A low alarm sounded as Vitae and Gladiolus slept. The pair comfortably curled into each other. "Gods above...please turn that off..." Vitae said, rolling away from the man. After a heavy sigh, he sat up and rubbed his face. Shaking the sleep from him as he turned the alarm on his phone off. He looked over at the sillouette of Vitae that hid under the sheets. Given the extra padding she had from the bedding she hid under, he felt no remorse when patted her hip hard several times, easily rocking the bed in the motion.
"...why...why is your alarm going off at this hour Gladio? Can you not see that the sun hasn't risen yet?" she said pitifully as she swatted him away.
"Gotta go for a run. Care to join?" he said as he rose completely from the bed and changed into running attire.
Vitae peered at him from the small hole she'd created in her burrow formed from the sheets, "Absolutely not."
Gladiolus chuckled to himself as he flicked on the lights and quickly tossed the sheets off of her, making her flinch into a small ball. Crawling on top of her, he used the weight in his arms to force her to bounce slightly where she lay as he dug his hands repeatedly into the bed, "C'mon. You still gotta get up."
Grabbing her phone she looked at the time, "It is half passed five...I'm not needed until later." she objected as she pushed his face away from her's.
Crawling off of her, Gladiolus began stretching his limbs out, "Your loss." After popping his neck, his sword phased into view and he casually held it above the mattress, threatening to let the weight of the blade destroy the bed.
"Don't you dare..." Vitae said with a smile.
"You gonna get up?"
"No."
Opening the drawer to her night stand, she pulled out what appeared to be an almost neon coloured pistol. It's features highly exaggerated. The sight of the pistol made Gladiolus raise an eyebrow as he tried to make out exactly what it was, realizing fairly quickly that it was a child's dart gun. The tiny red laser from the toy fixed on the center of his chest. Vitae cocked the pump on the toy and smiled widely as she mouthed the words "bang" out. A second later, a rubber dart bounced off of the man's chest much to her disappointment.
"You and your guns." Gladiolus snickered out as the dart rolled under the bed. The sword in his hands disappearing into nothing. Extending an arm outwards towards her, he forced her to her feet.
"All of you act as though I can't use them to save myself in anyway, but I dare ask: what would you do if something should attack from an aerial location? I have watched exactly how combat looks between men and creatures that take to the skies. It isn't pretty nor effective." she replied in a proud tone, tossing the dart gun onto the bed.
"Anything that flies has gotta land sometime and if it doesn't, well, it better stay pretty damn high off the ground. Anyway, I'll be back in an hour. I NEED to get a run in. You may not be a guard and by a technical standard you aren't a glaive, but you'll be on my schedule to wake up. If I catch you back in bed, you'll regret it."
"And why should I follow your schedule sir?" she objected as she began searching her dresser for clothes to wear for the day.
"Sir? Well. For starters, if you're gonna be with me, the schedule come with the territory. And, I mean, I know you hate that I did this once, but I can still pull rank on you and get you up just for the hell of it." he said with a cocky look in his eyes "Especially if you're going to start calling me sir."
Vitae stood upright, having picked her outfit successfully for the day and shoo'd the Shield away, "Somehow, I highly doubt dating you justifies horrible times to wake up. Now go run. Think about what you've done" she said with a sleepy smile on her face "Also, there is a spar key under the armchair seat. Take it. Gods know I might not answer the door for you should you return. The compromises to dating you are reason enough for me to keep the door shut." Dipping his head and smirking, the Shield was soon gone out of sight and out of the building.
The morning sun had finally began to show over the horizon, bringing life to the Citadel that sat as her primary view. The warm tea seeming to soothe some of the ache she still felt in her bones from the previous day as she sighed, not quite ready for another day of brutality. She enjoyed her small breakfast of dried fruits and cheeses. Going to her study shortly after, she stood over the glass top desk that she made most of her jewelry as well as trinkets she would use to produce various small cameras, motion detectors, tracking devices, and just about anything else she could think of. The latest creation she had been working on was a simple necklace: one to replace the one Gladiolus had chosen to borrow on a permanent basis.
