RT Log: Seth tries to Fix... Things... And fails.
Characters: Seth and Eirika of Renais
Date: Very, very late last night.
Summary: Somewhat damaging Eirika's door, Seth shows himself in when she refuses to see him. He finds her in... a lapse of sanity, it would appear. Sanity. Apathy. Whatever the case is, she's still clearly upset.
Warnings: I'd say skip the emo. All you need to know is that Seth broke the door. :[
With a muffled slam, Seth forced the door open after hearing no response. He entered to a dark room and blinked. Shaking his head, the knight moved onwards after allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He stumbled a little before noticing the... wall of furniture and items.
Eirika had barricaded herself? "Eirika...."
There was her living room, to the right of her entryway. From the window, one could see the distant lights of the Sakura Love Hotel. Eirika sat in the corner closest to the window, yet far enough that she couldn't see through it. There was a glow to the blue eyes that scarcely looked around, more trapped in her thoughts as to what she would do in reply to anything. Not dancing meant ultimate termination, but would that be so terrible? Not capable of following the pathway she wanted, she was forced into her position. Across on the other side of the room was her computer, quietly whirring in the silence with the monitor flickering through black screens, as though it was not connected properly.
She hadn't attempted to throw anything. Nor did anything seem remarkably out of place, aside from the miscellanously strewn items that held her in her sanctuary, or the place that chose to be her sanctuary. Her hands rested at her ankles, her knees pressed against her chest. Her head inclined and she moved not a muscle, nor chose to offer him the idea that she was even there.
He sighed softly, then move to nudge the pile of items he had left outside her door inwards, and closed the door behind him. He manuvered his way alongside the items, pushing some away to ease his passage inwards. Seth settled down besides her and removed his helm as he watched her.
"Eirika."
A princess, or a queen, whatever type of creature she was, or defined herself as, Eirika would not turn to him, or offer him any response in the least. She heard him well enough, even felt the air move from his gesture. Her thoughts were not of him, or Ephraim, or Innes, or Marth, or anything. She had never felt so blank, so empty, so not herself, if she had ever been herself.
He had no words to describe the sadness he had at the moment. She was not even attempting to make him leave. And to think his words might have sparked her current state was causing him much guilt. He leaned forward and took her into his arms. He might not yet be able to find words, but he could at least offer her some warmth.
There was no mistaking the contact that was made when he reached for her. Her form was hardly stiff, as it had been recently in withdrawing from him. Instead, when he reached, her arms hung at her sides and she looked neither repulsed nor pleased by his response. There were no words; there was no chiding; there were no insults. No matter how cold she might have been, or how pale she'd become in the darkness, she was hardly worried about this. She scarcely glanced at him when he advanced.
Her lack of response worried him the most, and Seth removed his gauntlets to rub at her back slowly. She must have been cold, and once more it reminded him of how horribly he had failed her. He could only hope that what he had in mind could compensate for it, somehow. "I am sorry, my love. This is not how I had hoped for it to be."
What could she say? He'd heard everything he needed to hear. He'd insisted on mindless drabble in means of insulting her. The moment his lips started to part, she assumed he was still not done. As far as the queen was concerned, he was mocking her. Delicate fingertips, still soft and eerily bony lifted and in a rough gesture, drew off her pendant and without meeting his gaze, she held it to him, the dim light casting shadows over her wrist.
Seth held back his shock as he pressed her fingers back into a fist surrounding the pendant. "Nay, it is yours. I... This is how far I have fallen..." he shook his head sadly. "Would death be an appriopriate atonement, my love?" he mused idly.
It hurt, for him to hold her that way, and she allowed him the luxury of knowing that the moment her form stiffened. With her other hand, she made a gesture for the door, shaking her head in response to his inquiry. She didn't want his company. Not when she felt the way she did. Not when oblivion had a hold on her.
"Nay, I will not leave you alone with such thoughts at the moment," he shook his head.
Her head hung and she withdrew from him, drawing into herself again. She was in no position to see him. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want him near her. She didn't want to see anyone.
