gemini_saga | IC Inbox for starhuevalley

She wasn't listening to him carefully, didn't she? He said he sees her beyond laguz and beorc, he simply sees her as her. But at this point, when temper ran high, and he felt misunderstood, he simply stormed out and left. He felt explanations are pointless, not without the actions and deeds to tie with his words.

But at the moment, he couldn't offer any, as once again, he felt rejected by her and he's getting tired of it. Even if it was his own fault, at this point, he doesn't know what to do, even though in his heart, he wanted to be with her.

- - - - -

The next few days there was an uneasy silence. They haven't spoken to each other since the argument. Not a signal word. Saga is a strong silent type of man, it seems. Living next to each other as neighbors, not once he approached her as he usually does since that night. She can assume he eats alone by himself too.

Though over the next few days on the following week, construction workers came to his property to fix something inside the greenhouse and in his house. Then they came with boxes and Saga is busy interacting with them.

Eventually, one day, a tall young man, who is identical to Saga in every way, from the long mane of blue hair with the only difference is a lighter shade and hue of blue, came to visit Saga on his farm. He was seen helping him out on the farm with his shipments on his property, harvest and pulling crops (though with less seriousness and efficiency) hanging out with him as they go everywhere in the village, and staying over at his house and fishing together at the river nearby.

It's only then one afternoon, when Leanne came out for her usual shipment on her land, and the two brothers were standing next to each other, like complete mirrors of each other, that they were standing on Saga's field, and that's what happens next they were playing and chasing each other, wrestling and completely wrecking his field.

Apparently, all the rough-housing leads one thing to another, but there's a brilliant flash of light, and then one of them unleashed a galactic explosion, sending a stray fiery meteor to fly and crashed in Leanne's field, causing a hole with steam coming out on the ground, missing one of her fruit trees by a narrow miss.

She wasnt sure of anything anymore. All she could feel was pain, rejection, shame and anger. At the moment, all she could think of that it was a fool's hope they had to be together.

------

The desperation and silence between them, it was painful but it fit her thoughts that this truly wasnt meant to be.

She does notice the identical male living on the farm and hanging with him around town. She was glad... Glad to see he was doing better whenever she saw him.

She continued to work on her farm, growing and tending to it with her old fashion ways.

That is... Until something comes crashing and destroying some of her crops but sparing her fruit trees. She lets out a small cry of distress at the damage and just stares at the meteor on the ground.

What?... What can she do about this? How can she repair the damage that this has done? First things first, is fetching pails of water to splash in the fires to put them out.

The meteor is quite hot, nestled inside the hole on the ground it made. While she was desperately putting the fires out, the two brothers argued and bickered what must be done. It was easy for them to blame each other and point fingers.

Eventually, one of them is crossing his arms, sitting cross-legged, still bitterly angry, while the other knowing nothing gets done, sighed and he got up and ran over the side of the fence on Leanne's property to help Leanne putting the fire out, grabbing a bucket and filling it with water to throw it at the fire to put it out.

Once the fire died out and quenched, leaving behind a steam, it's only in that moment that Kanon and Leanne's eyes were met. "Nii-san's fiancee...?" Was all he thought about. Being a nervous and shy younger brother, he quickly ran the moment the fire died out and was sure that Leanne is safe, back to his brother's farm.

- - - - -

Later that day in the late evening, after bidding his brother good-bye and Kanon left to go back home, Saga was left back on his farm home alone again.

He waited for Leanne to finished her work on the field and go back home, that he later returned to the meteor site. The rock is still embedded there. The meteor wasn't a terribly big rock, just a size of a boulder weighing in about sixty pounds.

He used a shovel to dig up the rock and to lift the rock on a cart. Hopefully, he can get the work done before Leanne discovered him...

Leanne was almost nearing tears as she works to douse the fire. No, not another fire. She was starting to think she was going to lose the battle when the other Saga joined and helped her with the fire.

She was about to thank him for his help when he ran off and back to Saga's farm. That was strange.

------

It took her a much longer time to get her farm work done. Once she was done she attempts with the meteor to remove it. Only to stop when her plants were crying from the pain it was giving them.

She frowns and her wings eventually droops as she gives up for the night. This... This had to be divine punishment for her attempting taboo.

