CHARACTER COUNTER:0
Chapter 43: Out of Character
'You must focus your breathing. Feel the Mist flowing through your body as if it is the very air you breathe. Claim it calmly and do not hasten.' The gruff voice of the Head Geomancer at Jahara calmly told his pupil who stood a few yards away from him, in utter concentration. The old Garif shook his head as if in dismay. "Do not let your troubles weigh you down."
"I am not." His pupil said through gritted teeth as sweat trickled down his brow.
The old Garif merely shook his head again. 'You are not paying attention, young one,"
Before his pupil could reply, another voice sounded from across the training field, his voice crisp and clear against the wind.
"Hey Larsa!"
Identical sighs from both master and pupil came as soon as Larsa turned to see Vaan waving towards him. The young emperor made to apologize to the Head Geomancer but the merely gave a dismissing gesture with his hand indicating that they were done for that day.
Hiding his relief, Larsa merely did the customary Garif bow before racing off to meet Vaan.
The party had been staying over at Jahara for almost three weeks. Normally, given the situation that Larsa was in, he would not have wanted to stay too long. After all, he was sure that it would not take that long a time for his enemies to track him down, and Larsa knew for certain that his empire was fully trained to bring a renegade of the Empire to the law. It was only a matter of time.
And yet, Larsa knew he was lacking in training. Normally, he would have relied in his skills in his weapons to aid him in any battle, but now that it seemed a conflict is about to start that once again involved nethicite, he would have to be at least adept in handling more Mist than he was once used to. And what better training would he have than to get it from those who are great masters of magicite?
During the times they had traveled in the past, Larsa had seen glances of Mist handling that could only be seen to the most adept. However, he did not want to impose on his companions, after all, they were already sacrificing so much just to prove his innocence. And after all that has happened, Larsa was getting tired of not being able to handle things on his own. He remembered moments with his older brothers that haunted him to this day and affected his decisions, and he was tired of it all.
And yet, he still pursued. He still believed in the Empire his father taught him to believe in. He still believed that one day, there will come a time where the other citizens of Ivalice would not have to fear any one associated with the name Empire.
He was idealistic, yes, but he was not so idealistic to think that all Empire officials would see this goal as well. He knew he would have to take down the walls built by war and strife and strive for a world wherein he would not have to fear the shadows of his older brothers. He wanted to have an Archadia that achieved all of this, and he knew he would have to hone his skills if he wanted to achieve it.
Larsa reached Vaan, who for the past days have been feeling more cheerful than ever. The young Emperor noticed the constant grin Vaan had on his face and the twinkle in his blue eyes that Larsa was beginning to wonder where this sudden enthusiasm came from. He would have asked Penelo, but he knew that they would reach another point in their conversations that they would not rather reach.
Unlike Vaan, Larsa noticed that Penelo became the more silent one as the days past and she spent more of her time trying to train their new companion Yvelle. Penelo rarely spoke to anyone and more than once Vaan voice out his concern. Penelo, being Penelo merely dismissed it as if it was nothing and even joked with Vaan that he was getting a little too overprotective. That was until Ashe herself noticed this and Penelo started to be more like herself, taking a break once in a while in training Yvelle to talk with Vaan and even Basch.
"Are you done with your training with the old masked-guy?" Vaan asked Larsa as soon as he caught up with him and Larsa sighed.
"Must you call him that?"
Vaan just shrugged and leaned his head on his hands. "Penelo says lunch is almost ready, I'm grateful we're staying some place were other people would have to cook other than Penelo," he added under his breath and Larsa gave him a curious look.
"What is wrong with Penelo's cooking?" the young Emperor asked and Vaan gave him a curious look of his own.
