JP - The Keep - The Green - Passing out

Walking right up to Lek, Beatrix slapped him hard across the face. “Would ya stop makin’ a fool of yerself?!”

“Hey!” Lek gasped, touching his cheek. “I was just training.” He panted.

Beatrix rolled her eyes. “Yeah? Why ya on yer knees and panting so much? Looking all worn out?!” She huffed, setting her hands on her hips. That motherly instinct was pulsing from her like an aura.

“It’s training. Pushing my limits.” Lek panted. “Someday I might end up outnumbered and overwhelmed.”

“That so? Looks like yer already hittin’ that limit, ya fool.” She shoved him to show how easy it was to make him fall at the moment due to his exhaustion.

“It’s better to hit it now than in a battle.” Lek said from the ground. “It builds endurance.”

“Sure, but what if Miyuki went inta labor and yer out here dead as a plank of wood? I bet ya want ta help her through that, right? What ya gonna do when ya can’t?” Beatrix asked with a smirk.

Lek’s eyes widened and he tried to stand up, but of course his legs were not ready to hold him yet. “It’s too early for her to go into labor.” He finally said.

"I know, but I'm makin' a point here, Lek." Beatrix hissed out the words. "This is all what if scenarios. Tell me, would ya be able ta help her right now?"

"I wouldn't be pushing myself this hard close to her time." Lek said. "She probably wouldn't want me around anyways."

Beatrix rolled her eyes. “Just cause ya went and broke her heart don’t mean she’s gonna make ya stay away from her. Yer her friend, but ya need to face reality, Lek. Ya can’t have everything ya want. None of us can.” She explained, setting her hands on her hips. “Ya think I wanted ta leave my home up North and come down here where there seems ta be all hell goin’ down? No, but I’m here and I’m makin’ the best of it. Yer just chasin’ a girl that’s never gonna return yer feelings. It’s fools like ya that make no sense ta me.”

"I love Pinja. I can't just stop." Lek's shoulders slumped.

“That’s understandable, but yer love for her is borderline obsessive, Lek.” Beatrix snipped. “Don’t ya understand that she ain’t into ya. Yer a friend ta her. That’s all. She’s said that ta me and told me she’s made that very clear ta ya. Why won’t ya accept tha truth?”

“I’ve given her space… I stay away from her because men make her uncomfortable.” Lek said miserably.

“That don’t mean she’ll ever return yer feelings, Lek!” Beatrix shook her head. “Yer a hopeless one…Get up and go get some rest.” Turning, she started to walk away.

“I know… But I respect how she feels and leave her alone.” Lek used his practice sword to lever himself to his feet. He was exhausted.

“Jacob will help ya get ta yer quarters.” Beatrix said as the teenager walked over. His tail sways as he watched Lek struggle for a moment.

Lek miserably looked up at Jacob. “Hello Jacob.” He groaned.

"Heya, Lek," Jacob said and began helping the man to his feet. Years of travel and training with Beatrix left him in good shape and able to help the other man. "Ya know, there's an old sayin' about love I think ya should hear…if ya really love something ya will let it go."

“I’m not holding onto Pinja.” Lek said.

Jacob just chuckled and got Lek to his room where he deposited him on the floor. “Good luck then, bud.” With a salute, he left.

Lek sighed, feeling like the worst person in the world. He closed his eyes and passed out for a while.