Some Cupids Kill With Arrows, Some With Traps - Chapter 3 {Bandom Mix}
“Why is it, Ryan,” Gabe asked. “That you keep me behind when a feast, in our honor, none the less, awaits?” Gabe raised an eyebrow as he eyed his younger friend.
“Did you see Pete’s son?” Ryan bit his lip, looking downwards, cheeks flushing slightly red.
“Of course I saw him, we all saw him.” Gabe shrugged.
“No, but did you take note of him?” Ryan asked.
“I did not.” Gabe shook his head. “I was too soon accosted by the boy’s shrewish cousin.”
“So did you not take in his beauty?” Ryan inquired.
“You ask me about the beauty of the boy?” Gabe questioned. “I did look upon him and I did take in his looks momentarily. Are you asking me for my honest opinion or would you prefer me to speak eloquent lines of poppycock so that we may, at least in jest, see eye to eye on the matter?”
“I want your honesty, Gabe,” Ryan stated.
“Fine, then my honesty you shall have.” He smiled slightly, more to himself than to Ryan. “I find him too short for a high praise, too marred for a fair praise and too small for a great praise; he is unbecoming to my eyes, and I would find him beautiful, perhaps, if he were other than he were, but he is not, and that being as it is, I do not find him beautiful.” Gabe finished off his statement with a slight nod of his head.
“I am no stranger to your games, Gabe.” Ryan smiled, shaking his head. “Now honestly, tell me, what do you think of him?”
“There is but one reason you would ask me again when you know my opinion stands strong.” Gabe playfully poked his friend in the stomach. “Let me turn the tables and ask you a question - would you pay for the beauty that you ask me about?”
“Can any sum of money in the world buy the beauty I speak of?” Ryan questioned.
“Um, yes.” Gabe nodded. “And a feast to show it off at,” Gabe added, hinting that he was hungry and would much rather attend the meal across the hall than stay where he was, talking about beauty with Ryan.
“No.” Ryan shook his head. “To me, no beauty such as his can be purchased; at least none that I can see.”
“Well there you have it!” Gabe slapped Ryan on the back. “You are simply in need of glasses.”
“Maybe I am, but even so I don not think my eyes could ever rest upon another as beautiful as he.”
“Let me put it this way.” Gabe draped his arm amiably around Ryan’s shoulders. “I can see just fine, and currently without any aid yet I do not see the beauty that you speak of in Brendon. However, there is William, his cousin, who far exceeds Brendon in looks, though is turned sour and unappealing by his vulgar wit and unprecedented fury. But Ryan, let me question you again - you are of no intent to stop looking and settle down now, are you?”
“I would say no,” Ryan replied, pulling away from Gabe’s arm. “But that would only be the case should Brendon refuse to have me.”
“Oh good god.” Gabe made a face. “Do you really intend to leave the single life so soon? Such a thought disgusts me.”
“What is so important that keeps you?” Gerard re-entered the courtyard, looking for his friends. “What matter do you to have to speak of that can not be said in front of our host? Furthermore,” Gerard looked to Gabe. “What matter is so great that it has the power to keep Gabe from a lavish meal?” Ryan laughed at the last part of Gerard’s statement, though he said nothing.
“I would tell you, but it is so heinous that I dare not utter it in front of a man such as you,” Gabe replied.
“We are all friends here, Gabe, status has nothing to do with it. I ask you again, what matter is it that keeps you here?” Gerard raised an eyebrow.
“Fine, but I warn you, you may not like what I am about to say.” Gabe sighed. “This young idiot here,” Gabe slapped Ryan on the back. “Is under the impression that he is in love; love, can you imagine?” Gabe shivered, making a noise of disgust. “Furthermore, he intends to leave you and I in the joys of bachelorhood to pursue a life’s partner.” Gabe rolled his eyes. “And if you think that is bad, Gerard, it gets only worse. Ryan, here, intends to make a life not with a creature of beauty and brains, but with Brendon, Pete’s short, quiet son.”
“If he will have me,” Ryan added, looking up at Gerard. “Only if he will have me.”
“Well congratulations, Ryan!” Gerard gave Ryan a friendly smile. “You have chosen well - Brendon is more than worthy of your love.”
“What?!” Gabe looked at Gerard, his eyes wide.
“Thank you, sir.” Ryan bowed his head, his cheeks and ears growing hot again with the approval of the prince. “You speak too kindly.”
“I speak kindly, yes.” The prince nodded, ignoring Gabe’s exclamation. “But only kind enough to be honest.”
“And in professing to you my feelings for Brendon, I have spoken my own honesty.”
“And in saying that you two are both being…absolutely ridiculous, I have spoken my honesty.” Gabe rolled his eyes.
“I have just met him, and yet I feel that I love him.” Ryan smiled.
“Well he is worthy, as I have said before.” Gerard nodded.
“If you love him, as you say,” Gabe pointed at Ryan. “And if he is worthy, as you say,” he gestured at Gerard. “Than I shall eat my hat at the wedding.”
“A statement that you are not wise to make,” Gerard retorted, “unless it is your great desire to eat the aforementioned hat.’
“I challenge this idea of love - I understand the pursuit of beauty; the want to be held, I understand, but love?” Gabe shook his head.
“You may want to be mindful of your words, Gabe.” Gerard smirked. “For you never know when love may sneak up on you.”
“On me? Ha!” Gabe laughed out loud. “The day that I declare love is the day that Ryan here marries a man that he knows not! I will live my life happy, full and without a spouse.”
“You say this now.” Gerard shrugged. “But before we part ways in life, it is my belief that I shall see your eyes star crossed with love.”
“Then you must plan on living as my friend until pigs fly, my dear prince, for then and only then will my face become cross eyed with an emotion as repugnant as love.”
“Then I entreat the pigs to grow wings soon,” Ryan spoke up. “For Gabe in love is a sight I greatly wish to see.”
“I have had enough.” Gabe rolled his eyes. “You two may stand here all night, if you wish, swooning and giggling about love. I, however, will not fall pray to such…demeaning activities; I am going to dine.” With that, Gabe left, heading for the feast, leaving his star struck friend with their encouraging companion.
“So you plan on wooing Brendon?” Gerard asked seriously, looking at Ryan.
“I do, yes.” Ryan nodded. “But I do not think he will have me, I appear awkward when it comes to that sort of thing, I am bound to speak the wrong words, for I am not eloquent in the manner of romance as you are.”
“I have an idea, Ryan, if you will hear it.”
“I will.” Ryan nodded.
“Pete has informed me that he intends to throw a party tomorrow night, a masked celebration, if you will.” Gerard paused.
“Go on,” Ryan pressed.
“I shall dress in disguise, as will you. I shall ask Brendon to dance and woo him with my eloquence, and then, once he is won, give him to you.”
“You would really do that for me?” Ryan asked.
“You have fought bravely and with a noble spirit.” Gerard nodded. “I will.”
“Tomorrow night then.” Ryan smiled.
“Tomorrow night we woo,” Gerard began. “Tonight, we dine amongst friends.”