Folie à Deux

Chapter 3: Breathe

-x-X-x-

The Shaikos Ruins would have been spectacular, Yuri supposed, for someone who appreciated history or architecture, or beauty for that matter. But he wasn't here for the scenery. He was here to find Rita.

After Judith and Ba'ul had dropped him off in Dahngrest he had headed straight for the western tavern, "Sagittarius". It was there that he was able to find guild jobs to occupy his time. He had managed to complete six jobs in the span of a couple weeks, which was rather remarkable considering how far he'd had to travel on foot.

Also remarkable was the fact that he was still alive after the one-man drinking games he'd taken part in each time he returned to Dahngrest. Raven had joined him last time (although he was quite sure the old man had faked some of those shots). You should prob'ly take it easy on that poor liver, kid, Raven had chided as Yuri was on the brink of passing out on the bar. He had certainly paid for it the next day but, nonetheless, he could hardly wait to get back.

His latest quest involved decoding a script for a client. Having no other leads as to who to bring it to, he decided to ask Rita – the genius mage would be able to do this in her sleep. He'd overheard from members of other guilds that she was doing research at the Shaikos Ruins.

When he arrived he saw that the giant stone statue had been pushed to the side, presumably using magic if the scorch marks were any indication. It was a good sign that she was here.

"Rita," he called half-heartedly as he descended underground into the ruins. He ran ahead into the dark, taking on the monsters with ease. He hoped she wasn't too far ahead, as there was only so far he could go without the Sorcerer's Ring which he had given back. "Rita, where are you?" he called again as he slashed through monsters. "I have 9,000 gald and a pint or ten to get back to, so…"

Repede suddenly barked and dashed ahead, able to evade the monsters with his impressive speed. Yuri followed his companion's lead, cutting a path through his enemies. "Hm?"

He frowned as he saw Repede approach a figure, leaning against a pilaster for support. She was shaking and looked on the verge of collapsing. "Hey… dog…" she spoke, confirming her identity, though her voice lacked the edge it normally possessed. She fell to her knees not seeming to mind that Repede had come closer, contrary to her usual efforts to get him to back off.

His cool demeanor was forgotten as he rushed to her side. "Rita." He tilted her chin upwards with a rough hand; she looked up at him with glossy eyes. She looked awful. Her face was flushed, her hair disheveled, and she looked ghostly pale. "You okay?"

"Do I look okay?" she snapped, though he could tell she was relieved to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you," he shrugged. He felt her forehead, and while he was no medical expert, he could tell she had a fever. "You're a mess. How long have you been like this?"

"A couple days," she replied. Pushed beneath the nonchalant way she spoke those words, Yuri could detect the trepidation she felt from being unable to take care of herself. He realized then that it was his fault that she was here alone. He had been the one to drive them all away, and… he was the reason Estelle wasn't here to heal her. He closed his eyes, angry with himself for having let his façade slip.

"Can you walk?" he asked. "I'm taking you back to Halure." Thinking back, Halure was one of the last places he wanted to go right now, but it was the closest city to the Ruins. He silently cursed Duke for destroying Aspio.

Rita tried to push herself to her feet but staggered, coughing. "Never mind," Yuri shook his head. "Guess I'll have to carry you."

She frowned, first at his condescending tone and then at her next thought. "Wait. What if I get you sick? …There's no knowing that whatever I have isn't contagious."

"Then I get sick," he shrugged with a finality in his tone that was reminiscent of older days. He lifted the small girl onto his back and headed for the exit, slashing through monsters with Repede at his side.

-x-X-x-

Rita hated being sick. She felt so damn useless and weak, especially as she clung to Yuri's back like some child. She held on tightly, slightly dizzy with the motion, trying not to be thrown off while at the same time trying not to restrict his movement too much. Despite having to carry her he was still an excellent fighter, tearing his way past wild beasts relentlessly even without a bodhi blastia. She supposed it was a healthy form of sublimation, much like research was for her, taking out whatever anger he had on monsters instead of people.

He didn't seem as angry as he had been when she had seen him last, but there was still something off with him. She certainly wasn't one to criticize other people's anger management issues, but at least when she was angry everyone knew why. She was too sick to really care though, and she was better at analyzing blastia than people anyway.

