"If you're hearing this message, I have no doubt you heard the announcement made at our academy's entrance ceremony. But, as a quick debrief, the party behind the announcement claims four Organic Androids have infiltrated the student body of Sentinel Academy out of uniform, a fact the school's administration was unaware of. Though this all may be an elaborate hoax, we assure you we are carefully analyzing our records and conducting interviews as necessary in order to investigate these claims. I also wish to make it clear to all students and families of the academy that there is no veritable threat to the student body, either by android or the one behind the announcement. We are working closely with Frontline Biomedical and city authorities in order to decide the best course of action moving forward."

Lazula closed the mandatory mass-transmission from her father, and continued her walk through The Crossroads with Snow. "Interesting way to start the year," she commented. She looked aside at her team partner. "And now the two of us are being called to his office. Wonder what this is about."

Snow's silence persisted.

Headmaster Skye and Lazula's father seemed like two entirely different men. Greyson Skye, the leader of vigilante group Twilight Crusade, had always been a bit awkward, but though he couldn't always show it, he at least attempted to make it clear how much his family meant. The enigmatic Headmaster Skye, though the same in every physical way, was distant behind his glasses; nearly cold.

The glowing screens between the two girls and the Headmaster's desk blinked away, leaving the three in almost darkness. Behind the Headmaster, the lights of the city shone across the bay.

"I'm sorry for calling the two of you all the way up here for what will be such a short meeting. But, for the time being, you two are to stay beside each other at all times. You both have my permission to carry your weapons at all times as well, regardless of campus regulations." He lowered his head to Snow in a half-nod. "If Lazula is unavailable, find Caspian."

"Understood."

"Why?" Lazula questioned. "Is there some kind of threat?"

The Headmaster's reply was rigid. "It's just a precaution."

The Roots no longer being in the basement of Caspian's own dorm building was an inconvenience he'd have to get used to. Madrona Hall was only a few minutes' walk away from Cedar, but nothing beat a single elevator trip, protected from the rain, wind, and cold that grasped the city most of the year. It seemed the days of midnight pajama runs to the mini convenience store next to it were over as well. But judging by the way Cattleya fell quiet since Caspian had mentioned The Roots, Cattleya didn't share his affinity for the free, reasonable quality café.

Halfway through their meal, Caspian choked down a mouthful, and finally asked the question she begged. "Is there something wrong?"

Her fork was still in her rigid hand. "I'm just curious why we're eating here of all places?"

Caspian held his cup next to his lips. "Oh, do you not like The Roots?"

"It's fine, but I expected something a little more... I don't know, special? I just got back from Mistral, after all."

"Sorry, you didn't- I-I mean, I didn't know..."

"It should just be common sense. Can we at least do something this weekend?"

"Well, we were already assigned that paper for GS2, but if I have time, we can..."

"If you have time? I should be your priority. And don't blame this on the essay. I've been back for two nights now, plenty of time to go out."

"Okay, okay. We'll go out tomorrow night. Do you have anywhere in mind?"

Cattleya locked up. Her eyes bore straight ahead, and her hand was oblivious to Caspian's. "No, it's fine. You made it clear you don't want to go out, so we can stay in."

"It's not that I don't want to, I just... I might have to..."

She slinked out of the arm that closed around her shoulders. "Honestly, sometimes I'm not even sure why I bother."

"I'm sorry..."

"You couldn't even get me in touch with your own sister."

"I'm sorry..."

"And I hear you've been hanging out with Moka all Summer? Why don't you just get with her instead? You two seem like you've been getting pretty friendly."

Caspian swallowed hard. "...You wouldn't cheat on me."

Cattleya's laugh granted Caspian a breath of relief as she loosened up, and her hand rested on his. "Now I know why I bother. You crack me up sometimes."

Caspian's chuckle was uneasy. It felt out of place.

Her hand tightened on his. "Do you think she's pretty?"

The question felt like being airdropped into the middle of a minefield. A lie, the truth, they'd both blow up in his face. "Uh- N-Not... prettier than you..."

In the agonizing silence that resulted, something brushed past Caspian's shoulder. He flinched, and glanced up just in time to watch Snow set her food on the table, lower herself to the bench across from him.

The first sign of life from Cattleya was a look somewhere between bewilderment, incredulity, and fury, snapping between Caspian and the girl who had just sat down.

"Hey, Snow."

"Did he tell you you can sit with us?"

"Headmaster Skye says I am to stay with Lazula at all times," Snow replied, unwrapping her straw casually and sticking it in her water. "If Lazula is busy, I am to stay with Caspian at all times."

"Unbelievable," Caspian heard her mutter.

The three ate in silence. Caspian poked at his meal, taking ginger bites whenever he could work up the appetite for one. Snow ate in blissful ignorance to the couple, projecting a book from her Holoband laid flat on the table and looking up to it between bites. Cattleya's eyes rested on her plate with a resentful dullness as she dutifully scooped forkful after forkful into her mouth, occasionally flashing glances upward as if to verify Snow still sat at their table, and to make herself angry all over again.

"Hey Snow, what are you read-"

"Wait. What did I just see?" Cattleya demanded, leaning across the table at Snow.

"I don't know. What do you think you just saw?" Snow asked. At first her arrival was almost a relief. But the way she was entirely oblivious to the fact she had a habit of responding to Cattleya in the worst possible way was starting to stress Caspian out.

"When you closed your book, I think I just saw a picture of you two together. Show me."

Snow reversed her Holoband's screen to show the picture she and Caspian had taken out in the city. The picture they had taken the instant Cattleya stepped away. Caspian looked out the window, wanting to be anywhere besides that table.

"This one?"

"Yes, that one," Cattleya snapped. "And it's your background? I didn't even know you two took this! When was it?"

"My birthday this year..."

