Note: This might be a little out of place here, but I recently vented on a forum of how one fanfiction that I was writing, it seemed that no one really cared about it. I was speaking of my Zelda fanfiction that I've been developing for some time now, so a lack of any input is a bit discouraging. This wasn't to say that I am ungrateful for any other reviews I get on my other fics, especially this one. I was just feeling down that something I put some years in designing characters and working the plot out on didn't really get anything on the four places I've posted it. This is not meant as me saying I am ungrateful to any of you, as your reviews for this make me want to continue not only this, but all my works as well. So, I'm sorry if I sounded ungrateful in that vent if you saw it.

That said, this chapter mainly centers on the party, the other events occurring at the same time being dealt with in the next one, as there are a bunch of things coming up that'll have to be tended to.

Anyhow, some good news for Trials as a whole: the remake has shipped over one millions copies worldwide, which means that perhaps more remakes of the series and sequels will be made. Though with that, some of that popularity has come from the slew of R18 doujins of Riesz. Yep. Hardcore porn. Out of curiosity, I checked out a couple of those, and...wow. There's no plot or anything, it mainly just consists of her either getting captured and violated or just getting violated. And it can be by either human or some unnamed tentacle monster.

People are going to do what they will, so as long as they're not doing it to anyone in real life, it's not my business, but why is there so much of Riesz? I saw only one or two shots of Angela in those, and there was one with Charlotte sporting a rather noticeable cameltoe, but she wasn't unclothed. Japanese age of consent is different there, yes, but given that Riesz is only sixteen, it's ify territory (16 is legal here in my state, yet still). At least Angela is of age basically everywhere, and Charlotte...well, even if she is fifteen (age of consent in Japan is thirteen-fourteen), she still has the mind of a child, so I think that's even worse. Which is why I'm keeping her and Kevin's relationship as more of a platonic friendship/sibling thing. Ship them if you want as they are the same age, yet I don't want to give off any creepy vibes.

That said, thanks a lot to everyone that's stuck with me so far, and I'm sorry if I offended anyone with my vent. It was directed mainly at my Zelda fic, so please forgive me.

Thanks so much to Falchion1984 for pointing out the mistakes, suggestions, and overall being interested in this thing.

Celebration and Musing

"...and, well, that's how we ended up here." The purple, cat-like creature finished, having told the five unknowing individuals his tale, the sixth once again recalling events that he had been trying to suppress.

Everyone was speechless, all eyes, both those in the inner circle and the amazons around centered on the violet-haired thief, who had reverted from his ranger state and into his default form. Riesz wanted nothing more than to speak, yet found herself unable to form words.

"I...I mean...I know I have problems, we all do, but...wow." Angela finally said, having had enough of the silence. "But…" still, she had some questions to ask. "Why didn't you say something?"

Duran looked at her. "Didn't you just hear...Niccolo, right?" the purple cat nodded. "Hawkeye couldn't."

"But...couldn't he maybe, y'know, try to skip some details but say, well, like how telling what happened would endanger Jessica?"

Hawkeye sighed. "And would you have accepted that as an answer?"

Angela pondered for a moment and realized that no, she wouldn't have. No one would've.

"In a way, she cursed both of mew." Niccolo said. "Isabella, or Belladonna, made it near full proof."

"If not for you, I'd probably either be hanging somewhere or have my head cut off." Hawkeye chuckled. "At least the former option would leave my hair intact." Duran quirked a brow, puzzled about his care about such a thing, let alone how he found humor in any of this. "Hey, it takes time to get this looking right." Hawkeye said, holding his low, long ponytail.

Duran mainly gave no attention to his hair, and Kevin seemed to taking account of his own, trying to pull some strands down only to bounce back up as if they were springs being pulled down. Hawkeye gave a chuckle, though it didn't last long, he directed his attention back to Niccolo. "Aside from that, has anything else happened?" he asked. "Has that caped creep been up to anything?"

