[hr]ATTN: [@PaulHaynek] (), [@The Irish Tree] (Eula), [@AzureKnight] (Shizuka), & [@Rezod92] (Kerry)[hr][hider=What Is The Moral Value of Life? (Collab with The Irish Tree)]Step back for a moment, and rewind, to a time before lovers parted ways, before comments were made, and stones were set to be thrown, and set a lonely stage; a table for two, an occupant of one. In the darkness before the rising of the sun, Carroll sat alone before a steaming cup of coffee, and a simple cup of water - neither heated nor chilled, filled with nothing, at rest. A testament to her relationship, so that she was the murky, brackish liquid of energy and naught else, while Eula was the clear, purposeless liquid awaiting direction, yet pure and untainted by anything.

As she sipped her coffee, the billowing steam float into the air, Carroll looked to the ceiling, to the future, as one often did, and thought about about her Automaton; about her proclivities; about her penchants; about her limitations; about her purpose - inside Eula, etched into her core, two preprogrammed ideals lay dormant, prepared to interfere, and control her in the act of breaking predetermined contracts of... [i]existing[/i]... as she was.

Even if she couldn’t quite remember how, Carroll knew she has extracted one - her left arm had succeed an unknown tug-of-war of conceptual “right” and “wrong” born of two, and place in one.

A burden, o’ so slight, had been lifted off Eula, but...

...there was shaking that something else lurked in the darkness.

It had made itself clear.

It created friction, whether or not it was faced or addressed, but it couldn’t be erased. 

Sighing, Carroll would set her cup down, and rub her temple with her discolored fingers.

"[color=808080][i]What am I gunna do...[/i][/color]"

There was only so much that could be done for things beyond control, beyond memory…and, as a complex machine of simple pleasures, Eula would rise early, but not quite as early as Carroll.

Sitting at the table across from Carroll, she would slide over an equal portion of their shared breakfast, a dish of rice, fish, some seasoning, and a savory, salty sauce that Eula had learned how to make in her time on the island. [color=C48BD3][b]“Good morning,"[/b][/color] Eula said, surprised to see Carroll up and out of bed before her.

“[color=808080][i]It’s barely so,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]The sun has yet to rise.[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"More time for us then. Today is the big day…isn’t it?"[/b][/color] Eula said, eyeing her water before holding the cup and taking a drink.

“[color=808080][i]Yeah,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]There’s lot of rumbling. I saw the Fairy flittering around, and the Goblin skulking about. Seems shooting that Varjan didn’t agree with them.[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"It seems so…"[/b][/color] Eula said, unaware that her hand was shaking holding the glass.

“[color=808080][i]Seems you are in that camp, as well,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, coolly.

Eula was silent, trying to raise the cup to her mouth before accidentally spilling it on herself, irritation in her eyes as she brushed water from her neckline.

“[color=808080][i]Bottling it up does nothing for you,[/i][/color]” Carroll says.

[color=C48BD3][b]"I don’t know what else I can do…"[/b][/color] Eula admitted.

“[color=808080][i]Talk to me,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, lifting up her discolored arm, “[color=808080][i]A husband is supposed to listen to her wife, after all.[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"I’m afraid. I’ve never felt like this before…"[/b][/color] Eula said, shuddering.

“[color=808080][i]You’ve never been in this situation, most likely,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]The memories in this arm are kind, pleasant - pedestrian.[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"They are?"[/b][/color] Eula questioned, gently taking Carroll’s hand.

“[color=808080][i]I see a village, a peaceful place, where boring is the main comfort, and simplicity is the norm,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]A kind, old man without the power to judge, or perhaps... no desire to in his old age,[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]All he offers is food to a lost Mamono, and sparks a curiosity unbidden...[/i][/color]”

Carroll smirked, “[color=808080][i]About food, of all things.[/i][/color]”

Eula would blush just a smidgeon, her cheeks turning a color not seen by many in the task force. [color=C48BD3][b]"...Nothing wrong with enjoying food…"[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]Not a thing,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]But, it’s rather goofy, you must admit.[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"Is not…"[/b][/color] Eula said, shyly turning her gaze away. [color=C48BD3][b]"But…I would like if, once this is all done, that the task force can sit down for a meal together. To celebrate our victory."[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]I don’t think that’s something that can happen,[/i][/color]” Carroll says.

[color=C48BD3][b]"Why is that,"[/b][/color] Eula questioned, staring at Carroll.

