The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'-Chapter 352 - Last Night Together: For Now, Forever, For Always (Part 1)

The final roster had been decided by that evening. Qatrand returned to their quarters with the documents, signatures still drying on the bottom of the official papers. Seven other cultivators would join her in the mobile strike force, each bringing valuable skills and histories that fit their assignment.

Elua looked up from the small wooden table where she was arranging various items for the other girl to take with her. Notably the finished brooches as symbols of her squad... and what appeared to be a slim obsidian talisman. An object whose existence the Yecine was uncomfortable with.

’But when she agreed to destroy it if I just said the word, I couldn’t nod. Turns out I’d rather be an accomplice to premeditated vengeance than be the reason why something even more terrible happened.’

Qat felt a little distressed about that, but hadn’t come up with a better answer. She sat the papers down on the table and shrugged out of her black blazer.

"Done already? I expected your vice-master to try talking you into at least three more candidates from your Guild."

"She did. I held firm on our selections and my reasons."

Elua released a small smile of approval at her confidence in decisions. The pride rolling out into the tendrils of spirit clinging to her was clear and bright. She absolutely loved when her ’fortress’ was assertive... even if it was with just her point of view toward other people!

Qat sat down at the edge of their bedroll, watching as Elua carefully wrapped each brooch in protective cloth. Considering the idea was to hand them out very soon, it seemed like an unnecessary extra step to the swordswoman - and the Goltbred could feel her curiosity.

"They were supposed to have been delivered to us, not made here. And this additional level of preparation also makes all of it have that much more meaning on their psyche."

A small hand raised and showed a faceless figure unwrapping the jeweled item and looking at it before raising it high in the air.

"Have you never gotten a gift from me... or perhaps a letter, and been even more excited due to having to unwrap or unseal it?"

"I suppose. I hadn’t thought about it, but you may be right."

For a while, neither of them said anything. Until the eighth was wrapped and placed aside.

"You were also right about her combat skills. A group like this needs her as someone to compare to. Someone besides myself."

"It’s nice to see you thinking about these things. It’s a sign of a good leader to consider the motivations of those under their command. Though I’m of the opinion that it would be perfectly fine to have this group idolize you."

The very thought clearly sent lots of uncomfortable feelings through the teenager. So much that she just changed the subject slightly.

"And the... other matter? You said you fixed it. You’re sure?"

"I did. She won’t have any problematic fixations during your mission. Her spirit has been adjusted just enough to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your leadership. And like I explained, that friendly warning is all I did to it."

Qat nodded, choosing not to press for details. Sometimes, with Elua, it was better not to know the specifics. Trust in this case meant accepting that her wife would handle certain matters in her own way.

For the next hour, they discussed practical matters of the assignment. Talks about where the girl expected them to be sent over the next week, the sort of supplies she recommended they keep past what was required, and small bits of other advice that seemed applicable.

"If you’re separated from the group - which you will not be, because you’re too cautious to do that twice - but if it happens, activate the essence in this charm."

Elua held up a small silver pendant. She’d wanted to tear from her dress and melt it down, but settled for the nice looking one the jeweler had. That man was feeling very happy that he smuggled in goods to peddle in the middle of this Descent!

"It will create a distinctive spiritual marker that our birds could follow. I’ve tied it to their leg bands and it will work... quite far away. But it also might alert enemies, so find a good spot to defend."

Taking the pendant, the swordswoman felt for the intricate sigil work beneath her spiritual sense. Wrapping the chain up and putting it in her belongings, she turned to the girl who had always looked out for her and smiled.

"You’ve thought of everything."

"Not everything. Just the important things."

A soft knock interrupted them. Qat rose to answer while Elua quickly covered her work with a cloth. At the door stood a junior officer, balancing a covered tray. A selection of regional food specialties and a small pot of fragrant tea that he had been paid to prepare for them. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Finding a hobbyist cook somewhere in the fort and bending their arm a bit was a simple matter. Making their final night before departure both special and normal was important to the heiress. Hopping up to take the items, she arranged the meal between them on the floor as Qat shut the door.

The blonde, for she had made the hair adjustments after entering the room, watched her wife’s graceful little hands as they poured the tea. And couldn’t help but notice the tension in her fingers compared to normal. One that she was hiding from her spirit.

"Tell me more about the other team members."

A quick prompt to distract for a little while as they began to eat. The Yecine described each chosen cultivator - their abilities, temperaments, and how she intended to utilize their strengths. Like the trap specialist from the Void Defense Society; the young healer with an Empath Astralism like her cousin; and two Ironclad fighters with prior Descent experience.

Throughout her explanations, Qat noticed Elua’s attention on her words periodically drifting. Not from disinterest in her - quite the opposite. Mint eyes would fix on hands, jawline, the mark on her neck that had yet to fade because it kept being ’touched up’.

Each time, the Goltbred would catch herself and redirect her focus with a visible effort. After a while, Qatrand felt like she couldn’t just leave it alone when her wife blinked slowly and reset her expression once again.

"Are you alright, El?"

"Of course. Just memorizing you."

Seeing her soft hand reach for the teapot, a calloused hand moved to brush their fingers together. The brunette withdrew it with unusual speed, a crimson flush spreading across her cheeks and sending the teapot rocking and clattering on the stone.

"El..."

"It’s nothing. I’m fine. Just... really excited about your opportunity. I’m so proud of you, my love."

Her ’sweet’ voice carried an unusually forced sounding lightness that fell well short of being convincing. So much that it seemed intentionally done, if it wasn’t for the ’panic’ that surged after the words came out. After the reincarnator could hear how she sounded.

The muscular teen crawled over and took her spouse’s hand firmly in hers. This time, the smaller cultivator didn’t pull away, though Qat could feel her pulse racing through their connected palms. Like it did when they were making out with overzealous kisses - but even more uncontrolled.

"Talk to me."

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