Seven Knights: Because I Like You, Duh

Scene 1: Budding Friendship

There he is again.

Rudy ate his food slowly, a bit self-conscious. It was only the second time he ate in the cafeteria since he got a generous amount of scholarship this month. He didn't know why the sum was increased along with addition of free coupons for lunch that he couldn't usually afford from the luxurious cafeteria. But whatever the reason was, he was grateful.

Between new uniform and new material for weapon and armor in his third year in the academy, Rudy needed quite a lot of money to fill ends meet. It was a blessing that he could borrow books from the library, or he would have to add his part time work outside during the holiday and break period to buy them, or borrow some from the alumni, which he preferred to avoid at all cost because he really wasn't popular with any noble-born, especially since he was admitted into Luxtov Academy for Knights. It wouldn't end well, plus he didn't want to add ammunition for them to look down on him more. Also, he couldn't possibly asked his orphanage director to send more money because his sisters and brothers at the orphanage needed it more.

Rudy looked upward when that person stopped walking at his lone table near the window. He smiled at him softly, putting down his spoon. "What have I done for you to grace me with your regal presence, Sir Kris?"

Kris, the dark haired young noble heir of Luxtov Family, scowled at him, put down his own tray of food on the table and took a seat across of him. "I told you to stop with the sarcasm. Do you want me to make good of my warning and wipe the floor with your behind?"

Rudy couldn't help chuckling at that. "I am sorry, Milord. It is just so very fun teasing you."

"Seriously, stop with the 'Sir' and the title." Kris' glare intensified and Rudy just chuckled harder in mirth, his shoulder shaking with intense effort to hold down his laughter. He even covered his mouth at the end and coughed to disguise his laugh.

A few attempts later (since Kris was still glowering at him), Rudy calmed down, but kept smiling as he resumed eating. Seemingly satisfied that Rudy stopped laughing at his expense, Kris also started his lunch, and the silence between them as they ate together was comfortable instead of awkward.

~ # ~

It was bewilderingly confusing at first, when Kris started to approach him more often for no reason other than to talk to him.

It began a few weeks back, just before the second semester ended in their second year. Rudy was surprised when Kris showed up on class B, three days after the Luxtov Academy of Knights tournament final round.

"Kris?" Rudy widened his eyes.

"Hey," Kris nodded at him from the class doorstep, completely ignoring the other noble teens that gawked and sang praises around to his presence.

Rudy immediately stood up and approached him, rather unsure. "Why are you here? Is something wrong?"

Kris raised one of his eyebrows at him. "I can't visit you if there's nothing wrong?"

"Oh." Rudy blinked once, heat rising slightly on his cheek. "W-well," suddenly he felt rather embarrassed, scratching behind his neck sheepishly. However, when he was about to say 'thank you', a sudden chill ran down his spine as he felt the stares.

Just behind Kris, some of the black haired young man's noble followers sent Rudy a unified disgusted glares. Rudy didn't exactly flinch, but it was a close one, and as he glanced clandestinely behind him, his noble classmates were also glaring at him, grumbling and murmuring about how ill-mannered Rudy was for talking to Kris so informally.

Uh-oh. Some people do not like Kris fraternizing with the commoner...

"Uh... um, I thank you for your consideration in visiting me, uh, Sir Kris. What can I possibly do to help you today?" Rudy smiled awkwardly and tried to act more politely which only earned him a dubious look from Kris.