Author's note: This story is mine…DO NOT COPY IT! Lest I curse the world for having such people who plagiarize the works of others…forgive me for such a declaration… anyway Please R&R…
Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok online…
The Clearing
"Hurry up Rusty! We're almost there…"
"I'm coming…Just wait a moment, I need to catch my breath…"
"Hurry up!"
"I'm coming!"
"You're too slow!"
"I'm here!" Rustico declared triumphantly as he finally caught up with the priestess, and from atop the hill, the young crusader surveyed the scenery of Izlude, trying to observe if any changes were made since he'd left the city a year ago. His heart pounded as his eyes swept across the landscape and settled on a small clearing in the middle of a meadow of flowers and grass.
"Rusty, you're too slow…" the priestess remarked, her lilac-colored hair glistening under the sun, her blue eyes dancing as she teased the handsome dark-haired crusader who followed her, panting still, and trying to catch his breath…
"Sorry Jem, it's the armor…it slows me down as it's too heavy"
Rusty lay down on the grass, and raised the cross hanging from his neck against the sunlight. It glittered as it caught light, and removing his gloves he fingered its shape, enjoying the feel of its cool metal against his bare fingers.
"It's flattering to know you like my gift…" Jem said, leaning over him, blocking the sunlight, yet seemingly radiant as the sun itself.
"You know I do…" Rusty whispered, awestruck with the young priestesses' beauty, smiling at her. Slowly, he reached out to touch her face, but she giggled and ran merrily down the hill. His gaze followed her, and he chuckled when she teased him from where she stood.
"See, I told you…you're too slow!" she quipped, her hair framing her face as the wind played upon her lilac mane.
Rusty amused himself by watching her, but his quiet amusement was disturbed by a knight from Izlude, who walked up to him and joined him atop the hill.
"Nice to see you again Rusty," she greeted, piercing her falchion against the ground, while settling herself to his side, despite knowing full well that she was unwelcome.
"Hi Diana…" Rusty replied almost flatly, though he'd hope he'd been slightly more cheerful at greeting a fellow swordsman—even more so, an old comrade from his previous guild, at least until a year ago…
"How's your traveling been?" Diana asked awkwardly, playing with a blade of grass in her fingers while casting sideward glances at the dark-haired crusader beside her.
A short silence followed and she used the fleeting moment to observe Rustico in silent contentment…he was still as she remembered him—his dark brown hair was longer, but his amber eyes were still as captivating, and Rusty was still as unsociable and indifferent to people. But Diana knew that the only person who'd always been able to talk to Rusty freely was the priestess Jem, how she envied her of this right….But then…suddenly her thoughts were cast aside, with firm decision not to let Jem unnerve her so…
"The travelling's been fine" Rusty answered in late reply, catching Diana's surprise and attention, but his eyes focused on Jem playing amongst the flowers in a special clearing Rusty had made for her a year ago, and he smiled as she waved to him, her dancing blue eyes sparkling.
"Are you okay? You know…with Jem?" Diana suddenly asked, catching Rustico's attention.
"Of course I am" Rusty snapped coldly, "Doesn't she see Jem and I are happy! She's not even greeting her…Jem was right, Diana never liked her…" he thought, turning his gaze back to Jem, ignoring Diana.
Diana looked at him sadly, and followed his gaze in the direction below the hill. The view was breathtaking, but she frowned sadly when her eyes darted to the small clearing, where Rustico's beloved Jem lay, surrounded by a garden of flowers. Rusty was probably too engrossed with the scenery to notice her, he'd been gone for an entire year…but more obviously, it seemed he was too engrossed with the cross he held tight in his hand—Jem's gift,
Slowly, Rusty raised himself and began to descend the hill. Diana tried to call after him, but he didn't listen. Her voice didn't reach him, no matter how loud she called.
"Rusty…I…" she stopped when she watched him extend his arm, seemingly helping someone up. The cross dangled from his hand… glistening against the sunlight.
She joined him at his side, "Rustico…about you and Jem…"
"Diana, leave Jem and me alone…"
"But Rusty…" she insisted, half angry and half pleading, "Please listen to me at least…I can't take it anymore…why can't I have you? Why does your heart always have to stay with Jem? Forget about her…Why not me?"
The silence seemed only to distance the space between them. Diana's face was contorted in obvious remorse for her sudden outburst, but still…the confession had been made, and she awaited an answer. "Have you not had any feelings for me?" Diana asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"I'm sorry…" he answered, "You know I love someone else…"
"But why Jem?" Diana insisted, "Why not me? Why cant you at least try to like me? Why don't you love me?"
They stared at each other quietly, and Rusty was the first to break the silence, finally giving her the answer she demanded of him,
"Because you're not her…" Rusty answered directly, and walked away, with the cross in hand, leaving the young knight staring after him.
"She's still mad at me for taking you?" Jem asked, clutching Rusty's arm, her face sad, and almost on the verge of tears.
"You never took me away from her…" Rusty assured the priestess, "I was always yours…".
Diana glanced resentfully at the small clearing made for Rustico's beloved priestess. She had seen Rusty leave…walk away from her…all because of Jem.
"I never could beat you Jem," she remarked sadly, ignoring the cold rain that began to fall from the sky…a further mockery of her sadness…her tears mingled with the rain as it fell upon the tombstone marking a grave…"Why couldn't you have left his heart to me? Why is his heart still with you? Even when you've already gone with Death…"