A Squire's Duty (Benedali Serrus)

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Orron Thrask"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

Benedali giggled at Orron's awkward statement. His awkwardness was soooooo funny.

She frowned, though, hurt at the tone of Maka's voice. "Don't be mean, Maka, of....*yawn* Of course I'm safe with you...you're one of...*yawn* of my best guards....next to Arick..."

Benedali gave Orron a tight hug. "I'll see you...later...?" She smiled up at him sleepily, before taking Maka's offered hand. "I need...*yawn* to sleep.." Yawning again, the Duchess began to lean on Maka as the role of support was transferred.

 

[Benedali Serrus]

Double trouble post o.e

 

[Orron Thrask]

Orron handed Benedali over to Maka, obviously not trying to make a bad situation any worse. He even gave as sympathetic of a look as possible to the guard to try and convince him Orron's intentions were noble and nother other. When the duchess asked to see him later he nodded and only gave a small wave before waiting until she was in her room and he was out of Maka's sight. With that he finally turned and started making for his starfighter to try and leave before somehow being bradned a traitor or the like for a misconception.

[member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Maka Sumoto"]

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka's glare subsided a bit as Orron walked away, and he argued with himself a bit whether or not to just sit here, with Benedali leaning on him, until the morning. But he shook his head, and found himself helping his duchess up the stairs, into the castle. He looked down at her, and asked, "Do you really need to go all the way up the tower, Benedali? Cos I think I might have to carry you, then."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Arick Serrus]

"Maka!" Arick shouted, his voice full of surprise. "What do you think your doing? I mean, I know you like her, but this is a bit much isnt it?" He grinned, the night air had lightened his spirits. But his tone became more serious as he saw how tired the Duchess was, "Why do you insist on being up all the time..." He muttered, looking back to Maka his gaze hardened, "Why did you allow her to stay up? Who knows how long she will need to rest. Let me carry her, I don't think you really want to carry her all the way up." He swished his wings, "Its not much more effort for me, Why was she up anyways?"

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Orron Thrask"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

Benedali yawned again. "Carry me...Maka.... I'm too....tired..." Even half asleep, the Duchess still had the ability to be demanding. As if to emphasize this, she put nearly all her weight on him -- which, arguably, wasn't a lot.

"Why don't....You like Orron, Maka...?" the Duchess asked, yawning. It worried her that Maka and Arick might not like Orron, despite her previous belief.

Speaking of the devil, Benedali heard her brother come sweeping in. However, she was too tired to do much more than offer him a weak wave and a sleepy smile.

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka cringed as Arick's voice rang out at him, but he still smiled sadly at Benedali. He answered her question, muttering, "Because what do you want with an archer when there's a knight around?"

He easily picked her up, and put her into Arick's waiting arms, before opening the door to the tower. He looked at Arick, and sighed, "Look, go ahead and take her. What the hell does she need me for? I'm going outside."

Contrary to his words, he waited at the door until Arick managed to get himself and Benedali to the stairs.

[member="Arick Serrus"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Arick Serrus]

"Ill be back." Arick said, he flew up the stairs, just managing to fit, and brought Benedali to the top. "Take her to her room." He commanded one of the guards, "Do not let her back down until I allow it."

Arick flew back down, "Oh, Maka, what are you still doing here? Isnt it a bit late?" His tone grew serious, "What was that all about back there? You know she likes you, just... Maybe not as much as you hoped..."

He waited patiently for Maka's response.

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka stoically stared at Arick, shaking his head slightly. What purpose did he have here, with Orrus around? He was worse than a third wheel... He was the guy who would try to make the other guy the third wheel. He replied, "What would she want with an archer, when she has a knight, Arick? Slowly, I'll get pushed away until there's nothing left but the odd conversation."

Maka shook his head more obviously now, leaning on the door, and continued, "I don't know what I thought I was going to get her to do. He had her as soon as she saw him. Big sad-looking guy with scars that you can't miss. I can't compete with that guy, ever."

[member="Arick Serrus"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

After the guard and Benedali had made it to her chambers, the Duchess had drowsily searched her room. Who was she kidding? She didn't want to go to sleep! Maka was sad, and that made Benedali sad. So she needed to stay up and make Maka happy again.

She groped blindly under her bed. Uuggghhhhh Where is it?! Finally, her hands closed around a small container, eliciting a sleepy grin from the Duchess. With more energy than what she'd shown in the past half hour, she opened the lid and popped two capsules into her mouth, swallowing. Mm, caffeine pills. Within minutes, the Duchess was wide awake and ready to roll.

Tucking it back under her bed, Benedali opened the door a crack. "I'm just going to the bathroom," she said to the guard, adding a fake yawn. "Stay here and make sure no one comes in."

