Prose log with Queen

[percivalthegale]

Who: Percival and Queen (queen_of_castle )
When: before the latest Truth or Dare game, in the evening
Where: outside
What: a chance meeting and a bit of chatting/gossip

Summer was not yet over, judging by the crickets singing in the woods surrounding Budehuc. Percival had been back and forth over the grounds all day, but now, with twilight drawing on and him out of his armor, he was doing so at a leisurely pace, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Queen had made a quick trip to the bakery to pick up some sweets for herself and the twins, having had left them in the care of one of the many babysitters. On her way back to the main part of the castle, she noticed Percival strolling around and she waved in his direction. "Hey there, Uncle Percy. Enjoying the evening air?"

Percival perked slightly, pausing in his tracks, and then smiled. "Aha, I should have known. Good evening, Queen." He strolled a little closer, hands clasped behind his back. "Yes, you could say that. Out and about yourself?"

She smirked and held out a small bag. "I went to get some cookies and other goodies for myself and the little ones. I was having a craving. Would you like one?

"Oh...no," Percival demurred, waving a hand. "I wouldn't want to take one from either you or the children. How are they?" he asked right away. "Still getting bigger by the day, I'm sure."

"Yes." Queen sighed softly, staring off into the distance with a small smile on her lips. "They are certainly growing up quickly. They both babble much more often now and you I can distinguish a lot of what they're trying to say. They both love to be running around on their own if they can help it. But ..."

Percival tilted his head curiously. "But what?"

She shook her head then, trying to rid herself of the thought that caused her voice to die away but she finished it anyways. "But they ask about their daddy. They were barely a year old when he ... vanished and yet it is like they remember him."

"Well..." Percival's eyes saddened a bit. "...it could be possible. He did make a firm impression on their young lives, if that's the case. Even if it was just knowing the word 'daddy' and the face to whom it belonged."

She nodded, fighting back the tears again. It was bad enough that Percival had to hear her screaming in the middle of the night. "For now, at least. I'm sure they will forget the more time goes on. But at least ... at least I can tell them stories."

Percival took a step closer and set his hand on her arm. "Yes, make sure you do. Sometimes, when stories are all we have...they're the most important." He knew all too well how that felt, actually. "How about you? How are you holding up? Any more...unsettled nights?"

As his hand rested on her arm, she glanced down at it, a million thoughts going through her head. All of them revolving around Cray, Nash and Geddoe in some way. And when Percival asked about her restless nights, bringing back to mind the nightmares she had about Cray's death, she simply nodded, leaning forward to rest her forehead against his shoulder.

Though he was no stranger to comforting women who found him easy to talk to, Percival tensed briefly before relaxing and putting his arms around Queen's shoulders in a gentle hug. "It's all right," he said softly. "I'm sure it isn't easy. You don't have to hold it in."

She just let out a soft laugh, if only to keep herself from completely losing it. "No, it's not. Gods, look what has become of me? Only three years ago, I didn't have a care in the world, roaming around as a mercenary. Who would have thought? Who would have thought I'd be here ... like this?"

He gave a quiet, throaty chuckle. "I suppose that's life. Things change when you least expect it, and one day you turn around and wonder how you got there." Percival rubbed her shoulder kindly. "If you ask me, it isn't a bad thing..."

"Heh, it's not, isn't it? I'm happy here. Relatively speaking that is. I've got the children and everyone here. I just want ... them to have a father. It almost doesn't matter wh, sometimes. As long as they have a positive male role model in their lives."

Percival smiled cutely. "Is that why you were taking stock of all their adoptive-uncles? There are so many decent role models around here - and some not so much, but..." He chuckled it off, not wanting to name names. "Either way. I lost my father when I was young, and I don't feel like I suffered for not having him in my life."

She smirked at that. "Heh, of course." Queen probably had an idea of who Percival was referring to with regarding not-so-decent role models but she didn't mind. "You certainly turned out very well despite that loss. I'm still sorry though. I don't think anyone should have to lose a parent at a young age. Especially since I understand all too well what that's like."

