Long-lost RP Log ~ Luca
Who: Cecile and Luca
What: In which a thunderstorm cuts patrol duty short, leading to a discussion surrounding the meaning behind Luca's life after death
Where: The stables/barn, taking advantage of Billy's fire pit
When: Sometime in the summer shortly after Heinz was dispatched, but before the festival Summer 2006ish
Warnings: None
Why: The log got lost and was never posted. It was later rediscovered on an old external harddrive
The gradual absence of singing crickets and uptick in wind should’ve been enough warning a storm was brewing. Yet Cecile was oblivious to nature’s cues, absorbed deep in thought whilst looking out at Yaza Plains from her post. Clouds began to roll in and cover the starry sky. In a way, the thoughts weighing down on her were heavier than the storm clouds looming overhead. She unknowingly clenched the lantern in her hand tighter, her mouth drawn closed in a taut line.
Luca: *notices Cecile alone at her post from afar and is definitely aware of the incoming storm* Captain?
Cecile: *her back still turned, looking out unmoving at the plains*
Luca: *lumbers over, his armor clanking loudly with each step. He’s walking briskly, partly out of irritation but more out of concern* Captain. There’s a storm coming.
Cecile: *startled* What?! O-oh. Luca. *apologetic wince* I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.
Luca: Ain’t like you to zone out like that. *looks at the sky* I’m figuring you weren’t paying attention to that either.
Cecile: What? *looks up and flails* Oh no!! When did this start?!
Luca: It’s been creeping in for a while now I think… did you really not notice?
Cecile: *hastily straightens her posture, looking stern* Better than okay!!! It’s the safest we’ve ever been!! *gestures outwards to the plains* See how calm and peaceful it is?!
Luca: … *the wind tears through the grasses and begins to pick up* … Peaceful?
Cecile: W-well, I mean, there are no bandits, no attacks… no funny business!!
Luca: Hn. *gives her a look and decides not to push it* No one is going to attack the castle with a storm like this brewing, not even some cowardly bandits. Let’s call it a night. I just wrapped up down by the racetrack.
Cecile: Did you notice anything while you were down there?
Luca: *shakes his head* No one’s gonna be out in weather like this.
*A fierce crack of lightning rips across the sky, casting light across both their faces as if it were the middle of a bright afternoon before dissipating.*
Cecile: *jumps* T-that was close! Luca, what are we doing here?! We have to get inside!!!
Luca: That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. *tries to motion her back to the castle* Your spear is a freaking lighting rod… you can’t stand out in this.
*A deep rumble rolls through the sky, and Luca notes the hairs beginning to stand on the back of his neck.*
((Ohh no, that's bad news.))
((Nearby lightning, hehe :P))
Luca: Captain. We have to move. NOW.
Cecile: *doesn’t need to be told twice, she starts making the walk with him then jumps when the next crack of thunder strikes in the distance. Suddenly the sky opens up and sheets of rain hammer down on them* Oh no!!! *the lantern she was holding extinguishes and is ripped from her hands, rattling off into the distance* T..the lantern…!!
Luca: *completely drenched in seconds, he can’t see where the lantern went*
Cecile: *shouts over the downpour* We can’t stand out in this!! Follow me, I know somewhere closer!!!!
Luca: *can’t hear her voice over the rain* WHAT?! *tries to reach for her hand to bring her back inside* I SAID GET INSIDE!!
Cecile: *takes his hand, her spear in the other* Follow me!!!! *pushes through the rain, sputtering and splashing* We have to take shelter, now!!!
Luca: *grabs on tightly, he’d stand in front and walk first if she hadn’t taken the lead… he doesn’t like the idea of her not being shielded from the storm*
Cecile: *another peal of lightning slices through the dark, appearing sharper and closer than the last. She makes her way down the hill to the stables and struggles to open the door in the wind, motioning to him to get inside as the next clap of thunder shakes around them*
((Wasn't there a barn?))
((I think it's the stables. Close enough. Let's just roll with it and assume they can dry off there. Unless you'd rather Peggi's shop? >_>))
((Stables it is!))
Luca: *uses his strength to prop the door open and ushers her in before following and slamming it shut behind him*
Cecile: *sputters and coughs, water running in heavy rivlets down her helmet and into her face* Bleh--! *tries to shake herself off*
Luca: *pushes his wet hair out of his face* You okay?
