Arrived at last. ((Arolyn, Lee, sort of open (PM!)))

[Anonymous]

[*Cuddles* I hope she gets better.  Really.  Just... yeah.  My best thoughts and wishes.  Hope this is serving as something of a pleasant distraction.]

If Kisa ever thought the Kaleaster family above reproach, a few hours in court would speedily rectify that situation.  Especially in recent years, with an overwhelming number of rebels, oddities, and general non-conformers, the only thing that saved the family from being entirely ostracized was the same power that lent them the arrogance and pride to get them into all that trouble.  In a way, it made them beyond social punishment, perhapsâ€"but most definitely not reproof.  A delicate balance, but there all the same.

Meriel, meanwhile, answered Kisa’s grin with a returning one of her own, one that said I am so going to get every dirty detail out of you as soon as we’re away from interfering sisters/males/etc.  Yes, Meriel subscribed completely to Teenage Girl Gossip.  Plus, the idea of having a friend who had yet to be corrupted or made cynical by court life and who she could avoid the same fate with was a distinctly appealing one.  As she noted Cyrus, she smiled a little appreciatively.  Before he reached them, she quickly leaned over and whispered to Kisa, “He is nice.  And not so young as to be a complete idiot.  Lucky girl,â€? she added with teasing mock-jealousy.

Actually, Meriel was really rather curious about meeting the nobleman, and despite her slight giggle she watched with acute interest as Arolyn bounced to her shoulder, then to him.  She could hear her brother’s irritated comment that she’d once overheardâ€"I wish he’d stop complimenting her all the time, she’s not even noticingâ€"and couldn’t help but wonder what had changed, if anything.

Katrina, meanwhile, had caught the swift conversation between the brownies, and the aborted explanation of how they’d met.  A more experienced person than her sister, she realized instantly there was something going on that wasn’t necessarily for open company.  And if the little female brownieâ€"Arolynâ€"had been missing for twelve years… Missing.  What would make a brownie leave its clan for twelve years?  She straightened a little, then, and smiled a little at Cyrus in greeting.  He really was a nice manâ€"even if her brother couldn’t stand him.  But then, her brother couldn’t stand most people.  There was, however, a slight change in her mannerâ€"a little more poise, a little less ease… the court lady act she’d perfected showed itself a little more than before.  â€œLord Cyrus, it’s good to see you again.  I didn’t know you would be here.â€? She paused, and then gestured at Meriel.  â€œI don’t know if you’ve met my younger sister, Meriel…â€?

Meriel curtseyed prettily.  â€œMy lord,â€? she said merely.  She was far more interested in observing to see if she could start matchmaking than in talking to him.

[Anonymous]

[I'll be sure to.  You do what you can to take care of her.]

"Oi, sir, will be stopping to eat here?  I've been starving since before we left!"  Maichello whispered anxiously to Cyrus as they paced closer to the door.

"Maichello, never have I seen you eat a breakfast as large as your skull.  There is no logical way you could be hungry again," Cyrus replied roughly.  The smile on his face was the only thing keeping him from running to meet with Kisa and kissing her right then and there.  Even the most proper and gentle Medireins could scarcely keep their passions at bay when they met their destined love and Cyrus was certainly no exception to that.  But he knew, nevertheless, that he had to bridle this actions and keep in mind that being too forward may drive her away, no matter what his family legends decreed.  

He gave vigilance upon the delicate features of her face and immediately noticed the flashes of emotions on the fairness of her skin.  I hope she doesn't think this is too impulsive of me to see her so unexpectedly.  Well she can't precisely blame me for it; I simply couldn't help myself....She's a lovely woman.  The birth of a sly grin began to make its way to his lips, but he forced it back.  But, dammit!  I'm not some dissolute rakehell who takes advantage of ladies on dismal nights.  I'm a gentleman but what in hell's name drove me to kiss her?!  Oh but that kiss was so gentle and sweet from lips so breathtakingly smooth.  Oh stop it, dammit!  Stop thinking this way!  Still his mind drifted to the evens of that recent evening.  It was an all too accurate a fact, he found Kisa's swift departure from him the evening before all too endearing.  

Cyrus continued to beam even as he entered Itsy's and courteously bowed his head in the presence of the three ladies before him.  "As it is always a pleasure to see you too, Lady Katrina.  Lady Meriel, I'm glad to make your acquaintance.   And, as always, Lady Kisa your mere presence warms my heart," he answered, conquering three greetings in a single retort.  When Arolyn called out his name and flew to him expeditiously, his attention shifted to the little brownie that clung to his clothes.  "Aye, Arolyn!  It's so wonderful to see you too," Cyrus laughed.  Turning to Kisa, "I hadn't expected to make your encounter until later this day.  But I suppose I should never deny the possibility of the improbable.  How have you fared since last evening, by the way?"

Forgetting to introduce Maichello standing next to him, he blurted out,"Oh dear, forgive me.  This here is my man Maichello.  Lady Kisa asked to have him accompany me upon my jaunt to the castle."  However, the man paid little attention until Cyrus nudged him to pay his respects to the women before them.

"Oh sorry, sir!  Greetings miladies," Maichello said, bowing so low as to make Cyrus roll his eyes in annoyance.

[Anonymous]

((*snug* Done. Sorry that life sucks so much sometimes :S))

"Arolyn has been enslaved by-- oh, shh, Meriel!" Kisa said, breaking off from her explanation to Ohmaru. All thought of demoness fled from her mind, and she struggled to smother her mischievous giggle. "What if he hears us? Not so lucky then!" She suddenly remembered what she had originally been in the process of telling. "I'll tell you later, Ohmaru. There is so much going on that I can scarcely keep it in my head!"

