Prose log with Borus

[percivalthegale]

Who: Percival and Borus (rage_swordsman)
When: this week
Where: the cafe, outside
What: best pals meeting up for dinner and gossip

Percival took a few minutes at the end of his patrol shift to get out of armor and unwind in the room he shared with Borus before heading back out to hunt down some food. One of the benefits of the festival was that he got to enjoy all sorts of great food and desserts without having to cook it himself. Walking the grounds all day keeping an eye on the crowds of visitors was hungry work.

Having enjoyed what parts of the festival he managed to attend, Borus relaxed at a table at Mamie's cafe, enjoying his usual glass of wine as he leaned back in his chair a little to watch people pass by. A part of him hoped he would run into Lady Chris out here again but another part of him knew she was rather busy and probably wouldn't be roaming about like most of the other residents. He sighed a little into his glass before taking another large gulp.

Sneaking out the side door from the dungeons, Percival made his way toward the cafe and spotted a familiar blond head among the tables. He brightened up and waved. "Why, look what we have here!"

Borus glanced up at the easily recognizable voice and lifted his glass towards his friend. "Indeed. Have you come to unwind a little after kissing all the castle's fair maidens, Sir Cassanova?"

"Are we jealous that we didn't think of the idea first?" Percival slid into an adjacent chair at the same table. "Actually, I spent today on regular patrol, among the patrons. But I'm done. What do you say, shall we have dinner together for once, instead of missing each other as usual?"

Rolling his eyes, the younger knight shook his head. "Don't be absurd. There's only one ..." When Borus realized what he was about to say, he immediately cut himself off before addressing Percival's question. "Yeah, sure. It's been some time since we've shared a meal and we're both here so might as well."

Percival smiled brightly, choosing to reward Borus' last-minute catch of his own words by not calling attention to it. "Splendid! I didn't know if you had eaten already. We don't get to eat together nearly as often as we should, really." He picked up the menu card from the table and looked it over to see if Mamie had any festival-specials.

"I know. We should really make a better habit of it." Borus nodded as he took another sip of his wine, glancing at a copy of the menu as well and gesturing towards the half-empty bottle of wine. "There's some left so have some."

"Don't mind if I do." Percival drew a glass to him and filled it. "Well, my schedule does fluctuate a little, but it isn't as though it's hard to find me around here. Hm?"

Borus' smile quickly turned into a mischevious smirk. "That's true. All I'd need to do is listen for a bunch of sighing and/or screaming women, right?"

"Oh, really." Percival rolled his eyes. "There aren't enough women in the castle to sigh or scream anywhere near me." He sat back and took a sip of the wine, savoring it for a moment. "There have been a few peeking at me from behind buildings the past couple of days, though. Visitors, I think, here for the festival."

Chuckling, he gave his order to the waiter before returning to his glass of wine. "I don't know why you think it such a nuisance. You should be thankful the ladies like you so much."

Percival likewise ordered and then folded his hands in his lap. "The problem is, they aren't interested in me, per se - just the name, the title, the reputation. I've spoken to enough of them at balls and even on the streets of Vinay to have figured that out a long time ago."

"Well, that's to be expected from anyone who doesn't know you very well." Borus shrugged. "At least they find you appealing enough to want to spend time with you."

"Ugh." Percival shook his head, remembering the last time he actually indulged some of his fans in the city. "They have such a fanciful idea of who or what I am, thanks to all the tales. But when they try to engage me in conversation, I find that they're exactly the type of woman I am not interested in at all. Greedy, desperate, and unable to form complete sentences without giggling."

Unfortunately, Borus was unable to prevent himself from snorting at Percival's comment. "That might be true of some of the ladies in the capital but don't tell me they're the same in Iksay? Or here for that matter? From what I can tell, they all seem friendly enough to me."

"I don't spend enough time in Iksay to know," Percival answered smartly. "As for here...well, up until recently most of the women were more along the lines of underage girls. But there have been one or two kinder, wiser ones to pop in from the past. It is refreshing to have peers to speak too."

Raising an eyebrow, the Swordsman of Rage just stared at his friend. "Peers? The way you speak about them, Percival, one would think you only see them as friends. And one would think that you have no intentions of settling down at all." Sighing, Borus shook his head. "I know and you told me that you're not actively seeking out a woman to marry but for Sadie's sake, my friend, while that's fine and dandy for now, I can't help but feel that you don't ever want to find one."

