"What happened, Your Highness? You're not ill, are you!? Ghhrr… when I get my hands on whoever poisoned that bottle of wine… but wait, Your Highness. I thought you didn't drink any of it? Why are you here?"

Athena knelt beside Lycoris's bed, worry clear on her brow as she squeezed the Princess's hand.

"I didn't. There were… assassins, who abducted us."  "Abd—…again!?" Athena lamented as though she had just tripped and spilled wine on Lilianna.  "Mm…" Lycoris nodded. "And now… we're in Kranes."

Athena fell silent, her hands trembling around Lycoris's. She wore a brave expression, though Lycoris could imagine she was considering how best to say she should be boiled alive or something. Or she was ruminating on what Lilianna might do to her. Not that Lycoris would ever allow anything to happen to her, even if it meant going against her mother.

"It's okay. I'll figure out a way to get us through this safely. Right after shooing the Whispers away and saving Emma, of course. Ah, is Sera okay?"  "She's still resting, they were able to rouse her but she's confined to her bed currently. And, you shouldn't be worrying over such things. Our priority should be leaving, not—"  "We're already here, though." Lycoris wanted to raise her voice, but even that felt difficult with the groggy haze covering her. "As soon as I can get up… I feel really heavy for some reason."  "Ma'am," the lights in the room brightly flicked on as a different nurse with menacing eyes called out, "you need your rest. And this is a private room, you can't just barge—"  "Her Highness is my responsibility! If you think you can pry me away from her, you'll have to kill me first."  "There's no need for that, Athena," Lycoris mumbled.  "But… But if I can't serve you, then what purpose is there to my life? I feel fine, and your hand is so weak. I'll do whatever you requestemand of me! I promise!"

Lycoris glanced over toward the nurses by the door and shook her head as if to say "this is how she always is."  The first arrival gave up, leaving without even needing a royal decree, while the harsh-eyed one closed the door behind her after stepping inside.

"Even still, this is a hospital and you are being treated as one of our patients. Both of you are."  Lycoris frowned. "Even during an emergency like this?"  "Especially during an emergency, Your Highness."  "…" She looked at Athena, with uncharacteristically unkempt hair and slightly unfocused, widely dilated pupils. "What if I, the Crown Princess of Tenebreimen, ordered it?"

The nurse froze in the middle of crouching down with a cabinet half-open, her shoulders stiffening as what was quite possibly her worst-case scenario was realized.

"I… As a loyal citizen, I would naturally heed your orders, Your Highness."  "In that case, I order that my maidservant be allowed to serve me."  "Very well then… Just know that if her health is impacted by this, you have given verbal consent it is no longer our concern." The nurse stood back up and sighed, gesturing to the cabinet. "We stored an assortment of drinks. Her Highness has lost a lot of blood and needs to recuperate. Hopefully at least something suits her palate."  "Oh, um…"

Athena looked nervously toward Lycoris, gently patting her head. It was rather obvious what she was worried about, but Lycoris had already come to terms with her situation.  At least, the idea that she wouldn't have access to her own unique supply of blood. The fact that she was apparently in immediate need to recover was… just another surprise that she couldn't even feel sad over anymore. She was too worn down at this point to feel alarmed over what she was being fed. Or perhaps it was the embers of her survival instinct still smouldering inside her.

"It's fine, Athena. Just… Whatever you think would be most palatable," mumbled Lycoris.  Athena's eyes bugged out. "Are you serious!?"

The nurse frowned at the exchange, but seemed too nervous to dare voice an objection. Instead, she quietly slipped out of the room with a bow and a "press the summon nurse button if there is an emergency," leaving Athena and Lycoris to their own devices.  Without delay, the maid went to the cupboard and began looking through it, except… Lycoris had a tough time telling exactly what the problem was, but she looked somewhat lost while squinting at the bottles.

"Are you alright, Athena?"  "Yes, of course. Just… making sure that whatever I select is up to Your Highness's standards."  "…Athena. I drank canned blood in a shelter. I've been drinking animal blood for months. There's nothing that could score lower on your 'suitable for royalty' index. Let's just… get it over with, okay?"  "V-Very well, Your Highness."