Cattleya shook her head. "And now you're running around taking couple pictures with Snow behind my back. No, no. You're deleting that."

Snow snapped the Holoband to her wrist and pulled it back to the table's edge. "I don't want to delete it."

"But you are," Cattleya insisted. She waved her hand as if telling Snow to come closer. "Come on."

"Don't make her delete it," Caspian weakly refuted. "It's not a couple picture. She just wanted to take one with me, because we're friends."

"She shouldn't be going behind my back to take a picture with you when we're the ones in the relationship. And it's weird that you're trying to act like this is okay. Tell her to delete it."

Caspian sighed. "Snow, can you delete it?"

Snow's eyebrows sunk on downcast eyes, and her lips pulled together into a tight frown. She flipped her screen back, and began to tap at it.

This was the reunion Caspian had waited all those months for. He waited all Summer to be back in class with her, studying, going out, holding her close. Yet all that waiting led to this. He was uncomfortable, and for the first time, he found himself wondering how much more he could take.

The Northern crust of downtown, nearest across the water from Sentinel Academy, had an air of luxury rivalled by few cities in Remnant. High rises overlooking the water held offices for some of the world's biggest companies, and penthouses for the world's biggest names. The top two stories of one, the tallest building before the water, was dedicated to a restaurant few could afford. The kind of place with dim lighting and portions too small for their plate. Even if someone did recognize Lazula, they wouldn't care much because some A-list movie star was sitting at the table just beyond her.

Gentle notes of smooth jazz floated up from the live band of piano, drums, and saxophone playing under the mezzanine. Every surface in the place was black, white, or gold, or took on the glow of the sun setting over the ocean. Lazula found herself thinking the place would be a good date spot, but remembered how precious her free time was, and how few people impressed her enough for her to even consider filling that time with a date.

Lilly looked different. Lazula expected a dress, maybe a sweater given the evening chill. But the black button-down tucked into high-waisted khakis was a welcome surprise. The black opals dangling from each ear were far from the usual diamonds, but matched her outfit perfectly.

"I... like your outfit, Lilly."

Lilly paused for a couple of seconds before deciding on a smile. "Thank you! I... I'm trying out different styles. I actually mentioned this to your brother and a few others, but... I'm getting tired of dressing the same all the time, and acting the same all the time. I want to be more me. Whoever the real me is."

"Oh," Lazula mustered, entirely unprepared for the reply her comment brought. "Well, I liked the you before, so I'm sure I'll like the 'real' you, too."

Lilly kept her smile, but Lazula could sense something behind it. Some vague, wistful feeling as if something was at the tip of her tongue, or something about Lazula's response had affected Lilly in a way she couldn't know. The waiter's arrival brought her from her musing.

"Are the two of you ready to order?" he inquired. "If you're undecided, our tuna was caught just this morning, and it and the lemongrass salad pair wonderfully with our pinot grigio."

"Actually, I was considering that dish," Lilly answered. "And we'll think about the wine."

"I hear this Winter's going to be a tough one."

Damn it, not now.

"Wonderful choice." The waiter turned to Lazula. "And for you?"

"Is Nishiki still ill?"

"I'll do the braised pork shank. With caprese as a side."

"Lovely." The waiter gave a bow and a cordial smile, a bit formal for even the restaurant. "If you need anything in the meantime, or do decide on that pinot grigio, please don't hesitate."

A mischievous gleam danced in Lilly's eyes, and she leaned in over the table. "Do you think they ID here?"

Lazula laughed out of surprise at Lilly's question. "Not sure, I've never tried," she replied. The thought of splitting a bottle of wine with Lilly over dinner was tempting, but she'd prefer not to make a scene if they did ask. "...Maybe it's best to play it safe. Unfortunately, I do have a public image to keep up."

Lilly's mischievous look settled as she moved back in her seat. "Mmm, you're probably right," she recognized. "By the way, there were screens outside Sentinel Stadium, so I was able to watch your match," she said. "You were amazing!"

"Oh, thanks," Lazula returned. "I've had better fights, but I feel like I'm starting to get it back."

Lilly giggled. "You speak so casually about beating a Vytal Tournament champion. I like that about you."

Lazula found herself incapable of a response. And why could she feel her heartbeat? She breathed in to even it, and looked to Lilly.

"Hey, I... part of the reason I invited you out tonight is to apologize," she began. "A lot happened the day of the Vytal Tournament. I blamed myself for things that happened, and I wasn't in a good place for a long time afterward. But I shouldn't have ever taken it out on you. You were just trying to help me and I was... so rude to you, over and over again. I'm really sorry."

"Lazula... I still don't know everything that happened, but I know it isn't your fault."

"It... was, though," Lazula stiffened her lip as images of the night flooded back into her mind. "There were three people. A family. I thought they'd be safer in their car while I killed the Grimm attacking them, but- but I couldn't kill it. And it killed them, in their car."

"I... I'm so, so sorry. I don't know what to say besides that. For what it's worth, none of it would have happened if it weren't for the Red Claw." Lilly pulled her wringing hands back to the edge of the table. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, and I understand now. These kinds of things take time. But I'm glad you're doing better now."

"Did you hear Grimm hit Kuroyuri? Sounds like it was bad..."

"I am too," Lazula replied. "And the next Vytal Tournament is mine."

A pulse of vibration at Lazula's wrist. She'd have ignored it if she didn't notice Snow's name displaying on the tiny screen. "One second. Might be important."

Lazula tapped her Holoband, and was met with a picture of Snow and Caspian beside each other on a boardwalk in Port Cyrreine. The blue sky behind them mirrored the sea and brought out the color in their outfits. Snow and Caspian both smiled, Snow's head tilted slightly toward his. A message accompanied the photo.

"Please keep this picture for me."