Girl of the Plains

“Heh, sorry, sorry… Old habits die hard, y'know?” Silent steps had become as much a natural part of him as breathing. And so was composure, typically,

though Lyn’s last comment tore through that composure like a hot knife through butter. A startled guffaw escaped Matthew’s lips, even as he hurried to put himself back together. Brows lifted, the expression he now wore was one of thorough amusement with just a hint of disbelief.

“Sheesh! I’m a nocturnal creature, you know - sorry if my hours didn’t quite match up with everyone else’s!” There was no bitterness in his tone, however - he seemed in fair enough spirits, despite how he’d been called out. He affected a pout. “Can’t a guy go to restock on rations and supplies without being put through the wringer?” He shook his head. What a world…

“Glad to hear you are faring well, though,” he added with a curt nod. “What does bring you out today though, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Hearing him hurry for an excuse was like old times, it made the walk more loose. She also caught sight of his posture and expression shift, caught in a small jab. Lyn couldn’t help but give a small laugh at his follow up comment. She made a mental note on his so called ration fetch and would make sure to bring it up later.

Karel had found himself satisfied by the earlier battle. The enemies had proved themselves as challenges and some even managed to hit him. Despite that, they fell to his blade all the same. After camp was set up, Karel immediately retreated to his tent to do some meditation. He didn’t have to deal with sharing it yet. 

The sudden sound of Lyn’s made Karel jump slightly. He hadn’t heard her approach at all. He half-thought of ignoring her and returning to his meditation (it helped him feel calm- helped him ignore his bloodlust if only for a little bit), but his curiosity for what the noble wanted. He stood up from his cross-legged position and met Lyn at the entrance of his tent, lifting the canvas flap to speak to her face-to-face. 

“…Very well, speak,” he said.

So he did meditate after battles, Guy did the same thing while sounding childish about it. He always said he did it because Karel did.

"Uh, you said when we met that it would be a waste for me to die there. That I'd grow to be a stronger fighter and you'd wait for that time in anticipation. What did you mean by that?" She asked the sword master. She also wanted to question what he meant by her swordplay being beautiful when they met, it made her feel nervous even thinking about bringing that up. So she avoided it.

Lyn’s explanation sufficed to peak L’Arachel’s curiosity regarding the other countries. She was glad she had ended up in such a place instead of the others, yet of course, similarly to how she could speak hours on hours about Rausten, wouldn’t Lyn speak well of her country and decently about others? “That is all very interesting,” she said, with a smile, as she took another bite of her chicken. “I can’t help but… well, wonder why you are here… in a good, polite way, Lady Lyn.” Her eyes widened, the last thing she wanted was to upset her.

“If you’ve grown on the plains, it’s amazing to see how you managed to get this far. I may not know where these Sacaean Plains are, but I’m sure they’re not close to here.” In a way, she hoped they weren’t. It’d be weird to be speaking to Sacaean nobles in front of them, like an uncultured swine. “I feel your explanation is sufficient, though. Don’t feel to drop textbook explanations on me, yours are good.”

She scratched her head with a smile. “I’m very curious about this world, but… I guess I can satisfy my curiosity with Caelin, for the time being.” Her shoulders were raised for a moment. There were always more days to explore the world. “I wish I could say more, though, learn a bit more to be… well, to know what I need to know.”

Why she was here? Curiously enough Lyn never actually asked herself that question, even though it should’ve came up in her thoughts. She’d think of an answer later and pushed the thought away, listening intently on what L’Arachel had to say.

L’Arachel crossed her arms as she stared at Lyn with a penetrating gaze, the best she could do for the time being, but then turned her sight to what she was eating. It didn’t seem… well, of a high profile, reminding her a bit of the food that they made back when she had to camp. It was mostly vegetables, and when she was an adventurer, anything that filled the stomach sufficed.

It stood out more to her when the rest of the residents of the castle entered the hall, almost in a line, and they began serving up the food, save for Lyn, who already had food of her own. Interesting, she thought, she is not one for eating noble food… She edged closer to the table to grab a piece of bread and a napkin that she rested on her lap, then she took a small plate with what seemed to be chicken. L’Arachel couldn’t complain about the lack of food, that’s for sure.

