(A/N: I've decided to grace you with another chapter in this month. What a productive writer I'm. Do you feel grateful?)
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After the conversation with Geto, Makima stepped out of the ramen shop.
The cold breeze brushed past her face, carrying the scent of snow and winter. It was that time of year when the world seemed softened by white, the snow blanketing the city in quiet contrast to its vibrant energy.
The metropolis buzzed around her, alive as ever. Muted laughter mixed with the distant strains of carolers, accompanied by the occasional honk of a car in the distance.
Makima pulled her scarf tighter against her neck but didn't truly notice the chill. She had always believed she understood humans better than most, but recent events had shaken that confidence.
Even now as she had just finished the talk with Geto following the advice of Veilhem without knowing why he had to go to such length.
As she watched the city bustle around her, she found herself lost in thought. Their ability to laugh and cry so freely, to feel joy and pain without hesitation.
A subtle dissonance gnawed at her as the world unfolded around her, vibrant and full of emotion.
Perhaps, in some corner of her mind, she envied them.
With no destination in mind, she began to wander the streets. Her boots crunched softly against the icy pavement, her steps unhurried.
The scarf slipped slightly with each step, but she didn't bother to fix it. Her hands stayed buried in her coat pockets, not for warmth, but simply to avoid the awkwardness of doing nothing with them.
The world around her was alive.
Couples walked hand in hand, their smiles radiant and unguarded. Children darted between adults, their giggles ringing out like tiny bells in the crisp air. Storefronts glowed with warm light, displaying glittering ornaments and festive decorations.
Makima passed a café where people sat by the windows, their hands cradling steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Their faces glowed with cheerful laughter she couldn't hear, standing as she was in the quiet outside.
She paused, watching them through the glass as if she were peering into another world. Their happiness was foreign to her, something she couldn't quite grasp.
She knew how to mimic it.
An easy laugh, a kind gesture… but she couldn't feel it. Not truly.
It felt hollow.
What was missing?
For all her power, for all her knowledge, she felt like an alien in the world of humans.
An outsider left on the fringes of their joys and sorrows.
Her feet carried her onward to a narrow alley lined with holiday stalls. The air was thick with the warm scents of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts, but the festive aroma stirred nothing in her.
She drifted between the stalls, her gaze skimming over handmade ornaments and scarves without interest.
"Warmer than it looks, miss." a vendor called out, holding up a hand-knitted hat with a bright red pompom. His smile was kind, his voice cheerful.
Makima glanced at him, nodding briefly before moving on. Her eyes stayed fixed ahead, her steps mechanical, as if driven by habit rather than purpose.
Eventually, she found herself on a quieter street, far from the bustle of the city. The cheer faded behind her, replaced by the soft hum of a flickering street lamp overhead.
She stopped beneath the light, tilting her head to watch the snow drift lazily through its yellow glow. Her breath came in slow, pale clouds, dissolving into the frigid air.
She didn't know why she had come to this empty, forgotten corner of the city.
She simply didn't know where else to go.
The familiar heaviness in her chest lingered, a dull ache without a name.
An outsider.
A stray cat padded by, its small paws leaving delicate prints in the snow. It stopped a few feet away, its yellow eyes locking with hers.
For a moment, Makima considered reaching out, but the cat darted off before she could move.
Her gaze followed its tracks until they vanished into the dark.
"As expected, I'm more of a dog person." Makima murmured to herself, her lips curling faintly in something resembling a smile.
The cold seeped through her coat now, biting at her fingers and toes. She should go home, or somewhere, at least. But her feet stayed rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on the empty street ahead.
The snow continued to fall, soft and endless, as she stood there, silent and still, as if waiting. Waiting for something… or someone… to pull her from the void she couldn't escape.
And then, as if in answer to her unspoken wish, a faint murmur of gasps and curious remarks broke the stillness.
Her eyes shifted toward the sound, and a small, genuine smile began to form on her lips.
Veilhem approached, his towering figure becoming bigger and bigger as he moved with steady, deliberate steps, accompanied by soft clankings of his armor. He walked through the snow without concern for the stares of passersby, their curiosity sliding off him like water.
Veilhem stopped in front of her, giving off a quiet yet commanding presence.
They stood in silence, the world around them muffled by snow, until Makima's soft voice broke through.
"You really don't care about blending in, do you, Veilhem?" Her tone was almost teasing, but with an edge of curiosity.
Veilhem tilted his head slightly, his armor catching the muted glow of the streetlamp above them. His voice was deep, steady, and unyielding, a stark contrast to the lively world they stood apart from.
"Why should I?" Veilhem patted off the snow that clung to his armor and gave off a half-hearted answer.
