DISCLAIMER: I don't own ToS, blah blah blah.
Thanks to all the reviewers! I'm glad I pulled off the 5 POVs thing off. I loved the Gesea chapter the most, not because of the pairing (Zelette is my favorite) but because of that POV. Anyway, I don't feel like making any individual thanks, so onwards!
"Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
and I realised, I realised
I could never
I could never, never, never, go back home again." The Smiths
Third Time's the Charm, Part Four of Midsummer's Festival
I WONDER how she is doing. Has she found a lover? Is she happy; is she miserable? Has she found the ruins of her dreams, or has Raine given up on them? It is Festival in Meltokio. My son told me that, when I spoke to him through the black orb three days ago. It feels a bit strange, calling Lloyd my son in such a carefree manner. Perhaps... I could watch Raine tonight through the orb...?
The orb is formally known as the Celeste Orb, and once belonged to Mithos (it was named Celeste after the 'best' lover Mithos had ever had); he treasured it very much indeed, for it was a beautiful orb, charcoal-black in color with onyxes dotting the bottom. It permitted him to come in contact with whomever he wished in any way he wanted to, just so long as it was in the present time. Basically, Mithos could spy on anyone he wished, but couldn't go back in the past or into the future. When I was his friend, he had taught me how to use the orb.
I walked into the crimson-walled, medium-sized room and to the orb, which was set on a high pedestal in the back. There was a white screen at the front of the room, and there were three rows of five seats each in the center. (AN: Kind of like a movie theater.)
I put my hand on the orb and spoke. "Show me my love." I said softly. The last two words made my stomach whirl uncomfortably; was Anna looking down at me with distaste from her home in heaven? "Show me Raine." I said again, trying to make amends. Anna would not want me to mourn her for the rest of my life. Would she?
The lights above me flickered as the orb shone a dazzling white color. I walked along and sat in the second row. The lights dimmed, and on the white screen was an image...
Raine sits in a chair, staring at the jagged hemline of her black dress. She is bored. No, she isn't just bored, she is desperate. Desperate for someone to talk to. Someone who owns a brain and actually uses it, here in this bright colored room. Most of the nobles here are the kind of close-minded type that Raine detests. She wants something real; everything around her is just too fake. The silk, the fake scent of the fake roses... and it was only nine-thirty. Raine wonders how much longer she could handle this, when she sees the King beckon her to his throne.
"Your Highness." Raine murmurs, curtsying lightly and staying bent for fifteen seconds-- palace etiquette is so elaborate when it came to the King. The King, in robes of ochre, lemon, cerulean and magenta. The King in his entire hypocritical splendor; he says one thing but he always, always, always means the other.
"I have a request to ask of you, Lady Raine," the King says as she rises with all the grace she can muster. "You are the most simply dressed woman here, but you are also one of the most respected. I am supposed to go to a charity thing in the peasant's slums right now, but I do not feel like going. The gift baskets and gald are already there, and I would like it if somebody almost as famous as me would take my place. So, will you attend the charity for me?"
Raine stars at the man, silently seething with fury. What an idiot. Who does he think he is, acting as if she will say yes? What if she says no? "I'll need a bodyguard." Raine lies. But then again, being with peasants sounds much better than this. Is it too late to accept his offer? Raine thinks as the King looks at her with a puzzled expression, for he is not used to being rejected.
"Which is why I am going with you." A deep, comforting voice comes from behind Raine. She half turns and sees Regal there, bowing to the King. Regal smiles very, very slightly at Raine, looking grander than ever. The golden candlelight of the room suits his skin tone well; he almost looks as if he is used to these kinds of parties.
"I'd prefer it if you stayed here, Duke Regal... that hellish place is not for a noble such as yourself." The king shifts uncomfortably as he gazes at Regal. Regal is an odd sight-- his blue hair has finally been cut short, and he looks dashing in his white dress shirt, black pants, and leather shoes. There are still pink marks around his wrists from where his handcuffs had been, and he has his navy blue jacket draped over his left shoulder, as it is quite hot in the room. Any painter would be glad to paint his portrait, and in fact, he has gotten a few requests lately to be painted by amateur painters-- they carry names like Vermeer, Monet, Van Gough, and Da Vinci. They are not nearly as popular as the lady painter, Duchess M. Monroe, but it is still quite an honor.
"That is nonsense, your Majesty. It wouldn't be wise to send a half-Elvin woman to the slums on Costume Night." Regal speaks gently and calmly, but his eyes show that he is not backing down.
"A-alright. If that is what you desire." the king looks dreamy already. "The charity will end at eleven o'clock," he says, trying to seem helpful.
