Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe
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( Seven ) A Taste of Ambrosia for the Gods
Morning swept onto the Reed Manor like a veil of gold paint.
Breakfast was set out in the solarium --- a relatively small room with walls of glass --- amongst the brilliant tropical flowers. The glass ceiling was half covered by green ivy vines and scattered morning glories of white, pink and purple. The sunlight poured in like water. A large arrangement of flowers was set across the room. Pots of various equatorial plants of brilliant rainbow colors were strewn throughout the walls and set upon the simple furniture: orchids of vivid sunset hues, snow white lilies, blooming dendrobiums, scarlet oncidiums, pink mokaras, and purple cattleyas. It was as much of a tropical greenhouse as a relaxing sunroom.
A commodious circular bronze table sat in the center of the tiled floor with its rigid wire frame coiling and swirling into curls and elaborate floral arrangements. The table was matched by a set of six bronze chairs of the same rigid frame and design. White porcelain china painted with faint blue flowerets was placed conveniently around the table.
A large array of fruits, breads, and beverages was displayed; yellow papayas and mangos, red fresh picked strawberries and raspberries, black blueberries, green sliced kiwis, various cuts of melons, and grapes of different colors. It was a far more extravagant meal than what was usually expected in the morning hours.
Eriol sat in the far corner in an area of shade beneath the green vines. He was motionless. His eyes remained stationed at a region beyond the glass confinements of the solarium. He was dressed modestly for a warm autumn morning in a fine white linen shirt, loosely buttoned, and a pair of black slacks, delicately made. He dressed surprisingly casual, indicating a certain carelessness. His hair was slightly disheveled and redness came over his eyes.
Tomoyo watched him from beyond the open door. She had spent the night at the Reed Manor after much persuasion from Chantal. She had reluctantly assented to it. And she was pleasantly surprised by the commodity of the manor. The maids have been kind and amicable enough and she felt a sense of welcome from the mansion walls itself.
Upon her waking this morning, Tomoyo had been escorted from her guest suite to the solarium for breakfast by one of the many butlers roaming around the manor. But she had dismissed him shortly, insisting that she could manage on her own. The manservant had been indisposed and persisted to give Tomoyo detailed directions to the sunroom. She grateful now, for she finally realized the great complexity and elaborateness of the manor designs.
"Good morning, Hiiragisawa-san," she greeted from the entrance.
Attentiveness flashed through his handsome features. "Why, good morning Daidouji-san," he returned. He smiled. "You've slept well, I trust."
"Yes, I have," she nodded. "And you?"
"Like a baby," he declared readily with a hint of amusement.
She did not believed him for the dark circles around his eyes. She nodded nonetheless. "How long have you been up?" she asked instead.
He threw a thoughtless glance at his platinum-incased wristwatch. "A while now, I suppose."
Silence dawned over the short-lived conversation. Tomoyo shifted uneasily in her seat. "Where is Minerva-san? If I may ask?" she finally said.
"I believe she's still sleeping," he mused. "Chantal never liked the morning much. Besides, she's been up very late last night. I think its only fair to let her have her share of rest. Well actually, I wouldn't dare wake her when she's not ready," he chuckled. "She can be rather unapproachable, shall I put it lightly, in the mornings."
Tomoyo smiled in response and decided not to inquire the reason behind their late night vigil.
"Well, Daidouji-san, it appears only I will have the delightful opportunity of dining with you this fine morning," he announced presently.
"What do you mean?"
"Sakura-chan and Li-san had left for your hotel earlier to retrieve their luggage and whatnot. They have decided to remain here at the manor for the rest of their stay in England as my honorable guests. It is safer this way, I can assure you," he said pleasantly---perhaps too pleasantly---as he reached out to pour tea into Tomoyo's cup. "Earl Grey with no sugar, if my memory serves me?" he asked.
She nodded. "But---?"
"I took the liberty of informing Sakura-chan that you would be staying here as well. I do hope you won't be furious with me, my dear. But I couldn't take the chance of you refusing this offer. I would very much like you to stay. In fact, it would serve both Chantal and I great pleasure if you would remain with us. It would be our honor." He spoke in a flourish of words so hastily that Tomoyo did not have time to react. "What do you say to it? I do beg of you to stay."
Tomoyo wanted to laugh out loud. She hid her wide smile behind her cup as she raised it to her lips. "How could you, Hiiragisawa-san?" she gasped in false anger. "That was terribly rude and inconsiderate of you. You are horribly ill-mannered and a lair at that!"
A brilliant grin appeared upon his lips. "Guilty as charged, my dear," he consented in a boyish tone. "It is a fair assessment of the situation, I should think. But we, Chantal and I, can't do without you, you see. I am terrible, but only as a product of my great devotion to you."
