mooglenet_backup | [Action] Post Heads of State Meeting

[Ceodore's mostly hanging out on the fringes of the rest of the crowd. Not that he doesn't like socializing but he feels entirely out of his league right now.]

[So does Ursula, though she is doing her best not to show it. When there's a free moment, she pauses by the prince.]

...Ceodore?

Uh, hey.

[Have a nervous smile. He's only just realizing that he volunteered her without asking.]

[Yes, he did. It might not have been the best of ideas when Ursula is still getting over his other, recent, misstep.]

Ceodore...why did you volunteer me?

[It was impulsive of him, but Ceodore really did mean well. Just... he hadn't quite thought out the consequences before speaking.]

I know you've been waiting for a chance to use your abilities and you deserve it.

Edited 2011-01-16 00:33 (UTC)

[Ursula seems pensive at that, but there's something else on her mind, something more pressing.]

...and because you didn't want it.

I... um... Well, no.

But I swear that's not why! I didn't even think it. [At that particular moment anyway.]

But why do you say I deserve it? I have no more experience than you. Nothing I have done stems from skill that you do not also possess.

[But he can't see any skill in himself. He's still working on that.]

I thought it'd make you happy.

Everyone deserves their chance, Ursula.

[It doesn't take Cecil long to spot his son when he's hanging on the fringes like that, so he makes a beeline for him. ~~Better run now, kid.~~]

Ceodore. I think you and I need to talk.

[Uh oh. Cecil's already got that look. No good can come from this. Ceodore nods solemnly. ~~No running! He knows he screwed up.~~]

Yes, Father.

[Cecil leads him away from the rest of the group to where they can talk in private.]

I trust you already know what I want to discuss?

Yes, sir.

[More nodding. Yeah, he knows.]

If you've an explanation, I'd like to hear it. Why Ursula?

Because she's been waiting for a shot to prove herself. She's very capable. She deserves that chance and she wouldn't ask for herself.

[You barely even gave her a chance to blink before you blurted it out, Ceodore, never mind volunteer herself.]

But that's also true of you. Your knight trial -- you also undertook that to have a chance to prove yourself. Why did you not volunteer?

[He's told his mother as much before and seeing her angry was too much. This time he can't bring himself to even look at his father.]

I don't want to.

[It's bad enough knowing that he's duty bound to take over Baron eventually and the comparisons will never end. Volunteer for more? Not a chance.]

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[After that somewhat embarrassing display earlier thanks to Lord Puck, Edward decides to confront Ceodore later once most of the crowd dispersed.]

Ceodore? [His tone is as gentle as ever.] Are you well?

Uh, um... yeah. I'm fine.

Are you certain?

[He peers at Ceodore in hopes of finding the truth within the youth's eyes.]

You seem so...uncomfortable here. I understand that the High Council may seem a had daunting to converse with, but they're all good hardworking people.

You can trust them, Ceodore.

It's um, it's not that.

Father's back and everyone looks to him. I was just supposed to listen and learn. Can't even do that right.

[Mild shock settles upon the bard's face.]

Ceodore, I...I don't believe you've done anything wrong. If anything, I'm only a tad perplexed as to why you didn't volunteer yourself for the sake of Narshe.

You are a good leader, Ceodore.

[He shakes his head.]

Father is a good leader. I'm just a soldier in his army.

And Ursula deserved her chance.

[Edward almost doesn't what to say to that...]

Oh, Ceodore! This cannot be what you truly believe! You're more than just a soldier, young man.

You're the Prince of Baron! The same greatness your father possesses, you possess as well. You're no mere grunt!

[SIGH. And a heavy one too. Although Edward's probably the most likely to be understanding about this.]

My father's greatness... People have these expectations of me, because of who my parents are. They don't see me. They see 'the son of Cecil and Rosa.' And... I don't think I can ever live up to them.