For perhaps the sixth time today, you found yourself accosted by Mavuika, with a whistle followed by yet another comment on your appearance. “I may be the Pyro Archon, babe, but you’re the real hot one!”

By the Tsaritsa, that was horrendous.

Your face goes beet red as you try to hide behind your desk, only for Mavuika to walk around, grab your tie, and tug on it until you were barely a hair’s length away from her. “Bit quiet today, love? Need a fiery kiss to warm you up- Hey! Hey! I’m not done talking!”

You blush fiercely as you rush out of the Speaker’s Chamber, hiding yourself in some corner of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame. This wasn’t what you signed up for, not at all!

Pulling out the communication device the Captain gave you, you place a top-priority call. He’d be expecting more useful intelligence, enough at least to make him drop everything and listen, but you couldn’t take it anymore.

“My Lord. I… I failed. I can’t do this anymore. She’s been trying her absolute best to charm me – maybe she knows – and she’s succeeding. I love her. My conscience can’t take this mission. Please exfiltrate me, I’m… I’m sorry I failed.”

A pause. Though the Captain was fair, he was not necessarily forgiving. There were limits to failure, and you were certain that you had long surpassed yours.

What you hear, though, is a chuckle.

“You have done your mission admirably, then. Worry not. It was expected, which is why I sent you. You looked lonely, and she would give you the companionship you obviously seek. It is all's well that ends well for you, is it not?”

You grow confused. Were they colluding? Was it a kind setup from the start...?

You aren’t given time to think about it, though, as the cupboard opens, and you’re greeted by that characteristic glowing hair. She grins, scooping you up in a bridal carry with her heated, sturdy body and dashing right back to her office as you feebly kick your legs and squeal.

“Took me some sweet time finding you… Well, guess we just need to make up for it now, huh, babe?”