Hello again everybody! When we last saw Marta, after she and the others learned the reasons behind Vermillion keeping her identity a secret and why Scarlet despised Tethe'alla along with Marta realizing her Unit would have still gollowed her if she told them, Lavender is welcomed back and while Sacrlet needs to earn her teams trust back, the Crimson Swordsman is accepted back into the group regardless.
With her Unit whole again, how will Marta proceed forth with her training and will Scarlet regain the trsut she lost? Once we check back in the present, we'll discover the events that will unfold.
Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]
Emil and the others listened with bated breath in regards to what Marta and her team decided what to do with Scarlet and Lavender. The group felt sympathy for Lavender as she just wanted the prejudice to stop and joined the Vanguard without her parents knowledge, with the group content that Lavender rejoined her own friends. As for Scarlet... Emil, Lloyd and Colette were all deeply relieved that Scarlet felt remorse for her actions and that she reconciled with her group while Sheena, Zelos, Regal and Presea kept their expectations up in the air for now to see if the Crimson Swordsmaiden. Yet again, as Tenebrae observed, Genis and Raine were rather focused while Genis looks uncomfortable in regards to Scarlet. Do they...?
"That's wonderful Marta! You got all of your friends from the Vanguard back!" Colette beamed brightly, sincerely happy that Marta's friends from the Vanguard are by her side again.
"Thanks Colette... I was really happy that I reconciled with Scarlet and Lavender." Marta spoke with deep relief and contentment. This cause those wary of Scarlet to ease up... at least a little bit.
"So, what happens next? Scarlet didn't try anything funny, did she?" Sheena asked, still not fully convinced about the Crimson Swordsmaiden.
"I don't blame you for assuming so, but Scarlet never tried anything bad since she joined up with us. I can assure you she has changed!" Marta replied with a bit of a blunt tone of of voice before suddenly raising her voice in slight anger, surprising everyone slightly. Marta than calmed down, realizing she snapped a little.
"I... I'm sorry for raising my voice like that. But... Scarlet didn't betray us." Marta apologized before her voice turned somber.
"I'm sorry too... I shouldn't have assumed that, I guess after hearing what she did prior..." Sheena apologized in slight guilt, scratching the back of her head as the Mizuho Ninja realized she overstepped her words.
"We can at least hear Marta out about Scarlet like with the rest of her group. Right Emil?" Genis spoke up, understanding Sheena's weariness about the Crimson Swordsmaiden before speaking with Emil.
"Genis is right. After all, don't people deserve a second chance?" Emil agreed with Genis, while feeling some guilt in regards to himself. After all, he still felt guilt for taking Richter's best friend away from him. Would he like a chance to prove to his mento he was sorry? Yes, he would. But he knew that it wasn't going to happen...
"Yeah, you're both right." Sheena admitted in agreement. After all, Kuchinawa is earning his second chance thanks to hearing Marta's story in regards to Emerald.
"It sounds like you grew close with Scarlet again though Marta." Emil smiled at his beloved. He could tell that much considering how defensive she got over her a moment ago.
"That's right. After we rested that night, I started training with Emerald for a while and after we got Scarlet and Lavender up to speed, they also wanted to help out in anyway they could as well, including training me. The next major thing that happened next occurred three days after they joined us..." Marta spoke as she began to recount the time while she was training with Emerald as well as rebuilding the trust between Scarlet and the others...
Ruins [Seventh Day with the Special Unit]
Loud clinging echoed through the air as Marta blocked several kunai knives as she continued the offensive against Emerald. Emerald was hiding, teaching Marta of how to deal with sneak attacks. Marta rushed behind a pillar, trying her best to soothe her racing heart while rubbing her eyes.
Emerald made special kunai laced with a low dose of a sleeping drug. It wouldn't knock out Marta quickly, but it made her drowsy after having been nicked by two of them. It taught Marta to keep herself on her toes as she needed to find the Kunoichi. This surprised Tenebrae as he assumed Emerald would take it easy with Marta, but proved to be a strict teacher in her own way.
