Delivering News of Delivery

[kahl]

A brisk wind whipped at the man's cloak, the colors of the King's Guard. Roa strode toward the Opulence Theatre in quiet contemplation. He knew that it meant so much to Oneida for Aspen to forgive her and to accept her, but the man's resistance pained Roa endlessly as it wounded Oni so deeply.

Turning the envelope over in his hand, he drew in a deep breath as he neared the doors of the theatre. Spotting a young woman near the entrance he inquired, "I am seeking Soleil DuFraigne or Cap. Aspen Sorrell. Might they be here?"

[Melara]

"Soleil is down near the stage with her sister," the girl replied with a glowing smile. "I haven't seen Capt. Sorrell today but he may well be there too. Here, I'll walk you down."

Though no more than sixteen or so, her smile was cheerful and dreamy, her eyes sparkling at the very handsome messenger.

[kahl]

Immediately recognizing the gaze of the young woman, one he'd seen many times before, Roa merely smiled. It was not an encouraging smile, but rather a bemused smile. As he spied Soleil and Rosalind, the man gently touched the young girl's shoulder in dismissal, then strode past her.

"Ah, the lovely DuFraigne sisters! Neither yet married?" he joked. "So I have time yet, yes..?"

Smirking coyly, Rosalind arched a brow. "Hah! I rather doubt you could handle a DuFraigne. You've your hands full with Oneida." As her smile settled into an amicable one, she inquired, "how is Oneida? Soleil told me what happened with Aspen. We're both quite concerned."

"Yes..." Roa grimaced again at the thought of what the man had said that resulted in the premature birth. "Oneida is resting. I brought news, actually." He flourished the envelope. "The child has been born. A boy."

Although the child was not his, there was pride in Roa's words. "Lu'kwe Tel-yano'ta Sasori...Luke for short. AND--" He gave a dramatic pause. "Soon to be Luke Viktros."

Rosalind's eyes lit up. "She's agreed to marry? I mean...anyone!? I took Oneida for the independent type."

Roa nodded, "yes, she has. It may still be a decision made out of convenience, but I...I accept that. Anyway..." He sighed and passed the envelope to Soleil. "She insisted I send word to Aspen. I thought he would be with you at this hour. I'd hoped to talk with him."

"Oh, he's here," Rosalind nodded and pointed. "He and Leopold are discussing proper fencing techniques in the garden. There is quite a difference between noblemen, soldiers and pirates--....when it comes to their swords, at least." Rosalind laughed heartily at her own bawdy joke, though Roa too was already laughing.

"Indeed," he smirked. "Well...if I may speak to him?" He looked to Soleil. "You may want to accompany me...or not. As you will."

[Melara]

"I'll come," Soleil smiled brightly as he offered his arm to Rosalind and then the other to her. "You'll need a DuFraigne on either side to keep you balanced, anyway."

**

"If I were a pirate, I'd have slashed you through already," Aspen smirked at Leopold. The taller man stood there with a fencing rapier in hand, in one of the graceful competition poses.

"Were you a pirate," Leopold smiled, "You'd probably smell better."

"Oh, is that it?" Aspen chuckled. Leopold planted his free hand over his heart a moment and half-bowed.

"I can only use my words," he replied. "You're a trained soldier and I just an actor. I hold no dellusions that were this serious, I would have a single chance at even scratching you before my head was in the dust."

[kahl]

"Very true," Aspen observed. "But listen, if you want to fight as John does, you're going to have to forget all of that pomp and ceremony. Real fighting is dirty and unstructured. That doesn't mean it lacks technique and doesn't require skill. Just means...well, you need to think less about 'winning' and more about 'surviving'."

As he strolled into the garden a lady on each arm, Roa beamed a smile, "he speaks the truth, Leopold. We both fought beside John in the war and I can tell you this-- the man would just as soon through mud in your eye as exact a graceful parry. Whatever it takes to survive the fight. In his world, winning didn't mean a trophy, it meant you got to take a few more breaths before you die." Nodding his chin in greeting to his friend Aspen, Roa smirked, "maybe you should tell the other actors to actually try to hit you. If you actually have to block their blows, for fear of pain, it will be far more authentic."

"What are you doing here?" Aspen eyed Roa warily. "You're not on duty today...and neither am I."

Cocking her head, Rosalind touted, "so he cannot visit with friends?"

Both men exchanged looks. Aspen knew very well that Roa had come to talk to him...about Oneida.

"He's brought news," Rosalind smiled and winked at Leopold. "Lots of news."

As an expectant hush fell over the two men, Roa informed them both. "Not only has Oneida given birth to a beautiful boy...but she's agreed to marry me."

