Chapter 13: Jolly Time at Breakfast

Plodding right along…wow this vacation is doing wonders for my fics ^^ Sorry for all these late updates, but most likely I'll be submitting this chapter days after I finish typing it…as most is the case =P I just love waiting a few days making people anticipate the next chapter ^.^ How far are we into the fic you may ask…? *grins evilly* My friends, we have just begun. Anyway, here's just a little chapter to relieve the seriousness that has been building up. *raises hand* READ ON!

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            Kitchel stretched as she stood up from her bed. It had already been a week since they had arrived into Draqueen. She walked over to the window and looked out. Tetheus was out drilling one of the patrols. He's so stiff, she thought annoyed. Wish he'd loosen up some. Turning away from the window she looked around the overly decorated room. There seem to be two of everything: two nightstands, two dressers, two desks, each of these furnishing have one lamp on each, making that a total of six lamps. She was surprised she didn't have two beds. Draped across one of the ornately decorated armchairs was a new set of clothes.

            "Well, at least they have fashion sense!" Kitchel said as she pulled the pale blue shirt over her head and buttoned the loose, white, sleeveless jacket up to the middle. "But they also have a thing for straps," she added amusedly as she pulled on the faded blue jeans that had a bunch of straps hanging from them. She blinked and examined them in the mirror. Wait a minute…those look they would be needed to…hold tools?! She shook her head as she pulled on the leather boots. "Oh well! Still looks better than anything I have at home."

            "K-chan?" Cesia's voice called from outside. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

            "Yep! Coming right out!" she called back as she buckled the plain white belt. She examined herself. Eh, not bad, she thought as she walked out and smiled at Cesia. "Ohayo, Cesia-chan."

            Her friend smiled. "Ohayo, K-chan."

            Kitchel blinked. "You look rather nice," she said smiling.

            Cesia blushed. "Er…Lady Raseleane and Cernozura had caught me again," she said laughing nervously. She twirled around, making the long white, frilly skirt flare out. "You really think it suits me?" she asked doubtfully as she stood in front of Kitchel, the heels of her open-toed high heeled sandals making a soft clacking nose as they hit the marble flooring.

            Kitchel placed a hand under her chin and examined her friend. Cesia was wearing a white, buttoned blouse under a mottled, yet nice looking, multi-dark colored jacket that was rolled up at the cuffs. Her golden hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, clasped in the back by a pearl decorated clasp and braided down with long, pink ribbons tying the end. She also had two, rather large golden bracelets on her right wrist, which made a soft jingling noise when they hit. Yep…definitely the work of the Dragon Queen and her attendant, Kitchel thought smiling. "I honestly think it does."

            Cesia turned and glanced back, her face beaming as she looked at her slightly amused friend. "Arigato…K-chan. Shall we go to breakfast now?"

            "We shall!" she said laughing as she hooked her arm around Cesia's and they half walked, half ran down the grand central stair case to the dining hall.

            The three Dragon Knights were already seated, Thatz stuffing his face with several plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and various other foods spread out on the forty foot long, five foot wide table. There were twenty chairs on each side, two on the ends. Two, ten-foot wide crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, ten feet away from each end of the table. The shards of crystal that hung from the chandelier reflected rainbows whenever the sunlight from the tall windows on the east side of the room hit them. It never ceased to amaze both of the girls how dazzling and extravagant the dining hall was. The ballroom, which was four times the size as the seventy by thirty foot dining hall, was adjoined to it, three double doors allowing entrance to and from either room. However, these doors have always been closed since their arrival, having no use for the time being.

            Rune glanced up from his plate as the two girls entered and took their seats across from them. "Ohayo."

            "Ohayo!" they both greeted as Cernozura mysteriously appeared and laid out two plates in front of them.

            The attendant stood next to Cesia, her eyes wide with delight. "Cesia-chan!! KAWAII!!!"