Makima chuckled softly, a sound both amused and distant. "That's so you, Veilhem-san. By the way…"
"You're late." she said, her voice light but teasing.
Veilhem tilted his head, snowflakes catching on the edges of the polished metal. "I wasn't aware we had a schedule."
Makima smirked, folding her arms as she leaned slightly against the streetlamp. "You're lucky you're amusing, Veilhem-san. Most would have tried harder to avoid my disappointment."
He chuckled softly, the sound low and rumbling. "As you said 'most'... but I'm not your average person now, am I?" His shamelessness was palpable.
"You certainly stand out." Makima said, her tone dry as her gaze swept over the stares they were attracting.
People passing by couldn't help but notice the tall, armored figure walking toward her, his every step commanding attention. Some whispered, others pointed.
Veilhem, as always, seemed wholly unconcerned.
"You've been wandering." He said as he stopped in front of her, his voice softer now. "Why?"
Makima sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Why not? It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"
"It's cold." Veilhem replied bluntly.
He pointed at her reddened cheeks due to the coldness. "And you're clearly freezing."
She gave a small shrug, her scarf slipping further down her neck. "It builds character."
"Or frostbite." he countered. Without waiting for her response, he reached out, his hands adjusting her scarf until it was snug around her neck. He even went so far as patting off the snow on her hair.
Makima blinked, her smirk softening into something more genuine. "You're quite sentimental tonight."
"And you're cynical." he replied, stepping back. "Someone has to compensate."
"Is that what you think you're here for? To compensate for me?"
"...Yes." He felt something ominous in the way she talked.
Makima chuckled softly, her breath visible in the crisp air. "Then prove it."
In contrast to her expectation to see him flustered, Veilhem crouched slightly, presenting his back to her. Luckily, it was not something he couldn't do.
"Get on."
She raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and surprise flashing across her face. "You can't be serious."
"You've been wandering aimlessly for hours." he said, his tone practical.
"Your hands are freezing, and you're clearly exhausted. While I'm an undead who could ignore the freezing, you certainly cannot." Makima found herself at a loss during his reasoning, as she couldn't find a way to refute it.
"That's so cheating." She narrowed her eyes, her lips forming a delicate pout that made her frustration look oddly endearing, like a sulking kitten.
"Just get on fast, I feel so awkward right now." Veilhem urged her to hurry up.
Makima pondered for a moment. She really wanted to throw herself on him immediately but she couldn't do that in public now, could she?
Finally, with a small sigh, Makima relented as if she was doing him a favor, stepping forward and climbing onto his back.
His hands gripped her thighs securely as he stood, her weight seemingly effortless to him.
"This is ridiculous." she muttered, though there was a faint smile on her lips.
"You're the one who is ridiculous." Veilhem replied, his voice steady as he began walking. "You seem comfortable enough when it's just the two of us but you reject me when we are in public. This one's heart might break."
"What are you even talking about, your heart is basically as good as none."
"Tch." Veilhem clicked his tongue in annoyance as she busted his immersion. Sometimes, she really marveled at his shamelessness.
She rested her chin lightly on his shoulder, her eyes half-closed as the rhythm of his steps lulled her into an unusual sense of calm.
"People are staring." she said softly, her voice laced with a hint of mischief.
"Let them stare." he replied, unbothered. "They'll forget by morning."
Makima hummed in response, her gaze drifting to the snow-covered streets ahead. Despite the absurdity of the situation, she felt oddly at ease.
"You're warm." Makima said after a long silence, her voice soft, almost contemplative.
Veilhem's brow raised slightly, though his tone held an unusual hint of humor. "I'm wearing armor, though. Doesn't exactly scream 'cozy' ain't it?"
She chuckled softly, her breath forming faint clouds that danced in the frosty air. "It's not the armor." she mused, leaning her chin slightly against his shoulder.
Curious, she shifted a bit on his back, her lips curving into a faint, amused smile. "You know, I've been thinking about what you said earlier... about Geto. But I can't figure out why he needs to be helped in that way."
Veilhem's stride didn't falter, but he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "So…" he said, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. "What's your brilliant take on it, then?"
"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" she questioned, tilting her head slightly. "You know, like... cheer him up, apologize, sympathize. Maybe help him find something to smile about, instead of pushing his hatred out into the world?"
Veilhem's laugh was low, almost dry. "Not everyone gets better with sunshine and sweet words."
"Especially not sorcerers who've seen more death than they can count." He added.
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what's so wrong with a little kindness?"
"Kindness isn't entirely wrong." he said evenly. "But it isn't the answer to everything. Everyone loves to say something comforting, maybe offer a pat on the back. But how often do you see someone shatter someone's illusions with the truth? Because that's what he needs, Makima. Truth. Even if it hurts."
