The phone rang and rang before it was answered, "Hello...oh why yes. I shall get him. Can you please hold." They set it down and walk away for a few minutes and come back. Picking it up, "Here they are."
Handing the headset off to another, they answer stammering. "H-Hello?" Gulping hard holding their breath and sweating, while wiping their brow from every word they heard, stopping and holler. "What!? Yes, of course, I will do it!" And slam the phone down, realizing what they did quickly pick it back up and call back. "I am s-so sorry. I did not mean to hang up on you." They said meekly trembling. Hoping they would endure their wrath later should they come and visit.
Harmony could hardly contain herself, her eyes wide and glowing watching ever building that went by in the carriage. Looking for the three letter word she'd long waited to see. Never did she think she'd be able to come to a place like this, reading and hearing about it in books and stories from her sister and Madam Red who expressed her desire to take her one day. Now, the little girl was actually going. It was so kind of Aunt Francis to do this, clinging to her rabbit muffled her joyful glee when she saw the letters. About to explode settled for jumping up and down pointing, pressing her face on the glass, with her rabbit.
"Oh, it's the ZOO! The ZOO!"
Everyone was sure they saw a tail wagging on her, or it was just an imagination. Still, it was pleasing to see. It warmed you, seeing her ever-growing smile. This life, you thought Harmony is so happy.
"May?" You look finding Edward outside the carriage by the door, with his hand out. "Are you ready?"
It took a second for you to realize Harmony and Lizzie were already out and they were waiting for you. Embarrassed you cover your mouth. "Oh, I did not realize I was holding..." you let out a light laugh and take his hand. Feeling it stiff for a second then relax and hold yours with the utmost care. He watched your steps for you while making sure you came down safely. "Thank you, Edward."
Turning to him with a smile. That took him a few seconds to give back. "Yes, you're welcome." He kept his eyes locked with yours, while yours stayed for a little bit then moved down to his hand. He does too and realizes he was still holding yours and quickly let's go. "Oh, forgive me."
He was so frazzled today, it seem quite unlike him. "That is alright. You were just being-"
"Sister!" Harmony comes and tugs on your skirt, while Lizzie pulled upon Edward's arm. Towards the entrance. Both girls using their strength and impatience to so. Both grunting. "Come on!"
With no other choice, you and Edward follow he allowed you and the girls to go first while walking behind just a little bit to the ticket booth. The line was a good size, so many where going in and out. Many with families, friends, and couples. Animal sounds could be heard beyond the entrance gate, that Harmony just could not wait to see and explore. It was hard for her to stay still, standing on her tippy toes to see if the line could go any faster, soon resorted to jumping up and down. Then to stomping her feet.
Huffing and puffing.
"It's taking too long!" She whines throwing herself on you. "I won't be able to see all the cute animals!"
Her cries reached a few who turned to see the little-upset child. Who kept puffing out her cheeks. She surely was taking after Lizzie, it was quite...well...you finally understood how Ciel felt.
"Harmony, there is no need to cry." You try to calm her, but it didn't seem to work. Her eyes welled up big and wet. Oh, my goodness...you stress. "Harmony, sweetheart, pleas-"
Edward gets down to her level and whispers something in her ear that made her stop and smile. She lets you go and takes hold of his hand. Leaving you muddled. "Alright?" he said.
She nods agreeing. "What did you say?" you asked wondering.
He looks at you with a small smile. About to tell you, to be pulled by Harmony as the line moved. Pointing. "We're almost there!" She squeals.
So you wouldn't get your answer, that was alright, her smile was enough. After a few minutes, the four of you made it to the booth and Edward takes out the money and hands it to Harmony to pay. Though due to her stature made it rather difficult, it was hard not laugh so you held it in. Though she knew.
"It's not funny!" She turns around to you. Fuming with swollen cheeks. Caught you laugh a bit, behind your hand. Turning to the side only made her angrier. "It's not funny."
Her attempt at being upset at you only made her look cuter and your laughing longer. "Come, now you want to see the animals, right?" Edward comes and picks her up. Her smile returns and she pays the person asking for four tickets.
They give it to her. "Thank you," she said sweetly. Edward sets her down and she takes Lizzie's hand. "Let's go!"
Agreeing the girls walk ahead, but still close, you and Edward followed. Though you stop for a second feeling eyes and a familiar presence. Scanning the crowd and faces for it.
"May, are you alright?" Edward comes over, taking your attention. You look at him and nod with a smile. Still, he looked to see. Seeing nothing. "Did you see someone?"
You shake your head. "No, it was just the wind. We should hurry, I believe Lizzie and Harmony are giving us quite the eye."
