You Were Watching Her
Winski stood at the deck of the Vagabond. Where WAS the boy? He has been moping again... what did he see in the Abyss, I wonder? He refuses to tell.
# Don't blame him, Winski. He loves you very much, but you never carried divine blood in your veins... and there are things too horrible for anyone but Peri to share with him. #
Is that what has made him like that, Twiggy? Why can't he embrace forgiveness and new life like I have?
# Remember that you were saved through divine intervention, declared free by Ilmater after going through the retribution. Sarevok doesn't have such a relief. He fought his own way out of the Abyss with no help but his nearly inhuman willpower and strength. No-one declared him free. #
I would like to help him, Twiggy. I feel powerless and inadequate.
# I am sure you will have your chance to do just that. You must give him time. #
Winski lifted his coiled familiar next to his face and pressed his cheek on the warm skin. Twiggy crawled around his neck and rested there.
After a moment of serene recollection Winski saw a cheering crowd. People running around, throwing their headgear and fresh flowers in the air, a bard plucking his lute for a tune, a very creative and self-important expression on his face.
The people were chanting.
- "... Sarevok, Sarevok, Sarevok..."
Winski wasted no time but yelled under the deck.
- "Jelena! Peri! Imoen! Allonia! Come... this is bad."
The disheveled women who had been napping scrambled up to the deck, just in time to observe the gleeful crowd.
- "What can he possibly have done?" Imoen groaned.
- "I don't know but I'm about to find out," Peri growled and took an agitated step. Winski yanked her sleeve.
- "Peri! The 'discreet' part. Let Allonia..."
The assassin wasted no time but leapt down to the pier with a few sure-footed steps. She immersed herself with the crowd, asked questions, her face lively as she maneuvered the people to part of the information. Winski forgot himself to watch her intently. She was still very beautiful. Age doesn't diminish the beauty of those who have that beauty more than skin-deep. The kind of beauty that burns in their eyes, in the liveliness of their expressions, the way they carried themselves.
Suddenly Winski felt unpleasant.
# Uh-oh, Winski. Keep your eyes focused elsewhere next time. #
- "Winski. Mind telling me what you concluded? It is not as if you often grace anything with that kind of scrutiny."
Jelena looked hurt, and also a tad angry.
- "What do you mean? I was just..." Winski started.
- "Do not lie to me. You were watching her in a very appreciative manner. Do not DARE to lie to me, I can see that you are blushing." Her voice was low, her blue eyes sparking with very unfamiliar aggression. She never faltered as she faced Winski.
- "Very well, Jelena. I was watching her, and liking what I saw. But I often look at beautiful things, liking what I see and I still don't love you any less."
- "Well, the last time you were appreciating a beautiful painting I don't think it was a one you have had a sexual relationship with!"
- "Please, Jelena. I don't know what you want me to say! I didn't intend to - I got lost in thought as it has been such a long time... you should know that I love you with all my heart."
- "Oh, and I am this simpering, helpless girl suitable to be the True Love of a man who protects her and carries her around while she coos and weeps for no reason, and she is the passion-arousing, erotic, strong woman who doesn't need protecting? That it, Winski?"
Winski really couldn't think of anything to say. He was shocked at the unfairness of Jelena's claim, and also the pain she was in. He bowed his head and looked away.
- "I really am sorry, if you think that way, Jelena. I not only love you and am devoted to you, I also respect you, lust after you and certainly don't think you helpless. In fact, I don't consider myself the stronger one of us. Please, ask Ilmater if you really did me justice just now."
Winski walked away and left Jelena speechless, her emotions still running amok and adrenaline soaring in her veins.
