Resting in the Verdant Fields

[holyrosary]

Who: Rosa and Cecil, OPEN
When: Now
Where: Citro Plains
What: Wandering and walking.
Type: Log
Notes/Warnings: If you'd like to find Rosa out on her own, you're welcome to. If it turns into a fight, Cecil might arrive to rescue.

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[hallowedlight]

While Rosa could never think of the place as a battlefield, Cecil always checked the area for potential enemies, Chaos warriors and manikins alike. In this world, peace was always deceptive. As usual on arrival, he did a quick survey of the area, but spotted no one, except a lone figure.

His heart always lifted to see Rosa. They'd had a chance to spend more time together recently, since the fighting had subsided. He spent no less time on his training, though -- in fact, he was training harder and with more determination than ever. This time he didn't have only his friends or brother to fight for, but her, as well. Any time spent together made it all worthwhile.

Even if he still didn't fully remember her, he was at least beginning to overcome his shyness. Cecil headed over to her, making his arrival known by falling into step at her side, slipping his hand into hers. "...Rosa."

[holyrosary]

All it took was Cecil's hand slipped into hers to fill Rosa with a joy which effused from her face and smile. "Cecil..." Even now, just speaking his name brought her happiness and the gentle lilt in her voice gave away how much she adored him.

Her attention left the beautiful landscape around them and fixed right on him. She knew he still did not truly remember her or their life and yet he made the effort to be with her regardless. It touched her so profoundly that her eyes began to mist. And how selfish of her to have been so intent on him regaining his memories for so long. Cecil was the same man she loved and cherished with or without his memories and he showed it everything he did. How could she wish for different?

[hallowedlight]

Cecil met her gaze with a warm smile, interlacing his fingers in hers. There was still the guilt present of not remembering her, or Kain and Edward, or the responsibilities awaiting him at home that he ought to. But in moments like these, it was easy to forget past and future alike.

Seeing her eyes filled with emotion, though, he wasn't sure how to interpret it. "What is it, Rosa? Is something the matter?"

[holyrosary]

"No. Nothing is wrong." Her eyes lowered modestly. Even though they were married, she felt shy in sharing her feelings, not only because she had held them in her heart for so very long but it seemed to trouble him now as he could not remember. "Only that you bring me happiness."

Leaving their fingers entwined, she turned to face Cecil and resting her free hand on his chest. Only then did she raise her eyes again, to look up into his dear face. "There is something I wish to tell you..." It was not merely a statement, but a request for permission and a prelude to the topic.

[hallowedlight]

And she brought him more happiness than he ever expected to have in this war... More than he could ever express. There was only the briefest flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, but it went just as quickly as it came. Gently, he reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, before his hand came to rest on her shoulder, more confident. He had to stop doubting himself -- to stop doubting them.

"Yes? You can tell me anything."

[holyrosary]

As Cecil tucked her hair back, Rosa tilted her head into his hand for that brief moment and her smile grew. "I have decided something." She paused to draw a breath and seek the right words to express herself. "It matters not to me if you remember. I wished it more than anything but I believe that to be selfishness now. You are here and that is all that matters. With or without them, you are still the same, the same Cecil I know and love. Anything you wish to know, I will tell you, but I shall not hope for their return. You are enough."

[hallowedlight]

Cecil's eyes widened in momentary surprise. "I still wish to remember. You, my brother, Kain, and everyone else. I haven't given up hope yet that I will, so please... Have faith in me." Still, her words lifted a burden from his shoulders. If she was happy with him, regardless of what he remembered, he would be happy as well. "Your words are true. Whether either of us remember or forget, I will always be glad to be with you. Our memories... Whatever becomes of them, we can always make new ones."

He took Rosa's hand resting on his chest, and, raising it to his lips, kissed it. It would have been a gesture of formality, one a man should give any lady of rank, but his eyes said it meant much more than that. No more hesitation.

"Together, if you'll have me."

[holyrosary]

Rosa understood the meaning behind the kiss on her hand; it was clearly written in Cecil's eyes. More tears of happiness began to well up in her own and she dipped her head.

"I will. Forever."

Not once did she glance down to the ring he'd placed on her own hand those few months ago. What they spoke now was as solemn a vow as the others they had taken, a new vow. It did not seem right to look to the past when the future, their future, stood before her.

A tender smile suffused Rosa's countenance with warmth and she studied the fine details of Cecil's face. Unwilling to remove her hand from him, even to touch him, her voice dropped into a hush that lingered just above a whisper. "I have not given up hope and I will never lose my faith in you, Cecil." She leaned up to place a featherlight kiss on his cheek, nothing more than a lady would bestow as a token on her chosen champion, and yet it meant so much more to her. She was choosing him and his offer to make new memories, memories that were not full of war and death and heartache. "