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He nodded gently, still unable to look the man in the face. "I'll be sure to tell him, Mr. Tsume." and bobbed his head up and down again. "Take your time, Mr. Tsume, there is no rush." and Kashi still didn't want to be around him, so he quickly turned and departed. He was silent, turning into the servants hallway before Ipo quickly caught him by surprise.
"Brother!" was his cheerful call, clinging to him. "Where's Fido? He should be with you. Did he escape?" and frowned at his brother suspiciously,
"O-Oh, no. I cried too much and I have to change the bandages." he said softly, opening their bedroom door and going to the dresser. "They'll stick if I don't change them."
"You're lucky, I only have to change mine when they're dirty. can I stick my finger in it?"
"No you may not." The vanity mirror was non-existent over the dresser, soft-spoken hare closing his eyes and unwinding the bandages, opening a cream before hesitating. he opened his eyes, left one gone leaving nothing but an empty hole. He started to apply it, Ipo speaking in the most sardonic of tones.
"Does it feel good, Kashi?"
The other turned to glare at the smiling face, taking a small handkerchief and cleaning it out. "It's needed." and quickly re-bandanged his face. "Don't you have chores, Ipo?"
"Call me brother," he whined. "We are brothers after all. But I guess I do have chores. How lame. It was so relaxing in Falia. I lived like a king."
"That would explain the small pudge in your stomach." and walked out as Ipo quickly analyzed himself for said fat.

Where were the triplets, however? The playroom Kashi had so carefully cleaned the day before was in ruins, so to speak. Toys removed from their spots, scattered around in what could be called piles showing where they previously played. Annabelle and Martha were both showing things to Nix, but Emily stayed in her chair, reading her books and waiting for her turn. It was always easier to wait until they tired out.
"Dress-up is normally only played with those clothes." Annabelle said as Nix found her trunk. "Those aren't everyday clothes."
"Dress up is boring unless you're into frills and fake jewelry."
"It's all real, brother got it from the jeweler in the city, albeit a cheap on." Annabelle wore them all the time pretending to be a queen. Martha was normally the knight and Emily, well Emily was recently always gone to hang out with Justin, or he was dragged up to read and play.

"An illness?" Alvaro asked, concern lining his voice. He doubted it was an illness though. "That must be a terrible stomach flu. Lewis, we should go find the physician in the castle and tell him a bug might be going around." and tapped his lovers nose, smiling down at him before looking back up to Leo. "Yes, he did look tired. Lewis we can't have him becoming a workaholic like me, might need to send in a distraction. How was Falia by the way? I had hoped to hear it over breakfast but i never did." he pouted before looking at Leo hopefully. "After all you're the prince there, how was it? Was it as happy as you expected?" and looked like a happy puppy, focusing on Leo. Might as well cheer the other up with a few good memories, right?

All the girls except Emily had looked up, the quiet triplet only glancing his way before returning to her book. "Good morning Mr. Tsume.' she greeted softly, flipping the page of her encyclopedia. She was reading about wolves.
Martha ("Mornin!") and Annabelle ("Good morning to you too!") looked up at him when he entered before their gazes moved upon the mess that was made. It was a little out of hand, but nothing a servant couldn't clean. They could clean it as well, but they were going to play with it later.
"I've never been anywhere close to a forest. The closest is the gardens or brother's alcove." Annabelle said.
""It's hard to climb pines, they're branches are so thin." Martha said. "Your clothes are good for climbing, trust me." and then she looked at Tsume. "We're cleaning it later, dog-boy!" she said, pointing at him. This was her chance to prove she was a boy. "Plus cleaning is a girl's job. I'm not a girl."
"Brother won't let us bathe with him because we're girls." Emily reminded her sister.
Martha frowned at her before pointing to Annabelle. "You clean this up! Most of these toys are yours! I want to see him transform and you won't take that away from me!"
"No." THe girl said simply, pointing her nose in the air.
"You wanted to show brother you've improved on your ability, remember?" Emily said, flipping another page. "Practice makes perfect."
Annabelle frowned before turning and focusing on the mess. The girl hardly blinked before the things lifted from the floor slowly.
"If you want to know ask Emily." Martha said, putting down the visor of her toy helmet and laying on the floor.

