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Having just bounced off a year-long mission; playing the role of a Hugarian politician’s mistress, Yor Briar was well and ready to return to her country and rest for a couple of days.
So color her surprised when, upon touch down on Ostanian grounds, Thorn Princess was summoned for an urgent debriefing by her manager.
Walking into the massive Rosalia estate, Yor comes face-to-face with her handler, The Shopkeeper.
-« Greetings, Thorn Princess. I hope your travel was well and alright. I heard there was some air turbulence over the Abanian territory. »
-« There was. » she takes the seat in front of him with a smile, settling her bags close to her feet. » But it was rather rudimentary, the rest of the travel was smooth sailing. »
-« I am glad to hear that. And congratulations on finishing your Hugarian mission. Efficient as always. » He pulls out a stack of files from a drawer to his left, leafing through them.
They are the legal documents she stole from her lover’s office: Proof of his involvement in a money laundering scheme that threatened the stocks of Ostania’s Grand Bank, and signed receipts of the bribery money that he sent to the late Ostanian Bank’s HR director.
It was quite the time-consuming, and emotionally-taxing mission: After all, pretending to be the demure side piece has never been her thing.
-« It is once again, thanks to you, that our country’s people can live in peace for another day. » he smiles at her, putting the papers back into the drawer and searching for something else: « I understand that you have been expecting a compensation vacation after such a long undercover job; however,… » He pulls out a sealed manila envelope. « This matter can not wait or be handled by anybody else. »
Yor signs, holding back the urge to stomp her feet. She was planning on pestering Yuri for some time.
No rest for spies, I guess.
She takes the envelope and breaks the flap, examining the documents. The picture of a googly-eyed man staring back at her.
-« Donovan Desmond ; ex-prime minister of Ostanian and Chairman of the National unity party. A devoted conservative and eugenics enthusiast. We have received insider information from our mole in his wife’s favorite country club that the Desmond family; and especially the patriarch, have been involved in some rather unsavory business in conjunction with purist ideology. » The Shopkeeper inhales, sitting back on his chair. « Our allegiance lies with the people of Ostania, of whatever race, color, and descent. Only divide can be born from compartmentalizing a society. At first, our plan was to have you directly join in Mrs Desmond’s little breakfast gatherings and engage with her to get to her husband. However, from our investigations, we have found out that Mrs Desmond is as, if not, more reserved and guarded than her husband. Her social circle consists solely of high-society mothers whose kids are attending Eden Academy. »
-« Ha… »
-« The Eden admission exams are in 15 days, which leaves you with a week time to find a child and a high-profile husband to start a family, and engage with the Desmonds as soon as possible. That is the plot of Operation: Hydrangea»
Yor was shaking, her cheeks crimson red and eyes watering.
-« Ha…HAAAAAA ?????? »
-« Mama, I don’t want this papa at all. » Little Anya stares blankly at the man in their living room.
-« Hm, something… Just isn’t… »
Even with a pressed suit, and coiffed hair; there was no way anyone would buy McMahon as a 30-something father to a 6-year-old.
-« So old. » The little girl groans again, whatever is left of McMahon’s pride left his body in an instant.
-« That’s it. I am leaving. » The man tosses his tie and walks right out, leaving a frustrated Yor behind and a humming girl, who immediately returned to her spot in front of the TV.
Anya passed the written exams and has advanced to the oral interview, which entails that Yor needs a husband, and fast.
Eden is known for treasuring classic family values of integrity and unity; and even if the circumstances weren’t as dire as they were, Yor knew that having a single mother was the equivalent of a death sentence in the eyes of Ostania’s aristocracy.
-« Mamaaaa, Anya is hungry. » Her daughter moans from the opposite side of the room, her stomach grumbles sounding louder over her voice.
Yor sighs, moving to take her coat from the hanger.
-« I will be going to the grocery store to get us some food to eat. Don’t do anything reckless while I am gone. » She warns her, dreading a repeat of what happened last time.
