Scene: Wolfrun Inn in Vector.
Characters:  Rydia and Prince Edge.


Rydia raps her fingernails softly against the table, looking a little anxious and slightly bored. Cecil is out there, possibly in danger, and she can't do anything, how frustrating.

Edge leans back in his chair, looking to Rydia, leting out a soft sigh. "I know... it is hard... the waiting... We will go find them soon. Cecil and Rosa can take care of themselves."

Rydia glances up, her thoughts shattered, "Hmm? Oh, yes... how did you know that's what I was thinking?" A eyebrow shoots up, somewhat surprised.
      
Edge smiles and winks. "Oh... the rapid taping might have given me a clue... besides... I'm a mindreader." Edge winks to her playfully.

Rydia chuckles at Edge, leaning back in her chair a she shakes her head, "You just never quit, do you?" The laughter is affectionate, however, as is her tone of voice, "Why me, Prince of Eblan? I'm a village girl, surely there are many princesses who'd love to coo at you."

Edge smiles softly though his mask, looking to Rydia as he puts his chin to rest on his closed fists. "Because... you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Rydia... I will woo you for well... as long as it takes... I enjoy a challenge, my lady..." Edge shakes his head slowly. "As for other princesses... yes... I do. But I dont want them... I want you." Edge's storm grey eyes focus peircingly apon her, full of emotion. "I speak to you truely, Rydia... The reason why I returned from Eblan... was to get you. I swore I would not return to my homeland untill I had a beautiful, green eyed... green haired goddess by my side..."

A challenge, well that explains everything to Rydia, and the knowing smile that crosses her lips doesn't hide this. She looks away, toward the window and the outdoors. "Edge, I won't fawn all over you the way everyone else does. I will never preen for you, I will not jump at your every command the way everyone else does. You understand this, don't you?"

Edge smiles softly and nods. "I dont want you do. I hate it when people do, Rydia. I had enough of that back in Eblan... You are /the/ STRONGEST woman I know. That is why, Rydia." Edge shakes his head slowly. "Well... If anything... I will settle to be your friend. I will flirt with you... alot... but if you truely dont wish me to do this... I wont. I would never to /anything/ to hurt you Rydia... ever."

Augh! Sweetness, and Rydia senses honesty in Edge's words, the one thing that actually melts that otherwise icy heart of hers. Her smile fades, inner turmoil dragging her gaze now to her hands. Finally she rises from the table, rubbing her arms. She doesn't like this uncomfortable cliff she's standing on, figuratively. "I like you, Edge, but..." *I just can't imagine being that close to someone I could just as easily lose*.

Edge nods slowly to Rydia, and lets out a soft sigh. "Yes, Rydia. I understand..." Unfortunatly for Edge... he cannot read minds... The Ninja Prince slowly rises and bows. "I am going to go take care of Moonshadow and make sure she is alright... I am sorry Rydia. When we find Cecil and Rosa, I wont do this anymore. I am sorry if I ever made it hard for you..." Edge slowly turns, his cloak billowing behind him as he slowly walks to the door. The Prince having thought he hurt Rydia by doing this... and that is one thing he swore he would never do. "I shall simply be your friend, if I can."

"Edge, wait..." Rydia sighs, glancing up. "Don't go, I'm sorry... I'm just not as... passionate as you are." Fingers fidget with the gauze of her skirt as she pauses, thinking what to say now. She called him back, so... now what?

The Ninja stops and turns... his eyes a bit confused... but then he slowly nows... and he bows to Rydia. "As you wish then, Lady Rydia. I will not be so... overt." Edge smiles softly to her. "I know I am brash... My parents always..." Edge's face saddens for a moment... then he lets it go. "My parents always said it would get me into trouble... and it has." Edge softly smiles to her. "I will slow down... And take it first as friends... because that is the most important thing to me Rydia. Your friendship."

Slowly approaching the Ninja prince, Rydia gives him one of her typical, cryptic/knowing smiles, "I think I would prefer you just be you, Edge. I think if you tried to change, it'd drive you mad." As if to seal it like a bargain, she leans forward to kiss his cheek lightly.

Edge stands there for a long moment... reaching up to softly lightly brush his fingers against his cheek... then he slowly shakes his head to clear it. "As you wish, Rydia." Edge smiles softly to her. "I shall be so."

Rydia sighs, somewhat melodramtically, "I suppose this means I will have to put up with you being rather... passionate at times, but I can deal with that. I always have." Yet, there's a new weight to that, knowing just how Edge feels now puts a new perspective on her own feelings, and the weight is awkward.

Edge nods to Rydia, smiling tenderly to her as he reaches out... softly brushing his fingers against her cheek. "I will limit it to a bearabe level, Rydia." Edge slowly reaches up and tucks the long strand of silvery hair back over his ear. "Friends first, Rydia? The rest can wait... for now." Edge winks playfully to her, and waggles his eyebrows.

Rydia allows Edge to touch her cheek this time, not wincing away from it. After, she laughs, reaching out to slug the Ninja's shoulder lightly, "Friends then, and we'll see if anything more comes of it."

Edge smiles to Rydia as she does so, noding. "That sounds wonderful to me, Rydia. Wonderful indeed." Edge smiles and opens his arms, offering a hug if she will share one. "When we find Cecil and Rosa... All of us are going to Costa Del Sol for some realaxation and sun, just to relax and have fun."

Rydia stretches her arms out, allowing herself to be drawn into the hug. She rests her head against the Ninja's shoulder briefly, but draws back again soon after. "I think that sounds like fun, when Cecil and Rose are found."