Chapter Four: Dining and Dancing With Royalty
Setting:
Abandoned House, Clarines, near the border
Tomori Nao was starting to get restless. It had been four days since Kondo Arisa and Otosaka Yuu had gone out to the clearing together and spent the entire day trying to get Kondo to master her gift.
"It's been too long." She stated aggravated. "Have you not made any progress?"
Kondo was annoyed at the question, but she couldn't torture her new comrades any more than she already had been. Truthfully, she wanted to go home as well.
"I think after today I should be comfortable enough to say that I have mastered it." Kondo finally responded as someone knocked on the door.
"Now, who could that be?" Nishimori inquired as she went to look out of the bay window.
"I'll get it." Takajo stated as he stood up and walked over to the door. "Obi!" He said surprised. "What brings you here? And come on in!"
Obi came into the house and smiled.
"Prince Zen wanted me to come by and check on you." He started as he sat down next to Kondo. "And to request your presence at Wistal Castle in two days."
"Wistal? Castle?" Kanako asked in disbelief. "No offense to Prince Zen, but why would he want us there? Not only am I not from this kingdom, they aren't even from here."
Obi laughed as he pulled out an envelope.
"Relax." He said as he handed it to her. As she read it, he continued. "King Izana is having a party and Prince Zen requested permission to invite some "new friends" of his, as he put it. Surprisingly, King Izana agreed and then Prince Zen sent me here."
"What does it say, Kanako?" Tomori asked as she walked over to her.
"It's an official invitation to the party," She answered and then looked to Obi, "But none of us have clothes worthy enough of such a party."
"Ah, that is why I came here today. You are to pack up some main necessities for three nights, but I am to take the men to one tailor while Miss Kiki will take the ladies to another."
The group looked at each other with a half smile. They were quite astonished at the invitation when they thought they would be left alone, but they weren't going to waste this opportunity.
The group went to their rooms and packed a small bag before heading on their way with Obi to the village outside of Wistal Castle. There they met up with Kiki and she took the girls under her wing and helped with acquiring the necessary garments for each of them.
After the shopping was done, she treated the girls to a meal where she got down to business.
"Prince Zen is trusting that you all can behave and show proper manners at this party in a couple of days. So, while I have you under my wing, we'll be going over proper etiquette."
Tomori tilted her head inquisitively.
"Does that mean, Miss Kiki, that the boys are also having these etiquette lessons with Obi?" She asked curiously and with a grin.
"Not with Obi." Kiki responded. "I do believe Mitsuhide will be helping them in that department. Obi needs lessons too, even after all of this time with us."
"Man! I would love to get that on video!" Tomori quietly exclaimed as the waitress came.
The girls all let a small giggle slip as they ordered. After a quick lesson, which Kiki was surprised to see each of the girls master, they headed to Wistal Castle. Kiki informed the girls that they'd be sharing a room in the East Wing, while the boys also shared a room. They had two days to get used to the castle and where they had to walk before the party.
"Miss Shirayuki loves to cook dinner for us with Obi's help, so if you want to help her, please feel free. I am sure she wouldn't mind."
"Now, she's a court herbalist, right?"
"Yes, Miss Arisa. Why do you ask?"
"Just checking. I know she has her work so maybe if we just took over cooking for the next couple of days, it will help her out."
Kiki smiled at the thought and nodded in agreement.
"Once we get to the castle, I'll give you a grand tour. Also, I need to bring you to Prince Zen's office, so he can give you your badges so you can move freely around the castle while you are staying here."
The group made their way to the castle, and the guards standing at the XXX gate let them in. Kiki then led them to Prince Zen. She knocked on the door three times in a row before opening the door. Prince Zen was working at his desk with his head down and only looked up when Kiki cleared her throat.
"Hello, ladies." He greeted with a smile. "I hope you are all okay."
"We are fine, Prince Zen." Kanako answered as he got up from his desk carrying a wrapped package.
Prince Zen handed it to Kiki who then opened it carefully.
