Wild Rose
Firion and Lightning's arrival at Crystal World was only met with disappointment as they found nothing – much to their dismay.
"It doesn't appear to be here. This place would make the most sense, but…" Firion mumbled.
He looked at the ground in regret. Crystal World had seemed the most logical place they'd have found the rose, and yet…it wasn't so. Somehow…it wasn't there. He couldn't imagine where else he could have lost it. He'd spent the most time here, after all.
Lightning looked around, appearing to scope the scenery. Her eyes kept wandering until she finally saw something in the distance.
"Hey. What's that?" thought aloud.
"Hm?" Firion mumbled, as his head shot up.
His face had a sudden expression of hope on it as he looked ahead in Lightning's indicated direction. However, he didn't see a thing.
"Lightning, what are you looking at?"
She didn't reply as she started moving forward.
Firion followed her without another word out of sheer curiosity. Maybe he just hadn't been looking in the right direction after all – or so he hoped.
As they finally got close enough, they realized what it was Lightning had seen – and again, they were a bit distraught.
"Kain?"
Kain turned around and at the sound of their voices.
"Firion." Kain said.
"Kain!" he replied, in surprise.
It was definitely unexpected for them to find Kain here of all people. They had to even wonder why he was here. It was…a little weird, to be honest.
"What are you doing here?" Firion asked.
Kain glanced from side to side.
"The crystals. I thought maybe I'd find one here after following a strange urge." he explained.
Firion was a bit piqued by his words for a moment. He had actually forgotten about the crystals after realizing the rose was gone. Now, he suddenly remembered what they were supposed to be doing. Or…at least expected to do.
"Right. The crystals. I'd forgotten." He mumbled, looking at the ground again.
Kain looked at him in question – a bit curious as to what would drive Lightning to team up with anyone. Everyone knew she wasn't the most social person.
Firion lifted his head and looked at Kain again. In hopes that maybe this wasn't mere coincidence, he had to ask – just in case. Though…he was a bit hesitant, and embarrassed, to do so at first.
"Kain. Do you -" he stuttered.
He didn't finish his sentence as he was silent for a moment. There was no way it was possible. It definitely didn't fit and he felt embarrassed for even thinking to ask. He decided to withdraw the question altogether.
"Hm?" Kain asked, in anticipation.
He stared at Firion – waiting for him to keep speaking.
Firion sighed and looked away.
"…Never mind." he mumbled.
Lightning was quick to jump in for him. She wasn't about to let even the slightest possibility pass her by.
"Firion." she said.
Kain looked at Lightning now as she stepped forward a little.
"Kain, have you -"
"We'll just be on our way. Excuse us." Firion interrupted, quickly pulling Lightning away.
Lightning was caught completely off-guard for once as she looked at him in surprise.
"Hey!"
They quickly left the scene as Kain watched them – even more confused now than before.
"What?" he asked himself.
He kept watching as the two of them went out of sight. Something was going on with them, but for the life of him…he couldn't even begin to guess.