Valentine and The Dragon

Part 5: Destiny Rewritten

  The forest canopy, its gentle sway in the breeze, and the soft rustling of leaves soothe a resting woman, her coos simply echoing in the wind as she rests her sleeping head upon the railing of the carriage she sat in. Those platinum bangs tickle her cheeks until she huffs out of her nose and shakes slightly, those lids open to reveal her beautiful baby blues. Ivy slowly rises to sit upright with a long stretch of her arms and an exhausted groan, all the while across from her sat the young man that was by her side, wide awake, resting his head on his open palm and watching the passing foliage. A bit of a rough bump caused her to shift and slide closer towards him but not upon the daydreaming lad, but his silence was a bit disturbing since normally he was all smiles and nobility. 

Ivy: "I didn't expect for us to have to take a carriage to our destination. But, the sights and scenery from such a close view make it all worth it. Wouldn't you say, dear?"

Sarko: "..."

  The silence continued, not even a peep from his lips nor a turn of his head was given, just constant seclusion which made the heroine a bit on edge to the point she reached out, albeit hesitantly, and gently rested her hand upon his back. Something appeared to be eating away at the warrior, though what it might be, she couldn't tell, she seemed to care more and more as she spent more time with him.

Ivy: "Is there-... something wrong?"

Sarko: "It's nothing... I'm just worried is all, nothing to be concerned of."

Ivy: "What troubles you, dear?"

  Sounds of fabric being stroked attempted to fill the void of sound, until Sarko turned his head to face her, troubled indeed by his bleak expression. Ivy turned to fully face him as if that more aggressive, vile side of her had crumbled into nothing, and her noble compassion had taken over her heart.

Sarko: "I have been alone most of my days, even in the shinobi. Now, here you are, a visitor from whoever knows where willing to sacrifice all to save us and I will return to solitude once more."

Ivy: "Sarko, darling... Have you attempted to reach out to others? I am sure some of the people in this world would be eager to have you by their side."

Sarko: "I have Isabella... but I simply do not fit the mold... I am an outcast..." 

Ivy: "Perhaps, but what I have seen, you are a talented... handsome... and courageous as well as a generous, young man. A comrade... no... a friend I am grateful to have at my side."

  Time seemed to slow for a moment, both gazing at one another until the gunbreaker simply lowered his eyes downwards, staring at the floor until he felt a partially gloved hand grace his cheek and a thumb softly rub upwards and downwards on his skin, causing him to look back up at her. Despite her intimidating stature at moments she was leaned over, just as he was, face to face, forehead against forehead so that her words could be the most effective while their eyes were locked.

Ivy: "Fear not darling... all is not lost and the life ahead will be all as it should... Perhaps we will find another way, but never forget, you are worth it."

  Before this tender moment could get any more 'steamy' and or traction, the carriage came to a grinding halt in the midst of several small village houses, and the sounds of a happy Chocobo. The duo simply disembarked, graciously paying the carriage service before marching their way from the town, into the deep wilderness, and towards their towering destination before a much more staggeringly impressive mountain. But as the sun's rays started to shower down through the trees and out towards the barren land that lies before them, thunder roared and dark gray clouds began to take over the skies above, covering the grounds beneath them and showering them both in soaking rain.