Lone Canon Warrior at towerofanimus

[proteusmoon]

I am grateful that you persevered in the application process, even when matters looked bleak to you. It has been a while since we've spoken, but you still did well and slowly everything is coming back to you. I did not doubt your abilities; just like your friends believed in you, so did I. We've been together for a long time and I think you know me better than you are perhaps able to remember right now, for reasons that I more than understand. I know your problems— I had them myself. You must remember that you are capable of more than you often give yourself credit for, you know, and this is proof of that. You are not as alone as you may feel and you need only allow yourself the company of those who care about you to remember that, even when you feel you don't deserve it.

Don't be discouraged. We've come this far and there are already a few friends of yours there at the tower who are willing to reach out to me. It is not hopeless. We will make new friends, even if it's not likely we will see old ones.

All that matters is what's inside us. Right?

Comments

[ayebrows]

Ye sure this place is a good idea? By th' sound of my mun, it don' sound too homely.

[Despite this, a part of him totally wishes he could go too. Though not really for the actual game.]

[proteusmoon]

No... I expect it isn't. Admittedly, only Amelia was going at first. I'm not sure what convinced her to place me there as well— before her, in fact...

[ Cecil shakes her head. ]

I'm happy to go if she wishes it though. I've faced similar challenges.

[ It's somewhat a lie, but she doesn't want Scotland worrying about her. A small part of her wishes he could come as well, but the majority of her is glad he won't have to face the horrors of that tower. Nothing about it sounds good. ]

[ayebrows]

'Shame either of ye're goin'.

[He frowns. He can't deny that he's wary about Amelia going, too. And he's spent enough time with his brother to know that Arthur definitely is.]

I'm sure ye can take of yerself. Jus'... be careful in that place. Careful who ye trust.

[He doesn't doubt Cecil abilities, but that doesn't mean he isn't rather worried for her. He has not heard anything good about this game.]

[proteusmoon]

[ Cecil smiles at him softly and places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ]

Don't worry so much. Amelia will be all right, I think. She has your brother and Alice to look after her and surely she'll take care of herself as well, knowing there's a little Alfred who could perhaps use her company too. Our mun suspects she may have some trouble adjusting to the rules of the tower initially, but nothing too serious.

[ Ah, Cecil. So painfully optimistic. ]

[ayebrows]

Aye. She'll be alrigh'...

[Amelia does have a lot of people looking out for her, and he doesn't doubt her ability to look after herself either.]

Ye both will. Ye're capable.

[He folds his arms across his chest, giving a grin that feels more like a grimace. His optimism is a little more forced than Cecil's.]

Prob'ly able to figh' ye way outta there, between ye.

[proteusmoon]

[ Even Cecil notices the uncertainty in his expression. ]

I won't be able to speak to her myself, because we share a mun, but she's in good hands. I know you care about her, but you're right— she's capable.

[ayebrows]

[His smile drops, his brow creasing. He cares about America, sure, but more than that...]

I wasn't jus' talkin' 'bout Amelia.

[proteusmoon]

[ At first, Cecil looks... confused. When she comes to understand what he's implying, surprise registers on her fair features briefly before she obviously becomes a little flustered. She's touched he thinks of her so much and although the paladin has become better with accepting affection and friendship from others, sometimes she doubts she's deserving of it and Scotland, being what he is, caring about her enough to genuinely worry about her, catches her off guard. ]

I... will be all right. I have been alone before.

[ She may not be so used to solitude anymore, but fact remains that she spent quite a while isolating herself from others, finding herself to be too wretched for most companionship. It can't be so difficult to remember to fight alone again. ]

[ayebrows]

[Scotland nods, a little flustered himself now, not used to expressing his feelings so freely. He runs a hand through his hair, sighing softly. He's grown to like Cecil a lot in the short time they've been spending together lately, and he doesn't like the thought of all the things he's heard go on in that game happening to her. Again, he wishes he could go; it frustrates him that he isn't able to do anything.]

Make sure ye are. Or I'd have t' break the rules an' get in there myself.

[He grins, trying to lighten the mood, though again, his smile is a little forced.]