Cyrus arrived, and Arolyn flew to greet him, and despite all the alarm bells ringing loudly in her head, Kisa couldn't help but meet the man's eyes. Some vague and wild hope thrummed in her heart, the hope that his eyes would say -- what? What did she want? She could not admit it to herself, but suddenly found it impossible to look away from him. The absolute certainty in his dark gaze, the affectionate confidence, the faith, the knowledge took her breath away, but she dared not guess what he was so certain of. Unbidden, a bashful smile crossed her mouth, and some warm feeling spread throughout her body like springtime sap in a tree. She felt as if she could melt -- but then she could hear Ana's cool and even voice telling her "Don't be a child," and Kisa snapped back to reality. There is no way, she thought. No way at all. Despite her pounding heart and trembling hands and throbbing mouth, she smiled at him as if he were just some casual acquaintance, and coolly looked away as if he were not the man who had just, moments ago, taken her breath away.

Finally the others' conversation reached her, and Kisa looked over in surprise at Katrina; she noticed immediately the change in posture and the hint of frost in her voice. Not anger, no, nor any real friction, but just a much greater distance than before. Kisa glanced questioningly at Meriel but could find no answer in the girl's face; whatever it was seemed between Katrina and Cyrus, and no one else. Had they a history? A stab of bitter emotion -- Kisa did not dare to call it jealousy -- rushed through her body and vanished just as quickly; whatever it was, Katrina's distant reception surely meant that, if it were caused by love, the love had long been over. He is quite a few years older than me, Kisa thought, brow slightly wrinkled. I suppose he must have kissed a few women by now.

Then he turned to her, and this time Kisa was careful not to get lost in his frighteningly intense eyes again; instead, she focused on the bridge of his nose. That should outsmart him!, she thought. "Oh, I've fared quite quite well, thank you," she said primly. "And you?" Her tone was cool, but her eyes, quite unable to conceal any emotion at all, were wide and blue and desperately, painfully earnest: did their kiss affect him as much as it did her? Did it mean anything? What did it mean?

"Hello again, Maichello," Kisa replied vaguely, scarcely granting him a look as she was so intently watching Cyrus for a sign -- any sign! -- of... well, she still did not know what. She hoped her confusion was not too visible on her face, but knowing her, and knowing the Alberich family traits, she did not think she'd be so lucky.

[Anonymous]

At Kisa's half-finished response, he folded his arms, arching a crimson brow at her. "Mm. Yes, I'm sure," he mumbled. He watched them all as they continued their greetings and made his way calmly out the door.

Watching his every move was Arolyn, who lifted a finger and, with a cute ring to her voice, said, "Puu!" Ohmaru tumbled as if a gust of wind had knocked him off course, Ohmaru screaming like a little child.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" He peeked back in the door to find that Arolyn had let go of Cyrus' clothes and was now laughing to the point of crying. She flew out to greet the miffed little butterfly brownie. "Y'know, it's a damn shame that you're still the little bundle of--HOLY CRAP, LIICTA." Arolyn refused to turn around to face Liicta who was wrapping one long arm around her waist. "You were supposed to stay hidden."

"I couldn't help myself." The brown-blonde-haired brownie smiled, his silver-and-black wings fluttering in the breeze. Unfortunately, Arolyn wasn't the type that liked to be surprised from behind. So--"AAUGH!" Arolyn had used the little "puu" spell on Liicta, making him tumble far away from her, flailing his arms and the like.

Arolyn turned to the others. "Nice meeting you all, but...I'm heading to the castle. Ja ne!" With that, she took off, almost out of sight in nearly eight seconds. Right behind her was Ohmaru and Liicta, calling out her name the entire way.

[Anonymous]

[I know that I'm to be waiting for Lee's post but there's been a slight confusion somewhere and just have this post be as if it's after Lee's next one and the order will go on from the original order.]

Cyrus returned the solid lock to Kisa's eyes with equal fervor.  Searching confidently through the vivid pools of blue; vibrant with energy as if circulation in her body had rapidly increased.  But from what?  Perhaps it was from his mere presence. Or--Or what?, he thought gustily.  Could she possibly have discovered by now the emotions that fill my very being?  I knew there was something behind that kiss than just a rejection.  Maybe she's simply trying to tell me she'll none of me.  Oh damn me!  I knew being too impulsive would only lead to disaster.  Blast!  Now, she must hate me...  Or does my dear Kisa know that I love her with every breath and burn of my body?  Her eyes...  Oh by gods, her eyes!  Such tantalizingly blue innocence.  How could I have ever been so worthy?  But more importantly how will I ever tell her.  His eyes widened with a sudden shock but shrank back down just as quickly.

He had never known a feeling of such serene euphoria.  Even though he had a few relationships with other women in his time, under the illusion of utter adoration, they all proved for naught.  In the end his "love" for them always went unrequited to a point that he had nearly lost all hope.  He learned from then on that the relinquishing of emotions too soon would prove fatal and forced himself to hide them under a facade of smiles and giddy.  True, he was flirtatious at times, but any man his age would be if they were in the right frame of mind.  However, at this moment he simply entertained the thought that maybe, just maybe, there was a light in the shadows after all.

Oh, dear! Cyrus hadn't realized the racing that nearly exploded within his chest.  The raging of his heart caused him to reconsider his glance from Kisa and instead to speak.  In his modest of tones, "I've been doing well, since last night."  He arched a brow alluringly and once again gazed at Kisa, though not into her eyed this time, but simply a glance looking for reassurance of a sort.

