#ALSO ‘with foreboding affection’ HAD ME CACKLING

[madaqueue]

~ dear quinn 😌

yesterday, i found this blorbo in my garden !! as i (sneakily) approached, he was muttering something something comrade, conquering the world, yada yada (concerning !!)

upon further inspection, though he kept trying to challenge me to spar, he informed me he must have gotten lost on his way to see you !!

pls feed him well and give many head pats ~

p.s. he would not stop yapping about sparring so i did. at least he was rather nice about winning

p.p.s. he was very helpful with watering my plants with his hydro :3 a helpful boi

~ with foreboding affection, zoie 𖹭

ZOIEEEEEEEEEEEEE FJDKJCKEKCKEKCKDKDKDKDKFKDKCKEKCKDKKCKDKF ZOIE ZOIE ZOIE ZOIE ZOIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE OHHHHHH MY GOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GODDDDDDD AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH LOOK AT HIMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM SCREAMING AND GIGGLING OHHH MY GOD I WANNA CHEW ON HIM HES SO CUTEEEEEEEEE THE CUTEST LITTLE GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘muttering about conquering the world ‘(concerning !!)’ HAD ME GIGGLING HAHAHAHAHAHAHA but thank you for finding him and returning him safely home :’) even if he made you spar with him sorry we’re working on that <3333 but now he’s home safe thanks to you :3333

[shih-coulda-had-it]

Shimura family movie night?

Nana Lives!AU's latest installment? Why not! Context: Nana survives AFO, Sorahiko got Kotarou back, and Toshinori's adopted into the Shimura family. This is just some fluff. ╰(*°▽°*)╯

//

When Kotarou comes home from college for winter break, he’s escorted the short distance from the train station to home by his older brother. The evening air is brisk enough that their breaths form visible clouds, and the weak glow from the surrounding streetlights lend the world a foreboding atmosphere.

As infuriating as it is to be babied still, Kotarou is grateful for Toshinori’s presence.

Toshinori, even when he’s not using his All Might form, is taller, broader, and much more jovial than Kotarou. He is also carrying two brown paper bags of groceries; they look heavy to Kotarou, but Toshinori cradles them as easy as he lifts babies.

“Who bullied you home, Toshi-nii?” Kotarou asks, stuffing his free hand in his overcoat’s pockets.

“My co-workers,” says Toshinori cheerfully. “They think I’m overworked.”

Kotarou eyes the new shadows lining the bright blue eyes and doesn’t voice his agreement. It’s hard to argue with Toshinori about that kind of stuff, a fact Kotarou learned approximately five seconds into the first lecture Toshinori gave him on philosophy, moral responsibility, and social contracts. Instead, Kotarou says, “It was tou-san, wasn’t it.”

“... It was Torino-sensei.”

“Hn,” Kotarou grunts, and yanks at his suitcase. One of its wheels is jammed. “How long have you been home?”

“Two nights. I’m supposed to be on leave for another three, but…” He glances down, but abstains from offering his help when Kotarou shakes his head.

“Is there work here?”

“There’s always work where I go,” says Toshinori wryly. “The difference is that I, ah, stumble upon it here, instead of being assigned long-term things. Torino-sensei’s instituted the curfew again, by the way.”

“What? What’d you do?”

“Who said I did anything?”

Kotarou groans. Toshinori absolutely did something, if he’s sounding preemptively defensive, and by the degree of righteous outrage, then Kotarou assumes their father will resort to drastic measures to keep everyone inside the apartment overnight. Instead of complaining, Kotarou knocks his elbow against Toshinori’s and says, “Glad you’re home, Toshi-nii.”

“Glad to be back, otouto.”

This camaraderie lasts through the welcome home and dinner, and then, just as Kotarou plans to retire (and slip out with Toshinori, who could be cajoled into buying midnight snacks), the law is laid down.

It’s a movie night.

It’s an All Might: Series movie night. In spite of their protestations, their father bullies them into the living room with a gimlet glare. They shuffle towards the couch, exchanging glances that say, ‘Let’s run!’ and ‘Run?! From Torino-sensei?!’

“Which one is it?” Toshinori asks with appropriate trepidation. He joins their mother in the middle of the couch. She has a quilt over her lap.