"If you want. Though I'd rather you stay here and keep me warm." he said, hugging the other closer and kissing his cheek back. "I should probably be a father to Elliot like you said. I tried and he hardly spoke a word to anyone. But if it's not contagious I wonder what's the matter." And he listened carefully as Leo spoke. It seemed his leaving had caused many problems in Falia, but he was happy to be back. Plus Elliot had been happy in Falia, so something must have happened on the way back. "Of course! Tell me more, what did you guys do in Falia? Was there a party when you arrived? What about when you left? Tell me the culture!"

"of course I'm a boy." She huffed, surprised to be picked up. Only her brother was this rough with her! She glared a glare very similar to her brother's as he spoke, practically scolding her. "maybe in Falia they work hard, only the common men work hard. I'm not common, I'm a prince. I don't need to do anything." And then she wa sdropped to the ground, which surprised her more. This man was mean! He wasn't cool at all! She pointed again, speaking in Ipo's voice. "Fido!"

"Brother's going to get mad at you again if he hears you talking like that." Emily said softly, closing her book and deciding to help with the mess since Martha was unable to. She watched Nix run around hitting things not baskets before doing the same, some were even starting to move on their own thanks to Annabelle's concentration. Emily was soon giggling by the end of it, everything clean and where it should be.

"He'll be very disappointed." Kashi said as he walked in. "Martha you should apologize, we discussed this two days ago." but she sat there, glaring at them both and not saying a word. "I've brought some tea." and walked inside, placing it on a small table, quickly pouring cups for everyone. "Miss Nix, Mr. Tsume, how do you like your tea?" He knew how the girls liked theirs.

Alvaro listened, nodding and adding his two cents when needed before organizing the miniature timeline in his mind. Everything was fine on the way there, during their stay, but on the way back when they hit Loslith, something went very, terribly wrong. What could have gone so wrong? They were such good friends to the point where Leo was calling his son by his name. What had happened? "Well, that sounded absolutely lovely, didn't it Lewis?" and chuckled. "Well you're free to go now if you'd like, but if you really want to, could you deliver Elliot his lantern? Or at least place it in his room. if you don't want to Lewis and I can deliver it. I want to see my son's beautiful face. Though he's probably doing paperwork. Really Lewis, what have we done to him?"

"Well I'm not going to be king!" She shouted back angrily. "I'm going to join the knights of Nalenyr and be captain!" a small smack on her head made her turn and look up at Kashi.
"Silence yourself. You are hardly helping your argument." and handed her a teacup before, Annabelle and Emily having theirs already. "You have your brother's and father's temper, you need to calm it, Martha. Here you are Mr. Tsume." and handed the man his tea, pausing to take note of how awkward it looked. This scary wolf holding a floral teacup, it made him look less scary. Turning back to the platter he was going to ask Nix how she liked her tea but the small hand slipped into his and he looked down at her curiously. "I'm flattered he would speak so much about me." was the gentle reply, soon tensing at the hug, doing his best not to squirm away. He didn't know her, why was she hugging him? "Y-Yes,' he said smiling. "I hope th-that we can become friends as-as well." Please let go, he didn't know her well enough to accept a hug. But she was a child, did they need to know you?

"Thank you." the king said happily. "I'm sure you seeing your best friend will ease your mind from the sickness. I shall see you at the party as well!" and turned to Lewis as he spoke. "I have not," he said, pretending to feign innocence (because he had done exactly that) "I am merely teaching him the responsibilities of doing every thing on time. I'm the bad example!" and kissed the prime minister before he could say anything else.

