Cheers, Darlin'

"I'll love you forever, and that is a promise I intend to keep."

She smiled and blushed at his comment. "And I won't ever stop loving you."

At this they leaned in and kissed, her face cupped in his hands, and her hands on his. The Christmas lights that streamed across the buildings and streetlights shadowed the night with their colorful gleams. To him, the lights only illuminated her adorable face. She was his everything, and that's all that mattered. The people of New Emporia, the sounds of its busy city life, and now even the Christmas lights did not matter. The world seemed to revolve around him and her. They were on top of it all. They were in love, so who cared? Nothing else mattered. All they needed was each other. 

--

Can I talk to you?

Sure, what's going on?

Let's meet in person, please. 

Oh, okay. I'll be at our bench. 

Okay, I'll be there in a bit.

He sat there, a cup of hot cocoa in his hand. He remembered she wanted exactly six marshmallows. Looking around for any sign of her, he buttoned up his coat. Christmas was right around the corner, and it was colder this year. 

"Aw, you remembered." 

He turned around and smiled. She was behind the bench, with a thick scarf wrapped around her and a white winter coat. 

"Of course." Where did that scarf come from? He didn't remember it.

She takes the hot cocoa, and sits down next to him. She seemed tense as she glanced at him.

"Alright listen...I'll get straight to the point."

"I'm worried. You seem off. Is something wrong? Is your mother alright?"

"Yeah no, she's fine. But it's...It's about us."

"Us?" The boy feared the worst.

"I'm having trouble with er..." She pushes her hair back.

"Loving me?" 

"No...I'm having trouble deciding who to go with."

"Who to go with?"

"Listen..there's someone that I met and we've been talking to each other for a long time." She said, staring up at him. "I like him, and he likes me. But I love you too and I-"

"Wait what?" The boy leans back in shock. 

"Just, just let me finish." She stutters.

"No. No!" The boy stands up. "What do you mean? Who is it?"

"It's no one you know, please just sit do-"

"For fuck's sakes!" The boy harshly says, "What did I do wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong, sweetie, please.." The girl begged.

"What happened to us? Three years ago, we said we loved each other, and we wouldn't plan on stopping that."

"We're just teenagers." She explained. "It was really unlikely we'd stay together forever-"

"I don't believe that." He cut in, "Even if you go off and date a hundred people, I'd still love you."

The girl breaks down. "Stop making this harder than it is already. I know I'm like a slut right now, but we can still be friends. That's what can come out of this."

"Oh stop it, Em! We're all whores. Everyone. We just sell different parts of ourselves." The boy shoves his hands in his pockets. "For me? I sold my heart to you. And now I've been misled."

He began to walk away as quickly as he could. Her calling his name was muffled now. The people of New Emporia, the sounds of its busy city life, and now even the Christmas lights did not matter. 

--

He had forgiven her. It was useless to keep a grudge. They were growing up, and he was indeed being ridiculous and a stupid teenager then. The world moves on, whether you like it or not. He shook his head at the flashback. It was like a drama show. He regretted it. He regretted a lot of things at that age. Most of all though, that specific night. A drama queen. He definitely acted like one. He scoffed at the thought of this and stood up.

Whatever, they remained very good friends. So good that she invited him to her wedding six years later. It was the same guy, too. He adjusted his tie as he stared at himself in the mirror. It could have been himself. He kind of hated that thought. He was so close, but so far away. 

He gritted his teeth. He had to stop thinking about the past. As he put on his suit though, he wondered: What would it have been like if they stayed together? No. He had to stop. He turned to the wedding presents he prepared. Several packs of marshmallows and two boxes of hot chocolate packets. It was perfect for the season, since their wedding was practically a week away from Christmas. 

He sighed as he walked to the front door of his small apartment. It'll be a fun wedding.

--

"...And I'd just like to say that you two are perfect, and I couldn't have been more prouder than the both of you."

