The pair walked in silence through the rest of the city, arm in arm. She did not look at him. She couldn't. The accusing glare of imaginary strangers pressed down on her from all angles as the sun approached noon overhead. Eventually they had reached the Goblet. As they quietly walked through the Brimming Heart, Warren finally broke the awkward silence with a sigh of relief.
"It's just up ahead."
A few moments later they were standing in front of the hall. "This is the place.", he said as he quietly opened the doors and let them both inside. He immediately went to work shelving the various goods and foodstuffs into the pantry. The bag of heavy bottles he quietly shoved behind it before she would notice them. He could sort those out later.
She stood just beyond the threshold just looking about the room, taking in the new scenery.
"It's not very homey, I suppose. I'm sorry."
"Oh, no, it's... lovely.", she replied.
"It works for what I need it to be."
He smiled at her as he strode back across the room. Taking the popotoes from her he turned back to the pantry to find a place for them. "Thank you for coming with me. It feels... I'm not used to talking to people in here."
She watched him as he went about his business, not quite sure what to make of this new side of Warren she hadn't seen before. For a moment he seemed less like a mountain and more like... a man. A simple man.
"You are alone here?", she asked him at length.
"I was. Howl stays here now, too.", he replied while turning to face her. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he spoke the words. "He came back! Oh, Twelve above, I didn't get a chance to mention it. He came home and is doing okay!"
Her eyes also lit up at the news. "Warren, that is wonderful to hear! But... he was alone?" She suddenly felt weary from their walk and found herself glancing to the table and chairs at the side.
He saw her glance and immediately felt a pang of guilt for not having thought sooner. "Oh! I'm sorry. Please, have a seat. Not very comfortable, but..." With that he turned back to the cupboards to prepare some lunch. "Did you want anything? You've seen the extent of my stocks now."
"Thank you.", she replied as she chose a seat by the corner of the long table.
"Just something light, if you are preparing."
He continued looking through cabinets, retrieving a few dishes. "He came alone. Said they both made it out, but..." He shook his head as he looked through the bottles. "She's not herself anymore."
There was a brief silence.
"I am sorry, Warren.", she said as she removed her white beret. It was gently placed on the chair to her right. She straightened her dress and pulled her hair behind her shoulders as he strode across the room to join her. He set down a pitcher of water, a plate of mild cheeses, and bowl of light breads. "It's... It's alright. She's alive, so there's that." He tried to force a smile for her. "It'll be alright."
"Yes.", she replied suddenly feeling quite guilty. "But... for more than just that."
"Hm?"
"I am sorry for... how I acted when we last spoke."
He held up a hand to her as if to ward off what was coming. "You're a good person, Cot. I don't blame you for being... upset with me." He had to pause to choose his words. She glanced to him, then let her eyes slowly trail back to the table.
"I should have at least heard you explain though. I know you better than to assume you acted on malice alone... that you were not somehow justified."
"I'm afraid that would be worse. Whatever you're thinking happened... it's likely worse." He could not hide the guilt in his eyes, but continued to hold his gaze in her direction. His words had cut her again though, regardless of his intent. Her body tensed as she considered walking away once more. She fought it, with every onze of her being.
"Please, do not tell me that. Not now. I will not press the matter further. I cannot."
He did not look away from her. For some reason his gaze held. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you. I don't want you to think I'm something I'm not. I..." His hands fumbled nervously with themselves on the table, his mouth hanging open uselessly as he ran out of words.
Her eyes trailed slowly back to him as they started to glaze over. "And what pray tell, do I think you are?"
"A liar. Someone pretending to be good. You've seen my temper, you warned me about giving in to the beast. I..."
"Twas a dream, Ser Castille... only a dream. But you... you are not."
She found herself looking into his eyes now, with the same fear behind her own.
"I did an awful thing, but I did it in the hopes it would allow me to do some good with it. I was willing to sacrifice that to bring them home. It didn't matter, though... it didn't change anything." He looked as if he was on the verge of breaking down himself.
