Cheza couldn't believe what was happening. Hadn't been able to believe it before, when she was explaining her plan originally but she especially couldn't believe it now that it was actually happening.

The city was still partially in shambles. Scorched, blood stained and freezing. It was called Freeze City for a reason. There wasn't anything they could do about the cold. The space itself could hopefully be repaired.

They were in the middle of the city, in the dilapidated town square. Cheza spoke to the people gathered around her. Most of them looked at her with anger in their eyes. The others looked frightened.

She would have been frightened herself. Her wolves were with her so things were going to be alright. Well, three of them. Kiba, Tsume and Toboe. Tsumes friends, well actually, they weren't his friends. His human acquaintances were there too. Trying to look as unobtrusive and not menacing as possible. Per Cheza's request. Jaguara was there too and even though she sort of frightened Cheza as well, at least she upheld her word. Sitting, trying not to scowl and probably angry without a sword.

" This one would like to thank all of you for coming today. We will work as hard as we can to ensure that Freeze City and the areas surrounding it may thrive again."

Cheza knows she has to say more than that. She will. As nervous as it makes her to speak.

But the people are angry. She can hear them muttering angrily in the crowd. An angry mob might form soon. Cheza doesn't know if she'll be able to stop it.

Kiba seems to be making a conscious effort to not look like he's about to do something violent.

"It is understandable that you all have concerns. Cheza bows. " Please know that we will make Freeze City a better place."

All around her, people are shouting things. Angry sounding things.

" Who are you and what are you going to do?"

Jaguara almost looks like she wants to come to Cheza's aid. She feels that may only make everyone's distrust grow.

Cheza isn't good at speaking to crowds. She isn't used to yelling and when she does it's a piercing, pained high pitched scream. " Please," she says. Clasping her hands together and willing her tears back. She doesn't like making people upset. " This one is sorry for yelling."

She raises her head quickly. " This one is the descendant to a now dismantled house. Nobles are supposed to take care of the people in their country."

It's a lie. Cheza doesn't like telling lies. Jaguara told her before that a strange pesent showing up wouldn't inspire the people to listen to her. She needed authority. Cheza didn't think that one's lineage had much to do with one's ability to govern. Jaguara seemed to insist on the matter and the Flower Maiden wanted to listen to her.

"Freeze City is not what it once was. Lord Orkum is not here to answer for his crimes. Neither are Lord Darca and Lady Harmona. What has been happening… is a tragedy. It is not one that we can undo. We can not undo the events that have happened to us all. However, in time we will undo the damage."

There was a silence, then more bickering amongst the people.

"And she's alright with this," one said pointing up at Jaguara.

Who smiled back but not with the same kindness in her smile that Cheza had. It looked like something feral and cold. Or maybe Cheza was imagining it.

Jaguara's words lacked the heat that her gaze held. They did not lack convection or certainly.

" I would not be here if I hadn't agreed. Neither would any of you for that matter."

Cheza shivers involuntarily. It all seems a little ominous.

" That is… why we're all going to work together to rebuild this city. We will make sure that everyone is safe and that we find a way to come to an agreement with one another."

She looks at Jaguara who seems to be alternating between glaring at the townspeople and trying not to glare at Cheza.

" I have traveled here to undo the damage that I have caused. As I have been doing in my own province. You all will have to work on your own, I will not involve myself in your affairs unless there is a threat of war or disease."

Cheza thinks that it might be her way of trying to reassure the people of Freeze City. But she's very intense.

Her cloak billows in the breeze and despite the fact that she's still smiling, Jaguara looks terrifying.

" If you should need it, we shall crush any enemies that you've had trouble with."

Cheza clears her throat. At the very least, no one has tried to attack anyone.

She makes an attempt to raise her voice again. " We will distribute jobs to anyone who does not already have one and wishes too. If you have any problems please talk to this one about them."

There's a lot of talking and milling about but eventually some of the citizens of Freeze City start to go off to clean up.

Jaguara watches them, her one arm placed on her hip in a judging manner. She turns and sighs.

" You should not give the people too much power. Cheza."

" Thank you for the advice,".Cheza says bowing.

Jaguara walks off on her own.

" I don't think we should trust her," Tsume grumbles.

" I agree," Kiba says watching her off in the distance as she goes.

" Yeah, but you're both really distrusting so it's probably a given," Hige says appearing suddenly. " Though I guess," he adds with a sigh. " I don't trust her either."

" You were great out there, you know." He grins.

Tsume and Kiba nod in agreement.

" Yeah, you were," Toboe adds. " I couldn't have talked to all of those people without wanting to run and hide somewhere."

Tsume smiles a little. " You did alright before."

" Well that was because you were about to die."

" W- what happened?" Cheza asks. Can already feel her heart pounding in worry.

" It's a long story. We're alive so it's fine," Tsume states.

" Oh," Toboe exclaims. " Where's Blue?"

Hige looks off into the distance sheepishly. " She's fine."

" That's reassuring," Tsume grouses.

" No it's just… well she's talking to that guy. With the human that she used to travel with, Quent."

" You thought it was a good idea to just leave them alone?" Tsume asks.

" Oh you're worried?" Hige asks, laughing a little. Even though he's probably worried too.

" She can take care of herself," Kiba states.

" And she's friends with him," Toboe adds. " They wouldn't fight each other."

Cheza looks off into the distance. " There is no one fighting in this area now." She tries to keep calm but she's worried. Cheza thinks that she'll always worry about everyone and right now isn't any different.

For now, as much as there is unrest in the city. There is a growing peace.


Thanks for reading my Wolf's Rain fanfiction! (:

We're getting down to the wire! I hope everyone's safe out there with everything going on in the world right now.