Trigleph – Rhea's Apartment

Ever since the attack at Spirius, Rhea has been doing everything she could to catch up on current events from reading papers to watching the news. Just the fact that she didn't even know who the king of Rieze Maxia was, made her feel ashamed. She has barely left her apartment for the past few days. Too worried about Alvin anyway, she didn't want to be distracted if she were to get a call. She hasn't seen him since the incident. Having not heard anything either, she had no idea what to think. The way he acted when he left bothered her the most. It's true that they really haven't known each other that long, but quick personality change really bothered her. She just wanted to see him, at least hear from him to know that he's okay. These thoughts haven't left her since the party. Even when trying to catch up on what's going on between the two nations, she just can't stop thinking about him.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her daze. After placing her glass of wine on the table, she stood up. She went over to the door and opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw the man that occupied her thoughts. She moved out of the way so that he could enter. He did so and made his way over to the couch. Once the door was shut, she offered him a drink. He simply shook his head and leaned back, crossing his arms. She nodded and sat a few inches away from him. She wanted to ask how he was doing, but her jaw wouldn't budge. How he acted before still greatly bothered her. She knew that he had to be better to be able to visit which put her at ease. For a bit of time, the two just watched the news. When she did feel more at ease, she picked her wine and sipped from it. As she pulled it away from her lips, he took the glass from her and chugged the rest himself. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at him. When he finished the drink, he hunched forward and hung his head. With his free hand he tousled his hair. She went to rest her hand on his shoulder but just as she was about to make contact her hand froze. She can't help but feel that if she did anything, she was going to be in the wrong.

"You're not going to interrogate me?" he asked her.

"I- Well.. no... I-" she tried to answer. Even after for days thinking of what she would say to him, not that she got the chance her words jumbled.

"Heh..." Silence filled the room for a few moments until he asked, "you got anything else to drink?"

"Y-Yeah..." she reached over to the floor on the other side of the couch and picked up the bottle of wine. "Here..." she spoke softly, pouring some into the glass.

"Thanks..."

He was slower about it, but still drank relatively quickly. She didn't want to give him anymore, but couldn't refuse when he asked her. It really wasn't long until the bottle was empty. In needing to use the restroom, he stood up to nearly fall over instantly. Only reason he didn't was that she held him up. Once he got his footing, he broke out of her grasp and made his way to the other side of the apartment. As she watched him stagger off, her eyes began to water. Cursing underneath her breath, she wiped away her tears. With a shaky sigh, she picked up the glass and bottle and brought them over to the kitchen. She trashed the bottle and washed the glass. By the time she finished, he was back to reclining on the couch. He looked even worse than before. His skin was pale and his arm was over his eyes.

Unable to stay quiet any longer she told him softly, "why don't you go home for now? You need to rest."

"Trying to get rid of me?" he asked back.

She sat next to him saying, "I don't know what's going on in your head but you're really worrying me. I just want you to take care of yourself Alvin."

"... I need you to do something."

"What?"

"Just once... Call me 'Al'."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

She shrugged and agreed, "alright then, Al."

For the first time of the day, he made eye contact with her. She was just watching him confused. Just a few seconds after he started staring at her, his eyes widened. He stood up right after, and went over to the front door. As he opened the door, he was met with familiar faces. It wasn't long after, he walked right past them and left. She looked over seeing Leia, Elize, and Elle. She just stared at them, completely confused.

Elize was the first to enter the apartment and she asked, "Rhea? What's going on?"

Rhea shook her head and answered quietly, "I don't know."

Leia sat next to her on the couch asking, "is this my fault?"

She shook her head and answered, "if such a simply question caused all of this, it was only a matter of time until it happened anyway."

"Rhea..."

Elle plopped Rollo on her lap saying, "Rollo is good with helping take away sad thoughts."

"Thank you," Rhea said giving her a small smile. After sighing deeply, she looked at the three of them and asked, "so, what are you doing here?"

"We were wondering if we could sleep over," Elize told her happily.

"We really haven't talked to you since we met you, we want to get to know you better," Leia explained.