When Arolyn suddenly exited the building yelling to be at Serendipity castle, he asked, parting his attention, "It's quite a beautiful day still.  Wherever it is you all are headed, my man and I will be more than happy to accompany you if you wish.  We were just headed out to Serendipity Castle, if that is or not where you're going yourselves, we'll gladly make a detour as to escort you."

Maichello responded with a sincere nod, knowing and fearing all too well the deathly elbows of Cyrus if he didn't show the propriety of a meek, well-behaved gentleman rather than the childish adult of a man that he was.

[Anonymous]

[Sorry for the time and crappiness-I've been feeling slightly off, and I'm packing for a trip.]

Being above all else a romantic and incurable matchmaker, Meriel noted the brownies’ antics as well as the rather… interesting situation with Kisa, and immediately started trying to think up ways to help everyone along.  Because she was only sixteen, Meriel thought it was rather too soon for her to even be considering marriageâ€"and certainly her father and brother would make very, very sure she didn’t get too deeply involved with anyone.  As a result, she decided she would enjoy herself with everyone else’s love-lives firstâ€"and since despite her best efforts Katrina was a hopeless cause, Kisa was her new chosen project.  And Arolyn, now, too, although Meri had decided her best bet on that score was to work with the calmer, saner parties involved.

Meriel, a busybody? Never.

So she just smiled a little and stepped back, as she didn’t know Cyrus at all.  â€œYou are going to tell me absolutely everything about this later,â€? she said in a no-nonsense tone which was almost immediately marred by her smothered giggle.  This was just absolutely perfect.  Kisa was obviously newâ€"this meant love at first sight!  And Cyrus was about Katrina’s age, clearly… This whole situation was appealing to Meriel more and more every minute.  She also decided, when Arolyn flew off, that the best way to satisfy her curiosity about that situation would be to follow.  She was about to suggest it when Katrina spoke up.

Katrina, meanwhile, rather suspected that there was a great deal more going on than was being spoken.  For one, the little brownie was far too skittish for this to be a normal circumstance, and for another… perhaps she was not close to Cyrus, but she knew the man’s character well enough to know that he was entirely proper, and being out all night with a young lady was not that.  Which meant, naturally, that there was a great deal more at work than was being said.  So she smiled at Kisa as she took the remaining boxes back.  â€œWe were actually just headed back there ourselves, if you’d care to join us.  I think Meriel…â€?

“Who can speak for herself, thank you!�

“…would greatly appreciate it,â€? Katrina finished with all the dignity of a queen as she completely ignored her sibling.  She also glanced at the brownies, “And you’re more than welcome to come with us regardless. I’m sure you want to find your friend.â€?  Her voice conveyed her amusement, even though she still had that slightly distant edge she’d acquired since Cyrus came.  It wasn’t really anything personal, per seâ€"simply that being out shopping and having a run in like she did wasn’t a court thing, but running into Cyrus Merdirein dictated a certain amount of decorum.  It was reflex more than anything.  â€œAnd of course, my lord, if you’re not attending to business, you’re always welcome.â€?  True, her father hadn’t been overly fond of Cyrus’s, but he was far more tolerant of the young man.  And certainly more than Tyroshaun was.

[Anonymous]

(There's no rush! And I don't know what you're talking about -- the post wasn't crappy at all. At least it's not INSANELY SHORT like this one is. I don't know what happened, guys o.O))

Arolyn's sudden departure startled Kisa from her thoughts and gave her the brief moment required to regain composure; with heroic effort, she managed to smooth her features into the cool and gracious expression of a true noblewoman (or at least what Kisa imagined a true noblewoman would look like -- something like Katrina, except without the snappy sisterly banter). Although what kind of person could live without snappy sisterly banter, Kisa thought, is beyond me. Meriel's mischief was a direct mirror of her own, and that almost made her feel less ashamed about the confused emotions broiling through her head.

"It would be wonderful if you could come with us to the Castle!" Kisa said, clapping her hands happily but unable to look directly into Cyrus's eyes again. "I'm always happy to see you, and I'm so glad you know Katrina already! To think I've made so many friends after only one day."

She paused for a shy moment, decided against taking anyone's arm, and then bounded off with the exuberant energy of youth; although Kisa tried her hardest to maintain the dignified pace of a lady, she couldn't keep the excited bounce out of her hurried steps.

"So tell me -- how do you and Cyrus know each other?" she asked, of Katrina and Cyrus both. "And what brought you both to Arca? Seeing as we did not have the time to discuss it last night," she added as an aside to Cyrus, looking up at him with a secretive smile.

[Anonymous]

"Arolyn, STOP." Ohmaru grabbed her by the arm and whipped her around forcefully, breathing very hard. His long hair was now stringy with sweat because of their little race. Butterfly brownies were built for beauty, not speed or strength, after all. At least, that's what their father always told them. Be pretty, Ohmaru's and Liicta's father always used to say, Being pretty could save your life one day. Like I always say: if you got it, flaunt it!

Uh, that man was quite the narcissist. But, back to more important matters. "Why'd you fly away like that?"

Damn, Arolyn thought, glancing over her shoulder for only a moment. I was nearly there, too. "'Cause I don't want to talk to him. And I don't like to be scared like tha', quite frankly." She yanked her arm out of his grasp and folded them, turning away as Liicta approached, just as winded as his older brother.

The brown-haired beauty flapped his silver-and-black wings slowly, trying to save as much energy as possible. "Look, Arolyn, all I want to do is talk. Is that too much to ask for?"