This had to stop. They were going in circles together once again. Coatleque found Aya's words coming back to her from the night before. She did not want to admit their truth, but the heaviness of her own heart could no longer deny it. Neither of them could continue as they were.
"Warren..."
She leaned forward slowly, sliding her hand across the table to his. He continued to hold her gaze. Warren took a deep breath and managed to fight off the first shuddering sob. His hands turned upwards and needily found hers. She tried her best to keep her composure even as her voice shook. "I will still bear these burdens with you... if you would have me."
He squeezed her hand and gave her a conflicted expression. "...Even still? You...?"
"No one can stand alone overly long... Not you, nor I."
They both paused for a moment.
"Those few nights ago, I thought I would die in the Palace. I had intended to. I am... not ready yet. Not like this."
He shook his head at her words, his voice rising as he interrupted. Defiance and anger flashed on his face.
"I wouldn't let you. I wouldn't let them take you, not like that. No one deserved that, especially not you."
His voice quieted, but he was no less resolute as he continued to squeeze her hand. "They can't have you."
She tried to blink, and her eyes began to flutter as they welled up. "I know you wouldn't... I know. I..."
This is happening too fast... what are you doing?
Her hands withdrew suddenly as if she had just remembered something important. She sat back up with a light gasp. Warren looked away, his own hands starting to reach for her, but then withdrew back to himself. "I... I'm sorry."
"No... No, it's not you...", she replied. This was going to be hard, but it had to be done. She owed him this much at least... yes, he had to know the truth.
"I must also be fair... you need to know."
"I don't understand...?"
Her eyes closed as she breathed deeply. "About me." He gave her a concerned look, not entirely understanding her meaning, but remained silent.
"I... I am no Lady, Ser Castille. Five years ago... I was a slave."
His brow furrowed and his hands tensed, but he remained silent as she spoke.
"I was forced to... serve. At the Red Sands, in Ul'dah."
He needed no further explanation after that. "Oh gods, Cot... I'm so sorry..." His eyes flickered to her hands, wanting to take them again, but he resisted. She, on the other hand, had begun to wring them together as her tears began to roll down her face.
"Three years, Warren... for three years I..." Her voice cracked and she could say no more.
"I am sorry. You... you needed to know... deserved to know... what I've done."
With that Warren rose and slid his chair around the table to sit next to her. He pulled her against him and she did not resist. Her shoulders shook as she lost any composure she had left. "I would understand if you never wanted to see me again. I am... used property. And that... does not sell... in Ul'dah."
Her words were slow and forced. The last sentence was finished as if it had been burned into her mind from some outside source. A phrase she had been forced to repeat countless times under pain of harsh treatment.
A hand gently ran down the side of her head, fingers sliding into her hair. "Shhh, it's alright. It's okay. I promise." She leaned into him, the intended comfort of his words only adding to the emotional onslaught. She sobbed into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
He pulled her into a full embrace, wrapping his arms around her firmly with his hand resting against the back of her head. "Don't apologize. You're one of the most wonderful people I know. Don't you apologize for that."
"How can I be?", she choked through her tears. "Whores are not wonderful people..."
"You're not a whore.", he continued. "You are Sultansworn, you're the very backbone of their public appearance. You're a defender of those in need. You're beautiful, Cot, and you're many wonderful, truly amazing things. But whore isn't one of them."
She sat there with him for a few more moments until her tears subsided. "Thank you." she managed to say through a shaky whisper. She continued to lean against him under his embrace, her shoulders heaving occasionally. "Does this change... anything?"
"...Yes.", he replied. He leaned back and gently lifted her face towards his, looking into her eyes with a smiling kindness. "For you to have overcome that, and still be someone so virtuious and inspiring... You're more amazing than I realized."
She stared into his eyes, her own now red and glassy from crying. Her mouth opened as if to say something, but she could not speak. She could only stare. At length she managed another whisper. "Warren?" His eyes flicked back and forth between her own. "Y-yes?"
"Would you... still have me?"
Caught in the gravity of the situation, his mouth was unable to form words but he nodded in tiny, decided motions. He leaned in towards her, eyes lost hopelessly in hers. She found herself leaning towards him as well, head slightly tilted. Her eyes closed as their lips met.
