I do not own Lezard Valeth, Lenneth Valkyrie, or the series Valkyrie Profile. That honor belongs to Tri Ace and Square Enix. I make no money off of this fic either. Merely done as a creative outlet.

-Michelle

At first Lezard thinks that he has imagined her presence. That the white of her dress playing pass in the corner of his vision's range is nothing more than the haunting memory of the glimpse he has had of her from earlier in the night. Even the empty doorway that leads into his library seems to substantiate that claim, Lezard lifting his arms to bring his hands to his face. His glasses are then pushed aside, Lezard's fingers rubbing at his too tired eyes. He's ready to write it all off as mix of his own personal longing, and the fact that he has done more than enough reading for one night.

It's not just his eyes that feel the strain, it is his head and it is his heart. All three made heavy with it, it is a weary Lezard turned ancient, that pushes back from his chair. The wooden legs of it scrape hard across the floor, that loud burst of sound echoing through out the upper levels of his tower. It's that sudden noise that attracts HER to him, the woman suddenly standing there before the room's only door.

Seeming very much like a ghost clad all in white, her bare feet make not a sound on the floor. It's what allows her to pad silently about the place, taking one careful step after another, with a practiced grace lended to her movements when just a scant few hours earlier, she had been nothing but clumsy and awkward. She has proven a fast learner, even for a divine entity, the woman having had only those faint few hours to learn how to control an all too new and very much mortal body.

It's a task already well mastered, and Lezard can't quite keep the pleasure from overtaking him. His tired heart suddenly feels full of a bursting joy, and it is with a satisfied purr in his voice that he then acknowledges her.

"Lenneth..." It's not all pleasure that he feels. It is surprise, the emotion hitting him hard, the shock of it born at seeing her up and about so soon. Never mind the feeble state that she had been in, her inner turmoil had far outweighed that of her physical. Bereft and despairing, her pain and heartbreak had been painted for any and all to see in the glassy blue of her eyes, it had been apparent that she had been in no state for him to have expected Lenneth to venture out any time soon.

That tortured gaze then drifted to his, Lezard catching an all too brief glimpse of the unrivaled purity of her blue eyes. For one second they locked together with his, and then Lenneth is turning away, her face like cold marble for all the interest that she has shown him. She hadn't been able to quite hide the disappointment though, that sad sort of frustration. It was near unbearable, this sad sort of wraith that she has become, a pale imitation of her once vibrant self. He could only hope that in time it would get better, that she would get better,

"Wait!" He cries out, a hand of his held out towards her most imploringly. He had felt a real panic at the thought of her leaving, it and the urgency that he always felt around her, were now leaking into his voice. "Don't go..."

She paused then, and the first flicker of hope dared light inside of his heart. He had no greater wish in the moment, than that of her acknowledgment, of that and of her tolerance, these scant few seconds in her presence a precious and wondrous thing. He braced himself for her emotions, for whatever glimpse she might allow of them, him. Even that sullen mood of earlier would have been welcome, though Lezard's heart pang in protest at the idea of her maintaining her refusals to speak with him.

She still hadn't turned to look at him, though Lenneth also made no further move to walk away. But neither did she question him, the woman still quiet like some sort of spirit, with only the gentle rise and fall of her chest to show that she still breathed, and was still alive.

Lezard wasn't accustomed to panic, and yet he felt it rising by leaps and bounds inside him. He didn't know what to say to her, didn't know how to further implore her to stay, or to endear himself to her. So complete was his panic, that Lezard couldn't even began to fathom what one would say to a Goddess, especially to one he had already failed to impress. His deep and endless affection, that enduring love he had borne for her, it and his desire hadn't been enough, the woman unmoved by his ardent proclamation of devotion to her.

Nor had any of his earlier boasts done the trick, the woman—the Goddess, hardly impressed by his spectacular feats, the achievements in the forbidden magic that had led to Lenneth's soul being trapped inside this cage of mortal flesh. Nowhere near ready for his professions of love, she had been equally as unprepared to be dazzled by one man's obsession fueled blasphemy against her. Even if Lezard could have tried to fool himself otherwise, there had been no denying her reaction. The suppressed rage she had shaken with, or the anger in her hurt expression, the pain of it reflected a dozen times over in the beautiful blue pf her eyes.

