Chuck walks up to Zephan as she tries to hide her smile, Chuck stands before her and looks down. "You called? Duchess Zephan."
Zephan covers her mouth and giggles, "In deed I did. I'd like you to- no. Would you be willing to spend some time with me?"
Chuck is taken aback at her words, has no words. Zephan folds her hands behind her as she grips her hand, "Would it be possible for us to….. *DEEP BREATH* I'd like us to become friends."
Chuck's mind is blank then he shakes his head to come back to reality. "Friends friends friends. I'd like that." He smiles unable to hide it. "Umm Duchess Zephan- "
"Please call me Aella." Zephan smiles. At that moment Chuck's vision changes as he hears his heart beating quickly.
Chuck takes deep breaths, "Duchess Aella-"
"Just Aella." Zephan covers her mouth as she giggles.
Chuck smiles, "Aella." Zephan's face brightens as a smile blossom on her face. Chuck continues, "....Uhh, I don't know what to say." He scratches the back of his head as he stares down.
Aella eyes open wide, "I assumed you'd have a lot to say." Aella lowers her head to be in Chucks vision as Chuck blushes. That boy would smash his head into a wall from seeing this reaction from Chuck. Aella giggles, "*Giggles* I'd like to hear more about your story, where you're from and how you got here." She gestures for Chuck to follow.
Chuck gives a wry smile but at that moment, time seems to have stopped for him. Chuck's thoughts, "This feeling…..it's new. I like it." He follows Aella as he starts to narrate his story. "You see, I'm from the countryside, a humble village called Avua. It's by a river so we get fishes and water is easy to get. I actually learned fishing from my old man, he's a good man by the way though the only thing he steals is my mums cooking. He actually got me reeled into joining him."
Aella listens to every word as she leads Chuck to a garden with a beautiful scenery and a wooden arch above a bench. They sit down as Chuck continues to talk about himself. A member of Silver Crow passes by as she saw the captain on a date, she stops and comes back a second time to make sure she didn't see an illusion. Her jaws dropped, she rushes to tell the rest of the squad as they all hide behind the pillars and giggle at the scene.
One Silver crow soldier speaks, "I didn't think the captain would have a side like this." Another comments, "Yes, she's always serious and busy I never thought she'd smile like this." The next comments, "So the Duchess left the prince for a commoner. This is just like the books but it's reversed." One covers her mouth and that one speaks, "Alright girls, let's leave the two alone." Their shoulders slump down, "Aww, can't we stay a bit longer, vice-captain." The vice-captain shakes her head as the girls leave. One stays back staring intently at the two as she chants, "Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss her." Vice-captain grabs her collar as she drags her away.
Back to the two birds chatting, Chuck is still going. "Honestly, those 3 are my closest friends. Flint and Aku are like the siblings I never had. Miss Twenny, despite our height differences she treats me like her child. And I'm embarrassed to admit that I see her as such." Chuck curls up. "What about you Aella? Oh sorry, it seems I've been talking non-stop since we got here."
Aella waves, "Not at all, I enjoyed listening to you. Your life has been beautiful, that I can see." She plays with her fingers, "I had siblings, I was the youngest." Aella trembles, "My siblings wanted to rule as the Duke of Zephan, but things took a turn for the worse. I was at the academy and got a letter to return home, when I got home, I was made the Duchess." She grips her hands as her eyes gets teary, "My family was no mo-" Chuck hold Aella hands as she stops and looks at him.
Chuck holds her hands, "You've had it rough haven't you. I couldn't imagine what you went through but I know for certain you are strong. As your friend, I'd…." He finds it hard to speak, "I'd like to support you in any way that I can." He puts his hands on her cheek as they stare into their eyes.
Steam comes from Chuck as he's flushed with emotions. Aella chuckles at Chuck's face as he slowly withdraws his hand from her face. "Sorry about that."
Aella shakes her head, "Don't worry about it, we're friends after all." She gives a bright smile as the moon's light falls on her making her more beautiful. They chat deep into the night…. Or dawn.
Aella enters her room, she walks up to her bed and lies on it as she hugs her pillow and screams into it. "*Muffled 'AAGGHH'* I…I can't believe I actually called out to him and we spent the rest of the night talking. Is that what they call a date?" She blushes then screams into her pillow again, "*Muffled 'AAAGGHH'*" and she rolls on the bed till she falls down *THUD* she gets up and regains her composure but the flushed face remains. Che changes her clothes and goes to bed.
Meanwhile Chuck walks back to the inn, he climbs up the stairs and opens the door to his room. He closes the door behind him as he grips his chest, a huge grin on his face as he can't hide it. "This was the best night eve- *BANG* Pteew" He's punched by Aku as he falls down unconscious…..
Chuck feels woozy as he slowly opens his eyes to a bright light before him, then Aku's voice comes from behind him. "WHAT CRIME HAVE YOU BEEN CONVICTED OFF!" Chuck shrieks, he tries to get up but notices he's been tied up. Aku continues, "ANSWER ME!"
Chuck is frightened, "We we we we we just talked!"
Flint's voice comes, "LIAR! DID YOU TOUCH HER!" Chuck freezes, Flint pulls his ears. "DID. YOU. TOUCH. HER!"
Chuck cries, "Yes yes I was only trying to help!"
Aku stands before Chuck, "AND HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN THE DEATH PENALT-" the door opens as Twenny is observing them with everyone staring at her. Chuck felt like an angel has descended to save him.
Twenny yawns, "*YAWNS* Keep it down, it's almost 5am." She slams the door shut along with Chuck's hope of being saved.
Aku pulls Chuck's hair and stares into his eyes, "Did you disrespect her?!"
Chuck shakes his head, "No we just talked!"
Aku asks again, "Did you disrespect her?!"
"No we just talked!"
Aku stares deep into Chucks eyes and speaks softly, "Did you disrespect her?"
Chuck stares back, "I never did that." Aku let's go of his hair as Chuck sits back on the chair.
Flint sighs in relief, "That's great. I'll get the chains off."
Chuck turns his head, "No wait I can do that m- "*CHOP* a set of hands fall down as they roll right before Chuck, he stares at his hands as he collapses and foams on his mouth.
Aku looks at Flint as he scratches his head, "I forgot my sword isn't made for accuracy."
Aku raises a brow, "Ya' think?" She reattaches Chucks arms and uses healing runes to heal him. In 10 minutes his hands are back to how they were except Chuck is still unconscious. Aku takes Chuck and gently lay him on his bed, she pulls the sheet over him and turns to Flint. "You better sleep soon." She points a finger at Flint as he obediently and quickly like the wind lies on his bed with his sheet floating over him. He catches the sheet and pulls it to cover himself.
Aku walks to the door, she opens it and looks back warmly at the 2 boys sleeping. "This is just like home." She slowly closes the door and heads to her room. Twenny is sitting on the window looking into the distance, Aku sees her and picks a blanket. She wraps it around Twenny surprising her, then Aku goes to sleep.
Twenny looks at Aku then her vision switches to Flint and Chuck as she smiles then looks into the distance.