[Chapter 02 - SCENE] Faith
Jan. 27th, 2009 05:10 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
scionoflorelei.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
abyssianmelodyWho: Luke fon Fabre, Natalia L.K. Lanvaldear
Where: En route to Kaitzur.
When: After Tartarus, before Kaitzur.
Warnings: None.
Falling behind the rest of the group, Luke found himself on pace with Natalia, his cousin and fiance. It was a while since they saw each other, yes, but Luke was even more surprised that she was outside of Kimlasca looking for him. They've always had an odd relationship, true, but... how does one react in this situation?
"... Did you really have to leave Baticul to look for me?" He asked, a tone of annoyance in his voice.
Natalia was quite happy when Luke fell back. It was really the first chance they'd gotten to talk since everything that had happened earlier and, despite the annoyed tone evident in the question, that was something she was grateful for.
"Of course," she replied, very matter-of-factly. "Did you believe I would leave your search to Guy alone?" She paused, and then continued in a more serious tone, "But honestly Luke, what did you expect me to do? Surely you can understand how worried I was."
"I... I guess I'm just surprised." Luke had to admit. "I mean, how did you get out of Baticul in the first place? My disappearance must have caused a huge scare, so much I'ms surprised they didn't age you in fear of you being kidnapped." He tried to explain, going over the top as usual. "And Guy is trustworth, after all... though, I have to admit, he found us rather quickly." Luke nodded. "..."
Luke sighed. "It's nice to know you're worried about me. I mean, you've always been worried about me, ever since I was kidnapped seven years ago. But I'm not a child anymore!" Luke attempted to assert himself. "And what if you got hurt, too? This is dangerous; sure, you're a master of Lanvaldear-style archery, but out here, people have to kill each other to survive!" Upon saying that, Luke had to bite his tongue. He hoped Natalia wouldn't inquire any further about that... and he didn't want to be reminded of the crime he committed.
Of everything he could've said, he simply had to ask how she had gotten out of Baticul. She was certain that Luke knew better than to think her father had allowed her to leave, especially after Luke's disappearance. "You disappearance did cause quite a stir," she agreed with a slow nod. "And, I must admit that I had some help in leaving Baticul, but... Oh, let's not worry about that right now!" She laughed a bit, before clearing her throat slightly.
"I'm well aware of that, Luke," Natalia replied, having to resist the urge to sigh herself. "But that has nothing to do with it. I don't worry because I think you're a child, I worry because you're my dear friend." She was surprised to hear Luke bringing up the subject of having to fight people. Then again, he had been missing for a while. Surely there were bandits lurking around roads, and there had been those soldiers back at the Tartarus...
This time, Natalia did sigh. "I was well aware of the dangers when I asked for help in leaving Baticul. If I am to be perfectly honest, this journey has been more trying than anything I had previously imagined, but I would not change a thing. I've learned a lot out here, and I am grateful for that. And you're all right, that's what truly matters."
Heh, it was Natalia's nature which Luke found... rather refreshing, after all of this time. He didn't like Jade very much, and he didn't feel too comfortable speaking with Guy at the moment... Luke had to smile and thank himself for taking a step back and chatting with Natalia. Maybe he could forget everything for a bit and just relax.
"Of course we're friends." Luke put his hands behind his head once again and kept up the pace. "... besides, we're nobles. We shouldn't have to deal with this sort of thing! That's why we were placed in such positions, so other people can do this sort of thing for us!" He sighed once more, moreso trying to convince himself than Natalia. "Well, we're almost back into Kimlasca territory, right? Baticul should only be a stone's throw away once we pass the border... or so I'm told."
"That is precicely why we should do 'this sort of thing', as you put it. How are we supposed to rule justly if we are unable to see the types of struggles our people go through?" Then again, the Duke had seen to it that Luke was kept within the manor, so perhaps Luke wasn't the right person to be asked such a thing. With another small sigh and a shake of her head, Natalia continued on. "Anyway, yes, we should reach Kimlascan territory again soon. Things should be much easier once we are able to cross the border."
It went way over Luke's head. He had no idea what Natalia was saying, but he did know that peoples' well being in general was important to herl she oversaw things such as the hospital being built in Baticul and such. She loved the people of her country, and she was able to go outside of the castle. Luke didn't. Why would he give a damna bout people he never saw, and people who didn't give a damn about him? Master Van, Guy, Luke's mother, and Natalia were the only ones who treated him with any real emotion.
Luke couldn't be like Natalia, who wanted to protect everyone. Luke only wanted to protect himself... having his hands stained with blood made him realize that. And while he couldn't understand everything in the world... he wanted to make sure Natalia would never have to experience what he had to.
