Chapter Three: Just Once
Louise squealed with delight, looking through all the costumes Haru had strewn throughout their little tent.
"Ooh, I don't know which one I want to wear!" She grabbed a navy dress and held it to her front, posing for her cousin. "Captain Mishuzi's going to be at the festival, and I want to look my best!"
"You always look your best," Haru said softly, folding up an emerald robe in an attempt to distract herself. "But I suggest the red dress with purple embroidery."
"You're right!" the blonde squealed, tossing the navy one aside for the red one. Haru grabbed the simple navy dress before it hit the floor, since she had hoped to wear it herself, having a soft spot for the shade. That was another thing that set her apart from the other gypsies, who usually strove for more eye-catching colors, in more complicated patterns.
"This one's perfect!" Louise cried out, holding it against her front. "A little gold jewelry and makeup, and Machida's a goner!"
"I thought he already was," Haru said softly, knowing that it was true. The blonde girl giggled again.
"But what's the point in taking chances? His mother doesn't quite approve of him courting me, and I want to make sure that no pampered pretty she tosses at Machida steals him from me."
'You mean a higher-class version of you?' Haru didn't say this aloud, although her lips ached to. The brunette also admired the daring captain, but didn't dare voice her thoughts aloud, for fear of harming her cousin. Louise may be everything that Haru wanted to be, but she wasn't a bad person. Just a little clueless.
She sighed again, folding the blue dress for the fair. Maybe the Gypsy King would even allow her to attend, this year. If she promised not to touch anything.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Baron tapped his thumb against the table, lost in thought. The priest from across the modest table looked up at him, his breakfast of bread and cheese forgotten for now.
"Is something wrong, my child?"
The orange and cream half-cat sighed again.
"Just feeling restless again, Father Hashio. The festival…"
The old churchman nodded understandingly.
"You take great pleasure from watching them, do you not?"
"Of course. Watching," Baron said absently, nibbling at his piece of bread. The friar looked up with realization, and sighed sadly.
"My son, I know it's hard for you. Ever since your dear mother died, you've wanted to go outside this church, and meet people."
"Yes, father."
The old priest sighed again, and walked around the table in order to grip the young man's shoulder.
"You know why I can't let you do that, Baron. Ever since your mother came with you to this church, I have watched over both of you. I kept you hidden, clean, fed, clothed, and educated. You're a great help to our faith by your intelligence, my son. I didn't raise you as my own just to send you to the bloodthirsty mobs."
"I know," Baron said miserably, gripping his keeper's strong hand. "It's just…"
The dancer girl came into his mind again, smiling prettier than ever. The half-cat sighed, knowing better than to mention her to the old churchman. He didn't even know the girl's name…
"It's just not fair?" the priest asked softly. The tawny youth nodded sadly. Father Hashio sighed, and patted his shoulder again.
"A sad fact in this cruel world, Baron, is that life isn't always fair. Please, put thoughts of the outside world from your mind. The Lord needs you here."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
An hour or so after the talking with the friar, a familiar wooden door creaked open, and a forlorn figure walked through.
Closing the door behind the white cat trailing him, Baron walked up to the pillar in the middle of the enclosure, and smiled up at the gargoyle.
"Hello, Toto."
The cold stone slowly shifted into dark feathers, and the familiar crow stretched his wings lengthily.
"Hello, Baron. Ready to watch the Festival of Fools?"
"Well, as long as we're up here," the orange cat said politely, drawing his dark cloak over his features, just in case someone looked up and saw him. The crow cocked his head, noticing that the half-cat wasn't as cheerful as he usually was, although he had always taken pleasure from watching the festivities that accompanied this particular day, each year.
"What's eating you, Baron?" the living gargoyle asked. The fat white cat climbed onto the banister, and looked down at the colorful streets, grinning evilly.
"He's pouting because Father Hashio said he couldn't go."
Toto sailed down from his perch, and landed on the opposite side of the half-cat.
"What? You actually asked?"
"Well, not directly," Baron admitted. "I hinted that it might be fun to go down there, just once, and he said it would be a bad idea for obvious reasons."
Toto shook his head pityingly.
"Oh Baron; still so young and naïve…"
He glanced up sharply.
"I'm twenty-one, Toto!"
"And I'm a hundred and seventy two," the crow countered, cackling. "You are just so proper! Tell me, do I need anyone's permission to go down among the ordinary folk?"
"No. No one can successfully order you around." And crows were common enough so that no one paid any attention to him, anyway.
"Exactly. Okay, putting aside the obvious differences in our situations, you said you asked Father Hashio, but you didn't ask him at the same time."
"I suppose that's correct."
"And he said it would be a bad idea, right?"
"Right."
The crow rolled his dark eyes at the orange cat.
"Translation; you gave your intention without asking for permission to do it, and your keeper gave an answer that sounded more like advice."
Baron cocked his head in confusion at the immortal companion, making Muta grunt in irritation.
"Translation to translation; either go down there or stop moping. You're not a kitten anymore, Baron."
The thought seemed to slap the orange cat in the face like a wet fish.
"But… Father Hashio-"
"Won't be any the wiser," the crow assured him. "Look; it's the Festival of Fools! The one festival of the year when people can walk around with animal heads and not get too noticed for it. Go down there, mingle with the populace an hour or two, and then climb back up here. Father Hashio won't know, and you'll get a taste of freedom to keep you happy." The crow flew off his perch, and landed on Baron's arm.
"Look, we'll even come with you, if you're so scared to do it on your own. Granted, we won't be able to talk to you down there, but we can provide moral support."
Muta purred, deciding to draw the final line of challenge.
"Besides, that cute gypsy girl should be down there, today of all days."
Baron blinked twice, considering the chances. Without a word, he pulled the hood of the cloak more over his face, lifted the huge cat into one arm, and began to scale down the building. The crow on his shoulder flew off to meet them below, smirking evilly.