Abyssal Dreams
Note: Short chapter and final time skip, expect longer chapters and cannon timeline to appear next chapter. Just a few comments about reviews: Clare's reaction to Riful I consider ic because Riful had shared an innocent friendship with her (keeping her evil doing behind closed doors). Clare has not been corrupted by Riful's influence because the very thing she seeks is purity in her friend. Also don't forget Riful's yoki was enough to paralyze a number 3 in terror, Clare didn't stand a chance. She may have witnessed Pricilla's strength; however she never had the ability to feel it.
Chapter 4
Clare stood atop a crumbling eve of the castle overlooking the courtyard and forest, her hand caressing her stomach. Her eyes where soft and distant as her hand moved in a small circle, right now at that moment she was speaking to Teresa. She was telling her of all the things that had happened over the past few weeks since she had last spoken with her, how she was getting stronger and how Riful had been pleased with her progress. The conversation was silent and one sided but Clare had never minded this, she knew Teresa was there inside her listening with her faint smile.
"Oh, say hi for me." Riful smiled drawing Clare's attention away from Teresa and forced her to turn and look back to where Riful sat upon a stone behind her. Riful leaned forward arms on knees cradling her chin in hands. Clare's adorable habit of speaking to Teresa was one she loved to observe and had been doing so in secret. Clare always held such a peaceful blissful expression at those times and it always filled Riful's chest with warmth. Only now that Clare's conversation was coming to an end did she reveal herself.
"I already did." Clare replied seriously then looked back out to the courtyard and forest with longing eyes. The castle though it was her home was also her prison and she was not immune to loneliness. It had been a long time since she had met and spoken with anyone besides Riful and Duph and her encounters with Duph where usually short and unpleasant. Duph had no real liking for her and he didn't hide that fact. He tolerated her but Clare felt he would be just as happy to kill her as ignore her. Riful was the only one she could find comfort and companionship with but still, Clare at times desired more.
"You're brooding again." Riful mused softly with a small giggle as she suddenly hugged an unsuspecting Clare from behind. Clare had grown taller in the passing years and Riful was slightly indigent that she was so short in comparison. As it was, her arms could only encircle Clare's upper waist, her head resting just below Clare's shoulder blades.
"Sorry." Clare replied flatly and tried to glance down and back at Riful but only managed to see the arms around her. She did not mind the hug, it provided her with the comfort she had been seeking this evening. "It's just…" Clare continued but let the unspoken phrase stop, Riful would know what she meant.
"I know, but you know why we can't visit the city anymore." Riful sighed and gave Clare a squeeze. That particular event a few years back had been a dark point in her and Clare's friendship. She had almost lost Clare completely, but somehow, somehow it had all been washed away. For a moment Riful's mind lingered fondly on the night many months after the event in the city.
She had been torn and angry both at herself and Clare, no mater what she did Clare would put up a wall between them and shy away from her touch. She could do nothing to bring Clare out of her shell… nothing at all and that frustration was killing her. In a fit of angry passion she had spent the night with Duph, reckless and impulsive. It had perhaps been the most dangerous encounter her and Duph had ever shared, she had come so close to breaking him in her near irrational mindset. But the aftermath of that event had left her mind clear and focused. It was then she had sought to once more plead with Clare for her understanding, what she found however had shocked her.
The love making she had shared with Duph had not gone unnoticed by Clare's senses, Riful had not considered or thought about the repercussions of the act before she committed to it. Clare had felt their actions though their yoki almost as clearly as if she had witnessed them, and the effects on Clare's innocent mind and body had been extremely potent.
Clare had been in tears, terrified more of her own body then of Riful's presence when she arrived. Clare had been overwhelmed by their passion and a portion of those raw feelings had poured into her forcing her to reluctantly explore her own body. Riful had found Clare in the aftermath of her own climax, terrified and lost. Riful despite Clare's protest comforted her and held her tightly through the night as Clare cried openly and clung to her like a life line. After that night Clare had resolved her feelings for Riful. It did not happen immediately but a bond had formed that night and strengthened over time, now her and Clare where closer then ever before.
"I have a surprise for you." Riful breaking from her memories also broke from her hug. She smiled and took Clare's hand and insisted she followed. Clare wore a curios confused expression, but did not protest as together they descended from the roof and entered the entry camber to the castle. There in a beam of light sat a familiar bench Clare knew well, and it appeared to be their destination. Atop it sat a long cloth wrapped around a hidden object. Riful giggled and let go of Clare's hand once they where near and collected the concealed object offering it to Clare. It looked almost comical in her hands as its length surpassed her height.
"What is it?" Clare questioned but was denied an answer as Riful held the bundle up higher insistent Clare find out for herself. Clare did not hesitate and took it unwrapping it only to gasp softly in surprise and awe. Within the cloth was a claymore blade no different then the ones used by the organization's warriors. It appeared in perfect condition and held its own symbol. For a moment Clare was confused and she could not help but think the gift had been given at the cost of a claymores life. Riful seemed to pick up on her thoughts almost at once.
"This sword is very special; it was mine when I was still a warrior." Riful smiled and rested a hand on the symbol tracing her fingers around it in a playful childish manner. It didn't hold true sentimental value to her but it was something she had kept from those days and had never seemed to rid herself of. Now it almost seemed fated that Clare was the one to receive it, truth be told it would have been rather inconvenient to try and acquire a sword for Clare any other way. Very few blacksmiths could have forged it outside the organization and using another warrior's blade was simply something Riful didn't desire for her Clare.
"But this is yours, I can't take it." Clare gasped suddenly looking shocked. It made Riful smile at Clare's reaction; Clare was always making her smile. "I already have a sword…"
"Yes but you don't have a symbol." Riful held up a finger wisely and explained. "You don't know this but you are now at the age when the organization would test you. After the test, if you survived, the organization would award you a rank and symbol."
"But why… Why do I need a symbol?" Clare question confused. Riful sighed exasperated and stood before her pointing her finger strait at Clare's face with a stern expression.
"Because you are mine! This symbol as long as you carry it will tell everyone the same! I want the organization to know you, to see you. I want them to cry and scream in regret because they where foolish enough to turn you away. I want you to show them how strong you are, how strong Teresa has made you. I want them to remember your name for as long as they remember mine." Riful demanded heatedly and Clare was taken aback slightly before she bit her lip and looked down slightly ashamed at feelings of apprehensive she held for the gift. She did not question Riful further and clutched the claymore tightly, it was a powerful gift. One with a lot of feelings and responsibility attached and Riful was entrusting it to her, she could only feel blessed at that moment.
"Thank you…" Clare spoke softly and raised her eyes to Riful who lost her stern glare and replaced it with a warm smile.
"From now on training will be harder on you." Riful informed as she once more hugged Clare, this time from the front as Clare held the Claymore in both hands. "But I have faith in you; you have come so far so fast. I'm proud of you." Clare couldn't help but bite her lip more at the building emotion of joy. Riful had never spoken those words directly to her before and it was shocking at how powerful and effect they had on her. She wanted to hear them again.
End Chapter 4
