[Video/Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[The view is of a clear blue sky, from a very high altitude.]

It appears this device still functions. I keep forgetting I even have it.

[Evident by him failing to communicate recently.]

Anyway... I'll be in Troia soon enough. Don't be alarmed when we arrive.

[It's been a busy few weeks for Kain, but now he's swiftly approaching Troia, riding along on Zephyr's back. The young dragon has grown yet more... but at least this time when they come in for a landing, the castle guards have had warning and they know who this is.]

Comments

[Action]

[byhissidealways.livejournal.com]

[ Rosa has done what she can offer to Reis and while she doesn't know what she's interrupted, she does know that a happy Kain is a good Kain, so she'll stand once more, intending to leave them in peace. ]

If there is anything else I may do to aid you, please tell me. I do not wish for any to suffer while they remain here.

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain is glad to see that Rosa's magic has done its part, and now at least Reis can better rest so she can recover. He looks on her with relief, and then toward Rosa.]

Thank you, Rosa... I appreciate it, as always.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Reis nods her gratitude to Rosa as well, although at the mention of not suffering, her eyes flicker with some unspoken heartache that simply will not go away.]

No, there's nothing, though I thank you for your kindness.

[Action] - dear self, check threads before tagging

[byhissidealways.livejournal.com]

[ Something's up with this woman, Rosa can tell, but now is not the time to ask. She simply nods. ]

If you have need of my services again, I would be happy to do as I can. I should allow you to rest for now.

[ She smiles gently to each, placing a hand on Kain's shoulder as she passes, intending to leave them in peace. ]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain can't help it, he loves any little touch he can get from Rosa. He looks at her a moment and then eventually nods.]

Thank you again...

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Now Reis is certain there is something going on, although she cannot discern it. She murmurs her own gratitude in turn, and once Rosa has left finally speaks.]

You know each other well.

[It's not a question, just an observation.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain nods, feeling awkward as ever when it comes to discussing Rosa. How terribly he wishes she could be something more than she is to him...]

We grew up together...

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Reis looks quite puzzled. She's quite certain that woman must be twice his age or nearly so.]

But she...

[Saying she looks older is rude and thus the Dragonkin cuts herself off.]

You are close then.

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

We... we are.

[As close as Kain ever gets to people. Yes. He frowns a little.]

Both she and my other childhood friend are here in Gaia, but they've arrived... from a future time to my own.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[And yet Reis isn't all that aware that Kain keeps most people at a distance. He's certainly been more than forthright with her and easily so. Some small reservation that he does have is a very draconic trait and again she cannot think anything of it. So that hesitation of speech gives her pause and reason for puzzlement.]

From your future? I confess I find this more surprising than I ought.

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

I know... and I've had to become accustomed to them being from such a different time... a time I've little interest in knowing about.

[He sighs.]

I don't want to think of the future as being set in stone.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

Yes...

[Reis glances down, considering that. Part of her wants to rebel against everything heard in Matoya's cave.]

I cannot accept some...

[No good. Repeating that nightmare of a prophecy is just too hard to do.]

And yet what I know of what is to come from Ramza gives me comfort, small though it be.

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

For your sake, I'm glad there's some measure of comfort...

[This time it's Kain who actually reaches out, hesitantly, at first just holding his hand slightly over her shoulder without touching it, before he finally does make a very gently contact. Yes, he's a bit awkward with comforting gestures.]

We don't know yet what will come to be for certain. Even what was said...

[Although part of him knows Matoya had to be right, about that part on the universe being destroyed if they're not careful. His time as a Lucavi means he knows some things- vaguely- that he wouldn't otherwise.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[The touch at her shoulder prompts Reis to lift her eyes and draws a smile from her. She places her own hand over Kain's, grateful for what he's willing to bestow, even if it's not second nature for him.]

Knowing that Bremondt is no more and unable to harm him for my sake is enough. Exiled though he be, still it is safety.

