The search for Sylvia

Velvet and Yatsuhashi arrived in the port of Kuo Kuana, they had been checking their scrolls but couldn't find Sylvia in the list of their friends through the local communications. They figured Sylvia was most likely on a job or perhaps had possibly even replaced her scroll in order to make sure she didn't come back as Celica and Coco had been adamant about it before Celica had started reflecting.

They took to the town wandering around at first hoping to just even run into Sylvia, they couldn't find her and guessed she'd be at her house most likely trying to get over Celica and feeling sorry for herself not knowing Sylvia left two days before they got there. Having no idea where to go first they started at local food stands and diners asking if anyone knew Celica, thing is a lot of the locals knew her but not everyone knew where she lived.

At the same time as Velvet and Yatsuhashi were looking for Sylvia in Menagerie, Sylvia was standing outside a random building with Ilia knowing Arthur was in there helping the community with self defence classes, Sylvia started pacing back and forth waiting for the class to finish so they'd have some privacy excluding the two armed guards inside just in case he tried running but he'd had no incidents so far.

Another reason that Sylvia was waiting weighed on her mind as she was unsure if she truly wanted to see Arthur, she missed him but the last time they saw each other he had attacked her and ended up killing Luca. She stopped pacing as the clock continued ticking to the end of his defence class and thought back to Celica in Vale before shaking her head thankful that Celica would never have to put up with seeing Arthur ever again as if she stayed away then there was no reason they'd need to see each other.

That's when the thought creeped in from the back of her mind, Sylvia never asked Celica if she ever planned on going after Arthur even despite how he killed Luca, Sylvia was asking herself would Celica want to go out for revenge, she knew the old Celica she fell in love with would never but Celica was a much different person now, as she was truly worried that Ilia noticed.

Ilia asked if Sylvia was thinking about her ex Celica, Sylvia nodded and mentioned to Ilia about possibly thinking coming for revenge against Arthur. Ilia shook her head reminding her of the conversation they had the previous night that if Celica wanted nothing to do with her then why bother about Arthur, in the year they were apart she never came looking which helped relax Sylvia.

Ilia grabbed Sylvia's hand for support as the two got closer the previous night by sharing their experience with unrequited love as Ilia wanted Blake while Blake was after Adam. They had a couple of drinks that night to and Sylvia almost kissed Ilia but stopped herself, she knew she had a lot to work through and she couldn't lead Ilia on, she had to get over Celica first which was easier said then done.

Ilia didn't mind and totally understood, they only had that one thing in common but Ilia was there to support her as a friend, the conversation between them wrapped up as the attendees of Arthur's class had finished and began to leave. Sylvia gulped as she just stood there waiting for everyone to leave as Ilia then said she'd give her five minutes, if she didn't go in after that five minutes then she'd have to wait for another day to see him.

Ilia walked in and told Arthur's armed escort the plan, the guards were friendly towards her and often helped her as they were very appreciative of Ilia bringing the community together as they had friends and family that got help from what Ilia had been doing to. Arthur was curious as to why they were waiting around, usually they'd take him to back to prison almost immediately.

He wandered over and asked what was going on, Ilia mentioned that she couldn't say but he'd be thankful that he waited if everything worked out. Arthur was confused but didn't really have any power in deciding on what's going on, it's not like he wanted to go back to prison but he couldn't even walk there alone either. He often thought of Luca and Sylvia, still feeling guilty of how he killed Luca and wondering where Sylvia was and if she was doing ok.

Arthur sat down and had a drink of water which he dropped after seeing Sylvia step into the room as Ilia gave the all clear as she wasn't allowed to be armed seeing him, she didn't argue as Arthur would be more apologetic then anything. She guessed right as Arthur stood up not being able to believe Sylvia had come to see him, she took slow steps towards him and he did the same, they came face to face staring at each other both with nervous expressions.

Before too long Sylvia wrapped him in a hug and Arthur hugged her back, both saying how they missed each other and holding onto the hug for as long as they could, Sylvia started to tear up and Arthur was holding his back as they spread apart as Arthur asked the million lien question of what Sylvia was doing here. Sylvia mentioned how she was helping Ilia and the community of Mistral for two weeks then back to Menagerie for a week for as long as she wanted.

Arthur was pleased to hear that as Sylvia asked how he was doing, Arthur shrugged saying he was sick of prison food but he was going ok and teaching self defence classes, cooking got him doing stuff and into a healthy mindset especially the good he was doing but Sylvia could tell he wouldn't ever forgive himself for killing Luca. Arthur then had to ask if Sylvia ended up finding Celica as he wanted to apologise to her.

Sylvia's eyes widened and her ears stuck up in shock at how Arthur wanted to apologise, she had to ask him to repeat the question but basically Arthur said he had done his own reflecting and seeing a counsellor whilst in prison and that he truly owed Celica an apology. Sylvia sighed and just said Arthur wouldn't get the chance and with those words Arthur was instantly confused thinking did Celica die?

