Act 4

[untrueheart]

[The sun is on its way down, clouds moving to fill in the spaces left by fading light, when a tired, staggering Rue makes her way back home again. At first she can't tell which part of the village she landed in; after a while she recognizes the road leading south and trudges along. She isn't sure whether to be sour or grateful that she has shoes on.

Eventually, after a nice long walk and a thorough freezing, Rue wanders into Seventh Heaven hoping for warmth and relative peace and quiet. Of which there is never any guarantee, an astounding feat for a town so small.]

Comments

[soheartless]

[Whenever she makes her way to the Heart building, that's where she'll find a prince who is not quite complete yet.

He is also sound asleep, slumped quietly against the wall next to Rue's apartment. And still clutched in one hand is a small container of soup that has long since gone cold.]

[untrueheart]

[Everything is awful and nothing is ever going to be right again and she's cold way way way too cold and-

That's Mytho there, outside her door, asleep. Or worse, that's where she immediately goes, and soon enough she's beside him and trying to wake him.]

[soheartless]

[He stirs, and then he moans slightly as he slowly starts to regain consciousness.]

[untrueheart]

Mytho. [Her voice is still sort of raw, too.] Why are you out here? Wake up.

[soheartless]

[And his eyes flutter open as he hears her voice.]

Rue...? [And his arms affectionately cling around her as he sits himself up, the soup container left standing on the floor.] Rue! I had hoped to find you...

[untrueheart]

[Really?

He...he's there to find her?

Already fragile, Rue catches herself before she can lose more than a few tears.]

Well I- I'm here now. You've found me.

[soheartless]

I'm glad, Rue. [And it shows in his voice.] When you were gone... I was afraid and hurt.

But, you're back...

[untrueheart]

[She was afraid and hurt, too. Hearing him say it, she holds on even tighter.]

I didn't want to leave.

[soheartless]

I don't want you to leave, either. [And he clings more tightly to her.] What happened...?

[untrueheart]

They just came and took me away. Don't think about it. [Rue doesn't want to think about it either.]

[soheartless]

Okay. [He says obediently. If Rue doesn't think he should think about it, he won't.

He'll still feel fear.]

Rue... [He gazes into her eyes for a moment, as if trying to put together the right thought.]

Is there anything you need?

[untrueheart]

[Yes. She needs a long hot bath and to sleep for ten hours and then maybe another hot bath and if possible all the time in the world to curl into her tightest ball and cry in someone's arms.

Rue knows better than to think she will get or should have any of these things. Particularly that last one. So she says the first and most instinctive thing instead.]

Just you.

[soheartless]

[He matches her volume with a soft whisper.]

I'm here.

[He then moves himself upright while holding onto her, and trying to lift her up, cradled in his arms.]

[untrueheart]

[Unless he falters, Rue goes on clinging and not getting in his way. That last wish might just happen after all.]

[soheartless]

[He's not the strongest boy, but he's still able to lift carry her well enough. And he gives a soft smile as he glances towards her face, then walks towards her door. It's when he nearly steps on the container of chicken soup that he remembers its existence.]

Ah... That's right.

Rue... Would you like some chicken soup? Emil taught me...

[untrueheart]

Chicken...soup? What for?

[How long has it been sitting there, is a better question.]

[soheartless]

For you. Your health, Rue...

I don't know if it's still warm or not.

[untrueheart]

No, I don't want any soup.

[Tired as she is, it makes answering Mytho's barely-emotive self much easier.]

Thank you anyway.

[soheartless]

You're welcome. [He says automatically. And the soup is left forgotten.]

If there's anything else you'd want... I'd like to know.

[He says as he tries grasping at the doorknob to open it.]

[untrueheart]

[While her inner voice repeats its fervent wishes for disappearing into hot water and sleeping for six years, her physical voice does nothing. Dropping her head back onto Mytho's shoulder and shaking it 'no' is all she manages.]

[soheartless]

Okay.

[And then the door is finally opened, and he steps through into Rue's apartment, holding her delicately. It's been tidied up as much as it could be in her absence.]

[untrueheart]

[Rue is hardly untidy to begin with, but her kidnapping did leave something of a mess; seeing it clean elicits a strange sigh.]

Are you...going to leave?

[soheartless]

If you want me to. [He says, now taking her towards her bed.]

I would leave if you wanted me to...

[untrueheart]

I don't. You shouldn't go.

[Rue does not want to be alone in this apartment so soon after being taken from it.]

[soheartless]

I won't leave you.

[A simple, automatic statement.]

Loneliness... [He pauses, as if trying to remember.] I don't recall liking such a feeling at all. You shouldn't feel that, Rue...