The Last Rule

Another night, another rooftop. This time in the Central Ward, dashing across the tops of the markets and offices of the heart of the Novandria. Maelie had seen Cardinal back to her room, said good night, exchanged kisses and delirious grins, and said good night again. But this week. This bloody week. Her heart hadn’t pounded so loudly in her ears since those first heists, cons, and adventures with her aunt and uncle.
 
Too many feelings after feeling nothing for months. She’d found so much life here in an energetic city with adventure around every corner. She had dreamed of finding a place like this all her life, even before, when everything was grey, this was the dream. Adventure and solve puzzles and fight monsters. Outwit rivals and pull off clever feats. Fall in love…
 
She came to a stop, suddenly not trusting her legs with the hop to the next roof. Stepping towards the edge, she let the vertigo wash over her and felt how similar it was to falling in love. The doubt crept in, looking at the jump, the feeling of being in the air, a chasm of injury and pain below her if she falls, and no matter how much skill and practice… every leap is kind of a leap of faith, because you never really know.
 
Cardinal made her delirious. So deliriously happy since she saw her bright smile on the back of the train. The complete, unrestrained joy of getting to experience something new, of being free, of looking at the world and being happy despite all she had been through. Maelie had nearly messed it up, her pride and hidden triggers that she’d never explain. Too much she wouldn’t explain. Still, even now as Cardinal took her leap, kissed her in that moment when she was taking every risk she could possibly take with that audition. How could Maelie not love her?
 
Donatien helped her relax, his calm charm had been a comfort since she’d arrived in this city. Sensitive and a bit wild at the right moments, she loved his readiness for clever games. She wondered about his mother, his father, and family though… is he safe? Will he need to run the way she has? Will the circus pack up and leave? Will Dona run or will he stand and fight… and die like Aunt Kallie and Uncle Mika had. She had to rethink what she was doing. Check the rules, know the stakes.
 
She readied herself for the jump but stopped again. Victor. That didn’t turn out at all how it was supposed to. Have a night out. Have a night in. Parties. Sex. The comfort of physical intimacy and the ease of getting lost in a night of passion and lust. But it was all supposed to be temporary. Just a night, maybe two. But the hungry way he looked at her, it made her feel desired, and yet she felt safe. He’d had every opportunity to try and take advantage of her, and yet, the ‘rake’ had been a perfect gentleman. Aside, from all the hedonism, of course. And that’s where it didn’t make sense. Why does someone like Victor have no dreams for himself? It’s like his life isn’t his own even as he seemingly snubs the responsibilities of family and society.
 
She continued standing there at that precipice, worried about her options. Mika had taught her to be clever and cagey. Lie, cheat, steal, it didn’t matter. The rules are for people who want life to be the same, steady, routine, boring. But… he had always harped on her to be careful, the one thing she was horrible at. Kallie had taught her to be kind, vulnerable even, so much of what her aunt had talked about had seemed only a matter of their little makeshift family until her own heart had made decisions without her. Now she felt torn between these teachings. How had those two made it work?
 
She looked down from the rooftop again and stepped back, walking away. This could all be the worst idea ever. She could ruin Cardinal’s career. Donatien’s circus could be banned. If Victor is holding out for some semblance of respectability then associating with her would be the last thing he should do.
 
…and yet. Cardinal had brought back colour to her life. It was far more literal than she could explain. Hiding in alleys, stowing away on ships, making deals in dark rooms, all to escape her pursuers in Castille and Avalon. She had spent so long seeing the world through her elven darkvision that she had forgotten what colour there was to see in the world.
 
…and yet. Donatien was shrewd, charming, and clever. He had risked running into his mother, who clearly frightened him, to save Maelie from the kidnapping. Random it might have been, but he also didn’t recoil from her afterwards either. They were in that together now.
 
…and yet. Victor… must have something right? He’s a good liar. She had to admit that. But… maybe this is for the best? Including her in his life beyond their joint excess and revelry was obviously not something he was keen on.
 
She just wanted to know his dreams. The things he most wanted to do. Goals, achievements, things to watch and support like she had Cardinal. Like she would Dona. But no, not Victor. It had all been a silly mistake, her heart running away with her like some teenaged girl reading fantasy stories of running off to adventure and falling in love. They don’t all turn out in the end. She knew that all too well.
 
”One: Always know the rules of what you're going into.
Two: Know the stakes on the table for yourself and others.
Three: Know when enough is enough and it's time to get out.”
 
Her uncle’s words rang in her head… maybe it was time she finally listened to that last rule.
 
"I guess this is what 'appens when you do not listen to the rules." She said aloud to the night, hoping that someone might have a different idea. But the night stayed silent and she quietly made her way down to the streets for an unexciting, routine, and safe walk home.