such a late update yikes. so sorry- uni is so stressful. hope you enjoy this small, but vital chapter x
THIRTY-SEVEN – Stuck In Their Practice
14 Days Until The Wedding
Obi and Shirayuki were up very early when a maid was sent to the herbalists' bedroom at the very beginnings of dawn to deliver an urgency report from Garak.
Yatsufusa had done Shirayuki the favor to run some tests and studies of the sample of the Prince's blood. She would have done it herself this morning, but Yatsufusa has been suffering insomnia as of lately and traded that very task for some medicine (to which Shirayuki accepted wholeheartedly). And so here she was, in her office with her knight along with Garak and Ryu.
"Was this everything he reported?" Shirayuki questioned, reading down the jotted notes in Zen's medical record that was designated for him. She had been sat on her stool, recalling how Zen was sitting here not too long ago with the large, leather book on her desk and thoughts draining her mind.
"This was everything he could find," Garak hummed. She twiddled the small, covered vial of the Prince's crimson blood, which was still fairly chill from preservation. "I ran a few of the tests myself this morning just to double check, and he was right. This is all the data, thoroughly analyzed and checked."
Shirayuki let out a buzzed hum, her thoughts connecting one another as she went through Yatsufusa's handwriting. She fetched her personal notebook of notes, a small moleskin that was dyed red—specifically for her. Pouring more ink into the small, transparent container, Shirayuki dipped her quill and flipped to a fresh page to take notes and see if her brain can collect further information if she rewrote it.
Obi has figured out how Shirayuki's mind works in regards of note taking. Garak had dismissed herself when Shirayuki gave her a sweet gracious comment. Obi sauntered over to his Mistress, standing by the window to watch her scribble upon the pressed parchment. He squints his eyes for a brief moment, as if his sight were altered, in pure curiosity of the girl's activities. But he then smiled warmly, realizing what she had been doing.
Shirayuki's mind was of a machine. She had a regime, see. Her face would crinkle up, making it more curt with her brows furrowed and her eyes squinted so much so to create long, shadowy wrinkles by the ends of them. She tends to bite down on her lip, see, to enhance her focus levels. Sometimes doing this made her forget how to breathe but she was more or less fine. When she took notes or retook them, she didn't plagiarize. She'd formulate it in her own way that makes much more sense to her and still is entirely correct. Obi notices that she precisely draws out the writing, too, creating imagery for herself to make it more clear and interpretable to anyone else who's just as curious as her about her practice.
He also notices the way her irises were much dimmer, no brilliance but no real depiction of sorrow. She was so fixed about Zen's case that she seemed to have shut herself off for a bit. Obi watched through the minutes passing how she hasn't unglued herself from the two books and only relieves herself from it to stretch her arms or rub her eyes. She didn't seem tense or agitated… more like neutral and not necessarily feeling any sort of sadness or content. She was acting almost like a robot.
"Miss?" Obi had finally piped, hoping that he'll get her attention without completely derailing her from her work or making her angry by doing the very thing.
"Mm?" She hummed, her face not daring to turn as she resumed her scribbling. Her poppy seed pupils dragged themselves left to write in pursuit of where her quill leaves its black trail. Her free hand is tense; slightly bend at the first joint of the fingers. Her fingernails touched Zen's book along with the fingertips.
"You seem quite distant this morning," Obi began quietly. As though on cue, Ryu had rose from his stool. He picked up his rack of new vials, curtesy to Obi who picked them up yesterday. He showed himself out, having Obi thank him mentally as he continued to study his little lover who hadn't dared left her gaze from her work. "You've been working for a straight hour, and you haven't eaten yet."
"M'alright," she replies in a murmur, "just want to get this done as quickly as possible."
Obi knew she was bothered. He knew that Zen had marked Shirayuki forever and that there was absolutely no way for her to remove it. It was just like Obi's scars—eternal and impossible to dissolve. And Obi would never blame her—no, he would never ask her to try and throw out Zen completely from her heart and her memories. But Obi could tell Zen's candid checkup last night didn't take well with Shirayuki.