"We thank you." Regal speaks with another bow. Raine quickly follows his lead and curtseys. The two rise quickly, and with a slight nod Regal tucks his hand in the crook of Raine's elbow, leads her through the crowd, and out of the castle. The night is dark, but there are fiery torches everywhere. There is a gypsy on one corner, dancing and singing.
Raine takes a breath of the sweet night air as she and Regal walk along quickly. "This is better," she states, closing her eyes. Regal's arm moves and is wrapped protectively around Raine's bare shoulders as they walk through a large crowd. There is nothing romantic about this gesture, although Raine finds herself wishing that he would hold her more tightly; he seems purely businesslike, as if he is only trying to help her along.
"Yes. I lost my fondness for court gatherings long ago." Regal says as he maneuvers Raine around a puddle of horse droppings. "And perhaps we can make a difference in the lives of the peasants that we will meet. Not all of the peasants will be there... there are security guards at the doors; they do not allow the sickly, the old women, those who are not of white ethnicity, or any with Elvin or half-Elvin blood."
"Regal, that's not right." Raine says as her eyes flutter open. "They should allow all peasants! Who cares about their blood or skin tone--" Raine stops herself, for she realizes that almost all people care about that.
"I know there should be more allowed." Regal says calmly. "But it is the King's decision as to who comes in and who does not; we have little say in the matter. When we are passing out the donations at the community center, where the charity is being held, we must still do all we can to help those poor people."
Raine sighs and pulls her silky black shawl even more tightly around her shoulders. "I agree. I just wish we could give them paying jobs of some sort. Jobs that pay them enough to live decently."
Regal looks thoughtful as his cerulean eyes travel to Raine's face. "Maybe we could. Palmacosta needs to be rebuilt, which is currently one of Lezareno's goals. The company needs construction workers, since we have all the materials we need."
Raine smiles pleasingly at the man. "That's really kind of you, Regal! But what about the women and the children?"
Regal hesitates. "I am not sure," he finally confesses. "I can't end poverty... I would like to, but it cannot be done by one man alone."
"True, but you and I should do all we can." Raine says, resting her hand on Regal's tense shoulder comfortingly, for he seems to feel as if he is not doing enough.
Regal has a rare, yet slightly sad, hint of a smile on his broad face. "Yes," he agrees. "Well, here we are." Regal says as they enter the dark slums. There is some celebrating here, but there are not very many people, and it is pitiful compared to the extravagant festivities at the palace. After a few turns, the community center looms ahead, with cheap lights flickering through a few windows. It is divided into three rooms, and is made of pure white granite on the outside. Regal leads Raine through a side door that seems all but hidden; the security guard there recognizes them and lets the two in. The room they step into is the largest, with dark blue-carpeted floors and cream-colored walls. This room was the one farthest to the right, and Raine could barely make out the other two rooms through the large doors. Regal leads Raine through the room and onto the podium that is backed up against the northernmost wall, dodging hungry thieves' hands all the while.
A man with high, arched eyebrows and lime green hair is waiting for the two. He is dressed even more simply than Regal-- brown tunic and trousers-- and looks very pleased when they approach him.
"Ah! Lady Raine and Duke Regal. I'm so pleased to see you!" the man smiles. "It is very kind of you to fill in the King-- he sent a page with a note, you see, and the page arrived a few minutes before you-- and Martel will bless you for handing out the donations. My name is Celio." The man smiles. "It is very kind of you to help me pass out the baskets. Most people with power don't care for the poor."
"We're not like most people." Raine says, walking behind a counter that is cluttered with baskets that seemed to be made of woven straw. The baskets are teeming with various items: clothing, food, money, toys, and more. There is a fence surrounding the podium that blocks the peasants from going up the stairs. Regal walked over to the counter next to Raine's and tells Castor his idea about giving jobs to some peasants. Castor thinks that it is a good idea, too.
The charity passes by quickly. Raine is in charge of the women, Regal gives things to the men, and Celio handles the children. All three groups receive clothes, food and gald. Regal gives the able-bodied men jobs, and a few children receive jobs too. Raine hands out free lifetime passes to public baths (which are located every city in the world) to the women, who will share with their families. Raine watches each dirty face brighten slightly when they realize who Raine and Regal are. She cannot help but feel proud and yet slightly sad at the same time. All the peasants are so haggard and thin, but the worst part is most Meltokian nobles don't care.
By eleven, all the gift baskets and items are handed out. The peasants have been and are dining in the two other rooms. Raine smiles at Regal: He is behind his counter still, his sleeves rolled up past his elbows and his jacket tossed aside as he wiped the wood surface clean. He is frowning and looks a bit troubled.
