Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 65: Search and Rescue, Part Two

{October 17}

Lianna and Enverna huddled together closely as the former scrolled down the Watchful’s members interface.

She was showing a few different missions they could take. After everything they’d been through, Lianna suddenly felt very good about taking an actual mission.

Enverna agreed. They needed to test themselves.

"So, what are you in the mood for? We’ve got a variety of options."

Enverna tried her hardest not to focus on the fact that Lianna’s body was almost draped over hers. She was so warm that Enverna felt like she was going to be set on fire.

"Ideally, we should be going for something that revolves around actually helping people. Like Sylver told us, we’re Search and Rescue. If we do not ever develop our ’rescue’ skills, we might end up underperforming if we get assigned to something."

Lianna nodded in agreement.

"True. Let’s see if we can find anything that doesn’t involve much combat... Means you won’t get to show off, though."

"Do you mind it when I do?" Enverna asked with a smirk.

"Nope. I usually look forward to it, actually," Lianna told her with a playful tone.

As they perused the available quests, a few caught their attention:

1. Mountain Refuge Evacuation (URGENT) - Assist in the evacuation of a mountain refuge threatened by an impending avalanche. Ensure the safety of the stranded players.

2. Lost Expedition in Iceditch Valley - Locate a group of players who went missing while exploring an ice-covered valley. Bring them back safely.

3. Riverside Rescue: Capsized Canoe (URGENT) - Respond to an emergency distress signal from players whose canoe overturned in dangerous river currents. Retrieve them and their belongings.

Note: Missions tagged "Urgent" are best left to Players who own sears to fly with, unless you can somehow make it to the target’s position in a short amount of time.

"Not a lot of options," Lianna noted. "By the way, Envy, you’re rich. Why don’t you own a sear?"

"Unfortunately, having money can only do so much. Sears are rare, precious creatures. If one is found generally speaking they will choose to simply keep it rather than sell it to anyone."

"Ah, gotcha." Lianna nodded.

Then, suddenly, she rested her head on Enverna’s shoulder.

She just did that, with no warning or precedent. The sheer audacity had Enverna twitching. All of a sudden, she was made even more conscious of the heat her friend was exuding.

"It looks like that Iceditch mission is all we can really do, then. Unless you want to wait for a better mission to pop up in a couple of days. What do you think? Should we go through with it?"

"Yes, yes... Sure."

"Mm?" Lianna scanned her face for a bit, wondering if something was wrong.

All Enverna could do was try to get her heartbeat under control, until Lianna got off her.

Which, she seemed to refuse to do.

"Well, I guess we’re going to be acting like actual Watchful members for once. I’m excited."

Enverna ignored the big, dopey smile being sent her way. She didn’t like how it made her feel.

"If it’s a non-urgent mission, I doubt we will be the only ones who go, right?"

"Oh, you’re right. We’re probably going to get a few others from the guild too." Lianna didn’t sound too excited about that part.

[I guess, even if she’s not one to let the opinions of others get to her, she’s still hesitant to interact with people... Unless she gets to dictate the tone.] Enverna’s eyes briefly fell upon her fiance, whose expression as she rested on Enverna’s arm was one of slight melancholy. [I wish I could help with that somehow.]

"It might just be us too, though. In any case, let’s sign up." Enverna said and Lianna went and submitted their names and ranks to the list of people who would be attending this mission.

---

The Player Gate loomed ahead like a monumental gateway to adventure. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

As Lianna and Enverna drew closer, the ambient hum of voices and the subtle clinking of equipment became more pronounced, creating an atmosphere charged with excitement and determination.

Players, clad in an array of armor and wielding an assortment of weapons, milled around the meeting point. Some exchanged hearty laughs, some just made sure they hadn’t forgotten anything at home.

Others engaged in focused conversations, discussing strategies and sharing tips for the impending mission. The air seemed to crackle with anticipation, each of the 6 players there exuding a nervous but eager energy.