            "HONTO NI, KAWAII!!!" Raseleane exclaimed after her as she entered the room along with Lykouleon and his Dragon Officers. She quickly walked over to where the flustered Cesia sat and clasped her hands in front of her. "Oooooh!! I knew that outfit would look lovely on you!!!!!"

            Lykouleon smiled. "Yes, it does look rather splendid."

            Cesia looked down, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Arigato gozaimas…" she said softly.  

            Kitchel grinned and thumped her friend on her back. "I told you! And you doubted my judgment!"

            Rune picked up his glass and looked across the table where all the girls were fussing over Cesia amused. "That's something you don't see everyday."

            "I'd get used to it," Alfeegi sighed as he sat down next to Rune. "The Dragon Queen and Cernozura take Cesia like a little girl to a new doll." He smiled a little. "At least they're having fun."

            Thatz scarfed down a leg of ham then downed his drink. "Aaahh! This food is great!" he exclaimed. He then followed this with a rather loud belch. "Erk…s'cuse me!" he said hastily, and then continued his voracious eating.

            Rune twitched, a vein popping on his head, as he drank his own drink. After a few moments of hearing Thatz's rather loud eating sounds, he slammed his glass down, making everyone stop what they were doing and stare at him. "Can't you eat more quietly?!??!" he nearly yelled.

            "Um…consider it a compliment…? Eh-heh?" Thatz laughed nervously. Shoot, I'm going to be killed again!

            Rath leaned against his hand, his elbow propped up on the table, and watched Rune grab Thatz throat and shake the poor the Dragon Knight amusedly. Apparently Rune forgot he was in the presence of the Dragon Lord… He glanced over to where Lykouleon was sitting at the head of the table, watching Raseleane fuss over Cesia with a smile and a slight sweat bead on his face. The Dragon Queen had gotten Cesia to stand up and was taking measurements with a tape measurer Cernozura had gotten out. His face softened as he watched the flustered Cesia turn around several times and position herself as Raseleane instructed.

            She does look rather lovely, doesn't she, Rath? A voice suddenly said in his head, making him start and straighten. He glanced around, so as not to attract attention to himself. Slowly he picked up his glass and took a small drink, his eyes moving constantly.

Who's there? Rath thought, unsure if he would be answered. He felt rather silly trying it, but it didn't really matter.

I am me, the voice answered, a light chuckle following it. Rath, it's been a while since we last met. Rath could now see an image forming in his mind, though all he could distinguish was a sly smile and some feathers falling. But I'm afraid I'm not allowed…but a friend of mine is…

The image became sharper and Rath snapped his eyes open, jumping out of his seat. "KHARL!"

Everyone blinked and looked at him. "Rath?" Lykouleon asked, puzzled by the Dragon Knight's sudden outburst.

Rath stammered a bit. Shoot! I lost control of myself! Think, think, think… "Kharl…er…I meant caramel!!! Hahah!" he laughed nervously. "I think I'm up to some caramel chocolate right now!! Whaddya say Thatz?" he asked as turned quickly to his friend.

"Mmmmm…caramel…" Thatz agreed, big stars in his eyes. "DESSERT PLEASE!!"

            Cernozura blinked. "For breakfast? Whatever you say…" she said awed as she went through the revolving doors that went into the kitchen.

            Kitchel stared at Rath. "Caramel…I thought it was pronounced like care-a-mel."

            "No, It's car-mal," Thatz argued.

            "Care-a-mel," Kitchel repeated, leaning over the table.

            "Car-mal!" Thatz insisted, also leaning over the table. Lightning bolts shot between both of their eyes as they continued the argument over the pronunciation of 'caramel'.

            "CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL!!"

            "CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL!!!"

            Ruwalk blinked. "I thought it was car-a-mel…"

            "YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!!" they yelled at the Dragon Officer.

            A sweat bead appeared on the Yellow Dragon Officer's head as he held his hands up in surrender. "Never mind then!" He glanced over at Lykouleon, who was trying really hard not to laugh. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

            "YES!!!" He couldn't take it anymore and fell out of his chair laughing.

