Snippet #1199229

Hope had honestly expected to have been told to stop being so nosy but she agreed and even volunteered information before he had a chance to ask any questions. This was amazing! How many people on Grand Pulse had the opportunity to learn about – let alone meet – a new race? As she began talking he turned so that he was facing her and jogging backwards. Occasionally he would turn and look where he was going but he always turned back to watch her as she spoke.

"You may ask me anything you wish, young Hume, and I will endeavour to satisfy your curiosity." There were a few questions she could anticipate right away however, and she began with these.

"My people are called the viera. Most of us live in a great forest that we call the Wood. The Wood is mother to us all, and we her humble children. The Green Word is our first language, and I have learned the tongue of your people to better make my way in the world that belongs to them."

Hope thought slightly on her answers as he processed the information, which could be clearly seen on his expression. Guarding his facial movements was never something he had mastered and he had a feeling he never would manage it. She came from...the Wood? Which was also her mother. So was the Wood a place and a person, or was it just a place? Their language was the Green Word...a simple name and yet it sounded kind of pretty. Maybe in her world they were born out of roots? He figured that might be a bit more personal than she would be willing to answer though. Her race was the viera...what a pretty name. It wasn’t eloquent by any means and had an almost harsh sound to it but it was pretty all the same. When he finished thinking about it he started bombarding her with questions unthinkingly.

“What is a Hume? Is the Wood a person or a place? How come only most of you live there – do you? Do all veira wear those shoes and be so tall? Why are you wearing such high heels when you are clearly a warrior? Doesn’t it make it difficult for you to fight and run? Why is your accent so different from Balthier's even though you come from the same world? Does it have a whole bunch of different accents? Are the rabbit ears your real ears or are they something else?” When he realized how many questions he had thrown at her he quickly turned to face forward in an attempt to hide his small blush of chagrin. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ask so many all at once. Oh – if you want to ask me questions too that’s fine! I mean, your being so open and all...” Briefly he wondered what he would say if she asked what he was. Well, he would have to think on it some more – he was still deciding himself.

Lightning walked quietly beside Balthier after he had responded and when he had lapsed into silence. She understood that there were places in everyone’s lives and hearts where others simply did not go. How his previous statement had made him enter one she had no clue but perhaps that was for the best. She wasn’t overly curious about anyone in general and saw no reason to pester him with nosy questions. Besides, he probably wasn’t that interesting and the castle was looming ahead. She thought that they would travel the rest of the way in silence and contemplated going back to the rear when he spoke up again.

"If I might make an inquiry: is Hope a relative, or a friend?"

Light took a moment to think about how to describe it to a stranger. Then she gave up thinking about it and simply decided to say it as it was and if he didn’t understand oh well. She had had to think about whether or not she would even answer and honestly thought that the man wasn’t dumb enough to not understand.

“Both I suppose. Hope isn’t family by blood but he is my little brother all the same. Yet he is also a friend – sometimes he plays both roles at the same time and sometimes he plays only one. I know that my relationship with him is far more relaxed and ‘friendly’ than the one I have with my blood sibling, yet the word friend doesn’t really describe what he means to me.” She glanced at him briefly and then looked again at the approaching castle. “I imagine it is similar to the bond you share with Fran. You are more than friends or partners, yet I don’t think you are romantically inclined. I could be wrong mind you – I don’t claim to care much about deciphering other people’s relationships.” Until she had become a le’Cie she had barely cared about anyone other than her sister. Now she had a group of friends and Hope. Now she cared for far too many people really...but it was slightly kinder world than the one she had spent the previous years in. She couldn’t see herself without Hope and the others now – Hope especially. Yes she was still very close to Sarah but she had stopped needed Light. She had Snow now and was all grown up, yes they still needed each other as sisters but they now had separate lives as all siblings eventually do.