Raelle found Scylla the following morning already headed to their ride to the airport with their backpacks. She appreciated her being proactive and taking her gear from Scylla.
"How did it go?" Scylla asked privately.
"Surprisingly well," Raelle replied, looking around to see if anyone was eavesdropping. "Not much drama as I had expected."
"Adil must've calmed her pretty well yesterday," Scylla joked.
"That or she's too busy trying to impress her mom," Raelle said, looking at how many were headed to The Hague. "Did you miss me?" She decided to change the subject.
"Only if you missed me," Scylla countered playfully.
"You know I always do," Raelle confirmed, leaning in for a quick kiss.
.
Scylla took the window seat while Raelle stowed their backpacks in the overhead compartment.
Raelle was taking her seat when she saw Morgana come down the aisle. "Hi, how are you doing?"
"Better now that the pressure is over," Morgana replied.
"Oh, this is my girlfriend, Scylla," Raelle quickly introduced her, watching the two exchange casual pleasantries.
"You're lucky to have her," Morgana said before heading to her seat in the rear.
"I'm the lucky one," Raelle whispered in Scylla's ear. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."
Scylla touched the side of Raelle's face she could reach and smiled. "She's quite pretty."
"Yeah, but she's not sexy weird like you," Raelle reiterated, snuggling next to her. She looked up when Izadora came by and handed Scylla another book. "What's this one about?" She peeked as Scylla opened it.
"Volume two," Scylla said with a smile. "A little light reading during the flight."
"That's light?" Raelle wondered, looking at how thick the volume was. "Good luck with that. I'm falling asleep just looking at it."
"I'll still choose you," Scylla said, setting the book aside. "What would you like to do instead?"
Raelle opened her hand and waited for Scylla to interlock their fingers.
.
Raelle looked over the balcony from their top floor room while Scylla did her routine check. "I think I can get us safely down there as long as you don't distract me."
Scylla looked over with her to gauge the height and knew it was something Raelle could do but preferred not to risk it. "Let's just use that as a last resort."
"Ok, in that case, hang on to these," Raelle said, giving her a box of salva. "Just in case I'm not around or I get distracted."
"Like this?" Scylla asked, pulling Raelle into a kiss as she backed them onto the bed. She heard her groan when they heard the knock on the door.
Raelle growled as she opened the door and found M outside. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been here making sure the place is ready and secure," M explained. "Does it meet your expectations?" She hinted at actually having chosen the room specifically for her.
"It's acceptable," Raelle tried to be cool about it but was impressed with the choice. "Is that all you needed?"
"Actually, I wanted to borrow Ramshorn if I could," M replied. She saw Scylla come around and explained she needed her opinion about the location she had chosen for the Dodger contingent.
"Sure, I can help you with that," Scylla agreed to help. She gave Raelle a quick peck on the cheek as she headed out.
"Can I come with you?" Raelle asked, feeling left behind again.
"Of course," Scylla said with a smile. But before they could leave together, Raelle was called away by Abigail who wanted her with them instead. "I'll come find you after."
.
"Scylla can't be with us," Abigail explained exasperatedly.
"Why not? She's earned it," Raelle insisted. "She's good enough to fight the Camarilla with us but not be part of the talks?"
"Why don't we let Scylla decide where she wants to be," Tally mediated between the two.
"What do I have to decide?" Scylla asked, walking up to the unit.
"Talk some sense to your girlfriend," Abigail said before walking away.
"She'll listen to you," Tally entreated, giving Scylla's arm a quick squeeze before following Abigail.
"What happened?" Scylla asked, seeing Raelle try to calm herself down before facing her.
"Abigail being Abigail; she wants to exclude you from …" Raelle began, trying not to show Scylla how upset she was.
"Let's go for a walk, it might help you find the words," Scylla suggested. She was glad when Raelle didn't object and let her lead the way. At the hotel lobby, she saw a young familiar face who excitedly ran towards her so she crouched to welcome the girl into her arms. "What are you doing here?"
"My new parents wanted me to see change as it happens," Tiffany said excitedly. "Are you here for that, too?"
Scylla realized they've been chosen to be delegates for the Dodgers. "Yes, and I'd like you to meet someone who made this possible; this is Raelle."
"You must be Tiffany," Raelle guessed correctly, coming down to her level and seeing how astonished the little girl was by that simple recognition. She watched her whisper into Scylla's ear and the brunette nodded in response. She was almost knocked down when the girl launched herself to hug her.
Scylla watched as Raelle interacted naturally with Tiffany before she had to go back to her parents. "You were great with her," she observed.
"She's a brave and bright girl," Raelle said. "She kind of reminds me of you at that age; carefree."
"Are you feeling better?" Scylla asked, seeing the blonde more relaxed. "Do you want to tell me what Abigail did to get you so worked up?"
.
Raelle couldn't believe that Scylla was agreeing with Abigail that she not be involved during the talks with the Army brass. She was getting all worked up again and was close to boycotting it herself.
"I can't be involved with the Army because I don't agree with their position," Scylla explained her refusal. "I think I'll best serve as a representative for the Dodgers."
