The sun had only just turned the sky a faint shade of pink when Cynthia headed for the stables. Yawning, she blearily rubbed her eyes. But someone had to check up on their steeds, and for better or worse, today that someone was her. It wasn't until she'd walked into her mount's stall and murmured a good morning that she realized that she wasn't the only one in the stables this early in the morning. Blinking, she realized that Inigo was already there, saddling up one of the horses. And from the looks of his heavy traveling bag, he was aiming to take a long trip.

He still hadn't noticed her, so with surprising stealth for one who got up not half an hour earlier, Cynthia managed to make her way to the opposite side of the saddle that Inigo was strapping a buckle on. Propping her elbow on the saddle, Cynthia called out to the unsuspecting swordsman. "And where are you headed?"

Startled, Inigo dropped the bag he was shouldering, a look of alarm crossing his face. But just as quickly, he switched to an easy smile. "Cynthia, so lovely to see you. Just, getting ready to set out. See the world. Nothing much."

Snorting, Cynthia rounded the horse, hefting the bag Inigo had dropped and tossing it back in his arms. Gerome had left but a few weeks ago, and it was clear enough to see that another one of her friends was trying to make their escape. "Leaving the rest of us behind more like it."

Fumbling to get a grip on the bag, Inigo tried in vain to look at ease. "It would be a disservice to the ladies of Valm and beyond if I restricted myself to this continent."

"If you're going one an adventure then I'm going too." A rash proposal, but if there was any truth behind Inigo's answer, someone had to tag along to make sure he didn't get into too much trouble.

Securing the bag to his saddle, Inigo simply shook his head. "No can do. How are we going to keep the ranks of the pegasus knights filled if all of you fly off?"

Rolling her eyes, Cynthia placed her hands on her hips. "The same goes for you dummy."

Inigo laughed; the scowl on Cynthia's face had stayed remarkable unchanged from the one she'd used as a child. "You give me too much credit. I'm but a simple mercenary. No one would miss me."

Frown only deepening, she narrowed her eyes. "Well, unless I'm no one, you got another things coming buddy."

Sighing, Inigo fidgeted, gripping the handle of his sword before letting his hands drop to his sides. "Cynthia. I appreciate the offer, I really do. But it's best if I go. We don't need the likes of me around."

"What are you talking about? Little Inigo is on his way. Don't you want to be around for that? Have you even said goodbye to you mother at least? And what's this about the likes of you?" Firing questions, Cynthia noticed that after each inquiry, Inigo visibly flinched, conforming that he'd hoped to leave without anyone noticing.

"No I haven't and, no I don't. The last thing I want is for him is to end up like me. I'm no precedent to follow. And mother deserves someone better than me as a child."

Putting both hands on his shoulders, Cynthia lightly shook the mercenary. "So you're just leaving? Don't you think we've earned a good rest and a stay here?"

Brushing her off, Inigo jumped onto the saddle, not looking Cynthia in the eyes. "Our job here is done. I don't mean to mettle where I don't belong. Honestly, a skirt chaser like me? Not the image of a hero like you now is it?"

He was being ridiculous, and Cynthia had to make him see sense. Any sense. Panic rising, she shouted, the first thing that came to mind. "You're running away? Don't be a coward Inigo!"

Neither said anything for a moment, Cynthia shaking in anger, disbelief. This wasn't what she'd wanted to say.

But Inigo looked resigned, not denying her words. And that was what scared her the most. "It's just what I'm good at." A wry smile crossed his face, and Inigo spurred his horse forward, trotting out of the stables. "Take care of them for me."

She didn't follow him, standing in the empty stall as she listened to the clop of hooves against pavement. Only until the sound became too soft to hear did she tear out of the stables. They couldn't part like this. But even as she burst out into the courtyard, Cynthia knew that he was gone.

AN: Request for BubbleTea-Chan!