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 Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:33 am
"Aiketh! Hi!" the words were, like Aiketh's for once silent enough to barely be heard between them, but they seemed to carry further anyway, and Aiketh was treated to a hug, if a quick one. It was the sort of hug you simply couldn't avoid, whoever you were.
"And, yes, you've got your report. I wrote it on the last leg here, but was interrupted a few times by stray youkai, so it might be a bit scrawly at times. If you can't read it, come see me, okay?" Kushina nodded, squeezing Aiketh's shoulder lightly before her eyes wandered out over the hall again and she caught sight of Neith coming closer. She smiled brightly, and also noticed the signs of the maids drawing together to get ready for the dinner.
"Oh, food. It was a while ago I had a decent meal," she grinned and winked at Neith, fully aware from the state of things that dinner shouldn't have been served for a bit yet, but that she was being indulged. On the other hand, she was really hungry, so she was just grateful, too.
Oh, my. In their shared mind, Empress grinned, while Liozu made another useless attempt at squirming free. Here was another lovely little thing, just like the Water Knight. But compared to that lizard, this one was all open... all open and vulnerable. Reining in the almost instinctive predatory grin that would have been too much at this point in the proceedings (non-existant as they were), he instead smiled softly and shook his head.
"No, that's all right. I love my food, but some obviously need to check their love of food, hm?" he laughed softly and, with a glance around the room, easily led Ana to the side door that led to a smaller corridor for servants, almost invisible in the wall. Where nobody had noticed Ana much before and she'd had to squeeze through, they could now walk easily.
"Here you go. Be careful, okay?" Leaning down, Liozu whispered the last into Ana's ear with a carefully gentle smile. A bit further, and it would have been too filthy for such a public and high-to-do setting. But now it just looked like an innocent advice being told.
Somewhere, fully ignored, Liozu was hurling insults.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:58 am
Ana was left blushing deeply, one hand resting still on the doorknob to the corridor. That was unexpected. Unexpected and unforseen and utterly frazzling.
Spacing out on the colorful mass of people, Ana was briefly reminded of her childhood sweetheart, a young boy a few months older than her, though still barely twelve years old. They had played together after school. He lived on an adjourning street to hers and they would slip away from their families during their free time and run down to the neighborhood park, hand in hand...
Suddenly aware of the tears that had sprung up in her eyes, Ana shook her head with a fierceness that didn't quite fit her personality and quickly opened the door, stepping into the comfort of its narrower confinment.
"Nieth wants the food served now," she annouced, her voice high and somewhat shaky (although this was normal when she was made to speak in front of an audiance, and was perfectly expected). "She wants us to bring it out now."
Ignoring the jumbled curses and sudden clatter of movement from the other girls, Ana steadied herself on the cool wall with one hand.
Perhaps... perhaps...? It seemed too good to be true. All too perfect and too out-of-the-blue. On the other hand, her mind sighed, wouldn't it be romantic? The sort of story you'd read about in books with titles like, The Rose Story or Court of Love?
Ana almost didn't notice as she was pushed to the side by impatient hands, hustling to get their carts of food through the narrow space. What Ana wanted more than anything was for the night to be over and to get back to her own little corner of the dormitory. She kept a sketchbook in her chest and she wanted to open now to a clean page before she forgot the shade of his clothing.
Nieth watched with smug satisfaction as the food was carried out and laid neatly on the tables. Lord Jett led Micoi from her throne to an equally beautiful one sharing the head of the thickest and most central table, and she followed, ready to take her place at the lady's side.
"How were your travels?" Nieth asked Kushina softly as they manuvered across the room. "Not too boring, I hope?"
Aiketh knew her seat already: two from the Dragon Lord's right, directly next to Illusia, with Liozu on her right. The familiarity gave her time to scan the room briefly, seeking out other members of the Dragon Clan.
The Black Dragon Officer noticed Liozu off to the side of the hall, speaking in hushed tones to one of the maids.
What on Dusis is he doing?
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:20 am
As Ana left, Liozu was hard pressed not to laugh out loud. Oh, yes. That had been a good choice. So sweet, so innocent... so utterly delicious to destroy. She would be beautiful.
Though, this would be much more comfortable, were I in my real body...
Don't you dare! How can you do that to her?! Liozu shook angrily, gritting his teeth. And he hadn't even seen the sweet little blush that had bloomed up the moment Ana had thought Liozu couldn't see.
Oh, but darling, this is a hobby of mine. It will be gloriously beautiful! Laughing, Empress turned outward and raised his head, a familiar, cheerful grin on his face. It would be much easier to play her stupid, irritated doll if she had something to amuse herself with. And she now had. Then he saw Aiketh, and while a quick frown fleetingly crossed his face, Liozu just smiled and shook his head, wandering over to his seat beside Aiketh.
"She had trouble getting across the hall without bumping into people," Liozu shrugged as he sat down.
