[Chapter 2 - SCENE] - Propaganda for future wars...

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Who: Guy and Van
Where: Outside the Kaitzur Inn
When: The night after the party arrives.
Warning: None.


Van waited outside of the Kaitzur Inn, eyes turned upward toward the dark sky. It was a small relief to see that his sister and the replica was safe, as well as Guy and the Fon Master replica. It was quite a stroke of luck for them all to arrive together and after Asch had already left, especially now that things could go as planned again. So long as he could avoid anymore setbacks, the rest should come easily.

Of course, there were still other matters to be dealt with, and he would need to discuss them with his former lord. Eventually, the time will come where Van would need him to abandon the replica, and that time was soon.

Guy sat up and glanced out the window, unable to sleep for the moment. Seeing Van there, he got up, and quietly left the inn.

"Van?" he called out softly, alerting the other man to his presence.

Immediately, glanced toward the direction of the voice, smiling softly when he saw Guy. After taking a quick look around the area to be sure that there were no eavesdroppers, he greeted, "Good evening, Gailardia. It's good to see you again." Nevermind the fact that they had seen each other just hours earlier, they didn't have a chance to properly speak then.

"Vandesdelca," Guy said, smiling at his childhood friend. "Things didn't exactly turn out as planned, but at least we found both Luke and the Fon Master."

"Something that I'm grateful for." Van returned the smile, keeping his voice low and soft. It was nice to be able to have a pleasant conversation devoid of lies every now and then. "I assume that you intend to return to Baticul with Luke?"

"What other choice do I have? It's not like I can do anything else at this point."

Van raised a brow at that. If Guy was not pleased with the arrangement, then it would make it that much easier to persuade him later on. "Do you mean to say that you don't want to return?"

"I..." Guy lowered his eyes and his voice. "I still want my revenge, but... Luke's not that bad, really... And it's not like his father cares for him, anyway..."

Interesting. Perhaps it wouldn't be easy but, it was something that Van could still work with. "I see. Do you think that you could exact your revenge and live with it, even if Luke never knows of it?"

Guy looked away. "I just... I don't know anymore."

Van paused for a long moment, just looking at Guy and considering his next words. "What would you say, if I told you that Luke's father will ultimately kill him?"

Guy looked straight at Van in shock. "What do you mean?"

This was a dangerous game. If he said too much, it could ruin everything. Even if he said too little, it wasn't certain that Guy would forgive him for lying to him in regards to something so grave. However, if Guy continues to remain so attached to the replica, then he'll have no choice but to use that attachment.

"Luke will not live to see another year, the Score from his birth ensured that he would die at 17. Duke Fabre knows of this Score and he knows how it would be fulfilled, and yet he has done nothing to stop it."

"Fabre doesn't care for Luke, but... Lady Suzanne would never allow it!"

"Duke Fabre knows that as well," Van said solemnly. "He has made efforts to keep Luke's death a secret from her. I myself only recently discovered the truth." Then he paused, carefully considering what he would say next so not to trap himself in his own words. "Perhaps, you could aid me in saving Luke?"

Guy looked at him. "I... I'll have to think on things... This is a lot to take in at once."

"Of course." Van gave him a soft, reassuring smile. "I still need time to find out what exactly is to happen to Luke and what will need to be done to stop it. You can take your time to decide on what you wish to do."

Guy nodded absently, glancing back toward the inn, but there were no signs of movement within.

"Van... One of the God-Generals we ran into... he said he was my cousin."

Van frowned deeply. This was rather unsettling, but he'll deal with it when the time comes. "I see. There is a member of the Order that has a similar appearance to you, but I never considered that you would be related. If you wish, I'll investigate the matter."

"Pere... Pere said that all of my family was dead... C-Could someone have survived? He knew my name!"

"It's possible that someone of the Gardios household was able to survive." Van reached a hand out, giving Guy's shoulder a soft squeeze. "Don't worry. As soon as I'm able, I'll get to the bottom of the matter and find out. Do you remember the God-General's name?"

Guy tried to think of it, but didn't think it had been mentioned. "No, but he looked just like me, only older. Anise mistook me for him at first."

Van nodded, letting go of him now that he seemed to have calmed down. "I see. Once I return to Daath, I'll find the man and speak with him myself." Then he gave Guy a soft smile. "You should return to the inn and rest. You've travelled quite a long way, haven't you?"

"Yeah... I guess I should try to sleep, if only to keep up with Luke's energy until we get back..."

Van laughed, sincerely. "Of course. You'll need all your energy for that task." He paused a moment, then smiled a bit wider. "Rest well, Gailardia."

Guy smiled softly at Van. "You too, Vandesdelca."

Van gave him a nod, watching him for a moment before he turned to leave. It would be best for Gailardia to rest for now, and for him to plan his next move.