Despite his initial reservations, Kittenus found he rather enjoyed the orks music once it began. It was certainly deafening, but it was also relentless and upbeat. The orks were here to party, and party they did. There was dancing, bright lights, and even food and drink. Though when Kittenus spied Vulkan hauling out massive kegs of some substance, he hurried over.
"Your highness, what are those?" he asked as the orks set down the huge barrels.
"Why, dis be drinks, for all my friends!" Vulkan laughed, taking out a crude tankered and filling it. The substance was tinged green and rather foamy, but the exuberant princess quaffed the entire mug, then refilled it and thrust it at Kittenus. "Drink!"
He took a hesitant sip, finding the flavor rather bitter, and with an odd aftertaste. "What is it? Is it really safe for human consumption?"
"It be fungal beer!" Vulkan laughed.
"Noo that's th' real pish!"
The mug was grabbed out of Kittenus's hand, and Russ downed it even faster than her sister. She passed him back the mug, and strode right up to Vulkan, whose frown had been replaced by a scowl.
"Richt then. Skelp me," Russ declared.
Vulkan's eyes shot up. "You be wanting me to scalp you? I confess, that is the sort of barbarism I would be expecting from your kind, but I do not do this. I wish us to be friends, not enemies."
"Ah fuckin' ken that." Russ sighed, and when she spoke again her accent was notably lessened. "I want ya to hit me. Hard as ye can."
"Why would I do this? I said I do wish us to be friends," Vulkan protested over the roar of the band.
"I noo that. Which is why yeh bloody well need to hit me," Russ explained.
When both Vulkan and Kittenus stared at her incredulously, she muttered something choice under her breath, then expanded, "I noo that callin' yeh a darkie is an insult. I'm not glaikik, stupid. Whatever. There's bad blood between us and I'll not be havin' it. I was an arse so yeh have to hit me teh-"
The blow from Vulkan would have taken a normal person's head clean off their shoulders. In Russ's case, the head was the hardest part of her body, so it only sent her ass over tea kettle, flying into one of the orks speakers. This, being an orkish construct, immediately exploded in a shower of sparks and arcing electricity.
Horrified, Kittenus ran forward to try to salvage the situation, as even the orkish band stopped playing to watch the action. Vulkan stepped forward as well, looking slightly chagrined. Before either of them could do anything, a groaning Russ, her hair puffed out extraordinarily from the electrical discharge, hauled herself from the wreckage. She spat out a tooth, then laughed.
"Richt, we're george noo. That's th' yin free loue tap ye git, sister mines. Efter that ah will be paying ye back tit fur ta."
"Boss, is we playin' or foitin'?" Gorgutz asked eagerly.
"We are playing! We are friends now!" Vulkan boomed. She picked the still dazed Russ up, lifting her sister onto her shoulder. "Dis is my sistah, Leman Russ! We be friends, and do not let anyone be doubting it!"
"'n' if thay dae ah will chap thair blooming heids in!" Russ bellowed. "Noo git me some o' that orkish pish, they're aff tae hae tae carry me oot o' this pairtie!"
"KAWAAAGH!" the orks screamed, and the cry was taken up by the students, more and more of whom had ventured out to the concert. Russ and Vulkan immediately began a drinking contest, each of them taking up a barrel of orkish fungus beer that appeared to contain 1000 liters apiece.
Kittenus stepped back from it all, uncertain what to do. The orks had finished their song and were preparing for more, which consisted of Gorgutz drinking a few beers and yelling at the band as the band jostled for position and argued over who's turn it was to play what. Orks were very odd.
"She's making it right."
Kittenus started, then looked down to find the quiet girl beside him, smiling happily.
"You didn't...you didn't have anything to do with this, did you?" Kittenus asked.
