Clarity

Dr. Thompson ignored his friends comment, instead choosing to return his focus on the patient in front of him. He told himself that he was simply avoiding a pointless conversation that would inevitably lead to baseless gossip, but in truth he simply was embarrassed about the amount of honesty he had already expressed. This stubborn refusal to respond did not deter Dr. Burstar, however, as he was a very patient man. He opted to wait for his friend to finish his work and ask questions later, as he had already finished with his last patient of the day. He stood there and watched as Dr. Thompson finished up with his last patient. When the examination was complete Dr. Thompson saw his patient off and only then did he turn his attention back to his friend. with a drawn out sigh he asked "James, why are you still here?"

Hr responded with a hearty laugh. "You really didn't think I'd walk away before finding out more about the woman who was able to capture the attention of the renowned Doctor Bill Thompson did you?"

This line of questioning was exactly what Dr Thompson had hoped to avoid, but James was one of his only friends, so it was hard to ignore his question entirely. "Can you not act as if this is the most shocking revelation in the world. Seriously, it was bound to happen sooner or later." He replied curtly, with a roll of his eyes and an exasperated sigh.

Dr Burstar couldn't help but chuckle at such a response. There was no one in the world who would have assumed that this was a certain eventuality, not even Dr Thompson himself could have predicted this, and he was sure that he was aware of the fact. He didn't really answer his question, however, and that made him all the more curious. Rather than ask again he decided to opt for a slightly different approach. "Of course." He replied in as serious a tone as he could muster. "She really could have been any woman, probably nothing to be impressed by."

He didn't quite understand why, but this comment upset Dr. Thompson quite a bit. Of course, this was by design, but he didn't know that. "I wouldn't say that." he said trying and failing to maintain a steady voice.

"oh?" questioned Dr. Burstar "And why's that?"

"I'll admit that I've been rather reluctant to take part in the breeding program, and of all the people to break that for a former patient is frankly insane, but this woman is... is amazing. I can't even explain it. She has this look in her eyes like she sees everything. In certain moments when she looked at me with those big blue eyes of hers it was as if she completely saw through me, and her smile, not the fake one she pastes on when she's being watched, but the real one that slips out when your not paying attention. It's amazing, truly breath taking. She's straightforward, yet somehow she always seems to be one step ahead of the conversation. She's tall, but not too tall." He paused here with a full grin on his face, too far into this description stop now. "She was such a small frail child, but now she has grown into such a strong woman that I hardly recognized her, more than that she's gorgeous. She's young yet, but in time I suspect she will outshine any woman in the country, or the world for that matter." It was only upon finishing this statement that Dr. Thompson fully realized that he had said far more than he ever intended, so much so that the realization caused his face to grow bright red with embarrassment. "Forget that please." He said sheepishly.

Dr Burstar was completely taken back by his friends words. He had intended to tease him, but had no idea just how serious his friend's interest in this woman truly was. His jaw hung wide open even as he replied. "Bill, it sounds as if you're falling for this woman." If this were any other man perhaps he would have seen his words as a simple infatuation, but Bill was a man who never showed interest in any woman, so to hear him speak so highly of one was beyond bizarre.

Dr Thompson thought for a second, but was unable to come up with a suitable reply, after all he knew that there was a good chance that his friend was right. It was a taboo, but it was one that he didn't personally mind breaking. His own parents had fallen in love, and his father never regretted it. He was sure that it would be the same for him, even if their time together was limited. No, he thought. it didn't matter at all. His feelings were real and they mattered, even if she didn't share them he wouldn't let himself forget that. Before he could express his thoughts, however, someone barged into the room unexpectedly.

It was a messenger from the Rose Palace. There uniforms were recognizable to any man in the kingdom. He stopped just inside of the door bent over, obviously trying to catch his breath. "Oh thank goodness." He said, breathlessly. "I finally found you Dr Thompson. You have an urgent request from The Rose Palace." The young man stretched out his hand and handed Dr. Thompson a letter. With a quick note of thanks he sent the Young man off before tearing eagerly into the envelope. As he read over it carefully a huge grin formed on his face.

"So she chose you then?" Asked Dr. Burstar, feeling certain of the reply only to be stunned moment later when Bill said "Not quite, but she's invited me to dinner. It's not exactly a win, but I have a chance, a real chance!"

"Congratulations, dear friend" He replied. James didn't quite understand his excitement, but none the less he was happy for him. If it were him, he was certain he'd be a bit disappointed, but this was certainly not the case for Bill. He was a man who rarely smiled about anything and this response made him look happier than he'd ever seen him. For that he was truly happy.