Unblossomed Chapter 2: 2: To Bud, a final fantasy i-vi fanfic

2: To Bud

"All right, ladies. Let's see what you've got. Spit 'em out."

Porom leaned forward as Alaina, the same white mage who had treated her spontaneously combusting student earlier that morning, bent down to retrieve the thermometer that had been lodged underneath her tongue. Alaina was only a few years older than Porom, but had the demeanor and confidence of a woman far beyond her years, making her the perfect resident nurse for a place like the Tower of Prayer – which, despite its peaceful moniker, saw more magic-related accidents in a week that many villages the world over saw in a year.

Alaina squinted as she held the slender tube of glass over the light of the fire that was crackling in the hearth behind her, one jet-black eyebrow arching slightly.

"Hmm…98.8. A sliver high, but nothing to worry about."

"Phew," Porom smiled, pulling the fleece blanket tighter around her that some other mages had dropped off at Alaina's insistence once she had taken one good, hard look at Porom and Leonora as they shuffled through the door, a pair of drowned ghosts. Had Alaina not been fussing with restocking the potions cabinets in the classrooms, Porom would have just slipped upstairs before anyone could ask any questions and rewarded herself for her foolishness in the alley with a long night of crying herself to sleep. But instead, she and Leonora had been awkwardly herded into the same drawing room from which they had escaped earlier, all evidence of the fight with Palom purged. Gone was the basket of food, and more critically, Porom noted, the bottle of wine that might have helped her forget what had briefly been one of the happiest moments of her life. After lighting the fireplace and forcing Leonora and Porom next to each other in front of it, Alaina teleported with ease in and out of the room to issue orders for blankets and hot tea and to fetch her supplies, a pair of thermometers included.

"Your turn," Alaina smiled, her thick, glossy braid sliding over her shoulder as she reached for Leonora's mouth. Leonora watched mutely, the fire's light dying as soon as it hit her glazed-over stare. Alaina turned toward the fireplace once again, her naturally puckered pout twisting confusedly.

"Oh dear…you're running a bit under. You're at exactly 95 degrees – if you drop anymore, it may mean you're contracting hypothermia."

"Hypothermia…?" Leonora blinked. "I feel fine…I was outside for as long as Porom."

"Lady Porom's always run a little hot, huh?" Alaina joked, but Porom sank lower into the folds of her blanket, grimacing. Alaina had absolutely no clue how close to home that barb had struck. Leonora, for her part, had either already stopped listening, or wasn't as obsessively reading into every little action of the poor woman trying to help them as Porom.

"I'll cast a Cure spell on myself before I go to bed," Leonora offered, but Alaina shook her head, pinching the thermometers between her fingers.

"It's best not to risk it, Miss Leonora. No magic, and no bed for you just yet. I want you to march upstairs and get a warm bath going to try to raise your body temp. Porom, you can set out dry clothes for her in the changing area, right?"

"Y-yes," Porom nodded, stealing a glance at Leonora's face to see if the thought of Porom pawing through her wardrobe had made her friend cringe. But she just continued to stare dead-eyed at the fire, and Porom didn't know whether to be relieved or even more distraught.

"I'm fine…honestly," Leonora frowned. "I'm sorry for causing any trouble."

"It's no trouble at all," Alaina said gently. "But one of the symptoms is lack of self-awareness, and I know you have to be freezing. You're practically sitting in a puddle right now." She gently tugged Leonora's arm, hauling her to her feet. "Come on…we'll teleport up." She turned to Porom, nodding slightly. "Bring the clothes when you're feeling up to it."

"I'll be there shortly," Porom affirmed, her gaze flicking to Leonora as she slumped tiredly against Alaina's shoulder. "…Alaina will get you back to normal in no time."

"Normal…" Leonora's lips lifted in an odd smile. "That will be nice."

Alaina shot Porom a grimace as she shook her head over Leonora's shoulder and mouthed "not good". Pulling Leonora closer, the two of them disappeared in a flash of light, Leonora's damp blanket dropping to the floor. Porom sighed, crawling over to the blanket and stretching it out before the fire so that it would be dry by morning.

Leonora…I am so sorry…

Maybe by the morning…she'll forget…think it was just some awful nightmare.

After another solid ten minutes of feeling sorry for herself, she decided it was time to fetch Leonora's bedclothes and bid good riddance to a day that had come full-circle back to disaster status. She left her blanket laying out on the floor next to Leonora's, picking up her ruined sandals and dropping them in the waste basket on her way out.

Luckily for Porom's search, Leonora was even more of a perfectionist when it came to her meager collection of possessions than she was – she hadn't brought much with her when she had relocated to Mysidia and purchased only the bare necessities on their monthly shopping trips to stock the tower with supplies (the exception being her Troian tea that she took great pains to import). Porom knew from living with Leonora for these past few months that she always kept her pajamas in the top drawer of her bureau, a long-sleeved cotton gown that had been dyed mint green with an ivory-woven empire waist. Tucked beneath the bureau, two satin white soles poking out, were Leonora's ballet slippers that she wore around the tower while doing her chores or lounging with herself and Palom. Porom clutched the folded garment to her chest as she grabbed the slippers with her hooked fingers, closing her eyes in an effort to not look at any of Leonora's other things as she slid the drawer closed with the crook of her arm.

Just as she was about to make her exit, Palom's form defiantly filled her doorway, his brow arching as he took in the scene before him. Porom frowned, quickly pivoting a step back so that she didn't smack into him.

"Where did you two run off to? I had half the tower in a tizzy trying to find you."

"Out," Porom said bluntly. "It was nice weather for a walk."

"…Porom," he sighed, suddenly dropping the cool-guy act and shaking his head. "I was seriously worried about you. And Leonora too, of course. If something had happened to either of you…how do you think I would feel? I would never forgive myself."

"Nothing happened." The lie slid off Porom's tongue too easily; she already didn't like what her moment of indiscretion had turned her into. "Although you would do well to think about your behavior that incites such dramatics for next time. You were being absolutely vicious to her. I don't care what you say to me…I know how that twisted mind of yours functions. But she takes everything you say at face-value – you know, like a normal person would. For some reason, it hasn't occurred to her yet that this might just be the real you."

She expected a thorough telling-off after that last comment – she was far beyond reproach by this point in the evening and wanted nothing more than for Palom to slither away so that she could accomplish her final waking task and get some damn sleep. But instead of screaming her head off and slamming the door in her face, Palom's chin dropped to his chest, his fists clutched to his side.

"…I know. I…I was trying…to talk about it more with her. Better explain where I was coming from. Like you said earlier."

"…Huh?" Porom blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I had ulterior motives for getting you out of the tower when I asked you to get dinner."

"Of course," Porom muttered. I should have known he wasn't just trying to appease me for leaving me to handle everything alone. "…Go on."

"I asked Leonora to meet me in the drawing room, and I was shocked that she actually showed up. I apologized for my behavior…told her that I realized it had made her uncomfortable, but that I didn't have dishonorable intentions – that was why I had invited her along with me, after all. Why would I do something bad if she were right there?"

"But her standards for dishonorable intentions are clearly not the same ones you hold!"

"I figured that out after she started telling me off about what she saw. Which was not what she claimed – I wasn't groping anyone! I just couldn't get that through her head. And…yeah. I got angry. And that's when you came in."

"Oh, Palom…" Porom smacked her palm against her forehead, groaning. "Sometimes, it's all about perception rather than intention. You should know that…you did the same thing to her."

"How?" Palom grunted, and she inhaled sharply, her eyes raising to the ceiling. Her big mouth had already gotten her in trouble once for the night…she figured she may as well go big or go home.

"By accusing her of spying on you without hearing her out."

"Oh yeah? Then what was she doing?"

"…Um…" Now she was having second thoughts.

"Porom!"

If Palom understood what Leonora was trying to do…it would make him happy, right? It would make him realize…she still loves him the way she did when they first met.

And isn't that what Leonora wants most, too?

"…She was visiting a friend who worked there. Trying to procure...an outfit to surprise you with later. She was trying to impress upon you that she can, in fact, have fun."

Palom's eyes looked as if they were to pop out of his head. If he hadn't been leaning against the doorframe, Porom was quite sure he would be a heap of limbs on the floor.

"…You're kidding me."

"Why would I make up something like that?" Porom grimaced. Even just saying it aloud made her nauseous with jealousy. "Do you get how lucky you are now?"

"…I'm starting to," Palom frowned. "…I just can't believe it…what am I supposed to do?"

"Apologize. For real, this time," Porom snapped. "But not tonight. She didn't take well to the rain, and Alaina has made Leonora her pet project for the night. You both need to get some rest and start over tomorrow with a fresh perspective. Got it?"

