Astarte's eyes were cold. It gave Ritsuka shivers as she stared back, her back pressing against the metal walls. That was the first thing Ritsuka noticed when Astarte stepped closer, while her hand laid resting on her blade. She looked Ritsuka up and down before opening her mouth to speak.
"As of now, You're my prisoner, so don't even think about escaping, is that understood?"
Ritsuka could only nod.
In the language of flowers, roses symbolizes eternal love.
There were not many things Astarte had enjoyed in life beyond the regular spurs that came with leading an evil organization. She was aware her fellow minions greatly admired her and while it felt nice to be respected she didn't care for her comrades like they did. Astarte was growing restless already.
Ritsuka heaved.
"What was that?" Astarte mocked, pulling her hand back to pet the girls cheek. "I didn't quite catch that the first time. Maybe try speaking louder, for me, human."
Astarte loathed humans.
Ritsuka was no exception. The girl practically radiated sheer ignorance when Astarte had whisked her away to another dimension, condemning the poor girl as her prisoner. Just the thought of that sent shivers down her spine. She liked the idea.
So how was it possible the human girl managed to smile even in her circumstances? Humans were confusing… Astarte simply shook her head in disbelief, then started walking towards Ritsuka's room. The door opened and out popped Ritsuka's pretty little head, her face brightening up when she spotted Astarte and waved.
"Ishtar!" Risuka strode out, with the usual stupid grin on her face Astarte had come to despise. "How are you?"
Astarte enjoyed Ritsuka's company truthfully; she dared to say she liked the human girl as vile as she may have been. Ritsuka was like a breath of fresh air.
"You spend too much time with that human girl, Astarte." Muneori shot her a displeased look, not even bothering to sugar coat his words. Astarte foresaw this happening, from the moment he laid his eyes on the girl he had wanted to wring its neck. Frowning, Astarte raised her head, urging him to continue.
"I do not know what your fixation is with that disgusting human but I'd advise against further communicating with her. Since its arrival, you've been behaving strangely. It's almost as if you like that human."
"I am merely monitoring her."
Muneori scoffed. "I hope so, for your sake. Must I remind you of your mission?"
Astarte shook her head. "I remember."
"Good." seemingly satisfied with her words, Muneori gathered himself up to exit, not before stopping at the door. "It won't do you any good to get attached, Astarte. After what happened with that man..."
"I won't, Muneori. That human is vital to our plans and i'll see to it she stays that way." it felt like a lie as the words rushed out of her mouth. Muneori seemed to accept her answer and exited the room shortly.
As much as Astarte wanted to remain true to their goals, a part of her questioned the plan. Gods, what was she thinking? Shaking her head, Astarte rushed out the corridor and to Ritsuka's room. She needed to end whatever was happening for her sake.
"Ishtar?" Ritsuka blinked. No sooner had she opened her door, Astarte had appeared. "Are you here to visit me again?"
"I..."
"Yeah?"
Astarte sighed, ''Just come with me right now."'
"Uh okay?"
Her ship landed near a diamond planet, located from the farthest known galaxy known to mankind.
"What… is this place?" Ritsuka stared in awe at the lush garden adorned with crystallized flowers. They had teleported to a far region in the galaxy with no signs of life.
"It's a rose garden," Astarte answered easily. She bent down to pluck a red bud and presented it to Ritsuka. "These flowers only bloom every blue moon. It's considered a rare flower, or so I heard.."
"They're beautiful," Ritsuka eyes the flower in Astarte's hand, bright red and twinking in rainbow shimmers.
Astarte smiled before placing the rose in Ritsuka's hair. She let her fingers brush against the girls hair and rested her hand back on her hip.
"Thank you Ishtar!"
"Yeah," Astarte replies grinning.
"Aha!" Ritsuka pointed, "you finally smiled! I was getting worried you weren't enjoying yourself."
"That's because you're here."
And she meant it.
Unfortunately, her time was running out.
Astarte had always known they'd be separated but not like this. She hated it the moment she found out she wasn't her father's child, how she was a split entity of a goddess and evil.
Gold sparks flickered in Ritsuka's eyes, as she desperately reached her hand out toward Astarte.
"I'm sorry, Ritsuka." Astarte pulled out something in her pocket and tossed it to Ritsuka. "Here's something for you to remember me by."
The ice flower rested between her fingers, shimmering like rainbow shards.
"Astarte!"
She chuckled. "You finally said my name."
Ritsuka looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"Geez, come here."
They hugged for a short while as Astarte began to slowly fade away.
"Thank you, Ritsuka."
In a place far away where the planets met, the young master of Chaldea cried as she held a red rose in her hand.