“Mm… Power of the Pillar?” she suggests.

“Ew,” says Kotarou.

“I hate that one,” says their father. “I’m putting on Journey to Justice.”

“But I’m not in that one!” their mother protests, shaking her fist. It’s a familiar complaint. She says it every year, every time, every movie, even though she knows that her exclusion is a matter of personal security.

The screenwriters always claim that they thoroughly research for their All Might: Series movies. It’s a matter of pride for them, and it’s totally fake.

Toshinori has ditched no less than five actors aiming to follow him around for the sake of their method acting. He also routinely rejects ‘tell-all’ interviews, despite his PR and Marketing Team’s best efforts.

“You’ve ruined these movies for me,” says Kotarou acidly, but he takes a seat on the couch all the same, wrapping a blanket around his shoulders. He leans against Toshinori’s side. “Every time my friends want to watch a new installment, I’m reminded of you and tou-san picking over accuracies.”

“It’s the principle of the thing,” their mother responds, affecting a prim and proper attitude.

“It’s to deter Toshinori from thinking he can get away with their shit choreography,” their father adds. He grabs the remote and joins them, armed with not only another blanket but a pen and notebook.

“Torino-sensei…”

“Remember the time you thought All Might: Flash Memory had a decent concept for a new Smash move?”

“Montana Smash works, I told you I crunched the numbers,” Toshinori immediately protests. The infamous (fictional) move involved a bear-hug, leaping into the sky, and generating extra propulsion force to crash onto the ground. Kotarou also remembers their father immediately calling Toshinori and warning him not to even bother.

“I know it works,” their father bickers. “The problem is that it destroys more property than the villain’s will to fight, especially if you’re self-sacrificing your back so you don’t kill them.”

Kotarou interrupts with a bland, “It’s weird that movie Toshi-nii has more moves than real-life Toshi-nii. What’s up with that?”

“Fifty ‘super-moves’ don’t exactly ring as ‘super,’ otouto--”

“I meant your love interests.”

Toshinori splutters. Their mother cackles, and their father cracks a smile. Journey to Justice opens with the violins’ sharp, intense build, and Kotarou grins to himself as his family settles in to watch and commentate on this self-important projection of All Might’s rise.

[dinfeanoriel]

