I was a fine day in the city of Ketra and Akibi were training with Nanako in one of the public parks on the edge of the city just so that there would not be that many onlookers to their training, for now the training was simple running to improve stamina and leg strength. Akibi had tied red ribbons on some branches in the trees indicating they were to be rounded once each time one were to pass them.
-"Nanako we'll take a break now.."
He told his daughter as they neared one of the ponds in the park, Nanako wiped some sweat from her forehead and ran up to the pond before sitting down next to it. Akibi walked but followed Nanako and also sat down next to the pond.
-"Good work Nanako.."
He said and ruffled Nanako's hair with a slight smile, Nanako blushed slightly and smiled happily and closed her eyes enjoying Akibis attention. None of them were clad in armor since they were only training stamina, Their armors were laid out on a blanket that were near them at the pond.
Akibi:"Could you bring the waterskin Nanako?"
Nanako:"Yes father"
Nanako replied and rose from her seat and ran lightly over to the bags on the blanket and pulled out a large waterskin before walking back to Akibi with the waterskin and handed it to Akibi who took only a small sip from it before handing it back to Nanako who drank quite a bit more before closing the waterskin and beginning to walk back with it to the bags.
[Is this okay?]
OOC: Yep just fine ^.^
"Come on Primmy!" Janus' young voice sounded off ahead. Primrose followed her servant's son at a much more sedate pace. She had promised the boy that she would take him to the park this week and to teach him to swim.
The boy broke through the treeline first, headed for the pond when he caught sight the man already sitting on the shore there. The young noble found him frozen in fear of the figure's appearance when she at last joined him.
Janus scuttled behind her skirts as she saw what was causing him to act like a frightened rabbit. She tried to get him to come out from behind her but gave up with a sigh. A hand still clutched behind her on the boy's arm she looked ahead and bowed her head in greeting to the man.
"Good day to you sir. Forgive us for disturbing you. We were just going to go for a swim. Weren't we Janus?" Primrose gently tugged on the boy and got him to come out from behind her. He still clung tightly to her side. Kneeling down beside him she whispered in his ear, "say hello." After much gulping and stuttering he finally obeyed before burying his face in her shoulder. She shrugged in apology as if to say, 'children what can you do.'
When he first heard someone at the treeline he perked his ears and listened to the steps of the person and immediately calmed down since it did not sound anything like an armored person and more like a child, he did not turn his head until he heard another voice and glanced towards the two new visitors to the pond.
-"..."
as they neared he relaxed seing that the woman was a noble of sorts and turned a bit more looking at both of them smiling only slightly and looking at the boy who seemed frightened by him, he nodded slightly when the boy said hello and then looked at the woman when she spoke to her.
-"Indeed"
He said and reached out to the side with his only arm and poked into the air and Nanako flickered into sight stumbling a bit backwards from being poked by Akibi, She blushed slightly having been noticed by Akibi. Akibi then rose from his seating on the ground revealing his rather huge stature.
-"I'm Akibi Knight of the Adelan Army who do i have the pleasure of speaking with?"
He said with a Calm voice showing the Noble respect as he bowed his head slightly and looked at the woman calmly. Nanako bowed slightly towards the woman following Akibi's example to show her respect as well.
Janus poked his head out from behind her skirts and puffed out his chest. "This is the gracious Lady Dra-" Primrose's hand clapped over his mouth, effectively silencing him. "Hush you," she laughed, letting go and tousling his hair. He glared up at her but, inched his way out from behind her at the sight of another child.
"I'm Primrose. Just Primrose is fine and my young friend here is Janus. It is a pleasure to meet you both Sir Akibi and you as well young miss," she acknowledge bobbing her head at the bowing child. "That is quite a trick you can do there. If I'm not careful I think you and Janus might team up to prank me."
The boy's eyes suddenly widened in realization as a flood of ideas hit him. Momentarily forgetting his fear and shyness of the tall figure, Janus skipped over to the young girl. "Oh would you like to? Primmy is always so much fun to prank. Although you has to be careful because she'll prank ya right back. But, it's a lot of fun. You like to have fun don't ya?" he chattered on rapidly, hardly giving himself a chance to breathe.
Behind him Primrose smiled, keeping a watchful eye on him, unsure of how the pair of stranger's would take to his boisterous nature. 'He is such a handful. I hope they don't take offense. Poor Janus, the moment he realizes he is standing next to a virtual giant he is going to have a mini seizure. Why is it whenever I meet new people they are so tall?'
Nanako widened her eyes when she realized she had not introduced herself and were about to open her mouth to talk when Janus skipped over to her and speed talked to her which made her shut up, Akibi decided to speak for her.
Akibi:"This is Nanako my Daughter.."
He said and gestured towards Nanako and looked over the little boy with a neutral expression before looking back to Primrose with a slight smile. Nanako on the other hand tried to answer Janus with a slight blush on her face.
Nanako:"Eh.. well.. wouldn't it be.. be better if she did not hear about the pranks?"
Akibi:"..I feel like i have heard the name Primrose before.. may just be my memory acting up again"
They both replied and looked at respective person, Nanako smiled a little seeing that her father did not seem to mind the boy speaking to her. Akibi looked at Primrose wondering about her name, after all he had been the general for the adelan army a while ago and had met many Nobles.
Akibi:".."
Akibi then looked at Nanako and reached out with his hand grabbing at something behind Nanako and then taking her sword that she had hid with her power on her back, Nanako looked up at her father who smiled slightly and nodded a bit before looking back at Primrose and tossing the sword aside next to the place he had been sitting.
Primrose blushed slightly at Akibi's musings and winked at Janus as he explained to Nanako that it would not matter if she knew about the pranking or not. "You see Nanako, Primmy and I are always playing pranks on each other. We know we're going to do it but we don't know what and when. That's the really fun part!"