She opened up a small drawer attached to the desk and arranged carefully within it, were hundreds of integrated circuits. Each waiting for it's opportunity to show exactly what it could do. She carefully eyed down several different chips of varying sizes. Finding several of the same uniform size, she grabbed them carefully, placing them on top of the desk. She scrunched her face up for a moment as she tried to remember where exactly it was that she had placed all of her tools and cases she would need to build the small cameras Captain Drautos had demanded. Looking throughout the study, she soon found exactly what it was she was looking for. The box tucked carefully hidden on a high shelf.
While she grabbed all the necessary things she would need, she could feel the rumbling steps leading up to her door and within a moment Gladiolus soon stepped in. The man seeming hardly winded after the run he'd taken. Seeing that Vitae hadn't been in the living room he made his way down the hall and found her crouched slightly over the glass desk. His eyebrow raise higher on his face than usual.
"You really gonna wear that to the Citadel?" the Shield questioned as he stepped into the room. The high-waisted pants and leather jacket seeming far from anything that anyone would wear to any job that revolved around public officials. The lightly feathered tassels that sat just off the arms of the jacket acting, easily catching his eye a few times.
Vitae smiled for a moment as she set the parts and pieces she would need next to the corresponding chips before she turned around, revealing an unusually deep v-neck shirt. She straightened the jacket on her shoulders, "Serves as a good distraction, does it not? If I'm going to have to 'train' I may as well ruin outfits I care not for. Are you seriously going to eat that after running?" she asked comically as she eyed the breakfast sandwich in the man's hand. Something he likely picked up on his run.
Gladiolus nodded proudly as he took a bite of the sandwich, peering at the contents resting on the desk behind Vitae, "Let me know how that goes for you...what are you making?"
Vitae glanced at the objects on the desk for only a moment, "Things and stuff, as per orders."
"Well...at least you're doing your job now I guess. I'm rinsing off. Let's head out after that." he said firmly, finishing the remainder of the sandwich in a single bite afterwards.
Vitae nodded, turning her attention back to the contents that rested on the desk. Shaking her head and laughing to herself. Gladiolus had made himself far more comfortable in her home than she would have imagined. With only a short while before she would leave to the Citadel for the day she began snapping together parts of the camera, laying the chip down carefully within the small box. She sighed heavily as the reality began to dawn on her that she really was back to doing that which she really cared nothing for. Pausing several times as she put the small device together. She would need a bit more time, as well as batteries and the camera would be set for use for at least six months. Eventually, Gladiolus tapped lightly on the door signalling their time to leave and the pair made their way out of the apartment entirely.
"Gladio...I know, I agreed to date you last night...but I do think we should keep everything about us low key." she said as they took the short drive to the Citadel.
Gladiolus huffed out a breath of air and smirk, dropping his hand heavily on her knee, "What? you think I can't keep a secret?"
Placing her hand over his, she clutched his fingers lightly, "I didn't say that. I just don't know how wise it would be to move about so freely...it's jus-"
"It's just not smart. Look, Vitae. I'm not an idiot. I know it's not the smartest thing in the world. Wasn't plannin' on being overly public about anything. Not sure how well I'll be able to go unnoticed at your place either, so today is probably the last day I'll stay over. "
"I'm certainly glad to hear you're on the same page." she said as took a relaxing breath inwards.
"No promises at Noct's birthday gala though."
Vitae chuckled, "Perhaps you can be forgiven then. It is a party after all. Are you not required to work?" she asked as they pulled into a parking spot.
"Let's just say there will be a change of plans."
Vitae stood in the office of the captain as she waited for him to enter the room. She did arrive a few minutes early, however, she would have at least expected the man to have been in his office at least as early as herself. As she looked around the office, she saw no evidence of any interactions the man had with anyone inside or even outside of the Citadel. No souvenirs, not letters, no photos. The only decorations that even graced the wall behind her, were two kukris crossed over each other with the words "Hearth and Home written above the blades, as well as several prestigious awards. On his desk, lay a neatly folded satin clothe. The deep maroon color seeming to be incredibly rich. It was a very stark contrast compared to everything else within the Citadel and stood boldly against the blacks and golds that lined the room.