"Caped creep?" Niccolo was puzzled for a moment. "Oh! You mean him! Malocchio!"

Malocchio? The name sounded elegant, yet bore an ominous feel to it as well. It was then that Riesz spoke up. "What did he look like?"

Niccolo thought for a moment while Hawkeye watched the young woman's body language. "Well...I didn't see him much, and I'm still trying to get back stuff after Isabella, Belladonna, whoever she really is, did her spell on me." he explained. "I didn't see him much, but he and Is...Belladonna talked a bit. They mainly went back and forth about this guy called the 'Dark Majesty'."

Dark Majesty...the same that Bill and Ben and Belladonna herself mentioned. Still, Riesz seemed mainly focused on this 'Malocchio' character. "And? What did he look like? Were his eyes red?" Niccolo nodded, confirming her instincts. "I knew it," she murmured. "Befitting such vile fiends would be in league with each other."

"Well...he's pale. Like, really pale. And he's got red eyes." Riesz's hands tightened around her spear. "He's also the reason so many girls have gone missing." The cat continued. "And last I heard, he's been rather eager to, as he said 'get more acquainted' with Jessica."

The thief's lips tightened with anger. "What has he done?"

"Nothing. For now." Niccolo said. "Though she's not alone."

"Flamekhan's there too?" Hawkeye asked hopefully.

"He's been thrown in prison too, though his health isn't looking too good." the cat said. "Though...there's someone else too. A boy."

"A boy?!" to everyone's surprise, Riesz practically zoomed over to Niccolo and took him by the shoulders. "What'd he look like?!" she demanded. "Blonde hair? Blue eyes?"

"I-I think so," Niccolo said, startled. "He was put in with Jessica-ah!"

"Is he all right?!" Riesz asked. "How is he?! Has that witch or that man put their hands on him?!"

"He's fine!" the cat yelped, the amazon having begun to shake him. "He's fine! Isabella, Belladonna said he was to be untouched!" Upon hearing this, Riesz seemed to calm down, yet she still held Niccolo by the shoulders. "I don't know why...but it's like she needs him for something."

The blonde princess narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Like what?"

"I'm not sure. But...but I don't like it." the cat gave a nervous purr. "But he's safe. I can promise mew that."

Riesz released him, though she was still absorbing what she had just been told. He was alive...her brother was alive. Captured and in enemy hands, but alive. She fought back tears of relief, yet despite that, an overwhelming sense of guilt overtook her. Yet that could be tended to later. She directed her attention to Hawkeye. "I owe you an enormous apology," she said. "I treated you with suspicion when you didn't deserve it, as you have suffered just as much at the hands of that witch as this kingdom had. And yet, despite this, you have treated me and all of us with open trust and understanding." she then knelt down on one knee. "I beg your forgiveness and ask that you allow me and all of Laurent to make amends for this grievous error."

"Me too," Duran said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I should know better by now than to jump to conclusions so quickly." he glanced at Angela, then to Kevin, even if he had drawn his sword on the beastman just for a moment before. "Sorry." Everyone else agreed, presenting the thief with apologetic looks.

Hawkeye was feeling somewhat awkward, not exactly feeling comfortable with this sort of attention being put on him. "Hey, c'mon, it's not like any of you guys could've known." everyone's eyes were on him now, and not in the way he wanted. To think, he'd be uncomfortable surrounded by so many beautiful women. He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "Besides...why isn't anyone noticing how we just royally kicked some ass back there and got this place back?"

Riesz paused, realizing that yes, indeed, Laurent HAD once again been retaken. And from what she was told when she sent forces outside to collect the Nevarlan agents, there was no evidence that any other threats were able to be seen. Not to mention, from what she also was told, the agents were actually rather dazed and confused, as if they weren't even aware of where they were, let alone what had happened. All of them had been taken to the base and kept under lock and key nevertheless, some security measures still had to be had.

"And...well, with a little cleaning up, this place will look just like new! Sorta." Angela added.

