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

[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.

[cantacquityou]

When you did not want to..?

[takethat]

Why are you making this difficult? It was a good thing. A good one.

[cantacquityou]

It was not my intention to make anything difficult, though I suppose a little thinking has always had that sort of effect on you.

[takethat]

...




I'd say I'm withholding sex for that comment, but I get the feeling you'd consider that a bonus.

[cantacquityou]

You..? ...Withhold sex? I must say, is that even possible?

[takethat]

You forget that before I met you, my sex life was nonexistent.

[cantacquityou]

Ah, so you have been making up for lost time, I take it?

[takethat]

I feel like there's no right answer to this question.

[cantacquityou]

...then you have perhaps come up with more possible responses than I have.

[takethat]

[He bangs his head against the journal.]

You couldn't just let me say June was when I realized I was in love with you, could you?