Sobbing. Clapping. Cheering. It was unbelievably boring to him. At least he was placed at the head table, where the 'important' people were, and they could make speeches. However, they were going in order, and he wanted to go last. Damn. Whatever. It was his turn anyways. 

He stood up and cleared his throat. He gazed upon the couple that sat not far from him. Happy as doves. She looked absolutely stunning. More than she did when she was a teenager. Damn it. He didn't prepare a speech. 

"Tom and Emily." He cleared his throat again and spoke slowly. "I've known you two for the longest here, except for your parents. Especially you, Emily. I've known you since we were ten years old."

Emily's happy expression dropped for a moment, but was brought back up by a fake smile.

"I don't think I've seen a more thriving couple than you two." His chest tightened up, but he continued. "And I hope that you two remain that way for the rest of your lives."

He picked up his glass of wine and rose it in the air. "May your wedding bells remain in your mind as happiness roams your heart for all of eternity. Here's to Emily and Tom." 

Everyone cheered and they rose their glasses. Emily and Tom looked at one another as if they had some fun secret and smiled at each other. 

--

He looked upon the party going on inside. No one would notice him leaving. He slung his coat over his shoulder, and turned. They deserved to be happy anyways. All of the people inside do. It was a wedding. No one would miss him. No one.

--

He stood as straight as a post. All of the cadets were lined up in stiff formations. The drill instructor was practically spitting in everyone's faces whenever he shouted at them. He could register to be an opera singer. 

"Well, well well. What the fuck do we have here?" 

The drill instructor had seen him staring. "Aren't you a majestic fucking owl? Something catch your eye?"

"Just observing, sir!" He said.

"And why is that?" The drill instructor looked him up and down.

"Someone once told me to observe everyone who may become your enemy, so you don't get hurt." He replied.

Silence filled the courtyard. The drill instructor glared him down, before saying:

"You're not afraid to die, are you, owl?"

"Not a bit, sir. I'm all for New Emporia's safety." He stared back.

"Who told you that statement, asschin?" The instructor placed his hands behind his back.

"My...My ex-girlfriend, sir!" 

"So that's why you're not afraid to die." 

"...Yes."

The drill instructor grabbed him by the cheeks, and turned his head side to side. "I've got some plans for you. From here on out, cadet, you'll be known as Strix."

"Strix, sir?"

"It's a type of fucking owl." The drill instructor walked away, and resumed his spitting insults.

--

"I wanted to be in the army, not a goddamn zookeeper group." 

The abnormally tall man's already grim expression was added on with a frown and a glare. 

"The instructor said you had no intention of living. Said you 'stared like an owl'." The man crossed his arms. "I'm starting to think they're sending assholes they don't like as a joke."

"Then send me back if you think I'm an asshole." He said.

"Well, you're stubborn for sure." The tall, armored man murmured. "I'll keep you for a bit. This 'zookeeper group' is a highly trained organization. You basically have a guarantee of death if you sign up. In your case, though, I'll sign you up."

He sighed, and drowned out the tall man's words.

--

Strix opens his eyes upon hearing his driver declare that they arrived at New Emporia. It had been a while since he was in this city. He never wanted to return, but now, under official Aedepex business, he had to come back. He turns his gaze to the window, and expects the worst for his home city.

There were riots almost everywhere he looked. Even though they were part of the New Olympian Empire, New Emporia wasn't cooperating with the new change in power, and the new laws against magic users and irregulars. The Aedepex Overseers sent the Vindicators and the Garrison for riot control and enforcement of the new law. 

Not two minutes after they entered the city did the protesters start attacking the convoy. Aclimus, who was in the same vehicle Strix was seated in, pulls out his radio.

"Everyone, stay calm. Don't retaliate. They'll hate us even more and actually start fighting back. It'd put a bad note on our name." 

"Why?" Strix turns to Aclimus.

"So they see we're not about attacking the people, but attacking the ones who are harming the empire." Aclimus lowers his radio.

