Taking Lea's heart

[00:12] Was it really that easy? Lea was expecting to have to go a lot further to find who she was looking for. She was expecting to have to travel up the mountain, or to all sorts of unpleasant locations. But no... Rindou was by the same river that her dad brought her to from time to time, almost as if fate was trying to tell her something.

She leapt down to the river, sitting next to Rindou, unable to bring herself to make eye contact.

"I was wrong."

Her voice was low. Somber. Regretful. She had thousands of different things on her mind, but was able to express very little.

"If it matters, I'm sorry. If it doesn't matter, I'm still sorry."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[00:17] Rindou wasn't too sure of how she wanted to respond to that. On one hand she could just tell her that everything was okay, but... that would be a lie. An absolute, complete lie. The expression on her face told as much. She looked... exhausted. Unhappy. Miserable. While her clothes and hair were still kept in perfect condition, the expression she wore was a complete mess. It's only after about a minute that she responded.

"It hurt. More than being declared a criminal, more than having people hate me; it hurt that you said those words, that you let it all happen, just because...

.. because a man that never wanted to help me was suspicious of me."

The young woman looked at her reflection in the water, eyes widening a bit before forming into a frown. A stone was tossed at the surface, breaking the mirror.

"You don't understand how many times I turned his offers down."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[00:24]
"I'm a coward, Rindou. I know it's obvious, but I want you to know that I'm aware."

It wasn't okay. It'd never be okay. She didn't need to be lied to, she just needed the truth. She needed to be told the truth, and she needed to tell the truth. And so she did, as bluntly and honestly as she could.

"I'm too afraid of hurting people or being hurt to protect anyone. I'm too afraid of breaking things apart because of how badly I want everything to be together, and yet... that just means things fall apart on their own, doesn't it?"

Difficult lessons that she knew, but had yet to understand. She didn't know what it'd take for her to understand and apply it to herself, but it was something she genuinely desired. But what would she need? How would it all sink in? How much would she have to lose for her to finally decide to fight for a change?

"How many times did you turn him down?"
(Lea Elisheva)
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[00:34] "How many times did he say my eyes were pretty?"

She answered Lea's question with one of her own, though it wouldn't be all, no. There was a lot on her heart. A lot that no one had been able to hear. A lot that would inflict pain upon the Elisheva, all through the use of Rindou's own pain.

"How many times did he try to touch me? How many times did he propose a deal? How many times did he say he could teach me to be stronger at a price? How many times did he remind me that no one cared for me?

How many times?"

The noblewoman's gaze shifted towards the blue-haired one. She avoided her reflection, avoided the truth.

"I escaped back then. I came back with that stupid sword. The sword I traded and hid the best I could. That sword that Tahldrig, who claimed to be there to 'help' me instantly reported to Isaac. The one I couldn't even see accomplishing its duty and goal because I decided not to run when he was there. Because Caira called me weak and a coward when I lost my light. Because the world thinks I want to associate with a monster when I sacrificed myself to keep as many as I could alive."

Another pause, one long enough for her to stand up - to move right next to Lea, but remain standing. She reached down, showing her physical might as she pulled the girl up, forcing her to face her - to see the pain in those amber eyes.

"Your mother didn't even take a look at me. No one cared. People would rather hate me than bother finding out if they should. Your family steals from me, hurts me, wounds me, threatens me, bullies me when I'm blind—

And you? You give up on me. You act like I don't even try."

She let go of Lea.

"You'd be happier if I were someone else."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[00:44] Tears.

When Lea saw the pain in Rindou's eyes, that's all Lea could respond with. Tears. In both her words, and her eyes, Lea felt the weight of it all. She already felt terrible for giving up on Rindou before, but this just hammered the guilt in even more. How many more people would she have to lose...? How many more would have to die?

too many

She fell on her knees and started sobbing, burying her face in her arms. She was being crushed by the weight of her own guilt, but even that wasn't enough to make up for it. Once she managed to recompose herself, she spoke, and just as before, she was honest.

"I guess you're right, but..."

She had to be.

"...maybe... maybe I don't want to be happy, Rindou. Maybe the fact that I would be happier isn't important. Maybe I'm okay with hurting..."

She stood up, wiped the tears off, and faced the other, yet again.

"Why does it matter to you if I'm happy?"
(Lea Elisheva)
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[00:56] Why? Why did it matter? Why did Rindou give all of those chances to Lea despite the constant failures? Was it being she was being nice? No... Reito had received the horrible end of the stick even when trying to reason with her Illuminated. There had to be something else.

Why does it matter to you if I'm happy?

