Setting: 100 years ago before Oswald became Glen
Jack realizes just how close Iris and Oswald are.
He hadn't seen him in a few days. In fact, Jack hadn't seen Oswald in four days. In that time he had been to the Baskerville estate two times and hadn't seen a single second of Oswald. He had become so curious that Jack decided to ask his two sources for everything and anything Oswald related: Lacie and Glen.
"Where's Oswald?" he asked on his third visit without seeing Oswald. He was in Lacie's tower sitting in the company of Lacie and Glen. The once bored Glen perked up at the question. "Well it is Iris' birthday this Sunday," he answered as if that were explanation enough—it wasn't.
Lacie sighed. "He doesn't know," she said with a frown. She turned to Jack. "Every year, Oswald composes a song for Iris for her birthday, and every year he spends close to a week working on it."
Jack's eyes widened. "Every year, just for Iris?" he thought aloud. Glen nodded, "Well it is a special gift since they learned to play music together. You could think of it as the beginning of their relationship." He paused for a second. "Well besides being forcibly introduced to each other," he added with a smirk.
"That's…really sweet!" Jack beamed. "I never thought Oswald to think up something like that."
"He didn't," Lacie deadpanned.
"He didn't?" Jack repeated. He was answered by a shake of Lacie's head as Glen began to laugh, much to Jack's confusion. "He got the idea from…somewhere," Lacie explained over Glen's laughter.
Glen calmed down after another minute and continued Lacie's explanation. "When he was around 14, Oswald found the idea in a romance novel. A very romantic novel." The emphasis was enough to get his point across. "The boy had no idea what it was about, he just found the book with a bookmark at a particular scene and found the idea. When I found it…" Glen burst out laughing again at the thought. Being familiar of the kind of person Glen was, Jack was full of pity for the 14-year-old Oswald.
"Anyway," Lacie started, "that aside, he still really liked the idea and composes a song for Iris every year." Jack smiled; he was always pleasantly surprised at what he found out about Oswald.
A soothing melody drifted down the hall. It was so calming and serene, and could only be described as a masterpiece.
Silence.
The music suddenly stopped and the hall was void of any sound. It was slightly unsettling.
Jack was standing at the music room's door when the music suddenly stopped. He heard a soft sigh through the closed door. He quietly opened the door and peeked inside. Oswald was sitting at the piano with sheet music in his hands. It appeared that he had stopped to review his song.
As Jack opened the door another inch, one of the hinges let out a small creak. It wasn't loud, but considering that it was dead silent besides the rustle of papers, it was loud enough. Oswald sharply turned around, startling Jack. "H-hey, Oswald! What are you working on?" His stoic faced friend studied him for a second before turning back to his sheet music. "A song," he calmly explained.
At not having gotten a negative reaction, Jack took it as a go-ahead to enter. "Do you need any help?" he asked as he approached the piano. Oswald's answer was immediate. "No, thank you."
"Are you sure, it seems like you're stuck," he asked again. "It will still be a special gift even if you get a little help." Jack could see that Oswald's shoulders had slightly tensed.
Oswald slowly looked up from the sheet music in his hands, not facing the blond. "Lacie told you." It was a statement, there was no denying it was his sister that had told Jack.
It was hard to tell if Oswald was upset at the fact that his friend knew, and even Jack wasn't sure. "Yes, she told me because I hadn't seen you in a few days and I was curious as to where you were," Jack explained. "I think it's a very thoughtful gift," he added with a smile.
There was a few seconds of silence as Oswald thought over Jack's offer. "The song is almost finished. Would you listen to it?" The blond beamed, "I would be glad to!" Oswald nodded and put back the sheet music as Jack sat on a nearby chair. After a quick glance at his friend, Oswald began to play.
It was Sunday, her birthday, and Iris was invited to the Baskerville manor—although she was always invited to the estate. "Come by whenever you like!" Glen would always say. It was important that she and Oswald establish a relationship before he took on his role as the next Glen.
She made her way inside and was met by her long-time friend in the front entry. "Hello, Iris, happy birthday," greeted Oswald with one of his rare smiles. She smiled, "Thank you, Oswald." Before either could say anything else, someone popped out from behind Oswald. "Happy birthday, Iris!" greeted Jack with a bright smile.
Iris jumped at not having had expected him. "O-oh, Jack, thank you. I didn't expect you to be here today."
"Well I heard from a little birdie that your birthday was today," he explained, "and of course I had to grant you my best wishes." Jack clapped his hands together, "Although it appears that I'm not the only one." He directed his gaze to a nearby parlor used to receive guests.
Iris followed his gaze and glanced at the slightly ajar doorway before turning back to the two. "Is someone else visiting today?" It took Jack a second to realize what he had implied with his words. "Oh, well, not exactly. Someone sent a gift," he explained with a sheepish smile.
