Anje held Virion's hand tightly, her fingers and toes feeling static as over the course of her escape from the Wastes, dread had set in. Things since leaving Plegia had gone smoothly with Robin and Virion leading their ragtag band of knights, mercenaries, and mages. No bandits had jumped them on the road and everyone was keeping to their most comfortable allies within the group. The whole trip went off without a hitch.
In her experience that meant only one thing.
Whatever snag was yet to rear its ugly face. Obviously, that was the natural course of things. If nothing happened soon, the more spectacular disaster Anje anticipated would have to take place, such as Virion getting struck by lightning or Olivia suddenly developing a knack for practical fashion.
"There it is ladies and gents," Virion pointed over the sleet-covered hill toward gentle puffs of smoke in the air, "Satis Vix, in all her glory."
Olivia and Robin flanked Anje and Virion as they continued their steady march. Anj couldn't help but smirk as she noticed Olivia shiver, holding her hands up to her face and blowing hot air into her palms, and then rapidly rubbing them together. She'd offered to get her a jacket once, and had learned her lesson. The girl was deceptively stubborn about tradition. She understood that well, coming from a land of snow.
Respect though, was another matter, as Anje couldn't help but pity the dancer's desire to remain unfettered by warm clothing. The closest she had gotten was accepting a cloak, though she kindly had declined it. There was only one other solution, and though it befuddled Virion who had pestered her about the why of it all, Anje neglected to explain. It was obvious. She was trying to impress people, or, someone in particular.
"That is wondrous news, Lord Virion," Olivia said through chattering teeth. "Perhaps we can stop at an inn and rest up a bit?"
"Or ya know, wear a damn cloak," Anje said. She gave Olivia's repealing dancer garb a once over and clicked her tongue. "I understand attention, but if I were you I'd not freeze my ass off at the chance to catch a guy gawking at my thighs."
Olivia blushed and her eyes widened. "W-wha-who told you that?"
"Okay, or girl," Anje replied in an easy tone. "Catching anybody redhanded is kinda fun, but girl, the way you're going about it is nutty."
"I concur with Anje's hypothesis," Robin interjected. He held a highly detailed map of Archanea with several scribblings etched over the wrinkled parchment; signs of wear and tear from his time serving Chrom. "You have been quite obstinate about maintaining traditional values, though your behavior the past days suggests another rationale."
"Oh do tell, Robin," Virion purred.
"Or he could not!" Olivia squeaked, putting her hands up. "Let's just go toward the port and get a warm meal!"
Virion gave Olivia a pitiful look and then gestured to Robin. "Analysis, my fine tacticious friend?"
"Oh, yes. That." Robin coughed into his jacket sleeve, clearing his throat. "I believe this is a mating ritual."
"Ha! Robin called you horny!" Anje pointed and laughed, leaning against Virion for support. Her laughter died down quickly as she looked up to Virion. "That is what he meant, right?"
A thin smile graced Virion's lips. "Indeed."
"I think I'll just, uh, fall behind a bit as we stroll into town," Olivia said softly. Her eyes avoided any possible eye contact as she tried to slink away, but Robin's arm caught her, managing to get a small squeak of surprise from the dancer.
"Not quite yet," Robin said. "We've one last matter to discuss before we split about, and I'd like you all to pass the information along." Robin released Olivia's wrist, and she cradled her hand, rubbing it tenderly. Ignoring the dancer's discomfort, Robin pulled out small slips of paper from his deep trench coat pockets. "These are all labeled, please," He handed the pile to Virion, who awkwardly took them, "I implore you to deliver them to the necessary recipients of our squad."
"And what is it I am delivering?" Virion asked in a skeptical tone. "These seem to just have names written on them…"
"Precisely," Robin said, nodding. "I've spoken to Miriel on the matter of observing social dynamics between cohorts, and we have a strong hypothesis that cross-compatible immersion should raise moral and proficiency by at least twelve percent, which I should remind you, is over the threshold for-"
"In normal people words," Anje growled.
Robin's mouth made an 'o' shape briefly, and then he nodded. "Right. Right. I forget that not all share the love of contextual semantics that I do and some are only concerned with results." Robin took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "It's a list of your rooming accommodations on the ship. We'll have several weeks to travel, and this is an excellent time to take advantage of the small proximity to embolden our communicative skills!"