"Sure, that sounds nice."

"Do you mind if I change the channel?" Elle asked, holding the remote.

"Go ahead."

"Hey Rhea," Leia began. "Do you mind if we talk somewhere else?"

"Sure..."

Leia looked over at Elize and she nodded. She went over to Elle and started watching TV with her. Rollo made his way back over to the youngest and rubbed his head against her. The two remaining stood up and went to the bedroom. They sat down on the bed.

"So," Leia began.

"So..." Rhea whispered.

"What really is going on with you two?"

"Is that why you're all here now?"

She nodded and explained, "he's been acting like how he did when we first met him. Back then he was a complete mess even though he was really good at hiding it. It's scary seeing him like this again. I was just wondering what happened."

"I don't know what's going on... I'm completely worried about him... I have no idea why he was even here just now..."

"Before the party, what was your relationship with him?"

"I don't really know... All I can say for certain is that I enjoy his company. What he has been through makes what happened to me looks like nothing. But, maybe it's because of that he was able to understand what I was going through. He's helped me so much. Hell, I have this place because he got it for me. And now that he's like this... I hate it... I just want to help him..."

"Hey..."

"Damn it..." she whispered, wiping away her tears.

"You love him, don't you?" she asked, feeling her own eyes water.

"I scared to classify anything... I'm happy when he's happy and sad when he's sad... Even if nothing had changed from a few days ago, I would have been content... I didn't want to over think anything... Now... I just don't know... If he were to suddenly go back to how he was, I would be ecstatic..."

"Rhea..."

"I just wish I knew why he was here..."

Leia didn't know what else to say. She looked around the room and saw the camera, sitting on the bedside table. "Hey, can I see your pictures?" she asked to change topics.

"Sure," she nodded standing up.

She went over to the table and picked up the camera. By the time she was back to where she was sitting down, she had the camera on. She handed it over to her and then laid down. While her eyes were focused on the ceiling, she felt something jump on her. She looked down at her chest seeing the creature that she brought back with her from her journey. She held onto it and then looked back at the ceiling. Thoughts of Alvin possessed her ten fold now. The idea that she could be in love with him keeps circling her thoughts and her heart won't keep pounding. Fear grew in her as well. The instant she felt tears streaming, she sat right up. Leia put down the camera and held onto her.

"I'm sorry, this is all my fault..." Leia whispered, trying to hold herself back from crying.

"Like I said, if this was going to happen anyway there's no reason to apologize... Maybe it's better to get this over now than later... Right now I'm just worried about him... I just don't want him to do anything stupid... I want to call him right now but what I'm truly scared of is making the situation worse... Damn it, I don't want to cry again..."

She wiped away her fresh tears and sat up straight. After sighing once more, she stood up. Leia just kept watching her sadly. As Rhea put down the creature, she heard a different voice in the living area. She recognized it but couldn't pinpoint it. After making sure all her tears were gone, she left the bedroom. She blinked in confusion when she saw Rowan talking happily with Elize and Elle. She just watched them confused. She couldn't figure out why nearly everyone she's met since the incident has visited her back to back. Leia followed her out and was also confused by the unexpected guest. Rowan took notice to the two observers and smiled at them. He looked over at Rhea and asked if she could step out. She looked at the other females and they showed that they didn't mind. She agreed and followed him out the apartment. She couldn't get any words out of him. Only thing that was different about him was a knowing smile playing on this lips and a mischievous glint in his eyes. As soon as they were outside, her eyes widened.

"Erston?" she questioned.

Gaius was leaning against the building with his arms crossed and eyes closed. When hearing her, he looked over. When he noticed the red rings around her eyes, he frowned and approached. She just watched him completely confused, unsure of what he was doing here. He gave a sharp look to the very amused prime minister. He bowed and walked away. Once he was gone, he offered the emotionally exhausted female to simply go for a walk with him. Seeing no harm in it, she agreed.

"How do you find time for everything?" she asked him softly, too scared that if she used her full voice it would crack.

"Hm? What exactly do you mean?" he asked back, watching her out of his peripheral vision.