"But you've never been so into your practice so quickly, Miss," Obi hummed worriedly. "I just want to make sure you're alright…"
Shirayuki's heart stilled, just like the rest of the world around her. She placed her quill down and spun over to look up at her personal knight. The concern evidently danced in his marigold eyes, looking identical to the color of the sun when it's first beginning to set. She had always loved how much Obi cared for her. He was always worried and always prepared to protect her in whatever situation she was in when he could.
"Who do you think you are worrying about me so much?" Shirayuki began with a playfully scolding tongue. She rose to her feet and guided her arms around Obi's neck, having a shiver play down his spine in anticipation. Her fingertips, warm and inviting, tapped upon the nape of his neck while tugging at the bits of his raven hair, "that's my job for you, dummy."
"I think I'm the person who very much cares about you, Miss," Obi hummed quietly, smiling widely down at his world. His arms quickly find themselves wrapped around her waist, having Shirayuki smile just as wide. She liked it when he was more open and confident like this, "I want to make sure you're feeling alright. You seem so glued onto this; you might find yourself getting a headache."
"My head does hurt a little bit," Shirayuki admitted flatly, "but I'm just so astonished with this report. It's beyond me to think the Prince could be so careless and forget his 3 meals of the day. It's just so careless, considering he's the Prince for thousands of people who look up and trust in him to keep them safe and flourishing."
She doesn't say Zen anymore, "Miss, it's okay," Obi cooed quietly. He could tell she was worried, but that was always a given regardless of everything that's happened between the two. She'd never not think about Master and hope for his downfall. And it was true—it's pretty bewildering to think the Prince doesn't even at least one meal for the rest of the day. "Master is just fairly preoccupied right now. He probably just forgot."
"Mm, I don't know," Shirayuki grumbled, "it just seems so unlike him, don't you think?" Obi shrugs comprehensively at her words, understanding what she was getting at. "But aside from that, I'm perfect," Shirayuki assured Obi, a sweet smile crawling to her lips. "You can stop worrying now."
"M'gonna keep worrying until you get something in your stomach," Obi replied stubbornly, having Shirayuki giggle when Obi began tickling her tummy with the tips of his fingers. He quickly pulled away when her chest heaved a little harsh, having her pout at him before playfully shoving him back. "Please?" He raised his upper eyes in such a puppy-like way that Shirayuki couldn't help but oblige.
"Let's go together then, yes?" Shirayuki suggested optimistically, receiving an eager nod from her personal guard as she closed all her notes and placed her vials in a precise way. She then looked over at the young prodigy that always resided behind her, "Ryu, would you like to eat with us as well?"
"Mm," Ryu hummed, taking in the offer to contemplate. He was also playing about with a sample of Zen's blood, studying it as much as he can with the latest technology they owned. It was obvious how incredibly frustrated Ryu was that they were yet to see an advanced era and unfortunately never will live to see such day. But he ducked his head, putting down the vial before rising and turning to see the two adults before him, "I'd like to eat, yes."
"Shall we then?" Obi quickly glided over to the door, one arm out and bent in offering for Shirayuki to grab. Shirayuki smiled curtly, quickly attaching her delicate hands around his bulging bicep while Ryu was quick to stand at Obi's unoccupied side. "I heard they've brought fresh tenderloin from across the 7 seas."
"Such a valuable meat this early?" Shirayuki exclaimed, "I don't think I'll be taking such a heavy meat at this time." They all walked through the doorway, Ryu quiet while paying attention to the exchanging of words between Obi and his Mistress. Obi smirked at the girls words and shrugged.
"Hey, that means more for me!" He chirps contently.
"I don't think so," Shirayuki hums, leering down at Obi's clothed belly, "you might need to cut off the protein. I see a little lump there."
