Chapter 4: The Proposal and The Promise
"And what would you like to have for dinner this evening sir?" Asks the waiter in a very heavy accent.
Palom looks over the menu with a stressed look over his face, his brow furrowed. It's as if a bomb is set to go off in his lap, and if he doesn't choose his meal soon, the bomb will explode. He's already told the waiter to come back in a few minutes twice, and Palom is still in a fix over what to eat. Should it be the broiled cinderpup steaks, Palom asks himself. Or maybe just some baked Panuvian red beans with salad. Or maybe...
"You still need more time sweetheart?" Lyrca smiles at Palom's indecisiveness.
"No, no. I know what I want," Palom feels a sweat coming on as he points his index finger down upon the menu. "I'll have that one."
"Very well sir, we'll get right to work on your dinner," The well-dressed waiter, garbed in a black tuxedo and tie, with a blue cummerbund around his waist, takes down Palom's order. His thick mustache, which covers practically his entire upper lip, keenly compliments his shiny, bald head. "Would you like anything to drink--wine, champagne?"
Palom quickly tenses up with this new decision to make, but Lyrca is quick to pounce on the question.
"Just water for now."
"Very good madam." With that, the waiter takes their menus and leaves the dinner order with the chefs in the kitchen.
Lyrca stares at Palom amusingly. He looks as if ordering dinner was the scariest moment of his life, she thinks to herself.
"That was a close call huh?" Lyrca says with a slight giggle.
"Yeah, thanks for covering me with the drinks question." Palom says, wishing he had that water right about now.
"Why are you so indecisive lately? You were never like this when we first met."
"I don't know," Palom looks upwards at the ceiling. The beautiful dome-like structure, with its well-crafted carvings and paintings, is adorned with a huge chandelier that hangs thirty feet above the ballroom floor. The light reflected off the chandelier's many crystals bathes the entire restaurant in a glorious orange tinge. "I guess I have a lot on my mind right now."
"Tell me." Lyrca leans her right elbow on the table and cups her hand under her chin, her face standing at attention as she prepares to listen to Palom's troubles.
That's one thing that Palom could always count on Lyrca for. Whenever something was bothering him, or if the world was getting him down, Palom would always have Lyrca there to ease his pain. 'Although it's nothing I can't handle on my own,' Palom would always say, but Lyrca knew better than that. The times that they've spent together has given each other the knowledge to know when something was wrong with the other.
At the beginning it was difficult to get Palom to open up about his problems and discontentment with some of the things in his life. It's still difficult to this day, but a little easier than before. Either way, the subject would just change dramatically to one of Palom's heroic tales to save the world from destruction, but Lyrca knew that that was just a cover for his pains. She remains persistent, and eventually she gets Palom to tell her the whole story.
"It's about the Elder," Palom leans back in his cushioned chair, his left index finger tracing the line of his upper lip, as he sits in contemplation. "This mission that he sent us on; I don't get it."
"You mean the rock?"
"Yeah. I mean, it seemed pretty dumb at first, and when the mission was over, it seemed even dumber. At first I thought it was just some kind of training exercise to keep us on our toes, like that time he sent us into the forest to retrieve his stolen amulet, but it wasn't really stolen. He put it there to see how well we would fare against the beasts in the forest. Of course they were all pushovers, a couple of forest beetles and a few wild boars, but I guess he felt we needed something to keep us active; to keep up our training."
"Here's your water madam, sir," The waiter sets down the two glasses. "Your dinners will be here shortly."
"Thank you." Says Lyrca, keeping her eyes on Palom and listening attentively as he continues with his story.
"But it was the Elder's demeanor, his posture, or the lack of eye contact, or all of the above that makes me think that this wasn't just a training exercise. All he said was the rock was important and that's it," Palom takes in a big gulp of water from his glass.
"It made me feel very uneasy, and frankly a bit nervous." Palom takes another gulp of water.
"Where exactly on Mount Ordeals did you have to go to get this rock?" Asks Lyrca.
"Remember that story I told you about—of Tellah Westington and Cecil's transformation? How me and my sister guided Cecil to the top of Mount Ordeals and found a room with many mirrors?"
Lyrca nods in remembrance.
"That room is where we found the rock. The Elder said it would be there, sitting in the very middle of that room, and it was. The rock was the only thing in the room, nothing else; not even a pebble. Because of this fact, my sister and I figured that the Elder must have put it there.
"But when he spoke to us today, there was something very grave in his voice. It's a voice I haven't heard in years. I fear something's going to happen, and it's not going to be pretty." Palom finishes his glass of water, and as he sets his glass down on the cloth-covered table, a waiter passing by quickly refills Palom's glass.
