Forks & Knives

divine-justice:

funbarionsen:

fruitandheadphones:

*Sitting beside Anna, as usual, and gesturing Faust for him to sit next to him, too, they all began the most unusual Christmas dinner he had ever had.

For a second, he almost asked of them to wait for the one guy missing. But… the Oracle Bell said otherwise. It beeped on his arm, and he checked it without much thought, in a manner that Anna could also read it if she wanted.*

<Horo’s not here anymore…
… Does… that mean I won’t get to talk to him about Ren?>

*It meant that he wouldn’t get any information about why he didn’t show up, nor about how he was.

And his throat cried for him to swallow hard to get over that thought.*

<…I don’t—
…like this feeling.>

*He started eating nonetheless, not to get anyone worried. No one else seemed to want to make a note about his absence anyway. And it was actually very nice, so he hummed happily and got distracted thanks to it, at least for a while.

After some smiley mouthfuls, he felt the need to drink something so the food wouldn’t get stuck inside his chest, and poured himself (and Anna, being a gentleman and all) a glass of the nearest eggnog bowl. But as he got it to his lips and took one sip, his throat burned.*

Sh— Wow, there’s something seriously wrong about this eggnog—

*He whispered as quietly as he could, barely gesturing as he spoke, in a volume so low, he doubted Anna or Faust had heard him.*

<Wait a second… This is liquor. Some kind of…>

*He frowned, staring at the glass. Last time, he swore he’d never drink again. Last time. His hand clenched slightly, but he was quick to stop it.*

<Last time was more than enough.>

*So he left the glass back on the table, silently pushing it far away from him to make sure he wouldn’t drink it, but wouldn’t make a deal about it, either.

Faust’s words worked like a queue to stop trying to eat anything else — his stomach was both crying for more and crying for him to stop, anyway. Holding his bloaded belly, he leaned back a bit and sighed, happily.*

It really was great, guys…! Congrats to the chefs!

*Faust got up and he smiled at him before he turned to the kitchen. Hopefully, the grown-up would have at least caught a glimpse of it. He sighed again, leaning over his hands to let his stomach breathe — he really was full.

At least, until Faust offered some hot cocoa.*

AAH…!! I WANT ONE!!

*He did a big fuzz about it, as always. The tall figure disappeared into the kitchen after noting how many cups he would be making, and the grin on his face still lingered. However, he knew that attitude might upset his fiancé, so he surfed through the guest’s faces, to know if they needed anything or if there was something he could do about… anything, really. And he noticed how Lyserg was kind of… moving in his place. Sort of like, rotating. He blinked a few times to make sure he wasn’t imagining it, and cocked his head to one side to ask.*

Hey, Lyserg… Are you okay? You look kinda… pink. Which really makes your hair color pop.

*As he prepared himself to listen to Lyserg’s answer, Faust came back with the mugs over a tray, and gently reminded everyone that it was still Christmas.*

Heh, that’s right. No matter how odd the circumstances… we all shared a nice dinner, we all got presents, there’s even snow outside — very cold, very comfy. I guess we could call it a “Merry Christmas”.

The food was good, so Anna ate in silence, ignoring Hao’s idiotic comment about being the next Shaman King & watching the intruders carefully to make sure they didn’t make any sort of mess.  Many of them seemed distracted & wrapped up in their own thoughts, which was good— less disruption & trouble.  Having a house full of these interlopers made Anna much more grumpy than usual.

Yoh’s Oracle Bell chimed, & he held it out for her to read.  

<Good.  One less.>

She took a few more bites, & then drank some of the eggnog Yoh had set before her.  She nearly spit it out, startled.

<…this is very bad eggnog.  No, this is…>

This is alcoholic.  

Anna glared at Hao as she spoke, though her voice was very bland.  

She set the drink firmly back on the table & went on eating.  When Faust asked about the hot chocolate, Anna stopped, deciding she was full enough, & sat back.

I’ll have some.

Yoh seemed a bit too excited, but soon enough he collected himself & asked Lyserg about his peculiar aspect.  Anna watched coolly.  Perhaps there were some entertainment benefits to having a house so full of idiots.  

“I guess we could call it a “Merry Christmas”.

Anna inwardly rolled her eyes at Yoh’s sentimentality & sipped her very delicious hot chocolate.  Soon filled to the brim, Anna looked across the table for victims.  

Lyserg & Faust can do the dishes.  Hao, Jeanne, clear the table.

Anna glanced at Yoh to invite him to come with her & walked slowly to the living room.  She settled herself sideways on the couch & looked out into the pool of light from the house, where the snow was still piling up against the walls.  

She let out a sigh— it was much nicer to be alone, or almost alone.

As dinner was coming to an end, Jeanne thanked the boys who were sitting next to her for the delicious meal they had prepared. She was rather amazed by how those two were able to work togheter despite the circumstances; That, at least, brought a small smile to her lips as she turned her head to Hao “You both did a wonderful job” she then changed her expression to a more cheerful one as she turned to glance at Lyserg, who’s extrange behaivour interrupted her compliments as it was the first thing she noticed.

“Lyserg? Are you feeling sick?” concerned, she gently lifted her hand to his cheek, feeling his temperature. Ignoring the reason behind the boy’s current state she carefully helped him to rose from his seat “I should probably take you to your room”

About to excuse herself from the table she heard Anna ordering them to clean.

“Clear the table?” she surely wasn’t used to being told to do chores, but she was a guest at the house after all. She approached Faust and asked him to keep an eye on the boy “Please, let me know if there’s something wrong” she said, trusting in the doctor’s abilities. 

After everyone had left the room, Jeanne went back to the table and started folding the napkins in silence, focusing on what she was doing to supress the anxiety wich played over her brilliant eyes and the faint smile that curved her lips. 

When Yoh spoke to Lyserg, the green-haired boy had to force himself to focus on what the other shaman was saying.

“I’m fine,” Lyserg insisted. Thankfully, his voice wasn’t slurred—he couldn’t be majorly drunk, he had only had one glass anyways…although, he didn’t have any built-up tolerance for alcohol, now that he thought about it…

When Jeanne put a hand to Lyserg’s forehead, he flushed. “I-I’m fine,” he insisted, his voice coming out more roughly than he intended it to. Despite his reaction, Jeanne helped him to his feet and offered to take him back to their shared room.

Perhaps it was the alcohol taking affect, but Lyserg had to look away from Jeanne. Thankfully, Anna interrupted their conversation, and he took the opportunity to follow Faust into the kitchen. While the doctor got to work making hot chocolate—that Lyserg didn’t want because his entire body felt a bit fluttery—he started on the dishes. His movements were a bit unsteady, but he got along just fine…for the most part.

(Source: his-waxen-wings)