"That's right, you were not traveling with us when Fran and Penelo had to take turns cooking for the party." Vaan gave a little shudder. "I was just glad we had Galbana melons to keep me going,"
Larsa raised his eyebrows now. "You must be exaggerating,"
Vaan shook his head frantically. "Trust me; you wouldn't want Penelo to be cooking for us once we got back on the road." He rubbed his chin. "Maybe I could convince Basch to do some of it? Hmm…I wonder if Yvelle would give him something to worsen his allergies for me as blackmail?"
"What is that about blackmail?" a female voice said behind them and Vaan flinched.
"Nothing,' Vaan said as innocently as he could as Ashe folded her arms and gave him what Vaan called behind her back as an "ice-queen" look. "Just saying I'm glad Penelo's not cooking."
To Larsa's surprise, Ashe gave a little smile. "You would not want Penelo to hear you speaking like that, Vaan. Her skill to wield her Yagyuu and Danjuro hold great renown."
Larsa watched as Ashe and Vaan continued their little banter and he noticed that Ashe had been acting a lot friendlier since Vaan was in his good mood. Was it because they had patched up their argument? Larsa hoped so. One argument settled was better than nothing.
Thinking of arguments settled, Larsa wondered if Penelo wanted to talk to him now. Since that night of their arrival, they have not spoken to each other except in polite sentences and small subjects that were acceptable to all. Larsa told himself that they had ended their little spat and he was just busy with his training and Penelo with hers that they have not managed to talk to each other like how they used to. But it was a lie and Larsa knew that.
As the three approached their own hut, Larsa saw their newest member standing in front of it, her back to them. With a wave of her hands, the holes in their hut magically fixed themselves and Yvelle stood back to admire her handiwork.
"Yeah, Penelo told me that Yvelle has more Mist than any of us combined, including Fran." Vaan said beside him and he looked at Larsa's surprised face. "Makes you wonder why she can't fight, right?"
Larsa nodded but said nothing and they approached Yvelle just as she turned and saw them.
"Oh good," she said in her calm voice, giving a little bow as she said so. " Judge Majister Basch and Mistress Penelo have asked me to wait for you, Master Vaan, Your Execellency, Your Majesty,"
It was Ashe who sighed, "Yvelle, please, how many times must I say that it is quite all right for you not to call us in our titles when we are traveling? You are a part of our group, not our slave, so you have earned the right to call us by our first names. After all, Vaan had no problem with that, did you Vaan?" the queen looked over to Vaan with a twinkle of her eyes.
"Not my fault that I didn't think you were a princess when I first saw you," Vaan muttered which earned him a small giggle from Yvelle and yet another glare from the Queen. "I mean, come on, when have you ever heard of a princess traveling through a sewer?"
Ignoring the good-natured argument that was threatening to erupt between Vaan and Ashe, Larsa turned to Yvelle.
"Where are Penelo and Basch?"
Yvelle turned away from watching Vaan and Ashe to look at Larsa. "They are talking with the Great-Chief, your Excellency. The Judge Majister is consulting for a more efficient route to wherever it is we are to go next,"
Larsa nodded, lost in thought. It was good that he was not alone in thinking they were staying in this place far too long. Turning to look at Ashe and Vaan, Larsa said with a bit more impatience than he normally would,
"Shall we go and meet them then?"
XOXOXOX
Penelo bit her lip for what seemed to be the tenth time. Basch and the Great Chief were discussing routes between them and as much as she was eager to learn more about strategies and such, there was never a more boring topic for her than talking about paths and land. Much more since more than once did she hear Basch and the Great Chief use certain words that a simple girl like her could not understand. But still, she sat there, next to Basch, because she had volunteered to go with him and she wanted to avoid Larsa for nth time this week, and she thought that such a decision making process would do her well.
Penelo tugged on one of her braids, something she always did when she got nervous or impatient and Basch gave her the slightest of chastising looks. She gave a slightly apologetic grin before turning towards the Great Chief again. She was very aware that her amber eyes had positively glazed over in attempt to pretend that she was still listening. Only when beside her, Basch gave a soft sigh did she blink and turn to look at him.
