trueltning_fury | Prose log with Lyon

Who: Geddoe

mismar
When: midday, following Belcoot and Kyle's fight (since he knows the outcome)
Where: second level dungeon/prison
What: Geddoe comes to find out who got imprisoned and why

Compared to most of his more recent missions for the Defense Force, simply living in Budehuc at this moment in time was taking far more of Geddoe's master skills as a mercenary captain to handle. He hadn't had to use this much cunning, secrecy, and underhanded collaborating on the job in ...years. Salome's refusal to answer his question on just who had been thrown in the prison was a subtle hint for him to go find out for himself, so he barged down three flights of stairs (forget the elevator) and made his way swiftly to the row of cells in the sub-basement.

Unknown to Lyon of her incoming visitor's arrival, she sat in the silence of her cell, staring mindlessly at the stone ceiling. She was leaning against the wall behind her, drowning in her thoughts as she had stayed behind those bars for about a full day now, with only Salome as the only person for the day to have spoken to her. Somehow, this felt no different from the time she was bedridden after being mortally wounded by Dolph during the war. Complete and utter boredom... as well as the lingering worry of the Prince's well-being still haunting her mind as always. And who knew what the others would think of her selfish action... She would have to do a lot to make up for this. That much she knew.

From a distance in the dim light, Geddoe could only see a small shadow curled up at the back of the cell. Fully expecting to see Roy, his heart sank as he drew closer and the thin figure revealed itself to be Lyon. A million things tangled in his head at that moment of realization, but he blocked them all out for the sake of keeping his calm, stoic mask.

He stepped up to the bars of the cell and murmured, "Lyon...?"

Lyon turned to the source of the familiar voice almost immediately, blinking at Geddoe in surprise. Just as she thought of the others, one of them makes an appearance. She slowly got up from the musty floor, dusting her skirt before responding to the older rune bearer.

"Captain Geddoe." A small smile appeared on her face as she gave him a small bow.

Geddoe placed a hand on the bars, gripping one a little too tight in his gloved hand. "What are you doing in here? What..." His face darkened. "What have I missed?"

The young knight shook her head, keeping the smile well placed upon her lips as she let out a small laugh.

"You've missed nothing, Captain Geddoe." She said softly. "This was done purely out of my own decision. Are Roy and the others safe?"

"As far as I know..." Roy had, in fact, been avoiding him, but Geddoe had the feeling something chaotic had happened while he was fighting his tournament bout the day before, and was not at all surprised that Roy had slipped away from his watch. So long as he had Nash's assurance that the kid wasn't in trouble, he let it be. Until now. "What do you mean, your own decision? You're guilty of absolutely nothing. There's no reason for you to be in here..."

If anything, the smile on Lyon's face widened. It was hard to explain as to what had occurred the previous day. She had also participated in the tournament and two consecutive encounters with Luca had driven her own pride as a knight right into the ground. There was little she could really say about her own foolishness aside what was already obvious.

"I accepted responsibility for the blame. It might buy you some time to find out the truth about what truly might be happening within the walls of this castle. Sir Luca had sworn to temporarily cease hounding Roy for the moment.... as for how long, I'm not sure." She explained simply. "Aside that, Captain Geddoe... I'm afraid I'm not suited to fight at your side in my state of mind. I must kindly ask that you try to understand this knight's selfishness..."

Geddoe let out a long sigh and let his forehead fall against the metal bar with a quiet thunk. He finally understood that the girl was no mindless fool - the forced smile was covering a world of hurt. But it was still a foolish act, and he was having a hard time keeping from saying so. "Do you really think he's going to leave Roy alone?" he wondered tiredly. "What does Roy think of all of this?"

"... He will keep his word this time." Lyon said with some determination in her voice. "That's the only reason I gave myself in. It'll give Roy a chance to assist you in any way he can. I know he has been restless..."

There was a pang of guilt aching heavily at the thought of the ex-bandit. She had betrayed his trust, and the words he had thrown at her during their altercation with Luca were true. She was selfish... and she did want Luca's attention to defect it from the young man. Even if it was just for a while.

"He will understand eventually." She continued in a quiet voice. "If he doesn't, then that's just how it is. I was prepared for the consequences tied for this act."

