The One with Thursday's Medal
"Ok," Monday said grumpily as he slouched into the Day Room and fell huffily into a chair. "I don't mind you guys hanging out here sometimes but I was in the middle of an important meeting!"
"Sure you were." Friday said sarcastically. "Now does anyone know why Thursday dragged us all the way down here? I was busy too you know!"
"Sure you were." Saturday shot back as she and Wednesday arrived, Sunday in tow. "He didn't say, but he's on his way apparently."
They all sat in silence for a while as Sneezer served them tea and scones. Tuesday sighed and rested his chin on his fist.
"So, how's unemployment treating you Wednesday?" he asked boredly. She folded her arms and looked miserable.
"There's nothing to do all day!" she complained. "I mean, I would clean the apartment if someone would let me."
"You moved my green ottoman!" Saturday shot back irritably and Sunday looked up from his newspaper.
"Oh, rooky mistake Wednesday." he snorted and Saturday frowned. Friday piped up,
"Yes thank Architect you didn't try to fan out the magazines, she'll scratch your eyes right out."
Everyone sniggered except Saturday whose frown became a scowl. It was probably lucky that Thursday showed up at this point, looking very excited.
"Oh here he is!" Tuesday sighed. "Well go on then, what's this big news you have for us?"
"I'm receiving the medal of honour!" Thursday said proudly, beaming at them all. Their reactions were mixed, though they tried to look enthusiastic.
"Congratulations." Wednesday said on behalf of everyone. Thursday didn't seem to care that no one was as excited as him.
"Yes the Architect approved it, and there's going to be a big ceremony in the Citadel, you're all invited of course."
"Gee, I don't know, standing around in room full of soldiers arguing about the latest campaign, it's certainly tempting." Friday said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh I ought to point out that when I say invited, I mean its obligatory attendance, Architect's orders." Thursday said, glaring at her.
"Oh!" they all groaned simultaneously. Thursday rolled his eyes.
"It's an open bar." he added.
"Oh!" they repeated, sounding a little happier.
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"This is the worst night of my life." Saturday grumbled.
She and Sunday were standing in the corner of the large, dark panelled room the reception party was being held in. Since the actual ceremony was tomorrow morning they had all booked into rooms elsewhere in the Citadel. About a hundred people were standing around making tedious small talk, helped along by a few drinks. Saturday was already on her third glass of the evening.
"That bad?" Sunday inquired quietly and she sighed angrily.
"Your mother is driving me crazy." she growled, taking a swig of her champagne. "Oh Saturday, when was the last time you did anything to impress me? Thursday's so brave! Thursday's so skilled! Thursday this, Thursday that! Argh!"
"Easy now, it's just one night." Sunday said soothingly.
"But it's not just one night is it?" she snapped. "Its every time we have a social gathering! You know she's insisting I host Thanksgiving dinner this year? As if I don't already have enough work to be getting along with!"
"You have Wednesday to help. What's Thanksgiving anyway?"
"Oh some damn human tradition, I don't know why she's so keen on it it's only celebrated in one country anyway! Well, the version she wants is."
Just then a drunken naval officer from the Border Sea staggered up to them, a large brandy clutched in one hand. He was blinking blearily at them, his face ruddy from the alcohol.
"Can we help you?" Sunday asked icily and the officer hiccupped.
"I just want to say," he began blurrily. "That Sir Thursday is a marvellous fellow."
"Ah well, we like him." Saturday said and the officer looked hard at her before saluting sloppily.
"Have you grown Marshal Dawn?" he asked and Saturday's eyes went wide whilst Sunday bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.
Across the room, Tuesday was sitting at a table with Wednesday.
"So, uh, are you sure you're alright? I mean with the whole not having a job thing." Tuesday was saying tenderly. Wednesday shrugged.
"Yeah I guess I'm ok, I've got Saturday after all and we do have fun, I mean, once she stops screaming at me for eating cookies in bed."