"Although he did want to see you in person," added Oswald.
Jack led them to the parlor and opened the door wider. You didn't even have to be in the room to see the large bouquet. The dark blue vase easily held two dozen pristine white roses. Each delicate flower was in full bloom and had no imperfections to speak of. The sight was breathtaking.
Iris' eyes widened as she stepped closer to the bouquet. "They're magnificent! Who sent them?" she asked as she gently pulled out a long-stemmed rose. As she did so, a small envelope fell from its place tucked into the flowers. She picked it up and opened it to read for herself who had sent the gift. It was only a few sentences, but it was more than enough for the sender's wishes.
"I should send my thanks right away," she finally said. "I didn't know Duke Nightray knew my favorite flower." Jack turned to Oswald with a knowing smile as he said, "Right? Who would have guessed that Raymond knew?"
Jack was, of course, ignored.
Jack was staring out the window of Lacie's tower. "What's wrong, Jack? Upset that Oswald turned you away?" teased Glen. Not long after Iris received her gift from Raymond Nightray, Jack realized that Oswald wanted to give Iris her gift alone. He left before he became a third wheel.
He didn't respond to Glen. Jack turned back to the inside of the tower. "Oswald and Iris have a very close relationship," he stated, although it was more of a conclusion for himself.
"Well they must for their future roles," explained Glen. He studied Jack for a second before continuing, "But it seems that you have a different thought in mind." He pushed himself away from the wall and dropped himself on the couch Lacie was on. "Their relationship never evolved past friendship, if that's what you want to know," he added. "Although that didn't stop the nosy gossips."
"You know it was never going to happen," said Lacie. They both turned to her. She continued, "He cares for her, but not in that way. It's a purely platonic relationship." Glen hummed in thought. "That is the best way to say it, and it is usually the case," he agreed.
Lacie turned to him with a frown, "Usually?"
"Hm? Oh nothing, just ignore my ramblings," he reassured her.
As Lacie and Glen continued their back and forth, Jack sat in thought. Why did it matter to him? Oswald and Iris had been friends for years, since they were children; of course they had a close relationship. So what was this feeling he had?
Oswald concluded his song and turned to Iris. "That was wonderful, Oswald," she praised as she stood from her seat and walked over to him. "I really loved it. There was something… different about it from what you've composed before." She noticed that he was thinking about something. "Oswald?"
"I suppose it was different. Jack helped me the other day," he explained. Iris was taken aback—he had never asked for help on his songs for her before. "I see," she said. She sat next to him on the piano bench. There was a moment of silence between them.
"You and Jack have been getting close, haven't you?" she finally asked. Oswald sat in thought for a few seconds before answering, "I suppose we are."
"Do you see him as a friend?"
"I do." There wasn't hesitation in his answer. Iris felt her stomach twist, but ignored it.
She slowly nodded before smiling. "I'm glad. I'm glad that you've accepted someone as a friend." Iris gently placed her hand over Oswald's. "Thank you for my gift, Oswald."
Iris watched as the servant moved the vase out of the room. She was having her flowers from Duke Nightray moved to her room. She would be staying the night for a meeting she had in the morning.
She had kept a lone flower that she held and admired. Iris couldn't get over the gift. Not many people knew her favorite flower, so she had no doubt that Oswald had a hand in the gift. The thought brought a smile to her face.
"My, my, you certainly did enjoy Raymond's gift." Jack was standing just outside the doorway and was looking at the rose in her hand. "Oh, hello, Jack." Iris had no idea that he had been standing there. He walked in the room. "I came to say goodbye to you and Oswald," he explained as he stood in front of her. "I hope you enjoyed your birthday today," he added.
"I did, and I believe I have you to thank for helping Oswald," she answered.
Jack sheepishly smiled. "So he told you." Iris shook her head, "There was no need. I noticed that there was something different."
Iris' comment caught Jack's attention. "Really? You could tell just from his song?" he asked. She blushed in embarrassment at her own comment. "It does sound strange doesn't it? Oswald and I learned to play together, so I know his style," she explained with a bit of laughter in her voice. He slowly nodded his head, "I see."
Jack suddenly smiled. "Well, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your day. I should see Oswald before I leave. Will you tell me where he is?"
"Yes, he's still in the music room," Iris answered. He chuckled, "Still there is he? Well, have a good night, Iris." He excused himself.
She watched him leave and disappear through the door. This feeling she had around him was indescribable. Was it good? Was it bad? What were her instincts trying to tell her? From the minute she first met Jack she had felt this.
She made a decision right then and there.
Oswald had a friend; she would ignore her feeling…for now.
Iris found herself gripping the rose to the point of almost breaking the stem. She stopped herself just in time.
She just hoped it was the right decision.