An arm reaches up to rub at her eyes as she goes to head back into the house. Tomorrow, tomorrow she will have to try again.

She was about to head for bed when she could hear Rafiel's hooting as the rowlet spots Saga and was hooting at him from one of the fruit trees next to the site. 'What'cha doing, Saga?'

Divine punishment has nothing to do with an attempted taboo. It was an honest mistake from the rough-housing earlier that day.

All of those dying plants, burned from the destruction though. It was a small area, about a few meters wide. By freeing up and removing the big rock, that should ease the pain for her surrounding crops in her garden.

Grumbling from the hard work and removing a heavy rock. "Removing my younger brother's rock. The idiot...we were arguing over nonsense this afternoon." He sighed, and look longingly at the house where Leanne lives.

He wanted to tell Leanne he is sorry, but he can't simply use the owl as a messenger. At a later time, maybe. "Tell your mistress the rock is gone." He said, and with a grunt and hard push of his cart, he carried the boulder away to his propert to crush it later with his cosmos.

Leanne will discover the rock is gone the next morning, but all it is left is a hole in the ground. No input from Saga or what happened since the incident, as she's truly on her own to figure things out.

Leanne was still in her house, idly peeking through the curtains to see the sight of Saga working on her fields. What?... What was he doing? She didn't leave her house as she was sure that he didn't want to see her. Besides, he has Rafiel for company.

The rowlet continues to hoot at Saga, watching him work. He eventually goes to land on the Saint's head and lets out a series of hoots. Why? Why can't he give the message himself? Why hasnt he seen him around lately?

The owl remained on his head, even as he carted the boulder back to his property. It was only then that he flies off and goes to sleep in one of the fruit trees.

The next morning came and one of the first things that Leanne does is check the boulder site. She blinks as it was gone and goes to quickly look towards Saga's farm.

The crops and nature relayed to her tbat it was Saga who cleared the boulder and she frowns a little. How? How can she pay him back for it?

She goes to head into the kitchen after sending Rafiel out to the village to pick up supplies. After a while, she goes to drop off a pot of soup with noodles by his front door. Not sticking around to see if he accepted it or not.

Despite the owl's hootings, Saga gave the little one a friendly scratch on the belly before he flew off. Honestly, he felt bad about the incident earlier that day. It was a playful misfire on Kanon's part, as saints' back home tend to fire cosmos at each other and made it unscathed, but the destruction of their cosmos affected the environment from their recklessness.

The next morning, he found a pot of her soup and noodles on his front door and accepted it. Guilt burden on his shoulders since the argument was on his mind, but he spent the last week to attend to the construction of his greenhouse and his brother's visit.

Saga truly regrets his short temper, and ran short again with Kanon's visit, though if it weren't for his visit, he learns to forgive and rethink what he said to her that night. He pitied himself first, for falling for a girl like her, and he thought about what she said, that he should look at other women that is more suitable. After all, he heard many stories about men falling for a woman below his station, and likewise the same. Was that how she felt? Being a laguz is not equal to being a beorc.

He has a chance, to separate himself from her, and forget about her, and move back home. Make a choice to break up with her.

But he can't. He didn't want to. He has deep feelings for her, and Saints were taught to trust their instincts and their heart.

So later that afternoon, in return for her noodles, there sitting on her kitchen's windowsill, she'll find a dish of a vegetarian pilaf made with jasmine rice, which he diligently cooked it himself, with a note that said, "I'm sorry. If you want to talk, please meet me at my greenhouse at 8pm later today."

Edited 2018-10-06 10:02 (UTC)

Rafiel just lets out some happy birb sounds at the belly scratches. Yay! Physical attention! He loves it as Leanne can tell anyone.

This week of being separated, while on one hand, it was painful the other made it easier to realize what it was like without him around. Leanne has still been crying herself to sleep since their argument. The owl doll was even set aside and out of her bedroom.

Leanne missed Saga, being held by him and listening to him ramble on with whatever was on his mind.

She blinks at the sight of the new dish on her kitchen's windowsill and tilts her head. What? What was this? The note on it...

.... She knows this handwriting. A pain shot through her heart as she attempts to decipher it. She should ignore it, it will give him the chance to free himself from her. But she wants to be selfish and see him again.