"You're right," Palom nodded. "You really know what you're talking about, sis. I know you hate it when everyone asks you why you don't have a boyfriend, but can you really blame them? You know everything about navigating relationships and you've never even been in one."

Ouch. Well, that was a backhanded compliment if she ever heard one.

"I'm…"

"I know, I know. Too busy to date."

"That's not what I was going to say," Porom snapped, her cheeks reddening. There's also the minor detail that I've never wanted to be serious about anyone until I kissed the girl that loves you. "I'm knowledgeable about such things because it's not just a "relationship" thing…emotions are part of being a goddamned human. They make all the relationships in our life complex…friends…family…ourselves, included. That's what happens when you stop thinking of yourself all the time."

Palom snorted, crossing his arms. "…So, what the hell is wrong with me?"

"I haven't got all night."

"Ha ha…I mean, why do I keep pushing her away if this is something we both want?"

"…I can't answer that," Porom whispered, her heart twisting painfully. "But it surely can't be that complicated…if you love her…just tell her. For once, in your godforsaken life, just let yourself choose happiness."

"I'll take it all under advisory," Palom sighed, pushing his hair out of his face. "…You heading to bed now?"

"Yes. Just dropping this off upstairs and then I'm calling it quits."

"OK. We'll talk more tomorrow. I'm almost done with the files you gave me."

"Ah…well…thanks," Porom blinked. "I appreciate it."

Palom turned to cross the hall, his palm brushing the handle of his bedroom door as he suddenly paused. "Thank you…for going after her when I was too foolish to do so. I'm glad you're both all right."

I'm not all right quite yet…but I will be. Eventually, I hope.

"I was happy to do it," Porom murmured; it was the first thing she had said to her twin during the entirety of their conversation that didn't make it feel like a knife was being plunged into her chest.

"Leonora…and I…we're both really lucky to have you. I hope you know that."

"Thanks," Porom fastened a small smile on her face, clutching Leonora's clothes so tightly that she could feel her knuckles swelling with the effort. "Good-night, brother."

After she heard the click of his lock, she stole away to the bath, gently depositing Leonora's nightgown and her slippers in one of the cubbies and not bothering to announce her arrival. Before she left, she took Leonora's abandoned barrettes off one of the cubby shelves, the jewels nestled within dulled with the spray of rain water.

I'll polish these up for her so that they're good as new tomorrow…and I'll do some apologizing of my own.

The next morning, after a dreamless, but shallow, sleep, Porom stirred beneath the spill of sunlight filtering through her gauzy curtains at her usual wakeup time – five minutes before her alarm was to go off.

At least some small part of my life is back to normal now.

The first thing she did when she opened her eyes was peer across the room at Leonora's bed…

…Which was empty, and looked as if it hadn't been touched all night.

On Leonora's bureau, the two now-glimmering mythril and amethyst barrettes remained in the same place she had left them last night when she had taken the last meticulous swipe with her polishing cloth and left them to play the role of the first of what she was sure would be many future peace offerings.

Maybe she spent the night in the infirmary, Porom mused. That would make sense…I would have heard her come in if she had been here. And our room is rather drafty…not good for someone who caught a chill.

She forced herself to get out of bed, pulling her hair up into her usual ponytail and tugging on a pair of leggings and a flowing off-shoulder tunic that she hoped would negate the effects of what was shoring up to be another scorcher of a day. Taking a final peek out her window before heading downstairs, she saw that other than a smattering of tree branches and leaves that blanketed the tower courtyard and walkways, there was no other evidence of last night's storm. The garden was miraculously in-tact, and there weren't any standing pools of water – they had already been evaporated by the sun.

She was shoving a bowl of watermelon into her face at one of the classroom desks by the window, not feeling up to chatting with the other mages in the formal dining hall, when she saw her file of notes suddenly plop down onto the desk across from her. Seconds later, Palom appeared, grinning ear-to-ear.

"Good morning, sis. That was really riveting stuff."

"Good morning," Porom mumbled around her mouthful of food, swallowing and setting down her fork with some regret – she knew it was wishful thinking that Palom would simply leave her be. However, she was confused about his appearance, being that there were no classes and it was before noon. She was about to inquire if a body snatcher had changed places with him overnight, when another voice drifted into the room.

"Good morning, L-lady Porom."

Porom's head shot up, and she twisted around in her chair to see Leonora standing in the threshold, smiling faintly. Other than the spill of hair hanging down the front of her chest that would have normally been meticulously woven into a ponytail and held back from her face with her barrettes, Leonora looked the same as she always did. Maybe her lips had taken on a slightly more violet tinge, but it only served to illuminate the ivory glow of her complexion. She was wearing her usual "uniform" for around the tower – a periwinkle, scoop-necked silk shift that brushed past her knees with a mint sash that tied at her waist. Her bare toes were a flash of white against the oak-finished floorboards.

Even after last night, she still looks as regal as ever, Porom thought, wondering if anyone else could hear how loudly her heart was pounding. I've never understood how some girls can walk through hell and back and look as if they've hardly broken a sweat.

"How are you feeling?" Porom choked, forgoing a proper greeting. Leonora would think that Porom was only asking about her health, she was sure. But she couldn't help but notice the way Leonora's eyes ever-so-slightly crinkled as she took in Porom's inquiry.

"Good as new. I think sleeping off the storm in the infirmary was just what I needed. Alaina is a miracle worker. I was even feeling up to trying to rouse this one out of bed." She nodded toward Palom, who gave Porom an obvious, leering wink.

"G-good," Porom gulped, sweat breaking out on the back of her neck. Oh my gods…they came down here together? Did he apologize this morning, and did she accept it? Or did something…else happen to put him in such a good mood?

"So, what are your plans for the day?" Leonora asked, her gaze still relentlessly locked on Porom. Under normal circumstances, Leonora had trouble looking anyone in the eye, and preferred to talk to her feet even when she addressed Palom and Porom. She wasn't sure how to react – if she tried apologizing through her gaze, would Leonora know she was sorry, or would she just want to keep pretending nothing had happened? She obviously had not told Palom what had gone down in the alley, or else he wouldn't have greeted Porom with such cheer – maybe with a punch to the face, if she was lucky. "You look back to normal, yourself."

"Which is perfect, because Porom is heading to Baron," Palom interjected, and Porom snapped out of her reverie, turning back in her seat toward her twin brother.

"Wait, what?"

"I agree with you that Baron can help us out with a lot of this stuff," Palom said, tapping the file. "It would be easy for them to pull together a couple of soldiers and send them over rather than us trying to muster together apprentice mages that may or may not pull off what is needed. The Elder really stretched us thin by taking the best and brightest with him on his pilgrimage, huh?"

"Well…" Porom, by default, always moved to defend the Elder – it was practically ingrained into her DNA by this point. "I don't think it is helping matters that so many other nations have been asking for aid in the aftermath of the war either. And the requests keep coming in…"

"I saw them," Palom nodded. "That's why I need you to be the one to go to Baron and ask to borrow a few of their men. Ask them to slay the Zuu that has taken over the forest we hunt within and to take care of some of the other stuff people have been complaining about. I need to start sorting through who is going to go where to answer some of these calls for aid from the other nations. I might even send Leonora on a mission or two."

"…Really?" Porom and Leonora asked simultaneously, spinning around to face each other as they did. Porom could feel her cheeks exploding in a blush, and Leonora's mouth was a flat line.

Maybe she did tell Palom and he's sending her away on purpose? Porom gulped. Why would he choose NOW to send her on a solo mission otherwise? Maybe he's waiting until Leonora is gone to punch me in the face…he knows she's a staunch pacifist, after all. Ugh, is that why he's being so nice to me?

"Porom," Palom snapped, and she jumped in her chair. "Are you listening?"

"Yes!" Porom blinked. "I'll go to Baron and talk to Cecil. Er…right away."

"You can finish eating, first," Palom drawled, his gaze flicking between her half-eaten fruit and her flushing face. She smiled weakly, making a point to stab into one of the fleshier watermelon chunks. "What's going on with you? Maybe you need to see Alaina again too?"

"Maybe," Porom said quickly, thankful for the built-in excuse for her spazzing out. "Perhaps I'll check in before I go to Baron – just in case."

"I can't have you keeling over on me," Palom shook his head. "Not until I'm through with you."

Irk.

"I'll finish this upstairs," Porom swallowed another piece of melon and snatched the bowl. "Need to make myself presentable for the king."

"Pshhh, Cecil doesn't care what you look like," Palom guffawed. "He's already got a hot babe you can't hold a candle to. Even though she's a mom, Rosa is still one of the finest women I know."