Cecile: *manages to yank her helmet off and shakes her wet hair out* H-hang on, we can’t stay wet like this!! Where… *squints as her eyes adjust in the darkness of the barn, then takes a few paces off to the side and drops to her knees in front of the remains of a fire* There we go! Let me start a fire really quick. There should be kindling behind here… and… the flint! *procures both from behind a nearby barrel and sets to work*
Luca: A fire? In the barn? *frowns*
Cecile: This isn’t the first time I’ve gotten caught out in the rain - besides, Sir Billy often comes out here. He keeps kindling ready, and I know aaaalll his hiding spots! *snaps the flint and starts a small fire*
Luca: *watches her quietly, he didn’t know she knew how to start a fire on her own and is a little impressed*
Cecile: There! Now. *abruptly stands up and starts removing her armor* Off with it!!! Right now!!! This is how you catch a cold!
Luca: … What? W-wait. What are you doing, captain?
Cecile: What does it look like I’m doing?! *places her armor in a tidy pile off to the side of the crackling fire, then starts peeling off her black quilted top* Oh no, this is soaked… it’s going to take forever to dry.
Luca: *turns around and averts his eyes* What the hell? You don’t have to take everything off. Tch.
Cecile: Everything wet comes right off!! That goes for you too!! *obliviously wringing out the water from her socks, her only remaining dry clothes are a simple linen undershirt and her skirt, which she refuses to remove for obvious reasons*
Luca: … *silently removes his armor and shirt, feeling a growing sense of unease. His bare back is covered in scars, some clearly slashes but many are from arrows*
Cecile: *turns around to place her clothes by the fire and stares aghast* … L… Luca… what...happened?
Luca: … *feels her eyes on his back and quickly turns around, although his front isn’t that much better as far as scars are concerned* You should know I have scars. Remember Fred? *grins darkly and recalls the rush from his battle to the near-death*
Cecile: N-no!! *flusters, then sits by the fire and looks away* Your back.
Luca: Not the first time you’ve seen my back, captain. *sits across from her*
Cecile: W… *briefly reddens, recalling a certain party he crashed in the past* That was different! I didn’t--I didn’t see anything then!
Luca: …
Cecile: … What happened to you?
Luca: …............ *stares into the fire, a slight shudder running through him as he recalls the last memory he experienced before waking up near Budehuc*
Cecile: … *tucks her knees under her chin and quietly watches him* S...sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.
Luca: *long pause* Let’s just say... it was the battle of a lifetime. … Heh. *cynically grins to himself as another crack of lightning passes outside, the light of the fire illuminating his face*
Cecile: … *uncharacteristically silent for a spell, staring back into the fire before speaking again* … I hear the whispers around the castle. From residents who came here from other times and places. They… they say you died.
Luca: Maybe I did. *doesn’t look up from the fire*
Cecile: … *her voice quiet* Did… did it hurt?
Luca: No, it felt great. Like getting tickled. IT HURT LIKE HELL. What do you THINK it feels like?! *irritably growls, the memory of losing is still a sore topic*
Cecile: S-sorry! I just… I didn’t… it’s just… those are so many scars…*looks away*
Luca: Tch. ...No, it’s not your fault. I earned these. I destroyed thousands. *looks down at his hands in thought, recalling the feeling of his rune* Me. One man. And it took thousands to destroy me. *smirks to himself*
Cecile: *studies him quietly across the fire, the sound of heavy rain droning against the barn roof* …
Luca: *narrows his eyes and looks back over at her* That’s why I don’t deserve anything from you, captain.
Cecile: *sits up straighter, weighing her words carefully* I know why you’re here. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Not just you -- everyone!
Luca: … *notices the slight curl in her wet hair for the first time* What are you talking about?
Cecile: Well… I mean… Miss Yun, she… she also died. *idly fiddles with the hem of her undershirt*
Luca: You aren’t makin’ any sense, captain. And I told you already, I don’t care about Yun. Not since she betrayed me.
Cecile: It’s not just Miss Yun! There are others… people who passed on, people who are from long ago, people who simply aren’t supposed to be here. Yet they are. Don’t you wonder why you’re here? And why here, of all places??
Luca: Guess you could say it’s a kind of hell. *scoffs* Fitting end for someone like me.
Cecile: Not funny!! I’m saying there’s a reason you and everyone else is here!
Luca: *raises an eyebrow* And what’s that?
Cecile: *purses her lips for a moment before continuing after the next rolling rumble of thunder outside* Sir Stallion and I were talking, and…Well, he was saying how maybe people are drawn here to Budehuc, and it changes them - they make new friends, they learn to overcome differences and talk and meet in the middle. They’re… it’s like they’re given a second chance, no matter what happened in the past.
Luca: Second chances? Tch. I lost. I lost. That battle was the defeat of me. The only second chance that’s waiting for me is searching for my next challenge. A worthy opponent, and my revenge.
Cecile: *frowns and gives him a stern look across the fire before getting up and tromping over and sitting next to him with an air of defiance*
Luca: *surprised she moved* ...What?