With a somewhat concerned frown, Athena stood up with a jug of crimson liquid, rummaged around—and made quite a bit of noise—as she looked for a suitable cup to pour it into, and then… poured a splash of blood right beside the cup.

"Athena!?"  "Ah! My apologies, Your Highness. How odd, I thought I was… Oh well."

She squinted down at the cup, carefully pressing it to the rim of the jug this time as she filled it with the crimson liquid. Before bringing it over to Lycoris however, she took a small sip herself and pursed her lips.

"This really isn't suitable for a princess to imbibe, but at least it isn't poisoned."  "Give it a rest already. Here I thought you'd be… happier."  "What do you mean, Your Highness?"

With a somewhat reluctant look on her face, Athena knelt down beside Lycoris as the girl lifted her head up and gently tilted the cup… right at Lycoris's nose.  Naturally, Lycoris sputtered and flailed as much as her body would allow in response, coughing and glowering at her maid.

"Aghck! Athena what are you doing!?"  "M-My asorrygies, Your Highness!"  "Ugh, it's all down my front now… grosss…"

There was quite obviously something wrong with Athena, but she didn't seem vacant. Maybe a little distracted, perhaps, but that wouldn't explain why she was acting so clumsily. Lycoris frowned as the maid somewhat roughly wiped her face off with a handkerchief.  This entire "trip" had put significant strain on Lycoris, and as exhausted as she was, her reserves of blood wasn't the only thing running dry.

"Athena, start explaining right now. That's an order."  "I… um, I'm not sure what to say, Your Highness. It's just… I…"  "Athena."  "Hiiee!! Forgive me Your Majes… Highness! It's strange but, I… I am having some difficulty with my eyes. Like I'm having a hard time focusing. Please, don't send me away! I'm fine, I promise! It's just… slightly inconvenient."  "You nearly poured blood up my nose," Lycoris flatly retorted.  Her maid bowed her head in shame. "I have nothing to offer in rebuttal." In a timid, somber tone she added, only barely loud enough for Lycoris to hear, "I do not wish to be thrown away again."

Silence dominated the room, save for the beeping of the monitor connected to Lycoris and the faint buzz of the overhead lights. None of the noise from the patients, hospital staff, or monsters outside could reach them here.

"I would sooner hack off my own legs than do such a thing."  "Please, do not Your Highness!" Athena gesticulated in wild concern, splashing the cup rather wastefully about.  "Stop! Stop! I offered that to emphasize that I wouldn't. Just… We simply need work together and try again, okay? Pour another cup, and I shall let you know if you're off the mark."  "O…Okay. Yes, of course."

The two of them fell silent once more, Athena taking great pains to carefully refill and hold the cup to Lycoris's lips.  Bracing herself, Lycoris squinted her eyes shut as she felt just how parched she really was, the sweet and sugary mixture of an alien fruit mingling with the familiar intoxicant. The rate at which Athena was tilting the cup was slow, to avoid the risk of spilling it onto Lycoris's face, but it felt painfully slow with how badly she craved more.  After downing the entire thing in one agonizingly slow go, Lycoris rested her head back against the soft pillow and frowned.

"Is that really non-alcoholic? It was so sweet and strange…"  "It's pomegranate-flavored juice, Your Highness. Would you like another cup? Perhaps I imagined it, but you seemed awfully eager for more."  "Um," Lycoris hesitated.

The answer was obviously yes, but she still felt the painful sting of sin festering in the back of her mind. She had so easily agreed at first, writing it off as necessary for her recovery. But could she really let herself slip and fall down the slope, just like that?  Hesitation turned to anxiety, and just as her head felt like it was about to start spinning, a cool hand covered her eyes and blocked out the light, as Athena gently stroked her forehead.  Knowing a little of her situation, and of Lycoris's own mannerisms, her maid easily picked up on her concern and spoke in a consolatory tone.

