Prompt Post: ROUND FIVE
ROUND FIVE IS CLOSED
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<< ROUND FOUR | ALL ROUNDS | ROUND SIX >>
Rules post.
Posting Guidelines.
Flat view.
Updates Post (WIPs only)
Fills Post (completed Fills only)
damalur's firstclasskink on Delicious.
Volunteers always welcome.
There is a delay on comments appearing when there is a URL in the message body. This is due to an LJ anti-spam ( Read more... )
“It’s nice to see you, Father,” Janos replies.
“Yes.”
Janos watches the dancing couples. This is the boring part. He is forced to watch, but he can only preside and cannot join in. But after looking over the crowd, he realizes there isn’t a single soul he would like to engage in dance anyway. He sees Dietrich next to a table of food, offering plates to anyone who walks up. Janos wishes he would look over and notice him, but then realizes how useless it would be; they can’t talk to one another as equals.
Besides him, there is not really anyone else of interest. He recognizes one of his more persistent love-interests, one Duchess Marlinchen. Her black curls bounce as she dances. They make eye contact and she smiles, but Janos turns away.
Erik Lehnsherr is watching him.
Of course he’s here, he told Janos to expect some surprise tonight, didn’t he? He’s now more curious than ever to know what he means. As if Erik knows what he’s thinking, he smirks and taps his nose. Janos furrows his brow.
Even though it is a celebration for King Matyas and not Janos, still most people bring gifts for Janos. King Matyas stands at one point during the night and silence immediately follows, signaling that it’s time to distribute the gifts.
Matyas receives his first. Janos doesn’t pay attention to what he receives, instead slinks down in the seat and throws one leg over the arm of the chair. He’s sure that Matyas hates the air of casualness he’s exuding, but at this point in the proceedings he’s doesn’t care.
The first few gifts are the most unoriginal, but he gives thanks to every person for their kindness. After the first round of gifts, they start getting better. Things he’s interested in-parchment for writing and canvas for painting as well as a vast array of various inks, paints, finely-crafted quills, and brushes.
One person has the courage to simply present Janos with a cat. It’s sleek and black and seems wholly unremarkable. The woman beckons another person forward, who is carrying two cages, one filled with rats and one a small bird. The rat-infested cage is opened and a few people in the audience squeal with fright, but in a flash the rats are dead and the cat licks his paw clean before collecting them and placing them back in the cage. Then the other cage is opened-the tiny bird is quick, but the cat is quicker. The poor little thing is dead before it knows what happened.
Children clap excitedly in delight while the others offer their praise in a more reserved fashion. The woman bows and says, “You’ll never have to deal with these nuisances while he’s around.” Then she bows again and blends back into the crowd.
The cat slinks between the legs of the guests and jumps onto the pedestal, unannounced, and launches himself straight into Janos’ lap as if he has claimed Janos for his own. Janos laughs as the cat does a small circle and then settles on Janos stomach. A black cat on white clothing. He looks to Dietrich, who seems to be pained by the sight, so he places the cat on the arm of the chair instead.
The cat meows in protest. “You’ll stay there, cat,” Janos orders. The cat seems to throw him a glare.
“Maybe I should name you, hm?” Janos says while the next person steps up to present their gift. They begin talking, but Janos barely notices.
“How about Black Death?” The cat hisses. He laughs. “No? Nightstalker.” Again, a no. “Fluffy.” A very vocal rejection. “I have no names for you, Sir Cat.” The cat sniffs and turns away. Janos looks back on the proceedings.
Erik is standing there, saying something. Finally, his gift! Janos’ ears perk up; he hopes he hasn’t missed anything. If Erik was honest, then he should be about to show him something good.
“As you know,” Erik says, “I’ve had the great fortune of being able to travel around the globe and visit much uncharted territory none of us had yet seen.”
Janos huffs. So arrogant, even when presenting a gift.
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