บท 66: Interlude- A Knight's Day

 But today. Today he knows it is his first true trial. Even past the Rose Thorn Joy. Past those who doubted his chivalry and respectable, unwavering dedication to becoming a lucario of all lucarios. Spoken in the same instance as Aaron's. To be Liza's! And here, before him, is a maiden true. One in obvious need of his aide. Sure, she stands taller than him. Sure she's of the Guardian's team. But look at her! A scarred neck. The way she looks at him with that expression! As if he were the only one who could help her!Even how she covers her mouth to hide her giggles (are they silent or can she really not speak?) "My lady! I am Knight, first of Lady Liza's partners." Its true. Charla was maybe thirty seconds later so its not a lie and very much absolutely the truth. Without a doubt. "You seem lost in our fair Foundry. Might this humble servant help you find what it is you seek?" The gardevoir sways, seemingly quite pleased and the most wondrous of sensations presses into his mind. So soothing are the emotions coming from the psychic fairy that he ignores his training to set his thoughts to defense. But then again the maiden is very kind about her mental touch. Images. Of her taking his hand as he regally leads her forward. Of him bathed in heroic sunset light, expressing his thoughts of this place and giving her impressions. Of his protection being welcome. His opinions! His dreams! Sought for! He loves Liza already. He does. But she doesn't need him yet. Perhaps later, when things in the future become dangerous as all know they will be, she'll lean upon her then hopefully Lucario and Knight will feel himself. Training has its place. He enjoys growing stronger as most pokémon do but its difficult at times to keep his enthusiasm in. Never does he wish to burden his Lady with shame or overstepping his bounds but excitement at being with his destined liege often overwhelms his good sense. Introspection is lost, concern threading into his mind as the maiden's images show her patting his shoulder. Of her expression not pitying him, but instead swell with sympathy and an understanding of his desire to be Liza's partner so deeply. "My Lady. I see. You know how lonely it is don't you? When you wish to help and can't." Knight simply takes her hand, his usual restlessness to be doing something calm. The young riolu knows he is difficult compared to some of his former fellow pages to be. Its not as if he is blind to the emotions around him. Something about he maiden eases the painful memories as he leads her down into the still new corridors of the Foundry's depths. "This place is magical my Lady. From top to bottom." Knowing what he does of her line, Knight expects she feels how the heart of this place beats. There are not many people and pokémon here yet but all are united in a way that enthralls his spirit. Martial strength bent toward a goal of justice. Mercy. Strength and honor. Certainly, many focus on one thing over the other but everyone is close enough together that there is already a power to this place. It reminds him of his training within the Lucario Kingdom. Of the fields that have had generations of his kind all put their hearts into being better than the last. Anyone can know that there is a power to emotion. Even without the senses he and the maiden have within their abilities. That the Foundry has a glimpse of this already...Is it any wonder that he has trouble not getting excited more and more? The lady simply listens. And he knows she does so easily even without her voice being gone. More pictures grace his mind. Of her enjoying watching a lucario create bone rushes and protect screens. Of how the evolved form of his line can choose how they fight. Graceful as can be or a battering ram of physical strength. Snapshots of moves and forms, often with interruptions of gallades who use similar fighting styles. He just enjoys the experience until he notes that each of the lucario have the same pattern he has on his ears. That they are all bulkier than normal. Snapping his eyes up, he gapes at the glowing, intense eyes of the maiden in what he believes must be a future sight. And then one last picture. Almost watermarked and looking drawn. As if barely there. Of that same lucario, clad in glowing protect armor that almost seems -constant.