Fear and Longing

With Isao safe and too much of her time wasted, Marian stormed off.

Hana had been here. She had been in that boat house, she had been hurt. She was wandering around Creation against Marian’s orders, she had been in contact with Rokuji for heaven only knew how long, and someone else was looking for her. All of this information had been reeling through her brain since Miyako had mentioned Hana’s name at the docks.

And an old memory stuck fast.

Thoughts of potential events were muddied by that constant reminder; over and over. She had to help these people, it was the right thing, but Hana was in trouble. She’d made this decision before, she…no, Sherwood had thought Ashe could take care of herself, that she would be fine. He stayed behind to help the city and was helpless himself as that abyssal took her from him. The memory replayed every time Marian thought too long on the subject. It was tearing her apart.

All she could do was fear the worst.

Perhaps it wouldn’t have been so bad, she thought, if the events at the Tomb hadn’t taken place. If they hadn’t found Tentera in that bone field posing as Solit. If she hadn’t seen the lumps of flesh that were once a little girl, if she hadn’t seen Ellodie tear the soul from an unfortunate abyssal. She had feared, then, that Hana had been dead too. She had told her to stay put and keep an eye on Solit. She had told her to wait until they got back. She had to hear from her uncle, famous for spies and treachery, that she was alright.

She didn’t need this right now.

Marian wandered into town, fists clenching and unclenching again, her anger trying to dissipate but with little success. She just wanted to go home. For months she just wanted to go home. She clenched her fists again and looked up to take in her surroundings. Those who could help with fortifications were finishing up; maybe tonight they would fare better against the onslaught of the undead.

She spotted him hammering nails into an older house.

Even with his sleeves rolled up and sweat on his brow he was beautiful. The flowers in his hair were shut tight, she noticed as she approached. She cleared her throat from behind him, and he turned. She noticed the dark look on his face, the fire in his eyes. She felt her own rage quiet and the rise of every other feeling that was supporting it. Her lips twitched and she blinked back tears. Without warning she moved forward and buried her face in his shoulder. He tensed, but brought her into an embrace.

She didn’t cry.

“How are things going?” she asked. She didn’t move, she was comfortable against his warmth and his sweet scent.
He shifted slightly and Marian heard him set down the hammer. He replied, “should be fine. Everything alright?”
Marian shook her head, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything. Her fear and tears threatened her once again at the question, but she swallowed them down. Yuri nodded.
“Let’s get some dinner, you should be ready for tonight,” Yuri said.

He led her to the Inn.

There was no one she would have rather spent the evening with.