Chapter 4

Under the dim light of a tiny fireplace, Rei hummed busily as she ironed a rose tinted cotton dress. Three years ago, Marron had ignored their usual rule of never buying anything they didn't need, and had bought a roll of the soft cloth on impulse and had sewn it into a luminous gown. Rei still remembered the first time she had put it on…Marron looked like some lady nob rather than the affectionate 'big sister' she had grown up with. It was for that reason that she had never put it on again…Marron hated nobs, and the thought of becoming like them had been too overwhelming.

The familiar creak of rusted hinges signalled that Marron was home. Whistling merrily, Rei continued her ironing. Ever since her 'incident' things had more or less fallen into routine. Rei would sell flowers and pick pockets, Marron would show the knight around the city, and Sir Terinus would always insist on taking both to dinner. It was for that very reason Rei had hunted out the rose dress…

"What are you doing with that?"

Rei looked up casually and shrugged. "I thought you'd want to wear it t'night. After all, you do look better in pink than in lemon and brown…"

"Why would I care about how I looked?" Marron raised an eyebrow, her voice flat.

Rei shrugged again. She had expected her 'big sister's' hostility at the idea. "But Sir Terinus said that he was taking us to a REAL nobby place t'night. I thought that…"

"I'm street. You're street. It's about time that these nobs learnt that."

"But Marron…I like you better in this dress. And 'sides, Sir Terinus is a nob, 'haps he knows about that crest that's on your necklace – the only way you can properly mention THAT is to wear this. This'll be the only dress that shows it."

Automatically, Marron's hands flew to her collarbone, patting the silver pendant that lay there. It was the only thing of value she had on her when Uncle Yamcha found her. A flowering chestnut tree on a red field…she had always been curious about which family's crest that was…whether it was a crest at all…but she knew, if she asked any nob all they'd do would be to take the pendant away from her. Silver was too good for the likes of street vermin. But Sir Terinus…he was different…perhaps… Marron shook her head. "There is no point. Whether he knows of my crest or not, what difference would it make to who we are?"

Rei made a face. This was proving more difficult than she had planned. Better try Plan B. Running up with big, watery eyes, Rei hugged Marron with a desperate grasp. "Please M, I just wanna see you in that dress one more time. With our dangerous jobs, tonight may be the last time I could ever get to see you, please put on the dress…for me?"

Marron sighed in defeat. She hated when Rei pulled that look…"Alright, alright. I'll wear it. But only tonight."

~

"Trunks?"

The Duke of Forthan turned to leave the room, when the voice of his younger sister stopped him.

"Yes?"

"You know that I am going to Lady Margaret's engagement ball tomorrow?"

Trunks paused. "Hmm? And what of that?" The pattern upon the rich red tapestry in front of him suddenly seemed extremely interesting…

He, of course, knew what all this was about. Ever since Duchess Bulma had passed away, Bra had taken on the role of ensuring that he would have heir to the duchy of Forthan. And although she knew Trunks hated the functions of Society, she managed to find an excuse to drag him to every one and attempt to pair him ladies that cared for nothing but their looks or one's inheritance. He had been tempted more than once to act as a footman to avoid their prying fingers and coy looks. If there was only a way to get out of this one…

"Trunks, are you listening? I was saying that tomorrow night is the first function Lady Veri will be attending after her Coming Out. Perhaps you can come and accompany her in a few dances?"

Trunks suppressed a slight shudder. Lady Veri was one of the more ditzy of Society's ladies. He had met her at her 'Coming Out' and knew that he'd rather die than dive into the uncharted depths of boredom an evening with her presented. Opening his mouth to voice a weak protest, a pair of cerulean eyes framed by honey-gold locks flashed across his memory. Of course! Shrugging, he looked his meddling sister in the eye. "I am sorry Bra, but I am sure it would not sit well in Society that a member of nobility courting another lady would suddenly engage in a few dances with the exquisite Lady Veri."

Bra narrowed her eyes. She was accustomed to her brother's many attempts to avoid Social dances. "Trunks, is this is one of you schemes…"

"It is not!" Trunk widened his eyes a look of mock outrage playing across his features. "My lady sister, how is it that you do not trust me so?  I am courting a lady and I will not have you badmouthing her in such a way."

"Do not be so overdramatic brother. I was simply being cautious." Bra kept a suspicious look upon him, but knew that if he was telling the truth, she could do nothing. "What is this lady's name?"

"She is…" Trunks hesitated searching for an answer. "She is the Lady Marron." He decided it was perhaps better to stick as much to the truth as possible. Marron was not a common name by any means. In fact, it was unusual for any but a lady in one of the most noble houses to be christened with that type of name. Lady Marron… The words seemed familiar somehow…as if from a dream or distant memory…

"Lady Marron? How is it that I have not heard of her?"

"Uh…you see, Bra, the Lady Marron shares my opinion of Society. It is one of the reasons I love her so much."

"Wait…" Bra stopped, eyes suddenly brightening. "You love her?" With a squeal she ran over, squeezing Trunks into an unladylike bear hug and bounded out of the room, throwing behind her, "Am I going to be getting a new sister soon?"

Trunks groaned, dusting his jacket. Sisters… With a light shrug, her moved also to leave the room, but not before bending down and plucking a long stemmed rose from a nearby vase. If I am to be courting then I may as well act like it…

~

Trunks stared at her, mouth open in shock.

Marron gave him an irritated glare. Why Rei had insisted on this outrageous hairdo, she had no idea. She only hoped none of the locals would decide to go for a night walk…being escorted out her door by a noble would be something far too hard to explain – and she certainly did not want rumours circulating that she had become some top nob's bed partner. "What are you staring at?"

Trunks closed his mouth promptly, remembering his manners in the last minute. Pushing the rose into Marron's hands with a pathetic smile he bowed. "Beautiful night, is it not, lady?" Sweet God, when did she become so beautiful?

Marron raised an eyebrow at the flower. "I thought this would be a casual night. I did not expect you to come to such…lengths…" With a shrug she turned, "Hurry up Rei."

"Actually, Marron, I don't think I'd want to come tonight. I still have the sums to work on and that chapter to read. Why don't you go alone with Sir Terinus. I'll just be fine here."

Marron narrowed her eyes. What was going on? "Are you sure dear? You're not sick?"

"Of course not Marron, 'sides you know I can cook dinner myself. I just don't think I'd find the time to come with you tonight."

Still suspicious Marron decided against her better judgement to agree. Rei couldn't get up to THAT much mischief by herself…could she?

Feeling Sir Terinus take her arm, she glided down the rickety steps.

~

Rei watched Marron and Sir Terinus walk down the moonlit lane, giggling to herself. Things were going perfectly to plan…

A/N: Yes, I know, not much for more than three weeks of work – but with exams and then catching the dreaded flu…I just didn't really feel like writing that much….

Fire and Ice fans – expect chapter 4 sometime next week. I've sent the last part of that chapter to my better reader with a plead for her to get back to me as soon as possible…

NOTE: I'm going to China REALLY soon (family problems), so this may be the last chapter for a LONG time (I'm coming back on October the 21st). Just a warning – don't flame if I don't update.