Definition: a substance used for washing and cleansing purposes

Example: Make sure to use enough to get those dishes clean.

February 14th, 792

Lahar sat there at his desk staring intently at the small pile that was on top of his paperwork. Knowing that there was a very visible tic under one eye. This was a yearly occurrence on this particular day and he had made it abundantly clear that he didn't appreciate these things being left on his desk. It took time to clean them up and dispose of them before he was able to start his day's work. But like always he had been not listened to by his female co-workers did what they wanted too. Leaving cards, candies, and chocolate on his desk yet again.

With a small huff, Lahar set to righting his desk. Checking each thing for a name and only finding a few. Which belonged to some of the newer females, while the others were blank to hide who gave it to him. But from the design and shape of the cards and candies, he was able to guess who gave him what after all these years. Then with a swipe of his hand, he slides them all off his desk into the wastebasket he kept beside it. Before pulling out his chair and sitting in it, to get started on his stack of paperwork for the day.

The hours seemed to fly by as he did his paperwork. Having to be reminded by Doranbolt that it was lunch time, meaning he would have to get up and go the cafeteria. Put through the wringer with all the females who hadn't put their little 'gifts' on his desk this morning before he got there. With a grumble of discontent, earning a laugh from Doranbolt, Lahar straightened up his desk. When he stood up and began to follow his partner, he couldn't help but look back at his desk, already knowing what it would look like upon his return. Letting out a sigh, walked out the door with a depressed sounding sigh escaping his lips.

"Man, Lahar you should be happy. I mean your the second most popular guy here to get gifts from all the women. I wish I was half as popular as you to get those goodies." Doranbolt said as he looked at Lahar.

Shooting a dark glare at his partner Lahar flinched at the sound of female voices, talking excitedly as they neared the cafeteria. To him, they sounded like a bunch of magpies chattering incessantly as they waited to ambush him. Slowing down and taking a deep breath to prep himself, Lahar strode through the double doors just behind Doranbolt, only to be swarmed by a bevy of women. Each thrusting either a card or small package containing either chocolate or candy in it.

Putting on a small, tight smile as he waved them off and began to wade forcefully towards the food line. Lahar felt his temper rising and knew that it would not be a good thing to let loose on them. It would have one of two adverse reactions. They'd swoon even harder because he was playing hard to get or they'd get miffed and double their efforts for next year. A lesson he had learned the hard way and hence there were so many women co-workers that were flocking around him.

Taking a peek at Doranbolt who was filling two trays with food, seeing the amused smirk on his lips. Had Lahar wanting to smack him on the back of his head. Every year he'd hear the man complain about him not taking pleasure in getting all these annoying trifling things than take great pleasure at his discomfort. As always it was one of the things that made him question why he was friends with the man again, only to come to the same conclusion that he didn't want to have to train another person to do Doranbolts job and he knew for the most part when to shut the hell up and do his work. Which he did very well when he did focus on it.

Eventually, he made his way to Doranbolt at the cash register and paid for his food on the second tray, before making his way with the flock of harpies as he was now mentally calling them, to an empty table for two. Sitting and reading himself to eat, Lahar noted that Doranbolt hadn't sat down. In fact that his tray was already half gone. Giving a curious glare at his friend, Lahar started eating in a rigid manner.

"Sorry man, I do have plans before lunch break is over. And then I have to go do errands for the council members before I leave. Sorry." was his reply as he looked a bit put out.

With a sigh and nod of his head, Lahar just continued to eat in the silence that filled the air. Soon enough he was left alone with the gaggle of females, who just stood there waiting patiently for him to finish eating. A small grace that he was thankful for at the least. When he finished he stood up, pushing his chair in before gathering up the tray and empty milk container and heading to the disposal site.

The moment his hands were free, Lahar had things thrust at him from all directions. Making him mentally began to picture the various chores and tortures he could inflict on them later. As he collected them one by one until he was alone with his arms overflowing with the gifts. Narrowing his eyes at the cafeteria's other occupants who were openly chuckling at his discomfort. Effectively silencing them with the look as he strode from the room.

