The Valiant

"I didn't know that," Zac said, "My family was a bit sheltered. It hasn't had a knight in about 3 generations. I mean, I guess it is a smart idea to start young. That is how artists, and musicians do it. No reason a warrior shouldn't as well."

--

Sab thought for a second, "Well, it is an advanced stage for a mage, but I wouldn't say all roads lead there. Arithmeticks probably can claim to be an end of the road, but I would be hesitant to say that as well. Summoners can be really powerful however, if you would like training in that I could do my best to help you. I don't have much practical know how, but I've done a lot of reading, and I understand how magick works. I guess you could say I have theoretical knowledge on the subject."

After realizing that she was staring Mortal looked away from Euryale, and let out a small sigh. Mortal slouched her shoulders with a bit of disappointment, and loneliness, hanging her head slightly as well. After a few more seconds she stood up and excused herself. "I'm... going," She was going to say 'to her room', but was too downtrodden to get the words out. She opened up the door to Noct's room, and walked out, feeling sad and alone, because she was sad and alone.

~Lesalia~

*By the time Euryale had looked around & said her goodbyes, she missed Mortal's sad walk. She turns back to Sab.*

E"Well, what I actually meant was, if magic is powered by belief, that must mean it's hallowed. And if magic is hallowed, that means the source must be divine. And if the pinnacle of magic is summoning...than maybe the Espers are more than just powerful spirits. Maybe they are actually gods of nature."
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~Limberry~

L"Hmm...I guess it is a little young. But while some live into their 60s, 70s, and 80s, most well-off Ivalicians die somewhere between their late 30's and their early 50's. And I've heard tell that peasants die even sooner than that."
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~Warjilis~

3<Alright, I guess we can collect protection from a few of the merchants. But we don't really have the numbers and muscle to take over the whole whorf. Yet.>

*The trio had gone from looking defeated when they left the fort, to looking utterly indifferent while making threats, & now their faces glinted at a hint of ambition.*

"Hm, I never thought about it like that," Sab replied. She was going to lean forward and rest her head in her palm, but then she realize that would probably be uncomfortable for Noct, so she leaned backwards instead. "I don't see why not. I mean, even Glabados teaches that there are more gods than simply Ajora, himself the son of gods, but not much is ever spoken of about them. Perhaps you could be onto something, Euryale."

Mortal stormed into her room and did sad, lonely things.

--

"Perhaps the idea shouldn't be to do more with short lives, but to try and give ourselves more time to live."

~Lesalia~

E"I've never heard about the Espers having children...then again, Bahamut is sometimes called the 'First Dragon.' I don't want to sound racist, but do you think Mortal knows anything about that?"
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~Limberry~

L"It's not that I don't agree with you, but no one on Ivalice really knows what causes aging, unless you count the church's hal-assed explanation. You can't really learn to swim if you've never even seen water."

"Are you implying that Mortal has divine blood?" Noct asked. "I'm not sure she would even know. The breeding habits of 'monsters' are... odd. I'm not sure if she even knows her parents. Hell, I'm not sure if she herself IS a parent. For all I know she could have sired a few dozen dragons during her life."

Sab imagined Mortal cradling a baby dragon the size of a cat in her arms.

--

"That is why I suggest more people should go out looking for the sea," Zac said, pushing the metaphor to its limit.

~Lesalia~

E"Not necessarily. I just meant, does anyone actually know where monsters came from? If Gods created humans, maybe they created the first monsters, too?"
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~Limberry~

L"Hmm...Monsters, did you know, they can actually live a really long time? Not so much Chocobos and Coeurls, but things like Minotaurs, Squidraken, & Dragons can live for over a hundred years. And then there are those Lucavi, which appear to live forever by jumping from one host to another."

"It all sounds plausible," Noct said, "Study the espers then. Find out their nature."

"Did Mortal seem sad when she left to anyone else?" Sab asked.

"I don't know, I had my eyes closed."

"You couldn't hear it in her voice?"

"I... wasn't listening."

"Kind of inattentive for a sister..." Sab said with a small sigh.

--

"Do you think we could learn anything from a dragon? I can't imagine they're all that smart, but maybe we could find the secret to their longevity."

~Lesalia~

E"I didn't hear it and I also wasn't looking. Should I go talk to her?"
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~Limberry~

L"From studying their bodies, maybe. As far as intellect goes, the popular opinion has been that they are unintelligent. However, I'm not so sure. Did you know that a Red Dragon has taken up residence in the Beddha Sandwaste, which will often save travelers from the attacks of other dragons? All witnesses report that they've received no aggression from it."

"I was going to go ask her about it actually..." Sab said, "She kind of glared at both you and Noctis a few times during the conversation. I think it was you two that set her off..." Sab felt bad for another half lie.

--

"Hm, perhaps its kindness is a defect of some sort?" Zac suggested, "Then again, perhaps I'm too cynical to think that something nice, can still happen in Ivalice."

