RP log ~ Thomas
In which Thomas pays Cecile a visit and invites her to accompany him to the festival (and both appear to have received some guidance from Stallion beforehand).
Thoughts swam vaguely in his head as Thomas walked to the front gate, where Cecile most frequently patrolled. He had a nervous squirm in his stomach, but he remained determined to do this.
The weather outside was beautiful, and although she would not admit it, Cecile was grateful to have left her armor with Peggi for cleaning. She sat on the front steps, penning an orange map for one of the guests.
Honestly, Thomas was a little relieved seeing Cecile out of her armor. She seemed less intimidating that way, and if he wanted to hug her it would feel nice... But first, the matter at hand. He approached the girl, smiling nervously. "Ah... hello, Cecile. How is the patrol going today?"
Cecile looked up, then hastily rose to her feet and stopped herself from saluting. A strange feeling rose in her chest, and it was trying to fight back the reflexive impulse to appear business-like. "Hello! Actually, I am on my break, you see."
"Well, that's good," Thomas said. "I would hate to interrupt you." He paused, almost losing his resolved, but quickly regained it again. "Ahm... I know you wanted to talk to me, so... so I came to see you."
"A-are you sure you are not too busy? I was..I mean, I had intended...I wanted to come see you, but you've just...things are busy lately for you."
"Yes, they are," Thomas agreed with a sigh. "But I'm not busy now, and the truth is... I really wanted to see you." He blushed a little but didn't avert his gaze.
Cecile wondered how her hair looked. It was another odd feeling, since she almost never wondered about her hair. "That is the most wonderful thing I have heard all day," she blurted out without thinking.
He couldn't help smiling about that, and his face turned the shade of one of Barts' tomatos. "Ah.... w-well...." He had suddenly forgotten what he wanted to say.
"No, I really mean that!" Cecile cried, interpreting his pause as a sign of disbelief.
Thomas started fumbling with his hands, as he often did when he felt nervous or shy. "Thank you," he said quietly. He took a shaky breath to try calming himself. "Cecile... uhm... w-would.... would you like to go to the festival with me?" The words came out in a sudden rush, as if he feared he would lose his nerve before he said them all.
The curious fluttering feeling flared up again, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. An elated smile swept across her glowing face and she took both his hands in hers. "Sir Stallion told me to ask you, but Lady Mitsuba said I mustn't. I...I did not know what to do. I am glad you were brave when I was unable to be."
He felt shy again, squeezing her hands gently in his own. "Stallion... told me I should ask you too... Heh." It was strange how he could face Colton with cool confidence, but when asking Cecile this simple question he almost lost his nerve.
"Sir Stallion is very wise," she responded, but did not know what else to say. Simply standing there, being able to look at him and hold his hand made her feel happier than any patrol schedule.
Yes, it was really nice to stand there with her and forget momentarily that there was a castle full of people. Eventually, though, his brain brought him back to reality and he cleared his throat. "Um, so... so is that why you wanted to see me? To... ask me?"
"Ah...well, I had not really thought that far ahead," Cecile answered. "But yes, that was among the things I think I'd have probably wanted to speak with you about."
He felt his heart sink a little in disappointment. But time with Cecile was good no matter what, even if what they discussed was serious. "Well, um, is there anything else you need to talk to me about?" he asked with a soft smile.
Was there? she wondered. All the anxiety about the festival had evaporated, but then she remembered. "Actually...next month is June. I...I was wondering if you would be busy."
It took him a moment to figure out why she asked. "Oh... y-you want me to come with you... to visit your father again?"
She nodded softly. "With all the commotion about the festival, I have not mentioned it because it feels...out of place. I want people to be happy."
"Yes, I feel the same way," Thomas agreed. "But I think it's also important for you to continue honoring your father. As long as you keep remembering him... he's never really dead."
"Of course he is not. But right now, I think he would want everyone to enjoy the festival, and when I say everyone I mostly mean you," she looked at him unwaveringly, even though inside she felt insecure.
"Cecile..." A softness came to Thomas's eyes as he smiled at the girl. "What I enjoy more than anything is being with you... so if that means missing the festival to visit your father, I don't mind."
