RP log ~ Luca
In which Luca "helps" rake leaves, but ends up breaking a rake while they fight about Heinz and Fred's inevitable deaths, which turns into a larger fight about Thomas.
Cecile: *her hair tied back in ribbons, she's standing next to a growing pile of leaves, using her rake to push one of the welcome basket dogs away from scampering through it*
Luca: *walks down over to where Cecile is at, this time not wearing his armor. He looks at her dumbfounded as she's holding a rake in her hand*
Cecile: *her back is turned to him, so she does not realize he's there, and continues giving the dog an urging push from behind with the rake* Koichi!!! If you make a mess of the leaves, you won't have dessert for a whole week--!!!!
Luca: *speaks with a serious tone of voice* How long do you plan on arguing with that dog, captain?
Cecile: *spins around, waving the rake* Wha--?? Oh... Luca, it is only you. *looks down at Koichi as if he were a misbehaving criminal* Do you know how big of a mess he keeps making of all the leaf piles I've raked???
Luca: It is only me? Who else would it be? *looks down at her, confused* Why don't you just pick him up and leave him elsewhere instead of trying to talk to that dumb dog like he's capable of understanding you.
Cecile: *folds her arms, the motion not as menacing-looking without her armor* For all I know, you could have been a bandit!!! We've been having bandit troubles lately!!!! And of course Koichi understands me!!!!
Luca: Stupid! Why would I want to steal anything from this place? Ain't it my duty to protect the citizens as a guard? *his arms are placed at his side, and he gives her a serious look* And that dog ain't gonna understand a word you say.
Cecile: But I never said you were a bandit--I said you might have been, and I did not know you were not one until I looked!! *turns and gives Koichi another prod, sending him scampering directly through the pile of leaves* ....
Luca: Tch. Now look what you've done. I told you animals are too dumb to understand us. *shakes his head at the situation* You've made an even bigger mess for yourself.
Cecile: *frowns for a moment as his words sink in, then almost instantly brightens as though nothing happens* I can just rake it back up again~!! *begins to animatedly rake* This time I can do an even better job!!!!!!!!!
Luca: ....Tch. Rake it back up, huh. .... *says in an annoyed tone* You got another rake anywhere nearby?
Cecile: *stops and looks at him* Another.... oh!!!! You want to help???? *drops her rake and runs over to a tree, grabs a spare rake, and runs it back over to him* Do you know how to rake leaves? Have you ever raked leaves before???
Luca: ...... *sigh* You ain't seriously excited that I'm gonna help, are you? Of course I know how to rake. *takes the rake from her* I ain't doing this because I want to.
Cecile: Nobody wants to rake, silly. *smiles and turns back to her work* We rake because it makes Budehuc look beautiful! Besides--*looks over her shoulder*--this is very, very important because it helps minimize bandit activity!!!
Luca: ... *without saying a word, he begins to help her take up the leaves* .... Budehuc ain't gonna look anymore beautiful.
Cecile: Yes, it will!!! And... and without the leaves on the ground, the bandits will have one less thing to use as coverage when they hide!!!
Luca: Like bandits are going to hide behind leaves!!!!! Tch, whatever. Just rake.
Cecile: *falls quiet for a few moments* ..... That's how they did it the last time.
Luca: .... I've never seen any bandits.
Cecile: ... You were not here.
Cecile: *suddenly begins to hum while raking, her cheerful mood almost forced*
Luca: .... *acts like he's annoyed by her humming, but actually enjoys listening*
Cecile: *tries to strike up light conversation in between her song* So many people are returning to Budehuc for the autumn!! Are you excited to see new and familiar faces?
Luca: I don't care about the familiar faces unless it's Fred. I'm gonna kill him when I see him!!!
Cecile: You still have not gotten over that?? *sighs* .....No, I can't lecture you about that, I suppose, since I'm partly guilty of the same feeling. *seriously concentrating on one, already perfectly raked patch of leaves*
Luca: What? You want to kill Fred too? *says mockingly*
Cecile: N-no!!!!!! *flails* That's...that's not it at all!! It has nothing to do with Sir Fred!!!!
Luca: I won't believe that you don't care about the familiar faces showing up again.
Cecile: It's... it's not that. I... *rubs her nose for a moment, then purposefully turns away to work on another section of leaves* ... Sir Heinz is back. But I have decided to pretend I don't remember him. So in that way, I am not happy to see a familiar face.
Luca: ... *sighs for a moment* Heinz, huh. Another familiar face I'm gonna want to kill when I find him. *slams his rake against the ground and begins raking up the leaves roughly*
Cecile: *jumps slightly* I--no--!! You can't do that!!! I... If I pretend not to recognize him, it won't cause any trouble... and I especially do not want Master Thomas to do anything dangerous. He said he wanted to punish him, so if I do not say anything, then perhaps he will forget.
Luca: What makes you think I'm gonna listen to you? I want to cut him. I want to stab him. I want to kill him and erase his existence from this very world!!!!!! Thomas is too weak to do anything!
Cecile: Wh... he did nothing to you--!!! You have no reason to think that way, and..and.. Master Thomas is plenty strong, so don't you dare say that!!!! *holds her rake close and makes a frantic gesture*
Luca: Nothing he did to me. But I'm gonna make him regret that one decision he had made long before. And you, or Master Thomas can't stop me. *continues to rake the leaves roughly*
Cecile: *frowns, trying to figure out what that "one decision made long before" was* I will stop you if I have to, and Master Thomas is the castle master!! I won't allow you to cause him to worry!!!! *turns away from Luca stubbornly and begins roughly raking as well*
Luca: And how are you going to stop me, Captain? If I ain't gonna listen to the lord of Budehuc, I ain't gonna listen to you. Heinz is going to pay, Fred is going to pay. I'm not going to forget.