“[color=808080][i]I’m considering... leaving,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]After we deal with this business with Takeshi and his father, it is best that Cecilia and I attend to our goals,[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]Salvarsion and Wonderland need to be liberated. This place, its people, they will have to sort out their problems.[/i][/color]”

There was a long pause as Eula came to understand what Carroll was saying, her arm trembling as she held her empty glass. [color=C48BD3][b]"You’re…leaving, then?"[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]I know, in my heart, I have no stake in this war. I have a civil war in my homeland, and Cecilia has a revolution to raise in hers,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]If Shizuyama falls... so what?[/i][/color]”

Eula would clench her hand, cracking the cup before she set it down as gently as she could. [color=C48BD3][b]"...Then…is this goodbye?"[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]It doesn’t have to be,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]You can come...[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]Sure, it’s another war, and another, but... there’s no Humans involved.[/i][/color]”

Eula froze at Carroll’s words, looking down at her cup. Fractured, but holding together. 

[color=C48BD3][b]"...I…want to be at your side. Wherever that is."[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]Do you,[/i][/color]” Carroll asks, “[color=808080][i]or are you just saying that?[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"I know it hasn’t been long, but…"[/b][/color] Eula would tenderly grab Carroll’s hand, still trembling as she continued with: [color=C48BD3][b]"I want to remain with you."[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]Even if my path is one of bloodshed of our people, of our kind,[/i][/color]” Carroll asks. “[color=808080][i]You are resistant to killing Humans, but can you so freely take the lives of Mamono?[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"...I don’t know. I don’t relish the thought of killing anyone. But…more will die needlessly if I do nothing. Clean hands will not build anything in an empty world,"[/b][/color] Eula said, curling her fingers around Carroll’s hand.

“[color=808080][i]That is true...[/i][/color]” Carroll says. “[color=808080][i]Perhaps, we only need to fight one war, in all honesty...[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]I don’t want my mother’s throne. If we take Salvarsion, perhaps, you and I can stop there.[/i][/color]”

[color=C48BD3][b]"We’ll just have to see, won’t we?"[/b][/color] Eula said, before delicately netting her fingers with Carroll’s to pull her in close for a chaste kiss on the cheek. 

Carroll snickered, as she warmed her cheek, “[color=808080][i]How maidenly you are.[/i][/color]”

Eula would sit back down, cutting into her breakfast. [color=C48BD3][b]"I need fuel before I do unmaidenly functions."[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]How naughty...[/i][/color]” Carroll smirked.

Eula blushed, steam shooting out of her ears. [color=C48BD3][b]"Shush."[/b][/color]

“[color=808080][i]You said it,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]My little food queen needs her num-nums to give up her yum-yums,[/i][/color]” she teased, perfectly content to be husbandly cringe, “[color=808080][i]That’s so cute.[/i][/color]”

Eula would get up and take her plate to go before her ears shot more steam, a soft whistle escaping her head as she escaped extreme cringe flirting. [color=C48BD3][b]"...Fool,"[/b][/color] she muttered before heading off to mentally prepare herself.

Carroll giggled her ass off, before standing up, “[color=808080][i]I best speak to Cecilia. I’m sure she will be aligned to this idea.[/i][/color]”

And so, with another aligned to Cecilia’s war, Eula would resign herself to fight again. For however long, she had no idea. But…surely peace had to lay somewhere past war.

“[color=808080][i]Oh, Eula...[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]Don’t speak to Liliana about this. Last we left, it seems Shizuka attempted to stop us, and that drew us back here,[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]Better, this time, he doesn’t find out, and the Fairy will not be able to keep a secret.[/i][/color]”

Eula would look back before solemnly nodding. …She was pretty sure Liliana couldn’t keep anything a secret.

Content, Carroll would leave to seek out Cecilia - but, not before extending her right arm to pop Eula in her butt.

Eula’s hand would reach out as well, before reciprocating on Carroll before she left. Tit for tat.

“[color=808080][i]Save me a place at the meeting, seems our esteemed leader would like to speak with us later,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]Cecilia and I will catch up. Love you.[/i][/color]”

Eula would return a small smile in kind. [color=C48BD3][b]"Love you too,"[/b][/color] She said before departing to meet with Takeshi and the rest of the task force.

Carroll would slip into the temple ground, taking to the high ground to wait for Cecilia to appear... and take a nap. She could do both at the same time, after all. Benefit of being attached to Cecilia’s mental, if she felt anything hyper-emotional, Carroll would feel it - autonomic defense and all.

