STORIES
219 - Washi
2017
Orrie Karanthir Shichi Zyfan Racolo Washi
Tuesday morning ...
ORRIE:
Why are you making breakfast 'stead of Fin?
KARANTHIR:
That, my boy, is the very question I've been asking myself since
I was forced out of bed at this ungodly hour in the morning.
ORRIE:
Fin sick?
KARANTHIR:
No, he had to drive the little monster to school.
ORRIE:
Why you call Brynie that?
KARANTHIR:
I honestly don't remember. I always have, ever since he was born.
ORRIE:
K'ranthir guess what?
KARANTHIR:
sigh
What?
ORRIE:
Today’s our happy meal lunch day!
KARANTHIR:
Is it really?
ORRIE:
Uh-huh. You gonna pick me up at school so we can go?
KARANTHIR:
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Later …
KARANTHIR:
Hey ‘Chi, long time no see.
SHICHI:
Hi Karanthir, Zyfan.
ZYFAN:
Please join us.
SHICHI:
Actually, I was hoping to speak to you. It's about Phae.
KARANTHIR:
Oh goody, we’re going to discuss our Miss Phae.
SHICHI:
Perhaps it would be best if Zyfan and I did this alone?
KARANTHIR:
You don’t think I should be included in this little tete-ta?
I believe I've just been insulted.
SHICHI:
No disrespect intended but ...
KARANTHIR:
You still want to me to leave? You’re throwing me out, giving
me the heave-ho. Really 'Chi, you come to my table where
my prince and I are enjoying our lunch, and you ask me to go. Honestly, if that isn't offensive I don't know what is.
SHICHI:
I see you’re in one of your moods, Karanthir.
KARANTHIR:
I don't know what you mean.
ZYFAN:
Karan, perhaps you are over-reacting, just a little.
KARANTHIR:
Moi? I think not.
ZYFAN:
I must disagree. We are not having lunch, only I am.
You will have lunch later with Orrie, it is his happy meal day.
KARANTHIR:
You’re always welcome to join us, my prince.
ZYFAN:
I do enjoy spending time with you and your little brother but …
KARANTHIR:
Go on.
ZYFAN:
I do not appreciate his taste in food, or its smell.
SHICHI:
Perhaps I should come back later? You seem to be in the middle of ...
KARANTHIR:
Are you suggesting that Orrie's choice of cuisine
isn't satisfactory to your palette?
ZYFAN:
In a word - yes.
KARANTHIR:
Really Zyfan! What do you expect, he's only a child.
ZYFAN:
True, but I have noticed that you do not eat the food either.
You drink a beverage while Orrie eats.
SHICHI:
Yes, later would be better.
ZYFAN:
That is not necessary Shichi. Please sit down. Karanthir is leaving.
KARANTHIR:
It seems I’ve been dismissed. The prince has spoken. Fine.
It’s time for me to pick up Orrie anyway. There's just one thing …
KARANTHIR:
… I found this to be quite stimulating. You've successfully managed to
get me sufficiently hot and bothered with your brilliant bantering, my
prince. I look forward to continuing this later, in private.
ZYFAN:
As do I.
KARANTHIR:
And that my friend, is one of our forms of foreplay. Tah.
ZYFAN:
Please forgive us. It is a game we play to see who can be
the most like a drama queen. It is quite fun.
SHICHI:
No need to explain.
ZYFAN:
I think Karanthir won this time, but then he has much more experience at it, at least I think so. Do you not agree?
SHICHI:
I … uh...
ZYFAN:
Never mind. Now, what of Phae?
SHICHI:
Yes Phae! Please remember that I'm speaking to you as her advisor. I received a notice from the Council. They… uh
… feel it's time that your intentions were made clear.
ZYFAN:
My Uncle sent a letter stating the same thing. I do not understand
why this is urgent. Phae is too young to officially be anything to me.
SHICHI:
I reminded them of that, but ... if she's not to be your
choice for a wife, she needs to return home.
ZYFAN:
This is supposed to be my sabbatical. Fifty years of freedom before
I am coronated. Yet they have allowed me very little peace
since it began. Forgive me, I do not mean to complain.
SHICHI:
I understand, and I want you to know Phae has nothing to do with
this. She isn't aware of the pressure they're putting on you, or me.
SHICHI:
… Also, Usagi expects me to return to my Clan with her. I’m in
her debt so I have no choice but to go. However, I'm honor
bound to remain with Phae until this is resolved. My sister
understands this but is in a hurry for us to be on my way.
ZYFAN:
I see. Well Shichi, I will be honest with you for I consider you to be
a friend. I like Phae. I cannot say I am in love with her, but that is
not a requirement for marriage. I will tell her this, and if she still wishes to be my wife, then, when the times comes, it will be so.
SHICHI:
Thank you, that’s all I needed to know.
RACOLO:
Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt.
ZYFAN:
It is OK, Racolo. Please have a seat.
RACOLO:
You sure? This sounds serious.
ZYFAN:
We were finished. Do join us.
RACOLO:
Thanks.
WASHI:
Zyfan, I have come to bid you fairwell. I am returning to
our realm and expect to be away within the hour.
ZYFAN:
I see. I wish you safe travels.
RACOLO:
No parting words for me?
WASHI:
You - human, yes I have this to say: Usagi has my
blessing to do what she will, concerning you.
RACOLO:
Huh?
WASHI:
There - it has been said. Good day.
Washi leaves.
RACOLO:
What the hell … ?
ZYFAN:
Racolo, do you mean to tell me you have not heard of the
Blessing? You, who have spent so much time among Elves.
RACOLO:
Guess I missed that memo. What is it?
ZYFAN:
Well, he is married to Usagi, and … he just let you know
that she has his permission to … to ...
ZYFAN:
… Perhaps you should explain. She is your sister, after all.
SHICHI:
Well, in simple terms, you have Washi’s permission
to pursue an intimate relationship with her.
RACOLO:
You mean - he just invited me to have sex with his wife?
SHICHI:
Yes, that’s it exactly.
RACOLO:
What makes him think I want to?
ZYFAN:
That has nothing to do with it. This means she has
expressed an interest in you to him. Do you understand?
RACOLO:
No! No I don’t! That's just crazy!
RACOLO:
… I can't even conceive of a conversation where a
wife tells her husband that she wants to have sex
with another guy and he's OK with it.
ZYFAN:
Racolo, you do not need to act on it.
SHICHI:
Not at all. Washi’s giving you the Blessing so if you wanted to …
RACOLO:
I don’t! Man, you Elves! Who does she think she is?
