Work Text:
The morning sunlight pools on the floor of the shared bedroom, giving even the shadows a warm honey-yellow glow. The light dances over the carpet, graciously sparing the two women in bed from its bright gaze.
“My love,” one of the women sighs, “It is time to get dressed.”
The other woman grunts and pulls the other closer.
“Five minutes more will turn into five hours more. It’s time to get up.”
No response.
“I’ll make us pancakes.”
In seconds, the other woman is out of bed and in front of the wardrobe, digging through the cabinets for a change of clothes.
“You always know what to say to get me up,” she says, “It’s almost criminal! Lucretia, you could just let me take the day off and sleep.”
“But then, my dear Atala, I wouldn’t get to enjoy your company.”
Atala freezes for a second before she smiles. “I never get used to that,” she giggles, the hint of a blush decorating her brown cheeks.
“And I will never get tired of your reactions,” Lucretia says, climbing out of bed and joining her girlfriend at the wardrobe.
“Wear the blue today. It’ll match the new uniform,” Atala points to a set of folded garments, “The Queen wants to see us both, after all.”
Lucretia nods, departing with the clothes and a kiss.
Atala swiftly dresses in her new uniform, rushing to brush her long purple hair as she enters the living room.
Spread out on the table is a wonderful array of pancake toppings- chocolate syrup, maple syrup, and all sorts of jellies, jams, and marmalades. Lucretia smiles at her from the kitchen, a platter already half-full of perfectly cooked pancakes.
“Do you have any idea why the Queen wants to see us today?” Atala asks as she slips into one of the chairs.
“I’d imagine it is about your performance yesterday. It’s not every day the famous Lady Mastermind calls in the Steel Avenger for help.”
“I will admit I didn’t do as well as I hoped. But in my defense, the job was done, minimal casualties on either side. I didn’t even have to use the Rune,” she says, her fingers dancing over the fabric covering her heart.
“And everyone is glad for that,” Lucretia smiles, carrying over the plate of pancakes, “At this point, the Queendom of Falena will collapse without you.”
“Nonsense! Frey and Lym have the rest of the New Dawn! My Lady, I must defend my friends’ honor!”
“Last week Lun tried to capture and cook a pigeon. Theo spelled Myakis into a cat again yesterday. And not two hours ago, the Steel Avenger almost destroyed half of the royal gardens.”
“...Point taken.”
“It’s a miracle you didn’t wake up for that,” Lucretia giggles, covering her mouth with her hand.
“You need lots of beauty sleep to be able to look like me,” Atala shoots back with a wink.
It’s now Lucretia’s turn to blush. Her fan is back in the bedroom, so she is stuck hiding behind a napkin. Still, her pink-tinged ears peek out from the sides. The rest of breakfast is spent in a comfortable silence, filled only with the quiet sounds of eating and the sweet birdsong coming from outside. Once all the dishes have been cleaned and put away, the two head outside.
There, Vortex is waiting for them. “Mommies! I caught a biiiiig fish and it tasted real good! And then Vengie was in the gardens so I stopped to say hi and he made a big boom happen!” Vortex babbles. The sight of a giant roc, perched on a nearby wall, rambling about his morning would be enough to make even the most stoic of people crack a smile. Luckily for the big bird, Atala is far from the most stoic person in the capital.
“Vortex! Slow down, don’t forget to breathe!” Atala says with a small laugh, reaching up to wrap the bird’s neck in a hug. They coo to each other for a moment, a strangely unique bond of a giant roc child and half-elf mother evident to anyone who sees.
Lucretia stands a little ways back, smiling at her girlfriend and her girlfriend’s son.
“We should be back home around… 5?” Atala says, looking back to Lucretia for confirmation.
“Yes, 5:00.”
“We will be back home at 5:00!” she says to Vortex, giving his head a gentle pat.
“Bye Mommies!” Vortex crows as Lucretia takes Atala’s hand and starts to lead her through the city.
The walk through Sol-Falena is quiet and peaceful. Their route takes them along the water, under the bridge, and through the gardens. Nobody bothers them- their reputations are more than enough to keep away curious citizens. They skirt around a smoking hole in the ground. Lucretia fans herself with her white feather fan, attempting to drive the stink of ash and brimstone away. They finally arrive at the palace to be greeted by the Queen’s Knights. Atala releases Lucretia’s hand to shake the hands of the knights.
“You are in sooooo much trouble today!” Myakis sings, a devilish smile on her face.
“How was being a cat?” Atala shoots back. A firm pat or two on her back almost knocks her over.
“Kyle! You little bitch!” she says, giving the tall blond knight a playful glare.
“Sorry! Thought you’d be able to handle it!” he smiles, holding his hands up in surrender.
“Is the Queen waiting for us?” Lucretia’s voice pierces through the conversation, her expression hidden behind her fan.
“Oh. Yea, sorry,” Kyle says, a sheepish grin on his face, “She’s in the audience chamber.”