But perhaps it would be best to clear the air between the both of them. She goes to eat the pilaf before heading back to work. To heal now the damage to her farm.

By the time she was finished, it was a little after 8pm. She frowns at how late it was and debates if she should go....

For Saga, it may seem like she wasn't going to come but by 8:10, she goes to land near the greenhouse and starts looking for the door. It took her a moment to find it and slowly enter the new building.

Saga didn't noticed she was late, because he was working inside the greenhouse, arranging the fruit trees and the crops inside in a neat alignment arranged by rows. The door isn't locked and in fact, was open by a mere crack for her to enter.

Saga was waiting in the middle of the field. When he noticed and sense her presence, he was a bit relieved but anxious. This is unlike him, but he was hoping with this chance, they can talk what happened that night.

"Leanne? Is that you? I didn't think you would come."

When Leanne came closer, there was a pond he was standing by, and upon closer look, there was a school of big fish of koi ranging from red, orange, and black colors on their scales. Around a pond is a Greek-like pillar structure for décor, which is probably what Saga installed earlier that day with the construction workers.

Turning to her, he feels so sad and lonely. He thought his brother's visit helped somewhat...to clear his head a little. His visit only validates he shouldn't worry about his role back at the sanctuary because all of his colleagues of saints are there while he's here, searching for himself.

"About that night...I'm sorry. Please, forgive me. I was putting a lot of expectations upon you...expectations you weren't ready for. I was..." An ass. "You know, finding and wanting a mate is a lot of pressure and if that's something you didn't want...."

Trailing off, remember about the rock. "Anyway, I'm sorry about the meteor. My brother came to visit me and his poor aim was off."

She blinks at the sight of the pond and does move closer to look at the koi fish. She can both see and sense his sadness and lonliness but cannot go and comfort him. No, that will send him mix signals.

Leanne listens to his words while focusing on the fish, to prevent him from seeing her facial expressions. For someone claiming to be smart.... He truly didn't have a clue, did he? She frowns as she watches the fish.

"Is that.. Is that what you truly thought what upsetted me that night?" She goes to sigh out.

But then he mentioned the meteor and she blinks to look up at him. "How could your brother be the cause of it?"

"Yes, that's what I think." Such a knee jerk reaction really. "I left and realized I didn't give you a chance to have your say." And be jerk and dismissed her feelings. "I might have...explaining something poorly. It's a miscommunication."

He slumped his shoulders, still feeling very tense, while staring at the koi swimming around and see her reflection in the pond.

"We used our cosmos to attack each other, but it's something we used to do back home, because we fight and spar to mettle out our strengths. He summoned his attack, a meteor from outer space, and that's how the meteor landed on your farm."

There's a table close by the pond and on it, there's a plate of white rice. "Leanne, would you like to feed the fish? They are called koi. Just throw the rice in the pond. Me and Kanon enjoy watching them feed."

Leanne listens to him and her frown only increases. The pain of that night could be the only thing she remembered and not the joy. She doesn't realize that he could see her expression in the reflection.

"And what of now?" Is he willing to let her say her piece?

The reveal of what his brother's attack is was a little frightening. "..... Do you have a similar attack?"

She blinks again when he offered her to feed the fish and she goes to sigh. Without saying a word, she goes to take a small handful of rice and throws it gently into the pond. "Like this?"

"That's why I asked you to come here..." With a guilty look, turning away, that's a yes. This man have pride, perhaps too much. But he wanted her to talk to him. It's better than silence.

"Yes, we're twin brothers. Though if I show you...I don't think this greenhouse would be standing. Our powers...at one point we thought they're gift from the Gods."

With a nod, "Yes, just like that." At once the koi fish eager responded, the water splashed, and they open their mouths to eager eat the rice she given to them.

She closes her eyes and goes to take a long and slow breath. She recognizes the signals he is giving combined with his words as his permission for her to speak.

"When you chided me after I accidentally tugged you into my home. It was truly accidental and that was born out of a selfish desire. That, I should have been chided for, for having the selfish desire of just wanting to be around you more and take comfort in your presence."

She starts and pauses a little, to let it slowly sinker in before continuing. "But then, you jumped to that conclusion and chided me on that conclusion. All I could feel from that was shame, being shamed and also being belittled." And she goes to hold up a hand to silence any words that might come out of his mouth. This is her turn to speak.

