NEPETA:
The little girl hums and twirls a finger through her hair. She admires the dress that her mama made her in the mirror. So pretty and cute! It's an olive green color, her favorite, and it reminds her of a doll dress; it even came with a matching bow that looks swell in her orange hair. There's no way Mr. Karkat wouldn't tell her she looks lovely. It is a special evening after all.
Nepeta grabs her little blue bag (in the shape of a kitty's head of course). In it she comfortably situates Miss Dutchess amongst her other very necessary items. (This includes spare candy in case she needs a boost later or money to buy more candy. There is also a small cats head globe that her mommy had entrusted her with, saying it was a very important item that only she, Nepeta, could take care of.)
"Miss Nepeta, are you ready?" Equius calls gruffly through the door. She gives herself a little twirl and giggles at the way her dress spins around her. The party is going to be so much fun!
"Coming!" Nepeta skips to the door and opens it excitedly. Equius and Karkat stand at attention and bow slightly at her appearance. Mommy had made them charming suits as well for this party, because everyone deserves to dress up even while they're working.
"You look lovely, Miss Nepeta," Equius praises. His compliment is nice, but she always gets them from him. As well as a lot of lectures but that's old news. Her eyes nervously flicker over to Mr. Karkat. He isn't even looking at her.
A glum feeling sneaks in with the happy ones. Mr. Karkat always seems to find better things other than her to look at. But she can't stop right now and let it get her down! She'd ask him to dance at least once tonight, and his eyes would have to be only on her, right?
"Thank you, Mr. Equius!" She smiles up at the tall boy. "Shall we go to the party now?"
"If we have to," Mr. Karkat mutters. His face screws up in annoyance and he holds out his hand the same time Equius does. Nepeta giggles and takes them both, a giddy sensation lifting her up again.
"Of course, silly!"
EQUIUS:
Miss Nepeta had been asked to dance by a kindly old man, someone he faintly recalls as her distant relative, right away after her arrival. Equius finds himself alone with a troublesome partner, a doubled effort to keep his charge in his sights, and a nervous feeling with the amount of people at this party. If there is one thing he could concur with Karkat, it's that parties were bothersome.
"You should have complimented Miss Nepeta in her dress," he remarks casually.
"Why the fuck do I have to? You said it first so it should just count as double for me as well," Karkat tenses in agitation. Really he shouldn't be putting so much pressure on his colleague, as Karkat highly deplores events such as this, but he is trying to be considerate of Miss Nepeta's interests. Although he doesn't approve of her little infatuation with the lower body guard, she is only a child.
"Language, Mr. Vantas," he warns. "We're surrounded by Miss Maryam's guests, not our friends."
Karkat exhales through his nose angrily. The last thing he wants to be doing right now is lecturing him, and undoubtedly Karkat does not want to be lectured, but it's always difficult when it comes to this point of a conversation.
Equius sighs. "At least try to be more polite to her, will you?"
Karkat fidgets for a moment with his neck tie before grudgingly nodding his agreement. Relief fills a small space inside of his mind, and it leaves one problem solved out of a whole bunch.
"I'm going to walk rounds," Karkat says, already walking away to complete said action. He sighs again and turns his attention back to Miss Nepeta.
The little girl twirls around and smiles at the old mat. She seems to be enjoying herself. Nearby he spots Miss Maryam conversing pleasantly with a blond woman. All around him party goers mill about or dance to the sweet music floating in the air. He briefly wonders what it is that always upsets Karkat when it comes to parties. Certainly they are a drag to organize, and when one has to keep an eye upon someone small in a crowd of many, but they do become rather enjoyable once they're in full swing. Why, even when one has an enjoyable partner to be dancing with. This thought leads him down a very tempting path of imagining himself dancing with Miss Aradia. He begins to perspire a little, and he quickly pulls out a deep blue handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes it away. Now simply isn't the time to indulge himself in fantasies! He has a job to perform after all.
The song ends and there is a brief pause. Miss Nepeta curtsies to the old man and then skips back over to where he stands. Another song begins. Before she can make it all the way over, however, another man steps in her path and asks her for a dance.