"If you say so." Luke sneered, not letting on his inner thoughts. "... what was it like, traveling? I know you've been outside of Baticul before, but how was it being anonymous?"
"It was... different. I'm sure that was to be expected since no one outside of the group knew I was the Princess, but that's the only way I can think to describe it." She paused and glanced at Luke before lowering her voice slightly. "Actually, if I can be honest with you, it was frightening at times. Please don't misunderstand; I trusted Chester, Arche and Guy, I simply... Well, I guess I miss the security that proper guards can provide."
That was something she wouldn't dare confess to any of the others. After having to talk Chester into helping her leave, it wouldn't do any good for him to somehow find out how much certain things had frightened her along the way. And with the others, she'd done her best to assume the role of someone who wasn't a noble, so she couldn't expect any special treatment during their traveling.
"That probably sounds petty of me, doesn't it?" Natalia asked, giving a small laugh. "How was it for you? I imagine it must've been difficult for you too?"
Luke shook his head. "Not at all." He didn't exactly understand it, but it was important to natalia... so he went along with it. "As for me..." Luke sighed. he had to tell somebody... but he was also afraid that it may change Natalia's view of him. "Something happened." He began. "And it's kinda hard for me to say straight out." he admitted, slowing his pace as his hands fell to his side.
Natalia smiled slightly, although it faded once she noticed Luke's slowing. "Luke," she began, slowing her own pace in order to stay by his side, "whatever it is, you don't need to be afraid of speaking with me about it. I'll listen to anything you wish to say." Luke was rarely hesitant when it came to saying what was on his mind, so she couldn't imagine what it was that had caused this slight change.
A sigh of relief as well as a slight smile made its appearance on Luke's person, though it quickly faded just as quickly. He trusted natalia... sure, she was pushy, but Luke really had nobody else right now.
"... I had to kill somebody, Natalia." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I... somebody's blood... on my hands..." His voice began choking, as his face was buried in the palms of his hands.
Kill somebody. Natalia couldn't help the gasp that came at those words. She'd been warned of the possibility of fighting people but the idea that Luke himself had killed someone was... unbelievable. What was she supposed to say? What was she supposed to do? She'd thought she could properly handle anything he could've said, but... How did one handle a situation such as this? Properly or otherwise? No, propriety didn't matter. It was clear that Luke was in pain over this, and that was the only thing that mattered.
Turning towards him, Natalia reached up to slip her arms around his shoulders. She wasn't sure whether or not he would welcome the embrace, but she could think of nothing else to do. "Oh, Luke... That's..." She swallowed, willing her voice to remain steady. "I'm so sorry..."
Attempting to halt his sporadic breathing, Luke took his hands off of his face and gripped Natalia tightly, finding the embrace comforting... something familiar. Facing upward, he took deep breaths and closed his eyes, no tears coming out. He already cried when he was alone... and he felt like he didn't have any left. Natalia's embrace felt warm, and comforting... why hadn't he ever experienced this before?
His hands wrapped around Natalia, a bit roughly as Luke wasn't exactly about gentleness, but finally, they came around Natalia's back, and Luke rested his face into her shoulder. What he felt as the soldier's limp body collapsed on top of him... and this feeling with Natalia in each others' arms... he definitely preferred this over the other. "You... thank you, Natalia." He finally said, able to breathe again.
Natalia let out a silent sigh of relief when Luke didn't try to push her away. He even returned the embrace, and when his arms came around her in return--a bit roughly, although she couldn't blame him given what he had gone through--she closed her eyes. It was upsetting that it had to happen as a result of a such a tragedy, but the fact that he had accepted and returned the embrace, in addition to have trusted her enough to confide in her in the first place, meant more than she could say.
"You don't need to thank me for anything, Luke," she replied, "I'm more than happy to be here for you, whenever you need someone to talk to."
Calmed down quite a bit, Luke lifted his head and faced Natalia, and gave a weak smile. "I think I realize that, now." He spoke. "... you've always been there for me, Natalia, and I know I wasn't always appreciative... but thank you." Luke realized he didn't deserve it. Still... he wasn't 100% sure how to go about things, but this was definitely a step in the correct direction.
Basking in this for a few more seconds, Luke looked and saw that they were trailing behind the others. "I... aa... we should probably catch up..." He didn't push away, though.
If she hadn't been surprised before, she certainly would've been now. Still, it was a welcomed sort of surprise, and Natalia smiled as well... At least until she realized it was time to catch up to the rest of the group.
"Oh... Oh, yes, we probably should." Despite her words, she instead leaned her head on his shoulder, similar to the way he had been before. She didn't know when another opportunity like this would come up, so Natalia stayed that way for a few seconds, before slowly pulling away. She was hesitant to do so, but it wouldn't do any good to fall too far behind and end up separated from the others. "Let's go, Luke. We'll be home soon."
