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Two birds in a cage

[With the war between Earth and Vers in a continuous push and pull, Slaine rarely has ample time for himself these days. Plotting the next location of attack, creating a secret list of loyalists to his cause, building reinforcements with usable Kataphrakts — they have all taken his attention. Not to mention, of course, making sure that none of his detractors crush any of his efforts. Those who vocally expressed their desire to see him fall are the ones he has to be cautious around.

Any knight can slay those who defy him, but an exceptional knight must prove himself to be so superior that none will dare try in the first place. To a man like Slaine, power is all he has. Count Saazbaum taught him to gain vast power and climb his way to the top of the ladder. It's how he has to change things from the inside out, to make the rest of Vers realize that one lone Terran is not to be underestimated.

He'll do it — for people like Harklight who struggled so hard against the unfair system. For her. For Princess Asseylum. Even if it destroys him completely.

The princess that Slaine is standing in front of is neither his goddess nor his light, but just like Asseylum, Lemrina is a bird trapped in a cage known as the Vers society. Only this time, he's her jailer. Slaine keeps this in the forefront of his mind as he smoothes his neutral expression, bowing down with a right hand on his chest, the classic Versian salute to royalty.]

Good evening, Your Highness. Harklight has notified me that you wish to speak with me in this room. What can I do for you?

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[In sharp contrast to the Count, Lemrina seemed to have ample free time on her hands...enough that it nearly drove her mad. All her duties and continuing lessons barely seemed to fill the empty hours; those times when she was able to throw herself into something to distract herself ended all too quickly. With little to fill the void, her thoughts often turned to her circumstances.

Unfortunately, all she could do was contemplate them, the persistent feeling that she was drowning in a sea of frustration often turning her bitter and cynical. She was all too painfully aware of her true status: a prisoner in a gilded cage with nothing of power, and her sole leverage making her into a mere tool. In spite of the relative comfort she lived in, it was an illusion. She had been a prisoner all her life, nothing about that had changed in spite of the promises she had been given.

Promises. Lemrina found herself growing impatient, though not because she could not endure waiting. Wrapped within that impatience was the fear that those promises would be abandoned in the wake of the war. She was hardly a stranger to being cast aside when her mere existence was an inconvenience, fearing those promises would never be realized if things remained as they were. There was no way to know that when she was no longer needed, she would be discarded. If she didn't constantly remind her latest jailer of those promises, she was certain he would forget them in his rush to give her half-sister everything.

The blue-eyed princess suppressed a sigh. In spite of her demanding and manipulative naure she had honed as a survival tactic, she didn't believe that her wishes were terribly unreasonable. Lemrina was not, for all her political abilities, especially ambitious. She had no desire to rule Vers, and if she could trade her Aldnoah powers for the use of her legs, she would do so without a second thought. That blue sky of Terra...she would give almost anything to look at it from below instead of above.

Or perhaps...at least one of her wishes was unreasonable. Lemrina hated the fact that taking Asseylum's place was as much an illusion as her life of comfort. It was a different sort of prison, one where her true face was hidden behind the visage of a golden princess adored by all. Her half-sister might have been in a pretty cage of her own, but there was much she had that Lemrina was bereft of. She hadn't needed to be hidden because of the sins of their father. She had been able to walk on Terra's soil and look up at its sky. And she had his heart. That might have been the most painful of all.

Yet, she realized that nothing would change if she simply suffered in silence over it. The opportunity was in front of her, and it might never come again even if Asseylum never woke again. This might be the only time she would ever have to finally talk some sense into a certain self-destructive Orbital Knight. Putting on what she hoped was a winsome smile, she made her move.]

I was hoping that you would join me for dinner? Even with all your duties, it's important to take some time to rest.

[If Harklight hadn't kindly reminded him of what Princess Lemrina needed from him, Slaine would've opened his eyes in surprise at her offer by now. But that's not surprising at all, not when the other man's words echo in his mind from earlier in the evening.

"Milord, you should at least spend time with her outside of any affairs that require Princess Asseylum's image. I'm certain she will appreciate it, and will thank you for it."

Slaine would be foolish if he didn't take his right-hand man's advice, with those words possessing a double meaning as they are. He's far too aware of Lemrina's resentment of her circumstance, of being used as a tool for Aldnoah and her special abilities. To the outside world, he's engaged to the well-loved Asseylum Vers Allusia. Together, they are to create an Earthspace for the Versian citizens and gather up resources for their sake. Except... his actual fiancée is right in front of him. No luscious blonde hair or vibrant green eyes, but Lemrina's blue eyes are striking in their own way, like she can see right into his soul and know what he's thinking. Quite the perceptive woman, really.

It'll only be a matter of time before Lemrina finds out that Asseylum is actually awake, safe in Castle Troyard along with Eddelrittuo. He can't imagine that she'll be happy about it, especially with all the lies he'd been feeding her.

Lemrina deserves better, that much he's certain. For now he must tend to her needs, like a gardener watering a rose who desires to bloom but whose petals have wilted.

Straightening his posture, he fixes his cravat and smoothes the wrinkles away from his red jacket. Slaine must look presentable in front of Lemrina, after all, and so he flashes a cordial smile at her.]

Harklight said the same thing, I must admit. [A soft chuckle.] I was supposed to attend a meeting with the other Counts, but it was postponed until tomorrow. In any case, you have my presence for the evening.

[For the briefest of moments, her eyes reflected the honest surprise at his acceptance. In truth, she had expected to be turned down as Slaine attended other matters, not the least of which was watching over Asseylum. Especially now, given what she had assumed was the deterioration of her half-sister's health. At times, it seemed as if he believed that his only purpose in life was to serve the legitimate princess of Vers, though it was not simple jealousy which had turned her bitter. No one could -- or should -- live so completely for someone else...not even for her. He would only end up destroying himself; the bastard princess was certain that he was hiding an internal deterioration.

However, Lemrina quickly suppressed her surprise behind another smile. For all its sincerity, she nevertheless hid part of the reason: relief. Though she could be selfish and her invitation had been in part to lengthen the time he spent at her side, she nevertheless genuinely worried about him. For all the Count's cordial treatment of her, she wasn't convinced he trusted her. it was something she hoped to change, somehow.]

I shall have to thank him, then.

[And she certainly would. At least Slaine listened to Harklight, trusted him. In some ways, she was more envious of his manservant than Asseylum.

