Chapter 51: Only fair

"To being alive," Ace rose his glass for a toast, "Or any other reason worth drinking for,"

"You would say that," Tomas muttered as they clinked glasses, "you manage to find a reason to drink every day,"

"It's not hard," Ace laughed good heartedly, "I need wine to put up with you,"

Veretta began to laugh. Which in turn set off Tomas and Ace again. Even Yona gave a small smile. Finally, the kitchen was filled with laughter. However, once it had died down, Michael shook his head unamused.

"See didn't I say? Drinking dulls the mind," he remarked callously.

"You don't drink?" Tomas glanced over to him with a stiff expression.

"No," Michael replied with an air of superiority, "Drinking is for idiots,"

For a moment, the room became silent.

"Oh really?" Ace leant forward on his chair with a smile, "Shall I tell you all something amusing? "

"Yes, master?" Yona and the others turned to him intrigued.

"Back when I was a student, the other students had names for the black wizard. Shall I tell you what it was?" Ace grinned unrepentantly.

"Don't," Michael threatened.

Ace's smile grew wider, "they called him the 'viper'! 'Cause he was always snapping off at everyone!" he said with a burst of laughter.

A snort of laughter followed from across the table. Michael gave a sigh and conceded a small smile. The atmosphere grew lively again and they started to eat. Tomas and Yona had prepared an array of colourful fruit and vegetables. A juicy mound of meat sat at the centre and everyone was digging in heartily.

Tomas looked up at the general surprised, "You haven't touched the meat! You don't like it?"

"The master doesn't eat meat," Yona answered.

"Oh!" Tomas eyes widened with a thoughtful smile, "Passivity?"

"Passivity," Ace nodded with a grin.

"What about you...Michael?" Tomas asked hesitantly, "Is it to your taste?"

"It's edible," Michael answered dismissively, "The taste isn't important to me. I only eat enough to survive. I dislike eating large meals,"

Ah," Tomas gave a wry smile.

"What's so funny?" Michael asked sharply.

"Oh, nothing," Tomas replied reluctantly, "it's just you....said something similar before,"

"Did I?" Michael's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched, "what else did I say?"

"It wasn't much," Tomas stammered, "I mean, I hardly remember,"

"I didn't tell you why?" Michael interrogated.

"No, come to think of it, you didn't," Tomas' brow furrowed, "what is the reason?"

Ace's eyes went apprehensively to Michael, "Drop it, Tomas," he said quickly.

"I'm sorry...I was just curious," Tomas scratched his head awkwardly, "What did I say that was wrong?"

At that moment Michael's fork hit his bowl with a clang and he scoffed before exiting the kitchen. Ace let out a sigh.

"I said I was sorry!" Tomas called after him to no avail, "why is he getting so annoyed for?"

"It's not your fault," Ace shook his head, "he...just doesn't like the subject. It's best if you don't raise it again,"

"Why? What happened to him?" Veretta asked quietly.

"I don't know if I should answer that," Ace glanced back to the door.

"Please, tell us," Tomas implored, "I wasn't trying to hurt his feelings. I just don't understand. He hardly ever eats. Even before. I'm afraid for him sometimes,"

"Tomas is right," Veretta entreated, "if you know the reason, please tell us,"

"This is.." Ace hesitated, "This is not Errik we are talking about. I'm sorry but it's not my place to tell you,"

He rose from the table with another sigh and left the room. Tomas sat back in his chair dejectedly.

"I hate the guy but I want to be his friend," he muttered with annoyance, "It's so frustrating. Why do I even try?"

"Tomas.." Yona began.

At that moment, Veretta placed her hand on Tomas' arms, "It's going to be okay, but these things take time. Why don't you go and talk with him tomorrow when he's had time to cool off?"

"You're right," Tomas answered with a nod. He stood up with a surge of motivation, "I need to think about what I'm going to say to him. I'm going to head to my room early,"

"Okay, goodnight, Tomas," Veretta smiled.

"Good night," Yona said quietly, but Tomas had already bolted up the stairs.

Veretta stood and began clearing the plates.

"You don't need to do that. The maid will do it," Yona told her.

"Oh, okay," Veretta started to the door. However, before she could get there. Yona softly asked:

"Do you love Tomas?"

Veretta turned back confused, "Of course I love him. He's my best friend,"

"That is not what I am asking," Yona said with a blank expression.

"Yona," Veretta paused, "we're not like that. I love him as a friend,"

"Then why does he love you?" Yona stared up at her with tearful eyes.

Veretta was slightly startled. She came back into the kitchen and knelt down at Yona's side.

"Listen to me, Yona," Veretta entreated, "You've misunderstood. Tomas is not in love with me. He's just like that because we've been friends for so long. Trust me. He cares about you, Yona. I can see it in his eyes. You've been a good friend to him. More than a good friend! You just need to give it time,"

Yona stared down at her and nodded quietly, "Thank you, Veretta."

"Of course," Veretta gave a smile. She rose from the table and went to the pantry. She emerged with a small cake and presented it to Yona.

"What is this?" Yona looked at it surprised.

"Just because they're done with their dinner, doesn't mean we have to be," Veretta sat down with a delighted sequel, "There's always room for dessert,"

"Dessert?" Yona stared down at it apprehensively, "Why does it look like mud?"