~Lesalia~

E"Oh...then maybe I should just give her some space?"
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~Limberry~

L"Dragons have a bad reputation for being violent, but really, most of them avoid humans altogether. They have more to fear from us than we do of them. It is believed that the reason Tiamats are so rare is because they were hunted to extinction by early settlers of Ivalice."

"No," Noct said sitting up, "I mean..." Noct let out a long sigh, "You know what, go. If she is as upset with us as you think, perhaps you can calm her down." Noct leaned back in her bed until she was staring at the ceiling.

Sab got up and began going off towards Mortal's room. After walking down the hall she knocked on the door with the dragon sign on it.

--

"You know, I've never fought a tiamat before," Zac said, "I'm kind of glad too, I hear they're like a dragon's angry older cousin."

~Limberry~

L"I've only ever read about them in books. Supposedly they have hides as tough as bedrock, they can fly, and each of their heads can cast a primitive magic spell."
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~Lesalia~

*Euryale frowns.*

E"I hope it isn't something I did. Again. I can't afford another apology gift."

"Not a lucavi, but still sounds like it would ruin an otherwise good day."

--

Noct looked annoyed, and glared at Euryale, then let out another sigh, "How do you feel about my sister?" She asked bluntly, "You do know that she damn near loves you, don't you?"

--

After a few more knocks with no answer Sab opened the door and poked her head in to find Mortal under her covers crying silently. She wouldn't even be able to tell if she was crying if it wasn't for the lump in the center of the blankets shaking and bobbing up and down erratically. Sab walked in, closing the door behind her, and sat down next to her. "Mortal, it is Sab, are you alright?"

"Go away... I want to be alone," Mortal said.

"No you don't... You're like this because you don't want to be alone," Sab said, pulling back the covers to see Mortal redfaced, with tear trails, and messy hair. Sab let out a small sigh, and put on a small smile, "You shouldn't have to be so sad." With that she wiped away Mortal's tears. This only served to get Mortal to double her crying. She leaned into Sab, wrapping her arms around her and weeping into her shoulder as Sab comforted her.

~Lesalia~

E"Yeah, I know that, but it...it isn't so simple. I thought I knew what it was like between Mortal and myself, but I didn't know anything. I...don't really know how I feel about anything anymore."
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~Limberry~

L"Well, I should probably head back to the castle now."

"Listen, either you love her or you don't. It isn't complicated. You either like being around her, or you don't. She would spend her life at your side if you would only ask, and all you can give her in return is mixed signals. She kisses you, and you say 'no', then the next day when she tries to move on you buy her an expensive gift. How is she supposed to read your feelings? I realize you don't know yourself, but they're at least your feelings. Imagine how Mortal feels trying to make sense of it."

--

Zac pays the tab and stands up, "Would you like some company on your way back?"

--

Mortal looked up at Sab after a while, "Is it because I'm ugly?"

"What?"

"I mean, I know white hair is weird... associated with age, and I know the scar isn't pretty to look at, and I'm not really demure like a girl should be. Does she not want me because she thinks I'm ugly?"

"Mortal, you're beautiful," Sab said. Mortal looked up at Sab, and was about to re-redouble her crying, but furrowed her brow for a second before leaning in and kissing Sab. Sab was caught off guard, she had wanted this, but somehow she still didn't expect her first kiss to be like this. Mortal pushed Sab onto her back and continued kissing her, stopping only long enough to get up to lock the door. This gave Sab time to collect her thoughts, sadly she squandered the time, and Mortal was mounting her again.

~Lesalia~

E"I wasn't saying 'no' TO HER, I was expressing disbelief that I might be attracted to another woman. But then she basically told me she didn't want me around, & I thought she didn't like me anymore, then this thing with the assassin came up, & I just haven't had time to think about how things may have changed since then."

*Euryale stands up.*

E"Oh, hey, the assassin, that reminds me. Someone tried to KILL me yesterday! Because I was helping Mortal! And you honestly mean to tell me that a little patience is too much to ask?"

*She downs the rest of her drink.*

E"You want to know how I'm feeling? I'm scared knowing that he'll come back, anxious that I when I realize how I feel it might be too late, & a little pissed off that I'm expected to have all of the answers! Does that answer your question!?"
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~Limberry~

L"I don't mind, but then you'd have to walk back alone."

"She isn't asking for all the answers," Noct said with a sigh, "She just wanted you. Now though, I'm afraid you may very well be right. Sab is a bit of a sneaky girl. I'm sure she is with Mortal now, and I'm sure Mortal's door is locked, and I'm sure everything that was supposed to happen won't happen anymore and it is because both of you were too dense to realize you had a good thing going right in front of you. You for not realizing that she has wanted you for two years, and her for waiting two years and not having the stamina to wait another two weeks."

--

Sab was earning her title.