As she stood in the room, she could hear the sound of heavy foot steps purposefully making their way to the area she was in. Unsure of whether or not it was the captain, or merely another official she stood upright. Her stance seeming as though she were ready, and willing for the day, regardless of how true or false that may have been. The steps stopped on the other side of the door. She could hear no speaking. The awkward waiting began to make her slightly nervous, and she wasn't sure why. She could only assume she was becoming a bit paranoid, although following her gut instincts is what she, in a way, was trained to do if only slightly. She waited for several more moments for the person on the other side of the door to enter. When they didn't she thought to do the only reasonable thing and placed her hand within her purse, drawing the hammer of her pistol back and clutching the bag readily at her side. It was such an impending feeling that she now had.
The door opened slowly and Captain Drautos looked over at her slowly in almost an amused way as he eyed her hand in her bag, watching it drop slowly to her side, "Surprised to see you here Scientia." he said as he walked over to his desk and sat down, looking at a small stack of papers on his desk.
"Apologies, sir. I had a bit of an early wake up today." she said, taking a seat after the man had gestured for her to, uncocking her gun quietly as she did.
After a quick skim of the documents on his desk, he turned his attention to her, leaning back in his over sized office chair, "How long do you think it will be before you can set up anything in the sewers?" he asked, glancing over the few nicks and bruises he could see. Small injuries he didn't recall seeing the day before.
Sitting upright Vitae leaned forward slightly and appeared to be in thought for a moment before she responded, "If I'm left uninjured, hopefully only a couple days. It isn't the training that will slow me down assuming I'm not torn to shreds, but rather creating the devices I will need. It is just myself creating these things and each one takes a bit of time. I still have to test each camera out and make sure they work properly before using them down there. Then it is a matter of syncing them up to what ever system they need to be connected to. I would have to camouflage them a bit as well. Even if they are simply going into the relative dark, they still need to be as inconspicuous as possible ."
"Better than I had expected I suppose. The way down there will be unlocked this time. Just let me know when you're ready to go down there. Also...I'm 100% sure you took one of the pistols on the wall as well. Use it as you will. I'll let Luche know to train you in more critical moves, not just wail on you assuming YOU don't do anything to further piss him off. Your arrangements with him will be changing as well. You leave in an hour to train. The rest of the time, I expect you to get those cameras up and running, understood?"
"Yes sir." she said, looking over the man's war torn face closely "I do have a question for you though, sir."
"What."
"When I relayed everything I had in the council chamber about everything. What happened exactly? What was said to Luche? What ever was said by you to him, seemed to have sparked unnecessary rage. He seemed far more lax when he and I first met."
He stared at her. The coldness of it only being exaggerated by the cold colour of blue his eyes were, "None of you're business. You're dismissed." he said lowly, never letting his eyes falter from her.
Her eyes shifted quickly between him and the maroon garment that was so neatly folded on his desk. Bowing, she walked out at a regular pace. Quietly openning and closing the door behind her as she did so. Standing in the hallway, she pondered what it was the captain must've said as well as what she could do while she waited for the time to come closer before she would have to depart to the training grounds of the glaives She thought carefully as she made her way to the lobby. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about the captain sat uncomfortably with her. She had seen many war torn faces, but none seemed to stick out quite as much as his.
As she walked, she could see her father from a distance busily jotting down notes as well as taking the occasional call. Carefully she made her way over to his desk until he eventually noticed her.
"Vitae. I see you made it to work...though in what condition I'm not sure" he said in a concerned tone as he looked over the bruises and cuts she had. He only paid attention to them for a moment. Even if he and Vitae had a strained relationship, as any parent would, he worried.
"My transfer to work under the glaives has certainly been punishing, and happily enough I must continue with them today." she said as she smiled at him rubbing at the small cut on her cheek.
Her father nodded, writing down several more notes after a message had pinged loudly on his phone, "Ah...the cruelties of life. Can't we all take simple breaks? I think not." he remarked, laughing at himself for a moment.
