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Annabel sighed in relief as she entered her room at the Crystarium's inn. It had been a very long few days, with burdens both physically and mentally set upon her. Dealing with both the Sin Eater threat as well as coping with the death of Tesleen had drained her greatly and she was looking very forward to to some rest. How long she would have to do it though was as yet unforeseen.

Kicking off her pumps, the stone tiles felt cool under Annabel's stockinged feet as she strolled over to a nearby table where a pitcher sat and poured herself a glass of fruit juice. The liquid felt cool to her parched throat as well as a little strange, but she ignored the taste. It felt good to relax and not be so on edge, so on guard for once.

Setting the finished glass down, Annabel looked over at the closed doors that lead to the balcony; she wanted to see her work, see what she had done. So, skirts swishing, Annabel went over and flung them open, revealing her handiwork, her victory. A black sky met her gaze filled with stars, filled with hope for this world; that it may yet overcome the Light that still threatened to envelop and smother it's presence forever. Annabel allowed herself a satisfied smile, she did good.

"I see you were successful Lady Annabel. For a woman who so greatly doubted herself, you accomplished this with rather remarkable speed."

Annabel spun at the sound to see Arbert once more standing in the middle of her room gazing at her intently. The young blonde pursed her lips in an annoyed pout.

"You again? I guess I shouldn't be surprised though I'm glad I decided not to undress fully or you would have caught an eyeful of me in just my shift." She said this last part with a touch of amusement in her voice.

Arbert stammered, caught off guard by Annabel's reply. "Um....Er....Milady, if that was the case, rest assure that I would NOT have shown up or made my presence known. If I have offended thee, I will leave."

Annabel raised her hands in objection. "No, no, no need to do that, you're here so the damage per say is already done." She turned back and raised an arm to the sky. "So, I take it you have seen what has happened, impressive is it not?"

Arbert snorted, "Impressive? More like unbelievable. I never thought I would see this again in another hundred years, and yet you were able to do it in mere days after arriving on this world. Lady Annabel, you seem to have taken my moniker away from me. It seems YOU are now the 'Warrior of Darkness'."

Annabel turned away from the night sky and gave Arbert a sly smile. "You know, I believe it does; does that upset you, taking your title?" She moved back into the room walking till she stopped at a chair and sat down, making herself comfortable.

Arbert turned to face her and gave an amused laugh. "On the contrary milady, it pleases me greatly. With results like that, you can take anything I own if it will help you. I must say, it seems like you took my lessons to heart. I hope they did help some."

This made Annabel herself laugh, "Maybe a little. I will admit they DID help give me a little more confidence that I had, but it was other circumstances that really steeled my resolve. Her amused mood faded rapidly as thoughts of Tesleen came to Annabel's mind. She said the next in a more solemn tone. "A brave woman gave her life protecting others. She had no power, no way of winning, but she tried anyway, did her best, even though she knew she would fail, would die." Annabel looked straight into Arbert's eye. "When I saw that, how could I do ANY less in trying to save this world. I had to give it my all, not be afraid of failure, or death, of anything. And I DID Arbert, I DID give it my all and I WON, I BEAT those damn accursed things."

"My, Arbert said both surprised and impressed, "such confidence, nothing like the scared and unsure young woman I met in this room not too long ago."

"Oh she is still here," Annabel said, "still scared, unsure and afraid she is going to mess this whole thing up. I'm trying very hard to suppress her, but one slip and she could very easily reemerge when I least expect it."

"I believe she is one in the same Lady Annabel," Arbert warned, "and to forsake her entirely is probably not a good thing. It is ok to be scared, ok to be unsure milady. Overconfidence breeds recklessness and false bravado, traits that do no one any good. Believe it or not milady, I think your other half is part of the reason FOR your past successes."

"Oh come ON," Annabel said, her tone one of disbelief. "You CAN'T be serious. My being like a scared little girl helped me....win all those battles, all those situations? Now who's the one who is jesting?"

"I obviously see you don't believe me but it's true. Annabel you were cautious and thoughtful, not rushing in, thinking of the best way to go about it. Your hesitation probably saved many lives, including yours. Don't push that other aspect of yours down entirely, use it when it is needed."

Annabel scoffed, "I think you are giving me too much credit and confusing me for someone who knows what the hell she is doing. A lot of the time it was luck honey, LUCK. Not skill, not wisdom to do the right thing, LUCK." Annabel pointed to the door and the sky beyond. "Achieving that out there was very much a mix of determination and luck. I had no real plan, hell it actually was the Exarch's plan, I just want along so I would be able to DO something, get some payback for Tesleen. To tell you the truth, I am amazed I beat the damn thing and that was really thanks to the silly power of Hydaelyn's. If you think for a moment that I knew what was going to happen, I am sorry to disappoint you, I didn't."

Annabel stopped and sighed, wringing her hands nervously. I still have a lot of those realms to free and I really STILL have no idea HOW I'm going to do it. Rushing in, as you say, is just a BIT foolhardy."

Arbert looked at the young woman sitting there, a strange mix of confidence and unsure thoughts mingling on her face. How she dealt with them, the conflict in her mind, he knew not. She was an enigma which he had a feeling no one could really solve.

"I am afraid milady I have no answers for you this time, this is something only time will reveal. I will say though that the companions you are gathering WILL help you when you, yourself, are unsure of the answers. You just have to listen to their advice and let them guide you to the right path."

"Are you talking about the Scions?" Annabel looked a bit doubtful at that suggestion. "Um, you HAVE met them right? Well, I guess you really haven't except for the times fighting them. Let me tell you Arbert, they.....have their uses, but I have learned NOT to count on their advice all the time."

Arbert shrugged, "so be it, I cannot force you to do anything Lady Annabel only advise, whether you take my advice is up to you. Now, I think it's time I let you rest, you have more than earned it and there is still a lot to do yet." He turned to go then turned back to look at her. "Be firm in your resolve Lady Annabel, the next tests and trials will be harder and more taxing on you. Be prepared for them, listen to the advice you are given and above all, never stop believing in yourself. For if that happens we are truly lost." With that last bit of advice, Arbert faded from view leaving Annabel alone in the room once more.


Letting out another sigh from her lips, Annabel got up and moved over to the table with the pitcher, pouring herself another glass of juice. With drink in hand she once more stepped out to the balcony to look up at the sky above. As she took a sip Arbert's words came to her mind about the hardships she was going to face and she grimaced, whether from the taste of the juice or the thoughts of future events, she could not be sure.

Would she be able to handle them like she did with the Lightwarden? Would Tesleen's memory continue to bolster her? Annabel honestly was not sure. Doubt began to escape it's confinement and Annabel struggled to push it back in it's little box in her mind. She did NOT need that now, NOT at this time. She was going to enjoy this moment, this victory, this respite. Tomorrow was another day, but for tonight, Annabel would be the confidant and sure woman she wished one day to fully become.