{-Kaylin-}

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Rennyn didn’t even change his expression, and certainly made no sign of even hearing her.

“And whatever you think is going to happen is just the worst-case scenario.”

“I haven’t exactly been given the reason to believe that it wasn’t going to come down to it.”

“If we do what we can and do it quickly, then there’s a good chance nothing is going to happen. But as it stands, you’re here getting distracted when we’re supposed to be doing something.”

“Is it bad to have a terrible feeling about this?”

“When it doesn’t even have to be reality and you keep thinking about it anyway? Yes. Because then, it’s just going to become a self-fulfilling prophecy when you don’t do anything.”

“I don’t see you going out there either.”

“Someone has to keep you from running off somewhere. I’m starting to feel like I can’t look away for one minute without you going and getting yourself hurt.”

“Don’t know how this is new to you.”

“Can you at least consider how I feel about all of this?”

“Let me guess, you assume that I’m over exaggerating or lingering too much on something, and that all it’s going to do is make things worse. Well, guess what? You’re not wrong. But I also don’t think I can stop. If I could, we wouldn’t be here talking about it.”

There was almost a part of her that was going to argue—to force himself to acknowledge the problem and actually change it. But she had to remember that this kind of slipping—that awkward and sometimes undefined line between present and past, reality and nightmares—had been happening for a while now.

Maybe she’d already lost her chance to talk him out of it.

Or she never really had a chance to begin with.

So she just had to go along with it, perhaps, and try her best to keep him from doing anything stupid. “Alright,” she said with a sigh. “Where do you want to start? If the others are that way, we should probably go in the opposite direction. We’re only going to draw more suspicion if two groups keep asking the same questions.”

“I guess we can just wander around until we find someone to ask,” Rennyn mumbled. He started walking and she followed without even needing a signal.

Whether he realized it or not, his hand was now resting on the hilt of the Goddess’s Sword and, though his head was down, he was undoubtedly well aware of every movement around them.

“You know,” she muttered, “we might have better luck if you didn’t look so intimidating.”

“This is ‘unintimidating.’”

“If you say so…”

Kaylin kept an eye out for anyone that might’ve looked willing to listen, though the only thing she saw were locals mildly confused at their sudden arrival. Since she soon decided that, at this rate, the only information they were going to get was going to be through eavesdropping, she also started looking for an inn or tavern they could linger in. As unsavory as she felt those places could sometimes get, she couldn’t deny they were sometimes the best places to pick up on rumors…

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But suddenly, Rennyn stopped. Not stopped and casually changed directions to turn down another street, or to walk up to someone; just stopped. Even if she couldn’t find anything that might’ve drawn his attention.

“I think I saw Viragi,” he muttered, a faint hint of panic clear in his tone.

“And?” Kaylin, honestly, just wanted to know what he was going to say. She wanted to make sure he was thinking all of this through.

“We need to make sure he isn’t starting any trouble.”

“But are we going to be starting any trouble by rushing into it? Are you certain that’s who you saw?” She figured there was no point in being subtle, so she remarked, “You don’t really see things when you’re like this, do you? Just whatever happens to be the right fuel for whatever this is. Neither of us are going over there until you can prove to me there’s more to this than paranoia.”

“So you want me to tell you whether or not I can be absolutely certain of seeing someone for just a moment, down an alley?”

“Seems like a fine place for the mind to hide something, doesn’t it?”

“You can’t just trust me? What if it is him, then what? We sit here for just long enough to let him do whatever the hell he’s here for, then someone else pays the price for it?”

“Well, you’ll have to excuse me when the literal destined hero keeps trying to pointlessly get himself killed. Not reacting to burns and cuts aren’t a sign of strength. It’s a sign that you’re too caught up in whatever’s going on in your head to notice the difference—that this has gone too far. And I’m not going to let you get any closer.” She sighed. “The world can’t lose its hero, and I don’t want to lose you.”

“And if I told you the same thing, you’d still say I shouldn’t do what I can to keep you safe if it puts me in danger.”

“That’s barely relevant.”

“It’s not my fault the world can’t get another damn hero.”

Just then, Rennyn must’ve heard something, because he turned around and drew his sword. Kaylin was ready to defend whoever had unfortunately been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but… she didn’t need to.

Because he’d been right, and out walked Viragi.

“Such a beautiful conversation,” he remarked dully, slowly clapping as he came into view. “Truly, the two of you were meant for each other. But it’s all a bit boring…”

“What do you want?” Rennyn prompted. “I doubt you’re only here for pleasantries. So tell me what you’re actually here for, and there won’t be a fight.”

“Oh, nothing much, really. I just had some business in the area and overheard your little argument. Knowing that you were here, I couldn’t stop myself from saying hello.”

“What kind of business?”

“What do you want me to tell you? That I’ve been terrorizing families, stealing money from orphans, or kicking puppies for fun? I do have morals, you know, even if they don’t match yours.”

“I want an actual answer.”

“I just had a couple of people I wanted to talk to. I certainly wasn’t doing any harm… at that moment.”

“And what about Lady Mira? What do you know about her?”

“I know that she’s missing, and there’s some kind of foul play involved.” At this point, Viragi definitely knew what he was doing; he was just trying to provoke Rennyn at this point.

Unfortunately, Kaylin had a feeling that even if she did mention it, one or both would just immediately dismiss her. So she was left watching, giving Rennyn a reminding glare in hopes that he actually noticed it.

“I don’t believe that’s all you know,” he remarked.

Viragi shrugged. “I suppose you’ll have to return to your friends empty-handed, then. I don’t know anything else.” Rennyn made a step forward with his sword out, and Viragi took a casual step back. “It really is all I know. I’m afraid I truly don’t know where she is, or who exactly took her. But judging by your expression, you’re not going to take that as an answer. Oh, I just remembered! If you don’t believe me, then maybe you’ll listen if someone could vouch for me?”

Rennyn didn’t seem fazed at all, but Kaylin sternly placed a hand on his shoulder. “Fine,” he mumbled. “Amuse me.”

“If you keep following this street, you’ll find a house with two hummingbird decorations. Knock twice and ask for Cettia. I think the entire encounter will be quite enlightening for you.”