Anya gulps, giving a salute and nodding her head: « No sir. »
-« Okay. » She walks out of the door with concern deep in her bones.
.
.
.
-« Is this even healthy to eat every day? » She whispers to nobody in particular, staring at the frozen section of the grocery store with slight dread.
Yor couldn’t cook. And that apparently has always been given, yet she has always missed its signs with Yuri.
It wasn’t until she had made an omelet for Anya for dinner on their first night together, and almost lost her newly acquired daughter to food poisoning that she realized it.
Way too late.
So she had to sell her soul to food Satan and surrender herself to the power of premade TV dinners.
They were all they have been eating for 5 days now, and Yor was starting to worry that she might be damaging her daughter’s tastebuds forever.
She purses her lips and stretches her hand to acquire two trays of snitchzels and mash for lunch. She will just order takeout for dinner later.
-« Ah wait. » A male voice speaks from her side, and in the blink of an eye, her wrist has already been caged in an almost crushing grip.
She hadn’t felt ill-intent or someone approaching her at all. She was a highly trained spy, and yet someone had crept on her so easily from behind.
Her wrist was grasped so tightly as well, she doubted she could break free of it
-« Ah, I am so sorry » The man speaks again, freeing her as she brings her wrist to her chest slowly, soothing the tingles in there
She turns around and has to look up because the man she was looking at was tall
So tall. Blond hair brushed in a ruffled mess over his head, straight bangs falling over azure blue eyes that gave off sheer awkwardness
A blue cardigan over plain old khakis
It was a normal civilian on a grocery trip. All her guard melts away in an instant.
-« I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rude. » The man panics, waving his hands in front of his face awkwardly. « I just saw you reaching for that terrible schnitzel tray, and I was compelled to stop you. »
She watches the man’s face go all shades of red, probably feeling more and more unnerved by her lack of response. Yor watches him panic, slightly amused but intrigued by the strange man.
But at that moment, a part of his words catch her ears.
-« I … I was actually reaching for it. » She confirms, the man finally stopping his flailing and looking at her. Yor feels like a deer in a headlight. « I can’t really make nutritious meals for my daughter and myself so I resort to these. I am not sure if they are good for a growing child though. »
The blond man looks at her, then a soft smile on his face: « I used to have these meals a lot when I was in university, and I can’t say it was the kindest thing on my stomach. » He joked, unaware of the pure horror that downed on the woman.
Oh my God…
Oh my God…
Oh my God, I have been feeding these to Anya for the last week. Have I been feeding her poison all this time? I am such a failure. How can I expect anything from her when I am feeding her trash? Oh no OH NO OH NO.
He notices her panic a bit too late and backtracks on his words: « It isn’t that bad. Just not good for you in the long term. And I am pretty sure they don’t use real meat in the schnitzel one. » He hears a whimper, and the woman before his is suddenly tearing up in guilt.
The man startles, shoving a hand into his own cart and pulling out a can for the woman to see.
-« Hey hey, don’t cry miss. Here try this. » Yor looks up from the ground, the guilt and shame heavy in her bones.
The blond man looked distressed but kept a friendly smile as he gently put the tin can in her hand.
-« Simply open the can and heat it in a microwave. It goes so well with toasted bread and cheese. » He pats her hand and comfort washes over her. « Trust me, your daughter would love it. »
Yor trusts the strange man’s words. She scans the can and a loaf of wheat bread and heads straight home.
Fragrant tomato soup with slightly charred bread and melty cheese was a meal that Anya extensively enjoyed.
-« Mmmmh, so delish. » The little girl moans through each bite, licking at the stringy cheese in her fingers.
Yor couldn’t believe it. She had made a meal for her daughter, and she loved it. Indeed, it was just reheated soup but it was undeniably delicious.
She looks over her shoulder to the opened tin can still on the countertop.
Scruffy’s yummy ummy dinners: Tomato soup.
