David the Writer (tAll3Shyguy 1): Well here is the second moment of the stars of This Background Story. This moment takes place before TOV enters The Banger Universe. Rita is right now on a ship to Capua Nor. She is pretty angry at the nobles because they won't use the Mana stuff she created.
Rita: Damn Right, I'm mad.
David the Writer: This time though, someone comes to cheer her up. A old friend from the Adephagos beating group is that person.
Karol: I think I know who that old friend is.
David the Writer: Well, who wants to do the disclaimer?
Rita: Since I am quite interested by who might this person be, I will do it. Tales of Vesperia Characters (C) Namco Tales. Boat to Capua Nor, powered by Steam (C) tAll3Shyguy on DA. Lucifer Scar (C) tAll3Shyguy of Banger Universe Devs on DA or tAll3Shyguy Skull Land on Fan-fiction. Role-Playing Account for Lucifer Scar is RitaRivalLuciferScar on DA (Done by tAll3Shyguy).
Lucifer Scar: Alright I am here. Also, I am going to write my background story after This is posted on DA.
David the Writer: Thank you, Rita, For the Disclaimer. Background Song is Carnival of Rust by Poets of the Fall. Also, Thanks For writing that BGS finally, Lucifer. There are connections to the previous moment in this moment so be sure to read both. Now on with the Pre-BU Moment.
Pre-BU Moment: Catching Up
Rita is quite angry at the Nobles of The Empire. Their actions on this steam revolution may turn the world back into a world in crisis. The steam energy is polluting the Aer around the world causing some of the Mana to be created impure. It's impureness could turns the Good Spirits into Evil Summon Spirits. What does she say can prevent it? She thinks that the use of a object that converts Aer into Mana at the same time as powering the device it's attached to would be great. She thought of her thesis of this type of object and presented to The Nobles. They of course turned their backs on it because there was no proof on what the stone could do. She thought it could be used just like a Blastia but, instead of hurt the world, it helps the world evolve into something new. If Humans were to help the world just like all other beings on the planet do, then everything could somehow become peaceful like what Elucifur wants. Thinking of Elucifur reminds Rita of her Rival that she found out was following her around during the journey with Brave Vesperia. Lucifer Scar is one competitive guy but not the guy Rita wants to be with.
A voice says, startling her, "Wow you sure seem to be lost in your thoughts."
She looks up to meet with a pair of brown eyes and a boyish grin. It was familiar, but somehow annoying. It reminds him of the guy she known for a long time but she forgot what those feelings are about him.
The 15-year-old boy with those features, who reminded her of the one she knows, sits next to her and says "You look like you have had quite a rough day, Haven't you?"
Because of how much she reminded him of that boy who she forgot the feelings about, she says rudely "You think?!"
The boy laughs and says "Wow you really are rude as ever."
She figured the boy knew him from her being the Famed Genius Mage of Aspio and so she says "So you heard a lot about me?"
She looks at him and sees he is staring up. What could the boy be staring at? So she looked up as well to see the stars shining ever so brightly. When she looked straight at the one he is looking at, she saw he was looking straight at the Star named Brave Vesperia, A star that was thought to be lost when the Adephagos were released from it.
He says "Wow, it's been a while since I seen the stars like this. I am really wondering how My favorite star known as Brave Vesperia still exists. Don't you wonder that, My Genius Mage Friend?"
The truth was she did wonder how the Red star known as Brave Vesperia came back after The Adephagos were turned into Spirits. Then she stopped thinking for a moment.
She says "huh, why did you call me Your Genius Mage Friend?"
The boy chuckled a bit, "You never change haven't you, even after all these years?"
She was now confused. Who is this kid, have she met him in someway before?
The Boy says "Don't tell me you forgot all about me after all we been through?"
Rita nodded her head telling him that she didn't remember whoever he was.
The Boy says "Wow, I can't believe that just because of my outfit change that You can't see that it's me, Karol Capel."
She thought "Wait, what?!"
He just says as if reading her mind through her face "It really is Karol, Rita. I will prove it. You used to like Gels, I don't know if you still do."
Rita Karate-Chopped the boy.
"Hey! Rita, what the heck did you do that for?"
"Y-y-you, who the heck do you think you are?!" she roared.
"A friend?" he suggested.
She kicked him in the guts.
Karol says "Arghh! Rita, your violent streak needs to end, for old sake!"
She was panting. This kid's Karol?
