Va’il felt a renewed sense of awe at seeing his hometown once again. It felt like such a long time since he had last seen it, but it appeared unchanged. He was expecting something new and different, but relished the unchanging truth that lasted in his memory. The same eastern gate he had left and entered through before encompassed his view, replete with the guards at the towers and entrance. Though their appearances had changed, the situation made him remember a day years ago when he had come through this gate with yet another procession. He had to smile at the fond memory.
Va’il looked at the girl next to him, who was looking out the other window and appeared slightly melancholy. She also smiled a bit at the sight, but it was a complex one that Va’il didn’t have knowledge of. All he could do was let his mind race at everything going on, and take in the sights and thoughts. Above all else, he wanted to jump out and run home, to scream and cry and hug Mai’ou. True, he had grown and hadn’t shown such silly displays to her as often, but today would be an exception, a day where he returned in mind and emotion to that little boy that held to his mother with every bit of strength. It wasn’t really that unusual, considering all that had happened, and all the strength Va’il had exhausted over the last year, physical and emotional.
He again looked at the girl next to him, remembering bits and pieces of the trials they had. He realized they could have had it harder, and that they were extremely fortunate in all that had happened. He watched as her expression stayed the same, but he knew her thoughts were just as complex as his own. The girl he admired for all she had done, all she had shown him. He even felt a twinge of envy when he thought of how she had dealt with it all. How in truth she was the one that’d done far more to save them, regardless of what she said. He laughed internally, knowing that she had faced things head-on for the most part, and yet revealed her own vulnerabilities to him. He knew she had her own trials that she didn’t disclose to him openly, but she was strong enough to show him by action how they affected her. He had his own thoughts on certain matters, and saw how in certain aspects, her own trials were similar to his own.
It dropped his spirits a bit, when he thought of who she could rely on. He’d be going home, and the person waiting for him would be his support for all that’d happened. But Ruby wasn’t heading home to receive support. He knew that. He had gathered enough information about Ruby over the years to know there had to be reasons she didn’t talk about home. And her completely different attitude around Murasaki had thrown him. He didn’t know what to make of the completely different, the weak and downtrodden Ruby, when she faced the older sister Va’il hadn’t previously known. He was shocked at how the older sister scorned and laughed and sneered at Ruby, and all Ruby did was accept it. The girl who could camp in the wilds, run for days on little food, fight grown men as equals, look at a bearan without a twinge of fear, and would swing a sword to escape a situation, was someone different when faced with her family.
Va’il knew this, and it tempered his own excitement at coming home. Even still, he knew it’d be better for her to arrive at home, even if it wasn’t as happy as his own, than to continue trekking in the vicinity of dangerous, hostile areas, even if there were hostile forces at work in their hometown. And, he thought, at least she’d now have more people to speak and laugh with, just like before. Even with her personal situation, he knew there’d be Shiroi. Even though Ruby missed the last year of Makeen’s education, he knew she’d still somehow end up a part of his group of silly people.
He knew Harnes would look at her seriously, appearing stoic as usual, before hugging her with silent tears appearing. Zeick would joke a bit, and then look down as his face reddened with embarrassment while he told her it was good to have her back among the safe. He wasn’t very practiced at being serious, after all. Teena would smile and ask her all sorts of questions. Pete would be, well, Pete. He’d make a huge fuss, and then drop it, and then offer his congratulations. And Kelin would cross his arms and sigh, telling them that it was about time they came back. He’d even hold out a hand and use it to shake Ruby’s, and for a moment he’d look casual, happy, and even pleased, though he’d deny it afterwards. And then there’d be Shiroi, who’d take care of everything else. Va’il smiled at his own thoughts as they entered the city.
Va’il reached out and softly poked Ruby’s check. She turned, a look asking him why appearing on her.
“We’re home,” Va’il said, grinning widely. The midday light illuminated his already bright smile, and Ruby couldn’t help herself from smiling in turn. It was a precious smile, this one.
“We are,” Ruby said. She then took one of Va’il’s hands in both of her own. She closed her eyes and bowed slightly. “And, I thank you. I thank you so much, Va’il. Thank you for taking me home, chevalier. You’re the best, most dutiful knight a girl could ever have. Ever.”
