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storypaint) wrote2009-02-14 11:04 am
storypaint) wrote2009-02-14 11:04 am
A Duet and Two Solos (Clef/Presea)
Title: A Duet and Two Solos
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Length: 1589 words.
Prompt: For my darling.
Pairing: Clef/Presea + canon pairings
Other: Post-series. Because it had to happen eventually. ♥ Title from a quote by Anne Taylor Fleming.
Excerpt: In her official gown, sometimes he thought she shone brighter than the brides, but it wasn't something he quite dared to say. Cephiro might be changing, but he wasn't sure if changing the way that he interacted with the Pharle was a good idea.
There had been several weddings in the country once known as Cephiro lately, from the prince's elaborate ceremony (that he and Fuu had skipped out on entirely, much to Clef's displeasure), to Umi's more quiet union with Ascot, to Hikaru's unusual celebration with Eagle and Lantis. The new country seemed to be caught up in an emotion that had previously caused so much difficulty. Clef wasn't quite sure what to think, except that if he'd known that Ferio wasn't going to show up for his own wedding that he wouldn't have taken so much time with the prepations.
Cephiro-- as he still thought of it, to himself, because the habit of hundreds of years was quite difficult to break-- was growing more beautiful by the day as it healed and made itself anew. A country maintained on the power of its subjects was constantly being influenced by all of those minds. Though Clef had thought that he might have time for a rest, or at least opportunity to start training his successor, he found new challenges every day. And that task still needed to be handled, because he was starting to feel his age, or at least, the need for a vacation. He loved Cephiro and his dedication to it was absolute, but even Clef needed a break sometime. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt free to spend some time at his old cottage in the woods. He saw the Pharle's home more often than his own.
Not that seeing Presea was an unwelcome thing, of course. She was sometimes the only person who dared tell him to calm down, or the only person to calm him. She had been the one to come up with the idea to turn Ferio's skipped wedding into a celebration of thanks for the saving of Cephiro, since they had all the food and the guests anyway, and that was already under consideration to become an official holiday. Sometimes he thought that her intelligence was wasted in her hands-on career, even though he knew it was simply channeled in a different way. Being Pharle was nearly as difficult, in its own manner, as being Guru was, and it had required a great deal of power, skill, and knowledge for her to attain the position.
He'd been seeing a lot of her lately, with all of the weddings, since the Pharle was a government position and Presea was a good friend of the Magic Knights in any case. In her official gown, sometimes he thought she shone brighter than the brides, but it wasn't something he quite dared to say. Cephiro might be changing, but he wasn't sure if changing the way that he interacted with the Pharle was a good idea. Though he did take the opportunity to dance with her, when it was presented. She never seemed to mind the awkwardness of their height difference, her voice floating down to him with a sweet cheer in it, as always.
His thoughts had drifted far from the report that he was reading on the rebuilding of their borders, but Presea's appearance at his door was still a surprise. He wondered in the back of his mind whether he had summoned her by accident-- the new magic still had some working-out that was necessary, but she had a short sword in her hand and a look of amiable curiousity on her face, not surprise, so he assumed she had come to visit of her own accord.
"Guru," she said, "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
He set the papers down, since he wasn't getting any work done anyway, and smiled at her. "I was about to take a break."
"Oh, wonderful!" she said, smiling back. She lifted the sword casually. "I came by to drop this off, but then I thought maybe I'd come see you for a moment and ask if you were busy tonight? I've been digging some good fruit out of the garden and I was thinking about making a pie."
Clef spared a moment to be thankful that sometime over the years the Pharle tradition of cooking over the anvil had been lost. "That sounds lovely," he answered her, and her grin only brightened.
"Seven o'clock, then," she said, blushing a little, and before he had a chance to ask after her health (it was flu season, after all), she waved at him again and continued down the hallway on her errand.
*
A couple of hours later, he came into the throne room, having finally reviewed the paperwork that he'd been considering earlier. All three of the Knights and their husbands were there, which wasn't entirely unusual. The girls who didn't live at the palace nonetheless had standing invitations for any time when they were in the neighborhood.
What was unusual was the way that they all stopped talking when he entered the room, and Umi even stifled a giggle. He felt a sudden rising irritation at being left out of the joke, or perhaps being the butt of the joke, given their silence. Instead of acknowledging them, he approached Ferio and handed him the pages, knowing that the prince would only spare them the barest glance. But Ferio paused, cocking his head to one side and almost studying Clef for a long moment.
"Yes?" the Guru asked finally. Fuu adjusted her glasses meaningfully.
"Nothing!" Ferio said hurriedly.
"Hmm," Clef said. He gave each of them a long, considering look.
"Presea came by earlier," Hikaru said happily. Her partners gave her indulgent smiles, but Clef caught Umi almost rolling her eyes.
"Yes, she stopped by," Clef said.
"Well, what are you going to wear?" Umi said finally, leaning forward and resting her head on her hands, but still managing to be taller than Clef. He looked up at her, confused.
"Excuse me?"
"On your date, of course," Fuu said, her smile sweet.
Clef blinked twice. "Date?"
