Chapter 569: Xiuss Arrival (1/2)
A whole afternoon caring for Celina, her demeanor remained grateful. The opportunity to get stronger, and be a person should she could be proud of. The muddied past of her involvement with her father and the mob. Who could say how many girls like her have, had, or will, experience the same events, the same scenarios without no one to help. No savior, no hero in shining armor, nothing, only fate, and the cruel plans written by the culprits.
Regardless, in the greater picture, how many are even worried about those in the slums. Who goes out of their way to help if not for attention or being praised. Rich do charity to increase popularity, there's no such thing as unconditional kindness. The lesson fits into head pretty much instantly. Said reason was the same for Igna, he had helped, Eira, Lizzie, and many others in the past, unconditionally for a chance at cashing in the favors. In Eira's case, the lass loved him so much as a father that her will to become strong override what little semblance of reality she had. The Librarian of Nexsolium stood as her new identity, not the babe left adrift by Gallienne and Piers.
”Alright,” said Celina lost in a deluge of carton boxes, ”-this is enough for today.” Sweat darted down her temples onto the reflective wooden floor.
”Are you sure?” inquired Igna with phone in hand. For welcome gifts, the number of items was a little excessive. Clothes, household appliances, a full fridge, name it and it was here.
”This is more than enough,” the words muffled through her tight lips; in comparison, felt close to an awakening behemoth, a low growl capable of shaking the earth's very core.
”Bad habit,” remarked he, ”-anyway, good luck on the new life.” Void posed on the very expose side-alley. Many were rather infatuated by the rare and exquisite car.
”Thanks,” said she. They walked to the entrance, ”-hey, Igna,” before he left, ”-will you be back?”
”Depends,” said he, ”-I turned down the invitation because of the dangers ahead. We might be facing more than a few demons in the future. Don't worry, I can vouch for one thing, once the mastery of an instrument is complete, vocal, string, wind, anything, I don't care. Send a message, I'll gladly come.”
”Awesome.” A troubled expression, nervousness from the unknown. Words alone hadn't the ability to ease such troubles – experience did a better job.
”Don't worry too much,” he reached for the handle, ”-the life ahead is worth more than the past. Try not to overwork, and if ever trouble strikes, go to the mansion. I'm sure princess Lizzie will help.”
”Makes me feel a little better.” Thus, like a shadow against the setting sky of orange and red, Void sped off out of town. Her door locked, and thus, a new adventure began for Celina.
'The detours before her settling onto her dreams was worth it. A gentle smile, very satisfying. Origin's meddling often brings out spurs of emotions. I wish I knew him better.'
The radio flicked on, ”-ahem, is this working?”
”Éclair,” returned he without care, ”-how was the council?”
”Good news, Princess Eira isn't the one heading for Alphia, tis an ambassador. The identity is still a mystery at the moment, I've strong doubts tis Lucifer himself. In another news, the princess is headed to the capital. There are a few things she needs to handle. What are your orders?”
”Relay the information to Elvira, she'll decide what's the come of the ambassador. Also, about your jet, is it fully upgraded?”
”The beast slumbers till the chance at lift-off. The uncle and niece have made it to outperform just about anything in the skies.”
”Put a spirit as the pilot and things are almost too easy.”
”Interruption, a call from Serene.”
”Put it through,” he moved along rush-hour at a snail's pace.
”Hello, Igna, are you there?” whimpers escaped to join her very seductive accent.
”I wish I were not. Let me guess, you're eating a few virgins?”
”No, I'd never do that,” she laughed just as obnoxiously, ”-no, the whimpers are from the spies we captured. Their so delicious the blood, the torture; makes a lady weak on her knees.”
”Good to know, any information?”
”Quite a lot actually,” said she, ”-they were very talkative. Especially the girl, a few of our rumbustious guards might have taken to her, physically, if you get my intent.”
”Any reason why?” traffic moved once more.
”They did so for the sake of research… the lady had a lot of things to share, a single command and she obeyed. The husband was quite a nut to crack, and don't worry, by physical, we didn't mean they assaulted her, no, that would be cruel. Instead, we hired other folks to do the dirty work.”
”Out-sourcing torture?” he facepalmed, ”-what of the supposed workers, I'm sure you took care of them?”
”Yeah, was just burning the last of them. So, about the dinner, wasn't there a promise to…”
”Celina's enrollment was important. Say, where are you at the moment?”
”Rotherham, soaked in the blood of comrades, why?”
”Go have a shower, I'll be there in three hours.”
”See you soon,” the call ended.
”Lady Serene surely knows no bound,” returned Éclair.
”All is fair in love and war; I personally don't care what happens. Failed spies must be killed and alienated. More information, the better. In that respect, I have a few of my own, just remembered the envoys I sent. 02 and Michelle, they should have infiltrated Cimier by now. Contact now might be a little hard. They might know something about the killings.”
He blazed past the capital and into Lai, where, a lonesome figure stood emptily at a bus stop. Forced to stop, '-isn't that?' the window rolled, ”-Alicia, what's the matter with you?”
”Igna?” tears stopped by sniffles, ”-is that you?” she rushed, out of concern, the windows rolled to pin her fingers, ”-WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN?” she cried idiotically.
”What do you mean, I'm being careful. Nothing more annoying than a balling mess of a woman. The makeup is like railways down your cheeks. The lipstick is nonexistent, the clothes are ripped and you reek of alcohol.”
”Let me in,” she wept, people threw strange glances, ”-don't abandon me, I don't have anywhere else to goooo,” a guttural scream led to, *smack,* a face-full of Void's door. He stood straight-faced with the door held open, she fell bottoms first on the pavement. ”-Care to explain the deal?” asked he strongly.
”D-don't look at m-me l-like that,” she balled, many bystanders reached for their phones.
'Éclair shut down communication,' a whiff later, many devices fried in the owners' hands.