[IMPORTANT NOTE]
I forgor to have crim ask zip to hit up hilde when Z was in the Hells U_U bad author
this chapter proceeds with the notion that Crimson did ask, and Z did pass the message to H, and C has been waiting for some form of response
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I feel like I'm Penny right now.
Or maybe it's more like we've traded places. She's practically running this heist plan meeting with the intelligence division here in the war room, and I'm sitting in Umbra's lap completely spaced out. Her hold on me is the only thing keeping me grounded in place, and I'm clinging to her hand in my lap so she doesn't move it. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I cannot seem to stop thinking about one thing.
Hilde.
I haven't heard a thing from her yet and it's starting to get to me. It's been three weeks now since we first met up with Zip on that beachside, and I know she passed word along to Hilde, so why hasn't anything happened? Why hasn't she come back to talk with me? Umbra told her she wouldn't keep us apart. If Hilde wanted to see me, there's nothing that's stopping her from doing so.
But she hasn't. So…
Wouldn't that mean she doesn't want to?
No, no, that can't be it. That can't be it.
There's nothing on this side stopping her. Maybe there's something on her side. She did mention that they kept her from leaving the Heavens to come see me. If that's happening again, that might be why. Hells, it's agonizing not knowing what's going on up there. For all I know, she might be in the Cages right this second, purely because of her connection to me. Is that what's happening? Is that where she is? Is she in fucking prison? Is she even alive?
Is Hilde dead because of me?
"U–Umbra?" My voice is weak. Frightened. All conversation in the room stops in a heartbeat. My grip tightens on her hand. I think I'm shaking. "I'm… I need… S–Sorry, I–"
"Out," she states to the table. "Fifteen minutes. All of you but Penelope. Go." Once they clear the room, she lifts me up and cradles me in her arms, placing a slow kiss on my forehead between my horns. Her voice is soft and warm as she asks, "What troubles you, my little rose? Tell me, and I will see to its resolution."
"Hilde. Hilde." I think I might be on the verge of tears. "Why? Why hasn't she… What if something happened? To her. What if something happened to her? Because of her connection to me?"
"Shhh. Slow down a touch, my love. Is that what's been on your mind all this time today? You poor thing. I'll have our informants check in on her right away. You have my word of that. Until we receive their report, I cannot tell you for certain if it has happened, but I will ensure you do not face this fear alone."
I love her more every day.
"Um. Excuse me…" Penny flutters over to the edge of the table and folds her powdery wings behind her back. "May I?"
"Perhaps," Umbra mutters.
"Please," I groan.
"If something happened to Hilde, we would hear about it from Zip. Almost immediately."
"But what if she's in danger too?"
Penny's glow fades out. "Oh. Oh no."
Umbra sighs. "You too, hm? Come here." She scoops Penny up off the table, holding us both in either arm. "We're now aware of the problem. Fretting about it beyond this point serves little purpose. What we must do instead is set about seeing to its conclusion. No, neither of you are ready for that. I feel your panic."
With her tailblade, she draws a sigil in the air using blood red fire, then writes out a brief command before slicing it all in half with one line of red. The magic takes hold and a rush of wind extinguishes the flame. Umbra's wings fold around us all, and she nuzzles my head with her cheek.
"There. All will be well soon enough. The informants will check on them both very soon. Both of you, deep breaths. Slow down. Clew up, as your Zip would say. Though I know little of her, I don't suspect she is the type to be caught up in trouble she cannot escape. As for Hildegard, I cannot say. However, these past few weeks, my informants have reported a fair amount of quietude in the Heavens. If an enforcer of Hildegard's caliber were to be facing punitive measures for her connection to you, my Crimsy, we would indeed have been informed. By Zip, yes, or by our own network."
What she's saying makes perfect sense, yet my fear has infected my rationality. "Umbsy, I–I can't–If she's hurt, if either of them are hurt, then–then–then we have to do something!"
"If," she croons before kissing my head again. "If they are harmed, yes, we will do something. We do not know if they are harmed, so for now, we await confirmation. Or the opposite. Do you understand me?"
