Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 52: Storm of Hearts, Part Eight

{October 5, 239 2E}

{Lianna}

A letter arrived early that Thursday morning.

Lianna picked it up off the ground, from under the door frame it had been slipped through. Enverna was stretching in her workout clothes, intending to go for a run soon. A reality TV show was playing in the background, currently featuring some lady slapping another for supposedly trying to steal her lover.

After tearing the envelope open, Lianna saw that it was from Miss Taylor.

"Is that from your... distant guardian?"

"Yep."

Enverna quickly stopped what she was doing to go sit beside Lianna. The crimson-haired girl began to read the letter’s contents.

"Dear Lianna and Enverna, I did some research on this mission and found that many of the people taking part in it are reputable, respectable individuals. I’ve worked with a couple of them before, as well." Lianna’s brows shot up with surprise. "I don’t know every single person that is slated to participate but there are a few individuals I would say are completely trustworthy. In particular, you should try to remain close to a boy named Melvin Proudline and a lady named Sylver. I value you..." Lianna swallowed as she read this, feeling quite affected by the sudden declaration that followed. "I care for you quite a lot, Lianna. So, I hope you don’t take this statement lightly when I say that I trust them to look after you."

[Yeah?] Lianna couldn’t help but think. [Why haven’t you met me in person, then?]

She didn’t want to disregard all of the gifts Ms. Taylor had given to her over the years, as Lianna could likely never pay her back for them even if she tried. But...

[I mean, just once, I’d like to actually *see* you.]

She cleared her throat, continuing to read the letter.

"In conclusion, I would say you should go ahead and tag along on the mission. Stay near those two individuals and stay as far from any fights as you can, but not... Huh?" Lianna tilted her head as she read, "not too far. After all, if someone does have bad intentions, they will likely strike while the rest of the group is occupied."

"That does make sense," Enverna nodded.

"Yeah," Lianna replied. "I just hope no one seriously still thinks we’re murderers."

"There’s bound to be a few conspiracy theorists who believe that footage the administrator released was ’just too convenient’, of course. But, I imagine most people don’t think so."

"Anyway," Lianna kept going, "the exploration is set to happen on... the 6th!?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Apparently," Lianna was in shock. "Ms. Taylor found out before we did."

Almost as if on cue, Enverna got a text message. She checked it and said:

"Yes, I just got the notification. We are to meet the others taking part at the Player’s Gate."

"Okay then..." Lianna went to finally finish reading the letter. "Trust only these individuals I mentioned. Be observant and cautious, but also try to learn. If no foul play happens, then this is truly a good opportunity to watch high-level players at work."

"I agree," Enverna said. "I suppose this means we should get ready then."

[Yeah, but...]

Lianna stared up at the ceiling.

There was just one thing about all of this that poked and prodded at her mind more than anything else.

The quest message that almost felt like it was taunting her at this point.

{Prevent the ascension of the Storm Fiend}

The gala part of the quest had, obviously, been removed, but the quest itself was still active.

[What if something happens to Mel while we’re gone? What if Jack suddenly shows up to absorb her specifically? What if Mel gets herself into some trouble?]

It was clear that Mel was the key to this quest. But, Lianna couldn’t do anything for her if she wasn’t around the girl.

[Wait a minute...]

Lianna’s eyes popped open.

"OF COURSE!"

Enverna did a double-take.

"That’s quite the dramatic revelation you just had. What happened?"

"Envy, tell the Shields of Saren that we’re gonna bring one more person."

"Huh? Who?"

"Mel! I’m gonna go let her know!"

"B-But, wait! We-" Enverna called out, but Lianna was already out of the room well before she could say anything to stop her.

---

{Mel}

Mel had spent most of the day with her face buried in her pillow.

All of the effort she’d gone through, all of the money she’d spent, and only at the end did she realize it was futile.

Sure, it didn’t seem like Lianna was going to throw Mel away or anything, but... What if that changed? Sure, she and Enverna weren’t in a real relationship right now. But, what if they ended up in one?

The more infatuated Mel grew with Lianna the more it felt like she was setting herself up for inevitable disappointment.

[Maybe... Maybe I should just try to mind my own business. But...] That damned kiss played back in her mind the instant she had that thought, as though dragging her, kicking and screaming, right back to the same mental spot she’d been in at the start of all of this yesterday. [I want her.]

Someone knocked on her door.

Getting up, Mel walked to the door in fluffy bunny slippers and a cheap bathrobe she’d bought last night. Given how sensitive certain parts of her felt after her waxing, Mel wanted to wear stuff that would let her body breathe.

Opening the door, Mel immediately felt all of the oxygen in her lungs vanish.