Elliot had books on his study desk and lap, paperwork awkwardly being done on whatever clear space he had on the desk. Note-taking and reviewing laws, had he missed this? No, not at all, but it was needed and it distracted his mind greatly. For once in his life he enjoyed all the words he was reading and didn't hear the knock at the door. He shifted, writing something else onto a piece of paper before flipping the page. Then the smallest of voices spoke up and he flinched, hand knocking over the nearby inkwell. "No no no no!" he exclaimed, grabbing his papers and freezing the ink and papers before the black liquid could fall onto the rug. He looked at Leo, giving a weak smile before eyes falling on the lantern, it was deep blue. Funny, he could never hide anything from his mother. Even if the lights in the library were white, the lantern wasn't. "I'll," he placed the sheets of ice on he desk, wiping his ink covered hands on his clothes before grabbing clean pieces of paper. "I'll take it." and took it gently from the other, the paper protecting it from the black smudges on the skin underneath. "Thank you Le-Li... Thank you." What did he call the other? He didn't want to call him Lily, but would he appreciate Elliot calling him by his true name? He stood there silently and awkwardly, looking at the other's downcast gaze, biting the inside of his cheek before speaking again. "And thank you for wearing the earrings. They do look lovely on you." Should he dismiss the other now? Leo didn't want to be around him, and Elliot was probably out of place for complimenting him in a way that hinted at some sort of intimacy. He almost wished Leo had stayed back in Falia.

Kashi's smile weakened as she pointed out his similarities to Ipo, "Well we are brothers, it's only natural for us to share similarities." he explained with a nod, standing by the door frame as everyone had their tea. "Oh, oh no it's fine. You may do as you please." It seemed Nix had become Ipo's friend as well, he always got to everyone first. He stood silently as everyone continued, looking at Martha who had suddenly taken residence on the floor beside him. "Still pointing, Princess?"
"Hmpf."
"Of course."

Emily looked at Nix from her book, blushing. "Well, well I wouldn't say speak to them, no, I guess I do speak to them." She murmured, embarrassed by the sudden attention. "Yes, I noticed the effect she had onto the cubs, it was incredibly interesting to know there were other ways to communicate with them. But yes, I guess I talk to them. I'm not very good at it yet, I can only communicate with the younger ones. The older ones just sort of scoff at me." she explained.

"That's a wonderful idea!" He exclaimed, standing. "Leo can be Elliot's assistant! Oh you are incredibly smart, my dear." and kissed him again. "Let us go tell them the wonderful news!"

Elliot smiled a little brighter as he was called by his name. Maybe, maybe Leo didn't hate him? It was a hopeful thought The lantern was brought to the desk, Elliot quickly cleaning some of it off before resting the heirloom onto it. "There we go. I'm home, mother." he murmured, moving the ice and ink back into the inkwell best he could, the papers were ruined. He tossed them into the paper bin, sighing. There went his notes, soaked and black and crumpled. It was time to start from scratch. Turning to sit his hand was taken, making him bush, lantern taking a deep pink while his own cheeks barely changed colors. Damn that lantern. Leo wanted to stay in his company? He nodded, trying not to seem to eager. "You may, I welcome it. You may stay here as long as it pleases you." he was going to kiss the other's hand but decided against it, looking at Leo. "So we are still friends, at the very least? Please understand I do not hate you, I would love to remain your friend, Leo." the name was murmured quietly. "I probably should have said that back in Loslith, please forgive me, I'm slow. Father claims he dropped me as a child."

Kashi sighed, knowing he had to leave and stood nervously. He had chores, where was Ipo? Oh right, doing his chores. Why had they traded these chores? Kashi was so much better at cleaning then he was care taking, that required social skills he didn't have. He glanced over at Tsume who was staring at him intently, making him pause in fright. No, no Kashi did not taste well with carrots or potatoes! "Y-Yes Mr. Tsume?" He questioned, ready to grab... something... if he decided to attack.

"That's what I thought as well." Emily admitted. "I'm too young to be listened to. I've been practicing every day with the cubs I've found, and they listen. They haven't been mean to me or disobeyed me yet, so that's always good." she said with a small laugh, sipping her own tea as well before shaking her head. "I don't mind at all. I memorize things easily, though whether that's an ability or just the gods' gift is unknown." and smiled before Annabelle popped between them, not used to being ignored so easily.

"enough of this, lets go see the cubs. Wanna go see Emily's cubs?"

"Lewis!" he exclaimed, falling back into bed, Lewis sprawling over him like a well-fed kitten. "Ah, well I can hope sometimes." and kissed him back as his skin was exposed to the air of the room. "Let's try to make this one quick," an impossible task "We have work to do." it wasn't going to get done.

