Evening Reflection (Oswald)

It happened.

Tonight, it finally happened. She was able to pass that dangerous test in the Queen's chambers and became a member of the Cadets. Or rather they were called the 'dogs of the Government' according to the blue-headed generalissimo. Maria didn't care what kind of title she was given, so as long as she was able to wield Andraste for the city's cause. That battle gave her much to think about. Her own shortcomings and her own strengths, were something that filled her own mind. Physically, she was strong, yes. But when it came to decision-making, it was where she lacked a lot. Could it be chalked up to inexperience? Maybe, but it still didn't mean she couldn't try to fill up that gap.

Yet, the fact that a demon was summoned was something of interest. Yes, the government was able to deal with them. So clearly they must keep some for other purposes and that test was one of them. After all, they were expected to deal with them in this job.


The girl silently walked alone with her cargo shouldered against her person. As usual, people stared, but she ignored them. Maria was just walking through Vista Square. The girl paused upon feeling her cellphone vibrate through her clothing. It was Louise.


Louise, or rather, Sister Louise of the Sunlake Palms Church of Isla, was a strange character. Clumsy to a massive fault, she surprisingly was an effective administrator. Yet, also lazy at times, as Maria had experienced in her dealings with her. "How did you find out?"

There was soft laughter through the connection, "Dearie, if we're talking right now, then it's a no-brainer. Anyway, how is your body holding up? Anything that I have to tell the doctors?"

Maria paused for a moment. She was indeed feeling fairly exhausted. It was only one battle, thankfully. Any subsequent battles, her body would be heavily taxed for sure to its fleeting limits. It was a fact that with all the enhancements on her body, she was going to lack in doing any long-lasting skirmishes. At the same time, the blue head was feeling very hungry. "No, Sister. Just tired and hungry."

"Wonderful~," Maria heard her chirp, "Get yourself something to eat. You earned it. I'll see you-- AHHH! NO! YOU-- I JUST BEAT THIS BOSS! WHYYYYYY!!!"

Maria just hung up and sighed. Another of her video games, probably another RPG and the console short-circuited from her own negligence of cleaning her room. The girl silently swore to herself that she'll force that grown woman to actually take care of herself for once. Her stomach rumbled to remind her of her hunger. She looked to the side to spy upon some random restaurant of interest. It seemed a bit packed, but that was only because of its cheap prices and great quality.

She muttered to herself while walking towards it, "Might as well..."

With a chorus of "welcome" by the staff, Maria would find herself seated at the only table open to her. There was only two chairs, one of them that Maria sat on. She would only wait to see how long it would take for the waiters to come for her order. As she did, the girl tapped against the table with a thoughtful finger.

She was waiting for the waiter to come, but it seems she underestimated the business of the establishment. But that was fine. The night was still pretty young and it was all to herself. After a quick meal and then a shower back home, the last bits of the night would be spent doing some studying, chores, and some random surfing in the webs. Then again, it would be the last one that takes up her night the most.

There were people that wanted to sit at her table, causing her to blink at their request. She was looking around to see if they were referring to someone else, but it seemed like they were talking to her. Maria couldn't blame them, since this establishment was busy.


She shifted her coffin further to her own side so they would have room. Then she spied upon a nearby free chair that no one using and pulled it towards them to sit on in addition to the other free chair that was in front of Maria. That said and done, she looked back towards the siblings. "Pretty busy today, isn't it?"

She nodded at the two of them, both being siblings to one another, they were obviously grateful to have a place to eat at. And Maria really didn't mind. It wasn't like they were asking her to vacate her seat after all. "I'm Maria Woodsworth. Mhm, it is quite packed."

She looked back at the rest of the restaurant, but could only see rushing waiters taking orders and carrying around trays laden with meals. It looked like it might take a while, so it prompted the nun to finally open up the booklet to see what she would like to try.

"Something like that. Been busy all day," Maria admitted with a nod, "How about you two? How were your days?"

"I'm not sure, to be honest. I don't think anything special happened today. Maybe it's just chance this time around. I guess it happens," she shrugged at the brother and beamed towards the sister, "Finishing off with some needed indulgence after some hard work? I can agree with that. It makes the day even easier."

