towerofanimus | [open]

Characters: Ruler & You
Setting: Floor 13->Staircase
Format: Action
Summary: May 30h is a rather important day for Ruler. A somewhat upsetting day, but important nonetheless.
Warnings: Mentions/descriptions of death of the fire-y kind.

[Normally, Ruler does not spend much time in the Cathedral. She preferred somewhere quiet to conduct her prayers, so the muttering voices tended to keep her away. But today... today was different. Today she was huddled in the very front pews, face pale and hands clasped together so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. Her words came out in a rush, and several times, she even stumbled over them and had to start over.

She needed the familiar surroundings, the stained glass and sweeping architecture. She needed something to surround herself with to soothe her restless spirit.

This day. This one single day. May 30th... she could still remember that day so clearly. The triumphant, leering grins of the guards that had ushered her into the cart that would transport her to the center of Rouen. The jeers and insults thrown at her by the English supporters crowding the town square. The somber looks of those still loyal to France and her King. The seemingly miles-long march up to the stake. And finally the fire, biting its way up her feet, her legs, setting her clothes alight as the heat and smoke choked her and filled her nose with the smell of her own burning flesh...

With an audible cry, Ruler shakes her head firmly, trying to pull herself out of the memories that had been plaguing her all day. In a sudden flurry of movement she stands, rushing quickly to the staircase. It was quiet now, too quiet, her thoughts were becoming harder and harder to tune out, she needed to find somewhere else...

So lost is she in her thoughts that she doesn't pay the slightest attention to where exactly she's walking, leaving collisions with other residents on their way up or downstairs a likely accident.]

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[Ruler stumbles back a few steps as she runs into France, and even as she shakes her head to once more try to clear it of her nagging thoughts, she's already uttering an excuse.]

Yes, I was simply- [But then she looks up, realizing who it was that she ran into... and her expression immediately falls. This... this was someone she didn't have the heart to lie to. So with a sigh, she shakes her head.]

No, I'm not. Today has been... rather troubling.

[Any doubts France had about whether or not Jeanne knows her own death date get washed away as soon as she says that. Looking at the expression on her face, he knows in his heart that she's aware of what today is, but he has to ask, just in case.]

I'm sure it has. This- This day, for you, it's-

[No, nevermind. That's all he can force out. The lingering guilt he feels from years ago still hasn't vanished entirely. He's still berating himself for being unable to help her, still telling himself he could have done more centuries later. He tries not to dwell on thoughts like that, but with Jeanne right in front of him, that proves more difficult than ever.]

...I'm sorry. [He bites the inside of his cheek. He's not sure what, specifically, he's apologizing for.] I am afraid words aren't coming easy to me right now.

[Ruler shakes her head.] No, do not apologize. I understand. I... am not sure how to talk about how I feel about this day either.

[She tries to manage a smile, a half-hearted one that doesn't quite reach her eyes, but it's something.] You do not have to speak if you do not wish to. Just... being in your presence right now is enough.

[He was one of the few people she could truly let her guard down around, and for that, she couldn't be more grateful.]

[That hits France where it counts. He almost feels like he's betraying her by comforting her so. After all, he stood by while she died. He could have done so, so much more, couldn't he?

No. No, he won't think like that. God has a plan, he's sure, one that France can't change no matter how much he tries. If Jeanne died back then, awful and unjust as it was, it must have been for a reason. And anyway, he's being given a second chance now, isn't he? They both are.

Perhaps he'll be able to do things right this time around.]

I'm glad you feel that way, but...

[He sets a hand on her shoulder softly, like he's afraid she might shatter if he's too rough. He seems like he might continue that sentence for a few seconds, but he ends up trailing off.]

Come, standing in the middle of the stairway will do us no good, n'est-ce pas? We should find a place to sit down, my dear.

[Oh... right. She was focusing so intently on him, on anything other than the thoughts and memories cluttering her mind, that she... nearly forgot they were standing right in the middle of the stairway.]

R-Right... would you like to lead the way?

Of course.

[France lets his hand slide off of Jeanne's shoulder, then he offers it up for her to take if she so chooses.]

Where would you like to go? Upstairs, down? I could make us something to eat, if you'd like, or... [His expression softens a bit. His doting reflex is showing, oops.] ...or we could just find a nice place to sit. Somewhere peaceful, no?

[If somewhere like that even exists in the Tower.]

[For once, there's no hesitation as Ruler reaches out to take his hand. Her grip is tight; not quite tight enough to be uncomfortable, but still pretty firm.]

I'll go wherever you wish to; I do not mind. I simply... need something to distract me for a while, that's all.

A distraction, hmm? I think we can find something like that in here.

[He tries to say it as lightheartedly as possible, but there's a knowing sadness in his eyes that he can't hide. He gives her hand a gentle tug and starts up the stairs.]

I'm afraid I do not know this place very well yet, so you will have to be patient with me. We will find someplace safe- [His grip tightens a bit.] ...Someplace quiet, that is.

I feel like I should be the one asking you to be patient with me. For today, at least. [A small smile crosses her face.it doesn't quite reach her eyes, but it doesn't look faked or forced, either. That's something, right?]

But yes... I will be as patient as you need me to be, so do not worry.

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