healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2021-11-25 07:09 pm
healingbonds) wrote2021-11-25 07:09 pm
Entry tags:
The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 12
Chapter 11 << | index | >> Chapter 13
Cain: I’ve been going back and forth over whether to say this to you, but......
Arthur: What is it?
Cain: ......But I don’t agree. Oz isn’t as mild-mannered as you think he is. If it really came down to it, he would turn Mithra to stone.
I stiffen at Cain’s words. My heart starts pounding faster.
My body recalls it all too well — that sense of absolute terror that I experienced firsthand.
Amidst a nerve-wrecking atmosphere which paralyzed even my breath, Oz towered furiously on the verge of killing a wizard who was his comrade.
Arthur: ............
Oz rescued and raised him, so Arthur believes in his kindness with all his heart.
He looks like he wants to refute Cain’s statement, but instead he returns a direct gaze, his lips pressed in a thin, restrained line.
Arthur: ......Why do you think that? I want to hear your reasoning.
Cain: I’ve seen Oz about to turn a Sage’s wizard to stone once before. If he hadn’t been stopped, he would have killed him.
Arthur: ......Sir Oz wouldn’t do something like that....... Was there a reason behind it? Did he attack the other person of his own volition, without any reason?
Cain: ............ Well, I guess you could say there was a reason, but......
Arthur’s expression breaks into relief at Cain’s mumbled response.
Arthur: See? Anyone would fight back if they were being threatened. That’s all it was.
Cain: Hang on. I’m not done with my story.
Cain lightly throws up both hands like he’s trying to cajole a small child. Arthur nods with a straight face.
Arthur: I’m waiting.
Cain: I don’t want to criticize the person who raised you, and I did think that Oz was a good guy who just happened to look really scary.
I still want to think that. But...... Be careful. Please.
Arthur: I got it. But if we’re talking about being careful, I have something to say to you too.
Cain: What is it?
Arthur: It’s about Owen.
This time, it’s Arthur’s turn to look grave while Cain casually raises his eyebrows.
Cain: What about that guy?
Arthur: Owen is the person who stole your eye, Cain. And yet he’s one of the Sage’s wizards, and he’s accomplished countless things for us so far.
Arthur: I want to respect your will, Cain: I know you want to take back the eye Owen stole from you with your own strength.
If anyone could do it, it’d be you. That’s why I didn’t say a word.
Cain: Haha, thanks.
Cain laughs freely, while Arthur fixes him with a serious, warning look.
Arthur: But I can’t leave the matter to you entirely, not after an incident like what happend with Obsius.
You were attacked by Cerberus under Owen’s orders, and very nearly died.
If something like that is going to happen again, then we need countermeasures......
In contrast to Arthur’s grave manner, Cains shrugs with a laugh.
Cain: It’ll be all right. You know, that guy...... I feel like I’m getting to know him, little by little.
Arthur: In what way?
Cain: It’s hard to put it in words. But things are all right. I won’t make you worry.
Arthur & Cain: ............
Arthur: ......I see. I’ll believe in you.
Cain: That’s my line. ......But be careful. Please.
Arthur: Okay.
Cain: I’ll trust you too.
Arthur and Cain exchange cautioning glances, before quickly looking away from each other.
They share a relationship as close as one between friends. But they retain their respect for each other’s independence — and surprisingly, they do not interfere too deeply in each other’s affairs.
While it seems like they both want to, I get the impression that they’ve chosen instead to place their faith in the other’s will and determination.
In the meantime, it’s almost time for us to depart for Borda Island.
We spoke for a while, but couldn’t come up with a single good idea to address the situation.
Arthur: ......Should I heal this cut?
Cain: No, Mithra might get mad and lay a new one on you in front of Oz. That’d make things even worse.
You don’t want to go through that pain twice either, right?
Arthur: You’re right...... I shouldn’t meddle with it heedlessly.
Cain: But personally, I wish you’d heal it already. It feels like I’ve downed a bitter shot of coffee every time I see it.
Arthur: Why?
Cain: You’re really asking? Geez, what a cruel question.
Here I was almost hoping that you would at least blame me for allowing you to get hurt.
Cain shrugs, crossing his arms. His smile is strained as he gazes at Arthur’s cheek.
Cain: Any wound inflicted on your body is a sign that I’ve failed in my duty. That’s why every time I see it, I feel like I’ve been knocked flat.
