Lovely: Angel's Cry
Chapter 14: Proscripted
You ask Grace why he isn't inviting Wilhelm. Could it be that his age makes him less fit for the weather of Ytiva?
"It's a narrow possibility, but with his age, I sense that he could be in danger if he joins us. He's safer here in Shadowglen, where those [i]bigots[/i] are sparse in number. If the undesirable still does happen, I will do everything I can to protect Bella."
Grace searches his tent for something. Neatly stacking the masks littering the ground into a pile on one corner, he finds a mug stuffed with boxes of throat lozenges, and on-the-go tissue packs. He hands it over to you.
"You'll need this more than we do. Remember to bring a jacket, too! I can get used to the cold, I promise."
You exchange farewells, and agree to meet on the 28th.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It's natural to feel queasy about the Ice Fields. It's easy to get lost in them, much like the Crypts. There's also the possibility of running into a bear, or getting caught in an avalanche. Fortunately for those who wish to indulge in a more placid version of a winter wonderland away from Ytiva's busiest districts, there is a nearby forest covered in snow.
"It's a narrow possibility, but with his age, I sense that he could be in danger if he joins us. He's safer here in Shadowglen, where those [i]bigots[/i] are sparse in number. If the undesirable still does happen, I will do everything I can to protect Bella."
Grace searches his tent for something. Neatly stacking the masks littering the ground into a pile on one corner, he finds a mug stuffed with boxes of throat lozenges, and on-the-go tissue packs. He hands it over to you.
"You'll need this more than we do. Remember to bring a jacket, too! I can get used to the cold, I promise."
You exchange farewells, and agree to meet on the 28th.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It's natural to feel queasy about the Ice Fields. It's easy to get lost in them, much like the Crypts. There's also the possibility of running into a bear, or getting caught in an avalanche. Fortunately for those who wish to indulge in a more placid version of a winter wonderland away from Ytiva's busiest districts, there is a nearby forest covered in snow.
You take a stroll through one of the paths, and notice that it's a rather secluded area with a few park benches spaced far apart enough from each other. You hear faint murmuring in the distance. The further you walk through the forest, you can make out a more audible conversation.
"I hope you'll forgive me for leaving you like that. I promise I won't do that anymore."
You slow down your pace.
"From now on, nothing can separate us from each other. Not calamity, not hardships, not even death which can be a reality for both of us."
Wait a second. You know this voice.
"Thank you… Bella."
After you've walked a considerable distance, you see two people sitting on a bench. It's Bella and Grace -- the former with her arms wrapped around the latter and her head buried against his chest. He rubs her back, presumably to soothe her. Bella turns her head to the side, and the little you can make out of her face reveals a contented smile.
"Oh!", exclaims Grace. "I think we have company." This prompts Bella to sit back up, and look left and right. She covers her nose and mouth as soon as she takes notice of you, seemingly embarrassed.
"I can't recognise them from this distance, but I'm pretty sure I invited them. Love is something to share, not something you keep a secret, after all!" A gleeful expression spreads through his face. There is a different glow to him today. Bella, on the other hand, starts to frown. She seems anxious about something, slowly raising one arm to point at you, while tugging at Grace's jacket with the other.
Bella mouths something out. In her desperation, she kneels on the snow in front of her, and traces "Look behind you" with her finger.
"I hope you'll forgive me for leaving you like that. I promise I won't do that anymore."
You slow down your pace.
"From now on, nothing can separate us from each other. Not calamity, not hardships, not even death which can be a reality for both of us."
Wait a second. You know this voice.
"Thank you… Bella."
After you've walked a considerable distance, you see two people sitting on a bench. It's Bella and Grace -- the former with her arms wrapped around the latter and her head buried against his chest. He rubs her back, presumably to soothe her. Bella turns her head to the side, and the little you can make out of her face reveals a contented smile.
"Oh!", exclaims Grace. "I think we have company." This prompts Bella to sit back up, and look left and right. She covers her nose and mouth as soon as she takes notice of you, seemingly embarrassed.
"I can't recognise them from this distance, but I'm pretty sure I invited them. Love is something to share, not something you keep a secret, after all!" A gleeful expression spreads through his face. There is a different glow to him today. Bella, on the other hand, starts to frown. She seems anxious about something, slowly raising one arm to point at you, while tugging at Grace's jacket with the other.
Bella mouths something out. In her desperation, she kneels on the snow in front of her, and traces "Look behind you" with her finger.
"Remember me?" The man with olive skin walks closer to you, giving you a menacing smile.
"Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but it's time for payback." The blonde-haired man lunges at Grace and takes him by the neck. Grace shoves him to the ground, prompting the man to clench his fists.
"I'm Wayne, by the way, and this guy with me is Brandon" says the man wearing a red jacket. He extends his arm as though you are about to shake hands. His expression turns sardonic. "We met over some whiny alien scum who suckered us into helping her."
"What did you just say about Bella? You take that back this instant!" Grace turns to face Wayne. "I gave you the benefit of the doubt even if you were critical of us behind our backs, because you want to help people. I can see that. But what is this about making exceptions to the people you wish to help?"
Just then, the man named Brandon stands up and thrusts one of his arms upward, his fist landing on Grace's chin.
"YOU. TALK. TOO. MUCH!"
As Bella crouches down to aid Grace, Wayne seizes her by her wrists, immobilising her. She tries to wriggle her way out of his tight grasp, when Grace stands back up and tries to punch Brandon in return. He dodges easily, owing to Grace's poor eyesight. After a while of the two dodging each other's attacks, Brandon pulls out a gun, and points it to Grace's forehead. Just then, Bella releases herself from Wayne and grabs the gun, pointing it back at Brandon.
"Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but it's time for payback." The blonde-haired man lunges at Grace and takes him by the neck. Grace shoves him to the ground, prompting the man to clench his fists.
"I'm Wayne, by the way, and this guy with me is Brandon" says the man wearing a red jacket. He extends his arm as though you are about to shake hands. His expression turns sardonic. "We met over some whiny alien scum who suckered us into helping her."
"What did you just say about Bella? You take that back this instant!" Grace turns to face Wayne. "I gave you the benefit of the doubt even if you were critical of us behind our backs, because you want to help people. I can see that. But what is this about making exceptions to the people you wish to help?"
Just then, the man named Brandon stands up and thrusts one of his arms upward, his fist landing on Grace's chin.
"YOU. TALK. TOO. MUCH!"
As Bella crouches down to aid Grace, Wayne seizes her by her wrists, immobilising her. She tries to wriggle her way out of his tight grasp, when Grace stands back up and tries to punch Brandon in return. He dodges easily, owing to Grace's poor eyesight. After a while of the two dodging each other's attacks, Brandon pulls out a gun, and points it to Grace's forehead. Just then, Bella releases herself from Wayne and grabs the gun, pointing it back at Brandon.
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