Chapter 2: After the War
Sasarai sat on the windowsill in his room at the Fire Bringer headquarters. It was a beautiful night and the lake looked beautiful. It was the last time he would probably see this lake. The war had ended and he was supposed to be getting ready to leave for Harmonia, but he felt like savoring the night. After all, it was perfect.
A noise outside the door broke his thoughts. The war was over, but he still felt like he should be careful. He walked quietly towards the door, swung it open and got ready to strike. Who he would have attacked was Lady Chris. She wasn't wearing her usual armor, but a long t-shirt and a pair of leggings.
"Forgive me, Milady," he said. "One can't be too careful."
"I realize that," she said. "I thought nobody else was awake at this time."
"Neither did I," he admitted. "May I ask you what you were doing?"
"The ship out on the lake was rather cold," she said. "I wished to come inside for only a short while."
"It isn't much warmer in here," he reminded her.
"I noticed that," she said. "It still is a bit warmer, being away from all that water."
"True," he said, then with a little hesitation. "It's a bit warmer in here. Would you like to come in?"
"Oh," she said, surprised. "Thank you." As she entered the room Sasarai went back to his spot at the windowsill. It already felt like an eternity since he fought Luc when, in truth, it was only a day ago. Sasarai let his mind run blank for some time. Lady Chris broke this silence by clearing her throat.
"I'm sorry if I'm intruding," she said. "I should probably leave you alone."
"Oh," he said, snapping out of his daze. "No, I'm sorry milady, I've just a lot on my mind."
"I can tell," she said. "Would you mind sharing?"
"Maybe," he said, closing his eyes. "How long has it been?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"Since the war started?" he clarified. "How long has it been?"
"I'm not sure," she said. "It seems longer than it probably is."
"I agree with that," he said. "I've just been thinking of how long I've known him. It's been around sixteen years since I met him, and I never really knew him until this year. I still don't know him. What was going through his mind? Why was he like that?"
"Are you talking about Luc?" she asked moving to sit next to him on the windowsill.
"Yes," he said, nodding. "We're supposed to be the same, yet we're so… different," he finished lamely.
"Well," she said, trying to find an answer. "You both grew up in different places right? So you're bound to have different views of matters."
"Why does he hate the world so much?" Sasarai asked her. "I just don't understand him. Now I never will."
"You might," she said. "Maybe people here know more about him. You can ask. That Dragon Knight seemed to know him."
"The Dragon Knight was still shooting glares at me tonight. He doesn't like me. He probably won't answer my questions."
"You can try," she said.
"He won't."
"You're awfully stubborn," she told him. "How about Apple? She probably knew him."
"Maybe," he said, then, after an awkward silence. "I'm sorry," he said all of a sudden. "I'm asking you questions you can't possibly answer."
"I'm trying," she said, good-humouredly.
"Hm."
"I'm sorry," she said. "Maybe I should go."
"No," he said, surprising even himself.
"What was that?" she asked.
"Stay," he said. "I like you here. You make me feel better about this. I don't know what it is, but I—" he trailed off, not knowing what else to say. She stood in the doorway for a few seconds then came back over to the windowsill and wrapped her arms around him.
"Is this okay?" she asked.
"Perfect," he replied, embracing her as well. "Thank you." When they broke apart they stayed very close staring into the others eyes. "I do feel better," he said finally. "You can go now, if you wish to." She nodded and got up. She was ready to walk away when he grabbed her hand.
"Good night, milady," he said and kissed the back of her hand. She bent down to the level he was sitting at and locked her lips in his. They stayed that way until she finally got back up.
"Good night."
~*~
Okay, this was sort of a follow-up to the last chapter. It actually wasn't supposed to be, so if you thought it was a completely different story than the last one you're right. I just thought it added a bit to their relationship. I'll probably write more to this.
See ya!
