written by Atlantis
©2004
As promised, here is the next chapter. I was much more pleased with this chapter than the last in both the characterization and the overall flow.
Thank you to all of the following who reviewed the last chapter, I appreciate you so much: Marin M, Azurite, winterwing3000, Eve-Of-Misery, Penny Lane00, yoursolastsummer, bored hungry, LuvinAnime, Shy-Lil-Dreamer, Kineticfairy, peeps, Ana, Nicole (huggles to you!), Ashe, The Cougar, Sphincter, and mariks1andonly.
Disclaimer: It's really not mine. If it was, I'd rub it in your face.
Rating: PG-13 (Yet another clean chapter though, making it PG)She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.
Proverbs 31: 25-27
PART 2
When the two youths rejoined their parents it was nearly the end of the party and it was decided that they would all leave, since they were receiving odd looks and glares from the way Seto and Téa had danced earlier. They parted with cordial goodbyes and Téa's mother promised that she would send her daughter to the Kaiba estate straightaway, just as soon as the girl had packed her things. With one last kiss bestowed upon the back of Téa's hand, Seto bid her farewell and told her that he looked forward to seeing her soon, though both of them knew it would be too soon.
From the moment Téa and her mother arrived home two days later, all that Téa did was prepare for her departure; packing her clothes and personal possessions, bidding her friends (who had all been married for at least a year) tearful goodbyes, and taking great care to make sure that her horse was also substantially ready for the move. Not only did Téa take her own things with her but many mementos of her father as well, including all of his books and journals about his studies. She only wished that she could have taken his large red armchair with her for she had fond memories of him reading to her in it by firelight as a child. It was a melancholy time for the young woman, and the mood only worsened with her mother talking non-stop about her new world and how she was "finally settling down when girls her age had been married for three or four years now". Téa wanted to stuff a rag into the woman's mouth.It wasn't that Téa didn't love or care for her mother; far from it. But ever since her father's death, her mother had changed. Slowly, she had drawn in upon herself, refusing to leave the manor for nearly a year. Then, she had begun to focus on public image and the gossip scene, something that she hadn't even remotely cared for when her father had been around. At first, Téa had striven to do everything her mother asked in the hopes that she would someday return to the woman she had once been. Her hopes had been in vain. Instead, Téa's mother looked back on the days of yesterday with distaste and horror, unbelieving that she had ever -not- cared about society. To her abject terror, Téa had begun to act just like her father and succeeded marvelously in driving away any and every suitor that came her way. And there had been many.
Sighing as she placed the last of her clothes into her traveling trunk, she waved off her maidservant and leaned against the side of her bed, heaving a sigh. At least her mother had left the doorway, no longer hovering over Téa like a hawk. That at least had brought the young woman some peace. Now, looking around her room, only a few tapestries remained on the walls and nothing else. Everything that had been atop her bureau and writing desk were now carefully packed away. A deep, sad feeling bloomed in the bottom of her stomach knowing that this would be the last time she would look upon her room; the last time she could freely gaze at rooms where she could remember her father without any trouble. It was as if his very spirit saturated the furniture and stones in the walls. Téa clutched at the necklace around her neck, her most prized possession, and got to her feet with a heavy sigh.
Walking over to the window, Téa looked down over the inner courtyard to see several of the groomsmen tugging her horse out of his stall, brushing him down and laying a thick blanket over his back in preparation for the journey. As expected, he gave them hell and Téa grinned. Her horse had the same spirit as her father, as herself, never giving anything freely unless earned. Those men, as long as she had known them and as nice as they were, had never truly gained the respect of her fiery stallion and so he never gave any. It made Téa giggle as she walked away from the window to her wash basin, splashing water on her face to freshen her cheeks and wash off some of the dust that had settled on her chin and eyelashes."Téa! It's time to go!" she heard her mother shout from downstairs. Téa looked up into the mirror and nodded to herself, then pressed her lips into a thin line.
"Coming," she replied only loud enough to be heard."You don't look at all nervous." Seto looked over to his mother who sat drinking tea primly on the edge of her chair.
"Should I be?" he drawled, leaning back and swirling his brandy before throwing his head back and swallowing what was left in the glass.
"I just thought that you might be anticipating the arrival of your fiancé, that's all," she supplied, taking another small sip out of her blue china cup. "I was hoping you may even get excited. You never get excited over anything."
"And you expect me to be excited over the prospect of a future I had no say in? No control over?" he barked, leaning forward only to fill his glass once more.
"I do wish you wouldn't look at it that way," she clucked.
"And dear, don't overdo it. You don't want to be falling down when she gets here. If you must continue, at least chase that awful drink with something."
"Like more brandy?" he shot back, goading her into a response. She set a flat stare on him.
