Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the characters
"If I ever see him again-" Green ignored the rest of Black's rant. His attempts to calm him only sent him into a bigger rage and he wondered how such a rage could build up in the man. White placed a hand on his arm and that seemed to calm from though a fire still raged in his eyes. But when she told him to calm himself, he snapped again and yelled. "Do you remember him trying to kill you? I remember and I'm not going to give him a chance to take you away from me."
"Calm down Black," She said in an even voice to calm him. "He's gone and I'm fine. It was more of a shock than anything and I was never in danger. He never so much as got close to me. What I'm worried about is why he attacked Blue. My employees are my first priority now."
Black sighed knowing that he was being foolish but found himself pulling her into his arms, needing her heat to reassure him. He pressed his lips to her temple and whispered so only she could hear his words. "I just can't lose you again. Did you know scared I was sitting beside you in that hospital? I can't go through that again, so don't make me."
White knew it was difficult for him to admit any weakness and turned her face up to his. She nodded and that was all the words he needed were in her eyes. She rose on her toes and kissed his nose. Black rested his chin on her head but couldn't get the thought of N hurting her out of his head.
"If it helps, I promise not to go anywhere alone so he can't attack me without another person knowing." She told him to reassure him. She bit her lips and turned to the rest of the performers. "I don't want anyone to be alone in this theater either. If he's willing to hurt me, he'll hurt someone else and I don't want to see anything happen to you."
Blue watched the two and smiled, she hoped that her sisters would be able to find love like that. She was pulled out of her thoughts by Green who pulled her back to her dressing room. Everyone was focused on White so they didn't notice them leave.
He closed the door behind them and spun her so that she was trapped between the door and him. His jacket slipped from her head, as did the wig, until the jacket rested on her shoulders. He was watching the entire time and saw that her wig was all but falling off and pulled her away. He couldn't get the image of N pushing him out of his head and was worried about her.
Though he wasn't the best at voicing his concern when he asked, "What happened?"
"Most people would ask 'are you hurt' first," She frowned. "He didn't hurt me and thankfully you stopped him before anything happened. I didn't know why he came to me but he wanted me to help him ruin White. I don't know what he wanted me to do but I wouldn't do anything he asked of me."
Green nodded. He didn't know why but he believed her words.
"You shot at him?" Gold's uncle yelled as they entered the stable. Crystal, and Gold's aunt followed them at a distance. His aunt immediately handed her mare's reins to a stable boy and left, claiming to have to headache and Crystal believed her. She rubbed her temple herself and turned back to Gold who had a fox on his shoulder. Gold saw her frown and claimed.
"I didn't kill the man, I just scared him away," Gold knelt to place the fox on the ground. Crystal had suggested a walk to explain a hunting trip as a marquis would do often with others of the ton. She had never participated in one but her brother had told her about it often, complaining mostly about the brutality of it and she agreed with the two. She had thought to go over the rules and procedures of a hunt when they came upon a hunting party, Gold's uncle and his friends, that cornered a fox ready to kill.
Gold saw the frightened animal and stepped between the party and fox, trying to draw the party's attention away from it. He thought he was being rather political when speaking to the man. The man was after all on his property when hunting so he should have the power to evict the man. When he saw the man step forward, he shot a rock at the man's feet to scare him.
He only half listened to his uncle chastising him and unsaddled his horse. "If I am correct, this is now my land and if I wish to tell them to leave, then I shall do so. I cannot stand to see any animal hurt for some foolish game that 'men' must play."
His uncle left with a luff but Gold didn't give him a second glance as he took a brush. Crystal could see his anger in his taunt muscles but didn't know what to say to him. She agreed that the hunts were wrong but knew that he couldn't speak so forwardly about it to the ton. He felt her eyes on him and looked over his shoulder, "Do you want me to help you for your mare?"
"I shall do that for you, my lord." They both turned to see the head groom come out from a stall. Gold saw his frown and noticed that the man avoiding meeting his eyes. "I'm sorry I did not come out to take your horses immediately but I didn't see it fit to come between you and your uncle."
"There is no need," Gold told the man even as he was trying to suppress any lingering anger since he knew the man didn't cause it. "I am accustomed to servicing myself. Baktora is uncomfortable with others so it would be better if I do this for myself."
