Array
(
[text] =>

Chapter 10: Peace-Keeper’s Guardians

“Master Keahi?” It was Bharath. He hurriedly made his way over to him, his expression holding a mixture of confusion and protectiveness, ready to intervene if Keahi was in any trouble.

“Oh, Bharath,” Keahi said as he managed to tug his wrist from Masou’s grasp as he turned to face his childhood friend, straightening his clothes subconsciously. “Sorry, but I have other plans made for today.”

“Oh?” Bharath said in slight surprise as his stunning red eyes flickered over to Masou, who of which was standing a little off to the side, smiling away like everything was right in the world. Bharath didn’t look as concerned as he was before, only slightly curious. “And who...?”

“Ah, this is Masou. He’s...going to help me with something.” Keahi said as he turned his posture to be a little more open, indicating to Masou that he was welcome to speak if he wanted...not that the man seemed to need a signal to do anything. “Masou, this is my friend, Bharath.”

Masou took a moment to run his eyes over the Fire Priest, no doubt taking his time to admire the man’s natural beauty, as was common practice when meeting Bharath for the first time. He then grinned widely, almost as if he was pleased with something and took a few large strides forward, moving to stand directly in front of Bharath where he once again forgot all social etiquette by snaring Bharath’s lithe hand in his and giving him a friendly shake.

“Please to meet you!”

“Oh, you as well,” Bharath politely returned the greeting automatically, his other hand flying up to his chest in surprise, clearly taken aback by the man’s boldness and enthusiasm. He, however, didn’t look all that displeased. He looked slightly amused, actually.

He then tilted his head to the side in question, his hand still within Masou’s grasp. “I’m sorry, have we met somewhere before?” he asked suddenly, shaking his head a little in thought. “You feel familiar.”

How strange. Keahi felt a sense of familiarity from him upon first meeting as well. If Bharath had met this man before, than surely Keahi would have as well?

“Hmm, no I don’t think so,” Masou said after a moment of thought, his smile dropping to be replaced by an impression of thought. However, his hand was still holding Bharath’s, even as the beautiful Fire Priest subtly tugged at his hand to let go.

Suddenly, Masou’s broad, carefree smile returned and he gave Bharath a playful wink. “I think I would remember a rare beauty like you!”

Immediately, Bharath blushed a deep red, almost the same colour as his eyes and he uncharacteristically stuttered. “Oh, I...ah...”

Keahi had to admit to himself that he felt a brief sense of hurt at the compliment. Sure, he had heard many an individual compliment Bharath on his beauty and natural abilities, but this time it felt different. He felt disappointed that, perhaps, Masou would become more interested in Bharath instead of him now.

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

Masou, however instead of continuing to shower Bharath with more flirty remarks, laughed at his expression and dropped his grip on his hand. “Well, I’m a FireBrand, so maybe that’s why.”

“Yes, you might be right,” Bharath said as he quickly composed himself, straightening his posture and returning to the form of an elegant Fire Priest. “A FireBrand, huh?”

He took a silent moment to study Masou, no doubt searching for his intentions as it was a habit he had picked up over the years he and Keahi had been friends. After a moment, a gentle smiled appeared on his lips and he folded his hands in front of him. “Well, it’s good to know that Master Keahi will be in safe hands. Please take good care of him.”

Masou gave him a mock salute. “Of course!” he said before moving quickly and looping his arm around Keahi’s neck, pulling him against his side and playfully poking him on the cheek as he grinned somewhat impishly. “A little cutie like him shouldn’t walk around all by himself, am I right?”

Keahi blushed darkly at the man’s proximity, from what he was insinuating and from what he had called him. “W-what?” he stuttered as he squirms his way out of the taller man’s grip.

“Yes I think so,” Bharath as he laughed warmly, seemingly becoming less guarded around Masou. He then turned to Keahi, giving him a gentle smile, his head tilting ever so slightly to the side. “Have fun, Master Keahi,” he said gently, sincerely, before turning back to Masou. “You too, Mr. Masou.”

“Mister?” Masou said with his nose crinkling as he made a noise of disproval, even going as far as wagging his finger at Bharath. “Now now, no need for that. Masou is fine.”

“If you insist,” Bharath replied, bowing his head slightly in understanding. “You best hurry, though, or Brendis may try to stop you.”

Masou looked interested at hearing this new name. “Brendis?”

“He’s another friend of mine,” Keahi explained. “He’s also my Fire Guard.”

Masou crossed his arm over his chest and tapped his chin in thought. “He doesn’t happen to have red hair and purple eyes, does he?”

Keahi was slightly surprised by his description. “Do you know him?”

“Well...” he drawled, a grin threatening to appear.

“You!”

Keahi jumped as the familiar voice yelled with a quite a bit of venom and frustration. He, along with Bharath and Masou, spun around toward the source of the voice to see Brendis standing in the middle of the lobby. His expression and posture was pure, unadulterated disgruntlement, his right eye twitching comically as he breathed heavily through his nose, hands balled into tight fists by his sides.

Then, Masou laughed again, pointing in Brendis’ direction. “Ha, it is Mr. Slowpoke!”

If at all possible, Brendis appeared more frustrated, even bristling wildly from Masou’s exclamation. “Don’t call me that, dumbass!” he yelled back, looking ready to clobber something if necessary.

“So you’re the one Brendis has been ranting about,” Bharath said around a laugh, turning to give Keahi and Masou a small smile and a wink. “I’ll hold him off while you two make a run for it. Ok?”

“Sure,” Masou grinned in return before grabbing Keahi’s hand in his again to pull him outside. “Come on, Keahi!”

Looking over his shoulder, Keahi just had to chuckle from the sight of Bharath literally holding Brendis back by placing his hands on his chest and pushing him, while the Fire Guard was hissing and bristling, no doubt saying some...colourful things about Masou. Brendis could easily brush Bharath to the side, as a Fire Guard he held great physical strength, but he would never do anything to hurt him, so his struggles weren’t all that convincing.

Oh, he was still utterly seething, for certain, but he wasn’t overly destructive.

And besides, Bharath had always had the ability to keep Brendis under control with a few whispered words. What they were, Keahi didn’t know.

But, perhaps, he’ll need some of his own to keep this Masou character in check. Things seemed to have gotten a bit more interesting with him around.

[text_hash] => c458f5c3
)