No. "Yeh." She began to take flight again when Ohmaru grabbed her by the waist and muttered something in their language. Now, whenever Arolyn would say "puu," nothing would happen. "What'd ya do to me?!"

Ohmaru chuckled at her as she pounded on his back with her little fists, obviously infuriated with him. "Disabled you. Just for a little while, sweetie. Don't worry, it'll only last until we reach the castle. I promise."

"I don't wanna talk to 'im!"

"Too bad, girly. Come along." They flew her to the front of the castle, setting her down on a broad, green leaf. Arolyn folded her arms again, turned her head sharply away from them both, and shut her eyes.

Maybe they would leave. She wasn't worth all this. She was worth it before, but...but definitely not now. "Queenie. Honey, we've missed you dearly. Won't you speak with us?" I want to, but...not right now. "What are you hiding?" Although Arolyn said nothing, her eyes shot open in distress before she closed them again, not as defiantly this time. This time around, Arolyn closing her eyes symbolized a sort of tragedy. "Arolyn? Arolyn, what happened to you?"

She could hear Liicta and Ohmaru sitting down on either side of her--well, Ohmaru was sitting. She knew Liicta had a thing for kneeling on his right knee. He thought it looked cuter to do that instead of just sitting down on his almost-not-there bottom. "Arolyn." Liicta spoke now. "Just tell us. We won't hate you if you tell us."

Right. I'm sure.

[Anonymous]

[Will be slightly spotty with responses, as I have to share a hotel room with my parents for a week.  But I'm around.  Forgive the crapness.]

With a slight smile as she followed the younger two girls at a much more sedate pace, Katrina couldn’t help but wonder how they managed that much energy, especially about being at court.  She didn’t think she’d been half that eager at their age, but she might have been misremembering.  Still, the look in her hazel eyes was faintly amused as she watched Kisa’s excitement.  She had to admit to feeling a little sorry for her, if she thought that just meeting Katrina and Meriel quite by accident in the market was “making a lot of friends,â€? and also thought that the girl had better be careful before she made enemies.  She seemed like a perfectly sweet girl, but also somewhat oblivious, and she would therefore be a prime target for completely missing subtle hints.

“Oh, I don’t even remember when we met,â€? Katrina said with a slight head-tossâ€"the equivalent of a hand-wave, but with her hands full, she couldn’t quite manage it.  â€œWe’re about the same age, I thinkâ€"aren’t we, Cyrus?â€"so we must have been at court for the first time in approximately the same year.â€?  Of course, she didn’t mention that she’d also met him partially because he tried to make up for his father’s somewhat more uncertain relationship with the duke, nor that her brother had quickly become over-exasperated with his well-intentioned attempts.

“And there goes Katrina casually revealing her age,â€? Meriel said with a laugh.  â€œMy aunt Alyssa absolutely despairs of her.â€?  Meaning, of Katrina ever making a proper marriage.

Rolling her eyes, Katrina said in exasperation, “I am not getting too old to be married.  I won’t ever be, and if someone wants to marry me only for breeding purposes…â€?  She blinked and realized she was about to say something somewhat impolite for company.  â€œâ€¦Er.  He can find someone else.  Stupider than I am.â€?  She tried very, very hard to ignore Meriel’s snickers.

Picking up the thread of explanation, Meriel continued, “Anyway, I’ve been here for almost a year now, since I had my debutâ€"and my cousin’s having hers soon, which is why we’re shopping.â€?

“Also why I’m stuck here again,â€? Katrina said with a wry smile.  â€œMother and Father aren’t quite up to handling both girls at onceâ€"especially not with Father actually attending to business and Mother Healing all the time, so I’m the chaperone.â€?  She thought rather sourly to herself that it really ought to be her brotherâ€"he was overdue.  It really wasn’t fair. She could run the estate too, if she had to… She raised an eyebrow at both Kisa and Cyrus.  â€œAlthough I’m getting more and more curious what all these references to ‘last night’ are.â€?

[Anonymous]

Perhaps it was the comforting warmth of the day or the settling disposition of commoners treading the worn streets that brought about a more soothing, homey feeling to Cyrus at this moment.  Or maybe it was the charismatic characters of the three wonderful ladies accompanying him.  Their exuberant energy unleashed memories of his younger years as a man who'd been too little reluctant to become the escort to a few young women to balls and social events.  Such memories weren't exactly ones he was excrutiatingly fond of, but they were all joyful in each their own small way.  The corners of his lips curled at the reminiscence before he noticed the surreptitious grin awarded to him by Kisa.  He returned her conduct with a congenial chuckle, all the while half listening to the helpful explanation offered up by Katrina.

"Aye," he added at the mention of their ages.  "I believe I am a year Lady Katrina's senior, but it doesn't really feel all that much a difference.  And I also believe it was in court of which we met.  You know, Kisa, never have I seen a more prepared woman to enter court than Katrina.  As confident as a general and as courageous as a lion.  A perfect addition to take on the obstacles and anomalies of the tender structures of a chaotic system."  And with that, he allowed himself to drift further into Katrina's answer.

Times in court were times that often tested sensitive relationships.  Sensitive relationships were one thing to Cyrus and an entirely different thing to his father, Casseger Medirein.  The man usually never gave a second thought to those that betrayed or spoke against him, held steadfast to his own stubborn opinions, no matter what or who they were to to him.  During his lifetime, he and Katrina's father rarely had any common ground, except, perhaps when it came to facts of order.  He would often consider order one of the last remaining hopes for a successful society.

