It was one of those beautiful, clear autumn days where the sky seemed to stretch on forever.
It was also September 10th, a very special day.
I'd been invited to Blanc's birthday party, and I made my way to the party venue in the Central Quarter.
(I can't believe there are so many people here!)
I'd heard that the party was organized every year by people who felt indebted to Blanc for his kindness, but I hadn't expected such a huge crowd.
In the middle of all the merriment I spotted Blanc, a glass of wine in one hand as he chatted happily with someone.
(I want to go say hi, but I don't want to interrupt him, either. I guess I'll wait till later.)
I studied him in silence for a moment, watching his animated face as he spoke.
Blanc: "Alice, you're here!"
He left the conversation behind him as he turned towards me and made his way easily through the crowd.
[Alice]: "I'm sorry. I didn't want to interrupt your conversation."
Blanc: "Oh, it's fine! We'd just finished talking, and I wanted to talk to you."
(You're so kind, Blanc, and you've been looking out for me since I first came to Cradle. I'm glad I'm here to celebrate your birthday.)
[Alice]: "Happy birthday!"
Blanc: "Thank you. Tofay is already the best birthday I've ever had-- after all, you're here, sharing your lovely smile with me."
[Alice]: "I think you're exaggerating a little there."
You always shower me with compliments, and I never know how to react!)
I blushed a little, but he only smiled gently at me.
Blanc: "I'm not exaggerating."
(Blanc--)
There was a husky edge to his voice that set my heart racing, so I was both relieved and disappointed when an older woman with a cheerful smile came over.
Old woman: "Happy birthday, Blanc. This year's party is wonderful, as always."
Blanc: "Mrs. Wesley, you're here again this year! Thank you for coming!"
Blanc turned and took her hand in his, gazing directly into her bright eyes.
Blanc: "Your beauty hasn't faded at all, even after all these years."
Mrs. Wesley: "Really, Blanc. And you haven't changed a bit, in all these years."
(So I guess you've always been kind and gentle to everyone.)
The older woman seemed completely unflustered by Blanc's words, and she smiled at him as she thanked him.
(I need to take a page out of her book and stop blushing every time you compliment me, then!)
I nodded determinedly to myself, watching as other people came up to speak to Blanc.
Gentleman: "Blanc, happy birthday! You really never change, do you?"
Lady: "You still look as young as ever. I can't help being jealous!"
Blanc: "Mr. and Mrs. Evans! It's so good to see you again! It must be, what, 10 years now since you got married?"
(You know so many people, Blanc--wait a minute--)
My thoughts ground to a halt as the meaning of his words sank in.
(10 years ago? You don't look that old. You must've still been a teenager then, surely.)
(But those people are acting so polite, as if you're someone they look up to.)
(I never really thought about it before. How old are you really, Blanc?)
I gazed curiously at his youthful face as another group of people came up to wish him happy birthday.
(Awww, I wanted to talk to you for a bit longer.)
Somehow I was no longer a part of the circle surrounding him, and I frowned to myself.
Oliver: What are you gawping at, dunderhead?"
The words startled me from my thoughts, and I turned to find Oliver standing next to me, shaking his head as he sipped his tea.
[Alice]: "Oliver!"
Oliver: "If you're waiting for the crowd to go away, you'll be here till midnight."
[Alice]: "But it feels rude to interrupt them now. They all clearly want to talk to Blanc."
Oliver: "Not really. He's got a soft spot when it comes to you."
I turned to look at Oliver properly, frowning with suspicion.
[Alice]: "I doubt it. Blanc's kind to everyone he meets."
Oliver: "Well, you're right. He seems to think it's good manners to shower every woman he meets with compliments, young and old alike."
Oliver: "But for all that, he always sets boundaries between himself and other people."
[Alice]: "Does he?"
(I've never really noticed that.)
Oliver: "Anyway, he'll be happy if you go talk to him. So hurry up, you big dunce."
[Alice]: "Okay, okay! If only to stop you from calling me all those names!"
I pulled a face at Oliver as he pushed me forward, but I did as I was told and headed towards Blanc again.
The crowd seemed to part before me, and I caught a glimpse of his face.
(Wait--)
He was chatting happily, yet for a moment his expression seemed to darken.
His eyes, usually so bright behind his glasses, looked oddly flat and lonely somehow.
(Are you okay, Blanc?)
Suddenly worried, I stepped forward to say something, but a man turned at that moment and bumped right into me.