Arthur: It’s not your responsibility, Cain.
Cain: But I want to make it my responsibility. Even if your magic is stronger than mine; even if I’ve been stripped of my title as the captain of the guards.
Arthur laughs, so bright it’s almost incongruous. He looks at me, and says with pride.
Arthur: Sir Sage, did you hear that? Isn’t Cain the knight among knights? Anyone would fall for him. He’s so cool!
Unsure of how to reply, I turn to look at Cain. He meets my eye with a wry smile.
Then, with a hand pressed over his chest, he lowers himself onto one knee and folds himself into an exaggerated grand bow.
The morning rays of sunshine streaming in through the window illuminate Cain like a painting: perfectly framed in his knight’s bow.
Cain: For the words of praise with which I have thus been bestowed, I vow on my life to devote myself to you in my entirety. My lord.
Arthur holds out his right hand with a smile. Cain takes it, raising it to his forehead.
They might have started out playacting, but in a blink, they’ve taken on the air of a divine ritual.
The young man gazes down at his devoted, loyal knight; in him, I can sense the aura of a dispassionate king.
Arthur: With you, I can change the world.
Let us go together.
Cain: Your wish is my command; I shall follow you to the far side of the moon and beyond.
✦✧☾✧✦
Chloe: ....Alright! Let’s run through this one last time!
Heathcliff: Got it.
Shino: I’m ready to go anytime.
Rustica: I’m ready too.
Chloe: Then here we go! One, two, three.....
Turning it over to Mr. Blanchett reporting live from the streets. Mr. Blanchett~!
Heathcliff: Yes! This is Blanchett, reporting live from the streets. Let’s ask around to see what people have to say.
Hello there, can I ask you a couple questions?
Shino: Yes.
Heathcliff: How are you doing lately?
Shino: Doing well.
Heathcliff: How about you?
Rustica: Doing well.
Heathcliff: That’s all! Turning it back to Mr. Collins at the studio!
Chloe: Ye~s! Thank you, Mr. Blanchett!
Heathcliff: You’re welcome.
Chloe: And thank you to the people in the streets!
Shino & Rustica: You’re welcome.
Chloe: Cats, watch out for all the pollen! We recommend wearing long sleeves all day long~! See you tomorrow, heat stroke~!
Shino & Heathcliff & Rustica: See you tomorrow~!
Chloe: Yay~! We made it through the whole skit!
Heathcliff: We did!
Shino: I’m sure the Sage will be happy. We put on the informative variety show he wanted to watch, after all.
Rustica: I hope Sir Sage enjoys our little performance at the party on Borda Island.
Chloe: Yes! Until then, let’s keep it a secret from everyo.....
Oz: ..........
Chloe: ........! Sir Oz.......!
Shino: Were you watching all that?
Oz: ....... What do you mean by all that......
Heathcliff: Like, um, our short skit......
Oz: ....... Heat stroke.......
Heathcliff: Y-yes. That.
Chloe: We wanted to surprise Sir Sage.....!
Oz: .....I understand. I will not tell anyone.
Chloe & Heathcliff: Thank you!
Oz: Are you acting?
Chloe: No, it’s a variety show.
Oz: Variety.....
Rustica: I have an idea. Why don’t we have Sir Oz join our variety show?
Heathcliff: Eh!? We’re having him join now!?
Chloe: I wonder if he would be willing to join.
Shino: Well, let’s just give it a shot. Oz. Just follow along with me and Rustica. Chloe, let’s start from the top.
Chloe: Got it!
Oz: ....... What.....?
Chloe: All right, turning it over to Mr. Blanchett reporting live from the streets. Mr. Blanchett~!
Heathcliff: Yes! This is Blanchett, reporting live from the streets. Let’s ask around to see what people have to say.
Hello there, can I ask you a couple questions?
Shino: Yes.
Heathcliff: How are you doing lately?
Shino: Doing well.
Heathcliff: How about you?
Rustica: Doing well.
Heathcliff: How about you?
Oz: ..........
Doing well.
Heathcliff: That’s all! Turning it back to Mr. Collins at the studio!
Chloe: Ye~s! Thank you, Mr. Blanchett!
Heathcliff: You’re welcome.
Chloe: And thank you to the people in the streets!