The young noble shook her head at the child's enthusiasm before returning to address the silent figure before her. "It is actually possible that you may know my name from my father or even still from meeting me yourself. If you were a knight or even a soldier some twenty odd years ago you might have heard of him. He was a dragon knight you see and I am his only daughter. Sir Orean Dragoslav? He died in the line of duty when I was a child. I was away in Serendipity for a long time after that and have only just returned these more recent years, if that is any help."
She chewed at her lip nervously and wrung her her hands together. It took everything she had to not start rambling as was her normal habit. Eying the sword that he had taken from Nanako she looked for a change in conversation. "Were you teaching your daughter to fight?" Primrose nodded her head in the direction of the weapon. "My own father did the same for me. I know from experience a daughter takes great pride in what her father has taught her. She must make you proud." A warm smile graced the noble's lips as she beamed up at the knight.
-"Orean?"
Akibis eyes widened when he hear the name and looked at Primrose with a curious gaze before giving her the slightest smile and nodded a bit.
-"Yes i knew your Father, we were friends actually.. i had not heard of his passing though"
When Primrose commented on the sword he had just put away he nodded again and looked slightly at Nanako before looking back at Primrose.
-"Yes we were training before you got here.. Yes she have learned a lot since i began her training.."
He said and looked at Nanako with a soft smile showing his soft side for Nanako. Nanako looked at Janus smiling slightly before gazing to the side and then nodding a bit.
Nanako:"Well were you thinking of anything special then..?"
Akibi:"..Orean was a great warrior, we were almost evenly matched in combat"
Akibi commented and looked at Primrose with a somewhat nostalgic look in his eyes as he brought his one hand to the place where he one had another arm feeling the absence of his right arm
Primrose took a step closer. "You did know him. To spar with him must have been exciting. I only remember snippets of his duels. As a little girl it was not my place to see such things." She chuckled and ducked her head. "He died protecting his dragon from poacher's. As sad as it is, I know it is how he wanted to go, in battle, defending those he loves. A warrior could ask for no better death, or at least I know I also feel that way."
Her eyes followed his hand's movement towards his right side. She switched her gaze from there to his face in a clear show that she was not disgusted or embarrassed by it. "You must think me naive though, a child barely trained who has never fought, at least not as you and my father did. He too had many scars."
Primrose smiled again despite the difficulty of doings so while talking about such a melancholy subject. "My only regret is that I never got to spar with him properly. He always promised me I would. Then again, he always thought that we would have more time." She shrugged her and let her gaze drop again. "You still serve?" she asked, hoping to continue making conversation without leaving an awkward silence in its place.
Meanwhile, Janus was smiling wickedly as he began to explain his childish plan to Nanako. "Well you see, if you use your trick we can get 'er real good. Do you have a pail or sumptin'? A bucket maybe? We can fill it wit' water, then you can go all clear-like and get on my shoulders. From there you just dump it on her when she's not expected it. Easy peasy! So you wanna?" The young boy was literally jumping in place from the anticipation of it all. "Please!" he begged.
-"If that's how he died then he died honorably.."
Akibi replied to Primrose and then listened to her speka about her father with interest, all the while his tail wagged slowly back and forth.
-"And we did not Spar.. it was an all out battle, The time we fought were when he dissaproved of my leadership"
He explained and looked over the pond for a second before looking back at Primrose.
-"In the end i were the victor and we got a sense of friendly rivalry to eachother"
He concluded and let his hand rest against his waist before looking down on Nanako but looked back when he remembered how the small boy had acted towards him.
Nanako:"We don't have anything like that out here.. not with us anyways."
She said and looked at Janus with a somewhat shy look. Akibi looked at Primrose when she asked if he still served and nodded slightly.
Akibi:"Yes, though not nearly as much like i used to"
The young noble bowed respectfully at the waist. "Forgive me for misunderstanding Sir Akibi. I did not realize that it was that way between you and my father." Rising straight-backed once more her eyes caught sight of his swaying tail and for a moment Primrose found herself slightly distracted by it. It took every ounce of her etiquette training not to giggle and to peel her eyes away from it.
"That is understandable though," she continued. "You are a father now. I'm sure your wife would want you home more often and not as far away where she worries incessantly. My mother was much the same way. My father was just relenting to her wishes when he died. Ironic, no?"
She shuffled nervously, toeing her slipper in the dirt so that she could avoid the awkward silence she felt she was creating. Her eyes darted over to the children but did not stay there long as she glimpsed the tail once more and was forced to bite her lip to keep from smiling at it.
Janus on the other hand was feeling no such sentiments. His little brow wrinkled in contemplation as he rubbed at his chin. "No bucket, hmm. Well if you still want to go with that plan Primmy did teach me how to make a basket out of reeds. Although I'm no good at it. We'll just have to move fast since it leaks. Unless," he looked at the girl and trailed of in thought. "Do you have an idea?"
Akibi nodded at Primrose with a somewhat respectful gaze but when she mentioned his wife he swallowed his breath almost soundless and looked at her somewhat sad.
Akibi:"She would if she still were in this world"
He said with a strained voice but his face were expressionless not showing any emotion, As he had been trained he never let emotions surface on his face. Nanako did not listen in on the conversation Akibi and Primrose were having but turned to the side as she were thinking and her tail wagging back and forth calmly.
Nanako:"W-well.. not really the leafs around here would not be good enough for a improvised bucket.."
She said with an uncertain tone in her voice while placing her hands behind herself and leaning a bit to the left while looking a bit up into the sky thinking.