After taking its first bite, L’Arachel moved closer to Lyn, she didn’t want to make a fuss in front of everyone, it’d only raise suspicious and unnecessary questions. Perhaps that’s how Lyn wanted it. “I’m certain bandits are people, Lady Lyn” she remarked, with a smile. “I’m one for thinking bandits are just unhappy citizens. They should be counted as your population… but their actions need not to be excused.” She took another bite of her chicken. “Yet, can’t you say that about everyone’s population? Everyone is friendly at first glance, and hardy in the face of despair. Not that I want to diminish your people, of course.”

She was completely right with that. Lyn looked down a bit, her thoughts racing leaving only the other conversations nearby to light the room with sound. Was that it? Were they just generic, there is nothing wrong with that in the end. But that didn't feel right, it felt wrong to have those thoughts. "I feel I said that wrong, let me try to explain differently." She said after the pause. Her expression a little bit better. "I feel that we treat people differently then the other provinces. Ostia treats strangers with a cold shoulder, not speaking to them first. But when spoken to they open up. Not the case for people who have spoken to Hector." She let out a small laugh with a small pause. "They are like their castle, hearty and strong people. In Araphen, the people are cold to strangers. Judging them and only showing their good sides to people they deem fit for it. Pheraens are a kind chivalrous people. They help anyone in need but tend not to just plain greet a stranger the first time they see them." Lyn left a pause after explaining the province's personalities.

L’Arachel was left with many questions after Lyn spoke about the other places in her continent, not so much about the realm. Surely there were more kingdoms, yet they were varied in many different ways. It was a little intriguing, now that she thought about it. If Caelin, the kingdom they were in was one of the smallest… then surely it had something of interest.

“Lyn, I-” She turned to her left, then to her right. Where did Lyn go? They were having a very polite and interesting conversation a while ago, she turned away from her for one second and she’s gone! She frowns, as she turns back to the table.

When the girl was back in the dining room, she crossed her arms. “You could’ve told me before you left me, you know. I was here, almost talking to myself…” She rolled her eyes, L’Arachel couldn’t really stay angry at Lyn, but she made an effort to at least seem that way. “What is Caelin’s charm? Given that Ostia is a military kingdom, Pherae seems to be the most high in economical value…” These were just assumptions, but perhaps they had a base.

Lyn set a plate of varied vegetables and a bit of meat of the table and sat in front of it, next to L’Arachel. “I’m sorry, I..just prefer to make my own food. I did tell you I’d be right back right?” She thought on that for a second, being sure she did. “Next time I’ll bring it up.” Then she listened. 

Roy was in town (as he almost always was) and was trying to help as best as he could when he felt a punch on the back of his head. He winced a little before turning around and studying who it was.

“Lady Lyndis?” He asked, not exactly sure who this lady was. If it was Lyn, she looked too young for it to be her, and he was confused as to why she thought he was Eliwood. “I’m afraid you have the wrong person.”

“....oh.” A rush of embarrassment, a flood of ohgodIjusthitsomeoneskid, a wave of guilt. Wow Lyn hitting kids, how low. “I..” She was stunned, words were stuck. She wanted to like, hug the boy to make him feel better. He didn’t seem that upset though, he was more confused it seemed. She breathed deeply. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hit you, I just thought you were a friend of mine. You seem almost identical it’s scary, even your clothing is like his.” She let that hang, studying the boy further. The way he said she had the wrong person though, seems he did know Eliwood personally. A relative maybe. The Phaeren never spoke of his family that much so she didn’t have much to go on. 

“Sure is,” he agreed from the shadows. He was sincere, but he was not without both vague disappointment and a sliver of appreciation: she had always been perceptive, but if she had spotted him, then he wasn’t practiced nearly enough. He’d been mostly casually following, not specifically attempting to hide, but even so…

Stepping into the open, Matthew fell into a curt semi-bow. “You’ve always had a keen eye, Lady Lyndis. I’m glad some things never change.” He wore an easy smile, and an easy stance. “I hope the day finds you well? I see I’m not the only one out and about to enjoy it.”

“Ah, Matthew. How nice to see you! You almost put me on edge!” She greeted. It was a nice change of course. Especially since he was a friend. Walking alone has its perks, but walking with company has twice as much. She was pretty glad to have stumbled across the spies path, though with that thought she wondered what Hector sent him to do.