27 Vicarious Sentimen (1/2)
Chapter 27: Vicarious Sentiment
Nye, Solitaire and Adam had entered Knothole, with everyone curiously observing them. The blonde haired leader turned to her new companion, noticing that he was somewhat wary of this new environment. ”Feel free to make yourself at home, Adam. It just might take some time to adjust to everything.” She assured him.
Adam shifted, glancing from the others to Nye, before turning away. ”... I need to get used to being treated this way, but... maybe garbage like me should just stay quiet...” Adam softly sighed, before walking over to a secluded corner, sitting down away from the others.
Nye watched him walk across the room, her eyes panning over to Solitaire; who stood beside her. ”This may take a while, seeing the reactions being exchanged here. Can I trust you to help me look after him in the meantime?” She murmured, softly.
”I think I can handle it.” Solitaire nodded, in agreement. ”He's not too shabby, when you get used to him.”
”I appreciate it.” Nye replied, before walking further into the location.
The others attention had turned to Adam previously, but seeing Nye moving in further, they resumed what they were doing beforehand. Nikolai used his scythe to cut the portrait of Lenault into pieces, before floating up to cover the wall with torn curtains. Zyron had a book on the table before him, that he was reading now.
Nye approached the table where Miles was sitting, finishing getting fixed up by Molliana. ”Molly, I have something for you.” Nye smiled, reaching into her bag.
Molliana turned to her, growing happy in the face. ”Oh? What is it Miss Nye?” She giggled.
Nye chuckled, withdrawing the doll she had found previously. She crouched down to the little cyclops, handing it to her. ”I think you might like this.”
The little girl reached for the doll, her face lighting up with excitement. ”She's so beautiful.” Molliana stated, before unexpectedly hugging to Nye. ”Thank you so much, Nye, I love it.” She smiled, happily.
Nye was a bit taken by surprise, but eased up to laugh again. ”You're welcome, little one.” She said, patting the child's head, before standing back to her feet.
”Nothing for me?” Miles jested.
Nye glanced his way, ”Not this time.” She said, in a teasing manner, before approaching the bar. She turned to Runfaust, setting down the bag.
”You and Solitaire found quite a bit during your supply run, Molliana even seems a lot happier now. Thank you for taking the time to make my daughter smile.” Runfaust mentioned.
”Aye, it's not a problem.” Nye chuckled, peering over to the others. ”The rest of the supplies are with Solitaire.” Nye explained.
”I'll get those from her to place way then. However, I do have to wonder, where did you come across him.” He motioned over to Adam.
Nye turned her attention over to Adam's position. ”We found Adam while exploring the ancient ruins of the unknown region. From what I gathered, he had been sleeping since before the Templar were founded.”
”Are you certain we can trust him?” Runfaust inquired, seriously. ”Even Ashe has that look of skepticism in his eyes.” He gestured over to his son; who was watching Adam from the table he was smoking at.
”I've gotten more cautious of whom we bring in after what happened with Finch, don't worry. Adam's clearly an outcast much like the rest of us. Just give him a chance to open up, he's had a rough life from the sounds of it.” Nye replied, in a relaxed tone.
”I'll trust your judgment then.” Runfaust reached for the bag. ”If it comes down to it, you should talk with the others, so they aren't wary about your decision.”
”I will.” Nye said, before she glanced up to the second floor, seeing a glass of whisky, that was partially empty, but the ice seemed to have melted. However, there was no sign of Jackyn. ”Say, Runfaust. Have you seen Jack anywhere?” She asked.
”Hm?” Runfaust looked back to her. ”He was in here earlier, but he left a while ago. Didn't say where.”
”I see, then I suppose I'll ask the others.” Nye replied, turning from the bar.
”You're doing good work out there, Nyghtmare. Recruiting more forces is actually a wise decision, considering what we're up against. I apologize for not trusting your judgement on Adam.” Runfaust explained.
Nye glanced back to him, ”You're worrying too much, Runfaust. I don't hold it against you.”
Runfaust smiled, with a nod. ”I suppose I am, well, keep it up. You're doing great.”
Nye chuckled, turning away from him to approach Ashewyn. She placed a hand to his shoulder, peering down. ”Everything alright?”
Ashewyn's eyes panned up to Nye. ”Yeah, just keeping my eye on this guy. I know you're being more cautious on who we can trust, but you can never be too safe in these times.”
”Just play nice, he's surprisingly delicate compared to how he looks” Nye explained, before walking away from Ashe.
She approached Zyron, who had set down his book, and seemed to be observing Solitaire from afar.
”Fluffy, could you give this to Runfaust for me?” Solitaire asked, uneasily glancing to Ashe.
Miles took the bag that she held out to him. ”You always make me do this. Sooner or later, it's gonna cost you.” Miles teased.
Nye peered down at where the dog sat, as he observed Solitaire heading back up stairs. ”You seem to watch everything going on here, Zyron.” Nye spoke up.
”I don't know what you're talking about?” Zyron quickly looked to Nye, with a perplexed look in his eyes.
”Say what you want, I can tell. I wanted to asked you something, however.” Nye mentioned, still looking to Zyron.
”Huh? Ask me what?” Zyron raised a brow.
”Do you know where Jackyn went? I did mention you being very observant.” Nye placed one of her hands into her pocket.
”Oh, that guy? Uh fuck, I'm not really all too sure to be honest.” Zyron scratched his head. ”Miles was giving him a hard time about something earlier, and he just left. As far as I can tell, nobody really wants to be around him to begin with.” Zyron replied, with a shrug. ”Not that I blame them, he does kind of push people away.”
”I see.” Nye looked across the room, seeming disappointed. ”Thanks for letting me know, I will have to speak to both of them about their behavior.”
