[Thread; Closed]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Characters: Delita and Ashe
Summary: Seeking closure, the pair visit the Farplane to say goodbye to their loved ones.
Location: The Farplane and Guadosalam
Date: A few days after their return to Warjilis
Warnings: Initial angst?

Not lightly had the choice been made. Even as they rode on chocobo back with a half-hour's journey behind them, Ashelia couldn't help but question whether her decision to accompany Delita had been driven by selfishness. This place - the Farplane - somehow granted the opportunity to see images of those loved and lost. Journeying there meant she could see Rasler again, yet this reunion, she knew, would differ greatly from those past. Well, those in Gaia.

Her mind wandered, into the great halls of Raithwall's Tomb where the prince's ghostly form had materialised and gripped her heart. This would prove closer to the form she would find in the Farplane. Without being, a representation only. Yet it would not deceive her, as the Occuria had aimed for those years ago. No longer would she be toyed with, nor Rasler's likeness used undeservedly. In her eyes, this journey held one purpose alone.

To find some semblance of closure, and the will to embrace the future.

Comments

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

For the first time, Delita was ready to depart the farplane. He knew not what the future held, but alongside Ashelia he could step forward.

"I need not remain within these borders evermore."

Delita firmly held out his hand before the princess. He knew not completely why he felt so compelled to exit by her side except it felt right and natural to begin this chapter in his life as such.

"Let us leave, never to return."

He never breathed as he waited to her to respond to his gesture. Even though he knew it to be trivial, the importance that she grasp his cloud defied all logic and thought.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Delita's confident words and readiness to leave their mourning behind assured her of their mutual readiness for the step. She inhaled deeply yet quietly, nodding her consent. Never to return. So it would be.

Whereas instinct had driven her previous acceptances of his hand, this time the motivation proved different. Through choice, and want, Ashe reached out to envelop her hand within the surety of his.

For a moment she held his gaze. Just as they had entered together, so would they depart together. As for the return to Warjilis... she couldn't think that far ahead. All she felt was the call of the surface above, and the familiar warmth of Delita's hand.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita also felt the familiar warmth pleased with how well it nestled into his hand. He took a deep breath as they stepped back through the gate and began the long ascent back to the surface.

He did not speak much upon their ascent as it seemed inappropriate to speak of life when along their path, they saw naught but grief. He yearned for the freshness of the surface.

The entirety of their walk, Delita felt his thoughts drifting to those of the princess.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Silence may have fallen between them, but it felt comfortable, poignant for a departure from the imagery of their loved ones. Long and steep the wall may have been yet Ashe didn't acknowledge this, for it seemed as if she had already made the greatest effort in turning from her past loss.

With the light beckoning brightly ahead her pace hastened, though not once did the princess break step with the man whose hand had acted as a lifeline through many trials of late. Concentrating on both of these the breakthrough to Guadosalam came all the sooner, upon which all that separated the two from the outside world was that one hole up ahead.

Undisturbed by the Guado, she breathed deeply, yet satisfaction would only come when the rooted city was truly behind, and nothing held back the future for herself, and Delita.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Neither did Delita feel that the return to the surface was long or dreary. Much to the chagrin of the guado, he declined staying within the confines of the city pushing instead for the peace of the roots.

Having lost track of time upon their sojourn, he experienced minor surprise at the low height of the sun. Had they really spent the entirety of the afternoon with the depths of the Iifa Tree?

Continuing their travels across of the roots towards the meadow that held their chocobo friends, the sun began to slowly dip providing a majestic panorama behind the Iifa Tree. Unbeknownst to himself, the space between the pair was slowly decreasing the further they went. Whereas before, he would have noticed the impropriety of the closeness, the naturalness most certainly overshadowed his conscious thought of the matter.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Ashe's own surprise at sighting the beginning of sunset melted away once she felt the first rays warming her desert born skin. Despite Gaia's instability, none could deny that this land was truly a spectacle to behold. The very meadow grass they sought, which stretched far into the distance, seemed to radiate a lush glow, calling her all the more.

