A/N: Glad you all seem to be enjoying the last chapter, I'm surprised at how popular the pairing really is (seeing as there's so little fanfiction for it). I'm starting to enjoy Mia's personality more, although its slightly hard to make her seem excited, but not pushy or obsessive. Soren is, as always, a little in denial, but that's just his personality. A little OOC Soren, and I might have a few mistakes (I don't play cards that much- ok?). Hope you enjoy part two of 'Dueling at Dawn'
To youdon'tknow: Thanks for the idea, I'm hesitant about starting a story with that many characters though, simply because I can't manage that many easily. I'm glad you've reviewed, I really enjoy them. Keep watch though, I'm thinking about the idea.
Mia watched Soren out of the corner of her eyes as she slashed around with her sword. It was nearly sundown, but Soren's eyes dashed over the pages of his book faster then Mia swung her sword. Mia couldn't believe the archsage had talked her out of so much training- she had sat around playing card games with Boyd, Rolf, and Oscar for most of the afternoon! Goddess help her, she was going to loose her fighting powess at this rate!
Gritting her teeth the trueblade swipped and slashed at air. Sure, it wasn't the same as fighting a real opponent, or even attacking a dummy or wooden block of some sort. Still, it was better than nothing, and Mia knew none of the others would train with her- they were all resting and getting ready for tomorrow. All except for Soren, who seemed to be spending his time reading. Mia couldn't tell what, the words on the front weren't in anything she recognized...
Mentally chiding herself for thinking about Soren while training (she was certain it slowed her down) Mia spun around and slashed at air again. She suddenly let out a shout and criticled the air... She panted, taking a few seconds to relax. She heard the sound of someone shutting a book and spun around, looking at Soren. The sage had stood up, dusting off his robes. He held an elwind tome in his hand.
"I see you lack a training partner." He said simply. His bright red eyes seemed to glow in the half-light. Mia wondered if he always had his intense look on his face, or if it was just for her... She grinned at Soren, her own green eyes glittering from excitment.
"Do you wanna spar? I mean," Mia's grin grew a little although Soren stayed the same, "you don't get off for tomorrow morning but it'll be fun! Besides, you know we get more experience if we train together then alone." Soren's mouth twitched in a smile, but it quickly disappeared. Inside, Mia felt a little disappointment. Didn't he feel comfortable showing her his emotions? But, Mia reminded herself, he was always cold and secretive.
"Your logic is sound... Do you want the first move?" Soren's eyes gleamed now from a different light, something Mia couldn't understand. She shrugged, spinning her sword in her hand. On her face was a full-blown grin.
"Of course Soren! You might regret it though!" With that, Mia charged. Swinging her sword to try to knock Soren off his feet, she was surprised as the sage's sudden burst of speed, her sword only grazing his middle. Soren started to chant something but Mia ran forward and, forgoing her sword (not wishing to harm him too much) and punching him in the chest. Mia didn't feel her usual sense of accomplishment at hearing Soren's breath leave him, but she didn't feel pity either.
Good, the trueblade thought to herself, I'm not going soft.
Great Goddess, she's insane (great, the grace she can move with seems to be enchanting) Soren thought. He quickly avoided getting a painful bruise on his arm and found he had enough breath to try another spell. Mia's face was fierce and determinded (to what end? That's what Soren wanted to know) but it changed into someone experiencing pain once Soren unleashed elwind on her, the trueblade's arms and legs getting cut by the wind spell.
Soren's face was cool and impassive, as usual, although part of him felt a twinge of doubt- was his spell too tough? Should he end it now before one of them got seriously hurt? But no, Mia was back, and Soren found himself lying on the ground, his ribs aching where the steel blade had hit him.
Mia was standing over him, a small grin on her face. It wasn't bragging or flaunting her win, it was just a small smile of a victory. Soren sighed, taking a deep breath so his lungs could inflate again. Mia put her sword away, reaching down a hand to help the archsage stand up. Soren hesitated- did he really need her help? The answer: no. Soren took her hand and couldn't help but marvel at how soft and strong it was (and how he was noticing the small details about her, her chest rising and falling as she breathed, a few locks of hair falling over her face).
