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[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana laughed at the idea of a crossbow-wielding Ciel and shook her head.

"Well, I'll promise you this. I'll never use a bow. Deal?"

[Swordstar]

Brann chuckled at the idea of Ceil using a bow.

"Somehow I don't think you need to be too worried about that one Ursa. She's not exactly a fan of all this fighting...  Ah well. I think I might leave the two of you alone and head back to our rooms. Try not to get into too much trouble."

He grinned and headed back, more sure of his path now than he had been in a while.

As he passed by the halls where they'd been fighting earlier, he spied Ceil. With a slight smile, he walked over to the priestess.

"Hello Ceil. I just got back from talking with the princess. She... helped straighten out my path. I'd been wondering if I should go home, help my family but... She convinced me that I should stay with the group. Help protect the last royals and... Stay with the people who have become important to me."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"OK. Another time, Brann."

Diana waved as he left, then looked up at Ursa. She didn't say anything; she seemed fine to just be looking at him.

[Sirus]

Ursa waved as Brann retreated, then took a deep breath.

: "So! Anything else Princess wanted to do today? Still some time before sundown if had plans."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Hmm? Oh. I haven't really made any plans, no."

Diana laced her hands together in front of her waist.

"But, if you wanted to walk around the city with me for awhile and see what there is to see here, that would be nice..."

[Sirus]

: "Walk sounds good! Lead the way, Princess!"

[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana nodded and walked away a few steps, then looked back over her shoulder until Ursa caught up so they could walk beside each other.

"It's too bad we have to save our money for useful things, like weapons and medicines. I would love some new clothes."

She plucked at the collar of her gambeson. It did a good job being a cushion between herself and the armor, and it was comfortable... but it was hardly good looking, and even though she cleaned her clothes whenever she had the chance it still had some sweat and blood in it from the recent fights.

"Maybe we could find some for you, too!"

It was hard to picture a store carrying clothing in Ursa's size normally. They would have to find a good tailor for him.

[CrimsonEon]

Ceil, who was resting beside one of the pillars in the hallway, looked up as she heard Brann approaching.
: "Hello, Brann." She nodded as she stood up straight, "Huh- oh! You're staying? I'm glad to hear that."
Ceil blinked.
: "But... your family." Her expression grew tense, "I- will you be alright? In light of all that's happened, to them and to Worus... It can't be an easy decision."

[Swordstar]

Brann sighed.

"That was what I struggled with. But... My family is strong. They tried to protect the last blood of Worus and failed. But I can pay back those who caused our failure and I can protect the prince and the princess... In a way I will be continuing my family's legacy, if altered some. I believe this is what they would want me to do. And... I cannot leave those I have come to know. Not now. Not as the journey will grow even more dangerous."

[Sirus]

Ursa walked along with Diana, feeling quite content. He was happy that he had been lucky enough to meet her.

: "Been long time since Ursa got new clothes.  Usually have to fix clothes up because they are expensive. Did Princess have lots of clothes back at castle?"

[CrimsonEon]

: "Ah." Ceil looked over Brann's face, reading his expression as he spoke, "Hmm..."
Ceil leaned against the pillar again, lowering her head.
: "No. You're right, Brann." She closed her eyes as she mused, "There's purpose to this, to help the royalty that remains... It can't be as simple as running away from the world's problems when they're staring us in the eye. If I walked away now, afraid I would repeat the same mistakes I had in the past, I would be worse than the coward my own family takes me for..."
: "I apologize. Over all this time, I may have had a moment or two of doubt. No longer."

[Swordstar]

Hesitating, Brann reached out a hand and placed it on the priestesses shoulder.

"Ceil, there's no need to apologize because you've been struggling with what's happening. War... War is a terrible thing. It has the ability to change you from who you were. Sometimes in a good way, but so many times... It twists people. I think that I would have been more worried to hear that you didn't have any doubts. What we're doing... It's not something that rests easy on any of our hearts, I don't think. Especially someone who abhors violence as much as you. That doesn't make you a coward. But... I'm glad you're going to stay with us. And... I promise to do all I can to protect you from the dangers. To help keep you from getting changed by this terrible war."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Oh yes, I did. I had several dresses for every kind of occasion."

The dresses did look nice, but she always preferred a nice shirt and skirt. They were much easier to move about in; her legs weren't constrained by heavy materials, and she didn't have all that tight lacing up her back so it was easier to breathe.

"I liked to look at my mother's dresses as well. They would never fit me, of course; I'm a bit shorter and, er, a little more solidly built than she was."

Diana put her hands on her hips and looked down. She wasn't going to admit that in addition to being at least six inches shorter (or so she guessed, if those dresses were meant to be ankle-length) and having broader hips and shoulders than her mother, she also apparently didn't have the chest to keep some of those dresses up. She supposed she got her sturdy build from her father's side of the family.

"We'll find you some new clothes soon, I promise. If it's been a long time, you deserve some new ones."

[CrimsonEon]

: "War..." Ceil sighed, glancing to Brann's hand on her shoulder, "I would know. I suppose I haven't told you yet."
: "It wasn't just the violence that caused me to leave... Back when I was a Sister for the mercenary company my family was part of, I was frequently in the rear lines. I took care of everyone I could there, while the rest of my family fought on. So many people sent my way were gravely hurt, others didn't make it. It was... too taxing for me to handle. Too many lives were lost every day. As time wore on, I didn't care who it was, I refused to let anyone who crossed my sight die."
Ceil sighed, face tense as she searched her memory.
: "An assassin tried to break past our ranks to get to our commander. On that same day, a man I didn't know stumbled into my triage, injured." She turned her head aside, "I treated him. Hours later there was an ambush on our commander. He did not succeed... But one of my father's close friends was poisoned."
: "I couldn't face my family after that. But... Maybe now I can do something about that." Ceil looked back up, "S-sorry for making you listen to that, Brann. But, I feel confident I can trust you with that. I'll gladly accept your protection, and in turn, I will ensure not a scratch will fester under my watch."

[Swordstar]

Brann listened as Ceil's story unfolded and as she finished, he hesitated and then slowly wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

"That's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for healing someone who was injured. You did what you believed to be right. Had you allowed that man to die, you would have been violating who you are. It's a tragedy that things played out like they did, but you can't continue blame yourself. If you do, it will just continue to fester and poison you from the inside."

He let go of her and shyly continued,

"I'm glad that you trust me enough to tell me that... I... Knowing that you'll be there, supporting me is enough for me. I know that things will be ok, so long as you're near."