Part. 26, Sodia(And Kabbage Boy) finds out.(D8)
Disclaimer: just a reminder, I do not own Tales of Vesperia, that's the property of Namco-Bandai.
(The stage, still under construction, the next day…)
(Flynn's point of view)
Clara looked across the now vacant shopping plaza at the stage. There isn't too much to see largely because the stage was hidden behind large red curtains held up by scaffolding. It's been like that since day one. In front of the stage were a couple of those huge trailers that were pulled by those large horseless six-wheeled blastias that those roadies called 'trucks'. She can see some of the roadies, and Yuri's friends setting up rows of folding chairs for the audience.
But what was new today were those unusual pod-shaped blastias set up on the perimeter of the concert area. They were emitting some kind of dome that was covering the area in a slightly shimmering force field. And guarding that parameter were a squad of peacekeepers to keep out all uninvited.
"Good morning, Clara." I called out to her.
Clara turned around to see me. "Oh, bonjour, Flynn… Bonjour Sodia." Clara greeted me and Sodia. "You almost startled me."
"Looks like they set up the climate control dome, Clara." I looked at the stage.
"It would appear so, Flynn..." Clara replied. "I'm guessing it's practically as warm as Nordopolica in there right now."
"I think so too..." Sodia added. They have all attended previous victory concerts before. "I'll bet there's gonna be another exhibitionists dance held there by the 'Empire Club'. Ugh..."
"Well they do have permission from lord Seneca. And all the 'dancers' are all over eighteen and there by choice..." I shook my head. "Not to mention they'll have the Cumore Brigade keeping tabs on that show, Seeing as sir Cumore is one of their patrons..."
"Along with me, Flynn Scifo." Another voice interrupted. me, Sodia and Clara turn around to see that it belongs to …
Oh you've gotta be kidding me… Gradana Stafford. Accompanied by a couple of tough looking mercenary bodyguards "...And I see you brought along that insufferable ginger tart, Sodia." He sneers at Sodia. Seems he's still butt hurt once Sodia shooting him down a few years ago.
"Gee, nice to see you too..." Sodia glares back. "And you're still looking as dumb as the day I first met you."
"...Humph… You're not even worth talking too, Fortescue." Gradana snapped back..
"Good, 'cause I certainly don't want to talk to you either, you stupid sexist pig… Humph..." Sodia snubbed back.
"Anyway..." Gradana turns his attention to me. "It certainly pains me to admit that as of tomorrow, you'll be accepted into the gentry, taking on Finath's old title and estate, Flynn. Just don't expect either me or sir Cumore to welcome you in with open arms. I suppose you still want to challenge me to a duel?"
"No, earl Gradana..." I coldly answered, hand on my own sword hilt. "At least not for my ancestral home. Although there's still sir Niren's sword… Which you stole from his tomb. Not to mention that you hurt my friends. I still think that getting punched in the face, head-butted in the nose, kicked in the nads, yelled at by an angry father, and dis-honorably discharged feels a little bit too light a punishment for what you did to Julia, Hisca and Chastel."
"Those three..." Gradana looked at me like I was a bug. "… Bah. I don't care anymore about those twins and that four-eyed fool...(Couldn't access her stipend anyway). And quite frankly, I don't give a damn about that smart-alec tart next to you. There's plenty more attractive young virgins for me to break… Like this girl for instance." He looks lustfully at Clara… "Boys, fetch her and bring her along. I'm feeling horny today."
Clara nervously back-stepped from him and his now advancing bodyguards. "No…! You stay away from me you rutting swine." She threatened. "Don't come any closer… Do not touch me!" The bodyguards approach her and reach out to grab her, but...
Both me and Sodia drew our swords."You heard her, you two…." I snarled, standing between Clara and the bodyguards, pointing his sword at them. "No means no!" The bodyguards back away, and me and Sodia point their weapons at Gradana. "Not on my watch, earl Gradana… Don't even think of drugging and screwing her!"
The two bodyguards also draw their weapons, ready to use them on us. "You dare to threaten one your betters, Scifo?" Gradana sneered, drawing his pistol. "Alexei will hear about this!"
