-Arc 2-

  Chapter 2

  “City of Capella”

  *?*?*?*

  ???: “That's right, you don't remember Capella, do you?”

  Eris looked over at the emerald-haired girl who asked that question. Standing under the morning sun, her hair was dazzling, shimmering like jewels.

  They had planned out this outing the previous evening. For whatever reason, it made Eris quite nervous leading up to it. She got very little sleep regardless, but last night, she did not sleep at all. She could not steady her heart nor her mind, even though she had no idea what was the cause of her anxiety.

  Petra: “I should say that you’ve never been here before, right?”

  Smiling at Petra’s attempt to accommodate her mental state, Eris nodded.

  Eris: “Yes. It’s all pretty new to me.”

  She was understating it a bit. Eris, at this point, had been alive for about five weeks. Two of them were spent almost entirely at the manor. She only left it twice before that, and both times, it resulted in a life or death situation. A large city like Capella was far different than either of those environments.

  Firstly, it was far more confusing. Thousands of buildings, roads that weaved in and out, bridges that winded over other roads and rivers full of boats, and so many people. The streets were crowded and loud. People shouted at each other across the road. Horse-drawn carriages and wagons rattled and clopped down the stone streets. Markets on the streets created crowds, their vendors called out to beckon one to browse their wares. Then, there was the heat which simmered everything in this boiling pot. It was oppressive and inescapable. Between the streets, hot air gathered like a bowl of soup.

  Petra: “Eris, are you alright?”

  Noticing the anxious expression on Eris’s face, Petra stepped in front of her, blocking out the sight of overcrowded streets.

  Eris: “Ah, y-yeah, I’m fine. I’m doing great. What about you?”

  Furrowing her eyebrows, Petra stepped over closer and took Eris’s hand in her own.

  Eris: “Petra?”

  Petra: “It’s not as intimidating like this, is it?”

  Looking down at their interlocked fingers, then back at the bustling market, it did feel as though things were a little less intense.

  Eris: “You’re right.”

  Petra smiled. Not letting go, she gently pulled Eris along so that they were side-by-side and guided her through the market.

  Petra: “You have to ignore the shopkeepers unless you really want what they’re selling, okay?”

  Eris: “But isn't that…”

  Petra: “They don't actually care about you, they just want you to spend money.”

  Eris: “—I see…”

  Petra closed one eye and raised a slender finger, glancing at Eris.

  Petra: “Besides, we don't really have the money to buy things for ourselves.”

  Eris: “Oh yeah, what money are we even using? I haven't even received my first paycheck yet.”

  Petra: “We’re using credit from the city itself. Buuuut it’s pretty meager, so we have to be frugal.”

  The goal of the outing wasn't shopping for personal adornments or snacks, anyway. It was to buy essential items that were not supplied by the city, like special herbs and medicines.

  Petra did most of the actual shopping and interacting with the shopkeepers, and Eris carried the increasing amount of bags. Of course, Petra protested that.

  Petra: “I can help carry things, too.”

  Eris: “I know, but it’d be a waste to make you do so when it’s much easier for me.”

  Petra: “It's not about that, though.”

  Eris: “Don't worry, Petra, I’m fine. Really.”

  ????

  Petra: “Look at this, Eris!”

  Leading Eris over to a shop window, Petra pressed her finger against the glass. She was pointing at an extravagant pale dress. It really was a beautiful thing. Golden frills danced around white silk. A black corset held it onto the stand, with crimson ribbons to tie it all together.

  Eris: “It’s beautiful, Petra. But…”

  Petra: “I know, we can’t buy it. But wouldn't you love to?”

  Eris: “I think it'd be better on you.”

  Petra nodded, tapping her chin with her finger.

  Petra: “You’re right. I think this one would look better on you.”

  It was a more simple piece. Made of flowing crimson that turned to scarlet near the bottom, like a blazing fire with violet accents tracing its curves, twisting about like a beautiful smoke.

  Eris: “That’s so extravagant!”

  Petra: “Mhh, yeah! It fits you. Come stand next to it.”

  Obeying Petra, Eris awkwardly shuffled to the shop’s window, standing there beside the dress on display.

  Petra tested every angle, bouncing about like a portrait artist trying to understand every angle with her arms crossed and a captivated expression.

  Eris: “P-Petra, this is kind of embarrassing…”

  Petra: “Sorry, but… I definitely think that would look great on you.”

  Eris: “We can't buy it, though.”

  Petra: “I know, I know. That's why I’m trying to burn it into my memory.”

  Eris: “Ah- eh— you're doing what?”

  Petra: “So I can daydream about it in detail later.”

  Eris: “W-What?”

  ????

  Petra didn't know if this was helping. She didn't know what was going on in Eris’s head, and she was not an expert at helping people through times like this. Of course, her friends had struggled before, but it was never easy.

