Cheesevalier Will Always Be Remembered For His Scent - Tumblr Posts

Pumpkin Pun-king

Genre: Comedy

Warnings: No pumpkins. Yes puns.

Characters: Leon Dompteur & the Rhodo-bros

Wordcount: 700

Prompts: Masquerade & Talk Exclusively in Puns Potion

A/N: My gift for the 2022 Ikemen Flash Exchange over on @flash-exchange for the awe-inspiring @violettduchess (my Leon-debt to you from summer has been paid 😌)

It is with a certain degree of excitement that the coming of Autumn brings upon its arrival to Rhodolite. It is the time of year that renews the spirit of fellowship. People flood the streets in teams, carrying displays and food and drink, all in preparation for the annual festival held in the town square. Neighbors pick up the mantle of friendship for the occasion, and the brotherly sentiment wafts around like the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, even reaching as high up as the insurmountable bulwarks of the castle.

Indeed, even the Noble Beasts will take part in the festivities this year.

Though, it would be remiss to say that all eight have nary an inkling of how to participate. The eldest brother made appearances over the years for jolly merriment. And the youngest partook in every celebration since moving to the capital, managing his own honey stall where he displayed an array of hand-crafted concoctions for the public. 

Then there was the middle brother who slipped out from the watchful eyes of ministers and guards for a respite with the townsfolk. They say Rhodolite is known for its proficiency in the arts, and Prince Leon turned absconding into an artform. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he was most knowledgeable in the customs of the fall festival, and it is with this assurance that the princes allowed him to lead the roundtable meeting discussing their participation.

“And they’re going to spice things up,” Leon said after drilling through the basics.

“Pumpkin spice?” Yves asked excitedly.

“Not that kind of spice, bud. There’s a theme this year: Masquerade Under the Moon.”

Clavis’s hand shot in the air. “But how will I enjoy everyone’s reactions to my potions if they’re hidden behind masks?”

“We vetoed that idea,” Nokto said. “It’s safer to stick with Luke’s honey stand.”

“Nice pun!” Luke high-fived Nokto while Clavis crossed his arms.

“Agreed,” Leon said, “but Clavis makes a fair point. Why don’t we have our own bout of fun, too? We could start a game. First one to find all seven others behind the masks wins a prize.”

“What sort of prize?” Chevalier cocked his eyebrow, and Leon smiled at his interest.

“How about a day off?”

“Found you!”

“Aww, guess I lose. Way to go, Yves!” Jin laughed.

“Maybe if you weren’t stuffing your face you would have had a chance,” Yves scoffed.

“And how am I supposed to eat these pasties with my mask on? Besides, I’d be happy if any of you won.”

“Really?”

“Well, maybe except Clavis. I wonder how he’s doing,” Jin said.

“I saw him.”

Yves jumped at the pale white mask speaking behind him, but sighed in relief when the wearer lifted it to reveal Licht’s gaze. “Found you both.”

Jin handed him a pasty which Licht gobbled thankfully. “But you won’t like what I saw Clavis doing. He’s passing out his potions.”

“What’s the damage?” Yves cried.

“Nothing major. Mostly sneezes and hiccups. But he slipped a special one to Leon.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jin asked.

“He said it was cheese-flavored.”

The three faction members searched the festival high and low, meeting and questioning folks about the whereabouts of their possibly endangered leader. 

They found Luke at his honey stand, who said Leon stopped by and told him “I swiss I knew about your honey years ago!” Soon after they ran into a mulling Nokto, who said Leon found him and said “You’re cheddar off without her, bro.”

Frantic, the three doubled down their efforts, praying Chevalier wouldn’t react brutally in the face of a bad cheese pun. But the warm feeling of the festival left their systems at the sound of their worst fear come-true.

“There you are, Cheese-valier Miche-rella!”

The three rocketed to the source and found Leon lifting his bedazzled black-and-red mask to grin triumphantly at a stoic tiger-masked Chevalier. Time seemed to stop as they stared each other down, the movement of their hair fluttering ominously in the passing breeze.

At last, Chevalier lifted his mask. 

“I shall concede this victory to you if you swear to never utter anything as atrocious in my presence again.”

"Sounds gouda to me, Cheesie!"

*Jin, Yves, and Licht rushing to hold Chevalier back*

This was so much fun! Thank you to everyone who put this exchange together and participated! I can't wait to devour all your works!