"Oh!" she exclaimed in embarrassment. Primrose's hand covered her mouth as her cheeks flared crimson. "I'm very sorry. I meant no offense. That was terribly rude of me. I just assumed. I know I never should have. I mean it's a terrible thing to do so and-and." The more she spoke the darker a shade of red she became. The young noble was back to her habitually circle talking. Whenever she found herself in a difficult situation she nervously began to talk herself into a hole of going around and around a situation until she was speaking so fast no one could really understand what she was saying.
Clenching her fist tightly to try and stop herself, she looked about for an excuse to change topics. Her eyes fell on the children and she remebered why she had come to the lake at all. Resolved to end her awkwardness, she held her hand out for Janus as she called for him. "Janus, come. We don't need to bother Akibi and Nanako anymore today. We should be heading back."
The young boy's head shot up in shock and surprise, stopping him from continuing his ruminations on the perfect prank. "Aw Primmy," he whined. "But, you promised to teach me to swim."
"Another day Janus, I forgot there were some things I needed to do," she replied, feeling pathetic. "I'll teach you later, I promise."
"But, you promised that last week!" He stomped his foot down and crossed his arms, ready to throw a temper tantrum.
Feeling more and more embarressed by the second, Primrose did not know what to do to just end the situation. 'I swear if I crawled a rock and died, it would not be as horrible as this. Oh Janus, why can't you just work with me? For once in your life make something simple on me!'
Akibi:"No don't worry about it, there was no way that you could have known that.."
Nanako:"You're leaving already?"
Both of them said to their respective conversation partner, Akibi scratched the back of his head as he also apologized a bit. Nanako looked at Janus a bit curious before tilting her head to the side.
Nanako:"You can't swim?"
She asked and looked at Janus a bit curious. Akibi glanced to Nanako and Janus but looked back at Primrose and smiled slightly before raising his hand and putting it on top of Primrose's head and ruffling her hair only slightly to not mess her hair up.
Akibi:"Breathe out a bit miss Primrose, there's no need to so formal around me.."
He said with that slight smile looking down on Primrose gently before pulling back his hand to rest against his side again. Nanako stopped looking at Janus when Akibi put his hand on top of Primrose's head and puffed up her cheeks a bit jealous and in the next second she's standing next to Akibi almost glued to his leg. Akibi Glanced down at Nanako a bit supprised but smiled before putting his hand on top of her head and ruffling her hair also before poking her side so that she stumbled a bit backwards now standing next to Janus again.
Akibi:"Say why don't we have Nanako help teaching Janus to swim?"
He said looking back at Primrose with that same smile, Nanako was blushing a bit when hugging her fathers leg but when she was pushed away she looked up at her father a bit supprised before looking down a shyly.
The boy's eyes widened as he realized what he had let slip in front of the girl. Flushing, he sputtered, "of course I can swim!" He crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly and glared at Primrose for outing him. Primrose meanwhile ran a nervous hand through her hair to settle it after it being ruffled.
She was just about to speak in reply to Akibi's suggestion when Janus beat her to it. "What?" he screeched. "Have a girl teach me? No way!"
"Janus!" The woman squawked. "That is very rude! Am I not a girl as well? Apologize!"
"You're not a girl! You're Primmy! That's different," he replied petulantly. "And I won't apologize! You can't make me, you're not my mother!"
Primrose was a dark shade of red now and biting her lip to keep from showing how embarrassed she was. 'Meet a friend of father's, disgrace myself for all time. At least you are no longer alive to be humiliated by me father.' She wanted nothing more than to cry but pride kept her from doing so. Instead the young noble glared at the little boy, silently demanding him to do as he was told.
Akibi looked at Janus when he shouted in denial and looked at him for some time before crouching down and poking him in the side with one finger raising his eyebrow.
Akibi:"Don't you think thats a bit unfair to Nanako?"
Nanako on the other hand looked at Janus a bit angry with puffed up cheeks. Akibi glanced towards Nanako before looking back to Janus grinning a bit.
Akibi:"I bet Nanako could teach you a lot of things.."
Nanako:"Father i think you're scaring him..."
Nanako interuppted her father making him look a bit supprised looking at her before laughing a bit and then rose from his position standing may heads over Janus looking at Nanako and ruffling her hair making her blush a bit.
Akibi:"Sorry i forget my appearance sometimes.."
Nanako:"... though i can teach you if you'd like Janus..."
Nanako looked at Janus with a difficult expression before trotting away to the pond and pulling off her belt and the attatched loincloth still having her shorts an shirt on before jumping into the pond and then looking back at Janus with a shy smile.
Janus stood there, glaring at the adult that had dared to make such a ludicrous suggestion. "I'm not scared," he denied, dropping his arms and balling his hands into little fists. His chin stuck up in the air as he look straight up at that the much taller man. "I could fight you! Both of you, with both hands tied!"
He continued his false bravado act, going so far as to stick his tongue out at the swimming girl. Behind him, Primrose watched silently in complete disapproval and disappointment. As much as she wanted to say something though she was curious to see how Akibi would react. She really wanted the boy to be taught a lesson but she would not allow any serious harm to come to him. He was too much like a little brother for her to allow that to happen.
Looking past the boy to the man, Primrose raised a brow as if to say 'he's all yours.' Her pursued lips and reddened cheeks identified her embarrassment for all to see. Shrugging her shoulders, she walked past the boy over to Nanako. "Wait! Primmy where you going?" the boy nervously called after her.
Without looking back at him she sat down on the water's edge and softly replied. "What's it to you Janus? You are man enough to beat a knight and to swim. You don't need a girl to help you. I am no longer neccessary." The words were said calmly, but one look at her face would have shown him that she was very much hurt by his childish attitude.
She smiled sweetly at Nanako and splashed a little bit of water at the girl. "Boys are so stupid aren't they, Nanako?" she whispered conspiratorily, sharing a wink with the girl.
