Genuine

The second in the "Day in the Life" series. And for all the fan girls bound to read into this too much… NO! Friendship only! No Yaoi! There is no reason for those two to be together in any way shape or form. However at the end of the third game (well, if you play Luc's chapter at least) you get a nice little scene and made the wheels turn as to if there could possibly be a friendship. However I am not into ridiculous pairings.

It takes place sometime in chapter five. Unlike the first chapter this sticks to two characters exclusively and is far more seriousthan the somewhat silly antics of the first story. One thing that I tried to get properly is Sasarai's mannerisms, trying to blend the more formal leadership mannerisms with his general casualness. Thomas is simply fun as he is very sweet and can relate to a good number of people. And he does try so hard to get things right.

Drops of dew soaked into the bottom of his sleepwear once the soft fabric settled. This was ignored as is bare feet spread, half immersed in the frigid water of the lake. The inhabitants of the castle were mostly asleep, leaving just the sound of crickets to entertain him.

Reaching to his side, he grasped the ceramic mug that had been brought out, gaze focused on the steam rising from the warm liquid before taking a small sip. It quickly warmed his body and his nerves relax.

In the distance, he could faintly hear the old oak door to the basement creak open and immediately glanced back to see who was joining him at such a late hour.

Apparently the new companion was just as surprised at the company as he jumped slightly. "I'm sorry Bishop Sasarai, I didn't mean to disturb you."

Shaking his head he replied, "Not at all. I was simply taking a few moments to clear out my head." The young bishop smirked as the young boy before him, Thomas, fidgeted a bit, unsure what to say. "If you wish to join me, feel free to do so."

Hesitantly Thomas took a seat next to Sasarai and the two sat with silence for a moment, motionless except for the occasional sip of tea.

"So… is everything okay for you here?" Thomas started after a few moments, "I know it's cramped here with so many people and it's not in great shape…"

"A ship is half embedded into the walls, and I had to move a desk to keep my paperwork from being further ruined by the leaky roof." Sasarai stated in his calm monotone, causing Thomas to wince in shame and nervousness. However he promptly followed it by a slight laugh. "I don't really mind though. It makes things interesting to say the least. Dios on the other hand…"

A gust of wind left slight goose bumps on Thomas's skin, causing him to rub his hands together to generate heat. "You must really miss Harmonia though."

Sasarai bit his lip at that comment. Several months ago it would have been a foolish question. Yet he was uncertain about how to handle the truth of his existence, a well kept secret for over three decades. He didn't want to face thinking about who truly knew the truth within the walls he called home.

Effectively he felt lost for the first time and unable to find his usual confidence to resolve things. Silently he thought out the possible scenarios of what could be done. Stopping his brother was a certainty but from there things became much more muddled. It would be dealt with though with due time. He still faced responsibilities on the battlefield and at home.

But for now he was content being away so he could collect his bearings after the shock.

"Um, sir Bishop?" Thomas asked nervously.

Forcing a soft smile he broke his train of thought, "You may call me Sasarai. As far as your question, I do miss it. It's my home, so naturally I am attached to it."

"What is it like in Crystal Valley?" the boy inquired.

Closing his mind, the young bishop started visualizing his home city, "Well, it's quite large compared to any of the cities near here. Even we in the Circle Palace have no genuine estimate on how many reside in the boundaries. There are always people coming and going for every reason. It makes things rather lively and truly brings an array of cultures and ideas. Of course, I don't get out of the palace very often, so I am hardly the ideal person to ask about such matters."

Thomas listened as the Bishop spoke with a small smile. Initially he had been a bit wary when one of Harmonia's bishops suddenly decided to join the fire bringer with simply no reason. However, from the experiences he had thus far, any worry was unfounded. In fact, the young castle master was quite taken aback with how personable and nonchalant such an important figure in such a large nation.

"Perhaps when this is all over with I should take a short leave of absence," he continued, his voice growing soft, "It's been over fifteen years since I've been able to genuinely rest. I rather not become involved in another conflict for some time after this. I've seen more than my share of fighting and I haven't even lived a full lifespan yet."

Despite knowing that the man beside him was one of the bearers of the True Runes and was thus immortal, Thomas's eyes widened slightly. It was so easy to mistake Sasarai as someone still in the midst of adolescence, no older than himself. However his actual age showed in other ways, it showed so much more experience than Thomas could fathom obtaining.