Well, she would have to beat him over the head with things if she remotely want to get him to leave, and Seth was having none of that. He chose to settle down besides her. He was not letting her go through what he had, especially knowing how... painful it could be. "Fine, I can be stubborn too. I will remain here."
Eirika waved him off with a hand, more annoyed with him than anything. Utter nonsense. All of this was utter nonsense. Love was ridiculous. It was foolish. It was idiotic. And she was as much a fool for wanting anything like it. The idea of love repulsed her, and she would have nothing to do with it. If she were to love anything, she would love Renais.
It did not faze him, and the knight took up a position not too different from hers.
And finally she forced herself to speak, as neutral as she could. "I beg of you, leave me be."
"Not without a fight, nay." he shook his head.
"...This is not a time for play. I need to be left alone. I do not want to be near you. I do not want to be near anyone. Leave me alone, so I may rest and recover," she explained. "Go do the same by yourself."
"I am not playing, either you force me out, or I will be sitting here with you for the night," he said. Anger was better than... whatever emotions she might be feeling.
That was ridiculous, Eirika thought to herself. At least she was thinking again. "I have no physical strength to do anything so foolish. I am asking you to leave. It is a request."
"Then all the more important that I remain here. Lest some person of indecent intent stumbled upon your apartment," the knight said as he shifted slightly to adjust his sword belt.
"I do not want your protection tonight. Enough torment has been caused. I refuse to subject myself to anymore. If you wish to stay, you will do so alone." Though she had no intentions of leaving her apartment.
Seth shrugged quietly as he looked at the wall.
It seemed his decision had been made and she would not be changing it. He was ignoring her requests. He could not be called her retainer any longer. He could not be considered her knight by any means. She assumed it was a decision made with her brother. It was logical. Eirika brought herself to her feet, a vague sway in her form, "...You may screen any visitors. I will be excusing myself now."
She was quite stubborn, truly. Seth stood up after her and brisquely swung her into his arms, carrying her once more, "Let me. Bedroom, aye?"
It was strange. He drew her in the way Innes had and it caused her to stiffen, "...This is undignified. This is inappropriate. Release me."
"When you cannot even stand properly and fell, that is worse, aye? I will release you soon," he said as he carried her towards her bedroom with careful steps. He did not want to cause her to feel dizzy.
"I am not a child," was her protest. "Please do not treat me like one."
Keeping silent until he reached her bedroom, he placed her upon her bed gently, "This is the logically quickest way for you to arrive upon your bed."
"Right," she began. "To treat me as a defenseless child."
"Nay, to treat you as someone who is not feeling well," he shook his head. "I do not spar with defenseless children."
She laced her fingertips together. He had a point. It was valid. This led her not to argue with him.
He pulled her blanket over her form, "Do you wish something to eat or drink?"
She tugged her blanket around her form and stared at him for a moment, as though trying to piece his words together. Then she shook her head, "No. The offer is appreciated. You may go now."
At that moment, she seemed so... innocent. Seth leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead before straightening. He looked down at her, seemingly unable to decide what to say. Then, with a slight shake of his head, he went off to her living room and returned with a chair.
The moment he left, she raised a hand to brush her fingertips over her forehead where he had left his kiss. When he returned, she simply stared at him, wondering what he had planned.
He planned to sit on the chair. Which he did. Seth leaned back slightly and looked at her tenderly, "Rest, my love. I just... want to watch over you." To do so one last time...
She shook her head, "You cannot stay in here. You will need to wait out there." She pointed to her bedroom door.
He nodded at her, "Just a moment more."
It seemed like a reasonable request. She simply kept her eyes upon him, and straightened her posture as she tugged her blanket around him. "...I believe this moment is over."
"Aye," he nodded again. "Thank you." Seth inclined his head politely. At least this final meeting seemed to be amiable. He would clean up her apartment, then at last he could do what was to be done.
