After Hours (Vivian)

Maria was displeased.

She just got off the phone with Shiina with a sour look on her face. There was so much going on on their side too and they were just forced to retreat. Lisa injured and a number of their Cadets running off, it was a such a shit storm for Isla's servants. This was a horrible start for the beginning Cadets. On top of that, Vivian and Maria were forced to forsake Julius and possibly Alex for a night. How could things get this bad? Maybe she should've stayed back to help them. But orders were orders, and Maria couldn't just ignore them.

The Cadet sighed as she pocketed the phone after bidding Shiina a good evening, for whatever that's worth.

"It sounds like they're safe, but... tonight, the operations are impeded," Maria reported with a depressed tone. "But they're fine."

It made her wonder if this was alright. So much had happened tonight. She wanted to just forget it all and probably head to bed. But with Vivian's cajoling... that may have to wait. Honestly though, how was she able to pull Maria and her coffin? What kind of Herculean strength did she have? Sure she was still reeling the effects of her condition, despite the pain finally relenting from leaving combat. It does seem that motivation can be an adequate explanation for most things. But, there's always the nun who isn't exactly resisting her pull either.

Oh Isla, what has she done to deserve this?

Maria wasn't one to easily succumb to peer pressure, but Vivian was awfully pushy about alcohol. She seemed so vibrant and positive about drinking some ilk that had an awful taste. She couldn't even tolerate the foam from her father's beer when he cracked one open after a long night from work. What made Vivian think she could chug and lug like the rest of them? If anything, any bit of alcohol would be wasted on her.


She tried to coax her away from being too indulgent with such decadence. As people trusted with protecting the city, wouldn't it be unsightly of them to abuse their authority? They needed to be more attentive in being role models for everyone and to keep this city functioning. Or otherwise, what made them any different than Psyche-Terrorists?


Seeing how avid she was for company and that the Forgotten owed her for coming, just one night to watch her peer get drunk was a just price. But there was more to it...

She hesitantly entered the tavern with Vivian, feeling very out of place than usual. Of course, like every damn time, people would stare at her for the large coffin on her back. Normally she was used to this and wouldn't care. After all, it is a common occurrence every time she left the Church and she rarely left it even though she hated that place. It was just that with the tavern, it was all alien territory for her. The establishment was nothing like the bakery restaurant her parents owned. With Vivian's coaxing, Maria made some careful steps forward until finding herself sitting on the bar stool near her fellow Cadet and with the coffin was carefully nestling near her.


It took her a while to figure it out, but these changes really shocked her. But most of that died down the moment she entered the bar. If anything, she was happier to see someone she knew was still alive after that debacle years before, even if it was someone she barely knew.

She paused for that one moment when Vivian asked what had happened to her. It was only a part of a second, but she did halt for that moment with eyes glazed over almost as if she were watching something instead. All she remembered was pain and fear. Those memories were unpleasant, something that she wanted to forget. But she still remembered when walking into the killing scene of her whole family ripped apart by demons. Her memories of that sharp reeking odor of disinfectant and the sensation of the keen edge of a scalpel cutting through her skin were still familiar. It was a weight that no young girl should shoulder.


But she smiled back with a beatific smile and laughed, as if nothing was wrong. It would only be that small fraction of time that she showed a small fault. But she quickly recovered before allowing her fellow Cadet to notice. Why should Maria tell her what happened to her? She never wanted any sympathy, it would never give her back what she lost. It was better off that nobody knew about that side of her. It was unnecessary. And after all, she is okay.

She eventually noticed the two glasses the bartender was making as she looked to the side. Were they both for her? If so, it was just further evidence that Vivian loved her alcohol, not that she could really judge her for it. But then again, Sister Louise has been a bit of a pain about this. That also brought up some bad memories that made her want to forget out of annoyance, but it isn't so easy when she keeps getting inebriated every night. Hopefully Vivian isn't such a person... Right?

Despite her discomfort here, Maria couldn't help, but crack a smile at her. "Oh, am I? Is there something wrong with that, Vivian? I think Shiina is quite the angel as well..."

Considering what a nun is supposed to be, it wouldn't be at all surprising. Maria had her fair share of volunteer work in the Sunlake Palms community, as part of the Church's goodwill to the Government and to uphold appearances, of course. No one without any prior knowledge would've figured out what the Church actually was.

