<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Day 10 of Month 3 - Grand Cathedral: Afternoon</span></span><br/><br/><br/>"Well? How is she?"<br/><br/>The question rammed him in the face as Alfrei closed the doors of their quarters behind him. He looked at the rest of their team before making his way towards the couch. He sat down with a soft plop and placed both hands at the back of his head, relaxing as he did so. Those who waited for answers remained on edge, suspense noticeable on their features. "She's still refusing to speak with anyone." Alfrei finally answered, quickly followed by a defeated sigh. "What has gotten into her? She's been like that since..." he stopped his mouth from continuing to run. Fiona had been distant since their return from Palaugrim. It was safe to assume that she was still shook up by the events there. Then there are these people coming after her; it was a good thing their Captain came when he did.<br/><br/>"Then can someone explain why she's currently in holding?" Natalia questioned them all, seemingly getting more frustrated and confused by the second.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"For questioning."</span>a new voice answered Natalia. A surprised squad eight looked behind and found Akira already inside their quarters. How could he have sneaked up on them so easily like that? "Regardless of her position in your Captain's squad, those people we encountered in the alley seemed to have ties with her..." he trailed off, resting his back comfortably on the wall. "but what's more troubling is that we know nothing about those people, and the fact that they called us<span style="font-style: italic">Surface Dwellers</span>? Troubling indeed." he added.<br/><br/>The knowledge immediately opened the doors for surprise and speculation, heralding a heavy atmosphere inside the room. An underground society? Could there really be such a thing? All manner of confusion was evident from the rest of squad eight. None of them could believe that such a society really existed, or more importantly, that Fiona had anything to do with them. Within the little time they had been working together, Fiona had come off on them as the 'trustworthy' type. Were they mistaken? Was their Captain mistaken? "They didn't appear to be your ragtag band of people, nor did they seem like a group of rebels. Those people having uniform armor and possessing incredible combat capabilities suggests a certain high degree of organization among them." Akira continued on but stopped when he noticed that Natalia was staring at him. "What is it?"<br/><br/>"Why are you here? You were there too! Shouldn't you be in holding as well?!" Natalia lashed out at Akira. The other simply shrugged his shoulders and put on his usual bored look. "Isn't it obvious? I fought with one of them. I already gave your captain my full report on the matter down to the last detail. I've already done my part, they no longer have any use for me. I just stopped by at your Captain's request to give you all a message." he paused and made sure he had everyone's attention before continuing to speak. "Good. Listen well, your Captain wants you to take no part in the investigation. All your efforts are to be spent on preparing for the 13th and lastly, for strict compliance, none of you are permitted to see Fiona or talk about that incident to anyone else. These are effective immediately."<br/><br/>Shock kicked in to everyone else inside the room. Natalia was the first one who failed to contain it. "WHY?! She's a member of our squad! We have ev--"<br/><br/>"That is<span style="font-weight: bold">exactly</span>why!" Akira's raised tone instantly smothered Natalia's somewhat bratty attitude. "Don't you get it?! If this is what the interrogators think it is, then they could mistake your entire squad of being compromised! Imagine how that would end for all of you!"<br/><br/>A long silence followed, deafening almost. "As long as you all understand..." Akira trailed off and left the room without saying anything further.<br/><br/>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Day 10 of Month 3 - Grand Cathedral Holding Cells: Night</span></span><br/><br/><br/>A knight hurriedly opened the doors after hearing a knock on it. Realizing who was on the other side, the knight immediately clasped his right hand to a fist and brought it up to his chest. Guilford returned the gesture and waited a moment for the other knight to step aside before walking in.<span style="color: #0080FF">"How is Fiona?"</span>he asked first and foremost. The other knight walked alongside Guilford, matching his strides as they both proceeded along the hall. "She's still refusing to speak to our interrogators Master Guilford, sir. I doubt she would talk to anyone but you. That's the reason they called for you. Sorry Master Guilford, we know you're busy but--"<span style="color: #0080FF">"She's a member of my squad. Think nothing of it. Is this matter being handled as I initially requested when we brought them in?"</span>Guilford cut him off abruptly. The other knight struggled to grasp his composure before he spoke again. "Y-yes sir, we kept knowledge of this to a bare minimum for now but..." he hesitated before continuing. "protocol dictates that we submit a report to the council soon. We don't know how much longer we can keep this under wraps sir."