A Haunting Chiaroscuro | Tortured Shadows
Context: Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique that heavily emphasizes contrasting light and dark shades to draw attention to certain aspects of the painting. Paintings that are considered to use Chiaroscuro often use volume and depth quite a lot too.
It was morning.
Everything was perfect.
The morning unfurled in hues of promise, a canvas adorned with the delicate strokes of dawn's embrace. The sunlight painted the room with a gentle caress, coaxing Petra awake from the depths of slumber.
In all honesty, it felt cathartic to wake up bathed in the delightful and gentle Sun. Perhaps that sense of simple-minded satisfaction was exclusive to children but that did not matter. Her day was off to an amazing start already.
Eagerly, she cutely hopped out of her bed and quickly got dressed and prepared for the busy day ahead. Donning her comfortable and embroidered maid outfit, she skipped out of her room with the same attitude and confidence characteristic of kind little children.
With so many guests coming today too, she was convinced that an optimistic and good attitude would result in a good mood for everyone else. It was a very sweet and considerate perspective fitting for the sweet and considerate child that was Petra.
Within the mansion's walls, a tapestry of artistry unfolded. The hallways were adorned with fabulous, captivating paintings. Some were more detailed, some were more abstract, but they all contributed to the mansion's atmosphere.
While a majority of the paintings held no specific meaning, instead choosing to depict some random but pretty landscape found in Lugunica, there were still a few that truly did hold meaning.
One particular painting held her gaze - a vibrant depiction of Subaru frolicking with his daughter, Meili, in front of the mansion. It was a commissioned artwork done by a renowned painter and it perfectly captured the scene, in her opinion.
Subaru and Meili's radiant smiles illuminated the heart of the canvas. According to Petra, it was a masterpiece where contrasts converged, drawing the eye toward the cute and loving duo.
Beside childish jealousy for not being the one frolicking with Subaru, Petra did, in fact, find solace in that artwork, a true admiration for the usage of color and emotion.
Gratitude swelled within her; a silent acknowledgement of the opportunity bestowed upon her to work at the mansion - a silent note to thank Frederica for this lovely opportunity.
Skipping through corridors adorned with vivid hues and rays of sunlight, Petra soon found herself at her main workspace - the kitchen. There, the blonde beauty Frederica was cooking up a rather swell breakfast.
Instinctively, Petra lent a hand, grabbing metal bowls and spoons, preparing mixtures and batches that would soon dance upon the griddle.
Simply by habit, Petra could distinguish what meal Frederica planned to make. The scents wafting through the air were her hints = batter and flour mingling with the sweet allure characteristic of syrup.
Petra had forgotten what Frederica called them, or rather what Subaru called them, but the taste lingered in her memory, a testament to their delicious simplicity.
They were so scrumptious that Petra almost felt guilty for not remembering.
Pancrooks? Nah. Purtcakes? No. Nevertheless, Petra loved them.
"Oh Petra, don't startle me like that. Good morning, thank you for lending a hand. We have many guests expected today," greeted Frederica, her tone maternal and light, a soothing melody in the morning air.
"Understood!" chirped the young maid, offering a playful salute, "It's Subaru's friends, right?"
"Yes, not a formal meeting, more like a casual gathering. They just want to 'chill,' as Subaru-sama puts it," replied Frederica, getting her daily dosage of Subaru-isms for the day.
Subaru's friends were to grace the manor with their presence it seemed - a gathering of mostly knights. The Spirit Knight, Julius; the healer Blue, Felix; the venerable Sword Demon, Wilhelm Van Astrea; the overpowered Sword Saint, Reinhardt; and Mrs. Felt, insistent on joining the hangout because, according to her, she wanted to tease her Big Bro.
Petra nodded in affirmation, her smile a steadfast companion.
"I trust you to handle the remaining batches?" asked Frederica, her tone a blend of guidance and professionalism, tailored to suit the child's eager diligence and growing proficiency in the profession.
"Absolutely!" affirmed Petra, punctuating her words with yet another adorable salute - a gesture taught by Subaru, a sign of his eccentric nature that seeped into practically everyone's routine.
Subaru truly was of odd character.
However, the serene tranquility within the kitchen stood in stark contrast to the dynamic, hectic interplay unfurling beyond its confines. Outside, there was a patrol consisting of one princess loli and a rather rambunctious monster-controlling ex-assassin.
Truly… a mouthful.
