(Before anyone reads this, I want to say that I was hungry when I wrote the first part.)
>Sniff< >Sniff<
Mia arose that morning to something that she had never smelled before. It was kind of cinnamony. Quickly throwing on a clean robe, she followed the scent downstairs.
The sweet smell wafted through the air. She followed it all the way to the guild's elite cafeteria. Mia didn't like eating in the elite cafeteria since it separated the guild, but she went in anyway.
She walked into the room where the smell was most pungent. The cafeteria was amazingly crowded. She spied her mother at the largest table and went to take a seat next to her.
"Hello mother." Mia noticed the boy on the other side of her mother. "Nash," she said blushing a little.
"Good morning," Lemia replied. "How did you sleep?"
"Just fine until I smelled that," Mia stated, gesturing to the kitchen. "What is it anyway?"
"I don't know," said her mother. "I got down just in time to see Nash get thrown out of the kitchen." The two women turned to the young mage.
"Steve is in there," he said, more to Lemia than Mia. "He says that he is making something special, but he won't tell me what it is."
"I wouldn't tell you then, but I'll tell you now," came a voice from the kitchen door. Steve walked from the kitchen, followed by several servers carrying large silver trays. He went to the seat Nash had saved for him while the servers put the trays on the table.
Steve started to speak to the people assembled there. "Everyone. I want to say something. This is one of two things that I know how to make. So I give you..." All of the servers lifted the covers off of the tray. "French toast."
The people in the cafeteria looked between the toast and Steve, not quite knowing what to do. "You eat it," he said as if he were talking to a child. "With the stuff on the table."
Mia was the first to, hesitantly, take a piece. Dousing it with the maple syrup that Steve passed her, she took a bite. Stopping in mid-chew, with all eyes on her, she smiled. The room's inhabitants let out a sigh, as they each started helping themselves.
"I take it by that smile that you like it," Steve said taking a piece of his own. With a nod, Mia kept eating.
"What is the other dish that you make?" asked Lemia.
"I make a mean chili," he replied. "But even that gets old after a while."
"Why didn't you just learn to cook more?" Nash asked between bites.
"My dad was big into the masculinity thing. He was always disappointed when I wasn't doing something manly. He didn't think cooking was a skill a 'real man' needed to develop."
A pause fell over the other three. "Yeah." Steve thrust his fist into the air. "Another conversation falls victim to Steve Talaski."
The rest of the meal was eaten quietly. Everybody just seemed to be enjoying the meal.
As everyone finished, Mia leaned across the table and whispered, "Steve, I need to talk to you for a minute." Her face was stern, and Nash caught both the words and the look.
Mia excused herself from the table. Steve got up to follow, but was stopped by Nash's hand.
"You had better not have made her mad," he said.
"Oh right," Steve said sarcastically. "Piss off the leader of the guild that I have just entered. That would be real good for my career, and my health. Not to mention your situation," he muttered so that only Nash could hear him.
Steve followed the path Mia had taken. He left the room, catching up with Mia.
"You wanted to see me?"
Mia turned around and slapped Steve in the face. Not very hard, but enough to leave a small red mark. "This is about the poem, isn't it?"
"How dare you butt into my personal affairs. To insinuate that I have feelings for Nash is one thing, but to outright say it, and say that you are going to do something about it, is another. You are lucky that that breakfast was great, or I would have slapped you into next month."
Steve reached up to his sore cheek. "I'm flattered that you like my cooking, but Mia, I plan to get you and Nash together. If I don't have your permission, it doesn't matter to me."
"I can handle my own love life, thank you," Mia stated, a bit irritated.
"I don't mean any disrespect, but I don't think you can, Mia. You're too much like me. Remember my poem?" Mia nodded. "That's a true story. I was too shy to do anything about love, then it left."
Steve cast his eyes to the floor; Mia's features softened. She now knew that they had more in common than she had first suspected. If he truly knew how she felt, then it might not be such a bad idea to have him on her side. If nothing else, he could tell her what was going through a guy's head.
"I can't hear to see people like me, in the same agony that I've gone through," Steve started again. "If there is a way to get you two together, I will find it."
Mia looked solemnly at the boy. "What do you plan to do?"
"Now you're talking," Steve said with a small smile. "But I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but my plan is reserved for me and me alone. Now, will that be all?"
"All right, class dismissed," Nash said allowing the students to push out the door.
Steve had stayed back, finishing the "Shock" spell that Nash had just taught him. He was quickly mastering the thunder magic, and in four days had become just as the majority of the beginners. Steve was, however, in Nash's advanced class.
