Okay, okay, okay, everyone... we hit 75 reviews with the last chapter! ! ! I'm so excited, good golly, y'all are the best!
I'm honestly just starstruck over here, thank you so much. I never thought my self indulgent fanfic would get such a great response, and I've actually started talking to a few of you and it's so great.
And, in honor of that lil checkpoint, we get a super special Lucatiel centered chapter (which is totally not an excuse to try a new POV without breaking second person) and we explain how I imagine Majula to be with the BotC around. And cuteness. We get some cuteness.
Ten points to whoever correctly guesses after the last sentence also. I mean, there's not too many options, but hey.
Lucatiel distances her the next few days, and while you'd like to go back to your normal overly affectionate self, you don't push it. She just keeps looking at you, like she's making some sort of decision based on super mundane things. It's weird, and she is 100% aware of how uneasy you are.
She thinks it's cute.
The reason for all her staring is simple, to see if you're truly as otherworldly as you claim. It's much easier now that she has some idea of what to look for, that being anything that doesn't fit in with this 'timeframe'. Some things could easily be regional things but others... Are very obviously unlike anything in this world.
How you talk, for one. Lucatiel had noticed it before, and your explanation does fit in with your strange 'slang terms'. Even your mannerisms are odd, from the way you motion with your hands as you talk to the style in which you walk.
She cannot say for certain if that is a product of living in 'a different universe', or if it's just you, but it makes compelling argument.
And... She does want to believe you. There is no doubt in her mind that you have a mutual affection for one another, not that you're subtle in any sense of the word.
In deciding whether to believe you or not she also notices that the face you make when you succeed in casting a new spell is ridiculously endearing, and that you seem to have everyone in Majula wrapped around your finger. Rosabeth especially, despite being your teacher, has the sweetest smile on her face when you compliment her. She acts as if you're her new guardian, and Lucatiel has even seen her go to you for advice.
Which, Lucatiel supposes, is the point. You're not just a random Undead anymore. You're slowly becoming the leader the Herald apparently knew you could be. Even Lucatiel admits she has her doubts at first, wondering how this strange little Undead could possibly be the next Monarch when they can't look her in the eye.
She'll also admit the moment she realized the only time you do not meet her gaze is when you want to kiss her was one the most shocking of her life.
It's always the same, with you. You'll just... stare with that starstruck look in your eyes and a bright blush across your cheeks. As if she's the most awesome thing you've ever seen. Lucatiel knows by now that if she presses her lips to yours in those instances you'll make the most amazing noise before responding.
You're always so surprised when she kisses you, although it has become a fairly common occurrence, especially here in Majula. Lucatiel finds herself wanting to kiss you more regardless.
Sometimes she'll find herself staring as you chat with the other residents (she doesn't usually partake, both out of shyness and fear of attachment) and wondering how you could be so enamored with a knight such as herself.
And not even a noble blooded knight, she reminds herself. It's... Quite the challenge to wrap her head around the idea that you're not only to be the next monarch and from another world, but that you want her to be at your side.
It's just... Strange. Not unlike everything else in Drangleic, she supposes.
You easily fall into the role of a leader, although you play it off when Cloeanne points it out during one of the fireside meetings you've instated. You claim it's to keep track of the residents and make sure everyone has what they need. Sometimes they'll have requests, like Shalquoir asking for feathers or Malentia requesting some kind of herb neither of you have ever heard of. For tea, apparently.
It's only recently that Lucatiel's noticed you tend to bite on your lower lip when you can't find the words you want, usually during 'story time' (you have an abundance of stories from your home world).
It's safe to say that does not help the kissing situation.
Neither does the fact Rosabeth usually sleeps at the same time as you, and never fails to curl up next to you. It makes Lucatiel feel... Odd. It's not exactly jealously, because she knows you view Rosabeth as a little sister but it is unpleasant. She's aware you only baby the pyromancer because she's still hurting after being left behind in this strange and deadly land but...
She doesn't have to like it, right?
Lucatiel tries to figure out what exactly she's feeling while you busy around the rather large house, dragging old books all over the place and trying to find one that suits your needs. 'They're full of spells and history and everything else, Luca!' You told her earlier this week. The both of your had been loitering in Majula much longer than you had previously, which none of the residents seem to mind.
Lucatiel is still undecided on whether or not she can call Majula 'home' though, and when she brought it up you expressed similar doubts. It is undoubtedly homier and safer than her home in Mirrah, but it is also falling apart and missing some key components to be a home. Her family, for example.
Thinking of them just makes her chest ache, and she instead fishes out the 'cell phone' you entrusted with her. It's on thirty two percent now, but you mentioned not caring whether it dies as it is pretty much useless at this point. She's already beaten your tetris high score.