"These are your badges. I trust Kiki told you about them." He started receiving five nods. "Good. They will help you get around the castle without being stopped by guards constantly, or needed an assigned escort. My brother, King Izana, has stepped up security so this will alleviate the need for anything drastic." He explained as he handed them each one. "Now, Kiki can show you to the east wing where you'll be staying with us. I believe Shirayuki will be making dinner and that will be ready around six this evening."
The girls nodded and then followed Kiki's lead out the door and through the hallways of the castle.
"This place is beautiful." Nishimori observed as she looked up while walking.
"If only Tokyo had castles like this!" Kondo agreed.
Kiki, although in the lead, was smiling at the thought.
"So, what does Tokyo look like?" Kanako asked.
"Well, there are a lot of tall buildings made out of steel and concrete." Tomori answered. "It's a lot more developed and a much larger population." She added.
Once the girls made it inside the east wing, they were directed to their room and they put their stuff down. They noticed that each of their dresses for the party had been delivered already by the shop and were folded neatly on their beds. Kiki left the girls for a couple of hours to attend to her other duties and the girls just sat and enjoyed themselves in the peace and quiet.
Nishimori Yusa couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She opened up her dress and quickly slipped it on.
"I feel like a princess!" Nishimori exclaimed as she twirled around.
"Don't ruin the dress before the party." Tomori scolded. "I don't want all that money to go to waste. And it wasn't even our money."
"Sorry, but don't you feel the same?"
"A little." Tomori admitted.
"So, how are we going to do our hair? Should we put it up or down?" Kondo asked.
"I think up would be best." Kanako answered. "We all have long hair, and I can help you ladies if you would like. And Miss Kiki bought us all sorts of hair pins and accessories to accomplish whatever we wanted to do."
The girls agreed and waited for the boys to show up.
Two hours later, they did. The girls headed out into the common room to find the boys coming in, rather boisterously.
"Could you four stop making such a racket?" Kondo teased.
Otosaka, Takajo, Obi and Mitsuhide all looked up to see the girls and smiled.
"Sorry." Was the group response.
"But you should have seen Obi and Yuu at the etiquette lessons." Mitsuhide teased. "It took us a lot longer than planned to get those two to get their act together." He continued grinning and causing the two mentioned to become red with embarrassment.
Over the course of the next two days, the girls offered to help Shirayuki with the dinners so that she could be treated for once, and so that they wouldn't be taking advantage of the situation.
When the day of the party arrived, everyone was hustling and bustling about getting everything set up for the evening's festivities. The ladies meanwhile were taking a relaxing day with getting ready slowly after lunch. Freshly showered and dressed in the under-layer of the clothing, they let Kanako work on their hair one at a time. Shirayuki even joined them and started to help Kanako she wasn't the sole hair stylist. Once Shirayuki was ready, she excused herself to make her way to the grand ballroom before everyone else arrived. Once they were all ready, they headed downstairs to the common room and were joined by the guys.
"You clean up nice." Nishimori told them with a grin before they all headed out the door.
They arrived in the grand ballroom and were officially announced. They made their way slowly inside. King Izana, high up on a balcony raised his eyebrow at the guests of his brother, watching them to see what they would do.
"You need not worry, your highness, these friends of mine are respectful young men and women." Prince Zen whispered to his brother and then cheekily grinned as he watched them walk in.
"Let's hope, for your sake, you are right." The king replied. "How long are they here for?"
"They'll leave tomorrow morning. And since the castle isn't in ruins by now, you should give them more credit."
"We shall see. However, everyone is almost here, so the feast will begin. Hopefully they can show better decorum than your dear Obi." King Izana stated before starting to make his way to the staircase.
Zen took a deep breath and then sighed. Shirayuki, who was a silent witness to the conversation, put her hand in his and squeezed it. Prince Zen turned to face her and smiled before bringing her down the stairs.