"What are you grinning so brightly for, I suppose?" questioned the suspicious spirit, notching her eyebrows upward.
"Do you see it? In the distance," replied the purple-haired girl, glancing at a field of flowers, "They're so red and purple, more purple than my hair! Petra would love to see them," continued the child.
It seemed, albeit quite subtly to the other loli, that Meili Portroute was beginning to embrace the concept of family. Initially, she may have attributed her joy to a distorted version of Stockholm Syndrome.
But the Emilia Camp was not forcing her to stay or anything of the sort. If anything, Meili felt guilty as she felt as though she was taking advantage of their own kindness but yet she still cherished every moment with them.
It was true. Meili loved every second of her time here, especially after the expedition to the Pleiades Watchtower.
She encountered nicer people and received the love she had long yearned for - a love devoid of manipulation, a stark contrast to the tainted affectionate attitude she knew under Mama's influence, under Capella's twisted version of love.
Meili felt a warm, authentic, and welcoming brand of love and care. Deep inside, she knew a certain individual whom she could especially attribute this feeling to.
Meanwhile, Beatrice and Meili strolled leisurely through the blooming field, talking idly and endlessly as long as the day permitted it.
The Great Spirit Beatrice, albeit reluctant to admit, enjoyed interacting with Meili. At first, the idea of actually enjoying doing things with someone other than her contractor seemed inconceivable.
But Meili, unknown to even herself, started to exhibit traits characteristic of Subaru.
Even though they weren't biologically related, like-father, like-daughter.
Beatrice supposed that was the reason behind her sudden attachment to the girl.
Subaru did often toy around with the notion that once he was gone, Beatrice could initiate a contract with Meili. In a way, Beatrice would never be alone again and would always, by technicality, forever maintain a connection to Subaru, albeit through his daughter.
On the other hand, Beatrice did not want to toy with the idea of her contractor going anywhere anytime soon. She did not want to entertain such an idea.
Yet, in Meili, she found a potential companion.
It was quite ironic too considering Meili tried to hurt her contractor on three separate occasions - one during the Mabeast incident, one during the tribulations at the Sanctuary, and one at the Tower.
And yet, Beatrice took a liking to her sister.
"Dad was right. These flowers are really beautiful. I never really cared about them before but… now they seem so enchanting," exclaimed the purple maiden.
"How childish to act up just by seeing some flowers, I suppose," teased the spirit, her gaze smugly fixed on Meili.
"Oh, hush! You didn't have to follow if you weren't interested!" retorted Meili, a playful edge lining her words.
"I came to check on Betty's Subaru, in fact! He intended to sketch this field," quipped Beatrice, concocting an explanation to sound both professional and cool, albeit based more on her whims than reality.
"Besides, I had to make sure that my contractor's daughter did not fall into any thorns too, I suppose. Subaru told me to watch you, in fact," explained the spirit, once again making stuff up. Subaru did not tell her to do anything.
"Sure, sure. It seems like 'Betty's Contractor' is overly protective! I don't need constant supervision!" countered Meili, still emitting a playful smile.
"You're not being monitored all the time. Betty simply wishes to ensure safety, I suppose," Beatrice explained, "Anything for Subaru's headpats, I suppose!"
"Hm. Yeah, right! Then… what if I did this?" Meili's mischievous voice carried as she teetered on one leg towards a bunch of thorn-laden flowers, prompting a sudden panic on Beatrice's face.
"Wait, wait, wait, I suppose!" warned Beatrice, her eyes hyper focused on Meili and occasionally switching to stare at the thorns.
Though beautiful, flowers still needed their defensive measures.
And, just like with the flowers, Beatrice's defensive measures decided to kick in as well. No one was going to jeopardize her head pat rewards.
"Betty's contractor would be super, super sad if you got hurt, in fact! You wouldn't want that… right?"
"Then… will you admit that you were just as excited about the flowers as I was? I suppose?" teased Meili, mimicking Beatrice's speech pattern.
"Betty is not so easily swayed! I'm over 400 years old, in fact!"
"Okay, okay. How about… can you finally admit that I'm better at tag than you?"
A moment of pure, awkward silence enveloped them.
"Preposterous, in fact! Betty is the greatest at the game of tag! How dare you make such blatantly incorrect claims, I suppose!?" huffed and puffed the big bad spirit, earning a delightful chuckle from Meili.
'400 years old,' mused Meili. Yet, she is just as easy to tease as a regular child. Subaru was right in his assertion that his Beako epitomized childlike charm and cuteness.
