The Flaw

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN AI NO KUSABI

Chapter 5

Daryl was getting impatient. He had served the appetizers an hour ago and when he had returned to see, if he should serve the entrée Raoul had motioned him not to. Yet Daryl’s main did not care whether the master of the house wanted to be served or not, it was slowly turning from mouth-wateringly tender lamb in red wine reduction with pears into shoe soles with a side of mushy indiscernible fruit. He would say he was furious with the Blondie, if he could afford to feel that way. Pride in his cooking made him feel ashamed for all the negative comments Raoul’s co-worker would bestow upon his once great feast. He should have known better and started supper later the Blondie was not at fault. A Blondie could never be at fault. Hoping that Raoul would realize that they should continue their meal, he snuck back into the dinning room to see whether the two men needed more wine or water. After he closed the hidden servants’ door softly, he turned around to find the two men still sitting at the large Tamarillian oak dinning table. Instead of remaining seated according to the proper seating arrangement across from each other, they had settled side by side hovering over a couple of data sheets and pads, discussing their work animatedly. The low light in the room made them look secretive and Daryl felt it was better not to interrupt. Flickers of light from the fireplace slid across the two people in front of him. It made Daryl snap out of the moment to return to his duties. He quickly turned left, where the large feature fireplace was situated, to tend to the fire. They were rare and considered a luxury. Not really efficient in their use of energy, having one was deemed excessively decadent. To have one that was wood-burning here on Amoi, where this natural resource was sparse was even more unusual and said a lot about its owner. Raoul with permission of Jupiter had indulged himself and gotten not only one but two of these antiques enjoying more the comfort than the warmth that they exuded. Daryl rather loathed his master for that splurge, finding them rather dirty and secretly wishing that Raoul would have to clean them once. Those were his thoughts as he poked the half burned logs moving them away from the coving of the hearth into a better position just before he added another one listening to the crepitation of the wood and overhearing low voices behind him. They were still talking about isolating a specific trait in the genetic code and manipulating it. This was certainly not Daryl’s area of expertise, but even he noticed that the researchers were unable to agree on what trait or combination of traits, they were actually looking for by listening to their increasingly heated discussing. Thinking that this would lead the two men nowhere, he moved over to Raoul’s right side picking up a carafe with wine in the corner, bowing his head to waiting for permission to refill the tall, crystal wine glasses that had little wine left.
Raoul looked up glad at the distraction. Laurence and he could reach no agreement as to how to tackle their problem and he was getting increasingly impatient at their lack of progress. He nodded at Daryl smiling slightly, thankful for the interruption.
“You can bring our main course now, Daryl.” He said calmly hoping Laurence would realize that he should drop the issue they were debating. Daryl nodded backing up slowly from the massive table after he had refilled the Sapphires glass.
“Laurence let us stop here. I do not think we will achieve anything more tonight. If you choose to think the fault was with one of us, that is your choice. I still think the answer lies elsewhere.” He stated firmly and slowly took a sip of his wine, trying to savour it, while it only seemed sour to him now.
“Raoul, surely you have to realize that there is sufficient basis for my claim that Iason –“
“Leave it.”
The blue haired elite was startled by the volume and tone his research director took with him and stayed quiet. The silence became uncomfortable, when Daryl returned with the meal serving them both.
“It smells great as always, Daryl. Thank you.” Surprised by the uncommon praise, Daryl stumbled backwards bowing low.
“Would you like anything else, Master Raoul?” He whispered almost inaudibly.
“Yes, some bread!” Daryl was embarrassed at the oversight. The bread basket sat empty glaring at him now. Quickly he grabbed it and left for the kitchen. When he returned the two men were eating in much more companionable silence commenting on the food and chatting about economics and politics. He stayed behind his master on the right in a corner between a large bookcase and the solid wall of windows that was the other side of the room. Hiding in the shadows until needed, he glanced out the window. Beneath him Eos sparkled with light. Beyond he could see all of Tanagura and big veins of blue light lead away from Eos its centre into the periphery. He glanced at his reflection finding he looked rather lost but longing faced with the expanse of the city. Soon he thought, with Katze as his guide, he would at least explore parts of this large threatening yet exiting maze. The soft chatter stopped and he returned his attention to the table. Beckoned by Raoul’s lifted hand, he stepped over beside his master.
“Would you like desert now, Sir Raoul?”
“Yes, Daryl. I would also like some Lakriss tea. What would you like?” Raoul’s attention focused on his co-worker again.
“Coffee for me.” Daryl lowered his head and slid away from the table again.

After dessert, Daryl had made Achiorian wine cream instead of the rather plain pie his master preferred, Laurence made motions to leave. The shorter man clearly felt that he would overstay his welcome if he remained any longer, even though his host made some polite attempts to keep him here for a digestive. The fatigue was clearly visible on his master’s face, Daryl noticed and it was rare for his master to show any weakness. As Laurence and Raoul moved towards the door, Daryl quickly fetched his light synthfibre cloak from the hall closet and helped the man into it.
Raoul stood next to his guest putting a white gloved hand on his shoulder. “I hope you enjoyed dinner tonight, Laurence. I know, we have a disagreement over the direction our research should take, but I will consider your words. I can see that they might not be without merit.”
While Raoul was trying to make up for his earlier harshness and unprofessional attitude, Daryl decided it was time to leave and clean up the dinning room and kitchen. It had been a long day and he wanted to go back to Apatia soon. Surely his master would call him, if anything else was needed. After an hour he had worked his way through the dinning room and most of the kitchen and was just finishing up mopping the kitchen floor. From the entrance he glanced at his work satisfied with the spotless look of the stark white floor tiles and the shiny stainless steel of the rest of the kitchen. Ready to leave and feeling rightfully exhausted, Daryl barely whispered
”Lights out.” and left to hurry out of the flat. But luck was not with Daryl as he ran into his Blondie master on his way to the door.
“Ah Daryl, you are still here how fortunate.” Daryl’s shoulders sagged. He did not find this fortunate at all.
“I would like to have a bath. Draw me water.” Great, his master wanted to relax, after a tough day. This could take hours, Daryl knew well. After his master had left for his bedroom, he allowed a sigh to slip past his lips and slowly padded off in the same direction.