"Palom!" Porom and Leonora shrieked at the same time, eyes wide.

"How disrespectful!" Leonora shook her head, and Porom shrunk in her seat, casting her gaze aside.

"Cecil is like our elder brother. Honestly…"

Not to mention he's not exactly my type...

"Well, you two can't be that sick if you're being your usual vanilla-ass selves," Palom grunted, standing back up. "Leonora, meet me in the prayer room later – I'll decide what we need to do to help with this work list."

"Yes, Palom," Leonora nodded, stepping to the side as he took his leave. Porom hurriedly stood up, grimacing at the sticky mess the bowl left on her fingers.

"Leonora."

"Hmm?" Leonora turned away from where she had been watching Palom saunter down the hall, away from them.

"Listen…" Porom began, but Leonora suddenly pulled the door shut behind her, her eyes flashing as she glanced over her shoulder.

"Porom, please…don't," she whispered, her lower lip trembling. "Anybody could hear. Not now."

"Palom's gone," Porom blinked, although her voice instantly dropped an octave upon Leonora's command. So…does this mean she didn't tell him? "I just want to say I'm sorry…"

"You…you don't have to do that," Leonora whimpered. "Honestly. I just…" She turned back to the closed door, biting her lip, and Porom noticed that her hand was still clutched on the doorknob, fearful that someone would yank it open and surprise them. "…I know you were just trying to make me feel better. So please don't apologize."

Just trying to make you feel better? Porom frowned. Is that what you're telling yourself so that you're not completely sickened by me?

"…As long as you're all right," Porom finally relented. "I was worried."

"I…I know," Leonora swallowed, her eyes darting like a magnet to the floor. "I…could feel that. I could feel…a lot of things."

What the hell? Porom bit her lip. What's that supposed to mean?

In lieu of asking and getting another non-reply, Porom decided to change the subject. "What will you do if Palom asks you to go on one of the aid requests by yourself? Are you up for it?"

"Yes, I think so," Leonora shrugged. "I told him this morning the same as what I told you in the bath yesterday…that I want to be useful. If he thinks I'm ready, then I should try, right?"

Not if it takes you away from me…say what you might and pretend all you want, but this isn't resolved…!

But of course, Porom wouldn't dare say what she was really thinking – maybe she wouldn't be in this mess now if she had heeded that consideration last night. "If you're up for the challenge, then of course you should go. I'll be cheering for you."

"I know you will – I can always feel it in here," Leonora placed her fingertips over her chest, and her face lit up with the first genuine smile Porom had seen since she had returned home. She felt a microscopic twinge of relief in the pit of her stomach as Leonora's eyes met hers once more. "Thank you, Porom. I should apologize for worrying you."

"N-no way," Porom quickly shook her head. "No one apologizes for anything. Let's just…move on."

"I like that idea," Leonora smiled more, and Porom's heart promptly shattered into a million pieces.

As soon as Porom could pull together a decent outfit that was comfortable enough for travel, yet wasn't too sloppy – Cecil may have been her big brother in all but name, but he was still royalty, for goodness sake – she was on her way out the door to the Devil's Road without saying any good-byes. As much as she wanted to see Leonora one last time before she departed, she also didn't want to make things any weirder between the two of them – if a night apart hadn't been quite enough to dispel the obvious awkwardness that had firmly wedged itself between them like a brick wall, perhaps a full day would do the trick. As for Palom, the less opportunity Porom had to inadvertently say something incriminating in front of him, the better.

The Devil's Road was only a short walk away from the tower (much like anything else in Mysidia), and now that the second War of the Crystals was over, it was back to being open all the time for anyone to cross between the sister cities of Baron and Mysidia as they pleased. Of course, that didn't mean there was a constant stream of traffic – the Devil's Road was still considered a fairly dangerous route for the average non-magically inclined traveler – but children in Mysidia had always grown up knowing this fact, and could be trusted to not approach the mystical, yet non-descript building that housed the gateway (well, except for Palom – his recklessness had been curated at a tender age). And now that Baron's own royal family consisted entirely of mages – a first in the nation's storied eight hundred-year history – their brethren in Baron were now teaching their children about the wonders (and dangers) of the Devil's Road as well.

It still marveled Porom that it was Cecil's own father who had built this interdimensional bridge between Mysidia and Baron, so very long ago. Now, whenever she crossed the threshold and saw the haunting, familiar glow of the rune that would spirit her away in the blink of an eye, her heart always fluttered as she thought about how it seemed that even before she and Cecil had been born, nearly two decades apart, that they had been fated to someday meet thanks to his father's wondrous idea to connect their two otherwise alienated nations.

And if I hadn't met Cecil when I was just a girl…I wouldn't have met all of my other dear, wonderful friends…

…Including you, Leonora.

Porom was relieved that no one else could see the goofy, jubilant smile on her lips as she closed the door behind her, wrapping her arms around herself as she stepped gingerly onto the rune. As she felt the magic of the Devil's Road humming in her veins, she closed her eyes, picturing Baron castle's soaring spires piercing the summertime blue that always seemed to greet her when she stepped into the bustling streets of the village, no matter how foul the weather back home in Mysidia. On the clearest of days when there wasn't a cloud in the sky, the horizon itself would melt into the eastern shore where the ocean met the heavens, shining the same brilliant cerulean as Cecil – and his son Ceodore's – kind gaze.

When Porom next opened her eyes, she found herself in quite nearly the same building as before, but with just a few subtle differences that immediately indicated she had been successful in crossing over. The curtains that draped over familiar windows were just slightly ajar, letting in a thin veil of sunlight that highlighted the pearl varnish painted on her toenails. The air was earthy and sweet – Baron was situated south of a tidy forest and the Misty Valley mountain range, which meant the trade winds often bathed the village with a cool, mist-tinged breeze that felt like a dreamy kiss in the sweltering summer heat.

I don't spend as much time here as I would like, Porom thought to herself as she stepped outside, her eyes narrowing as they adjusted to the glaring sunlight. Of course, since she had taken over her role as head of Mysidia along with Palom, travel for the sake of traveling – or even just catching up with her friends – had become an impossibility. Her paranoia about Palom's reason for sending her here suddenly seemed so stupid – her brother knew she longed to get a change of scenery once in a while, and he had granted it to her. The realization made her stomach turn when she replayed her betrayal in her head over and over again…

"Porom!"

"Huh?"

Porom lifted her head, pausing where she had been absentmindedly drifting in the middle of the street. Most of the villagers had been kindly making their way around her, but one young man was staring straight up at her – had she gone any further, she would have smashed right into him. He was nearly her height, a full head of platinum blonde waves blowing every which way in the wind, and had a beaming smile that made Porom simultaneously melt and want to throw her arms around him. He was wearing a dark gray doublet belted at the waist over a pair of black cotton pants that hung just a little too long over his well-polished boots – it seemed that they had been purchased in anticipation of a near-future growth spurt. A delicate mythril silver headband was woven over his forehead, the depthless sapphire glimmering in the center the same color as his searching, light-filled eyes. Porom let out a bleat of surprise as his pale hand reached for hers, the juxtaposition of their clashing complexions reminding her of the melding shadow of a waxing crescent moon as his long fingers curled over hers.

"C-Ceodore!" Porom gasped. "You're so grown-up – I hardly recognized you!"

"Hee hee," Ceodore laughed, his voice cracking slightly as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in close. "I'm almost as tall as you now!"

"No kidding," Porom shook her head, taking a step back moments later to fully take in his astonishing height and wiry build. "What are they feeding you on your missions for the Red Wings? Or does Kain make you do extra drills to keep you in line?"

"Captain Kain is relentless," Ceodore sighed, sucking in his lower lip a bit – a childhood habit that served well to remind Porom that he was still the sweet little boy that would hide behind Rosa's legs when the Elder would take she and Palom to Baron as teenagers. "But you really didn't recognize me? I was calling your name."

"Ah, well, maybe I was a little out of it," Porom squeaked, and Ceodore tilted his head, his eyes searching hers just the way Cecil's would when he was worried about someone. She blushed, realizing there was no way in hell she could ever confide to him what was really on her mind. She and Ceodore were close, but not that close – more than anything, he was just like another brother to her – albeit a more pleasant, cheerful one. She sucked in her breath, squeezing his hand. "Actually, my visit is not one of leisure – I've come to ask your father's help for some matters concerning Mysidia. With the Elder and many of his disciples gone, I'm afraid Palom and I have fallen behind on some aid requests."

"Oh!" Ceodore blinked, his smile returning immediately. "Is that all? Well, I was just returning to the castle myself – let's go together. Father should still be around for a few hours yet."