"So we have assigned rooms, you say?" Virion asked, rubbing his chin as he eyed the tactician with a curious look. "I thought our traveling would suffice and we could choose who we could share proximity with, no?"
"I know who I'd like to be in my proximity," Anje added, looking to Virion for confirmation. He nodded, managing to get a smile out of the blonde before she turned back to Robin's neutral expression and glaring. "Yeah!"
"The data suggests otherwise, Anje," Robin stated in a stern tone usually reserved for teachers who thought better. "And the data doesn't lie. I've been keeping track of everyone's social patterns since our departure from the wastes of Plegia."
Anje crossed her arms and pouted. Fucking smart people with their 'evidence' and 'data'. Virion shrugged and seemed to concede to Robin's rationale, only increasing the heat she felt in her face. Unbelievable. I can't believe I'll have to skulk around in the night like some-
"And that also means no copulation."
Anje blinked rapidly, taking a step back as if she had been punched in the face. "No copa-what now? Wait." She narrowed her eyes at the still cheery Robin. "You mean sex, don't you?"
"A necessary precaution for entering a warzone," Robin said, unapologetically.
Anje looked to Virion for support, but the best he did was offer a weak smile and a shrug. She groaned under her breath. Have they never heard of relieving stress before?
"Oh, that's terrible! So, what are the assignments, Virion?" Olivia asked, still lingering a few feet away, hand on a hip and radiating smug energy directed at Anje. "What do the papers say?"
"Right," Virion opened up the letters, his lips pursing as he read. An indignant frown blossomed across the archer's face as he raised an eyebrow and looked to Robin. "You want me to shack up with Lon'qu? I'm flattered, but a broody swordsman is hardly my type. You'll have to do better than that, my friend."
"It is optimal," Robin firmly stated. "Data suggests you two spend some of the least amounts of time interacting. This should embolden our cohesiveness as a unit."
"There is such a thing as having nothing in common with someone, Robin." Virion handed the paperback with a brief, dramatic flourish. Anje rolled her eyes, yet found herself smiling. "Alas, it shall be done. Anje?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to get jealous as Lon'qu will no doubt find himself infatuated with me by voyage's end. I may need your help in fending off his perilous advances." Virion stifled a chuckle and waved to a nearby citizen- a young boy in a simple jerkin-of the port as the group breached past the entryway. "Try not to tear the man a new one, dear."
"I think she did that the first time they met…" Olivia quietly hummed.
Anje flashed the dancer a mischievous look, her ears feeling warm and tingly. Sure, it was a jab, but she had settled her score with Lon'qu. He was a surprisingly lax person despite his precision and ferocity on the battlefield. He wasn't a person to hold grudges, unlike another certain folk.
Satis Vix, the farthest major port of Regna Ferox hugged the coastline in a crescent-like shape. It was one of those cities that reminded Anje of Sevastopol; the sounds of horns from the harbor echoed in the distance, the dull beam of a lighthouse glittered across the blackened waters, and a thick fog hovered just beyond the harbor docks. Anje licked her lips; the salty ocean air mixed with the frigid cold to create a biting and raw feeling in the back of her throat.
It tasted like home.
"Olivia," Anje said, her eyes focused on the large caravels and frigates docked in the snowy harbor, "I never thought the Feroxi had a place like this. It's wonderful."
"Really?"
"It's highly defensible and is having a profitable year, I concur."
Virion laughed, a singular but genuine laugh at Robin's proclamation. The tactician replied only with a confused look as he wrapped his jacket tightly around him. Anje nestled into Virion's side as he embraced her. Perhaps the trip wasn't all that terrible to see such a familiar sight in an unpredictable world. It almost distracted her from the fact that she'd not be bunking with her lover.
Almost.
Acquiring the boat was only a small hassle, and like most everyone, the captain of the vessel decided arguing with Robin wasn't worth their time and allowed everyone to board posthaste. Anje had dropped off her meager belongings in her quarters, making sure to arrive before her assigned roommate, the pegasus rider Cordelia, who was busy tending to her stead in the cargo hold. Virion had already left to handle business with only a peck on the cheek and the promise of 'fiery passion' in the future. That did little to sate the frustration that loomed over her like a storm cloud.
