And here's the next chapter! Much longer than the first one. Have a lot of this story already written so as long as I don't hit a huge block plot-wise uploads should be regular. Cheers if you're reading!
Chapter Two – Poor Wine at the Palace
When I arrive at the Palace the consecutive day, I start to worry I'm underdressed. I've opted for a white shirt and my suit trousers. For a moment, I consider tucking the shirt in but think better of it. Hopefully no one overly grand is attending.
Rayfa greets me almost straight away. I've barely knocked the door when she opens it abruptly.
"Horn Head, you're early! And honestly, a little underdressed," she remarks, giving me a scrutinizing look and confirming my own suspicions, "still, you'd better come on in anyway..."
It feels a little strange in the Palace after being greeted so casually by the future queen and then beckoned inside. There are guards around, posted here and there, but few compared with Queen Ga'ran's reign. It feels quiet. I ponder that it must be either very peaceful, or very lonely to live here.
"Sorry I'm so early. I brought wine, though!"
Rayfa takes a cursory glance at the dark green bottle in holding on one hand.
"Nahyuta will be pleased. Naturally, I'm not allowed to drink," she says, haughtily.
She leads me down a few corridors and finally we reach some gold doors. She pulls the handle and we're in a well-lit chamber with a large candle lit table in the center.
"Ah, Apollo, I see you made it," Nahyuta says, standing up to greet me. I notice him immediately stop playing with the spoon he was messing with and instantaneously morph back into super-dignified Nahyuta. If he's that bored, perhaps my early arrival is a blessing.
"Yeah, I left about four stacks of paperwork back at the office, though."
Nahyuta looks surprisingly sympathetic, "you simply need to implement a better system, that way -"
"Enough!" Rayfa squeals out of nowhere, "no more lawyer talk! This is supposed to be a dinner where you can relax!" She blushes, "that is, everyone can relax."
"Who else is coming?" I ask, counting the seats around the table.
"Mother, a couple of the other high-ups you've never met, Ms. Fey," he looks to the side, "Datz said he might pop by, too."
I frown, "he said that!? He told me he'd stay at the office and hold down the fort!"
"Datz says many things, Apollo. Why on earth would you listen to any of them?"
As he speaks, Amara walks in, followed by a couple of people I've never seen before. Just when I think everyone has arrived, Maya and Datz walk in behind them. I blush, in spite of myself, remembering the nature of my last conversation with him. I brush it aside and wave anyway, before I remember I'm supposed to be angry with Datz.
"What are you doing here?" I ask. He at least has the gumption to look sheepish.
"Oh, hey AJ," she raises a hand in recognition, "what are you doing here?"
I roll my eyes, "so much for holding down the fort."
"Ah, come on. Don't be such a stick in the mud! We can catch it up tomorrow," he says walking over and taking the chair one over from me. I wonder why he's left a gap.
"Hey, Maya. Come sit by me!" he says, gesturing for her to come over, "take a nice seat between AJ and I!"
I somehow manage to resist face palming. Datz is clearly trying his hand at matchmaking.
If Maya is embarrassed, she doesn't show it. She smiles at us both and walks over, calmly taking the seat between us. I force a smile and start sweating, suddenly aware I can't think of anything to say. My tongue feels dry and too big for my mouth.
"What's for dinner, Yuty?" she asks as Amara takes a seat between Nahyuta and Rayfa.
Yuty? Yikes, when did these two get close enough for nicknames?
"A Khura'inese delicacy called Jhaifuu'n," he says, addressing us all.
"Have you ever tried it before, Horn Head?" Rayfa asks me. I hadn't realised she was sat in the chair next to mine.
I shake my head, "no, I've heard of it, though."
Datz sniggers, "AJ keeps ordering takeout from the city. He's not exactly adventurous when it comes to food."
I can feel my face turning the colour of my trousers, "that's not true! I've eaten heaps of the food, here!"
Rayfa frowns, "hmm, a likely story. Do you think your American food superior to ours?"
How did we get here!?
Maya laughs, "leave him be. You're embarrassing him. I'm sure he likes the food here, just fine."
I can see Nahyuta smirking from across the table, "Datz is winding us all up. Apollo and I grew up on the cuisine here, remember? Dhurke - that is, Father fed us well."
The atmosphere changes almost instantly. I glance down at my plate and Nahyuta starts a conversation with the higher-ups that I haven't been introduced to yet. Amara asks Rayfa a question about school.
"I'm sorry about Dhurke," Maya says to me, quietly, now that people are talking amongst themselves.
"It's fine. I'm fine. I don't want people to feel they can't mention him."
She gulps, "no, I mean, I am sorry about that too. But really, I'm sorry I didn't find a way to warn you before the trial," she pauses, "he really didn't want you to know until you had to."
When I don't manage to form words she speaks up again, "I think all of this reform would have meant the world to him. And I barely met the guy, but I could see how much he loved you."
I look up at her and see wide, slightly tearful eyes.
