After the talk, Asuka and Kopika left the underground training ground. As they walked, Asuka noticed Kopika taking a few glances at her. The Trinity looked up at the woman with confusion in her expression but she had already averted her gaze.
"Is something wrong?" Asuka asked.
"…no. I was just… thinking."
Kopika paused for a moment before speaking again.
"Your rate of growth has been nothing short of genius. I've never seen anyone progress in two weeks as quickly as you have. Are you sure you have no prior training?"
Asuka did her best to hide the awkwardness in her laugh.
"No no. You're just a really good teacher. You explain things very well. Though, you're a more… uh… practical teacher."
The girl said the last part rubbing her still sore stomach.
"The best way to learn is through experience. It is a lesson my master drilled into my head and it is one I agree with," Kopika replied.
Asuka nodded in reply but noticed Kopika's anima sadden at the mention of her master. She wanted to ask but decided it was best not to press too much.
After that, the pair parted ways and Asuka headed back to the apartment. As she walked through the street, many people greeted her with tired smiles after a long days work. She smiled and waved back trying not to look like she was forcing it.
"Told you it would be easy," Annie said in her inner world.
"Maybe. But I still get anxious whenever I try to talk. I'm not used to talking with people I'm not already familiar with."
"Well, you're going to have to learn. People won't follow your ideals if you don't tell them about it."
The Trinity groaned knowing that her friend was right. When she first started trying to talk to the people, intimidation overwhelmed her and she barely strung sentences together without stuttering, but just like all other things, she learned very quickly and began to hold full conversations. She began to help around in shops, eat at restaurants and play with kids her own age. In fact, some could say it worked a little too well.
"Hey Madeline," a group of boys all said in sync.
As soon as Asuka heard the words, it took all her willpower to not groan.
"H-hey."
She turned to the boys and the blushes on their faces almost made her eyes roll.
"You of all people should not look down on them," Annie said.
Asuka's face strained as she cursed her body's tenant.
"When are you gonna play with us again? It's already been three days."
Asuka scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.
"Sorry guys. I've just been really busy lately. I promise to hang out some other time."
Before they could reply, she quickly turned and made her way to her apartment. Approaching the door, she heard a tiny voice on the other side of the door. And when she opened the door, a familiar innocent smile and brown hair greeted her.
"Madeline! You're back," the young girl said.
Asuka couldn't help but smile at the girl.
"Hello Aria. I'm sorry I'm so late."
Without missing a beat, Aria ran up to the Trinity and leaped into her arms. Asuka sank into the embrace, welcoming the girls company. Then, the smell of cooked food filled her nostrils.
"Is Sophia preparing food?" Asuka asked.
"Prepared actually," Anastasia interrupted, "And your portion is getting cold. You'd better hurry up."
The princess looked down at Asuka with a scowl.
"You're late," she continued.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry."
Asuka then sat at the table where Anastasia and Aria already began eating. She took large portions of the food and inhaled all of it. Anastasia couldn't hide the look of disgust on her face. Aria, in contrast, was smiling widely.
"Wow princess! This is amazing," Asuka exclaimed.
Quickly, Aria raised her hand eagerly.
"I helped with the meal!"
Anastasia rolled her eyes and took a bite of her food.
"You only watched the food for five minutes. That could hardly count as helping."
The young girl smirked and put her hands on her hips.
"You're just jealous of my talent."
Asuka almost coughed up her food when she saw Anastasia's face at those words. She let out a groan but decided it was beneath her to argue with a child. Said child chuckled thinking she won the war of words, and to take a big bite of food.
"For Aeon's sake, you have knives for a reason. You'll choke," Anastasia warned.
She then took the fork out of her hand and cut the food for the young girl.
"Thank you Sophi," Aria said smiling gratefully.
She just rolled her eyes in reply.
The dinner went on with Aria occasionally talking about her school activities and her friends. By the end, the girls cleaned up and Aria prepared to walk home. Asuka offered to escort her, but her home wasn't very far.
"I need to be brave even though… it's a little scary," the child said.
Asuka, and secretly Anastasia, admired her bravery and let her be off. They still used their anima to sense her as she went just in case though.
After a few minutes, the two girls sat in the living room and began their nightly discussions.
"How was 'training'," Anastasia began, "Still nothing or has she finally let something slip?"
"Actually, yeah."
At Asuka's reply, the princess actually sat up in surprise.
"Really? What did she say?"
"Well, it wasn't anything about the cult. But she did describe what her homeland was like."
She said the last part trying to sound optimistic but Anastasia saw through that and groaned pinching her nose.
"She said that it was the most beautiful and ugliest place."
That only annoyed the princess even more.
"That's it?"
"…yeah…"
The princess cursed under her breath but Asuka raised her hands in her defense.
"Hey! At least I got something today. That woman lets absolutely nothing slip past her mask. I'm actually quite impressed with myself."
The Trinity puffed out her chest to show that pride in herself. The princess did not show that same pride.
"O great Aeon's. What have I done to deserve to be paired with this fool," Anastasia said looking at the ceiling.
"Well since you want to judge so much," Asuka said, a vein popping in her head, "What did you learn today? Your information has been getting stale hasn't it?"
"Obviously! I got enough information after the first few days, there's not much else I can get without drawing suspicion."
At the beginning of the two weeks, Anastasia had been talking with Bishop Sebastian about the cult and things related to it. As of recent though, she's been working to integrate into the cult. Today, she brings information that will greatly progress their mission.
"In a few days… I will be part of the cult's gathering."
Asuka almost jumped off the couch when she heard that.
"Really? That's… amazing."
She tried to sound excited, but she couldn't help but notice Anastasia's mood damper. Her hands nervously rubbed against each other and she looked away, almost in shame. This behavior was a common occurrence whenever the princess came back from her talks with the bishop.
"Anastasia-"
"Don't," the princess said sharply, "I didn't want your pity the first or the hundredth time. I don't want it now."
All the Trinity could do was sigh and relent.
"Fine. But be careful. My grandma told me some strange things happen in cults."
Anastasia didn't respond to her words. She remained silent, her mind elsewhere. Asuka pursed her lips, unsure of what to do to help the royal girl.
Neither girl spoke until the star in the sky completely disappeared below the horizon and they both went to their rooms.
While Asuka slept, Anastasia was trying to meditate. She sat on the floor concentrating for one hour. Then two. Then three. After the fourth, she sighed sadly and opened her eyes.
In front of her was a beautiful full length mirror. Though it was dark, she could see her reflection. Darkening circles were beginning to make themselves known around her eyes. She stood to her full height which would tower over most girls her age. And yet despite this, she couldn't help but feel so small.
She rubbed both her hands against her face and took a deep sigh.
"It's not a problem. I'll try again tomorrow. I'll get my answers then."
She did her best to harden her eyes. To manifest the determination she wanted to feel. There was no conviction in what she saw. Only uncertainty, doubt and an unfathomable guilt for feeling them.