((OOC: Fanfiction challenge 016))
Glorious spring days were perfect excuses to wear glorious, springly outfits. Wherever his light, fashionably clothed foot would trod, heads would turn and the chittering hum of gossiping whispers would tickle the inside of his ear. How lovely it was to be admired! The strange looks, of course, were from those who were surely jealous, but he forgave them. How difficult it must be to not fall prey to jealousy every now and then.
Schtolteheim Reinbach the Third loved Budehuc more with every passing day, and Budehuc, he was sure, loved him just as much. It had its share of brutes, but there were brutish, uncultured people everywhere. That incorrigible sea creature, Little Daisy, had somehow managed to make it to the castle, and its presence in the lake was the only thing that reminded Reinbach of his home and his father. However, he loved the changing seasons, the freedom to walk about wherever he pleased, not having his boorish father looming over him, and even Micky's absence gave him some peace of mind. It did wonders for his ego while he was home to have Micky follow him around and praise him, but Reinbach discovered that he loved himself and the world just as much, if not even more, without having Micky there to tell him.
It was not polite to let one's mind wander, he told himself, and looked over to his small companion walking by his side. "Lady Cecile, don't you just love the beauty of the trees and flowers?" he asked and casually flicked a handful of purple iridescent sparkles from his hand at nothing in particular.
"Of course! It's such a lovely day out, I wouldn't be surprised if even Sir Yuber was walking around to enjoy the sights!"
"Yuber?" The name was unfamiliar, but anyone who had the sensibility to spend time outside during such a lovely May's day must be cultured. Possibly even a fashionable rival.
The guard captain nodded and dusted some of Reinbach's purple sparkles off her shoulder. "I should think so, but...he's a little...uhm...well, I would avoid him if I were you."
His interest was piqued even more now. What sort of man was this Yuber? "Do you think he'd be interested in a spot of tea sometime?"
"T-tea?! Oh...oh, no, Lord Reinbach, I think Sir Yuber has very...ah, particular tastes. He probably would not want any."
"Not want any tea? Particular tastes?! How unfair! Imagine not wanting any tea! How preposterous!"
The poor girl was flailing again. Honestly, she was a pretty little thing, but all that flailing about was not going to do anything to help her. "Lord Reinbach," she began, "he's a very...unique...individual, you see." There was a pause. Was she being insincere? Was she trying to delicately word something that this mysterious Yuber did not want others to know about? "I...ah...I think he might have an allergy to tea!!"
"An allergy to tea?!" Goodness, now he was flailing. "I must see if I can cure it!!" It was imperative that this poor man see the doctor right away, Reinbach decided, and he turned on his fashionably-clothed heel and began to walk in the direction of the infirmary.
"L-Lord Reinbach! Sir Yuber is very violent! I do not think he'd accept your help!"
"But...but he needs my help! Nobody can live without tea! Oh, how it hurts me so!" The purple sparkles seemed to turn a shade darker, as if to emphasize his sorrow.
"I think it would hurt you more if you helped him," she said with a solemn nod.
The dear girl. She simply did not understand how essential tea was to the world. Breakfast tea, mid-morning tea, brunch tea, lunch tea, afternoon tea, evening tea, rainy day tea, tea during blustery blizzards, tea for company, tea that tastes slightly bitter for less-than-pleasant company, tea for comforting a distressed friend, tea for comforting your own distresses...the list was endless! "Dear little Cecile, you do not understand!"
Her hands fumbled with her shield. "I really do think he'd prefer to be left alone..."
"My mind is made up! I will help this poor man taste the beauties of life. Thank you again, Cecile, for telling me. Without you, I would never be able to help this man! Good bye, my dear! I mustn't waste a moment more!"
He was a man on a mission, and nothing could stop him. Frolicking away to begin his calling, Reinbach took comfort in knowing that the lavender-colored sparkles remaining on the path he walked would give Cecile some peace of mind, and hopefully distract her from whatever silly little worries she had about Yuber. Obviously the poor man had more to worry about than any of them.
Characters: Cecile, Reinbach, Yuber (mentioned)
Word Count: 787
Basis: An RP log between Cecile and Reinbach on May 3rd, 2005.