Chapter 247: She Meets Hall Master Elder
Elder, of course, noticed Robin's gaze, and nodded in greeting. He then turned and said something to the Hall Master, whose eyes then flitted to Robin's group at the hall entrance. He was clearly only noticing them just now.
"That's Bauchs, the Hall Master of Resounding Joys." Dewtre informed.
"Really? He looks rather young for a hall master..." Christian noted.
"The Hall Masters are not dependent upon age, but upon experience and temperament. He was chosen as the elf among us all that best knows how to enjoy life, in all the myriad ways of celebration." Dewtre closed one eye, as she looked bemusedly at Christian. "And, for your information, he's older than I am."
"...Ah...Elves sure are a long lived race, ahahahah..." Christian felt cold sweat begin to form on the back of his neck. Dewtre rolled her eyes with a wry smile. "Just don't call him a child, and you should be fine."
Robin's face was blank, which she considered a victory. Otherwise, she would have burst out laughing. Keith, seemed to notice, however. He had also noticed that Quinn...had already disappeared somewhere in the hall.
A good natured grin appeared on the Hall Master's face as he stood up, and raised his cup. His voice, though not loud, was heard throughout the hall.
"Welcome, travellers from afar! Let us give a good welcome to our guests who helped to snatch back our lost brethren from the jaws of death which gave rise to this celebration. Hero of the current age, Robin, and the hero's companions: we welcome you, treasured friends of the elves!"
Bauchs beamed a merry smile as he emptied his cup. Those who had drinks, also raised their glasses in a toast. While, those who had no glass, clapped their hands in applause, and raises their voices in good cheer.
Robin blinked. It seemed that she had discovered a side of the elves that many had never encountered before. Much had been said in stories of their fairness, justice, beauty, and strength. But there were not many mentions of the merriment of elves; of their dancing, drinking, playing, and mischievous childlike delights.
The corner of her mouth rose into a smile. "I thank you for your welcome, Bauchs, Hall Master of Resounding Joys...." Robin replied, giving a practiced graceful bow. "But next time, if you want an excuse to drain your glass, you need not hide behind my name..."
This brought a rare moment of silence to the hall, as everyone present was struck dumbfounded at Robin's brazen statement. They all glanced between Robin and Bauchs, unsure how to react.
"After all, as the hall master, I'm sure no one would be brazen enough to deny you anything that is under your authority. Drinking for the sake of drinking is good enough a reason, right?" Robin raised her head, openly displaying the mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Bauchs turned his heads to the side with a snort, as he could no longer keep a straight face. Then he was overtaken by a bought of laughter. Everyone else relaxed upon seeing Bauchs' reaction.
"Good. Good! It is as you said!" Bauchs agreed. It seemed his small bit of mischief had been turned on its head back to him. The hall returned to its merrymaking, as Bauchs waved his hand, for Robin's group to draw closer.
Dewtre led them closer to the dais, and stopped respectfully next to the stairs, with a smile.
"Please, Hero Robin." Dewtre directed a hand to the stairs.
"Robin..." Christian said, both as an unspoken question, and as a sign of his support.
"It's fine. Why don't you go and see if the drinks here are as good as those at home?" Robin turned to her friends, glancing pointedly at Keith, who was already glancing towards the drinks area.
"No need to wait here for me. Go and enjoy yourselves. After all, this is a party." Robin pointed out with a smile. Since they had arrived as friends, maintaining vigilance would be rude.
Given permission, the rest moved each according to the area they were interested in. Ponzu moved straight towards the banquet area, along with Chelsea, Liam, and Quinn. Keith, and the knights headed towards the area where drinks were set out. Skye flew about through the glowing flower garlands, playing tag with the flying squirrels and fairies.
Only Christian hesitated, unsure of where to go if it was without Robin. When it was clear that Robin would not let him come along, he finally decided to join Keith in the drinking section. Robin joined Bauchs and Elder up on the dais.
"Greetings, Hall Master Bauchs, Hall Master Elder." Robin nodded her head, politely.
"While you are only saying that to say hello to my friend here, I will accept your greetings all the same!" Bauchs chuckled. "How are your parents doing? It's been awhile since we last spoke, after all."
"Um.. Hall Master Bauchs..." Dewtre said knowing that he had touched upon a sore subject. She glanced at Robin, who had sat down upon a nearby chair, and picked up a glass for herself among those that had not been used.
"Well, you could say that they are good. And then again, you could say that they are not good." Robin replied, with a smile. "They passed away seven years ago in an accident. But I'm sure they would be happy to know that you are thinking of them."
"Hmm? That man who could contend against dragons? Died in an accident!?" Bauchs stared at Robin wide eyed and dumbfounded. What sort of accident could kill that indestructible hero?
"Hmmm..." Elder finally decided to speak for the first time. "In that case, I wonder if their teachings have been passed down properly...." Elder's calm gaze fell upon Robin in observation. "Can you answer me...what is the birthright of every living thing?"
Robin lowered her gaze to her cup, unhurriedly. She took a nearby pitcher of water, and poured herself a drink before glancing up. "The birthright of every living thing, you say? Their birthright is to live until their natural death, at least, that's what most would say. My mother, on the other hand, did think differently on this matter."
The words fell from her lips with a special cadence, like the lyrics of a ballad, or the narration of a story. The listener could almost hear the sound of drums and the plucking of strings as the surrounding sounds ebbed away.
"The birthright of every living being...
To be good...
To do good things...
To grow in goodness...
To seek goodness...
and...
To become...." Robin stopped here, ruining the narrative. Her eyes winced for a moment before returning to normal. The pain that had accumulated in her heart would not allow her to say any more.
"Well... I'm sure you know the rest." Robin sighed as the surrounding sounds returned to normal.
Even the surrounding merriment could not soften the sorrows that she currently bore. Sorrow had taken the place of fear, in that Robin could be in the very center of merriment, yet remain painfully sober. Robin took a sip of water, and then choked.
Bauchs laughed, satisfied that at least one of his pranks had gone through. The clear liquid in the pitcher was not water, but a fruit liquor that was of a similar alcoholic content as vodka.
"Ahahah! You fell for it! I had originally set that up for Elder, but seeing you be surprised by it is just as good!" Bauchs grinned gleefully.
"Ah, one Bauchs, two Bauchs....three Bauchs..? Why is the room spinning?" Robin shook her head, as her posture relaxed in a drunken man's position.
"Wait, hold on, don't tell me you're drunk already!?" Bauchs exclaimed in surprise. "He checked the pitcher's content, and his eyes widened.
"Wait, when did you switch this out for dreamflowers draught!?" Bauchs glared at Elder, who sipped at his drink.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you are referring to. Is that not supposed to be water?" Elder said calmly.
Just when Bauchs was about to enjoy a good fight, he saw Elder's eyes move back to Robin. Bauchs turned back around in concern, before.
"Ouch!" Bauchs was mercilessly flicked on the forehead.
"And with that, Justice is served." Robin sat up normally again, with a mischievous grin. "Thank you for playing along, Hall Master Elder."
"It would not do for me to obstruct justice, after all." Elder said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone