The crimson moon's glow contends with the streetlamps arounds the silent road.
At this waning hours where one's biological clock hits its due time for rest. Klein and Selina walked side by side at the empty district.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Selina felt a cold draft all the way from her coat. She immediately snuggled around her arms, tightly wrapping them to her shoulders.
Regardless of being a beyonder. Immunity against the cold is simply too unrealistic... Selina silently mused while listening to their footsteps.
Klein's eyes remained fixed ahead. He's neither cold nor unsettled.
I wonder if Seers are an exception... Selina noticed his calmness.
However, his hands hidden beneath the pockets of his coat shivers uncontrollably. I wonder how far do we still need to walk?
Klein's teeth have been secretly chattering long after they left.
I should suggest a pair of clothes to be made available... his eyes suddenly lit up. Wait, that's already a thing right? Reimbursement? How come it didn't crossed my mind?
Suddenly, he looked at the lady beside him, cradling her shoulders.
I'd freeze if I lend her my coat... I suppose being a 'Gentleman' is just a fancy word for being the first person to die in a cold snap...
While lampooning. Klein, reluctantly sighed and started unbuttoning his coat with a strange intent.
"Hey..." Selina's slightly frail voice spoke. "How come captain was the first to come out when Royale was the first to be treated?"
Klein paused his hands while keeping a steady walk. He answered casually, "Right after she received healing. She went and helped Old Neil in tracing the silver needles."
"I see..." Selina murmured.
Then without any warning, a coat was brought to her front by a hand. She saw this and Klein's arm stretching over.
"Uhm... What is this?" Selina asked politely while raising a brow.
"My coat, you're freezing..." said Klein, appearing quite indifferent.
What? Selina was puzzled. "But won't you feel colder if you take it off?"
"I'll be fine." Klein's thoughts went blank.
Seeing this, Selina quickly observed his expression and found it odd almost instantly.
"You dummy, I can see that you're resisting."
Damn tell me why am I doing this again? while saying this inwardly. Klein shrugged it off and smiled, "It's in my nature."
In my nature? Selina's eyes narrowed while her thin brows knitted. "All of us are drenched when we were at the carriage Mr. Moretti. Our clothes are now damped and even if I layered myself with hundreds of wet clothes it would still feel cold!"
Sensing the tone of her voice. Klein's arms slowly pulled back out of instinct.
"So if you don't want me to get mad then wear back your coat." Selina stopped walking altogether.
"..." Klein went silent for a few moment before snapping back. "Right... I'm sorry, I didn't know what came to me..."
Our clothes are wet... didn't I told myself that I would freeze just as I unbutton my coat? he wrestled in his heart.
Seeing his melancholic face as he wore the coat back. Selina fought the guilt of rejecting his offer and in exchange, she tried to lighten the mood.
"How was your siblings doing?" she smiled while still cradling her body.
After adjusting his clothes, Klein lifted his head. "My siblings?"
Selina nodded unhurriedly as she began walking again, assuming that he'll resume as well.
"They're alright. Fortunately, our unit is several blocks away from Morroy's residence." Klein answered casually and politely as he could.
Right on the heels of that, he suddenly turned to Selina and asked, "What about the Heath family?"
Both Selina and the family lived next or one block away from the operation.
"I suppose they have been temporarily detained... Thankfully your divination is accurate that they're going to safe." said Selina in passing.
Having said that. The atmosphere suddenly went quiet.
Among the looming fog illuminated by the streetlamp's light. Faint taps of boots both heeled or flat fills the silent venue.
In a few of the buildings, there were lights within forming a silhouette of the room's interior by the window. The hushed tones of the awake citizens couldn't have been more audible.
It was only when Klein decided to bring out a matter that the silent was cut off.
"Where do you usually go if you're off-duties?" he asked without turning to her.
Selina thought momentarily before saying, "I usually just stay at home."
Because I have to constantly check those believers of mine while reading more of the documents... Actually, last time my stay was prolonged by a few minutes. Does that mean that each time I visit, the dreamworld extends my stay?
"What about you?" she casted her gaze to his side-profile.
Klein stole a glance at her on the corner of his eye, "At morning, I continue my mysticism lesson with Old Neil with you. After that, I would visit the Divination Club, anything in between can concern my investigation or daily life."
"Investigation?" Selina blurted out.
"It's about the Aurora Order members running about in the city." Klein answered as he pace.
"Aurora Order... How many have you identified so far?" Selina murmured before adding.
Klein deliberated his words and said, "The Antigonus Book was brought into the market by Sirius Arapis and have caused the deaths of the innocents. I later found out that the book was sold by Sirius Arapis and Hanass Vincent who are members of an ancient secret organization, the Aurora Order."
The Antigonus Book... Selina ruminated over the term. "Why is Ray Bieber after the book?"
"It's an ancient relic of the Fourth Epoch according to the Church." Klein refrained from disclosing more as he said, "The book in under the Holy Church now. What's left is the root of its appearance."
"I see..." Selina murmured to herself.
According to the Hanged Man, the book originates from an ancient and mysterious family... Antigonus.
"What about you?"
"Huh?" Selina turned toward Klein. "Me?"
Klein nodded and said, "What have you been doing ever since joining the officials?"
Other than reading? Selina mused as she recalls how most of her time had been allocated to knowing her believer's history, the documents and her pathway.