He looks finding a heated glare from both girls. Sharper than any blade, he lets out a nervous chuckle. Scratching his cheek. "Yes, we should. After you." He extends his arm. Quickly looking away when you give him a smile.
Was he alright? Wanting to ask, for your attention to go towards the girls. With Harmony wanting to buy some peanuts. Edward follows unaware of the eyes that followed.
After getting her bag of peanuts, sharing them with Lizzie the adventure began. So many animals of different sizes, shapes, and colors. You've seen them before both in real life and in books. So it was not much of sight compared to Harmony. Her eyes just sparkled and gleamed like diamonds with every animal she saw. Gasping so much you were sure her little lungs would pop or she'd run out of air. Pointing to many, asking and naming the ones she knew and didn't know. Wanting to know all that she could, evening putting her own reading to the test. As much as she could.
Finishing her peanuts wanted another snack, popcorn. Which was provided. Edward bought it, he bought her what she wanted if she liked it. Though stopped the line at purchasing an animal. Other than that everything was well. Except for one thing, that rested on your mind and drew your attention. While everyone was having a wonderful time, it felt like someone was rather stiff and it concerned you.
"Snakes!" Harmony smiles, looking at them waving. "Hello!" Knocking on the glass. "Are you friends of Mr. Snake? Oh, he would be so happy to meet you all."
Lizzie slightly squirms at the sight of them. "Those are not cute at all."
"Yes, they are." Harmony disagrees. Blowing a kiss to another. "They are very cute. Mr. Snake and his friends are cute. All snakes are cute."
While the two had different opinions, you decide to take care of what stayed on your mind. Edward studied the map of the zoo, unaware of someone approaching. "Let's see...we've gone to see the gorillas. Bats. Jaguar...no we haven't been there yet. Crocodiles, yes. Hmm.."
"Edward."
"We can to the monkeys after this, though something tells me Harmony might want to go and see..."
"Edward."
"Lizzie will enjoy the flamingos. They both will, the birds are pink."
"Edward." A hand reaches out.
"Oh, they have rabbits. Wait, a petting zoo. Tigers, we should g-" He stops feeling a light touch on his arm. He turns finding you. With a set gaze on him. "May!" Accidently crumbling the map. Realizing what he did he tries to smooth it out. Fussing over it. "F-Forgive me."
You draw your hand back and watch him fickle over it."Edward," you call to him. But he just kept worrying about the map. "Edward." Still nothing. Was he okay? Looking at the map shake your head.
As Edward tried to get out the wrinkles, hands take hold of his wrist and he stops. Looking finding you there with a smile that calmed everything. Everything faded away and all he saw was you. Even as your lips moved, his trembling stopped and hands released. Allowing you to take the map, folding it, and put it away. Your touch no longer on his wrist, instead he watched you walk away for a minute and come back. Holding something. Picking up something small and next thing his mouth filled with something delicious and salty. He wasn't sure what it was at first but knew it made you laugh a bit. You get another one ready to do it again when he realized it.
You had given him popcorn, correction fed him popcorn.
"Open Edward." You tell him holding a piece. With a smile. "Please." You get ready to put it in his mouth when steps back. "Edward? Are you alright?" His face was quite red and you didn't know why, which concerned you. He saw it weigh in your eyes.
Remembering his mother's words, shoot fear through his body, but his own feelings pushed that fear aside and he understood. Taking the popcorn from you slowly. "Thank you, May." Pops it right in his mouth, smiling.
Glad to see him smiling offer him more, which he gladly took. Sigh heavily, relieved. "Come now, let us have a good time. Alright?"
He opens his mouth to speak, for Lizzie's voice to take over. "Oh! Let's go and see the lovely flamingos!"
With Harmony echoing her. "Yes! Let's got see them! I want to see them!"
The next course charted agree. "Seems we are going to see the birds." He said lightly. "Please." He holds out his arm. You look at it and instead grab it, much to his surprise. His intentional response was to pull back, as it was not...it didn't matter. Adjusting his arm properly to link his to yours.
When you stop for a second feeling that presence again, it felt close...very close. Edward noticed your flushed face. Your head whirled around looking to see nothing. Still, it was close. Very close. Was it left? Right? There were so many people, it was hard to pinpoint...a sharp cold suddenly covered you and disappeared just like that. It moved fast, like a shadow.
There! You saw something slink into the crowds...Harmony! Your mind blared, only to spike when you hear her screams. "Harmony!" You look around not finding her or Lizzie. But, mainly Harmony. You could hear her screams and your heart shot up. Moving away from Edward rush away. Calling for her, in the direction of her scream. Ignoring the pain your body gave off.
