His cool blue eyes observed the bay before him. The crystal clear waters of Altamira sparkled like a gem in the midday sun. Glancing over his shoulder, Regal Bryant CEO of the Lezareno Company regarded the diminutive figure of his assistant quietly. Presea Combatir waited patiently for her superior's reply. His study was large and spacious, opulently outfitted and served as a haven from the comings and goings of normal Altamirian life. Sighing gently, Regal took the papers from her hands.
"I understand then that he felt the compensation inadequate?"
"Affirmative, Mr Falen was dissatisfied with the amount of money offered for his share of the exsphere mine." Presea bobbed her childlike head as she methodically made her point.
"Well, I must say I expected just as much; he's a very greedy man" Regal flicked through the papers before finding the one he was looking for. Scanning over it briefly, he felt Presea's intrigue and thought quickly. "Presea" He addressed as he stuffed the documents under his arm, "Why don't you take the rest of the afternoon off, it's a beautiful day"
Presea's tiny body held no sign of emotion as she stood quietly before the massive man. "I do not require the afternoon off sir; I believe you still have use of my assistance in placating Mr Falen."
Regal smiled sadly. "I know you don't "require" the afternoon off, and I understand that Mr Falen's case needs urgent attention, but I would still like you to take some time for yourself when the weather is so warm. Why don't you take a stroll down the promenade?"
"Very well. I will be at my desk at 9.00am tomorrow as usual" With that Presea left the room, her pigtails bouncing with her steps.
Sometimes it was hard for Regal to remember that he was only speaking to a twelve year old girl, although her mind was that of a thirty-two year old woman. The years which she had been robbed of were evident in their absence. Her social skills were very limited, even though Regal had done his best to rehabilitate her into society, to help her appreciate art, music and nature and learn to interact with others of both sexes. It had been difficult and it seemed there were many things she would always feel awkward with. She had spent too long on her own, half conscious, without the love and companionship she needed. Regal couldn't help but be constantly reminded of his sordid role in the tragedy that was Presea's life.
Turning his attention back to the letter he had kept hidden from Presea, Regal reread the handwritten screed. Perhaps a small reunion with old friends might relieve some of the tension and pressure he knew Presea had been feeling lately. Raine Sage had sent on a letter, only days before, informing Regal and Presea that she and Genis would be passing through Altamira to restock, refuel and recharge. This presented the perfect opportunity for Presea to spend time with someone more her own age. Genis would be sixteen or seventeen by now, he supposed and would be enthused to see the young girl again, he hoped. As for himself, he looked forward to hearing about the progress of Raine's journey to find equality and understanding for half-elves in Sylvarant and Tethe'alla and similarly Lloyd and Colette's venture to destroy all remaining exspheres. The latter interested him greatly as he too had been touched by the madness and the lust for power exsphere victims had been subjected too. Lloyd shared the same passion to see an end to the pain the whole business had caused as he had lost a loved one through its evil. It was an immense task, and perhaps impossible though noble. What else did Regal have to live for if not that? Indeed, what did he deserve to live for? Resisting the urge to sink into the daily routine of a mental flogging, Regal left the room, busying himself with preparations for his guests.
Raine Sage stirred her wooden spoon through the thick gloopy broth she had sheepishly called breakfast. Her younger brother, no longer the scrawny twelve year-old he had once been, sat across the campfire, his nose screwed up in disgust. He had filled out in all the right places; more muscle than bone now. His silver hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, its unruly lengths shading his face. A haughty look was playing across his slender features as he regarded his sister's cooking skills.
"Now Raine, were you trying to make porridge or glue?" His voice had lowered several octaves and had presently taken on a mocking tone.
Raine, a few lines beneath her eyes the only evidence of her age, drew her brother a stony look. She knew her culinary skills left a lot to be desired, and her brother was whiz at anything he put his hand to, but it wasn't fair to expect him to do everything. She smiled gently, humouring his snide comment. "Porridge or glue, you'll eat it!"
Genis sighed comically as he took a bowl of the offending substance from his sister's outstretched hand. Sniffing it first, he shovelled a spoonful into his mouth, he drew a large breath. "It'll be nice to sleep in a bed for a change."
Raine poked at the food she had lifted for herself. "Hmm and no doubt Regal's beds with have about five mattresses and dozens of pillows; all duck-down." She made a comic dreamy face before eating her breakfast enthusiastically.
