Odd one out he had figured out on his own but to think she had failed everyone... Leon's brain swam with the implications of that train of thought. Had someone said such a thing? Or had she come up with such a thought because of how often everyone's minds went thinking of Venti? He carefully maneuvered her body through the main gates of town, not wanting anyone else to figure out what he was doing. Soon they found themselves on the small bridge that separated the town from the Selphia Plains, his body stopping in the attempt to look like he was dancing while still holding her to him. His head tilted to look down on the small female in his arm to find her looking up to him with wide eyes. No real fear showed in the emerald green depths that always managed to be so expressive, something he was happy to see as he slowly loosened his grip on her. "Failed us?"
Her eyes looked away from him for the first time, the expression on her face hard to read with the speed in which she looked away. He could see her teeth bite into her lower lip, her body beginning to pull from his grasp. His hands tightened for a moment, letting her know he wouldn't let her go just yet, the action stilling her body. A sigh slips from her lips as she nods, still seeming unable to meet his gaze. "I failed everyone, especially Venti. She died. I told her I would save her and the Guardians. I couldn't keep my promise to her. I am still working hard to even go rescue her. I attempted to go but... Leon Karnak is much harder to climb than I thought it was. Probably due to the Forest of Beginnings being gone now."
"You little idiot... No one blames you for Venti's death. We blame that fool empire. Every soul in town knows you worked hard to save Venti. All the Guardians know how much you gave up to rescue us from being the monsters we had become. Even Doug, the biggest fool we all know, knows and respects how much you went through to save us all." Leon said softly, finally allowing her to be free from his arms as he took a step back. His foxes appeared at the gates and came running to them, pausing at their feet and watching them carefully. "I know more than most how much you give up, how much you sacrifice, how much you suffered... All to save me, to save Venti, to save this town. And I still see you suffering... It tears me apart Terra. I hate seeing the memories of you crying because you think you are alone. I hate knowing I am not far away and yet you never come to me. Never ask me for my help."
The tall fox eared male watched as Terra raised her head with his release of her, his words seeming to surprise and shock her as he let out his most recent frustrations. He turned from her and leans over one of the bridge banisters, a soft huff of air leaving him as he waited for her response. His own guilt at his near obsession of the young woman who was moving beside him still ate at him, telling him how horrible he was to the memory of Maria. However much his mind beat at him that he shouldn't get closer his heart told him otherwise, told him that if he didn't move a little closer he would lose her completely. His sharp hearing caught the sound of her moving close before he saw her lean on the banister with him, her body close enough he could feel her warmth. "I'm sorry Leon... I didn't know that me pulling away would upset you. I was trying to keep everyone from being upset should the worst come to pass when I try to get Venti back..."
"Venti won't want you to die anymore than anyone else here, least of all me." His body tilts so he is looking at her better, the arm closest to her lifting to pull her against his side. Holding her to him he lets out a sigh, his eyes looking down at the water moving below them. "Terra please... don't hold me at arms length. Don't push everyone away. And ask us for help. We will come running if you only ask."
"But... y-you're right... I get so focused... I forget I can ask for help." Her mouth had parted on an argument but she didn't bother fighting him. His body straightened slowly as a small smile crosses his lips. "Good. But there is one other reason I wanted you alone tonight."