"I... I could have sworn..."
Kyra seemed to be walking back and forth through the mansion's halls. She would stop and check each vase along the right side of the hall.
"W-where is it!?"
She stamped her foot, causing her maid uniform to flutter. Her face grew dark as she pulled her hair back from her face. She glared through the halls until a foot dashing around the corner caught her eyes.
"You!"
Her voice was loud and came out as a growl. A soft red aura seemed to outline her legs as she zipped through the halls. In her frustration, Kyra overshot and flew passed the pair of feet she had seen.
"Dammit! You stole it, didn't yuh!? Com'ere yuh rat!"
Kyra spun around and grabbed ahold of a parted curtain. It tore with her increased strength, leaving it to flutter on the ground beside Aveline. She looked down, her eyes wide.
"Eh... uh... Ave-Aveline? No way..."
Kyra stumbled as she stared at the curtain that she shredded.
"Y-yuh won't blab, will yuh?"
Aveline pulled a couple of books out from behind her back. They were blank, their covers removed. Kyra's eyes were filled with worry.
"H-huh?! Why-"
Aveline put the books back behind herself, her tiny smile beginning to appear.
"Kyra, Kyra, Kyra. You are already so loyal to me, so I can't blackmail you with this."
Kyra trembled slightly as she stared towards the books.
"C-can I h-have my books? D-did you..."
Aveline's smirk grew a little as she tapped the books against the window.
"Aww... so you know."
Kyra straightened her back and turned away from Aveline. She scratched her cheek and kept her eyes averted.
"Kyra..."
Aveline pulled out a third book, slipping it into Kyra's hands.
"Secrets are what friends are for."
The devilish smile faded, replaced by that of an angel. Kyra looked at the book, briefly flipping through the pages. Her face slowly turned redder as she practically drooled over the contents. Snapping to look at Aveline, she almost seemed to stare with a newfound respect.
--
"This... Aveline, you're having too much fun with her."
--
The angelic smile faded as Aveline began to walk away.
"I'll let someone know that I tripped and tore that curtain. Plus, a small book recommendation here and there won't totally appear in your room."
------
"Kyra?"
"Leen?"
Kyra stared down at Aveline. The two were taking a break from their secret training, though being alone together allowed some form of formality.
"You saw it, right?"
Kyra could only sigh softly, her eyes falling on the slightly excited girl.
"Leen, yuh know it's cool to be happy when a friend visits. Y'all have been hangin out for a couple years now."
Aveline glared up at the maid.
"Kyra! I'm sweaty and worn out from practice! Do you think I want to see her when I'm in this state?! What would Victri think?"
Her eyes seemed to shock Kyra a little. The elder girl could only smirk a little, an idea coming to mind.
"How about I stall your friend then? Run to your room, bathe somewhat quickly and we shall await your arrival."
Aveline could already tell something was wrong from the formal tone Kyra had taken on, but she readily agreed as she darted from the room.
"Thay was way too damn easy! Payback is a bitch."
Aveline was quick on her feet, though she slowed down before she could get in the bath. It was already prepared, yet still warm.
"Kyra went all out for this plan. Hmm... Niall, thoughts? I know you can't see this, but what if I try to talk to you?"
--
"I can still reply, but only if you directly talk to me."
"This is Kyra, so she is definitely plotting. The plot though, it shouldn't hurt you. Not with your personality lately... such as attacking a certain maid for growing much more in the last two years."
--
"H-hey! They weren't supposed to grow so much, so fast! They're bigger than when I am in there with you!"
Aveline grew frustrated as she felt her face grow hot.
--
"Aren't you just scared that she will be taken from you?"
"I can feel your fear. It courses through me, as I am a part of you now. You can't hide these things from me."
--
Aveline seemed to shrink down as she entered the bath.
"Niall, I know you never actually dated Kyra, but can you help me keep her? She's my first friend. The person who did her best to protect me when Isaac attacked. I'd..."
--
"You'd be lost, right? I know the feeling well, always afraid to lose the guys that treated me the best. You won't need to worry. You saved her more than she knows, so just show her how much you appreciate her."
--
Aveline sank down, bubbles coming from her mouth. She popped back out.
"What about Victri? I-I know it started as teasing, but..."
--
"Your feelings are the genuine article. You love them dearly. Thay fear alone proves it. Don't let them go. Show them what they mean to you."
--
Aveline sank further into the water, her heart pounding from the fear of losing them. The only time she shows her vulnerable side was when she was alone with Niall, his words of comfort always leaving her calm in the end.
--
"How about a distraction then? I'm limited on telling you too much about the future, but how about the past? A little history and maybe some highlights across the world?"
--
Aveline popped out of the water, taking a deep breath before speaking.
"We might need to wait for that. Victri and Kyra are waiting for me."
--
"Aveline... you didn't bring clothes with you, did you? Be careful when you return to your room, just in case."
--
Taking his advice, Aveline wrapped her body in a warm towel before opening the door to her room. The steam seemed to blast out from behind her as she stepped into the chilly room.
"Hmm. If Victri is waiting, I do wanna dress somewhat cute."
Aveline began to check her wardrobe, seemingly unaware of the eyes shyly trying to escape the room, at least until she smirked to herself when the door clicked behind them.