A Shady encounter ( 2/3 )
Confident her shields of warding would endure this conversation with what she had now identified as a shade, Maya calmed immensly however she kept her guard constantly up. ' I'd shake your hand... But' she dared to mock, indicated by her slight sni by the shade, she continued any way 'My is Maya Do'Urden, now do tell shade, Why do you follow them? ' The shades eyes grew bright and it said in a slightly mocking tone, 'Oh so polite you are'. With a mocking smile, Maya said 'I'd give you the whole introduction but I feel it would be Lost on you. ' 'They are treacherous. A blight to be eliminated, and worse, they have something that belongs to my daughter'. 'Ah, you parent the beast Maya sawid simply, her hands folding neatly in her lap, as she sits upon the edge of the craters lip. The shades eyes flare again and his form coalesces into a more menacing appearing shadow of smoky of smoky blackness. ' Beast! She is no beast! She is beautiful. ' Maya says in a somewhat satisfied tone ' I don't doubt it. ' for atleast now she knew the lengths this thing would go to, for that woman her companions claim, could destroy the world ' I speak of her nature. Don't mistake me, I judge not, I simply state things as they are. You want the amulet then? ' She asked, raising her eyebrow in question toward the shade who only dissipates once more and resumes his bobbing. 'You would do well to watch your choice of words, woman. And yes, the necklace belongs to her. ' It said after a time. Then it asked, 'Where is it? ' 'You know where it is. ' she said The shades eyes flared again in irritation. ' Then why would I ask? ' Maya smiled faintly again once more, her eyes narrowing to barely visible slits. In idle response the shade circled about closer to Maya once more, seeming to test the boundaries of his closeness. Maya was again, not for the first time in this encounter, entirely sure she was safe. Maya once more, seeming to test the boundaries of his closeness. Maya was again, not for the first time in this encounter, entirely sure she was safe.
Dutiful Disposition
Gilean stood upon a quiet pier on the edge of New Thalos. He glanced around and didn't see anyone else in the surrounding area of abandoned warehouses. Content that nobody saw him, he pulled a small but heavy steel box from within the folds of his robes. He slid open the sturdy latch and lifted the lid. Within, lay the necklace. It wasn't quite as pristine as the one Claire had been tasked with hiding away, but it was beautiful nonetheless. Each of its many beads held the smallest sparkle of inner light.
The necklace held a strange attraction for Gilean. It was almost as if there were an unknown connection to something greater than this plane of existance. When he and Claire had visited that plane to retrieve Kaliadra and Sanria everything felt so familiar. Then, when Velentham had touched him, it was like the impenetrable clouds of his past had started to part. His past was still mainly a mystery but Glean could now remember feelings...impressions. He felt a strange kinship with Velentham. He felt that there was much more to his life than his youthful years could account for. He also felt a conviction and a defiance, but he knew not against what. This necklace seemed to whisper im his mind that it could help him... reconnect him.
Gilean realized with a bit of a start that he had been staring into the box for much longer than he intended. Content that its contents were indeed in their place he clapped the lid shut, ignoring the small tinge of regret that tugged upon his heart. He slid the latch closed and wrapped his hands about the box. He closed his eyes, whispering a devout prayer to Lathander. In response to his calling, a white light flared brightly from between his fingers and he knew his ward of locking was in place. With a nod of satisfaction Gilean tucked the box back within the folds of his robes.
He took a final look around and, satisfied that he was still alone, invoked a much simpler favor. His feet rose from the ground in response and Gilean lifted his gaze towards the subtle curve of the horizon. With the conviction of his duty driving him forward, he set off in flight over the vast expanse of the Sea of Swords to dispose of his charge.
The necklace held a strange attraction for Gilean. It was almost as if there were an unknown connection to something greater than this plane of existance. When he and Claire had visited that plane to retrieve Kaliadra and Sanria everything felt so familiar. Then, when Velentham had touched him, it was like the impenetrable clouds of his past had started to part. His past was still mainly a mystery but Glean could now remember feelings...impressions. He felt a strange kinship with Velentham. He felt that there was much more to his life than his youthful years could account for. He also felt a conviction and a defiance, but he knew not against what. This necklace seemed to whisper im his mind that it could help him... reconnect him.