"It's okay, Your Highness. You don't need to worry so much. There's more than enough… or, that's probably not the issue, but… whatever decision you make, the only impact will be on your own wellbeing. Both your mother and I, and Miss Seraphine too I'm sure, want nothing more than your swift recovery and good health."  "But…"  "And it's the Doctor's orders, too! There's a difference between taking an emotional stand, and negatively affecting your health for… I won't say no reason, but do you think stubbornly refusing to care for yourself will cause any meaningful change, Your Highness?"  "It might…"  "I don't think so," Athena said softly. "Perhaps it would help to talk through it with me? What has you so worried, if I might ask? You spoke before about your circumstances growing up in… those lands, and I recall your conversation with Her Majesty, but it's clear you enjoy the taste, and it's not like drinking some juice is hurting anyone."  "I was taught it's a sin. That, that's why Vampires are cast out of Her Light, and perish when exposed to Her. They face judgment for the lives they've consumed, and are damned for it."  Athena's hand stopped moving. "Well that's a load of bull—! …P-Pardon my language, Your Highness. But what kind of religion says we're all going to Hell just because we were born into this world? That's ridiculous! And also completely ignorant of Biology. Worship is all well and good, until dogma starts affecting our physical health."  "Biology?"  "Oh dear. Poor Princess what have they done to your mind? Here I thought they'd given you wisdom past your years, but all that they've done is fill it with garbage!"  "Hey! I've learned a lot of important things, like… um, how to organize supplies, and what to look for in recruits, and how to swing a sword, and…"  Athena looked down at her with horrified confusion. "Did they… teach you about the army instead of anything useful!?"  "Well, that's what I…" Lycoris trailed off.

Right, I… guess I never really explained that I was a high-ranking soldier. And she seems to think I just spent forty-six years living there as a perpetual child, I guess. Ugh, how am I supposed to talk her through this?

"'Well,' nothing! I can see why your mother has been losing sleep figuring out how to fill the gaps in your education."  "She has?" Lycoris looked up worriedly.  "Mhm," Athena nodded seriously. "But, okay, first lesson: the reason Vampires can't survive contact with sunlight is because of the composition of our bodies and how they work. I… don't remember the exact scientific details, and it might be a little much, but the point is people have written papers on the exact metabolic processes. It's not because some goddess is saying that you're a wicked sinner who deserves death for daring to exist."  "But—"  "Surely you experienced trouble with the sun before, Your Highness."  Lycoris hesitated. "I… don't recall. I don't think so…"  "And besides, how would this goddess even know if you've been drinking human blood or animal blood or no blood at all? Would she just, assume? Or are you saying she's omniscient and watching every single creature on this planet at the same time and judging all of them. That seems pretty inefficient!"  "She's a God though. It's just… what we're taught."  "People are wrong all the time, Princess Lycoris," Athena sighed, sitting down on the chair the doctor left behind, "and civilization advances by learning from the mistakes of the past and improving their rationale. That's how we've gotten as far as we have. Not by refusing to properly nourish ourselves and rejecting science and logic."

Lycoris fell silent, and looked away. It was exactly what she was afraid of, but somehow the conversation had slipped into this topic regardless. It wasn't even her own mother that was telling her, but… Athena was realizing her fears just as well. It all sounded too good to be true. That there weren't… consequences, that she could simply indulge in that desire to drink.  That her world had been built on lies.  Some part of her already knew the truth, but…

"But why would Humans convince other Humans that Vampires are all sinners, it's not like they would start drinking blood otherwise."  "There's always an 'us' and a 'them'. If no divide exists, we create one. Lots of Vampires think themselves to be superior, and that the other races are inferior because they lack our mastery of the world and its elements. That's how our own society even thinks of itself at times, after all."  "Royalty and nobility always find ways to put themselves on a pedestal over others…" Lycoris nodded.

Aside from Fawaris, at least.

