Author's Note: Late, I know. DX
Anise waited impatiently for her guests to arrive. She'd sent out the letters yesterday, so if her assumptions were correct, then they'd get to Daath sometime before three in the afternoon. And right then, it was two-fifty seven, to be exact. Her foot tapped rapidly on the tile, annoyed by their late arrival.
"Hey Anise!" Luke shouted, waving. The rest of the group trailed in after, smiling at her. Jeez, what took them so long…?
"Why'd you call us here so suddenly?" Tear inquired.
"Well," Anise started, glancing around the room to make sure no one was listening. "there was this commotion last night, and I thought it might be important."
"What happened?" Guy asked curiously. She repeated the short encounter, watching their expressions as she explained that Sync was somehow alive.
"But that's not possible!" Natalia exclaimed. "We killed him at Eldrant. Didn't we?"
"Yes, we did. Hmm… I suppose it is possible…" Jade pondered. "Since we never did see him disappear, I assume we actually didn't kill him. Instead, only injuring him."
"What?" Luke looked at him incredulously.
"Exactly as I said. Keep up, Luke." He joked.
"H-hey! I didn't mea-"
"Luke," Guy sighed. "just give it up. You're never going to win against him." Jade smirked, sensing victory.
"Oh, whatever."
"Can we get back to problem at hand now?" Natalia said irritably, glaring momentarily at Luke.
"So who do you think that was?" Tear asked. Anise shrugged, since she had no clue.
"You're sure she had red hair?" Jade eyed Anise skeptically.
"Positive."
"Then it's safe to say that she could be another replica." Silence engulfed the area. Everyone was well aware that Asch wasn't coming back.
--
As the door closed, Ivalee turned, ready for her punishment. What she didn't expect was to be greeted by a liger.
"Ahh!" She yelped, jumping back. Arietta was at the back of the room, holding her doll…still. Van took a seat at the desk there. This must've been one of his offices.
"Sync sent a letter ahead informing me of your actions," Van stated, holding a piece of paper folded multiple times. Ivalee inwardly grimaced, carefully, taking a small step back. She tried to go unnoticed, but the liger growled. Damn monster, she thought. One of the only animals she actually hated, and was even partially afraid of.
"Are you going to explain?" He asked. "Or defend yourself in some way?" She stayed still and silent. The Commandant sighed, putting the paper down.
"Change of plans." He said suddenly. "Since I can't trust you alone anymore, I'll have Sync watch over you." Van said.
She fumed. Sync?! She had just gotten away from him, and now she had to go running back?! And be demoted under him?! How humiliating.
Van waved his hand. "I'll have the guard escort you back to Sync." As Ivalee left, Van sighed again, letting Arietta leave as well.
He knew this was going to happen sooner or later. It always happened. Teenagers can never make up their mind, and change their thoughts in an instant.
--
Sync dragged his feet further and further towards the Kaitzur Naval Port. He kept wondering how Van was going to punish Ivalee. She'll probably be locked in her room for a few days again… Last time she acted up, Van had her stuck in her own room for a while, and forced Sync to bring her food and water.
"Sir!" A voice called from behind him. He turned, but froze when he saw a soldier running towards him, with Ivalee in tow. Her head was tilted down, so he couldn't see her expression. "Commandant Grants told me to bring her to you. He also wrote a note." The man, probably in his mid-thirties, held out a sheet of folded paper. He snatched the paper and scanned the letter quickly.
Sync,
I need you to look out for her. Don't let her out of your sight, and do anything to keep her near you.
Commandant Van Grants
Do anything to keep her near him? What could that mean? He thought. It could've been just him, but he could've sworn there was something behind his words.
Ivalee sighed, bringing his attention back to the matter at hand.
"Uh, yea. Dismissed." Sync stated, letting the officer run back the way he came. Once the man was out of sight, he turned to Ivalee. She rocked back and forth on her heels, looking at everything except him.
"Are you planning on standing there the rest of your life, or are you going to get going?" Sync asked bitterly, crossing his arms. Finally, she brought her eyes to his face. She obviously wasn't happy.
"I was hoping to stay here. At least it's better than being with you." She snarled the last word, looking away again. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his thoughts together.
"Well, I don't give a damn about what you care about, so get going." He slapped her hard on the back, watching her trudge the path to Kaitzur Naval Port. Sync could've sworn he heard her mutter something, but it was impossible for it to be what he heard.
"Then you must not care about yourself." She had murmured to herself, obviously not expecting for him to hear. But he assumed he had it wrong. There was no way in hell that Ivalee would ever have any sort of feelings, besides hate, towards him.
--
For the past few hours, Ivalee had become increasingly annoying. She was rude, stubborn, and outright disrespectful. Not like the person he had originally known.
"Get off the damn boat!" Sync shouted at Ivalee, who was currently sitting in the cabin, on her bed. Her arms were crossed, and she refused to look at him. She shook her head. The ship had just docked, and was calling for passengers to get off.
"Fine!" He huffed, gripping her upper arm. She jumped, but settled a second later. Ivalee winced at his tight hold. Sync pulled her up and off the bed, dragging her towards the door.
"Hey!" She shouted, struggling. Her fingernails dug into his skin, causing him to drop her.
"Dammit!" He yelled. On his arm were five red marks, but luckily it didn't break skin. Ivalee was scurrying back to the bed. "Get back here!" Sync reached out and grabbed one of her ankles.
"Get away from me!" Ivalee tried to kick him away, but he was stronger and pulled her towards him. Grabbing her wrist, Sync dragged her to her feet. She scowled.
"You're acting like a baby," He stated, continuing out the door with her in toll.
"Well, at least it's better than acting like an ass." Ivalee retorted.
"Get used to it."