Gentleman: "Oh, I'm sorry."
[Alice]: "Aaah!"
I stumbled, arms flailing as I tried to catch my balance, but it was no good.
(Ow!)
I tumbled to the ground, landing on my hands and knees.
Blanc: "Alice!"
I looked up to see Blanc hurrying towards me through the crowd.
Blanc: "That was quite a fall! Are you all right?"
[Alice]: "Yes, I'm fine! It was nothing, really!"
I stood up quickly, not wanting him to have to help me, and I smiled as I hastily dusted off my skirt.
(I'm such an idiot, falling over right in front of you and dragging your attention away from the fun you're meant to be having!)
Blanc: "You grazed your hands, didn't you?"
[Alice]: "No, I'm fine. Really."
Blanc: "We can't have you hurting your beautiful skin. Here, show me."
Blanc took my hands in his, frowning down at them with such concern in his eyes that I felt slightly embarrassed.
(Oh gosh! I can't believe I grazed them enough to bleed!)
Blanc: "Come to my house. I'll clean and bandage them for you right away."
[Alice]: "Blanc-- no! You're the guest of honor! This is your party!"
I pulled my hands away from his, hiding them behind my back as I frowned up at him.
He leaned closer, his pale eyes catching my gaze and holding it.
Blanc: "It's fine. Everyone's having plenty of fun. Besides--"
Blanc: "You're more important to me than that."
(Wait-- what?)
His voice was serious and his gaze intense. Not sure what to make of it, my breath caught in my throat.
Blanc: "Do you understand?"
He seemed so determined to take care of me, and I found it impossible to say no to that sweet smile.
As soon as we entered Blanc's house, he gestured to one of the nearby chairs.
Blanc: "Sit down and make yourself comfortable."
[Alice]: "Thank you, Blanc."
Blanc: "Now let's see... I'm sure that first aid kit was around here somewhere..."
(I still feel bad for making you leave your party like that, even if it was your idea.)
Yet Blanc looked entirely relaxed and almost cheerful as he hunted for the first aid kit.
[Alice]: "Are you sure you're okay with this?"
Blanc: "Of course! How could I miss such a heaven-sent chance to spend a few precious moments alone with you?"
[Alice]: "Alone-- well--"
My heart skipped a beat as he glanced over his shoulder and gave me a gentle smile.
(I know you're just being polite, but when you say things like that, you really get my hopes up!)
Blanc: "What's it doing down here? Oh, right, I forgot-- I moved it to the bottom shelf so Oliver could reach it."
I tried to clam my racing heart as Blanc returned to sit next to me, first aid kit in hand.
Blanc: "Now show me your hands."
Bland soaked a piece of gauze in antiseptic and gently patted it against my hand.
[Alice]: "Ow!"
Blanc: "I'm sorry. I know it hurts a little, but just bear with me a little longer while I clean it."
Blanc foused his attention on my hands, and for some reason I found myself focused on watching him.
His soft, thick hair was only slightly paler than his smooth skin. His long lashes painted dark shadows on his cheeks as he gazed down at my hands.
(You're so gorgeous, Blanc.)
(But I feel like-- I dunno, like if I reached out to touch you, you'd fade away and vanish forever.)
(Is it just me? You seem so etheral, like you're not really of this world at all.)
Blanc: "Is something the matter? You've been staring at me for a while now."
(Ack! I didn't mean it!)
[Alice]: "I'm sorry, I guess I was spacing out a little."
I winced, laughing awkwardly, and Blanc gave me a smile that looked almost disappointed.
Blanc: "Is that all? Here I was hoping you were becoming entranced by my fine features."
There was obvious laughter in his voice, and I realized that the flat loneliness I'd noticed at the party was completely gone.
(But I definitely saw it in your eyes.)
[Alice]: "Hey, Blanc? Did something happen at the party?"
Blanc: "Why do you ask?"
[Alice]: "You just looked sort of like you weren't really all there... Sort of lonely and removed, somehow."
Blanc: "Alice--"
He was staring at me with such wide, startled eyes that I suddently felt like I was being rude or invasive.
[Alice]: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry!"
Blanc: "No, it's fine. I just wasn't expecting it."
[Alice]: "You weren't?"
Blanc: "I didn't think anyone would notice."
(Blanc-- you mean I was right?)
Blanc let out a soft sigh and turned his gaze toward the window.
