#chapter 5.

With the combination of alcohol he’s consumed over the last few hours, Arthur’s definitely past the point of being just tipsy. And this means that entering the maze becomes the most enticing idea possible. Doing it alone is obviously out of the question though and there is only one person in this world that he can think of dragging into this. Nathan’s always been a lot smarter out of the two of them so if they happen to get lost, he’ll surely be able to find a way out. Faster than Arthur, at least. “Do you think that Mr. Ashton will notice that I left an autograph in one of my books in his library?” he says as the walk along the path. “I think it’s a very nice gesture on my part—a little surprise. I left him a very unflattering—but in a friendly way—drawing of his mask as well, I hope he appreciates it,” he says, unable to hold back his laughter. 

“Anyway—left or right?” he questions when the path diverges and they have to make a choice.

Exploring came easy to him. Salvador was a natural weasel, so to speak, weaving in and through corridors and rooms with ease. The manor was certainly grand, exceeding many of Salvador’s inner expectations. In truth, he almost didn’t come. He mostly had his proclivity for partying to blame for his sudden attendance. What you need to know about Salvador Ruiz was that he didn’t like to be alone. A man with many vices, loneliness very easily took the top spot. And it’s not a kind of loneliness that so often come with the craving for another. No, he did not think of love or romance, nor did he wonder about companionship within any capacity. He just doesn’t enjoy the quiet. The creaking walls of his empty home, bringing to light the voices that vigorously cling to that same quiet. 

I sit there and promise you guys 3 new chapters of ASoML this past weekend and then I failed all of you. (I made a list as to why I failed you guys)

                How Em Failed All Of Her Children In The Span Of 3 Days.

I promise you guys 3 chapters this past weekend.

I give you only one chapter.

I half write the second of the three.

I promise you guys that the second of the three will be coming out the next day.

I tell you guys that the last of the three will maybe be coming out the next day.

I then proceed to get grounded and to get my computer privileges revoked.

I only gave you one of the three chapters promised.

I failed. I’m so fricken sorry.

“Alright, let’s see, what have we got,” Arthur starts off as he looks around the room, taking in all the guests and their costumes. “Drink every time you see a character from Greek myth,” which he ought to do right now as his eyes fall on a very handsome Apollo; he doesn’t though, not yet, since they're still setting up the rules, “...Arthurian legends, Shakespeare, obviously. Every time someone is wearing a feathery headpiece...or something that looks like a bedsheet,” there is one in his line of sight right now, a very ugly bedsheet if he says so himself. Arthur takes a sip of his wine, his first steps into the game and turns to Dorothy. “What else do we add tot he list? I’m all ears.”

Something’s off—that much is clear and it takes Arthur about two minutes of being in the presence of both of his friends to realize it. There’s some awkwardness in the air, something odd about the way that they are more than happy to talk to him but when it comes to talking to each other, there’s reluctance there; short remarks to fill the silence and appear polite rather than an actual conversation the way people as close as they are would have. 

Arthur gives them time at first, hoping that whatever the issue is it will go away on its own in the midst of the dressing up and the drinking. He’s already taken to the latter quite vigorously—the bottle of wine on the vanity in his bedroom is proving to be a good friend to him. But then time goes on and on and nothing’s shifting, the mood’s the same and Arthur’s had enough of it. “Alright,” he says, loud enough for Captain to come running towards Arthur thinking it was a command meant for him; he leans forward to give the dog a couple scratches but he doesn’t let himself get too distracted from the matter at hand. “What the hell is up with you two? Did I miss something? Is this some sort of acting exercise I was not made aware of? Frankly, you’re both being very annoying right now, this was supposed to be fun.” Perhaps he’s being a little bit too blunt but he figures it's necessary. “Explain yourselves right now.”

He strolls around rather aimlessly, having grown a bit overwhelmed by the ballroom, and by the inside of the mansion in general. He appreciates this evening very much—it’s been a while since the last time Anthony’s got to come to a party like this, meet a handful of friends and enjoy himself properly. He thinks back to the day he received the invitation and how quickly he made the decision to attend. Once upon a time, Tony would’ve tossed the envelope without a single thought, all in favour of another late night spent at the theater, frustrated over some song he thought to be not perfect enough.

Now he feels grateful. The faint sound of music, the smell of the flowers, the soft breeze—it all makes Anthony feel so alive. 

The smile on his face grows as he spots another friend—he’s so glad to have run into so many of them tonight. “Ruth, hello,” he greets her. It feels odd to see her outside the theater, since that is usually where they meet one another. That itself makes Anthony realize how very little he actually knows about her and that’s something he desperately desires to change. “I'm so glad you’re here! How are you finding the whole thing? Quite...unusual, isn’t it.”