Author's note: Nothing new, but thanks for waiting as always! This is probably another filler chapter, but hey, it's another side story.
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Z.W.E.I. had graciously invited Viola out on perhaps another date. Since the banquet and other certain events, they had chosen to spend together alone, and especially without Greed, Malice or even both bothering them.
"I'm truly glad that you've brought me here." she said as she admired the lakeside.
He smiled, and presented her a wreath made out of roses. "I've also bought this for you; just wanted to know if you'd like it."
It was rather unusual for him to be this kind, and especially towards the girl that he had genuine feelings for. She took the wreath, smelled the roses, and smiled before putting it on after taking her hood down.
"Thank you, Z.W.E.I. I never knew you'd be quite the gentleman towards me. Oh, how I loved roses..."
A small blush crept onto Z.W.E.I.'s face as he smiled back, before he and Viola locked lips in a soft, gentle kiss.
"So how long will they be in Greece?" she asked as she changed the subject.
"From what Patroklos told me, at least a day or two." was his response. "He also said that he was also gonna visit his aunt there, as well." he added.
Viola smiled, "I'm also glad that Marie and her allies get to meet her for the first time. Maybe get to know her, even." before briefly pondering a bit and spoke again.
"I wonder what they might be up to there..."
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Back in Greece, the Mad Hearts Neo had chosen to explore the country, true to Marie's word. While Helen and Lydia explored a bookstore or two, Isuzu and Elizabeth took to a tavern to drink and be merry.
This left Patroklos and Marie, who both offered to look around the bustling streets outside Cassandra's house. "Never seen a place this...grand! Wouldn't you agree?" she asked.
"Of course; how I miss the smell of the air and the sea when Pyrrha and I were kids."
Suddenly, he had an idea. Remembering his conversation with Athena last night, he asked her, "Do you mind if Freyja can meet Aunt Cassandra for the first time?"
This provoked her to think for a moment, before she replied, "Not at all. Why do you ask?"
"I'd like Cass to meet her in person."
Intrigued by his words, Marie smiled. "Sure!"
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Elsewhere, Cassandra was in her training room. She had just swung several hits on the training dummy, and was quite impressed that she could still give it her all in her thirties.
The sounds of walking would instantly get her attention, though. Setting down her sword and shield, she saw that Marie had entered the room.
"Miss Cassandra! Hello again!" she greeted with her usual cheer.
"Oh, hey, Marie. What's up?"
"I know Patroklos had Athena meet you, but he and I were wondering if my mentor could introduce herself to you, as well." she replied.
"Really? Who could she be, exactly?" Cassandra asked.
Marie stood back, and before long, a red-haired woman in black and blue garb emerged before her eyes.
"Who're you?"
"My name is Freyja; the Norse goddess of war...and beauty, I might add. I also happen to be watching over Marie almost diligently." Freyja spoke.
Cassandra's mouth nearly gaped, as she exclaimed, "Holy crap! I didn't know Norse gods could also materialize into human forms."
She then cleared her throat before adding, "I'm Cassandra; nice to meet you!" and offered the goddess a handshake.
Freyja smiled as she willingly shook her hand, and the blonde smiled back as well. "So, uh, you know your Greek counterpart is Ares, right?"
"That's right. And from Patroklos told me, Ares was a rather troubling mentor. Not to mention his attitude before meeting the Mad Hearts Neo was very much due to his influence." she told her.
"Uh huh..." Cassandra said as she raised an eyebrow. "I've a feeling you're much more good at planning ahead than he does, right?" she asked.
The goddess just grinned as she nodded a simple "Yes."
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Patroklos and Marie watched from a small distance, and the latter flashed him a confident smile. He returned her smile, before he spoke up.
"I can tell Aunt Cassandra seems to enjoy Freyja's company."
"I think so, too. But alas, we won't be here for long, as we must return to Lasberg tomorrow." Marie said.
"Such a shame..." Patroklos sighed, looking over at Cassandra and Freyja for a brief moment. "But at least I am happy to have seen my aunt again." he added, a smile forming on his face.
Marie nodded, before they left together, offering to hang out at a nearby tavern.
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"You what?" A bewildered Helen asked Lydia, in a soft voice so that no one else in the bookstore could hear.
"I couldn't help myself; when I learned from Marie about her first time, I fantasized about being in her place on that night." she replied.
Helen could only blush, before clearing her throat as she changed subjects. "Speaking of Patroklos...do you still have feelings for Pyrrha? Even after she's turned against us?"
Lydia sighed, before she said, "I used to, but not anymore. I've a feeling she's clearly changed for the worse."
This perplexed the Russian girl, even as they both continued to read the script for the Shakespearan play A Midsummer Night's Dream.
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Isuzu and Elizabeth were already enjoying each others's company at the tavern, though they were slightly unaware that Patroklos and Marie might also be present. Regardless, the samurai took another sip from the wine she herself ordered.
"So tell me," the blonde asked. "Is it really true you came up against an immortal?"
"Yep. But it was more of a goal that an acquaintance of mine had to fufill."
She was mentioning the fight with her, Mitsurugi and Algol, and this prompted Elizabeth to raise an eyebrow almost curiously.
"Nonetheless, I did my best to take Algol out, but I think I bit off a little more than I could chew, and so I let Mitsurugi do his thing. It pretty much ended with him getting the win, which Algol wasn't too happy about." Isuzu spoke.
"Plus, Mitsurugi thought I was pretty gutsy, and even told me that bigger and better things might await me and my siblings in the future." she added.
Elizabeth smiled, before the bartender came and asked, "Have you run out of whiskey, ma'am?"
"Yes, but I'm good." she responded.
He nodded, before Isuzu offered to pay him for their drinks.
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After spending the entire day in Greece, another day had come and it was time for Patroklos and the Mad Hearts Neo to return to Lasberg.
But just as they were about to leave, he wanted to say his goodbyes to Cassandra, since the group of girls had already done so.
"It's pretty disappointing that you were only here for a couple of days." she said.
"I know, but I guarantee you that I'll always be more than happy to come home. Maybe even have a friendly match with you in the future."
Once he said those words, Patroklos and Cassandra hugged one another, and she'd bid them goodbye. "Hope to see you again soon!" she called out as the boat took off.
It would take several days, or maybe weeks, before the group of six reached Lasberg, safe and sound. Unbeknownst to them, several fighters were temporarily visiting the town, as well.
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And back to the main story we go! Stay tuned!
With love for my fans,
Chrissy