Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew's POV*

Ashley tried several times to talk to me as we walked up the hill. I just motioned him away.I didn’t even really register what he was saying. Being a part of the Night Watch was all that remained to give my life purpose. Juliet had died to protect the Soul, and I had fucked up so badly that now I might no longer be able to continue her legacy. I’d just be a useless bystander.

I spent that Night, a time when I should have been ensuring the safety of the Soul, getting plastered. I'm not sure how much brandy I went through. I missed Juliet so terribly; I ended up crying into a shirt she had loved and falling asleep on the floor.

I was awoken some time later by the sound of the howlers announcing the two-hour call before the Council Meeting. Shit! Was it already Day? I sat up, straightening my cramped right wing out. My teeth were fuzzy and my mouth felt like one of the cats had shat in it.

Suddenly, I realized I had a very short timeframe before I would puke. I barely made it out the front door.
I emptied my stomach contents, feeling wretched, where Juliet used to plant flowers, right by the entrance. I then promptly lost my balance, and fell in my own, fresh vomit. I cursed, punching the doorframe. This accidentally knocked Juliet's shirt loose from my shoulder, where it had apparently been clinging, into the pile of vomitus on the ground.

I jerked it out of my vomit quickly and held it to me tightly as I walked back inside and wearily made my way to the washbasin. Being a Second Officer, at least for the time being, I'd be expected to look presentable. I sighed. I hated beaurocracy. I still had a good amount of water left; I used some to wash Juliet's shirt and myself, shave, and scrub my teeth. Being a Council Meeting day, I applied the full ceremonial war paint. I dug around, and found a few decorative accessories. I didn't really care about presentation these days, I just didn't want Blasko chewing me out for being underdressed. Again. Now was definitely not the time.

I looked in the mirror. I saw my painted, hollow face staring back. I tried to imagine Juliet peeking over my shoulder, checking how she looked. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of life in my eyes, but it quickly faded.

I turned away from the mirror and collected my weapons: spear, dagger, throwing knives, short sword. I rummaged around until I found my dress kilt and fancier scabbard. Once those were on, I donned my boots, and slid my dagger in its sheath within my right boot. My floofy dress scabbard wasn't very practical, so I found a vest to wear to house my throwing knives.
Life had become protecting the Soul of the Forest, and that was all. There was nothing else, only memories. Whatever this Meeting brought, I would have to rise to the challenge. At every Changing of the Guard, from then on, I would hold my temper. I had to. For Juliet.

I grabbed my swankier gauntlets from the top of the dresser and set off towards the Council Chambers, watching my surroundings as I strapped them on, all the while thinking of Juliet.

Notes

I've never actually had brandy. Any good? Recently had whisky for the first time. That shit will put some hair on your damned chest!