Cecile: *turns around* You.. you have to listen to me!!! I am your captain!!!!!! *fiercely* If I can forgive you, then you can forgive them. That is what a guard, or any person should do.
Luca: *thrusts his rake into the ground, causing it to crack* Forgive them? Forgive them?! That's stupid! I ain't going to forgive them! I ain't going to forgive Heinz for what he's done!!!!! And if you want to stop me, then stop me now!!!!
Cecile: *visibly shaken for the moment, then takes a deep breath and authoritatively walks over, holding her own rake like a staff, and looks up* Are you asking for me to restrain you? Are you purposefully trying to undo all the work you've done in the past year? Maybe... maybe you don't remember when you were in the forest after your battle with Sir Fred, but I do, and... and at that time, I did not think of you as an enemy, but as a friend who needed help. Now, Sir Fred and Sir Heinz have returned, and we should look to them not as enemies, but as friends who need help as well!!
Luca: Tch. I ain't ever going to look at them as friends!!!! Fred... Fred was strong. I'm gonna get my vengeance on him!!!!! And Heinz... what he did ain't gonna be overlooked!!!! If anything, I'm gonna search for that bastard Heinz before I deal with Fred... They don't need help. And if you want to consider ending their life help, then I am giving them all the help they deserve!!!!!!!!
Cecile: *jabs the end of her rake against the dirt* I'm angry for how Sir Heinz stole my position and worked with Sir Nash to kidnap Master Thomas too, but I will forgive him because it seems like he is going to try and change. *feels a sudden surge of courage and pushes up the bottom of his chin with the end of her rake handle, her expression remaining fierce* Doesn't this remind you of yourself? Remember? Now, I have forgiven you, but you would never be where you are now if people continued holding grudges like you are doing!!!!
Luca: *surprised at the sudden surge of courage she had, but he would never do any harm to her* ..Tch. So what? If people want to continue holding grudges against me, I wouldn't care. Fred and Heinz are mine. I'm going to deal with them before anyone else does, and nothing you say will change my mind. Sorry, Captain, but that's the kind of person I am!!!!!
Cecile: And what if I dealt with them first? Or what if I dealt with you first? If you cause harm to residents without valid reason, you will lose your position as guard, and might end up back in jail again!
Luca: I have good reason. My own reasons are good enough to harm, no, KILL them!!!!!!!!!
Cecile: *yanks her rake away* Fine. Then you have not changed. I was wrong about you. You have not changed at all. *a hurt expression flickers across her face for a moment, but is quickly replaced with stubborn anger, and she storms over to the leaf pile again* ... You broke your rake. I will not get you a new one. You are responsible for it, so you will have to pick up leaves with your hands then.
Luca: ..... *suddenly surprised at her change of mood, and actually feels sad for once* .... Maybe you were wrong about me. Maybe you shouldn't have had faith in someone like me. I am responsible for my own actions, and I have already decided what those actions are going to be. *drops his broken rake and moves down to his hands and knees*
Cecile: Maybe I was wrong then an--*hears his movement and turns around, staring in shock; she did not expect him to react that way* Wh-what are you doing!?
Luca: *starts to pick up the leaves from off the ground with his hands* What does it look like I'm doing? *says this without turning and focuses on his task*
Cecile: ... *leans her rake against the tree, kneels down across from him, and begins to help gathering the leaves*
Luca: *turns his head and notices Cecile kneeling on the floor, gathering leaves from off the ground with her own hands, too* ...The hell are you doing? Your rake isn't broken. You shouldn't get yourself dirty like I am.
Cecile: *ambiguous tone* What does it look like I'm doing? *continues working as though she had not heard him*
Luca: .... I know you can hear me, Captain. Get off the ground. You don't belong down here like I do. Or are you mocking me? *attempts to say in a serious tone, but it had come off a bit sad*
Cecile: *casts a quick, ambiguous look at him before gathering a large handful of leaves, making an effort to snatch up the ones that fall loose* A good captain assigns orders and looks out for those working with them, but never works above them. We are all on the same level, even if that level happens to be the ground.
Luca: ...Tch. If that's how you want things to be done. *gathers a handful of leaves in both of his hands and looks over at her* Besides, ain't you mad at me for not changing my mind?
Cecile: *blinks* You say you changed your mind, but you have not done anything yet to make me angry... aside from ruining a perfectly good rake.
Luca: You ain't mad that I'm going to put an end to Heinz and Fred's life? A rake is a rake. You've got a spare.
Cecile: You have not killed them yet. *hint of a grin* And you've been announcing Sir Fred's death for months now, and nothing has happened. *stands up, carrying the leaves over to her pile*
Luca: I couldn't find him. ...But now that he and I are going to be in the same party, I will kill two birds with one stone. *still holding a handful of leaves, but refuses to get up off the ground*
Cecile: *plops across from him sitting cross-legged, and frowns, looking at him in the eye* I set that group up, and I won't have you killing group members. Nor will I have you chucking stones at birds.
Luca: It's a figure of speech! I'm going to kill him and that stupid whatever we're going to fight. ...You set it up? You want me in your group that bad? *looks at her straight back in the eye, with a somewhat angry, somewhat sad expression*
Cecile: *folds her arms across her chest in attempts to appear authoritative, but ends up looking comical because of her small size* I put you in my group. You are one of my guards, so of course I want you to be in my group. But if you are going to behave like that, what am I supposed to do? Hm?
