Broken Providence

(10) Introduction and a Tour

Paladin laid in the hard cot for the night. She didn't sleep nor did she eat what they gave her. Trinity was highly suspicious of her, she knew not to give in to their poisons or truth serums. Her stomach growled but she didn't eat. She was either incredibly stubborn or incredibly paranoid. She didn't even take her mask or her armor off she kept her teapot close protecting it. She kept thinking that they'd break and attack her.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. The room was so small that she heard voices on the other side of the wall. There were two people at least.

She opened the door slowly.

"Paladin hello! We've been sent to show you around! My name's Claire!" She said cheerfully. Paladin only stared at her, a girl with velvet hair parted to the side who was tall and tanned, then she glanced at the one accompanying her. She was a bitter looking dark skinned girl with bleached hair and a buzz cut. It was Belm, the Ameno Disciple.

"You're the soldier I fought yesterday," Paladin said simply. Belm scowled and looked away.

"The name's Belm, Ameno disciple Belm," she said sternly. Paladin nodded slowly.

"Would you have me call you by your full title?" She asked. Belm narrowed her ember eyes.

"Absolutely, Paladin," she said scoffing, Paladin nodded. "Do you have a name 'the paladin'?" Belm asked suspiciously. Paladin nodded.

"if you wish you may call me Aleodei," she responded simply. Belm narrowed her eyes while Claire smiled and clasped her hands together.

"What a pretty name!" she commented. Aleodei nodded and looked to the side, pretending to not notice Belm's glare. "So Aleodei, where'd you like to go first?" Claire asked kindly, Aleodei shrugged.

"Canteens? I don't know," she said naming a random location, Claire smiled.

"Your heart is in your stomach isn't it?" She said teasingly. Aleodei stayed still confused.

"My heart is in my chest cavity, lieutenant colonel Claire," she responded seriously. Claire burst into laughter and Belm only stood in the back brooding. Aleodei turned her head in confusion, unable to find the humor.
——

"This is the canteen, it's one of the largest buildings aside from the training center, but that one has an open roof on the inside," Claire said walking around the main dining hall. "There's two floors and they have vegan options!" She said enjoying being a tour guide. "You see Belm here, is a vegetarian, so we having this option is super cool! Cause we don't have to struggle to feed her," Claire said smiling at Belm, Belm only became flustered and annoyed.

"Too personal Claire," she said leaning in, "the girl doesn't need to know I'm a vegetarian," she scolded. Claire grinned and laughed and poked her side.

"C'mon what if Aleodei is like you!" She said. Aleodei shook her head and raised her hand.

"I enjoy meat very much," she commented. Claire grinned.

"You know I've been here my whole life and I just know you'll love it here Aleodei, even if you're not a vegetarian," she smiled warmly. Aleodei felt something in her, she couldn't identify what it was, she just knew it couldn't be.

"Claire, why don't we stop with the canteen and show Paladin the rest of the Trinity Quarters," Belm said impatiently. "Just so we can get this over with," she said under her breath. Claire smiled and nodded turning to Aleodei.

"Where else would you like to see next? We have the announcement hall, we have the training center, open to recruits up to disciples, we have the lieutenant quarters that share the building with the sergeants, the dungeon building is underground but you're stationed in the ground floor, the lower ranking officers building, we have Lady Monarch and the general's building... but we're not allowed there for any reason.. um, let's see what else..." Claire stopped trying to remember what else was there to see. Belm rolled her eyes and softly laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Let's just start in the training center Claire," she said offering help before walking ahead without them.

Claire watched her go, and turned to Aleodei,

"Don't mind her rudeness, she'll warm up to you I know it Aleodei," she said smiling and trying to catch up to Belm. Aleodei started ahead, trying to figure out how she was live here until The Infernals were defeated. "Are you coming?" Claire asked looking back at her. Aleodei nodded.
—-

"Thank you for the tour, I am indebted to you, but now, I will be retreating now to my quarters, have a nice night Lieutenant, Disciple," Aleodei said as she moved past the two girls. Belm tore her ears open but failed to hear Aleodei's retreating footsteps. her suspicion growing by the second.

"she has a nice name," Claire said still allowing Aleodei's name to echo through her head. the two began heading toward the lieutenant's building. Belm narrowed her eyes.

" You're actually taking to the paladin?" she asked surprised and disturbed. Claire shrugged.

"In times of war the person whose enemy is our enemy is our ally, once we've defeated the Infernals, then we'll deal of Paladin Aleodei," she said.

As they entered Claire's dorm, Belm didn't stop at the door, but stepped in and laid down. It was practically Belm's dorm too. It was because of Claire's nightmares that she began spending the night, but now it was out of custom and comfort that she stays by Claire's side. Belm had always liked Claire more than Arielle and the other lieutenants, but now it was because she really really liked her. Courting and all.

"I don't know how to feel about the paladin invading our headquarters or how lady Monarch just suddenly agreed to it, but.." she turned to look at Claire who was brushing her hair in front of the mirror. "..but whatever happens, I'll always be here to protect you, Claire," she said with a slight smile. Claire turned and smiled. She moved the bed and leaned down to give a soft peck on Belm's lips.

...