Elle hadn't realized she had fallen asleep until she felt herself being lifted. Her instincts had her reacting without thinking before she was fully awake. The knife she kept at her waist was out and placed against the ribs of whoever it was that was holding her. The man froze before he even straightened all the way.
She opened her eyes to see Caius looking down at her with shock. She released a long breath and pulled the knife back. "Sorry. Gut reaction."
Caius finally finished standing, but he was still giving her an evaluating look. "Do you always carry a knife?"
She pushed against his chest. "Would you put me down?"
He sighed and did as she asked. Once she was on her own two feet, she stepped back and looked around. It was fully dark, and she cursed. She had promised to get back before the compound locked for the night. No wonder they sent Caius after her. What was he? Was he an apprentice? Either way, it didn't matter. She sighed and put the knife back in the hidden sheath. "To answer your question, yes. At least one." She paused and held out a hand.
He looked at it with some apprehension. This woman had already proven herself to be just as unpredictable as any warrior he had encountered. When she sighed and dropped her hand, he watched her shrug. "Look, I don't blame you for anything. I just wanted to apologize. It seems we've gotten off to a rough start. All I know is I was shoved into this without being asked first, and I'm still trying to figure it out."
His brow drew down, and it was several moments later before he said anything. "Praes told me he saw your mark. You were branded by the Goddess. Is it true?"
Elle laughed bitterly and pulled back the edge of her top. "I guess that's what this is. It's what Yeul said it was anyway. I know it wasn't there before."
Caius' eyes widened. "I have never seen that symbol."
"That makes two of us."
Silence fell between them at that. Finally, Elle looked into the darkened city with a sigh. "I'm sorry you had to come after me. I didn't mean to fall asleep up here. I just had a lot on my mind, and this was the closest I could get to open air without leaving the city."
Caius watched her for a few moments as she looked up to the stars. It had taken him hours to finally track her down. Praes had called him into the Seeress' chamber only for Yeul to tell him that for the time being, he was to be assigned to both guard and guide the Emissary. He had once again questioned the reasoning behind the order, but not aloud. By the time he had followed her, she had disappeared. He had been aggravated, but there was still a part of him that had been impressed. With her appearance, it should not have been as simple for her as it had been. It was only the fact that someone had spotted a person on top of the Learner's and Healer's quarters and had reported it to the guard that he had even known where to look.
As he looked at her now as she watched the stars, she seemed every bit the small and fragile woman he thought she was as he saw her sleeping. Though he felt that was the façade and not her true face. He doubted a fragile person would be willing to struggle as she had. He finally broke the silence. "Emissary, I believe I owe you an apology as well. Perhaps we can start anew with the day tomorrow. I have been asked to guide you. For tonight, please allow me to take you to suitable sleeping quarters."
Elle turned to him with a dark look. "Alright, if we have any chance of getting along at all, then we need to get one thing straight. My name is Elle. Not Emissary, not anything Else that Yeul might tell you. Elle." She stepped up and held up her hand again.
Caius eyed it for a moment before he clasped it like he had earlier that day. She grinned at him and shook. "Great! I'm Elle Bachman. Nice to meet you, Paddra Sol-Caius."
A small smirk crossed his lips as he let go. "You have asked to call me Caius, yet you have asked me to call you Elle. Is that your given name?"
Elle blinked at him as she realized the different naming conventions might seem a little strange, but at least he seemed to catch on. She nodded. "Yes. Bachman is my family name."
His smile widened as he gestured toward the edge. "Elle, why don't we find our way down."
She moved to where she knew the stairs were and looked over to him before she remembered she was wearing a dress still. She grimaced. "Let me go first if you don't mind."
He looked like he was about to object, but she didn't give him a chance to before she sat down and then twisted so she would fall and catch the edge. Once she was dangling at arm's length, she let go and dropped the rest of the way. It was still far enough to rattle her teeth since she dropped to the landing and not the rail, but not enough to hurt. She looked up to see Caius watching her with wide eyes. She waved up at him. "Are you coming?"
He shook his head before he followed her down. When he was beside her, he gestured toward the stairs. "I believe the Seeress had quarters for you in her compound, but they are locked for the night. I know it might be a bit awkward, but given my assignment, I would be happy to allow you to use my lodgings temporarily."
Elle froze and looked up at him. "Your assignment? I thought you said you were supposed to show me around tomorrow?"
Caius looked uncomfortable under her scrutiny, but he answered. "I have been asked to guide you the entire time you remain with us."
Elle raised a brow and stepped back. What was that girl up to? She had no doubt Caius was just as much a pawn in this as she was. Finally, she shook her head. She wasn't going to get answers by alienating the man. At least he was polite. It was weird as hell talking to him after him being the main bad guy in a game she once played, but it wasn't like she really knew him. She had to think about this logically if she stood any chance of making it out alive. Besides, she had slept in far worse conditions.
She waved for him to lead the way. "Do you have a couch I can crash on?"
