(Again, Konami owns the characters and whatnot.)

-Two-

The two had been sitting for a little while. The evening was turning to night quickly as the sun hid behind the mountains. Nanami thought about gathering wood for a fire, but as she started to move, the valley scenery started to waver and she promptly sat down again. She glanced to the mage, noticing a faint glow from the wind rune he used. Nanami didn't think she heard him say the words for a healing spell...

"So, do you think they're looking for us?" Nanami finally asked, piercing the silence that had settled over them.

"I'm sure they're looking for you." Luc replied in his usual dour attitude, obviously starting to feel more invigorated.

Nanami frowned. "You know, you don't have to be like that."

"Like what?" The mage shot her a curious look. He'd heard it all before.

"Well, so... grouchy. You're always snappy, even if someone's just asking you an honest question. Nobody even goes to look at that Tablet, because you glare at them and say 'what do you want?' like you're going to bite them."

Luc smiled a little to himself. "Who knows, maybe I would. I get tired of people asking me dumb questions just because I'm the apprentice to a very powerful Seer. It's not like I'm clairvoyant. All Lady Leknaat told me to do was help, and watch. Not say whether every bum you guys drag in is a Star of Destiny."

"I don't understand why you couldn't try to enjoy yourself anyway. Talk to people. Do something to pass the time.." Nanami shrugged, feeling the lightheadedness starting to fade. "Like sort of a vacation from that Magician's Island."

Luc gave her an look that clearly stated he couldn't believe what she was saying. Nanami, of course, couldn't think of any reason that sounded so crazy.

"You think a war is a vacation? People are dying. Lots of people. It's no time to take up a hobby and socialize. I don't know why you can't be more serious about what's going on..."

Nanami blinked. She was having her argument turned around on her! Oh, no. That was not happening.

"Why should I? It's not like I started this war, and I'm not going to finish it! This whole war is just like a big river, sweeping things away with it. I guess that river is fate. There's nothing I should worry about, aside from the people dear to me."

Luc growled, eyes flashing before he looked away. He'd heard someone using fate to try to excuse life's injustices rather than take up the responsibility of fixing them...

The same person that had overthrown a tyrannical Emperor, and then promptly ran off and left the chore to clean up the mess in the hands of the people that had supported him the whole way.

"Just shut the hell up, Nanami. You don't even know what you're talking about. People can change fate, no matter how grim it looks... Build a dam." He turned his back to her, determined not to hear another word. Just the thought of the Toran hero brought a rush of anger over him.

Nanami's eyes widened. She knew Luc to get snarky, but not this much.

"Well, sooo-ryyy! Didn't mean to get you all flustered. Not everybody can just blow two whole battalions of troops right off the battlefield, or 'build a dam'. Most people can't do anything about the war. Not without a... heeeeeyyyy..."

Nanami was just now catching an inkling of something people had no doubtful been drawing conclusions on since the epic battle against Luca Blight's outnumbering forces. Luc had seemed oddly anxious to fight then, once that Harmonian bishop was mentioned.

"YOU-"

"Just, stop. Stop right there, Nanami." He sounded alot calmer, colder though. It almost made Nanami scared. "No more. It's none of your business." Luc groaned slightly as he got to his feet, searching around for wherever his staff may have fallen.

"I think it's time we took our leave of this place. First, I have to find my staff."

Nanami was thrown off by the sudden change of subject. "Ummm, why? I'm sure we can just get you another one back at Northwind... It's not like it was anything really great anyway. I lost mine too."

Luc glared daggers at her again. "That staff is what I use to focus spell energy. Without it, I can't teleport us more than a short walking distance at a time. It's actually very important, in other words. So get to looking."

Again, Nanami waggled her tongue at the mage's turned back. She slowly stood, feeling slightly dizzy still. It was nearly dark, and this staff among the valley floor was going to be difficult to spot. The normally energetic girl sighed long and loud, causing Luc to glance back in annoyance.

"OHMYGOD EWWWW!" Nanami had found the maimed body of one of thier former attackers before anything resembling Luc's lost weapon. "Damn THING!"

"SHHH!" Luc hissed. "Do you want every monster within this valley to come running? Stop screaming!"

Nanami shuddered. "I can't help it, that's just disgusting."

Luc blanked, staring at her a moment. "That's nothing."

Nanami thought for a moment, catching the mage's meaning. Her mind slipped back to the little town Pilika was from, to the old Mercenary Fort, various other atrocities came to mind.

"You know... I asked Riou if he would just give it all up, and run away to lead a normal life. I feel so stupid for doing that now. It wasn't my right to try to convince him."

She shut her eyes, feeling them sting and cloud with tears.

"You're completely right, Luc. People that have the power to change things should. If just for the sake of the people who can't."

"Nanami." The fact his voice wasn't chiding at all for once made her look at him. "I said anyone can change fate, True Rune or not. You're changing it now, whether you think so or not. You're giving Lord Riou the courage and support he needs to shoulder the responsibility. In a way, you're helping him carry it." That rare touching moment promptly ended as the mage adopted his usual range of expression again.

"So, don't get all weepy. I think you're the only girl I've seen that doesn't cry about everything... Don't start now."

At that, she couldn't help laughing. "I'll take that as a compliment."

(Less action, more talk. Sorry ;)