Already knowing where the nearest trash can was, Lahar made his way to the receptacle and tossed everything in his arms into it. Then beat a hasty retreat back to his office before more women stopped him with more of the obnoxious little things. Needing to get back to his office, clean his desk and finish his work, while wanting to get this day over with.

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Lucy looked at the last little wrapped box in her hands. A smile on her face as she walked into the Magic Council's newest building. Looking all around as she took in with appreciation how nice it looked. Eventually, she made her way to the receptionist desk, earning a curious look from her. Not letting it faze her since she was in her normal attire of short shorts and her blue halter top and mid-calf boots. On her hip was her pouch with her keys and her whip.

Opening her mouth to ask if she could get admittance to go see Lahar, she was stopped when a loud whoop came from behind her. Spinning around startled, she saw Mest standing there looking like an amused idiot at her. Before she could say or even do anything, he was by her and hugging her. Leaving Lucy feeling a bit off balance.

"Hey, Lucy what are you doing here? Is that a gift or me?" He asked in rapid succession after letting her go from his almost back breaking hug.

With a small shake of her head, Lucy spoke, "Nope this is for, Lahar. Yours is at the guild."

The look on his face was utterly comical as silence suddenly feels around them. Looking around seeing the two receptionist and a few of the other council employee's staring at her, Lucy looked at Mest with questioning eyes. Seeing him grinning ear to ear as a mischievous glint in the depths of his eyes. Not liking it she started to step back, only to have his hands clamp down on her shoulder.

In the next instant, she was standing in a long hallway with just Mest and two other people, who just kept on walking and talking. Taking no notice of them. Looking up at Mest, Lucy knit her brow together as she waited for him to say something.

The wait wasn't long as he let out a low chuckling laugh that sounded nervous and disparaging. "While I am confused as to why you brought Lahar a valentines gift. As well as amusing it is, you might want to rethink that idea."

Noting how nervous he sounded, Lucy tilted her head to the side. Deciding that she would try to lighten his mood with her response, "Well I mean he does put up with your antics and all that Mest. But I will give this to him no matter what. Now if you will tell me how to get to his office I will make my way there. If not please return me to the front desk and I will wait in the lobby till he leaves today."

The pout Mest gave her at her quip was almost cute before he sighed and pointed down the hallways a bit and older which door number to look for. Then in the next second, Mest was gone, leaving her alone in the hallway. Rolling her eyes, Lucy turned and made her way towards the door that he told me. Taking time to look at each door and its number.

After a good five minutes of walking, she finally came to a half seeing the correct number, as well as the placard that stated it belongs to Lahar and Mest. Hearing movement from inside the room through the partially opened door, Lucy put her hand on the handle and opened. Revealing Lahar standing in front of his desk looking down at it. His body language radiating almost palpable anger.

"STUPID HARPIES! I tell them every year to not put their damned gifts on my desk. But no, they choose to keep being slow, dull-witted idiots. It is simple minded people like that that make me lose my faith in the human race." he practically growled out as he leaned forward and with a swipe of his arm, pushed a ton of boxes and cards into the already half full trash can on the floor next to his desk.

Lucy could safely say that she was shocked and amused at what she was seeing. But instead, she leaned against the door frame as he threw his arms up in the air and continued to rant and rave. Getting more and more color with his descriptions of his female co-workers. Before switching to full out epitaphs that were starting to make her blush.

Unable to help herself, she started giggling. Making Lahar spin around with a low snarl of rage. With a shake of her head, she lifted up a hand and spoke, "Do you kiss your mom with that mouth Lahar? Cause I am sure if she heard half of what came from it, she'd wash it out with a bar of soap."

Her words had an instant effect on him, as his face went from a mask of rage to one of shock embarrassment. Then with a shake of his head as he looked at her leaning there, Lucy realized that she still had the small wrapped box with her own hand made chocolate in it. Feeling suddenly awkward, she coughed and straightened up, making her way to the trash can to throw it away.