Blanc: "I'm really glad that everyone wants to celebrate my birthday like that. It brings me joy. But--"
Blanc: "every time they do, it reminds me yet again of how different I am."
(In what way?)
[Alice]: "What do you mean 'different'?"
Blanc: "I mean what I said. Perhaps one day you'll find out."
The sound of the first aid kit being shut echoed loudly in the sudden quiet.
Somehow it seemed to declare that the coversation was over.
(But I don't want it to be over.)
I clenched my hands into fists, ignoring the twinge of pain from the grazes on them.
[Alice]: "Look, I don't really understand what you mean by that."
[Alice]: "But today I realized just how much everone loves you."
Blanc: "What?"
[Alice]: "So I'm sure they don't think you're any different from them! And if you are, then I'm different, too!"
(I came here from another world, a complete stranger to this place, and you've always been so kind to me.)
(So if you're feeling sad, I want to repay that kindness as best I can.)
[Alice]: "Besides, even if you told me some awful secret about you, it wouldn't change how I feel about you!"
Blanc: "Alice..."
Blanc stared at me, puzzlement in his eyes, and a twinge of shock ran through me as I realized what I'd said.
(Oh goodness, I'm just babbling on now. And I hope you don't think--)
Blanc: "Thank you."
The words fell gently from his lips, somewhere between a whisper and a sigh. And then--
(Wait--)
He wrapped his arms gently around my shoulders, cradling my head against his chest.
Blanc: "It's okay, really. I'm sorry for worrying you."
He stroked my hair with one hand, the other rubbing my back, as one might soothe a fretful child.
[Alice]: "Um--"
Blanc: "Yes?"
He let go of me slowly, and I sat back, my heart doing triple time in my chest.
[Alice]: "Why did you just hug me?"
Blanc: "Because I wanted to hug you. Was that wrong of me?"
He gave me a bright, hopeful smile that did nothing to calm my pounding heart.
[Alice]: "You do this sort of thing with everyone, don't you?"
(That's right, isn't it? This is just part of the kindness you show to everyone you meet.)
I didn't want it to be true, but I asked all the same.
Blanc: "Of course not."
His smile deepened, and his eyes seemed to gleam with somehting beautiful. Something as fleeting as the first snowfall of the year.
Blanc: "I did it because you're special to me."
(Special in what way?)
It was a simple word with so many nuances of meaning, but I didn't dare ask him in what he meant it. So I asked something else instead.
[Alice]: "Why amd I special?"
Blanc: "The moment I met you, I felt as if time were starting to move for me. I had a premonition that something was changing."
[Alice]: "What?"
Blanc: "Is that not enough of a reason for you?"
As he gazed at me, I remember again the warmth of his arms around me. The feel of his hand stroking my hair.
(Blanc, I--)
I wanted to say a million things, but the words all caught in my throat, and Blanc smiled gently at me.
Blanc: "I think it's about time we headed back to the party, don't you?"
[Alice]: "Oh-- right. Thank you for taking care of my hands."
(I want so much to understand what you meant, but-- I'm not sure I dare ask.)
I felt as if everything about him was a mystery, and it was one that I wanted to unravel.
(Hey, speaking of mysteries--)
Instead of getting up from my chair, I looked up at him curiously.
[Alice]: "Blanc, how old are you?"
Blanc: "Me?"
Blanc hesitated a moment, then leaned towards me.
Blanc: "That's a secret."
His gloved finger was pressed gently against my lips, and I nearly gasped.
(Blanc, you--)
His touch was so warm and gentle, and he was so close I could feel his hair tickling my face. It felt somehow like time had stopped completely.
Blanc: "But perhaps one day my secrets will be revealed to you."
[Alice]: "Really?"
There was an almost oppressive sadness wavering in his eyes, and I couldn't bear to look away.
We stared at each other in silence until at last he spoke again, the words a sighing whisper.
Blanc: "And when that day comes, I'll tell you everything."
I searched his gaze, but all I saw there now was something mystical-- something that stopped me from asking anything more.
(I hope that one day you'll feel comfortable telling me your secrets.)
A strange warmth thrummed in my heart, filling me with an oddly lonely sense of joy.
I didn't learn Blanc's secrets that night, nor his age, and yet somehow I didn't mind.
His soft, whispered words and the look in his eyes lingered in my thoughts, even after we'd returned to the party.
It was almost like he'd cast a spell on me-- a mix of wistfulness and yearning that I couldn't ever let go of...