"But that means you won't be with me during the negotiations," Raelle mellowed down enough to say.
"I may not be physically with you but I'm always with you," Scylla reminded her, pulling her into her arms. "When this is all over, we'll be together until you grow tired of me."
"I'll never grow tired of you," Raelle promised, nuzzling her neck. "Who'll be representing the Spree?"
"Nicte," Scylla said without hesitation. "I think she and Petra have already come to an understanding but as the founder, I think she can make changes as she sees fit during the talks."
"Where is she by the way?" Raelle wondered out loud.
"She's been at the summit of civilian world leaders exposing the Camarilla's atrocities towards our kind in D.C.," Scylla explained her absence. "Petra's new intel just reinforces it."
"She's been busy huh?" Raelle noted gladly.
"She has, especially since she had to shapeshift into the respective trusted advisor of each leader to get near enough to present the proof we discovered," Scylla revealed.
"She didn't have to push them, did she?" Raelle asked carefully.
"Given that much evidence, no, she didn't have to," Scylla replied with an edge in her voice she couldn't hide. "Besides, we want them to realize the harm they have caused is equal to those we're guilty of."
Raelle reached for her and pulled her close. "No one will harm you again, ever." She smiled when Scylla snuggled closer and relaxed against her.
.
Scylla found that although the Dodgers were the most loosely organized, they were the most ready and clear about what they wanted out of the new accord. As such, she had time to spare before she met up with Raelle for lunch as they planned. She wondered how it was going for the blonde but fought the urge to sneak into the Army's conference room.
"Look who wanted me to find you," Quinn announced with Tiffany in tow. "She couldn't stop talking about seeing you here."
Scylla opened her arms for a quick hug from the young witch. "What have you been up to?"
"Hoping to see you and Raelle again," Tiffany said excitedly. "My parents said you'd be too busy for me."
"I'm sure we can find some time to spend with you," Scylla assured her. "If you'd like, you can have lunch with us if your parents approve. Where are they?"
"They're scouting the area," Quinn explained. "They're thinking about moving here permanently."
Scylla wasn't surprised and saw the appeal of a new start in a new place. "Well, in that case, I think it's alright with them if we go find Raelle and see if she's free for lunch."
"This is probably not a good idea," Quinn said, seeing young cadets guarding the door to the room.
"They'll have to eat sometime," Scylla said, putting on her charming smile to disarm them. "We're here to see Raelle."
"She's busy," one spoke up. "And entry is only for official Army members."
"She's retired from the Army, I was in for a while and she's too young to be in it," Scylla said, presenting as their credentials for admission. She was disappointed when that didn't get them in from the unimpressed cadet guards.
"Ramshorn, what are you doing here?" M asked, having heard the commotion from just inside the door.
"We were hoping to see Raelle," Scylla explained, hoping M was more open to letting them in.
.
Raelle spent the morning listening to various Army leaders criticize every proposal put forth on how to deal with the witches who were not members of the Army and found it tedious that it's still an issue after all they've been through.
"We can't just let them off scot-free," one general insisted. "There has to be full accountability."
"And service must remain compulsory or our numbers will dwindle," another objected to an element proposed.
"Think of how many would leave active duty given the chance," someone added.
"Enough!" Raelle exclaimed. "This is going nowhere. We are supposed to be moving forward, not clinging to old ideals."
"Collar, it's not that simple," Petra gently advised her to calm down.
Raelle wouldn't be swayed. "It should be. Forcing us all to serve is not the solution. We fought our common enemy together regardless of our affiliation – Army, Spree, Dodgers, and even Tarim; each group using their own specific skills to achieve the same goal."
"And that is precisely why we need to be united together," the general who wanted service to remain mandatory said.
"You're missing the point," Raelle hissed, getting upset at how short-sighted they were being. "We need to stop categorizing each other. My dad is a civilian and even though many think I'm weak because of him, I'm actually stronger thanks to him. My mom taught me unconventional work that has saved me more ways than I can count; all of you have work passed down from mother to daughter that can and should continue because that is what binds us; our work. We are witches, unique and special."
"So, what do you propose we do?" the same general asked.
"All I know is, we need to stop blaming each other and start working together to reconcile," Raelle suggested. "Accept that some will serve while others won't. We don't need to force all witches into service because when it really matters, we can come together. My girlfriend is Spree and I know she worked harder than anyone to give me every advantage she could to fight in this war. She didn't have to be forced to do anything but chose to do it anyway. I chose to fight because I wanted to protect her, my dad and those I care for; I believe you all chose to fight for your loved ones, too. We may be different from one another but deep down, we are not. We just want to live our lives and be happy with those we love."
Abigail and Tally simultaneously started stomping their feet in agreement and before long the whole room was thundering with stomps.
.
Scylla saw Tiffany get frightened by the show of support so she gave the little girl a reassuring hug. "It's alright; they're just agreeing to what Raelle said."
"Why don't I take her outside until things settle down," Quinn offered, taking Tiffany out of the room.
