A short and simple question one mont. A convoluted and complicated decision the next. Amanda was shaping out to be a surprise wildcard in my life I never saw coming.
At first, I thought this whole fiasco here was just another ploy to get riled… and it was that, but it was also so much more than that. She knew how I felt about Ash already… and she used that fact to get that answer she wanted out of all this ti, convolutedly, complicatedly.
"Hey, I'm in love with you. Are you too?"
It's not like I haven't considered the notion that maybe she did indeed have taken a sowhat liking to . I'm well aware I tend to be a bit slow on the uptakes, but in this case, even a blind man could have seen her not-so-subtle subtleties from a nation away, if I couldn't see it… then I might as well just pluck my eyeballs and give 'em off to soone who would put it to far better use than I ever could.
And yes, I did turn a blind eye - no pun intended - at every noteworthy remark, every implicating gesture she has thrown at up till now, cause I an, co on… a guy like , a girl like her? What is this, a self-insert novel?
I just can't at all fathom the how or the why… but yet here we are, nevertheless. I never addressed her feelings for , always pushed any indications into the dark recesses of my mind where it was left to rot forevermore because I didn't want to disrupt the status quo.
My relationship with her as it is, was fine as it is. Putting romance into the mix was a dangerous concoction the way things were… especially with how I already feel about Ash, or hell, Irene even… when you consider those things, I just couldn't see it… see us happening.
But now current circumstances had forced my eyes wide open, and like it or not, it was ti to face the music I had shut my ears to all this ti.
Ash wriggled her ears, spinning graciously to the lody playing soft and gentle. Her expression anticipating, her gaze burning. 'Is it or is it her?'. It was as if she didn't know the answer already to that obvious question.
Maybe she really didn't.
Maybe I really didn't.
"Well," I ford a smile, and spun along. "Who can say for sure? You're both very enticing rewards."
She smiled back at that. I noticed she's been smiling more and more often now. This convention's really doing its magic on getting her to unwind - and I have Amanda to thank for that too.
"You flatter , Master. However, your statent does not prove a sufficient answer to the question."
"It wasn't supposed to."
"Aah, how the burning curiosity lingers," She shook her head with a breathy chuckle. "I suppose I shall find out soon enough when the ti cos."
"That you will," I said, then raised a brow. "Or, here's an idea… you could just drop out of this completely and save the trouble. What do you think?"
The old Ash would have nodded her head in an instant, anything to better appease her Master in any way possible. However, current Ash was built slightly differently. Now she had her own whims, and with it, her own wants.
Ash didn't move her head in the slightest inch.
"I think not, Master," She replied, a sheepish smile manifesting in a twirl around. "Though it is true I was coerced by Lady Amanda to partake in this activity, over ti I have co to realize that this might prove… an enlightening lesson for , to put it one way."
"A lesson, huh? A lesson in what exactly?"
"A lesson in you, a valuable lesson too," Her swaying hair dropped as she finished her spin. "Your thoughts, your feelings… to better understand you, Master, I feel it is imperative to know just how far you'll go for the one you ultimately desire."
"Oh-ho? That's a very comndable reason to stay as a first-place prize," I said. "But how do I know that you aren't also just doing this just to see your Master push himself to the brink for his dear precious servant; shall it end up being you that I pick?"
Another breathy chuckle, another sheepish smile. "You don't."
Suddenly, an echo shot throughout, a booming clap of hands that assailed the musical serenity. Then, breathing deep, the announcer ca forth once more with a grin spread from ear to ear."
"Ahh, dancing. A unison of feelings and camaraderie like no other," He said with deep fondness to his tone. "Alas, it wretches my heart to say that all good things inevitably still have their ends. Now, it is ti to rid away of the music, away with the dance. Princesses, I ask that you both return your throne and await the start of the tournant… which shall be comncing shortly, I may add. So to anybody interested who hasn't yet to fill in their nas at the judges' panel, now would be the ti to do so. That is all. Everyone enjoy!"
There was a hushed murmur of disappointnt in the crowd, with a vocal few breathing out breaths of relief. I guess I wasn't the only one reaching my breaking point.
My grip on Ash's hands went lax, and slowly she let them fall back to her side, one distancing step backward, with a final curtsy to follow. "I suppose I better be off, Master. I shall await with bated breath for your choice to be unveiled."
I bowed back, one hand across my chest. "Just don't suffocate."
When I looked back up, I expected her to be gone already… amidst the crowd gradually dispersing around the room. But she was still there, one hand over the other, with a gaze tender.
"For transparency's sake, Master, regardless of your choice, whether it be or Lady Amanda, regardless shall you prove victorious or if another shall claim as their glory, please know that regardless of the outco next, that I will always be your faithful, loyal Servant to the end. Rest assured, there's nothing that will ever change that."
Leave it to Ash to appease even the most minuscule of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Regardless of what happens next, what choices I make next, she'll always see , greet , with a smile.
Sothing I don't think I'll be able to say for a certain soone else.
"I know, Ash," I said, then nudged my head left. "Now head back to your throne, your Highness. I'll see you in a bit."
And with a final departing bow, she finally took her leave, perched once more atop her high and mighty throne of gold. Shortly after, Amanda had made her return too, slumping down to her seat, burying one side of her face into her fist… a brazen weary sigh leaving her narrow lips.
I like to think the only reason she looked the way she did now was that she was simply worn out from all the dancing she had to do. Yeah, I'd like to think that, like to believe that… but I wasn't blind to the true reason anymore.
Ti to make my choice.
Without all the waltzing and prancing, the route to the judges' panel was as clear as an empty road… I walked the streets, no longer concerned about bumping into any spinning cars or twirling bikes and before I knew it, I found myself staring down at a rather odd bunch of fellows once again - and they all stared back at too, each in their own rather odd ways.
The Hunter silently raised his bushy brows.
The Vampire casually twirled at his narrow stache.
The Wizard gave a feeble surprised chuckle.
And The Witch shot up from her seat, very nearly slapping two of her colleagues as she stretched her arms wide apart in welco.
"Ah, if it isn't the Jester himself!" She said, her smile utterly delighted. "We et again! Third tis truly the charm it seems."
"Third?" The Hunter furrowed and frowned. "Pretty sure this is just our second. Where did the other eting co from?"
"Ah, you weren't there for that," She said, addressing his inquiries with a wave. "I told you, rember? He ca to my library earlier and played a ga. The one Nick was trying to sabotage."
That's when The Wizard suddenly spoke up, his narrow eyes filling with intrigue. "Oh? So this is the very sa fellow that actually beat Leon in a match of wits. Very nice."
"Ah, 'least soone here was paying attention."
I just shrugged. "I had helped."
"Yes, another vampire, right?" spoke The Vampire. "Not surprising. I always say Vampires are the smartest out of all the races."
"Dude, shut up, ten plus ten is your kryptonite," said The Hunter, then in an instant, snapped his gaze back to . "So, you beat Leon, eh? Alright, good for you. So what you gonna do now with that label hanging over your head? Brag? Post it on insta, tweet about it, or sothing?"
"No, not exactly," I said, placing both my hands firmly on the table, my eyes eting every single one of theirs. "I'm just gonna go beat him again."
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