"You said that you were raised as a groom before you started a pub," Crystal commented as she handed her mare to a groom. He nodded and smiled to himself as he spoke of the family that took him in. He didn't tell her that he didn't remember a time before his time at Lance's estate though, except for the sensation of rats biting at his feet.
"You look like your mother," Gold looked up at the head groom's words. "Your mother was a fine lady, she often worked in the garden and loved the roses. I'm glad that you were able to find your way back to us. I know that this is where you belong, this is where your mother would want you to be."
"You were close with me mother?" He asked warily remembering the butler's bitter words that contradicted this man's words. "My butler told me that she was unfaithful and no one else had spoken to me about my mother, they seem to avoid her name entirely."
"We all were," He blushed but then frowned at the rest of Gold's words. "And I would be damned if that man slander her name. She was kind and generous, loving every creature with breath. Her smiled was always so warm despite everything she went through and if I knew sooner, I would've-"
"Have my father ever hit my mother?" Gold asked, almost afraid of the answer. The anger in the man's eyes was clear but a layer distance took it over since he knew it wasn't his place to speak so, even towards another worker. He shook his head and moved to take care of the other horses saying that no one know what happens behind closed doors, and they might never will.
"I must go and walk the horses now," He said and moved past them, not leading a horse. He stopped at the stable door though and spoke, not looking over his shoulder to them when he did so. "I'm glad you're home."
Crystal watched the man leave before turning back to Gold whose attention was on his horse though his eyes weren't focused. He was just so confused about what to think about his own mother and the bloodied letter was laying heavily on his conscious. His instinct told him that danger only lay before him and he looked back at Crystal's concerned eyes. He didn't know if he could pull her into the unknown danger before them.
"I know that this is not how you would've liked us to end our outing but I couldn't let them kill an animal for something so senseless." He started.
"I understand why you did such but I cannot agree with the execution. You were lucky that he was merely an earl and that your title was higher than his. If not, then he could've convinced the ton to shun you for such an act. Next time, simply invite the party to a tour of your estate to divert their attention from the fox."
"What would I do without you?" He grinned and leaned towards her but she stepped back, knowing that any worker could come upon them and that it wasn't proper for them to be so close. It wasn't even right for them to be in the same room without a companion.
"You have lived well enough without me," she told him and he chuckled at her retort.
"Very true, my lady." He nodded as he led his horse back to his stall and held out his arm to her to lead her back to the estate. She placed her hand on the crook of his arm, trying not to stand so close to him as they walked though she could still feel his heat beneath her hand. "I am glad that I chose someone so quick witted to help me, I am sure you will be a great help in finding my mother."
Crystal nodded, noting that his voice caught on the last word, so responded softly. "We should visit the estate you worked at, maybe they knew who brought you there or what happened in your life before then. As well, you were a child alone in the street you wither were taken in by an orphanage or a… we should start with whoever took you in, no sense chasing things that might've not happened."
"I shall pen a letter to Lance," He nodded wondering how the man would think of him now that he was a marquis. He was never close to the man but with the other workers taught that him their trade. He sincerely believed that they didn't know about his sudden title and treat him as they always had. "He is not far from here and I would also like to visit my friend while travelling."
"Of course but traveling wouldn't give me much option on the things I could teach you on the way," She tapped her chin and tried to think of things they could do while contained in a carriage. "Very well then, I shall find some books to bring along so you know who is relevant to discuss. I hope this journey isn't too long though since I would not like for my sister to worry about where I am and come to find me gone."
"Your sister cannot be that protective," Gold laughed but Crystal didn't find it amusing having seen how protective Blue was, though she had to admit that it was nothing compared to what Yellow had to bare. "The trip to Elitse will only take an afternoon but I plan to stay the night with my friend. He lives close to your home so you can visit you sisters actually."
"I would like that," She smiled to herself. She found herself missing their quirks and presence more than she thought she would. She missed having to find Lyra in her constant search for inspiration. She missed hearing the taps of Platina's pen as she passed her door. She missed helping Blue practice her lines as they walked down the hall. She missed cleaning the leftover paint stains Yellow accidently left on the floor. She missed them all so much that she felt a tear drop.