Casseger brought to his attention, in his last years, to attempt to mend old rivalries and tensions between all his opponents, even the Kaleasters, before handing down his title to his only son.  Though it was the Medirein family tradition for the eldest child to inherit the estate, his eldest daughter refused it, married off to her lord, and instead bade him to give it to her younger brother Cyrus.  His work, done for the best interests of his heir, was cut short by his aged death, causing Cyrus to gallop home to Tower Medirein.  This wasn't the only reason though in which he returned, however, Cyrus' military discharge gave him no more reason to stay in Connlaoth.

“Although I’m getting more and more curious what all these references to ‘last night’ are.�

The mere words were sharpened enough to shred through Cyrus' collected behavior like daylight plunging through an ebon black darkness.  He could feel his cheeks transform into a bashful red and ducked his head down to stare at the streets.  Get a hold of yourself!, his mind shouted to him.  Cyrus forced his head up and quickly tried to clarify, "Well, the thing is...Lady Kisa and I actually met yesterday...a-and spent a great deal of time together, encountering stranges of all sorts.  Even our friend Arolyn seemed a bit distraught at what was happening.  And--well, I shall better explain it given enough time.  I see the Castle coming into view."

Up ahead in the distance, the road flowed to the visible shape of Serendipity Castle.

[Anonymous]

"Oh, Meriel, I'm sure your sister could find a husband easily," Kisa said earnestly. "You must have all kinds of suitors -- and it sounds as if you must be breaking all their hearts!" She laughed and thought it was a pretty luxury to be able to wait for a husband for so long. The age of Cyrus, and yet still not even promised! My parents would murder me if that happens, Kisa thought ruefully. The first acceptable offer she got, she would have to accept -- and the thought dampened Kisa's mood considerably. A different kind of adventure, she thought, trying to bolster her spirits. Broodmares gallop just as fast as fillies!

"Cyrus, I've no doubt what you say of Katrina is true. If I'm half as practiced as either of these Kaleaster ladies after only a year at court, I would be pleased as punch with myself," Kisa said, smiling. "I can't help but be nervous!" If they knew where I come from, they would understand, Kisa thought. She pushed it out of mind. Dusty farmstead or not, her family name was still as old and honourable as theirs.

Instead, to distract herself, she pondered over the relationship between the Medireins and the Kaleasters again. There was clearly some kind of tension here, though Cyrus seemed rather unaffected by it. A feud between the families? Katrina, old enough to remember it, but Meriel too young to care? Kisa reckoned that this mystery would only be the beginning of many court intrigues to come. She did have a keen eye on people's emotions, and she trusted her ability to make friends, but -- oh, no one prepared her for this! What if there were more feuds, more unspoken dislikes, and Kisa stumbled into them like a caterpillar into a spiderweb? I'm not ready! But no one ever is. A dreadful fear built up in her chest, but unlike last night she had no one's hand to grip tightly in her own. Instead, her hands unintentionally bunched into fists.

"Oh, what's your cousin's name?" Kisa said, forcing her voice to be light and easy again. "And Katrina, you sound just like my eldest sister. I'm afraid I can't relate because I'm the baby in my family!" Her laughter was cut short by Katrina's arched eyebrow.

What, does she think Cyrus and I did something last night?

...Well, alright, I suppose we did, but she can hardly-- Noticing Cyrus's deep flush, she elbowed him in the ribs to smarten up and tried to laugh again. That's not helping at all! "Oh, nothing so serious," Kisa said airily. "Like Cyrus said, we met yesterday and Arolyn swept us off into some adventure of hers. I'll be sure to tell you more later. But please, don't get any ideas!" This last sentence was directed to Katrina and Meriel both -- a dark, pleading glance that begged them not to assume. For Cyrus, she merely spared him another quick and affectionate nudge -- if a little harder than she had meant to.

[Anonymous]

"Lady Kisa started to tell me about slavery. What was that about?"

Arolyn jerked her head away from Ohmaru, cheeks turning a bright pink. "Lay off it already!" The wind picked up and blew Arolyn's long hair and her linens about softly. Liicta blushed furiously and turned away from the fly brownie, his own baggy pants and shirt blowing about. Pushing some brown hair with blonde highlights out of his eyes, he looked far down the road to notice some shadows in the distance.

"Arolyn. We're worried about you. Especially Mali. She's missed you so much. She worries everyday that something terrible happened to you." Arolyn shut her eyes, seeming to be in pain. In truth, however, a strand of hair had gotten caught in her eye. She had to attempt to retrieve it from her eye now without looking like she was cry--oh, the hell with it. Arolyn reached up and wiped the strand out of her eye, raising both Ohmaru's and Liicta's brows in the process. "Getting, ah...a little emotional, are we?"

"No." Arolyn stood, still not facing Liicta. "If you'll excuse me, I have a court to attend...whatever that is." She sped off, headed towards the shadows in the distance. She sat on Maichello's shoulder. "Hello, friend," she said to him. "Don't mind me, I'm just trying to stay away from the mean ol' butterfly brownies over there." She pointed to a statue that the two brownies were sitting underneath, picking at the leaf underneath them, seeming somewhat dejected.

[Anonymous]

Meriel blushed a little, mostly as a small ployâ€"she knew she was good at court life, and so Kisa and Cyrus’s compliments hardly bothered her.  But, nonetheless, a blush was the only correct response to compliments like that.  On the other hand… well. It was an automatic assumption that a Kaleaster would be good at conducting political manoeuvresâ€"and Meriel knew very well that was far from the truth.  One look at her father’s attitude was proof enough of that.  â€œOh, Katrina could have anyone she wanted, if she only bothered to take notice of it,â€? she said airily with a bit of a look at her sister, who spluttered incoherently in protest.  â€œBut she seems convinced that she has some sort of duty to…â€?