On top of the stone pillars are Tenebrae and the other girls watching Marta and Emerald's training session. As Tenebrae calmly observed, Topaz is keeping her excitement bundled up, Azure observed with trepidation, Selene placed both hands over her chest, Lavender squeezed her ball and Scarlet sat down in a criss-crossed position, tapping the sheath of her sword on the ground.
"Come on Marta..." Scarlet whsipered, wanting Marta to do well in her training. While she was concerned about the fate of the world on her shoulders, Scarlet knew she had to support whatever decision Marta made for real this time.
Vermillion, having repaired her armor into a more sleeker design with a renewed oragne color with white accents, stood with her arms crossed. She stopped wearing her helmet, deciding to no longer hide her face, not just from her friends, but in general.
"Have faith Scarlet, considering she and Emerald bested Alice, I say Marta came a long way." The Lady Knight reassured the Crimson Swordsmaiden. Despite the ugly hostility Scarlet showed toward elves, Scarlet did everything she can to make it right with Vermillion and see her who she is.
"If only I were there to see the slut get the beating she deserved." Scarlet said in disguse in regards to Alice, hence why she was happy to hear that Marta and Emerald managed to take her down.
"Either way, Alice is not one to give up easily. Plus, there's Richter and Decus we have to worry about too." Selene replied, knowing those three are all going for Marta. Vermillion's face grimaced slightly upon hearing Richter's name being spoken, as if she was saddened to hear that. No one has noticed.
"Even if those guys show up, we can at least handle them individually. It might be tough if they teamed up against us. While we have the numbers advantage, those three are strong." Azure said as she pushed her glasses back up on her nose.
"Hey, me, Vermillion and Scarlet can chse those clowns away just fine and you guys can easily give them a run for their money!" Topaz said as she placed a confident slap on her left bicep.
Meanwhile, as Emerald surveyed for Marta, the Young Girl managed to sneak up behind the Kunoichi and lept at her as the two girls rolled along the ground like a ball until Marta had Emerald pinned and made sure to keep her locked to the ground. Marta placed her spinner near Emerald's neck with some hesitation. The Kunoichi said that to clear this exercise, Marta needed to put her in a situation where she would be caught in a scenario that could kill her opponent. Obviously, they're not fighting to kill, but it still made Marta uncomfortable. Killing a monster is one thing, but the idea of taking the life of another person made her feel sick and it showed.
"Alright, good Marta!" Emerald praised Marta as she got the Kunoichi into the scenario as Marta stood up and raised a hand to Emerald, who accepted it as she is pulled up.
"Tomorrow, we'll put all you learned in a final sparing session." Emerald beemed, feeling pride as a teacher, knowing what it's like to be in her master's shoes.
"T-Thanks Emerald." Marta said with some unease, still not used to the idea of having to potentially take a person's life if the situation arises. Something that Emerald noticed and needs to adress to her.
"Hey, I understand not wanting to kill another person. Believe me, I don't like it either and I'd rather you don't ever cross that bridge, but if you or someone you really care about is in real danger, you must do what you can if you can't pacify them or make them stop attacking." Emerald spoke softly, yet sternly. Ever since Emerald made peace with her past and helped put Alice in her place, she has become more outgoing and confident in herself, despite still dealing with her anxiety.
"I understand." Marta simply replied while nodding, knowing what Emerald is trying to tell her. With that, Tenebrae and the girls came down to greet Marta and praise her. The Young Girl rubbed her head as the sleeping drug was still in her system. Emerald than gave her some antidote to help her get the sleeping drug out of her.
With that, the eight girls rested nearby a place in the ruins where flowing water ran. These ruins were apparently were part of an old city. No one knew what city this was as it wasn't anywhere near any of the towns they knew, but for the time being, this was a good place to rest and for Marta to train with Emerald.
