Hello again everyone,

It is time once again for my usual foreword. Thank you for stopping by and welcome to the third part of the Freezing story I have been writing. If you have not read the first and second part a lot of this will not make sense. It is important to know that the world of this story is one of my own creation as well as the main character and the personalities of many characters. The only things I have used is the names and science behind Freezing. Thank you again for reading, see you again at the end. -V

Freezing

The Crimson Queen and the Ivory Princess

"Why is it always you? Why can you not let someone else stand and stay with me?"

"In this world, at this very time if you don't stand for something, then you'll fall for anything."

Umbrellas swayed back and forth as the hands holding them fought against the wind to keep them upright. Heaven itself seemed to be venting its anger upon those below. Still, they stood firm against the elements. Some shivered from the cold of the water splashing their bodies while others simply endured it. It was weather that fit the occasion.

Hundreds of students lined the central roadway that passed through West Genetics. They encompassed the plaza that had been once destroyed by the Nova attack last year. Now, throngs of people in black clothing gathered together to find solace and comfort in one another. In the center, atop a raised platform sat a coffin. Flanked on either side were arrangements of flowers and pictures. On the coffin itself, one picture, larger than the others was placed upon a stand. A bright smiling girl with blonde hair stared out of that photo towards the people watching. Her West Genetics uniform neat and tidy as she waved happily to whoever snapped the picture.

They relied on pictures to burn her face into their minds. To remember her and honor her for all she stood for. As the coffin was empty, the pictures were all they had of her. A black cloth draped over the coffin, a silver bird stitched into the center. The same color uniform was spread on the garment with silver lining, a single red strip surrounding one of the sleeves.

"We gather here today to mourn the loss of Chiffon Fairchild." Sister Margaret began standing next to the coffin. The multitude of students and faculty in attendance gave her their full attention. A good number of people present didn't even attend West Genetics, but were there to pay respects to a Pandora they all admired.

"Words cannot describe Chiffon and her dedication to being a Pandora. To many she was a role model. To others a hero. A few called her sister, and to one she meant the world." The headmaster said looking up towards the rooftop of a building across the plaza. High atop it leaning against a wall stood a lone figure. A black hooded cloak covered the figures body and face billowing in the wind as the rain lashed against him. He held no umbrella, but let the rain wash over him willingly watching everyone far below.

"The sacrifice Chiffon made in Spireach was one that saved countless others. She paid the ultimate price so others may live. By those gathered here I can see she touched the lives of many far outside the walls of our little home. I am proud to have known Chiffon Fairchild. Rest in peace child, you are relieved from service." She finished bowing low in front of the coffin respectfully. She stood and glanced once more up at the man standing high on the roof. He was no longer leaning against a wall, but stood near the edge of the roof, his left hand in a fist over his heart.

A few students followed her gaze and took note of the man. They looked back at the coffin and quickly followed suit pressing their fists to their hearts. Silently, all those in attendance yielded the same respect to Chiffon. The salute reserved for those of the highest authority in Chevalier. Sister Margaret looked around in awe at the respect being directed towards the fallen Pandora.

She looked once more up at Varen who held the salute realizing that this very event had happened a year ago when the Nova attack occurred. The students had all saluted him the same way setting in motion his rise in power. She gave him a quick nod and turned putting her own fist over her heart towards the coffin. She did not regret it for one moment even knowing some Chevalier officials were in attendance. As far as she was concerned, Chiffon deserved this.

"Thank you." Roxanne said taking the cup of tea from Arnette. They were all seated in the common area of the Nightingale administration building. There was a small kitchen that was attached to Chiffon and Varen's offices. Attia stood nearby cutting a few pieces of meat into thin strips.

"You're welcome, it's nice to see you again." Arnette replied taking a seat across from her.

"A little over a week ago we were all lounging around in a pool." Roxanne said. Arnette nodded taking a sip from her cup. Attia opened a small refrigerator and took out a few vegetables that she began to slice.

"I'm glad you were able to come out. Even if for a short while." Arnette said.

"Chiffon was an amazing woman. There's no way I would miss this. Wish I could stay longer. This place is incredible." She answered looking around the room.

"Give it a few years and it'll look a lot more run down I'm sure." Arnette joked.

"Charles came for the funeral, but she left right away. Regardless of what happened up there, she respected Chiffon. I just don't think she's ready to face you all yet." Roxanne said.

"You leave tomorrow?" Arnette asked as Attia placed the leftover vegetables in the fridge.

"Yeah, I was hoping that I might be able to see him before I leave." She said and Arnette looked down at the table.

