PHOENIX. [sequel to 067]

05. the gentle goddess.

   "shall we begin?" the woman before you asks. her voice is fair, soft, and light, like a falling snowflake. she wore a large crown alongside a long white dress, while her hands are gloved with lacy arm gloves.

her icy glare laid upon you and dottore, as if she's analyzing how dottore allowed you to sit yourself on his lap. especially with his arm wrapped around your waist. it caught her attention for a brief moment, before she shifted her gaze to everyone in front of her.

  "we shall," pierro speaks as he intertwines his fingers on the table. his gaze hardened at the sight of the ginger male.

  "real quick!" said ginger calls out, lifting his hand up into the air so the attention's on him, "where is pulcinella?"

  "he is a on a mission, childe," the bright woman speaks gently, "signora is as well, and i do believe scaramouche is under the doctor's eye, is that correct?"

  "yes, my lady," dottore answers. his face seems to harden as the lady shifts her gaze onto him, but it's not as if you noticed it.

your gaze was too focused on everything, everyone, before you. there's so many different people, all of different complexions and backgrounds before you. not to even mention the new room, with the lack of decor.

however, you took note of people's names as they were addressed. the ginger, at the far end of the other table, is childe. and there's a few others, whom seem to not be here at the moment. you knew only two faces, pierro's and dottore's, yet, the long, black, haired male at the other table seemed familiar. you probably knew him before you died, you thought to yourself.

speaking of your death, you couldn't wrap your head around how dottore threatened to murder you, yet, is dating you. aren't people supposed to be nice to those they love? you wouldn't kill someone you love, never. unless, of course, that was just a saying because he was worried. that could be it. he could just be worried about you. you did die, after all.

   "now that's out of the way, ah, doctor, may i see the dear you have on your lap?" the woman asks as she steps closer towards you. she bends herself over the table and extends her pale arm forward, holding your chin in her hand. she doesn't seem to notice dottore's hardened expression at her touch, as she tilts your face to either side, examining you. her eyes stopped at your neck, where a large and ragged scar remained. her thumb rubs over the small bump, "oh my. this is where he had tried to end it, isn't it, doctor?"

  "yes, my fair lady."

  "may i inquire as to how you brought him back?" she asks as she draws away from you. her hands were gentle and soft on your skin and she treated you as if you're some fragile doll. she made sure that her touch hadn't bothered you, yet, neglected to check with dottore; whom was very much bothered.

  "an elixir, my lady."

  "details, please. i wish to hear more about your new discovery, doctor."