Akibi once again raised his eyebrow when Primrose looked at him meaningfully and nodded a bit and then crouched down so that he was in eye level with the boy and looking into his eyes with his one eye, His gaze was piercing and hard as he looked inte the boys eyes as if to stare him down before he cracked a slight smile and raised his hand and flicked the boy on the forehead with enough force to make him stumble backwards but not enough to make him flip over. Akibi were not used to hold back when it came to anything other than Nanako and cats, but he knew not to go full out on a child or to never harm any child.
Akibi:"Both hands tied eh?"
He said with a somewhat mocking and looked at the small boy with an amused smile. Nanako on the other hand looked at Primrose and seemed to empathize with her looking a bit sad but when she splashed her with water she giggled a bit and looked at Primrose with a playfull gaze as her pupils contracted showing her slitted draconic eyes before splashing back at Primrose.
Nanako:"N-no they're just thick.."
she replied and bit her lip a bit before moving to the side in the water before getting closer to Primrose and grabbing her hand with a smile, tugging lightly on it with a very playfull smile.
Nanako:"Let's play"
Nanako said to her and giggled a bit, Akibi held his gaze on Janus and wagged his finger in front of janus in a provoking manner as he followed his every movement. The plan in Akibi's head were to bully some sense into the kids head, either that or to make him to apologize to Nanako and Primrose.
Akibi:"come on even Nanako could dodge that kind of attack"
He said mocking the child with a slight smile as he flicked his finger in the air in a mocking fashion.
Primrose did not stop to think for even a second about the fact she was wearing a dress as she took Nanako's hand and entered the water with her. It was not uncommon for the noble to do things out of the propriety of her station and it seemed this was no exception.
Laughing she splashed more water at the child before 'running' away a few paces. The water quickly soaked her skirts making them heavy and hard to drag through the shallow water. Her eyes though never drifted far away from Janus and Akibi. The boy's stubborn pigheadedness concerned her. But, as a teacher, a sister, and a friend she knew this one lesson she just could not interrupt.
Janus on the other hand was not having any fun. His false bravado and lies were getting him into big trouble as he grew more and more frustrated. He is was too slow and his anger only made him more reckless and less aware of his surroundings. Little by little he was being backed up towards the lake. "You only go easy on her because she's a girl! Of course, she would be able to dodge it!"
Akibi:"Oh You think i'm not going easy on you? No Boy I go easy on all that do not reach above my waist."
Akibi said still mocking the boy and following him as he reached out again and flicked him on the forehead once more with the same force as before. His one eye followed Janus movements with a predatory gaze.
Akibi:"But she could still dodge these small attacks"
Nanako giggled as Primrose splashed water at her and followed her in the water and splashing more water at Primrose with a beaming smile on her face laughing happily. She moved very fast in the water not being wheighed down by her clothes like Primrose and her dress.
Nanako:"You okay with my Father doing that to Janus?"
She asked a bit quietly and looked at Primrose as she swum up to her with a curious expression on her face. At the same time Akibi glanced to the side purposedly giving Janus an opening but he made it look like he did not mean to give the opening.
Janus reddened darkly at being taunted so by Akibi. "It's not my fault that she has better training than I. If I had been taught by a knight with even half a brain I would be better off than I am with my teachin's. I was trained by a girl!" he shouted lunging for the obvious opening.
In the water, Primrose drew her attention away from the fight to look at the perceptive girl. "Some lessons must be learned the hard way. This is one of them Janus must learn. It is not my place to interfere," she replied diplomatically, attempting to hide her worry behind a smile.
Winking mischievously, the noble sent a large wave of water towards the child. "And what of you? Are you so sure you can win this splash war? I think you may have met your match." Laughing, the woman sent more water and began to slowly wade her way over to Nanako. "Better watch out or I may dunk you!"
Akibi sighed as the boy lunged at him and caught his fist barely using a tenth of his speed and holding his hand in place. He then moved in close to Janus and looked him straight into the eyes with a hard stare.
Akibi:"So what if you were trained by a girl? i know many female warriors who i could call my equals.. You're to naive little boy"
He said as he let go of Janus hand before flicking him on the forehead again with intent of sending him down into the water. Nanako nodded seriously at Primrose but softened her expression as she was splashed at again.
Nanako:"Maybe but i can do this"
She said with a smile before going down under the water and dissappearing from sight before surfacing behind Primrose and pushing her playfully in hope to make primrose falling down into the water all the while giggling happily. Nanako was not strong, at least in comparison to a normal human but she knew how to hold back against normal people.
Primrose stumbled forward with the push, falling to her hands and knees in the water. She stood again to find herself caked in mud. For a moment just staring at her ruined before looking up at Nanako very seriously. Her voice was low and calm as she scraped the mud off her arms. "This," she said, "this means war!" With a laugh, she launched the ball of mud at the child and bent to grab another.
She was just about to throw the next when she heard a familiar scream from behind her. Turning she watched as Janus fell into the lake, flailing about and bellowing at how he could not swim and how it was a cruel and unfair cheating move. What amused her though was that the boy was keeping afloat despite his fears and if he would just drop his feet under himself he would find that he could actually stand up in the water.
But, of course boys will be boys and he far preferred the melodramatic screaming and blaming than actually giving in and apologizing. "You vile nightmaric monster! What are you trying to do, kill me? Help! I'm dying! Somebody!" Like a fish out of water, Janus wriggled and sputtered. "Save me!"
Nanako giggled as Primrose fell but stopped when she realized that her dress was dirty now, that made sure she was caught off guard when Primrose threw the mudball that hit her on the forehead making her stumble backwards before realizing what hit her but when primrose were about to throw the next one she jumped to the side and dug her hands into the lakebed and pulled up two fists full of mud and threw them at Primrose still giggling.
