Chapter Text
Jordana and Lloyd made their way to the dining room, neither spoke. It seemed they were the first ones to get there after Nya called for breakfast. She had made some miso soup and seaweed salad for everyone. Jordana thought it was an odd breakfast but didn’t complain. Lloyd remarked about her mother rubbing off on her. Jordana didn’t get it but never commented on it as the others came in. Sora was the first, she parked herself next to Jordana quickly as they both served themselves breakfast. Throughout breakfast Jordana could feel Sora’s eyes wander to her. It was clear the girl wanted to ask what was up. Kai started talking to Jordana, it took her by surprise.
“Jordana,” Kai started. His tone was casual as he talked. “Me and Wyldfyre were wondering if you would join us on a dragon flight today.”
Jordana hesitated for a second before giving a slightly noncommittal nod. Wyldfyre throughout the whole conversation seemed confused, but never spoke as Kai clearly silenced her. Jordana glanced at Sora after making eye contact. Sora also seemed confused by the offer. Breakfast continued without anything truly shocking happening. Neither Jordana or Sora were given cleaning duties so they retreated to Sora’s room before training. Neither girl spoke as they changed, neither having done so before Lloyd pulled Jordana out. Sora put on a white shirt with a simple pair of black spandex shorts. The shorts were clearly Jordana’s but the girl couldn’t say anything about it. It oddly warmed Jordana up to know that her clothing was on the body of her lover. Jordana had hurried to change as well. Not thinking she ended up in Sora’s baby blue sweatpants and a black v neck shirt. Sora smirked at the girl before unceremoniously flopping down onto her bed. The bedding lifted around the girl before it fell back down, just slightly out of place. Sora pulled off her headphones before turning to address Jordana.
“So, what’s up with Lloyd?”
Jordana took a second before telling her the goodish news. Sora took her time to respond. Nodding slowly before softly kissing Jordana. Sora looked at the girl with half lidded eyes clearly meaning to say something before a knock at the door made them jump. They were even more shocked when it was Wyldfyre entering. The redhead, who was normally quick witted, was oddly silent when she answered. Her eyes were on the floor as she began to talk. She questioned the two on a good spot to take someone who’s new to the crossroads. Jordana was utterly confused, but Sora seemed to know what was up as she scooted over on the bed and beckoned her to join them. Jordana was still confused but decided to be a part of the conversation as she slotted herself on the opposite side of Sora.
“Taking Roby to the crossroads?” Sora lighthearted questions. Jordana remembered who Roby was but was shocked that he was going to be here, and with Wyldfyre. Jordana stayed silent as the two girls chatted about how Wyldfyre invited Roby to the crossroads because he’s never seen anything outside the tournament city walls. That struck a chord in Jordana who was in a similar situation. Without thinking she spoke up.
“What about that cafe you took me to? I think it would be a good place to start.”
The pink haired girl agreed. Wyldfyre seemed confused at the statement but figured it could work. She thanked the girls and went to leave, stopping in the door frame and glancing back before leaving again. Jordana couldn’t help but feel like it was related to what Kai had offered her earlier in the morning.
Morning trading was called, today it seemed to be in the bunker under the monastery. The training was odd. Instead of sharpening their skills they worked on how to deal with the systems. It was more Jordana’s speed. Jordana ended up working with Nya, Zane, Frohicky, and Sora on fixing a few screens and wires that got damaged when Ras and Arin broke in. Sora had the easiest time fixing the screens due to her elemental powers. Nya accompanied Sora leaving Jordana with Zane to work on the wires. It was relatively easy; the use of wires wasn’t different here from how it was in Imperium. The four made quick work of their task before long the screens and wires were fixed. The central one fired up, a video appeared, it was paused but displayed a man in a flannel and aviator hat mid sentence. Nya and Zane seemed more confused than anything else Sora on the other hand had a very noticeable reaction. She hung her head in shame, unable to look at the screen. They all realized some was up but didn’t question it as Lloyd pulled them all away to different tasks. They all ended up doing three to four more tasks before lunch was called. Jordana looked around for Sora; she couldn’t find her, apparently no one else had seen her. Jordana slightly panicked as she hustled up to Sora room hoping to find her. She slowed her track as she got near the bedroom door. It was closed but she could hear soft hiccups echo out of the room. Jordana, still stuck with Imperium regards, knocked on the door and announced herself.
