Jenare looked at the midnight-black blade in front of him. It seemed to suck all light within itself, and was maybe heavier than would be expected of a sword of its size and build. He'd received it earlier today from a man called Zeid, a Dark Knight. It was partially a case of mistaken intention, and partially a case of him not even wanting to correct it. Ever since that afternoon of Celestial Nights not even that long ago, he had been feeling admittedly reckless. To think that all this time, this twin sister of Kii's had been taking her place, impersonating her. While he could understand her reasons intellectually, his heart did not want to forgive or understand. Maybe that was why the blade drew him so. He reached out and placed his hand on the blade. Not particularly hot or warm. But he could feel it, it craved for blood.
He thought back to Zeid's words.To satisfy the lust for blood, to drink in the blood of its enemies..to use the anger and darkness within, use all your strength in taking down your opponent. Nothing but your strength, your anger, and in the nothingness, with you..the sword. He picked it up. It felt like the right time.
"Kupolin. I have need for my sturdier armor."
"Right away, master!" The moogle disappeared in the customary swirl of energy. Jenare looked around the rental room. He was in Bastok, where he had ended up traveling after that afternoon. He'd meant to visit Endahren, but when he'd arrived to the city he hadn't felt like it anymore, and had instead half-heartedly decided to help out a young Galka he'd talked with several times before, and chased word of the Dark Knight Zeid to Palborough Mines. That's how he'd ended up here and now.
Kupolin returned from San d'Oria with his armor, cheerfully flitting about and showing how well-kept they were. Jenare suspected that either the moogle was a very good reader of character but responded in unconventional ways, or he just had a very bad sense of timing for his weird moods. Over time, the two had built a working relationship of largely leaving each other alone unless the situation called for interaction. Usually, Jenare rather liked the moogle, but his mind was dwelling in unpleasant enough thoughts that he didn't have much room for joviality for the moment. He nodded absentmindedly and put on the armor with some help from the cheery moogle. All the while, the sword called for him. He felt like he couldn't take his eyes off of it for very long, like it had an inner gravity he was very susceptible to.
"Well then. I'm out. Don't wait up." Jenare picked up the sword and slung it on his back. It was much bigger than the swords he was used to handling. He might have some difficulty fighting with it. For the moment, it didn't matter.
"Have a good hunting trip, kupo!" Kupolin wished him cheerfully.
The sun was setting. Jenare took a deep breath. It was strangely calming in a way, swinging this big sword. He was just getting used to it, and it was easier than he had thought. Giving in to the sword, merely being in a state of readiness..it seemed like the sword wanted him to learn how to use it. All he had to do was give in to it.
A familiar buzzing came from behind. A bee. He turned around and raised the Chaosbringer. Concentrate, let go. Give in. He swung the sword, and the bee was cut cleanly in half. "Fifteen."
As he raised the sword again and looked around to search for more prey, he wouldn't have recognized his own face if he'd seen it. Adorning it was a crazed grin telling of blood lust and beneath it, regret.
Miss Kii Kalira,
First of all, I would like to offer my apologies to have left you waiting in uncertainty for so long. There have been some...complications, here in San d'Oria. To make the matter brief, my father Gervaine Richille died last June. To the end he was against me staying in contact with you. I don't think he ever found out Endahren was willing to help us stay in contact. I felt guilty over this, and could not continue. While he did have opinions that differ drastically from mine, he was still my father.
Endahren left for Bastok today. I think that is what made me take up the pen again. With him gone, I realized that San d'Oria will not offer me any more. I have decided. As soon as mother and Triene are settled down into this new life well, I will leave San d'Oria. I wish to see the world. Even if I've hurt you with my inconsiderate behavior, I hope you can still be happy for me. If you still wish to stay in contact with me, you can once again reach me at my home, at least until I leave.
Respectfully,
Jenare Richille
Jenare sat in front of his desk. The day had been long, and it wasn't even evening yet. His best - and quite likely only - friend had just left San d'Oria to live in Bastok for an undetermined length of time. He felt tired, a kind of a weariness in his bones that would not be easy to dissipate. He missed him already. They had not been friends for all that long - a mere five years - but had at least known of each other for most of their lives. Throughout these five years Endahren had become something irreplaceable for him, spurning him on to new achievements, broadening the horizons of his mind. He supposed he should be thankful for Endahren, but their friendship was beyond thinking in such terms.
