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Chapter Text

Matilda had no idea how long she had been standing in front of the closed door. She thought of pressing her ear on the wall, to better hear the argument that had broken down in the room behind her. However, she decided against it in favour of not making things worse than it already is. A part of her felt a slight pang of guilt, for something that she knew she should not feel guilty for.

It was not her fault that she was instructed to undertake her federal organisation managerial training under the ninth agency. It was also not her fault that the director of the ninth decided that her training would be conducted inside the Minos instead. Another private secret company specialising in handling sinners which the Ninth is responsible for.

She had been waiting eagerly for this day. She had even taken a third round to ensure that there was not a single crease on her outfit, and her hat worn perfectly in the centre of her head. Okay, now that she is left with nothing but wondering over what will happen with this very important training she couldn’t help but check herself using her phone’s front camera, the fourth round of making sure she looks neat. She did not want Lieutenant Nightingale to think of her as just another Eastside girl who managed to score a good position due to her parents' influence. For years she had been enthralled by tales of the woman’s work in fighting mania. Now that she had a chance to personally learn from her, she wanted to ensure that she was bringing the best.

When she heard the sound of something falling down from inside the room, she became very nervous. She did not like this. A part of her felt the need to crouch on the ground. Something about her standing in front of the closed door felt strange. Like she had been through this before. Odd. Her upbringing was normal. Her parents were not the type to argue. No one in DisCity was brave enough to yell at a Cavendish. Well, except maybe her aunt, who had yelled at her once for punching some brat in the school. Funny. That woman only came to visit her family twice or thrice a year yet seemed to know everything about her life.

Matilda flinched when the door suddenly burst open and slammed closed. Nightingale came out and rushed past her towards the empty corridor. She wanted to reach for the woman but she was gone before she could even think of what to say. A part of her felt hurt. What was wrong with Matilda? She earned high marks from the military academy. Her reference was solid and none of them was related to her family. She was also presentable, her uniform always ironed to perfection to ensure tidiness. It seemed like none of these mattered in the end. Whatever it was that Nightingale disapproved of seemed to be irreparable.

Then the door opened once more, this time gentler than before.

“Matilda, please come in,” the director of the ninth agency said flatly. She held the door open with one hand, while the other gestured for Matilda to take a seat.

“Y-yes, aunt- I mean, director.” Matilda stammered and followed the command.

She was tense as she waited for the other woman to speak. She straightened the end of her skirt on her lap. Crossed and uncrossed her legs in nervousness. After a couple of minutes of silence. Matilda finally dared to look at the director. She spotted a hint of redness on the woman’s cheek.

Did she get into a fight with Nightingale because of her?

Matilda wanted to ask but was unsure if she was even privy to the knowledge.

Perhaps, her presence here was more of a nuisance. As much as the thought hurt Matilda, she knew that Nightingale’s work as the adjutant of Minos’ chief was far from easy. Having a newbie like Matilda tailing her around while taking notes must have sounded like another unwanted dot on the adjutant's long list of tasks. She looked at the director, who was busy rummaging through the drawer of her desk to look for something. Nothing from her gestures indicated any difference in the situation. She did not even act like one who had just gotten out of a big argument with one of her subordinates. 

Weeks ago, Matilda was elated when she heard that she would undertake her training under the guidance of someone she had always admired. But now, Matilda started to feel like her presence was a mistake. She had no idea what came across the Ninth director’s mind when she decided on this path for her training.

But again, who was she to ask? For years Matilda had known Langley. The former admiral slash director of the Ninth slash her aunt had always been unpredictable.

“Your training will begin today. You will be given a room to stay for a week. If things go well, Adjutant Nightingale has agreed to let you complete your entire training under her, adding another two weeks for your stay here.” Said the woman.

Matilda’s eyes widened. The words had completely rendered her speechless. After all that commotion, it was hard to believe that everything would proceed just as planned. Nightingale had not even bothered to look at her when she left the room.