"He…hasn't come out since we got home. He hasn't even gone in his room yet. Dr. Aoi stopped by a few times, but he's still shut inside his office." Arnette answered.

"Then I have no chance." Roxanne replied defeated. Attia placed the knife in the sink and ran the water over it. Arnette looked back at her and shook her head.

"Why do you do that?" Arnette asked angrily. Attia shrugged and kept washing the knife.

"He needs to eat." She answered quietly.

"No one asked you to be a maid Attia!" Arnette shouted and the small Pandora shrugged again.

"I don't mind." She answered making Arnette's eye twitch.

"If he wants to be left alone then why do you insist on being a bother?" Arnette argued. Attia grabbed the plate she had placed a sandwich on and walked past her.

"Shut up Arnette." Attia said walking down the hall away from them. Arnette sighed and put her head on her hands.

"Sorry Roxanne, things have been tense around here. Attia hasn't been coping much better than Varen. Ticy hasn't left her room either leaving me to basically run everything by myself." Arnette explained.

"She'll come around. They all will. Just takes longer for some. They credited you all with stopping the conflict up there. Heard you got promoted." Roxanne answered and Arnette nodded.

"Attia and I were promoted to captains. She doesn't seem to care though. Every day she makes him food and checks in on him. She's been the only one who's seen him." Arnette replied.

"He was at the funeral, on the roof." Roxanne said.

"True. I hope they come around soon. Without Elizabeth I'm having a hard time handling things alone."

"They will. Be strong and supportive. Loss can change people in many ways." Roxanne answered.

Attia knocked on the door lightly and waited a few seconds before opening it slowly. She set the plate down on the table near the door. Her eyes lingered on the chairs that were set around the table. The same table they all sat at a couple weeks ago discussing their thoughts on going to Spireach. She felt her heart rate rise as she looked at one of the seats and could almost envision Chiffon laughing happily.

"Thanks." A voice said shaking her from her imagination. Varen was hunched over his desk scribbling on a few papers. He flipped one over and read it before writing once more on it.

"Do you need anything else?" Attia asked. Varen wrote a few more lines before setting the pen down. He looked up at her and she could see how tired he looked. His eyes were slightly sunken in from a lack of sleep. Everything about him just seemed tired.

"You don't have to do this." He said and Attia looked around the room before looking back at him.

"I know." She answered. As he looked at her he could see that Attia had changed too. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail as opposed to her normal style. She looked as tired as he did and her voice and movements were slow. It pained his heart to see her like that because he knew that it was not just Chiffon's death that caused it, but also because of him. He looked at the papers on his desk and took a deep breath before pushing his chair back and standing up.

"I'm tired Attia. I'm not really handling things well am I?" He asked looking out the window. It was dark and the rain continued making it hard to see. She stepped up beside him looking out towards the central walkway of the Nightingale complex.

"No, but neither am I. Arnette is trying in her own way, but I know she's struggling." Attia answered. Varen nodded leaning his head on the window.

"I don't think I can cry anymore. I think of her and now it's just pain. At first it was uncontrollable tears. I didn't think I could cry as much as I did, but after a week there's none left. Just pain, and emptiness." He said. Attia leaned her head on his arm and took a deep breath.

"If she saw us, what do you think she'd say?" Attia asked and Varen smiled a bit for the first time in weeks.

"Oh, she'd beat the crap out of us that's for sure." He answered and heard the small Pandora giggle slightly.

"She'd be all in your face yelling at you to cheer up, wagging a finger around." Attia answered making him laugh too. He kept looking out the window before taking a breath and turning holding Attia by her shoulders.

"Let's go. Tomorrow we'll give things a shot and start slow. For now, let's get some sleep." He said and she looked up at him swallowing hard.

"Are you going to your room?" She asked and he nodded.

"I can't avoid it forever. I need to face it sooner or later."

"Gonna be ok?" She asked.

"Doubt it." He answered seriously and she forced a smile.

"You sure this is what you want? Right now…is a difficult time." Sister Margaret asked looking at the girl in front of her.

"Now is the only time. I won't let them down." The girl answered and Sister Margaret looked over the papers on her desk once more.

"You are an incredible Pandora. Everything is in order according to these and it looks like Varen signed the acceptance this morning. We've had a large influx of requests and yours was the only one he signed."

"Thank you ma'am." The girl answered and Sister Margaret stood holding her hand out.

"Welcome to West Genetics, we'll get you setup in the Nightingale complex tomorrow and you can report to Arnette in the morning." She shook the Pandora's hand who bowed quickly.

"Thank you so much!" She answered, her teal hair bobbing above her head.