"Y–Yes," I stammer, burying my face in her chest. Hells, she's so good at comforting me. Her size makes me feel so safe and protected. "Yes… I'm trying…"
"I know you are, my love. You're doing very well. And you, Pensy? Are you hearing me in there?"
She's trembling head to toe, staring one thousand yards away, and petrified in Umbra's other arm. As distant as she is now, lost in the abyss of her mind, she manages to twitch one antennae. It's a subtle gesture, one which Umbra can't see, but I know its meaning.
"Yes, Umbsy. She hears you."
"Good." Umbra takes a deep breath. "Any moment now. Ah, here it is."
I jolt to attention as a similar sigil flickers to life in the air before us, but the flames this time are a pale aqua. Some writing is being scribbled out over it, but the whole thing suddenly extinguishes as Umbra stabs her tail through it. I blurt a wild sound of alarm and horror, but she hums in thought and nods.
"Ahh… Apologies. I did that without thought. That's how I absorb the message, because I cannot read it. Yes, both Hildegard and Zip are alive, well, and intact. It appears Zip has been intentional in her lack of communication, simply for the sake of not drawing attention as she continues to distribute these weekly messages. It's a wise decision. Zip continues to prove herself."
What a fucking relief.
Penny comes back into focus a little. "Yes… Zip… She's smart."
"Indeed. As for Hildegard, my little rose, it seems she has been quite busy, toiling away at her work. The informants claim she hardly leaves the Spire these days. This is to say, no, she has not faced punitive measures due to her connection to you. Quite the opposite. I'm… not certain you'll want to hear this, but it appears she has been placed in command of a specialized task force. That specialization being the capture and reconversion of Wretched draconids."
My fear is gone. It's replaced with concern. "What?"
"Her words before departing here ring true. I believe she does indeed intend to 'rescue' you from my clutches. And with all this in mind…" Umbra holds me tighter and nuzzles my head again. "I'm sorry, my Crimsy. I suspect the reason she hasn't come to see you… is that she genuinely believes you are now a mindless drone and a slave to my will. As if you, a Wretch, are no longer in control of yourself, your mind, or your decisions."
The mere thought breaks my heart. "But… That isn't true…"
"Aurora's lies continue to fester, my love."
"All the more reason to put her in the fucking dirt." I sit up in her hand, rustling my wings. A new fire burns within me. "I need to speak with Hilde again. Immediately. I will claw my way up there if I have to, because Aurora cannot kill me. I'm partially divine now, right? You gave me your power. Nothing can kill me."
"Yet many things can imprison you, Crimsy. Harm you. Torture you. Make you wish upon all the stars in the night that you were indeed able to die, that you may finally find sanctuary from the pain. I will not allow you to do this. I cannot. Your safety is too precious. But I will offer an alternative measure."
Anger ignited when she refused my decision, but with the mention of alternatives, I'm again reminded that Umbra has my best interest in mind. And so I love her even more.
"Please, Umbsy. How can I get her to talk with me?"
Her black tongue flickers. "The same way we ambushed the Legends."
Penny blinks and looks over at me, then up at her. "You don't mean…"
"She does. And she's right. If I can't reach the Heavens to speak with Hilde, I'll have to bring her down to Avi. It's time for another attack upon the surface. Umbsy, please ensure she is summoned alone."
"Hmm. Pensy, stay and complete this meeting, then report to me later. I want a plan for the theft of Longevity completed as soon as possible, without compromising reasonable caution. If anyone asks, my Rose and I are off for a personal endeavor that cannot be delayed."
"Yes, Miss Umbra." Penny flies back up onto the table. "I'll take detailed notes for you. Please, be safe, Crim-Crim… I love you…"
"I will, Penny. I love you too. I'll be back."
"And she'll not be doing this alone. Crimsy, your squadron and I will see to your safety and ensure neither you nor Hildegard are harmed in any way. Now, to Avi we go."
"Thank you, Umbsy. I love you. You always help me."
"Because I wish dearly for you to be happy, Crimsy."
I pull her in for a kiss that turns into multiple. Hells. I can't get enough.
Far too quickly, she pulls back. "Come. Let's see this through, my love."
"Y–Yes," I smile, heart flooded with affection. "Let's, my love."