Pool party (royal family and miyuki)

[kuro]

Kuro sat by his pool at his mansion his feet in the water and his face reaxed he had asked all of hsi family to come here and relax and so he could tell them about his engaugement he only hoped it went better then the ball he had thrown"If I get the chance I'll speak to ayame as well shes not getting away with what she did" he said to himslef as he gently moved his legs aroudn in the water as he waited for people to arrive he hoped they showed up it would be a sad if all his planning went to waste

[Ayame Li Britannia]

Ayame padded down the street, Pon-Pon clutched firmly in one hand, giant beach bag in the other. She stopped mid step to look up at the sky, her eyes squinting at the sun’s glare. “…s’fucking hot…” she groaned out, her body slowly slumping into a hunched position. Seriously. Who in their right mind would decide to have a freaking pool party on the hottest day of the year?! On days like this one was supposed to laze around in air-conditioned comfort…not go and bake themselves! A dejected sigh escaped her mouth. But of course, a certain someone in the family simply had to host another shebang…well. Could be worse. She could be in a dress.

“I swear, Kuro-niisama…love ya to bits but really…crappy scheduling skills…” she muttered to herself as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder. Apparently the Fourth Prince of Britannia was on a party-hosting spree, for yesterday Ayame had received an invitation in the mail stating that her half brother would be hosting a pool party at his mansion. The reason? She would find out when she got there. Not that it made any difference to her, of course…and usually Ayame wouldn’t have minded a pool party. She loved to swim. It was just…today wasn’t exactly the best day. Weather wise, that is. Blazing heat. No wind to soothe it. In short: typical summer heat.

Ayame hated ubber hot weather. Made her sticky. And smelly. Like fish. Ayame hated fish. A lot.

‘Well, at least I’m not by me onesy…Sylvie-neesama should be on her way…’ A cheeky grin soon curved the Third Princess’ mouth. She had taken the liberty of sending a limo for her darling sister. Complete with sensei’s army of maids. Britannia’s finest. Her excuse to sensei? It wasn’t healthy for the First Princess to be cooped up all day. Plus, it was her responsibility as an elder to watch over Ayame and see to it that she did not get in (too much) trouble. Plus, there was the general excuse that it was blazing hot and the woman needed to swim to avoid a heatstroke.

Ayame grinned again. Odds were Sylvie would be muttering death threats the whole way, and odds were there would be more than one scream of protest, but Ayame knew…the woman needed it. Just a day to relax. ‘Though I wouldn’t say sitting outside in the heat all day is very relaxing…’ Ayame sighed to herself as she turned a corner. Ah well. Maybe it would be cooler by the pool.

Approaching the gates to her brother’s mansion, Ayame waved to the guards, causing them to bow immediately. “Ayame-himesama! Kuro-sama has been expecting you.” Cue glare.

“Oy. Quit it with the ‘hime’ talk.”

“But-

“Ne, I gots a question for yas.” Ayame slunk over to the booth where the two guards were posted, leaning an arm lazily over the windowsill. “This shindaling…it’s just a pool party, right? No after ball or any crap, right? Cuz I sure as hell didn’t bring anything froofy. Nor do I plan to wear one if asked.” The two guards looked at each other.

“No, I’m pretty sure it’s just a pool party, my lady…Kuro-sama didn’t mention anything to me regarding a post ball.” The second guard nodded in agreement.
“I’m certain your current attire is suitable, Your Highness.” Ayame’s eyes narrowed and she continued to glare at the two guards before sighing heavily.

“Too hot to whack you. You guys got lucky today. Now, lemme in…I can almost taste the pina colada waiting for me.” With that the gates opened and Ayame slumped her way in.

As she walked up the path to the front of Kuro’s mansion, Ayame gave herself a quick look-over. Was she really ok? Sure she wasn’t the type who usually cared for appearance, but it would mean shitsville for her if sensei found out she wasn’t dressed appropriately. Lately the woman was becoming more and more nick pickedy about what clothes Ayame wore, even during her free time. The other maids said it had to do with Ayame ‘becoming older’ and the elder woman’s desire for the Third Princess to ‘start looking like a lady’ or some crap like that. ‘This should be fine, no?’ Surely denim short-shorts, white baggy shirt over her bathing suit and white flip flops were ok.

….right?

“Ahh, screw it.” Ayame muttered to herself as she approached the front steps of the mansion, only to be stopped by a maid.

“Ah! Ayame-himesama! This way please…” Ayame didn’t bother correcting the maid this time. Too hot to speak.

As she entered the backyard, Ayame was approached by a waiter, asking her if she would require anything. “Y’mean apart from the ability to strip naked and not have to worry about sensei having a fit?” she cracked a grin at the man’s paling face. “Water with lemon sounds great right about now.” The pina colada would have to wait. First thing was to get re-hydrated.

Ayame poked her head around and grinned when her eyes finally landed on Kuro sitting by his pool.

“Yo, Kuro-nii-

“If I get the chance I'll speak to Ayame as well; she’s not getting away with what she did.” Ayame’s mouth clamped shut. ‘Not getting away with it?’ Not getting away with what? What the hell did she do this time?! Ayame wracked her brain for a reason. Surely she must have done some in the recent past to piss Kuro-niisama off. But what? Last time she checked, she and him were on happy terms! Hell, she even brought him them brownies she promised him (the 7 tier cake was waiting back at the Pendragon)! Ayame frowned slightly. She couldn’t think of anything…

‘Well, lets see. I really haven’t seen Kuro-niisama since his last shebang when he introduced that Miyu-

Ayame paused mid-thought. Wait. That shebang. Had she done something then? Ayame bit her thumb in thought. Ok…backtrack now. She went to the party. She played the role of the perfect princess. She saw Miyuki. Woman looked like some overstuffed peacock. Ayame made certain not to comment on her attire, simply because a) sensei would kill her, and b) she hated dresses in general. Her opinion on them never really changed. Anywhose, she conversed with Miyuki and Kuro, being polite and whatnot. She asked Miyuki how she and her brother met…and then came the cookies. Miyuki claimed that she brought cookies simply because she thought it would be nice. Seems harmless to the normal person, but Ayame no likey other people bakey. But she had made sure not to be too obvious about it. After that, she went off to greet other peeps…and then after that…Miyuki and Kuro left. Just like that.

Ayame’s frown deepened. Ok. She just did a 360 of her evening at Kuro’s party. Nowhere could she find where she could have blundered up that would vindicate Kuro in the idea that she deserved a scolding. It wasn’t like Ayame had ignored the lady or anything…how strange.

Shrugging it off, Ayame decided to face the music. Hey, hiding around wasn’t gonna solve anything. Popping out from behind the pole she was hiding at, Ayame skipped over to Kuro where she proceeded to do a half flytackle-one where she merely clung from his neck loosely, hugging him in a pseudo kolala form.

