Prose Log 015:
Who: Tyr McDohl (tyr_mcdohl) and Luc (wind_incarnate)
Where: Castle Roof Top
When: Lunchtime of the 16th
What: Luc follows up on his end of the deal which leads to the truth behind why he hasn't been sleeping lately and a proper discussion of things between him and his old Tenkai
Warnings: None really.
It was a nice day out today, the exact type of weather that Tyr had wanted for a date. Luckily, this coincided with a day that a certain brunet had taken off which made it all the more pleasant in his eyes when yesterday's sky was looming with dark clouds, threatening to ruin his plans.
Choosing an outfit had been his biggest challenge, all in all. Knowing that Luc had no appreciation for clashing colours--Tyr still didn't think it was so bad, personally--the Tenkai had taken the weekend to look through a few colour-wheel books and study some. After that, putting something together with the clothes in his wardrobe was a bit tricky, but he oped for a dark red shirt--instead of his brighter ones--to wear with cream-coloured pants. The end result wasn't terrible, if a bit more tame than his usual combinations, but it was something he felt he could grow to like.
The only thing he regretted was having to put his bandanna away, safely tucked inside his money pouch, but that was better than leaving it in his room to disappear in the recent thievery outbreak.
Most of his preparations had gone smoothly after that. He'd woken up early in the day to go and acquire a few sandwiches and drinks from Miss Mamie's cafe, had discreetly surveyed the roofs to ensure no one would be there and was now spreading a sheet on the tiles. The gesture might be a bit silly, but this was a date and the picnic should at least look a bit like one.
Now... how was he going to get the sheet not to slip?
While Luc had agreed to keep his end of the deal concerning his request to McDohl and sent him semi-directly to travels back to the Toran Republic, the younger man couldn't help fell a bit anxious about his decisions as of late. There had been a slight inconsistency with his reactions with all the implications that had been happening to him and his former comrades... Somehow, realizing this wasn't sitting quite well with him...
If he had an issue about the rumour about him and McDohl to begin with, then why was he agreeing to dates of all things? A date didn't mean doing something as friends, right? Not unless this was a friendly date.
... Did McDohl mention it being a friendly date? Did he even have intentions to be friendly to begin with...? ..... And why the hell was the wind mage even worrying about this now of all times?
By the time he did come to his senses, Luc was already standing at the route that lead to the roof top where he promised to meet his former Tenkai. It wasn't too late to turn back... but he had no reason to stand up the man due to his insecurities.
"This is for the favour..." he muttered to himself, before moving forward and making the final climb to finally meet up with the other rune bearer.
Not knowing how he would actually get the sheet to stay in place otherwise, Tyr decided to simply drape it across the rooftop, sitting the small basket in the middle of it.
If he were to be honest, the Toran Tenkai would say that he was a bit nervous. As far as dates went, this was a rather simplistic setting, spending time with each other over a small meal. While that in itself could be enjoyable, Tyr wasn't sure if it wouldn't also bore the mage. The rare few friendly dates he'd gone to at least involved some other activity to supplement the meal, but he hadn't actually thought further than having Luc for himself only for a number of hours. At least, enough hours to convince him that a second (and many more) date would be a good idea.
There was a limit to what they could do though, given that the mage couldn't leave Budehuc and that the castle wasn't bursting with activity the way Vinay was.
'Maybe I can get him to agree to a walk around the castle grounds,' Tyr thought to himself before hearing someone climbing out of the window that served as door to the roof. He turned toward it only to find the brunet he'd been waiting for, a smile appearing on his lips as his eyes shone in joy.
"Hi, Luc," he greeted brightly. "I've been waiting."
"Ah..." was all Luc could say at first.
There were a few surprises that greeted him at first sight of the other man. Aside McDohl beating him to arrive there first, the Tenkai appeared to have kept his clothes in mind. Well... it did make it easier to look at him completely. Although losing some of those random colours seemed to conform McDohl to the rest of the world. That in itself seemed a little foreign to him.
"You're here already..." he spoke again, his words bearing no formality as usual when the two were talking in private. "... what's all this...?"
His eyes fell on McDohl's set up for a moment before it triggered in his head.
'Oh... right... a picnic...' he thought.
Admittedly, the older man didn't know what to make of the light pause that the mage took. Was it a good reaction or a bad one?
"It's a picnic," was the answer even as Luc came to his own conclusion. "I know it's usually done on the grassy field, but..." Tyr trailed off, shrugging helplessly. After all, on a grassy open space, there would be a easier accessibility for people passing by to hear their conversation. He didn't fancy the thought of 'Chapter Two' to be inspired from his actual dates, nor did he think his Tenkan would like such a thing to happen.
"Anyway, want to take a seat?"
“Ah…” Luc glanced at McDohl quickly as his attention was jolted away from his thoughts. “Yeah…”
He then moved towards the spread the Tenkai had prepared and taking a seat on the edge of the fabric to avoid getting his boot prints all over it.
“Where did all of this come from…?” he asked.
Now that was a silly question, Tyr thought, but in light of a certain incident that landed him in the infirmary...
"The food came from Miss Mamie's kitchen," he first pointed at the small basket and then at the sheet, "and this is my room. I thought it'd be more pleasant to sit on it than the tiles."
Of course, it would doubtless require a wash after this, but that was a rather small price to pay in his opinion.
“So even with this, you go ahead and burden other people with these frivolities…” he muttered with a sigh. “You should have just asked me…”
Or McDohl could have just made them himself. It would have been less conspicuous that way after all. But he supposed being part of the Aristocratic bloodline of one of Scarletmoon’s great Generals… making them may pose to be a challenge for him.
Now that as harsh, calling this meal a frivolity.
"I thought it would look strange if I asked Miss Mamie to lend me her kitchen, actually." Not to mention he wasn't so sure he could put a sandwich together without making the content spill. Who knew what that silly ninja would say if he even tried to get behind the counter.
He paused in thought, as he considered the words of the brunet beside him. "But... If I ask you next time, would you?"
‘Next time…?’
Of course… That’d come up eventually. Almost a year since he first arrived here… almost a year since McDohl came trailing after. And Luc still had no definite answer to the other man’s feelings. That hasn’t changed at all. He still didn’t understand the situation completely, only in theory… and he didn’t know how to feel. But it would be a lie if he didn’t admit that some things about him hadn’t changed.
