[Hayame’s years have not stretched on as long as Liem’s have… but the core is the same. Among all the qualities one might see in her, desirability as a partner and a companion could not possibly be one. Even now, she is more than a little convinced this remains true.
It’s just that…
All of the reasons to say “no” bubble up, bleeding out into the snow and ice like the rest had, blanketing the silent stone with the things she struggles to admit even to herself. It has to be impossible, because… they were of different species, different cultures, different ranks. She had to return to her world to keep her vow, and in doing so… she might die. Even if he said he would come with her, was it even possible? Could she even let him, when he had an entire country counting on him in his own home? And he… he was a king, he would need heirs of his body. They might not even make it, they could die here in Kenos, or the Oracle trial could fail, they could be forgotten like all the other generations of shard-bearers…
But today? Tomorrow?
Hayame shivers in the cold before finally, quietly, the shameful, selfish admission comes that… even if it’s foolish, even if it’s weak, even if it’s just some fleeting, painful dream,]
no subject
It’s just that…
All of the reasons to say “no” bubble up, bleeding out into the snow and ice like the rest had, blanketing the silent stone with the things she struggles to admit even to herself. It has to be impossible, because… they were of different species, different cultures, different ranks. She had to return to her world to keep her vow, and in doing so… she might die. Even if he said he would come with her, was it even possible? Could she even let him, when he had an entire country counting on him in his own home? And he… he was a king, he would need heirs of his body. They might not even make it, they could die here in Kenos, or the Oracle trial could fail, they could be forgotten like all the other generations of shard-bearers…
But today? Tomorrow?
Hayame shivers in the cold before finally, quietly, the shameful, selfish admission comes that… even if it’s foolish, even if it’s weak, even if it’s just some fleeting, painful dream,]
… I do.