[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=red]FLASHBACK

PART 1[/color][/h1]

[color=red][h1]Ignis 6th[/h1][/color]

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Charlotte stood just outside Bertha’s Breakfast Bar with her parasol resting lightly over one shoulder, her hair pinned up in a soft bun that helped look proper despite the tiredness she could not quite hide. She wore a long, flowing skirt, paired with a delicate lace top.  The morning bustle of the Merchant District carried on around her, but she remained still near the entrance.  It had been a hard week, though the promise of seeing Kazumin made the weight of it all easier to bear.

There was a pleasant sort of happiness in waiting for a friend, and Charlotte held to it, the faintest hint of anticipation in her weary eyes as she glanced now and then down the street in search of a familiar figure. 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/a03Kgly.png[/img] [/center]

Kazumin strolled with a light upbeat skip to his steps, the plain leather boots crunched lightly against the pavement. They were faded,  dark,  colored, and weather-worn with marks from countless walks. Though far from stylish, they offered comfort for long walks.  Perfect, as he decided against taking the cart, opting to walk, and sure, it left his legs a bit sore, but the fresh air and time to take in the sights did wonders for a mind muddled with overthinking. 


What normally helped the mood proved less effective with all the drearyness hanging in the air, an uncomfortable unease felt in the folks' actions and looks; some shifty and tense with doubtful uncertainty. An aftereffect of King Edin’s mad attempts at keeping order, with executions and with hunters hunting like vile beasts let off their chains. Thoughts of Charlotte’s encounter with the man, Killian,  the cruel way he interrogates and intimidates by dragging that poor woman like some cheap prop of what witches deserved


An angry huff, an irritated brush of the hand dismissing the bitter memory, not wanting to let fury ruin his lunch with Char. A brisk breeze accompanied by a flowery scent served to soothe the temper, glancing down at the sunflower tucked at the left of his chest, bouncing lightly with a dancing hope, the golden cowlick hopped with matching spring. Noticing a ladybug struggling to hold onto one of the bouncy petals and hummed as he gave a playful twisting of his noodly long right hand, gently lifting the bug with the extended forefinger and a light gust, waving the ladybug off with a delighted hum.


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vwXix3k.png[/img] [/center]

Taking a pause in his step to give a tug of the [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d3/dc/7a/d3dc7abe4f2e54a88e99d4b9e37b1be1.jpg] light-blue dress shirt[/url], adjusting it, then gave the poufy handkerchief a smoothing pat after a breeze rustled it out of place, briefly tickling his chin. He felt it better to keep the fit simple, but still a bit of fun flair (it also being the most loose-fitting was an airy bonus) as he had been most excited to share the evening with the sweet darling, Char. And with all she had been through as of late, all the more so. 


Giving the cuffs of his sleeves an adjusting, did his nose catch a whiff of eggs, a bit of sausage, and bacon? With an excited scrolling of his head peering about the street and at the crowd mustering about ahead, till his head lifted to spot Bertha’s breakfast sign.” [color=limegreen] Aye! Breakfast, the superior lunch..or would this be brunch? Bah, anyway, can’t leave Char waiting.[/color]” With an energetic hop and skip, Kazu made his way elatedly through the crowd, weaving and twirling his way around, almost dancing in a sliding rhythm; greeting whatever person nearby with a friendly nodding smile, softer than his usual bright grin, finding the effort more and more difficult as the town’s heaviness increased.


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MDccfFg.png[/img] [/center]

Making his way past the crowd with a relieved sigh, he saw the path ahead clear to the breakfast bar. Fixing his shirt once more quickly while scanning for a parasol he was told to keep an eye out for.”[color=limegreen] Hum…a parasol…that’s the uh..umbrella but fancylike, right? Didn’t think umbrellas needed fancying up but..ope![/color]” Ceasing his external pondering with his left hand shooting to rest across his forehead just above the eyes while slightly leaning forward, his sight zooming onto said parasol.


A humming skip bouncing himself forward with an excited puppy wave of his right hand.” [color=limegreen]Parasol! Oop-![/color]” Biting his tongue with a cursed tch at having focused too much on the damn umbrella.”[color=limegreen] I mean, that’s a neat parasol ya got there, made finding ya a breeze. Er..heh, anyway, it’s grand to see you, Char![/color]” Throwing up his arms, intending to hug her, only to have his face hit the parasol with a slight oof.