She broke one of her hands away and held a finger to his lips, her face stern. "Father was never one for being punctual. If I visit him a few days later than usual, he will entirely understand."
Poor Thomas was speechless, his eyes wide. After a few moments of stunned silence, he managed a shaky smile. "A-all right..."
The tension melted away from her face as she removed her hand, placed it back in his, and returned the smile. "Being brave is a wonderful feeling."
Thomas chuckled weakly. "Y-yes... I was more nervous about this than I was talking to Colton..."
"I suppose I really ought to say something about how you must not feel nervous speaking with me, but I have the same problem, so it would be silly of me to say so," she paused. "I do not know how many times my heart can melt away and re-piece itself, but I have not been brave enough lately to test it."
The castle master smiled, unlinking one hand to gently touch the girl's cheek. "I know what you mean," he said softly.
She closed her eyes, her face tingling and warm. "Is this what happens to everyone? I do not know how to talk with others about it because I do not understand it myself."
Thomas hesitated in answering. His thoughts had strayed back to the time when he was with Kinnison. Unconsciously his hands moved around Cecile's shoulders, holding her gently. "All I know... is that it feels right," he murmured in answer.
The girl drew in her breath and leaned against him, overflowing with a sense of security her armor never had. "I cannot think of any other way to describe it."
Holding Cecile always made him feel... at peace, and certainly he needed that feeling now more than ever. Thomas turned to press his nose into her hair. "Hm... you smell... like oranges," he remarked.
She flushed darkly, and was grateful her face was hidden from view. "...You smell like ink. I like it."
"I guess... that comes from all the paperwork I do," Thomas said with a shy blush. "Though actually... ah, I haven't been doing as much lately, mostly because... I know you were worried about me."
"What?" Cecile glanced up, her eyes wide with surprise, then her expression grew concerned again. "Even still, you are troubled, and not getting enough sleep. I can tell from your face."
"I..." Thomas was at a loss for what to say now. He didn't want to worry Cecile any more by telling her about his nightmares. Especially since most of them involved her being hurt in some way. "Well, there's still the matter with Colton to be settled."
"Sir Colton is here, on our own land. He is at a disadvantage, and with security so tight, it would be remarkably foolish for him to try anything during the festival."
"Actually..." Thomas's eyes fell away from hers. "Colton went back to his ship."
A thousand questions flooded her mind. "Wh..why?"
"I... let him go," Thomas admitted. "I knew I couldn't convict him, not without some sort of fair trial. The entire castle should be able to listen in on both sides."
She felt surprised to feel herself smile slightly in response. "I am glad for that though. I was afraid, having him staying so close to your room."
"Everything was fine. He gave me some very... slick responses to my questions." Very convincing ones, too, if Thomas didn't put so much trust and faith in others in the castle. "We'll have to see what happens at the trial."
"That won't be held until after the festival though, I'm sure of it," she responded, then sighed. "I'm sorry. We were not supposed to talk about this right now. You need to take your mind away from these things for a little while."
"It's okay, Cecile," Thomas assured her. "I'm glad that we can share things with each other, even if they are unpleasant things. But I'll try to take my mind off them."
"You must! Just for a little while. I miss you. We all do. And I think you must miss yourself as well, if that makes any sense."
He was touched to hear Cecile had missed him, but couldn't make sense out of missing himself... He was sure he'd always been himself. "I've always been me, you know," he told her. "Just... a more worried version of me, recently."
"I know," Cecile answered after a few moments. "Perhaps the way I see things is differently. But if we are to go together....together to the festival, we must both leave behind our worried selves, I think."
"I don't know how I can possibly worry about anything with you at my side," said Thomas with a bright smile. He realized too late what he had said and the smile dropped to be replaced by another embarrassed blush.
A sense of relief washed over her. "And that is the second most wonderful thing I have heard today," she said, hugging him tightly.
He stumbled back a pace, not expecting such a tight hug. Eventually he hugged her back. "I promise you... I will just be Thomas when we're at the festival, as long as you promise to just be Cecile."
A momentary flicker of guilt passed by for being so forward, but she brushed it away. "I am just Cecile right now, Thomas."