  She felt like she had a pretty good idea of who Eris was. Unlike ‘Eris,’ she wore her heart on her sleeve, even though she tried not to. She was slowly becoming more open as well. ‘Eris’ would have never come out and said how she felt worthless to Petra like that. It wasn't that she liked one over the other. They were two sides of the same coin after all.

  Regardless of who it was… no, because it was Eris, Petra wanted to help. She couldn't help helping. Watching Eris struggle and agonize by herself was painful. Almost too much to bear. So she was going to try to help as much as possible.

  Petra: “Eris, look at these melons!”

  Eris: “They’re pretty big.”

  Indeed, they were larger than a human. On a standard horse-drawn wagon, you could probably only fit one. Maybe two if you stacked them perfectly.

  Petra: “I wonder if we bought one, would everyone in the camp be able to have a slice?”

  Eris: “I think they could have two.”

  Witnessing a small smile from Eris, Petra made a small laugh herself, looking up at the huge melon. Running her hand along the side and finding the price tag, she recoiled.

  Petra: “Yeesh.”

  Eleven-hundred grain for one melon. This was nobility food.

  Shopkeeper: “If ya ain't buyin’, don't loiter!”

  Petra: “Sorry, sorry!”

  Backing away from the oversized-melon vendor, Petra giggled at Eris, and took her free hand again.

  Eris: “The apothecary should be next, right?”

  Eris was looking up at the sun through barely squinted eyes. The day was still young, and since it was the weekend, many more people were out by this time.

  Petra: “It can be… but, there isn't really a reason to rush. These supplies are abundance for when we run out, not urgent.”

  Eris: “But still…”

  Pulling Eris along, Petra shook her head.

  Petra: “It's your first time out in a city, right? It wouldn't hurt to at least explore a bit.”

  Petra had somehow taken them to the central district with the fancy governmental buildings. Each one was like a small manor, with ornate carvings into their facades and neatly trimmed hedges. Of course, Petra noticed some imperfections in the gardening she could weed out if it was her jurisdiction to do so.

  The five buildings were organized in a circle, with the paths weaving in and out in a star pattern. The largest of the buildings was the Town Hall in the center, with limestone facades and a silver tiled roof that reflected sunlight like a mirror.

  Petra: “Who designed it like that?!”

  Despite being the government center of the city, it seemed more like a public space, with many benches and shaded areas like the gazebos on the ponds and umbrellas over seating areas. There were many ordinary people going about the place, making use of the amenities. There was a large fountain in the center of a knight with a slightly familiar face, his golden sword pointed to the sky, which correlated to the sun dial below.

  Petra: “Isn't this a nice spot? We could sit for a bit.”

  Eris: “It is… But…”

  Eris had an anxious expression on her face, and Petra didn't want to agitate her, so she just nodded slowly.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Petra: “You don't want to waste too much time?”

  Eris: “Yes.”

  Petra: “It’s not a waste of time to get to know your surroundings, though.”

  Explaining so with a finger pointed upwards, Petra gave Eris a smirk.

  Eris: “Ah?”

  Petra: “It's unlikely, of course, but if… for example, the Red Right Hand attacked the city… you’d wanna know the battlefield, right?”

  Eris nibbled on her lip, lowering her eyes to the ground in thought. Petra always thought that was something very endearing about Eris. When she was thinking, getting lost in her mind, it was very obvious from the outside. Though, Eris herself didn't seem to know it was so obvious.

  Eris: “I guess… you’re right… But we shouldn't spend too much time anyway.”

  Eris’s eyes were on the sundial. The sword’s shadow was pointing to some time, but neither of them knew how to read such an outdated system. Clocks were a relatively new invention, but they had already replaced every time-telling device in the past twenty years, so there was no reason or place to learn a different system.

  Petra reached into her apron pocket, fishing out a small piece of paper. Their shopping list of all supplies requested by residents of the refugee camp.

  There were some things on the list that they could not reasonably carry, like unwieldy tools and things that came in large boxes. But to Petra, that was fine. These supplies would reach the camp eventually, and the main purpose of this outing was trying to reach Eris.

  Despite that, she could not seem to reach that goal. It was difficult to help someone who did not want help. If Eris knew Petra was trying to help her, she’d probably run away screaming. So to combat that;

  Petra: “We should look for a merchant that sells neek seeds.”

  Eris: “What are neek seeds?”

  Petra: “Seeds for neek.”

  Eris stared blankly for a moment, trying to figure out if there was some kind of nuance she was missing. Again, her gaze dropped to the ground. Petra let out a sudden giggle.

