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The Freds do their best to hide their uneasiness when they hear Rosalie speak so plainly of the war -- for they do know how to fight, in a way. Not the way that soldiers do, but Rajani began her mission with even less knowledge then they currently possess. Everywhere they turn, there's some pressure pushing them towards what seems to be inevitable, as if destiny is building Her case against them, and they never have been comfortable with things they cannot touch.

It does give them a start to hear Aelius snort, for they'd've thought that all of the Guardians would be of one mind; after all, they know precious few of the beasts, and Oberon seems hell bent on it. Unwanted and Ariana are not so determined, but they are both young yet, with little thought in their minds but how long it is until their next meal.

So it is a heartbeat before the pair of them recover, and this time it is Last who speaks up, licking his lips as he does so and gathering his courage about him like a cloak. "There's a little place a ways on, for the meal -- that's a surprise."

First takes up the thread, continuing, "The show's a new one, supposed to be bloody good. Based on Gully's Travels, that bloke who went off and found all them little people? Whole cast of tykes doing clever things, stuff as you wouldn't believe."

"We ready to set off, then?" Last tips his head at Rosalie, with a glance for the shop -- the twins are afire to be out of there now, away from the weapons and materials that will no doubt remind Rajani of her mission.

"We'll make a day of it," she promised the lady smith. Or at least as much time as the pair of them could spare. Something told her neither of them were going to be idle in the days to come. But that was for worrying about later. She had promised herself an unexpected reprieve, after all. All at the twins' expense, of course.

Rajani shot Last a displeased look. They knew how she felt about surprises. Though, considering that it was just a meal, it could not be anything too terrible or ridiculous. As for the entertainment, well, it was bound to be different. Of course, she never saw many shows, so who was she to say? Perhaps it was nothing out of the ordinary, though from the sound of it, it would be something sensational.

Hiding her amusement, she placed a steadying hand on Rosalie's arm. "Of course there's plenty of time for you to pretty yourself up," she said, and though she did not so much as glance at the men, there was a little note in her tone that dared them to say otherwise. She doubted Last much cared if Rosalie was covered in mud, but that was only because he did not know any better. Once the lady smith was all prettied up, not only would she feel better, but she would knock Last senseless. "Through here, is it?" she said, and disappeared with Rosalie.

The smith absolutely lights up as she's allowed to go and change, though she's certainly not sure about Raj helping. However, dresses are a pain, especially with corsets, and certainly the lovely Rajani knows a trick or two on how to really let her shine. She's quick to lead Raj up the stairs, into her quarters, and quickly shuts the door before the two think about it.

"I'll admit I don't have many dresses....Really just the one from the ball, and my other one....I really don't enjoy wearing them that much." She wrinkled her nose a little, going through her drawers as she pulled a rather simple one out. "I don't think this is worth the extravagance of the other one, so this one it is......"

With much help, it didn't take long at all. Dresses weren't the scourge of the smith when she had a friendly hand or two, and after a moment to let her hair down and comb it, the smith was more than happy to head back downstairs, as to not keep the men waiting.

As is so often the case, the twins stand shoulder to shoulder, leaning toward each other and whispering. In the moment before they noticed that they are under observation, they stand so close that it seems that a breath exhaled by one is then drawn in by the other, and by this closeness do they draw strength from each other. If Rosalie means to stake a claim upon Last, this sight could well serve as a warning: she will have to grow accustomed to First's presence in her life as well.

The pair of them lift their gazes after a moment, wearing initially the same vaguely guilty expression. It will be easy to tell them apart a second later, for Last goes red, staring -- and then flings himself on one knee in front of Rosalie, with an excess of dramatics. He clutches his heart with both hands as if it suddenly pains him, tossing his head theatrically back. "Stand back, b'fore your beauty strikes me down -- uh -- or, take my hand to, to restore life to my breathless lungs, which air were stolen by your loveliness!"

He beams, clearly reciting something from somewhere, perhaps some other play or show, and reaches out to her with one hand. He is as proud of himself as a puppy that has learned a new trick, and all the more glad to display this one before a larger audience then he originally intended.

