All In A Day's Work (Yuki)

[Phantom]

It had been a rather peaceful day, as it was the first day of the young 'bodyguard' had in probably a year or so. For once she spent the day outdoors and away from the office and her boss. There was no need to shadow someone who did not need or want a shadow. Sure it was her job to keep the Commander safe but still, people were entitled to a day away from the stress of it all and that included Catherine's superior, Elizabeth Blackwood. Pushing work from her mind, the young Russian found her way to a vast meadow. Places like this were extraordinary to her, as there weren't exactly meadows like this back in her homeland. With every step she took, her crystal blue gaze swept over the surrounding area. All the scenery was nice but it was not enough to make her let her guard down. The young 'knight' was accustomed to snow and blizzards, not the fragrance of flowers on the soft breeze. It was all foreign but at the same time, it was perfect. Right now in this moment, there were no expectations of other people that she had to adhere to. Letting a small breath of a sigh escape her, she glanced around one last time only this time it seemed her peace and quiet was about to come to an abrupt halt. For in the distance, she could see the familiar form of someone she knew all to well. Adjusting her jacket, Catherine headed towards her comrade, partially curious as to why she would be here of all places when there was someone of importance to be located.

[Yuki]

Most people would love having a day off if they worked with the dragon slayer. All but one, Elizabeth. She had been forced to take a few days off when she rather be using every minute she could to be finding her sister... And when that day came she would leave the dragon slayers for good.. So the young knight walked around the city for a while completely bored out of her mind. She was wearing normal clothes though on her wrist was a bracelet that could activate her magic armor if needed.. Though soon through her wonderings she came to the forest. It had been a long while when she last just enjoyed nature, as she was always in one of the bases training newbies or looking into missions. She soon came to the end of the forest to a meadow Elizabeth had no idea Catherine was there. Elizabeth walked in looking around with her eyes and blinked in shock when she saw Catherine. Oops she seems to have walked on Catherine while on her day off.. And she had a feeling she was the last thing Catherine wanted to see at the moment as when on the job they where always together.. Even though Elizabeth had come to see Catherine as a friend she was unsure how Catherine saw her.. So Elizabeth gave a weak smile rubbing the back of her head. " Oh sorry Catherine.. I did not know you where here.. Um.. I guess I will be leaving now sorry for disturbing you.. " Elizabeth said not wanting to annoy Catherine in anyway so she then started to turn to leave.

[Phantom]

Elizabeth's reaction was rather...amusing to Catherine. It had been some time since she last saw the commander be so uncertain of herself. With a faint echo of a smile, Catherine shook her head and spoke, her words holding no hint of the accent she had once had. "You have no reason to leave. After all, I had been about to say something similar myself." Wow, a whole two sentances, it was the most she'd said to anyone in probably a few years. Working with the people she worked for, Catherine had come to learn the importance of being quiet. Her gaze remained fixed on Elizabeth, waiting to see what the commander would do. After all, even off the job a bodyguard still technically had to keep their charge safe. To her, Elizabeth was being ridiculous. There was no reason to leave, nature was nature and it was big enough for more than one person. But then again there was one question she had been dying to ask the commander, just not while on the job. Are you...running from your problems again, Elizabeth?" It was a fair question.

[Yuki]

Elizabeth came to stop as Catherine spoke, a little shocked she had said so much as she rarely says anything. She then turned to look at Catherine blinking a little. Though what she said next made her wish she would have stayed silent... Elizabeth 's eye started to twitch as she frowned and folded her arms looking at her bodyguard. it was a strange a thing to say, " What? I'm just out for a walk why would you ask that?" Elizabeth asked in a somewhat annoyed tone of voice. Though the answer was slowly creeping into her mind but she tried her best to ignore it.

[Phantom]

The only answer Elizabeth got from her guard was a knowing little half smile. Catherine had her own reasons for asking, some of them were for the concern of her sorta kinda not really friend. Though it looked bad on Catherine's part to not answer a direct question, she decided to give an answer. It was the truth, just not the truth Elizabeth would be looking for. "You have been acting differently lately, I'm merely showing concern." Concern. It was an odd word coming from someone who was as silent as the shadows, as cold as ice, and sometimes as dangerous as the calm ocean. Her gaze held Elizabeth's own, her eyes carrying the slightest hint of emptiness as if even now when they were off the job, Catherine was still using the same methods she used while working. The only difference being that this time, Elizabeth would be able to see why Catherine had been such a frightening person back in her homeland. "I don't intend to sit idly by and watch you die because you can't face your problems."