            Raseleane blinked and looked at her husband. "Lykouleon? Are you all right dear?"

            The Dragon Lord just rolled on the ground, laughing his head off as tears streamed down his face. "YES!!!!!"

            A sweat bead appeared on Rath's head. "This is how Lykouleon always act?" And to think this all started because I shouted Kharl…

            "Only when things like these occur," Tetheus said, making Rath jump in surprise. The Dragon Officer looked at Rath. "What?"
            "Hehe…I never noticed you," Rath said laughing a little nervously. He's good…

            Tetheus flashed him a small smile then returned to his normal, expressionless face as he turned back to Dragon Lord. "It's nice to relax once in a while," the Dragon Officer mused. "It's better for the kingdom."

            "No problems there," Rath agreed as he watched the still arguing thieves.

            "CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL!!" Kitchel shouted.

            "CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL!!!" Thatz yelled back.

            "I seriously think it's car-a-mel!!" Ruwalk persisted.

            "WE TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF THIS!" they yelled, lightning crackling around them.

            "Sorry, sorry," Ruwalk said sweatdropping. Yeesh…

            Alfeegi placed a hand over his forehead. "Ruwalk…do us a favor…and don't add fuel to the fire?" he groaned. He could a headache coming on, and it just grew as Rune started yelling at the two.

            "Stop arguing!!" Rune was yelling. "You are in the presence of the Dragon Lord!!" The two continued, not listening to him.

            "CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL!!"

            "CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL!!!"

            "ARE YOU TWO EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!??!?!"

            The White Dragon Officer rubbed his temples. My job…my reputation…my life…MY SANITY!!!

            Cernozura walked in and blinked as she examined the scene in front of her. "My…er, I brought the caramel…"

            "IT'S CARE-A-MEL!" Kitchel shouted as Thatz shouted, "CAR-MAL!" at the same time. They glared at each other and the argument ensued.

            "CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL! CARE-A-MEL!!"

            "CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL! CAR-MAL!!!"

            "Um…Lady Raseleane…" Cesia started to say, a large sweat bead on her head. "Um…I don't think that's quite right…"

            Raseleane blinked and turned back to what she was doing. "ACK!" she yelled as she discovered she had been trying to tailor in a shirt piece where the skirt was and vice versa. "I'm so sorry!" the Dragon Queen laughed as she quickly fixed her mistake with a few strokes. "There!"

            Cesia blinked. "Um…it's exactly as it was before, my Lady…" she said sweatdropping.

            Raseleane blinked again. "ACK!!! I UNDID EVERYTHING!!" she yelled and then sat down on the ground sighing.

            Cesia twirled around, making the still frilly skirt flare out. "I still like it though," she said smiling.

            The Dragon Queen looked up at her with starry eyes. "Oooooh how I wish you were my daughter!!" she squealed as she hugged the unsuspecting Cesia.

            "Are you guys having a party without me?" an astounded voice said at the entrance of the dining hall. A white haired, white-eyed person was leaning against the door wearing a light blue unbuttoned flannel shirt and black jeans.

            Alfeegi looked up and narrowed his eyes. "KAI-STERN!!"

            "ACK!!" the surprised Blue Dragon Officer yelled as Alfeegi suddenly jumped up and stormed over to him. "H-Hello, Alfeegi!" What I do now?!

            The White Dragon Officer pulled a folder and held it in front of Kai-stern, smoke surrounding him. "Explain these bills!!!!!!"

            Uh-oh… Kai-stern laughed nervously. "Haha…I can explain that…"

            "YOU BETTER EXPLAIN QUICKLY!!!" Alfeegi was now towering over the unfortunate Dragon Officer.

            Rath watched, eyebrows raised. "I take it that is the well-traveled Blue Dragon Officer Kai-stern?" he asked, looking at Tetheus.

            "That he is," the Black Dragon Officer said. "He had always had unfortunate timing."