"Are you all right Basch?" she said rather concerned. You never know if his allergies would suddenly act up. So far, the Garif's medical remedies and Yvelle's own healing powers had managed to keep all of Basch's allergies at bay and had proven more effective than any Nu Muo concoction, but you never know.
"I am fine," Basch said with his characteristic gruff voice. "Perhaps you would feel better Penelo if you leave us to discuss these matters? I am sure Lord Larsa would want to be part of this discussion, and I would greatly appreciate it if you tell this for us,"
Penelo inwardly gulped. Basch would never order her about without good reason and she wondered if it was one of those times that she underestimated Basch's insight. Still, she was not about to let this opportunity to escape slip past her, so she gave one of her bright smiles and nodded.
"Sure Basch," she said and with some effort to return the feeling to her numbed legs, she stood up.
However, she barely managed to turn around to leave when Larsa himself came up accompanied with the other members of their group that Penelo had to stifle a sigh of her own. Nevertheless, Basch seemed to sense Penelo's sudden tension for he looked over his shoulder and spotted the group himself.
"So," Vaan said with a smile, squatting next to Basch. "Have we decided to continue on this journey?"
Basch shook his head and looked at Larsa. The young Emperor was sneaking glances at the female hunter when he thought no one was looking and failed to notice the pointed looks the Judge Majister was giving him until Vaan nudged the emperor.
"Oh, yes," Larsa hastily cleared his throat and turned his attention to the issue at hand. "About the nethicite."
Soon, the topic of conversation revolved around trying to get to this nethicite before their enemy could and finding out exactly where it was to find this nethicite. Again, the point that all of Archadia might be looking for Larsa was not disregarded and that they might have to move quicker if they wanted to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Add also the fact that Ortal had hired someone to fetch this nethicite for him and that he might have orders to kill anybody that gets in his path.
"Regardless of all these things, we must get the nethicite yes?" Ashe asked the group, her look thoughtful. "It is a sad day for us to discover that the Sun Cryst may have more than a few shards than the relics of the Dynast-King," she added.
"We are also not sure if this nethicite is from the Sun Cryst." Basch added his voice to the mix, his green eyes focused on the fire before them, deep in thought. "For all we know there may be a different way to destroy this nethicite aside from using the Sword of the Kings,"
Ashe nodded her agreement and they turned to Larsa, who had a troubled look on his face. He was unfamiliar with dealing with destroying nethicite or anything that involved stones such as these so it was only normal for him to hesitate in his decision.
" Perhaps if we had a clearer path," Larsa murmured. "But problems rarely are," he added.
"You know, if we could find Balthier and Fran, maybe they could help." Vaan said thinking out loud. "I mean, Balthier's dad did a lot of research on nethicite right? Balthier might still have some info, and he may have ideas on how to go about this," his voice was practically laced with hero worship that Penelo was tempted to roll her eyes.
"That's a good idea, if we could find them that is," Penelo said, her voice a little strained. "You know more than any one Vaan that Balthier would not be found unless he wants us too. Even other sky pirates have a hard time tracking him down."
"Maybe he's in Bervenia," Vaan argued. "We can find him and ask for his help,"
Penelo was about to reply that Bervenia was a long way and that they didn't have enough time to check that out and still return to Larsa. Not when the young emperor was being hunted down by the very country he swore to rebuild, but Basch beat her too it.
"Balthier would be a welcome aid; however, if we can not find him, it would be unfair if we bring him into this just for the sake of information. No, it is not wise to bring Balthier into this,"
Larsa saw Vaan nod, but a look of disappointment came to his face at Basch's words, and even Ashe looked a little discouraged.
"Perhaps," the Great Chief now spoke. "A way to find something that one has no idea where to look, one must know the places where it could NOT possibly be there?"
Vaan and Penelo exchanged confused looks but Larsa nodded. "Places where we are sure that the nethicite could not be," he murmured. He looked at the Queen of Dalmasca.
