The farm was lovely, but Lena hated being far from the center of the action. The vacation was not bad itself, the girl enjoyed long overdue rest, but everyone from the capital kept her away from the news. She had spent a few days catching up with sleep and relaxing among the grazing animals, now feeling ready to back to work. Today was idyllic, birds were singing, flowers were blooming, and she would be ecstatic, if not for the constant migraines attacking her brain.
It started not long ago. Each time it appeared, Lena's mood was instantly spoiled. The piercing pain blurred her vision, making her feel like her head was split open, but she still hoped it would go away on its own. Medical centers were overwhelmed with the sudden increase in patients, so getting an appointment for a mere headache was out of the question.
As a civilian, she was not authorized to join the military deliberations, so Lena felt frustrated with the workaholic need to do something constantly haunting her. Bored to death, the former Colonel waited for Shin's promised visit, counting the days. The girl was not banned from going to the city, but it was far away and the transport was awful. She started to suspect Frederica deliberately recommended this place, to cut her off from civilization.
She wanted to get out of there, but it couldn't be done without her favorite partner in crime's involvement. Annette's arrival was scheduled for tomorrow, but she was currently buried with work in the lab. Lena missed her dearly, as they hadn't seen each other in a long time. There was much to discuss, especially how to deal with their countrymen. This, and she was the only one who could be willing to share classified information with her.
The hours were dragging, but Mrs Fedder's blue car on the horizon signaled the waiting was over. The brown-haired man exited the vehicle, making Lena's heart skip a bit. He looked especially handsome dressed in casual clothes. A dark green T-shirt and a scarf worn despite the warm weather were an unusual sight, clearly somebody else planned this outfit. A new pair of light blue jeans was matched with a black leather jacket, emphasizing his renegade charm. Lena recognized the woman's hand in planning the outfit, promising herself she'd thank Anju later for creating this eye candy.
Lena welcomed him with a wide smile, waving from the hill to join her. She couldn't see it from this distance, but his eyes sparkled when he noticed the girl seemed much better. A delightful change after the miserable past few weeks. They both went through a lot, but her baggage was only being uncovered by him.
Short-sleeved violet turtleneck covered the wounds on her neck, but it didn't prevent the guilt from rushing in. If he had protected her properly, she wouldn't get hurt. Lena never reproached or blamed him, almost obsessively avoiding the topic of that situation. She hadn't expressed any regrets or admitted to the pain, but he knew well, it didn't mean it wasn't there. Shin wished Lena would be a little less stubborn because he was getting anxious while they were playing this masterful game of pretend and avoidance. Because everything must be fine, right?
"You're here! How was the journey?" Lena asked teasingly, now knowing the realities of the countryside. She was cheerful, just like in the old days.
"Two and a half hours is absurd. Traffic jams in the capital have grown beyond any control. Ernst shouldn't have forbade using the Reginleifs in the city, it could spare me so much time." Shin rolled his eyes theatrically, making the girl chuckle. The boy couldn't help but smile when her silvery laugh resounded in his ears. He missed that.
"Yeah, maybe take a helicopter when you're at it. For the prized Undertaker the path adorned with flowers wouldn't be enough." She poked fun at him, while slowly moving towards the prepared spot. They chatted during the walk, for a moment behaving like just the two teenagers, living a normal life.
"Are we there yet?" They were marching through seemingly endless plains, reminiscent of the place they reunited at.
"Almost, close your eyes. It would be best if I had something to wrap around your face. Your scarf seems like the only available thing here, could I borrow it for a moment?" Lena hesitatingly posed the question, knowing how sensitive he was about it.
Shin nodded in agreement, obediently shutting down his eyelids while undoing the knot in a swift move. He felt the girl delicately touching his scar, sliding her fingers on its contour. They both hadn't said a thing, and the heavy silence was lined with a storm of thoughts.
"What are you contriving?" He broke it first when he felt the familiar material covering his face. It was an unwritten rule that today was for rest and pleasure, not to go back to the cruel reality.
"Do you trust me?" She asked innocently.