"You're not that bad y'know. You just need to concentrate more- like I always tell you." Soren looked at her grin (it seemed permantly on her face- did the girl ever frown?) and couldn't help but adopt a small smile on his own face. Soren hesitated over his reply but went ahead anyway.
"There's a reason you're part of the company." It wasn't directly saying it, but they both knew Soren had been saved many time by the blue-haired trueblade. Soren dusted off his robes almost automatically, for once the silence was getting to him. "Pardon me, but I have things to do." He turned around and walked to the fort, not looking back. He was imersed in his own thoughts as well- if he wasn't he might have heard Mia's wispered goodbye.
Soren was lying. He had nothing really important (per say) to do that required him to be locked in his room, only a small, flickering candle for light. No, but Soren was always on top of things, and inventory could only wait for so long until they were eating hard bread and rotting fruit. Soren sighed to himself, the candle's flame twinkling as his breath reached it. For some reason he was craving contact, human contact. He felt... Lonely. It was strange to be desiring spending any time with the others; while they weren't all bad they did contain a few less then kind people among their ranks.
Still, Soren stood up and carefully put the papers away, followed by his quill and the ink, carefully and neatly put aside so his desk was clean and neat again. He paused, looking at his meager room. He had very little personal items, perfering to use any gold he earned on new tomes for himself and the materials to construct his own. While he, if he desired, could buy better clothes or better quills or more ink then he needed he never did. Such things could not be eaten and were expensive, and Soren had certain ideals he never left behind.
One of those ideals was to not grow too close to anyone, which was already broken by Ike, even if it hadn't been on purpose. Soren sighed again, closing his eyes. Ike was a gem among both beorc and laguz. He tolerating both species and didn't seem to realize any of the evil that existed in this world (which could be like another blue-haired blade weilder, but Soren shook this thought out of his head). Soren sighed again as he opened his eyes. This time, the small candle was blown out, and Soren was left in complete darkness.
The archsage simply turned around, walked exactly two and a hald steps, and opened his door. His room was small, neat, and he had memorized the entire layout of the fort, his room, and Ike's room. It never hurt to be prepared, and it definitly never hurt to be a little (or a lot) over-prepared.
"Two kings! Beat that!" Mia said gleefully. Boyd groaned and dropped his cards on the table, throwing his hands up on the table. Rolf squinted at Mia, as if looking hard enough would betray her secrets. No such luck though, and Rolf cried out in desperation,
"That's the tenth time you've won! What are you doing?" He cried out, his big green eyes tearing up. Shinon rolled his eyes and threw his cards down too, glancing at Rolf. The four had been playing cards in the common, the room lit by candles and several torches. They could hear Mist and Oscar cleaning up in the kitchen, Gatrie was probably drinking, and Ike was asleep after 'lookin terrible'. Titania and Rhys were probably out in the forest (the palidian didn't like Rhys going out alone at night, worrying for his safety).
"Just drop it Rolf. Deal up some more cards Boyd." The marksman said, sounding a little bored. Soren hesitantly walked in, wincing as Shinon (who was facing the door) spotted him. "Ah. Look what the cat dragged in. I suppose you're looking for your dear Ike-y?" Soren's only obvious response was a tightening of his fists and a tigher mouth as he walked over to the table and looked over his seating choices.
The closest was next to Mia and Rolf. Not his first choice but, out of the motely group of seats that were available, an attractive option. Certaintly more attractive then sitting between Boyd and Shinon (the marksman was still glaring at him, the table, or the cards). Quickly passing on sitting between the two brothers, Soren sat down next to Mia and Rolf, glancing warrily at Boyd, as if the ax-man would attack.
" Could I... Ah... Join?" The table (which had been semi-loud at Rolf talking with Boyd) fell silent. Soren, for the first time in quiet a while, felt akward. Shinon smirked and muttered something under his breath, 'something' probably being both rude and not something Rolf should hear. Mia's eyes bore holes in him more then the other's though, and Soren dropped his gaze from her green orbs to the dull brown table. Mia, incidently, was the first to recover from the shock.
