See told ya I was updating while I read chap 4 of 'Point Blank' …sniping Takeda the lame…hehehe.
MaiHime and MaiOtome are Sunrise property, fini.
2…
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As the elevator returned for Kaede and the others, Shiori stood close and held her hand. Shiori was playing with Kaede's graduation ring from Miss Maria. Shiori kept twirling the ring and Kaede stiffened. It was a subtle gesture between them and it was also one Kaede wanted no part of.
"Are you ok?" Chie asked looking directly at Kaede.
"I would rather have been able to beat them downstairs," Kaede said as she realized Shiori's mask was already in place. Like mother, like daughter, Viola would definitely be proud.
"Yeah that's understandable," Chie replied looking at Shiori's impassive expression, "Of course I think Meister Kruger here feels differently."
"I'm just concerned as to why the system is down all of a sudden," Shiori said allowing some truth to filter through her mask.
"Enjoy yourself…Garderobe will fix it. We are heading to a play after all, besides we are all trained well enough to handle any crisis," Chie replied thoughts drifted to the children upstairs.
Yukino had called her nanny and asked if the woman would meet them in Florence. The nanny agreed because she too had plans for the play, just not on opening night. Upon seeing five little faces instead of just the usual two she laughed at how confident they seemed in her adaptability skills. How hard could it be to watch five sleeping babies?
As the elevator settled and the doors opened its occupants all contemplated taking the elevator back up to the penthouse. There were two scowling faces nearby and none of the four wanted to cross their paths. Before the doors could close on them, Erstin appeared and stuck her foot in the door.
"It seems the message from WindBloom castle had somehow been lost during the shift change. Meister Viola and President Chrysant are speaking with the concierge now," Erstin said holding her hand out to Nina.
Nina took hold of Erstin's had and was led off towards the hotel's main entrance. Chie stepped forward and looked for Aoi, who seemed to be waiting by the hotel entrance farthest away from the scowling faces of Natsuki Kruger and Maria Graceburt. Chie side stepped both women and followed quickly behind Erstin and Nina.
Kaede was tempted to allow the doors to close until Shiori stepped out of the elevator still firmly holding her hand. Kaede tugged on Shiori's hand, but her forward momentum didn't stop.
"Meister Hallard had a point Kaede, it's just a play," Shiori said as she followed the same path to the entrance.
"That's not what's bothering me. Those looks and the maddening itch of this suit are," Kaede replied tugging at her shirt collar.
"Leave it be love, you'll only aggravate it more," Shiori said stopping temporarily to swat Kaede's hand from her shirt collar and give her a quick kiss on the cheek, "You're never comfortable in anything except sweats and pajamas, are you?"
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Once with the others, the younger members of the group headed for one of the awaiting limos. Aoi, Erstin, Nina and Shiori settled in first while Kaede just looked at the limo questioningly. Kaede removed her jacket and handed it in to Shiori before sliding stiffly into the limo next to Chie.
"Why does this limo seem so small?" Kaede asked the driver just before the door was shut. Kaede's hand unconsciously went back to her shirt collar.
"Kaede…hands off the shirt. I understand you don't want to wrinkle the jacket but I'm not giving in on the shirt," Shiori said as she carefully folded Kaede's jacket into her lap.
"Nervous?" Aoi asked Kaede with a sweet charming smile.
"A little, but this monkey suit is the real problem, Ambassador Senoh," Kaede said dropping her hand to her lap as she caught Shiori's stern glare.
"You weren't like that earlier," Chie said thinking back.
"It's only just becoming more uncomfortable. It's a good thing Miss Maria didn't look too closely at that bottle of wine or I probably wouldn't have to worry about this maddening suit," Kaede said thinking about the small drink she had snuck from the bottle Miss Maria had received earlier.
"How did you manage that?"Chie asked thinking about the bottle Miss Maria put safely aside.
"Since there's no wrapping over the cork, I just pulled it free, took a hit and squeezed the cork back in place. It's just a small piece of wood," Kaede said thinking of the delicious taste made sweeter by the fact that she had not been caught in the act.