“Meriel, stop that!â€?  Katrina was blushing, a lot more sincerely than her sister, partly because she really wasn’t nearly as talented as her sister at such court behaviour.  â€œAnd I really wasn’t all that prepared,â€? she muttered to herself, feeling slightly horrified at the sheer number of missteps she’d made.  But she had been one of the most eligible females on the market, and the first of the Kaleaster children to be introduced to courtâ€"they had been willing to overlook them.  Unfortunately for her siblings, by now that interest had quite worn off.  â€œBesides, that wasn’t confidence or courage.  That was adolescent idiocy and pig-headedness.â€?

That, and a bad habit inherited from her father of saying exactly what she thought.  Oh yes, Katrina Kaleaster was very much her father’s daughter.

With a bit of a smile at her sister’s flailing, Meriel informed Kisa pertly, “Actually, she used to be preparedâ€"over-exposure to Father and Tyroshaun has eroded her every ability to cope, though.â€?  Still, she was getting just as curious as Katrina about the events that somehow had led to Kisa and Cyrus’s meeting.

Katrina smiled a little wryly at the embarrassed pair.  Noâ€"if it were her brother, now, she might believe more than they would admit to had happened.  But Cyrus wasn’t entirely like that.  â€œI believe you, not to worryâ€"Cyrus is a gentleman almost to the point of pain at times,â€? she added, rather teasingly.  Better a gentleman through and through than stiff, temperamental, and unpredictable.  â€œI wouldn’t actually be interested if I hadn’t know that the obvious was ruled out.  So, I repeatâ€"what in the nine hells happened, and how is that brownie involved?â€?  Oh yesâ€"Katrina was definitely in a blunt mood.  It wasn’t necessarily good for her, either.

[Anonymous]

Cyrus pressed his elbow to his ribs, comforting the slight soreness.  Reaching the castle steps, he watched as Arolyn flew to Maichello, who followed directly behind him.  Luckily the valet was too worn from the walk to care that brownie landed upon his shoulder so audaciously.  All he could do was smile at her and continue behind his lord.  "Welcome back, you brownie," Maichello whispered softly to Arolyn.  Feeling a low rumbling in his stomach, he subtly shifted his fingers to his belly, pressing against the leather of the doublet.  For a servant who literally did a breakfast as big as his head, the meal sure was coming to pay him back--with a vengeance.  Oh well, he thought glumly, Next time I'll be sure to heed Lord Cyrus' warnings when he tells me not to eat so much in so short a time.  Damn, me belly hurts.  Obviously he couldn't suppress the gurgling within as Cyrus turned his head to Maichello and wrinkled his brow disapprovingly.  Maichello's face showed only with a perturbed discomfort.

"We're nearly there, Maichello.  Hold on a bit longer," Cyrus attempted to assure his man.  Climbing the vast steps, he listened intently to the harmless taunting and jesting between Katrina and her sister, causing Cyrus to smile himself.  It was more than familiar to him the teasing that came with having a sister.  He recollected the playful teasing given to him by Adria; most of the jokes concerning how small a boy he was at the time.  He would retaliate with not-so-clever retorts of his own or attempt to beat her in childish games.  But when a young boy is overpowered in sibling rivalry by his sister, he swiftly gains a sense of equality with the fairer sex.

"Oh, yes I'll agree to that.  Being a gentleman nearly all hours of the day is exhausting labor, but it was the way I was raised and now it's become a second nature that I could hardly do without," he commended, ascending further up the steps.  The guards stepped aside at the sight of them and let them through to the main chamber.  When Katrina inquired as to the events of the previous evening, Cyrus answered, "It's all a confusing matter that'll be better conveyed if Lady Kisa is willing to lend a hand in the explanation."  He turned a gaze to Kisa that read fully of requiring assistance.

[oh crap! damn, this for being so short.]

[Anonymous]

The courtyard had a number of stone benches lining the walls, and Kisa was quick to collapse into one of them, and beckoned the others to follow. "It is a long story," she said, by way of explanation. "And an unpleasant one, too."

Before beginning, Kisa darted a small, apologetic glance at Arolyn; these were hardly the people or the place to be telling the story of Arolyn's slavery for the past twelve years, but Kisa had never been a strong liar and it seemed Cyrus was not, either. A long moment passed before Kisa could even bear to bring her mind back to the night's events.

"Well," she finally said, quietly and with her eyes downcast. "It began when I first arrived in Arca. Oh, and you two, feel free to jump in with your own comments at any time -- I don't have the best of memories!" A brief laugh, then a shudder at the thought of Insanite's laughter from the night before. She started again. "When I first arrived at Arca, I had no clue of how to reach Serendipity Castle, and Arolyn was the first to offer her guidance, and then we met Cyrus and he, too, would accompany us. All was well for the first while, but then suddenly two other brownies accosted us and somehow convinced Arolyn that she had to bring Cyrus and I to her workplace -- The Petting Zoo -- an abominable circus full of magical slaves controlled by--" Kisa's fists clenched and her face was faintly pink, but she managed to control her anger and lowered her voice once more. "Controlled by Insanite the demoness," Kisa whispered. "I do not know how those brownies came to convince Arolyn to bring us; I got the impression she did not think any harm would come to us. The Petting Zoo was a mix of beauty and the obscene; the only ones who enjoyed it were the wretched low-lifes in the audience. In the midst of one of the performances, some enchantment fell over me and I was pulled away by two lizard-women. Very kind, very 'on-our-side' ladies, but of course I did not know that at the time. I believe Insanite thought that I was a magical demon girl as well, and that she wished to enslave me -- but, fortunately, I am merely human, and she was so disgusted that Arolyn could help Cyrus and I both escape, and she managed to come with me." Kisa lifted her head, and looked questioningly at Arolyn still perched on Maichello's shoulder. "Did Insanite not release you, as a game, to see if we could summon the manpower to overthrow her rule?"