Haunted by just the memory of the look she had given him, Lezard's tongue was like wood in his mouth, fumbling for something to say. Something simple, something to break the ice that existed between them. Something that would not cause her undue pain and distress. His mind cast about in endless patterns, the man trying to figure out what was that one thing that they all had in common, that one thing that everyone could agree to. His desperate eyes cast about the room, as though the library with all its magical tomes held the answer that he needed. Maybe it did, the man having caught sight of a half eaten apple laying next to the open book that he had just thought to abandon.

His amethyst colored eyes lit up like jewels with his delight, the relief apparent in the way that he smiled. This was the one thing that all humans shared, the one common goal that linked them all together. Food.

"Are you hungry?"

Wonder of wonders, but she had then turned back towards him, giving Lezard her full regard. It wasn't the food that she was after though, the woman shaking her head no. It was a new worry to file away for later, when Lezard had a moment to himself away from her. Then and only then would he wonder why Lenneth had yet to show any interest in food or drink since she had awakened as a human. Had something gone wrong with her body, with his spell? Or was she simply being stubborn with this kind of abstaining? He didn't want to find out, didn't want to face the idea of the magic having gone wrong, or worse yet, his having to force her to eat. Anymore than he was ready to allow the Goddess to rend herself sick through the act of neglecting her own needs.

However it wasn't a line of thought that he wanted to indulge in and follow, not with Lenneth so near. Not with his attention drawn to the pouting pink of her lips, her mouth working open and close as though trying to give voice to some notion. He wondered then if she was even capable of it, the only sound she had thus far made, being that of an anguished scream. He hadn't once heard her actually speak, neither to hate him nor to damn him. Not even to sob. He'd take what he could get from her, Lezard finding it was absolutely imperative that he hear her dulcet tones spoken out loud once more.

Her lips again tried to form the words, Lenneth going so far as to lick at them nervously. "I..." She faltered then, as though that one sound had taken all of her strength to voice. "I want to go home." Her voice was no less soft and unsure, her new throat not yet accustomed to speaking. He still flinched to hear it, staggered as though wounded by the sentence that she then repeated, and it was no softer then before, but somehow made stronger with that voiced desire.

~Why this!?~ Such a plea wasn't completely lost on him, the feelings behind it needing a colder heart than his, to remain completely unaffected by it. He could only wish for the ease in which to close off his ears to the pain and the longing for home that was captured in her soft voiced utterance, Lenneth taking an uncertain step towards him.

"Please…?" She spoke as though that word alone could make all the difference, as though it had all the power in the world to change his mind. It didn't, and even if it could have, even if Lezard was somehow willing to now aid her, he simply lacked the means needed to be capable of rendering mortal flesh into that of a divine being.

"No." It wasn't meant to be outright cruel, that blunt refusal, but neither could he soften the blow of it. Lezard told himself that he wasn't sorry, that he didn't feel at all bad for the crestfallen look that overcame all of her hope. Yet he stepped towards her all the same, his hand catching hold of her bare arm, before Lenneth could make good on her intent to flee him.

It was easy to forget himself, to give in to temptation with her so near. Only the way that she had so blatantly stiffened in displeasure, kept him in check, Lezard somehow not pulling Lenneth towards him.

He still warred with the urge, and with the words, offering her a boon in the only way that he could. "Ask of me anything else….anything within reason." He was quick to stipulate in order to safeguard himself and HER from any dangerous requests. "Anything within reason, and I will do my best to try and grant it."

She was quiet for a long time after that, her eyes locked onto the hand that was still gripping hold of her arm. Lenneth made no actual move to escape him though, and that caused his foolish heart to beat with a renewed hope. If she could tolerate this much, what else might she grow to accept one day soon?

"Are..." Her quiet tone drew him out of his own private musings, Lezard quick to pay heed to her words. "Are there no windows in your tower?" She finally looked up, the blue of her eyes meeting the surprised amethyst of his. "I...I want to see the sky..."

Surprise gave way to relief, his smile that rare shade of brilliant that might some day rival hers. All because this was a request that he could grant. Easily and gladly, and such was the excited joy in his heart, that he gave in to temptation. He crushed her to him, the woman letting out a startled cry as she tried to shove free of him. His arms held her trapped, taking an illicit moment to enjoy the sweet scent of her this close, to savor the delicate beauty trembling so viciously against him.

"Just one second more." He whispered silkily in her ear, as blue and red etchings carved themselves into the floor beneath them. The Goddess had yet to notice, too busy trying to knock him off balance. It wasn't until the sheen of blue silver rose up up and surrounded them, that Lenneth would still the worst of her struggles, to gasp out instead. She had surely recognized this power, this spell in particular, an ancient, forbidden magic that Lezard had made frequent use of in that first ever battle between them.