"Speaking of Miss Maria, here they come," Erstin said as she watched the older woman guiding Yukariko safely into the limo in front of theirs.
"About time…" Kaede said feeling a slight burning sensation along with the maddening itch.
Across the street from the limos a man in black watched intently as the limo's slowly made their way towards the theater.
"Sentry to Mother..."
"Mother here Sentry report."
"Tell Sinistra that she was right. The Garderobe squad is on the move; President Chrysant is with them as well. Over..."
"Good work, Sentry, get back here immediately. Mother out..."
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Tomoe was already in costume roaming backstage looking for Chisa. One of the crew had come by her dressing room earlier citing one last costume check before opening curtain call. Tomoe could feel something turning in her stomach and needed to find something to drink other than the tainted wine back in the room.
Near a ladder leading to the rafters that held the screen backgrounds, Tomoe saw Chisa talking animatedly with two stage hands dressed completely in black, faces covered by a loose black veil. Chisa took a drink from a bottle offered to her by one of the hands before sending them off and turning towards the approaching Tomoe.
"Hello, love, now I don't have to head back to that stupid room. Drink this," Chisa demanded.
"What is it?" Tomoe asked holding the bottle away from her nose due to its repugnant smell.
"Our little insurance policy," Chisa said as she guided the bottle back towards Tomoe's lips, "It would have been here sooner, but the brass in Cardair has tightened things up because of the sloppy work of the two gentlemen you so easily took care of for us."
"You're working with Cardair military?" Tomoe asked thinking of the two idiots she killed in order to get her precious liquid death.
"Since we meet outside the theater yes, before that no. I had some people inform the right people of my little plan and now these gentlemen are here to dance with us if necessary," Chisa replied slipping the half full bottle into her costume.
"So these would be former military loyal to King Argos?" Tomoe asked remembering the scared young man who was now pretending to be King of Cardair.
"Yes and when the final curtain bows are done you and I will be escorted out of here by the two gentlemen I just spoke to," Chisa said as she finally noticed the manic gleam in Tomoe's gray eyes, "Let's go get ourselves a quick drink while we have a chance."
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Standing outside the theater everyone was watching as the limos unloaded guests. Journalists and photographers from all over Earl were present taking down names and snapping photos as the more prominent guests made their way up the red carpet into the theater.
Once their limo finally stopped everyone, but Kaede, stepped out onto the red carpet. Kaede stepped out on the street side of the limo not wanting to wait. Shiori had handed over her jacket as the limo stopped and as Kaede walked in front of the limo the driver shook his head and smiled. Kaede seemed to be sweating heavily already and really didn't want to put her jacket back on.
As the driver got back behind the wheel he noticed a wet spot on one of the back seats and realized just who had been sitting there. Maybe she had a drink…Once parked in the queue alongside the theater, away from the crowd, the driver pulled out his hanky and open the door to wipe down the seat back where Kaede had been sitting.
The spot cleaned easily, but the driver noticed there was a crimson spot on the hanky. Weird…the driver thought as he dismissed the odd spot, folded the hanky and joined the other driver lighting up a smoke preparing for the long wait.
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Now redressed and walking calmly alongside Shiori, Kaede felt the need to get a drink before heading towards the balcony booth seating.
"Go on, Kaede, get yourself a drink. Remember though those doors lock until the intermission and you had better be inside the theater when that happens," Shiori said teasingly.
"I know, Shiori. don't worry. I'm just going to get one little drink," Kaede said feeling hot, sweaty and all around miserable now, "Stupid suit…"
As everyone else headed towards the doorway to the balcony booths, Kaede joined the queue to get a drink. Suddenly a firm hand pat Kaede on her shoulder blade. Kaede felt her wet shirt press firmly together with her jacket and she winced.
"Thought I'd join you," Haruka said looking at Kaede's uncomfortable disposition, "Are you okay?"
"I should be fine once I get something to drink. I really hate formal wear, this is for Shiori, ya' know," Kaede said as she tugged her shirt collar and then fanned her jacket, leaving it open.