Luca: Tch... Who knows? But I want to thank you for making it easier for me to find Fred. I'd prefer taking my anger out on Heinz for what he's done... but Fred is also a priority. *crosses his arms and attempts to copy her, trying to show that he won't be swayed from feeling the way he does*
Cecile: *leans forward, her tone scolding and her own position mirroring his* You will do no such thing!!! Sir Fred might not even show up for the fight, after all the yelling you've been doing about killing him, and then what will you do??
Luca: Tch, who cares? I'll get him another time, but not before I kill Heinz first!!!!!!! Besides... you ain't gonna stop me. You'd better focus on that thing we're supposed to fight. *looks at her straight in the eyes as she leans forward to him, keeping his arms crossed*
Cecile: Focus on the dragon? How do you expect me to focus on that when my group members are engaged in fights amongst themselves??
Luca: Just Fred and I. Didn't you say we had more members? They'd help you.
Cecile: I might as well take you out of my group if you refuse to cooperate as a member.
Luca: ..................
Cecile: *waits a few moments to see if he has anything further to say, then stands up and carries the rest of her leaves to the pile, sidestepping Koichi from underfoot*
Luca: *with his hand still full of leaves, he gets up off the ground, and walks over to a different pile of leaves, away from Cecile and drops them off there* .......
Cecile: *looks at him, then purposefully flops backwards into her pile of leaves with a defiant air* Hmph. *crosses her arms stubbornly and looks up at the clouds*
Luca: *turns around and notices her laying on the pile of leaves she had created* .... *quietly walks over to her, and looks down* Captain... what are you doing?
Cecile: Looking at the clouds. *closes her eyes, the stubborn expression still on her face, but she blushes* ...and wondering what Master Thomas is doing.
Luca: Resting on the job? Tch, mind if I jo----*suddenly feels extremely sad, but refuses to show it* Whatever. *turns his back to her, and walks away, to go back and pick up the rest of the leaves from off the ground*
Cecile: *stretches for a moment, then sits up and brushes a stray leaf out of her hair* What? Is something wrong? *confused expression*
Luca: Go back and rest. I'll finish this myself. *continues picking the leaves off the ground and pretending she's not even there*
Cecile: *frowns* You've done plenty of work for today. Now it's time to take a break. Don't overwork yourself!!! I will rake those up later.
Luca: You can take a break. Go back and think about him. I'll do this myself.
Cecile: "Go back and"... oh, you are so immature!!! I know you do not like Master Thomas, but just because I mention him does not give you a reason to turn all sulky!!!!!! *begins untangling a leaf from her hair ribbon* He is the master of the castle you live in, so no matter how much you want to rule Budehuc yourself, you need to come to terms with the fact that you won't!!
Luca: It ain't that... it ain't that at all. Forget about it. Go back and rest.
Cecile: *folds her arms, forgetting about the rest of the leaves in her hair* Then what is it about? I'm not going to rest until you rest--a good captain cannot rest until everyone else is rested!!!
Luca: Like I'd tell you what it's about!! I said you can rest, leave the rest to me. I don't care!!!!!!
Cecile: *stands up and stomps over to him, looking straight up, even though there is almost a two-foot height difference* I will do no such thing!!!
Luca: ...Whatever. If you ain't gonna rest, then don't. Just leave Thomas out of this. *sort of ignores her, and goes back to picking up leaves*
Cecile: Master Thomas has nothing to do with this!! *makes a lunge to grab the leaves away from him* You need to go rest!!
Luca: *tries to move away, but fails as she lunges and grabs onto his hand* ...What are you doing? Let go. I'm not going to rest!!!!
Cecile: Then at least give me the rest of the leaves; you've done enough work for today, and I won't let you overwork yourself!! *yanks at his hand, pulling it in the direction of the leaf pile*
Luca: .... *drops the leaves into her hand* Have it your way, Captain. Then you can go back and rest once you drop them in that pile.
Cecile: *feels hurt and sad at his gesture* But I want you to rest too--what kind of captain or friend would I be if I did not do that?
Luca: I thought you were wrong about me? I ain't gonna give up. Maybe this is for the best. It's just resting, after all.
Cecile: What is that supposed to mean? *frowns* I don't understand.
Luca: You tell me. But it doesn't matter.
Luca: Go rest.
Cecile: *shakes her head* Not until you rest.
Luca: I don't want to.
Cecile: Then I will command you to rest, as captain of the guards!!! *drops the handful of leaves into the pile*
Luca: ....
Cecile: ....
Luca: Why don't you go flop into that pile and think about Thomas some more?
Cecile: *turns red, but whether or not it is because she is angry is undeterminable* I beg your pardon--?!
Luca: You heard me.
Cecile: So what?! What does he have to do with my asking you to get some rest?!?!?
Luca: Do you have to question everything I say?
Cecile: Do you have to be so immature about Master Thomas?!
Luca: Whatever. He's just a kid. Like I care about him.
Cecile: He is not just a kid!!!! *pauses, angry* And neither am I!!! I am your captain, but I am also your friend!! And...and if you don't want me to be either of them, then... then fine!!!!!!
Luca: I never said I didn't want you to be my friend, stupid! But if you want to hate me, whatever. It wouldn't make a difference, not with you flopping on leaves and thinking about that stupid kid!!!!!
Cecile: Well, I never sai--*freezes, staring at him, then gradually turns red* .... *starts shaking her head*
Luca: What, you angry at me now?
Cecile: ...*turns around, hiding her flushed face* I... I don't want to talk about this anymore.
Luca: Why the hell not?