"Look, all I'm saying is that, given this great victory, shouldn't we be putting all this negativity to the side and do something more...festive?"

"Celebrate?" Riesz said aloud in surprise.

"With all due respect, captain, we've been waiting on this for some time now." Eliza then spoke.

"Not to mention, since that Belladonna left, there's been no resistance from the Nevarlan invaders. It's just like this cat here said." Gertrude added. "So I'm with this guy here." she gestured to Hawkeye. "We should be celebrating right now!"

This declaration traveled around and was heard by everyone, they in turn pondered this and became more and more accepting of it, not to mention excited.

"Do we still have food in storage?" one amazon asked.

"There's plenty down in Palo." another answered. "Goddess knows that there's enough to go around now that those invaders aren't making trouble anymore." she then looked at Hawkeye. "No offense."

"We should invite them too!" another amazon cried out, clearly getting excited. "Hell, we should invite everyone! Let's make a night of it!" she was answered by a resounding cry of approval.

Alma turned her eyes to her young queen. "Well, your highness?" she asked. "What's your verdict?"

Riesz looked at all the eyes that were now on her, then to the other five, she had been traveling with. She wasn't exactly sure what to say, and frankly, wasn't expecting a turn such as this to occur. Nevertheless, she looked upon her soldiers and took a deep breath. "Eliza," she addressed the blue-haired amazon. "Do you still have your bar outfit?"

Eliza's face lit up, though her thanks were drowned out by the collective cheers that rang out, everyone more than eager to get this party started.

Later

The celebration was underway, and from the looks of it, was proving to be a big success.

Given the state of the citadel, some clean-up and to be done to make it look presentable, yet aside from that, everything could get started right away. The word spread quickly, the inhabitants of Palo more than overjoyed that the Nevarlan menace had been dealt with. They took to providing most of the food and drink for the celebration, and several of the inhabitants took to going to the citadel itself, the entire town having been invited to ease the suffering that they had been going through. And it wasn't just food and drink that was provided. Several musicians, both of Palo and the amazons had taken to playing upbeat tunes, and some of those that had worked down in the bars during the invasion took to donning their work attire and dancing to the music, Eliza and Angela being amongst them, the latter having brought out her staff and performing various tricks for the ever tantalized crowd.

Currently, Duran found himself in the midst of a crowd of cheering, jovial, and quite drunk people, keeping close to the stage of dancing girls and musicians, eyes on Angela as she twirled around. She was currently performing a trick where she held a diamond in the air with Sylphid's cyclone and produced a light via Lumina that poured into the diamond, the light, in turn, shining with all the colors of the spectrum. Several more diamonds and small cyclones were conjured, she soon being surrounded by swirling gemstones and reflected rainbows, of which the crowd seemed to go crazy for.

'You seem to like what you see.' Faerie mentioned, noting how her host's cheeks flushed upon hearing that.

'I'm just keeping by to make sure no one gets too handsy with her. Or anyone else.' he retorted.

'Not because you want to watch her too?' the winged woman said, giggling when she felt her host's temperature rise. 'Oooh, someone IS excited!'

"Sh-Shut up!" Duran hissed, though he covered his mouth when he realized that he was drawing some attention. "I don't have to answer you." he grumbled.

'No, you can keep your secrets.' Faerie said. 'Though I don't understand why you don't simply go further with it. Hawkeye's clearly putting the moves on Riesz. Or has the alcohol not gotten to your system yet?'

"I'm not going to be putting the moves on ANYONE." Duran took another look at Angela and in turn, took another swing of his beer.

"Oooh, who are you?" a slurred voice said, the soldier turning and seeing two very drunk amazon women. "Hey, you're the guy that helped take back the citadel!" the first, a blonde with her hair in a ponytail said. "I thought I recognized you!"

"Oh, uh, yeah! That's me!" Duran answered, not exactly liking the hunger in their eyes. "So, uh, how have you two been holding up?"

