Interlude ~Base Convos~ Part 2
Having set up camp some distance after retrieving the Mani Katti, the group were tucked into their tents. Sain snoring loudly and blissfully while dreaming of ladies. Kent in his makeshift bed struggling to sleep with Sain's snoring and muttering of women.
Ike couldn't sleep in his own tent for other reasons. Perhaps needing a breather, he stepped outside and noticed Lyn off in the distance. Practicing with her new blade, the Mani Katti, practicing thrusts and quick slashes. Slowly approaching her, she noticed him and smiled. "Sorry, I was training. Did I wake you Ike?"
Shaking his head, he responded: "No, I couldn't sleep." Sitting near a log close to her, she also did the same. "I'm worried for my father, Mist, the company back in Tellius. If my father's eating right along with Rolf and Mist keeping out of trouble. No, she has Boyd to worry after both of them." Looking up at the stars, as he spoke, "Being separated from family is difficult."
Giving a sad smile, she spoke "It is..."
Looking back at her, Ike immediately apologized, "I'm sorry, I can't compare to your situation. Forgive-" Lyn cut him off with her hand raised to gesture him to stop.
"It's ok..." Looking sadly at the stars, she continued, "If only I had been stronger... If I perhaps had our beloved blade, maybe I could have fought off the bandits."
Staring at her, Ike corrected her, "Lyn, the Taliver Bandits poisoned your water, the tribe was too weakened, you couldn't have-"
Interrupting him, she continued on: "Even so, my father put me on his horse, he was so weakened... trembling... Yet he still lifted me up just to get me to safety..." Her tears evident as she spoke. "I was found unconscious by another tribe...and I awoke ten days later. When I awoke... They were all gone. Buried. My only last memory of my father... He was...broken...dying. I can still see the axes rising and falling. I couldn't even say farewell... I wish I was stronger at the time..." Spilling her tears as she spoke, she sobbed. All the while Ike watched over her. Her tears wetting the earth.
Trying to wipe away her tears, she spoke, "I'm sorry, I know I said I wouldn't shed anymore tears but..." Just as Lyn was about to finish her sentence, Ike spoke: "I envy you."
Immediately surprised, she voiced out, "W-what?"
Closing his eyes, he repeated, "I envy you. For the fact you could shed tears for your family."
The silhouette of Ike's mother, Elena comes to his mind. Her gentle voice humming the song at Ike's bedside.
"I could not remember much of my childhood. When I think of my mother, I could at most remember her kindness and her lullaby." Opening his eyes towards Lyn's slightly reddened eyes. "My father once told me a story, where the dead received blessing... the more tears the living shed, the more blessings they received hereafter. That's why I envy you."
Holding a melancholic expression as he spoke, "I can't shed tears over my mother, to give her the blessings she deserves." Shaking his head, and closing his eyes, "Perhaps I'm the worst kind of son, to not be able to shed tears."
That was the last straw. Lyn couldn't accept Ike's denial of himself. She respects him far too much as demonstrated by his skills and wisdom thus far.
"That's not true, Ike!" With Lyn's expression now resolute as she scolded Ike. "You've fought back to protect the weak, you've made us attain victory with your quick thinking. You've gotten even stronger over the past battles." Standing up, she continued, "I'm sure your mother is proud of you right now, that her son is an exceptional ranger of the Greil Mercenaries."
Her words of encouragement raised towards him. It gave Ike a sense of accomplishment. To be acknowledged by someone so skilled and worthy of a sacred blade. Someone who he also respects as the rest of the company, even his father.
He smiled, and responded, "As with yours." With her eyes widening. Continuing on, "There's nothing wrong with shedding tears for your loved ones."
Giving her a warm smile, he stood and looked straight into her eyes, which began to water again. "Lyn, if you could, shed a tear for me, too. Or rather for my mother, I'd be grateful." Lyn's eyes already filled with tears at his request.
"I-Ike... of course...I will..." as Lyn acquiesced, she closed her tear-filled eyes as she finished her sentence.
Despite her tears falling from her face, her face kept her beautiful smile. Ike will never forget Lyn's tear-filled face, filled with sorrow, love, and happiness.
Unbeknownst to them, Kent and Sain watched the two in the distance. Sain having a slight grin and went back to sleep. Kent stood there watching for a moment, with an unsure expression, before joining Sain.