"Only a word in the right ear. A whisper in the dark. Perhaps it was the beginning, perhaps the end. I cannot say"
"Well...thanks. I guess you did keep Russ out of trouble," Kittenus said. He stratched the back of his head as turned her head up towards him, eyes closed, head tilted to one side, lips turned upwards in an earnest smile. He couldn't lie now. "I, um...I don't know your name. I...sort of forgot. Sorry. What is it, again?"
"I don't know. But you will help me find it, won't you? I have to know. The circle must be complete."
"I...what? You have to have a name though, don't you?" Kittenus asked in confusion.
"Yes, but I do not know which it is. Maybe she knows. She's out there, somewhere. I can feel it." The girl looked out, peering up at the stars through one of the bay windows.
The orks started in on another song, just as loud and obnoxious as before. The nameless girl jumped in startlement, ducking behind Kittenus and peering out nervously.
"Er, it's alright, they're...well, they're not like the stories we've heard. Orks are just people. Just like us," Kittenus said gently.
The girl nodded, still clinging to him, her face even paler than normal.
"Is it...the noise? I can take you back to the dorms," Kittenus offered.
"No. It's too loud there. The builder has jackhammers now. I'll have to find somewhere else to stay."
"What?! We can't have you just kicked out of your rooms! We'll find somewhere for you to sleep," Kittenus promised.
The girl nodded, and a sudden gleam came into her eye. "I could stay with you. It's quiet in the president's suite."
That brought a blush to Kittenus's face. The girl was actually quite cute, a soft, delicate beauty with that shyness that brought out Kittenus's protective streak. Still, thinking with this lower brain had only resulted in trouble for Kittenus, and he resolved to do better this time. "Ah, I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate. I can talk to Horus, we'll find somewhere for you to stay that's safe."
The girl smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I know I can trust you."
Instead of waiting for Kittenus to locate Horus, she slipped away, vanishing to a quieter and saner local.
Kittenus found Horus at the edge of the crowd, sweaty and breathing hard. Apparently, she'd been partaking quite vigorously in the festivities, something that surprised him. "Enjoying yourself, your Highness?" Kittenus asked as he stepped closer.
Horus turned to him and managed a lopsided smile. "Surprisingly, yes. It is rather gauche, but I suppose it has a certain charm. Not like life at the palace at all."
"Ah, no, I suppose not," Kittenus said, feeling slightly awkward.
Horus blanched. "Sorry. My manners around you seem markedly atrocious. You wanted something?"
"Well, you know the quiet girl, the one no one can seem to remember her name?" Kittenus asked.
When Horus nodded, he continued, "Well, she's a timid little thing. The orks frighten her, and she doesn't like the construction. I don't suppose you know somewhere quiet we could have her stay until this is all over, do you?"
Horus blinked at that. "Well, the Imperial Suit is still more than half empty, and the noise won't be so bad up there; the rooms are quite sound proofed. She could stay up there, I suppose."
"Oh, good, I'll let her know," Kittenus said, then realized he had no idea where she had gone off to.
He stood awkwardly for a moment, until Horus laughed. "Well, I sent Ezekyle for drinks, but she seems lost. Would you care to dance? It is rather invigorating."
"I...of course, your highness," Kittenus agreed.
They went back into the crowd, jumping about and capering along with the rest of the students in wild abandon. It was fun, actually, and it was good to see Horus relax. Kittenus himself relaxed quite a bit, deciding to simply enjoy his time. After all, university was supposed to be a time to cut loose and have some fun, wasn't it?
The party lasted well into the small hours of the morning, and would have continued longer. However, Principal Malcador, Dean Celestine, and Professor Cain appeared. Malcador and Celestine looked storm and ready to evict the orks, by force if necessary, but Cain strode out onto the stage, smiling and waving as the crowd hooted and cheered. The orks looked supsicoius, until someone shouted, "Ci-ci-ciaphas Cain, HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!"
They were the words to the theme song of the HERO OF THE IMPERIUM animated series that Kittenus and just about every one of the young humans had grown up watching. Apparently, the orks had too, because they started shouting and singing along with everyone else.