Often uneven were the roots underfoot yet she walked with grace, comfortable, at peace with herself and the experience shared. Like the knight, the princess had failed to notice just how closely they walked together until their shoulders brushed. Though a little surprised, she did not seek greater personal space. How could she, when this felt so content, so inexplicably right?

Stepping from solid wood onto soft meadow she released a gentle sigh, staying close as their feet padded the earth. Awe-inspiring as the sunset proved to behold, she found herself drawn somewhere else entirely - to look upon Delita. The want to seek out his eyes, to have him gaze into hers as deeply as before - it shocked her, but she could not deny it.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita relaxed upon their return to the meadow. Finally, he could consider the mission to the Iifa Tree and the Farplane complete. His gaze lingered on the tree for a moment, before he felt the familiar call of the lady beside him.

He turned towards the princess, thoughts focusing on the recent events that they had experienced together. His eyes were caught by her gaze. He made no attempt to divert his eyes, holding hers instead.

It remained important to him to look as deeply inter her eyes as she was into his, thought he knew not how to respond. Again, his thoughts began to veer unto a path never tread. He began to notice the way her hair fell upon her shoulders.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

The longer their eyes locked, so did the clouds of confusion begin to drift away, allowing truth to permeate through. Delita had earned her trust, her friendship - she cared for him. And yet... this feeling extended beyond friendship alone. It greeted her slowly, like an old acquaintance unsure of their reception. Ashe didn't realise she'd been holding her breath until it found soft release, and she suddenly felt very warm.

"I..." A whisper, and any words meant for after failed her, stolen by his gaze. At that moment, the princess would have given anything for the ability to read his mind.

A sudden breeze brushed the grass against her ankles, interupting her thoughts. Needing the gaze to last a little longer, she indulged herself, then leaned down to pluck a single blade of grass. Her mind tried to focus on remembering the sequence of folds, though concentration proved difficult.

"... Will you show me again?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita had never felt so relaxed in another's presence. It was so easy to lose himself under those lashes and a smile was beginning to form underneath his notice. Nothing else mattered as he stood next to her.

Her voice broke his trance as he nodded waiting for his words to catch up. He came even closer, prepared to take her hands into his before propriety demanded he desist - a hint of a blush the only remnant of his near breach.

He bent down instead, picking his own blade. As he stood, he brushed against the princess feeling a spark start to grow within him. Voice lost amidst the exchange, he is barely able to fold the whistle. Unsure why he would be so nervous performing this simple task, his hands twitched in response.

After a few missed attempts, he finally speaks.

"Might I join you?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

For all her title, Ashe remained a young woman, not exempt from such feelings as nervousness, which came to her in turn upon their unexpected brush together. When had her feelings changed, when had she began to look upon him differently?

Watching him err in folding the blade, she could only wonder whether it was possible... could she, herself, be responsible for his struggle? Mirroring his actions she gradually worked in the folds, until both had succeeded and he spoke. A request she would not deny. For a mere moment she caught his eyes with her own, and nodded.

"Sit with me?"

Standing, they stood out as outsiders upon the great meadow. By lowering herself down to sit among the grass, Ashe felt as part of it. Settling against the gentle slope of the hill felt calming, the nerves temporarily placated. Pursing her lips about the whistle she blew - once, twice, success granted with the third.

Shrill and clear the sound pierced the air, as if declaring, 'I am free, hear me.'

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Her presence had indeed caused his fumbles. For once, he was out of sorts and hadn't yet had time to sequester his feelings.

He silently lowered himself to the ground beside her. Smiling he waited until she had worked her own whistle before joining in with harmony. He was sure he could hear her thoughts as beside her, even he himself felt free.

Lazed against the back of the hill, amidst the canopy of the sunset his first thoughts were to her welfare as he removed his cloak without breaking their song and covered her shoulders. It simply was not acceptable for the young woman to experience any discomfort in his presence.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

No chill was responsible for her shiver as he reached his arms about her. Ending her note in order to take breath, the feeling garnered from their closeness to one another seemed to swell like a wave. The ripple had begun within the Farplane itself, when he held her and she sensed some change between them.

