Fetzen
CitrusArms
princess
The Otter
SilverSpring
Not a Sayan
Oso
LulunaReylan & Alisea
Interacting with:
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The white cape fit beautifully over her violet gown. She left the clasp at her neck loose, letting the cloak fall open to show off the wonderful dress Reylan had selected for her. Smiling with self-confidence, Alisea flicked open her menu to ask Reylan where she might find him and Aster. A message from the guildmaster was already waiting for her. She smiled, wondering if he had finally taken the initiative to meet up.
Her smile vanished, quickly turning to a sharp frown as she read those words. Valentine. If he was in town, she would destroy him. If he wasn’t in town, he was out hearing an owl call his name. His days were marked.
She already knew Reylan had spoiled his day with this. It was too much to hope he was still with Aster. A message to the swordswoman confirmed she was with only Kyo. Alisea started to ask Reylan where he was, but her fingers stopped. Wherever he was, he was trying to be there alone.
‘He chose not to come to me. Not to Aster. To anyone?’ The affront left a small sting, but at the same time she couldn’t claim any surprise on this one. Maybe ten days was too short a time to trust people enough to lean on them, even in life-and-death situations. She certainly wouldn’t.
For now she left him be. He had abandoned Aster to attend the festival alone; Alisea wouldn’t leave that unremedied. She met up with her friend, her favorite swordswoman, and the pair took Kyo to a few of the places Alisea had seen which Aster hadn’t yet. When Kyo was particularly enraptured by a stand selling mobiles—sun, moon, and stars orbiting about a model Genesis—the two women spoke in low, serious voices about what had happened. Aster didn’t know much; Reylan had simply deposited the girl with her and rushed off, his face frighteningly serious. Now she understood why.
The shadows on the cobblestone were growing ever longer, and the magess couldn’t help but notice Kyo’s eyes fluttering shut and her feet shuffling wearily. She scooped the small girl up in her arms. “Looks like someone is ready for bed. Come on; we can tuck you in. Will you be fine, Aster?”
The swordswoman sent them off with a wave and a smile, promising she wouldn’t be too far behind. Alisea carried their ward back to Eden’s Hall, moving slowly with such a finely-grown young lady in her arms. Kyo was asleep when she finally pushed the door open and entered their rented home.
Reylan was there. He was the only one; even the staff was out for the festivities. He sat alone, in the corner, his head on the table. Alisea couldn’t be certain he wasn’t asleep, too. The good news was he had on a bright, new cape that matched her own. The bad news was, well, he was here alone in a dark room at a time he should have been able to celebrate.
And there was one insect that was responsible. He would pay with his life.
Alisea softly tread across the wooden floor. “Hey,” she called softly when she was near. As his head lifted, proving he was conscious (at least right now), she continued with a soft, teasing voice. “You left your daughter with someone else so you could come to a bar? Really, Papa.”
Reylan had told himself he was going to figure out strategy but instead he simply sat at his table, in the same corner he always did. It was not long before Alisea and Kyo came in that he had been tempted to break his personal promise of not drinking. Despite the personal hell his thoughts were putting him through, a brief but weak laugh escaped him “Yeah. I guess I did.” The sound of defeat rang throughout his quiet words, covered arms crossing over the table “I can’t even look after my own guild.” Misery soaked his breath only thinly veiled by a poor attempt to hide it.
Alisea was stunned. His blunt, gloomy reply left her speechless. For once, her smile failed her; she couldn’t muster even the appearance of mirth. She needed several moments to gather her wits. Kyo shifted on her shoulder, reminding her there was another need to see to first. “Come. Help me tuck her in first,” Alisea commanded.
He seemed to suddenly realize Kyo was sound asleep “Oh, right.” The expression shifted from light confusion to a blank stare as he stood.
As they climbed the stairs, Alisea tried to keep even the faintest smile on her features. “She really wore herself out today. Every new stall was another discovery, even the ones with wares exactly like the last. She really is a strange girl; she can be so calm and quiet, but then she becomes intensely curious and inquisitive.” They entered the room Aster and Alisea shared. The magess laid Kyo down in the center of the large bed, letting Reylan handle the covers. Stepping back, she smiled warmly down at the sleeping child. “The more time I spend with her, the more I wonder if she can really be some simple piece of programming.”
Reylan shared that same sentiment as he rolled the cover under Kyo’s weight “Perhaps she is more…”It was a tired thought at best.
Alisea glanced sidelong at the archer. “We should speak back in your room.”
Silver eyes glimmered gently with the moonlight that peaked through the blinds as he looked down at Kyo. “Yes, that's probably best.” He left the room as silently as he could and lead Alisea to his room. Once the door opened, A single blank piece of canvas save for a dot of green paint laid across his desk. A failed attempt at self-remedy. “You got the message then.” He stated plainly, coldly as he wandered further into the room avoiding direct eye contact. His earlier rage had left him too exhausted.
Alisea sat on the edge of his bed, patting the space beside her to invite him to sit as well. “I did. There is a new monster we need to hunt. When did you learn of it?”
He simply sat down next to her, lacking the energy to do anything else “He slipped me a letter...said it was...a ‘gift’. Inside was his confession and…” he opened his menu up and retrieve the painted ring that served as their guild marker “..this.” He held it in his open palm, his hand slightly shaking “He left before I managed to read it. The whole time he had this...smirk, like he was enjoying the anticipation.” His other hand fell to his side, and tightly gripped the bed sheet.
