Alfie the Minotaur: Part One (rough draft)

The campus cafeteria usually opened early every morning, it was one of the things you knew you could rely on. You enjoyed the coffee when it was fresh, and they had these interesting little pastries you would get along with whatever breakfast sandwich was being served. Today, you had hoped they would make something with bacon, perhaps even use that rare bit og guyer that came into stock once in a blue moon.

Instead, as you rounded the corner from the parking garage to the front of the campus, all you saw was a ripped up lawn and security tape wrapped around the cafeteria doors.

“Oh no,” you murmured under your breath as you looked at the carnage. You stepped onto the sidewalk, looking down at the lawn which was diverted so deep you could lay down in it like a coffin. Dirt and debris was kicked up, chunks of grass was strewn everywhere. Flowers. Bushes. All the wonderful colorful things on the front lawn were totally destroyed.

You frowned, not because of the missed breakfast, but because you knew the front lawn of Hephaestus Academy was considered a work of art. The groundskeeping team took pride in their work.

“Keery is going to freak the heck out,” you mumbled to yourself. You took out your phone and wondered if you should call her, or if it would be rubbing salt into the wound. Keery had been part of the gardening department for years now, she’d be crushed to see what had happened.

You walked down the street a bit, heading towards a little bistro that sustained itself on late students and teachers wanting to escape the academy for a moment. As you were about to cross the street you heard a sniffle.

In the shadows of the trees, where the walkway was shadowed by the building, someone was sitting with their head in their hands. You approached gingerly, taking small steps as the person continued to sniffle and huff.

“Are you okay?” You asked with a hint of caution. This was Hephaestus Academy, and after an accident on the lawn it really could be anybody. “If you’re hurt, I work with the medical response team.”

“No, I’m fine,” the man sniffled. “Just frustrated.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” you murmured.

The man slowly stood, revealing himself to be quite big. Was it one of the heroes on campus? He was certainly built like it. But as he stepped into some light, you saw he was wearing dark blue coveralls with the academy logo emblazoned on the pocket and back.

He dusted off his rear then sighed heavily. “Nothing to apologize for.” He stepped further out into the light, keeping his head down. The large minotaur was a well known sight on campus. His strawberry blonde fluffy hair, and chocolate pink muzzle, along with his large figure stood out, even amongst the heroes of the school. He had worked there since long before you started.

“Mr. Findlay.” Your stomach churned as you tried to think of something comforting for him. After all, it was all his hard work on the lawn that was destroyed. “You weren’t here when it happened, I hope?”

He shook his head, strawberry blonde fluff was clipped back from his big, brown eyes. “No. Happened late last night,” he grumbled.

“That’s…good-” You trailed off from your words. “Do you want me to get you anything at the bistro, Mr. Findley?” You had no idea what to offer aside from that.

He looked at you and a sort of smile crossed his face. “Call me Alfie. I’m not a teacher here,” he half heartedly chuckled. “I’m a bit too upset for anything to eat right now, but uh…thanks.”

You looked over the destroyed lawn. “Maybe it’s not so bad. I mean, Keery’s told me you like planning and trying to find native plants to grow. She-” you began to lose your momentum and second guessed what you were saying. “Keery told me you were looking for a way to incorporate a communal garden so-” You turned weak and mushy, wanting to run away from your own words.

Alfie took in a deep, deep breath that puffed out his already thick chest. His ears flopped up and as he let his breath out, that sort of smile became a full smile. “That’s a good way to look at it. I’ve been upset all morning over what was destroyed, you know?” He glanced down at you. “So you know my Keery huh? She’s one of my best workers.”

You nodded, swallowing down a bit of fear. “We were roommates during freshman year of college. We’ve just stuck with each other ever since.”

His eyes widened and his ears perked up again. “Oh! I know you!”

A jolt traveled all the way through your spine.

His smile grew wider, his eyes a little bit brighter so they resembled balls of caramel. “Keery talks about you all the time. You’re the one who found that ginseng plant in your backyard she brought in.”

You nodded. “Yeah. It was in my folk’s yard back home. It was thanks to Keery I even knew what I was looking at,” you chuckled softly. “I thought it’d be nice to have on campus, considering it could be used for the med team too.”

“It was a good find. I’ve always wanted to try and grow it myself.” He sighed and looked back out across the law, a bit of defeat returned to his gaze. “Ah but…you go on and get your food. That bistro is going to be a mess in a few minutes, what with the cafeteria closed. I should be getting to work, figuring out how we’re gonna clean this up today.”

“It’ll be okay,” you tried one last attempt at comforting. “You’ll have this looking better than it did in no time.”

Alfie sighed. “Yeah, hope so.” He waved then walked on towards the brunt of the damage.

The day progressed somewhat normally from there. Aside from detours on campus to avoid the front lawn, everything ran as smoothly as could be expected. You sat near the window in the medical wing, just so you could keep an eye on the grounds below, checking in to watch Keery and the rest of the team doing their best to fill in the large divot.