"You know, if we spruse this place up, it might make a good base for us to use. Not a Vanguard base, but our own little getaway and all that." Lavender suggested while using her hands and fingers as she "frames" the place up.
"Don't forget we're not staying long. After tomorrow, we need to hit the road again. After all, Alice, Decus or Richter will be after us." Topaz shot down the suggestion. Not that she didn't like the idea, but she was being realistic along with the fact that she always like to be on the move.
Azure pulled out a map to try and get an idea of where they should go next. For one, it might do them good to not stay around the Sylvarant region the whole time. It would be too predictable and leave them open to attack on the Vanguard's territory.
"I hate to say it, but I think we may need to change the playing field a bit. We can't just wander around in Sylvarant, where the Vanguard has home field advantage." Azure stated in a matter of fact tone. For one, it would do Marta good to expand her world view outsode of what she knows.
"Wait, are you saying we should go over to Tethe'alla or something? N-not that it would be bad or anything!" Topaz questioned before back-peddling on her words, partially because the Tethe'allans fighters are not prejudice assholes and partially because Vermillion is Tethe'allan.
"There's no need to be nervous. You don't offend me and have no intention. Considering how vulgar the nobles from my country act, I don't fault you for thinking that way. That said, it will throw our pursuers off and will allow the heat to in Sylvarant to die down." Vermillion reassured Topaz before agreeing to the logic behind the plan. While Marta and Scarlet had concerns about that idea, it might be a good idea. For Marta, to get a better understanding about Tethe'alla and for Scarlet, to give it's people another chance. While Crimson Swordsmaiden will always hate the nobles, she knows now to not lump the innocents with the black hearted nobles. Azure than looked uncomfortable for a moment as if a thought came to her.
"What's wrong Azure?" Marta asked Azure in worry upon noticing the Cyborg grimace. Was she having second thoughts about the plan.
"Well... it's just I figure we could stop by a place around Asgard so that I can grab and pick something up along with performing some maintainace to my body." Azure spoke with Marta about needing to stop by a certain place in particular. Marta remembered traveling to Asgard when she and Brute traveled the world together.
"Asgard?" Marta questioned her friend. Are they going to Asgard next? She recalled being there once with Brute, recalling there being a lot of tourists visiting there. It was quite a beautiful looking place indeed.
"Asgard is my hometown... but that isn't where we are going directly per say. You see, my father made a secret laboratory that I occasionally return to every so often. I haven't been able to do so in a while since I joined the Vanguard and I was wondering if we could go there next if it's okay." Azure explained and clarified about where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do next.
"You know, Hima is somewhere close near Asgard. If it's good, there's someplace I want to stop by while we head there too." Topaz spoke up, adding in another stop to their list of places to be as it earned everyone's attention.
"Why do we need to stop by around Hima?" Selene questioned the Martial Artist as she wondered about the two detours being added to where they should go.
"Well, there's a place where I trained with my grandfather. While he passed on in Hima, I... burried him near the special spot we trained together and... I would like to visit that place. I just haven't got a good chance to do so in a while." Topaz admitted to wanting to visit her grandfather's grave and the place they trained together. This touched Marta as she understood wanting to visit the grave of a loved one. Marta thought to how she hadn't visited Lily's grave in a long time. Perhaps it hurt too much or maybe she didn't wish to open wounds still fresh in her heart. Either way, after giving it some thought, she didn't wish to deny Topaz that chance and she also wanted to make sure Azure is doing okay as she needed to provide special care for herself.
"Well, I can still train while we make our way where Azure and Topaz want to go and it might help if we explore the Tethe'alla region for a while afterward. Alight, let's do that then! Any objections?" Marta spoke up cheerfully in agreement before asking the other five girls. They all smiled in agreement to let her know that there are no issues.
"Thanks Marta." Topaz said greatfully as she petted Marta's head. Azure smiled in thanks as she looked back to the map.
