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Argus
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Summer Rose stood against some random building near the edge of the city, head down, arms crossed and mind deep in thought. It didn't matter where she actually was, just that she wasn't anywhere near the others. Too much on her mind to be distracted right now.
Yesterday, Taiyang had all but renewed his vows; he delivered a speech wherein he declared himself forever true to Summer, he apologized for lying, for cheating with Raven, and for making so many excuses for his recent decisions. Anyone else would've been weeping for joy, or even diving into the man's arms to forgive him for being such a fool.
Summer saw things a bit differently.
First off, she saw Raven – the woman was present during Tai's declaration, and even from a short distance away Summer could see a clear spark of betrayal in those red eyes. He hadn't discussed this with her at all, and it showed. Granted, the former bandit also hadn't exactly come clean about the situation, but it was obvious that she didn't appreciate being thrown under the bus like that. By promising to be true to Summer, Taiyang had pushed his old partner away.
Second, she saw Qrow – both of the twins were there, and in Qrow's eyes was a look of approval. A look of a friend watching another friend deliver lines they'd rehearsed, and smiling when the other friend nailed it. In the short time they'd spent together since her return, Summer could clearly tell that Qrow's meddling nature hadn't changed at all, so it took no effort to imagine that Tai's apology only came about because the taller man had to convince him to make it. No doubt with a fistfight. Ugh, boys…
Tai was trying to get them back to what they had before, but he would never realize it was too late. Even if they put everything behind them and tried to start over from the very beginning, it would never be the same. Could never be. Summer's return had thrown everything out of whack. Dozens of lives were disrupted now that they had to accommodate the poor, lost little Huntress sent ahead from 12 years in the past. Everything had started to go wrong because of her… incompetence…
Her vision blurred as the tears began to form. Summer tried to fight them off.
None of this should have happened. Should be happening.
Summer should never have taken that mission. Then she would have stayed home and watched her two beautiful daughters grow up, answer any questions they may have had, actually been there to defend their home from whatever force had taken it apart last year, done something! Raven and Qrow might've stayed on the right path… Ruby might've even had a little brother or sister of her own by now… just… just…
"It's not… fair…" Summer sniffled quietly. What she wouldn't give to jump right back through that rift and fix everything-
Footsteps around the corner, quickly shuffling back, "Oh jeez, sorry I… um, are you alright, Miss?"
Of course someone would walk in on her private time. Summer quickly wiped her eyes and tried to get herself together enough to answer the newcomer, "Yes, I… *sniff* …I'm alright, just… dealing with a lot of stuff."
Before she could get her eyes cleared out, a white blur entered her vision. "Here, you look like you need this."
A tissue? Summer reached out and confirmed it as such before using it to finally dry off her face a little. Goodness, what a mess she was.
"I… uh, I hate to meddle, but if there's anything I can do to help… or if you need me to beat someone up for you, I'll gladly do it."
Somehow those words elicited a bubble of laughter from the pit of her stomach which broke through and got the tears to stop. "Ha ha, no… heh… I'll be alright. Thank you. Really, I needed that. Whew…"
With her vision cleared, Summer turned to find herself looking at a young man slightly shorter than Taiyang, with wavy chestnut hair and eyes the color of oak leaves in the spring. He had a rugged handsomeness to his face that reminded her rather strongly of Tai the day they first met back at Beacon. The man glanced around the area without staring at anything in particular. "If you're sure you're alright then I'll be able to sleep well tonight. I can't stand to see a woman crying like that. Blame my old man for raising me right, I suppose."
Something inside Summer began to shift in that moment. Something in the man's words had stirred an emotion within her she hadn't felt since long before her time warp. Possibly even since school. Unlike the words of Taiyang which rang hollow to her ears, Summer couldn't help but since a genuine… warmth here.
Right on the heels of this revelation came the urge to do something naughty. It wasn't something she felt very often, but right now it rang loud and clear, spurred on by the memory of Tai's little side fling back at Haven – if he could enjoy himself, why not her? "Well… If you've got some free time, I could use the company," she said with a smile.
The young man spared a glance her way, then immediately pulled back. His face quickly started going red.
Oh gods he's so cute! Ooooh… this might not be such a good idea…
"If… if you're okay with a broke bum like me, then… s-sure."
Oh crap, he stutters when he's nervous! Tai he's cuter than you I'm so sorry AAAH!
