Backdated Log #5: What I Cannot Do - Part 1
Characters: Seth, Eirika
Date: July 09
Summary: Sometime far later the evening after her conversation with Balthier and breaking her keyboard, Seth hunts Eirika down in Cerberus. He gives her a talking-to about Marth, and her decision. Calming her down, he takes her back to Takarazuka and stays the night.
Warnings: Absolutely none.


Will blame you, and you, and you, and you!

Her rapier's blade shot through the air with such haste, that one might have deemed it uncatchable. Beneath her delicate sandals were only some of the computer parts that had been spoken of in the Enquirer's most recent and only (thus far) issue. Eirika had not thought this through. So irritated she had been with Balthier, and yet not Balthier at all, that she stormed from her apartment and off to the A.R.T. station, relieved the trains were still in motion at the late hour. The sun had long since sunk into the horizon, and she stiffly swung her appendages in only the dim lights of Cerberus' district. By no means was it a peaceful area. It was filled with steam and powerlines, something vastly different from Takarazuka. In the far off distance, one could see the bright lights of the Golden Saucer Casino, home to some of the best food and entertainment in Ares. (Eirika had heard of the legendary showgirls, but that's a story for another time.)

Her terrain was rough and difficult to work through, yet she remained persistent, never one to give up, never one to falter or surrender. This was how things needed to be for her. Her anger ruled her. Her irritation held her captive, and at this moment, obtaining a new keyboard was very much on the bottom of her list of priorities. At this precise moment, it was the stick of RAM she'd wisely chosen to impale.

Seth found Cerberus to be a confusing place, the bright and strange lights making him feel queer. However, it was imperative that he locate Eirika. She had left her place in a hurry, and it was only luck that he had decided to visit due to her journal entry. He had found her door unlocked, and upon inspection, decided that she left in a hurry. He had locked it behind him, before following her trail of destruction - cleaved plants and leaves, and then a torn map of Cerberus.

Thus it was with his usual dress uniform that he located her, impaling her way through the computer parts.

Thrust. Horizontal strike. Verticle strike.

One hand up and the other outstretched, her expression was fierce, determined, perhaps even valourous had it been for the proper reasons. She brought her blade to one of the pieces at her feet, and tossed it up. Leaping from the small mound she had been standing upon, she jumped to level ground and with a single horizontal strike, she launched the item, a bezel, only to join another distant. And with a final sound of triumph, she nearly posed. His footsteps had reached her ears, but she had not paid attention.

Seth paused in his steps as he saw her. It was adorable, if only for the way she had held herself as she lept off the mound. The knight shook his head silently as he waited her to perhaps turn and acknowledge him. If not, he was content to just watch her in her moment of supposed triumph over the computer part.

And she did turn -- sharply at that. Seeing him was not exactly on her list of priorities. Lifting her rapier in defence, she softened only faintly, resting it upon her shoulder. She looked unnatural. Sandals. A dress. A sword. A warrior princess, it seemed. "...General," she acknowledged softly.

He inclined his head. "Milady," he greeted her, "I am here to report that your room has been... properly locked." It was the least he could do, after all.

Lowering her sword, "...You aren't in service to me anymore. You've been relieved of your duties, per your request." She swallowed, and hoped it was not too noticeable.

"I requested no such thing." He frowned. "What exactly did sir Balthier say? He told me he was going to request something of you. Was that what he claimed?"

"Yes. He told me to give you time, to relieve you of your duties, so you could think. He said you had wanted permission, and in order to obtain it, you needed to ask me. You should not be around me," she commented softly
.
"Utter rubbish." He snorted. "I was right. He did more harm than good."

The princess shook her head, "He's a good man, intelligent. If he says you need to be relieved, then he's right. I trust him. You do need to be able to think, and you can't do that when you're obsessed with thinking you have to take care of me."

"Obviously I was not thinking as I followed your trail here, aye?" The knight crossed his arms, trying to hide his indignation at being indirectly insulted.

Eirika cringed visibly. "...I'm sorry for worrying you, Sir." She shuffled her weight nervously. "...I... was frustrated, and in the midst of it, I... seemed to have destroyed my keyboard. So I came here..."

His expression softened, "Of all titles to call me, 'Sir' is not quite right." He sighed quietly, "At least... lock your room in the future if you decide to crusade against old contraption parts?"

"You are a knight. You were a knight. 'Sir' is your official title," she responded. "...I so rarely lock my door. There isn't much of a reason for me to. Any thief may welcome himself or herself to my items. I do not mind."

"Even your...undergarments?" He raised an eyebrow.

"If they wish for them, I suppose they can have them. As long as they don't tell me what they plan to do with them." She straightened her posture. "Now that you know I am safe, will you go back to Takarazuka?"

He shook his head, "Nay, I will still accompany you."

"I told you," she began to repeat herself, "...You are relieved from your duties. I will follow Balthier's judgement. I... should not even talking to you."

"Then it is not out of duty that I would wish to accompany," Seth stated plainly.

"...Sir Seth, I am too likely to influence you. I am a liability. A weakness," the princess replied.

"Would you say that to all who love you?" He tilted his head.

She chose to evade this question, "I am going by what Balthier said. He is an excellent judge of character."

And he chose to ignore the comment, "It is a weakness that I will gladly bear."

"...It isn't proper," Eirika insisted. "You know that."

"A knight is not allowed to love?"

"...I didn't say that... I don't want to be influential over you, Seth." She made no mention of her talk with Ephraim. Of his blessing. Of the way his heart went out to Seth for being destroyed twice by his sister. She couldn't. This wasn't the time. She also made no mention of her talk with Marth earlier in the evening.

"You have been influential over me since I was... Fifteen, perhaps? That did not stop me from what I need to do, aye?" He pointed out.