“I take it you have prepared clothes for your stay here? I asked my assistant to notify you last week.” Langley continued.

Matilda nodded, her lips parted a little but no words came out of her mouth.

“Good.” Langley said with satisfaction.

“Is this okay? I mean… I understand if Adjutant Nightingale does not want me here…” The young woman finally said. Her thumb circled around her index finger in nervousness.

“Are you questioning my order?” Langley raised her eyebrows. 

Chill ran through the trainee’s blood. Matilda’s stiffened. She had completely forgotten her position here was purely professional. Langley was her superior, her supervisor, and her director. What Matilda had asked can be seen as rudeness.

Matilda was close to apologising when the director sighed, “Don’t worry. What happened before was a slight misunderstanding between me and adjutant Nightingale. It was my mistake, I forgot to mention a few things about your presence. Nightingale for one harbours massive hatred for surprises. You might want to keep note of that should you wish to get along with her.”

“Huh, yes, of course.”

Matilda recorded the information in her brain. Perhaps, Langley had somehow ruined Nightingale’s first impression of her. However, there was still a chance for Matilda to get closer to the adjutant. She was well aware that wanting to be friends might be too far from reach, but at the very least she might be able to change Nightingale’s look of disdain.

Perhaps, Matilda could even gain her approval.

“Anyway, that is all sorted. I can assure you that the adjutant will do her part for your training.” Langley slid a tablet in front of her, “take that. You will need that during your time here. All work-related digital communications with MBCC personnel should be performed through the tablet. We do not wish for any kind of information to be leaked outside of the building. Understood?”

“Understood.” Matilda nodded.

“Now come,” Langley stood up from her chair and started to walk towards the door. 

When the woman passed Matilda she put a hand on top of Matilda’s hat in a jest. Matilda grumbled inaudibly. She was slightly annoyed at how Langley was still trying to mess with her hair even when she was wearing a hat. 

“Director  Langley, could you please not do that…” She said as she used both hands to straighten the hat once more. The way Langley was treating her made her feel like she was twelve years old once more. Her little self once asked the woman if she could try on the woman's grey feathered hat. Langley had obliged with her childish whims back then and let little Matilda wear her hat. The hat was obviously too big on her tiny head. For Langley those memories were amusing. However, for Matilda that was the equivalent of silly baby pictures. It felt embarrassing. “I mean… this is a workplace.”

“You should relax a little, kid. No one was looking.” Langley who was walking right beside her laughed a little as she put a hand on Matilda’s shoulder. Matilda wanted to argue. A part of her felt like Langley was having way too much fun teasing her. Even the way the woman steered her around the building with a hand on her shoulder made her feel like a teenager walking through the school hall during parental visits. Again, it was simply embarrassing.

Beneath her reddened ears, there was something else, a feeling that Matilda was not able to find the perfect words to describe. Warmth. There was warmth in the gestures. It made her feel happy. It made her feel like she was exactly right where should be.

Unbeknownst to Matilda, Langley also felt the same. 

~ To be Continued ~

Chapter Text

On her seventeenth day of training, Matilda received a letter for her next post. It marked the beginning of a new level of her career and the staff of Minos had roped her into a celebratory pizza dinner to commemorate the occasion. In just over two weeks, Matilda had grown fond of the people of the Bureau. Sure, the Chief was pretty much a reckless fool who had somehow managed to ignore most protocols. However, all things considered, Matilda knew that the person did that for a good reason. Then there was Hella and Hecate, the two sinners who often accompanied the Chief on their missions. Hella in particular was beyond elated when she heard about the “pizza party”. Matilda was not even sure that the girl remembered what it was that they were celebrating.

During her time in the military, Matilda had celebrated a few joyous occasions with her team. However, most revolved around going to one of the underground bars of the Eastside to drink the night away. Those kinds of celebrations did not require as much talking as what Minos was throwing for her.