Settling down, Carroll would drift off, and wait...[/hider][hr][hider=Mulligan (Solo Post)]An early riser, though, not as early as Carroll, but most so than most, Cecilia would greet the morning with a cup of tea and a raspberry tart.

[color=4169E1][i]Life is... adequate,[/i][/color] she mused, unsure if it was better to the positive or more towards the negative. It was staunchly middle-of-the-road, at the moment.

The high of Gwendolyn’s birth had wore off, her first moment still echoed in Cecilia's head, and the warmth of her jelly shell still clung to Cecilia's skin, but the reality of the matter stood at the forefront: Gwen was in another castle, under Pandora's care.

The moment was gone, and reality settled back in: [i][b]war remained.[/b][/i]

Not her war. Not Carroll's war.
[center][i]Theirs.[/i][/center]
These people around her.

Cecilia looked down at her hands, memories of blood - of her people, the Chessmates, and the Mamono they faced in a never-ending war game. Shizuyama didn't understand what she gave up, every second, to be here, and who she gave up to stay here. It infuriated her, and that was enough to awaken Carroll from her nap.

Sensing Cecilia's rousing anger, the Cursed Sword would be able to find and intercept her on the path to the market square. The entire thing with gathering everyone could wait. There wasn't any reason to rush to Takeshi’s side and indulge him in his drama, as he'd never done the same when they were in crisis from the different accounts she's gotten.

He didn't care about her plight, and she didn't care about his. Simple-as.

There was no quid pro quo.

“[color=808080][i]Cecilia, walk with me,[/i][/color]” Carroll requests, catching Cecilia at the end of her tea, as she watched over a sleeping Kerry.

"[color=4169E1][i]Something on your mind,[/i][/color]” Cecilia asks.

“[color=808080][i]And yours,[/i][/color]” Carroll says.

Cecilia sighed, and stood up. Sitting her teaware down, she would kiss Kerry's forehead, before falling in step with Carroll, who'd already left without notice, and full expectation to be followed.

"[color=4169E1][i]I hate when you do that,[/i][/color]” Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]It's very annoying. I don't like playing catch-up.[/i][/color]”

“[color=808080][i]I don't wanna watch you kiss your wife, dork,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, as they pathed through the barracks, and decided how she attack this, “[color=808080][i]Four walls, three hots, and a cot...[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]Isn’t kinda crazy, we're supposed to be saving these people, and they put us in a glorified prison.[/i][/color]”

Cecilia paused. If she stepped back, she could accuse Carroll of being disingenuous, and uncharitable to a personal degree. However, there was truth to her words. Terauchi Temple wasn't the most glorious place to establish a base, but it did come off as more of a prison than a place of residence. 

"[color=4169E1][i]I don't like that you're wrong, and I don't disagree,[/i][/color]” Cecilia says. "[color=4169E1][i]This hovel is a prison, and we are prisoners; contractually-leashed dogs of war. These people don't trust us, and won't trust us,[/i][/color]” she says, "[color=4169E1][i]Takeshi has seemingly done little to nothing to endear us to these people, and it doesn't seem like the matter will settle in our favor, if we rescue his father, from what groundswell I've heard.[/i][/color]”

"[color=808080][i]And, so, the matter of what I wanted to discuss: leaving,[/i][/color]” Carroll says. "[color=808080][i]After we rescue their Lord, let's leave for Lescatie, and finish your war in Salvarision, and then, our war in Wonderland,[/i][/color]” she says, "[color=808080][i]After that, I'll take Salvarision off your hands and you take Wonderland off mine. Equal and fair trades.[/i][/color]”

"[color=4169E1][i]As all things should be, perfectly balanced,[/i][/color]” Cecilia nodded. "[color=4169E1][i]I assume you've broached this matter to Eula, since you seem smitten with the epicurean?[/i][/color]”

"[color=808080][i]She wishes to stand by my side,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]She's hesitant to leave, but she holds our relationship and my dream higher than this lot does.[/i][/color]”

"[color=4169E1][i]I'm sure Kerry will not take much convincing,[/i][/color]” Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]There is the matter of the contract between Pandora and I, but I think I have some wordplay to keep that working,[/i][/color]” she smirked, "[color=4169E1][i]I’ll see to talking to her about it. And only her.[/i][/color]”

"[color=808080][i]I've already told Eula to keep silent about this,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]Shizuka will likely try to stop us like he did before. And, if Liliana is to find out, he will definitely find out.[/i][/color]”

Cecilia nodded, "[color=4169E1][i]Agreed. We'll keep this covert. I'll book passage to Lescatie and we'll leave before anyone can stop us. No goodbyes.[/i][/color]”

"[color=808080][i]Sounds like a plan,[/i][/color]” Carroll says.

