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Soft waves roll into the shoreline, then sweeping back once again. The sun has long since set upon another night stranded on Saldine's flats. It had been roughly a week since their arrival on their way to the capital, stranded with no clear escape route and coupled with their luck it could take another week for the tides to turn. But this change of events does little to bother Scias, as he indulges in the island's pleasantries. It's a quaint little place with such soft sand, clear beautiful skies, teaming with fresh fish and wildlife, it's certainly one of the better places he's stumbled upon. Perhaps the timing of their arrival could have been better planned but he accepts that the changing tides are out of his hands and instead of fretting, he'll enjoy these moments while he can, even now as he sits underneath a lofty palm tree behind their pitched tent, lone but comfortable. His nose twitches as he takes in the sea breeze, a miscellany of scents lapping against the glimmering sands. Yet another night of waiting for a path to emerge, another night of wondering what the morning brings.
And another night of watching the stars shimmer in the night sky.
“Do you mind if I join you?”
He looks over to find Urusla standing before him, gun in one hand and a polishing cloth in the other. She was a unique addition to say the least, somehow colder than the highlands frozen peaks yet so fierce, fiery and stubborn. Though she was welcomed all the same, Nina sparked a close connection rather quickly - but Scias assumes she has that effect with everyone, as if she could melt even the coldest hearts - and Scias himself appreciates her quiet disposition, he finds it strangely calming.
“N-Not at all…”
He shifts over to give her space and she gingerly sits aside him, glancing at the horizon for a moment before polishing her gun, as they lapse into silence once again.
It's been some time since their journey together began. For once, Scias can feel time ticking by beside him again, so much precious time within reach. Time for him to think clearly again, even when there's nothing on his mind. Time to feel, whether it's hurt, or relief, or agonising boredom. He never thought he'd value something as simple as time itself. Then again, he also couldn't have imagined a simple job like this could've spiralled into such a tale, heading to spiritual places one could only dream of, even meeting the very Endless themselves.
But even now, all he sees is Ryu and Nina, and the hearts of gold they shared with him.
He glances over to Ursula, still content to polish her blaster as she does every night, ever diligent as a commander regardless of circumstance. Her ears lightly sway as the waves recede, taking in the night’s whistling winds. Perhaps, she too appreciates this gifted time.
Her gaze shifts to her companions, all gathered near their tent. Nina kneels over the fireplace, preparing a newly caught fish for a bubbling stew over the fireplace once again. Ryu watches attentively, stoking the crackling flames with a charred palm tree branch. Ershin watches from afar, rocking their boots ever so often against the sand. She wonders if that Endless, Deis, envies their meals, or if Endless require meals to begin with.
And then there was Cray.
He was supposed to be their level-headed leader, yet it seems he’s content to count his steps in the sand, pacing back and forth for hours on end, his impatient tail frizzled and flicking about with rash abandon. Reaching the capital is imperative, yes, but no one gets anywhere with a clouded mind filled with frantic worries. Nerves can and will be the end of you and overcoming them in the face of everyday adversity is what truly separates an average soldier from a fearless commander.
She scoffs at the sight, “That fool, if he keeps this up, he’ll lead himself into an early grave. And he’s supposed to be the leader.”
Scias never thought much about leadership himself, after all, what good is a leader for a free wandering spirit? And regardless of anyone’s leadership qualities, they are always balanced out with flaws and quirks. Nina’s kindness towards all but simple naivety, Cray’s headstrong nature but enduring recklessness, even Scias himself, with his own swordsmanship competing against a spending schedule filled with erratic priorities, drink sometimes coming before a place to sleep for the night, strained hangovers in abundance. Coupled with a quiet nature that many, so very many, can’t help but point out and it’s easy to see why so many fall back on his craft over his character, a mercenary to get the job done, not a comrade in arms to truly respect or admire, let alone a leader.
Yet it’s the life he chose, a life of his own free will, one that crumbles when he says so, if at all. Perhaps that’s all the guidance he requires.
But what of Ursula? A feared commander with an indomitable burning will, more than any Fou client Scias ever met. She likely thinks of leadership differently, with endless responsibilities falling solely to her, personal morals and obligations in constant conflict. How much would it weigh on her? if at all?
“The shoreline may resurface, in a matter of days, or weeks, or years, if at all.” Ursula says solemnly.
“Though…I was foolish once too.”
Everyone has their reasons for joining, and Scias is not one to pry into sensitive chequered pasts, but he can’t help but feel a little intrigued after that. Ursula’s ears twitch as she registers the gaze beside her shoulder, Scias leaning in and nodding to her.
A blink, her eyes slightly widened, unsure how to respond, as if this is unfamiliar territory or some strange, unfounded illusion. He is a rather direct man, yet respectful at heart. She still thinks of their meeting, how despite being their supposed enemy he cut her free of her binds, treating her just as amiably as the others. She still doesn't understand it, a bond has barely been made but the idea of confiding in him isn’t quite so ludicrous.