Kisa shook her head briskly, to disperse the unsettling memories that still lingered, and looked at the rest with an unnaturally bright smile, utterly false. "So that is my take on what happened. Cyrus escorted Arolyn and me to the Castle, we finally got a good night's rest, and then, today, at breakfast, we met you. What think you?"

Unsaid, but obvious in her huge eyes, was the desperate plea for help. Something was dreadfully wrong in Arca, and Kisa knew it, but she did not know what to do about it.

[Anonymous]

Arolyn kindly returned Kisa's glance with a knowing nod of the head. She listened in and excused herself before adding a comment about the two brownies, Tea and Lollipop. "They...they threatened me. But I wasn't necessarily concerned with myself as much as I was concerned that no one would know about the Petting Zoo if I refused to bring Kisa and Cyrus along." She nodded at Kisa, who continued the tale without hesitation.

At Kisa's question, Arolyn arched her back a little, rubbing her head, smiling sheepishly. "Ah. She thinks that a little brownie like me is still weak, even without her curse. But," she added, sobering, "there are a few notes missing in the story, which I will have to fill in." She inhaled deeply before eyeing Meriel. Was she too young to hear this? Ah, they'd soon figure it out. "The Petting Zoo, like Kisa said, is a place of entertainment. For those who aren't normal attenders, there is a theater, rooms on four lower floors for guests to sleep off mead in, and a restaurant. However, there are a few more sides to the manor that the Normals know about. Cyrus got to see one side, which is called blackbanding.

"When one is blackbanded, you recieve your own black headband. You're placed in an isolated room until someone else is blackbanded. Then you are placed in a ring with the other blackbanded person to either fight to the death or live as a mermaid. And, because we all know what mermaids are, the fighters normally fight to the death. Many, while they're in combat, talk about who will live and who will die. Customers bet for the ones they want to live. Although the one who lives literally wins, she loses all the same. The reason is because she still has to serve under Insanite. Thus, many smarter, older slaves try their best to catch the end of their opponent's sword as quickly as they can." She blinked. "Am I going too fast?"

She noticed Ohmaru and Liicta had settled quietly on Meriel's and Katrina's shoulders. Arolyn was about to say something else just before she noticed them...but now, she snapped her mouth shut and turned away from them.

"Oh, oh--forgive us for being concerned about you," said Liicta, leaning forward and arching a brow at the stubborn Fly Brownie.

Ohmaru smiled softly. "Easy, Lii. Just give her time."

[Anonymous]

Meriel and Katrina both nodded at the guardsmen as they entered, as they knew them at least by sight if not by name or very well.  Nonetheless, they were both listening avidly to the informationâ€"and the change was apparent.  Meriel, who had been rather bright, cheerful, and carefree, got very quiet and her eyes, normally sparkling, took on a bit of a hard, determined edge.  She glanced at her sister out of the corner of her eye as she sat slowly down on the bench next to Kisa, hardly noticing as Ohmaru settled on her shoulder.  She bit her lip, and after a moment asked softly and with a faintly horrified tone, “Someone does that?â€? It occurred to her, of course, that a demon wouldn’t have the normal, human principles, but…

Katrina, on the other hand, had gone very still.  She watched Kisa and Arolyn, listening with a slight frown.  While Merielâ€"still young enough that she could be surprised and horrified by certain thingsâ€"had gotten somewhat flustered, though not overly so.  Her sister, though, had gotten an almost business-like expression.  Cináed had often said he wished Katrina had been a boy, in part because of her business-like approach to dealing with certain issues that the heir to the duchy would have to have.  Katrina, on the other hand, was rather glad her role was only as a helpmeetâ€"but it was a role she took seriously.

“People do all sorts of horrible things to their own, Meri, and we’re not even dealing with a human,â€? she said rather absently, her expression a little distant.  After a moment of regarding Kisa and Arolyn rather thoughtfully, she apparently came to a decision.  She gently lifted Liicta off her shoulder.  â€œDon’t worryâ€"we’ll keep her out of trouble from now on if we can.â€?  Gently placing him on Cyrus’s shoulder, she told the man rather firmly, in much the same tone as she used on her younger siblings, “Stay here, and anything else pertinent, make sure to think up.  And tell Meri, while you’re at it.â€?  She turned to leave, then, her stride rather firm.  After all, this was clearly a situation that needed dealing with, and it wasn’t entirely in her power to do so.

“Katrina, where are you going?�

“To get help,â€? she replied succinctly without turning, and vanished back into the castle corridors.  Meri’s lips form an O of comprehension as her expression became even somewhat more sombre.