For now, however, she could play the proper hostess. She would have to choose her battles wisely, decide which of his walls to bring down without drawing his resentent or ire...even if she would have preferred either of those to a façade of friendliness.]

What would you prefer? You've told me so little of your preferences...I'm afraid I don't know what I should request.

[If anything draws a small crack in his perfectly crafted façade of the proper Count, aside from the mere presence of Asseylum herself, is his personal preference — or lack thereof. His expression turns owlish, a blink that quickly comes and goes before he knits his brows with a frown. Is there anything he wants to eat? Slaine can't recall the last time he's been asked as simple as what he wants for dinner, expect perhaps from Harklight, though he chalks that up as mere courtesies expected from a man of lower rank serving Counts.

It's odd to him, yet there's a slight tug in his heart from such a simple request. Still, selfish men like him, who spent ample amount of time planning a conquest of Earth for the sake of Asseylum's wishes for peace, don't deserve to indulge in such thoughts. That's what he believes, just another punishment for his sins: forced self-deprivation.

And yet it doesn't occur to Slaine that the more power he possesses, the more things he can take for himself. Things that he hadn't received as a young teenager. Things that he'd been deprived of as a mere servant.]

I know what I don't desire.

[In front of Lemrina, Slaine endeavors to bury the thoughts to himself, his smile appearing authentic yet with a plastic undertone to it, but it eventually turns wry within a split second. And then he adds with a beat:]

Algae and krill.

[It's what the population of Vers had to eat, what Saazbaum warned him about before trying out the diet for himself. Microwaveable meals were actually considered a luxury to the elite, a notion that Slaine still finds peculiar to this day.]

But you needn't be concerned for requests. Anything will suffice, Your Highness.

Edited 2016-09-27 03:51 (UTC)

[His surprise in turn threw her off her carefully-laid plans for a glimpse at Slaine beneath the mask. She really should have expected it; for years he had never had any rights as a Terran living on Vers. For all intents and purposes, the former vassal of the late Count Cruteo had been little more than a slave. The first time he'd had anything resembling a proper meal had been when Count Saazbaum had taken him in. Perhaps he'd had preferences before his father had taken him from Earth, but would he even remember them?

Carefully masking her disappointment at the realization, Lemrina smiled again. It had been such a simple thing to ask, something which should have been perfectly normal...but she was dealing with a young man who was, for all his careful appearance,s hopelessly broken inside. The scars he had shown her were not caused by something a person could easily recover from. And he had probably not recovered at all, not with his singular devotion to Asseylum and denial of self in the process.

Her own smile didn't quite reach her eyes at the familiar empty smile of his, hers hiding her bitterness at the familiar deliberate distance. But then, his smile gained a wry note which astonished her to the point that her own smile dropped as she gaped like an idiot for the brief second it lasted until he answered.

Lemrina had to cover her mouth quickly and look away just long enough to control her reaction, because her composure certainly would have crumbled under the very unladylike guffaw threatening it. Even when she managed to get it under control, the amusement in her eyes was unmistakeable.]

I can promise that much, at least.

[The dilemma remained, however. Lemrina stifled a frustrated sigh as he returned to being deferential. Another thing about her status which annoyed her to no end. Fortunately, she came up with a bit of a compromise, and her smile turned slightly mischievous.]

Well then...on the condition that you give me your honest opinion on it.

[If Slaine were to be frank with himself, there is only food he desires, one filled with nostalgic memories of a fleeting time in childhood. His father's strawberry jam sandwiches. Anything with strawberry would do, but especially those sandwiches. They represented a time where Dr. Troyard took Slaine out for a picnic, one of the rarest moments where he acted like an actual father, and not a scientist who spent far too much time researching Aldnoah.

No fruits or vegetables exist in Vers, much less strawberries, and as Slaine soon learned, any produce imported from Earth had been covered in chemicals to survive the travel between both planets. But he won't be picky when Lemrina offered to eat dinner with him, a rare occasion for a man who had spent little time with her. He owes her his presence for at least this much. Loneliness can take a hold of someone like a vice, gripping them to the core until it becomes suffocating. If he can give her solace for just tonight...

Her brief moment of surprise catches his attention soon enough, prompting an owlish look of his own as their eyes meet for a second until he, too, looks away. His hand curls near his mouth to stifle a few sounds, clearing his throat a few times. How embarrassing to let himself get distracted for a mere second. Perhaps Lemrina noticed so soon; why else would there be a twinkle of amusement in her eyes?]

Ah... well, I shall do my best to be forthright.

[Slaine eventually glances back at Lemrina with a thoughtful expression once he regains his composure. There's a sudden urge to rub the back of his neck, but he wills his hands to still idly by his sides. Really, he can't afford to be un-count like and revert back to his nervous pre-slave habits...]

Though I'm certain tonight's dinner will be good even without my input. The cooks have worked hard to prepare your meals, after all.

[As nobility, Lemrina had not had to endure the processed algae and krill that the lower classes were forced to subsist off of, but in truth the upper classes had fared little better with preservative-laden food sent from Terra. She had never tasted anything without such chemicals, much less fresh fruits and vegetables. There was nothing to compare them to. Of course, a deeper issue was the resentment such dependency fostered, something the princess could relate to all too well. Versian attitudes towards Terrans wasn't entirely unlike how she saw her own half-sister, someone who seemed to effortlessly take possession of everything Lemrina wanted without properly appreciating them.

But one day soon, they would be able to have those things Terrans took for granted. There had been so many of them she had learned about, ranging from the rather odd to what sounded absolutely delightful. One food that appeared to be universally popular was a peculiar sweet called "chocolate". Lemrina had made it a personal mission once the war was over to request some. If it was so highly prized, surely there must be a reason.

For the moment, however, she took extra care not to be too demanding. Chocolate could wait, even learning more about Slaine -- his past life on Terra, his likes and dislikes -- could wait. One wrong move and she was certain he would distance himself even further...as difficult as it was to believe such a thing was possible. For now, she would enjoy this brief time together and try to be content with what little she had. Hopefully, he would take her request to heart.]

That is all I can ask.

[On the subject of the cooks and their abilities, her smile was wry, with an undercurrent of self-depreciation.]

Truly, they are masters of their craft, given what they're forced to work with.

That they are. [Slaine says with a rueful smile, closing his eyes and exhaling softly.] I must commend their hard work.