- Standing beside a tall woman with green hair. The other side with a charizard of towering strength. And other pokémon indistinct behind him. Supporting him and following him. Accepting him. Tears trail down his furry cheeks and he has no shame in shedding them as he hugs the maiden's waist. He doesn't ignore that she trembles with the effort, holding her up until her breath slows. "Thank you." He doesn't know how much that costs. Only vague ideas of how difficult psychics have in some of their gifts. Her emotions show satisfaction and the kindest of kind pleasure that she gives him comfort. Her emotions are so easy to read. Another picture. The gardevoir's form in a fancy dress, waving a petite fan in front of her like the Lady she truly is and tittering that her knight hasn't led her further towards her interests. A way for him to ease out of the emotions that he'll need to examine later. Just as he always has done. Except this time there is the promise she'll hold him when he cries again. Sniffing hard, Knight makes sure the maiden is over her bout of weakness in giving him such a gift then stands tall on his toes. "I am remiss in my duties my Lady. Forgive me for this moment of needed expression." Sensing she'd probably give him a scolding if he said something poor about his release, he instead starts to let out his energy, the acceptance of her knowing of him a warm balm to let him be himself. "Come! The ramen shop here was a suggestion from the big yellow guy a few days ago and everyone seemed to love the idea. Ichi-something or other? He said it was a story from your trainer's memories? It may be simple fair for a Lady such as yourself but it is filling and I find myself in need of food to properly guide you!" The maiden simply smiles, gives him a hug he absolutely needed, and glides her way down further with him. Knight's day passes quick despite the maiden being quite strident in finding every nook and cranny of the Foundry. Insisting she knows every spot intimately until she can teleport there in mere seconds. When they are done and in a single blink he's outside his trainer's room, he gives her the deepest of bows before bursting into Liza's living room and for once, doesn't know what to say to her. He loves her. Adores her. Knows she is going to do great things. But he must, must say this. "Lady….Mistress….Liza. I...I am not happy. I do not wish to burden you but I would...Please let me help you more. Learn of me and my own dreams. You are so busy. I understand. But I would ask you give me more. Help you more." The next few hours are hard. Difficult. But good. And resting in his liege's arms as they sleep is the first of many, many times he remembers what it is to seek out acceptance. That it is never a burden to share your emotions with those who love you right back. Knight wishes to save others. But today he learned how to save himself. Mars Mars finds drawings he must now put to paper. It is no burden. The request from someone dear to him. Angel with a group of a few people in a room, gathering to talk to each other. Every expression is of seeking. Of learning of each other. Angel's face in particular screams acceptance and care. Riolu and their partners. Not just fighting together but sitting and listening. Of a strict slant to the lines that it is required. A sense that things should be not taken for granted. Tru stands off in the distance, a reminder. A very detailed map of the Foundry. Points marked and set with a symbol for a teleport location. Emergency centers for healing, defense and corridors to attack scouted and labeled different for where attacks might come from. Where disasters might strike. Angel hugging Mars. Reminding him he's accepted and loved for who he is. And funny waves around his head calling him smart and dumb at the same time. No insult. The kind tease of someone who cares. The family gathered loosely around a big pot of stew or something. Sunny clambering over Aurora with her chef's hat to get closer to the smell lines. Himself turned away but peeking over his shoulder as his tail seems to give the impression of wagging. Joker transformed into Wattsson and flexing with the electivire himself while Tru facepalms but is obviously blushing. Zaela has got a very, very dead eyed Ella in her mouth, cheerfully dragging her off to something. His Mother indulging her starter. As she does all of them when they wish it. Tass, barely there but peeking under Angel's arm as she herself has them straight out, as if hugging the entire image. The ghost is suggested as if he is unsure if he is welcome, but learning to wish it. Half transparent. Half solid. Brightscales, new and unsure. Not directly in anyone's gaze but with a hopeful, hopeful look on her face. Curled up and protective with her lower half but opening up to stretch towards the group with her upper. And Query, his eyes in that eye smile Ella does, absorbing the whole of it as he carves a new image into a boulder. A clear message that he has someone who shares in art. Who can express with him. Angel, himself and Query. She never stops showing him that he's different. But there. Always thought of. Accepted. Needed. Wanted. Placing his over-sized for a human stencils down, Mars stands to take Angel's hand, letting her blink them both to their family. As she always does to make sure he's okay.