Nash caught sight of the boy as he aimed his spell at the magic tester. Small bolts of electricity shot from Steve's fingers, toward the magic tester.
"Pretty good," said Nash. "Now, check this out!" Nash muttered the incantation for a spell. A golden ball appeared above the tester. "Thunder Bomb!" Bolts of electricity flew from the ball, and danced around, and into the magic tester. Then it just faded away.
"Keep showing me up and I won't help you get Mia," Steve said with a smirk.
"Sorry," Nash replied. "How is that coming, by the way?"
"Good. It's time to start phase two."
"What's phase two?" Nash inquired.
Steve's smirk grew into a wide grin.
"Flowers, reading, poetry, romance, and for some reason gorgons. These are a few things that Mia likes." The boys walked down the long hall. "You need to drop small hints that you have a thing for her, and try to incorporate the things that she likes, into them. For instance, do you know anyone who can sew?"
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"Nash, do you know how to add?" Nash nodded, a bit confused. "Then put two and two together...What?" Nash had stopped walking and was staring at a rather large boy, leaning on a nearby wall.
His arms were at least twice the size of Nash's, as were his legs. He walked over to the two boys.
"Well if it isn't Nashey boy. Are you still pining over Mia?" He looked at Steve. "Or have you switched to an alternative lifestyle?"
"Nash, who is this joker, and why is he insinuating that I'm gay. Maybe he doesn't have any friends of his own, and doesn't know what it looks like."
"Oh, so we got a smart ass," the boy replied. "Well, watch who you mouth off to boy, or you might piss off the wrong person."
"Torach, just leave us alone," Nash jumped in.
"Just a second, Nash," Steve interjected. "This is getting interesting. Torach, is it? Because you never heard of me, I'll give you a break, but for future reference..." Steve got real close and lowered his voice. "You don't threaten me or my friends, in any way, shape, or form. Got it?"
Torach just pushed Steve back, laughing. "What are you going to do? You can't use magic on me since we're both in the guild."
Steve chuckled as he turned back to Nash. In one swift movement, he drew the long sword from within his robe, spun, and with a slash, snuffed out a nearby candle. Then with lightning speed, he dashed over to Torach, bringing his sword down, and stopping it about four inches from his face. He could have gotten closer, but Torach had brought his staff up to block.
"Is that all you got?" Torach asked.
"Look down," Steve replied.
Noticing that Steve was holding the sword with one hand, he looked down. In the other hand was a large dagger, hovering dangerously close Torach's crotch. He swallowed hard.
"The guild doesn't have any rule about fighting without magic." Steve's voice got barely above a growl. "The next time you try challenging me, you better have the cajones to go through with it. And if you do have them, I'll cut them off, AND FEED THEM TO YOU! Now get out of here."
Torach swallowed hard and slowly backed away from the two blades. Looking into Steve's eyes one more time, he broke into a full run down the hall. As the large boy rounded the corner, Steve tucked the blades back into their hidden sheaths.
"Where did you get those?" Nash asked.
"What? The sword and knife? Since I'm advancing so fast, they're paying me an advanced members salary. I'm surprised that Mia hasn't told you."
"I can't really talk to her for very long. That is another thing that makes this romance thing so hard," Nash commented.
"First things first, Nash. Who is this Torach guy?"
"Torach is the biggest guy in the guild. He's a bit of a bully since no one can match his strength, and we can't use magic on him."
"I take it, he bullied you." Steve interrupted.
"He still does. He only has respect for the Ausa's."
"That is because guys like that only understand one thing, power. Think about it. Nobody can match his strength in the guild; he has the power. Nobody can use magic on him; he has the power. You have to get it cleared with the Ausas before you kick him out of the guild; he has the power. The Ausas can kick him out of the guild on the spot, and kick his butt; they have the power." The two boys started walking again.
Steve continued. "He also doesn't seem to know that size isn't everything." Nash looked puzzled. "I'll show you what I mean later."
"Now, can we get back to the Mia situation? What were you talking about when you mentioned sewing?"
"Nash, Nash, Nash," Steve chided. "What was Mia's favorite pet?"
"A gorgon," he replied.
"Right. And what might that have to do with sewing?"
Nash thought as he walked. A smile began to creep across his face. "Steve you are a genius."
>Knock< >knock< >knock<
Nash stood outside of Mia's bedroom door, holding a brightly wrapped package. His palms were sweating as he heard a voice call.
"Who is it?"
"It's Nash," he called back
Mia closed the book she had been reading, and made her way to the door. She stopped for a quick look in the mirror, adjusting her hair and robe. This was strange, because Mia never really cared much about her appearance before. She stood behind the door for a moment before opening it. Nash stood there with a present in his arms.