With a final look, the two would part paths from the alley they'd tucked into to speak in private.[/hider][hr][hider=Secret (De)parting Gifts (Collab with AzureKnight)]As Carroll bled back onto the main street, and Cecilia slipped through the alleys to seek out Kerry, as she’d passed shortly before Cecilia thought to kill their supposed “ally” in Revuel, only to be stopped by Atsuha, the Cursed Sword would consider the matter handled, and hop onto the rooftop, looking around.

Everyone was starting to gather to hear out their leader, and she saw Eula, dutiful as always, gathered.

Smiling, she started to hop off, but saw Shizuka making his way. A moment of pause took her, and she hopped off - not to her wife, but her paramour, and landing in front of the Shizuka.

“[color=808080][i]Samurai...[/i][/color]”

Shizuka, seeing Carroll land before, stopped for a moment as he neared the courtyard. [color=royalblue]”Samurai?”[/color] He said. [color=royalblue]”I haven't thought of myself as one for quite a long time. How fare you, Lady Blade?”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]How do I fare,[/i][/color]” Carroll asks, “[color=808080][i]Eh. I’m here, until I’m not. And, you?[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”Heh. Oh, I'm just fine.”[/color] He responded. [color=royalblue]”I understand that this all must seem strange to you, but you seemed to have adjusted well enough.”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]A sword leads a simple life,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, pressing her right hand to her belly, “[color=808080][i]Well, I guess, I’ve hardly led a simple life, in earnest...[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]But, complexity has offered me interesting experiences, and perspectives...[/i][/color]”

“[color=808080][i]As well as choices... and mistakes...[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”I wouldn't doubt it.”[/color] Shizuka responded. He stared at her a moment, allowing a brief awkward silence between them. In particular, he was looking at where she held her right hand.

[color=royalblue]”Carroll. Do you…remember anything? I mean, from before as you are now. ”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]Bits. Pieces. Like, impure fragments in memory,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]I don't fully forget things like Cecilia, but I don't have the power to irons those impurities...[/i][/color]” she frowned, "[color=808080][i]But, I can forge them into a fragmented picture. Enough to say...[/i][/color]”

[center]"[color=808080][i]I'm pregnant.[/i][/color]”[/center]
Shizuka’s eyes widened as much as they naturally could, as the whole world seemed to stop around him. 

[color=royalblue]”W-What…?”[/color] He managed to stutter out. 

[color=808080][i]“I didn’t stutter,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, before relaxing her form; her belly swelling, chest following en suit, before she settled into a form not too dissimilar from Kerry’s last known. “[color=808080][i]Walk with me, Samurai. There’s much we should discuss.[/i][/color]”

“[color=808080][i]Time is wasting.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”You’re…pregnant?”[/color] Shizuka said. [color=royalblue]”I…I don’t…”[/color] Many thoughts were racing in his mind as he began to chat up with Carroll. 

[color=royalblue]”We’re going to be a mother and a…father?”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]I don't know,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]There's no we, however. This place would see to that. The racial tension and divide is palatable,[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][b]Your fledgling lord has seemingly done nothing to make Mamono welcome and equal here...[/b][/color]”

Carroll checked her nails, as she said, “[color=808080][b]They gave us a prison barracks to live in, while they have homes. Homes that they expect us to lay down our lives to secure day-by-day.[/b][/color]”

Shizuka couldn’t find a retort to Carroll’s statement. Or, rather, he felt he shouldn’t. Lest he end up repeating the same conversation he had with Cecilia. 

[color=royalblue]”Funny, I never imagined that I’d find myself ending up in the same position as Kerry…”[/color] He said. [color=royalblue]”Given the situation, I imagine that Cecilia can do something similar for our child as she did for hers?”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]There will be little choice in the matter,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]She’ll have to do the same for herself, after all, if she’s going to be able to fight at full strength.[/i][/color]”

Shizuka looked into Carroll’s eyes for a moment, dead silent. He was wondering what was going through her mind right now. She seemed so stoic it was hard for him to read her. But, he guessed she had similar grievances and sentiments. 

[color=royalblue]”It appears, in an attempt to aid an ally, I made an irresponsible decision that has affected the group as a whole. I really am a hypocrite, aren’t I?”[/color] He said, in a half jovial and half defeated tone. 