"...That doesn't mean it was right. You know this. Why must you argue with me every time? Do you really feel the need to extend your authority over me?" Her voice was soft, more curious than accusing.

"Technically, it would be wrong if you had no influence over your retainers." Seth chose to debate from another point of view.

"...I've relieved you of that," she nearly whispered, fighting the tremble of her vaguely parted lips. Why wasn't he understanding this? He could use logic all he wanted, but she'd relieved him. As far as she was concerned, he wasn't her retainer.

"Then I care for you not as a retainer. You should know this."

"...You cannot act like my retainer, Seth." And with that stated, she drew her rapier and lifted her other arm to balance herself, "That is the final word. Not... my retainer. You will not act as one. You will not allow your heart to be swayed by plush lips and juvenile eyes."

"Then I will act as... your friend, your lover?" He tilted his head.

"...You cannot, Seth..." she shook her head at him and she carefully strafed across the ground. "My friend, yes... But the latter..." Her gaze softened, nostalgia pouring, as she considered every dream, every walk in the gardens, every spar, every kiss, every embrace, every word, and every tremor. "...No."

"And why not?" His gaze was resolute as he looked at her.

What could she say? "I am going to Altea with Lord Marth and Maric," she commented softly as she slowly stepped, her eyes never leaving his.

"So?"

She couldn't say she had plans to wed Marth, for the blue-haired prince had made it very clear that he was... in other words... turned off by her presence. She had his approval to come and to help rebuild Altea, but he was very open about explaining that he would wed eventually, and she would have no say in the matter, especially if the one he wed wasn't her... and it was beginning to lead that way. "I cannot commit to you."

"And why not?" He tilted his head.


"...It would not be proper of me," was her excuse, no matter how invalid it may have been.

"Not proper because? That you love me, that I love you? That I do not mind wedding you in Altea?" He pressed on.

His words stung her ears. Her feet stopped and she adjusted her form, "...Stop that. Spar with me," she requested softly, her exterior far from unkind or cruel. More or less, she seemed very... sincere, given the atmosphere and that no princess of her nature should have been amongst that mess.

"So it shall be." A quiet nod, as the man known as Seth withdrew himself into the cold visage of the Silver Knight, and his blade came out in a blurry arc.

Her expression softened and as she approached, she had very little fight in her. This spar, it was to be a test for him. Her rapier, beautifully crafted, perfect for only her, customised for her, it was something that invoked much pride in her. Her movement was restricted by her gown, aware that if she wasn't careful, she would rip the fine fabric. To tease him, however, she took the initiative and brought her blade against his in a horizontal strike.

His blade moved in response to block the blow, and he withdrew back to his original position - his body facing her with his sword held at middle guard. Seth looked almost like a statue as he stood there unmoving, the only sign of movement from his eyes as he tracked her form.

He was... defensive? Not offensive? That was what Eirika thought she saw in him. Her eyes switched between his sword and his face, ever unchanging, ever neutral. The vague curling of her lips ensued. Her right hand brought her blade against his with a forceful vertical strike instead. She was being easy on him. Intentionally.

Still Seth did not take the bait as he easily deflected her blow, and resumed his pose once more. Many an opponent had find him almost... eerie in such a state, when they could not read his emotions, nor easily predict what he may or may not do.

"Seth, do not fight so stiffly. My brother once said that anger is a weapon to only your opponent. That's true for all things, however. You do not need to go easy on me," she spoke softly before gracefully thrusting to his centre, curious to see how he would parry or counter or evade this following maneuver.

Seth twisted his hand to allow his blade to knock into hers from the side as he twirled it up and away from his torso. His blade returned to middle-guard as he replied emotionlessly, "From your attacks, I would say you are the one going easy on me, Eirika."

Very good, she thought to herself, smiling with approval. On both accounts, my darling.

Her hand lifted and she stepped back momentarily, taking the moment to examine his form. How perfect he was. How he shined. This man... was a star! He was amazing. "Do not sound so upset. You're right. I am. I am asking that you not be against me."

He adjusted his grip on the sword slightly as he replied, "My defenses have yet to be breached, I do not think you can consider that as going easy, aye?" His tone remained neutral, neither warm, nor cold. Almost like how a computer might have pronounced the words.

"I am not attempting to breach you," the princess confessed. At least, not in the way he believed her to be. She finally showed her smile and she began to strafe again, left arm raised, and the right, with the arm tucked close to her form. Her elbow rested below her midsection, and she looked more for photography than for serious nature.

"Hm." Was his only comment before he took a few steps towards her, each steps building up his speed as he launched a stab towards her midsection. It was fast, quick, and he was interested to see her response.

Finally. Though she hadn't exactly been expecting it. Her form moved hastily. Her left hand joined her right and had she been facing him directly, it would have been a sidestep. Instead, as she forced her frame back, her hands pressed against the hilt of her rapier to ward off his blade. If she had stayed any closer, she would have stabbed into her fabric. Her eyes lowered and she examined the length of her blade pressing gently against the fabric of her gown. "Hm... If I did not move, Seth, would you have pierced my heart with your sword?"

He shook his head. "This is a spar. Regardless of opponent, the objective is to learn, not to maim or kill." And then his blade was brought back for a swift swing at her left flank, his arm muscles tensing and relaxing as he began an offensive series of moves against her. Like his usual style, they were quick and precise, rather than slow and powerful.

His words led her in the right direction. "To learn..." her voice echoed tenderly. It applied to all things. Every moment with Seth had been a learning one. Each spar, each conversation, each time their eyes met. She reacted accordingly, remembering what he had taught her, what Ephraim had taught her. She was, at times, far more defensive than offensive. This spar, was teaching her self control. It was teaching her self discipline. She was using it as a tool to show herself what she had done wrong. Her eyes rested upon his, searching for his own explanation. Each parry resulted in a counter attack and she began to disregard her fine garments.