Sylvia shook her head waving her hands telling him no but then thought about it and said almost, Arthur was confused so Sylvia and him sat down as she explained everything of how she found Celica and everything she did in Vale, how the kiss was the final straw which is why she returned home, couldn't really take it at home as she told told Arthur the truth that she saw Luca and him everywhere which had Arthur understanding as he mentioned he had been thinking of her and Luca a lot.

Eventually the guards and Ilia came over and said that they'd have to wrap it up but could do this again soon, Sylvia gave Arthur a short one armed hug and wished him the best as Arthur nodded and did the same but as they left Arthur turned to Sylvia saying that Celica was making a mistake but he was sorry it didn't work out between them. Sylvia and Ilia watched him go before returning back to the house they were staying at talking amongst themselves.

Back in Menagerie, Yatsuhashi and Velvet had been all over the market, they couldn't find anyone that knew where Sylvia lived and were at a loss, Velvet then had the idea of asking the guards that helped protect Kuo Kuana, Yatsuhashi couldn't think of anything else and so they headed straight there asking if anybody had seen Sylvia, the guard in charge confirmed she was here a few days ago but asked why were they looking for her.

Velvet told the truth about how Sylvia's ex Celica wanted to sit down and work things out as they left on pretty bad terms, the guard knew the story or at least Sylvia's side, he didn't know exactly where she lived but gave them the area but he then also mentioned she had left Menagerie and had headed to Mistral, the Chiefton could fill them in more of what Sylvia was doing there.

Velvet and Yatsuhashi thanked the guards and headed straight to the Chiefton of Kuo Kuana, getting a surprise discovering they were talking to Blake's parents as they recognized Team CFVY from the Vytal Festival, they discussed at how Blake was the one to lead the fight in aiding Mistral and now on her way to Atlas which is the last they heard but then it came down to the question of Sylvia.

Again they asked Velvet and Yatsuhashi why they were looking for her and they gave the same reason to the guards, Ghira and Kali believed them and told them she had gone to Mistral for a couple of weeks, they were welcome to wait for her in Menagerie or go to Mistral themselves if it was really urgent giving them the information of where she was supposed to be staying.

They thanked them as Velvet and Yatsuhashi boarded a ship back to Vale at least knowing where Sylvia was but worried as they were going back without Sylvia and weren't too sure how Celica would react. The trip back took forever, Velvet was trying to come up with what to say so Celica wouldn't lose her cool, worried that not having Sylvia with them would automatically just crush Celica's heart even more.

Eventually they got into range of Vale as the ship got closer and closer they called Coco, she was at their place in Vale that they all shared together and Celica had been discharged from the hospital living with them on their couch for the time being. Celica got up and joined the chat asking if they got Sylvia, all Velvet could say was they'd be home soon and could talk through everything easier there.

Celica wasn't exactly too thrilled by the answer but understood as Coco knew the look Velvet and Yatsuhashi was giving them that they didn't have Sylvia so at least Coco could know to prepare for Sylvia not being there. After the call they messaged Coco privately mentioning they know where Sylvia was as they found out she was in Mistral so they never actually talked to her which was a half good and half bad sign but it's the only thing they could have.

As soon as they arrived in Vale, Velvet and Yatsuhashi headed straight for home and walking in the door they found Celica on the couch watching tv eating chips, she had full movement again and was well, in fact Coco and Fox had to stop her from trying to board a ship to Menagerie and convinced her Velvet and Yatsuhashi were doing their best, they sat down as Celica had a saddened look already knowing Sylvia wasn't with them.

They began explaining what they did in Menagerie, at how they couldn't even find her address even though Sylvia was well known, they guessed that the community of Kuo Kuana worked together to keep them private but mentioned how they found out Sylvia wasn't in Menagerie even though she took a ship there when she left Vale, Celica's face lit up getting hope again as Velvet stated that they never talked to Sylvia as she was already gone by the time they arrived in Menagerie.

Instantly Celica was up on her feet asking where Sylvia was, Velvet then answered she was in Mistral and as soon as she said Mistral, Celica opened a portal but Coco grabbed her and held her back telling her to calm down and wait. Reminding Celica of how late it was, she had nothing and wearing an old shirt and sweatpants and asked Celica if she really wanted to barge in on Sylvia like that?

Celica calmed down, Coco always had that authority type tone that got everyone to pay attention and listen to, in fact they all agreed they should all go in the morning after a good night sleep and to plan things reminding Celica that she was the one to send her away, Celica took the advice on board and started coming up with a game plan. In the morning the five were packed and ready as Celica opened up a portal as they all stepped into it and coming out at the Huntsman job board in Mistral.