They wouldn't stop, they just wouldn't shut up. This annoying and infuriating noise just would not end. Was there no way to silence it? Them? There was one way, but, then again it would get you in a great deal of trouble. And not to mention that was not your custom. When would your savory dessert be ready so that you may leave this horrible place. Ah! Again, you wanted to scream on the top of your lungs to silence the noise. That just kept getting louder and louder and more merrier and merrier. By the second. Anymore and you might just explode and well...
"Layla."Sofia calls to you from the other side of the room, where she and the other princesses sat together. Laughing, giggling...being merry and annoying in your opinion."It would go much faster if you come and join us."
Again with the invite, this was the second one. From the last entertainment of time you had to sit through. The first was a doing creative calligraphy, they just learned to write their names in the way Jun's country did. Now they where designing their own fans. Decorating them with tons of sparkles and hearts and other sicking princesses things. Uninteresting in your eyes. There was no fighting nor bruises. Just laughter and giggles. Having to listen to them pass the time relaying stories of their times at school. Which clearly made no sense, if everyone was there and saw. The point of talking about it was just...stupid. To plainly put it, that surely your ears began to bleed. There as no way you could handle this anymore.
Those cream puffs had better be worth this torture. Maybe you could just go to the kitchen and see how far they'd gotten, which of course would mean you would need to find it first. This palace was different and had larger halls than Sofia's. But, as a warrior princess tracking came easy. Agreeing to this idea, you stand up ready to go. Twirling your staff before it magically shrank smaller. You attach it to your hip and go on your way. Stopping when you ear picks up one of them whispering your name.
At first it didn't matter to you, until you heard it brought up a few times, followed by snickers and giggles. That was the last straw, you would not have them use your name in such a disgusting way.
"Are you serious?"Vivian asked Sofia laughing.
Sofia nods her head."I am. Seriously."
"Wow, that's really..."Maya covers her mouth to conceal her laughter. Looking to Clio who does the same thing. Soon neither of the princess could hold it in and laughs out loud.
To be quickly silenced by something quickly thrown by them, and lodges itself in the wall. All eyes turn to you stun and shocked, you glare back at them furiously. Your hand out from throwing one of your daggers."Please enlighten me as to why my name as been chosen to endure your merry and agonizing bantering? Of your squabbling?"
They didn't understand what you meant, leaving a couple of them confused more so than scared. Looking to Sofia and Jun for some explanation. Doing her best to decode what you meant, Sofia just guessed.
"Are you asking, why said your name?"
"Correct."you tell her. Taking out another dagger, something Sofia kind of regretted allowing you to bring. But you wouldn't go if she didn't let you. Pointing the tip of your blade at them. Eyeing them carefully and warning them to tread carefully."Are you mocking me?"You accuse them.
"No."Jun tells you."We weren't. We were just telling the others about somethings you did. A few of them were funny."
"What I do is consider amusement to you? Laughing at my expense?"your voice rises with anger."You dare to laugh at me?! That is...that is..."You said becoming heated.
"Sorry."Clio apologizes. Which shocked you, looking at her. Seeing the sincerity."We didn't know it hurt your feelings."
"Yeah."Maya agrees."Just what Sofia and Jun told us well...it was rather umm.."
Unsure what to say, she looks to the others. Who didn't know either."I found it neat."Vivian said. Her words weren't what you where expecting."I didn't know you could do all that. I mean well, I've seen you do somethings but not what Sofia and Jun say."She turns to your dagger. Amazed."Kind makes me wish I could that."
"Yeah."Maya agrees, nodding her head."Is that really how your home is like? Why they call it the Emerald Sea?"
"It sounds rather lovely."Clio chimes in."I can only imagine. Have you always been trained to be a warrior? You're whole life?"
Their questions and sudden interest just baffled you. In about two seconds you where going to throw your other dagger at them, but decided against it for some reason. Lowering it to your side.
"Why the sudden interest?"you became suspicious. Eyeing them each. Assuming some hidden motive."...Clearly you have gotten enough information from Jun and Sofia."
Vivian suddenly stands up and goes over to you. Her eyes wide."True, but it's not the same. I mean besides Sofia telling her story on how you taught her how to throw daggers. Which...ummm..."she looks away nervous, then back."D-Do you think you could teach me?"
"...Why?"you question.
"That sounds like a great idea."Sofia agrees looking to Jun, winking at her. She quickly understood and followed.
"Yeah."she agrees."Layla, would you teach the rest of us how throw daggers just as good as you?"
First it was just Vivian who came over, wanting to know. Now it was nearly all of them that surrounded you. Pleading and hoping you would say yes. Cursing yourself for making yourself notice. If you just would have been quiet and said nothing, but your pride got the better of you or yet your curiosity did. Wishing deeply they would go back to decorating their fans. Which clearly wasn't going to happen at all. Not in the least. About to ask about your treat, Jun tells you they weren't ready yet. Much to your luck. Looking at these dress wearing princesses before you, with their giddy and sweet smiles. Swallowing hard from this sudden pressure. You could just scream.