Keeping up with Neith, Kushina laughed, now not bothering with keeping her voice low... even if that would have been the well-mannered thing to do.
"No, not at all. It's always facinating to visit the villages and towns the continent over. Listening to the officials' problems, however, not so much. I'd like to travel to Arinas again, though. It has it's charm! How've you been?" Kushina wasn't sure she would have time to get an answer before they had to take their places... wherever that was, for her (since she seldom kept her mind on such things, and had had less of a chance to do so now that she had just barged in on the party). But if that wa sso, she knew she could come over later and they'd continue their conversation.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:08 am
"Lady Micoi, are you alright? I saw you speaking to the ladies of the court?" He sighed. Did those eyes flash a deep red, suddenly? "I loathe them," His voice was barely audible, "They are nothing but lace and poison"
At that moment, the lanky Royal Seer took his seat, close to the head of the table. He spent a long minute sizing up the Lord and Lady, only a hair past impolite, but not quite rude.
"...Good evening to you, Madiir. It is rare to see the seat of the Royal Seer filled." Jett gave the human a smile, though it was a touch forced. Madiir was simply so...odd. He was certainly a gem, with his phenomonal ability for Second Sight, leagues past any human ability, and ranking almost with the Seers of his forefathers. If only he were less eccentric.
"I decided it would be...nice... to greet the new Dragon Queen. In her honor, I'm setting up a table later on, for fortune telling... with cards."
Jett had winced when Madiir mentioned his fortune-telling table, but it was almost imperceptible. The last time Madiir had decided to 'perform' for an audience, he had deemed the use of bird-entrails as his method of choice. While his fortunes had been accurate, the method was less than palatable. But Jett relaxed when Madiir mentioned the cards.
"My apologies, Lady Micoi, this is our Royal Seer, Madiir. Madiir, the Dragon Queen."
Madiir bared his teeth in a grin and nodded his head. "My pleasure, My Queen."
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:47 am
((Gaaah! *chews on Kami until her neck bleeds* Shame on you! You took my queen and seated her. >E *sigh* This must mean you didn't get my PM before you posted that, or? Because now I have just warned Karill... there's gonna be hell... >D Muahahaha!! *because now she has to create the scene she wanted on her own and then there's no telling what may happen...*))
Micoi snorted lightly, dismissing any concern, worry or sympathy he was going to give her. "They were nothing. I could put my Eyes in a bet and always come out on top, they don't seem capable of much, if anything, that is worth the while," she said as they seated.
Micoi had never really been bothered by people staring at her but those idiots had gotten her slightly irritated and that made her stare right back at Madiir, disregarding that even Kanak had once pointed out that it's not so nice or good to stare. What was there to stare at anyway? When Jett mentioned a title she understood who he was, since he didn't seem to be an officer or the like.
"... It's nice to meet you too," she said with a light tilt of her head to the left, away from the Dragon Lord, seeing as she was sitting on his right side. "And there's no need to tell any fortunes for my sake." She wasn't sure why they even needed to make things so big. Sure, they had finally found their Dragon Queen... but still, for one that had never been to anything half this size it seemed so... so... superfluous.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:18 pm
((I didn't get your message until this morning. ^^;;; I'd offer to change it but you already posted. ^^;;;;;;; ))
"You should talk to our new Dragon Queen," Nieth laughed, the sound rare coming from her. "She has plenty of stories to share about the lost continient and I'm sure she would be willing to do so with someone who has such an interest in the place. I've been fine, just as good as always," she continued rapidly as they neared the table. Oh, it was good to be able to relax a little like this! "Things have been hectic for the past few days, but that's to be expected. I'm looking forward to after the wedding. I'm sure it will be busy until then."
Aiketh nodded, accepting his excuse. Of course. There had been nothing strange about it, after all.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:54 pm
Smiling widely, Kushina nodded as she glanced at the table.
"I'll be sure to do so, Neith. THey've already decided a wedding date? Well, I suppose there would be no need to see whether they like each other or not. Dragon Eyes are Dragon Eyes," Kushina raised an eyebrow and frowned at the table, noticing the placement of the closest people.
"I'll come over sometime later, Neith, and we can talk more. For now, it seems I have to sit close enough to our Seer to be forced to deal with him. One of these days I'm going to hug him out of spite, the stubborn recluse," Kushina rolled her eyes and took the chance to study the Queen-to-be at this distance.
Something tells me she would be much more comfortable in less of a cupcake confection of a dress, she noted mentally, thoroughly amused.
Nodding distractedly at Aiketh, as Liozu, for the first time since she'd made herself at home in his body, was actually struggling... but a good slap and tightening of the threads was enough to subdue him. Liozu kept a cursory eye out for Ana, but there was no rush... there were hours and days where there was time to have a few... accidental meetings, and deepen their brief aquintance to a stage where the real fun could be had.
Oh, am I looking forward to this!
It simply was way too long, damn the Royal Line of the lizards to a frozen hell tended by Lord Nadil himself!, since she had had any fun at all...
