SWNOVELXO Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Do you eat?
The next morning Russ sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the wall. He was thinking about the events that unfurled the previous day, feeling something he wasn't too familiar with.
Laying his head in his hands he said, "Why do I care? I've never cared about anything before!", his words muffled by his hands. "Tell me all about it! Maybe I can help?" A voice from the corner of the room said.
Looking up and scowling at the sword in the corner Russ said, "No thanks, I'd rather kiss Peter than take advice from a crusty old sword!"
"Well I'm here if you need me…I'm ALWAYS here!" The sword said ominously.
Russ scoffed and shook his head. He really wanted to try and convince Ceril that he really wasn't intentionally doing what she thought he was. Not that he didn't kind of enjoy it, but that's beside the point. He really just wanted to make her understand, and that bothered him.
As long as Russ can remember, he's only cared about one person, himself, so why does he care now? Is he that smitten by her? Has he developed a high degree of care for her? Was it….LOVE?? He shuddered at the thought! 'That can't be' he thought to himself, 'I don't love anything or anyone except myself and my power'.
Russ made the decision, he was going to confront her and if she accepted his apology then he'd ask her on a date, to end this nagging feeling. If she rejected him then that was it, he would be done.
Out of habit he grabbed the sword before leaving the room and attached it to his hip. "So you are going to accept my help?" The sword said.
"Don't get the wrong idea" Russ replied "I just feel…naked without a sword and you're the only one in the room."
The sword chuckled, then remained quiet as Russ walked out of his room and down the hall. Headed toward the stairs to go up to where Ceril's room was located he kept repeating to himself, "I'm so sorry Ceril, it wasn't intentional, I swear on my….my life, yeah I swear on my life" Russ nodded to himself in confirmation.
"That's….that's your apology?" The sword asked.
"That's it! And no I'm not asking you for help!" Russ said, a growl in his tone, "I'm doing this myself"
"Damn I really wish I had some popcorn for this!" the sword chuckled and fell quiet.
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Ceril was standing in front of the mirror, her red eyes staring back at her. She was replaying the events of yesterday in her mind. "Was I too harsh?" She said to herself, literally, she's staring in the mirror. As if waiting for a response from her reflection she continued, "I shouldn't have reacted that way, I just thought he was different!".
She felt as though her heart was being ripped out just thinking about it. But, the more she thought about it the worse she felt at the same time. A sense of dread and more so a sense of regret washed over her. "That's that!" She exclaimed "I'm going to go talk to him and let him explain!". She turned and hurriedly walked out of her room.
As Ceril was rushing out of her room, she turned and *BAM* slammed right into someone's chest. She felt a stiff jab in her stomach and quickly looked up.
It was none other than, Russ.
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Russ was walking at a quick pace, thinking the whole time about what he was going to tell Ceril. He was so caught up in his reverie that he didn't notice any of his surroundings then ….*BAM*…he walked right into something small and soft.
It was none other than, Ceril.
When Ceril looked up into Russ's face, and feeling the stiff pressure on her stomach, she remembered her dream and immediately turned away, her face flushed almost as red as her eyes.
"Oh! Oh gods! Are you ok?" Russ quickly went to her side. "Yes" Ceril said "I'm fine just…it's nothing". Russ regarded her and her beauty as he held his hand against the cool skin of her arm. "I didn't see you…." They both said at the same time, then laughed.
Ceril turned to face him again her eyes looked soft. "I'm sorry for over reacting yesterday, I was coming to find you and hear you out." Ceril looked him straight in his eyes. Russ turned his head and looked at the floor, rubbing the back of his neck he replied "I was actually coming to tell you that I was sorry, and that I swear on my life it wasn't intentional", "I just couldn't seem to get you off my mind when I was training and, well, you know the rest".
But Ceril looked at him and stepped closer. Her red eyes seemed to almost be glowing. She grabbed his hand and held it in both of hers. "I believe you" she said softly "but don't ever let it happen again". Russ turned and looked at her with surprise. 'Is this real?' He thought 'she accepted my apology?'.
A sneaky voice sounded in Russ's head "This is the part where you ki….". But before the sword could finish its statement grabbed it and threw it with all his might. The sword shattered through the window. "Go get her tiger" it said as it fell three stories to the ground.
Stunned by what just happened Ceril said,"Did I miss something?" And looked towards the now broken window. "No" Russ said "Don't worry about that". He placed his free hand on top of hers that was holding his and looked deep into her eyes. "Ceril, do you eat, I mean that is, do you want to eat?" "With me?", "No what I'm asking is…" Russ was struggling to get the words out.
Ceril pressed a single finger to his lips and spoke softly, "Yes Russ, I'd love to eat you" her eyes went wide, Russ's eyes went wide and they both doubled over with laughter.