The next morning, my letter to the church sits quietly on the desk. My thoughts are not so quiet. I wrote what I could, which wasn't much. As I wrote, I couldn't deny that Seymour Manor isn't as bad as I was led to believe. I have my grievances, for sure, particularly towards a certain Lord who is always unbelievably frustrating. But that same Lord treats his children well, and that leaves me constantly second guessing. The question remains; is his care true or is it a well crafted disguise? Am I losing my nerve because there are children involved? Regardless, there are unanswered questions, especially those regarding his adoptive family, that I must try answering. I make sure to request more information concerning his family. Maybe I can find a clue.

Grabbing the lackluster and confusing letter, I head off to Lore's office where he has already stated he'd be spending the day. There's paperwork to be done so the investigation is put momentarily on hold, for our part. Lore calls for me to enter after I knock, raising his gaze curiously upon seeing me.

"I've got some business to attend to in town today," I explain and adjust the axe on my back. Lore definitely gave it a slight glare, but he relaxes when hearing why I have it. "Figured I would check in with Jaryl too concerning the investigation. I'll bring back whatever he can give me."

"You're not planning to walk to town, are you?" Lore asks.

"I didn't really consider taking one of your vehicles, but if that's an option, I would appreciate it."

"Unfortunately, both cars are in use today. However, Arline and Cyan haven't left yet. Wait for them in the foyer and let them know that I insist that they give you a ride to town."

I bite the insides of my cheek, then say, "I don't know if insisting will convince them to take me."

"They will. Now go on before you miss them." Lore shoo's me away with a flick of his hand like he would a child.

Rolling my eyes, I head to the foyer where I contemplate walking. Neither Arline or Cyan will be happy to have me tagging along. Admittedly, I rather not tag along with them either.

My assumption is proved correct when the two of them step into the foyer and share exaggerated faces of disgust. Cyan, however, takes it a step further by pointing at me and saying, "Move your ugly mug, my eyes can't handle this sort of abuse without proper reimbursement and hazard pay."

"That would hurt my feelings if I actually believed I was, in any way, unattractive," I respond, causing Cyan to purse his lips and Arline to roll her eyes. Their expressions get even worse when I add, "Lord Seymour has insisted that you give me a ride into town since the other vehicle isn't available."

"Did he specifically say insist or are you trying to trick us? The church is good at that, spewing lies," Cyan argues and crosses his arms.

"Let's not make this personal," I hiss. "Please just let me join the drive. I have something to drop off at a church. I promise to sit quietly in the back and not bother either of you. Besides, don't you owe me a ride, Cyan?"

He freezes like a cat being caught with their paw where it shouldn't be.

Arline leans over to whisper to him, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Cyan was meant to pick me up at the airship station when I first arrived, but I had to walk all the way here. Oh, my feet were aching so bad, but I didn't make a big deal out of being completely forgotten," I explain, grinning ear to ear when Cyan seems to visibly shrink.

Arline rubs the sides of her neck and groans, "Fine, whatever, get in the damn car." She jabs Cyan in the chest with a long nail and hisses, "This is your fault."

"Shut up, I know," Cyan mumbles.

They brush past me to head for the car. I swiftly follow because I know they'll leave me behind if I don't get in immediately. However, it seems I would have had time to get in if I waited because Cyan and Arline begin to argue.

"It's my turn to drive!" Cyan insists. He jumps desperately to reach the car keys that Arline teasingly holds over his head. Poor guy isn't the tallest bloke around and, as a dhampir, Arline has unnatural height.

"You drove last time!" He huffs.

"I'm not only the better driver, but I'm also older and I have the keys." She snickers, tossing the keys from one hand to the other when Cyan nearly grasps them.

"Those are all bullshit reasons when we made a pact to alternate who drives!"

"There's no pact. You made that up." Arline throws open the driver's door, which seems to make Cyan give up. Throwing his head back with an exaggerated groan, he drags himself around the car like it physically pains him. He even throws himself on the hood, pretending to die, then slides to the passenger side.

"If you got streaks on the car, you're cleaning them off," Arline warns.

Cyan waves off her concern and puts on his seatbelt. I do the same while holding back a chuckle. They remind me of how my brother and I acted around each other.

Arline drives off. She's a much better driver than Lore so that's a huge relief, although it also isn't that much of an achievement. A toddler could probably drive better than Lore.

"Just so we're clear, I'm not dropping you off at the church. When we get to town, you're on your own," Arline warns. She glances at me through the rearview mirror. Whether she means to or not, her eyes drift to Cyan. Concern evident within her gaze, then she glares at me. "And we're meeting at a cafe around three, so if you aren't back by then, we leave without you."

I stare silently at her for a long moment, causing Cyan to spin in his seat. Wrinkling his nose, he asks, "Why have you suddenly gone mute?"

"I think he's being a smart ass and refusing to speak because he said he'd be quiet," Arline replies.

"Not so much a smart ass as thinking you would take it very seriously, but if I can speak, then don't worry about it. I've walked to the manor before--" I grin at Cyan, who slithers back into his seat then whimpers when Arline tugs on his hair.

"I can get back on my own," I add, unfortunately letting out that held in chuckle when Cyan jabs his fingers into Arline's ribs. She might have lectured him if the two weren't suddenly focused on the one tiny noise I made.

"What are you laughing at?" Cyan challenges, spinning in his seat again to glare at me. He always feels like he's putting his fists up, preparing for a fight.

"You two," I answer, gesturing between them. "Arguing the way you do, it's funny."

I'm not sure why my response made Cyan angrier, but he suddenly looks at Arline and asks, "Have you ever wondered what happens to a mortal body when it's thrown out of a very fast moving vehicle?"

"I can take a guess, but I'd still love to see what actually happens," Arline replies sweetly.

"What'd I do?" I ask, squeaking when Cyan stabs my nose with his finger.

"You're existing, that's what!" He shouts, as if that makes sense. "Just... ugh, I wanna toss you into the sky and watch you drop."

"Why must everything return to violence for you?"

"Because the sight of you makes me violent!"

"Actually, you're naturally violent. The stupid paladin back there just amplifies it," Arline adds, which certainly doesn't make me feel any better. I think I'd take Lore's mad driving over these two seemingly contemplating how to get away with my brutal death.

Thankfully, I'm not tossed out of the car or into the sky. I am, however, left on the curbside once we reach town. Arline definitely burned out their tires on purpose to release a puff of fumes in my face. And Cyan doesn't hesitate to give me the finger out the window like a rebellious child.

I'm kind of glad I'm going to walk back. Those two are way too much to handle together.

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Arline and Cyan are certainly a handful when they're together lol The definition of chaotic. Poor Seren almost got thrown out of a moving car! Will they ever get along? lol