P.R.I.S.M of Memories -on Hold

Chapter Twenty-Three

~Astra~

Damn it. Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!

I could feel the stone beneath my fist beginning to crack. I pace around, unable to stand still. Not even the view of the mountains, that had always brought so much comfort in the past, could hold my attention for long.

Conrad. I'm so sorry. What have I done? And Data...why?

"You actually care about that boy, don't you."

I had felt Ren's presence before he had spoken. His words could've been a question if I did not know him so well. I don't respond. Acknowledging what seems so obvious to him would not improve Conrad's position. I shift my glance to Ren. He had taken a seat on the ledge, his back against one of the pale blue pillars that clearly had the indentation of my fist. He traces a tile with a small blade.

A strong mountain breeze flows around the large open hall.

He pretends to shiver. "Come on, Ice Queen. If there is anyone you should warm up to, it should be me. I don't deserve frost burn just because you were dumb enough to bring him to the rendezvous point."

Can't he just leave me alone? I don't want to be around anyone. Not now. I don't need anyone seeing how upset I am. I coldly glare at him.

"It would be nice if you actually said what you were thinking. Since you're mind isn't open to me."

I grip the ledge a little too tightly. I can feel it giving way underneath my fingers. Lighten the grip. Don't let him see.

He nudges me with his foot. "Awww, Astra. Don't be like that. I'm just teasing you. He's alive. Isn't that what you wanted?"

I gaze out into the mountains. The sunlight reflects brightly on the rivers that cut through them. I make a visual map of where they would flow through. The meadows full of wild flowers, large open plains at the base, and the wild horses that roam free.

"Perhaps I should've brought my sword down a little faster then."

I pull a small knife from underneath my tunic and aim it directly at his head. He deflects it easily. As I knew he would.  He didn't even have to use his blessing.

"So you did want him to live. Then I don't see why you are sulking."

Ren looks downward to the first floor. "Go and fetch that when you get a chance. Don't waste a perfectly good blade."

"Leave me alone, Berengar."

"Ohhh, my full name. You're really upset."

I walk off. Of course, he pursues me.

"Come on, Astra. I'm trying to be a friend here. Talk to me. What the hell happened between you two? Why did you leave in the middle of a mission to aid that boy?"

My back is tensing up. I didn't want to have this conversation. Especially with Ren.

"Nothing happened."

"Sure doesn't seem that way."

I scoff. Of course! His vain pride was at stake here.

"Well it is that way."

"She said through her teeth, desperately trying to convince herself."

I turn around and fix him with my most severe face. "You asked me what happened and I spoke the truth. Now you dare call me a liar?"

He meets my glare evenly. "I think this is the most emotion I've seen out of you in decades. And you're expecting me to believe nothing happened?"