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:09 pm
Celia took her seat rather a bit down from Baran on the table. She was kind of uncomfortable being all alone around so many important people...Most people counted a Knight among the important, but well....She didn't include herself in that list. Ever. She took a little breath, and let it out, thinking 'well....I guess I'm not really alone....Its hard to be alone in this crowd....And I have Yoko....around....somewhere,' she glanced around the room, realizing the bird had taken off somewhere quite a while ago, '...And Kahaku too......Though that might not be a good thing.....'
Yoko had decided early on in the party to try some of the strange, but pretty liquid everyone was drinking.....and thusly, fell into a wine flute. The little bird had drunkenly pulled himself out of the glass, and flopped onto the table, where he shook himself dry, and fluttered off into the rafters to sleep the sleep of the smashed.((Changing his post color for a good reason....Kinda. I'll change it back If I change my mind on the idea..))
Kahaku was, as usual, ignoring the world from the confines of Celia's sword.
'Calm down, you have nothing to worry about...You know how to act around these people. Be confident.' That woman with the cross on her forehead's voice echoed in Celia's head......Wait.
She could speak when Celia was awake now? Since when? Celia glanced around, to make sure it wasn't anyone in the room, and then let out a sigh once she was confident she had been the only one to hear it. Great, she was hearing a voice.
((P. 98, to know who I'm talking about.))
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Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:44 pm
Baran somehow found himself in a seat at the end of the long table, rather lost and confused as to how he had ended up there. The last thing he knew, he had been dancing with Celia... Mentally shrugging, he toyed with the knife at his place. Hopefully food would be served soon...
Nieth nodded at Kushina's words. "Yes, that would probably be best. Don't let that seer annoy you too much." Her eyes strayed back to the kitchen doors as her friend walked away. Things seemed to be taking a little longer than they should. Hopefully nothing was amiss. She didn't want to have to ruin her nice break by yelling at whoever was at fault.
Scurrying out just after the first couple girls through the door, Ana almost ran to her cart, snatching it by its handle and wheeling it quickly towards the head table. She would be serving the really important people their drinks tonight, and if she was late Nieth would flay her alive.
Swallowing nervously, she let her memory of the Knight fade to a plesant background hum... until she realized that he was one of th "really important people" she would be waiting on.
Blush leaping back to her cheeks, she tried to square her shoulders, but realized she didn't know how to do that, really. She had reached the table.
"W-would you like something to drink, your highness?'
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Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:49 pm
((Oops....Sorry about the super-fast transition there Kamikits....^.^* Everyone else was sitting down, and....again, not a lot of sleep lately. I think I ment to write the transition, but forgot.))
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Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:17 pm
"I'll do my best, and if I manage, I expect a reward!" smiling with a teasing light in her eyes, Kushina otherwise sounded fully serious. "But as it seems to be, I better get myself a seat," Kushina studied the table, contemplating barging down the table a bit and settle herself in the middle of a few eagerly quitely talking ladies, but reined herself in and sat down where she usually did; on Jett's left, which meant beside the new Queen-to-be. Heels striking the marble loudly, counterpointing the sorl filling the hall, Kushina smiled at the nervous maid serving drinks and sat down. She would be nice and wait to be introduced to the Queen, or something.
Liozu hadn't counted with seeing the pretty little maid until much later; but here she was, serving drinks right at this table. Not that he could actually do anything concpisious this publicly, but a few, small pushes and tugs here and there, and he ought to be able to continue his started effort of getting Ana closer into his... arms.
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Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 8:39 pm
((My brain keeps trying to make dirty comments on the whole AnaxLiozu/Dark Cesia Incarnate thing, but keeps getting confused. sweatdrop And no problem, Celia. I'd totally forgotten about them, actually, until then, so... >_>;;; ))
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:18 am
Kamikits ((My brain keeps trying to make dirty comments on the whole AnaxLiozu/Dark Cesia Incarnate thing, but keeps getting confused. sweatdrop And no problem, Celia. I'd totally forgotten about them, actually, until then, so... >_>;;; )) ((We all love dirty comments! >) ... *cough* Well, honestly, I can't say I'm not also considering all the dirty possibilities... biggrin But that's part of the fun, aye?))
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 7:44 am
Kamikits ((I didn't get your message until this morning. ^^;;; I'd offer to change it but you already posted. ^^;;;;;;; )) ((XD;; Yeah, I know. But as it turned out... you just gave me the ability to make it as bad as I want it to be. XD;; Now I can be as mean as I please! >D Muahaha! So, hugs to you, Kami, or something. XD; ))
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:13 am
Madiir licked thin lips and gave the soon-to-be Queen on last smile. "It's no problem, My Lady."
Jett's smile turned genuine when Kushina sat down. "Kushina, it's good to have you back. Lady Micoi, this is Blue Officer Kushina. Kushina, this is the Dragon Queen, Micoi."
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