"Don't." was all she heard as she got ready to toss it, pausing to look at Lahar. Who was staring at her with a mix of emotions on his face? "To answer your question, yes I do kiss my mother with this mouth. And yes she wouldn't just wash it out, she'd shove the whole bar down my throat as a matter of fact."

Suddenly the image of his beautiful, cold and perfect mother popped into her head doing what he said. Unable to help herself, Lucy doubled over laughing at it. Her brown eyes tearing up as she did her best to keep her gaze on Lahar. Who was watching with amusement on his face, as he already realized what she was thinking about? Rolling his eyes as he walked over to her slightly hunched form and deftly took the small box from her hands.

Lucy went still as her laughter died down and looked at him. Watching as he lifted the small box up and inspected it. Then slowly pulling the green bow to untie it, before meticulously peeling off the black wrapping paper, revealing the small white box underneath. His gaze was critical as he turned the little container over in his hands before opening it and pulling out the small handmade truffle from inside it.

Not saying anything he popped it into his mouth and began to chew it. The look of awe that spread across his face as he swallowed it was of pure delight. Blinking a few times as he just looked at her, as she stared back at him waiting patiently. If asked Lucy wouldn't deny feeling skittish at that moment. She had put in a little extra effort on making that truffle since she really hadn't gotten to know Lahar all that well since the new year. Only having had a few chances to talk to him, but she had gotten the impression, that he wasn't a fan of overly sweet things.

From what little she saw him eat, he didn't like hard, tough to chew things. But rather soft things that were more savory. So, she had done a lot of research to make that truffle just for him. So, as a smile broke out across his face, as he let his tongue dart out and lick his lips to make sure that there was no mess on them. Lucy let out a small relieved sigh and let her body slump backward against the desk. Still watching him carefully, waiting to see if he would speak.

"That was really quite good. How did you come up with that particular idea to use that flavor for the truffle?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

Giving a small dainty sniff as she straightened herself, Lucy gave him her answer, "Well, believe it or not, I am actually very observant. I noticed that you didn't like sweet things or things that were tough and might take a while to eat. Also that you preferred savory things, so I figured that I would mix semi-sweet bakers chocolate with gelled fruit fluff and amaretto gelled liquor."

The smile that nearly split his face in half and made his eyes shine a bright shade of lavender, caused Lucy to flush darkly and look away from him. Her heart feeling as if it would burst from her chest at how unguarded he was being with his emotions right now. Only to gasp when he burst out in a full-bellied laugh that was rich in tone making her jerk her head up and look at him.

After a minute or two of him laughing, Lahar calmed down and spoke, "Well you nailed it right on the head. I have to give you credit on those observation skills and your instincts. I do love amaretto flavoring and liquor."

Lifting her head up at his words, Lucy smiled at him wholeheartedly glad that he liked her gift. Then glanced down to her side and the overly full trash can. "So, I take it you are not a fan of this particular holiday Lahar?"

Silence fell before he replied in a very tired voice, "No, not really. To me it is an excuse for females as a general to act like idiots, using it as an excuse to give meaningless treats to those they claim to like, but just cannot ever tell face to face. Besides it is a challenge amongst the women here because they see it as a gauntlet to be more creative, in how they can do it."

At his words, Lucy frowned a bit before taking a slow steady breath. Getting up and walking over to Lahar, she placed a hand on his left arm. "I understand how you feel. This holiday was originally meant for those who already had somebody they loved to share love and affection with one another. Not to compete to see if they could get the guy they liked the attention. Thus making it an annoying competition."

The look of appreciation he gave her was well worth it in her book. Then giving him a few pats on his arm, Lucy smiled and stepped back away from him. Hiding her hands behind her back as she spoke, "Well you look like you still have a lot of work left, I will leave you to your job, Captain. I need to catch a train back to Magnolia."

With that she started to walk out of is the office. Hearing a quite 'thank you' once more from him just as she stepped out, pulling the door closed behind her. Then turned to make her way back down the hall she come from, seeing Doranbolt leaning against a pillar a bit down looking pale and worried. Placing a blank mask on her face as she walked towards him, flexing her hand as her mind reeled at how muscular Lahar's arm had felt under it when she had placed it there and patted it.