![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
percivalthegale) wrote2008-07-15 07:55 pm
Prose log with Luserina
miss_luserina)When: evening of July 15, the day before her birthday
Where: the cafe
What: Percival has to give Luserina some bad news...
Luserina had been trying to find Percival all evening--a task made more difficult by Percival being on patrol, oops. Having found that out, she had decided to wait and see if she could snag him before he went to dinner. Just her luck, as she was headed for his room, Percival came out the door. Such good timing!
"Percival, how are you?" she smiled at him.
Percival turned with a start at the pleasant voice. "Oh, Luserina. Hello!" He smiled kindly. "Tired and hungry, to be honest. And you?"
"Quite well, myself. Your patrol went well, I hope?" Luserina curtseyed a little, reflexively. "Since neither of us seems to have had dinner, would you care to join me at the cafe?"
"Oh, as well as can be expected," Percival replied with a little shrug. "I spent part of the day trying to find the bit of the fountain that's missing, someone broke it or something." He regarded her invitation and nodded. "I suppose, as long as we were both going that way anyway. There's no sense in dining alone, is there?"
"No sense in it at all. Shall we, then?" With that, Luserina made her way toward the cafe, though she waited for Percival to find a table before she sat down. "I've not seen you very much lately, Percival," she teased lightly. "A girl might think you were avoiding her. Oughtn't we prepare for another round of the game?"
Like a decent gentleman, Percival picked a table and held the chair out for Luserina. "Ah, well, you see," he tried to explain, "I've been rather busy. With Lady Chris often away, running between here and Vinay and Brass Castle, someone has to stay on hand and do all the dirty work." He smiled around the back of the chair for her. "And I've been helping in the stables, too. Ah, that's right...the game." He sidled over to his own chair. "I hadn't forgotten about that."
Luserina made herself comfortable in her seat, ordering a small meal for herself before returning to the conversation. "Yes, I must apologise. Things got very topsy-turvy for a bit. I do hope I didn't seem as though I was ignoring you; I certainly wasn't."
Percival placed an order as well and then smiled across the table. "That's good to hear. I was very curious, after things seemed to go so well and then...nothing." He tilted his head curiously. "I hope none of the other men involved did anything to make you want to throw the whole thing away?"
"Oh no, not at all!" She waved a hand, dismissing the notion. "Really, truly, I just got so caught up in other things--injuries to deal with, you know, usual infirmary things. Honestly, all the men involved have been quite nice." She toyed with her drink a little before peering at Percival again. "Although, I was rather looking forward to another outing with you."
The knight lowered his eyes, looking shy for some reason. "Were you? I'm...well, I'm flattered." He picked up his head and smiled again. "I suppose, then, you ought to announce the second round, so I can begin planning how to outdo my last date."
"Well...." Luserina glance away, blushing a little. "Actually. Percival. I was hoping perhaps we could...enjoy an outing outside of the competition sometime."
Percival sat up a bit, his eyes widening in surprise. He clamped down on his reaction and hid it behind a well-trained calm mask. "Outside, you say? But...wouldn't that make things a little unfair for the others?" He neglected to bring up the May Day festival - after all, they only agreed to meet there, not to make it a "date" of sorts. It didn't count.
"I suppose it might be, a bit, but do you suppose it really matters? It is only a game, after all, and it isn't as though I am required to continue a relationship with the winner." She had thought it over a bit and come to that conclusion.
"This is true." Percival made a fist and rested his chin on it, trying to appear nonchalant even though his mind was racing. "I had thought about that. How it didn't really matter if I won or lost...it's just for fun, isn't it?"
"Absolutely!" Luserina leaned forward, her meal largely forgotten. "The whole thing really is just for fun. That's why I can't see how it would matter if I continued to...to make friends outside of it."
"Friends..." That word put Percival comfortably at ease for the moment, as his meal was served to him. He nodded casually as he began to eat. "Well, when you put it that way. I do consider you a friend, Luserina, and it's always nice to spend time with friends." His gaze wandered, and he sighed. "Since most of my other friends are busy or away."