Cecile: ...*spins back around, angry but visibly hurt* Because I'm going to go back and flop onto that pile of leaves, and I am going to think about Master Thomas, whether you like it or not!!! Just like you wanted!!! Will that make you happy?!
Luca: ..........................
Luca: *turns his back to her* Whatever. ...Go think about Master Thomas. Go do it. I know you want to. Think I give a damn?
Cecile: *quietly* You certainly seem to, since you get so angry every time I mention him. *also turns her back*
Luca: No, I don't care. I don't give a damn. Do what you want, it's your life. .... *sigh*
Cecile: *turns back around* Fine then. But if you don't care, that does not mean I cannot care about you getting rest. *grabs his arm* So go get some rest.
Luca: *shoves his arm away* Leave me alone.
Cecile: *grabs back on* What is wrong with you lately?! Everything I say and do you have to argue with!!
Luca: Nothing is wrong with me. I said leave me alone... I ain't going to rest *pushes his arm away from her again*
Cecile: *grabs his arm, practically clinging* Why not?!! If you're not going to rest, at least give me a decent reason as to why not!!!!!!
Luca: Shouldn't you be grabbing onto Thomas' arm instead of mine? I ain't gonna rest because I don't need rest. Maybe you should visit Thomas instead.
Cecile: Wh... *blushes visibly and immediately snaps away as if he were poisonous* I.. I cannot believe how... how immature you are!
Luca: Whatever. You already figured you were wrong about me, so what do I care if I'm immature or not?
Cecile: ...What if I was right?
Luca: ....Then what would you do?
Cecile: ....What could I do? So I was right and you did change and became a better person. But that does little good when there are still parts of you unwilling to change.
Luca: Maybe I don't want to change for a reason? Whatever. Why do you so insist on changing me? Ain't you got better things to do like comfort Thomas?
Cecile: *blushes again* But he is not here. You are, and I am trying to help you. I want to help you. We are friends, and friends help friends!
Luca: ...So why don't you explain why your face is constantly turning red every time I mention Thomas' name? Or do I want to know? Tch.
Cecile: Wh....that is none of your business!! And my face is not turning red!!!!!! Besides, what does it matter to you if it is or not?!?! *blushes worse*
Luca: ......
Cecile: *expectantly looks up at him with furrowed brows, catching her breath after all her yelling*
Luca: I ain't gonna explain myself.
Cecile: Why not?!
Luca: You don't need to know.
Cecile: Says who!?
Luca: Says me.
Cecile: And why is that?!
Luca: You don't need to know, I told you.
Cecile: *clenches her fists* I shall not budge from this spot until you explain yourself!!!!
Luca: Like hell I will.
Cecile: Then I shall not move, and I won't let you leave either. *folds her arms*
Luca: I ain't got nowhere to go anyway.
Cecile: ........... *long pause* ......... *fidgets*
Luca: ............. *just stands there silently*
Cecile: .... *resumes trying to pull the leaf in her hair away from her hair ribbon* ......
Luca: ..... *moves his hand up and pulls the leaf out of her hair* .......
Cecile: *blinks in surprise* ....*tries to take the leaf back*
Luca: *lets' go of the leaf, allowing her to take it back* ....
Cecile: *grabs it back and holds it possessively* ....That was my leaf.
Luca: .... Sorry.
Cecile: ..... *awkward silence*
Luca: ...... *awkward silence, indeed*
Cecile: *shifts her weight onto her other foot, looking away* ....
Luca: ...... *looks down at the ground*
Cecile: ... I'm... I'm sorry I yelled at you.
Luca: *appreciates that, but won't admit it* Tch... does that mean I can leave?
Cecile: ... *hurt, thinking her apology went to waste* ... Yes, you may go. I expect to see you perform to the best of your abilities when we work as a group later.
Luca: .... Fred is mine. But I wasn't exactly at my best behavior today, so maybe I should apologize instead, Captain.
Cecile: *shakes her head* Whatever. It doesn't matter. *turns and gathers her rake and the pieces remaining of his splintered rake*
Luca: *surprised* It don't matter? .... *extends his hand out to grab onto her, but she has already walked too far away from him*
Cecile: *nearly trips over Koichi running underfoot, but regains balance, holding the rakes* Thank you for helping me rake. Budehuc looks beautiful now, just as I said it would.
Luca: Yeah... it looks beautiful. You made it beautiful, Captain.
Cecile: *tries to smile* And you helped. Thank you. I will see you later when you report for duty.
Luca: Hey, Captain...
Cecile: What? *pauses*
Luca: *shakes his head* No, nothing. *turns his back to her and starts to walk off* Take care of yourself.
Cecile: ....? What? What is it? ... H-hey!
Luca: *stops, but his back is still turned to her* It's nothing important... ain't gonna waste your time with it.
Cecile: How do you know it's not important? If it were not important, you would not have started to say something to begin with. *hurries over, trying to carry the rakes while running*
Luca: Captain... it ain't important. And it ain't ever gonna happen, so you shouldn't concern yourself with this. *realizes she's running over to him* ....What now?
Cecile: What's not going to happen? *stops behind him, her tone betraying her curiosity* Is something going to happen?
Luca: Nothing ain't gonna happen.
Luca: That's why I'm not gonna say it!
Cecile: .... Then I will have to guess!!! *gathers up the rakes* But I have to return to my post... Just you wait!!! I'll find out!!!!!!
Luca: I won't stop you from guessing... but I won't admit it. You will never know. ...Maybe I will stop by your post sometime, Captain.
Cecile: I hope you do!! We still patrol together, you know!!
