[07:33] Having practically pulled the poor man's arm out of his socket with all of her tugging, she eventually frolics into her room and workshop. A place that Levius may have not been in before. A rather well kept and organized abode, given that both herself and Lavenza shared the same room and bunk bed.
The girl was excited to show Levius her work. That of which being something rather simple. On her work desk would have been an elaborate, delicately made holster. It was tended too with the utmost care, a smile clear on the girl's face as she presented it to him.
The holster would have been for Levius's pistol! It carried engravings that would mimic that of a wolf's fur pattern, an emblem of twin fangs clear as day upon the base of the holster. It's leatherwork was supreme, evident that the craftswoman who had made it would have put much thought and care into the creation.
And of course.
"..."
She hands it to Levius. It was obvious her intent, as if it was a gift for her brother. The one who had sparked her passion for craft, if not by the slightest ilm. The one who protected her and kept her safe from the dangers of this world, despite only knowing her for a few years.
The glint in her eye was non negligible. Evident it was, how much his sister looked up to Levius. For alas, he was the closest thing to the heroes that she adored in those stories of hers. Someone that had been willing to go out of his way to protect her and care for her, even if it meant nothing in return.
How dearly did she want to be just like him.
"..."
A gentle, embarrassing smile, as she gives the man time to scrutinize her work. The leather was pristine and shone a delicate ebon, stitchwork clean and concise, with the holster being both lightweight and easy to handle. Perfect to quickdraw from, if one might surmise.
She awaits his words with baited breathes, hoping dearly that he'd love it. Or at least, appreciate it.
(Maria Malibu)
[07:43] Lev gives the holster a look-over, before he takes it from her hand. Eyebrow raised, he runs his hand along it and examines it... rubbing it, giving a few approving nods.
He pets her gently with his idle hand, one of the warmest and dumbest smiles of his life forming on his face. He brings it in, a tight hug given as he kneels toward her, giving her forehead a kiss. He quietly utters:
"This is... one of the best gifts ever. I love it!
Thank you, Maria... I love you so much! But wouldn't you have more use for it? Keep it for yourself, and remember me every time you use it, hm?" he queries, the holster still in his hand, but not tightly grasped... instead, open for her to take or leave it for him... Truly spoilt for choice, his sister is.
His eyes beam with almost a holy light, in the room that he has weathered many a conversation with his sibling. He puffs his chest ever so slightly, proud of his sister for the excellent craftsmanship and grateful for the admiration given to him. He continues:
"I feel you'd get a lot more use out of it than I would... what do you say, want to keep it as a memento from me, dear?
You can always make me a sling or a holster for the rifle I will receive, mm? If it's not too much trouble! I'd love to help, too."
His brotherly pride now makes his stomach flutter, and he does not hold in any squeals, infrequent as they are.
(Levius W. Malibu)
[07:53] "...!"
Did she make this holster just to get more affection and attention from her big brother? Was her excuse for doing quests and collecting ingredients just a facade so that she can spend more time with him? Maria very much looked up to the man in front of her. Perhaps she thought being just like him would make her special. A humble heart, a joy and love for their family. A desire to protect...
She felt...happy, with him.
Why didn't she feel like this all the time?
"..."
For a young woman who could not speak, who could not express herself nearly as well as many others, this was the only way she could. To express her love and affection, to express herself, her identity. It was the best she could do.
The affection give to her is given a warm smile. The girl was giddy, smiling and blushing at the tender affection. Especially so, was it difficult to hide her excitement at his approval and adoration for the gift.
If only she could say 'I love you too'. If only she can express how hard she worked to make this gift.
She'd hope it was enough.
To his query though, Maria would tilt her head at the question. Did he not like it? She thought to herself. Did he not want it? Did she do a bad job? Did she...-
"..." The frown that caresses her features would waver as soon as it appeared. She takes the holster in her hands, realizing her brother had simply wanted her to realize her own potential and growth. It was true, the holster she had was rather worn down. A new one like this, with some adjustments, would fit her perfectly.
"..." A nod, the muttering a light "Mm." with her lips. Of course she'd remember him. With or without a memento.