"Oh, it's been terrible!" the other, a short-haired brunette said. "We've been cooped up in that stupid cave for so long, and if we weren't doing that, we've been slaving away down in Palo because of those dirty desert rats!"

They were both looking at him, waiting on his input. "Yeah...yeah, totally. Screw those guys."

"Yeah. Though that purple-haired guy was pretty hot." one of them said, yet her eyes still focused on Duran. "Though...honestly, not as hot as you."

"What?" the wild-haired young man didn't even have time to react before she embraced him.

"You know how lonely it's been all cooped up in that cave? Surrounded by a bunch of girls all the time, and the men that you DO get to have contact with are either always demanding more booze or trying to grab your ass!" and while he couldn't be sure, Duran swore he felt fingers ghosting his rump at that very moment.

"And guys, in general, are a rarity among amazons. That's why guys like King Joester and Prince Elliot are so important." the other amazon said. "Sure, there are the guys down from Palo, but a lot of them are older men. And personally, I'm not exactly interested in a guy who constantly smells like fish."

Duran soon found the other amazon resting up against him as well. "So...I've been thinking it over and given it lots of thought. And, well…" the blonde looked into the young man's eyes. "I want to marry you."

Both Duran and Faerie were taken aback by what she had just said. "Wh-What?"

"No fair!" the brunette then said. "I wanted to marry him!"

The blonde seemed unfazed by this and shrugged. "Ok," she said. "We can both marry him."

Had he taken in more of the beer, Duran would've surely spit it out at what he had just heard. "M-Marry? Both of you?"

'Can you do that?' Faerie asked.

"No, you can't!" Duran replied, forgetting to keep his conversations with the winged woman in his head.

"Aw, c'mon!" the blonde slurred. "Sure, it hasn't been done in a while here, but polygamy's still practiced at least in some places in the world!"

"Yeah, loosen up, honey!" the brunette said, voice growing more seductive. "What man doesn't want to have his cake and eat it too?"

"I just hope it's good when you decide to eat me." the blonde purred, leaning forward, her target being the soldier's lips. Immediately, the brunette decided to try the same, Duran soon smothered by the two women forcing their lips on his own.

He tried to quickly excuse himself, yet he severely underestimated the strength of these women. 'Damn, they're strong!' he thought. Sure, if it was just one of them, then maybe he'd have a chance, yet both of them at once were proving to be too much. So he was left with little choice but to stand there and try to think of a way out of this. What he or the other women didn't count on was how a certain magician's eyes caught onto what was going on.

And suffice to say, she was fuming.

Though the show had to go on. She continued to dance and perform tricks, yet she'd send some of her magic out into the audience. Aiming her staff, a pair of small diamonds formed above the blonde's back. And with one, well-timed slash downward, the diamond sliced through the back of her undershirt, tearing it open. The dark clothing fell forward with no support from the back and had she not caught it, her chest would've been exposed to everyone. Then, another pair of diamonds manifested and sliced the shoulders of the brunette, missing the skin, yet it tore the cloth with ease. She wasn't so lucky, unable to catch the torn shirt, exposing her bra to everyone. The two were drunk, yet not drunk enough to allow themselves to be exposed. Immediately, they let out shrieks and scampered away, trying to keep their torn clothes upon their chests.

Duran looked up at Angela, who was back to dancing as if nothing happened. While thankful, he was rather surprised at how aggressive her methods were, as if she were madly jealous of the two women being on him.

'Would you WANT her to be jealous?' Faerie questioned, giggling as she felt her host's body grow hot.

"Shut up," he grumbled, taking another swing of beer.

Elsewhere, Kevin and Charlotte were staring in awe at a burly, tanned man sporting an impressive, blonde beard lifting up amazons on his shoulders, they in turn gently and tenderly feeling up his rock-hard biceps. Some women clung onto him as he lifted his arms and he grabbed some and tossed them around as if they weighed nothing, catching them after they were sent high in the air, landing gently back on his shoulders.

