Stories from the North part 4
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Shock was Miria's new word for the day. What else could she feel after hearing Clare's story?
She had a vague idea of Clare's past before, but even amongst the tragic history of the warriors known as Claymores, Clare's tale surely ranked among the worst.
"I'm sorry." Clare said suddenly.
"Sorry for what?" was Miria's reply.
"I am sorry for not telling you sooner, and for taking your chance at revenge away." Clare replied, wearing a serious expression.
This girl, she really did not understand. Miria sighed mentally.
"I had no desire to take revenge on Ophelia."
"But was she not responsible for the awakening of your friend?"
She really did not get it, Miria thought, even after telling them my story, Clare seems to be the only one who does not understand, and I think I know why now.
"Ophelia and many others, are only by-products of what the Organization has done, they are only ones I desire revenge against." Miria replied, hoping to quell Clare's fears.
"Then do you think my quest petty?" Clare said, her eyes focused on Miria's own.
Miria paused for a moment, trying to discern Clare's thoughts.
"You and I are different people Clare, my decision was my own, and I have no right to pass judgment on yours."
Clare relaxed visibly, although she still looked unsure.
"I sometimes wonder if she would approve of what I am doing." Clare said.
Teresa of the Faint Smile, possibly the strongest #1 in the Organizations history, had been Clare's caretaker, however briefly.
It was still hard for Miria to picture it, one of their own risking their life so willingly for a human child, even at the cost of her own.
Then again, this girl is the exact same way…and I suppose…, the rest of us are too. Mira thought, amused by the thought.
"Would you stop your quest if she didn't?"
"No." was Clare's immediate response.
"Then put it out of mind. In all honesty, I don't think Hilda would approve of what I am doing, but that does not stop me. I have to keep going, not just for her sake, but for everyone who could suffer the same fate."
"Is it that simple?" Clare asked, looking into her leader's eyes once more.
"It is that simple." Miria responded.
Clare smiled at this, happy with Miria's decisive response.
"Will you tell the others?" Miria asked, curious.
"Eventually" Clare replied, after a moment of thought.
"I'm glad." Miria responded. It was good that Clare was willing to trust others again; even after all she had been through.
"We should continue our search now, we have delayed long enough" Miria said, suddenly realizing how long they had been standing there.
--------------A few hours later----------------
"I found something!" Clare yelled; a small hint of excitement in her voice.
"What is it?" Miria shouted back, quickly moving towards Clare's voice.
"This" Clare said; pointing at a sign once Miria was close enough to see it.
"A tannery?" Miria questioned, curious at Clare's choice.
"Yes, when I first left the Organization, I found that leather was quite suited for clothing, it was tough and easy to purchase in towns." Clare said, her pleasure in her discovery was quite clear.
"Do you think you could pick something out from in there? I believe that you are more familiar with such things then I am." Miria decided.
"Are you certain? I thought you would want to pick it out, or perhaps have Helen…"
"NO!" Miria exclaimed
Clare raised an eyebrow.
(Cough) "I mean no, I would rather not have Helen pick out our clothing, I am quite sure that Helen would pick something that most of us would not approve off." Miria finished, blushing slightly.
"Oh? I was under the impression you approved of Helen's fashion sense" Clare said pointing at Miria's hair.
"I have no problem with her decision on my hair style, but I would rather not risk it with our clothing." Miria replied, quite honestly.
"Very well, I will see what I can do." Clare said, a suspicious smile entering her features.
Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling? Miria thought.
----------A few hours later----------
"Um…Clare…What is this?" Miria said, a dubious look on her face.
"What is what?" Clare asked, using a innocent tone that did not suit her at all.
"This!" Miria raised her voice, pointing at her skirt.
"It is a skirt." Clare stated, nodding.
"I know that Clare, what I meant was, why is it so short?!" Miria asked; a visible blush on her face.
"I based it of Irene's outfit, from what I could remember of it at least." Clare replied honestly. "The skirt actually might be a bit too lon-"
"No! This…this is fine." Miria sighed, lowering her head in defeat.
At least we have cloaks. Miria thought.
"The open area around the arms and legs allows you to keep your flexibility, while the leather itself provides a exceptional amount of protection, considering how light it is." Clare explained, still sensing Miria's reluctance.
"Yes Clare, We can have the others look at it and see what they think." Miria said, deciding to accept Clare's judgment.
"It's not like we can feel the cold" Clare said.
"That's…not the point Clare" Miria sighed.
"Then what is the problem." Clare asked, clearly curious.
"J-just forget it Clare."
"Lets salvage what we need and head back, you will need to measure the others right?" Miria questioned.
"Yes, unlike the Organization's body suits, these will be custom made for each of us." Clare said, showing a surprising amount of pride in her work.
And that is the goal wasn't it? To separate ourselves from them… still…did it have to look so…risqué?
------A few days later-----
"Woohoo I love it!!" Helen shouted, a wide grin plastered on her face.
Unsurprising, Miria thought.
"It looks…different." Deneve said, examining her new outfit.
I bet, at least you don't feel the wind blowing between your legs. Miria thought bitterly, observing both Helen and Deneve's rather apparent skin-covering devices.
"Interesting." Was all Tabitha had to say, looking from outfit to outfit.
At least no one will be spending their time ogling us, Miria mused, purposefully ignoring Helen's remarks about how easy it would be to pick-up guys in there new outfits.
"I like it…it looks kind of…err…sexy." Cynthia said, obviously embarrassed at her own words.
I knew it was a bad idea to have Cynthia team with up Helen, she even likes the skirt! Speaking of which, how come Helen isn't wearing a skirt?
"Alright, Custom outfits!" Helen cheered. "We found just the thing to celebrate too!"
"Would that happen to be what you were dragging around in those crates?" Miria questioned, she had been eyeing the suspicious things ever since Helen and Cynthia had dragged them into the cave.
Cynthia suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Yeah we found some booze and decided to drag it back!" Helen stated, completely unashamed.
Miria felt a headache coming.
"I-it wasn't my idea Miria!" Cynthia cried out, noting Miria's negative response.
"Hey! Don't lie Cynthia, you were the one who suggested we drag it back!" Helen said, looking like she had just been betrayed.
Cynthia turned red.
I guess I still have a lot to learn about my teammates… or rather my friends…ah why the hell not…Miria caved mentally.
"I guess taking a break this once wouldn't be too bad." Miria said out loud, surprising everyone.
"YES!!" Helen shouted, her voice echoing through the cave.
Helen was already breaking one of the crates open, and Cynthia was standing close by, a mixture of embarrassment and eagerness written on her face.
Deneve looked amused, but was keeping a safe distance, while Clare looked at Miria curiously.
Tabitha was obviously interested in the contents of the crates, most likely unfamiliar with its contents.
"Umm… Miria is this a good idea?" Yuma asked, obviously nervous.
"Probably not." Miria replied honestly.
But since when has that stopped us?
---------------To be continued
Hello all, hope you liked the new chapter of "Stories from the North"
Please Review! I noticed a lot of story alerts, but not many reviews. .