Gilean realized with a bit of a start that he had been staring into the box for much longer than he intended. Content that its contents were indeed in their place he clapped the lid shut, ignoring the small tinge of regret that tugged upon his heart. He slid the latch closed and wrapped his hands about the box. He closed his eyes, whispering a devout prayer to Lathander. In response to his calling, a white light flared brightly from between his fingers and he knew his ward of locking was in place. With a nod of satisfaction Gilean tucked the box back within the folds of his robes.
He took a final look around and, satisfied that he was still alone, invoked a much simpler favor. His feet rose from the ground in response and Gilean lifted his gaze towards the subtle curve of the horizon. With the conviction of his duty driving him forward, he set off in flight over the vast expanse of the Sea of Swords to dispose of his charge.
Having Tea
"I knew you'd stay for tea," Karen, the help, said, her grin broad.
"I forgot my pack," Sanria said. Still, Throm simply looked weak. "Are you alright? You don't look quite your old self just yet."
"I am alright indeed. Feels good to be...myself again. Looking and feeling are to separate things. I'd rather look like hell and feel better than the opposite."
Karen, the help, held out a cup of tea, already poured, for Sanria. "Well, drink up the both of you. If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen." Karen, the help, seemed to nearly skip out of the room.
Throm looked too cold to Sanria. "Do you need to be closer to the fire?"
"I somehow think I could lie upon the coals and it wouldn't do the trick. Ever had those days?" Even with her coaxing, Throm wouldn't get up. Sanria did the one thing she had learned to do well in the past few months. She levitated Throm over to the fire, surprised by how light the man was. She set him on the floor before the fire and seated herself at his side.
"Come. Drink your tea or I can't leave."
Karen, the help, called from around the corner, "There's a whole pot."
Sanria finished her tea with a tinge of regret. "Well, if you'd like for me to drink the pot, I shall. Otherwise, I'll let you warm up by your lonesome. Or with Karen..."
"I wouldn't be opposed to you drinking the pot, I shall not I think," Throm said.
Before Sanria could even formulate a response, Karen, the help, whirled in from the kitchen, pot in hand, refilling both cups. A grin was perpetually on her face, and Sanria knew the woman was scheming. Still, she would have to end the visit at some point...no matter how accommodating and like his old self Throm was behaving. "Hang about infinitely if you will," he said, and Sanria's girlish heart soared.
They spoke more about his situation, Lithanus, the tea... it all seemed so right. As though the man Sanria found herself beside was the one she had met many years ago, and the green glow that came from his eyes was even more proof. Could she dare hope... Sanria looked down, her cup finished. "I think I've finished all my tea," she whispered, trying to avoid another refill.
"Would you like me to call for Karen?"
"Do we need more tea?" In a flash, Sanria's cup was full.
"There will be no empty cups in this house."
"I appreciate the tea and the conversation," Sanria said, finally getting up to leave.
"As do I. I can't tell you how relieved I am you stopped by."
"Relieved?"
"Things left unsaid and all that. I'm just glad we were able to have tea."
"Indeed. I suppose if we're speaking of things left unsaid, I should tell you the rest of what hasn't been said, then I can leave with a clear conscious?"
"I can't speak for your conscious but I would imagine it to be the truth yes."
Sanria leaned to Throm's ear. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to tell him how madly in love with him she was, just how long she had been, just how happy she was that he seemed like his old self, just how elated that at long last they could be together - the sky was the limit... but she chose instead to employ his own methods. She would not rush this. She would not ruin what she had waited so long to have. She would savor every moment with this old Throm. Getting to know him all over again. She whispered simply, "The tea was exquisite."
Sanria left the manor without even knowing how she got home. After so much doubt, she knew... at long last... she had her Throm.
"I forgot my pack," Sanria said. Still, Throm simply looked weak. "Are you alright? You don't look quite your old self just yet."
"I am alright indeed. Feels good to be...myself again. Looking and feeling are to separate things. I'd rather look like hell and feel better than the opposite."
Karen, the help, held out a cup of tea, already poured, for Sanria. "Well, drink up the both of you. If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen." Karen, the help, seemed to nearly skip out of the room.
Throm looked too cold to Sanria. "Do you need to be closer to the fire?"