"And I am just Thomas," he answered. His hand went to brush through her hair. "Is... is it okay if I kiss you?" he asked, feeling suddenly shy.
She looked up at him, her face aglow. "So long as you promise to catch me if my knees give out underneath me. Sometimes they do that."
"I will," he promised, swallowing down his nervousness before leaning forward to give Cecile a light kiss.
Recalling Stallion's advice earlier about being brave, she rose up on her toes to meet him, reaching a hand and twining some of his loose hair around her fingers without thinking.
Thomas felt it and gave a soft sigh, forgetting himself for the moment and pressed deeper into the kiss... But luckily he snapped out of it again and he pulled away.
Cecile felt her face burn and she looked at him breathlessly. "...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...I was not thinking."
"No, no, I need to apologize," Thomas said, feeling ashamed at himself. "I... forget sometimes you aren't as experienced as I am."
"Experienced...?" The concept was confusing, but she watched him, her expression open and trusting. "I'm not sure what you mean, but I do not doubt your word."
"Ah..." Now he felt awkward. "Well, unless there's something else we need to discuss, I guess I should go..."
She reached over and squeezed his hand. "I think we have said everything that needs to be said. Just take care of yourself, Thomas. ...I love you."
His heart gave a little jump of surprise and joy. His hand squeezed hers back. "... I love you too, Cecile," he responded.
Reluctantly she let her hand slip away, but the warm glowing feeling deep inside still burned, and she guessed it would continue to the rest of the day. "Stay safe, and do not work too hard."
"I will," he assured her. "I promise. I... I'll come pick you up, so we can go to the festival... okay?"
"I'll be ready! I will be wearing my mother's robes, so it might be difficult to recognize me at first."
"O-okay." He blushed as a sudden image of Cecile in a beautiful white kimono with printed orange flowers burst into his mind. "I... I still think... I'll know it's you," he said.
She nodded slightly, but couldn't supress a proud smile. "I will see you then."
"R-right..." His heart thundered loudly in his ears. "See you..." He wandered away, but didn't go back to his room. He had to go find something to wear to the festival.... He just hoped it would be nice enough.
Thoughts swam vaguely in his head as Thomas walked to the front gate, where Cecile most frequently patrolled. He had a nervous squirm in his stomach, but he remained determined to do this.
The weather outside was beautiful, and although she would not admit it, Cecile was grateful to have left her armor with Peggi for cleaning. She sat on the front steps, penning an orange map for one of the guests.
Honestly, Thomas was a little relieved seeing Cecile out of her armor. She seemed less intimidating that way, and if he wanted to hug her it would feel nice... But first, the matter at hand. He approached the girl, smiling nervously. "Ah... hello, Cecile. How is the patrol going today?"
Cecile looked up, then hastily rose to her feet and stopped herself from saluting. A strange feeling rose in her chest, and it was trying to fight back the reflexive impulse to appear business-like. "Hello! Actually, I am on my break, you see."
"Well, that's good," Thomas said. "I would hate to interrupt you." He paused, almost losing his resolved, but quickly regained it again. "Ahm... I know you wanted to talk to me, so... so I came to see you."
"A-are you sure you are not too busy? I was..I mean, I had intended...I wanted to come see you, but you've just...things are busy lately for you."
"Yes, they are," Thomas agreed with a sigh. "But I'm not busy now, and the truth is... I really wanted to see you." He blushed a little but didn't avert his gaze.
Cecile wondered how her hair looked. It was another odd feeling, since she almost never wondered about her hair. "That is the most wonderful thing I have heard all day," she blurted out without thinking.
He couldn't help smiling about that, and his face turned the shade of one of Barts' tomatos. "Ah.... w-well...." He had suddenly forgotten what he wanted to say.
"No, I really mean that!" Cecile cried, interpreting his pause as a sign of disbelief.
Thomas started fumbling with his hands, as he often did when he felt nervous or shy. "Thank you," he said quietly. He took a shaky breath to try calming himself. "Cecile... uhm... w-would.... would you like to go to the festival with me?" The words came out in a sudden rush, as if he feared he would lose his nerve before he said them all.