His approach to the other man remained as an old acquaintance though there were times when he turned him away harshly, enough to sever that one connection, Luc would still somehow end up asking him to stay. He was still definitely unsure.
“…. Shouldn’t we eat?” he said out loud, veering away from the last question for the moment.
Tyr didn't so much mind--or, well, still had patience enough--to be waiting for a definite answer from Luc. In the meantime, they would get through this first date since, yes, there would be a second date after this. More too if he had anything say in things. They would just have to be careful in planning them. And he would probably have to find other locations that were suitable for such endeavours.
That said though, he would allow the change of topic for now, until he successfully convinced the mage that subsequent dates would be a good idea. Without having to use them as token in exchange for a service.
"I hope you're okay with chicken sandwiches," he returned as he dug into the basket and brought said meal out, handing one to his Tenkan.
Luc paused for a moment before taking the sandwich from the older rune bearer muttering his thanks before unwrapping the sandwich from the paper that covered it, though he didn’t bring it up to his mouth to take a bite.
“…….” At times like these… what was one supposed to do…?
Hell… even his date with Luserina went easier than this. But back then, he was pretending to be someone else going on a sort of date with a person he felt nothing for. What did McDohl… expect from him?
The older man's expectations for this date weren't so high and impossible to reach. Basically, all he wanted was for them both to enjoy themselves and relax in each other's company. Although...as he was mimicking Luc's actions in unwrapping his sandwich, and taking a bite from it, he couldn't help but notice that his beloved's features were still drawn and pale.
"Did you sleep recently, Luc?" he asked after swallowing his mouthful, reaching out to brush a lock of hair away. "You look tired..."
After all, the last time he'd seen the mage sleeping was when he'd found him--and that doodle--on the shipwreck.
Luc flinched away from the hand that approached him, but not so much of disgust as it was out of surprise. His glance at his former Tenkai was as if he was disoriented, caught off guard by the older man’s question.
“Ah…” he blinked as he actually took that moment to think about an answer.
Unfortunately, his mind drew a blank… He slouched slightly forward, the sandwich held in his hands, resting on his lap while his brows furrowed in mild confusion. When did he last sleep…?
“….. I don’t remember.” He muttered darkly. “I was sitting in the library at around a few hours past midnight… when I came to; it was already dawn… but… I think that may have been yesterday…”
The erratic sleeping habits were obviously not helping his already unreliable memory as of late either.
Seeing the disorientation in the mage's expression helped not take offense in the brusque flinching, although he rather did expect Luc not to accept these kind of gestures out in the open. Listening to the answers to his question though rather troubled him as they weren't the type of answers he was hoping for.
It very much sounded like Luc wasn't certain he'd slept and the Tenkai was definitely feeling displeasure at that particular situation.
Lowering his own sandwich and leaning slightly to look at the brunet, he spoke softly.
"Did you want to take a nap now? I don't mind waiting until you're rested."
The Tenkai’s concern was a little… endearing, he would admit, but… it was a little mortifying to have someone worry about his sleeping habits when they were doing a sort of business transaction here.
“….. If you keep that up…” The wind mage began while pushing aside McDohl’s hand gently and turning his face away from him. “You’ll end up more and more like Gremio…”
He then rewrapped the sandwich and placed it on the spread before letting out a quiet sigh.
“I’m fine… Really.” He continued although the weariness in his voice was still present. “… I promised to go on a date with you today, and I plan to keep it.”
It would be easier to keep such promises though if he didn’t have a fear to sleep in his room.
"Can't help it," he shrugged lightly. "The man raised me for years, after all."
Yet, that wasn't the problem he was perceiving right now. For lack of better things to do with his hands, he rewrapped his own, even despite the bite he'd already taken.
"You did promise me a date," he answered kindly, "but I won't count this as a date if you're too tired to enjoy it yourself."
He paused as he considered what might be bothering the mage to the point that he wouldn't be sleeping plentifully and, even if he hadn't heard about it for a while now... a certain sentient crab came in mind.
"Is that Isadorette still serenading you in the middle of the night?"
“…………………………..” The wind mage fell silent, an irritated look suddenly gracing his features which were usually devoid of emotion.
He then fell back on the sheet on the roof with a long audible sigh. If only the problem was that simple.
“No… it’s not that crab, surprisingly enough. She hasn’t been around lately… Anyway… I’ve noticed for a while now…” he quietly muttered. “That something has changed over the passed month or so… It doesn’t happen all the time… but… there are noises…”
Well... the crab keeping to itself instead of bothering Luc was good news, but... noises? Those could be anything from ghosts to the wind blowing through cracks on the ship, or even thieves conducting their nefarious fishing pole stealing business.
Except that was only since this past week, so that couldn't be it.
"What sort of noises?" he asked, putting away the two sandwiches for the meantime.
Oh… how to explain this.
“Uh… well…” Luc’s features paled slightly at the thought. “I woke up one evening to some noise and I thought at first… that someone was getting killed. I actually believed Yuber was just prancing about but-”
Another noise joined in, a sort of tapping against the wall. It went on for a few minutes, but once it was over, he didn’t think much about it… Until a few days after, it happened again. He was still quite unsure about the situation until he soon remembered that the neighbouring room was currently occupied by both the Harmonian Mercenary and some… guy he has seen around working in the infirmary. He was sure he knew his name but Luc unfortunately had a habit of forgetting things that were of no use after a week or so. Soon enough, one plus one added up and the noises in the next room was not of any killing… and the tapping that at times turned into a heavy thud was in fact…. Something he didn’t want to even imagine.
“….my neighbours… were… They… copulate regularly.”
"......" said the Tenkai with rather wide eyes.
That... wasn't what he'd expected Luc to say at all. He'd expected rodents, he'd expected a prankster to cause mischief in the night, but... Copulation?
...That completely caught him offguard.
"...Who're your neighbours again?"
The wind mage raised an arm over his eyes and let out a groan.
"…. Geddoe and…Sig-"mund? Sigfried…? Ah..! That's it... "Sigurd."
Tyr couldn't help the grimace that appeared on his own face at the mental image. The True Lightning Rune's bearer and one unpleasant pirate. While he had nothing against Geddoe at least, the impression he got from the pirate--honestly, telling a rune bearer to just cut off his hand to 'solve his problem' was NOT something that was very much appreciated, joke or not--had been less than stellar. Them together and 'copulating' was the last thing he'd ever wanted to imagine.
"I can understand why you can't sleep..." he answered with much obvious distaste because he probably wouldn't want to sleep in that sort of environment either.