"I've never seen you look so dire," The expression on Lyrca's beautiful face revealing her worry. "It must be very serious."
Palom nods in agreement, his eyes blankly scanning the restaurant as his thoughts continue to run through his mind. Lyrca has never seen Palom look so serious before. At first she thought she should be afraid, but that was quickly replaced with a realization; a realization that brings a slight smile to her face, to which Palom notices.
"What's the smile for?" Palom arches an eyebrow.
"Through all your boyish looks, your rouge-like attitude and behavior, your crude jokes and stories, there's actually a man behind all that. I see it in your eyes right now and it's something I've never seen before. I like it." Lyrca reaches across the table to hold Palom's hand.
Palom smiles faintly.
"Now my sister is another story." He says while reaching for his glass again.
"Is something wrong with Porom?" Lyrca asks.
"She seems to be really down lately. I hardly see her around anymore and when I do, she always has this somber look on her face," Palom rests his glass of water on the table, then starts to trace the rim of the glass with his index finger. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen her smile in a long time."
Music begins to fill the air as a small band takes its place on a stage located at the far end of the restaurant. Many couples take to the dance floor, moving in tune to the slow, soothing sounds. The lights in the restaurant dim ever so slightly to suit the mood of the evening.
"Have you talked to Porom about this?" Lyrca asks with a little concern in her voice.
Palom shakes his head, keeping his eyes on his glass of water.
"I just figure she's stressing herself out with all of her studying," Palom starts to twiddle his thumbs. "I mean that's pretty much all she does. That and get on my case about not studying."
"Well have you ever considered that maybe she's depressed?" Lyrca takes a sip of her water.
"About what?"
"Well, whenever I see her in town she's always by herself. Does she have any friends that she hangs around with?"
"I know she has friends," Palom ponders for a moment. "Though I've never seen her actually going out with them. Maybe they spend their time at the library or something. I never go in there."
Palom and Lyrca lean back in their chairs as the servers lay their food out for them. The aroma catches Palom's nose causing his stomach to growl in anticipation, yet he never touches his food. He stares blankly at the meal spread before him, thinking back to the past when he and his sister would just talk; talk and nothing else.
"Perhaps she's wanting a relationship now," Lyrca leans her head forward, looking to get Palom out of his trance. "Maybe your sister's lonely. And if that's the case, it must be even more difficult for her to see you and I together all the time."
"Maybe." Palom says in a monotone voice.
"Not maybe sweetie," Lyrca says in a slightly stern voice. "You should talk to her. She's your sister—your twin sister, and the only real family you have. If you're concerned then you should do something about it. Believe me, she'll be glad that you asked her 'what's wrong?' And even if there's nothing you can do about it, at least you tried, and it won't bother you as much."
The crease between Palom's eyebrows starts to soften. Then after a few seconds of contemplation, he nods his head in agreement.
"You're right. I'll ask her the next time I see her."
"You promise?" Lyrca says, raising an eyebrow.
"I promise," Palom replies. He looks toward the dance floor as many of the couples return to their seats, while the few remaining couples wait for the next song to be played. "When we made plans for this date, you said you had something to tell me."
"You know what? It can wait," Lyrca picks her fork up. "Let's eat."
As another song begins to play within the magnificent confines of the domed restaurant, Palom and Lyrca start their dinners.
The cool Mysidian breeze flows in rhythm with the oceans waves, like a baby rocking back and forth in its mother's arms. The night's air is clean and tranquil, as the stars twinkle with a glorious fire that burns billions of miles away. The clouds that occupied the sky just moments ago, have suddenly taken their leave, floating away with great speed as if they had someplace else to be. Seabirds, taking a mid-evening flight, can be heard some distance away, chirping to the tune of the rolling waters below. The beach is like a soft, moving carpet with its grains of sand blown about by the light winds.
A single trail of footprints is embedded in the beach where the ocean starts to recede, the full moon's glow reflecting off the dampened sand. The footprints line the entire beach and they end at the base of a rocky hill. The slightly steep hill rises about two hundred feet above the shore and ends in a cliff over-looking the ocean.
Porom stands atop this cliff, staring at the full moon with tear filled eyes, looking for a sign, looking for guidance. She tilts her head slightly, her brown hair swaying in the breeze. Her mouth moves in speech, but her voice is inaudible. Porom's words are for no one but her and the moon. Her stare is soft, yet piercing, her eyes never blinking, looking for the answers. The moon seems to give off an iridescent glow, just for a moment. The Mysidian winds start to pick up as Porom stretches her arms out sideways, the sleeves of her tunic flapping rapidly. She takes one step to the very edge of the cliff, her sandals just peering over. It's a sheer drop to the shallow waters below. The ocean's waves shatter across the many jagged rocks standing at the base of the cliff, but Porom never takes her eyes off the moon. Her breathing is erratic and the tears run down her cheeks like an endless waterfall. With fists clenched, Porom finally closes her eyes, makes a wish, and—
"Porom?"