His was an relentless assault, his blade probing and searching her defenses for signs of weakness, for signs of fatigue. Each of her counterattacks were in turn thwarted as his blade danced against hers, his form elegant in its own right as his four limbs moved in perfect sychronisation. At this moment, the Silver Knight was truly a living weapon. He kept a lid over his emotions, watching her from detached eyes even as he kept up his attacks.

And by this time, she realised he was serious, that if she stopped, she would be hurt. Not intentionally, but because he had officially taken her seriously. He would force her to fight. But by this, was he forcing her to grow stronger? In order to protect herself, she would turn, twist her frame in odd angles, slipping a foot behind the other, balancing upon the tips of her toes, anything she could to properly defend. With every quick gesture, she found her bangs threatening her view, wishing perhaps that she had pulled her hair up for this.

Seth would usually keep his moves such that he will not overpower her too quickly. Yet this was no longer Seth, not really. This was the Knight, the one which had caused bandits to cringe at his name, for the soldiers of the other armies to fear as an opponent. It was true that he kept a sharp watch on his own moves to ensure that she would not be hurt should she fail to defend, yet other than that, he was steadily quickening his swings, slowly applying more power to each blow, beginning to let his natural flow take over rather than used a fix set of moves.

And still he persisted. She began to backtrack, well aware that with the way he was moving, she could not overpower him. Perhaps, this was but a sign. She had made no prayers to the Everlasting. Could it be that this was his hatred? His loathing...? For her? He claimed he could feel no such thing, and he had to have, knowing she wore the pendant to his family, knowing she would not hand herself fully to him, or in any way at this moment, knowing he would have to wait years for her if Marth chose to case her aside. But by then, he would probably be wiser, and wed to a bright and intelligent woman. These thoughts distracted Eirika so and could only faintly be measure by the tremble of her lips and the intimidation creeping into her eyes.

She winced each time he struck, her right hand wavering against each force. She had begun to grip so tightly that the feeling was gone in her fingers. The whites of her knuckles exposed themselves and she fought with a mad ferocity to ensure her survival.

And then Seth stopped, suddenly and absolutely. He took a step back as he noted quietly, "You are distracted." It was a statement and an observation, without a hint of accusation within. He kept his breathing under control as he watched and observed her form, her trembling hand and lips. Perhaps he had been too harsh upon her.

She had not expected this. Her eyes simply stayed on his for a moment before she inclined her head, followed by her midsection. Resting her left hand aainst where her heart lay, her gaze focused upon the ground. It was pounding so hard, and for a few moments, she could not understand why, and then it made all of the sense in the world. She was frightened. By the prospect, by the potential Seth had to destroy her, to annihilate her, to obliterate her.

"...Truly... impeccable," she finally managed to utter between her heavy breathing.

And with those words, the Silver Knight went away, replaced by simple Seth. He sheathed his blade, unclipped his canteen from his belt and moved to support his lady by her side. Opening the top of the canteen, he offered the water container to her. "Here, drink it."

With her own coaxing, she lightened her grasp upon her rapier. What would have she done if he'd broken the blade? It seemed unlikely that Marth would craft another for her. Forcing herself back up, she shook her head slowly with a smile, "If I cannot handle something as trivial as this, how will I ever learn, Seth? You must not let me believe I can act as a wounded child."

"You are learning," Seth replied, and offered, "You are one of the few who lasted this long, Eirika." And it was true, even in sparring, had he let his other personage took over, the match would be over really quickly. "Remember, the objective was to learn, not to hurt or injure. Your muscles are trembling, it was a good time to stop."

And in something that wasn't her, she listened to everything he said and burst into laughter. It seemed harsh, however, as though she was judging herself far too hard, something that was extraordinarily common. "...Ha. Aha... Hahaha!" Then she flushed a dark shade, "...I was trembling because I was afright. How pathetic." So she had shamed herself in her vulnerability.

He looked at her almost flatly, "And you should stop judging yourself if you wished for me to stop." He reached for her sword arm as he soothed her wrist with his thumb, "Your hand was wavering with each parry, and you winced quietly. It was more than just being afraid. Your body was telling you it was reaching its limit." He offered the canteen to her again, "Now drink it."

If his look had caused her to automatically cringe, then the combination of his chiding and the pressure applied to her wrist would have. She grit her teeth when he reached for her, clearly more pained by it than she'd wanted to admit. She was too hard on herself, but not only emotionally, physically as well. But then, perhaps it had been entirely too intentional. "...Then we will spar again," she murmured quietly, eyeing the rapier now held in her left. She eyed the canteen and considered both of her hands were indisposed and shook her head.

He sighed and let go of her right wrist, pushing the canteen into her hand. "Drink it first."

"...Seth..." she began as she took it. She looked it over once and considered for a moment, that if he truly despised her, he could have... No... He wouldn't do that, would he?

That I would grow to distrust you so. Have I truly fallen to my paranoia so much?

To please him, she tossed her rapier to his feet and removed the lid from the canteen. Then she cautiously smelled it, averting her gaze, instead trying to look simply contemplative on something entirely different.

And Seth knew her better than that. He looked away, as if an invisible hand had slapped his face. But he remained silent, staring off into the distance. A sign from the Everlasting perhaps? That his time was coming to a close? To be relieved of his duty, to be suspected of poisoning his love. If the divine found it amusing, he was not in on the joke.

She turned her attention onto him, fully. "...Water, Seth?" she asked softly, looking for that reassurance. What she was basing his actions off of were nothing more than the romanticisms she had created in her own head, and in the books she had read. Never before had they been such a nuisance than they were at this precise moment.

"I can test it for poison first if you wish it," was his quiet reply.

Her form froze, "...... If you were so desperate to gain revenge, that would be the ideal way to do so." She held the canteen close to her chest, almost protectively. "I cannot picture you wishing to stain your blade with my blood. Far... too disorganised for you."

