Kronos, Methos and Duncan stared ahead, all revealing different expressions. Duncan's expression was one of shock, Methos' was one of amused pity, while Kronos' was one of pure joy.
"Oh, MacLeod. I'm soooo sorry," the scar-faced man cooed at the istressed Highlander, not even trying to hide his obvious enjoyment of the situation. Duncan gave a half-hearted glare back.
"Wellll...," started Methos with a shrug of his shoulders. "My vote is to go in. Looks kind of homely." Duncan stared at him. Methos stared back, eyes full of innocent sincerity. "Well, why not? We trekked all the way here, so we might as well make the most of it."
"I agree," commented Kronos. "I'm hungry. Speaking of which, are you two sure you didn't see that groundhog?"
Methos and Duncan exchanged glances.
"Sure," they replied in unison.
"Oh well," replied Kronos in disappointment then strode ahead to the door of the old-fashioned, richly decorated hotel.
"Bet it has a ballroom," commented Methos in glee while chasing after his Brother. "These places always have ballrooms. I like ballrooms."
"Looks like something out of a Jane Austin novel," commented Duncan while he grudgingly dragged his feet towards the town-house. The other two men stopped in their tracks and turned to face him simultaneously with wicked grins.
"Why, MacLeod," leered Kronos. "Something you're not telling us?"
"I didn't know you read Austin, MacLeod," interrupted Methos tauntingly. "I thought you'd be more of the Mills and Boon type."
"Oh, I don't know," pondered Kronos. "I just reckon he aspires after that front cover spot that Fabio always occupies."
Methos giggled, then the two Brothers ran ahead whispering evil comments while shooting occasional grins at the embarrassed highlander. Recovering slightly, Duncan started off after the men, desperate to catch them before they entered the hotel.
"Wait!" he yelled after them, hoping they wouldn't make him run in his extra tight jeans. Luckily the men stopped in interest of what he had to say - for a change.
"What is it, MacLeod?" asked Kronos. "I hope you're not going to be a party-pooper. I really don't like party-poopers. Ask Methos."
"He's telling the truth," replied Methos in response to Duncan's raised eyebrow. "You should have seen what he did to the last person who tried to convince him not to party when he was in the mood." He shuddered. "Impressive and inventive from a purely professional point of view, but otherwise particularly gruesome."
Kronos grinned proudly.
"Oh, Brother," he said warmly while throwing an arm around Methos. "You're too kind."
"Anytime."
"No really, I didn't realise you took such an interest in my work."
"Well, I know genius when I see it. Perfect finishing touch on that guy, I thought."
"Really? Phew! I was a bit concerned that might have been a little too...je ne sais pas."
"No, no no! Brought a spectacularly individual flare to the total composition, I thought."
Duncan stared open-mouthed at the two men.
"Methos!" he whispered in shock. "I thought you changed. I thought you didn't enjoy killing anymore."
Methos halted in mid-conversation to face the highlander.
"Didn't say that," he replied with disgust. "I just implied that I disliked killing people personally. I have nothing against admiring other people's handiwork."
"Oh, stop it," replied Kronos bashfully while brushing his Brothers compliment away with his hand. Duncan stared incredulously as the self-confessed psychopathic killer tried to hide his stupid grin and blushing cheeks which his scar had a tendency to accentuate. Feeling extremely self-conscious at all the unwanted attention he was receiving from the highlander, Kronos quickly changed the subject.
"Well, MacLeod," he said gruffly. "What did you want say before we got onto the topic of my lovely handiwork?"
Duncan stared blankly for a few seconds before remembering his previous worry.
"Oh, yeah. I was just going to say: Don't make a scene." He glared sternly at both Methos and Kronos with a knowing look. Methos pulled his favourite 'Who me?' look for about the fifth time on their journey. Duncan continued on after ignoring the old man. "You both know what I mean by that. No killing," he said warningly with a particularly obvious stare at Kronos who began to blush again. "No fighting. No making fun of anyone. DO NOT do anything which will offend anyone."
Kronos stared at the highlander with feigned hurt.
"Why, Brother, I don't think he trusts us." He shook his head sadly. "I would be offended but he's hardly old enough to be of any concern."
And with that comment, he spun on his heel and entered the hotel with Methos and Duncan close behind.
* * *
"Wow!" whistled Methos appreciatively.
"Yeah...," whispered Duncan in awe of the interior view of the hotel with the town-house theme. "The chandelier... The lavish décor... The stunning Rococo and English Impressionistic art work... The people with their expensive period costumes... The genuine pine wood ballroom floor..."
Methos turned to stare at him in confusion.
"I was actually talking about the massive alcohol display they have going on that table over there," he replied, while surreptitiously wiping the drool from his chin.
"Hey, this floorboard has something carved into it," interrupted Kronos while peering down at his feet. The other two men looked down where he was staring.
"Hey!" yelled Duncan suddenly. "This pine wood is from my village! We're standing on my bed! I carved that into my bed four hundred years ago, and they dancing on it!" He stood huffing indignantly at the injustice of it all. Kronos meanwhile was peering closer at the carving.
" 'Nobody likes me'," he read out loud. Glancing up at the highlander, he opened his mouth to taunt, but was interrupted with lightning speed.
"Shut up," snapped Duncan warningly. "I mean it. One word..." He left the threat hanging in the air and stalked off, angry and embarrassed.
Kronos and Methos looked at each other cheekily, but when Kronos opened his mouth again to speak, Methos raised a finger to the man's lips.
"Later, Brother. Have patience. Timing is everything with blackmail of this rare quality."
Kronos shut his mouth slowly and grinned.
"What would I do without you, my favourite Brother? Did I ever tell you that you were always so good at planning? Never had a flare for it myself, strangely enough. I tend to be a little...impulsive."
Methos shot him a feigned look of incredulousness before quickly walking over to the nearest dining table. His brother raised an eyebrow in amusement and followed.
Methos had chosen a table already occupied by an obviously wealthy, upper-class group of people - not uncommon for this hotel. He took a seat near one of the younger ladies who wore a satin ball-gown and had peacock feathers in her tightly knotted hair. Kronos joined the group a few seconds later and squashed in next to his Brother. One of the more elderly ladies at the table - possibly the mother of the younger lady - shot a contemptuous glance at them. The younger lady looked at them both with feminine interest, then surreptitiously shot them an admiring though chaste glance. Both Brothers grinned seductively back, causing the young lady to blush to the point of near-feint. Kronos winked at Methos, them smiled widely around the whole table.
"Good evening, my fine ladies and gentlemen," he began with fake upper-class intonation. "I do hope we are not intruding on your charming company."
The members of the table looked at each other in mild surprise at the politeness of the man. One of the middle aged gentlemen spoke on behalf of the group.
"Of course not, strangers. Your company is welcome at out table for the night."
Methos nodded his head in acceptance of their hospitality, and Kronos reached over the table to grasp the man's hand.
"I'm Kronos, and this is Methos, my Brother," he said while motioning to the occupant of the seat next to him.
"Charmed," replied the man.
Kronos smiled and leaned over to his brother.
" 'Make a scene'," he whispered, mimicking Duncan's previous words. "Us?"
Methos smiled wickedly.
Just that moment, dinner was served.
CONTINUED IN...
Nostalgia 3: Ballrooms, Beers, and Brains