Startled, Porom almost loses her balance and her life to the rocks below. Quick to wipe away the tears from her face, Porom eyes the shadowy figure standing twenty feet away.
"Who, who's there?" Porom stutters.
The figure comes out of the shadows to reveal his face to the moonlight.
"It's me Porom."
"Gerald?"
Gerald Vestbrook, a young man of twenty-eight. He came to Mysidia with his father two years ago as part of an around the world tour. Gerald hails from a small village between the town of Damycan and the nation of Fabul, about a mile from Mt Hobs. A lover of travel, Gerald decided to take a worldwide trip to see the 'new world'—the world rebuilt after the Zeromus War. When he and his father came to Mysidia, Gerald loved it so much that he decided to relocate and he's been there ever since.
"I saw someone climbing up the hill and I decided to check things out," Gerald's six-foot stature and well-built physique is like an immovable icon among the black emptiness surrounding him. He uses a finger to push his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his dark blue eyes showing signs of worry. "You know, not many people come out here this late at night, and if they do, they don't come alone. It's dangerous you know." Gerald takes a quick scan of the area behind him, his short, blonde hair blowing in the wind.
"Well, what are you doing out here?" Porom tries to hide the shakiness in her voice as she brushes the remains of her tears away. "If it's so dangerous, then why are you here all by yourself?"
"I usually come out here to see the stars," Gerald replies. "Though I normally stay below the hill near the confines of one of the guard towers. Sometimes I'll bring my telescope to get a closer view of some of the planets; maybe catch site of a falling star or comet," Gerald rolls up the sleeves of his gray, silk shirt, then fixes his collar. "I saw a shadow moving about the beach and I got curious as to who could be out here this late at night."
"Well it's just me," Porom stares at the ground, her arms wrapped around her body. "I um, usually don't do this but…" Porom stammers, trying to think of some reasonable excuse as to why she's here.
"Are you alright Porom?"
The extreme sincerity in his voice causes Porom to break down once more. She puts her hands over her mouth trying desperately to muffle her cries and sniffles, but to no avail. The faucet has been turned on and her emotions take over.
Gerald runs to be by her side, holding Porom in his arms while making sure to bring her further from the edge of the cliff. Gerald holds her close, presses his cheek against her head, and runs a hand through her hair trying to comfort her.
They met a few days after Gerald moved to Mysidia. Gerald has a strong interest in astronomy, so the first thing he did was get a job at Mysidia's research center. Though not one of the best in the world, the researchers there do their fair share of studying things from biology, to physics, and also astronomy. Gerald loved his job so much that he would eventually become the top assistant six months later.
One of Gerald's many jobs involves going to the library for research material. Scientists all over the world continuously contribute their findings to people all over the world. After writing down their discoveries, the scientists have their many assistants write multiple copies, who in turn have those copies delivered to every known library the world over. "Knowledge is power," many have preached, and that knowledge has helped many nations to expand their horizons, and helped to rebuild the world that the people know today.
So one day at Mysidia's library, Gerald checked the usual shelves of books to see if anything new had come in. There was no timetable or schedule for new arrivals. You just had to check from time to time. While cutting around a corner, Gerald ran right into Porom.
"I'm very sorry about that." Porom said.
"No, it was my fault, I should've been paying more attention," Gerald's handsome smile caught her eye. "I see you're interested in the art of white magic." He pointed to the books in Porom's arms.
"Why yes, I'm a practitioner of white magic in fact," Porom said softly. "Do you study any magic?"
"No, I study the stars actually."
And that's how their friendship started, which leads to this—Porom crying uncontrollably in Gerald's arms, as he slowly rocks her back and forth to calm her down; leaving Gerald to wonder, what could possibly be wrong? As he continues to comfort Porom, a shooting star flies directly over them; a site which none of them are able to witness as they hold each other tightly in one another's arms.
After paying for their meals and taking a quick trip to the dance floor, Palom and Lyrca make their way out of the restaurant. Holding hands and sharing thoughts, the two love birds make their way along the main road, taking in the never ending glitz and glamour that has become Mysidia's mainstay. For those that never sleep, this is the place to be.
At the water fountain, Lyrca stops to greet an old friend of hers, leaving Palom to wander his surroundings. Same old, same old around here, Palom thinks to himself.
