The Reunion

Suzie’s atelier was quaint and messy, but cozy. While she touted herself as a tailor, it was clear her alchemy work was what she spent the most time on considering that her sewing supplies had been relegated to a small corner while the rest was all alchemy tools, projects, and books.

“Please, take a seat.” She picked up a stack of books off a stool before sitting down on her own chair by her main desk.

“Thanks.” Felix sat down on the stool before carefully placing Velvet on a two foot tall stack of books besides him.

“So how have you been? What’ve you been up to all this time?”

“Where to even start…” Felix filled her in on everything that had happened. How he had gone to the abandoned city and lived there alone for a year, how he’d discovered Velvet and healed her, how they made a covenant, how they were captured, and how they escaped.

“Ah, you’ve been on quite the adventure, hm? But jeez, to think you’d live alone for a year.” Half feigning solemnity, she looked down. “You could’ve just come back, y’know.”

Sighing, he looked away. “I know, I know…”

“Always so stubborn, but I suppose it can’t be helped. But anywho, what about what you said about healing Velvet? No way it happened like that. I mean, come on, every alchemist knows that you can’t raise the dead, doesn’t matter if it’s a human or a doll.”

“Look, I don’t know how it happened either, but she revived somehow.”

“Hm…” Suzie stepped up and walked towards Velvet, examining her closely. “You said you were a Gwehrtain Angel, isn’t that right?”

Velvet fidgeted under Suzie’s scrutinizing gaze. “Yes, that’s right.”

“Maybe…” Turning around, she continued. “There’s an old legend. Nobody knows the secret of the living dolls. While tens of millions were created before and during the war, not a soul has been able to create one since.” She turned back around. “It is said that the secret ingredient, though, is love.”

“Yeah, whatever that means.” Felix had heard this story before and was skeptical to say the least.

“But Felix, nowhere else is this more true than with the Gwehrtain Angels. I don’t understand how it could be possible, once a soul is gone it’s gone, yet somehow, you were able to bring Velvet back. Gwehrtain created his Angels to be the final bridge between man and doll, organic life and inorganic life, mortal and divine, the love for each solidifying that bond.” She narrowed her eyes mischievously. “Perhaps the selfless love you showed Velvet by healing her was what brought her back.”

“Come on, don’t be stupid,” he stammered out as he blushed.

Meanwhile Velvet was beyond just blushing, almost having been put into catatonic shock.

“Suzie! Can you keep it down!” The voice came from upstairs and before long its originator descended the stairs, a living doll with long brown hair, a cute face, and dressed in an adorable, frilly nightgown. But as her eyes fell on Felix, she yelled out, “I-it’s you!”

“Long time, no see, Katie…” He had dreaded this reunion.

“Y-y-y” She had trouble even speaking, but as her face flushed with anger, she blew up. “You think you can show your face around here after what happened! Get out of here now!”

“Katie, please calm down.” Desperately, Suzie tried to plead.

“No! I won’t! Not after what he did!” She pivoted and pointed her finger at Velvet. “And who’s this half-busted piece of junk he’s got with him!?”

“What was that!?” Even missing an eye and a leg, Velvet wasn’t about to let such an insult go. Furious, she floated up and drew her rapier, ready for battle.

“I said…” Katie drew her own weapon, a spear. “You’re a half-busted piece of–Ah!” Katie’s speech was abruptly cut off with a yelp as Suzie restrained her from behind.

“I’m really sorry about her, she’ll calm down in a bit, just trust me. You can sleep in the spare bedroom, I’ll stay down here and have a chat with her.”

“Uh, yeah, thanks, Suzie.” Grabbing Velvet who was still itching for a fight, Felix headed upstairs with Velvet, Katie’s shrill cries echoing behind them.

***

Edea’s head was pounding and her eyelids felt like lead, but as she forced them open, she was blinded by a bright light. As her eyes adjusted, she saw that she was in a strange, unfamiliar location. It was a small concrete room with no windows. She tried to move but couldn’t. She looked around and saw that she was lying on some kind of table with her arms and legs restrained by steel cuffs. No problem, she thought. It wasn’t Crinis’s speciality, but tearing through her restraints should be a cinch, but as she tried to summon Crinis, her heart sank. She couldn’t. She tried again, and nothing. Panic set in and her breathing quickened. Never had she been without Crinis, never had she even imagined it to be possible. Crinis was more than just an ability, it was her very lifeblood, without it, she was completely powerless. Nausea overtook her, and with it the urge to throw up. She tried casting other spells, but that didn’t work either. It felt like the walls were closing in on her, like she was trapped in a coffin deep underground. With no other options, she desperately struggled, violently shaking and pulling her arms and legs, hopelessly attempting to escape her restraints by force.

“I see you’re finally awake.”

That voice was familiar, and one she hadn’t heard in a long time. With the click of heels, the owner stepped into view.

“Hello, Edea.”

“Ava! What have you done to me!? Give me Crinis back right now!”

“Sorry, I can’t do that, but don’t worry, Crinis and your magic aren’t gone.” Motioning her hands around the room, she continued, “This cell is an experimental device that freezes mana, making you unable to manipulate it and use magic. If you leave this room, you will return to normal.“

Now that Edea had focused, she could feel it. Mana normally flows freely through the air, but here it was packed together like ice.

“You caused us a lot of trouble, Edea. We’re still counting the casualties, and the damage will take months to repair, costing who knows how much money.”

“Tch. What about it?”

“I’m saying that you’re lucky to even be alive, and you might not be much longer.”

“And? If you’re going to kill me then do it!”

Ava’s eyes narrowed. “Edea, there’s another option. You can collaborate with us.”

Scoffing, she spat out, “Why would I ever join up with you and your human masters?”

“Because we share the same goal. You want to take down Velvet, right? Well, she’s just been declared a public enemy and ally of the Empire. If you help us with our war, you’ll get Velvet and we’ll get the Empire. Or you can stay here and rot.”

Edea gritted her teeth. The Republic was a nation of blind idiots ruled by two-bit con artists who pretended they were arbiters of liberty. The idea of taking orders from them disgusted and angered her beyond belief, but knowing that Velvet was still out there disgusted and angered her even more. Besides, it wouldn’t be that bad. Once she killed Velvet, she could just cancel their agreement, feasting on some of their finest troops on her way out. Not to mention, she had unfinished business with him as well. Ultimately, with some reluctance, she agreed. “Fine, “ she growled. ”I’ll join the Republic and help you gut the Empire. Whatever it takes to tear that bitch limb from limb…”