I love you, Manna. That's about all I can say. Because of you, this chter has FINALLY BEEN FINISHED after spending MONTHS ROTTING AWAY HALF-WRITTEN in my database.
Raine: Yes. Let's all thank the lifeless reader who instigated this garbage.
You're so sweet, Raine. You know she loves you, too.
Raine: That alone is reason enough to hate her, given what your "love" for me has done.
Yeah, yeah. Just sit and watch the male bonding.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay, sis? Your life skills are a little…lacking." As he perched on the back of the bench outside his new school, feet resting on the smooth seat, he leaned forward against his thighs and fixed his older sister with a half-impertinent scrutiny. Oh, there was no denying how excited he was to be staying here, finally attending the academy that had promised him a place of honor for years. There was still the reality, though, that he had never in his life been separated from Raine by so much distance, and for so long a time. He wasn't going to see her again for a few months, at the very least, and while he recognized that he was old enough to take this step, and she was no kid either, it was still…odd.
Raine folded her arms across her middle, standing there as she always did with exasperation on her face and well-hidden amusement in her eyes. "Thank you for that vote of confidence, Genis," she replied dryly. "I think I can probably manage to survive without you, yes."
Genis shook his head and draped his arms over his thighs. "Only if you never make your own lunch. You're a brilliant scientist, Raine. But as a chef, you're a budding serial killer."
"I am aware of your disdain for my culinary skills—"
"You don't have any culinary skills, dear sister. I can't have disdain for something that doesn't exist – hey, I'm just being honest for your own good!" The young man laughed, leaning back and out of reach of the swat he saw coming.
Still smiling, he slid down to sit on the bench like a normal person. Raine sat beside him, and he could feel her gaze on him before he saw it. When he met it, he tilted his head slightly in question, but she simply reached out with a sigh and a shake of her own to mess with his hair again. "Guh, woman." He batted her hand away and, simply to spite her, used both hands to cover his face with hair. "Geez. That's one thing I'm not going to miss. You need to go get married and have some kids so you can nag your family instead of me. You're such a mother." Habitually, he gave his head a jerk to clear at least one eye, unable to maintain the complete ape look indefinitely.
Raine pursed her lips, but she leaned back against the wood and crossed one leg over the other in apparent defeat. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but as my brother, I'm fairly certain you are my family."
Genis heaved a good-natured sigh and slid down, slumped a little on the bench. He knew how dismayed his sister was about all of these little quirks of his, yes. He didn't have to see her face to know the look that crossed over it at his horrendous posture. Ah, but they were siblings. It was their job to irritate one another. Wasn't that some unwritten rule somewhere? They were probably much closer than any other brother and sister out there, probably got along much better, but they were still, in fact, a brother and sister. Not to mention the fact that he was younger, so it was his duty to be a pain with an adorable smile.
"So. Regal, huh?" He linked his hands behind his head and looked up at the sky idly.
Raine glanced at him. "What about him?"
"Never knew you liked rich, important, older men. Ow! What the heck was that for?" His cheekiness had earned him a smart whack on the top of his head with a very unforgiving book. "I was kidding! Man. Maybe it's a good thing you don't have kids; you'd probably be charged with child abuse."
"I have my hands full with you."
"Not for long. You're leaving this afternoon." He paused, blinking, as his own words set in. The boy shifted back into a normal position and dropped his arms slowly to his lap. "…This afternoon." In a few hours, they would at last be separated. She would sail off with Duke Charming, and he would dazzle student and teacher alike with his unparalleled brilliance…and they would be separated.
Silence fell between them as they both considered his statement. Only the skittering of a few leaves across the stone nearby broke the stillness. Genis scratched his arm, staring at the ground between his feet. Was it silly that the idea worried him so much? He was halfway through his teenage years; he was ready to be growing up. Still, somehow, knowing that the woman who had raised him, his only family, wouldn't be mere steps away anymore in just a few short hours… It was hard. He was worried. But the strangest part?
He was worried more for her than for himself.
"I'll be back."
He looked up as his sister's voice finally filled the quiet. Her eyes came down from the clouds to meet his, and despite the apparent lack of sentimentality in her expression, he had to smile a little at those eyes. She was going to miss him, too.
"I hope so," he chuckled. "I didn't figure you'd just dump me here and run. You'll want to butt into my grades too badly for that."
Raine shook her head. "I hardly think you'll need me to."
"I won't. But you'll still do it."
"Mm." She didn't really need to agree verbally. They both knew he was right. The younger Sage smiled absently; his sister scanned the sky in the same manner. A sort of wordless communication overtook them, comfortable and familiar – until an impulse grabbed hold of the boy, and, less figuratively, he grabbed hold of the woman beside him.
Genis leaned over and wrapped his arms about her from the side, resting his chin on her shoulder. Her body flinched under his touch, but that was hardly surprising; she wasn't exactly known for being touchy-feely. He felt entitled, though. "My big sister, going out into the world all by herself…" His face was as smug as his voice.
Raine cocked an eyebrow and turned her head to look down at him. "I will revel in the peace and quiet," was her dry response. "For once not to have a child to worry about… It should be quite a revelation."
"Oh, come on. I haven't been a child since I was seven and Lloyd entered the picture. Eh? Come on." He nudged her. "You know I'm right."