Charlotte’s eyes widened the moment she saw him weaving through the crowd, sunflower bobbing at his chest as if the world had not been allowed to sour him, and despite herself a smile tugged at her mouth before she could stop it. The man always made his way through life in a manner that suggested he had a pocket full of sunshine no matter the occasion, and she found it absolutely delightful.

Then he reached her, lifted his arms as if he meant to sweep her into a hug, and instead promptly knocked his face into the parasol with a soft little [i]oof[/i] that made her both gasp and laugh at once. [color=#D0B4EC]“Goodness,”[/color] she said, her eyes bright despite the tiredness she could not quite hide, [color=#D0B4EC]“I do hope you have not declared war upon my parasol before we’ve even sat down.”[/color]

Kazu took a light bounce back with a playful rub of the nose, blinking with a delighted grin, hearing Charlotte’s balming laugh.” [color=limegreen]I- what? Beg your pardon? I’d never declare war on such a finely woven parasol, naw I’d declare to give it a whirl…I definitely want to give that a spin.[/color]” Smirking, imagining twirling around and spinning it about in gleeful abandon. 

She quickly shut it and leaned it against the wall of the establishment, her tone becoming fond and apologetic as she turned back to him. [color=#D0B4EC]“Oh, Kazu, I’m sorry, darling,”[/color] she murmured. [color=#D0B4EC]“I burn like a biscuit in the sun, you see… It’s rather humiliating.”[/color] Before he could protest, she took his face in her hands in that motherly, fretting way of hers, tilting his chin from side to side as she examined him for any actual damage. With a relenting sigh, she let go at last and then she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a firm embrace that held just a second longer than normal. [color=#D0B4EC]“I’m so happy to see you,”[/color] she admitted sincerely.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/r2opyMu.png[/img] [/center]

Initially blinking with a slight, confused tilt of the head.”[color=limegreen] Nothing there to apologize for. Can’t help having sensitive skin and the sun can be intense at times, guess it could be trying to work in overdrive considerin…[/color]” Trailing off on his thoughts before letting out a surprised huff at the touch of motherly soft hands across his cheeks. He drew in a heavy, drawn-in inhale, forced to look at Charlotte directly, and felt conflicting joy and sadness. His eyes misted momentarily, picturing the bloodied gash, a painful visage that haunted him. Her caring, lifting touch and concerned inspection felt comforting, and her pretty face spared the worst of the scars thanks to Percy's healing with her gift despite the strain it had put on her already exhausted body. An airy gasped, ‘gah’ escaped him upon finding himself in a firm embrace. He gulped at the unexpected, affectionate greeting, but was all the more grateful for it and cherished each second. Returning the hug with a steadying, gentle squeeze, pouring his appreciation and love, delighted to have her as a close friend, blinking the misty pains of the past with a slight snorting sniff.

“[color=limegreen]A-Aye! I’m bouncing, happy to see you too, Char![/color]” Before he could say more, a stubborn, hungry growl interrupted. The cowlicked blonde gave an awkward chuckle.” [color=limegreen]Shall we head inside? Then we can continue our chat. Besides, don’t want you ending up a burnt biscuit out here.[/color]” A cheeky wink with a double friendly pat to her back just before the hug broke, and she stepped back. 

When Charlotte finally pulled back, she lifted her hand and lightly caught his sleeve. [color=#D0B4EC]“Let us go then,”[/color] she said brightly. [color=#D0B4EC]“Before your stomach growls loudly enough to summon Bertha herself, and before I become a literal biscuit out here.”[/color]

As she said it, a loud rumbling from his tummy gurgled almost like a hungry snarl.” [color=limegreen]Whew, the tease of biscuits has awakened this hungry beast. We'd best make haste![/color]” Again, his stomach rumbled in urging agreement.

Inside, Bertha’s Breakfast Bar was bustling and the air smelled of butter. The front counter was crowded with patrons, and beyond it sat the buffet laid out in rows: baskets of fresh bread and pastries, plates of eggs and bacon, sausages piled high, roasted potatoes still steaming, and little bowls of fruit and jam set out. 