"Suuuuurrreeeee. But you always lift your dress to chase me, it makes you slower!" quipped Meili.
"But Betty can chant Murak, in fact! Betty is undoubtedly faster," boasted the prideful spirit.
"That's cheating though! No magic allowed!"
"Then don't call and ride away on your pets when I'm about to tag you, I suppose!"
"Weirdo! Bleh!" Meili chanted as she stuck her tongue out.
"Child! Bleh!"
"You're throwing that out as if being a child is supposed to be an insult."
"It is, in fact. As Betty's stellar contractor would say, it's 'cringe,' I suppose."
"What does that even mean?"
"No idea, I suppose."
Silence…
"Then why are you using it!?"
"It's beyond your comprehension, I suppose!"
"It's literally beyond yours too!" retorted Meili.
"Whate="
The total 'calmness' of the conversation was soon disrupted by an unexpected plea.
"Now, now. You are going to break my manly heart if my two little goofballs rip each other to shreds like this," intervened the third goofball, attired in a suit Lined in Orange and Black.
"Fine," responded the two lolis, clearly not willing to upset their favorite person.
Subaru couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Utterly adorable, he thought to himself. Only Emilia-tan could rival that level of cuteness.
"What has Betty's Subaru been up to here? It's already been two hours. I hope it's not something foolish, or Betty will not be pleased," teased the spirit.
Chuckling once more, Subaru replied, "Scary! I don't wanna displease my cute spirit! Just as I mentioned this morning, I have been painting this field! It was your idea, wasn't it?"
That was true. Painting had been Beatrice's suggestion. She saw it as an avenue for Subaru to channel his emotions. Before the valiant knight "inadvertently" set fire to her library, Beatrice delved into volumes extolling the virtues of art and the lives of renowned Lugunican artists.
All in all, it was a brilliant suggestion and one that Subaru actually embraced.
Initially, she proposed journaling to him, only to face a quick rejection. Subaru fretted about others stumbling upon it and the potential embarrassment it might bring. Beatrice suggested writing in his homeland's script, but the idea was dismissed too.
Apparently, Subaru harbored concerns that Beatrice, with her beginner-level Japanese skills, might uncover his secrets.
In reality, Beatrice knew less Japanese than the average 6-year=old child.
In other words, she would not have been able to read his journal easily anyway.
After a gentle pat on both their heads, Subaru guided them to the top of the hill, offering the most panoramic view of the field.
It was stunning to say the least. The visual was breathtaking. Flowers of various hues sprawled in apparent chaos, yet a structured chaos that contributed to the overall scenery.
Furthermore…
On top of the hilltop stood an easel bearing a canvas = a canvas that held what Beatrice and Meili could only describe as divine.
For a fleeting moment, both Beatrice and Meili forgot their surroundings, transfixed by the painting's beauty, which transcended the mere field of flowers before them even though it depicted the same exact thing.
The painting beckoned with a vibrant tapestry of hues. The colors present really jumped at you, unveiling the magnificence of the flower field as it stretched towards the alluring horizon.
The field depicted in the painting… and to what perplexed Beatrice… felt alive and joyous. It perfectly captured the harmonious chaos of floral abundance.
Daisies were scattered like confetti, scarlet poppies wove scarlet threads through the grass, irises stood tall in regal purples, roses arose confidently in dark reds with their petals unfurling like elegant dangers, and sunflowers adorned the landscape with their golden heads.
Yet, what truly set the painting apart was one subtle item - an ethereal, angelic glow that seemed like it was infused into the canvas.
It was an angelic luminescence adorning each flower, likely a reflection of the distant sunrise also drawn out beautifully in the artwork.
Even the sky was beautiful!
The sky, a blend of oranges and reds, a sight unparalleled in their experience.
It was all so mesmerizing - until a sudden interruption startled the two lolis.
"Ow!" yelped both of them.
"Why'd you flick us on the head, Dad?" complained Meili, rubbing her hand over the "injured" area.
"You both blanked out for a good 20 seconds. You okay? Did you grab something to eat? I thought I told you to grab something to eat before coming here," lectured Subaru, adopting an almost parental tone.
He figured he was getting practice with Meili.
"Betty's contractor is too dense to realize his painting caused it, I suppose."
"My painting?"
"Yes, in fact! Betty has never seen anything more stunning and beautiful, I suppose! It even rivals Betty's cuteness, in fact!" exclaimed Beatrice, a mix of awe and envy in her tone.
