"Drifter! A moment if you please?"
Loid had wanted Drifter to look into something regarding The Indifference in Entrati's laboratory and the young Operator was predisposed with other matters involving the Dark Refractory.
Turning to Loid, Drifter responds assuringly, letting him know that she would be right there.
"Sure thing Loid! I'll be back soon Lyon."
Calmly, he responded, "I will await your return."
Little did Loid know, as far as Drifter was concerned, him calling for her was akin to being saved by the proverbial bell. Moments before he arrived, Lyon would stare deeply into her eyes, beckoning for her to tell him why every so often she would avert her gaze from his.
To anyone else, it was fairly certain that every choice that Drifter made to avoid eye contact was an attempt to keep the emotions that swelled within her heart from seeping out. Much like putting a lid on a boiling pot with its contents threatening to overflow.
However, Lyon assumed the worst and thought that he did something to offend Drifter and desperately wanted to know what he did. As he watched her leave through the portal with Loid, his worries only grew. He frowned, racking his brain to discern if there was anything that he did to make his time travelling companion feel unwell. And even more worried that she would not tell him what ailed her, especially if he truly was involved.
"I know I wasn't quite open to conversation at first...but things have improved since then, no? Unless...have I been deluded this entire time?"
From a corner of La Cathédrale, Lyon could distinctly hear Marie giggling.
"I do not know what you find so funny about my plight Marie. Unless you have information that I do not and you are simply taking pleasure in my ignorance."
"Aye Lyon, I only laugh because you worry too much!"
"Then enlighten me. You saw how Drifter was acting. She could hardly look at me...is...is she disgusted by me?" The worst possibility that poor Lyon hoped to be far from the truth.
"What?! No, no Lyon, she doesn't find you disgusting. If anything, it's more the opposite."
"The opposite...then shouldn't she be keeping her eyes on me and not away from me?"
Marie can't help but giggle a bit more. No doubt Lyon is no stranger to the joys of romance, but only in writing and as a witness. Taking part however is something that he felt that he could never do.
He would reason that he is like broken glass. Fragmented. And he wouldn't dare subject someone else, let alone someone else he loved to the horrors that remain in his daily life. Horrors that only amplifed after taking the serum.
Marie sighs and floats to Lyon's side while taking his left hand that was tightly closed in a fist.
"You must remember Lyon. Drifter may be a time traveler who has been blessed by the Void, took part in a great battle among the celestials, and lived many lives in Duviri, but when Sol slumbers and Lua rises, she is still a maiden at heart."
"Oui Lyon, a maiden in love! She feels so much that if she were to look at you a second too long, her poor heart would not be able to contain it."
Lyon was stunned and bordered on disbelief.
"So, you're saying that Drifter is not looking at me simply because...she is bashful?"
"Oui! She is but only a blushing flower when she is near you! Aye, she's been trying desperately to not make things obvious. Alas, it seems her love for you is starting to find freedom."
Now that Marie mentioned it, Lyon thought back to when Drifter would look away from him and noted that she never appeared angry or disturbed, but nervous. He believed it to be that she was nervous for different reasons, but nervous because she loved him?
A smile threatened to creep on his face but he dared to not get his hopes up too quickly.
"Wait, how do you know about this? Surely you are not making assumptions about her feelings off of mere speculations Marie."
By this point Drifter could be seen by both Marie and Lyon as she was walking and talking with Loid who both re-entered the portal back to La Cathédrale.
Marie let go of Lyon's hand and before leaving the room, quickly letting Lyon know, "I only know because she told me," while giving him a cheeky smile.
Roathe started to make his way into the main entrance of La Cathédrale after spending some time outside, only to be pulled along by Marie.
"Devil! Don't you think it's a good time for a walk?"
"'A walk?' I just came from outside Marie! I want to go inside!"
Roathe started to protest but to no avail as Marie's grip and will would prove to be stronger. She pulled him back outside with her and all was now quiet save for Loid thanking Drifter for her help and departing back into the portal that lead to the present.
"You are back." Lyon addressed Drifter who was walking back to him
"Yeah, sorry about that. There was a book that Fibonacci wanted that wasn't in the Sanctum, so I had to go look for it in the labs."
"I see. Were you able to locate it?"
"Yup! Minus The Murmur and the Necramechs, it was smooth sailing."
"How fortunate I am glad you are safe."
Lyon breathed a sigh of relief in knowing his Drifter was okay. His gaze stayed fixed on her as he took her in. Her smile, Sol shining on a field of wild flowers. Her voice, comforting as the rain on La Cathédrale's glass windows. He already knew he was smitten. Activley tried to fight his feelings the more he spoke to her. But Marie's words had become akin to giving oxygen to an open flame. Lyon's love would only burn brighter.
Drifter met Lyon's gaze and held it, having the courage to not look away. An unintended staring contest that would last a few seconds before Lyon chuckled.
"You no longer look away."
Immediate butterflies appeared in Drifter's stomach and the courage she once had vanished within an instant. She couldn't help but smile, but her eyes veered away from Lyon's once more. Drifter's sheepish nature was unmistakeable at this point and Lyon thought himself a fool to assume the worst.