"And if I didn't, would that be such a bad thing?" Percival wondered honestly. "I mean...yes, my mother would like grandchildren, and yes, I have a surname to pass on now, but...neither of those things are very motivating. It makes the finding of wives and settling down seem more like a chore or a duty, rather than something splendid and wonderful." He tipped his glass toward Borus and added, "besides. You're one to talk."

Borus turned crimson red as Percival pointed his glass, turning his comments against him. "Yes, well, I decided there was only one woman for me and she ..." Pausing for a moment to frown as he glanced away. "She hardly seems interested." The blonde knight shook his head and sighed, sipping his wine again. "There's no point in settling with any other woman as I doubt I could ever admire another."

"Then, if you promise not to needle me like my mother, I promise not to hound you about giving up on your dream," Percival smiled. "It seems neither of us is destined for the kind of love-life most people expect. We shall have to be bachelor knights to the end of our days, side by side."

Nearly choking on his wine, Borus coughed, eventually catching his breath. "Percival, don't say such a thing!" He proceeded to shudder before continiung. "I just got a horrible image in my head of us as two old men, leaning on canes instead of swords. I'd rather not think that's what is in store for us."

Percival only giggled. "Oh, heavens no, we're far more likely to be killed in battle well before that day, aren't we? At least, I suppose that is the other alternative to growing old together. As friends," he added firmly so that no one could get the wrong idea.

"Maybe." Borus frowned. "But our luck would have it that we'd last through every battle until we wither from old age naturally." Shaking his head again, he finished off his glass of wine and thanked the waiter when he brought out their food at last. "I can't imagine caring about any other woman but at the same time, if I have no other choice, sometimes I wonder."

Percival waited until they had been served and the waiter departed before responding, as it was only polite to keep their personal conversation between them alone. "The way I see it, Borus, you are the only one responsible for your choices. If you truly believe with all your heart that you will never love another, then why fool yourself? Why lie to some other woman and lead her to believe that you love her when you don't? Even so, as your friend, I want you to be happy. So if you find that holding to your dream is only causing you pain and not happiness...then you will know to make the right choice for yourself."

Borus only shrugged again, taking a couple of bites of his food, quiet for a little while as his thoughts are running furiously through his mind. Eventually, he clenched a fist around the napking on his lap in determination. "I know. And maybe I should move on but damn it, I just can't. No matter how much I try to rationalize it or convince myself otherwise, I ... I'm much too in love with her." Letting out a small sigh, he continued, "Even if she doesn't care for my attention. Heh, pathetic, aren't I?"

Percival winked at him across their plates. "No more pathetic than than a ladies'-man knight who can't even establish a relationship. Mm, fresh mushrooms, this was a good choice tonight!"

Smiling back with a raised eyebrow, the younger knight chuckled. "Well, I suppose we can blame our pathetic luck on the knights who had men made out of us. But yes, the food is superb as always." Borus savored another bite of his steak before pouring himself another glass.

"Hm, or on the average people who heap far too many expectations on us and don't let us simply be knights," his friend reasoned around bites of his venison. "Have you tried the fresh bread? It's wonderful - just a hint of spice in it. I want to say fennel, but I could be wrong."

Shrugging, Borus responded, "People will always have expectations of everyone else. Now whether or not those expectations are met, is another thing altogether." Glancing over at the bread and taking a piece, he shook his head. "No but I'll try it now." And immediately after he takes a bite, his face lights up in pleasant surprise. "It is good. I don't know what flavoring it has but it is very good."

Percival darted a sneaky look toward the kitchen and murmured, "I should sneak in and have a peek at Miss Mamie's recipe," he snickered before relaxing back in his chair. "So, Borus. Tell me. What do you do with yourself every day while I'm off making sure the castle grounds are safe for man and beast?"

"What do I do with myself?" Borus frowned slightly. "Well, as Lady Chris or Lord Salome haven't given me any specific orders, there are plenty of books to read in the library. And a variety of drinks to try in the tavern." Raising an eyebrow at Percival, he asked, "Are you suggesting that perhaps I should join you in your patrol?"

