The Crow and the Cardinal

To Jea: Oh yes, I intend on taking care of that repeatedly in future chapters. :p



And virgin? Nah. Just been a while. He's very old-fashioned. =)



Thanks so much for the review! =D



And thanks to all of you who read! Hope you enjoy the new chapter! ^_^



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Rikaisa glanced up at the afternoon sun and sighed. They had arrived in Mai a few hours sooner than expected, and the heat was making him a bit uncomfortable in his full military regalia.



"Nothing I can't handle," he told himself, and continued his leisurely stroll.



The bustling city streets were a drastic contrast to the Captain's own hometown of Ika, a small farming village. He enjoyed the livelihood of the big city, but was always secretly grateful when able to return home to peace and quiet.



As he continued down the vendor's avenue, all manner of salesmen and peddlers called out to him, showcasing their wares. From jewelry and clothing to flowers and fruits, there was little that could not be found for sale there. Rikaisa found himself beginning to get hungry from all the delicious smells drifting throughout the avenue. He reminded himself that he would be fed quite well that evening, and shouldn't spoil his appetite with snacks.



As if reading his mind, a vendor called out, “Ho there, my good man! Can I interest ya in some fresh caught fish? Just say the word and I’ll cook one up for ya right here!”



“No thank you, sir,” Rikaisa answered. Hungry though he was, the fish in question didn’t look quite as fresh as the merchant claimed.



“But of course,” another merchant chimed in, “You have a romantic dinner planned for this evening, am I right? Wouldn’t want to spoil your appetite.” he added with a wink.



“Uh....not exactly..I mean--”



“Ah-ah-ah, no need to explain. I won’t ask for details, I think we all know where the night will end up, eh?” he smirked. “But perhaps something is missing, yes? May I recommend a lovely gathering of orchids? Nothing impresses a fine lady more than a hand-picked bouquet!”



Rikaisa, now thoroughly flustered, was horrified to feel himself blushing. “I...I...I..um....I can’t...”



“Leave the boy alone, Gibrald,” another man’s voice rang out.



Rikaisa turned to seek the owner of the voice, and was very glad to find it belonged to a familiar face. “Good afternoon, Josef!” he called out to the old man approaching. “Long time, no see!”



“Hello yourself, Rikaisa. My, how you’ve grown.” Josef replied. Then turning to face the merchant once again, “Now enough of your nonsense, Gibrald. You’ve gone and embarrassed the poor man.”



“Aw, but I was just about to make a sale!” Gibrald teased.



Rolling his eyes, Josef turned back toward Rikaisa. “Forgive me for calling you ‘boy’. I still have my memory of you as a small child, barely able to see over the top of my fruit stand.”



Rikaisa laughed. “Goodness, has it been that long since we’ve seen each other?”



“Perhaps not quite that long, but it is certainly my fondest memory.” Josef smiled, leaning on his cane.



“So what brings you out here to Mai, old friend? Come to join in the celebration?”



“Yes, yes, and also to see off my son.”



“Oh, really? I didn’t realize you had one old enough to join the military.”



“Oh yes,” Josef answered, “He came of age just last winter. He’s been training very hard since--”



His reply was cut off by two pairs of tiny arms wrapped around his aging legs. “Daddy, Daddy!!” a duet rang out.



Rikaisa laughed, “Surely neither of these is the son you speak of? They are too small to even pick up a sword!”



“Hey! Ima join when Ima get bigger!” the dark-haired twin piped up.



“Ima get bigger than you!” the red-headed twin replied, sticking his tongue out.



Both men laughed as the two boys began chasing each other down the street.



After their merriment had subsided, Josef said, “Well, I’m afraid I need to get going, Rikaisa. My fruit doesn’t sell itself, you know.”



“I would beg to differ, Josef.” Rikaisa smiled at his old friend. “But if you must. It was very good to see you again--”



He paused as he felt a tugging on his sleeve. He looked down to find two pairs of baby blue eyes staring up at him.



“Hey, Mr. Captain sir,” the dark-haired twin began, “If you see our brother, can you give him these?” Both boys held up a bouquet of lavender orchids.



“Mikel! Refiel! What have I told you about taking things from--”



“We didn’t steal ‘em, right Mikel?” the red-headed twin replied.



“Yeah, we paid for ‘em!” the dark-haired twin agreed, staring defiantly up at his father. “I had my pieces, and Refiel had his pieces, and we bought ‘em fair an’ square!”



“We ain’t no thieves!” Refiel added, once again sticking his tongue out.



“See, Daddy?” Mikel whined, “We didn’t steal ‘em!”



“All right, all right, fine.” their father sighed. “Just try not to waste your money anymore.”



“Forgive me for interrupting...” Gibrald piped up, “But I’d hardly call my orchids a waste of money!”



“Oh, shut up, you.” Josef groaned.



Chuckling, Rikaisa turned back toward the wide-eyed twins. “Very well. If I see your brother, I’ll give him these flowers.”



“Yay!!” both boys squealed as the Captain took the bouquet.



“All right boys, tell Captain Lometa goodbye now. We have to get going.” Josef gathered up his young boys and began walking back down the avenue. “Hope to see you again soon, Rikaisa!” he called back.



“Bye-bye!!” the boys called out as they turned the corner. A moment later, Refiel ran back and shouted, “Don’t forget to give him the flowers!!” then sped away when his father scolded him.



Rikaisa was left standing alone in the avenue, holding a bouquet of orchids. ‘Well,’ he thought, ‘this is awkward.’



He wiped some sweat off his brow with his free hand, and cast an irritated glance toward the sun. ‘I really should get out of this heat. It can’t be good for my smell, even with the flowers.’ he added with a chuckle.



Shaking his head, he turned around and headed back down the avenue, toward the castle.