She had decided to set up camp on the port side of the top deck, embracing the cool evening air. Virion had already cooped himself up in the captain's quarters with various members of their team to negotiate the price of service. Something they had put off intentionally since leaving Plegia, as a way for the more money-hungry members to gauge if they liked the group cohesion. Bunch of vultures, with free passage not being good enough.
The ship lurched as it jettisoned from the docks, forcing Anje to grip the side rail for stability. Gregor and Lon'qu a few meters away, nodding to each other every few seconds or so as if sharing a secret langauge.
Anje watched with rapt attention for almost a minute before losing interest. There were no tells, no signs or gestures, or even words. Just puffs of vapor coming from one of the two mercenaries occasionally, maybe a grunt, and some nodding as Gregor fiddled with a fishing pole.
Alright, I can't take it anymore. Anje peeled herself away from the railing and walked over to Lon'qu and Gregor, her stride quick and quiet, yet she noticed a tenseness in both their postures as she drew near. They continued their casual...conversation, though had become apparent her movement wasn't expected. Least of all towards them.
"Evenin' guys," Anje said. She paused, considering how to broach the subject of their nonsensical banter. A rational and clever thought teased her mind, which was quickly stricken down by a louder more familiar thought. "So, how the hell are you talking to each other? I've spoken with a lot of soldiers, and usually, it's not all just grunts and nodding."
Gregor and Lon'qu looked between each other, locking eyes as if to draw straws on who should break the silence first. Lon'qu blinked and then mumbled something under his breath.
"It's nothing, Anje. Just passing the time until Gaius is done with his negotiations," Lon'qu softly said.
"It is as Lon'qu says," Gregor in his deep baritone confirmed. "We are waiting on the young one. He take negotiation very seriously." Gregor held out the wooden fishing pole; it resembled a thick slab of wood that one might consider a broadsword for training new recruits. "You like Gregor's new find? Very study."
"I'd have to agree. I'm surprised the one who made it had time to shave off the branches."
Lon'qu gave Gregor an 'I told you so' look, only causing the older merc to flare his nostrils and make a displeased guttural sound. "Bah! What do you know of good fishing!"
"That you try to catch fish," Anje gestured to the broad plank masquerading as a fishing pole, "Not try and bludgeon them to death. Though I'm sure with your muscles, it wouldn't be much of a problem."
"See, Gregor? I told you-"
The door to the captain's quarters swung open, and Gaius walked with a swagger to his step and a lollipop sticking out of his grinning mouth. Anje leaned up against the railing of the ship as she tore her attention away from Gregor and his fishing pole. She noticed Lon'qu give Gaius a quick, analytical yet dismissive glance. He talked to the thief about as much as her, which wasn't too much of a surprise considering the Feroxi swordmaster's current outstanding poker debt.
"Well, gentleman," Gaius announced, his eyes scanning the mercenaries, "And lady. Anyways, you are looking at the next richest man in Valm. My negotiations have gone swimmingly."
"Oh, how much did some cheat like you manage to get out of Virion?" Anje spat, rolling her eyes. They knew he was desperate for help, yet it was one of the few leverages Virion had. Kindness and loyalty for these people were measurable, down to the copper. "I'm guessing you asked for a king's ransom?"
Gaius dramatically guffawed and shook his head. "Anje, do you think so little of me-"
"Yes."
Gaius' bravado faltered a bit and his voice cracked. "W-well, not to worry! I only asked for a reasonable amount for a task that would potentially put me in mortal danger. Just about eighteen hundred gold."
"Eighteen hundred?" Lon'qu confirmed, his smooth and quiet voice piercing the salty ocean air like a harpoon. "I'm getting two thousand."
Gaius laughed, slapping his knee. Once he noticed Lon'qu wasn't joking, his laughter transformed into sounds of concerned murmurs. "Wait, really?" Gaius' head swiveled to Gregor. "Hold on, how much did you negotiate for?"
Gregor shrugged. "The kindly Virion has offered to pay Gregor four thousand gold. It is good deal."
Anje snorted and moved her hand to her mouth, stifling a giggle. "Wow, Gaius. You really aren't good at the 'thief' part of being a thief."
"Oh, laugh it up, Thorn," Gaius said, sounding irritated
"Thorn?" Anje repeated, raising an eyebrow. "New nickname already?"
