Author's Notes: Well, it has certainly been long enough since my last update, huh? I'm so, so sorry! School has been really, really hectic. That and…lack of a keyboard has really been hurting me! I did, however, get to outlining some of this story, and some new stuff, so I'll be able to bring you some really entertaining chapters in the not so distant future. So…here's your third chapter!

3rd Shot: Welcome to Sungria

Jing shielded his eyes from the harsh sunlight, blinking a few times to bring his eyes into focus as he stepped out from underneath the shade of the archway he'd been standing under. The colors in the streets weren't helping his eyes too terribly much, whirling this way and that with the movements of the dancers in the cobblestone walkways.

The Festival of Light in Sungria. Every summer, at the same time, people would get together and celebrate the sun, and the moon, and the fire, and anything, really, that naturally gave off light. It would have been great…

"Ohoho, Jing, are you seein' these girls!"

…if he didn't have to listen to Kir catcalling.

"Kir…do you have to drool over every girl you see?" Jing asked, rolling his eyes and slipping on a pair of sunglasses he'd just swiped from a vendor. He sidestepped a group of people and grabbed Kir up, dragging him to the side.

"What's the big idea! I was watchi—hello there..."

Jing was directing his attention to a very large white estate on a hill, covered in many places with lush green ivy and what looked to be pink and white roses. "You see that place, Kir?"

"How can you not, it's five stories high!"

"That place is called Rose Hall. It's owned by Sungria's most prominent family, the Cruzans. They're the people who have what we want. And I know just how to get it…"

Elize sighed, closing the great oak doors behind her and sighing, leaning against the paneling and taking comfort in the cool surface against the backs of her arms. It was hot in Sungria, and she needed to be cool. She stared intently at the mosaic on the floor, the great red rose in the middle of the white marble entrance hall. She heard the tinkling of breaking porcelain echo against the walls, and looked up to see a woman of about twenty-one standing there, having dropped a porcelain vase.

Her hair was long, and blonde, and slightly curled. The white skirt she wore fell to the floor and then some, she seemed to be barefoot at the moment. The top was hanging slightly off her shoulders, and her hands were raised to her mouth. "A-Alizé! That…is that you?"

So, she was caught by her eldest sister. "Yes, Chardonnay, it is…"

And then came the stampede of family members. A young girl of about seven in a short pink dress, her hair kept back in a braid, clung to the doorway. Her younger sister, Xiantha. A boy with the same blonde hair as Chardonnay, clad in khaki pants and a black button down shirt. Gallego, her only brother. A girl in a light blue sundress that swept the floor, her long brown hair caught in pigtails. Her older sister Tequila.

Following her siblings came her mother and father. Her father was a tall man, graying hair and half-moon glasses. He seemed to have a gentle air about him. This was Gin. Tonic, however, was nothing like that. She wore a light pink skirtsuit, standing straight with her chin held up just so. She eyed Alizé with an air of disappointment, crossing to the girl and looking her in the eyes. "Where…have you been, you silly, silly girl!"

"I'm sorry…mother."

"Well…Heaven forbid you miss your own coming-out party…better late than never. You should probably go upstairs and bathe, then, it is tonight…"

"T-tonight! Mère! Have you lost your mind!" Alizé gaped at her mother, who was just crossing her arms and looking at her. The handmaid took her bag and she headed upstairs, looking behind her at Gin and Tonic, watching them whisper about something or other.

Kir blinked. "So you're telling me…"

"Yup. We can use the masquerade as a perfect cover to steal Blood Oath. You don't just steal the most valuable ruby on the continent without having a little fun first, right? We'll crash the party and take the necklace at the same time."

"You make it sound so simple. And you know, it probably is. But how do you know how well it'll be guarded?"

"If I know anything about the Cruzan Family, it's that they're arrogant. Which is pretty fortunate for us. They'll have no security whatsoever, because they don't think they need it. Who would dare steal from them?"

"So you've done your homework…"

Mère!- Mother!

Author's Notes: So, it was short. I was pressed for time! I have Gateway Exams to cram for. I know, I pick the most inconvenient times to start writing! Chapter 4 is already being outlined, just be patient with me!