He gave her a confused look. "I do not understand."
Elle sighed. "I meant I don't want to intrude any more than I have to. I appreciate your offer, and I'll take it, but if you have something like a pallet or something? Anything other than where you normally sleep. Get it?"
Despite her worries and attitude and general weirded outness by the situation, Elle was still very much a woman and very much aware that Caius was a damn fine man. She had been trying hard not to think of his bed and him in proximity to it. Things were weird enough without that.
Thankfully he must not have noticed the fact that she was awkward about the offer, or he was too polite to mention it as he nodded. "I understand. I believe we can figure something out. Please follow me."
The city streets were quiet and dark as she followed him back toward the other side of the city. As she looked around, she noticed the main streets were lined with lamps that glowed a green color. She stepped closer to one and tried to see how. When Caius spotted she wasn't next to him, he came back and gave her a curious look. "What is the problem?"
She pointed up. "What do you use? It doesn't look like fire or electricity."
Caius blinked. "Electricity?"
Well, that answered one of her questions. She sighed and shook her head. "It's nothing. Can you tell me what that is anyway?"
He looked up and frowned. "It is a derivative of the glow mushroom. They are cultivated in nearby caves and are used for most outdoor lighting. Their essence absorbs the light during the day and releases it at night." He gave her a frown. "Surely, this is common."
Elle sighed. It sounded like phosphorus, or something similar. "I understand the concept. It's just different where I'm from." She turned back to the road. "Sorry, I know it's late. I didn't mean to distract you."
He was still giving her an odd look, but he turned back to the road. It was only a few minutes more before they reached a building that was still several stories. Elle realized with a start, that even though these people didn't have the added benefit of electricity, most of their buildings were of sturdy stone and not wood. Plus, they were all multi-storied. It made sense, with the city not able to grow out. They were protected in the valley, but space was limited as well. She looked around as he led her up the stairs and smiled. For a society that was not as advanced as hers, it didn't feel awkward. At least not yet.
When they got to the top floor, he opened one of the doors and led her into a spartan room. The only things that might be considered decorations seemed more like hunting trophies. Elle almost laughed but managed to hold it in. She should not have been surprised by his decor. As he left the room, she looked around more and began to wonder how much time he actually spent in the small apartment. It almost seemed more like storage space than living quarters.
Her attention was drawn when he returned with an armload of things that looked like a mix of blankets and furs. She raised a brow as he set them down on a small table and cleared a corner before he turned back to her. "Please let me know if there is anything else you require. I will be in the next room. I will return you to the Seeress in the morning."
"Thanks." She wasn't sure what to think about any of this, but even if there was something missing, she could deal for one night. When that was all she said, he gave her a nod and went back to the other room to give her privacy. She looked through the pile and found several soft furs that she layered with a blanket for a pillow and another thinner one to cover with. The night air was chilly coming through the window, but not more than what she was used to. It was actually nice compared to the humidity during the day.
Even though she had slept some already, and her head was full to bursting, Elle was surprised to find herself blinking back a yawn not long after she settled into her makeshift bed. It was more comfortable than she expected it to be, and it wasn't long until she was asleep again.
The next morning, Elle was woken by a masculine voice calling her name. She frowned. It was too deep to be Kurt's, and he shouldn't be in Chicago anyway. He was still attending Blackburn, nearly a full state away. She blinked her eyes open and rubbed them as she yawned. "Did Kurt let you in?"
The deep voice chuckled as he answered. "I believe you have things switched. These are my quarters, after all."
At his words, Elle groaned. She had hoped it was all a bad nightmare. She sat up and was at least thankful that her head wasn't still pounding as she glared at her purple-haired host. He was grinning at her. "Is Kurt your mate?"
She sighed and shook her head as she pushed herself up and started trying to clean up the mess. "No, he's my little brother. He's the only person that has a key to my apartment, though, and he's been known to be a little shit. It wouldn't have been the first time he's let himself in after a night out with his friends."
"And you allow this behavior?"
She paused and looked back at him with a sad smile. "Not really, but it's hard to tell him to leave when it's just the two of us."
His eyes widened as understanding came to him. He wasn't given a chance to say anything as she handed him the pile of folded blankets and such. "Thanks for letting me crash here."
He looked confused for a moment, but he nodded as he realized what she meant. "It is an honor to assist."
She gave him a sardonic look but kept her mouth shut. Instead, she looked around. "Now what?"
He set the armload back on the table and started to gesture back to the entrance, but her stomach picked that moment to growl loudly. He frowned at her. "Were you not given the means to find food yesterday?"
She sighed and nodded. "Yeah, but I had too much on my mind. I think it's been a minute since I actually ate."
His frown deepened. "We can find something to break your fast before we return."
"That would be great."
