Resting in the Verdant Fields

[holyrosary]

Who: Rosa and Cecil, OPEN
When: Now
Where: Citro Plains
What: Wandering and walking.
Type: Log
Notes/Warnings: If you'd like to find Rosa out on her own, you're welcome to. If it turns into a fight, Cecil might arrive to rescue.

Comments

[hallowedlight]

While Rosa could never think of the place as a battlefield, Cecil always checked the area for potential enemies, Chaos warriors and manikins alike. In this world, peace was always deceptive. As usual on arrival, he did a quick survey of the area, but spotted no one, except a lone figure.

His heart always lifted to see Rosa. They'd had a chance to spend more time together recently, since the fighting had subsided. He spent no less time on his training, though -- in fact, he was training harder and with more determination than ever. This time he didn't have only his friends or brother to fight for, but her, as well. Any time spent together made it all worthwhile.

Even if he still didn't fully remember her, he was at least beginning to overcome his shyness. Cecil headed over to her, making his arrival known by falling into step at her side, slipping his hand into hers. "...Rosa."

[holyrosary]

All it took was Cecil's hand slipped into hers to fill Rosa with a joy which effused from her face and smile. "Cecil..." Even now, just speaking his name brought her happiness and the gentle lilt in her voice gave away how much she adored him.

Her attention left the beautiful landscape around them and fixed right on him. She knew he still did not truly remember her or their life and yet he made the effort to be with her regardless. It touched her so profoundly that her eyes began to mist. And how selfish of her to have been so intent on him regaining his memories for so long. Cecil was the same man she loved and cherished with or without his memories and he showed it everything he did. How could she wish for different?

[hallowedlight]

Cecil met her gaze with a warm smile, interlacing his fingers in hers. There was still the guilt present of not remembering her, or Kain and Edward, or the responsibilities awaiting him at home that he ought to. But in moments like these, it was easy to forget past and future alike.

Seeing her eyes filled with emotion, though, he wasn't sure how to interpret it. "What is it, Rosa? Is something the matter?"

[holyrosary]

"No. Nothing is wrong." Her eyes lowered modestly. Even though they were married, she felt shy in sharing her feelings, not only because she had held them in her heart for so very long but it seemed to trouble him now as he could not remember. "Only that you bring me happiness."

Leaving their fingers entwined, she turned to face Cecil and resting her free hand on his chest. Only then did she raise her eyes again, to look up into his dear face. "There is something I wish to tell you..." It was not merely a statement, but a request for permission and a prelude to the topic.

[onlymysword]

Paine sauntered out onto the fields, her heels digging and sinking into the soil from time to time, which was annoying but not enough for her to stop exploring. It's too quiet, she thought. Her red eyes scanned the horizon and the fields before here, trying to find enemies that could potentially appear. Paine knew that in war there were no safe places, only places that are safer than others.

They had told her that it was only a few more battles before the end of the war. They'll be the worst. No doubt about it. With a sigh and a crossing of her arms, she continued while being war of her surroundings. Paine notices someone, a woman? She was alone and stopped from time to time to see the flowers. Paine looked to the ground to see that she had already crushed more than enough with her boots, not that it really worried her. Still she walked towards her in a normal pace in case that she could leave without having to fight an unknown foe.

[holyrosary]

The footfall of Paine's heels in the grass went unnoticed until she was close enough to Rosa for her shadow to fall across the ground nearby. Rosa looked up then and smiled at the new arrival. While she realized this could be an aggressive encounter and she had been caught out unaware, it seemed unlikely to her, having not been assaulted already.

"Hello. Have we met?"

[onlymysword]

Paine simply shook her head. "Just got here." She crossed her arms and looked across the fields, still wondering what the future held in these worlds. "It's not safe to be out here alone and unarmed." As for her, she had her two other dresspheres and her sword handy. She could slice and dice before someone could yell sphere break.

[holyrosary]

Rosa inclined her head in acknowledgment of that truth. Her eyes traveled to where she'd sat aside her bow, brought in case of need, but as yet unused. "You are right. I should be more cautious. Pardon me." It wouldn't do at all to have Cecil arrive for a private walk to find her engaged in a battle she most likely could not win. Not that she wished to go about armed at all times, but there was wisdom in carrying her weapon anyway.

[heavenslament]

Terra wandered the plains, peering around the landscape but not paying attention to it other than scanning the area for enemies. The land may belong to Cosmos, but it still had the potential to be a battlefield. That fact was one she could not allow herself to forget.

Still, there was much on her mind. The lack of word from Cosmos and...other events...left her confused and disoriented. She didn't know where to turn or who to seek, afraid that if she reached out, it would only be to discover that yet another friend had departed, gone home.

