Anima, Ch.38: Sentiments

--01-- [Scene: Emain Macha] {SFX: pow}
I narrowly dodged the training sword, then vainly tried to block Vivian's follow-up swing.
She knocked my own training sword out of my grasp.
"That's eleven," I groaned. "I'm still terrible at this."


--02-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"Oh, you're getting better," Vivian affirmed.
"Right, I lasted a whole 30 seconds that time. Maybe I'm just not cut out for close combat."
"Keep practicing! You can't count on magic for everything."


--03-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"Why do you even ask me to spar with you? I'm clearly not giving you a challenge."
"To give *you* a challenge?"
I suppose she has a point...
"Well, maybe I just like being here," she added.

--04-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
The Paladin training grounds we were at now had fallen into disarray, as most of them had quit.
"You have good memories of this place?"
She frowned. "Maybe a better description might be 'purposeful.'"


--05-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"You know, the Knights might disband. Over eighty percent of them quit after the scandal with Esras..."
"Oh?" So much for the Paladins. "So what are you planning on doing now?"
"I...I don't know."


--06-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"I went to Ceo, like you said. She wasn't there, Meara."
"Who?"
"That spirit you told me about. Aer, was it? The grotto was there, but nobody was home."
"Really?" Did I scare her off for good?

--07-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"Maybe she's just not in the mood to see anyone any more, after I...didn't live up to her expectations."
I sighed.
"Too late now..." She raised her training sword. "You feeling up to another round?"


--08-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"No, I've had enough. These days, I don't seem to have the stamina I used to..."
I sat down under a tree. Vivian sat nearby, out of arm's reach, not looking at me.
She's been...distant for some time.


--09-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
"Vivian... Are you okay with me...seeing your brother?"
She turned to look at me.
"Um...well, I know you'd never hurt him, Meara. He could do a lot worse."
A slight smile spread across her face.

--10-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
"I'll just...let him make his own choices. ...I trust you."
"Even though I'm not human?"
"As far as I'm concerned, our only differences are superficial. You're human in every way that counts."


--11-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
"And you're a good friend. I...wouldn't mind having a sister-in-law like you." She laughed a bit.
"...Thanks. It means a lot to hear you say that. Though maybe it's a bit early for *that.*"



--12-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
"I know you look out for your...you know, you've never said which one of you is older..."
"He is. By forty-five minutes. We're fraternal twins."
"...That explains a lot."


--13-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
The sun was more than halfway to the horizon from its noontime apex.
"I should go." I stood and stretched. "There's things I need to do while it's still daylight."
"You coming to tomorrow's ceremony?"


--14-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
"Oh, that? Yeah, I guess I'll go..."
With all claimants to the Lordship either dead or missing, Emain Macha was
effectively being annexed. Tomorrow a puppet ruler from Tara was being appointed.


--15-- <BGM: When Two Hands Cross>
"All right. We'll see you tomorrow then." She stood up herself. "Take care, Meara."
"You too."
I walked north to the Moongate near Coill Woods, then went through it and back to Dunbarton.


--16-- [Scene: Dunbarton] <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
I had actually intended to browse the shops for more herbs to make potions with.
Not much of a selection today; I only found a few bloody herbs on sale. At least they were cheap....



--17-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
Not surprisingly, I ran into Kiandra among the shops, her arms full of bolts of cloth.
"Looking for herbs, Meara?"
"Yeah. Slim pickings today."
"That's been the case with a lot of things lately."

--18-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
"So what have you been up to lately, Kiandra?"
"Oh, I'm planning some new designs. My older stuff isn't selling too well any more."
"Out with the old, in with the new, huh?"


--19-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
She smiled slyly. "People love new stuff. If it's something that's never been seen before,
they'll pay anything to have it first."
"New things, huh? I'll...keep that in mind." Which reminds me...


--20-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
"I wonder if those orange herbs we found the other day would count as new?"
"Oh, the ones we found the other day when the four of us went to Rundal?"
"Yeah, those. I've never seen them before."


--21-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
"But first I'll have to see what I can make with them. I was just about to head home to do that."
"Oh. That reminds me. Are you going to be at the inauguration ceremony tomorrow?"



--22-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
"I'm thinking about it."
"Well, please do. Those twins have something special in mind for tomorrow, and you don't want to miss out." She winked.
"Special? Such as..."
"Sorry, it's a secret."

--23-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
"Who is this guy that's going to be assuming the Lordship, anyway?"
Her look turned pensive. "I forgot the name... Some duke from Tara.
He'll be steward while the local government is...dismantled."


--24-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
I guess that means Rian's brother isn't stepping up to take the reins.
I remember him now... It was when *that* happened.
He was with that Dark Knight. They took Rian's body with them...


--25-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
Rian had been declared dead, and a memorial service had been held, but his body had never turned up again.
I suppose his brother buried him somewhere...
"I wonder what'll happen to Emain Macha now..."


--26-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
Kiandra shrugged, barely keeping her grip on the cloth in her arms. "I guess their autonomy is going
to be a thing of the past.
...I'm gonna get this stuff back home before I drop it. Later, kiddo."


--27-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
"All right. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Wouldn't miss it."
She gave me one of those too-innocent smiles that meant she was up to something,
then walked away with her burden of fabric.

--28-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
I looked over the remaining shops I hadn't checked before I ran into Kiandra, but none of them
had anything that caught my interest.
Herbs have been few and far between on the market lately.


--29-- [Scene: Dugald Aisle] <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies>
I went back home, settled down into my chair, picked up a herbology book I'd borrowed,
and opened it to where I'd left off.
The odd orange herbs we'd found in Rundal lay on the table too.


--30-- <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies>
Maybe I can just do the same with these as I do with the other herbs, and make potions
from them in the same way. But what effect would a potion made from them have?
I'll have to find out first...


--31-- <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies> {SFX: failure}
I tried the usual process, mixing them with a base potion to draw out the medicinal properties
and a base herb to stabilize the concoction. I ruined a few of them before I got the hang of it.



--32-- <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies> {SFX: slam}
As I looked over the curious orange potions I'd produced, there was a knock at the door.
At this hour?
I warily opened it, and found Devin standing outside, hands behind his back.
"Evening."

--33-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
"Hi, Devin." I smiled and held up an orange bottle. "Wanna try a mystery potion?"
"...No, thanks. I take it you've been experimenting with those herbs."
"Um, yeah. They're hard to work with."


--34-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
"Oh. ...I didn't bother you, did I?"
"No. I'd just finished."
"Ah. Good. I just...came by to ask something. Are you...going to be at Emain Macha tomorrow?"


--35-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
"Well, I'm thinking I kinda have to now. Your sister asked too, and Kiandra hinted I really ought to be there."
He laughed. "Good. I wanted to spend the day together. For old times' sake..."



--36-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
"You know, because all three of you asked, it makes me wonder if you're plotting something."
"Plotting? Don't be silly. ...oh, who am I kidding, I can't hide anything from you, can I?"



--37-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
"Actually, there's...some things I want to talk to you about. How about we have dinner at Loch Lios
after all the ceremonies wind down? There's...some things I want to ask..."



--38-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
I gave him a puzzled look. "A-all right... Sure... Is there...anything else you came here for?"
"No... Sorry if I interrupted you. Anyway, good night, Meara. See you tomorrow."



--39-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia> {SFX: slam}
He walked away, and I closed the door.
Something he wanted to ask...?
I'm not sure if I feel excited or nervous... Maybe both.


--40-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
All three of them asked if I was going to be at Emain Macha...
I get the feeling they've all been planning something behind my back.
I might be in for a bit of a surprise tomorrow...


[end of chapter]