Heart hammering in her chest, Summer said, "I guess I should introduce myself. I'm-"
"Please don't."
"…?"
The mysterious young man was now looking firmly at a nearby building without budging. "I'm not trying to be shy, it's just… in my line of work, names are powerful things. Dangerous, you might say. Please don't just freely give yours to a complete stranger, alright?"
This was enough to lower her mood back to a manageable level. Summer took a deep breath, idly wondering how such a simple young man could stir up her emotions so easily, and said, "If you insist, although I suppose that means I won't be getting your name either?"
"It wouldn't be fair, so no."
"This relationship is getting off to a rocky start, Mr Green."
"It's not a r-relation-… okay, I can work with that alias, but what I m-meant is-"
Summer allowed her rebellious side to take full control as she sided up to the young man and wove her arm through his, locking their elbows. His face turning fully red was deeply satisfying in a way that should have been worrying, but right now she was determined to enjoy it. And his insistence on not meeting her gaze was coming across as a challenge to her womanly pride.
"Well, Mr Green? What shall we do first?"
"I… I, uh… oh gods, I don't know. Wait, you're not gonna tell me you're single, are you?"
"That's… a complicated answer. Did you assume I was married?"
"A beautiful woman like you crying in an alleyway somewhere? My first thought was an abusive husband…"
"Oh don't you worry about him. Right now you have me… Mrs Red… all to yourself.~"
"Shouldn't it be Ms?"
"Details, details…"
The two started walking slowly down the street, arm in arm, and Summer's mind was warring against itself – part of her was angry and ashamed and embarrassed that she would so flagrantly ignore her husband's words and intentions to go gallivanting off with the first cute boy she laid eyes on, while the other part was loving every second of being a bad girl for the first time since she could remember. Of teasing a boy who actually made her laugh and getting such a wonderful reaction in return. Of having so much fun.
Wow… if this was what she'd been missing all this time, maybe being a prude for so long was more of a waste than she initially thought.
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"A movie?"
"It's all I can afford…"
"No, I'm fine with it. Just didn't expect such a classic date night like this."
"Must you call it a d-date?"
*giggle* "Anyone ever tell you you're cute when you blush?"
*choke*
"Alright, I'll behave. Besides, I've never been to the Argus Theater. What's on the agenda?"
"Why don't you p-pick?"
"Oh ho… if you insist.~ In that case, how about… 'A Tryst In The Mist'?"
"…A bit on the nose, don't you think?"
"Oh hush. I'm long overdue for a night of fun. You didn't have to indulge me like this, you know."
"I am aware of that, Ms Red. I was getting a bit lonely myself, I suppose. Normal in my line of work."
"Is that another detail I don't get to learn, Mr Green?"
"Afraid so."
"Hmm… the more I learn, the more interesting you become."
"What I will say is that this job I'm on right now should be my last job for quite a long time… so once it's over, I'd love to keep this going. Assuming, of course, you haven't solved whatever it was you were-"
"Let's not talk about that, sir. I believe we have a movie to catch~?"
"Yes, ma'am."
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Little Adrian made a bunch of cute baby noises while Summer got his lunch ready. It was the next day and the woman was positively glowing, though she worked rather hard to keep it subdued; Mr Green was a breath of fresh air to a woman who didn't know she was being starved of oxygen, and the part of her mind that had been resisting it all night was now declaring that she was well and truly hooked.
And that part might be right; even now Summer was plotting a way to get out of babysitting duty to track him down for a second date. She wanted another taste of this new form of freedom. Another rush of doing something forbidden and getting away with it.
"Bbbbrwah!" said Adrian.
"Just another minute, sweetie," Summer replied. She was digging through the Cotta-Arc's pantry to find the right jar of puree, and they had a lot. "What do you think, Adrian… carrots or peas?"
"Prrabowrah!" he answered eloquently.
Summer grinned, "Alright, you talked me into it; sweet potatoes it is!" She pulled the jar down, grabbed a spoon and scooped up the child from his place among the toys, plopped him into his high chair (which was alarmingly small, though his moms insisted he wasn't going to hit a growth spurt for another year) and strapped on his bib. The boy noticed which jar she held and his eyes sparkled; he loved sweet potatoes.
Right before she opened the jar, her daughter opened the front door, "We're back! Oh… is it lunch time?" Ruby looked at little Adrian and made a goo-goo face, though her initial energy had quickly faded.
