Matthew flew down the steps, his blonde hair flying out in all directions as he ran past Elizaveta and Ivan and stopped beside his friend, Gilbert. "What's going on, Gilbert?" Matthew asked. The albino man grinned and pointed down towards the town square. Mathew saw people setting up colourful tents
"You don't know, birdie?" He smirked.
"A festival?" Ivan asked appearing beside the pair. Gilbert glared at the Russian man.
"It's the Feast of Fools, you idiots," Elizaveta stated. When she noticed the look Matthew gave her she smiled. "Not you, sweetie."
Matthew smiled then looked back at the people. "This year looks like it will be fun," He pointed towards the stage that some men were painting. "Ivan, you and Gilbert should do that again this year! Maybe Papa would let me go watch this year." The trio of adults glanced at each other.
"Ivan got banned from the contest," Eliza sighed. Ivan blushed and hid behind his scarf. Gilbert laughed. Eliza glared at him. "You are banned from being in every contest. I don't those kids will ever be the same."
"Shut it, Eliza!" Gilbert pushed her. Eliza looked at him then pushed back. Sadly, a few moments later they were rolling on the floor kicking and biting. Matthew rolled his eyes and studied the people setting up the for the festival as Ivan tried to break the two up.
A flash of gold and black caught his eyes so he leaned closer and adjusted his glasses. He saw Francis talking with a man in golden armour. "Gilbert, Eliza, Ivan," Matthew spoke up. Ivan paused in his worrying while Eliza stopped hitting Gilbert and they looked at the teen. "Do you know who that man is?"
"Who?" Ivan asked walking over to stand beside his friend.
"The one talking to Papa," Matthew pointed at the man in gold.
"Oh, it's Captain Jones!" Gilbert said joining the duo. Eliza ran over and pushed Gilbert out of the way. Said man did a face plant.
"He's back from the war already?" She gaped. "Did Minister Francis call him back?"
"Why would Papa call back a war hero?" Matthew watched the two disappear into the crowd and decided to ask about it later. Gilbert stood up and rubbed his head as he took his place beside Matthew.
"Maybe he expects something bad with the gypsies to happen at the feast," Ivan suggested. Eliza nodded. Gilbert shook his head.
"They aren't gypsies per say," He frowned. "More like a group of travellers. They do
have a settlement near here but I think they are more like a circus group."
"Where did you come up with that?" Eliza grinned. "Have you been listening to that crazy blonde guy with the puppets? You know something isn't right with him." Gilbert looked down.
"My brother travelled with them," He mumbled. "Him and Feli." Eliza and Ivan patted their friend's back. Matthew and the others knew that talking about his brother and his ward bothered Gilbert so they tried not to mention it. However, sometimes, the two snuck into conversation just like they would have if they had been around.
"Don't worry," Eliza smiled. "They will be fine. I'm sure they will contact you any day."
A flash of teal caught Ivan's eye so he looked to see Matthew dashing up the stairs.
Matthew sat on the roof watching the clouds. "Matvey, are you okay?" Ivan asked making the sixteen year old jump.
"Yeah," Matthew sighed.
"You don't seem okay," Ivan sat down beside his friend.
"I am, don't worry," Matthew smiled. Ivan placed his hand on the boy's head.
"Matvey, what has Eliza told you about lying?" Ivan joked. Matthew laughed. "Is this about the feast?"
"Oui," Matthew blushed. Ivan smiled and moved his hand so he could pat Matthew's back. "Do you think Papa will let me go?"
"Not likely. You know how protective he is," Ivan paused. Protective? Is that what it is called now? "Even if he doesn't, me and Gilbert will sneak you out."
"You can't!" Matthew gasped. The look he gave the Russian man would have caused anyone to pause and seriously contemplate what they were doing.
"Why not?"
"If he ever found out I would be in so much trouble!"
"But Gilbert and I would be with you, nothing bad would happen."
Matthew bit his lip, "I know but-"
"No 'buts'," Ivan interrupted. He stood up and pulled Matthew with him. They started down the stairs. "We are going after lunch."
"Where are you going?" Matthew froze and turned to face the owner of the voice.
"No where, Papa."
A/N
Yay! Update!
Just so you have an idea of how long chapters will be, they will be one song or one scene in the movie.
Russia, Prussia, and Hungary are the gargoyles but I decided to go ahead and make them real people.
Five reviews for the next chapter to come out.