Percival politely withdrew, folding his arms over his chest instead. "So, you're one of the unfortunate ones, as well. Far too many of us in this world, if you ask me," he sighed. "Come to think of it...for all the time we fought in the same army for the same cause, there's a lot I don't know about you - or any of your comrades, really."

"Well, where there is war, there are many orphans and widows left as its victims, unfortunately." She shrugged a little. "And I don't blame you for not knowing much about me when even my own teammates don't know anything about my past either."

"No?" Percival's dark eyes widened a little. "Not even the captain? Ah, I suppose...being mercenaries, you probably all have your little secrets."

She nodded at that, unphased at all. "We all had our secrets. For instance, Queen isn't my real name. None of our names were, with the exception of Geddoe, perhaps."

The knight grinned. "I sort of guessed that. Though, the nickname suits you, quite a bit. I don't think I could see you under any other name."

Smirking again, she rested a hand on her hip and laughed. "Neither can I. It's been many years since I've been known by that name, after all. One day, though, I'd like to share my past with someone else. Like I did with Graham."

"Ahh..." Percival smiled gently. "So he did know. Then, that's something you'll always have. Something special with him alone." He let his gaze wander, towards the manor house beginning to glow from within with golden lamplight. "I admit I've never been in love...waiting for the once in a lifetime has been hard enough, I couldn't imagine hoping for...well," he laughed, "the proverbial lightning to strike twice."

Queen's smirks softened into a more subdued smile as she recalled all the times she was able to talk to Cray about her past. "Yes, it is. But I think that now that he's gone, I should be able to share myself again. Now that I've shared myself with another, I feel ... empty without anyone understanding who I am and where I have come from. I feel alone because no one else knows me like he knew me."  She glanced over at him, following his gaze towards the manor. "It seems impossible sometimes but you never know ..."

"Ah. I can understand that," Percival nodded. "But you don't wish to even share that with a friend? You want it to be...someone closer? A husband?"

She glanced away then, still uncertain of her feelings. "Not even my closest friends know  much of my past. It sounds terrible, I know, but my past is something I want to keep hidden from most people to begin with. If I were to share it, it would have to be, yes, with someone closer. Although, I'm hesitant to say it has to be another husband ..."

"Well, I suppose you don't necessarily have to go through all that formality again," Percival said idly, "though...in essence, drawing closer to someone beyond friendship sort of goes there emotionally anyway, doesn't it? Again," he cautioned, "I'm no expert. I could very well be just blowing a lot of smoke."

"No, no. You're right. I realize all of that it's just that I'm not so sure that I'm ready to establish another such relationship anytime soon."

Percival shook his head slowly. "I would think not. It's probably best to just let time do its work, you can't rush those sorts of things." One eyebrow arched elegantly as he considered something. "I hope no one is...pressuring you, so to speak, to move faster than you're able."

She sighed then, knowing exactly who he was referring to. "Yes, time is all I need. And no. Nash is not trying to force me or convince me to be anything more than friends with him, as surprising as that might seem."

"You'll understand my skepticism," Percival said dryly. "I met him at the same time Lady Chris did, and haven't really gotten over that first impression. But then, you're one of few people I would trust not to let him get any closer than you'll allow." His smirk returned. "You, and Lady Chris. Nash will end up painfully damaged before he gets too close too fast."

"Heh, yes, I do." She smirked before turning away slightly so that her eyes didn't betray something else entirely. "He was met with quite significant opposition before."

The eyebrows went up again, and Percival's lips became a little, round 'o.' "...really?" he breathed after a minute. "I suppose I shouldn't be completely surprised, but....reeeeallly?"

Queen glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow of her own. "Well, yes. I had chosen Graham, after all. And Nash kept insisting."

Percival rolled his eyes. "Now that sounds like the Nash I know and distrust. Not backing down when a lady has gotten involved with someone else is the mark of a real cad. Maybe Borus was right about him all along."

Smirking again, Queen asked, "Heh, what did Borus say about him?"

"Oh, he's just had a negative view of Nash ever since he saw the man," Percival laughed. "Based solely on the fact that he was allowed to stand next to Lady Chris and not lose any valuable body parts, and Borus was jealous. He's said a lot of things, most of them rather unflattering."