"Before or after I tell Julia that you were planning to force yourself on her… friend, Clara Dior." I replied.
"Huh…?" Gradana expression suddenly changed. "Are you telling me that sandy haired young lady there is… the very girl that demon, Julia volunteered for over five years ago…?" He pointed at Clara.
"The same one, earl Gradana..." Flynn answered. "Probation or not, should she find out..."
There was a moment of silence, and then… "Sheath your weapons, men. I'm no longer interested in that girl… I've spent enough time in the company of that inferior knight..." Gradana holsters his pistol, and him and his bodyguards headed up the hill.
Once they were a fair distance, Gradana turns around to face me. "You can challenge me all you want, Scifo, But the rank you'll acquire in the nobility will still be way lower than mine. That means I have the gods given right to refuse your challenges, and you cannot do a thing about it. Guhihihi…" He continued on up the hill and was soon out of sight… Finally.
"Um, What was your father's rank, sir Flynn?" Sodia asked.
"I believe it's hereditary knight, Sodia." I replied. "He even had the rank of major in the Royal Guard before he died."
"Really… And all this time I thought you were a commoner, sir Flynn." Sodia scratched her chin. "And I hate to admit it, but that idiot was right, You'll be gentry, he's peerage, like my father. He has the right to refuse any challenge you'll make."
"I know, Sodia..." I slumped my shoulders and sighed.
"I'm glad that's over… What a revolting person." Clara shakes her head. "I was wondering if you two could escort me up to the castle..." Clara requests. "I want to make some final measurements and adjustments to lady Estellise's new dress. And show her to the world… Well show her to the castle at least."
"As you wish, Clara..." I nodded. "Come with us..." And Me, Sodia and Clara headed up to the castle.
(The Castle, the audience hall)
"Like how long is it gonna take?" Erik asked. As he, along with the rest of Kabbage Boy, the victor party, Alexei, Ioder, me, Sodia, and some of the maids were standing around in the throne room. "Like I'm getting totally bored out of my skull here."
"Now now, mr Faust, this is a princess that's getting dressed in her new clothes today." Effie chirped. "It does take them quite a while to put on their underwear, their corsets, their petticoats, their dresses, and, of course, their makeup. You've seen the outfits that both Estellise and Natalia wear at their reapings."
Just then, Clara, Margaret, Julia, Natalie and Hannah enter the hall and close the doors behind them. "All done, I'm ready to present lady Estellise in her new outfit that I made fore her." Clara declared, grinning.
"What!?" Effie gasped. "So soon?"
"But it's only been five minutes. Not counting the time it takes to go to and from her bedchamber." Seneca said. "Surely, you can't have her fully dressed already."
"Normally it takes me twenty minutes for me to get ready." Effie added. "...'Course that doesn't include applying my makeup."
"Well it's not like we're dressing her up for a reaping or a victor's speech, your holiness..." Clara replied. "Just for casual horseback riding.." She turns to the door. "Come in, lady Estellise. Time to show them your new lovely outfit."
The door opens up again, and in walks the young princess, wearing her new horse-riding outfit.
"As you can see..." Clara begins her presentation. "Our lovely sweet princess is wearing a two-tone pink dress with the skirt tailored to resemble the petals of a tulip flower. Over this dress, she wears a stylish white jacket with gold trim and elbow length gloves with red and gold trim. On her dainty left wrist, she wears a custom bodhi-blastia with a red core, purple and gold-trimmed wristband and these stylish gold aer-channeling wires that reach halfway up her glove…."
... pauses for breath…
"...On her legs, lady Estellise sports a stylish pair of black riding pants, suitable for horse-back riding, and gives her excellent freedom of movement. And finally White riding boots that are styled to match her gloves. All in all, a practical and stylish dress designed to best bring out her overall cuteness. Don't you agree…?"
"Oh yes, I feel so cute in this outfit. Oh, thank you, Clara." Lady Estellise smiles at the dressmaker, arms behind her back. "Well everybody, what do you think?" She does a twirl. You could almost swear you could hear a jingle.
"It looks real nice on you, Estellise." Master Ioder answered first.
"Yes, she looks quite regal..." Followed by Alexei. "Although the pants do make her look a bit… tomboyish."