Luca: ...I will. *continues walking forward, and leaves*
Cecile: *smiles faintly, and walks back to her post, Koichi following at her heels*
Cecile: *her hair tied back in ribbons, she's standing next to a growing pile of leaves, using her rake to push one of the welcome basket dogs away from scampering through it*
Luca: *walks down over to where Cecile is at, this time not wearing his armor. He looks at her dumbfounded as she's holding a rake in her hand*
Cecile: *her back is turned to him, so she does not realize he's there, and continues giving the dog an urging push from behind with the rake* Koichi!!! If you make a mess of the leaves, you won't have dessert for a whole week--!!!!
Luca: *speaks with a serious tone of voice* How long do you plan on arguing with that dog, captain?
Cecile: *spins around, waving the rake* Wha--?? Oh... Luca, it is only you. *looks down at Koichi as if he were a misbehaving criminal* Do you know how big of a mess he keeps making of all the leaf piles I've raked???
Luca: It is only me? Who else would it be? *looks down at her, confused* Why don't you just pick him up and leave him elsewhere instead of trying to talk to that dumb dog like he's capable of understanding you.
Cecile: *folds her arms, the motion not as menacing-looking without her armor* For all I know, you could have been a bandit!!! We've been having bandit troubles lately!!!! And of course Koichi understands me!!!!
Luca: Stupid! Why would I want to steal anything from this place? Ain't it my duty to protect the citizens as a guard? *his arms are placed at his side, and he gives her a serious look* And that dog ain't gonna understand a word you say.
Cecile: But I never said you were a bandit--I said you might have been, and I did not know you were not one until I looked!! *turns and gives Koichi another prod, sending him scampering directly through the pile of leaves* ....
Luca: Tch. Now look what you've done. I told you animals are too dumb to understand us. *shakes his head at the situation* You've made an even bigger mess for yourself.
Cecile: *frowns for a moment as his words sink in, then almost instantly brightens as though nothing happens* I can just rake it back up again~!! *begins to animatedly rake* This time I can do an even better job!!!!!!!!!
Luca: ....Tch. Rake it back up, huh. .... *says in an annoyed tone* You got another rake anywhere nearby?
Cecile: *stops and looks at him* Another.... oh!!!! You want to help???? *drops her rake and runs over to a tree, grabs a spare rake, and runs it back over to him* Do you know how to rake leaves? Have you ever raked leaves before???
Luca: ...... *sigh* You ain't seriously excited that I'm gonna help, are you? Of course I know how to rake. *takes the rake from her* I ain't doing this because I want to.
Cecile: Nobody wants to rake, silly. *smiles and turns back to her work* We rake because it makes Budehuc look beautiful! Besides--*looks over her shoulder*--this is very, very important because it helps minimize bandit activity!!!
Luca: ... *without saying a word, he begins to help her take up the leaves* .... Budehuc ain't gonna look anymore beautiful.
Cecile: Yes, it will!!! And... and without the leaves on the ground, the bandits will have one less thing to use as coverage when they hide!!!
Luca: Like bandits are going to hide behind leaves!!!!! Tch, whatever. Just rake.
Cecile: *falls quiet for a few moments* ..... That's how they did it the last time.
Luca: .... I've never seen any bandits.
Cecile: ... You were not here.
Cecile: *suddenly begins to hum while raking, her cheerful mood almost forced*
Luca: .... *acts like he's annoyed by her humming, but actually enjoys listening*
Cecile: *tries to strike up light conversation in between her song* So many people are returning to Budehuc for the autumn!! Are you excited to see new and familiar faces?
Luca: I don't care about the familiar faces unless it's Fred. I'm gonna kill him when I see him!!!
Cecile: You still have not gotten over that?? *sighs* .....No, I can't lecture you about that, I suppose, since I'm partly guilty of the same feeling. *seriously concentrating on one, already perfectly raked patch of leaves*
Luca: What? You want to kill Fred too? *says mockingly*
Cecile: N-no!!!!!! *flails* That's...that's not it at all!! It has nothing to do with Sir Fred!!!!
Luca: I won't believe that you don't care about the familiar faces showing up again.
Cecile: It's... it's not that. I... *rubs her nose for a moment, then purposefully turns away to work on another section of leaves* ... Sir Heinz is back. But I have decided to pretend I don't remember him. So in that way, I am not happy to see a familiar face.
Luca: ... *sighs for a moment* Heinz, huh. Another familiar face I'm gonna want to kill when I find him. *slams his rake against the ground and begins raking up the leaves roughly*
Cecile: *jumps slightly* I--no--!! You can't do that!!! I... If I pretend not to recognize him, it won't cause any trouble... and I especially do not want Master Thomas to do anything dangerous. He said he wanted to punish him, so if I do not say anything, then perhaps he will forget.
Luca: What makes you think I'm gonna listen to you? I want to cut him. I want to stab him. I want to kill him and erase his existence from this very world!!!!!! Thomas is too weak to do anything!
Cecile: Wh... he did nothing to you--!!! You have no reason to think that way, and..and.. Master Thomas is plenty strong, so don't you dare say that!!!! *holds her rake close and makes a frantic gesture*
Luca: Nothing he did to me. But I'm gonna make him regret that one decision he had made long before. And you, or Master Thomas can't stop me. *continues to rake the leaves roughly*
Cecile: *frowns, trying to figure out what that "one decision made long before" was* I will stop you if I have to, and Master Thomas is the castle master!! I won't allow you to cause him to worry!!!! *turns away from Luca stubbornly and begins roughly raking as well*
Luca: And how are you going to stop me, Captain? If I ain't gonna listen to the lord of Budehuc, I ain't gonna listen to you. Heinz is going to pay, Fred is going to pay. I'm not going to forget.