Porom chuckled – she loved how Ceodore so casually spoke of his family, as if he wasn't the sole heir to the most powerful empire in the world. "Is Cecil going somewhere later?"

"It's my parents' wedding anniversary," Ceodore blushed. "They still make a big deal out of it. I don't know where they're going, but I'm not invited – they're even making Cid stay over to babysit me tonight."

"Oh Ceodore," Porom giggled, slinging her arm around his shoulders as they started to walk toward the castle. "You two will have a blast."

"I don't need a babysitter anymore…" Ceodore sighed, sinking into her. "When are people going to see that I'm an adult too?"

Being an adult isn't so great, Porom grimaced. Trust me…

Once they reached the castle, Ceodore led her to the throne room, unannounced. Before Porom could protest – she hadn't even had time to smooth down her wind-whipped hair – Ceodore pushed the throne room doors open, pulling her inside along with him. They found Cecil talking with one of his guards, though they both immediately paused in their conversation when Ceodore bounded in and Porom gave a sheepish half-wave.

"We'll finish later," Cecil offered to the guard, who nodded, smiling slightly as he first bowed to Cecil, then to Ceodore, before exiting. Once the doors closed behind them, Cecil broke into a wide smile, extending his arms.

"Porom! Where did Ceodore find you? It's been too long."

"In town," Porom chirped, hopping over and throwing her arms around him. He kissed her on the forehead as she inhaled his clean, familiar scent, instantly transported back to her five-year-old self on Mount Ordeals after Cecil had become a paladin and she had embraced him for the very first time, worried sick about someone that she hadn't even realized she had cared about until it had been nearly too late. After a few moments, she pulled back, smiling up at him. "Oh, and Ceodore told me about your anniversary. Congratulations – I can still remember your wedding – at least, parts of it!"

"Thank you!" Cecil laughed, patting her on the arm. "But I have a feeling you didn't come all the way over here just to pass along your well-wishes. I heard Palom and Leonora stopped through town the other day, but I didn't get a chance to see them. Is everything OK in Mysidia?"

A feeling… Porom tittered nervously. Does he forget at times that he is basically psychic thanks to that Lunarian blood of his?

She explained all of the work that had been piling up for herself and her twin since the Elder had left for his pilgrimage, including the Zuus that had taken up the new hobby of terrorizing the local hunters. When she was finished, Cecil crossed his arms, pressing his lips together in thought.

"It sounds like you're having a rough time – when does the Elder get back?"

"Not soon enough, I'm afraid – is there any chance you could spare a few men to help us out? I have a feeling Palom is getting itchy to make another escape, and he hinted this morning that he was going to send Leonora out, too. It may be just me again for a while…"

"Of course," Cecil frowned. "Anything I can do to help, it will be done. I'll just need to discuss it with Kain…but in the meantime, why doesn't Ceodore go back with you right away? He should be able to help."

"Really?" Ceodore gasped. "Father, you'd let me go to Mysidia on my own?"

"Sure," Cecil smiled. "I know you've been wanting to go back…seems serendipitous that you would be able to aid Porom at the same time."

"You have?" Porom blinked, spinning around to face Ceodore. "Since when?"

"Well, almost immediately after we saw Uncle Theo-, er, Golbez off," Ceodore flushed. "It was the first time I got to see my grandfather's grave on Mount Ordeals, and…I'd like to see him again, you know? Is that weird?"

"No, of course not," Porom shook her head. "I think it's wonderful. You'd climb the mountain by yourself?" Ceodore nodded, and Porom turned back to Cecil.

"I'd gladly accept Ceodore's help – Kain wouldn't mind?"

"Well…with Ceodore, maybe I'll err on the side of asking for forgiveness rather than permission," Cecil laughed. "It's a compromise for waiting to ask about the other soldiers, right? Our sister-city needs help now, after all."

"Father…" Ceodore groaned. "I'm going to be the one that pays for your naiveté later…" As his eyes drifted over Porom's, he quickly smiled. "But if you really don't mind having me…I'll help you however you need, and will climb Mount Ordeals after."

"Then it's settled!" Cecil nodded, slapping both Porom and Ceodore on the back. "Why don't you run to the shipyard and let Cid know he doesn't need to stick around tonight?"

"Gladly," Ceodore's face turned redder, and Porom had to try not to laugh – she supposed that to a teenage boy, everything one's dad said could be so embarrassing. As Ceodore turned to leave, Porom gave Cecil one last hug, sighing happily.

"Thank you again…sorry that I couldn't stay longer."

"I understand. Maybe after the Elder returns, you can bring Palom and Leonora for a longer visit. Everyone needs a vacation once in a while – even the most powerful twin prodigies in the world."

"Yeah…" Porom offered a crooked smile, lowering her head to hide the blush climbing up her cheeks. It would be fun to take a trip with Leonora…show her everything I love about Baron…properly introduce her to all my friends here...it's not like Palom ever bothered after the war ended. And that was about as far as her twin made it to the vicinity of her thoughts before they turned down an entirely different path.

"Come on, Porom," Ceodore pleaded, holding the door open in what she was sure was an effort to look cool and chivalrous before cancelling his babysitting date. "I just need to get a few things packed and then we can go."

"OK, OK," Porom cooed. "I'm right behind you."

They walked to the shipyard together, Ceodore chattering on about his latest mission with the Red Wings. It was a relief to Porom to only have to listen and not actively contribute to the conversation – her brain was overloading as it was with the to-do list she was mentally drawing up for her and Ceodore to tackle with their respective talents, and half of her was secretly hoping Leonora would be spirited away on the mission Palom had been hinting about while the other half was already breaking into a sweat thinking about what she would we do if she accidentally stared at Leonora two seconds longer than what was considered normal.

Oh god, what is the normal amount of time to look at someone if you pass them in the hall? Five seconds? Three? If I look away, she'll think I'm mad at her. If I look at her the wrong way, she'll be creeped out.

Ah, what I wouldn't do to go back to a day ago when my biggest problem was the rest of my life being a total disaster – at least I could say then that my love life was non-existent and uncomplicated.

"My stars, is that Porom?"

"Sure is! But it looks like she's out of it again…"

Porom felt a sharp pain at the base of her ponytail, and she let out a yelp, spinning around and resisting the urge to unleash a back kick on her unlucky assailant. She was greeted with an obnoxious bray and a shock of coral hair jutting out of an oil-stained visor, a pair of blinking gold eyes magnified three times over behind red-rimmed goggles.

"L-Luca!" she squeaked. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping Master Cid – the Red Wings fleet needed some maintenance after Ceodore and his merry men returned from their last mission." Luca cut Ceodore with her infamous side-eye as she huffed and slid her goggles over her forehead. They left funny indentations around the apples of her cheeks that made her look more alien than dwarf and served to dampen the intimidation she was attempting to throw the prince's way.

"Hey!" Ceodore protested over his shoulder as he rounded the corner toward a workshop where an awful lot of screechy noises were pouring from the splinters in the wood – there was no doubt about who was holed up in there. "I didn't actually fly any of the ships – if you're going to blame anyone, blame Captain Kain!"

"I don't think he'd appreciate hearing that…" Luca sniggered, arching one perfectly-groomed brow. "And you know how scary he gets when he's mad…"

"Ugh," Porom shuddered, closing her eyes. "You're right about that." She had gotten to witness Kain's more…psychotic side for herself during the war. He was doing much better these days, but it didn't mean she ever wanted him to be the leader of any squadron she might find herself in.

Ceodore stuck his tongue out before disappearing into the workshop. Luca giggled and pulled off her blackened gloves, tossing them onto the grass before pulling Porom into a tight hug. "So good to see you, girl! I feel like it has been forever!"

"I know!" Porom squealed. "I just stopped by to ask Cecil for a favor, and he's sending Ceodore back with me to Mysidia."

"Is…your brother with you?" Luca's eyes suddenly narrowed as she gingerly nudged Porom's ponytail out of the way while still clutching the girl against her – not that Porom's svelte frame did much in the way of shielding Luca's bubblegum-pink clad curves. "He's here, isn't he?"

"No, no," Porom assured her. "Are you kidding? He relishes any excuse to get me out of his face. He's back home, probably bossing everyone around."

"Oh, well that's…good," Luca nodded, pulling away and clearing her throat. "Very good. Because if he were here…he'd have a punch in the face with his name on it."

"That's the spirit," Porom laughed nervously. "I suppose we've gone from tepid tolerance back to rage in the short summer we've been apart?"

"It changes hour by hour," Luca admitted, crossing her arms. "I can't help it – he's the first guy that ripped my heart out, crushed it in his fist, and then stomped in the bloody puddle like a kid playing in the rain." She sighed dreamily as Porom's upper lip curled in disgust. "You never forget your first love, girl!"