She half-wondered about departing the plains for neutral territory, the better to hone her skills, when a familiar form was spotted. Was that...yes, it was. Changing her angle slightly, Terra approached the woman among the flowers.

[holyrosary]

With one final look at the petals which had caught her attention, Rosa straightened and noted Terra's approach. Of all the others she had met in her time here, she appreciated the green-haired girl the most. She had been kind when Rosa first arrived, and having had a taste of what she was capable of in a battle, she understood a little how frightening it must be to have so much power.

Tucking some stray hair behind her ear, Rosa smiled at her friend. "Hello, Terra. It's so wonderful to see you."

[heavenslament]

Terra smiled back, more at ease with Rosa than most of the new people she had met so far. The ties to Cecil helped, though it wasn't just that. There was something about the woman that Terra found very calming; it helped lower her usual barriers, at least somewhat. The fact that Rosa once had her powers also helped, since she didn't have to explain what it was like to have such power.

Upon reaching her, Terra paused and smiled. "It's wonderful to see you, too. How have you been?"

[holyrosary]

Something about Terra's demeanor made Rosa want to draw the girl into a hug and assure her all would be well. She suspected that it might discomfort her, however, and thus the urge was pushed down. Maybe it was that her green hair reminded her of Rydia who she'd always felt maternal over, even after she came to them fully grown.

"I am well. Concerned by the silence and the waiting." Both were dreadful to endure and having no sign what it could mean only amplified her worries. "What of yourself?"

[bound_skyward]

Kain was... watching, from afar. He had to take a moment to collect his thoughts, before he approached Rosa at all. He still held feelings for her, after all, still became inwardly anxious whenever he thought about her.

Eventually, he approached. "Rosa..."

[holyrosary]

"Kain!" All it took was his familiar voice to bring Rosa out of her thoughts and to abandon her appreciation of the flora. Greeting him with a joyous smile, she slipped her hands around his arm. A familiar gesture and comfortable. "How long have you been here?" Or more properly: how long have I been unaware and ignoring you?

[bound_skyward]

"Not very long." Just long enough to reignite those feelings which he'd been trying even harder to move past. He couldn't help it, especially since that darker side of him was still latched onto the idea of being with her, taking her for himself...

...sigh... no... Kain didn't want it to be like that. Enjoying her company was enough. "How have you been?"

[holyrosary]

"Worried."

Rosa seldom shared in full what was in her heart and on her mind. Only Cecil and Kain ever had that openness from her, and yet there were still things she held to herself and pondered alone. However, she saw little reason not to be forthright with her friend about her concerns. Surely they all had them as much as she.

"I do not begrudge the calm, but the silence... this I dread. I had thought us soon for home and yet we stand at the edge of the precipice waiting for the fighting to come." She shuddered as she spoke, unable to quell the tremors of fear. Rosa understood what it meant to serve in the army, what it meant to follow into battle, to heal the wounded, to fight as she must. Yet she did not possess within her the bloodlust that made war appealing to her as it did others. Had she the choice, there would never be need for her skills at all. "This is only the facade of peace."

[chaoticelement]

There was few things that Kefka hated any more than peace and tranquility. Beauty was one such thing. The Citro plains were just so... happy. This was not something he could abide for long. He was about to set fire to the whole deal when he spotted Rosa. The newcomer that seemed to follow that poor excuse of a paladin like a lost puppy.

Kefka had grown to hate Cecil with a passion. More than most even, considering the attitude he carried. If this friend of his was going to be foolish enough to wander alone, he'd have to capitalize on it. To that extent, Kefka found himself floating upside down just above Rosa's head, making sure that when she stood from smelling the flowers, he would be the first thing she saw.

[holyrosary]

When Rosa stood from the flowers, she found herself nearly face to face with someone familiar. Familiar but not nearly so welcome. To be fair, she had never spoken with him directly, yet she recognized him from the crystals. Neither Cecil nor Kain trusted him and his interactions with them were less than pleasant.

Under normal circumstances, she would welcome meeting new people, even those on the enemy's side. Yet there was a sinking sense of dread and wariness that cropped up. To ease that, she backed away a couple of steps to increase her personal space.

[chaoticelement]

Kefka just grinned as he righted himself in the air. He knew of Rosa's connection to Cecil and Kain, but only that there was a connection. The extent of said connection however, was still something he did not know. The fact that she radiated a sort of purity, however, was more than enough to earn her Kefka's ire.

"Oh, I apologize, I did not mean to startle you, m'lady..."

His voice was almost sickeningly sweet. Oh, he was going to enjoy this...