A Date and Sea Food

The school day went like any other. I couldn't focus most of the time since my brain was preoccupied thinking about how my date with Saffire will go.

As i'm walking home, I spot Mac in the distance. It looks like he's going somewhere. 

"Hey Mac! Over here!" I wave him over.

He continues walking in the direction he was going. I guess he didn't hear me. 

"Maaaaaac! It's Liiiiiiink!" He still doesn't react.

I resort to just running over to where he is. Wait. Huh?

Mac was gone. I swear I saw him right over here just a few seconds ago. Where could he have gone? I look around the area but don't see any signs of him. That's weird, how could he just disappear?

No way I was hallucinating right? Is the stress of the war getting to me? Maybe I should go home and rest. Wait no, I can't do that!

I have a date with Saffire so I can't go to sleep now. Well regardless of if I did or didn't see Mac, I should get home to get ready for my date.

When I get home and open the front doors to my house, I come face to face with a big, tall man with a white beard. 

General Klein.

"Oh! Um, General Klein! I didn't expect to see you here haha." I laugh awkwardly.

"Link! Haven't I told you before to call me Slater when we're off the battlefield?" He replies in his deep voice.

"Oh right! Sorry about that... Slater."

Klein has always been nice to me ever since I was a kid, yet somehow I still get really nervous when talking to him, like if I say the wrong thing he's gonna beat my head in.

"Well, anyways, I was just talking a bit of business with your father. I'll be leaving now. I'm looking forward to you joining my army! Take care until then." He says, walking out the door.

"Oh ok! Yeah, see you soon." I mumble.

I've heard some bad rumours about General Klein. Apparently he has no problem sacrificing as many soldiers as he needs to secure victory. I heard one story about how he forced thousands of his soldiers into suicide bombing an enemy castle.

General Klein is a paladin. Big dude with a hammer. He wears white armoured robes with a big red cross going down it. I've never seen it in action, but his arcana supposedly lets him completely control where his hammer goes at all times, like telekinesis. I don't know how strong his enemy, General Kamikaze is, but Klein will be hard to take down, I know that for sure.

I make my way up the stairs to my room. My family has a really massive house since my father is a very renowned monster hunter. People know him far and wide, but lately since the war is coming up he's just been sitting in his office most of the time, working out business. 

I'm still unsettled about Mac disappearing, but I brush it aside for now and play some video games while I wait for 6:00.

Before I know it, it's time for me to meet Saffire in front of the school. I leave the house and start running in that direction. I eventually see Saffire waiting in front of the school.

''Hey! Sorry, did I keep you waiting?" I yell out to her.

"No, I just got here myself!" She replies.

She’s staring at her feet, seemingly scared to look me in the eyes. 

She’s wearing a black jacket and tights, which compliments her purple hair nicely. I, for one, am still wearing my school uniform, due to taking a short nap and forgetting to change.

Saffire speaks up after the long silence.

“Should I show you the way?” She asks.

“The way? To where? Oh wait the restaurant! Yeah sure lets go!” I say.

Sometimes I surprise myself with my own stupidity. 

Saffire just giggles. “Okay let’s go. It’s not too far.” She says still laughing.

She leads me down the main road for about 5 minutes, until we make it to the front of the restaurant, and i’m hit with a sudden realization.

It’s a sea food place. 

One of the things i can’t stand is sea food.

“Ah, shit.” I mutter.

“What? Don’t like sea food?” Saffire asks, tilting her head.

“Hate it.” I smile.

“Ohhh, maybe i should’ve asked you.” Saffire looks disappointed. 

“I mean. I guess I can try it.”

This is gonna go terribly i know it. But i don’t wanna ruin both of our times just because I don’t like something sooo.

“Really!?! Yay!” Saffire perks up.

We both go inside and get seated. When the waiter shows up to take our orders, Saffire speaks up.

“We’ll get one of everything!” 

…Huh?

Maybe this was a mistake…

I spend the next hour and a half getting force fed all kinds of disgusting foods by Saffire.It felt like ages, and I was ready to throw up on multiple occasions. Finally, I make my way out of the restaurant with Saffire supporting my weight. She's laughing uncontrollably. 

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just wanted to see how you'd do trying some new things!" Saffire says, still laughing.

"No, it's...all good." I manage to force out.

The sun is setting and it should be just about time for us to head home. I force myself to stand on my own, and turn to face Saffire.

"I should start heading home now.'' I say, looking at the ground.

"Oh! Right. Me too." She replies. 

She seems like she wanted to hang out more, but as much as I want to as well, I need to go to sleep early tonight to make my way to General Klein's castle tomorrow morning to prepare for the war.

"I had fun, despite the terrible food." I joke.

She laughs. "Next time, you can choose the place."

Next time...

"Well! I should get going. I'll talk to you when I can!" I say before turning around to run home. 

"Seeya Link!" She calls out from behind me.

I hold up a peace sign over my head before disappearing from her view, only just realizing that I never got her contact info...

---

Saffire's phone rings just as Link turns the corner. She picks up. 

"Hello?" She says.

"Oh! General. Sorry, I didn't look at the caller ID."

"Now? It can't wait?"

"...Yes, I understand. You must have your hands tied with the war starting soon and all. I'll be right over sir. I'm sorry for slacking off."

The caller disconnects as Saffire stares up into the sky, her expression hard to read. She quickly composes herself and begins walking to a certain large castle up on a hill.

A castle that belongs to to Slater Klein.