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"As long as it needs to be."</span>Guilford stopped, looking at the knight with a determined gaze.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I am aware of the protocol but I need time to sort this out. Do I make myself clear?"</span>he asked authoritatively. The knight stiffened upon meeting Guilford's gaze but immediately gave in. "O-of course sir. We will do our best." he responded and began walking alongside Guilford once more.<span style="color: #0080FF">"What about the other woman? Did she say anything?"</span>The knight rummaged through his recently updated report files but frowned at the knowledge. "No sir, she's still going on about us not knowing who we're dealing with and that the consequences of our careless actions would be our downfall." he informed the Seraph.<span style="color: #0080FF">"What do you make of it?"</span>he asked the knight, solely for individual input. "I-uhh... uhm... I think she's a part of a rebel group."<span style="color: #0080FF">"Is this where they are held?"</span>The sudden question made the knight realize that they had long arrived at the holding rooms. "Yes Master Guilford, Knight Fiona is in the room to the right."<br/><br/>Guilford nodded his thanks to the knight who escorted him but declined any further company. Taking a few more steps, Guilford stood in front of the door to the left, he took a deep breath before opening it.<br/><br/>"Your affilation woman! Tell us who you're working for!"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Knight Vargas, that's enough. I'll take it from here."</span>Guilford firmly ordered. The frustrated knight took a few breaths to calm himself down before he acknowleded the order and left the room. Guilford waited for the door to close before turning his attention over to their captive. He studied her for a moment before coming forward to sit across the lone table in front of her, purple eyes meeting black ones in a calculating stare.<span style="color: #0080FF">"So we meet again."</span>he greeted the woman apathetically. "So it would seem." she immediately responded, a calm demeanor settling over her. Guilford continued to gaze into her eyes before sliding the papers that lay quietly before him aside.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Time is a limited resource wouldn't you agree?"</span>he asked her, holding strong to his gaze. "Indeed." she responded once more, keeping her cool in check.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You knew I was a Seraph when we first met. I think it's safe to assume that you are well informed of a Seraph's duties, yes?"</span>he asked her even though he already knew. "Naturally."<span style="color: #0080FF">"Good. Then you do know that my time is better spent elsewhere yet here I am talking to you."</span>he paused, clasping both hands together and resting them on the table.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Allow me to get straight to the point then. Why do you want to take Fiona? What is she to you?"</span><br/><br/>The female captive shifted in her seat, putting on a smirk that Guilford couldn't place. Was it confidence? Was it mockery? Regardless of what it was, he needed her to cooperate. The sooner he could get her to talk, the better it would be for everyone involved. "La Riviere." she murmured. Guilford tilted his head to the side with a questioning look that urged the woman to continue. "Her family name is La Riviere—nobilty—and she ran away. I'm only here to bring her back. Judging from your reaction, it's pretty clear that you didn't know." she went on.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Fiona's records and history did not indicate any familial ties noble or not—nor were there any suspicious elements in them."</span>"Of course there wouldn't! Otherwise what's the point of hiding one's identity?" she asked him, mockingly this time. "Look Seraph, that is all that I can give you. The less you know about her—us, the better it would be...<span style="font-weight: bold">for everyone.</span>" she sat back and looked at Guilford with her sharp eyes.<br/><br/>Guilford took a momement to piece the puzzle inside his head, yet there was just too little of the facts there to make sense out of anything. This woman had just made it pretty clear that she wouldn't cooperate but going by the way she sounded, it was gravely disturbing.<span style="color: #0080FF">"What's your name?"</span>he asked but the woman simply sighed in response. "What does it matter?" she asked in return.<span style="color: #0080FF">"My name is Guilford Rosenwulf."</span>"I know who you are."<span style="color: #0080FF">"Then you do know that I also came from nobility, one of the last few surviving noble families at that and I can tell you this, La Riviere isn't on that small list, or anywhere in the noble circle."</span>he reiterated. A visible twitch from the woman's brow gave away a sign that she was a little shaken, Guilford took it as a chance.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Surface Dwellers. Why did you call him that?"</span>This time, the woman slammed a fist on the table. "I'll say this again Seraph! For the sake of everyone, the less you know, the better. Let me take Fiona back with me and you can all resume your lives as it were." Her words made Guilford stare at her flatly.