Cinque

"Aren't you going to ask me to sit down". Alistair asked teasingly.

"please sit down".

Alistair sat down while Theodore did as well.

"I am quite surprised you paid me a visit", Theodore said.

"And why should you be surprised,we are friends and friends pay each other visits",

"I am not yet used to having a friend".

Alistair smiled at him, Theodore could be so cute whenever he felt unsure about something.

"Well we are going to be friends for a long time so you better get used to it, I am going to pay you visits and you are going to pay me visits, okay?",

"okay".

Alistair looked around, the room looked quite cozy. "would you mind showing me around the house?",

"Of course". Theodore stood up and Alistair followed him.

Theodore have him a tour of the house. Showing him round the house.

"Your house is beautiful Theo", Alistair commented. Theodore smiled at the compliment.

They were currently in the stable looking at the horses.

"Which one is your favorite?", Alistair asked.

Theodore walked to one of the stalls. Inside the stall was a beautiful white horse.

"This is Storm, she is the love of my life".

"She is really beautiful".

"and she is also very fast".

"Want to go on a ride with me in the park today?". Alistair asked Theodore. Theodore thought about it,he didn't want to go.

"Please", Alistair pleaded giving him his best puppy dog face.

"Okay", Theodore reluctantly agreed.

Theodore asked one of the servants to get the horse ready while he went inside to get changed.

Alistair waited in the living room for him to get changed.

Theodore quickly changed. He asked a servant to inform his parents that he was going out with Alistair.

He went downstairs to meet Alistair and they both left the house, the horses had already been brought out by the servants.

They got on the horses and left.

Theodore's mother looked at the two as they left on their horses. She dabbed the tears away from her eyes.

Her husband looked at her affectionately. "And why are you crying Martha?".

"Our son finally has a friend. Do you know this is the first time Theodore would go out to ride in the park without us. I just feel so happy".

She burst into tears again. Theodore's father shook his head at her behavior and continued reading the newspaper in his hands.

Theodore looked around as they rode, it had been a long time he rode in the pack.

"Are you okay Theo?", Alistair asked him.

"Yes, I am fine".

They entered the pack, the crowd looked shocked to see Lord Alistair one of the most important men in town riding side by side with Theodore.

"Could it be a mistake?",

"Maybe his mother forced Alistair to take him along",

"could Lord Alistair be under a spell?".

So many of such whispers went through the crowd. As they were all shocked at the sight they were witnessing.

Alistair looked at Theodore, he was withdrawn and quiet. He must have already heard the whispers.

Some of Lord Alistair acquaintances rode up to them. They greeted Lord Alistair and completely ignored Theodore.

Alistair noticed how sad Theodore looked and immediately took things into his hands.

"Gentlemen, I believe you all know Theodore?", Alistair asked them. They all looked shocked but they quickly regained their composure.

"Yes, we do. Hello Theodore". They all greeted Theo and exchanged pleasantries with him.

Soon they were all talking and laughing as they rode their horses leisurely around the park.

"I heard the beast attacked someone again". One of the men, Lord Fife said.

"Who?", Someone asked.

"a labourer coming back from work",

"Oh no, was he hurt".

Lord Fife shook his head. "as usual, just the bite marks",

"What kind of beast do you think it is?". Theodore asked Alistair. The men too looked at him curious to hear his response.

Alistair thought for a moment, "I don't really know but it must be really powerful".

One of the men shivered in fear, "I just hope it doesn't ever come to our side of town and attack us", several of the men murmured their agreement.

Soon the men dispersed and Theodore and Alistair were left alone. "See, hanging out with me wasn't that hard. You had fun didn't you?".

"yes, I did".

The two were still talking when Olivia rode up to them accompanied by her friends. "Lord Alistair, Sir Theodore". She greeted the both of them.

"Miss Olivia, it is such a pleasure to see you". Alistair responded warmly while Theodore murmured a response.

"I was wondering if you would like to join me for afternoon tea. I made a wonderful cake", Olivia asked, smiling prettily at Alistair.

"I am so sorry Olivia. I already promised that I would hang out with Theo here". Theo looked at her shocked,why would he turn down an invitation from Olivia just to hang out with him.

"Oh. You are invited too Theo", Olivia extended the invitation to Theodore as well. The expression on her face showed that it didn't really please her to be extended the invite.

Alistair turned to Theodore. "Do you want to go?",

"Huh?" , Theodore replied blankly.

Alistair turned to Olivia, "he doesn't want to go, maybe next time".

"Sure", Olivia bowed her head stiffly and left with her friends. In her heart she cursed Theodore. Everything had been going fine with Lord Alistair until he had shown up.

"What are you going to do now Olivia?", One of her friends asked her.

"don't worry, I will think of something".

"Why did you reject her invitation?" Theodore asked Alistair.

"because I told you that we would hang out together and there is no way I am ditching you to spend time with her. Friends don't do that".

"Thanks for being my friend Alistair",

"You are welcome Theo, now let's race back to the house. The loser has to pay the winner a visit tomorrow. Deal?",

"Deal".

They raced back to Theodore's house. Alistair won the race.

"I am expecting you tomorrow Theo. Bright and early in the morning". He told Theo before leaving for his home.