[Action; Collecting Shain! Open to Delita, Laguna and Ricard - Backdated]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[After the displacement of so many people, citizens of Warjilis were making their return, and those hailing from elsewhere slowly departed. Among those departees happened to be the Dalmascan princess, who, provided with the location of her son, Alfitaria, had boarded the nearest airship and bade the pilot make the greatest haste.

For reasons anyone currently journeying to find their child could likely appreciate, from the deck the ocean seemed to be endless, Ashe growing impatient to see land and be reunited with the young prince.]

How much longer...?

Comments

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[Delita was still fascinated by airships. He only wished he could enjoy it more, but Ashe's urgency only allowed for singular thought.]

We are drawing near to port. Have they spake of where you shall meet?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[She sighs, looking out upon the water. The experience of appearing in Memoria without her son had, admittedly, thrown her considerably. After losing her prince, the boy was entirely dependent upon his mother, and she felt, in a way, that she had failed in her responsibility to protect Shain from harm. Thankfully, Ricard and Laguna had found him. Had they not... that was unimaginable.]

They know to expect us presently; it is my belief they will be close to the aerodrome. From the vision I received, they will not be difficult to locate.

[She refers to Ricard's distinctive armour. With the wind constant upon her face, Ashe turns to look upon Delita, watches him, noting the way he takes everything in.]

I am grateful... that you have come.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

I am pleased to be able.

[Delita knows that Ashelia blamed herself for her son's disappearance, but Memoria claimed no friends. He did hope that she wouldn't have to bear the loss of her son after losing her husband.]

I could not sit idle, knowing that you have been separate from him. You shall be reunited soon.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[She's able to find slight assurance in Delita's certainty of a forthcoming reunion, and nods in agreement. This is all for her son, she can't afford to allow any feelings of regret about being separated come through as weakness.]

I will not rest until he is returned to me.

[Alongside them on deck, people are smiling and gesturing to the left, Ashe turning her head to a welcome sight - land. With the airship at full speed, surely it won't be long until they move further into the continent and reach their destination.]

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[Delita follows Ashe's head, noticing the land.]

'Tis good then, that we are arriving.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Alfitaria...

[The princess' eyes remain firmly fixed on the horizon, waiting for a glimpse of the city.]

Have you ever travelled there?

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

'Tis a place that I have no visited, but I see it's size is more grand than the map suggests. Were we not here to locate your son, it could be a nice place to visit.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Yes... it could be.

[It may be easily missed but, to the perceptive onlooker, a flicker in her eyes betrays a sudden sadness. As though realising this, Ashe closes her eyes momentarily, feeling the breeze against her face.]

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[Delita senses the momentary lapse, choosing to not focus on the sadness therein.]

Perhaps, you should not return to Warjilis in haste taking the opportunity to see this kingdom after the retrieval of the young prince.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[Thankful for his tact she turns to look at the knight, considering this. Would it be feasible? Ashe could justify an immediate return, but time to take in a new city, to rest there, sounded appealing. Distracting. She nods.]

It... would be possible. Yes.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[Delita gives a wisp of a smile, knowing that her ladyship needs a moment of respite.]

Then let us make haste and find Master Shain.

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

[With Shain carefully cradled against the crook of his arm, Laguna had settled into one of the seats provided for those awaiting the arrival or departure of airships. While anxiety wasn't in his nature, he was eager to get Shain back into the proper hands -- though he had to admit, he'd kind of grown attached to the little guy. Kid seemed to appreciate his sense of humor. Meant he had good taste. Well, he was a royal, and most of them were born with good taste, weren't they?

He looked towards Ricard as they waited.]

So where are you heading after this business is taken care of, huh?

[last-dragoon.livejournal.com]

[Ricard kept glancing over toward the child Laguna was carrying in his arms. Maybe he hadn't spent as much time with the kid as Laguna,but he'd still gotten rather protective of Shain. He was looking forward to seeing the boy reunited with his family, but he would probably be checking in on both Ashelia and Shain occasionally.

He shrugged at the question, shifting the new spear he carried.]

Probably to Troia. My son's there right now. Or I might try to find a couple friends of mine in this world.

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan. I haven't been to Troia yet, but I hear it's nice. And if your son is there, well. That just makes it. [Laguna nodded. Going to where his family was made sense. He couldn't imagine staying anywhere long if he knew Raine and Ellone were waiting for him elsewhere -- that accidentally extended stay in Esthar aside. Whatever. Those were extenuating circumstances.

He offered Ricard a smile and gently raised the arm Shain was resting against.]

You wanna hold him one last time before we have to give him back? I'm gonna miss the little guy, I think.

[last-dragoon.livejournal.com]

Yeah. We've still got a lot of catching up to do, since he's suddenly all grown up. [Laguna must know the pain of finding out that he suddenly has a broody angstbucket for a child.]

Huh? [He glances over at Shain, then nods.] Sure. Bet your arms are getting tired. He's a good kid, though.