Behind him, First nods slightly, as if glad his brother has said correctly the lines that they practiced so carefully. If anyone -- even Oberon -- notice him, he will flush and look away.

Rajani smirked, pleased with the fruits of her labor - for of course, she took full credit for Rosalie's present appearance, whether she was actually entitled to it or not. However, when the pair of them started spouting dramatic lines at each other, she snorted delicately. Clearly, they were a match for each other.

Indeed, Oberon was perhaps the only creature in the room to notice First's approval of the rehearsed line. However, as it pertained only to Rosalie and not to Rajani, he did not particularly care. Still, it was entertaining to cause the man discomfort.

Shaking her head slightly, the gypsy made her way to Oberon and rested her hand on his neck. "If the two of you are quite finished, shall we be on our way?"

While Last may have continued it, Rosalie was certainly not going to. She wasn't nearly as practiced in these vaguely romantic endeavors, though her mind is quickly taken off of the fact by her suitor standing up with her at his side. She glances over at Raj, flashing a rather excited smile. Perhaps she had been a bit much, especially at that snort Raj had made.

"It'll be fun, and we can slow down and enjoy the show then." It was a good compromise, she thought. On their way out however, Aelius huffed, sitting himself back down in his own comfortable corner. He wasn't going to join them, but if Last gave her even one word of trouble, there was no doubt he'd find a way out to make him pay.

Shuu, on the other hand, is most unamused by this game Unwanted has started, having taken with his lovely lady to a place out of reach from the guardian. Instead, it's more enjoyable for him to preen and coo at Unwelcome, though her feathers are already so beautiful.

First steps back to allow Rajani and her Guardian to pass -- there is a curious expression on his face for a moment, as if he is holding back some comment of his own, though it is unclear what it is he wishes he could say. Perhaps it is only something he wishes he could do, like escort Rajani out on his arm instead of trailing forlornly behind her.

Last will proceed as he is named: only once his brother has followed Oberon out, and ushering Rosalie before him. He gives a curious look to Aelius as he goes, surprised to find that there is one Guardian at least who does not insist on following his Chosen wherever he may go. He wonders if he ought to encourage Unwanted to spend time with the older buck: he can hardly get his lad to leave off long enough for him to take a piss.

Outside, Unwanted has his front hooves planted on the wall, standing on his back legs and stretching so far as he can reach to get to Shuu and Unwelcome. Even this increased height cannot quite give him what he desires; he can just barely snuffle her tail .. and that only when she sticks it out over the edge to taunt him. As the odd little group leaves the smith's shop, they will hear Unwelcome employ a near-perfect imitation of First's own bark of laughter, something that makes both of the twins flinch. It sounds so much like him as to be uncanny -- and First, still a bit pale under his freckles, knows better then to remark upon this. Instead he only groans at the whole tableau, waving his hand to beckon at his bird. "Dammit, Welly, stop riling him up!" His voice is not menacing, but rather affectionately resigned, and the rook fluffs up all her feathers at the sound of it. Quorking once, she nibbles at Shuu's nearest wingtip then glides down to settle on First's shoulder and give him a good scolding with the voice of a jay for thinking that he can tell her what to do.

His twin sib can only shake his head at this, patting Rosalie's hand, which he has possessively tucked into the crook of his arm as soon as they are outside. Now he will lead the way, guiding Rosalie along beside him down the street. "It's this way we're goin', com'on."

First's odd mood goes unnoticed by Rajani, and she ignores the way that the rooks seem intent on scolding him. If he is incapable of defending himself against a pair of birds, that's his problem. Hawthorn also ignores the lot of them, instead choosing to light on his mistress's shoulder. She strokes his breast absently and follows Last.

As for the lady smith, Raj is pleased that her prettification of the other woman was successful. She is also pleased that Last seems to be enjoying himself, though he is being as obnoxious about it as ever. What gives the gypsy reservations is the fact that she is not yet certain how serious either of them are. Well, she will watch them this night and judge for herself. Until then, she offers Rosalie no particular reaction.

Oberon, of course, is most intent on staying by his lady's side and keeping watch on First. Though the gypsy might not notice anything peculiar, the stag certainly does.