Rita drifted in and out of consciousness as Yuri silently fought off monsters. Repede helped as much as he could, though the majority fell to Yuri.

Neither of them spoke for hours until she heard Yuri cry out as a giant bear-like monster slashed his arm. He grimaced in pain, but still managed to take the beast out. It was then that she noticed how labored his breathing had become and the numerous smaller cuts adorning his body from the past few hours. Their pace had slowed drastically. "You should take a break," she offered.

He contemplated it, then nodded and unceremoniously dumped her off his back at the side of the road. "Hey!"

He smirked halfheartedly, but his eyes looked almost empty. "I'll go make dinner," he said, and before she could tell him to wait he had disappeared into the forest. Repede stayed behind, keeping watch.

"Idiot," she muttered under her breath. "Even the dog doesn't want to be with him."

She sighed and hugged her notebook close to her chest, shivering. She had gone to the Shaikos Ruins for inspiration and had found several leads; naturally, she had felt compelled to stay at the ruins even after she had started to feel unwell. Estelle would probably be upset when she found out how hard she had pushed herself, but it had been worth it in Rita's opinion, and she would do it all over again (although she had to admit that it was good Yuri came when he did). She was on the verge of a breakthrough and wished that this damn illness – probably picked up from the water (but she'd have to investigate that further) - would go away already so her head would start functioning properly again.

Repede had traipsed over to her side. She couldn't read his expression – she had enough trouble as it was with humans – but she figured even a dog like Repede needed some affection, which he clearly wasn't getting lately with only the brooding Dark Enforcer for a companion. "Alright," she huffed softly, petting his sleek yet surprisingly soft fur. She rested her head against his warm furry body, and before long she had dozed off.

When she opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see a carefully constructed open fire with something simmering over it. As much as she wasn't hungry, she had to admit it smelled delicious and she had barely eaten the past few days. "I told you to take a break, not make a fire and cook some elaborate meal," she said. Yuri was still up and about, adding things to the pot.

"I like to keep busy," he shrugged.

"What, trying to keep your mind off something?" she asked with a little more attitude than was probably necessary. Yuri just snorted dismissively.

"…You're still bleeding, you moron," she said, noting his arm. "Estelle wouldn't be happy."

He tensed slightly at the sound of her name. "Well she's not here, is she," he said almost bitterly. And whose fault is that? she thought to herself, but from the way he was gritting his teeth she didn't think it needed to be said aloud.

A rattling cough shook her small frame, and her body ached more than ever. "So what happens after we get to Halure?" she asked hesitantly. There wasn't likely to be a medic in such a small town.

Yuri closed his eyes. "I'll go to Zaphias. I'll go get Estelle." The name hung on his lips strangely, and she would ask him about it later. But she was tired, and for now she was just grateful.

"…Thanks," she said uncomfortably, looking away. She was terrible at being gracious, but then again so was he.

He simply nodded once and walked over to the fire to serve the soup. Rita didn't catch the way he frowned and bit his lip, and ever so quietly breathed her name. "Estelle."

-x-X-x-

The castle was humming with activity. Servants were scurrying about, making last minute preparations for the big evening. There was another grand ball tonight, and Princess Estellise was of course expected to make an appearance. She sighed softly, mechanically sorting through her closet full of dresses. It wasn't as if she despised this life – she had grown up with it after all – but after her travels with Brave Vesperia, it all seemed somewhat… frivolous.

She shook her head, willing herself not to think like that. She would be pleasant tonight, and she would act as if she didn't want to be anywhere else. And besides, now that Ioder had entrusted her with the Blue Crystal Rod, which enacted her as vice-emperor, she was helping to make important decisions here. …Such as whether she should opt for wearing cream chiffon or lemon taffeta, she thought with a sigh.

She opted for the taffeta gown and began to pin her hair up. It had grown quite a bit longer – she hadn't had it cut since the summer, she realized wistfully. She hadn't minded castle life so much then. A certain occupant of the Lower Quarter had always been around to keep her from getting bored, sneaking through the garden to her balcony (even though she had granted him access to use the front doors). Stop it, she admonished herself before he took over her thoughts again. She couldn't be sullen tonight; she would have a good time.

There was a sharp rap at her door. "Princess, please hurry. The guests are arriving," one of the maids called.

