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Master Attendant is often busy these days. Between running the guild and the responsibilities that came with the occupation, rest was something they’ve learned quickly to appreciate each opportunity they have to seize it.
Tonight they couldn’t shake a feeling of restlessness. They tossed and turned in bed to no avail. They wrestled with it for a moment, before deciding that joining a couple of their Food Souls on their shift wouldn’t be a bad idea. It’s well established that their Food Souls took rotating shifts checking the perimeter of the compound for any disturbances, but for them to be joined by their Master Attendant out of the blue? That was odd.
Sanma and Sukiyaki exchanged glances.
“Eh? Well, it’s not like we can stop you.” Sukiyaki said as they walked in step with their Master Attendant. “Are you bored, perhaps?”
“No. I just felt like walking.” They answered.
With Sanma focusing his attention on their surroundings, Sukiyaki continued, “There’s nothing wrong with wanting a change of pace once in a while. You’re quite lucky too, Master Attendant. The night is quite cool and the wind is pleasant. Might I ask, have you been to a Sakurajima festival? Gloriville has been hosting cultural exchanges with the islands so I am sure there’s an opportunity for it… Hm? Not as a visitor? That’s a little sad.”
By the time Sukiyaki finally eased up on topics to entertain their Master Attendant, they'd circled the perimeter once. The walking and the company helped a lot with the unease they felt, enough that the Master Attendant felt ready to return to bed. Sukiyaki made it a point to mention that he and Sanma appreciated their time as they parted ways and the Master Attendant made their way to the residential quarters.
Something made them slow down— Or rather, spotting Spaghetti and Borscht at the gazebo in the garden took their attention.
They stayed quiet in the shadows of the building and trees, observing the redhead speak to Borscht under the full moon of the night. They saw Spaghetti lean closer and whispered something that made her laugh and playfully smacked his arm. Lost in their own world, they seem to have not noticed their Master Attendant.
‘What a silly man you are.’ They thought with fondness. They turned away from the spectacle, feeling awkward intruding on what looked like a private moment.
The tiny smile fell from their lips.
For how long can we keep this up?
The restless feeling returned with more insistence. They turned their gaze towards the moon hanging in the sky, then focused beyond the silvery heavenly body. Something glimmered in their eyes and for a moment, those pupils reflected the stars and the deep blackness of the void beyond Tierra’s skies. In those depths was a longing for a place beyond reach, a homesickness that lay buried deep.
But even more than that, was a layer of fear for what was coming, not for them but for what would be the consequences after.
Ÿ̷͚̺́͝o̷͈͆u̵̩̺͑͛ ̶̙̎̒c̵͇͕̈́͐a̵̮͐͜n̷͈͉̓͠ǹ̶̟ǒ̴̬̦̍t̷̗̳͠ ̵̘̒run ̷̠͑f̵̦́ͅr̶̜̼̽̋o̶̼͛̒m̶̼͂ ̷̩̅m̸̻͑ę̶̲͒ ̴̜͛̐f̸͕͙͊̉o̷̪͑̅r̶̦͎̊e̸̺̚v̶̛̳̌ē̷̙̜r̵̹̮͋.̶͎̜̾͘
The breath of a manic entity slid over their spine like freezing water. The hairs on their body stood tingling as if shocked. They see the cracks of this dream growing even more with each passing day.
A little more time. I just need a little more time…!
“Attendant, you look quite troubled.”
A flutter of a brown coat caught their attention as that cordial tone reached their ears. They turned to see a familiar bespectacled man had appeared beside them, his signature smile not quite reaching his eyes.
“I thought you’d be off doing your own thing.” The Master Attendant said, mildly surprised to see Whiskey there.
The Food Soul smiled. “Seeing you standing here looking so serious is an oddity. Usually my redheaded fellow would be the cause of that but,” Whiskey flicked his serpentine gaze at the two further away. “I take it that he has nothing to do with it this time.”
The Master Attendant sighed, shoulders slumping. “Not this time, yeah. I just reminded myself of something.” They answered.
“Something? Does it require a sense of urgency?” Whiskey leaned forward, a little too close for comfort. “I may not be your preferred confidante but I could be of use to you.”
There was something dangerous in the steadiness of his words, like the promise of a domino effect of an unstoppable spiral should he be given the approval to do so.
Declawed, they say. Even with the claim that the Academy and the Royal Guild have used science to ‘restructure’ several Food Souls known for being dangerous, the Whiskey line was not for the ill-experienced, almost bordering on prohibited. But no one bothered to point out that a declawed cat is more dangerous to everyone around it.
They would be mad to trust Whiskey with the truth of things.
“Attendant Peixes.”
Peixes shook their head then took a step back. “Thank you. But I’ll figure this out on my own somehow. You don’t have to trouble yourself.” They responded and made to move. Before they could take another step, a hand gripped their wrist.
“Whiskey, let go.”
“I know ‘my’ reputation precedes me, but I promise you that it is for your benefit.” Whiskey spoke, a hint of an unknown emotion in their tone. “Even if you disagree with my methods, even if we don’t see eye to eye on the means to the end. The very same as Spaghetti. So consider me as someone who can help you, sooner than later I hope.”
Before they could say anything, Whiskey let go of them and took a step back. He gave them a single enigmatic smile before he dipped his head and walked away without a sound.