Chapter 5: The Past and the Future
By the time the airship had been safely landed and secured back in Baron, the sky had begun to grow dark. Various windows in the towers of the palace were lit, and night guards were beginning to make their rounds about the palace. Rosa shivered, the chilly air beginning to get to her, and pulled her hat back on her head and over her ears. After what seemed like forever, Cecil approached her out of the darkness from the front of the airship.
"Ready?" He asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be!" Rosa said, and let out a soft yawn. "I'm sure going to sleep well tonight..."
"Me too." Cecil agreed, and stretched. "So, where do you live?"
When the two walked back to Rosa's house, they took the long way rather then the waterway shortcut, for fear of a repeat of the morning's events. Rosa was thrilled, because Cecil volunteered a lot more information about himself then he had done previously.
"Well... I was supposedly born in Baron, and raised by my mother until I was two." Cecil said.
"Where was your father?" Rosa asked.
"I don't know." Cecil replied casually. "The truth is, I know nothing about him. Not what he looks like, not anything. Not even his name...and my mother died, so of course, I didn't learn much about him from her either."
"Oh..." Rosa trailed off. "I'm sorry."
"Well, it's not a part of my life that I remember too well, so it doesn't really plague me." Cecil went on. "So when I was two, I was adopted by King Baron, along with Kain. That's when Kain and I met. He was an orphan as well... so I guess having that in common and growing up together is what made us become as close as we are today. The truth is, I'm not really that close with many people, except him and Cid. They have been the only people there for me my whole life, so I trust them with all my being." Rosa nodded and was about to ask another question, but Cecil interrupted her.
"So Rosa, what was your childhood like?"
"My childhood?" Rosa repeated, and looked up into the starry sky. "Well... for as long as I can remember, my only passion has been white magic and archery, although I am much better at archery than the latter. I made friends around the palace with classmates and teachers...but I didn't stay too close with my peers because my teachers said I had potential and started training me personally with archery, and my magic classmates are all so much more advanced than me, I think they feel I am not taking our art seriously, so they ignore me..."
"Why can't you use magic?" Cecil asked.
"I'm not sure." Rosa replied. "My mother was a very powerful white wizard when she was younger, so I know I have the potential. It just seems like I cannot learn anything, no matter how hard I try..."
"You probably just need experience." Cecil said. "Sometimes, that's what mages need to get things rolling, you know?"
"Experience? As in, battle?" Rosa asked.
"Right." Cecil said. "It seems that magic has the greatest potential in battle, so maybe your body just needs a wake up call with that. It's not like battling should be hard for you, right?"
"....Right." Rosa said, wondering why no one had ever suggested this to her before.
"Well...you can always come hunting with me and Kain sometime." Cecil offered slowly. "It would be good practice for you. Besides, I'd like to see for myself how good you are with a bow and arrow. The King certainly thinks highly of you."
"You asked the King about me?" Rosa asked, surprised.
"Well...yeah, just to make sure uhh....that..." Cecil trailed off and ran his fingers through his hair, which Rosa was beginning to notice he did when he was nervous.
"Just to make sure I wasn't feeding you any crap about who I was?" Rosa suggested flat-out, and Cecil blinked.
"Oh, something like that." Cecil said, trying to keep his cool. "You certainly have colorful language..."
"Oh, you haven't heard me when I try magic." Rosa smiled, and Cecil laughed softly. When she looked over at where they were, she realized they were only a few yards from her home. "That's the place." Rosa said, and pointed it out. Cecil let out a low whistle.
"Not too shabby."
"Well, it's no palace, but we get by." Rosa said, and the two reached her doorway. At first, neither said anything. The only sounds that could be heard were that of crickets in the garden.
"So, uh...." Rosa trailed off.
"....Well...you'll be at the palace tomorrow, right?" Cecil questioned, and Rosa blinked.
"Yes, if my lessons arn't cancelled again."
"I see." Cecil said, and shoved his hands in his pockets. "So...should I tell Kain "Hi" for you?"
"Please do!" Rosa exclaimed. "And tell him thank you very much for escorting me to the palace." Cecil bit his lip for a moment, and nodded.