“You must be some sort of genius or something,” Faye slid her glasses to the tip of her nose so she could ensure that Matilda knew she was looking at her. “You haven’t even finished your training and you are already approved for a new position. I remember how it took me three months to receive my call.” 

“MBCC has been helping me greatly. I am sure that things might have been different had I not been so lucky to be chosen to do my training here.” 

“While the compliments are appreciated-” Chief butted in. “Please take some credit as well. You did well. I have seen how much you have learnt from Nightingale. It only took you a few days to be able to complete a comprehensive report without the need for revision. You have also assisted the evacuation team so well from the command centre. Nightingale speaks highly of your skill. Those are not an easy feat for a newbie.”

“Thank you.” Matilda blushed a little, her hands moved to tidy up her collar. Somehow her eyes instinctively searched the room for someone. For the woman that had been training her. Yet despite how Nightingale had spoken highly of her skill to the Chief, the adjutant was absent from the celebration.

Chief and Faye moved the conversation to some silly things that had happened in the bureau. Matilda listened half-heartedly as her mind pondered over the whereabouts of the bureau adjutant. 

She remembered how the adjutant seemed to have certain disapproval of her during her first day. This was soon forgotten as Nightingale simply just started training her as if those arguments behind closed doors were not obvious. Things went well during her training too. Matilda had tried her best to learn and complete every single task. She did have a couple of hiccups here and there but for each of them, Nightingale told her that it was fine. Perhaps, Matilda had read the situation inaccurately. Perhaps Nightingale had been troubled by Matilda’s performance and what was said was an effort to make her stop apologising.

Matilda thought about the possibility further. True to Langley’s words, Nightingale had been diligently doing her part of Matilda’s training. She had constantly checked on Matilda, ensuring that the trainee understood the task at hand. It sometimes felt overbearing, especially with how she felt the adjutant constantly observing her as she worked. 

Matilda felt slightly bitter at herself. She must have been so bad at her task that Nightingale felt the need to keep an eye on her intently. All that praise Chief talked about could have been something the adjutant did out of pity.

It was not long until Chief and Faye decided to continue their talk elsewhere and Matilda followed both of them to observe the rowdy bunch at the other side of the room. The source of commotion consisted of three people: Hella, EMP, and Mess. The three were against each other in a very serious game of dominoes.

EMP and Hella had started to accuse each other of cheating when Matilda caught the eye of another person she had not spoken to at all. The woman was smiling at Matilda as she tucked a strand of stray silver-tipped red hair behind her ears. Something in her eyes beckoned Matilda to come close to her. 

Matilda did not know much about the inspector from Paradeisos other than her current business with the bureau. Matilda’s training placed her under Nightingale and Nightingale did not perform many tasks that involved the woman. There were very few missions where Shalom came to the field to assist Chief but unfortunately, Matilda was tasked with something else during those.

Shalom smiled when she felt Matilda's eyes on her. Beside her, a triangular device floated about with a slight hum. Matilda gave her a curt nod before mouthing her greetings, “evening, ma’am.”

“Congratulations on your position.  Adjutant of the executive committee sounds like a very exciting job, doesn't it?” Shalom asked.

“T.. Thank you, madam inspector.” Matilda stammered slightly. While Matilda’s new position was not exactly under a secret organisation, she had not mentioned it to many people. Especially not the woman who stood in front of her.

“Such a high position for someone so young,” Shalom murmured. There was no distaste in her tone, only a hint of curiosity. Then to Matilda’s surprise, Shalom raised her gloved hand to touch her chin.

And time seemed to stop for a moment. Like there was something within those grey eyes that pulled her in so deep. Her mind felt blank, like those very rare occasions when she was dazed over something very insignificant.

Matilda swore that she briefly saw a triangle in Shalom's right eye. It disappeared as quickly as it came. At the same moment, Matilda felt something holding her wrist.

