☀️ Arselia and Akonia

===Monday evening===

Guyon raced towards the "Carnelian" headquarters, praying to all the gods he knew, and half of those he didn't, that everything would be alright with the others – especially with Beata!
He was panting, and his head was slightly spinning – he had taken quite a beating during the armor test – but these were minor things!
Here is the headquarters. It's dark. It's empty. The lights are off...
His heart sank somewhere in the region of his stomach.
Had he been deceived? Were the whole group still being held in Yanshi?
Or... or were they no longer being held?
Or had the worst happened?
Guyon reminded himself that he had done the right thing. He hadn't chickened out, but had made a tactical retreat. If the whole group had been captured, what could he have done alone? He wasn't nearly as good with lockpicks as Beata, he was noisy, conspicuous, and he clearly lacked acting skills...
No, first he would discuss what had happened with the remaining members. Then – he would go and beg for mercy from His Highness. He didn't care about anything, even if His Highness had his head chopped off for the failure of the rest of the group, but maybe His Highness could come up with a way to save the others, maybe there was still a chance...
As Guyon reached for the door handle, he heard quick footsteps at the end of the street...

***

An awkward, but sincere prayer slightly eased Beata's heart, but the anxiety didn't completely go away. She tried to distract herself by taking a walk around the city, but it only helped a little. Along the way, she came across a couple of cafes, and she even went into one, but... she had no appetite, and no money. Of course, she could try to pick someone's pocket, but a suddenly awakened conscience reminded her of the promise she had made to the gods. She wasn't in the mood for anything. Shopping only made her feel worse. On the way, she ran into Raphael, who was rushing out of the theater, and borrowed money from him, not knowing how she would pay him back – but she really needed "Coolant". During her walk, she made a detour to the pharmacy and bought the medicine from the catamite who was annoyed by her appearance, barely managing to force a friendly smile. She didn't have money for anything else, and her conscience wouldn't allow her to steal. Even the annoying hag from "Rumor" couldn't cheer her up. After listening to the simple insults directed at her ("Thief of members," seriously? Did she come up with it herself, or was she prompted?), Beata just muttered something like "And a good day to you too," glanced at the shelves, and left.
On the way, she ran into a priestess, whom she recognized as Aiyano from Guyon's description. Should she say hello? Ask if she could help? Maybe her gods would help? Divine help is never too much...
...no, she's in a hurry. She's busy. She shouldn't be disturbed.
The day was coming to an end, and her legs were aching from the walk – Beata had really exhausted herself. It was time to go home, rest, and gather strength before the swim. A difficult journey awaited, and most likely without Guyon. Gods, how is he doing... More than anything, Beata wanted to drop everything and rush to him, regardless of the danger.
And here is the headquarters. It's dark – probably everyone has already gone to bed, she's the only one still out.
Wait, who is that? Someone is standing at the door!
Could it be...
Beata looked more closely... and recognized him.
Her heart beat wildly. Her legs automatically started running.

***

– Guyon! – Beata hugged her comrade tightly.
– Beata! You're alive! – Guyon grunted, half-crushed, hugging her back.
– Of course, I'm alive! We're all alive! They just robbed us, but we're safe and sound! Let's go inside, I'll tell you everything!
The couple went to the kitchen. Beata showed Guyon the note she had left and made a cup of tea for each of them.
– His Highness is not sparing us... Or maybe he is, – she smirked, – no one's head was chopped off, no one was punished... Although we punished ourselves. In short, tomorrow we're going to save the Snow Queen. Are you with us?
– Are you even asking! Wherever you go, I'll go!
– I didn't doubt you! – Beata smiled warmly. – How did you get here, by the way?
– Oh, it was terrible! I woke up – you weren't here! I asked the landlady – she said you had gone home! I thought, what can I do alone? I need to rush home. The landlady offered me a job, but for five days... I was almost going to agree, but then I thought – that's too long without you. I decided to take a risk, I saw an ad from a guy who needed a mannequin to test armor... Don't look at me like that! Everything went well. Even too well... They beat me up, of course, but I felt that it could have been worse. I got the money, bought a ticket – and came straight to you!
Beata didn't answer, she just hugged Guyon tightly and looked up at the sky.
"Thank you, Mother Anush, thank you!" – she thought.

***

Beata decides to embark on a path of redemption. From now on, she will commit crimes and XXX with everyone, only if it is necessary for the mission, to save her friends, or if she has no other choice. She also decides to trust the members of "Carnelian" and let them get closer to her. She still puts Guyon above everyone else, but the other members of the team also mean something to her.
Guyon was not as inherently criminal as Beata, so he readily and happily accepts the new rules of the game.

***

In the morning, the couple paid Raphael back for the "Coolant" and went to the pier. There they go to get their equipment and meet their assistants.