Foxtails and Fairytales: Facades and Fables of the Phantom Prince

[Arc 6] Ch. 8 Boots' Apology

Sebas

"I said I was sorry! Nyah!" Julie protested. She had two lumps on her head from the stairs we fell down. We were with Sable and a crew of volunteers hanging decorations down the longest open strip of open road in the center of the port city. She was standing on top of a Peryton. It was mixed magical being that had the lower body, tail, and wings of a bird, and the upper body of an Elk. It was a light mix of pastel greens, pinks, and white like some kind of holy beast out of a little girl's fantasy book.

She was hanging streamers with small birds and holding them in place while she nailed them in place. Small rodents and birds rested on the antlers of the Peryton holding supplies while a white fox lounged on its rump like some kind of lazy sentry.

"And I said to drop it!" I growled from atop a column of ice to hang my set of streamers. We were supposed to make two lines one above the other. I was in charge of the higher line. I pressed my thumb against the colorful streamer and froze it in place. Then I pulled one of the nails out of the hard leather pouch strapped to my side and hammer it in place with the simple hammer I was provided.

"Then why are you so far nyaway!" Julie yelled from two buildings away.

"Because I'm still bowlegged from earlier!" I shout.

"I said I was sorry! Nyah." She whined.

We worked for a while in awkward silence as Sable supervised us and several other volunteers... and coordinated with other knights watching over students forced into community service. I guess that the entire student council was here.

After a couple painful hours of silence Sable called us over.

"Please hold your excitement, but it is time for lunch break." Sable said.

I nodded and the pillar of ice shrank and lowered me to the ground. Julie jumped from the peryton and all her summoned creatures disappeared. All except the white fox who yawned, stretched and followed a pace behind Julie.

"Can you just kiss and make up or something." Sable sighed.

"Kissing is what caused the problem in the first place." I rolled my eyes.

"Okay but we both know you liked it." Sable teased.

"Kissing another man's girl, isn't my definition of fun." I explained.

"It's nyot like it was on purpose! trust me there are other people I'd much rather kiss." Julie sighed.

"People? So there is a list?" I narrowed my eyes at her and felt my heart tighten as I crossed my arms.

"No- wait. That includes my mom and sister anth Nyaahhah." Julie tried to justify herself and bit her tongue.

"Save you breath," I said taking off my gloves and put them in my pockets.

"Julie is one of the sweetest girls in the world, aren't you being a little too hostile. You'll never get a girlfriend with that attitude." Sable reprimanded softly.

I didn't even know where to begin with that statement.

"Please, I just want to be friends. Nyah." Julie looked up at me with teary eyes and it wasn't fair in the slightest.

"I suppose it can't be helped, you better be grateful." I groused surrendering to the overwhelming cuteness.

"Ooooh someone's blushing. You're not being very honest with your feelings are you MR. Hyde." Sable teased poking my cheek and I snapped at her finger with my teeth. And she giggled in response.