Notes:
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In a world with soulmarks, it was easy to know if someone was another person’s “soulmate”. It was a delightful and joyous occasion to see two lovers walking down the street, with colorful marks in full view, bright from young, newly discovered romance. Likewise, seeing an older couple with faded designs that had grown to cover their arms or upper torso, proudly proclaiming the strength of their love, was a heartwarming sight to see.
The marks started out small, appearing in childhood. They appeared as thin black lines, gradually appearing and revealing their design. The designs were varied but similar to tattoos: however, flowers, natural landscapes and even animals were common themes. Couples often had matching themes, but there were so many people out there with flower designs, it was impossible to guess who was a pair just from that.
Most importantly, the soulmarks didn’t start gaining color until the person had either met their soulmate, or properly fallen in love with them, depending on the type of person. The process of someone’s mark changing into its final form was, while not overly painful, carried a noticeable sensation. Some people claimed that it burned, while others felt a sting. Many also claimed that it was a numb, aching, or chill sensation. If one was lucky to find their soulmate, the marks’ designs grew in splendor over time.
Marches wondered what that felt like. Even before he had joined Section III, he hadn’t known many people who had actually found their soulmates. It wasn’t a red string of fate, and there was no guarantee one would run into their intended. Even his own parents weren’t soulmates, happy as they were.
So he never thought too deeply about the subject, though it was always the topic of the girls’ gossip he would sometimes overhear while walking through the halls. The women in the military office always seemed to hope that they would run into their beloved, surrounded by so many people of marriageable age.
Well, even if they didn’t find their soulmate , finding their “soulmate” was good enough anyways, in these times. Happiness was hard to come by for most people.
And of course, the most famously eligible bachelor at the Army Intelligence Unit was Oreldo. It was a common sight, to see his soulmark proudly displayed over his heart, when he was too lazy to button up his shirt all the way.
By the time that Marches had joined Section III, Oreldo’s rose outline had already been filled in with a dark, passionate red. A burgundy rose (undying love).
Every single one of his girlfriends at the time had desperately tried spending time with him, waiting to see if their own soulmark would fully develop. Sadly, none of theirs ever did.
Once, when Oreldo was being particularly egregious about not buttoning up his shirt (before 2nd Lieutenant had arrived that morning) Stecchin had attempted to ask about it.
“Oreldo-san, have you ever tried to talk to your soulmate?” She questioned him innocently.
Oreldo quirked his eyebrows. “Peanut, what are you talking about? Of course I have!”
“Then why do you spend so much time chasing other women? You guys are destined for eachother! You have to chase her down!” She spoke, waving her arms dramatically.
Oreldo chuckled, but didn’t say a word. Marches turned to watch him with curiosity. Honestly, he had wondered that same question too.
“Why haven’t you? I can’t imagine she would turn you down.”
“Well it’s not like I haven’t spent time with my soulmate, but their mark hasn’t developed.” He said, with a neutral expression on his face. “There’s no point in forcing the issue, really.”
Stecchin pouted. “Well it’ll be unrequited if you keep up with your philanthropic ways!”
Marches tried not to laugh, but a giggle burst out. “I think you mean ‘philandering’ Lili”.
“Hmph!” she faced down at her desk, and continued to sort paperwork. Her soulmark was an undeveloped little hummingbird on her left ankle, befitting of her personality.
At that moment, Lieutenant and Oland had walked in. In Section III, it wasn’t just Oreldo who had appeared to be at a crossroads when it came to love.
Neither the Lieutenant’s, nor Corporal Oland’s soulmarks were visible when they were in full uniform; But Oland’s clothes had been destroyed often enough that everyone had seen it. A proud lioness on his upper right arm with no color.
As a noble, Lieutenant Alice L. Malvin had her mark on her upper left arm covered with a special skin-colored bandage, meant to keep it a secret. Nobles had no need for romance and soulmates when their marriages were always political anyways. It was an exceedingly rare occasion to see anyone noble with their soulmarks bright and full of love. Alice’s sisters, Elis and Solis, were a rare exception. Elis had blooming white daisies (purity and innocence) and while Solis had white daffodils (rebirth and hope) on each of their arms, proof of their earnest feelings. Their husbands had corresponding soulmarks on their arms too.
But Alice had nothing to hide, she had freely shown her coworkers when Stecchin had asked; It was a many-antlered buck head, branching out into intricate fractals. Once the team had seen Oland’s soulmark while he was in the hospital, it had become painfully obvious. The Lioness mark was Alice’s, and the buck was meant to represent Randel. In the future, when they finally came to terms with their feelings, the colors would appear on their marks, with the fervor of the eternally burning sun.
Not that those two would come to such an easy conclusion, Marches smiled at himself. They still had a long way to go.
What about his own soulmark? He hadn’t felt even the slightest sensation. He had met many people who had made his heart skip (like Lieutenant Webner, or Princess Septieme), but his mark hadn’t so much as even itched a little.
Not that he minded. He had once looked up the meaning of the flowers crawling up his right arm.
Delphinium. A flower that meant ardent love, trust, cheerfulness, and an open heart. The meanings varied depending on the color, and for obvious reasons, Marches didn’t know what color flower he had on his arm.
It didn’t bother him; even if he never found out the color, he would fall in love eventually. Even if they weren’t his soulmate. Plus, he was happy now, spending time with his friends and working in Section III. Discussing news with Hunks, making coffee with Lili, getting dragged around by Alice, getting bitten by Mercury, playing chess with Randel, and even going bar-hopping with Oreldo. He wouldn’t want to change what he has now, in some misplaced panicked search for a person he may never run into.
Unbeknownst to Marches, small splotches of color started appearing in his mark, without any sensation at all.