wilderlogs | Pray forgive the late hour of our coming. [Closed]

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Pray forgive the late hour of our coming. [Closed]

Who: Agrias & Ovelia
What: An overdue conversation
Where: Philly Free Library
When: Early on during Philly Camp
Warnings/Notes: Some game spoilers.

The nighttime attack on their party had been taxing, but they had thankfully all been able to escape with their lives, making their way to another most peculiar setting. Nature had reclaimed much of these lands, though they were thankfully able to find suitable shelter inside the library. While Agrias would gladly render aid to the rest of her companions, her first concern would always be that her Queen's well-being. Ovelia was ill-suited for the battlefield, and the creatures they both had faced were especially taxing.

She had been carrying her ever since leaving the ruins, finally setting her down on the floor after finding a secluded spot.

There would be no rest of the Queen's Knight, however. Almost immediately, Agrias went on the search for food, water, and blankets. Her success was... minimal, but she brought back what she could and set it to Ovelia for when she awakened.

She was also prompted to scour the library for reading material, so that the Queen could recover not only in comfort, but with enough books to help her pass the time.

Some were in better condition than others, but the loyal knight was able to gather up a reasonable stack of books and set them next to the sleeping noblewoman. Though she didn't remain sleeping for much longer.

"Apologies, my Queen. 'Twas not my intention to disturb your slumber."

Her words were calm, and intentionally so.

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Her sleep was not pleasant, unfortunately. She was plagued with nightmares, terrors of her life both real and exaggerated by her own mind. The waking world brought relief to her, as did the sight of Agrias' face. Without even thinking, she reached out to her, wordlessly, as she started to find herself once more in a conscious mind. Like the sun breaking through dark clouds...

She held the Queen's hands with her own, offering the warmth of her own touch. Her eyes remained locked on Ovelia's face, as she remained by her side.

Just like before.

"I'm right here, your majesty."

"You are... you are here and you are real...," she had to emphasize it for herself, slurred as her words may have been from her waking. But even in those slowly blinking eyes, the darkness remained. Something she had kept hidden from Agrias, thus far...

"You need but to gaze upon my face and into my eyes. Eyes that have watched over you for all this time." One hand stayed with Ovelia's, the other rested over the top of the Queen's head, continuing to offer her with her touch, validating the claim from moments before.

Though as she looked into the noblewoman's eyes, Agrias could easily take notice.

"What troubles you, My Lady?"

She leaned into the touch without much thought. Really, most of her actions felt like reflexes in her current haze. How could she have slept so long and still feel so tired? But she felt so exhausted, even so, and wanted nothing more than to just be near Agrias, her rock, her warmth in the cold.

"I never should have left you..."

"Lady Ovelia..." She looked on, embracing her and taking heed of the Queen's words. "Not a day passed where you didn't occupy my thoughts. I wanted nothing more than to return to your side." But she couldn't, not when she saw her last.

There was still so much for her and Ramza to accomplish.

So many wrongs to undo.

"Delita." Agrias loathed just speaking that man's name. "Did he treat you well?"

And that was when she could hold back no longer. The dam breached, and tears flowed freely as she began to sob.

"I was worthless... pathetic... just a tool for that man," she stammered, only barely able to form words. "Of no value other than my name. He promised me a kingdom of peace, and in the end, he just used me."

Agrias' eyes narrowed, her embrace on Ovelia tightening slightly.

She had warned Delita in no uncertain terms. To hear of the Queen's treatment was nothing less of an insult to her. "Forgive me, your highness. I had thought you would be safest under his care." And maybe it was true that she would've been kept away from the threats outside their walls, but what of the dangers from within?

"It appears as though I was mistaken. When we return... his life will be forfeit. I promise you."

...

"There is nothing to return to. For me."

"My Lady?" Agrias replied. She was aware of the state of exhaustion that Ovelia had found herself in, but even those words caught her by surprise.

"Have you so little faith in myself and Ramza?"