Despite Vivian's assurance, Maria hesitated as her callused fingers grasped the glass. She made a sour face while examining its contents by swirling around as if trying to see if something solid was dissolving. Yet it remained homogeneous throughout. She soon caved in with her soft lips against the glass, sipping and sampling its contents. Her eyes grew in diameter at the fruity sweet taste making contact with her taste buds. It doesn't seem to be of the kind of beverage like Vivian's, so--


She held the drained glass towards him with a look of expectation on her features. To his credit, he took it calmly and began to work on another. But at least Maria didn't seem drunk. Yet, anyway. And she has yet to become truly aware of the world booze had through beer-goggles. As the Cadet waited for the next glass, she gave Vivian a smile. "Thanks for bringing me here, Vivian. By the way... why did you become a Cadet?”

Maria knew without doubt that like many of the Cadets, Vivian also went through the ritual. It is a given. At least, for her own generation. But for Vivian, at first glance, the Cadet had the perception that she didn't really fit in with the rest of them. She just didn't seem to be that type. So why did she join the ranks?

"Yes, yes. We are truly the 'goody two shoes' Endymion needs," she sighed with a wry grin.

Maria did her best to keep up somewhat an amiable smile for Vivian. But she sensed that the longer this went on, the more this could get... painful. Memories of Louise making a whole mess out of the Church and ending that late evening with her head in the toilet bowl began to rise. Oh well, hopefully she didn't need to bring have to drag her back...

"I... see," she murmured thankfully, "I think it's a great cause."

It had been a good thing that Vivian participated so actively despite her original and basic role. But it also meant that Maria had a long way to go, just as usual. At the same time, so many of these Cadet recruits always had a motivation that was purer than hers. Sure, Maria also wanted to protect the city. But, was it just that?

She tightly gripped the new glass from the bartender the more she thought about it. But thought better of it and downed the glass again. This wasn't the time or place to get all depressed, that would be awfully rude to her fellow Cadet.

"You said you had a son. What's his name?" she asked curiously after wiping her lips with her wrist, "How's he doing?"

"I'm sure you'll have more opportunities and be able to pull through. You just have to be patient. Sorry about the business, though. But at least it's an experience to learn from to use to make a better one, right? My father was the same," Maria encouraged her with a sympathetic smile.

She remembered in the back of her head how the Woodsworth patriarch had a hell of a time trying to keep his business alive. There were times when he had to move around the city to maximize profits, set up new shops, and sacrifices made when it came to it. But thankfully, he was able to keep his family in mind despite the hardships. There was a feeling of nostalgia now that she thought about it.

Maria froze upon sipping her drink. Derrick? Wasn't it that boy she had once met again in the Seven Stars Academy? It was good to hear that he was able to survive that debacle five years ago. But could it be the same kid? No way. It isn't exactly a very uncommon name. So chances are, there's probably another one out there.

Maria would have asked more about it, but her expression started to darken. Despite that odd experience this evening and from fighting demons, why did she think it's something her child should take part in this kind of work?


The way how she spoke seemed very stiff. Almost as if disappointed, or even angry at even thinking about it. But she remained calm. There were still those painful memories, the glass in her hand made a single crack without breaking as she gripped it tighter. Maria didn't notice it, being too occupied to care. "It's too dangerous and too much of a burden."

Cadets may be above the law. But having that much power meant they had responsibilities to take up the burden to protect them. It's something that Maria wouldn't willingly force on others.

She tried to remain composed, but a slight pink started to emanate on her cheeks no matter how hard she tried. Maria had once looked up a random catalog that was found lying about in the Church by one of the Executors. Judging by its title, it was one of those women's magazines probably owned by some self-conscious teenager. Maria had once deemed it trashy and didn't bother to look into it. But there's something about the forbidden that slowly gnawed at her. Sometimes, it won. In this case, it led her to finally peruse its contents. There was something absurdly scandalous looking into each page. To her underwear shouldn't be something so... risque. It was improper. It was completely out of the question!


While Vivian had tried to grab her callused hands, Maria had other plans for them. The bar table rattled when her naked palms smacked against the wood as she forcibly stood up. Vivian could probably see smoke beginning to slip through the cracks that began to form on the wooden surface. Honestly Maria was probably at her limit here. Main dancer? How absurd can her friend go? She continued to quake while the blush was apparent on her face, "I-I'm not g-gonna dance in lingerie, Vivian! A-alright?"

Her eyes had a fire in her, adamant to never subject herself in this kind of treatment. She was still shocked that she'd actually suggest to do such a thing. But Maria remembered that they weren't in a private room. She looked around meekly towards the overlooking patrons and even the bartender was raising a silent judging eyebrow at her. The Cadet quietly sat back down and looked down even more embarrassed.