Shalom hummed as she let go of Matilda's chin. The triangular device next to her beeps slightly louder. As if warning someone. Perhaps it was meant for its owner or the newly arrived Minos staff that stood right between Matilda and Shalom.

“Good evening, ma’am. I had not expected you to partake in our staff's little celebration.” The person greeted the guest. 

With her back facing Matilda, there was no way for the trainee to see the expression in her eyes. Her tone was curt with a hint of wariness. Then, there was a certain chill beneath her words. Her grip on Matilda's wrist was also nowhere from gentle, it was a deadlock that would prevent Matilda from easily detaching herself.

“Why indeed… Well, I heard about free pizza so I came to see what was going on. Then I learnt that the little birdie here got accepted for the adjutant position of the executive committee.” Shalom explained. “Of course, when I heard, I simply just had to talk to her since part of my job is to oversee the executive committee.”

“Are you?” Matilda’s eyes widened. Truth be told, Matilda has very little knowledge of the executive committee beyond their main purpose to help the restoration of the Syndicate. The newly obtained information shed some light on what her future work will be. Matilda who had been hearing nothing but praises for Shalom felt her excitement rising.

“Yes, the head of the Executive Committee reports to me. Considering you will be working as their adjutant, you can expect us to see each other from time to time. Just like Miss Nightingale and Madam Langley. Of course, I do hope we can work together harmoniously. I am not exactly a fan of the bickering approach your mentor took…” Shalom covered her lips as she chuckled. Next to her, the triangular device made a beeping sound that was slightly faster in tempo than before.

Matilda stiffened. Normally, she could easily dismiss such off-handed jokes. However, she noticed how Nightingale’s hand that is holding her wrist trembles slightly. 

Something here terrified the adjutant.. Or rather… someone.

“It is great to finally meet you in person, ma’am. I await the day that we can work together within the executive committee. Unfortunately, I have to cut our conversation here as there is something that I still need to discuss with adjutant Nightingale.”

Shalom abruptly halted her chuckle and looked at her and Nightingale. “I see… Well, don’t let me hold you back, then. I will see you around, Matilda.”

As Matilda nodded, Nightingale finally found her voice again, “I apologise for interrupting, ma’am. However, I do hope you enjoy the little celebration.”

Shalom did not say anything in return and Nightingale pulled Matilda towards the door pretty much a second after she finished her sentence. However, just before Nightingale could press the button to open the door Shalom said something once more. “Miss adjutant, please extend my greeting to Director Langley, it’s a shame that we had not met each other despite Minos being under the Ninth.”

“Of course, I will make sure to let her know.”

Matilda watched the entire exchange in silence. Her mind was still questioning Nightingale’s odd behaviour and she continues to do so even as they navigate the corridors of the bureau.

“Would you mind if we talk inside my quarters?” Nightingale asked as the elevator took them further up towards the staff quarters level.

“No, I won’t mind…”

Nightingale exhaled and finally released Matilda’s wrist from her grasp. She smiled a little before she continued. “I forgot if I have said this to you before but on the first day of your training, I might have made you… think that you were not welcomed.” 

“Uh… that’s alright, Miss Nightingale.” Matilda shrugged, then she quickly added. “I know that there was a misunderstanding so it’s alright. I understand.”

“I know that your first impression of me is not that good. However, I hope that the time you spent here has changed that… Honestly, I have… enjoyed your company.” The adjutant’s smile became less strained as she finished her sentence. Matilda had realised that the adjutant did not usually smile unless with people close to her. To be on the receiving end of that smile warmed her heart greatly. 

“Of course. I have also enjoyed myself during this training.” Matilda said just after the elevator finally reached its destination.

Both of them said nothing else until they reached Nightingale’s quarters. The place was just slightly bigger than the room Matilda had been staying in, and it consisted of three areas. The bedroom and the living area were only separated by bookshelves that were lightly filled, allowing Matilda a glimpse of the neatly organised bed behind it. The quarters somehow felt exactly like how Matilda imagined. It was mostly plain, but there was some frame hung on the wall that told a silent story of who lived there.