“No you don’t.” Luc stated clearly as he turned to his side and shuddered from the memories haunting his mind. “You can understand me once you have a nightmare where you heard them doing it… only to wake up to the real world to hear that they really were doing it in the next room.”
"..."
Yeah, okay, he hadn't ever had a nightmare about any neighbours of his doing such things, nor did he ever wake up to anyone actually doing so... But just thinking about all that wouldn't get them very far. The brunet was still sleep-deprived and obviously not in any sort of mood where he'd relax and just enjoy the food, weather and company.
What could he do or what solution could he offer that would get Luc the rest and peace of mind he deserved?
"Do you want to take my room?" he proposed. A temporary solution it would be--until either he or Luc got a new room--but it was better than letting this continue.
Of course, only hearing that offer without the rest of McDohl’s thoughts caused the wind mage to sit up suddenly and throw him a suspicious look. So… the other man was willing to give up his room… meaning he wanted to exchange rooms, right…? That means…
“………………………………………..” Luc raised his hand, covering his mouth slightly in mock revulsion of the other man’s offer. “Pervert.”
"Hey!" Tyr protested immediately. "I haven't DONE anything!"
Nor was he proposing to sleep on the floor of his room because THAT would set off a certain 'novelist' quicker than Tyr could say "Budehuc".
“Ha-hah… You say that now, but in reality…” the wind mage smirked and continued to tease the older man. “You just want to hear how the noises I’m talking about sounds like, right? How shameless.”
Having no clue that Luc meant hearing the noises through the mage's own walls, the Tenkai crossed his arms as he turned his face away, his face turning a faint shade of pink at the ridiculous proposition.
"Whether I want or don't to hear those noises, you can rest assured I'd at least wait until you fall for me before even thinking about doing anything. I'll just be finding a new room while you take my own, thank you."
It was at times like these that Luc thoroughly began to believe that sometimes… teasing this man was kind of boring.
"…. Ah, I see." He snorted to the air and looked away as well. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, trip or fall, I don't make any noises. And I can get my room changed all on my own." Sorta.
While he didn't immediately understand the joke, Tyr still ended up rolling his eyes in fond exasperation.
This was, undoubtedly, the bratty mage he'd fallen for, himself.
"Then why has this lasted a month?" he asked, looking at Luc when he'd finally gotten his facial temperature under control.
‘Urk.’ Luc froze and kept his face well averted from his companion. “I… I was too busy.”
Now that he didn't believe.
"Oh...?" the older man replied, planting a hand right next to the mage's head and leaning over in an attempt to see his face. "Busy doing what?"
Luc in turn moved his whole body to try and keep McDohl from seeing his face.
“I was studying!” He said in his defence, his face flustering slightly at the current conversation.
"Really?" Studying, he says... "So you were absorbing knowledge through osmosis on the deck?"
Which was to say, did drawing his portrait, amongst others', count as studying?
“You caught me at a bad time.” Luc retorted while he still stubbornly kept his focus elsewhere.
The wind mage after all was studying. The problem was that perhaps he was doing it far too much. But over studying was better than doing nothing, at least in his judgment. Besides, the books he had been reading through were assigned by Mathiu after he voiced his opinion of having a real interest to pursue medicine, so he could avoid using his rune as much as he could.
"If you say so." The Tenkai didn't know if that particular instance should be called a 'bad time', but he did think he should've at least tried to get that doodle out of sight before everyone else showed up and Luc reappropriated the sheet. "But for now, you're taking my room."
With that said, the Toran native was sweeping what grounds of Budehuc he could see with his eyes. There really weren't that many people yet and they all seemed quite busy handling their own daily business. Far too busy to be looking up here where they'd both settled for their meal.
"Hey Luc," he called out to the mage. "Luserina'd be in the infirmary right now, yeah?"
“mmh?” Luc murmured lazily, shifting slightly so the tiles of the roof wouldn’t poke so sharply at his side. “Yeah. I think so.”
Looking away from the castle grounds and back to the mage, Tyr considered the reply he was given about what was probably their biggest worry.
"Alright," he nodded before leaning down to place a soft kiss on top of the seemingly sleepy brunet's head.
The brunet glanced at McDohl with a slightly surprised look, although no other reaction - such as panicking- seemed to have triggered at that point. Instead, he raised a hand over his face and sighed exasperatedly. Sometimes… the other man’s intentions didn’t add up to him. First he claims to want a relationship beyond friendship and in other times… if feels as if…
“…you treat me like a child…” he thought out-loud before pushing himself to sit up again.
While the other man’s concern for the wind mage’s health was appreciated, Luc felt he was no longer at the age to be chided over such things. And then to receive a kiss on his head as if he was still the little brat he was more than 20 years ago, to comfort his situation.
But aside that… the issue concerning Luserina, he felt it wasn’t a big deal anymore. He over-reacted… he knew that. Nothing was going on between him or McDohl or Sheena… But all the secrecy somehow was now making him feel like he’s guilty of something. Having some child write about them didn’t remove the fact that Luc really at the moment felt nothing close to what people would call love. Not for anyone at all… Though at the same time, he couldn’t refuse McDohl either.
“…. Might I ask you something…?”
It wasn't so much that he treated Luc like a child--the mage certainly didn't think or look like one--but that there seemed to be very few actions he could carry out without it resulting in harassment of the Tenkan.
Though, he should clarify the issue sometime, given that Luc hadn't teleported him for this last action.
"What is it?"
“… Given nothing happens at all for the next few years… and I never manage to leave this place… Where would you be?” Luc asked quietly.
"Right here," came the immediate answer.
“… and what if the term I’ve been given ends… and the borrowed time I have now runs out. Wouldn’t you regret it?” he asked again.
"No," Tyr shook his head before elaborating further. "What I regret is having taken this long before finding you again. If I hadn't taken so long, you probably wouldn't be here and would be able to move around freely." He hesitated a moment before reaching over to gently caress Luc's cheek. "My biggest regret is that I've spent those past 15 years running away from you when I'm happiest being here next to you."
