She grunted after being tossed into her home for the next few days. A plain grey room that had a toilet, sink and a bed. A metal bed that had no sheets or pillows. The metallic door slammed close, causing her to flinch at the sound.
She had been thrown into the brig the moment that they arrived. She was expecting it though, she had no regrets. A small smile played on her face upon remembering what had occured.
She kept them safe. That's what matters most.
She was alone, she thought she was, a few minutes had passed since she was thrown into the cell, when soft footsteps padded down the hallway. They stopped in front of her room. Brynn looked up from where she was currently sprawled and saw a certain silver-haired girl. She gave a gentle smile and stood up, groaning a bit at the hardness of the surface she was lying on.
"How are you?" She asked, making her way towards the door and looked through the metal bars that separated them. She would have laughed at how pitiful her situation was. A punishment like this was useless, she was willing to do every reckless thing just to keep the people that she loved safe.
"Why?" Her eyebrows furrowed upon hearing that word, tilting her head to the side as she waited for the other to continue, "Why would you risk yourself for my sake? Operating a God Arc Soldier requires screening and even so…" The young girl choked out a sob, "You could have died!" Her voice trembled as she gripped the metal bars.
"You could have died…" She repeated, her eyes downcast. "You risked yourself, you risked your life, your career… Just for me…" She rambled on, Brynn only remained silent and listened intently.
Never has she experienced such warmth. No one has ever done something so risky for her and she not once expected that form anyone in the unit. Despite the girl imprisoned being one of her first friends, she never thought that she would do something as insane as that.
She was ready to die, ready to fight till the death. That was what she was taught, even at a young age. But here she was, breathing and alive. She looked up, her silver eyes meeting caramel ones. In those caramel eyes, was warmth that she had never seen before.
"Wouldn't you have done the same?" The words caused her eyes to widen. Brynn no longer waited for a response as she continued, "I'm your friend, remember? My career and my own life will never be more important than your wellbeing." The older one added with a gentle smile, allowing her hand to reach over to her waiting for her to reach out.
Ciel stared at the hand, slowly releasing her grip from the metal bars and slowly reached over to touch the expecting fingers. She sighed upon making contact.
"Thank you, no one has ever risked themselves for me." She paused, "No one until you…" She added, reciprocating the smile. This elicited a chuckle from the imprisoned one.
"I'd be willing to do it again." She playfully winked and pulled her hand away. "You should probably get going, I don't want you to get in trouble." The other refused to budge at first, a concerned look plastered on her features. This earned another chuckle to come from the vice captain. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I'll sleep through everything."
She wasn't kidding. That way, time would go faster. Ciel smiled in amusement anyways. She thanked her one last time before walking away. Brynn watched in silence at the retreating figure. The moment that she no longer could see her, she slumped down on the metallic bed and a sad smile graced her lips.
She was sad, for the shallowest reason, not once did the Captain look for her during the mission. She wasn't jealous, she was just sad that she didn't even cross his minds. She groaned at the thought and shook her head to dismiss it.
At least she fulfilled her responsibility as vice captain and as a friend.
She continued to stare at the ceiling, everything in the brig was silent. When her loud curse echoed throughout the walls.
"I forgot to ask her to save me some chicken!"
~'~'~
It's been three days. Three days since she's been locked up in that small, white, confinement with almost no human contact. To say that she was bored is an understatement. She was teetering over the edge of falling into insanity.
Of course, that was an exaggeration.
Despite reassurance that she gave to her friend a few days ago that she would be fine. She sort of wasn't. She wanted to see the garden again, her solace. She wanted to eat food that she could actually swallow. (Fried chicken in particular. Vegetables even, just not whatever concoction that they served in the brig.)
She wanted to bathe in her favorite bathroom stall. She did get to shower but she had a time limit, and the water was extremely cold. As if they put ice in the shower. She felt like a whiny brat but she couldn't help it.
Although, she wasn't quite ready yet to face her teammates. During the past few days, only Ciel has been visiting her. She appreciated the effort and the time that the girl put. Despite the younger one being quiet and somewhat stiff when they first interacted, she had gone a long way.