He gestured to the door, and she followed him back down. When they got back to the street level, she was inundated with the sounds of a busy city once again. There weren't the sounds of honking or squealing tires, but there were the rumble of cart wheels and the clomp of different beasts. Most notable were the giant yellow birds. The first time she saw one, she stopped and stared until Caius came back and asked her if she was alright again. She wondered how many times she was going to do something like that before he realized just how different her world was. He seemed like a smart guy.
Thankfully, he was also polite and didn't ask about it as he led her through the streets. It wasn't long until she began to recognize buildings from the day before. She was surprised when a familiar face stepped out in front of them and smiled up at Caius. "Good morning, Apprentice! Do you have time for tea? I could have it brewed for you in no time."
Elle tried not to laugh at the way Caius looked at the request. He was obviously not unaware of the other woman's ulterior motives behind the request. With that being the case, Elle was shocked when he stepped to the side and nodded. "We have yet to break our fast. Would you still have food as well?"
The woman turned wide eyes to Elle and then looked between them. "Oh, I didn't realize you weren't alone! Of course, we always welcome customers. Come in, come in!"
Elle raised a brow as the woman frowned slightly as she turned to the back after they were seated. She leaned over and tried to speak in low tones. "I was here yesterday for a few minutes, but I cannot remember her name for the life of me. Do you know it? I was too frazzled."
He raised a brow at her admission and smirked. "She is Paddra Lor-Raine."
Elle sat back with a frown. "Is Lor a common family name then?"
They were interrupted when the woman came back, and Elle jerked up as she called out. "You remembered! You seemed rather distracted, so I wasn't sure you would. Or were you asking about my uncle?"
Elle gave Caius a shocked look, and he shrugged. She looked back to the woman and stuttered a little. "Actually, I was just asking to see if there was a relation, but I guess I got my answer."
The woman smiled wider, but there was a sad note to it. "Yes, well, I haven't seen him in years, but if you do, feel free to tell him that he still has family that thinks of him sometimes."
Elle suddenly felt like she was in the middle of something she didn't want to be and wondered if this was more the reason Caius had been uncomfortable and not the fact that the woman had been ogling him. Still, she tried to be polite. "I'll do that."
She was more than thankful when the woman put a plate in front of each of them and a steaming cup before she walked off again. She picked the cup up and wrinkled her nose at the acrid smell. Caius chuckled at the look. "It is not as bad as it smells. Here." He cut a piece of fruit from his own plate and squeezed it into his own cup and motioned her to do the same. She followed suit and took a tentative sip.
She nearly gagged on the bitter flavor that the sweet fruit did little to cover. It was like adding sugar to coffee. She could tell he was trying not to laugh at her and she glared at him. She tried to keep her voice low. "Have you never heard of cream? I mean, this isn't exactly coffee, but it's close enough."
He sat back with a start. "In the tea?"
She shrugged. "Why not? It would cut the bitter better than something sweet." She made a disgusted face, and he did laugh. He caught Raine's attention, and she was by their side in a flash.
Her attention was solely for Caius as he made the request. "Do you have any milk left this morning?"
She gave him a questioning look, but she nodded. "For you, I'm sure we can find something. Give me a minute."
She was as good as her word and had a small bowl of milk. She handed it to Caius with a grin. "Here you go!"
He then turned and handed it to Elle. She tried to ignore the look the woman gave her as she poured a bit into her tea. When it became a sufficiently creamy color, she stirred and tried it again. Once the bitter was toned down, she was surprised to find it was actually pretty good. It had a spiced tone that was different than anything she had before. She grinned over to them both. "Much better. Thank you!"
The woman blinked at her in confusion. "I have never seen anyone add milk to their tea."
Elle smiled awkwardly. "Oh, well, where I am from, there is a similar drink. The milk cuts the bitter. It's pretty good when you can taste it past that part."
The girl's eyes widened. "Not everyone complains about the bitter, but I will remember that for people that do, thank you!"
Elle didn't even get to respond before the woman ran off again. Caius caught her attention again as he pointed to the drink. "I have never seen the like either. May I?"
It took her a moment to realize he was asking to drink from her cup. She gestured to it. It was the least strange thing she had seen in the last couple of days. His eyes widened as the liquid crossed his tongue, and he set her cup back down. "That is almost decadent. Such a small change to make such a significant difference."
Something in his words snagged Elle's attention, and suddenly, she felt like she had been hit by a sledgehammer. The ripple effect. Small pebbles still made large waves. Oh god, how could she have been so blind? Surely Yeul wasn't as clueless as she was letting on either.
Caius must have noticed something was wrong as he gave her a worried glance, but she shook her head. She needed more information before she could decide anything. For the moment, she needed to eat. Getting sick from malnutrition wasn't going to help anyone. The rest of the meal was quiet before he led her out and back up the long trail to the Seeress' compound.
A/N: This is both fun and intimidating to write. It's almost a blank slate since it's more than a thousand years before the first game takes place. That's even way before Fang and Vanille's time, so it's going to be a lot of world building, even though the later world is known. I'm looking forward to it. I have big plans, so I hope you all enjoy! Thanks for reading!