"Alright." He said. He turned, and took a step forward before looking back at Rosa, who was watching him go. She blinked and suddenly realized something.
"Oh, and Cecil...thank you for taking me home." She smiled. "It was very kind of you..."
"I did it...because I wanted to." Cecil said. "You don't have to thank me. Sweet dreams..." With that, Cecil turned his head, and this time, he walked away without looking back. Rosa stood outside and watched him until she could see no trace of his presense, and entered her home.
When Rosa entered, she could see that her mother was still sleeping where she was when she left. Rosa smiled a little and took a blanket, gently wrapping it around her mother so that she would not catch a chill. She then pulled off her boots , set them beside the doorway, and retreated into her own room for the night. After closing and locking the door behind her, Rosa removed her hat and gown, and then her leotard underneath, and placed her hair ribbon on her dresser. She wrapped her arms around herself to keep herself from freezing in her underwear before she located her nightgown. At last she found it discarded on the floor, where she had left it that morning, and pulled it over her head quickly. With that final task done, Rosa climbed under all of the covers on her bed and curled up into a ball, the way she slept every night. Her prediction on the airship had been correct-before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
**********
As Cecil entered the palace, he could hear footsteps approaching him quickly. In a matter of moments, Kain appeared, his cheeks red from running.
"Kain!" Cecil exclaimed happily. "You waited up for me?"
"Just to make sure you got back safely." Kain smiled back, and looked around. "Where's Rosa?"
"Rosa? Oh, I walked her home." Cecil said quickly, and tried to change the subject. "So, what did the king want?"
"Walked her home, huh?" Kain went on anyway, and elbowed Cecil playfully. "Quite the gentleman we have become overnight, eh?"
"Give me a break." Cecil rolled his eyes. "I have ALWAYS had common decentcy."
"You could have gotten a guard to escord her home." Kain continued on. "Of course, it doesn't even seem like she would need one, considering it wasn't even that dark out..." Cecil turned red and narrowed his eyes.
"Man, what is it to you anyway??" Cecil demanded. Kain held up his hands in defense.
"Just tryin' to see if you like her. I mean, because if not, I think I may make my move." Kain smiled some, and Cecil turned even redder. "Just kidding!" He exclaimed quickly.
"Uhh...if I liked her, you know I would tell you." Cecil replied nervously. "Like, I told you when I had a crush on Gwen, remember? I told you about that."
"Assistant instructors at school don't count!!" Kain grinned. "And besides, all you did was say she was pretty. It's not the same as actually liking someone." Kain started to laugh a little. "In fact, Cecil, I think this may be the first person you've ever liked!"
"Arg, I do not have a crush on Rosa!" Cecil cried, and tried to wrestle Kain down. Kain easily slid out of the way as Cecil fell right onto his face. Cecil looked up from the floor and made a face. "Kain, I think you're the one who needs a girlfriend. Why don't you go and ask Rosa out?" Kain blinked and shook his head slowly.
"I could never do that to my best friend." He said slyly, and held out his hand to help Cecil up. Cecil accepted and stood up, sighing.
"You can believe what you want!" Cecil said, giving up. "But honestly, I've got more important things to consider in my life right now other than girls..."
"Cecil..." Kain trailed off and looked around to make sure they were the only ones in the entryway of the palace. When he saw the coast was clear, he turned back to his friend.
"You don't have to dedicate your entire existance to becoming a Dark Knight..." Kain said. "These things take time anyway, and I don't see why King Baron should be in such a hurry...him and Baigan seem too impatient with everything these days. That was the first thing I noticed when we came home. They are both different somehow..."
"Baigan maybe, but not his highness!" Cecil said angirly. "We owe the King our lives...and the least we could do is obey orders efficiently!" Cecil shook his head. "You should have trained to become a Dark Knight too, like King Baron wanted. Then you would be able to understand me."
"Cecil, you're my best friend, I already do understand you." Kain protested. "I wanted to become a Dragoon so I could follow my father's path, not one that someone set out for me! And I'm happier this way. I don't want to live life bound my the rules of the military and the kingdom. I want to experience other things too..." Cecil blinked, surprised at the impact that Kain's words had on him. None the less, he was still angry about Kain trying to lower the importance of King Baron's orders. That was unacceptable.