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I can't do that. She's an active Pristine Knight directly under my command. As far as I'm concerned, you're trying to kidnap one of my knights. You think I would just allow that?"</span><br/><br/>Guilford's words infuriated the captive woman even more yet she did well enough to subdue it. "Very well then, we're done talking. I was under the impression that you would be more reasonable than your lousy interrogators..." she paused and placed her bound hands on the table. "Don't think this is over Seraph, we'll be back for her and next time, none of you will stand in our way." She warned Guilford and stood up. Even though she was bound by chain, the captive woman expertly drew seals in the air faster than any seal expert Guilford knew and before he could react, the captive woman released the seal and vanished in thin air, just like how her other companions did back in the alley.<br/><br/>At a loss for what to do, the first thing he thought about when he first saw this trick came back, 'great another group of people who can teleport'. Guilford shrugged his shoulders in defeat, he thought Hyuga's Chains of Nullify was enough to suppress that ability but he was clearly mistaken. Whatever it was didn't seem like magic, or perhaps it was just too strong for the chains? Nobody could tell now but the real question is, if she was capable of escaping captivity right from the start, why didn't she? Why did she let herself get taken in? It only implied that their mission of bringing Fiona back was just that important to them, but the question is still why indeed. Why do they want her back so badly? Why now and not when Fiona was still at the PKA? Or even before she could join the Pristine Knights? Why did they say it was for everyone's sake? Confused, Guilford stood up and went straight for the door, stepping out in haste and stopping right in front of the door to the opposite room.<br/><br/>He reached for the knob but stopped midway. Would now be the best time to interrogate Fiona? Would she even talk to him? It was pretty obvious that the other woman didn't want to give away too much information, what makes Fiona any different? She was the person in question and it only makes sense that she wouldn't divulge any information about herself, granted that she most probably took great pains and effort in hiding her past and identity. Deciding against the thought, Guilford lowered his hand and turned away from the door. He shouldn't talk to her now, it was probably for the best if he gave her time to think. After taking one last glance at the door that separated him from his subordinate, Guilford began walking away.<br/><br/>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Day 11 of Month 3 - Grand Cathedral: Afternoon</span></span><br/><br/><br/>As expected, this council meeting had turned out to be a heated debate. Guilford had tried his best to present a more reasonable defense strategy for all islands involved yet the council chose to put that aside and implement their own strategy—an ill advised one so to speak. Of course Lethe wouldn't stand for it and here she is now,<span style="font-style: italic">courteously</span>fighting them for what she wants to happen for Palaugrim. He knew a small part of the reason (Lady QuianHua and Leia so to speak) as to why she wanted to make sure Palaugrim is well defended, hence the reason why he took painstaking efforts in coming up with a balanced plan, but the council just had to take that away from everyone. The way he sees this new troop allocation, it was heavily in favor of Gless and Lindela and no matter how these old folk sugarcoat or justify it, to his eyes it was merely an attempt of them to save their own skins. It didn't have to be like this but being objective about it, Gil could somehow understand where the Councilors stand. They were just trying their best to make sure that the Bastion of Light remain standing no matter what happens. If this is what they wanted to happen, he had no choice but to actually obey, though it didn't mean that he had to like it.<br/><br/>Ultimately, the discussion ended with Lethe leading the defense for Palaugrim under Councilor Laith's approval. She had once again thrown herself first to grab the shortest end of the stick. Glancing at her fellow Seraph, Gil's expression was one filled with apology. He knew his plan would work best given the circumstance but this outcome was far too lopsided to be even called a strategy. It was tiring enough to listen to these old men gloat, yet even more exhausting to see that they were trembling against the threat of Eve. Gil wanted to say that they need every able body if possible and that it would be helpful if these old folk could pick up the sword and fight for themselves. However, just imagining them out on the battlefield was...a nasty thought. Only a swift death would be waiting for them there.<br/><br/>"Then we will begin moving the troops at once. You are all dismissed." Cornelius concluded the meeting.<br/><br/>Guilford gave courtesy to the councilors before turning his back on them and sighing in relief that the meeting was finally over. He had wanted to speak with Lethe the moment they stepped out of the Council Chambers but with Abel's presence, the other was none too pleased to linger. He watched her walk away slowly, seemingly detesting the current strategy they had with little to no choice but to obey, there was hardly anything neither one of them could do and both of them knew it.