"These are happy tears," She assured Gold when he took a napkin from his pocket and rubbed at the tear. She hadn't realized that she stopped walking and he was looking down at her intently. "I was merely thinking of my sister. I hope that they are doing well without me since they can go to the extreme if I am not there to keep them in line."
"You must love your sisters. I wish I knew what that was like, to have family." Gold said wistfully. "Is it too much to ask if I could stay at your estate and I bring my friend with me? I haven't seen him in so long and he already knows your sister Blue."
"If Blue trusts him," She started slowly and his eyes lighted up. He kissed her nose and thanked her, excited at the thought of seeing a loving family. She blushed and placed her hands on his chest to stop him. She looked over her shoulders and glad that no one saw them. "I must speak with my sister first but I'm sure she would agree. Now you must promised not to kiss me or Blue will force is to marry."
"I cannot wait," He smiled and she wondered he was referring to. "I'm tired of this boring estate so can't wait to meet your family again."
Red looked over the letter gathered on his desk and frowned when he couldn't find an invitation to the Birch's party. He was well known in society but the Birch's rarely held party since they were more invested in excavations than socializing in society. The estate had recently been given to the Littleroot's brother after their death so they might be more open to inviting others.
He needed to at least meet the family to ask them about his mother's engagement ring that they bought. They must've brought it from his parent's murderers. But he couldn't ask them anything if he could never find a moment to ask them.
His thought once again drifted to the amber eyes that glowed in the candle light the first time he saw them. He felt guilty that he forced her off on this escapade with him because the villain he was after was capable of the worst. But his hands were tied, at least that what he reasoned to himself. He was so far gone searching for his parent's murderer that it almost consumed his ever thought.
Until her amber eyes sneak their way into his mind.
He shook his head and told himself that the only reason she spoke with him was for her painting and brother. If not, she would've turned him over to the authorities long before now. He was nothing more than a scoundrel to him and he knew himself that was what he became in his conquest. But damn he had to find a way to revenge his parents after he failed them already.
He pushed himself to his feet and went to his safe. He didn't see anything strange when entering the combination. Everything was in place when he went to open the false wall at the back where he hid her painting. He could already see its bright colours but saw nothing when taking out the false wall.
His heart stopped but the fact that her painting was missing didn't registered until a moment. His one bargaining point he had with Yellow was gone.
Yellow looked inside the stable before entering, trying not to trip over the large blanket she carried. It was late with the moon fully perched in the sky, as she sneaked into the table. She tried not to disturb the sleeping Wally as she moved past him sleeping in a pile of straws. She winced when she opened each stall, worried that their squeals would wake Wally. She didn't want Blue to worry about her.
"Hello friend," She said softly to the horse when she found his stall. She couldn't sleep, worried that her Ratty would be cold in the stables so brought a blanket for it. She realized that the creature was standing while sleeping which surprised her. She always thought that it would lie down to sleep but shook off that information and went to throw the blanket over the horse's back.
Her movement caused the horse to awaken and moved forward to nudge at her. She took the apple from her pocket and laughed when the animal took the thing whole. She stroked the creature's muzzle as she smiled wistfully. "I am going to ride day, I promise Ratty. It would be shame for you to stay here when you were made to run wild. I can't bear to think of you alone in this place."
She wondered if the horse could understand her but he seemed to be excited about the concept. "Red would bring you out often to run, wouldn't he? I wonder where he is now… I haven't seen him for so long. I hope that he didn't forget about our deal. I wish you can speak so I may ask you about that man."
"I hoped that you knew more about him since he did declare his love for you," She turned to see Platina at the door. Yellow blushed, being caught speaking to an animal, and stumbled over an apology that wasn't needed. Platina stood, waiting for her to say what she needed before speaking herself.
"Did Blue find me missing again?" Yellow asked sheepishly. "I do not mean to worry her, I just wished to give Ratty a blanket so she wouldn't be cold during the night."