"At first I was afraid that I had done something to offend you...but I've since been enlightened with the understanding that rather than doing something wrong-"
Before finishing his sentence, Lyon walks up to Drifter, towering over her ever so slightly with love in his voice.
"Perhaps I've been doing something right and I did not even know it."
Drifter understood what that meant and immediately faced Lyon in shock and slight panic. Did she give herself away? Did Marie say something? How does he know?
"I would like to hear from you Drifter...tell me...why do you avoid my gaze whenever I look at you?"
This is her moment to come clean and the words are stuck in her throat. Heat quickly rushes to her face and her ears feel as though they're on fire. She dare not lie, she doesn't want to lie and yet all she wants to do is hide. What is she afraid of? She couldn't tell you. She didn't think things would get to this point. She can only partially hide her face with her hands while she worked the courage to be honest.
A smile spread on Lyon's face. He figured that maybe he could help give her some peace of mind. He reaches and takes one of Drifter's hands that are still on her face, and gently guides her hand to his rapidly beating heart.
Drifter, amazed feels Lyon's heart pulsing against her palm like a beating drum. Like a racing kaithe. She looks up at Lyon, his face now flushed and his ears bright pink. Such a lovely and honest sight.
So lovely that the words just slip right out.
"I love you." Drifter realizing how quickly and easily her heart betrayed her rationale holds her hand to her mouth in disbelif, wondering did she really just said that outloud?
Lyon is...stunned. Defintley happy but stunned all the same.
Even though he was already told that Drifter loved him, it's like it wasn't really real until he heard the words himself and so effortlessly spoken. La Cathédrale is quiet for a moment. Drifter starts to quietly regret her words until Lyon speaks up.
"Hearing such words flee from your heart and escape from your lips...I dare say at one point I wouldn't have dreamed to entertain such feelings. I considered it an impossibility...and yet you have made the impossible reality."
Lyon's heart was full, overflowing, and struggled to remain contained against self-restraint. How desperately he wanted to raise Drifter in his arms and never let her go. How he wanted to plant kisses all over her face and shower her with sweet words. But of course he need not rush.
Instead, he held Drifter's face in his hands, caressing her cheeks and steadied his voice through his innermost desire to shed tears.
"For what you have achieved in the past...your present...and for how you have stirred my heart restless...you...are so much more than just a 'Drifter,'...you are a miracle...mon miracle."
Drifter's heart swellwed with joy and relief as tears ran down her face. Lyon brushed them away with his thumbs, his hands feeling large and warm on her face. Like being held by the warmth of Sol. The fear of rejection would pass and she would consider Lyon's words and soon realize,
"Mon miracle?" Drifter felt as though she should know what that meant but her Gaullique was still severely lacking. She was able to pick up on a few words every so often when talking to Marie but at this moment, the meaning of Lyon's words was escaping her.
"Indeed. Mon miracle. Do you know what that means?"
"I think...hang on, don't tell me!" Drifter would recall her converations with Marie, trying to remember how "mon," was used.
"Mon miracle...'Mon' is...'My!' Right 'Mon' is 'my,' so...My Miracle? Yeah that sounds right. My Mira-...Oh...My Miracle..." Drifter was Lyon's miracle. Such a sweet and intentional name, one that held much weight.
"Yes exactly. You did very well to remember. If are interested, I would be more than happy to teach you more Gaullique."
Drifter pondered the words "Mon miracle," replaying Lyon saying it to her in her head. In response to Lyon's offer, Drifter nodded syaing,
"Yeah I'd like that. Oh, then I'd be able to understand what Marie is saying sometimes, even when she's upset."
Lyon held in his desire to laugh knowing that Marie's words when spoken in Gaullique were not always the kindest, especially when she was upset.
"I can assure you in that regard, ignorance is bliss."
Lyon continues to hold Drifter's face as he presses his lips against her forehead, kissing her endearingly. As though she could slip through his fingers.
Quietly they embraced one another tightly, taking each other in with each breath. Drifter sighed, and thankfully because she couldn't see Lyon, garnered the courage to speak from her heart.
She tried to pronounce her words with a Gaullique accent as best she could and while it wasn't perfect nor the worst, Lyon thought it to be one of the cutest things that Drifter had ever said to him and her accent just made it better.
"Could you say that again for me please?"
"Hehe. Mon amor." Lyon's enthusiasm was very apparent and Drifter was enjoying it thoroughly.
"Ah...I could hear you say that for hours." Lyon sighed holding Drifter close with his forehead pressing against hers.
"I will forever appreciate your willingness to speak my language, mon miracle. I feel that it is only right that I return this kindness by speaking your language as well-" In a near whisper, his voice almost inaudible and dipped in honey, "-my love." leaves his lips.
Such simple words were enough for Drifter to start losing the abililty to form coherant thoughts and her knees almost buckling. Lyon was an honest lover that would never fail to speak from his heart. No putting on airs, no ego, just sweet and honest nothings and that's what made him so dangerous for her heart.
