Chapter Three
As the late morning sun poured in through his window, Leon stretched luxuriously, like a cat awaken from a satisfying nap. He couldn't hide his smile of satisfaction as his spine popped one vertebrae at a time. It was such a small thing—a regular thing—yet it felt wonderful.
Before going to sleep, he would have never guessed that even the small things like that could brighten his day so. All it took was centuries of losing his mind in an empty void to change his perspective on that kind of thing.
And it had been centuries since he volunteered for that thrice-damned experiment. When Venti had told him that, he was shocked. He knew that it would take a while for anyone to find the answer they were all so desperately looking for. But he had estimated one lifetime at most, not ten…certainly not so long that everything that was familiar was considered ancient history by the people here.
Yet it became abundantly clear just how much time had passed by walking around for a minute. The buildings around him were nothing like the stone monuments he had grown up around, between the wood-and-glass that seemed common here and the rather bland interiors to even a building as grand as a castle. It was like colors had been shoved aside for a boring, monotone palette. There were exceptions, of course, like the inn he had managed to stay in, but it felt too uptight, too structured for his liking…
…up until one observed the off-beat people that lived in those boring, rigid homes. Or, at least, they were off-beat to him. Perhaps these kinds of people were normal in this time, but he doubted it. Personalities kicked off from stubborn-ass immortals (who had thankfully been one of the few things not to change drastically over time) to prudish knights to forgetful and clumsy innkeepers. Everyone displayed their quirks like shiny medals of honor. It must be nice to be so at ease about their flaws.
And so much had been lost. Not one person knew the old tongue (though it was rare in his own time), and the whole government system was off. From what he heard, the changes were even more drastic in places that didn't have the direct influence of a Native Dragon.
Of course, just as much had been gained. Hell, these people could soar through the sky without a care in the world. He would have killed to be able to do that before.
But no matter what was lost or gained, it was all different. It left a sense of loss in the pit of his stomach, made him feel uneasy about this new world he had waken up into.
It was painfully clear that he was alone.
Not that the townspeople hadn't done everything they could to make him feel at home in this small town. They were incredibly hospitable, probably more than an outsider warranted. They gave him a bed, warm food to eat…easy trust, though he suspected that the last was because of his connection to Venti. Even with it being easy to amuse himself with them, though, it was clear that he didn't belong here.
All of this he had learned in a day, after Venti gave him a scathing lecture about not draining himself to the point that he couldn't even heal his own body, and running off without telling her first. It was comforting to know that she was more or less the same, if a bit more bitter and withdrawn than before. Yet none of this caught his interest the way her new not-Priestess did. An Earthmate, apparently, and a princess, despite having no connection to the royal family of this era. And willing to sacrifice herself for a complete stranger with no other reason than that she was able.
He had received a formal introduction to the girl already. Frey, he think her name was. Unusual, but it seemed to suit her somehow. Young, like she had just emerged into the world on her own, and innocent in a way that almost brought to mind a child. She wasn't beautiful, for that would imply a certain age and experience that she didn't possess, but only a fool would call her unattractive. She did nothing to hide her curves, for sure, but there was more to it than that. Her eyes, for example, held a warmth and candor that he hadn't expected to see, and they almost glowed in the right light. And she had a smile that lit up her whole face. If it were him, he would generally reserve a smile like that for a close friend, but she seemed to be far more open as a person than he would ever be.
As to who she was as a person and what led her there, he could only figure out the basics; kind and fiercely stubborn, ready to die for what she believed in if it came to that, and easily flustered, apparently. That last one caught his interest. If provoked far enough, she might show teeth of her own, but for now, it meant that she would be fun to tease. Her past was a mystery that nobody could solve, not even Frey herself, and he had to wonder what it was like not to be weighed down by distant mistakes, to be able to look to the future without being dogged by yesterday's regrets.
Beyond that, she was practically a stranger. Her open warmth made her seem familiar, like a long lost friend, but that was easy to call impossible. After all, everyone he had ever known was dust by now, a whisper in the Forest of Beginnings. But unlike anyone else in this town, he felt like he could be at ease around her. Something about her just made him feel…safe, he supposed. Which was the kind of ridiculous bullshit that was chronicled in sappy romances, but oh well. Perhaps in his old age, he was becoming sappy.
He didn't have the answers, but he sure as hell wasn't going to spend time wondering about it. After all, that's all he'd been doing for the past centuries, and he wanted to get as far away from that place as he could. So he shoved the girl to the back of his mind for now and pushed himself out of bed to see what today held.
…
After an hour or so of staring at the blank ceiling willing sleep to come, Leon eventually gave up and rolled out of bed. He hadn't had that much trouble going to bed in a couple of years, at least, and he knew why it was an issue, now. His mind was swimming in memories he had suppressed for years. Whenever he closed his eyes, she was there with a coy smile or a warm embrace. Tonight, it made his bed—their bed, he corrected himself—seem terribly empty.