Oz & Shino & Rustica: You’re welcome.
Chapter 11 << | index | >> Chapter 13
Cain: I’ve been going back and forth over whether to say this to you, but......
Arthur: What is it?
Cain: ......But I don’t agree. Oz isn’t as mild-mannered as you think he is. If it really came down to it, he would turn Mithra to stone.
I stiffen at Cain’s words. My heart starts pounding faster.
My body recalls it all too well — that sense of absolute terror that I experienced firsthand.
Amidst a nerve-wrecking atmosphere which paralyzed even my breath, Oz towered furiously on the verge of killing a wizard who was his comrade.
Arthur: ............
Oz rescued and raised him, so Arthur believes in his kindness with all his heart.
He looks like he wants to refute Cain’s statement, but instead he returns a direct gaze, his lips pressed in a thin, restrained line.
Arthur: ......Why do you think that? I want to hear your reasoning.
Cain: I’ve seen Oz about to turn a Sage’s wizard to stone once before. If he hadn’t been stopped, he would have killed him.
Arthur: ......Sir Oz wouldn’t do something like that....... Was there a reason behind it? Did he attack the other person of his own volition, without any reason?
Cain: ............ Well, I guess you could say there was a reason, but......
Arthur’s expression breaks into relief at Cain’s mumbled response.
Arthur: See? Anyone would fight back if they were being threatened. That’s all it was.
Cain: Hang on. I’m not done with my story.
Cain lightly throws up both hands like he’s trying to cajole a small child. Arthur nods with a straight face.
Arthur: I’m waiting.
Cain: I don’t want to criticize the person who raised you, and I did think that Oz was a good guy who just happened to look really scary.
I still want to think that. But...... Be careful. Please.
Arthur: I got it. But if we’re talking about being careful, I have something to say to you too.
Cain: What is it?
Arthur: It’s about Owen.
This time, it’s Arthur’s turn to look grave while Cain casually raises his eyebrows.
Cain: What about that guy?
Arthur: Owen is the person who stole your eye, Cain. And yet he’s one of the Sage’s wizards, and he’s accomplished countless things for us so far.
Arthur: I want to respect your will, Cain: I know you want to take back the eye Owen stole from you with your own strength.
If anyone could do it, it’d be you. That’s why I didn’t say a word.
Cain: Haha, thanks.
Cain laughs freely, while Arthur fixes him with a serious, warning look.
Arthur: But I can’t leave the matter to you entirely, not after an incident like what happend with Obsius.
You were attacked by Cerberus under Owen’s orders, and very nearly died.
If something like that is going to happen again, then we need countermeasures......
In contrast to Arthur’s grave manner, Cains shrugs with a laugh.
Cain: It’ll be all right. You know, that guy...... I feel like I’m getting to know him, little by little.
Arthur: In what way?
Cain: It’s hard to put it in words. But things are all right. I won’t make you worry.
Arthur & Cain: ............
Arthur: ......I see. I’ll believe in you.
Cain: That’s my line. ......But be careful. Please.
Arthur: Okay.
Cain: I’ll trust you too.
Arthur and Cain exchange cautioning glances, before quickly looking away from each other.
They share a relationship as close as one between friends. But they retain their respect for each other’s independence — and surprisingly, they do not interfere too deeply in each other’s affairs.
While it seems like they both want to, I get the impression that they’ve chosen instead to place their faith in the other’s will and determination.
In the meantime, it’s almost time for us to depart for Borda Island.
We spoke for a while, but couldn’t come up with a single good idea to address the situation.
Arthur: ......Should I heal this cut?
Cain: No, Mithra might get mad and lay a new one on you in front of Oz. That’d make things even worse.
You don’t want to go through that pain twice either, right?
Arthur: You’re right...... I shouldn’t meddle with it heedlessly.
Cain: But personally, I wish you’d heal it already. It feels like I’ve downed a bitter shot of coffee every time I see it.
Arthur: Why?
Cain: You’re really asking? Geez, what a cruel question.
Here I was almost hoping that you would at least blame me for allowing you to get hurt.
Cain shrugs, crossing his arms. His smile is strained as he gazes at Arthur’s cheek.
Cain: Any wound inflicted on your body is a sign that I’ve failed in my duty. That’s why every time I see it, I feel like I’ve been knocked flat.
