Chapter 33 "A Place to Call Home"

It was a beautiful day in Cadensia, a fact previously unfathomable to Noah and Mio who'd spent most of their lives under the smog of war. Yet here they sat together by a cliff overlooking Patulia Bay, its view breathtaking and the air clean as could be. The Great Sword stood tall in the distance, an impressive monolith on the southern end of the sea. As much as they wanted to keep soaking in this moment, however, both deserters knew that they had some unfinished business to discuss. After all, that was the reason why Mio had picked this spot in the first place.

"I'm glad you're here," the older deserter broke the silence at last.

"Thank you for inviting me," the younger one responded with a small smile. "I know I haven't exactly been… good to you of late."

"You needn't say that," Mio cut him some slack which was surprising but no less appreciated. "We've always looked at things a little differently."

"Sure, but I only made you feel worse," Noah admitted in regards to their argument yesterday.

"That you did," this time his special mate stayed firm.

"I'm sor-" the cautious Kevesi started to say before catching himself, wary of reopening the freshly closed wound.

"You can apologize," the zephyr slowly faced him, neither smiling nor frowning.

"Because you think I ought to, or…?" his words failed to come out completely again.

"Because it's not right for me to keep shutting you up," her gaze momentarily dropped upon answering, "although I still think you shouldn't take blame that isn't yours."

"It's really hard," the ninth-termer's posture withered, teeth clenched, "and I'm sorry for not being sympathetic with you yesterday."

"I forgive you," Mio patted the top of his hand on the grass. "Feel better?"

"Yeah…" he relished her brief touch, "and you?"

"Mmm," she nodded once before staring at the bay. "I think you were right, though."

"About what?" the swordfighter straightened himself out.

"That I should be grateful to have my freedom," the cat-eared Agnian sighed, though not solemnly. "It was my original goal, after all."

"True, but with it accomplished, it made sense for you to have a new goal," Noah tried to explain it to himself from her point of view. "And there I was, telling you to drop it."

"You didn't tell me to drop it outright," she amended his claim. "It was… too selfish of me to have it, anyway."

"Selfish?" It surprised him to hear her call herself such. "You wanted to create new life. That couldn't possibly be any more giving."

"I was made aware that I wanted it for… well, not all the right reasons," Mio shut her eyes momentarily to concentrate before facing him again. "As I said, I've talked to some people."

"About us," the ponytailed soldier recalled what she'd told him prior to their moment of respite. "Er, who did you talk to?"

"Gianna was here with me earlier," she brought up one of their recently acquainted City allies. "And yesterday I was with Finn and Terelda, at the orphanage."

"Our… old friends," Noah's tone softened at the solace of learning that she'd sought them out.

"Yeah," the moonblades-wielder shared a slowly growing grin with him. "It helped that they knew me so well, thanks to our previous selves."

"I see," a lovely breeze tickled the fringe of his hair. "We're fortunate to have them."

"So is the City," she expanded the list of beneficiaries. "They give a home to children of soldiers who've reached their homecoming, and there're so many of them."

"It's nice to know that nobody here is without support," the pacifist concurred, having yet to witness any exceptions.

"No wonder they're happy, even without families," a feeling of warmth and fuzziness began welling up within Mio. "Their smiles give me joy and hope for the future."

"I wish you could achieve your new dream," her trusted partner couldn't help but stare at her tummy as he spoke.

"Thanks," the tenth-termer peered down at herself too. "Actually, Terelda offered me an alternative."

"Oh?" his sights raised to her face.

"She said I could help out at the orphanage," the auspicious Agnian relayed the news to her Kevesi counterpart. "I'd get to see their smiles while I'm at it."

"That sounds ideal for you," Noah remarked affably, well aware of her desires by now.

"The offer was extended to you as well," she passed along the invitation.

"Me?" his hand went to the top of his chest.

"Yeah, though something tells me you'd rather stick with the militia," the zephyr presumed, her sunniness starting to fade.

