Nota Bene: I do not own Suikoden

Chapter 4

Thomas has finally discovered a hole in the sub level but it was blocked off by Eike. What could Eike possibly be hiding? And Martha will be hosting a birthday party for Cecile, but Thomas has yet to get her a present.

-Jitterrue

(An explanation:
I've created another star in my story Hugo and the 109th Star (Arla). I'm incorporating Arla into this story, however very briefly. If you are curious about Arla and other things which you may be unfamiliar with or events that didn't occur in the game, read Hugo and the 109th Star.)

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Day 122,

I still have not decided on a suitable gift for Cecile. I don't know why this is troubling me so. Tomorrow, I will ask Martha to help me decide. Yes, that's what I'll do. Today however, I sat and listened to Nei play her instrument. She was just on the stage for hours by herself, playing and playing. She hardly seemed to notice when I came into the room and sat down (Nei was concentrating so hard). She just kept playing and playing. After a few hours, she finally stood and bowed habitually.

Nei inquired, How does this sound? Then Nei sat back down and played a sweet melody, not particularly fast or slow but in a bright major key and a combination of legato and staccato series of notes.

I clapped. What is it called?

Nei thought for a moment and said, I haven't decided yet. It's my birthday present for Cecile. I will perform it on the day. But it is good you've heard it. Perhaps you can help me name it?

I'm not a very creative person, I began to object. (And diary, I wonder now at myself, why was I so hesitant to help? Sigh.) But ...... I would name it after one of Cecile's best aspects.

Which is? ......

(I still don't know why I was so hesitant to say this.)





Then how does Ode to the Cheery' sound?

It's ok.

How about, Cheery as a Cherry' ?

No definitely not.

What about Ballad of the Cheery'.....oh no no. I'm no good at coming up with names. Nei sat with her head in her hands trying to think.
Finally after a few moments, waiting on Nei's next thought, I said, How about Cherries may be Cheery, but None Quite Like Cecile' . It was just a thought diary, and don't think it means anything.

Master Thomas!'' Nei said. That was lovely. You do have bit of creativity in you. And Nei played the song once more before leaving.

Everyone has already gotten Cecile a gift. Everyone but me.

- Thomas

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Day 123,

Today Martha and I went to find a present for Cecile. We went around the castle at first, looking through the shops. We visited the restaurant, No, I didn't want to get her food. We went to the Rune shop. Cecile wouldn't want one of the ones in stock. We went to the Weapons and armor shops. Cecile is already well equipped. We went to the trading shop. Now here were several interesting things, but none that reminded me enough of Cecile. But I was referred to go to Duck Village, where there may be some things that might interest me. Since Cecile does like the ducks, a lot, I've decided to go there tomorrow with Martha. Cecile's birthday is in ten days.

-Thomas

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Day 126,

Hello. I've come back from Duck Village. I went rather quickly, I know, but I think I've found a good gift for Cecile. I have a bit of Musk and a Crystal. Martha said that although Cecile tries to act tough, she is still a girl and would love something pretty or something that smelled nice. I couldn't choose between the two so I bought both. Then I hurried back to the Castle. I cannot be absent for too long because new people are coming in every week.

And when I returned, someone had already arrived there and set up shop. He is a master gambler and had more card decks than I can count. I've been too busy with legal matters to meet him personally yet and I still don't know his name but I will do so as soon as possible. I am expecting a visit from Captain Geddoe. He has notified me that he is coming here to search for a Flame Champion or a Fire Bringer. I still know virtually nothing about these, diary. But they sound very interesting. Geddoe said in his letter that there are rumors going around that I am housing this Flame Champion.

- Thomas

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Day 128,

I've wrapped Cecile's gifts. Now I feel less troubled. Captain Geddoe has still not come. I believe it will take him a while because he is coming all the way from Caleria. But I have read another letter from him. Captain Geddoe says that he ran into Hugo in Caleria and Hugo sent a (and I quote) Suspicious character in flowing green clothes to my castle. He could only mean Arla, a guest who came quite a long time ago. Geddoe also writes that the girl may have information about the Flame Champion, If I am not housing the Champion himself. This confuses me. Well, I will leave such matters to Geddoe when he comes.

Anyway.