"We did well, Regal." Raine says as she strolls over to him. "And yet you look so bothered. Why?" There is genuine concern in her eyes.
"I feel as if we did not do enough." Regal admits after a moment's pause.
"We can only do so much. We did all we could." Raine sighs. "Let's go, Regal. Let's talk a walk."
Regal nodded. "You're right. We have done all we can... Let's go..."
Raine takes one of his cold, tanned hands and holds it in both of hers. She looks into his eyes as she says: "You and I need to stop being so hard on ourselves, and become more optimistic. That is what I learned from Lloyd. We have saved the world, and that alone is a huge accomplishment. Now is the time for us to take tiny steps, Regal. Eventually poverty will end. Not exactly tonight, or even in our lifetimes, but it will one day.
Regal nods in agreement. "I know. Forgive me for worrying so much," he says as he walks with her. "But may I tell you something, Raine?" He smiles slightly.
"Of course."
"Your grip on my wrist is killing me."
"Oh!" Raine exclaims, flustered. She drops his hand as they exit through the door and out into the seductive night.
Regal laughs and a moment later, Raine joins in. They walk along, unsure of where they are headed, letting their feet do what they wish. Suddenly Raine spots something in the sky and points at it silently, too startled to speak. Regal looks up and does a double take.
Dozens of shooting stars are streaking across the already mesmerizing sky. Raine and Regal quietly go up a flight of stairs and sit on the rooftop of an abandoned shop, their eyes on the sky.
"I... I have never seen anything as beautiful as this." Raine states. "I don't think I'll ever forget it."
"I saw shooting stars before... with Alicia." Regal speaks softly, his eyes shining.
Raine glances over at the man. "You love her still."
Regal meets her eyes. "Of course. She was such a big part of my life. Love can never be forgotten. One day you'll know what it's like."
Raine nods curtly and looks back at the sky. "I hope so. I've been hurt twice before, romantically, I mean." Regal does not press her on, but stares at her with concern in his eyes. Raine decides to continue. "Would you like to hear my story, Regal?" He nods and after a moment of hesitation, Raine tries to decide how to begin.
"About five years ago, a man named Aidan came to Iselia." Raine shivers slightly. She has never told anyone about Aidan before. Not even Kratos. "He had an interest in artifacts and history, just like me. We met and clicked instantly-- he actually gave me a few of the things that proved useful on our journey to save the world. We both appeared around the same age, and fell in love." Raine takes a shaky breath, her eyes still on the sky. "He was the reason I couldn't approach the unicorn at Lake Umacy... Genis doesn't remember Aidan very much, thank Martel. When I told Aidan that I'm a half-elf, he was horrified-- imagine, he had fornicated with a half-elf! He thought I was pure elf. Within a week, he was gone, and I was heartbroken."
Regal looks at her with sympathy. "Then he was not a good man to begin with." Regal speaks slowly. "And may I guess who your second love was?" Raine looks surprised, but nods anyway. "Was he Kratos?"
Raine meets his eyes. So earnest, so concerned, so wise. Regal is a genuine friend. He will not tell a soul about this; the heat radiating from his body, only six inches away, is very comforting. Raine finally nods.
"But you could not tell him. There never seemed to be a right moment, and after he betrayed all of you..." Regal trails off, for a silvery tear has squirmed its way out of Raine's eyelids. "Oh Raine, I'm sorry. I did not mean to upset you."
Raine laughs shakily and opens her teary eyes. "You shouldn't be sorry. It's all my fault for getting hurt in the first place. I try to be cold when it comes to love, and even then I fail miserably."
Regal watches her for a moment, then speaks. "Presea and I are going on a cruise tomorrow. We received two extra tickets... why don't you and Genis come with us? You need a vacation, Raine. You're much too young to stress about these things."
Raine tilts her head after a few moments of thought. "You know what Regal, you're right. I do need a vacation! I'll have to talk to Lloyd about it, see if we can change our plans a bit... Genis will be ecstatic! Are you sure you don't mind?"
Regal shakes his head. "Of course I don't mind. I want you two to come." He grins and stands. He holds out a hand for Raine, and she takes it, and when she is on her feet she does not let go.
"Come on." Raine says softly, eyes still hazy with tears as she looks at a possible lover. It is too early, too early now... "Let's go and get some sleep. We'll need it."
A firework lit up the sky; perhaps it was sent into the sky by mistake, for it was solitary, an explosion of red and blue.
A/N: Only one chapter after this... the dramatic, tear-jerking (hopefully) epilogue. I do plan to begin working on the Zelos/Colette story soon, but I'll need your support all the while. Sorry this took so long! High school is hard. Right now I am heartbroken, which helps immensely. This is also very rushed, and I apologize.