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year 5, quarter 3
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Caius stared back at her a moment. Letting out a sigh, he shook his head.
"Bloody fucking hell" He remarked, turning fully toward her. She sounded like a damn robot. It was as if this whole thing, as if her not wanting to convey that she could have died was just some inconvenience, a little misunderstanding. And he hated it. When he looked into her eyes, all he could see was someone that didn't seem to care too much about what would have happened had he not realized what was going on. But while the stoicity of his expressions would return by the time he sent them below, in this moment... Caius looked at her with the same eyes as the man that emotionally told Cissnei of the moments that had defined him, not all that long ago. This was the Caius she had met before.
"I'm not saying that as just some practical thing for the sake of the mission, I just... Stay alive, okay? You living is not some misunderstanding. I do not want you to die. If there is a way to keep you from dying, please ensure I know of it. Your life is not something I have any desire to squander if there is any chance I might be able to prevent something."
He didn't know why he had to remind her to exercise her own self-preservation, but... It just felt like the right thing to do. She was a person with her own past, her own emotions and feelings... Her own hurt. As he'd found out when they met. She had skeletons just as he did. Skeletons he got the impression she wished to atone for. It would be wrong of him not to ensure she was alive to do so, if he could help it. He'd hope she would do the same for him if the roles were reversed.
But something in how she reacted to the fall disturbed him. He didn't know how to describe the vibe he got from her. He did not understand of course, that the Turks had taught her that she was disposable. Though he would have words if he ever did.
~Later~
The Tonberrys seemed to hear her, though did not respond verbally. Caius had been scanning the environment around them, trying to find an exit if he could. Should the Tonberrys decide they were not able to communicate, or wanted to act on their seemingly near-savage nature... Caius still had a bounty to cash in on. The foundations of the cave seemed to be holding it up, and odds were if they were destroyed, it would cave most of, if not the entire city in. He'd have to keep that in mind, but he was more concerned about finding an exit first. He noticed Cissnei seeming to be trying to sweet talk the Tonberrys. She carried herself well enough. He kept that in mind too.
Eventually they would be brought to the largest hut of the lot. The Tonberrys would continue to lead them until they would come to a stop, meaning it was a time to stop for Caius and Cissnei as well. Looking around, there were many, many tonberrys wandering the halls of this hut that looked very much larger on the inside. Tonberrys that seemed to be patrolling, Tonberrys that seemed to be socializing... And then there was this circle of Tonberrys that caught Caius' attention.
"They still are kind of cute" Caius would whisper toward Cissnei as he took a closer look at the circle... Were they playing some kind of Tonberry game? He was curious. And when he peered closer, he found...
... The Tonberrys taking turns shanking another Tonberry in the circle.
"... I've changed my mind."
Looking up, at the top of a podium was a very, very large Tonberry that wore a kingly raiment and a crown. Caius recognized immediately that this must be their leader, and despite still being a little bit spooked over the Tonberry Shank Circle would give a very Kingsglaive bow.
But then the very large Tonberry began to talk, to his surprise.
"My people have told me of this... Code of yours, for parlay. So speak your terms. Why have you come here and attacked us?"
Caius took a deep breath. Remembering Cissnei earlier, he tried to play diplomacy in this stage, being as respectful as he could.
"With all due respect, Your Highness" Caius spoke up, addressing him in the same tone and fashion as though he were addressing the Chosen King himself. "Your people have been attacking a village not far from here. They have become a threat to the village's safety, and thus have sent us to stop this threat. We do not wish to fight if we do not have to, if you will only cease hostilities with the village."
The Tonberry King would mull this over a moment.
"They should not have established a village so close to our civilization. But as they are there... My people have decided to sate their hunger for... Entertainment, and we have decided that they will do. My people regularly hunger for entertainment, and if we are to cease, as you say... We will need something that will keep them adequately entertained in it's place.
Thus... This has given me an idea. At the edge of our city, we have constructed an arena. We have captured many monsters, and hold battles between them to serve as our entertainment. But monster on monster battles have become a bore. My people hunger for something new. If you two are willing to step into the arena and fight our monsters... And sufficiently entertain my people for enough rounds... It will be something worth talking about for some time. If you are willing to do this, and succeed.... Then we will agree to cease hostilities with the villagers. Do we have a deal? That is my terms for your... Pirate parlay."