His eyes narrow ever so slightly at the man. He does not appear familiar in the least. The stranger is tall and broad shouldered, which gave him great cause to bend over to properly address Miss Nepeta. His chestnut hair stands out strikingly amongst many of the dark haired guests. The rearview image of the man's jawline shows that he is...rather emotionless. Uncaring. Miss Nepeta, looking rather uncomfortable, tries to politely decline him. The man is not taking no for an answer, and he grabs her hand while simultaneously dragging her back towards the dance floor.
Equius steps forward with a frown and the intent to apprehend the harasser. However he stops when he sees that Miss Nepeta has her free hand raised in signal to him. She doesn't wish for him to interfere.
Agitated by the guest's rudeness, Equius watches carefully to make sure he does nothing to Miss Nepeta.
KARKAT:
This party is poorly timed, in his opinion. If it had been earlier in the day he might not have felt as grouchy, but he wouldn't say for certain. Something has felt off kilter with the idea of this party alone. He can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.
"Hey KK, how's the party going?" His best friend Sollux beeps into his ear. His hand flies up automatically to swat at the sound. For some reason comm links cause a different form of irritation to him. It drives him absolutely nuts.
"Terribly. There's people everywhere," he mutters. "You didn't do your job very well."
"I did it just to piss you off and make you fall madly in love with me. Is it working yet?" Sollux cackles at his jibe.
"Oh yes Mr. Captor," he responds mockingly. "When this is all over come and sweep me off my feet and ride with me into the sunset, will you?"
"Karkat, are you even working?" Equius's deep voice crackles over the line. He scowls even though he knows the other boy can't see him.
"Nothing to jump his bulge about Zahhak. Just trying to lighten up his mood now," Sollux says casually in defense.
Equius sighs in frustration, but moves onto different topics. "Karkat, please tell me you see the man Miss Nepeta is dancing with currently. There's something about him I find bothersome, but I can't quite place my finger on it."
Karkat stops in the middle of his rounds and looks for the little orange haired girl. He spots her quickly along with the man Equius had to be talking about. He squints, but can't see or sense whatever it is Equius is talking about.
"You're over reacting," he brushes off the concern for possible danger. Nepeta is fine. Yeah she's still a kid but he's seen the results when someone messes with her. Brat is like a natural born predator or something.
But as he thinks this, he notices something startling with some new arriving guests.
"On second thought you should probably snatch her away for a dance as soon as this song is over," He turns around to look for his boss, Miss Maryam. After locating her by the refreshments he quickly strides over to her.
"Sol, I want you to get a scan on the dude dancing with Nepeta. I just saw two more people that look exactly like him."
"Roger," Sollux taps out of the link to go do some research. Maybe he's the one over reacting now, but identical triplets is too coincidental for showing up at this party. The feeling he had managed to forget lept to the surface and he began to feel slightly anxious.
Karkat approaches Miss Maryam, clearing his throat to garner her attention. She turns around and smiles warmly at him. Her evening dress sparkles in the light of the chandelier like the night sky. It looks gorgeous on her. He can't, despite his ever rising levels of panic, help but return the gesture with a small smile of his own. He shakes off just as quickly as it appeared though.
"What is it dear?" Miss Maryam insisted on treating him like her son for some reason, and under normal circumstances he'd get onto her case for doing it, but pressing matters call.
He considers how to best consult her on this matter. God he is such an idiot. He should of had this laid out from the start. Maybe he really is just over reacting if he can't get his shit together. He's about to tell her never mind when Sol buzzes in again.
Reflexively he swats his ear again. God he hates this device.
"KK, there's readings of more than just three dudes with identical features. The whole room is full of them. Geez it's almost like you're surrounded. And I can't find any data on these guys at all."
He freezes.
"Karkat, what's wrong? You're making a frightful face," Kanaya steps closer as she whispers to him. "What does Sollux have to say?"
"Miss Maryam, what the hell-," He catches himself and regains his manners before continuing. "Did you know that there are a bunch of people in here that look completely identical and have no records for being invited to this party?"