"Whoa…" Kevin gazed in awe at the burly figure, watching his feats of strength. His physique would've put that of Ludgar and even his father to shame.

"He's big." Charlotte noted. "Weaw big…"

"Of course he is," Riesz said, coming to witness what was going on. "He's Thomas, our head blacksmith."

"Bwacksmith?" Charlotte was confused. "What's a bwacksmith? He's not bwack."

Riesz shushed her, looking around and hoping no one heard the small girl. "No, Charlotte. A blacksmith is someone who designs and constructs weapons."

"But didn't you say that amazons don't have a lot of men?" Kevin asked. "Is he one of those rare ones?"

"Actually, he's from Palo." Riesz explained. "Seeing as we're the main line of defense for them, we've commissioned several men from Palo to serve as blacksmiths, armorers, builders, masons, architects, the list goes on." she then gestured to the expansive chamber they currently resided in. "It was Thomas' own grandfather that designed and constructed this very citadel, and his father that had improved and strengthened our armor. It seems Thomas took after his father, though he went the route of making weapons."

Charlotte and Kevin continued to watch him, he currently inviting all to arm wrestling whichever man was willing to take him on, almost everyone that came to challenge him either high on liquid courage or fell to peer pressure. And each and every match ended the same way, Thomas practically tossing each challenger to the ground or high in the air. It was then that the bearded blacksmith spotted Kevin.

"Hey!" he called out cheerily. "Hey you, c'mere!" Kevin pointed to himself as if to ask 'me?' "Yeah you! C'mere!" Tentatively, the beastman approached the drunken, muscle-bound blacksmith. "You're one of the princess' friends, right?"

"Friend?" Kevin looked at Riesz, then back to Thomas. "Oh, uh...yeah. I guess so. Right, Riesz?"

Riesz nodded. "Yes. He is a companion of mine."

"Ah, perfect!" Thomas laughed, slapping Kevin's back, nearly sending him to the floor. "You look like a fine kid! Never seen a beastman before! Though I thought you guys were supposed to be a bit bigger. You a runt or something?"

"Um...no. At least, I don't think so."

"Sorry if I offended ya." Thomas apologized, yet the beastman shook his head. Frankly, he'd gladly take 'runt' over 'princeling' any day. At least he could associate 'runt' with a joyous voice instead of one that continuously reminded him of his inadequacy. "Either way, how old are ya?"

"Fifteen. Why?"

"Hmm…" Thomas thought for a moment. "Even if you're small, you're still pretty well built for your age."

"Not as strong as you." Kevin answered.

Thomas chuckled. "Well, what'd you expect?"

Charlotte pondered for a moment. "Wew...what's that cawwed when guys get together and wawk about theiw feewings?" she tried to remember what such a thing was called. "Oh yeah! Awe you pawt of a sewing ciw-mph!"

Charlotte was cut off by Riesz quickly putting her hand over her mouth. Thomas had no idea why but ignored it. The kid couldn't have said anything too offensive. "Anyway," he held his hand out to Kevin again. "Wanna have a go at it?"

"Oh, well…" Kevin stammered, not entirely comfortable being put on a spot like this.

Thomas saw that he was hesitant, and while he had no animosity towards the beastman, he couldn't help but tease a little. "Hey, c'mon," he said. "Tell you what, I'll go easy on ya." Kevin was still unsure. "Don't let me down now. You were one of the guys that took back the citadel, don't tell me you've suddenly grown a yellow stripe."

"C'mon, Kevin!" Charlotte cried out, getting riled up at Thomas' jabs. "Awe you gonna wet him tawk to you wike that?" the beastman didn't even get time to answer before he felt the smaller girl pushing him towards the blacksmith. "Just you wait!" she said. "He'ww take you on, no pwobwem!" she practically pushed him in the seat, Kevin looking across the table to see an eager Thomas, hand out and ready to be clasped.

