Location: Beatrice's Suite, Pyrena Castle
Time: 7:00 AST
Entering the numbers again on the keypad Lucinda entered Beatrice's suite, "Good morning," she simply said, noticing that Beatrice had not touched her breakfast. "It is the most important meal of the day, so they say so," she said as she called for a fresh breakfast to be brought to the suite, "let's see that you enjoy a fresh breakfast instead of one that's been allowed to grow stale." Beatrice stared at Lucinda as she spoke sitting on the side of her bed before she rose to her feet and, at her own amazement, took Lucinda from her feet and placed her underneath her on the bed, running her fingers down the side of her face. "Damn you," Beatrice said before kissing Lucinda which brought her pause, "I told you that you don't get to play this robot act again so," she said offering another kiss, "what must I do to get the real you back? When do I get to see your smile and hear the tonality that your voice deserves?"
Lucinda gently pushed Beatrice aside and stood facing away from her, tears welling in her eyes before she turned to face her. "Damn it Beatrice don't you see," she said with sorrow pointing to the picture of Alex on her nightstand, "It's never going to happen, and if I don't put my emotions and feelings aside I'll be far too weak and vulnerable, to protect you from anything, most of all yourself in recent times. I love you, I really do, I did from the first moment I saw you on that playground and from the moment I intimidated those foolish boys, every step along the way you've been the heart of my eye but," she sucked a deep breath in, "you're a wife, and you made a vow to a good man. Now if Alex were a piece of shit I'd gladly see him removed from the equation but he's not so I will not see you break your vows to him and I won't let you hurt him, not on my watch, and most certainly not for my sake. I did what I had to do to protect you, it would've been so much more difficult if your plan had succeeded, why I'd likely have to behead Freya herself to get you back," she said in an attempt at humour, "don't think I could take her, do you?" she said after a moment of silence.
"You probably could," Beatrice finally offered a chuckle, "but yes, I am a wife, I have vows to honour, but there'll always be you, make no mistake Alex is a wonderful husband, he's given me beautiful children and he's always supported me but when I think upon who my soul mate is, it's your face I always see, your heart I long for; don't get me wrong I love him with every fibre of who I am, I just wished that I'd realized all of this before making those vows, you know? As usual, your problems are my fault, and I'm so sorry Luci, you deserved so much more and your heart latched itself to me; Beatrice Lackblade, Beatrice Disappointment, Beatric..."
Lucinda then found herself sitting aside Beatrice cradling her while she placed her hand over her mouth, "you stop that right now, I won't see you fall into the pit of self pity and doubt. I might not hold rank but, according to the Rosari my tenure never expires so, you keep that head held high, whatever comes from those tapes, yes <0 informed me the conversation has been discovered, we'll get through it, you and me," she said as she guided Beatrice's face to hers gently. "No more crying, no more frowns, they're not well worn on your face, they never were," she said as she wiped the tears from Beatrice's eyes before standing to leave.
"I'm not saying the future is set in stone," she said as she placed her hand on the door knob, "you ever find a way to make sure Alex is okay and in a manner that doesn't betray your vows to him, I'll always welcome you, I always envied how he was there for each moment I feel I should have been there, to hear your deepest concerns and thoughts through the days, but I won't see you betray any vow and I won't see you dishonour yourself. There's an open door, but it's one dependent upon many, many perquisites, but if you work those out I'll be waiting. If you can't, well," she paused, "you've a loving husband and father in your corner, so either way you come out ahead. Don't let yourself wallow in suffering, please. Either way, you'll have us both I imagine," she said as she left.