<br/><br/>"Master Guilford, a moment if I may?"<br/><br/>Gil glanced to his right side spotting Abel standing a polite distance away from him. He had expressed a want to trade words which in this time Gil had no excuse to deny. With heavy footing, Gil walked over towards the old knight.<span style="color: #0080FF">"What is it?"</span><br/><br/>"I saw the look in your eyes back there. Would you rather be close to her even if the closest you can be is an island away?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Heh."</span>he scoffed. What is with this old knight today? Gil asked himself. Abel was playing nice even though they both know that it wouldn't change anything. He could appreciate him trying to make ammends, truly, but what he did to his relationship with Lethe—putting a crack on it—was just something he was not ready to forgive just yet.<span style="color: #0080FF">"That goes without saying now wouldn't it? I care for her. I'd gladly take her place in Palaugrim in a heartbeat."</span><br/><br/>"I know. That's why I want you to defend Lindela instead. Let me take your place here in Gless."<br/><br/>A slightly confused look was the first response Gil could manage to give the old knight. It was unusual for him to want to deviate from orders. What changed? Gil couldn't figure it out but if he's offering him an opportunity to be able to respond should Lethe need help, then he would take it.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You are aware that this would be against council orders yes? If so, what's the catch Captain Abel? Do you need something in return for this?"</span><br/><br/>"No but I would only ask that you lend me the strongest half of your squad. I'm not as young as I used to be so I'll need their help in the event that enemies make their appearance here on Gless."<br/><br/>Guilford gave it a moment's thought before finally deciding.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Fine. I will assign Alfrei, Georg, Joaquim and Vlad under your command. I'll have Lance's squad join you too. Would that be satisfactory?"</span><br/><br/>"Yes. I think they would be an adequate compensation for you being on Lindela instead. Thank you Master Guilford."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Adequate</span>?! Gil thought to himself. He had just given Abel command over two of his Light's Wrath capable knights and Lance Fitzherberg! If anything, they are way more than enough to compensate! Should he give him command of the other Crests too? Gil knew that Abel just wanted to be able justify this act of switching posts to the council should they find out but still, he didn't need to make it seem like the other knights were weak. Gil wanted to shake his head but refrained from doing so. Perhaps this old knight had been in service for far too long that he was beginning to fail in calculation of abilities.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Hmph. Will that be all then?"</span><br/><br/>"Yes that will be all. Light guide you, Master Guilford."<br/><br/>Guilford turned around but stopped before walking away.<span style="color: #0080FF">"And you."</span>he mumbled softly before continuing on.<br/><br/>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Day 11 of Month 3 - Grand Cathedral Holding Cells: Night</span></span><br/><br/><br/>It had been a day since she was kept in holding. Fiona paced around the room restlessly. Why hasn't anyone come to talk to her today? Yesterday the interrogators vehemently tried to tie her up with a conspiracy plot and now they were just nowhere to be seen. The guards in her room wasn't helping much either. No matter how many times she asked them about an update on her status, they just wouldn't talk to her. Surely by now the council must have heard of this debacle but why aren't they taking action? From a defeated knight to a prisoner, how low can she get? She may not be bound and treated like one but still, it felt like the whole knighthood had turned their backs on her. All this was making her anxious. The last person she had seen was her Vice Captain, and even he didn't say much either, he only kept asking questions...questions she didn't want to answer.<br/><br/>From her restless pacing around, Fiona finally found comfort in the bed that was recently brought in for her. She lied down quietly, contemplating on the reasons she had left her previous life behind and chose this one. Sighing heavily, Fiona brought her left arm up and rested it on her forehead. It would seem that she was useless in this life of a Pristine Knight as well. She was nearly killed not too long ago and now the people she left behind came to bring her back. She hated it, hated the fact that no matter where she went, she could never do anything good. Before long, tears had begun to trickle down from her eyes. All she ever wanted was to be able to do something to change this world for the people. Was that too much to ask for? She always gave it her best didn't she? Fiona had grown tired of the secrecy in her past life, tired of sitting idly by as the world continued to slowly spin towards its destruction. Her people had the power, her people held ancient knowledge, her people had the means to help the Light and yet all they ever did throughout the years was hide! It didn't sit right with her, she wanted to be the difference that was needed to change the world. This is why she left yet here she is now, held captive by the same people trying their hardest to save this world...and once again she was unable to do anything.