I don't own Last Exile or any of the characters. But I do own this story

Somewhere, there is a road

Long winding and never-ending

Its' mysterious and wondrous paths

Secure yet dangerous

Its' called "Destiny"

But who will take it?

Come on, why won't you talk to me?" Cried the young prince Dio. For about 5 minutes since he approached her, he couldn't make her speak.

"I didn't do anything wrong to you. Why do you hate me so much?" He asked, now walking in front of her. He knelt down on one knee as if he were proposing. He felt as if he were going to cry, though he didn't want her to know that. But she did know. By looking into his eyes, she could tell she was doing some damage.

"Alvis!"

"I don't want to talk to you!" She finally said. She knew he would take this calmly. After all, she was a child.

Dio was silent, allowing her insult to simply roll off his shoulders. He really didn't care. But maybe he did? After what had happened to her in the past, he may have felt some sympathy. He would be standing there with her if he didn't.

"Why not?" He asked sweetly, even though on the inside he kind of sounded shocked. He was behind her now. His hand gently grabbed the swing's rope.

"Because I think you're weird."

"Weird huh?" He started. "What makes you think that?"

Once again, Alvis didn't answer. She was about to swing, but that was cut short; Dio's hand had stopped its flight pattern, causing her to lunge forward a little.

"Hey!" She cried as she tried to get the swing back into her possession.

"Sorry." He said with a smirk; he really didn't mean it. "But hey," He leaned over, to the point where the gold ornament attached to his long white braid, was touching the top of her head. "At least you're talking to me."

Finally letting go of the swing, she let her back rest against the wall; giving him a turn to swing. The room was silent. Neither Alvis nor Dio spoke. All that was heard was the soft hum of the air conditioner out in the hallway. This went on for about a minute, giving each other time to themselves.

"Hey! Do you know what?" The prince asked. He really wasn't expecting the girl to answer him. He expected her to ignore him, and contemplate on whatever a child like her would think about.

"I've always wanted to go somewhere." He continued. "Anywhere! A place where there are no limitations, and you can be your own free man! That would be great."

He slowly lowered his head, as if he were ashamed of something or as if it were a long-lost secret. "Anywhere where my sister cant' find me."

"You see dear Alvis," He said looking at her. "You're lucky to be what you are … a child. No responsibilities, no problems, no one asking you what you think they should do when they can think for themselves, and especially not having to fear that one day on your birthday, you are forced to forget everything about your childhood and grow up to take the reins of a certain responsibility you don't really know much about."

Alvis stared at him wide-eyed; interested in the lecture. She had no idea he felt this way… never.

"Adulthood is a scary thing. I-it's like a road; long winding and never-ending; mysterious and at the same time wondrous. The road is so intricate that you don't know where to turn, fearing it could lead you to the path of your success or to your destruction. I just wish I knew which road to take." He said depressingly.

He got to his feet, allowing her to have the swing back. But she didn't take it. Tears filled her eyes at the realization of what she was told: Life. As he turned to leave …

"Dio!"

He turned around only to be hugged tightly by the now crying Alvis. A bit shocked, he knelt down to her level. He wiped away her tears, which never seemed to cease.

"I want to go to that somewhere too!" She cried. She tried her best not to sniffle, but it wouldn't be helped.

Dio embraced her tightly in her arms, letting her know he heard and was there for her. He moved to her ear, and gently whispered …

"One day, we will go there together."