[color=royalblue]”Carroll-chan. What, if anything, do you need from me right now?”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]Something difficult to ask,[/i][/color]” Carroll says. “[color=808080][i]As we are, neither Cecilia nor I can afford to raise a child. Cecilia managed with Kerry’s Mother, but I do not strike deals, and I do not see her amending their contract to host more than one,[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]It falls to you. They’ll look Human, like I do, like Cecilia does, so if you keep them secret, long enough, you can play them off as orphans of this reasonless war you wage.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”I-I see…”[/color] Shizuka quickly understood what Carroll was implying. In addition to being the vice captain of the Taskforce, he would also have to take on another responsibility as well. 

[color=royalblue]”When things calm down, I’ll have to talk with Revuel-san about getting back to the mainland where it’s safest. That is the natural decision. I wouldn’t want to burden Cecilia-san anymore either.”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]I would rather you not,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, “[color=808080][i]Mamono are not Humans. From the womb, we are born stronger, faster, and tougher than a Human can dream to be,[/i][/color]” she says, plainly, “[color=808080][i]Even a toddler can defeat a Hero. That fact alone is why the Varjans fight so desperately in this pathetic and pointless war of heroicized subjugation and suppression,[/i][/color]” Carroll leaned back, “[color=808080][i]That isn’t to say, Mamono are guilt-free. There are plenty that lend credence to Varjo’s beliefs. Salvarsion is such an example, Cecilia’s people, the Chessmates, are Humans that were experimented on to be on the brink of Monsterization from birth, and are used as glorified chess pieces by exposure to Demon Energy, because that’s what Wilmarina’s lot finds amusing.[/i][/color]”

“[color=808080][i]Both sides suck shit. Both sides are just. Two differing opinions can be held simultaneously, and two people can be just as right as they are wrong,[/i][/color]” Carroll twirled a finger, before palming her belly, “[color=808080][i]I could consider this a mistake, a moment of passion gone wrong, but I choose to consider it someone more,[/i][/color]” she says, “[color=808080][i]There will come a day, Shizuka, that we part ways. I have my own war to finish, and so does Cecilia. Wonderland and Salvarsion need our strength more than this, that’s what I believe, and I don’t see any change of Cecilia disagreeing. Her people deserve freedom, too.[/i][/color]”

Carroll looked up, “[color=808080][i]However, you deserve to win your own war, as well, and what better to leave a swordsman that a sword that loves him without condition?[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”I- Wait! You…you just said them.”[/color] Shizuka said, focusing on a specific part of Carroll’s response. [color=royalblue]”Does that mean…?”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]Them,[/i][/color]” Carroll asks. “[color=808080][i]I don’t like word games. To the point, please.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”You’re saying that we have TWO children?!”[/color] Shizuka exclaimed, his face adorned in a humorous blush. 

"[color=808080][i]We, no. You, yes,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]Cecilia and I share a body as Alice. So, what goes inside me, ends up inside her, and vice versa.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”I…I didn't think about that…”[/color] Shizuka did now remember that their biology did function in that way. By “copulating” with Carroll, he did so indirectly with Cecilia as well.

[color=royalblue]”But, to your other point: I'm aware of the power that mamono are born with. But I still don't like the notion of our children being made tools of a war they have nothing to do with. As you say, this is a senseless conflict, Carroll-chan.”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]If not this conflict, then another, or another, or another still, as Humans and Mamono will never see eye-to-eye,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]We can hope. We can strive. We can mend. But, darkness rises, strides shorten, and all things break...[/i][/color]” she shifted her weight from left to right, "[color=808080][i]That is the simple Tragedy of Difference.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”Such is life for the collective and the individual.”[/color] Shizuka said. [color=royalblue]”However, I will say that things here in Zipangu aren't quite like they are in the western world. On the mainland, there are various communities where yokai and humans live together without strife. Shizuyama is an anomaly as far as the country as a whole goes.”[/color]

[color=royalblue]”All the same, they will be taken care of.”[/color] He said.

"[color=808080][i]It's not the most elegant of solutions, but... even a broken plate can be beautiful, once glued back together, so they say,[/i][/color]” Carroll says.

Shizuka scratched the back of his head and stared off into space for a bit. [color=royalblue]”A father is the last thing I ever would've imagined myself becoming when undertaking this favor.”[/color] He said.