[proteusmoon]

[ Despite all, Cecil does chuckle. She smiles at Scotland affectionately though, the sentiment of his words not lost on her. Of course it'd be impossible for him to make good on his promise of rule-breaking, but she appreciates him sayi g so nonetheless. She takes his hand in hers and rests her head against his shoulder. ]

Thank you. That means a lot to my mun — and to me. I promise I will take care of myself.

[ Well. As long as, er, vivisection without anesthesia isn't on the agenda any time soon... ]

[ayebrows]

[He smiles back at her, squeezing her hand gently and resting his own head against hers with a sigh.]

Good. Y'know, Alice, the female England I share a headspace with, she's off there an' all, an'-

[He pulls a face slightly, brow furrowing, but he has to admit...]

She could be a good ally... s'pose.

[proteusmoon]

[ That causes Cecil to tilt her head upwards, looking up into Scotland's face with a raised brow. From what she's heard, he and his siblings aren't terribly fond of the Englands. This is something she understands, as her... relationship with her own sibling is far from perfect. But it's significant that he would suggest Alice for an ally to the white knight when he spends so much of his time claiming to despise her and Arthur, insisting they do more harm than good to everyone.

She doesn't question it though— at least not verbally. She smiles instead and cups his face with her hands. ]

You are a good friend.

[ayebrows]

[Scotland can't help but notice the look Cecil gives him, and he can't blame her for being surprised. He hates Alice just as much as Arthur, and he'd never admit to either England that he gave such advice to Cecil; he would warn Cecil against doing the same if he didn't already know it wasn't possible, anyway. He doesn't hate them enough to underestimate either of them, though. He knows Arthur could make a good ally, provided he's definitely on your side, and that Alice is probably the same. Scotland would never try to ally with England himself, of course. There's too much history and he has too much pride; it would be-- degrading. But Cecil... He wants to help her, and he knows he can't, personally. He hopes England might be able to a little, though.

He offers Cecil a warm smile, leaning into her touch.]

Ah, s'jus' a bit of advice... I know ye will be alrigh'.

[proteusmoon]

Thank you for having faith in me.

[ Cecil remains close to Scotland and begins to softly rub circles against his cheeks with her thumbs; she's affectionate, but not overly so. He does make her happy when he's around and she meant what she said: he is a good friend to her. ]

I'm not certain though if I should be grateful that our muns have decided what they have about us and the Tower. It isn't safe. You shouldn't have to be there, in any way.

[ayebrows]

[Scotland appreciates the closeness, and then affection, placing a hand on her hip. He hums in agreement, frowning as he considers what she said.]

Ah, I'll be alrigh', we both will... But 'm not gonna lie though, I can think of better places they could put us together.

[proteusmoon]

[ She chuckles and nods. ]

Thinking of better places hardly seems difficult, considering. But it will be good to see you more, regardless. I'll protect you there. I will take care of you.

[ayebrows]

[He appreciates the thought, his cheeks turning a little pink at her words, but he can't help but let his pride jump in a bit.]

Ah, ye don' need to protect me. I can take of myself. I can take care o' both'f us.

[proteusmoon]

[ Cecil doesn't make people blush. Or at least... not very often. This is an unusual occurrence for her and she finds it rather peculiar, especially when she doesn't think she said anything worthy of such a reaction. ]

I know I don't need to, but I would like to. I want to. I would... feel more at ease if you would allow me to.

[ayebrows]

[Scotland doesn't embarrass easy, so this is perhaps rare for the both of them. But scarcely has someone wanted to protect him, or take care of him. He sighs, giving a small nod.]

Alrigh'. Alrigh', how 'bout this. How 'bout we look after each other, eh? 'Ave each other's back.

[proteusmoon]

[ She can tell he acquiesces in reply, but she feels honored that he would do so for her and she laughs up at him while leaning closer to hug him around his neck. She also kisses him on the cheek, partially as thanks, but also out of the sheer want to do so. ]

You have a bargain.

[ayebrows]

[The hug is something he was half expecting. He's never been particularly good with hugs, but he smiles against Cecil's hair, wrapping his arms around her waist. However, the kiss takes him rather a bit by surprise, albeit certainly not an unpleasant surprise, and his smile turns a little embarrassed. He covers it easily though, pressing his forehead to hers and feeling better than he had been.]

Ah, alrigh'. 'That case, those monster or whatever they 'ave there'll be hard pressed to get to us.