For Enverna, the pool of the 6 players who’d be accompanying them was a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Mostly.

Amidst the sea of strangers, there was one person she recognized. Enverna’s recognition sparked a sense of intrigue and curiosity.

Xi, the mysterious beauty Enverna had spoken to at the shoot, was standing there as well.

[She’s here for the mission? But...]

Although Xi wasn’t a member of the Watchful, she was very clearly standing among the other players, seemingly waiting to go ahead and depart. The blonde stood out from the rest in the way that she held herself up. Clad in a suit of elegant, thin, black armor, made of a material Enverna did not know, she stood with a subtle pride and elegance in her posture.

She noticed Enverna’s lingering gaze and casually greeted her with a wave of her hand.

"Looks like we were the last ones to arrive," Lianna said, glancing at Enverna. "I’m kinda nervous all of a sudden. We’re actually on a mission!"

Prying her eyes off Xi, Enverna nodded.

"Let us hope that everything goes smoothly."

As the appointed team members assembled, introductions were exchanged between the others, and each player shared their unique abilities and roles within the party.

Naturally, Lianna made sure to check them all, just in case anyone there had bad intentions, and relayed her findings to Enverna.

"Everyone seems pretty normal. That girl over there, though," she whispered, "she’s unusually strong... Oh, wait, isn’t that the cutie you were talking to at the shoot?"

"Um... It is, yes."

"..."

Lianna gave her a very big, very annoying grin.

"What?" Enverna asked.

"You didn’t deny that she’s cute..."

"Oh my- Lianna, t-there is such a thing as objective beauty! I have eyes. I can... compliment her for her appearance without meaning it in a strange way."

"Mhm."

"I can."

"Mmmhm."

"Frustrating..." Enverna turned away, just as the object of the conversation moved toward them.

"Mrs. Alteri and... well, Mrs. Alteri," Xi greeted them with a bubbly giggle. "It is a pleasure to run into you like this."

Enverna perked up, trying to compose herself.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you," Lianna thrust a hand out. "I heard you offered my wife some company while I was away during the photoshoot. I was curious who would be so bold as to do that. In public, even!"

Enverna gawked at the crimson-haired girl, the meaning in her words not going unnoticed.

"Nothing quite so scandalous, I’m afraid, though I’m sure that would produce some interesting headlines. We just talked," Xi replied.

"I know, I know. I was just joking," Lianna laughed away the tension Enverna suddenly felt. "My name’s Lianna, by the way."

"And I’m Xi," the two of them introduced themselves formally, shaking hands.

Enverna had no idea why Lianna’s remark had caused her heart to beat a little bit faster, but it had.

"Um, by the way," Enverna stepped in, "aren’t you a member of the Silver Blade? What are you doing here?"

"Oh my, be careful with this one, Lianna. One quick evening is all it took and now," Xi sighed, "all she wants is to be rid of me."

Lianna cackled. Enverna blushed, but she wasn’t too sure she understood what Xi was implying.

"All jokes aside, however," Xi continued, "I heard that you were... I almost said it out loud. Forgive me." Xi gestured for them to lean in closely. Lianna and Enverna did so.

Placing her hands atop both Lianna and Enverna’s shoulders, Xi whispered:

"I heard that our snow-haired friend here is a Constellation’s follower. I wanted to check you both out myself."

Both Lianna and Enverna pulled back with shock. Enverna’s guard was now up.

Xi raised her hands.

"Calm down, calm down. I mean no harm... At least, not unless you do. I am The Peaceful’s follower. He is the one who told me."

Although she gave a fairly believable reason, Enverna and Lianna both couldn’t help but want to stay on guard after what happened with Jack.

"I understand if you do not trust me yet," Xi stated. "But, well, that’s what this trip is for. I figured I’d tag along so that you could both get to know me and I could get to know you," Xi said, looking into Enverna’s eyes.

"I... I see."

"Please, let’s not allow this little revelation to make things awkward. We were having such a good time! We have a mission to see to. Let’s give it our all!"