"...Throw."you tell Maya, she flings the dagger from her hand at the target. Your eyes follow it until it fell out of the air. This time at least two feet. How pathetic. Groaning to yourself. Shaking your head in disappointment.
Messaging your temples. For the last hour and half, you had been teaching these princesses how to throw a simple dagger. Minus Sofia and Jun. Not even Sofia was this bad when you taught her. Well not all bad. Still bad though. Jun was a different story. Maya picks up the dagger. Next was Clio, she takes aim and throws. And it was a flop too. Vivian was last, she was the most hesitant and nervous of them all. Yet the strangely the most driven. Her's didn't go very far either.
"How was that?"she asked.
Honestly? It was just terrible and she saw it on your face."...Need I say it?"Sighing."It is the flick of the wrist, mixed with power and focus. Vivian, you must not hesitate. The blade will not bite you."You tell her, which eased her and also made her comfortable."It will though cut you and cause you to bleed should you do something else. Maya, you're aim is good but you need to flick the wrist. Flick the wrist."You demonstrate. Last was Clio."...Where do I even start...First you don't lunge your whole body when you throw. Second, you will most likely over extend your arm, which will cause it to dislocate itself. I know for a fact you humans cannot heal fast. So you should consider that."
You hold out your hand."My dagger."you tell them. Vivian gives you hers. You get into the stance. Take aim, holding the dagger steady. Calming your mind and throw it clear and clean across the room. Right into the pillar. Landing your mark.
The other princesses couldn't help but gasp."...Wow."Maya.
"That is what I mean."you tell them, walking over and taking the dagger out. Observing the blade, reminding yourself to sharpen it later."...Alright! Let's try this again!"Turning around to the girls authoritatively."Again!"
Walking over you give Clio the dagger, Vivian too and Maya. Having them start a line behind Vivian. Positioning her correctly, holding her wrist and go through the motion together. Just a few times."Again the flick of the wrist and power. Keep your eyes focus, don't hesitate."You stress to her. Feeling her tense up."...Don't worry...have confidence. Think of what makes you feel confidence."Letting her go, you step back and signal her to throw.
Vivian stood there nervous, gripping the hilt tightly. Shutting her eyes trying to calm herself down. Reminder and repeating what you told her. That she started to hum to herself. Not realizing it was calming her down and allowed her to focus. Opening her eyes quickly humming louder, she throws it nearly falling forward but you snatch her back. Everyone watches the dagger fly across to the target and nips it. It didn't lodge in but, it was way better than before. Vivian was stun, she looks at you, waiting your verdict. She was afraid you might disapprove. Being unable to read you.
Letting her go, you tell the next princess to go. It was Maya, you watch her as Vivian stood next you, her head hung low."..."Maya's throw was better, it manged to lodge itself in, not deep but it stuck. For a couple of seconds before it fell out. Clio was the last one, her throw surprised you the most. Honestly you weren't expecting her to be this good. Not great but good. Your words must have had some effect on each of them because their improvement was better.
All of them wanted to hear what you had to say, but you didn't anything. Before Sofia could suggest you do so, Jun's mother came in to get everyone to eat. Following her to a to the room. It was more like an indoor venue, surrounded by a lavish garden and clear, calm water. The food was placed on a circle low table with a cushion for each person. You took your seat by Sofia, expecting Jun to sit on your other side. Clio does. Your eyes look for any sign of the cream puffs. You didn't see anything. Grunting upset.
"That's for dessert."Jun tells you."Don't worry, you'll have them."
You scowl at her, she just snickers shaking her head. Holding out a bun. You look at it questionably, feeling the warm heat it emitted."Bread?"
She shakes her head."No. It's a bun."
"It's called bread."
"Actually it's called a bao."she corrects you."It's really good. Filled all sort of things. Mainly meat though and veggies, depending on what you want. Try it."
Your eyes look around the buffet before you. Food you hadn't seen, some you kind of remembered when you came here before. It was strange, and still was. Preferring something you knew to eat, you found very little. While the others started to eat, you remained undecided on what to eat. So Jun just puts it on your plate. Though it was rude, you poke the bun with your finger.
"Here."Clio reaches over and cuts it open for you, before Sofia."See? It's chicken."
You give her a weary hard look, looking back at your food. Still hesitant to eat. That is until your stomach growled, what else could you eat? Your stomach wasn't going to allow you try and figure that out. It was hungry now.
"Jun's mother said, if we don't eat."Sofia sips some of her soup."Then we don't get dessert. Which means no puffs."
Jun snaps her fingers."That's right. My mother is very serious about that."