  Eris: “——”

  Petra: “Hehehe! I’m teasing you. If you plant them, they’ll grow a pretty gross vegetable. But the seeds themselves will turn off your pain receptors.”

  Eris: “I didn't know you were so knowledgeable on that kind of thing.”

  Petra: “I’m the manor’s gardener, so of course I would be.”

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Despite Petra’s confidence, which even that was slowly dwindling along with the hours of the day, they could not find a single vendor of neek seeds.

  There were many selling varieties of herbs, spices, seeds, vegetables and other miscellaneous plant products, but it seemed neek seeds were the one thing nobody had, yet everybody wanted.

  However;

  Vendor: “Neek seeds? Yeah, I got em.”

  Petra & Eris: “You do?!”

  Vendor: “Of course. This is the finest apothecary in the city. However, there is the problem of…”

  Petra: “Cost…?”

  Vendor: “Precisely. I don't want to make assumptions, but… Can you girls afford it?”

  The shopkeeper pointed to a shelf. In a small jar was the seeds they had been searching for. However, there was the cost barrier. Specifically, ten knights per jar, which were only about as big as Eris’s palm.

  Eris: “Is it worth it?”

  Petra: “We would exhaust all of our funds. We wouldn't have anything left if we bought it.”

  Eris: “All for some seeds…?”

  Coming up empty handed on their search, the two defeated maids stood dejectedly outside the herbal shop.

  Petra: “It’s not all a waste, though.”

  Opening the one bag Eris did not insist on carrying— or rather, Petra was insistent enough on carrying it herself that Eris eventually had no choice but to give up— Petra gazed at the many other goodies they had found on their search. Most things they could carry other than the aforementioned seeds were crossed off her list now.

  Eris: “There are still a few things—”

  Petra: “Why don't we take a break for a moment?”

  Eris: “Don't worry, I’m not tired…”

  Petra didn't even glance at the bags in Eris’s arms, which apparently did not exhaust her. Bouncing on the tips of her toes and clasping her hands behind her back, Petra shrugged.

  Petra: “I’m glad. But, just because you’re not tired doesn't mean we can’t take a break, right? It’s pretty hot, after all.”

  Eris: “Shouldn't we—”

  Petra: “I know a good shaded spot.”

  Weaving through the tall, ornate stone buildings and dodging people from varying races, Petra brought Eris to the river that cut through the middle of Capella. The whole city was raised, so the river was quite the steep drop from the railing that overlooked it. Countless boats, ranging from large fishing trawlers to tiny rowboats passed back and forth through the crystal clear water.

  Petra: “Just over here.”

  Eris: “This seems like a place normal people aren't supposed to be…”

  Petra continued, taking them down a small flight of steps on the edge of the river’s basin that turned into a ledge under a massive bridge.

  Petra was right, though. It was much cooler under here. The sun was shaded by the bridge above them, and there was a slight breeze. Lights danced across the shimmering water, reflecting from the city itself and the blazing sun above.

  Petra dropped down, sitting on the edge and swinging her feet back and forth over the ledge. Looking up at Eris, who was admiring the view, Petra patted the spot beside her.

  Eris: “Are we supposed to be down here?”

  Petra: “I don't think they’d make it so easy if we weren't.”

  Eris: “Maybe not…”

  Obeying Petra, Eris sat next to her and dangled her feet over the edge as well. Both said nothing as they watched a large sailboat pass under the bridge.

  Petra: “Isn't it nice to get out?”

  Eris hesitated a nod.

  Petra: “The camp is fine, Eris. It won't fall apart because we weren't there for a few hours. Besides, if you take the time to refresh your mind… you’ll work more efficiently. That’s why we have weekends I think.”

  Eris: “But—”

  Petra: “Why don't we talk about something else?”

  Eris: “Something else?”

  Petra: “Something other than the camp.”

  Eris looked down into the water below as a fish jumped out of the water, before plunging back in.

  Eris: “Sera.”

  Petra: “Seraphine…?”

  Her legs stopped swinging.

  Eris: “I want to hear about Sera.”

  Eris had forgotten everything she knew about Sera. All she knew about her was that she was a great cook with an orange rune. She was brave, and she loved everyone dearly. That was why they had argued. Sera was aching for ‘Eris,’ and could not accept that Eris had suddenly, without warning or consent, destroyed that relationship forever.

  Sera had reforged a new sistership with Eris in her final moments, but Eris still barely knew who her now late sister was.

  Petra put her knuckles to her lips, thinking for a moment. Starting to swing her legs again, she smiled at Eris.

  Petra: “I’ve got a story, then.”

  Eris: “A story?”

  Petra took in a breath and leaned back, watching the traffic on the other side of the river.

  Petra: “It was a few winters ago. There was a really terrible storm from the north. The snow was piled up thiiiiis high.”