She released his sleeve only long enough to pick up a plate, then glanced back at him. [color=#D0B4EC]“Now,”[/color] she declared softly, [color=#D0B4EC]“Gather enough food to justify all that bouncing.”[/color]

His head turned to and fro with eager excitement, taking in the sights of folks chatting and enjoying their meals. Plates full of breakfast-style foods; eggs spilling yolk and heaps of hash browns, fat sausages ready to gush meaty deliciousness, fresh, fluffy, and crisp bread waiting to be buttered. Above all, though, was the alluring smell of crispy bacon; a mountain of it sat piled high, likely recently restocked, much to his roaring stomach’s delight.

Only the gentle tug of Charlotte’s hand on his sleeve held him steady while each step had him bouncing like a kid in a candy store. Upon noticing the grip of his sleeve slacking, he turned to see Char holding up a plate. Her comment brought a raised brow with hands on his hips.”[color=limegreen] With just one plate? My dear Char, we’re gonna need a cart’s worth to settle this bouncing appetite of mine.[/color]” Chuckling as he grabbed the edge of a plate with the tips of his left hand and gave a playful flick, tossing it up into his waiting right hand and gave it a quick spin, nearly dropping it, forcing him to do a bit of juggle scramble catching it at the last second.”[color=limegreen] Ah hah! Gotcha! Er..slippery fingers.[/color]” 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pGDuWB0.png[/img][/center]

An awkward chuckle quickly dismissed as he pulled up to Char’s side with a hand on her shoulder, gently hugged to his side while his other hand held the plate pointed towards the food bar.”[color=limegreen] Let the gathering begin, but first…hm, and to make things more interesting, how about a challenge?[/color]” He asked, turning to look at her with a quizzical raising of his brows, sporting a cheeky grin. 

Charlotte’s smile tugged up despite herself, and she tilted her head thoughtfully. [color=#D0B4EC]“A challenge,”[/color] she repeated, eyes flicking to his stomach with amusement. A look of mock seriousness then took over her countenance. [color=#D0B4EC]“Very well. “[/color] She relented, a sparkle of competitiveness in her eye. With a giggle she then asked, [color=#D0B4EC]“ What are the terms, and might I need to sign a waiver?”[/color]

Kazu’s grin widened at Char accepting the challenge with a spark that said bring it.” [color=limegreen]Sign a waiver? What do I look like, a nobleman or a lawyer?.[/color]” Dismissing the thought with a throwing down motion of his hands with a  light tongue, sticking meh, his face contorting into a mock snootysniff.”[color=limegreen] Pffft, nah, just a handshake to settle agreements is all. So, think you got the guts to challenge these guts of steel, eh?[/color]” A moment of shrewd chin stroking, pondering while studying the food, then the plate in his hands.” [color=limegreen]Very well! 5 plates! First to eat 10 plates worth of scrumptious breakfast food wins![/color]” 

The blonde exclaimed like a boisterous host, but then held up his free hand in pausing motion.”[color=limegreen] But, I do want to make this fair, after the appetite all that walking worked up…[/color]” Musing as he figured Char wasn’t used to eating competitions, or the peasant style at least.” [color=limegreen]Hm, oh! How about this, I have to eat 2 plates per your one, 10 plates before you get to 5. And ya don’t have to fill out your plate, but none of that single slice of toast trickery.[/color]” He said with a pointed finger in mock accusing glowering his eyes in watching you motion.” [color=limegreen]Think that should do it, that good with you, Lady Char?[/color]” A whirling flick of his hand extended in a waiting handshake, a confident glint of excitement.”[color=limegreen] Or perhaps you have any terms you’d like to add, hm?[/color]”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, not unkindly, but it was a warning all the same. It did not reach her eyes as she tilted her head as if she were considering him like a duchess deciding whether a man was fit to speak in her presence. [color=#D0B4EC]“You look like someone who is about to lose,”[/color] she declared finally in a prim manner that juxtaposed the words.

It had been a long time since anyone had truly challenged her in a way that mattered to her pride—that part that had been buried beneath it all for so long that she had almost forgotten it existed.

But standing here with a plate in hand, with Kazumin grinning as if he’d already claimed victory, she felt it return in such a manner that it nearly startled her.