"Something cuter and more captivating than my Beako? Preposterous!" shouted Subaru in a goofy tone.
"You should show the others!" shouted the purple-haired girl, exuberating a child-like exhilaration.
"What? Absolutely not! It's too embarrassing. What would Emilia-tan think? She probably thinks I've been going out early to train, but here I am… painting," protested Subaru.
Meili then patted Subaru's back.
"Painting doesn't make you any less manly than you already are, Dad," comforted Meili.
"Ouch," exclaimed Subaru, taken aback by the subtle attack on his masculinity.
"Betty will pummel anyone who dares insult her Subaru's masterpiece, in fact!"
"Agreed!" chorused Meili.
Subaru chuckled once again.
"Anyway, since you two clearly haven't eaten, let's head back for some breakfast, huh? I heard they're making pancakes!" announced Subaru before enveloping the two lolis in a warm and tight embrace.
Remarkably, and somewhat cutely, neither of them resisted the action, instead choosing to bask in Subaru's apparent excellence.
Subaru felt that his entire body could explode from all the cuteness.
Subaru then turned, gazing down the hill at the sea of flowers.
"Louis! It's your favorite food today: pancakes and chocolate syrup!"
A nearby bushel of flowers stirred, prompting Beatrice and Meili to quickly assume a defensive stance.
"Uwaaa," popped out Louis, sporting a flower crown fashioned by Subaru.
Subaru quickly jogged towards her in order to sweep her off her feet.
"Yup, it's your favorite today!" cheered Subaru.
He found it ironic that he now cared and loved for the previous Sin Archbishop of Gluttony. Previously, he held nothing but contempt for the lady, a person responsible for so much needless suffering and conflict.
But… the person in his arms was no longer Louis Arneb. It was just Louis now.
"Also, can my cute Beako and daughter carry my painting supplies? I'll offer free headpats afterwards," advertised Subaru.
"Absolutely!" saluted the lolis, solidifying Subaru's title of Lolimancer.
"Murak," chanted Beatrice, casting a basic Yin spell that lessened the effects of gravity, allowing the canvas and easel to float and be pushed effortlessly. It certainly made her and Meili's job much easier.
Louis perched herself on Subaru's shoulders. As they strolled back to the mansion, any villager passing by couldn't help but swoon at the adorable scene.
To a simple passerby, it was simply a caring father accompanied by his three playful and awesome daughters.
In the tranquil interaction with his three companions, Subaru could not be happier. The horrors of Vollachia had left scars etched deep within him, scars that he believed were irreparable. Yet, in this moment, surrounded by his three lolis, he found a solace he thought might elude him forever.
The echoes of Vollachia still haunted him but their presence made it easier to bear.
The days following Priestella had been an unending thread of conflicts, an incessant barrage that constantly wore down and drained his spirit. He was bone-tired, a weariness that seeped everywhere in his body. But amidst that, a moment of respite emerged, and he could not help but feel happy in the end.
Everyone was safe. Everyone was alive. Everyone, including himself, was happy.
He owed gratitude to Beako. Her suggestion to use painting as an emotional outlet had been a silent bolster to his spirit.
Back in Japan, he had a lot of free time to learn random hobbies. One such hobby being drawing and so his Beako's suggestion seemed very appealing.
Of course, in Japan, while free time for Subaru was plentiful, resources were not.
He did not want to burden his kind parents with requests for art supplies, choosing instead to scavenge libraries, dumpsters, and craft stores in secret to gather a myriad of free or cheaper supplies.
At first, art felt like a stupid and frivolous pursuit, a fleeting fancy as he sat alone in his room.
However, over time, he gained a weird knack for it. In fact, he discovered an innate talent that he never acknowledged. His creations, born from quiet moments and hidden emotions, bore a silent testimony to his feelings.
Yet, Subaru could never accept or embrace this newfound skill, always denouncing his efforts as unpolished and amateurish.
His parents, aware of his artistic inclination, never intruded upon his sketches or paintings. Subaru guarded them like precious little treasures, hidden away in obscure dark corners or locked boxes or even old pillowcases.
The excuse he offered = his drawings being too embarrassing or unsightly - a feeble shield for the deeper truth he actually concealed.
Of course, his parents respected his desire for privacy regardless. In their minds, they were simply happy that their son had found a hobby that he genuinely took pride in and that he genuinely took pleasure in.
