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Marsha sat in the room she had been assigned during her visit to Montpaix writing a letter shortly before the armistice came. She was to leave for the Eastern Front soon after with the rest of the “XII”. She started, writing the first paragraph, hoping that her words would successfully reach the gargoyle that she had come to know over the last few weeks. She had started to grow fond of her new friend, thinking back to how her first reaction was to attack her on just their third ever meeting. She heard a knock on her door just as she started writing the second paragraph of her letter. “Marsha! Our trip has been delayed for a few hours so there’s no need to rush!” a voice shouted from the other side. She was listening, although it had taken her a few short moments to process and respond. She gave an excited response, as she thought that if she hurried, she just might be able to give Marianne —or Marie, as she had come to call the frenchwoman— the “proper goodbye” she had wished to give. Throwing away the piece of paper that bore her half-written letter, she thanked her comrade for the information and hurried outside hoping to catch Marianne before she left for wherever her ideals brought her.
A little while after leaving Montpaix, Marsha headed towards the sanctuary where she knew Marianne and her family had been living. Making her way through the hills of what had up until today been an active battlefield, Marsha notices a grayish figure donned in blue in the near distance. She had finally found Marianne. She had begun to hurry towards Marianne, although it seemed as though Marianne had noticed Masha’s approach and started to walk towards her as well.
“Marsha?” Marianne said rather quietly in a confused manner. “Marie! Good to see you again!” said Marsha (or rather screamed) running excitedly towards the gargoyle woman. Marsha bore a wide smile even when running uphill and clearly panting. “I am lucky that I found you.” she uttered.
“I heard about your exploits at Hill 299.” Marsha continued, hoping to pry into what had happened. “That was quite a bold move of you, even if gargoyles aren’t affected by gases.” Marsha sounded almost as if she was scolding a child. “I had done what I believed was the right thing to do. So many more would have gotten hurt if I had not come.” lamented Marianne.
Marianne decided to switch the topic. “Why have you come to search for me?” she asked. “I wanted to say goodbye properly. The ‘XII’ was in need of a medic, so I was asked to join them. We will be going to the East in just a little while.” she answered. “If it were not for the departure having been delayed, I would have already been out of Montpaix and you would have received a letter instead.” Marsha explained her situation to Marianne as briefly as she could. She continued “However I do not need to worry about that right at this instant as there are still two or three hours until I have to depart.”
“Is that so?” Marianne asked. “Then how about we go for a little walk one last time before you leave?” “That sounds lovely.” answered Marsha. They decided to walk to some of the locations that they had been to before. They walked by the forest of their “first” meeting. Close by, they walked to the hill where they had first calmly talked with the help of Charon. And at last they walked to the windmill where they had found that horse they rode on and talked about what they had wanted to be before the war.
Marianne took out a pocket watch from her uniform. “It’s already eleven o’ clock. So then the armistice has finally come.” Marianne said after a rather long moment of silence when the two had sat down on a bench to rest. “It would seem so.” Marsha answered, giving a slight sigh of relief to the news. “The hour has finally come. All the work finally paid off.” Her tone shifted to a more serious one. “Although, we lost far too many lives. The Great War may be over, but many families and dreams will shatter from the aftermath. It will take time to rebuild Europe.” Her voice shifted yet again, now towards a hopeful tone. They decided that they had rested enough for now. After all, Marsha needed to head back to Montpaix to not miss the departure of the “XII”.
“My journey is yet to be concluded. I still have my own tasks that I must carry out before I can go back to Paris and design that parade uniform for you.” Marianne said after a so far silent walk back to Montpaix. “Just as long as you keep the promise.” Marsha added half-jokingly. “Of course.” was the reply she received. “My father had asked that I stay with them.” Marianne continued while recomposing herself. “And what did you say?” “I declined. If I were to stay, I would not be able to do what I want.“ she replied. “Once my battle is truly over, I shall move back to Paris and properly set up my business.” Marianne added, now with slight cheeryness in her voice. “That sounds lovely.”
They had been walking uphill. It was a steep hill. They could see Montpaix from the top of that hill. “I still have about half an hour left. Let’s sit down for a moment and take in the beauty, shall we?” Marsha said. Marianne nodded and the two sat down on the soft grass. “This is a lovely view.” Marianne said. Her tone was solemn, grieving almost. She seemed distant. As if she had been disconnected from the world at this moment. “Is something the matter?” Marsha worried. “Father has decided that Agnès is to be sent to a cemetery, Ladislas has turned ill, and now I find out that you too will leave. I think I will probably miss you. It will not be easy to stay in touch.” Marianne said. Her head was downturned towards the ground and her body had been partially curled up. Her voice had also grown slightly quieter. “Do not worry. At least not about that last part. You could always send me letters to where I will be stationed. Just make sure that I will have an address to send back to.” Marsha replied.
Marsha gently moves closer to Marianne. “Come here.” Marsha said, reaching for the back of Marianne’s head and gently pushed it towards her. Marianne lifted her head and turned to look at Marsha. Marsha lifted her upper body and calmly pressed her lips against Marianne’s forehead. “There. That should make you feel better.” She said, smiling. Marianne took a moment to stare at Marsha’s lips. “My petrified skin, is it not too rough?” she said. “What would make you say that?” the knight asked. “Your lip is bleeding. It got scratched against my skin.” Marianne said worryingly. “Don’t worry. This is nothing.” Marsha said. “If you say so.” Marianne said as the two returned to looking at the view over Montpaix.
After a few minutes of silence, Marsha stood up again. “I better head back. Here is a note with instructions on how you can contact me.” she said. “Then I suppose that I shall take my leave as well. The corruption of Manus Vindictae has been spread far and deep.” replied Marianne. The two said their farewells and started walking in opposite directions. Marsha towards Montpaix to meet up with her new squad. And Marianne down the hill from where they had walked. “Marie! Hope to see you soon again when everything has calmed down.” Marsha screamed, bearing a wide smile. “And so do I.” Marianne said back.