Her younger brother nodded a far-off look in his eyes as he thought about it. "I wouldn't mind eating some proper food either"
Glancing up, a scowl ready on her features, Raine hesitated when she realised Genis wasn't trying to rib her. Sometimes it was difficult to justify her decision to bring Genis on her voyage. It was hard to understand why she had allowed Genis to continue on the quest of Regeneration when it became apparent that things were not as they had seemed. However he as a strong willed young man, and no one would make him to do what he didn't want to do. That was something she had learnt very quickly as he grew. What worried her though, were the sights he had seen. The hatred, anger, fear and violence he had witnessed, been a victim of and fought against had given rise to some dangerous conclusions in the impressionable mind of an emotional teenager. Genis had become incredibly passionate about their cause and it sometimes gave rise to frightening bouts of power and expression of opinion she knew she had never taught him. The only things she supposed which kept him from outright hatred and racism himself were the point of their mission of equality and the friendship and kindness he had been shown from his human friends. Although it had had a genuinely negative effect in her brother, those were far outweighed by the qualities he had developed as he grew. He was gentle and kind to a fault sometimes; more like a twenty seven year-old than a seventeen year-old. His knowledge and experience was beginning to rival her own. He always had been like a sponge; absorbing everything he came into contact with. A quality both siblings shared.
"Well, Genis" Said Raine, tipping the left-overs of her breakfast into the remnants of the small fire. "We're not going to get Altamira unless we pull our socks up and get moving."
Gathering together their belongings, Genis seemed rejuvenated. The prospect of the bright lights and big attractions of the holiday resort called out to him. For all its spectacle, this was only half of it. After all, it'd be the first time he'd seen Presea in five years. He wondered absently what she would be like. Would she have begun to grow again? Would she have changed much? Would she be happy to see him? He also wondered about Regal. Regal had always been a little serious and boring for Genis, but he was a good man at the end of the day. Then again there might not be time for the old catch up game. They had never "preached" to Altamira before; they didn't know what kind of reception they'd get. They didn't even really know how many half-elves there were in Altamira if any at all. Genis finally finished packing his belongings and watched as his sister adjusted the backpack she had lifted onto her shoulders. He thought it would be nice for Raine to have some intelligent adult company too. It must be very lonely for her, with only her brother for company. He knew how content she had been with her place among the adults in the grand adventure. He only wished Raine had forged a tighter friendship with Sheena. She could do with the female companionship.
Raine caught him watching her and frowned. "Genis what is it?"
The elfin boy smiled, picking up his own baggage. "Nothing, just looking forward to getting to Altamira!" With a whistle he began to walk down the earthen path hey had camped beside.
Raine followed him quietly. Genis always had had a confident air she could never fathom for herself. In fact, she admitted, it was tat confidence which drove her on through this mission. She wanted to see a world where her brother could be comfortable in his own skin without being slandered, chastised, or persecuted. She had seen too much of this world herself and despised it. It had made her feel like a wart; a growth, an abnormality. Whether they were successful or not, Raine no longer stressed. She knew she was doing all that she could to give Genis the future he deserved. He might not know nor understand her true motive, but one day he would feel the benefit.
It took them the full day, but a few hours ago they had first seen the long-awaited skyline of Altamira. The sun was setting just behind the tall structure of the Lezareno Company HQ as they reached the main entrance. Both brother and sister were relieved to see the two familiar figures silhouetted against the orange sky. Regal smiled to see his old companions. It would be the first time in the five years since they had met. They had changed, but no one could mistake that silver hair and intellectual air.
"Welcome" Regal said softly as they arrived. "It's wonderful to see both again" He viewed Genis, vibrant and a figure of substance. The child prodigy he'd left behind that day by the Great Mana Tree had grown into a man who had seen battles and probably learned more than Regal could understand. Shifting his gaze to the elder of the two, Regal smiled. Raine was as serenely beautiful as ever. Her hair was a little longer, and her features betrayed only a little of the endurances she'd faced.
"Thank you for your hospitality Regal, it's great to see you" Raine glanced down at the timeless doll by Regal's side. "And you Presea"
Presea wore the hint of a smile, a ghost of what it should have been, but profound enough to convey her pleasure. Genis couldn't take his eyes off her. A bitter sadness flooded his young heart. Whatever he'd expected, it hadn't been this. She was exactly the same. Her features were as young and innocent as ever, as cute but as heart-breakingly tragic as ever.
She noticed his attention on her and addressed him "Hello Genis, I see you have grown"
He swallowed a lump in his throat and smile. "Hi Presea, you…you look well"
Raine watched her brother silently, both hers and Regal's eyes on the two younger people. They shared a sad glance. Raine could see in Regal's eyes deep emotion when he looked at Presea. She didn't envy him the constant reminder of his past sins, but she did admire his steadfastness in living with the consequences.
"Alright, it's late, why don't you join Presea and I for supper before you retire to your rooms?" Regal directed his question to Raine.
The idea sounded heavenly to her tired mind and she simply nodded and allowed herself to follow the massive, muscular frame of the CEO.
