In which Fred Maximillian lends a helping hand preparing for Budehuc's Valentine's Day event and experiences an unsettling introduction.
Fred continues to be a joy to write.
How fortunate it was against the rules to murder other characters back in the days of Livejournal, otherwise he probably would not have survived this chapter.
The contents of this chapter are loosely based on a series of comment threads from February 7th, 2005.
"Master Thomas, I'm deeply honored that you would request my assistance! Truly, my appreciation knows no bounds!"
The young castle master uttered a hesitant laugh. "T-thank you, Sir Fred. I promised Miss Yun to get the cafe tables prepared for Valentine's Day, but…" he helplessly looked out at the long line of empty tables at the castle inn. Dust lazily drifted in the sunlight streaming through the windows. "I think perhaps I bit off more than I could chew."
"No matter!" Fred immediately gathered an armful of tablecloths. "Between the two of us, we will make swift work of it!"
"Yes, you are probably right," Thomas nodded and resumed wiping down the wooden tabletops. He seemed distracted, and although Fred did not like to pry...oh, it was hard not to. He was a Maximillian, and nobly prying—er, assisting wherever possible was simply part of their calling in life.
"Master Thomas, if I may…"
"Y-yes?"
Fred spread out another tablecloth. "I hope I'm not being too forward in asking, but...this party—it's consisting of private dinners hosted by the cafe for couples, correct?"
"Correct," Thomas looked down at his clipboard. "Yun and Mamie were in agreement that it'd serve as a good opportunity to try out some new recipes while hosting couples celebrating the holiday."
"So then, are you participating?" The question tumbled out impatiently, but the Maximillian Knight was far too curious to hear the answer to be concerned with decorum.
Thomas turned a faint shade of pink. "W-well, er...I...I uh…"
"I see! Very well then, please don't let me pry the answer from you against your own will! It wouldn't be fitting at all, I understand."
The young man coughed and suddenly became deeply engrossed in the contents of his clipboard. "Kinnison...offered to participate, and seeing as he had no companion to partner with...I ah…"
Hm, well...that's not exactly what I was expecting, but what a sporting offer!
"It's really coming along here, you two!" Yun stood in the doorway holding a stack of boxes. "We should be nearly done soon."
"L-Lady Yun," all his earlier bravado instantly evaporated, "of course, we are making fast work!"
Yun giggled and walked between them, setting her box down atop the nearest cleared table. Fred's eyes watched her across the room. She moved with light ease, as if drifting atop clouds with each step. It was still hard for him to accept that she truly was alive.
"You're in my way, pig."
A large man stood in the doorway carrying the biggest box. He glowered impatiently. If looks could kill, Fred was convinced he'd already be six feet underground simply for standing in the way.
"E-excuse me, my apologies!" Fred scrambled off to the side as the man lumbered in. He dropped the box onto the floor with little consideration for its fragile contents.
"Luca, please be careful!" Yun flitted across the room and fussed over the contents of the box. "Thank goodness, I almost thought the candlesticks were broken!"
"I-it's okay if they break," Thomas mumbled. He was still busying himself with the clipboard. Fred couldn't help but notice the new sheet of paper on top was completely blank. "I think I need to go check on the status of Mamie's menu...will the three of you be okay?"
Luca narrowed his eyes and sneered. "Running already, are we? Heh. Some 'castle master.' I knew from the moment I met you—I know your type."
Thomas withered under the man's stare. "I-it's rather crowded with four of us here, so…" he quietly backpedaled then slipped out the open door.
Oh dear, poor Master Thomas…
But with Thomas gone, Fred suddenly felt very alone with the two of them. Luca's attention turned away from the door and back onto the Maximillian Knight.
"If you keep looking at me like that, I'll introduce you to six feet of steel shoved down your throat."
Fred flinched and set down the next tablecloth. "My apologies, Master Luca, was it? I don't mean to stare! I just don't believe we've been acquainted yet."
Yun continued to smile as she set out the candlestick holders, gliding across the room. "Don't mind him, Sir Fred—Luca's just a little cranky. But I know deep down he's excited to celebrate his first Valentine's Day with everyone at Budehuc."
If looks could kill, Yun would be residing in the graveyard plot next to Fred's. The wax candlestick Luca was holding abruptly snapped in two in his fist. "The only thing I'm doing this holiday is painting the walls red with blood."
The shaman giggled. "As much as I appreciate color-coded decorations, I'm sorry. I simply won't permit it."
"Y-yes," Fred was disappointed by how unsteady his voice sounded in Yun's presence, "Lady Yun is correct. This is a holiday meant for celebrating with loved ones! So—"
"Are you going to try and stop me, maggot?"
"U-uh...um...well, I hope it doesn't come to that," he mumbled.
"Heh. You'd best hope it doesn't come down to that."
"Yes... I agree... violence is not a proper way to conduct business," Fred found himself breaking eye contact and desperately wishing Thomas left behind his blank clipboard.
"Violence solves everything, pig!"
"Boys, boys—" Yun gracefully swept between the two of them and laid out the last tablecloth. "If we're all this fussy about stirring something up, maybe our next event can be a tournament hosted by Juan."
Lady Yun, how do you always manage to say the right thing?
Fred admired the shaman's ability to diffuse any situation. Even Luca's temper subsided at her voice. He scoffed and kicked the empty box across the room. "Whatever. A tournament would be a waste of time. I'm invincible, and I triumph over everyone."
"Master Luca, some sporting fun never hurt anyone!" Fred felt his courage return, basking in the light of Yun's encouraging smile, "Hopefully Lady Yun will be a good influence on you."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAA," Luca crushed the remaining cardboard box under his foot. "I assure you. No one is going to change me. Enjoy your pathetic fantasy, pigs. Because that's all it will ever be," he grunted and stormed out of the inn, slamming the door as he exited.
Heavens, that was more difficult than the physical labor.
"L...Lady Yun…" Fred weakly slumped into a nearby chair. "I don't know how you do it. You truly have the patience of an angel."
Yun's serene smile was unaffected. "I admit...I might be trying to bend things a little bit beyond where I ought to. But the more the spirits show me...the more I want to see what my own role is," she murmured to herself.
The Maximillian Knight sat silently. He was curious to know just what the spirits were sharing, but it felt almost sacrilegious to ask.
Your role...whatever it is, Lady Yun, I hope the answer makes you happy.