            Rath was about to ask something else when a large, white blur shot past and tackled him, knocking him onto the ground. "Hey!! Get off me!!" he yelled angrily, only to be attacked by a wet, slobbering tongue. He reached up and tried to push the beast off him. "I said get off me!!" he yelled, though now he was laughing. The presence felt familiar and soothing, and the licking was starting to tickle me. "You're slobbering all over me!!" Rath laughed. I know you…

            The big, white, wolf-like beast finally relented and got off. Rath sat up and rubbed the wolf's head. "You're yokai aren't you?"
            It just looked at him with deep purple eyes. There was also a large, purple, what to looked to be, gem on the wolf's forehead. With a small whine, the beast butted its head against Rath's chest.

            The Dragon Knight just grinned and continued rubbing the wolf's head. "Eh, you're different. I guess I won't kill you."

            "KAWAII!!!!" Cesia yelled as she suddenly appeared and hugged the surprised demon dog's neck. "OOH!! YOU'RE SO SOFT AND CUTE!!!!!"

            Kai-stern, who had escaped Alfeegi's wrath for the moment thanks to Ruwalk's intervention, walked over and grinned. "He may look cute and cuddly, but he can be quite vicious when fighting."

            "What's his name?" Cesia asked while still hugging the demon wolf.

            "Crewger."

            "Kawaii!!" She buried her head in his neck. "Ooooh…so soft…he looks to nice to be vicious."

            Rath sat there on the other side of Crewger. Crewger…where have I heard that name before… However the child-like antics of Cesia distracted him from his thoughts and smiled. That's the happiest I've ever seen her… He blinked when Cesia turned and smiled at him.

            "Don't you think he's just adorable, Rath?" she asked, her eyes shining with delight.

            He grinned. "Yeah, I guess you think him adorable," Rath agreed as he ran his hand through Crewger's thick fur. "Though I think it might offend him a bit," he added.

            Cesia ignored that last comment and hugged the demon wolf, who seemed to be enjoying the attention. "I don't think he doesn't mind at all," she said defiantly.

            Kai-stern chuckled then noticed Lykouleon standing next to him, still shaking a bit from his laughing fit. The Dragon Officer grinned. "Long time no see, eh?"

            "I know," the Dragon Lord said grinning. "But I think we should talk about what you've gathered in a more…quiet place?" he suggested chuckling as Thatz's and Kitchel's yelling could still be heard.

            "IT'S CARE-A-MEL YOU DUMB IDIOT!!" Kitchel was shouting.

            "NO IT'S CAR-MAL YOU STUPID BIT—" Kitchel slammed a chair down his head, cutting off his words.

            There was a loud cracking noise and Kitchel lifted the chair off Thatz's head. "Uh…oh…" she said as she looked at the broken pieces in her hands

            "KITCHEL!!" Rune screamed. "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT CHAIR COSTS?!?!?!"

            "AAAHHH!!" Alfeegi yelled as he saw the damage. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???!"

            "Does anyone still want the caramel?" Cernozura asked, knowing no one was paying attention. "Guess not," she sighed.

            "I'll take one," Kai-stern said as he took a piece of the chocolate. "Yummy, though I like caramel apples better."

            "How did this caramel thing get started in the first place, again?" Cesia asked, her arms still around Crewger's neck.

            "Don't know!" Rath said quickly. I'll keep this to myself for now…

            "Does…anyone notice the blood that's flowing from Thatz's head…?" Ruwalk asked sweatdropping as the attention shifted back to the broken chair.

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.;;;; That was just for fun, lol. It still fits into the storyline though so don't worry! *laughs* Poor Thatz…oh well, he'll recover! He has to .;;; I thought of that caramel commercial thing with Shaq while I was doing that XD! I'm sure you guys have seen that commercial .; Maybe not .;; Personally I say it like care-a-mel…*coughs* Well see you in the more serious chapter, Chapter 14! R&R! And the comments on the hair (specifically Cesia and Rath)…This is a totally different story…and uh…well you'll see in later chapters (somewhere far down the road…) that it does change to the original coloring from the manga. So…stop tormenting me about that T_T *runs away crying*