Charlotte lowered her voice just enough. [color=#D0B4EC]“Do not patronize me, Kazumin Nagasa,”[/color] she warned pleasantly, still smiling. [color=#D0B4EC]“If you insist upon giving yourself the disadvantage, then I insist upon humiliating you for it.”[/color] Her gaze flicked to his outstretched hand, then back to his eyes, all with a composed sort of mischief. [color=#D0B4EC]“Five plates, ten plates, however many you like. I will surpass them, and you will shake my hand like a man accepting his fate.”[/color]

The shift in Charlotte’s expression and demeanor was surprising and almost startling. So used to the sweetly kind woman, but it impressed him to see her getting into the spirit of the competition; amusing how she rebuked him for his overconfidence.”[color=limegreen] Oh-ho! Quite bold of you, Lady Charlotte, and dressed to lose? Hardly![/color]” He scoffed with glowering eyes, giving a pseudo glare.” [color=limegreen]I plan to eat 200% and show you a true peasant appetite.[/color]” Shaking his head, crossing his arms across his chest in defiance.

” [color=limegreen]And hardly was it my intent to patronize or give advantages, for I always aim for fairness, so if ya think you can handle ten plates as well, then so be it. The only humiliation I’ll feel is for your wimpy guts grumbling in defeat.[/color]” A teasing challenged jab in return as he extended his hand once more, giving it a closing and opening flex.” [color=limegreen]Though if ya manage to surpass me, not only will I shake your hand, but dub you the breakfast champion, not that I plan to give up the title so easily.[/color]” Nodding his head while pointing his thumb at himself.” [color=limegreen] I’mma eat circles around you.[/color]” Kazu said with a chuckling, smug lifted huff of his nose, the smell of breakfast food eliciting a ferocious grumble as if agreeing.

“[color=limegreen]Hmph…shall we begin then?[/color]” Shifting to get himself ready to make for the buffet with a crack of his knuckles. 

Charlotte’s mouth curved into a polite smile that was far too calm to be harmless. She shifted her plate in her hands. [color=#D0B4EC]“Very well,”[/color] she said sweetly. [color=#D0B4EC]“On my count.”[/color]
She angled herself toward the buffet, eyes narrowing with focused intent as she lifted her plate like a shield. [color=#D0B4EC]“Three,”[/color] Charlotte began. [color=#D0B4EC]“Two… one.”[/color] Her chin lifted. [i][color=#D0B4EC]“Go.”[/color][/i]

She chose quickly—eggs first, then a generous portion of roasted potatoes, then bacon. She added a small roll on the edge as if it were merely decoration, then paused only long enough to glance sideways toward Kazumin.


He raised a brow to the polite smile, but beneath seemed to hide a fire that left the cowlicked blonde wary. A good sign she was not gonna be an easy opponent despite her ladylike appearance.


An affirming nod accepting the countdown, then he swiped a hand over his face, erasing the smug smirk, replacing it with a stern, serious expression. With each second, Char counted down, the more his body leaned down and tensed up as he primed to sprint with his gaze zeroed in on the buffet.


Kazu’s focused eyes widened at the word go, and with a push of his heel, shot himself towards potato trays, grabbing a plate and fork as he zoomed to it where he shoveled a heaping pile of hashbrowns as the base then layered roasted potatoes over it until satisfied, then slid his way to the eggs where he grabbed four eggs over medium nearly bursting with yolk as they jiggled onto the plate. With a delighted hum, he piled scrambled eggs up over it while snatching up three biscuits with his free hand that would quickly be smothered in sausage breakfast gravy; to finish, he piled equal handfuls of sausage and bacon, which poked from the plate’s nearly overstuffed edges. Noticing Char peeking in his direction from the corner of his view, he waved back, holding a slice of toast which he smeared with butter in one quick swipe of a butter knife.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LNrh0b5.png[/img][/center]

With a slight grunt of concentration, Kazu lifted the heavy plate with both hands, using his long noodly arms to help make quick adjustments and turns, keeping the plate balanced as he whistled his way to the table and sat down at an empty table. A rustling flick of a napkin gently tucked at the collar of his shirt, and he gave a challenging clink of his utensils as he prepped to eat.”[color=limegreen]Hah! First to toss their napkin onto the plate admits defeat! Now, let's get the appetizer out of the way![/color]” He exclaimed with a cheerful skyward lift of his fork. 

What followed felt less like consuming breakfast with a pal and more like a sporting event that no one in the Breakfast Bar had consented to witnessing.
Plates moved in and out of view in waves, set down with increasingly dramatic thuds: Kazumin rocketing up from his chair, Charlotte rising with intensity that didn’t quite match the affair and both of them returning with towers of food that looked less and less reasonable with each trip. 