Somehow… those words, as they probably meant to comfort or reassure, only felt a heavier weight on the wind mage’s shoulders. “If I hadn’t”… “If”…
If Leknaat hadn’t taken him from Harmonia…
If Leknaat hadn’t ordered him to join McDohl’s army…
If he hadn’t raised his hand against his brother during the War of Dunan…
If he didn’t see those memories…
There were many ifs in this world that he could think of himself. The point was, things happened differently. And no matter how anyone wished things somehow turned back to the way they were, the results of the present time wouldn’t change. Leknaat had taken him from Harmonia who only wished to wait for his death so they could recover the True Wind Rune. She had ordered him to participate in the Gate Rune Wars and Dunan… he used his rune on Sasarai… he saw those memories… He caused a war. And the person before him now had an unnecessary regret Luc couldn’t heal.
There was no running away from it.
“I understand that…” he said as he wrapped his hand around the wrist of McDohl’s out-reached hand. “And as much as I wish I can help you get rid of that regret… I can’t. And I know you’re not asking me to. I can also admit that I do need you to survive this world. Aside the petty things… I know you’re the best anchor I have left to keep myself from doing something too irrational…”
The wind mage then pulled the other man’s hand away from his person, his eyes focused straight at the other’s as he spoke solemnly.
“But there’s a difference between needing someone and loving someone.” Luc stated clearly. “The latter, I can’t give you. Not when there’s a chance I might disappear in the end.” Not when there were so many insecurities that he couldn’t even begin to fix. “I can’t risk giving you more regrets or acting out without any memory of it again… And if I do, then I want to be sure that I know completely that it is different from that need and that it really is love. Do you understand what I’m trying to say...?”
It took Tyr a few moments of thought to absorb all that Luc was saying. Basically, the mage needed him, but wouldn't let himself even love his first Tenkai in fear of regrets. That...was not what he wished for. Not at all. It didn't matter so much whether Luc would disappear or not... everyone could risk dying someday... That was definitely the case of mortals, and even rune bearers like them could pass away someday.
In spite of all that, of all the reasons Luc had given him, perhaps he could still have the brunet understand the extent of his feelings. Perhaps that would make the difference...
"Yeah..." he nodded even as he reached again for one of Luc's hands, squeezing it tightly before the mage could think to pull away, "But Luc... I think I would have more regrets if I didn't at least try my utmost to have you love me back. It might not ever happen, but if there's even the slightest chance that you would, I want to take that leap of faith." Even as he said that, the former leader brought the trapped hand to his lips and tenderly kissed his beloved's fingers.
"I'll make you fall for me," he said confidently. "Whether I succeed or not, whether the time we'll have together will be short, I will have the assurance that I did all that I could..."
Luc’s brow furrowed slightly with concern. He didn’t quite think McDohl understood at all… But he knew he couldn’t force someone to stop falling for someone. It just didn’t help when you felt some pressure when you want to understand something on your own pace. These gestures for one thing, sometimes didn’t help.
“Sometimes I do wish you’d think things over before saying anything or acting…” he muttered before hesitantly pulling his hand away from the Tenkai again. “Things are easy for you to understand, but it’s not for me. Not in this case at least… I don’t have the ability like the rest to suddenly fall for someone out of the blue. And I don’t ever want to end up doing anything out of my understanding like before.”
The wind mage clasped his hands together before letting out another breath from his lips as his attention fell to the people attending to their daily lives around the castle premises.
“I don’t want to suddenly hear that I kissed you again without any memory of it. I really need to learn on my own pace on what I should do or how I should really feel…” after all… an event like that should have been something he could remember. It wouldn’t do if his body would act out on its own while delirious… doing such strange things to his acquaintances. Hearing the news of it just made him all the more reluctant to figure out what’s really happening to him.
"I see..." the older man said after a long silence, resting his hand back down on the tile and leaning back to look at the sky.
It was quite possible that McDohl didn't understand Luc's position. His had been a rather normal existence with the assurance that he had parents who loved him very much and an entourage that only wished the best for him. He'd been cherished, even spoiled for years without suffering the same hardships and isolation that tailed Luc ever since his conception.
The mage had his own inhibitions, his own limitations and his own worries over the wisdom of such course of action. Of course Luc wouldn't dive headfirst in a relationship for which he wasn't even ready, especially when he didn't understand his own resulting actions, conscious or not. Their worlds were very dissimilar and there was much to do to bridge them both, to reach common ground instead of staying next to each other without ever connecting.
Even with that in mind, even as he kept telling himself that any actions resulted from this gaping difference between them, it hurt to hear some of what Luc said, hurt to have him pull away when he was pouring his heart out to him. Given the circumstances however, there couldn't be any other way for things to go for now.
It was selfish of him to want the mage to understand right away, he knew. If he truly wished for his Tenkan to understand, he himself would have to hold on and wait patiently, indefinitely, until the younger man could see eye-to-eye with him and was ready to embark on the same journey he wanted from the very depth of his heart.
"It'd be easier for you to do that if I acted like a friend instead of this, right?" Tyr asked as he ignored the tightness in his chest. "I can do that."
No matter how easy he made it sound, truthfully, it would be a pure torture, having the one he wanted so close, yet knowing his heart was so far from him.
Not so much as easier as it would just leave him enough room to breathe and see if somehow… he’d ever give chase to him.
“…. I’m sorry for making this harder for you.” Luc replied quietly. “I have no intention of forcing you to bury your emotions… But at times, your actions do confuse me. Bodies react on their own but emotions aren’t the same, correct?”
He then finally dared to turn to the other man again, after saying such harsh words that almost sound like he was denying the Tenkai.
“I just want to be sure that the next time I do kiss you, it would be on my own accord and that I understand the meaning of it. It wouldn’t be fair if only one of us were to remember such a thing… Even for me.”
No, bodily reactions and emotional reactions were definitely not the same. It had taken him forever and an epiphany to understand why he had his own whenever he'd interacted with Luc, seen him from afar or even just thought of him. As such, it was unfair that he tried to force his understanding on his beloved.
Really, Luc was right that such a situation wouldn't be fair for either of them. One didn't remember the kiss while the other didn't understand why the kiss happened at all, didn't know whether it was a taunt, a mockery or even just a sympathy gift.
"It's fine," Tyr lied before he dared look back at his companion, his eyes speaking more than his mouth would. "I still get to stay near in the meantime. That's more than I could ever hope for when you could've easily just ported me back to Gregminster back in January."
“…. Right.” The wind mage smiled slightly, feeling a bit better now that this was finally out between them.
It’ll be trying for both of them, but most probably for McDohl. Luc would have to further appreciate that patience of his. The best he could do for now is just not to run away. He couldn’t run away.
He won’t.
May Luserina strike or some other child who needs to learn a few things about propriety… he’ll definitely stand his ground.
