Rain is so soothing... I love writing during rainstorms. Even though Dean is making it very hard. My tiny puppy son must play constantly if he doesn't get his daily walk.
So anyway. I cut this chapter a little shorter than I really wanted to but the ending is so good? I like the feeling we end on.
Also, fair warning, this isn't really a progress chapter. It's more fleshing out the relationships and how Majula. Honestly I feel really good about this one! like its... It's pretty high on the list of things I've really enjoyed writing for this fic. Right after reading all your reviews, probably.
Which is good! I want to be excited about writing. That's what all authors should feel like.
But that's enough Sybaritic Advice(TM)
I hope you have a super great Wednesday! ! Or... whatever day is when you're reading this.
It's only a few days later that you decide it's time for you to get back to collecting Lord Souls. "In the morning," You whisper, pressing closer to your knight. The two of you are sitting next to the main bonfire, watching the flames. "I wanna make sure everyone has what they need."
The residents of Majula are quickly becoming one of your top priorities, if you're honest.
Lucatiel lays her head on top of yours, and you can hear the smile in her voice as she asks, "Where are we going next then?"
"Actually... Um... I know you've been wanting to start looking for your brother again. And I know I said you find him in Aldia's Keep but... Maybe we can change that? If you know the general direction of where he is maybe you can stop him. Fr-from hollowing, I mean." You find it extremely hard to put your thoughts into words. "Not that I don't want you to accompany me! It's just- it might be better if-"
She interrupts with your name, one of her hands moving to press against your cheek. "I understand."
Waiting for her to continue, you remove her hand and entwine your fingers. It's nice that she's come around enough to allow you to do so too, you think. She had been acting strangely after you're 'I'm from both the fucking future and an alternate dimension' confession, but you sorta expected that. It seems like your relationship has only improved since then, which is a huge relief.
She did kill your cell phone though, and its battery hadn't even died. Apparently Five Night's at Freddy's is not for her.
"I understand that you what to help, but... There are some things you cannot change. I would rather be with you than searching for something that may just cause me further pain." She says slowly, too calmly.
"Like... Fate? You think your brother is just fated to hollow?" You ask.
"No! Goodness, no. Fate is something you create for yourself, in my opinion. But... That being said, I cannot give him the will to resist hollowing by myself. I've come to realize what you said is true, and resisting the Curse is something one must do by themselves." She squeezes your hand.
"But... Maybe he doesn't know. Maybe he's just given up because the soul thing isn't working and no one was there to explain it to him." You frown. "I've gotta fix that when I'm monarch. There... There's no introductory course to being Undead and everyone else treats us like we're..."
"Cursed?" Lucatiel supplies.
Ouch. You try not to wince, "Yeah. It's just... not fair. If they had been properly educated they could've saved themselves! Everyone's just going on here say and rumors, 'oh, maybe this will help' or 'try this' instead of facts. It's infuriating! Even Chloanne, who spends a fair amount of time with Undead, doesn't know the first thing about it."
"Then we will have to remedy their ignorance." Lucatiel heaves a sigh, her breath fanning the crown of your head.
You fall silent for a bit, looking at the flames as if they hold the answers. "Are you going to look for Aslatiel then, or would you rather pick a fight with Freja?" You'll have to be much more cautious if Lucatiel is with you (mostly because you don't want her to see you die again). Not to mention the whole Creighton Thing. You're almost certain Lucatiel would pick a fight with the murderer, out of Mirran pride.
You wouldn't blame her, but it is something you'd like to avoid. Who knows, maybe Creighton will be useful. Stranger things have happened. Especially with your meddling in the canon. You just wish there was more you could do.
You feel Lucatiel shrug. "I will tell you when I decide. For now, we should head to bed, should we not?"
"A pile of clothes is not technically a bed." You note and lazily stretch your legs out.
"I'm sure being monarch comes with a bed." She says mock wisely.
You snort. "Wow. You're so mean to me, Luca."
She just laughs, and all you can think is god, do I love this girl.
Lucatiel eventually falls asleep, while you stare at the fire and carefully try to construct a plan for getting through Freja's lair. It should be pretty easy after you open the last bonfire up, although the shaded woods is going to be... Fun.
Yeah. Fun.
You're thankful you bought the ring of Whispers when you were still a little Undead, because you don't have enough souls liquified souls on you to purchase it right now. And moving seems sort of rude, what with Lucatiel's arms wrapped around your waist and her head on your shoulder.
Instead you begin sorting through your inventory and deciding what you'll sell to Gavlan, who you know is somewhere between the shaded woods and Freja. There's something about rat tails too, which you're thoroughly flummoxed by. You hope it's not like... Giant rats or something. You had enough of that in the depths.
Rosabeth joins you a while later, her hair pulled up with a bright ribbon and her eyes hazy with sleep. "Hey." She whispers, settling down one your other side. Her eyes briefly flicker to a still-sleeping Lucatiel, smiling lazily. "Cute."
"Careful there." You joke.
She only grins and begins laying out her cooking supplies. "You want breakfast?"
You tilt your head rather than shrug and potentially wake Lucatiel, agreeing, "Sure. What do you got?"
"Pig, mostly. Some herbs too. What I wouldn't give for eggs or proper seasoning." She groans.
It takes you a second to answer, "You killed the pigs?"
"I didn't. Chloanne decided they were too loud for her to sleep, and I didn't want the meat to go to waste." She raises her voice a bit, and Lucatiel stirs. Her eyes go wide. "Ah, sorry."
"Sorry?" Lucatiel repeats tiredly, nuzzling your shoulder.
"Good morning, sleepy head." You laugh.
She laughs too, moving to stretch her arms out. "And good morning to the both of you."
"Did you sleep well?" Rosabeth asks politely, her smile nearly imperceptible. She begins spearing pieces of meat on a skewer and you once again wonder how the bonfires work. They're capable of lighting a torch (and the torches definitely hurt), and cooking food, but if you shove your hand into the flames, it doesn't hurt in the slightest.
Not that you make a habit of punching bonfires.
That'd be weird.
"I slept very well, actually. Thank you for asking, Rosabeth. I hope you weren't too cold without (Y/N)?" Lucatiel's lips tilt up, and you wonder if she knows something you don't.
This is only confirmed when Rosabeth blushes bright red, her mouth falling open in shock. You assume that means she was definetely not cold. "I... How did?" She squeaks, nearly dropping her breakfast. "Mirrans." She huffs.
What does being from Mirrah have to do with this? It's times like these you're extremely aware that you're not from this world.
You almost ask them to explain, but Lucatiel has her hand pressed against her mouth and she's laughing like she hasn't got a care in the world. And you decide simply listening is enough. Maybe you'll ask later.
It doesn't take long for the others to join you, first Lenigrast, who takes the spot directly across the fire from you, then Maughlin perching on the rocks and talking about how many customers he's had of late. Then Chloanne arrives and claims the spot closest to Rosabeth (trying to be inconspicuous about it). You're not quite sure when Melencia appears, but she does and Rosabeth hands her a cup of tea.
The Herald is, surprisingly, the last to arrive, but she has the barest hint of a smile when you greet her with a sunshiny grin. "Good morning!"
"Indeed, it is." She says lightly. The way she talks makes you wonder if a voice can be described as 'graceful'. "Continuing your journey later?"
"Yup!" You nod. "Freja, remember? Seath's soul."
She makes a humming noise and turns her attention to the group. You do the same, although its very hard to figure out what everyone is saying. They're all talking over one another, laughing and teasing one another like...
Like a family.