Calbert & Kazumin
Part 2
Part 2
The cowlicked blonde strode along after where he would soon lay eyes on the main hall where he quickly took notice of how far more spacious and fancy the mansion was compared to Asteroth’s. He spun around in place on his heels taking in the sights in awe but not for the reasons most typical visitors would.* Dang..I bet this place could house nearly half the village and still have plenty of room.* Chuckling internally as he wondered how Percy would take seeing such an unnecessarily huge house. Probably not well he envisioned.
He spun to a stop only to find Lord Calbert standing before him forcing him to crane his neck to look up at the man. Was he always this tall? A normal person of sane mind might have been intimidated or feeling uncertain but Kazu had latched onto the mention of brunch bringing that wide grin to his face once more. “Yes, of course! Lead the way.” So eager and anxious to finally get food in his empty belly he nearly forgot. “ Ah! I mean, my lord. *nailed it*” Muttering the last part under his breath
Calbert led him through an archway and soon into the dining room where there would be breakfast laid out. There were fluffy eggs on a beautiful serving plate on one end. A plate of crispy, juicy bacon was also available as this was a favorite of Calbert’s. Tender sausages and well-seasoned breakfast potatoes were also available. The smells would welcome Kazumin like an old lover as he had returned from the war. There was even a fruit salad and some delicious, home-made vanilla pudding.
The dining room itself was as cold as the rest of the house with light grey walls. It gave a sense of emptiness despite the regal fireplace across from the table. There was a large mirror above the fireplace with an intricate design that showcased its absurd worth. Colossal windows allowed entry for rays of light into the dark room as the maids pulled back the curtains upon their entry. They were all on one side of the room. The tablecloth itself was rather plain but obviously expensive as well. The chandelier creaked
Kazu followed along a short distance behind, admiring the intricately designed walls and decorations and fighting the urge to explore as he went. The poor lad not even once taking into consideration why such a powerful and well off noble like the count would bother with a peasant nobody or go out of his way to invite him for brunch. And with the long trek of silence leaving him to his thoughts, the blonde farmer almost started to ponder on exactly that until the familiar and wondrous scent of food struck his nostrils. In an instant the world around him melted away until only the presence of food remained; beckoning him like an old lover. A siren call that urged him onward towards the dining hall with a haste in his steps and before long laid his eyes on the beloved treasure so cruelly denied him hours earlier.
“Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. Help yourself to the food. If you don’t mind, I’d like to discuss a few matters about the ball while we enjoy this… meal.”
His sparkling eyes went wide upon receiving permission to eat. As soon as he said the words Kazu appeared in the nearest chair almost seeming to have teleported to it where he rubbed his hands together. “ Don’t mind if I do!” Exclaimed the blonde who wasted no time in digging in and appeasing the vicious grumbling coming from his tummy.
Calbert sat across from him, immediately disgusted as the man started to dig in… Yet he couldn’t bring his eyes away from the terrible sight. Pig. He waited patiently until it was clear Kazu was engrossed in food heaven. That was when he spoke. “There's something that has kept me quite vexed, Kazumin…” He began to cut a sausage neatly with his knife. His eyes raised with intent to peer into his very soul as he asked, “What did you do to make my Crystal cry?”
His hands flew across the table grabbing strips of bacon and plates of eggs; whatever was within reach his hands snatched up to pile onto his own plate. As the blonde had a one track-mind to appease his voracious appetite and far be it from him to not enjoy such a delicious spread the host so kindly had prepared. Muffled groans of delight and choked sobs could be heard as he chowed down and did so knowing this would be his last enjoyable meal for the next two weeks and intended to savor every single scrumptious bite. Yet, as hungry as he was he held an iota of restraint to eat with some decorum by not just shoving and scarfing it down like the pig Calbert viewed him as. A sign some of the etiquette training had taken hold in his food obsessed brain.
Kazu ate away, each bite making the suffering and pain endured this morning be forgotten and forgiven. Combined with the drug, the farm boy was in a blissful high of decadent flavors.