"It's chocolate," Veretta grinned. She held up a spoon, "try some,"

Yona opened her mouth hesitantly and took the spoon.

"What do you think?" Veretta leant on her hand with a smile.

"Now, I see why humans eat so much," Yona cheeks' turned red, "Can I have more?"

"Take the whole thing," Veretta pushed it over to her, "Chocolate is a cure for heartache,"

"It is?" Yona glanced at her in surprise, "I must eat it more often then,"

**********

The next morning Tomas set off from his room feeling energized and inspired to make his apology. He had been practicing it last night and felt assured his delivery could win Michael over. He was good at winning people over. Though it usually took some time.

Nevertheless he reached the kitchen with a smile and found Veretta and Yona at the table. The general hadn't made it down, but Tomas was confident where he would find Michael.

"He's outside, right?" Tomas grinned.

Veretta gave a nod with a smile.

Tomas bounded outside. He was hit by the dazzling morning light and took a moment to take it in. The garden spanning down the slope was bright green and furnished with fresh flowers. He raced down the track and discovered Michael at the bottom of the garden swinging his sword.

"Errik...I mean Michael, can I talk to you ? "Tomas inhaled deeply.

"What?" Michael replied apathetically.

"I just want to talk to you about yesterday..." Tomas began.

"Save it. I don't care", Michael scoffed.

"Well I care," Tomas sighed, "for some reason... So, will you just let me say what I need to say?"

" I don't know why you think you need to say anything," Michael dismissed, " We're not friends,"

Tomas' jaw clenched," Well then, consider this the last thing I will say to you as your friend. I thought about it and the truth is I mentioned the thing about the food several times before",

"This is the first time I've heard you mention it," Michael sighed.

"Well, even if you don't remember, I did. But I never considered the reason why you didn't eat. Where I come from food is a luxury for many people. I couldn't understand your attitude towards it. I was careless and I made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry,"

"Well, at least you know how to apologise. But, I hate apologies so I get lost," Michael said with a cold smile.

"Well if an apology won't work... Then punch me one-time and we'll call it even?" Tomas gave a hesitant smile.

"Punch you?" Michael lowered his sword. He strolled up to Tomas and looked down with a grin, " I'm not going to punch you,"

Tomas' brow furrowed and let out a sigh. Suddenly, Michael kneed him straight in the gut. Tomas fell to the ground with a winded gasp. Michael stared down apathetically.

"Happy now?"

Tomas let out a groan "you said you weren't going to punch me!"

"And I didn't," Michael grinned unsympathetically.

"Why do you hate me?" Tomas gasped, "I came here to apologise to you! And you...you're such dick to me. I just want to be your friend. Is that so bad?"

Michael stared down calmly, "Get up,"

Tomas complied with difficulty.

"Listen," Michael sighed, " Stop projecting your issues onto me. I don't know what kind of relationship we had before, but let me tell you this - I left the table yesterday because I couldn't be bothered to answer your questions. I dislike pleasantries because I am not pleasant. That makes it easy for me to be a rude bastard because I don't care what anyone thinks about me."

"Then you're not angry?" Tomas said with surprise.

"Not in the slightest, but you shouldn't be so hung up on whether I am angry or not. Ask yourself this - Why are you so afraid of being disliked? When you fear the opinion of others, you give them your power. That is something you should never give to someone else. It is very different to get it back,"

"You're wrong," Tomas retorted bitterly, "I care about you because I thought you were my friend. That's why your opinion matters to me. I don't go to such effort for everyone I meet,"

"That's not what your diary said," Michael smiled condescendingly, "All those emotions and feelings...I mean good for you,"

"You..." Tomas let out a trembling exhale, "you read my diary?"

"Was I not supposed to?" Michael grinned darkly, "Probably should have hidden it better then. It's only fair really since you took it upon yourself to read mine. It was quite helpful for me actually. Cleared up a lot of things. I only wanted to find out what you knew about me, but amongst your incessant ramblings, I noticed a pattern. You are people pleaser. That's why you ran away from home right? But seems like you didn't change much,"

Tomas' fist clenched trembling slightly, "I can't believe you,"

Michael leisurely put his arm around Tomas' neck, "Listen carefully, you obnoxious little brat. I am not Errik. I really don't care about your feelings or anyone else's. You wanna cry? Go ahead,"

"There is something wrong with you," Tomas said through gritted teeth.

"No," Michael smiled, "I don't think so. I'm just being real with you. If you can't handle it, why don't you run back in and find Ace? He's much better at all this emotional stuff than I am. You should have seen him back in the day. Crying at the drop of a hat. It only made me want to provoke him more,"

Tomas let out an incredulous breath, "you know, you may not be Errik, but share some qualities. You're an emotionally closed off liar,"

"And?" Michael chuckled, "you make it sound like that's a bad thing,"

"Having emotion does not make a person weak. It makes them honest," Tomas said quietly.

"Then maybe you should start by being honest with your 'friend' Veretta?" Michael tilted his head back apathetically.

Tomas' eyes widened.

"What?" Michael shrugged with a smile, "you read my diary. It's only fair,"

Tomas contracted a swift breath in and stormed off.