Chapter 3: Where All I Want To Be…

The sun was bright in the early morning; the air cool from the dewed grass. Cecile sat on top of the wall predicting that nothing would happen, as usual. She looked behind her and saw across the yard the stuffy councilman make his way to the castle. She had been wiping her nose all morning, which was irritating because, no matter how much you tried to blow out the boogers, the nose was still stuffed. She hopped off of the wall and sat on the first step. She was also tired; which she thought, was from staying up late.

Cecile turned back, feeling a little dizzy. She shook her head, which made it worse. She leaned her head against a rock. No, that was uncomfortable. She pulled off her helmet and ruffled her hair. She felt gross. Maybe a bath would make her feel better. But that would mean…abandoning her post! But it would also mean…a chance to spy on a certain someone.

Cecile walked daintily behind Piccolo's tent and grabbed a scarecrow and jammed it into the ground by the gate. The effort made her dizzy again. She put her helmet on its head. Then, without much hassle, she sneakily snuck into the castle. Unfortunately, Thomas and the councilman were in the knick knack room.

She walked briskly went on ahead toward the baths; they were still there, even if Goro wasn't (it was now being run by a less-eccentric friend of his). She heard some men laughing on the other side, but, thankfully, she was alone.

The steaming water put her in a trance. Submerged in the heat and feeling wonderful, she let herself relax a few moments, drifting through dreamland. She thought of spying again on Thomas and woke up. She got out of the tub and quickly washed her hair and hopped back in. She stayed though, resisting not the relief of lethargy, until the blood in her skin began to cook and she became uncomfortable.

Cecile dried herself off and clothed herself, partially disgusted with wearing dirty clothes over her clean body. She rubbed her teeth with a little horribly tasting soap with her finger and spit.

She rushed out of the ship and back into the house. She felt dizzy again, and her stomach twisted in a tumult of temper. Thomas and the councilman were coming out of the kick-knack room when Cecile had nearly peaked the top of the stairs.

She saw them but felt oddly faded. Thomas and the councilman looked up at her. Thomas gasped silently, seeing how pale she was. He rushed to her, carefully catching her as she fell. He said her name, though her hearing was clogged and her vision was going black. He yelled at her not to faint.

Cecile heard, distantly, the councilman chortle with amusement at her distress. She closed her eyes. Heavy and weak was the blackness that threatened to wash over her body. Whether time pasted quickly or slowly was a small confusion.

She opened her eyes, finally. She sat up to look about her, afraid of not knowing where she was. Pain shot through her temples and her ears and she lay back down.

Thomas looked her over. He took her hand and squeezed it. "Cecile…are you feeling?. …want some…?"

She looked up at him with gratitude as her consciences returned. The nurse looked over her and smiled warmly. "Hello Cecile." She handed Thomas a pink bottle and a spoon. "Cecile, there's a bucket right here in case you need it. Thomas is going to give you this medicine and it will help you feel better, ok? It seems you have come down with a fever, possibly the flu."

Cecile nodded. The nurse walked away. Thomas reached over to Cecile's face and stroked her cheek. "How are you feeling?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"Oh. Thomas…I'm… fine… ready for duties. Sir." She closed her eyes. She heard him giggle. She felt his hand at her waist and her head as he helped her to sit up.

"You don't have to be on duties for a few days now. Why is your hair wet? Is that how you got sick?" Thomas cautiously opened her mouth with his finger, then poured a spoonful of pink liquid into her mouth and closed her mouth, forcing her to swallow it. Thomas laughed as she squinched her face and stuck her tongue out. It was as foul and vile as an evil stinking cave troll! Thomas ran his fingers through her hair, "You had me worried there for a second."

"I'm sorry." She said. She did like the attention, although she was sorry because she would have liked it under better circumstances. "I'm sorry I'm sick."

"It's alright Cecile. Everybody gets sick sometimes. Can you stand up now?" Thomas held her hand as she slipped her legs out from under the sheets and onto the floor. She noticed she wasn't wearing shoes, or any of her armor. She looked at Thomas distraughtly. He raised his eyebrows in consideration. "Actually, the flu's been going around so don't worry about it." He held her back as they stood together.

Cecile suddenly felt dizzy again and grabbed onto Thomas' shoulder. He smiled at her. Out of the nurses' office and up the stairs they climbed and into Thomas' room. He lay her down on his bed. He left the room and came back in, shutting of the office doors. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her. Sebastian waltzed into the room with a bucket and a glass and a pitcher of water, handed them to Thomas and left in a hurry. He came back again, with a tray of various foods; fresh fruits and hot oatmeal. Then he left, closing the door behind them.

Cecile ate very little, though she was hungry, she knew her stomach wouldn't want to keep it all down. Then she drank some cool refreshing water. She was very aware of Thomas next to her, waiting for her patiently, and taking short glances at her now and then. When she was through, Thomas cleared it up for her and sat down again, scooting next to her.

"Cecile, I'm letting you know that I'm sorry I can't be here for you while you're sick. Please don't look at me that way… I have to go with the councilman to Viney-Del-Zexay to go through with this matter of my fathers' will. I would have asked you to come but well…" He paused, unsure of what else to say.

"Don't leave me!" Cecile pleaded softly. She felt suddenly needy and alone.

"At least I'll be back in a few days. If I have to stay longer I'll write you, alright?"

"It's your choice, Master Thomas." Cecile whispered.

"What? Please, Cecile, you know you don't have to address me in any way other than my name." Thomas stroked her hair. "Anyway, try to get some sleep." Thomas sat by her side, holding her hand until Cecile felt the lull of slumber.

Before she knew it, Cecile awoke to a new day, having had no dreams, and Thomas was gone.