Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.
A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! I will be single yet again for another year! But that is a okay since well, SPECIAL! Haha, hope you guys get chocolates and a lot of wonderful memories this year.
Anonymous: Thanks! Hope you keep reading it.
AliceDream: I'm like that too sometimes. Thanks for reviewing! Hope you like the rest!
Chapter Eleven Point Five: Valentine's Day Special
Ahh what is in the air today? Love is in the air, and guess what happened to the stern Neinheart. He was bombarded with Cygnus Knight Noblesses. Neinheart was sitting at his desk doing paperwork like every other day, only today was a bit different.
"Neinheart! Neinheart!" A young Noblesse yelled across the chamber. The tactician gripped his pen in frustration. "Neinheart!"
"Yes?" Neinheart said with his jaw clenched, trying not to lose his cool. The stack of paperwork doesn't disappear by itself. It might have if the Chief Knights actually did some of theirs. Okay that was mean; some of them actually did, while others just left it there!
"Can we please have other people come onto the island?" The Noblesse pleaded. A group of them was standing behind that one Noblesse.
"Why would I allow for random people to come onto this island and put the Empress's safety in danger?" Neinheart replied sternly. The Noblesses all sighed and glanced down at their feet sadly.
"Well…because it's Valentine's Day….." One of the other Noblesse answered quietly. Neinheart slammed his hands down on his desk while standing up. All of the Noblesses jumped in fright.
"You want me to put the Empress at danger so you can enjoy Valentine's Day! If none of you have noticed, none of the Chief Knights are here at the moment! Those annoying idiots for Minerva's sake decided to all leave on the same day! They didn't even ask me for permission those cold hearted KNIGHTS!" Neinheart shouted furiously. "I swear once they get back I'll cut their pay by eighty percent!" The Noblesses stood terrified. In the shadows one of the Chief Knights chuckled. Neinheart's head spun over to the shadows and glared at it. "GET OUT HERE, ECKHART." Neinheart said venomously quiet. Eckhart complied and walked out of the shadows.
"Neinheart, you need to calm down…otherwise you'll pop a blood vein." Eckhart stated swiftly. Neinheart gripped his pen until his hand turned white. "Neinheart." Eckhart said calmly.
"You dare tell me what to do! You left the island without tell me! You left the Empress unguarded!" Neinheart yelled furiously. Eckhart turned to the Noblesses.
"Leave now. If you want to keep your ears leave." Eckhart commanded gently. Neinheart grabbed Eckhart's collar. The Noblesses all disappeared with relief from the stern Neinheart. Eckhart glanced at Neinheart. "Neinheart."
"You're all going…" Neinheart's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he slumped into Eckhart's arms. Eckhart had knocked the tactician out. Bringing a hand up to the man's forehead confirmed his suspicions. Eckhart disappeared into the shadows and reappeared in front of Neinheart's cabin. Neinheart was much lighter than he looked. He opened the door and walked inside. Eckhart laid the man on his bed and removed his monocle. Eckhart glanced over at him as he opened his eyes.
"Sign this." Eckhart commanded softly. Eckhart watched as the man sign it unconsciously, before falling back into unconsciousness. He had to manually unclench Neinheart's hand from the pen. Eckhart sighed softly, before summoning Umbra and handing him the document and the pen. Umbra smiled and disappeared. Walking over to the bathroom, Eckhart took out a basin and filled it with cold water. Setting the basin down on the nightstand, Eckhart pulled out a towel and got it wet. After squeezing all the water out, he put it down on Neinheart's forehead and pulled the blankets over him. Eckhart then walked over to the small kitchen and prepared a small pot of soup. He left a note and medication on the nightstand before leaving the cabin with the door locked. Eckhart walked along the path toward the Knight's Chamber. A black nightingale landed on his shoulder, which he ran his fingers over its head. "I wonder…" The nightingale glanced at Eckhart with a tilt of his head, "if it's really alright for us to do this." Eckhart smiled under his mask. "Oh well, it won't matter, we're already getting an eighty percent pay cut. Not that I need the money to begin with." The nightingale nodded and flew off. Eckhart stopped and watched it fly.
"Eckhart!" Hawkeye yelled once he saw him and waved him over. "Come on over here!" Eckhart walked over to the duo of Chief Knights. Mihile was talking with Hawkeye about the 'plan.' The two were sitting at the round table. "We have most of it done. What do you think?" Eckhart picked up the plan and read it. Mihile was sitting in his chair watching Eckhart.
"That will be fine. Neinheart's going to dock eighty percent of our pay for this you know." Eckhart stated plainly. Mihile nodded smiling.
"I don't mind. Right Hawkeye?" Mihile asked while Hawkeye nodded. "Oz wanted to know if you got that done for her."
