672/Salvation's Eve
From MahouMUSH
| Salvation's Eve | |
|---|---|
| Date of Scene: | 05 December 2015 |
| Location: | Plot Room #2 |
| Synopsis: | Valeria and Runealy talk together the evening before the planned trip to Waldia for the restoration of the Barrier on Salvation Day. |
| Cast of Characters: | Runealy Waldia, Valeria Barun |
- Valeria Barun has posed:
It's getting towards evening on the night before the scheduled trip back to Waldia. Valeria had been doing a fair amount of exploring the city and getting to know it before leaving, but tonight she had elected to stay inside at the apartment. She'd been quiet and thoughtful for much of the day, though not in any kind of morose way. Now as the sun starting to set she decided she wanted to do just a little bit more than talk to herself. She tries to find Runealy, first in the main rooms and then knocking on the door to her bedroom if not there. "Rune? If you are not preoccupied would you speak with me for a few moments?"
- Runealy Waldia has posed:
Runealy hadn't been wandering much today, mostly staying inside. She's not in the kitchen, nor the living room. Her room ends up being where Valeria's search ends, and the knock is met with: "Right... okay, be right there." It's a very quiet response, but able to be heard even through the door if one is listening for it.
A few seconds later, the door opens. Past Rune can be seen a nearly empty room. Cleaning may have seen to it that she has furniture in here, but there is absolutely no decoration set up at all. If it isn't directly related to being luggage or already part of the room, it's not here.
Her mood is very reserved, quiet and in-thought. A crystal can be seen in hand, one similar in design to those on the pillars in the Barrier Shrine... ones used to help funnel energy in to them. This crystal glows with a gold light, but she lowers it to her side quickly enough in order to face Valeria. "Alright. What can I do for you?"
- Valeria Barun has posed:
"Thank you," comes the reply after Runealy answers her, Valeria bobbing down and back up in a brief but polite curtsy. She heads into the living area for and takes a seat on one of the couches or chairs, deliberately choosing one that faces whichever she's ascertained to be the Princess' favorite or most commonly used one.
She gets a brief look into the bedroom as Runealy exits and considers it for a moment. Was it always so empty? If they weren't preparing to head back to Waldia she'd mention it, but as it is she keeps her thoughts to herself. Her eyes go to the crystal the other girl sits down, curiously looking at the golden light. This too is held inside- neither of these curiosities are what she asked Runealy to speak with her about.
Valeria sits up in her seat, hands folded neatly in her lap. This isn't necessarily indicative of anything formal; her manners are deeply ingrained. "There is something that I want to tell you. It is something that may be implied by my Oath but with our plans for tomorrow I thought would be best made explicit. Whatever might happen at Waldia or at the Barrier Shrine, I will stand by you. I will support you, and if need be I will protect you."
Her eyes remain on Runealy's as long as she speaks- she is not hiding or obfuscating anything and wants her to know it. "Even after the events the other day at the park, after what we faced, I remain committed to you. In fact, after that I believe I am even more committed to our cause than I was before. If you have any doubts about me please banish them from your mind. Whatever may happiness or sadness awaits us, I will be by your side."
- Runealy Waldia has posed:
There is one chair by a desk, and it could be set up to face the bed... which is where Rune is heading, and she sits a lot more casually compared to Valeria. "It's not just implied. It's about as much of an obvious truth as you'll ever see. The Oath isn't something casual. I feel that link between us, you know. When I reach out to what's inside you, and provide just that little nudge you need to focus it through your artifact and make it something you can always use. The Oath doesn't work if you're just 'testing it out' like a regular job."
A few headshakes follow. "And even without that, you don't go sneaking through the castle, then the woods and Shrine on your own, then go to 'the Unknown World' looking for us if you're not totally serious. I trust you, I know you'll be there. Don't think there's going to be much to protect me from though. Not in the Shrine."
Her thumb strokes the crystal. "The only thing that could go wrong is if I screw up. We'll lose all the energy we gathered then, and that will be the last attempt at the Ritual that I'll be able to make. Get it right the first time, or that's it. No taking back, no doing it over."