[color=royalblue]”I'm…not sure if I can do this.”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]Nor am I, and it's not a chance I can take... My mother... The Queen of Hearts... I can't bring an heiress to her throne to Wonderland,[/i][/color]” Carrol says. "[color=808080][i]This decision is selfish, yes, but... I trust you more than I can trust anyone else with her life,[/i][/color]” she says, "[color=808080][i]I trust that you'll raise her normal and kind, whereas I would have to raise her cruel and callous to survive.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”I see.”[/color] Shizuka said. [color=royalblue]”What does Cecilia plan on doing with the other girl?”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]A conversation for you and her, but, likely, she would want them to be together, so...[/i][/color]” Carroll smirked, "[color=808080][i]Twins, unless you want Kirei to have one?[/i][/color]”

"[color=808080]Regardless of the overall decision,[[/color]” Carroll says, her tone changing from soft to solemn, "[color=808080][b]This[/b] represents something bigger than us, something bigger than Shizuyama, Wonderland, and Salvarision...[/color]” she pressed both hands to her swollen belly, "[color=808080]Cecilia's, my future child, these twin, and whatever comes of Liliana and Alice... they are second-generation Cursed Swords fused with something else. A Hornet. A Human. An Automaton. A Fairy.[/color]”

"[color=808080][i]These children are a new Race of Mamono, born of my mother's warped idea of love and creation passed down to me...[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]These children will not be Cursed Swords by Race, but something new. It falls to me to determine that, and given my nature as a pair of scissors...[/i][/color]” she looked up, beaming with confidence, "[color=808080][i]I'll call them: Dresskiteers.[/i][/color]”

Shizuka's eyes lit up for a moment, but this time he caught himself and remembered the relationship he and Carroll shared. 

[color=royalblue]”I honestly do know what kind of father my brother would be…”[/color] He said with a small, jovial tone.

[color=royalblue]”It seems the matter of their biology has been settled. What of their names?”[/color]

“[color=808080][i]Yuriko and Yuriha,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, the names she’d used in that time frame.

[color=royalblue]”Those… Those are good names.”[/color] Shizuka said, his face adorned in a sincere smile. A single tear began to fall from his right eye.

[color=royalblue]”You know Carroll-chan, looking back, you've done more for me than I could've ever thought. But this… You give me, nothing more than a vagabond, the most precious gift anyone could receive. I took this mission as a way to repay Kyoukou-sama, only feeling I would receive a modest compensation for daily necessities. Now, I find myself in the same position as Kerry-san!”[/color]

Shizuka walked over to Carroll and embraced her. His arms gentled wrapped around her waist.

[color=royalblue]”Thank you, Carroll-chan. Thank you for giving this fool ronin new light.”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]This could be a gift or a curse, I don't know...[/i][/color]” Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]I can only hope it's everything you could hope for, and you don't resent them.[/i][/color]”

[color=royalblue]”My only wish is that they don't end up cursed.”[/color] Said Shizuka. [color=royalblue]”I have concerns over what kind of life I could give them. I just hope I don't mess this up.”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]Talk to Cecilia, and then, when your... when the kid is done talking, bring her to me,[/i][/color]” Carroll says, before she closed her eyes; her slime would shift and slide, and compress back into a normal, non-pregnant figure.

[color=royalblue]”I see. Very well, then.”[/color] He replied. [color=royalblue]”What will you do?”[/color]

"[color=808080][i]I'm going to find Eula, and attend this so-called meeting,[/i][/color]” Carroll says.

[color=royalblue]”I see. Then…I'll suppose you'll be off then,”[/color] Shizuka asked.

"[color=808080][i]Yes, but -- [/i][/color]” Carroll would launch onto her tiptoes, and capture Shizuka’s lips in a full and deep kiss, before setting back on her heels with a playful jut of her tongue and a cheeky wink, turning on her right heel, "[color=808080][i]Ganbatte~![/i][/color]” and heading off.

[color=royalblue]”!!”[/color] Before the so-called “Master of the Godstep” Shizuka could react, he found himself lipped locked with Carroll. Her cool breath, the warmth of her lips, her gentle touch, it would be apted to say that the swordsman…missed it somehow. 

Which made it all the more bittersweet that it may be the last time.

[color=royalblue]”Arigato, Carroll-chan. Ki wo tsukete kudasai.”[/color] He said as she left.

Carroll would simply wave, as she walked off, and disappear around a corner.

It was up to Shizuka if he would seek out Cecilia next or save it for later.