“Yo. I see a scolding in my near future…” she leaned her head over to look at Kuro from the side, an eyebrow raised jokingly. “What’d I do this time?”




Clickie to see Ayame's outfit (had to use a doll maker...couldn't find what I was looking for via regular search

[kuro]

Kuro looked at her calmly and he sighed"ayame first and I know this about you I know that you are competitive as heck and feel miyuki is a threat but she was just being nice and she felt offended by your actions towards her now I would like it if you would apoligize to her and make up and I don't want to have to talk to your sensei about more class time for you " he explained to her calmly he hoped she understood and went along with this he didnt want her to be upset with him but he needed to set things stright

[Sylvana Li Britannia]

Air conditioned or not, Sylvana’s study was still far from comfortable. The woman had started the day in what she’d thought would be a comfortable blouse. She’d since unbuttoned it before tossing it aside, sitting in just her camisole instead. The bay window in her study let in an ample amount of natural light, and typically the first princess loved the sunlight, but the light was overly warm, and it was working against the cool air flowing through the room. If she weren’t at home, Sylvana would have never dared to strip off her shirt, but she was at home.

The first princess had opted not to return to Area 11 right after the masquerade that had brought her home in the first place. That place brought so much unneeded stress. She could work from her personal study in the palace just as well as, if not better than, she could from the administrative building in Area 11, and she was much more comfortable here… except for the temperature. Plus, it meant that there was next to no possibility that anyone was going to disturb her. Maids knew how to be discreet if they came into the room, and the servants were silent in the halls. It was a calm, tranquil, homey environment. There were no soldiers running up and down the narrow halls barking orders. There were no messengers constantly in and out of offices slamming doors. Vana’s siblings were old enough to take care of themselves and were therefore not constantly in and out of her study bothering her. There were simply no…

Knock, knock, knock.

…interruptions.

And so the serenity was broken. The first princess closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Unfortunately, next to no possibility, did not mean no possibility. Sylvana had been in her for maybe two hours, and she was already being interrupted? By who? Certainly not Alastair. He better have his own work to do. None of her siblings should need her for anything. Sylvana shook her head. Analyzing who was at the door was going to do her no good. He, she, or they would still be there. “Yes?” There was a tightness in the princess’ voice as she answered. She wouldn’t get angry yet. It could be something completely harmless. Slow, deep breaths. In and out.

The woman, a maid, that entered was one that Sylvana did not recognize. And the maids that came in to dust her office didn’t usually wait for an answer. They would be asked (or demanded, or ordered) to leave if they were not wanted at the time. “Pardon the interruption, Your Highness, but we have orders to get you ready for Prince Kuro’s party.”

The woman waved in several other maids, and for a moment Sylvana could just stare. They had orders? From who? It had damn well better be Alastair himself. Sylvana had of course gotten her younger sibling’s invitation, but after the masquerade she had had no intention of going. Vana had held her tongue at the masquerade like a good princess should. She would make no such promises should she encounter a repeat performance at the more intimate family gathering. Instead, she had decided to simply not attend. Now these maids were telling her that she was not only attending, they had been ordered to retrieve her? “Orders from who?” The demand was made more in shock than in anger, but the anger would come shortly.

“From Lady Ayame.”

Blue eyes widened in shock that had nothing to do with the fact that the maids were dragging her from her chair and out of her office. Of all the people she had expected the woman to say, Ayame was no where near the top of the list. She was on it, but not one of Sylvana’s top choices. Of all the traitorous things… She was dead. Sylvana loved her sister dearly, but she was dead. “Ayame!” No doubt her darling sister was no where nearby, but Vana yelled anyway. She had threatened her sister with pink and frills in the hospital before. Now it was a promise. Her dress for Alastair and Arella’s wedding would be bubble gum pink with sparkles, lace, ribbons, bows, and anything else Sylvana could think of that her little sister hated. This was war.

~

Normally Sylvana liked being pampered, but this was different. This was not relaxing. This was not enjoyable. This was torture, pure and simple. There was no gown, no fancy hair, no jewelry. Instead there was a bikini, pigtails, and sunscreen. And it was all Ayame’s fault. There would be no salvation for the younger princess when Vana got her hands on her. None at all.

The first princess sat very moodily in the back of the limo she had been forced into once the maids had finished with her plotting her sister’s demise all the way to Kuro’s mansion. The group of women, who had expressed far too much cheerfulness as they had stripped Vana, had painstakingly straightened and parted her usually full, blonde hair and tied it into low pigtails which the woman now fiddled with as they laid over her shoulders. The only redeeming thing about the experience was that Sylvana was not expected to arrive in her bikini alone. She would have drawn the line right there if the insane group of maids had even alluded to the possibility. Mind you that the wrap skirt and light button up shirt was not Sylvana’s choice attire, but it was better than what it covered. Ayame was toast.

The vehicle had hardly stopped in front of the grand entrance doors before Sylvana was out of the limo. Vana had no patience for maids at the moment, and the one who greeted her seemed to get the hint, but nonetheless did her job and directed the furious princess out back. Perfect. Ayame was already here. She had better enjoyed the time she’d spent because she wasn’t going to enjoy much more of it.

No sooner had Vana opened her mouth to begin expressing her great disdain for her current situation and the ordeal she had been forced to sit through than Kuro instead started talking to her sister. About Miyuki, and presumably something about their interaction at the masquerade since Vana didn’t think Ayame had spent time with the girl otherwise. Listening to her younger brother, Sylvana couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Ayame thought Miyuki was a threat? He was talking about her sister, Ayame. Wasn’t he? Ayame wouldn’t feel threatened by God let alone Kuro’s current consort. Oh, and the girl was offended? By what? From what Sylvana had seen and heard, she’d thought her sister was rather pleasant with the girl. She was willing, however, to give Kuro the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps something had happened before she had arrived.

Anger forgotten for the moment, the eldest princess started to walk toward them, but paused at Kuro’s final remark. “I don't want to have to talk to your sensei about more class time for you." Was he actually threatening her sister? Nicely threatening, calmly threatening, but threatening nonetheless. No one threatened her precious little sister… except for herself.

“First of all, Kuro, no one threatens my little sister but me,” Sylvana told him, tone as pleasant as his. No need to get angry if he wasn’t. “And we will get to that later,” she promised with a more than slightly irritated look Ayame. “But more importantly, you don’t have the authority to affect Ayame’s lessons. If her teacher answers to anyone, it is to myself or Alastair. Surely you don’t think that just because you are older, you have power over her schooling?” Sylvana said with a warm smile. “Otherwise, just imagine how much extra lesson time you would have ended up with when you were still in school,” she teased.

