[Phone Call to Penelo]

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[The wheel of change has begun to spin, and Edward has some news to tell. Ring, ring, ring!]

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Caller ID is a beautiful thing. Penelo's quite happy to see who it is.]

Edward, hello!

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[Her cheerful greeting raises his spirits.]

Greetings, Penelo. How are you?

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[The soft clatter of dishes is probably a decent hint.]

Busy as always, but I'm okay. And you?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[Always so busy! Penelo seems to more energy than him, since Edward was spending most of his day relaxing.]

I am well enough. The rumors...well...I'm sure you've heard.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[It's necessity. She's got to earn a living somehow.]

Hmm. I did, but I don't believe them. It's just gossip, Edward. Don't let it bother you.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles lightly.]

You are right. It is just gossip, Mjrn and I are just friends after all. I cannot see why anyone would think otherwise. I suppose if Rydia would have journeyed with me in her place, they would think the same even though Rydia has a lover.

[Even though she couldn't see him smiling, it's slightly hinted that he is since he speaks very fondly of both Rydia and Edge.]

Edge would have smite me if such a rumor took place anywhere on this globe. I do hope the Figaro natives are kind enough not to wish me death.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Edge better not lay one finger on you. Neither should anyone else, especially not based on rumor. They've really got some nerve.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Ease your worries. I merely mean so in jest.

[Aw, she's just so cute...]

Although, I must say...not everything about that rumor was untrue.

[Edward sighed deeply.]

Penelo, I have something I must tell you before we take a step further in our relationship. Something of grave importance that may...change how you see me.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I don't understand. I know there's nothing between you two.

[She's forgetting the rest of the rumor.]

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

It's not that part I am referring to, not at all...

[He falls silent for a moment or two, Edward is still trying to find the courage to tell her.]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Help her out, Edward? She can't remember what else there was.]

Edward? What is it?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Remember that part of the rumor stating that Mjrn would become my 'Queen'? Well, let's just say they aren't wrong in that notion, but merely wrong in the idea of who I fancy more.

If the rumor was about us, then...it would be true.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[There's a sharp intake of breath at that.]

Wh-what? You... you're...

[Excuse her while she tries to gather her thoughts into something coherent.]

But you're a bard.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[The guilt he feels now for not telling her sooner is starting to weigh in now.]

Penelo, I am no bard. In truth, I am the Prince of Damcyan. My father was the late king killed during the war over the crystals. My mother was a noblewoman of another land.

Yes, I...I am royalty.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[There's something that feels so familiar to Penelo. This shock, it's the same as what she felt when she sat in Marquis Ondore's drawing room and Larsa told her that Vayne Solidor was his brother. There's shock and a little dread. And a hefty dose of silence on her end, while she tries to make sense of this.]

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[The silence truly made him feel uncomfortable, but Edward hesitates to speak. He wanted to give her a chance to speak before doing so. Edward was sure she had a few questions of her own.]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Only one to start with, and as soon as she asks, she regrets it.]

Why didn't you tell me?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[Edward almost cringed when he heard that question. Luckily she couldn't see his expression now, the bard felt like a kicked dog.]

I didn't think it mattered, at least not here. Damcyan is worlds away, is it not? The same with all the lands we hail from.

I care not to wear my title upon foreign soil, especially when I have not earned it. Royal blood alone doesn't make one royalty.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I know that. And it... it doesn't matter to me. I know everything's far away but...

[Wait a second! She heard that slid-in self-insult.]

Oh Edward, you've earned it. You've been good and kind. I feel so foolish for not knowing.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Penelo, you are the good and kind one. You are brave as well, unlike I.

[A sad sigh.]

I adore you so much that it hurts. I feel as if I've betrayed your trust in me. I hadn't meant to hide the truth for so long, but I see now that I must embrace the legacy I was born to take.

Forgive me for lying to you.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

'Embrace the legacy'? What do you mean? Are you leaving?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

No! No, well...no...I'm not going anywhere without you! But I'm not lying to myself anymore or to others about who I am.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I think... I think being open about it is best.

[She's trying to be supportive here, but the poor dancer is still a touch shell shocked.]

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Yes, so do I.

[Fidgeting too much for his liking, Edward decides that he should go see her.]

Penelo, where are you? I should have told you this in person, not over the phone.

This was horribly tacky of me.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I'm in the inn's kitchen helping out.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

I'll make haste then! Perhaps I could lend my aid to you and the innkeepers there.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Edward, last I checked, royalty didn't do the pots and pans.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Not usually, but think of this as a request.

I want to enjoy my last day as a bard.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Last day? You're not going to quit playing are you?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

N-no!

[He laughs lightly.]

I will never stop playing, Penelo. It's just that...it seems that news of my royal lineage has reached the ears of Gaian royalty.

Regent Cid Fabool himself contacted me a day ago with an offer I couldn't refuse. You see, he's seeking for aid amongst nobles such as myself, to help in the restoration of cities and kingdoms alike.

I have been picked to lend my services to the citizens of Dollet.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Dollet? That's so far away...

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[Hearing that tinge of sadness in her tone, Edward is quick to reassure Penelo with whatever words he can say now. He doesn't want the dancer to think he's abandoning her.]

As far as it may be, I will always be at your beckoning call! Mark my words, Penelo, I will always by your side.

I'll arrange both heaven and earth so we can be together. Letters, poems, anything!

I won't lose you to this sudden change, not at all. I truly adore you too much to allow my duty to Dollet to interfere. This may be selfish of me, but I care not.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Good thing he can't see her, because she's blushing redder than a Galbana lily. Penelo's not used to being thought of in such high regard at all and for a moment, she feels every bit the fluttery naive girl she'd been the first time Balthier had flirted with her.]

Oh Edward, I understand if you have responsibilities. Ashe and Larsa do too.

[Her voice drops, the thrill losing its glow in light of dawning realization. Edward's royalty and they're world's apart. Duty before self.]

You will write me, won't you?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[If only she could see the gentle smile upon his lips.]

I'll write you everyday for long as I am away. This is my promise to you, my sweet Penelo.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Still blushing. Her wet hands stray up to her face, trying to cool it, and then she realizes what she's done and hastily drys them and her cheeks with a dishtowel.]

Promise me you'll be safe?

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[Unbeknown to Penelo that the bard was just making his way to the inn now. He wanted to see her in person, especially since the news of his leaving is a little difficult for them both to take.]

Of course, I do have my trusty lyre with me. Oh, and the bow as well.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[She smiles at the memory of their shared archery lesson.]

Don't forget to practice.

[And then she realizes that the phone sounds funny and seems to have cut out. Puzzled, she looks at it.]

I wonder what happened.

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[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[Turning off his phone once he reached the kitchen, Edward inched quietly behind the frail dancer before wrapping his arms around Penelo's shoulders.]

I won't forget to practice, I promise.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[The touch on her shoulders startles Penelo, until she hears Edward's voice right behind her. Immediately, she relaxes and even leans back into that surprise embrace, resting her hands on his arms.]

You came.

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[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

[He smiles once she spoke.]

Of course I did. Didn't I promise I would?

[Edward is truly a man of his words. If she ever needs him or just wants to see him, he'll come to her no matter what.]

You finished all the dishes already?

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

That was the last one. Should I have left some for you?

[Gentle teasing for her part, but she's smiling with delight and enjoying being held. Such a new sensation for her.]