Pairings: As of now...the only pairingqs that are set in concrete are RyoSaku and FujiSaeki.
Disclaimer:You know it, I know it, everybody knows it. I do not own PoT...this or the other kind for future reference.
Greeting people at a door was a very easy job. All you had to do was smile, say hello, and instruct them where the prince, princess, king, queen, or banquet table was depending on who they were. But it wasn't easy when you had to be escorted to the party by a person you had threatened not too long ago, and couldn't even prepare for the people you were about to greet because you didn't know who they were.
I clung to Ryoma's arm as he swished me from place to place while he led me to the Garden House.
The Garden House was called that because it had the best view of the royal garden. It was great for informal get-togethers such as this one. Whenever they decided to throw big parties, such as Rose's coming out party, they used the Ballroom instead.
It had enough room for about 20 people, and since it was separated from the main castle, had lots of privacy.
We reached the place as the sun just started to set.
I curtsied and muttered, "Thank you." to Ryoma.
He only smirked.
Rolling my eyes, I hiked up my dress, and walked up the steps.
After Ryoma had entered, I shut the door and collapsed in a chair. He may have been shorter than me, but he sure knew how to move those legs. It didn't help that this dress was super huge!
Ryoma leaned against the wall next to me. "Aren't you going to light the fire place?" he asked in a bored tone.
Again, I glared at him. You know, this is really starting to get old.
Of course I got up from the very comfy chair, and glided over to the fire place. Yes, I did just say I glided, they taught me how do to that during the whole makeover thing. Supposedly, you're supposed to glide while wearing a formal gown.
Anyway, I glided over to the fireplace and started a fire (what else), while Ryoma watched me the whole time. Then I glided back to chair and plopped—gracefully mind you—on it.
Still watching me, Ryan started laughing.
"What?" I asked rudely.
"Nothing, it's just…did you look in the mirror before you left?"
I sent another glare his way.
"Do I have to remind you of our little conversation not too long ago?"
His laughing ceased, but was replaced with a small chuckle.
"You don't have to be so hostile, all I meant was that you looked a little awkward in that dress." Ryoma walked behind and me and added, "It looks like you haven't been in a dress in a long time, or not at all. Or that you absolutely detest the whole 'prim' thing and refuse to cooperate. Your steps are way too exaggerated and don't have the proper flow. It looks like you're trying way too hard."
I felt my temper rising, but it started to cool down as soon as it flared up.
A sigh escaped my lips when realization hit me. He was right.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Would I be saying anything if it wasn't?"
I groaned.
"Great. Even the densest person in the world can tell how bad I look."
He walked out from behind the chair and pulled me up. I guess he was expecting me to be heavier or something, so he pulled really hard.
I tumbled right into him unfortunately, causing him to fall back and nearly crash into the fireplace. To avoid doing that he pushed himself forward and landed on top of me.
CRASH!
Our foreheads banged together.
"Ow!"
"Ouch!"
I looked up at him as he rubbed a sore spot on his head.
"Who knew you were such a hard head."
I smacked him on his sore spot.
"What was that for!?"
"Who cares, now get off! You're too heavy."
I pushed with all my might trying to get him off of top of me. He rolled up to side and I straightened up and smoothed the creases out of my dress.
Still rubbing his head, Ryoma started to smirk at me. I wonder what smart-arse thing he has to say now (insert sarcasm here).
"I never knew you felt that way about me. Try to keep yourself from not jumping my bones next time."
Why that little…Ugh! I have all the right in the world to slap him across the face right now. But no, I will stand strong, and not give in to his little antics. Because I am an intelligent young woman who will not sink to his level. I am going to walk away with my head held high and—
"Oh wait, I know what it was. You thought I was Fuji."
Okay, now that was the last straw. Screw intelligence, this is WAR.
"I don't know what you're talking about. To me, it seemed youwere the one who pulled me down." With the same expression on my face I added, "And by the look in your eyes I could have sworn you thought I was Sakuno."
His eyes widened a little bit and a blush crept up on his face. Looks like I struck a chord.
"I—you—that—shut up!"
I laughed heartily at his embarrassment, but while I was laughing, I also had to wonder why he was so embarrassed.
His friends tease him about it all the time and he just shrugs them off, but when I said something, he all of a suddenly was on the defensive. I guess it just surprised him that I knew at all. Or maybe he's scared that I'm a snitch and thinks I'm going to tell Sakuno herself.
I might have messed with him a little more until I heard a bunch of clanging coming from the back.
I looked to Ryoma to see if he knew what was going on, but he seemed just as confused as I did.
After a moment, Ryoma, with a frown on his face, motioned for me to stand behind him. Not wasting any time I did exactly that.
Now, that doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two about defending myself when I need too. Back in the day I was quite the fighter, but come on, YOU try kicking someone while wearing a dress like this.
Crouching, we slowly walked to the door. On the way to the back door, Ryoma grabbed a monumental sword off the wall. Typical, boys never feel secure without their toys. I simply took one of my heels off and stayed behind Ryoma.