Brynn was close to drifting off to sleep, her eyes closing on its own accord as she stared at the dreary ceiling. The moment that her eyes closed, the metallic doors slid open causing her to sit up instantly. The brisk action had caused her head to spin a bit, she blinked and held it a few times before looking towards the door.
"You're free to go." The man, clad in Friar's uniform which was mainly green, informed her, stepping to the side indicating that she should go. Incapable of stopping the grin that was slowly reaching her face, she hurried out of her home for the past 3 days.
Before she could head out, the man called out to her, "Dr. Rachel is requesting for you to go to her office, do proceed there before doing anything else." Despite being curious, she nodded and thanked him before skipping away.
She just wanted to be out of that damn place.
"Hello, Brynn. You're looking well." She couldn't tell whether the older woman was being sarcastic or not. If this was any of her peers, she would have responded with something more brash.
"Good day, Dr. Rachel. You wanted to see me?" She answered while closing the door behind her. She was met with the neat and large laboratory that the doctor and sister had for themselves. The large screen showing the silhouette of God Arc Soldier and…
Hers?
The woman noticed the questioning look on the other one's face which caused her to giggle. Brynn snapped her head back to the younger Claudius, waiting for an explanation.
"You see, Amaryllis." She began, using the name that she wasn't usually called by, "I have learned some interesting things about you." This further captured the girl's attention, causing her to tilt her head slightly to the side which was one of her habits. Rachel motioned to the seat that was in front of her, urging the other one to sit down. Albeit hesitant, she sat down.
She had a feeling that this was going to take some time.
"Let's begin with your Blood Power; Evoke. You have the ability to awaken other people's Blood Power. Which was the case with Ciel." Brynn nodded slowly in understanding, brushing her bangs to the side with her hand the moment that they got in her eyes.
'I need to cut these soon.'
"Another is your strange compatibility with the God Arc Soldier. Like your God Arc, you have to be a match in order to operate these. The highest compatibility that we had was with Ciel, which was 78% compatible." She turned to the screen and began typing something on her keyboard. Brynn only watched with interest as multiple tabs appeared on the screen, the moment that the woman stopped, she saw her name along with a few charts.
"Your compatibility was 95%. Which is quite high and almost unbelievable. If your level of compatibility was low, it could have lead to your death." She swallowed the lump in her throat upon hearing that. "This would portend that you are capable of doing something remarkable with your own God Arc."
"What do you mean?"
The golden haired woman pressed something else on her keyboard before continuing, it was an outline of her and her God Arc. Different numbers and characters surrounded it, she couldn't comprehend it herself.
"It means that you can use different types of God Arc. Ones that you have forged on your own and with your own materials, of course." She added, Brynn's eyes widened in disbelief. "You are currently using the Variant Scythe, am I correct?" Not waiting for answer, she continued, "You also have the means of using the Short Blade, Long Blade, Buster Blade and the other kinds of weapons."
Her? Capable of wielding those? She only remembered wielding her scythe, not once has she tried using other weapons. The idea seemed ridiculous, she had this connection with Auricle and the thought of using other weapons seemed wrong.
"Perhaps you should consider experimenting on these, Amaryllis. Now, for the reason why I called you." Brynn felt the hair on the back of neck slowly rise, she was sensing something wrong.
"Your Blood Power and your interesting compatibility could help with the development of the God Arc Soldiers. If you agree to help with the project, the God Arc Soldier Project can be accomplished within a few months instead of the years that we were expecting." All the information that she was getting was taxing. But, she didn't mind the idea of helping.
"You do not need to answer me now, Brynn." Rachel finally called her by her first name, despite the comfort it was supposed to bring, she only felt more pressured. The small smile on the woman's face had not made her feel any better as well. There was something behind that smile, she just knew it.
'I shouldn't be jumping into conclusions.' She thought to herself while staring back at the bright blue eyes that locked with her own.
"I know that you must be surprised after all this information, you are free to go." With that being said, she stood up and gave a slight bow. "However, do consider letting go of Auricle, you might find something greater in store for you."