Platina looked past Yellow to the animal that lovingly nudged at her. "That blanket is not meant for horses, they are for our guest. There is a horse blanket, more suitable for keeping animals warm hung over the stall. Also, I came out here to tend my Rapidash, myself and Blue is currently sleeping so you do not need to fear her scorn. But you must return to your room before she wakes to check on you once more. You do not need to fear Wally waking and telling Blue either, he sleeps rather heavily."
"Thank you," Yellow moved to throw the significantly heavier horse blanket over Ratty. She looked over her shoulder to see Platina move to her own horse with sugar cubes. She noticed Platina moved her hand over the animal and she assumed that she was checking the horse's condition. "You are very knowledgeable in animals, I thought that it was only history."
"I needed to write an article about the trade of horses affecting the war between…" She trailed off, wondering if Yellow would actually be interested in the Scottish war and the effect it had on trade. "I wrote an article on it. Unfortunately I haven't had as much time to write an article since I'm working on improving the estate. It's much more logical since writing articles didn't bring in as much income as improving the estate."
"That should be something for Ruby to worry about…" She trailed of. "He's coming home soon, I know it. You already built a career writing history article and I would hate for you to stop doing something you love. I know you love history but I didn't know you wrote articles…"
"You never asked," Platina only shrugged. "I was thinking of riding to mills tomorrow with Dia to see what is in the most need of repair as well as what its current efficiency is. I already looked over the books and find that most of our family's income comes from the mills and we can trade the wheat to the creditors that father owed money to."
"But you're a historian at heart, you cannot be happy using your talent for things such as construction." Yellow argued. "Why not continue with your articles or even write a tome of your own? You have more than enough knowledge to do so."
"Unlike you, I do not have a choice. We need to be logical when allocating our time and even if I do enjoy analysing the mystery of our past, it's just something that I cannot do at this time. I don't see it as a burden because this estate-" She noticed that Yellow frowned at the mention of this firm and stopped herself, knowing that she most likely didn't care for her opinion so she ended with, "I love this home and would not like to see creditors take it from us."
Yellow couldn't help of thinking of the estate as a prison, confined to a room only allowed sit. If her mother hadn't placed a paintbrush in her hand, she would've withered away in sorrow long before now. It wouldn't be right to complain to Platina even if she was a little jealous of her.
"May I join you and Dia?" She asked hopefully. "I would love to see more of the countryside. There is so much more colours that I would wish to see. Please Platina, I have asked nothing of you before and if you allowed me this I would never of anything more. I would even paint a portrait of you if you wish."
"There is no need," Platina said sternly. "I already know that Blue will not allow us to do as such so I cannot take you even if I wish to do so."
"Please Platina! Blue will listen to you," Yellow begged again. She knew that she was being forward with her demands but she thought that Platina wouldn't be so protective of her as Blue was.
"Blue does not care of what I say when it comes to your health." Platina told her as she bit her lips. "Blue cares very much for you, that much is obvious."
"You do not know how frustrating it is to have someone constantly care for to so that you cannot merely walk out the door." Yellow snapped uncharacteristically. "I only want freedom to explore this world. I've never been to London before Red took me there. You can't possibly know what it's like to be trapped in a glass bubble!"
"And you cannot know what is like to be in a bubble alone!" Platina shot back. Shock crossed both of their faces and regret filled Platina's eyes. Seeing the similar emotion in her sister's eyes, Platina wished she could take back the words but there were out she could only continue. "I never had freedom to go anywhere but my study but I did not have a sister's love as you did."
"You always had freedom to go where you wished," Yellow shot back. Words left her mouth that she never intended to say but the grief and jealousy came out. "You just never chose to take it. You could ride a horse. You could go anywhere you want!"
"And who shall I travel with?" Platina asked. "Blue is always so busy with you and Crystal is always off chasing Lyra to keep her out of trouble and Ruby comes and goes as he please. You have Blue and should consider yourself lucky so pardon me if I don't want to see two good sisters break apart."
"I'm sorry," Yellow looked at the ground. "I didn't know you felt that way."
Platina placed a hand on Yellow's shoulder. "You never asked."
Sorry since it's been so long (almost two weeks) and I'm sure you've all forget about me XD But I've been sick so I couldn't write and it's been killing me. Review if you liked.
