Completed The Last Night

[Ricky Maze]

The Last Night
Spring 12th 508 AV; 7th Bell
Location: The Olwan Residence, Old Quarter

It was early in the morning Ricky awoke with Natalie already out of bed, he’d been invited to have dinner with Natalie and her family last night, and that explained his reason for waking up in the same bed he and Natalie shared after the invitation extended to sleeping over for the night. The Olwan family was wonderful to Ricky and welcomed him with ease upon each visit he’d made over, which sort of made him feel like he’d found a second family now that he’d spent so much time with Natalie. Yet everyone in the house seemed to constantly hold their breath when it came to her, as if one moment given to breathe would end in the result of her breaking on them. He couldn’t blame her parents for feeling that way though, on and off Ricky worried about being too hard on her about something and feared he too may end up hurting her. Which is why he’d prepared well, hygiene and all, for the family dinner they had last night. He wanted to make sure he’d still set a good impression on everyone, so he could make it easier for Natalie too. Being a fisherman it was easy to pick up on the “aroma” of fish all the time, and honestly it was very, very, very hard to get the scent washed off when it sticks to you almost your whole life.

Speaking of scents though a wonderful smell started to waft into the room Ricky rested in as the morning light flowed in through the window wall, it was the smell of good food and good cooking that he knew belonged to Natalie as she loved waking up early in the hours to prepare breakfast. Thus upon stirring to rise to the smell, Ricky finally gave into his hunger impulses and get up out of bed to meet with his girlfriend. Though it was on the small side Natalie’s room felt rather comfortable and tidy to be in compared to Ricky’s old shack, and the bed certainly felt much better to sleep in too considering the mattress was a lot better. After Ricky had slipped on his trousers and fastened the belt he didn’t bother to put on his vest nor shoes, rather just made his way into the hall that led on to the bedrooms and down into the common area where the kitchen area rested not too far away. Sure enough Natalie was there doing what she loved, and she held a content smile on her face as she slipped cooked fish onto two plates set up at the dining table. "Morning sleepy."

"Mornin’ yer self." He remarked as she placed the frying pan next to the hearth, she didn’t have time to organize any cleaning once he’d gotten a hold of her though. Both held grins and chuckled at one another as they exchanged their morning kiss for the day, and then the sound of Ricky’s stomach growling cut him off from further interrupting Natalie’s work. She’d forced him to go ahead and eat while she would clean the dishes, then she would follow along herself once those chores were done. It was the same usual routine they followed half the time, yet something Ricky could never cease to love about her. As he ate his fish and thoroughly enjoyed the sweet golden flavor it somehow held when she cooked it, he rolled his eyes under their lids in delight to the wonderful feeling of getting a full belly as he was almost done. And then it happened. The sound of dishes crashing on the stone floor filled the room loudly to make him jump out of surprise, and just when he instinctively looked to the origin of where they started from, his fork dropped down onto his plate just as sudden as the plates fell when he saw that Natalie had hit the floor as well.

"Natalie!" He shot up from his chair with all due haste and went over to her, and then knelt beside her as she remained motionless. "Natalie?!" He nudged her shoulder a couple of times, then fell into a panic as he brought her head up to his chest. "Natalie!! Stay wit’ me!" He pleaded as his hands shook uncontrollably, he didn’t know what to do. She’d never actually done anything like this before, never did she once fall unconscious or anything! As he placed a hand over the area where her heart resided, tears started to fill his eyes as he begged to the Gods for her to still be alive…

[Ricky Maze]

It had all happened so swiftly that Ricky’s mind could no longer keep up with it all, he’d remained hopeful that her heart still remained active but as his hand rested over her chest he felt nothing. No sign of life seemed to pulsate beneath her anymore and when he prayed that such wasn’t the case, he prayed harder and harder as he called out her name over and over. The volume of his tone was obviously loud enough for everyone in the house to hear as Natalie’s parents were right with Ricky when they heard his shouting, and of course Odis was quick to follow the sound from the room Ricky and Natalie shared as he heard the cries of his master. There was pain. Pain, worry, denial, grief all in one immense overturn as Natalie’s parents nearly fell apart, their sudden loss an instant blow to the fragile world they lived in as the only thing that remained its center no longer seemed to move.

Natalie was motionless. Eyes shut as though she’d fallen asleep so suddenly, yet it was a sleep that looked to be eternal now. That is until something happened. It was so faint to feel but yet when he felt it underneath his palm, a glimmer of hope seemed to finally curtain for all of them as Ricky thought her heart thumped once more. There was a moment where everyone felt silence as he held on tight, the sheer intensity of tension thick as he didn’t put it off as wishful thinking. He knew he felt a heartbeat, he knew she’d still be alive somehow. It was too soon for her, too soon to let her go in this world. Yet somehow even when there was much despair over what looked to be the end, her heart started feebly resume its activity once more as the family clutched their little girl. Both of them were shocked yet at the same time relieved that their daughter somehow still seemed to live, and for what felt like an eternity without Natalie was but merely chimes in reality for Ricky. He was shaken. Lost with his emotions as he couldn’t figure out what to do, how to feel now that he’d witnessed Natalie in a moment that resembled her life.