Cecile: Tell me - you haven’t actually killed anyone since you arrived, have you?
Luca: … You’re sitting awfully close to a murderer.
Cecile: Tell me honestly!!
Luca: *returns the stare* And what if I did?
Cecile: Have you?
Luca: … Nothing’s stopping me, I could have my choice of any victim. Even you, right now.
Cecile: Have you?
Luca: *leans his face close to hers, noticing the little droplets of water still falling from her hair. She didn’t seem to even flinch around him anymore, but he won't admit that pleases him* You’ve figured me out, captain. But I’m a guard now, isn’t my job to protect?
Cecile: *uneasy flicker of anxiety at how close he is, but still pushes* It’s because you can’t, can you?
Luca: ….............
Cecile: I went to the library, and Eike helped me find more information… and it’s true, you shouldn’t be here. Unless there’s another prince of Highland who died, but I highly doubt that. I don’t know how to explain it, but you aren’t the first person to come back.
Luca: So you’re relying on a book written by some sore losers to tell you what I am? Who I am?
Cecile: *scowls and decides not to point out that he was the one who lost the historic battle* Then how else do you explain this? *gestures to his whole self* You’re here, sitting across from me, not that much older than I am right now, and very much alive! And you just came here from out of nowhere!
Luca: Am I supposed to be impressed that you’re obsessed enough to the point that you’re going to the library about me? I’m flattered, captain. *leans back and crosses his arms across his bare chest*
Cecile: *flusters* I’m not--! It’s just… I think… I think you truly did die, and this - your time here - this is another chance for you. *fierce look* Miss Yun’s intuition is so strong, she talks to the spirits, and I trust her. And she told me she knew you had the capacity to change - she could see it! And… and look at you! You’re a member of the castle garrison now!
Luca: ...You need to keep your guard up better, captain.
Cecile: W-what? What’s that supposed to mean?!
Luca: I storm into your home, threaten your master, threaten you, break out of jail, *almost a menacing grin* and you allegedly hear in the halls that I’m a deceased mass murderer. Yet somehow you accept that I want to be a guard and welcome me.
Cecile: … I… *fumbles for words* … That…that is a very accurate summary of what happened, yes.
Luca: So then. Why?
Cecile: My father used to say even the worst of bandits can change. That’s why I won’t give up. That’s why even my most precious thing - my patrol - I share. If you are here to atone, to change and grow… then… well, I’d say of everyone, you are going to have to work the hardest of all!!
*another crash of lightning outside*
Luca: And if I can’t change?
Cecile: I think you already have, even if just a tiny bit. *smiles for the first time since they came in from the rain*
Luca: ...That was thanks to you, captain.
Cecile: What? No! *shakes her head* You asked to be a guard! It was your request! And while… you’re still… ah, you still have a long way to go, it’s all your actions that made the difference!!!!
Luca: That’s not what I mean.
*another boom of thunder outside*
Cecile: Then what do you mean??
Luca: … *leans over and tucks some strands of her wet hair behind her ear*
Cecile: W… what are you doing!? *flusters and draws back*
Luca: ...............Don’t worry about it. *looks away back at the fire*
Cecile: *touches her hair absentmindedly before settling back* …
Luca: *glances over at the barn doors, hearing them rattle in the wind. He has nothing to say in response to her silence and feels rejected*
Cecile: … *sits uncomfortably in silence, the fire’s crackle drowned out by the thrashing rain outside*
Luca: …Tell me something.
Cecile: *looks over at him* Yes?
Luca: Why me?
Cecile: Why you? Why what?
Luca: You could be spending your free time with Thomas. But instead you’re always poking around after me.
Cecile: *reddens at Thomas’s name* Patrolling is a duty! And if you’re a guard, you have to patrol too! You’re my responsibility, so we patrol together! I… I make plenty of time for Master Thomas when I’m not busy! I just… it’s… he’s so often busy, and… *pulls her knees back in close*
Luca: Have you told him? *looks away*
Cecile: *muffled behind her knees* He knows he’s busy. Everyone reminds him. *sulks*
Luca: No. Have you told him how you feel.
Cecile: Wh…!?! *burns red behind her knees* M..M-Master Thomas knows my patrol is my most precious thing!!!
Luca: Heh. Whatever you say.
Cecile: I do say…!!! *indignantly sits back up straight, her face redder*
Luca: What is it like?
Cecile: W...what? My patrol? Don’t ask such silly questions - YOU know what it’s like, you’ve been on it with me many times already!
Luca: No. *looks away again, past the fire so his face is in shadow* How do you know you love him?