[Majority of the Moon Base's cooks are from the same class as Harklight — the third-class citizens of Vers who worked their hardest to hone their craft and make an earnest living despite their conditions. It's a shame that they couldn't work with actual food from Earth, Slaine thinks to himself, that they have to resort to what little they already have. If only the other Counts far too entrenched in their elitism could actually understand instead of focusing on their petty squabbles amongst each other.

Slaine will have to force his detractors to pay attention, even if he has to play the warmongering game for a little while longer. Gather lands for a new home, combine all the resources with Aldnoah... he can do many things. Perhaps he'll make it so those of lower class can finally enjoy proper meals and a nice roof over their head. Lemrina can finally have some freedom to move around in her wheelchair under a bright blue sky and try out chocolate for the first time. Maybe he can give her strawberry jam sandwiches, too.

It's idealistic, a saccharine thought, but simply hoping for peace will never work. His hands will have to become dirtier than usual.

The dining room table and chairs catches his trail of vision, and so he walks over to that direction, taking a seat.]

Someday, I will see to it that they obtain all the fresh ingredients from Earth, that they will no longer have to settle for less.

[A soft 'hm' of thought preceded her reply. Idly, she wondered what dinner would have been like without all the preserving chemicals, as it would be were they on Terra. By Versian standards, such a thing was a decadent symbol of her status...and it was hardly fair. But there were only so many resources to go around, and Terran government refused to send more than just enough for the Versian upper classes. However, she had realized that it was doubtful that the fertile planet could send more. Was there even another solution to their problem other than war? Perhaps were it not for the Versian nobles' obsession with warfare and social status, there might be, but that bitter resentment had permeated all levels of society.

Lemrina suppressed a frown at the trail her thoughts followed. In many ways, they were all trapped, going through with battles and schemes because the only other option seemed to be the slow death of Vers. There might have been another way, but for all her scheming the princess couldn't see it. What other choice was there for someone in her position? Negotiation was all but impossible at this point with civil unrest on one side and a war on the other, particularly for someone with no true authority. If only she could truly lead...

Except, was she even capable of it? Her only use was her Aldnoah, and the only inspiration she was capble of stirring up came from the belief that it was Asseylum speaking, not her. Bitterly, she wondered if any good could truly come from all of this. And here she was, allowing her cynicism to ruin the precious little time she had to speak to Slaine on a personal basis. She would have more than enough time alone with dark thoughts later...for now, she should take what comfort she could.

The bastard princess allowed herself a small smile at their shared goal and her faith in him. That much was nothing she needed to fake, her smile a genuine one. But for all its sincerity, there was an ironic undercurrent: it took a Terran to break the chains of Vers society. That should have been a serious blow to the pride of any noble, were they capable of seeing past their turned-up noses.]

If ever there was someone capable of forging a better life for the people of Vers, it would be you.

['Can I truly do it?'

Slaine stares at his own hands on the table, brows tightly knit just enough to form small creases on his forehead, hidden behind his bangs. He notes the way his fingers curl within themselves, visible from the way they tense up. Certain people are actually looking to him as a man who will achieve victory for Vers, and to him, there is no other choice but to win the war.

There are only two options: to invade and assimilate, or to destroy the other side so thoroughly until one remains. Either option will bring pain to Asseylum, he's certain of it. His precious friend coveted his former home planet thanks to everything he's taught her about it — from the way her green eyes lit up at his explanation of why the sky is blue, to her joyful glee from looking at holographic pictures of birds. The blue sky and the birds... oh, how he longed to present them to her. But he can't.

Nineteen months have shaped him into a completely different man. For now, he clings on to the selfish hope that Asseylum never returns her memories. How cruel of him to even think that, but he's committed far too many sins to even stop. He stole, he used, he lied, he killed countless of people. To stop abruptly would be to lose any leverage he's gained thus far. All for the sake of the lower class citizens of Vers. All to protect Asseylum so she wouldn't face any death threats ever again.

How ironic that he's using Asseylum's very image with Lemrina's help.

Slaine tucks both hands under his chin to prop it, a thoughtful expression across his features with his teal eyes boring into the decorative pieces before him on the table.]

The irony of a man like myself with such a task doesn't escape me in the slightest.

[Those are quiet words out of his mouth. With the UFE refusing to negotiate with Vers, and with everything he's learned from Saazbaum about the Vers royal family feeding their citizens lies to spurn jealousy and prejudice towards Earth, it will be a hellish road for Slaine from here on out. Terrans have been the target of hate from Martians ever since the first interplanetary war; just because he's in a prestigious role now doesn't mean cruel insults and wishes of pain at his expense will magically stop.

He has to watch his back at all times. Trust will be a difficult thing for him to accept.]

Edited 2016-09-29 22:02 (UTC)

[The act of hiding his expression in itself had become a tell for Lemrina, even if she hadn't noticed the particular way his fingerls curled within themselves. She wasn't certain she could be proud of her observational skills when Slaine was obviously troubled. The selfish part of her thought it it would be the perfect moment to move in and try to ingratiate herself more...but so far, her more manipulative side had failed miserably. Yet, it was hard to show her true nature, her more fragile self, which in turn made her yearn to connect with him all the more. In some ways, the Count was little different from her in that the side he was forced to present was the only way to survive the Versian hierarchy.

On the other hand, he was so entirely selfless that it was destroying him. But pointing that out wouldn't sink in; she wasn't a person he really listened to, not that she could really fault him if she was honest with herself. If the Terran-born Knight saw her as a spoiled brat, it was not unwarranted at all. But surely Harklight could talk some sense into him. Slaine trusted his manservant, perhaps due to their similar backgrounds....but then, he followed the very same protocols with his lord that Slaine followed with her. The ridiculous hierarchy made her want to scream in frustration, a sharp contrast to all the regal poise which had been beaten into her since birth.

Pointless, really...she would never be in a position where it would be useful.

The blue-eyed princess would have taken his hand at --what was for her -- his obvious distress if she could, but the emotional gulf was too far. Even if she could stand and go to him, how could she even breach that chasm? At the start, she had demanded that he show her the same things he had willingly shown her half-sister, but that same joy had never reached those blue-green eyes. His purpose had consumed him, and Lemrina in turn had allowed bitterness, resentment, jealousy, and despair to rule her. She was ultimately selfish, she knew...but his obvious pain was something she could not ignore. The problem was how to offer comfort, if she even could.]

If I've read my Terran history rightly, it's filled with many "outsiders" who have changed their societies for the better. But...