"I somehow think I could lie upon the coals and it wouldn't do the trick. Ever had those days?" Even with her coaxing, Throm wouldn't get up. Sanria did the one thing she had learned to do well in the past few months. She levitated Throm over to the fire, surprised by how light the man was. She set him on the floor before the fire and seated herself at his side.
"Come. Drink your tea or I can't leave."
Karen, the help, called from around the corner, "There's a whole pot."
Sanria finished her tea with a tinge of regret. "Well, if you'd like for me to drink the pot, I shall. Otherwise, I'll let you warm up by your lonesome. Or with Karen..."
"I wouldn't be opposed to you drinking the pot, I shall not I think," Throm said.
Before Sanria could even formulate a response, Karen, the help, whirled in from the kitchen, pot in hand, refilling both cups. A grin was perpetually on her face, and Sanria knew the woman was scheming. Still, she would have to end the visit at some point...no matter how accommodating and like his old self Throm was behaving. "Hang about infinitely if you will," he said, and Sanria's girlish heart soared.
They spoke more about his situation, Lithanus, the tea... it all seemed so right. As though the man Sanria found herself beside was the one she had met many years ago, and the green glow that came from his eyes was even more proof. Could she dare hope... Sanria looked down, her cup finished. "I think I've finished all my tea," she whispered, trying to avoid another refill.
"Would you like me to call for Karen?"
"Do we need more tea?" In a flash, Sanria's cup was full.
"There will be no empty cups in this house."
"I appreciate the tea and the conversation," Sanria said, finally getting up to leave.
"As do I. I can't tell you how relieved I am you stopped by."
"Relieved?"
"Things left unsaid and all that. I'm just glad we were able to have tea."
"Indeed. I suppose if we're speaking of things left unsaid, I should tell you the rest of what hasn't been said, then I can leave with a clear conscious?"
"I can't speak for your conscious but I would imagine it to be the truth yes."
Sanria leaned to Throm's ear. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to tell him how madly in love with him she was, just how long she had been, just how happy she was that he seemed like his old self, just how elated that at long last they could be together - the sky was the limit... but she chose instead to employ his own methods. She would not rush this. She would not ruin what she had waited so long to have. She would savor every moment with this old Throm. Getting to know him all over again. She whispered simply, "The tea was exquisite."
Sanria left the manor without even knowing how she got home. After so much doubt, she knew... at long last... she had her Throm.
Warm Greetings
Sanria walked up to the gates of the manor with a tiny sigh. She would go in, tell Throm she had decided to stay and would leave. There could be nothing simpler. But it wasn't at all simple. she'd have to look at his projection again, endure the rather uncaring nonchalance, remember just how much she wished he was the way he was when she first met him. It was too much. Sanria turned to go when a voice rang out across the grounds, "Lady Sanria? Is that you? Let me get the gate!"
Karen, the help, came to the gate with a broad smile and opened it. "Oh it's so good to see you! You'll stay for tea. Sir uth Bannon is weak, but he is managing and it will be nice." The woman led Sanria to the doors. "Sergi said he'd probably need a wheelchair to get around, and I told him, not a chance. Isn't that something?"
"Indeed. I wouldn't have thought Sergi the type."
"Me either! And here's the master now."
"A guest?" Throm asked from beneath his hood.
"Indeed. Lady Sanria no less," Karen, the help, said matter-of-factly.
Sanria couldn't believe her eyes. There was no projection. What sat before her was the flesh and blood Throm she knew - though all wrapped up in a thick cloak and looking more like a lump than the upstanding man she knew. It didn't matter. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest. 'He doesn't love you,' she had to remind herself. 'Those days are so long gone.'
Sanria gave her decision with as little emotion as she could manage, but still the faint glimmer of green eyes kept tripping her up inside. He asked about Colin, he asked about Orn, he asked her so many questions - why? She answered them, but this Throm clearly was not the detached soul that had been haunting about recently. She had to get out of there - before her hopes were raised. "Good to see you whole again," she managed. It sounded foolish.
As she walked long the grounds, Sanria thought over so much, but her thoughts traveled along the far-stretching continuum that was time to the last time she'd seen those green eyes really look at her. She reached up to grab the pack over her shoulder, a smile on her face, and noticed for the first time her pack wasn't there. She'd left it behind. She'd have to go back. She smiled at her folly and turned around to go back to the manor.