Cecile: *immensely grateful he can’t see her face, but reflexively covers her blush* Wh… why are you asking this?! I… I just do!!!
Luca: ........What is it like? How do you know?
Cecile: ... *stares at the back of his head, trying to process what he’s getting at and the meaning behind his questioning* Ah… you’ve probably never…! *reasons he simply is trying to get a better understanding of a foreign emotion - he was a violent brute after all* Ah! Yes, that must be it. *pats a closed fist into an open palm*
Luca: What’s it? *looks back over at her*
Cecile: *pauses* How can I explain it…? *turns pink as she mulls over several analogies before settling on one that might resonate with him* Well, you know how in battle you get all fired up?
Luca: … *half eyebrow lift* Do you remember who you’re talking to?
Cecile: *obviously has forgotten because she’s still getting carried away with her analogy* And--well, for me, I have my father’s War Horse rune, and sometimes I just… *waves her hands* you just feel like you’re on fire! Nothing matters at all except the battle!! It’s all you can hear, all you can see, and you can feel the rune spinning all through you, pushing you to win!! Except…
Luca: Except…?
Cecile: It’s not about winning, it’s… you don’t even care about winning or losing. *reddens, her analogy pivoting away from its origin* You’re just happy they exist. Maybe they don’t think about you existing, or maybe they do but not in the way you wish. But it doesn’t matter because they exist, and… o-oh, I’m getting all carried away!! *flusters*
Luca: No. I think I understand.
Cecile: You do?
Luca: …So you haven’t told him.
Cecile: … *turns red again and buries her face into her folded arms atop her knees* … The things I wish to say are too indecent. He is my master, I am the commander of the guards. It makes me happy just to have the honor to protect him.
Luca: Tch. You compare this to a battlefield, but it sounds like you’re not even allowing yourself to fight. That doesn’t sound happy at all to me. That sounds like agony.
Cecile: It is agony!!!
Luca: *stares at her outburst, caught off-guard*
Cecile: You… you think I enjoy this!? *bites back tears, not even caring if it’s Luca anymore or if it’s embarrassing, this has been building up for a while* You think this is fun for me?! There's...so much I want to say and do, and I feel like I shouldn't, and I am afraid...I'm afraid he'll reject me or change his mind or...or...
Luca: …………
Cecile: You… you could never understand how I feel!!!! *buries her face back into her knees*
Luca: … *hesitantly reaches out to console her but hovers, uncertain of what to do* ........… *grits his teeth* What if I did?
Cecile: *hiccups and looks back up at him* W...what?
Luca: What if I did understand?
Cecile: *shakes her head and looks away* If you did…then you wouldn’t have needed an analogy from me. *wipes her tears away and straightens, remembering who she’s with*
Luca: … Tch. Whatever. *embarrassed*
Cecile: … *long, uncomfortable silence again, the rain outside steadily drumming away* ....… *looks down at her bare feet warming by the fire*
Luca: ..........Sorry.
Cecile: ...It’s not your fault.
Luca: …
Cecile: What would you do? If… if you were me?
Luca: I wouldn’t waste my breath or time on seeking the affection of someone so weak. *responds with no hesitation*
Cecile: W… augh, I should’ve known better than to ask you!! *crosses her arms and sulks again* Don’t you realize there's more to life than just raw strength!?
Luca: *grips his hand into a fist, reflecting on his past. If he’d been stronger, his mother…* Power is what matters. Nothing else.
Cecile: But you’re wrong!!
Luca: Don’t be a hypocrite. What do you think you’re doing? Protecting Budehuc, your precious Thomas, with what? Words? That spear and armor aren’t just for show. You’re just as guilty as I am for seeking power to do what you want.
Cecile: *hesitates at his words, he’s not wholly wrong* B-but it’s not just about being strong physically! If it was, I’d have kept you in the jails from the start! Wouldn’t that be safer for Budehuc?
Luca: ..............*looks unhappy*
Cecile: But I didn’t, we believed there was a better path for you! Master Thomas saw that! And that’s not the kind of strength I want…
Luca: ………...Thomas saw that, did he.… *stands up abruptly and starts to gather his clothes and armor, he’s sick of hearing about Thomas*
Cecile: W-what are you doing!? *flusters and stands up as well out of reflex* It’s still raining, and your things are still wet!
Luca: I’ll manage.
Cecile: But the storm--!!
Luca: Stay here until it stops raining, don’t follow me.
Cecile: But…!!
