INTERLUDE 2
Elise cheerfully pushed the dining cart across the hallways of the Karel Imperial Villa. Well, as cheerfully as you could be in her situation, as a hostage along with the Imperial family, under the guard of Lamarre's Provincial Army. But she had just come from Emperor Eugene and Empress Priscilla's room and enjoyed a lovely conversation over the tea and food she had brought for them, so she was far from the pile of nerves she had been back when she was separated from Princess Alfin and brought there.
"As the daughter of a minor house, I imagine she would be honored," said the head of the Noble Alliance, Duke Cayenne, as he appointed her as the personal retainer of the Imperial family and while technically correct, the way the man had said it irritated her.
The Emperor said it was unnecessary, Elise insisted on taking on the task as it was something that would let her focus on something else besides worrying about her family. Although her job as a retainer only required her to bring the Imperial family their meals back and forth from the kitchen to their room, so it wasn't like she kept that busy. At least she got to see stretch her legs which was more than it could be said about the Emperor and his wife and son.
The guards had quickly gotten used to her and allowed Elise to walk around without batting an eye and more than once she had wondered how to use that to her advantage, but the villa was surrounded by mountains and the only entrance was heavily guarded by military monsters patrolling the gates. There were no means of communication to the outside world and she had been stripped of her sword and orbment after being captured. The guards stopped keeping an eye on her because she represented no threat whatsoever.
At least she knew that her family was okay as the Emperor had informed her that Rean and his friends had arrested Duke Albarea and earlier she heard that Marquis Rogner had withdrawn from the war, while news from Ymir informed her that her father had survived his wounds and was stable. Things were looking up for them if all of that was true, unless the people telling those news to the Emperor were lying but she doubted that lying about those topics would benefit the Noble Alliance.
She just wished this war would end already so she could go back to her parents and Rean, so she could hug them and be completely sure they were safe. Elise let out a long, drawn out sigh then shook her head, that was exactly the rabbit hole she wanted to avoid falling down on. If only something would happen that could distracted her-
The cart came to a sudden stop, shaking its contents, as Elise noticed that right in front of her stood a girl around her age, with green eyes and white hair tied in two long twintails spilling out her hoodie.
The same girl that had kidnapped her and Alfin back in Ymir.
Elise was in stunned silence for a moment, eyes fixed on the girl and mind racing. Once her hands started to shake, she gripped the cart's handles tighter and took a deep breath to recollect herself. The girl wasn't there to hurt her, even when she took her and Alfin she never did anything but use her strange machine to hold them. She had no reason to cause Elise harm as she was already a prisoner and not trying to escape.
Elise hadn't cowered back then, she wouldn't now.
"Hello," Elise finally said, reluctantly.
"Greetings," the girl responded in her distinct monotone voice.
"..."
"..."
Elise raised an eyebrow. The other girl showed no emotion but if she wasn't mistaken, she seemed a little anxious. "Can I help you with something?"
"Yes, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."
"I… see." When the other girl didn't elaborate, Elise looked around and realized that maybe they should pick a more fitting place to have a conversation. "Well, in that case, would you like to accompany me to the kitchen? There is a lot of leftover tea and some cake that I served to His Highness and the Empress. Maybe we could have some while we chat?"
"That sounds agreeable."
The walk to the kitchen was a silent and awkward one as Elise decided that small talk was probably not the other girl's forte. Once at the kitchen, Elise settled the dining cart next to the table and told the girl to make herself comfortable while she poured tea on a clean cup.
The Imperial Villa had more than one kitchen, this one being reserved exclusively to prepare meals for the Imperial family and their esteemed guests, while another kitchen was reserved for the use of the staff. For someone who grew up sharing a table with the staff of the Phoenix Wings at times, Elise couldn't help but find it a little over the top that even the kitchens were separated, it was a wonder the Imperial family still managed to be so easy to talk to. But at least that meant that she and the white haired girl would have privacy to talk as there was nobody else there. Speaking of which…
"Oh my, I must apologize, I still don't even know your name," Elise said, a little embarrassed.
"There's no need to fret," the other girl replied with a shake of her head. "My name is Altina. Altina Orion."
"Well, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Altina. Although I believe you already know my name, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Elise Schwarzer, youngest daughter of Baron Teo Schwarzer of Ymir," Elise said with a curtsy, which had the younger one tilting her head.