"Hi! I just- holy fuck, Mel," Lianna blinked, "you look great!"

"..." Mel’s mouth opened and closed on its own a few times until she finally managed to squeeze out the words, "thank you" from her tight throat.

"Seriously! I mean, don’t get me wrong, you were already super cute but the new haircut really suits you!" Mel just blinked. "By the way, can I come in?"

"Y-Yes..." Mel stepped aside.

As if Mel’s home belonged to her, with the kind of confidence that had, in large part, been responsible for making her occupy so much space in Mel’s mind, Lianna strutted through the room and sat down on her couch, crossing her legs and patting the spot next to her.

Mel walked over and sat down as well. Lianna quickly began to say:

"So, I wanted to ask if you’d like to head with Enverna and I to see a mission."

Mel held back a sigh.

[Right. Of course, she’s involved.]

She couldn’t say she wasn’t expecting that to some capacity, but she was still a little disappointed. She was also curious, however.

"What do you mean ’see’ a mission?"

"I mean, tag along for one." Sensing that Mel still didn’t know what she meant, Lianna continued. "The Shields of Saren invited us to go watch some high-level players take a mission on. I wanted to bring you along too, since I figured... You know, maybe you’d appreciate it." Lianna stopped. "Was I wrong?"

"Um, n-no, it’s just... A little sudden," Mel replied.

"Take your time. If you want, you can let me know tomorrow. I just, ehm... Well," Lianna laughed slightly awkwardly, "I really want you to come with us. I think it’d be fun."

[Would it?]

Mel took a moment to consider what was being offered. In truth, as long as she made enough money to get by, Mel didn’t really care enough about being a player to want to watch the high-level ones doing a mission. Hell, she’d only joined the Watchful because it meant having a roof over her head for once.

But... On the other hand, something a little more interesting could happen on this trip.

Mel looked into Lianna’s differently-colored eyes, both of them gleaming with a friendly warmth to them as she considered the offer. Eyes so beautiful they should have been illegal.

[How am I supposed to ever say "no" to that?]

"Um..." Mel turned away. "I-I guess I could go."

"Awesome!" Lianna shot up out of the couch and struck a very, very dorky victory pose. "We’re gonna have an amazing time, I promise."

"I hope so... We," Mel took a deep breath, pushing some of her recently-shortened hair behind her ear. It took quite a lot of courage to say this, but she forced herself to do it.

She was trying to change, after all.

"We didn’t get to finish what you started the other day..." Mel finally all but whispered.

Lianna’s eyebrows arched with surprise. And then, instantly, her expression changed. Gone was the friendly, warm face she’d been making a moment ago and suddenly, it was like a different woman entirely had taken over her body.

One with very dirty intentions.

She moved forward, putting a knee between Mel’s legs and leaning down to ask:

"Is that what you really want?" Her voice was a couple of octaves lower.

Mel swallowed, nodding a little.

It was almost scary, though, how quickly a different part of Lianna could take over.

She pulled back, however, a slightly apologetic look falling on her face now.

"About that..." Lianna began to say. "You understand the position I’m in, right?"

It was like Lianna had dropped a boulder on her lap.

"Y-Your marriage?"

Lianna nodded.

"I feel like I should clear this up now. Really, I should have done it sooner," she corrected herself. "I’m not used to the, uh... The more serious side of this sort of thing, so it just kinda slipped my mind that I might be giving you the wrong expectations. I’ve never been in a real relationship, after all. But," Lianna took a deep breath. "Mel, you’re already a great friend in my heart. And, I do like you a lot, but..."

"... We can’t go farther than, uhm... ’That’?" Mel finished for her.

Lianna nodded.

"..."

Both of them remained silent for a moment. Lianna broke that silence with a sudden fit of giggles.

"Shit, I completely ruined the mood just now, huh? But..." She took a more serious tone again. "I want to be clear on this. Do you understand what I mean?"

Mel certainly couldn’t say she didn’t. It’s precisely what had her crying into her pillow last night. She understood it from the moment she’d first seen Lianna and Enverna interact. There was something happening between them that was very different from what was happening between Lianna and Mel.

"I get it." She forced the words out.

"Okay," Lianna let out a deep breath. It looked like that hadn’t been easy for her to say, either. "If you’re alright with that, I’ll show you the time of your life anyway. I promise," she smiled warmly. "If you can’t take it, then let me know and I’ll respect whatever boundaries you set up. But, again, we’re friends. Your heart takes priority here. What do you want?"

"Could I think about that?"

"Of course," Lianna replied. Walking over to the door, she turned and, as warmly as ever, said, "I’ll see you later."