Karol says "Is that how you greet old friends? Hitting them on the head and kicking them in the stomach?"
Rita Yells "Well, yeah! You surprised me!"
Karol Yells back at her "You hit me in a very sensitive spot and that's all you got to say for yourself?"
"Well," she couldn't believe how smart he has gotten. She is very ashamed about what she did so she goes into a very sad face. "I'm sorry. I just have forgotten what I really feel about you. I know what you think I feel about you but I know for some reason it could be different."
He says "If Yuri told me that you were going to give me a beating when you first saw me because whenever you came to visit in the past 2 years I hide, I probably wouldn't be here. I know one reason it might different than what I think you feel about me."
Rita asks "And what could that be?"
Karol answers by saying "I saved you from the Goliath's X-Buster attack. Remember at Shaikos Ruins, I saved you from that arte attack that could have knocked our favorite Genius Mage out."
She blushed at his statement.
At the same time as her blush, he says as he gets up "You really do have different feelings for me than what you show, don't you?"
As he still gets up, she smiles and says "I am thinking so."
Once he was up, she could finally make out his features under the slight darkness. He is tall now, about as tall as she is (166 cm). His hair now is worn down, looking as if he just came out of bed. (Why do teenage boys always do that kind of hair?) And she had to hand it to him, the boy finally got taste. He wore a long green and white stripped overcoat, on top of a Black shirt. His long pants seemed baggy but instead of looking silly, it looked quite good on him. And, his oversized bag was long gone; instead a small bag is slung to his waist. There's also a red sword he covered with his coat but she's not going to get there.
Then she thinks "Even though, I want to get back there and see what's under that shirt. Arghh! What am I thinking? Am I thinking what I truly feel for him."
Overall he looked well. His image change somehow brings a funny self-conscious of her own style. She kept her hair long beyond neck length because Estelle mentioned she would look lovely in it. She kept her shirt under her hooded maroon coat and wearing skirts under Estelle recommendation. But, still she loved her socks so kept it. She didn't want to look pretty, there's no need. But somehow, seeing Karol like this, she begins to think otherwise.
She thinks "What makes me think otherwise on looking pretty? Is it my true feelings for him?"
Karol says, breaking her line of thought, "There you go again."
She does a questioning look while saying "Huh?"
He says "Always going off into your mind. You're still a kid, Aren't you?"
She yells "Oh, shut up!" He made her blush once again. Being called a kid by him is something she didn't like to do since he was younger than him.
She sits down again. This time through, he sat down real close to her.
He offers "Want to talk, Rita?"
Rita, as she blushes, says "Why should I talk with someone I am trying to figure my true feelings for?"
Karol says "Maybe the conversation will help you figure it out."
Rita says "Well..."
Karol says "Please, Rita?"
He holds her hands while saying that, making her blush ever so more. Rita couldn't help but give in. He had already given her another reason to let him.
She says "Alright then."
His hands let go of hers and he says "Alright! I guess I better tell Yuri that I found and talked to you."
She says "Why does Yuri have to know that?"
Karol says "Well, Yuri says that I have a little problem with running away from you when I see you coming in. So even through he's not guild boss, He commanded me to find and talk to you. I guess that's what I get for messing with the boss of Brave Vesperia's Battle group. I think he's part of something in the empire as well. What is that again?"
Rita says "Isn't he the leader of the Mysterious True Knights? They are a well known group of Knights created to serve the people by The Free Paladin, Yuri Lowell Himself. That is what I heard that is."
Karol says "Actually you're quite right. You reminded of that when you said the name of that group. Yuri commands Forces of the Union and the Empire. Isn't Yuri something?"
Rita says "Yeah he is. Especially with his respect of being the hero who turned the Adephagos into Spirits, he is well known everywhere as the most Heroic guy out there. No more do Knights chase after him. Instead he deals his brand of justice to the ones who go against the laws, even if they are Knights or Nobles."
Karol says "I can tell that you were at some meeting involving the Union and Empire heads. Did any of the nobles be seriously mean and disobedient towards the rules that were set up when you meet up with them?"
Rita says "Well, Lord Farris was awfully insensitive towards my ideas and yelled that the ideas I am researching are destroyed the things they do for the good of the people. That's when the representative of your guild, a black haired kid about my age, went over to him and punched him in the face. He then called the nobles a bunch of useless jerks. I kind of agree with him there. Sometimes I wish I could not have to follow their requirements for what the research can and can't do. The thing is All of those Union and Empire heads fund my little project."