In the drawing room of the Grand Lezareno Hotel, Genis and Presea sat cross legged at an ornate chess board. The fire crackled pleasantly in the background, allowing a comfortable quiet to fall upon the small group of acquaintances. Raine studied the beautiful coving on the ceiling as Regal watched the two and their game of strategy, reclining on the plush loveseat. The half-elfin woman sighed inwardly. Dinner had been beautiful as she had expected; a roast joint with honey glace, new potatoes, cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts and a fantastic garnish. Desert was even better; a beautifully light lemon drizzle cake with lemon sorbet on the side. Raine felt as though it were the first real food she had eaten in weeks. Genis' eyes had been as wide as saucers as he sat around the abundance of food. It was a real treat for him not to have t cook, or to be subjected to his sister's "cooking". The company had been very tasteful too. Glancing over at her host, Raine felt very comfortable in Regal's presence. Since their last encounter he had loosened up and relaxed. She supposed this change was to be expected, especially in such opulence and decadence. His conversation was refreshing however, and she realised how much she had missed adult company. Genis was certainly an intelligent young man and they had some very interesting discussions and debates, but he was still a child.
Regal caught Raine's gaze on him and he turned to meet it. Raine smiled softly before focusing on her brother and his losing position in the game of chess. It was difficult to match gazes with Regal. His eyes were so intense and she thought it dangerous to try and hold something she wasn't quite sure she knew how to handle.
"Checkmate" Presea's quiet voice chimed above the soft crackling of the fire and the tick of the grandfather clock in the corner.
Genis gripped his temples and let out a strangled sigh. "That's the third game in a row, how can you be beating me?"
Raine chuckled. "Oh Genis, don't take it so badly. There are worse things than losing to a girl"
The young man stuck his tongue out and said snidely "Yeah, like losing to you"
Regal's eyes flew to the older sibling waiting for an outburst of violence. Similarly Presea stared at Raine waiting for the almost stimulus response. Instead the silver haired woman narrowed her eyes at the offending teenager and folded her arms. She let it slide. The tense seconds melted away as Genis huffed and began placing the chess pieces back where they would start a game. A small yawn escaped Presea's lips and she stood up slowly.
"I think I will retire. Thank you for a stimulating tournament of chess Genis" her face remained poker straight but her blue eyes danced in a smile.
Genis couldn't help the small blush which erupted across his features. "Yeah thanks Presea, it was good fun. Hey you want me to walk you down to the elemental railway station?"
Presea nodded "If you wish" Leaving the two older companions together, Genis and Presea exited the building quietly together.
Raine sighed gently. "Dinner was wonderful Regal. Thank you very much."
Regal was somewhat stirred from the small reverie he had fallen into. "Oh, not at all Raine, I'm glad you enjoyed it." Staring into the fire Regal thought of something else to talk about. "When do you plan your rally?"
Stretching out her tired legs, Raine yawned quietly. "Well once we've rested and done a little bit of scouting around Altamira and its residential quarter we'll "set up shop" as it were."
The robust man nodded his head, listening attentively. "Perhaps I can be of some assistance in helping you navigate the city."
Raine considered this before shaking her head with a smile "Really Regal we can't ask anymore of you. What you've done so far is more than we could have hoped. Besides I'd really like to see Altamira's underbelly. Usually it's among the poor and depraved that we find the root of the racism in that particular area."
"Altamira's a big city," chuckled Regal, "it's brave of you but foolhardy for a woman to try and go there alone"
This did not amuse Raine. A small scowl appeared on her elegant countenance. "I've never had any problems anywhere else. I didn't have any problems trying to save the world. If it causes you a problem Mr Bryant, then don't think of me as a woman; I certainly don't" She was too tired and didn't have the energy to participate in a "battle of the sexes" debate. Getting to her feet, he turned to him. "Goodnight Mr Bryant"
Regal stood as was polite to do when a lady stood. "Forgive me Raine, I didn't mean to cause you offence. Goodnight. I hope you sleep well. You and Genis have the VIP suite. I hope you find it comfortable. Would you like me to show you there?"
The tall woman felt a little childish, being so aggravated over one little comment, especially as the offender had apologised so eloquently. However, she was tired and proud. "I know where to find it Mr Bryan, thank you again and goodnight." With a brisk march, she distanced herself before he could apologise again.
AN/ So what do you think? Is it worth seeing what could happen with this fic? I'm feeling a little downhearted. I've just read some wonderful well-written Regal fics and I'm wondering if there's any point to continuing with this one. I have a plot to carry on with, but I know it won't be as well executed as it would be, were someone else writing it. Anyway, if you did enjoy it and would like to see more please stay tuned.