Ferio snickered. "Just make sure you're back in time for our meeting tomorrow afternoon, all right?" he said, leaning back in his chair and waving a hand imperiously.
"I find it much more likely that I will have to track you down," the Guru returned, annoyed, pointing his staff at the prince before turning with a flap of his robes and stalking back out of the room.
*
When Clef returned to his quarters, he felt a little out of sorts. It wasn't that he'd never spent time with women, because he was a member of the court, after all, and that occasionally meant he had to entertain a lady, but a date? He wasn't sure about the idea. Yes, Presea was beautiful and smart and kind, but wasn't that crossing lines? And had that even been her intention? Her invitation was most likely innocent, he thought, no matter how the Knights had interpreted it.
He looked down at his robes in slight puzzlement. Weren't they sufficient for visiting a friend? Presea had never said a word about what he wore. She was much more concerned with the person that he was, which was really the important thing.
Still, he ran a cloth over his metal ornaments and adjusted the circlet in his hair before calling Fyula.
*
He was a little thankful that he'd taken the time. When Presea answered the door she had changed from her forge clothing into something slightly more casual, a flowy blue dress that he'd never seen her wear before. It looked very nice on her.
He said so, and she smiled and blushed a little again, and let him into the house. Whatever their personal trepidations, they could still converse with ease, talking about Cephiro and the books they'd read recently, among other things.
While the stove was warming the house, they sat outside and watched the sun set. Clef liked dawns and mornings, but Presea seemed enchanted by the purple and golden sky. She sighed in happiness.
"It's nice to have an evening off, isn't it?" she said, looking sideways at him.
Clef thought about it. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen a sunset. Usually he worked until long after dark.
"It is," he said, looking up at the darkening sky.
"Then I'm glad you came," she said, sounding satisfied.
Clef nodded. He wondered if it was polite to ask if this was a date. He supposed he should know already. Then again, he doubted that she would be offended if she asked. Presea knew him well.
"Is this a date, Pharle?" he asked, looking up at her and finding himself hoping that she'd nod. She looked down at her lap, twisting her hands together.
"Do you want it to be?" she asked.
"I think so," he answered honestly. She smiled at him a little.
"You should call me Presea, then," she said. "You're not at work right now, Guru."
"Nor are you," he pointed out. "Clef is fine."
"All right," she answered, "Clef." Her smile widened. The two of them turned their attentions back to the setting sun for a few moments longer before Presea got up and offered Clef a hand. He took it, though he could have gotten to his feet just fine on his own; he liked the way her fingers closed around his.
"The food should be done," she said. "Shall we?"
He bowed. "After you, Presea."
Together, they went into the house.
*
In the spring, the Knights planned another wedding.
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Length: 1589 words.
Prompt: For my darling.
Pairing: Clef/Presea + canon pairings
Other: Post-series. Because it had to happen eventually. ♥ Title from a quote by Anne Taylor Fleming.
Excerpt: In her official gown, sometimes he thought she shone brighter than the brides, but it wasn't something he quite dared to say. Cephiro might be changing, but he wasn't sure if changing the way that he interacted with the Pharle was a good idea.
There had been several weddings in the country once known as Cephiro lately, from the prince's elaborate ceremony (that he and Fuu had skipped out on entirely, much to Clef's displeasure), to Umi's more quiet union with Ascot, to Hikaru's unusual celebration with Eagle and Lantis. The new country seemed to be caught up in an emotion that had previously caused so much difficulty. Clef wasn't quite sure what to think, except that if he'd known that Ferio wasn't going to show up for his own wedding that he wouldn't have taken so much time with the prepations.
Cephiro-- as he still thought of it, to himself, because the habit of hundreds of years was quite difficult to break-- was growing more beautiful by the day as it healed and made itself anew. A country maintained on the power of its subjects was constantly being influenced by all of those minds. Though Clef had thought that he might have time for a rest, or at least opportunity to start training his successor, he found new challenges every day. And that task still needed to be handled, because he was starting to feel his age, or at least, the need for a vacation. He loved Cephiro and his dedication to it was absolute, but even Clef needed a break sometime. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt free to spend some time at his old cottage in the woods. He saw the Pharle's home more often than his own.
Not that seeing Presea was an unwelcome thing, of course. She was sometimes the only person who dared tell him to calm down, or the only person to calm him. She had been the one to come up with the idea to turn Ferio's skipped wedding into a celebration of thanks for the saving of Cephiro, since they had all the food and the guests anyway, and that was already under consideration to become an official holiday. Sometimes he thought that her intelligence was wasted in her hands-on career, even though he knew it was simply channeled in a different way. Being Pharle was nearly as difficult, in its own manner, as being Guru was, and it had required a great deal of power, skill, and knowledge for her to attain the position.
He'd been seeing a lot of her lately, with all of the weddings, since the Pharle was a government position and Presea was a good friend of the Magic Knights in any case. In her official gown, sometimes he thought she shone brighter than the brides, but it wasn't something he quite dared to say. Cephiro might be changing, but he wasn't sure if changing the way that he interacted with the Pharle was a good idea. Though he did take the opportunity to dance with her, when it was presented. She never seemed to mind the awkwardness of their height difference, her voice floating down to him with a sweet cheer in it, as always.