"I do agree on that..." Margaret agreed. "A proper princess should be wearing a skirt… Well… one that covers her legs better."
"...sigh… There's always a couple of critics. Oh well..." Clara shrugs. "Anyway, I do have an alternate version…" She opens up a suit bag and shows off a different version of the pink jumper. "This alternate jumper has a mid-calf full skirt with four layers of petticoat, and black stockings that she can wear instead of pants. Perfect for riding side-saddle. Would you like to try this on, lady Estellise?"
"Later on at suppertime, I suppose." Lady Estellise smiled. "But for now, I just want to enjoy wearing these pants for a bit longer."
"That's our lady Estellise for you." I said.
"Oh yes, If I can make a request, I'd like to stay at the castle this evening." Clara asked. "I'd like to make some final adjustments on lady Estellise's new clothes… among...(looks at Julia, who also looks back)...other things?" Oh yeah… It's been a while.
"I suppose we can grant you that request, miss Dior." Alexei nodded.
(Standard point of View)
"Something tells me that's not all that chick wants to do..." Raz whispers at Erik.
"Yeah, like I know..." Erik whispers back. "But something tells me that's...one show that we're not gonna see… I wanna see those chicks taking it off..."
"I can arrange that… And so much more." A voice interrupted behind them. The Kabbage boy band members turn around to see this Cumore Brigade knight standing behind them. "Can you come with me to your room so we can chat in private?"
"Like...Okay… Let's hear what you have to say." Erik nods and he and the rest of Kabbage Boy followed the pink and red knight to their room.
XXX
The knight closed the door behind them. "Allow me to introduce myself..." He takes off his helmet, revealing that he has red hair and his face was freckled. "How do you do? Name's Wesley DuBellette, corporal, Cumore Brigade."
The Kabbage Boy band members introduce themselves in return. "Like so you can help us watch those chicks taking off their clothes and getting naked?"
"Oh yeah… Ku ku ku..." Wesley chuckled. "Heck...If you want, you could even join me watching lady Estellise when she undresses. I happen to be one of the knights that guard her room in the daytime." He grins pointing his thumb at his face. "I've gotten damn good at picking their locks, greasing the hinges so they can't hear me cracking open the door and peeping in on them when they're outta their clothes, And fap away when they not looking and are none the wiser. Ku ku ku… Oh yeah, Just realized, That dressmaker's here isn't she?"
The Kabbage boy members all nod.
"Well did you dudes know that she and that hoidy-toidy maid, Julia are...wait for it...Queer lovers?
"Like news to us, dude." Erik replied. "You're telling me that Julia's a lesbo? Like wow."
"I'll betcha there's gonna be some HLA tonight. Badonkon!" Raz added. "Oh, man I so gotta see that!"
"So like what's the catch, dude?" Erik asks. "Something tells me you ain't doing this outta the goodness of your heart."
"Oh not much… a hundred gald per customer oughta cover it." Wesley replied. "Payment in advance, of course."
"SOLD!" Erik, Raz, Sid and Reggie replied, And each gave Wesley the agreed upon price. "Like not paying, Paul…?" Erik asked the bass guitarist.
"Not interested, guys..." Paul replied. "Besides I don't wanna get into trouble with a chick that can beat the snot outta a guy that was three times her size. And I don't wanna get slapped by her again."
"Hey, you better not go ratting use out!" Raz points his finger.
"Hey, you're my friends..." Paul replied. "You know me better than that. So deal me out."
"Like your loss, Paul..." Erik turns to face Wesley. "Like we're in. However, if there's like no HLA… Do we like get a refund?"
"A refund…? Hmmm..." Wesley ponders. "We'll cross that bridge when we'll come to it. Besides, it's been over a month since they last saw each other. I guarantee ya, those two four-eyed chicks will be getting it on… I hope..."
(The maids hallway, sometime after suppertime)
(Julia's point of view)
Me and Clara walked down the hallway towards my room. "You certainly outdid yourself, Clara." I smiled. "Lady Estellise never looked cuter."
