Don't Leave Home

[apassingafternoon]

The day before Claude had shown up at the doorstep Nariko had been something of a mess. It was true that she had always been a mess, had been since her grandmother died, since the feeling of being abandoned had begun to eat away at her in a manner that Kaine couldn't do anything about. After all, Nariko didn't feel abandoned by her best friend, and Nariko wasn't here to confirm what was happening. In a sense Kaine didn't need it. They'd had an extra day, she had the morning with Bert to let him sleep in a little while before people came looking for him and he needed to be woken up. She took her place just behind, beside him, and tried to do her best.

But that feeling of being a mess, of something bad coming this way had been unbearable. It had forced her to make sure that Yonah was fed, all of her things were gathered up into one big bag and ... She found somewhere to hide her. It was off in lower town with Eunyce, Kaine had argued with her often but in this they seemed to be of the same mind. If something terrible happened Eunyce would take the baby back and run to Arcadia, if everything panned out Eunyce would come back with Yonah and they would figure out some way to move forward. Of course the younger cousin hadn't enjoyed the idea of leaving her family alone on the battlefield, especially with her skills, Eunyce had agreed. Though Kaine didn't feel right saying it out loud they both knew that baby was important to the one person they had in common. She was worth protecting above all else.

As the beating started up Kaine found herself relieved that soon Eunyce would be gone with baby Yonah who, despite how much she tried to avoid it, instantly reminded her of Nariko.

Kaine didn't know these people, didn't know Farson, the history, the need to fight this until the last instant.

She knew she wanted to live above everything else, and that she needed to find Bert.

Comments

[apassingafternoon]

"What?" She sounded as incredulous as she felt but her smile wasn't cruel. "Alain-sir, I've no right to you anymore than you have one to me. I certainly hope that isn't how things work where you are from." She stood and placed the box near him on the bed, only turned slightly pick up what likely held his money.

"You'll need this in Arpagio. The Picker, Wei, accepts all currency and I have heard that he often has most everything a person could need to get started here. Take your money back." He didn't want to meet her eyes and that was fine, maybe it was easier. He wouldn't see how genuine she was, that way. "You're very handsome and very sweet. When you have an opportunity, you can't let it pass you by. There are less regrets that way."

And she left it at that.

"Your friend will probably return soon. If you want to go from here, you need to leave before night fall."

[atouchofka]

He thought of telling her that it wasn't that he thought he should have agreed, only that he was sorry to have upset her. But it seemed better, all things considered, to drop the subject. Shifting a little awkwardly, he took the pouch back and fixed it onto his belt again.

"Thankee," he mumbled, again, and cleared his throat. "We've been told this place is dangerous after nightfall, aye. And we'd be best not to linger overnight, if we're all in fit state to travel." Which he wasn't at all sure he was; his head was still pulsing fit to burst. But Roland was out there, somewhere, and the longer they waited, the harder he would be to find. "Arpagio is the place to start a search, then?"

[askthelookout]

"Actually, seems the place to start a search is Kaine's house." Bert leant in the doorway, arms folded across his bare chest. "She says it's a few hours hard march. Probably a while longer, when you're both in such a goddamn miserable condition. Got all you need, Al?" He turned and gave Trish a flinty smile. "Cry pardon for the interruption. But, as you seem to both be aware, we ought to be going."

"I owe you a debt of kindness," Alain said courteously, pushing himself to his feet and bowing shallowly to Trish. His head felt like it would split, but there was no putting this off. Not now Bert had it in his head to go, anyway. "And if ever ka allows it, I hope to repay it. Until then, long days and pleasant nights, sai. Thankee for all your generosity." Scooping up the box and the book, he settled them against his chest and gave Trish a rather strained smile, heading towards the door.

"Thankee for not strangling him," Bert added brightly. "Gives me time to do it. Farewell, sai." And, taking Alain's arm - anger wasn't enough to stop him feeling sympathy at his ka-mate's obvious pain - he strode away, humming under his breath. Maybe a little more piercingly than was strictly necessary.