Then the count spoke of Crystal causing his food paradise to shatter and come crashing down. This led into a choking fit that left his face turning multiple shades though through it all he kept his mouth closed to keep food from flying not wishing to be gross, rude and wasteful of the food. His left hand swiped up a glass of water to aid in gulping down and freeing his clogged throat while his right hand grabbed a napkin to wipe his face. “R-right *wheeze* forgive me *cough* one moment if you please.” Holding up a finger indicating he needed a moment and turned away and lowered his head hiding his red face behind the edge of the tablecloth lined table where he could be heard coughing and patting at his chest. “Fuck..can’t believe I forgot about Crystal, you idjit!” He chastised himself in a hushed manner in between coughs and pats to cover it up.
A minute later he sat back up rejoining the table where he gave his face an eloquent dab with the napkin as if all that had just occurred didn’t happen. “Forgive me. The previous night was a long one and a rough morning as well as preparations for our brunch left me no time for breakfast so you caught me positively starving.” Said in a forced sophisticated tone trying to remember his lessons. “How rude of me to forget my manners after you so kindly welcomed me into your home which is absolutely beautiful I must say…” Trailing off as he awkwardly grabbed the half empty glass of water and lifted it to give a respectful toast. “Ahem…pardon. What was the question again?” Kazu asked with a sheepish smile, the end of his lips twitching.
Calbert made a face as the man burst into a choking fit. He made no move to aid him whatsoever and simply stared him down. He’s procrastinating answering me. Squandering away my time. It’s like he has something to hide. He started cutting and eating his bacon neatly with a fork. His jaw clenched as he shoved a bite in his mouth and chewed in the most aggressive yet polite manner. ”Kazumin. You made my daughter cry last night at the ball and I am kindly asking for your side of the story.” He swallowed hard and leaned on the table.
”What did you do?”
A nervous expression overtook his face and guilt showed in his eyes upon being reminded of the one thing he wished he had forgotten. “Yes, I imagined that was what you asked.” Shifting awkwardly on the cushioned chair while rubbing the back of his neck.
“As for what I did…well, I will state first it wasn’t anything improper like wrongful touching or crude remarks of any sort I assure you.” Laughing awkwardly with a tug of his collar, remembering the hand placement on her hip but felt it best to exclude that little slip-up. “I made sure to treat her with nothing but the utmost respect as one should treat a lady. The dance was going splendidly I might add..so much so that I thought it fun to tell a story.” Touching the tips of his fingers together in a nervous fashion as he spoke on. “Mind it was a harmless story. One involving that of a caged hamster intending to be a motivational tale of gaining courage to free herself from her prison with the aid of..a visiting friend. So..um…I suppose in my misreading her situation my story seemed to have been much too similar for her taste and…”
Stopping there as he averted his gaze in shame while twiddling his thumb. He felt horrible about it and so tried to avoid thinking about it too much until he could figure out a proper way to apologize.
Calbert was thoughtful as he listened, staring him down. A story about a hamster? What sort of person told such a story in the middle of a ball dance? The body language was not that of a man being honest with the tale he was currently spinning, that was for certain. The nervous laughter, the timorous tone, the tugging of the collar… Then there was the clear guilt that was so evident in those eyes. He scowled and struggled to keep an even tone as he asked, “Are you perhaps aware that the lie you are telling me is a ridiculous one?”
Uncertain of what to do with his fingers that he chose to grab a strip of bacon mostly to idly chew on is. Only to pause mid-chew at being accused of lying. “I um..what?” Kazu couldn’t help but blink and idly chew while trying to think of what to say when Calbert indicated he had more to say.
The last piece of bacon finished in one bite as he pulled over the eggs. “My daughter informed me that she was being stalked by you, Kazumin.” He explained further and began to cut his scrambled eggs unnecessarily, over and over. The loud sharp noise of his knife against the porcelain glass rang out every few moments and sped up in tempo with every second. “I understand very well you have your side of the story, but you cannot fault a man for favoring his daughter’s perspective, especially when such a disturbing subject is involved.” His gaze changed upon Kazumin into that of a warning glare. “You are doing very little to convince me thus far.”