"Like water." He was a handsome devil but he had inherited his father's stubborn streak. Though he sat there, looking as though he were made for the chair, Marie Kaiba knew, as a mother always does, that her son was feeling far more tense than he was letting on. It was in the way he clenched his teeth after swallowing more alcohol, the way his arm muscles tightened beneath his rolled-up sleeves as he sat back and sent a stare similar to the one she was pinning him with back at her. His feet were set apart, seemingly in relaxation, but a mother could tell he was ready to jump at a moment's notice. Seto had chosen to wear a white shirt that buttoned up the front, a blue and silver vest that complimented his eyes, and a pair of black breeches and boots, shined until they reflected every light shining upon them. All-in-all, her eldest son looked presentable, but covertly anxious, bordering on tipsy if he didn't stop drinking...
"Excuse me madame," a voice from the doorway called out hesitantly. Seto watched his mother set her cup and saucer down delicately and turn to face the servant, not bothering to do so himself. She had been watching him, studying him. He hated when she did that."Yes, what is it Henry?" his mother's voiced cooed.
"Lady Gardner's carriage is approaching."
"Thank you Henry. We'll be right there," she replied smoothly, gracing him with a fake smile. Seto could just see the straight-lipped man's uninterested affirmation as he bowed and left. His chuckle brought another hard stare from his mother.
"Go and get your brother and father. You need to greet your fiancé properly and I don't want you slouching around in here when she arrives," she commanded, placing her hands on her hips.
"As though I would be that rude to a person in the same sorry situation as I," Seto mumbled under his breath. He knew that his mother must have heard him but she made no comment, though he felt her eyes on his back as he left the room to find his brother. Seto didn't have to walk far to find his younger sibling, who was just outside in the courtyard for his fencing lesson. The older Kaiba watched in pride as the dark-haired youth jumped forward and backward with light steps, slashing his sword against his father's, and causing a pleasant ring to reverberate through the air. When the two stepped apart for a brief breather, Seto clapped loud enough to get their attention and walked between them, putting a firm hold on his brother's shoulder. Father and brother removed their fencing masks and servants came forward from the sidelines to help them remove their armor.
"What was it that you needed Seto?" his father questioned, wiping his face with a small towel to get rid of the sweat.
"You mean besides interrupting your duel?" the older boy chuckled. "It appears my fiancé is approaching. Mother sent me to fetch you and make sure we ruffians were all presentable like civilized folk." His father let out a hearty laugh, clapping Seto on the back.
"Then we'd best not keep her waiting. Come along Mokuba, let's go clean up as quick as we can," he motioned to the younger boy who was tightening the thin leather thong that held his hair tied back at the base of his neck. He looked up, the blue of his eyes just as his older brother's and father's before him, though they contrasted more against his black hair. Mokuba was tall too, just having reached six feet and still showing signs of several more inches to come. His shoulders and chest were broad and full of thick muscle, unlike his brother who had a leaner appearance. The brothers shared an almost identical facial structure if not for the fact that Mokuba's was slightly squarer and Seto's was more cut and defined. In short, the heirs to the Kaiba Coast could stop the fluttering heart of a maid in a few short seconds without trying."Yes father. Just coming." He waved his father ahead and turned to Seto. "So, your fiancé," he stated quietly. Seto nodded. "And this is the girl I couldn't meet because I had an untimely case of the mumps?" he asked, taking his sword back to the rack where the rest hung.
"One in the same," Seto said quietly.
"And you said she was only seventeen?" Seto nodded again. "Do you realize that's a year younger than I? It'll be more like a younger sister than a wife or sister-in-law, don't you think?" His older brother gave a half-hearted laugh.
"I certainly hope not entirely. That would make it hard to have children some day." He watched Mokuba grimace in disgust. "She and I have decided to be friends, that is all." Mokuba's head bobbed in understanding. "Now get along and clean yourself up or mother will have your head." Watching the raven-haired youth run off, he realized that his brother did have a point: his fiancé was younger than even Mokuba. He had a feeling it might be easier for she and Mokuba to become friends than him. That had always been one of his weak points, making friends. He didn't understand why.
Shaking his head, he walked out of the inner courtyard and back into the manor, passing through several hallways and shrugging into his overcoat at the entrance before stepping outside to wait for the carriage. He was surprised to see that the carriage had already arrived and Téa was standing behind it, stroking the muzzle of an intimidating-looking horse, while the footmen unloaded her things at the top of the steps where Seto stood. It only took a moment for him to recover from the shock of her being there so soon before he moved his feet forward to greet her. He ended up having to cough into his hand in order to drag her attention from the large black stallion.
"Oh! Sorry, I suppose I was off in another world," she murmured, holding out her hand for Seto to take, a blush staining her cheeks.
"It's no problem," he said smoothly, kissing her gloved knuckles softly. She gave him a small smile and twirled her umbrella anxiously, looking over his shoulder.