"I did. Is that all? I've got some things to take care of." Eckhart said softly. Mihile nodded.
"You better be there."
"I'll think about it." Eckhart replied and walked off. He walked over to Neinheart's desk and glanced at the paperwork. Lifting the first piece up and reading it, Eckhart sat down in the chair and started working. Eckhart categorized the documents into three stacks; No, Yes, Maybe. The ones that he knew Neinheart would say no to, were left in the no pile; while the ones that were really important Eckhart signed and left them in the yes pile. The maybe pile was the one that held documents that Eckhart didn't know where it belonged.
"Neinheart! Oh…Eckhart, do you know where Neinheart is?" An innocent feminine voice asked with concern. Eckhart glanced up from the paperwork to see Empress Cygnus standing in front of him. Her eyes held worry for her tactician. "I heard from some Noblesses that he was very angry today. Oz and Irena are almost done with the preparations for the party. Hawkeye and Mihile are telling a few Noblesses to call anyone they want to the island. Of course, Shinsoo still has his protection barrier up so no evil people can get in."
"He's resting in his cabin. I believe he had a terrible headache and fever earlier. Of course he was very vigorous about that idea of yours Cygnus." Eckhart replied softly. His gentle voice made Cygnus look at Eckhart closely.
"What's the matter?" Cygnus asked worried.
"Nothing too dangerous, I suppose." Eckhart replied while putting a document to a pile. "Please be careful today, Empress Cygnus. With our tactician knocked out for the count, it is very dangerous even with Shinsoo and your knights protecting you." Cygnus sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
"Eckhart, do you always do this for Neinheart?" Cygnus asked quietly. Eckhart glanced up at his Empress. She couldn't tell what Eckhart was thinking due to the mask.
"Neinheart has been with your majesty since your late mother passed away. I've been part of your knights longer than most of the others; Neinheart has rarely gotten sick. He is a stern man, but he only does so out of concern. I suppose he hasn't really accepted our help with your protection." Eckhart said calmly while putting another document into the yes pile.
"Does he trust all of you?" Cygnus inquired with curiosity. Eckhart's hand froze over the last document. Eckhart glanced up at Cygnus.
"I believe you should not direct that question at me but Neinheart." Eckhart slid a key over the table to Cygnus. "That key will unlock Neinheart's cabin door."
"Eckhart, do I want to know how you got your hands on this key?" Cygnus asked with a weird look on her face.
"You're welcome to think what you want, Empress Cygnus." Eckhart leaned next to her ear. "I only have my ways of opening any door on this island." Eckhart sat back and dangled a chain of keys in his hands. "I would like to have that key returned to me though."
"Why do you have all of those keys? Shouldn't Neinheart have them?" Cygnus inquired puzzled. How the heck did Eckhart get his hands on them?
"That is a secret, Empress Cygnus. Neinheart has his own set of keys." Eckhart replied calmly. "You should get going." Cygnus nodded and went to Neinheart's cabin. The nightingale landed on the desk with his head tilted. "Take care of them huh." Eckhart petted the bird and stood up. "It's time to go." Eckhart pushed in the chair, the nightingale landed on his shoulder; he strode to the kitchen and was immediately attacked in a hug by the one and only Oz.
"Eckhart! We need your help! Irena and I can't do it. Hawkeye and Mihile are too busy decorating the hall." Oz said with a smile knowing the answer. "Good. Try this.' Oz lifted Eckhart's mask and stuffed a spoon full of food into his mouth. Eckhart pulled away a bit annoyed but continued to chew it. "Well?"
"Using me as a food tester is not nice, Oz." Eckhart said calmly. Oz just pouted and poked him. "It's good. Now what is it that you really need my help with?"
"Mix the chocolate and make chocolates!" Eckhart sighed and nodded. "You only make the best chocolates I've ever eaten!"
"I digress, Oz." Irena and Oz watched as Eckhart professionally mixed the chocolates. Who knew that Eckhart was such a good chocolatier?
"Eckhart, how many valentines do you receive every year?" Oz asked with curiosity. Eckhart continued working quietly. "Eckhart?"
"I don't count." Eckhart replied monotonous. His hands carefully tempered the chocolate. Irena smiled softly.
"You do it so well. Where did you learn how to do this?" Irena asked while watching his hands move. Oz was transfixed at the chocolate.
"I woke up with it." Eckhart stated dully. He poured the chocolate into the molds and put them into the fridge. "They'll be ready by then." Eckhart cleaned his hands and waved as he walked out.
"ECKHART!" A male voice yelled irritated. Eckhart turned to see an all better Neinheart storming his way over to him. "What is the meaning of this?" His voice was soft but venomous.
