Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Four - It's a Good Day to Dine

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Four - It's a Good Day to Dine

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Four - It's a Good Day to Dine

The boring speech was boring.

I had heard some boring speeches before, of course. My dad was big on talk shows, and complaining about politics, which meant that he liked listening to politicians say stuff so that he could later complain about it.

I had never been to one of those speeches live though. Two minutes into the important harpy on the floating stage telling us all about the many, many people that needed thanking for the event and my eyes were going blurry. When five minutes passed and he was still droning on about vague stuff like the generosity of such and such an organization or group, I felt my head getting heavy.

Rosaline had the right idea when she scooted her chair close to Awens and leaned her head onto Awens shoulder for a quick nap.

I wanted to do the same, but Awen looked about ready to collapse under Rosalines weight alone, and Amaryllis gave me a warning look when I stared at her shoulder.

I ended up settling for laying my head down next to my empty plate and allowed my ears to bend forwards and over my eyes. If they couldn't see those, they couldnt tell if I was sleeping!

I woke up with a start sometime later and wiped the drool from the corner of my lips. Idone? I asked.

It is, Amaryllis confirmed. The foods coming. Do you want to Clean it for us?

I blinked the grogginess away then looked around to see a small army of maids and serving men moving about with plates hovering by their shoulders. Food! I gave a small chher.

Indeed, Amaryllis said. Do rein in your enthusiasm. I dont think anyone wants to see what you call dancing while youre bloated from overeating.

Right, I said. What was that about Cleaning?

I want you to use your Cleaning magic on our meals, Amaryllis said.

I blinked at her. I do plan on eating it, you know.

Obviously, she said. Dont clean the plates, Clean the food. Clear it of any poisons.

Uh, I said. You think the food will be poisoned?

Of course not, Amaryllis said. I dont think it, I suspect it.

Thats the same thing, I pointed out.

She huffed a thats semantics huff at me. Most nobles used to have testers and servants who could detect poisons, or indeed clean it away with them, she said. But that became a sign that a harpy didnt trust the clan they were visiting.

So... you dont trust the people here?

Not as far as I could throw them, Amaryllis said.

Im sure you could throw them fairly far. Youre pretty strong.

She huffed again.

The food arrives at our table. A big savoury looking leg of... some animal. Lamb, maybe? With a whole heap of vegetables around it drizzled in a brownish sauce that was still steaming hot. Then they set down more plates before each of us, small salads and little plates of cut vegetables with various sauces.

It looked like a proper feast, though I did notice some strange things. No bird meat, which... that was fair. Also, no cheeses or milk products. Then again, they lived in the mountains and cows took space. There was also a bottle of wine that Clementine poured into everyones cups, but I chose not to touch that. I was still too young for drinking.

Clementine looked my way, and even Rosaline, who was awake though she elected to stay cuddled up to Awen, was staring.

Right! I said.

I spread my hands as a wizard would (I imagine) and cast a wave of nearly invisible Cleaning magic over everything.

Other than wiping a bit of sauce off the sides of some plates, it didnt seem to do much.

Well then, dig in, I suppose, Clementine said.

I need a drink, I said.

I saw you avoiding the wine earlier, Amaryllis said. Want something stiffer?

Uh, no, I want water. Maybe juice?

She shook her head. Im sure they have some around the childrens tables.

Perfect! I said.

Amaryllis laughed. You idiot, she said. Maybe after youve gotten drunk on peach and apple juice, we can find Francisco and his flunkies. Id rather get that over with.

Sure! I said before pulling her along towards the back. By the way, are there rules to the duel?

No killing, nothing too extreme. Anything else will be outlined by whomever is the arbiter.

Alright! I said.

We found a section off to one side of the first floor where the tables were smaller and hidden behind a half-wall. The harpies there were all much smaller and tucked away in cute little dresses and suits that made them look adorably serious, especially with their poofy down feathers sticking out every which way.

I found a big punch bowl of juice and quenched my thirst while Amaryllis sipped from a flute shed grabbed along the way.

We were on our way to the back of the ballroom, and towards the spot where duels and other such stuff were taking place--sensibly, it was all done outside and out of the way--when our path was blocked by a familiar face.

Captain Bunch, Bastion said.

I looked the sylph up and down before responding. Mister Bastion, I said.

I was wondering if... perhaps we could dance? Just for a moment.

And accuse her of more nonsense? Amaryllis asked with some bite.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. Mister Bastion, I would love to be your friend, but you were a bit... mean, earlier. Its kind of strange that you want to dance now.

Bastion Coldfront

Desired Quality: Someone with whom to fight for what is right.

Dream: To become a paladin renowned across Dirt

I... merely wish to reconcile our differences, he said. If we are to work together, then being anything less than cordial would be a detriment to our teamwork.

I nodded along. Alright, I said. That sounds nice. You dont mind, do you Amaryllis?

Ill be here, she said, keeping an eye on you two. The way she stared at Bastion suggested that you two meant him.

Bastion reached out a hand to guide me to the dancefloor, and I carefully took it, ignoring the way he flinched a little at the contact.

So, Captain Bunch, he said as we began to dance along to a slower, more romantic piece of music. How long have you captained your ship?

It was a bit strange dancing with someone so much shorter than me, but not too bad. Oh, a day or two, I said.

Bastion missed his next step.

I was holding back a giggle when I heard a cry from above.

We both looked up, and at that moment, the ballroom exploded.

***