[Video]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

...futile.

[Kain glares harshly into the screen.]

What use were our actions in the cycles of war, if that threat was destined to be reborn again? Will defeating Chaos now make any difference? Was it all in vain?

[Angry dragoon sounds especially angry by the end of that. Then his tone shifts to be much lighter by the time he switches it to a private transmission.]

[Private; Reis]

...I would see you, as soon as you're willing.

Comments

[Private/Video]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Reis appears positively elated (and maybe just a little bit relieved) to see Kain again.]

You are returned?

[Thrilled as she is, the rest of the message concerns her. However, that can wait until they can speak in person.]

[Private/Video]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

I am.

I'm- I've... I've missed you.

[It takes Kain a while to get that much out, he's still not very used to openly expressing how he feels.]

[Private/Video]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

And I you.

[It's terribly endearing of him, in her mind.]

When shall you be in Troia? Or shall I come to where you are?

[Private/Video]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

I'm on my way to you now... Expect me soon.

[He's so angry about Garland and Chaos and their endless cycle, but, all he really just wants despite that... is to see her.]

[Private/Video --> Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Reis nods at that, and finding no need to urge him to hurry, starts to make her way to the roof to wait. When they arrive, they'll find her seated with her skirts pooling out around her as she looks over the landscape.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[It's not too long before they can be seen in the distance, and then come swooping in, graceful and dramatic as ever, to land on the rooftop. Both Kain and Zephyr move at once toward Reis to greet her.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Before they fully land, Reis is on her feet running to them both. Zephyr gets the first and adoring caress, because she's the "baby", with the Dragonkin cradling that now great head. However, no time is wasted to turn to Kain and hold onto him tightly. Capable though he is, Reis has spent his absence fearing the worst.]

You're here!

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain completely understands, letting Zephyr have her reunion with her mother-person first, before he wraps his arms around Reis.]

I am... I had to return to you.

[So much of the fight has become such a blur now, the emergence of Chaos overshadowing everything.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

I feared I would not see you again.

[Which is not a question of Kain's abilities, more an assessment of just how grave their task was. Although now that he's back, Reis is determined to demonstrate just how thrilled she is. Throwing aside all pretense of ladylike behavior, she pulls his face down to hers for an ardent kiss.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain saves his response for after kissing her now, all the intensity and passion he's feeling inside coming forth for that moment. He knows she doesn't doubt him. He knows exactly why she fears that. He's intensely afraid of repeating the outcome of the gods' war. It's plagued his mind for a while: he's broken the expected cycle of things so much... is his continued existence just as wrong as Chaos'?]

[But for now, he'll keep all of that to himself. He focuses on Reis instead, gently brushing strands of hair aside from her face.]

Then I'll ease your fears now.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[She tilts her face into Kain's hand while it's near with a fond smile growing from the sweetness of the gesture.]

You already have.

[One hand strays up to curl around the one near her face, the other to cup Kain's cheek with a feather light touch.]

What of you? Something troubles you.

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain sighs lightly, closing his eyes a moment and just enjoying her light touch. He knows he must be truthful with her, though, as hard as this is to bear.]

An enemy I believed defeated has returned through Garland... We still face a difficult battle to come.

[As much as he'd at times almost wished he'd lived to be there for that last battle to defeat Chaos in the war, he's never wanted it to turn out like this.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

Another?

[And here she hoped that this fight would be the last. Disappointment is etched on her face, but Reis is trying to place that aside. It's hardly a fitting welcome home.]

Do not give up hope. It will be done, I believe this. Have we not believed other roads just as difficult and come to be here?

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain looks unsure at first, but eventually he nods. She's seen him through so much difficulty, through times and trials that he really wouldn't have survived alone. Both her, and Zephyr had been all the hope he'd had to cling to at one time.]

I'm only here because of you both. You've... always given me hope when I thought all lost... so... perhaps you're right again this time.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

This shall be no different.

[Well, maybe a little different after all.]

I know you will go. I wish to go with you when you do, to face this together.

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain looks at her and nods eventually. Whatever should happen in that battle, they'll face it together.]

I don't want to be separated when that time comes.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

Then we shall not be.

[She reaches up with her other hand now to cradle Kain's face in her hands.]

Tomorrow we can begin whatever preparations are needed. Today you have earned your rest. Will you not take it?

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain normally loathes the idea of resting. But... the idea of that including Reis is somehow the very opposite of that, and very appealing. He's missed her so much.]

Only if you'll be included.

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

If you wish it.

[A rest in the sun actually sounds entirely ideal to Reis, especially as it's an excuse to stay together after the separation from the fight. She looks up at Kain through her lashes with a coy smile.]

Shall we?

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain loves the way she looks, smiling like that, and he removes his helmet, shaking free his hair. He has much the same idea in mind, but of course wants to make sure she'll be able to relax with him.]

I'd like that. I can remove more armor if that would be more comfortable...

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

I believe it would.

[She knows less armor would be more comfortable. Since the man's offered and is now free of the helmet, she leans up for a single, teasing kiss. Just one and not too long at all.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Then... I'd better deal with that right away.

[Especially with that teasing kiss. He wants to curl up and be really comfortable with her, without all this metal getting in the way. Kain hurries to get armor off.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[Reis takes each piece from Kain as it comes off, placing them carefully to the side. She's no fool and good armor is costly. However, she's wildly impatient to see the last of it gone and out of the way.]

[Action]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain appreciates all of her help, and can't seem to get the armor off fast enough. But finally, he removes one last piece, and is free of the armor. Free to enjoy Reis' closeness even better now. Which Kain does, moving in closer to put his arms around her.]

[Action]

[dragoncursed.livejournal.com]

[With no more metallic obstruction between them, Reis presses herself firmly against Kain, holding on tightly enough to betray just how worried she's truly been. She holds there, relishing a moment to simply listen to his heart beating, then lifts her head to smile tenderly.]

This is much improved.