Clenching your skirt, your knuckles started to turn white. There were so many people...just so many. It was overwhelming, the more you pushed they seem pushed back. Harmony's screams became louder, yet felt distant. Where was she? Gearing up to give a mighty shove, not caring if you exposed yourself. Or if you injured another. Harmony was all that mattered.
Another scream was heard. "Harmony!" Your voice blares, crying out. Give a mighty shove, when hands shoot out grabbing your wrist, stopping you. A wrong move on their part, your muscle memory kicks in and your leg pushes off to deliver a mighty kick.
"May!" Harmony's voice breaks you out of your state. Stopping you. "May! Look! It's Soma!" She screams again, this time you could hear it, it was out of happiness.
Coming to your senses, Soma comes into view. He was with Lizzie and May, holding May in his arms. "S-Soma...? Soma," you repeat to make sense. There he was clear as day, with that wide smile. And Harmony was safe, she was alright. "..."You bite your quivering lip, utter a thank goodness.
"Baroness, are you alright?" Agni asked, hearing his voice you look up finding him looking down worried and also the one who held you by the wrist.
He stopped you? But...that was...was he like Sebastian? No. He wasn't. He was normal. You hadn't respond which concerned the man. "Baroness," he lets you go quickly. "I am sorry. I-I didn't mean too...are you hurt?" Watching you rubbing your wrist.
Which Soma saw, "May!" He sets Harmony down and goes over to you. "Let me see!" He takes your wrist looking at them. Right then Edward came.
"May!"He stops seeing the scene before him and quickly goes breaking it up. Much to Soma's irritation. "What did you do?" Edward accuses him. Stepping before you, glaring hard at the prince who matched it equally.
"I did nothing!" Soma defends himself. Taking a step, pointing. "I was just trying to see if May was alright. Before you came and interrupted me."
"A likely story," Edward pushes back, then turns to you. His voice softens. "May, are you alright? Let me see." He holds your wrist to see.
Soma comes and tries to see. "No. I was checking on her." He tries to grab one of your wrists, for Edward to block him. "Hey!"
"No. You have done enough."
Offended Soma objects. "I have not! I am simply trying to make sure that my future wi-" he stops himself. "I mean, my friend is alright. Is that a crime?"
Their spew was drawing attention a bit. They did not seem to notice or care. "Yes. It is. When you caused her to panic! Frighting her."
"What? I did no such thing."
How thick-headed was he? Edward sets your wrist down and kept his eyes locked with Soma with a deeper tone. "That you did! She was greatly distraught because you decided to take what is precious to her. Her sister. She was beyond a panic that she nearly had her heart broken. How do you call that caring?"
His words hit Soma and he realized it. The way you came in grief-stricken. Looks pass Edward at you and stares at the ground. "I-I..." his voice cracks. Looks back at you. "May, I am so sorry. I did not mean to cause you any...I..."
"I want to see the pink birds!" Harmony jumps in looking at the older ones tapping her foot. "Come on! I want to see the rest of the Zoo! Come on!" She grabs Soma's hand and pulls him. "You said we'd get to see an elephant!" With her. Lizzie following next to her.
"Edward. May. Aren't you coming?" She turns back around to you both. "Come on."
No need for theatrics, follow. Angi took up the rear.
Soon everyone reached the birds, they were very vibrant. It kind of hurt your eyes, but Harmony and Lizzie loved it. "Edward, buy me a flamingo!" Harmony throws herself on him, pleading.
"I'm sorry, I cannot." He breaks her little heart.
That she started to tear up. Which was perfect for someone, who swooped in. "I can buy you one! Which one do you want?" Soma asked.
To Harmony's pleasure. Her eyes lite up like Christmas lights. "Really?"
He nods. "Anyone you want. Agni will get it for you. Agni."
The man gets read. "Yes, my prince. Which do you want Lady Harmony?"
She turns around looking at them, trying to decide. For someone to object. "You cannot just buy one!" Edward hollers.
"Why not?" Soma questions. "It is only one, I am sure they will not miss it. Besides," he sets a hand on Harmony's head lightly. "as her Veerji. It is only right that I do all I can to make sure she is happy. Right?"
Harmony agrees. "Yes! My Veerji." Pleasing Soma, who turns cheering inside. Looking to Agni who gives him praise with happy tears. "Can Lizzie have one too?" She asked, breaking his moment.
"Well, umm..." He looks to Agni who wasn't sure.
His empty answer told her and was not happy. Folding her arms. "You're not my Veerji."
