith and peace.”

“Now describe your personality in just three verbs-”

“...Elegant... Endearing... Genuine...”

“See? You know at least a little about yourself.” 

“... I do acknowledge one more detail about myself. Your soothing voice causes my heart to skip a beat...”

“In that case, why don’t we change the conversation?” Chenille hummed, holding the ex-Priestess in their arms. “Now that we’re outlaws, we might as well live our lives as we please and plan out a dinner date if you’d like.”

A part of Zanna’s mental state froze at the word ‘outlaws’. She couldn’t help but the soul of her Mother disapprove from the Heavens above. Yet, her heart yearned to live to the fullest. Zanna truly believed the Goddess of Life created life for mortals to live their happiest. Though she struggled to find the words, the ex-Priestess warmly smiled at Chenille’s words.

“...A dinner date? Now that I’m certain my status as a Priestess is forever gone, scheduling a romantic evening with just us two would be -”

“Ahem, will you two please stop talking?!” Billiam shouted in a groggy frustration. “Some of us were dreaming of being surrounded by fancy jewellery and the finest male butlers!”

“Sounds like your kind of stupid dream,” Mikey grumbled with the air of an annoyed little brother. “Anyway, all of you. Quiet! We need to wake up within the next few hours.”

“Y-Yeah.” Chenille stuttered with a pink face.

“Apologies, everyone,” Zanna covered her face with embarrassment as Mikey and Billiam attempted to fall back asleep. “...Chenille, we should rest. As Mikey said, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Mmph. That’s true... Care for company while you rest?”

Zanna profusely nodded and made space on the large couch for the Guard, to whom they happily snuggled up to the ex-Priestess.

“I’ll keep you safe, Zanna,” the Guard gently whispered.

“Likewise. I swear to not let you down, Chenille.” Zanna murmured back as the two drifted into a comforting sleep.