Dishonesty

Chapter 15- I need space

Three weeks. That's how much training Oriana missed with her mission in the South. She could already hear Mereoleona's roaring knock on the hideout door and the flame magic on her head. At that rate, she would never be able to reach level zero or fight alongside her squadmates. Certainly, there had to be some way Oriana could compensate for the time lost. Those thoughts rushed through her mind on her way back to the hideout, up in the skies of the common realm. She didn't even notice how much stronger she had gotten from her fight with Michimiya. She was not even realizing she defeated a dark mage on her own. She felt like she still had catching up to do. She could see their back towards her, as they moved forward and got stronger while she was left behind.

However, there was something else she had to do. Before anything else, she wouldn't be able to focus on her long term objectives if she didn't talk to Zora. While in Miyagi, it was different. She had other worries, but in the Clover Kingdom it was harder not to think of him. Nearly impossible as everything would spark his memory. It had been a while since they last saw each other. They weren't in good terms either, but Oriana had to believe there was a way to fix it. To make amends, one last time. She was determined to leave everything out in the open, no more lies, no more half truths. She was going to say it how it was and after that, it would depend on Zora.

Her head was a mess because, even though duty called her, there was nothing she wanted more than to be by Zora's side.

***

She didn't need to go a long way to find him. It was easier than she thought it would be. Never had she expected to find him seated on the same stool she sat on the last time she was there, when she told her story to the Black Bulls. After all the things they went through, he was right there, back turned to her, he didn't move a muscle as he held on to this glass of water. She knew for a fact that he could feel her presence, but she didn't care if he decided to say nothing.

It had been too long since she felt Zora's presence herself. She wasn't sure what to say, but in that moment, something pulled her to him. She dropped her bags in the middle of the common room. Her eyes were blurry. She hadn't noticed how much she truly missed him. She walked softly towards his back and wrapped her arms around his torso as she rested her head on the nape of his neck. Oriana smiled when there was a hand on top of hers. Suddenly, she could breathe easier.

"You can tell me." Zora's voice was filled with hesitation.

He was just like her, trying to desperately reconnect the pieces that once were the picture of them together.

Oriana straightened her back and freed Zora of her embrace, but kept pressing her hand against his as she sat on the stool by his side. She rested her elbow on the balcony for support as she leaned to look at Zora's face and searched for his eyes. His face was unreadable when he looked up to her and even as she told him everything. After that day, Oriana could finally let go of her past. That was the last day this topic had to be brought up. So, she held on tight to his hand, afraid that at any moment he would let go. She didn't want him to, not yet. She was aware that it was his decision to make, but just not yet.

Every single excuse she had ever made to herself, she threw them away. She searched Zora's eyes, but they showed no emotion as she spoke of her past. By the time she was over and got to the point where he came for her in Japan, her voice was low and croaky and silence reigned.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

His silence was unusual. He didn't comment or make any noise while she spoke. Suddenly, his hand fell from Oriana's as he blinked and looked away from Oriana's bleak expression. Her mind entered a panic state. The possibility she might have blown it all to flames became very real when Zora's hand fell from hers.