"You have my humble gratitude. If we head out now, we should be able to get there by 3:00 and than have enough time to stop by the spot Topaz wants to go too. After that, we'll need a means to get to Tethe'alla." Azure said as she overlooked the map to find the shortest route possible to get to where they need to go.
As they discussed it, Scarlet thought to herself deeply as Tenebrae noticed it. Tenebrae didn't like getting sidetracked, but as long as Marta kept up her training, than it shouldn't be a problem. But the Centurion wondered what was going through Scarlet's head. Unlike Marta, he doesn't trust her... yet. Either way, it seemed like a destination, off road as it is, was set.
Woods [Near the Asgard area]
It was around 3:00 in the noon and in no time thanks to Azure's navigation, they made it the location in particular. It was a lush, woods with a high level of darkness as they trecked the path. Marta, Emerald and Lavender felt nervous while Topaz, Scarlet, Selene and Vermillion were only on edge slightly. Tenebrae however, seemed to be enjoying himself as he grinned ear to ear.
"W-why are w-we in th-these spooky w-w-woods?" Emerald stuttered, her anxiety kicking in slightly as she kept hold of herself.
"The laboratory is in a special spot these woods. It was the perfect place to ensure thugs or thieves don't steal his work, along with it being a private place for some alone time, by himself or with me. Besides, my eyes have special scanners that can do all sorts of things. One of the perks of being a cyborg." Azure chuckled as she used the special scanners in her eyes along with her detailed memory to stay on the path.
"That would explain why you plan things out so throughly." Selene chimed in, cluing in onto to her detailed strategies much to Azure's delighted smirk. Marta hoped Azure didn't use those eyes to cheat at cards or chess. Than again, she doesn't win every single time, so she must be playing fair.
"Your father must be very clever to hide his laboratory in this vast, lush darkness." Tenebrae chimed in, enjoying the vast ebony of the dark. Marta couldn't help but find this a tad strange that anyone would enjoy being in pitch black darkness and it looks like the others agreed with her mentally. Well, half agreed on Azure's part.
"Well, I will explain why he has the lab out here once we get there." Azure replied, intending to reveal the main reason when they reach their destination, a bit weird out about how happy Tenebrae is being in a dark area. Marta than looked to her Centurion companion.
"You really like it this dark Tenebrae?" Marta asked Tenebrae, prompting the Centurion to look at her with a look that says "Is it not obvious?".
"Lady Marta, you should know that as the Centurion of Darkness, I enjoy the cold, black blanket of Darkness, covering all throughout the world." Tenebrae chimed in, lecturing her while boasting about what he deems wonderful about darkness, prompting her and the others to sweat drop.
"Heh, I bet you would love doing kinky stuff in the shroud of the dark." Scarlet cracked a vulgar joke with a cheeky smirk, prompting Vermillion, Selene, Topaz and Azure to hold back their laughter while Emerald, Lavender and Marta blushed at what Scarlet implied while snikering slightly. Can Centurions get in bed with other Centurions or... anyone... if possible at all?
"How rude! We Centurions have no need for that sort of thing and even if it were possible for us to fall in love and have those desires, we have more dignity than that!" Tenebrae rebuttal at Scarlet's crass attempt at a joke. Marta had to admit it was humorous seeing Tenebrae lose his composer for once. However...
"You... never fell in love Tenebrae?" Marta questioned him in wonder. Granted, Centurions are likely different from life on this world and probably don't think the same way they do. How did they even come into being.
"There's no need for Centurions to fall in love Lady Marta, although I do understand why people often produce children whenever they mate with each other, Centurions have no need for such a thing." Tenebrae replied matter of factly along, yet he did at least understand how eros and reproduction works at least. Marta can't help but feel sad for Tenebrae, even though she hasn't found love, True Love, herself yet... she can't help but feel that life would be cold and lonely without love. A person to trust your heart with, to laugh with in the good times and cry with during the sad times. She knew Brute and Lily's lives were richer for it and that Marta herself is proof of that love.