"I…I suppose not," Porom muttered. She did wonder at times if she and Luca occupied the same planet. It had been true that Luca and Palom had been a thing – however one wanted to define that, depending on the strength of their gag reflex – on and off in the years leading up to the second war of the crystals. But by the time Palom and Leonora had met, Luca and Palom had gone through yet another vicious breakup, and everyone caught in the crossfire had thought for sure that it was for the final time – and no one in their right mind would have called it "love" in the first place.

But Porom had to give Luca some credit – the few times she had been in the same room as Leonora, she had been nothing but cordial, and had even half-heartedly given Leonora her blessing to go after Palom while they were stranded on the True Moon (although Porom had a feeling that particular event was spurred by the fear that all of them were about to die).

"But enough about Palom – a dwarven princess with her own airship like myself has plenty of men angling for her attention. No offense, but your brother is barely a ping on my radar."

"None taken." In Porom's perfect world, Palom wouldn't be a ping on anyone's radar.

"But what about you?" Luca's almond-colored lips curled into a wicked smile as she flicked Porom's forearm. "Seeing anyone cute?"

"Wha?" Porom gulped, her eyes widening. "N-No…why would you ask that?" She quickly glanced behind her, praying to whatever gods might be listening that no one else was around.

"Ho, ho, ho," Luca giggled. "I knew it. I could tell as soon as I saw you – you've got the glow. You're totally crushing on someone!"

"N-N-No!" Porom squealed, raising her hands. "It's nothing like that."

"Oh, it is everything like that!" Luca exclaimed, grabbing one of Porom's hands and yanking her toward the ship she had been working on. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this day to come – finally, I can talk shop with one of my very best friends!"

"…What!?" Porom squirmed under Luca's grip, even though it was an utterly worthless effort – Luca was as strong as an ox with all that dwarven blood. "Talk shop? I don't know anything about airships!"

"No, no – the one thing I love more than airships – boys!"

Oh dear, Porom grimaced. And once again, I'm going to be a major disappointment to someone else in my life. This has to be a world record.

"What about Ceodore?" Porom tried as they clomped below deck. "He'll be looking for me!"

"He's not going anywhere without you," Luca mewed. "Now come on – spill!"

"Uhhh…" Porom blushed, resting her hands on her hips. They were draped in the shadows of boiler room, and Luca's face had taken on a demonic glare from the auxiliary boiler that was churning beside her. The faster I tell her something, the faster I can get out of here. "What do you want to know?"

"Let's start with how long this has been going on."

"Well, nothing has been going on," Porom murmured, her eyes immediately finding the floor. "But…I don't know! Maybe longer than I've realized…but it just seemed like recently that I've noticed these feelings."

"Oh, the slow burn…those are the best," Luca giggled. "So, someone you've known for a while?"

"Y-Yeah. A little while."

Luca pressed her fingers together, brows knitted. "Porom! You are totally red! Have you told him how you feel yet? Wait, do I know him? Is it that cute ninja boy that's training under Edge?"

"What!? No!" Porom cried. Where had THAT come from? "First of all, he's like, a million years younger than me. And secondly…just, no."

"No, I don't know him?"

"Luca," Porom moaned, covering her face. "Please…this is so embarrassing."

"Oh, come on," Luca smiled, gently yanking one of her hands away. "I'm sorry, I just like hearing about your life…" she trailed off when she saw the tears pooling in the corners of her friend's eyes. "Porom…!"

"Ah...no, I'm sorry," Porom sniffled. "I'm just…well, it's all just a little complicated."

"Is it something I said?" Luca frowned, and Porom shook her head quickly, sighing. I can trust Luca, right? She is one of my dearest friends…

"No. It's not you. The truth is…I really like this person. I think it's way more than just a crush." Porom drew in a breath so deep that it felt like her lungs were on the brink of bursting inside her chest. Just say it…say it! "And…recently – very recently – I…I kissed her. And…it didn't go well."

Luca blinked, and Porom could practically hear the wheels grinding to a halt in her friend's head. She lifted her gaze warily, their eyes meeting over the pulsing throb of the steam that suddenly unleashed itself upon them with a low, menacing 'hiss'. She watched patiently as the blood drained from Luca's face – the poor dwarf now resembled one of Cecil's long-lost, lily-white, Lunarian cousins.

"…Really?" was all Luca could manage to choke out.

Porom nodded, wiping away her tears. Luca looked like she had taken hold of the wrong end of a handsaw, and it took every fiber of strength Porom had left to push through the remainder of her confession. "Yeah. And…now everything's all weird."

"…Oh…Porom…I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Porom mumbled, turning away. "It's not your fault that I'm screwed up."

"But you're not!" Luca cried. "It doesn't matter who you love…if something doesn't work out, it still hurts the same. I, um…I shouldn't have implied anything with my meddling." She chewed on her lower lip, her fingers nervously drumming against the toolbelt stretched across her hips. "What…um…what did she say after you kissed?"

"Nothing," Porom sniffled. "And that's the problem. I don't know what she's thinking anymore. And all I can think is I might have ruined something really wonderful."

Luca smiled slightly. "But…you could think of it another way, right? Maybe she was just surprised and needed time to process things. You kissed, but…did you actually tell her how you feel?"

"…Not coherently," Porom frowned. "There was so much I wanted to say after, but…there just wasn't a good time. We've been acting like it hasn't happened since."

"Well, there you go!" Luca exclaimed, and Porom raised her eyes, wrapping her arms tighter around herself.

"Huh?"

"You've got to tell her why you kissed her," Luca shrugged, as if she were explaining something as simple as casting a "Cure" spell. "Maybe she thought you weren't being serious, so she didn't know how to react."

"I don't know…" Porom closed her eyes. I was taking it pretty seriously. "Do you think she really wants to hear anything I have to say after everything that has happened?"

"Of course!" Luca huffed. "If someone up and kissed me without any explanation, I'd be dying to talk to them again. And if this girl is anything like you, she's probably way too shy to bring it up. You need to properly confess your feelings and put everything out on the table. That's the only way you're going to resolve this."

"And if she doesn't feel that way about me…?"

"You would want her to tell the truth too, right?" Luca shook her head. "And if she doesn't return your feelings…then tell Palom to take care of things at home, come right back here, and you can cry on my shoulder, for as long as you need. A broken heart isn't so awful as long as you're not alone."

"Luca…" Porom bit down on her lip in an effort not to smile. "…Thank you. For everything. It was foolish of me to be afraid to tell you."

"Hardly foolish – you're just too much in your head for your own good at times. I hate to sound even remotely like your cow of a brother, but you really should try caring a little less about what everyone else around you thinks."

"…I'll work on it. One thing at a time."

"Right," Luca giggled, grabbing Porom's hands in her own. "Now let's go find Ceodore before he starts raising the alarms. I do want to point out one small thing before you leave, however."

"What?" Porom raised an eyebrow.

"That I was totally right about you being in love – it's written all over your face!"

"I certainly hope that's not the case," Porom blushed. "I think that's a special talent only you have. No one else has said a thing."

"Bah," Luca snorted, and Porom found herself blinking at the sudden burst of sunlight as they surfaced on the airship's deck. "And who exactly have you talked to today? Palom, Cecil and Ceodore, right? Surely, you've picked up on the notion by now that men are utterly oblivious, even when something is happening directly under their noses."

"Is that so…?" Porom blew her bangs out of her eyes as she gave Luca's hand a hesitant squeeze. I wasn't entirely truthful with her…but if she knew Leonora was the one I had kissed…it would add an unnecessary layer of complexity to this mess. Would the part of Luca that hates Palom be happy that I've inserted myself into his love life? Or would the part of Luca that still loves him be angry that I betrayed him?

"Let's hope that theory holds true…"

"Ugh…" Ceodore bent down and clutched his knees, sweat-dampened waves of hair falling over his face as he gasped for breath. "Sorry – I just need a moment. I'm still not used to traversing the Devil's Road."

"It's OK," Porom smiled, tracing small circles on the part of Ceodore's back that was exposed beneath his knapsack with her fingernail. It was a comforting exercise that had always made her body sink into a relaxing state when she had learned to temper her stamina for crossing the Devil's Road as a child. "Just breathe easy, you did great."

"Thank you…" Ceodore sighed, and Porom could feel the knots in the back of his neck unclenching beneath her fingertips. "I'll master this someday, right…?"

"Certainly," Porom nodded. "You're still coming into your own as a mage – you'd do well to give yourself a little credit."

When he twisted around to smile up at her, she felt her heart clench painfully in her chest, mid-beat.