She's brought back to attention when you begin raising your voice, "Hey... That's not how it happened! Seath was a total dick! What the fu- frick, who wrote this?"
"Excuse me?" She asks, moving to glance over the books in your hands.
"This- it's talking about this great pale drake from an ancient land that pioneered spells still used today, and its making him seem like some great hero or something. He- he was horrible, Lucatiel!" You snarl, grinding your teeth together.
She plucks the books from your hands and tosses it onto the desk. "No more of that then." She says lightly, trying not to smile. You're just so... Cute when you're infuriated. She would never purposely anger you, of course, but nonetheless.
Lucatiel holds her hands out for you, asking, "Perhaps it is time for training with that new weapon of yours?" She is not quite sure what to make your infatuation with the Black Knight Greatsword, but it is amusing watching a pyromancer try to learn sword techniques. You are better than most new practitioners though, she will admit.
Your eyes light up, "Really? Let's do this!" You let her pull you up, your grin slipping ever so slightly when she doesn't immediately release your hands. "Lucatiel?" You ask, tilting your face up.
You've mentioned her height a few times before, but it's never as apparent as it is when she considers kissing you. You're not short by any means (unlike the Herald, who is teeny tiny, in your words), but Lucatiel finds the height difference extremely charming. And fitting, considering that she is your knight.
Lately she has been wondering if that's all she's to be though.
Perhaps... That is not the only title you would like for her.
Unfortunately, trying to court someone from another world seems to make things much more complicated. Things that would be obvious to Mirrans' at this point in the relationship seem to fly over your head, while you struggle to translate your terminology into words she understands. Like 'courting' being called 'dating'.
Not to mention the "girlfriend" thing, which Lucatiel is almost certain is something you made up to confuse her. Why would you need a special name for the person you're courting? Wouldn't 'betrothed' work? Or would that be a substitute for 'fiancé'?
"Lucatiel?" You repeat quietly, bringing her back to the present.
Oh. Yes. She wanted to kiss you, didn't she?
You make that noise when she claims your lips, that quiet little squeak that turns into a shudder when she grabs your waist. You kiss her back fervently, pressing your body to hers just the way that drives her mad.
She pulls back with a smile, admiring your bright red lips and deer-in-the-headlights expression (a phrase she learned from you).
"Okay." You say slowly.
"Hmm..." Lucatiel laughs, tilting your face up and kissing your jaw.
You fail silent as she continues down your throat, your breath becoming shallow and uneven. She simply adores that she has such an affect on you and takes pride in every breathy sigh.
She eventually finds the place she's looking for, the space just above your collarbone that makes you moan. You stop as soon as you catch up with yourself, most unfortunately.
"You needn't do that." She laughs, moving to look at you properly.
Your face is brighter than ever, "Lucatiel! You shouldn't- ugh." You scold breathlessly. Fortunately for the both of you, it's very hard to take you seriously at the moment and she simply brushes it off. She watches your expression carefully as one set of fingers gently trace up your backbone.
You do not disappoint, your embarrassed irritation morphing into a pleased smile and a shiver that rakes your frame.
"What shouldn't I do?" She asks, mock seriously.
"You... You know this is definitely not training." You say. You word almost like a question.
"Not the type you're thinking of, at least." She smirks.
Your eyes go wide and all you're able to say is, "Oh."
Goodness gracious.
She isn't quite sure how long she keeps you there, but by the time Rosabeth barges in you're a trembling mess beneath her lips. You near instantly snap to attention when the pyromancer calls your name, and (despite Lucatiel's sour expression) you meet her halfway up the stairs to ask, "What's up?"
"Oh..." She says after a pause, laughing. "Did I interrupt something?"
Lucatiel moves to the top of the staircase, watching the two of you interact curiously. Rosabeth is smiling brilliantly, while you're in a complete state of disarray and blushing furiously. Anyone could see what you've been doing.
"N-no. I mean, nothing! No." You stutter, reaching up to fix your hair. As if that will erase all evidence.
"Oh? Then why is your knight looking so smug?" She teases. Lucatiel only grins in response.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Lucatiel is perpetually smug that's just who she is so how did your date go?" Your words are strung together with embarrassment and you don't even try to make a proper sentence. Lucatiel presses her hand to her mouth in an attempt to smother her laughter.
The mention of her date seems to be the trick to letting the subject drop though, and Rosabeth excitedly takes your hands in hers, "Oh, it was wonderful. You were right too. That cliff was perfect! And the flowers were so romantic."
"You gotta give me the details." You answer immediately, and Lucatiel decides its time for her departure. While she and Rosabeth are fairly good friends, discussing her romantic prospects seems a little too... Intimate for the knight. She's sure you can handle it.
She does have to wonder who Rosabeth is taking out on a date though...