More filler, not really but kinda. I know, chapter two was a snore. It's gonna start picking up soon I promise. I dunno if I'm gonna go the love triangle route or the ConStanT StruGglE (makin' this stuff up as I go along). Leave a review? Oh and I've already started the next chapter, it'll be longer whoo!
A knock came at the door about ten minutes after the call from Hope. Lucia looked towards the door as she straightened her uniform, getting ready to go shopping. After all, Palumpolum was the consumer capital of Cocoon. Another knock came as she approached the door. Opening it, a young girl, about eighteen, stood in front of her wearing a skimpy outfit and holding a package with a note tied to it.
"Miss Adrien?" she asked nervously.
"That's me" Lucia smiled warmly.
The girl handed her the package, giving a small bow and scurrying away. Lucia watched her hurry down the hallway and around the corner before stepping back into her room. She looked down at the box that was carefully wrapped in metallic paper and pulled the note off the top.
North Rivera Tower. Seventy Seventh Floor. Eight P.M.
She lifted an eyebrow and picked up the package, "Now what the hell is in here".
Pulling apart the paper, she dropped it on the floor to reveal a gift box. Biting her lip and slowly pulling off the lid, Lucia held her breath. After getting it off, she gasped. Giddily, she pulled out a long black silk gown and held it up to herself.
"It's gorgeous" she breathed and pranced around the room, twirling. Running into the bathroom she stripped off her uniform and slipped it on. It was floor length with a high neckline and open back. "It's so fucking pretty".
"Miss Adrien, your party is awaiting you" the waiter led her outside a private room inside the restaurant and wandered off. She put a clammy hand on the door knob and noticed it was lightly quivering. "This is it" she took a deep breath before opening the door into a small room containing about six people. Way more intimate than she expected.
"Lieutenant!" Hope called from the other side of the room, obviously a little tipsy. "Cm'over here!" he waved an arm.
"Hello Admiral" Lucia uttered, looking down at the table covered in drinks and appetizers.
He looked her up and down before motioning to the people around the table and introducing them. They were all admirals. Lucia wondered why he invited her, being a "Lieutenant" and all. Initially it concerned, and even bothered her. But before anyone could say a word, she was sitting at the table chatting like one of them. And by the third round of drinks, everyone became far friendlier. They laughed and shouted, holding onto each other for support when a senior admiral decided to start dancing on his chair.
Lucia turned around when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. "Hey Hope" she slurred and drunkenly grinned at him. He stood above her with glassy eyes and a toothy grin.
"I wanna show you something" he reached out a hand which she took immediately.
"OOH where are you guys going" one of the women that Lucia had been talking to said mischievously, winking at Hope.
"Nowhere Ma'am" Hope mocked before sarcastically saluting her. She laughed and waved off the two.
"Where ARE we going, Admiral?" Lucia asked, adjusting his tie as they walked out of the room.
"Call me Hope" he said abruptly, looking her in the eye. "And don't make me ruin the surprise!"
"Okay Hope" she drawled, popping the 'p'. They walked into the elevator arm in arm and he pressed the button for the top floor. In only a few seconds they were there, walking out into a glass hallway. The floor was glass, the walls were glass, and the ceiling was glass. And beyond it, the view spanned to the horizon of the ocean and above, New Eden seemed that much closer.
Hope pulled Lucia down the hallway to a door that lead to a massive deck. Once they were outside, she gasped and let go of him, running to the edge and leaning on the railing. With her eyes closed, the wind blew her hair out of the bun it had been restricted in all night and her dress flew wildly. Breathing in the scent of the ocean, she got chills and laughed. "It's surreal".
"I thought you would like it, the way you looked at the art earlier" he walked up and stood next to her on the edge. "I'm glad you came, Lucia".
She turned and cocked her head, looking up at him with a smirk, "I didn't really have a choice" she said, holding up the skirt of her gown.
"Yeah" Hope muttered, breaking eye contact, "Sorry".
"Hope!" Lucia exclaimed and punched him lightly in the bicep, "I was kidding! I'm having a great time".
"Oh" he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck, "That's really good".
"And the dress-"she began, straining her voice a bit, "It's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me".
Hope frowned at her words, "That can't be true… not for someone like you".
"I wish" she laughed bitterly and wiped a single tear as it streaked down her cheek. All of a sudden it felt cold, not breezy or refreshing, just cold. It was the same cold that overcame her when Fraus held her for the last time. But what made it worse was that every time she was reminded of her past, it made her weaker. Instead of cuts, there were scars and burns. That's what it felt like. And she thought it'd never go away.
Just as more tears began to flood her eyes, Hope embraced Lucia in a hug. "Breathe" he cooed repeatedly, as she shook in his arms and squeezed his waist. He didn't know why he did it, hugging her was inappropriate. They were practically coworkers, but she hurt and he knew how it felt. The stinging empty feeling that takes your breath away like a punch to the stomach. He understood.
"I'm so sorry" she gasped, clutching onto his jacket, "I… I- this never happens. I'm s-so sorry". A minute later, Lucia breathed in deeply and squeezed her eyes shut, pushing it all down. "I'll explain" she choked out, loosening her grip on Hope's coat. "You probably think I'm insane, but I swear I'm not".
His eyes were calm and sparkled against the lights in the sky. "I don't, of course I don't" he held her at arm's length, smiling sympathetically. "And you don't have to explain a thing. Maybe one day. But you need time to heal".
"You're right", she nodded. After hesitating for a moment she chuckled and added, "But now you have to tell me your story oh Savior of Cocoon".
He quirked an eyebrow, "Are you kidding again?"
"Only if you want me to be" she poked him in the chest a few times and giggled. He just looked at her questioningly, "Ugh, c'mon kid, your buddies are probably wondering where we've gone" she grunted and grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him back inside.
"I think I prefer Admiral" he whined sarcastically, wriggling free of Lucia's grasp and grabbing her by the hand instead.
"Don't get too cocky kid".
Hope shook his head, chuckled, and pressed the elevator button. As they walked in, Lucia took a shallow breath, "Before we go back, I just want to say, thanks Hope".
He smiled and looked down at their intertwined hands, swinging to a nonexistent beat, "Yeah... no problem".