Heh, I am such a hypocrite.

When they returned to the Tower of Prayer, they were immediately greeted by Palom, which filled Porom's stomach with a mess of butterflies – had he been waiting for them? She caught herself peering into the stairwell behind him to see if Leonora was trailing behind since she had seemingly taken on the role as his de facto second shadow, but the girl was nowhere to be found.

"Welcome home, sis! Nice to see you, Prince Ceodore."

"Lord Palom," Ceodore nodded. It didn't escape Porom's notice that Ceodore was comfortable enough around her to forego titles. Palom stuck his hands in his jacket pockets, his trademark smirk lighting up his face.

"You'll be pleased to hear that I've already dispatched every mage we could spare to address most of our foreign aid requests – and another one came in from Mist just before you returned."

"Mist?" Porom blinked. "Is everything OK with Rydia?"

"It seems so, since the letter came from her," Palom said, retrieving a piece of paper and handing it over. "There was a landslide in the northern portion of the valley and apparently it woke up a horde of sleeping nasties – or the mountain might have been what was keeping them trapped in the first place."

"Huh," Porom muttered, smoothing the letter and silently skimming it as Ceodore peered anxiously over her arm. "I see. Rydia's worried that getting the Eidolons involved might cause more damage if the mountain is still unstable, and she doesn't want to leave Cuore and the villagers alone in case any of the monsters decide to pay a visit."

"Didn't an Eidolon cause the original earthquake that cut the Misty Valley off from Damcyan all those years ago?" Ceodore asked, and Palom and Porom nodded simultaneously.

"Yes, which is why Rydia is being so cautious," Porom folded the letter back up, sighing. "Who are you thinking about sending, brother?"

"Not thinking – I've already taken care of it," Palom grinned. "This job has Leonora's name all over it – she can provide support with her white magic if something goes wrong and blow the monsters away with her black magic. She's preparing to depart as we speak."

"O-oh," Porom blinked. "I…I suppose that's good."

"It's not good, it's perfect," Palom rolled his eyes. "This is what being a sage is all about, right?"

"Er, yes," Porom reluctantly conceded. What the hell else am I supposed to say to that?

Ceodore found himself staring at the two of them, the corner of his mouth twitching. Porom cleared her throat, awkwardly slinging her arm around the prince's shoulders. "And Ceodore here is going to hunt the beasts in the forest – he'll make his way to Mount Ordeals after to visit Kluya's memorial."

"Oh, really?" Palom's eyes sparkled. "Do you want company?"

"Ah, no, I'll be fine," Ceodore said quickly. "It's something that I need to do by myself…you know?"

Much to Porom's surprise, Palom didn't argue at all – instead, he solemnly nodded, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I get it – you remind me of me when I was your age – I can respect your sense of adventure. Here's a little advice, Your Highness – take what's yours while you still can, before you're trapped in your backwater hometown, issuing orders for menial tasks that don't take advantage of even a fraction of your God-given genius." Ceodore's face paled, and Porom could feel the poor boy shrinking underneath her grip.

"Oh god," Porom muttered, pressing her fingers to her temple. "You'd better pray really hard when you get to the top of Mount Ordeals that whatever is left of your grandfather's sacred light will wash away any traces of Palom that he sees within you."

"Yes, ma'am," Ceodore whispered under his breath.

"Well, good luck, Ceodore," Palom shrugged. "Oh, and thanks ahead of time. I'm heading out – I've got my own business to attend to."

"Should we meet up for dinner tonight?" Porom asked. "We should send Ceodore off to Mount Ordeals properly, right?"

"I'll leave it in your capable hands," Palom smirked, waving her off. "See ya later." And with that, he disappeared in a dramatic plume of smoke that made both Porom and Ceodore break into choking gasps.

"Grrr…" Porom growled, her eyes watering. "I hate it when he does that!" Ceodore looked up at her, smiling weakly.

"I'll have dinner with you, Porom – anytime."

"Thanks," she sighed. "Good luck with the Zuu. You're sure you'll be OK on your own?"

"Positive," Ceodore winked. "Don't worry so much."

"Why do people keep telling me that?"

"Porom…"

Who's there…?

Porom lifted her head, blinking. She found her palms dotted with minuscule grains of sand as she raised her hands, and realized she was laying out on a pearl-sanded beach, moonlight sprinkled over the shimmering obsidian spill of ocean before her.

A dream? She had never seen the beaches of Mysidia look quite like this before – not that she had spent a lot of time combing the shores after midnight. A crescent sliver of luster was hanging high in the star-punctuated sky, the only sound ringing in her ears the burble of the ocean lapping against the coast.

She closed her eyes, heaving a sigh as she rolled over onto her back. Strands of the hair fallen loose from her ponytail were mixing with the inky black of the tide, the water tingling at the nape of her neck before drawing back into the sea.

"Porom?"

A shroud of gold fell over her, and Leonora's face materialized above her own, a pop of glossy magenta reflecting the glare of the stars as her lips formed a small, confused smile.

"Leonora!" Porom gulped, her gaze torn between focusing upon the darkened pools of gray beneath Leonora's sweeping lashes and the moonlit curve of her mouth. "What are you doing here? Where are we?"

"I'm here because you called for me," Leonora breathed, leaning in closer. Her sea-swept curls brushed over Porom's exposed collarbone, sending a shiver ricocheting down her spine. Porom couldn't help but run her fingers over Leonora's ivory cheeks, her fingertips entwining in the wispy baby hairs splayed over the lobes of her ears.

"…I did?" Porom blinked, the voice escaping from her lips much huskier than she was anticipating. The closer Leonora drew to her, the faster Porom could feel the blood rushing from her head to her hips – when the crook of Leonora's knee nudged her inner thigh, Porom nearly screamed right then and there.

"I heard you," Leonora whispered, her words practically imprinting themselves upon Porom's lips. "Or did I dream it?"

"N-No…" Porom gasped, biting her lip. "Please, don't let this be a dream."

Tell her how you feel…tell her!

Leonora's head dipped out of sight, and Porom felt a feverish trail explode along the curve of her neck, her body arching to meet Leonora's as her arms snaked around the girl's back.

"Leonora…" Porom murmured, her eyes sliding shut. "There's something I have to tell you…" As much as the last thing she wanted to be doing was talking, she couldn't bring herself to go any further without first getting her brain to shut up.

"Mmmm?" Leonora's silky pout reverberated dangerously close to the neckline of Porom's dress, and it took everything Porom had to swallow back the moan in her throat and replace it with actual words.

"Yes…I…I think I…"

Knock-knock-knock!

"Lady Porom? Are you awake?"

Oh damnit…!

Porom's eyes snapped open, and she bolted up in bed, turning toward her closed door that was rattling on its hinges.

"I'm awake now…come in!"

The door slid open, and an apprentice white mage named Mia shyly stepped in, her forest-green hair pulled over one robed shoulder in a massive plait.

"Sorry to disturb you, ma'am, but you had asked to be advised when Prince Ceodore returned."

"Oh…oh!" Porom blinked, almost leaping out of bed but thinking better of it when she realized her dream may have left her in more of a disheveled state than she cared to broadcast – she could feel the tunic she had changed back into upon her return to her bedroom chaffing uncomfortably against her bare chest, and made a point of keeping her sheets wrapped tighter around her. "Thank you. Where is he now? Did he seem OK?"

"Oh yes, he's quite energetic – it would seem he was successful in everything you asked him to do. I've shown him to his room, and let him know that dinner would be ready soon. But I've tried searching everywhere for Lord Palom, and he's nowhere to be found."

"Figures he would ditch us," Porom muttered.

"What was that?"

"Um, nothing. Thank you for the update. I'll be down shortly."

"Very well!" Mia chirped, closing the door behind her. Porom sank into her headboard, staring up at the ceiling as she let her sheets pool into her lap.

When she had made her way back to her room earlier, she had made a diligent effort to sort through the abandoned folder of requests Porom had previously bequeathed him. To Palom's credit, he hadn't been lying about taking care of everything while she had been in Baron – every single file had been scribbled with someone's name in his childish scrawl. With nothing left to do except to wait for Ceodore's safe return, she decided to pick up a project she had started long ago but had been forced to abandon when she and Palom had started to be given more and more responsibility related to their new duties. She turned to her desk, where she had been diligently infusing Protect and Shell magic into a silver-plated stud earring that had been left behind during one of the many visits the Tower of Prayer would host for foreign schools of magic and had never been claimed by its owner.