"Well, especially if it hurts." He chuckled.
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes studying the frost-covered trees that lined the street. "And if that truth breaks him?"
Veilhem shrugged, his voice steady. "Better he breaks now than crumble slowly under the weight of his own denial. I've seen it before… back in my world. Sorcerers, warriors, anyone who shoulders too much without something to aim for? They went mad."
"They need something to focus on, something to fight. Even if it's anger or hatred."
Makima hummed thoughtfully, her breath warm against his neck. "So you're saying he needs a purpose, even if it's destructive?"
"Purpose is purpose." Veilhem replied. "It's not my place to call it right or wrong. People choose their own path. My job is to nudge them in the direction where they'll survive."
She smirked. "You almost sound like a villain."
"Said the villainess herself." He shot back smoothly, a smirk in his voice. "And let's not pretend I'm some paragon of virtue. Goody two-shoes was never really my thing."
Makima chuckled again, the sound unexpectedly genuine, as the wind carried snowflakes around them like fragile little stars. "I suppose you're right. Kindness can be overrated sometimes."
"And brutal honesty gets the job done." Veilhem added with a nod.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them in a companionable sort of way.
"You're still warm." Makima murmured, breaking the stillness.
"Must be the villain vibes." Veilhem replied dryly.
Makima laughed softly, her breath visible in the frosty air, light and fleeting like the snow falling around them. She tilted her head, her chin brushing against his shoulder as she rested lightly against him. "Then… should I change? See things the way you do?"
Veilhem didn't answer immediately. His boots crunched steadily through the snow, the silence between them contemplative rather than heavy. Finally, he spoke, his tone steady but warm. "Nope."
Makima blinked, caught off guard by the simplicity of his answer. "No?"
"Everyone has their own way of seeing things, their own way of doing things," he said. "That's what makes life interesting. The differences, the variables, the chaos. It's not about changing yourself to fit some mold. You don't need to be cured or fixed. Just be who you are."
Her gaze lingered on the snow-covered pavement, illuminated by the golden glow of the streetlights. "Even if who I am is flawed?"
"Flawed?" Veilhem adjusted her weight on his back with ease, sparing her a glance over his shoulder. "Who decides what's a flaw? Right, wrong, perfect, broken. They're just words people use to feel like they've got it all figured out. Truth is, nobody does. Not even the gods themselves."
Makima's lips curved into a faint smirk. "So, no matter what, I should just... stay the same?"
"Exactly." Veilhem said with a shrug, his voice carrying a rare trace of amusement. "You're not broken, just a little eccentric. And honestly? It's been more interesting because of it."
She chuckled softly, her breath warm against his neck. "That's surprisingly sweet, coming from you."
"Don't get used to it."
Her smirk widened, and she let herself relax. The cold world around her faded into the background, the lively chatter of couples and the laughter of children barely registering in her mind.
"You know." she said after a pause, "I always thought you'd encourage chaos, not... authenticity."
"Chaos is a tool." Veilhem replied casually. "It's not about creating it for the sake of it. It's about what you do with it. Whether that makes you the hero, the villain, or something in between... that's your call."
Makima tilted her head, resting her chin on his shoulder again. "You're surprisingly philosophical for someone who claims not to care."
"Just calling it like I see it." he replied with a faint smirk. "And if you're entertaining along the way, all the better."
Her soft laughter cut through the cold air, light and genuine. "Entertaining, huh?"
"Infuriating even." Veilhem corrected, though his tone carried a hint of amusement. "But yeah, you keep things interesting."
Makima let out a content sigh, her voice quieter now. "Just be myself, then?"
"Good." Veilhem said, his tone easy. "Now all the heavy talk aside… stop wriggling around back there. You're throwing off my balance."
Hearing his response made her want to do that even more, a mischievous smile tugged at her lips. "You make a decent steed, you know." She said as she continued to wriggle with her legs and throw her arms around.
"...You're lucky I'm too nice to toss you into the street." Veilhem shot back, his tone dry but tinged with amusement.
Makima chuckled, the sound warm despite the icy air. "I'll take my chances."
He adjusted her slightly on his back, his steps unhurried as they moved through the snow-covered streets. "Where to next?" he asked.
"Just keep walking, my steed." she murmured, her tone soft, almost tender. "Wherever you take me... that's fine."
"Ay, ay, what an infuriating lady."
And so he did. The snow continued to fall gently around them, and the holiday lights cast a warm glow on the bustling city. Yet, for the two of them, it was as if the world had stilled.
Somewhere in the distance, the faint sound of bells chimed, carried on the wind.
It was a chilling night yet oddly warm enough for both of them.
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(A/N: Another slice of life chapter, I'm so back.
Guess this much character development is enough, no?)