Karen, the help, came to the gate with a broad smile and opened it. "Oh it's so good to see you! You'll stay for tea. Sir uth Bannon is weak, but he is managing and it will be nice." The woman led Sanria to the doors. "Sergi said he'd probably need a wheelchair to get around, and I told him, not a chance. Isn't that something?"
"Indeed. I wouldn't have thought Sergi the type."
"Me either! And here's the master now."
"A guest?" Throm asked from beneath his hood.
"Indeed. Lady Sanria no less," Karen, the help, said matter-of-factly.
Sanria couldn't believe her eyes. There was no projection. What sat before her was the flesh and blood Throm she knew - though all wrapped up in a thick cloak and looking more like a lump than the upstanding man she knew. It didn't matter. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest. 'He doesn't love you,' she had to remind herself. 'Those days are so long gone.'
Sanria gave her decision with as little emotion as she could manage, but still the faint glimmer of green eyes kept tripping her up inside. He asked about Colin, he asked about Orn, he asked her so many questions - why? She answered them, but this Throm clearly was not the detached soul that had been haunting about recently. She had to get out of there - before her hopes were raised. "Good to see you whole again," she managed. It sounded foolish.
As she walked long the grounds, Sanria thought over so much, but her thoughts traveled along the far-stretching continuum that was time to the last time she'd seen those green eyes really look at her. She reached up to grab the pack over her shoulder, a smile on her face, and noticed for the first time her pack wasn't there. She'd left it behind. She'd have to go back. She smiled at her folly and turned around to go back to the manor.
Arrangements for Living and Life
Sanria walked out into the herb garden, smiling as she caught sight of Orn and Colin sitting on a blanket. Orn was growing so quickly it seemed. He sat up on his own attempting to eat the grass as best he knew how. The boy was so innocent to everything going on around him. She finally sat down on one of the flagstones and looked to Colin. "I was thinking I could talk to Arlenia and maybe get her to agree to letting you come around to see your child."
"Why do you feel you need to do that?" Colin asked with a small frown.
"Because you aren't."
"I did Sanria," Colin said. "You know I don't take fatherhood lightly. I talked to her, let her know I wanted to be a part of this child's life. She didn't want that. And, I think it would be harder on her if I were."
It wasn't much of a surprise that Colin disagreed with Sanria getting involved, but still she felt that something had to be done. The current arrangement was certainly causing her even more confusion than she had before. "Colin... if it were Arlenia wanting to stay with you regardless of your feelings toward her or the situation the two of you are in, what would you say to her?"
"Just what I did say to her. That I can't be with her like that because I don't feel the love for her that she does for me and... that I love someone else."
Sanria cleared her throat. Hoping Colin would hear his own words. "Exactly," she said quietly.
"Do you love someone else?" Colin asked. The question caught in Sanria's chest, wrenching her heart. The vision of a smoky projection shimmered into her mind and she looked to Colin with her sorrow etched onto her face.
"He doesn't love me."
"He doesn't?"
"No... he doesn't," Sanria whispered.
"It's not easy being Arlenia."
The statement struck Sanria. She was waiting on a man that didn't love her, while a man was waiting on her to love him, while a woman was waiting on him to love her. A train of broken hearts. She couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the foolish nature of hearts and those who contained them. The easy situation would be to let Colin have Orn and go back to Velentham. In time, she'd forget her pain and forget everything else. "Sanria, you can't do that. Why do you have to leave?"
"Because I'm not a good Arlenia."
Colin put Orn into Sanria's hands and she could barely stop herself from crying at just how the little boy smiled at seeing her. She couldn't leave him. She would just have to endure. Colin would stay in the house but in his own room, they would be there for Orn- neither of them seeking out a relationship, neither of them worrying what would come next. 'One day at a time,' Sanria thought as she laid Orn in his crib. 'One day at a time.'
"Why do you feel you need to do that?" Colin asked with a small frown.
"Because you aren't."
"I did Sanria," Colin said. "You know I don't take fatherhood lightly. I talked to her, let her know I wanted to be a part of this child's life. She didn't want that. And, I think it would be harder on her if I were."