She and Palom had experimented with creating their own protective relics as children as a hobby, but it had been a field Porom had become deeply intrigued with after she had first met Cecil and had gotten to see all the amazing Lunarian treasures he and the others had brought back from the moon after their battle with Zeromus. She knew nothing she would ever create could possibly be in the same class as an ancient, magic-infused alien race…but it was still fun to try. And she had realized upon seeing the abandoned earring again that it would be perfect for Ceodore and his journey to Mount Ordeals tomorrow morn – maybe it would grant him some extra protection.

I must have gotten sleepy when I did the infusion, Porom thought, smiling slightly as she tossed away her sheets. She couldn't even remember finding her way into the bed and falling asleep, but the dream she had sunk into after the fact had made the disruption to her work well worth it. She glanced across the bedroom toward Leonora's empty bed, and could feel her pulse fluttering like a hummingbird's wings beneath the contour of her wrist.

I wonder how long she'll be away, she frowned. I hope Palom was right about her being OK on her own…I know Rydia will be there if something happens, but…

She peered down at her shirt and blushed at her obvious excitement, realizing it was probably a blessing in disguise that Leonora wasn't around. She jumped up, making a dash to her wardrobe and pulling out a silk camisole to wear under her tunic for dinner. She was so preoccupied with trying to make herself appear normal that she bolted from the room without Ceodore's gift, leaping down the tower steps two at a time so she could pass off the flush in her cheeks to her well-known lack of cardiovascular fitness.

As she slipped into the crystal chamber, she almost didn't notice the lone figure leaning against one of the glass-trimmed columns that surrounded the dais until a small voice called out to her, just as she was reaching for the latch of the next door that would take her to the atrium.

"Porom…"

…What? That sounds just like the voice from my dream…

She spun around, blinking as she tried to adjust her vision to the dazzling spectacle of light that ricocheted off the mirrored tiles and ceiling thanks to the Crystal of Water's continuous shed of divine luminance. The figure's searching gaze filled the crystal before the rest of her stepped forward, and Porom lowered her hand, the latch gently clicking back shut.

"Leonora! I thought you were already gone. What are you doing here?"

"Palom changed his mind about sending me to Mist," Leonora frowned, her eyes brimming with the crystal's light as she crossed the dais. "Now he's going instead of me, first thing tomorrow morning."

"What?" Porom huffed. "Jeeze…leaving me alone again so soon? He has nerve – no wonder he's been avoiding me tonight! Sneaky bast–"

"Er, well…h-he said you wouldn't be alone if you h-had me," Leonora stammered. "W-which may not be much better than actual 'alone', huh?"

Porom shook her head. "You know I didn't mean it like that. In fact, I'm relieved he's looking out for you."

"Me too," Leonora relented, pursing her lips. "Anyway, I'm sorry for interrupting you. I was just doing some meditation before going to bed."

"You weren't interrupting anything," Porom said quickly, realizing that her voice was on the verge of cracking. "I was on my way to meet Ceodore for dinner…" She smacked her palm against her forehead. "…And I just remembered I left a gift for him back in our room."

"Prince Ceodore is here?" Leonora blinked. "That's wonderful that he was able to come all this way to assist you two."

"You should join us for dinner – he would be happy to see you. He's climbing Mount Ordeals tomorrow – I think he could use all the encouragement he can get."

"Is he?" Leonora smiled slightly. "Prince Ceodore is such a sweet boy. I…I would like to visit, if that's OK."

"It's more than OK," Porom smiled. "Go on down to the dining hall. I'll be right back."

Porom promptly turned on her heel to go back up the stairs, not able to help but feel just a little giddier than she had let on in front of Leonora that Palom had changed his mind.

After we get Ceodore on his way tomorrow, maybe she and I can finally clear the air. Luca's right – I just need to be honest about my feelings and put everything out there in the open. She deserves the truth, no matter how much it may hurt me in the end.

And if she leaves Mysidia…because of me? I'll have to own up to it. To Palom, and everyone else…

Porom grabbed the earring from the tray on her desk, dropping it into a velvet satchel and tying it around her wrist. When she returned to the crystal chamber, she nearly smashed into Leonora, who was waiting nearly inches away from the pathway of the swinging door.

"Whoa!" Porom blinked. "I thought you went downstairs?"

Leonora's gaze shifted behind her, toward the darkened stairwell that would take them to dinner. Porom could detect the quiver in Leonora's breath even before she mumbled her reply.

"Porom…there is something I would like to discuss."

Oh, no. Maybe this isn't going to wait until tomorrow.

But I still don't know what to say...I thought I'd have one more night to talk myself out of saying anything too stupid…

"All right," Porom replied, clenching her jaw as she felt the first prick of tears sting the back of her eyes. "Where should we go to talk?"

"Here is fine," Leonora swallowed, and Porom caught her glance back at the stairwell one last time. "Maybe…er…behind the dais would be best."

She's terrified of anyone hearing us, Porom gulped. Yep…this is not going to be good.

They slipped behind the crystal, and Porom watched as Leonora crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes glued to the floor. She could see the toes of Leonora's slippers peeking out from beneath her gown, the ties of one the ribbons beginning to fray. A few beats of silence passed before Porom realized that Leonora wasn't going to be the first to say anything, even though she had been the one who wanted to have their "discussion".

"Is something the matter?" Porom finally asked, and Leonora's eyes snapped to hers, the fierceness of her normally placid gray gaze so scintillating thanks to the crystal's light that for a moment, Porom felt as if she were staring directly into the glare of the full moon.

Don't make me say it, Porom silently pleaded as she searched Leonora's stare for any kind of hint as to what she could possibly be thinking. Don't make me ask if it was our kiss that has turned you into this nervous wreck.

"…Yes, something is not quite right," Leonora conceded, biting her lip. "I think you understand what I mean…you've been acting strangely, too. Since last night, that is."

"I…I have?" Porom blinked, genuinely taken aback. Sure, she had given herself a thorough mental beat down on and off throughout the day, but she had thought after she had tried to apologize earlier that morning that she had been as normal as could be – that was all she had been daring to hope for – a semblance of normalcy.

"Yes," Leonora whispered. "I haven't been able to get what you said this morning out of my mind. And then you left for Baron so quickly…like you were trying to avoid me."

Well, that last part is kind of true – but only because you looked as if talking to me in the classroom was the equivalent of chewing on razor blades. "What did I say to offend?" Porom frowned. "I wasn't avoiding you…I just…just…"

"You said you were 'sorry'," Leonora burst, suddenly snatching Porom's hands in her own. "…Does that mean you regret what we did?"

"…What!?" Porom squeaked, her fingers falling limp under Leonora's grip. "We…?"

"Do you regret it?" Leonora asked again, drawing Porom closer. She stumbled forward, not bothering to push away the hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail and into her eyes. If she extracted her fingers from Leonora's, she feared she might never find her way back to them again. "Tell me the truth, Porom."

The truth…the truth is…

"I didn't…I mean, I don't," Porom admitted, shaking her head. "But I didn't mean to hurt you… I thought you were angry."

"Ugh…!" Leonora whimpered, looking away. "I am…at myself. For betraying Palom. For making you feel as if you had to apologize. I…I've cast innumerable sins against my two dearest friends in such a short time…" Her eyes began to water as she stared up at the crystal. "But no matter how much I pray…I can't seem to bring calm to my heart."

Leonora… Porom bit her lip. Everything I was afraid of happening is unfolding before my eyes. She's going to run herself out of here because she won't be able to stand looking at either myself or Palom much longer.

"You didn't betray Palom. That cross is mine to bear, and mine alone. I…I took advantage of a vulnerable moment. I would have reacted differently if I had the ability to rewind time."

"So, you do regret it?" Leonora sniffled, and Porom sighed, looking up at the mirrored ceiling. She was met with her own sorry reflection, her eyes blue pools of fear punctuated with motes of crystalline brilliance. Across from her, she could see Leonora's bowed head, tumbles of corn silk framing that lovely face. And between them, a pair of white, shaking hands, clinging to one another for dear life.

"I told you already, I don't regret anything," Porom told Leonora's reflection, the flush of pink that had come to life across the bridge of her nose at the thought of so much of Leonora's warm skin meeting hers easily confirming that there was no way she could be lying. "I…I really like you, Leonora. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right. If that means telling Palom that it was my fault, I'll do it."

"N-no!" Leonora squeaked. "You can't…you can't tell Palom, no matter what."

"Why?" Porom sighed, dragging her gaze away from the ceiling and turning back to her. "He won't blame you for something I did. Let him get mad at me. I deserve it. It's nothing I haven't dealt with before."

"B-because…I still don't have the answer I've been praying for."

"The answer to what?"

"…To why the thought of you regretting last night fills me with such…dread."

Porom could feel the acid rising in her throat.

She is not saying what you think she is saying. She's confused.

