A/N: Sorry for not updating in such a long time, I'm busy with my exams coming, hope you guys understand….:D
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravity, Ragnarok Online, or anything else affiliated with these two.
Chapter III
Leavetaking
The night before
Kriya had headed off to the pub, and walked inside just in time to see Shimao dancing a jig and singing at the top of his voice, everyone in the pub good-naturedly grinning at him. Despite his self-righteousness, he was a tad bit vulnerable to alcohol….She smiled at him, then look around for Rock. But she wasn't expecting Rei to be with him.
They were in one of the booths in the pub, obviously comfortable, the Assassin Cross giggling at the Ninja's words. Kriya couldn't make them out, but she knew Rock and how funny he could be. Oh well. She wasn't expecting her to be there, but she just had to say her piece now. She walked towards them, and even before she was at their table, the two head swiveled around to look at her. Well, that was expected.
"Um…hi."
"Hello, Kriya." Came Rock's voice, amiable but she could detect the coldness in it, as well as anybody could. And he never used her given name unless he was mad at her.
"Hey." Rei was obviously trying to avert a fight, and her viridian eyes rested meaningfully on Rock's, as if to say, Don't start anything here.
"So, uh, could I talk to you Rock? In private?"
Strange, she's usually more confident than this, not given to stammering… Rakario thought.
"If there's anything you want to say to me Kriya, you can say it in front of Rei here, or not at all."
"Um, fine, could I sit down then?"
"Sure, take my se-" Rei was about to stand up, but read Rock's gaze. Don't leave, I want you here.
Okay Rock, I'll stay.
She continued. "Here, take my seat, Lady Kriya." She scooted over and sat next to Rakario. As usual, all the new guild members addressed the senior ones formally, unless they were close.
Kriya took the seat and looked at Rakario. He sat like he always did, but this time, his scarlet eyes had turned to red ice. It was chilling.
"I'm….I'm….sorry." The last word was almost a whisper.
"Excuse me?" Rakario had barely heard the sentence, and he couldn't believe it. Kriya was as haughty and proud as she was intelligent. He had never heard her apologize before. In her world, she was right. All the time. 24/7.
"I said, I'm sorry." She looked up them, then bowed her head again.
The two looked at each other. Even Rei had heard of Kriya's reputation for pride that bordered on arrogance.
"Kri."
She bolted upright. He had called her by her nickname, a sign that she was forgiven.
"You know I couldn't stay mad at you for a long time." His familiar grin was on his face, he was her best friend again.
She stood up, then walked towards the two, who stood up too.
Then she did something she had only done once before. She hugged him.
Then to everyone's surprise, she hugged Rei too, then left the pub.
Everyone was silent, dumbfounded at the normally cool, reserved Kriya's actions. Everyone, that is, except for Shi, who was still dancing his jig.
Early the next morning
Rock hefted up the pack he was going to carry. He had been planning this journey for months, but he was only now ready. He silently bid farewell to his room, picked up the three letters on his drawer, and went out silently.
He moved to Kriya's door first, and slid the letter through the narrow slit between the door and the floor.
Then he tiptoed a few rooms down to find Shi's room, which was, frankly, almost shaking with the sound of his drunken snores. Once again, he slid a letter into the room, and then turned around to find Rei's room.
As per the Guildmaster's orders, the newest guild members had their rooms opposite Shi's, primarily to ensure that they don't do anything stupid, and secondarily, to test their resistance to his snoring, which became…extremely loud when he was drunk.
At any rate, Rakario slid open the door silently, and walked softly into the room.
He gazed at Rei's sleeping form, then smiled to himself, knowing that he would miss her. He placed a letter on the dresser, then reached into his pack to take out a beautiful rose that time couldn't do anything to. It was ridiculously expensive for most people, more than 27,500 zeny. He placed this on top of the letter, treaded quietly towards the bed, and looked for what he knew would be the last time in a long time at Rei.
Her hair was lying across the pillow, framing and hiding part of her oval face. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead, then turned and left, silent as a ghost.
Minutes later, he left Prontera.