--

"It is fine," Zac said, "I enjoy your company."

~Lesalia~

*Euryale glares at Noct for a while before running out of the room. She immediately seeks out Mortal's door & tries to open it.*
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~Limberry~

L"In that case, let's go."

*She throws some Gil on the counter.*

Noct lets out a sigh and lays down in her bed, petting her cat. "If everyone just listened to me none of this would have happened Lulu... Mortal and Euryale are perfect for each other and would have been happy, and Sab would be in my bed instead of Mortal's, and everyone would win. Well, not Sab really, but after tonight she kind of deserves a fucked up what if scenario for messing everything up." Lulu meowed.

--

Though being magical at the start, Sab had to admit things were getting a bit weird. Mortal had called her Euryale almost the entire time, and Vanessa at a few points as well, but not once did she call her by her actual name. She also started to notice that the once... gentle pace had become entirely more violent and rapid. "Hey, could you, slow down maybe?" And then all hell broke lose.

Mortal put a hand over Sab's mouth, and pressed down despite her struggles. Sab kicked a bit, but Mortal just kind of stared back, rage boiling over as she contemplated her sad existence pining for a girl for two years, only to give her body to some random nun she only met a few days ago who was probably only pity fucking her to begin with. Sab began to claw at Mortal's hand and kick harder until Mortal finally moved her hand down to Sab's neck and tossed her off the bed a few feet away. When the first thing Sab did was gasp for breath Mortal realized her hand was also covering Sab's nose, suffocating her.

Mortal let out a scream and punched her wooded headboard before pointing to the door and saying, "Get the hell out of here..." She then leaned against the wall facing the door, wrapping her sheets around her stark body. Sab, wearing nothing but an unbuttoned shirt tried to quietly, pick up her things but Mortal made to stand up, and Sab dropped what she had in her hands and made for the door. She fumbled with it for a bit before realizing it was locked. Quickly she unlocked it, and had it swing open and crack her right in the face. She fell on her ass, and gripped her eye as she looked up at Euryale. Not wanting any of that, she tried to scurry away, between Euryale's legs, back to Noct's room.

--

Zac nodded, and held open the inn door for her before following after her, "Lead the way, milady."

~Lesalia~

*At first, Euryale was shaking with rage, but by the time Sab had scurried away, she just looked confused.*

E"What exactly happened in here?"
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~Limberry~

L"Uhh...sure."

*Lilith walks out.*

Mortal looked away, "Nothing... Why do you care anyway. I practically threw myself at you and you didn't want me."

--

Sab barreled into Noct's room and into her bed, crying her eyes out. "By Ajora, what the hell happened to you?" Noct asked, inspecting Sab's swollen eyes, one bruised, and the hand shaped bruise on her neck.

"I... and Mortal... she..." Since she was speaking gibberish she stopped trying to talk and just went back to crying. Noct wrapped the blanket around the two of them, and just held Sab close to her, softly stroking her hair. Lulu was gracious enough to walk into the door so that it swung shut.

--

"So, you've traveled with our merry band of misfits for a while now," Zac said, "What do you think of us? I can imagine your opinion of Seraph..."

~Lesalia~

E"I didn't say that, I said I didn't know what I wanted. And even if I didn't want you, how does it make sense that I wouldn't care what happened to you? Or...Sab, I guess, but...then again, I was about ready to punch her in the mouth."
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~Limberry~

L"That vile, womanizing, decrepit little savage--ugh, don't even remind me of him. I already told you I don't particularly care for your friend. Roatha was kind of nice, I guess, when he stopped being so obsessive. That's everyone, right?"

Mortal wiped her eyes to make sure the tear trails from earlier were gone, "So what if you didn't say it. You acted that way." Mortal looked at Euryale for a second, "And don't punch Sab... I already feel horrible," She laughed dryly, "I'm really kind of messed up. Now I know why... it is because I'm a monster. I'm a monster in a human's body, and I don't belong here."

--

"There way the mage girl that left with Iliad, but I forgot her name..." Zac said with a shrug, "And what about me?"

~Lesalia~

E"I'm not going to punch Sab (now that I know she didn't enjoy herself). Anyway, Mortal, I had a lot of reservations, but 'She's a dragon' wasn't one of them. If you could embrace humanity while being a dragon, I knew I could embrace both parts of you. But, if you don't think you can, I guess I could take you back to the desert. It's just disappointing, because I was hoping to introduce my parents to my new girlfriend."
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~Limberry~

L"Well, that's just silly. You're right here. It would be like me stating my opinion of my travels with myself."

Mortal felt joy for all of a second before asking, "But why? I mean... after this," she motioned with her arms to the room, where Sab and Mortal's clothes littered the floor, "You still want to be with me?"

--

While Mortale becomes a thing, Sab is still bruised, and crying.

--

Zac chuckled a bit, "Well, I've enjoyed traveling with you, for what it's worth."