”You do that.” Zyron shifted his book, unsure what else to say to Nye.
Nye turned away from him, facing the front entrance of Knothole, before proceeding for the staircase. Miles had just handed over the bag to Runfaust, before turning Nye's way. ”Nye? Where are you going?” He called.
”I'm heading out for a bit. Ashe, keep the peace, while I'm gone, would you?” Nye explained, as she glanced back.
”I'm on it.” Ashewyn replied, with his easy going tone.
Miles crossed his arms, swishing his tail in irritation. ”At least let me tag along.” Miles pouted.
”No, you stay here. We're gonna talk about this, once I get back. So behave yourself.” Nye insisted, sternly.
Miles panned his eyes to the side, as his ears shot back. His tail rattled around, while he grumbled under his breath. Nye had already continued up the stairs, and soon enough made her way through the front exit.
Above the Knothole hideout, was the form of a lush, grass covered hilltop, that was covered by trees and other flora. The twin beams of moonlight hung over the hill's summit, where the curled in edge hovered over the hidden gothic walls. Some clouds lingered in the night, almost like mist, but looming like a shield that shrouded the stone walls below.
A gentle wind gusted by, blowing the blades of grass in harmony with the floating dandelions. Illuminating the grassy field were hundreds of fireflies, but just at the edge of the steep hill, was Jackyn. He sat there, gazing to the stars in the sky. He seemed lost in thought, letting his forearm rest against his knee, with his other hand pressed against the soil beside him.
For a while there was only the sound of the wind breezing by, until the silence was broken from an abrupt crunch in the grass behind him. Jack's eyes panned behind him, as he kept his back facing the direction of the noise. He could hear it make a few more steps closer, before the approaching stopped. The back view of the figure behind him was shrouded in darkness, seeing Jackyn, not too far ahead of them.
”So, this is where you've been hiding.” Chuckled the female figure behind him.
Jackyn's eyes closed, with a very subtle smirk, letting his face remain forward. ”Figures you'd be the one to find me.”
She didn't reply immediately, simply proceeding closer, til the moon light made her more visible. The wind gusted passed, as Nye came from the shadows, standing nearly adjacent to Jackyn. Her eyes peered up to the stars, watching them glimmer. ”Why are you out here all alone? Did Miles start something again?” Nye asked, glancing down to him with concerned look in her eyes.
”I don't want to talk about it.” Jack scoffed, turning his head away from her.
Nye shrugged her shoulders briefly, looking back to the sky. ”Well, I won't pry then.” She said softly, before letting her gentle gaze shift back to Jack again. ”Mind if I join you?”
”Do as you like.” Jack replied, still seemed defensive in tone.
Nye stepped closer to the edge, taking a seat couple feet away from the broody Dream Weaver. ”I know that the others don't trust you, like I do, but don't let it bother you. It's strange, I feel this way, but despite the fragmented visions, and what I've seen; I feel as though I barely know anything about you, Jack.”
He briefly glanced her way, but didn't reply. ”...” His gaze shifted away, with an unsure expression. ”What difference would it make? I can't change what I've done...”
”None of us can, but that doesn't mean you should push others away. Sometimes that only makes matters worse, you know?” Nye glanced his way, with a soft smile.
Jackyn hesitantly peered back at Nye, trying to force a smile, before looking away. ”...”
”I'm not going to force you to, so you can talk about it when you're ready.” Nye explained, getting back to her feet. ”I'm heading back to Knothole, if you need anything.” She said, walking back in the direction she came from.
Jack remained, silently turning back to the sky. ”...” He seemed to have a lot going on in his mind, but didn't want to express it.
Meanwhile, in the realm of Skyworld. Aoba stood in the dark lit chambers, before the stained glass windows. He held his arms behind his back, as he seriously gazed through them. Behind him, the entry doors bursted open, abruptly. Kloud was shortly after, dragged in by two heavily armored templar knights. They halted at the base of the steps, shoving the ginger haired man to his knees. As Kloud pushed up from the ground, to meekly stare up to his king, Aoba gently raised a hand, motioning for the guards to leave them.
The sounds of the armored suits leaving was heard behind him, as his feeble eyes grew more concerned. The moonlight shined onto Aoba, casting a wide shadow to span across the chamber. ”Kloud Vespire, was it? Do you know why I have summoned you?” The grand master whimsically smirked, without facing Kloud, letting shadows cast over his face.
”Y-Yes milord...” Kloud shivered.
Aoba kept his arms behind his back, not even shifting in the slightest. ”That a boy, then you're full aware of what happens to those who can't play by the rules.” Aoba chuckled, closing his eyes with an unnerving, gleeful grin. ”You failed to capture the one target I had given you, and thus forced my hand to conscript more templar soldiers upon learning that she's the Queen of Fiends. Oh, what shame, seeing how many have died in such a short amount of time since. If only we knew of her identity, before she was able to gain more numbers; then this exchange could have all been avoided. Don't you agree, Kloud?” Aoba turned around, staring to the frightened Templar before him.
”Y-You're absolutely right, your majesty.” Kloud stammered, trembling at the sight of his lord.
”It's going to be ooh so much harder to get what I want now, and in a way... Hah hah... It's your fault. You let her escape, not once, not twice, but three times. You failed your duty as templar knight, and the decisions that followed... I'm sure you know where this is going, am I right?” Aoba kept his menacingly, smug expression.
Kloud could speak, he had this blatant look of terror in his eyes.
”That look alone answers my question. I'm sure that Ayame has told you plenty of times, that not fulling your directive, is basically going against the will of the Maker, yes?” Aoba grinned, chuckling in the darkness.
”I-I am a-a-aware, my liege...” Kloud gulped, nervously.