Breaking the prince's heart, though made Edward happy. You just didn't care and move onto the next animal. Coming to the tigers, then the lions which amazed Harmony, she pointed out something about Sebastian liking them. Which you didn't care. Though did when she revealed something about him, that surprised you and made you wondered if Ciel knew.
From the lions came the giraffes, Harmony was called them spotted trees. Lizzie then took her to see the rabbits, which both deemed as cute. Next came the monkeys, with more snacks. Soma took over buying them, from Edward. Much to his irksome. The prince pretty much took over completely. Even your attention, getting you to laugh and smile. Dampering another.
"Alright," Soma said helping Harmony up on top of an elephant with Lizzie. "there."
Harmony looked around more amazed than Lizzie who was not as thrilled. "I want to get down!" she cries.
"No!" Harmony objects giggling. "This is going to be fun! We're going to rid-" she stops for a second noticed something. Her eyes follow to drop slightly for a second.
You stand back watching the elephant get up with it's trainer by its side guiding it. "Are you sure it's safe?" You ask Soma. Carefully watching.
He chuckles heartily. "Yes, it is. I promise. I would never put Harmony in any danger." You weren't fully sold until you heard Harmony laughing. That you felt a bit at ease. "See? She loves it!"
"I'm so tall!"
Everyone hears her. Bring a smile to everyone's face. "Yes, you are correct." You say to Soma. Smiling. He returns it moving closer to your side, which Edward noticed. And watched carefully. Especially Soma's pitching hand.
Thinking if he had his sword right now...growling. This day was suppose to be a family outing. Nothing more, but now...it seem overcrowded.
"Soma?" You call to him. He looks at you. "I must admit, I am rather surprised to see you here. At the zoo. I was not aware you love animals."
"Oh, yes. I love them indeed. Back home the palace is filled animals of all kind."
"Really? That sounds wonderful. Do you often come to the zoo?"
He froze for a second. "Y-Yes. I do. I come to be around others."
"I'm sure you do..." Edward mumbles.
"How wonderful," you said.
"So," Soma changes the topic. "you and Harmony are staying here? In the city with Lizzie and her family?"
Strange, how did he know? You didn't say anything. "Umm...yes. How did you know?"
He froze again, looking to Agni who makes a gesture. "Oh, well...ummm..."
You wait for his answer, as did Edward. When the girls finish. "That was fun!" Harmony said getting down with Agni's help. He also helped Lizzie. "Wasn't it fun?" She turns to Lizzie.
"It was alright. But, not cute." The two then laugh. Taking each other's hand. "Let's go somewhere else. That doesn't really smell. Okay?"
Managing to get through all the animals, by the time the day was coming to an end, finishes with seeing the rabbits once more and called it a day. Harmony was tired as she could barely stand, so she was held by Agni, curled up in his arms. Holding her rabbit close. It was only 5 o'clock. Edward went to get the carriage.
"Are you sure you would not like to come back? For dinner?" Soma asked. Though it felt more like pressure. "Agni will make a delicious meal and maybe we can play a game of cards. Harmony is tired, she can rest in her room."
You look to your sleeping sister, whom Lizzie fondly watched over. She was tired and going back to the manor would take some time. This was something to consider. Looking to Soma give him a soft smile. Edward looking for the carriage overheard cringes. While lowering his head. To lift up from the words you said.
"Thank you, Soma. That would be wonderful, but, I should head back. Aunt Francis will be waiting and Harmony needs to be rested in her own bed. Please, do not take it in an ill way."
He was disappointed but accepted your answer. "That is fine. There are many other times." He said with a cheeky smile, that softens as he took a light step towards you. And gives you a bow. "Get home safely."
You nod your head back politely. "You as well, Prince Soma."
The carriage arrived and it was time to go. Edward opened door, helping Lizzie in first, followed by Agni coming over with Harmony. The man tries to hand her off to Edward, but she refused. Clinging to his clothes. It took a couple of minutes, but she let go and he puts her in next to Lizzie who held her close. Finally, it was you. He holds out a hand towards you.
"May."
You look at it and reach to take it when someone else comes taking your other hand by surprise. "Let me help you," Soma said on your other side. Holding your hand firmly. "Watch your step." He said carefully. Watching it for you. "There."
You take your seat inside. "Thank you, Soma."
He grins, Edward gets in and shuts the door. "Yes, thank you..." he mutters.
Seeing everyone was in, the driver drives away. You lean back a bit tired until you hear Soma yelling bye, that you sit up and look out the window seeing him waving. You wave back until out of sight. Soma stopped when the carriage was out of sit.
He takes a deep breath. "We did good, Agni," he said to him. Pleased. "We did good."