His thoughts had drifted far from the report that he was reading on the rebuilding of their borders, but Presea's appearance at his door was still a surprise. He wondered in the back of his mind whether he had summoned her by accident-- the new magic still had some working-out that was necessary, but she had a short sword in her hand and a look of amiable curiousity on her face, not surprise, so he assumed she had come to visit of her own accord.
"Guru," she said, "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
He set the papers down, since he wasn't getting any work done anyway, and smiled at her. "I was about to take a break."
"Oh, wonderful!" she said, smiling back. She lifted the sword casually. "I came by to drop this off, but then I thought maybe I'd come see you for a moment and ask if you were busy tonight? I've been digging some good fruit out of the garden and I was thinking about making a pie."
Clef spared a moment to be thankful that sometime over the years the Pharle tradition of cooking over the anvil had been lost. "That sounds lovely," he answered her, and her grin only brightened.
"Seven o'clock, then," she said, blushing a little, and before he had a chance to ask after her health (it was flu season, after all), she waved at him again and continued down the hallway on her errand.
*
A couple of hours later, he came into the throne room, having finally reviewed the paperwork that he'd been considering earlier. All three of the Knights and their husbands were there, which wasn't entirely unusual. The girls who didn't live at the palace nonetheless had standing invitations for any time when they were in the neighborhood.
What was unusual was the way that they all stopped talking when he entered the room, and Umi even stifled a giggle. He felt a sudden rising irritation at being left out of the joke, or perhaps being the butt of the joke, given their silence. Instead of acknowledging them, he approached Ferio and handed him the pages, knowing that the prince would only spare them the barest glance. But Ferio paused, cocking his head to one side and almost studying Clef for a long moment.
"Yes?" the Guru asked finally. Fuu adjusted her glasses meaningfully.
"Nothing!" Ferio said hurriedly.
"Hmm," Clef said. He gave each of them a long, considering look.
"Presea came by earlier," Hikaru said happily. Her partners gave her indulgent smiles, but Clef caught Umi almost rolling her eyes.
"Yes, she stopped by," Clef said.
"Well, what are you going to wear?" Umi said finally, leaning forward and resting her head on her hands, but still managing to be taller than Clef. He looked up at her, confused.
"Excuse me?"
"On your date, of course," Fuu said, her smile sweet.
Clef blinked twice. "Date?"
Ferio snickered. "Just make sure you're back in time for our meeting tomorrow afternoon, all right?" he said, leaning back in his chair and waving a hand imperiously.
"I find it much more likely that I will have to track you down," the Guru returned, annoyed, pointing his staff at the prince before turning with a flap of his robes and stalking back out of the room.
*
When Clef returned to his quarters, he felt a little out of sorts. It wasn't that he'd never spent time with women, because he was a member of the court, after all, and that occasionally meant he had to entertain a lady, but a date? He wasn't sure about the idea. Yes, Presea was beautiful and smart and kind, but wasn't that crossing lines? And had that even been her intention? Her invitation was most likely innocent, he thought, no matter how the Knights had interpreted it.
He looked down at his robes in slight puzzlement. Weren't they sufficient for visiting a friend? Presea had never said a word about what he wore. She was much more concerned with the person that he was, which was really the important thing.
Still, he ran a cloth over his metal ornaments and adjusted the circlet in his hair before calling Fyula.
*
He was a little thankful that he'd taken the time. When Presea answered the door she had changed from her forge clothing into something slightly more casual, a flowy blue dress that he'd never seen her wear before. It looked very nice on her.
He said so, and she smiled and blushed a little again, and let him into the house. Whatever their personal trepidations, they could still converse with ease, talking about Cephiro and the books they'd read recently, among other things.
While the stove was warming the house, they sat outside and watched the sun set. Clef liked dawns and mornings, but Presea seemed enchanted by the purple and golden sky. She sighed in happiness.
"It's nice to have an evening off, isn't it?" she said, looking sideways at him.
Clef thought about it. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen a sunset. Usually he worked until long after dark.
"It is," he said, looking up at the darkening sky.
"Then I'm glad you came," she said, sounding satisfied.
Clef nodded. He wondered if it was polite to ask if this was a date. He supposed he should know already. Then again, he doubted that she would be offended if she asked. Presea knew him well.
"Is this a date, Pharle?" he asked, looking up at her and finding himself hoping that she'd nod. She looked down at her lap, twisting her hands together.
"Do you want it to be?" she asked.
"I think so," he answered honestly. She smiled at him a little.
"You should call me Presea, then," she said. "You're not at work right now, Guru."
"Nor are you," he pointed out. "Clef is fine."
"All right," she answered, "Clef." Her smile widened. The two of them turned their attentions back to the setting sun for a few moments longer before Presea got up and offered Clef a hand. He took it, though he could have gotten to his feet just fine on his own; he liked the way her fingers closed around his.
"The food should be done," she said. "Shall we?"
He bowed. "After you, Presea."
Together, they went into the house.
*
In the spring, the Knights planned another wedding.