"...-" How could she explain this? She was not cut out for such things. She was no hero, like her brother. She was no warrior...
She didn't deserve this.
Maria tilts her head, contemplating the decision. She simply nods, agreeing to help in making a holster for his rifle. The smile caresses her features once again, as she agrees to hold this holster for herself, in honor of her brother.
The question still rose, however, if she deserved such things...
"..."
Maybe Levius would find the fluttering expressions. As if Maria wanted to explain her emotions. They weren't...awful, as they were complicated. But for a woman who could not speak, would she find her heart still locked in that cage.
"..."
"Mm-..." a pause, as she sets her holster down. Approaching her brother once again, there is a light hum that escapes her. A single thought, a query. One she had wanted to ask for a while.
Levius was her hero. And she found it best to ask this question to him and him alone. A peak into her heart, one she had kept locked for so long.
Maria writes into a piece of paper, handing the question over to her brother. Hoping to keep this moment and query private to themselves...
(Maria Malibu)
[07:55] {Item} You drop Question for Levius.
[08:05] Levius picks up and hands the holster over to her now, and locks her fingers shut on it, one by one. He gives a smile, the holster bearing his features now hers... passing on his features, that wildness and appreciation for finer things... the loyalty and good inside the guardsdog, now part of her, too.
He gives a tiny sigh and his ears flick thrice as he finishes reading the paper given to him, exasperation miring his features. He tells her: "I know you love me too, you don't have to speak to be understood... at least by some people."
He continues: "When do you realize who you are, huh... quite the literary... no, philosophical question.
It's different for everyone. You'll get there when you get there. For me it took a lot of wandering... I never see the end to a road I walk. The wind carries me forth, even if I have not the willpower to get out of bed that day."
A frown ruining his handsome features, the ookami struggling with depression musters his brave face and gives her a smile, still knelt in front of her.
"It may very well be different for you... you never stop growing, as a person... I can not answer that question for you, my poppylus..." he trails off briefly, pausing as he points to the poppylus she handed him, aglow with a preternatural light... the nexus of his holy-magic, the starting point for his military career. He continues, resolute eyes and calm voice:
"What I can give you... is my devotion, fair lady. My promise that I will walk by your side, alongside the same road... and help you wherever and whenever you may need me."
He caresses her cheek as he speaks thus, his eyes full of brotherly compassion, as his ilk caresses and nudges his soul into a fervent oath of companionship.
"It may not be an easy road, but it's a road you no doubt have to walk. Will you have me, and be my sister-in-arms, as well?" he quietly asks, eyes locked with hers.
(Levius W. Malibu)
[08:23] Loyalty. Passion. Boldness.
Resilience.
Humility.
Truth
"..."
The most important traits of any outlaw. Especially so, to be true to yourself and what beats in your own heart.
Maybe that was why she looked up to Levius. Why she looked up to the heroes in her stories. For they were always true to themselves, even when the chips were down. They were loyal and resilient, even when the entire world was against them.
She couldn't help but see herself in them.
Wandering, lonely souls against the world.
Ones who just wanted to be loved.
A pause, as she looks at her brother. Her eyes trail him, his ears flicking at her words, expressions toiling to give her advice. Heavy words. For knowing oneself and your own truth was a tiring, toiling thing. Especially for a teenager such as herself.
Wandering, he said? Perhaps she was too young to wander. Too weak. But the selfsame heroes were wanderers. Why couldn't she be the same someday?
She wishes to understand. For in her heart did she find it difficult to get out of bed somedays. What purpose does she have? What beats in her own heart? For Levius, it would be the mere idea of a new day, full of possibilities.
So what would be her reason?
She points to his chest, gently placing a palm onto it. Her free palm splays against her own chest, a sigh escaping her lips.
Perhaps the Ookami's woes were not so different from her own.
"..."
But perhaps he was right. This was not a question for him to answer. It was not his truth.
It was hers.
So with a gentle nod, she smiles. Digits curl playfully, quite literally forcing Levius to turn that frown upside down. In those canary hues does he see the same that were his own, perhaps.