Tuesday smiled in spite of himself but pressed on.
"Yes but we all know what a crazy workaholic that woman is. You're all alone in the apartment all day, don't you get lonely?"
"Sometimes, I miss the Border Sea but I don't think I can face Tom just yet. The Architect's already given me the whole 'you'll never make it on your own' speech, oh and of course everyone's favourite, 'what will you do come tax day?'"
"Well…" Tuesday said slowly. "You know I have some friends at the Glorious Bank of the House, I could pull some strings, call in a few favours, if you're having financial trouble."
"Really?!" Wednesday said, putting her hands over her heart whilst Tuesday smiled sheepishly. "You would do that for me? Oh Tuesday, you're so great!"
She leant over and hugged him tightly before getting up to join Friday at the buffet table. Tuesday grinned to himself but it slid away as a voice behind him said,
"Neeeeever going to happen."
He turned his head with a frown and saw that Monday was lounging in a chair there.
"What are you talking about? Didn't you see the hug?" Tuesday said and Monday raised an eyebrow.
"Yes I saw the hug, and it reeked of friendzone. You've left it too long Tuesday." he replied knowingly.
"I have not! I'm just waiting for the right moment."
"What's wrong with this moment? Is it the wine? The candles? The music? What exactly is putting you off?"
"You know what, you think what you like, I am going to take a shot."
"Good luck, first commiseration drink is on me."
"Oh go and jump into the Void." Tuesday snapped, before setting off after Wednesday.
Meanwhile, over at the bar…
"Saturday would you please stop taking this so personally? The guy was hammered!" Sunday said in exasperation as Saturday knocked back something like her seventh drink (both he and the bar tender had lost count). "There is no way you look like Thursday's subordinate!"
"Then why would he say it?!" she demanded.
"Because he's crazy!" Sunday cried, "He came up to me earlier and congratulated me on my very moving performance in Titanic! Whatever that is."
"Just leave me alone to get drunk Sunday, go and chat with your mother or something, listen to her complain about how much a disappointment I've turned out to be."
"I give up." Sunday sighed, walking away as Saturday clicked her fingers for yet more alcohol. He bumped into Tuesday along the way.
"And what is the matter with you?" he asked, registering his fellow Day's miserable expression.
"Next time, I'll do it next time." was all Tuesday muttered, seemingly unaware of Sunday's question. Sunday shook his head, maybe it was time to go to bed.
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Thursday burst through the door of Sunday's room the next morning, practically bouncing up and down in excitement.
"I'm getting a medal today! Woo hoo!" he crowd. Sunday raised his head from his pillow.
"Morning Thursday." he said calmly.
"I'm getting a medal, TODAY!"
"Yes you are." Sunday agreed. Thursday retreated and they heard him doing the same thing next door in Tuesday room, and getting a far angrier response. Saturday poked her head out from under Sunday's cover.
"Do you think he knew I was here?" she asked.
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"Told you you wouldn't do it." Monday sang softly as they sat watching the Architect pin the medal to a shaking Thursday's chest.
"Shut up." Tuesday growled beside him, his arms crossed and a scowl fixed on his face.
"Oh and I heard she was getting on really well with Thursday's Noon." Monday added.
"Shut up!" Tuesday hissed through gritted teeth, kicking Monday as discreetly as he could manage. Wednesday, who was sitting across the isle from them, looked around. 'What's up?' she mouthed. 'Nothing' Tuesday mouthed back. On Wednesday's left was Saturday who was keeping her gaze fixed resolutely ahead. Sunday shifted uncomfortably beside her and muttered from the corner of his mouth,
"Last night, that was uh,"
"Stupid." Saturday replied firmly.
"Oh so stupid."
"Very stupid."
"What were we thinking?"
There was pause before Sunday asked,
"I'm still coming over tonight though right?"
"Oh yes." Saturday sighed, folding her hands primly on her knee.