There was a small kitchen counter with a sink at the corner of the living area, where there was pretty much nothing but a couple of glasses, a box of tea, and a bag of coffee which Matilda could vouch for. That was the very first coffee she had ever tasted, and Langley had introduced her to it years ago.

“Feel free to roam around. Would you like some tea? Or coffee?” Nightingale asked as she filled the electric kettle with some water.

“Coffee sounds good. But actually, Miss Nightingale… Let me make them myself, you don’t have to–”

“You have made many cups of tea for me, and you won’t let me do this in exchange once?” Nightingale teased her. “Don’t worry, I am not a highly skilled secret barista like Langley but I can still make a decent cup of coffee.”

“Okay then… Thank you.” Matilda took a step away from the counter as if to give the adjutant more space to move around without the possibility of bumping into her.

“Shalom didn’t do anything right?” Nightingale suddenly asked, both of her eyes now focused on Matilda.

Matilda was slightly confused by the question, but ended up shaking her head, “No, we just talked…If you were referring to me.”

“No weird questions or words?”

Matilda shook her head once more, “we haven't even talked much before you arrived.”

Nightingale sighed, “Okay…”

“Miss Nightingale, is there something wrong with Miss Shalom?” Matilda pulled the cuff of her sleeve in nervousness. “If you don’t mind me asking, of course. I just noticed that you don’t like her very much.”

Dislike was not the correct term to describe Nightingale's behaviour towards Shalom. Yet Matilda was not sure that she should bring up the fact that Nightingale seemed to fear Shalom. She had seen the adjutant on various occasions and Shalom was the only person that had gotten Nightingale pale and stiff. 

“The inspector from Paradeisos, huh…” Nightingale did not continue straight away, seeming to be lost in her thought as she spun the teaspoon to mix some milk into her cup of tea. “I am worried. She is a very dangerous individual.”

Matilda nodded in understanding. She had heard about how much influence Paradeisos members have in DisCity. So while she had never really seen anything dangerous in Shalom she could imagine that Nightingale who had bore witness to many things would have said that.

“Matilda… Can I ask you to do something?” Nightingale said as she handed Matilda a cup of warm coffee. Matilda followed the woman to the sofa, taking a sip from the cup in her hand and finding it as tasty as the one that Langley made for her on a very rare occasion.

“If it is still under my capabilities, of course, anything.”

“I know that our line of work requires selflessness. But when it comes to dealing with anyone from Paradeisos please put your safety first. Be very careful around them and do not provoke them.”

“I will try not to… Well, it won’t be too hard anyway. Considering they’re on our side.” Matilda smiled in assurance but something in Nightingale's expression made her start to rethink her own words. “But yes, I will try very hard. Thank you… For worrying about me.”

Somehow Matilda did not dare to meet Nightingale's eyes for too long after that, so she stared at the wall instead. Vision latched onto one of the pictures on the wall that showed the adjutant in a formal military uniform posing with a couple of others wearing the same uniform. There was a wide grin on Nightingale’s face, her slightly red cheek plus the bottle of beer she had in her hand made Matilda think that Nightingale was probably tipsy when the picture was taken.

Her eyes went to the other within the group photo, a blonde woman who was probably not that much older than Nightingale in the picture. Matilda could easily identify that it was none other than Langley– her aunt.

Matilda had heard the story from Langley before. About a woman who was recruited for a mission to prevent another perishing star from falling to the earth. A successful mission that had cost all the lives of the ones that went to space but one.

One single person who had been thought to be missing but somehow managed to find her way back more than a decade later.

That person now sat next to Matilda. Lightly shuffled on the sofa to crack her back as she inspected the trainee next to her.

“Now, one other request. This one is also important.” Nightingale said as she stared at the liquid inside her cup. Her tone has shifted into a lighter one than before. Yet, a little hesitation between her sentences told Matilda that the adjutant was unsure about her next words. “Matilda… Can you drop the ‘miss’ when referring to me?”