"All this stress because of the suit, really Kaede," Haruka said thinking of how her own suit felt rather uncomfortable compared to her Meister uniform.
"I had a drink back at the hotel and I guess it didn't agree with me. My stomach's burning and my throat's feeling dry and raw," Kaede replied happy for the company and the quick movement of the line.
"Are you sure getting something to drink will help?" Haruka asked as they stepped forward another three places.
The man behind the bar was wearing a black suit and smiling as they moved forward to order.
"Meister Haruka Armitage, it is a pleasure to see you in person. What will you and your…oh my... is she your sister?" the man asked looking up into Kaede's face.
"Yes, this is my younger sister, Kaede Armitage. I would like a bottle of water, please," Haruka replied thanking the man silently for providing her excuse.
"And I'll have some wine," Kaede said as she fanned her jacket again.
As the man placed Haruka's small water and Kaede's flute on the counter he smiled, "Please accept these as my treat. I am honored to be in such auspicious company."
Thanking the gentleman, Haruka and Kaede sat momentarily to enjoy their drinks amongst the small group that had the same idea. People raised their glasses in honor of Haruka, praising the grace of the name Otome and the courage of Haruka, as President Chrysant's bodyguard.
"Speaking of which, so if things work out, will you propose to Shiori Kruger?" Haruka asked surprising them both.
Kaede's face softened as she took a drink and let Haruka's words settle in.
"From the very first time we bumped into each other at orientation, right up until this very moment, she's all I want and all I've ever needed. Whatever happens next that will be the bridge we cross first," Kaede said realizing she'd taken most of the flute down in that drink.
As Haruka finished off her small bottle she smiled and stood, "Good…I'll just have to remember not to send Kruger anymore copies of her indecent exposure in with Yukino's Garderobe council retorts."
"Reports…" Kaede said as she stood and noticed the smile on Haruka's face.
"That's what I said…" Haruka replied and started to laugh.
Kaede laughed also and moved to Haruka's side realizing she'd been played. Yes, her mother would slip occasionally, but mostly the malapropisms were Haruka's in-joke with a few close people. Had the two taken a moment to look back at the white seats they had just vacated, they would have seen a crimson circle on the seatback of Kaede's chair roughly the size of a golf ball.
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Garderobe, Headmistress' office,
Sarah Gallagher was sitting on one of the sofa's holding a cool compress to her forehead. Though she no longer had a headache, the cool compress was more of a good luck charm. The running reports between the Founder core and this office could have been considered terse and close to argumentative. If not for the presence of Ahn and Cara, Sarah was sure that at one point she would have gone to deliver her reply to Youko's nasty comment personally.
"So much for just being a Paper Otome," Sarah sighed as she turned to lie back on the sofa. Sarah was already wearing her pajamas and wanted nothing more than an early evening's rest. The last report from the core had been nearly three hours ago. Sarah actually laughed as she thought about it.
Sarah's last report to the Founder core thirty minutes ago had been the first to receive an immediate reply. There were four newly minted Pearls running the messages back and forth. With the knock, Ahn looked at Sarah and took Cara into Natsuki's bedroom to breastfeed in private.
"Enter…" Sarah said as she closed the bedroom door for Ahn and returned to the desk, "Yes Miss Cajevolic…"
The number one Pearl, a young brown haired, green eyed Arian girl, stood in front of the large desk unsure of how to deliver Youko's message.
"You do have a message for me, right?" Sarah asked warmly as she noticed the concern.
"There's no vocal message Meister Gallagher…" the young woman replied shifting her feet.
Sarah just smiled and waited for the girl to screw up the courage to deliver the non vocal message.
Jordan Cajevolic took four steps towards the large desk looked Sarah in the eyes and opened her hand flat on the desk. Once again she took four... five... six steps back from the desk and waited for Sarah's reaction.
Sarah looked at the object on the desk and thought of her last message to the core which had been: 'Can't you at least get the electricity running again?'
It seems the only reply Sarah would receive at this point was the object, a screw, sitting on the desk mocking her.
