Mad Lad From The Vatican

Arthur walked down the sidewalk sporting a slim parka and Jean trousers, the really thick and rough type, falling into his only pair of black boots. It was snowing hence his attire.

He'd always made sure to make an effort in fitting in, after his tumultuous life he'd learned a thing or two about the effects of standing out.

It was and would always be a comfort to be in the open surrounded by multitudes of people… He shook his head trying to bypass the train of thought.

It would be another 10 minutes before he returned to the hotel so he decided to stop by a chocolate shop he'd been meaning to check out. Though he had no love life to speak of, he always observed Valentine's day.

In many ways it was a day that defined his existence. Oh and who didn't love a good love story.

*jingle*

"Welcome there sir, here at Darla's delights we redefine delicious!" A peppy young woman called out from behind the tiller.

"Staff regulations got you by the noose, I see?" a teasing smile made its way to his lips the muscles of his jaw tingle from the familiar feeling of an involuntary grin.

"Oh it's nothing at all. I love greeting all the folk that come through here, it pleases me to brighten their day." Returning a warm yet inscrutable smile, the young lady quipped.

"Oh and does it work! The sound of your voice…" It was unknown to her what he mumbled at the end but she rolled her eyes anyway.

"It seems empty here. With it being valentine's one would think the threshold of the local chocolate shop was overflowing with customers." Arthur analyzed after seeming to finally notice his surroundings.

"Yeah people would think, when really most people come by in advance or preorder." opting to rest her chin on a knuckle the young woman replied with apparent dismission.

"I see, when's your shift ending?" he asked raising an eyebrow 

"Oh I'm sorry, you're really flattering but I'm not looking for a relationship right now." she replied, seemingly taken aback but not offended whatsoever.

"Hmm, then can I buy you a valentine's set? Really no strings attached, colour me an admirer." Arthur's smile seemed to be just familiar enough.

"…Why not?" 

As the young lady wrapped up her present Arthur wrote his letter.

"Your name miss?" He asked looking up.

"Elizavetta." she said gently.

The faint smile on his face seemed to gain an earnest quality.

Grasping an envelope from the same place on the counter where he had taken the pen and paper, he packaged it and handed it to her.

"Happy Valentine's Elizavetta! Do read the letter." Arthur said waving as he walked to the exit.

"Sure sir, have a nice day. Oh, and happy valentine's." Elizavetta straightened and returned the farewell.

"Happy Valentine's my dear." With that, Arthur collected his expression and exited the little chocolaterie.

Arthur soon made it back to the hotel striding across the lobby towards the lift. By now all thought of reminiscence left him…some life had bubbled up in him.

After a short wait the elevator opened, revealing an empty space.

Thanks to goodness!

Unfortunately he didn't step in fast enough and an acquaintance stalled the elevator with a stray limb.

"Good day, Mr. Flopps." His 'Arthur' smile sprung like an old injury

"Ugh my luck taking the lift with an uppity freak like you." Mr. Flopps' glower bore more than the weight of his late to middling age…

"Come sir, it's valentine's, can't we put animosity away?" Extending a hand in symbolic truce Arthur's efforts were met with distaste. 

"For a right bastard like you I think no such." Jerard Flopps' distrust and prejudice was clearly going nowhere.

"How about this? Was planning to secretly pass it to Mrs. Flopps later today but seeing as you're here…tada" almost magically Arthur produced a pair of tickets

"What might I want with some damned paper that came from your damned self, you pissant!?" Mr. Flopps narrowed the distance staring Arthur down.

"I think Miss Flopps would appreciate your thoughtfulness to have booked a fully paid for trip to Brazil, lodging included. Don't you think, my good man?" In a similar fashion Arthur produced a thin stack of papers clearly for the trip." Reluctantly, Mr. Flopps relented and snatched the tickets and paper work.

"Anything to stay the hell away from the misfortune you are."

"I owe you nothing freak, you got that?" He added frustration creeping into his voice

"Most assuredly sir." Arthur's smile remained even and relaxed.

"Just shut up already before I change my mind." There was a steel to his voice now.

Arthur merely smiled at him this time however the lines on his face thinned and his gaze turned scathing.

Jerard Flopps' lost his confrontational air in a split second. He averted his gaze and all the courage from moments earlier drained from his shivering figure.

The elevator ride remained somber and awkward, Jerard's eyes remained hollow and Arthur's smile vacant.

Eventually the lift stopped and the metal doors slid apart to reveal the eighth floor.

"After you Mr. Flopps." The civility had fully returned to Arthur's voice.

Mister Flopps also seemed to have somewhat regained his bearings and managed to walk off unerringly.

Now for the dinner date…