"You're right, I would," the ponytailed soldier vindicated her suspicion, "but I realized something while I was away."

"What's that?" Now it was Mio's turn to await a potential revelation, ears perked at attention.

"I missed you, terribly," his hand clenched still against his chest before falling to the side. "I didn't feel like myself without you."

"Same here," she confessed similarly, reaching for his other hand that remained on the ground between them. "I want us to stay together, to do things together."

"Then I'll be glad to accompany you to the orphanage," Noah's lamentation dried up soon after it'd begun, again delighted by her warmth.

"And I'll join you on more missions for the City," his special mate reciprocated without hesitation.

"Are you sure?" the pacifist stared widely at her, nearly in disbelief. "You've been rather cold towards the militia thus far."

"Look, I may not show it the way you do, but I want Moebius gone, too. I'll never forgive my former consul for the dread she'd sown in me." A pause followed Mio's assertations while she took a long, deep breath, inadvertently warning Noah of potentially heavy words soon to leave her lips. "Besides, I figure that… if I can't start a family, then I'd want to make this world a better place for those who can. Maybe even another me can benefit… the next us."

"Mio…" his pupils were even more dilated after hearing her largely altruistic declaration. "I-I'm… impressed by your selflessness."

"It's just like yours, no?" she observed his reaction intently. "You want everyone to live in peace, and that's your motivation."

"Yeah, exactly," the swordfighter started blinking regularly again. "I think we've always wanted the same thing, only from different perspectives like you said earlier."

"All we needed were clear heads to realize it," the moonblades-wielder admitted for both of them.

"Does this mean your mind is clear?" Noah inquired, mostly out of hope. "That's what I'm concerned about the most right now."

"I'm getting closer to that better place," she assessed about herself, having made use of her time alone. "I've accepted my limitations and am considering what's still left for me in this life."

"Like volunteering at the orphanage," he circled back to the alternative to her wish.

"And for the militia, too," Mio made sure that his own wish wasn't excluded. "If we can do both together to finish out my final term, then I'll be content."

"Sounds like a good… plan…" the ponytailed soldier's voice weakened whilst suddenly shutting his eyes away from her.

"W-why are you…?" the cat-eared Agnian started to ask before she figured it out. Releasing his hand, Mio instead wrapped her arms around Noah and held him close. "I'm… we are still here, now."

"I don't want to think about losing you," her trusted partner whimpered into her neck, fragile for the second time in as many minutes.

"I don't like the idea of leaving you behind, either," she turned her head to kiss his cheek. "It was rather lonely last night… not having you in the bunk below me."

"That's how it felt in the Levnis," Noah shared in her woe, pulling back to recompose himself. "Some of the liberated soldiers weren't pleased to be stuck there."

"I think we're all getting used to sleeping in City beds," the zephyr speculated, a little reluctant to relinquish what remained of the embrace.

"We still need to find an apartment," the ninth-termer stood and offered his hand to her, "er, that is, if you're still willing to live with me."

"Of course I am." Now on her feet as well, Mio grabbed her backpack full of journals and stole one last glance at the beautiful bay below. "First, though, let's grab a bite to eat and then head over to the orphanage."

"After you," his arms extended towards the path connecting to the nearby depot.

"No, beside me," she insisted, nearly reaching for him again. With a compromise in place and their disagreement finally behind them, they walked back into the City together to see what lunch options they had for today.

Like before, the two youths each picked a food cart whose scents caught their fancies. A few minutes later, they reconvened at a table with their platters, a couple of mini sandwich wraps for Noah and a seafood salad for Mio. The plaza was fairly populated today, but the chatter didn't bother them while they enjoyed their lunch and, more importantly, each other's company.

"I'm glad we talked it out," the moonblades-wielder reclined in her chair after finishing her meal. "We can move on, now."

"Agreed," he smiled at her with a crumb on his chin. "We've not yet given ourselves many moments like this."

"I could get used to it," Mio remarked as she took in the everyday sights and sounds around them. "Kind of already feels like we've been City residents for a long time."

