[001]

[raisedroyal]

[Natalia looks around herself cautiously and adjusts her quiver strap. Only moments before she had been following behind Luke and the others as they made their way through the desert, and now they have all seemingly left her! Luke... wouldn't abandon her, would he? Certainly not after he had promised! ...Unless perhaps in his eagerness to join up with Dorian General Grants her very presence had somehow escaped his mind. However, that's not something she wishes to dwell upon for very long.]

Luke...? Luke! Just what is the meaning of this! Did you not agree to let me accompany you? I demand that you return immediately!

[No, no... this is silly; demands never work with him. Natalia takes a deep breath and starts forward. She can't prove him right about not belonging outside the castle. She must simply have gotten herself turned around; she'll catch up to them on her own. Definitely.]

[[OOC: Post-factory, pre-Akzeriuth. Somewhere around there!]]

Comments

The royal pair would certainly be good for that...

[mixolydianmode]

That's just it. I can't keep track of them all! They're everywhere! You can't shake a stick without hitting one of those short-haired weirdos.

[ Somehow the fact he's insulting himself escapes Luke. ]

[ What Natalia says next, however, does not. Luke's face turns just a few shades shy of matching his coat and he resolutely avoids eye contact. He's heard things - all sorts of things, from Asch of all people - about what might or would happen once they reach Akzeriuth. About what Master Van had planned all along. What he might do... ]

Even if we get back, I... I can't go to Akzeriuth with you. We'll worry about what to do once we get Ion back from them.

Everyone, we request that you behave yourselves properly. In short: do whatever Luke says.

[raisedroyal]

'Short-haired weirdos'...? [Blink.] I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about, Luke, but it won't do to go around insulting people. Not everyone can easily grow their hair out, you know. I'm certain it must be quite troublesome for the working class--

[But her lecture is interrupted when she notices how pale Luke's face has gotten. She reaches a hand towards his shoulder tentatively. What could possibly have him so anxious?] Luke?

What are you saying...? You were the one who agreed to become Kimlasca's goodwill ambassador, remember? I'm sure it's been trying at times, but you can't simply change your mind halfway through your responsibilities. Luke, everyone's counting on you. Besides, you'd be going against the Score.

And Luke said "THANKSGIVING VACATION!!1!" orz

[mixolydianmode]

Gah, that's not even what I'm talking about! It's not that they have short hair, even if it looks stupid. They claim they're m--

[ Luke abruptly clamps his mouth shut. Damn these time things! He isn't supposed go telling her that either. But... If he did, maybe they could save everyone together. He snatches up Natalia's hand in both his, tightly but still careful to not squeeze too hard. ]

Like I give a damn about the Score! ...'m not saying I'll quit being the ambassador and leave all the work to you guys, but trust me. It's a bad idea for me to go there. I'll figure out some other way to help, okay?

It's all right. My tagging drive is trying to take a vacation w/o me. XD

[raisedroyal]

They claim they're what? [She arches her brow in question. Natalia certainly has no idea, and if Luke would take just a few seconds to explain, they might end up on the same page for once.]

[But any impending lecture is cut off as the princess stares speechlessly down at her hand and then back up at Luke in what might be shock.]

Luke, I still don't understand. Why is it such a bad idea for you to enter Akzeriuth? Did Father say something else to you after everyone was dismissed from the throne room? [Did Commandant Grants say something else?]

[She's considering his words. Luke must have some reason for admitting all this, but it will require a change of plans, and the others will need to be informed as well. If the miasma is as thick as the reports say, then perhaps it's best if they try to evacuate the town's residents until something can be done about it...]