"Revenge?" He looked back at her incredulously. What in the Gods? "You? Against you?" Seth swallowed hard as he turned away, "Why would I wish to do anything harmful against the love of my life?" He took a step away, his face turned away from her lest she saw the naked despair. "Foolishness."

"...I cannot stand here and say that if I were you the temptation did not cross my mind. It makes me twisted, and corrupt to think such a thing. I base these thoughts not off you, but off of me. I could not stand it," she admitted, a twinge of remorse touching her voice. She brought the canteen to her lips and drank from it, for only moments wishing it truly were as her mind had put it. If he heard that, though... "...I am not anything like you. Perhaps it is simply my own despair speaking."

He chose not to comment on that, and instead queried, "Why did you wish to spar?" His face was still turned away, his breathing harsh as he attempted to regain composure.

"I was testing you, Seth." Many times, Eirika took a roundabout way to answer questions. That she would answer him so straightly was far from the norm. She gave him no reason to distrust her. "I wanted to see you in a way that was not you at all. I wanted to know if you could see me as anything other than what I am. I wanted to push you to the edge, because I wanted to see you be human. Even when you are not you, you are still perfect. I failed."

"That's just your biased perspective speaking, Eirika. A perfect man would have simply gave you his blessing and sent you on your way to be wed to another. I am far from it. Far, far from it." His tone was subdued as he looked up at the night sky. It was becoming a familiar gesture, one that hopefully brought him some measure of peace.

"...Is that why you continue to fight, Seth?" She had never seen someone with such determination. "Are you attempting to show me exactly how human you are? You know my eyes have seen you as a god." Her gaze continued to stay on his and she breathed deeply. She replaced the lid and cradled the canteen against her tender form, surprisingly nurturing. "...I somehow wish at times that I would miscalculate more often."

"I am but a man, a helpless stone against the tidings of Fate," Seth murmured softly. It was clear enough that she could hear it, however. And in that moment, he looked the part of a forlorn figure as he peered up into the heavens.

"I am sorry for testing you that way," she spoke softly. "It... was quite essential for me. It was to be for me, and not for you. It was for me to learn of myself." Her feet hesitantly carried her and she stopped at his right side, her eyes lifted, but to him, and not to the stars.

He nodded silently, not quite trusting himself to speak.

She curtsied to him, remaining in her bowed posture for a few moments, if anything, awaiting his permission to rise again. "...Thank you for coming all the way here to care for me. I have acted very cruel towards you, all in an attempt to..." She did not need to continue. Surely he would have known this.

"So what exactly have you learn of yourself?" He glanced at her finally, his expression resigned.

Eirika quickly retracted, into her shell, physically, her eyes simply resting upon his face. "...That I have many things I need to improve on. Not on the basis of swordplay, but rather as a person."

Seth nodded, "We all try to improve ourselves."

"I would expect you, Seth, to carry all aspects of your abilities in battle, throughout your life as well. You have never been anything less than impressive to me, I assure you," she spoke softly. Then she averted her gaze, her right hand, offering to him his canteen.

"Not nearly impressive enough," was his mumbled reply as he took the canteen back. The knight peered up at the skies again. Sometimes she spoke in contradiction, he had noticed.

"...Don't," she warned him quietly and moved to his other side. "...You cannot do this anymore. You cannot constantly berate yourself, and assume you are not good enough for me." If anything, Seth was too good for her, another part of the reasons she would not give in. Of course, Marth was too good as well...

"If I was good enough for you, Eirika, I would have been here for you when you arrived, and perhaps this would be... avoided." He sighed softly.

"You didn't know," she protested suddenly, her expression falling from its contemplation. "Why do you have to do this? Why... does it matter so much? Shouldn't you be pleased with who you are? Who cares what anyone else thinks, especially me." Ares had taught her some pretty messed up ways of thinking, but this one was probably one she should not have shared.

"Because I love you. Is in love with you. Will always love you. That is why it matters so much." He looked at her sincerely, his tone soft.

Eirika shuffled nervously, anxiously. "...And I do not deserve any of it. Not a single bit. Not at all. Not ever."

"And you are wrong," Seth stated resolutely, "You are the only person who deserves my heart, and surely that means something, aye?"

"Do not praise a woman who is a treacherous snake. I am guilty of treason and betrayal and manipulation. Those are not traits you should find attractive in a woman, much less someone who pretends she is nobility," she responded sharply.

"Are you insulting my choice of who to love?" He stated plainly.

Wait... was she? That meant she was insulting herself, right? Well, in his eyes. "Do you deny these allegations? Can you look at me and what I've said and done and tell me that I'm wrong? Because I'm not."

"You... I cannot deny your decision to no longer wed me... It hurt. A lot. Yet... You are no treacherous snake. Neither are you a traitor nor a betrayer. Even now, you wished to go to Altea to make it up to Lord Marth. It hurts, but it does not make you a bad person." Seth confessed quietly.

"How can you possibly think that? I cannot forgive myself and I highly doubt that I ever will be able to, for your account or for Marth's." And perhaps that was the reason why he did not hold it against her. For all of the chiding she might have gone through, Eirika held herself responsible for all of it, and punished herself continuously with these thoughts. Even Ephraim had attempted to coerce her from such idiotic nonsense. Of course, she'd groveled to him for his forgiveness, and he'd refused to ever see his sister break herself to anyone in that way.

"How can I not? I love you, and because of that, I can see the positive points that others and even you missed." Seth pointed out, "You are the saviour of my soul, the candle in the darkness, the thoughts I hold onto in the howling wind. I see your your flaws, yet your good points stand out even more."