"Well..." Percival tilted his head in a non-commital shrug. "I'm not, specifically. I only wonder because I know how you can be. You will probably get bored a lot sooner than I did when I first arrived here - even given that I spent my first two months here as reluctant infirmary staff."

He lowered his gaze to glance at the wine in his glass as he swished it around a little. "I suppose I might. But certainly Lady Chris will have things for me to do?" And the usually hotheaded knight let out a small sigh as he neglects to mention Salome that time.

If Percival didn't have a fork in his hand, he would have smacked himself in the forehead. "Well, perhaps you should request orders or an assignment," he suggested tactfully. "And if that doesn't work, well...then perhaps I might lobby for a fellow castle guard. Although, it isn't like there is a terrible lot of work to spread around," he added.

Borus nodded. "I know. Budehuc is the most peaceful place around. Oddly enough with all these people from all around the world and from different eras." He shrugged again before returning to his food and wine. "If worse comes to worse, I'll just people watch in the tavern or out here at the cafe."

"Perhaps we'll make you a spy, then," Percival chuckled over his wine glass. "Everyone will think, 'oh, that's just Sir Borus, he's a lazy layabout and no one knows why he's stationed here at the castle,' when you're really scrutinizing their every move." His chuckle faded after a minute, as he considered who was currently at the castle. "Although, with that demon lurking about, who knows when something might happen?"

"Seriously!" At the mention of Yuber, Borus's expression quickly turned angry and he slammed a palm onto the table. "What the hell is he doing here and why hasn't he been dealt with yet?!"

Percival frowned, more at the thought that his wine might have been upset if he'd actually set it down before the table-pounding. "As I gather, Leon Silverberg summoned him for some purpose, but he hasn't actually done anything. As such, there really isn't anything we can do to him."

Growling, Borus restrained himself from smacking the table again. "Why wait until he does something? He's a monster who has no regard for human life. That's all anyone needs to know before taking action against him." And he tossed back the rest of his wine, still trying not to hit something.

"For the same reason we don't simply march into Guild Hall and arrest every last Councilor for being a greedy bastard," Percival reasoned, even if he did agree with his friend for the most part. "Certain things are not crimes, like existing in this world. It is anyone's hope that being beholden to a Silverberg is a sort of leash on him, but the moment he steps one toe out of line, we can be there to stop him."

Borus simply continued frowning angrily as he finished up his meal, remaining quiet for a short while before pouring himself and Percival a new glass. "All he needs to do is breathe the smallest of threats and I'll be there to stop him, I swear."

Percival nodded his silent thanks for the fresh glass while he worked through his meal and another piece of bread. "Perhaps that will give you something specific to do, then. Keep an eye on Yuber for the sake of all the castle. He's popped up a few places, as if curious what all the festivities are about, but...so far he's done nothing but gripe." He raised an eyebrow as if to suggest that they stop him from doing anything more.

"Oh, I certainly will." Narrowing his eyes, he added. "And on that shady Clovis. I bet he's been peeking in on as many women as he can. For shame. He's probably old enough to be some of these girls' father."

"Actually, he's been rather scarce," Percival realized, looking thoughtful. "I believe Queen said he was accompanying her on her trip, so that explains recently. But he's been pestering me out of jealousy for some time, so I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Trying not to look surprised, Borus raised an eyebrow again as he frowned at his old friend. "Pestering you out of jealousy?" After a moment, his frown turned upwards slightly. "Are you stealing his interests away from him?"

Percival sat back and gaped in mock offense. "Why Borus, you know me better than that! I'm not," he assured, more naturally. "I have been quite the gentleman, but apparently even speaking to Queen, who has become a friend recently, is enough for him to suspect me of ulterior motives." He rolled his eyes and sighed. "And thus, my reputation ruins things again."

Unable to help himself, Borus burst out laughing. "It serves him right!" Snickering a little before calming down some, he added, "The very idea of that flirt being worried over losing a prospect to someone else is incredibly amusing. Even more so when he's jealous of you. However ..." Borus raised an eyebrow again. "Queen? Isn't she with Geddoe?"

Percival shook his head. "Not in the slightest. Do you even know who Captain Geddoe has taken up with, at all?" He grinned to himself, that was juicy gossip for anyone who hadn't been caught up to date. "It does amuse me a little, but for the most part, Nash's jealous fluttering around me is simply annoying."

