Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy-Three - Knight of the Feather Duster

Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy-Three - Knight of the Feather Duster

Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy-Three - Knight of the Feather Duster

After you, maam, I said as I opened the door before my friends.

Awen curtsied, as she had done at every other door I opened for her, and Amaryllis rolled her eyes, also as she had been doing all morning.

After leaving Caprica at the entrance of the library the day before, I had started practicing my chivalry. That meant opening doors for ladies, and helping them sit down, and also fighting monsters. So far I was two for three in the chivalry department, and I was sure wed have to fight some sort of monster eventually.

You know this isnt going to work, Amaryllis said.

It probably wont work, I said. Which doesnt mean it will never work, just that its somewhat unlikely to work. Unlikely isnt impossible... maam.

Amaryllis huffed a mighty huff. Stop calling me maam.

I think its cute, Awen said. Broccolis not doing anything mean.

Opening doors and being courteous isnt mean, no, but its annoying when its coming from Broccoli, Amaryllis said. Besides, I can open my own doors, thank-you-very-much.

I would never imply that you cant, maam, I replied.

Awen giggled while Amaryllis fumed quietly.

I started practicing chivalry the night before, and so far I hadnt gotten a skill for it. But I did get a lot of innocent fun teasing Amaryllis by being too nice to her, so that was a plus. I figured I could keep it up for a little bit. Being chivalrous was basically being nice with extra steps, and that sounded just peachy to me.

Are you going to open the door to the guild too? Amaryllis asked some time later as we arrived at the front of the Goldenalden Exploration Guild. The place still looked as rough as it had the day before.

I certainly will, my lady, I said before bowing at the waist to Amaryllis.

She crossed her arms and pouted while Awen laughed next to her. You dont know how to bow, Awen said.Ne/w novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

I dont? I asked.

She shook her head, then smiled as I opened the door for her. Ill show you later.

Please dont, Amaryllis said.

Ah, hello!

Reginald was standing in the lobby, along with a sylph that I didnt recognize but who was obviously some sort of journalist. He had a small cap on, with a feather sticking out of it, and he had a notepad tucked into one of the pockets of his ink-stained coat. A bag sat by his feet, big and lumpy, with the flash-bulb of a camera sticking out of the top of it. The journalist nodded. Hello, he said.

Hello Reginald, Amaryllis said. And hello Mister...

Yanick, I work for World Watcher Weekly, the journalist said.

We had a quick round of handshaking and introductions, Reginald standing to the side and smiling the entire time. Yanick here will be running a small article on your journey all the way here. I was hoping that one of you could sit with him and recount the tale?

Ah, it cant be me, I said. I promised Id do some gardening and clean the place up, remember?

Yes, of course, Reginald said.

Awen and I should be able to retell the story without issue, Amaryllis said. Should we do that here, or is there a more comfortable place to have this kind of discussion?

Theres a lounge room upstairs, Reginald said. Ill guide you there in a moment. Captain Bunch, youll find all the tools you need in the shed out back. He searched his pockets for a moment before handing me a keyring. And then, before I knew it, my friends were ushered up the stairs and I was left in the guilds lobby with a keyring in hand.

Uh, okay, I said to the empty room.

Shrugging, I started to wander around. It didnt take long to find a broom closet under the stairs. I had Cleaning magic, of course, but that didnt mean that I didnt want to swish a duster around as I worked.

Awen laughed. Thats awful. But thanks.

Reginald looked like he was in a much better mood, with a big grin on and enough energy pouring off of him that he couldnt stay still. The journalist, meanwhile, just looked confused. He was staring at his notepad, as if not quite believing what was written there.

Amaryllis was seated, all prim and proper, on the biggest lounge chair in the room. One leg carefully crossed over the other and an aura of smugness so strong it was almost physical wafting off of her.

Uh oh, I said.

Its not... that bad? Awen said, likely guessing at some of what I was thinking.

I cleared my throat. Ah, Im here, I said.

Oh! Wonderful! Reginald said. We just wanted a photo, for the newspaper. Im certain the article will be that much more impressive with an image to go with it.

Sure, I said.

The journalist set aside his notebook and started to fiddle with his camera, something that seemed to require a lot of his attention. Meanwhile, Reginald got the three of us to stand closer together. I got to be in the middle, because I was the tallest, with Amaryllis to my right and Awen to my left.

I kind of regret not bringing my captains hat, I said.

It would be a bit ostentatious, Amaryllis said. Best to look somewhat humble, as a contrast to the story itself.

That sounds surprisingly worrying, coming from you, I said.

Amaryllis grinned. Now now, I said nothing but the truth.

She didnt lie, Awen conceded. But, ah, I think Amaryllis said the truth in an interesting way?

That sounds like something she would do, I said.

Im literally standing right next to you, Amaryllis said.

I grinned at her. I know. I can feel you. Your feathers are nice and soft today. Have you been doing something special with them?

She gave me an unamused look. Youre a moron. Also, no, but the temperature here is more agreeable than I expected. Feathers tend to be somewhat more temperamental than hair or fur, I think. At least when it comes to things like humidity and pressure.

That was interesting. Neat.

Ah, yes, could everyone squeeze in a little closer? the journalist asked. Mister Reginald, yourself as well.

Reginald stepped to the side so that he was next to Awen. Close, but not so close that he was actually touching her. Like so? he asked.

The journalist nodded. Thats great. Is this anyones first photograph?

Amaryllis was the only one to nod. She blinked then looked at me. Youve been in photos?

Plenty? I said.

Oh. Well, I havent.

Just blink a lot after the flash, I said.

Alright everyone, the journalist said. Look into the lens here, thats right.

And say cheeeese! I said as the pan exploded with a bright burst of light.

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