"Even more so with the alternate dress at suppertime." Clara smiled back. "Though I think she prefers the version where she can wear those pants and boots." We soon reach my room. "Well I suppose this'll be the last night you'll be wearing your maid uniform."
"True..." I unlocked my door and we both enter. I closed and locked the door so we can be alone. "As soon as I return from this tour, I'll be going up north to Aspio and enter this year's scholarship exams… That reminds me..." I took a greyish book off the shelf. "...I'll need to return this to Rita." And I gave it to Clara.
"… Hmmm… 'Discourses on Aer' by... Ifmunft Nepmayjup? What a weird name." Clara examined the cover. She opens up the book. "Huh…? What manner of writing is this? It's all gibberish." She closed the book and passed it back to me.
"I'm not sure if it's gibberish, Clara…' I replied. "It seems to written in some kind of code. Rita came across it some years ago in that hut she lives at. She couldn't figure it out so she lent it to me so I could have a go at it. Didn't have much luck with it either. The only words in Mayoccian I could find in that book was..."
I re-opened the book on the first page.
"...'I dedicate this to my daughter… Try and read it'. I believe that this author's daughter holds the clue to cracking this code… If only we could find her." I returned the book to it's place on the shelf. Then I turned to face Clara. "Anyway, doors locked. And we're alone together with all the privacy we need." I smiles, arms behind my back. "How do yow wish to do it?"
"Well..." Clara took off her jacket, shoes pantyhose, underwear and undoes the necktie ribbon and top four buttons on her blouse, exposing her clavicle. "I think we'll start off with a bit of vertical spooning to get warmed up. Then we'll do it on the bed."
"Oh, Okay then." I took off my boots pantyhose, underwear and also undoes the top three buttons on my uniform, also exposing her clavicle. "I just love it when we dance first. I find it rather… stimulating."
"Me too, Julia." Clara approached me from behind and wraps her arms around my waist gently pressing her body against mine. "And seeing as you're still dressed as a maid..." She gently starts pushing on my rump.
"Oh dear… Oh oh. It's been quite a while since I played catcher in our little love making." I looks over my shoulder as Clara caresses up and down my midriff and whispers sweet nothings in my ear. "Oh my...Please be gentle..." I softly requested.
We...danced about our room. Our bare feet shuffling on the plush carpet. Our full skirts swishing and rustling as I gently wriggled in my love's amorous embrace as she caressed and cuddled my body. The sweet nothings she softly whispered in my ear made me giggle and happy.
Before long, our dance brought us to the edge of my bed. We looked down at our swishing skirts as they touched the bed. Looks like our dance is finished.
"You ready, Julia, mon amour?" Clara whispered.
"I am, my love." I whispered back.
Clara mischievously grins, spins me around to face her, and pushes me onto the bed, pinning me down with her own wriggling and writhing body. Our young energetic bodies pressing together. Our bare lower legs rubbing and intertwining. Oh, so silky.
Clara presses her mouth on the base of my neck. I could feel her sucking hard on my neck as well as her tongue licking against it. "Oh dear! Oh dear!" I felt Clara push her thigh between mine. "Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! That tickles! Aah! That tickles!"
Clara stops sucking on my neck. "You okay, Julia?" She asks between gasps.
"...Hah hah...We're just getting started, Clara… Hah hah...Don't stop..." I smiled back, my cheeks felt hot. "It feels soo good."
"I know…" Clara and me deep kiss, and we continue to enjoy each other, our skirts slowly moving up our silky smooth legs legs as we both reach under our hemlines and petticoats to caress out thighs and tickle our you-know-whats and you-know-wheres.
(So engrossed in each other, neither Julia, nor Clara notice the door to their room is open just enough to allow five perverted pairs of eyes, one pair belonging to a knight and the remainder belonging to a boy band to peer in and watch.)
(Elsewhere in the castle)
(Flynn's point of view)
"Ah, there you two are..." Margaret said as soon as she found both me and Sodia.
"Dame Margaret, what's the matter?" I asked.
"Lord Crane accosted me earlier..." Margaret said. "He told me that most of Kabbage Boy are not in their room. He wishes to know where they went."
"I see, Dame Margaret..." I nodded. "Did they leave the castle?"