Cecile: *turns around* You.. you have to listen to me!!! I am your captain!!!!!! *fiercely* If I can forgive you, then you can forgive them. That is what a guard, or any person should do.
Luca: *thrusts his rake into the ground, causing it to crack* Forgive them? Forgive them?! That's stupid! I ain't going to forgive them! I ain't going to forgive Heinz for what he's done!!!!! And if you want to stop me, then stop me now!!!!
Cecile: *visibly shaken for the moment, then takes a deep breath and authoritatively walks over, holding her own rake like a staff, and looks up* Are you asking for me to restrain you? Are you purposefully trying to undo all the work you've done in the past year? Maybe... maybe you don't remember when you were in the forest after your battle with Sir Fred, but I do, and... and at that time, I did not think of you as an enemy, but as a friend who needed help. Now, Sir Fred and Sir Heinz have returned, and we should look to them not as enemies, but as friends who need help as well!!
Luca: Tch. I ain't ever going to look at them as friends!!!! Fred... Fred was strong. I'm gonna get my vengeance on him!!!!! And Heinz... what he did ain't gonna be overlooked!!!! If anything, I'm gonna search for that bastard Heinz before I deal with Fred... They don't need help. And if you want to consider ending their life help, then I am giving them all the help they deserve!!!!!!!!
Cecile: *jabs the end of her rake against the dirt* I'm angry for how Sir Heinz stole my position and worked with Sir Nash to kidnap Master Thomas too, but I will forgive him because it seems like he is going to try and change. *feels a sudden surge of courage and pushes up the bottom of his chin with the end of her rake handle, her expression remaining fierce* Doesn't this remind you of yourself? Remember? Now, I have forgiven you, but you would never be where you are now if people continued holding grudges like you are doing!!!!
Luca: *surprised at the sudden surge of courage she had, but he would never do any harm to her* ..Tch. So what? If people want to continue holding grudges against me, I wouldn't care. Fred and Heinz are mine. I'm going to deal with them before anyone else does, and nothing you say will change my mind. Sorry, Captain, but that's the kind of person I am!!!!!
Cecile: And what if I dealt with them first? Or what if I dealt with you first? If you cause harm to residents without valid reason, you will lose your position as guard, and might end up back in jail again!
Luca: I have good reason. My own reasons are good enough to harm, no, KILL them!!!!!!!!!
Cecile: *yanks her rake away* Fine. Then you have not changed. I was wrong about you. You have not changed at all. *a hurt expression flickers across her face for a moment, but is quickly replaced with stubborn anger, and she storms over to the leaf pile again* ... You broke your rake. I will not get you a new one. You are responsible for it, so you will have to pick up leaves with your hands then.
Luca: ..... *suddenly surprised at her change of mood, and actually feels sad for once* .... Maybe you were wrong about me. Maybe you shouldn't have had faith in someone like me. I am responsible for my own actions, and I have already decided what those actions are going to be. *drops his broken rake and moves down to his hands and knees*
Cecile: Maybe I was wrong then an--*hears his movement and turns around, staring in shock; she did not expect him to react that way* Wh-what are you doing!?
Luca: *starts to pick up the leaves from off the ground with his hands* What does it look like I'm doing? *says this without turning and focuses on his task*
Cecile: ... *leans her rake against the tree, kneels down across from him, and begins to help gathering the leaves*
Luca: *turns his head and notices Cecile kneeling on the floor, gathering leaves from off the ground with her own hands, too* ...The hell are you doing? Your rake isn't broken. You shouldn't get yourself dirty like I am.
Cecile: *ambiguous tone* What does it look like I'm doing? *continues working as though she had not heard him*
Luca: .... I know you can hear me, Captain. Get off the ground. You don't belong down here like I do. Or are you mocking me? *attempts to say in a serious tone, but it had come off a bit sad*
Cecile: *casts a quick, ambiguous look at him before gathering a large handful of leaves, making an effort to snatch up the ones that fall loose* A good captain assigns orders and looks out for those working with them, but never works above them. We are all on the same level, even if that level happens to be the ground.
Luca: ...Tch. If that's how you want things to be done. *gathers a handful of leaves in both of his hands and looks over at her* Besides, ain't you mad at me for not changing my mind?
Cecile: *blinks* You say you changed your mind, but you have not done anything yet to make me angry... aside from ruining a perfectly good rake.
Luca: You ain't mad that I'm going to put an end to Heinz and Fred's life? A rake is a rake. You've got a spare.
Cecile: You have not killed them yet. *hint of a grin* And you've been announcing Sir Fred's death for months now, and nothing has happened. *stands up, carrying the leaves over to her pile*
Luca: I couldn't find him. ...But now that he and I are going to be in the same party, I will kill two birds with one stone. *still holding a handful of leaves, but refuses to get up off the ground*
Cecile: *plops across from him sitting cross-legged, and frowns, looking at him in the eye* I set that group up, and I won't have you killing group members. Nor will I have you chucking stones at birds.
Luca: It's a figure of speech! I'm going to kill him and that stupid whatever we're going to fight. ...You set it up? You want me in your group that bad? *looks at her straight back in the eye, with a somewhat angry, somewhat sad expression*
Cecile: *folds her arms across her chest in attempts to appear authoritative, but ends up looking comical because of her small size* I put you in my group. You are one of my guards, so of course I want you to be in my group. But if you are going to behave like that, what am I supposed to do? Hm?