  Petra sat all the way up, stretching her hand up as far as she could reach.

  Petra: “It wouldn't stop coming down, and there's no way Velna or the manor could get supplies because of the roads.”

  Eris: “Ah…”

  Petra: “So Carlos asked Seraphine if she could clear a path to Velna with her fire magic. We expected it to be a multiple week-or-so long project because it's a lot of work. We offered to help, but she said she was fine doing it herself. Seraphine left, and even after the sun started to set, she hadn't come back. Once it got dark, we were really worried.”

  Tracing her fingers between the stone bricks beside her, Petra told the story with a small smile on her face.

  Petra: “Eventually, it had been multiple days.”

  Eris: “Weren't you all really worried?”

  Petra: “Of course. ‘Eris’ and Aqua especially, but we were all nervous. But we knew that she wasn't going to freeze. She can keep herself warm with her magic and all.”

  Eris: “——”

  Petra: “Even so, it had been a few nights and we couldn't sit by anymore. So ‘Eris’ and Aqua bundled up and went out to look for her. The whole road was clear, and even the road to Capella.”

  Eris: “How was Sera?”

  Petra: “They found her unconscious in a snowbank away from Velna.”

  Eris: “Why…?”

  Petra stopped swinging her legs, turning her head away from Eris down the river.

  Petra: “I think it was because she didn't want to be seen like that.”

  Eris: “Seen like…?”

  Petra: “Weak… or… pathetic, I think.”

  Eris: “——”

  Petra: “When she woke up a few days later, the first thing she said was ‘I’m sorry.’”

  Eris: “—Sorry…”

  Petra: “Yeah. Aqua scolded her for a looong while. She was furious. Not really at her… but, you know how she is.”

  Eris shut her eyes for a moment, seeing flashes of blue hair, falling like rain.

  Petra: “She was just angry that she was being reckless and silly. Not letting us help and putting all of the burden on herself, you know?”

  Eris: “Yeah.”

  Eris: “Caelia told her that she was “being foolish and irresponsible by putting herself at risk.”

  Doing her best cold and cutting Caelia impression, Petra sternly wagged her finger at the now giggling Eris.

  Eris: “What about…”

  Petra: “‘Eris’ sat by her bed the whole time… When Seraphine woke up, she asked her: “why didn’t you come back?”

  Eris looked down at herself. She wondered how the previous inhabitant of this body thought. How she felt. What her priorities, goals, and wishes were. What did she consider ‘her?’ What was ‘Eris’s’ identity?

  Petra: “Seraphine said: “If I can't even do that, why should I even be here? Why would Carlos keep me around if I couldn't do what he asked right?”

  Eris tapped her heel against the ledge under her. The sun was getting lower in the sky now, and tiny rays were beginning to make their way under the bridge.

  Eris: “How did ‘Eris’ respond?”

  Petra: “I don't know. She wouldn't tell me anything after that. I guess it was private.”

  Eris: “That's not a very happy story.”

  Petra let out a short laugh, shrugging her shoulders.

  Petra: “I guess it's not… but, I still think it's a nice one.”

  Eris: “—I… think so too, I think.”

  Petra: “Do you think you know Seraphine a bit better now?”

  Eris took a deep breath, sighing out with her eyes closed.

  Eris: “I respect her more now. Not that… I didn't already…”

  Petra: “Respect?”

  Eris “I think what she did was really admirable.”

  Petra’s face shifted into a frown, squeezing one of her hands with the other. Eris noticed this discomfort, but couldn't figure out the source. Maybe it was an uncomfortable topic?

  Eris: “Why don't you call her ‘Sera,’ too?”

  Petra: “She wouldn't let me. Only ‘Eris’ and Aqua have that permission.”

  Seraphine: “Eris… can you… just call me Sera?”

  Feeling a smile creep onto her lips, Eris lifted herself from the ledge onto her feet. The sun had found them, reminding Eris of the reason for this outing, and that they were on a time limit.

  Petra: “Do you think it’s about time we head back?”

  Eris’s eyes widened slightly at Petra’s question. The entire day, Petra was trying to slow Eris down. Hearing those words, Eris’s fading smile reformed.

  Eris: “Yeah. I think we should.”

  Petra stood up, dusting off her skirt, and took Eris’s hand again. Standing beside her, she gave a warm smile. There was a moment after receiving that smile where time seemed to stop and the hot air stopped burning.

  Eris: “Petra—”

  Time and temperature resumed, and the two made their way back up the stairs to rejoin society and return to the camp. Knowing that was their new destination, Eris’s hand tightened against Petra’s.

  The camp. She did not want to go back.

  Petra: “I’m sure Eitz is going to have a lot of stories to tell you about all you missed in the few hours you were gone.”

  Eris: “That’d be nice…”