But the weight of his self-imposed expectations still bore heavily on him.
Why indulge in art when the world outside demanded his attention? How could he, Natsuki Subaru, justify his hobby when others worked so tirelessly outside?
It was a question that echoed in the recesses of his mind constantly, a persistent reminder of his perceived incompleteness.
Natsuki Subaru was a failure among failures, he thought.
Sadly, it was these kinds of thoughts and questions that eventually eroded that artistic passion and turned his mind away from it all. His sketchbooks and canvases that were once filled with life, even if filled with melancholic emotions, soon became devoid of anything, simply gathering dust in his closet.
To an extent, he was right. Natsuki Subaru had failed to retain something of actual value. He was right. Art was nothing but a fleeting ambition that only sought to temporarily distract him from his loneliness.
In quiet moments like these, where he was trapped in his head, Subaru wondered why he even accepted Beatrice's offer in the first place. It was true; he hadn't outright refused her suggestion, partly because denying his spirit daughter seemed practically impossible when he couldn't come up with a good reason against her.
And yet, beneath even that, was an unspoken inkling of a reason. A reason that even he did not know yet.
Despite those uncertainties though, painting proved to be a bomb, if only a fleeting one. Subaru truly did enjoy it.
The flower field, in particular, was the epitome of nature's beauty, second only to Emilia-tan of course.
This flower field had been his intended destination in the hushed embrace of dawn. His plans for painting early in the morning, however, were thwarted by an ironic riser… Louis who then woke the rest of the cuddling trio, that being Meili and Beatrice.
Despite his desire for a short while of solitude, Subaru's attempts to paint alone were futile considering the amount of concern he generated for the loli trio.
He tried his best to steer the others back but to no avail.
In the end, only Beatrice and Meili half-complied, stating that they would rest for a bit and, as Subaru instructed, eat a few snacks before heading to the flower field where Subaru would be avidly painting.
Anyhow, the flower field truly was beautiful. It embodied the very essence of the world Subaru desired - a world that was peaceful and a world that he could spend with all of his friends and loved ones.
His experiences in the war-torn lands of Vollachia taught him the consequences of such an ideal, yet he refused to relinquish that aspiration.
He learned a lesson, don't get him wrong, but… striving towards unattainable ideals is not necessarily futile.
If it meant saving lives and sustaining peace, even if that peace was temporary, Subaru deemed the effort worthwhile.
Every petal he drew spoke of unity and serenity. Subaru felt a surge of emotion while drawing but refrained from shedding tears, wary that his companions might tease him. He was not going to allow that!
Either way, it was clear… Art became his sanctuary, a haven where nightmares slowly receded into the depths of his mind.
Beatrice was skeptical at first when she witnessed the gradual decline of his nightly terrors. But even then, for Beatrice, the slightest reduction in his anguish and self-harm habits meant the world.
But there were nights when Subaru would sleepwalk. Weirdly enough, all the nights in which Subaru would sleepwalk corresponded to those where he would not have any nightmares, a phenomenon unbeknownst to even him.
In those moments, Beatrice initially trailed him, wary of the unspoken fears that haunted her charge.
Was Subaru going to do something crazy in his sleep? Was he going to unconsciously hurt himself? Beatrice was horrified by the thought.
She found it odd, however, that every single time she trailed him, he would silently reawaken from his trance and, after a few moments of confusion, would shuffle to the kitchen.
At first, Beatrice was horrified by the notion that he may be hurting himself in the kitchen only to be happily proved wrong when he would enter the kitchen, not for any self-destructive purposes but merely seeking a mundane snack or a glass of water - a simple and innocent act amidst the illusions of sleep.
Over the past few weeks, the occurrence had become almost routine. Subaru's nightly excursions to the kitchen and back were so consistent that Beatrice, along with Meili and Louis, no longer worried about him during those moments.
Of course, a tiny bit of complaining from Subaru also convinced them to stop trailing him every single time.
If anything, though, Beatrice was just glad that her simple suggestion of painting actually was having an effect in helping her poor, kind contractor.
He deserved the world, she supposed.
Though, Beatrice supposed that she couldn't take all the credit as Meili did contribute to the brainstorming session of, and to which they titled, the "Make Subaru Smile Big Mission."
Speaking of Meili, she herself was concerned with the way Subaru had nightmares and hurt himself. It was especially traumatizing for the girl at first before she clenched her fists and wore a determined face to find a way to remedy those terrors.