The pair stood in silence, her finding anything to keep herself occupied, and her father continuing the work he'd already started. Neither of them taking even a moment to address the other as various officials passed them and continued on with their days. Some dipping their heads slightly, others completely occupied in what ever it was they had arranged for the day. Having the opportunity to people watch for a moment, reminded Vitae of just how busy the building always was. People were too busy to even really notice any changes around them, set in their habits. She wasn't thrilled to know that she soon would be falling under the same habits.
After a short bit of people watching, she watched her father. His motions and movements all coordinated and calculated. Not a pen mark out of place as he worked. He looked at her for a brief moment before returning to his work, "Am I so interesting, Vitae? You've stared at me working since you were a child." he said with a subtle smile. His memories of a less rebellious and ornery daughter flooding his mind for a moment as he continued to work.
"Perhaps. You've simply always been so methodical. Clearly Ignis learned well." Vitae asked quietly, causing her father to pause for a brief moment. The man not expecting to even have a conversation with his daughter at all.
He stood upright and looked towards Vitae, setting his hands down on the desk heavily, "You both have your strong points in your own habits. His are easier to accomplish, while you, like your mother take a bit of motivating."
Vitae looked down at the desk for a moment, "...how is she?" she asked carefully.
Her father's stance relaxed slightly, "Your mother? She's as well as to be expected when one's kin avoids them entirely at less than an arms reach away. She's missed you since you left to Altissia. We both have."
"If you don't mind..." she began quietly "...I would like to come see her if possible."
Her father's stance straightened as he looked down at her slightly, "She is your own mother and our door hasn't shut for you once. You are welcome at any time. If you were wise, you would come this evening. We would both enjoy your company. Bring Ignis as well. If we can all at least enjoy each other's company even once, why not try? Your mother and I have a lot to discuss with you."
Vitae nodded slowly as she walked away, turning around only once to view her father now busy at the desk. Her eyes drifting before she looked at the time. She would soon have to depart and head towards the training grounds. Before she'd walked too far, she texted Ignis, informing him of the plans for the night. The message simply stating that it had been read. She then sent a small message to Gladiolus, letting him know of the same thing. The Shield quickly sent a thumbs up to her, making her smile at before heading onward.
"GET UP!" Luche shouted as Vitae lay on the ground. Her attempt to merely walk into the training hall, leading to her being slammed harshly on her back yet again "If you can land any hit, we're done for the day." he snickered out as he turned his back on her. She got up as quickly as she could, hobbling on her feet before righting her stance. Luche hadn't even waited for Vitae to fully enter the training area before he'd immediately began his assault on her. With a single call from the Captain, he knew his job was clear as day in getting her trained immediately for more accurate threats. The leather jacket she wore seeming to have spared her from any real damage.
"Isn't it a bit early for such aggressive behavior?" she asked sarcastically as the man began a leisurely pace around her, tossing his kukri in the air a few times as he tilted his head slightly to look at her.
Luche shrugged, "Never to early for a fight. Besides. It's on Captain's orders to make sure you're ready to leave in less than 72 hours. Nothing waits for the right time. You walked into this training hall and are expected to train. Think the Nifs, daemons, or beasts around Eos wait for you to be ready? No. You walk into their territory, you're ready to fight."
"Regardless of how true that may be, what is the point of knocking me down immediately during training?" Vitae said as she watched exactly how Luche was walking, trying to come up with a plan to catch the man off guard somehow. Every time she would move even slightly, Luche's eyes would fix on her entirely. The action immediately telling her that she was being watched like a hawk and very little of what she would go unnoticed.
Luche looked at her fully as he laughed, "It teaches you to stop walking in to obvious danger and to be ready to fight, always."
"And that is something that can be taught first and implemented second. Purely assaulting me comes off as you merely being desperate. Pent up frustrations? Personal grudge perhaps?" Vitae said as she watched him far more carefully.
"Wow" Luche said as he rolled his eyes "You sure like pulling shit out of your ass." he looked up towards the sky and quickly dashed towards her. His kukri ready to bite at whatever bits of skin it could find as Vitae readied herself for however long of a training session she would have to endure.