"I'm just going to go to bed." Cecil said, and pushed past Kain. "See you in the morning."
"Cecil, wait..." Kain called after him, but Cecil had already broke into a run down the hall. Cecil sighed as he turned a corner and raced up the nearest stairway.
Do you think I like it, Kain? Cecil thought sadly. Do you think I enjoy being so restricted? No... I don't, but reguardless, an order is an order! The King has been there for us our entire lives, almost... I'm afraid... I'm afraid that if I say no....
...I'll be an orphan all over again.
What would Rosa think of me then...? If she thinks anything of me now...
Cecil slowed down when he realized Kain wasn't making the effort to follow him, and leaned back against the cold stone wall, inhaling deeply to catch his breath. He lowered his head and stared at the ground, but when he closed his eyes, all he could see was... her face....Cecil felt his heart skip a beat.
"Rosa..." He whispered, and thought back to the airship ride. It was the closest he had been to her all day, ever sicne they met, actually. He could remember the surge of warmth he felt throughout his entire body as he held her close to him. For a few moments, he had gotten to be her protector. It was a nice, pleasent feeling...something new and familiar all at once. He couldn't believe how hard it was to get her out of his thoughts all of a sudden... maybe Kain had been a little right...maybe he did like her. What did they call it? Love at first sight...? Cecil shook his head and looked from the floor to the ceiling above him.
Cut into the ceiling was a nice, wide skyway, and Cecil could see the full, silver moon. He felt his body relax at the sight of it and smiled a little to himself. The moon had always brought him comfort, even as a child. It was a secret he kept to himself, because it seemed very childish. Cecil could not immagine what brought about this serene feeling he always got, but he never wished to grow out of it or for it to go away....
Cecil felt a shiver run through his body, and wrapped his arms around himself. The castle always got cold at night, so he decided he should hurry to bed for the night. He checked back behind him once more to see whether Kain was coming or not, but he could not spot any sign of life.
"I wonder if Kain was really just joking about liking her." Cecil mumbled to himself as he walked on. "I swear, he makes the dumbest jokes at the worst times..."
By the time the airship had been safely landed and secured back in Baron, the sky had begun to grow dark. Various windows in the towers of the palace were lit, and night guards were beginning to make their rounds about the palace. Rosa shivered, the chilly air beginning to get to her, and pulled her hat back on her head and over her ears. After what seemed like forever, Cecil approached her out of the darkness from the front of the airship.
"Ready?" He asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be!" Rosa said, and let out a soft yawn. "I'm sure going to sleep well tonight..."
"Me too." Cecil agreed, and stretched. "So, where do you live?"
When the two walked back to Rosa's house, they took the long way rather then the waterway shortcut, for fear of a repeat of the morning's events. Rosa was thrilled, because Cecil volunteered a lot more information about himself then he had done previously.
"Well... I was supposedly born in Baron, and raised by my mother until I was two." Cecil said.
"Where was your father?" Rosa asked.
"I don't know." Cecil replied casually. "The truth is, I know nothing about him. Not what he looks like, not anything. Not even his name...and my mother died, so of course, I didn't learn much about him from her either."
"Oh..." Rosa trailed off. "I'm sorry."
"Well, it's not a part of my life that I remember too well, so it doesn't really plague me." Cecil went on. "So when I was two, I was adopted by King Baron, along with Kain. That's when Kain and I met. He was an orphan as well... so I guess having that in common and growing up together is what made us become as close as we are today. The truth is, I'm not really that close with many people, except him and Cid. They have been the only people there for me my whole life, so I trust them with all my being." Rosa nodded and was about to ask another question, but Cecil interrupted her.
"So Rosa, what was your childhood like?"
"My childhood?" Rosa repeated, and looked up into the starry sky. "Well... for as long as I can remember, my only passion has been white magic and archery, although I am much better at archery than the latter. I made friends around the palace with classmates and teachers...but I didn't stay too close with my peers because my teachers said I had potential and started training me personally with archery, and my magic classmates are all so much more advanced than me, I think they feel I am not taking our art seriously, so they ignore me..."
"Why can't you use magic?" Cecil asked.
