Work Text:
The Boulder Town Library was a modest establishment with a good variety of books ranging from fictional stories to informational reference books. Of course, the number of books in the library paled in comparison to the Grand Archives of Belobog which contained a significantly larger collection. One bookshelf in the Grand Archives could hold all the books the Boulder Town Library stored.
For Seele, the books she liked to read the most were about Jarilo-VI’s ecosystems. Growing in the underground provided little variety in scenery; all Seele knew was the damp, cold rocks surrounding her and the faintly glowing geomarrow. So, seeing images of Jarilo-VI before the Eternal Freeze was just as fantastical as fiction. From deserts to forests, it was all so foreign to her. However, there was one place she always found herself drawn to: the sea.
Seele sat at a table by herself, while Natasha read a children's story to the Moles, who were intently listening. Flipping through the pages of an ocean encyclopedia, she looked at the various images of the rolling azure waters and beaches. The people living in the images didn’t have to worry about the deathly cold and enjoyed spending their time on the sandy shores under warm and comforting sunlight. She couldn’t believe that this was her home. The sights she saw were as alien as the trailblazers that saved her world.
Like she has done countless times before, she closed her eyes and imagined herself walking along the shore. However, for some reason, now it felt unfulfilling. Almost like her dream wasn't enough for her anymore, and it caused her to wonder why she had this longing manifest within her. What happened to her? What changed?
The door to the library swung open and the tranquil atmosphere was quickly pushed aside as March 7th entered the building, carrying a stack of books. It seemed a vibrant energy always accompanied the young trailblazer. Dan Heng followed behind her and also carried some books.
When March saw Seele, she quickly walked over to the table and plopped the books down onto it. “Hiya Seele!”
Dan sighed as he gently lowered the books down. “March, this is a library. You should keep your voice down.
“Oops…” March let out a nervous chuckle as she sat down at the table.
Seele looked at the books that the two of them brought in. “What is all this?”
“Books from the Astral Express.” March wiped the sweat off her forehead. “I don’t know why we couldn’t have sent this digitally, so we didn’t have to carry all this weight…”
“I apologize for the inconvenience, March.” An elegant voice came from the entrance as Bronya entered the room. She looked over at Seele and softly smiled. “Good Morning, Seele.”
“Sup.” Seele closed the book she was reading and put it to the side. “So, what are these books about?”
Bronya walked over and picked up one of the books March brought in. “It’s the Astral Express’s catalogue of the various planets they visited.”
“Wait, I thought they weren’t going to give us a hand?”
“Well, I asked Mr. Yang if we could have information about the other worlds out there. He was hesitant at first, but then decided to give us these.” Bronya opened the book and showed it to Seele. The only things in the book were images and an accompanying caption. On the page Bronya was showing there was nothing but pictures of shores and seas from various planets.
Seele resisted her urge to take the book and look at everything in it. “So, it’s a picture book?”
“Yes.”
“And I took some of those pictures too!” March said excitedly.
“March…” Dan gestured for her to lower her voice.
March covered her mouth with her hand and whispered. “Sorry…”
Bronya let out a soft giggle before looking back at the book. “I asked for them to print out two sets. One for here and one for the Grand Archives. At least with these books, our people can see what is in hold for us past the skies of our home.”
Seele’s eyes turned their gaze onto the book she was reading. But I’d rather see what we had here…
March’s phone rang loudly in the library, prompting another sigh from Dan. She quickly answered the call. “Hello? Oh, Stelle, what’s up? Ah! Ok, we’ll be up there right away.”
“What did she say?” Dan asked.
“She said that Serval and Clara have something to show us, so we better not keep ‘em waiting.” March stood up and started running to the door. “Last one there is a rotten egg!”
Dan pinched the bridge of his nose. “That girl… I’ll see you two later.”
“Farewell.” Bronya bowed her head.
“See ya.” Seele waved goodbye.
Bronya then looked at the books on the table. “So, do you mind if I ask for your help in sorting these books?”