"From you words, you made it sound as if you saw me as someone who doesn't treasure such things. Treasured the fact that I am unmated. That was when I decided to correct you on how we Laguz view such things."

This was hurting a lot, being able to say her piece. "You continued with you conclusion about my intentions and I.. I didn't see the harm in granting you at least those kisses, despite the fact that all I could feel was shame. But then..." She frowns even more and allows a couple of tears to fall.

"When you asked that question, that hurt far more than the chiding. It truly hurt as it made apparent that you, didn't listen to my words and thought of me so lowly. That you thought I would allowed any male into my bed so freely." She goes to take a deep breath to remain rational in her tone and words.

"If I was mated before, then I would have rather died than to let another even touch me as I allowed you to, in order to protect my honor. We Herons, we mate for life... Even if our mates died, we remain mated to them. I do know and understand marriage as well. Even if our races have different terms for it, I know what it is and everything about it. I am not some animal who would let others do that to me."

She goes to slowly let out a deep breath, finally done saying her piece and the reasons she was hurt that night. In order to give herself some comfort, she goes to hug herself, closing her eyes once more.

The mentioning of his brothers and his are similar causes her to reopen her eyes. "No, you don't have to show me, having it almost hit me is enough experience for me."

A soft nod was her response to his affirmation on her doing it right. She grabs just one more handful to gently throw it into the pond, forcing a smile on her face as she watches them feed.

Saga hold his tongue and reign his pride and temper in check, as he let her speak and he listens. His pride and arrogance is being chipped away. There's a million things he wanted to say and retorted in his defense, but he can't. The rejection, the pushing away, the teasing, the guilt, the shame, the anger, the desire....it rolled up to this.

"I left because I thought you thought of me as an boorish animal who wanted things his way, and I don't want you to see me like that. I'm not like that. But not once I questioned your chastity. I was only curious because I don't want to hurt you. I know your intentions is pure and true, and not once I thought you were with another male. In fact, I don't care if there's another guy around, as that's wasn't I was worried about." But given his mental state and the power he displayed, it's highly likely he'll turn that poor fool into a pile of ashes in a fit of jealous rage. "If anything, I don't know if your trust in me is there. When you invite me into your home and I came upon you, I took it as your invite that you're ready to be my mate, but I wanted to explain to you that it's a sacred thing to be with you and I wasn't so sure if you trust me to be with you."

But instead of feeling better, he's more pissed off and angry at himself. Sometimes, hate is another side of the coin of love. And he hates himself. And when it comes to hate, Saga wield that emotion as a powerful weapon. The blood on his hand is testimony of that when he wanted nothing more than to make attempt on Goddess Athena's life when she was reborn as an infant.

"I'm selfish. I want you more than anything. Lowly? Far from it. I'm the most lowly animal you ever met!" He said, but his laugh is fake and it's bitter. "In the end, we're all animals. You maybe a bird and I might as well be a rat. A very fat, stupid rat." He huffed, wanting to laugh at his own remark, but a bitter kind of laugh where he's becoming mad and pained with love...so he isn't joking. "I was happy that you want me for comfort and company. I wanted you to need me. In fact, I need you more than I breath air and drink water. Perhaps there are days I can't eat because you're not truly mine. When I want to mate with you, I want it to be a forever love, even if you pain me so. So when you invite me to your home, I was thinking are we ready, truly ready?"

Feeling pity for himself, he turned away from her, and crossed his arms, and sulking and glaring at the pond and wish he's a fish right now. There's such a thick black cloud around his head. "I am at your mercy. If I have all the saints have to come here and be my witness, so Goddess help me. Let them be my witness and I declare it so. I don't want you to be unhappy with me. I would rather die than seeing your unhappy and do something you regret. If I'm the man that will make you cry everyday and break your heart, than I don't deserve your love."

He truly...not want to be in the here now...but it must be said. All the bitterness and vitriol...this is another side of him.

"When I left that night, I regret making you cry, and I regret for the rock too. Everyday my black heart shriveled up and died. I regret that. Don't think I don't feel anything. I hate to pretending not feeling anything for you. Because I do, and even now, when you're standing here close to me or when I pushed you afar, it aches me so much to be next to you." He wipes at his eyes because there are tears of regret, but he's hiding them because he hates it.