Luca: … Think of it as a request from a friend. Not your subordinate. *looks away from her and steps back out into the rain in wet clothes and armor, closing the barn door behind him*
Cecile: … *watches him walk away, feeling a strange twisting knot in her chest. Ultimately she decides to honor his wish and stays behind by the fire until the storm subsides*
What: In which a thunderstorm cuts patrol duty short, leading to a discussion surrounding the meaning behind Luca's life after death
Where: The stables/barn, taking advantage of Billy's fire pit
When: Sometime in the summer shortly after Heinz was dispatched, but before the festival Summer 2006ish
Warnings: None
Why: The log got lost and was never posted. It was later rediscovered on an old external harddrive
The gradual absence of singing crickets and uptick in wind should’ve been enough warning a storm was brewing. Yet Cecile was oblivious to nature’s cues, absorbed deep in thought whilst looking out at Yaza Plains from her post. Clouds began to roll in and cover the starry sky. In a way, the thoughts weighing down on her were heavier than the storm clouds looming overhead. She unknowingly clenched the lantern in her hand tighter, her mouth drawn closed in a taut line.
Luca: *notices Cecile alone at her post from afar and is definitely aware of the incoming storm* Captain?
Cecile: *her back still turned, looking out unmoving at the plains*
Luca: *lumbers over, his armor clanking loudly with each step. He’s walking briskly, partly out of irritation but more out of concern* Captain. There’s a storm coming.
Cecile: *startled* What?! O-oh. Luca. *apologetic wince* I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.
Luca: Ain’t like you to zone out like that. *looks at the sky* I’m figuring you weren’t paying attention to that either.
Cecile: What? *looks up and flails* Oh no!! When did this start?!
Luca: It’s been creeping in for a while now I think… did you really not notice?
Cecile: *hastily straightens her posture, looking stern* Better than okay!!! It’s the safest we’ve ever been!! *gestures outwards to the plains* See how calm and peaceful it is?!
Luca: … *the wind tears through the grasses and begins to pick up* … Peaceful?
Cecile: W-well, I mean, there are no bandits, no attacks… no funny business!!
Luca: Hn. *gives her a look and decides not to push it* No one is going to attack the castle with a storm like this brewing, not even some cowardly bandits. Let’s call it a night. I just wrapped up down by the racetrack.
Cecile: Did you notice anything while you were down there?
Luca: *shakes his head* No one’s gonna be out in weather like this.
*A fierce crack of lightning rips across the sky, casting light across both their faces as if it were the middle of a bright afternoon before dissipating.*
Cecile: *jumps* T-that was close! Luca, what are we doing here?! We have to get inside!!!
Luca: That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. *tries to motion her back to the castle* Your spear is a freaking lighting rod… you can’t stand out in this.
*A deep rumble rolls through the sky, and Luca notes the hairs beginning to stand on the back of his neck.*
((Ohh no, that's bad news.))
((Nearby lightning, hehe :P))
Luca: Captain. We have to move. NOW.
Cecile: *doesn’t need to be told twice, she starts making the walk with him then jumps when the next crack of thunder strikes in the distance. Suddenly the sky opens up and sheets of rain hammer down on them* Oh no!!! *the lantern she was holding extinguishes and is ripped from her hands, rattling off into the distance* T..the lantern…!!
Luca: *completely drenched in seconds, he can’t see where the lantern went*
Cecile: *shouts over the downpour* We can’t stand out in this!! Follow me, I know somewhere closer!!!!
Luca: *can’t hear her voice over the rain* WHAT?! *tries to reach for her hand to bring her back inside* I SAID GET INSIDE!!
Cecile: *takes his hand, her spear in the other* Follow me!!!! *pushes through the rain, sputtering and splashing* We have to take shelter, now!!!
Luca: *grabs on tightly, he’d stand in front and walk first if she hadn’t taken the lead… he doesn’t like the idea of her not being shielded from the storm*
Cecile: *another peal of lightning slices through the dark, appearing sharper and closer than the last. She makes her way down the hill to the stables and struggles to open the door in the wind, motioning to him to get inside as the next clap of thunder shakes around them*
((Wasn't there a barn?))
((I think it's the stables. Close enough. Let's just roll with it and assume they can dry off there. Unless you'd rather Peggi's shop? >_>))
((Stables it is!))
Luca: *uses his strength to prop the door open and ushers her in before following and slamming it shut behind him*
Cecile: *sputters and coughs, water running in heavy rivlets down her helmet and into her face* Bleh--! *tries to shake herself off*
Luca: *pushes his wet hair out of his face* You okay?