He flattered her with words. What she may have always enjoyed most of all was the idea that no matter what he said, she'd never heard it before. In some ways, Seth was amazingly unpredictable. Her eyes looked over him and she could not resist attempting to lighten the moment, "...Flattery will not get anywhere you have not already been." She'd said it once before, prior to him ever having gotten somewhere. Funny that things should change.

"Flattery are only such if they exaggerates, and I merely spoke of what I see of you." He closed his eyes and let out a shuddering sigh. It was an emotionally draining period for him.

Extending her left hand, she tapped him very gently in the arm. "...I... was not being serious. I was attempting to lighten you up, if even a little. One good turn deserves another, after all."

"Aye, aye..." He rubbed his temples. Why was she doing this to him? It was harder to let her go now.

"...It seemed appropriate at the time. I will politely decline from repeating such actions and words." His posture was enough to tell her that she had stepped past her welcome mat.

"It was appropriate. I was the one who misjudge the tone and context." Even now he recognised his own errors and absolve her of hers.

She teetered in her sandals, pacing back and forth behind him. Wondering why they were still in Cerberus. Remembering that she needed a keyboard because of the broken with. "...You're all right."

"Thank you." He murmured. "Still looking for that....board like contraption?"

"Oh... Yes..." she spoke up in reply. "I had nearly forgotten why I was here in the first place. This is the first time I've been to Cerberus. I imagine I will get lost upon my way home." Or would have. She still hadn't decided if she would return to Takarazuka.

"Hopefully not, I simply followed your trail here." Seth confessed.

"Trail?" she asked with surprise. "Oh, drat... Silly `Rika. How could you be so irresponsible?"

"You were...in anger." He shrugged.

"...Anger is an understatement. I was so absolutely certain if Prince Innes had been here, I would have hastily knocked him cold with my sword, taken his bow, and shot at birds in the sky. Never mind that I've never shot a bow and probably fail greatly with accuracy."

"Which will lead to great amusement for bystanders." Seth just had to add that in.

She blinked and her lips upturned vaguely. "Hm... Perhaps. I might miss and shoot you instead. That would be really bad aim."

"I have yet to be fell from an arrow. I am not going to start now."

Eirika winked at him, "Shall we test this?" Not that she could, of course. All she had was a blasted rapier.

"I rather not, unless absolutely necessary." A nod.

"You're no fun." Then she kicked at the ground anxiously. "...I... really am sorry you had to come out all this way just... to calm me down."

"And I am sorry I..." He gestured vaguely at her arms.

"...I was weak," she commented softly. "...And... as I said, frightened."

"Are you implying that more than half of the Renais Knights are weak, my love?" He watched her carefully. She really did last a long time.

"N-no!" Her exclamation was rather loud. "...I was simply saying that I am. I was in no position to honestly think so little of you. All of this time I thought I was close to bettering you, and I'm not... Every step closer is really me falling back ten paces."

"It is once said that the more you learn, the less you know." He managed a kind smile for her.

"...Are... you implying that I'm stupid?" She was strangely amused by this idea and found herself on the verge of chuckling.

"Nay, it is that the more you learn, the more you realise that you do not know. Thus, the more you learn, the less you know." Another faint smile. "Of course, there is also the other roundabout way to obtain this conclusion."

"The more you learn, the more you realise that you do not know. Thus, the more you learn, the less you know," Eirika repeated. It wasn't clicking. It was official Seth wasn't making sense. "...What?"

"Let us think of it as a man growing up in a small valley. Completely self-sustained and surrounded by hills. Thus, he always thought the world is just that valley, and thus he knows all that is to it. One day he decided to climb the hills, to learn more, and discovered there is a whole new world outside the valley. And thus he realised how little he actually knew." Seth elaborated. "Of course, there is that other method."

Her eyebrows furrowed. Well, it made a little more sense, but... not much. Her expression contorted and she tilted her head at the knight. "...I... guess that's plausible? Like... Before I came here, I believed Magvel was the only place in the world? But I've come here and found that there is so much for me to know? Is that right, Seth?" Her tone, like a child's, seemed to require praise of some kind.

"Aye, that is so." He nods with a smile.

"...I think it would have been easier just to assume no other world except Magvel existed," she grumbled gently.

He shook his head, "But you know better now. Then, there is the more... interesting process to arrive at that conclusion. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know. Thus, the more you learn, the less you know."

"Augh..." she claimed in distaste. The princess shook her head, "You're joking. I understand what you're saying and all, but... please. No. This is getting way too in depth, Seth. Can we please keep it simple? You're not an instructor, after all."

"Very well." Seth seemed to think about it, then he nodded, "Simple, like... Remember to sheath your rapier after use?"

And he didn't understand what she meant. She quietly approached him, walking with the same elegance she would have had anywhere and in spite of the awkward pain in the wrist, she planted her right hand over his lips and smiled, "I didn't say I didn't understand. So let us move onto greener pastures?"

He nibbled softly upon her palm, then mumbled incoherently against her hand.

She blushed and withdrew her hand, softening her tone, "...What... was that?"

"Greener pastures?" The knight repeated with a faint smile.

"...No?" she asked uncertainly, unsure of what he really wanted.

"Do define greener pastures."

...Oh, in the name of the Everlasting... "...Uhm... Green... fields... of... green....?" Eirika lofted an eyebrow at him.

"You were using it as an analogy rather than literally, aye?"

"...I... just said it. I don't know what it means," she laughed nervously.

"Liar." Seth chuckled softly, his mood better now.

"No, no!" Her hands lifted and she waved them back and forth frantically. "It's true! I read it in a book!"

"And you use it in that particular sentence because...?"

"Uhm... I didn't want you to drone on? This isn't a class lesson, Seth. Really... We can speak on other things, can't we?" His companion asked.

"I thought we were having a wonderful discourse on logic?" He pointed out with an amused look.

