Prompt: Soiree
All in Due Time: Party Girl
Prince Koenma sighed from the elaborately decorated table he sat at with Ogre, his chin in his hand as he looked out at all of the other Spirit World attendees as they laughed, chatted, danced, and had fun. Exactly what he was supposed to be doing. Every year Spirit World holds an annual ball in Enma's honor, and every year Botan would accompany him to the ball so that he could avoid all the harassment to be somebody's date. He is, of course, Spirit World's Most Eligible Bachelor for 163 years in a row now. It was all very superficial and most girls in Spirit World only cared that he was the prince, so it was easy to just avoid all of the hassle by already having a date.
Normally, Botan was the life of the party at these balls. She always dressed in some odd, fancy gown and danced all night, drinking and eating as much food as she possibly could while talking the ears off of anyone who would listen. The ferry girl was fun and everyone enjoyed her company, most men trying to get atleast one dance before the end of the night. This year, however, happened to be the complete opposite. His friend of course looked as beautiful as every other year, but tonight she had just been quiet and withdrawn. Instead of dancing until her feet hurt, she sat at the table with him while staring off into space. Barely touching any of the food on her plate in place of stuffing her face like usual. No drinks, no dancing, no laughing. Every once in a while she would sigh, or even pretend to pay attention to the conversation around her, but Koenma knew better than that. Botan had been gloomy for weeks since Hiei had left, and weeks before her mission she had been acting weird too.
Koenma didn't exactly approve of Hiei. Or Hiei interacting with Botan. But he did love his friend as if she were his sister. They'd been working together for longer than many humans could fathom, and he cared about her happiness. If her happiness depended on Hiei, so be it. He had to do something for her. He couldn't stand to see her so.. not herself anymore. He missed her smile, damn it! And he would fix it!
Looking over at his dear friend, Koenma sighed, "Botan."
"Hmm? What's going on Lord Koenma?" she blinked, looking around them.
"Something very urgent has just been brought to my attention. Ever since the Demon World Tournament, all former kings and any present leaders in Demon World have been kind enough to send us reports of their lands and anyone that may pose a threat to the new balance and, of course, to the Human World. All kings have been cooperative with this request. All except one. Mukuro has not sent us a single report since the tournament. I'm assigning you to be the Spirit World Liaison to Mukuro. It is your mission to convince Mukuro that these reports are vital to our balance, and then to collect these reports. Can you do this, Botan?"
"But Lord Koenma, are you saying...?"
"I know you've been feeling down, Botan. You can always come and talk to me. We're not just employer and employee, we're friends. I only want you to be happy."
He was promptly met with the tightest hug he'd ever received in his life.