"Sure thing Soren! Boyd, deal Soren up some cards!" The trueblade said, snapping the others out of it. Shinon shot Soren (who was back to his impassive self, looking around at the others) a death glare; Soren returned it with an icy cold one.
"I hope the mage knows how to play cards, because I don't teach brats." Rolf was looking at his cards and no one was paying him any attention; if they had they might have noticed him smile slightly. Soren looked at his cards, a three and a two. Damn.
"Yes Shinon, I do know how to play cards. In fact, I am probably better then you." The last part was a total and utter lie. Ike had taught him and Mist a long time ago, back when Greil was alive, and Soren had played one game before deciding the entire thing was a waste of time. That didn't mean he didn't understand the basics though, and it was total and utter luck too.
The game in question started- Boyd went around the group and asked if they were in or out. If they were in, Soren was slightly surprised to see each of them throw two gold into a small pile in the middle. Soren realized it was a betting game; Ike had mentioned the 'real' version was played with money, but Soren hadn't really listened. He had thirty-three gold with him, and while he loathed to waste money, he supposed a game or two wouldn't kill him. Sighing when Boyd asked him, Soren nodded and fished out two gold, throwing it lightly into the middle.
Now Boyd took out three cards and put them in the middle, turning them over. A four... A six... A five! Soren had mastered his emotions well enough to not look surprised, or even pleased. In contrast, Rolf looked possibly bubbly, while Boyd was looking shifty-eyed at the other players. Shinon looked his usual bored self, glancing at his cards with mild interest. Mia was grinning wickedly but that didn't mean anything to the archsage; she always looked like that.
"Are yah in or out Rolf?" Boyd asked his brother, the young sniper rubbing his head almost comically. The green-haired boy took a few seconds to think it over but cheerfully replied,
"Sure! I'm in." Boyd nodded and threw in two more coins.
"Raisin'." Shinon, the next in line, muttered something and threw in three more coins. Mia shifted in her seat, looking at her cards with a slightly hesitant look. Soren found himself mildly surprised that he wanted her to fold; he had no wish to go against the trueblade in the game. On the other hand, he wanted to beat Shinon utterly and fully.
"I'm gonna fold, you boys can fight over your cards." With that, Mia threw down her hand, leaning back in her seat dangerously. Soren sighed and shook his head thinking over his hand. He had a straight, which, if his memory served him, was very good. He wasn't quiet sure how good, but he did know it beat pairs and three-of-a-kinds. So, sighing, he tossed in four coins that he fished out of his pocket.
Of course, the raven-haired male had only meant to put in three, but to avoid looking like an idiot in front of Shinon (and, some part of him said, Mia) he muttered 'Raise' under his breath. Rolf sighed and put his cards down, folding without a second thought. Boyd added two coins to make himself even, and Shinon put in one. Soren nodded to Boyd who flipped over one more card.
An ace. Soren could feel some added tension from Shinon, the marksman's green eyes cold and icy. Boyd wasn't showing anything outwardly, but his cards were bent and his fists were pale from clutching said cards so tightly. Still, the weaver turned to Soren and asked,
"In or out?" Soren showed a small smile for a few seconds, wondering if it was a smart thing to do. But it worked; Boyd dropped his gaze and looked at his cards. Shinon merely rolled his eyes, looking like he was going to say something rude soon, which he did.
"Come on boy, we don't have all day." Soren let his bright red eyes meet Shinon's green ones. They met each other's gaze, an age and a day worth of sheer loathing and unspeakable anger built up behind them. Shinon was pouring out every moment of hatred for anyone in his eyes; they burned with anger, but had a glint of- was that longing?
Soren's eyes reflected every time he realized he wouldn't be helped, that the people (laguz or beorc) were just going to leave him on the ground, in suffering, dying of hunger, too weak to even beg anyway. His eyes were pure loathing for everyone and anyone, except for one flash of pain in his eyes.