[Anonymous]

Cyrus added sincerely, "The blackbanding was a terrible thing.  I've never seen that much horror in anyone's face than those two girls in that pit of death not even when a fellow soldier witnessed the true perils of battle."  As Katrina placed Liicta upon his shoulder, he nodded in response to her very words, sensing a spot of hope in a rather dreadful situation.  With that she departed and Cyrus could think of nothing else to say, well nothing that would/could help them of course.  There were only a few solutions that could come to mind that involved heavy violence and/or invoking the magic in his blood that was nigh impossible to do.  That is if he wanted to take part in fighting the demoness that made him so sick to his stomach.

"Arolyn, I think everything will be alright.  I believe we may have found the solution to your plight.  Do you think things will be alright," he inquired bluntly, turning to Maichello who did his best to look as bright as possible.  Finally remembering the discomfort of his man, Cyrus added, "Well, what are we still doing out here?  It's nearly dinnertime.  Might we enter and have ourselves a meal?"  He tried his best to keep his form, his mind charging with a plethora of emotions, and motioned them to walk inside.

Maichello, no longer clutching his stomach, now beamed with delight at the further mention of food and was first take the step towards the castle.  

Cyrus offered up his hand to Kisa and then to Meriel and bowed in his gentle way, motioning them to continue before him.  Muttering to Meriel, "Um, may I ask exactly what kind of help your sister is planning on getting?"

[Anonymous]

"I hope things will be alright," Kisa said, looking after Katrina worriedly. "I hadn't even heard of the blackbanding -- I wasn't there for it. Oh, Arolyn, how could you have lasted through that all those years?  How can you even stand speaking of it?" Kisa fell silent for a moment, considering the empty corridor Katrina had just vanished down, but her youthful optimism was irrepressible and she quickly brightened again, her eyes shining with admiration. "If anyone could find a solution I've no doubt Katrina is our best bet. I barely know her and she already seems one of the most resourceful and level-headed people I've ever met! Meriel, you're a lucky sister!"

All the same, though, Kisa wished she were more involved. With no weaponry experience, nor any magical powers, she felt almost as helpless and insignificant as she did when she was younger and fighting with her much older brothers. But at home, at least, she was not made a freak merely by her normality; here everyone was rich, and powerful, and magical and strong. Even the Kaleaster ladies had a presence of mind and resolute will that was sorely lacking in the Alberich women; then again, Kisa thought defensively, we never have crises that require presence of mind or resolute will! All the same, Kisa couldn't help but wish that her father hadn't protected his daughters and wife quite so much.

What good am I, if I cannot do anything? Kisa suddenly realized just how dependent she was on the goodwill of others; she could no more fend for herself than a sparrow could be a packbeast. Then and there she decided to resolve that problem as soon as she could.

Cyrus's proffered hand was welcome relief from the self-doubting whirlpool of her thoughts, and she took it with a wide smile. Remembering Arolyn and the others' plights, all thought of trembling lips and impassioned looks seemed downright frivolous. Which, I suppose, it is, Kisa said, cautioning herself again. Don't be foolish -- this is the absolute worst time to consider falling in love!

She cast another look at Arolyn, but the brownie as always seemed steady and strong, despite her flimsy clothing. Even the tiny Arolyn was more useful than her! Kisa tried to flash a comforting smile at her nonetheless; she could not even imagine what the brownie was going through at this moment. Nor, for that matter, what her friends were going through -- Kisa hoped that when this whole adventure was finished with, she could meet Arolyn's family more thoroughly.[/i]

[Anonymous]

Arolyn didn't have to look directly at Kisa to know she was being smiled at. Arolyn did her best to muster a smile. "How can I speak of it? Think of it, Lady Kisa--it's almost normal to me, now that I've had twelve years of that going on in my life." When Cyrus asked his question, she blinked at him with an indecisive look, then closed her eyes. She was thinking it wouldn't be, but she didn't want to get their hopes down so soon.

"Wait. Wait, wait." Liicta stood up and flapped his silver-and-black wings. "You were enslaved? I was hoping Ohmaru was kidding!"

Ohmaru leaned against Meriel's neck, his red hair hiding his pretty green eyes. "You think I would joke around with something like that?"

"How did you get there in the first plac--whoop!" Katrina picking him up surprised him just a little. He wasn't used to humans as perches, after all. He fluttered his wings to get his balance on Cyrus' shoulder, smiling up at the man briefly before turning back to Arolyn, who hadn't said a word. "Arolyn. Arolyn, come on, now. You can't ignore me forever."

Without a word, Arolyn lifted up a finger and waved it around a moment. In no time, Liicta was pulled off of Cyrus' shoulder to Kisa's. "Listen here." Her voice was steady and low, a clear sign she was agitated. "I'm not gonna tell ye everything the first time I see ye. I'm gonna give it to ye in increments. Got it?"

Liicta paused, his eyes wide with a frightened expression. He looked at the back of Arolyn's head and looked up at Ohmaru to note if he had seen it, too. Ohmaru nodded, brow furrowed--he was just as worried as Liicta was. "Where did you learn that type of magic?"

"What's it to ye?"

"No one's taught us that. Where did you get that from?"

"None of your damn business!"

Liicta raised his voice, making it crack with worry. "Arolyn, did they re-teach you what spells you should use?"

"A-WAY!" Liicta found himself back on Cyrus' shoulder, on his back, feet stuck up in the air. "Don't push me, you. Like you said, they re-taught me everything there is to know about magic. You'd be better off leaving me alone."

Ohmaru quietly chided her. "That's black magic, Arolyn."

Quite fed up, Arolyn balled her hands up into fists and screeched, "It's all I remember!" Her face was a blood red from embarrassment and shame, blue eyes sparking as if she were about to snap both of the butterfly brownies in half.

Oh, boy. It'd take her a moment to get back to normal now.