Maria thought back at her long day. Yes, she was moving around and doing things remarkably a lot today. And she even awakened and survived the test. While not pleased with the results, she did make her first step towards her own personal goal. Then again, tonight might be her last day to actually enjoy herself without having the government influencing more heavily on her own life.

What Oswald said had made Maria turn pensive, thinking inwardly to herself. She doubted it, but would her drive dwindle? It was a thought that felt very scary to her. But no... it wouldn't. Maria would not let it. Her own true reward would be the fruit of her own labor, nothing more and nothing less. Then she gently smiled back up towards Oswald, "I see. That's true. I think I'll keep that in mind."

She watched and heard their lively interactions with each other. Brother and sister, she remembered when she had them. There was envy in her eyes in each moment. At the same time, they did seem to have enjoyed themselves traveling out of this city. It made her wonder a few things.

"So you guys aren't natives from the city?" Maria asked them curiously. Judging how they were talking, they didn't exactly sound like they were from this city to start with, "What's it like outside of here? I've pretty much lived here my whole life."

She wondered what life outside of the city was like. Then remembered something about Julius talking with those two individuals. A set of islands and the mountains, they were two other places that had people. It made her wonder what the Government would plan to do with them and if she might have to get involved since she worked for them.

"That's good to hear. So where are you guys from?"

Maria felt a bit skeptical, but they were the only ones that did come from outside of the city. So she would have to take their word for it. Even if she may, it felt pretty disappointing. She admitted with a sad smile, "No. I've been here as long as I could remember. I just had a lot of things to do, really."

From her earliest childhood, she helped her parents run their restaurant. After the Eternal Divide, she was cooped up in the Church and in the hills to continue her training to become the Government's weapon. There was rarely some time for her or any opportunities to get out of the city. And why would she? The girl had her ties here in the city and she wasn't going to leave it any time soon.


From a distance that far, they definitely had some stories. But, the duo didn't seem too keen to share them. Maria respected this and looked back at the menu before finally choosing what she wanted. Almost as if by precise timing the waitress finally came, apologizing for the long wait.

"I'll take the half-pound steak, medium rare with fries and coleslaw. The Chicken Alfredo pasta, heavy on the fettuccine. Bratwurst with the sauerkraut... " she continued to place her order while flipping through the menu.

The waitress seemed to stare at her while writing each meal down in her notepad. No doubt, even the German siblings would look at her strangely. Maria was clearly eating a lot. But surely that shouldn't be an issue. While a growing girl and having such power in her body, they needed as much sustenance as possible.

Then she finally finished with a drink, "...drumsticks and water. That'll be all."

The nun beamed back at the worried waitress, who clearly was hoping she was actually ordering for the whole table, and then at the siblings. This was just another day for her. But surely, she wasn't a glutton... Right?

Maria shook her head. She was too tied to this place. After all, her very body and the Demon Weapon she wielded was owned by the government. There was clearly no way she was going to be free of this place and she didn't really mind. Her interests remained here and not away. Perhaps the outside might sound interesting, but that's all there is to it for her. It's just outside. "Maybe. But I have business here. I'm not at liberty right now to leave."

Maria couldn't say a word at Oswald's remark. She looked away while starting to flush pink. The girl was a little bit self-conscious of her gluttony after all, but that really didn't stop her from indulging in it. She knew that compared to her own orders, the siblings were very tame and at least weren't gluttons like her.

The waitress took their orders and explained it would take a while. She gave a side-glance at Maria before leaving. The nun gave an apologetic look and then returned her attention back to the siblings. Maria admitted, "She... doesn't sound very pleased."

"I... I don't think it'll make the waitress or the cook any happier," she chuckled nervously in reply, "Don't worry it's fine. I do need to fix my habit one day."

At some point, Maria wondered if she would get fat very quickly if her body stopped exercising. It was a thought that was quite unappealing, yet curious. But, it will stay as a curiosity and not a reality as she wasn't that interested in testing it out.

Maria gave them a raised eyebrow as she spoke, "I doubt the chef would do that so as long as we remain... reasonable. So you don't have to do that."

The two seemed awfully into using violence as an answer, but they were a mercenary group of their own after all. But Maria wasn't exactly one to talk despite wanting to avoid it. She clasped her hands together in thought. What did being a Cadet mean? As far as she knew, they were the city's protectors. Hence, it was possible for her to serve the Queen. But what did the People think?