I asked Eike today in the Library how he was doing. I was trying to stimulate a conversation that might get him to tell me about the sub levels but he said very little to me. He said he was fine and then he looked at me...... with that scary face of his. Eike is not a scary person when you know him but that does not take away the fact that he looks like death itself so I smiled at Eike and politely exited the library. His words from a while back still bother me.
Some things are better left unknown.....

- Thomas

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Day 129,

Budehuc castle is more lively today than I have ever seen it. That new gambler man has set up shop and it's become exceedingly popular. There are cards and such every where I go. I even stumbled upon Juan and Piccolo playing a game of chess. And Martha seems to be benefitting greatly from this. The new shop features a small gambling center where people can come to play their games for money and the lottery sales have increased. People from Iksay have already heard and come just to play a few games and make a few dollars, and my castle is growing very rich indeed.

Even Cecile has a deck. I haven't spoken much to her lately. I guess I'm just too busy. But in a few days, things will settle down again. We are finishing up some castle repairs.

- Thomas

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Day 130,

I still don't know what's beyond that hole. Arthur finally finished his article about it and his interview with Eike. And this is all that the article says,

Thomas with few other people went down to the sub levels to search for a secret entrance. However, when Thomas and his crew found an opening, it was blocked by our Librarian Eike. Upon interview Eike simply said, Some things are better left unknown'. Eike refuses to answer the rest of my questions. When more news comes in on this matter, you'll hear it first from me.

There's that quote again. I'm so curious, I really want to know what's down there.

- Thomas

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Day 131,

Cecile's birthday is in two more days. I slept very long and very hard today. I feel so refreshed. Then I played a card game with Muto as I was depositing some items. The game is quite entertaining, I see why it has become so popular. The rules are simple. You take out all the royal cards in the deck and each player has up to three cards that when added, must be equal to or close to 9. When number is 10 or higher, the counting starts over. There are also special combinations. Muto and I played for dog treats. Haha. He won every time. I am a very bad gambler.

Every time I walk by the elevator I have this burning urge to go down into the sub levels. And last night I had the worst dream about it..... I dreamed that Eike was a zombie and that his coffin was down there. Isn't that horrible? I hate that I could even dream a thing like that about one of my tenants. Curiosity is a horrible burden!

- Thomas

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Day 132,

Tomorrow is Cecile's birthday. I helped set everything up. We've decided to turn this into a festival since we haven't even had one festival so far. All the shops have boosted up their prices a bit because people from other villages will most likely come, and they will buy anything at a festival. The wrangler set up a horse racing competition with the help of Watari. (It surprises me that Watari helped) and Juan has signed up to be a competitor. I think I will also sign up for this. I've received one last letter from Captain Geddoe saying that he will be in time to join us and is especially interested in the horse race. The cook has prepared a huge feast to accommodate for everyone and there will be food and clothing and items and toys set up all over the premises. Tomorrow will be so much fun.

- Thomas

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Same day, night.

Forgive me diary, but I was so curious about Eike that I snuck into the sub levels. It was extra dark and extra cold down there. I was by myself and I felt so afraid. But curiosity is stronger than fear so I pressed on through the tunnel. When I came to the small room at the end of it I saw Eike in a chair reading. He looked so terrifying to me, in the underground gloom, with the small fire casting eerie shadows onto his face. Why are you here Thomas? Eike asked with out looking up.

I've just, I've just.... I didn't know what to say.

Master Thomas, it is late. I suggest you sleep well tonight.

I nodded and turned back. So now I'm back in my room, more curious than before. But I suppose Eike is right. I have a big day tomorrow. I need my sleep.
- Thomas

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Day 133,

Today was the day of Cecile's birthday and festival. I have a lot to say, so I will start from the beginning.

Captain Geddoe arrived this morning with his crew, Jaques, Joker, Ace, Queen, and Aila. Aila and Geddoe signed up immediately for the horse race. I ran into many many people that I hadn't seen in long while and all the tenants (even Eike) had participated in the festivities.