It was here his decision to chew on bacon proved a mistake as yet again found himself choking this time on the small bite of bacon after hearing the count speak of stalking. “Wait *cough* what?!” Exclaimed Kazu incredulously in shock surprise; thankful to have swallowed as he would have done a spit take as he tried to regain his composure and shock. All the while tried to pay attention to Calbert carry on but the sharp noise of knife on porcelain grating to the ears made worse with the combined drumming of his erratic pounding heart. “Hold on there. Stalking?! I have done nothing of the sort..hell I didn’t even know Lady Crystal existed until we met to dance. I assure you I have no intent or interest in your daughter.” He scrambled in haste to explain and clear up this grievous misunderstanding until he realized what he said could be misconstrued as an insult.
Calbert lifted a brow.
“Not–not that she isn’t desirable or anything. Lady Crystal is an exceptionally beautiful and sweet woman. One that any man would go to hell and back for I’m sure.” Waving his hands frantically with a nervous chuckle trying to recover his unintended slight.
Coughing onto his fist while his body fidgeted nervously and felt like he was in a sweat lodge. “I have never stalked a woman in my life, sir (except for those purely with intent to swipe some of their food) as I have little..or more precisely no interest in romance or uh…what’s the word you nobles call it?” A tilt of the head trying to remember as his finger idly tapped at the half eaten bacon strip. “Courting! That’s it, right?” Checking the count’s face hoping he was correct before carrying on his nervous ramble. “So I am definitely not stalking or seeking anything from Lady Crystal besides maybe friendship.” Kazu said, scratching at his left cheek with an uncertain little chuckle then he leaned forward, his face finally getting a bit serious.”But, my lord, if there is one thing that I am absolutely sure of and you can ask anyone who knows me to be true, it is that I am not one who lies. And…that I enjoy telling tales. What I told you before is the truth and though my hunger took over I came here with the intent to apologize to Lady Crystal for my tactless misunderstanding of her situation.”
On this he spoke clearly and confidently finishing with a big bite of the bacon as if taking a chunk of victory.
Not a peep left Calbert’s mouth after those little numbers. He averted his gaze to the eggs and tapped the table, deep in thought. After a long, tense minute, he nodded, raising his eyes again. “I suppose that makes sense.” It was unclear what he truly was thinking, but he seemed satisfied outwardly… with that portion. “Well then. Moving on.” He rose from his seat suddenly. Before Kazumin could even move, he was back and slamming the Caesonia News in front of his face. He leaned over the table with dilated pupils, tapping the picture of Persephone.
“Do you know her?”
He hoped this explanation was enough to clear up any misunderstanding and showed he had done no harm nor intended any. Though Calbert’s persistent silence and body language offered him no answer leaving Kazu nothing to do but sit there anxiously as he idly chewed on some more bacon. Then the man’s abrupt standing had him pause and watch the count with a curious twitch of the brow.
Chewing quietly in an uncertain idle manner pondering what aggrieved father was planning. At least until his attention began to wander due to the drug having his focus shift from plate to plate; zooming this way and that over the table before shooting onto the unexpected picture of Persephone which seemed to have appeared from thin air. “Oh, Percy! What I would give to have her here…she’s missing out on such a delicious brunch.” Kazu said with a brightening grin.
“Percy…” He said tightly. The fury could no longer be concealed. “...is a murderer.” Calbert let that sink in. He straightened up. He took on an abnormal casual demeanor at this point, even coolly laughing as he spoke again. “First she stalks me. Caught her eavesdropping on a private conversation… Then she’s seen at the scene of a murder. The murder of someone dear to me… A very twisted and sick murder…” His voice rose with disgust and emotion. “I found even the bread that the criminal stole there! And I did recall her, you see Kazumin, because I saw her with you.” There was a shakiness to his voice now as he pointed a finger accusingly, “The very same night you made my darling Crystal cry after you gave her the impression you stalk her.” His expression contorted with anger, “This all together is too crazy to be a coincidence is it not?”