"I indeed was already aware of your name. That was unnecessary."
"Maybe so but it was only proper," the Schwarzer girl replied before pouring some tea for herself and sitting down across from her. "Oh I forgot to ask, do you like chamomile tea? If not, I can brew another blend you prefer."
Altina shook her head. "I have never drank chamomile tea before but I'm willing to try," she said then took the cup and sipped the drink. She then put it down, put three spoonfuls of sugar on it and sipped again. "It is good."
That was a little peculiar, Elise thought. Just like the rest of the girl's behavior. "Do you have a favorite kind of tea?"
"I can't say that I do as I have never drank any kind of tea other than this one."
That could not be right. "You've… never drank tea before?"
There was the slightest rise and fall of Altina's chest, like a very subtle sigh as she looked away. "You're strange," she said and before Elise could decide if she should feel insulted or not, Altina added. "Much like your brother."
The Schwarzer girl had to contain her excitement at the mention of her brother's name, instead opting to try to make sense of her words. By the way Altina spoke, it didn't seem she was referring to their confrontation in Ymir, meaning she had met Rean a second time between then and now. Was that what this was about?
Curious, Elise asked exactly how Altina had met Rean and the silver haired told her about what led Rean to coming aboard the Pantagruel (with Altina reiterating that no more violence had befallen Ymir back then), Duke Cayenne's offer, the conversation she had with him and his eventual escape. It greatly helped Elise fill in the blanks as to how Alfin had escaped the Alliance's clutches and how Rean and his class had come upon the Courageous.
"I do not understand. Despite my current allegiance with the Noble Alliance and the fact I kidnapped you along with Princess Alfin, both you and Rean Schwarzer have been mostly cordial to me and you both offered me food. Considering we are enemies that is strange, is it not?"
"I suppose that does seem odd from your perspective but…" Elise looked over Altina. By all metrics, she was a very pretty girl with her long, silky silvery hair, big green eyes and downright doll-like features, but the way she was dressed in a black hoodie and gray tights was so lifeless. It looked comfortable but even St. Astraia's black and white uniform had more personality. It was nothing like what a girl her age would willingly choose and that, paired with the girl's near unbreakable monotone and expressionless face and the story about Rean having to force her to eat something besides military grade nutrition bars painted an uncomfortable picture to Elise, which she really hoped wasn't the case.
"I guess both Rean and I were quick to realize you are simply following orders and that, if you don't mind me saying it, a girl like you shouldn't be in this situation."
Altina tilted her head. "My situation?"
"I mean that someone your age shouldn't be working for the Noble Alliance and getting into dangerous situations."
"Hmm, I see. He said something to similar effect as well. I am learning that some people seem to find an issue with that."
"And you don't?" Elise asked in disbelief. "Do you enjoy your work?"
"What I like or don't is irrelevant. I simply perform the orders given by my employer, that is my function."
The reply was downright disconcerting to Elise. She might not be fully knowledgeable about the ways of the world but no person, nevermind someone that young, should be thinking about themselves that way.
"D-do you have a family or someone who takes care of-" Her questions were interrupted by Altina shaking her head.
"We are getting distracted from the topic I wish to discuss with you. I may be willing to share some of the information about myself that I am allowed to divulge at my discretion, but first I wish that you tell me more about your brother."
"So that's really what you wanted to talk about. But why?"
"He pilots the Ashen Knight, he is a disciple of the Sword Hermit and the leader of Class VII, these are facts of his file that failed to explain his odd behavior at the Pantagruel, for which your explanation I did not find fully satisfactory. He is a person of interest and thus I believe further data is required so I can properly fulfill my mission if I am to confront him again."
Elise had to mull over Altina's request. The girl wanted to know more about Rean so she could better fight him, meaning that Elise shouldn't tell her anything about her brother, but thinking about it, she couldn't think of anything that she could say that would give her an edge in battle. Besides, Elise didn't think that was the only reason. If her assumptions were right, and unfortunately they probably were, Rean had been the first person to show Altina any sort of kindness and she was confused by it. So maybe, just maybe, telling her about Rean would help Altina understand that there was nothing odd with how he treated her, that in fact that was the norm for treating other people, and make her less willing to fight him.
It was woefully idealistic but still worth a try. So Elise told Altina as much as she could while keeping certain details pertaining to her own feelings close to her heart.