As you were cleaning up your work area at the end of the day, your phone chimed. While the head of the department gave you the eye, it was the end of the day, so she didn’t fuss at you for having your phone.

You sneakily took your phone out still, seeing Keery had sent a text. “Grounds team is going to The Tower. Come join us.”

“Hard day?” You asked.

“You have no clue. I’m outside if you’re on your way.”

You headed out, finding Keery looking over the front lawn with several others of the grounds team. All of them looked exhausted and haggard, but still they wanted to all go to The Tower to cap the day off.

Keery leaned into you as you walked down the street. “Thank you for coming.”

“I’m just a designated driver to you,” you sighed dramatically.

“You’re more than that. You’re also going to hold my wallet in your giant tote bag,” Keery teased.

You smirked and rolled your eyes. “I like their appetizers here.”

Keery sighed with relief. “My treat, get a few since I’ll probably be crashing with you tonight. Your bed is so much nicer than mine, and my back isn’t going to want to cooperate regardless.”

Inside The Tower the live music was playing, soft guitar and bongos filled the stairwell as you climbed up towards the top. The scent of hot wings and spilled beer wafted through the door as you stepped inside. The old wood floors creaked as rowdy cheering burst from the pool tables.

“Over here!” Alfie waved you down from the row of tables he was guarding. He smiled as you came over, pulling out chairs for you and Keery. “Lady Ginseng, good to see you again.”

You cheeks flushed. “You too, Alfie. You look in better spirits.”

“Lady Ginseng?” Keery chuckled.

“We met this morning.” Alfie took a seat across from you. “She kept me from losing my marbles this morning.”

Keery picked up a drink menu from between the condiments on the table. “She’s good at that.”

“How was it today?” You asked.

“Awful,” he huffed. He took out one of his clips to adjust his fluffy hair. “But, we’ve got the divot filled in, we’ll smooth it out tomorrow, clean up, get grass planted, then figure out plans from there.”

Keery set down the drink menus as the waiter approached. “He’s talking about that communal garden again.”

“It wouldn’t be too hard. Not until they approve the greenhouse for whatever semester they deem reasonable,” Alfie laughed.

“I didn’t know they were planning a greenhouse.” You took a menu from the waiter and requested ice water.

Keery scoffed. “They aren’t. He is.””

Alfie let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve been trying to get the program off the ground for ages. I’ve even been working with the culinary department in hopes of upping our chances. But funds for the school are very particular these days. Lots of people in power are even questioning the need for this academy.”

“Not everyone likes heroes, I guess,” you muttered.

As more of the grounds team came into The Tower, the more Alfie’s attention was drawn away. You and Keery kept mostly to yourself, joined by a few others on the team.

Later, Keery went to the pool table to play, while you stayed at the table to enjoy the live music. Afie came back, taking his seat and turning to look at the band himself.

“Not a pool player?” You asked.

He scrunched up his face and shook his head. “I’m not a sportsman at all.”

From his appearance, you wouldn’t have guessed that. “Really?”

“Never got into it much. Was always a farm boy. Tried playing football in school, but I was so terrible at all. Even T-ball was a challenge.”

You smiled, trying to keep from appearing too amused. “I get it.”

“You look like a swimmer,” Alfie remarked.

You snorted and cupped your hand over your mouth as you laughed. “Oh gosh, no! I’m just a bean pole. For some reason I can’t sink. I just float and can’t do anything.”

Alfie just smiled. “Too full of hot air?”

You grinned. “Maybe.”

Alfie’s eyes glanced back towards the stage. He seemed distant for a moment, then he sat up straight and turned himself to face you, holding his half full beer between both hands. “So, med team huh? What’s that like?”

“You know that show Harmony Hospital?” You asked.

Alfie nodded and took a sip of his drink. “The one that’s basically a soap opera but played during the evenings?”

“Yeah! That one. It’s absolutely nothing like that. In fact I think it’s more paperwork than actual medical work most days.” You shrugged.

“I guess that’s a relief?”

“Sometimes, I’ll take paperwork over romantic drama any day,” you laughed.

Alfie nodded, looking down at his beer then back at the band. “What’s your call to arms then? Like…do you do bandages, stitches?”

“Teeth.”

He looked at you confused.

“I’m a dental assistant for the time being,” you chuckled. “But I’m working my way up from there. I got a scholarship to do this work program at the academy.”

“They have a dental team?”

“Hey now, lots of fighting happens around the face area.” Your circle your fingers around your head. “Do you know how many broken teeth I’ve had to deal with this month alone? Caps, fillings, x-rays, this school sees lots and lots of all those.”

Alfie had a smile on his face. “Do you like working in mouths?”