"Me? Needing to cut out protein?" Obi raised a brow at his lover, "no offense Miss, but-." With his free hand, the raven-haired man tugged the hem of his jet black shirt and lifted it up to flaunt the flat, board-like stomach with a dollop of darker skin that was his belly button. "—I think I'm good." Shirayuki evidently turns a rosy shade at the cheeks when staring at the exposed skin. Ryu's eyes gloss curiously.
"Maybe," Shirayuki could merely respond, trying her very hardest not to ogle her well-built guard. "Anyhow, why did they deliver such a precious meat for breakfast? Especially when there's no occasion?"
"I heard they've brought large samples of foods from all over so the Prince and his Lady could try them," Obi informed kindly. Shirayuki and Ryu nodded attentively as they walked down the white corridor, "so they've been delivered the best food around so the world-renowned chefs they've hired could create marvelous dishes with them. Then, they'd select which ones are to be served for their wedding receptions with their families."
"How'd you hear all this?" Shirayuki hummed curiously, genuinely wondering how when he's always with her. Obi smirked, his amber orbs meeting eyes with a maid. She had brunette hair and a shy demeanor, but dared to meet his eyes before quickening her walk with blush dancing about her face.
"The maids exchange several words a day and I just so happen to lend an ear," Obi replied humorously. "—That, or they tell me directly. I tell ya, this castle has gossip traffic in the very walls." Shirayuki giggled at this, squeezing his arm in slight entertainment.
Ryu was paying very close attention to the interaction between the two. Not because it was wrong, but he has always had a natural curiosity of everything. And it especially tingled whenever he saw these two interacting with one another. He wouldn't dare admit it much, but the young herbalist and her body guard were his favorite people and he always loved being around the two at the same time. But it tapped at his wonderings to see how much more Obi is smiling and how Shirayuki becomes redder, her hair aside. It seems like there's something between them that was always there but never really came to be until recently. It's surfacing and due to Ryu's oblivion to the 'normal word,' he doesn't particularly know what it is.
But it's damn well obvious there was something that hadn't been there before and became visible right in front of Ryu's vision.
"Ryu?" The boy's name rung in his ears once, having those aqua eyes lighten as he looked up to see the two adult figures he got lost in and became distant from. It was Shirayuki to spew the gentle name, "you okay?" Ryu looked about to notice they were in the very kitchen of the beautiful building he was allowed to spend his days in. He was quick to get distracted yet again to bask in the cooking station.
Puce red brick stoves, ornate all about the upper parts of the wall, likely being led through a vent to be released to the outside. Pots and utensils of the sorts used for the cooking were hung about the hangers, clinking together to release shriek sounds when the metals touched. Baskets were sprawled around, stacked with fruits, vegetable and who-knows-whats that must taste marvelous. All counters were of processed quartz with boards and flat platforms made of clean wood. And, of course, doing the magic are the chefs. Draped in their fancy white linen uniform and chef hats, they danced around the kitchen like a well-oiled machine. And quite frankly, it made Ryu just a little dizzy.
"Half pint?" Obi's voice rung, having Ryu shake his head to pay attention to the two friends once more. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah," Ryu replied, wiping all the concern from those amber orbs as Obi gave his dark brown hair a light ruffle. Ryu took in this gesture kindly, smiling small at him as Shirayuki approached one of the chefs. The two boys watched as the chef had kindly greeted her, with the other chefs giving her a warm welcome. Ryu looked over at Obi, who was gazing at her so wondrously, like he had never seen beauty before.
When Obi looked at her, everything else disappears. Everything becomes duller, more bland and insignificant in comparison to that beautiful beating heart. All of a sudden, everything around Shirayuki withers but her lovely being doesn't dare lose even a speck of wonderful. Her posture, so straight and respectful really highlighted her perfect structure. Those kind eyes, greener than any tree the summer could grow, could quite possibly kill Obi if he let them. And God her smile—the only metaphoric dagger that Obi believes is the closest any weapon has gotten to his heart. She was just so bombastically loud when she quietly says such few, sentimental words that it was all too much. The man sometimes claims that he could barely take it and right now, at this moment, he's at the very edge of the cliff.