"So you won't deny it?" she smiled openly now. "Oh, how dreadful of you! Now you've seduced me into staying! You are awfully spiteful. I shall never speak to you again! I abhor you, Hiiragisawa-san."
"That was very cruel, Daidouji-san, you wound me. Do you wish to kill this poor big heart of mine?" he exclaimed dramatically and clutched at his chest in feigned pain.
She let out a pile of silvery laughter. "Hiiragisawa-san," she reached out and placed her hand upon his. She smiled graciously. "I wouldn't dare. Your poor big heart is far too precious. And I would be honored to be your guest; really and truly."
He was silent for a moment. His eyes studied her critically. "I adore you, Daidouji-san, so very much," he finally said.
Her cheeks colored. In a sudden movement, she removed her hand from his as if she had touched burning coal. She turned away. "Don't say that," she said in a voice barely audible.
"I think you are beautiful, Daidouji-san. Is that so terrible of me?" he pursued.
Her eyes of burning amethyst flashed. "Yes. Yes, it is very terrible of you. You're engaged, Hiiragisawa-san. Does that even mean anything to you anymore?" she began in a severe voice. "You are to marry the women you've loved for two lifetimes. Don't you think I know that? But you've lost your place to preach about my beauty a long time ago."
He did not yield to her advances. "Chantal mean the world to me, if you must know."
"Good!" she agreed in a voice perhaps a notch too loud. "I'm glad we are on the same page now." Her eyes flashed dangerously.
He was frowning now, only slightly. "We both know the question on the tip of your tongue. Why don't you just say it out loud?"
She had been stirred her tea rigorously with a silver spoon. It made a loud crashing sound as she set it down again. Her eyes beheld his callous sapphire orbs. She hated the way he was manipulating her. She wanted to ignore his words but she felt her own anger and curiosity bubbling intently.
"Did you leave me for her?" she finally asked. Her voice was a monotone, clear and decisive, without a trace of animosity or passion.
His face was expressionless but his eyes softened. "Tomoyo," he spoke her name softly. "I was faithful to you, if that's what you mean. I was devoted to you, and you only. I was always faithful."
She drew in a heavy breath. "You didn't answer my question," was all she said.
He looked away for a moment as to ponder the question. "Yes and no," he finally said. "I was happy with you, Tomoyo. I really was. You are a wonderful woman and for a time I wouldn't have given you up for anything," he paused. "But I had promises to keep. Do you understand?"
"The prophecy," she breathed.
"Yes, the prophecy. As much as I loved you, Tomoyo, I couldn't be selfish enough to sacrifice the world. For that was the price, you see, I had to choose between the world and you."
"And you chose the world," she provided.
He nodded. "I'm sorry, Tomoyo. It had to be done. Cecilia gave up her everything to save the world and now it is my redemption to do the same. It was Clow's last wish."
"But you are not Clow," she murmured softly. Her amethyst eyes shone with glistening teardrops, threatening to fall.
"That may be so," he said as he reached out to her. "But it is my obligation." He wiped away her tears. "It was never a matter of choice, Tomoyo. I never wanted to leave you."
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Author's Notes: This chapter had been thoroughly enjoyable to write and I hope you have read it with as much esteem. I finished most of the chapters in one afternoon so I hope it flowed better than some of my before chapters. The language used in the dialogue between Tomoyo and Eriol is very much inspired by Henry James (a brilliant American author who wrote both Daisy Miller and The Portrait of a Lady, absolutely wonderful books). I was actually re-reading Daisy Miller the day I wrote this, and I was utterly motivated to write that like. It also has a very distinct Victorian flair, which was fun to write, to say the least, but have no particular bearing in significance.
The chapter is entitled "A Taste of Ambrosia for the Gods" because it reflects the 'price' Eriol paid. Ambrosia is the divine food of the Greek gods. It was said that any moral who had a taste of it would claim immorality. Ambrosia, of course in this case, represents the price of redemption, and immorality as it was said in the prophecy (more on the prophecy later in the story). The gods represented fate, which dictated Eriol's actions.
I used this chapter to let you better understand the relationship between Eriol and Tomoyo. Eriol loves Tomoyo, or did love. And Tomoyo loves him back. However Eriol also loved Cecilia/Chantal because he's half Clow.
Some bogs things are happening next chapter, but I', afraid it might be a long while before I update again. Bear with me, my darlings, I promise that ever though Eriol and Tomoyo are not a couple now, they will be on at the end of this fic. I had the plot planned out from the beginning, so I can assure that everything will fall into place.
Please review before you leave.