Aspen tossed his stage sword onto the pile with disdain and began to strip off his gloves. He'd suddenly lost the merriment required to play at fighting with Leopold. "Fantastic, Roa. So have you come to hear me tell you once again how you are ruining your life and Lav's future...or did you blindly assume I would actually care that witch gave birth?"

Pain and angry contorted Roa's brow but he said nothing at first only staring at the man. "It should be I giving lectures, Aspen...Oneida only gave birth so soon because YOU upset her so grossly, when all she'd done was come to plea for your forgiveness...for some familial compassion."

"She's no family of mine, and I've told you before to let it go!" Aspen snapped before glancing self-consciously at the Dufraignes and Leopold.

Scoffing with a glower as he crossed his arms, Roa shook his head. "After all your time with Lorolai and Gabriel...counseling with God and the Law to gain forgiveness for YOUR sins, for YOUR crimes. You above all should be willing to forgive."

"Well, then," Aspen sighed. "I suppose I shall have to take up the matter of my hypocrisy with God as well now." Glowering at Roa, then bowing toward Leopold he grunted, "until the morrow, brother. I seem to have lost my taste for play."

[Melara]

Leopold inclined his head politely, his expression unreadable. Soleil's was not so much.

"Excuse me, Roa," she murmured, then shot a glower at Aspen before turning, striding away toward the interior of the theatre.

[kahl]

Aspen's teeth clenched and he shifted his eyes from the retreating Soleil to Roa. "Just wonderful, Roa. Wonderful. I don't need this in my life. We're supposed to be friends, you and I."

"Indeed," Roa agreed. "Which is why, even if you will not accept Oneida as family, I would hope that you could at least respect her as my soon-to-be wife."

"There is nothing more to discuss, Roa." The younger man's words were so finite that when he left to follow Soleil, Roa could only sag onto the garden wall and hold his head.

"I simply cannot understand this hatred," he whispered. "Where does it come from? I...know enough about his past and his brother...I could understand when it was focused at Simeon-- but Oneida? She has been as much a victim of Simeon Vaelle as Aspen was...if not more so. Simeon attacked the things and people around Aspen, but never the man himself. I think Simeon truly loved his little brother--as sick as that seems. Although most of Oni's past is...understandably forbidden to speak of, she has told me enough. Enough to know how this man tainted her, contributed to her confusion and misdirection for so long. Why can he not see this?"

Rosalind sat beside him and took his hand. Lifting his head to Leopold, Roa's eyes were sad. "You are a master of men's minds. Please...explain it to me, because my heart is too weary to understand and I cannot bear to take this news back to my wife."

- - - -

"Soleil-- wait!" Aspen called as he ran to catch up to the bustling woman. "PLEASE! Please wait!!"

Reaching her side he panted in frustration, "I should not have spoken that way to Roa...perhaps...but...as a friend it is my duty--my responsibility to speak my apprehensions to him. I cannot stand by and watch him endanger his son's life. I do not mean to be cruel. I just want to spare him the pain. Oneida's little "good girl" acts never last long and when they end, people get seriously hurt."

[Melara]

“And how is that different?” Soleil asked, her voice thick and stern. It was the only way she could keep the tears at bay.

“Different?” He asked.

“Yes,” she said,a nd looked at him. “People keep getting hurt around you too, Aspen. How can I do this? How can I love a man who holds so much hate in his heart?”

[kahl]

Wounded at the slightest inference that Soleil might leave him, Aspen's anger immediately melted away. "I don't..." His mouth was dry and he swallowed. "I don't...know," he whispered. "I never did know how you could...why you loved me. I never have."

Sinking against the wall, he swiped his hands over his face. "You remember...Persephone? What Simeon...what he did, yes?"

"This has nothing to do with--"

"It does. Please...just let me explain." His voice was trembling as was his hand as he gestured for her patience. "Oneida is capable of those same acts. I've...I've seen. And...I'm sorry, Soleil...but like my brother, when I look at her all I can see are those heinous images, and I feel sick. I feel...guilty. Ashamed."

Gesturing toward the garden he pleaded, "your family...they are so loving and accepting. They have never allowed for even the smallest cruelty to pervade their home. From Sienna to...the childish taunting of Andora." Lowering his head he whispered, "but my family. They are murders, rapists, thieves...lacking in integrity and morals. I don't just hate them. I hate myself. I hate that I am touched by them in anyway...that I am capable of such cruelty too. You know I am. You've seen it."

Scrubbing at his face he murmured, "if I must face her and congratulate her on her child to secure my place at your side. I will do that. I will. I will even...be...pleasant. But I cannot call her family. Not anymore. Please do not ask me to."

