MOIRAI (Man*Man)

Chapter 9

*Acting*

Bert has been searching in his head for ways to change Elmer's thoughts of him but he has been coming out short. He asked for his brother's advise Atlas who finally came back from his trip.
Apparently he has gone to look for the girl he had seen on Ernest's birthday party that caught his eye. Bert has not been informed about the entire story but his brother said she had agreed to see him again, so they might be going somewhere. Bert had asked for advise and the only thing his brother said was to have patience and try not to nag Elmer too much, if someone has a bad impression on you, they tend to catch onto everything you do and you need to be extra careful about everything.

That is what Bert has to do but with Elmer, patience isn't going to work and Bert has found out that if he doesn't give Elmer a much needed push it won't work that is why he has asked for Ernest's help again, this time it won't be permission 'That didn't work the last time' this time Bert has come up with a great idea that will work. Bert believes it will work only if Elmer doesn't destroy it as usual.

Bert and Ernest appeared in front of Elmer who was startled this time like he usually is "I wanted you to come join us for horse back riding" Ernest went straight to the point of what brought them here, he has seen how unsettled Bert has been and if he needs Elmer to forgive him for him to be fine again then Ernest has no problem playing a part.

"My prince, I know nothing about horse back riding" Elmer replied his eyes dancing between Ernest and Bert having a feeling that this was Bert's idea and he wishes to squash that little witch into pieces.

"It doesn't matter, Bert will teach you. Meet us at the stables in ten minutes" Ernest left no room for argument before turning around, Bert acted innocent waving at Elmer before walking away too. Bert knows playing the prince card is dangerous but why have a prince as a best friend and you can't use his power once in a while. Bert had thought about using his powers to force Elmer to spend time with him but that sounded more like him forcing Elmer into doing something with him and that will only prove he is cruel, which he isn't.

This time he asked for Elmer's time through Ernest. That isn't the worst thing a person could do, that is why he isn't going to feel bad about it "You know I can't spend much time with you, I have a meeting with my father"

"I know but you only have to be there for thirty minutes, I will take it from there" Bert replied holding onto his horse as Ernest nodded a servant bringing out his horse too. Bert asked for someone to bring out another horse that will be for Elmer, he conjured a spell to help the horse walk on his command.

"You should let him learn by himself"

"What if he falls off, he will hate me more"

"Why do you want him to not hate you that much, you rarely care about what others think about you" True but still not everyone thinks of him as a heartless, cruel, cold-hearted like Elmer, that makes it personal plus some other things. Elmer walked in, in his full attire before Bert could reply.

"You're here, take that one" Bert didn't mask his excitement, Elmer nodded praying he doesn't fall off. He has never been on a horse in his life and if he falls off that will be the most humiliating thing ever, he has to be careful "Hold it like this" Bert instructed showing Elmer how he should hold the horse "Perfect, now keep relaxed and take it slow" Elmer nodded as they begun walking out to the Field with Bert in between him and Ernest.

Elmer was so focused on not falling off of the horse as his heart pounded holding onto the horse for dear life "Elmer, what did you do before you came here" Ernest asked cutting out the silence

"I used to pick grapes"

"Why did you leave?"

"My aunt found me this job and she knows how much I love working with plants, especially flowers" Elmer replied his focus on the horse, he hasn't calmed down even if it is going well so far.

"I didn't know Della was your aunt, funny how she has never mentioned you" Elmer didn't know what to reply to that, maybe she talked about her son and not him. Silence consumed them again, it was calming with a nice view of the mountains in the distance "Do you think you have gotten a hung to it."

"I guess" Elmer doesn't know if he has gotten a hung to it but he hasn't fallen off so that might be a good sign.

"Okay let's race" Elmer didn't get a chance to object when Ernest and Bert had already taken off. He didn't do anything to his horse when it increased speed running after the two. Elmer has never known a horse could be this terrifying but he knows one thing, he isn't enjoying this. He is being thrown up and down like a sack, holding onto the horse for dear life not wanting to fall, with his gear on he is still terrified of the fall that might bruise him for the rest of his life.

He knew this wasn't a good idea but he had no choice in this, he couldn't say no to the prince. Elmer saw Ernest and Bert stop their horses and his horse stopped at once, Elmer didn't know it was going to happen that when the horse stopped he was sent flying all the way into the river and the worst thing Elmer can't swim. He tried fighting with the water trying to get back up but he couldn't, he couldn't breath and he was taking in so much water, he felt arms around him pulling him above, the moment his head came out of the water he gasped for air wiping his face "Calm down I got you" Ernest said swimming them back to the shore.

"Are you okay?" Bert asked when they reached the shore laying down looking up, Elmer coughed getting up on his elbows breathing in as hard as he can. He almost drowned and died.

"Thank you" Elmer thanked looking at the prince who nodded getting up, he put his hand down for Elmer who took it getting onto his feet.

"I think this is enough for today, we should get back" Ernest said climbing up the small hill back to where they left their horses. Everyone followed and they climbed back up.

"I will walk back" There is no way Elmer is ever getting back on a horse ever again, first time and the last time.

"Ride with me" Bert suggested but Elmer shook his head no, he isn't getting onto another horse "Ernest you should get back, we are going to walk"

Ernest nodded starting his horse riding away, he has meeting he should be in and he should let them patch up their friendship, Bert made both horses to go leaving the two behind "You didn't have to do that"

"I am the one who brought this idea, am sorry" Elmer shrugged beginning his walk "I made the horse walk on my command"

"Why did you do that?"

"So that you won't fall but I guess I did what I wanted to avoid in the first place"

"Just stay out of my life" Elmer warned walking as fast as he could but Bert was right next to him, even when Elmer took big steps Bert ran after him with his shorter legs catching up with him.

"That is not going to happen" Bert confessed getting in front of Elmer "I want you to hate me knowing the real me, not the character I have been portraying"

"You mean you have been acting"

"Yes" Elmer understands nothing, acting is for the theater not in real life "You came out of nowhere, the Greene's had to make sure you were no threat, I had to keep an eye on you and to do that I didn't have to get close to you. I had to piss you off and see what you're capable of but now, that it is over and I want you to know me as me"

"How do I know you're not acting now?"

"You can't, all you need to do is give me a chance please"

"I will think about it"

"Perfect"

"I didn't say yes"

"Thinking is good enough, it means you have already given me a chance" Bert said with a wide smile, the trip might not have gone as he was hoping for it to go but it sure gave him a chance to start getting Elmer to know him as the real him, the messy, embarrassing, weak, never finishes things witch. Now that he thinks about it, is it right to let Elmer know him as him or should he pretend, no, he wants to show Elmer who he is and if he is going to get hated for that then fine.