Chapter Text
With a sigh Roatreamon set down her quill pen. When she had first opened this orphanage, she knew she would have to write many letters and records, but it was still more than she had expected, she thought ruefully. With tensions rising between Argentum and Plumbum, it was more important than ever to secure funding and supplies. Her family's status and name could only carry her so far, she had realized over the years.
As she straightened the papers on her desk, her eyes fell upon the photograph of herself and Mamina. Her chest tightened; Mamina's body had never been found, and when Roatreamon had visited Mamina's mother and learned that fact, they both had broken down crying. She took the photograph in her hands and pressed her lips against the frame. "Mamina," she whispered. "I wish you could be here with me."
Over the years, the pain had dulled, but she still grieved, not only for Mamina, and she missed Aer and Neviril, and Rimone and Dominura as well. She sometimes saw Yun at official functions, acting as Onasia had, but they had not spoken since that day the survivors of Chor Tempest had entered the Spring. Memories stirred in Roatreamon's heart, of Amuria, of Mamina, and the other fallen members of Chor Tempest.
A knock at the office door jolted her out of her thoughts. "Come in," she called out.
The door opened, revealing Paraietta. "Our friends are starting to arrive," she said with a faint smile on her lips.
"Thank you. I'll be there shortly." Roatreamon stood, and with one last glance at that precious photograph, she left her office. Today was the anniversary of the end of the war, and she had sent out invitations for reunions. Two members of Chor Tempest, who had entered the Spring after Amuria's death, had written back saying that they could not make it, while the others had promised they would be there. However, Roatreamon had yet to receive any sort of reply from Floef.
She met with Paraietta in the courtyard, and Morinas and Eliph had already arrived. Although Morinas had joined Chor Tempest after Eliph had gone to the Spring, they had become close friends while working together on the Messis. Morinas was heavily pregnant and children surrounded her, and as Roatreamon and Paraietta tried to calm the children, Alty and Kaim arrived, and the children grew even more excited. Roatreamon couldn't say she was surprised; it had been a long time since the orphanage had this many visitors, after all.
By the time Vuraf arrived, the children had thankfully calmed, so the adults were able to gather around the courtyard table and catch their breath. "And I thought dealing with one child was hard enough," Morinas said, patting her belly. "I really hope I'm ready when the second one comes."
Roatreamon chuckled. "The children are just happy to see all of you."
Eliph rested his chin on his hand. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? Though I'm not sure I have the right to be here…"
"You were a member of Chor Tempest longer than I was," Vuraf replied. "We were Simoun sibyllae all the same."
Paraietta returned with a tray of tea and set down a cup for everyone, but then frowned. "Floef isn't here yet, is he?"
"I sent a letter to his farm, but I never received a reply." Roatreamon glanced at Alty and Kaim. "Have you heard anything from him?"
Alty shook her head. "No, not in months." She let out a heavy sigh. "I know we're not a Pair anymore, but still…"
Kaim adjusted her glasses. "It's kind of strange, isn't it? Once, Floef would've looked down on farm work because of his family status. We all probably would've. But now he's changed."
"We all have." A wishful expression came upon Paraietta's face, and no longer did she force her voice so deep.
A sheepish smile came upon Eliph's lips. "Morinas told me a little of what happened to Chor Tempest after I went to the Spring," he said, a touch hesitant. "Could you tell me more?"
Between the six of them - Roatreamon, Paraietta, Alty, Kaim, Morinas, and Vuraf - the conversation grew chaotic, but Eliph listened intently. They told him how Neviril paired with the outspoken Aer, about Rimone and Dominura, Mamina and Yun, Wauf and the Messis. They told him how Rimone and Dominura performed the Emerald Ri Majon and vanished, and of Mamina's sacrifice to save Neviril. They spoke of how Yun became keeper of the Spring, and how they all helped Aer and Neviril perform the Emerald Ri Majon to open the door to a new world. They laughed and cried, and the memories settled over them like dust.
More than anything, Roatreamon wished this peace could last forever, impossible as such a desire was. Floef's absence was a sharp reminder of the fragile relationship between Argentum and Plumbum, and Vuraf had told her that both he and Floef had received draft orders from opposite sides. Roatreamon bit her lip; even though Simulacrum had surrendered unconditionally to end a war, another war was likely to erupt, and more children would suffer.
"Oh no, don't tell me I'm late!"
Everyone's heads jerked up at the sound of that voice, and in the gateway stood Floef, a familiar pout on his face.
Alty was the first to her feet. "Floef!" she exclaimed. "Where have you been? Why haven't you sent any letters lately? We used to be a Pair, you know! Don't you know how worried I've been?"
Floef rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I've been really busy lately, and then on my way here the train broke down, so…"
Roatreamon couldn't help but laugh as she stood to greet Floef. "What's important is that you're here now," she said, taking his hands. "Please, have a seat."
As Floef joined the others, Paraietta poured him a cup of tea, and the mood around the table lightened considerably. This image would never be complete, Roatreamon knew, not without Aer, Neviril, Rimone, Dominura, Mamina, Yun, Amuria, or the other lost members of Chor Tempest, but for now, this would have to be enough.
Above them the sky flashed, and a Simoun, one of a modern design and not ancient like Plumbum priestesses preferred, dashed across the sky and vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and then a second Simoun followed, also disappearing into the light. It happened in the blink of an eye, but Roatreamon recognized the shapes of both Simouns, and she uttered a silent prayer.
"Oh, Simouns. That takes me back." Floef grinned widely. "You know, I think I might have finally figured out why we kiss to activate our Simouns."