Keeping Secrets

Gatekeepers

Welcome back! This chapter is fairly silly and was a lot of fun to write. Hope you enjoy!

KEEPING SECRETS CHP. 6- GATEKEEPERS

Larcade generally considered himself a pretty calm person.  Throughout his life and his travels, he had learned getting upset and stressed generally brought nothing good and it was better to indulge in pleasures and enjoy oneself. 

Getting to serve his father was something Larcade took great pleasure in.  As his (second) strongest etherious creation, Zeref had bestowed his own family name to Larcade.  What more acceptance could one ask for?  It didn't matter if Zeref had never actually called Larcade his son, it was enough to be one of the two people on Earthland to bear the Dragneel name. 

Well, three, but the other one was an ignorant brute and undeserving of his father's love. 

But when Larcade got the news this morning that he could not join his father for breakfast because of some 'special guest', he was infuriated.  Father has always allowed me to join him for meals, but suddenly this guest catches his interest and I'm unwelcome?  It's not fair!  If his beloved younger brother were here, no doubt he'd be allowed to sit at the head of the table even though he's an ill-mannered barbarian!"  Larcade slammed his fists against the table of the grand council room in frustration. 

Across the table, two other members of the Twelve snickered at Larcade's distress.  As Ajeel and Dimaria picked fun at Larcade's expense, Brandish walked in, with the usual bland expression on her face, and took her seat next to Dimaria.

"Nice to see you so enthusiastic, so bright and early, Brandish." Dimaria addressed the green haired young woman with a smirk.  Ajeel chuckled to himself.

Brandish let out an irritated sigh and in her usual monotone, and replied, "Hilarious as always Dimaria."  She rolled her eyes and propped an elbow on the table, resting her cheek on it.  She then noticed Larcade, his usual tranquil expression replaced by a furious scowl.  She nodded towards the blonde young (looking) man.  "What's his problem?"

Ajeel laughed and responded, "Poor Larcade was banished by the emperor to eat with us common folk this morning."

Snorting from laughter, Dimaria mockingly asked Larcade, "Whatever did you do to upset daddy dearest?"  Larcade simply clenched his teeth and looked away.

"Larcade."  A gravelly voice said.  Looking up, Larcade saw the bulking inhuman figure that was Bloodman taking his seat.  "I don't understand your obsession with being the emperor's favorite.  You should treat every request, whether pleasing to you or not, as an honor when it comes from the emperor."

"Maybe I would, if I had the personality of a rock, like you!"  Larcade spat in anger. 

Bloodman stared at Larcade, face unchanged.  "If that is an insult, I do not understand."

This just seemed to make Larcade angrier, as he began to shout the meaning of his insult to an apathetic Bloodman.  Ajeel leaned over to Dimaria and whispered, "I'll take the 'rock' over whatever personality Larcade has."  The two erupted in laughter, while the two etherious continued to argue.  Brandish just sighed again.

The doors to the room swung open, and a man with long orange hair and a cloak with what could be described as an elaborate wheel of blades on its back literally jumped into the room and struck a flamboyant pose.  Having heard the commotion with his dragon-slaying enhanced hearing, he declared "News of this guest has also reached my ears.  He must be truly impressive if the emperor requests his company, as he does not even allow I, the magnificent God Serena!  To dine with him!"  He struck several more unnecessary poses during his rant.