"It's only been… almost four days since we first arrived," the pacifist gauged before concurring with her again. "Yet I got a similar feeling when the team brought new soldiers here from Colony 13."

"Guess it's all relative, then," she shrugged her shoulders. "We're not the rookies anymore."

"They're probably still in orientation as we speak," Noah speculated, having left them prior to reuniting with her, "learning about Moebius, the world, and life…"

"Not to mention coexisting with those whom they once called their enemies," his special mate brought up what she'd struggled to accept herself during their early days. "I imagine that must've been their first shock."

"It was," the swordfighter confirmed her conjecture. "They were uneasy around an Agnian volunteer who was still wearing her military uniform."

"Like me," the zephyr dropped her gaze upon herself before shifting it onto him, "and you."

"Hmm," he paused to contemplate, now staring back at her. "Might it be a good idea to change our clothes? We no longer need these unless we're going undercover."

"I suppose we could stop by the shops on our way to the orphanage," Mio suggested a useful detour for them to take.

"Sure," he popped the last of his meal in his mouth. "Whenever you're ready." Without saying anything more, the older soldier rose from the table which prompted the younger one to do the same.

Remembering their first stroll through the City together, Noah and Mio headed northward to the business district in search of a clothing shop of some kind. Fortunately, it didn't take them long to find one, set within a monotone, semi-enclosed room of an otherwise unassuming building. Appearing to cater to both casual and combative needs, the shop had a couple of clothing racks in the center and several pairs of shoes against the wall. Aside from one other patron and the young lady in charge, Noah and Mio had the run of the place as they began poking their hands through the range.

"Imagine… getting to choose our clothes," the cat-eared Agnian marveled at the opportunity which they hadn't anticipated.

"It's a privilege, isn't it?" Noah shared in her wonderment, flipping between the male shirts. "We've all had to wear uniforms before coming here."

"Including my disguise," she recalled from their trek before pulling out a bomber jacket. "Ah, this one looks interesting, especially with the fur around the top."

"Seems particularly thick," her special partner opined upon feeling the neck area of her chosen garment. "Wouldn't it get in the way? And also, isn't it rather short in length?"

"It's supposed to be short," the shop clerk intervened without warning, sliding some equally short shirts along the rack in front of them. "Goes with any of these here."

"Really?" he questioned whilst assessing the lengths. "But they won't provide complete coverage."

"The midriff is supposed to be exposed," the young lady in charge explained briskly. "That's the style."

"It is?" the nearly clueless Kevesi blinked at her.

"Huh," Mio held the bomber jacket against herself, turning to face a mirror. "I've never considered, uh, trying to look good before."

"Me neither," the ponytailed soldier observed her before grabbing similarly colored, upper garments of his own.

"If you want to try 'em on, use the changing stalls," the shop clerk pointed to the back wall.

"Will do," he acknowledged before facing Mio. "Well, shall we?"

"Yeah," the moonblades-wielder nodded to him, smiling. In unison, the two shoppers disappeared behind a couple of curtains with their chosen tops in hand. Noah was the first to emerge a minute later, noticing immediately how much looser his new undershirt was compared to his colony ones. Soon, Mio stepped out as well, now adorned in the cropped style.

"It is short, huh?" Noah beheld her changed appearance with a particular focus on her now exposed midriff. "And yet, it looks… refreshing."

"Refreshing?" she futilely tugged downward on the purposely partial apparel. "Hmm, now that you mention it, I don't feel quite so warm like this."

"I quite like it on you," his eyes moved up to the fur lining around her neck.

"Oh yeah?" the tenth-termer inspected herself before doing the same to him. "You look good, too."

"Shall we try on different pants and shoes as well?" the pacifist proposed after noticing the contrast caused by her current mismatch. "If we're changing clothes, we may as well complete our new kits."

"I don't see why not." Slowly finding newfound enjoyment in browsing, Mio moved onto the next rack to see what was available in her size. Noah also partook in the fun, and it wouldn't be long before both deserters were back on the streets fully bedecked in City attire.