With a sigh, he slipped into a robe and walked out the back door that led to the castle's long abandoned gardens.
The land had been well cared for, once. Natural in beauty without seeming overdone, a look that only one blessed by the earth could accomplish so skillfully. It had overflowed with energy and life, and it was always a comfort to walk around in. It had been his wife's pride and joy, once. Now, he wondered if she would recognize the overgrown paths or the rock beds.
But it still held traces of her that nature couldn't quite erase; patches of pom-pom grass that were descended from a whole field of them she used to maintain, or the miniature forest to the right that had once been an orchard. The trees still bore fruit, even, if they could be caught in season.
And even as the previously well-kept grounds had given way to something far more wild and feral, the land still held the unique feel of her. The people of this time had forgotten how to listen to the earth, except maybe the Earthmates, but he still knew. It had been a common skill to learn when he was growing up. The earth remembered, and it was comforting to sense her still embodied in this forgotten field, even as it sent a pang of longing coursing through him.
This place held many memories, and this time, when they tried to break away from his carefully erected fortress, he didn't stop them.
…
"So tell me," Venti started, "How are you handling everything?"
Leon rolled his eyes as he idly twirled his peacock feather fan. "I am fine. I'm much more interested in you're feeling," he remarked.
"I'm not back up to a hundred percent yet, but I'm fine. Just like when Frey asked me that question an hour ago, and Dolce half an hour before her," the dragon grit out. She acted annoyed to have everyone's concern, but he could tell that she was secretly pleased that so many people were around that cared about her well-being.
"Oh, yes. You're so put upon to be surrounded by people that care. Woe is you, and all that. I could give you a hug, if that would make you feel better," he smirked.
"Don't you dare."
"Why not? Amber can give you hugs, and Pico can give you hugs. Would you prefer a kiss?"
"Amber and Pico are basically still children, so I tolerate it. You, on the other hand, are a fully grown adult…and I don't need some human slobbering over me in your strange customs of affection!" she sniffed, indignant.
"Adult? You hurt my feelings, my lady," he replied.
"Right…so comforting to know that my highly insubordinate Priest hasn't changed a bit over the centuries," Venti stated.
"I'm glad you agree!" he said.
She made a noise that would have been a sigh if she were human. As it was, it came out a half-growl and echoed off the bare walls. He couldn't hold back a chuckle at her exasperation.
"Former Priest, anyway," she muttered under her breath.
"No such thing. You're stuck with me for life," Leon pointed out.
"Your life. Mine will far exceed yours if everything goes to plan, and then I'll be rid of that bothersome position for good," she sniped.
"Is that your way of saying 'go to hell,' Venti?"
"Not quite, but getting there," she growled.
"Not quite what?" a soft soprano voice cut in.
"Oh, Frey. What are you doing here?" Venti asked.
"I live here, remember?" Frey replied cheekily, walking into the dragon gate.
"Right. Did you get lost? I seem to recall that your suite is that way," Venti stated, pointing a sharp talon to the right.
"Oh, that's right. My rooms are the human sized ones, not the ones big enough to fit a three-story dragon in them. My bad," the Earthmate replied dryly.
"Why did you actually come here?"
"To see you. How are you feeling?" Frey inquired.
"No better or worse than when you asked that question over an hour ago. I don't need all these humans coddling me!" the dragon growled.
"Sure you don't. Because if something does get worse, you'll definitely tell us first thing instead of waiting until the last second. After all, you'd want to give us the courtesy of time to help instead of having us all scramble at the last second," Leon pointed out. He was sure they had forgotten about him in their little pissing contest, but now they were aware of him again. All was right in the world.
"Yeah, yeah, hold the past against me, why don't you?" Venti replied.
"You mean the past the feels like two days ago to me?" he pointed out.
"Bite me," she growled.
"Is that an invitation?" he stated.
"No!" she snapped.
"I didn't know you liked Venti like that, Leon," Frey piped in. Her face was innocent enough…until one observed her eyes, which held a mischievous glint in them. Not bad.
"Jealous? After all, I am her Priest," he reposted easily.
"Former Priest," Venti bit out.
"No such thing."
"Well, even if I were jealous, I have no reason to be, now," Frey replied.
"I was the first. I'll bet you she likes me better."
"No way!"
"Way. Isn't that right, Lady?"
"You inconsiderate cur," Venti grumbled.
"Back up. Did you just use your nick-name for me on him?" she pouted.
"Ha. That was my name long before you were even a thought," he pointed out.
"Then I came along," the princess stated.
"And thank you for keeping my seat warm. Now, I'm taking it back," he replied.
"I'm not just giving it up because you asked me to!" she fumed.
"Do you want me to sit on you?" he asked.
"I have a rock spell that'll send you flying out the door if you try it," she warned.
"Enough! It's like having a pair of two-year-olds around!" Venti shouted.
"Is there a fourth person in here that I should know about?" Leon asked.