Caius kept stone faced and his emotions close to his chest through this, though the more this Tonberry talked, the more terrifying they became. He looked toward Cissnei then, seeking her input. "Cissnei?"
Cissnei looked over to the tonberries that Caius called cute. She raised an eye brow at him as they started to shank. “Uh-huh.” She said crossing her arms and raising a brow at him. She knew better than to judge something small and ‘cute’ based on appearances. These creatures seemed terribly blood thirsty. She took in the sight curiously, trying to understand why they would do such a thing to each other.
But it was the king that seemed to inspire shock in her. She did not realize that these things could grow so big. Following Caius’s footsteps, she snapped her heels together, and gave a bow as she would any potential business partner. She did not look back up at him, out of politeness. She listened quietly, being sure not to interrupt Caius. It would only muddy the waters if she did.
However, when attention was passed to her, she looked up to the King when she was spoken to. She did not feel this was a permanent fix. “The villagers were foolish indeed to settle so close to your kingdom. However, if you continue your assault on them, you will have nothing left to temper your blades or slake your thirst.”
“I think this arena is a great idea, but I think my partner and I fighting in your arena is only a temporary solution. Our entertainment would only be brief, and the thirst of your people would rise again. But what if we were to find more people who agree to entertain you and your people, your highness. There are plenty of fighters out there that would love to fight and compete for a title. Even hunters or trappers may find it enticing to add to your arena collection for a bit of gold or betting. In exchange, your people would get more than one night of entertainment.”
She paused for a moment, before dramatically degrading herself to show that the Tonberry King was greater than her, whether she felt so or not, “Forgive me if I spoke out of turn. I am unworthy of your presence, and my ideas or nothing compared to your great mind. But if I may add one more thing, as unworthy as my words are... Your people seem full of vigor and energy. There are other forms of entertainment that could make use of such abundance. I must say I am ignorant to your culture, but the arts could be a good way of expressing oneself. My comrade here knows all about tenderness, as well, and maybe could help teach it.”
With much difficulty, she suppressed a grin. Before pushing on, “I am not saying my partner and I will not fight, I just wanted to add to the table. If we do fight, I do request a rest period prior the fight. This will help us make the fight much livelier in the arena. I eagerly await your reply, your majesty.” With that Cissnei lowered her eyes again and awaited an answer.
Cissnei seemed more able to swallow her pride than Caius was, speaking in more cordial and humble terms than even the former Kingsglaive did. The Tonberry King would consider her request for a few moments, seeming more interested than her with all her posturing and shows of humility and appealing to the big Tonberry's ego.
"I suppose you're right. Eventually our people would grow bored and our desires would grow again. Very well, I accept your proposal. You will fight in our arena, and then if you survive, we will leave the village alone for a period of time. That will give you time to scour the worlds and find the greatest of fighters to entertain us. We have plenty of gold to give, from what we have scrounged up, and we have no use of it. If it means constant entertainment, we will be fine to part from it."
Caius doubted it had been just "scrounged up". Either way, while he stared at Cissnei for a moment, surprised that she would dare bring up something that could be so potentially long term... She was right. They would just get bloodthirsty again and they would rampage anew. Something had to be done to permanently quell this civilization.
"As for your partner's ability to teach... We will hear what he has to say at another time. For now, it is best we get the arena ready. Please show these two to their room so they may rest in the meantime."
The room they were shown to wasn't anything glamorous. It was a relatively small room, but considering these were tonberrys, Caius wasn't all that surprised either. It was a sparsely furnished room, it's main feature being a large pile of hay organized for use as a sleeping area. There were some potions strewn about as well, gifts for them to use to heal up in order to give them a good show.
"Interesting idea, analyzing their behaviour and thinking about the long term instead of just what would get us paid" Caius would remark once they were alone, his expression remaining as stoic as it had been up until that last word, where he would finally smile. "Not bad."
He playfully patted Cissnei on the head, before moving to lie back on the pile of hay.
"Who knows what we're going to be dealing with in their little colosseum though. I'd prepare as much as you can. Could very well be a tough fight."
He turned his head toward her then, and stuck his tongue at her.
Cissnei waited patiently for Tonberry’s response. He seemed to regard her offer favorably. However, she was hoping it would ensure them not dying in the arena. However, before she could counter the King’s reply, they were already being dismissed. This left her quiet and in deep thought. She had not notice Caius’s staring during their audience. She simply gave another bow to the King and said nothing more. She allowed her exit to be silent as they were ushered into another room.