“… Mm… Shall we eat then?”
Where: Castle Roof Top
When: Lunchtime of the 16th
What: Luc follows up on his end of the deal which leads to the truth behind why he hasn't been sleeping lately and a proper discussion of things between him and his old Tenkai
Warnings: None really.
It was a nice day out today, the exact type of weather that Tyr had wanted for a date. Luckily, this coincided with a day that a certain brunet had taken off which made it all the more pleasant in his eyes when yesterday's sky was looming with dark clouds, threatening to ruin his plans.
Choosing an outfit had been his biggest challenge, all in all. Knowing that Luc had no appreciation for clashing colours--Tyr still didn't think it was so bad, personally--the Tenkai had taken the weekend to look through a few colour-wheel books and study some. After that, putting something together with the clothes in his wardrobe was a bit tricky, but he oped for a dark red shirt--instead of his brighter ones--to wear with cream-coloured pants. The end result wasn't terrible, if a bit more tame than his usual combinations, but it was something he felt he could grow to like.
The only thing he regretted was having to put his bandanna away, safely tucked inside his money pouch, but that was better than leaving it in his room to disappear in the recent thievery outbreak.
Most of his preparations had gone smoothly after that. He'd woken up early in the day to go and acquire a few sandwiches and drinks from Miss Mamie's cafe, had discreetly surveyed the roofs to ensure no one would be there and was now spreading a sheet on the tiles. The gesture might be a bit silly, but this was a date and the picnic should at least look a bit like one.
Now... how was he going to get the sheet not to slip?
While Luc had agreed to keep his end of the deal concerning his request to McDohl and sent him semi-directly to travels back to the Toran Republic, the younger man couldn't help fell a bit anxious about his decisions as of late. There had been a slight inconsistency with his reactions with all the implications that had been happening to him and his former comrades... Somehow, realizing this wasn't sitting quite well with him...
If he had an issue about the rumour about him and McDohl to begin with, then why was he agreeing to dates of all things? A date didn't mean doing something as friends, right? Not unless this was a friendly date.
... Did McDohl mention it being a friendly date? Did he even have intentions to be friendly to begin with...? ..... And why the hell was the wind mage even worrying about this now of all times?
By the time he did come to his senses, Luc was already standing at the route that lead to the roof top where he promised to meet his former Tenkai. It wasn't too late to turn back... but he had no reason to stand up the man due to his insecurities.
"This is for the favour..." he muttered to himself, before moving forward and making the final climb to finally meet up with the other rune bearer.
Not knowing how he would actually get the sheet to stay in place otherwise, Tyr decided to simply drape it across the rooftop, sitting the small basket in the middle of it.
If he were to be honest, the Toran Tenkai would say that he was a bit nervous. As far as dates went, this was a rather simplistic setting, spending time with each other over a small meal. While that in itself could be enjoyable, Tyr wasn't sure if it wouldn't also bore the mage. The rare few friendly dates he'd gone to at least involved some other activity to supplement the meal, but he hadn't actually thought further than having Luc for himself only for a number of hours. At least, enough hours to convince him that a second (and many more) date would be a good idea.
There was a limit to what they could do though, given that the mage couldn't leave Budehuc and that the castle wasn't bursting with activity the way Vinay was.
'Maybe I can get him to agree to a walk around the castle grounds,' Tyr thought to himself before hearing someone climbing out of the window that served as door to the roof. He turned toward it only to find the brunet he'd been waiting for, a smile appearing on his lips as his eyes shone in joy.
"Hi, Luc," he greeted brightly. "I've been waiting."
"Ah..." was all Luc could say at first.
There were a few surprises that greeted him at first sight of the other man. Aside McDohl beating him to arrive there first, the Tenkai appeared to have kept his clothes in mind. Well... it did make it easier to look at him completely. Although losing some of those random colours seemed to conform McDohl to the rest of the world. That in itself seemed a little foreign to him.
"You're here already..." he spoke again, his words bearing no formality as usual when the two were talking in private. "... what's all this...?"
His eyes fell on McDohl's set up for a moment before it triggered in his head.
'Oh... right... a picnic...' he thought.
Admittedly, the older man didn't know what to make of the light pause that the mage took. Was it a good reaction or a bad one?
"It's a picnic," was the answer even as Luc came to his own conclusion. "I know it's usually done on the grassy field, but..." Tyr trailed off, shrugging helplessly. After all, on a grassy open space, there would be a easier accessibility for people passing by to hear their conversation. He didn't fancy the thought of 'Chapter Two' to be inspired from his actual dates, nor did he think his Tenkan would like such a thing to happen.
"Anyway, want to take a seat?"
“Ah…” Luc glanced at McDohl quickly as his attention was jolted away from his thoughts. “Yeah…”
He then moved towards the spread the Tenkai had prepared and taking a seat on the edge of the fabric to avoid getting his boot prints all over it.
“Where did all of this come from…?” he asked.
Now that was a silly question, Tyr thought, but in light of a certain incident that landed him in the infirmary...
"The food came from Miss Mamie's kitchen," he first pointed at the small basket and then at the sheet, "and this is my room. I thought it'd be more pleasant to sit on it than the tiles."
Of course, it would doubtless require a wash after this, but that was a rather small price to pay in his opinion.
“So even with this, you go ahead and burden other people with these frivolities…” he muttered with a sigh. “You should have just asked me…”
Or McDohl could have just made them himself. It would have been less conspicuous that way after all. But he supposed being part of the Aristocratic bloodline of one of Scarletmoon’s great Generals… making them may pose to be a challenge for him.
Now that as harsh, calling this meal a frivolity.
"I thought it would look strange if I asked Miss Mamie to lend me her kitchen, actually." Not to mention he wasn't so sure he could put a sandwich together without making the content spill. Who knew what that silly ninja would say if he even tried to get behind the counter.
He paused in thought, as he considered the words of the brunet beside him. "But... If I ask you next time, would you?"
‘Next time…?’
Of course… That’d come up eventually. Almost a year since he first arrived here… almost a year since McDohl came trailing after. And Luc still had no definite answer to the other man’s feelings. That hasn’t changed at all. He still didn’t understand the situation completely, only in theory… and he didn’t know how to feel. But it would be a lie if he didn’t admit that some things about him hadn’t changed.
His approach to the other man remained as an old acquaintance though there were times when he turned him away harshly, enough to sever that one connection, Luc would still somehow end up asking him to stay. He was still definitely unsure.