Lucretia nods her head in thanks, once more taking Atala’s hand and leading her past the knights.
“...Do you really think it’ll be that bad?” Atala asks, squeezing Lucretia’s hand.
“It will be fine. You and I can talk our way out of it,” she says, squeezing Atala’s hand back.
“I hope so,” Atala mumbles.
The doors to the audience chamber are opened by two guards. The two women walk through the door into the audience chamber. The child Queen sits upon the throne, her brother and his bodyguard standing behind on either side.
“Queen Lymslea, Prince Frejador, Queen’s Knight Lyon. We have arrived,” Atala says, bowing to the trio.
“Stand, Atala. You’re a friend, there’s no need for that here,” Frey says, a twinkle in his eyes, “I’m sure you’re wondering why we’ve called you here today.”
“Frey! That was my line!” the Queen says, turning to try to swat at her brother, “Be quiet so I can say the cool things!”
“Of course, of course. Sorry, Lym,” Frey says, tousling his little sister’s hair.
“Your apology is accepted,” she huffs, adjusting her crown.
Lucretia glances over at Atala, smiling at her. The two scoot closer together, linking arms.
“Now,” the Queen began, “Lady Liadon. Lady Merces. By command of the Queen of Falena…”
She stops for a second, letting the silence stretch out into a dramatic pause.
“You are both required to take a week off! Starting now!”
“What?” Atala takes a step forward, “With all due respect, my Queen, I don’t think this is a good idea. What if something happens while we are away?”
“Theo will contact you magically,” Lyon says, “We knew you’d object so we’ve got all sorts of plans!”
Atala and Lucretia look at each other. Atala goes to open her mouth to speak before she is cut off.
“You two have been working nonstop since the start of the war. You both deserve a break,” Frey says.
“Plus! It’s a royal command! If you don’t comply, I’ll get Frey to beat you up!” Lym says, pointing to the two women.
“We have no choice, my love,” Lucretia says quietly to Atala, “And I thought you wished to have a whole day to do nothing but sleep?”
Atala looks between the Queen and her girlfriend, considering the options. “...Fine. We’ll take the week off.”
“Great! You’re dismissed!” Lym says, clapping her hands. The doors swing open to allow the two women to leave the hall.
“Let our mercy, as deep as the Faetas, and our authority, as powerful as the sun, be revealed to the entire world!”
Lucretia and Atala bow and repeat the words back to the trio before leaving the audience hall. The doors close behind them with a soft click that quietly echoes across the stones of the entrance hall. The hall is quiet- Kyle and Myakis had retreated to the knight’s room, and the few servants carried out their duties in silence. It’s calming. The two walk across the hall, enjoying each other’s company when they hear it.
Clank. Clank. Clank.
Atala casts her gaze at the hallway the sound is coming from. Nothing she can see. She and Lucretia share a look before Atala steps away and unsheathes her trusty rapier. The runes on her hands and chest pulse with light as the servants in the hall hurry away.
“My love, do not make any hasty decisions,” Lucretia warns, her fan once again hiding her mouth.
“I won’t,” Atala reassures before she feels a large hand on her shoulder. “FUCK!” she screeches, twisting out of the hand’s grip and stabbing the air where the hand should be.
“DO NOT BE AFRAID, LADY MASTERMIND,” the air says, “I AM JUST TRYING OUT A NEW INVENTION. WHAT DO YOU THINK?”
“Vengie… I… You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack!” Atala says, sheathing her rapier and ignoring Lucretia’s giggles, “But that invisibility is good. Can still hear you, though.”
“I WILL WORK ON THAT,” the air shimmers, shakes, and a large steel being appears, “I AM SORRY FOR SCARING YOU.”
“Do not be sorry, Steel Avenger. I quite enjoyed it,” Lucretia giggles, treating Atala to a teasing glance.
“THANK YOU, LADY MERCES,” the Steel Avenger bows to the two women before clank-clanking their way back through the hallway.
Atala crosses her arms, giving Lucretia her own teasing look before leaving Lucretia behind as she walks towards the exit.
“Are you really pouting, my love?” Lucretia smiles, “And here I thought Lun was the child.”
Atala stops and turns back, her green eyes mischievous. “Keep up, old lady.”
Lucretia gasps, but hurries to catch up to her girlfriend. She takes Atala’s hand to bring her to a stop.
“Yes, My Lady?” Atala says, an innocent look on her face.
“You’ll regret that later,” she says, drawing close to whisper in Atala’s ear. Her warm breath tickles her girlfriend’s ear, raising goosebumps wherever it touches. “You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.” Atala lets out an indignant gasp, pulling away from Lucretia with a fiery blush raging on her face. She sputters out a few syllables before quieting down and squeezing Lucretia’s hand. Lucretia smiles at her blushing girlfriend before leading them out of the palace and into the city.