Luca: Tch... Who knows? But I want to thank you for making it easier for me to find Fred. I'd prefer taking my anger out on Heinz for what he's done... but Fred is also a priority. *crosses his arms and attempts to copy her, trying to show that he won't be swayed from feeling the way he does*
Cecile: *leans forward, her tone scolding and her own position mirroring his* You will do no such thing!!! Sir Fred might not even show up for the fight, after all the yelling you've been doing about killing him, and then what will you do??
Luca: Tch, who cares? I'll get him another time, but not before I kill Heinz first!!!!!!! Besides... you ain't gonna stop me. You'd better focus on that thing we're supposed to fight. *looks at her straight in the eyes as she leans forward to him, keeping his arms crossed*
Cecile: Focus on the dragon? How do you expect me to focus on that when my group members are engaged in fights amongst themselves??
Luca: Just Fred and I. Didn't you say we had more members? They'd help you.
Cecile: I might as well take you out of my group if you refuse to cooperate as a member.
Luca: ..................
Cecile: *waits a few moments to see if he has anything further to say, then stands up and carries the rest of her leaves to the pile, sidestepping Koichi from underfoot*
Luca: *with his hand still full of leaves, he gets up off the ground, and walks over to a different pile of leaves, away from Cecile and drops them off there* .......
Cecile: *looks at him, then purposefully flops backwards into her pile of leaves with a defiant air* Hmph. *crosses her arms stubbornly and looks up at the clouds*
Luca: *turns around and notices her laying on the pile of leaves she had created* .... *quietly walks over to her, and looks down* Captain... what are you doing?
Cecile: Looking at the clouds. *closes her eyes, the stubborn expression still on her face, but she blushes* ...and wondering what Master Thomas is doing.
Luca: Resting on the job? Tch, mind if I jo----*suddenly feels extremely sad, but refuses to show it* Whatever. *turns his back to her, and walks away, to go back and pick up the rest of the leaves from off the ground*
Cecile: *stretches for a moment, then sits up and brushes a stray leaf out of her hair* What? Is something wrong? *confused expression*
Luca: Go back and rest. I'll finish this myself. *continues picking the leaves off the ground and pretending she's not even there*
Cecile: *frowns* You've done plenty of work for today. Now it's time to take a break. Don't overwork yourself!!! I will rake those up later.
Luca: You can take a break. Go back and think about him. I'll do this myself.
Cecile: "Go back and"... oh, you are so immature!!! I know you do not like Master Thomas, but just because I mention him does not give you a reason to turn all sulky!!!!!! *begins untangling a leaf from her hair ribbon* He is the master of the castle you live in, so no matter how much you want to rule Budehuc yourself, you need to come to terms with the fact that you won't!!
Luca: It ain't that... it ain't that at all. Forget about it. Go back and rest.
Cecile: *folds her arms, forgetting about the rest of the leaves in her hair* Then what is it about? I'm not going to rest until you rest--a good captain cannot rest until everyone else is rested!!!
Luca: Like I'd tell you what it's about!! I said you can rest, leave the rest to me. I don't care!!!!!!
Cecile: *stands up and stomps over to him, looking straight up, even though there is almost a two-foot height difference* I will do no such thing!!!
Luca: ...Whatever. If you ain't gonna rest, then don't. Just leave Thomas out of this. *sort of ignores her, and goes back to picking up leaves*
Cecile: Master Thomas has nothing to do with this!! *makes a lunge to grab the leaves away from him* You need to go rest!!
Luca: *tries to move away, but fails as she lunges and grabs onto his hand* ...What are you doing? Let go. I'm not going to rest!!!!
Cecile: Then at least give me the rest of the leaves; you've done enough work for today, and I won't let you overwork yourself!! *yanks at his hand, pulling it in the direction of the leaf pile*
Luca: .... *drops the leaves into her hand* Have it your way, Captain. Then you can go back and rest once you drop them in that pile.
Cecile: *feels hurt and sad at his gesture* But I want you to rest too--what kind of captain or friend would I be if I did not do that?
Luca: I thought you were wrong about me? I ain't gonna give up. Maybe this is for the best. It's just resting, after all.
Cecile: What is that supposed to mean? *frowns* I don't understand.
Luca: You tell me. But it doesn't matter.
Luca: Go rest.
Cecile: *shakes her head* Not until you rest.
Luca: I don't want to.
Cecile: Then I will command you to rest, as captain of the guards!!! *drops the handful of leaves into the pile*
Luca: ....
Cecile: ....
Luca: Why don't you go flop into that pile and think about Thomas some more?
Cecile: *turns red, but whether or not it is because she is angry is undeterminable* I beg your pardon--?!
Luca: You heard me.
Cecile: So what?! What does he have to do with my asking you to get some rest?!?!?
Luca: Do you have to question everything I say?
Cecile: Do you have to be so immature about Master Thomas?!
Luca: Whatever. He's just a kid. Like I care about him.
Cecile: He is not just a kid!!!! *pauses, angry* And neither am I!!! I am your captain, but I am also your friend!! And...and if you don't want me to be either of them, then... then fine!!!!!!
Luca: I never said I didn't want you to be my friend, stupid! But if you want to hate me, whatever. It wouldn't make a difference, not with you flopping on leaves and thinking about that stupid kid!!!!!
Cecile: Well, I never sai--*freezes, staring at him, then gradually turns red* .... *starts shaking her head*
Luca: What, you angry at me now?
Cecile: ...*turns around, hiding her flushed face* I... I don't want to talk about this anymore.
Luca: Why the hell not?
Cecile: ...*spins back around, angry but visibly hurt* Because I'm going to go back and flop onto that pile of leaves, and I am going to think about Master Thomas, whether you like it or not!!! Just like you wanted!!! Will that make you happy?!