In reality this was the truth of it all, everyday she lived just waiting for that to happen. And when she would finally fall she’d be ready to embrace the end, except today she still held on for that fighting chance for some reason. She wasn’t ready this time. That had to be the reason for it. Why else would her heart somehow remain motionless, only to return to its same charge when she’d seem to slip away between their fingers. He had to believe that she didn’t give up yet, and in that moment as her parents both grieved and praised Kihala for sparing their daughter only just a little while longer. Yet they had to do something, they couldn’t leave Natalie there when she’d suffered an attack from her own heart. Thus they had to do something, and that was to take Natalie and move her to the Infirmary where Zeltiva was so she could be treated proper. It was all a fuzzy haze for Ricky but he knew he accepted the role of carrying her, as he’d promised to be the one to hold her up when she’d fallen down. It was a metaphor that somehow became literal in this case; however he wouldn’t falter from being by her side now that they were this close together.

Shortly after Natalie arrived at the Infirmary the parents and Ricky were all anxious to hear some news, hopeful good news as to how Natalie will be and if she would awaken soon. The whole time they waited Ricky could only feel broken deep down, somewhere inside his body he literally felt torn down as his hands shook uncontrollably. He felt powerless, useless by all means. What good could he do for Natalie now, knowing well enough her condition was beyond him? It hurt him inside knowing this; it tore him apart being reminded of it. Constantly would he feel ashamed because he hadn’t the ability to help her, the only thing he could do was watch as she’d slowly slipped away between his own fingers. Just like it happened at the Olwan Residence. This entire time they’d been ignorant to the fact the clock counted down for her, until at last what ticks remained finally started to take their toll on her frail heart.

As the healer returned with his diagnosis the hope for good news seemed to fade, as they learned that Natalie’s condition has only gradually worsened over the last few years. Was he to blame? Did he cause this? He felt so guilty now, so lost at what to think. Everything that seemed to be so good for once, it all finally started to turn into shyke now. It wouldn’t be long until she would awaken or so he said, give her a bell or so and she’d finally start to stir. Yet the fact her time was in fact limited meant the parents had another thing to prepare for, the permanent loss of the fragile world they still clung to. Natalie still remained their center and once that was gone, what would happen to them after she’d left? The wonder left Ricky in a heartbroken puzzle; he wasn’t ready for things to end like this. Not when everything between them actually seemed to look good for once. Eventually after some odd bells had passed and everyone watched as Natalie breathed slowly, she’d started to stir just as the healer said she would.

[Ricky Maze]

Although Ricky counted each breath Natalie made a sign of good luck there was still that dark feeling that he couldn’t shrug off, because he knew deep down nothing would be the same between them now. Things were about to change and that would likely affect their relationship, whatever the reason would be. He knew she hadn’t long now. She was in a position where she had to face the decisions being made for her, thus Ricky gave Natalie’s parents the time they needed while Natalie stirred once more. He’d left out into the hall with Odis and remained seated near the room in the event Natalie wanted to see him, of course that wouldn’t come until after her parents were done talking to her. Even if she’d wanted to see him upon first opening her eyes, Ricky knew this was a matter her parents had to discuss first hand. Even if it were painful to sit and listen as he let fate dictate whatever it was they said, he did so with a stout heart filled with grief in knowing the cost of everything.

In order to see that Natalie had a chance at prolonging her life they had to leave Zeltiva, set sail for the Isle of Mura where they could try and see if she could be healed. Though the trip would be long it was something the family was prepared to do together, the only fall back was that only one person would be left behind in all this. Which was him. Rick could not go with her, because it wasn’t his place anymore. He wasn’t able to protect her from this, but still able to ensure that she’d still have a fighting chance. A chance to live and grow further, and hopefully live out the rest of her days healthier than she’d done before. Though the move wasn’t his call but the Olwan’s, he knew Natalie would refuse to leave even if they were to enforce it. Such a notion was already determined as he knew well how furiously stubborn Natalie can get, especially when it came to having the things she personally wanted.

Yet this wasn’t her decision anymore. Rather than letting her give up on her life her parents, as well as Ricky, would rather see she lived a lot longer. Thus after he continued to pet the dog that rested his head on Ricky’s lap, the fisherman finally heard the call of his name as Natalie’s parents finally came out of the room. Natalie wanted to speak with him. Alone. Yet her father remained adamant in the regard to her leaving Zeltiva, whilst her mother still wept to the fact their daughter had only so much time left in this world. How long did she have exactly? Seasons? Days? Years? Nothing could be known for a fact now that they’d all seen her nearly die today, and it fell upon Ricky to finally convince her to leave for Mura. To continue persevering like she did and face the same continuous immensity she always fought, until at last she could conquer it and live to see another day.