"Mmhm, it's the same principle. But a ruler needs subjects, and Vampires need Humans. Otherwise we'd all be malnourished and unhappy, forced to drink some other source of blood as a substitute. So you see, Your Highness? There's nothing to fret over. Another glass won't hurt."  "Mmh," Lycoris hesitated still.  "The Doctor said to drink to recover your strength, and you admitted yourself that there's nothing else for you to drink here. There wasn't anything bad that happened when you emptied that first cup, right?"  "No…"  "Then will you take care of yourself for the people who love you? Or, is this goddess of yours that much more important."

It was like two titans were grappling inside Lycoris's heart, trying to rip her in half as they pulled her back and forth. But the struggle couldn't go on forever, nor could she actually tear herself in two. One side had to relent, and Lycoris already knew where she had placed her faith.  She'd chosen to live, instead of ending herself, despite knowing what that inevitably meant. So why torment herself over it? What Athena was saying was reasonable. Considering who it was speaking, it was troublingly logical, even. Even if she couldn't prove it, why not choose to believe the easier truth over the words of sermonists who had never even seen a car before, or understood what an elevator did; who still relied on crude oil lamps, rather than electricity. There was a clear winner when it came to which side had a deeper understanding of the world around them…

It was like ripping off a tightly wound bandage, the adhesive pulling something loose inside her.

"…I would like another cup… of juice, please."

＊　＊　＊

Lycoris sat in bed with a cup of juice in hand, her eyes closed as she savored the first bit of calm she had been offered in several days. Having procured a brush from somewhere, Athena sat behind her and tended to her hair. Tangles had built up, and the braids and blood had done no favors to the state of things, but the maid hadn't served the Exaltare for nothing.  Rather than uncomfortably pulling at her hair and scalp, it felt more like getting a massage at a spa, as Lycoris stared down into her reflection in the crimson liquid. She wasn't even sure how many cups it'd been at this point, though she finally felt somewhat satiated for perhaps the first time. Or, maybe it was just the feeling of liberation that came with no longer stressing herself over every single drop she drank.

Softly, Lycoris let out a sigh as she leaned back, "I suppose relaxation truly does only feel good after a hard day's service."  "Your Highness, you shouldn't speak in such a manner. It's unbecoming of a princess to sound like an old retiree."  "Oh, right… mine apologies."  "Hmhm, you needn't sound like your mother, either though."  "Weh, are you teasing me?"  "I would never dare do such a thing to Your Highness!" Athena playfully replied.

Lycoris smiled to herself, her relaxed mood causing her to even enjoy the casual back and forth with her maid.  Of course, all good things ended eventually, and a knock at the door reminded her that there was more to the world than this little hospital room.  Careful not to cause any tugging on her hair, Lycoris turned toward the door.

"Yes?"  "Your Highness, it's Doctor Lynnvel, may I come in?"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.  "Ah! Wait wait, Her Highness isn't decent yet!"

Athena quickly shot to her feet, reaching forward and pulling the thin sheet on Lycoris's bed up over her to her neck.

Lycoris frowned. "Is it really that big of a deal? I'm only missing a shirt."  "It is of the utmost importance!! You're a princess and a girl besides!!"  "…Are there many male princesses?"  "You're certainly acting like one… Ah, f-forgive me, that was overstepping."  There was an awkward clearing of the throat from the other side of the door. "One of the nurses was supposed to bring some spare clothes by, did they not?"

Lycoris looked up at Athena, who shied away from her gaze with a frown. Perhaps she missed it due to her poor eyesight. After a little prying from Lycoris—aided by her approbation of drinking "juice" without complaint—the maid had revealed that while she could still mostly make out general shapes, she had trouble reading anything or making out details such as a person's facial expression.  It was entirely sensible that she'd have glossed over a change of clothes, thinking them to be something else. But, it meant that something would have to change, or else Lilianna would likely find a replacement if Lycoris's maid was deemed insufficient for her job.

"Um, you may enter now, Doctor," said Lycoris, holding the sheet up over herself with some amount of uncertainty.