"My family will be here any moment."
"I'm worried about the impression I'll make," she admitted, stepping closer to him and lacing her arm through his. He leaned down and automatically placed a kiss against her temple, shushing her.
"Mother and father already love you, despite the way they acted during that dance the other night, and if Mokuba doesn't like you then I shall doubt the fact that he is my brother," Seto assured her."Your brother?" she questioned, twirling her umbrella some more.
"Yes. He regrettably wasn't at the party because he came down with the mumps. It's hard to believe that we met nearly two weeks ago," he murmured. She nodded.
"I didn't realize how far away your estate was from mine. After more than a week in that god-awful carriage, I feel like my very bones have been jostled from their sockets," she told him, unconsciously clenching his sleeve in her fingers when she saw several people appear at the top of the steps. She tried her best to flash a winning smile at the family but a movement out of the corner of her eye made her falter. Seto roughly tugged her behind him, his stance wide and arms spread out while his mother gasped and cried for help. What an overreaction, Téa though sourly, putting a gloved hand to her forehead before lifting her umbrella from her shoulder and closing it.
Knowing that Seto would never let her past him, Téa backed off behind him and made her way around to the other side of the carriage while the Kaiba family and their respective servants gawked at the scene her horse was making when the groomsmen had tried to lead him to the stables. "Lord have mercy! Stop the girl!" Téa heard Seto's mother shout. Stopping begrudgingly, she shot an annoyed look over her shoulder, then ignored the cry and continued to approach the frenzied animal with nonchalance. Slowly, she tugged her gloves from her hands and let them fall to the ground and raised her hands in front of her, reaching out to the stallion's nose for him to smell. He reared and Seto's mother gave another frightened cry and something about putting the animal down. More determined than before, Téa launched herself forward and grabbed the rope that had come undone from the carriage where it had been tied when the groomsmen had tried to take him away.
"Everybody step away from the girl!" Téa didn't have to turn her head to know it was the patriarch of the family shouting the order and was grateful for it. Less to focus on would help calm her horse. Taking a deep breath and making sure there was plenty of slack in the rope, Téa moved slowly towards the massive animal, moving in one arm-length at a time. Though his nostrils were flaring and he kept pawing at the earth, he seemed to be calming and Téa finally reached him, completely removed the rope and then leaned in to pat his neck as a reassurance. Another deep breath filled her lungs and Téa wrapped her arms around the neck of the animal in a tight hug, then stepped back and let her hand glide up to the top of his neck before walking off in the direction of the stables, the horse obediently following her silent command."The animal needs to be put down," Seto's mother mumbled again, still breathing heavily into a lace handkerchief she'd brought up to her mouth. Seto gave her an angry look from his place below her and opened his mouth to say something but his father shook his head and raised his hand to silence him.
"That's nonsense Marie," he said gruffly.
"But you SAW him! He'll kill someone!" she sobbed, turning to him in a flurry of petticoats. Her eyes plead with her husband who towered above her but he shook his head and placed his hands on her shoulders and brought her into the circle of his arms.
"It is not your decision as it is not your animal, dear," he said a bit softer. "He belongs to our son's intended and as you saw, it seems she can handle him satisfactorily. We'll just keep him away from the other horses and make sure Téa trains her own groomsman." The woman hiccupped and dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her kerchief and while she did so, Mamoru motioned for his sons to go to the stables and check up on Téa. With a curt nod, Seto marched away from the scene, sick of the way his mother simpered like the ladies she gossiped with at parties. Mokuba walked beside him and it seemed that the two brothers shared the same sentiments as they approached the stables with tense shoulders and ramrod-straight backs.
Rounding the corner and entering the massive stables, Seto and Mokuba were instantly acquainted with the familiar smell of horseflesh and hay. The entire area was roofed to keep the elements out though it could be opened up to let in more air for circulation and there was also a large, enclosed fireplace that could warm it during the colder winter months. The quarters for the groomsmen were in a smaller building directly connected to the stables, fully furnished and quite comfortable despite the station of those living there. Each of the stalls were large enough to place a bed and furniture in each with room to spare; personalized blankets hung on rungs along with saddles and bridles; brushes, combs, and trinkets to adorn the horses with were separated into hanging baskets. The hay, oats, and vegetables were kept at the far end of the stables, stacked and tidy as if prepared for inspection. Fresh water was hauled in daily. To say that the Kaiba family took pride in it's horses was an understatement.
Seto and Mokuba both stopped about midway through the stables when they spied Téa's head just over the top of a stall wall. Quietly, they approached the stall and found Téa slowly moving around her animal, brushing him and humming softly, running her hands over him constantly to remind him of her presence. The brothers nodded with some satisfaction that Téa had placed her horse in a stall that had empty stalls on either side so that it was not too close to other horses. Placing the brush back into the basket where it belonged, the young woman looked up, an unhappy frown curving her mouth downwards. She wiped her dirty hands along a towel slung over the wall of the stall before opening the door that led out and closing it behind her.