"A wonderful discourse on logic," she repeated. "In your opinion, it was wonderful. In mine, it was dull and drab. Logic is all wonderful and good, but not everything can be explained with it. Even I know that."

"Ah, then what sort of discourse will interest you then?"

Eirika shook her head at him, "Do not leave that up to me. I will only scorn and chide you."

"And why will you only scorn and chide me?"

"Because you should be scorned and chided for your irresponsibility to your person," she responded softly with a smile.

"How am I irresponsible to my person?" The knight tilted his head.

She gestured between the two of them, "For you are speaking with me, and that is hazardous to you. It may not be the wisest course of action."

He looked down at his apparel, then back to her. "Hazardous?"

"Yes. Not physically perhaps, but emotionally. Should you be speaking with the woman who so easily ate your heart? After her..." she swallowed. "... her promise to keep it safe?"

"She is still the woman I love, however she may think." A faint smile, "And considering the time, it was either speaking to that woman or to the wall in my room. I think the choice is simple."

"...The wall didn't hurt you, Seth. Why do you torture yourself this way?" she asked with that curiosity.

"Disregarding certain... topics. You are still a wonderful person to converse with." He replied honestly.

"That doesn't answer my question," she responded firmly. Her hands laced together, still faintly trembling and she maintained a straight posture, perhaps looking more refined in that moment than she ever had before.

"Why do you torture yourself as well then? Our reasons are probably not that different." He replied quietly as he gazed at her.

His companion put aside the idea that he answered her question... by not answering it at all. She wished for him to elaborate, "I do not understand what you mean. Please explain."

"Your position. To torture yourself so. To try and regain Lord Marth's approval."

Eirika darkened to the roots of her hair, "...... I... am not torturing myself. If I wind up hurt by it, then it's everything I deserve. At the very least, I deserve to be hurt badly by him."

He sighed. "I wonder if I had disapprove, would you go to the same length to try and regain my approval back." It was a question he had asked himself, but found it impossible to answer. For him to disapprove of her... Unthinkable. "To say that you deserved to be hurt badly by him is wrong. Absolutely wrong."

She tilted her head at him, "...I am sure that I would, as I knew I would go to any length to obtain my brother's approval." She straightened her posture and sighed softly, "...And no. You are wrong, Seth. I betrayed him. I led him on. I manipulated him. I am very much in the wrong, and I know it."

"He did not ask for you hand in marriage. He hurt you badly with words, so much that you wish to do everything possible to atone to him. He manipulated you, with the aid of sir Maric." Seth stiffened his posture, "I... You confuse me at times like this."

She simply stared at him. "...What... Where are you pulling all of this from? No... Lord Marth never specifically asked me to marry him. He did tell me, however, that he wanted to spend his life with me, that he wanted to do this after we had rebuilt Altea together." Then her head inclined, "...I do wish to atone with him. I will do anything and everything necessary to accomplish this task. I must know, however..." she began to trail off, before forcing her words out, "...What makes you believe he and his best friend manipulated me?"

He ignored her question for now as he asked, "Did he give you his approval or acknowledgement that you will still be going to Altea with him?"

"..." She furrowed her eyebrows. She'd asked Marth if she'd obtained his approval and he'd failed in truly answering it, yet he had accepted she would return with him. "'It will be hard, Lady Eirika, and I may wed, and I wish to rebuild Altea,' he told me." Then she nodded.

His fists tightened for a moment. How dare that man say that?! Seth inhaled before speaking with forced calm, "He said that he will wed, and he wishes to rebuild Altea, yet he left it hanging that it will be hard to regain his approval, but not impossible. Thus, he kept it open that you will try to do so. He knew you well after all, in this two years."

The knight muttered to himself before he spoke up again, "He is making you grovel for forgiveness, despite his words to me to take care of you, and he said he still considered you a dear friend."

"...You're judging him too harshly. Marth is hurting. I wish to bandage that pain. He was betrayed by me. I am to him, what Orson was to us."

It was the only thing she could think of to say. When she truly thought about it, if she'd needed to, she would have defended even those who were most cruel and barbaric. That is, if she believed it was the right thing to do.

"Am I? Think carefully upon what I have said. I have not even began to question whether he was doing it intentionally. Or Sir Maric's thinly veiled cheerfulness towards me." He turned away, his hand tightening on his sword belt.

She eyed him carefully. "...Seth... Have some respect. Lord Marth cared for me the entire time I was here. It wasn't some plot to take me to his home and cause me emotional detriment. In fact, it never became anything like that except when I chose to hurt him. I knew better. I'm willing to accept it as is."

"Then at most it was not intentional." Seth conceded. Then his sword lashed out from his sheath as he cleaved a pile of used parts to his right into half. "Gods damn it!" He muttered harshly to himself. Did he truly have to disapprove of her in order for her to see some sense in this situation?

Eirika jumped with surprise. She'd seen his hand at his hilt, yet had not expected him to react so harshly. His words fell upon her ears and she found herself darkening shades at such provocative words. "...... Seth... I... I don't understand why you are so determined to prove to me that... my Lord Marth is a bad person..." She hated admitting this. He was angry, and it was starting to intimidate her again.

"I am not trying to prove that he is. I am asking you why you feel the need to make up for him. And only him?" Was his controlled reply as he inhaled.

"......" And this question angered her. Why would he even ask this?! "I cannot tear myself into two different pieces, so that you both can each have your little consolation prize," she hissed defensively, her gaze hardening upon him.

"I love you, I approve of you. He does not seem to wish for your presence, nor your saying in the matter should he wed. What makes you think I consider you a consolation prize?" He glanced over his shoulder to gaze at her.

"I know how you feel about me," she responded quietly. "I could not live with myself if I did not choose this pathway, Seth. I could marry you and no amount of children, land, flowers, peace, or wealth would make me happy if I didn't do this." She chose to ignore his question, feeling that she owed him no explanation.