Scylla appreciated it and was able to stay to watch what else happened. She saw Raelle walk towards her when the generals broke off into groups presumably to deliberate on what the blonde had just said.
"Scyl. Did you hear all that?" Raelle asked, surprised but glad that she was there.
"Every word," Scylla replied, smiling with pride at her.
"I hope it wasn't too much," Raelle said nervously.
"It was perfect," Scylla assured her. "It was so moving that they now have to rethink their priorities."
"Well, let's get out of here before they drag me back into this," Raelle suggested, pulling Scylla out of the room with her.
Quinn and Tiffany were waiting just outside and the latter ran up to Raelle as soon as she came out of the door.
"Hey, how are you?" Raelle greeted her, giving her a quick hug. "Were you just inside?" She quickly deduced that Scylla must've brought her in to witness a momentous occasion.
"It was very loud inside," Tiffany admitted, trying her best to recompose herself. "Weren't you scared?"
"There's nothing to be afraid of," Raelle assured her. "When this is over, you don't ever have to be afraid."
"Your mom would be proud," Quinn said, hugging Raelle when she stood back up.
"Larry," Tiffany greeted as the man approached.
"Your friend Larry?" Raelle asked, sizing up the man and shaking his hand after Scylla made the introduction.
"I'm honored to meet you," Larry said, shaking her hand profusely. "We are all indebted to you."
"We're not quite done yet," Raelle said, knowing there was still more to be done. "And you don't owe me anything; it's Scylla you should thank."
"I've always known she'd do something great," he said. "Even as children, she was the bravest of us all."
"You've certainly made an impression on him," Raelle whispered in Scylla's ear. "Should I be worried?"
"He doesn't stand a chance," Scylla replied. "No one does."
.
Raelle watched with admiration as Scylla ordered their lunch. "When did you learn to speak Dutch?"
"I just know enough to get by," Scylla revealed.
Raelle saw their food arrive and was shocked to see several headless fish on a plate. She was relieved when Scylla pulled it towards her and another dish that looked like stew placed in front of them.
"I just wanted to try it," Scylla explained, picking one up and putting it in her mouth to eat like the locals do.
"What is that?" Abigail asked, surprising the pair.
"It's food, Abigail," Raelle said, picking one of the fish and following Scylla's example.
Scylla watched in awe as Raelle did that and look cheekily up at Abigail. "Is there something we can do for you?" She spoke on Raelle's behalf as the blonde try to swallow her mouthful of herring.
"I just wanted to make sure you're coming back after lunch," Abigail explained.
"She will," Scylla confirmed, seeing Raelle nod in agreement as well. "Are you ok?" She asked her when Abigail had left.
"It's an acquired taste," Raelle said, reaching for her drink to wash it down.
"You didn't have to eat one," Scylla said, giving her a kiss on the cheek for the effort.
"And miss out on that look on Abigail's face?" Raelle joked. "It was worth it."
"So, my kiss was chopped liver?" Scylla teased, getting a quick assurance that it wasn't when Raelle kissed her properly.
.
Scylla was half-way through the book Izadora gave her when she heard a knock at the door. She didn't recognize the man outside but heard him call her by name so she opened the door slightly.
"Scylla Ramshorn?" the man asked.
"Yes," Scylla confirmed cautiously. "Who are you?"
"I'm Byron, Porter's friend," he said amicably.
Scylla tensed up and prepared to fight when Raelle showed up and greeted him warmly.
"What are you doing here?" Raelle asked, giving him a quick hug.
"We're here to make you new clothes," he revealed cheerfully. "We can't have you wearing these old rags to the most important event of our lifetime."
Raelle moved to enter the room and turned to invite him in only to notice how unwelcoming Scylla was at the door.
"Oh," he said, realizing the connection between the two. "She's the one you were telling me about."
"You told him about me?" Scylla wondered, worrying his friendship with Porter made him her enemy.
"What did you do to her?" Raelle asked, seeing how wound-up Scylla was.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized, concluding correctly that Porter must be a sore subject and explains her hostile reaction. "Let me start over; I'm Byron, Raelle's friend."
"Can you give us a moment?" Scylla said, slamming the door on him. "He's Porter's friend." She expressed her impression and concern to Raelle more with her body language than her words.
"He's my friend, too," Raelle reminded her. "I'll vouch for him; he won't hurt you. If he does, I'll squash him."
Scylla reluctantly agreed to let him in and stood furthest away from the door as Raelle opened the door.
"Again, I apologize," Byron said. "If I had known you were Raelle's girlfriend, I would've started with that."
"So, how're we doing this?" Raelle asked, taking off her jacket.
"Oh, you need to go see the witchfather for your new uniform," he explained. "He sent me here to make Scylla's dress for tonight."
Scylla hesitated especially when Abigail and Tally arrived to take Raelle away.
"Take good care of her," Raelle told Byron. "Not even a pinprick or you'll answer to me."
"I'm the best which is why the witchfather sent me," he assured her. He watched Raelle kiss Scylla before leaving. "She really loves you."
Scylla was still guarded but listened to Byron divulge things she hadn't known until then.