"I do not know what you are anymore, Seth. I do not know if I should call you a knight. I do not know if I should call you my retainer. I do not know anything. My anger will melt with time. The idea that I am tolerating you now means something. It is more than simply toleration. I am offering you respect for the person you are, looking at you, not with jaded eyes, not with the eyes of the girl who dreamt of princes as a child, but rather as a woman with no biased views. I do not know what you are going to do. I suppose I have no right to. Whatever it is, I lift my hands now. I will never stop you again. I will never, ever lift my hands against you again."
Seth was walking out of her room as she spoke, and he stopped to listen before he turned back to her, "I...have overstepped my bound enough to warrant the slap, on hindsight. I am so in love with you, and to be told that you do not want me near you is... hard to comprehend. I cannot go to Altea now, yet neither can I return to Renais." He stopped for a moment, before taking a deep breath, "I must...redeem myself. For hurting the woman I love and so much more. I shall march into battle singing the glory of Renais and your name, and should the Everlasting will it, I shall see you again."
Whether what he did warranted it or not didn't seem to make a difference. Eirika was still in a great amount of irritation following it. "You and I... We fight a lot. ...It isn't banter anymore. We really fight. About everything. About nothing." Then she shook her head, "No matter how we fight, however, I took an oath that has willed me not to use physical violence. I broke that the moment I assaulted you, which I should not have done. I could think of no other way to get you to leave. I did not want to see you. I did not want Prince Innes to see you. I did not want to hear anything more about the two of you squabbling over ridiculous things. You both loathe each other so much. That caused so much strain on me... I had to fight battles for both of you. I always have. 'That's just the way Seth is.' 'Seth really means well.' 'Please don't judge Seth so harshly.' I said all of those things about Innes as well. When can I stop fighting for everyone? When may I be allowed to do as I please without having to worry that I will be guilt-tripped for the rest of my days? Why am I not allowed to explore my options? Why am I not allowed to have my freedom? Why am I being required to have a decision on my future now? Why can I not consider that I have a future?"
Eirika sighed, "None of that really matters, I suppose. I... can only apologise. As I sit here, that is all I can do. I will not defend myself. I will not argue. I will neither deny nor confirm anything that is assumed of me. I will not do these things anymore. Honest words are honest words. They do not require my responses."
"...The only moment I loathe Prince Innes was when he obstructed me from seeing you," he confessed quietly. "I... cannot answer all those questions. When I fall in love with someone, I do not feel right exploring other options, so I cannot understand how you feel." Seth sighed, "I will be back in just a moment."
Once more he quickly exited the room and returned, this time with a small bag that was not such a stranger to Eirika. He placed the bag near her bed, "Promise you will keep it safe, my love."
She shook her head at him, "No. It is not mine. I will not. Please do not call me that. Please look at me with eyes that are not clouded by love."
"There is no one else I would trust with this, Eirika," he patted it gently before straightening.
"I can't," she protested.
"Then just... ignore it as it sits here, Eirika. I... will try to come back for it," he nodded.
"I will watch it until you come back, but I am not a storage device for things you are too lazy to care for," Eirika chided him.
Seth shook his head, "If I do not, Eirika, they are yours to keep."
"I do not want your things. What part of that do you not understand? You said that you do not hold me in your compassion, and you force me into situations like this. Do you see? Do you understand?"
Seth blinked at her, "I do not understand."
"...I knew it," she commented. "...You will never be able to see what it is that you do."
"Would you... try to explain it? I promise to not comment upon it," he said gently.
"I don't think I can. I don't have words for it. All I can see it as is you constantly guilt-tripping me, but you can't see it, so even if I explain it, it won't do any good."
"Try? So at least I can attempt to avoid doing so," he pleaded.
Eirika shook her head, "It isn't necessary. You've already made your decision to assume things about me. You and my brother both."
Seth sighed softly, "Decisions can be changed, aye? I wish to stop doing so."
"If I'm not allowed to not make decisions, what gives you a right to change yours?" she asked.
"For you, I wish to change."
"Then do not force me to make decisions that I do not need to make. Do not plan my future out with my brother. Do not conspire against me. Do not manipulate me. Do not disrespect me. Do not do things for me, but do them for you, because doing things for me will not cause you to regain my favour."