Everyone was dressed in their absolute best and my castle was in better condition than I've ever seen it. Sebastian and I ate four slices of pie, eight cookies, and 2 glasses of milk for breakfast each! And Sebastian ate more than that even! But I say, it was very tasty. Cecile joined Sebastian and I for breakfast. She was not wearing her armor as usual. She wore a red and yellow dress and a ribbon around her neck and black shoes. Her hair, which was normally braided up, was let down. It was long and blonde and shiny, almost as shiny as her vivid blue eyes. I thought to myself that Cecile was a very cute girl. And she was very cheery indeed.

Happy Birthday, Cecile I said.

Happy Birthday, Thomas! Woops I mean... I mean thank you Thomas! M- Master Thomas She stammered, smiling and very excited. Sebastian, Cecile and I laughed heartily. After rapidly filling her stomach with more sweets than even Sebastian, Cecile burst outside to see what all there was to see.

Sebastian and I let our stomachs settle, then we walked out of the inn's dining hall and outside. Already there were people everywhere. There were many many many people. There were both Grasslanders and Zexens. There were Lizards, ducks, Chishans, and Karayans. There were Harmonians, soldiers, Calerians, and Traders. There were Men, women, children, animals, and more animals, and more animals. There were huge nasty mantor bugs being sold and fine sleek race horses being betted on. There was food everywhere and children playing in the grass. The cards, as expected, were wildly popular and so were lottery tickets. Everyone was happy, everyone was excited, and everyone was having fun!

Happily, I walked on with Sebastian to enjoy the castle as if I myself were a visitor.

First I visited Piccolo. He told me the same thing he's been telling everyone for about a week now. You will by a lottery ticket and you will win 10,000 potch. I laughed and then went to Martha where I bought three lotto tickets. The drawing was to be held at the end of the day.

I met many many more interesting people, many of them have decided that they would like to open shop later on. A festival is a wonderful way to attract attention.

Then I bought a small toy, a little wooden wagon and I gave it to a small boy. He was very happy indeed.

Then I gambled some and I lost every time. haha!
I bought large drumsticks. I ate lots of candy. I shook hands with way too many people. I traded some.

Then came the first major event of the day, the horse races. Nearly everyone came to watch and the stands were filled. The competitors were me, Juan, the wrangler, Geddoe, a Zexen of whom I don't know the name, Aila, a duck of whom I don't know the name, and Peggi the lizard. It was a very entertaining race. The crowd was screaming and the bets were placed and then we were off by the start of the gun! I have ridden on this track many many times, but I don't know if I've ever gone so fast! It was so exciting, there were racers to my right and left. By the end of the three laps, my horse and I were so tired!
Here are the results:
8th: Peggi
7th: Juan
6th: The duck
5th: The Zexen
4th: me
3rd: Geddoe
2nd: Wrangler
1st: Aila

Isn't that exciting? I was fourth, hahaha. Aila was rewarded a very large golden cup, our wrangler a silver one, and Geddoe a bronze one. But we were all glad that we participated.

After the race, I ate more food and then evening had come already.
The lottery ticket drawings were announced and at the same time, we held a dance. (Of course our street performers provided the music.) The dance was also a very popular event. I could have counted 80 people out on the grass dancing before it ever even started. Most of the songs were fast and light - hearted. Juan and Sebastian were seated at another table with me and we were laughing at some clever joke that Juan had told. Then I saw Cecile sitting at another table with some people didn't know, drinking a very very large soda. She caught me staring at her, drained the large cup, and asked me to dance with her. Laughing at me, Juan and Sebastian pushed me onto the grass (our dance floor) with Cecile before I could protest or hesitate and I found myself dancing her.

The performers were playing a slow but happy sounding waltz and I faced my dance partner and bowed. Then I took up her hand and let an arm on her shoulder in the customary fashion. (I've never noticed but Cecile's hands are so very small.) I have seen Cecile smile often, she always smiles. But I've never seen her smile as broadly as she did then. And I was smiling too. ......... I mean, the dance was just so fun! At first I felt a little nervous, but that melted away with the music and with Cecile's ease to be around.

I hope you've had fun today Cecile, I said during the dance.

Oh yes, yes! It's been the best day of my life! She said smiling even broader.

Then we laughed a bit. The song was over so soon and we parted and returned to outr tables. Juan was teasing. What a ladies' man you are! Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more! And Sebastian was laughing too hard to speak.

