The Path to Ivory

Ch. 9 - Could This Be...?

I curse myself for not paying more attention, today is certainly not my day, and I'm overcome with embarrassment as the person stepped free of the way to let me in. Luckily, he didn't seem to mind, and now he's just kissed my hand. I'd never seen anyone quite like him around the kingdom, so it's a very welcome change. Pardoning myself for my bad manners, I asked him what his name was in return. He had a very gentlemanly air to him, even if he did look like he hadn't washed in a few days. It seemed fine, he didn't smell none, and I think it suited him. After seeing everyone look like a doll for your entire life, it's a very refreshing breath.

"Chocolat?" I repeat him. "That's a wondrous name!" How fitting for the kingdom! "One that certainly befits such a gentleman." I smile, I can feel my panic of the day wafting away.

He gives a look of surprise when I call him a gentleman. I hope that's not an insult. "Thank you kindly, little Prince."

I feel like I've been stabbed, I've never been a fan of being called small, but it hurt more from this guy. But I can't let it just sit like that. Todays the day where I want things to change. "Oh there's no need for that, Prince Praline or just Praline is more than fine!" My heart is racing.

"Forgive me, Praline!" He looked so genuine, his dark skin truly complimented his outfit, and while his hat was lowered I got to look at his yellow-orange eyes. His short black hair. I stared pretty intently at his features, taking in everything, from his stubbly hair, to a beauty mark, to the lines that I could only assume to be wrinkles. I'd never seen one, before.

He was looking at me with a tilt now. It dawned on me that he had asked me a question. Oh gosh, I need to stop doing this. "Pardon me?" I feel a mental firework explode in my brain as I ask him to repeat himself. I'm making strides in self growth today!

"D'ya mind if I call ya sugar?"

My heart jumps out of my chest, he's so... charming! "W-what... why would you do that?" I ask. I can practically see his expression shatter. He looks hurt, and I must be guilty.

A longer second passes, and his stunned silence makes me speak up again. "Y-yea-yes! I suppose you could!" He's still silent in the time after, and I'm overcome with embarrassment. I think I broke him.

"I'm sorry, Sir Chocolat." I mumble loud enough for him to hear, sliding my hand free from his and returning it to my coat. "If you'll excuse me, I have something I wanted to do! Thank you for speaking with me, and I hope we cross paths again!" I can feel myself tripping over the words as I blurt them out, turning and almost skipping to the counter.

I'd have to leave Chocolat alone for now, as I came here for a purpose. I wanted to procure a cube of sugar for the kind horse outside, but I didn't want to walk all the way to the store across the kingdom. I stand on the glass side of the counter and wait for the clerk to pop up, and then ask him if I could have a sugar cube. I've grown used to people being surprised at my being out, if anything it's amusing now. It's that of a frightened deer. He nodded profusely and turned to rummage through his supplies and ingredients. I don't even think he has a sugar cube, but he starts pressing plain sugar together in his hands. I'm... unsure it's the same. But I won't complain.

While he's pressing the sugars to a very rough cube, I took the opportunity at hand to look at his displays. Same as every day, can't go wrong there. I always had a spot for the white chocolate candies, any kind. I can glance Chocolat through the reflection of the display, and he's still disoriented, but turning to leave. I lowered my eyes as I processed that interaction again.

"Little sir! Your sugar cube is prepared!" The keeper summoned me up from my hunch to look at what he had to offer. It was crudely cubed shape, but I think it would do just fine. I'll ignore the title, as usual, but would nod to him.

"What do I owe you?" I ask him, but he pushes it forward with a head shake.

"Take it! It's on the house." He smiles at me, and I smile back. I lift the sugar into my hand and thank him quite thoroughly, special treatment was always nice to receive. With it in tow I take my leave, thanking him again before I step free, and Chocolat is gone. I hope silently that I wasn't in the wrong, but I didn't think so?

It's a thought for later, since now my task is almost done. Time to feed that horse! I wonder if the others will get jealous of him.