Guard Duty at the Elysian Halls 
Areya had been assigned to go topside once again, and she was ecstatic about it. After her first time, on the journey to the Crystal Forest, she'd been eager to get up here again. She still had a year left of conscripted time, but for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to feel a bit hopeful. Right now, she was standing guard at one of the man junctions of the World Garden here behind the Elysian Halls. Her and Elias, while their supervising Skyguard was mingling with the guests that came through.
Areya was unarmed, adorned with the collar and bracers that labeled her a conscript, standing tall, her arms crossed behind her back, her eyes watching many of the guests, most in couples, strolling through the gardens as many lovers do. They were instructed to be quiet, not speaking unless someone addressed them first. They were to be respectful and polite, and help the guests in any way that they could. The Sky Guard had heard some rumors from criminal contacts that there was a plot to rob the Elysian Halls today, so they beefed up security.
She looked around, half hoping to see someone she knew from her old life, half hoping no one would recognize her. She wished her mom would be able to come by. She still hadn't been able to see her since she was arrested and incarcerated. What would she even say if her mother showed up? Tell her how she lost control and assaulted a nobleman in her mom's shop? How she probably irreparably tarnished her family's reputation? How she'd spent the last year fighting monsters, seeing death and horrors constantly, and becoming someone completely different than who her mom knew?
Maybe it would be best if they never saw each other again.
Tears filled Areya's eyes, but she blinked repeatedly to wipe them away, to not allow them to fall. She sniffled exactly once, rebuilding her composure, continuously looking about for anything suspicious. She didn't know exactly what to look for, she was not trained in this. But she was here to follow the orders of the Sky Guards. And she would do that, for it was the only way to survive and get out of the hell she was in.
One more year.
One more breath.
Glade 84, 121
Areya had been assigned to go topside once again, and she was ecstatic about it. After her first time, on the journey to the Crystal Forest, she'd been eager to get up here again. She still had a year left of conscripted time, but for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to feel a bit hopeful. Right now, she was standing guard at one of the man junctions of the World Garden here behind the Elysian Halls. Her and Elias, while their supervising Skyguard was mingling with the guests that came through.
Areya was unarmed, adorned with the collar and bracers that labeled her a conscript, standing tall, her arms crossed behind her back, her eyes watching many of the guests, most in couples, strolling through the gardens as many lovers do. They were instructed to be quiet, not speaking unless someone addressed them first. They were to be respectful and polite, and help the guests in any way that they could. The Sky Guard had heard some rumors from criminal contacts that there was a plot to rob the Elysian Halls today, so they beefed up security.
She looked around, half hoping to see someone she knew from her old life, half hoping no one would recognize her. She wished her mom would be able to come by. She still hadn't been able to see her since she was arrested and incarcerated. What would she even say if her mother showed up? Tell her how she lost control and assaulted a nobleman in her mom's shop? How she probably irreparably tarnished her family's reputation? How she'd spent the last year fighting monsters, seeing death and horrors constantly, and becoming someone completely different than who her mom knew?
Maybe it would be best if they never saw each other again.
Tears filled Areya's eyes, but she blinked repeatedly to wipe them away, to not allow them to fall. She sniffled exactly once, rebuilding her composure, continuously looking about for anything suspicious. She didn't know exactly what to look for, she was not trained in this. But she was here to follow the orders of the Sky Guards. And she would do that, for it was the only way to survive and get out of the hell she was in.
One more year.
One more breath.