After about three seconds of listing her mind, she answered, "In the morning, I go out to buy pastries right outside Daffodil Street. Then I head to Blackthorn to continue mysticism lesson like you do. Around lunch time, I socialize with the staff upstairs. After that I'm free for the rest of the day until it's time to go back to Mr. Gawain for training."
You can clearly tell I'm just here to be monitored... Experimenting on botany, medicines and such. I guess the mysticism lesson is another way to hook me into the company...
Klein nodded indiscernibly. "Then what do you around that free time?"
"I spend it in recluse inside of the alchemy room... Refining my skills as a medicine maker." she sighed self-detractingly.
"Anything else other than that?" Klein struggled to picture a room where all he could do was work.
Selina shook her head gently then chuckled. "The pestle and vials are my companion. And besides that, I just read."
Klein became unsure on how to respond. Simply looking at her as she smiles.
For him, he wasn't too against being in seclusion. Although it's peaceful, he would be lying if he states that he can spend the rest of the day inside it, with only but work tasks and lacking entertainment.
Being a corporate slave had already made him glimpsed at the nature of workaholism, and surely enough he wasn't impressed.
However, he had to experience it at some point. Through this, Klein became acute in figuring out common practices against mental drain.
And what could be a better way than to have a cup of coffee to wrestle the cost of expenditure?
"How do you prefer your coffee?" He instinctively asked.
"Coffee?" Selina stammered and turned to look at him.
"Coffee." Klein repeated for her but it left him puzzled, "Don't you drink a few cups to soothe the mental drain?"
Oh, I guess he must be referring to how I like my coffee... Selina shook her head and confessed, "I don't drink coffee."
Klein was slightly taken aback, then he remembered how she used to decline Old Neil's frequent offer of Fermo coffee during the start of his lectures.
"I prefer milk..." replied Selina with honest. "I don't know why but in the past I'm very accustomed to drinking coffee, however now the taste is just too strong for my palette."
"Right..." Klein didn't pressed further as instead fixed his back ahead.
Over the course of their trip. Selina was engaged into discussing different trivial matters with Klein. The street was engrossed with the crimson moonlight that it did not distract the duo.
"Really?" she exclaimed. "Sweet Iced Tea, in Iron Cross Street?"
That's a few districts near Daffodil!
Klein smiled while facing forward. He was in a good mood promoting the best bakery in Tingen in his opinion to a potential daily customer.
Kind owner, delicious pastry and affordable price. Where could you possibly find such a humble bakery anywhere in this city... he gave his utmost compliments in his heart.
"Smyrin's Bakery..." Selina murmured as she commits the shop's name in mind. "You know I have been really thinking of a beverage to go well with Desi Pie."
Klein perked up and repeated, "Desi Pie?"
"Yes!" Selina nodded with enthusiasm. "Its sweet and slightly sour taste brought by sliced apples..."
"Coupled with rich meatiness of the tiny bits of meat." Klein continued casually.
Hearing him quickly pick up on the dish's taste made Selina paused immediately before turning to look at him.
"You also like Desi Pie?" Selina asked in disbelief, only to think that it must be common due to its taste.
So in haste, she immediately retorted, "I mean... who wouldn't like Desi Pie?"
Klein smiled and nodded. He said wittingly, "In the past, we could only afford one serving of it on a local restaurant. But even now, we don't often buy one."
"One serving is one soli and five pence..." he couldn't help but picture the amount of pound bread allocated to one serving of the pie.
One soli? Why's Mr. Moretti worrying about a spare change if he wishes for a piece? at this moment. Selina's ignorance of money was beginning to worsen.
Then out of goodwill, she offered, "If you can suggest a good restaurant, then I'll consider treating us both for one serving each time we head to Mr. Gawain's."
Each time... you mean daily? Klein looked at her with astonishment. That's one soli and five pence per day, five to six times per workdays, that's... eight soli and five pence! Almost half a pound!
Seeing his expression. Selina was brought into terms of what she had obliviously blurted out.
Mhm each time... each... time... her body tensed. That's daily!
"Ahhh wait!" in the spur of the moment. Selina quickly tried to cover her slip-up, "I meant each time I receive my weekly pay. Right, I will finally receive my first ten soli pay at the end of the week so maybe then we can have Desi Pie."
I see... Klein almost thought that the lady was actually an aristocrat in disguise.
Following this relief, he turned his head.
Upon seeing Selina's relaxed and anticipatory expression. A few thoughts quickly ran into his mind.
To think you were just about to be eaten and here you are, smiling as if those were false...
At this moment, Klein merely observed the lady as they walked.
But regardless, their time slowly turned into a session of blended disputes and trivial topics.
Klein grew unease of how Selina processed today's mission.
When the street's signage entails the district's name as Daffodil. It didn't take them long to arrive at Unit 17 where they both saw multiple carriages took off from each houses and for Selina to see Martha Heath about enter her porch.
After an exchange of pleasantries and reassurance, Selina saw Klein tipped his top hat and subsequently strolled away.
Martha on the other hand couldn't help but smear what had happened. Prompting her to smile wearily and simply nod her way to the lady's assumption.
"I'm sorry for worrying you Mr. and Mrs. Heath." Selina gave a courteous smile at the couple.
Martha nodded and gave a firm offer, "If you ever feel like your home is too large. You're always welcome at our doorsteps."
"Thank you." Selina expressed her gratitude.
Marl, who's right beside Martha, took off his top hat momentarily before donning it back. "Well Ms. Roy, have a pleasant evening."
"You too, oh and say hello to Odelle for me." while waving, Selina exhaled silently. Watching the couple return to the next unit.