“As for you.” Sylvana said, turning to her darling, precious, little sister, friendly tone gone. “You ordered them to kidnap me?! You had them drag me out of my semi-cool study into this blazing heat, and you think this is relaxing? Do I look relaxed to you?” Sylvana demanded, holding one of her pigtails out toward Ayame as evidence of her discomfort. “I am relaxed enough to decide that your wedding dress will be hot pink, sparkly, and have lace, ribbon, bows, and frills in your hair and on the dress. Plus, you will dance with every single gentleman at the reception.” Oh yes, Vana was threatening. And there were no chocolate raspberry cookies to save her sweetheart of a little sister this time.

So I stole Ayame's idea with the doll. Just change the hair to low pigtails. ^^

[Ayame Li Britannia]

With each word that came out of Kuro’s mouth, Ayame’s eyebrow arched higher and higher, a pure ‘WTF-mate?’ look spreading across her face. What the hell? Frill-san was pissed at her? For what?! What the hell did she, the adorable spazz, do to offend her royal Frillyness? Ayame felt her eyebrow twitch in aggravation. ‘No, Ayame…deep breaths…you must not loose your cool…chillax…breathe….ahh screw it.’

Ayame dropped down from her position at Kuro’s neck and plopped down next to him by the pool, opting to sit cross-legged rather than dip her feet in. Pon-Pon sat securely in her lap. “ ‘I’m sorry Kuro-niisama that I apparently acted like a complete and utter bitch to your darling Miyuki-chan. I had no idea that I offended her. I’ll be sure to send her some apology brownies as soon as I get back, so please don’t tell sensei on me~’…..is what you expect me to say? Please!” Ayame snorted as she turned to look at Kuro, a look of complete disbelief on her face. “My actions offended her? Pray tell what actions? Was it the polite curtsy I gave? Or was it my attempt at being nice and asking how you two met? Hmm? Oh wait! I know what it was! It was the fact that I spoke about my own family without inquiring about hers! How silly of me. And here I thought I was being courteous and not butting my nose in where it doesn’t belong. Silly me~” Ayame slapped her knee, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Gaining a somewhat more serious face, Ayame folded her arms and looked out across the pool and sighed heavily. “I have no freaking clue what crawled up her ass and died, Kuro-niisama. I honestly haven’t the foggiest as to why Frill-san is all offended by me. If it’s about them cookies (cause those are the only things I can think of) it wasn’t like I was like ‘gar! I shall eat you for dinnah biznitch!’ I restrained myself! I was good about them! It’s not like I spat them out or anything. Besides, you should have known better than to let your precious little girlfriend bring freaking cookies to a shebang like that.” Golden eyes rolled over to Kuro, the humor gone.

“You know me. I’m competitive when it comes to pastry. I’m not about to change who I am for one puny little redhead.” Ayame shrugged slightly before turning her gaze back to the water. “Sorry if this whole thing got you upset and all, Nii-sama. Didn’t mean to get your feathers ruffled as well…” Ayame paused for a minute, her eyes narrowing in thought. “Come to think of it…why are you telling me all of this? Why isn’t Miyuki-san? She’s the one who’s all pissy, no? Why is she making you fight her battles for her?” A cold smirk itched the corners of the Third Princess’ mouth-the competitive side of her was begging to come out. “Lemme guess. She wanted you to talk to me first, to try and soften me up before she pounced? Or was it that she was afraid she’d look bad in the eyes of the family if she suddenly lashed out at me?” Ayame shook her head slightly, a frown replacing the smirk. “Tch…how disappointing…” Ayame murmured mostly to herself, her eyes casting downward for a brief second. Quickly composing herself, Ayame stood up and stretched widely, Pon-Pon hanging loosely from one hand. “So yeah. If she has an issue with me, she can come over here and bitch at me face to face. I don’t do the whole messenger/third party lets try to be civil about this tactic. Tell her to go and get her skinny ass over to me and deal with me herself. No need to bring you in the middle of all this, boyfriend or not.” She cracked a toothy grin as the waiter came by with her water. She took a sip, savoring the coolness going down her throat.

“First of all, Kuro, no one threatens my little sister but me…’ Ayame’s ears visibly perked up at the sound of her elder sister’s voice. Sylvie! Turning her head, a wide smile on her face, Ayame prepared to fly glomp her sis….ter….

Snicker A hand flew to the mouth.

Pigtails. She was in….pigtails. Ayame’s face contorted with the effort to not burst into hysterics, forcing the Third Princess to bite her lip in prevention.

Okay. Honestly, Ayame was not expecting this. When she had asked sensei’s maids to go and fetch her darling older sister and help her get ready for the pool party, never in her wildest dreams did she think this would be the outcome.

Lets ignore the fact that Ayame told the army of maids to use ‘any means necessary’….and to ‘go wild’…surely Ayame could not be blamed for this! Surely she was as innocent as a newborn babe!

….right?

“As for you.” Apparently not. Ayame paled several shades whiter at the look Sylvana gave her, her feet subconsciously taking a step back. “You ordered them to kidnap me?! You had them drag me out of my semi-cool study into this blazing heat, and you think this is relaxing? Do I look relaxed to you?”

“U-Um…that’s a rhetorical question, ri-

“I am relaxed enough to decide that your wedding dress will be hot pink, sparkly, and have lace, ribbon, bows, and frills in your hair and on the dress.” Ayame’s mouth snapped shut. No. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t…would she?

Ayame could practically see the steam coming out from Sylvana’s ears. She so would.

“Plus, you will dance with every single gentleman at the reception.” Ayame’s mouth dropped. Okay. Now that was just going overboard. Sure, Ayame could see the dress threat coming (though the ribbons in the hair was a little over-the-top), but to threaten her with guys? Now that was just plain cruelty. Practically child abuse.

“O-Oy, Sylvie-neesama…dontcha think you’re exaggerating just a wee bit? I mean, I didn’t intend for you to be tackled to the ground and attacked with bikinis and all…it’s just…sorta...worked out that way. Sensei’s maids are exuberant. Yeah, they uh…like to do things crazily, ya know?” Seeing that she was failing miserably at trying to save her own ass, Ayame sighed heavily and folded her arms across her chest. “Well, now you know the torture I go through. Not so snazzy, is it?” she pouted, the child in her winning for a brief moment.

Glancing back over to her elder sister, Ayame felt her stomach knot in an unpleasantly familiar fashion. Ahh crap. Here comes Miss Conscious. Frak. “….Oy. Sorry ‘bout you getting’ pounced on and all…just thought you could use some chillaxing time. Plus Kuro-niisama went through all the trouble of getting all this set up. Would be a waste not to come, no?” Ayame offered a weak smile, the internal Ayame on her knees, begging for forgiveness from damnation. Or in this case, poofnation. “But if it’s any consolation…” Ayame gave her sister a second look-over as she tried to find the right words. “You look…cute? Charming? Snazzy?” Ayame cringed slightly. Maybe ‘snazzy’ wasn’t the best choice of words…

“I’m in shitsville, aren’t I?”