It looked like he had no choice now. Though it was then that he noticed Riesz begin to move away. "Hey, where're you going?"

"Oh, just for some fresh air," she responded. "It's a bit too suffocating in here at the moment." with that, she began to move through the crowd towards the exit, unaware that a pair of bright, honey colored eyes were watching her.

'Huh. Wonder where she's go-'

"Ready?"

"Wha-"

"Think fast!"

Before he knew it, Kevin found himself flying through the air, Thomas and Charlotte looking on as the beastman flew above them and slammed right into one of the dancers on stage, which led to her fellow dancers and Angela all eventually being knocked over, a flurry of light, wind, and diamonds flying out into the audience, shaving a few people's heads, lifting up skirts, and blinding some to where they slipped, a good number of people showered with beer.

"Kevin!" Charlotte yelled, rushing over to assist the beastman, Thomas looking at the scene.

"They go flying or crashing every time."

Outside the Citadel

The night wind was cold and brought chills to her, yet she'd take it if it meant some bit of peace for herself. Her people had been through so much, and they deserved this sort of reprieve from the anxieties they had to put up with, yet, despite this, she found herself unable to get in the right mindset to partake in the festivities. She needed a brief retreat and what better place than the edge of her reclaimed kingdom's territory?

'It's been so long…' she thought, feeling the restored winds of Laurent dance around her. The trip down to the crystal chamber was a difficult one, Bill and Ben's taunts and Elliot's cries for help still echoed in her mind, her hands grasping at the blades of grass.

Everything had been restored and the celebration of their victory over their oppressors was underway. Yet there was still so much on her mind.

"It's a bit cold out here, isn't it?" Riesz turned to see Hawkeye approaching her, he then took a seat right beside her. "Then again, it's not like I brought a coat or anything either."

She was confused. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I would think the environment inside would've been an ideal setting for you."

"Is it so unusual for you that someone would be interested in seeing how you're doing?" the thief asked. "There's something clearly wrong, and despite what you may think, you're terrible at hiding it. So spill."

Riesz sighed, it being clear that the violet-haired young man had no intention of leaving her alone. So, after some moments, she relented, though she wasn't exactly willing to divulge into what was truly bothering her yet. "I can see how you would have animosity towards what you consider to be 'oppressive systems'. Someone like that Belladonna character would make anyone hate them."

Hawkeye was surprised to hear that from the amazon. "Well, it's not just that. Nevarl...Nevarl hasn't exactly been the nicest place in the world." he explained. "We have a history of being taken advantage of by other countries, and if not that, then the higher-ups that live in the towns, sucking the life out of those not as fortunate as them. After the Peddan War, Flamekhan found the country ravaged and found out too late that Pedda had basically just used him and the nation for their own ends. Since then, he's hated monarchy and all forms of class systems. Thus, he developed our thieves guild from the survivors of the Peddan War."

"I'm sorry for what your people have gone through," Riesz answered. "Though I don't take back what I said. Our taxes on our people are necessary."

"You sure about that?"

"How about you apply the same effort we had in building ourselves our kingdom to correcting your own land? All you seem to do is complain about it and steal from those that you declare unfit. For ones that were devastated by the Peddan War, you don't seem to be making any efforts to reform your own government and take to living like vigilantes that make up the law for themselves. From the way I see it, you have no authority to question how we run our kingdom."

Silence rang throughout the area and in between them, Riesz then realizing what she had said and was greatly shocked. Even more so at Hawkeye's smile. "Have I ever told you that I like assertive women?"

Her cheeks grew hot and she swore her face turned red. "I-I'm merely stating the facts, nothing more." she sputtered out. "Still...I've misjudged you and your people. And for that, again, I'm sorry."

"Hey, I said all is forgiven," Hawkeye said. "Besides, what matters to me is making sure everybody's liberated from that witch. Especially Jessica."

She had no idea why she was asked, yet still, the words slipped out. "Speaking of, who is Jessica? You haven't said much aside from how she was your friend's little sister."