"I'm not sure." Rosa replied. "My mother was a very powerful white wizard when she was younger, so I know I have the potential. It just seems like I cannot learn anything, no matter how hard I try..."
"You probably just need experience." Cecil said. "Sometimes, that's what mages need to get things rolling, you know?"
"Experience? As in, battle?" Rosa asked.
"Right." Cecil said. "It seems that magic has the greatest potential in battle, so maybe your body just needs a wake up call with that. It's not like battling should be hard for you, right?"
"....Right." Rosa said, wondering why no one had ever suggested this to her before.
"Well...you can always come hunting with me and Kain sometime." Cecil offered slowly. "It would be good practice for you. Besides, I'd like to see for myself how good you are with a bow and arrow. The King certainly thinks highly of you."
"You asked the King about me?" Rosa asked, surprised.
"Well...yeah, just to make sure uhh....that..." Cecil trailed off and ran his fingers through his hair, which Rosa was beginning to notice he did when he was nervous.
"Just to make sure I wasn't feeding you any crap about who I was?" Rosa suggested flat-out, and Cecil blinked.
"Oh, something like that." Cecil said, trying to keep his cool. "You certainly have colorful language..."
"Oh, you haven't heard me when I try magic." Rosa smiled, and Cecil laughed softly. When she looked over at where they were, she realized they were only a few yards from her home. "That's the place." Rosa said, and pointed it out. Cecil let out a low whistle.
"Not too shabby."
"Well, it's no palace, but we get by." Rosa said, and the two reached her doorway. At first, neither said anything. The only sounds that could be heard were that of crickets in the garden.
"So, uh...." Rosa trailed off.
"....Well...you'll be at the palace tomorrow, right?" Cecil questioned, and Rosa blinked.
"Yes, if my lessons arn't cancelled again."
"I see." Cecil said, and shoved his hands in his pockets. "So...should I tell Kain "Hi" for you?"
"Please do!" Rosa exclaimed. "And tell him thank you very much for escorting me to the palace." Cecil bit his lip for a moment, and nodded.
"Alright." He said. He turned, and took a step forward before looking back at Rosa, who was watching him go. She blinked and suddenly realized something.
"Oh, and Cecil...thank you for taking me home." She smiled. "It was very kind of you..."
"I did it...because I wanted to." Cecil said. "You don't have to thank me. Sweet dreams..." With that, Cecil turned his head, and this time, he walked away without looking back. Rosa stood outside and watched him until she could see no trace of his presense, and entered her home.
When Rosa entered, she could see that her mother was still sleeping where she was when she left. Rosa smiled a little and took a blanket, gently wrapping it around her mother so that she would not catch a chill. She then pulled off her boots , set them beside the doorway, and retreated into her own room for the night. After closing and locking the door behind her, Rosa removed her hat and gown, and then her leotard underneath, and placed her hair ribbon on her dresser. She wrapped her arms around herself to keep herself from freezing in her underwear before she located her nightgown. At last she found it discarded on the floor, where she had left it that morning, and pulled it over her head quickly. With that final task done, Rosa climbed under all of the covers on her bed and curled up into a ball, the way she slept every night. Her prediction on the airship had been correct-before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
**********
As Cecil entered the palace, he could hear footsteps approaching him quickly. In a matter of moments, Kain appeared, his cheeks red from running.
"Kain!" Cecil exclaimed happily. "You waited up for me?"
"Just to make sure you got back safely." Kain smiled back, and looked around. "Where's Rosa?"
"Rosa? Oh, I walked her home." Cecil said quickly, and tried to change the subject. "So, what did the king want?"
"Walked her home, huh?" Kain went on anyway, and elbowed Cecil playfully. "Quite the gentleman we have become overnight, eh?"
"Give me a break." Cecil rolled his eyes. "I have ALWAYS had common decentcy."
"You could have gotten a guard to escord her home." Kain continued on. "Of course, it doesn't even seem like she would need one, considering it wasn't even that dark out..." Cecil turned red and narrowed his eyes.
"Man, what is it to you anyway??" Cecil demanded. Kain held up his hands in defense.
"Just tryin' to see if you like her. I mean, because if not, I think I may make my move." Kain smiled some, and Cecil turned even redder. "Just kidding!" He exclaimed quickly.
