After their first lunch, it became a once a week occurrence. Then it became twice a week. Then several times a week. And even having tea and coffee almost every morning together. Seeing Ardonia became a regular part of Natasia’s schedule. Through the months leading from her first semester here and near the end of the second semester, Natasia learned a few things about Ardonia. She learned Ardonia loves spicy food, her favorite color is green, she has an odd obsession with eggs, and even how to properly prepare her tea. Ardonia learned Natasia’s rhythm very quickly and complimented her well, which only spurred Natasia on more to get closer to her. However, when it came to her personal home life, all Natasia knew was that she was married, her husband’s name was Braxton, and they lived in Sifinica. Months of getting close to her and yet she felt like she still knew next to nothing about her personal life. Natasia had been an educator and really, a sovereign, for a long time now and she could tell something wasn’t quite right. Though it was Frost Bare now and Ardonia’s usual sweaters made sense now, she wore them year-round. Even during the heat of Chroma and she saw her during the teacher's work days, that sweater was ever present. She was hiding something.

On a day where they met at a near-by cafe, not Saint’s but somewhere quieter and for mostly older people, Natasia and Ardonia sat in a breakfast nook in a quiet corner of this beautiful cafe called The Vine N’ Grind. They sat enjoying their teas together and looking at the leaves falling.

Natasia: Do you like autumn? It’s one of my favorite times of the year. Not too brittle and not too bare. Also still slightly warm in the right circumstances. 

Ardonia: -she sips on her tea- I enjoy it but to be honest, I’m glad the winter season is starting soon. It’s my favorite time of year. -she sighs happily- Hot tea tastes even better, the cool weather feels so lovely, oh and curling up by a fireplace to read is the best.

Natasia: What are you reading currently?

Ardonia: Heh well…don’t judge me hehe. A horror novel. There’s a series I enjoy quite a bit that I’ve followed for a long time.

Natasia smiles: Really? You know I have a wonderful horror collection in my personal library. I could…bring a book tomorrow to see if it suits your fancy.

Ardonia: Really~? You spoil me Natasia~.

Natasia smiles deeply: No no. Just giving something to a dear friend of mine. I have many different books but I don’t read the horror genre too much these days so…I don’t mind letting you borrow. And if you like it…then I can let you have more.

Ardonia: Hehe you are generous~. Thank you, I mean it. You always make me smile with how kind you are…you really are my closest friend Natasia.

Natasia blushes and then clears her throat: Ahem. Well, that’s really kind of you. I…do hold you as a very close friend but…do you not have any other friends? Even if they are in Baehalan. 

Ardonia: -she gets a sad faraway look in her eyes that Natasia has become very familiar with over the last few months- Unfortunately no…I haven’t been home in so long. It’s hard to keep up friendships when you’re never there..

Natasia nods: I remember you said that because you moved after you were married, right? So do you enjoy being at home or doing anything at home? Do you…like your home Ardonia? *Their eyes meet.* Or do you prefer the company…of others?

Ardonia: -she looks away and fidgets with her tea cup. Natasia’s eyes always saw too deeply into her- Home is fine…Heh I enjoy your company at least.

Natasia’s eyes go to her fingers and settle softly on the side that was fidgeting: It’s alright. We are friends after all. I understand if you just don’t want to talk about it but…I am here for you.

Ardonia: -she smiles softly at her- I know..thank you..heh you worry so much Natasia. Don’t worry, I’m just fine. -she checks her watch- We should get going so we aren’t late.

Natasia moves her hand off of Ardonia’s very slowly: Alright Ardonia. Let’s. *She gets up still looking at her and then smiles.* Come on, darling. It has gotten rather late and I forgot I have a meeting with someone important.

Ardonia: -she glances at her hand for a moment then gets up- How you keep up with that schedule you have without a secretary is beyond me.

Natasia smiles at her: Well I usually manage with my tablet, with my bots, my wisps, my security golems. Heh it gets a bit challenging, but i’ve managed for a long time by myself.

 They both take their time walking back to the main building. It’s roughly a 15 minute walk so they should make it back in time. 

Ardonia: Heh one day I’ll get my hands on that tablet of yours. Heehee~ I’ll clean up all those meetings you drag yourself through.

Natasia smirks and looks at her from the side: You promise, darling? If you can keep up, I would hate to take away from your classroom. Those children are incorrigible without a good home ecc teacher. Poor darlings don’t know how to even manage their money properly. Hehe.

Ardonia: I can do both. I’m very good at… multi tasking~. Hehe I’ll see you at lunch Dean Haile. -she picks up her pace to head to her class and the tip of her tail ever so gently grazes Natasia’s ankle as she passes by-

Natasia looks at the graze as she sees Ardonia walking faster to get to her class: Wow…so beautiful. I love knowing more of you. Let me know more…Ardonia.

She moves to her office in a flash of night right before she hears a knock on her door.

Natasia: Come in…

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frost Bare passes normally for Ardonia and Natasia, continuing their usual routine. As Cicle comes along and another coffee/tea date arrives, Natasia catches a glimpse of Ardonia’s supposed secret. Natasia is waiting in front of the Vine n’ Grind and Ardonia is uncharacteristically late. Ten minutes after their usual meeting time Ardonia comes jogging up to Natasia looking a bit messy. Her hair is in a low pony tail with her bangs messily framing her face and that baggy sweater on her again. As she raises her hand to wave at Natasia, she sees it. A dark bruise peeking out just under the cuff of her sleeve on top of her wrist.