"Well...I guess you can call her something of a 'princess'." he said. "I mean, not really, but she's the daughter of the head of our guild, and she's always been a bit spoiled, always wanting to dress up and look pretty. She seems to always want to show me any new outfit she's gotten or a piece of jewelry." he paused for a moment, remembering well when she first showed him that deadly necklace, as well as the last thing he said to her before he journeyed out to save her. "But hey, Eagle had his flaws too." he then sighed. "Flawed people I'd die for."

Riesz looked to the side. It was selfish, yes, yet she couldn't help but feel, to her surprise, a small pang in her chest. "She must be very important to you."

"She is." Hawkeye said. "Like a little sister." that too shocked Riesz. While, to her shame, a small bit of relief came to her, the thief said it as if he were feeling guilt over calling Jessica that. As if he knew what he said wouldn't be what Jessica would want to hear. "But that's not what's really bothering you, is it?" he then said, bringing his attention back to Riesz.

'Damn.'

"Riesz, c'mon." Hawkeye sighed. "I think we've established by now that I and everyone else are open to anything you have to say." he placed a hand on her shoulder. Then, he felt her seize up and tremble.

"...I'm not worthy," she murmured. "I'm not worthy," she repeated at a louder volume. "I...I can't. I can't take the crown."

Oh, Goddess. Hawkeye had his theories, yet this was the one he would have the most challenge with coming up with something to say to her. "Riesz-"

"I'm not worthy to take my place on the throne of Laurent." the amazon declared. "I failed to protect my kingdom and my people."

"Riesz, look. You can't blame-"

"No!" she shouted. "Don't you dare defend me! I failed! Laurent fell because her princess couldn't do her job! Joester and Minerva's daughter, Galura's granddaughter, was unable to fulfill her duties before she could even claim the crown!" She tore at the grass around her, her head lowering as if to conceal her face from her company.

It was then that, despite her attempts to keep it quiet, Hawkeye heard her whimpers. "Riesz," he reached for her, yet she turned her entire body away, hugging herself and keeping her eyes on the ground. "Riesz...I...you're not…" he had a million things that were running through his head on what to tell the clearly distressed blonde, yet all of them seemed like they would have the same result of gaining no response from her. 'Are you all right?' would give nothing. 'Hey, c'mon, snap out of it.' would probably anger her. And 'Cheer up, you know you are.' would only have her argue further with him.

So he decided that perhaps something physical would best make his point.

He felt Riesz jump a little when he pulled her close, arms around and hugging her. "Wh-What do you think you're…" she questioned, yet stopped when she realized that, to her surprise, it felt as if the night air had gotten colder. Which made Hawkeye's hands feel warmer. Despite the...awkwardness she felt, she found herself unable to deprive herself of the extra heat he provided. Still, she didn't dare face him, head still down at the ground. "I...I...failed." she whimpered, the night air only growing colder and colder it seemed. "I failed my father. I failed my mother. I failed my grandmother. I failed Alma. I failed my sisters." she bit her lip hard, nearly biting through it. "And I failed AS a sister."

Ah, so that was it, Hawkeye thought. True, Laurent had been reclaimed, yet the absence of those that were lost only some time ago still remained as an echo of what had taken place. Again, he wanted to tell Riesz how she was being ridiculous, yet stopped himself, rethinking his approach. "Ok then." he finally said, unsure of whether this was going to do anything beneficial, yet still, the other options' outcomes didn't sound much better. "Why do you feel you've failed?"