At least the King was accommodating to her request to rest. She waited for the tonberries to exit the room before she began analyzing the items that were left for them. She gave a small smile at Caius’s praise and pat. But she shook her head. “It is only common sense. It would not be fair to be paid, when the solution was only temporary. That would be pulling the wool over the notice-giver’s eyes. When the threat came back, we would not be seen so favorably. I do not wish my name to have a black stain.”
She took one of the small blue bottles and felt the coolness of the glass on her fingers. “I apologize it is such a long-term goal. But I have committed nothing to this world yet, so I have time yet. I prefer to stay busy.” She popped the cork on the bottle and drank the minty fluid inside. It would take a bit, but her fatigue would subside. She raised the back of her hand to her mouth to get rid of the moistness on her lips.
Turning to regard him, she could not help but chuckle, “But what you could teach them could be beneficial in the long run too. You seem skill at being gentle and sympathetic. You also have an air of chivalry.” She stated with a slight shrug, “And I’d watch where you stick out your tongue. Could lose it in this place.”
She took the red bottle and downed it too. She had not complained out loud, but the fall took a toll on her. “How are you feeling? If you are injured, I will give you a look over. Otherwise, go ahead and take a nap. I will keep watch and take inventory of what we have.” She took another red bottle and took the few steps to lower herself and hold it out to him. “And um… I don’t have a lint roller, so we will have to spot check you to make sure you don’t go out into the arena with a bunch of hay bits…”
"I appreciate you thinking that far - I almost made a critical error for both myself and the Dragonblades that we might not have been able to recover from, right out of the gate" Caius would admit, letting out a sigh as he was beginning to kick himself mentally for being so short-sighted with all of this. The job wasn't truly done until it was done. He had agreed to do something, and he was supposed to do it. Keep that village safe from the tonberrys... That was the deal. And he had almost gone back on it without meaning to, dooming them to a tonberry ambush at a later date.
He closed his eyes then, letting out a resigned sigh. It was like no matter what he went through, no matter what he learned, no matter how much he seemed to get better at things... He always seemed to make mistakes that people had to bail him out of. First there was Celes who bailed him out of his impulsiveness and giving too much into his emotions causing him to wander off alone and get killed. Now here he was again, about to destroy everything that he and Celes had built because he wasn't thinking of the bigger picture enough. If Cissnei hadn't brought it up, it was possible Caius wouldn't have thought of too much.
At least, until it was too late.
Cissnei would remark that he could teach them a thing or two, and Caius would open his eyes to look over at her.
"I don't think that's something you can just teach as one would teach a classroom of students. It's something you learn by experience. Something you learn by example, I suppose. Seeing it from others is how I came to take it in myself. I told you before that Celes changed me. This was part of it, I guess. But in this situation, I just... I guess I'm not really sure what to do."
Giving a nod of thanks as he would take the vial and down it, feeling his fatigue beginning to lessen, he would look up at her when it came to his injuries. "I'll be fine. Nothing's broken."
It seemed she'd be keeping watch while he rested, then. That was fine, though he was also fine with taking shifts if needed. "If you'd prefer to take shifts, that's fine with me" Caius would point out. He didn't think Cissnei would pull anything, at least while they were here though. They needed every bit of manpower they could get with what was ahead.
He smirked faintly when she brought up the likelihood of hay bits. "Worst case scenario I can pretend it's my hair" He joked in turn.
“Dragonblades?” Cissnei asked curiously, quite sure she had not heard of the group. “Well, I am glad I could be of some assistance.” However, she saw that he was conflicted for a moment. Reflecting on something. “We all have our talents. It takes a lot of trial and error to think three steps ahead.” She stated, unsure if that was what was bothering him. “We cannot do everything ourselves, so we rely on the talents of allies to complete the missing parts.”
“I understand you cannot fully teach something like that. But at least giving them a taste of it and letting them get inspired by it could spark change.” She no longer looked at him, and she instead studied the other bottles provided. She felt too much right now, and she was sure it was a sign of weakness. “Planting an idea can be a dangerous weapon indeed.” She truly believed the pen was stronger than the sword.