The doorknob twisted, and Galahad entered the room looking even more exhausted than when Lycoris first met him. She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep for, but it seemed unlikely that he had gotten anywhere near an appropriate amount of rest.  His eyes held up by heaving bags immediately looked over at Athena hunched down and scrounging through the cupboards in her patient gown onesie, then glanced toward the Princess with her hair down and wordlessly raised an eyebrow as he scratched as the stubble sprouting from his chin.

Lycoris shrugged in response. "If the Sist…erm, if the nurses brought anything by, it was while I remained in slumber. I heard that Sera has been tended to as well as Athena, can you confirm?"  "Ah? Uh, yes, Your Highness. And your pet myrh was brought in and bandaged up as well, though we don't have any veterinarians who know animal medicine, so we left it at simple surface-level care. His wounds appear to have stopped bleeding, but if there's anything else wrong with him…"  "I see." Lycoris bit her lip, attempting to mask the concern on her face. "Thank you for your service, Father."  "F…Father!?" croaked Galahad in response, taking a half-step back.  "Is your station not akin to that of a head priest?"

Though her question was directed toward the Doctor, Lycoris turned her head to look at Athena.  Shaking her head, the maid sighed.

"There's nothing that says a doctor has to also be religious, Your Highness. Referring to him as 'Doctor' is fine."  "Oh, I see…"

She turned to look back at him, noticing the wry smile that spread across his face, which only further accented the wrinkles of fatigue on his brow and beneath his eyes.  But wryness gave way to genuine mirth as he chuckled in realization at how sincere the innocently naive princess actually was.

"Haha, ah. Forgive me, Your Highness. I feel as though I've just witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime novelty. Er, where was I… Oh, yes. Miss Ethlow has awoken, but she'll need a while to recover. In truth, Lady Ochros," he gestured toward Athena and added a gentle admonition, "rightfully should still be in bed as well. But, far be it from any of us to go against the wishes of Her Highness."  Lycoris lowered her gaze, worry creasing her brow. "She's terribly important to me, there is much I would struggle to handle without her attending to my needs, I admit. But… I fear that her troubled vision might cause her accident or injury."  Athena panicked, "Your Highness, that is not—"  "Vision? Was there something the matter with your sight, Lady Ochros?"  "N-No! I'm quite alright. Her Highness is—"  "Athena."

The temperature in the room dropped at least a couple degrees as Lycoris snapped and scowled at Athena.  Both maid and doctor shivered, despite the fact the speaker was a mere child—in appearance, at least.

"There is no reason to keep the details of your health from a… from him, correct? Evading the possibility of solutions and struggling alone would only cement the fate you wish to avoid."  "But if Her Majesty finds out—"  "Do you truly believe that you could fool my mother, when it was immediately obvious to me?" Lycoris stared at her, deadpan.  "…No."  "Might I ask what the problem is?" Somewhat hesitantly, Doctor Lynnvel inserted himself into the conversation. "You were in a state of torpor, yes?"  "…That is correct."

Athena stood back up, putting her hands over her waist as she stood at attention. Though she wasn't in her maid uniform, Lycoris could easily visualize it over her. Her gaze was unflinching as she faced the Doctor. The two were like complete opposites, with Athena standing tall and the Doctor slouching from exhaustion.  Galahad scratched at his stubble while walking up to her, scrutinizing her eyes and leaning forward into her personal space before raising three fingers.

"There doesn't seem to be anything obviously wrong with them. How much trouble do you have seeing? Can you see how many fingers I'm holding up?"  "…" Athena furrowed her brow. "Could you… spread them apart for me, if you would."  Galahad frowned. "Perhaps you should come with me after all. If you have this much trouble seeing my hand, then you would be designated legally blind."  "But I can still see! And Her Highness… Your Highness!"  "Will you be able to return her to me soon?" asked Lycoris.  "We might be able to set her up with a temporary solution. It would only take a few hours."  "Very well then," sighed Lycoris. "Athena, return to my side once this matter has been attended to. I can survive on my own in the meantime."  Athena whimpered, and then relented as she hung her head. "Very well then. Be sure you—"  "I spent multiple days, and an entire forty-six years of my life, without you tending to me. I will be fine, Athena."  "And I'll be back to do your checkup soon, Your Highness. Please wait here."