Subaru meant a whole lot to her whether he knew it or not.
To anyone else, Subaru was a strategic genius with almost unparalleled timing and courage. So much so that Meili would not be surprised if Subaru was considered one of the greatest heroes in all of history.
But to Meili, Subaru was a father.
In fact, Meili could still remember the first time she witnessed his nightmares.
One fateful night, plagued by her own unsettling dreams involving Capella, Meili sought solace in Subaru's presence. It was a common occurrence. Subaru would always sooth her fears, driving away any stray thoughts of the one she once considered her Mama.
But that night was different.
"Dad, can I talk to you for a second?"
Her cries pierced the tranquility of the night as she tried to rouse her sleeping father from his slumber. But something felt wrong, was wrong, extremely so.
All she wanted that night was to talk to Subaru and to be comforted but it was yet to dawn upon her that she would be the one doing the comforting.
What greeted her when she soon neared her father's room door was an unexpected noise - a worried Beatrice and the haunting sounds of pleading and sobbing echoing from within.
Beatrice's frantic whispering and Subaru's unfamiliar anguish startled her.
The sounds of despair felt alien, as if a stranger had overtaken Subaru. To the world, Subaru was a hero of extraordinary feats. But the tormented cries behind that door belonged to a person she did not recognize.
This juxtaposition between who Subaru was now and what everyone thought he was scared Meili to her core. The thought that the person who comforted her when she had nightmares was not actually a person at all was a terrifying notion.
But above all else, she was scared by the fact that the person who comforted her when she had nightmares was having nightmares himself.
And with her determination overcoming her fears, it was clear that she made her mind up already.
"I'm coming in!"
Her declaration rang firm as she pushed past Beatrice's protests, only to confront a distressing sight - Subaru, writhing in bed, trapped in the clutches of a nasty nightmare.
Beatrice's terrified gaze mirrored Meili's shock, their fears colliding in that haunting moment. Meili was terrified by the fact that her fears for her father proved themselves to be true while Beatrice was afraid that Subaru's secret had been uncovered.
At the same time, however, Beatrice felt a wave of relief that someone else knew.
Meili would never forget that day. If you asked her, and assuming she answered honestly, it was a sight that shattered her perception of the indomitable character that was Natsuki Subaru.
Subaru was not just a kind and courageous soul. He was a kind and courageous soul amidst despair and hardship.
Beatrice's resistance soon crumbled, revealing a rather vulnerable truth buried beneath Subaru's facade.
"He has nightmares every night… Subaru doesn't tell anyone so no one has to worry," confessed Beatrice, her classic 'I suppose' and 'in fact' whisked away.
In that instant, Meili forgot her original reason for seeking Subaru that night.
Instead, Meili wanted to help.
But what was she to do? Beatrice was perhaps one of the closest people to Subaru and if she could not counter these night terrors then what was Meili supposed to do.
She cared and trusted Subaru but she was still somewhat a stranger.
In full honesty, while she considered Subaru as a father, she knew practically next to nothing about the man.
But Meili did not want to give up so easily. In a way, she wanted to repay him for all that he had done for her.
Subaru gave Meili a home.
A true home, full of genuine love and admiration.
A home so very unlike her previous situation.
And so, Meili's resolve solidified.
If Meili could not dispel the shadows haunting Subaru, she would flood his waking moments with joy instead - creating days so vibrant and bright that they'd overpower every fleeting nightmare.
"Subaru-sama! Breakfast is ready!" the little maid exclaimed, watching Subaru and his three daughters etching their way towards the mansion.
"We'll be right there, just have to put away a few things first. Thanks for letting me know, Petra!" Subaru expressed his gratitude, earning a bright smile from Petra.
'He thanked me! He thanked me!' she celebrated in her head.
After stealthily stashing away all of his art supplies, Subaru and his trio of lively lolis skipped to the dining room where many friendly faces greeted them.
"Ah, Subaru-dono it is great to see you safe and sound," Wilhelm greeted warmly.
"Ah! You guys are already here!?" Subaru exclaimed in surprise.
How in the hell did they get here so fast?
"Due to a slight misunderstanding, we left a bit earlier than expected. The maid, Petra, I think it was, said that we were just on time to try a creation of yours though," explained a purple-haired knight, walking in and assisting in setting the table.
"Dang, who invited you? My morning was off to an amazing start, thank you very much!" Subaru teased the asshole knight.