Riesz took in a breath. "Those...those…" 'Desert rats' or 'Cursed invaders' dared to come out from her, yet she held it back, realizing at the last moment who she was talking to. "Those invaders. No, Belladonna, she took us unawares. We left ourselves open to attack and fell to Nevarl. Again." she continued, shaky breaths continuing to be let in and out. "And Elliot...I wasn't keeping a closer eye on him. That's why those Bill and Ben figures were able to take him so easily." she bent to where her head practically touched the ground, this last part seemingly being the most difficult to say. "And...and I was so hard on him." she practically choked out. "I was so, so hard on him," she said, regret deep in her voice. "I...I was taken in and trained around his age by Alma, using the same methods. I...I just thought that perhaps he needed more time. Or...or maybe a bit more correction. I never let him be a boy. Father told me to just let him be a little boy. He's just a little boy. He's just a child…" every word of correction she had said, every light tap or jab she had given him in hopes it would fashion and prepare him for the future, all of it bombarded her. "A child with a stupid, blind, unworthy sister."

She sniffed, she hissed, she gasped, yet she didn't fully relieve herself. She was holding herself back. And Hawkeye decided that it was high time she stopped. "Do it," he told her. "Just do it." he then urged. "You're dying to. You've been dying to do it ever since it happened, haven't you?"

Riesz let out a whine. "I...I can't. I...I'm the queen. An unworthy queen. But I'm still a queen."

"And last time I checked, queens were still human." Hawkeye retorted. "And humans can only take so much before they burst." She went silent for a moment. "Please. You need to. For your own sake."

"I...I can't…"

"Riesz...do it. Just please, do yourself a favor and do it. Let it out."

Whether it was because of his insistence or because she really couldn't take it, Riesz jolted to her feet and after a sharp inhale, released an ear-piercing, shrill shriek, said shriek traveling over the hills and Hawkeye swore it could be heard all the way from the citadel down to Palo. Her cries continued on and on, growing hoarser and hoarser as she went on, her body wracked with shakes and trembling. Eventually, after a near eternity, the amazon's shouts began to soften, throat ragged from her yelling. She slumped down to the ground, knees giving out, not even protesting when she felt a pair of arms come around her. She trembled and shook a bit more before she was completely drained of any energy, unable to do anything but sit there and let tears trail down her cheeks.

"I...I can't do it," she said. "I can't be queen. And don't tell me otherwise. I don't want to hear it."

Hawkeye was left with few options on what to say. "Then what can I do for you?"

To his surprise, she let her head fall onto his chest. "Just...just stay with me. Please," she begged. "I'm...I'm tired. And I'm cold." she felt her eyelids begin to droop. "I'm...I'm so tired…"

"Then rest," Hawkeye told her. "It's your party, cry if you want to."

Riesz was silent, sinking further and further into the thief's chest. So warm...how had she not noticed how warm he was? She found herself not entirely caring about the minor details though. All she knew was that she needed someone right now. The rhythm of the thief's heartbeat served to lull her further and further, she soon found herself slipping further and further into unconsciousness.

Yet even when she had fallen asleep, Hawkeye didn't move her. He allowed her to stay laying on his chest, her breathing growing steadier and steadier. A part of him wondered whether or not she was even aware of what she was doing, let alone how she'd probably react when she eventually remembered it. For now, however, Hawkeye was content to allow her to be, and frankly, he was more than content to be here with her on the edge of the border, the night wind making her bury herself further and further into his arms.

Note: Shipping material is heavy at the end, and while I was neutral to them when I began this, I think that Hawkeye and Riesz are my OTP in this fic. Duran and Angela are a close second, yet for Kevin and Charlotte, I'm going to leave that up to interpretation. I saw some people comparing them to Chibiusa and Helios, and I can sort of see where they're coming from. And they ARE the same age (or at least a couple years apart), yet Charlotte's mentality is sort of a drawback for me, and, like Hawkeye and Jessica's blood relation, I don't want to risk putting in any content that verges on territory like that. So any KevinxCharlotte fans out there, you can make of what I do with them for yourselves. I'm leaving it completely open to debate.

That said, I'm glad I got this done before my weekend shift begins (Friday-Sunday), so here's hoping you enjoy!

And if willing, please check out The Legend of Zelda: Prophecy of Darkness! I think a long time ago that I saw another fic with that title, but mine has a cover and you can find it by my username.

Thank you!