- Valeria Barun has posed:
Valeria listens patiently as the way the Oath works is explained to her in more details. That Runealy was able to feel her and her intent rather than just the magic of the Oath was not something she was aware of. To her it was mostly a dizzying and surprising experience as the magic potential inside of her was unlocked and created anew through the Oath.
"That is all true," she replies once the Princess says her piece. "Perhaps I'm foolish for feeling this way, but I wanted to say it anyway. I've learned that there are some things that can be known and even well understood, but are only felt to be truly real if they are spoken aloud." She isn't actually sure whether or not she wanted to say those words to make them feel true for Runealy or for herself.
She watches her for another moment, considering her words carefully. "Then do not screw up." Perhaps oddly direct, especially since it could even be taken rudely. "Tomorrow will mean everything for us and our world, and maybe for every other world as well. You know the Ritual well. When the time comes remember what you've been taught and focus on the things you need to do correctly." A soft laugh and a brief, quirky smile, "Focusing on the things you may do wrong has a way of making them happen." It sounds like that comes from experience.
- Runealy Waldia has posed:
"No, I've 'said the obvious' a lot of times here too. It helps, maybe." Rune doesn't sound too sure, but the overall sentiment is there; she agrees. Then Valeria's words cut through her concentration.
For a moment, Runealy just sits there in silence. She looks off to the side, away from her newest friend. It takes a few seconds for Rune to face her and respond in a low voice, "That almost sounds like something she would say. I think I'll feel a little better once we're actually there and I'm doing it. Still scared, maybe, but I won't have time to be scared. If that makes any sense. Right now... I'm just glad you're here saying those things. That you're here at all."
A sharp breath is let out as Rune admits: "At this very moment, my stomach just feels like ice. Been feeling like that all day."
- Valeria Barun has posed:
"It helps me," Valeria admits. She starts to give Runealy a smile when she notices the effect her words have on her, instead simply sitting there herself. Right before she asks what it is her question is answered and the smile shows sympathetically. "My mother said something similar to me once. I was so nervous I didn't heed them and sure enough I fumbled." But what she made a mistake in has none of the importance or gravity of what Runealy must be feeling.
She stands up then and walks over, briefly resting her hand on her shoulder and giving it a light squeeze. "When the time comes you'll be able to focus on what needs to be done and stop worrying about what might happen if it doesn't. Until then? Know that I am glad I'm here speaking with you as well. I am proud to be a part of this, Rune, even though I am only here to see it's end."
As for the icy feeling in her stomach? "That fear in your stomach is only because you care so much about your Kingdom and your People. It's the proof that you are as caring and thoughtful as the rightful Princess of Waldia ought to be." She takes a step back and holds her hands together, "But just having it there for a little bit is enough. Why don't I make you some nice hot tea? It might not warm the cold you feel, but maybe if you pretend it can it will help."
- Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune shifts slightly when touched, but it's more a tiny bit of physical reflex than any real problem with the gesture. "Thanks... maybe I needed that. Don't let this just be all about me, though. While we're getting that tea, why don't you think about what sort of places you'll be going, what you'll be seeing, if we make it back to Tokyo? Have you been in to any of their glass towers? ...Besides the one where their healers work. Not the best introduction to them, even if its design is amazing."
- Valeria Barun has posed:
Valeria wonders if perhaps she shouldn't have done that. She isn't sure, but she might be a bit more careful and observant in the future. "Only the hospital," she replies. "One thing I'll be sure to do is go to the top of that building and leap off of it as Guardian Vale. How far could I glide from a height such as that?" A playful smile is given to Runealy as she heads out towards the kitchen. "There is very much I want to do, Rune, but I intend to see this through before I allow myself to enjoy the thought of returning too much."
Before long the water is heating on the stove, but rather than watching it Valeria goes over to the window and looks out onto the vast Tokyo skyline. There's so much to the city it's almost unreal to her, even after seeing it so many times before.