He sighed and looked at a small box on the corner of his table. It contained several letters from Kii Kalira, a friend of his from Windurst. Ever since his father had died three months ago, he had stopped reading her letters. Endahren was right, she must be getting worried. He had tried to ignore the situation, he felt guilty over continuing his friendship with her since his father had been so strongly against it. But he had promised Endahren to write to her again.
Hesitantly he reached over to the box and opened it. Picked up the several letters it contained and looked at them. He had really been dishonorable in handling this situation, there was no way of getting around that.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in." His mother Celese entered, carrying a tray with some food and drink.
"Decided to bake you same pie. Thought you would love some right now." Jenare smiled sadly. The scent of baked apples came from the tray. His favorite pie. His mother was a true savior. She was keeping the family together right now, after her husband's death. Triene had always been closer to their father than Jenare, and he had taken his death much worse.
"Ah, letters?" Jenare looked down at them and nodded.
"From Kii Kalira. I should write to her again." His mother placed the tray on the desk gently.
"I won't be bothering you for longer, then. Take care now." Saying that, she left the room, closing the door behind her. Jenare opened the earliest of the letters and started reading. He would have to apologize for waiting so long before responding. He hoped he hadn't made her too angry.
Miss Kii Kalira,
Greetings from San d'Oria. This is Jenare Richille. If you remember, I promised to write to you after coming back home from Windurst. I decided not to be too late with it, so here is my letter.
Belated Valentione's Day greetings! The day flew by largely unnoticed for me, father and I did not arrive home until yesterday. Hopefully your Valentione's was more eventful than being confined on an airship. As amazing it is to see the scenery fly past, the airship is still a small space to spend a day on.
San d'Oria is as it always is, it never really changes. New buildings are built, old ones crumble, but the spirit of the city is always the same. It is more noticeable after spending some time in a city like Windurst, which always seems to be abuzz with something. At least that is the impression I have of it, having spent slightly less than one week in the city. Is your impression of it different?
I wished to write something meaningful in this letter, but it appears I am not capable of more than senseless chatter. But I think it will do for a first letter. I hope you will decide to write back to me, I will be looking forward to it. Whatever you decide, hopefully you and your sister are doing well.
Respectfully,
Jenare Richille
Miss Kii Kalira,
I hope my letter finds you in good health. There have been some troubles here in San d'Oria. If you'll excuse me for being so abrupt, I'll explain it straight away. While I am not too eager to bring up the issue, you are aware of my father's thoughts of the other races of the Goddess, are you not? This brings him several minor difficulties in his trade, but it appears to bring me more grief than it does him. He managed to get his hands on your latest letter and read it, naturally discovering who you are and where you are from. As a result, he is now determined to never let me communicate with you again.
Please do not be alarmed, I have no intention of conforming to his wishes this time. I have explained the situation to my friend Endahren, and for now you can address your letters to him instead. He will deliver them forward to me. He truly is a real friend!
I will respond to your letter shortly, I must hurry in sending this note so it will reach you in time.
Please take care,
Jenare Richille
"He has no right..!"
"Of course he doesn't."
"It's my life! I can damn well do what I please!"
"Mm-hmm..." Endahren looked in fascination as his long-time friend paced the length of his room and glowered at the walls. What a rare sight. Something had actually worked up the ever-patient Jenare. "Can we go again over the part where you've been writing with a hot mithra chick?"
Jenare whirled around. "I have not been writing with a...!"
"A hot mithra chick? So, what would you call it then?"
Jenare sighed in frustration. "Just...don't refer to Kii Kalira as...that." He sat down on the room's other chair. "Why did he have to..I was doing nothing wrong. She's a friend, of course I'd want to stay in touch with her."
"A friend. Sure. That's why you've been hiding it."
"I have not been hiding it! I...merely haven't mentioned it. And now it's all finished, anyway. Father will confiscate all her letters."
"Jenare, dear friend... you need to get out more. One hurdle on the way and you're already giving up? We'll get you your girl, I promise."
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