She owes the blonde stranger a thank you; …
And probably a hardcore blowie.
Anya begins coughing, choking on a piece of bread.
-« Oh my, Anya are you okay? » She rushes to her baby’s side, massaging her back to help her swallow.
Yor begins seeking the blonde man every time she goes to that grocery store. She would go around the store : Reading labels and comparing products by their mascots ( They all have the same cheery lady on the front.)
The man always spots her before she does, creeping on her with concerning quietness and ease. The first time, she had bowed with her deepest gratitude and even offered to pay the man back, asking if he needed any legal documents hurriedly checked or stamped at the City Hall ( Her cover job for Operation: Hydrangea was as a City clerk at the Berlint City hall. Her mission manager; McMahon, was her division director.)
The man laughs it off, waving off any of her offers and just saying: « I am just glad you are looking so energetic today. I would assume your daughter adored the meal. »
-« SHE LOVED IT. » She blurts out, the volume of her voice catching the attention of many customers in the store.
Oh God, she had just started the mission and she was already catching the attention of many people she didn’t even know.
Get it together, Yor. You are a top-tier undercover spy, why are you yelling in the middle of a store like this? What if someone reports you for disturbance of public calm?
The man before her snickers in the palm of his hand, looking rather amused and pleased. Yor blushes at the mess she made out of herself.
-« I am glad you both liked it. It’s a friend’s business, and I love to support him and others as well. » He smiles down at her, turning around to eye the aisle they were in.
-« May I recommend something else? I am willing to test the limits of my taste with you from now on. »
Yor blushes, overwhelmed by the man’s willingness to help her ( He must’ve seen her struggle with reading those labels before.)
-« Yes… Yes please. »
The man becomes Yor’s shopping buddy. At one point, they started making plans to meet at the store to shop together.
They both got out of work at vastly different times, yet the man always made time to meet her.
He introduced himself as Loid Forger ; he lives nearby on Park Avenue and he has a dog.
She could’ve required more information if she just asked, Loid-san isn’t one to dodge her questions. He is very open and honest with her, answering all her questions with ease and cheer. He enjoyed cooking as well apparently, his cart was always filled to the top with organic produce, and fresh meat and fruits.
He looked like an honest man. And apparently, very invested in her daughter’s wellbeing.
-« Oh wow, really ? Eden. That is magnificent. Your daughter must be such a brilliant young girl. » He gushes over her, a contaminating joy emitting like halo around him.
She tells him her whole cover story : A city clerk and single mother to Anya. Husband passed 2 years ago, leaving an infant girl and her with a dream : Make their child intend Eden Academy and become an Elite scholar.
She feels a swell of pride when she sees the empathic expression on Loid-san’s face, moved by her words and tears welling in his eyes. At least her act and story were consistent.
Upon the third grocery store rendez-vous, Yor requires a full check on Loid Forger : 29 years old, orphaned at age 6 due to the Ostanian Air raids on the Western region, graduated at age 16 from Allegra Institute for Gifted Children. Attended Berlint Military University and graduated with honors. Accomplished psychiatrist in Berlint Central Hospital for the last 3 years.
Clean record. Perfect grades and reviews. A respected doctor among the hospital and university staff.
Yor only feels her respect grow for the man.
When McMahon hands her the files she asked, he adds: « Quite the interesting character you asked me to look up. He is quite exceptional on his own accord. »
Yor pours over those words, reading the man’s record over and over again, that knife-sharp azure glare haunting her waking and sleeping hours.
Yor Forger makes a decision.
-« Ah… » Yor looks over her shoulder, meeting the same familiar blue she always saw in the lighting of the grocery aisles.
-« HI ! » The little girl beside her greets with a wave, looking up with starry-eyed interest.
The man’s grin grows, and he crouches to Anya’s level, extending his hand in exchange: « Hi. » He greets back, taking the girl’s hand in his.
-« Loid-san? I was not expecting you here at this time of the day. » It was quite early in the afternoon, around 3 PM. Loid was usually free after 5PM.