[Yuki]

Elizabeth locked eyes with Catherine as she smiled, though the smile was unsettling.. When she spoke again Elizabeth lowered her arms letting them hang at her sides. of course Catherine would catch on to something like that. She did after all watch everything she did... And how she normally acted.. But that is all it really is... the Elizabeth everyone in the slayers see is not the real here and now she seemed to be slipping on her act and Catherine seems to have caught on.. Though how much did she know? Elizabeth gave a small sigh and sat down on a bear by rock. She then looked back at Catherine, " Is that so? Tell me how much to you think you know about my problems?" Elizabeth countered. Not wanting to give much away but she knew it was unless to deny that she indeed had lots of problems. And all of them point to one man... Her Step Father whom she could do nothing to but play his game till she found a way to break out...

[Phantom]

Sticking her hands in her pockets, Catherine considered Elizabeth's question carefully. "I have access to your restricted file, as well as your public file." It was a statement. Nothing more. But at the same time, it begged the question of whether or not Catherine had actually read the files. From her expression, she wasn't going to tell Elizabeth whether or not she opened the files. Instead she was going to let the commander wonder. Having access to a black file was nearly impossible without either having connections or being a high ranking organization member. Which exactly fit the 'bodyguard'? She would never tell. At least not right this second. Watching her commander carefully, Catherine shook her head slightly. She didn't exactly understand why Elizabeth was so secretive but at the same time she knew everyone had their own demons to face.

[Yuki]

Utter shock came to Elizabeth expression but it soon just melted into relief. Even though Catherine did not come out and say she had read it she had a feeling she had. And Elizabeth was not even going to bother asking how she had gotten her hands on her black file. A smile came to Elizabeth as she then started to freely laugh till tears started to from in her eyes. She had not laughed in years, as her happiness died when her birth father was killed. " You have seen it then I can guess... Then you know the truth... Yes.. Our king is my Step father.... Not that he would claim me.. I'm just something extra for marrying my Mother..." Elizabeth said though shockingly with no real bitterness in her voice. She could not fault her Mother for marrying the man she had no other choice.. Though soon her expression grew dark as she started to think about what he had done to her real Father. " I will never forgive that bastered! I hope he burns forever in hell for what he did to my real Father!!!" Elizabeth said as she then started to calm down. " Not that I blame my Mother... She had no other choice.. Like me she is also a prisoner of the king... a Trophy wife you may say.. " Elizabeth said with a sigh looking back at Catherine. "I know this for I found those files when I was a kid.. The King does not know I know.. And I want to keep it that way for now." Elizabeth said locking eyes with Catherine.

[Phantom]

Hearing Elizabeth's words drew a faint smile from Catherine. Ironically, the oh so silent Russian knew exactly what the commander meant, just in a different way. "Everyone is entitled to their own secrets. I'm surprised you trust me enough to share your own. Your file is still sealed, I can assure you of that. I may have access to it but I have had no need to open it as of yet." She explained her standing to Elizabeth, hoping the commander would forgive her sly omission of those details until now. As she spoke, Catherine slipped a hand out of her pocket, holding up a thin, fragile gold chain and locket. "You were careless. Had I not picked it up when you dropped it, someone would have found it and you're secret exposed." Though the words had a cold feel to them, it was for the best. It seemed even the most uncaring of people were capable of looking out for others.

[Yuki]

Once again Elizabeth looked shocked, well it seems she had not read it still she had to regrets telling Catherine. It felt nice to be able to tell someone after all these years and she did trust her. Though she blinked when Catherine held out her locket. A deep blush went over face. Oh that was embarrassing.. She thought a she took the locket back putting it back on. " Th-thanks.. And yes I trust you and this shows I can. You could have told anyone about my locket but you gave it back.. You may not see me as a friend but you are the closest I have ever had to having a friend."Elizabeth said with a smile.