"That's why they're fighting in the first place." Strix pulls out a cigarette. "They don't want us to attack the irregulars."

"Well," Atlas cuts in, "It'll be even worse if we harm the people, right? They'll have every reason then."

Strix shrugs as he lights his cigarette. At that moment, fire erupted near one of the armored vehicles. The protesters were now throwing Molotov cocktails. Aclimus frowns and looks out the window.

"I see no law enforcement. No police." He mutters.

"Well, we're here now." Atlas replies, "I don't think the police were against the protesters in the first place. The irregulars were quite prominent in the force. Now they're all gone, it's basically a couple of lazy bums in uniforms."

Strix couldn't have agreed more. It was a lot more reassuring now that Aedepex was in charge, since New Olympia Empire's law enforcement was corrupted to its core. Sparrow Division had started out as a wonderful source of internal security, but now that Augo was gone, it died. Actually, if only Veck hadn't killed himself, the SD Imperator wouldn't have been up for grabs for power-hungry officials. He himself would have made a great candidate if it weren't for the Owls and Lu- wait. Was that...?

Strix pulls the cigarette out of his mouth as he gazes towards the front of the rioting crowd. It was. There was Emily, looking as radiant as ever, raising a homemade protest sign "My teenage son is anything but irregular!" Stupid sign. Strix continues to stare but then notices that Emily had stopped chanting and was staring directly back at him. She was surprised and was calling his actual name, but Strix turns away with no change in expression. He activates a switch next to the window, and the window was blacked out. Emily's view of Strix was now obstructed. She continues to yell his name, but he ignores her exclaims. No one else in the car could know his real name, either. Except for bloody Aclimus.

--

Strix was leaning back against a bench. Not just any old, rusting metal bench, however. It was the bench. The bench where he often visited when he was an adolescent. Although, he would always come here with Emily. Coincidental that it was almost Christmas now too. He remembers the moment he and Emily shared that one Christmas evening. 

Did he still love her? Strix sighs. He did. Zia was just...a rebound? There was never anything between them, anyways. He didn't want to be alone anymore. He wanted nothing but to love, and to have the equal love returned. So needy, was he. 

Strix shakes his head and lifts a cup of hot chocolate to his lips. Six marshmallows, just like she liked it. As he takes a deep gulp, he watches the Christmas lights flicker across the park. There weren't as many, but it was still surprising the park had put them up. No rioters were here, either. Guess they respected Christmas, in a way. 

"That's not a cup of hot chocolate, is it?"

Strix's muscles freeze. He clenches his jaw. "Perhaps."

Emily walks around from behind the bench, and smiles, sitting down. "I figured you'd be here."

"Still that predictable?" Strix leans back.

"As always, Will." Emily chuckles.

Strix freezes up again, and lowers the cup from his lips. 

"That's...still alright with you, I hope?" Emily's smile fades. "If I still call you Will? I know you go by your full name."

"I don't mind." William sighs.

"Good." Emily's smile reappears. "Anyways, I saw you in that car, earlier. You're working with them now? The ones who kill us?"

"They don't kill people." William retorts. "They kill irregulars."

"They're not 'irregulars'. They're people. They are human beings who can just do something amazing, just like anyone else can."

"If they're so amazing, why do they hurt people?"

"Are you saying people don't hurt people?" 

William remains silent. He takes another drink from the cup. 

"I thought so." Emily says, leaning back against the bench.

"How's Tom?" William hurriedly changes subjects.

"Oh you know...same old, same old...I hope." Emily looks away.

"You hope." William turns to her, "I'm guessing he left you."

"Oh, no." Emily turns back to him. "Of course not. He's...well, he's dead."

"Ah. My condolences." William looks towards the lights again.

"You don't sound very sad about it." Emily frowns.

"How can I?"

"Why not?"

"Don't make me say it."

"Say it."

"No."

"Say it."

"...He took you from me."

Emily blinks. "You're still hung up on that? I thought you moved on."