[kuro]

kuro glared at sylvana when she ruiened hsi threatDamn it Sylvana way to ruin my threat he thought before speaking" hey I wasnt that bad at lest not as bad as ayame" he defended himslef as he heard what ayame said to0 him and he felt a scowl start to come across his" ayame know this I told her I would talk to you about it she didnt make me and she will be here today so I trust you will behave and be nice" he said then looked at sylvana both of you he thought menecingly in his mind before he smirked a bit " ayame I trust you will be nice becasue you might end up closer to her in the future if you know what I mean" he said with a chuckle he wondered if they caught eh hint or not if they didnt it was fine he was still going to annouce it. " looks like I didnt need th threaten you ayame you got it from your own sister" he said before laughing like a mad man

[miyukiasani]

Miyuki walked in, missing the first part of the conversation; wearing the same swimsuit that she had worn, when she met kuro. The ring he gave her, was sitting on her left ring fingers, the gems flashing slightly. She stopped, when she saw sylvana in pigtails- a look that definitely didn't suit her.

"Who put you in pigtails, that was seriously not appropriate, besides, it's apparent you hate that hair style." She said, being serious- not even a smile cracked her face.

Turning her head, she saw ayame. "Hello ayame- how are you today? Better I hope, then the last time we met." Her eyes moved to sylvana. "I hope the same for you as well."

Setting her black towel, with Hawaiian flowers on it nearby, she walked over to sit next to him. "Kuro, don't laugh like like that again, people might think your crazy or something." she said, with a smile.


(ooc: her swimsuit below)

[Sylvana Li Britannia]

“Hey! I wasn’t that bad. At least not as bad as Ayame.” Sylvana raised an eyebrow at Kuro’s attempt to defend himself. It was true enough. Ayame certainly was the… most active of any of them, but he was his fair share of trouble. She chose not to comment about Kuro’s remark regarding Ayame’s supposed behavior toward Miyuki. He could ask all he wanted, but Ayame would be Ayame, and Sylvana certainly didn’t think it was her sister who was in the wrong. When her younger brother’s eyes caught her own, however, Sylvana raised her head a bit, daring him to continue his sentence aloud. Wisely, he chose to continue addressing Ayame alone. “Ayame, I trust you will be nice because you might end up closer to her in the future, if you know what I mean.” The first princess’ eyes narrowed a bit at that. She didn’t like the sound of it. It was hardly a subtle suggestion if she’d taken it’s meaning correctly… not that there was really more than one way to take it. For now, she’d say nothing, but the moment he confirmed anything for her, Sylvana would certainly not be quiet. Kuro would not dishonor her family. But for the moment, Sylvana returned her attention to Ayame.

As far as Sylvana was concerned, whether it had been her intention or not (and seeing that Ayame knew the full capabilities of the maids she was sending to get her, Sylvana doubted that the end result was anything less than exactly what Ayame had intended), Ayame was completely responsible for Vana’s current appearance. The first princess would certainly never fault the maids for simply doing as they’d been ordered, by a princess no less, even if they seemed to get too much enjoyment out of doing so. It just wasn’t in Sylvana’s nature to criticize someone for doing their job.

“O-Oy, Sylvie-neesama…dontcha think you’re exaggerating just a wee bit?” Exaggerating? No, not really. If she had been brought anywhere other than to family, Sylvana would have had every intention of fulfilling her threat. “I mean, I didn’t intend for you to be tackled to the ground and attacked with bikinis and all…it’s just…sorta…worked out that way.” Well, that was debatable… If nothing else it seemed to greatly amuse Ayame. Seemed like that would be a good enough end result for the younger princess. Sylvana raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips, clearly not buying Ayame’s best attempts at an explanation and certainly not amused. “Well, now you know the torture I go through. Not so snazzy, is it?”

A sigh left the first princess’ lips. She certainly wouldn’t call it torture, and Sylvana saw a distinct difference between Ayame being dressed up for a ball and Sylvana being dressed down for a pool party. “They are hardly the same thing, Ayame. You are put in a dress out of necessity. It is proper for a princess to look like one at a ball or any kind of formal meeting. It is quite another matter entirely for me to be dressed like this for an optional get together. It’s inappropriate for me to be dressed so casually even if it is for family.” Sylvana had an image to uphold, and that image had a decent chance of being damaged if a soldier or officer or noble had seen her like this, knowing it had nothing to do with an official day off. “Not to mention the fact that I was dragged away from work.”

“…Oy. Sorry ‘bout you getting’ pounced on and all…just thought you could use some chillaxing time. Plus Kuro-niisama went through all the trouble of getting all this set up. Would be a waste not to come, no?” They weren’t exactly the words Sylvana herself would have used. She wouldn’t deny the fact that she was overstressed as Euric had kindly pointed out to her a few days earlier, but the ball had settled her enough to work through her stress level. And certainly Kuro knew that his older siblings had more important matters to attend to, and therefore would likely be unable to attend. “But if it’s any consolation… You look…cute? Charming? Snazzy?” Sylvana sighed. She appreciated the attempt, but it was hardly helping since Sylvana didn’t want to be described as looking other than ‘professional,’ ‘proper,’ or ‘official’ when not at some kind of fête. “I’m in shitsville, aren’t I?”

“You will be if you don’t watch your language.” Sylvana told her with another sigh. “I appreciate what you tried to do, Ayame. Really I do, but would it hurt to ask me first. Yes, I know that takes away the whole surprise kidnapping angle, and therefore most of the fun for you, but it would probably save you from getting in a lot of trouble later.”

“Looks like I didn’t need to threaten you, Ayame. You got it from your own sister.” Sylvana glanced to Kuro laughing at Ayame’s scolding. In Sylvana’s opinion, he should be far more concerned with his own situation, as he was likely to be on the receiving end of Sylvana’s admonishment soon.

“Who put you in pigtails?” Sylvana turned to Kuro’s current consort. Rather bold of the girl to speak so casually, but it was better than her language at the masquerade. Maybe she’d had a lesson with Ayame’s teacher since then. “That was seriously not appropriate. Besides, it’s apparent you hate that hair style.” A smirk curved Vana’s lips. Oh how wrong she was. Sylvana hardly hated pigtails. She’d worn them often as a child. What young girl hadn’t? Even now she occasionally pulled her hair into them when she was working long hours. She simply didn’t like being put in them to go out. “Hello, Ayame. How are you today? Better I hope than the last time we met.” Far too bold, and hardly the truth. Ayame had been nothing but polite to the concubine. It was she and Kuro who had so rudely abandoned their guests. “I hope the same for you as well.” Oh? The girl thought that Sylvana had been rude to her too? Not even close, but she might get a taste of it now.

