Embers of Sun and Flame: Before We Have It (Fuegoleon x OC)

Chapter 12 It'll be alright

"There is something on your mind," the statement came out as a blank observation, even if the tone held a faint softness, much like an autumn breeze.

"It is to be expected," Fuegoleon replied looking at Lady Indomita, as he had come to address, who looked into the distance of the landscape of the terrace. He had had trouble deducing what she meant with most of her statements, because they usually came as loose, individual observations, meant to draw his attention to a matter. And solely that; meant to draw attention. Because most often she didn't follow up on the idea, nor did she make further questions related to the topic. The things she spoke out were an indication to notice.

But. She had started doing so only gradually. Another observation, but this one was his own. She never spoke such things to people she barely knew, as if deeming them uninteresting, which bore harshness, perhaps arrogance. Whether or not he would have called it as arrogance was still up for debate in his mind, because if she was spoken to, she didn't brush off the question, but rather gave a straight, although blunt, reply, to the best of her capabilities and assessment. It seemed as if she was stating a fact, straight from a book, just as it was, without intending to be malicious, merely informative.

And yet, little by little, she had begun making these observations she spoke out to him. He supposed that he should have felt flattered, but the feeling didn't quite reach him.

"True." She replied as Salamander, having shrunk to the size of a cat, stretched on her lap. Another strange thing he still wasn't sure what to make of. Salamander wasn't weary of her, nor did it really tell him why it seemed so ...familiar with her. But then again, such conversations were tricky to have with the means of communication they had, despite having a connection.

"Though it would be stranger if you didn't," she continued, making him glance at her again.

There it was: a continuation within small talk. Perhaps another milestone of acceptance from her family.

"Can I ask you something?" He inquired with a slight frown, but more curious than anything else.

She took a sip of her tea, and put down the cup. Her expression didn't falter. There was no curiosity, judgement, instead she looked as if she had anticipated the request.

"Of course," she stated with a slow blink that ended with her looking at him. Her eyes peered to him, as if she was looking threw him. But he supposed it was due to her blinking scarcely.

"What... do you make of the situation?"

She looked at him, without falter. But this time there was a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes, asking him to continue.

"Is the... standstill a particular cause for concern?"

There was a hint of a smile on her lips, after which she leaned back into her chair and gazed into the distance once again. "It hasn't happened before," she replied. "All other alliances have been either carried through or been rejected."

"So... how am I supposed to interpret that?"

"Have you been talking to the members of the Council?"

"No."

"Good."

He blinked and his frown intensified. It's... good? That I haven't been talking to the Council members? But wouldn't it be beneficial at this time in order to settle these differences before the war starts? Lara ... made it clear that she'll be here no matter what she's told to do, which could place her in an ...un-advantageous position if she's ordered to go back to Thea and instead, she's here out of loyalty to me. And no matter what I'll tell her will convince her otherwise. So... would it not be better for me to talk things through with them, or at least find a way to move forward?