Despite how much her mind was rejecting the idea, she gave a curt nodded and excused herself from the laboratory. She sighed deeply as she ran a hand through her platinum colored hair. Making her way to the lift that she came in. Her finger pressed on the button, feeling its cold surface.
She liked the idea of finally being useful, of being able to help. However, she couldn't shake of the uneasy feeling that she was having. She didn't understand why she had it or what was causing her to feel that way, but it was there.
Ever since that Volere girl appeared, she was always on the edge whenever the doctor was around. Numerous thoughts ran through her head the moment that she stepped in the elevator.
"To say yes to everything that Rachel asks of you."
Before she could trouble herself even more with the thoughts in her head, her stomach decided to growl signifying her hunger. Rolling her eyes she spoke to no one in particular, "Way to ruin the moment."
The platinum haired girl made her way towards the cafeteria. She first stepped out of the elevator and arrived at the lobby's first floor. She sighed in relief upon not seeing anyone.
She knew that a certain Scottish man would berate her the moment that he lays his eyes on her. Cringing at the thought of that, she hastily made her way towards the hallway that would lead to the cafeteria.
"So you're finally out." She froze upon hearing the voice and swallowed the lump that was lodged in her throat. Fate was currently messing around with her. Turning slowly, her caramel colored eyes met with cobalt ones.
She gulped and gave a sheepish smile, still not fully facing her teammate, "Hi, Gil! Yeah, was just about to get some lunch, so… bye!" Before she could sprint away, a firm hand landed on her shoulder, stopping her. The strong grip on her shoulder pulled her so that she was facing her source of fear.
The same cobalt eyes had a glint of anger in them, she tried to avert her own but she couldn't bring herself to do so, so she found herself drowning in blue eyes.
Before she could say anything, she was taken aback by the way her comrade was shaking her, his face contorted into one of worry, "How the damn hell could you be so reckless?!" He demanded more than asked, she could only stare up and purse her lips together. Eyebrows ruffling in annoyance as the older male continued to assault her with words.
"Hey! At least I'm still alive-ow!" She pointed out the moment that the man let her go, she wasn't able to continue her sentence as the man pulled on her ear. It didn't hurt but it took her by surprise.
"You're going to wish that you died when I'm done with you, idiot!" Finding a narrow way to escape, she took it the moment that the man was about to drag her off to somewhere else. She snaked under his right arm and darted towards the elevator that she previously came in. She dashed inside and repeatedly pressed the close button. She could see the figure of Gil running towards her but the elevator closed just in time. She unconsciously pressed on the floor that lead to the garden.
What transpired earlier made her feel that she was being chased by a pack of Ogretails or even Kongous. This caused her to shiver at the thought while slumping against the elevator's metallic wall. She grumbled something that related to her hunger. Before she could continue complaining, the elevator's doors parted open, snapping her back to reality.
She stepped out and sighed in relief, her usual reaction whenever she would visit her favorite place on Friar. Breathing in the fresh air that the garden provided and taking in the sunlight that came with the bright blue skies. She was relieved that the red clouds the other day were gone. Although it reminded her of what happened 3 days ago, and of the time that she was stuck in that damned place.
She definitely wasn't going to do anything as dumb as that again. Or, she would try to not get caught.
A voice coming from the tree had pulled her out of her reverie.
"Vice Captain." Her eyes widened upon realizing who it was. Blood's Captain, Julius. His voice remained calm and stern, despite that, he held a hard gaze. A hard and rare gaze that was directed at her.
'First Gil, now Julius?' She remained glued on the spot. The male approached her, his strides were long and he stopped in front of her within a few seconds. Her instincts yelled 'run', but she was bound to face them anyways.
"Hello, Captain. Lovely day that we're having." She gave a sheepish smile, trying to alleviate the tension that they were currently in. Her attempt failed as the other was near piercing holes into her with his glare.
"Indeed." Julius replied, he had come to the garden earlier to reflect, and knew that it was the perfect time because of the weather. However, that wouldn't distract him from his purpose of wanting to talk to her. "However, that is not what I want to discuss with you at the moment." He noticed how she flinched. Her eyebrows furrowing together in the process and how her smile threatened to dip down.
He almost felt guilty. Almost. However, he could no longer have her do such reckless things that would lead to her death.