Luserina smiled. "You see, I agree entirely! It's really wonderful to spend time with friends. With--well, with you." She picked at her salad absentmindedly.
Percival made his way through his meal for a bit, but Luserina's hesitance got his attention. One elegant eyebrow arched curiously. "I suppose, being as busy as I have been, I haven't been much of a friend to you, either. Was there...something in particular you wanted to do?"
Oh dear, she was feeling shy again. Playing the proactive role really put her out of her element, but Percival hadn't exactly been forthcoming, so she supposed this might be the only way to catch his eye. "Well...you had mentioned a second date...."
"I did?" Percival looked befuddled. "You mean the game..."
"No, actually...I mean outside the game." She fussed with her skirts.
Percival could not for the life of him remember saying so. Was it at the festival? No...she wasn't around when he was drunk and stupid. "W-well," he flustered, "if I did, I...I don't think I had any ideas what to make of such a date. Forgive me, Luserina...I guess my mind just hasn't been on social matters lately."
"Oh, no!" She realised she hadn't been clear. "No, Percival, what I meant was.... I meant I wouldn't mind a second date outside the context of the game."
"Just...a date." Feeling stupid for not having understood up until this point, Percival set his fork down before he dropped it. "You're asking me for one, for real."
Luserina blushed, embarrassed. "Yes! Oh--that is. I'm sorry I'm being so forward."
Percival shook his head slightly. "You don't have to apologize. There's no rule that says a woman can't ask a man out." He scratched idly at an imaginary itch on his cheek. "But I...er, that is...well, you see..." It suddenly became very hard to form words.
Percival's sudden apparent discomfort was not lost on Luserina, and she couldn't help but comment. "Is something wrong?"
"I do like you, Luserina, you're a kind and sweet woman," Percival immediately said, wanting to make sure that part was clear. "But I'm not sure...that is, I don't want to lead you on..."
Luserina may not have had much experience with relationships, but she knew bad news when she heard it. She sat back a little, chewing at her lip. "What do you mean?"
Percival always hated this part. He'd had to do it more than once - but never to someone he actually liked and respected. He fidgeted awkwardly, tugging again at his loose collar. "Since our last date...well, I've had a lot of time to think about it. And, er...I don't think I have any sort of...romantic feelings, right now."
"Oh." She tried not to look to upset about that, but composing a neutral expression was more difficult than she thought it would be. "Well--of course I don't...expect you to. That would be silly, so early into things, wouldn't it?"
Percival's dark eyes saddened; oh goddess, not that look. It always broke his sympathetic heart. "But it wouldn't be right of me to accept a date if my heart isn't in it, would it? If...if you were hoping for more, and I couldn't give it to you."
Luserina hazarded a smile, though it was weak. "No, of course, Percival, you're right. I couldn't ask that of you, and I'm very sorry. In fact, I..." she stood suddenly, "I should probably get back. There is plenty to do at the infirmary, after all, and I've been away...quite a while. Please excuse me." She hated to be rude, but at the same time, to have been shot down so very thoroughly pained her, and she felt the need to leave.
Percival shot up out of his chair out of instinct. "Luserina, wait. I'm sorry," he said sympathetically. "I really am. I don't mean to hurt you...I really do value your friendship. I mean it." He knew the words sounded trite, but he honestly meant them this time. If there was one thing he never did, it was lie to a friend. If only she knew that!
"I know. I do. I believe you, Percival." It was hard to keep her smile on, but she managed somehow. "Please...excuse me. I really should get back...." With that last hesitant excuse, she practically fled the cafe, leaving her food behind, untouched, in her rush to leave.
Percival sank back into his chair, not at all heartened by her assurance. He wasn't sure if getting that off his chest made things better or worse, all he could do in the moment was finish his dinner, and politely pay up for both of them, though the empty setting across from him left him somewhat bothered the rest of the night.
OOC
Percy wants Borus, don't you know?This was a nice read, you both did great!OOC:
Re: OOC:
(Percival will be feeling rather stupid for a while, yes)