She started with her earliest memories in Ymir, before her borther's adoption, for the story of Rean was also that of the Schwarzer Barony. Although memories that old were hazy, she still recalled the warmth and care she received from her parents and how none of that vanished once Rean came into their lives, in fact, it just seemed to strengthen the bonds of the Schwarzer family. she mentioned how strange at first it was for her to be presented with an older brother all of a sudden but then they quickly grew closer together, becoming inseparable. She talked about how kind and cheerful he used to be, always willing to listen to others and help anyone who needed assistance with a smile on his face.
Elise told Altina about how the Schwarzer family became a pariah in noble society due to his adoption and from there she moved on to the incident at the forest and his powers and the training under Master Yun Ka-fai, and how those led to the first shift in Rean's behavior. He wasn't as cheerful anymore and while he was still kind and gentle, at times it felt like he was too gentle, like he was scared of hurting her. And as time went on, he gained a propensity to put himself down and to apologize for things he had no business apologizing for. When it came to his helpful nature, there was a slight change as well in how he went out of his way to assist others, like he had an obligation to.
The second shift in Rean's behavior happened once they got separated, with her going to St. Astraia and him to Thors. She explained to Altina how their encounter at the military academy and later at Heimdallr had thrown her for a loop and worried her, but once it came the time to save her, he displayed the same bravery and care she knew him for. And once they met again at the school festival, it was like the Rean she used to know, the cheerful one, was back and full of confidence. He was different, bolder, but genuinely happy for the first time in years.
"So if I had to put it succinctly, Rean is a very smart, brave and kind individual. He may get down on himself and lose his way because the world keeps trying to push him down but despite that he always bounces back, even if it takes a while." Elise finished her piece with a cheerful smile, the opportunity to talk to someone about her brother helping lift her mood. "So there was nothing inherently odd about how he treated you because deep down, that's just how he is."
"I see," Altina said with a nod, having listened to Elise intently. "My research informed me that Erebonian noble society looks down on the concept of a noble family adopting someone of common birth and that it led to House Schwarzer being deemed outcasts, however I do not comprehend why your brother chose to feel guilty for it. He did not have a say in his adoption and, from what I understand, both Baron Schwarzer and his wife have no qualms about it, as such, it makes no sense for him to blame himself. Is that also part of his personality?"
The answer seemed rather obvious but Altina held a genuine inquisitive look that made Elise realize how distant from a regular person she was. "Yes, unfortunately so. Sometimes we can't help how we feel even if it's not completely logical."
The silver haired girl hummed and nodded then drank more of her tea. "I don't fully comprehend it at the moment and I may need time to process this information, but I thank you for your cooperation," she said with a nod of her head then decided to dig in on the piece of cake in front of her.
"You are welcome," Elise replied with a smile and joined the girl in eating. That went extremely well, she thought. Maybe when this war was over she and Alfin could arrange a real place for Altina to live in, maybe get her enrolled in St. Astraia, whatever got that girl away from working for individuals like Duke Cayenne.
"Incidentally, I should inform you that your brother also did something I would qualify as reprehensible to me while we were alone in my room at the Pantagruel."
Elise couldn't help but choke on her tea when she heard that. As she coughed and wiped her mouth with a napkin, she glanced over Altina. She was probably younger than she was! And Rean was dating Laura, right? How could he!? Had Elise completely misread her brother this whole time!?
"W-what did Rean do?"
Altina directed her eyes to her right hand, which she raised over her head then, in a slow motion, lowered it until her palm met with the top of her hoodie. She repeated the action two more times.
"He did that."
Elise held on to a look of disbelief for a couple of seconds before breaking into giggle fit that quickly turned into full blown laughter, to the dismay of an utterly confused Altina.
Oh Rean, you never really changed, did you?
Author's notes: The second interlude, this time featuring Elise and Altina while Rean is in another corner of the country in the middle of an emotional crisis. This is the not quite so obvious interlude I mentioned back in the first one, I think the dynamic between Elise and Altina is very underexplored both in the games and fics despite the connective tissue they have with Rean, so here's my small contribution to that.
By the way, I want to thank everyone for their comments over the last two chapters. This is the moment of the story that I was looking forward to the most, so I'm glad for the positive response it's getting. Also, last week was the 2 year anniversary since I started the fic, so I want to give a double thank you to everyone who has been following through all this time and pushing me forward by reading, giving kudos and commenting. It really means a lot to me.