Though it took them more than a few strides to grow accustomed to their new threads and footwear, the two youths soon realized how much more they fit into the crowd. With their military uniforms tightly packed away, Noah and Mio turned eastward and resumed their stroll to their original destination. Unlike last time, Hursell Orphanage was rather quiet, its fenced yard empty and still. Once inside the lobby, however, they found one of the two people for whom they were seeking.

"Noah, Mio. Welcome back." Terelda, the matriarch of the establishment with silver hair in a bun, happened to be straightening out the seating area upon their arrival. "It's good to see you two together."

"Good afternoon," the zephyr didn't stray far from the front door. "I hope it's okay to drop by uninvited again."

"Of course it's okay," the silver-haired senior was already beaming sweetly. "You know Finn and I appreciate company from you of all people."

"Thank you," Noah's expression halfway mirrored hers as he and Mio set their luggage off to the side. "I'm not sure if we, um, deserve such kind words."

"Nonsense, you two were heroes in the past," she heralded their previous selves, "just as you are now, I'm sure."

"I hope we can live up to your expectations," he rubbed the back of his neck, sharing a guarded look with Mio.

"My apologies, I mean no pressure unto you two," their hostess reigned herself in after noticing their reactions. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."

"Terelda, we don't seem to have any bars of soap left," Finn, her bald husband and patriarch of the establishment entered from the hall, unaware of visitors. "Oh, Noah and Mio! I didn't realize you were here."

"Hello," the ponytailed soldier greeted him, now seated, "perhaps we should've called first."

"No worries," the old man expiated his returning guests. "How is everything going for you two?"

"Much better now, thanks," Mio answered before briefly looking to Noah. "We've resolved some issues, and now I feel like… I can start to enjoy life as a resident."

"Happy to hear it," Finn took a seat himself, as had everyone else, "and now you look the part."

"You mean our clothes?" she latched onto the fur lining of her collar. "We just got these on our way here."

"My word," Terelda's own hand rose to cover her mouth.

"Oh, is this… improper?" the moonblades-wielder peered down at her exposed midriff before shielding herself with her arms.

"No, it's fine," the old woman assured her, "but… I swear you wore something like that in the past… your previous self, I mean."

"I did?" the somewhat abashed Agnian blinked twice, slowly relinquishing her coverage. "I went with this because it keeps me nice and cool."

"As for you," the bald senior began focusing on the other recently redressed soldier, "not sure if it's the same getup, but I think you used to have it open like this."

"It sounds improbable," Noah adjusted the flaps of his jacket before staring back at his host, "yet, I'm inclined to believe you."

"We're not always correct, especially as we've gotten older," Terelda admitted with a knowing glance to her husband. "Anyway, is there anything in particular that brings you two back to us today?"

"Yes, there is, actually," Mio spoke cordially, sitting forward with her hands folded by her knees. "I'm here to let you know that I would like to volunteer my services to the orphanage."

"Well, that's wonderful," the silver-haired senior was beaming again, her own palms together below her chin. "We could use the help, particularly when our other volunteers are out."

"Have you ever interacted with children before?" Finn quizzed his older guest, not quite sternly. "After all, most of them are younger than your equivalent to a first-termer."

"Other than the two who talked to me last time, no, I haven't," the zephyr confessed, undeterred, "but I believe I have the patience and, uh, gentleness required."

"Oh, we have no doubt about that," Terelda's tone was most approving, if a little expectant.

"Excuse me," the swordfighter politely cut in, "I would like to volunteer alongside Mio."

"Noah," the old woman turned to him next, "of course you may."

"I assume your experience is the same as Mio's, yes?" her husband kept up the light interrogatories.

"Yes sir," Noah looked him straight in the eye again.

"No need to call me sir," his host smirked at receiving the honorific. "We're friends here, after all."

"Finn," Terelda tapped his knee, no longer smiling, "don't forget they're different from the Noah and Mio we knew in our youth."