Arthur: It’s not your responsibility, Cain.
Cain: But I want to make it my responsibility. Even if your magic is stronger than mine; even if I’ve been stripped of my title as the captain of the guards.
Arthur laughs, so bright it’s almost incongruous. He looks at me, and says with pride.
Arthur: Sir Sage, did you hear that? Isn’t Cain the knight among knights? Anyone would fall for him. He’s so cool!
Unsure of how to reply, I turn to look at Cain. He meets my eye with a wry smile.
Then, with a hand pressed over his chest, he lowers himself onto one knee and folds himself into an exaggerated grand bow.
The morning rays of sunshine streaming in through the window illuminate Cain like a painting: perfectly framed in his knight’s bow.
Cain: For the words of praise with which I have thus been bestowed, I vow on my life to devote myself to you in my entirety. My lord.
Arthur holds out his right hand with a smile. Cain takes it, raising it to his forehead.
They might have started out playacting, but in a blink, they’ve taken on the air of a divine ritual.
The young man gazes down at his devoted, loyal knight; in him, I can sense the aura of a dispassionate king.
Arthur: With you, I can change the world.
Let us go together.
Cain: Your wish is my command; I shall follow you to the far side of the moon and beyond.
✦✧☾✧✦
Chloe: ....Alright! Let’s run through this one last time!
Heathcliff: Got it.
Shino: I’m ready to go anytime.
Rustica: I’m ready too.
Chloe: Then here we go! One, two, three.....
Turning it over to Mr. Blanchett reporting live from the streets. Mr. Blanchett~!
Heathcliff: Yes! This is Blanchett, reporting live from the streets. Let’s ask around to see what people have to say.
Hello there, can I ask you a couple questions?
Shino: Yes.
Heathcliff: How are you doing lately?
Shino: Doing well.
Heathcliff: How about you?
Rustica: Doing well.
Heathcliff: That’s all! Turning it back to Mr. Collins at the studio!
Chloe: Ye~s! Thank you, Mr. Blanchett!
Heathcliff: You’re welcome.
Chloe: And thank you to the people in the streets!
Shino & Rustica: You’re welcome.
Chloe: Cats, watch out for all the pollen! We recommend wearing long sleeves all day long~! See you tomorrow, heat stroke~!
Shino & Heathcliff & Rustica: See you tomorrow~!
Chloe: Yay~! We made it through the whole skit!
Heathcliff: We did!
Shino: I’m sure the Sage will be happy. We put on the informative variety show he wanted to watch, after all.
Rustica: I hope Sir Sage enjoys our little performance at the party on Borda Island.
Chloe: Yes! Until then, let’s keep it a secret from everyo.....
Oz: ..........
Chloe: ........! Sir Oz.......!
Shino: Were you watching all that?
Oz: ....... What do you mean by all that......
Heathcliff: Like, um, our short skit......
Oz: ....... Heat stroke.......
Heathcliff: Y-yes. That.
Chloe: We wanted to surprise Sir Sage.....!
Oz: .....I understand. I will not tell anyone.
Chloe & Heathcliff: Thank you!
Oz: Are you acting?
Chloe: No, it’s a variety show.
Oz: Variety.....
Rustica: I have an idea. Why don’t we have Sir Oz join our variety show?
Heathcliff: Eh!? We’re having him join now!?
Chloe: I wonder if he would be willing to join.
Shino: Well, let’s just give it a shot. Oz. Just follow along with me and Rustica. Chloe, let’s start from the top.
Chloe: Got it!
Oz: ....... What.....?
Chloe: All right, turning it over to Mr. Blanchett reporting live from the streets. Mr. Blanchett~!
Heathcliff: Yes! This is Blanchett, reporting live from the streets. Let’s ask around to see what people have to say.
Hello there, can I ask you a couple questions?
Shino: Yes.
Heathcliff: How are you doing lately?
Shino: Doing well.
Heathcliff: How about you?
Rustica: Doing well.
Heathcliff: How about you?
Oz: ..........
Doing well.
Heathcliff: That’s all! Turning it back to Mr. Collins at the studio!
Chloe: Ye~s! Thank you, Mr. Blanchett!
Heathcliff: You’re welcome.
Chloe: And thank you to the people in the streets!
Oz & Shino & Rustica: You’re welcome.
Chapter 11 << | index | >> Chapter 13