"Thanks for helping him," I say, perhaps a little uncomfortably by how deep this conversation is getting.
"A dragon never yields," Maya points out, "and I wanted to. He saved me."
I smile at her, but not for too long as I notice Datz is trying to make eye contact with me, raising his eyebrows, suggestively.
"Has anyone seen the new episode of The Plumed Punnisher?" Maya pipes up. I'm half relieved that she's changed the subject. I'm also a little disappointed.
"I have!" Datz yells, startling almost everyone at the table, "it was epic! The part where the Punisher stood over his captive and said that line - you know the one! The really cool one...something about punishing all evil -"
Maya claps her hands excitedly, "ooh, I know the one! "There are none who can escape my punishment, for as long as there is evil, I'll be there!"
"I think it was there I'll be?" I answer absentmindedly.
"I didn't realize superheroes were your kind of thing, Apollo?" Nahyuta says, not unkindly, but with a hint of mocking undertone.
"I just caught the end of it," I mutter, "and you watch it too. I saw you the other day…"
"Unthinkable," Rayfa chirps up, "two grown men enjoying a kids show."
"Mr. Wright said he got the distinct idea you quite liked it, too, Your Benevolence," I remark, trying to hide my smirk.
Rayfa blushes scarlet, "what does that stupid barbed headed idiot know?"
Maya laughs, "oh come on, we all watch it. There's no shame in that! It's not exactly The Steel Samurai, but -"
Before she has a chance to finish her sentence there's discord in the room. Even the higher-ups scowl at the mention of our American version.
"Who do you think is better, Apollo?" Amara pipes up. She's been fairly quiet up until now, listening to everyone else. It's strange sitting around a dinner table with her, as though nothing took place in that court room mere weeks ago.
"Oh, I don't know…" I say, vaguely, trying to stall for more time.
She smiles, "but you're the only one who grew up in both the US and Khura'in. You're the unbiased party."
I shrug, "I'm not sure that's true. Honestly, I haven't watched a lot of Steel Samurai episodes, so I guess I'll have to side with The Plumed Punisher?"
Most people nod in agreement, but Maya's mouth drops open, "traitor! You call yourself an American? Next time I see Nick I'm gonna make him show you his copies. I sent him all the tapes when he was in hospital for his foot."
"That was you?" I ask, thinking back the absurd amount of videos Mr. Wright had that time we visited him.
"Sure, he needed something to do. And I needed to lose some distractions," she adds, "becoming an Ace Spirit Medium requires a lot of discipline!"
I laugh, "seems like you spend a lot of time watching television now, Miss Discipline."
Maya grins, "well I paid my dues. I'm a pro now. It's a heavy burden and escaping reality for a while is vital to keep my sense of self."
"Of course," I say, realizing everyone else has gone back to their conversations and we're talking just the two of us, again. Even Datz has taken time off from watching us to bother Nahyuta.
"Have you spoken to Nick, lately?" Maya asks.
"Not this week...I don't want to keep bothering them. They must be busy."
Maya pulls a face, "I don't think bothering is how they'd see it. I bet Trucy misses you insane amounts."
I feel a stab of guilt in my stomach.
"The truth is," I begin, "I really miss them. I figured it might be easier if I give everyone space. Give us all time to get used to how things are now."
But Maya is shaking her head, "if you miss someone you should talk to them. Staying away does no good whatsoever," she doesn't seem done, so I wait for her to continue. She doesn't.
"Go on," I prompt her.
"Well, it's just, look at Dhurke," she says, looking reluctant. "He meant to visit you for so long, but he stayed away, working at his revolution instead. Look at all the quality time that cost you. I hope that doesn't sound like a cheap shot," she adds. "I just think you should call Nick and the others."
"While I can," I add, morbidly.
Maya looks uncomfortable, now. Staring into her lap before taking a sip of her wine.
"You know, my Mother was missing for most of my childhood. Did Nick ever tell you about that?"
"Uh, he never went into detail. He said you had a tough upbringing," I say, also taking a tactical sip of wine.
Just then the doors swing open and eight waiters walk in carrying covered trays which are hastily placed in front of each of us and removed to show a strange looking and very yellow rice dish.
"Uh, what exactly is this Jaffin stuff?" I ask, nervously.
"Jhaifuu'n," Nahyuta corrects me, sternly, "I feel certain you've had it before. It's rice that is first soaked in the juice of a lemon for four hours, then the juice of a lime for a further eight. Next a mixture of the rinds is added before seven types of spice, sugar and finally a little soy sauce for balance."
I try my hardest to hide my true reaction to this news. In truth, I think it sounds disgusting and silently thank Dhurke for never inflicting this upon us as kids, even if Nahyuta is inflicting it upon me now, anyway.
I gingerly eat a small forkful, aware that Rayfa is watching me like a hawk, presumably waiting for me to commit some kind of awful faux paux.
"It's lovely," I say, with a smile as my cheeks begin to turn inside out.
