Try and Catch Me

Mr. Rabbit (2)
Lia narrowed her eyes as she approached her visitor. She found him tossing a stone in the air and catching it again and then doing it all over again. He looked nonchalant and not at all the famous young general.

Well, to be really honest, the two of them looked like lovers having a clandestine meeting in the middle of the night. Lia made a face at the thought.

“Why can’t you be a normal guest and use the front door?” She demanded. “You gave me a fright. I could have stabbed you,” she said, showing the handle of her dagger buried in her sleeves.

“I beg your pardon, but I can’t do that.” He caught the stone and rolled it in his palm. “I can’t compromise your reputation. People might talk.”

“That’s nice of you. But people will talk anyway.”

“It’s still better to be careful. And good job for being cautious too.”

She tilted her head to the side, “So, what brings you here? How did you know I’m here anyway?” She lifted an eyebrow at the last sentence.

Eldric shrugged. “Rabbits have many good sources.”

Lia smirked. He was really going for that persona. “Oh really.”

“Really.” Mr. Rabbit nodded in earnest. “Do you mind if we talk under that tree?” He pointed at the biggest tree in the backyard.

Lia hesitated. It was her job to watch the house, and she did not want to leave on a personal errand.

“It’s just 5 meters away from the house. We can watch it together over there.” Seeing that Lia remained unconvinced, Eldric sighed. “I won’t be long. I promise.”

“Fine.” She fell a step behind Eldric as they walked towards the tree and sat under it, facing the back of the house. “Now that we’re here, maybe you will answer my question?”

A smile spread under the half-face mask. “I’m really visiting.” Under Lia’s unamused stare, he relented. “I escaped the banquet.”

“Banquet? Escape?”

Eldric told her about the gathering happening at the palace that the king prepared for him. It seemed mentally, physically, and emotionally taxing for Lia just hearing him describe the occasion.

“Would it be okay to leave then?” Lia enquired.

Her guest leaned on the tree trunk, watching the clouds moved above them. “They wouldn’t notice that I left. I’m only their excuse to throw such events.”

“Ah. In short, you came to hide here instead?” Lia teased.

“I wanted to visit,” Eldric said, seriously.

Lia did not know how to respond to that kind of remark. With the mask on, it was hard to tell what kind of expression he had. She could not be sure if he was really serious or only joking. Lia opted for the latter — a possibly safer reaction, and laughed it off.

“How is your study?” Eldric asked.

“It’s going well. Thanks to Jeremiah, I have ample time for studying and wouldn’t have to worry about… everything.”

Eldric hummed, inclined his head to the side, and faced her. “Tell me how you spend your days here.”