Conspire? Manipulate? Disrespect? He could only feel a dark pit forming in his stomach at how she perceived his actions. How he had hurt her so... Seth swallowed hard and nodded, "Aye."
"...I am allowed my thoughts and my feelings. I will stand no more for people casting them aside as though they mean nothing. It... will take me some time before I am able to forgive you and Ephraim. My thoughts on men are not... high. My trust and my faith in Prince Innes has fallen. I would imagine he is hardly different from either of you." She averted her gaze and took a deep breath.
Seth took a shuddering breath, "Aye..." It seemed he was a complete failure as a person.
"You asked for my honesty," she said simply.
"Aye," he nodded. "Thank you...." The knight drew in another breath, and could not help but placed another kiss on her forehead. "Fare thee well, Eirika. And... remember that I will always love you."
That stung. "Please do not say that. Please do not do a thing to sway me. Please do not say a thing that will sway me. You cannot do such a thing. It isn't right to me. Do not take advantage of this moment. Do not speak to me as though you intend to seek death." She shook her head at him.
"I... do not seek death. You made me understand how much I have hurt you, Eirika. And that is... not quite pardonable. Regardless of how I perceived myself to be hurt, it is no excuse," Seth said. "You may forgive me in time... But I am unable to do so... Not unless I do this."
"I didn't ask you for an explanation," she replied quite simply. It wasn't that she didn't care. She sort of didn't want to know.
He took it the wrong way. He remembered that she did not want to know of his status, and he supposed this was her displaying her preference. The knight kneeled for a moment of genuflection, before standing and saluting.
Eirika had no idea what he was doing. She imagined he was simply trying to show his respect for her, since she had felt so betrayed by him. Her hand lifted and she offered the same gesture.
And then, turning to leave the room, he sung softly the start of a hymm. A battle hymm, to be precise. "I shall sing to the glory of Renais as I march forth. Unto the Breach, unto the Breach." There was still things to do, of course, but it had begun.
Date: Very, very late last night.
Summary: Somewhat damaging Eirika's door, Seth shows himself in when she refuses to see him. He finds her in... a lapse of sanity, it would appear. Sanity. Apathy. Whatever the case is, she's still clearly upset.
Warnings: I'd say skip the emo. All you need to know is that Seth broke the door. :[
With a muffled slam, Seth forced the door open after hearing no response. He entered to a dark room and blinked. Shaking his head, the knight moved onwards after allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He stumbled a little before noticing the... wall of furniture and items.
Eirika had barricaded herself? "Eirika...."
There was her living room, to the right of her entryway. From the window, one could see the distant lights of the Sakura Love Hotel. Eirika sat in the corner closest to the window, yet far enough that she couldn't see through it. There was a glow to the blue eyes that scarcely looked around, more trapped in her thoughts as to what she would do in reply to anything. Not dancing meant ultimate termination, but would that be so terrible? Not capable of following the pathway she wanted, she was forced into her position. Across on the other side of the room was her computer, quietly whirring in the silence with the monitor flickering through black screens, as though it was not connected properly.
She hadn't attempted to throw anything. Nor did anything seem remarkably out of place, aside from the miscellanously strewn items that held her in her sanctuary, or the place that chose to be her sanctuary. Her hands rested at her ankles, her knees pressed against her chest. Her head inclined and she moved not a muscle, nor chose to offer him the idea that she was even there.
He sighed softly, then move to nudge the pile of items he had left outside her door inwards, and closed the door behind him. He manuvered his way alongside the items, pushing some away to ease his passage inwards. Seth settled down besides her and removed his helm as he watched her.
"Eirika."
A princess, or a queen, whatever type of creature she was, or defined herself as, Eirika would not turn to him, or offer him any response in the least. She heard him well enough, even felt the air move from his gesture. Her thoughts were not of him, or Ephraim, or Innes, or Marth, or anything. She had never felt so blank, so empty, so not herself, if she had ever been herself.