"Yeah, it's great thanks, Yuty!" Maya says. I'm indescribably grateful for the distraction as everyone is now looking at her as she wolfs down huge forkfuls.
"Do you really like it?" I say, as quietly as I can when the heat is off.
Maya just shrugs, a cheeky grin spreading across her features. It's adorably doofy.
"I mean, it's not exactly a Quarter Pounder beef burger, but still, it's basically okay."
My mouth hangs open slightly, "urgh, what I'd do for a beef burger right now. I denied it earlier, but I miss American food…"
"You're preaching to the choir," she laughs, "you'll get used to it, though."
There's a brief moment of silence where I wonder whether to stay in the current topic or wander back into personal territory again. I eat a mouthful of my Jhaifuu'n and take the plunge.
"Ooooh errr 'ellin' me bough errr other?"
"Pardon?" she says.
This time I swallow the food before I start to talk, "sorry it's just so sour!" I explain, "I said that you were about to tell me about your Mother," I blush, "sorry if that's too personal -"
"- no! I like to talk about her!" Maya asserts forcefully, "I don't mind telling you."
And then she looks away from me, breaking the eye contact we shared for a second. My blush just deepens.
"I didn't grow up with my Mom around because she was involved in a very old case...the DL-6 incident. It would have been before your time, so I doubt you've heard of it."
I shake my head, "no, Mr. Wright solved that one, didn't he? I've read through most of his paperwork as revision," I add.
Maya looks impressed, "wow, you've done your homework, huh? My Mother was the great spirit medium, Misty Fey - the one who failed to help the first time around and disappeared."
She pauses for breath, then food and then a drink before continuing, "My sister, Mia was a little like a parent to me, but she died young," she swallows and presses her lips together, "that was worse than losing Mom."
"Mia was Mr. Wright's mentor, right? I ask.
"Right," she says, "that's how I met Nick!" I'm relieved to see she's smiling again, now, "my Mom then died in a case a few years later. She did it for me. She made a sacrifice, just like Dhurke did for you and all of Khura'in."
"Yeah," I say thoughtfully, "I guess you can't ask for much more out a parent," I can't help but glance across at Nahyuta and let my mind think back to that day by the water.
Maya flashes me a smile that I wouldn't exactly describe as sympathetic, but there's another layer to it - as though she's letting me know she understands.
"And what are you two so passionately discussing?" Nahyuta asks, suddenly. His eyes are narrowed slightly as though I've done something wrong, but I'm unsure as to what that is.
"Burgers," Maya exclaims, once again proving herself to be better at getting out of awkward social scrapes than I am.
"I've never tried a real American burger," Rayfa says, her voice definitely more wistful than defiant.
"If you ever come to America, Rayfa, I'll take you to the nicest burger joint California has to offer."
Rayfa looks down at her plate, "well, yes, that would certainly be nice, Horn Head."
At that moment, I feel a surprising tightening on my wrist, but it doesn't seem to be from Rayfa. Instead my eyes are drawn to Nahyuta, but even more so to Maya.
I wonder what's going on there...
"If everyone's finished and is happy to have their plates taken dessert will be served," Nahyuta says, almost as though he's noticed the look I'm giving him and wants to distract me.
"Fantastic," says Datz, "what's that going to be?"
"A dish called Fruighh un valnoir, " Amara says, her voice confident. Before I have the chance to ask, she answers "it's a sweet dessert where the fruit of the Pompdanor tree is soaked in two types of liquor and frozen over-night before being heated into a sauce and injected into a hollow cube of sweet, spiced frozen custard."
She gives me a look as though expecting some kind of protest, but I think the dish actually sounds okay.
"Uh, if it's all that frozen, won't it be kind of cold to eat?" Datz asks, reasonably enough.
"It is left to thaw in a special water bath heated to exactly 40 degrees for one minute before serving," Amara replies, making Nahyuta's natural cutting competence make more sense by the second.
"Ah, of course," Datz says, his face sheepish once again. He mutters something to Maya that makes her laugh.
"What kinds of liquor are used?" I ask, more for the sake of conversation than anything else.
Nahyuta sniggers, "judging by the wine you brought, you're no expert on alcohol."
"Moving on from Nahyuta's rudeness," I begin, waiting for someone, most likely Amara to answer anyway.
"The first kind is a sweet liquor from the blenghetti tree. The second a bitter tasting blackberry flavor," Rayfa remarks.
"Rayfa's just having the frozen custard with the non-marinated fruit. After all, drinking is illegal until 19 here," Amara says, affectionately while Rayfa scowls on, her face turning scarlet.
"Be silent, Mother! Everyone already knows of this!"
Amara blushes too, clearly embarrassed by her daughter's outburst.
"You're not missing out on much, Rayfa. I barely drink…" I say, in a vain hope to cheer her up.
"If this is the wine you buy I'm not sur-" Nahyuta starts. He doesn't get to finish his sentence though.
My glare is enough.