Chapter 6

1

When the sun rose, Ares was still propped against the wall, her eyes a little reddened and dark circles around them. She hadn't gotten much sleep. The position she managed was uncomfortable at best, and on top of it, her stomach cramps wouldn't let her be for hours on end. She had just been alleviated of their burden a mere ten minutes (moments) ago.

The girl squinted her eyes against the bright morning light that streamed through the door window. She took a breath and began to sit up, deciding it was better to be up early and working instead of the Task Master coming along and jarring her awake, making situations worse.

Malakaie rose from his bed. His lady had bid him dismissal from her room sometime after he had enjoyed the breeze late last night, and he was more than grateful to be able to shower and sleep without another body next to him.

However, now it was morning; a new day, which meant he had to be alert and extra nice. For the little witch's sake, of course.

He paused and thought about her. He liked her. She wasn't an ignorant kid who didn't know manners and courtesy to others from right to left. There was a spirit and courage there that inspired others and fueled something very puzzling, indeed.

And that puzzle could very well be what it was that made Malakaie like her enough to except her into his good graces. But for some reason, at the same time, he knew that wasn't quite it either.

The Hayllian paused, furrowing his eyebrows. If that wasn't it, than what was it?

After a moment or two of contemplation, a vicious growl of frustration filled the room and he continued moving into his bathroom to wash for the day.

(A/N: picture the cook speaking with a wisonsin/canadian accent)

2

"Good morning, Prince." Greeted the rough-looking cook as she noticed the man coming through the door. Malakaie nodded in response and said, "Good morning, Fair Lady," as he continued to stroll towards the counter. He hid his amused expression when he caught the slight blush that had bloomed on the woman's face.

As he approached the counter with the buffet-style dishes of breakfast foods for the house servants, he realized his little witch was nowhere in sight. He couldn't sense her psychic scent,which meant that she had not been through here yet. Would she skip breakfast?

Twitching his mouth, Malakaie came to a dish full of fruit and plucked three apples from the pile. When he turned to eye a loaf of already-sliced bread, the woman cook had come over to the counters and was restocking them with goods.

"Fair Lady, have you seen the young witch come through here this morning?" he asked as he stole four slices and vanished them using Craft.

The cook pretended not to notice. However, she stopped what she was doing and stood up, leaning on the counter defensively.

"There are many young witches serving in this House, Prince. Why do you ask?"Her usual cheery accent had fled from her voice.

Malakaie regarded the woman with a neutral expression. But on the inside he was a bit surprised by the defense this woman put up for her young staff.

He looked the woman straight on in the eye and said solidly, "I was hoping to meet Ares in the kitchen this morning for breakfast, but she doesn't seem to be here." He rose a dark eye brow as he said this.

In turn, the Cook eyed him, trying to make up her mind of whether this man was a good thing for the little sweet heart who started working here two weeks ago, or a bad thing. She couldn't see any lie in his eyes and heard no under tone in his voice. He had always been courteous to herself and the others in the kitchen.

The Cook twitched her lips, making her mind up. She sighed and smiled. "I am sorry Prince." she said, her funny accent returning to her voice. "One of my girls was hurt by one of the Lady's guests two nights ago, and I've been over-protective of them." She paused and laughed. "I didn't know you knew Ares. She's such a sweet girl. No. I have not seen her this morning. Not in here, anyway. She mentioned something about clothes yesterday..." she kind of trailed off, suddenly cocked her head to one side, studying Malakaie.

Then an awful grin spread her lips and she began to chuckle, putting her hands on her wide hips.

"Well, Prince, I suppose if you don't mind doing some laundry chores, I can tell you where she is."

oh man. Malakaie?

Do Laundy?

How Absurd.

Yeah, this chapter was somewhat of a filler. I'm not gonna LIE to you.

And because it was a filler, I decided Blister In the Sun, by the Violent Femmes was good, because it's such a quirky song.

Next chapter will be much better, i promise.

In other news:

I trust you all had a good christmas and New years, my Legions.

I'm going on a full year at come the 21st or whatever

somewhere in there.

I may even include character art for future peeps of this story to celebrate.

And, the most important news in the world:

METALLICA IS BACK IN THE STUDIO!

they're working on a new album which should "Make up for the St. Anger miss-hap"

And I am ready to bust!

"I'm busting Jerry, I'm busting!"

"And that's all I have to say about that."

So, until the later, My Legions!

-your Admiral & Gee-Wizz in heaven