He had no words to describe the sadness he had at the moment. She was not even attempting to make him leave. And to think his words might have sparked her current state was causing him much guilt. He leaned forward and took her into his arms. He might not yet be able to find words, but he could at least offer her some warmth.
There was no mistaking the contact that was made when he reached for her. Her form was hardly stiff, as it had been recently in withdrawing from him. Instead, when he reached, her arms hung at her sides and she looked neither repulsed nor pleased by his response. There were no words; there was no chiding; there were no insults. No matter how cold she might have been, or how pale she'd become in the darkness, she was hardly worried about this. She scarcely glanced at him when he advanced.
Her lack of response worried him the most, and Seth removed his gauntlets to rub at her back slowly. She must have been cold, and once more it reminded him of how horribly he had failed her. He could only hope that what he had in mind could compensate for it, somehow. "I am sorry, my love. This is not how I had hoped for it to be."
What could she say? He'd heard everything he needed to hear. He'd insisted on mindless drabble in means of insulting her. The moment his lips started to part, she assumed he was still not done. As far as the queen was concerned, he was mocking her. Delicate fingertips, still soft and eerily bony lifted and in a rough gesture, drew off her pendant and without meeting his gaze, she held it to him, the dim light casting shadows over her wrist.
Seth held back his shock as he pressed her fingers back into a fist surrounding the pendant. "Nay, it is yours. I... This is how far I have fallen..." he shook his head sadly. "Would death be an appriopriate atonement, my love?" he mused idly.
It hurt, for him to hold her that way, and she allowed him the luxury of knowing that the moment her form stiffened. With her other hand, she made a gesture for the door, shaking her head in response to his inquiry. She didn't want his company. Not when she felt the way she did. Not when oblivion had a hold on her.
"Nay, I will not leave you alone with such thoughts at the moment," he shook his head.
Her head hung and she withdrew from him, drawing into herself again. She was in no position to see him. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want him near her. She didn't want to see anyone.
Well, she would have to beat him over the head with things if she remotely want to get him to leave, and Seth was having none of that. He chose to settle down besides her. He was not letting her go through what he had, especially knowing how... painful it could be. "Fine, I can be stubborn too. I will remain here."
Eirika waved him off with a hand, more annoyed with him than anything. Utter nonsense. All of this was utter nonsense. Love was ridiculous. It was foolish. It was idiotic. And she was as much a fool for wanting anything like it. The idea of love repulsed her, and she would have nothing to do with it. If she were to love anything, she would love Renais.
It did not faze him, and the knight took up a position not too different from hers.
And finally she forced herself to speak, as neutral as she could. "I beg of you, leave me be."
"Not without a fight, nay." he shook his head.
"...This is not a time for play. I need to be left alone. I do not want to be near you. I do not want to be near anyone. Leave me alone, so I may rest and recover," she explained. "Go do the same by yourself."
"I am not playing, either you force me out, or I will be sitting here with you for the night," he said. Anger was better than... whatever emotions she might be feeling.
That was ridiculous, Eirika thought to herself. At least she was thinking again. "I have no physical strength to do anything so foolish. I am asking you to leave. It is a request."
"Then all the more important that I remain here. Lest some person of indecent intent stumbled upon your apartment," the knight said as he shifted slightly to adjust his sword belt.
"I do not want your protection tonight. Enough torment has been caused. I refuse to subject myself to anymore. If you wish to stay, you will do so alone." Though she had no intentions of leaving her apartment.
Seth shrugged quietly as he looked at the wall.
It seemed his decision had been made and she would not be changing it. He was ignoring her requests. He could not be called her retainer any longer. He could not be considered her knight by any means. She assumed it was a decision made with her brother. It was logical. Eirika brought herself to her feet, a vague sway in her form, "...You may screen any visitors. I will be excusing myself now."
She was quite stubborn, truly. Seth stood up after her and brisquely swung her into his arms, carrying her once more, "Let me. Bedroom, aye?"