"No, I don't." He frowned again. "I'm sorry if I'm not up to date with his personal life. I'll be sure to read up on it in Arthur's paper. Or better yet, have Kidd investigate him." Agreeing with Percival's opinion about Nash being annoying, Borus smirked for a moment before frowning yet again. "Wait, but you compared him to me in that regards. You think I'm that annoying?!"

"Borus!" Rather than be irate at the accusation, Percival just laughed. "I didn't say that! I wasn't comparing you to him right now, relax. You haven't been hounding other men who speak to Lady Chris, getting in their way and interrupting their conversations because they dare speak to her, have you? Then you're not annoying. Honestly." He snickered under his breath. "Now, then. Do you want to know the latest gossip, or not?"

Percival's words pacified Borus, for the moment at least, and he calmed down again. "No, I have not." He recalled the time he interrupted Chris and Seed's conversation but shoves that memory to the back of his mind as if trying to forget about it would make him more innocent. "If you insist. But I assure you that I'm not one to indulge in gossip like a common housewife."

Grinning, Percival took up his wine glass and had a long sip to wash down the last of his meal. "Well, it isn't exactly gossip if it's true and probably old news to many here," he reasoned. "Mister tall, dark, and grouchy appears to have other preferences. He is apparently quite serious with the pirate, Sigurd."

As he had no idea who Sigurd was exactly, his name meant little to Borus and he hardly looked surprised. "Pirates, mercenaries, it makes little difference. Although I hardly thought female pirates were all that common, I suppose neither are female mercenaries."

"Ahh..." Percival coughed behind his hand. "Sigurd is a man, Borus. A rather tall, lanky, no-nonsense sort of man, to boot."

Borus blinked for a few moments in confusion before wrinkling his nose and forehead in disapproval. "I ... see. That's a surprise. He doesn't seem like the type ... to find interest in other men." Trying his best to remain polite, and failing, he added, "I thought that fruitcakes like Augustine were the type to indulge in that kind of ... behavior."

Hearing the change in Borus' tone, Percival sighed quietly to himself. "Well, he isn't the only one around here. And I daresay most are probably...not who you would think." He shrugged a little. "He seems happy, though. I've never asked him about it, I don't think the captain is that close of a friend to care what I think."

Still frowning, he nodded. "True. And to each their own. It's just that ... I can't imagine that a loving relationship is possible between anyone other than a man and a woman. And I can't pretend to understand either. Women are beautiful. How can any man not see that?"

Percival flushed very slightly, but tried to keep his reaction unnoticeable. "You sound almost like Sir Kyle, saying things like that," he chuckled. "Ah...I suppose the world takes all kinds of people. It isn't our place to deny them."

"No, I suppose it isn't. As hard as it has been for me to come to grips for accepting other cultures and ways of life, I have come to understand that we can't scorn other people for being different. The war taught me that much." Looking confused again, he asked, "Who is this Kyle? And should I be worried that you're comparing me to him?"

"He is a Queen's Knight of Falena," Percival said with a measure of respect. "He is marrying Miss Bernadette, actually, but I remember when I first met him, over a year ago. He often spoke of his love for women with as much passion as most men reserve for food or battle." The thought of Borus actually being as bad as Kyle made him giggle for a moment.

"I see. So he's also a philandering flirt." Borus frowned before being startled at Percival's sudden laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Was," Percival corrected. "The right woman appears to have tamed him. Nothing~!" he insisted with a lilt. "I was just thinking that it's a good thing you have far more manners than any philanderer around here."

Snorting, Borus nodded. "Well, good for him. And I hope for that poor woman's sake that he remains tamed." He huffed a little at Percival's comment and shook his head. "Of course I do. I would never dare to do or say anything inappropriate to a lady. I was raised better than that."

"Can you just imagine the mayhem the two of us would wreak through the streets and lanes of Zexen if we were both less than the gentlemen we are?" Percival's grin threatened to split his face in two.

Borus raised an amused eyebrow and shook his head with a knowing smile. "I'd rather not imagine such a scenario. I'm afraid it would be disasterous."

Laughing in agreement, Percival raised his glass for a toast. "Then, let's be thankful that we are who we are, and nothing less. To the Mighty Knights!"

Smirking, Borus nodded as he raised his glass as well, clinking it against Percival's. "To the Mighty Knights. And all gentlemen everywhere."