"He did?" Karol pointed out excitedly, "Awesome! Hahaha, I can read tomorrow's headline; Brave Vesperia shows the Empire who's boss. That'll be an instant name maker for us!"
She gave him a look, "A guy acting out of line and you're proud of it?"
"Rita," he made hand gesture like a teacher, "Never underestimates the media. They are a powerful tool in marketability. Also, Who cares? The empire can not touch us, if they pick a fight with us; they pick up a fight with the whole union. Heck, Yuri's like the next Don in both states because he commands both of the states' most powerful forces so who gives? We are exercising the authority of the union. If the empire decides all they want, it'll be three years ago, all over again." He explained.
"Ah, I don't understand politics." She gave in.
Karol says "Yeah, don't try. It's hard to do that. I read 40 books on politics and still don't get it."
Rita says "You read that many books on it and still don't get it? Then it is hard to understand."
Karol says "Hey, you know there is one place in that group that doesn't fund your research and that's Brave Vesperia. I think I know of one way that we can show those heads whose boss but it would require you to join Brave Vesperia. If I can get Estelle to help me pass a law that makes it so Aspio Mages can join the guilds, then you can be with us. Those heads need to do what we need to do or they deal with Yuri's 2 State forces, which they can't give up."
Rita blushes and says "You would be willing to do that for me? What makes you keep trying to be the leader of that guild thing and that you're willing to risk that?"
He says "Well, I kind of want a new member in the guild. One with high research skills is the best thing we need since we just need a powerful research division to complete the fact that we do everything for anybody. I keep trying to do that because I represent the highest authority there is on this world. I represent the spirits by being gifted with the power of Efrit. That power has made me one the high ranked Guild Leaders." He then whispers to her "To tell the truth every now and again, I also hear voices from monsters who aren't normally suppose to speak. I wish I could figure out why that is. I think a powerful researcher might be able to help me out."
Rita blushes by the fact that he considers her to be a powerful researcher and so she says "So that's what pushes you to be the best there is. I would love to be part of your guild in that case if it would be allowed by a law. I have one other question: How are Yuri and Judith now?"
"Well, they're fine. Yuri's currently busy trading documents with the empire to update them on what's happening and Judith is managing Moontear without us."
"Moontear, as in the new city Moontear?"
"Yeah, we created the city of Moontear and you should visit. It's a really nice town. I mean, well it's not exactly like Zaphias but hey, it's beautiful! The most popular spot is the hill top, especially during the night. The mountain looked like a mountain of crystal and the moon view from there is just, wow!" he sighed.
"Must be wonderful." She pondered.
"It is. It is very romantic when couples go up there together."
Rita blushes and thinks "Why would he mention that?"
Karol says "You really haven't grown much because of how much you missed me it seems."
Rita thinks "Wow, He really wants me to remember those feelings whatever they are. Also wow, Karol is now a high ranked Guild Leader, the leader of Brave Vesperia which is a currently well known guild for great matter and done by his great leadership skills. Judith is now helping Brave Vesperia, doing a great job at that. Last I heard, Estelle is working on developing a charity fund to help those unfortunate, at the same time remaining an advisor in the manners of Commoner's well fare. Repede follows Flynn around helping him out and, when he sees Yuri, He helps Yuri out as well. That is what it is the last time I heard about him. Raven is leading this new Knight brigade called The Raven Brigade. It sounded as if Yuri is commanding the forces of both the Union and the Empire. There is two reasons behind commanding both of those forces. First reason is because he is the leader of the Mysterious True Knights. Second Reason is because he is the leader of Brave Vesperia's Battle Group. The truth of what these two groups are really together is a mystery to even the leaders of both States and Karol. Karol was right. Even after everything, I'm still a kid."
"Come visit us, once in a while." Karol offers
She looks at him. His face is simple, but his eyes and tone are serious. He really wants her to visit. Strange, even after all those beatings he still considers her a friend. It's unfair.
She turns away, "Sure."
She pretended, not to notice but his face just glow. "Cool!"
She says "Wow, the kid has gotten really tall."
Karol says "Hey I was short even for the age of 12."
Rita teases him by saying "So you got a sudden growth spurt."
Karol says "Oh shut up, we're the same height and I am still growing taller."
"Yeah, yeah," she dismissed him with one hand.