Akibi on the other hand looked down on the boy as he made a fool of himself before taking a stride down into the lake standing in front of the boy looking down on him with a raised eyebrow.
-"You're a fool boy, you talk and act big but when put on the spot you are nothing more than a naive baby.. now stand up and stop embarassing yourself"
He said while looking down on the boy with a stern look, His gaze shifted again towards Nanako and Primrose but he went back to Janus again waiting for him to get up on his feet.
Realizing how foolish he was being, Janus stopped squirming and found that his feet did touch the bottom. He stood up in the water quickly, flicking water out of his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest in defiance. "It's cheating when you try to drown me!" he quipped back, refusing to look at the man.
At the same time, Primrose had resumed her mudball war, laughing as she got caught with her mouth open. Spitting out grass and mud she continued, far more wary as she slowly tried to dodge in the water. An idea began to form and she soon beckoned Nanako over, surrendering her missiles in truce.
"Let's get Janus for being such a meanie," she whispered, a gleam in her eyes. "It'll be fun," she coaxed the other girl. Not waiting to see if her companion wished to join in, the noblewoman scooped up a large wad of mud, balling it up tightly before launching it over towards her young student.
What she had not been expecting was Janus getting startled by a fish brushing his leg and falling backwards. With a splat the mudball came in contact with the next things in its path, Akibi. Her face paled as she saw where her fun had gotten her. Donning a mask of innocence she instantly pointed at Nanako even as her lips quivered with repressed laughter.
Nanako were about to throw her mudball when she saw where Primrose's had landed and gasped a bit shocked before seeing that Primrose were pointing accusingly at her, She dropped her mudball and donned the same innocent expression as Primrose and pointed at her.
Akibi on the other hand were about to reply to Janus when he was unexpectedly hit by a large mudball, He did not stagger nor flinch but he stood completely still with a shocked expression staring into nothing in front of him. He gaxed to Nanako and Primrose still with the same expression, Seeing that neither Nanako nor Primrose were going to be able to hold off the laughter that welled in them he wiped off the mud from his face and grew a wide smile before laughing a hearty and loud laughter.
When Akibi began laughing Nanako's expression changed to a Shocked and supprised one, never had Nanako heard him Laugh like this. It scared her somewhat but she felt somehow reminded of something from when she were only a baby, and then she remembered Akibi had never laughed like this ever since her mother died. A smile crept up on Nanako's face and she began giggling before it evolving into a hearty laughter too.
Their laughter was contagious as Primrose joined in with her own set of giggles. She pulled Nanako close for a one-armed hug before starting to head over to Akibi to apologize. However, in her amusement she had forgotten all about Janus who unfortunately for Akibi had not forgotten about them.
Angered and feeling left out the small boy scooped up his own ball of mud and hurled it as hard as he could towards the other man's face. "Take that evil demon scum!" he screeched dashing towards the water's edge and hopping out. Janus did a small dance before catching Primrose's furious gaze and taking off towards home.
"Janus you get your behind back here! I swear your mother is going to tan your hide until you get sit down for months once I tell her what you said! Jan-" she was abruptly cut off as she slipped again in the mud and submerged. She came up sputtering and cursing for all she was worth in Serenian as she waded back to the shore.
Plopping down on the bank she finally shook her head and settled down. "I'm sorry," she apologized to them both. "Neither of you should have been treated that way. It's inexcusable. Perhaps though, the two of you would do me the honor having of dinner with me, so that I can make it up to you and so that he can apologize. I promise no more assaults, unless you ask for them of course," she added smiling impishly.
Akibi did not even stop laughing when Janus threw another mudball at his face but he did slow down as Janus ran away, but as Primrose went after him and slipped he laughed even harder but stopped slowly as primrose spoke to him.
-"Yes of course we'll come by later when we have recovered from this, and don't be sorry this was funny in it's own way."
He said as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye from laughing so hard. Nanako still had trouble to stop laughing. Akibi waded onto the bank before sitting down besides Primrose still catching his breath chuckling a bit also.
-"Where do you live then?"
He asked as he looked at Primrose with a big smile, Nanako made her way of the two and sat down onto Akibi's lap and leaning onto him catching her breath from laughing.
Primrose began to wring out the mud and water from her hair, watching as her tresses began to return to their former golden color. "You could always come back with me where we can all get cleaned up. I would hate for you have to walk home only to walk back to my home. I live on the furthest outskirts of the city you see. Right on the edge of the forest. You don't have to come of course, I-I-I don't mean to pressure you. I know it's not very proper but I just thought it be more practical. Not that practicality should take presidence over propriety but, I just thought-well the offer stands either way," she rushed to finish.
The young woman's face was a dark, dark red at this point as she had talked until there was no breath left in her body. It seemed that with Janus no longer there to distract her, Primrose was back to her roundabout way of speaking. Her hands fidgeted as her eyes moved about, looking for something to say.
"You little Miss," she at last exclaimed, gently poking Nanako in the side, "seem to have made a mess of me. I think that means you have won, don't you?" She giggled as she pointed at her severely muddied appearance. "We are going to have a rematch sometime though I think. I might have had a chance of winning if I hadn't hit your papa. Or-I mean,if you hadn't hit him," Primrose corrected quickly with an expression of mock fear.
Akibi laughed a bit when Primrose talked in her roundabout way and reached out and put his hand on top of her head like before and tussled her hair only slightly before rising up and wading down into the water again and began splashing himself with the water to clean off the mud.
-"Do not Worry, we'll go with you"
He said and splashed a large wave on Nanako who almost tipped over but laughed and began to clean off the mud off herself as well. only some minutes later both of them left the water and went over to where their packing were.