The sudden humility and action from the noble girl startled Va’il. There was something about her actions that grabbed Va’il. He almost didn’t feel worthy of her praise. He put his other hand on hers’ and said, “You’ve said too much; you don’t have to humble yourself to me. We’re friends, right? At least, friends. Whether or not we’re in Rising, I’ll help you if I can. So be proud, high-noble girl. And tell this city a truth it cannot forget. That the jewel it lost is back, and isn’t going anywhere.”
“Ha, thank you. A jewel. Funny. Maybe. Thank you for everything, Va’il.”
“It’s been fun. Well, in its own way, when it wasn’t bad. You’re welcome, precious Ruby. Until next time, then,” Va’il said. He then knocked on part of the carriage, signaling the driver to stop.
“To your mum?”
“Yes. We’re close enough, it’d be a bit much if I waited until we were all the way at your place. And I don’t think I’d be all that appreciated around there,” Va’il said. He then grinned again at the silent Ruby, and then opened the door. He stepped out and closed the door behind him, leaving Ruby alone.
“A jewel looks best when in a setting of precious metal,” Ruby whispered. As good as Va’il’s hearing was, the carriage blocked off enough of the sound. He didn’t hear what she said, nor could she hear anything he might say.
“…” Va’il mumbled something quietly. He then shook his head slightly, and then smiled again. He went up to the driver and waved, and then stood for a while and watched as the procession left. Va’il was left alone in the midst of Rising in the middle of the day. Now separated from Ruby, the sounds of the lively city made themselves apparent in Va’il’s ears.
Va’il looked around to gather his bearings, and laughed when he recognized the street. Nothing had changed, he knew that. It was funny, he thought, that he had expected things to be different from how he remembered them.
Pushing other thoughts aside, he started walking. He thought about returning home immediately, but the day was still young enough that he knew Mai’ou wouldn’t be there. She’d be out working. So although he wanted to see her, he decided to wait for a while. He didn’t want to interrupt her work, and he didn’t want to shock her too much by being home before her. He’d wait until later and knock at the door to their house when he knew she’d be home.
Va’il wondered about the rest, and looked at the hill where Makeen was situated. The sight of it brought him various emotions, and he considered going there, assuming the school year was either over already or just about to finish. As much as he wanted to, he felt he’d rather see Mai’ou before running into anyone else he knew. And so, he wandered through the city.
He avoided places and houses where he’d see people he knew, but he did see just about everything else. He looked at the simple houses and simple families in the fourth district. He wandered through the third. He admired those in the second, while also admiring the various amenities that district had. He even made his way through the first district, admiring all the various noble houses and their majestic estates. The guards in the first district did watch him carefully, but Va’il always made sure to smile and wave at them.
As he walked he noticed he was in a spot that seemed familiar. He looked around and realized he had climbed a certain house near him, which meant he had seen the estate next to him before. He felt nostalgic, recalling his silly misunderstandings of Eason several years ago, and remembered that this estate was one where Eason appeared angrier than anytime else. It made him think, as Teena had told him Eason was a very mellow person, especially considering he was a lupus. She said he was always caring and patient, and had cultivated those qualities even further in his profession. So Va’il had to wonder for a moment, now that he was in this familiar place, why Eason had been so irritated.
He walked slowly as the fence passed him by, and eventually came to the gate, where two massive guards eyed him silently. He made sure to smile and nod, and then stepped back and looked up.
Va’il’s smile faded, and his throat tightened. He looked down for a moment, and then looked up again. He even smelled the air, verifying there was a trace of the scent he knew so well. He blinked, and felt his eyes moisten. He didn’t know what to think. He didn’t know what to make of it. He didn’t know why, either. It bothered him, but he couldn’t pinpoint why. But somehow, in the back of his mind, it made sense. He then remembered he’d read the sign before, but never made the connection until now, those memories so far in the past for him. Knowing that Ruby lived there, it somehow made sense that it was a place that Eason could storm out of in a fit of rage.
“Ruby, what is it you have to deal with? Would you have told me?” Va’il asked quietly. He then left, quietly contemplating. Eventually he decided there was no choice but to leave the thoughts for another day. He sighed deeply, tried to regain his composure, and hoped for the best. Knowing he had nothing he could do, he continued wandering about the city for a while, waiting for the sun to fall further.