Hollow Point

I promise I’m still alive. This is a little something to make up for not posting in a while! Linked Universe belongs to Linked Universe and Jojo56830! 

~~~~~~~

“You can’t be serious...” 

Time folded his arms, peering down at their youngest member with his single good eye. 

“As serious as can be, Wind.” Was all their leader said. Wind furiously shook his head. 

“I am not going in there.” He refused, stubbornly putting his foot down and crossing his own arms petulantly. 

Warrior hid a smirk behind his gloved hand. Legend was biting on his lower lip to keep from smiling but Sky had no such qualms. Twilight had an eyebrow quirked, directing a faintly amused smile towards Time. 

“I don’t understand what the big deal is, Wind,” Four spoke up, tapping his finger on the handle of his sword as he tried to reason with his friend, “We’ll only be here for a single night-” 

Wind cut him off, flailing his arms wildly in the air,

“Have you looked around you?!” He incredulously demanded to know, gesturing emphatically to their surroundings, “We’re in a creepy town called Hollow Point and you guys want to stay at an inn called Road’s End?” He shook his head stubbornly, “Nuh-uh! No way am I going to step foot in there!” 

Legend rolled his eyes at the young sailor, ticking off on his hand, “You’ve faced moblins, redeads, phantoms, Ganondorf, and various other creepy enemies but you won’t stay the night at an inn because it’s name is Road’s End and the town’s called Hollow Point?” He quirked an eyebrow, unimpressed. Wind nodded seriously. 

“That about sums it up.”

Legend could have face-palmed. 

“You won’t be alone, Wind,” Twilight tried, ”We’ll all be there too.” 

“That doesn’t matter!” 

Time released a quiet sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he tried to think of a way to coax Wind into going inside the inn. It was hard enough dragging him into the town itself- which Time had to admit was somewhat eerie in appearance- but now, Wind utterly refused to move. 

The buildings were a little worn for wear. The paint was fading on almost every single one of them and the wood rotting. A couple had signs hanging loosely from a single cord and others had their propped against the base or planted in the ground. 

An ominous atmosphere did hang thickly o’er it, and Time wouldn’t be surprised if they found a couple of Poes lurking about. 

The golden-armored Hero dropped his hand and tried to reason with Wind, “It is only an inn, Wind-” 

“Only an inn, he says...” Wind started to mumble under his breath. He shot Time a rebellious look when the eldest of the Links coolly raised an eyebrow at him. It didn’t faze Wind. Instead, the blue-clad Hero pointed towards the spooky, wooden inn and declared fervently, “I am not going in there.” 

Time’s good eye slid shut then cracked open and slid towards Twilight. Twilight understood what Time was communicating to him and Wind found he didn’t like that look. 

“Listen, Wind,” Sky piped up, “You know the saying ‘You can’t judge a book by it’s cover,’ right? It applies to this town and the inn too. We don’t know anything about this place.” 

“Still not going.” 

Sky could only shrug to Hyrule. He’d given it a shot. 

“Twilight.” Came Time’s voice and before Wind knew it, he was suddenly being hefted into the air and thrown over Twilight’s shoulder. 

“Hey!” Wind indignantly shouted, fighting to escape the Ordonian’s hold but failing miserably, “Put me down!” 

“You had your chance, Wind,” Warrior told him, following after Time and Twilight as they made their way towards the inn, “But if you aren’t going to go willingly, then we’re going to have to make you.” 

Wind glowered when Warrior ruffled his hair playfully and Legend found himself to be rather impressed by the look. The sailor was normally so upbeat, cheerful, and bright but since they had entered the dreary woods and stumbled across the town, he’d grown a tad bit irritable and uneasy. The uncharacteristic behavior had not gone unnoticed by the group. They’d picked up on it almost instantaneously. 

The young Hero hung limply over Twilight’s shoulder, arms dangling as he inwardly griped to himself about the unfairness of it all. A door creaked as Time opened it and stepped inside, ducking his head to avoid hitting it on the frame. Twilight was second with the other Heroes filing after them. 

Wind shuddered from the chill that greeted them. The air was thick with foreboding. Didn’t anyone else feel it?! 

The Inn was practically empty save for the elderly man sitting behind the clerk desk and a dark-haired woman clearing off tables in the room nearby. This did not strike any of them as odd seeing as it was pretty late. Time estimated it was nearing midnight, maybe even a few minutes past. 