Summer glanced at the clock and sighed, "A bit early, but he's been grumpy. You were the same way when you were his age, you know…"
Ruby's face went red as she looked away, clearly embarrassed.
Old Maria hobbled in behind her, "Bold of you to assume she's grown out of that, heh heh."
"I have grown out of it!" Ruby fumed.
"Then why so glum?"
"I just…" the teenager booped her pointer fingers together and glanced between Summer and Adrian, "I was kinda hoping… we could bake some cookies… today…"
Summer looked at her daughter, then back at Adrian.
"Aaah aaah, don't you even think on it!" Maria stormed forward and shooed Summer away from the high chair with a grin. "Gimme that jar, I'll feed the young'n myself. You and your kid go and bake something! Go on, git!"
Mother and daughter alike scampered off with a smile as Maria took her place by the chair. Little Adrian didn't seem to mind so long as he got his pale orangey mush.
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"You seem to be in a better mood today," said Ruby as she turned on the oven to preheat.
Summer hesitated while gathering the dry ingredients, then shook her head and agreed, "Yeah, I guess." No cause for alarm; if Ruby knew the actual reason, she would not be so upbeat about it.
"I'm glad," said Ruby. The teenager grabbed the egg carton from the fridge and said, "It's hard to see you so down in the dumps all the time. I mean, I know it's only been a few weeks and all, but…"
"Well…" Summer started measuring out what she needed as she spoke, "Hopefully that'll change after we get to Atlas. Assuming Cordovin wakes up before the spring thaw, that is."
"Me and Maria were just over there to visit her, actually-"
"The old bat is awake, but she don't wanna see anybody til tomorrow," Maria added from the other room.
Summer's eyebrows rode high on her head. "Tomorrow? So we might actually get out of here… soon?"
"Let's hope so…" Ruby's smile faded. "We all have missions to complete, and mine… well, this delay might cost us all."
"I remember. Salem, right?" Summer put a hand on Ruby's shoulder. "Don't worry, baby… I'm here now. We'll get through this together."
Ruby fought back a few tears as she quickly moved to give her mom another hug. Summer returned it, along with a pat on the head. Ruby sniffed, "Have I told you how much I missed you yet?"
"Only about 13,376 times." Summer smirked. "Now come on, let's get this show on the road. Way I hear it, we won't have another chance for awhile."
"Roger that!"
Neither Rose woman spoke for another few minutes as Summer combined the dry ingredients in one bowl while directing Ruby on which wet ingredients went into the other. The teenager simply would not stop grinning as she finally got to beat the ever-loving crap out of a ball of dough for once, and her grunts of effort even got Summer laughing.
Deep down, Summer was starting to hesitate about going to Atlas.
She didn't want to leave Mr Green yet.
Thoughts of helping her kids accomplish their mission were being pushed aside by her own desire to stand next to that handsome young man again, arm in arm. Thoughts of making amends with her estranged husband were making way for inane fantasies wherein she wondered what his lips might taste like, and whether or not she would have to make the first move to find out. Her wish to know exactly what happened 12 years ago was fighting to stay relevant next to her desire to find Mr Green and run away with him, damn the consequences.
"-om? Mom, you listening?"
"Hmm? Oh I'm sorry, sweetie… I've been kinda distracted lately."
"Yeah, I get that. If I had a guy fawning over me like dad was doing to you, I'd have a hard time thinking clearly too."
"…Y-Yeah, something like that."
"I haven't seen him that happy for a long time either."
"Let's hope it lasts."
Summer dismissed any attempt to further the conversation, focusing instead on finishing the cookies. After confirming with Ruby that no one in her group had issues with nuts, Summer rough chopped a handful and mixed them in, along with an unhealthy amount of chocolate chips, before giving the dough one last stir. She and Ruby worked together to scoop out every scrap of the gooey stuff onto multiple baking trays lined with parchment paper, slid them into the oven and bent over to take a look through the glass. Ruby joined her.
One long inhale later, "…Ahhhhh~ that's the stuff," said Ruby.
"It hasn't been that long for me, but I'll admit… I missed this," said Summer. After they stood back up, Ruby gave her yet another hug. "Thanks for talking me into this, goober."
Ruby snorted a laugh. "Dang it, I forgot about that nickname!"
Summer feigned shock, "What?! Well now, I'll just have to rectify that mistake right away! Let me just call the newspapers-"
Ruby squawked and flailed, trying and failing to tackle her mother before she made good on her sarcastic threat, and ending up on the receiving end of a barrage of Tickle Attacks instead. The girl was on the floor moments later, kicking and laughing like a toddler, while Summer got back up and stood above her, clicking her tongue.