Where: En route to Kaitzur.
When: After Tartarus, before Kaitzur.
Warnings: None.
Falling behind the rest of the group, Luke found himself on pace with Natalia, his cousin and fiance. It was a while since they saw each other, yes, but Luke was even more surprised that she was outside of Kimlasca looking for him. They've always had an odd relationship, true, but... how does one react in this situation?
"... Did you really have to leave Baticul to look for me?" He asked, a tone of annoyance in his voice.
Natalia was quite happy when Luke fell back. It was really the first chance they'd gotten to talk since everything that had happened earlier and, despite the annoyed tone evident in the question, that was something she was grateful for.
"Of course," she replied, very matter-of-factly. "Did you believe I would leave your search to Guy alone?" She paused, and then continued in a more serious tone, "But honestly Luke, what did you expect me to do? Surely you can understand how worried I was."
"I... I guess I'm just surprised." Luke had to admit. "I mean, how did you get out of Baticul in the first place? My disappearance must have caused a huge scare, so much I'ms surprised they didn't age you in fear of you being kidnapped." He tried to explain, going over the top as usual. "And Guy is trustworth, after all... though, I have to admit, he found us rather quickly." Luke nodded. "..."
Luke sighed. "It's nice to know you're worried about me. I mean, you've always been worried about me, ever since I was kidnapped seven years ago. But I'm not a child anymore!" Luke attempted to assert himself. "And what if you got hurt, too? This is dangerous; sure, you're a master of Lanvaldear-style archery, but out here, people have to kill each other to survive!" Upon saying that, Luke had to bite his tongue. He hoped Natalia wouldn't inquire any further about that... and he didn't want to be reminded of the crime he committed.
Of everything he could've said, he simply had to ask how she had gotten out of Baticul. She was certain that Luke knew better than to think her father had allowed her to leave, especially after Luke's disappearance. "You disappearance did cause quite a stir," she agreed with a slow nod. "And, I must admit that I had some help in leaving Baticul, but... Oh, let's not worry about that right now!" She laughed a bit, before clearing her throat slightly.
"I'm well aware of that, Luke," Natalia replied, having to resist the urge to sigh herself. "But that has nothing to do with it. I don't worry because I think you're a child, I worry because you're my dear friend." She was surprised to hear Luke bringing up the subject of having to fight people. Then again, he had been missing for a while. Surely there were bandits lurking around roads, and there had been those soldiers back at the Tartarus...
This time, Natalia did sigh. "I was well aware of the dangers when I asked for help in leaving Baticul. If I am to be perfectly honest, this journey has been more trying than anything I had previously imagined, but I would not change a thing. I've learned a lot out here, and I am grateful for that. And you're all right, that's what truly matters."
Heh, it was Natalia's nature which Luke found... rather refreshing, after all of this time. He didn't like Jade very much, and he didn't feel too comfortable speaking with Guy at the moment... Luke had to smile and thank himself for taking a step back and chatting with Natalia. Maybe he could forget everything for a bit and just relax.
"Of course we're friends." Luke put his hands behind his head once again and kept up the pace. "... besides, we're nobles. We shouldn't have to deal with this sort of thing! That's why we were placed in such positions, so other people can do this sort of thing for us!" He sighed once more, moreso trying to convince himself than Natalia. "Well, we're almost back into Kimlasca territory, right? Baticul should only be a stone's throw away once we pass the border... or so I'm told."
"That is precicely why we should do 'this sort of thing', as you put it. How are we supposed to rule justly if we are unable to see the types of struggles our people go through?" Then again, the Duke had seen to it that Luke was kept within the manor, so perhaps Luke wasn't the right person to be asked such a thing. With another small sigh and a shake of her head, Natalia continued on. "Anyway, yes, we should reach Kimlascan territory again soon. Things should be much easier once we are able to cross the border."
It went way over Luke's head. He had no idea what Natalia was saying, but he did know that peoples' well being in general was important to herl she oversaw things such as the hospital being built in Baticul and such. She loved the people of her country, and she was able to go outside of the castle. Luke didn't. Why would he give a damna bout people he never saw, and people who didn't give a damn about him? Master Van, Guy, Luke's mother, and Natalia were the only ones who treated him with any real emotion.
Luke couldn't be like Natalia, who wanted to protect everyone. Luke only wanted to protect himself... having his hands stained with blood made him realize that. And while he couldn't understand everything in the world... he wanted to make sure Natalia would never have to experience what he had to.
"If you say so." Luke sneered, not letting on his inner thoughts. "... what was it like, traveling? I know you've been outside of Baticul before, but how was it being anonymous?"