The curious fluttering feeling flared up again, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. An elated smile swept across her glowing face and she took both his hands in hers. "Sir Stallion told me to ask you, but Lady Mitsuba said I mustn't. I...I did not know what to do. I am glad you were brave when I was unable to be."
He felt shy again, squeezing her hands gently in his own. "Stallion... told me I should ask you too... Heh." It was strange how he could face Colton with cool confidence, but when asking Cecile this simple question he almost lost his nerve.
"Sir Stallion is very wise," she responded, but did not know what else to say. Simply standing there, being able to look at him and hold his hand made her feel happier than any patrol schedule.
Yes, it was really nice to stand there with her and forget momentarily that there was a castle full of people. Eventually, though, his brain brought him back to reality and he cleared his throat. "Um, so... so is that why you wanted to see me? To... ask me?"
"Ah...well, I had not really thought that far ahead," Cecile answered. "But yes, that was among the things I think I'd have probably wanted to speak with you about."
He felt his heart sink a little in disappointment. But time with Cecile was good no matter what, even if what they discussed was serious. "Well, um, is there anything else you need to talk to me about?" he asked with a soft smile.
Was there? she wondered. All the anxiety about the festival had evaporated, but then she remembered. "Actually...next month is June. I...I was wondering if you would be busy."
It took him a moment to figure out why she asked. "Oh... y-you want me to come with you... to visit your father again?"
She nodded softly. "With all the commotion about the festival, I have not mentioned it because it feels...out of place. I want people to be happy."
"Yes, I feel the same way," Thomas agreed. "But I think it's also important for you to continue honoring your father. As long as you keep remembering him... he's never really dead."
"Of course he is not. But right now, I think he would want everyone to enjoy the festival, and when I say everyone I mostly mean you," she looked at him unwaveringly, even though inside she felt insecure.
"Cecile..." A softness came to Thomas's eyes as he smiled at the girl. "What I enjoy more than anything is being with you... so if that means missing the festival to visit your father, I don't mind."
She broke one of her hands away and held a finger to his lips, her face stern. "Father was never one for being punctual. If I visit him a few days later than usual, he will entirely understand."
Poor Thomas was speechless, his eyes wide. After a few moments of stunned silence, he managed a shaky smile. "A-all right..."
The tension melted away from her face as she removed her hand, placed it back in his, and returned the smile. "Being brave is a wonderful feeling."
Thomas chuckled weakly. "Y-yes... I was more nervous about this than I was talking to Colton..."
"I suppose I really ought to say something about how you must not feel nervous speaking with me, but I have the same problem, so it would be silly of me to say so," she paused. "I do not know how many times my heart can melt away and re-piece itself, but I have not been brave enough lately to test it."
The castle master smiled, unlinking one hand to gently touch the girl's cheek. "I know what you mean," he said softly.
She closed her eyes, her face tingling and warm. "Is this what happens to everyone? I do not know how to talk with others about it because I do not understand it myself."
Thomas hesitated in answering. His thoughts had strayed back to the time when he was with Kinnison. Unconsciously his hands moved around Cecile's shoulders, holding her gently. "All I know... is that it feels right," he murmured in answer.
The girl drew in her breath and leaned against him, overflowing with a sense of security her armor never had. "I cannot think of any other way to describe it."
Holding Cecile always made him feel... at peace, and certainly he needed that feeling now more than ever. Thomas turned to press his nose into her hair. "Hm... you smell... like oranges," he remarked.
She flushed darkly, and was grateful her face was hidden from view. "...You smell like ink. I like it."
"I guess... that comes from all the paperwork I do," Thomas said with a shy blush. "Though actually... ah, I haven't been doing as much lately, mostly because... I know you were worried about me."
"What?" Cecile glanced up, her eyes wide with surprise, then her expression grew concerned again. "Even still, you are troubled, and not getting enough sleep. I can tell from your face."
"I..." Thomas was at a loss for what to say now. He didn't want to worry Cecile any more by telling her about his nightmares. Especially since most of them involved her being hurt in some way. "Well, there's still the matter with Colton to be settled."