Sarah picked up the screw and tossed it back at the young Pearl as her response. Taking her cue, the young girl left the office and sighed. Sarah actually had to laugh because in another hour the premises of Garderobe and all of her many rooms would soon be in the dark of night.
Sarah felt the delicate brush of Ahn's hand up her thigh, resting on her stomach and then traveling up her body to stop as a caress of her cheek. Ahn held a battery lantern that lit a good portion of the room and turned it down as Sarah winced at the introduction of light into the darkened office.
"Meister Han has finally returned from the castle. She got caught up in the heavy traffic in between due to the power company trucks working the area," Ahn said as she placed the lantern on the small table and sat beside Sarah who shifted into a seated position once again.
"So what's the word on the outside supplemental power supply that Garderobe uses?" Sarah asked taking Ahn's hand and kissing the palm gently.
"Meister Han said that it would be two days even with round the clock crews working to replace the burnt out supply lines. She said if you needed her Meister Han would be in her room after some food and a bath," Ahn replied thinking that just maybe they should conduct rounds earlier again tonight.
"Well that's the end of messages for the night then. Listen, why don't the three of us take the first watch? I'd like to spend some time with you besides being in our bed tonight," Sarah said realizing she was wearing only her pj's.
"As soon as you change into something more appropriate," Ahn said as she ran a finger lightly across the silk pj top that Sarah was wearing.
"Hey it wouldn't be the first time any of us has been out in something other than our robes; at least I'm wearing the pants, too."
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Otome Guardian Force Headquarters,
"Back off Armitage, President or not, I swear I'll knock you on your butt. Your sister is not dead and there's only so much I can do for her in this condition," Kimiko Helene argued directly into Ayame Armitage's stoic countenance.
"There has to be something you can do for them, surely, as the healer," Ayame said looking at the prone bodies of her sister, Kaede, and Kaede's wife and joined Meister, Shiori. Ayame followed Kimiko's gaze over to Katsumi Zhang and realized that if Kimiko could do anything more she would have.
Kanna Yumemiya walked into the room and placed her arms protectively around Ayame. The tall strong red head never needed words to calm Ayame's raging Armitage temper like now.
"It's time that both you and Christian Steinberg left this room and had something to eat, maybe even get some sleep," Kanna said pulling Ayame close enough so she could whisper into her ear.
"Where are the others?" Ayame asked looking down at Kanna's strong arms around her waist. The white and gold Guardian robe reminding her that there were still another six Guardians not in this room.
"Keiko and Mitsuko are sitting in with Megumi in the next room. Chiyako, Grace and Cara are down by that stupid ring talking about the power surge that had been created when we hit Garderobe," Kanna said trying not to think about all the other little details.
"The twelve of you need to stop playing with that ring. Look at them Kanna, I'm afraid they'll never wake up," Ayame said as she felt Kanna muscling her slowly out of the room.
"Enough of this talk love…if I have to I'll take you back to Aries kicking and screaming. Don't forget I'm big enough to do it," the twelfth Column replied scooping Ayame up into her arms bridal-style just to prove her point, "Hey Christian that goes for you, too. Come on…"
Christian Steinberg, third Column, just looked at the red head carrying the large honey haired President and chuckled softly. Though she didn't want to leave Katsumi, Kaede or Shiori alone, Christian knew there was nothing she could do. It always amazed Christian just how many of the twelve Columns had received such imposing statures. Even more so beguiling was the fact that only Kanna and Kaede had been gifted with strength that surpassed all others.
"Kimiko, will you be joining us?" Christian asked thinking of how long Kimiko had been between this room and the next.
"In a moment Christian, I just want to make sure the attendants know to call me for even the slightest change in their status," Kimiko said replacing her silver ring on her finger and sliding her GEM back into its home on her left earlobe.
Christian gave Kimiko one last look, bent over to kiss Katsumi and left the room for the first time in the past two days. Kimiko walked over to her younger sister and sighed, thanking whatever deity was listening that they were all alive and well. Kimiko turned to Kaede and Shiori and thought:
Even with all of our powers combined the final call lies with the two of you. Be safe my Sister Otome and return to us soon.