“…. Shouldn’t we eat?” he said out loud, veering away from the last question for the moment.
Tyr didn't so much mind--or, well, still had patience enough--to be waiting for a definite answer from Luc. In the meantime, they would get through this first date since, yes, there would be a second date after this. More too if he had anything say in things. They would just have to be careful in planning them. And he would probably have to find other locations that were suitable for such endeavours.
That said though, he would allow the change of topic for now, until he successfully convinced the mage that subsequent dates would be a good idea. Without having to use them as token in exchange for a service.
"I hope you're okay with chicken sandwiches," he returned as he dug into the basket and brought said meal out, handing one to his Tenkan.
Luc paused for a moment before taking the sandwich from the older rune bearer muttering his thanks before unwrapping the sandwich from the paper that covered it, though he didn’t bring it up to his mouth to take a bite.
“…….” At times like these… what was one supposed to do…?
Hell… even his date with Luserina went easier than this. But back then, he was pretending to be someone else going on a sort of date with a person he felt nothing for. What did McDohl… expect from him?
The older man's expectations for this date weren't so high and impossible to reach. Basically, all he wanted was for them both to enjoy themselves and relax in each other's company. Although...as he was mimicking Luc's actions in unwrapping his sandwich, and taking a bite from it, he couldn't help but notice that his beloved's features were still drawn and pale.
"Did you sleep recently, Luc?" he asked after swallowing his mouthful, reaching out to brush a lock of hair away. "You look tired..."
After all, the last time he'd seen the mage sleeping was when he'd found him--and that doodle--on the shipwreck.
Luc flinched away from the hand that approached him, but not so much of disgust as it was out of surprise. His glance at his former Tenkai was as if he was disoriented, caught off guard by the older man’s question.
“Ah…” he blinked as he actually took that moment to think about an answer.
Unfortunately, his mind drew a blank… He slouched slightly forward, the sandwich held in his hands, resting on his lap while his brows furrowed in mild confusion. When did he last sleep…?
“….. I don’t remember.” He muttered darkly. “I was sitting in the library at around a few hours past midnight… when I came to; it was already dawn… but… I think that may have been yesterday…”
The erratic sleeping habits were obviously not helping his already unreliable memory as of late either.
Seeing the disorientation in the mage's expression helped not take offense in the brusque flinching, although he rather did expect Luc not to accept these kind of gestures out in the open. Listening to the answers to his question though rather troubled him as they weren't the type of answers he was hoping for.
It very much sounded like Luc wasn't certain he'd slept and the Tenkai was definitely feeling displeasure at that particular situation.
Lowering his own sandwich and leaning slightly to look at the brunet, he spoke softly.
"Did you want to take a nap now? I don't mind waiting until you're rested."
The Tenkai’s concern was a little… endearing, he would admit, but… it was a little mortifying to have someone worry about his sleeping habits when they were doing a sort of business transaction here.
“….. If you keep that up…” The wind mage began while pushing aside McDohl’s hand gently and turning his face away from him. “You’ll end up more and more like Gremio…”
He then rewrapped the sandwich and placed it on the spread before letting out a quiet sigh.
“I’m fine… Really.” He continued although the weariness in his voice was still present. “… I promised to go on a date with you today, and I plan to keep it.”
It would be easier to keep such promises though if he didn’t have a fear to sleep in his room.
"Can't help it," he shrugged lightly. "The man raised me for years, after all."
Yet, that wasn't the problem he was perceiving right now. For lack of better things to do with his hands, he rewrapped his own, even despite the bite he'd already taken.
"You did promise me a date," he answered kindly, "but I won't count this as a date if you're too tired to enjoy it yourself."
He paused as he considered what might be bothering the mage to the point that he wouldn't be sleeping plentifully and, even if he hadn't heard about it for a while now... a certain sentient crab came in mind.
"Is that Isadorette still serenading you in the middle of the night?"
“…………………………..” The wind mage fell silent, an irritated look suddenly gracing his features which were usually devoid of emotion.
He then fell back on the sheet on the roof with a long audible sigh. If only the problem was that simple.
“No… it’s not that crab, surprisingly enough. She hasn’t been around lately… Anyway… I’ve noticed for a while now…” he quietly muttered. “That something has changed over the passed month or so… It doesn’t happen all the time… but… there are noises…”
Well... the crab keeping to itself instead of bothering Luc was good news, but... noises? Those could be anything from ghosts to the wind blowing through cracks on the ship, or even thieves conducting their nefarious fishing pole stealing business.
Except that was only since this past week, so that couldn't be it.
"What sort of noises?" he asked, putting away the two sandwiches for the meantime.
Oh… how to explain this.
“Uh… well…” Luc’s features paled slightly at the thought. “I woke up one evening to some noise and I thought at first… that someone was getting killed. I actually believed Yuber was just prancing about but-”
Another noise joined in, a sort of tapping against the wall. It went on for a few minutes, but once it was over, he didn’t think much about it… Until a few days after, it happened again. He was still quite unsure about the situation until he soon remembered that the neighbouring room was currently occupied by both the Harmonian Mercenary and some… guy he has seen around working in the infirmary. He was sure he knew his name but Luc unfortunately had a habit of forgetting things that were of no use after a week or so. Soon enough, one plus one added up and the noises in the next room was not of any killing… and the tapping that at times turned into a heavy thud was in fact…. Something he didn’t want to even imagine.
“….my neighbours… were… They… copulate regularly.”
"......" said the Tenkai with rather wide eyes.
That... wasn't what he'd expected Luc to say at all. He'd expected rodents, he'd expected a prankster to cause mischief in the night, but... Copulation?
...That completely caught him offguard.
"...Who're your neighbours again?"
The wind mage raised an arm over his eyes and let out a groan.
"…. Geddoe and…Sig-"mund? Sigfried…? Ah..! That's it... "Sigurd."
Tyr couldn't help the grimace that appeared on his own face at the mental image. The True Lightning Rune's bearer and one unpleasant pirate. While he had nothing against Geddoe at least, the impression he got from the pirate--honestly, telling a rune bearer to just cut off his hand to 'solve his problem' was NOT something that was very much appreciated, joke or not--had been less than stellar. Them together and 'copulating' was the last thing he'd ever wanted to imagine.
"I can understand why you can't sleep..." he answered with much obvious distaste because he probably wouldn't want to sleep in that sort of environment either.