The man behind the desk glanced up at them and Twilight couldn’t help but note the paleness of his skin and his disheveled, grey, hair. The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth were quite noticeable and a bit of an unnerving sight. His eyes were an incredible shade of bright, piercing, blue.  

It was a good thing Wind couldn’t see him otherwise Twilight was sure he would try to book it. 

“What rooms do you have available?” Time asked the man when the clerk inquired as to what he could do for them. The man’s eyes slowly drifted from Time to the other Heroes, landing on the sullen Wind still draped unceremoniously over Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight purposefully ignored his unsettling and all-seeing gaze. 

His wolf senses began to tingle and he subconsciously tightened his hold on Wind. 

He took a discreet look around, trying to seem uninterested, but now Twilight was alerted to the fact that something here was off. 

If his inner beast was stirring restlessly...

He’d speak to Time later. For now, he would keep a close eye on Wind. Perhaps the Sailor sensed or knew something they didn’t. 

The clerk glanced down at the sheet in front of him and listed off in a raspy voice, “We have one room with three beds, a couple of doubles, and a few singles.” 

“We’ll take the one with three beds and three doubles if you please.” Time listed, paying the amount the man said it would cost. Never did the Links take single rooms. It was a precaution they now underwent after their first almost disastrous experience. Although they knew the Links could undoubtedly handle themselves, there was safety in numbers. 

The buddy system was not to be undermined. 

Once done, the Links ascended the creaking and crooked stairs hidden around the corner and to the second floor where there rooms were located. Four proceeded with caution, testing each step first before placing his whole weight on the planks. 

He didn’t like how weak these stairs looked. Every time he would move, he felt the stairs would give way under him. 

Legend whistled lowly to himself as he raked his eyes across the entire expanse of the inn. 

“This place must be very old.” He murmured, experimentally tapping a couple knuckles against the wall. He blinked when the wood crumbled and fell, leaving behind a hole. “Oh.” 

Whoops. 

“Legend!” Hyrule hissed, staring incredulously at the Hero. “Those rooms cost enough! We don’t need damage fees added to price!” 

Legend cast his arms to the side, retorting defensively, “How was I supposed to know that the wood would fall apart if I just tapped it?” 

A fist knocked against Legend’s head before Hyrule could reply and the irked Hero looked to find it was Sky wearing a disapproving frown. 

“Use your head next time.” 

We are guests here. 

Legend scowled, rubbing his head, “That’s funny coming from you,” He grumbled, ambling after Hyrule and Sky as they hastened to catch up with the others, “Your head’s always in the clouds.” 

“I did come from above them, Legend.” 

The barbed words Legend had lingering on the tip of his tongue, ready to fly, withered and died as he paused and took a moment to process Sky’s words. The kind Hero, always so soft-spoken and gentle, was actually capable of sassing him? 

Hyrule was snickering and congratulating Sky in succeeding in rendering Legend momentarily speechless. 

Slowly, a wicked smile grew on Legend’s lips and his eyes gleamed.

“Never knew you had it in you, Sky.” 

Sky glanced back at him and shuddered in foreboding. He was now fearful for his life. That look did not bode well for him. 

“What have I done?” He couldn’t help but wonder, hurrying ahead.   

Legend only cackled. 

It appeared there was more to Sky than met the eye. 

“Alright,” Time addressed the group as they came together at the end of the hall. Sky, Hyrule, and Legend quickly caught up to them in time to hear him say, “We have rooms 31, 33, 37, and 39. 33 is the room with three beds and the rest are doubles.” 

Wind fell into himself. Did their rooms have to be odd numbers? 33 was a bad one too. Growing up on Outset Island, 33 was known to be a cursed number. It was worse because it was a double 3. 3, he remembered people constantly telling him, was a terrible number. Wind knew it was nothing more than superstition and was never told of its origin, but it appeared it’d affected him more than he’d realized. 

Then again, children were very impressionable creatures. They listened and devoured everything they were taught or overheard. 

“Warrior and I will take 37,” Sky said, taking the key from Time. 

“Four, Wind, and I can take 33.” Hyrule suggested, also accepting a key from Time. 

Dread pooled in the pit of Wind’s stomach. Of course. 