"I don't think so..." Margaret answered. "I asked the knights guarding the doorways and they say that band never left. They're still in the castle somewhere."
"Most of them, huh… Let's go ask the remaining band member." I suggested. We headed over to Kabbage Boy's room and meet up with Paul. "Excuse me, but we were wondering where your friends are." I asked.
"Sorry, dude..." Paul apologizes. "...But I promised not to tell on 'em."
"Is that so..." I scratched my chin. "I wonder… Did anyone talk to you today…? I'm sure it's okay to tell on them."
"Well… Putting it that way..." Paul leans back in his chair. "There was this knight dude in this funky-ass pink and red armor."
"Um… Did he have red hair and freckles…?" Sodia asks.
"Yeah he did..." You know him?"
"All too well..." Sodia replied. "He was one of the reasons I wanted out of that brigade."
"Lemme guess..." I looked at Sodia. "Wesley DuBellette."
"Bingo, sir Flynn." Sodia replied.
"Oh, that's just great..." I facepalmed. "Something tells me he's trying to get your friends a free peep show with one of the women in this castle."
"Oh no, he's not thinking of lady Estellise?" Margaret worries.
"I don't think so, dame Margaret..." I replied. "There's already two guards from the Schwann Brigade guarding her room tonight… More likely they're either in the cooks hallway or the maids hallway. The maids rooms are closer, so we'll look there first."
XXX
As soon as me, Sodia and Margaret entered the maid's hallway, they quickly noticed that freckle faced weasel, Wesley and four of the five Kabbage Boy band-members peering through a slightly opened door to Julia's room. I can also see that they all had their pants opened up, their hands inside.
"I should've known..." I rolled my eyes. "… Finally caught him in the act… You two stay here..." I orders Sodia and Margaret. "I'll get them away that door, and then, once we're back at their room, I'll give those idiots a good chewing out… especially Wesley."
"Okay, sir Flynn." Sodia nods.
I quietly walked up to the knight and boy band. I tapped them on the shoulder with my sword, finger to my mouth to remind the to keep quiet. I gestured with my sword sword back down the hallway…
Just when I was about to quietly close the door so that Julia and Clara can be alone. "… Oh yes… Right there!" Julia moans in ecstasy. "Oh me, oh my! Oh, that tickles! Oh that tickles! Oh ah!"
"Oh mon dieu... Les chatouilles!...Les chatouilles! oh oh! Oh cher oh cher! N'arrête pas de chatouiller, Julia, mon amour! Oh... Ah...!" Followed by Clara.
"Ah! I love it when you...Oh! Talk dirty to me. Oh my! Oh dear!"
I didn't need too look in to know where Julia and Clara are… tickling each other.
"Just when it was getting good." Wesley mutters to himself.
'Course it was loud enough for both Sodia and Margaret to hear. "Hey! What's going on in there?" Sodia walked up and opens the door.
"Sodia! WAIT!" Both me and Margaret yelped. But it was too late…
… As Sodia walks inside. "Julia, are you okay… WHAT THE!?" And sees Clara on top of Julia on her bed.
Although both ladies were still clothed, we can see their shoes, boots, pantyhose and underwear strewn all over the floor. And we can tell by the way that Cara was positioned on Julia, Despite the fact that their skirts were still covering most of their bare legs, that they were reaching up under each other's skirts.
"Wha wha wha… are they… Touching each other?" Sodia stuttered.
"S-Sodia!" Julia looked at the surprised knight with an equally surprised look on her own blushing face. "Wha… What are you doing…? How did you..." Then she and Clara see me and the others just outside…
"WHAAAH!" Julia yelped in surprise, her face blushing VERY red.
"KYAAAAAH!" Clara also yelped ad both her and Julia fall off the bed... and onto their butts on the carpet, completely exposing their legs in the process…
"EEEEEEEK!" They both yelp as they frantically cover their legs, blushing intensely from sheer embarrassment.
"Ah wah… Ah wah wah… Ah wah wah wah..." Sodia stuttered, backing up towards the door. "WAAAAAH! WHAT IN THE NAME OF ZAUDE IS GOING ON HERE!?" She yells, looking totally freaked out, as she frantically backs out of Julia's room and slams back first into the wall across from the entrance.