Karol says "Yeah, well not everyone can turn beautiful like you, shut up!" Then he thinks "Now I shouldn't have said that."
Rita says "Wait, what?"
"Karol, what did you just say?"
He scoffed and says "Yeah, well I know that you're beautiful. But give me time, I can sure-"
"Wait, I'm beautiful?" she asked again.
Karol looked at her as if she's an idiot, "Did you trade your mirror for a rock or something? You are!"
"Oh. Wow." She let out a pathetic chuckle.
Karol looked at her, "What's wrong?"
"What? Oh it's… nothing I guess." She blushed, "It's just that no one ever told me that I look beautiful or anything."
"Then, they must be idiotic or blind."
"Huh?"
"Rita, you are beautiful. If people can not see that, they really are blind." He grinned.
It was a simple word, it might not be honest. But somehow, those words made her feel better and warmer than what she felt for him years. The Kid really has grown. Who would've thought that he could turn into a sweet guy, in three years? Right now, for the first time in hours, she felt glad that she met him on this boat.
Rita thinks "That word makes me feel for him what I kept hidden for years. How could he be this sweet? Then again, since when wasn't he sweet? He saved me from the Goliath in Shaikos Ruins, which caused him to be knocked out by it. I know now what I feel for him. I should say I shouldn't be saying this but I love Karol Capel. It's just something that I can't deny anymore. Wait, I shouldn't tell him because of his relationship with Nan. Then again should I tell him that true feelings for him?"
"Heh, somehow hearing that from you makes me feel ill." She retorted.
"Hey."
Rita thinks "Silly, I will not let him catch me thinking about him like this. He will wonder why I got so lost in thought over that silly word. This is just way too wrong to think about."
"You know what, you are really a pessimist." He said.
Hey, she will not let him have the last word. Never will she ever let him have that last word or will she?
She says "It's called being a realist."
After all,
He says "Nope, you're just negative."
She replies "And, you're the genius of the year."
She's Rita Mordio, the famed genius mage of Aspio isn't she?
Hours later, they found themselves at Capua Nor. She didn't want to admit it but, she's going to miss him.
"So, this is it then?" she said.
"Yeah, it is." He smiled a slow smile.
"So, uh-"
Before she could finish her words, a pair of strong hands enveloped her small form and gives her the fullest hug she had ever received.
"I'm now going to really miss you, Rita." He said.
Rita thinks "Is his voice always this deep?"
"Y-yeah, you too." She hesitates at first but then return the affection in the end.
He let out a laugh, "Is Miss Mordio too lost for words?" still not letting her go.
"W-well," Shot, this kid is good, making her blush for quite a number of times already! "I thought you're going to pull a Raven on me!" She thanked the spirits silently that he could not see her face.
"Heh, I'm sure he pull out one on you if he could see you now." He said, hugging her tighter.
She says "Somehow I doubt that."
He says "Before I go, Could we send letters back and forth to each other to make sure we never forget about each other ever again?"
She say "Sure, I would like that. "Suddenly a idea popped into her head. "Hey Karol, remember the ingredients used to make the Sexy outfits for Estelle and Judith and your Cute Outfit?"
He says "Like I can forget. I have to keep that stupid outfit in my closet. Why do you need to know?"
She says "Do you have some extra of them?
Karol smiled and says "Right here in my bag. You can take them. Like I need them for this little Guild Job."
Rita says "Thanks, I was just going to ask if I can have some."
"Take care, Rita." He said gently.
"Yeah, you too squirt."
He let go, smiles at her and he was off. She was rubbing her arms, missing the sudden loss of affection.
She says in a soft voice "Goodbye, My love. Thanks for helping me remember that I love you."
After he disappears from sight, she smiled, one that hasn't been on her face for a long time. It does stay there long either. When she did get back to Aspio, she smiled when she Remember her idea for what to do with these ingredients. She placed them in a little pouch to take later. Right now, she had to finish her research on the use of Artes with Mana and other stuff to power with Mana.
Moment Over but Background story will Be Continued...
David the Writer: Well how was that? The facts behind this Background story will continue to amaze because this story is called Rita's Comfort. This is the 2nd Prologue.
Rita: I love how it ended. It makes you wonder how the ingredients are going to be used.
Karol: I was right on who it was. Now I guess we will be seeing more of this.
David the Writer: Quite right, it will continue for 10 more parts. So how do you readers think of the story? Constructive Criticism is accepted.