V2 Incline 33: Champion Nin

I've been bothered a few times since I plonked myself on this rock. All the way into the night this has been going on. My mood has not improved at all, it's only been getting worse. Everything that's been bothering me has made the rounds in my head these past hours.

And now, a very specific, detestable aelenvari is walking up to me under the light of a soft glow. Remorseful eyes, like a child who has done something horrible to their mother but they still want a hug before bed. Mine narrow and hairs stand up aggressively as she scoots next to me so her head can fall onto my neck. She tries to nuzzle some kind of calm into me, but she just backs away when she sees my eyes.

I keep my hands together, dangling above the ground, supported by my open legs. I try my hardest to crush my turned arm, maybe one thing can go right today. But, I don't, I come to a sighing stop and release the bug limb. The lights from her head start to vanish as I maintain my gaze on the night-fallen forest.

She sniffles as the sounds of tears disturb the quiet. Her hands grab onto my arm and she starts to tug at it, desperate for my attention. A long, drawn-out breath drains out through my nose and I turn to face the puffy-eyed rose. She wipes her eyes to dry them, only for more to come out as she hunches over to try and hide them.

"P-Please don't go..." she weakly mutters as she grips my arm as tight as she can. To make a silent point, I easily break it free of her clinging hold. My features soften as I look at that face, I can't really find it in me to stay angry given the state of it. I look down at the wet trails running down my arm.

I barely know her, so why is she so desperate for me to stay? I've never shown her anything particular to justify this. She barges up to me, drags me to the ground and takes my first kiss. Her attitude towards me keeps flipping like a coin forever on the gambling move.

"No! I am leaving with Vapooliar and the others when we are ready and that is final. You will give back Dandelion and you can get back to your normal life!"

"Dandel'lhia again... Always with her all the time... Champion... How can you not understand that I love you with all my heart?"

"What're you talking about, Woman!?" I snap interruptedly.

"I-If you stay here, everything you could ever want will be handled! You will eat the finest foods, wear the greatest, softest clothes...! Anything that needs intimacy I can take charge of and..." she argues as she reaches down for my crotch with one of her hands. I trap it where it is and squeeze until she starts to pull back with a shaky gaze.

"What're you... No, no! I do not care." I firmly bark, but she doesn't understand even a simple no...

"Why...? Why do you not care? I have done everything I can to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. I've spent days in distress trying to figure out how best to please you..." she sobs as her tears come out harder than they ever have. A loud sigh leaves me as the urge to at least give her an explanation makes itself apparent.

Stupid as it seems.

"Look, Rose," I start to say as I hand her a tatty remnant of the shirt -she- destroyed, "I am thankful for what you have done for me and for the care you have given. But this place isn't my home. I want to go home, I cannot do that by staying here!" I try to make as clear as possible for her.

Though, I am already doubting it will work, a mere moment after saying it!

"Then... Then I will come with you! Our flower will come with you! We can have you become the new Gilded-Bark, the ultimate authority in our flo-" she says before I put a finger on her lips to shut her up. Become the new Gilded-Bark? What!?

"No... No, I'm not getting involved in any of that." I tell her as I stand up, shaking my head at how difficult this is. Seriously, it should just be a simple explanation, a simple answer! No, I am not staying, I do not love you! Get it already, Rose!

There's no point in me continuing with this if she's just going to keep...

"I will step down as Ivy-Mother! Someone else can fill the role and I can stay by your side... Please! I've... I've worked too hard to reach where I am just for the man I love to once again turn their back on me!" she begs with barely-kept composure as she chases after me. Reaching the cliff, I stand there as she tries to get close.

"Just stop it, Rose... Just stop it." I tell her, shaking my head at the distraught woman. A noise rumbles in my mouth and I leap off the ledge with her tears echoing after me. I strike the ground like a bomb and slowly stand up as I try to be baffled by my strange strength instead. Clicking my tongue as I make my way to where most of these problems started, those damn tournament grounds!