The light caught the ring on Miyuki’s finger as she sat next to Kuro, and Sylvana used everything she had ever learned about proper etiquette to hold her tongue. It was doubtful, but the girl could be married already and just playing around with Kuro. Possible, but doubtful only because Sylvana didn’t give her brother that little credit. He would have noticed. “I don’t think you know enough about me to make such judgments about me, girl.” Sylvana informed her, addressing Miyuki’s comments about her hairstyle. “And I most certainly don’t think you know anything about what is proper or appropriate, or you wouldn’t dare to address me or my sister in such a manner.” Sylvana had researched the girl after the masquerade and gotten her family name and history. Asani wasn’t a name that Sylvana recalled from her early days in dealing with the court, so that spared the girl and additional dislike from the first princess, but it certainly didn’t excuse her conduct, and it didn’t make Sylvana any happier about Kuro’s choice of consort. Sure, Miyuki was noble in her own right, but not even imperial nobles of the court dared to treat royalty the way she had… and still was. Only spoiled brats who thought they were superior spoke the way this girl did.

[Ayame Li Britannia]

“You will be if you don’t watch your language.” Ayame stuck her tongue out in that ‘oopsie/I made a boo-boo’ fashion. Yeah…she had a tendency to use colorful language, regardless of where she was (unless, of course, threatened by sensei). Needless to say, Sensei had earned quite a little bit of money by instituting the idea of the swear box. “I appreciate what you tried to do, Ayame. Really I do, but would it hurt to ask me first. Yes, I know that takes away the whole surprise kidnapping angle, and therefore most of the fun for you, but it would probably save you from getting in a lot of trouble later.” Ayame sighed guiltily. It was true. Sure Ayame could have asked Sylvie prior to having the maids assault her, but that wouldn’t have been as fun. Ayame lived and breathed for fun. Surprisingly having people being attacked by little women was far more amusing than calling them in advance and saying “fyi: sensei’s killer army is coming to your place armed with bikinis.” She knew it was completely selfish of her, and it was by sheer dumb luck for having a prideful sister that Ayame wasn’t in some headlock right now.

Ayame bopped her straw up and down, pushing the lemon around in her water, a guilty look on her face.
“Gomen ne…I’ll make it up to you….I’ll bake you some of those raspberry-choco-
“ayame I trust you will be nice becasue you might end up closer to her in the future if you know what I mean.”
Hmm?” Ayame turned her head back to Kuro, a carefree smile back on her face. That is, until she caught his smile. The last part of his sentence rang in her head. ‘closer to her in the future…’

. . .

Ayame’s face slowly paled. Wait. Wait a second. Wait one freaking second. He wasn’t implying…surely he didn’t mean…there’s no freaking way that he and that redheaded chick were GETTING MARRIED?! Her eyes widened to the size of saucers, as dread filled the pit of her stomach. Another wedding…that meant….oh gods no…a double wedding!? The Emperor’s and the Fourth Prince’s. The idea would send Sensei on a pure-blooded-must-find-more-poof-and-get-Ayame-stuffed-into-them spree! Her breath quickened slightly. She could see it now…the look of pure joy forming on Sensei’s face when she heard that her darling Prince Kuro was engaged. And what splendid timing too! Why, they would simply have to have a double wedding, wouldn’t they? Would be a moment in Britannian history for sure. The grandeur would be exquisite. Surely the members of the family would have to wear something that would correspond to such lavishness. In short: more frills.

She swallowed back the lump that was forming in her throat and her grip on her glass tightened. No. nonononono! Kuro-niisama loved her. He wouldn’t do something as cruel as get himself freaking engaged when another member of the family already was! No…he wouldn’t do something that would trigger Sensei’s ubber happy button! That would be harmful to her overall wellbeing! She and Kuro were on happy terms (weren’t they?)!

Ayame slowly turned her head to Kuro, her grip on Pon-Pon tight, pure fear etched on her face. “N-Ne, K-Kuro-niisama…question….you aren’t by any chance e-e-enga-
"Who put you in pigtails, that was seriously not appropriate, besides, it's apparent you hate that hair style." Ayame turned her head to see Miyuki come in. If it had been any other day, or even if Kuro had never made that suggestive comment, Ayame would have retorted on behalf of her elder sister. Sylvie loved pigtails! As much as she tried to hide it from the public (‘cause it was ‘inappropriate’), Ayame knew better. Hell, she grew up with the woman for crying out loud! She knew that beyond the commander persona she portrayed, deep, deep down, Sylvana was a complete girly girl. One who adored pigtails.

However, Ayame did not last out at Miyuki for several reasons. One being that Kuro had successfully instilled the fear of God into her at his statement about getting closer to Miyuki. The other being the big, shiny, glitzy, shiny, kinda hard to miss, shiny rock that had implanted itself on Miyuki’s left ring finger. The glass from Ayame’s hand fell to the ground and shattered, the water drenching the Third Princess’ feet. She didn’t notice. Ayame swallowed hard. It was a ring. A bloody engagement ring. What else could it be? It was hard to believe that it could be anything else-it was too freaking shiny! “Mother in heaven…” she whispered, her face crestfallen.

Her fears were confirmed. Miyuki was engaged to her brother. Now that she thought about, it all made sense, didn’t it? Kuro suddenly calling the entire family out like this, not saying the reason…it all fit. Ayame bit out a nervous laugh. She could hear Sensei’s laughter now…

"Hello Ayame- how are you today? Better I hope, then the last time we met." Ayame was so frozen in thought, that she did not take note of the lack of a title to her name, something that rarely occurred. Instead she just stared blankly at Miyuki, her mouth dropped slightly in pure shock. “Miyuki…Asani…san….” She finally had found her voice. After the pervious shebang Kuro had held, it was only natural that Ayame go snooping into the history of her newfound pastry rival. She hadn’t discovered much (mainly because finding info on Quack-san was far more important), just her family name and a little bit about her history. Nothing much. Ayame swallowed again, absently accepting the second glass of lemon water that a waiter presented to her. The broken glass had been cleaned up. She never noticed. “Miyuki…Asani…san…” she repeated, her eyes flashing back to the ring shinning in the sunlight. The images of pink, frilly, sparkly dresses filled her mind. Complete with Sensei’s victory laugh. Ayame stared up at the sky, her face dead.

“Fuck my life.”

