-Laciel Lenssed : Training Grounds-

As the boy stumbled on his words, he flinched as the blade of Guineveres sword almost came into contact with his fleshy face, which wouldn't look good in the long run. It was only a natural reaction to try and move away from an opponent to avoid getting part of your face cut off, but in Laciels case, he would need a few stitches and a concotion from Alixianna. Either way, he avoided any harm yet again as he stared at the sword as it abruptly stopped, his eyes fixated on the girls hand. There was tension still embedded within him, latching on and keeping him on edge.

It was about to get worse in the long run as a random screech struck up behind him.

His next natural reaction was to turn around in sheer animosity with an earpircing city of surprise. This only worsened the boys state of mind as he fell onto his behind, looking up at a triumphant Varric. Laciel felt that he was forced to play the fool, a cad in the situation, not the well mannered scholar he was born as. Even worse was he believed he did something wrong which caused him to ponder on if Varric was mocking him indiscriminately. Even worse was when he decided to try and throw him off with a premature jab involving one of his pranks - ones that costed them time and a tinge bit of money.

At this point in time, he could only wonder in sheer befuddlement to his reason being here as he stared blankly at the two as he pushed himself up, listening to them speak. It only served to make him wonder if he said the incorrect phrase to Guinevere or if he was interrupting their time. Either way, he started tapping the tip of his chin as he continued to listen to the ongoing discussion about botany and the such, specifically about flowers and friendship.

[color=0072bc][i]"Specific and peculiar to a degree... Wait, could this flower thing be completely related to the little budding gift I recently received after the two years eve of my fathers departure on such a precarious and suspiciously direct quest. Hmm, if I can recall, there was a tale involving a... a deer and two brothers. The details escape me, but maybe this might be related to the letter? I'll question mother or Varrics mom later... or possibly consign myself to the books co answers."[/i][/color]

As the young scholar permitted himself to delving into such inexorable thoughts, he continued to listen to the duo speak. Laciel inconspicuously hid his frown as he turned his head to the side, his ears still attentive just as his flexible mind. He had the courage to stand up and speak his mind to Guinevere, showing how he wasn't afraid to pursue ideal dreams, unlike Laciel himself. He stared at the ground, gritting his teeth, bitter at what he couldn't accomplish.

The boy only felt that this was a massive punch to the gut as he became even more greener at the sight of what he just saw.

Guinevere reciprocated Varrics feelings after his well placed words, even after turning the corrosive speech to Laciel as a way of possibly telling him off into a well mannered confession that tugged at the heart. Why... why couldn't he do what Varric could? This mere shell kept him from making barely any friends aside from the duo in front of him and Illya who had spunk and teased him to a considerable interval, but now he felt it was segregating himself even further from them.

[color=0072bc][i]"... Did I ever even... have any sort of chance? Or was it just a mere illusion I wanted to believe in due to my admiration of her?"[/i][/color]

Nothing felt right to the boy as his own insatiable wonder garnered him a possible chance to be with her. He understood the girls fears of being chained down, however he knew he could allow her to follow her desires and maybe show her that love wasn't all too disturbing. However, a friend, a contender was able to beat him to the punch.

Varric was able to successfully complete this cycle, causing him to leave his mouth slightly agape at the sight of them hugging before they removed themselves from each other. Maybe his way of thinking this through was skewed and selfish? He did legitimately worry for the girl and her problems, but he felt she shouldn't worry over such a natural thing. He didn't want to deprive her of one of the joys of life but forcing her to a forgone conclusion wouldn't land them anywhere.

The boy regained his composure as soon as Varric began his natural affinity for speaking with flourishing words. The flirt made a jest about taking her out to dinner, acting all cute around her... However, a few words mentioned by Varric did him justice and compiled the questions he given out into a presentable answer. At least that lightened his spirits temporarily before being bogged down yet again.

[color=0072bc][i]"More the better, huh? I would feel like an odd wheel interjecting itself into a date if I were to do that. Its already bad enough wondering if I said something incorrect, but inviting me to make matters worse, no... no... thanks."[/i]

"I, ah, uhm... I th-think i'll j-just p-pass for n-now. I sh-should probably be h-heading back to the f-forge for n-now, I g-guess i'll s-see you two l-later..."

"..."

"Ah, b-buh-bye!"[/color]

With that final timidly placed bye, he power walked away from the scene, pondering on the myriads of possibilities of what they could be thinking of. As he did this, he headed away from his said destination of the forge thanks to a well placed lie. Laciel felt that his mother could cover for him as he prepared some of the weapons ahead of time, just in case anyone stopped by while his mother tended to the shop. He begged to whatever gods existed about her not minding. As he swiftly continued on Laciel felt the need to clear his head and a friend could possibly help him out with this if she still wasn't out on one of her nightly prospects which he feared for her safety.

Laciel could only wonder how she faired as he traversed to Illya and Marideths dwelling - a lonely mansion on the edge of town.