It wasn't much of a surprise that Colin disagreed with Sanria getting involved, but still she felt that something had to be done. The current arrangement was certainly causing her even more confusion than she had before. "Colin... if it were Arlenia wanting to stay with you regardless of your feelings toward her or the situation the two of you are in, what would you say to her?"
"Just what I did say to her. That I can't be with her like that because I don't feel the love for her that she does for me and... that I love someone else."
Sanria cleared her throat. Hoping Colin would hear his own words. "Exactly," she said quietly.
"Do you love someone else?" Colin asked. The question caught in Sanria's chest, wrenching her heart. The vision of a smoky projection shimmered into her mind and she looked to Colin with her sorrow etched onto her face.
"He doesn't love me."
"He doesn't?"
"No... he doesn't," Sanria whispered.
"It's not easy being Arlenia."
The statement struck Sanria. She was waiting on a man that didn't love her, while a man was waiting on her to love him, while a woman was waiting on him to love her. A train of broken hearts. She couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the foolish nature of hearts and those who contained them. The easy situation would be to let Colin have Orn and go back to Velentham. In time, she'd forget her pain and forget everything else. "Sanria, you can't do that. Why do you have to leave?"
"Because I'm not a good Arlenia."
Colin put Orn into Sanria's hands and she could barely stop herself from crying at just how the little boy smiled at seeing her. She couldn't leave him. She would just have to endure. Colin would stay in the house but in his own room, they would be there for Orn- neither of them seeking out a relationship, neither of them worrying what would come next. 'One day at a time,' Sanria thought as she laid Orn in his crib. 'One day at a time.'
Rough Water
Sanria sat under the tree in her garden with Orn in her arms. The baby squirmed and she finally put him down. He wrinkled his nose at the sensation of grass on his legs and as he swatted the grass, Sanria began to cry. The argument she had just finished with Colin was the worst they'd ever had. All she wanted was for him to let her take Orn with her back to Velentham's home. Colin wouldn't hear of it.
Every accusation that Sanria could think to hurl, she did. Bringing up his infidelity, his other family, his selfishness - but the truth was that by the time she threw him out of the house and retreated to the garden - she already felt terrible. Colin was a good father, a devoted father. He may have cheated on her and gotten another woman pregnant, but wasn't it all Sanria had wanted? For Co- lin to move on to someone else and leave her free?
Sanria let out a long sigh. She knew that Colin had no where to go. She knew, too, that he had just had a hell of an experience when he sought out Throm. Her rational mind seemed to speak to her - the cavern was the only home the man had. She wiped her face and lifted Orn to her arms as she stood. She called out to Colin and invited him back.
They passed the rest day speaking very little about the vicious argument over who would parent Orn. Only once the baby was finally in bed did Sanria and Colin talk. The death of their second child finally seemed to hit Sanria, and Colin held her as she cried. They talked about their misfortune, and prospect of being alone after years of always having someone. The conversation rounded once again to Sanria wanting to take Orn away, but this time there wasn't an argument. In fact, as the night turned into morning, they had become friends again the best way they knew how.
Every accusation that Sanria could think to hurl, she did. Bringing up his infidelity, his other family, his selfishness - but the truth was that by the time she threw him out of the house and retreated to the garden - she already felt terrible. Colin was a good father, a devoted father. He may have cheated on her and gotten another woman pregnant, but wasn't it all Sanria had wanted? For Co- lin to move on to someone else and leave her free?
Sanria let out a long sigh. She knew that Colin had no where to go. She knew, too, that he had just had a hell of an experience when he sought out Throm. Her rational mind seemed to speak to her - the cavern was the only home the man had. She wiped her face and lifted Orn to her arms as she stood. She called out to Colin and invited him back.
They passed the rest day speaking very little about the vicious argument over who would parent Orn. Only once the baby was finally in bed did Sanria and Colin talk. The death of their second child finally seemed to hit Sanria, and Colin held her as she cried. They talked about their misfortune, and prospect of being alone after years of always having someone. The conversation rounded once again to Sanria wanting to take Orn away, but this time there wasn't an argument. In fact, as the night turned into morning, they had become friends again the best way they knew how.