“I will be fine. I am used to going without rest for long periods of time.” She dismissed the shift change. She did not feel it would be required. “I could braid your hair or put it up. Its dangerous to let it be loose out in the arena.” She offered, but part of her knew he would deny her.
She would then place her back against the wall and slide down until she was sitting on the floor, watching the door until he fell into his rest. She was quiet for some time, before reordering the inventory in her bag. She placed some of the health and utility potions in her bag. Once she made sure her preparations were ready. She sat for a moment and reminisced about what she just told Caius. She touched a hand over her heart and frowned. She missed her team. Her brothers and sisters-at-arms. They completed what she lacked.
She looked over cautiously at Caius and realized now was not the time to dwell. Instead, she was curious what supplies he had in his pack. She was not planning to steal, only to be nosy. She did tell him she would take inventory. She saw that he had a pack laying near her, off the hay pile. She quietly inched forward for it, doing her best not to wake him. Before opening the pack and taking a brief look inside. Just rations…and he seemed to enjoy his meat and noodles. Seemed like too much meat to carry at once.
Stuffed behind the rations was a what looked to be a slightly worn book. Thinking it might be a journal of some sort, she looked up at him for a moment, before drawing the book out. The title was reminiscent of what she thought might be an action novel. She flipped to a random page, “His gaze slid over me like a veil of fire. He could ignite my deepest desires with a single glance.” She whispered these words quizzically. It sounded like a super power. Imagine if she could do that in a business deal….
"I mentioned them before" He would remind her. "My mercenary unit. We want to help people, while also giving a place of belonging to folks who need it and who are willing to fight for it."
Cissnei seemed to see right through his silence, making notes on the fact that nobody was perfect, and it was customary to rely on others to cover for your own weaknesses. He knew what she meant, but... Even with the Kingsglaive, he was so used to trying to do everything himself. It was difficult to imagine being any other way, and yet he got it too. Celes could do things he couldn't... Cissnei could do things he couldn't.
He listened as she explained that perhaps in some way, he could leave some sort of impression on them. He nodded his head in turn. He didn't know how, but... He supposed that he could try.
Planting an idea... Hmm...
He shook his head when she offered to braid his hair. "I learned to manage. I didn't have the luxury of haircuts before. If it gets in the way, I know how to tie it."
Besides, there was something... Personal, that he couldn't describe about having someone else braid your hair. Playing with part of your body like that, part of your being, it just felt... Well, yeah. Personal. But he realized she'd noted that she was used to long periods without rest. "So am I" He would point out. "So that's no excuse for you to keep watch the entire time."
But it was clear that Cissnei was not budging on the matter, and so he would take a deep breath and lie back, closing his eyes as he tried to rest his tired body. The truth of the matter though, was that Caius was a light sleeper. When one's had to learn to survive the way he has, and spent his years sleeping with one eye open... Was it really all that much of a surprise? Another thing that he had grown to get used to hearing was the sound of his pack being interacted with. He knew the exact sounds, he'd used it so many times. And dealt with the looters he'd mentioned from his world. So when he heard the sound, an eye would bat open. He didn't make a sound, instead watching Cissnei with one eye partly open, one eye closed. It would be easy to mistake him for still being asleep. Somehow it didn't surprise him he'd caught her snooping through his pack, and he was irritated at her for doing so. But he didn't act yet. Caius was cautious... Especially in a situation like this where killing her for stealing would not be beneficial to him right now.
Instead, he watched and he waited. He wanted to see what she was up to, what her intentions were. He decided to confirm instead of acting quickly. Learning from the lesson he had been taught by his words with Celes. Though it might not be hard to guess he was awake either... The smell of the meat when she opened that particular compartment (The meat compartment, basically, identified by the cold air that would hit her in the face due to his magic-based attempt to preserve the meat for longer) would hit the room like a rocket, with how much there was. It would have woken Caius even if he wasn't a light sleeper.
But instead of stealing rations or seeming to be looking for his stash of gil, Cissnei would instead pull out the only real personal item in there. The book was something Caius had been using to try and learn about this whole romance thing that had been made clear he had no clue about, to try and understand some of the cultures of this world... When Celes had made it abundantly clear it was common knowledge and Caius knew nothing of it. Having little real sense of modesty, he wasn't embarrassed by Cissnei reading it. More just curious.
“Ah yes, of course. I must have hit my head harder than I thought.” She stated her eyes lowering as he explained his group to her, apparently again. "How many are in your group now?"
