Hi everyone!
Hope you're all doing well! Review responses are up first!
A.A. Enchanted Crystal Blade: I have to admit, I'm a bit pleased that the chapter excerpt stumped you. I can't have things being too obvious! Especially since you guessed my next move so well. And thank you-this week has been better and I'm definitely eager to get back to work on this fanfiction as usual.
tmwillson3: I'm glad you thought their melodrama was appropriate! Those are fantastic suggestions regarding Kyoya and Haruhi-I'll keep them in mind!
lillyannp: Oh, I don't know if I can answer that just yet...Read on and see!
ShiningStar: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. I'm doing much better this week, which should make writing much easier. As I've mentioned to another reviewer, I think the Zuka club is kind of a necessary evil. They're absolutely obnoxious, but they throw the main characters for quite a loop. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story and thank you for the review-I love hearing from new readers!
My reader question for this week is actually a bit of fun trivia/a guessing game! If anyone is inclined towards opera or theatre, you might have noticed some familiar elements in the Zuka club's performance. I drew inspiration from two sources and I'm curious...what plays/operas do you guys think I pulled from? Just have fun with this one! If anyone gets the right answer before the next update, I will let you know and change the question on Thursday. Otherwise, the answer will be posted next Monday with the question change!
Now, the Reader Wishlist subject stays the same for this post. Are there any scenarios/headcanons that you have for Kyoya and Haruhi? Just remember, PG-13 or less please!
The next update will be on Thursday as usual!
So, onto the next chapter, in which there is much plotting and scheming!
The morning after the Lobelia Troupe's melodramatic performance, the members of Le Triomphe de la Comedie gathered together in the library to discuss their options.
"I can't believe the queen let them stay!" Hikaru fumed.
"They're not even good performers," Kaoru growled.
"Well, we do have one consolation…Misuzu stuck them in those drafty rooms near the north wing," Hikaru continued with a wicked smile.
"I don't think Misuzu likes them very much either," Honey said.
"Which may prove useful to us. We will likely need allies in dealing with them." Kyoya pushed his glasses up with one finger. "After all, if they were able to see through 'Haruki's' disguise, who knows what they might do if they got close enough to the princess."
The other troupe members gasped. Tamaki stared at the illusionist. "Kyoya, surely you don't think they'll attempt to cause trouble like that!"
"I don't know. I haven't had enough time to analyze the players. But I dislike leaving things to chance," Kyoya said.
"Then that solves it! We have to find a way to protect Haruhi from the Lobelia Troupe," Tamaki said. A grin sprang to his lips. "And I know just who to talk to."
"Who, Tama?" Honey asked.
To Tamaki, such a matter required the attention of the princess's lady-in-waiting.
They met Mei for tea that afternoon. The lady-in-waiting listened with a frown as the troupe related how the Lobelia performers had instantly known "Haruki's" true gender despite "his" clothes. Her lips pursed as they explained their concern for the princess. Once they finished, she nodded.
"I see why all of you are concerned. And I'm glad you came to me. I think I can help," she said.
"Really? How?" Tamaki asked.
"It should be easy enough. I have more than enough excuses up my sleeve. And even though Haruhi has been visiting with the courtiers more as of late, she's still not the most social person. Remember, you didn't get to meet her for months," Mei said.
The troupe breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh good…"
"But that doesn't mean that we can be complacent! We can only keep them at bay for so long. Which means that we need to find a way to make the Lobelia Troupe shorten their stay significantly," Mei declared.
The troupe caught on to Mei's train of thought immediately. They exchanged conspiratorial grins and settled in to plot.
#
The members of Le Triomphe de la Comedie were not the only individuals in the castle unsettled by the queen's approval of the Lobelia Troupe. Misuzu had debated with himself the entire day. But the advisor finally decided that he couldn't simply stand by. He went to the queen's chambers and knocked.
"Come in," Ranka called.
Misuzu entered the chambers and found Ranka kneeling before the shrine dedicated to Kotoko. After a quiet moment, the queen rose and turned to his advisor.
"Ah, Misuzu! Is there some news from the rest of the castle?" Ranka asked.
"Well, no. I've actually come to visit you."
"Hmm?"
"Rather—I've come to speak to you about the Lobelia Troupe."
"Are they settled in well?" Ranka inquired.
"Yes."
"Excellent." Ranka settled on a bench and looked to Misuzu curiously.
The advisor couldn't hold it in any longer. "Why on earth did you allow them to stay? They're so morbid!" he cried.
The queen blinked in surprise, but shrugged. "I had my reasons," Ranka replied.
"Well then, please enlighten me! Because I fail to understand your reasoning completely!"
Ranka sighed and glanced toward the portrait in the shrine. "If you must know, it's because of Kotoko."
This time, it was Misuzu's turn to be surprised. "What? What do you mean?"
"Kotoko always loved the Lobelia Troupe…Every time they visited Shikanai, she watched them perform. She was friends with all of the actresses." Ranka's eyes unfocused as he stared into space. "It's been so long since they've visited. I felt I should offer them hospitality in honor of her. I thought that maybe Haruhi would be able to share the joy her mother had…She has so few close friends."
Misuzu let out a long breath. "But Ranka, Kotoko's friends were a much different group of performers. They were carefree and sweet. These performers seem so…belligerent. I haven't had a single pleasant interaction with them since they arrived. I can't see Haruhi enjoying the company of such people. Besides, Haruhi seems more than close enough with our current performing troupe."
"Hah! You're talking about those actors?"
At that, Misuzu snapped his fingers with a grin. "A-ha! So that is it! You're still worried about Tamaki, aren't you? You thought this would drive a wedge between them!"
"What? No, of course not!" But there was a slightly guilty glint in the monarch's eyes.
Misuzu folded his arms and tapped a foot.
Ranka bowed his head. "Well, perhaps it was a secondary motive."
Misuzu snorted as Ranka glanced at him apologetically. After a few moments under his advisor's unimpressed stare, Ranka confessed, "All right! All right! I see I was wrong! But what can I do now? I can't simply ask them to leave."
Misuzu chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "Oh, please. Leave that to me."
Well, lillyannp, I believe you have your answer!
The next chapter excerpt is...
"You have some part in this, I know!" Benibara exclaimed, jabbing a finger at Tamaki.
"I'm not sure what misapprehension you're under, but I assure you, I had no part in it," Tamaki replied.
Benibara's eyes narrowed. She took another step towards Tamaki.
Sensing a threat, Honey started forward. But Mori restrained him.
"If you think the princess's favor will save you, you will be sorely disappointed," Benibara hissed.
Oh dear. What sparked this argument? And who will win out in the end? Check back Thursday to find out!