Kanaya frowns. No. Of course she couldn't have known. How stupid of him to of accused her. The woman looks around nervously before leaning in a little closer and gripping his shoulder tightly. "Where is Nepeta?"
"She's dancing with one of those guys I was talking about, and I apologize for being rude, but that doesn't answer my fucking question," he hisses. Karkat honestly doesn't mean to be rude to his boss. She is a good lady. But she' also scaring him.
"I'm afraid that it might be too late to explain. Just promise me now that you'll see to your job as Nepeta's body guard, please."
He begins to protest in confusion when his comm buzzes again.
"WHAT?" he demands, turning away from Kanaya.
"This stranger is being a leech. He hasn't let Miss Nepeta go and refuses to let me intervene," Equius gives him the watered down version of the problem upon hearing the poison in Karkat's voice.
Karkat growls. "I'll be right there."
Turning back to Kanaya he says, "There's no way I won't do my job, but you owe me a god damn explanation."
With that he hurries off to assist his charge.
NEPETA:
"Mr. Lowry, I'm feeling a bit tired. I'd like to go sit down for a while if you don't mind," It's not a lie. She doesn't like doing a lot of dancing all at once. Especially when she has pinchy shoes. She also believes that dancing is an art that needs to be timed accordingly to the needs of the dancers. But the stranger who calls himself Mr. Lowry does not seem to heed this fact, or any of her pleas.
She noticed many of Equius's attempts to step in and steal the dance, for how could she not see the tall boy? His perseverance has been rather obvious. But for some odd reason Mr. Lowry won't relent. In fact, after he had first initially asked her to dance he hadn't said a word to her, and his movements had become methodically robotic. It's like he had become oblivious to the world around him.
Then she sees Mr. Karkat coming in from the side. She beams at him, though yet again he appears not to notice. Still, he approaches them anyways and that alone fills Nepeta with relief.
He taps Mr. Lowry on the should just as the song ends. Mr. Lowry seems to not notice, and he pulls away for a mechanical bow. Mr. Karkat scowls and makes his presence known by clearing his throat loudly and tapping his foot. Finally Mr. Lowry takes notice of him.
"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt but I believe it is time you find another dance partner. Miss Nepeta would like a moment off her feet as her shoes are quite tight and pinch at her toes,"Mr. Karkat addresses Mr. Lowry smoothly, simultaneously shepherding them off the dance floor and out of the way. Nepeta couldn't help but swoon slightly at the way Mr. Karkat handles the situation. He is like a gallant knight!
Mr. Lowry does not say anything, but his grip on her hand starts to hurt.
"Sir, if you don't comply you will have to be removed from the party," Mr. Karkat's annoyance is quickly shining through. "Harassment of other guests is strictly prohibited."
I didn't know there was a rule like that, she thought. She keeps her lips tightly sealed however. If Mr. Karkat is lying then he is currently in the act of getting away with it. And it's all for her.
Reluctantly, Mr. Lowry releases his vise like grip on her hand. She takes it back gratefully and hides it behind her, just in case he might try to take it back again.
Stiffly the guest walks away.
"Thank you Mr. Karkat," she mumbles, scuffing the toes of her show along the tile. Her cheeks grow really warm.
"Yeah, yeah whatever," he says brushing it off. "Now let's go sit down before he thinks I'm bluffing."
They pass Equius on the way and Mr. Karkat tells him to take over his rounds. Equius isn't very happy but he obeys anyways. As he leaves he gives her a very light and somewhat awkward pat on the head.
Carefully, so she doesn't wrinkle her dress too much, she sits down on a chair at a nearby table. Mr. Karkat sits down next to her. Well, more like he slouches backwards in a grumpy and tired demeanor. She rubs her hand anxiously, not even noticing the already forming purple marks where Mr. Lowry had held it so tightly.
The conversational silence became fairly awkward. She doesn't know what to say to Mr. Karkat that won't put him in a fouler mood. Yet she can't just not talk.
"Mommy did a good job on the decorations, wouldn't you agree Mr. Karkat?" Nepeta fidgets with her bag while staring at the flowers on the table.
"Don't call me 'Mr.'," he grumbles. "It's too formal for a guy like me without a social standing like yours."