- - - -

While Leopold considered his own response, Rosalind interjected with her own theory. "Men, as in mankind, is often driven by fear. Guilt is simply a limb of fear. To admit her victimization now after so long would give purchase and credence to the guilt he already feels. Mortals feel guilt over the silliest things. Even things that are in no way our fault." Folding her hands over Roa's she inclined her head. "We see in others the ugliness we do not want to face in ourselves."

Sighing, Roa squinted in thought then replied, "I know he has been working hard with the High Minister and the Supreme Justice to...make up for his crimes and to sort out his emotional disturbances. I guess I just...cannot see how Oneida threatens this, threatens him."

"She is a mirror," Rosalind murmured sadly. "That is all. It is his own reflection that reviles him. After all...she has moved on and found peace, and he has not."

[Melara]

"You have to let go of this, Aspen," Soleil replied. "You hate it, but you cling to the hate like a beggar guarding a coin! You are nothing like your brother, no matter how much you try and convince yourself otherwise. Everyone is capable of cruelty, Aspen. Everyone! You are capable of goodness and love and forgiveness too. You are capable of it, and she is capable of changing. She..."

She broke off with a frustrated sound, turning her back to him and swiping her cheeks.

[kahl]

Watching Soleil, her shoulders trembling, Aspen swallowed the lump of shame in his throat. The young woman was right. He was pursuing his own ability to evolve, to put his less admirable traits and skills behind him, and yet denying Oneida the possibility. After all, she was to be his best friend's wife. What did his refusal to trust her say about how he viewed Roa? The man must think him callus and cruel to believe that he would knowingly endanger his son. Roa was a good judge of character. His first wife Saidee had been a paragon of goodness. No man would swing so far in the opposite direction.

"Will you come with me? I will go with Roa now to see her...to offer my blessings on their impending nuptials." Aspen dipped his head, "and to ask forgiveness for my cruelty."

Rubbing diligently at the callouses of his left hand he swallowed again and confessed, "she...she is my cousin, and...if anyone deserves a second chance it is f...family."

There was nothing forced in his words, save the acknowledgment that Oneida was family. Aspen's tone was one of shame and sorrow. Soleil was accurate in her perceptions of him. If he could not take this step then truly what progress was he making?

"Please..." he whispered. "Help me do this..."

- - - -

Rubbing at his neck to ease his tension before returning home, Roa eyed both Leopold and Rosalind. "I should get back. I'll have to return to my post tomorrow. I want to spend some time with Luke before then. You and all the troupe are invited to the wedding, naturally."

Starting to turn he paused then added, "you are welcome to stop in anytime to see him-- and Oneida. Although she has Jadiera and Elenore...I think Oni could use some more friends. The brothers often seem more like body guards to her, I think. Take care, and thank you."

His farewell was heartfelt though his expression was weary. It was evident that Aspen's harsh words had wounded him deeply.

[Melara]

Wiping her cheeks, Soleil took a deep breath, then half ducked her head, looking at him. "Truly?"

At his nod she turned and went over to him, cupping his cheeks in her hands. "Of course I'll help you," she said. "I love you, Aspen..."

[kahl]

Aspen and Soleil slipped out the front of the Theatre to catch Roa before he reached the street. The man's stride was steady but he noticed them exit. Seeing Soleil's expression, and the tight grip Aspen had on her hand, he slowed to a stop.

"I'm not sure there is anything left to be said, my friend...unless you've come to apologize." Roa reserved his emotions, making certain to keep all anger, all hope and all sorrow from his voice and expression.

Aspen bowed his head respectfully then glanced at Soleil before licking his lips and speaking. "I...have, actually. Soleil has helped me to see that I am viewing this situation unfairly...viewing her...O-Oneida, unfairly. I..." His throat tightened, but as he felt Soleil squeeze his hand Aspen continued. "I've no right to ask forgiveness, but I offer my sincerest apology."

"And..." Soleil whispered.

With an absent-minded nod, Aspen amended, "and if you will allow it...I would like to come see the baby."

"Both of us would," Soleil met Roa's eyes with a hopeful glimmer.

Roa pondered this a moment then waved Soleil aside to talk. Keeping voices low and standing with his shoulder slightly turned toward Aspen, Roa met the girl's gaze intently. "Does he mean this or are these your words, spoken through him so that he does not loose you...or my friendship?" Cupping her cheek he stared intently, "Truly. I cannot have him upsetting her again. She is in a terribly delicate condition."

[kahl]

(OOC: moving them all to the Sasori Estate thread.)