Flight of Cendrillon

Chapter 14: The Glass Slipper Melts in Ashes

Kaito had never witnessed such a raucous celebration as the one going on around him in the Sherbrooke pub. Every party he'd ever attended had been dictated by manners and custom, with tight structure and decorum. So in the face of people dancing on tables, shouting, and downing pints of beer with reckless abandon, he felt completely out of sorts. It was invigorating to be so surrounded by life, but also isolating as he had little idea of how to conduct himself.

"Cheerful voices pass across out of the bluuuuuuuuuue! Passed days were left with "0" and "1!" What's breaking my heaaaaaaaaaaaaart? Relinquishment? Or nostalogiiiiiic?!"

Meiko had commandeered a stage for herself, and even when she was clearly well past sobriety, her vocal talent still shone through. He wasn't sure if the crowd knew she actually was the Meiko, but they were certainly cheering her on.

"M-E-I-K-O! M-E-I-K-O! YEAAAAA!" the crowd began to chant.

"She's rather impressive, isn't she?"

The purple-haired doctor took a seat at Kaito's table. "Where's your friend?"

"Ah... Miku wanted to be outside..." he said awkwardly, "I don't think she handles crowds like this well."

"Hmmm.... Luka mentioned something like that..." Gakupo said putting a finger to his chin, "I hope it's not because of... well... that business."

Len plopped down at the table with the older men. "Eh? Isn't Rin with you?" Gakupo asked, "It seemed like you two were nearly inseparable!"

The blonde glanced towards the door to the outside. "I think she wanted a moment with Miku and Luka," he said, "They have... history."

Suddenly he stared right up at Kaito. "Now what's up with you?! This is a party in your honor you know! Why are you sitting still?! You're not even drinking!"

Now Kaito's nervousness crept back up. "W-w-well, this is a little unusual for me... It's not a situation I'm used to and I-"

The blonde looked particularly sly. "Now this isn't like you, you were the guy that wanted to check every rundown shop and sausage place in the Rhune! Now you're huddled in as corner and too scared to have a bunch of drinks with the guys?! C'mon Gakupo, we need to help our poor Prince out!"

Kaito looked to Gakupo for help but saw only another conspirator. "All right then! Let's start him with a blonde ale and see where we go from there!" the doctor cheered, "Bartender, we need pints, and lots of them!"

"M-E-I-K-O! M-E-I-K-O!"

"NOSTALOGIC!"

Westheim. They were finally going to Westheim.

Miku's long journey to protect Kaito was about to end.

Securing Sherbrooke secured them another path through the border beside the one being fortified at the ruins of Saint-Urbain. A telegram had already been sent across the wires directly to Kaito's uncle. They were waiting on word from him to see if he could bring them in.

His uncle was a well-connected politician. Hopefully that meant they could waive him through without trouble, political crisis or not.

After that...

As Miku pulled her coat closer to fend off the cold, she heard the door to the tavern open. She glanced up and saw Luka step through the threshold, her patched eye facing her. Luka didn't see the girl until she turned her head more thoroughly... then she seemed to be trying quite hard not to look at her. "I didn't realize you were here," she said coldly.