"That's what I heard too! Big Bro, I didn't know you were some chef or something," said an enthusiastic Felt.
Subaru shrugged.
"It's just pancakes," he said.
"Pancakes? Cakes for breakfast? That does not seem particularly healthy or proper, Subaru-dono," said a worried Wilhelm.
"Don't worry! Pancakes are just the younger sibling of real cakes. They are absolutely perfect for breakfast, trust me!" shouted Subaru before landing an outlandish pose.
The dining room erupted into giggles at Subaru's antics. His excitement was soon interrupted and turned into GREATER excitement by the arrival of his beloved angel, Emilia.
"Subaru is right. Pancakes are super yummy, and Subaru is the greatest chef of all time!" Emilia shouted, pointing at her knight with pride and in a bragging tone.
She loved showing off how amazing her knight was.
"To be complimented by Emilia-tan is the greatest gift of all! I could explode with happiness right now!" cried out Subaru, as he got on his knees in another dramatic pose as if crying.
"What exactly is a pancrook though, if you don't mind me asking Subaru-dono?"
Just as Subaru was about to perform a quick explanation though, that was when Beatrice stepped in, clearing considering pancakes a sacred subject.
She would not admit it openly, but just like Louis, pancakes with chocolate syrup and cream was the greatest combination of foods in the entire world, she supposed.
"It is called a pancake, in fact. Imagine a disc of golden-brown delight, literal softness sizzling in a pan, I suppose! It's as if a sunbeam decided to take a leisurely nap in a circular mold, transforming into a delectable creation, in fact! And since it was made by Betty's contractor, the taste and exquisite texture of pancakes increases tenfold! Puncakes are the greatest start to the day of all time, proof that Betty's Subaru is the greatest person who has ever lived, I suppose!"
Silence…..
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
"That… that sounds delightful," responded Julius, earning nods from Felt and Reinahrdt in the back as well.
Reinhardt especially was confused as his divine protection activated and he could feel the amount of joy and passion in Beatrice's words.
"I think you went a bit too far, Beako," whispered Subaru, yet loud enough for everyone else to hear.
"You know… With how attached Beatrice-sama is to Natsuki-san, I would not be surprised if she started a Church of Subaru one day," teased Otto, seated at the table, eagerly anticipating the meal to come.
He loved pancakes too.
"Oh, I didn't even know you were there, Otto," replied Subaru.
"What!? I was literally the first person to talk to you when you walked in here!"
"No, you weren't. Wasn't that Wilhelm-dono?"
"To be fair, Subaru-dono, Otto-dono did say something to you before I did. You just didn't respond," clarified Wilhelm.
'Damn,' Subaru though, 'Did I seriously just not hear him?'
"Oh. Sorry, Otto! You get an extra pancake today!"
"You're not even the one making them today, how do you know that we have extra pancakes!?"
"One thing, Otto… Faith!" shouted Subaru, giving Otto a wide thumbs up.
"Now, Subaru, if you make promises to Otto, you can't break them." advised Emilia, the promise addict.
"I won't break any, I promise!" declared a confident Subaru, assuming that Frederica and Petra must have made a few extras just in case.
Considering most of the dining guests had never eaten a pancake before, it was sure to be a treat, so having extras did not seem like a bad idea.
And what do you know, Subaru's intuition proved right again.
"This is delicious, Big Bro!" shouted the enthusiastic ex-thief, Felt, enjoying her pancakes and chocolate syrup.
"My Lady, eating like that is very unladylike! What if you choke!?" Reinhardt expressed concern, sitting by his lady's side in case anything went wrong.
"Nyaha. You're one to talk, Reinhardt. The second you took a bite, you gasped with joy! Not even your divine protection could prevent us from noticing that," laughed Felix, clearly relishing the meal too.
Subaru was pleased by the sight. Everyone was happy, and, in his opinion, it was a perfect start to the day.
"Thanks for working so hard on the batches today, Petra," thanked Subaru, giving his signature head pat to the little girl who internally screamed with happiness.
"Petra, my dear, can you please bring a few extra bottles of orage and appa juice for our guests, please?" asked Frederica, once again in a motherly tone.
Petra saluted before leaving the room, happily skipping away.
Petra was glad everyone was enjoying her pancakes, she worked very hard to make all those batches! Subaru's gratitude was the cherry on top for sure though!
As she breezed into the kitchen, her infectious energy set the tone for the day.
She then ventured towards a tucked-away compartment of the kitchen - a small storage area nested within the room where all the bottles were stored.
