It is such a funny thing when one looks at the world and its inner workings, and a pattern emerges.
Good things, such as comfort and happiness, though temporary in essence, would only be found next to suffering and discomfort.
It's as if they are one and the same.
When suffering leaves, even though scars may remain, happiness follows.
When discomfort leaves, even though a lingering feeling may remain, comfort follows.
And even though one may suffer still, it can be expected that in the end, they too will experience happiness as long as they keep on living with all their might.
"Cheers to Beleel Denegis Miyanna," said Celine, raising her wooden cup.
"Cheers," said Blanc and Miyanna in unison.
Even though Miyanna's cheeks were now a deep crimson.
Half because of what just happened, and half because of the alcohol.
After all, this was the first time she ever tasted alcohol.
"Well then, Miyanna," Blanc spoke, "Now you are more than just not an enemy. I hope you will live up to your new name."
"I-I will do my best," muttered Miyanna, not sure how to react or say.
"That's good," Blanc nodded, "But you are weak, still. Now that you carry our name, you will have to get stronger."
"How?" Miyanna asked.
Blanc looked straight at her as he replied, "Raw Vita."
"Yes," Celine nodded, "But do not worry. We will teach you how to do it."
"Why go so far for me?" Miyanna asked.
"Because I, Celine Maroux, cannot have a weak right-hand woman. And if that is not enough reason, weakness of the body is seen as a sin to us, Noble Bloods. Especially from our own people."
"Harsh, but a truth nonetheless," Blanc agreed, "Now that it has been decided, you will travel with us. And no matter how strong you are as a commoner, even Kael might have a high chance of defeating you. And Celine is pregnant. As we travel, it might be good to have someone defending her when she will not be able to defend herself because of it."
"I do not think it will come to that, though," said Celine, "Either way, it will be beneficial to you and to us as well to have you get stronger."
Miyanna looked at the two as she listened to their explanation.
While listening intently to each and every word they said, a weird feeling rose from her stomach to her chest.
Joy.
Excitement.
Beleel Denegis Miyanna. Beleel Denegis Miyanna. Beleel Denegis Miyanna.
She could not help but just repeat her new name inside her head over and over again, as if it were a prayer.
As if she feared that soon she would just wake up, and none of these good things would happen to her.
As Blanc and Celine concluded their explanation, the tears of joy, surely amplified by the alcohol, but tears of joy nonetheless, began rushing out of her eyes.
"Miyanna?" Blanc asked, confused.
But Celine understood her.
She could not help but smile at the tears of the woman before her.
There was something in Miyanna that Celine noticed, or at least felt, when she took her side that first time.
She still did not understand completely why.
Perhaps she just did not see her death as necessary.
Well, Vita only knew the answer to that.
But the fact that her choices brought tears to this woman.
To this strong, beautiful woman, in both body and soul, could only make her smile widen.
She now had yet another sister.
And could not stop her legs from going towards her and hugging her tightly as Miyanna cried. Not that she would have stopped if she could.
"You are not alone anymore, sister," Celine whispered to her.
And those words… they were not directed at Miyanna.
But at a small girl with rugged clothes who kept crying in the rain as she tried to sleep.
That was the target of her words.
And by the Vita itself, she heard them.
Finally.
After more than a decade of survival alone, she had something to call her own.
Someone to wait for her.
To break bread with her.
To share in all her sufferings and joys.
What a wonderful feeling that is.
Minutes later, she calmed down and pulled away from Celine, who kept on hugging her.
Miyanna could not help but feel embarrassed.
Especially after noticing that Blanc stood there in silence as she cried.
"Blanc, do not be rude," muttered Celine, basically reading her mind.
"Ah, sorry, I did not wish to disturb," replied Blanc as if returning from his thoughts and heading towards the two, "Beleel Denegis Miyanna."
"Yes?" said Miyanna, accepting her new name as her own and straightening her back as Blanc faced her and Celine.
"A welcome and apologies are in order. But apologies now will only feel like lies. We all did and would have done what was required of us in order to survive. But now that things stand the way they do, I can only congratulate and welcome you," he spoke, lightly, with warmth in his voice, before hugging her too.
"Thanks…" whispered Miyanna as she accepted the hug, planting her head deep in his chest as she tightened her grip around him.
"I can only promise you that, since you are a part of us now, I will kill to ensure your survival if it comes to it," Blanc said, still caught in the hug.
It did not feel bad. But he did not want to linger too long on this feeling.
Because the alcohol took root too deeply in him for him to have such thoughts now.
So, after a few more moments, he broke the hug and returned to his chair as Celine and Miyanna did the same.
"What are you doing?" Blanc asked Miyanna after he sat back down.
"What?" Miyanna replied, confused as she sat herself down.
"Miyanna dear, tell me your name again," sighed Celine.
"Beleel Denegis Miyanna," she replied.
"Exactly. No need to stand so far away anymore. Come, take the chair next to Blanc's left since we're all alone. You are family now. Blood of ours."