Yor noticed that he wasn’t in his comfy house clothes either. Dressed to the T in a pressed hunter-green suit and fedora. His hair was neatly coiffed, a definite contrast to the habitual effortless style he wore around the neighborhood.
He must’ve come straight from work.
-« Ah yeah, I had an early leave today after a late shift yesterday. I thought maybe I could come here to get some dog treats for my pet since I doubt my usual dogsitter has given him any treats lately. » Right, she hasn’t seen Loid-san for a couple of days now. He must’ve been working late.
-« You must be Anya-san, right? » He speaks to the little girl, still staring at the man with awe like he was the coolest thing in the world.
Then, Yor watches as her daughter’s owlish experience, twists into comical shock and then bone-deep horror.
Yor was confused by the sudden change and it seems that Loid-san was too.
She attempts to desperately salvage the situation: « Don’t mind her. She is a very imaginative child, she probably just lost track of everything and remembered something about her anime. »
-« Oh yeah, I guess. » The man stands up, retracting his hand back, and giggles all self-conscious.
Yor remembers her previous decision that she never had the opportunity to execute before.
She thinks her next words through, deciding on the perfect combination of words to cast the man under her spell.
She opens her mouth and…
-« AH, ANYA NEEDS A PAPA. » her daughter screams, jumping up and down in her place.
The two adults stare down at the little girl: One in terror, the other in confusion.
Anya looks up at the blonde man, bunching her hands in front of her: « Anya doesn’t have a papa. Anya wants a papa. A very kind papa, who can protect Anya and her mama all the time. »
-« Anya what are you… »
-« I want a papa. A PAPA ! »
People were staring at them now, one of the shop workers watching with peeled interest.
-« Yor-san… » Loid calls for her. She looks up from her whining daughter. « Let’s take this conversation somewhere private. «
They reach an easy arrangement.
Yor needs a husband to help her raise her daughter and get her admitted into Eden Academy.
Loid needs a wife to get his coworkers off his neck from setting him up with women.
They get ‘married’ in an alleyway behind a restaurant using a grenade pin. She has to admit, it was a very creative choice on Loid’s part at that moment.
Her heart flutters in her chest when she remembers how he smashed two men into the hard concrete with a single punch of his fist.
He was a great and fast fighter.
-« Mama !!! » her daughter calls for her, tugging at her sweater dress. «Papa made some tarts and lemonade,» she speaks, a big ball of floof following her like a noble steed.
When they moved into Loid-san’s house (He had insisted that they do because it was a bigger apartment and he had a lot of rooms to spare.) they met Loid’s trusty dog, Bond. Anya and he became fast buddies, playing and rolling all over the house.
Yor knew that Loid-san was just happy the little girl was comfortable enough around him.
He had made a great effort to welcome them: Redesigning Anya’s room for her, and clearing up a personal room for Yor; even though she wouldn’t have declined sharing one together: they were to be a loving couple after all, and it wasn’t like she hadn't slept with men for missions before.
Though, a part of her truly appreciated the respect.
She pets the fluffy dog on the head and takes her daughter’s hand, walking them all back to the living room and where her fake husband was dutifully setting the table for an evening snack.
Loid was truly a great cook. Ever since they had moved in with him, the two of them have been receptive to some of the best food Yor has ever tried. She had tasted many finely made meals: Some by first-class chefs, others by her enamored pawns.
In their heads, food was just another way to get to her heart. But Loid cooked because he loved it, he loved to pamper them with numerous meals and advise their palates for many more regional and national dishes.
Yor almost jumped him when he made her that scrumptious apple struddle. He was kind and loving.
An absolutely perfect father and husband.
Yor smiles into her teacup, listening in to Anya and Loid discuss the new comic chapter of Spy Wars.
The day of the Eden interview was drawing near, and Yor should probably be prepared by now.
But at that moment, maybe she could just indulge in these little moments.