The Suikoden series is the property of Konami. This takes place three years after Suikoden 3, so this is full of spoilers. It's a Chris-centered fanfic for the most part, though she doesn't appear in the prologue.

Over the Threshold

Prologue

When Thomas woke up one morning, he knew it was going to be a different day. Well, it seemed like any other day; the sun was shining, the birds were singing…ah yes, it was a good omen.

Wasn't it?

He got ready for the day as he'd always done so and took a seat behind his desk at his office. Sebastian was on hand at once to deliver the weekly report

Thomas found he could not concentrate on Sebastian's report. He found looking out the window to be a little more exciting at the moment. So he turned in his seat and stared.

Sebastian continued as if he were not aware his lord was not paying attention to him. "…And Jeane is late with her rent again. Er…I'm a little hesitant about approaching her about it. Last time I wasn't very successful. Perhaps you can—"

"Sebastian," said Thomas finally.

"Y-Yes, Master Thomas?"

He stood up. "I'm going for a walk."

"What? I-I mean—of course, sir. Take your time."

Thomas smiled a little and left the chamber. But as he headed down the hall and descended the stairs he started to feel a little nervous. As he pushed open the front doors and stepped outside, he felt very nervous. Even more so than when Nadir use to force him to perform in plays.

Okay, get it together, he ordered himself. He smacked his cheeks and straightened. It's now or never.

From the side of the building in a much smaller yet similarly shaped house an army of dogs raced out. Thomas smiled as Koroku, Kogoro, Koichi, and Kosanji took the lead and ran down the stone steps to the main area. Half a dozen smaller dogs ran after them. And trailing after them was Connie, who was commanding a pack of a dozen puppies.

"Good morning," he said softly, leaning down to scratch behind Connie's ears. "Hang in there, girl…" being the only female dog of the original quintet, Connie had her work cut out for her with the other four. Twelve healthy puppies from her third litter was certainly impressive.

All the dogs, for that matter, were heading right for the front gate. What a coincidence; so was Thomas.

He started feeling nervous as he headed down to the main area. His eyes were fixed on the castle entrance, where all the dogs had congregated in front of a girl in half-armor.

"Knights of Budehuc Castle fall in!! Koroku, Kogoro, Koichi, Connie, Kosanji, Keiko, Kohaku, Chiyoko, Kotone—"

Thomas couldn't help but gape in amazement as Cecile successfully rattled off the names of all the dogs in one breath. That was well over twenty dogs!!!

"Master Thomas?" came a voice beside him.

Thomas nearly jumped out of his shoes at Piccolo's sudden appearance. The old mage was grinning widely…almost suspiciously.

"C-Can I help you?" asked Thomas, feeling a little nervous.

"How about I read your fortune?" offered Piccolo.

"Um…" Thomas patted himself down. "I don't have any money."

"Oh, don't worry. This one's on the house."

"Uh…sure, Piccolo."

"All right." Piccolo concentrated on his wand as hard as he could, squeezing his eyes shut. Thomas watched this with worry.

Suddenly, Piccolo's eyes shot open. He looked at Thomas with…pity?

"I'm afraid," he said. "That it will be a difficult day for you. Perhaps you should return to bed?"

Thomas swallowed audibly at this news. He glanced towards the castle front again. "…Thank you for your concern, but I'll be all right."

"All right, then," said Piccolo. But Thomas could've sworn he said, "Poor lad" under his breath.

Great, a bad premonition. What else could happen?

But Thomas was determined. He was about ready to lose his nerve as it was. He needed to do it right away or he wouldn't have the courage to do it later.

He took a deep breath and walked the rest of the way to the entrance.

"Let's do our best today!!" cheered Cecile, waving an arm.

"Cecile," he said.

Cecile nearly jumped out of her skin, but she quickly turned around. "Good morning, Master Thomas!! How can I help you?"

"Um…" suddenly he was at a loss for words. Something as simple as…this should've been a lot easier. Right?

"Uh…I see you've got the troops rallied," he deflected lamely.

Cecile grinned cutely and turned to the congregation of dogs. "Of course!! My troops have yet to fail me!! Even Connie comes to duty no matter how pregnant she gets!!"

"That's good for her."

"Yep!! There's sooooooo many puppies!!!!! I love it!!" She spread her arms wide. "Puppies make this place very happy, but children make it even happier!!!!"

Thomas turned red. "You want to have children?"

"Of course!! When I get married I want to have lots and lots and lots of kids!! I'll rally them up as knights as we'll protect Budehuc together!!"

"I…see," said Thomas. He saw his opening then. He reached into his pocket. But the thing he sought slipped out and clattered onto the ground. He bent to pick it up.

Cecile was oblivious to this, going on about children. "And we will have lots of adventures all over the Grasslands and fight evil and have lots of fun!! And—"

She stopped abruptly when her waving left hand was stopped. As she turned around, Thomas was slipping a ring onto her ring finger.

Thomas felt embarrassed to be caught like that. He tried to look up at Cecile, but she stunned dumbstruck at what he did.

"Uh…I found this, well something like this, when we returned from delivering our monthly report to Brass Castle," he said slowly. He got to his feet. "I had Guillaume appraise it, and…this is what it came out as."

Cecile slowly lifted her hand. It was a beautiful ring with a modest-sized diamond glittering in the sunlight. She looked at Thomas, still completely speechless.

"I want you to have it," he continued, adverting his eyes from her expression. "And...I want to help you with your dream."

Cecile kept glancing between the ring and Thomas. Piccolo's words rang in his head and he was very afraid.

Then Cecile finally spoke. "Are…are you proposing to me?"

Thomas glanced at her, his face hot. "…Yes."

Cecile's eyes and mouth went wide. She started hyperventilating really fast. Before Thomas could anything she screamed.

"Ce—" he began.

"Oh my Goddess!!!" she shrieked, clamping her hands to her face. She yanked off her helmet, revealing her shoulder-length hair and jumped on top of Thomas, hugging him tightly. "I'm getting married!!"

"Um…yes," said Thomas, awkwardly hugging her back.

"Oh-oh-I-this-I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!" She let him go and turned to the dogs. "I'm getting married!!!!!" She ran across the courtyard. "I'm getting married!!!! I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!"

Thomas watched her run around, hugging various residents of the castle. Various others were poking their heads out their windows, showering congratulations on her.

Thomas rubbed his head in embarrassment. "I was hoping to keep this quiet for a while."

"You see?" asked Piccolo, spontaneously appearing behind him again. "I told you it would be a difficult day for you."