They remained there for a moment as his arms tightened around her, hers wrapping around him in return as best she could. She turned her head away and rested it against his shoulder. "Thank you..." she whispered once again. His head rested against hers as he returned the same sentiment. "Thank you. For everything."
She did not want to move. She wanted to stay there forever. Eventually the awkwardness of the chair gave way and she had to withdraw to sit straight once more. Her hands slid down his arms to meet his own. He was slow to let her pull away from him but settled for her hands as well, taking them in his own and running his thumbs across her palms. He could not help but smile at her as if some enormous weight had finally been lifted. She felt the same.
Coatleque tried to laugh. After having just been crying it came out as an embarrassingly blubbering giggle. For the first time since she could remember, she had nothing to say. Looking at him now all she could do was be honest. "I don't know where to go from here..." His smile only widened. "Me neither..."
Looking over the table she realized they hadn't even touched the food. "Oh... Oh! But you must be starving by now!"
"Hm?" He had genuinely forgotten about any of that. "I feel fine. Better than fine."
She withdrew her hands and wiped her eyes with her glove. "Nonsense, you should eat... and I... well... I must be ready for my usual duties." His smile turned slightly sad. "Are you sure...?"
"Aye... for once, I am very sure. But, I shall see you again soon, yes?"
"Of course you will. And far be it from me to stand in the way of a Sultansworn." He stood and offered her his hand which she gratefully took. Using his strength as leverage she rose beside him and thanked him for the gesture. He looked down at their joined hands once again and embraced her one last time, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Mm."
Coatleque sighed contentedly before heading towards the door.
"I'll miss you. Reach out if you need me, okay?"
"I shall, as always. Until later, Warren?"
He smiled at her once more hearing her use his first name. "Be safe, Cot. Go save the world."
She returned his smile before leaving. For the first time since they met, she did not part from him with her usual bow.
Warren remained frozen after the door clicked shut. He was in awe, partially numb feeling as good as he remembered in recent memory. It was like feeling the sun again. Eventually he sat himself back at the table and then noticed she had left her beret behind. He gingerly picked it up and held it. He stayed that way for some time, unable to wipe the smile from his face.
"It's just up ahead."
A few moments later they were standing in front of the hall. "This is the place.", he said as he quietly opened the doors and let them both inside. He immediately went to work shelving the various goods and foodstuffs into the pantry. The bag of heavy bottles he quietly shoved behind it before she would notice them. He could sort those out later.
She stood just beyond the threshold just looking about the room, taking in the new scenery.
"It's not very homey, I suppose. I'm sorry."
"Oh, no, it's... lovely.", she replied.
"It works for what I need it to be."
He smiled at her as he strode back across the room. Taking the popotoes from her he turned back to the pantry to find a place for them. "Thank you for coming with me. It feels... I'm not used to talking to people in here."
She watched him as he went about his business, not quite sure what to make of this new side of Warren she hadn't seen before. For a moment he seemed less like a mountain and more like... a man. A simple man.
"You are alone here?", she asked him at length.
"I was. Howl stays here now, too.", he replied while turning to face her. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he spoke the words. "He came back! Oh, Twelve above, I didn't get a chance to mention it. He came home and is doing okay!"
Her eyes also lit up at the news. "Warren, that is wonderful to hear! But... he was alone?" She suddenly felt weary from their walk and found herself glancing to the table and chairs at the side.
He saw her glance and immediately felt a pang of guilt for not having thought sooner. "Oh! I'm sorry. Please, have a seat. Not very comfortable, but..." With that he turned back to the cupboards to prepare some lunch. "Did you want anything? You've seen the extent of my stocks now."
"Thank you.", she replied as she chose a seat by the corner of the long table.
"Just something light, if you are preparing."
He continued looking through cabinets, retrieving a few dishes. "He came alone. Said they both made it out, but..." He shook his head as he looked through the bottles. "She's not herself anymore."
There was a brief silence.