[But even with that assertion, Reis' gaze drifts off to the distance again with the haunted look that so often lingers with her. It is still killing her slowly to be parted from him, despite her promises to not actively seek death. Edgar seems to not understand it's happening by nature and she is unable to stop it of her own volition. Eventually she looks back up at Kain with a wavering smile. He and Zephyr have both been a much needed anchor for her.]

Edgar says Beowulf would not wish me to live in despair. He is right and I would honor that, and yet I feel so... lost. How does one alter the future? And do I dare to try?

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

I know how it is to be that lost. I'm not sure I know the answer to finding one's way, even now... [Kain sees no need to be anything but honest about that. He keeps his hand on her shoulder, and definitely appreciates her touch in return.]

...but we can only try. The other choice, to give up... as much as we sometimes may want to, it's unacceptable. Especially if the future can still change. I need to believe that it can.

[Kain looks away. His voice lowers so that he can be sure no one listening can hear him. Admitting this out loud is painful and more than a little frightening.]

I'll never be with the one I love. So I understand how it feels. At least... no matter what comes in the future, whether or not Beowulf does arrive... you've had a chance to love him and have those feelings returned.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[With careful attention on Kain, Reis listens while giving his words careful consideration and no interruption. There is no small measure of truth to them, and yet it is a relief to know she is not alone in her circumstances. Ironic that once she was the one encouraging him and now he in turn is doing the same for her. Yet it is this measure of kindness she appreciates. His added statement at the end, however, grieves her intensely. For the most part it is a stab of hurt for his own suffering, kept quiet all this time, but also a fair smite of her own conscience for burdening the man with her problems.]

I have been most selfish. Forgive me.

[Reis is not so callous as to speculate on whom it might be, nor does she desire to pry for more details. What she does do is respond in kind, with a hushed tone, and face marked with a pained compassion for his sake, while her fingers curl just that small touch around his hand to squeeze in comfort.]

She does not return your feelings.

[Which seems almost impossible for her to even conceive of.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

No, you've not been selfish at all... I don't... it's not something I speak about usually.

[Kain looks down some more, feeling miserable and unable to hide that. It's a burden he's just... got no choice but to live with.]

...she doesn't.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[So terribly unfair and Reis is nearly shaking with heartache for Kain's ske. It's terrible seeing him like this and yet it somehow makes far too much make a very clear sense. She understands too well that one cannot force a heart to move one way or another, but it still seems unjust.

Where most women would begin prying, for details or a name, Reis does neither. She doesn't even attempt mental speculation, even if there is a nagging hunch in the back of her mind. If he wishes to share, Kain will do so, as he has already. There is no point to compound his unhappiness with empty words, and aside from another comforting squeeze, she says nothing.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain is glad there's no prying or otherwise, and that's partly why he felt comfortable even saying anything. He knows Reis isn't like that. He can trust her. Even with this horrible truth that he's spent so long keeping hidden deep down.]

[He sighs quietly, and squeezes her hand back, a silent acknowledgment that he appreciates her being there.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[An unhappy sigh escapes Reis and she withdraws her hand, only to lean against Kain. Weariness is setting in again, and yet she would not dream of giving in to it with him in such a state. Eventually she does speak up and when it happens, it's soft.]

You are an honorable man. [Not something she says about humanity that often.] The loss is hers.

Know that you need not suffer alone. [They can share joint moping sessions if need be.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[No one has ever said that to him, but then he's never told anyone about his unrequited love... Kain is unused to this in general, sharing so much. It's a little bit unnerving and he feels rather lost, but Reis' words are helping. He's always been so deeply ashamed by his feelings, and figured that Reis would hate him or think of him less somehow because of it. That it's not the case is encouraging.]

...Thank you. That means a great deal to me.

[He says that quietly, sure that she's the only one who can hear it.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[There is a bare nod of her head.]

You're welcome.

[She'd never dream of hating him for something beyond his control. Reis just wishes somehow she could protect the man from unhappiness. Since she can't, she bestows a hesitant half-hug around his waist and no more for the sake of propriety.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain broods some more, but he accepts that hug, even awkwardly returning it. That does help though. A lot.]