"Stop crying!" he said with a laugh, releasing his nerves. "Oh that is all I make you do. Come here." And used his sleeve like he always did, making sure it was ink-free before wiping away the tears. What surprised him was the sudden hug along with how quick he hugged back, pressing the other tightly to him. He couldn't cry, Leo was already doing that, but it didn't stop his eyes from watering. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. You are very welcome but I'm so sorry." and stroked his hair before holding him again. They were friends, they were friends and right now that's all Elliot needed. "Thank you for not hating me. Oh I thought you did. I'm so sorry."

"Oh, this isn't normally what I do." he explained. "I'm cleaning, washing, decorating, that sort of thing. I've never been a caretaker. This is normally Ipo's specialty." he explained softly. "Not that I mind, but I've never been this close toward the princesses except for the month him and the prince were gone. They had a nanny, but their nasty teasing drove her off and I was put in their care."

Emily smiled. "You share the gift with Justin too, in a sense. You'd love to meet him. He must be getting ready, though he promised to at least say hi before the party started, which will begin toward the evening." she explained. "Guards will be escorting them home, but if they're too tired they are more then welcomed to sleep here." She explained.

"You'll be attending the party to, right?" Annabelle asked. "Yes! Tsume's shift!" Annabelle ran toward Tsume, clinging to his clothes and looking up with bright brown eyes. "Show us show us!"

Martha huffed. "Didn't want to see it anyway." and put her toy helmet back on and turned her back to them, grabbing her toy soldiers. I'll reenact the battle of Frost Breath."

Alvaro pretended to think, not at all stopping Lewis's hands. "I suppose we have time. Elliot will live." and took his lovers mouth again.

"It wasn't your fault at all. It was mine, I didn't communicate properly." And closed his eyes as they were kissed, making him smile. "I did not mean for you to think I hated you either or wanted you around me." and rested his head against the other's, smiling at him. He wanted to kiss him, the Falian was so close. To be nothing more then friends was painful. Do you know how much I love you? Instead he leaned up and kissed his forehead. "Don't ever leave my side, we are friends now, Leo. Regardless of what other people say or think, don't ever leave me." and finally kissed his hands. "Please sleep with me tonight. I did not want to go to an empty bed so I worked all night." he said, thought that must have been known already.

"Oh it's really no problem. I've grown on them as they've grown on me. Though they were confused at first for a while, apparently Ipo gave them quite a lot of leeway as their caretaker." and sighed. "Honestly I do not understand him at all sometimes." But the time for Mr. Tsume to shift came and Kashi pressed himself against the wall, not caring if he was still the same. Fearing any species of wolf was in his blood, it was how he was raised in Kasp. Wolves were predators and hares were they prey.

Annabelle gave a squeal of excitement, watching the transformation and looking up at Tsume. "You're so big! And fluffy, fluffy, fluffy!" she hugged him around his neck, burying her face in the fur.

"This doesn't make sense. You're taller then the average wolf." Emily said. "Why is that? Your muscles are in good condition though and you're rather proportionate."

Kashi was watching, pressing himself as flat against the wall as he possibly could until Nix pulled him outside. This child really was surprising, had she read his mind or guessed his fear? "I have never met another of my kind, so i am pleased to hear they are in Falia." he said softly, smiling. This child had a lot of faith in Mr. Tsume, so Kashi should, right? After all, he'd protected this child and yes... "Miss Lily is indeed kind." he muttered, looking away from the child, keeping a weak smile on his face. "It will take me time, but hopefully I shall trust him soon. Though if I may ask, what do you mean by people like myself and the prince? We are no different then others."

"I had hoped that was not the case. I thought your sister might comfort you in the slightest." he was wrong, apparently. "I apologize for your lack of sleep." and glanced up at Leo before standing. "But there is work, I am working on arranging meetings." There was little room for argument, Elliot finding himself being tugged toward the door. He couldn't deny him, the prince needed the sleep and he knew he would get none any time soon. "All right, but a short nap indeed." he responded. "No more then an hour," though his body so desperately craved more. He'd slept the last two nights without Leo, once when camping on their way here after Loslith and twice when they arrived. He was utterly exhausted. But Leo had to be just as exhausted. "I am thankful to have you."