“No you don’t.” Luc stated clearly as he turned to his side and shuddered from the memories haunting his mind. “You can understand me once you have a nightmare where you heard them doing it… only to wake up to the real world to hear that they really were doing it in the next room.”
"..."
Yeah, okay, he hadn't ever had a nightmare about any neighbours of his doing such things, nor did he ever wake up to anyone actually doing so... But just thinking about all that wouldn't get them very far. The brunet was still sleep-deprived and obviously not in any sort of mood where he'd relax and just enjoy the food, weather and company.
What could he do or what solution could he offer that would get Luc the rest and peace of mind he deserved?
"Do you want to take my room?" he proposed. A temporary solution it would be--until either he or Luc got a new room--but it was better than letting this continue.
Of course, only hearing that offer without the rest of McDohl’s thoughts caused the wind mage to sit up suddenly and throw him a suspicious look. So… the other man was willing to give up his room… meaning he wanted to exchange rooms, right…? That means…
“………………………………………..” Luc raised his hand, covering his mouth slightly in mock revulsion of the other man’s offer. “Pervert.”
"Hey!" Tyr protested immediately. "I haven't DONE anything!"
Nor was he proposing to sleep on the floor of his room because THAT would set off a certain 'novelist' quicker than Tyr could say "Budehuc".
“Ha-hah… You say that now, but in reality…” the wind mage smirked and continued to tease the older man. “You just want to hear how the noises I’m talking about sounds like, right? How shameless.”
Having no clue that Luc meant hearing the noises through the mage's own walls, the Tenkai crossed his arms as he turned his face away, his face turning a faint shade of pink at the ridiculous proposition.
"Whether I want or don't to hear those noises, you can rest assured I'd at least wait until you fall for me before even thinking about doing anything. I'll just be finding a new room while you take my own, thank you."
It was at times like these that Luc thoroughly began to believe that sometimes… teasing this man was kind of boring.
"…. Ah, I see." He snorted to the air and looked away as well. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, trip or fall, I don't make any noises. And I can get my room changed all on my own." Sorta.
While he didn't immediately understand the joke, Tyr still ended up rolling his eyes in fond exasperation.
This was, undoubtedly, the bratty mage he'd fallen for, himself.
"Then why has this lasted a month?" he asked, looking at Luc when he'd finally gotten his facial temperature under control.
‘Urk.’ Luc froze and kept his face well averted from his companion. “I… I was too busy.”
Now that he didn't believe.
"Oh...?" the older man replied, planting a hand right next to the mage's head and leaning over in an attempt to see his face. "Busy doing what?"
Luc in turn moved his whole body to try and keep McDohl from seeing his face.
“I was studying!” He said in his defence, his face flustering slightly at the current conversation.
"Really?" Studying, he says... "So you were absorbing knowledge through osmosis on the deck?"
Which was to say, did drawing his portrait, amongst others', count as studying?
“You caught me at a bad time.” Luc retorted while he still stubbornly kept his focus elsewhere.
The wind mage after all was studying. The problem was that perhaps he was doing it far too much. But over studying was better than doing nothing, at least in his judgment. Besides, the books he had been reading through were assigned by Mathiu after he voiced his opinion of having a real interest to pursue medicine, so he could avoid using his rune as much as he could.
"If you say so." The Tenkai didn't know if that particular instance should be called a 'bad time', but he did think he should've at least tried to get that doodle out of sight before everyone else showed up and Luc reappropriated the sheet. "But for now, you're taking my room."
With that said, the Toran native was sweeping what grounds of Budehuc he could see with his eyes. There really weren't that many people yet and they all seemed quite busy handling their own daily business. Far too busy to be looking up here where they'd both settled for their meal.
"Hey Luc," he called out to the mage. "Luserina'd be in the infirmary right now, yeah?"
“mmh?” Luc murmured lazily, shifting slightly so the tiles of the roof wouldn’t poke so sharply at his side. “Yeah. I think so.”
Looking away from the castle grounds and back to the mage, Tyr considered the reply he was given about what was probably their biggest worry.
"Alright," he nodded before leaning down to place a soft kiss on top of the seemingly sleepy brunet's head.
The brunet glanced at McDohl with a slightly surprised look, although no other reaction - such as panicking- seemed to have triggered at that point. Instead, he raised a hand over his face and sighed exasperatedly. Sometimes… the other man’s intentions didn’t add up to him. First he claims to want a relationship beyond friendship and in other times… if feels as if…
“…you treat me like a child…” he thought out-loud before pushing himself to sit up again.
While the other man’s concern for the wind mage’s health was appreciated, Luc felt he was no longer at the age to be chided over such things. And then to receive a kiss on his head as if he was still the little brat he was more than 20 years ago, to comfort his situation.
But aside that… the issue concerning Luserina, he felt it wasn’t a big deal anymore. He over-reacted… he knew that. Nothing was going on between him or McDohl or Sheena… But all the secrecy somehow was now making him feel like he’s guilty of something. Having some child write about them didn’t remove the fact that Luc really at the moment felt nothing close to what people would call love. Not for anyone at all… Though at the same time, he couldn’t refuse McDohl either.
“…. Might I ask you something…?”
It wasn't so much that he treated Luc like a child--the mage certainly didn't think or look like one--but that there seemed to be very few actions he could carry out without it resulting in harassment of the Tenkan.
Though, he should clarify the issue sometime, given that Luc hadn't teleported him for this last action.
"What is it?"
“… Given nothing happens at all for the next few years… and I never manage to leave this place… Where would you be?” Luc asked quietly.
"Right here," came the immediate answer.
“… and what if the term I’ve been given ends… and the borrowed time I have now runs out. Wouldn’t you regret it?” he asked again.
"No," Tyr shook his head before elaborating further. "What I regret is having taken this long before finding you again. If I hadn't taken so long, you probably wouldn't be here and would be able to move around freely." He hesitated a moment before reaching over to gently caress Luc's cheek. "My biggest regret is that I've spent those past 15 years running away from you when I'm happiest being here next to you."
Somehow… those words, as they probably meant to comfort or reassure, only felt a heavier weight on the wind mage’s shoulders. “If I hadn’t”… “If”…
If Leknaat hadn’t taken him from Harmonia…
If Leknaat hadn’t ordered him to join McDohl’s army…
If he hadn’t raised his hand against his brother during the War of Dunan…
If he didn’t see those memories…
There were many ifs in this world that he could think of himself. The point was, things happened differently. And no matter how anyone wished things somehow turned back to the way they were, the results of the present time wouldn’t change. Leknaat had taken him from Harmonia who only wished to wait for his death so they could recover the True Wind Rune. She had ordered him to participate in the Gate Rune Wars and Dunan… he used his rune on Sasarai… he saw those memories… He caused a war. And the person before him now had an unnecessary regret Luc couldn’t heal.