“Oh, of course, I apologise, Lieutenant, I forgot...”

Nightingale now laughed, “No… not that… Just call me Nightingale. You do not need to add anything else.”

“But you are my senior. That would be rude of me,”

“Okay then fine, when it is just the two of us.”

Matilda nodded, “I can do that… Nightingale.”

It felt strange like something about it did not fit quite right in her mouth. However, still, she agreed. Perhaps, this was just Nightingale's feeling that they weren’t so far in age. This was wrong as Nightingale’s age was definitely closer to her aunt than hers. But Nightingale did survive in outer space with a different flow of time for a while.

All these thoughts started to give Matilda a headache. It felt like solving a puzzle that was missing a piece.

Thankfully Nightingale spoke up once more, pulling Matilda’s free from the never-ending chain of what if. “When your training is over, would you like to catch up now and then?”

Matilda’s eyes widened. The person she looked up to was asking her to meet outside work sounded like a dream come true. Her mind started to wander on where she could take her. Would Nightingale be the kind who goes to a cafe? Or was she the kind who goes to Eastside bars? Or perhaps a fancy dinner somewhere on the Eastside?

The possibilities were endless.

Nightingale’s hopeful expression slowly turned into guilt. The poor adjutant had even let out a slight tch to reprimand herself. “If you did not–”

“Yes! Of course!” Matilda blurted out before Nightingale could retract the offer. “I would love to. Heck yeah, let’s go. I’m sorry it took me a while, I just suddenly thought of where you would like to go for a meal.”

“Well, you will find out about that when the time comes,” Nightingale laughed, “Now if you are not sleepy yet, would you accompany me a little? I would like to know more about you.”

Matilda beamed, “Of course.” 

~ To be Continued ~

Chapter Text

When she woke up her throat was dry. The moon was nowhere to be found tonight and darkness of the corridor outside her room told her that it was late enough that everyone was already asleep. A year ago she would have shouted for one of her parents to help her, six months ago she would have dashed towards the light switch to avoid walking in the dark. However, she had her birthday just a couple of days ago. She was not the little girl afraid of the dark anymore.

She was carefully stepping towards the stairs when she spotted light seeping from the doorframe of the room nearest to the stairs. The door itself was barely closed, with soft murmurs coming from the room.

Matilda was about to pay no mind to it and continue forward when she heard the sound of sniveling.

Ah, it is happening again, isn’t it?

She tried to force herself to keep walking but she found herself standing still by the door. Her ears started to take in more words that were said between the two people in the room.

“Look, I don’t think it’s fair to put her in the situation where she has to run away for the rest of her life. It’s nowhere ideal for her.”

“And how… How do you think we are going to explain this to her? We can’t just say that mama needs to accompany mom to buy milk and never come back… She’s a child, Langley.” 

Matilda did not understand anything about their words. However, she sensed that something was about to change. This argument was just like some recent arguments that her parents had. This involved her.

“I already have a plan. You just need to trust me on this… Please…”

“Of course you are. You always do, aren’t you, Langley? Does it ever occur to you that she is also my daughter and you don’t always get the final say for everything?!”

Now her mama has started speaking slightly louder than before, and to Matilda's horror, she can’t help but guess the worst of what will come next. Because she had seen it before her mama screaming, the door was slammed shut, and her mom left the house for a while. She leaned her back towards the wall, both hands clenched and trembling in front of her lap.

She probably should go back to her bedroom. The last thing she wanted was for her mothers to find her here.

She would only make it worse.

But Matilda can not move her feet at all. It was like she was glued to the ground under her. Thankfully, none of her parents went out. 

That did not stop their argument from continuing, though.

“Fine, do whatever you wish, and perhaps she will be lucky enough that whatever those geezer research on natural-born sinners will end her life quickly.”

Then things went silent except for the sound of cracking and sniffing.

