Something to Remember
Rhen is remembering the conversation she and Dameon had after she talked to Danny in Sedona.
Happens after Rhen and co. have left Sedona but before they can battle Indra. They have to do a lot of running back and forth quests to get to Indra (at least they did the way I played), so this happens during one of those.
They had stopped to eat lunch, and she found herself lost in her thoughts. She wasn't even thinking anything important. She had so many weighty things to consider, but her mind always returned to this one silly little conversation.
"I think he likes you, sword singer."
The words hadn't produced the usual fluttery feeling in her stomach. She'd tried to shrug it off.
"You may be right."
She remembered the little frown that formed at this, and how oddly it had struck her.
"He is too short for you and his nose is too long."
What a strange thing to say! Something tangled, and confused, and happy, and a little childish, had risen up in her. She could feel it now, too, and she smiled widely but discretely.
"Why, Dameon! Are you... jealous?!"
His eyes had widened and his face had flushed.
"Jealous! Me?!"
His tone had said of course not, but his face had said yes, and here was where she usually got stuck, replaying his words and his expression over in her mind, wondering which was the truth.
"Jealous! Me?!"
Of course not, Rhen. I am the druid of light. I have more important things to think about then some silly, reckless girl who can't cook her own dinner or take care of her own injuries. How ridiculous.
But the blush! It had been immediate and deep. And the beautiful, almost vulnerable look in his usually guarded eyes.
Yes, Rhen. I couldn't tell you before but I like you. That's why I stammer so often and smile when I see you. Doesn't it make sense?
And she wanted to say it did, but she was afraid she was wrong.
"Rhen?"
She looked up and blushed because there he was, as if he had stepped right out of her head. His eyes seemed darker every time she looked at them.
"What is wrong, Rhen?"
She scuffed her feet on the ground, trying to ignore the trembling feeling in her legs. "Nothing."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded miserably.
"Oh," he said, as if he was going to say more, but he didn't. After an awkward pause she became aware of a nervous sort of air about him. His hands were folded behind his back, and he kept glancing at her and quickly looking away again, sometimes half-opening his mouth like he might lean forward and— no, that was silly.
"Um... Rhen?"
"Yes, Dameon?" She tried to sound casual but her voice came out squeakily.
He cleared his throat in a clumsy sort of way, and produced something from behind his back. "This flower was growing out of a rock, over there," he gestured vaguely. She looked but could hardly see anything, she could only comprehend the sound of her pulse pounding in her ears and the earnest tone of his voice. "And it— reminded me of you, because it was so stubborn, and—" he cleared his throat again. "That isn't really what I meant. I mean— um— here." He took her hand and put the flower in it, his face burning, and then he hurried away before she could gather her wits enough to blink.
It was just a stupid little white daisy, but she knew she'd remember it forever.