AN: No beta we die like hilichurls
Contests.
Small events in which people test their mettle against other people. Whether it was a battle of strength, wits, speed, or luck, a contest was a contest. Where people compete for supremacy in a particular activity.
It was horrible.
"Noelle? Hey, Noelle? I think she's gone off to the deep end. Cookie, a quick jolt, if you don't mind."
◤Cookie does not. Anything for her Maestra. Clear-◢
"No! No need. I'm here." Noelle immediately responded just as Cookie was about to poke the maid with what looked to be a small taser.
She hadn't even known Cookie was equipped with one!
"What… is that?"
◤This is a taser, Maestra Noelle.◢
Noelle slowly nodded as Cookie put the baton of electrification back into her circular form.
"I know what it is but… why do you have one?" Cookie looked as if she was on the spot, with the thread of a very concerned, worried, and slightly agitated mother in front of her. Which… wasn't really too far from the truth.
◤Self-defense?◢
Noelle gave the robot a blank stare. "Are you asking me? Or telling me?'
◤...Telling you?◢
The blank stare continued.
◤Telling you. Cookie is telling Maestra Noelle that she had been outfitted with a taser for self-defense purposes.◢
"Hmmm, I see." Judging from the narrowed eyes and the glint in them coming from the maid, it didn't seem like she did.
"Okay, Momma Geo Slime, calm down. Your food's going to get cold." Hertha patted her on the back as Noelle gave a small whimper and went back to eating her food,
She was right though. It would be such a shame to see good food go cold.
"Is everything alright? The moment Hertha had asked you about a contest, you suddenly blanked out. Seems like you were deep in thought." Chef shared his observations.
"Of course. Yes. I am fine." the maid said in between bites.
"Is anything wrong?"
Noelle slowly shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Whatever could give you that idea?"
Hertha, though, didn't buy it. "Oh, is this about your thing with contests again? Are you still on that?"
Noelle's head spun towards her with wide eyes. "No!"
"What contest thing?"
◤I too would like to know.◢
Noelle pouted. "There is nothing wrong. Everything is fine."
"Noelle, has anyone told you that you're horrible at lying?" Hertha wiggled her eyebrows.
"...You, Mister Huffman, Sister Rosaria, Sister Grace, Miss Lisa, Miss Jean, Miss Belinda-"
"Everyone knows you're horrible at lying, Noelle." Hertha put a hand on her back. "It's fine."
Noelle sighed. "Alright. Fine. I don't like contests."
Chef raised an eyebrow. "Really? I figured you would be a bit competitive."
"Well… I do enjoy a good bout or a practice match against others. But contests…" Noelle's head dipped. "Contests are the worst."
"Now, I'm sure they're not that bad," Chef spoke out.
"That's what they always think. But then, when people participate in one, it's this huge event with a bunch of people involved. Then, you get people running up to you asking for your support and when they don't win, they'll get angry at you for Barbatos knows how long!"
Cookie, Hertha, and Chef exchanged glances. Hertha just smiled and shrugged.
"There, there, let it all out."
"And then sometimes-! Sometimes! They get angry and start to trash the venue! I have to listen to them complain about how unfair everything is and why they should've won as I clean after their own mess in front of them!"
"Uhuh, go get 'em, girl."
"Why can't we all be winners? Why can't we accept the fact that to enter a competition is to accept the possibility of losing no matter how prepared you think you can be? Why do people need to be so… so…"
"Salty?"
"Salty!"
as Noelle went on and on, somehow still managing to eat her food, Chef and Hertha whispered to one another.
"Hey, Hertha?"
"Yes, Chef?"
"Do you want another coffee?"
Hertha shrugged. "Yeah sure. And give Noelle a glass of apple juice. This will take a while."
"I am so sorry for my uncouth behavior."
Perfect bow. perfect posture. Apologizing in progress.
Wonderful
"It's no problem, Noelle. It isn't often that we get to hear what you're actually thinking." Chef noted as he finished cleaning most of their dishes. Leaving only the beverages on their table.
"That we did. For quite a while too." Hertha smiled.
Noelle stiffened. "It didn't take so long, did I?"
"Mmm, for quite a while indeed." Hertha repeated herself. Her smile never left her face.
"Really?"
"Noelle, in the time it took you to say everything you had to say, Chef already took both of our plates, washed them, and even made food for the other people that have been starting to come to the mess hall."
A quick look around told Noelle that there were more people than when she came down here. Though, that was a given since she was the only person here when she had.
The chef was noticeably busier now too. He was working on two stoves, and it looked like something was in the oven as well. Why was he the only chef again?
"I'm not the only chef here. But I am the chef."
"Was I-"
"Yes. I could see it on your face."
Noelle sank in further in her chair.
"Careful now. Any more and you'll be eaten up by your chair." Hertha teased.
'I am counting on that. Thank you very much!'
"Anyway, I'm sure this one won't go like it always does." Hertha voiced out.
"It does. It always does." Noelle shook her head.
"Yeah well, not this time." Hertha smiled.
Her confidence made Noelle raise an eyebrow in interest. "How are you so sure, Miss Hertha?"
"Because I'm here." Hertha put a palm and her fist together as she cracked her neck. A wide grin on her face.
"Oh no." Chef shook his head. "Those poor souls."
Noelle's eyes widened. "Please don't! Miss Hertha."
"Don't worry. It's just a joke."
"Miss Hertha, please!"
"Just a joke… Tee-hee."
"Miss Hertha!"
"Totes a joke!"
AN: Short chapter this week. My chapters are already short enough this couple of weeks, and this one's even shorter. Ah, how I wish I could go back to when I used to write 2.5k a week. Alas, school will do its utmost best to prevent that.
Though at least I can say I'm a good student. Subpar writer, but a good student. I can accept that.