Cecile: *manages to yank her helmet off and shakes her wet hair out* H-hang on, we can’t stay wet like this!! Where… *squints as her eyes adjust in the darkness of the barn, then takes a few paces off to the side and drops to her knees in front of the remains of a fire* There we go! Let me start a fire really quick. There should be kindling behind here… and… the flint! *procures both from behind a nearby barrel and sets to work*
Luca: A fire? In the barn? *frowns*
Cecile: This isn’t the first time I’ve gotten caught out in the rain - besides, Sir Billy often comes out here. He keeps kindling ready, and I know aaaalll his hiding spots! *snaps the flint and starts a small fire*
Luca: *watches her quietly, he didn’t know she knew how to start a fire on her own and is a little impressed*
Cecile: There! Now. *abruptly stands up and starts removing her armor* Off with it!!! Right now!!! This is how you catch a cold!
Luca: … What? W-wait. What are you doing, captain?
Cecile: What does it look like I’m doing?! *places her armor in a tidy pile off to the side of the crackling fire, then starts peeling off her black quilted top* Oh no, this is soaked… it’s going to take forever to dry.
Luca: *turns around and averts his eyes* What the hell? You don’t have to take everything off. Tch.
Cecile: Everything wet comes right off!! That goes for you too!! *obliviously wringing out the water from her socks, her only remaining dry clothes are a simple linen undershirt and her skirt, which she refuses to remove for obvious reasons*
Luca: … *silently removes his armor and shirt, feeling a growing sense of unease. His bare back is covered in scars, some clearly slashes but many are from arrows*
Cecile: *turns around to place her clothes by the fire and stares aghast* … L… Luca… what...happened?
Luca: … *feels her eyes on his back and quickly turns around, although his front isn’t that much better as far as scars are concerned* You should know I have scars. Remember Fred? *grins darkly and recalls the rush from his battle to the near-death*
Cecile: N-no!! *flusters, then sits by the fire and looks away* Your back.
Luca: Not the first time you’ve seen my back, captain. *sits across from her*
Cecile: W… *briefly reddens, recalling a certain party he crashed in the past* That was different! I didn’t--I didn’t see anything then!
Luca: …
Cecile: … What happened to you?
Luca: …............ *stares into the fire, a slight shudder running through him as he recalls the last memory he experienced before waking up near Budehuc*
Cecile: … *tucks her knees under her chin and quietly watches him* S...sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.
Luca: *long pause* Let’s just say... it was the battle of a lifetime. … Heh. *cynically grins to himself as another crack of lightning passes outside, the light of the fire illuminating his face*
Cecile: … *uncharacteristically silent for a spell, staring back into the fire before speaking again* … I hear the whispers around the castle. From residents who came here from other times and places. They… they say you died.
Luca: Maybe I did. *doesn’t look up from the fire*
Cecile: … *her voice quiet* Did… did it hurt?
Luca: No, it felt great. Like getting tickled. IT HURT LIKE HELL. What do you THINK it feels like?! *irritably growls, the memory of losing is still a sore topic*
Cecile: S-sorry! I just… I didn’t… it’s just… those are so many scars…*looks away*
Luca: Tch. ...No, it’s not your fault. I earned these. I destroyed thousands. *looks down at his hands in thought, recalling the feeling of his rune* Me. One man. And it took thousands to destroy me. *smirks to himself*
Cecile: *studies him quietly across the fire, the sound of heavy rain droning against the barn roof* …
Luca: *narrows his eyes and looks back over at her* That’s why I don’t deserve anything from you, captain.
Cecile: *sits up straighter, weighing her words carefully* I know why you’re here. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Not just you -- everyone!
Luca: … *notices the slight curl in her wet hair for the first time* What are you talking about?
Cecile: Well… I mean… Miss Yun, she… she also died. *idly fiddles with the hem of her undershirt*
Luca: You aren’t makin’ any sense, captain. And I told you already, I don’t care about Yun. Not since she betrayed me.
Cecile: It’s not just Miss Yun! There are others… people who passed on, people who are from long ago, people who simply aren’t supposed to be here. Yet they are. Don’t you wonder why you’re here? And why here, of all places??
Luca: Guess you could say it’s a kind of hell. *scoffs* Fitting end for someone like me.
Cecile: Not funny!! I’m saying there’s a reason you and everyone else is here!
Luca: *raises an eyebrow* And what’s that?
Cecile: *purses her lips for a moment before continuing after the next rolling rumble of thunder outside* Sir Stallion and I were talking, and…Well, he was saying how maybe people are drawn here to Budehuc, and it changes them - they make new friends, they learn to overcome differences and talk and meet in the middle. They’re… it’s like they’re given a second chance, no matter what happened in the past.
Luca: Second chances? Tch. I lost. I lost. That battle was the defeat of me. The only second chance that’s waiting for me is searching for my next challenge. A worthy opponent, and my revenge.
Cecile: *frowns and gives him a stern look across the fire before getting up and tromping over and sitting next to him with an air of defiance*
Luca: *surprised she moved* ...What?