Of course he, Four, and Hyrule would take room 33. He cursed his nonexistent luck. The one room he did not want, is the one room he unfortunately gets assigned, courtesy of Hyrule. 

He slumped in defeat. 

“Wild and I can take 31.” Legend added, raising a hand. 

“Then that leaves us with 39.” Time snatched his key in his hand and turned to retire, “I expect you boys to be up and ready by 7:30 tomorrow. No later or no breakfast.” 

“Sure thing, Pops,” Warrior replied with a roll of his eyes and a sly grin. With a quick, two-fingered salute, the Knight had already unlocked his and Sky’s room and ducked inside. 

He wouldn’t admit it aloud, but he was exhausted! A good night’s rest and an actual bed was something he greatly looked forward to. He was sure everyone else felt the same. 

Twilight followed Hyrule and Four to deposit the sulking Wind into the room before he could attempt an escape. 

The blue-clad Hero was eerily silent and didn’t move as he was set in the middle bed. Twilight stifled a sigh and gripped the younger teen’s shoulder, 

“You can always call for Wolfie if you have difficulty sleeping,” He whispered to him. Wind said nothing, slipping from Twilight’s grip and turning onto his side on the bed so his back faced the Heroes. 

Twilight’s brow creased and when he looked to Four and Hyrule, he received two shrugs. They were just as confused as he was by the odd behavior Wind was displaying. 

Twilight gave Wind one last pat before leaving the room. Four and Hyrule spared Wind another look before unloading their weapons and packs, setting them carefully on the floor against the wall. Wind never moved an inch.  

After a long moment of silence and Wind lying stock, Hyrule shifted. It was abnormal not to hear the Sailor’s bright and bubbly voice weaving pirate tales or fascinating stories of the ocean to fill the quiet atmosphere. They were always complete with enthusiastic gestures that reminded them of just how young Wind was. Of how innocent and pure he still remained despite the adventure he’d been whisked on. 

Finally, he could take it no more. It felt wrong for Wind to be sullen and quiet. Hyrule didn’t like it. 

“Hey, Wind?” 

The younger of the three didn’t reply and made no indication of having heard him. 

“Why are you so against being here?” Hyrule asked, undeterred by Wind’s silence. 

Wind rolled onto his back and sat up with a dark frown, “Because it feels wrong.”

After he’d spoken, Wind hugged himself and looked around uneasily. He’d felt this way once before. The atmosphere...the air around him...the feel of it was familiar. He’d felt it before. 

But when? He couldn’t recall. 

Four and Hyrule glanced to one another then the young Hero.  “Wrong?” Four parroted, inclining his head, “How so?” 

Wind pursed his lips together, eyes burning holes into his covers, 

“Something’s off about this place. I feel it.” He shuddered, gaze darting to the window then the door. “Something isn’t right.” 

Four and Hyrule could only shrug. They didn’t feel anything was amiss, but they could tell Wind was definitely uncomfortable and antsy. 

“Well, I say we at least try to get some shut eye tonight,” Four suggested, climbing into his own bed while Hyrule vanquished the lamp light, “That-a-way, if anything does happen, we’ll be rested and fit to face whatever it is.” 

Hyrule hummed tiredly in agreement and curled up in his bed, relishing in the warmth and comfort his blankets provided. He burrowed deeper so only his tousled hair was visible. Four settled on his back, folding his hands on his chest and allowed his eyes to drift shut. 

Creaks and groans were heard momentarily as the Heroes shifted to make themselves comfortable. 

It wasn’t long until both were dead to the world. 

Wind took longer to try and fall asleep. The ominous and apprehensive feeling was only growing. His stomach churned, his heart thumping until the anxiousness he felt grew suffocating. 

He tossed and turned, striving to ignore it, but he’d learned from previous experiences never to doubt his instincts. After failing to succumb to sleep for a couple of hours, Wind sat up with an explosive sigh. 

Neither Four nor Hyrule stirred. 

The Hero slumped his shoulders. He wouldn’t be able to get any rest this night. He already knew it was a hopeless endeavor. Twisting in his bed, Wind sat up and slipped from the covers, his still-booted feet falling flat against the cold wooden floor as he stood. 

He quietly drifted across the room, soft leather quietly tapping against the ground, and noiselessly opened the door. He slipped into the dreary corridor without a sound, checking briefly to ensure he hadn’t woken the Heroes within. 

He hadn’t. 

Satisfied, he closed the door behind him, slowly turning the knob in order not to disturb Four and Hyrule. 

