Etude of the Mischievous Mask | Chapter 2

[healingbonds]

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(Footsteps)

Chloe: (The kitchen is so quiet in the morning... Breakfast is always prepared by someone named Nero, from Eastern Country....)

Nero: .....Yaaawn.... I'm sleepy....

Chloe: Ah... Good morning.

Nero: You're up early. You're the tailor from the West, right?

Chloe: Yeah, I'm the Western wizard Chloe! I was wondering if I could help you out. Isn’t it hard to do everything alone?

Nero: .............

Chloe: (....Ah.... Was that a bad move...? Right, the Eastern wizards like being alone.....)

Nero: .....No, I'm all right. It's fine.

Chloe: I-I see.... Sorry.....

Nero: My bad. I have an easier time doing things alone. But, uh...... thanks.

Chloe: (Ah, he smiled. Thank goodness.)

Nero: Come back when I'm done. I'll give you some freshly-baked bread.

Chloe: Thanks! I'll look forward to it!

✦✧☾✧✦

(Footsteps)

Chloe: Phew, that made me nervous.... But Nero seemed kind. I'll go back for breakfast.

Cain: Is someone there?

Chloe: Ah.... I'm Chloe from the West! You're Cain, right? Good morning!

Cain: Morning! Sorry, can you shake my hand? I can't see people till I touch them.

Chloe: Ah, right!! Sorry, I didn't realize!
....Here. Can you see me now?

Cain: I can, thanks.

Chloe: (He smiled.... I’ve always thought this, but Cain really is so cool. He's handsome, but he's also kind, so it's easy to talk to him.)

Cain: You're up early. Are you on a morning walk, Chloe?

Chloe: I couldn't wait for breakfast, so I dropped by the kitchen. Cain, were you practicing sword fighting?

Cain: Yeah. You start losing your edge if you don’t train consistently, after all.

Chloe: Did I get in your way?

Cain: Hey, I was the one who spoke to you. I'm going to change my plans to a morning walk — since I was able to run into you, Chloe.

Chloe: (He's so nice.......)

Cain: Where do you usually walk?

Chloe: Today's my first walk!

Cain: Oh, I see. Then we should make it a long one. Let's get ourselves hungry before a delicious breakfast.

Chloe: Yeah! The Eastern wizard Nero said he'd make some delicious bread!

Cain: That’s something to look forward to.

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: Hey, hey, Rustica! I made friends with Cain from Central. Cain is such an incredibly good guy!

Rustica: That's wonderful.

Chloe: He tells lots of jokes, too! I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. I didn't realize chivalry jokes could be so extreme!
Cain also kept his wizard identity a secret throughout his life. So when I told him about myself, he said we had pretty similar experiences.
And then he asked me to be friends with Arthur. I said, Arthur's a prince, right? I couldn't possibly be friends with him....
But then he replied: it'd make you sad if someone said they couldn’t be friends with a wizard, right? A prince would feel the same way.
I was really moved. Cain isn't just funny and handsome... he also thinks about issues like that carefully.

Rustica: I see. I'm glad you were able to meet someone so lovely.

Chloe: Yeah! And then....

Rustica: Chloe.

Chloe: Yes?

Rustica: Can you praise me once too?

Chloe: Rustica, you're my best friend, and the best master!

Rustica: Thank you. You're the best too, Chloe.

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: ..........

Chloe: (Ah....! Heathcliff from the East... He's such a pretty boy... I would love to make clothes for someone so pretty....)
(I bet delicate clothes would look great on him, and simple styles would make his beauty stand out. I could also try making it gorgeous, without being cheap....)

Heathcliff: ...........

Chloe: (Ah, he noticed me! I guess I was staring too hard... Wh-what should I say to him....)

Heathcliff: ..............

Chloe: (....He looked away. Did I make him feel bad.... ...Maybe he's shy, just like I used to be.....)
(....Ugh, I'm going to muster up some courage and say hi to him.... that should make things easier for Heathcliff, too, right?)
(Maybe not? I can't tell... I can't tell, but.... Please, I hope I don't hurt this beautiful boy.)
H... hello. Nice weather today.

Heathcliff: .........Hello.... It really is.

Chloe: You don't need to be so polite with me! ...Ah, wait, maybe I should, though....? You're a noble from a powerful family in the East, right...?

Heathcliff: Ah, no.... It's fine.

Chloe: (What a quiet voice.... But he's not cold. He's shy and reticent, awkward and clumsy. He has a beautiful face, but he won't stop looking down...)
(...I like him... I hope we can become friends.)
Ahaha... I'm going for a walk because it's so nice out. Heathcliff — if you don't mind, can I speak to you again?

Heathcliff: Ah..... Yes.... I'm also.... I'm sorry. I'm not used to talking to people.....

Chloe: No worries!

Heathcliff: .....Thank you, Chloe. For speaking to me....

Chloe: M... me too! Thanks!
(Ah, I'm so happy. I hope we can be friends.....)
(But don't sweat it. Everyone moves at their own pace. You have to wait for it, as if you're brewing tea.)
(When you smell a delicious scent and you know the flavor is just perfect, you can prepare the teacups to start chatting.)

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