"I meant it when I said 'I'll love you forever'." William replies, handing the cup to her.

She takes the cup into her hands, and lifts the cup to her mouth. "You know, I'm pretty sure I still do, too."

William's head snaps to her direction. "What?"

"I was never really happy with Tom, believe it or not. We raised two kids, but he wasn't the greatest. Both of us weren't. He always said I was still hung up about you." She sips from the cup, "And I believe him."

William scoffs. "Thanks for letting me know now."

"Well, I had to stay for the kids. And you completely disappeared. No contact." Emily shrugs and hands the cup back to him.

"Oops, sorry." She chuckles. "Got some lipstick on your cup."

"It's fine." William mutters. He stares at the cup for a moment, before responding:

"I broke off contact because I couldn't bear to see you anymore, so I joined the army. But I got involved with another group."

Emily widens her eyes. "You joined the army? Tom did too."

"Oh did he?" William crosses his legs.

"He felt like he had a 'duty to protecting his city'. But he didn't even die protecting New Emporia. It was at New Olympia." Emily frowns.

"The Fall of Olympia? I was there." William recalls the day.

"You were? I heard it was horrible." Emily changes subjects...somewhat.

"No. I got used to it." William shakes his head.

Emily was silent now. Obviously, she was thinking of something, and was hoping William would say yes.

"You know...the children need a father. It's been hard for all of us." Emily looks up to him.

William freezes up. He grips the cup in his hand and stands up. "No, it wouldn't work for both of us."

"Why? Because I'm against the new laws, and you're enforcing it?" Emily blinks.

"No." William says. "Now, Aclimus."

A bullet tears through the metal bench, and straight through Emily's stomach. She widens her eyes as her stomach numbs. Emily didn't feel anything for a moment, but suddenly receives the excruciating pain rip through her body. She falls to the floor, gasping in pain. She was going through shock. She had never been shot before, only with vaccinations. No, this was a bullet. An actual bullet. 

"You are now under the protective services of the Aedepex Vindicators." Strix begins to speak in a monotonous tone, "Your involvement with illegal magic activities or irregular persons has been noted-"

"William, no, please." Emily gasps, "No, please, you can't do this. It's me, please. I have "

Strix continues, "Your relatives and offspring will be notified of your position within the Aedepex Vindicators' services. The Aedepex Overseers will be responsible for your offspring and will provide them with care and appropriate education."

"No, NO, WILLIAM, NOT MY CHILDREN!" Emily screams, "WHY? WHY THIS? PLEASE. PLEASE. WHY?"

Strix looks down at her. "Because we would have never worked out, Em. And no, not because we're on different sides."

Aclimus steps out from behind the bench and pulls back the hammer of his pistol. 

"Because I died a long time ago. You killed me in this exact spot." Strix harshly says.

"But you said you'd love me fo-" Emily was shut up by Aclimus, who aims the pistol at her head. 

"Nothing lasts forever, Em." Strix lifts the cup into the air.

"Cheers, darlin'." He takes a drink from the cup.

"No, Will, please." Emily begs. "No..No, no n-"

Aclimus fires, and Emily falls to ground, silenced.

Strix stares at the body, whilst Aclimus chuckles and places his pistol in his holster. Aclimus mimics her calling out Strix's name, and continues to chuckle.

"Well, William Bredon," Aclimus smiles, "That's one protester down. Guess you were right about fighting back against them. They'd do nothing but cause trouble. 'Bout time they calm down."

"Yes, it's time. Call it in." Strix drinks from the cup.

"Yeah, they're already on their way. Overseers are on their way to her house." Aclimus nods.

Strix continues drinking from the cup, before lowering it.

"Uh...Strix, not to get on your nerves or anything, but the cup is empty. Just letting you know."

"I know, Aclimus." Strix lifts it up to his mouth again, where the imprint of Emily Llyn's lipstick remains.

"I know." Strix says, before walking away.