You gave him the eye. You got that question a lot. It was like working with mouths and feet we the weirdest things a person could focus on. “No weirder than the rest of the natural body. Everything about that is weird.”

Alfie gave a nod. “Okay. I’ll agree to that.”

You looked back towards the band as the song began to change. “It’s a family thing too. I’m just used to it.”

“Is your mom the tooth fairy?”

You turned back to Alfie. “No , my dad. Why?”

A shy smile crossed his face and he shook his head. “Just that…you look like a fairy. That’s all.”

Your stomach flip flopped and you looked back at the band. “Oh well, uh…thanks I guess.”

“I was trying to go for a compliment. It sounded way too corny didn’t it?” Alfie laughed. “Geez. I’m sorry.”

“Good attempt.”

“Maybe I can try again,” he said with a much quieter tone.

You weren’t sure you heard him over the music. You leaned further over the table to get closer to him. “I’m sorry, what did you just?”

His expression was embarrassed, maybe he didn’t want to be heard right away. “I said: maybe I can try again.” he spoke a bit clearer, but there was an obvious lilt to his voice.

You had to giggle. “The fairy thing?”

Alfie laughed, brushing aside some of his fluffy hair that had come loose. “Maybe, over coffee?”

Your heart spiked and you fidgeted with your fingers for a moment. “Coffee? I don’t think it’s very good here.”

Alfie shook his head and pointed towards the exit. “In the morning,” he offered. “I’m much better in the mornings.”

“Oh uh…yeah. Me too.” You returned his shy smile with another. “I usually go to the cafeteria, but I don’t know when they’re going to open it back up.”

Alfie had moved aside his beer and was leaning more against the table. “The bistro down the way maybe? That’s where you were going this morning, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was.” You looked around the room, unsure where to focus your eyes. Your cheeks were warm, and your stomach was bubbling up a storm. “Sorry, I’m not used to getting asked out.”

The smile that spread across his face did some to soothe your nerves. “I’m sure Lady Ginseng is much more accustomed to proper courting. But I’m just a silly little farm boy. If I see a chance, I’ll take it.” He scratched behind his ear, and some of that fluffy hair spilled from the clip.

You bit the inside of your cheek, nerves bubbling up much more than your excitement. There was a conversation you often had to have when this sort of thing happened. It wasn’t a first date sort of thing, let alone a coffee thing, but it always came up eventually. You never had much success with it, but Alfie seemed kind. Perhaps, this once, you could risk it.

“Never courted,” you let out a laugh. “Chance well took I would say.”

Alfie nodded over to the pool table where you became aware that Keery was watching you both intently while also trying to pretend she was into the game. “I hope you don’t mind, I had to ask Keery a few things before I approached you.”

You met Keery’s gaze and she ducked her head down. “What did you ask? Maybe I can clear some things up,” you laughed.

“Just the basics. If it was okay to ask you out. If I was even your type. Were you seeing someone-” he shook it off in chagrin. “Eh, you know. The questions you kind of want to hear from the best friend.”

The music ha gotten soft again, so you could hear him without having to shout back and forth. “What did she say about my type? I’m curious now.”

Alfie laughed. “Ah well, she told me it’s not so much a type as a uh…vibe.” He let out an anxious laugh. “I hate that word but it fits here.”

You agreed with that, nodding a long. “And what did she say about that?”

“Cozy came up. I’m not sure what cozy means or-” he looks down at himself. “Let's face facts, I look like a cozy guy.”

Your face burned more as you giggled along. You wouldn’t dare say it, but there had been many a conversation with members of the med team about Alfie as he worked. His butt was often brought up, his hands too. He was a common appearance, so he was a topic of conversation a lot. You could admit he was a good looking fellow. You liked how his strawberry blonde hair and chocolate strawberry nose made him look so cute and happy. You liked how excited he was about his work. You found passions attractive, and Alfie did fit that.

The waiter came by, setting down a glass of sweet tea before Alfie. “But I think it means something else. Not sure what. Maybe I’ll get to find out for myself.”

Cheering from across the room at the Tv forced silence between you two for a moment. When it was quiet you gazed at one another and had a small laugh.

You nodded at him. “Maybe. I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

Alfie looked down at his tea, grinning from ear to ear. “Looking forward to it, Lady Ginseng.”

“How come Lady Ginseng?” You leaned back over the table. “I’ve wanted to ask you that all night but haven’t had the opportunity to.”

He shrugged. “It just came out as word soup when I saw you. I’m afraid I couldn’t remember your name right away. And rather than fumbling and failing at recalling it, I just popped that out. You found the Ginseng and you seem kind of, I dunno, a bit regal to me.”

You laughed a bit too loudly then cupped your hand over your mouth, smiling bashfully back at Alfie. “A fairy and regal? Boy, you’re going to find out a lot about me that fits neither one of those.”

He just grinned. “That’s the whole point of these things, isn’t it?”