With another sigh, Wind spun on his heel and warily ambled down the hallway. It was dark and grey, the Hero found. The lamps lining the walls had long been extinguished. 

Wind found this incredibly unnerving. His senses screamed for him to leave. To get out of this inn and never return. 

But he couldn’t without the others. 

He turned a corner, giving a sharp gasp of fright when a shadow suddenly detached itself from the wall next to him. 

A very familiarly shaped shadow. 

A hand clutching at his frantically beating heart, Wind bent over, one hand on his knees as he tried to calm his breathing. 

“Wolfie!” He whispered in relief. “Don’t do that! You scared the living daylights out of me!” He lightly scolded. Wolfie nudged Wind’s cheek with his nose. 

An apology. 

Wind weakly grinned, patting Wolfie’s strong shoulder. 

“How did you even get in here?” He wondered aloud, but since Wolfie couldn’t answer him, Wind shrugged, “Guess it doesn’t really matter. I take it you can’t sleep either? Neither can I.” He pursed his lips and started cautiously walking down the corridor again. He kept a very sharp lookout. One never knew what dangers lingered around every corner or hidden in the shadows, “This place gives me the creeps,” He admitted to his animal friend, “Everyone keeps telling me it’s going to be fine and that it’s only for one night...but, Wolfie, something about this place is wrong.” He stressed the word, turning his head to meet Wolfie’s blue eyes. “Can’t you feel it?” 

Wolfie only stared back, intelligent blues boring into his own, searching.  

“Of course...” Wind grumbled, hugging himself. “It’s just me, then.” He sighed in frustration, raking a hand through his sun-bleached hair. “You know what bugs me?” He rhetorically asked aloud, Wolfie falling into step beside him. The great beast’s strong and soothing presence comforted Wind. He felt safer. Protected. Wolfie wouldn’t allow anything to happen. “I’ve felt this way before. Not,” 

He made a face, trying to think of how he wanted to explain himself to his animal friend, 

“Not scared or nervous or anything...just...I have this feeling deep inside. A sense of wrongness. Kind of...a warped reality? No...I’ve felt it once, but I can’t remember when.” He made an aggravated sound. “This is hopeless. I know I should recognize- ow!” 

Wolfie cringed when the young Hero turned and crashed into a mirror on the wall. He made a soft rumbling sound as Wind staggered back and rubbed at his smarting nose. The beast trotted to his side, nudging him with his head concernedly. 

Wind glowered fiercely at the mirror, momentarily ignoring his animal friend.

“How did I manage that?!” He demanded to know, grimacing in pain. His voice was horribly muffled by his hand and the Sailor almost groaned when something wet touched his fingers. 

He’d gotten a nosebleed. 

How fabulous. 

“Ooh, that hurt...” He groaned, hearing Wolfie whine in concern and gently paw at him. 

He scowled darkly and made to turn away to stalk down the hall when he was stopped by something grabbing the back of his tunic. 

He glimpsed past his shoulder to find Wolfie had gripped the end of his tunic with his teeth. 

“What are you doing?” Wind tried to tug his tunic free, but Wolfie wouldn’t let him go. “You’re going to ruin my tunic.” Wind tried, but the wolf refused to release him. Wind’s expression flat-lined. “Seriously, Wolfie? Let my tunic go.” 

A low growl rumbled from the wolf’s throat. 

Wind narrowed his eyes. “Let it go, Wolfie.” 

Another growl. 

“Wolfie!” 

Wind was about to give up when he glanced forward and jumped slightly upon seeing his reflection. “Are you serious?” Wind muttered, his heart thundering in his chest, “I knew the mirror was there and my reflection still got me!” He griped to himself, then froze. He thought back upon what he’d seen. 

His mind backtracked, processed the image, then rewinded again to reprocess it. 

It was his reflection, yes...

But...

Wind looked back up and stared. 

“Wolfie...” 

The wolf let go of his tunic, sidling up to him upon hearing the sudden change in Wind’s tone. He raised his head to find Wind’s spooked gaze fixated on the mirror. 

“Do you see that?!” Wind asked, pointing to the mirror. Wolfie looked, confused when he saw nothing wrong. Only Wind’s reflection. Blue tunic with a white lobster design, belt, pants... Sunny blonde hair, expressive eyes...

Wind turned to give Wolfie a troubled look then back to the mirror with wide eyes, “Wolfie, my reflection!” 

The wolf was utterly baffled. What was wrong with his reflection? He looked to see Wind pointing at his reflection and his reflection doing the same-

Wait a minute...

“Wolfie,” Wind moved closer to the great beast, hands digging into his thick fur as he grew more alarmed, 

“My reflection’s backwards!” 