She could tell that he wanted to interrupt her as she said her piece but didn't. She was grateful for that. Grateful that he finally let her words out. Now, it was his turn again. She listens, listens to his words. "I would have let you make me into your wife that night if it wasn't for the shame. I never once thought of you as a boorish animal. Dominant and a little pushy, yes, but never boorish."

She goes to close her eyes before looking away, not wanting to see his expression as she could tell this was hurting him. "I... I know that you didn't want to hurt me with that question but, it still hurt. Even now, remembering it, it still hurts. Especially when earlier that night, I told you that we mated for life. But I guess that is one of the differences between our races."

What... What can she say to him tearing himself down like this? To reveal more and more of his darker desires. "No, you are not a rat. You are you, Saga. You have much ambitions and desires, a rat... No. You would fit a stag more than a rat."

She sighs and even if he hides his tears, she could smell them. She moves and starts cooing at him, using her wings to try and wipe them away. "... I... Wanted to save you from this pain. This heartbreak. It hurts to see you hurt like this, Darling. But... I am sorry... I am so sorry to hurt you like this."

She closes her eyes and looks away now, moving away from him. "Perhaps... This is a sign.... Especially for one as myself. That all I am good for is bringing pain to other or having them die around me. No matter what I do, I hurt people. Especially you, Saga. I am not worth this pain, I am not worth it. I am causing you, the man I love, so much pain and misery. Especially to be near me."

Edited 2018-10-06 21:22 (UTC)

He sighs, tired and exhausted as he isn't in the mood to argue and quarrel over what happened that night. "A stag? Well, that's better than a rat, so I have to agree with you there." Rubbing the back of his head. "We weren't ready for that on that night. I wasn't ready. I led you on, thinking we were." He realized he revealed more of his ugly sides, and yet she still wanted to be with him. While he regretted what he said, he pretty much regrets...everything. Even long after that day, he dishonored Athena, yet she forgave him and becomes quite an embarrassment as a saint. Yet she stands by his side. "You wanted to be selfish, well so do I."

He turned around to tug her toward to him and scooped her up in a hug, wrapping his arms around her, because he owes her the hugs that night...but the kisses, felt he doesn't deserve that. He shook his head, then softly, "Leanne, stop that...you have to learn you can break me all you want, but I have to be the stronger one. Otherwise, who would stand up for you? Even if I'm at my worst, what kind of man I'll be if I can't protect you and our future children." Especially if they come out as a mixed race, the branded from this union.

"Every part of me wanted you that night. But I fear oppressing you. You're too tender and sweet and soft and there's no shame or weakness in that...I like soft things, that I fear hurting you more than you hurt me. I suppose to protect you, but in my selfish pursuit of you, I failed. I fear my own failure because I fear to dishonor you and that's why I asked too many questions...."

There's silence as he watched the fishes swimming carefree in the pond. "...you know. If I talk too much, at least....you should...do that thing with your hands...like this." He takes her hands and helps her raised them up.

He gently placed her hands on his lips, where he kisses them. "Then I'll stop whatever I'm doing and whenever you wanted to speak, you speak whatever is on your mind. And at that moment, time stops and you're holding my heart in your hands as you speak."

Perhaps she should leave now. They have both said their piece and now, this was something that couldn't be fixed. She hurt him and he hurt her. The hurt and pain amplified by their love for each other. This was over. They were going to say their final pieces soon, she could almost sense it.

Only to be tugged up into an embrace. At his soft words, she finally goes to tear up and shakes her head. "Saga... No, hurting you is not okay. It never will be okay. You... You don't hurt those you love. I am support to be your support, one who would have stayed in your shadows, but I keep failing that. I don't deserve you or your love. I am not worth it, not worth the pain I keep causing you."

She goes to shake her head again, finally leaning into his embrace. "I don't mind the questions but.... Please believe my words or listen to them, Saga. But especially things of that nature..."

The silence... It was welcomed as now, all she could do was let tears fall from her eyes. Emerald eyes blink as he speaks again and then he placed her hands on his lips and kissed them. "But you are so happy whenever you prattle on." She forces a chuckle. "And my words seem to do nothing but hurt you."