"Hi Nash," Mia said shyly.
"H-hi Mia." Mia saw him blush a little. "I... uh... I can't stay long. I just... uh... wanted to give you this." Nash handed her the box.
"Oh Nash, what is it?" she asked, motioning for Nash to come in. The two sat down on the nearby couch.
"I saw it and... um... thought of you," he stuttered.
Mia carefully unwrapped the box and looked inside. "Awwww. It's so cute," she said lifting the stuffed gorgon doll out of the box. "I just love it Nash. Thank you."
"You're welcome," he replied. Goddess I love to see her happy, he thought. He looked longingly at her as she hugged the stuffed creature. Oh, to be that stuffed toy.
"Nash, are you all right?" Mia's voice snapped him back to reality. "You look a little pale."
"I... uh... I'm fine. I just... have to go. Nash stood, and started backing towards the door, a goofy, nervous smile on his face. Turning suddenly, he hit his shin on a small table, knocking over a picture frame. "Sorry," he said, hastily standing the picture back up. He limped the rest of the way out the door.
Mia sighed, and laid back on the sofa, clutching the gift. He's thinking about me.
Nash limped around the corner, where Steve was waiting for him.
"I stood up to Ghaleon, after betraying him, and that was still the most terrifying thing I have ever done," Nash stated.
"Yes but did she like it?" Steve returned
"Yes."
"Well, there you go. Now that you got that done, she knows that you are thinking about her. Now you can do a few shadow hints. For instance, maybe a rose in front of her door each morning."
Nash thought for a moment. "She does like flowers."
"Just don't get them from her garden," Steve joked. Nash gave a small laugh. "See man. Comedy is timing."
"Ha, ha, ha, ha," the priestess laughed. Steve just smiled as he took a sip from his mug. At the same time Mia passed by the table.
"What is so funny?" she asked innocently.
"Steve just told me this great joke," she said. "Go ahead, tell her."
"All right," Steve started as Mia sat down. "So there were two guys, Bob and Phil. And they were talking. Bob said to Phil, 'Hey Phil. The other day I was seeing spots before my eyes.' Phil looked concerned and said, 'Whoa man, did you see a priest or priestess?' Bob said, 'No, just spots.'"
The priestess burst out laughing again, while Mia just groaned.
"Steve, that was horrible," she said with a small laugh.
"I thought it was rather clever," the priestess said, still laughing.
"Next rule of comedy, Mia. Know your audience. To most it's a bad joke, but to those of the profession, it's great." Steve got up from the table, leaving his empty mug. "Now if you ladies will excuse me, I have an errand to run. Mia, Amy."
"Actually, Steve, I wanted to talk to you," Mia said, excusing herself from the table.
"As long as we can walk as we talk," Steve replied. The two walked out of the room and into the hall. "So what's on your mind?"
"I want to thank you. For the Nash thing, I mean." A small smile crossed Mia's lips. "Did he tell you that he bought me a present?"
"I can't say that he did," Steve replied, keeping a straight face. Inside he was grinning from ear to ear.
"It's the cutest little gorgon doll that you've ever seen."
"That's not hard," he stated. "Where I'm from, we don't have gorgon dolls, so it would be the cutest one that I've ever seen." Steve held the door as he and Mia left the building.
"But seriously, Steve, I think we may have a problem."
"Why," he inquired as they walked through the city.
"I think this, other guy, may have a thing for me. His name is Torach."
"We've met," Steve said with a scowl.
"Oh. Well I caught him staring at me, and this morning I found a rose, just outside of my bedroom door."
"It all boils down to one thing," Steve said. "Who would you rather be with? Nash or Torach?"
"Could I have Torach's build, Nash's looks and personality, and your insight and wisdom?"
Steve looked at the young magess, bewildered.
"Why Mia, I believe that you just made a real good joke, with a bit of flattery. You're learning." She smiled as Steve opened the door to a nearby shop.
"Steve, what are we doing here?" asked Mia. A burly man with a large hammer, looked up from the anvil that he was working on.
"Ah, Steve, and Majesty Mia. This is a surprise. Is there something I can do for you?"
"I'm just here with Steve," Mia replied.
The large man nodded and set his hammer down. "It took me a while, but I finally got them right." The metal smith walked over to his table where his finished products lay. Bringing over a towel with, what looked like, incredibly thin strips of metal, he commented, "Why you would steel this thin is beyond me. It won't help you at all in battle."
"Metal can be used for more than just battle, my friend," Steve said with a grin.
"What are they for?" asked Mia
"Patience, Mia. You will know when the time is right."