"Uh, guys? Could we put the male hatred away for a few seconds so we could finish our game?" Mia said hesitantly. Instantly the conection was broken, and Soren blinked at the same time Shinon's gaze moved to glare at his cards. Neither replied. Soren pulled out five coins and tossed them in the middle.
"I'll raise it." Shinon smirked and Boyd rubbed the back of his head. The green-haired man seemed to be taking a while, and Shinon snapped at him,
"Hurry up Boyd! Fold already!" The marksman's gaze was dangerously close to deadly, and Boyd gulped and threw down his cards. Shinon sighed and muttered, "Finally," before tossing in ten coins into the middle. He flashed Soren a cold smile. "I'll raise it a little more then." Soren shrugged absentmindedly, putting in the extra coins. Boyd looked at both the players and flipped over the last card. Another ace. Shinon's smirk grew. "Are you sure you want to continue Soren?" The older man asked, dropping in ten more coins. Soren returned the smirk. He had a straight- not much could beat that. He assumed Shinon either had a full house, or four of a kind.
"Of course, Shinon." He spat the name out like venom, dropping in fifteen more coins instead of ten. Shinon didn't even falter, dropping in the extra five, plus five extra. Soren dropped in the last of his coins, thirteen. Shinon smirked and dropped in the extra coins needed.
"Looks like someone's outta money." Shinon gloated. "So then, do you want the honor of showing your cards first?" His eyes gleamed with a look of someone who thought he was winning big. Soren gave Shinon a cold smile, all teeth and no real emotion.
"Of course Shinon." He flipped over his cards and Rolf gasped. A straight- two, three, four, five, six. Shinon, for his credit, didn't falter, turning over his cards quickly. A four of a kind, in aces. Soren couldn't help but widen his grin. "I guess you're out of money." Shinon swore loudly and left, pushing the entire table a few inches towards Soren when he got up. Everyone else was quiet and Soren stood, his usual manerism back.
"I will return in several minutes to get the money. If you take any, I will know." The other three believed him.
Mia was enjoying the peace that quiet brought you, silently reading a book in her dimly lit room. Candles were limited to one per room per week (roughly), so if you burned your candle too long or wanted more light you'd have to get one yourself. It stunk, but Mia needed money for her sword and general other things, not candles.
She turned the page and nestled down closer to her soft bed. This was what she had missed during the wars; the feeling of a comfortable bed that you knew would be there, and that you'd have at least some peace and quiet... Sure, Mist was a fine tentmate, but you just can't replace a nice book at the ending of a long, stressful, and surprising day.
Mia looked up from her book, sighing. Why had Soren come down to play cards? Of all the mercenaries Soren was the most anti-social, no-waste, person in the group. Even more surprising was that he won, and that he had sat next to Mia, no, Mia shook that out of her head. Soren had sat next to her because it was the closest seat and for no other reason whatsoever. He just didn't want to waste time (or energy) moving around the table to sit somewhere else. At least, that's what the trueblade told herself.
There was no way Soren, with his long black hair (it was probably as smooth as silk) and pale skin (that gleamed in the sunlight with a pale light) wanted to sit next to her. No, he had done so because of logical reasons only. Mia sighed, shaking her head and standing up. Why did she care so much? Soren wasn't terrible, in fact, he wasn't that bad (inteligent, skilled, and ). He usually wore his black robes that Mia thought looked quiet good at him; neat and clean but practical. He didn't always were black though, he sometimes wore white...
Wait- white? Mia's eyes (which had been closed as she yawned) snapped open, the green orbs piercing the dim light of the room. It was late, but since when had something like that stopped her from doing something? She put her book on her table and blew out her candle, running out the door quickly, her steel sword hitting her leg with its usual thomp. She ran down the short corridor and turned right to head towards Soren's room. She knew from seeing him walk into it that his room was right at the end of this hallway...