'Daddy...' Marta thought to Brute. He changed so drastically... she knew Lily's death must have impacted him very deeply, but for her death to push him this far? Marta can't help but think if she would have turned this violent as well. While she helped found the Vanguard, part of the reason she's a member is because she couldn't forgive the Chosen Collete for apparently destroying Palmacosta through the Giant Tree Rampage while regenerating the world. Despite that resentment, Marta knew her mother wouldn't want her or Brute to go this far... heck, Marta wouldn't do this even without her mom's influence.
"How do you know for certain Tenebrae?" Topaz chimed in, apparently not buying what he's saying about Centurions having no need for love.
"Centurions can make friends, but I really don't see a need." Tenebrae replied. Marta can't help but wonder. He isn't lying sure, but maybe he hasn't found that special one that makes him feel that way. Just like the Green Eyed Boy...
'Wait!? Why do I keep thinking about that boy like that!? Am I... forming a crush on him?' Marta thought as her heart raced again. The idea of him protecting her and sweeping her off her feet like a prince, just makes her heart excited. Maybe it helped take her mind off things... maybe she was looking for someone who loved her for who she is instead on continuously rejecting her. She recalled faintly what her mom said about how love at first sight is mostly in stories, but is that really happening to her.
"Maybe... it's possible for Centurions to fall in love... maybe..." Marta agreed with Topaz, at least wanting to believe that Centurions can love.
"I thought you more of a realist, Lady Marta." Tenebrae chimed in, earning him an annoyed huff from Marta. Marta's starting to get a feeling that Tenebrae might be a tad spiteful.
"We're here." Azure said as she pulled the leaves back to see a clearing with a metal door on the grass as a ray of light shined down on it. Azure smiled fondly as she looked around.
"Azure?" Marta asked in concern for her cyborg friend.
"Just remembering the good times I had with my father here. If we aren't in the laboratory, we're out here, in the sun's warm light or the moon's soothing glow." Azure spokes fondly as she took off her glasses to wipe her tears, recalling the beloved memories she had of him. Marta smiled as she felt her own heart warm, despite the ache it felt. Marta recalled traveling through the woods once near Palmacosta with Brute and Lily, playing together. How she longed for those days..."
"I hate to interupt, but how do we get in your father's laboratory?" Tenebrae questioned the Cyborg as he points a finger from his tail to the door. As Marta and the girls observed, the door appears to be locked.
"Ah. Well, it's opened through a special password. My father taught me how to use this many times." Azure kneeled near the door and pressed down on a panel, opening a keypad. She than typed in the password...
S-E-C-O-N-D C-H-A-N-C-E-S
As soon as she entered it, the doors slid open. Azure regained herself, always feeling misty eyed at typing that password in, something that Marta and Tenebrae noticed briefly. Considering what Azure's father did for her, it makes sense.
"After you. Ladies first." Azure chimed in with a gentleman like bow. The girls all entered before Tenebrae followed. Azure than entered last, pressing the button on the wall to close the door.
Azure's Laboratory
As they went down the stairs, the girls realized it was pitch black in there.
"I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-It' dark in h-h-h-h-h-h-here...!" Emerald stuttered in slight panic. Marta couldn't help but find it a tad ironic since ninja operate in darkness, but she understood that this is TOO dark compared to the night sky. Suddenly, someone stepped on her toe.
"Ow! Who stepped on my foot!?" Marta shriked before questioning who stepped on her. Granted, it's most likely an accident, but still.
"Sorry Marta. It's too damn dark in here!" Topaz apologized and grumbled as she felt for a wall to stay near. The other girls did the same to find a wall or some furniture to grab onto. Marta carefully walked around until she felt the wall itself and stayed near until her eyes can adjust, unlikely it sounded, or someone turns on the lights.
"Ah... pure pitch ebony bliss. Don't you feel this wonderous blanket of the dark?" Tenebrae chimed while sounding very, VERY happy. Marta groaned in slight annoyance. Is he being real right now?
"Is he normally like this?" Lavender asked Marta in a mix of curiosity and annoyance.