[She would have to be careful here. No, with all the hatred he had personally faced until this point -- and even now, there were many in positions of power who opposed him merely because of his origins -- she realized she would have to make a cautious first move. She would have to prove herself to gain his trust. It went against everything she had learned to survive thus far, it would leave her even more vulnerable than she already was. But if she wished to earn his true friendship, she had no other choice.]

Making things better for Vers isn't entirely why you're doing this, is it?

[Outsiders. There are countless examples of such people who shaped the world they reside in, but will Slaine see himself as one of them? Visions of grandeur aren't what he has in mind as reality is grittier and far merciless than what he saw in the glorified stories in textbooks. There is no future for men like him, even if his goals ultimately better the lives of the people he's strived to help.

Lemrina's question reaches his ears and causes him to lift his gaze away from the table. Once again she's very perceptive, capable of forming small chinks in his proverbial armor. Will it be enough to pierce it away? No, Slaine will always build a new one in its place for every person he speaks. Harklight and Eddelrittuo are the closest to succeeding, as they are the only ones who know about Asseylum's true condition, but... he has to keep his fiancée close. It doesn't matter if the engagement is strictly political.

His eyes meet hers for a moment, keeping his gaze focused on her for a little while longer. There are many things he can say about her: smart, clever, politically savvy, lonely. But she keeps him grounded, reminding him of what needed to be done. She neither sugarcoats nor coddles him, nor is she naive to the dangers of the world. Just like Slaine, Lemrina knows too well about the deplorable circumstances of one's birth.

Someday, he'll free her from the chains of Aldnoah. Both her and Asseylum.]

It's not just for Vers, you are right.

[His gaze shifts back to the view of space from beyond the impenetrable glass, clusters of the moon's debris floating against the backdrop of star-filled skies.]

To change the relationship between Martians and Terrans... to destroy the stigma that lies in between them would be ideal.

[This might well be the true tragedy that was Slaine Troyard: in spite of all his obious intelligence and skill, there was one particular blindness of his which could potentially become his downfall. And that was his blindness towards how others -- free from the prejudices which plagued Versian society -- looked up to him. To the underclasses, he was an inspiration, a leader who finally understood their plight. To his subordinates, he was a skilled and courageous fighter who never gave them orders he would not carry out himself, having risen through the ranks and earned his place. To Harklight, he was hope. To Lemrina, he was all that...and something else.

Not that any of it mattered. The abuse he had endured for years had left such emotional scars that he was empty inside without someone to give his life to, as worthless as he believed it to be. She had begun to suspect that there was no place in his future plans because he believed he had no place in it, that his one purpose in life will have been fulfilled. The golden princess who had no need to hide her existence was blind to that all-consuming adoration which willed the void in his soul, a tragedy in the making which she could have prevented if only she had pried her green eyes away from a distant blue sky just long enough to pay closer attention to those around her.

The selfish part of Lemrina wished to break that blood-soaked chain for her own sake, so that he would finally perhaps look at her with at least some of the same adoration. But a slowly-awakening, long-buried part of her didn't care what replaced it, so long as it stopped destroying him. He would never love her like that...she was just too different. She was not all-loving, endlessly optimistic, a hope-inspiring light.

She was not perfect. And she could not transform herself into someone who could so easily break down his walls, someone who he could confide in or trust. That hurt her more than she had thought it would.

That was not why she let slip something of her true thoughts, however. Something had to change...something had to be done before the bright star that was his existence burned itself out into nothingness. Before he threw himself on a sacrificial bonfire.]

But wouldn't the very thing we're doing now only foster more resentment and hatred? The nobility won't be satisfied with a victory for very long, and the Terrans will only despise Vers all the more...unless there was something else to direct their hatred towards. And then, how long could a mutual hatred sustain peace?

[Slaine can argue that anything he does will cause resentment and hatred regardless, simply due to his existence shaking up Vers' foundation that withstood the tests of time... but he suspects that Lemrina may try to convince him otherwise. His personal thoughts on that matter are the kind that he keeps to himself, so long as he clings on to scraps of hope.

And the walking embodiment of hope and light known as Asseylum. Surely if he presents a world of peace and co-existence between Earth and Vers, she'll understand. Surely there is a high chance that she may — no, will resent him for going the extra mile against her desires, but ultimately her existence supersedes her own thoughts. And that notion will hurt her.

All Slaine does is hurt. He's already convinced that there won't be a future for men like him.]

The thoughts and feelings of the nobility who insist on maintaining the outdated notions that thrived on Vers are irrelevant to me. Ultimately what leads to progress are merit and cooperation amongst the 37 clans. The circumstances of one's birth should never dictate the path they must take in life, and if some believe otherwise, well... [He releases a huff of breath, a little sharp in tone.] You saw what happened to Count Marylcian.

[And now Slaine is the owner of everything Marylcian had after killing that man, save for the Hershel which he already gifted to Harklight. The two of them have already came up with convenient excuses and accusations to target certain counts. Underhanded? Yes, but...]

Drastic times call for drastic measures, Your Highness. I'm not surprised that Terrans will only grow resentful, but it is a war and that tends to bring the beasts out of anyone.

[Himself included... although what Lemrina says next about mutual hatred sustaining peace causes Slaine to appear thoughtful, tightening up his brows from a particularly ugly idea creeping up in his head.

There is no way she will like it, he thinks.]

Perhaps... if that hatred is concentrated on something else instead of each other. An idea, an event, a person.

Edited 2016-10-03 20:53 (UTC)

[Naturally, there would be some faction somewhere which would be resentful, whether it was Terran reaction to being invaded or Orbital Knights' reaction to having their powerbase kicked out from under them. Even with the best possible outcome for all parties, there would be someone left unhappy. But she was less worried about angering the nobility of Vers; they were dangerous insofar as they possessed Aldnoah kataphrakts, but Terra possessed all the necessary resources and the Vers underclasses possessed the necessary manpower.

Lemrina suppressed a sigh. Why no one in the UEF thought to wage a propaganda war to stir up civil unrest to the point that the nobility would have no choice but to shelf their war-as-entertainment attitudes to quell a potential revolution was beyond her. The bastard princess was hardly a political mastermind, but it only took some consideration to come up with less costly alternatives. Of course, this barred whatever issues the Terrans themselves were dealing with away from Versian eyes; she hated to admit that she didn't have all the necessary intelligence to have made that call even if she held any real say in matters.

