In the castle's private dining room, the Master of the castle lounged at the head of the table, toying with his goblet. The table was set with snowy linen and exquisite china, silver that gleamed like molten moonlight and the finest crystal. There were only two settings, two chairs of gilded wood and red velvet. By the fireplace, Saionji and Wakaba stood at attention, ready to serve their Master and his guest…whenever she arrived.

"What's taking so long?" Touga asked languidly. "I told Miki to bring her down; why isn't she here yet?"

"Try to be patient, sir," Wakaba ventured timidly. "Keiko's probably still doing her hair or something.

Saionji leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Touga, have you thought that this girl might be…the one?"

The redhead shot his maitre'd an irritated look. "Of course not. You take me for a fool?"

"Good…" Saionji murmured.

Touga continued talking, not listening in the slightest. "Sweet words, a few kisses, and she'll be mine by midnight."

"She's not that easy," Wakaba warned darkly.

Saionji made a sound of agreement. "This one will take time."

"It's no use," Touga practically purred. "She's so idealistic, and I'm – well, look at me!" He posed, the firelight making his hair glow and bronzing his creamy skin.

"I hope she can see past all that," the brunette murmured to Saionji, who nodded agreement.

"I don't know how she could," Touga said with a smirk, making his two servants jump.

"Well, you could start by making yourself less presentable," Wakaba snapped, sarcasm giving every word an edge. "Or try to act like a gentleman instead of a sleazy playboy."

Saionji assumed a deadpan expression. "When she comes in, give her your dashing, debonair smile. That worked so well on her earlier."

"Oh, but don't frighten her," Wakaba continued.

"Impress her with your rapier wit." Saionji's sarcasm was beginning to compete with Wakaba's.

"She's a delicate flower, be gentle."

"Shower her with compliments," the maitre'd suggested, expression stating he knew he was stating the obvious.

"Or be sincere," the disgruntled brunette shot back bitterly.

Touga favored his new cook with one aristocratically arched eyebrow. "Temper, temper," he said mildly.

The door creaked slightly as it started to open.

"Ah," Touga announced with satisfaction. "Here she is!"

Miki peered sullenly around the door. "…good evening, Master Touga…"

The lord of the castle was suddenly less satisfied. "Well, Miki? Where is she?"

The blue-haired majordomo found his attention absorbed by an absolutely fascinating spot on the opposite wall. "The new girl? Well, um…she…" he glanced at his master and grew that much more flustered. "You see, that is…she's in the process of…"

"Miki," Touga growled.

"Circumstances being what they are…Ah…she's not coming."

Wakaba and Saionji jerked; Touga rocked back as though he'd been slapped. "What?"


Utena was using a delicate vanity stool to fend off a very determined hairbrush-wielding Keiko when there was a knock at the door – which was currently blocked by an overturned upholstered chair.

"My fair flower, didn't Miki tell you that dinner was ready?"

The smooth voice coming through the door startled Utena just enough for Keiko to smack her knuckles with the back of the hairbrush, making her lose her grip on the frilly stool.

"I'm not hungry!" Disarmed, the pink-haired girl was forced to dash for the bed and grab a pillow to try to hold the other girl at bay with. A sharp tug jerked her head back and told her that the angry girl was just as fast, and still determined to brush her hair.

"Are you all right in there?" The door rattled against the chair that had been overturned earlier. "The door won't open – do I need to break it down?"

"Go away." Utena swung the embroidered pillow at Keiko, landing a solid blow against the side of her head. "Leave me alone." Another blow had the dark-eyed brunette in retreat.

"If you insist," came Touga's hurt voice through the door. "I'm just trying to be a gentleman."

A third blow, and Keiko dropped the brush in favor of fleeing towards the dubious safety of the door. "Master Touga, she's being difficult!"

"Gently, gently," that smooth voice urged. "Fair flower, won't you join me for dinner?"

"No!" Utena buried her face in the pillow for a moment, resisting the urge to throw it at the door.

"It would give me great pleasure if you would join me for dinner."

Utena stared at the door. He just didn't give up, did he?

"Please?"

"No, thank you," she said firmly, watching Keiko struggle to haul the chair away from the door.

"You can't stay in there forever." That velvety voice was filled with gentle amusement now.

"I can if Keiko can't get the chair out of the way," Utena muttered.

"I wouldn't want you to starve," Touga said, concern dripping from his voice. He fixed Wakaba with a stern look. "If she doesn't eat with me, she doesn't eat at all, is that understood?"

"Yes, Master Touga," the girl whispered in response to the quiet threat.

The three castle servants watched their lord saunter casually down the hall. Behind them, Keiko finally succeeded in wrestling the door open enough to make her escape.

"Well," Saionji said with deep satisfaction, "that didn't go very well at all, did it?"

Miki glared at him, but did not challenge the older boy. "Wakaba," he said instead, "stay here and make sure she doesn't leave her room. You heard the Master's command."

Wakaba humphed at the majordomo but didn't argue, flouncing as best she could into the room and slamming the door. A scrape and thump hinted that the chair had once again been pressed into service as a barricade.