"Actually, I never saw or heard him act this way until today..." Marta replied, genuinely surprised to know about this side of Tenebrae... a side that is not particularly interesting or even amusing to talk about. Who for one thing likes fumbling in the dark? Granted, Tenebrae is the Centurion of DARKNESS, but come on! Does this mean Aqua is obsessed with the water or something?
"Alright, calm down everyone. Thankfully, my cybernetics allow me to see through the dark and right now I can see your all near somewhere where you can hold onto something. Except a certain Centurion geeking out in the middle of the room for some reason." Azure calmly explained before bluntly addressing Tenebrae, who isn't doing what the girls are doing like any normal person would.
"How rude! Saying that I'm "geeking" out when I'm mearly enjoying this dark shroud we are experiencing! Besides, I can see perfectly well in here. Everything is near the wall or some type of furniture. So you don't need to worry about me bumping into something." Tenebrae replied as if he was being insulted before explaining he can see just fine.
"Well, just let me find the power switch and we'll light this place up." Azure said as Marta heard footsteps inside the room. Marta had to admit this was spooky. She than hear Emerald breathing a bit fast. Was she having an anxiety attack? It looked like it, but she's doing a better job at keeping herself from losing it.
"It's okay Emerald, don't freak out." Scarlet tried to reassure the Kunoichi in a calm yet panicked tone as the other girls held their breath.
"It's... it's okay Scarlet... I'l be okay." Emerald shuddered slightly in a strained voice, sounding like she is indeed keeping hold despite her fears. Marta, while proud of the Kunoichi managing her anxiety, decided that she might need a little reassurance. Marta than took in a soft breath and...
What will I wish for if I found
A shooting star that travels in the sky now?
That promise I made with the departing you
Will always remain in my heart
What I want to hear on nights I can't sleep is your voice
We talked until sunrise came
Your face was shining when you were engrossed in talking next to me
The same starlight falls upon
You, who chase after dreams, and me, who watches over
I want you to walk on without looking back
So I saw you off as I held back my tears
What will I wish for if I found
A shooting star that travels in the sky now?
That promise I made with the departing you
Will always remain in my heart
Marta sung in the midst of this dark room as Emerald's breathing eased greatly. Like always, her singing voice always had a calming effect on her and while Marta wondered why it soothed Emerald, she never really asked for as long as it brought peace to her friend, that's all that mattered.
"Thank you, Marta. You didn't have too, but... that was very sweet of you." Emerald replied in a thankful tone, while saying she didn't need to sing to her, as if she wanted to conquer this whole thing herself
"You don't need to be tough Emerald. I'm happy that you're doing better in managing your anxiety, but I want to help ease your fears. Besides, I like singing for you and the others." Marta chimed in and while no one can see her face, she was blushing a little bit. Marta can remember the first time she was asked to sing for the others.
It was when they spent the night together at the pub. Scarlet snuck Marta and the girls out while Brute was away for a meeting. The girls all had a great time together drinking (although Scarlet made sure to order milk for Marta, Emerald, Selene and Lavender) and just enhoying each other's company. When they went to Palmacosta's bridge, Marta was singing softly to herself, prompting Emerald to ask her to sing after complimenting her voice. Despite her uncertainty, Marta sung a song she learned growing up, earning admiration and awe from the girls, Emerald especially as it always soothed her, including when she has a panic attack.
As Azure looked for the switch as Tenebrae saw, she pressed the button, prompting the lights to turn off. Marta and the girls then closed their eyes and blinked a few moments to adjust.
"Well, it was fun while it lasted..." Tenebrae simply stated, missing the dark already. Marta just shook her head in slight annoyance while smirking a little.
"You haven't lost that lovely voice of yours..." Vermillion said with a smile, pushing away from the wall she was holding onto too. Selene and Lavender were near a table, Emerald was at a desk of some kind, Topaz was at some type of strange chair and Scarlet was also near a wall.