Sora took an agonizing long minute to open the door. She cracked it open just enough so that half of her face was visible. Tears streamed down the poor girl's face as Jordana made her way into the room. Sora tried to get her out rattling off an excuse about how she should see her like this. Frankly Jordana didn’t care, she just wanted to comfort her girlfriend. Jordana got the confidence to mimic what she saw the other ninja do to comfort each other. Jordana clung to Sora, running a hand along her spine and focused on muttering reassurances and sweet nothings to her. It seemed to work, Sora’s loud sobs stopped but she continued to cry. Jordana tried to pull away to offer up other forms of support, but Sora latched on to her muttering out a pitiful plea for her ‘not to leave too.’ That made it click for Jordana the video that set off Sora had something to do with Arin. Jordana quit trying to pet herself away and instead offered to make some tea. Sora agreed but refused to let go. Succumbing to this fate Jordana made her way to the kitchen with the taller girl attached to her. In the kitchen the two ran into Bonzel and Geo.
The two didn’t seem to notice them at first, too wrapped into some odd conversation. Jordana, who was slightly embarrassed by what was occurring, tried to be as quiet as possible while getting the tea ready. Sora had willingly let herself be pried off of the shorter girl and sat on the edge of the island. At some point during this Geo and Bonzel had stopped talking to watch the interaction as it occurred. Jordana was too focused on making the tea perfect to notice and Sora frankly didn’t have the energy to care. Jordana finished making the tea, mint tea with two spoonfuls of sugar, it was the way Sora told her she liked it. Jordana silently handed her the cup. In thanks Sora gave her a fleeting kiss before taking a sip. It was at this point Bonzel decided to clear their throat, making the two girls jump. Geo gave a small greeting before ushering his pseudo daughter out of the room. Sora let out a nervous giggle as she began to sip her tea. Jordana pulled one of the island stools over and sat basically in between Sora’s legs. Jordana began tracing random shapes and patterns in Sora’s thigh as the girl calmed down. Sora, once fully grounded absentmindedly, began to run her fingers through the girl's hair. Jordana liked the action a lot more than she would ever admit. Neither girl moved from their spots just focusing on decompressing and grounding each other.
“Absolutely not!” Lloyd snapped. His enraged tone scared the two girls. Jordana practically jumped out of her skin resulting in her falling off of the barstool. Sora looked at her master wide eyed before helping Jordana to stand. Sora didn’t really acknowledge Lloyd during that process; she helped her girlfriend up then cleaned her empty cup of tea. Once this was done she turned to Lloyd and played dumb.
“What’s the matter Lloyd?”
It’s clear that reaction pissed him off more as he sputtered out multiple half baked excuses before landing on the fact he wanted an empty kitchen so he can make lunch. The two girls left, choosing not to fight, but as they cleared out Jordana could feel Lloyd’s eyes follow her. Sora smiled softly at the clearly tense Jordana trying to ease her tension. Jordana felt bad that Sora who still had swollen eyes and tear stains felt the need to comfort her. Jordana chose to take the lead, dragging Sora to her room. Once they entered her room Jordana led her to sit on the bed. Once Aora was seated Jordana layed down on the bed, giving Sora space while still being comfortable. Sora took the initiative to pull Jordana closer, bringing the girl's head to rest in her thighs; she once again began to run her fingers through her hair, completely pulling it out of the ponytail. Jordana froze at the attention, not knowing if she should reciprocate or just let it happen. Sora didn’t seem to care either way as she began to braid the girls hair. Jordana awkwardly smiled at her as Sora delicately worked on braiding the girls hair.
Once Sora finished she apologized, explaining how she used to get rather touchy feely with Arin as well when she got overwhelmed in the past. Jordan didn't mind; it felt nice to be doted on by someone who she knew had no ulterior motives. The two girls were never notified of lunch. They ended up skipping it as they spent time together in Sora’s room. The two girls had planned to put on a movie, but ended up ignoring it as the two spent the majority of the movie softly making out. Sora seemed to solidify herself as the one who would continually be taking a lead in situations like this, not that Jordana who was very unsure of what to do minded. Jordana just enjoyed being the center of someone’s attention. She never got treatment like this in Imperium or with Ras. Sora pulled back for air, her hands cradling Jordana’s face she chuckled at the wonderstruck look her lover had. Jordana’s lipstick was smeared and her pupils were blown wide. The two girls were about to start again when there was a knock at the door. Sora smoothed out her shirt as Jordana turned her back to the door and bid entry to whoever it was.
The two younger boys Fritz and Spritz opened the door. The two were looking for people to play with as all the others were busy. Sora agreed but requested a few minutes before so she could ‘pee.’ Sora and Jordana used that time to freshen up. Jordana cleaned up her lipstick and sipped some water to calm her blush. Sora redid her ponytail and adjusted her shirt to fix. Once the two were decent they made their way out to the monastery courtyard to play with the two boys. Despite Sora and Jordana being rather active teenagers they found themselves tired out rather quickly while playing with the two boys. Despite their best efforts the two boys seemed to only get more energy as they played. As a last ditch effort to calm them down Sora proposed a game of hide and seek. Thankfully, the boys agreed to it. Spritz was selected to be the seeker first and the other three went off to hide. Sora disappeared almost instantly while the other boy ran off shortly after. Jordana realized she had very little chance of winning due to being the least familiar to how the monastery is layed out. She ended up wandering into the monastery looking. As she rounded a corner she bumped into Lloyd, the two jumping back as a reaction. Jordana muttered a quick apology.