~~~~~~~

I am SO sorry about the late update! Wi-Fi where I’m at has been down for quite a few days this month and the only way I could post was if I went somewhere with free Wi-Fi available.  But here, have a Wind-centric fic! Little sailor boy needs some love! 

[knightthunderis]

Chapter 13 Hidden Masquerade

“It is nice to see you too Erin Llewellyn.” Reimeiko smirked. “Does your family know that you are here in Taboria in a five star palace serving your highest rated dishes? I am with Derrick here and we were just passing through to catch the first dance.”

“Oh Ja--uh Reimeiko, you are with Derrick?” Erin asked. “Carry on then just make sure that rogue keeps his hands off of my fig and olive tapenade?”

“Tapen what?” Derrick asked. “Uh that is not going to be a problem for me to do.” Just then, a servant carrying a large silver platter rushed out from the preparation station without looking but Reimeiko spotted a slick spot of water just in front of her.

“Hey look out!” Reimeiko shouted. The young server slipped but using her incredible speed, Reimeiko caught the server by the arm with one hand and steadied the tray with the other. She saw the name on her tag was Serah.

“Whoa, thank you.” Serah said. “You seriously saved my life.  You are the first noble I have seen to ever step in to help a servant.  How did you do that so fast? You were amazing.”

“Let us just say I have averted my share of waitressing disasters before.” Reimeiko replied. “It looks like you got a little something on your uniform.  Here,let me help you.” She moved to the sink and moistened a clean rag with water, then sprinkled it with a dash of salt.  Using a circular motion, she quickly removed the stain from her uniform.

“Wow, it is as good as new, thank you.” Serah gushed. She took the tray and scurried quickly away from the kitchen and back to the ballroom.

“It looks like the sink splashed some water on you and your dress.” Derrick teased. “And I did not expect you to come to that servant’s rescue the way that you did.”

“The water will dry in a minute and no one will even know that it has been there.” Reimeiko said. “And as far as the servant goes, it was just a little stain, it was no big deal.”

“If that servant had nearly bumped into anyone else in that ballroom,” Derrick said. “She would have been getting yelled at or fired or even both. Most likely both.  Most of the so-called people out there care more about their fancy clothes and social standing than the actual people out there serving them.”

“Well I do not share that mindset.” Reimeiko snarled. “Without the people who serve them, those air-headed nobles would have to fend for themselves.  And other than the obvious, you are not even dressed for a masquerade.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Derrick demanded. “I do not usually go in for these sorts of things. I know I do not have to be.  But it is not about me, it is about Karyson.”

“So you are looking out for him, that is super sweet.” she said. “It was just as I thought.  You are not as tough of a nut to crack after all.”

“There is no need to get all whatever it is about it.” he said. “Now come on, let us get you the dance I promised you.”  Reimeiko followed Derrick to a small servants entrance at the back of the kitchen and looked through the small window out into the ballroom behind Karyson and King Cecil. “Step right through here and you will skip the whole line of girls hoping to dance with Karyson.  He always would have chosen you for this if given the chance, and now he will have one.”

“Before I go, answer me something.” she said. “Why are you helping me, I mean really?  Half the time you are telling me I do not belong here and that I will not last and now this.”

“Maybe half the time I am hoping that I am wrong.” Derrick said. He gave her a half smile before the door closed between them.  She walked confidently over to where Karyson was standing.

“Well hello, you will have to forgive me, but I do not think we have met before now.” Karyson said. “I know of all of the women who are here for me, but you my lady have me at a disadvantage.”

“We have actually met twice before.” Reimeiko replied. “It has not even been twenty-four hours since we saw each other and the meeting before was with the beautiful Lady Liberty.”

“Now you truly have me at a disadvantage.” he said. “Your presence is baffling to me.  I cannot stop my mind from racing.  Is she a high ranking aristocrat from a distant country?  Or a wealthy woman of the world?  So who are you?  What brings you here?”

“You brought me here, Kary.” Reimeiko replied. “And you will be even more surprised when you finally figure out the truth.  No guesses yet?  Even with the mention of Lady Liberty?”

Karyson stared at her hard for a moment meeting her eyes and his finally widening in recognition. “Reimeiko? Oh of course. I thought I would never see you again.  So we do meet again.” The music began and grew louder. Around the room couples began to pair up and take to the dance floor. “It seems that you are just in time tonight, the first dance is beginning.  Would you do me the honor?” He held out his hand to her.

“I would love to.” she replied,taking his offered hand.  He swept her into his arms and onto the dancefloor where the ladies of court looked on with surprise and jealousy.  Behind them, she saw Malachi pump his fist in the air excitedly. “For you, I would not have missed this.”

