Tyrea was not a fan of Kallian leaning against her when the Machina doctor and Seer Alvis were right there. But here she was, stuck looking up at the girl she had just been trying to kill while Kallian used her as support.
The thing looked like she was drowning in the ceremonial robes as she looked down at them, mask on her face. Next to her stood that wench, Lorithia, acting totally innocent in all of this. Oh, if she kept that smug look on her face, she might just attack.
"You will be leaving tomorrow morning, yes?" Melia spoke and pulled Tyrea from her thoughts. "I bestow upon you the blessing of the royal family, may you be safe in your journeys."
"Thank you, Crown Princess Melia." Kallian forced himself to his knees in a bow and Tyrea found herself following suit. She did not want to find herself in trouble for not showing fealty while still in Alcamoth.
Alvis did as well, but the Machina and Nopon just watched in confusion. Of course they wouldn't understand the High Entia custom! To think she was going to have to deal with these things until she could find a time to escape.
"Do not worry, I will ensure the Prince comes home without harm." Alvis looked up and Tyrea let out a huff as she helped Kallian back to his feet. "Minister Lorithia, I assume Prince Kallian can assume you will do the same for the Crown Princess?"
"Of course, you can trust me." Lorithia said, clearly lying and being untrustworthy. "Crown Princess Melia is in good hands."
"I appreciate it, Minister Lorithia." Kallian smiled at both of them. "Melia is in good hands."
"Brother…" Melia placed a hand against her chest. "...All of you. Thank you, for being brave enough to do this. If… if the Monado is free, I will do what I can to help from here."
Tyrea huffed without thinking. "And what do you plan to do?"
"Tyrea…!"
Melia held up a hand, cutting Kallian off. "It's fine, I understand her confusion. I will speak with the Machina, update them on where their people have gone, and ask for their cooperation."
"...I see." Tyrea looked away with a huff. "I suppose I should expect that inane plan from the likes of you!"
"Tyrea, that's enough." Kallian gripped her shoulder. "Melia is doing her best to assist us."
"Assist you, perhaps." She wouldn't look him in the eye. "I am nothing but a criminal carrying out my sentence."
"Tyrea…"
"She is not likely to listen to us, Prince Kallian." Seer Alvis gave Tyrea a look. "Allow her to wallow in these feelings, it will be up to her whether she learns to take her punishment in stride or not."
"Seer Alvis…" Kallian sighed, but nodded. "Yes, of course. You're… You're right."
"Well then." Lorithia cleared her throat. "Please, take the rest of the night to yourselves and your preparations. If you need anything from me before you leave, do not hesitate to ask."
Tyrea glared down at her feet, ignoring the conversation as it continued. One way or another… she was going to get away from this all.
"Alvis, do you have a moment?" Kallian was excited to see the Seer out and about still. He had been afraid he was the only one still awake.
"Ah, Prince Kallian, of course." He nodded, giving him a small smile. "Is there something you needed?"
"Just… someone to talk to." Kallian came to stand with him, looking out across Alcamoth. "It's a bit nerve-wracking, really, leaving Melia like this… after all that happened…"
"Yes, you've both been through quite a bit, haven't you?" Alvis put a hand on his chin, humming. "I can only imagine the pain of your father being killed like that…"
"Yes, Melia must be going through so much, and I plan on leaving her behind to find the person responsible." Kallian closed his eyes, guilt eating at him. "I am afraid that I'm leaving her in her time of need."
"She is stronger than you think, Prince Kallian." Alvis placed a hand against the window in front of them. "If anything, she must be worrying about how you'll be feeling, being away from home during all of this."
"Do you think so…?" Kallian sighed. "I just have such a hard time, seeing her as anything but the little girl she used to be."
"That is… how siblings are, correct?" Alvis tilted his head to the side. "I do not have a sibling to speak of, so I cannot be sure, but that seems right to me. You watched her grow, it can be hard to see her as her actual age."
"I suppose so…" He sighed, looking to Alvis. "Say, do you think me leaving her behind like this makes me a bad older brother?"
Alvis thought for a moment, before shrugging. "I am afraid that's something you have to work out for yourself. I can see the future, not the bonds between you and your family."
Kallian chuckled. "Fair enough, Alvis… I suppose asking you to tell me was asking quite a bit."
"I suppose you rely on me quite a bit for the more political, so I can't say I blame you for asking about the personal as well." He pat Kallian on the shoulder. "But you must look in at yourself, I cannot tell you if what you are doing is right or wrong."
"I suppose you're right." Kallian listened to Alvis's footsteps as he began to walk away. "...Thank you, Alvis."
"So, how does it compare?" Alvis approached Egil, leaning against the railing. "The Bionis, to the last time you were here?"
Egil, also leaning against the railing of Alcamoth, looked out across the city. This was the first time since they'd gotten here he'd really had a chance to go out and see the sights… And the melancholy it left in his heart was something else.
A thriving civilization that had all but forgotten the conflict of old. Something about it just sat heavy on Egil's heart, when his people would never truly forget. Would never truly be able to, as hard as they tried.
Alvis's carefree smile as he questioned him and watched him just added to the feeling.
"Good question." Egil sighed, rubbing a strand of his hair between his fingers. "From what I remember of the High Entia, they don't seem… that different."
"Is that so?" Alvis hummed. "Anything else?"
"I've noticed Homs and Nopon are new… and giants are nowhere to be seen." He refused to look at Alvis as he spoke in vague terms.
As much as he hated to admit it, it was hard to truly remember much of that time. He could remember the traumatic events, some time spent with Arglas… But there were huge chunks of his memory that he had locked away or never stored in the first place.
For a Machina, his memory was pathetic. And perhaps that was for the best… The less he remembered, the less he would think of all that he lost.
"Cool, calculated responses." Alvis spoke up, pulling him out of his thoughts. "I suppose I should expect that from you."
"I could just not answer you." He pinched his cheek. "Would you prefer that?"
Alvis chuckled, putting his hand on Egil's. "No, I do prefer when you at least answer me. Besides, maybe it's karma that you give such vague replies."
"You do seem to have a habit of being vague." Egil pulled his hand away with a snort. "You're getting a taste of your own medicine, hm?"
"Indeed." He gave Egil a small smile, head tilted to the side. "But I have to say, I'm learning how much vague answers leave me wanting more."
"You want me to say more, you'll have to wait until I feel I can trust you enough to say more." Egil shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Do you have the patience for that?"
"If there's one thing I have, it's patience." Alvis snickered a bit. "We'll see who has more of what, though. Me and my patience or you and your stubbornness."
He huffed. "I'm not that stubborn!"
"He says, being very much stubborn." Alvis hopped up onto the railing, sitting on it and poking Egil on the nose. "Don't worry, though, it's a charm point of yours."
"Don't try and tease me, you brat." Egil turned his face away, trying to ignore the blush on his face. "I know one of your superiors now, and could easily get you into trouble."
"But would you is the question… after all, I'm still your guide through the Bionis." He gave him an amused grin. "You need me."
"You are a strange one, Alvis…" He sighed, shaking his head. "That much is certain."
"Aw, thank you, Egil."
"Not a compliment, Alvis."