She nods back, taking a moment to recompose before speaking again.
“I was a newly promoted captain, tasked with guiding a squadron across the continent from Astana to Chedo. They were a plain set, wide eyed and determined to do good for their country. But freshly recruited all the same.”
Her gaze lowers as she quietly mutters, “It was also the day I met Rasso.”
“There were upstarts, of course, ones who would never obey despite their numerous punishments, but… Rasso was more than that. Boundaries do not exist to him, they never did. He'd take any excuse to flaunt his power to his foes, before heading back to dine from the emperor's palm again, any stray bites would be blamed on other poor souls."
Scias too turns rather melancholic, the image of that ruined village still fresh in his mind, the innocents, the children, the raging Kaiser Dragon towering over them all. Rasso is one that Scias hopes will become a blur in time, drowned out by an ocean’s worth of alcohol.
Ursula breathes in and speaks again, "We were still a week away from reaching the Aqueduct, our sentry bemoaning their weary states by the minute, so we set up camp once again and checked our supplies.”
“And just as dusk fell, we were ambushed by pack of bandits, sent scattering through the thicket chasing them down. Paired with Rasso, I gave chase to their leader and cornered them between the steep ledges, caught shivering after a few warning shots."
"That was all it was meant to be, but..."
The grip on her gun tightens, as does the grit of her teeth, "He couldn't let it go, and summoned an infernal creature to smite them, ensuring there no trace of life left as they descended into that deep shrouded ravine."
"We recouped but the damage was done, and half our squadron was lost."
Scias breathes out a whine, it’s all he can muster, words of lament dry up on his tongue. Ursula loosens her hold, her lidded eyes waver, she heaves in a shuddering breath and continues on. "The rest of our days were silent, trudging along the sands until we finally reached the capital. General Yohm addressed us with shame, threatening to disband our unit for our lost provisions, Rasso barking out his approval, but then grandfa-, I mean General Rhun, spoke up."
That slip up peaks Scias’ interest, though perhaps one not prodded at wisely, for fear of his own life. General Rhun himself is seemingly a mystery, having served in the Fou Empire for so many years, yet only seen to those standing in its highest positions. Regardless of the details they must share a close bond. It warms Scias’ heart a little, knowing that amongst the imperialistic terrain of the Fou Empire, Ursula still has a caring soul in her life.
"He asked what I mourned most, 'Our soldiers, of course. I lead them to their death, like a reckless fool. ' I asked to be removed from the position of commander, but instead he-"
She pauses, as if the event or Rhun himself sparks anomalies, and snorts out, “He replied with praise.”
'Their lives were cut short, yes, and we shall mourn them this night, but their blood is not on your hands, Ursula. Your heart is one that values what matters most, stay true to those values as a proud Fou commander.'
She still sighs in disbelief even after all these years, even when operations proceed as planned without casualties, even with events that are completely out of her control, even now as the capital’s state remains a tense mystery, it still weighs so heavily on her mind.
"H-He's right, you have a-a-"
Scias, ever genuine, flashes that wide toothy grin once again.
"A kind heart. You fit in v-very well here."
Now he is the one struck with disbelief, as Ursula faces him, eyes slightly widened, and mirrors a tiny smile back. It’s only for a brief second, but it’s genuine, it’s pure, it’s beautiful.
"...Thank you."
Another kind of warmth blooms within Scias chest, perhaps one more intoxicating than any drink in the land, with a rich and pure glow to match. It only deepens as Ursula stares back with a strange mystifying look, as if she’s deeply contemplating something of her own. She clears her throat behind a closed fist, feeling rather coy, before speaking up, "You were a mercenary before this, correct?"
Scias nods, "W-Working for zenny was n-n-nice... but unstable." He bashfully rubs the scruff on his neck. Ursula nods back, it’s all the reply he needs. While a captain’s life has its own trials, a mercenary, one without a home, or family, or even safety has equal tribulations.
"T-T-Travelling with ev-everyone is nice t-too. N-Nina taught me that."
They look back to their friends, their pure hearted Wyndian Princess preparing a now freshly boiled fish stew for dinner, as Ryu folds out palm leaves as makeshift plates, and Ershin enquires on Deis’ behalf about their choice of drink, and how the constellations themselves grant good fortune to those who dine under the stars with wine this time.
Scias offers her a fresh drink poured straight from his flask, she briefly hesitates, before gratefully accepting. It has a rough and bitter taste but surges with a tingling warmth. Ursula raises her downed glass proudly, as Scias flashes another wide grin in response.
They’ll soon join for dinner and go back to their usual roles as a silent mercenary and a frigid captain, and after that Scias will return to stargazing, as usual. He’s used to this consistent lifestyle, but this shared moment paired with a new strange feeling is also welcomed. They share one more gaze before that, it’s quiet but gentle, their own shared silence, and one they both hope will continue even after tonight.