"Sir Colton is here, on our own land. He is at a disadvantage, and with security so tight, it would be remarkably foolish for him to try anything during the festival."
"Actually..." Thomas's eyes fell away from hers. "Colton went back to his ship."
A thousand questions flooded her mind. "Wh..why?"
"I... let him go," Thomas admitted. "I knew I couldn't convict him, not without some sort of fair trial. The entire castle should be able to listen in on both sides."
She felt surprised to feel herself smile slightly in response. "I am glad for that though. I was afraid, having him staying so close to your room."
"Everything was fine. He gave me some very... slick responses to my questions." Very convincing ones, too, if Thomas didn't put so much trust and faith in others in the castle. "We'll have to see what happens at the trial."
"That won't be held until after the festival though, I'm sure of it," she responded, then sighed. "I'm sorry. We were not supposed to talk about this right now. You need to take your mind away from these things for a little while."
"It's okay, Cecile," Thomas assured her. "I'm glad that we can share things with each other, even if they are unpleasant things. But I'll try to take my mind off them."
"You must! Just for a little while. I miss you. We all do. And I think you must miss yourself as well, if that makes any sense."
He was touched to hear Cecile had missed him, but couldn't make sense out of missing himself... He was sure he'd always been himself. "I've always been me, you know," he told her. "Just... a more worried version of me, recently."
"I know," Cecile answered after a few moments. "Perhaps the way I see things is differently. But if we are to go together....together to the festival, we must both leave behind our worried selves, I think."
"I don't know how I can possibly worry about anything with you at my side," said Thomas with a bright smile. He realized too late what he had said and the smile dropped to be replaced by another embarrassed blush.
A sense of relief washed over her. "And that is the second most wonderful thing I have heard today," she said, hugging him tightly.
He stumbled back a pace, not expecting such a tight hug. Eventually he hugged her back. "I promise you... I will just be Thomas when we're at the festival, as long as you promise to just be Cecile."
A momentary flicker of guilt passed by for being so forward, but she brushed it away. "I am just Cecile right now, Thomas."
"And I am just Thomas," he answered. His hand went to brush through her hair. "Is... is it okay if I kiss you?" he asked, feeling suddenly shy.
She looked up at him, her face aglow. "So long as you promise to catch me if my knees give out underneath me. Sometimes they do that."
"I will," he promised, swallowing down his nervousness before leaning forward to give Cecile a light kiss.
Recalling Stallion's advice earlier about being brave, she rose up on her toes to meet him, reaching a hand and twining some of his loose hair around her fingers without thinking.
Thomas felt it and gave a soft sigh, forgetting himself for the moment and pressed deeper into the kiss... But luckily he snapped out of it again and he pulled away.
Cecile felt her face burn and she looked at him breathlessly. "...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...I was not thinking."
"No, no, I need to apologize," Thomas said, feeling ashamed at himself. "I... forget sometimes you aren't as experienced as I am."
"Experienced...?" The concept was confusing, but she watched him, her expression open and trusting. "I'm not sure what you mean, but I do not doubt your word."
"Ah..." Now he felt awkward. "Well, unless there's something else we need to discuss, I guess I should go..."
She reached over and squeezed his hand. "I think we have said everything that needs to be said. Just take care of yourself, Thomas. ...I love you."
His heart gave a little jump of surprise and joy. His hand squeezed hers back. "... I love you too, Cecile," he responded.
Reluctantly she let her hand slip away, but the warm glowing feeling deep inside still burned, and she guessed it would continue to the rest of the day. "Stay safe, and do not work too hard."
"I will," he assured her. "I promise. I... I'll come pick you up, so we can go to the festival... okay?"
"I'll be ready! I will be wearing my mother's robes, so it might be difficult to recognize me at first."
"O-okay." He blushed as a sudden image of Cecile in a beautiful white kimono with printed orange flowers burst into his mind. "I... I still think... I'll know it's you," he said.
She nodded slightly, but couldn't supress a proud smile. "I will see you then."
"R-right..." His heart thundered loudly in his ears. "See you..." He wandered away, but didn't go back to his room. He had to go find something to wear to the festival.... He just hoped it would be nice enough.