This... was complicated. She didn't even know what to respond to this. She didn't understand why this winged girl mattered so much, either. Was it the power? No. Even when Lea didn't have any influence over her settlement it didn't matter. It wasn't like Calista - it wasn't born out of desires and... self-interest.

The young woman's heart pained her more as she struggled to find the answer, as she ran away from what she thought she knew was the truth. Why else would she force Jun away? Why else would she give that many chances? Why else would she even talk to her right now?

Amidst tears, emotions, weight, and guilt the black-haired girl reached out for her friend. Both her hands gripped onto that cloak of hers. The question that Lea had asked was repeated in her head—

It went further back.

Maybe the fact that I would be happier isn't important.

... fuck.

That's all that Rindou Sakamoto could think as she dove head-on into what may be just another mistake, just another bunch of problems, just something that'd give her a false sense of happiness, of... filling that void. She was scared, terrified, eager, nervous, unsure, confident, assertive, aggressive. She knew Lea wouldn't speak of that moment to anyone, that she'd respect Rindou's answer to that very question.

Why does it matter to you if I'm happy?

No words. A pull. Eyes shut. Lips would deliver the answer forher, meeting counterparts in a swirl of confusion, sadness, desire, need, and love.

You should focus on love before kids.

Rindou wanted what she couldn't have, but this time... maybe this time it would be fine. Maybe this time it wouldn't be horrible. Maybe this time she wouldn't mess up horribly due to that empty void in her heart she tried to fill.

Maybe Lea would kiss her back.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:08] She was caught off guard, completely. She was at Rindou's mercy. As the girl lurched forward, Lea's entire life flashed before her eyes. From the moment the two of them met, they had an... awkward friendship. A tense one, with uncertain feelings and emotions on both sides. Lea just wanted to reach Rindou, to get close to her. To make her feel understood, to make her feel...

Their lips met.

Loved.

And where Lea failed that up until now, here, she would do no such thing. For you see, while Lea normally had this slight awkwardness in most social situations, where she just did her own thing and was in her own little world, here, there was no such thing. Lea did this right, because while she didn't always know the best way to conduct herself in front of people...

She knew how to love better than anyone else.

She did not blush, nor did she jerk back. Just the opposite, in fact! For when their lips met, Lea returned the favor. But instead of just allowing their lips to meet, Lea went a step further, gently wrapping her arms around Rindou's waist in a warm, tight embrace. It was a protective one; a passionate one.

It was one that Lea made count.

And so she did, with a level of confidence that completely contradicted her earlier claim of being a coward. For when it came to showing her love for others, Lea was fearless.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[01:19] She felt like an idiot when their lips met. She felt like she'd be ridiculed, turned into nothing more than a joke for the rest of the world. A criminal who couldn't help but try and seduce the one with the power to rid her of any crimes? What a skank! She fearful. She may have stepped forward but she definitely had turned into a coward. She—

She felt those arms wrap around her. She felt the love. The passion. She felt the moment not abruptly ending, but rather being... given all that Lea could give. She allowed herself to swim in what she thought wouldn't last for long. She appreciated those feelings she knew she had stolen from another, ripped away from may have been a happy person, a happier couple.

She took it all to herself.

The kiss was broken, but Rindou remained close. Her forehead pressed up against Lea's own, warm eyes locking onto hers as she murmured her next words - the answer to her question finally being given out.

".. Because you hurt me the most when you're unhappy."

Whether that meant she was sealing her fate due to not being anyone but herself or if it meant Lea's mind and heart would be stolen by this bold, expressive, passionate gesture was up to the divine one.

It started falling into place bit by bit, too. Why would she remain petty over feathers she clearly didn't care about? Why would she breakdown and cry in front of Lea? Why would she drag her to that shrine?

Friendship? Perhaps at the start, but...

.. but Rindou's only friends all ended up as crushes and love interests at one point. Loneliness plagued her, but maybe this time—

"Don't let yourself lose me."

.. Maybe this time it could be different.
Maybe this time she'd know how it feels to be in a real relationship.

She went in for another. She needed to make sure it wasn't a fluke - that it wouldn't be just a moment.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:30] Sho Gwyn exclaims, "...Hi Lea!"
[01:30] It wasn't a fluke.

The kiss was returned with equal passion and feeling. She knew how to love, and love she did. That love was being stolen from someone else, and perhaps Lea was, on some level, aware of that fact. But it didn't matter to her anymore, did it? Because, to Lea, it was not her being stolen; it was her surrendering herself to the person who needed it most. It was selflessness, although a kind that she herself could enjoy.

It was an act of generosity towards someone who wanted it all to herself.

Lea, too, immersed herself in what she was feeling. She did not know what she was getting herself into, nor did she care. All she knew was what her heart was telling her, and its rhythmic beating told her that this was right. Everything and everyone else in the world could tell her that it was wrong, but for once, Lea was in no mood to listen.

