Tatiana braced her body, a shaky exhalation condensating in the cool air before her. There may have been pain beneath her gaze, but atop it was a mask— the typical idyllic smile and happy eyes of Tatiana’s face. She knew her pain was well hidden, but Galahad had known her a long time. So when he’d reached up to grasp her shoulder, she nearly conceded to explaining the ordeal to him. Alas, Tatiana took a moment to think. The activity was criminal. What happened would not bode well for Lanostran authorities, and with the reputation her and her father had for their certain… Focused studies, it would be all the worse. Tatiana knew her comrades would be there for her, but she still felt alone in the ordeal. No, she couldn’t bring Galahad into such a mess.

“I hope your visit went well, your highness.” As Tatiana spoke, her eyes shifted downwards and she leaned back a bit as she walked alongside Galahad, obviously focused upon his mechanically confusing saber. “Are you and the folks finally trying to show some affection towards one another?” Her query came with thoughts of Tatiana’s limited knowledge on Galahad’s family. “I wouldn’t say a sword is as good as an ‘I love you’, but to each their own. You better have thanked them properly.” Her seemingly serious motherly attitude was mostly a jest. Tatiana knew her colleagues would know her better than to chide them, but Galahad was close, and she couldn’t help but try to bring humor to the air that surrounded her. An instinctive gaze was shot towards Astraea, who Tatiana deduced was either suffering some sort of heartburning pain or empathizing with her. Tatiana didn’t know which she would have preferred. As quick as the glance came, Tatiana’s eyes awkwardly flicked elsewhere wordlessly.

Of course, perhaps Tatiana would have at least [i]tried[/i] to make conversation if they had thought about it. Her focus was swiftly drawn elsewhere as they neared the High City. [i]This[/i] is the Lanostre she was used to. It was almost calming to the young inquisitor to see the hustle and bustle of her childhood city. It was much easier to focus on the task at hand with the telltale clanking of soldier men passing around her. The children even seemed quite interested in Tatiana as an inquisitor. To be seen as a role model was a delight for Tatiana, though she did feel enticed to cover her insignia. She would be hard pressed to say the minute fame wasn’t the best part of the job. [sub]Maybe the only good part...[/sub] The most peculiar sights, however, were the masses of Varyan soldiers. If Tatiana didn’t know better, she would have said it looked like they were about to go to war. Another missed opportunity to spark conversation, it seemed, as the soldiers all started to shift and part for a pair before Tatiana could speak up.

[i]Another inquisitor?[/i] The harrowing coat was a telltale sign. She rode forward only to pause before the trio of young inquisitors. More questions pierced Tatiana’s mind, but it was then that she noticed the black clad being leaving a trail… A trail of red. Tatiana’s eyes went wide and she offered a step forward. What was she going to do? She had no idea herself, but the mere sight of such a battered individual left her with an obligation. Tatiana shot a look back to Galahad— a look he had surely seen plenty of times before making her intentions of helping, and thus his assistance clear. Of course, the rider soon called for a medic and Tatiana’s goals were shifted to helping elsewhere, [i]though still helping of course.[/i] The arriving medic gave Tatiana more information she sought when the rider’s name was announced formally. [i]Elisheva…[/i] Just a cursory glance at the woman gave off an air of majesty. This woman was a warrior— one of great valor. She would have immediately guessed Lanostran from the choice of visceral weaponry, but as Elisheva turned to them, her eye color made Tatiana correct herself. Tatiana’s conscious attention was redirected to the wound rather than her good eye, though. Tatiana adjusted her posture— which was most certainly lacking beforehand— as the trio was addressed by their fellow inquisitor. Tatiana made haste to follow her off towards the shell of an old house.

The young inquisitor’s stomach turned at the iron-y scent of drying blood. She was an inquisitor, yes, but that by no means meant Tatiana was good with viscera. Surprising for a commander of the most visceral and bloodthirsty beasts in the land… Elisheva seated herself, but the urgency of witnessing the whole ordeal had adrenaline rushing through Tatiana’s veins. She remained standing, pacing side to side on occasion throughout the conversation. So few inquisitors in Lanostre? Under normal circumstances, Tatiana may have challenged the idea, but the sight of Elisheva’s disfigured wounds had her focusing instead on not throwing up in front of her friends.

[i]The Glacier… Changed? I should go tell...[/i] Tatiana’s thoughts halted altogether and she felt a pang in her heart as if she truly died for a moment. [i]She[/i] was a summoner. [i]She[/i] could try to help. [i]She[/i] had to be enough… Tatiana’s eyes went wide at the prospect of new beasts spawning from the Glacier. All of her anxious thoughts seemed to be put on hold as she listened. [i]Killers… Demons were killers.[/i] Tatiana’s eyes almost started to well up at Elisheva’s words. Simultaneously, the girl recalled her vision of I-XVII. [i]Two inquisitors wasn’t enough.[/i] That much is certain, but those two inquisitors were missing something only a Leviatan understood. A calm overcame Tatiana. She… She had forgotten about the past for a moment. Duty called, and she could finally put to work the toilings of [i]two[/i] lifetimes. Everything was.... Right! Tatiana went to speak up, but Astraea beat her to it.

[i]“Four will be plenty… -but she is not coming!”[/i]

The words rang through her, almost seeming to echo as Tatiana played them over and over in her memory. Her body froze. She could feel the a cold sweat breaching her brow as she stood locked in place. Memories once momentarily forgotten of a day past all rushed back into Tatiana’s head. [i]This was his legacy.[/i]


[b][i]That day...[/i]
[right][i]A once gentle hand would twist into a fist…[/i][/right][/b]


She nearly screamed right there. The once still and jaunty inquisitor visible gritted her teeth, nearly growling as she turned to Astraea. A surge of potential energy in Tatiana’s body was almost visible, as if she would charge at Astraea at the drop of a hat. That hand posed at her side let its nails dig into the flesh of Tatiana’s palm. Perhaps it was just the tension in the room that gave off an offputting air… Perhaps it was that dreadful feeling that accompanied the summoner’s ability whenever her friends were ready to be let loose.

“You… R’heon… Your title requires the subdual of a single demon. My abilities have halted hundreds!” She stumbled and stuttered over more words, trying to find something to say to Astraea, but conceded to a pained grunt.

“Maybe she’s right.” A moment of calm crossed Tatiana. Her anger was still present, but her battle-born attitude paused, searing within rather than outside. She, too, moved towards the door as Astraea did.

“Four is plenty… Four will succeed.” Tatiana moved to exit the building, disregarding obstruction if Astraea or Galahad didn’t willfully halt her.

[i]“But one is enough…”[/i]