"Considering the threats last time, yes," Gaius insisted. "You're pretty to look at, but you're prickly as Grima's-" Gaius cleared his throat and looked toward Gregor. "Tell me Tiny, why are you getting paid so much more than me?"
"Gregor believes it is because he is twice the man little Gaius is," Gregor flexed his mammoth biceps as if to prove his point. "Also Virion likes Gregor. It win-win situation."
"Virion doesn't like me?" Gaius babbled in surprise.
"No, he like little thief very much," Gregor countered. "Gregor just lets the fancy man win at cards."
Gaius looked to Lon'qu for support, but the swordsman shrugged. "I just negotiated and compared it to my rate with Lord Chrom. We came to an understanding."
Frustration bubbled across Gaius' face as he turned to Anje. "Well, you're not getting paid much, are you, right?" He looked to Gregor and Lon'qu for support. "Right?"
Gregor let out a hearty chuckle. "She is smarter than us in business with Virion." He waved dismissively in the air, turning his attention back to his fishing pole that had been wedged in between the gaps of the ship's railing. "Unfair market advantage."
Gaius pursed his lips and leered at Anje. "Alright, how much is he paying you?"
"Nothing," Anje replied. Unless he's talking about the other benefits.
The lollipop nearly fell out of Gaius' agape mouth. "W-what?"
Gregor grunted as he tugged on his fishing pole, seemingly getting a bite. "Be nice to Anje. She might be signing your paycheck in the future."
Anje flashed a devious smirk toward Gaius. The thief's face drained of color, and he took a step back. "Oh no…"
"What can I say?" Anje nonchalantly stated. "I like my payment in the form of a handsome, skilled, witty, self-employed archer." Anje winked at Gaius. "The negotiations were long but worth it."
"Right," Gaius drawled. "Wait, self-employed?"
"He owns his own kingdom." Anje blew a blonde strand of hair out of her face. "If that's not self-employed, I don't know what is."
"See," Gregor warned, turning around with an index finger held high, "Unfair market advantage."
Anje's head felt like a whirlwind. Sure, Ferox had been gratuitous enough to provide Virion with passage thanks to Flavia and Basilio's writ of passage, though Robin's plan of action still irked her. Who thinks team building on a voyage is necessary!? We soldiers, not children!
She grumbled under her breath as she stomped down the narrow hallway of the ship toward her room. She stopped in front of the closed wooden door that reeked of salt, and the sounds of faint humming could be heard inside.
Anje rolled her shoulders and exhaled through her nose. Let's get this over with.
The acrobat opened the door with authority, the door slamming into the wall loudly. The lean, red-haired knight inside the room jumped to attention, leaving her large satchel on the ground. Her brilliant reddish eyes beamed brightly, meeting Anje's dull blue ones that scanned the room with impunity.
"Oh! Hello there, Anje," The knight stuck out her hand for a handshake, "I'm Cordelia. It seems that we've been assigned bunking together and-"
Ignoring the gesture, Anje's eyes drifted toward the bunk bed. "Top bunk."
Cordelia paused and tilted her head. "Pardon?"
"Top. Bunk." Anje said, emphasizing the last syllable of each of the words. "I call dibs."
Anje began to walk forward, but Cordelia stepped in her way, maintaining a cordial and polite smile. "I figured since you just now arrived we could talk about sleeping accommodations, and I believe communication between us should-"
"Top bunk," Anje repeated as she swiftly ducked past Cordelia, and began climbing the wooden bunk bed that was built into the ship wall. "I've had a shit day, so consider this my communication or whatever."
Cordelia's face scrunched up for a moment, and she let out a small breath as she maintained her pleasant smile. "I was warned about this," Cordelia muttered, and then loudly coughed into her fist. "Apologies if we've gotten off on the wrong foot, but I implore you to talk this through with me. If we are to have a stable and organized team synergy, we should discuss such arrangements, as Robin has instructed."
Oh my god, she's still talking. Anje stared up at the very close wooden ceiling and ground her teeth. She's not going to shut up is she? Read the room?
"Cordelia?" Anje said aloud.
"Yes, Anje?"
"Kindly shut the hell up and turn off the lantern."
