>>5952945You find Diana, Mary and Ava huddled together. Having not seen them yet all night, you were hoping that they were at least enjoying themselves. But as you draw closer, you notice that Diana looks to be currently sobbing into her drink. Mary is doing her best to console your Left Wing, rubbing her back and offering words of encouragement. Meanwhile, Ava looks on with a mix of disapproval and indifference. As you approach, Diana looks up and attempts to put on a brave face, wiping away her tears.
“O-oh, Blair!” She says, eyes red and puffy. “G-great party, huh?”
>“Really?” You ask incredulously. “The look on your face tells me otherwise. What’s going on?”When Diana doesn’t answer, Mary takes the initiative for her. “Diana’s just…sad to have to say goodbye to everyone.”
>“I see. I’m sorry, Diana. But you don’t have to cry though. If you’d like, you’re welcome to come back to Rusalka with me. You know that I’d always have a place for you by my side.”Hoping your words would help ease her pain, you find that they instead have the opposite effect. Diana begins to sob harder. She puts her drink down and places her head down on the table, hoping to avoid making eye-contact with you,
“W-well, you see the thing is…” Mary starts.
“Honestly, are you planning on holding her hand forever?” Ava scoffs towards Mary.
“I-I was just-” Mary is cut off by Ava, who lifts Diana’s head off the table.
“You’re a big girl now, aren’t you?” Ava asks Diana, her head inches away from her own. “Then start acting like it! What would Shelley say if she were around to see this? She’d probably be a lot rougher than I’m being. So, look Blair in the eyes and tell her exactly what you intend to do, or so help me Goddess I’ll throttle you!”
You give Diana the time to readjust herself, watching as she wipes away at her face with her sleeve. Only when she is finally looking somewhat presentable again does she answer you.
“B-Blair, thank you for the offer. Please don’t hate me but…I have to decline. I’ve chosen to enlist with the Knights of Seiros so that I can work under Mary here. I always dreamed of joining the Knights and being just like Dame Serena. Back then, she would never have let me…but now I have a chance to do so, and I can’t let it just slip by! S-so I’m gonna stay here. I’m sorry! Please don’t be mad at me!”
>“Oh Diana, you little fool. How could I ever be mad at you?” You embrace your friend tightly. “I’m happy that you’ve found something you want to dedicate yourself to. Of course you have my blessings. Be the best Pegasus Knight they’ve ever had. You’ve come such a long way, and I know you’ll be much better than Serena or I ever were.”Diana says nothing, but once again begins sobbing, this time directly into your shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Blair.” Mary says. “I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