" The most obvious places of course, Rozarria, Archadia, Dalmasca, Nabradia," she said ticking off her fingers, but Basch shook his head.
"The list of impossible places is too long. Perhaps a list of the places it could be may be easier. Where on Ivalice would it be most likely to find old relics such as nethicite?"
Vaan nodded, understanding the question. "Magicite mines would be a good start. You know, Lhusu and Henne. I mean, magicite is the opposite of nethicite so maybe this Shadow Nethicite could be found in one of these mines, unless there are other magicite mines we haven't looked?" He looked over to the others.
Basch and Ashe shook their heads. "As of the year 707, the only magicite mines listed in the Ivalice logs are Henne and Lhusu, Lhusu being depleted of large proportions of its previous amount of magicite." Basch said.
" How about ancient ruins or temples?" Penelo spoke up. "I mean we found the Dawn Shard at King Raithwall's tomb right? And we found the Sword of Kings at the Stilshrine. Maybe there's still something we missed when we were there."
"Yes, but what about the rest of the temples we have not looked?" Ashe spoke up. "We know nothing about this Shadow Nethicite except that this Imperial Senator wants it. How are we even sure that it exists? For all we know, this Judge Majister Scipio and this Senator staged the conversation. After all, Captain Sephyr told us that the Judge Majsiter knew all along that he was there."
Larsa nodded. "I would know more about this Shadow Nethicite, but for now, we must trust the reports of Captain Sephyr. Regardless if this nethicite is real or not, it would be better if we leave Jahara, if not just to avoid suspicion and getting tracked."
"The Shadow Nethicite is real," Yvelle spoke softly but not as softly as that no one heard her. In fact, Penelo turned curious eyes towards her but the young hunter merely shook her head and looked down, suddenly shy about her sudden interruption.
"We also do not know the state of Archades, Your Excellency," Basch spoke. "I do not think it is wise to move without knowing its state."
Larsa nodded his agreement. "If only I would learn of the state of my country, I am sure the path would be clearer."
"Then maybe we could shed some light?" a female voice interrupted and the group looked around to see two figures standing in the entrance to the Great Chief's hut, Tournesols flashing. One had red-streaked hair while the other, the female spoke had vibrant red hair and both had the same green eyes. Together, in swift movements, they bowed low to their liege lord.
"We have come to aid the Emperor of Archadia," Aquilis said and Aurea winked at them in greeting.
"We have news."
XOXOXOX
Penelo bit her lip. Scratch that, she chewed her lip. She was looking dejectedly at the saddlebags on top of her cot, hands on her waist. Around the saddlebags were various other items that could not or would not fit inside the saddlebags and Penelo otherwise couldn't leave behind. They were leaving in a couple of hours, and she still haven't packed. Not that she was the only one, Vaan had several items around the hut too and it looked as if he had no intention of packing until the very last minute, as he was busy giving coy eyes at the Dalmascan Queen.
Penelo was not jealous in the least. She could never be jealous over Vaan. He was much too immature for her, and she was much too used in taking care of him like an older sister to ever think about him as something else. Penelo just hated the fact that Vaan had managed to patch things over with Ashe, while she, Penelo, was not even sure if she could ever talk to Larsa again.
It had been her fault, she knew. She had caught up with that night of their arrival, in an attempt to cheer him up, but he had not wanted company that night. She knew she should have taken the hint. If she could go back to that time, she would not even had left the hut, but she knew she couldn't turn back time. That didn't stop her from reliving the moments, over and over again.
Penelo had sat beside Larsa that night, in what she thought had been comfortable silence. Until she opened her mouth.
"Larsa, about the slap…" she had begun but Larsa interrupted her.
"I think I should continue this journey on my own."
If Penelo had not been paying attention, she knew she would not have heard that whisper. And Penelo, with her usual ladylike finesse blurted out the first word that came to her head.
"What?"