"My faith in you is unshakeable. If you told me you could cut a mountain in half, or part the very seas, I'd believe every word...," Ovelia's voice shook, and she struggled to find it within her to say this. But Agrias had a right to know. After all this time...

She pulled loose the ties of her bodice, loosening part of her dress and pulling it down just enough to still remain chaste, but show part of a scar on her chest.

"... But you cannot raise the dead, Agrias."

Edited 2018-06-01 03:46 (UTC)

Agrias froze, eyes daring to look upon Ovelia's body and the scar she had produced. One that came from a most recent wound. If she were to believe the Queen's words, then the placement of the scar would've certainly matched that of a fatal injury.

If she were to believe.

"My Lady, I..."

Much like Ovelia's faith in her was never in question, Agrias never once doubted the words of her Queen.

"How can this be? That I should see you in front of me like this."

Yet so many questions still remained.

"Do you think I can answer that question?" Ovelia's response was a bit incredulous, but she was hardly in the best state of mind.

"I know not what power brings us to this world, or what power puts breath in my breast once more, but this wound is real, and I felt my life leave me as I perished before him..."

"Then it was upon his blade?!" Agrias was trying, and admittedly failing to keep a calm and level head through all of this. But how could she? When she had trusted him with the Queen's safety and to hear of the outcome...

To know that her trust had been so utterly defiled.

"'Twas always my intent to come back for you."

"I had thought you dead, by that point...," it had only fueled her decision. With Agrias gone, there was no reason to hope for anything else but the death her confrontation with Delita would surely bring her.

She could feel a knot in her throat, swallowing heavily. "Far from it, my Queen! Ramza and the others, we were all successful in our journey, arduous as it was. Though my association with one so heavily viewed as a 'heretic' would not be easily overlooked."

Heroes they may have been, but so very few would know the truth of their actions.

"To know of your fate... That I was not there when needed." She knelt down beside her, holding both hands.

"I can only beg for your forgiveness."

Ovelia sat herself up further, her loose dress to falling just a bit more past her shoulders as she did so, and sort of just... stared at Agrias for a long, painfully quiet moment.

To forgive Agrias? To think of any of this as her fault? To attribute any anger or blame on her? It was unthinkable. No, the person Ovelia loathed most in all of this, even more than Delita, was herself, a powerless nothing who lacked any will to stop what was happening until it had already come to pass. She'd saved no one, not even herself...

And here Agrias was, willing to shoulder everything, as she always did. To carry the burden of Ovelia's failures as her own. It was choking, seeing her like that, so much so that she could do little more than cry.

She didn't know when it happened, but at some point she had pressed herself against her knight, sobbing openly.

"I'm so sorry... I'm so so sorry," were the words that spilled from her lips, shaking in despair. How could she have let this happen, that even Agrias had to suffer now?

A number of emotions had found themselves within Agrias. She was angry at Delita. Knowing him to be a man of conviction, even she had underestimated the lengths that he would've gone to achieves his own ends. As well as being angry at herself for not being there to stop him.

More than anything, she wanted to curse his name and swing her blade down upon his neck.

She was angry, disappointed, and with a heavy heart.

But it was now, more than ever, that Agrias needed to remain steadfast.

For her sake, as well as the Queen's.

"Lady Ovelia..." She embraced her, hoping once more than the enveloping warmth would bring even a modicum of comfort.

"I dare not presume to know how, yet fortune has deemed it so that I may stand by your once more... And that is enough." Resting her head over the queen's, she did not want to let go.

"I can only hope that you'll allow this knight the honor of serving you once more. For you the one most precious to me."

"I deserve you not," Ovelia managed to speak through her tears, strained as her voice was.

"This chance to be with you again, I've not earned it in any way. I was useless, of no value except as a tool, and only raised my knife when I knew I was about to die... Surely you deserve happiness without me."

"My lady, please allow me to decide what it is I deserve. Let us not dwell on what has transpired, but instead look forward to what our future together may bring." She placed a gloved hand underneath Ovelia's chin, tilting it so that their eyes met once more.

