A/N I am no longer going to pretend like I can upload regularly. I am a busy person, absent-minded, and forgetful. Bleh. Sorry. Enjoy a new chapter!
Also, when I wrote this story I was not aware that there was a character in Fire Emblem whose name was Abel. I just chose that name. Thanks for reading!
~Chapter 7~
Back in the staff's quarters, Nicholas heads straight for the sewing room. He finds an open station and lays the clothes out neatly on the table. Then he takes a look around.
There's more to the sewing room than he initially observed. Throughout the entire room are rows of racks running in between the rows of workstations with many articles of clothing hanging on clothes hangers. At the back of one wall are shelves of thread and a basket of needles. On another is a set of cabinets. Nicholas walks over to investigate and finds baskets of ribbon, lining, and other accessories for outlining elaborate clothes. Nicholas walks over to the shelves of thread and, holding up the cape for reference, picks a deep purple thread and returns to work.
He isn't even one stitch in before he hears Teresa's giddy, high-pitched, motherly voice call his name. "Nicholas! I've been looking for you," she calls running as fast as a woman her stature can over to Nicholas.
"Teresa! I saw you not ten minutes ago. What could you possibly need now?" Nicholas asks.
"Oh, I know that, but I just had to ask how your first visit on the job went. You're so cute when you smile like that you know. Makes me wish I had a son of my own. So, tell me!" Teresa urges.
Nicholas realizes he must have been smiling this whole time without knowing it and forces himself to stop in embarrassment.
"Really, I wasn't there for more than ten minutes. There isn't much to say," Nicholas says.
"Well, you did serve him breakfast. I saw you making your specialty. Come on, how did he like it? I simply must know. I am the cook after all. Don't keep me waiting!" Teresa spits out eagerly looking at Nicholas.
"He simply said it was very well made and that he could taste the experience I have," he answers.
"Oh, poo. I was hoping for something more exciting than that. He's usually more complementary. Oh, well! I guess I must get back to the kitchen. Don't want my muffins to burn, now do we. Ta ta, Nicholas!" Teresa says. She waltzes back toward the kitchen. Nicholas notices she's still carrying the rolling pin he's always seen her with before.
"Um, Teresa?" Nicholas calls. She turns around. "Do you always keep your rolling pin with you?" Nicholas questions.
Teresa cocks her head slightly and looks at him mischievously. "Does a puppy always keep its tail with it?" she states and then marches out the door. Nicholas laughs and looks back down at the torn cape.
It's only a simple tear in the corner. Easily fixed with the right expertise, but the trickiest part is repairing the lining. After examining the cape, Nicholas goes back to the cupboards to find the right material. On his way there, he notices a young boy working at a different station, slowly working a needle through the sleeve of a nightgown. Nicholas remembers the boy as the one he saw coming out of his house in the morning. The boy doesn't notice him. Nicholas takes what he needs and walks back.
The next time Nicholas glances up, he notices the boy watching him out of the corner of his eye. Nicholas keeps working steadily, but every few moment looks up, and every time he sees the boy watching again. Finally, he puts down the needle and thread, turns in his chair and motions for the boy to come over. He appears to jump and panic slightly as if he didn't realize Nicholas could tell he was watching him. Flustered, he puts down his nightgown and walks slightly clumsily over.
"Umm, did you need something, sir?" the boy asks. Nicholas tilts his head.
"While I am flattered, I don't think I deserve the title of sir. May I ask why you called me that?" he asks.
"Well, I know that you're the butler of King Xander and I just thought that it's kind of an important position and all so I just kind of...said sir. I guess," he mumbles.
"It isn't really that much of an important position, but it does come with a lot of responsibility. What's your position here?" Nicholas returns.
"Oh, I'm just a freelancer of sorts. My mother works here so I was allowed to work here because of that. I just kind of do whatever needs doing around here. Not really that interesting. Not like you." the boy answers.
"Well, importance is a very subjective thing," Nicholas assures. "Anyway, might I ask what your name is?"