Maria chose that moment to appear from the dining room. "Heh, you kids have too much energy."
"I blame her mother," said Summer while still staring at the quivering form of Ruby. "Gotta have a talk with that woman."
"Me first," said Maria. "Out back, it'll only be a moment."
"Alright. Keep an eye on the goods, goober."
One shaky thumbs up was all she got before Summer was dragged outside by her elderly teacher. Maria didn't seem upset, but Summer was still nervous; this was the first time they'd had a chance to talk since her return. And considering that most everyone assumed Maria Calavera to be dead, it was easy to assume they'd be out here awhile.
Maria stopped a few paces away, turned and quietly said, "It's good to see you back, Sum." Her mechanical goggles whirred as she focused, giving away nothing of her emotions. No change from her old mask, then.
Summer gave herself a mental patdown before answering, "It's good to be back, Maria. Though the years have been a lot harder on you-"
"We're not here to talk about me," Maria cut in firmly, an edge of anger creeping into her gravelly voice. "Tell me something… do you think me blind?"
"Umm… didn't you say your eyes were cut out?"
"…"
"Not the point. Got it. Umm… no, I don't."
Several moments passed by as Maria studied her former student. Eventually she sighed and visibly relaxed, "I'm sorry, I've no business judging you. The years we spent together when you were knee-high still come on strong, is all."
"Am I… in trouble?"
"Should you be?"
"…?"
"You're an adult, Summer Rose. You're free to make your own decisions. That's part of the beauty of growing out of childhood, isn't it?"
For a brief moment, Summer's heartbeat spiked.
Maria knew. She had to know. About Mr Green.
But then that sassy part of her brain kicked in and assured her that there's no way anyone saw her last night. No one had any idea she'd gone on a date with a man closer to her own age, rather than sticking with her aging, doting fool of a husband. Former husband, if the legal stuff was to be considered.
Maria wobbled forward as if to go back inside, stopped next to Summer and beckoned her lower. Summer knelt down and Maria leaned in close, holding the woman so she could whisper in her ear, "Anyone can play with a man's heart, Summer Rose – beware you don't lose control, else the fire of his jealousy will consume you and everything you hold dear."
A chill ran down Summer's back.
Maria gave her one more pat on the shoulder and hobbled back into the house, lightly chuckling before she closed the door, "Oi, ain't ye got up yet?"
Summer remained on one knee, heart pounding from sheer nerves. Maria didn't know, but she knew. It seemed like old people just knew things like that. It was weird. For several moments did Summer stay in place, her mind once again torn between what she wanted as a Huntress… and what she desired as a woman.
On the one hand, Ruby and her team needed to get to Atlas in order to warn them against the coming of the Master of the Grimm. It was a mission that would see the fate of the entire world hang in the balance. It was the most important thing any of them could focus on. It was the choice that mattered the most.
On the other hand was Mr Green, a man who caused Summer's feminine heart to rage within her. A man who inflamed her desire like no one had done before, save for maybe Taiyang back when they were both students. A man who would make her feel like a woman for the first time in years. Not could, would. There was no doubt in her mind that he was interested, and all it would take was the right words…
She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. The choice was obvious when you stopped to think about it.
If Ruby and the group failed, the world would be overrun with Grimm. There would be nowhere to run, nowhere to take her fantasy man and elope. It wouldn't matter how he made her feel if they were both dead. She would miss him greatly, but at least he would live. And if luck had been kind enough to let Summer and Mr Green meet in the first place, it might smile on her again someday and allow them to reunite. It was the only hope she had for this new, exciting future.
"What are you even worried about, Sum?" she muttered aloud to no one, "…It's not like you even know who he is or anything. Why are you acting like a schoolgirl with a crush after one freaking night together?"
Summer Rose sighed again as she stood back up; in the end, Ruby was more important. If Mr Green was worth returning to, he would be there when she came back. If not… then at least the world would be safe. It would hurt, but she had to say goodbye. As she turned to go back inside, a light snow started to fall on the city. Fitting for the moment when she bid her mystery man farewell in her heart. Never before had choosing The Right Thing™ hurt so much as it did now.
Hopefully she wouldn't see him again before they left, or else her fragile will would probably shatter.
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"Where did you come from?"