Palom's left eye twitches, which is something that usually happens when someone is watching him. It's an instinct that's grown on him over the past few years. Palom quickly turns around to see who's there, but no one can be seen.
"Hmm, false alarm?"
Palom's right eye twitches, and with a turn of his head he eyes a black haired woman standing on the other side of the water fountain. She stares at him with brown eyes that seem piercing, yet mesmerizing at the same time. Her black, hooded cloak wraps her entire body. Palom does nothing except stare back at this mystery woman, as if in a trance. Wondering what to do in this situation, Palom's thoughts are suddenly cut short.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Lyrca wraps her arms around one of Palom's.
"Yeah…um…I'm fine," Palom turns back to the water fountain to find that the black haired woman is gone. Figures, Palom thinks to himself. He turns back to Lyrca and asks, "So, what did you and your friend talk about?"
Lyrca talks as they continue their walk home, leaving the bright lights and spectacles of Mysidia's main quarters behind them.
With his arm around her shoulders, Gerald walks Porom back towards town. After expending all her tears, Porom has remained very quiet, and Gerald has fallen suit. But as they reach one of the many guard towers surrounding Mysidia, the silence is broken.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." Porom's voice is barely audible.
"No need to be sorry," Gerald holds her a little tighter. "You just needed to get some things off your chest, that's all. Believe it or not, I know what it's like to grieve tremendously over something. I don't know if that's any consolation to you, and I don't pretend to know what's wrong in your life, but if there's anything I can do for you, just let me know."
"Thank you." Porom says in a slightly louder tone than before.
As they enter town, Porom breaks away from Gerald's arm and heads down Terrace Way, towards her home, leaving Gerald to watch her walk away. After a few paces though, Porom does a quick one hundred and eighty degree turn, and looks into Gerald's dark blue gaze.
"You said 'anything' right?"
"Yes I did." Gerald nods in compliance.
"Are you free to talk tomorrow?" Porom clasps her hands behind her back while she brushes a tuft of grass with the toe of her right sandal.
"Tomorrow, the day after, whenever you wish," Gerald replies. "I want to help you through this Porom, and I'll be by your side until you succeed. But you have to do me a favor though."
"What's that?" Porom asks with curiosity.
"You have to promise me that you will do the utmost to beat this thing. Whatever it is that's troubling you."
Porom bows her head down in solemn thought.
"Promise me Porom."
Porom raises her head and creases a small smile, then walks over to Gerald and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"I promise."
Palom and Lyrca end their night in front of the gate of Lyrca's two-story home.
"Well, I guess this is goodnight my dear," Palom leans over to give his loving girlfriend a kiss on the lips. "I hope you had a good time tonight."
"I most certainly did kind sir," Lyrca giggles then wraps her arms around his neck, and gives Palom a tender kiss back. "I love you more than anything you know."
"I love you too," Palom says as a sudden thought enters his head. "What was it you needed to ask me tonight?"
Lyrca smiles as she releases her hold of Palom's neck, then reaches down to hold both his hands.
"Palom, will you marry me?"
Palom's heart seems to skip a few beats as his jaw literally drops to the ground. Suddenly his mouth feels very dry, while at the same time his palms start sweating. Total shock is the look that's plastered on Palom's face now. Never did it ever occur to him that the 'M' word would pop up, not even a thought.
"Sweetheart? Are you alright?" The terrified look on Palom's face causes Lyrca to think that maybe this wasn't the moment to ask for his hand in marriage. "You don't have to answer me right away," she looks down at their clasped hands. "I just figured, we've been going out for awhile now, and I'm crazy about you and I hope you feel the same about me," Lyrca bites her lip lightly, wondering if she should really be saying these things. "I just want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Lyrca raises her eyes toward Palom's, whose face seems to have relaxed a little; his mouth only half open now.
"I-I'm sorry Lyrca, you just caught me by surprise, that's all," Palom releases his grip on Lyrca's hands, and wraps his arms around her waist. "I never thought a woman would be proposing to me, it's a little embarrassing."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about sweetheart." Lyrca's voice has such sweet sincerity that Palom's heart starts to ache. And with that, Palom takes a deep breath, and looks Lyrca deep in her eyes.
"I love you with all my heart. I accept your proposal. I'll marry you."
Lyrca bursts into joyous tears as she leaps into Palom's arms. Not even a Northern Ogre could break the hold of Palom and his new fiancée. Lyrca's gleeful exuberance echoes throughout the residential area, as her life now feels complete, in whole-hearted love, and soon to be timeless matrimony; leaving Palom to wonder, what have I gotten myself into?