"—anything for you, Shirayuki!" A chef, looking quite young, nodded. Ryu analyzed the chef, noticing how average he looked. Chestnut hair, a sharp nose (almost sculpted by hand), and a fine jawline. He was handsome, if seeing through a female perspective. He also appeared to be Shirayuki's age, which made sense how they could've met. Ryu then turned over to see Obi, who was silently seething.
He likely wouldn't admit to it, but Obi seemed… upset. His yellow eyes dimmed, his arms wrapping up in front of his chest and tightening, frustrated. His jawline tenses, his teeth quick to clatter against each other harshly. Ryu saw bits of his raven hair fall down to his forehead when he ducked it lightly, those pupils becoming deathly as he watched the young herbalist interact with the young chef. And Ryu couldn't help but wonder even more.
"Thank you so, so much, Kent," Shirayuki hummed, audible enough for the boys to hear as Obi became still. The young herbalist gives him a kind nod before making her way back towards Obi. Ryu continued to watch attentively, seeing how her face lights up even more as she met eyes with Obi. It was almost instantaneous when Shirayuki makes it over to her personal guard. His body unwraps, his arms down and loose with his jaw softening. Those eyes lighten, poppy seed pupils dilating as Shirayuki stood just a few feet from him. "He's pausing his work to make us breakfast as we were supposed to eat a bit ago. They're all busy, what with the Prince's wedding food, but he said he's willing to make us something."
"'Us' is a little too optimistic, Miss," Obi hummed quietly. Ryu could sense a more vicious tone from his tongue.
"Mm?" Shirayuki hummed curiously.
"So what's he making for us?" Obi quickly changed the subject, his hands now residing behind his head as he began to walk towards the booth that was built into the kitchen. Ryu assumed it was used for the chefs who were allowed eating breaks from cooking for so long. Shirayuki scowled briefly before shrugging it off, beckoning Ryu to follow as they walked over to the booth. While they did, Ryu lagged behind to watch them from there.
"Eggs, bacon, French toast and fresh orange juice," Shirayuki hummed, having Obi look over at the young herbalist.
"So you're willing to eat bacon this early, but not tenderloin?" Obi exclaimed surprisingly. Shirayuki looks over at him and raises her eyebrows.
"Bacon is a breakfast meat, Obi," Shirayuki claimed.
"Cooked meat is good for any time when you're hungry," Obi joked with a wide smirk. Ryu saw their side profiles smile not only widely, but contagiously. They met eyes, the amber and emerald eyes dancing between the pairs like lemon and lime. They were the perfect mix, Ryu thought, as he suddenly saw them like a solution and a catalyst.
"You're always hungry though!" Shirayuki spewed out with giggles.
"Therefore I can eat meat whenever!" Obi connected the logic, stealing previous giggles from the herbalist as they made their way towards the booth. Ryu's breath suddenly hitched a bit, his eyes widening from his shocking conclusion. It all makes sense, he thought to himself as Shirayuki's crimson locks fell perfectly in front of her glimmering face.
Obi is the catalyst to Shirayuki's solution.
"Zen was just in the way," Ryu breathed out to himself, having Obi and Shirayuki suddenly turn to glance at him.
"Ryu?" Shirayuki hummed worriedly, scanning his face for any sort of disturbance. But Ryu was actually no longer holding his usual bored expression. A small curve was to be seen at the end of his lips, one that seemed genuinely sated. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," Ryu replied quickly, "I just discovered a revelation in a mixture. There was a toxin that had been stopping the equation, but I've mentally removed it. It's all well now." Obi smiled widely, always pleasantly astounded by Ryu's intelligence. Shirayuki smiled softly as well, nodding in satisfaction.
"That's excellent to hear," she replied kindly before once again meeting Obi's eager eyes.