Hello everyone! Thank you everyone that has read so far, it means a lot. I'm re-playing the game as I write this and I'm at the part on disc 2 where you fight Lenus in Fletz. Fun fun.
Anyways, there is a little more back info in this chapter and some stuff happens that I plan to build on WAY later in the story lol. Well, enjoy.
It had been about a week since Meru and I had our talk. I was left with the difficult task of telling Dart the truth; something he probably didn't want to hear. It wasn't that he didn't like Meru, far from it; it was the other half that I was worried about. There was still a tender place in his heart from everything Lloyd had done to him- to all of us.
The sun was about to set; steaks of burnt orange littered the sky as a purple and black blanket rolled in. I felt it, tonight I had to tell Dart; I couldn't keep a secret from him, he is my everything.
Dart was out in the small building behind the house; he liked to go out there and clear his mind after long days. After I slipped on a pair of house shoes I tip-toed outside and headed to the back building. There was a light coming from the single window. Trying not to startle him in his thoughts I gave a light knock on the wooden door before entering. The door creaked open and I was immediately met with Dart's warm smile.
"Why hello there." Dart rested his arm on the table beside him and gave me his full attention.
"Hey." I didn't know how to start or what to say really; I decided to ease into it.
"And what do I owe the pleasure? You hardly ever come visit me in the 'shack'." He gave a chuckle.
"I just wanted to see you and talk."
I took a seat in the chair next to the front door. The building itself was rather small, only containing a work bench, two chairs, and a chest with a small assortment of tools. Dart liked to call it his cozy little work space.
"Mmm hmm, talk huh?" He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "That doesn't sound good."
I rolled my eyes to try and downplay the imminent 'discussion'. Proceeding with caution would be for the best, I had no idea what Dart would think when I told him.
"Well it's about Meru…"
"Is she feeling any better?"
Dart knew that she had been sick; we had both heard it in the early morning hours when she awoke. Of course him being a man though he had no idea of what was really wrong with her. He assumed that everything was a 'bug' and could be cured with soup and time.
"She'll be fine, but there's a reason why she's been sick Dart."
He gave me a puzzled look while he tried to find the correct words.
"Like, you know what caused her to become sick?"
"Sort of. Look Dart I'm just going to say it. Meru is pregnant."
He had a very surprised look on his face at the shocking news. The blonde then sat back and crossed his arms over his chest while thinking. After a few moments he spoke again.
"Who…who is the father? I'm lost."
On boy, here's the part that I've been dreading. I scooted my chair closer to his and took his hand's in mine. I had been staring at the floor and just before I spoke I made eye contact and held it.
"It's Lloyd's child…"
Dart's brows furrowed. It sounded like he was holding his breath, then he released a sigh. I had an inkling that he wouldn't be the first to speak again.
"I don't know too much about it myself, but it seems they were together shortly before the final battle."
Instead of stewing in the silence I decided to keep the conversation going and divulge everything that I knew- giving him more information might help him process everything. I squeezed his hand once more.
"Lloyd…," Dart almost whispered the name. His gaze was everywhere except on me it seemed.
"Yes, and I think that Meru is still upset about….everything."
This seemed to pull his focus in a new direction.
"Yeah, I would imagine so; Meru is strong though."
"And she has both of us to support her right?"
I smiled at Dart letting him know that it would all be okay. He finally looked up to meet my eyes with his icy blue ones. A small smile curved up on his lips.
"She does have us Shana. It's just…" He trailed off. "Meru is a dear friend, and I know that Lloyd turned things around in the end, but…. the damage that he has done."
I knew exactly where he was coming from, for this is what I feared before I told him. My expression fell at hearing this. Dart seemed to take notice and leaned forward to wrap his arms around me. His strong arms made me feel so safe.
"It's okay Shana; we'll get through this together."
I pulled back and smiled at Dart.
"That's exactly what I said to Meru when she told me."
"It's true; you, me, and Meru will support one another."
Moments like this made me so overwhelmed with love and joy and how Dart could be sometimes; he was truly my one and only. I breathed in his scent and relished the moment that we shared together.
The two of us continued to talk a little more about everything. We discussed what the next few months would hold and how things should be approached from now on. He was happy for Meru but felt like he needed a little more time before he truly embraced everything- I was happy with his honesty.
The next few weeks went by quickly. With the announcement of Meru's pregnancy to Dart out of the way the next big occurrence was wedding preparations. Dart and I were set to be married in four more months. The town was starting to shape-up more and more every day, plus things were fairly settled so we decided to set a date.
The wedding was to be held in Seles and we invited all of our comrades- I was so excited to see everyone again. Things were well underway and I had roped Meru into helping me with all of the details. I only hoped that it wouldn't be upsetting to her, considering everything.
I eyed Meru as she scribbled a few words on a piece of paper in front of her. She had taken it upon herself to write everything down so she wouldn't miss anything, unusually smart of her actually.
The two of us were seated in a new shop in town; they served breads and hot meals. It was one of the new buildings to be constructed and was excited to try it out.
As I awaited someone to take our meal order I soon became impatient. We had been here for well over twenty minutes and there weren't that many people inside eating. I took it upon myself to approach the front counter.
"Hold on a minute Meru, I'll be right back."
"Uh huh," Meru replied as she continued to write, never looking up.
I casually walked to the counter and placed my hands on my hips as I waited for the lady to turn around. After a moment the woman turned her back to face me.
"Excuse me m'am but my friend and I have been waiting for service for close to half an hour now."
The woman appeared to be in her late fifties and gave a scowl before explaining.
"And you won't get any service, not with that thing with you." She pointed her wrinkled hand to where Meru was sitting, still scribbling away.
My mouth fell open as I took in her harsh words.
"'That thing'? I think you are mistaken, Meru hasn't done a thing to you!"
"I don't really care what she has or hasn't done; we don't serve her kind here though."
I felt my face get red and flustered. Anger began to whell up inside me as the woman continued to speak. I took a few deep breaths before speaking again.
"We will just take our business elsewhere; I don't appreciate your prejudices or bitterness!"
I turned on my heels and stomped my way back to where Meru was seated. At seeing her sitting there my face was overcome with sadness. This wasn't the first time this had happened. While it was true that me, alongside the other dragoons, had saved the world nobody 'really' understood this. They weren't there and didn't comprehend what we had done.
There were people who recognized Winglies and remembered stories from long ago before the Dragon Campaign. Stories had been passed down over generations telling of the silver-haired winged 'beasts' that had once enslaved humans. It seemed that the stories were still circulating and sadly being believed in.
Meru had heard people talk behind her back and sometimes even to her face saying terrible things. Of course it didn't bother her; she could take a few harsh words no problem. I think it upset me more than it did her. It didn't happen all the time either, not many knew of Winglies and of the tainted past. I hope that over time the stories will fade into history.
I returned to Meru. She looked up at me and gave me a smile.
"What the heck is taking so long, I'm starving!"
"It seems that they are out of ingredients; there was a larger crowd this opening week than they had anticipated."
I felt bad at having to lie to Meru, but knowing her if I had told her she would confront the owner and threaten to hit her on the head with a hammer. It was better this way; if I could shelter and protect Meru then I would.
"Bummer, well let's go home and chow down."
With pep in her step the silver-haired girl collected her things from the table and trotted out of the front door. I was relieved that she had bought it and that we could be gone. Besides, we had more important things to think about than close-minded hags- we had a wedding to plan!
Ooh 'going to the chapel and we're going to get married' in the next chapter! Haha. I'm going to fill you all full of happy times and rainbows for now...mwahaha...