It was strange. He drew her in the way Innes had and it caused her to stiffen, "...This is undignified. This is inappropriate. Release me."
"When you cannot even stand properly and fell, that is worse, aye? I will release you soon," he said as he carried her towards her bedroom with careful steps. He did not want to cause her to feel dizzy.
"I am not a child," was her protest. "Please do not treat me like one."
Keeping silent until he reached her bedroom, he placed her upon her bed gently, "This is the logically quickest way for you to arrive upon your bed."
"Right," she began. "To treat me as a defenseless child."
"Nay, to treat you as someone who is not feeling well," he shook his head. "I do not spar with defenseless children."
She laced her fingertips together. He had a point. It was valid. This led her not to argue with him.
He pulled her blanket over her form, "Do you wish something to eat or drink?"
She tugged her blanket around her form and stared at him for a moment, as though trying to piece his words together. Then she shook her head, "No. The offer is appreciated. You may go now."
At that moment, she seemed so... innocent. Seth leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead before straightening. He looked down at her, seemingly unable to decide what to say. Then, with a slight shake of his head, he went off to her living room and returned with a chair.
The moment he left, she raised a hand to brush her fingertips over her forehead where he had left his kiss. When he returned, she simply stared at him, wondering what he had planned.
He planned to sit on the chair. Which he did. Seth leaned back slightly and looked at her tenderly, "Rest, my love. I just... want to watch over you." To do so one last time...
She shook her head, "You cannot stay in here. You will need to wait out there." She pointed to her bedroom door.
He nodded at her, "Just a moment more."
It seemed like a reasonable request. She simply kept her eyes upon him, and straightened her posture as she tugged her blanket around him. "...I believe this moment is over."
"Aye," he nodded again. "Thank you." Seth inclined his head politely. At least this final meeting seemed to be amiable. He would clean up her apartment, then at last he could do what was to be done.
"I do not know what you are anymore, Seth. I do not know if I should call you a knight. I do not know if I should call you my retainer. I do not know anything. My anger will melt with time. The idea that I am tolerating you now means something. It is more than simply toleration. I am offering you respect for the person you are, looking at you, not with jaded eyes, not with the eyes of the girl who dreamt of princes as a child, but rather as a woman with no biased views. I do not know what you are going to do. I suppose I have no right to. Whatever it is, I lift my hands now. I will never stop you again. I will never, ever lift my hands against you again."
Seth was walking out of her room as she spoke, and he stopped to listen before he turned back to her, "I...have overstepped my bound enough to warrant the slap, on hindsight. I am so in love with you, and to be told that you do not want me near you is... hard to comprehend. I cannot go to Altea now, yet neither can I return to Renais." He stopped for a moment, before taking a deep breath, "I must...redeem myself. For hurting the woman I love and so much more. I shall march into battle singing the glory of Renais and your name, and should the Everlasting will it, I shall see you again."
Whether what he did warranted it or not didn't seem to make a difference. Eirika was still in a great amount of irritation following it. "You and I... We fight a lot. ...It isn't banter anymore. We really fight. About everything. About nothing." Then she shook her head, "No matter how we fight, however, I took an oath that has willed me not to use physical violence. I broke that the moment I assaulted you, which I should not have done. I could think of no other way to get you to leave. I did not want to see you. I did not want Prince Innes to see you. I did not want to hear anything more about the two of you squabbling over ridiculous things. You both loathe each other so much. That caused so much strain on me... I had to fight battles for both of you. I always have. 'That's just the way Seth is.' 'Seth really means well.' 'Please don't judge Seth so harshly.' I said all of those things about Innes as well. When can I stop fighting for everyone? When may I be allowed to do as I please without having to worry that I will be guilt-tripped for the rest of my days? Why am I not allowed to explore my options? Why am I not allowed to have my freedom? Why am I being required to have a decision on my future now? Why can I not consider that I have a future?"
Eirika sighed, "None of that really matters, I suppose. I... can only apologise. As I sit here, that is all I can do. I will not defend myself. I will not argue. I will neither deny nor confirm anything that is assumed of me. I will not do these things anymore. Honest words are honest words. They do not require my responses."