"I am sorry, Warren.", she said as she removed her white beret. It was gently placed on the chair to her right. She straightened her dress and pulled her hair behind her shoulders as he strode across the room to join her. He set down a pitcher of water, a plate of mild cheeses, and bowl of light breads. "It's... It's alright. She's alive, so there's that." He tried to force a smile for her. "It'll be alright."
"Yes.", she replied suddenly feeling quite guilty. "But... for more than just that."
"Hm?"
"I am sorry for... how I acted when we last spoke."
He held up a hand to her as if to ward off what was coming. "You're a good person, Cot. I don't blame you for being... upset with me." He had to pause to choose his words. She glanced to him, then let her eyes slowly trail back to the table.
"I should have at least heard you explain though. I know you better than to assume you acted on malice alone... that you were not somehow justified."
"I'm afraid that would be worse. Whatever you're thinking happened... it's likely worse." He could not hide the guilt in his eyes, but continued to hold his gaze in her direction. His words had cut her again though, regardless of his intent. Her body tensed as she considered walking away once more. She fought it, with every onze of her being.
"Please, do not tell me that. Not now. I will not press the matter further. I cannot."
He did not look away from her. For some reason his gaze held. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you. I don't want you to think I'm something I'm not. I..." His hands fumbled nervously with themselves on the table, his mouth hanging open uselessly as he ran out of words.
Her eyes trailed slowly back to him as they started to glaze over. "And what pray tell, do I think you are?"
"A liar. Someone pretending to be good. You've seen my temper, you warned me about giving in to the beast. I..."
"Twas a dream, Ser Castille... only a dream. But you... you are not."
She found herself looking into his eyes now, with the same fear behind her own.
"I did an awful thing, but I did it in the hopes it would allow me to do some good with it. I was willing to sacrifice that to bring them home. It didn't matter, though... it didn't change anything." He looked as if he was on the verge of breaking down himself.
This had to stop. They were going in circles together once again. Coatleque found Aya's words coming back to her from the night before. She did not want to admit their truth, but the heaviness of her own heart could no longer deny it. Neither of them could continue as they were.
"Warren..."
She leaned forward slowly, sliding her hand across the table to his. He continued to hold her gaze. Warren took a deep breath and managed to fight off the first shuddering sob. His hands turned upwards and needily found hers. She tried her best to keep her composure even as her voice shook. "I will still bear these burdens with you... if you would have me."
He squeezed her hand and gave her a conflicted expression. "...Even still? You...?"
"No one can stand alone overly long... Not you, nor I."
They both paused for a moment.
"Those few nights ago, I thought I would die in the Palace. I had intended to. I am... not ready yet. Not like this."
He shook his head at her words, his voice rising as he interrupted. Defiance and anger flashed on his face.
"I wouldn't let you. I wouldn't let them take you, not like that. No one deserved that, especially not you."
His voice quieted, but he was no less resolute as he continued to squeeze her hand. "They can't have you."
She tried to blink, and her eyes began to flutter as they welled up. "I know you wouldn't... I know. I..."
This is happening too fast... what are you doing?
Her hands withdrew suddenly as if she had just remembered something important. She sat back up with a light gasp. Warren looked away, his own hands starting to reach for her, but then withdrew back to himself. "I... I'm sorry."
"No... No, it's not you...", she replied. This was going to be hard, but it had to be done. She owed him this much at least... yes, he had to know the truth.
"I must also be fair... you need to know."
"I don't understand...?"
Her eyes closed as she breathed deeply. "About me." He gave her a concerned look, not entirely understanding her meaning, but remained silent.
"I... I am no Lady, Ser Castille. Five years ago... I was a slave."
His brow furrowed and his hands tensed, but he remained silent as she spoke.
"I was forced to... serve. At the Red Sands, in Ul'dah."
He needed no further explanation after that. "Oh gods, Cot... I'm so sorry..." His eyes flickered to her hands, wanting to take them again, but he resisted. She, on the other hand, had begun to wring them together as her tears began to roll down her face.
"Three years, Warren... for three years I..." Her voice cracked and she could say no more.
"I am sorry. You... you needed to know... deserved to know... what I've done."