The calm monotone voice of the bishop broke Thomas's train of thought, "Here we are going on about myself… what about yourself? Why are you wandering about this far into the night?"

"Well," the boy began nervously, "Cecile is the captain of the guards for this castle. Normally she does this during the night but I figured she needed a rest. The only way I could convince her was to t-take over for her."

Nodding a bit the brunette nodded, attempting to take another sip of tea only to realize that it was now drained completely. "So you've opted to be a fair master to the people here…"

Confused, Thomas bit his lip, "I guess I try." A brief paused followed, "I simply go with what seems right, yet I worry a lot. I don't know a thing about war and diplomacy and other countries. Until my mother died I hardly ever left the town. Everyone else seems so much more experienced at, well, everything."

"You simply have not been corrupted by the world yet." Sasarai interjected, drawing a confused appearance on the younger boy's face. "Politicians are corrupt, and I am no exception. You can actually relate to the people around you and gain their respect without fancy words or fear."

"But… I'm not really good at anything. "

With a small shake of his head Sasarai disagreed.

"I can't fight very well." Thomas elaborated, taking out his battered old sword to explain, "I once was attacking with Cecile and I managed to stick the sword in the ground. I still don't know how I got it out!"

Laughing slightly the older man remembered a story from his youth, "Well, I was once given a sword in an attempt to learn fencing. I spent a month confined to bed after the injuries I inflicted on myself. I've never attempted to use a sword since and most likely never will."

"You can use rune spells at least." Thomas replied, trying hard not to chuckle at his companion's story.

"Yes but you need to remember," Sasarai explained, "You're still quite young. I've been trained in using runes since I can remember. It is as much a trained skill as any scholarly studies. And even if you were not meant for the battlefield, you have your talents. Not just anybody could draw this many people from an entire continent to this drafty castle."

Chuckling slightly, Thomas nodded, "Yet I don't really know how it happened. And I think most of the credit really should go to the Flame Champion if anything else. He is the reason why everyone is here to begin with."

Knowing there was no way to convince the young lad otherwise, Sasarai simply went quiet. It was seldom that someone within the high ranks of Harmonian politics demonstrated such humble humility. No, most of the lower ranking officials often used any flattery as a means to bolster their position. That wasn't how things were here. Thomas was simply a kind, normal young man.

"You know, to be honest I was curious why you would come to a place such as this."

The bishop closed his eyes slightly and sighed. It was hardly something that he needed to tell the young boy. It was his own dilemma and he would take care of it personally. "Well, I certainly want to get my True Earth Rune back… And I do intend on paying Luc back for deceiving myself and just about everyone else in Harmonia with this entire war."

Confused, Thomas scratched his head, "But wouldn't it make sense to go back to Harmonia?" Thomas started, " I-I don't mean to offend. We need all the help we can get here but it just seemed…" he drifted off, not being able to finish.

"Sudden? Awkward?" Sasarai tried to finish, "I know it is. But I do have my own personal reasons for not returning just yet. There are some things I need to deal with."

The young looking bishop's eyes seemed to dull a bit and Thomas could see tears gathering in the corners, being forcibly held back. Something had happened to him at some point. He had looked slightly distraught when Thomas had first noticed him near the lakeshore. Now it seemed as though the high ranking bishop was breaking down.

Unsure of how to react, Thomas reached toward Sasarai's shoulder, explaining, "Do you need to talk about it at all?"

Just as the hand reached the fabric of his shirt, the arm pulled away with a quick jerk, Sasarai scrambling to his feet before he spoke, his voice cold and shaking, "Please, let's end this discussion. This has nothing to do with you! Leave me!"

Bewildered by the response, Thomas quickly rose to obey before the voice spoke again, calmer but still struggling to form words, "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to be cross or uncouth. I am genuinely thankful of your concern but please understand that it is something I can't talk about."

Nodding slightly, Thomas continued toward the side door that lead into the basement level, "It's okay. If you need to talk though, just let me know. But I'll let you be for now. Don't stay out here too late though. I think we're supposed to head out again in the morning."

Turning toward the boy as he scampered off, Sasarai couldn't help but smirk. "Perhaps there are genuinely good people in this world after all. No wonder everyone flocked here. Maybe I can try and take that example."

Alright. Now on to the third one. It may be one of the only stories that will be done for Suikoden 4 but it undoubtedly is probably going to be the most fun to do. However it needs a lot of research. Thank goodness for the couple major websites that have every tidbit of Suikoden trivia and history.