Once down, they sat themselves and their guests followed suit before the food was served. Tomori, Otosaka, Nishimori, Takajo, Kondo and Kanako all did their best to remember the etiquette from their practice meals so that they would not embarrass Prince Zen, or themselves.
After they ate came the dancing part of the evening.
"You know, one thing we weren't taught is any of their basic dances." Kondo commented as the group stood and watched as those that wanted to dance danced in the center of the crowd.
"Well, it's a good thing, because I do not wish to dance." Otosaka commented.
"And why is that?" A voice asked from behind startling them.
Otosaka turned around to see Shirayuki and Prince Zen.
"Uh…well.." He started to stammer. "I don't like to. Plus, I am no good at it."
"It's not that hard." Prince Zen teased as he grabbed Kondo's hand. "May I have this dance?"
"Uh, sure?" She answered hesitantly and then was pulled out onto the floor.
"He may not be the best dancer himself, but he has his moments of making everyone feel welcome." Shirayuki commented as she shook her head. "You all look stunning by the way."
"Thank you, Miss Shirayuki." Kanako answered as they all watched Prince Zen and Kondo dance around. "Was that the brightest idea of his? To dance with her when he is engaged to you?"
"I don't mind. Just as long as I am his last dance of the evening, it's only for fun. That, and like I said, he likes to make everyone feel welcome." Shirayuki answered as Obi, Mitsuhide and Kiki approached. "Hello." She greeted once she was aware they were there.
Obi grinned at the spectacle before him and then reached for Nishimori's hand.
"May I?"
Nishimori smiled and gladly accepted, leaving Takajo in shock and utter disappointment. Mitsuhide followed Obi's lead and asked Kanako to dance while Kiki insisted on dancing with Otosaka.
"That leaves us…here…alone…and not dancing." Takajo said disappointed as Shirayuki giggled and Tomori glared at him.
"I am fine not dancing." Shirayuki stated. "What about you?"
"I..uh..I would rather not if it can be helped." Tomori answered as King Izana was making his way towards the three. Tomori swallowed nervously as he approached.
"Hello King Izana." Shirayuki greeted. "I hope you are enjoying yourself this evening."
"I am, Miss Shirayuki. I hope your friends are as well?"
"We are fine, your highness." Tomori answered.
"Good. I am glad to hear it." He answered and then formed a grin. "I don't see why, Miss Shirayuki, that you are not dancing, and why Miss Nao isn't."
"You are right." Shirayuki said with a mischievous tone as she turned to face Takajo. "Mister Jojiro?"
"Sure?" He said unsure leaving Tomori with the king.
Tomori watched and smiled as Shirayuki pulled her friend out onto the dance floor before looking up at the king, who was in turn, staring at her with a grin equaling Shirayuki's moments before.
"May I, Miss Nao, have the honor?" King Izana asked as he held out his hand.
Tomori nervously and hesitantly accepted it before the king took her out onto the dance floor as well and started to dance with her.
A/N: I have pretty much been on a roll with my other two stories and my FT Christmas project, but I almost forgot to write this chapter. I had started it (had a page and half done before my muse gave me a new idea). Anyway, thank you for sticking by me with this one. I am giving myself *maybe* two more chapters before I complete it (might be one more than that, or one less).
Code-Emperor07: Thank you for following this story. I appreciate it.
fluffytriangles: Thank you for choosing to follow me with this story as well.
I pretty much update it once a month. Sorry if you want earlier updates. Although I might be nice after Christmas if I am bored at my brother's, and if the next chapter is done, I might add chapter five...
Naomi334: Thank you for your review. I am glad you liked it. Anything you need clarification on, or do you think I am doing a decent job with this fanfic? I am interested in knowing your opinion.
DeadManWonder: Sorry. I still didn't mention the whole "time exchange" concept, but is that really that important to you? It just doesn't seem that important to me and I am the one writing it. If anyone else wants to know, just let me know. Maybe I can put it in, if I remember, at the end when the 'Charlotte' characters are back in their own universe...