She only wanted to feel, and give her feelings to another.

But all good things must come to an end, and their second kiss was one of these things. She broke it, pressed her own forehead up to Rindou's own, and spoke her own response.

"Only if you don't lose yourself, Rindou."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[01:37] The sensation of that second kiss being returned and delivered with all the love that Lea could give was nothing she could ignore. Hands that were still upon the other's robes pulled her a bit closer, wanting to feel it all, to feel hearts beating in unison. One who needed too much. One who surrendered all she could.

"I'm myself, aren't I?" She retorted, forehead meeting Lea's own as her body melted a bit into her grasp. She was... confused. Happiness was present, and it's all that she ever wanted to feel— loved. But... there was something missing. Was it because it was all too fresh? All too sudden?

She wasn't sure. She...

".. you make me happy."

.. She needed to do more than just claim the heart she wanted. She needed to get her sword back. She needed to get her name cleared. She needed to prepare for what was to come.

Brushing away love?
Maybe in her mind. Maybe in her heart.

Yet her hands moved down to sit atop Lea's own. And.. she smiled. Giggled a bit, too. Nervous. Giddy.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:44] When it set in what Lea had just done, she immediately lit up with a bright red blush. While the urge to cover her face was there, she managed to resist, this time. What she didn't resist, however, was what she had to say on the matter:

"ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod"

With great effort, Lea managed to compose herself, awkwardly clearing her throat, straightening her posture, and...

Weakly uttering a response.

"I'm... happy too..."

She was still blushing, by the way.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[01:52] A smile. It came. It left. It came again. She shook her head nervously, too, far too unexpecting of the way things even went. She hadn't sat down at that river expecting to steal away a heart. She leaned in closer, making use of her shorter stature to steal a comfy spot on Lea's shoulder, leaning into her neck a bit as she tried to clear away both their weird... unresolved awkward feelings.

Hands trailed up the other's arm, fingertips grazing against her skin before she finally reached her biceps. She wrapped her arms around Lea's frame, brushing against her wings in the process of hugging her tightly. Nesting her face right into the blue-haired one's neck, breathing softly.

"I..."

Definitely still awkward and embarassing.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:59] Physical contact and other forms of affection were Lea's strongsuit, so when Rindou leaned into Lea's neck, Lea, almost reflexively, cleared the blush on her face, placed her hand on the back of Rindou's head, and gently ran her fingers through the other girl's hair. This is when Lea's supernaturally comforting nature shone through. Around her, everything was warm, everything was calm, and most of all, everything made sense.

"You're safe here, Rindou."

And perhaps it did. Perhaps Lea's arms were the safest place in the world, in this moment. Whether that feeling would transmit to Rindou was unclear, but Lea's comforting nature was very much magical, at this point, and not just a feature of her personality.

"My arms are your home now, okay?"
(Lea Elisheva)
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[02:03] A home. A place where she belonged. A place where she could be happy, warm, safe and... without worry. Able to relax, to focus on what mattered most. Was it even possible? She let out a small, breathy laugh before she spoke, finding herself funny.

"That's a pretty small place, I don't think I can do much in there."

How hilarious. Maybe it was her way to navigate through this sea of love that she was not used to feeling. She needed a guide, a way to go, to direct her thoughts and energy. Focus on something.

"What about.. Levengard? I still..."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:05] Lea Elisheva says, "I could take you back there now, if you wanted. You gave me a lot of answers."
[02:05] Lea Elisheva says, "So it's like I questioned you."
[02:05] Lea Elisheva says, "I think it'd be fine."
[02:09] Rindou Sakamoto says, ".. You'll-"
[02:09] Rindou Sakamoto says, "You'll have to make an announce and all."
[02:09] Rindou Sakamoto says, "-"
[02:09] Rindou Sakamoto exclaims, "Also you did more than question me!"
[02:10] Lea Elisheva says, "We can keep that part between us."
[02:10] Rindou Sakamoto says, "..."
[02:11] Rindou Sakamoto says, "We don't have to tell everyone but-"
[02:11] Rindou Sakamoto says, "I.."
[02:11] Rindou Sakamoto says, ".. I'm not sharing you."
[02:11] Lea Elisheva says, "I don't want you to."
[02:11] Rindou Sakamoto says, "You better."
[02:12] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Let's-"
[02:12] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Go."
[02:12] Lea Elisheva says, "Yes."
[02:12] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "And hold hands?"
[02:12] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "Sure!"
[02:12] Rindou Sakamoto exclaims, "And when that's done let's go get my sword back!"
[02:13] Lea Elisheva says, "I might need to do that on my own, knowing Isaac..."