"Since what happened at Spirius, I've been trying to learn all I can about current events. With everything going on how do you have the time for, anything?"

He smiled a bit feeling impressed by her and answered, "I travel between Rieze Maxia and Elympios a lot. Mainly, I have a lot of help in both nations."

"Still though... I couldn't imagine."

"I simply want to protect the weak so that one day they can be strong themselves. If that takes me every minute of everyday then so be it."

She nodded saying, "I can respect that. It's a very admirable goal."

"I'm glad to hear you understand."

"Hm? Why's that?"

"Hey! Big E!" a couple voices shouted from behind them.

Gaius sighed but turned around seeing the friends he made in Elympios and responded, "Kyle, Tanner."

Kyle smiled brightly up at him, saying, "thank you so much for the job referral Big E."

He nodded while Tanner took note of Rhea and questioned, "whoa, are you on a date?"

She didn't expect that at all and looked up at her companion surprised. Not rattled in the least, he answered, "no."

"Right... Well... We'll let you get back to your 'not date' with your overly attractive 'friend' there."

The two of them walked away, snickering. Amused by the two, she said, "those two are quite the pair."

"That they are."

"So, Big E huh?"

He shook his head and crossed his arms as he said, "something they came up with."

She smiled a bit and said, "maybe I should call you that."

"Would you really?"

"Nah."

He smiled a bit and said, "come on."

She nodded and they continued walking. She didn't realize until now how her mood has dramatically improved. She was surprised that he didn't question her appearance when she left the apartment complex and with how he reacted when he first saw her. She was sure that he wanted to know but was appreciative that he didn't ask. She was tired of explaining depressing stories. Soon enough, they returned the complex. She blinked in confusion for she didn't realize that they walked in a circle. He watched her amused. She didn't really know what to do from there so she just stood there. She didn't want to be rude and go in without a word, but feels like even if she did there had to be more of a reason for him to call her out besides a walk around the block.

"I don't have too much time left today. Are you interested in walking again another day?" he offered.

"Sure, that sounds nice," she answered.

He nodded and said, "I'll see you then."

"See you then," she said as she entered the door and entered.

After knowing she was far enough into the building, he glanced over his shoulder and asked, "still watching?"

An irritated Alvin came out of the shadows and asked him, "what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Giving her another option, one where she won't cry."

"Tch..."

He approached the angry male and questioned him, "do you really believe that you can make her happy?"

Alvin could no longer keep eye contact with him. He instantly felt like a wounded puppy left out in the rain. He asked back quietly, "what about you? You barely know her. Do you have the proper amount of time for her?"

"I'll do whatever it takes."

He felt himself very quickly losing and so he asked quietly, "why her?"

"She intrigues me."

"..."

"Are you already giving up?"

"Don't hurt her..." he whispered and walked away.

"You're the one doing the most damage now."

"You don't have to tell me..."

Refusing to let him go like that, he followed him asking, "why are you giving up so quickly?"

"Why are you so persistent?"

"If I can convince her to do so, I'm going to bring her with me to Kanbalar." When Alvin froze in his tracks, Gaius asked, "are you still certain you want to let her go so easily?"

"It's not up to me, now stop following," he bitterly answered as he started walking again.

"Do you think I'm joking?"

For a moment, he stopped walking and glanced over his shoulder. With a soft voice he answered, "no. I know that you will take care of all her needs. I will only continue to hurt her."

"Then I will take her away."

Helioborg Research Station – 8F

Three days have passed since Rhea has seen or heard any sign of Alvin. She didn't have as much time to worry as usual thanks to Gaius visiting her everyday. She didn't mind in the least but it blew her mind that of all people, the king wanted to chat with her. Thanks to that, she learned a lot about his nation. She really began to be interested in visiting at some point. She didn't even consider that he would invite her to go with him when he returns soon. Not only did she not expect such an invitation, but she nearly shut down when he kissed her. She really should have seen it coming with how much time he has been spending with her but she didn't have a single clue. She didn't really have reservations, but there was a thought nagging at the back of her mind that wouldn't go away. Because of that, he told her that he'd wait for her until he was about to go back.