They dart, the glare deep into the poppylus that she had given him all those years ago! She'd widen her eyes, surprised to see that he still had it even for all these years! A realization soon enters the mind. Of the idea of one's own purpose...
Before she can ponder more, does her gaze dart back to Levius. His words enter her ear, to which a smile soon forms.
She realizes that she did not have to walk this road alone.
As frightening as it may be, she was not alone.
"Mm." she says again, nodding again, with resolve and passion unfurling within her hues. Levius and Maria would share and wander the same road. The same tiring, lonely road that would take them beyond their limits.
It was here, that she'd promise the same. Tapping his chest, and back to her own. To explain and gesture, that her heart would hold the same virtue. That she'd be there for him, when he needed it too. And that she'd gladly walk this lonely path with him.
The world was a cold one. It was a violent one. And there was no point in walking it alone.
Sometimes a pistol at your hip can only do so much.
"..." Maria smiles, reminded of the stories she read. Tales of banditos and outlaws riding through the wastes together. She imagined herself and her brother in the selfsame position. A fantasy, as it was. Yet...a calming one. Knowing that she was not alone.
An oath of companionship. A brother in arms. A tale as old as time. For it was a truth.
Outlaws stick together.
For the wastes were a cruel creature...
She smiles, a yawn escaping her lips as she bonds with her brother. A newfound oath of companionship with her kin, that she'd grow strong enough to protect, just as he had done the same for her.
(Maria Malibu)
[08:33] No words did Levius need to speak. Instead, a tap of her chest, then his chest, their salute given. Oath sworn, he picks up his new partner, tossing her and catching her, putting her on her shoulder. He queries:
"Sleepy yet, Maria Bonita? Or maybe you'd want to be a Wanderheart like me, hm? No matter, it can be sorted later." His own adopted name, given to her? Or... one of the famous outlaw of the same first name as her, given the nickname Bonita for her prettiness. He soon brushes these concerns aside, for now, with a wave motion of his hand.
Suggestions for a self-adopted nickname or name, in true gunslinger and outlaw fashion, are nonetheless planted in his sister's young and impressionable mind. It seems that he has also read his fair share of the kinds of books Maria is so fond of.
"You still have your truth to find, after all..." he trails off, his sister sitting on his firm, comfortable and cushioned epaulettes, as if it is no big deal. Wanderheart looks at her as he waits for her answer.
(Levius W. Malibu)
[08:40] Maria Bonita?
"..."
She rolls her eyes. What a lame name...
Of course, she couldn't help but be caught in a giggle. It was a silent one, of course, but her smile was as radiant as herself. She is hoisted up and quite literally tossed. Of course, Maria was pretty light and frail, she just...accepts her fate. Luckily, she trusted Levius enough to catch her.
Maria Bonita wasn't so bad, as cheesy at it was.
She's heard worse.
"Mm." she nods, another silent yawn escaping her lips. It would be the question if Maria had vocal cords, despite being a mute. She did make noises and sounds from time to time...
Perhaps a question for another day.
Hoisted onto his shoulder, the young and impressionable little Maria Bonita would ponder more about whether it was possible to live up to her own fantasies. To be a gunslinger and outlaw, to stay true to herself while also vanquishing evil as she had read somany do before her.
The thought is very much planted in her young mind. Thoughts for another day.
Maria still needed to find her truth someday, after all.
If anything, she was given a slightly better reason to get out of bed in the morning. If not just to see her dear brother and her siblings.
...Perhaps that was more than enough.
With a smile, her eyes soon start to close. Levius finds the weight of his sister suddenly droop onto him, as she'd fall asleep promptly on his shoulders.
Her answer would be found. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow.
But someday, beyond that horizon.
(Maria Malibu)
[08:43] Levius gives a smile and pats his asleep sister on the back, gently walking towards the bunk bed as to not wake her up. Sprawling her on it, he covers her with a blanket, and gives her the smallest kiss on her cheek, a quick "Good night sweetie." given in a hushed tone.
He walks out, quietly as possible, motivation at a record high.
(Levius W. Malibu)
[08:43] Levius W. Malibu says, "Right..."