What she did understand, at least, was that directing the nobility's fondness for war at an enemy was at best a temporary solution. Rather than unite them in a single effort, perhaps they should have been sowing so much dissent that they would have no choice but to abandon the war to settle matters back on Vers.

Lemrina did not so much as flinch at the mention of Count Marylcian.]

I'm more concerned about what they might do in the meantime. This war with Terra only seems to be strengthening their prestige, and the people may forget their plight out of fear of retribution. Being a slave is preferable to death for many...or the deaths of their families. This is one reason I'm not entirely certain this war will end the way we want it to.

[She could almost see the gears turning in his head, and once more, she was reminded of her lack of any true power, only this time it isn't a simple matter of the shame of her birth or her physical weakness. She had never been a light in the darkness for him, she wasn't the one he was waging a war with two different worlds for, destroying himself for. It might be better if the true princess did wake soon; only Asseylum would be able to talk any sort of sense into him.

Or...would she? A simple question of "What happened to you to make you this way?" would never do; what hadn't happened to him ever since his father had brought him to their cursed homeworld? He wasn't obvious at all in his self-loathing, but was it truly for what he was doing in the present, or was that so ingrained from years of everyone around him spare Asseylum telling him he was lowly Terran trash? After hearing it constantly, there was little doubt he had started to believe it.

No, she would certainly not like where his thoughts were headed. And her aggravation with his self-depreciation made her uncharacteristically blunt.]

It wouldn't work, at least, not indefinitely. Terrans would find some reason to send increasingly fewer necessary supplies to Vers, and the underclasses would still suffer oppression under the current government. Once the hatred is forgotten, the cycle would repeat.

["So don't even consider it," she nearly added. Instead, she decided to forgo a few steps in this elaborate dance they had concoted.]

What sort of future would you prefer to see, not simply for Vers and my half-sister, but for yourself?

[Slaine can always count on Lemrina for revealing the grim truths that needed to be heard — for better or worse. Someone will always be left unsatisfied in the end, such is the nature of war where people from all walks of life are involved. Differences of culture and race play a part, so does an ideology, that much Slaine has learned.

It's not just the nobility who remain loyal to the Vers Empire that he has to deal with. It's the notion that some people would rather resort to slavery than to lose what is important to them.]

It's merely a small idea. Call it a work-in-progress, if you will. There will be time to make necessary adjustments when I cross that bridge.

[His tone is of calm reassurance, one that belies a very dangerous idea which may or may not involve putting himself in between a rock and a hard place. His teal eyes pan across the small bouquet of roses, a mixture of red and blue. Red for romance, blue for the impossibility.

The gears have already turned in his head, another suggestion against the very empire that Lemrina is representing, a small proverbial chainsaw to cut the shackles that she's bound to. Even if he manages to win the war, results won't automatically change the status quo. If things remain the same as they are, all the winnings will go to the elite and not to the third-class citizens, something that both he and Saazbaum discussed and disapproved of.

Which means he has no choice but to add more cracks to the structure until it crumbles entirely.

He parts his lips to speak, only to clamp it shut, clenching his jaw. What future would he seek out for himself? Well...]

Princess Lemrina. I...

[He drops his gaze back to his hands before his eyes flicker to one side. No, he shouldn't say it. What if he ties Lemrina down with tempting offers of solace? They both wanted the same thing, don't they? And yet...]

[The sounds of footsteps snap Slaine out of his reverie, causing him to fix his posture as he glances at the servants wheeling in a tray of food. Smoothing away his grim look, the corners of his lips hitches up into a charming smile, giving off a regal air while he watches the dishes being placed on the dining table. A female servant is even adding more roses for the flower arrangement.]

Thank you for the meal. Give my regards to the chef, if you please.

[He bows his head a little, then straightens up as he keeps his congeal expression around Lemrina. Okay, good. Distraction time!

Slaine may or may not be secretly thanking the Martians for arriving.]

You must be hungry after all that time waiting.

Edited 2016-10-05 04:12 (UTC)

[The art of compromise, the princess had once read, was the art of parties walking away from the debating table equally unhappy. The reality was that it would simply be impossible for everyone to be happy, and assuaging those who held all the power was a delicate balance which demanded no small skill. A diplomat had to know just how hard to push and when to back off. Goals needed to be prioritized, and some had to be sacrificed to achieve those which were non-negotiable. Unfortunately, from what she had seen so far, Asseylum lacked the necessary skill....or perhaps that wasn't the problem. She still believed that everyone could be happy with enough work, and had yet to realize that the peace she wanted would have to come at the cost of making everyone happy, and that some of what she wished for would have to be sacrificed if cessation of hostilities was her ultimate goal.

The blue-eyed young woman was not entirely convinced that the elder princess had truly considered the nature of war and the glaring differences between simple lack of hostilities and true co-existence. A "cold war" typically lacked the sort of body count of a "hot" one, but it was a war nonetheless and could only be called "peace" by those isolated from the effects. And peace was not a universal dream, nor was it something which would magically bring about happiness. Lemrina understood this all too well...as did Slaine. And their battles merely began on the literal battlefield.]

It's simply something to keep in mind. I don't doubt that you have contingencies planned for...I would expect no less from someone who had risen in the Vers hierarchy from up from nothing.

[If it had simply been a question of contingencies, however, Lemrina would have little need for reassurance. But given what she had seen of Slaine's character so far, there was little doubt that he was planning at some point to throw himself on the proverbial bonfire. And that she would never approve of.

The problem lay in dissuading the stubborn Count or, barring that, using some leverage to prevent him from some self-immolating tactic. It was a pity that one of the traits she admired most about him actually worked to her disadvantage. He could be surprisingly strong-willed for someone who'd had his spirit repeatedly broken, and that she might have to resort to underhanded tactics just to try to keep him safe. Come to think of it, that wasn't too different from his own goals and methods regarding her half-sister, was it?

His hesitation gave her a flicker of hope, and she remained silent as she waited patiently. Perhaps if she could pry that from him, she could address the problem directly, attempt to dissuade him from a self-destructive path...]

Edited 2016-10-06 22:39 (UTC)

[Such hopes were dashed when the servants arrived, providing Slaine the necessary escape route from her line of inquiry. It demanded all her skill and willpower to rein in her disappointment and displeasure at the evasion. Her only advantage now was that Slaine was intelligent enough to know that she wasn't fooled....and that he couldn't escape her forever.]

Quite. Although...

[She forced a small smile. Time for another round of dancing around the issue and searching for an opening.]