"FOIT ME CAIN!" one of the orks shouted in apparent enthusiasm.
"'ES DEAD KILLY THAT ONE IS!"
The orks hooted and hollered, but Cain just smiled and waved, touching his fingers to his cap in salute, then raising a hand for silence. After a few moments he got it, even from the orks.
"Well, that was quite the party, wasn't it?" Cain asked cheerily, which got a big cheer from everyone. "Let's give it up for KWAAAAGH!"
More cheers and applause, with Gorgutz and the very pleased band taking a bow.
"Now, I now you've all had fun, but you're probably dreading having classes in the morning," Cain said conspiratorially.
Kittenus along with all the students groaned loudly, suddenly realising just that. Before anyone could protest or unrest could begin, Cain continued, "Well the good news is, if you get this mess cleaned up and packed away before dawn, classes are canceled, and you can all have a holiday."
Cheers and whoops from the students, though the orks looked mildly rebellious.
"Additionally," Cain added, gesturing to off stage. Jurgen appeared, carrying a very large bag bulging with what appeared to be money. "We'll throw in a bonus for the band if they can get things back in order and depart in the same time frame."
Now the orks, buoyed by the promise of a large payoff, cheered as well. Everyone got to the clean up with a will, with no further protests in evidence.
"That was nicely done, sir," Kittenus said enthusiastically as Cain passed by him
"Hmm, that? Well, just like motivating the troops, really. Always be ready with a carrot first, Kittenus." Cain nodded to Malcador and Celestine, along with what appeared to be an entire company of Imperial Guard armed to the teeth standing just behind the stage. "But have a stick ready. Just in case."
"Yes sir," Kittenus agreed, and Cain sauntered off again.
"Well, thank you for the evening, your highness," Kittenus began as he turned to Horus. She looked at him, flushed and smiling, and slightly expectant.
"It's not over yet," Horus said, stepping closer and caressing Kittenus' cheek. "I've enjoyed myself. Why don't you come to my rooms. Have a glass of wine to help you settle down. I'd like to talk about what having two more sisters here means, as well as how to move forward from this event."
Kittenus blushed, but managed to stammer, "S-sorry, but I need to help with the clean up. Thank you for the offer. Perhaps...perhaps we can meet for lunch? Or dinner?"
"That would be fine," Horus agreed easily, though she seemed disappointed. "I will see you on the morrow then, President Kittenus."
With that, she turned away, though she did snap her fingers for Ezekyle. By the way she drew the girl close her her, and the girls suddenly flushed face and enthusiastic nod, Kittenus gathered she had just remade the offer for wine in her rooms. He slightly regretted turning Horus down, but he still needed to figure out his tangled emotions.
Russ, thankfully, did not make any advances on him, as she was snoring softly atop two empty barrels. Vulkan had collapsed on the ground. Who the winner had been, no one seemed to know or care. Kittenus saw to it that both of them were taken back to the dorms.
The sun was just coming up when Shaserra came over to him, dressed in an Imperial Guard uniform, her weapon slung over her shoulder. "Everything is cleared away, and the orks have mostly departed. Some of them snuck off throughout the night; we'll probably be clearing them out of the grounds for weeks. But everything seems to be in order."
"Thank you, Shaserra," Kittenus sighed, scrubbing his face with one hand. "This night wasn't what I expected, but it turned out alright."
Shaserra nodded, and Kittenus was just about to try to patch things up, when she remarked, "I saw you dancing with Princess Horus. You seem to be making a habit of cozying up to xenophobes."
Kittenus' words died on his lips, and he swallowed, "We...we just…"
"Just like Russ," Shaserra said in disgust. She turned away. "Get some rest, little kitten. I'll see to this mess."
Dejectedly, Kittenus headed for his own suite at the top of the boys dorms. He'd complain that the women in his life made things complicated, but he had to dodge the Fabstodes in the lobby.