"Meaning of what?" Eckhart asked clearly. Neinheart took a deep breath to calm down.
"Obliviously of random people coming to Ereve for Valentine's Day no less! None of the other Chief Knights are here, are you trying to put the Empress in danger?" Neinheart hissed. Cygnus was walking over tired from trying to keep up with her tactician. Cygnus handed Eckhart his key and he put it into his pants pocket. "Eckhart…."
"You are welcome to reduce my pay to zero if you must, but this is Empress Cygnus's wish; I might add that you signed a document allowing us to do this. Otherwise, I'm merely taking the measures necessary to insure that her wish is fulfilled. " Eckhart replied monotonous. Neinheart stood there starring at Eckhart stunned. "Now you'll both have to excuse me. The color is getting to me." Eckhart bowed respectfully to Cygnus before disappearing into the shadows.
"What was that?" Neinheart asked clearly astounded. Cygnus smiled.
"I guess he said he got it under control. Plus, all of the Chief Knights are here Neinheart." Cygnus replied happily. Neinheart looked at Cygnus and smiled softly.
"I owe him an apology don't I?" Neinheart stated quietly. Cygnus nodded. "He took care of my paperwork and my health. What an unusual person. I'll never completely understand him."
"I don't think Eckhart really expects us to completely understand him. He's always been like that." Cygnus said quietly. "Shall we go and enjoy whatever the Chief Knights have up their sleeves?" Neinheart smiled gently for once.
"Lead the way, Cygnus." Neinheart replied softly. Neinheart followed Cygnus to the banquet hall. There were so many people there. Hawkeye, Mihile walked over once they saw the two of them.
"Like the decorations?" Mihile said with a smile. The entire hall was decorated in different tints and shades of reds, pinks, and whites. From streamers to balloons, the hall was beautifully decorated. There was an enormous spread on the buffet table. Oz and Irena walked over with a smile. Shinsoo was not there yet.
"It's beautiful, Hawkeye, Mihile! Thank you!" Cygnus smiled happily. The group enjoyed themselves. The Noblesses were smiling and laughing with their friends and munching on the delicious food.
Shinsoo was still where he always is looked up at the shadow that appeared near him. Eckhart pulled his mask off and let the gentle breeze hit his face.
"Eckhart." Shinsoo whispered. Eckhart glanced over at the divine bird and smiled softly.
"...I'm sorry…but I'm going to take a nap." Eckhart whispered back. Shinsoo nodded and motioned the tired Chief Knight over. Eckhart walked over sluggishly and fell asleep in Shinsoo's feathers. Umbra summoned himself and sat at the little table that was nearby.
"How long has he been awake, Umbra?" Shinsoo asked the spirit worried about the knight.
"Over thirty-six hours I believe. He also hasn't eaten anything for over thirteen hours." Umbra said while putting a lunch box down next to Eckhart. "He puts too much on his own shoulders sometimes."
"They'll be sad that he's not there. I hear he gets only a few valentines every year." Shinsoo whispered.
"I get one at least, and about four at most." Eckhart slurred slowly. His dark hazel eyes were glazed and tired.
"Eat your lunch and get some sleep. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll end up hurting yourself." Shinsoo stated calmly, watching the young knight eat slowly. Umbra walked over and sat down in front of Eckhart. Eckhart finished his meal and put his mask back on. He laid back and immediately fell asleep out of pure exhaustion. Umbra touched Eckhart's chest and felt his heartbeat slowly but rhythmically. "He's not over exerting himself is he?"
"I don't believe he is." Umbra whispered in return. Eckhart slept peacefully until the moon was in the sky. Umbra glanced down at Eckhart. Eckhart got up slowly after yawning a bit. Eckhart closed his eyes and focused on the darkness that surrounded him. Shinsoo was sleeping peacefully. "What's wrong Eckhart?"
"Nothing is wrong really. The Empress is standing here with her tactician and chief knights in front of me." Eckhart replied. Oz came over and gave him a valentine; Eckhart made no move to take it.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Eckhart. Sorry for not realizing how much we made you work. I didn't realize that you were helping other people too." Oz said softly.
"Eckhart, I must apologize. I wasn't being rational when I yelled at you. Thank you for taking care of me when you didn't have to." Neinheart apologized with gratitude laced in as well.
"I'm going back to sleep." Eckhart replied softly ignoring the group completely. Cygnus giggled knowingly. Shinsoo chuckled at Eckhart who returned to sleep. Umbra smiled, walked over to his partner and encased him in darkness. Eckhart reappeared in his bed with his mask off.
"Good Night, Night Walker."
A/N: Well Happy (Early) Valentine's Day! I don't think the ending was written very well. Oh well. Review, criticize, and what not! See you guys in Chapter 12!