Lycoris looked away and scratched her cheek as Galahad turned to address her in turn before leaving.  The moment the door closed, she was on her feet and standing on tiptoes in front of the cupboards. The tiles were cold, but she had seen the change of clothes neatly folded and set aside atop the counter.  Setting the cup of bloody juice aside, she lifted the garments one by one to take in their measure.  A faded yellow tunic, with the word "Sprout" printed across the front of it in dark green lettering.  A hookless, plain white bra that… Lycoris assumed was just a pull-on.  A pleated sky-blue skirt.  A plain pair of white panties.  A pair of white socks.  And tenderly placed beneath it all, her small mythril locket.

Of everything present, the thing that gave Lycoris most pause was the skirt. She didn't think she needed to change out of her nice white shorts… until she looked down at them and saw how bloody they were. It certainly explained where that starchy feeling was coming from, and why she'd felt progressively less comfortable the more sensation returned to her body.  Grumbling in private, she changed out of the dirty remains of her finely crafted clothes and changed into the outfit prepared for her. After actually clothing herself for the first time in months, Lycoris was struck with the impulse to do a little flourish, feeling the soft fabric billowing against her as she twirled. Even though her mom probably would have called it peasant-fare, unworthy of touching her skin, it was still softer than anything she could have found in Dauwen Kingdom.

"Wait, what am I doing!?"

…She ceased twirling and covered her face with her hands. The motion had come so naturally to her, and it felt nice to let her clothes and hair spin like that…  At least it meant she had more or less fully recovered, which when considering how grievously injured she'd been, was mildly horrifying. Lycoris had assumed that it would've taken a full month to recover at the very least. Unless she was actually unconscious for that long… it didn't seem like it though, the city would have surely been liberated in that time.  At the very least, the hospital would probably have settled down, or grown more desperate as people ran out of stockpiled supplies.

I know the Bishop said he'd be back soon, but perhaps I should investigate a little to check the situation.

Even though the Doctor had asked her to stay there, Lycoris decided gathering intel was more important.  She sauntered over to the door and quietly pulled it open to check the hallway. Seeing nobody who'd try to stop her from sneaking out—not that anyone probably could in the first place—Lycoris crept out and began exploring the hospital.

＊　＊　＊

After wandering the halls and checking the other floors, it was plainly obvious to Lycoris that not much time had passed at all.  People were gathered together in public spaces on every floor that had them, while the rest were kept to private rooms that Lycoris saw no reason to intrude upon. Nobody could deny her entry, but she didn't exactly want to cause a commotion by barging in on some poor civilian's sickbed.

However, one of the floors near the bottom was markedly less populated than the rest, at least from what she could see as she peered around the corner into the living space. The reason for which caused her eyes to light up in equal parts delight and concern, and forgetting herself, Lycoris dashed forward and shouted vivaciously—causing a small commotion as some of those still tucked behind screens in the public space poked their heads out to shush her… before choking on their breaths and hide when they saw who it was charging towards them.

"Mira!!"  "Wark?"

The myrh lifted his head, bandages hanging loosely from his neck and around his beak. His body was similarly wrapped up, though upon seeing Lycoris he staggered up to his feet and began limping towards her to meet her.  She put her arm to his neck, coaxing him back down with a gentle push on his back. Not that he needed much encouragement. Nor did he seem put upon, given his objective had met him halfway.  Returning her relieved embrace, Mira wrapped his neck around Lycoris, chirping softly.

"Chrrr…"  "Does that mean you're okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"

She softly patted him all over, and while he made several strange noises and tried to nip at her hair, the myrh offered no answers or resistance until Lycoris attempted to lift up one of his forelegs.

"Kwiii!!"