[kuro]

kuro laughed a bit at ayames reaction a bit and he looekd at her" yes your right Ayame I asked miyuki to marry me but we have chosne on to hold the wedding till after the fighting has died down" he said calmly before he caught sylvanas eyes narrow and his did as well" and for the record I don't care what anyone has to say this is my choice I chose to ask Miyuki I want her at my side" he said before he caught sylvanas and ayames comment and he scowled"vana cool it this is a pool party no need to be formal that what I told her and you should relax about it " he said his tone as serious"I don't see why you seem so unhappy when your around her"

[bradums]

A man in the typical attire of a military soldier approached, sweat glistening off his forehead. It had taken him some time to locate the First Princess, but he had found her. Averting his eyes from the bikini-clad girls - and thanking his almost-nonexistent luck that Sylvana wasn't so thinly covered at the time of his arrival - the nervous soldier approached the First Princess and saluted crisply before bowing. It was business, clearly, and the man obviously hadn't addressed a member of royalty active in the military branch.

"Your Highness, I'm here to deliver a letter on orders of Captain Tristan Leodegrance," the soldier informed her, voice slightly shaky, "I apologize for interrupting you during your personal time, but as the Captain hasn't been in for days, his attendant said it was probably important."

The man stood nervously for a few seconds more, trying to think of a proper way to explain an awkward situation.

"A letter was left on his desk, with instructions to deliver it to you immediately. It was signed in his hand, undoubtedly," he stated.

[miyukiasani]

Miyuki had caught kuro's scowl. "Kuro, don't do that; I'm sure they researched my family- but I would have told both of you about my family. However, it probably would be better if you two saw it in black and white."

When kuro started talking about their wedding, she added, "Yes, with the future empresses wedding, and the fighting, it would be too much at once."

Standing, miyuki faced ayame and Sylvana, and was about to say something, when a solider came in, with a note. Being it wasn't her business, miyuki went up to ayame, and motioned that she wanted to say something.

"Ayame, when you and your sister get a chance, I would like to speak with the two of you alone- no one else- not even kuro. Since I am to be in this family, I should get along with the other members. I also would like to apologize to you and your sister, for getting off on the wrong foot."

[Sylvana Li Britannia]

While Sylvana might not have quite as colorful language for it, she certainly shared her younger sister’s opinion of the conclusion they had both come to: Kuro was engaged to the concubine. The prince himself had confirmed Ayame’s question far too cheerily for Sylvana’s liking. Sylvana didn’t like it. She didn’t like it one bit, and what bothered her more was the Kuro seemed to find absolutely nothing wrong with it. Her current disdain for his choice of mate aside, Kuro was 19, barely an adult. Besides that, Sylvana questioned how long he’d actually known the girl for. If his rate from his introduction of her to the family to his engagement was any indication, it couldn’t have been for very long.

Now, Vana would be being hypocritical to say that it wasn’t possible. After all, she had wrapped herself in so many fantasies of true love as a child and teenager. There came a time, however, that the fairy tale princess realized that the stories she adored so much were simply that: stories, fiction, false realities. As an adult, Vana had learned to put such childish dreams aside, but she never abandoned them entirely, and as a princess, she had learned that her own desire must be sacrificed for the sake of the family’s image. It was that lesson that Kuro seemed to be lacking.

While this girl wasn’t the worst of choices, she also wasn’t the best. There were higher ranked military officers, and far more important nobles with single daughters. This girl may be above average to most, but she was well below par for the wife of a prince. True, Euric’s marriage would be more important and Alastair’s more important still, but that didn’t make Kuro’s unimportant. As long as he was bound to his family, he was bound to representing them well. Already this girl was doing harm. If Kuro did nothing else well, he was in full control of his emotions. He knew how to act like a proper prince, not a spoiled brat… or at least he used to. In the two days that Sylvana had seen the pair of them together, Kuro had been openly rude and angry with guests and siblings in both expression and tone. Sylvana did not consider this a good thing.

“And for the record, I don’t care what anyone has to say. This is my choice. I chose to ask Miyuki; I want her at my side.”

“This is not just your choice, Kuro. The woman you take to be your wife reflects on the family as much as it reflects on you. This girl is not a suitable choice for a prince. Do you know how it will look? Do you have any idea? It will look like a marriage of necessity. At best people will think that the girl is already with child, and you’re marrying her to cover the scandal.” Sylvana didn’t know if Kuro was simply being naïve in thinking the world would accept them, or if he simply didn’t want to believe it. The pure bloods were looking for any reason to discredit the royal family and seize power for themselves, and Kuro was going to give them a big reason: the family was diluting its blood, they were as corrupt as anyone, the list could be endless. And the people loved scandal. It made the best story.

“Vana, cool it. This is a pool party. No need to be formal. That’s what I told her and you should relax about it.” Blue eyes slowly narrowed. No one called her that! No one. She was ‘Sylvie’ to family or just Sylvana. No one called her ‘Vana.’ That name was only for… “I don’t see why you seem so unhappy when you’re around her.”

Sylvana shook off her anger at his use of her name. It wasn’t as important right now. Kuro had at the very least confirmed another of her own assumptions. The girl’s informality wasn’t entirely her own fault. Clearly he had expressed to her that such behavior was acceptable. He was, however, sorely mistaken. It was one thing for her to be informal with him; it was another matter entirely to be so informal with his family. The fact that they were royalty aside, it was customary in many cultures for one (especially a girl) to be more polite when meeting someone’s family. If they then encouraged her to speak casually with them, then, and only then, informality was appropriate. For a young girl, even a noble who happened to be the prince’s consort, to presume that she could be so informal with members of the royal family was inconceivable to Sylvana. As far as she was concerned, this girl should be thankful that Sylvana had been playing a princess when they had first met. Otherwise, she would have received more than just the cold shoulder.

“There is every need to be formal. Whether she is your consort or not, she would do well to have some manners and show respect where it is due. You might have given her permission to be casual with you, but I have given no such permission, so at the very least I expect a proper title to be attached to my name. I will not be addressed like a friend of hers.” And Sylvana did mean at the very least. Even the most arrogant of soldiers and nobles still addressed her as ‘Princess’ or ‘Highness.’ Ideally, there would be a proper bow or curtsey as well, but that was on some level an acceptable sign of dislike or irritation. To drop a title would easily warrant a reprimand.

“Yes, with the Empress’ wedding…” Well, there was one title. “And the fighting, it would be too much at once.” At least the pair of them had no disillusions of being married soon or mooching off of Alastair’s wedding. If Sylvana was angry now, she would have been furious if that had been their intention. As the girl stood to face her and Ayame, Sylvana’s eyes narrowed, daring her to open her mouth and say something stupid again. Fortunately for the girl, she didn’t get the chance.

