Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Two: Growing Closer

It began with subtle glances and fleeting conversations. Clorinde and Wriothesley found themselves increasingly aware of each other's presence in the fortress. Clorinde, despite her formidable exterior, watched him from a distance as he moved through his daily routines. She would catch glimpses of him walking towards the pankration ring, his form confident and assured. At times, she would see him observing her as she meticulously maintained her weapons, his eyes reflecting a quiet admiration.

Wriothesley, too, found himself drawn to Clorinde. He often saw her in the training grounds, her focus unwavering as she honed her skills. He admired her dedication and the silent strength she carried. Their paths would cross in the hallways, and each passing glance held a silent acknowledgment of the other's presence.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day, Clorinde found herself wandering the halls of the fortress, seeking solace. She stumbled upon Wriothesley in the library, immersed in ancient texts. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a warmth that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Clorinde," he greeted her, his voice a soothing balm. "What brings you here at this hour?"

"I could ask you the same," she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.

He gestured to the seat beside him. "Join me. Sometimes, the weight of duty can be lightened by good company."

They spent the night discussing everything from strategy to their views on justice. Wriothesley, curious about Clorinde's perspective, asked, "How do you feel about the criminals you face? About the judgments you must pass?"

Clorinde sighed, her gaze thoughtful. "I find no enjoyment in the part of my work where others call me an executioner. It's a necessary burden, but not one I take lightly. Many people challenge me to a duel, not realizing what they've gotten themselves into. Often, they forfeit before the fight even starts."

She paused, looking down at her hands. "But I believe in justice and fairness. If my opponent doesn't have a Vision, I won't use mine. If someone is blind, I'll blindfold myself too. It's important to me that every fight is as fair as possible. Justice shouldn't be about overwhelming power; it should be about equality and respect."

Wriothesley listened intently, his respect for her deepening. "That's an admirable stance, Clorinde. It takes a strong person to uphold such principles."

Their shared dedication to Fontaine and their desire to protect those they loved formed the foundation of their bond.

Clorinde had been stationed at the fortress as the primary security officer to guard the relic until all the necessary security measures were fully implemented. During her shifts, additional personnel were assigned to cover for her absence, though she took very few breaks, determined to ensure the relic's safety. The task proved more challenging than she had anticipated. The lack of sunlight beneath the sea made it difficult to track the passage of time, with the only indication of nightfall being the dimming glow of the water.

As Clorinde's commitment became evident, the fortress staff's attitude towards her shifted. Initially viewed with curiosity and skepticism, her relentless dedication and unwavering focus earned their respect. Guards began to speak of her in hushed tones of admiration, while even the inmates, though wary, showed a subtle change in demeanor, recognizing the steadfast guardian among them.

Wriothesley overheard the guards discussing Clorinde as he walked past them one day. "She's relentless," one guard whispered. "I've never seen anyone so dedicated."

"True," another guard replied. "She's earned her place here, that's for sure."

Meanwhile, Clorinde found herself hearing the inmates speak of Wriothesley in a new light. She had heard rumors of his terrifying strength and commanding presence, but here, within the fortress, the inmates spoke of him with a surprising respect.

"The Duke is fair," one inmate said. "Strict, but fair. He treats us with more respect than we deserve."

"He's strong, no doubt about it," another inmate added. "But there's a sense of justice in everything he does."

Their professional relationship soon began to evolve into something deeper. It wasn't just their shared dedication to their duties that brought them closer, but the moments of vulnerability and courage they witnessed in each other.

One such moment occurred during a crisis at the fortress gates. A surge of primordial seawater, now infused with something dark and malevolent, threatened to breach the defenses. Clorinde and Wriothesley found themselves side by side, leading the effort to hold back the waters. Clorinde sent all the other security personnel away, worried for their safety without a Vision, insisting that she alone could guard the relic. The guards were already evacuating the inmates when Wriothesley arrived on the scene and took command. The guards secured the barrier, and he used his Cryo powers to lock the darkened water in place, all while Clorinde refused to leave his and the relic's side, declaring that no one should be or feel alone when facing such a threat.

Though the primordial seawater was no longer inherently dangerous, its dark infusion made it a potent threat once more.

As Wriothesley concentrated on holding back the water, a group of desperate inmates saw an opportunity to usurp his position. They believed that with Wriothesley occupied, they could overwhelm him with their numbers and claim his role as Duke. Clorinde, ever vigilant, intercepted them. Though outnumbered, she fought fiercely, her blade a blur as she defended Wriothesley and the relic. Her skill and determination ensured that none of the inmates could break through, and despite their numbers, she emerged victorious, her focus and precision unmatched.

Neuvillette soon arrived and purified the water, explaining that the relic must have caused the disturbance. He advised them to destroy it, assuring them that its powers would vanish with its destruction. They agreed and thanked Neuvillette for his guidance.

Wriothesley and Clorinde prepared to eliminate the relic using a powerful combination of their Visions. 

Standing together, Wriothesley unleashed his Cryo powers, enveloping the relic in a freezing mist. Clorinde then struck with a surge of Electro energy, creating a Superconduct reaction. The intense burst of energy shattered the relic, its dark aura dissipating into nothingness. They stood back as the remnants of the relic disintegrated, its powers neutralized and the threat finally ended.

Afterward, they reflected on the now-finished security system. "It's a pity," Wriothesley mused, "all that work for nothing."

Clorinde suggested, "We can still use it as a testing system. Place something seemingly valuable where the relic was and monitor if anyone tries to bypass it. It would help us identify anyone with bad intentions within the fortress without posing a direct threat or health risk."

Wriothesley nodded thoughtfully. "An excellent idea. It would also ensure that the effort we put into the security measures doesn't go to waste."

Their combined efforts saved the fortress that day, and as they stood panting and exhausted, they shared a moment of profound understanding and respect. It was in these life-and-death situations that their bond truly solidified.

With the crisis averted and the relic destroyed, it was time for Clorinde to leave the fortress. Her job was done, and she needed to return to her duties above the sea. Wriothesley, however, insisted on sharing one last cup of tea together after all that had happened that day.

As they sat by the fire, Clorinde spoke of her experiences in the fortress. "This place is different from what I expected. Most of the inmates are just people who have made mistakes, big or small. They try to lead new lives here, and there's a sense of community, despite everything."

Wriothesley nodded. "It's not an easy place, but it's a place where people can start over. Even here, justice and fairness must prevail."