Queen shook her head, very much amused. "He honestly had no reason to be so jealous of Nash when Chris didn't allow him to get close to her at all. At least Graham was sensible enough not to be jealous even after I ..." Her voice died away before she could complete her sentence and she let out a small cough. "Ah, never mind."

A sly smile slowly crossed Percival's lips. "Come now, you can't say something like that and not expect me to press for more details. Unless you want me to assume that this 'before' you mentioned was not a one-way street for Nash?"

Turning pink, Queen tried not to fluster so badly. "Don't be ridiculous. He was such a philandering flirt. What was there to like about him?"

"I don't know, you tell me," Percival teased. "Granted, he did help defend Iksay once and for that I am grateful, so he's not all bad I suppose. But really, Queen...who am I to judge if you did find something about him to like? You could do far worse."

She sighed, relenting. "All right, all right. I did like him back then. But I decided that Graham was more reliable as he didn't take off on random trips every other day and wasn't trying to flirt with every woman he saw. Ironic thing is that it was Nash you became incredibly jealous of him."

"Really?" Percival rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hm. That is unexpected. I wouldn't have picked Nash as the jealous type, unless he really felt..." He decided it would be prudent to stop there. "Well. Either way. If he were a gentleman he'd know not to press you right now, with the loss so recent. It isn't fair to anybody - you, the children, or your husband for that matter."

"Yes, exactly." Queen nodded, not minding Percival's unfinished statement. "And fortunately, he hasn't been his usual in-your-face flirt. He's actually giving me my space and respecting my boundaries." Smirking, she added, "Amazing, isn't it?"

"A bit, yes. I don't know whether to be wary of his motives, or..." Percival shrugged slightly. "...feel a bit of pity for him, I guess. Perhaps he's finally mellowing in his old age. He must be over forty by now." He waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, I should be kinder. There's no need to spread gossip when there's not really anything going on."

Still smirking, she sighed. "Yes, something around 42 or 43 years old now. Took him long enough to grow up. Thankfully, most men don't take that long to mature."

Percival laughed a little. "You're telling me he's at least ten years older than I am?" That only made him laugh more. "I see. Perhaps I ought to respect my elders like my mother taught me. Ah, but here we are talking about Nash...and I really wanted to see how you were doing."

Shaking her head again, Queen smiled back. "I've been getting by. Things could always be worse, right?"

"I suppose they could." Percival tilted his head to the side with a shy smile. "But they could also be better, I take it. I wish I could do more than simply sympathize."

"Stopping by to see how I'm doing is more than enough. I've been so busy with the twins that I can't do as much socializing as I would like to. And my closest friends have all left." She sighed again before smiling more warmly. "I do appreciate it."

"It's the least I can do. Please, don't hesitate to ask for any other favors." Percival reached to set his hand on her arm again. "I mean it. We may not have spoken this much in the past, but I do consider you a friend, and I will do anything for a friend."

"Thank you, Percival." Queen replied softly before embracing him lightly. "I am grateful to have a friend in you. I need a few right now, after all."

Percival smiled and accepted the hug, keeping it brief and not too hands-y. "You have more than you think, I'm sure. That was quite a list of aunts and uncles, after all," he added with a giggle.

Smirking again, she shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course. The more, the better. I want my children to have all the support they can get."

"Well, you have mine." Percival took a step back so he could playfully bow with a flourish. "Though I suppose I shouldn't keep you from them, not if you're bringing them cookies."

Queen laughed softly, smiling back at him in appreciation. "Oh, they can learn to wait just a little while to get their treat. But I do prefer to not be parted from them for too long." Nodding at him, she turned to head back before turning around slightly to look back at him. "Thank you again, Percival. I really do appreciate your friendship and support. If there's anything I can do in return, please let me know."

"Oh, I'm sure sooner or later I'll need to hold you to that," the knight smiled. "But for now, just enjoy your evening with the twins. You owe no one more than that." He clasped his hands behind his back. "I think I'll just have a look at the stars before I turn in myself."

"I will. You enjoy your star-gazing and have a good night in the meantime~" Queen waved and turned back towards the castle to where her two little ones waited for her return.

Percival waited until she was inside before turning and continuing on his rounds, humming a little to himself under his breath.