Selena's New Year

I'm sure a lot of you know by now, but Selena is one of my personal favorites, but believed the games didn't do her quite enough justice. However, this writing prompt provides me with an opportunity to do something a little different, and experiment with her. Furthermore, I haven't written anything not relating to academics, as well as not used to writing in first person, so this should shake off the rust.

I hope you enjoy, nonetheless. :yum:

#WCNewYear

The streets of Askr were abuzz the night of the New Years Featival: most everyone attending was wearing a Yukata, bright colors and lights illuminated the night with a liveliness I haven't seen in so many years, and the aroma of gourmet food and hot drinks weighed heavily in the air which a single whiff could make my mouth water. Witnessing everything around me was a sight to behold, and I could feel myself get nostalgic; I could still vividly walking around the stalls and catching some fish with my mother when I was but a small child. I could even recall falling into the pool of water the fish were held in, and crying for her. Father helped dry my clothes and gave me a piggyback ride to cheer me up, with my mother giving me a warm smile, comforting me.

All these memories flooding back with such a welcoming atmosphere made me smile, and I giggled like your typical schoolgirl. Lady Camilla who was walking beside me all this time, smiled at me, laying a hand over her chest. "Oh, look how precious you are, my dear Selena. It's been a while since I've seen you smile like that." I immediately got embarrassed and attempted to hide my face with my pigtails. Despite how safe we were here, I was still afraid to let my real emotions show, in case another future like my own appeared. Perhaps I'm letting my guard down still, because I wasn't adverse like usual.

"Y-your mind must be playing tricks, Lady Camilla," I stammer out. "You know I don't really smile." I hear her chuckle, but I was incapable of looking at her.

"Now, now, there's no need to hide it. Your smile brings out the best of you. It looks especially cute, I just wanna eat you right up!" She starts to pinch my cheeks a bit hard and I start to flail around.

"Ow, ow, OW! Lady Camilla, that hurts!" She laughs a little before letting cheeks go, which I proceed the rub in hopes of easing the pain. I finally manage to look at her, and I immediately feel myself getting red. She had a captivating smile, her hair parting just right so that I could finally see both of her radiant purple eyes shining in the lights of the festival and full moon, her hair glistening thanks to the shampoo she used prior to changing into her Yukata, her skin beautiful and soft to to the touch. Don't even get me STARTED on her Yukata.

"Oh? Is there something on my face?" It seemed I was staring long enough that my liege made this comment and I immediately hid my face in shame. What was I thinking!? This wasn't like me to feel so... attracted to someone! I shouldn't be anyways. She's my liege; such a connection was forbidden as their wellbeing was most important. I tried my best to hide all of this from her.

"N-no, of course not!" I stuttering was not helping the situation, but it was the best I could manage. "I mean... i was just iring how you looked. Who did you get to make such a great Yukata for you?" She giggles, as if enjoying my embarrassment, but my diversion of the topic seems to have worked... even if it wasn't necessarily a lie.

"Like it? One of the Hoshidan retainers designed it for me, Oboro I believe her name was. Precious little thing, although I do it she has some scary eyes." She takes a moment to observe me before asking about my own Yukata. "Yours is so cute! Where on Earth did you manage to find one with such a pattern and color?" I blush a little bit from being called cute, but try not to lose my composure again.

"Thanks... I found some material off of a merchant who was selling some rare Hoshidan products. I have some experience with sewing, so I made it myself. It turned out better than I expected."

"You did a wonderful job it, Selena! Truly astounding! When we get back to Nohr, do you think you can sew me an outfit as well?"

"I will consider it. We would have to make sure we have the materials first, after all." I suddenly feel her tug me towards her and embrace me, with my vision suddenly dark, my face buried somewhere soft. That could only mean one thing... and I was already beginning to suffocate.

"Thank you! Oh, you're such a darling retainer. What can't you do? You're practically perfect!" I feel my face scrunch up at the moment I heard THAT word. I have a feeling she noticed it too, as she pull away enough for me to not be buried into her assets, and looks at me with a concerned look on her face. "Did I say something wrong?" I try to hide it, shaking my head and faking a smile.

"Nothing at all, Lady Camilla. I was just thinking up of the different outfits you could try on. It was just a bit intense on my end." It was clear she didn't buy it, but she gave a simple smile and reaches for my hand. I blush a little, but I don't resist like I normally would. As a result, I let her drag me around the festival, asking me to try out different things with her. We tried fishing, playing several traditional games, and even a Hoshidan treat known as Kagami Mochi. For the most part, unless necessary, Lady Camilla never let go of my hand, as if trying desperately to cheer me up throughout the night. When my smile still looked half-assed, she seemed saddened, but wasn't ready to give up yet. She tightened her grip and took me to the top of a hill overlooking the village, with no trees to Obstruct our view of the night sky. She smiles as she pat the ground beside her. I sit down and we stare into the night together.

The way the stars twinkled, peppered throughout the sky was unlike nothing I had ever seen before. My jaw felt like it was hitting the floor at what seemed to be a common sight to most people, because for me, this was the first time I had ever fully appreciated the sight for myself. The smaller moments were always killed by the Risen and the war between Nohr and Hoshido. But realizing these were the moments we strived to see again, the moments we fought for in both worlds, it makes me feel all the more motivated to move on through. For this moment lost in time, I finally felt at peace. At that moment, I felt Lady Camilla's hand brush over mine, and I look at her, expecting a long lecture about hiding things from her. She didn't move, nor did she look at me. She simply continued to look at the sky above.