"Haven, of course. Where else would I be, foolish woman?"
On the couch sat the former second-in-command of Haven Academy, crazy-long black hair resting on the seat next to her and blazing orange eyes fixed on Summer. A few of the kids were also in the room, mainly Ren, Nora and Jaune, but otherwise the rest were still out. A quick check of the clock told her that it wouldn't be long before the house became even more full than before.
Manic barking pulled her attention to the floor as a ball of fur yipped and hopped at her feet, tongue lolling wildly. "Zwei?! What the… where on Remnant have you been?"
"With me," said Jasmine. She wearily rubbed the back of her neck with both hands as she explained, "Somehow the beast entered my luggage, and by the time I found him I was already at Haven. I allowed him to assist my Hunt due to his effectiveness in our previous engagement."
Summer blinked, "So… you didn't find that dopple-whatever?"
"No…" Jasmine growled and glanced away. "It pains me to admit it, but the trail of that creature has gone completely cold. I have no leads."
A few moments went by as the kids settled themselves into the house, Nora and Ren having taken a spare room to clean themselves up. Jaune busied himself setting up the dining room with Ruby while Maria took a seat across from the former teacher. Summer looked around and decided there was nothing to really do, but soon found those intense eyes still fixed on her.
"There is something different about you this day, Summer Rose…" said Corbett.
Seriously? Can they all smell it on me or something?! "What do you mean?"
Before she could answer, the door opened once again. This time it admitted Taiyang, followed by Qrow, though Raven was nowhere to be seen. Likely in bird form. "Good evening, my gorgeous wife!" he said with a broad smile as he lifted Summer bodily into the air with a bear hug, spinning her once as she polite-screamed. "Good news – I've contacted the people at City Hall and they've agreed to re-marry us first thing tomorrow!"
Most of the voices around them gave light cheers.
Summer's heart nearly stopped. For a brief moment, she was overcome with a feeling of dread.
"Umm… we have somewhere to be tomorrow," said Summer's mouth, taking directions from her brain without any prompting. "Cordovin's awake, but she won't see anyone until then. And you know as well as I do that we don't have any time to waste."
Good brain. You get a cookie.
Tai put her down mid-sentence and listened, his smile fading only a little. "Aww… and they won't open until morning either. Oh well, if we have time before our flight then maybe we can-"
"Tai," Summer cut in before he could say it again, "Focus. We've got a job to do. Save the dreaming for later, okay?"
"As you wish, my love." Taiyang emphasized his statement with a bow, taking her hand in his and kissing it.
Summer fought back a wave of nausea.
The next several minutes blurred by as everyone got back all at once – Yang and Blake returned together, Weiss following shortly behind them, and finally Oscar came in on the heels of their hostesses Terra and Saphron. The hustle and bustle of getting ready for dinner mixed with the welcoming greetings towards Jasmine as the entire house became awash with the kind of dull roar usually found during the holidays at the end of the year.
Summer was able to bounce little Adrian on her hip for a few minutes while everyone got settled in, but during that time she became aware that both Jasmine and Maria were still watching her.
At some point, Terra made a comment that they were out of one of their brands of juice (Adrian's favorite) and asked someone to make an emergency run to grab a few more jugs.
"Summer Rose and I shall go," Jasmine declared over the din of the room. "I would like a word with her in the meantime. Come."
Summer gulped and followed, unable to escape. Ruby gave her a quick hug on the way out but thankfully Qrow had Taiyang busy, or else she would never have gotten out without another sickly-sweet display of his affections. Honestly, how could he put on such a display and not gag?
The walk to the store was quiet, and for that Summer was grateful. Night had fallen, and various crickets made merry from the treeline just off the road. The air was chilly again, so she was glad she remembered her cloak this time. Jasmine never seemed to notice the cold, marching with her face set in its permanent scowl (or as Qrow once called it, a 'resting bitch face').
In and out of the store, juice in hand, Summer had only a few minutes to wait before the shoe dropped. "What is his name?" said Jasmine.
"…Who?"
"The man who you are seeing without your husband knowing about it."
Summer tried and failed to keep her face from going bright red. She sputtered, "I d-don't… what do you… I mean…"
"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Summer Rose." Jasmine turned to her and smiled, a rare sight to be sure. "I am the last woman on Remnant to judge one such as yourself. Do you remember my old team?"
"Team BRCH, right?"