Alisea twisted to face Reylan squarely. She reached up with both hands and cupped his cheeks. Her eyes met with his, and for a silent moment she just bathed in their silver hue. What words could answer him? It was too late for that. Maybe if she had killed this Valentine before he started trouble, everything would have been fine; but now killing him would only-!
Wordlessly she pulled him toward her, pulling him in where she could wrap both arms around him. Alisea cradled the archer’s head against her chest, her own head atop his so he couldn’t see her face. She didn’t dare let him see the expression she was making right now. It wasn’t a smile; it wasn’t beautiful at all. It was the face she would only make when she was alone, after suffering through a dinner with Uncle Simeon, or Aunt Vera, or Grandpa Averly.
“Were you alone?” she asked aloud. “All this time?”
Reylan didn’t pull away, or resist, as Alisea comforted him. The warmth of her body thawed his cold shield, and he began to weep slowly despite trying to hold the tears in. He tried to be strong and be a person worthy of being followed, but right now he was mess. He couldn’t help but feel responsible...there had to have been something he could’ve done. “I was. I...I needed time to think,” he said quietly.
Alisea ran her hand over his head, letting the archer’s pale hair (it felt as wonderful as it looked!) run over and between her fingers. “Can you tell me what you thought? All of it?” It was asking for a lot of trust, for him to bare a portion of his soul; but if ever there was a time Alisea expected such trust to be placed, it was now.
Reylan’s chest tightened at the question with a lump forming in his throat. He struggled to even begin to answer that. The thought of opening his heart to someone else was...terrifying. However, Alisea was the one he could truly count on for anything “I felt like I failed Karma. Then I wanted to hurt Valentine...bad. I wanted..want him to pay. There must have been something I could've done. I'm a failure as a leader.” He ended with a strong, final statement.
“No.” Alisea couldn’t have said it more strongly even if she shouted. “You have not failed. A captain who lost a soldier in an ambush did not fail, and a king who mourns for his subjects is not a failure. You thought… We thought we were at peace. Now we know. Now we war. Now…”[/color] Alisea left off, and drew in a deep breath. “Now we never stay alone. Two of us, or three-! Why else did we come together if not to be strong together?”
He had been ready for Alisea to tell him he was wrong but he was not prepared for how powerful she stated it. It was impossible even for his feelings to ignore. His silver eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him. This entire time he had the wrong mindset. He had been trying to prevent deaths instead of focusing on protecting people. It was a small distinction but an important one to him.
Karma wouldn't want him to be moping like this, he’d want the bastard to be caught. Valentine would not change him or his beliefs. He felt like a stubborn fool for not coming to Alisea sooner...though this scene...this sensation. It felt almost familiar, like something long lost. Perhaps it was just how close he felt to Alisea right now. “We’ll protect this guild no matter what...right?” He asked her, seeming to pull out a little of his sadness.
“Right.” The Guild. In so many ways it had been a tremendous flop already: it drew in more people, yes, but only to have them throw their lives away and cause Reylan pain. It attracted bad attention, both from troublesome would-be-leaders and even worse psychopaths. But it was important to him now--indeed, Reylan had risen to fill the role she had thrust him into. It was important to Aster, the one who had first suggested they officially join together. And so it was important to Alisea that they keep the Guild safe. But if anyone else went and died, so help her she would murder them herself.
Hearing her confirm it brought some comfort to Reylan. A somber smile slowly grew on his lips. As long as he had this guild...as long as he had Alisea...he could forge a path forward. It felt liberating having someone to turn to and be able to rely on them for support. Another event like Karma’s death might happen but next time...he knew Alisea would be here for him. It was a soothing thought. He still hadn’t budged from the position she had put him in, though he felt like staying until she said otherwise “I’m glad to have you as a friend Alisea…” he stated.
‘Oh dear. The things this boy can say.’ Was he trying to fish for any sign that they might be something more? But Alisea had to discard that as quickly as she thought it; the sincere, earnest Reylan wouldn’t employ guile. Not when he had been so low, especially. But if he was sincere, he was asserting they were friends. After ten days of knowing each other. Had it even been that long? Had it been even longer? She could just as easily say they had known each other all their lives. Why not say he was a friend, then? He was her Mister; the papa that worried too much; guildmaster and leader; then of course he would be a friend.
But what did that mean to him? And what did that mean to her?
Alisea didn’t dare speak aloud again. She simply held him there until they heard Aster’s light footfalls climbing the stairs and walking toward the bedroom the girl’s shared. The disturbance, though soft, was enough to break the spell. Alisea stood, forced one final smile onto her face as she bade Reylan a good night’s rest, and turned to go.
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Reylan didn't mind that Alisea said nothing in reply, he was just glad to say it. He would have torn himself up inside all night had she not comforted him. Now he was alone once again but no longer in mindset that had been crippling him. Still, his plans for the Solace Festival were over and he wished to remain in his room for the remainder of the day. Tomorrow he would hold a funeral for Karma and discuss with the guild what do about this new threat. Valentine was not going to stop at just Karma...other players would likely be targeted as well. For that, he had to prepare and protect all that he could.
