and I'll come back quickly when I'm done, so I'll still be there by the time you wake up. Is it okay?"

When the child finally entered the bed, she tucked her in, close to herself, and carressed her hair softly.

"You'll be alright, sweetheart."

She then leaned closer so only Aelis could hear the next words.

"I'll sneak out and bring something to the 'scary man', but not until you're asleep-

Like the sage spell? :v aether wings or that kind of stuff

"You what?!"

Mephilia repeated, more than surprised. This WAS NOT normal. Her tone soften as to not scare Aelis.

"Of course you can sleep ON the bed. Under the blanket and everything. Come here."

She tapped the seat next to her, hoping the rosy head would take the hint and lie down.

(The "would you still love me if I was a worm?" but in FF universe ffs I can't XD)

Then, they were shown their "bedroom" for the night, a room adjacent to the kitchens that stayed warm thanks to the ovens, were fortune bed were placed. She chose one next to the exit and invited Aelis to come with her.

"You must be really tired, you want to rest now?"

Guiding the girl to a table where they both sat, they waited patiently until finally some food arrived. Stew with meet and vegetables, bread and some cheese were brought to the rescued ones, and they all ate in a silence that wasn't as heavy as it used to be.

Like snow under the sun, Mephilia's heart melted at her reaction. She was still a child even though she'd faced many horrors, and seeing her just being... Well, a child, struck something.

"It's nice to meet you, Aelis. Thanks for keeping me warm until we arrived here."

"I am so sorry for being this rude, I still haven't ask your name. Mine is Mephilia, and I hope your forgive me for forgetting such a trivial thing."

She said in a warm smile.

In a tactical spin, the red head had the little girl look at the big cooking pot, in which a simple yet welcome stew was being prepared.

"You like stew... ?"

That is where she realized she didn't know her name. How the simplest of things becomes unimportant in the chaos...

"I am not going anywhere", she answered in a light chuckle. It seems they both had the same idea. "We will get him something, don't worry."

Sensing the rosy head was trying to peek at Jomas, Mephilia drew her attention on something else, as they entered the kitchens, a comfy smell surrounding them.

and a warm bed for this night at least. We are safe for now, so don't worry."

It wasn't like she wanted to lie, but just for tonight... It was better for her to stay in the dark regarding Jomas' situation.

"How about we follow those nice people and get something in our bellies hm?"

But that girl needed shelter, warmth, food... And so she bit her inner cheeks not to say anything that would take this little comfort away.

Her chest tightened but the movement against her shifted her attention.

"Oh hey there. Yes we arrived at the camp. We'll have food -

What he did in the past was completly unknown to Mephilia, though with what she'd seen she could only imagine and speculate... But there was more to him than his unhinged violence, that much was clear. And yet...

If it was not for the little one in her arms she probably would have protested.

(It's never "just a quick gpose" XD)

(Yeah didn't expect it to turn like that when I burst into laughter imagining Aurelius sliding down that window XD)

(it was a really nice moment!!)

(I found it funny that Meteor of all people would say that when he's the most selfless person in this world haha)

(Ahahah oh no)

(watched a friend play requiem when it came out it was funny as we both freaked out Ahah

And nothings wrong with that that but normality is a concept that differs from one to another so maybe you're not weird to me who knows 👀)

(the character xD been a RE enthusiast for a while now, watched my parents play the game when I was a kid xD

And no you're not!)

(Yeah no don't worry I know Leon quite well UwU why are you weird though?)

(oh no no I get it but like... Imagining the scene made me react like that xD)

(Lmao what)

(I want to see him as a caster or a healer but SE are cowards :()

All eyes on her, she regretted thinking out loud. There was lot of questions in her head but too much ears. So she just opt for the simplest thing.

"Thank you."

Like a mirror from what he told her before they entered the building.

The more she listened the less she understood. There was history, that much was clear... But was he... Surrending? And then it dawned on her.

He had nothing left to lose so he came up here knowing what awaited just so others could have a chance...

"Jomas...?"

(Such a cool way of messing it up tho.)

A turn around of Mephilia. She's got an athletic body, scars on her shoulders, belly, and a big burn on her left arm. Her red hair are sometimes tiied in a ponytail for better view. She has mismatched eyes, one orange and the other a lighter yellow, because of the aether she was ripped off. Her face is marked on the left cheek with a wound in healing, caused by a chakram. Though she could evade a fatal blow, the weapon still cut through her face. Her left shoulder is marked by a claymore that pinned her down. Her right shoulder is marked by a wyverne that attacked her from above, leaving scars both on the front and back of her shoulder, when its claws thrusted in. Her left arm is covered in a burn from her hand to her elbow. She protected a friend dear to her from a fireball cast, and ended up unable to use that arm for a long time. She can no longer use a shield, for the strength in this arm has weakened considerably. Even with rehabilitation, she won't recover the strength she had before. On her right flank is the scars of a bullet - a stupid thing she did when she was younger, after she met a Miqo'te named Danaheim. They asked themselves if Mephilia could be quicker than a bullet... Spoiler; no, even thought she did manage to cut the bullet in two, the other half still lodged in her flank. On her left flank are the scars of a feline paw she got in Thavnair, while protecting a young girl. Finally, we can see scars on her lower belly that are also visible on her lower back, since she was pinned against a wall by wings as sharp as blades. Though she was lucky enough to avoid paralysis, she is now crippled and will limp for the rest of her days, needing a cane on the worst ones. She won't be able to run as fast as before, and it will be only in "emergencies"

It's been a while I've thought about it, so here's how I picture Mephilia in my head, with all the adventures she's lived, many scars came with iit. Thank you so much again @teraelpng.bsky.social for your patience and kindness ♥

TW: scars, burns.

ALT description for how she got the scars!

Different expression of Mephilia Marshall, a red haired Hyur with mismatched eyes. We can see her smiling, crying, screaming, being embarassed, pouting, looking over her shoulder in a comforting way, looking at the viewer with tenderness, or being determined. There's one expression where Meteor and her are about to kiss.

And, with the body type and scars, I asked @teraelpng.bsky.social to do an expression panel so you all can see the range of my girl that I love so much! ♥

I cannot stress enough how Terael cooked on this one