"You still have to ask? With my life, Colonel." The old habits kicked in. Shin automatically recalled her brilliant strategic thinking present during the missions. It was thanks to her leadership, the mortality rate had significantly gone down. How could he not lay his life in those capable hands?
"Not the Colonel Milizé, but the Lena standing before you." The girl groaned because she had hoped for a different answer.
"They are the same to me. Both are the most clever and benevolent women I know, whom I would trust in a heartbeat." Lena instantly got as red as a tomato at those words, but the boy still had his eyes covered, unable to witness this view. She couldn't muster an answer, barely managing to grab his sleeve to guide him in the right direction.
"It's a bit inconvenient like that. The jacket is borrowed, I have to make sure not to stretch it." It was a white lie, as Anju and Raiden forced him to buy a ton of new clothes. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but the fearless Reaper had hoped to hold the girl's hand, even for a moment.
Vladilena Milizé's face surpassed every red shade known to man when her fingers intertwined with his. The tension was almost palpable. No word was said, but they could've sworn their hearts were beating louder than any church bell. When Shin was deprived of sight, his every other sense sharpened. The subtle scent of her favorite jasmine shampoo was more captivating than he could've ever imagined, messing with his head more than any drug. It aroused a craving deep inside, the one he swore he would suppress for her sake. The warmth of her hand drove him mad. She was within his grasp, yet there was an invisible wall preventing him from taking a step forward. Shinei was thankful Lena couldn't read his mind now, concealing his fervent desires.
When they arrived at the lake, none of them wanted this moment to end. Lena took off his covering, ending up dangerously close to his lips. What broke the magic was the Para-RAID device signaling the oncoming call. Shin was reluctant to take it, but Lena convinced him it might be important.
"SHIN! YOU'RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE IT! IT'S HUGE!" Theo exclaimed almost shouting, unable to contain his excitement.
"It better be important." He grumbled, feeling the emptiness in his left hand. If it turned out to be something trifle, Shin had no confidence he wouldn't kill him back home. The mood was shattered, and Lena got startled and shy beyond saving. She reminded him of a small rabbit, ready to flee at the first opportunity.
"It is! We found one of the Seymours!"
July 25th Republic Year 357 (Stellar Year 2138)
38 days until the Start of the Legion War
Even hell can be bearable when a kindred soul is there to ease the suffering. Elizabeth felt William was like a sip of cold water found in the middle of the desert, quenching the thirst of a yearning wanderer only to feel its absence with redoubled force a moment later. Their daily meetings kept her sanity intact, but when she was left alone in the cold mansion, the loneliness and isolation broke her once again.
Liz missed home. When Aunt Zelene suddenly left for something work-related last week, the girl thought she'd be relieved. Instead, the empty manor was even emptier, making the Birkenbaum property feel like an abandoned house. It rained heavily for the past few days, with thunders only adding to the ominous atmosphere. Servants were mostly unseen, hiding in their quarters, or tending to the building's needs in places only known to them. The meals appeared on time in the dining room, but the giant hall where she had to eat alone made her more miserable.
The meetings with William were moved inside because of the weather, although solely by her decision. Elizabeth had no idea if it was permitted, but there was no one to object at the moment. If servants wanted to keep their distance, so be it. She would use it to her advantage. The antique clock struck six o'clock, loudly echoing throughout the entire floor. It was their agreed time, so Elizabeth quickly put on her cardigan and rushed down the stairs. When she opened the door, the angelic man was already there.
"Missed me yet?" He was soaked, with wet hair covering most of his face like a silver helmet and a shirt that became almost see-through. William reminded her of a puppy accidentally let out in the rain. They both would only get to this state by somebody's negligence.
"My God, Will, what had happened? Didn't Mrs Candace help you with the umbrella? What about the security guard?" Liz was frightened he would catch a cold, and they wouldn't see each other. The man might have been two years older than her, but in her eyes, he was fragile like a glass statue.
"It's Candice, not Candace. She hates it when people misspell that. How many times must I tell you that? Mrs Candice's son got sick, so she took a day off. I didn't want to bother anyone, besides, it's not like the little rain is gonna kill me." William corrected her, but she just shrugged it off.