After time ed, we finally saw the fireworks light up the sky, with the loud bursts echoing, and possibly deafening us. My eyes probably looked like I was a kid in a candy store, being able to see these fireworks for the first time in almost a decade. I was able to all the fun times at the festivals my parents and I attended again, and grinned from ear to ear. I looked to make sure Camilla was enjoying them too, and I saw her turn her head to meet my eyes the time I looked at her. Her expression seemed blank at first, but when she saw me, she lit up, and her warm smile took hold once more. "Aren't the fireworks so pretty, Selena?"

"They are, Lady Camilla." In a possibly inappropriate and bold move, I scoot closer to her, close enough that our bodies could touch should either of us lean over slightly. Lady Camilla didn't seem bothered by this, but instead continued to smile as she brought her face closer to me.

"And you know you mean a lot to me, right?" I grow a little red, but I didn't exactly blush. I avert my gaze a little, but I don't look away completely. What was I supposed to do? I didn't know how to react to that statement. However, my filter was turning off bring so comfortable with her, so I had little control of what I was going to say.

"You mean a lot to me as well. More than you know." She giggles, as if she expected such a response, but her smile faded a bit. She brought my face closer to hers, and tilted out heads, our foreheads now touching. I was unable to move my body, paralyzed by this action, and I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eye, but I don't think she expected me to anyways.

"If that's the case..." she hesitates before she managed to finish her thought. "Will there ever come a time when you open up to me? You know I worry about you, even putting our positions aside. And when you don't tell my why and how you feel, I just..." I hear her stop mid-sentence and get worried, looking up to see her start crying. Almost as if instinctively, I wrap my arms around her and give her a tight hug, shushing her as if I would a baby. I know there was only one answer that would completely satisfy her, and while I wasn't sure I should say it, I felt like I owed her. She took me in, she was helping me put a stop to a terrible war in another world, and she provided me with so much emotional as well, even if she could be a bit over the top. She was almost like an idol... so even if it was considered a lie, I should say it anyways.

"One day. One day I'll tell you everything about me." She looks up at me, as if begging for the answer "when exactly is that?". I could only answer one way: "I have to be ready. I trust you, Lady Camilla, but this information not to be shared lightly. But I'm thinking... once the fighting is done and we ensure peace in Nohr, then I will share." I can feel her gripping me tightly, trying her hardest not to cry, but the tears were already a river. I've never seen Lady Camilla like this... was she scared that I might return home instead of Nohr after the fighting is done? I could even begin to feel her heart beat faster, not out of embarrassment or excitement, but rather in desperation.

"When that happens, will you stay in Nohr with me?" Her voice was trembling, trying to fight back all the sobs, all the while I was taken aback by this question. She has asked it before, but usually with a semi-seriousness where she knew I wouldn't be at her command for such a decision, one she would respect regardless of what I chose. However, the way she asked it now was how a close friend or lover would ask another. She may still respect my decision, but the impact would clearly be much greater. If I were to be honest, I didn't want to be separated from Lady Camilla, but I still have to help rebuild my real home. There's no way to tell how long the gateway home will be open either after the war is over, so I can't just sit between worlds forever. Whenever I look into her eyes now, my heart instantly falls further seeing her tears starting to ruin her makeup, her expression reeked of sadness and desperation, and her grip may be the only way to express anger at the thought of me leaving. I hated the fact I couldn't simply tell her everything, but I couldn't make the decision yet. Maybe... I could at least consider staying. Even if just for her.

I grip her tighter and bring her close. For a moment, I threw aside everything about my position as retainer and hers as my liege, wanting to have this closeness. I could still hear the fireworks continue in the background, almost like motivation to continue. I was going to be honest with how I felt about the whole situation, and no one will stop me. "I can't promise I will. There are people waiting for me to help rebuild at home, nany of them good friends. However..." I begin to stroke her hair, in an attempt to comfort her, just like Mother did for me when I was younger. Being reminded of her hurt since what became of her still echoes in my mind, and tears began to populate my eyes, ready to fall. "However, I want to stay with you so badly. You're the best person I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and Nohr is such a great place, despite some of the darkness hiding it." I finally make the bold move of kissing her temple, but keep her in close to prevent her from reacting too much. I have a feeling, however, that she didn't mind that. "I just need a little more time before I tell you definitively where I go, but I'll still tell you everything. Will that be okay?"

"Yes, yes of course!" I feel like she's only saying that to make me feel better, but I felt her expression change, seemingly into a smile. That alone made me smile too. I wanted her to be happy, regardless of whether or not it was me making her happy. So hopefully, if I do decide to leave, she'll have someone who she loves deeply enough to fill the void I'll surely leave behind. I won't make that decision so soon, though. I want to savor every moment I have left with her. For this year, I begin with a few simple words.

"Happy New Year, Lady Camilla." We part allowing each other to see our faces. We were a mess, our makeup starting to run down our faces thanks to the tears. We began to laugh at how silly we looked, but silently, I was thankful she was the only one to see me like this. After she stopped laughing, she gave the biggest smile she gave me that night, a smile I would for the rest of my life.

"Happy New Year, Selena." She took my hand and brought it close to her. "Please, call me Camilla while we're on our own." My eyes widened in shock at the mere possibility of calling her anything but by her title. I could call her princess from the time to time, but to call her anything else to her face was unthinkable. However, for some reason, I felt happy she gave me permission to do anything else. Perhaps... just maybe... I can tell her one secret.

"If that is alright with you... Camilla." I inch a bit closer, and take her free hand. This was the first time I actually paid attention to how it felt: soft and warm, welcoming to touch. It felt fragile, as if she needed to be protected at all costs, but tough, like she had seen hundreds of battles in her life. It was perfect. She wasn't naïve, but she hasn't hardened her heart.

I was happy.

"In private, you can call me Severa."

Yes, I do ship these two a bit.