She turned another corner and promptly hit the person comming at the other side. She swore softly to herself, rubbing her head where she colided with the other. She closed her eyes, seeing stars for several seconds. Meanwhile, the pesron she had run into swore breifly (yet colorfully) to themselves. Hearing a man's voice she expected someone like Ike or maybe even Oscar, out to check on Rolf, when she remembered Oscar's room was right next to Rolf's. Ike was near Soren though- was it the commander she ran into? But no, opening her eyes they slowly adjusted to the extremely dim hall and showed a mess of black in front of her.
Soren's hair was, for the first time she had ever seen, messy. It sprawled over his head and down his face, covering his red eyes and pale face. His black robes were on now, not his white archsage robes (why didn't he ever wear them? White looked so... Dashing), which disappointed Mia at first but she decided to continue on anyway. She stood up and reached down a hand, grinning. Soren brushed his hair back first and scowled for a second at seeing Mia, causing her smile to loose a few teeth.
"Hey there Soren! Just the person I wanted to see!" Mia said loudly, not caring if someone woke up or not. Soren's scowl stayed put, even as he stood up and brushed off his robes. His red eyes glittered with the light from the dim torches, and with a dim annoyance.
"... What is your purpose for running through the halls to see me?" The archsage asked, his eyes meeting Mia's. She, for her credit, didn't waver. Instead, her smile managed to widen even more.
"I was reading in my room when I thought over something; you wear white archsage robes, don'tcha?" A flash of suspicion shone in Soren's eyes for a second, but it was gone quickly, leaving Mia to wonder if she had just thought it all up. The man nodded slowly.
"Yes... Now if that is all you wanted to ask me, I need to talk to you." Mia hesitated for once in her life, wanting to say something but keep her on Soren's good side. She bit her lip as Soren started to speak again. "I have come to realize our... Interaction is distracting me from my work. I do not need to tell you about the dangers of becomming too close to another; so I've decided to keep our... Relationship as professional as possible. I will see you in the morning in the training field, as soon as I can read without aid. Good night." Soren made a move to turn around and head back to his room when he found himself being jerked back at pinned to a wall.
Soren felt his eyes flash dangerously bright at Mia, but her usually warm green eyes were now icy cold. He felt a tinge of weakness; was his plan, for once, failing him? Mia kept up her gaze for several long, silent seconds. The only sound was of their breathing, perfectly similar and different at once, and the torches. The light flikered over the two, giving an errie feeling to the entire place.
"S-Soren... I..." Mia found herself at loss of words, her feelings all trying to escape at once. Soren couldn't help but admire her eyes, and he found himself unable to concentrate with them on him. "I... Ah I... I can't not see you Soren! I don't know why, but some part of me..." With that, the trueblade started to cry, burrying her face into Soren's robes, inhaling his smell. He smelt of old dusty pages of books, a fresh breeze, and of warmth, all at the same time. Soren breathed in her scent as well, a musky scent that was full of a want and a will to do well in everything... And someone that just needed something constant, something to hold onto and never let go...
Soren's eyes closed, his chin resting atop Mia's head as the trueblade cried, her words broken and hardly understandable.
"I... I'm sorry... I shouldn't... I shouldn't bother you Soren... I-I suppose we'll still see each other on the battle field, right?" She broke free from Soren's gentle grasp (he blinked, realizing he hadn't meant to be holding her in the first place) and turned away from him, heading into the gloom and darkness that led towards her room.
Soren watched her go, the sudden lack of warmth leaving an empty feeling inside him. It felt strange, it made him feel weak, the feeling of want. Of wanting to feel her warm embrace again, of wanting to feel her heart pounding against his. Soren blinked and made up his mind, running towards Mia's room as fast as he could bring himself. They needed to talk.
A/N: I know, a sorry looking chapter for so long a wait... Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Because of the sad length of this chapter I might just make it a five-shot. Or would it be a short story then? Bleh, hope you enjoyed anyway. So now... Soren's finally comming out of his cold little world! Yeah! And Mia is probably real OOC in the end, so sorry about that. I was thinking about having them kiss then, but it would have seemed to rush-y. Kudos to anyone who has figured out why the white archsage robes are immportant.