"Sodia! Calm down!" I ordered. "Oh my ears..."
"Flynn..." Julia gets up and walks out into the hallway. "EEP! Cold floor!" And realizes she's still barefoot, and jumps back into her carpeted room. "Care to explain yourself!" She angrily stared at me and Sodia, Hands on her hips. "Just what in blazes are you all doing here, interrupting our private moment together!?" She taps her foot impatiently.
"What she said." Clara angrily added, as she stood besides Julia. "I have never been this embarrassed! OOOOOOOOOOH" Her whole body was stiff and trembling.
"That's what I was going to add..." Julia said. "OOOOOOOOOOH!" Her body was also trembling stiff with anger from the embarrassment that she and Clara just suffered.
"Why not ask these idiots." I replied, looking at Wesley and Kabbage Boy. "We caught them peering into your room as you and Clara were making out."
"...And they were… doing something vulgar things with their hands and...*shudder*… private parts no less." Margaret added. "While watching you two , no doubt, doing...*shudder*... vulgar homosexual things with one another." Margaret, naturally frowns on Julia and Clara's lesbian love for one another, but puts up with it… barely. "Honestly, you two." She shakes her head.
"...WHAT!?" Both the maid and dressmaker yelp in surprise.
Then Julia gazes angrily at Wesley. "Wesley DuBellette… And Kabbage Boy." She said in an angry, scolding tone. "… Care to explain yourselves?"
Wesley nervously backed away from the angry maid, knowing all too well that whatever answer he'll give will, at best lead to getting pounded by both me and her (and maybe Clara) the way one would tenderizes a yak steak, or, at worst, getting...'fixed'… with eight inch daggers… very painful.
"You… you're a homosexual, Julia!?" Sodia interrupted. "And Clara too?"
"...Sodia?" Julia turns her attention to the now upset female knight.
Sodia shivered slightly, backing away. "I can't believe I...became friends with someone like you!"
"Sodia, let me explain!" Julia pleaded, trying to calm down my now hysterical second.
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" And Sodia runs off down the hallway.
"SODIA! WAIT!" I called out, but Sodia wasn't listening. She runs around the corner and was out of sight. Damn, didn't think she'd react like this...
"Flynn..." Julia said. "… I think we should go talk to her. But what are we gonna do with those idiots?" She looks at Wesley and the four Kabbage Boy band-members…
"I think a night in the castle dungeons oughta cool them off..." I glared at them. "And after we stuff 'em in there, we go look for Sodia. Hopefully, she'll have cooled down by now."
We marched Wesley and Kabbage Boy, at both sword and dagger point, downstairs to the castle dungeons… Then Julia punches all five of them before they are stuffed into the jail cell.
Then we went looking for Sodia. She wasn't in her quarters, and one of the guards told us that he saw Sodia run out the main door and looked like she was headed down towards the shopping plaza...
(Near the concert site)
(Sodia's point of view)
How..How could she deceive me like that!? ….How could I've been such a fool… Becoming friends with a… a…homosexual!? I just can't believe that I let that happen to me! How could I not have noticed it earlier!? Zaude I'm such a damn idiot! ARGH! I wish she was never born... I wish I was never… Huh? why did it get warm all of a sudden?
"STOP, SINNER!" A peacekeeper shouted.
Huh? I turned my head just in time to… "WHAAAH!" Run right into a row of folding chairs, knocking over several of them and landing on my face. "Owwwww…. This just isn't my day..."
I looked up to notice that I had somehow ran all the way down from the castle and into the concert area. And there were about four peacekeepers all aiming their repeating guns at her. "EEP!" I yelped, realizing that my day was about to get a whole lot worse.
"Hands where I can see them..." One of the peacekeepers ordered, as another one took my sword. "You've have been caught committing the sin of trespassing on holy ground. The sentence is public flogging at noon tomorrow..."
Then the peacekeeper holding my now confiscated sword added. "… Plus you committed this unholy act armed with a weapon, namely this primitive blade. That means that following your public flogging you will be also publicly executed via pistol round to your sinful head. Anything to say for yourself before we take you away?"