"It is that which would bring me the most joy."

Ovelia seemed anchored by her despair, but the chain snapped the moment her eyes met Agrias'. There were still tears blurring her own vision, but her knight, her guardian, had such wonderful, honest eyes. They were warm like the sun, breaking past the fog of misery that had threatened to seal her very breath away.

In that moment, she could believe it. That this was their second chance. And Agrias would find some way, some how, to bring her home with her. Her faith in her had faltered, but it was so strange how much just being in those strong arms, seeing those gentle eyes, had given it even more strength.

Agrias, her Agrias...

Wonderful memories returned to her. Of a youth spent watching Agrias train with Lavian and Alicia, of flower crowns of poppy being nestled onto her hair, of sunlight and tenderness, and the most wonderful rest just laying her head in her guardian's lap.

How long... she wondered, had she longed for this, while she forced herself to move along with the motions of a world that cared so little for her...

Her own eyes closed, gently and her neck craned upwards, slowly, until her reverie in her halcyon past with the other woman had lead her to bring her lips to Agrias' without much more thought. A kiss, tender and sacred.

She had known great fondness and affection towards Ovelia, and for quite some time. Many were the years Agrias had served her, and it was was always her intent to continue serving, come what may. Being her sword and her shield was all the fulfillment she could've asked for.

Which was exactly the reason why the kiss was such a surprise.

Never once had Agrias ever entertained such thoughts, or desires. She was a knight, plain and simple.

So why was it that she was finding it difficult to break away? What began as shock quickly settled into acceptance as she too closed her eyes and leaned in.

The moment lasted for what felt like an eternity, though it was when they finally separated that Agrias began to realize.

"M-My Lady?!"

What had she just done?

As much as Ovelia had wanted that moment to last longer, her desperate need for the comfort that had briefly come with the gesture too tremendous to be satisfied with what it was... reality came crashing into her like a brick.

A ton of bricks.

"A-ah! Um!" she scrambled, trying to get her way out of Agrias' lap, stumbling onto the ground with a yelp.

"Lady Ovelia!" Agrias reached for the Queen, concern clearly showing on her face. "Are you alright?" Even now, she would continue to worry over her.

"I-I'm fine!" No she's not. Even discounting the fact she'd been confessing about her own death and the circumstances leading up to it, she had just kissed her knight. Her sworn protector! Who even now was acting in that role!

"That is... physically, at least," despite being red all over her usually pale face.

It was a relief, at least, to see Ovelia being so spirited. Granted, the circumstances surrounding that were... Well.

Simply put, this wasn't what she'd had in mind when she wanted for the Queen to rest and recover.

Actually it was literally the opposite.

"Yes, w-we certainly..."

The moment was still so fresh in her mind. The way her lips felt pressed against her own.

"I..."

What could she say? What could either of them say? She'd just crossed a line that had existed since Agrias had first been assigned as her personal bodyguard. A whole series of unspoken courtly tenets, tossed aside in a moment's passion and need.

"My love for you... has never been untoward. I need you to know that." She wasn't just some wild-hearted teen girl, after all. She knew her role, knew Agrias'.

"I believe your words, My Lady." Always and ever. Agrias never once imagined that would've happened. Like Ovelia, she was aware not only of their positions, but of the gap that existed between them.

"Were I to be honest, I did not find it unpleasant." Setting aside the implications of what they'd just done, Agrias felt it important to make clear her feelings towards the matter.

"Even though I am but a mere knight and, you... are so much more."

Oh. Oh goodness.

"E-even so, we should not. Even here, it's... not proper." They had to maintain some level of normalcy, didn't they? But Ovelia couldn't help the doubt in her voice. She didn't... actually believe a word she was saying. To someone like Agrias, that much would be immediately obvious.

"Yes, of course. I was more referring to" What, exactly? It wasn't like she could've ever thought this happening to her, of all people.

"My Lady, if I may ask." Even though this was no illusion, no dream, there was one thing Agrias still needed to confirm, if once again.

"Are you certain? With me?"