Her gaze swept over the array of shelves, stacked with many bottles of orage juice and appa juice. There was even "grapp juice." Surely no one would notice if she took a tiny, itty bitty sip, right?
No! That was naughty! No siree. Frederica-sama would be furious.
Amidst the orderly chaos, however, something caught her eye - a solitary loose floorboard, subtly out of place and in a way such that only someone intimate with the room would notice.
Curiosity piqued, Petra approached, her fingers tentatively tracing the edges of the displaced board. She resolved herself to fix it before Frederica would notice. A gentle prod, an innocent attempt to set it back into alignment, managed to just worsen it.
"Eeeek!"
'Frederica-sama is going to kill me!' she thought.
But in that moment, her keen eyes caught a small glint - something tucked within the crevice.
A surge of adrenaline and child-like curiosity coursed through her as she slowly peered into the crevice.
To be faced with a monster.
In truth, Petra had not even taken a look at what laid beyond.
What made her jump back was solely instinct, as if something dangerous and dark laid below the floorboard as she was nearing to take a look.
A terror-stricken yelp pierced the air.
She didn't want to die. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to die.
Heart racing, she darted her eyes around the dimly lit room, searching for anything that might aid in her defense.
She scanned the nearby shelves for an object, anything she could wield, anything! It didn't matter what!
Grabbing hold of a nearby broom, her grip tightened as she stood on guard, ready to fend off any impending danger.
Her breaths came in shallow gasps as she dared not take her eyes off the small crevice she had just explored.
Seconds stretched into agonizing minutes, yet nothing stirred, and no lurking monstrosity emerged from the depths below the floorboard.
Confusion gnawed at her, mingling with the lingering traces of fear.
Gathering enough courage, she inched back towards the floorboard crevice as a wave of embarrassment washed over her.
It was just a painting.
Thank God Beatrice or Meili wasn't there. They would have teased her for life!
Now that she got a good look at it, it was a painting unlike any other.
The same instincts that once wanted her to take her eyes away from it and to run away, were now telling her otherwise.
In the heart of the painting's bleak expanse lay a desolate figure, balled-up and cloaked in shadows that seemed to writhe with a life of their own.
The solitary silhouette stood as a beacon of isolation on a desecrated stage.
Amidst that darkness, Petra found herself feeling both terror and an overwhelming desire to comfort the desolate figure.
It was what surrounded the central figure, however, that was beyond comprehension.
Around the tormented creature, an assemblage of desaturated corpses lay strewn like discarded puppets, their limbs twisted and contorted in macabre poses.
The pale hue of their skin only contributed to their lifelessness, their gazes directly pointed at the viewer's soul, as if cursing them and crying for help.
From these lifeless cadavers sprouted grotesque appendages - dark purple and black gnarled hands that extended towards the shadowed protagonist.
As if taunting the central figure, these appendages reached out in a horrific dance, as if offering a twisted, one-sided embrace.
Amid this tortuous scene, the silhouette continued to sit alone… Hauntingly alone as an abandoned and misshapen soul who had no right for being this tormented.
It was then that Petra realized how the central figure wore a charcoal hue that contrasted with the jet black of its surroundings.
It was as if the painting itself was alluring you, captivating you, ensnaring you.
Petra was at a loss for words.
She had never felt such intense terror and yet such pity before.
It made her heart wrench.
It was then that Frederica barged into the storage room, worried for the little maid as she was taking far too long to get the bottles.
The next second, she too was entranced by the haunting sight.
And yet only one question remained afterwards.
Who?
Truly… Who?
Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who?
Just who could have painted such a nightmarish, pernicious, harrowing, horrific, atrocious, appalling, egregious, monstrous, eldritch, petrifying, gruesome, abhorrent, dreadful, repugnant, spine-chilling, bloodcurdling, perturbing…
It was A Haunting Chiaroscuro, a canvas of Tortured Shadows that left a permanent stain in their minds.
Author Notes:
Heyo. Hope you enjoyed this short little thingy I wrote. In hindsight, I probably should have taken more time.
Also, before you say it, I know… the pacing sucks but I enjoyed writing it so that counts for something. Not the most entertaining either lol. Though, I literally dedicated like 2 hours to just this so maybe I should get back to studying or something lol.
Hopefully I work up the motivation and time to finish this. Anyhow, have a good day/night and Merry Almost-Christmas.
Cya.
- Yorelis