With the sound of bells chiming loudly in their ears, that magic took rough hold of them, casting them into that dark in between that was neither here nor there. Teleportation magic was always as jarring as it was startling, and then just as abruptly they were spit out into a moonlit night. Gone was the dusty old carpets that they had just been standing on, replaced instead by the dew soaked cobblestones of the tower's roof. There was a second of disorientation, that was broken up by an appreciative cry. Lenneth's lips had parted with that sound, the woman bending back in his grip to stare up at a night sky that was a painted a midnight blue color, with hundreds upon hundreds of twinkling stars as its bold highlights.

The moon itself was out, round and thick, and hanging heavy amid a grouping of clouds. Its white light seemed to shine directly on them, illuminating the tower's rooftop, and the endless forest that extended in all directions around it. Lenneth's eyes were all for it, her nostrils flaring as she took an exaggerated breath, and then another. She was in fact breathing in deeply of the night air, tasting the freedom that had thus far so eluded her.

Ever vigilant and cautious, Lezard slowly released his hold on her. His nerves were on edge and screaming, his arms ready to lash out and catch her should Lenneth so much as attempt to run from him. That she didn't, couldn't entirely relax him, Lezard watching as Lenneth began to spin slowly in place. Her arms were held out wide to either side of her, both her hair and her white dress being made to billow by the breeze. She seemed so unreadable in the moment though Lezard still scrutinized her closed expression for something, anything that he could have. He wanted her all, but in the moment, he'd settle for a single thought.

"What is it, Lenneth?" He asked her, hearing the way that she had then sighed. It was such a deep sound, such a weight bearing exhalation. "What are you thinking?"

Her spinning slowed to a halt, her eyes lifting to look at his directly. There was a universe in that blue gaze, a whole realm of unfathomable mystery and feeling that she tried to keep from him. A million and one things she wouldn't give grudging voice to, those thoughts, those emotions, even the expected damnation denied to him. She was judge, jury, and executioner in the moment, her disinterest towards him a blow like no other, leaving Lezard staggered as though slapped. Not even that merited a reaction from her, Lenneth still that unattainable Goddess, seemingly forever beyond his reach.

To be Continued…

So...yeah...one of my oldest series, reworked to hopefully reflect the changes (And improvements I hope!) to my writing style. I mean when did I even start this one...back in like 2007 or 2008. _ I've been trying to reread my old VP works to get inspired (And yes OSVP is still being worked on..The overhaul of chapter eight got derailed big time though.) and the big problem I have with trying to work on any of them in 2018 is I hate how much my old writing sucks. A lot of it is to the point I can't work on new chapters without trying to fix the old ones first….

I wasn't even planning to rework this at first, but I reread it yesterday, and found I really liked this drabble series….and wanted to posted it to my archive or our own account. But I couldn't bring myself to post the original version, too busy hating on the old writing, and knowing I needed to try and spruce it up some. Though the sprucing up ended up expanding it by over 1000 words...THUD!

At the time of this writing, I think I will leave both the old version and post the new version to my fanfic net account. I guess just sorta as a comparison thing.

Also...I remember I had this garden chapter written for 12….that was almost completed, and then lost when I had that big computer crash back in like 2008. I always felt disappointed and angry that I hadn't gotten to post that garden thing….but now a decade later, I realize...it was wrong for the fic the way it was. (Cause it went into this weird smut territory.) that doesn't mean I might not still try to write something garden themed eventually for this one!

One last thing, this series jumps around in order of events. It was never meant to be a continuous story per se, just little drabbles detailing the moments as they came to me of their time together. This is a VP 1/VP Lenneth setting as well….No time travel shenanigans of VP Silmeria.

Later!

6/17/2019 Slight update. Very slight. It was bugging me how this one ended. See originally when I started this overhaul I was trying real hard to keep each drabble as intact to the original 2006 (or was that 2007) version as I could...but already by two they were starting to veer off on their own course, and by three or four I stopped fighting them, and let them go off on their own tangents. With the way the overhauled version ended up being, it didn't sit right to me, that Lenneth would thank him for anything, especially not on what amounts to the first night. So I ended up tweaking the ending of the first drabble.. I had hoped to make it a little longer than a tweak, but...just everything else I tried to write after that last line, was met with dissatisfaction and the feeling that I was just trying to drag it out for no reason. So I let it end where I did….

-Michelle