Eight Intertwined

126 - Grace

Primrose walked carefully through the streets of Stillsnow, admiring the scenery all the while. She hadn't been given much time to relish in the changes she had brought about by killing Rufus during their previous mission, but now, she had every chance to enjoy how far Stillsnow had come. The streets were far livelier and brighter than they ever had been before, and more people were out and walking around too. Children were running and playing gladly, their laughter ringing out in the snowy skies. 

Primrose couldn't help smiling at the sight of it all. She had never imagined Stillsnow to be capable of such lighthearted joy. When she arrived there to kill Rufus, Stillsnow had felt oppressive and heavy. People shuffled through the shadows because that was the best way to survive without being swept up in the tide of evil Rufus seemed to take with him everywhere he went. With Rufus gone, every aspect of public life had improved drastically. If Primrose had to guess, she would have said it had something to do with Therion's work in the mansion. He had tried hard to keep his actions a secret, but Primrose could figure it out easily enough. Therion had grabbed money for the rest of the group, and it was a natural conclusion to assume he had done the same for the rest of the town. She didn't know why specifically Therion had gone so far, but she figured that was a question for another time. She would have a chance to talk to Therion while on the road, but first, there was someone else she needed to speak with before she left town.

Primrose knocked deliberately on the door of the house that had previously been used as the hub for all of Stillsnow's brothel girls. She wasn't entirely sure if Arianna would still be there now that she had been granted her freedom, but Primrose figured she would at least try to pay her old friend a visit while she was in town. Being back in Stillsnow was reminding her more and more of her mission and how long she had been holding it off. Primrose hadn't told any of her friends about her next destination being Noblecourt since she hadn't been ready to go back there when Therion had to pass through town previously, instead choosing to sit with the truth of her actions ever since leaving Stillsnow.

Primrose wouldn't go so far as to say she was ready to go to Noblecourt yet, but she was getting closer. Her thoughts on revenge were just as shaky as they had been when she first struck Rufus down whether she wanted to admit it or not. Killing Helgenish had felt good, far better than it had any right to, but revenge didn't strike Primrose as quite so perfect a purpose. It had been the only thing for her to live for ever since her father was killed... But was it really what she wanted? 

All thoughts of vengeance melted away from Primrose's mind as soon as the door opened. When she looked up, she was met with none other than Arianna herself. The other woman gasped in shock at the sight of Primrose before her face broke out in a smile. "Lady Primrose! I didn't realize you were back in town!" Arianna exclaimed. She stepped aside and gestured for Primrose to enter the building behind her, and the dancer gladly did so. "What are you doing here? I thought you were traveling across Orsterra."

"My traveling party just so happened to pass through Stillsnow again," Primrose replied. "I figured I would come by to see how you were doing. A lot has changed since I was last in town. Everyone seems so much livelier than when I was last here." Primrose proved her point by looking at Arianna from head to toe. She was no longer wearing the clothing of a brothel girl, instead having changed into a warmer jacket and skirt to fit the cold climate of the town. Her outfit was far less elaborate now, but that was exactly what she wanted. Arianna could dress how she wanted, and this was her decision.

"Life has been so much brighter since Rufus died," Arianna agreed. She gestured to the rest of the building, and Primrose glanced around at Arianna's suggestion. Most of the beds had been cleared out, leaving extra space for the few women who were still living in the building. There were decorations lining the walls, and more importantly, there were signs of the building having been lived in. Like the rest of Stillsnow, it felt alive, and the world was that much brighter as a result. "I suppose we have you and the rest of your group to thank for that."