24 (forward dated slightly)

[takethat]

[In the early morning hours of Sunday, there are some smudged words appearing in the journals, written in blue ink and a sloppy hand. For once, he's heeding the possibility that most of the castle residents are likely still sleeping--and he's trying to be quiet.]

It's November 11.

I've been here for a year today.

[He pauses, considering how far he's come in that past year, contemplating what he does and doesn't want to list out for the whole castle to see. In the end, he settles on a very brief little written list, more for the benefit of his own memory than anything else.]


In November, I got here.
In December, I kissed Maya Fey and Geoffrey Chaucer, and I went to Paris.
January brought Miles.
In February, I gained my voice back again.
March saw some really amazing birthday gifts.
In April, Sunflower found me.
In May, I was a mermaid, a phoenix, and a father.
In June everything started to make a lot more sense.
July took away my closest friend in this place, and also gave me something more.
In August, I tried to lead artists.
In September, I met my daughter.
And in October, I broke my leg, lost my arm, became a pony, and existed in others' nightmares.

Let's see what you've got to throw at me for this next year, castle.


[And then, because it's been far too long coming, he scribbles in a filter.]


[ Maya Fey ]

Maya. I need to tell you something.

Comments

[cantacquityou]

[chuckles] ...Well done.

[takethat]

...do I get a reward?

[cantacquityou]

Whoops. Fresh out of those...

[takethat]

Bah.

[He blows a raspberry.]

See when I learn lessons from you again!

.5

[cantacquityou]

[..."Bah."

Well, if that didn't remind him of someone in particular...]

1.00

[cantacquityou]

[Ahem.]

...Then again, they're all really for your benefit rather than mine.

[takethat]

Still trying to better me into a Miles-approved person, huh? I'm afraid you're just going to have to accept me the way I am. Warts and all.

[cantacquityou]

"Warts"? You're not on a loss again, are you?

[takethat]

It's just a figure of speech!

[Laugh]

Don't worry... if I'm turned into a frog, you'll be the first to know.

[cantacquityou]

...Let us hope that never happens. Your mouth is big enough as it is.

[takethat]

You'd have to kiss me to make it better, you know.

[cantacquityou]

I hope you like swamps.

[takethat]

Your willingness to sacrifice yourself for me is astounding.

[cantacquityou]

Well, it'd be rather useless, don't you think? After all, I am not a princess.

[takethat]

You have a valid point... ...but you were a prince when I was a mermaid.

[cantacquityou]

You simply had to remind me...

[takethat]

Didn't you read my list of notable events this past year? That should've already reminded you!

[cantacquityou]

I was particularly curious about June.

[takethat]

Were you?

[He quirks an eyebrow, even if he can't be seen.]

You're a smart guy. Surely you have a guess.

[cantacquityou]

A few, really. I'd simply like to know if any are correct.

[takethat]

Guess away.

Here's a hint: it's about you. I know you're shocked.

[cantacquityou]

We had not spoken for over a month, imagine...

[takethat]

Yeah... that's true. And I realized a lot in that amount of time.

Like that I never wanted to go that long without talking to you again.

[cantacquityou]

It took you so long to come up with just that?

[takethat]

It only took a few days for me to realize that.

If you remember, it was your choice to avoid me during that time... not the other way around. So I had plenty of time to think when I didn't want to.