She didn't.

The frown that marred my face reached more than just my mouth. It seemed almost compelled to downcast my eyes. An almost… No a definitively melancholic gaze. One that waited and waited. Minute after minute, hour after hour, and day after day. I sat there, a permanent fixture, uncaring of the fleeting boredom and more focused on the coming excitement.

But when a day passed I thought it naught but a fluke rather than a statement. 'Maybe she was being punished for going into the dungeon without permission…Maybe?' Regardless of the flickered thoughts I sat there and waited. But then a second day passed.

My legs kicked on the bench and my head turned at any sound. Most of all the slight opening of the grand doors, hoping against hope that maybe… just maybe it was that partner of mine.

When my stomach growled in protest I nibbled on pre-made food. When boredom overcame my melancholy I turned to the errant book, still deciphering the language. And when sadness eventually returned, I - like a statue - stared unerringly at the door.

I must've looked all but possessed to an outsider. But… but she had promised, right? That means that Ais… that she had to come. Yeah? Please…?

And so I was alone. In the bowels of Babel, waiting for a face that may never come. For the golden eyes to pierce the veil of loneliness I had conceived. Moments passed in a manor quite familiar. Such that when a breath tickled the blade of my shoulder, I startled. "Inari." A breath so free and taken with utmost poise and grace.

Despite the disparaged hope, there was still some part of me that wanted - needed - that voice to be softer, quieter with a lilt that spoke of youth. But it wasn't to be. For the blonde had turned to emerald, a mimicry of mine own being, she stood there. Her fist upon my heart and her hair draped over my eyes.

An embrace I had indulged so greatly. And one that once again gave warmth in this colorless world. She sat next to me, bold mimicry that brought my arms… then my body into her embrace. And in those scant seconds she… my mouth spilled words that my heart refused to acknowledge.

"Is she gone?"

She couldn't be. Ais… she had promised me such. And her promise, that was her word. Why would she break it? She couldn't break it, I refuse to believe such bold faced lies.

Atalanta crossed her gaze over me. She huffed a slight chuckle. "No. I'm sure that she wants nothing more than to partner with you again."

Then why hadn't she? Why hadn't Ais broken from her prison… Why hadn't she kept our promise? Why?! I couldn't voice those words, they were selfish… they were questions of self importance, as if she was mine and mine alone. But I wanted that. I was allowed some childish want, wasn't I?

"Come."

Plain and simple. A voice that beckoned me and gave no quarter. I was to come, I was to follow. There was no other option. And so I did. Rather than stubbornly sticking to a course of action that brought naught but tears, I took that offered hand and followed 'oh so closely.

Against the tide of adventurers, they who had come home from their daily delve, Atalanta coalesced - in a spark of green light - a bow so grand and majestic. Through the doors she went, and through the crowd of night dwellers.

Through their bodies she pulled me hand in hand. Until my feet ached from the exertion and the moon flew high in the sky. So that when the gate came into view, when the guards sleepily let us out of the city, it was only then that I truly opened my eyes.

So sorrowful was I… so… just so childish. I truly felt it now. Amongst the gently blown breeze of the night, that which swayed the grass so. My ego had taken that promise… it had run with it and told my mind that she had to continue our partnership despite any difficulties that came.

Regardless of the prison she must be trapped in. Such was the revelation that I felt my legs wobble, my stomach growl for attention, and a hand lead me to the ground where a picnic was placed.

It was as simplistic as it could be, a spread of fruit and a basket of cold bread. But I savored it. The apples had this juicy crunch to them that just appealed to me greater than any food had before, and the bread… well it was bread.

Wind blew my hair this way and that, I reached my hand into the gently swaying grass and closed my eyes. The blissful dark took away any and all thought. Until finally I was able to burst my eyes open once more.

"Thank you… really… truly." Atalanta smiled and pet my head. She was 'oh so gentle, with a practiced finger that scratched at just the right angle. It wasn't to be. I had resolved myself in a way that seemed utterly alien. Such that when her finger threatened to take another gifted pet… I threw her hand off and stood sturdy against the flowing wind.

From my shoulder I grabbed my gifted bow. I took an arrow and knocked it sturdily, I wasn't in the mood to be so hasty. No, I rooted my feet firmly over the dirt, grass and other such worms squirmed through my feet. But that meant little for my next breath.

String brought to my cheek, my eyes opened in an emerald burst. A gaze so intense. One that saw the distant tree, marked the branch and designated that as my target. I would not miss.

I took a breath. Held it in and felt the path of the arrow. I knew then and there that it wouldn't make it. And so the required adjustment was made. A lilt to the moon and a release of my fingers with my outstretched breath.

It flew. Like a bird free upon the wind, the arrow flew with purpose and power. And in the distant forest, that tree I had designated, it was pierced in the exact spot. A shot so accurate I doubted my ability to recreate it.

"Amazing." Atalanta breathed. I blushed and turned to the side.

