Winter had settled into the city like a stubborn guest, the kind that refused to leave even after being politely ignored. Frost clung to the edges of stone roofs, and the streets of Blackwood rang with the dull sound of boots against frozen ground. Elias walked with his hands tucked into his sleeves, breath puffing faintly in front of him as he listened to Jamie talk.
"So," Jamie said, puting her hands behind her head as she walked, boots scuffing lazily against the cobblestones, "what do you wanna do today?"
Elias glanced sideways at her. She looked relaxed—too relaxed. That usually meant trouble.
"I thought," she continued, eyes half-lidded, "we could maybe check out the market, or… y'know." Her grin widened just a little. "Go somewhere more interesting."
Elias narrowed his eyes. Forest, she meant.
Before he could respond, Jamie slowed and glanced back over her shoulder. Aina walked several paces behind them, posture straight, cloak unmoving despite the breeze, eyes forward and unreadable as ever.
Jamie squinted. "Oi. What are you even doing here again?"
Aina didn't miss a step. "It's been a while since we last interacted," she said evenly.
"And besides, I was curious."
"About?" Jamie asked flatly.
Aina's eyes flicked to Elias. "What my little brother has been up to."
Jamie dropped her hands from behind her head and stepped closer to Elias. Without looking at Aina again, she raised her fingers and began to move them in a quick, familiar rhythm.
What are we gonna do about her? she signed. We planned to see the old man.
Elias hesitated, then signed back.
I don't know. She's hard to shake. Might be harder than last time.
Jamie sighed through her nose, hands dropping.
"Figures."
She stepped away from Elias and deliberately moved to stand beside Aina, hands on her hips. Before she could open her mouth, Aina spoke.
"You don't need to say anything," Aina said, tone calm. "What happened in the past is past. It's done. We should move forward together without hosting blame."
Jamie blinked. Once. Twice.
"That's… not what I was gonna say," she replied slowly. Then she tilted her head.
"But hey, that was not bad at all. Maybe I'll think about changing my opinion of you."
Aina turned to face her.
"What does that mean?"
Jamie smiled politely.
"Maybe you're not as uptight as you look."
Aina's eyes narrowed a fraction. "And maybe you're less crude than you behave."
Jamie placed a hand over her heart. "Coming from an emotionless doll, I'll treasure that."
Their smiles sharpened. Courtesy layered over hostility, sharp enough to cut.
Elias stepped between them before either could continue, hands raised. "Enough you two."
Both girls scoffed in perfect unison and turned away, arms crossed, staring in opposite directions.
Elias sighed.
'I really don't miss babysitting these girls.'
They resumed walking, the tension cooling slightly as the city swallowed them again. Vendors called out halfheartedly from stalls dusted with frost, and the smell of warm bread drifted through the air. By the time they reached Beth's shop, Elias's fingers had gone numb.
The door creaked open, bells chiming softly.
Beth looked up from behind the counter, sharp eyes immediately locking onto Aina. "And who's this?"
Aina stepped forward, posture immaculate.
"Hello madam," She bowed. "My name is Aina Mellou. Elias' cousin."
Beth's brow lifted. "Mellou, huh?" She huffed. "So you're his daughter."
Aina blinked. "Pardon?"
"I met your father. OK, I didn't meet him meet him," Beth said, waving a hand.
"But I saw him pass by years ago when I was visiting family in Aethelburg. Quite the… interesting character."
"Thank you," Aina said stiffly. Elias noticed the faintest blush creep onto her cheeks.
Aina's gaze dropped briefly to Beth's midsection.
"Hm?"
"You're pregnant," Aina stated.
Beth looked down then slapped her belly lightly. "This? It's nothing."
"I assisted my Aunt during her pregnancy. I hope I can be of use to you too while I'm here."
Jamie snorted.
Beth crossed her arms. "So. What's the last-born daughter of The Hierophant Paragon doing in my shop?"
"I was hoping to assist," Aina replied. "I've always been interested in medicine."
Beth studied her for a long moment, then jerked her thumb at Jamie.
"Fine. But don't be as clumsy as that one."
Jamie stuck her tongue out. "Love you too."
Work began.
Aina proved meticulous almost immediately—hands steady, movements precise, absorbing instructions with frightening speed. She organized herbs, labeled containers, corrected Jamie twice without raising her voice.
At one point, Beth paused, rubbing her lower back with a grunt. Aina stepped in seamlessly, taking over without being asked.
"Hmph," Beth muttered later. "She's good."
Her eyes flicked to Elias and then to Jamie. "You two should learn from her. Especially you."
Jamie scowled but said nothing.
Outwardly, Aina remained composed. Inwardly, her chest felt light. She glanced at Elias when she thought no one was looking, hoping—just a little—that he'd noticed.
Beth moved on, grumbling about inventory.
"We're low on Frostbind leaves. I think I'll be able to get some in the forest."
Jamie's hand shot up.
"No," Beth said immediately.
Jamie slumped. "I didn't even say anything."
Beth pointed at her.
"And you won't."
Jamie sulked, lifting a tray of jars and trudging toward the back,grumbling.
Aina stepped beside Elias.
"It's good," she said quietly, "that you're learning medicine."
Elias turned to her.
"Not everyone can use Accelerate Heal," Aina continued.
"And even fewer can use it on others. It's a complex technique. Dangerous if mishandled. Knowledge about these herbs will make you better."
Elias's eyes widened slightly as she smiled at him.
Then—
BOOM.
The world lurched.
A sharp crack echoed through the shop as a blue mist erupted, flooding the room in seconds. Shelves rattled. Beth swore violently.
"Fu—!"
Beth began coughing. Aina reacted instantly, gravity bending around her, forming a tight pocket of clear air. Elias too confused to act was yanked backward—
Cold air slammed into his lungs.
He stumbled outside, gasping.
"What the-"
Jamie clamped a hand over his mouth and bolted.
"Shhh" she said, dragging him along.
"I mixed two herbs!"
Elias barely had time to think as he was dragged along.
'She's insane.'
"It's a hunter trick," Jamie said breathlessly, grin wild.
"Its potent enough to confuse and contain beasts when they're on a rampage. What Imade isn't as strong, but it'll work!"
Elias stared at her.
She beamed. "And now we have a reason to go to the forest. Frostbind leaves."
Snow crunched underfoot as they ran, the city fading behind them, winter air biting at their faces.
Elias ran beside her, heart pounding.
'She's absolutely crazy.'
And somehow—he didn't stop.