It does call to mind a Terran saying I recall having read some time ago. "Man doth not live by bread only."

... "But on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

[He intones. Slaine doesn't consider himself religious, or rather, he chooses to discard any ideas of relying on a higher power. Yet he remembers that line from the Bible so vividly after flipping through that book when he was a child. Still...

'There are no miracles for me.'

His smile remains intact as his gaze lingers upon tonight's dinner: a sizable portion of chicken with sauteed mushrooms and cauliflower, complete with what seems to be a sweet sauce. Well, it smells sweet to him if it easily permeates through his nostrils.]

We should eat this before it gets cold.

[The chicken brings to mind the last time he ate this with Saazbaum at his landing castle. That memory lingers in his head while he reaches for the fork and knife.]

[She smiled slightly, her hands folded in her lap. Under different circumstances, this bantering game would have been great fun to her, but her ultimate goal was too serious for her to properly enjoy herself. Once again she found herself wishing in spite of her previous actions that her half-sister would make a miraculous turn-around and wake up, if only so that she could perhaps comfort him in ways Lemrina never could. Nor would he ever allow her to.]

I must admit that I did not know there was more to it than that. I had thought it simply pointed out that there is more to living than mere existence. Of course, perhaps it means that in part, as well.

[The food itself seemed to be making her point for her. While perhaps poor by Terran standards, it was nevertheless extravagant by Versian standards. Indeed, she had little doubt that prior to Count Saazbaum's rescue and after his father brought him to Vers, Slaine had forgotten the taste and texture of real food.

Fortunately for him, he was off the proverbial hook...for now.]

Of course. However, I would like your answer afterward.

[Or perhaps he was not off the hook, after all. The stubborn princess was not going to give up simply because he insisted on being evasive.]

[More to living than mere existence... is there, really? He wonders for a brief moment before casting that idle thought aside. So long as the war continues, his hand will continue to be stained with more blood until his entire body reeks of metallic scent. Until his body breaks down completely.

Slaine is just going to ignore the entirety of Lemrina's first statement in favor of focusing on the food in front of him, complete with his usual plastic smiles. His evasion tactics, while not without flaws, is on par with his seemingly easy maneuvering of the Tharsis during fights. The sooner he can focus on something else that has nothing to do with him, or relates to him, the better he can think.

But to what end?

After taking a cautious bite of the food, he swallows, gently dabbing his mouth with a napkin before he glances at Lemrina.]

Just as I expected, Your Highness. This food is quite delicious.

[No, that's not what Lemrina is referring to, Slaine suspects, but again... evasion tactics are in progress. The texture isn't quite 100% chicken-like, more like flavored rubber that happens to taste like chicken, but at least it's still edible.]

Would you like me to give you extra lessons after this is over? You seem eager to learn more about Earth.

[Involuntarily, her eyes narrowed slightly at the now-familiar plastic smile. It was the only smile he ever seemed to show her, in fact. Yet, she managed to suppress her reaction quickly enough...along with the urge to reach over the table, grab him by the lapels of his Count's jacket, shake some sense into him, and to hell with the consequences. The frown which threatened to overtake her expression was quickly smothered beneath a plastic smile of her own, along with the suppressed sigh and biting retort at the evasion. Not that she could point out that she knew that Slaine was well-aware that the food had not been what she had been asking about...and that it was clear that he knew that she was aware of that fact.

Under different circumstances, this little word-game would be rather enjoyable for her. Carefully trying to guess at the meanings beneath his words while weaving her own equally complex dance tested her intelligence in a way she rarely had the chance to indulge herself in. At least, it would have been fun were the stakes not as high as they were. There was a strong hint of self-destructiveness that she couldn't quite grasp...or perhaps she was merely imagining it. Still, when it came to him, Lemrina wasn't about to leave anything to chance. If she could just crack that façade enough for a glimpse at a true and unguarded expression from him, she could grab onto it and find a way to truly help him. At least, beyond just her Aldnoah factor.

Her disposition made the food even more bland and rubbery than usual.]

I'm pleased to hear it. It's unbecoming of nobles to ignore those around them when they care so much for their lieges.

[Another cutting remark that Slaine was going to pretend to miss. But she supposed that at least it would put him on the alert that she was hunting and was not going to give up simply because he chose to be evasive. Maybe she could metaphorically twist Harklight's arm into cracking the mask from another angle if he understood his liege's likely self-destructive impulses. Or perhaps not, she reconsidered. Slaine would want to protect his manservant enough to bear everything on his own. The question now was how to maneuver around that...]

Let me ask a question, if I may. Regardless of my own feelings on the matter, do you enjoy teaching me about Earth?

[It was a risky play, for her. Lemrina very much enjoyed learning about the blue world, and not merely because it was Slaine's homeworld. To her, it represented freedom and endless possibilities, a place where she would not be bound by Vers's despicable system. Hearing about the teeming life on Earth was more than a distraction, it was practically a lifeline. Yet, she was now at the point where she would sacrifice it for a slim chance to find her way past the persistent mask.]

[Slaine's eyes narrow ever so slightly for a split second before he reins in his expression, smoothing into an impassive one as he takes another bite of his food. Lemrina is expecting him to mention Harklight, or any of the third-class people, isn't she? Or perhaps it's something else entirely, but she's already aware of how he genuinely feels about them. Men with earnest goals for change never use such people as mere constituency. He will never see them as props.

So instead he focuses on her question instead, keeping his gaze locked on the meal like it's the most interesting thing in this room. Does he enjoy it?

There's a moment of silence, the thoughts of Eddelrittuo's smiling face as he teaches her about roses juxtaposed with Asseylum's bright eyes peering at him from long ago.]

Regardless of my student's identity... [Slaine pauses, idly poking the vegetables with his fork.] Being a tutor is one of the few things where no politics is required.

Edited 2016-10-15 00:08 (UTC)

[The bastard princess caught the ever-so-slight lapse in the mask, but rather than smirk in triumph, she kept her own carefully composed, only allowing her smile to drop. Moreover, she really couldn't have called it a triumph, not when he was still determined to keep everything to himself and bear his burdens alone. Yet, if she could just convince him that relying on his manservant a little more surely wouldn't hurt, that would be a battle won.

Of course, if she could also rely on her and stop with his self-destructive path, that would be ideal. But even if it was Harklight he finally opened up to, that would be one less thing to worry over.