<br/><br/>La Riviere, the name she discarded. When she was but a child, she had seen how horrible the first war was. Despite them living a secluded life far away from it, her father along with the other elders of their community, had always watched the worldly events unfold before their eyes. Fiona would often sneak into their meeting chamber and watch the giant crystal ball hanging above the ceiling play visions of the first war. They were horrid—often times gave her nightmares in her sleep, but she couldn't stop watching them. Each time she did, a fire in her heart grew restless. There were numerous incidents in which their community could have done something to help and yet, the elders had chosen to remain neutral. It pained her—angered her—that they were so passive when it was clear that they had the capacity to either prevent some of the tragedies she had seen. From then on, she had vowed to be the difference. Fiona honed her skills to the best of her ability, knowing everything she could about the arcane arts, even subjected herself in the Guardian training program against her parents will, all just so she could learn how to wield weapons, everything for the day she would leave and help change the world. However, by the time she had learned everything she could the war had come to an end. It was all thanks to the two knights who had accomplished what a great many couldn't, defeating the God of Sin.<br/><br/>It left her with a bittersweet emotion, one that she couldn't forget. Sure she was happy that the war ended, but the aftermath kept her heart bleeding for the people. The land was rotting and the people had lesser and lesser places to live on. As much as she wanted to be able to do something, she knew it all too well that she alone, despite everything she had accomplished, couldn't fight this new foe. However, on one fateful day, one that she hadn't expected in her lifetime to come, their community announced that they would be having guests from the outside. Curious, teenage Fiona made preparations to once again sneak inside the meeting chamber. She would never forget that day, the day The Immaculate called upon their people for help. She could sense the tremendous desperation in their voices, she could almost hear their silent pleas, she was almost sure the elders would say yes but the first word that came out of her father's mouth was 'no'. She was too distracted by her anger at her father that she failed to pay heed to the following discussion however, it appeared that her father was the onle one opposed to the idea. The elders said yes which made Fiona feel extremely overjoyed yet saddened by the fact that her father chose self-preservation instead. It was at this point when Fiona made up her mind to discard her family name and leave their community.<br/><br/>After a month of preparation, Fiona took the chance to slip out of their community along with those tasked to help perform the rising of the islands. She immersed herself within the people, learning the difference in culture and adapting to a life outside their reclusive community. It did not take her long to come to love the outside world, strengthening her resolve to make it a better place even more. And now here she was, helpless.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Why are you crying?"</span><br/><br/>W-when did he-- "C-captain?!" a startled Fiona nearly fell off her bed. She had been so immersed in her own thoughts that she had failed to notice that the guards have left and that her Captain had come in--he was already seated too! She pulled herself up and tried for a semblance of grace—if she still had that—in front of her commanding officer. "I was just..." she sobbed one last time before steeling herself. "I was just...thinking."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"So it would seem."</span>Guilford smiled at her lightly.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Deep thoughts?"</span><br/><br/>Fiona smiled back at him, though it was a tad forced, the gentleness she first saw in her Captain's eyes made it a lot easier to do so. "Yes. Perhaps."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Do you want to talk about it then? It helps when there's someone to listen."</span>he offered kindly.<br/><br/>It took Fiona a lot of time to decide. She remained quiet for a long time but her Captain respectfully did the same. It didn't feel like he was her Captain at all but it was nice of him to act this way when she was a mess. "I'm sorry Captain... but I can't. Not now at least..." she trailed off. She had expected him to suddenly turn back into that strict person she knew but instead, all she got was a wider, warmer smile from him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"It's okay Fiona, you can take your time. Just know that you can talk to me whenever you're ready."