"Abel. My name's Abel. My mom told me one I was named after a famous warrior, but I don't think I've lived up to that expectation." Abel explains.
"Don't think too much about expectation. The only expectation that matters is your own," Nicholas responds.
Abel smiles meekly. "Thanks," he says.
"My name is Nicholas, by the way," he offers.
"That's a neat name," Abel comments. "I think it fits you."
"Well, I'm glad you think so. That's very nice of you," Nicholas says. Then he asks, "What are you working on?"
"Oh, just a shirt that needs mending. I'm having a bit of trouble with it since I'm not much of a tailor," Abel responds dejectedly. Then his eyes brighten slightly. "Maybe you could help me? It would be an honor learning from you. You must be really good."
Nicholas smiles at the compliment. "Well, I would be glad to. Just let me finish up and I'll be right over."
"Oh, thank you so much! It'll be so much fun learning from you," Able says as he skips back to his station. He reminds Nicholas of himself when he was younger.
Nicholas and Able work together only for a little while, just long enough for Nicholas to help him get the hang of things. Abel seems much more interested in his work with Nicholas helping and catches on quite quickly. Abel chats the whole time too.
"How did you get to be in such a great position?" Abel asks after a while. Nicholas ponders that for a bit.
"I like to think of it as the result of a lot of hard work. It's been somewhat of a goal to work here since even before your age. But I think there was a little bit of luck involved too. Just being in the right place at the right time," Nicholas answers.
"You must be really lucky then," Abel comments while continuing to work on the torn sleeve. He pulls the needle through one last time. "There! How does that look?" he asks Nicholas.
"It looks wonderful. You can hardly see the stitch at all. See, all you needed was a little bit of instruction and you got it right away. You've got some real talent to you, too," Nicholas assures.
"Aww, thanks a bunch," Abel says.
"Not a problem. I'm going to the market for a little bit after dinner tonight. Perhaps you would like to join me?" Nicholas offers.
Abel's eyes widen. "Really? That would be amazing! Thanks a bunch!" he says excitedly. "I'd better get this nightgown delivered then. See you later!" He picks up the nightgown, throws it over his shoulder and skips off again. Nicholas watches his leave enjoying how upbeat he made Abel. It feels good to mean something to someone.
Nicholas goes to the kitchen, makes a quick lunch for himself and Xander, grabs the clothes and brings everything upstairs.
Xander is sitting at his desk writing when Nicholas walks in. "Ah, that was fast. Done before lunch already. You are very efficient," Xander comments.
"No sense wasting valuable time, really," Nicholas responds while neatly folding and putting away the clothes.
"How are you getting along with the rest of the staff?" Xander asks.
"Just splendidly, milord. Teresa is very friendly and we have become very quick friends," Nicholas explains.
"Ah, yes, Teresa. That woman has boundless energy. She's been here the longest of anyone. I remember her being here was I was very young. I used to sneak down and steal bread from her," Xander reminisces. Then, seeing the small smile forming on Nicholas's face he adds, "But that was in my youth, and I assure you I do not do that anymore."
"I would never assume that, milord," Nicholas assures. Xander raises his eyebrow.
"There was another boy I met just today, milord. His name is Abel. He's quite young, can get a little discouraged, but is very high spirited. Perhaps you know him?" Nicholas adds.
Xander frowns. "No, I can't say I have. He must be newer," he offers.
"I did get that impression," Nicholas says. Xander finishes what he was writing and puts his feather pen back in the ink jar. "Fortunate you are here now. I have a letter for you to deliver. Would you be willing to do that now?"
"I am always willing, milord, for that is my duty," Nicholas states.
Xander smiles. "Your parents have taught you manners well. It should not be too hard to find the address. Ask around if you don't quite know where it is." He gives the freshly sealed letter to Nicholas. "I will see you later tonight then. You are dismissed."
Nicholas takes the letter and bows as Xander leaves to another part of the castle. Nicholas takes his leave too and heads to the stables feeling very proud of himself.