The last filler chapter before all the exciting stuff!
"It took you long enough to get here," Cortana said, standing in the large room that Julian had been directed to by Cristina and Cameron. He had just entered and was looking around at the huge room with a wooden floor, and tall metal walls. He had always wondered why everything in the place seemed to be made of metals.
"I had to get help! Did you expect me to find this place all by myself? This is all very new to me." Julian crossed his arms over his chest in defence.
"Of course. You chose good company, might I add. Cristina and Cameron are both good people."
"You know them?" Julian couldn't keep the look if surprise off his face. He didn't think Cortana could possibly know everyone's names, there had been so many people that he had seen here.
"I know everyone, little prince. Especially after the background checks I run on people before I officially recruit them."
Once again, Julian found himself in awe of how dedicated Cortana was to her rebellion. How much time could it have taken for one person to read at least 700 people's files?
He shook his head, trying to bring himself back to what was important. "Have you found out where my family is yet?"
"Patience is a virtue, little prince. I thought we were going to get you looked at by a doctor before we did anything else. You will be no good to your family if you are injured or ill."
"If we wait any longer, it could mean their lives or deaths. And besides, I feel fine!" Jules gestured to himself with his left hand. His only goal at the current moment was to find his family, to make sure that they were all okay.
"It's precautionary, you have to be checked. After that, when you're clean, looked after, and fed, we can discuss your family. Now come, we're going to the infirmary." She walked away again, not giving him any time to try and argue. Julian groaned and followed her.
"Can you listen to me for once?" He asked, waling quickly in her trail. "I'm starting to feel sick and tired of you treating me like a child."
"Isn't that what you are?"
He couldn't help but start scowling, and all of his beautiful features twisted. "No," Julian said, "I'm not."
"You act like one." Her words were short, clipped, but they hurt more than Julian thought they would. And that only built up more rage inside of him.
"And what exactly makes you say that?" The coldness in his voice made her stop walking and turn to face him. He had gone from being soft and peaceful to rash and angry in the span of a few seconds, and Cortana found it fascinating.
"Perhaps it's the way you get all defensive and angry when you don't get your way." Her arms were crossed over her chest, one foot tapping impatiently on the hardwood floor. "Sort of like a spoilt little prince."
"Stop talking!" Julian shouted. "Please, just stop. I don't care if I'm acting spoilt, and I definitely don't care what you think of me, but I want to find my family, and I want to do it as soon as possible. Does wanting that make me sound spoilt?" Julian couldn't tell if his shouting had made Cortana flinch, because she wore a mask. "Maybe you're the one that acts like a child! I mean, you always act so high and mighty-"
"You don't know me." Her voice was still cold, as though she had no emotions. "Don't make any presumptions about me."
"And you don't know me."
"On the contrary, I think I do. I know you better than you know me, anyway." He could hear the tone of victory in her voice.
"Just take me to the bloody infirmary." He mumbled, not knowing what else to say.
"Giving up so soon on our argument, little prince?"
A feeling almost like pride welled up inside of Julian, and he was going to make sure that it was reflected in his speech. "I realise how goddamn stubborn you are," He started, "and that there's no point in arguing with you if you'll never change your viewpoint, even if you're wrong. It was just slowing us down. And I want to find my family as soon as possible. Now let's go. We don't need to waste any more time on this." Julian couldn't help but plaster a smirk of satisfaction on his face.
"You know what? I'm starting to like you more and more."
"Good, you should be. Now let's go to this infirmary."
When Julian emerged from the infirmary room, Cortana was leaning against a wall outside, twisting a sword around. When she saw Julian walking towards her, she stood up straighter, sheathing her sword again.
"What did they say?"
"Well, Doctor Loss said that there wasn't too much wrong. I'm just a little underweight, but apparently if I eat 3 full meals a day, I'll be fine. I have to go back in a week. There's nothing she could do about the scar-" Julian hesitated. He'd never had to mention the permanent marks on his torso to anyone ever. "Scarring, I'll just have to get used to it." His voice went quieter.
"All warriors have their scars, little prince. Some just have more than others." She placed a gloved hand on his shoulder. "What do you say we go get you cleaned up, and then I'll tell you what I've found out about your family?"
A small smile crossed Julian's face. "Sounds like a plan, Cortana."
The warm water ran down Julian's skin, surrounding him, giving him warmth. He sat, and let it soak him, taking away some of the stress and pressure he had been under over the last few days. He almost felt relaxed, as though the warm water had a soothing effect.
When he came out, there was another pair of black clothes and boots waiting for him. He slipped into them, feeling much more comfortable than before.
When he slipped back into the corridor, he saw Cortana waiting, like always. She was sitting on a metal bench, her elbows resting on her thighs.
"I'm starting to think that you don't have anything to do besides wait for me in various places." He said, grabbing her attention. The light caused her mask to appear to glow.
"Look, there was a person under all that dirt. Nice to finally see you."
"I can't tell if you're joking." He sat down next to her, and she turned to face him.
"I think it's time we discuss your family now. Doesn't that sound right, little prince?"