"Right, ahem," the old man momentarily lowered his head before facing the deserters. "Pardon me. Seeing you two dressed this way… brought me back to days gone by."

"When our past selves… lived near you guys, huh?" the pacifist recalled what he and Mio had been told during their previous visit.

"We were neighbors," the silver-haired senior reiterated the fact. "You lived in the apartment beside ours."

"Mio and I still need to find one," he informed them, having been reminded by the turn in conversation. "That should be our next order of business."

"Is that so?" Seemingly instinctively, Finn shared another look with his wife, this one contemplative, before returning to their guests. "Why not take back your old apartment?"

"You'd really let us have it?" the ninth-termer could hardly believe their generosity.

"We gave it to you once, so we can give it to you twice," Terelda reasoned, despite the unusual circumstances, "unless you'd rather have a new one in the northwest expansion."

"Um, well…" This was hardly a decision for him to make alone. "Mio, what do you think?"

"The old one sounds nice," his special mate voiced her preference without much deliberation, "especially if our past selves liked it."

"Very good, but you'll have to move some boxes into the apartment beside it," the bald senior revealed a stipulation to the proposal, rising to his feet. "We've been using both for storage since we built the orphanage and moved over."

"That's more than fair to me," Mio agreed after receiving a nod from Noah. By now, everyone was standing again with the meeting nearing its end. "Thank you."

"Follow me, then," Finn headed for the front door and motioned for his guests to follow. "I need to fetch some bars of soap from there, anyway."

"And I'll start supper for the children," his wife announced her own, upcoming task. "Mio, Noah, good to see you again. Stop by whenever you can lend us a hand."

"We will," the ponytailed soldier waved to her, as did Mio. Feeling rather satisfied with how things were turning out, the two soldiers exited the orphanage with Finn to check out the aforementioned apartments.

It was a relatively short walk northward to their destination, still within the same, central residential district. The two apartments were seemingly identical to each other, comprising a freestanding, single-story structure which looked plain like the rest nearby. In front of the right-hand unit, Finn dug into his pocket for a card key and opened the door.

"Terelda and I used to live in this one," the old man entered first. "You two were in the other one, but I have to find the spare key for it."

"Very well," Noah's head swiveled left and right at the stacks of crates which filled the front room. "Er, can we help you search?"

"Thanks, but it should be in… one of these drawers…" After heading straight for a multicompartmental desk towards the back, Finn scrummaged for a minute until he located the desired item and handed it to Mio. "Here we go! Now, take this to the other door outside and you should be able to get in."

"Right," the moonblades-wielder gladly accepted it and proceeded to do as instructed. Now in front of the left-hand unit, she held the card key over an electronic reader to access the space that would soon be theirs. The interior was the same as expected, only mirrored and noticeably less cluttered.

"Welcome home… almost," the bald senior snuck behind them, having already retrieved his bars of soap. "You just need to move everything over."

"We'll start right away." Motivated, Mio dropped her belongings in the corner and grabbed the box atop the nearest stack.

"You'll be doing my back a favor!" he chortled, turning to leave. "When you're done, press the button on my door to lock it."

"Understood," the pacifist likewise set his crossbody bag beside Mio's backpack, "and thanks again."

"No, thank you," Finn reciprocated the appreciation on his way out, "and have fun!"

"Fun…" Noah's hands rested on his hips while he gauged the amount of inventory to transport. "I suppose it will be rewarding to see our space come together, little by little."

"Yeah, so hop to it," the tenth-termer pushed past him, huffing but grinning.

"I will," her trusted partner nearly shouted back before diving into the mess himself.

And thus, the two youths spent the rest of the afternoon clearing their newly acquired apartment. There were four rooms in total, including the front one where most of the inventory sat, a kitchenette, a bathroom, and the bedroom. Slowly but surely they progressed through the long, menial task with nary a break to rest. Soreness was abound by the time they were finished, but so was the satisfaction upon properly seeing the extent of their living quarters. After having spent the last four nights in the City's barracks, Noah and Mio now truly had a place to call home.