Anje waited patiently for the lights to flicker, but instead, she heard a sharp inhale and poorly muted sounds of frustration slipping past the knight's lips. She's not going to let this go easily, will she? Huffing, Anje leaned over the edge of the bed's railing and looked down at the pegasus knight, whose face had reddened to a point that almost matched the shade of her hair.
"You really want the top bunk, huh?"
"It's not about the bunk, Anje," Cordelia forcefully said through her teeth, trying desperately to maintain a facade of calm. "It's about us talking about it. Working as a team, and knowing one another."
"Yeah, so read the room, huh?" Anje casually suggested. "I've had a shit day, I'm not getting laid tonight, and then I have to listen to someone yammer on about teamwork or whatever." Anje clicked her tongue and sighed. "Calm your tits and get off your high horse already. Fuck."
Cordelia looked up at Anje, dumbfounded. "Y-y-you're a little monster! They were right about you!"
"You'll have to do better than that," Anje snapped. "That's hardly an insult at this point."
Cordelia's face reddened almost to a shade of magenta, and she balled up her fist. "Why y-y-you-" She looked down as if to search for the right words. Her head snapped up, her voice was trembling and soft. "You're just a bitch!"
Anje raised her hands and clapped. "Congrats, you managed to say what you were actually thinking. Gold star, or whatever you knights give each other for a good job." Anje raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Feel a bit better?"
Cordelia's breathing was heavy as if she was still in disbelief. "I-I think I'm going to take a walk. Yes, a walk. Um...I'll be back."
"Sounds good," Anje replied, pulling a thin wool blanket over her. "Just turn off the lamp when you leave."
The lamplight was snuffed, and the door creaked as it opened and closed carefully. Anje carefully removed her shoes and dropped them onto the floor, smiling as she did so. It had been bad enough to be separated from Virion, let alone paired with some stranger who would be on pins and needles around her because of reputation and honor. The least she could do was drag the honesty from her new ally, whether they liked it or not.
She rolled over and closed her eyes. She tried to fluff her pillow, and curl up underneath the covers, but something within her gut churned. She didn't feel completely comfortable and tried resting on her side. Then her back. She even tried sleeping face down, but still felt the pinpricks of a sinking feeling within her stomach.
Goddamnit. Anje threw the blanket off and clambered down the bunk bed's frame. She hastily strapped on her boots and tried to straighten her hair by running her fingers through some of the tangles.
Anje walked into the hallway, scratching the back of her head. This is so dumb. She's probably fine. Probably. She shook her head and began to head towards the top deck. I'm allowed to express myself, right? Though, the way she blew up didn't seem all from me. Fuck, I think I'm caring. If Basilio ever found out, I'd never hear the end of it.
Anje reached the top of the stairs of the vessel. The sky was clear, and silvery moonlight reflected faintly off brown planks as the sounds of gentle splashing waves rhythmically sounded off. She walked around and scanned the deck, soon finding the aerial cavalier sitting on her butt at the very edge of the stern with her knees pulled up to her chest, and arms around her shins.
Silently approaching Cordelia's side, Anje promptly plopped down beside her. Cordelia's posture straightened up immediately as if struck by a bolt of lightning. Anje posted up a knee and rested her elbow on it, looking toward the endless expanse of ocean that trailed behind them.
"Maybe I came off a bit strong," Anje relented, taking in a deep breath of the chilly evening air. "I'm not...well, you probably figured it out."
Cordelia remained focused on the water, not budging her line of sight. Anje leaned forward and noticed the woman's eyes were watery and her breaths were ragged. She'd managed to already let out some tears.
"You shouldn't be seeing me like this," Cordelia softly said. "I'm sorry that you've had a rough day and-"
Anje rested a hand on the rider's shoulder and chuckled. "You're the one apologizing to me?" She scrunched her face, holding in the laughter at the absurdity of it all. "Shit, I think you might be more messed up than me."
Cordelia sniffed and wiped at her damp cheek. "Why are you here?"
"Well, I had a gut feeling you might try to throw yourself over the railing," Anje replied. She felt a tenseness in Cordelia's shoulder. "I suck at math, but it's a long-ass swim back to Archanea if you're asking me."
A small, singular, mirthless laugh escaped Cordelia's lips. "I suppose you're right."