"Like an angel, as always." Selene said with a small smile as she and the others approached her. Marta's cheeks heated a little as she bashfully swayed.
"Oh come on girls..." Marta said with some embarrassment in her voice. She didn't think she was that great, at least compared to her mom.
"No joke, you're practically the best singer out of all of us... man, that reminds me of the time when we snuck out to the pub at Palmacosta..." Scarlet complicated Marta while also reminiscing about the exact memory Marta was having.
"I don't sing..." Selene spoke bluntly, still not intending to sing anytime soon. Marta recalled two days after that, the girls had their own Karaoke Night and sung together, with Selene being the only one who refused to sing. Although the night was almost ruined by Alice attempting to sing, saying Marta's voice is hideous, but the night turned to laughter thanks to Alice's shrill voice not working well with the mike. A pure definition of tone deafness. A point for the Special Unit that night!
"You should take pride in that Marta. If you wanted too, you could make a good living as a singer." Topaz complicated Marta further. At this point, the Young Girl felt herself getting a little hot under the collar from these compliments.
"Alright, enough flattery... please." Marta said, clearly not used to such high praise.
"Ahem! So, this is your father's laboratory, Azure?" Marta cleared her throat, trying to get back on topic as she spoke to Azure.
"Indeed. This is my father's laboratory, where he made all sorts of inventions. Prosthetic limbs, cybernetic enhancements, specially made weapons, whatever you can name." Azure said as she checked on a container holding a bunch of mini machines.
"Ewww... what is that!?" Lavender chimed in at the container, as if she's seeing a swarm of bugs.
"Nanomachines... the same ones that cured my weak heart... and made it healthy again. Tried to replicate it, but... I still have a long ways to go... not to mention the notes for the nanomachines vanished along with many others..." Azure explained to the others about the contents of the jar as the cyborg touched it, with the micro robots rising to reach meet her hand despite the glass seperating them.
"Who would take your papa's notes?" Lavender spoke, her disgust easing away now that she knows what they are.
"Maybe a disgrunted rival... father trusted five people with this lab's location, I myself one of them... yet I don't know who as father didn't get a chance to tell me. The point is that even if I find the one who stole the notes, they most likely destoryed them. Thankfully I took notes while working with my father, so I could start up. I made great progress on everything but the nanomachines." Azure said as she pinched the bridge of her nose to relieve the tension. Marta can tell how important this is to Azure. Considering what her father did for her, these prosthetic limbs can help people move again and the nanomachines can help out deal with diseases that Healing Artes can't even hope to do, such as restoring damage to the heart. Weak hearts, heart attacks, heart palpitations... all of that can be a thing of the past thanks to these little machines!
"Well, I might as well finish up what I came to get and to do some maintainace work on myself. Marta, Tenebrae, Scarlet... mind coming to the back with me?" Azure continued as she invited the chosen few to come to the back of the room with her, surprising the three."
"Are you sure?" Marta asked in confusion, raising her hands to her mouth.
"Positive. You accepted me for who I am Marta. Tenebrae can learn a thing from this and it will allow some trust building with Scarlet." Azure explained her reasons as she walked to the back.
"The rest of you can look around, but please don't touch anything. You can at least have some snack and drinks stored in here, all presevred to freshness thanks to the special fridge I built." Azure told the rest of the girls about what they can and can't do as Marta, Tenebrae and Scarlet followed her inside.
"Shall we Lady Marta? Scarlet?" Tenebrae chimed in as the three went to the back room. Marta wasn't sure how to feel about getting to see the inner workings of Azure's cybernetics and the fruits of her father's research, but it was sure to be interesting indeed.
To Be Continued...
Thus, Marta's detour to Azure and Topaz's "Side Quests" has begun.
What does Azure need to get? What awaits them at the grave of Topaz's grandfather? Who stole the notes of Azure's father?
Tune in next time to find out!
Note: The song Marta sung is called "Starry Heavens", the main theme of Tales of Symphonia.