"...Mommy..." Was all I could whimper.
"Hey hey! Woah there for a sec..." That head roadie, Eddie interrupted as both he Ralph and Marcia approached. "Since when does knocking over a bunch of chairs call for a hide tanning followed by blowing that person's brains out?"
"Not cool, guys. Not cool at all." Ralph added.
"This is none of your concern..." The peacekeeper replied as they handcuffed me. "This sinner's fate..."
"… Will be decided by your captain." Interrupted a voice belonging to one captain Spartacus Quintus as he also approached. "And not by an enlisted peacekeeper. Am I clear on that?"
"Yes SIR!" The peacekeepers saluted.
"Now then..." Spartacus turns his attention to me as I knelt there, my wrists still handcuffed. "What have we here…?" He activates a hard-light device on his gauntlet and scanned me. "It appears that we have a member of the local militia. Am I correct? You may answer."
"Um… Yes sir..." I answered. "I'm in the Imperial Knights, Jurgis Brigade."
"I see… Captain Vytautas's unit." Spartacus smiled. "So what is your name and rank?"
"...Sodia Fortescue… Lieutenant… Sir..." I answered.
"Age…?"
"…18, sir, but I'm no longer eligible for reapings." I answered.
"Well that's true, miss Fortescue. You were 18 at last summer's reaping. And everything else you said does match up with the data my computer is showing me." Spartacus presses a few buttons, re-configuring his monitor. "So can you explain to me why you choose to so foolishly go charging onto the concert grounds armed and without permission. You answer may determine whether you live or die."
"Gulp... Okay" So I told Spartacus Why I was running away from the castle. "I just can't believe that Julia is a...*shudder*… lesbian. I can't believe that I became friends with her! How could have I been so stupid! Becoming a friend to a homo! I just want to run away from it all! I just want to die! WHAT AM I SAYING!?"
"Wait a minute..." Marcia interjects. "...Are you telling me that the reason you went and knocked over all those chairs was because you found out that Julia and Clara are lovers?"
"Yeah..." Eddie added. "Getting upset and running blindly into the night because you found out that? Man… This is like something out of those anime shows or a manga."
"No kidding, Eddie." Ralph nodded.
I looked at the three roadies feeling really confused. "Ah-nee-may…? Mahn-gah…?" What were they talking about?
"Um… They're cartoons and comic books respectively from a country on our world called Japan..." Marcia explained. "...Though I don't think you guys have those here either."
"Probably not… Besides… I have more graver concerns night now." I replied, looking left and right at the peacekeepers.
"How right you are, sinner..." One of the peacekeepers said. "...For tomorrow you will be executed for trespassing while armed."
"...Or we could just drop the whole thing and have her pardoned right here and now." Spartacus declared.
"Wait WHAT!?" The four peacekeepers sounded surprised. "...But, captain... Commandant Thread..."
"...Is not here." Spartacus finished. "Clearly her trespass was unintentional, given the state of mind she was in on discovering mentor DuBois's…ahem... sexuality. Uncuff her. And don't you all give me that look. I know what your expressions are under those visors."
"Yes sir." The peacekeepers saluted… with a bit less enthusiasm. They released me, and headed back to their posts.
"I do apologize for the enthusiasm of out peacekeepers, miss Fortescue..." Spartacus said. "… But seriously… Running headlong onto concert grounds just because you found out that miss DuBois was a homosexual."
He shakes his head and sighed.
"As mr Riggs stated earlier, you rash reaction to that unfortunate discovery seems like something out of either a Japanese comic book or cartoon series."
"I know…." I replied, head hung in humility. "...Thank you for sparing me from being smited, sir."
"You're welcome… I trust you'll return to the castle once you've settled down. Now, if you four shall excuse me..." Spartacus about-faces and walks away.
"Hey, We're heading back up, now that we're all done." Eddie said once he and the other roadies reset the chairs that I knocked down. "Wanna come with…?"
"Yeah, after we leave, the only dudes here are gonna be those peacekeepers..." Ralph added. "And they not exactly the best company."
"Yeah, found that out. Might as well..." I nodded. "I'm so looking forward to both sir Flynn and sir Jurgis chewing my head off for this… sigh..."