Psycho by the Falls (1-2)
The trip to Myth Drannor swirled into Claire's mind. 'I was very concerned with how you were able to slaughter so many of those demons without a second thought. It made me ques- tion so very much.' Claire looked to the table.
'Actually I only killed the ones that attacked us,' Psycho re- plied. 'There were many demons that paid no mind to us and we left them without the hungry aggressive demons.'
'You are right. Of course. I didn't consider it in that light... I feel much better about it.'
'Am I to believe you are a pacifist?' Psycho asked.
Claire lowered her eyes, this would probably be the moment he told her that the Radiant Heart didn't have a place for a pacifist. That she would have to look elsewhere for a home, but before anything could be said, a voice spoke from beside them, What is going on here?
Claire glanced over to see a Vectorian Enforcer staring down at their table. She reached over, slowly picking up her mask and slipped it onto her face. 'We are simply enjoying a cafe.'
'Nothing but friendly chatting,' Claire joined.
"I mean, why are there espers on my watch in Kefkaberg?"
Claire's heart thundered in her chest. Psycho leaned over in a quick whisper, 'If you wish to keep your pacifistic ways I suggest we leave.'
Claire stood up and nodded. 'Forgive us.'
'You are out of your league here officer, we will leave quietly.'
Before the Enforcer could say anything more, Claire followed Psycho out of the cafe. They walked through the western gates of the city and through the forests until the sound of a waterfall reached Claire's ears. She looked up as they stopped and smiled. They were before Sanria's home. 'This will be a more pleasant place to continue,' Psycho said.
'You have come to a familiar place,' Claire said as she took her mask off and lowered her cowl. 'Would you like to see something more wonderful?'
'Every day,' Psycho replied, and Claire took his hand in her own and pulled him around the waterfalls and into the Crystal Cavern. 'Amazing. I have come to that water fall for many many years. Never before have I seen inside of it'
'We can go back to the falls outside if you wish... I simply wanted to share this with you,' Claire said.
Claire watched as Psycho took in the crystals, his aura casting a slight red tint. At last they walked back outside and sat on the boulders. Psycho put a hand on hers. 'Claire ... please tell me the truth ... Why are there so many questions surrounding you... particularly with people following you and the involvement of The Long Death?'
'I... don't know,' Claire replied, and it was the truth. 'I promise you, I have had no contact or involvement with Long Death... I can't understand why Lithanus would have either... he seemed like a very nice young man.'
'I believe you,' Psycho replied.
'He needed help, and I offered what I could,' Claire looked into Psycho's eyes, hoping her explanation was enough, she had no other proof to give. 'I had no idea he was...'
Psycho put a finger to her lips, halting her speech. 'Let's talk about where you would see yourself in the coming future'
'I had hoped to see myself making a difference in the lives of the citizens of this place,' Claire said. They all seem so... Dejected... forlorn... They really need hope.'
'When we first spoke your focus was towards finding a place that fit to build family and support.'
'Indeed. I still seek that,' Claire said with a nod.
'I am one of the final barriers between your acceptance,' Psycho said. 'I want to make sure that my judgment is not clouded by emotion'
Claire did not place the pieces together. She only heard in her mind that she had done something wrong. 'If I've upset you, please... Tell me and I'll do my utmost to rectify it.'
'You have done very well, and it is not emotion from your actions. You have been a fine example of strength and virtue so far.'
'Then... what are your emotions stemming from?' Claire asked.
'Perhaps I said too much even at my mention of feelings for you. Not well thought out feelings of course.'
Claire could have been lifted to the very heavens on the slightest of winds in that very moment. Another esper, one so strong and bold, had feelings for her. 'I have made it a point not to make an advance, because I want to get to know you before the connection I feel to you influences any deci- sions I have to make.'
'I understand completely,' Claire said with a smile. 'In fact, it makes me admire you all the more.'
'Thank you for clearing up my questions with Lithanus and for showing me a new wonder to one of my favorite places.'
They stood and Psycho kissed her hand. He gave her a few lavender orchids. 'They're beautiful...' Claire said.
'They reminded me of you.' Psycho continued, 'I have not discounted your application even as a pacifist. Just know a quest will be more difficult for me to construct.'
'I look forward to it,' Claire replied.