Akibi:"Nanako Will you help me with my armor"
Nanako:"Yes father"
Nanako lifted up the large plates of Akibi's armor and began fastening them as Akibi fastened the bit's of armor he could with his one arm. His armor were very distinct and decorated and the armor really showed his late Commander status as some bit's had stratches and dents making it look like it really have been through a lot of wars, but even though the armor were worn it had a very regal feel to it and it was so wonderfully well maintained that it looked like it would last a thousand years before even beginning to rust.
-"Thank you Nanako"
He said as Nanako fastended the breastplate and smiled at her before tussling her hair making her blush happily. Nanako then began to put on her own Shin and arm guards before strapping her sword to her back the same time as Akibi set his sword onto his back and turning to Primrose.
-"We're Ready miss primrose"
The young woman felt her heart warm as she watched to pair work together. It was such a beautiful sight that for a moment she felt her heart clench in sorrow at not having her own father. A quick smile washed away her sorrow as she stood to lead them. Primrose had already given up on getting cleaned up, her clothes were thoroughly soaked and muddied. As soon as she got home she knew she would be getting an earful about her appearance.
"It's not far, just beyond the treeline," she stated, waiting for them to follow before leading them to their home. It was small for the residence of a noble but it was home to Primrose and she would never change it. The small gate creaked loudly as she opened it and soon after the young woman heard the distinctive sound of a door slamming and then her name being harshly called.
Primrose chuckled and shrugged apologetically at her companions. "Excuse me for a moment." She turned to head off towards the voice when the voice and it's bearer decided to come storming up to her. A short, robust older woman marched across the lawn up to Primrose, a wooden spoon brandished in her hand and Janus trailing behind her.
"Primrose Dragoslav what have you done? You tried to drown my son! You know he canna swim and still you endangered my baby. Not only that you leave him to be killed by some beast, really now I thought better of you. You should know better! He is only a child and you are a grown woman, act like it! And you," the woman hollered, rounding on Akibi to jab her spoon at his chest, "how dare you attack a small helpless child. What kind of man are you?"
At last the muddy woman was able to intervene. "Jolie enough! This is Sir Akibi, he's a friend of my father's." The servant froze and looked between the woman and man before her. "Janus was rude and insensitive to all of us and when I tried to reprimand him he lashed out both verbally and physically. The only thing in danger was his pride. I swear I would never let any harm come to him. You three are the only family I've got."
Jolie opened and closed her mouth several times, turning bright red in the process. One look to Janus sent him racing back into the house before the woman moved Primrose to the side so she could once more address Akibi. "Forgive me sir. I acted rashly and falsely accused you when I should have waited to know everything. On both my behalf and that of my son I apologize. I will make sure that his disciplined properly and made to apologize himself. But, for now I hope you can accept mine."
Both Nanako and Akibi followed Primrose as she led them to her house and both of them seemed very spirited and cheerfull. that changed when the older woman shouted at Primrose making Nanako huddle close to Akibi and clinging to his leg while Akibi let his smile go and looked at the older woman who had entered the scene.
-"..."
Akibi furrowed his brow and looked at the older woman as if trying to remeber something but was interupted as Primrose stepped in betwen the older woman and him and explained the current situation, and when he heard the older womans name he looked suprised and looked at jolie a bit more intensly and then smiled as she came over to him an apologized.
Akibi:"Of course i will accept your apology Jolie, But i think you have reason to yell at me anyways since the accident a couple years ago."
Nanako:"Is she an old friend of your Father?"
Nanako asked quietly and Akibi nodded as her ruffled her hair with his hand and she unlatched from his leg and bowed slightly at Jolie and smiled as she greeted the woman respectfully, and Akibi nodded slightly as a sign of greeting as well.
Jolie's forehead creased in concentration as she eyed the man before her up and down. Her hands moved to her hips and her eyes unfocused for a moment as she reflected back on a time when Lord Dragoslav was still alive. "Sir Akibi you say? I seem to remember a commander of the Adelan army by that name. But that was a long time ago and he had two arms. It was before Lord Orean was made an official rider though."
The old woman smiled and nodded her head in memory. "It has been a long time indeed," she laughed, giving the taller man an embrace. "And who is this delightful little sprite?" Jolie moved on to Nanako, gently holding a finger under the child's chin to look at her. "Such a beautiful young lady. You must have gotten your looks from your mother," jested, winking at the child.
"Accident?" Primrose finally spoke in a confused tone. "What are you talking about? You two know each other?" Instinctively her hand moved to rest gently on Nanako's back as if she wanted to pull her close and let her know that there was no reason to fear Jolie.
"Oh hush. Everyone inside!" the woman demanded, trying to coax the trio inside. "My lady you need to clean up. This is no way to receive guests! Hurry along now. You can come down to the kitchen when you are done as I know you cannot be proper for once in your life and entertain them in the parlor. Primrose laughed and rolled her eyes as she was shoved into the house.
Akibi smiled when Jolie seemed to remember him and nodded argeeingly when she said it had been a long time since the last time they saw eachother. Nanako smiled brightly as Jolie stepped up to her and gave her a good look giggling a bit for the compliment Jolie gave her.
Akibi:"This is my daughter Nanako"
He said as he ruffled her hair with a calm smile on his face as Nanako blushed slightly, When Primrose asked about the accident Akibi turned his head to explain but were cut of by Jolie when she coaxed them towards the house both Akibi and Nanako complied and made their way towards the house.
Nanako:"Has father done something bad here?"
Akibi:"Let's talk about that later Nanako"
He replied and ruffled her hair as they went into the house as Jolie had told them to do.