Meeting his eyes, Drifter points at him, "You're a dangerous man Lyon."
"And you are only now realizing? Then I suggest you prepare yourself well, my love. For I intend on loving you to the fullest and upmost extent of my ability."
Laughs are shared between the newly formed couple. The air was so thick with love and sweet things that you could cut right through it like cake. While yet embraced, between moments of peaceful silence, they would continue to exchange words every so often with smiles and laughter.
All the while, Marie and Roathe had been peeking through the main doors to La Cathédrale and could see only Lyon's back and Drifter being mostly hidden by his stature. Even though their ability to hear was impaired due to distance, they could see all that they needed to know what was going on...at least that's what Marie thought.
Roathe on the other hand had seen Drifter angry, sad, upset, happy but completley lovestruck was new and curiosity was eating at him. He knew that if he were to confront Drifter directly about her feelings, she would more than likely speak nonchalantly and keep the "good stuff," to herself. So he figured the best way to see how his Usurper behaved when under love's influence, was to catch her completley off guard.
Roathe reached for the door to go inside but Marie grabbed him.
"Devil! Can't you see this is a terrible time to interrupt?!"
"All the more why I need to. I can barely see the Usurper." He fought against her grip to pry open the doors
"Should it matter if we can see Drifter when they are in the midst of sharing their love for one another?"
"Yes! Hurrah! And all the more why I need a better vantage point so I can bear witness to such a momentous occassion in its fullest capacity!" Roathe manages to grab a door handle while Marie is trying to pry his hand loose.
"I swear to Sol on high Roathe if you walk through those doors-"
"Well then you're just going to have to try and stop me Marie."
Back inside, Lyon and Drifter gradually become more comfortable with each other and Lyon takes Drifter's hand and gently kisses the back. Once. Then twice. Then another, causing her to start giggling and doors to La Cathédrale open and light floods inside. Lyon quickly brings Drifter to his chest to guard her, and turned to face who opened the doors.
Immediatley Lyon's guarded expression turned to that of confusion and disgust as he saw Marie holding on to Roathe by his torso, trying to stop him from walking through the doors while speaking angerly in Gaullique and Roathe struggling to walk while angerly barking back at Marie to let him go.
All Lyon could say while he shook his head in his palm. "Lua...please give me strenth..."
Drifter watched Roathe and Marie go back and forth until Lyon started to lead Drifter to the portal entrance.
"I think it is time we draw our...'alone time,' to a close for now. For I do not wish to subject you to whatever foolishness awaits me."
Drifter laughed and could only wonder about the story behind Marie hanging on to Roathe and what it would lead to.
"I guess I'll be back when things quiet down."
"Indeed...though I suppose it cannot be all bad since I was able to be graced with you laughter once more."
"Graced with my laughter. You really are something Lyon."
Now standing at the portal enterance, Lyon gently presses his lips against Drifter's cheek, kissing her softly.
"I only speak the truth, my love."
Drifter looks at Lyon, taking a small but deep and intentional breath. With the last of her remaining courage, she stands on the tips of her toes while leaning against Lyon's chest. One hand is against his chest for support while the other cups his face and she returns fire by kissing Lyon's cheek for at least a good two seconds.
After she let him go and not wanting to give him a potential chance to retaliate in fear for the safety of her heart, Drifter hurried through the portal after quickly saying, "Til next time, love you!"
She left as quick as the kiss came.
Lyon stared at the portal's entrance while slowly reaching to touch his face where Drifter kissed him. Though she was long gone, he yet spoke as if she were there with him.
"Rest assured. There will be plenty more where that came from, mon miracle. I await your return and I truly thank you for blessing me with your kindness, your patience, your friendship and your love."
The haze of sweetness soon evaporates at the sound of Marie and Roathe still bickering back and forth. Lyon let out a heavy, exasperated sigh knowing full well that his "private moment," was far from private.
He knew he was being watched but Drifter didn't. Rather than soil the atmosphere with her knowing and remaining guarded, he chose to feign ignorance for her sake as well as his own. For a moment he did manage to briefly forget that he was being surveyed. But only for a moment.
Now that his love was gone, after reciting a prayer to Lua, Lyon walked over to quarreling Marie and Roathe with intention and conviction.
Lyon had already resolved in his mind with each step that he took that the tax on their snooping would be exceptionally high and they would both pay the price for their self-indulgent curiosity. Marie would do extra chores around La Cathédrale with no added help, Roathe would get a rude awakening during his next trip to the Dark Refractory, and Drifter, he owed her a proper date.
A discussion that they would have after Lua's justice was served.
(I may or may not have confessed my love to Lyon today and wanted to write something lol. Apologies if there are spelling and grammar mistakes. After a while, my grammar check stops working because I surpased the freebie text limit and dipped into the "you need to pay us because you typed too much," threshold.
I truly do enjoy the bit that I have seen from Lyon in other people's playthroughs and I look forward to my first chat with him too as a new couple too.)
