Chapter Text
Rean strode through the plaza in Trista, feeling quite pleased with himself. There had been a few moments there, in Bareahard, where he hadn't been sure what was going to happen... particularly when Machias had been captured by the Provincial Army on some ridiculous excuse, and it became apparent that Jusis was being detained by his father the Duke to prevent him from interfering. Thank the Goddess for ancient sewers and Fie and Emma's lockpicking and explosives skills. His thoughts strayed a moment, wondering about both of them and how they knew how to do those things, but he dismissed it. The most important part was that they'd freed Machias. And that Jusis had met them on the way there. Of course Jusis knew how to escape his father's mansion, and of course he'd feel honor-bound to rescue Machias, even if the two of them didn't like each other. And it had been really good, Rean thought, to hear more about Jusis' story the night before at the hotel, to feel him open up a little.
But mostly Rean was pleased at the change in the two of them. Jusis and Machias seemed to be able to reliably support combat links with each other now, and though Machias still bristled anytime Jusis was around, and Jusis seemed to go out of his way to provoke Machias, they did shut up and work together when it was needed. Rean still hoped that someday they'd get to a point where they could see what they had in common -- a love of and gift for strategy, for example: Rean had noticed that they were both quick to provide insightful analysis of a situation -- but he decided that battles like this aren't won in a day. Give them time, and they'd start to see each other more clearly, he thought.
Jusis certainly saw Rean clearly. That was a little eerie, actually. He shook his head, thinking about Jusis, and what it must have been like to be raised as a commoner and then to suddenly find out you were actually from a noble house. That Jusis could be anything other than every inch a noble was a strange thought. Rean couldn't imagine how he'd been when he was little, before Rufus had taken him under his wing. He could tell how much Jusis loved his brother, and how Rufus had taught Jusis everything he needed to know about being a noble, including combat skills and courtly fencing. Rean could also see what a frustrating person their father was. No wonder Jusis came across as cold and arrogant, before you got to know him.
But... Jusis had called Rean on his self-sacrificing instincts. Strange that he'd seen exactly what Master Ka-Fai had seen, that what seemed like selflessness was actually a complete rejection of Rean's own self. If he cared for others, that was a laudable thing, right? If it meant he didn't have to face himself, or take care of himself, or even look closely enough to see if he was worthy of being cared for... what did it matter? But Master Ka-Fai had pointed out, rightly, that fearing yourself, hating yourself, not wanting to face or accept who you really were... that limited your swordsmanship, and your ability to protect others, even when you swore that was what you were doing.
Of course, Master Ka-Fai had said it with his slightly broken, simplified English which nonetheless seemed all the more powerful for its simplicity. He wasn't saying anything Rean hadn't already thought, though. The problem was that Rean didn't know what to *do* with any of it. He'd thought, by coming to Thors, he could find his own path, find his own way to come to terms with it, with the storm that raged inside him, constantly threatening to escape and endanger everyone. And then, when he got here, he found himself falling back into the same old patterns of turning outwards, jumping in to save others, to help others. And Jusis had seen right through it.
Rean sighed, and sat down on a bench in the park. It wasn't all his fault, he thought. Instructor Sara had goaded him into helping the Student Council out, so naturally that's what he did, every free day. But... she was right, helping others did help him clear his head. Though, Sara herself was quite the piece of work, he thought. When he'd written to Elise, he'd said Sara was a shameless flirt, and that was true enough. He thought he'd appropriately toned down what an alcoholic she was, when he'd mentioned Sara's drinking in the letter. But Sara was a lot more than she let on, he thought to himself. There were moments when it was clear that she had good advice for them, and had a method to her madness. And then there were other moments when she seemed to be flying by the seat of her pants. And the thing he hadn't mentioned in the letter to Elise was how... well, how attractive Sara was. Watching her demonstrate combat moves was... illuminating. Purple hair tied back in a bun, long coat swishing around her, the rest of her outfit not leaving anything to the imagination, and curves a mile long...
He blushed, looking around to see if anyone was watching. No one was in this part of the square, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Not that people could tell what you were thinking, or anything, really, but... just even admitting to himself that he was attracted to his instructor seemed scandalous. Except... she kept teasing him! She was already scandalous herself! He coughed and decided this was a bad line of thinking, and he'd better get back to the other tasks Towa had asked him to do, before he had to go prepare for this month's practical exam and their upcoming field study to the Nord Highlands. He was really looking forward to seeing Gaius' homeland, and to spending some more time with him.