[Action]

[lunarborn]

[Cecil hadn't known he had a son. He hadn't known how quickly he would grow to love that son, nor how heartbroken he would be when the boy would flee the relative safety of his household due to the tiniest of scuffles with a good friend. A good friend who, evidently, had been wildly and passionately lusting after the woman who is now Cecil's wife.

Comments

[esper_flight]

[Terra doesn't often visit the desert, but with Moro in such a state, there's no sense in visiting the forest for now. Her plans include sticking near the mountains, but occasionally, she ventures out further when something catches her interest. Like now.

Spotting someone below as she soars around in Esper form, Terra grows curious. When she's close enough to recognize Cecil, the half-esper backs away and checks to make certain that he doesn't notice anything before landing and reverting to human form.

Only then does she step forward, pausing with in a few paces. She doesn't say anything at first, curious...and uncertain if she ought to be interrupting.]

[lunarborn]

[After a period, Cecil's concentration breaks long enough to recognize the crunch in the sand denoting someone's presence. He glances over his shoulder at her, smiling softly.] Milady Terra. It has been far too long since we've last spoken.

[esper_flight]

[Terra smiles in return, remembering that well and relieved that there doesn't seem to be the tension of last time.]

Hello, Cecil...and I suppose it has. What are you doing out here?

[lunarborn]

[There's been enough time since then for Cecil to calm somewhat and become less upfront about his concerns over Luceti's politics.]

I was utilizing the moment to... commune with nature, as it were. [Somewhat]

[orchidsandfire]

[Diana is patrolling the desert when she spots a lone figure amidst the expanse of sand. She hovers high above Cecil, looking curiously at what obviously was a ritual of prayer. This is the first time she's seen someone pray in Luceti.]

[lunarborn]

[That could be because prayer is such a private, personal matter that most would rather do in secret. At least, that's what Cecil has done to convince himself that his Lucetian neighbors aren't all faithless heathens. Diana is high enough that Cecil doesn't detect her presence just yet, and instead bows down lower, issuing his words in a quiet murmur.]

[orchidsandfire]

[She doesn't want to interrupt, so she only lowers herself to the ground when it looks like he's finished talking to his god/s.]

[lunarborn]

[He pulls himself upright after a short pause, though his gaze remains skyward until the woman appears before him.] Ah... Good afternoon, Milady. Might I help you?

[uspoonybard]

[Tellah will be warping in for a moment and will wait until Cecil's moment is over. He could imagine how hard the month had been on him, and wanted to do what he could to offer any support he could.]

Are you alright, Cecil?

[lunarborn]

[Aww, Tellah. It's less that the month has been hard, but more that it's really quite hard to keep burying the unpleasant in a place where the unpleasant likes to smack you in the face. Metaphorically.] Ah--Tellah, you've startled me! [Though he didn't exactly jump when the old man appeared so close by.] I'm well. How fare you? [Because the proper way to handle concern is to deflect it and pretend they're not talking about him.]

[uspoonybard]

[Well, when it comes to the rather abusive relationship between Tellah and his pseudo-son-in-law, it's not quite as metaphorical as in other cases. Tellah's going for the high score in 'Whack-an-Ed'.]

I am fine. I did not come out here to talk about me, however... [Nice try Cecil. But he's not a Sage for nothing remember.]

I can only imagine the torrent of emotions you must be feeling right now. I remember, when Anna was born, it was the happiest moment of my life. The simple experience of becoming a father is something that is beyond words... and while I can tell that you have grown to love Ceodore in hardly no time at all, I cannot fathom having that experience stolen from me...

[He pulls his pipe from within his robe and chews on it slightly.]

Ceodore wanted me to tell you and Rosa that he has taken to camping in the forest for the time being, and that he is fine.

[lunarborn]

Ceodore is a good lad. He's honest and good. Eager and strong. He shall be a fitting heir someday. [He doesn't meet Tellah's eyes as he says any of this; it's far too personal for him to say with any comfort.] As long as he continues to act properly, there is no reason to worry.

....Yet I am happy that he's safe. Why is it that he's left? [The unspoken question is very much there: "Am I a terrible father?"]