"Because we're friends," Porom said weakly, the relentless sting of tears threatening to break through with each pained word that fell from her lips. "I felt the same way – I was devastated that I had done something to potentially ruin our friendship. I've been so happy since you came to stay with us, and the thought of doing something that would make you want to go away broke me."

"I love it here," Leonora gasped, her eyes widening. "It would…it would take a lot to make me want to leave. But even so…" She chewed on her lip, and Porom tried not to pay too much mind to the way the curve of Leonora's cheek glimmered just so in the light of the crystal as she drew the berry-stained flesh of her lower lip beneath her incisor. "…If it were that simple, I know my heart would not be steeped in such chaos." She took a step closer. "And in the dying echo of my prayers…it's your name I always hear."

"Leonora…" Porom whimpered. "Please…don't do this. It can be simple. You're just confused."

"I am confused," Leonora blinked, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "…I don't understand what's happening to me." She pushed herself up on her toes, pressing her palms tighter into Porom's as she brushed her lower lip against the white mage's mouth.

No, no, no… Porom's brain protested even as she leaned down, gingerly lowering their clasped hands to their hips so that she could close the final inches-wide gap between them. She lightly brushed the tip of her tongue over Leonora's offering, shivering as the taste of something earthy and sweet and now torturously familiar exploded inside her mouth. Leonora's eyes glittered with a strange, haunting glow as Porom pressed deeper, tenderly drawing the girl's pout inside her own mouth with the edges of her teeth before relinquishing her hands and clutching the curve of Leonora's lower back.

There's no doubt now…this is far from a dream… Porom thought deliriously as her fingers sank into the folds of Leonora's gown, urgently searching for lithe form of the woman hidden underneath. Her heart nearly burst out her chest when she felt Leonora's hands trail up the side of her waist, trembling fingertips hovering precariously below her rib cage.

A few moments later, Leonora pulled away, inhaling sharply. Porom watched her carefully, a dismayed moan escaping her lips despite her militaristic efforts to control herself. In that moment, if someone had so much as tapped her on the shoulder with a feather, she was positive she would shatter into a million pieces.

Oh gods. Maybe I can't do this…maybe I can't just be her friend…

"Are you still confused?" Porom finally asked, and Leonora's lips twitched slightly as lowered her head.

"More than ever…"

Well, I'm not, Porom thought, blinking away the first wave of tears. And I don't think I can do this… Luca said I should be honest, but…!

"Leonora…" Porom murmured as she pulled her closer, pressing her lips to her hair. She noticed that instead of shrinking away, Leonora seemed to relax beneath her fingers – she could feel the rigidness of her spine slowly give way. Just tell her how you feel and be done with it. "…Being with you makes me feel as if I'm in a living dream. If this isn't what you want…I do understand, and I'll do whatever needs done to ease your heart."

Even if that means pushing her into my brother's arms…? I think if I ever had to see her like this with Palom…I would lose it…!

"Ease my heart…" Leonora choked out a strangled laugh, her fingernails digging half-moon indents into Porom's skin. It stung, but Porom dared not breathe a word about it. "…Just now…my heart was the most peaceful it has been in weeks. So, what do you suppose that means?"

Porom closed her eyes, mumbling against Leonora's scalp as she filled her lungs with another hit of her summery sweet perfume. She could no longer tell if her heart was pounding so fast that it had just become one constant, rhythmic blur, or if had simply ceased to beat altogether. Everything inside of her had gone still, her tendons filling with the same soothing warmth that she got every time she sank into a bath, warmth that she was directly absorbing from Leonora's radiance. If she pulled away, surely, she would collapse into a cold heap of lead to the crystalline tiles below, her strings cut like a marionette's. She barely recognized her voice, throaty and desperate, when she finally managed to answer.

"I couldn't possibly know…but I want to be the one that helps you find out."

"I-I'd like that," Leonora whispered, and Porom could feel the girl's airy breath reverberating over her collarbone, imprinting her wishes upon Porom's senses forevermore. Silently, Porom nuzzled the tip of her nose deeper into Leonora's hair, trailing feathery kisses down her temple, then her jaw, and then the smooth stretch of skin just beneath, gently flicking her tongue against Leonora's fluttering pulse as she gingerly sucked. Her more rational side, which had not yet been completely drowned by the desperate plea of her heart to consume Leonora whole, was urging her to be as gentle as possible as to not leave a mark.

There can never be evidence of us…at least not outwardly.

"Mmmm…" Leonora murmured, sliding her arms around Porom's neck and entwining her fingers in a spill of her pink hair from her ponytail. "Just a little more…"

Oh my gods, Porom shivered, moving her hands to Leonora's waist and gently guiding her backward with the force of her body until she had pressed Leonora into the dais – she needed some leverage to ensure Leonora wouldn't fall away. The stunning chill of the glass caused Leonora to arch her back in surprise, and when Porom felt the twin swells of Leonora's chest rise to meet her own, only a few millimeters of gauzy fabric acting as a barrier between them, she had to clamp her mouth to Leonora's to keep herself from crying out. Leonora eagerly met the kiss, pulling Porom's head down closer and shifting beneath her hands so that their hips met in an explosion of friction that took Porom's breath away.

I can feel every beat of her heart, Porom thought, her eyes sliding shut as she willed her hands away from Leonora's hips, instead letting them drift further down the curve of her ass and giving a hesitant squeeze to test Leonora's reaction. Leonora moaned into Porom's mouth, and when she tried again, her fingers probing as deeply as the constraining fabric of Leonora's gown would allow, she was rewarded with yet another moan that made her hips throb so painfully that she was terrified she would implode into stardust right then and there.

The images from her sordid dreams had been flooding her mind in between kisses like puzzle pieces finally falling into place, and they were slowly transforming into tantalizingly vulgar fantasies of everything Porom wanted to do to Leonora – and what her body was aching for Leonora to do in response. She could feel the delicate prodding of Leonora's chest against her own, awed at the synchronicity of their bodies but also desperately fighting off the urge to disrobe her right then and there and take each of those delicious curves between her teeth.

Leonora... If this doesn't stop soon, I don't know what might happen…

As if Porom were telegraphing her depraved musings, Leonora slowly dragged one hand away from Porom's neck, her fingertips leaving in their wake a trail of fire that ignited over Porom's shoulder and collarbone before pausing at the rise of her breast that was peeking from beneath the sloping neckline of her tunic. Even with her eyes closed, Porom could picture the way the baby pink of Leonora's nails glowed against the rise of her skin, and she eagerly pressed against Leonora's fingertips, muttering against her mouth.

"…It's all right."

Much to Porom's surprise, Leonora complied, her thumb barely drifting over the taut flesh through Porom's top that sent a spasm ricocheting between her legs and caused her eyes to snap open – she wondered by the way Leonora's pupils had suddenly transformed into darkened pools if she could sense what that slightest of touch was igniting in Porom's sordid imagination.

Suddenly, the distant pounding of footsteps rang out, and Porom and Leonora tore away from each other, eyes wide and faces white as snow as they both spun toward the closed door behind them.

"Oh…oh no…" Leonora gulped, and Porom shook her head, quickly straightening her top and grabbing Leonora's hand to pull her out from behind the dais.

"Don't worry – it's just someone shuffling around in the dormitory. Probably the maid turning down beds for the night. L-let's get to dinner."

"Er, yes," Leonora blinked, her other hand flying to her face. "Do I look…?"

"You look fine," Porom flushed, although that was the understatement of the century. To anyone else, it would just look as if Leonora had breathlessly rushed downstairs so that she didn't miss the beginning of dinner. But only Porom knew that the rise of color in Leonora's cheeks, the hurried rush of her breath, and the way the tiny curls on the back of her neck were now stuck to her skin, soaked in sweat, was from her, and her alone – and just the very thought of that made her head spin. How the hell was she supposed to function for the rest of the evening?

What I wouldn't do to turn back time and tell Ceodore that we should have met for breakfast instead…

"Y-You look fine too," Leonora mumbled, biting her lip with a teasing glint in her gaze. Porom squeezed her hand, leaning down so that only the tips of their noses touched.

"Leonora…did we go too far…?"

Leonora shook her head quickly, squeezing Porom's hand back assuredly and offering a secret smile that made the white mage weak in the knees.

"I need you…to keep helping me. If that's OK."

It's way more than OK, Porom thought, another pang throbbing between her legs. Maybe she really does like me the way I like her…you can't kiss someone like that and not feel anything for them…right?

They wordlessly dropped hands, Porom mindlessly fumbling with the long-forgotten relic she had tied around her wrist as they made their way down the stairs to the dining room.

To be continued in 3: To Flower