Cecile: Tell me - you haven’t actually killed anyone since you arrived, have you?
Luca: … You’re sitting awfully close to a murderer.
Cecile: Tell me honestly!!
Luca: *returns the stare* And what if I did?
Cecile: Have you?
Luca: … Nothing’s stopping me, I could have my choice of any victim. Even you, right now.
Cecile: Have you?
Luca: *leans his face close to hers, noticing the little droplets of water still falling from her hair. She didn’t seem to even flinch around him anymore, but he won't admit that pleases him* You’ve figured me out, captain. But I’m a guard now, isn’t my job to protect?
Cecile: *uneasy flicker of anxiety at how close he is, but still pushes* It’s because you can’t, can you?
Luca: ….............
Cecile: I went to the library, and Eike helped me find more information… and it’s true, you shouldn’t be here. Unless there’s another prince of Highland who died, but I highly doubt that. I don’t know how to explain it, but you aren’t the first person to come back.
Luca: So you’re relying on a book written by some sore losers to tell you what I am? Who I am?
Cecile: *scowls and decides not to point out that he was the one who lost the historic battle* Then how else do you explain this? *gestures to his whole self* You’re here, sitting across from me, not that much older than I am right now, and very much alive! And you just came here from out of nowhere!
Luca: Am I supposed to be impressed that you’re obsessed enough to the point that you’re going to the library about me? I’m flattered, captain. *leans back and crosses his arms across his bare chest*
Cecile: *flusters* I’m not--! It’s just… I think… I think you truly did die, and this - your time here - this is another chance for you. *fierce look* Miss Yun’s intuition is so strong, she talks to the spirits, and I trust her. And she told me she knew you had the capacity to change - she could see it! And… and look at you! You’re a member of the castle garrison now!
Luca: ...You need to keep your guard up better, captain.
Cecile: W-what? What’s that supposed to mean?!
Luca: I storm into your home, threaten your master, threaten you, break out of jail, *almost a menacing grin* and you allegedly hear in the halls that I’m a deceased mass murderer. Yet somehow you accept that I want to be a guard and welcome me.
Cecile: … I… *fumbles for words* … That…that is a very accurate summary of what happened, yes.
Luca: So then. Why?
Cecile: My father used to say even the worst of bandits can change. That’s why I won’t give up. That’s why even my most precious thing - my patrol - I share. If you are here to atone, to change and grow… then… well, I’d say of everyone, you are going to have to work the hardest of all!!
*another crash of lightning outside*
Luca: And if I can’t change?
Cecile: I think you already have, even if just a tiny bit. *smiles for the first time since they came in from the rain*
Luca: ...That was thanks to you, captain.
Cecile: What? No! *shakes her head* You asked to be a guard! It was your request! And while… you’re still… ah, you still have a long way to go, it’s all your actions that made the difference!!!!
Luca: That’s not what I mean.
*another boom of thunder outside*
Cecile: Then what do you mean??
Luca: … *leans over and tucks some strands of her wet hair behind her ear*
Cecile: W… what are you doing!? *flusters and draws back*
Luca: ...............Don’t worry about it. *looks away back at the fire*
Cecile: *touches her hair absentmindedly before settling back* …
Luca: *glances over at the barn doors, hearing them rattle in the wind. He has nothing to say in response to her silence and feels rejected*
Cecile: … *sits uncomfortably in silence, the fire’s crackle drowned out by the thrashing rain outside*
Luca: …Tell me something.
Cecile: *looks over at him* Yes?
Luca: Why me?
Cecile: Why you? Why what?
Luca: You could be spending your free time with Thomas. But instead you’re always poking around after me.
Cecile: *reddens at Thomas’s name* Patrolling is a duty! And if you’re a guard, you have to patrol too! You’re my responsibility, so we patrol together! I… I make plenty of time for Master Thomas when I’m not busy! I just… it’s… he’s so often busy, and… *pulls her knees back in close*
Luca: Have you told him? *looks away*
Cecile: *muffled behind her knees* He knows he’s busy. Everyone reminds him. *sulks*
Luca: No. Have you told him how you feel.
Cecile: Wh…!?! *burns red behind her knees* M..M-Master Thomas knows my patrol is my most precious thing!!!
Luca: Heh. Whatever you say.
Cecile: I do say…!!! *indignantly sits back up straight, her face redder*
Luca: What is it like?
Cecile: W...what? My patrol? Don’t ask such silly questions - YOU know what it’s like, you’ve been on it with me many times already!
Luca: No. *looks away again, past the fire so his face is in shadow* How do you know you love him?
Cecile: *immensely grateful he can’t see her face, but reflexively covers her blush* Wh… why are you asking this?! I… I just do!!!