... Agrias deserved an honest answer, didn't she? But...

"I... know not," she slowly shook her head. "It feels like so many things are happening at once, and my heart aches still. Am I falling into your arms because I was betrayed by someone I had thought I loved? Or am I doing so because I've always loved you, and there are no longer any rules or laws of court keeping us apart? You... deserve to have someone who has their soul in a better place than I..."

To hear Ovelia not only speak so plainly and honestly, but also the confession of her love...

This was no illusion, or dream. Of that she was certain. But she would be fooling herself if she'd ever thought this possible.

"I've told you, haven't I? To please allow me to decide what I deserve." Or whom, in this case. "Know this, My Lady. I have never once questioned the nature of your character, or the contents of your heart. I know with the utmost certainty that had Ivalice's course ran differently, you would've achieved great things. And is that not why we've been brought here as well?"

She began to undo the glove to one of her hands, and reached for Ovelia's, fingers interlocking together.

"Know that wherever this journey takes us, I shall remain with you. As your sword, your shield, and as... someone who would accept and return your love."

Accept and return her love... it made her heart race, and her face flush even more. She still wasn't certain she deserved this level of dedication, considering every misstep she'd made along the way to this destination, and yet...

"You would have this broken woman as your lover... God has blessed me with heaven indeed, if that be true..."

Similarly, hearing the word "lover" used on herself made Agrias' heart skip a beat. Never before had she been referred as such, thinking those pleasantries as unwanted for a knight like her. Yet, knowing that Ovelia saw her in that light, it truly brought joy to her.

"I would have you as you've always been, My Lady. Know that I would never mislead or hide the truth from you."

She squeezed the Queen's hand, wanting to reaffirm her commitment.

Ovelia, in turn, squeezed Agrias'. There was so much there. So much to think about, to feel. Her head was dizzy, and slowly, she inched herself forward again, to try and rest her head against Agrias' always waiting shoulder, offered to her so many times before, but now with new meaning and purpose.

Had she wanted this all along? She'd felt a bond with Agrias for ages past, well before she'd ever met that man, or became a cog in his machinations. But to finally put them into this tangible form seemed almost an impossible task. Like Agrias' own thoughts, something of a dream. But she felt so real, so warm...

"Then... my heart is yours, Agrias," she whispered, barely enough sound but only to emphasize that it was for her knight's ears only.

This was a new world. A new chance to do something beyond what she'd been allowed in her previous life. With Agrias there with her, not just as her pillar, but as the holder of the key to her very soul...

With one hand holding to Ovelia's, the other went around the Queen's waist, their bodies close and nestled together. She felt an added sense of purpose, now. Always had she stood with her, as a princess and now a Queen. Always had she dedicated herself to keep her from harm's way. And though she may not have always been successful, she never faltered.

Not only did she want to continue to protect Ovelia, but to also give her the happiness that she'd been unjustly denied throughout her life.

"And mine yours, My La-" She stopped herself for but a moment, reconsidering her choice of words. "My... love."

A single change in wording, but one that carried so much weight.

"Ah, hm. Were I to be honest, this will take some time. For me to adjust."

A simple change in words, but one that made her heart soar. She'd gone from despair not that long ago, to now feeling as if she truly was going to be... okay, at least. She had Agrias, she had Agrias' love. Something tremendous and heavy, but she swore she'd carry it as best she could.

"It will... but it's a path we walk together now. Not as knight and charge, but as equals..."

"Aye." Staring at their joined hands, Agrias began to reflect on all that had just transpired, and on how quickly their lives had changed.

Well, she was about to, right after one last bit.

A quick kiss on Ovelia's cheek.

Such a flutter that gave her, enough to shiver in Agrias' arms. Her smile was as wide as it could be, and boundless with love and comfort.

Maybe it was all moving quickly, but what sort of adventure didn't benefit from bounding along, hand in hand? Whatever it was... it made that scar on her chest feel like a much more distant memory.

At least for the moment.

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Pray forgive the late hour of our coming. [Closed]

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