Her head ducks in shame. See? He got mad. Maybe you should just keep your thoughts to yourself huh? She berates herself internally.
"I'm sorry," And yet she still keeps talking to him! But it would have been even ruder of her to not apologize for her mistake.
Karkat sighs in irritation. "No don't be. There's just too much going on all at once and it's just bugging the shi- crap out of me."
She looks over at him and sees that he is finally looking at her. Her heart gallops like it had entered in a mini race last minute as she makes eye contact with him. Her cheeks grow warm. Suddenly overwhelmed with her desire being fulfilled she looks away and back at the flowers.
"Hey," She jumps slightly, startled that he's still speaking to her. This is the longest conversation she must have ever held with him! She turns back to him again. "Let me see your hand."
Not knowing which one he is talking about, she shyly offers him both. He takes her right one and she could of sworn his touch was electrocuting her. He gently traced over spots with a concerned look on his face. Is she dreaming?
"That bastard was hurting you wasn't he?" he mutters. It sounds so concerned. Did he really care for her that much?
No! She lightly pats her face in substitute of slapping herself silly. She can't be thinking like that! It's a sign that her hopeful imagination is getting away from her, and she can't let that happen. Mr. Karkat is only doing his job and taking care of her. That's all it has to be.
Yet despite her resolution to do the opposite of what she wants, the sudden bolster of confidence causes her to blurt out, "Mr. Karkat will you dance with me? Please?"
She is on fire. Dying. In an eternal abyss of embarrassment. Oh how could she? Now he's going to be mad for certain.
"You really want to after you just sat down?" he asks in total confusion. But it isn't a no. So she quickly nods her head while keeping her eyes in her lap. Mr. Karkat sighs.
"Alright," He stands up and she does the same. Carefully he leads her onto the dance floor, and her heart leaps in giddy relief.
EQUIUS:
"Hey Aradia, are you going to the party?" Sollux makes casual conversation over the comm link. Under normal circumstances he'd be lecturing the techie for slacking off while working, but at the mention of Miss Aradia he keeps his lips sealed.
"Yeah I'm almost done getting ready and then I'll head over for a little bit," Miss Aradia answers. He begins to sweat nervously, and he pulls out his handkerchief again. Equius wonders what kind of dress she will be wearing. Surely she'll look lovely in anything.
Stop, he commands himself. Thoughts like these will only distract him from his job. He focuses again on his normal rounds.
"Aradia I don't think you should go to the party. Weird shit is happening and I don't want you getting hurt," Equius pauses mid-step. He remembers what Sollux had said earlier about them seemingly being surrounded. If Sollux is telling Miss Aradia to skip the party because of danger, then he should be taking action and getting Miss Nepeta out as well.
But he also needs to consult Miss Maryam, as he too would like to know what exactly is going on. It takes little effort to find his boss in the crowd. He is fairly tall after all. Carefully he weaves his way through party guests and makes his way over.
KANAYA:
She waits for Equius to come and question her the moment she see's him coming towards her. No doubt he'll pick up where Karkat left off. As much as she needs to explain what is possibly going on, Nepeta has to get out of here. This party is no longer safe.
"Miss Maryam, may I have a word?" Equius finally makes it to her and is wiping his brow repeatedly. She nods anxiously.
"I know what you're going to ask and I'm afraid there is simply not enough time to explain much of anything. But I will tell you now that you need to hurry and get my daughter out of this place immediately," She carefully and quickly instructs Equius on what he needs to do. His brow furrows and he begins to wipe his entire face.
"Do you remember the cabin that's a couple miles from here?" Equius slowly nods his head. "Good, take her there and I will meet up with you as soon as I can."
"But Miss Maryam-"
"Kanaya Maryam you are under arrest for treason against the Queen. Surrender now and no harm will befall any of the party guests here tonight," Kanaya whirls around and stares down the barrel of a gun. The stranger holding it pulls back the safety with a click.
"You have to the count of three until we take you by force. One...Two..."
And here shall the chapter end :3 Mwahahaha
Disclaimer: Homestuck not mine.