"Do not us such trickery to persuade me to eat. Just so that I may indulge in what is mine."You fuss, grumbling. Sofia and Jun couldn't help but smile at each other. Which just annoyed you. Seeing no other way, you pick up half of the bun about to eat, when you noticed Vivian had yet to touch a single thing. She seem to be moping."If I have to eat, then must as well."You point out.
Knowing you where talking about her Vivian slumps even more, looking at you then away. Dinner wasn't as bad as you thought, the food was different but still good. Chatting and talk happened, you did your best to avoid being included. Filling your mouth or some other ways. Once everyone was done, dessert came and you couldn't be happier. Just as Jun said, there where cream puffs. Though in different colors, which Jun informed you it was different flavors. Which of course you didn't seem to mind and gladly grabbed one. Indulging in your treat, all the while something plagued you. Only allowing you half enjoy the puffs.
Once dinner was over, Jun had more things planned. Strange things, from your perspective. More giggles and laughter exchanged between them. You kept your distance refusing to formulate in their sleepover. Especially when it came to the matters of the hair, a fan dance, painting the face. There was a small magic entertainment done by the Kingdom's sorcerer. As long as you had your puffs, you where fine. To some extent. That is.
Having enough of this feeling, you finally confront it."These are to be delicious."you go over to Vivian, looking at one of the cream puffs. She was startled you sudden approach and tone."I cannot enjoy them."
Your confrontation with the meek princess caught the others attention, the second they came in from changing into their nightwear. Like the rest. The scene didn't look good for you."Layla!"Sofia hurries over.
But you paid her no mind. Glaring rather confused and annoyed by Vivian. Sighing frustrated."I wish to enjoy these. Yet, I cannot. Your present mood has caused them to taste rather bitter. Taking away such a joy."
"Oh...Umm...I-I-"Vivian shutters nervously.
With you towering over her, wasn't making it any better. It only scared her more. Your eyes pierce into her, searching her green ones. Leaning in closer to read more, Vivian wasn't sure what to do. Scared you might do something. Hearing you deep low growl. Your eyes still searching, until you found it. Moving away from her face, crossing your arms. Grumbling to yourself. Leaving Vivian rather puzzled. Especially when you turned your back to her, now mumbling to yourself. Occasionally glancing to the shy princess.
"Are you ok-"she ask. You whip around to her standing strong before her, hands on your hip. You then raise your left had, ball it up and lightly tap it against your chest about three times. Still leaving her puzzled and the other princesses."...Um..."
Realizing she wasn't understanding what you where doing, you no choice but to use your words. Though you seem to have some trouble but managed. In your own way."Accept my acknowledgement on behalf of your improvement of performance. It is..ummm..."you scratch the back of your head, having to change up your speech."I umm...You threw the dagger...very...very well. I was truly impressed."You finally say. Looking away.
Finally understanding Vivian realized you where just trying to compliment her. What she wanted. While you looked away rather uncomfortable and remorseful. She quickly gets up and smiles.
"Thank you."she says simply."..."You turn to her, seeing her smiling at you.
The others were unsure how you would respond. You look at Vivian and turn your back for a quick second, to pickup something. What you gave her surprised everyone.
A cream puff."Perhaps now it will taste better"You take a bite, looking at her expecting her to do the same thing. It took her a second to react, she takes a bite. The two of you look at one another. You swallow. Licking your lips."Indeed. Much better. You are a very focus human. Vivian. If you where in my home, you would make a fine analyst. A very important skill. When you are focused you have no doubt in your eyes. But, you must hold onto it and not distract yourself with self worry and concern."You smirk."Remember that and you will make a fine warrior yet."
"Thanks. I think."Vivian said unsure, shaking her head smiling. She then started to laugh a bit.
"What is it?"you inquire offended. She shakes her head.
"Sorry."she does her best to stop laughing. Trying hard to muffler laughs. But it was rather hard. She looks over to Sofia and the others who got it and couldn't help but join in. Leaving you out of the loop.
Your eyes dart from each princesses wondering and demanding what was humorous. That you had to think about it. Their laughter wasn't really helping. Going through your mind, you try to find it. But seen nothing. Was that it? There was nothing? No, that could not be it.
Then what was it? Did you speak wrong? No. Then what? Their laughter had yet to stop, it started to reach your confused mind. The laughter penetrated your thoughts. No matter how much you tired to block it out. Feeling it breaking through, a low chortle escapes your lips. You quickly cover your mouth with your hands. To stop it, but it didn't. And it begin to force itself out of you. Joining the others.
All of them hear your hidden laughter. Seeing your face light up and relax. They look at each other smiling, then back to you. Slowly you calm down and let out a relived sigh. Shaking your head."Strange humans. Strange humans."
A hand lands on your shoulder, you look finding Sofia who gives you a proud smile.