wilderlogs | 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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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.

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

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