[mistral4543]

"How many wounded do you think we've helped today?" Christopher glanced at his companion as they strolled out to the gardens. Above, the silver moon beamed upon them, thanking them for the relief that they and their team of dedicated healers had brought to the casualties of the battle.

"Close to a thousand, at least." Marian replied, her lips twitching. "You must be exhausted. I hardly saw you rest." The scent of the flowers was pure bliss, after a full day of inhaling sweaty bodies, infested wounds and raw blood. "That's why we have shifts, Christopher. You are no human with godly powers. Like the rest of us, you need a break."

A chortle emerged from Christopher's weary lips. "I would gladly welcome rest, if I did not have this constant worry that we are shorthanded, and any delay puts the lives of these brave heroes at risk." His steps were slow, and the walk was altogether pleasant now that no dark thoughts were clouding their heads. "Many have lost their lives, and those who survived must have been given a chance to stay, by the gods they worship." His eyes glistened as he tilted his head to look at the moon. "It was in our power to save them, and we had to do what we should."

Marian remained silent as she directed her gaze to the nearby shrubs. It was a long time before she spoke up again. "Well, whatever it is, you've every right to be proud of yourself. Your family, too." The last phrase was pronounced cautiously, and she glanced away when she felt his eyes drilling holes into her left cheek.

"I hardly think my aunt would have much to say about my deeds." Christopher gave a dry laugh as they continued on their ramble. "She never approved of me taking this profession. Thought that it was too demeaning and low-paying a job." Yet self-consolation and gratitude were evident in his tone as he went on. "It doesn't matter. I like what I do, and I'm glad you don't share her views."

Aware that her heart was throbbing, Marian tried to keep a straight face as she tried to answer light-heartedly. "I ought to support your decision; after all, I am in the same line as you." She giggled nervously. "Besides, who else has the power to aid a person in his course between life and death?" She stopped to sniff a rose in full bloom. "And no one is as dedicated as you, as I mentioned earlier. You, who never stop to think for yourself. You need someone to watch out for you, make sure that you don't stretch yourself too far..." She stopped, thankful that the night was camouflaging the shade of her cheeks.

"Will you be that person, Marian?"

Wildly, she glanced at him, caught the sober expression on his face. Neither boyish earnestness nor patronising condescension was on that face; it was steadfast hope that gleamed from his dark eyes. She did not know how she managed to stand upright and hold her head high, but she managed it somehow.

"You are sure?" The foolish words of an insecure person. Of course he was sure, she scolded herself. Why else would he have asked you? But she knew the answer, knew why she had posed this unnecessary question. It had taken so long to come to this point, and she wanted to savour every moment of it.

"Yes, I am sure." He made no attempt at promises or poetry, opting instead to come up to her and hold her trembling hand. "Forgive me for torturing you so long. I... I wanted to be sure." Was this the confident Christopher she had faced over these eight years? There was a crack behind that facade, and she rejoiced in it. There would always be flaws behind humans; some just needed more time to be uncovered.

"Yes." No further games would she play, too. Briefly, she wondered if it had partly been the games she had adopted earlier, that had caused this delay. "Yes, I will be that person, Christopher." She repeated, feeling that her heart would burst.

Several moments passed, before they turned back towards the infirmary, hand in hand.

[ 08-08-2006, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]