“I can’t allow that,” Claire shook her head, her grip crumpling the already crumpled-up piece of paper even more. “I know, this is a chance, but I’m not making someone else-“

“Claire, remember, this decision would technically endanger you more than me. There was no fairness in a place where one could control so many lives and force them to fight a pretend war in a peaceful world, but if that is the only way to ascend, it would be foolish to not try.”

“But-“

“Don’t you wish for a better life, Claire? Do not lie, for I can sense your intentions. For that was why I permitted you to enter the tower.”

“I- …” Claire opened her mouth and shut it again, knowing that there was nothing she could say. “Okay, fine, you’re right.”

“Glad to hear that. Now, where should we start?”

From then on, Claire promised herself to be more careful when talking to her partner.

--

Claire decided to let Fiora borrow some of her clothing, along with a jacket to ensure the chain on her wrist did not attract anyone’s attention. At the walk down the apartment, she was relieved that only a few gave them odd looks, and she could sense little to no malice behind their gaze. Figuring they were as safe as possible for the time being, Claire decided to call for a taxi on the side of the road.

During their journey, Claire couldn’t help but glance at Fiora, watching the latter take in the fast-moving buildings and trees all around with a sort of curiosity. However, her expression remained as stoic as ever, a stark contrast.

Perhaps, Claire mused, if she could smile, it would brighten up a room.

“Is something the matter?” Fiora asked, to Claire’s utter shock, causing the former to look away to the window next to her.

“It’s… nothing much,”

Fiora let out a hum in response and went back to staring while Claire stewed in her own shame. While the ashen-haired girl looked ordinary at a cursory glance, there was something that kept on trying to tug the back of Claire’s mind, a sense that she should have known Fiora before, yet the knowledge, every time she felt it was close, would always seep through her fingers like sand.

A long ride later, as the sun was high up on the sky, they arrived in front of the arena.

From what she heard, each country usually has at least one arena where a Clash of Incarnation would be held. Claire tried not to think of the wealth of someone capable of spending millions of Roud to do it, but then again…

As Claire thanked the driver and closed the door, she felt a brush of fur on her lower leg.

Looking down revealed the very same cat she had encountered a few hours earlier, down to the characteristic collar and tufted ears. The cat rubbed itself on her leg, seemingly pleased.

“Dia! God, sorry about that,” a tall, lanky man with short black hair ran after the feline and shouted. One thing Claire noticed first about him was the fact that he wore a full-blown fur coat, an oddity considering the sun was beaming down on them full-force. Claire couldn’t help but notice that he was a noticeable force among the generally more subdued people around him, not helped by the attire he wore and his loud, relaxed voice.

“Dia, don’t run after strangers, dang it,” He mumbled, though there was a hint of affection on his voice, as he tried to scoop up the cat. As if taunting him, it escaped his grasp, causing him to sigh in exasperation. “Oh, sorry, my name is Terry by the way, are you planning to register?”

“Well, ah…” Claire looked around, and saw there were around five to six people queuing near the door. Then, she answered and looked down, “… Yeah. Is this your cat?”

“She is, indeed, though she is prone of running around. Can’t really restrain her in that department, she’s been like this since I got her when I was a kid. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel she knows more of the city than I am,” Terry shrugged.

While they were talking, Fiora squatted down and stared at the cat. The cat slow blinked at her, before it came closer and rubbed itself on her leg.

For a moment, Claire saw Fiora’s frozen expression melt a little into a warm, gleeful stare, before her happiness disappeared back as if the moment was never there. She stroked the cat back in response. Though she was hesitant at first, the cat closed its eyes and let out a contented purr, a cue for her to continue running her fingers on the soft, silky fur.

“Is this your friend, or-“

Fiora’s expression hardened the moment Terry looked at her.

“My name is Fiora.” Fiora immediately stopped petting the cat, stood up and said before Terry could finish his question. “Do watch your tongue next time.”

Though Fiora declined to answer in a less than cordial manner, her response was all the confirmation Terry needed, and he gave a smile in response. Despite everything, to Claire, his smile at least looked genuine. “I understand. Good luck! No need to worry, I’m always delighted for a chance to see one up close, though, you might want to hide that chain better.”

Claire’s first instinct was to look, but she managed to stop herself at the last second, realizing that Terry was trying to play them. She took a better look, realizing that Terry’s gaze never left Fiora’s eyes, and she narrowed her eyes at the guy instead. “I’d appreciate it if you stop bothering my friend, thanks.”

“Alright, alright, I understand,” Terry smiled, took a step back, and raised his arms in surrender. “Really though, sorry for that, I did go overboard there.”

“Don’t do that next time. Let’s go, Fiora,” Claire shook her head and gestured for Fiora to follow her. During their conversation, the queue has dwindled down a bit.

--

“Claire, is that you?”

As she walked out from the place, Claire heard someone calling out to her. She turned around, and her eyes lit up in recognition as she took a better look at them.

“So I was right! Are you interested in the tournaments, Claire?”

“I do, yeah, didn’t expect to see you here… Rachel?” Claire replied, “What are you doing here?”

“I go by Mel now, and you can say I’m here on a research mission,” she gave a conspicuous smile. “If you want some information, I’m your person! Well, for a price, that is.”

“Information?”

“Well, I’m pretty known around these parts, they come to me for information on the current candidates, but you look rather… hmm, clueless? ‘sides, I saw you go to the registration straight away in there. Your eyes look confused, too, not too hard to see that you’re a newbie.”

“Okay, you’re right, but what is it to you?” Claire asked and took a step back.

Although Mel was a familiar face, Claire couldn’t help but feel suspicious. She had not seen anyone else since she moved away, and now, one of her former classmates have appeared where she was. Claire could still remember that back then, Rachel… no, Mel, has a more subdued air to her, and she had always buried in a book, be it a new novel or her own textbooks. They were never close, to the point Claire took a few seconds to recognize her, and now, she was approaching her out of the blue. There was no way she wouldn’t be wary.

Fiora immediately stood in front of Claire, the taller girl almost reaching for the chain on her wrist. Her expression remained as still as ever, and Claire even started to wonder if her partner could show anything else at all.

“Hey, calm down,” Mel raised her hands in surrender, “I know you got no reason to trust me right now, but hear me out first,” Mel glanced at Fiora and added, “Your girl here looks like she could tear me to shreds, and would do just that, but not today.”

“Then, what do you want?” Claire held Fiora’s shoulder and shook her head, prompting the latter to take a step back, “You do know that coming out of the blue like this is…”

“I know, but, I have an opportunity for you.”