The young woman hurried to get changed, even going so far as to race back down the stairs barefoot and with dripping hair. When she entered the kitchen, she was red-cheeked but relieved to see Jolie treating her guests properly. The elderly matron was offering Nanako a cookie and talking about something of the past with Akibi.
However, when the woman turned and saw the late of the house, Primrose was sure she was going to get a yelling to last a lifetime. It was a pleasant surprise instead to receive an, "oh Primrose," and a command to sit so that Jolie could fix her hair. "Dearest you really should take a bit more care in your presentation. One of these days the right man is going to walk through the door and you are going to scare him to death with your heathen ways."
Primrose rolled her eyes and smiled. "So what is this about an accident?" she asked, wincing slightly as the brush Jolie was using snared a tangle. Behind her the servant's eyes raised to meet Akibi's. "I don't even know if I remember Prim. I mean it was so long ago."
"Jolie really now. We both know you remember and that you don't want to tell me. As an adult and head of this household I have the right to know matters that concern my family."
"Well when you put it that way," the woman sighed. "It was before you were born, when your mother was pregnant with you in fact. Sir Akibi and Sir Orean were having another one of their arguments which as a rule tended to get quite violent. Your mother happened to have been there and tried to stop them. In the scuffle she was injured quite badly and had to spend the rest of the pregnancy in bed or else lose you. Your father was as mad as a hornet's nest. He stopped talking to Sir Akibi after that and then, well you know the rest dearie."
"Is it true Sir Akibi, that I was almost not born because of a fight between you and my father?" There was no judgement in the young woman's voice, only a desire to know the truth. Her eyes stared up into the taller man's, challenging him, demanding the truth. She would not tolerate a lie.
Both Akibi and Nanako were having a good time smiling and laughing with Jolie until Primrose asked about "the accident". Akibi became silent as he listened to Jolie's story and looking slightly to the side as he did not want to remember the whole thing.
-"..."
Nanako looked at her father slightly worried and were about to say something before Primrose asked Akibi about the Accident and if it was true. Akibi looked into the young noble's eyes before sighing loudly and nodded slightly.
-"Yes that is true, and it was mostly my fault. the argument between your father and me had become a bit more serious than it otherwise were."
He paused and looked down on Nanako and ruffling her hair and smiling at her before looking back at Primrose and continuing his story.
-"When us half dragons get angry we get angry like no other and enter what some would call rage, your mother jumped between the both of us and i not restraining my strength swiped her to the side, breaking not only her left arm but almost all ribs on the left side of her body"
As Akibi talked he raised his hand and touched a large scar that he had on the right side of his neck almost as if he remebered the moment in detail.
-"The horrible scream snapped me out from the rage and found myself about to strike your mother again but i stopped myself, your father struck me with his sword at my neck before rushing to your mother's side..."
All the time Akibi talked he stared back at Primrose meeting her gaze with an unwavering gaze, his voice however held much regret as if he did not expect Primrose to even forgive him for his actions. Nanako sat and looked between them and when she heard the regret she got of her chair and went up to Primrose and tugged at her dress lightly.
-"Please don't think bad of Father.."
She pleaded as she looked into Primrose's eyes and slightly teary eyed as she certainly did not want Primrose to be at bad terms with her father.
Primrose remained silent and still through the entire re-telling. She knew it was as painful for Akibi to tell it as it was for her to hear it. As a child, she had overheard her uncle talking with her mother about the hardships of her pregnancy in Adela when he had been pressuring her to not return. Now she finally knew what he had been referring to.
Her stoic face softened into a gentle smile as she reached out to pull Nanako into her lap. "I am not angry with him sweetheart. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters most is that everything turned out alright in the end. My mother mended and I was born a healthy babe. That is the most important thing. If my father were here," she said raising her chin to meet Akibi's eyes, "he would have agreed. On behalf of the Dragoslav family, I forgive you Sir Akibi.
"Now," she giggled, letting her head fall back to lack at Jolie upside down, "can we eat?" Her look of innocent pouting was ruined completely though by her teasing whine. Instead she earned a playful thwack to the head as the older woman returned to bustling about the kitchen and finishing up the meal. "Lady Nanako would you prefer to eat here or at the large dining room table?" Primrose asked her formally, with a serious face. The choice did not matter to the noblewoman so much as giving the child the chance to feel a bit more welcome and included.
Nanako sighed out in relief as Primrose said she were not angry with her father and giggled a bit when she were pulled onto Primrose's lap. Akibi Nodded lightly as primrose said she were not angry with him and smiled as she pulled his daughter ont her lap.
Nanako:"Oh.. ehe i would like to be seated here"
Nanako said as she shuffled a bit on Primrose's lap so that she sat more comfortable on her lap. Akibi calmly looked at the two and went back in his mind to think about the times when his wife were alive and the moments she had with Nanako, they were supprisingly close to the events that were occuring right now.
Akibi:"..."
His smile softened more and he looked at the two girls with a very nostalic expression.
[[OOC:Goblin Did Nova do something bad? *Puppy eyes*]]
"Then here we shall stay," the woman declared as she bestowed a kiss on top of the child's head. Dinner was placed on the table soon after. Primrose played the part of a perfect hostess, keeping the topics of conversation light and made sure to include Nanako in them as much as possible.
Things were going smoothly in the noble's opinion until a small boy decided to make an appearance at the same time as dessert. Primrose's face became very serious as she looked at Janus. His eyes were red and swollen from tears that still glistened on his cheeks.
He looked away from her glare and shuffled his way first over to Akibi. "I'm sorry sir for attacking you and insulting you. It was cruel and ungentlemanly. A true knight does not behave in such a manner and I knew better. I hope in time you may forgive me and see the truth and goodness in my heart."