Kazu could hardly miss the sudden shift of Calbert’s mood and the increasing tension in the air. Then the insinuation of Percy being a murderer came up. Such an insult that might have normally boiled the blonde’s blood, but unfortunately the boost of energy from the powder had waned considerably bringing back all his exhaustion and aches which were now enhanced by the side effect of the unknown drug. Just keeping himself awake was proving difficult enough and having the distinguished lord seemingly lose his cool, speaking in an angry voice dripping poison.” Um…murder? I uh think there are some big misunderstandings here and of course, you did. I’m sure everyone saw us dancing together.” Said with a little chuckling scoff, his body wavering; a battle of staying steady or passing out ensued.
Perhaps any other day, the Count would have been on his game, manipulating expertly and staying calm as he fished for the information he wanted. But today, his emotion was the stronger competitor in this battle. The way this villain had sat there smiling as he referred to his murdering psychotic co-conspirator with glee. He had come here to mock him? To act as if this was all for fun?
He let out a howl of anger, throwing his hands against the table as he rose to his feet. Calbert was indignant as he practically shouted his next words at Kazumin. “You sit here and dare to smile and laugh! You eat my food with joy like a gluttonous pig! ...All while knowing of the evil you two have conspired against my family.”
His expression took on a sneer as his glance snapped to his bewildered servant, staring her down momentarily as she moved to the next room. She returned with the gun and set it in his palm. With the sound of a click, he pointed it at Kazumin, “Give me one reason why I should let someone capable of such villainy live.”
On the verge of giving in to fatigue when the man’s furious howl rang out through the hall causing him to wake up with a jolt. Blinking a few times to clear his blurry vision; next thing he knew he would see a gun being pointed in his direction and a demanding threat from the count. One would expect such a person in this situation to be afraid, but to Calbert’s surprise saw a goofy grin plastering his tired face painted in layers of make-up. “Ohhh I get it now. This is some kind of prank, yeah? Asking me here to grill me about some pretend *murder*” He motioned twice with his fingers to indicate none of this to be serious.“And make me angry by saying it was my friend Percy who did it and now trying to scare me with that toy gun.” Waving dismissively at the gun in Calbert’s hand with an amused giggle.“Is this whole overprotective father bit still cause I made your daughter cry?” He asked with a curious brow while leaning forward against the table, his body wobbling the entire time with droopy eyes.
Despite this entire insane conversation, Calbert still was riddled with disbelief. I am dealing with a madman. An absolute madman!
“And uh..you asked for a reason, right?” Scratching at his forehead trying to recall all that the man said then snickered; clearly looking a man not all there as Kazu was indeed loopy, almost like a mix of being drunk and high “ I’ll do you one better and give two.” Holding up two fingers wiggling them in a playful manner. ”I’ve been friends with Percy all my life and know for a fact she isn’t a killer or if she was she would only go for a corrupt noble of high status as going after their kids would just give her unwanted attention and make things harder and…” Trailing off as he felt himself beginning to drift until the slip of his left hand woke him back up. ” Where was I?” A shake of the head to jostle his mind awake.”Hm..oh right! Reasons. And the second reason… of all the time I have known Percy, not once would she ever leave behind or waste bread. You’d have to wrest it from her hands and a foolish folly that I can tell you.” Nodding his head while groggily picking up the cup of water to take a big swig though half of it spilled down his chin and onto his chest.
They were friends for his entire life. If that was the case, he was right to suspect this was a conspired plan by the two of them at this point. Then Kazumin had said she’d only go for a corrupt noble of high status? Was he calling him corrupt? Calbert could not believe the nerve this young man had to say such things with a gun to his head. Death did not even seem to frighten this psychopath. He had once read that they were often eerily calm, but he had an idea to shake him up.
To bring out his true colors.
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