By Amber Michelle K.
myaru@etherealvoid.net

The preparations for the new bishop's departure were made by the time the sun set, and his party had retreated to their lodgings at the Caleria's best inn, ostensibly for their own quiet celebration. Notes of congratulation had come from the army's officers at various intervals, tapering off as evening approached and the troops steeled themselves for a march through the mountains. Le Buque was their destination, but there was no easy path there, even for Harmonia's troops.

Unanimous opinion at their table that night was that teleporting would be preferable. Even Yuber didn't relish the upcoming journey. 'Because there's nothing interesting to kill,' he'd said with a leer, but Sarah privately thought it was the boredom that he dreaded.

She kept her silence throughout dinner, until Yuber had gone on his way and Albert took his leave. He was positively obnoxious whenever she tried to have a serious conversation with Luc. But after that, there was nothing between her and the reality of what she would see across the table if she decided to look up.

Even Luc would notice something was wrong if she didn't break the silence at least once, so Sarah said, "We should retire, Master Luc." The servants would be by to clear the table later. "I know the journey to Crystal Valley was tiring."

"Hmm." The sound was non-committal, as usual. And most of the time, that wouldn't mean anything. This time, even that little sound seemed abstracted, and she looked up before quickly looking away again and rising.

"I'll prepare the room," she said softly. If he said anything else, she didn't catch it when she hurried to their door. They were staying at the nicest lodgings in Caleria, true, but it was still an inn; there were two beds to a room, and neither of them wanted to spend such intimate time with Albert or his pet demon.

Sarah sighed, leaving the door open a crack, and began pulling the quilts back and making ready. Did Yuber even use the bed? Did she want to know?

It wasn't until she had changed into her nightgown that Luc arrived, tugging at the clasps at his collar. He nudged the door shut with his heel and offered her a dim approximation of a smile before he crossed the room to sit on his bed.

"Is it uncomfortable?" she asked, more to break the silence.

He gave up for the moment and scrubbed a hand through his hair. "A little bit."

There was a long pause. She used the time to pull her hair loose and place her clip on the nightstand, eyes still on what she was doing, and away from Luc. If he would just pull it over his head or something, it would be easier to look at him.

"It's more disturbing to look at," he finally said after a time, causing her to look back involuntarily. "I'm glad you changed."

Sarah blinked and straightened, combing fingers through her hair absently. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged and stood, attacking his uniform with a vengence. The coat was tossed onto his trunk, his boots kicked away, and the rest of it seemed less complicated. She turned her back to offer privacy, and busied herself with unbuttoning the sleeves of her gown, and fiddling with things on the nightstand until it sounded like he was ready. "Was something the matter?" Much easier to turn back to him, now that he was in plain white.

Again there was a pause as he hesitated. "I guess I..." He shrugged again, but the air of indifference didn't avail him anything this time. "I suppose Harmonian colors don't agree with either of us."

She looked down again. Of course he would have noticed. How could he not? She'd never been afraid to face him before today.

There was still too much baggage associated with that uniform. Too much emotion. Even the rank, 'bishop,' sat sourly on her tongue, refusing to be said when she tried to append it to Luc's name. Even if others berated her for it, she would never use his title.

Luc's hands rested on her shoulders and startled her from her thoughts. "I'm sorry, Sarah." His eyebrows were drawn together and his grip tight. "I never wanted to make you do this."

Was he referring to their journey, or to the dress? Perhaps it didn't matter. "We're only Harmonian on the surface." She tried to smile. When she couldn't dredge up the will to curve her lips, she leaned forward to hug him instead, and rested her head on his shoulder. She wanted to tell him it was okay, but they would both know it for the lie it was.

"Soon," he murmured. "Soon we won't have to pretend anymore."

It was by silent consensus that they parted, leaving that comfort to seek their beds. They would have to be up before sunrise, and leave the city before most sane people would be awake. Sarah wondered how much sleep she would find before that time; the candle had burned down low enough that she knew it wasn't far from the midnight hour.

'Harmonian colors.' She hadn't ever disliked blue or white, but looking back, she couldn't think of a time when she'd mixed them. The designs were everywhere, like it was in her blood; she would see someone in her peripheral vision and mistake it, just in that instant, for one of those dreaded uniforms. Worse, she found herself thinking styles imported from Harmonia to be more attractive than others, as if it had crept into her consciousness when she escaped and never truly let her go.

And now... now they were wearing the Temple's uniforms voluntarily. Dressing in the morning left a bad taste in her mouth, and even if she were inclined, she couldn't have watched Luc.

But it wasn't just that. The uniforms were merely a symbol that she found distasteful. It was the implied submission that turned her stomach. They'd all taken oaths upon being hired - to Harmonia, then to the Chief Bishop. Those were oaths she would take satisfaction in breaking.

Sarah entertained that idea sleepily, beginning to drift off, until she heard her name spoken softly. "Hmm?" She turned on her side, toward the other bed, and opened her eyes. With the candles out it was impossible to see Luc at all. Maybe she had just imagined it. "Luc?"

"We may not have the chance to speak privately for quite a while," he responded after a moment, whispering as if sleep had already overtaken his voice. "So..."

She caught a dim impression of movement, and reached out. Luc's hand was there, waiting. She clutched it tightly for a moment, but couldn't bring herself to draw back.

"I'll be here. Take care."

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This wasn't how I planned to end it, but the original would have been worse.