"I don't think Roy is interested in assisting me," Geddoe grumbled. "At least now I know what he's so hot under the collar about. Dammit..." He hadn't told Roy of his other plans, yet. Perhaps because Roy was being made the victim - he hadn't considered that maybe the kid might want to assist in his own defense. Maybe it was time to correct that.

As for Lyon... Geddoe gazed at her for a long moment. She was just like him. He gave himself up to secure Harmonia's word that they would pull back, and it came to naught - forcing the Fire Bringer to rescue him. Geddoe didn't want it to happen all over again. Deeds done for honor rather than common sense pissed him off. Yet, he wasn't about to yell at a kind girl whose emotions were probably fraying. "And I suppose, if I went to Salome and insisted this was all a mistake, you wouldn't allow us to release you," he said flatly.

Again, she simply smiled in reply. "I stand by my decision, Captain."

"You put me in a very difficult place." Geddoe sighed again. "Though I suppose, you're safe from Yuber in here. That's not such a bad thing." He gauged her smile...so like his... "I won't pretend that I'm all right with this, Lyon. But if I can't change your mind, I won't try. I'll do my best to advance with the time you've bought me."

Lyon grimaced a little before giving the older man another bow in both apology and thanks. She knew it would be hard to accept, and all she needed really at this point was for them to try and understand.

"I trust you with the time I've bought with this foolishness." She said in a very sincere tone. "And ask that you continue to watch over the others as I can no longer do so at this state." At that, she raised her head and looked at him sadly. "Please protect them."

She had no idea what this was doing to him. It was the Flame Champion all over again. He had made the same plea. Geddoe had to close his eye to banish the thoughts before responding. "I will," he said heavily. "I may pay a price for it but I will protect every last one of them." He took a step back from the bars. "What are you going to do about the tournament? You advanced. Will you ask Juan to postpone your next round until this blows over?"

"As strange as it may seem, Sir Luca has permitted me to continue participating in the tournament." She laughed lightly. "I'm to return here after my turn. I apologize that I was unable to watch your match, Captain Geddoe. I heard that you fought quite valiantly."

"Yes, I...did my best." Geddoe took a deep breath to quiet his mood. "Well. I'll be sure to watch you fight again, against Belcoot. Since I feel a need to protect both of you," he added wryly. "I won't let your sacrifice go to waste. At least I can feel better about your safety with you in here. Now if only I could say the same about Roy."

Lyon glanced at him with concern. She knew well enough how angry the young man was when Luca had taken her away. It was also a fact that the boy was reckless... not that she was any better at the moment really.

"I know it might be too much to ask of this as well over the others I've already requested, Captain Geddoe..." she said hesitantly, pausing as she considered if it were appropriate to say anymore than she had already done so. "But... would it be possible for you to try and make him understand what he really needs to do? I... I don't wish to hear of him getting hurt by challenging Sir Luca. He had already tried to do so again yesterday."

A helpless sort of look furrowed Geddoe's brow. "Well...I can try. But I couldn't talk Belcoot out of doing the same thing. And I'm fairly close to taking Luca's head off myself if no one else can stop him." He gave the young girl a fair nod. "I'll do what I can. Maybe I ought to give him a little responsibility, to keep him focused."

"It might work." She said calmly. "As long as there's anything you can do, Captain... I will greatly appreciate it."

They just had to wait for Luca to make a mistake and perhaps for Lyon's case, for Yuber to show himself again and barter out some of the truth.

"In any case... You shouldn't linger too long." Lyon frowned at him. "We should not give Sir Luca any more chances to involve others unnecessarily. Please tell the others if possible not to worry." Even if that was an impossible thing to ask of them.

Geddoe chuckled without humor. "Oh, I'm sure I'm already involved, in his mind. We had words, last night." He stepped further back from the cell. "I'll do my best. Perhaps if they knew that I spoke to you, it'll be enough to ease their minds."

And yet again, she smiled gently. "Thank you..."

Geddoe nodded and turned away. At least that smile was genuine. "Take care, Lyon. I will see you when you come up to fight your bout." With no further word, he strode down the dark corridor, vanishing around the corner at a quick pace.