unprompted ask \ / @fellstcr \ / always accepting
It was their normal meeting time and place. In Byleth's hands was a well-worn leather journal — the one she always carried about her person in the small pouch strapped dutifully to her waist. With a pen in hand she was dutifully scribbling into it while she awaited Loki's arrival. Evidently she had gotten there early.
It was clear that she had heard him far sooner than she saw him, for her swirling scrawl came to a slow halt long before her eyes peered up at the man as he approached her. She stared owlishly before blinking, and greeted him normally after a short pause.
When questioned, a small knot wedged its way between Byleth's brow, indicative of what should be a frown that never quite found itself written fully upon her features. With a blink it was gone, and Byleth carefully dislodged an envelope with a slip of paper inside of it, addressed to the enforcement unit.
"As you know, we'd been conducting something of an investigation into the wares you'd stolen previously," she said. "It seems as though that case has been put to a formal close." She passed the envelope to Loki. The contents detailed a complete close of the case, and Loki's full pardon.
At the rate in which they'd both been available, he would have only been required one more month's worth of service.
She pursed her lips into a thin line before gesturing with palm splayed open, "For all intents and purposes, you are free to go."
Loki had long since accepted the fact that it was in his best interests to comply with this ordeal. However, it was less of an 'ordeal' and more of a peculiar interest that slowly took root in his routine.
He did not refer to the mundane tasks of aiding civilians with tasks that he believed they ought to be trained to take care of themselves. That was something he was already familiar with being the prince not in line for the throne.
No. He was much more interested in the person who kept him in this cycle. Her intentions seemingly had no clear answers to him. She lied to her superior on his behalf and yet would ensure at every turn he could not escape. There were emotions behind the line of her lips, in the form of her brows. After being forced to spend countless hours in her presence, he managed to find himself... fond of the time.
It was these thoughts that dwelled in his mind as he approached the meeting location. Only to have his revelations interrupted by the appearance of a speck of jade green. He approached as normal, in a better mood than most of their days.
He stared blankly at the piece of paper. Doubt brought his brows to furrow in confusion. Without a word, he tore open the contents and read them. She wasn't lying.
❝ That's it? ❞ was he truly just able to slip out of due punishment's grasp? ... no. He did not believe that. There was a purpose for everything, even in this. ❝ You didn't forge these documents just to release yourself of burden, did you? ❞ He teased with a chuckle, reading over the words once more.
... then again. Did it matter? Whoever the fool was that released his bindings clearly did not know just who he was. It was everything he wanted, and yet he found himself hesitating. He looked down at the woman, studying her features chiseled from stone.
❝ For all intents and purposes... you seem doubtful yourself. ❞