Not my cup of tea

 

Milo looked over at War who couldn't take his eyes off the stranger in the corner.

"Do you know him?" Milo wanted to know before the wine could even be poured into bowls.

"I know of him." War's gaze did not look to Milo who took his cue as if something was off. "He's an archer."

"An archer?" Milo almost broke a laugh. "Is that all?"

"Oh, he gets around. He knows a few things." War was straight-lipped as he took a sip of wine. Soon the braised pork came with roasted vegetables and rice.

Milo's stomach grumbled. He would eat. Nobody was going to hurt his appetite. It didn't stop ChaCha from adoring the sweet wine and of course, she ate her rice ever so delicately with her chopsticks, but he put a chunk of meat along with a carrot and some cabbage on her bowl of rice. She didn't look amused.

"Later, you'll thank me." He told her. She was practically in a pout but she ate.

Before they were finished, the archer came over standing next to ChaCha as if she might be for the taking. Of course, Milo gave him the eye, but he didn't stand up. Although, the archer caught his attention.

"Are you of some importance?" Milo finally let a question slip. Honestly, he wanted to avoid him. It couldn't be a good thing. Could it?

"Do I look that important?" He wanted to know with an impish grin.

Milo practically gnashed his teeth but he poured himself a bowl of wine instead.

"What do you want?" Milo said as he sipped his rice wine.

"I think we've met," the youngster said. Although, Milo had no idea of his age. Perhaps he was ancient but in disguise. 

"I highly doubt that." Milo remained stoic while ChaCha let out a giggle. He reached to put his hand over her hand. Why he wondered, did she have to be such a fan girl who possibly needed to be fanned at the moment? She couldn't stop looking at the frilly archer.

"I would like to take your sister out. Perhaps a little walk around the market. She might love the opera," He grinned back at ChaCha.

Milo knew for certain he would be wrong to say no. "Well, I'll have to accompany you." Milo wanted to know his name. He did have a name, didn't he?

"Um, they call me Fiction. I lost my name some time ago. It's just Fiction." He grinned.

"Fiction?" It made Milo nauseous at the thought. What sort of powers did this sort possess?