Larsa had looked at her with steady royal blue eyes. " I have endangered you long enough."
She had shaken her head at him. " You can't be serious Larsa. I have been in worse danger. You don't need to worry about me. I want to help you."
Larsa had looked away from her and up at the stars. "You say you want to help me and you have been in worse danger before, but do you realize that this time is different from your last journey?"
"I don't understand," Penelo had answered, bewildered.
Larsa had breathed in deeply before answering, his dark locks, casting a shadow over his face. "This time you face an Empire who will not hesitate in killing all those in their path to achieve what we have strived so hard to achieve. They will not hesitate in eliminating you if you get in their path to me. Would you risk that?"
She did not know why, but Penelo had been more than angry at the fatality of his tone. She had bristled at his words and snapped more than said. "I am not the defenseless little girl you once rescued, Larsa. I am not as naïve as before. I know what's going to happen when I help you, and if you have the guts to say I was forced into this journey, well damn you! I don't see you talking to Vaan, or Ashe or even Basch about leaving you. So you have no right to demand me to back down when my friends are going to stay with you. Don't ask me to walk away from you!'
Larsa had been more than surprised at her outburst; Penelo had remembered his widened eyes. She had blushed at her tone, but held her ground as Larsa had stared at her disbelievingly before looking away at her, his eyes closed. This gesture of silent dismissal hurt Penelo more than she would admit that she made to turn around and walk back to the hut to hide her tears. That was before Larsa whispered under his breath yet again, fists clenched.
"Do you not see how unbearable it is for me to put you into danger?" he said these words in such a low voice that Penelo had almost not heard the pain in his voice until he turned to look at her, his expression raw and unguarded.
Penelo gave no quarter. She knew she should have, those words he spoke were difficult for him to admit and she could have helped him as she had vowed to do, but she too was much too hurt for her to feel sorry for him.
"Don't you see how unbearable it is for me to not be able to help?" she kneeled beside him searching his eyes. "Larsa we're friends. I can't walk away from you. Don't ask that from me. I'm tired seeing all those who are dear to me torn away from me." She hissed those last words, this time looking away from Larsa.
"Would you stand beside me when all those I know and trust walk away?" Larsa asked her seriously. "Would you follow me blindingly? Would you give me all your loyalty? Would you sacrifice everything for me?"
Penelo had shaken her head at him, not understanding his seriousness. "I don't get how you could talk to me like a friend at one moment then like a subject at the next. You're like Ashe, not knowing the difference between friendship and duty," she stood up again and made to leave but Larsa's hand shot up, grabbing her wrist.
"Penelo…" he started but Penelo had pulled away.
"I'm tired of you treating me like I'm stupid," she hissed through her teeth. "You and Ashe, even Basch and Vaan, all of you think you have to explain everything to me. That I'm not good for anything except being a sidekick or whatever. Like all I'm good for is to fix the food and smile prettily like I have no brain. I thought that by now you would get that I'm not some dumb blonde. If you think I'm no use to the journey, then fine. Leave me here. I'll take Yvelle with me too. At least she treats me with respect."
Larsa had looked at her with what she described as horror. "Penelo, I meant no disrespect.." he had begun but Penelo just turned away, leaving him finally alone and more dejected than ever.
Now as Penelo remembered that night, she knew she could have handled everything differently. She not only made clear her thoughts and hidden pain, but she knew she had added to the already heavy burden Larsa had to bear. She knew that after that conversation, Larsa had been looking at her with sad and troubled eyes when he thought she wasn't looking and that he was trying to find a way to apologize to her. She was not stupid, she knew Larsa was thoughtful like this, and she knew that perhaps she had been distracting him from his goals to clear his name. How stupid was she? That's why she had sneaked off to the hut when the group was still busy discussing their plans of departure, to get a head start on her packing, returning probably to Phon Coast to get more of her stuff and leaving Larsa.