"Indeed. I do not believe I ever told you, but I had relations with all three of those young men before we graduated."
Summer bluescreened for a moment. "…ALL THREE?!"
"It is not so unusual," the woman glanced at her sideways, looking totally serious. "There are plenty of women in this world who 'date around' as the saying goes. I was simply testing the waters to see if any of them might light my fire."
Summer almost stopped walking. "I take it none of em did?"
"No. Beau was the most romantic of the bunch, but he could not keep up with me in any other field. Rojo was an embarrassment of a human, and I do not even remember the name of the third, which should tell you all you need to know. I refuse to settle for less than the very best, and thus far no one has reached that level with me."
"…Is there a point to all this?"
Jasmine stopped walking and stared into Summer's very soul. "Until today, I looked upon you and saw only Duty, Honor and the Will To Do The Right Thing. I saw a woman in form only, for your soul was bound to the title of Huntress. Now you are different – I sense within you a fire that was not there prior. It is a flame of womanhood. Even in your prime this fire was not present, and I can only assume it is because you have met someone who inflames your passion more than that foolish man ever could."
Summer's face was no giving off steam. "Th-Th-That's not important right now! B-Besides, even if I d-did meet someone, we have much more important m-matters to deal with! My kids… Ruby…"
"How far have they come without you?"
"What?"
Somehow the pair of women actually made it back to the house, but neither one was willing to step inside first. Jasmine stood before the door, those burning eyes of hers glaring into Summer's, and said, "The children you speak of are not so helpless that your absence will bring ruin to their mission. Even being among them for only a few minutes, I found that much to be obvious."
"But Ruby…"
"Is she not your daughter? Do you not think your own spawn capable of handling herself on a mission?"
"…"
"Summer Rose, I do not say this lightly," Corbett stepped closer, her eyes finally softening as she offered Summer a kind smile. "Follow your heart. Do not let the burdens of others become a shackle upon your neck. If this man you claim not to have met is truly special, then that is where you belong. Not here."
And with those words, Jasmine Corbett turned and entered the house.
Leaving Summer Rose behind to collect the pieces of her shattered will.
Now she was done for; up until now she'd just been wrestling with her own rebellious mind (which was still calling out for her to go find Mr Green right now), but with Corbett's words added to them, she was in real danger of dropping everything and running to his side. Taiyang's offer to have them remarry still lingered in the back of her mind, an omen of returning to a life she now realized she didn't want.
Her broken thoughts from before echoed through her head once again; her return had thrown everything out of whack. Her presence had disrupted the flow of events, altered the course of dozens of lives, possibly hundreds, and likely changed the course of history. Everything had started to go wrong, and all because she'd just dropped in unannounced, unexpected and… arguably… unwanted.
"…Mom?"
Ruby stood before her, smiling kindly, staring back into her eyes with that same love and devotion she'd had all her life. Summer blinked as she finally realized she'd been crying again.
Without another word, Ruby took her mother's hand and led her inside. Ruby, possibly the only person in this house who truly wanted her.
And for now… that was enough.
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TO
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CONTINUED
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Author's Note: Welp, this took way longer than I wanted. Regarding the current plot development, I direct you to an older A/N where I mentioned that my goal with this tale was to humanize a character who, up until this point, had been little more than a legend – and what could be more human than to give in to your frustrations?
Now, I have to confess that this isn't the true sequel I originally promised; not only is it much later than I first said, it's (almost) entirely in one location and doesn't even progress the true plot. Thing is, trying to put all this at the start of a more complete story would feel… weird. Also, I wouldn't dare leave it out or compress it too far, as the development everyone goes through during these four chapters is, in my humble opinion, vital to the rest of the narrative.
Regarding that… the final part of this trilogy will be titled Roses of Tomorrow, but I won't make any promises about its debut this time. It'll happen when it happens.
And on that note, since I know at least a few of you actually care, I want to mention that the massive gaps between chapter releases is due to my motivation having taken a serious hit in recent months. I'm still determined to finish my stories, but everything seems to be working against me reaching that goal. I won't blame any of you for bowing out or just outright ignoring my crap going forward (especially considering other writers in this fandom are far better at providing full-on fanservice fics), but for those who do stick around… thank you. It means a lot to me to know that somebody in this broken world is feeling just a little bit better after reading one or two of my works.
Anywho, enough rambling. Have a great day, be kind to each other, and I hope to see you in the next fic (whichever one it may be).
=^..^=