"It was... different. I'm sure that was to be expected since no one outside of the group knew I was the Princess, but that's the only way I can think to describe it." She paused and glanced at Luke before lowering her voice slightly. "Actually, if I can be honest with you, it was frightening at times. Please don't misunderstand; I trusted Chester, Arche and Guy, I simply... Well, I guess I miss the security that proper guards can provide."
That was something she wouldn't dare confess to any of the others. After having to talk Chester into helping her leave, it wouldn't do any good for him to somehow find out how much certain things had frightened her along the way. And with the others, she'd done her best to assume the role of someone who wasn't a noble, so she couldn't expect any special treatment during their traveling.
"That probably sounds petty of me, doesn't it?" Natalia asked, giving a small laugh. "How was it for you? I imagine it must've been difficult for you too?"
Luke shook his head. "Not at all." He didn't exactly understand it, but it was important to natalia... so he went along with it. "As for me..." Luke sighed. he had to tell somebody... but he was also afraid that it may change Natalia's view of him. "Something happened." He began. "And it's kinda hard for me to say straight out." he admitted, slowing his pace as his hands fell to his side.
Natalia smiled slightly, although it faded once she noticed Luke's slowing. "Luke," she began, slowing her own pace in order to stay by his side, "whatever it is, you don't need to be afraid of speaking with me about it. I'll listen to anything you wish to say." Luke was rarely hesitant when it came to saying what was on his mind, so she couldn't imagine what it was that had caused this slight change.
A sigh of relief as well as a slight smile made its appearance on Luke's person, though it quickly faded just as quickly. He trusted natalia... sure, she was pushy, but Luke really had nobody else right now.
"... I had to kill somebody, Natalia." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I... somebody's blood... on my hands..." His voice began choking, as his face was buried in the palms of his hands.
Kill somebody. Natalia couldn't help the gasp that came at those words. She'd been warned of the possibility of fighting people but the idea that Luke himself had killed someone was... unbelievable. What was she supposed to say? What was she supposed to do? She'd thought she could properly handle anything he could've said, but... How did one handle a situation such as this? Properly or otherwise? No, propriety didn't matter. It was clear that Luke was in pain over this, and that was the only thing that mattered.
Turning towards him, Natalia reached up to slip her arms around his shoulders. She wasn't sure whether or not he would welcome the embrace, but she could think of nothing else to do. "Oh, Luke... That's..." She swallowed, willing her voice to remain steady. "I'm so sorry..."
Attempting to halt his sporadic breathing, Luke took his hands off of his face and gripped Natalia tightly, finding the embrace comforting... something familiar. Facing upward, he took deep breaths and closed his eyes, no tears coming out. He already cried when he was alone... and he felt like he didn't have any left. Natalia's embrace felt warm, and comforting... why hadn't he ever experienced this before?
His hands wrapped around Natalia, a bit roughly as Luke wasn't exactly about gentleness, but finally, they came around Natalia's back, and Luke rested his face into her shoulder. What he felt as the soldier's limp body collapsed on top of him... and this feeling with Natalia in each others' arms... he definitely preferred this over the other. "You... thank you, Natalia." He finally said, able to breathe again.
Natalia let out a silent sigh of relief when Luke didn't try to push her away. He even returned the embrace, and when his arms came around her in return--a bit roughly, although she couldn't blame him given what he had gone through--she closed her eyes. It was upsetting that it had to happen as a result of a such a tragedy, but the fact that he had accepted and returned the embrace, in addition to have trusted her enough to confide in her in the first place, meant more than she could say.
"You don't need to thank me for anything, Luke," she replied, "I'm more than happy to be here for you, whenever you need someone to talk to."
Calmed down quite a bit, Luke lifted his head and faced Natalia, and gave a weak smile. "I think I realize that, now." He spoke. "... you've always been there for me, Natalia, and I know I wasn't always appreciative... but thank you." Luke realized he didn't deserve it. Still... he wasn't 100% sure how to go about things, but this was definitely a step in the correct direction.
Basking in this for a few more seconds, Luke looked and saw that they were trailing behind the others. "I... aa... we should probably catch up..." He didn't push away, though.
If she hadn't been surprised before, she certainly would've been now. Still, it was a welcomed sort of surprise, and Natalia smiled as well... At least until she realized it was time to catch up to the rest of the group.
"Oh... Oh, yes, we probably should." Despite her words, she instead leaned her head on his shoulder, similar to the way he had been before. She didn't know when another opportunity like this would come up, so Natalia stayed that way for a few seconds, before slowly pulling away. She was hesitant to do so, but it wouldn't do any good to fall too far behind and end up separated from the others. "Let's go, Luke. We'll be home soon."
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