And with her now-suppressed urges, those cordial cherries did not help matters any.

***

You have not pursued her.

"Krako, I said that it takes time," Aldrec warned his friend. "Besides, I want her first as a friend, if nothing else."

You lie to yourself.

"Alright, I like her somewhat, Vinta," Aldrec admitted with a nod. "But I want her to reciprocate."

Why?

"Because, Gabelle, it's the way things are done nowadays."

You deny your feelings.

"No, I'm not denying anything, Krako," Aldrec replied, stern but gentle. "Like I told you before, I'm being cautious."

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She will escape you.

"You sound so certain, Gabelle," Aldrec said smugly. "But how would you know something like that?"

It is carried on the wind.

"Is that a fact?"

Yes. The wind knows things that you do not.

"I know about the wind, Vinta."

Then why do you not pursue her?

Aldrec laughed. He had never seen his friends, especially Krako, so enthusiastic.

"By the Divine, friends!" He said, both bemused and exasperated at the same time, "You're pushing me too hard into this."

We only say that we are happy for you, Aldrec.

"And I'm thankful that you're happy for me, Gabelle," Aldrec said. "You, Vinta, and Krako, I'm glad for your support, but you're trying to rush things. You fail to realize that it takes time. And even then, nothing may come of it."

You wish nothing to become of it?

At Vinta's question, Aldrec's mood grew somber.

"No," he said, placing his hands together and sighing. "I want something to become of this, but …"

But you know what it means for you.

"Yes, I do, Krako," Aldrec said, his voice turning grim. "And at this point, I'll welcome it."

Why?

"Because this world wearies me." Aldrec drawled out in a tone of voice that bordered on despair. "I love it, Gabelle, and yet I hate it. And I fear that one day, it will cause me to lose my mind."

We understand.

"Rest assured, friends," Aldrec said, "that I know what I'd be getting myself into if something does happen between us."




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