: 4 :
:: Sink ::
( Constructive criticisms and reviews only, no flames )
…
We arrived at the Zao Ruins later than we had expected. A certain someone in the group (I'd rather not point to any names, but I'm sure it's pretty obvious.) had to whine about the heat for 10 minutes straight before we got any progress. As its name suggests, it's buried underneath the sand but it was still relatively easy to find.
I was surprised when Sophia suddenly sparked an interest in the ruins. (Well, well! Not only a pacifist but an archeologist as well. That's a shocker.) She seemed in awe when we entered to find Fon Master Ion especially. Had she wanted to see one of these? (I don't know if I share her fondness with it though, as do everyone else.)
I hadn't had the time to think about our current standing ever since the port. I had been caught off guard when I saw her look at me as we traveled by ship afterwards. (We were headed to Chesedonia at that point.) Everyone went their separate ways on the ship. Some went to eat, others to the deck. I stayed in the bridge, in case something might happen. (I wonder what could have happened if I didn't stay and watch?)
Someday you'll hate me so much you'd want to kill me.
As I thought to myself, (after Luke left as well. I'm glad he didn't hear me.) I noticed her enter the room. (Did she have any idea though, where she was?) Her expression wasn't hard to decipher, even though she hid it with a smile. Did Sophia fear me?
"Ah, Sophia. What are you doing here? Aren't you on deck with the others?" I ended up asking her. It would have been so much more awkward if I didn't ask that, wouldn't you say?
She smiled at me and shook her head. "I've been out on the deck long enough. I thought I'd stay inside for awhile."
It ended up in silence again. A conversation with us seemed only to last for about two sentences maximum. (Why, I don't know why! I'm a very conversable person!) She didn't notice it, but I glanced at her with the corners of my eyes. She stared out the window in front of us, looking to the sky. I looked back and stared as well.
Both of us have lived our lives from the very moment in that time in mystery. We both didn't know who we were and we certainly weren't prepared for marriage. (My, Emperor Peony actually had a good idea this time!) This was just a ploy (I hope I hadn't meant that in a negative way.) I'm quite certain. Why, I don't mind playing a part in it but it seems very odd that they married off two people who have no idea about each other.
I'm not a very open person, mind you. I like to keep most things to myself, unless it's of dire importance. I won't elaborate further than I have too though. When the time comes and I'm right, that's when I make sure of myself.
Which brings me to her; Sophia Ivanov-Tatravoskie. We so far only know a few things about her. Her current nationality is in Malkuth and she can't fight nor use her artes. (I find particularly strange how her fon slots are sealed permanently...I have to investigate on that) That's it.
Usually, I don't think like this. I should be thinking of our next objective once he hit Chesedonia. It may be because of the fact that somehow, both of us had run away from this responsibility. In a way, differently, we had managed to avoid this for years and now, being faced with it suddenly...
Sophia may have had time to think through this. (She was the one who waited after all; I don't think I have the right right now.) I, on the other hand, (as the very busy colonel who, lives alone.) always kept it in the back of my head. At least they had told me her name a day after the engagement. (I was allowed a proxy but not to be there myself. Oh I feel quite special.)
I didn't forget it of course. Now, what kind of gentleman would I be then?
Still, I find it strange I'm in this kind of situation. To think, the person the military dubbed "The Necromancer" is facing this kind of...difficulty. Ahaha. Ironic.
What I find troubling is the mere fact that she cannot fight. (Emperor Peony, you trust me too much it's quite scary.) I doubt this will go undetected by our enemies and if they find out, we'll have a liability on our hands. I'm not sure though, if I think it's not worth the risk but...we can't keep saving her if she gets into trouble all the time.
She's still silent, as was I. That day on the ship, I wondered what would happen to us in the future. Both of us refused to talk and our small little chit-chat (I really should keep my distance from Luke.) lead nowhere in getting to what I might think our future would be.
Why, I don't want to live with her with our relationship being platonic would I?
I remembered suddenly, that look in her eyes. A look I knew all to well. She really did fear me. Was it because of Arietta? (Pacifists are hard to deal with sometimes...) If that was the case, then this would be harder than I thought.
Marriage. This type of marriage though, is often dealt without any feelings. Even if we don't love each other the way other husbands' and wives do, just the basic knowledge about you to-be is good enough. (Society is harsh isn't it?) So really, love isn't required.
I looked at her again; I grasped the wheel tighter in my hands. She kept blinking. (Am I that intimidating?) Ah, so I found a habit of hers. I asked her if she was alright.
She answered calmly, as I first heard her in Kaitzur. "Yes. Thank you for asking." I shall admit, when she answers or talks, she radiates a warm, soft glow. An aura of maturity. (It's nice to finally have someone mature but this is off the line.)
"Colonel...may I ask where we're going?"
Ah, she finally speaks.
"To Chesedonia, to meet up with Commandant Van. We're going to let the Order decide on what to do with Arietta. And we have some business there as well."
She nodded. "I see. Thank you."
"You're quite polite. It's a nice change, having to talk with Luke all the time." She laughed at my remark and we both returned to silence. Well, it's a good start for now. Maybe she realizes that the situation isn't for introductions or getting to know you kinds of things. (Well, she's smart. That's another change.)
I'm somewhat thankful that the others are talking to her, if not small conversations. (Even Luke is somehow making an effort, although not a very good one.) However, we have yet to actually talk out of bounds. As long as both of us, me and Sophia, are avoiding the question at hand; we won't really get anywhere. And I'm not expecting too, not right now.
…
"So you like ruins? I never thought you'd be the kind of person too!" Guy remarked after Sophia's immediate awe-striking pose as they entered the Zao Ruins. She smiled warmly. "Yes, I've always wanted to see at least one of the ruins from the Dawn age ever since I read about them. I...didn't know they this one still existed though."
"Well c'mon then! Let's get going! Who knows what they could be doing to Ion!" Anise remarked, dragging Luke with her. "Hey! Cut it out! I can walk on my own! Sheesh!" Sophia ignored his comment and walked along with everyone else. "I still cannot believe it..." she added, sighing as she continued to scan the rooms.
"I'm sure we're gonna see a lot more of the ruins once we head in deeper." Guy said. "Indeed. The faster we get down, the faster we can find out what the God-Generals plan to do with Ion." Jade continued. She nodded. "I'm sorry. Did I slow you down?"
"Not at all. Let's keep moving now, shall we?"
Sophia smiled and walked with Natalia, who stroke up to talk to her. Tear walked beside them, listening. Guy stayed behind them with Jade at his side.
"So how're you doing? You should have told us you had a fiancé!" he asked quietly, grinning all the while. "I still can't believe it either...You're getting married after all of this! Make sure to invite me to your wedding!"
"Well, I didn't want to bother you all with my personal escapades and it wasn't really that important up till now. And don't worry Guy, you'll be there. Surrounded by dozens of women..."
"I was kidding!"
"Indeed you were." he chuckled. After following everyone else down the sandy slopes of the ruins, Guy continued. "It's an arranged marriage right?" he asked. "I'm not surprised. After Hod, that's usually the case." Jade nodded. "She waited a long time to meet me. I don't know whether I should warn her or pity her."
"Warn her?"
"I'm not exactly a candidate for the best husband Guy." he answered, his trademark expression on his face. Stop joking colonel...I'm serious here, Guy thought.
"But are you planning to get to know her?"
They reached inside the deeper parts of the ruins before Jade finally answered, as he adjusted his glasses slightly. "Maybe."