For once, his answer seemed to satisfy her, at least in part. He might not have truly answered her question -- at least not in a direct manner -- but it was the beginning of something closer to his true feelings. Her plastic smile gave way to a genuine one, the expression deliberately softening as she let down some of her own walls. A small idea occurred to her as she studied the arrangement on the table.]

Then, will you tell me about the flowers of Earth?

[All Lemrina is getting is a practiced smile from Slaine at the mention of flowers, considerably less plastic than his usual ones but just as careful. Flowers, it's one of the few subjects that Slaine is well versed in, independent of Asseylum's desire to see the birds for her own two eyes.

His eyes flicker over to the arrangement of flowers on the table. Ever since he owned a landing castle and had a garden built inside it for Asseylum, flowers from Earth became imported to Vers. They are still a rarity compared to the barren lands of the red planet; even so, the flowers are as beautiful and filled with life as the blonde princess.

Freesias, roses, lilacs, and gardenias, they are all in one vase in different colors, and Slaine knows what they stand for.]

I can tell you in confidence what each of them represent. They all possess different meanings in the language of flowers.

[She was torn once again; should she again be frustrated that his smile was just as guarded as always, or thankful that it approached something more genuine? She decided with some amount of resignation that she was somewhere in the middle. Still, she would take what small victories she could get. It might very well lead to eventually cracking that proverbial armor.

Yes, she decided. He had taught her about Earth's seas, how over millions of years they would wear down even the hardest stone. Hopefully it wouldn't take that long, but she could force herself to be patient for a little while longer.

Her eyes became slightly unfocused as she softly inhaled the mingling, heady scents. They were slightly overpowering, admittedly...the sterile environment of her gilded cage lacked anything of the sort. It would take some getting used to, but she hardly minded.

The princess offered the count another sublte but honest smile.]

Oh? What do they mean?

[Ah, a distraction. Slaine will take advantage of it, focusing on the vase filled with flowers. Outstretches fingers from his hand reach for one of the red roses, caressing the petals like they're a woman's soft skin. Let's start with the simplest explanation, he thinks, expression softening up the tiniest bit.]

Roses have a variety of meanings depending on its color. Red roses symbolize romance. This is why they are used often to represent Valentine's Day, a holiday on Earth where men normally gift their significant other a box of chocolates and a bouquet filled with such roses.

[A very simplistic and broad generalization, really, but he thinks it gets the point across easily enough. With heady eyes, Slaine glides his hand across the nearest freesia, catching a petal in between two fingers.]

The symbol of femininity, innocence, and grace, that is the freesia flower. They also represent friendship and forming new bonds.

Edited 2016-10-21 04:29 (UTC)

[She wasn't surprised that he took the lifeline she offered; it wasn't a good idea to push him too far right now. Not when she had successfully gotten him to open up a little, at least. Ruthlessly, she reined in her more demanding nature, the part of her which craved his attention, as her slight smile reached her eyes.]

I never knew Terrans could be so romantic.

[Fortunately, it was a flower he touched in that way rather than her sister, else Lemrina wasn't entirely sure she could have endured it. Instead, it was a rather sweet, endearing gesture which revealed another side to him. Flowers were more than just another Terran thing he missed, or another way to satisfy her sister's endless thirst for all things Terran. She was so startled at the realization that she blurted it out without thinking.]

You're very fond of flowers.

[And now it was her turn for a distraction maneuver, jumping on the topic of freesias.]

I am certain my sister would like them, then. They are so much like her.

[Lemrina suppressed a pang of bitterness. The flower might as well have been Asseylum with those meanings. But there was also a tempting wave of hope; were not "friendship" and "forming new bonds" what she wanted? The sweet floral scent reminded her more of that hope than of a certain princess who might as well have been the sun.

Yes, she would think about that more...it made her smile more genuine.]

Though, I must admit that I prefer the other meanings.

[Upon hearing Lemrina's comment about Terrans and their penchant for romance, Slaine fights the urge to chuckle, but the faintest of huffs that might as well be one can be heard from him. It seems that even the simplest things like flowers can bring out the sentimental side of him. While he'll refrain from commenting on that part, the mention of flowers pings his interest.]

I suppose so. To think that Mother Nature can create such life and be given multiple meanings from humans.

[Slaine's gaze lingers on a random white gardenia before he reaches over to gently cup it.]

Princess Asseylum would like these as well. The symbol of purity and refinement... gift a woman a bouquet of gardenias, it would also be a way of telling her that she is lovely. [He then touches a white rose.] The color white on any flower tends to mean purity, in any case.

[It's only when he glances back at a purple lilac that he actually frowns in concern, uttering two words in a quiet tone.]

First love.

[Lemrina couldn't help but smile slightly. His genuine reaction had been suppressed, true...but it hinted at what lay beneath. Silently, she wondered if, should she get him to truly laugh, it might alleviate the weight of the world bearing down on his shoulders. If she could just get him to allow her to share some of that burden...]

It's not so strange, and quite creative. What words cannot express, something with a shared meaning can be much more eloquent.

[Once more, she was grateful that it was a flowed he caressed so gently and lovingly. Lemrina wouldn't have been able to endure had it been her hopelessly naive half-sister. The delicate gardenias and roses, she felt, were much more worthy. How she managed to keep the bitterness out of her voice amazed her.]

I would be more surprised if it didn't. I think that is why she seems to be so fond of it.

[The bastard princess suppressed the bile rising to her throat at the softly-spoken words at the sight of the sweetly-scented clusters of violet flowers. It was yet another seemingly-impossible chasm for her to cross; her first love was seated directly across from her, while his floated comatose within a recovery tank. Asseylum had been the one to save her life years ago, so naturally all his adoration was directed at her, leaving Lemrina seething in jealousy and bitterness.

Then again, was that what she truly wanted? In truth, her half-sister was not that much closer to Slaine than she was, ignorant of the unreachable pedestal he had placed her on. Even if the golden blonde finally realized that she was more to him than simply a childhood friend and had more regard for his feelings, he would hide his true self from her just as he was at this moment. Lemrina didn't want to be worshiped like that.]

It's incredible that something so complicated could be represented by a flower.

Indeed. Actions and specific items can speak volumes compared to words alone.

[Slaine may be speaking from experience here, remembering his attempt to gift Asseylum a bouquet of blue roses, only to toss the flowers aside. A man like him is unworthy of that beautiful princess's presence, even if he presents her something that she desires.

