thank you everyone for reading!

Edea tugged at her red tunic subconsciously, securing that all creases were smoothed and that she was presentable. For today was the day. She was going on her first mission outside Eternia.

To Caldisla.

Joining the recently made Sky Knights, lead by Heinkel.

She was so giddy she could skip through the halls of her home, squealing till the whole manor quivered. But she was so nervous too! She just knew that something was going to ruin it.

She'd trip.

Stutter.

Her sword will get stuck in its sheath...

Oh crystals, she thought. It was all going to go up in smoke! She knows it!

"Mrgrgrgrgrgrgrgrgrgrgrgrgrgr," she grumbled anxiously to herself, pacing wildly in her room, making the carpet roll and curve with her. Something was going to go wrong! Its just a matter of what? "Ok Edea, breathe girl. You're a Lee. Lees never freak out."

She jumped at the light knock at her door, quickly rushing over to it. She's been hoping for some form of a visit before she leaves. Her father, mother, or Alternis. It would have been nice if it was Einheria here to surprise her, but she was sent to Florem a while ago. With the matter of her friend sent away, a small bubble of doubt rippled in Edea as she paused at the doorknob, nervous.

Both men in her life were on the Council now, and her mother in the hospital. It was only Kamiizumi who will see her off. Her master did promise that he would visit and tell Mahzer her goodbyes and good wishes.

But a visitor at the door...

Turning it, she opened wise and fast, not giving her a chance to see who it was till they were face to face, no wooden frame separating them.

Demonic black armor with golden eye brows stared back at her, with a gauntlet hand rubbing the back of the armor's neck in a sheepish way, ruining the dark appearance. A smile bloomed big and bright on her face at the sight of him. "Edea," was all he got out before she jumped at him, squeezing tightly like all her nerves could be wiped away with a single hug.

Awkwardly, he wrapped his arms around her, shy in his grip before it tightened and pressed her hard against his armor.

For a minute it felt like neither would let go.

Perhaps neither wanted too.

As a crowd outside came to life, signaling that her time has nearly come, Edea drew with a weak smile. Still Alternis held on lightly, not letting her escape from his grasp completely.

"You be careful," his deep voice rumbled out, blocked by the helmet and making it sound like a growl to her ears. "And don't get into any trouble."

She laughed, leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together as she squeezed his shoulders. "I won't make any promises, but I'll try."