“Your Highness…” Sylvana’s eyes closed. Of course. Of course, someone had to come looking for her when she was dressed like this. Why wouldn’t someone need her? After all, her day had been going splendidly so far, why wouldn’t the fun just continue? “I’m here to deliver a letter on orders of Captain Tristan Leodegrance.” While Sylvana hated to appear as anything less than professional in front of soldiers, all her concerns about propriety fled at the mention of the missing captain. Her eyes flew open again and she whirled to face the soldier, immediately giving him her full attention. “I apologize for interrupting you during your personal time, but as the Captain hasn’t been in for days, his attendant said it was probably important.”

Sylvana would have waved off the concern had she thought to do so. As the soldier fell quiet her mind started turning. She didn’t know what the chances were of this being a ploy by Anderson. She wouldn’t put it past the man, especially since he knew he was winning. He could simply be toying with her. Some rational part of her mind cautioned her. The timing of the letter was so sudden. No word or success on Sylvana’s part for so long and now a letter arrives? Her rationality cautioned, but the guilt, worry, fear, everything Vana had been fighting since she’d found his hospital room empty that morning was overriding her rational mind. Vana needed to know something! Anything! Even if it wasn’t good news, she needed something.

“A letter was left on his desk, with instructions to deliver it to you immediately. It was signed in his hand, undoubtedly.”

That statement alone, gave Vana hope. Tristan was alive. (Or had been when he wrote it.) He was well. (Maybe not anymore.) He had to be; he’d written it. (How good is Anderson at forgery? Does this man work for the good doctor?) Vana mentally shook off her fear and doubt. Those concerns had done her no favors in her search for where Anderson had taken the captain in the first place. Sylvana could use a bit of hope right now, and some news, even bad news, was better than not knowing. And if they were sure it was his hand… “Let me see it.” It was an order, and the commander in her kept all Vana’s fears, hopes, doubts at bay.

[bradums]

The soldier obeyed with a bow of his head, handing over the envelope to Sylvana. It was, for anyone who knew anyway, the same type of envelope and letter paper used in the military offices. There was no writing on the exterior of the envelope and the only thing written on the letter read:

"Don't look for me. I'll see you soon enough."

It was definitely in Tristan's handwriting. While the format and wording of the letter was enigmatic, it was pretty straightforward. The Captain didn't want Sylvana digging into his disappearance for whatever reason. Whether it was to keep her from endangering herself or for some personal motivation, it was clear that - whether she was or not - Tristan wanted to ensure that she knew not to look for him.

[Ayame Li Britannia]

‘Why me? What did I do wrong? Where did I screw up in my past life to deserve such torture?’ Ayame thought miserably to herself as she still stared at the sky, not really noticing that she was staring directly into the sun until a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
“yes your right Ayame I asked miyuki to marry me…” Ayame blinked, groaning loudly both at her brother’s statement as well as the effects of staring at the sun for the past few seconds finally kicked in.
“…..Ow.” She rubbed her eyes, trying to get them from seeing funky colored spots. Hey, funky colored spots were only snazzy on clothing. Or on the guards’ sleeping faces. Heh, yeah those were the snazziest….
“…but we have chosen on to hold the wedding till after the fighting has died down.” Ayame’s ears twitched slightly. What was this she was hearing? Was it possible…was Kuro pulling a Saint and actually going to spare her from the clutches of Sensei!? Ayame lifted her head slowly up from her hands, blinking blearily over at her elder brother. And snorted. Loudly. Please Did the man not know who sensei was? Had he forgotten what a conniving, manipulative, and extremely influential person she was? If Sensei wanted something to be done, it got done. No matter who it was, may it be Emperor or servant, no one dared to oppose sensei. That is, granted they fancied their current lifestyle. Ayame gave Kuro a weak smile. Yeah. Madame Poofy would have her way.

But maybe…maybe Kuro could worm you out of this. Ah. little Miss Save Your Ass Via Self Comforting Words was talking. After all, he is a Prince…and this is his wedding we’re talking about….Sensei can only go against the Imperial Family oh-so much. Besides, do you really think Alastair-niisama and Arella-neesan would stand for it? The attention having to be shared? Think about it…’ Damn she was good.

Ayame bit her lip in thought. ‘Well…if y’think of it that way…I suppose there is a slight chance there won’t be a double wedding…’ Ayame nodded to herself. Yosh. No need to be Miss Freaking Out. There would be no double wedding, simple as that. Ayame’s eyes flashed over to Kuro.

…but there would still be a wedding. Personally, Ayame found anything revolving around the idea of romance to be nauseating. Unless it was family love, or say, a love for Pocky. Those were different. When she said that the word ‘love’ made her gag., she meant the whole ‘starry-eyed-sparkles-everywhere-Romeo-and-Juliet-this-is-so-fucking-cliched-someone-grab-me-a-barf-bag-NOW-kind of love. The one that usually resulted in the five finger elbow jab. That kind of love. So hearing that, yet another, of her precious siblings were going off to the dark side and getting (insert gagging sounds here) married, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Ayame was dead against it. To her, her darling Kuro-niisama was writing off his death will. And so young! The man was barely two years older than she was, and here he was about to be tied down to some redheaded noble.

That was another iffy subject. Now, Ayame was not one who cared about rank. Frankly, she wouldn’t give two pieces of a monkey’s ass if she was told tomorrow that she was stripped of her title and would have to live in the slums (quite contrary, she would most likely do a victory dance). But that was Ayame. That was not how the rest of the family worked. The rest of the Imperial Family consisted of extremely prideful individuals. Ayame was pretty sure that the idea of the Fourth Prince suddenly getting married to a noble such as Miyuki would hardly tickle them. It wasn’t that the girl was some peasant, no. The girl had her status up on the scale. But…she wasn’t up there. There were those who were above her (as well as below) and odds were her siblings would rather see Kuro wed one of them. It was sad, kinda annoying, and somewhat old-fashioned, but that was way the Imperial Family worked. The Royals had built themselves a tradition to be looked up to. Even Ayame knew better than to tamper with Pride.

“…and for the record I don't care what anyone has to say this is my choice I chose to ask Miyuki I want her at my side.” Ayame made a somewhat groaning sound in the back of her throat. And here it comes: the ‘I’m a big boy now and can make my own decisions.’ speech. A hand went to her temples and began to massage it, trying to shove back the twang that was coming. Ugh…and this would only be the start. Soon, word would get out beyond Sylvana and she, and the others would find out…and then…it would begin. The Drama. Ayame groaned at the thought. She hated drama. Reminded her of them soap operas Sensei liked to watch. Always so…dramatic, for lack of a better word. There would be the screaming, the pouting, the cold shoulder, the tears, and then finally…the splitting up of the family. Divided between those who took Kuro’s side and those who did not.

Ayame blinked slowly to herself twice. Wait…would her family really split up? Fear began to bubble inside her. While Ayame constantly put on a ‘I don’t give a crap about being a royal’, she was extremely attached to her family. The thought of her siblings fighting amongst themselves…was depressing.