"To-may-to, to-mah-to, why bother? People call me Elisabeth all the time, and I'm not eating them alive. Although if I think about it now, I hate being called Lisa. Liz, Betty, Beth, I've heard them all, but Lisa gets on my nerves. Anyhow, you are a bloody idiot parading dressed like that in the pouring rain. Do you have a death wish?" She didn't let the scolding distract her, refocusing the attention on the issue.
"Well, it's not my fault the designers of this wheelchair forgot disabled people aren't waterproof. Or maybe it's mine for not paying an additional thousand for a better model. No matter what, I need those two pretty hands free to get this racer going. You know I don't like to be pampered, I got tired of waiting for someone to come. I would hate to be late for our rendezvous." He grinned, hoping to ease her anger. Luckily for him, Liz had a weak spot for his dimples.
"Fine, but it's the last time I'll let it slide. Come with me, we have to search for spare clothing in your size. I doubt you'll fit into mine, and I sure as hell won't let you stretch it. The maid mentioned my dad's old room was left untouched after his departure, maybe there we'll find something wearable. Keep an eye out for the servants. They would be our best bet, but lately, I can't find anyone when I need it." She scoffed, but the blanket from the guest sofa was already in her hands. Elizabeth covered her friend with tender care, hoping to warm him up a little.
"Wait, I'll take off the wet clothes first. I can feel every breeze in those, and getting another layer just to make it soak would be pointless." Will moved away a little, turning his back on the girl. He unbuttoned his shirt and unzipped his pants in lightning speed, making Liz wonder, if he had some experience with this. When he signalled her to come closer, her face flushed at the sight of an almost naked man. William kept his boxers, but aside from that, his whole body was visible.
Elizabeth pretended not to see anything when giving him the blanket, but her eyes studied every curve of his body. His chest was broader and more toned than she expected, undoubtedly kept with great effort and discipline. He was pale, but the myriad of bright scars was still visible, painting the picture of a man who had suffered a lot. The one thing hinting at his disability was the thin legs, disproportionate to the rest of the body. Liz noticed the signs of countless medical interventions, but she was painfully aware they were futile. No matter what, his playful character made all the pieces fit together like puzzles, and she couldn't help but be drawn to the fair man.
"Have you seen enough, or should I remove my underwear too?" Will joked, but Elizabeth got defensive in response.
"Shut up, it's not like that. Besides, I've seen plenty in my life. No need for a charity case to fill the spot." Only after hearing it out loud, did the girl realize, how insensitive it sounded. She didn't mean to say it that way, but the unfortunate wording made the mood sour.
"Ouch. That was a low blow. Even for you, Lisa." He seemed to laugh it off, but his shoulders visibly dropped, pointing out the obvious. The girl hit where it hurt the most, and William couldn't help but take it personally. He avoided her gaze, not wanting to show his sadness.
"Will, I'm so so sorry. I wasn't trying to imply… It was just… I'm sorry, I've worded it like the meanest cunt on Earth. Please, forgive me. You know how I adore you…" Tears started to form in her eyes when she pleaded on her knees in front of the boy. Will tightly wrapped himself in the blanket, but after a moment of consideration, he freed one hand to pat her head.
"I know, but please, try not to do it again. I'm a tough man, but even I have my weak spots. Now, let's not dwell on it any more, and go search for some clothes. I might look cool and indifferent, but in reality, I'm cold as fuck. I need something to wear, or you'll have to deal with a shaking jelly with chattering teeth." He gently caressed her hair, and the girl thanked him with the warmest smile she could give. In the moment of courage, Liz hugged him, hoping it would help at least a little.
After a brief moment of closeness, the two adventurers started exploring the unknown. Elizabeth recalled some rule about not venturing into the north wing, but there was no one to enforce it. Since Zelene never showed her dad's childhood room, she figured it might be over there.