Shizuka felt that he should speak to Cecilia again, but unfortunately time would not allow for it. They had to answer Takeshi's summon, and to prepare for the rescue of Lord Hideo. He would be sure to make time for her, and his other daughter.

Until then, he continued his way to the courtyard.[/hider][hr][hider=Finding Honor In Retreat (Collab with Rezod92)]Leaving...

In concept, it was so simple.

Just leave? Hitch a boat, and bye; off to Lescatie, and we’re on our way?

Could she? Could they? Could... no, should... should was the better word.

Cecilia had to admit, the further they pushed on the path of this so-called Taskforce, the further she got from her own ambition. A stepping stone was all this was meant to be. There’s no part of her that believed she was truly aligned to save any people that were not her own.

Her people were Salvarisonian.

Her people were Wonderlandian.

Her people were not Shizuyaman.

Having the remark of Revuel in her mind, and the conversation with Hinami to push her forward, Cecilia would intercept Kerry before she could settle into the gathering of people and Mamono to listen to whatever Takeshi had to say, or whoever was planning to speak whatever rousing speech was planned, pulling her with a gentle, "[color=4169E1][i]We need to talk about something... serious.[/i][/color]"

Kerry blinked when Cecilia approached her, demeanor serious and contemplative.

[color=fff79a]”I’m listening.”[/color], she replied, giving the mad hatter her full attention.

"[color=4169E1][i]Not here,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says.

Raising an eyebrow at that reply, Kerry glanced back toward the gathered meeting before grabbing her lover’s hand and guiding them just outside the temple gates, out of earshot of any prying ears.

[color=fff79a]”Okay, Cici, what’s up? You’re being awfully serious and we haven’t even started the meeting.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]Once we save Takeshi’s father, Carroll and I are leaving,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says.

Again, Kerry blinked.

[color=fff79a]”...Leaving?”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]Carroll and I have decided to disengage from this war. She and I have too much on our plates, and this place... this people... they aren’t going to take part of a revolution to overthrown the ruling Mamono Lords of Salvarsion... they aren’t going to sacrifice their lives to end the civil war in Wonderland by killing a Lilim, and installing a new one... [/i][/color]" Cecilia says. "[color=4169E1][i]These are Mamono problems. They aren’t.[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]”Okay, whoa, hold on.”[/color], Kerry spoke, holding the mad hatter’s hands in her own. [color=fff79a]”Cecilia, you’re suggesting we leave these people to fend for themselves? I…Wait, no. We can’t do that. Mainly, the contract you made with my mother.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]My contract merely states that we need to save Shizuyama. That’s accomplished by saving Takeshi’s father. Done and done,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says. "[color=4169E1][i]After that, I can move the goalposts like a proper politician, and shift that to, ultimately, saving MY Shizuyama.[/i][/color]"

"[color=4169E1][i]Also, yes, I am,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says.

[color=fff79a]”Seriously? There’s no way it works like that. Sure, technically by saving Takeshi’s dad, we save the head of the Shizuyama’s fighting force, thus rekindling the people’s morale and spirit and giving them a fighting chance to take back their homeland- Oh my gods, it actually does work like that.”[/color]

Cecilia smirked, as Kerry realized how easy a contract was to circumvent.

[color=fff79a]”But still…”[/color], the hornet continued, shaking her head. [color=fff79a]”Is…this the right thing to do? One last mission and then let these people fend for themselves, not even knowing what the outcome will be when we’re gone? After the blood, sweat and tears we shed for them?”[/color]

[color=fff79a]”Is this…honorable?”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]Honor is in the eye of the beholder,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]Is it honorable to put my people, enslaved by Mamono Lords for centuries, above the Shizuyamans, threatened only because they are harboring Mamono,[/i][/color]" she asks, "[color=4169E1][i]Is it honorable to leave my kingdom in Wonderland in a state of eternal civil war, because I was asked to aid in this civil war?[/i][/color]"

"[color=4169E1][i]That’s the tricky part of honor: what is truly so, and truly not?[/i][/color]"

That question caused the mercenary to pause as she asked herself that same question. There were times in her travels that she was honorable. There were times where she definitely wasn’t. And so, she asked herself…

Was it honorable to leave a job half-finished?

[color=fff79a][i]No, it’s not…But then I became a mother…[/i][/color]

Was it worth sticking your neck out for a group of people who’d have no qualms seeing you die in a ditch for them?