Psycho vanished and Claire stood there by the falls, her cheeks on fire, her mind a blur, and a smile frozen to her face.
'Actually I only killed the ones that attacked us,' Psycho re- plied. 'There were many demons that paid no mind to us and we left them without the hungry aggressive demons.'
'You are right. Of course. I didn't consider it in that light... I feel much better about it.'
'Am I to believe you are a pacifist?' Psycho asked.
Claire lowered her eyes, this would probably be the moment he told her that the Radiant Heart didn't have a place for a pacifist. That she would have to look elsewhere for a home, but before anything could be said, a voice spoke from beside them, What is going on here?
Claire glanced over to see a Vectorian Enforcer staring down at their table. She reached over, slowly picking up her mask and slipped it onto her face. 'We are simply enjoying a cafe.'
'Nothing but friendly chatting,' Claire joined.
"I mean, why are there espers on my watch in Kefkaberg?"
Claire's heart thundered in her chest. Psycho leaned over in a quick whisper, 'If you wish to keep your pacifistic ways I suggest we leave.'
Claire stood up and nodded. 'Forgive us.'
'You are out of your league here officer, we will leave quietly.'
Before the Enforcer could say anything more, Claire followed Psycho out of the cafe. They walked through the western gates of the city and through the forests until the sound of a waterfall reached Claire's ears. She looked up as they stopped and smiled. They were before Sanria's home. 'This will be a more pleasant place to continue,' Psycho said.
'You have come to a familiar place,' Claire said as she took her mask off and lowered her cowl. 'Would you like to see something more wonderful?'
'Every day,' Psycho replied, and Claire took his hand in her own and pulled him around the waterfalls and into the Crystal Cavern. 'Amazing. I have come to that water fall for many many years. Never before have I seen inside of it'
'We can go back to the falls outside if you wish... I simply wanted to share this with you,' Claire said.
Claire watched as Psycho took in the crystals, his aura casting a slight red tint. At last they walked back outside and sat on the boulders. Psycho put a hand on hers. 'Claire ... please tell me the truth ... Why are there so many questions surrounding you... particularly with people following you and the involvement of The Long Death?'
'I... don't know,' Claire replied, and it was the truth. 'I promise you, I have had no contact or involvement with Long Death... I can't understand why Lithanus would have either... he seemed like a very nice young man.'
'I believe you,' Psycho replied.
'He needed help, and I offered what I could,' Claire looked into Psycho's eyes, hoping her explanation was enough, she had no other proof to give. 'I had no idea he was...'
Psycho put a finger to her lips, halting her speech. 'Let's talk about where you would see yourself in the coming future'
'I had hoped to see myself making a difference in the lives of the citizens of this place,' Claire said. They all seem so... Dejected... forlorn... They really need hope.'
'When we first spoke your focus was towards finding a place that fit to build family and support.'
'Indeed. I still seek that,' Claire said with a nod.
'I am one of the final barriers between your acceptance,' Psycho said. 'I want to make sure that my judgment is not clouded by emotion'
Claire did not place the pieces together. She only heard in her mind that she had done something wrong. 'If I've upset you, please... Tell me and I'll do my utmost to rectify it.'
'You have done very well, and it is not emotion from your actions. You have been a fine example of strength and virtue so far.'
'Then... what are your emotions stemming from?' Claire asked.
'Perhaps I said too much even at my mention of feelings for you. Not well thought out feelings of course.'
Claire could have been lifted to the very heavens on the slightest of winds in that very moment. Another esper, one so strong and bold, had feelings for her. 'I have made it a point not to make an advance, because I want to get to know you before the connection I feel to you influences any deci- sions I have to make.'
'I understand completely,' Claire said with a smile. 'In fact, it makes me admire you all the more.'
'Thank you for clearing up my questions with Lithanus and for showing me a new wonder to one of my favorite places.'
They stood and Psycho kissed her hand. He gave her a few lavender orchids. 'They're beautiful...' Claire said.
'They reminded me of you.' Psycho continued, 'I have not discounted your application even as a pacifist. Just know a quest will be more difficult for me to construct.'
'I look forward to it,' Claire replied.
Psycho vanished and Claire stood there by the falls, her cheeks on fire, her mind a blur, and a smile frozen to her face.
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