Luca: ........What is it like? How do you know?
Cecile: ... *stares at the back of his head, trying to process what he’s getting at and the meaning behind his questioning* Ah… you’ve probably never…! *reasons he simply is trying to get a better understanding of a foreign emotion - he was a violent brute after all* Ah! Yes, that must be it. *pats a closed fist into an open palm*
Luca: What’s it? *looks back over at her*
Cecile: *pauses* How can I explain it…? *turns pink as she mulls over several analogies before settling on one that might resonate with him* Well, you know how in battle you get all fired up?
Luca: … *half eyebrow lift* Do you remember who you’re talking to?
Cecile: *obviously has forgotten because she’s still getting carried away with her analogy* And--well, for me, I have my father’s War Horse rune, and sometimes I just… *waves her hands* you just feel like you’re on fire! Nothing matters at all except the battle!! It’s all you can hear, all you can see, and you can feel the rune spinning all through you, pushing you to win!! Except…
Luca: Except…?
Cecile: It’s not about winning, it’s… you don’t even care about winning or losing. *reddens, her analogy pivoting away from its origin* You’re just happy they exist. Maybe they don’t think about you existing, or maybe they do but not in the way you wish. But it doesn’t matter because they exist, and… o-oh, I’m getting all carried away!! *flusters*
Luca: No. I think I understand.
Cecile: You do?
Luca: …So you haven’t told him.
Cecile: … *turns red again and buries her face into her folded arms atop her knees* … The things I wish to say are too indecent. He is my master, I am the commander of the guards. It makes me happy just to have the honor to protect him.
Luca: Tch. You compare this to a battlefield, but it sounds like you’re not even allowing yourself to fight. That doesn’t sound happy at all to me. That sounds like agony.
Cecile: It is agony!!!
Luca: *stares at her outburst, caught off-guard*
Cecile: You… you think I enjoy this!? *bites back tears, not even caring if it’s Luca anymore or if it’s embarrassing, this has been building up for a while* You think this is fun for me?! There's...so much I want to say and do, and I feel like I shouldn't, and I am afraid...I'm afraid he'll reject me or change his mind or...or...
Luca: …………
Cecile: You… you could never understand how I feel!!!! *buries her face back into her knees*
Luca: … *hesitantly reaches out to console her but hovers, uncertain of what to do* ........… *grits his teeth* What if I did?
Cecile: *hiccups and looks back up at him* W...what?
Luca: What if I did understand?
Cecile: *shakes her head and looks away* If you did…then you wouldn’t have needed an analogy from me. *wipes her tears away and straightens, remembering who she’s with*
Luca: … Tch. Whatever. *embarrassed*
Cecile: … *long, uncomfortable silence again, the rain outside steadily drumming away* ....… *looks down at her bare feet warming by the fire*
Luca: ..........Sorry.
Cecile: ...It’s not your fault.
Luca: …
Cecile: What would you do? If… if you were me?
Luca: I wouldn’t waste my breath or time on seeking the affection of someone so weak. *responds with no hesitation*
Cecile: W… augh, I should’ve known better than to ask you!! *crosses her arms and sulks again* Don’t you realize there's more to life than just raw strength!?
Luca: *grips his hand into a fist, reflecting on his past. If he’d been stronger, his mother…* Power is what matters. Nothing else.
Cecile: But you’re wrong!!
Luca: Don’t be a hypocrite. What do you think you’re doing? Protecting Budehuc, your precious Thomas, with what? Words? That spear and armor aren’t just for show. You’re just as guilty as I am for seeking power to do what you want.
Cecile: *hesitates at his words, he’s not wholly wrong* B-but it’s not just about being strong physically! If it was, I’d have kept you in the jails from the start! Wouldn’t that be safer for Budehuc?
Luca: ..............*looks unhappy*
Cecile: But I didn’t, we believed there was a better path for you! Master Thomas saw that! And that’s not the kind of strength I want…
Luca: ………...Thomas saw that, did he.… *stands up abruptly and starts to gather his clothes and armor, he’s sick of hearing about Thomas*
Cecile: W-what are you doing!? *flusters and stands up as well out of reflex* It’s still raining, and your things are still wet!
Luca: I’ll manage.
Cecile: But the storm--!!
Luca: Stay here until it stops raining, don’t follow me.
Cecile: But…!!
Luca: … Think of it as a request from a friend. Not your subordinate. *looks away from her and steps back out into the rain in wet clothes and armor, closing the barn door behind him*
Cecile: … *watches him walk away, feeling a strange twisting knot in her chest. Ultimately she decides to honor his wish and stays behind by the fire until the storm subsides*