"I would like to first thank you." He began with a light smile finally gracing his lips. He was upset, but not to the point that he would scream at her. It was Gil's job and he was quite sure that the other had fulfilled it quite well. He prevented himself from smiling even more upon seeing the perplexity that was now evident on his Vice Captain's face. "For saving Ciel, what you executed was courageous." He could see her lips twitching from a straight line into a smile, but failed upon doing so the moment that he continued.
"However, that does not change the fact that what you did was imprudent." He saw her flinch, he remained silent and waited for a response from the girl. Not seeing her move, he was about to continue.
"There was no other choice." She replied in a serious manner, in a way that the Captain had not heard before. He hid his reaction through his facade. He knew that she was being defiant, "Ciel could have-"
"What were your orders, Vice Captain?" He immediately cut her off, he wouldn't allow her to step out of line. Despite them being quite close outside of the battlefield, he needed to remain professional. Something that he had been neglecting quite recently. He watched her as her expression grew taut, her lips pursed in a fine line once again, her eyes screaming at him.
"Keep everyone safe." She responded, although her answer was sure, he knew that she was confused, "Did I not fulfill them, Captain?" She asked with pure curiosity and confusion. The male could only sigh in response, his expression was now softening.
"That includes you, Vice Captain." She was surprised the moment that the male took a step towards her and even put a hand on her shoulder. The way that he spoke greatly differed from how he did earlier. He was being gentle, no longer spooking her like how he did earlier.
The Captain did have a point, everyone entailed that she would be included, but she was willing to risk herself if it meant that there were no other options. She looked away, not capable of looking straight at the other's eyes due to her shame.
Here the captain was trying to be kind despite the trouble that she had caused him. She knew that he had to face the director and the other higher ups due to her foolhardy actions.
"Look at me." He tenderly ordered, she slowly brought her face to meet his. Grey orbs clashing with her tawny ones. She felt her face grow warm upon realizing how close their faces were. From this distance she could fully examine his facial features. She knew that her Captain was handsome, but damn, being this close was different.
His tousled blonde to ochre hair, thick and lustrous that perfectly framed his symmetrical face. His well set eyes. Grey eyes, despite how grey was usually deemed to be dull or boring, his was the complete opposite.
They were bright, full of emotion, under the sunlight, they looked like Zircons, natural gems that were rarely found now. Along with that, were his lashes that were long for a male. It didn't make him look feminine, in fact, it added to his appeal. It made her wonder why his lashes were nicer than her own.
Thin eyebrows that were usually kept in a manner than made him look serious and strict. Her eyes began to trail downwards, to his nose that was slender and rounded, probably due to his own heritage. His thin and pale lips that were usually drew in a straight line, void of any emotion. Those features were accompanied by his fair and smooth skin. Her eyes widened the moment that she realized how intense her stare probably was, coughing to the side to awkwardly avoid his eyes.
Her cheeks flared and she prayed that he wouldn't notice, she timidly looked back and waited for him to speak.
"To have you out of commission would be detrimental to the team," Her shoulders sagged a bit upon hearing those words. Was she expecting that he was telling this because of his own feelings. She dismissed the thought and continued to listen, "Do take into consideration your team, Blood. We can't have any casualties that would result with the loss of a member." She sadly nodded, his hand pulling away from her shoulders.
She wanted him to tell her more, but she was met with him walking past her. She sighed, which she thought was inaudible to the male. "I'll have to go now, I have business to attend to. Do take time to make an appearance to the others. They are quite worried about you."
"Yes, Captain…" Her voice trailed off upon hearing the metallic doors open then close. She failed to see the conflicted look on her Captain's face.
She knew that despite the friendship that the two of them had, the Captain would always choose to remain professional. Even with how casual they spoke, he remained serious and conducted himself with such authority. Sure, he would joke around a bit and loosen up, but the moment that he realized that, he would clamp up again. She couldn't blame him, at such a young age, he had a lot of responsibilities and expectations.
The sooner that she accepts this, the better. She knew that what she had done probably put a strain on their relationship. It would take quite some time before things would go back to normal.
It was her own fault.