With that Warren rose and slid his chair around the table to sit next to her. He pulled her against him and she did not resist. Her shoulders shook as she lost any composure she had left. "I would understand if you never wanted to see me again. I am... used property. And that... does not sell... in Ul'dah."
Her words were slow and forced. The last sentence was finished as if it had been burned into her mind from some outside source. A phrase she had been forced to repeat countless times under pain of harsh treatment.
A hand gently ran down the side of her head, fingers sliding into her hair. "Shhh, it's alright. It's okay. I promise." She leaned into him, the intended comfort of his words only adding to the emotional onslaught. She sobbed into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
He pulled her into a full embrace, wrapping his arms around her firmly with his hand resting against the back of her head. "Don't apologize. You're one of the most wonderful people I know. Don't you apologize for that."
"How can I be?", she choked through her tears. "Whores are not wonderful people..."
"You're not a whore.", he continued. "You are Sultansworn, you're the very backbone of their public appearance. You're a defender of those in need. You're beautiful, Cot, and you're many wonderful, truly amazing things. But whore isn't one of them."
She sat there with him for a few more moments until her tears subsided. "Thank you." she managed to say through a shaky whisper. She continued to lean against him under his embrace, her shoulders heaving occasionally. "Does this change... anything?"
"...Yes.", he replied. He leaned back and gently lifted her face towards his, looking into her eyes with a smiling kindness. "For you to have overcome that, and still be someone so virtuious and inspiring... You're more amazing than I realized."
She stared into his eyes, her own now red and glassy from crying. Her mouth opened as if to say something, but she could not speak. She could only stare. At length she managed another whisper. "Warren?" His eyes flicked back and forth between her own. "Y-yes?"
"Would you... still have me?"
Caught in the gravity of the situation, his mouth was unable to form words but he nodded in tiny, decided motions. He leaned in towards her, eyes lost hopelessly in hers. She found herself leaning towards him as well, head slightly tilted. Her eyes closed as their lips met.
They remained there for a moment as his arms tightened around her, hers wrapping around him in return as best she could. She turned her head away and rested it against his shoulder. "Thank you..." she whispered once again. His head rested against hers as he returned the same sentiment. "Thank you. For everything."
She did not want to move. She wanted to stay there forever. Eventually the awkwardness of the chair gave way and she had to withdraw to sit straight once more. Her hands slid down his arms to meet his own. He was slow to let her pull away from him but settled for her hands as well, taking them in his own and running his thumbs across her palms. He could not help but smile at her as if some enormous weight had finally been lifted. She felt the same.
Coatleque tried to laugh. After having just been crying it came out as an embarrassingly blubbering giggle. For the first time since she could remember, she had nothing to say. Looking at him now all she could do was be honest. "I don't know where to go from here..." His smile only widened. "Me neither..."
Looking over the table she realized they hadn't even touched the food. "Oh... Oh! But you must be starving by now!"
"Hm?" He had genuinely forgotten about any of that. "I feel fine. Better than fine."
She withdrew her hands and wiped her eyes with her glove. "Nonsense, you should eat... and I... well... I must be ready for my usual duties." His smile turned slightly sad. "Are you sure...?"
"Aye... for once, I am very sure. But, I shall see you again soon, yes?"
"Of course you will. And far be it from me to stand in the way of a Sultansworn." He stood and offered her his hand which she gratefully took. Using his strength as leverage she rose beside him and thanked him for the gesture. He looked down at their joined hands once again and embraced her one last time, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Mm."
Coatleque sighed contentedly before heading towards the door.
"I'll miss you. Reach out if you need me, okay?"
"I shall, as always. Until later, Warren?"
He smiled at her once more hearing her use his first name. "Be safe, Cot. Go save the world."
She returned his smile before leaving. For the first time since they met, she did not part from him with her usual bow.
Warren remained frozen after the door clicked shut. He was in awe, partially numb feeling as good as he remembered in recent memory. It was like feeling the sun again. Eventually he sat himself back at the table and then noticed she had left her beret behind. He gingerly picked it up and held it. He stayed that way for some time, unable to wipe the smile from his face.
***