</span><br/><br/>It was probably the nicest thing he had ever said to her during the course of her career under him—it sounded genuine too. So he does care about his subordinates, he just probably doesn't want people to see it. It was nice to be able to see a softer side of her Captain, that made Fiona wonder how he would act if he wasn't a Seraph.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I'm having you released today. Sorry it took so long but I'm sure you're aware that I almost get little to no free time nowadays."</span><br/><br/>Wait, what? He was having her released? Did she hear him right? "Captain... why?"<br/><br/>Guilford chuckled and stood up from his seat.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Don't be silly. You're a knight of Squad Eight, <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> squad. I need you on my team. Not because the thirteenth is almost here but because you're an excellent knight. This is not the place for you do you understand? Besides, that woman who was after you had already left or... escaped to be precise."</span>he shrugged his shoulders.<span style="color: #0080FF">"It's safer to have you close to me and the others at all times."</span><br/><br/>She was at a loss for words. If her captain was this confident about having her released without any problems, it would only be because he already took care of everything else for her. She wanted to thank him but she didn't know if words alone would be enough. He still trusted her to be on his team, and he just said he needed her there right? Not because they were short on manpower but because he wanted her there. Fiona didn't know if she was just looking for confirmation of her worth but it still felt nice to hear it, especially from someone she held in high regard. She could only nod as a genuine smile slowly formed on her lips.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Good. It's settled then. Fiona, I expect you to report for duty tomorrow. If you don't show up, I will drag you to our squad quarters myself got it?"</span><br/><br/>"Y-yes, Captain." she smiled at him as she watched him leave the room. It still took her a few minutes to allow the things to sink in but when the guards never came back, she figured that it was time for her to leave as well. The moment she opened the door, she saw a familiar sword resting just outside. Nirvana, the sword her Captain gave to her. She had no idea how her Captain got a hold of this when she was sure she left it at home but still...she was glad that he did.<br/><br/>Without hesitation, Fiona picked up the sword and raced her way out of the holding cells.<span style="font-style: italic">I am a Pristine Knight!</span>she thought to herself with pride.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/><br/>Perched on a balcony, two people lay flat on their stomachs, behind the cover of some potted plants just across the house of Fiona. The larger male seemed to care less for what they were doing but the smaller one looked ecstatic. He was enjoying this.<br/><br/>"Don't tell me this is what you do during free time when you were still a scout?"<br/><br/>"Shut up and pay attention Silver. We're supposed to be watching<span style="font-style: italic">her</span>remember?" Akira pointed at the house across the balcony, or more accurately, the owner of the house.<br/><br/>Silver sighed in defeat. It was at Guilford's request that they were here in the first place—to watch over Fiona. "Not<span style="text-decoration: underline">her</span>Akira. We're supposed to be watching out for<span style="text-decoration: underline">those people</span>you encountered in that alley. Don't mess this up please? I already feel bad enough to be doing this but with you around? I'm starting to feel like a pervert!"<br/><br/>"Shhh! Quiet! She's going to the bath now! Oh. my. Light. Take a look at that!!"<br/><br/>"Oh Light forgive him..." he mumbled and smacked Akira unconscious.<br/><br/><br/>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Day 12 of Month 3 - Grand Cathedral, Squad Eight Quarters: Morning</span></span><br/><br/><br/>"Good morning Sir Hyuga!"<br/><br/>The chipper greeting startled the half awake man who was bobbing his head like a chicken in front of his desk. Hyuga slowly turned his head to the left but his blurry vision prevented him from any sort of recognition. He hadn't had a single wink of sleep while immersed in his research that he was beginning to feel his body's limits. He yawned a big one before attempting to clear his vision. However, before his hand could reach his eyes, his sense of smell caught a wiff of familiar aroma. Only then did Hyuga realize that it was Fiona holding a cup of warm coffee for him right before his face. He dragged his eyes up only to be met by a pretty smile from the female knight.<br/><br/>"Oh... thanks..." he responded tiredly, taking the cup of coffee and sipping a little bit to jolt his senses back to life. "Good to have you back..." he added and turned to face his research once more.<br/><br/>"T-thanks I guess?" she responded warily. Even though Hyuga sounded like he was about to die from exhaustion, there was no mistaking the fact that for a second, he smiled when he welcomed her back. It made her happy. The others weren't in yet but her heart was pounding in excitement. For some reason, she couldn't wait to be in the company of the rest of Squad Eight.<br/><br/>This is where she should to be, and this is exactly where she wanted to be.