“I am glad that you made it to the ball.” Karyson said. “After last night I was tempted to believe that seeing you was just a dream, but here you are in the flesh.” As the music shifted, Karyson gracefully spun Reimeiko out of his embrace.  Using his hand for support, she dipped back elegantly only to return to form and twirl back into his arms effortlessly.  Quiet gasps escape from the others across the ballroom.  Karyson gracefully drew her against him once again.  Without warning, her lightning strike hit, warning her of danger and the feeling that someone very sinister was watching her, quietly plotting against her and her family.  She looked around, looking for the source of foreboding, but did not see anyone paying too close of attention.  But she still could not shake the uneasiness she felt as she and Karyson danced.  Sure enough, hidden in the shadows, two figures stood somewhat hidden from sight.  One wearing a sweater vest, tie and blazer, the other wearing a dark turtleneck and blazer.

“What are you doing here?” SweaterVest hissed. “There is no way we will be able to take the kingdom if our plan is discovered too soon.  And you are looking highly suspicious.”

“You are a fine one to talk.” TurtleNeck sneered. “If Cecil discovers that you are alive and still working to take the throne, he would have you decapitated before you knew what had hit you and I would be taken down with you because I would be considered an accessory after the fact.  Not to mention the fact that you are putting my daughter in the line of fire.  She gets to be Queen and you are planning to rip it, Garyson, and the kingdom away from her just so you can be king.”

“Have you forgotten that you are in this as deep as me,” SweaterVest implied. “Moreso infact since it was you that poisoned and killed Queen Coradae.  If they ever find that goblet, which they have not yet, you are the one who gifted the goblet to Coradae in the first place so your fingerprints are all over it.  So if this comes down to any kind of case, you would be the one tried, convicted, and sentenced with her death not me.  You would be the one who would either end up with life in prison or the death penalty which you know is still in affect here.” 

“I could come completely clean with Cecil about my part in it as well as helping them put you out of commission without so much as a second thought.” TurtleNeck declared “I could cut a deal and beg for mercy. Besides, you purchased the poison and the goblet,you put the poison in the goblet and you said both she and Cecil would drink from it. It was supposed to take out two birds with one stone you said, but it did not.”

“No, you are right, it did not work out entirely as I planned.” SweaterVest said. “But after that last meeting at my house, I was going to call on the Great Houses to cast a vote of no confidence, not only in Cecil’s ability to rule, but also his ability to raise his sons.  I thought I would have had you along with to vote for me, but no, you ran off back to England to hide like the coward you are.”

“Well I will do whatever it takes to keep from going down with you, even if it means as those nasty Americans say throwing you under the bus or throwing you to the wolves.” TurtleNeck sneered. “I am not risking what remains of my holdings and life to back you up anymore.  You nearly got us caught when you recruited those barbaric Loreans. Now leave me alone.”

“I will forewarn you ahead of time.” SweaterVest sneered. “If you so much as breathe one word about me, I will have you and your family raked over the coals for breakfast. I have enough evidence to ruin you and destroy your family in the process.”

“You do not scare me.” TurtleNeck seethed. “I come from the largest crime family in the world. One word from me and my brother will have every one of his guards all over you like a cheap suit.”

“You brother and his associates were caught and arrested in their dive bar in the United States by the combined efforts of Knight Thunder, her Knights, and the I.C.E.” SweaterVest cackled. “Now you will do what I say or you will join them.  And if you ever go against me again, forget the cell, I will put you ten feet under.”

TurtleNeck watched as SweaterVest walked away with his head held high for having got the upper hand.  Smugly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a mini tape recorder and pressed the stop button.

“As always you underestimate me old friend.” TurtleNeck said. “I always have several aces up my sleeves when dealing with people like you.”  Seething, he turned his attention back to watch the Prince and the young stranger being sponsored by the Blanchards.  Something about her seemed familiar, like he had seen her somewhere before, but he could not put his finger on it.  He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “You know who this is Lasider, and I have got a job for you and your particular talents.”

“I will do what I can and as always you will get my prompt well done service.” Lasider replied. “Who is it that you want me to torture and kill Your Grace?”

“No, not torture and kill- well at least not yet.” TurtleNeck said. “I need you to do some character digging on someone and I will pay you twice your usual fee for it.”

“It sounds very interesting as well as very high profile considering the seriousness of the tone in your voice.” Lasider replied. “I am in, what or who is the target in question?”