Bonding

Lemrina and Marylcian

Back in December, Lemrina had visited Slaine. It was also back in December that she realized she was disgraceful. She'd always depended on her political status to get her whatever she wanted, and, why wouldn't she? She was royalty, and on Vers that actually meant something. Once upon a time that meant something. Except no amount of being a princess could heal her legs, get her out of her engagement, or give her Slaine back. Not now or here on Terra.

Honestly, it was a little pitiful how much she wanted Slaine, and how often she compared herself to Inaho. Lemrina had managed to get home by herself, cold and exhausted. She was only mildly concerned with Inaho's situation, but she was just going to nurse her ego by herself. She didn't want Slaine to think she hated Inaho. She didn't hate the woman; she just wanted to be her.

Lemrina's chip on her shoulder always revolved around her differences between herself and the woman who beat her in every aspect. Marylcian walked in the house, looking like he could collapse on the floor and be perfectly okay with that.

"What happened?" She asked, feeling bad for ditching him, especially when he was always kind to her. His kindness made her feel uncomfortable. Was it him warming up to her, or was it all a joke?

"The emperor refuses to name his successor, and we're scrambling to get some kind of answer before we go on a hiatus. Apparently, we're under surveillance by the UFE, and we can't meet without a UFE member present. I would say that this can't get any worse, but the emperor naming some random person would just about do it." Marylcian said, and rolled his eyes because that sounded like something her grandfather would do to spite his knights.

"Don't give him ideas." She joked, happy that she could without feeling awkward.

"I'll try to be less sarcastic when I see him. How did your outing go?" He asked, taking off his coat and uniform jacket.

She fidgeted with her shirt's sleeve. "I went to see Slaine at the library. He had to leave early for an emergency." She could see Marylcian simply nodding, but she didn't want to tell him everything. She didn't know how he'd respond if she admitted that Slaine left her.

"What was the emergency?"

"Something about Inaho. He didn't say much."

"I hope she's fine. I really don't need the emperor and the UFE going crazy."

"Why would grandfather go crazy?" She frowned. Was it because of the war? Inaho was the lynch pin to everyone's life. Without her happiness and mortality, everyone would be in danger. It was grating how right Inaho had been when she said that she held all Versian life in her hands.

"The emperor really likes Inaho. She gives him a run for his money. When they met a while back, and he formally gave her aldnoah, they tested each other, and seemed to pass each other's tests."

Another reason to feel inadequate. Inaho had managed to impress an emperor so much so that he cared more for her than he even did his own family. Lemrina couldn't even get him to acknowledge her existence. She was done with being this whiny about her short-comings.

"I want to walk again." She blurted out, but she had no idea if she even could. Marylcian simply looked at her, and she expected to hear laughter at her illogical desire. She wasn't a child anymore. She should know how unrealistic her request was.

"Okay. When do you want to see a doctor? I will have to investigate the cost and procedure." He said, picking up his tablet and scrolling downwards. She just stared at him.

"A-are you sure? I mean, I want to, but-"

He didn't even look up at her uncharacteristic stammering. She felt like she was learning a new side to him. "It's what you want," he said. "We've never been to Terra before. I say we enjoy ourselves before things get bad. If you want to walk, then why shouldn't you at least try?"

^^FROM^^BEYOND^^EXTRA^^

She'd seen her doctor often to work on building strength in her arms. She went through physical therapy, aka the prodding jerk session. Every session was filled with the doctor checking her nerves and doing scans. She would need surgery eventually, but first her doctor wants her to be prepared for it. Marylcian, or Jesper, would cheer her on.

It was hard to adjust to everything. Some days she would advance, and Jesper would give her a cupcake or do something disconcerting like singing. Sometimes things wouldn't go so well, and she'd be angry at Jesper, thinking he was messing with her emotions. Every time he would hug her. She must've been touch starved because she always leaned into the touch. He was warm. He wanted her happiness. He cared for her. He thought about her. He knew she existed.

She remembered feeling embarrassed at getting mad and falling apart, but for as many times she fell apart and got angry, he did just the same. They'd fallen into a tranquil pattern of just being content with each other's presence. And she thought that their companionability was better than forcing a relationship.

Here's the second one!

In Chp 12 pt 1, this happens in the month of March onward until the current time.

Expect the last one (Moments in the Sun) later today, possibly Sept 2.