"...The only moment I loathe Prince Innes was when he obstructed me from seeing you," he confessed quietly. "I... cannot answer all those questions. When I fall in love with someone, I do not feel right exploring other options, so I cannot understand how you feel." Seth sighed, "I will be back in just a moment."
Once more he quickly exited the room and returned, this time with a small bag that was not such a stranger to Eirika. He placed the bag near her bed, "Promise you will keep it safe, my love."
She shook her head at him, "No. It is not mine. I will not. Please do not call me that. Please look at me with eyes that are not clouded by love."
"There is no one else I would trust with this, Eirika," he patted it gently before straightening.
"I can't," she protested.
"Then just... ignore it as it sits here, Eirika. I... will try to come back for it," he nodded.
"I will watch it until you come back, but I am not a storage device for things you are too lazy to care for," Eirika chided him.
Seth shook his head, "If I do not, Eirika, they are yours to keep."
"I do not want your things. What part of that do you not understand? You said that you do not hold me in your compassion, and you force me into situations like this. Do you see? Do you understand?"
Seth blinked at her, "I do not understand."
"...I knew it," she commented. "...You will never be able to see what it is that you do."
"Would you... try to explain it? I promise to not comment upon it," he said gently.
"I don't think I can. I don't have words for it. All I can see it as is you constantly guilt-tripping me, but you can't see it, so even if I explain it, it won't do any good."
"Try? So at least I can attempt to avoid doing so," he pleaded.
Eirika shook her head, "It isn't necessary. You've already made your decision to assume things about me. You and my brother both."
Seth sighed softly, "Decisions can be changed, aye? I wish to stop doing so."
"If I'm not allowed to not make decisions, what gives you a right to change yours?" she asked.
"For you, I wish to change."
"Then do not force me to make decisions that I do not need to make. Do not plan my future out with my brother. Do not conspire against me. Do not manipulate me. Do not disrespect me. Do not do things for me, but do them for you, because doing things for me will not cause you to regain my favour."
Conspire? Manipulate? Disrespect? He could only feel a dark pit forming in his stomach at how she perceived his actions. How he had hurt her so... Seth swallowed hard and nodded, "Aye."
"...I am allowed my thoughts and my feelings. I will stand no more for people casting them aside as though they mean nothing. It... will take me some time before I am able to forgive you and Ephraim. My thoughts on men are not... high. My trust and my faith in Prince Innes has fallen. I would imagine he is hardly different from either of you." She averted her gaze and took a deep breath.
Seth took a shuddering breath, "Aye..." It seemed he was a complete failure as a person.
"You asked for my honesty," she said simply.
"Aye," he nodded. "Thank you...." The knight drew in another breath, and could not help but placed another kiss on her forehead. "Fare thee well, Eirika. And... remember that I will always love you."
That stung. "Please do not say that. Please do not do a thing to sway me. Please do not say a thing that will sway me. You cannot do such a thing. It isn't right to me. Do not take advantage of this moment. Do not speak to me as though you intend to seek death." She shook her head at him.
"I... do not seek death. You made me understand how much I have hurt you, Eirika. And that is... not quite pardonable. Regardless of how I perceived myself to be hurt, it is no excuse," Seth said. "You may forgive me in time... But I am unable to do so... Not unless I do this."
"I didn't ask you for an explanation," she replied quite simply. It wasn't that she didn't care. She sort of didn't want to know.
He took it the wrong way. He remembered that she did not want to know of his status, and he supposed this was her displaying her preference. The knight kneeled for a moment of genuflection, before standing and saluting.
Eirika had no idea what he was doing. She imagined he was simply trying to show his respect for her, since she had felt so betrayed by him. Her hand lifted and she offered the same gesture.
And then, turning to leave the room, he sung softly the start of a hymm. A battle hymm, to be precise. "I shall sing to the glory of Renais as I march forth. Unto the Breach, unto the Breach." There was still things to do, of course, but it had begun.