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

I know how that feels. I've got that twice over. Last time I saw Elle, she was just a little thing, only four. Now she's a young lady. Then there's Squall. [He laughed a bit nervously, rubbing at the back of his neck with his free hand.] I didn't even know I had a son until I got here, and he's all grown. He's a good kid, reminds me a lot of his mom, but I'm not sure I'm winning him over, you know?

[He grinned and eased Shain into Ricard's arms.] Just a little bit. I'm getting used to this baby thing, though. Raine'll sure be impressed with how much my baby-toting skills have improved since our trip to Memoria.

[last-dragoon.livejournal.com]

That's a challenge, all right. I never had to face that with Kain,though I suppose he never thought he'd see me here.

[Ricard adjusts his hold on Shain, to make sure that the child isn't in danger of getting hurt on any of the spikier pieces of armor. They really are starting to get attached.]

Though it sounds like you won't need those skills. Unless you have another kid?

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

[Laguna's grin hitched wider.] More of 'em than I know what to do with, all of a sudden. Elle and Squall are grown, and Slai is about the same age Elle was when I left home. She's one Raine took under her wing after she lost her parents here in Gaia. Brooke is the youngest, only a handful of months old. She's ours. Well, they're all ours, but you know what I mean?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[The closer the ship grew, the more a lump rose in Ashe's throat in anticipation of seeing her son safe and well. Would they be waiting, as the promised? Ricard and Laguna had given her their sincere oaths to watch over Shain. Neither man had given her cause to doubt their intentions, but the princess had learned that, where her child was concerned, worries tended to amplify all the greater, and she wouldn't content herself until the little prince was safely in her arms. Even with Delita's assurances.

With the descent and announcement that passengers could disembark, Ashe hurried to take her leave of the vessel, intently looking through the crowds of departees for a glimpse of her son.]

[last-dragoon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I know a couple of kids who're kind of like that.

[It isn't difficult to notice Ricard, Laguna, and Shain among the crowd- as sky people, they stand out, through their height and the clothes and armor that they wear that are different from typical Gaian fashion.

Ricard isn't looking for Ashe yet, but that might change as she approaches. ]

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[Delita looks from patron to patron seeking out the familiar child. Whilst his knowledge of children is small, he would expect to complete their search away from the center of the crowds.]

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

[Looking expectantly towards the newly-arrived ship, Laguna perked up slightly when he thought he saw a familiar face -- his video conversation with Lady Ashe had been very brief, but he thought he recognized her. ... sometimes he wasn't so great with faces. Or names. And never directions. But this time, he was pretty sure.

Well. Just to be safe...]

Hey, Ricard. [He stood, jerking his head in Ashe's direction.] Is that her?

[last-dragoon.livejournal.com]

Huh? [He looks in the direction Laguna gestured, then nodded after a moment.] Yeah, that looks like her. I don't know that guy who's with her, though.

[He shifts Shain in his grip so that he can free up a hand, then waves, to get Ashe's attention from through the crowd.]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[Had the wave from Ricard not caught the princess' attention, then his armour certainly would have done. Sighting the two men standing by the seating area, Ashe is quick to set her sights on their charge, her only child. She's filled with incredible relief, smiles, and promptly makes a route in their direction, speaking to Delita without looking away from Shain, who hasn't yet spotted his mother.]

This way - I see him -!

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[Delita looks towards the pair, also recognizing Shain, barely keeping up with Ashe's sudden course change.]

I am glad that we found them so quickly.

[He nods his head towards the pair, acknowledging their care of the young prince.]

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

[Laguna smiled as they approached, offering a brief, awkward wave as a greeting.] Well, lookit that, buddy. Bet you're excited to see your mom again, huh?

[He grinned in Shain's direction as the small boy reached out for his mother.] Gotta say, he's been on his best behavior the whole time.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[Ashe took no prompting - Shain was gathered into her arms within moments, the princess holding him as close as possible and receiving sloppy kisses amidst an encore of 'mama' from her young son.

The relief on her face is immeasurable; she spends a few moments more just giving silent thanks, embracing him, speaking quiet words of reassurance and maternal comfort, before giving her attention to those who had protected her only child.]

Thank you - thank you so much. If there is any way I can repay you, name it.

[last-dragoon.livejournal.com]

[As soon as Ashe was close enough to Shain to take him, Ricard had handed the boy over, then stepped back in order to let the two of them have a moment together to be reunited. He crosses his arms as he observes, and nods approvingly. It's always nice to see a family reunited.

He shakes his head when Ashe turns to the two of them.]

I don't need repayment for this. He wasn't much trouble.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

[There is little for Delita to say on the matter, but he is a little surprised that two did not ask for payment.]

[His face softens at the display of love between Mother and Son. A silent offer of thanks passes from the knight to the two men before him.]

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

[Laguna just shook his head at Ashe's offer, smiling all the while. He reached to rub at the back of his neck with one gloved hand as he so often did, pleased to see that Shain looked much more at ease now that he was back in his mother's arms. That was how it should be.] Don't you worry about it one bit, ma'am! I know exactly how you must've been feeling, you know? Nothing makes me happier than knowin' he's back where he belongs.