He purses his lips, eyebrows pinching together as he casts a glimpse at Lemrina's faint smile. It may not be overtly obvious to anyone else, but to Slaine, she appears to be at ease, probably the closest it'll be to reaching for a bit of solace that she craves for. And all it takes is a simple conversation over flowers, of all things.

Subconsciously, his hand curls around a purple freesia flower, pulling it carefully from the vase and tucking it between two fingers. Lemrina said she preferred certain meanings, didn't she?

The desire to form new bonds. Slaine failed to convey what he wanted for Asseylum — to thank her for being his miracle, his shining light amidst the darkness known as his life — but perhaps...]

Here, please take this.

[His movements are so slow that it'll be impossible to miss, but eventually he hands that single flower to Lemrina. The petals even match her hair.]

[It seems that every time Lemrina manages to suppress her feelings of bitterness, something else sparks a fresh wave of it. She had seen the roses cast aside -- more like thrown aside with some degree of force -- and the younger princess was observant enough to make the necessary connections to reach the probable conclusion. If her half-sister at least appreciated all that he had done for her and continued to do, she supposed she could have let it go. If the bastard princess held even a fraction of that devotion, she would certainly not be one to take it for granted.

But instead of voice her dissatisfaction, she plastered another smile on her face. Yet, it wasn't an insincere, empty one...at least she had this much. She would always crave more, but she wasn't enough of a hypocrite not to derive some pleasure from what little she had.]

To layer such complexity over things of simple beauty...but I also think it's enough just to appreciate them on their own merits.

[That simple gesture unmistakeably catches the princess entirely off-guard, her careful composure instantly crumbling, giving way to naked surprise. It only lasts a few seconds before she regains her composure, but even then not completely. Additionally, now there is an accompanying faint dusting of red on her cheeks, and her voice is soft. The almost bold princess is nowhere to be found, at least for the moment.]

...Thank you.

[It's gratitude, a genuine one coming from Lemrina, Slaine suspects. Yet it manages an owlish look out of him upon seeing the light tinge of pink dusting her cheeks, nonetheless. Of all the expressions he's seen from her, this is a rare one: bashfulness.

All he did was hand over the freesia flower. No elaborate speeches or passionate pleas required. If that's all it took, then...

Slaine nods in acknowledgment, his smile muted as usual, though it's a little bit soft. Not too soft, however, not when his usual MO of keeping potential bonds at an arm's distance remains, though if he can give Lemrina a sliver of hope, even a flicker of chance, then he might just be able to set her free. Free from the chains of Aldnoah. It's unfair to her, but he's a man with plans for a future — one without him in it.

His expression drops after realizing how long he's been in the dining room, and thus his smile slowly fades away. He'll have to part from her soon.]

I believe it is time, Your Highness.

[So accustomed to hiding nearly all of her true self and feelings that many times she was uncertain what sort of person she truly was beneath it all. She often questioned if she truly was becoming the cold mask she presented to everyone else, her careful polite smile never quite reaching her eyes, having no reason to hope for anything resembling true companionship from anyone. And only ones who made her forget her despair for a while, who treated her with honest compassion nevertheless kept her at metaphorical arm's length. Many times she wondered if, just if, Slaine could make some gesture, however small, that lay outside simple politeness and regard for her status, she could be happy with simply that.

The weakling bastard princess who had been cast aside and forgotten was greedy, she wouldn't lie to herself that she wasn't. But starved as she was for some genuine connection, it would be like a drink of water to a person dying of thirst.

Even still, she was entirely unprepared that such a small, seemingly insignificant gesture was capable of disarming her. And yet, the simple sincerity of the gesture was precisely why it was so effective, so accustomed was she to more elaborate gestures.

Still blushing slightly, she smiled. This was one thing which truly belonged to her; she would always cherish it.

Not long ago, she would have answered with some veiled threat, or a reminder not to forget where his loyalties should be, with perhaps a cutting remark with an empty smile. But now, her smile was tinged with a hint of regret even as -- she hoped -- in conveyed her understanding for the necessity of his other duties.]

Thank you for spending this time with me. I...hope that it is not too presumptuous of me to ask if we can perhaps do this again in the future?

[By the time Lemrina speaks those words, Slaine has already risen from his seat, smoothing out the wrinkles from his uniform as he quietly turns on his heels to face the exit. It's only when he stops and cranes his head that he notices the smile on her face.

A smile not too different from the kind that he possesses — one filled to the brim with regret. Combined with the blush that's on the princess's cheeks, it tugs at Slaine's chest beneath the facade of calmness that he just rebuilt. He knits his brows in thought, trying to think of the best answer he can give to Lemrina.

Tonight is probably one of the few nights that she'd be able to cherish without worrying too much about her role as "Princess Asseylum" to Vers, or their political engagement. Tonight, she can be herself... and Slaine gave her that opportunity. Possibly the only thing he did right out of many wrongdoings.]

We shall see, Your Highness.

[A quiet admittance. He can't give her fake promises, not anymore with the lies he's been feeding her as of late. He pauses and allows a tiny smile, then turns to face her and bows, hand on chest.]

There may be yet another chance in the horizon.

[She hadn't truly expected an answer; the evening had done wonders for her peace of mind. While Lemrina had known from the get-go that Slaine had been fighting for a better future for everyone in Vers, her own loneliness and longing had consumed her to the point that her wish for him to at least meet her on equal terms all but consumed her. Her bitterness and resentment had been building up to a dangerous breaking point.

And then...he had accepted her invitation and allowed her into at least a corner of his inner world. While their dinner had been regretfully short, it had been just enough. Enough for her to slip past some of those infuriating walls, enough to safely allow some of her own to lower, casting aside her own necessary mask. There remained a great deal between them, of course...but that chasm between them was no longer so impossible to cross. He still held her at arms' length...but it was enough to try to meet him halfway.

In all, she was satisfied. It was enough for her to abandon a large part of her bitterness. And if he could continue to be honest with her, perahps now she could truly be of use to him...and perhaps even friends. She wouldn't lie to herself and pretend she didn't wish for more, but at this point in her life a true friendship in and of itself would be a miracle.

It was with no small irony that the bastard princess realized that his parting words would not have placated her only an hour earlier. Yet now, she had something she had not had before: hope.]

I shall look forward to it, then.

[She granted him another slight yet open, honest smile before she allowed another honest expression. It made her vulnerable, but she decided that it was worth a risk. A slight worried frown marred her brow.]

And please, be careful.

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