The moment she tried, he let out a trill and pulled away, which likely meant there was a sprain or break there… If he followed conventional animal logic, at least. It was frustrating to gauge just how smart he actually was or wasn't. Every horse she had ever had to deal with had gone through rigorous training beforehand, and even then, they never got along with her.  Though, Lycoris couldn't recall ever having to take care of the animals herself. She had definitely lived on a farm, which meant there would logically have been animals present. But, they would have feared her just as much as horses. And ■■■■■■ would never have let her near anything so important to their livelihood anyways.

Something to get the priests… er, nurses, to look at… Or maybe Cecily would know? Mm, she's just a child, but I guess she is technically forty years old. Surely she had to spend some of that time learning the ins and outs of animal care if she lived on a farm. Unless she's more like me than I'd ever wish on someone…

"I'm sorry Mira. Rest up for now, I'll make sure you get taken care of too," cooed Lycoris sweetly.

Her hands gently caressed the feathers mottled with flecks of blood, coaxing the myrh into laying back down and exposing his belly of downy fluff to her as he grew more comfortable. It was a tempting invitation, but Lycoris had already rested enough and was technically not supposed to be out of her room besides.

Remembering that she was supposed to be gathering information on their situation, and ignorant of the curious stares following her, Lycoris paced over to the boarded up and curtain-covered windows, carefully drawing back the heavy cloth and peering out at the street through the cracks between planks.  She didn't see any signs of the towering ominous Whispers that shook her to her core with their warbling, but before she could confirm if the mass of shiny metal outside was a fresh supply of soldiers, or just the leftovers from her rampage, a horrific shock of terror unlike anything she'd ever felt before tore into Lycoris. Her eyes momentarily went blind as an unfiltered, searing agony struck her face, and she reflexively stumbled backward with a pained hiss, tripping over herself and falling on her back as she curled up into a ball and hugged her head.  Though the pain faded as quick as it arrived, her darkened vision gradually filling with the the cool teal-colored tiles beneath her once more, the fear arresting Lycoris's heart refused to abate. She flicked her gaze to the window, the deceptively gentle flowing of the heavy curtains causing her breath to catch in her throat.  It wasn't her usual fear of heights—she barely even registered what floor of the building she was on when she looked out. No, instead it reminded her more of her first real battle, when her survival instincts had screamed at her with every nerve and fiber of her being to run and hide, only magnified a thousandfold. A primordial terror that human will alone could never hope to overcome crushed her beneath its weight, her hubris and ignorance repeatedly hammering her as she quivered.

While Lycoris choked on her fear, trembling fingers covering her face, the spectators gradually stepped out from their sectioned off areas, maybe emboldened by her cowardice. The shadowy figures loomed closer, while Mira let out a weak hiss from somewhere behind her.

"Are you alright, Your Highness…?"  "Why did you do that?"  "Khhhhh!"  "Easy there boy, we aren't going to hurt her."  "I feel like this has happened before…" sighed a remarkably familiar voice. "What are you doing down here, Princess?"  Lycoris blinked and rubbed her eyes. "Gier? Wh… What are you doing here?"  "Princess… You brought us here," he flatly retorted. "The sun didn't fry your brain through your eyeballs, did it? …Actually, are you alright? I thought the sun was… fatal."  "You can't talk to Her Highness that way," another fluffy-eared individual spoke up.

Her voice caught in her throat, but she wanted to shout and ask why had none of them bothered to speak up before she made a fool of herself, if they thought she was going to die.  But the details surrounding her made her realize that most present might not have ever seen or known what happened to a Vampire exposed to the sun—something even Lycoris had only ever seen once in person, and it wasn't something she wanted to see again.  Even just the thought of it happening to her, happening to her face, made her feel nauseous bordering on puking.