"No! Do I need to blunt?" the dragon demanded.
"No thanks, Mom," he said.
"Does that make your unhealthy obsession incest?" Frey asked.
"You were the one that brought it all up. I think that you're the one with the obsession," he pointed out.
"Knock it off, or I'll send both of you to your rooms without dinner!"
"Pretty empty threat considering I have my own kitchen," Frey stated.
"I know where you sleep," Venti said.
Leon chuckled. It was good to know that someone had been keeping Venti company while he was…indisposed. He felt like he hadn't been able to enjoy himself like this in years. Centuries, in his case, but that would be hyperbolic under normal circumstances.
"Don't you start; I don't know where you live, now, but Frey does, and I will sic her on you," the dragon continued.
"For a simple laugh? You wound me." He maintained a smirk, despite trying to sound wounded. Apparently, neither of his current companions were buying it.
"You annoy me. Shoo!" Venti snapped.
"Your wish is my command, Lady," Leon replied, bowing a little too low to be anything but mocking.
"Out!"
As he emerged into the courtyard, the Priest couldn't contain himself anymore, and started laughing uncontrollably. One day back, and she had already kicked him out. And that girl…Frey…she had an…odd sense of humor. He found the whole situation amusing.
"You seem pretty amused for someone that just got kicked out by a dragon, you know."
He whirled around. It hadn't occurred to him that he had been followed…not that it was hard to follow him in the first place. Yet there she stood, holding back her own smirk, her jade eyes glimmering with mirth.
"Do I?" he asked, matching her smirk and her sardonic tone.
"Yes," she replied.
"You going to do something about it?"
"Should I?"
"That depends on you, doesn't it?"
"I guess."
He studied her. Surely she didn't just come out here to have a conversation about his level of amusement. However, her body language revealed nothing. Clever. That only left words to find out her true intentions, then.
"Anything in particular you want, or did you just miss the sound of my voice?"
She blushed slightly, the good humor vanishing from her face like a snuffed candle. Now this was interesting.
"Well…you're new here, and I…figured it would be nice to have friendly company, or…something," she offered.
Oh, this was too good to pass up. "What, are you asking me on a date?" he asked.
Her big eyes grew wide, and her blush deepened. It was actually kind of cute. "W-what? No! I just—"
He laughed. She grew five shades darker. He laughed some more.
"It's not very nice to laugh at others when they make a serious offer, you know," the princess said, her blush deep and her eyes set on him in a glare.
"Funny, though," he replied, smirking.
She straightened up. Her glare morphed into what he could only describe as a pout. "Fine, then. I was trying to be polite, but if you don't want to, I'll just find some other way to spend tomorrow afternoon," she declared.
She was offering to spend a whole afternoon with him in her time's strange version of 'polite?' A far too amusing offer to let her walk away with.
Until, of course, a memory floated into his mind. The whole situation was…familiar, and he half-expected Selphia's princess to break down into tears within seconds. But she didn't, just kept that same childish pout on and waited for him to react.
He mentally shoved the past aside for a moment and made up his mind passed on the present.
"Well, you know…I do have time to kill tomorrow, if you're really so desperate for company," he replied, fighting against the strange, guilty feeling that welled up in his gut.
Her whole countenance shifted from pouty to shyly happy, mixed in with a little surprise. A mask of polite interest quickly replaced it, but she hadn't hid her real feelings fast enough for him not to recognize them.
"Alright, then. I'll see you tomorrow, I guess…" she trailed off. The blush returned, and he had to wonder what was provoking it.
"Tomorrow, then," he replied, turning to leave.
As he walked away, he had to wonder to himself what he had just done. At the very least, though, it promised to make tomorrow interesting.
…
A/n: I would have had this chapter out yesterday, but it was the first day of school (which turned out…less than ideal), and I was worn out by the time I sat down to finish this up. Today went much better, though, so I can give you the chapter without ripping my hair out for something to write.
Now, for some reason, the characters weren't classified on here (even though I swear I put them down), but they should be there, now. And to clarify; this will evolve into a Leon/Frey fic, because that apparently wasn't clear already :P (a-HEM)
I really need to get out of Leon's head and advance the plot a little more, but Leon keeps shouting at me the lengthy, internal monologue things were important to the story. Well…that, and I like exploring his psyche. So…it's quickly becoming apparent to me as the author that this will largely focus on Leon's thoughts and feelings, and less on something more…plot-driven. If that wasn't obvious enough. I'm just slow, I guess. Also, putting Venti, Leon and Frey in the same room seems like throwing a small pack of children together…just me?
And I didn't expect the pseudo-asking out thing to happen at the end, either. It certainly wasn't in the original draft. But it moves the story along, so hooray for that! The next chapter will certainly be more interesting to write than I had originally thought.
I'm still looking for beta reader, if anyone's interested...maybe not, but I'll throw it out there, all the same.
At any rate, I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and I'll see you next time!