Of course, leaving Larsa would mean she would have to leave Vaan too. She had not been parted from him for the past two years and it seemed weird that she would do so now. But still, if it meant helping Larsa, then she would leave. If not permanently.
"Leaving so soon?" a feminine voice behind her that Penelo turned around sharply, ninja blades aloft. When Penelo saw who it was, she relaxed visibly.
"What are you doing here Ashe?" the informal name sounded funny in Penelo's lips as the Queen of Dalmasca entered and sat primly on one of the cots, eyeing her knowingly through silver-grey eyes. Penelo held her gaze, willing the queen to look her fill. Penelo had never really been that close with Ashe, as she thought that the two of them operated in very different wavelengths. After all, what was Penelo, a mere peasant compared to Ashe, a royal down to her toes? Even Fran was more approachable than Ashe, and Penelo was reminded of Larsa. Both he and Ashe had been raised to be able to rule and therefore they had been deprived of a normal childhood, and life for that matter that it was difficult for them to connect to people who were not raised in the same way they were. But Penelo would gladly admit that Larsa had been the friendlier of the two and she would rather spend time with him than her queen.
"Seeing as how you are Vaan's best friend, I would have though you would never leave him," Ashe commented casually, ignoring Penelo's question. The dismissal in her voice made Penelo more angry than embarrassed.
'Vaan is a grown boy, he can handle himself." Penelo said snappishly, her voice uncharacteristically rough.
Ashe merely cocked her head calmly, still looking at Penelo. "Perhaps, but he still relies on you."
Penelo looked away. "Vaan has other people looking after him now, one person absent wouldn't reach his attention."
"And yet you carry a note explaining why you decided to leave," Ashe eyed the tightly clutched parchment in Penelo's other hand with critical eyes.
"What do you want?" Penelo now demanded. "You caught me, now what?"
Ashe looked at Penelo again and this time a faint look of curiousity passed over her features. "Pardon me for saying this, but you are not the Penelo I met a few years ago."
Penelo struggled not to roll her eyes. "You do not know me at all,"
Ashe nodded her head. "That is true. I would have if I had not been a coward,"
Penelo's eyebrows furrowed. That was enough for Ashe to give another small smile again before shaking her head dismissing the subject.
"I came here to tell you that I am leaving myself, I am not going to accompany Larsa to Henne Mines."
Penelo was at the brink of challenging Ashe's friendship with Larsa but she bit her tongue. "You're leaving?" she said instead. How can that be? That was so unfair! Now Penelo knew she couldn't leave. Vaan would be left alone and there wouldn't be a woman to look after Yvelle. No matter what she told Larsa, she had no intention of taking the shy healer with her.
Ashe nodded serenely. " I wanted to ask something of you. A favor if you will."
Penelo eyed the queen warily. She was not so wrapped in her own troubles not to notice the growing closeness between Ashe and Vaan so Penelo raised her guard.
"Look after Larsa." Ashe said and her voice betrayed the softness she was trying to hide. "He reminds me of myself and I know he needs people around him to help him. Despite wanting to do things all alone," Ashe nodded and a twinkle came to her eyes.
Penelo wanted to soften, yes she did. This was Ashe asking her for a favor, and the queen rarely did that, the hunter knew.
"Penelo, I do not know what went between you and Larsa, but let me offer you some advice." Ashe became serious again. "The Gods created women stronger to tolerate men's weaknesses. So whatever things he has said to you I am sure he did not mean it."
Penelo was not sure to make of the comment, but she nodded all the same. The queen seemed satisfied that Penelo would not leave and made to depart but Penelo spoke again.
"Have you told Vaan?"
Ashe paused, her hand on the frame of the door, her head slightly bowed. "I will tell him tonight. It will not be pleasant," she added truthfully, and for once Penelo was glad Ashe had managed to wheedle her way to making Penelo do whatever she wanted. With a flutter of her skirts, Ashe was gone and Penelo was left alone again. She bit her lip.