Kazumin wore a smug smile as if victory had already been in grasp, while Charlotte replied with nothing more than a polite smile and a calmness that began to look suspicious as her plate number climbed.

It only grew worse. Kazumin began to over-celebrate his own progress, bouncing on his toes between bites, and that cockiness was precisely what did him in. By the time he hit a number that was objectively alarming, his pace slowed, but because his own stomach had begun to argue with him.

Charlotte, meanwhile, kept going with determination that did not look heroic so much as stubborn. Somewhere around the last stretch, her left eye gave one twitch that she pretended did not happen, and she reached for her water with the dignity of the future duchess of Veirmillion… Despite the fact she looked as though she might be haunted by the sight of scrambled eggs for the rest of her life.

She finally set down her fork, lips pressed together as she breathed through her nose. But she lifted her chin anyway, because her pride was still functioning even if her body was not. [color=#D0B4EC]“A splendid effort, Kazumin,”[/color] she managed, voice thin, [color=#D0B4EC]“But I believe you may begin practicing your handshake.”[/color] Her eye twitched again and a loud complaint sounded from her belly, but she stared straight ahead at him.

Kazumin moved with an excited fervor, enthusiasm in his every step as he moved about the buffet with fire in his legs. The cowlick blonde was like a whirlwind; food always delighted him, and sharing with a friend was a boundless joy, but here the challenging flare and his strong hunger proved a potent motivator, a little too effective. 

Losing himself in the fun of the game, blinded by the allure of eggs, sausage, and toast, and many other delectable breakfast foods, surrounded his smug face, where each plate vanished almost as if he was inhaling them. Pausing at times to check on Char’s progress or for signs of surrender, and yet, kept being surprised to see her chow down with stubborn determination. 

At first, he had easily outpaced her, nearly three plates ahead, but by the sixth plate, saw her managing to keep pace. Had her eating skills improved so drastically? No, to his horror, Kazu found himself slowing; by the 8th plate, he found that his stomach began weighing him down, and his legs felt heavier. As he had moved for the next plate, he found that he had overextended himself; his approach was overzealous, too overeager in his confidence, as he kept overfilling his plates or rushing about like he was running a damn marathon. 

Before he knew it, the soft chink of utensils reached his ears and lifted his head with a sluggish, lethargic tilt, with wide eyes. He blinked at the sight of Char’s finished tenth plate with astonished disbelief while his own final plate still held two bites of scrambled eggs and a single strip of bacon left. An anxious gulp and nervous lick of the lips as he inhaled in an attempt to steady himself, but instead, the smell of egg elicited a gurgling nausea from his belly, overstuffed to the brim. 

He held the fork shakily in his hand.” [color=limegreen]Errgh..just..just a few more bites, you can do it, Kaz! Ju-just power through.[/color]” The blonde muttered vainly to pump himself up for the last few bites and slowly lifted the egg-speared fork to his lips. A hesitant gulp, a holding of the breath to stave off the sick feeling threatening to drown him; feeling the fork glide past his trembling lips nearly renewed his hope.

 Yet, a single, small touch of the scrambled eggs against his tongue sent his stomach recoiling. And where he expected to taste victory, instead came the understanding of defeat, for his belly could not take so much as a crumb more. Once more, he tried to push through only to feel the fork slip from his fingers, and in that instance, the world appeared to move in slow motion. The seconds ticked by as if the world moved through molasses while his expression widened with a sluggish head shaking noooo, though no sound slipped from his mouth, opened in a wide silent screaming O.

The fork landed with a thunderous clatter onto the plate, and his heart dropped with it in grave disbelief, his offhand clutching at his chest. With a small gasp, Kazu’s upper body collapsed onto the table with a resounding thud of finality and acceptance.” [color=limegreen] Urrgh….damn you…you have..bested this steel belly. I…I admit defeat.[/color]” He muttered with a shameful covering of his eyes, the arm resting limply across his face. Then, with a reluctant growl through puffed cheeks, Kazu had lifted the arm from his face, offering a handshake held lazily, waiting to give up his covetous title, meticulously won. Now lost to overzealous pride.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BNSxZAT.png[/img][/center][/color]