Luca: ..........................
Luca: *turns his back to her* Whatever. ...Go think about Master Thomas. Go do it. I know you want to. Think I give a damn?
Cecile: *quietly* You certainly seem to, since you get so angry every time I mention him. *also turns her back*
Luca: No, I don't care. I don't give a damn. Do what you want, it's your life. .... *sigh*
Cecile: *turns back around* Fine then. But if you don't care, that does not mean I cannot care about you getting rest. *grabs his arm* So go get some rest.
Luca: *shoves his arm away* Leave me alone.
Cecile: *grabs back on* What is wrong with you lately?! Everything I say and do you have to argue with!!
Luca: Nothing is wrong with me. I said leave me alone... I ain't going to rest *pushes his arm away from her again*
Cecile: *grabs his arm, practically clinging* Why not?!! If you're not going to rest, at least give me a decent reason as to why not!!!!!!
Luca: Shouldn't you be grabbing onto Thomas' arm instead of mine? I ain't gonna rest because I don't need rest. Maybe you should visit Thomas instead.
Cecile: Wh... *blushes visibly and immediately snaps away as if he were poisonous* I.. I cannot believe how... how immature you are!
Luca: Whatever. You already figured you were wrong about me, so what do I care if I'm immature or not?
Cecile: ...What if I was right?
Luca: ....Then what would you do?
Cecile: ....What could I do? So I was right and you did change and became a better person. But that does little good when there are still parts of you unwilling to change.
Luca: Maybe I don't want to change for a reason? Whatever. Why do you so insist on changing me? Ain't you got better things to do like comfort Thomas?
Cecile: *blushes again* But he is not here. You are, and I am trying to help you. I want to help you. We are friends, and friends help friends!
Luca: ...So why don't you explain why your face is constantly turning red every time I mention Thomas' name? Or do I want to know? Tch.
Cecile: Wh....that is none of your business!! And my face is not turning red!!!!!! Besides, what does it matter to you if it is or not?!?! *blushes worse*
Luca: ......
Cecile: *expectantly looks up at him with furrowed brows, catching her breath after all her yelling*
Luca: I ain't gonna explain myself.
Cecile: Why not?!
Luca: You don't need to know.
Cecile: Says who!?
Luca: Says me.
Cecile: And why is that?!
Luca: You don't need to know, I told you.
Cecile: *clenches her fists* I shall not budge from this spot until you explain yourself!!!!
Luca: Like hell I will.
Cecile: Then I shall not move, and I won't let you leave either. *folds her arms*
Luca: I ain't got nowhere to go anyway.
Cecile: ........... *long pause* ......... *fidgets*
Luca: ............. *just stands there silently*
Cecile: .... *resumes trying to pull the leaf in her hair away from her hair ribbon* ......
Luca: ..... *moves his hand up and pulls the leaf out of her hair* .......
Cecile: *blinks in surprise* ....*tries to take the leaf back*
Luca: *lets' go of the leaf, allowing her to take it back* ....
Cecile: *grabs it back and holds it possessively* ....That was my leaf.
Luca: .... Sorry.
Cecile: ..... *awkward silence*
Luca: ...... *awkward silence, indeed*
Cecile: *shifts her weight onto her other foot, looking away* ....
Luca: ...... *looks down at the ground*
Cecile: ... I'm... I'm sorry I yelled at you.
Luca: *appreciates that, but won't admit it* Tch... does that mean I can leave?
Cecile: ... *hurt, thinking her apology went to waste* ... Yes, you may go. I expect to see you perform to the best of your abilities when we work as a group later.
Luca: .... Fred is mine. But I wasn't exactly at my best behavior today, so maybe I should apologize instead, Captain.
Cecile: *shakes her head* Whatever. It doesn't matter. *turns and gathers her rake and the pieces remaining of his splintered rake*
Luca: *surprised* It don't matter? .... *extends his hand out to grab onto her, but she has already walked too far away from him*
Cecile: *nearly trips over Koichi running underfoot, but regains balance, holding the rakes* Thank you for helping me rake. Budehuc looks beautiful now, just as I said it would.
Luca: Yeah... it looks beautiful. You made it beautiful, Captain.
Cecile: *tries to smile* And you helped. Thank you. I will see you later when you report for duty.
Luca: Hey, Captain...
Cecile: What? *pauses*
Luca: *shakes his head* No, nothing. *turns his back to her and starts to walk off* Take care of yourself.
Cecile: ....? What? What is it? ... H-hey!
Luca: *stops, but his back is still turned to her* It's nothing important... ain't gonna waste your time with it.
Cecile: How do you know it's not important? If it were not important, you would not have started to say something to begin with. *hurries over, trying to carry the rakes while running*
Luca: Captain... it ain't important. And it ain't ever gonna happen, so you shouldn't concern yourself with this. *realizes she's running over to him* ....What now?
Cecile: What's not going to happen? *stops behind him, her tone betraying her curiosity* Is something going to happen?
Luca: Nothing ain't gonna happen.
Luca: That's why I'm not gonna say it!
Cecile: .... Then I will have to guess!!! *gathers up the rakes* But I have to return to my post... Just you wait!!! I'll find out!!!!!!
Luca: I won't stop you from guessing... but I won't admit it. You will never know. ...Maybe I will stop by your post sometime, Captain.
Cecile: I hope you do!! We still patrol together, you know!!
Luca: ...I will. *continues walking forward, and leaves*
Cecile: *smiles faintly, and walks back to her post, Koichi following at her heels*