[color=fff79a][i]Hell no, it ain’t worth it. I almost want to say it’s not even a worthy cause…[/i][/color]

Would it make sense that as soon as Heido is rescued and reunited with his kin, he would have Takeshi and the taskforce put to the sword, despite everything that was done for Shizuyama and her people?

[color=fff79a][i]...It would and you’d be a fucking fool to think otherwise.[/i][/color]

Then is dying for them really honorable here?

[color=fff79a][i]...[/i][/color]

Is it worth being away from Gwen, who dreams in temporal slumber?

[color=fff79a][i]....No.[/i][/color]

Kerry returned her attention to Cecilia and sighed.

[color=fff79a]”That’s one hell of a point.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]I do try,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]Still, ...I won’t demand you follow me. Just because we’re husband and wife doesn’t mean I’m going to control your life,[/i][/color]" she says, "[color=4169E1][i]If you wanna save Shizuyama, so we shall.[/i][/color]"

Kerry stepped in closer, her forehead touching Cecilia’s.

[color=fff79a]”Cici…You know I’d follow you anywhere. Once upon a time, I made a vow with Alice about making this place a home for Gwen. It seemed so long ago, thinking back on it. Times have changed and that Alice is no longer here…Gwen is safely somewhere…and honestly, this place has grown…tiresome. Shizuyama can be saved…”[/color]

A small smile formed on her lips.

[color=fff79a]”...but someone else can do it.”[/color]

Cecilia smirked, "[color=4169E1][i]Plenty of people around here.[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]”Exactly.”[/color], Kerry smirked back. [color=fff79a]”Besides, I’ve never been to Salvarsion. Is it lovely this time of year? ”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]I have no idea, after all, I haven’t been in almost a thousand years,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]But, winter was quite snowy when I was there. Snow and blood mix beautifully,[/i][/color]" she mused, "[color=4169E1][i]By time we finish this business here, perhaps we’ll arrive by the first snowfall, and make it a campaign in winter. Tell me, is there anything more poetic than an oath under snow?[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]”Ever the romantic, whether it be a blade or other works. At any rate, if you want to leave, I’ll leave with you.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]As long as you wish to,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]After all, we are leaving one war for another, and another still...[/i][/color]" she says, "[color=4169E1][i]After Salvarsion is liberated, we’ll be leaving Carroll and Eula to rule it, and taking on Wonderland alone.[/i][/color]"

"[color=4169E1][i]...are you fine with that?[/i][/color]"

The hornet chuckled before leaning in for a quick peck on Cecilia’s nose

[color=fff79a]”I’m cool with it. What I’m curious about is how you’re gonna break this to Liliana? I mean, she’s a knight. She’ll definitely feel some type of way about this.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]I have zero intention to tell her,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says. "[color=4169E1][i]Last time I tried to strike out, Shizuka managed to plant seeds of return in my head...[/i][/color]" she says, "[color=4169E1][i]If Liliana find out, she’ll blab eventually. So, Carroll and I have decided to break clean and quiet. Just you and Eula know, as you two can keep mum.[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]”Huh…yeah, I can see the wisdom in that. Kinda feel bad for Lili, though.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]Not all endings can be happy,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]Without Carroll, I couldn’t become Alice, anyways, so... it’s for the better. I don’t wanna get her hopes up that someday the woman she fell in love with will return to her.[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]”Such are the choices we make.”[/color], Kerry concurred as she looked back over to the gate. [color=fff79a]”I think we should head on back before the others wondering where we went. Important pre-siege call to arms and all that.”[/color]

"[color=4169E1][i]Yeah, yeah, I suppose,[/i][/color]" Cecilia says, "[color=4169E1][i]To arms, to arms.[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]”Come on. It’s gonna be our last mission here in Shizuyama. Let’s get as much fun out of it as we can.”[/color], Kerry said with a wink as she led Cecilia back toward the temple grounds, still holding her hand.

Hand-in-hand, Cecilia would look towards the future; uncertain, but determined - a journey with a destination, a path lain out for her; destiny to some; fate to others; a purpose to Cecilia. "[color=4169E1][i]Let’s go face our destiny, and have a crazy party!”[/i][/color]" she beamed.

Picking Kerry up, Cecilia jumped into the air, and leap up the stairs before making short work of the return trip. Settling in, Cecilia would hold Kerry in her arms with a smile on her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Carroll holding a fussy Eula in the same bridal carry. Carroll tilted her eyes, and they met...

...and understood.

They’d make the most of this and hoist the sails as soon as the dust settled.[/hider]