Never again had she expected to harbour such feelings. Nor wanted to, but it seemed her heart had defied her will. Was this... fear? No, she answered herself. Never could she fear this man.

Ashe lay back against the grass, his cloak wrapped about her, lashes lowering. As if guided, her thoughts found her fallen prince. Not to lament or feel guilt - rather his words at a time of uncertainty. 'I want you to love again. Share your love with another. Don't shut it away.'

With the phrase echoing in memory, she turned toward Delita, breath once more withheld. Her gaze ignored crimson clouds and instead roamed his face as if looking upon him anew.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita was unsure how to handle the wave of emotions that had infiltrated his life at the hands of the Dalmascan Princess. It had been clearer with Lord Nabradia near, but with his departure he found his thought consistently centered on his friends.

He knew it was not proper, yet he allowed himself the privilege of her company. It was proving more and more difficult to maintain the propriety her honor and dignity demanded. He struggled to keep his gaze upon the sunset, sure that it would dispel any of these thoughts, but then she turned her gaze back towards him.

He couldn't contain himself, returning the gaze she offered. He struggled to maintain his composure, lest she see his thoughts and determine to depart. Despite his heroic efforts, his cheeks betrayed the growth of the feelings within. Looking upon her, he didn't even dare to hope that she could possibly reciprocate any of the wealth of emotion that she was stirring inside him.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Doubts as to reciprocation also lingered in the princess' mind. No expectations existed between she and Delita, the only limitations forged by their willingness and bravery. How would she ever know his feelings, unless she asked?

That may have been, but words escaped her, hovered somewhere beyond her reach. All she managed was his name in a breath, before the red flush blossoming across his cheeks quieted her entirely. He was blushing, could it truly be?

A soft sound akin to a half gasp, half sigh escaped her lips as their gaze held - and then it came. Instinct lifted her hand, slowly yet surely, until her palm gently cupped the side of his face, felt the warm heat of a cheek, fingers touching soft, dark locks for the first time.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Untouched by the grace of non familial hands, Delita's head curls by instinct into her fingers. Afraid to move lest she withdraw her touch, Delita holds his breath. Time lost all meaning at that moment as he struggled to understand and compartmentalize what was happening this evening.

His own hand rose and fell as rationale thought gave way to emotion. While his hand ached to surround the princess yet again, his mind warred within assuring him that the fates were cruel and this could not be what it seemed.

Knowing that there is no reward without risk, he needed to know. Letting her hand remain where she saw fit, he gazed deep into her eyes determined to know if this was nothing but gratitude or if there was something more.

"Ashelia..." He spoke eyes brimming with an earnest need to know. He would rather she pull away now in embarrassment than risk their friendship with an unwanted hand around the waist.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Pulling away would be an impossibility, as she was caught in the net of his eyes as they searched, intense as never before seen by the princess. Tight felt her chest, a tension which adamantly refused to release until she knew for certain.

Both sought the same answer, yet emotion rendered her silent, even as his eyes pleaded with her own. Ashe swallowed, took a deep breath to gather herself as far as possible, and smoothed her hand into the press of his cheek, caressing so tenderly that her touch may have spoken for itself.

"I..." Her voice came as little more than a breath, afraid of rejection yet adamant not to let this go without knowing. Yet still the words failed, leaving only one option.

Slowly her hand stroked lower, traced his jawline toward his lower lip, all the while she feared him turning away. Feather-light, the princess' thumb brushed the smoothness of Delita's lip, trembling only once in the act.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita's heart trembled at her touch. Could it be? Could she really have feelings for him beyond simple friendship. His breath was caught, but he found the courage to raise his hand to surround her waist.

Somehow, this felt entirely different than any previous embrace they had engaged upon. Tonight, he was not consoling or being consoled. Rather he was simply touching a woman for the sake of touching her.

Knowing that both of them were having trouble conveying any semblance of speech, he swallowed hard before answering her question in almost a whisper against her thumb.

