Petra couldn't help but stare. He must have changed clothes since she'd left. He had something in the more practical sort on now; light armor. His sword was in his hand; Petra had always liked his sword. It's bright, almost light-like blade contrasted wonderfully against her own pitch colored sword. And his stance was a perfect blend of pose and practice. It made him look quite heroic, like a shining knight come to defeat the monster that had taken captive his fair maiden. Oh how she wished she could be the fair maiden for once; she'd been the knight far too long.
"Petra, could you please come here?" There was a sternness to his voice she wasn't used to. Not harsh, it sounded more like concern. She couldn't imagine why.
"Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Petra, you didn't tell me we were going to be entertaining tonight. I'll just call Joan and have her make us some of those croissants you like." Petra spun around as she remembered that her mother was still in the room. A sudden urge arose to shoo her away and prevent further embarrassment.
"Mom, there's no need to bother her at this time of day." She turned to Shad. "The maid; she's usually in the chapel about now."
"Actually, if you wouldn't mind; I am feeling a little peckish. The walk over worked up my appetite."
"Of course, I'll go get her then." Petra turned and headed off down the hall. The chapel was about five minutes into the house no matter which turns you made, one of the many marvels of her mother's mansion. She walked in and found Joan in her usual spot before the altar, with a little circle of white candles around it.
"Oh! Vous me manquez surpris"
"Sorry Joan, I didn't mean too. We were wondering if you could make a snack; we have an unexpected visitor."
"Est-ce que Nice jeune homme ta mère a dit que vous avez passé du temps avec ces derniers temps?"
"I wish Mom wouldn't talk so much. But yes, Shad is a friend of mine."
"Juste un ami? Je pense qu'il faut souhaiter d'être plus que si il est venu appeler à cette heure."
Petra blushed again. It was one thing for her Mother to say it, but Joan was much nicer somehow, maybe because she seemed less blunt. "Do you really think so?"
"Mais bien sûr," Said the scarred young girl, "Et elle me dit qu'il est très beau"
Her blush deepened. "That's none of her business"
"Vous comme lui aussi je pense." She stood up. "Mais ce n'est pas ma place. Je vais faire le casse-croûte."
Petra followed her out and made a right. Getting back to the foyer was harder than getting to the chapel, she had to get lost to get back to the entrance. She kind of envied Joan, even if she could be a bit cheeky sometimes. As the maid she simply arrived where she needed to be as soon as she was informed she needed to be there. Her mother seemed able to operate as though the house had a floor plan, which it didn't. Why she had never been granted such priveliges was beyond her, and was a source of some disconcertment.
Finally she managed to lose track of where she was and got back to the foyer. Her mother seemed tense, as did Shad, but they both followed her to the kitchen.
"J'ai fait les croissants avec fromage à la crème, juste comme vous l'aimez..." Joan dropped the tray when she saw Shad. "Que diable fais-tu ici?"
"Forgive me Petra." And she stared on in shock as his sword flashed across the room.
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