He could feel his emotions slipping away as the personage of the Knight began to take over. "I am unable to make you happy then, aye?"

"It has nothing to do with that!" she exclaimed.

"Answer the question."

She grit her teeth at him, "And why should I? You can't order me to do anything. You've been rude to me, assuming you think you know how I feel about whom and what and beliefs and ideals, and I try to explain and you deliberately misconstrue my words, so you can rub it in my face that I deserve to be overtaken by guilt!"

"I was trying to convince you that you need not be overtaken by your guilt, not to do otherwise." His words were strangely calm as he sheathed his blade.

"You were not!" Her form stiffened and she shook her head, "I refuse to fight with you, Seth. I have no right to stand here and argue with you as though I were simply a child. Unlike you, I am ruled by my need to set things right and proper." And knowing him, he'd be asking her what she considered those two terms.

"Right and proper..." And so he was discarded, in her attempt to make up to Lord Marth. Then again, it was only when he arrived in Ares, and possibly a short time during the war that they truly opened up to each other. While Eirika and Lord Marth had two years. He was a knight, he was... expendable. He echoed softly, "And unlike you, I am ruled by the need to make things wrong and improper?"

Seth turned to examine the sky beyond the landscape. He wondered which direction had Lord Zalbag go to engage fiends and monsters.

"...T-that is not what I meant!" Her expression fell and she fidgeted, "Seth, this isn't fair to me. Please don't put me into this position. I will not stand here and say I feel nothing for you, because that isn't true, but I cannot stand here and lie to you to make you happy. You prefer that I am truthful, don't you? Isn't that what is most becoming to you?"

"Then I shall ensure that you are no longer in such a position, milady. Do not worry." The Silver Knight inclined his head in a formal bow. First back to his room to collect his armor, then perhaps to leave messages for both Forde and Kyle. He was no longer the Princess's retainer, thus it would be up to them to ensure her safety.

"...Seth..." she began, an overwhelming sense of dread coming over her. "...Seth!" She rushed to his side, bringing her hands to his forearms, as small as she was in stature to him. With a demanding fear, she began to shake him back and forth. "Sir Seth of Renais!"

He stopped and turned to her, his face remaining expressionless as he shifted his head in an almost curious tilt, "Aye, milady? Is there something you need?"

And she looked up at him, really looked up. Seth loomed over her and she had not noticed exactly how much until this moment. Mayhaps it was the boots. Mayhaps it was the sandals. "...Please..." No matter what her words may have said, Eirika's eyes never lied, and Seth had known this before, using it to his advantage previously. "...Please... do... not look such a way... I... I know that look. I know what you will do. Please don't. I would... I would have no choice other than to accompany you."

His face... even his eyes seemed unreadable as he tilted his head, "You have my approval. You have yet to obtain Lord Marth's. Logically, you should accompany him until he gave you his. Accompanying me will not fulfill your needs," He was pointing out her logic for her.

"...... I did not ask for your approval! I..." This was frustrating. "...Lord Marth..." She thought about the conversation with her brother, and how she had completely broken down in front of him. "........." She inclined her head with flushing cheeks, "...It... doesn't matter how much time and effort I placed into pursuing that man. The path I chose will not end happily for me... Perhaps... That is why I chose it, because I believe and have convinced myself, I do not deserve it."

"For what purpose? If he chose to wed another, he would be happy. What of yourself then? What of your brother? Princess Tana? Do they deserve that too? To know you are unhappy?" Seth pointed out almost tonelessly, with enough inflection to indicate his rhetorical questions. He did not mention himself, for soon, he would not be in the picture.

"...I believe..." she softened her tone, "...That he would do exactly this. I expect it. I anticipate it, yet... I... allow it. I would... not want for any of you to ever think I would be unhappy... I don't... want anyone to worry about me... Especially not you, and you do, even if you may not admit it..."

"Except they know you will be unhappy, and will still worry about you." He continued to watch her with that veiled gaze.

"...I should hurt for this, should I not, Seth?" Her hands tightened upon him, "I persuaded myself that the truly fitting end for me would be for me to lose both of you. I deserved this for the wrenching I have done. It... would be appropriate. A crime should have a consequence of likeness."

"You will never truly lose me, my love. My heart will always be yours." The knight conceded with a faint nod, yet he remained expressionless. "You do not deserve hurt, not when you were trying to follow your heart."

And unable to resist any further, she slipped her arms around his frame and sought his comfort, not so much in the way a lover would another, but more or less in the way Eirika had missed most of all. Her father. Tears welled within her eyes and she simply clung to him, afraid that if she were to release him, she would never see him again. Seth had not simply been her retainer. He had been her friend, her ally, and had evolved into a man whom she loved.

Even as the Knight, Seth loved her. It was an integral part of who he was. He patted her head gently as she clung on to him, not trusting himself to speak or to do otherwise.

Brushing her face against his chest, she considered the fragrance that surrounded him. He'd always smelled so wonderful. Even as a child, she could have sat near him for hours, simply taking in how absolutely amazing he was in every way. "...Please..." was her muffled tone, "...Please don't go..." And she hated herself for being so weak, for relying on him the way she did.

"I am causing you more pain, gentle love... That you would love him and me both." The Silver Knight patted her head softly.

"...It's... all right," she finally gave in, resting her form against his gently. He could not help it. His jealousy. His rage. His anger. She could not hold these things aagainst him. She would put a stop to that. Seth was allowed to feel however he wished to and about anyone, and Marth... Sweet, darling Marth had those same rights.

"But it's not. You are being torn apart. And... my duty is done. You relieved me of my obligation. You will not be swayed from this path of yours. As you said, I will not be able to bring you happiness, aye?" And another pat on her head, "Then perhaps it is a sign of the Everlasting." He looked up towards the heavens, smiling gently.

"...I didn't say that," Eirika responded softly. "You did. Is that to imply that you did not wish to? Is that to imply that is what you wanted me to say? I responded to a request I was given... one that supposedly came from you, for you..."

"Remember what you said, that wedding me, nor wealth, nor other objects will bring you happiness." He said quietly.

"No... You misheard me. I meant that even with wedding you, you could give me any number of things, but it would not be able to quell the pain in my heart that I had knowingly harmed another person. I could not forgive myself. That was not to be taken as you not capable of making me happy." Her head lifted and she raised her hands to his face carefully, refusing to draw away.

"If I am unable to quell this pain in your heart, my love, it is the same as my inability to make you happy," the Silver Knight responded as he continued to look at the skies even with her hands on his face.
"That isn't true. You have no direct control over my heart. Yes, you are fully capable of influencing my decisions, should I allow you to. You are more than able to influence me to give into things I would not otherwise do without reassurance. You have no power over who I forgive, though..." She softly responded. She pushed herself to the tips of her toes, making quite a mad reach for his temple, to coerce him to lay his scarlet eyes upon her.

He allowed that as he looked down at her, his gaze neutral once more. "Give into things... Temporary, perhaps." The Knight offered a faint smile, thinking on the marriage proposal. And how long it took before she decided against it.

"...Seth... I... had to turn you down..." She quirked her head at him. "...Forde told me that if I had any doubts, any uncertainties whatsoever, I should not go through with it, and yes... I did have doubts. Not of you. Of me. It... wasn't fair for me to accept it and lead you to believe that... I was something I really wasn't. I thought I was absolutely certain until that night I spoke with him. I had not questioned myself once, until he told me that."

The Knight continued to pat her head gently, his expression unchanging. It was not something he had not expected, or something to be surprised at. "Perhaps. But instead of simply calling off the wedding, you also then proceeded to forbid me from accompanying you once more." The gentle, perhaps even eerie smiled remained as he pointed out that out.

"You... wanted to come with me to Altea... Imagine how heartbroken Renais would be if they lost not only their princess, but their greatest legacy?" She shook her head at him and pinched his cheeks gently, "You have everyone waiting for you. You will do amazing things and the world will love you so for who you are and what you've done for your people."

"I have no one that truly matters waiting for me there, Eirika. You know it as well as I do."

"...Seth... What of your knight? You are a hero. You are the only reason I was ever successful. The true valiant one of the war was you... dearest love," she commented softly.

"It was so that you may be safe, my love, not because I wished to be a hero."

"...I am safe. I was safe. You did not intend to become a hero, and yet you are one... Even as you stand before me, you are a hero. You are my hero. You are my brother's. You are Kyle and Forde's as well, and even Miss Lute's," she reassured him.

And again he patted her head, "And you are my greatest legacy."

With her left hand, she reached for his. Bringing it to her lips, she placed a chaste kiss against the palm, "Oh... Seth..."

"Aye?" He stopped as he watched her quietly.

"I do love you so," she confessed gently. "...I did promise I would consider letting you come to Altea as well... This... still stands."

"And yet my presence will cause you pain, aye?"

"...I do not know. I know not what awaits me. Only that I will be very busy and most likely in great need of companionship."

"If that is so, why forbid me to accompany you before?"

"A part of me was afraid... It is hard to be afraid when one is expecting things and bracing herself for the impact," the princess sighed.

"Even as you seek to regain his approval, Eirika, remember that redemption will only come to those who believe they can be redeemed. You cannot walk this path thinking you deserve pain for the rest of your life and hope he gives you his approval," he advised gently.

It was probably the wisest thing Eirika had ever heard. But what did it mean coming from him? Did Seth wish for Eirika to be redeemed? And if she was, did that imply that he would watch her marry the blue-haired prince? It was an idea that seemed very, very unlikely to happen. "...You are right... Why... are you telling me this?"

"Because you claimed that you deserve a life of pain, and yet at the same time hope to regain his approval. It does not matter who you wed in the future, but you must remember this, lest others do not remind you of this simple fact," he explained.

"...Then you will come?" she asked nearly breathlessly. She did not require his attention, of course, but if he wished to go...

"You have always been the one forbidding me," he replied softly. He then glanced towards the horizon, "Should I, for some reason or another, be unable to go, that is an advice you must remember."

Eirika turned her gaze in the direction he looked. Her hands finally loosened upon him and she nodded, "...Aye. I-I mean, yes..." She flushed with embarrassment. She should not use his terms, she believed. "...I... I will remember... I will follow it, Seth..."

He inclined his head formally again before he began to detach himself. "Good. Keep my legacy safe, my love." Armor first, then off to the edge of the city. Hopefully he would not match up against a Malboro. He did not want it to end too fast, after all.

"...Seth... You said you would not go..." she asked as he withdrew and once more, she extended to him her right hand. There was a clear concern drawn into her gaze. "...If you do, I will come with. I must come with. Dressed as this or not..." she laughed weakly.

"Eirika, do you not see? That even as I wish to wed you, to love you, your attention would be focused on trying to regain approval from Lord Marth, and not me. It pains me. And it pains you," the knight said softly.

"...I told you already he has accepted my plans of going to Altea..." she responded just as softly. She forced herself to approach him, resting her right hand upon the hilt of his sword.

"Aye. You will be aiding in rebuilding there, and trying to regain his approval, aye?"

"...My priority is rebuilding Altea. What should happen afterwards, I do not know, nor should... I be so concerned about it. Whatever will happen, will simply happen. No matter how badly I may want something, I know as well as anyone else that I have no power in obtaining it. So... my attention is turned onto you." She nodded to him.

"But I am not the something you want badly, aye?" The knight pointed out the implication in her words.

"You know me far better than to assume something so foolish," she chided him good-naturedly.