"I... do too."

At that, he held his breath afraid that he had misconstrued her actions and would need to pack his belongings and hastily vacate the land he had come to call home. The wait was agonizing to him, yet he held fast determined to see this through.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Those three, simple words, they spoke of another three which both longed so desperately to have confirmed. For Ashe, they were enough. With the release of tension she found the tightness of her chest replaced, by the joyful pounding of her heart.

The boldness of his touch, his arm's embrace all but broke down any semblance of wall which kept the two apart, and she could do nothing less than respond in kind - in a first.

Allowing him time to realise what she meant to do, she leaned in, gradually closing the distance between them until their noses brushed, lips a mere fraction apart. Incredible tension hung in the air as she waited, breathless, praying he would accept the invitation and all it signified. Dismissing him from Warjilis couldn't have possibly been further from her mind at that point, or ever.

"Delita..."

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Delita's own chest was pounding. He knew that Ashelia had experience in this kissing department while he had none. It caused an apprehension stronger than he had felt before. The irony was lost on him that where no living man had ever intimidated him, this one living man's intimidation had crossed beyond the grave.

Despite the nervousness, he was determined to feel the softness of the lips that were presented to himself as he held his breath and finished the connection. As they touched, his cheeks grew crimson at the intimacy experienced. It was unimaginable to him, the joy, the closeness, the connection that he felt by this simple act. No longer was he concerned of being compared to Lord Nabradia, as he had enjoyed her touch to much to worry anymore.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

As Delita's lips claimed hers for the first time, the most feminine of sounds hummed briefly in her throat. Warmth unrelated to the sunset spread throughout her, elicited by the one act which confessed their feelings more clearly, loudly than words could possibly hope to express.

With tenderness she responded, the kiss heated yet deliberately slow. So carefree, so honest after who knows how long of overlooking her feelings. The daring hand which had helped conveyance of her want smoothed its way into his dark hair, cupping the back of Delita's head.

Once coherent thought returned, she would swear to herself never to compare past and present. Until then, her lips would speak for themselves.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Neither did Delita press forward with the woman, nor did he back off. He was content to simply experience this new sensation. Whatever tension his arms had held, dissipated as they claimed an intimate embrace so natural that even he was mesmerized by perfect she fit.

His eyes closed in a deep relaxing peace as he was overcome by the assault on his senses. Having never heard such sounds before, he was endeared that Ashelia was responding to him with such intimate honesty.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Their kiss endured, felt as natural as the meadow in which they lay, the setting of the sun upon far horizon. Definition of the moment was not as important as the act itself. Guided by womanly instinct her lips press emboldened, if only slightly, wanting to reassure him of her surety.

Any lingering wonderment Ashe harboured as to when she began to fall for Delita drifted away, the cloak obscuring her true feelings had vanished.

She was falling deeply in love.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita knew little concerning the concepts and feelings of love, but falling in love was indeed what was happening. He was drawn deeply to this woman and hoped that he was conveying her importance to himself.

Surprised he was to find her lips pressing even harder. He had thought everything complete upon the first touch, but this produced a pleasure beyond his expectation. Having no other way to express himself, he pulled her more firmly into his embrace.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Throughout all they had undertaken and faced together, Delita had persistently done that which he hoped - made her feel immeasurably valued on a personal level, and in reward, her heart had opened its shell to him.

She gasped against his lips upon the bold initiative of his arms, but how fulfilling, how completely right the sensation felt, how daring. Thus she persisted, shifting between gentleness and the harder presses of sheer want. Breath could wait.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita was barely breathing as well. His total attention focused upon the princess. During their time together, she was the one person that could cause him to lose his focus and concentrate solely upon herself.

He never wanted the kiss to end, holding it as long as he could. He slowly backed off the princess, only far enough to see her eyes again. There was no hiding his emotions from this woman and the softness of his face belied his care.

Even as his lips parted, his arm refused to release themselves from her waist. Her closeness continued to feed the spark that had been ignited.