Matilda closed her eyes, she did not want to imagine what could be happening between her parents but this was not the first time this had happened. And a couple of weeks ago she had unknowingly walked into a very similar situation.

“Are you done?”

“Fuck you!”

She wanted it to stop. She wanted it to stop so bad that her chest started to hurt. So she sat curled up on the floor while hugging her knees. Both eyes closed as tears ran down her cheek. She didn't understand what the two women were arguing about. However, she sensed that something was not right.

Wait what was happening again?

Trying to figure out the answer to her question led to a headache. Yet she forced herself to open her eyes.

She found herself lying down on a bed in a familiar room. However, the weak movement of her limbs reminded her of the reason she was there. 

After all, the last time she was conscious was spent in the suffocating pristine white room of Paradeisos. It was meant to be a ‘friendly chat’ to understand what had transpired during the Rustfire series of incidents. However, Paradeisos definition of friendly chat was different than hers. 

What had occurred was more of an interrogation than a chat. One where Matilda had sat alone in the middle of a white room, and an unknown voice asked her many questions. Some of which implicate her in the rebellion of Rustfire. 

Matilda had tried her best to stick to her self-made script, one where her involvement was due to getting blackmailed, kidnapped, and threatened. However, the cold voice on the other end was not satisfied.

They did not physically hit her, nor did they tear her nails off like what the rumor mentioned they like doing. However, the entire time she was in that room was accompanied by an unbearable ringing noise. It had lingered to the point that her ears had hurt, and she could feel that liquid had started to drip out from one of them at some point. Then there was also the very cold temperature of that room, not only had it made her teeth clatter, it also made her skin including her lips very dry to the point that it bled.

However, this room that she had found herself in is different. The blanket on top of her body was warm. And the ceiling lights were off, the only lights were a warm yellow light from the bedsides. Her head felt too heavy to lift and there was an IV attached to her arm, but at least she could still move her head to look to each side and managed to identify her location. 

This is Minos Bureau Crisis Control’s room… In particular, one of the staff rooms. Very similar to the one that she had been staying in before. Had it not been for the different sides of where the bookshelves are located, Matilda would have been sure that it was the same room. However, it wasn’t.

The wardrobe in the room was half-open, allowing Matilda to see a grey coat being hung on one of the hangers. Could it be the Minos Chiefs? If only she had her glasses around or her contacts on her eyes to help her see clearly it might be easier for her to pinpoint the owner and who this room belongs to. However, she saw none of the objects on the bedside tables next to her. 

It was not long after that, that she heard the sound of the door sliding open. Quickly she shut both of her eyelids close once more. She trusted the Minos, but that did not erase the fact that the bureau had been under Paradeisos control over the last few months. They could still be working under their command.

And if they do, there is no guarantee that they are just providing her a little bit of a health boost before dumping her back into that interrogation room.

It was safer for Matilda to fake unconsciousness for now.

Thankfully, the voice that she could hear was familiar. She knew who it belonged to the moment they started speaking.

“I have personally handled the matter, they won’t come for her anymore. As for her, she will recover…” Langley assured the third party in the room.

“Do you hear yourself?” came another voice- which belonged to Minos Adjutant Nightingale. She sounded tense. Like she always did when it comes to Paradeisos. “Langley… You… You did this… You and your whole bullshit… For what?”

There was a rustling sound of a plastic bag before Langley finally answered.

“Hush-x is dangerous. The longer she is left unchecked, the more victims will fall under their command.”

“But why her? Why did you have to drag her into this? It could have been anyone else, Langley. Why the fuck did you make her do it? You…” 

“I guess she was there and she was willing to do what it takes.”

Matilda flinched at those sentences. She knew that it was true, but that did not change how bad that would sound in Nightingale’s concerned ears.