Her fingers hovered over the keypad. There was nowhere else for her to look. She knew he was here. And because of that, she was completely terrified. She wasn't going to leave until she got answers, but she had a sickening feeling that she actually didn't want to know. Even so, there was no turning back. Taking in a deep breath, she entered the code into the pad. The door opened and instantly the smell of booze filled her senses. There she saw Alvin, sitting on the lone piece of furniture. He was surrounded by multiple bottles of liquor and it was easy to tell that the majority of them were empty. He looked up when he heard the door open and his eyes widened. The current bottle that was in his hand, slipped out of his grasp. The floor quickly got soaked. She wanted to run in and pick up the bottle before more spilled. Her feet were frozen in place. A moment later, his gaze darkened. He looked away from her and picked the bottle up. He didn't have anything to clean the alcohol up and so he just sat there.

"Alvin..?" she questioned hesitantly.

He didn't respond in the least. He kept his gaze downcast at the puddle. Unable to see him like this any longer, she entered the room and sat on the couch. When he still wouldn't look at her, she held his face and turned his head so that he would face her. Even still, his eyes refused to meet hers. Just wanting to be able to understand what was going on with him, she let go of his face and wrapped her arms tightly around his torso.

As she rested her head on his shoulder, she begged, "talk to me... Please..."

"Why?" he asked her quietly, not moving from his current state.

"Because... You're worrying me..."

"Well don't."

"Alvin!" she scolded him. "Just stop it, please..."

"Then leave."

Her eyes began to water as she continued begging, "please talk to me..."

"You really want to know?"

"Yes..."

"Fine..." he agreed bitterly. "When I look at you, I don't see you."

"... What..?"

"I don't see you because I see Presa."

Her eyes widened and she looked up at him. Nearly ready to cry now, she asked, "wh-what..?"

"You heard me. So leave."

Her jaw began to tremble as she asked, "why do I have to leave..? I care for you so much..."

"No you don't!" She couldn't help but jump at his sudden outburst. Feeling like a complete douchebag, he told her in a more calm voice, "we barely know each other. It hasn't been that long since I even met you and the grand majority of that time you weren't even here. Whatever was between us, it's not real."

"Not... real?"

"Gaius... He will treat you ten fold better than I ever could. You need to leave with him."

"Is that... what you really want..?"

"It's what's best for you."

Tears were streaming rapidly down her cheeks. "If it is as you say... That we really don't know each other... Can we not try learning..?" she asked, trying so hard not to full cry.

"It won't work Rhea."

"If I leave... Will you go back to normal..?" When he didn't answer she explained, "I didn't come here for this at all... The reason I stopped by was because Yurgen called me... He hasn't seen you in days and is getting worried... Please promise me... You've worked so hard, I don't want you to lose everything you've built for yourself..."

"... I promise..." he whispered under his breath.

Nodding, she whispered back, "good..." With a shaky sigh, she rose her head and let her arms fall down to her sides. Slowly, she stood up and made her way over to the door. As it opened, she told him, "if possible, since it seems that only appearance bothers you... I wouldn't mind if you called me at some point... No matter what you say or do to me to try to change it, you're important to me... Right now you're the dearest thing to my heart... I don't know if that will ever change, but... I just don't want to lose all contact with you... That's just too painful..."

With that, the door shut behind her. He broke the instant she was gone. He picked up the bottle that he dropped and chugged the rest of it. The moment it was empty, he threw it and it shattered against the wall. Within ten minutes, he finished the rest of the drinks he had and ended up breaking every last bottle. He just wanted to black out so that for at least a little his mind could rest. The opposite occurred. His mind became clear to the jackass act he pulled in front of her. He hated himself for it, but spoke the truth as well. The image of his former lover continues to haunt him from beyond the grave. Feeling as though he'd never be able to escape, he knew that her leaving probably was for the best, despite what he wanted. Needing an outlet for his rage, he punched the arm of the couch. With the amount of force behind it, he broke it right off.

"Damn it!"