Marcia's trip was largely uneventful. The greetings at Begnion were warm, if somewhat strained between her and some of the older pegasus knights. Yet Tanith and Sigrun were kind as ever and promised that they and the apostle would arrive quickly and even offered to run her message out to Phonecias so Marcia could rest. She thanked them heartily and set off for Daein, to deliver invitations to Michaiah and Sothe. The Daein Queen greeted her warmly and said that she and her retinue would be delighted to attend. Sothe scowled for a moment, but gave in when he saw how happy it would make his wife.

The ride home gave her time to think, which on the whole she didn't need or want. Thinking tended to make her head ache and often ended with either Kieran or Malakov getting shouted at. Why were the men in her life such...idiots. She glowered ahead of her. Kieran wouldn't just come out and tell her what was in his head. She knew he didn't love her but...well...she wasn't above pretending. It hurt, yes, but, she was used to that and half-way convinced that this lie hurt less than the truth did. And Malakov was hopeless. He was nearing the end of Elincia's patience, which was a feat in and of itself. She loved her brother more than she could say but...it was getting ridiculous.

She clicked the reins, resolving that SOMEONE was getting a stern talking to when she got home. It didn't much matter who.

With the party only a few nights away, Bastian was starting to loose his mind. Having Lucia close enough to touch, but totally enthralled with Renning was getting to be more than the sage could deal with. His dreams were his only refugee, but sleep came rarely. He was haunted by the thought of her, and by jealousy.

Renning didn't even seem to notice his hold over the woman. He was courteous, but no more, save for rare moments when he bestowed some minor affection. A kiss on the forehead or hand, a soft smile or compliment. And yet, Renning could not see how this played with Lucia's heart. It was more than Bastian could stand, watching her face rise and fall with hope that maybe Renning thought of her as more than Elincia's friend.

Bastian spent as much time as possible in his study trying not to mope. Or, at least, not to mope visibly.
"Bastian?" A knock followed the call and then he heard the door open. Lucia looked at him, her face marred with concern.
"Yes, fair lady? That which you seek is within." He managed a smile. She walked inside cautiously, as if treading on thin ice.
"Are you alright?" She asked, sitting on the couch near his window.
"How it lightens my heart to think of you concerned for me. But yes, my dearest lady, I am quite well." Lucia gave him a contemplative look.
"You're lying." Bastian looked at her, nearly stunned by her bluntness and attempted a recovery. Lucia let out a sigh, "Your normal flowery speech is strained. Which ALWAYS means you're stressed." She smiled, and the sage turned away, lest she witness the unique shade of pink rising on his cheeks.
"I worry merely that this party will not be all her Majesty had hoped." A lie, but of course it was a lie.
"Why are you lying to me, Duke Fayre?" Lucia walked across the room and grabbed the sleeve of Bastian's robe. "I'm worried about you." He turned, almost against his will and met her eyes. A few tears shone in his normally proud eyes and Lucia took a step backwards.
"Bastian." she whispered.
"I beg thee, fair maiden, make me not speak my heart."

Lucia nodded slowly and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around the Sage in a hug. His heart, which he had already assumed was broken, shattered into a fine powder. He tightened his arms around her, breathing in her light lilac scent, feeling the softness of her hair on his cheek. She was a poison to him, a poison he was hopelessly addicted to.

Lucia buried her face in his shoulder, wishing she knew was was wrong with him. He was warm, his robes covered them both, flowing around her arms like a blanket as she encircled his torso. She took a deep breath, feeling his heart beat quicken against her ear. She willed his heart to slow, to beat normally. She wanted to make him smile.

Renning opened the door on the private moment. He cleared his throat lightly to announce his presence. Lucia turned scarlet and let go of Bastian, who also turned a beet red and spun around to see Duke Renning.
"Your Grace." He said,
"Hello Bastian." Renning smiled, "Dinner is ready." He extended his arm, and Bastian watched sadly as Lucia flew to it like a Falcon to its master.