Different Worlds

Celebration And Sadness

Everywhere I looked I saw smiling faces; laughing faces.  My successful defeat of Netiri earlier that day had given everyone a reason to rejoice, and as much as I wanted to join in their careless fun, something held me back.  The earlier feelings of happiness and relief I had felt had vanished, and a sense of unease had settled over me; though I was unable to figure out why.

Looking to my right, I gave a small smile as I saw Devon having a laugh with his grandfather.  Even Jarvis seemed to have thrown caution to the wind for the time being.  It seemed like I was the only one not enjoying the merriment.

Glancing up, my mind suddenly registered another sober face among the sea of laughter, and I mentally corrected myself.  Heading over, I sank down next to Rochelle and offered her an apologetic smile.

"There is no need for your apology," she said before I could utter a word.  "Evan chose his path - no-one else."

"I'm just sorry that I couldn't prevent him from making the wrong choice," I murmured softly.

"As am I," she replied just as quietly.  Turning my head, I saw her quickly wipe away a stray tear that had fallen down her cheek without permission.  Seeing that, I was more sorry than I could express.  Looking me in the eye, she offered me a tentative smile.  "I'm so scared, Sienna."

I couldn't help but feel for her.  Leaning towards her, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders in comfort, a gesture she seemed to appreciate.

"We all are.  We'd be crazy not to be."

She shook her head.  "No, you don't understand.  Evan is the only family I have left.  He's my brother.  When the battle begins, we are going to be fighting on different sides."  She lowered her head, but not before I caught the devastation in her eyes.  "He's my brother," she repeated softly, "and I love him."  Lifting her head, she stared at me imploringly.  "How am I supposed to face him in battle knowing that if he doesn't come back to us I have to ... to ... " she trailed off, not able to bring herself to say the word.  "What am I going to do?"

I shook my head.  "I don't know."  I couldn't help feeling helpless, and I didn't like the feeling.  I could only imagine the inner battle Rochelle was going through at the moment.  Looking up, I caught Devon's eye, and he sent a blinding smile my way.  I smiled back, but my heart wasn't in it.  If it had been Devon who had defected instead of Evan, I had no idea how I would handle it.  Much the same as Jarvis and Netiri, I guessed.  Looking back at Rochelle, I could clearly see the pain in her eyes.  "You'll just have to make your decision when the time comes," I finally said.  "We both know that any decisions you make at the moment are likely to change."

Rochelle nodded, though I think it was more to herself than to me.  I looked up and saw that Devon's eyes hadn't left me since my half-hearted attempt at a smile.

"Everything okay?" he mouthed at me.

I nodded back with a stronger smile, and he seemed to relax a little.  I turned back to Rochelle and looked straight into her speculating gaze.  She seemed to have decided that thinking about Evan was only going to bring her down more.

"What?" I asked warily.

"Those are the same clothes you've been wearing since you got here, aren't they?"

I looked down at my skirt and top and back to her.  "I have been washing them, but they're the only clothes I've got.  I didn't exactly have time to pack before I came here."

Rochelle smiled, and it was the first genuine smile I had seen her smile since her brother's defection.  She got to her feet and then swiftly pulled me to mine.

"Come with me."

I frowned.  There was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes that I couldn't quite bring myself to trust.  As she started away, she glanced back over her shoulder to see me still rooted to the spot.  With an exaggerated sigh, she reached back and grabbed my hand, pulling me away from the crowd.

"I promise you'll like this," she grinned.  She pulled me to a secluded part of the grounds, well hidden from everyone else.  Glancing around, I saw that this was where she had all of her belongings.  Opening a wooden chest, she began pulling out clothes, looking me up and down trying to measure my size.

"Really, Rochelle," I began uncomfortably.  "I'm quite fine with what I'm wear-"

"Don't even try it," she cut me off cheerfully.  It seemed like the clothes were having the desired effect with her mood, so I remained silent.  "You've been living in one set of clothes ever since you came to Nardema.  It's time for some new ones.  How about this?"  She turned to me holding an outfit, and my jaw hit the floor.

"You can't be serious!"  I managed to gasp out the words through the shock.  The outfit she was holding up looked like it belonged on one of the warriors on that tv series Xena: Warrior Princess.  I was too absorbed with feeling horrified before I realized that she was laughing.

"I'm sorry," she finally gasped.  "I couldn't resist.  No, this is a female warrior outfit."

Thank god! I thought as she put it away.  Still, the grin hadn't been wiped from her lips, so I couldn't help remaining on edge.  But by the time she pulled out the next outfit, the amused grin had been replaced with a gentle smile.  "I think this would be perfect," she said softly.  I looked at what she was holding, and any apprehensive feelings vanished.  She held out a beautiful gown of emerald green.  Reaching out, I couldn't help but stroke the material, loving the silky feel on my fingers.

"Oh, Rochelle, it's beautiful."  I let my hand fall away.  "But are you sure?  It's your gown, don't you want to wear it?"

"It belonged to my sister," she said softly.  "She died a few years ago.  But I know she would have wanted you to have this.  It was her favourite, and I know you'll look beautiful in it."

There wasn't anything that I could say to that.  All I could do was nod my head as I tried to blink back the few tears that were trying to break free.

"Here, let's get you into it."

Rochelle made quick work of getting the gown on me, and I couldn't get enough of the silky feel against my skin.  Standing back, Rochelle smiled.

"I was right.  It is perfect for you."

"Thank you," I said, emotion threatening to choke me up.  "Really, thank you."

The smile froze on Rochelle's face as we heard a number of screams pierce the air.  We stared at each other for half a second before we broke, racing towards the commotion as fast as our legs would take us.