(The Castle, front gates)
Eventually, we arrived back at the castle. As we approached… "There you are, Sodia." We were met by Flynn, Julia and Clara. "We were about to go look for you."
"Sir Flynn." I saluted. "And...urk!… Y-you two…?" I fearfully recoiled when I noticed Julia and Clara next to Flynn.
"At ease, Sodia, they're not going to bite." Flynn said. "But your reaction to their..."
"I know… It was completely uncalled for..." I replied. "But finding out that both Julia and Clara are… homos! And after I fought alongside her to rescue you! I just feel so..."
I paused for a bit before continuing...
"I'm still just so… Let's face it, I just can't put what I'm feeling right now into words, sir Flynn. All those years I've known those two, Julia since I first met her about three years ago. Clara just as long, if not longer, whenever I went to her family's store to get measured for the latest fashions. And all this time I didn't know that they were… were..."
I just leaned up to the castle wall. "Nuuuuh … Homosexuals should just disappear. Homosexuals should just disappear. Homosexuals should just disappear. Homosexuals should just disappear. This. Just. Isn't. My. Day..."
"HEY! Don't go cursing us!" Both Julia and Clara scolds.
"Lady Estellise kinda likes us, mind you." Clara added.
"Honestly, Sodia Ametista Fortescue…." Julia shook her head. "Over-reacting like that. Honestly." She gives me a dirty look. "Right now, I'm at a loss at what to say next. And I thought Margaret's reactions when she learned was ridiculous."
"I think it's best you three calm down a bit..." Eddie suggested. "… Well, more like a lot, and try to sort this like reasonable young adults… Just saying."
"I'm sorry, Julia… it's just… Seeing you and Clara… I'm just in so much shock."
"I hope this doesn't mean that you're a homophobe, Sodia." Julia shook her head. "I was planning on telling you this over some breakfast one of these days. I just didn't want you to find out like this."
"And I would hate to lose a good customer too." Clara added.
"I… Um… I need to think about this for a bit..." I was still having trouble trying to figure out what to say to Julia and Clara. So I decided to change the subject. "Sir Flynn, What has happened to Wesley and those band-members?"
"Wesley and most of Kabbage Boy…? We got them cooling their heels in the dungeon right now."Flynn answered.
"With their lips personally fattened by yours truly." Julia added, cracking her knuckles.
Flynn continued. "We'll let them out first thing in the morning. Though I'm gonna get an earful from both lord Crane and… sir Cumore."
"And Kabbage Boy's manager. Don't forget about him." Eddie added.
"You're… still angry at him, aren't you, sir Flynn." I inquired. "...Not that I blame you. I'm just as mad at him too."
"Join the club, Sodia." Julia interjected. "That lavender haired son of a bitch did set him and Yuri after all. Not to mention nearly causing us to share the same fate."
"Yeah… Anyway, Sodia, captain Jurgis wants to see us." Flynn said. "He got a message from one captain Spartacus of the peacekeepers concerning you running into the concert area and getting yourself into trouble."
"Ulp… C-Captain Jurgis? Y-yes sir!" I gulped. Looks like I not quite out of the woods yet…
(Meanwhile down in the dungeon….)
(Standard point of view)
"Flynn, you damn cocksucker! You're gonna pay for this!" Wesley rattles the bars of his cell like an upset chimp
"Like this is totally unfair dudes..." Erik complained from behind bars. "Like it's all cold and damp in here. You call this a bed! I want my lawyer!"
"Lemme out! Lemme out!" Raz yelled from his cell "I don't wanna get prison raped by some fat dude! AAH! A RAT! A FUCKING BIG-ASS RAT! DON'T LET IT EAT MEE!"
"Aw man this is just like Juvi all over again..." Reggie moaned. "...Only colder and wetter."
"Not to mention the food is even shittier..." Sid added. "ATTICA! ATTICA!" And he starts banging on the bars with a tin cup.
"HEY! PIPE DOWN IN THERE!" Shouted a guard. "I'm trying to get some sleep..."
(End Part 26)
Author's Notes:
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out.
Next Chapter, The roadies take the trash off the stage.