"You're running from something, aren't you?" Anje said aloud, looking up at the clear sky. "I may not know much, but being alone with your thoughts is dangerous at these moments. You do wild things. Things that otherwise would never cross your mind. Terrible things."
Cordelia peeked at Anje from the corner of her eye. "What did you do?"
"I tried to survive," Anje whispered. "I used to work-serve in a circus. Acrobat, among other things. It was lonely, scared, and angry. Still am, but it was home. And no matter how hard you are beaten, home is home." Anje gripped Cordelia's shoulder tighter. "And one day, in my anger, I killed someone. They treated me like shit, and I can remember my hands trembling as I locked that door to the cage, but I did it anyway." She leaned forward, looking Cordelia in the eyes. "It was mad, and I can still remember the screams, the begging, and the cries as the tiger tore into him. Then two days later, I died from a fall."
"Interesting metaphor, but why are you telling me this?" Cordelia wiped at her eyes again with her palm. "Why?"
"Because I know what it's like to be pushed to the edge. To feel like you have less than nothing. That you are less than nothing." Anje shivered, and pulled her knees up to her chest, mimicking the knight. "You do things nobody would do. I remember crying every night those first few months at the Crimson Circus. But the tears eventually left. I held onto the only thing that gave me the strength to continue."
"Hope?"
Anje shook her head, feeling her chilled lips tremble. "Where hope died, I found something else to fill in the cracks. Rage."
"I lost my company of knights." Cordelia swallowed hard as if trying to force-feed herself the truth. "The man I pined for...had other obligations, and-" Cordelia's voice sounded more fragile and she shifted her sitting position, "Well, perhaps I'm not the model knight everyone thinks I am. What knight let their squad perish in an ambush?
"Don't know," Anje candidly replied. "All I know is that I had to change. That little girl full of rage died in the arena in Regna Ferox. I had to become someone else to continue on. To be reborn." Anje removed her hand from Cordelia's shoulder and cupped her hands as she blew hot air into them. "Maybe it's time that knight died too. Nobody ever said you can't just start over. That's what I did."
"And what of their legacy? Who will honor their sacrifice?" Cordelia rebutted, her voice growing in power. "I can't just leave that behind. Someone must carry the burden. Someone must remember."
"Remember, but don't try to carry the corpses with you. Our own problems are heavy enough." Anje's mouth twisted into a puckered expression. "Virion or Sumia would probably have something better to say. Something more clever. Whatever. Forget it. I forgot where I was going with that."
Anje began to stand up, but she felt something catch her wrist. She looked down to see Cordelia grasping her wrist, still looking out into the distance like a statue. "I think I get it. I'm going to take some time to think about it. Thank you. I believe Sir Frederick was only partially right about you."
Anje bristled at the sound of his name and frowned. "Really? What did he get wrong?"
"That you're not a 'heartless wench'," Cordelia said with a smile. "Though, he was spot on about the crudeness."
Anje wrinkled her nose. "Well, good to hear that I've surpassed his expectations. Not that I care."
Cordelia stood up, brushing dust off her armored red leggings. "Certainly." Her attention bounced between the choppy waves and Anje. "So, a rebirth?"
"New continent, new you," Anje suggested. "Just don't take as long as I did. Hurts more the longer you wait. Trust me on that. Basilio hits real fucking hard."
Cordelia laughed, her smile met her eyes for the first time that evening. "I'll keep that in mind."
"See back at the bunk," Anje said as she left Cordelia near the railing, the sinking feeling in her stomach now gone. The pegasus knight waved as Anje glanced back, returning the gesture.
Anje smiled as she descended back into the depths of the ship, toward her room. She paused as she reached her cabin and swore under her breath.
I swear, if this is all part of Robin's team building, I'm going to shit a brick.
A/N: Hello again! I briefly decided if I should extend this chapter with the rest of the voyage content, but decided against it. Hopefully, this was an emotional morsel to chew on as we finish the voyage next chapter, meet Cherche, and see what's happening in Valm :) Anyway, little Anje is continuing on the path to growing up a bit, trying to break away from her bad habits. I'll reply to reviews in the next chapter (which is planned to be longer) so stay tuned, and know that I appreciate and read all the feedback. It's truly awesome.
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Hopefully, I'll be able to sneak in another update by the end of March. Work and other projects have kept me very busy, unfortunately.
Until next time!