"It's almost like I'm a burglar when technically it's my property too. The Snow Queen did an excellent job of making me feel unwelcome. Don't do this, don't go there, stay away from everything, and don't ask questions. Aunt of the year, bazillion times in a row." Liz mumbled when they got lost in the unknown corridors.
"To be fair, it's not like you gave her a chance. Although I still see progress, two weeks ago you wouldn't associate yourself with the Birkenbaums so casually." Will pointed out, receiving a murderous glare in response. Elizabeth knew she was nothing but hostile from the start, but in her opinion, it was well-deserved.
"Shut up. I think we're going in circles, this creepy portrait stuck in my mind." She quickly changed the subject, pointing out their situation.
"Like you said, it's partially your house. Where to go, landlady?" The guy smirked, knowing she had no idea what to do. Most doors were locked, so the search was an uphill battle.
"You know what? I should've done it ages ago. It's mine, so whatever I do is not trespassing. If they really wanted to keep people out of somewhere, they could've put up proper signs. I'll show you the street master key." Liz smirked mischievously, taking one of her hairpins out. She went to the closest door and started fiddling with the lock.
"Yeah, great idea. Plates saying "don't go here, top secret" or "here are our valuables, go away". It would totally work like intended." He frowned, then burst out laughing, as he imagined the flashy markings resembling the road signs.
"At least they wouldn't be able to use the excuse of getting lost." She joked while listening to the clicking of the mechanism.
"Remind me later to never ask you for security advice. My home would get robbed in an instant." William relaxed on his seat, waiting for her to be done.
"Et voilà! The red weasel strikes again." The girl proudly opened the massive wooden door.
"The red weasel? Seriously, THAT was your nickname? Lame. I would call myself something like the silver cobra, or white hawk. Of course only if the color and animal combo is mandatory. The agile hunk fits me the best." He winked, trying to look smug. Liz rolled her eyes in response, pushing his wheelchair to the newly opened room.
At first glance there wasn't anything special, a few bookcases occupying most of the space. She was ready to retreat with disappointment when she spotted something unusual at the end of the last alley. From the distance, it resembled another rack, but when Liz got closer, she noticed it didn't stick to the wall. In the narrow gap, she saw small rails, suggesting it was a sliding furniture. The girl pulled with all her might but to no avail.
"I'm sure there is something behind it, but this piece won't even budge. It's like a secret tunnel in a mediaeval castle, do I have to answer a riddle to pass?" Elizabeth was frustrated by another obstacle, as nothing seemed to go her way today.
"Think with your brain, not muscles. Look, it has rails and is heavy, we can assume there is some sort of mechanical slider behind it. Your aunt has a similar build to yours, so we can rule out them being opened by force. The logical conclusion is they have a switch somewhere here. Try pulling the books or jumping on the tiles." He stated confidently, like an expert detective. The girl listened to his advice, moving all the books back and forth, until she felt like her arms were about to give out. Dejected, she slowly moved toward the top shelf, ready to give up when a plain, gray book put up unexpected resistance.
"I can't believe it. It actually worked!" Liz stared at the opened space, absolutely astounded. Suddenly she thought she was thrown into a spy-thriller. A low-budget rip-off of some famous franchise, but a suspenser nonetheless. Will looked around the miniature square room, devoid of any furniture. The dim orange light emanating from the lamp and the blue edges of the buttons on the wall were the only things noticeable inside. The pair barely fit together in the cramped space, wondering what to do next.
"I can bet all my money this isn't your dad's room. If it was, then your family is seriously fucked up." William seemed fascinated by the discovery, gently touching the wall panel.
"Don't touch anything, we can't let that witch know we were snooping around. Besides, there is no telling what it does. Do you want to blow up the house?" Elizabeth got tense, seeing the boy acting so carelessly. If it was a regular space, there would be no need to hide it so thoroughly.
"Stop being so uptight, it's not like I'm smashing anything. Plus, you can lie all you want, but we both know blowing this place up is around number four on your wish list." He grinned shamelessly, ignoring her warnings. Liz tried to go past him, so she could leave, but it accidentally pushed him further into the wall. When they realized what had happened, one of the blue buttons turned ominously red.