She continued to flip through the book, thinking it rather curious. It was more tamed than what Reno read, but it most certainly was not as tasteful as Loveless. She turned to another random page. Her eyes skimmed over the text and for a moment she turned red at the description. She raised a brow and closed the book. Clearing her throat, she placed the book quietly back into the bag. Making sure everything was tucked back neatly.
She knew the feeling of being watched well enough, and she simply spoke. “I am sorry for waking you. I thought I was being quiet.” She spoke as if she had done nothing wrong. “I was taking inventory of what we had. That meat could be useful in distracting a carnivore they may through at us. I doubt they feed them well.” She placed the pack back where it was. “They also provided us with not just vitality potions, but four antidotes, two eye drops, three remedies, a vial of holy water and a Hero drink.”
She moved to bring the tray over to him, “I think you should have the Hero drink. You’ll make the most use out of it. I think we should divvy up the others evenly.” After a moment more, “That most certainly is not the type of book I thought you’d have either. I thought you more an action/adventure book type. Perhaps you can recommend a good bookstore?”
There was a creak at the door. Cissnei turned her head to see a tonberry peeping their head in. He indicated that they had a short amount of time left to rest. And Cissnei gave a slight shrug. They seemed brutal in both their resting habits and entertainment. "Are you ready? Maybe we could vouch for more time if not?"
Cissnei continued to read the book for awhile, before finally putting it away. It seemed she knew he'd been watching, which to him meant he couldn't gauge properly if he could trust her. That would take some more time, it seemed. She would explain she was just taking inventory, and he quirked a brow. "You should have told me beforehand" He pointed out calmly, yet firmly.
He didn't know what a hero drink was, and he stared at the thing a minute before looking to her with a curious eye that indicated he wasn't familiar with them. It seemed that there were curatives in this world that Caius hadn't ever seen before, and may not have even existed back in his world.
When she would ask the book, he seemed to just shrug it off, not having any shame in it. "Celes made it clear I do not have any knowledge when it comes to the romantic culture of this world" He admitted honestly. "It is a disadvantage that made our initial meeting... Difficult. When it came to matters of communication. This book along with a few others, were the only real source of knowledge on the matter that I could find."
Caius noted the Tonberry peeping in, and knew immediately their time was short. When Cissnei offered to try to parlay for more time, he would shake his head. "We've been given enough graciousness from their limited capacity as it is. Pushing it is too risky. I've rested more than enough to fight."
Caius wasn’t willing to risk pissing them off now, when they had come so far. He was still tired, but… It would be enough. It was an inconvenience he was willing to deal with to get the job done and do the right thing in the process.
Getting to his feet, Caius would recollect his things and slide his pack where it belonged, cracking his neck and stretching out in turn.
“I did tell you beforehand. I specifically stated, ‘I will keep watch and take inventory of what we have.’ I assumed it was okay. And I did not check your pockets, as I did not want to intrude into your personal space.” She reminded him gently. “I did not mean to alarm you.” He was using the same tone with her as if she had done something wrong. He could chide all he wanted. She was just trying to be helpful.
When she noticed he did not know what a Hero drink was, she wondered if they were not common here on this world or where he was originally. “It is a ShinRa manufactured drink. It enhances you speed and attack reflexes to allow you to pack a harder punch and a sharper defense. This applies to any magic you can use too. It would be wise to use it in a critical moment. You are much stronger than me, so I think it is wiser for you to use it.”
Cissnei quietly listened to his book. “I see.” She said simply, looking at him quizzically. “I would be wary of romance culture. If my memories serve me correctly it…only causes trouble.” She gave a definitive nod. “But it is certainly good to remain aware of it, though I am unsure I understand why it is so important.”
“Very well. I am ready.” She adjusted her pack appropriately and made sure Rekka was sharp before placing it back on its clip. Shortly, the Tonberries would enter inside and begin escorting them down through a lightly lit corridor. They felt winding and never ending, until they were brought up to a gate. She could see out into the bare arena through the bars. She could see the rows and rows of tonberries sitting out there in the audience. It was an eerie sight of gold eyes looking down at them.
She could not see what was on the other side of the arena. She heaved a heavy sigh and crossed her arms. She hated not knowing what is out there nor how many rounds was this would be. She preferred preparation if possible.