"Ricky." She sighed in relief as he entered the room, tears freely flowed from her eyes as she watched him enter with a somber expression. She knew what he was going to say, she didn’t want to hear it either. Yet all the same she couldn’t deny the chance to hear his voice once again, not when she’d come so close to never hearing it again. "Please tell me that you want me to stay, that you want me here and that we’ll still be together." A false illusion. A naïve dream to hold onto while the fact was that she knew better, they both knew that in truth there was no such hope for a dream such as that. No real way of living in such a place when they both now knew she had probably on days before her heart couldn’t take any more strain. No. He had to be the better person in this and open their eyes, he had to help her see that the chance to live was the better option.

Natalie Olwan. The girl that literally changed Ricky’s life, and made him a better man in confidence and stride. He learned how to carry his self better and bore a wider range of perspective because of her, and yet now of all times he found himself at the edge of a threshold. "Oi want ya t’ know… dat Oi love ya. So much." He managed to the words off his tongue as he felt a knot develop in his throat, already pained by the words he had to say to ensure that she would follow through with leaving Zeltiva. There was much to say that day but even worse how it all unraveled between the two of them, Natalie had become so pissed and yet so sad at the same time.

Her life wasn’t fair to her. She lived in a world where she had to choose what she sacrificed, and in a world where you literally sacrificed all that you had for what others wanted for you; she truly felt sour about the choices being made for her. There was much heartache to come between their talk. In terms of feelings and condolences she’d expressed that she couldn’t live without him, whereas he expressed the fact she wouldn’t live if she did stay with him. There was still a hope for the future between them, which he knew for sure. Only if she went to Mura with her parents though. And when he finally pointed this out to her, only then did she seem able to reluctantly give in.

[Ricky Maze]

That night when every bit of their bags was packed and Natalie was helped to the docks, the goodbye that followed between her and Ricky was long and difficult. Never in his life so badly did he ever wish to hold onto her forever and never let her go, yet at the same time wished to do so in the effort to see her return. They were both set on different paths now and could only hope Lhex would bring them close again later on, and when Ricky watched their ship finally set sail for its destination he remained tied to the docks with but an empty heart. He knew deep down, he knew that time was limited for her. He could only hope her travel would be brief, so that she could receive all the medical attention she’d need. He felt hollowed out. Empty. Just as he did before he’d met her. No. He felt content with his life before her, but that too had to be a lie in his case. There wasn’t anything but the simple outlook of living, living the normal life he carried on until Natalie had finally showed.

So why now? Why did he have to be left in the same place he started, back to square one in regards of his choices? Why did he have to feel left behind in the never ending river of time, while the world itself seemed to somehow move on its own pace. The ship was but a spot on the horizon of Mathew’s Bay now as the sun finally set below the horizon, the last night Ricky ever spent with Natalie only a memory of what once seemed like a never ending dream. Now that the haunting nightmare of reality had ended the dream, Ricky was left to deal with his own life and problems once more rather than live within the distractions that the short life Natalie provided. He held only two things that belonged to him from her, one being a sketch of Natalie drawn from a local artist. It resembled her so well with its detail that the image literally looked to be a piece of her caught in time, forever etched on the folded parchment he clutched within his hand. The other was the bracelet. It’s iridescent shells the resemblance of the very beauty she saw in life, each shell an additional memory to the short timeline she carried out until today.

Although he was left alone with Odis on the docks that night with nothing but memories and tears of heartache, deep down Ricky felt himself able to live with this decision later on. Sure enough he would hear whether or not Natalie had made it to Mura, and if she was doing fine while they sought a treatment for her condition. It wasn’t until much later in the season he received a parcel from the courier in Zeltiva, a letter that had been carried overseas from the Konti Isle it seems. He had to be aware of the possibilities with the outcome even if Natalie had arrived there, and yet when the contents of the letter proved it wasn’t her hand writing his heart sank deeper.

Natalie’s parents had written to him with the news that shortly after their arrival to Mura, Natalie suffered another heart attack soon afterwards. This one more severe than the last. This time however she didn’t seem to make it, thus her life ended before any sign of hope seemed to present itself. Thus Ricky found himself in a complete loss at what his hopes and dreams were the idea that he had a future with another no longer set in his mind. He remained ever so hopeful for so long, and yet now all of that seemed to go away. To dissipate as the one thing that gave his life meaning somewhere… was no longer there.

Natalie Olwan. She was the start of something wonderful in Ricky’s life, even with all the ups and downs that came in a relationship. Now that she was gone though, Ricky fell into a state of mind where he no longer thought on what he wanted. He could only remember a promise he made to her, a promise that he would continue to live the same way she had done, to try and live each day as it were his last and make the most out of each day. Although the coming days would prove difficult in doing so, Ricky would eventually manage to live up to that promise. One day.

[Vanari]

Ricky

Intelligence	+1 XP
Body Building	+1 XP
Philosophy	+2 XP

Lores :

• The Olwens: Like a Second Family
• Natalie: Sudden Collapse
• Sailing to Mura: Last Resort
• A Splitting of Paths
• A Promise Made to Natalie

Notes :

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