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Jarilo VI was a cold and unsalvageable world. Or at least … for the time being. It would take years, maybe even centuries for it to reach the level of beauty it once held. But even so, Stelle couldn’t deny that the small piece of inhabitable land that remained gave her a perfect idea of what the planet may have looked like all those years ago.
The residents were rather friendly, despite the trio’s less than welcoming impression to the governing power. If it weren’t for the eternal freeze and separation of the populations above and below the plate, Stelle would attribute a utopia to something like this. That made this reality all the more difficult for her to swallow.
Outside her window walked the many residents of Belobog, all of whom uncertain on what fate awaited them under their new ruler. A woman who was strong willed and even more hard headed, despite how dainty her appearance may be. Yes, she had no doubt that no matter how many obstacles would be thrown Bronya’s way, somehow, she would come out victorious and lead her people down a path that shed a new light upon them.
A soft sigh escaped the young woman’s lips, rising to her feet before making her way to the hall. It was the Astral Express’ last day in Belobog, it would be a shame if she spent it cooped up in her hotel room, rather than enjoying the sights. The second she opened her door, she was met with familiar turquoise eyes. Her own eyes widened in return, unprepared to suddenly be met with the presence of one of her traveling mates.
“If it isn’t the infamous ‘Cold Dragon Young’. What do I owe the pleasure?” A hand rested upon the curve of her hip, a teasing smile threatening to form on her lips as she faced the other.
All she received in response was a deadpan, her companion’s features not showing an ounce of cracking. His eyes seemed to study her posture, gaze resting upon her facial features before finally conjuring a response.
“Please don’t continue using that name off-world.” A sigh escaped his lips, head shaking with a hint of chagrin. “March is currently spending time with Serval, Clara, and that other child from the underground. I didn’t see you with her when she left, so I began to wonder about your own whereabouts.”
“Well, you found me.” She mused, now leaning against the doorframe. “Though I was about to head out for a little sightseeing myself. What did you plan on doing?”
“Well that depended on if I found you or not. Since I took care of that … I figured I’d join you.”
Soft laughter began to escape Stelle’s lips, finally straightening her posture and walking forward, closing the door behind her. His answer didn’t quite surprise her, especially since she remembered March talking about wanting to play some more games with the children earlier. She claimed it was for the sake of finishing what she started with Hook, but anyone could tell that she just wanted a reason to enjoy herself. Such a claim wasn’t about to be rebutted. A time of rest and relaxation was what they deserved after everything they’d gone through.
“I was just thinking of spending time in the Administrative District. Maybe take a walk before settling down in that small cafe we visited earlier.”
A small smile reached her lips, remembering the trio’s initial visit to that spot. Listening to Bronya’s initiation speech with such a lively atmosphere. It was the first time she remembered feeling so … happy. What she wouldn’t do to recreate that moment.
Lost in her thoughts, the young hero failed to notice the longing gaze of her companion, his eyes surveying every aspect of her face. As if the expression before him was something worth remembering, a treasure to the highest degree.
“What? Is there something on my face?” This time, it was Stelle’s voice that snapped the young man out of his daze. Eyes widened for the smallest of moments, almost seeming embarrassed at being caught in the act, however his expression disappeared as quickly as it came. Facing her with his usual calm demeanor, a thoughtful hum escaped his lips.
“Actually, yes. There seems to be a knot in your hair. You may want to fix that.” Not bothering to elaborate any further, the young man turned his back to the other as she fret about this little ‘discovery’. Seconds passed until she finally stood before a mirror, a minute of searching led her to realize that there wasn’t a single knot to speak of, or at least not one worth worrying about.
“You liar, there wasn’t anything there.” A pout made its way onto her lips, picking up her pace until she stood shoulder to shoulder to her companion. The other only replied with a small hum, making his way towards the hotel exit.
The duo didn’t waste any time making their way around the Administrative District for what they assumed would be their last for quite some time. During this time they pointed out small sights that they never noticed before, enjoying the smaller experiences such as observing the odd behaviors of every person that had the misfortune of crossing their path.
“I’ve always wondered why people wore those things on their heads …”
Stelle’s finger extended out to some passersby that happened to be wearing something resembling a straw hat. An action that only seemed to receive a drawn out sigh from her partner.
“Its purpose is to block the wearer’s face from the sun … so they don’t get burned.” Lips tugged downward, a buried memory threatening to surface, however the young man didn’t give it any further thought.
A soft hum escaped the heroine’s lips, finally stopping in front of the Everwinter Monument.
“Hey Dan Heng. Let's take a picture.”
Aquamarine hues snapped towards the woman in surprise. Though her request was a simple one, hardly something he wasn’t used to thanks to March 7th’s insistence in the past, it wasn’t something expected to hear from her.
“What got you interested in something like pictures? Has March 7th finally begun to rub off on you?”
“Maybe…” she seemed to mull over the thought before pulling out her phone, searching for what seemed to be the best angle. “I just thought it’d be nice to have, I guess. I’ve taken some pictures between me and March, but I don’t have one with just me and you.”
The quiet man eyed his companion from the side, releasing a small hum from his lips.
“I didn’t know you cared that much …”
She laughed softly, so much so Dan Heng almost thought he’d heard it. It wasn’t a sound he was used to hearing … and he found himself thinking he wasn’t against it becoming a more common occurrence. Such joy fit someone like her, rather than that expressionless mask she wore on a daily basis.
“I do … I just want to remember moments like these. I understand why March likes taking these pictures. It’s her safety net. Just in case … she forgets. These pictures are proof of our friendship.” The look upon the trailblazer’s face turned somber, yet her smile didn’t completely disappear. Her eyes spoke volumes despite that.
Something told him that was a part of the reason she was beginning to divulge in the activity herself. But after hearing an indirect reason like that, who was he to turn her down?
Without prompting, the male swiped the phone out of his companion’s hands, angling it to where he was able to see both Stelle and himself on the screen. For once, a smile found its way onto his lips, obvious enough where even passerbys would be able to spot it out.
“Smile.”
A hand wrapped around the other’s shoulders, pulling her to his side before the sound of a camera emitted from the small device. On the screen Dan Heng’s smile could be seen with the utmost clarity, filled to the brim with amusement while to his side, Stelle stared up at the camera in shock.
A simple act, yet both individuals were certain they’d never forget it. Not the way Stelle backed away, sputtering out incoherent sounds of what Dan Heng could only assume was embarrassment, a subtle red tint kissing her cheeks. And not the way his hand felt warm for hours after they returned to the Astral Express with March 7th sending him curious looks for his unusual behavior.