"Your mother will not have my horse put down," she said fiercely, not giving either of the men a chance to speak before her. They glanced at each other before Seto stepped forward and presented his arm to Téa, who surprisingly took it with a polite nod. Seto's opposite hand reached over to gently stroke the bare skin of the hand laying atop his arm and looked down at her. She was staring up at him expectantly. He noted absently that Mokuba walked on the other side of his fiancé.
"My father has already informed my mother that your magnificent animal will not be put down," Seto said softly, finding himself strangely captivated by the way the young girl's eyes seemed to shine so brightly. She took a deep breath and pressed her lips together tightly before releasing a relieved sigh.
"May I ask what his name is?" Mokuba asked, and Seto watched Téa's head turn to acknowledge him. "Your horse, I mean."
"You may indeed," she replied softly, transitioning between a fierce protector and polite noblewoman without batting an eye. Even mother would be impressed, Seto remarked sarcastically to himself. "My father bought him for me when I was a small child; I have grown up with that horse. At night, my father would tell me fantastical stories, myths, legends about brave kings and ordinary men who overcame terrible obstacles. I wanted my horse to reflect that same power and honor with his name. His name is Pharaoh." Téa's gaze moved slowly to the ground and she bit her lip after mentioning her father, her grip on Seto's forearm slightly tighter.
"It is a kingly name," Mokuba admitted, looking over the girl's head to share an agreement of the eyes with his older brother. Téa suddenly sniffed and looked up.
"We have not been properly introduced yet, I am afraid," she said with a smile, once more melting into a completely different attitude. Mokuba seemed surprised at the change and opened his mouth to say something but Seto beat him to it.
"And I was ungentlemanly in not presenting him to you more formally," the dark-haired man apologized. "This," he said with a sweeping of his free hand, "is the younger brother whom you did not meet at that fateful ball, Mokuba." Mokuba bowed his head and kissed the back of Téa's hand, presenting her with a freely-given smile. She returned the grin.
"You look like a mischievous rascal," Téa laughed, linking her other arm through the one Mokuba had offered to her. "I do believe you and I shall be good friends," she added with another laugh which sent the black-haired youth into unintelligible stammering and blushing. Téa licked her lips and smiled once more, directing it at Seto, who faltered at the unexpected attention. And he was upset to realize he was mesmerized once more by her beauty. Keeping only a friendly relationship with his intended would be harder than initially hoped."Dear girl, I was so frightened when that beast reared up," Seto heard his mother coo at Téa from the sitting room. He grinned as he saw the girl bristle. It seemed that in the future, entertainment would always be found if observing the two womens' actions and reactions towards each other.
"My horse is no beast," Téa tried to reply as civilly as possible. "He merely gives no respect where it has not been earned. Your groomsmen, though they may have had good intentions, upset him. Even the men who cared for the horses at my previous home never quite handled him enough for him to go without a fight, for he is a fighter. Bred from the highest quality and purest blood of the Arabian line, as black in color as the night sky over the Sahara and as powerful as a sandstorm." Seto's mother Marie sucked in a breath. "My father bought him from a sheikh in Egypt."
"What a spectacular tale," Marie remarked, taking a prim sip of tea. Téa whirled on her.
"It is no tale. I assure you that you will not find another horse as powerful or fast in all of Europe. Nor as temperamental. Arabians are known to accept only one master. My horse is unique in that he allowed my father power over him as well as myself. The traveling peoples of the Arabian Desert speak of the bond between a horse and its master. It is quite similar to the soul-bond so often mentioned in love stories, though centered more around loyalty and devotion rather than fickle emotions."
"I daresay, you act as though you don't believe in love," Marie laughed. When Téa didn't start laughing along with her she stopped and set her teacup down. "You do, don't you?"
"I believe in it," Téa told her slowly. "But I don't believe it can last forever. I've seen men turn to the arms of other women despite the fact they have a faithful wife waiting at home, for love. I've seen women become harlots from being scorned too many times by love. Mothers have abandoned their children for parties and gossip, abandoned the loving memories of their husbands and families. Yes, I believe in love. But everlasting love? Never," Téa ground out, leaving Seto's mother in a state of shock as she stormed out of the sitting room to the stairs that led to the room she had been shown to earlier. She spared a brief glance at Seto who also stood, somewhat stunned, leaning against a wall with his vest undone and sleeves rolled up, his arms folded across his chest. He only barely caught the murmur Téa didn't realize she'd said aloud: "Not since my father died."End of Part 2. This chapter was dedicated to my close pal Kysra because she loves Mokuba so much. Like it? Hate it? Review and let me know either way!