Natasia’s eyes look at the bruise as if it’s seared into her mind and then her eyes pan to Ardonia’s disheveled look and a small “Mhm…I see,” escapes her thoughts.

Natasia softens her look and waves back: Ardonia, lovely to see you this morning. Run into any troubles? You look like an elemental cat might have wanted to play with your hair hehe? It is quite cold now. 

Ardonia: -she chuckles as she catches her breath- Heh very funny Natasia…I’m just running a little behind this morning. Sorry but we’ll have to get our tea to go..but we can still walk together.

Natasia smiles and offers her arm: Let’s walk. *She uses her night magic to pull their drinks from the Night Realm.* I had ordered them to go a few minutes ago. I didn’t want you to run too behind. *She gives Ardonia’s tea to her.* Here you go, darling.

Natasia starts to drink hers as the cloudy sky spurs the morning forward. 

Ardonia: -she takes her drink and immediately takes a long sip, sighing in relief- Oh sweet Aiah thank you…I really needed that. I’m so sorry to shorten our time this morning.

Natasia looks at her and the bruise shows slightly: Mmmm so what had you running late anyways? You are usually on top of things, sometimes even beating me to it. 

Ardonia: Just..talking too long with my husband this morning. And I was a bit behind with making him breakfast. Heh I have so much prep to do for the end of semester exams. You know how it is for new teachers.

Natasia: You…make him breakfast? I heard everything else but you also make him breakfast? Is he an invalid? Can he not cook or can you not have a cook at home? Also if you need an assistant, like a service bot or something else then please ask, I don’t mind helping my newest professors get more acclimated.

They begin to walk and snow falls very softly in small flakes. Natasia looks up and drinks in that cold air. Mmmmm that feels wonderful.

Ardonia: -she scoffs quietly- Braxton would never allow something like that…no no no he just…prefers for me to make him breakfast…wifely duties and all that.

Natasia makes a disgusting face: Ewwww. Wifely duties…oh please, that is...disgraceful. You are more than just a wife.

Ardonia: -she laughs loudly and leans on her- You’re too much~. Hehe I know I am…it’s just how he is…how he’s always been.

Natasia looks down at Ardonia as they walk, feeling her warmth and that smile melts her heart. Her eyes soften as she says this: Are you happy with how he is? Are you happy with him?

Ardonia: -she doesn’t look up at her- He’s my husband..

Natasia: I’ve never been married. What’s it like to have that?

Ardonia: It’s..hard to describe I guess..When you find your person I hope they are your equal…and your partner in everything you do.

Natasia looks at her and stops in her tracks: Let’s admire the snow for a bit. Do you have a few more minutes to spare me? *Her eyes look deeply into hers.*

Ardonia: -a slight blush dusts her cheeks- ..Sure. A few minutes can’t hurt.

Natasia looks around, seeing that they are alone and smiles mischievously and gestures to take a slight detour: Will you come with me this way? It’s still heading to the school but just a slightly more…scenic route.

Ardonia: Heh you and your scenic routes. Alright alright, show me.

Natasia leads her through some bare trees and to the gardens where the snow is sticking more and the winter flowers look more beautiful. Some elemental snow kits are playing with one another as they walk through and the snow is falling on both of them. It’s quiet but it’s peaceful.

Ardonia: -she looks around in awe, loving the winter scenery- You never disappoint Natasia..

Natasia smiles as they hold each others’ arms: I try not to. It is winter officially now. So I hope you find the cold okay? We do have a lovely fireplace…actually a few…and I also have one in my office if you want to just sit in there…it’s a plush couch and I have my own service bots for anything I wish like tea or coffee or just different meals. But that’s just a suggestion, you are free to do as you like obviously.

Ardonia: -she smirks and looks up at her with a playful glint in her eyes again- That sounds like special treatment Natasia~. People will talk if you keep this up~.

Natasia stops and looks at Ardonia and steps closer, bending down so she could feel this cold breath on her neck: Only if they find out, I do love to treat my friends quite nicely…from time to time..

Ardonia: -her blush deepens and her tail starts to lash back and forth- Quite nicely it seems..

Natasia looks down at her tail: You know, you try very hard to hide your emotions but your tail…*She dips down slowly and touches her tail softly.* betrays you…did you know that?

Ardonia: -she bites her lip to hold it together but can’t help but shiver slightly when Natasia touches her tail- Its..um…it’s a habit I guess…You seem to…stir my emotions quite a bit…

Natasia stands back up and looks at her softly. Her eyes are soft and her hands are slightly idling on her arm.

Natasia: And what emotions…do I stir Ardonia darling?

Ardonia: -just as she’s about to speak her ear twitches as they both can hear the bell ringing from the school. She clears her throat and shakes her head subtly to collect herself- Um we should g-get going..heh wouldn’t want to be too late.

Natasia stares at Ardonia for a collective five seconds and sighs but still smiles: Alright. Come on. Let’s get you to class and me to my next amount of paperwork that I have to fill for interviews. Next year’s recruitment.

Ardonia: I wish you luck dearest… -she winks at her and walks quickly towards the school-

Natasia stares at her as she walks away…thinking so subtly “What I would love to just…touch you softly…maybe just hug you…are you alright Ardonia at home? I’m…concerned…”