Obi took his time getting back home. It wasn’t until he saw the great stone house made of black rock that faded slowly under the sun that he remembered lunch, and his agreement with Conya. His head ached, and the bright sun seemed to pierce through his forehead to roast his brain. His eyes were dry and irritated. He felt fragile like he was a step from fracturing and a breath from sobbing. Standing on his steps, the house creating a shadow to shelter him in, he stood there, not wanting to have to face people.
He wondered how long it would take for Rufolu to send guardsmen out. He would probably wait until after the monks were finish. While the king didn’t have the most mercy, he had impeccable manners when it came to concerts.
Maybe he had time to-
No. What was done was done, and he was going to stay true to it.
Opening the door, he walked through, unsure if he was prepared to meet Mr. Fughi’s calm gaze or a maid’s quick curtsy or Conya.
Conya who was in the process of floating across the hall, a book in hand, humming a tune he didn’t recognize. Conya who paused when she saw him and smiled as if he hadn’t just missed the lunch he had agreed to eat with her to make up for the breakfast he had skipped as well.
The idea that he should be hungry ran across his mind, but it was washed out as he realized he wasn’t prepared to see her smile. He took a breath, maybe to say something, and cried.
She stared at him, and he told himself to stop because this was ridiculous. He was ridiculous and a traitor and a worm that didn’t deserve to live and trapped, so, so trapped. He wanted to send her away when she fluttered around him, wanted to tell her to leave, come back when he could be strong for her. In reality, he just stood there, sobs bursting from a chest that was too tight, as shocked as she was that this was happening.
“Oh, darling.” Her voice was low. “You’re making a scene. Surely you don’t want the servants to see you like this. Who knows how much they talk. You’ve already gotten them into a tizzy over your little outburst this morning.”
Having his life diminished to scenes and outbursts was humbling and made him want to laugh in a fatalistic kind of way. He let her lead him into a parlor and close the door. Sitting, he tried to collect himself. “I am so sorry, Conya,” he murmured shakily when he thought words could be forced through his tight throat, shamed by the waver found within them. “I don’t know what came over me.” The chair he was in was soft, and he leaned back, letting his eyes close. This house was never quiet. He could hear servants bustling everywhere. There was no place for him to go for peace.
“I don’t know what came over you either.” He glanced at her, registering the oddness of her prim speech pattern. “But I know that if you don’t drop one of the balls you’re juggling, you’re going to break, and no one will be able to fix you.” The plush red carpet, imported from some small country Obi had forgotten the name of, made her steps silent. “Is there anything I can help you with?” she asked softly, right in front of him, her knees practically brushing his. She hadn’t turned the lights on. Sometimes it was hard to remember light was available at the flip of a switch. The curtains were mostly shut. There was only just enough light for him to see her form.
He almost told her everything right there. All the plans, all the problems, the princess in their basement. “Sefu is lost,” he whispered instead.
“You could probably apologize,” she murmured, boldly cupping his cheek and looking down into his face. “Sefu’s a good man.”
His breath hitched and seemed to echo in the room. “Oh, Conya…” He rested his forehead against her stomach, let her hands loosely lock around the base of his skull, her fingers stroking his neck. “I know he is, and that only makes it worse.”
“People argue all the time, Obi. It’s part of our nature. Invite him and his family for supper tomorrow. We’ll have the finest for them. You’ll make amends.”
She tried to step back when he shook harder. “Obi?”
“Tomorrow will be too late.” He hugged her legs like a child would. “Just stay here for a second, Conya. I feel like no one is who I thought they were anymore. I know I’m supposed to be what you lean against, but let’s just stay like this for a little longer. I’m not sure I can take anything else.”
Face marked with confusion, worry, and a touch of fear, she returned to him, petting his head soothingly. “Of course, darling. I’m here.”’
They stayed there for a while.
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125,009 Literary Works • 672,837 Reviews
I will start by saying I haven't read any of your previous chapters. I'm more of a writer than a reader normally. But I really liked this story, it was really good. Obi should use the force he is a Jedi knight lol. I might come back to read the earlier chapters later, but it's a lot. I do really like the story and will follow it from here though. I'm somewhat confused with the title though "the veil" as a huge Dragon Age fan I half expected mages and Templars or the fade or something. Was glad I was wrong though, this story is really good, from what I read.
Heya Megusg!
This review is not an April's Fools. Just so you know.
But first things first. Obi's breaking! DD: When he started to cry I seriously did not expect that from him even though I know he has been through a crazy amount of things. I thought he would still be able to stand strong through it all. But the reasoning is fair enough - there is only so much that anyone can take. I am impressed he got this far without causing a scene. And Conya's response is dead right - he needs to drop one of the things that are plaguing him otherwise he won't be able to continue. What she doesn't know is that he did get rid of one of them, by getting said people all murdered. Agh, it's horrible.
I wanted more of a sense of the impending sadness before he entered the house. Yes, you did say that he didn't want to enter the house and show humanity. But now I am going to picky and tell you again how you can use setting to help you here as I am always going on about xD How does the house look different than it usually does? Is it a place he always goes to as a shelter, that always seems welcoming no matter what he has done outside of the house. Tell us how this time it seems like even the house has turned its back on him and if it seems darker than usual, even if that simply might be the shadows and the fading light. Little hints like that can be counted as foreshadowing as well, which is always clever and great to use in your novel.
Otherwise, I have nothing else but two nitpicks for you because this was basically an amazing chapter. I loved Conya's response to Obi's tears, loved how she didn't question and if I continued going on about what I loved I would end up fangirling...
Should be finished here.
After every time you say Conya you actually need a comma there.
Brilliant <3 Keep me updated and keep up the great chapters!
Deanie x