"Who is it?" Pali's voice came through the door. Clarissa looked over both shoulders again. She hadn't noticed a tail, but she was taking an awful risk coming back here now.
"It's me," she said and heard Pali's heavy footsteps quicken towards the door. She opened it and dragged Clarissa inside, giving her a big smile and an even bigger hug. Pali was half a head shorter than Clarissa, but broader and stronger. Clarissa always felt like she was about to be crushed in her embrace. After a few moments of exclamations nad pleasantries, they sat at the kitchen table while water boiled for tea.
"I had to come back, even for a few minutes. I did it, Pali, I'm in."
Pali did not know all the details for Clarissa's mission, but as a fellow agent of the Census Office, it was simple enough to feel for the outlines. She had only seen Clarissa once every other month or so for the last year as she built this persona in the Dis scene. The Black Cloaks were aptly named, doing their work in the shadows and keeping their secrets. Pali preferred her grey cloak, marking her as a member of the Sweep Teams.
"Oh?" was all Pali said in response.
Clarissa cast furtive glances around the room and started to whisper, but the water boiled and the sound of steam overcame her words. Pali got up and returned to the table with two mugs of tea. Clarissa leaned toward her.
"The Servants."
Pali's eyes widened and she sat back in her chair, nodding. "The big fish," she said.
Clarissa was giggling, hardly able to contain herself. "This is my chance to earn the grey."
Pali cast her eyes down at this and her face turned grave. Clarissa's face lost its mirth.
"Why that look? I don't need looking after."
"No one said you did," Pali said. Clarissa put a hand on her arm and showed by her expression that she was sorry.
"Things are bad out there," Pali began, hunting for words like a path lost in fog. "The reports are...strange. I can't say any more. Just, please be careful. These element cults...I don't know. The Servants are an effective group. You must watch out." As she said this last she reached out and grasped Clarissa's shoulder. Her grip was hard from years of weapons practice. Clarissa didn't know what to say, Pali had never spoken or acted like this. She seemed to truly be afraid for her.
She reached up and removed Pali's hand, saying, "I can take care of myself. I want this more than anything." Pali nodded and turned away. Clarissa wasn't sure what she had said wrong, but decided to get up. Excusing herself, she walked toward their restroom. The door to their room was ajar and she peeked inside.
It was about how she remembered. A few things of Pali's had been rearranged, but her things were left as they were and Pali had even dusted around them. What always drew her attention though was the spear and the elixir tied to it. A full elixir, complete with the soft yellow-grey glow of pure Air element. Pali couldn't tell her details about how she killed the Outsider or, more of a mystery, why the Purple Cloaks allowed her to keep a full elixir. The Incursion occured over a year ago and penetrated inside the Conduit Plant, so the records were sealed. The only thing that exceeded her pride for Pali was her jealousy. They'd gone through initial training for the Census Office together and both wanted the Sweep Teams. Pali made it and Clarissa had not. She'd spent the last couple years putting together a record that would allow her to attend The Circus this coming year- the annual internal selection process held by the Sweep Teams.
Returning to the table, Clarissa sat back down and they both sipped their tea. After a few moments, she spoke.
"I came tonight because I don't know when I'll be back. I'm about to dive in, so to speak. I'm not sure when I'll be able to come up for air.
Pali turned toward her and smiled, nodding. She put her hand over Clarissa's.
"Can't you stay the night?"
"No, I took enough risk coming here at all." Pali recoiled, stung.
"I know," was all she said.
"I have to focus on the mission," Clarissa said, leaning forward to hug and then give Pali a peck on the cheek. "Goodbye!"
"You're doing a great job," Pali whispered after the door closed.