"Thank you. I'll be right out," she said, finishing her hair and tying a string of pearls around her neck. She put on a bright smile, checking twice in the mirror to make sure it looked genuine, and stepped out the door. It would be a long night.

As expected, the great hall was lavishly decorated. She wondered briefly just how expensive tonight's décor had been (and how many mouths that could have fed), but as Ioder had reminded her it was necessary to impress the higher-ups. "Stay in good favour with them now so that they will listen to you when it matters," he had said. Beneath his mild-mannered demeanour, the young emperor was quite astute and rational. He knew how to go about getting things done, and he was able to stay levelheaded through it all. Despite his youth and inexperience, he was already turning out to be a great emperor, and Estelle was glad that he had been chosen over her.

The guests had begun to pour in and the dance floor glittered with gold, sequins, and precious gems. There were many men, many of whom looked at her with hungry eyes (or perhaps hungry wallets). It was all slightly overwhelming, leaving her more than happy to be pulled aside by a dazzling Flynn Scifo. She didn't see him in formalwear very often, let alone out of his uniform, but he looked quite handsome in a cobalt blue vest.

"Estellise," he smiled softly.

"Flynn! I'm so glad you're here," she beamed. "It's a little… stuffy here," she admitted under her breath.

"Is that Yuri's influence talking?" he asked, shaking his head but smiling nonetheless.

The band began to play a slow waltz number, and they were expected on the dance floor. Estelle surveyed her blond friend. He opened his mouth as if to speak but seemed as if he wasn't quite sure what to say. "Shall we?" she asked with a smile, and with that they headed to the dance floor.

Flynn was quite a proficient dancer, she found, as he twirled her around song after song. He knew all the steps and executed them with precision, holding her securely yet gently. She vaguely wondered if they taught all the knights to ballroom dance or if it was something he had taken up on his own. She smiled at the thought either way, envisioning the knights practicing dance steps in their armour or Flynn dancing alone in his bedroom.

"Are you having a good time, Estellise?" he asked. She had a rehearsed response at the ready but realized she actually didn't need it – she was enjoying herself. She had never felt more comfortable at a ball, and she was glad that she could spend so much time with her dear friend.

"I am," she beamed. "And you?"

"Yes," he nodded, holding her closely at her waist as the next song started. His cerulean gaze met her emerald eyes. "I know you're finding it difficult adjusting to life back at the castle… but I'm glad that you're here," he said softly. There was that warmth again, that soothing presence of his.

"It's not so bad," she said with a smile.

They continued dancing well into the night. She watched the other nobles twirling on the dance floor with unequivocal grace, having had years and years of practice. Those on the sides of the floor drank and socialized, hobnobbing and indulging one another in mindless chatter. Estelle noticed one girl standing by the wall not dancing or socializing, just watching the two of them with intense, cat-like eyes. She didn't look like she was having very much fun.

Estelle glanced up at her dance partner, about to ask if he had noticed that girl watching them, but paused. "Flynn? Why are you… why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Flynn froze, trying to speak but unable to articulate a single word. He blinked. "I… I-"

The girl that had been watching them suddenly took off. "Oh! Please wait!" Estelle cried after her, but the girl didn't stop.

"Sodia?" Flynn asked, regaining his voice. She had looked different tonight, with her hair done nicely and wearing a pretty teal gown, but Estelle now recognized the girl as Flynn's second-in-command.

"Flynn, she looked upset. Maybe you should go talk to her," Estelle urged, concerned.

He nodded. "I'll go catch up to her. Have a good night, Estellise, and… thank you for the dance."

She shook her head slightly. "No, thank you," she said as he turned to leave. He had been the only reason the night had been bearable. Actually, it had been quite enjoyable. The warmth in the room disappeared as he left, and she wondered for the rest of the night what it was he would have said.

-x-X-x-

A/N: Thanks again for all the support - it really means a lot to me. The whole story arc with Rita is inspired by a dream I had (yeah I'm a little obsessive…). The story starts a few months after the end credits of the game. For anyone interested, I put links to my designs for Estelle and Flynn's formalwear on my profile (the scene with Estelle and Flynn depicted isn't the same as in the story, but that's the gist of Flynn's outfit and at least the colour of Estelle's dress). I always change their outfits in the game, so I figured they'd have new clothes here too.