There was no running away from it.
“I understand that…” he said as he wrapped his hand around the wrist of McDohl’s out-reached hand. “And as much as I wish I can help you get rid of that regret… I can’t. And I know you’re not asking me to. I can also admit that I do need you to survive this world. Aside the petty things… I know you’re the best anchor I have left to keep myself from doing something too irrational…”
The wind mage then pulled the other man’s hand away from his person, his eyes focused straight at the other’s as he spoke solemnly.
“But there’s a difference between needing someone and loving someone.” Luc stated clearly. “The latter, I can’t give you. Not when there’s a chance I might disappear in the end.” Not when there were so many insecurities that he couldn’t even begin to fix. “I can’t risk giving you more regrets or acting out without any memory of it again… And if I do, then I want to be sure that I know completely that it is different from that need and that it really is love. Do you understand what I’m trying to say...?”
It took Tyr a few moments of thought to absorb all that Luc was saying. Basically, the mage needed him, but wouldn't let himself even love his first Tenkai in fear of regrets. That...was not what he wished for. Not at all. It didn't matter so much whether Luc would disappear or not... everyone could risk dying someday... That was definitely the case of mortals, and even rune bearers like them could pass away someday.
In spite of all that, of all the reasons Luc had given him, perhaps he could still have the brunet understand the extent of his feelings. Perhaps that would make the difference...
"Yeah..." he nodded even as he reached again for one of Luc's hands, squeezing it tightly before the mage could think to pull away, "But Luc... I think I would have more regrets if I didn't at least try my utmost to have you love me back. It might not ever happen, but if there's even the slightest chance that you would, I want to take that leap of faith." Even as he said that, the former leader brought the trapped hand to his lips and tenderly kissed his beloved's fingers.
"I'll make you fall for me," he said confidently. "Whether I succeed or not, whether the time we'll have together will be short, I will have the assurance that I did all that I could..."
Luc’s brow furrowed slightly with concern. He didn’t quite think McDohl understood at all… But he knew he couldn’t force someone to stop falling for someone. It just didn’t help when you felt some pressure when you want to understand something on your own pace. These gestures for one thing, sometimes didn’t help.
“Sometimes I do wish you’d think things over before saying anything or acting…” he muttered before hesitantly pulling his hand away from the Tenkai again. “Things are easy for you to understand, but it’s not for me. Not in this case at least… I don’t have the ability like the rest to suddenly fall for someone out of the blue. And I don’t ever want to end up doing anything out of my understanding like before.”
The wind mage clasped his hands together before letting out another breath from his lips as his attention fell to the people attending to their daily lives around the castle premises.
“I don’t want to suddenly hear that I kissed you again without any memory of it. I really need to learn on my own pace on what I should do or how I should really feel…” after all… an event like that should have been something he could remember. It wouldn’t do if his body would act out on its own while delirious… doing such strange things to his acquaintances. Hearing the news of it just made him all the more reluctant to figure out what’s really happening to him.
"I see..." the older man said after a long silence, resting his hand back down on the tile and leaning back to look at the sky.
It was quite possible that McDohl didn't understand Luc's position. His had been a rather normal existence with the assurance that he had parents who loved him very much and an entourage that only wished the best for him. He'd been cherished, even spoiled for years without suffering the same hardships and isolation that tailed Luc ever since his conception.
The mage had his own inhibitions, his own limitations and his own worries over the wisdom of such course of action. Of course Luc wouldn't dive headfirst in a relationship for which he wasn't even ready, especially when he didn't understand his own resulting actions, conscious or not. Their worlds were very dissimilar and there was much to do to bridge them both, to reach common ground instead of staying next to each other without ever connecting.
Even with that in mind, even as he kept telling himself that any actions resulted from this gaping difference between them, it hurt to hear some of what Luc said, hurt to have him pull away when he was pouring his heart out to him. Given the circumstances however, there couldn't be any other way for things to go for now.
It was selfish of him to want the mage to understand right away, he knew. If he truly wished for his Tenkan to understand, he himself would have to hold on and wait patiently, indefinitely, until the younger man could see eye-to-eye with him and was ready to embark on the same journey he wanted from the very depth of his heart.
"It'd be easier for you to do that if I acted like a friend instead of this, right?" Tyr asked as he ignored the tightness in his chest. "I can do that."
No matter how easy he made it sound, truthfully, it would be a pure torture, having the one he wanted so close, yet knowing his heart was so far from him.
Not so much as easier as it would just leave him enough room to breathe and see if somehow… he’d ever give chase to him.
“…. I’m sorry for making this harder for you.” Luc replied quietly. “I have no intention of forcing you to bury your emotions… But at times, your actions do confuse me. Bodies react on their own but emotions aren’t the same, correct?”
He then finally dared to turn to the other man again, after saying such harsh words that almost sound like he was denying the Tenkai.
“I just want to be sure that the next time I do kiss you, it would be on my own accord and that I understand the meaning of it. It wouldn’t be fair if only one of us were to remember such a thing… Even for me.”
No, bodily reactions and emotional reactions were definitely not the same. It had taken him forever and an epiphany to understand why he had his own whenever he'd interacted with Luc, seen him from afar or even just thought of him. As such, it was unfair that he tried to force his understanding on his beloved.
Really, Luc was right that such a situation wouldn't be fair for either of them. One didn't remember the kiss while the other didn't understand why the kiss happened at all, didn't know whether it was a taunt, a mockery or even just a sympathy gift.
"It's fine," Tyr lied before he dared look back at his companion, his eyes speaking more than his mouth would. "I still get to stay near in the meantime. That's more than I could ever hope for when you could've easily just ported me back to Gregminster back in January."
“…. Right.” The wind mage smiled slightly, feeling a bit better now that this was finally out between them.
It’ll be trying for both of them, but most probably for McDohl. Luc would have to further appreciate that patience of his. The best he could do for now is just not to run away. He couldn’t run away.
He won’t.
May Luserina strike or some other child who needs to learn a few things about propriety… he’ll definitely stand his ground.
“… Mm… Shall we eat then?”