"Th- Thanks."

I didn't know what else to say, she… she had clapped so happily, had blinked her eyes shut and grabbed me in her embrace. Like a mother. Atalanta…why…? Why are you so sweet to me… so kind and great when I know that disdain of yours burns brighter than the sun for others… So why me?

Was it the frown, the tilt of my chin… It must be the saddened eyes, those that - despite the proud mutterings and happy clappings - gave her such deep questions. I- I deserved not the attention and love Atalanta could give me, and had given me.

But… my thoughts were discarded, not by my own will, never. I would've wallowed in them for an eternity should my person be left alone. No. Atalanta kneeled down into the slightly damp dirt, felt the frost tipped grass tickle against her knee then with such precious emotions… she- she-

My vision was covered. So soft. Her eyes cast doubt upon my thoughts. Nuzzling her cheek against me, Atalanta gave such soft breaths… a warmth that I didn't deserve. "I haven't told you my wish have I." Her breath tickled against me, any other day I would've giggled slightly and pushed against her embrace, knowing that I wasn't worth it.

"I thought not."

Her kneeled form picked me up. Soon after we sat against the rough bark of some rando- No, it wasn't random. I reached my hand out and took the same arrow I had sent. It felt like ages ago. Like kingdoms had risen and fallen in my absence.

I was just… just so engrossed. In the soft hug she gave me, in the slight forestry scent of her body, and the mutterings of the ground as she pushed up and down. But now, as I held the burrowed arrow in my hand. As I felt the soft feather push against the tips of my fingers.

"I was promised a chance for a singular wish. An omnipotent device that would grant whosoever claimed it one singular wish."

I wanted to interject, to say that it wasn't possible. That something that great and powerful shouldn't… and couldn't be possible. But- then my mind went to my reincarnation. The god who had given me second breath, had placed my body in this mimicry. Who knew the course of all of fate.

It wasn't impossible. Maybe it wasn't omnipotent… maybe it just seemed so, but even the concept seemed a little more real in the viewpoint of a new world, in the body of a new child.

Any thoughts stopped. Once more Atalanta put a hand over my ears, she scratched with motherly love. "Children. Pure and innocent, a wellspring of potential. More than anything in the world, I wanted the salvation of all children."

Her hand stopped. Like all life was taken from her. She gazed down at me with the most melancholic and sad smile I had ever seen. It conveyed so much emotion… it overwhelmed me with a singular and utter thought. 'Don't be sad… please' I didn't want her to look like that. Please… just no… she was the kindest, she was the greatest, the prettiest. Above all she was this mother figure that I… I just couldn't give up. I didn't want her to stop being happy, just like she had said - I want the salvation of all children - I want to give her salvation.

"But you know… if there was another wish, if I was given a chance, well then maybe I would wish for a child of mine own. Though" - Her eyes pierced mine. Green to green. Emerald to Emerald. Child to Adult. - "Might it be… that mine wish has already been granted."

And maybe my wish was granted too. Not the grand accomplishment I had thought it. But a small smile that overshadowed the sadness among the irises of her eye, it was something that brought a great smile to my face. Enough to swell the bubble in my stomach, until I grew out of breath and gasped so happily at the woman in front of me. My… my…

I couldn't quite say it. No matter the want, there was something within my stomach that just… just wanted to let this moment ride for as long as it could. The moon above gave great silver light, the fluttering leaves fell between our entwined claws, and our eyes never left the beautiful scenery.

Towering above the trees was a wall of great power. It must've endured many a battle to bear the scars it does. But the marvel was not alone, for above even that structure was a grand structure that seemed to pierce the heavens. It blew above the clouds, a marvel of engineering in this weird mix of technology.

And even beyond that were mountains of great power and clouds that blew gently through the sky. So that when the moon started to hang lower and lower, and when the sun started to rise. Those clouds created a beautiful symphony of colors.

Red, orange, blue. And a shadow that peeked through the rising clouds, they covered our heads and poured down small little dribbles of rain. Ah- how beautiful the world was. A mix of nature and company that gave such pleasant enjoyment.

For the boy who had never seen such grand enjoyment, and the girl who enjoyed the moment for what it was. They laid there for a moment, and a moment more. Until I, the boy, stretched my frozen arms. They weren't cold, maybe in a physical sense, but against the warm breath of my partner. There wasn't a discomfort on this beautiful green earth that could bother me.

Atalanta said nothing. She kept a pleasant smile on her face and with her one free hand she reached into the basket near us and took out an apple. It was room temperature, and the skin was just a tad bit soft from sitting out all night.

But I took the food with gusto. For some strange and almighty reason, the taste seemed to flicker every pleasure receptor within that small mouth of mine. I closed my eyes and munched and munched. Until only the core remained.

The core was thrown haphazardly to the ground, hopefully to bear a fruitful tree, she was above me. Looming in the sun, like a goddess would to her follower. She lowered her hand and pulled me from the ground.