Ayame was never depressed. Not since Mama died, at least. Golden eyes turned towards her elder sister. Yea. She could tell which side Sylvana was going to take. “This is not just your choice, Kuro. The woman you take to be your wife reflects on the family as much as it reflects on you. This girl is not a suitable choice for a prince. Do you know how it will look? Do you have any idea? It will look like a marriage of necessity. At best people will think that the girl is already with child, and you’re marrying her to cover the scandal.” Yup. She was right. So not taking the ‘let’s all hold hands and prance down the aisle’ side.
“Vana, cool it. This is a pool party. No need to be formal. That’s what I told her and you should relax about it.” Ayame’s eyes widened. Oh, he did not. He did not just call her ‘Vana.’ “I don’t see why you seem so unhappy when you’re around her.” Ayame clonked her head into Pon-Pon’s. You had to be joking. Did he seriously not know why Sylvana bared a remarkable resemblance to that of a fuming dragon whenever the subject of Miyuki was raised? Did he not know that this was Sylvana he was talking to? The First Princess, as well as the Commander of the Army, whose life was built and ran by Pride and Propriety?
“There is every need to be formal. Whether she is your consort or not, she would do well to have some manners and show respect where it is due. You might have given her permission to be casual with you, but I have given no such permission, so at the very least I expect a proper title to be attached to my name. I will not be addressed like a friend of hers.”

Ayame glanced between her two siblings and let out a heavy sigh before plastering a cheery smile on her face. Just because she was upset didn’t mean she would show it. Besides, someone had to be the lax one. “Oy, Oy…no need to make it sound worse than it is. Besides, it’s not like they’ve slept together or anything! Ne, Kuro-niisama?” Of course they wouldn’t do something as scandalous (and frankly, quite stupid) as have premarital sex! Kuro was a smart dude and this Miyuki-chick was a noble. She was well aware how easy it was to look like scum in the eyes of the Elders. Ayame’s smile faded down to a half smile. Mostly, her face was one of worry. “Oy…Kuro-niisama…you’re sure this is wise? I mean, I’m not one to talk about thinking before leaping and all, but seriously! This…this is freaking marriage you’re talking about! It’s one thing to introduce Mi-I mean, Asani-san to the family, but to go as far…as to announce her as your fiancé? Dude…you haven’t known her that long either, haven’t you? And don’t go telling me it’s some ‘love at first sight’ crap, or I swear I will puke up whatever I ate for breakfast.” she said, holding up her finger in that ‘ah ah ah~ I know what you want to say. Can it.’ kind of way. She sighed again, a tired smile gracing her face. “Dontcha think it’d be best to just stop for a sec and thi-

“Your Highness…” Ayame closed her mouth as a solider made his presence known. Instead a growl emitted from her voice box. Today was supposed to be Sylvie’s day to chillax! Why else did the birdbrains back home think Ayame had Sensei and her army nab the First Princess?! She clicked her tongue in annoyance. Bakas…

A flash caught the corner of Ayame’s eye and she turned her head to see Miyuki beckon her over. An eyebrow arched. Eh? Little fiancé wants to talk to her in private? Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. This could be one of two convos: either a) the whole lashing out/you were a bitch to me gar speech, or the b) I am in this family now, suck it up biznitch! speech. Ayame blinked dully. Fun~

"Ayame, when you and your sister get a chance, I would like to speak with the two of you alone- no one else- not even kuro. ..” Ayame bit her tongue to prevent her from retoring. ‘My sister has a name, ya dimwit…’ And what was this, wanting to have a little chitchat? And , oh le gasp~ Darling Kuro’s not invited! Tis a secret one, no? Ooo how exciting~ Ayame mentally slapped herself. Oy. Quit being bitchy before dinner.
“A chat, huh…” Ayame mused, glancing over at Sylvana. She mentally cringed. Yea. She could see that going down well.
“Since I am to be in this family, I should get along with the other members. I also would like to apologize to you and your sister, for getting off on the wrong foot." The eyebrow arched again. Aha. So it was possibility numero duo, huh? The ‘I am in this family now, suck it up’ speech. Ayame smirked to herself. She was getting too good at the guessing game. Wasn’t as much fun anymore.

Turning to Miyuki, Ayame kept her face neutral. “First off, don’t go thinking that just because you got a shiny rock on your finger you’re suddenly one of us. Not everyone in the family is gonna fly for that.” a crooked smirk formed on her face as she glanced again at her sister. “I think you’ve already had a taste of what I mean. Secondly, you might wanna rephrase that sentence that you said to me…the whole ‘I should get along with everyone’ one…you make it seem like it’s some obligation, a chore if you will. Sounds hardly like you have any interest in getting along.” She shrugged and took a sip of her water. “That’s another thing you might get bitten for, just a warning. As for your apology…” Ayame placed her glass down and her eyes turned hard, her expression dead serious. “I don’t appreciate people spreading rumors about me. I don’t know what you told Kuro-niisama but from what I gather, it was complete bullshit. I know I’m known to have an odd personality and all, but I was so not my normal self that night. I played the role of a perfect princess so perfectly I swear, I just about died.” She folded her arms over her chest. “If I had somehow offended you, then you should have come directly to me to talk about it. There was no reason to bring Kuro-niisama into all of this and use him as a mediator. It was a cowardly and, frankly low, move on your part. I expected more from my rival. “ Ayame sighed heavily. Gah…she hated these kind of moments. The moments when she played the role of a bitch. But hey…what must be must be done…besides, it was in her blood. She could be a natural at the art of Bitchiness if she had to. “Anywhose, I-

“A letter was left on his desk, with instructions to deliver it to you immediately. It was signed in his hand, undoubtedly.” Ayame’s mouth shut quickly and her neck snapped so quickly that she was certain she gave herself a whiplash. ‘Letter?’ ‘His?’ ‘Deliver immediately?’ Ayame stood up quickly, her eyes wide as her body began to shake.
“...Wounded-san?” He was talking about her Wounded-san, wasn’t he?! Who else could it be?

This meant…this meant that he was alive! And well, at least well enough to write a letter! After god knows how long of searching…finally word of him! Ayame’s mouth twitched as she struggled with her emotions. Part of her wanted to cheer, the other part wanted to break down into tears. So she went for option 3.

Running over to the solider, she grabbed him by the collar and shook him roughly, her mouth twitching as she smiled, but tears falling down from her face. “He’s alive, isn’t he!? Wounded-san! He’s alive, no?” Letting go, Ayame turned to Sylvana, her cheeks tainted red from her excitement and wet with her tears of relief. “He’s alive…” She whispered before launching herself onto her sister, sobbing fully as all the stress that had accumulated both that day as well as from weeks upon weeks of searching finally let out.

“He’s alive...”