“You guess? You guess? This isn’t some guessing game. You put her life at risk. She could have-”

So she opened her eyes, half-expecting that she would find Nightingale to stand in front of Langley with a clenched fist. But no… The woman had her face buried on Langley’s shoulder as Langley patted her back. The motion of Langley’s hand was rather stiff, signaling that providing comfort was never something she was accustomed to doing. However, she tried.

Her vision was blurry without any aids, but she can still conclude that Nightingale looked so exhausted. Her shoulders slouched, and her body leaned on the blonde woman for support. 

“I will be okay…” Matilda finally spoke up.

Nightingale quickly pushed herself away from Langley’s embrace and approached the bedside.

“Don’t be mad,” Matilda said again, her voice sounded rather hoarse so she gulped down in the hope of easing her throat. “I… don’t want you two to fight because of me… Auntie didn’t know I was there, it was my idea.”

“No… shh.. sh..” Nightingale said, slightly panicked that the young woman had awoken earlier than she was supposed to, “You need to rest.”

“You don’t understand. I overheard the 9th agency staff and Donald talking. So I followed him…” Matilda smiled bitterly. 

She did not voice it out loud but she remembered about Hush-x visit to MBCC. She remembered how much she had frightened Nightingale, the many little quips that sounded harmless for others but not for the adjutant herself. Then when she saw the condition with rustfire and the chaos that had occurred all from a single person’s mind, she just couldn't take it anymore. 

“I just… I can’t stand still and watch… I wanted her to pay for that. I needed to make her pay.” The words that flew out of her mouth were truly a confession. One that she had been holding back from saying over the last couple of days.

Saying that was both as easy and relieving as pulling that trigger.

Had there been a recording of that sentence Matilda would be in a lot of trouble. One that she wasn’t even sure Langley could help her out from. 

“Matilda…” Nightingale muttered, there seemed to be a lot that the woman wanted to say in response. However, before she could say anything further, Langley spoke.

“That she did. You did make her pay.”

“Heh-,” Matilda laughed a little, before stopping herself with a pained wince. “I told you I can be trusted. After all, the person who taught me how to shoot never missed her aim.”

Langley smiled and reached out to place her hand on top of Matilda’s head and started messing with it as usual. And just as usual, Matilda grumbled in annoyance, she does not like it when her hair is out of place but her aunt never seemed to care about that.

Nightingale smiled, tears forming on the side of her eyes, “she did, did she…”

For a moment, Matilda was afraid she had said something that would provoke another argument out of the blue-eyed adjutant. However, the woman just wiped her tears, seemingly more relieved than angry.

“Thank you… It made me happy that you care for me.” She smiled at the woman, there were many things that she wished to say to her. However, she knew that this wasn’t the time and place for that. Still… There was something that Matilda wanted from her, and perhaps they truly put some meds in her that she was courageous enough to ask, “Also… would you mind giving me a hug?”

Nightingale stared back at her for a moment. But soon enough she sat by Matilda’s side, helped Matilda into a sitting position, then let the younger woman fall into her embrace.

Nightingale was warm and the way she softly ran her hand at the back of Matilda’s head was comforting. It was not until this point that Matilda realised how scared she had been during those days she spent being interrogated.

Perhaps, Matilda had been scared for much longer than that. Afraid that no one will be by her side if anything happens.

At this moment, she knew that would not be the case.

Nightingale and Langley are hiding many things from her, and that itself is undeniable. However, she had grown from that six-year-old who threw many tantrums while unable to explain how the woman who lived in the house with her was not her mother. Curiosity had caught up with her a few months ago, and it had led her to do some quid pro quo in exchange for some information about her past. She had finally realised that it did not matter much anymore. She knew that no matter what reason that had driven the two women to place her in another’s care it was not done because they didn't want her nor was it because they didn't care about her.

There may come a day when the three of them could have a chat about this. However, even if they will never do, Matilda can still cherish the time she can spend around them as a subordinate and friend.

As for the people who know about their little secret, Matilda will make sure that they will not use it to torment them. Just like what she had done before.

== Fin ==