Summary:

Zora attempts to hide, but Kirsch finds him.

Chapter 4: Patience – Zorsch

Zora sat in one of William Vangeance's many large, ancient looking trees. As soon as Finral got the Black Bulls' squad to the Golden Dawn headquarters' garden and forest, Zora took off on his own. He knew it was going to be loud, and dangerous. He heard the screaming and sensed the mana from his secluded spot. Since Finral hadn't given him a particular job, as Finral always gave the "more responsible" members "babysitting" of the "more volatile" members on outings in public or at other squads' headquarters, Zora intended to catch up on his reading and then, take a nap because he didn't feel like interacting with anyone today.

The book he borrowed from Henry's library was a biography of the 10th Wizard King, who just so happened to be an ancestor of Henry. As much as Hildireth Legolant's story was enlightening, Zora couldn't really concentrate on reading the driest retelling of her problems with the young 20-year-old Captain of the Purple Orcas (one of Finral and Langris' Vaude ancestors actually), who eventually become the 11th Wizard King. His stomach grumbled.

I should've grabbed food before I hid.

Then, he sensed a familiar mana close in on him. Zora looked down from his spot in the tree and found Kirsch Vermillion waving at him.

"There you are," said Kirsch.

"What do you want, Royal Dumbass," asked Zora, rolling his eyes.

"Rude. I'm gracing you with my beautiful presence, at least be grateful, especially since I brought you food," said Kirsch, cheerfully. He showed Zora a box of food.

Zora frowned, wondering if Charmy saw him run off without eating and sent Kirsch. But then again, Kirsch was scarily perceptive. "If you can climb up the tree without magic, you can sit with me while I eat."

"Must you be difficult," said Kirsch, rolling his eyes. Kirsch used his cherry blossom magic to lift the box of food to Zora, since Zora was too far up the tree to reach down and grab the box himself. And then, to Zora's surprise, Kirsch rolled his sleeves up and climbed the tree, expertly, getting to the part of the tree which was big enough for two grown men to sit comfortably. "Ha! The look on your face! As if I didn't spend my childhood climbing up things to avoid the nannies."

Zora scoffed. "Thanks for the food."

"So, why are you hiding out here by yourself," asked Kirsch.

"I didn't want to come to a stupid party but I was forced," said Zora, simply. "Because I don't want to interact with more idiots than my own idiots."

"Aww, you love your squad," said Kirsch, laughing.

"I will push you off this tree," said Zora, without any intention of actually doing it. He'd never admit it but he liked talking to Kirsch, when he wasn't spouting that he was beautiful every five minutes. He opened the box and found a helping of cheesy tato and garlic broccoli casserole, and a fancy piece of bread, with a fork on the side. "It was nice of Captain Roselei and Captain Unsworth to include normal food, and not just fancy tiny foods."

"Captain is very considerate," said Kirsch, defensively. "And to be fair, since Captain Roselei doesn't know how to cook or anything, and neither does Captain Dorothy, they left food plans to me. Which is why I asked Miss Charmy for help. I also had a squad to run."

"Hence, the potluck idea, Mrs. Granvorka's food and Doc Owen's man's baked goods," said Zora, beginning to eat. "It's pretty good."

"Thank you. I made it," said Kirsch.

"You did? You can cook too?" Zora wondered if this was like the time that Noelle tried to cook and everyone at the base got food poisoning. She had gotten banned from the kitchen forever by Charmy, after Charmy tried to teach her. Thankfully, all the food the Black Bulls had brought to this party had been made by Charmy, though Magna insisted on making his Ma's spicy curry and Vanessa made her indulgent double-chocolate chunk brownies.

Zora was probably going to be fine since the portion that he ate tasted really good.

"Mimosa made Mother's apple turnovers and I made Mother's cheesy tato and broccoli casserole," said Kirsch, smugly.

"It's very irritating that you are good at so many things," said Zora, grumpily. "Good work though."

"Following a recipe isn't hard," said Kirsch, cheekily grinning and surprisingly not taking an opportunity to brag. Zora averted his eyes since Kirsch was just so bright being all happy and stuff.

Zora finished eating his food and he felt marginally better. Prolonged exposure to Kirsch did things to Zora's heart, so Kirsch needed to leave. "Don't you have to be watching your Captain?"

"Medio is supposed to be watching Captain," said Kirsch. "After the last time I left Captain with Vanessa and Captain Roselei, we can't risk her being drunk and using Glamour World. Marx complained about the paperwork and I received a very threatening letter from Damnatio Kira Clover that I shouldn't let it happen again."

Zora snorted. "Are you sure he's watching her?"

"Cornelia is supposed to be watching Medio watch Captain," said Kirsch, doubt in his voice. Not even a beat later, Kirsch said, "You know, I think to go check on my Captain." And then, Kirsch had the audacity to quickly lean over and kiss Zora on the cheek, sure it was the part of Zora's face covered by his leather face mask, but it still took guts. Kirsch didn't waste any time before using his magic to jump out of the tree, leaving only petals of cherry blossoms behind.

Blinking once as if confused, Zora felt his face warm. He covered his face with his hands and sighed. "Idiot."