Choking back down the juice she drank earlier, Lycoris slowly sat up and looked at the small circle of people looking down at her with a mixture of confusion and concern.  From rounded cat-ears to pointed triangles, with tails bushy to short to long and slender, it seemed as though this entire floor was filled with Fangchasers. While many of them were clearly injured, sporting broken limbs in slings and casts or hiding scars beneath bloody bandages, all of them at least looked lively… if a little nervous.  Lycoris was rapidly growing accustomed to the sight of hesitation around her.  More importantly, not one of them looked neglected, as all of their wounds were actually tended to. That was a heartening thought, her thoughts wandering back to the Mizar-like smile of that…

What'd he call himself? A Patrician? That doesn't sound right…

"It's hardly the worst thing I've said to her."  "You WHAT!? S-Stay back, I don't want to be associated with a dead man."  Gier ignored the scaredy-cat and frowned down at Lycoris. "Considering how blank that stare of yours is… I'm guessing you didn't realize what time it was. Again."  Lycoris hung her head as her heart continued to throb. "It hadn't even occurred to me. I… I just wanted to check the state of things."

The Fangchaser let out an overly-exaggerated belabored sigh and put his face in his palm. While everyone was still watching him, Gier walked over to the window, pulled the curtain back ever so slightly—causing Lycoris to reflexively wince in fear—and peered out the window.

"Well, hate to break it to you Princess, but all that effort you put in looks like it accomplished a whole lot of nothing from here."  "Huh?"  "The crowd outside looks basically the same as it did before you tore through them. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say it never happened at all and we just… teleported inside somehow."

Lycoris felt the pit of her stomach sink, and not just because of the terror and nausea trying to render her comatose again.  If she fought that long and hard and recklessly, and yet accomplished functionally nothing… Just how were they supposed to actually save the town?  She sat up and stared at the floor, her hands in her lap and legs stretched out in front of her.  Athena was awake, but in no condition to help, and the same could be said of Mira. Lycoris was stuck on her own, and the only real plan she had was to make her way to the cloud generator—assuming that there would even be a solution to their problem when she arrived. But striking out on her own was a foolish endeavour, even ignoring the fact Bartholomew and his goons were somewhere out there as well. And, probably Tatyana too.

"How am I supposed to get to the generator now…?"  Gier let the curtain fall back and stared at her like she'd sprouted a second nose. "The generator? I don't know why you would want to go there, but can't you just… fly?"  "I… no." Lycoris wrung the hem of her skirt and lowered her gaze, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. "Mama was in the middle of teaching me when this whole situation started…"

Gier stared down at her, then shot a glare at the others still gathered around. Though, most of them only seemed to get the hint after he let out what sounded like a short bark. Once the gawkers remembered who it was they were technically staring at, they quickly fled back to their private partitions and pretended nothing happened at all.  After clearing out the crowd, Gier squatted down with his hands on his knees, looking… conflicted as he met Lycoris's gaze.  With the atmosphere of the room gradually calming, the sickness inside of Lycoris faded and she regained some measure of composure. Seeing this, Gier let out a sigh and looked away, scratching the back of his head.

"Then uh, I'll… see what I can do to help."  "Huh?" Lycoris looked up at him. "Why?"  "Hmm, well… because this is partially my fault too, isn't it? I mean if I hadn't… you know, then Ma would still be…" he trailed off, scratching his chin with a frown. "It still doesn't really feel real. I don't blame you! I mean, I kinda do, but… shit I don't know where I was going with this."  "I'm sorry. Sincerely."

Lycoris bowed her head, causing the Fangchaser to grow visibly irate and flustered.

"Cut that out! Just felt like the Gwellgyn just crossed my path."  "The what?"  Gier sighed, "Fangy superstition. Spooky black monster that takes your soul. Don't worry about it, Your Highness."  "Oh, mm. What did you have in mind?"  "Dunno." He shrugged. "Was gonna sniff around for some way we could sneak out maybe. Or like, a nearby rooftop we could jump to and climb down or something."  "'We?'"

Lycoris stood back up and brushed her skirt off, looking up at Gier with a curious glint in her eyes.  In response, Gier laughed boisterously, folding his arms and flashing a toothy grin.

"Well yeah, I said I was gonna help out, didn't I?"

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