"Let's go, my partner."

Yes. "Yeah, let's go."

The sun had a sway over many. They would rise with it and fall with it too. In the morn, when the sun finally graced the ground, many would carry out their daily chores. A farmer would tend to his herd, a baker would wait for the bread to rise, and others would titter about the marketplace for any essentials they should need.

"Are these fresh?" My voice was quite curious. With a lilt to it that spoke of my desire.

The woman spoke down to me, her smile beatific. "Of course, dear."

With that I smiled. A true and beautiful smile. I placed a coin over the counter and took one of those apples with me, my new obsession. A bite was taken, then the next as I wrapped myself around the various stores.

'Not as good…'

Atalanta had left on some business of her own. She promised me that she would be back, I hope that I can believe her.

I guess - my ears flattened to my head - that's why the apple didn't taste quite the same. It wasn't eaten with the grand warmth she provided. I sighed and made my way to a bench. It was outside of Babel.

Why was I here?

I couldn't answer that question. I guess I didn't want to answer the question either for I distracted myself with the occasional sway of my ears. They picked up on any movement and had me tilting my head this way and that.

Waiting for someone to come… I guess… guess that I still wasn't over it. Despite… Ah- Despite everything. I still waited, still hoped.

And so I let my eyes wilt. Just a tiny bit, let the warmth of the sun break the cold air if only for slight moments. Soon I found it hard to keep my eyes open, I yawned a great yawn, covered my mouth with the palm of my hand.

"Guess-" I yawned again. "Guess I should head back." It was supposed to be a mutter. But the yawn made it more noticeable. My fault though. For saying it out loud in the first place.

My stubby feet made first contact with the stone below me and started its long stretched out journey to the inn. Once there I creaked open the doors and slithered over to the counter. Despite the snack - and it was a delicious apple - I was still a bit hungry. So I waved for the barkeeper's attention. He recognized me and nodded. "Same thing?" I gave a hungry nod.

"The kitchen's open this early?"

He stopped in his steps. "Not really, but the fire's already on, and for someone that pa- ahem - that's so kind I wouldn't mind cooking up something. Especially since it's quite simple."

"Ah- then thanks." See, I was taught to respect people. The barkeep smiled and waved.

"Be back in a minute, for now here's a water."

With that he left to the kitchen. There was a bit of chatter I wasn't quite able to decipher but it didn't sound too mean. So I left it at that.

Then, in a manner of minutes - ten to be precise - there was a plate of food in front of me. I passed a coin to the barkeep, he took it gratefully and left me to eat.

"Hello." I startled, just a bit. And maybe I choked on the bite of food I was taking. No one knows. No one.

Atalanta smiled and sat next to me. I was already close to done meaning that it only took another minute or two until I was completely sated. I pushed the plate over to the barkeep and he took it gratefully.

Then we were back in our little room.

"What'd you need to do?" I was quite curious. Very much so.

Atalanta smirked smugly. Wait! Smirked. That wasn't like her, so why?

"We're permanent citizens. It took a while but we have a place to stay, and have an income so we don't have to stay on a visa."

I gaped. "Wait… we were on a visa?" I didn't know that… or… Oh- OH I remember now. It was in that first night, when we were registering here that she, the guild employee, said that we were temporary or something to that matter.

"Yes, now come. We'll be moving in shortly, I've already moved all the needed furniture and other amenities into the house."

I blinked.

"We're not staying here?"

She laughed and hugged me. "Of course not. I've worked hard to obtain a house for the two of us. Just the two of us."

Ah- that… that's what she was doing all of that time. I looked down and blushed in embarrassment. "I- I could've helped."

She shushed me, placing a finger over my lips. "No, and I wouldn't of accepted. This is my duty, alright."

Ok. I repeated that out loud. Just more… meekly. So with a smile she took any personal belongings - only now noticing that a lot of my books were missing - and hurried me downstairs.

The barkeep took the keys to the room back and bid us good luck. Then after a bit more of walking, and a bit of memorizing the route, we were at our new house.

My heart beat in nervousness. Was this house going to be nice? Would we have a kitchen… what'll it be like? I guess that was the biggest question. Now that we had a house, and all the work that Atalanta was doing was done.

What would happen next?

Atalanta threw me a set of keys and unlocked the door with her own. I pocketed them quite quickly and took her hand again. Then with a twist and a push the door opened.

The house was spacious, I could tell from the outside that it was two stories. With the stairs being right in front of the doorway. To the side was a big kitchen and a living room with a couch and table.

I hurried upstairs at Atalanta's discretion and let myself wander into the bedroom. There were two. But… but was it so demanding that I wanted our current arrangement to continue. Atalanta's eyes sparkled with amusement as she led me to the master bedroom. It had a huge bed and a dresser, there was even a little chair at the end. Of course it was all made of wood as most of the things were. I jumped onto it and sighed at the softness.

Mmm~ I could just… Just- I yawned… sleep right here.