“What are you doing?” Lloyd questions, eyes once again going into a strange split like a lizard’s would.
“I’m uhh, I’m playing his and seek with the kids and Sora.” Jordana dumbly muttered out. Despite telling the truth it felt like a lie. Lloyd hummed before responding.
“Down this hall the last painting on the left has a hidden room behind it. It’s small but you should be able to just sit in it.”
With that Lloyd walked off. Jordana slightly questioned if it was a trap. She went to check out the painting, it was rather nondescript: a man whose face was obscured by a straw hat and ten younger boys sat on a building's front steps. Running her fingers along the edge Jordana discovered that the painting did in fact swing open on the left. Jordana looked in the hidden room, and sure enough it was small enough that she could sit in it with her knees tucked to her chest. Jordana fit herself in then closed the fake door with the small handle it had in the back. Jordana sat in there, occasionally hearing the monastery’s old building sounds or the sound of a person or two passing through the hallway. Eventually she could hear Spritzs come running down the hall looking for people, but passing her spot up. After about fifteen more minutes she heard him again but with his Fritzs as well. It was a strange relief to know she wasn’t the first found. Jordana shamed herself slightly for that thought, after all she was competing with an actual child. More minutes passed as Jordana stayed in the darkness. It sounded like the boys were unable to find either girl and end up getting the aid of those older than them. The voice of the two boys as well as Geo echoed down the hall as they talked about possible hiding spots. As they passed Geo mentioned a spot that stuck out to Jordana.
“They could be tucked away in any of the mechs or vehicles we have stored in the bunker.”
Jordana had no real clue why that in particular stuck out to her but it did. The back and forth of the kids and Geo occurred a couple more times before eventually Sora’s and Lloyds voice joined in. Lloyd’s voice grew louder as he explained the painting had a hidden area behind it. The door was pulled open and Geo offered Jordana a hand to help her get out. She thanked him before stretching her back. The two boys thought the little space was the coolest thing in the world, so much so that they began to beg to be closed in it. Geo agreed to put them both in it. They two fit inside the space together. Geo closed the doors and heard the giggles of the two boys, a smile spread across his face as the noise grew louder as he opened the painting once more to let the boys out. All though disappointed the two got out and began running down the hall off to play by themselves once more. Jordana thought that it was charming how carefree the two kids were allowed to be compared to how she had to grow up. Sora must have felt the same as the look on her face. Geo and Lloyd got wrapped into a conversation as they exited the hallway leaving the two girls alone.
“Smart place, good thing Lloyd told you.” Sora chimed as she began to lead the girl out of the hallway.
“Thanks. Where were you hiding?”
“In my mech, I had figured I was high enough they couldn’t find me.”
“Smart place.” Jordana teased.
Sora laughed as they entered Jordana’s room. The two girls checked the time, near dinner and decided to just wait out the few minutes that had. Once dinner was called they found out that Zane had taken on the task of making dinner. It was a wonderful dish of lemon chicken and stir fry rice. The energy at dinner was light, Lloyd even got Jordana to laugh at a dog sent Kai’s way. The dinner mood was so light that Lloyd announced tomorrow was a day off. Everyone had free time to do whatever. Sora perked up at that, grabbing Jordana’s hand under the table. It was clear she wanted to do something.
The air buzzed as dinner concluded. The girls got no clean up duties so they went straight to their rooms to change for bed. Sora finished first and slipped into Jordana’s room to find the girl with her back turned to the door. She was clad in panties and a cropped shirt that Sora remembered buying for her the time she took her to the crossroads. It made Sora happy to see the girl branching out in what she wears as she outgrows Imperium conformity and purity standards. It also didn’t hurt that it gave Sora a great view of her girlfriend. It was clear Jordana had no clue Sora was in the room as she went to wipe off her eyeliner and lipstick. Sora thought it was oddly cute as she cleared her throat to alert Jordana of her presence. The girl whipped around her eyes wide with fear as she looked at Sora. It took her a second to process who was in the room with her.
“You scared me.” She muttered after she fully processed that she was safe. Sora stepped forward to apologize, leaving a fleeting kiss to the girl's nose as she did so. Jordana accepted the apology as she went to put on a pair of relatively ill fitting shorts. Once they were secured she ushered the girl out to brush their teeth. Nya was already brushing her teeth as she let the two girls join. The three wordlessly got finished then bid each other goodnight before heading to their rooms. Sora followed Jordana to hers; they could feel Lloyd stare them down but chose to keep walking. The two decided to head to bed rather quickly. Jordana laid atop of Sora as the two drifted to bed.