Takumi woke up with a sudden jolt, his body shaking and shivering as he sat up in his futon and glanced around his room. Nightmares weren't uncommon for the Hoshidan prince; especially during the times of war he and his siblings had to face, but this time he found himself unable to fall asleep once more, to shake away the thoughts and images that had haunted him in his dream.
"It's no use to just sit here. I'm not getting any more sleep by thinking about it..." Takumi thought to himself, letting out a sigh as he pulled the covers off of himself and stood up, he had decided that a short walk outside would be best to clear his mind, and at this hour no one could possibly bother him. Sure, he might run into Saizo patrolling the halls or Corrin getting up for some water, but they likely wouldn't try to pry into what he was doing. He had just as much business being awake as they did.Takumi had only been outside for a few minutes, walking at a slow pace through the castle courtyard when he started to hear a strange noise. It wasn't something Takumi could immediately recognize, it sounded soft but mysterious, new but calming. Finally Takumi realized: it was some sort of music.
Following the sound of the music purely out of a compelling curiosity, Takumi felt his heart start to beat faster, soon pounding in his chest as his steps quickened in pace. Over a small bridge, across the castle yard, and eventually climbing up the castle's wall next to a blossoming peach tree, Takumi reached the place where the music was coming from. But when he saw it, his heart immediately sank in disappointment.
Rivera was playing a Nohrian instrument as she sat on the castle wall, singing softly and staring at the moon with her back turned to Takumi.
Takumi didn't exactly hate Rivera, but anyone could see that she was certainly strange. Sure, she was rather cute and she could play instruments. But Rivera was cold, and did everything by herself. She didn't trust half of the other soldiers, not even on the battlefield, and when Takumi had tried to strike up conversations with her in the past she would rudely insist to be left alone.Just when Takumi turned around to lower himself from the wall and leave, the shuffling sound of his movements was enough to catch Rivera's attention and make her ears twitch.
"Who's there?" Rivera called out softly as she abruptly stopped her playing, turning her head to see Takumi frozen in place, perched on the wall just behind her. "Oh, Takumi. You scared me for a second." Rivera sighed. Takumi felt somewhat upset at Rivera for greeting him so casually and being the one to start talking to HIM for once, but he held his tongue and took a seat next to Rivera. "Sorry about that. I was just on a walk and heard your... instrument. What are you doing out here?" He asked. Rivera's ears twitched again at this, and she tilted her head in curiosity. "It's a harp. I'm playing out here since I couldn't sleep. It's far from everyone's rooms, the peach blossoms smell lovely, and the moon is... it looks nice tonight." She explained. "Did you have trouble getting rest too?"
"Me? N-No. I just thought a walk would be good for my nerves." Takumi lied. "Besides, why exactly are you acting so nice all of a sudden? Last time I tried to talk to you, you said you'd rather be alone and didn't need to 'burden' anyone." He muttered. Rivera seemed to be embarrassed by this, as before she turned away Takumi noticed a faint blush on her face, barely visible but illuminated by the moonlight. "I didn't know you were Corrin and Ryoma's brother at first..." Rivera explained. "They took me from off the streets and gave me a place in this army, somewhere to eat and rest as long as I lend my strength. I owe them my life. It would be foolish not to trust them and their siblings." She sighed. Takumi let out a slight groan of displeasure. "So you trust my older brothers... everyone seems to like those two."
"Well you wanted to know," Rivera sighed, continuing to play her harp. "So there."Takumi crossed his arms and sighed, deciding to just listen to Rivera's music for a moment, and before he knew it he was relaxing into it's soft and mysterious notes. Trying to pick some sort of fight wasn't going to make her open up, he realized. "You know, a moment ago... I thought heard you singing." Takumi spoke up. "Why don't you continue?" He asked. Rivera abruptly stopped playing and lowered her ears as her face her red.
"I was not." She muttered with a slight growl. Takumi was caught off guard by the kitsune's sudden aggravation, but stood his ground on the statement. "Yes, I could have sworn you were. You were looking at the moon, and singing something while you played. Are... you scared to sing in front of me?" He asked. Rivera shook her head at this. "Not scared. Just..." She sighed and lowered her head. "Princess Azura... she can sing for you since you're so close. She has a beautiful voice, everyone knows that."Takumi leaned a little closer to Rivera, trying to read her complex expression. "Um... Rivera, are you jealous of Azura?"
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Rivera's support log
De TodoAny fics I write involving my Fatesona Rivera will be put here. Pairing requests can be made if you have any interest.