I rubbed the back of my neck and replied, Well uh... perhaps.

Before the event was over, I visited Martha to see if I had won any money with the three lotto tickets I bought. I did actually. I won 3,000 potch.

A while after the dance, we held the last event of the evening, a huge feast. The feast was held in the room with the stage, where a different group of performers played for the dinner. (We were giving our normal three a break from the dance.) Me and all of my former tenants sat in the very front table which had been saved for us. We ate and ate till we could eat no more, and then Cecile was ushered unto the stage where everyone could witness the gift giving. (Of course, almost none of the guests who had just come for the festival did not have a gift to give and if they did, we asked them to give it to Cecile later.) But our original tenants each went on the stage.

Nei played her song, Cherries may be Cheery, but None Quite Like Cecile and everyone in the room loved it. Cecile was blushing bright like a cherry. haha.
Juan gave Cecile a jujitsu doll, Piccolo have her a yellow ribbon, Martha gave her a very expensive dress, Muto gave her not one or two but 5 dog treats (hahaha), Eike gave her a book (I wonder if he got it from the sub level....), Sebastian gave her jewelry and such and then, finally, I presented her with the musk and the crystal. Cecile liked it all very very much.

After all this, was the last event of the night, one last musical concert by our original three performers. It was to last for a few more hours. I chose this time to sit outside in the old broken ship we have to watch the sun continue to set and listen to the ocean waves where I could think and reflect about the day in peace. I was alone there, of course. Though the sun was quickly retreating and the stars were just beginning to show, the air was warm and pleasant. I closed my eyes and sat in peace. When I opened them again, I saw Cecile standing near the ladder. I wondered how long she had been there. When she noticed I'd seen her, her eyes widened and she was about to go back down the ladder, but she didn't. Instead she came to sit with me, watching the sunset and listening to the soft lapping of the ocean waves.

For a while, we were silent, just sitting and thinking, and watching and listening. And I wasn't uncomfortable. Not in the slightest. Then after a time, Cecile looked at me and said, Thank you Thomas.

Your welcome Cecile. .... Actually, Martha helped me pick out the gifts.

Not just for that.

I looked back at Cecile, caught a glimpse of her vivid blue eyes and her soft shiny hair and looked back out over the sea.

For everything. Its the best day I've ever had.

Then we were silent a bit longer and Cecile snuggled up to me and I put my arm around her. Suddenly all my thoughts of unprofessionalism melted away and I just felt at peace. Almost as if I were protecting something. (But now that I think about it, I hope Arthur never gets wind of this. It will be the new big .)

Is there anything else I can do for you, before the day ends? I asked as the sun was now under, but its light still reflected on the water, and the stars were shining extra brightly.

........ No.

Nothing at all?

Well, ...... no.
I said, looking down at her again.

Perhaps I should not have looked down..... or perhaps I should have. I do not know. But...... well diary. Should I tell you or not? You had better stay well hidden from now on!

I was expecting her to be looking out at the sea, but she returned the gaze, hugged me, and landed me a kiss. A shockingly unexpected, but bold, sweet, little kiss.

Yes, there is something, she said after recovering from her shock at what she had just done and smiling foolishly. Don't tell Arthur!

I laughed a small laugh and told her that I wouldn't, that I would keep this secret very safe, very secret. (Though now I've written it here.)

Then Cecile stood up and left me, for the sun had finally finished setting. And after I had finished blushing and my heart rate had gone to normal, I too stood and returned to my sleeping quarters, where I am now, just about to sleep.

And sleep I shall.

- Thomas.



Aaaaawww! Next time on Master of Budehuc Castle:

After the festival, business begins to die down a bit and things go back to normal at the castle........almost.
Thomas will finally meet the expert card game specialist and gambler face to face and perhaps learn how not to lose every single game...... but Thomas is such a bad gambler, maybe he never will.
Can Thomas and Cecile keep up this little fling a secret? What happens if they can't? Will Arthur get wind of it and destroy the small little infatuation with publicity? What about Eike? Will Thomas finally get to see what he's hiding? Who is Eike really? Where is he from? How old is he? And what about Captain Geddoe and the rumors about the Flame Champion at Budehuc Castle?

Find out in Chapter 5.