"Uhh...if I liked her, you know I would tell you." Cecil replied nervously. "Like, I told you when I had a crush on Gwen, remember? I told you about that."
"Assistant instructors at school don't count!!" Kain grinned. "And besides, all you did was say she was pretty. It's not the same as actually liking someone." Kain started to laugh a little. "In fact, Cecil, I think this may be the first person you've ever liked!"
"Arg, I do not have a crush on Rosa!" Cecil cried, and tried to wrestle Kain down. Kain easily slid out of the way as Cecil fell right onto his face. Cecil looked up from the floor and made a face. "Kain, I think you're the one who needs a girlfriend. Why don't you go and ask Rosa out?" Kain blinked and shook his head slowly.
"I could never do that to my best friend." He said slyly, and held out his hand to help Cecil up. Cecil accepted and stood up, sighing.
"You can believe what you want!" Cecil said, giving up. "But honestly, I've got more important things to consider in my life right now other than girls..."
"Cecil..." Kain trailed off and looked around to make sure they were the only ones in the entryway of the palace. When he saw the coast was clear, he turned back to his friend.
"You don't have to dedicate your entire existance to becoming a Dark Knight..." Kain said. "These things take time anyway, and I don't see why King Baron should be in such a hurry...him and Baigan seem too impatient with everything these days. That was the first thing I noticed when we came home. They are both different somehow..."
"Baigan maybe, but not his highness!" Cecil said angirly. "We owe the King our lives...and the least we could do is obey orders efficiently!" Cecil shook his head. "You should have trained to become a Dark Knight too, like King Baron wanted. Then you would be able to understand me."
"Cecil, you're my best friend, I already do understand you." Kain protested. "I wanted to become a Dragoon so I could follow my father's path, not one that someone set out for me! And I'm happier this way. I don't want to live life bound my the rules of the military and the kingdom. I want to experience other things too..." Cecil blinked, surprised at the impact that Kain's words had on him. None the less, he was still angry about Kain trying to lower the importance of King Baron's orders. That was unacceptable.
"I'm just going to go to bed." Cecil said, and pushed past Kain. "See you in the morning."
"Cecil, wait..." Kain called after him, but Cecil had already broke into a run down the hall. Cecil sighed as he turned a corner and raced up the nearest stairway.
Do you think I like it, Kain? Cecil thought sadly. Do you think I enjoy being so restricted? No... I don't, but reguardless, an order is an order! The King has been there for us our entire lives, almost... I'm afraid... I'm afraid that if I say no....
...I'll be an orphan all over again.
What would Rosa think of me then...? If she thinks anything of me now...
Cecil slowed down when he realized Kain wasn't making the effort to follow him, and leaned back against the cold stone wall, inhaling deeply to catch his breath. He lowered his head and stared at the ground, but when he closed his eyes, all he could see was... her face....Cecil felt his heart skip a beat.
"Rosa..." He whispered, and thought back to the airship ride. It was the closest he had been to her all day, ever sicne they met, actually. He could remember the surge of warmth he felt throughout his entire body as he held her close to him. For a few moments, he had gotten to be her protector. It was a nice, pleasent feeling...something new and familiar all at once. He couldn't believe how hard it was to get her out of his thoughts all of a sudden... maybe Kain had been a little right...maybe he did like her. What did they call it? Love at first sight...? Cecil shook his head and looked from the floor to the ceiling above him.
Cut into the ceiling was a nice, wide skyway, and Cecil could see the full, silver moon. He felt his body relax at the sight of it and smiled a little to himself. The moon had always brought him comfort, even as a child. It was a secret he kept to himself, because it seemed very childish. Cecil could not immagine what brought about this serene feeling he always got, but he never wished to grow out of it or for it to go away....
Cecil felt a shiver run through his body, and wrapped his arms around himself. The castle always got cold at night, so he decided he should hurry to bed for the night. He checked back behind him once more to see whether Kain was coming or not, but he could not spot any sign of life.
"I wonder if Kain was really just joking about liking her." Cecil mumbled to himself as he walked on. "I swear, he makes the dumbest jokes at the worst times..."