Seele scoffed with a smile. “Well, I suppose it’d be rude to let the princess do any heavy lifting. Don’t want you to break a nail or anything.”
…
After having lunch with Bronya, Seele and her stood on a balcony at Qlipoth Fort. This balcony gave them a view that looked past the walls of Belobog and out into the frozen and desolate wasteland around them.
“Thanks for the lunch,” Seele said. “Y’know, I’m surprised you can cook.”
Bronya raised an eyebrow. “Why does that surprise you?”
“Because I thought a princess like you would just have servants make you food.”
“Well, to be honest, I had little time to cook for myself, so you are right about that, but it didn’t stop me from learning when I could,” Bronya said. “Call me sentimental, but there’s something about eating food you cooked yourself makes it that more filling.”
“Maybe you can teach me a thing or two then,” Seele joked.
Bronya didn’t seem to catch the joke. “If you want, I can find time in my schedule.”
“Oh… Well, I-I don’t want to take time out of the Supreme Guardian’s busy schedule. You probably have more important things to work on than teaching me how to cook.”
“Nonsense, I think spending time with you is important.”
“Really?”
Bronya’s cheeks suddenly turned red as she realized what she said. “I-I mean as a friend. Yes, spending time with friends is important.” Seele chuckled at her reaction which caused Bronya to furrow her eyebrows. “What are you laughing at?”
“I just think it’s funny to see you so flustered.” Seele admitted. “When we first met all I saw was a cold and stuck-up Silvermane guard.”
“Well, your first impression was a hot-tempered and rambunctious Wildfire lieutenant.” Bronya gazed into Seele’s eyes. “It seems we balanced each other out in a way.”
Now it was Seele’s turn to get flustered as she blushed. She quickly turned to look out the balcony and towards the frozen expanse, wanting to change the topic to avoid any embarrassment. “Do you think we’ll see our home back to normal?”
“I’m… not sure. From what the trailblazers told me, it’ll take a long time.” Bronya told her. “For all my life, the only world I knew was one of an unfeeling and deathly cold, and it’s something I tire of.”
“Yea…” Seele closed her eyes and felt the gentle, but cold breeze against her skin.
“Is something on your mind?” Bronya asked.
Seele opened her eyes which had a dreamy look behind them. “Ever since I was little, I always wanted to go to the sea. I read about it a lot in the books at the library and imagined how it’d be to live on Jarilo before the Eternal Freeze. I want to feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze as I walk alongside the waters on the shore. To watch the sunset as it sinks down into the horizon of the sea.” Seele looked at Bronya who had a surprised expression on her face which caused Seele to grow a little embarrassed. “S-Sorry, that must sound childish.”
“No, not at all. Having such dreams is something everyone has.” Bronya assured her.
"Yea..."
Bronya then took hold of Seele’s hand. “You made me a promise once. So, I ask you to allow me to make you a promise.”
Seele was surprised by the sudden request. "Ok, I think it's only fair."
“I promise that I’ll take you to the sea where we can walk along the shore and feel the gentle breeze and warm sunlight. Where we can watch the sunset together as the blue sky turns into a spectacular twilight, and where we can gaze up at the stars dotting the black canvas of the sky and towards a grander future.” Bronya said with nothing but a smile on her face and a hopeful look in her eyes. “I promise we’ll do this together.”
Seele looked down at her hand before looking into Bronya’s eyes. She gently squeezed Bronya’s hand and realized why she felt so unfulfilled about her dream when she was in the library. Even though she knew it was unlikely that she would see Jarilo’s seas once more, it didn’t matter to Seele. That promise meant everything to her, and she couldn't ask for anyone else to make the promise other than Bronya.
Surprising Bronya, Seele pulled her close and wrapped her arms around the young Supreme Guardian's waist. Bronya let herself melt into Seele's arms and looked up into those soft azure eyes of the Wildfire lieutenant. The coldness around them felt non-existent as the two of them enjoyed the caring and loving warmth of their embrace.