"Then I was being an idiot and didn't hear what you wanted to say. So I'll have to learn to shut up and stop running away."

He simply nodded, but as long she placed her hands on his lips, he's going to keep his promise to stay silent and let her speak, and just let her cry while being in his embrace. The truth is, the more she hurts him, the more he loves her more, even if she failed to support him, he wanted to embrace her failure as his own.

He simply kisses her hand again, making up for the kisses he didn't give her that night. He can sense she wanted to flee, but she was wrong. This isn't over. He didn't want it to end.

Then he relaxed his hold on her. His gaze is fixed on her, and this time, his look is so intense and there's a look of so much want and desire, but he kept it under control and in check. "Then let's give each other one last chance. If you wanted to go out the door, I'll release you with no hard feelings.

...But if you stay for the next five minutes, after that, whether you decide to stay or run after that, I'm going to chase you until the ends of the earth. And...you're the light, Leanne. Don't you understand? I want to be the shadow that will chase you until you can't escape. And once I caught you, I hope you understand what my love is like and how much you worth chasing after. Even if you're a hopeless catch, I'm going to damn well try."

"Saga...."

She goes to close her eyes as he kisses her hand again. No, why can't he see that she isn't worth it. She's not worth the pain she is causing him. She was a cruel person, not leaving him despite the pain she is causing him.

Then his hold relaxed and the look he was giving her. Despite the control he is showing, it was still a sight to behold. But then his words came and she looks away. This... This was a cruel choice he put on her but... One that should be easy to make.

Even if she wanted to flee and end this, she still wanted it. Wanted him as a mate. But leaving him now will save him from pain.

She goes to look towards the door, the way to free him from her. The pain she causes him. But is it right? To try and push these ideas on him? She goes to try and leave his arms, in order to take a few steps away.

"You know... That special place you showed me that night? I think it would be better to become mates there than your bedroom." She goes to let out a sigh as she counts the seconds in her head.

"If... If I stay the five minutes and have you chase me, then promise me one thing Saga." A deep breath as she prepares herself for her boldness. "That once you catch me, you will claim me as your wife in that moment. If you cannot do that, then please, let me know before these five minutes are up."

With a slow nod, "I promise." While his grumpy expression is hard to read, there is hope for him to be in the mood. While she was in despair from before, this last chance is to prove it. That he is very serious, and since she laid out the rules and he is willing to play by it.

"Actually, now that we agreed. If you leave now, you shall have a five-minute headstart instead. If I'm the stag, I can run really fast to that place." He said, now shifting his mood to be more dignified as the king of the forest.

Thinking about it, the dark forest and place she chose is the best place for them to mate...if successful, and something about the setting does appeal to him. Remember that night...no, he's going to get it right this time and be dignified. Part of him is surprised she chosen that place.

Edited 2018-10-06 23:22 (UTC)

A slow breath leaves her as he makes the promise. Good... This is perchance the only chance now to prove themselves to each other. No more games or teasings.

She blinks though as he changes the conditions. "I can fly really fast." And she knows she can move faster than any Beorc. But she nods and takes one last look towards him before heading out the door.

Once she was out the door, she quickly flares up in a blush as her heart goes to start racing. This... This cant be happening. This was going to happen.

With a deep breath she spreads her wings and takes off to the skies and towards one of the forests. Herons were one of the hardest to find within a forest

Saga wasn't in the mood for games. Unlike most men, when he wants something, and he wants her and desires her badly and entirely, he is really going for it. He's a man of determination and ambition. And with a remark like that, giving him permission to claim her...

At first, she was alone for the first five minutes to fly ahead and gained a headstart...then ten minutes once she's arrived in the forest and seeking a hiding place. Once she finds her hiding place in the forest, it's a game of hide and seek...but for Saga, it's a quest and a test for him, using his sense and psychic abilities to find her by sensing her cosmos. For him, it's like seeing a light in the darkness late at night. The forest is thick and the trees and plants hide her so well...

It didn't really take him long to find her. By the time she was hiding in her hiding place, half an hour has passed since they were having a quarrel in his greenhouse.

"There you are. I found you." He was out of breath from searching for her through the forests and reaching out his hand toward to her. "A promise is a promise, so...come with me."

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