The Duchess staggered along the hallway until she was certain the guard couldn't see her. Tiptoeing quietly, she hid behind one of the pillars at the top of the stairs and listened.

"...Can't compete with that guy, ever."

What guy?

 

[Arick Serrus]

"Maka! What? Who are you talking about!" Arick said, "You know that you're more than 'An Archer' to her!"

He swooped closer and shook Maka by the shoulders, he looked him in the eyes and said, "Alright Maka, what happened when I was away."

Arick's comlink was beeping, someone -Benedali's guard- was trying to talk to him, but he ignored it.

[member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Maka Sumoto"]

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka blinked as Arick shook him, smiling slightly. The winged man was trying to get him to talk, and he did want to talk. On a sudden urge, he pulled the door he was leaning on closed P), thinking that he didn't want everybody in the bloody castle to hear about his problems. He replied, "You didn't meet the guy, I think. He was at that fun little party a few weeks ago. The cyborg Jedi. Come to think of it, I threatened to stab him for some other reason, nothing to do with Bennie. But those two talked for a while before I came, playing with those two cats, and just standing there, talking. I didn't think anything of it, since I had other stuff on my mind."

Pulling himself away from the door, Maka continued, "But they were just out riding, Arick. He was actually holding her before I came. I could see them through a window. And when I stepped outside, he just looked at me, like I was the poor schmuck sitting on the sidelines. Dammit, Arick, what the hell can I do? I'm not some noble Jedi Knight that has battle scars from protecting people. I'm a glorified gunman, really. I can barely even use the Force if I'm not trying to shoot somebody."

[member="Arick Serrus"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

Benedali stomped her foot, foiled. How could she find out why Maka was upset if he didn't let her eavesdrop?!

Sitting on the banister, the Duchess slid down, hopping off at the necessary stop. Straightening her outfit, she walked to the side of the door so that her shadow wouldn't cross the bottom and, breathing shallowly, strained to listen to the rest of the conversation.

 

[Arick Serrus]

"He was doing what?!" Arick mouthed, so enraged that he could make no sound. "Who does this guy think he is?"

"Come to think of it, I think I saw him and Benedali around earlier...If it makes you feel a little less worried, I can ask the guards if they saw anything today, I don't trust that guy. And Maka, you may not be a knight, but you are an archer, don't be put off by that guy." He turned and started to walk towards his personal tower.

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka sighed softly, and opened the door behind him to alleviate anything odd about how the hall looked. Of course, a certain mischievous redhead was standing behind the door when he opened it. His eyes widened, and his face went through several different expressions of shock and vague indignation before settling on a slightly perturbed expression, with one eyebrow raised.

He raised a hand to cover his chin, which was trembling slightly, and inquired, "Bennie, how much did you hear?"

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

Benedali didn't say anything. Instead, she gave Maka a tight embrace.

Though she had missed a bit of what he had first said, the Duchess caught the rest, putting together the pieces. And she felt horrible. All this time she and Maka had been flirting with each other, Benedali had simply assumed it was just a game between the two, nothing more than friendly teasing. Now, however, she knew better.

Eyes squeezed shut, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Maka."

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka's eyes grew even wider as Bennie hugged him. He was stunned speechless, but he put his arms around her, and just stood there like that. But he had to say something. Anything that would make her feel better. But he couldn't. All he could do was stand there, totally silent, until he finally regained his voice, and he whispered back, "It's okay. I should have said something. My fault. You're not allowed to blame yourself, understand?"

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

"Too late," she mumbled. Benedali couldn't believe it. She was narcissistic, yes, and she knew it -- but she still valued her friends over everything else. And it pained her to see that she was causing a friend's pain.

The Duchess thought back to one of his earlier comments. "Maka, you're my archer. Mine. You're special to me, even if it's not in that way."

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka nodded, sighing slightly, and said, "Yes, too late... For everything. I'm always a little too late, it seems."

He smiled slightly as he remembered his comment from earlier. It saddened him to think that he had made Bennie that sad over a stupid jealous fit. But it was true that he wanted to be hers instead of Orrus. It annoyed him, and hurt a little, but it was okay. He continued, "I know that, really. Being here for you is the only good thing I ever did, and I know that, too. But I couldn't tell you... Even now. You look at the beat-up Jedi Knight the way I look at you."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Arick Serrus]

Arick stood next to the tall gate, feeling quite awkward. But not allowing it to show. He stood at attention, looking straight ahead. 'Poor guy...' he thought, 'He really does like her... Who does that jedi think he is? Coming in here and snatching Benedali? Those rats think so highly of themselves...'

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]