This provoked traces of a smile as she shook her head. "You're going to be fine," she mused, her left hand coming to flick at his hair for the umpteenth time that morning.
"As though there was ever any doubt. Hey, Regal!" Genis released his sister and sat up as, around her shoulders, he spotted the very man who was to be escort. One of his hands lifted up into the air in a hailing wave. Actually, it was a lucky break; if this guy was going to take over custody of Raine, there were some things the two of them needed to straighten out.
Raine glanced up and over at his exclamation, and her head inclined slightly in as animated a greeting as she ever gave anyone. The Duke had one arm bent and tucked away behind his back, while the other hand was resting at his pocket in a more casual appearance. An easy, diplomatic expression of contentment rode his features. Just the target for a little…heart to heart.
"Raine. Genis." He nodded to each in turn and then settled his gaze on the latter. "I hear classes are scheduled to begin this afternoon. Looking forward to starting your long-delayed academic career?"
"Yup. Looking forward to whisking my sister away into the horizon?" The mischievous boy found his satisfaction when Regal blinked in silence and Raine pressed her palm to her face. Without missing a beat or waiting for the inevitable slap, he hopped to his feet and jerked his head toward the human. "Walk with me, Regal."
He was aware that the two of them share a quick glance, but he folded his arms and waited until the older man slowly came to join him. Then, he began to amble away with someone twice his size in tow, across the city square and down toward the harbor. There was silence between them for a time, until at last, the mage came to a halt off to the side of the path. There he stood, hands linked atop his head, and peered out at the anchored boats. It seemed his temporary companion was inclined to let him take the reins of this conversation. That was only fair.
"Heading out, huh?"
"As soon as your sister is ready, there is a vessel waiting for us. I believe she wishes to see you off entirely first, however. You shouldn't worry; she won't depart without seeing you settled. Of that I am quite certain." He sounded almost amused.
"I grew up in Sylvarant. These people are my people. I've wanted to come to the Academy for years. I'm not really worried about getting myself settled in."
Regal arched one brow, though his posture remained straight and respectful. "Oh?" A beat. Then, more softly, "…You fear for her, then."
Genis rubbed his fingers through his hair. "Don't get me wrong. I have no idea what it's going to be like, out here on my own for the first time in my life. But Raine's never been alone, either. I'm going to be here, going to the school that's been begging me to attend since we heard about it. I'm a Hero of Regeneration – or whatever the heck they're calling us now." Here the boy chuckled a bit. He had to admit: it was pretty cool to have such an impressive title. "But she's going out into the world. She said she was heading to Sybak. The only reason I didn't have a conniption when she told me that was…" Subtly, he let his eyes shift toward Regal.
"Because I will be with her?" the other finished almost gently.
Genis turned back to the water. "If she had said she was going to Sybak by herself, I would have known she'd lost her mind completely. Things are supposed to have changed, but I'd be lying if I said I trusted that city or anyone in it with someone like…us."
Regal finally stepped up so they stood side by side, his fingers woven together behind his back. Both gazes searched the lazy horizon. "Your sister is a very capable woman, Genis. She would never place herself intentionally in harm's way, and I daresay she is quite the force to be reckoned with, having seen evidence of this firsthand during our journey." A touch of wryness had entered his tone.
The boy made half of a grin. "You put it a lot more eloquently than I would." The grin faded. "…But I'm not stupid. I know she's strong; I've always looked up to her and depended on her. But things have changed. Something has changed. She's quieter lately, she holds herself strangely, and it just feels like she's guarded sometimes when we talk. It's not that noticeable, and I doubt anyone else would see it—but I know my sister. And I know she's not invincible. As much as she likes to pretend she's all tough and…whathaveyou, she's just not. That's why I want to make sure she'll be okay."
Regal had been quiet and attentive, rubbing his jaw near the end of this speech. He nodded ever so slightly, thoughtfully, and closed his eyes. "No one is invincible. You needn't fear for her, Genis; I swear to you, no harm will befall her whilst we remain together. You can rest assured."
"Glad to hear it. I'll hold you to that." His hands dropped to his sides, though, and he rounded on the human with an evil glower. "But that doesn't mean I want you getting any ideas about my sister."
It seemed to take Regal a moment to comprehend what kind of "ideas" were being implied; but when he did, that same stunned blink overtook his face. He did look as though he tried subsequently to smother a bit of a chuckle afterward, and he lifted one hand a little. "I will protect her as I would any other friend. I have no intention of dishonoring her, or betraying your confidence in me with such a depraved agenda."
"That, and I'd toast your butt if you so much as sneezed at her the wrong way."
This time the chuckle escaped unhindered. "Yes, that too."
Genis eyed him up and down, studying his countenance and the kind, knowing expression. Finally, he held out a hand and allowed the nobleman to shake it. "Alright. You're clean. Just keep her out of trouble – and away from everything over the age of sixty. That's for your good."
Another quiet bout of laughter. "I'll remember."
As they walked together back toward the city's heart, Genis watched the clouds. He was more or less satisfied; he had made his point to his sister's caretaker, and he was reasonably assured of her well-being. Now it was just a matter of saying goodbye.
D'awww. Little Bro feels better now. :D
Raine: How very nice for him.
And Regal's given his word to be a perfect gentleman.
Raine: Thank Martel for that.
Yeah, well. He doesn't understand the point of my fictions. All. My fictions.
Raine: ...-sigh-
Teehee!