Then, not waiting for a response he turned to the girls. "Lady Nanako forgive me for insulting you as well. There is nothing weak or wrong about being a girl. Primmy has always looked out and cared for me. It was wrong of me to think she was an exception and not the rule. I hope that you can forgive me as well."
At last he looked back up at Primrose. His mouth opened and closed several times without any sounds coming out of it. Tears once more overflowed from his eyes and he openly sobbed before them all. "I'm sorry Primmy," he cried.
The noblewoman took pity on him and tugged him closer to give him a one-armed hug. "And that is all we wanted to hear you say love. Now stop crying. I'm sure if you calmed down you might actually hear some acceptances from those apologies you made," she soothed, rubbing his back.
[[OOC: Can you at least talk to me Goblin?]]
Nanako seemed to have a great time through the whole dinner and even when Janus showed up she smiled, Akibi Looked at the boy as sternly as Primrose did but did not seem to be angry at the boy. He listened to the boy's appology and nodded slightly and looked at him when he went over to Nanako to Apollogize.
Nanako:"..."
Nanako on the other hand kept eating some when Janus apoligize to her father but stopped when he came up to her and apologixed too. She watched as he began crying when he were to apologize to Primrose, As Primrose had talked to the boy she smiled widely before cutting up her dessert into two pieces and forked one of the pieces over on another plate before handing it to Janus with a laugh.
Nanako:"Yeah Cheer up Janus"
She said with a bubbly giggle and returned to eat her dessert again while leaning back softly against Primrose. Akibi smiled as he saw the events happen before him and looked at the small boy.
Akibi:"Heh... strongly done boy, it takes guts to apologize and ackowledge ones wrongs"
He said with a calm voice as he reached out and ruffled the boys hair and smiled slightly at him.
Janus' eyes widened as he stared at the offered plate. With a small sigh and a smile though he politely refused. "As much as it would please me to eat it, I'm afraid naughty children such as myself get banned from eating desserts. Thank you anyway. And," he added, turning to acknowledge the demon knight, "thank you, sir. I would not have been able to do so without the leading example of my favorite teacher."
Primrose smiled warmly, giving the boy another hug before taking the extra plate of cake and handing it to the apologetic boy. "Just don't get caught," she whispered conspiratorially before nodding to one of the chairs. The smile did not leave her face again as the sun left the darkening sky.
Even Janus who had begun to talk and laugh boisterously once the sugar got to his system was beginning to become quiet and sleepy, his eyes staying closed longer with each blink. "I think," Primrose quietly stated as she took note of the candles' low height, "it is time to put small children to bed. It is quite late now."
[[OOC: Can you at least say why you're not talking to me and if you ever are going to talk to me again?]]
Akibi had a great time through the day and Nanako thought the same, Unlike Janus though Nanako was still very much awake and not that tired at all. When Primrose said that it was probably time to sleep she smiled and leaned against her softly.
Nanako:"Janus seems to be very tired"
She whispered to Primrose as she shuffled on her lap to sit a bit better. Akibi Stood up slowly stretched his body a bit and looked at the two women with a soft smile.
Akibi:"Maybe we should go home then Nanako"
Nanako:"Do we really have to?"
She asked and looked pouting towards Akibi who raised an eyebrow before looking at Primrose a bit and then back to Nanako who turned around in her lap and hugged Primrose softly.
"Aye, he's a long day though," Primrose replied, gently combing her fingers through the young girl's hair. The noblewoman chuckled lightly at the child's whine and gave her a hug as well. "Perhaps you should Nanako. If it gets any darker I would stay up all night long worrying about you and not get a wink of sleep. You wouldn't want that now would you? Besides, I bet by the time you get home you will be starting to get sleepy."
Primrose smiled and kissed the child's head again before setting Nanako down and standing up as well. "Oh you are so cute, I wish I could keep you," she chuckled, bestowing yet another hug on the child. "Come, I'll walk you both out." She took the girl's hand and walked with the pair up to her front gate.
"Thank you again for coming and having dinner with me. It was wonderful to spend time with both of you, especially as this will be my last night in Ketra for a long while." Her eyes drifted up to catch Akibi's and although her lips smiled her eyes did not. "I'm leaving for my home Uncle's home in Serendipity for several months," she sighed, "or years, however long he decides to keep me there for. It truly was a pleasure to meet you both. I am honored to have met a friend of my father's as well as such a beautiful and charismatic young lady."
Nanako received one more kiss and Akibi a hug from Primrose. The noble woman was trying hard not to cry and was glad that the shadows of night did well to hide her reddened cheeks. "Hurry home now, so I don't have to worry," she laughed flatly, her mind already on all the things she would have to do before the sun's arrival.
Nanako Whined a bit on the way to the gate but she stopped whining halfway there when she looked back at Akibi who nodded sligthly at her, Akibi kept quiet since he thought this would be a good expreience for Nanako.
Nanako:"...Thanks for your hospitality today Primrose"
She said and gave a small cute bow as Akibi walked up besides her and placed his hand on her head and tussling her hair, Unlike Nanako Akibi saw the sadness in Primrose's eyes but he kept it to himself as he smiled gently.
Akibi:"Yes thank you for today Primrose, We hope to encounter you again some time.."
He said as walked up to her and reached out and put his hand on her head and tussling her hair gently and looking her in the eyes before whispering something to her.
Akibi:"I get the feeling Nanako will be as tall or taller than you the next time we will meet."
He stepped back and turned from Primrose and patted Nanako on the head befor looking back at Primrose.
Akibi:"Keep well Primrose.."
He said before beginning to walk away from the house, Nanako stayed for a bit and looked at Primrose with a wide smile and waving at her before turning and running after her father.
[OOC: Well i hope we get to RP some time later again, who knows maybe i get a second chance, Ah well hope to hear from you again Goblin.]