Finally after like 10 hours of practically crawling, we reached the door. Taking a deep breath, he put his hand on the knob and asked me quietly to stand next to him. Then he flung open the door to reveal…!
Sakuno. Wow. Never saw that one coming.
I would have laughed at the irony of it all if I wasn't laughing at the look on her face. Can't blame her for looking like that though. I mean, wouldn't you be surprised if all of a suddenly your crush and a good friend of yours just busted through the door with one pointing a sword at you and the latter waving a shoe around like a maniac?
Anyway, once we realized who the "intruder" was, we lowered our weapons and sighed. (Well, Ryoma did, I was laughing too hard.)
"W-what's going on?" Sakuno took her hand from her mouth and spoke again, "Why are you here? And what are you wearing?"
Crap. 'Sort of kind of thought she wouldn't notice the dress, the makeup, or the fact that my hair been thoroughly combed out for the first time in several years.
"Y-you see…I um…er…well…Princess Rose and Prince Fuji they…uh…"
Annoyed by my stuttering, Ryoma and his stupid butt decided to step in for me.
"The girl is entertaining tonight."
I sent a glare his way. Seriously! Can we go two seconds without one of us glaring at another!
"H-hi Prince Ryoma. A-aren't you o-one of the g-guest?"
"Uh-huh."
"O-Okay…"
Seeing that his conversation is going nowhere, I guess I should start contributing.
"Why are you here?"
"I had to bring the food from the palace to here. I don't think the guest would be happy without food, especially considering how Prince Ryoma eats!" we both giggled as Ryoma's face turned scarlet.
"Hey! Momo is always pushing me into a competition. And Eiji's just as bad!"
A picture of the ever hyper redhead flashed into my mind. Another giggle escaped my lips as I thought of him. That boy never knew when to sit down.
"Don't blame it on them, you're a pig. Admit it!"
This time he sent me a glare.
I shook my head and continued my conversation with Sakuno.
"Anyway, how did you get here? I'm really surprised you didn't get lost."
She sighed. "Really, you don't have to make fun of me you know."
I looked at her confused.
"What are you talking about?" giving her a weird stare I continued. "You have to admit, you aren't the best with directions," she blushed, "But not even the best tracker in the world could find this place. Especially if they had never even been here before."
Now it was her turn to give me the weird stare.
"U-um…I think you got it all wrong."
Taking me by the hand, she led me to the window and pointed. I looked out to see a fairly small path leading from the back door to the palace.
"Whoops, I guess I forgot about that route." said a voice from behind me. I could hear the sarcasm and amusement laced into that voice I hated so much right now.
It all happened in a flash.
SMACK!
I wheeled around and slapped Ryoma right across the face.
Ouch that hurt my hand a little more than I thought it would. It must have hurt his face even worse.
My body was ten times faster than my brain and reacted without me thinking it through.
Well, I guess you could say I did think it through a little bit.
My brain didprocess the part on how Ryoma tricked me into traipsing through the garden, and that my patience for him was very, very, VERY low. And how good it would feel to backhand him. It did fell good for the most part…except my hand just hurt so darn much!
Bur hey, at least I didn't punch him. That would have been worse.
We all stood there frozen in place. Sakuno had her hand over her mouth, Ryoma's face was still turned from the force of the blow, and I'm just standing here thinking how the hell I'm going to get out of this one.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Was anyone going to break this silence?!
"I-I…I think we should get the f-food out before the g-guests arrive."
"G-good idea." I answered quickly.
Both of us set up the banquet in record time, all the while avoiding eye contact.
I could feel the eyes of Ryoma boring into my back as I rearranged a vase of flowers. It made me so nervous I broke a few of the stems.
Sighing in defeat, I threw the flowers down and buried my face in my hands. I had stepped out of line before, but this was an all record high. Or low. Whichever one was worse.
Only some serious butt kissing would get me out of this one.
Throwing any pride I had left out the window, I walked over to Ryoma and curtsied as low as possible.
"I am deeply sorry for the event that just occurred, Your Royal Highness."
I heard a bit of snickering and looked up to see his all famous smirk.
"It barely even hurt."
I frowned and nearly retorted to his cocky remark, but decided against it. Instead, I settled for raising an eyebrow and poking him in the assaulted cheek.
As I expected he flinched.
I returned the smirk and trotted off towards my "should be" post at the door.
After a few minutes of just standing there doing nothing, I heard a violin start being beautifully played.
Sakuno shuffled next to me and looked at something in absolute admiration. I turned around to see Ryoma playing. He plucked and strummed the strings so which such precise timing I was deeply impressed.
When he realized we were staring at him, he ceased his playing.
"That was w-wonderful!" Sakuno cried out.
I could only stare at him in wonder. No words could explain what I was feeling. I always knew the brat was talented, but that was incredible!
He smiled and began playing again.
We all sat no longer bored and waited for the first guest to arrive.
