Author's Note: the opening to this really annoys me but i don't care enough to renovate at this moment in time.
They hadn't met in person since the planning of that disastrous party. The events of the day, combined with the knock on the door, had somewhat scared at least Frasier. It was, in essence, a warning. Perfectly timed so as not to be misinterpreted.
Still, as Niles had predicted, his date had canceled on him, and from a logical perspective, a knock on the door was just that. It probably wasn’t even directed at them, just a simple ding-dong ditch, the type of prank that was performed on anyone, not just the people who seemed odd.
And even if they were odd to the children of the apartment building, what concern was it to them? Children often lacked real perspective, and he shouldn’t put so much stock in their opinions. Their prefrontal cortexes weren’t even fully developed!
He should not bend to superstition, especially when it came to a relationship so important to him. If he were to keep avoiding Niles then he would have nothing to do in the evenings.
The other thing that made him hesitant to call was the fact that Niles truly had predicted this outcome. To call and confirm that was to further his embarrassment.
At that moment, his phone began to ring in his hands. With a sigh, he pressed to answer.
"Hello. Frasier Crane speaking."
"Frasier, it's me." Niles' voice came out of the small speaker. "I'm calling to check about the concert."
Frasier's mouth gaped. "You actually wrote that in your journal?"
"You saw me do it!"
"Well, for all I knew you were pretending to write it to irritate me!"
"Never mind all that. Can I expect to be picked up tonight, or are you heading out with your amor?"
Frasier pursed his lips.
"I'm taking your silence to mean the former. What time should I expect you?"
"... Around twenty to six."
"I'll see you then." Niles hung up the phone.
Frasier remained frowning. Of course, the evening would be better with Niles than alone, but in light of recent events he felt even more pathetic than usual. He shook his head. Continued rumination on the matter would only serve to ruin his evening. His time would be much better spent getting ready.
==
Stood up, his stuff legs were starting to feel better. Stretching, he looked about. "Oh, dear God!"
"What?" Niles' attention snapped to him
Frasier kept his gaze focused on a patch of flowers. "It's the Walperts. Over by that swan statue." Niles' head started to turn before Frasier grabbed his arm. "Don't be so obvious!"
Niles acquiesced, but even as he looked at them out of the corner of his eye he protested. "This is ridiculous. I don't see why we should be so wary of them."
"Because! They think we're odd."
"You know, we still haven't confirmed that. I'm sure if we just go and talk to them, we can clear things up." With that, Niles waved at the couple.
"Niles." Frasier hissed, resolutely facing away from the Walperts. "Niles!"
The couple noticed them, and came over.
"Why, Frasier, look who it is!"
Frasier turned around, a fake grin plastered on his face. "Harry, Allison! What a surprise!"
"Hello, Frasier. Niles." Allison greeted, her smile a little too wide. "It's so nice to see you."
Before, that statement would have seemed genuine. Now it felt flimsy, a cover for her real disdain towards them. Frasier felt his smile twitch.
"The feeling is more than mutual." Niles smoothly replied, giving Frasier's arm a brief squeeze before dropping it. Frasier saw Harry's eyes visibly follow the action. His fingers twitched anxiously. "I'm just sorry our plans for today didn't work out."
At that, Allison's smile slipped away. "Look, about the message… We're so sorry."
"Oh, it's nothing." Niles batted a hand. "But I must admit to being a little curious as to what exactly you were going to say before you hung up."
"Oh." Allison blinked. "I'd rather not… it wasn't a nice thing to be saying, and it was wrong of me to talk behind your backs."
"Then talk to our fronts!" Niles said.
"I mean, it's not just us. There are quite a few people who think, well… you have to admit it's a bit strange how much time you two spend together. And it doesn't help the other rumors."
"What other rumors?" Frasier finally butted in.
Allison flushed. "I'm not exactly sure I should be repeating them, especially in front of you. I mean, they're obviously untrue."
"It's fine, Allison." Niles reassured her.