Disclaimer- I don't own Negima.
The Negima series has ended. Plus side- Albireo was in it. Down side- What the hell happened to Filius Zecht?
:( Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I've always liked Madoka. In fact, I've always liked all the cheerleaders. They're nice people, and normal. I thank my two wonderful reviewers, Morlin and victorrama. Enjoy! :)
Al wiped his brow lightly as Madoka walked in. He was a little more tired than usual, but he had expected these side effects and had no problem in pushing away the slight discomfort.
Madoka wandered in, drinking in the environment around her. The huge trees, the multi-colored deck, the open sky so far underground, it was all new to her. "Wow...just...wow!" said Madokra in awe. "I see what Misa meant now. This place is awesome!"
"Welcome." said Al in a cheerful tone, again wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Dude, this place must've cost a fortune!" commented Madoka, swinging her legs into the seat energetically.
"I have a fortune, so it's quite all right."
Madoka winked. "I wouldn't mind it if you gave some of that fortune to me."
"Here's a fortune: Prosperity comes to those who wait."
Madoka shook her head. "You've got that wrong. Prosperity comes to those who work."
Al gave his well-known Cheshire smile. "I wouldn't know much about that."
"I can see. You probably have a dozen maids, right?"
"I live alone."
"Seriously?" replied Madoka, surprised. "In a big place like this? Don't you get lonely?"
"A little," admitted Al. "But I'm a big boy, I can handle it."
Madoka shook her head. "You may not look like a real man, but you are one, and men are macho, and machoness means hiding your feelings, which means you're secretly super lonely. I promise you that I'm going to fix that!"
"I don't look like a real man?" questioned Al, attempting to change the subject.
"No. You look French."
"And French men aren't real men?"
"Of course not," said Madoka cheekily and somewhat truthfully. "But you're trying to change the subject. You're lonely, and I'm going to bombard you with attention from now on!"
"Bombard?" questioned Al, feeling a little nervous. "What exactly does that entail?"
Madoka just laughed in response, leaving Al decidingly queasy.
"You're a handsome guy, do you have a girlfriend?" asked Madoka curiously.
"Only my shower." chuckled Al.
Madoka wrinkled her nose. "Ew!"
Al raised his hands in defense. "Like you said, I'm a lonely guy."
"And I was going to offer to be your girlfriend..." groaned Madoka.
"That's quite all right. I'm a little old for you."
"Misa always says you should go for older guys because they're more mature."
Al winced. "That mindset may just get her into trouble someday."
"Really?"
"Not all boys have the purest of intentions."
"I know, I know. I try to tell Misa to be careful, but I don't think she gets it...don't worry, though, if anything happens Negi'll come save her!"
"He will, won't he?" conceded Al. "Negi may not have hit puberty yet, but he's surely a reliable man."
Madoka smiled. "Yeah, he's not really my type, though. I don't really seen the appeal in pre-teens."
Al sniggered pervertedly.
"What, even you're interested in Negi?" asked Madoka calmly.
He was taken aback. "Not at all. I just have a reputation to keep, you see."
"A reputation as a pervert?"
"Exactly. I really do run out of things to do down here, and reading can get tiresome, so I like to keep things fresh."
"Have you ever thought maybe that might drive people away?" retorted Madoka.
"Ah, but your friends like you for who you are, quirks and all, isn't that right?"
Madoka grinned at him. "So your friends like you even if you are a weirdo perverted freak, is that what you're saying?"
His smiled was rather forced. "I suppose so, if you want to put it that way."
"Awesome. You won't mind if I visit again, will you? I like freaks. I wouldn't mind being your friend."
He raised his teacup to her. "Nor I with you."
She awkwardly raised her teacup and they clinked them together. An odd friendship, certainly, but no one would deny that Albireo Imma was an odd man.
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